As always, I don't own anything that you may recognize. Hope you enjoy!

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

"Let's get the fuck out of this town," Dean was saying to Lana as he helped her load up the last of their things into her truck.

"I couldn't agree more," she replied leaning against the driver's side.

Dean put one hand next to her waist as he stood in front of her. His other hand ran rubbed the back of his neck. "Rough few days."

"Oh yeah," she agreed.

"I don't know if I've ever thanked you for doing this for me."

She put her hands on the tops of his jeans and pulled her into him using his belt loops. "Hey, we gotta keep moving anyway. And this guy, this friend of yours, if you're willing to do this for him then so am I. It's nice to have a tangible goal to work towards anyway. I mean, running from ass face demons only does so much for the soul, right?" Lana asked with a smile.

He let out a deep breath. He appreciated Lana's earnest attitude, but he knew that he had to tell her the truth. "Listen… about my friend…" he started slowly. This was a good of a time as any to tell Lana.

"Minnesota!" Hayley exclaimed as she ran towards Lana and Dean.

"Minnesota?" Lana repeated slipping her hands out from Dean's jeans and turning to her sister.

"Yep. That's where we'll find the blood of a decedent of the man who broke our Viking witch's heart."

Lana smile grew, obviously very proud of her sister. "Shit, Hails. That's great."

Sam was right behind Hayley, smiling as well. He never felt so close to putting this chapter in their lives behind them. Dean had selflessly sacrificed his life for him and now with the help of two incredible girls, he was finally going to make things right.

Dean and Sam locked eyes and Sam's smile became contagious; Dean grinned from ear to ear. They were already ahead schedule and in their very capable hands, Dean was overflown with hopefulness and happiness. He picked up Hayley and engulfed her into a bear hug. "Thank you," he said softly.

She hugged him back. "Anything for you guys."

Lana put her hand on Dean's shoulder and was proud. Her sister was coming into such an amazing young woman, never letting her family down. Lana was also so proud of Dean for welcoming Hayley into his life with hardly any questions at all. He washed her in love, just as Sam. Though very unconventional, Lana was thrilled to embrace this new dynamic.

Dean put Hayley down and leaned over to kiss Lana. The kiss was short and innocent. It wasn't rushed because for the first time since meeting Lana, Dean felt that he was going to have more than a handful of months with her. The possibility of sharing their lives for years to come made him almost giddy. This was it, he thought. This is what it means to be in love with someone.

Lana kissed his cheek as she rubbed his back. "I'll see you half way to Minnesota?"

Dean nodded, eager to get on the road.

Sam was already looking at a map. "Ohio it is."

"We'll see you boys in Ohio."

The girls climbed into Lana's truck while the boys took the Impala. Lana let Dean take the lead towards Ohio. Lana smiled and turned the radio on. "You want to know something?"

"What?" Hayley asked.

"I'm so proud of you. You're handling yourself amazingly."

Hayley squeezed her sister's hand. "Thanks, Lana."

"We deserve this, you know? You deserve to have people look out for you and love you. We deserve to be happy."

Hayley had never seen this side of her sister before. Even when Lana was happy, she expressed it in a calm, collected manner. Before this, Hayley wasn't even sure if Lana was capable of acting any other way. "It's good to see you like this," she said.

"Well yeah… I mean, I know Dean is your half brother and all, but he's really good in bed."

"Ew!" Hayley giggled as she put her hands over her ears.

Meanwhile, in the Impala, Dean was turning down the volume on the radio.

"Dude, it's Asia," Sam said, confused as to why his brother would almost mute the song.

"This is more important."

"More important?" Sam echoed.

"Lana," Dean started. "I don't know man... I love her. I fucking love her."

Sam was honestly taken back. Sure, he knew that Dean and Lana were fooling around and he had assumed that there were some genuine feelings there, but love. Well, that was something he never thought he'd heard Dean say. Sure, Dean loves beer, he loves old rock bands, he loves the Impala, but Dean has never loved a woman.

"Well?" Dean said.

Sam put his hand on Dean's shoulder. "I think it's great, man. Loving someone is the best feeling in the world," he said, remembering Jess and how he felt when he was around her. "What did she say?" Sam asked, making sure to focus the attention on his brother, pulling his thoughts away from what could have been with Jess.

Dean titled his head to the left and right. "I uh... well I haven't told her."

