Author's Note: Sorry it's taking some time between chapters, but I've been split between working on this and writing a full length romance story. I do intend to see Second Chance through to the end, so please don't give up on me! I greatly appreciate everyone who has continued to read the story and who has commented or added it to their alerts/faves.

I wanted to say a little extra thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter:
SexySadie88: Thanks so much - and yep, I loved that episode....every one this year has been just perfect! For me, this season is right up there with season one! Just amazing!!!
SammyLuvr83: I appreciate your comments! Thank you for posting reviews!!
mssammydean: Thank you!!! I truly appreciate how you've read through all my stories and have given such wonderful support! :)
JensenLover89: So glad you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you for taking the time to let me know.
Nehasupnfan: Thanks so much for following along and commenting on the chapter!
Eryn: To my dearest friend, I can't thank you enough for all the help and advice you've given!!! You're an angel and a great inspiration!
Amy: Thank you! I'm glad you like the story and I love knowing that I can keep you on the edge of your seat.....:)

Chapter 44

Strangely enough, the room Leah was trapped in had grown smaller. And colder. Much colder; the chill running so deep she felt it in her bones. Not that it mattered, though. She didn't have the energy or desire to try and leave it anymore. What was the point? She hadn't heard that strange noise, the low humming that had allowed her to escape the cell and make her way to Dean, for some time now.

Time. Where she was - locked away in this limbo - it was as though time didn't even exist. It meant nothing here. And yet, Leah knew that if her spirit truly was separated from her body, and her body hadn't already given out, than time definitely mattered there. But what the hell could she do about it? She'd searched over and over for a way out of the room. She'd screamed and pounded on the walls until the sound of her own voice had nearly driven her mad; she'd pleaded and bargained and prayed to the higher form holding her to be sent back to her life, her loved ones. What she'd gotten in return was nothing. Nothing at all.

So where did that leave her? How did she end this bizarre nightmare? How did she get back home? And what if, despite her desire to live, she was too late? If her body had grown weak because her spirit was trapped here, unable to fight, was this all there was for her? An eternity locked away, alone?

So many questions and nothing to do but lie there and dwell on them. She didn't want to admit it, but it had finally begun to wear her down. Leah rolled onto her side and curled up in a fetal position, hugging her knees tightly to her chest. She stared blankly at the opposing wall, her only view now for so very long, while her heart waged a silent battle with her mind to hang on to a shred of hope.

What she needed was to see Dean just once more. If this was the end for her, she wanted to find her way back to his side, to touch his warm skin so that he could feel how much she loved him. So he would know that even in some other dimension, her heart was his. Just one more moment with him before she died...was it too much to ask?

An image of Dean began to form in her mind and even though she knew where it would lead, she let it take shape. She could see his beautiful face so clearly, every breathtaking detail and she moaned softly. Her heart began to slam against her chest as the ache within it expanded. She should stop, block it out, before her heart splintered, but she couldn't. As painful as it was to conjure him up, seeing him was also her greatest source of comfort.

Just as she started to calm down, that terrible feeling wormed its way in once more. What if it was already over? What if she wasn't able to leave the room because it was too late? What if the only reason she'd been able to touch Dean was because it had been the end of her journey? Maybe her body had given out. The thought was unbearable. A tightness gripped her, seizing her up into a ball and she couldn't stop the sudden onset of tears, grief sinking its claws in deep as she huddled in the corner of her small prison. Something inside her broke and the realization that she was never going to get out of there took hold, wrapping around her like a vise.

There was nothing left. No warmth. No sound. No way home.

"That's not true, honey."

The soothing voice that filled her head was one she knew well. A comforting, lilting sound that had always made her feel safe and loved. But it couldn't be! Leah was afraid to open her eyes. Afraid of what she would see.

"Don't be afraid, Leah. It really is me. I'm here to help you. Look at me, sweetheart."

Though her heart was still pounding rapidly, Leah felt the fear slowly subside as the promise of the gently spoken words floated around her. Maybe this was real. Maybe she was no longer alone in this stark, Godforsaken place. The tiniest spark of hope flared within her and Leah let her eyes flutter open.

"Mom!" The word gushed out at the sight of the beautiful woman kneeling beside her. It wasn't possible and yet, in this place, it made perfect sense. She looked exactly as Leah remembered. Dark, shoulder-length hair. Large expressive eyes that glittered with mischief, as if she had the most marvelous secret that she was eager to share. And her smile, that warm, open smile that drew people to her.

Sitting up, Leah reached out and brushed her fingers along her mother's cheek, just as she'd done so many times as a child. Soft skin, just as she remembered. She drew in a deep breath and the lightest hint of lavender reached her.

"It is you." This was Dawn Chandler. The woman she'd idolized growing up and had tried her damnedest to model herself after. "I've missed you so much, Mom!"

Dawn pulled Leah into her arms and hugged her tightly. "I've missed you, too, honey. I've been so lonely, but that's all changed now. You're here. You and I, we're together at last."

