A/N; So, I know it's been an incredibly long time since I updated, but I'm back! I hope to be more consistent with Part 4. I will be moving away from following episodes closely, but still follow storyline and canon for the most part. Enjoy!

Chapter 3

It was couple of days later that they were in some diner in a small Indiana town. Laney had taken the time to cool down. Dean gave her space. And she and Sam had come to an agreement that they were still going to find some way to break Dean's deal; one that didn't involve Sam dying or anyone giving up their souls. They'd been taking every opportunity to work when their brother wasn't around, which had been fairly frequently. He'd spent most of his nights out on the town and half the day recovering. They were still keeping an eye out for omens, but so far it had been quiet.

"What do you mean you don't think it will work, Bobby? It's a demon-dispelling ritual."

Sam was on the phone with Bobby. Laney listening in. They'd gotten a lead on a ritual and were hoping it was a ticket.

"Well maybe we got the translation wrong. We can't just let Dean fry in hell."

Laney suddenly kicked Sam under the chair to get his attention. Sam's head snapped up, the annoyed expression on his face softening as he followed the bob of his sister's head to look out the window.

"Crap. It's Dean. "Yeah, I gotta go. No. Okay. Never mind."

Sam snapped his phone shut just as Dean entered, giving his siblings a suspicious look.

"Who was that?" he asked, casually.

"I was ordering a pizza."

Dean glanced around. "Dude, you realize we're in a restaurant right?"

"Yeah, well I wanted pizza," said Laney. "And they don't have any."

"Okay," he said. "Well, anyway. I think I got something," he said, pulling out a newspaper and laying it on the table.

"What is it?" asked Sam.

"Cicero, Indiana. Guy falls on his own power saw."

Laney's shook her head. "That's it? One power saw? And?"

"Well yeah."

"You think that's a case?" asked Sam.

"I don't know, could be."

"Sounds like a freak accident to me," said Laney.

Dean frowned. "Okay, there is something better in Cicero than just a case."

Laney rolled her eyes and sat back in the booth seat. She had a pretty good idea where things were going.

"Like what?" asked Sam.

Dean waggled his eyebrows. "Lisa Braeden."

"Should I even ask?"

"Remember that road trip I took about 8 years ago. You and Laney were in Orlando with Dad."

"Oh, yeah, the five states in five days thing," said Sam.

Laney vaguely remembered that trip. She was about 9 years old and she had looked forward to Orlando because she'd been dying to Disney World. Of course that hadn't happened. Just another example of disappointment in her young life.

"Yeah, well it didn't exactly go that way. I spent most of that time in Lisa Braeden's loft.".

"So, let me get this straight. You want to go all the way to Cicero for this one chick?"

"Dude, she was a yoga teacher. It was the bendiest weekend of my life. Come on, have a heart man. It's my dying wish."

Laney's jaw clenched and her leg strated bouncing up and down.

"How many dying wishes are you going to get?" asked Sam

"As many as I can squeeze out," said Dean. "Come on smile. I know I'll be smiling after 24 hours with Gumby. Guess that makes me Pokey."

"I'm not going," Laney blurted out.

"Oh come on," said Dean. "I'm sure there's a case there too."

"I don't care," said Laney.

"Come on, let's not start this," said Dean, annoyed.

"I didn't say you shouldn't go. I just said that I'm not going."

"So, explain to me exactly how that works?" asked Dean, crossing his arms.

"I'm going to Lawrence to Missouri's. Just for a few days. However long it takes for you to finish your case," she said, using finger quotes around the word.

"Why do you need to go to Missouri's?" asked Sam. He was confused. She hadn't mentioned anything to him earlier.

Dean's hackles settled a little. Sam seemed just as surprised by Laney's proclamation as he was, so at least he knew they weren't up to something.

"I just need a little time to get my head straight," she said, running her hands through her hair. "After Lincoln, I don't' know, all those demons in one room as powerful as they were, it was little – you know – overwhelming. I just want Missouri's help, that's all, no big deal. And you really don't need me on this case."

Dean hadn't really considered how the seven deadly sins had affected her. She'd mentioned off hand that it had been like nothing she'd ever felt before, but she didn't' elaborate and he hadn't pushed. Everything was so off in their world since the deal. On top of that Sam had told him about what Pride had said about Laney watching her back.