"Why not?" Sam asked, shocked.

"Because this is unthreaded waters here, Sammy. I know how to make a woman feel good," he started.

"Ew, Dean. Come on."

Dean threw one hand up in defense, keeping the other on the steering wheel. "What I'm saying is, I know women. But Lana, she is something entirely different. Everything about her… it drives me crazy. I want to tell her when the time is right."

Sam understood and he thought it was admirable that Dean wasn't just spilling this out right now. There were two big battles going on and to add something so emotionally intense as this could get someone hurt. Or dead.

"Besides… I still have to come clean to her about my contract."

Sam looked at Dean. "You will. Let's just take this win for right now."

Dean was relieved and grateful that he brother suggested that. He needed someone to tell him that his news could wait.

Two bathroom stops, three gas station fill ups, and a fast food binge later the Impala and Chevy pulled into a home suite styled hotel. After being on the road for thirteen hours, the four were ready to crash.

Lana stepped out of her truck and stretched her hands over her head. "We have a date with yoga tomorrow morning, Hails," Lana said.

Hayley frowned slightly. "Can't we sleep in?"

"Well by morning I mean like one pm."

"Okay, then yes, yoga tomorrow morning sounds good."

"I may need to join you guys," Sam said as he got out of the Impala.

"What about you, Dean?" Lana asked.

"Pft," he replied. "All I need is a six pack tonight and pancakes with a side of bacon tomorrow. I'll be good to go."

Lana shook her head as she slung a backpack over her shoulder. "You need anything else for tonight?" She asked Hayley.

"Nope, just a shower," she replied.

"I'll go get us a room," Sam said.

"See if they have any beer," Dean called as Sam walked away.

Sam shook his head, not bothering to answer.

Dean pulled out a "good" credit card. "He may need this."

Hayley took it form Dean. "I'll give it to him," she said before following behind Sam.

Lana and Dean stood behind the Impala, resting their weight against the trunk.

"I-" Dean started at the same time Lana said:

"Are-"

They both laughed nervously. "You first," Dean said.

Lana cleared her throat and pulled at the end of her jacket. "I was just thinking out loud, really." She paused, trying to collect her words. "Last night, some terms were said. I don't know if it was because of the adrenaline of it all or something else." She stopped and then looked at Dean. "I know I shouldn't even be worrying about this because of your friend and us running from Camio, but I can't not think about it," she rambled. "I can't not think about you. You, me… this is the real thing," she said but Dean understood that she was asking him.

He took her face in his hands. "Yes, baby. This, you and me, it's the real deal."

Lana's face lit up with a smile. She was relieved that Dean felt it too.

Dean crashed his lips against hers. His hands ran through her hair as he pulled her closer. He didn't need to tell her that he loved her. She already knew. He could feel it in her kiss, in her touch, and in her voice. He knew that she loved him and that was enough to make him fight for her and for himself.

Lana pulled back and looked into his eyes. "Who would have thought," she said softly. "We would be right here, together."

"Me," he answered truthfully.

Sam cleared his throat as he approached the couple. They both turned to look at him and Hayley. Sam held two sets up keys up. "We're all set."

The four, as usual, found their routine. Hayley showered in the upstairs bathroom that shared the two bedrooms while Lana unpacked a handful of their necessities. Dean laid out several guns that needed to be cleaned and reloaded while Sam showered in the downstairs bathroom. When he got out, Dean took his shower while Sam got out his laptop, dad's journal, and notes preparing for tomorrow's research. Lana showered after Hayley while Hayley made sure she had her tarot cards and crystals out, ready in case she felt moved to do a reading. The Whitman girls and the Winchester guys had their system down pact.

Lana threw on a pair of cotton short and a black tank top to go downstairs. She was towel trying the ends of her hair when Dean joined her in the kitchen. "We have no groceries," she whined, which Dean couldn't help but to find cute.

"We'll get some tomorrow," he assured her.

She stuck out her bottom lip. "But I want whiskey now."

With a grin, Dean pulled out a bottle of Tullamore Dew.

"My favorite," Lana beamed. She took Dean's hand and walked to the steps. "Goodnight, guys," she looked at Hayley.

"Don't stay up too late."

"Yes, mom," Hayley mocked lightheartedly.

As they were walking up the steps, Dean asked, "If you're Hayley's mom, what does that make me?"

"Deranged," Lana replied.