- Epilogue -
"Okay, the cheeseburgers are ready. Come and get it!" Joe announced, sliding cheese-covered patties from the backyard grill onto the sesame seed buns that Bridgette handed to him on paper plates.
The Winchester brothers had joined the DuBois family at their home for lunch. It was partly a celebration that Ariel was home safe, partly a thank you to Sam and Dean, and a goodbye party for the hunters as well.
Sam and Dean sat on the patio's deck chairs, drinking beers, and quietly observing as Joe continued serving the burger patties to his middle daughter.
"You okay, Sammy?" Dean asked softly, noticing his brother was staring into space.
"Yeah," the tall young man replied. "I just can't help thinking about what he said to me back there."
"Look, he's gone now. Let's not worry about it, okay? We'll get him. I promise."
Sam nodded, even though a slight frown of worry still creased his forehead. "Okay, yeah," he agreed. A corner of his mouth quirked upward into a smile. "I haven't been to a barbeque in months anyway."
"Now we're talking," Dean encouraged. Clinking his beer bottle against Sam's, the brothers both took a drink before Allison stuck her head out the sliding door to the patio.
"Come inside, guys. The food's ready," she called, going out to help Bridgette and Joe carry the plates of cheeseburgers into the house.
Sam and Dean stood from their seats and followed Allison into the dining room, where their lunch was.
Joe sat at the head of the table with Allison to his right. Ariel was seated on Allison's other side, followed by Sam. Dean sat across from his brother and next to Marie, then came Bridgette, who was to Joe's left.
On the table were plates of crisp bacon, lettuce, and sliced tomatoes, and bottles of mustard, ketchup, and pickles. Accompanying their burgers were potato chips and a fresh green salad.
Everyone began helping themselves to the fixings and side dishes, with Dean being the most enthusiastic as he assembled his bacon cheeseburger.
"Save some room for dessert," Allison cautioned them. "I bought an apple pie. It's Ariel's favorite."
Dean grinned in appreciation. "Good choice," he commended Ariel.
"Thanks," she said, smiling for a moment, before she glanced shyly at Sam. "So, um, where are you headed to next?" she asked him.
"Uh, we're thinking Oregon," Sam replied. "There's some things going on there we want to check out."
"Do you think you'll ever come back here again?"
Sam looked to Dean for help, but his brother only smiled, ducking his head as he took another bite of his burger.
"I'll tell you what," he proposed, "why don't I give you my e-mail address? That way, we can keep in touch."
"Really?" Ariel asked, her face lighting up with happiness.
"If it's okay with your parents," Sam added, glancing at Allison and Joe.
Ariel turned to them as well. "Is it okay?" she asked them.
Joe did not look as happy as Allison did, but he nodded anyway. "I'll give you my e-mail," he told Sam, "and let Ariel know if you send her a message."
"Thank you, Daddy," Ariel said. She beamed at him, then returned to eating her salad with more relish than she had displayed before.
Dean chuckled quietly, while Sam concentrated on the food on his plate.
Taking pity on the younger Winchester, Allison got up from her seat. "Who's ready for dessert?" she asked.
-*-*-*-
After lunch, Dean and Sam said their goodbyes to Joe and Allison's family.
While Sam and Joe exchanged e-mail addresses, Dean spoke to Allison.
"Thanks for the food, Allison. It was awesome." Turning serious, he added in a low voice, "And thanks for helping Sam, you know, with his psychic thing."
"Well, I was glad to do it. And thank you, Dean, for everything you've done. We'll never forget it."
She opened her arms to him, and he embraced her, feeling somewhat awkward. As they hugged, she heard a fleeting thought from him. I wish I could have had a mom like you.
Allison laughed. "I'm not so sure about that," she replied as she released him, making Dean look at her in surprise.
As his shock and embarrassment wore off, he cleared his throat. "Well, uh, I guess I'll get out of your hair." He went over to Joe and shook the man's hand. "Joe."
"Dean," the older man acknowledged.
Sam also shook the engineer's hand. "Thanks for trusting us." He then went to say goodbye to Allison. "Thank you. I really appreciate you trying to help me."
"And thank you for getting Ariel back for us." She hugged Sam, sensing his thoughts as she had with Dean. "There's no need to blame yourself, Sam. It wasn't your fault," she assured him, knowing he still blamed himself for Ariel's disappearance.
Nodding, Sam swallowed the lump that had risen in his throat. "Take care of yourself, okay?" he asked.
Allison smiled kindly at him. "I'll do my best," she promised.
The brothers walked across the street and stored their things in the trunk of the Impala, then turned to wave goodbye to the DuBois family, who had gathered outside their front door to see them off.
Dean climbed into the driver's seat and Sam got in beside him. Before he started the engine, Dean looked over at his brother.
"You really gonna keep in touch with Ariel?" he asked.
"Yeah, I will. I'm not like you, Dean. I'm not one of those guys who say they'll call when they won't."
Dean grinned and put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "That's what I like about you, Sammy," he said, revving the Impala's engine to life. "You're in touch with your feminine side."
His little brother snorted and shoved Dean's hand off his shoulder.
The elder Winchester only laughed, turning up the volume as a classic rock song came on over the car's speakers, before driving off into the afternoon sun.
- End -