"Okay," Dean relented. "We'll drop you in Lawrence and then head to Cicero."

"That's a little out of the way don't you think? And anyway, you don't need to bother. I bought a plane ticket."

"A plane ticket?"

"Yes, a plane ticket to fly on a plane, you know those things with wings that get places ten times faster than driving? I'll fly."

"Thank you smart ass."

"Just get me to the airport in Indianapolis."

"I don't know. I think I'd feel more comfortable if I dropped you off in Lawrence."

Laney huffed loudly and leaned forward. "I don't really care what makes you more comfortable. This isn't about what you want. It's not all about you Dean! I'm telling you I need something now, okay. We've indulged your every whim these last few weeks. You can do something for me now."

She pushed her way out of the restaurant booth and went flying through the diner door. She walked up to the Impala and leaned back against the trunk. Her face was twisted with anger.

Dean's jaw was clenched. It wasn't like he hadn't deserved it. She was right. She and Sam had been letting him run amuck as much as he'd been able to between cases. And Laney was asking for help and he'd never been able to deny her. He wouldn't start now.

Dean caught Sam's eye. "I guess we're going to Indianapolis," he mumbled under his breath.

***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN**SN***SN***SN***SN***SN**SN**S

The car ride to Indianapolis was tense and filled with stifling silence. No one said a word. Dean played his Metallica louder than usual if only to drown out the voices in his head. He was filled with a bone deep in born need to stop the car and turn around, not let his sister go anywhere without him. Yeah, she'd gone to Missouri's before. But he'd dropped her off, made sure everything was safe. He'd even had Bobby in town for back up. This was like when he'd left her at college in Boston – terrifying.

But sooner rather than later Laney was going to have to get by in the world without him and he needed to accept that he wasn't going to be there to have her back anymore. The thought was sobering and painful. So he shut it off and drowned it out. He'd salve his wounds with Lisa and move on and do it all over again in some other random town.

Sam had been watching his sister surreptitiously in the rearview mirror, sneaking glances at her and hoping to make eye contact. He needed to know if she was up to something. If this was about Dean's deal and if she'd found something that might help. He couldn't let her do it alone. But she'd steadfastly ignored him and she'd been pretty upfront and blunt about their hunt for a solution. She'd have shared. He knew it. At least he thought he did. Everyone was hurting and no one was really themselves these days.

They pulled off the exit to Indianapolis International Airport. Laney relaxed by degrees. She couldn't wait to get away.

Dean pulled into the departures area and he and Sam both got out of the car. Laney breathed a sigh of relief. They weren't going to try and walk her to her gate. Good.

Sam handed her bag over to her and pulled her in for a hug. "Call me when you get there, okay?"

"Of course," she said, going up on her tiptoes to place a kiss on his cheek. "I love you."

"Love you too."

She turned to Dean suddenly not really sure how to act – only partly sorry for her outburst at the diner. Even if she'd been right, she didn't like to hurt the people she loved and she knew the barbs stung deep – not that he hadn't been flinging barbs of his own left and right for weeks.

Dean rubbed the back of his neck, a sign he was nervous.

"If you do find a case, be careful okay?"

Dean nodded. "Yeah, you take care of yourself too. Call me when you're ready to come home and we'll swing by and get you."

"Yeah, sure," said Laney, swallowing the lump in her throat. She suddenly wasn't so sure she wanted to spend some of the 300 and something days that Dean had left in his year, away from him.

Dean tentatively opened his arms to her and she fell into them with a fierce hug and another plea to be careful in his ear.

Her brothers got in the car and waited until she'd made it inside the terminal before they finally drove off. With a deep sigh Laney went to the airline ticket counter.

"Hi, how can I help you?"

"I'm checking in for my flight."

"Okay, where are you headed today?"

Laney passed her ticket over the counter along with her photo I.D. "Chicago."

****SN***SN***SN***SN***SN**S*N***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN

The plane ride to Chicago had been too brief for Laney to work out the knots in her stomach. Maybe, this hadn't been her most brilliant idea. But lately she'd been running her life on her emotions instead of logic, completely opposite of how she'd been growing up. But desperate times called for desperate measures and this was about her needing some objectivity in her life.

