The next morning, Dean was up and dressed before Sam. He was sitting at the table with the laptop in front of him. He had a pot of coffee brewing. It was raining outside. The aroma from the coffee woke Sam. He sat and stretched.
"You're up early. Are you hurting?"
"Nope. Got us a gig."
"What? Where?"
"Louisiana. The Bayou. Sounds like a Morag. It's dragging locals' into the swamp. They're found later impaled in cypress trees, with their throats ripped out."
Sam guarded his thoughts carefully, but his heart was breaking a little. "I'll tell Kira in a little while." He grabbed some clothes and headed for the shower. Twenty minutes later he was in Kira's room. He sat gently on the edge of the bed and watched her for a minute. Sam put a hand to her cheek.
Good morning, beautiful. She stirred, smiling. Opening her eyes she looked at Sam. He smiled back, but it didn't quite reach his beautiful hazel eyes. She sat up, throwing back the covers.
"What is it, Sam?" She asked aloud.
"Dean got us a job. A Morag. In Louisiana. It's a swamp monster. It's killing people."
"You have to go." She made it a statement.
He nodded.
"Let me get dressed." She bolted for the bathroom after she grabbed some clothes. Guarding her thoughts carefully, because her heart was breaking, she fought back tears. Five minutes later she came out of the bathroom. Sam stood from her bed. She went to him and grasped his hand.
"Promise me you'll be okay."
"I promise."
"You'll come back to see me again, soon?" Her eyes welled.
"I will." He caressed her cheek. "Kira, you put me back together. I couldn't have asked for more that that. I haven't felt this sane and centered in almost two years. I love you for that. But I have a job to do. I have to save my brother's life and soul; and I have unfinished business. I promise you I will find my way back to you. When the danger is gone, I will see you again." He kissed her then, long and tenderly, pouring all the healing she gave him into the touch of his lips on hers. Her voice and the words I love you bounced around in his head, and sealed the break in his heart. He pulled away, caressing her cheek once again; and walked out to the Impala, where Dean was already loading their bags. She followed him outside. Standing on the porch in the rain.
He turned back at the Impala, as Dean fired the engine and waved at her.
Thank you for giving me time to heal. He slid into the Impala's passenger seat.
Goodbye. Kira's tears mingled with raindrops as the car's taillights faded into the mist.