Chapter Thirteen

Jade entered Dean's room the next morning to see him packing his things. Jade coughed slightly to let him know she was there. He turned towards her, then back to his packing.

"What's up?" he asked as he stuffed his shirts in the bag.

"I just wanted to say thank you." she answered seriously.

"Not a problem. We do it all the time." he said.

"No, I mean...thank you for everything."

"You're welcome." he said, finally turning and staring at her as he finished packing.

"You know, you don't have to leave..." Jade paused, hoping he'd at least consider staying another day or two.

"I do." answered Dean sharply, turning away.

Jade mumbled inaudibly, "But I don't want you to leave."

Dean turned back at her, "What'd you say?"

"Nothing," she said dismissively, "I'll, uh, make you guys some breakfast to go."

"It's okay. We're just gonna go." Dean said, shaking his head.

"Are you sure?" asked Jade, slightly hurt.

"Yeah, I am."

"I'll be downstairs." she turned away, ready to leave.

"Jade?"

Without turning, Jade tried not to let her voice wobble as she said,

"Yes?"

"Thanks. You know, for everything."

She nodded and tears began to flow as she exited the room.

Sam entered from his doorway and looked at his brother.

"You know, we don't have any prior engagements. We could have st--!"

"No. We have to go." answered Dean quickly.

"She got to you, didn't she?" asked Sam seriously.

"No." Dean lied.

"Yes, she did."

"Listen, Mr. Foresight, I don't need you thinking for me, okay? Let it go and let's head out," Dean snapped, heading downstairs to the Impala. Sam shook his head and followed Dean.

The younger Winchester, however, stopped when he caught a glimpse of Jade sitting in the dining room, silently crying. She saw him and she dried her eyes quickly.

"Don't be strangers, my door is always open." she whispered, not looking at him.

"We won't. We'll try to come back as soon as we can." Sam replied, meaning it. Truly meaning it. Then, before he could say any more, Dean called from outside,

"Sammy! Let's go or I'll leave you behind!"

Sam turned back toward Jade and finally said, "Bye, Jade. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Sam."

Sam came out of the house, closing the door behind him. He noticed that Dean wasn't driving. He was in the passenger seat, sunglasses on his face. Sam jumped in and started up the car. But not before he caught Dean turning to look back once more at the house.

"Dean, could you be anymore rude?" asked Sam irritably.

"What do you mean?" asked Dean, "I said goodbye."

"Yeah, okay whatever," Sam answered, then he asked, "What exactly happened between you two?"

"We kissed..." Dean mumbled incoherently.

"Huh?" asked Sam.

"WE KISSED! Ya happy now?" questioned Dean, leaning back in the seat, arms folded.

"You kissed?!" asked Sam, shocked, "Dude! How come you didn't tell me?"

"I'm telling you now. Now let it go and drive."

"No way. You could've--we could've--!"

"I couldn't stay Sam. It wouldn't have been fair."

"Oh, give me a break, Dean. She's so much like you, it isn't even funny."

"Yeah, okay, whatever, Foresight Boy."

Sam replied seriously, "Dude, she was crying."

"Maybe she was cutting onions for an omelette."

"DUDE! Come on! Could you be any more insensitive?" Sam couldn't believe this.

"Maybe," Dean answered, then quietly asked, "She was crying?"

"Yeah. Maybe you should watch what you say more often." Sam replied icily.

Dean huffed, "Listen, it's too difficult, all right? We're on the road all the time, right? And besides, Cassie..." he trailed.

"Cassie told you to move on, she wasn't gonna wait for you," Sam said, "Besides, Cassie wasn't like you that much. Jade's more like you than I think you both know. She understands what we do, too."

"Stop the sermon, man," Dean said grabbing his bag and reaching into it. "What the--?" he pulled out a small, black crushed velvet bag and opened it. In it were drams of oils and bags of herbs. He found a yellow post it note attached to one of the bottles.

In neat cursive, the note said:

For Protection.

Love, Jade

"I can't believe she left this in my bag," Dean said incredulously.

Dean's cell phone suddenly rang and he stared at the incoming call. He raised an eyebrow. He didn't recognize the number, but knowing that it may be someone who needed help, he picked up.

"Hello?" he asked.

There was a pause, and then Dean said, "Jade?"

Sam only grinned as they drove off, passing the sign that said:

YOU ARE NOW LEAVING SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.

And we are done. Don't think you'll be hearing the last of Jade, though.