After she landed she called Sam and let him know that she'd arrived safe and sound. When he tried to question her she quickly said that Missouri had arrived and she'd call him later. She'd never been a great liar.

Any trepidation or doubt she'd been feeling instantly melted away when she saw him. A shining beacon of calm.

And damn good looking too.

He met her at the bottom of the escalator arms wide open and not the least bit hesitant. She threw her arms around him and breathed him in.

"Gavin," she said, simply.

After a moment he pulled back to get a good look at her. She looked tired and worn out, stressed and scared and beautiful as ever. "Hey," he said with a smile.

Laney smiled back and grabbed his open hand in hers, for the first time in weeks she felt some peace.

***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN**SN***SN***SN***SN***SN**SN*

"So this is it," said Gavin, pointing.

Laney smiled proudly. "Your own martial arts studio."

"Yup."

"Rich clients then, huh?" Laney smirked. They were in a ritzier part of downtown Chicago.

"Pays the bills," he said. "I have a smaller place out in the suburbs, just for kids."

Laney smiled and could bet that he didn't charge those kids a dime. "I can't believe you put this all together in such a short time."

"Well, actually, I've had the space for awhile, just kept getting sidetracked."

A dark shadow passed over Laney's face. She knew what he was talking about. She looked up at him. He didn't look upset or anything. Just stating a fact.

Gavin drew in a sharp breath. "So, what do you say we just squash the elephant in the room now so we can get on with the rest of your time here?"

"Which elephant would that be?" Laney asked, nonchalantly.

"Boston."

"Oh yeah, Boston." As if she hadn't been thinking about it for months.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I had this whole speech planned, but it just doesn't seem right. So, all I can say is I'm sorry and I will never hurt you like that again. I promise."

"I forgive you," said Laney. And she really did. "But no promises."

Gavin shook his head. "Yeah, okay."

Laney took a deep breath, glad that was brief and over with. She shifted uncomfortably not sure where they went from there.

Gavin smiled at her. "Come on, I have a class in ten minutes. You can watch."

***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN**SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***NS**

Laney was awed. She'd been watching Gavin teach his class for the last hour and was just overwhelmed with his skills. She'd known he was martial arts specialist on top of being pretty damn good with computers. But this was where he really shined. He glowed with the joy of it. The same way Dean did when he was on a hunt. It was his niche, his passion and it was intoxicating to watch him in his element. It stirred something deeper in her than before. It went beyond having feelings for him. It felt like something more.

She ignored it, because her life didn't have room for it. But she needed him and she wasn't going to let him go.

Gavin finished up his class and walked up to her toweling off the sweat from a hard work out.

"What did you think?"

"Amazing," said Laney, eyes bright.

Gavin felt himself blush. For some reason hearing that from her was better than any trophy he'd ever won or any victory he'd ever had. His feelings for her had not changed, only grown, since she's reached out to him again.

"I'm glad you were impressed."

"More than that," said Laney, wonder still in her voice. "I actually had an idea."

"Food? Cause I'm starving."

"Well that too. But I was thinking that maybe you could train me."

"Train you?"

"yeah, I don't have a lot of time here, but I think you can teach me a lot, to help me on a hunt. Dean's taught me a lot, but he's nowhere near as skilled. Please?" Laney flashed him the famous Winchester smile. And Gavin was like putty.

"Okay, okay, I'll do it. Only because I want you to be safe. Whatever is takes."

Laney smiled triumphantly. "When do we start?"

"Food first. I was thinking some of Chicago's famous deep dish pizza."

Laney's stomach rumbled at the thought. She really hadn't eaten a decent meal in almost a month.

"Extra pepperoni and it's a deal."

***SN***SN***SN***SN**S*N***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN**S*N***SN***SN*

"Dude, we totally have a case here," said Dean

Sam listened to his brother for a couple of minutes, his mind still reeling from meeting the mystery savior from Lincoln, some chick named Ruby, who seemed to know an awful lot about him and his family.

"Okay," said Sam. "I'll see what I can dig up."

"Good. Uh – did you talk to Laney today?"

Sam sighed. "She sent me a text. She's good. I told her you'd call her tonight."

