So, this is how it all ends. And I learned while posting here not to use stars to make breaks between places or times during a chapter. So, sorry if this was sometimes a little difficult to get. But I learned ;)
Here the epilogue...
Couple of days later...
"So, evil is really out there, huh?" Sam and Dean sat opposite Claire, nodding quietly. They had met up with her at the airport café, to keep her company, while she waited for her plane back home.
"Little Billy is on his way to mend." She told them, both smiling, that the little boy was going to be alright.
"You should have been there… I never thought that the Dermont's are such a pack of… you know?" she smiled sadly then sighed. "Well, on the other side, I don't know how I would have reacted, coming home, seeing this mess and the police… and after what had happened, I really couldn't blame them."
Sam and Dean changed an understanding glance. "So, you're going back home then?" Sam asked, clearing his throat. Claire's eyes became sparkling. "Yes. Yes, I'm going to finish my studies back home. It's okay, even if I liked it here pretty much…" she said her eyes wandering off on memory lane. Then she shook herself out of it, giving the brother's a genuine smile: "But I think the two of you just gave my abroad-experience the touch of adventure I hoped it would have." Her smile was now radiating. "Even if…" she touched the bruises covering the skin of her throat tenderly.
All three started to rise, as her flight number and gate was being announced through the speakers.
"Well, then this is goodbye?" she asked, looking at both of them. "Thanks so much for what you've done. I'll never forget."
Dean grinned: "Well, we're experts in screwing up. But you're welcome!" he quipped, as he hugged Claire for farewell.
As he stepped back, he gave Sam a small nudge, earning him an annoyed growl.
Claire looked at him, smiling that sparkling smile, her eyes shiny and grateful.
He felt suddenly warm and shy, but repressed the feeling, knowing Dean would have enough teasing-material, with him blushing. He could almost feel Dean's smirk on the back of his head.
Claire rescued him, as she stepped up, slightly on her toes, and embraced him, giving him a soft kiss on his cheek.
He hugged her back, smelling her shampoo and smiled.
"Thank you, too!" she whispered silently.
Sam nodded. "You're welcome… and sorry for me tackling you!" he added grinning sheepishly and hearing Dean snort behind him…
FIN
