Chapter 21 - Though We Part

They stood frozen in place wrapped in the spell of lost love heartbroken for the moments that could have been. Faith held him and Dean held her. Eyelashes were thick and tears glistened on each cheek. It was a moment that neither would ever let slip from instantly recalling in their memories.

"You guys okay?" Sam's voice cut through the silence like a razor blade. His normally sweet voice stung at the implication that their moment was over. Dean was the first to pull away and look down into her face. He tilted her chin up to place a gentle kiss on her lips.

Sam looked on as the two slowly untangled their arms. Faith's hand rested in Dean's as she wiped away the moisture on her face.

Your bruises are gone. Faith continued to wipe the tears away not looking up to meet his gaze. Faith? Dean felt a distinct break in his heart at the silence in his mind.

Faith took a deep breath and chanced a look at Dean. That was intense. She paused and looked at him, truly looked at him. Dean? A fresh tear slid down her red cheek. You're gone, aren't you. She asked even though she already knew. She could see in his face that he was searching for her as well. She let her hand slide from his and they stood untouched by the other for the first time in more than a day.

Sam repeated his question, "Are you guys okay?"

The spell was broken and Dean looked up to see his younger brother. "Yeah...yeah, we're okay. How long were we gone?"

"Gone? You didn't go anywhere." Sam looked puzzled.

He turned back to Faith, "How are you feeling?"

She glanced at her hands and felt her side, "I feel fine." Her physical pain was gone, but the heartache had just begun.

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Faith took something for motion sickness and slept in the back seat of the Impala as Dean drove south the remainder of the night with Sam sound asleep in the passenger seat. She woke mid morning to find them pulling into a small diner in the middle of nowhere West Virginia. They ate in near silence only broken by the occasional comment from Sam on potential new cases. "There's a situation in Tucson that could use our help. Jared Thompson called and…"

"Mhmmm." Dean was obviously absent.

Sam closed the laptop and looked to Faith. "So, will you tell me what happened?"

Faith had a forkful of eggs an inch from her open mouth and froze momentarily before placing the fork back on her plate. "Umm...well, we...we saw Hathor…" She shifted uncomfortably as the scene played through her mind causing her to choke back the torrent of emotion and tears. "She...umm...she…" A single tear slid down her cheek as she attempted to continue, "She let us break the spell, but said…." Another tear slipped and she couldn't continue.

"I'm sorry, Faith." Sam said in complete sincerity. "I didn't realize."

"No, you don't, Sam." Dean snapped. "Leave it alone."

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Faith leaned over the front seat the remainder of the ride home not wanting to take Sam's rightful place in the passenger seat. Dean drove in silence; no words, no music, and, to Faith's heartbreak, no thoughts. She let the silence fill her and dreaded what she knew would come next. Only one week had passed since these two men had walked into her life. Only one week since she first looked into those green eyes. Only one week since she first felt the touch of his skin beneath her fingers. It had only been one week and yet she felt an eternity had passed. She knew this man as well as she knew herself. That's probably part of the punishment...to never forget. She choked back the tears again. He was sitting right in front of her, inches away, and yet they were a thousand miles apart.

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Dean focused on the road refusing to look in the rear view mirror at the beautiful blue eyes that continually held unshed tears. This woman that had thousands of thoughts in a single moment was completely silent. Her lips never moved and his heart ached to hear a single word. She's probably glad to be getting rid of me. She'll be safe and happy back home living her own life. He knew her as well as he knew himself. He knew that Faith would never think those things, but he did his best to convince himself those words were the truth. Although she was only inches away he distanced himself with every mile he drove convincing himself that it was for her own good, for her safety.

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It was late afternoon when the sleek black Impala rolled into the driveway of the yellow sided house. Silently the trio exited the vehicle. Dean opened the trunk and pulled out her suitcase reminding Faith of the first time he slid it in with boisterous complaints in his head about clothing an entire village. Dean registered the same thought and they shared a small smile.

"Would you guys like to come in? Stay for dinner? I know there's plenty of food in there." Faith did her best to not sound like she was begging, but even she could hear the desperation in her voice.

"I don't see why not." Sam answered looking to Dean. He could see the emotional struggle that each one of them carried and thought it might be best for them to spend time together. Maybe they could unravel the mess that had been forced upon them.

Dean didn't utter a word, but followed them into the house.