Dean cleared his throat. "Uh – yeah – okay."

Sam hung up the phone with a roll of his eyes. Dean was avoiding Laney. Laney was avoiding both of them. It was annoying to say the least. He just wanted to the case over as quick as possible so they could pick up Laney and get back to the business of saving Dean from his deal.

With that thought Sam got to work on their case.

***SN***SN***SN***SN**S*N***SN**SN**S*N**S*N**SN**SN**SN**SN**NSN**SN*SN*S*NS

By the end of Laney's second day in Chicago, she was exhausted, yet exhilarated. Gavin had given her a crash course in self-defense and some serious new tactics. She felt empowered and alive. The time with Gavin had filled her with a sense of peace and normalcy that she didn't even realize she'd been craving.

The last two days had been filled with training and Gavin showing her his favorite sites in town. It had been fun and easygoing. They hadn't once talked about dean's deal, her powers, or hunting. They'd talked about movies, books, computer hacking, places they wanted to visit – all things not hunting.

She stood in Gavin's loft apartment staring out the window at the lights of the city. It was a hot, humid, Chicago night. Gavin was teaching a late class and she'd come up to shower and change after hers. It was all so normal. She'd never really gotten a taste like this before. College had given her a glimpse. But college had been filled with strangers and fear of the unknown. This was different. Gavin was here with her and they knew each other. He knew everything about her and he still wanted to be around. It filled her heart with a joy – a joy that was tempered by thoughts of her brothers still out on the road. But a joy that she was sure she could carry for awhile.

Laney's phone rang and broke her tranquil silence.

It was Dean. She was going to have to take the call. She'd been putting it off for awhile already.

"Hey Dean."

"Hey kid, how's it going?"

"All is well. How's the case?"

"We think we'll be wrapping it up tonight."

Laney couldn't help but frown deeply. She'd only had two days, she wanted more.

"You still there?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. So what are you hunting?"

"You won't believe it. Something we've never hunted before – changelings."

"Changelings? Seriously?"

"Yup."

"Huh, sorry I'm missing that."

Laney was surprised to find that she really wasn't all that sorry.

"Uh- so what happened with Lisa Braeden?"

Dean frowned. He didn't want to talk about it too much. Lisa had a son and for a brief moment he thought it might be his. He was partially disappointed to find out he wasn't. But at the same time it had made him nostalgic. Thinking of Laney has a child growing up. Ben could have been a second chance to get it right. Not that anything was wrong with how Laney had become. He just was beginning to realize how sorry he was that she had grown up in the hunting life.

"Dean, you still there?"

"Yeah, yeah. Sorry. Uh – it's a long story. Anyway, I think we'll be ready to head out of here tomorrow. So, we'll be on our way to Lawrence."

"Don't bother," said Laney. "Just let me know when you're ready and I'll catch a flight to Indy again."

Dean opened his mouth to protest, but shut it. He really didn't have a good reason to. Indianapolis was way closer drive than Lawrence and well, he didn't much like going to Lawrence if he didn't have to.

"Yeah, okay, we'll call you when we wrap things up then."

"Okay. Be careful."

"Yup, talk to you later."

Dean flipped his phone shut and tossed it on the bed. He missed his sister even though it had only been a few days, but at the same he dreaded her return. He didn't know that he could give her the support she was seeking from him. She wanted him to make it better like always and he couldn't. She was angry at him and rightfully so.

He sat down on the bed and rubbed a hand through his hair. Seeing Lisa's son Ben, had brought forth a longing in him that he didn't even know he had. A normal life with a family. Ben had reminded him of Laney growing up. He missed little Laney, so bright and questioning and loyal. She was still the same way, but there was a hardness to her now that no one her age should have had. He wished he could back and do it all over again.

He wished a lot of things.

***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN

Laney grabbed the keys to Gavin's apartment as she headed out the door. He was teaching his last class of the evening and she wanted to go grab dinner and some movies to hang out since she was sure it was her last night in town. She was going to miss him more than she wanted to admit.

She walked down the stairs and was surprised when she saw him rounding the corner.

"Hey," she said. "I thought you were going to be at least another hour."

"I let class out early," he said. "Thought we'd grab dinner and a movie."

