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Dean pulled up to the Salvatore house to drop Rose off. They hadn't talked much during the ride over. Dean was tired, so was Rose. He was also thinking maybe she regretted telling him everything when she thought he was dying.
She was about to get out of the car, and turned to him.
"I'll talk to you soon...I'm glad you're okay." She said, and grabbed the door handle.
"Hey...you know I won't say anything about what you told me, so if you're angry or regret having told me..."he started.
"No, I'm not."
"You've been quiet."
"I didn't know what else to say. You killed Klaus...and you know better than anyone how hard it is for me to say thank you or ask for help...but thank you, and I'm sure everyone else wants to say that as well."
"It's my job." Dean said.
"I know." Rose said. Of course it was. She sighed.
"So...still think we're serial killers?" he teased.
She shook her head. "Never really thought it."
He nodded. "Right, well we'll see you around maybe. If Cas doesn't come back to keep his promise let us know."
She nodded in agreement, then opened the car door and stepped outside.
"Dean..."
"Yeah?"
"You'll be here until tomorrow?"
"Yeah why?"
"I'm sure Elena and Damon want to say thanks as well...okay maybe just Elena since Damon won't admit it aloud...but before you leave town why don't you come by."
"Yeah. I need to wait for Sam to get back anyways."
She smiled, then turned to go into the house.
llllllllllllllllllll
Damon was in his rooom when Rose arrived.
"Where is everyone?"
"Stefan took Elena home so Jenna wouldn't be so worried and Elena needs rest."
Rose looked hard at Damon. He was too quiet, and he looked worse than usual.
"You okay?"
"Mm yeah why wouldn't I be? Klaus is dead, Elena's alive...you're alive. Everythings how it should be right?" he said, but his voice was bitter.
"Damon..." she started. He wasn't telling her everything. "Come on, you don't need to lie to me."
"Seriously, I helped make sure Elena's happy by saving her friends, I got to keep Elena human and alive. She gets to live her life...just wish I was going to be here to witness it."
"What? You're leaving?" Rose asked. She was confused. Rose wasn't sure what she wanted to do, especially if Castiel was going to make her human again...but she'd thought about living in Mystic Falls. She was close to these people now...why would Damon leave? Would she want to stay if he left?
"No...well yeah sort of."
"Look if you don't think you can stay because Elena's with Stefan I get it, but I just...should you talk to her about it first? We're friends Damon, and if I'm going to stay in this strange little town I'd really like to have..."
"Rose I'd love to stay, I just can't. It's not because of Elena."
She gave him a confused look. "Okay, why?"
Damon finally walked closer and stood in front of her. He rolled up his sleeve.
"Tyler bit me...he started turning when I rescued them."
Rose' eyes widened as she looked down to his arm.
"No."
"Yup."
"Damon we'll find a cure..."
"There isn't one."
"Okay...Castiel, he's coming back...I'll.."
"You'll what?" Damon interrupted. "You think some angel is going to heal me? You have history with the Winchesters and this angel needed you so I get that he saved you, but he has no reason to save me."
"For me. It won't hurt to ask Damon."
"Yeah well best not get your hopes up Rose. Maybe it's my time."
"Yeah, that's what I said but I was wrong. Does Stefan know?"
"No."
"He needs to."
"Nah, don't tell him, he'll just tell Elena. The last thing she needs right now is more doom. She's been through enough. It'd be easier on her if I just let her think I left town."
"She'll ask, she cares about you even though she won't admit it...she won't let it go."
"She'll have to when they never find me."
Rose sighed, and turned away from him. He could tell she was angry with him.
"Hey...I'm not really someone to cry over. You guys will get over it."
"That's not funny." Rose whispered.
"Lighten up. I'm the one dying remember? Maybe it would just be easier to let me go now." he said. The sun was starting to come up. He didn't want to put people through any of this, he didn't want to go through what Rose went through, maybe he should just end his undead life right now.
"No. You need to fight Damon. Give me a chance to ask for help."
"Rose..." he started.
"You looked out for me, and cared for me...it's my turn. For the first time in my life I have someone who's my friend, who I care about...I will not let you die. And if you care about me at all, care about Elena and your brother...you will not give up and just take the easy way out."
He sighed. Then noticed the tears she wouldn't let fall. Great, did she really have to go there?
Damon finally walked up to her and pulled her into a hug. He didn't know why he did it...he didn't want her to save him, to feel sorry for him. He didn't want Elena to know either. But Rose was right too, she'd been nothing but supportive of him and he didn't deserve her friendship, her loyalty...but she was here anyways and upset that he was dying. The least he could do was stand here and make her feel like there was a chance that he'd be okay.
End Chapter.