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An hour later Faith put plates out on the table intentionally ignoring the conversation happening just outside her back door on the small patio.

"She's pretty upset, Dean. It might not hurt to just talk it out with her."

Dean had both hands braced against the railing looking out into the leaf covered yard. He wasn't angry, he was broken. "What am I supposed to say, Sammy? I'm sorry I accidentally screwed up a couple weeks of your existence. Have a nice life. And then exit stage left!" Dean gestured to the yard as if it were his escape route.

"I don't know, man. I just know you can't leave her hanging like this."

He turned to Sam with a deadly serious tone, "We can't stay. I can't stay."

"I know." Sam said defeatedly. He wanted his brother to have a normal life as much as he had once wanted one himself.

"We've got big problems on the horizon." Dean braced his hands back on the railing.

"I know." Sam crossed his arms and looked out into the picturesque back yard.

The sliding glass door opened slightly and Faith's voice broke through the cool air, "Dinner's ready."

Dinner was awkward and notably silent. Faith knew they were leaving but hoped they would at least stay the night. None of them had gotten a good night sleep in several days. As she stood from the table and collected the empty plates she ventured the question, "So, where are you fellas off to next?" She attempted to keep her tone light.

"Maybe Tucson." Sam answered. "Depends on what Jared says when we finally catch up with him. In fact, I'm gonna step out onto the porch and try to call him again."

Faith and Dean both knew what he was up to and sighed in unison when they were finally left on their own. "Smooth."

Faith gave a small laugh as she deposited the remainder of the dishes in the sink. One by one she cleaned them and put them in the dishwasher. Dean watched unashamedly. As soon as her task was complete she dried her hands on a dish towel and turned to face him with a hand on her hip. He grinned at the southern sass she was portraying, but grew serious in an instant. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's not your fault." Her voice was strong and confident beyond what she could have ever felt. In the two words he spoke she could see that he was hurting just as she was. "I'm sorry." She whispered.

Dean rose from his chair and walked across the kitchen to face her. "For what? What in the world could you ever do that would need an apology."

He was so close, but Faith refused to touch him knowing that it would only make their lives more complicated and their parting more difficult.

Dean raised his eyebrows as he watched the play of emotions on her face, "I can't read your thoughts anymore, you know?"

She gave a humorless laugh. "Okay, then I'll try to tell you." This was the moment she knew would be most difficult. The freedom of expression between them had been pure and unfiltered, but now she would need to put into words her thoughts and feelings. Steeling herself against the emotional onslaught she stood tall and stated as matter of factly as she possibly could, "I'm sorry for all you've had to give and sacrifice in this world. I'm sorry that this world doesn't know what an amazing hero you are. I'm sorry that you can't have the normal life that you want...whether it be with me or someone else." Her resolve was wavering and Dean attempted to interrupt, but she stopped him with a raised hand. "Just let me finish." Her voice was small and almost a whisper. "I'm sorry you have to carry my baggage in addition to your own for the rest of your life. I'm sorry…" Dean put a hand on her arm as her eyes filled with tears, "I'm selfishly sorry that you can't stay." And with that she broke and he took her in his arms.

"Sweetheart, I'm so sorry." He whispered into her hair.

She didn't stay in his arms but for a moment when she pulled away and looked up at him, "I know I can't ask you to stay, but would you just stay for the night? You haven't slept in over 24 hours and I know Sam's tired too."

He nodded just as Sam walked back through the sliding glass door.

She pulled away and looked towards the pantry. "How about some homemade cookies?"

Sam piped up immediately, "That sounds great. Can't remember the last time we had any."

Dean smiled, "Any chance you bake pies?"

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Faith and Dean were sitting comfortably side by side on the couch watching the end of a movie while Sam had already retired in the guest bedroom for the night. The house was warm and quiet and smelled of fresh baked goods. Dean's eyelids were sliding closed and his head was bobbing with exhaustion causing Faith to smile. The credits rolled and she gently rubbed his arm. "Hey, sleepy head. Movie's over."

"Hmm? Okay." Incoherently he stood facing her.

She placed a hand on either arm and looked up at him. "You're gone, aren't you."

"Pretty much." He gave a big yawn and stretch landing his arms around her and pulling her in close. She easily submitted to his embrace pushing the thoughts of the coming morning aside. He brushed a kiss on top of her head and then rested his forehead against hers. "I'm gonna miss you."

