Chapter Twenty Five

Hours later, in the dark motel room, Dean and Lilly were still awake. They were lying close together, neither wanting to pull apart from each long enough to pick up the clothes in the floor, or put them back on. Dean saw no point: after a night like that, he doubted he would ever see the point in either of them ever leaving the bed, let alone putting clothes on. He didn't think he'd ever experienced something so complete; this felt like a completely new level that he'd never encountered with anyone else.

Dean's arm tightened around Lilly's shoulders as he kissed her forehead, for what had to be the hundredth time. She snuggled closer to him, her head resting on his chest and her fingers tracing light circles across his chest and arms. He sighed against her hair whenever she hit a sensitive spot.

The only light was the moonlight streaming in from the window, leaving them draped in dark blue shadows. The light highlighted the tattoo on Lilly's back, and Dean wrapped both arms around her and pulled her close when he thought about what it had meant, and how close he had come to losing her. Her cheek pressed against his chest, and he kissed her again before letting her drop back to where she'd been. She planted a kiss on his shoulder, and then returned to tracing invisible lines across his chest, particularly over his tattoo. She moaned softly under her breath when Dean allowed his hand not around her shoulders to brush against her bare chest as he brought it back to his side.

"You know, you were right," she whispered.

"Mmh?"

Lilly moved her lips up to his, kissing him deeply before speaking. "I think I did forget everything after that," she whispered in his ear.

Dean smiled up at the empty ceiling. "I knew you would, princess," he said softly, pushing her hair away from her ear to whisper it to her. He let his lips skim across her neck, and she shivered.

With a playful smile, she pressed her hands to his chest, rolling over to face him. "Are you trying to convince me I need to forget something else?" she asked.

Returning the deep kiss, Dean stroked a hand down her back. "I don't know," he breathed into her ear, pulling her hips against him, "you tell me."

Sunlight streamed in through the window. Dean blinked, bleary eyed, and looked down next to him. Lilly was still there, cuddled in the crook of his neck, fast asleep.

It wasn't just a dream, Dean thought, relieved. In her sleep, Lilly tightened her arms around him. He breathed a deep sigh of contentment at knowing that everything he'd been holding back for half a year was finally out in the open.

"Mmh," Lilly sighed against his chest as she started to wake up. The tiny sound reminded him of her passionate cries the night before, and he shivered with the memory. Every time she'd called out his name, or dragged her fingers across his back and shoulders, he had known without a doubt that he wouldn't ever be able to top this experience, and that he would never be able to want anyone else.

"Still there?" Lilly whispered, her eyes still closed. Dean drew her chin up and softly kissed her lips in answer. "Still love me?" she asked in a small voice.

Dean pulled her body close to his, wrapping her up in his arms. "Yeah," he said softly. He kissed her, holding her close as he rolled them both over. Lilly sighed and tensed as he began kissing a trail down her body, beginning at her jaw. His thorough discovery had only gotten to her stomach when his phone rang.

"Dammit," Dean said against her chest as his lips moved back up, ending with a quick peck on her lips before reaching over and answering the phone.

"Hello?" he said impatiently.

"Dean, where are you?" It was Sam. Dean rolled his eyes.

"Where do you think I am? In a motel just outside Whitefish. I said I'd meet you in a couple days."

"I think you need to leave sooner," Sam said. "Where's Lilly?"

"She's right here," Dean said, glancing at Lilly. "Why?"

"There's definitely something big about to go down here. We- well, I- think maybe Lilly can help." Sam paused, muttering something to Bobby in the background. "Is she okay?"

Dean glanced over at Lilly, her hair in a wild tangle and the sheets being the only thing covering her. Dean didn't think they were doing a very good job, but he certainly wasn't going to complain.

He shared a knowing smile with her before answering his brother. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure she's fine."

"Are you at least being civil?"

Dean almost snorted. He quickly choked back his laughter before Sam caught on. "Uh, yeah, I think she'd say I'm being pretty damn nice," he said, glancing at Lilly again. She was laughing.

There was a long pause. "Put her on the phone."

Dean handed Lilly the phone. "Don't give him too many details," he said quietly. His lips grazed across her neck and collarbone before moving away. He chuckled when Lilly had to stifle a sigh of pleasure. She gave him a dirty look before speaking to Sam.

"Hey, Sam."

"You doing okay, Lil?" He asked. Lilly laughed lightly and looked over at Dean, who was watching her innocently.

"Yeah, I'm great," she said with a smile in Dean's direction. He winked.

Sam paused again. "Are you sure? Is there something going on that I'm missing?"

"Nope. Not a thing."

"Okay… We think we found where Conquest is. We just need someone to go in and kill him. Bobby told me to warn you not to get anywhere near him without some protection amulet thing, or you."

"Got it. We ran into him."

"What?" Even Dean could hear Sam's screech.

"Well, not him. But someone he was using. We talked to him."

Sam was silent for a long time. "Lil, just please be careful." He sounded as if he was about to hang up, then added, "And make sure Dean behaves himself."

Lilly smiled. "I'll see what I can do about that," she said slyly, eyeing Dean.

