-Chapter 9 of TWLL-

-That Evening-

"I know you hear me, you stupid, angel!" Ace whispered to herself on the porch. She turned her back for a second and then Castiel appeared. He looked a little frustrated.

"What do you want, Alyssa?" Castiel grumbled.

"Shit! You can't just pop up, good god. I need some information from you." Ace said.

"What type of information?" Cas asked her.

"For one, what demon killed Dean and Sam's mother and why would it want to hurt Maria and her family?" She asked.

"Maria was just something on the side. Whatever killed them was after you." Castiel said in a monotone voice. Ace's eyes opened in shock.

"Why the hell would something want to kill me?" Ace asked.

"It's trying to hurt the Winchesters. Azazel is a strong demon that has been haunting their family since they were born…" Cas started.

"He's the one that killed their mom." Ace assumed.

"Correct. He killed Sam's girlfriend in college and now he's trying to kill you." Cas stated.

"Why would he want me dead?"

"I have to talk to the other angels about that, but in the meantime don't do anything Dean would do." Castiel said before he disappeared.

Ace sighed and buried her face in her hands. She walked onto the porch for air. After a few minutes she felt the warmth of another body on her arms. She breathed in the scent and embraced it. Dean kissed her neck and just stood there with her. He didn't know what to say to her. He knew what would happen if she acted on her anger. It would cost her her life.

He kissed her hair and took in her natural scent. He hugged her closer and she gripped on to him for what she made seem like the last time. She turned around to face Dean. She held his face in her hands. He squeezed them and looked into her eyes. He didn't know this woman very long, but he felt as if they belonged together. Dean knew this much was true, but part of him knew, this wouldn't last long. Ace knew she cared for him, more than she had any man in her life. She put her head to his chest and just let the hug overtake her. Dean lifted her chin and their lips met in the most passionate kiss either of them had ever experienced. They forgot the world for only a moment and only knew the other. They walked back inside and went to bed without another word.

-In the Middle of the Night-

"You can't possibly be serious, Cas." Dean argued.

"I'm sorry, Dean, but that's what I've heard." Cas put simply.

"There has to be another way." Dean rebutted in all furiousness.

"Dean..." Sam started.

"Shut it, Sammy. Cas, find another way. I'll give my fucking soul; just make this crap go away." Dean shouted. Bobby looked down the hall and the door to Dean's room was still closed, which meant Ace was still asleep.

"Dean, keep your goddamn voice down. For the love of God." Bobby warned. Dean dropped his voice a few notches, but he didn't let the subject go.

"Just find another way, Cas, I'm begging you." Dean asked. His voice was breaking and he was completely desperate.

"There is no other way Dean. You must do this, for her sake." Cas concluded before he vanished. Dean groaned and snatched a beer from the fridge and went back to bed. Sam and Bobby looked at each other with sad looks on their faces. They were depressed that there was no other way out of this, but it had to be done.

-Late the Next Morning-

Ace was naked under the covers, sleeping with a smile on her face. Dean sat up awake knowing what he had to do. He quietly slid out of bed and pulled on his boxers. He grabbed Ace's bag and began to stuff her clothes into it. Ace stirred and woke up. She looked over at Dean packing and sat up in the bed. She wrapped the blanket around her chest and her expression twisted from a smile to being puzzled. She bent over the side of the bed and pulled on her underwear and Dean's shirt.

"What's going on?" Ace asked tiredly. "Do we have a case?"

"No." Dean said curtly. Ace was taken aback by Dean's angry tone. Dean dumped her bag into her arms and left the room silently. Ace stood there dumbstruck. She pulled on her jeans and stalked after him. She reached for his arm, but he instantly pulled away.

"What the hell's the matter with you, Winchester?" Ace yelled at him. Sam and Bobby poked their heads around the corner to see what was going on and they didn't like what they saw.

"You need to leave, Alyssa." Dean said pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"What? Why?" Ace asked. Her voice was breaking, hoping this wasn't going where she thought it was.

"Sam and I haven't had a case in a month because of you. You're slowing us down. You're nothing but baggage." Dean said. He couldn't look at her, but he could feel in his heart the knives he was digging into her back.

"What do you mean, Dean?" Ace asked. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. The pain just kept coming with every second that passed. Dean finally turned to her and stood face to face with her.

"What I mean is that you're deadweight. There's no pressing reason for you to be here anymore. So I suggest you leave." He said rudely. He watched her hold back the tears, but soon her face turned to anger. Ace gave him a swift smack in the face.

"Go to Hell, Dean Winchester." Ace said. She grabbed her duffel and sped out the door. She never dreamed she'd break for anyone let alone, but this knife had dug its way in.

Dean stood there motionless as he listened to the light whimpers outside the slammed front door. Sam and Bobby tumbled around the corner and glared at Dean for what just occurred. Sam headed for the door, but Dean put his arm out to block him. Out of nowhere they heard the rev of an engine and the screeches of tires against the pavement. Sam threw his best bitch face in Dean's direction and he had every right to do it. Dean's face was emotionless as he clung to the chair for support. He sat down and buried his face in his hands. Ace was gone. She wasn't coming back at least not after the things he'd said to her. He didn't think he'd ever hear from her again. He knew it was better off that way.

"You could've told her the truth you know." Sam said as he and Bobby took seats at the table.

"She wouldn't have left." Dean said simply.

"Maybe so, but at least she wouldn't have wanted to kill you." Sam commented.

"The girl's too much like you, Dean. She's gonna do something drastic." Bobby warned.

"She'll be fine." Dean said. He got up from the table and went back to his room. He shut the door behind him and drank himself to sleep.