"I was thinking the same thing. It looks like it's going to storm out tonight though," she said, watching the darkening skies in the distance.

Gavin studied her face for awhile. "What is it?"

She sighed. Gavin had gotten pretty good at reading her.

"Dean called. They are just about done with their case. I'll probably be leaving tomorrow."

Gavin frowned deeply, not afraid to let his disappointment show. "Sometimes I wish your brothers weren't such good hunters."

Laney laughed. "Yeah this was a quick one."

"How about we pick up some pizza and a few movies and just veg out?"

"Sounds good to me," said Laney.

***SN ***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN*

A couple hours later and Laney was sprawled out on the couch next to Gavin watching a comedy special on cable, laughing her ass off, contented as could be. Dinner was nice and relaxed. The ease with which Gavin moved around the kitchen was funny and charming to watch. Sam and Dean weren't much for cooking, but then again, life on the road never allowed for such things.

The skies had opened up over Chicago and the mid-summer storm was violent, but had cooled the air considerably. There was something cozy about being holed up with a guy she was crazy about while he was being domestic and accommodating and kept looking at her like she was the only thing in the world. It was something she could totally get used to.

Sadly, it was all going to end. It was in the middle of hilarious bit about restaurant etiquette that Laney's laughter abruptly broke into sobs. She didn't know exactly why. Maybe it was all the buildup of knowing that she was going to have to leave it all. For four days they hadn't talked about Dean or his deal or what she was going to do about it. It was four days of pretending all ways normal, living a normal life.

Gavin hit the mute button on the television and got up from his spot. He sat on the coffee table facing her. He didn't look particularly worried. He had pretty much expected her to give in to the stresses of her life at some point. He took both of her hands in his and squeezed. She looked up at him through teary eyes.

"I don't know what to do," she sobbed. Then she put her arms around him and it was all the invitation Gavin needed. He pulled her in against his chest and held her close. He rode out the storm.

It was a good half hour before Laney really winded down. When she was done, she felt gutted out and raw, but at the same time oddly refreshed. In Gavin's arms she felt like she could face anything now.

She wiped her face and pulled back.

"Better?" Gavin gave her a small smile.

Laney nodded. "Much." She chuckled softly. "I feel like I should be embarrassed by that, but I'm not."

"Good. All of this stuff with your family – with Dean's deal – it's been eating you up inside. At some point you've got to let it go or it's going to eat you alive."

"I don't know how to get through to him – to Dean."

"Maybe you can't. He's got to figure it out by himself. He's facing Hell in less than a year and I'm sure he's terrified. But he's still going to protect you and Sam anyway he can until then. That's who he is, it's what he does."

"Yeah, I know. But he won't let us help. He's pushing us away."

"Don't let him," said Gavin. "He's the most hard headed stubborn ass person I've ever met – next to you anyway."

Laney lightly punched him the arm. "I guess sometimes I just need to talk to someone else. It's just me and Sam and Dean and it's suffocating sometimes, this life. We have to be careful about who we let in, who we share with."

"You don't have to be that way with me. Anything you need, I'm there, okay?"

"The last thing I want to do is drag you into this."

"Are we going to go there again? You trying to protect me? It's too late. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. I'm not going to try anymore."

"you can't leave your life here."

"I didn't say I was going to. I'm just saying if you need me call me. I'm here. You know where I am and you are welcome here anytime. I mean it."

Laney smiled and hugged Gavin again, lump heavy in her throat. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Gavin smiled and hugged her tightly back. He felt the exact same way.

***SN***SN****SN***SN***SN**S*N**SN***SN***SN***SN**SN***SN**SN***SN**S*N*S*N**S

Dean's call came early the next morning. Laney answered it quickly, frowning when she saw the caller ID, because she knew what was coming.

"We're all done here," he said.

Laney sighed. "Yeah, okay. There's a flight leaving here in a couple of hours. I'll see you at the airport."

"Sure, kid. Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You sound – disappointed. If you need some more time at Missouri's, I'll uh – I'll understand."

"No, it's okay Dean. I miss you and Sammy. I'm ready to come home."

Laney couldn't see it, but she could sense the wide smile from over the airwaves.

"See ya soon."

