Chapter Fourteen

The two women sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee. Amy made Leah give a detailed account of what happened in the White Mountains. Being different herself, Amy wasn't completely shocked to learn the truth about what was running around in the world, but she was still trying to deal with the idea of her sister hunting them down. "So that little necklace is what led you to the wood devil?" she asked.

Leah nodded. "Wild, huh? I can't thank you enough for finding that for me. You knew somehow, didn't you? I mean, you were drawn to it. Guess now we know why."

"Funny how that works. It's like I was meant to go to Mexico, to that specific town, just so I could find what I thought was a silly little trinket for you. I'm just glad you're all safe. But I bet you were furious with Dad for calling Dean, even though he had no other choice."

"Yeah, I was a little upset." Leah laughed. "But I'm over it. Besides, I look at it this way - I ended up being the one to save Dean's ass. Now that was sweet and yet I didn't even rub it in. What's wrong with me, huh?"

Amy got up and grabbed the coffee pot, bringing it over to the table. "Nothing's wrong with you. We both know why you didn't rub it in. It's because you put on this tough girl act, like you're over Dean, but you're not."

"After he left I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what went wrong. As for whether or not I'm over him, or ever will be? Hell, I don't know, but I have moved on to a life without Dean. Believe it or not, Amy, I AM happy with my life so please, let's not have this conversation again." Leah pleaded.

"You have to talk to him." Amy said as she refilled their cups. "You've been trying to bury your feelings all this time, like everything's fine, but it's not. He's here. Now's your chance to fix things, face to face."

Leah was about to take a sip of her coffee, but stopped with the cup halfway to her lips. "MY chance to fix things? MY chance?" She set the cup back down on the table. "Do you even remember what happened last year? You were there. Dean walked out on me, not the other way around. It's not up to me to fix anything." She shrugged. "Besides, there's nothing to fix. Whatever we had is gone."

"I don't think so, Leah. You can't fool me. I know the truth. But even if I couldn't feel it, I'd know because it doesn't take an empath. Anyone can look at you and see how much you love the guy."

Leah waved away her words. "You're mistaking my caring about him for love. I'll always care about him. We've known each other for so long it's impossible not to, but that's it."

"That's it, huh?" She pushed. "Nothing else? So there's no physical attraction anymore?"

A lie would be pointless and Leah knew it. Her desire for Dean was obviously transparent to everyone around. She practically drooled over the man each time she looked at him and she didn't foresee that ever changing. "Well, maybe there might be something to that. Possibly. But there's nothing unusual about it. I mean, look at him. Who wouldn't want to toss the guy into bed?"

That drew a laugh from Amy. She gave a mock shudder and raised her hand. "I can honestly tell you that I have no desire to do that!"

Leah smiled and it was a wonderful sight for Amy to see. It had been a very long time since her sister had been happy and she certainly deserved to be. Crazy as it seemed, Dean was still the one who could make that happen. Once upon a time, she'd wanted to kill that man and now here she was, trying to get them back together. Wasn't life one hell of a ride?

"I say go do it." Amy blurted out.

"Excuse me?" She stared at her sister in disbelief. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"Well if you think I'm saying toss Dean down on the bed and have your way with him, then yes."

This was a turn of events. "Wonderful! My kid sister is not only telling me to have sex, but to have it with a man she can barely be civil to. As the big sister I tried to discourage you from that sort of behavior. Shouldn't you do the same? I thought you'd want what's best for me."

"I do!" Amy jumped up and shot around the table, plopping onto the chair next to Leah's. "I do want what's best for you. And like it or not that's Dean. I've never seen you happier than you were when you two were together."

Leah started to interrupt, but Amy wouldn't allow it. "I know he blew it, but why? Have you two talked? I mean really talked. Have you gotten him to sit down and tell you what was going on in that thick skull of his when he took off?" She didn't need to wait for the answer. "Of course not, but you have to. Dean didn't leave because he stopped loving you so go find out what knucklehead reason drove him away and work it out. Sure I still think he's an ass, but even I have to admit that somewhere underneath all the bullshit, Dean's a good man. And although you may not think so right now, you'll see that he does love you. Tell him you love him, Leah, because Lord knows you do. Who knows what could happen? I bet you'd be surprised."

Sitting in shocked silence, Leah stared at her sister as if she was looking at a complete stranger. When the hell did Amy grow up? For the past year, Leah had immersed herself in a different world. One of demons and ghosts. Of darkness and despair. Meanwhile, life went on as usual for others, including those she cared for and she was missing out. How had she let that happen? When had she become so self-absorbed that she barely recognized her own little sister?

"Wow. You went from being a little pain in the butt to a mature young woman who can dish out sisterly advice pretty well." she offered affectionately. "Only problem is, I've already done the tossing onto the bed part and nothing's changed. No surprises, Amy. Dean didn't confess his undying love and he won't. And even if he did open up some, I don't think talking about the past will make any difference for our future. So while I appreciate the advice, I'm gonna have to pass. But don't worry about me, okay? Things will be fine. We'll hang out for a few days and I'll get Dean to tell me where he hid my truck, then I'll be on my way."

Amy sighed deeply. "That's not the answer, Leah, but I understand." She traced the shape of an 'X' over her heart. "I won't lecture you anymore, cross my heart." Of course, that didn't mean she couldn't pursue the subject with the other half of the stubborn duo. She'd see how things went over the next few days and if Leah didn't try and work things out, then she'd just have to take matters into her own hands. "Okay, let's hear about your truck!" she said, giving her sister a much needed reprieve.

TBC