"I'm gonna miss you, too." Faith said with a shaky sigh. She didn't want to let him go and he didn't want to be let go. "Come to bed with me?" Her voice came timid and shy giving Dean just the right amount of push to say yes. He took her hand and led her through the bedroom door. Faith climbed under the covers and turned out the lamp. She paused before turning to face him. Without hesitation he pulled her body to his wrapping her in strong conforming arms. Neither one uttered a word, content in the silent embrace.

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Dean woke to find Faith missing from the bed. The sunlight filtering through the bedroom window was bright with the onset of the day. The sounds and smells of breakfast slipped under the bedroom door. I could get used to this. He thought solemnly with a yawn and stretch.

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Over breakfast, Sam and Dean discussed the upcoming case with Faith interjecting an occasional question or thought.

"That's not a bad idea." Sam said with raised eyebrows. "Might have to call you occasionally to help me make plans cause we know Dean sucks at it."

"Okay, seriously. That last one worked out perfectly."

Faith laughed, "You got lucky."

She was faking the smile and faking the laughter and faking the comments, but neither one of the men seemed to notice. If they did they never acknowledged it. She knew there would never be a visit, or a call, or a postcard. The moment was coming and her heart physically hurt.

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Sam and Dean packed their clean clothes that Faith had insisted on washing and took the black duffel bags to the Impala. Dean's heart was racing as he faked the small talk and faked the jokes and faked the smile. He knew she could see right through him, but she didn't acknowledge it.

Sam wrapped Faith in a bear hug. "Bye, Faith. Take care of yourself. And call us if you ever need anything."

"I will." She said as her eyes filled with tears she forcefully held back, "Thank you, Sam. Thank you for everything."

"No problem."

"Look out for each other, please."

"We will." He gave her another quick hug and climbed in the passenger seat of the Impala.

Dean stood by with hands in his pockets. She turned on her heels to face him with an exceptionally tight smile, "Well...this is it." She clinched her fists at here side digging fingernails into her palms to prevent the tears in her eyes from being shed. In her best southern drawl she beckoned him over, "Better get over here and give me a hug goodbye."

He gave her a small smile in return and gulped down his own emotions as he pulled her into a tight embrace. Refusing to let the moment sweep him away, he stepped back quickly and kissed her on the forehead. Intentionally looking over her head he said, "Take care of yourself." He turned back to the Impala and climbed into the driver's seat slamming the door. He slid the key in the ignition and turned over the engine, but he didn't move any farther. He sat staring out the windshield into the street as his mind ran circles around the events of the past week.

"You ok?" Sam questioned from beside him.

He didn't move. He just rested his hands on the steering wheel and watched the street.

"Dean?"

Before Sam could utter another word, Dean threw open the door of the Impala and stalked over to a teary eyed Faith. She looked confused and then surprised as he swept her off of her feet into a steely embrace. His lips pressed desperately against hers demanding, pleading for more. She opened her mouth to his and encircled his neck with her arms pulling his body tightly to hers. He pressed the kiss deeper and she responded willingly. The moment was deliciously sweet as they intentionally forgot their surroundings and focused on one another. Just as suddenly as the kiss had begun it ended. Dean leaned down to whisper into her ear and she felt the tear from his cheek slide onto hers, "I loved you."

He pulled away suddenly without another word and walked to the Impala. Faith took a heaving breath. You heard me.

He paused with the Impala door in his hand and looked back over his shoulder before climbing into the driver's seat and putting his baby into gear.

THE END

Disclaimer & Writers notes: I do not own or have rights to Supernatural or any of it's characters. Faith, on the other hand, is all mine.

This is it! Sigh. I loved writing this story. It has meant so much to me! I'm sure there are so many things that could have been done differently, but this is how it unfolded for me and I truly hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have.

To be completely honest there are a few points in this story I have agonized over! One being Dean's last line. I hope you'll forgive me for putting words into his mouth that he probably would not be saying so soon. I just felt like this whole situation had pushed him in a way he had never been before and those words, coming in the past tense and in reference to all that was lost, could be something he might be willing to put out there as he walked away. If you'd prefer it be something else then just use your imagination :)

Thank you so very much for sticking with me! Thank you for forgiving the mistakes! Thank you for each read and each review!

And...well...there may or may not be another story in the works. What do you think? Should we do this crazy ride again!?

Love you guys! xo,Jen