Chapter Seven

No Way Out

Sam was in the driver's seat. Dean and Illyria had fallen asleep in each other's arms. It was about 8:30, as promised they made it to Bobby's before 9. Sam pulled into the driveway, put the car in park and turned off the engine. "Dean, Illyria, we're here," Sam said as he shook Dean.

Dean woke up and he shook Illyria. "Hey, we're here. Let's get inside," Dean suggested.

She followed Dean out of the car. Then she opened the back door to let the dogs out. They all headed towards Bobby's front door. Bobby opened the door before they could even knock.

"Sam, Dean, it's good to see you boys," Bobby greeted as they all went through the door.

"Good to see you too Bobby," Sam replied and gave Bobby a hug. Bobby released Sam and spotted Illyria.

"And this pretty young thing must be Illyria," Bobby stated.

Illyria shook Bobby's hand, "it's very nice to meet you, and thank you."

"Well, I've been doing a little research on curses," Bobby started to explain, but Dean interrupted him.

"Actually, Illyria just informed us that she knows how to lift the curse," Dean was still a little upset.

"Oh well that's good news to hear. Cuz I couldn't find a damn thing about her curse anyway," Bobby answered with relief.

"Really, you couldn't find anything at all?" Illyria questioned.

Bobby shook his head, "nothing, no curses that involved anyone turning into a mer-person. Plenty of people being turned into mice or frogs, but none on sea creatures."

"Really, that's bizarre," Illyria answered quietly.

"What's wrong Illyria?" Sam asked.

"Well, it's just strange. I mean 500 years have gone by and Moira has never used this curse again? There's no record of a curse like mine anywhere. Why wouldn't there be? Why would I be the only one ever to be cursed like this? It makes me wonder if it really can be lifted," Illyria explained.

Dean looked confused, "but you said you knew how to break it. How did you get that information?"

Illyria shrugged, "it's just what my parents always told me."

Sam, Dean and Bobby all looked at each other. "Do you think, maybe your parents just told you all of that to make you feel better?" Sam asked cautiously.

Illyria started pacing across the cluttered living room. "I guess, I don't know. Why would they do that? Why would they lie to me?" Illyria was beginning to hyperventilate. Dean sat her down in a chair and Bobby ran to the kitchen to get her some water.

"Just calm down don't get all worked up. We don't even know if that's true. Tonight will be the test, your moment of certainty. I told you that I love you and that fact remains the same. Whether you're human or the little mermaid, I'm yours and your's alone. So, if that's the magic cure, tonight at midnight you won't change," Dean responded frantically as he tried to keep Illyria calm. Bobby brought her a glass of water and she finished it in two gulps.

"I really hope you're right. I don't want to turn into a mermaid any more. I'm so ready to be a normal girl," Illyria said as tears started to well up in her eyes. Dean took her face in his warm, capable hands.

"Illyria, we are going to help you. Don't be upset, everything is going to work out," his voice was soothing and reassuring. Illyria took a deep breath and nodded her head slowly in agreement. She trusted Dean, she trusted him more than anyone she ever had in her life. He wiped the tears from her cheeks and kissed her forehead.

It was 11:55 PM, five minutes to go. Illyria was on her feet and pacing again. Dean was standing in the corner, Sam was sitting in an arm chair and Bobby was sitting at his desk. "You got the tub ready, right?" Illyria asked Bobby.

"Warm water and sea salt, all set and ready to go upstairs," Bobby answered.

"Good, thank you," Illyria smiled a weak smile and continued pacing. Dean watched Illyria as she paced nervously back and forth. He wished he could do something to make her relax.

"Illyria, sweetie, come over here and have a seat," Dean suggested and pointed to the chair in front of him. Illyria sighed and dragged herself over to the chair. She sat down and Dean started to massage her shoulders. "Just relax, it'll all work out," Dean whispered in her ear.

Just then the clock struck midnight. They all stared at the clock hanging on the wall. Then Sam, Dean and Bobby directed their gaze towards Illyria. The clock stopped ringing and Dean smiled. "See, what did I tell you. Everything's fine," but he spoke too soon.

Illyria clutched her abdomen, "oh no, it didn't work. I have to get upstairs, now!" Illyria stood up, but she was changing too fast. She fell to her knees. Her fin was beginning to form causing her pants to rip. Dean scooped her up and ran up the stairs. When he reached the bathroom he quickly removed her remaining clothes. He picked her back up and gently placed her in the tub.

Illyria was visibly upset, "Dean, I'd like to be alone. Please, just for a little while."

Dean nodded, "of course, just uh, holler if you need anything."

Illyria smiled a weak smile and then submerged herself under the water. She curled up into the fetal position and closed her eyes. Dean stood up and walked out of the bathroom. He went back downstairs to join Sam and Bobby.

"How is she?" Sam asked cautiously.

Dean shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck. "How do you think she is? She's devastated, which is understandable. Her parents filled her head with false hopes. I hate seeing her so upset, there has to be a way to help her," Dean groaned.

"Maybe we could summon Moira and kill her. Maybe if she's gone, Illyria's curse will be lifted," Sam suggested.

"That's a lot of maybes Sammy," Dean stated.

"It's worth a try," Bobby added.

"Yeah and maybe if we summon that evil bitch she'll kill Illyria. Or maybe we'll kill her and Illyria will still be a mermaid. Maybe, maybe there's no way out for Illyria," Dean exclaimed.

Sam sighed heavily, "lets just give it a try. We have to do something."

"Fine, lets do this. But we wait until morning, Illyria is too vulnerable now. I won't let anything happen to her," Dean explained. Bobby and Sam nodded in agreement. This could be the only way to save Illyria. At least, that's what they all hoped.

***I'm sorry it took so long for me to add this chapter. There are three chapters left, they're complete I just have to type them. I promise they will be up as fast as I can type them. Thank you again to everyone who has read and reviewed this story. I really appreciate all the feed back.***