To disclaim, or not to disclaim. That is the question.

One more chapter. I think I might cry.

Thanks to everyone who has read this, and (hopefully) everyone who will.

Oh, and the werewolf episode? I'm obviously biased, but, um…can't say I was thrilled. (I'm an avid Jess fan. Sammy disappointed me. Sad, but true. And, I mean, not my idea of werewolves, but, hey, everyone's entitled to their own views.)

Anyway. Thanks again.

"She's going to be fine Dean," Sam whispered above her head.

"Then why hasn't she woken up? She wasn't like this last time and she was practically cut open!" She heard Dean's footsteps pacing around the room.

She wanted to tell him to calm down, that she was alright, but her eyelids were just too damn heavy, and her mouth wouldn't obey her mind.

"You're going to ruin her floor if you keep that up," Sam commented. A hand came to rest on her forehead, "At least her fever's gone."

'I don't give a damn about her fever." Heavy footsteps came closer to her bed, "How's her back?"

The same hand slid under her arm and gently turned her onto her side. "Better. It'll probably disappear by tonight."

I'm fine! She wanted to scream. Well, minus the fact that she couldn't move she's was okay.

"Get the door, Sammy." Dean's voice was strained. As Sam's footfalls slowly faded, she was returned to her back. "Please, wake up, Chase. Or at least give me some sign you're not dying."

"She's not dying." An authoritative voice wormed its way into Chase's mind. Desiree was here.

"Oh really? So you're here to finish her off, then?" Dean snapped.

Chase wanted to slap him.

"Hardly," Desiree's heels clicked the distance to her bed. "Would you boys mind giving us some privacy?" They must have agreed because soon the only presence in the room was Desiree's. "Open your eyes, Chase."

She did as she was told. Desiree looked as worn out as Chase felt, but managed a smile as Chase caught her eye. "Thank you," Chase sighed, finally able to use her voice, "I thought I was in one of those operations gone wrong for a second."

Des laughed a little and sat on the edge of Chase's bed. "You know I'm technically supposed to kill you, right?"

"Oh?"

"You killed a member of the pack. You know that's against the rules." Desiree's smile grew, "But since that certain member killed I guess it was payback."

Chase glanced at the sheets on her bed, "I'm sorry about your dad, Des. And Aden too…kinda."

"Yeah. My brother certainly proved himself to be beyond cold blooded, didn't he?" She shook her head, "But, I guess it had to happen this way. Otherwise how would I be able to lead?"

"You wouldn't." Chase slowly sat up, "You'll be a great leader, though."

"Thanks." Desiree stood up and walked to the window.

"Have you seen Turner?" Chase asked apprehensively.

Desiree frowned and shifter her weight from foot to foot. "No."

Chase let silence answer for her. Turner had been her mate. It probably was for the best, but Des had lost so much in such a short time. Smoothing the blanket out around her, Chase watched Desiree walk back to the bedside out of the corner of her eye.

"And that brings me to another reason why I came to see you." She sat down beside Chase. "Turner will be back eventually. And when he is, he'll try and kill you."

"I wouldn't doubt it," Chase answered sourly.

"I don't want you dead, Chase."

Chase's forehead wrinkled, "What are you trying to say?"

"That you need to get out of the city. The state, preferably." She bit her lip. "It's not that I want you gone. I don't. But we both know you aren't happy here, and I think that you should take this chance to get out. It'll be so much-"

With a shake of her head, Chase cut the girl off. "I know." She glanced at the floor below, but she couldn't see anybody. "I just…I don't know where to go."

"Go home, Chastity." Desiree leaned forward and gave her a gentle hug, careful not to touch her back. "Try again."

"Maybe you're right." She returned the hug.

"So, um, you girls gonna kiss now?" Dean's comment broke the mood.

Chase grinned, "Winchester, you are one sick puppy."

He shrugged, "But you like me, right?" He shoved his hands in his pockets and smiled sheepishly.

"If I have too." She glanced at Desiree. "Des, this is Sam and Dean Winchester."

"We've met," Sam reached out to shake the werewolf's hand. "No hard feelings about knocking me out."

Des laughed, "Thanks." A momentary silence settled until Desiree started to stand up. "I've got to go. We've got some…cleaning up to do." She started to leave the apartment.

"Good luck, Des," Chase called.

Desiree turned and smiled a final time, "You too, Chase." And then she walked out the door.

"So," Chase said after a second, "You boys have a good time last night?"

"You sure know how to show a guy a good time," Dean commented settling himself beside Chase.

"Something I pride myself in." Chase leaned against him. "Are you okay, Sam?"

"Yeah. I'm fine." Sam alternated his gaze from his brother to Chase. "I'm going to get something to eat. You guys want anything?"

"No," they said in unison.

"I'll be back later, then."

"Hey, Sam," she said to his retreating back.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

He smiled, "See you later."

"Bye." She watched him walk down the stairs, and listened as the door slammed.

Dean put his arm around her shoulders. "It's just me and you."

"Should I start running?"

He pretended to look hurt. "After all I do for you, this is the thanks I get?"

"Of course not." She tilted her head up and kissed him. "I owe you."

"Even though you would have been better off if Sammy and I hadn't shown up?"

"You're wrong." Chase kissed him again, "I wouldn't have been better off."

XxXxX

A while later, as he watched her sleep, Dean thought about what would happen next. Their job was done. Everything here was going to be okay. Chase would be fine. It was time to move to the next killer evil. Unfortunately, the next gig was on the other side of the country. Somewhere without deranged wolves, abandoned theaters, and Chase.

She stirred next to him, and he looked down to see her eyes slowly open.

"How long have I been asleep?" she asked stifling a yawn.

"Not long." He pulled the sheets tighter around them. "You feeling okay?"

"Fine." The yawn finally escaped.

"Looks like you could use a few more hours."

She ignored him and laid her head on his shoulder. "So about the one topic we've been avoiding," she said quietly.

"What would that be?" He wasn't going to talk about this. Not with her.

"When are you leaving?" She fingered the charm on his necklace.

He watched her for a second before answering. "Who says I am."

"Come on, Dean. We both know the evil here has been conquered," she paused, twirling and untwirling the black rope, "But here is just one place."

"You want me to go?" He braced himself for the answer.

"No." Her hand moved to his neck, "but you've got the whole world to save, and you can't do that staying here."

"You could come with us. It'd be like one big dysfunctional family." He laughed at the thought, "I swear we'd let you have the shower first."

"Dean," she laughed good naturedly. "As amazing as that would be, I can't. Maybe one day, but not now."

"Why?"

"I've got my own world to save."

There was a long silence. Dean watched the sky grow dark, and the moonless sky fill with stars. "Are you going to be okay?"

"I am."

He nodded. "We should probably leave in the morning. Islen's going to be an all day drive."

"You'll make it in half a day with the way you drive."

He laughed, "I doubt that." The front door slammed and then was bolted. The clicking of the chain broke the quiet atmosphere.

"You should go talk to your brother."

"You should get some sleep," he retorted grabbing his jeans.

"I will if you will."

"It's a deal." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I'll see you in the morning?"

"I'll see you." Her teeth gleamed in the dark as she smiled at him. "I could love you, Winchester. You know that, right?"

He smiled back and kissed her again. Yeah. He knew that.

"Get some sleep, Sammy," he said coming down the stairs. "We've got an early morning."