Sam said goodbye and hung up, and Lilly turned to Dean. He didn't see the playful look on her face; he was focusing the sheet that was slipping with her every move.

"I'm supposed to make sure you behave," Lilly said, giving Dean a mischievous look. Dean's eyes grew round, and he grinned.

"Do I get a spanking if I don't?"

He dodged the pillow thrown at him, and darted across the room before Lilly could throw another. He leaned over her, kissing her and pinning her hands. She forgot about throwing pillows at him and pulled him to her, wanting more of his kisses.

Finally, he pulled himself away from her and sat up on the side of the bed.

"We do need to get out of here," he said, touching his forehead gently to hers.

Lilly nodded. "Let me dressed," she said. Before she stood, she gave his lips a lingering kiss, her fingers caressing the hand he'd placed on her cheek.

Dean's gaze followed her as she crossed the room to the bathroom, grabbing her clothes on the way. He smiled, knowing that that gorgeous, brilliant woman was all his. It didn't matter that they had an impending Apocalypse, a rogue Horseman, or an army of both heaven and hell fighting to control him and Sam.

Dean Winchester was happy.

Dean listed to Lilly humming as she changed, and grudgingly pulled his jeans from the night before back on and dug through his bag for a fresh t-shirt and flannel. In the process, he came across a small envelope corner sticking out of his duffel. Curious, he pulled it out.

To Dean, was written on the outside.

He groaned. It was from Chuck, and he had been instructed to open it after… Dean grinned. He didn't want to think too much about it, or they would never get out the door on time.

Sighing, he tore open the envelope and pulled out the paper inside. It wasn't a manuscript, or one of Chuck's prophecies, but a simple letter, written on lined paper. Dean began reading.

Dean,

I guess this means things worked out okay. Unless you're reading this before… I'll just hope you're not.

Since you listened to my advice, for once, it means that there's a chance to avoid something extremely (and I stress extremely) bad happening. I wish I could tell you more, but I've seen what would happen if I did, and the results are beyond disastrous. So for now, you'll just have to trust me. Castiel has backed me up on this one.

In the next few months, you and Lilly both are going to go through terrible things, but those will be nothing compared to what could happen if you don't listen to me now.

"Whatcha reading?" Lilly's voice interrupted him, and Dean looked up. He smiled at her and stroked her arm before answering.

"Something Chuck gave me when we went to see him," he said absently. Lilly nodded, understanding washing over her face. Dean frowned, and held the letter up to her. "You know about this?"

She shrugged. "I know the gist of it," she replied. Dean just shook his head in bewilderment, and went back to reading.

I've searched any and every way to possible avoid what's coming, but there's nothing I can find at all that will help. I am sorry about that. All I can tell you is that something could happen to Lilly. When it does, I need you to remember two things:

First, remember the town Tenney, Minnesota. It's on the western edge of the state. To save time, take Interstate 90, then go north on Highway 75. It'll be about a hundred miles north. When something goes wrong, go there, and get there as fast as you can.

Second, enjoy the next few months with Lilly. Really. Dean, I know you know what I mean, and trust me, it's important. Don't hold back with anything.

I know I've given up on praying for most things, but I'm praying you can get through this. God help us if you don't.

Best regards,

Chuck Shurley.

Unsure of what the letter meant, Dean set it down. One thing he did know, he was going to wring Chuck's neck the next time he saw him. He was sick of the prophet's meddling and being unable to give details on anything.

"Come here," he said quietly to Lilly. She crossed the room quickly, worry creasing her brow. Dean held his arms open, frowning himself. No matter how much Chuck irritated him, he tended to be right, and Chuck had said something would happen to Lilly.

Dean pulled Lilly onto his lap once she was close enough, nuzzling her neck and holding her tight against his chest. She rubbed his back gently, and placed a hand on the back of his neck. Having her close was comforting, especially since a feeling of dread had settled over him. Dean wished he could shake the feeling that what Chuck was talking about was going to tear Lilly from him, after he'd just been able to tell her…

"I love you," Dean whispered from where he was buried in the crook of Lilly's neck. "I mean it," he said, looking into her eyes.

"I know," Lilly replied, caressing his cheek. "I love you, too," she murmured. Feeling better, Dean laid a hand on her thigh.

"Ready to go, princess?"

Lilly chuckled. "Anytime," she said. Dean grabbed the few things he'd pulled from his duffel and stuffed them back in. Lilly did the same, and headed to the door. She smiled when he opened it for her and bowed dramatically.

"After you," he said, grinning. He gave her shoulder a half-hug before moving towards the main office to check out. "Hey, by the way," he started. Lilly glanced up at him. "You ever been to Tenney, Minnesota?"

Dean expected a confused smile, or even a bitter glare, but was completely unprepared for the naked fear that completely consumed Lilly's face. The color drained from her cheeks, and her eyes were wild with panic.

Quickly she seemed to regain her composure, and she gave Dean a smile. "Nope, don't think so," she said.

Dean wanted to push further, but the fearful look still present in her eyes stopped him.

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