As her mother held her, Leah sank into the embrace. She closed her eyes and thought back on all those precious memories of her childhood, of feeling safe and comforted in this woman's arms during all the difficult times. There was nothing that her mother couldn't make better....

So why wasn't she feeling that way now? Why was there the feeblest inkling of something wrong growing deep inside her?

Dawn drew back and cupped Leah's face, running her thumbs in tiny circles over her cheeks, just as she'd always done when Leah was a child. Once again, as if reading her mind, she put an answer to Leah's unspoken fears.

"It will take some time, Leah, but all your doubts and fears will disappear. You'll see. You know I love you. You know I only want what's best for you. Just trust me, honey."

Dean strode quickly down the corridor, anxious to get to Leah's room so he could use the life root before Sammy showed up. He knew his brother's concerns were valid and he more than understood Sam's desire to do more research first, but he just didn't see any reason to wait. His gut told him that Falk was on the up and up so there was no way he was gonna put this off. Especially not for a few days, like he knew Sam wanted. Hell, he wasn't willing to wait a few hours, not when Leah was fighting for her life and he had the means to help her.

He was just about to pass by the waiting room when someone stepped out into the hallway. Blake. This was gonna mean a delay that he did not want to deal with. Knowing full well that the asshole wasn't gonna let him brush past, Dean slowed his pace a little, but made it clear that he wasn't planning to stop and chat.

"Not now, Kendall."

Blake took a step toward him, intent on blocking his path. "So how does the stuff work, Winchester?"

That question could only mean one thing; Sam had called Blake and told him about the life root. Nice, Sammy. He'd have to remember to kick his little brother's ass later on. Without slowing, Dean altered his course to the right side of the narrow hall. "Don't waste my time, Blake. I don't give a crap what Sam says, I'm doing this."

"What the hell makes you think I'd try and stop you?" The words came from beside him and Dean glanced over to see the other hunter walking along with him. Determined bastard, he thought. Or more like, annoying one. "I'd do it, too, to save Leah." he said. "I just wanna know how the shit works. And if there's anything I can do to help."

Damn! He hated it when the dick went and did or said something that he couldn't argue with. Dean lowered his voice as they strode past the nurses' station. "You can keep the nurses from getting too nosy while I'm...unconscious."

Blake shot him a worried look. "You really think this is gonna work? That you'll be able to contact Leah while she's in a coma and drag her out?"

"Yeah. I do."

The two men stopped at the entrance to Leah's room and stared in at her still form. Neither spoke for a moment, each lost in worry for the woman they cared so deeply about. When Dean finally let his gaze drift to the dark haired man beside him, he couldn't help but feel a small amount of pity for the guy. He knew how strongly Blake felt about Leah and he figured it must be a bitch knowing it was one-sided. And still the guy had hung around. While Dean had been at Leah's bedside each night, Blake had been camped out in the waiting room, spending what little time he could with her during visiting hours. He was determined to be there until she woke up, even though for the most part he'd been all but ignored.

It pissed Dean off to no end knowing how Blake felt. Leah was his, and the thought of someone else wanting her, loving her, drove him crazy. Yet he could understand why the hunter had to be there. Leah was one hell of a woman and if things were reversed...well, he hated to admit it, but he'd do the same damn thing. It was impossible not to care for her. Christ, the very fact that he loved her, despite his reluctance to feel such a tender emotion and doing everything he could over the past year to deny it, was proof of just how special Leah was.

No, he couldn't blame Blake for caring so deeply, no matter how much he wanted to. But at the same time, he damn sure was never gonna like the guy. And he sure as hell didn't like having to let him help out, even when there was no other choice.

Like now.

Moving into the room, Dean said, "I'm gonna give a little of this to Leah first, then I'll take some. You tell any nurses that come in that I'm worn out so you're sitting with her while I catch up on some sleep. Keep them away from me as long as possible. I'm hoping to get in, grab her and get the hell out fast."

"Fast, huh? How fast? The cop give you any idea how long it could take?" Blake asked, keeping an eye on the empty hallway while Dean put the vial to Leah's lips and let a few drops of the liquid spill into her mouth.

"He said for him, he was lucky and found his wife right away. He didn't even have to deal with the reaper. But the other hunter who went in after his son, it took him nearly two weeks."

"Two weeks?" Blake huffed. "Christ. Guess I can always see if they'll wheel your bed in here to save us from having to run back and forth between rooms."

Dean shot a look at him, but couldn't help but smile at the lame attempt at humor. "Yeah. You do that." He dropped onto the chair beside the bed and took Leah's left hand in his, entwining their fingers. He squeezed them lightly as he told her, "Okay. Here I come, baby. It's time to bring you home."

Tilting his head back, Dean took a large dose of the liquid. It was warm and bitter as it slid down his throat, causing him to gag, but he managed to keep it down. He nodded to Blake, then laid his head down on Leah's stomach and waited for the darkness to take over.

TBC