Laney flipped the phone shut and shuffled into the kitchen where Gavin was brewing a pot of coffee.

"Leaving?"

Laney nodded. "Yeah, there's a 10:15."

"I'll take you to the airport."

"No, it's okay," Laney nodded. "I'll take a cab."

Gavin nodded. She didn't want to deal with a goodbye at the airport. He got that.

"Everything I said last night. I meant."

"I know. Me too."

Laney grabbed a cup of coffee and smiled sadly at him. She went to her room and packed.

Gavin carried her back downstairs to the waiting cab for her. The summer rains from the night before had given way to a cooler day. It was still gray and gloomy out. Kind of fitting of her mood, she thought, wryly.

Gavin put her bag in the trunk of the taxi and slammed it shut.

"I guess this is goodbye," he said.

"Until next time?" offered Laney.

"I like that," he said.

Laney smiled brightly and it took Gavin's breath away. He didn't know how he was supposed to let her go. Let her go back to a dangerous life on the road of hunting, while she was facing the biggest threat ever. Gavin was ignorant of all that had happened. He knew all the details – knew all about the demons that had been set free. That a war was on the horizon – a war that he was about to let her go out and fight without him.

But it wasn't his fight. He had a life. A future. It didn't involve hunting.

Gavin reached for her and hugged her close. He placed a kiss on her forehead. Laney was sure she was blushing. She awkwardly turned and got settled in the back of the taxi. He leaned into the window.

"Call me when you get home."

"I will."

"Be safe."

"I promise I will."

Gavin reluctantly stepped away from the door. The taxi was rolling into traffic when Gavin jogged back up to the window.

"Laney," he called out.

Laney poked her head out. "You alright?"

"I love you."

Laney's jaw dropped. Before she could respond the taxi had pulled away and left Gavin standing alone in the busy street.

Laney collapsed back in her seat. It wasn't exactly a surprise. He had never really been shy about his feelings for her. But everything was so different than it was months earlier.

And for the first time in her life, Laney didn't want to go home.

***SN***SN***SN***SN**SN***SN***SN**S*N***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN***SN

Laney smiled and felt her heart lighten. She heard the Impala before she saw it. The sound familiar to her since birth. When it came into view she waved until it pulled into the curbside. Sam jumped out and hugged her, lifting her off the ground.

"Missed ya' babe!"

Laney smiled and reached up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "I missed you too, Sasquatch."

"What am I , chopped liver?"

"Dean!"

Laney bounded over to him and hugged him. She felt a lump forming in her throat at the new ever present feeling she got from his demon mark on his soul. She cleared her throat.

Dean threw her bag in the trunk and opened the rear door.

"Nah, I'm sitting up front for awhile."

Dean smiled.

In a few short minutes they were on the highway out of town.

"So, where to next?" asked Laney.

"Not sure," said Dean. "Bobby's looking into some possible cases for us. In the meantime, I'm starving."

"Nothing's changed," said Laney, laughing.

Dean smiled. Something had changed with Laney. She looked healthier, happier, more vibrant than when she'd left. Like somehow a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. If he'd known the time away would have done her so much good he would have packed her off to Lawrence himself.

"So how's Missouri?" Dean asked.

Laney straightened up in her seat.

"Hey, we should stop at that diner off the 52. Remember, it had twenty different varieties of fresh pie," said Laney.

Dean's stomach growled in response.

"It's only a couple of miles from here."

"Sounds good to me," said Sam, distractedly.

They had pulled into the diner parking lot before Dean realized that Laney had never answered his question.

"You never said how Missouri was doing," said Dean.

"I'm sure she's fine," said Laney.

"What do you mean?" asked Dean.

"I wouldn't know how she's doing, because I didn't go to see her."

"Come again?"

Sam turned to his sister with wide eyes. Maybe she had gone somewhere and it had something to do with Dean's deal. Oh God, he hoped she hadn't done something stupid. Made some kind of deal. His heart pounded in his chest.

"I didn't go to Kansas."

"Where did you go?" Dean asked, voice barely controlled.

"Chicago."

"Chicago? Why? What's in Chicago?"

Laney licked her lips and swallowed thickly. Her mouth was completely dry. But in for a penny, in for a pound.

"I went to see Gavin."