Disclaimer: You know the drill…

Author's Note: Well, this is the final chapter of this beast…and I'm happy about it. It's not often that I actually finish a fic that I've started, but this monster just wouldn't leave me alone…I hope you've enjoyed reading as much as I've enjoyed writing. Again, if you like, I'll post what I have done of the sequel and begin more work on that. I'll have a lot of free time in a couple weeks when my 5 week winter break begins! Thanks to all my reviewers and readers….love to you all!

Chapter Twelve: Say goodbye…

"Thank you," Micah smiles sadly up at Dean. They stand on the porch, the morning fog heavy around them.

Sam was packing things into the back of his brother's car, letting the couple have some privacy. He'd already rearranged their bags twice.

"It's our job," Dean replies nonchalantly, his arm winding around her waist. "Now you're safe, and our work here is done."

"I told you that I don't want to be just another one of your 'love 'em and leave 'em' girls, but-"

"You're not," he says seriously. "I'm not leaving because I want to; I'm leaving because I have to."

"Your dad." He nods. "Good luck with that. I hope that you find him and the three of you finally bring peace to your family. Maybe once you've done that, you could give me a call," she states sincerely, tears forming in her eyes.

"You bet." Dean pulls her to him, unable to look at her as long as those tears are threatening to fall. He thinks back to the last few days. He'd never loved a woman like he'd loved her - and she'd trusted him enough to give herself to him; body, soul, heart, and mind. He knew also, that Sarea had been right: she'd stolen his heart.

"Look, I hate to break this up, but we should really get going," Sam says quietly from the bottom of the steps.

"Of course," Micah breathes, pulling away from Dean and wiping at her tears. Smiling broadly, she steps down to Sam, her arms finding their way around him. "Thank you for everything. Take care of your big brother - he's not the only hero."

"You got it. Take care of yourself. You're free now, Micah," Sam says in her ear.

"I can do anything I want," she sighs, pulling away. "Even be happy. You take care, Sammy." He doesn't even flinch at the nickname, knowing that she'll be the only person he'll ever allow to use it.

He nods, smiling, and turns to go back to the car as Dean finally steps down off the porch.

"And you," Micah begins. "The next time your brother tells you that he thinks you might die in a situation, think about what he's said before you go jogging into the unknown. He's smart - and very powerful. My psychic-radar was blaring the minute you two walked into the diner," she laughs, her eyes sparkling.

"I'll take it into consideration. Be careful, okay?" he grins down at her, deep emotion evident in his voice.

"I have nothing to be afraid of anymore," she giggles. "Except saying goodbye." Her face falls, as does his.

"Don't say that. I'll be back for you," he vows, leaning down and pressing his lips to hers firmly, for one last time.

Behind her closed eyelids, a vision flashes before Micah's eyes. A giggling little girl with light brown hair and grass green eyes.

Pulling away, Dean smiles down at her. "No goodbyes," he whispers, his hand caressing her cheek. She nods, unable to say anything without bursting into tears. "I'll be back for you, I swear."

Her trusting eyes look back at him as he turns to go. She doesn't move, wanting so badly to do nothing more than throw herself into the backseat of that shining, black, 1967 Chevy Impala.

The brothers wave as they pull out of the driveway, and she mirrors the action, those offending tears finally escaping down her cheeks.

She watches as the car disappears down the quiet, small town street, her arms laid across her stomach.

"I won't hold my breath, Dean Winchester," she whispers once the car vanishes over the horizon.

A smile on her full lips, Micah turns to go back into the house, a changed woman, free from the horrors that have haunted her entire 21 years.

She looks out her front window at the blank space where the Williams mansion once stood. She was free because of two brothers on a quest to do good. And she would carry that with her for the rest of her life.

A/N: Well, there it is, folks…These last few chapters haven't been my best writing, but it's not horrid, either…is it? Let me know what you think! Thanks again…