Second last chapter guys! Whoo! We've come so far and the end is near! Yeah! So have fun with this chapter- another sad one. Typical, Gemma says, typical. =) But enjoy.

Jo had fallen asleep; there at Dean's feet, resting against his legs. She breathed in and out evenly, the tears still evident across her cheeks. Her hands were clenched and behind her lids, Dean watched her eyes race. Her body seized and she let out a whimper, breathe quickening momentarily.

Then her hand grabbed his ankle and she fell back into a deep sleep.

Dean watched her and he felt her pure blood surging through his body. He breathed in deeply, closing his eyes and letting that purity take control of him. He felt it so intently that he thought he would choke upon that innocence.

His black eyes darted open and to the church doors when they creaked open; Sam walked in, his green eyes searching for Jo. He found her at the feet of his brother and he ran forward. His hand quickly felt her pulse and he looked up at Dean.

"What did you do to her?" He asked menacingly, his hand pulling Jo's away from Dean's leg. His brother, his mentor, his only family left, looked down at him condescendingly.

"I didn't do anything. She fell asleep." Dean rolled his eyes, quelling that pure blood for the moment; he refused to break down in front of his little brother, to show any emotions. Sam stared at Dean for a moment then glanced back at Jo as she shook off another nightmare and her pulse slowed down again.

The two brothers watched her sleep and Sam brushed a stray hair from her face in a gesture of companionable affection. Dean glanced away, feeling the heartache that he couldn't make such a sweet gesture, couldn't return the fondness that Jo had bestowed upon him earlier.

Sam stared at Jo for a moment longer then he glanced away, standing up and facing Dean.

"Dean," Sam started and he froze, blinking back the sudden salt water that threatened, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. "I-"

"Sam stop," Dean cut over whatever remark his brother was going to make. "Look, I've, uh, done some things-" He looked away, back to that guardian Angel, "-wrong. Hell I've done a lot of things wrong, messed up so many times; following orders, protecting people, doing what's right." Dean chance a glimpse at Sam, "Looking after you."

"I screwed up so many times and I can't be redeemed. You know that, Sam. We both know that I can't ever come back from what I've done." Dean blinked his eyes, pushing back the tears and staying strong.

He breathed in a shuddering breath, "I regret it all. I regret everything that I have ever done because it's all lead to here." He paused before that rage came forward, "Son of a bitch!" He grimaced, gritting his teeth angrily. "I couldn't even keep Jo safe." He looked down at the Huntress curled at his feet and his lower lip practically trembled.

"Dean…" Sam whispered, tilting his head and biting his bottom lip to hold back the sorrow at his brother's actions, at Dean's own pain.

"I regret bringing you into this, Sam." Dean looked around as if to emphasis his point. "I should've just left you, let you live your life with Jessica. But I had to be selfish, I had to drag you down with me." The eldest Winchester brother felt the tear that hovered on his eye lashes and he stared at the watch behind Sam, feeling the time drag by.

"I'm sorry, Sam. I'm so, so sorry, Sammy." Dean set his jaw and looked away, glimpsing Sam. His little brother was staring at him in such a way that it broke him. Sam clenched his hands and if it wasn't for Joanna at their feet he would've rushed his brother into a hug.

But instead he turned away and walked past Dean, stopping with the church doors open and he glanced back over his shoulder. He let a small smile grace his lips and with that, a whisper fell upon the air.

"Jerk."

Dean let his own smile take over and he shook his head ever so slightly. The doors were closing when he called out softly.

"Bitch."

Then there was silence. Echoing silence that rang throughout the holy building. Dean glanced back over at the watch and it chilled him to the bone. Blinking languidly, he nudged Jo with his foot, calling out her name.

"Jo, Jo. Wake up. Jo." She slept on and Dean decided to go on a whim.

"Joanna," That voice, singing and ringing, woke up the slumbering huntress. Dean grinned faintly as she looked over her shoulder at him, a hand wiping away the dried tears staining her face. "Dean?" She whispered and in that moment she forgot where she was, forgot her duty and just smiled. She smiled for the man that sat next to her and for herself.

Even as the last seven hours came rushing back, Joanna kept smiling. Then it fell away and she pushed to her feet, stretching. Her arms went above her head and she yawned, her eyes lethargic and her movements slow.

"Hey," She spoke softly and Dean smiled lopsidedly up at her. "Hey." They both held still in that moment, just taking in each other.

Then Jo grimaced as her side acted up from the stretch. She held her hand to her side and turned to the table, spying the watch instantly. Jo glanced back over her shoulder at Dean and was met with his emotionless expression; he was hiding something from her behind that mask, some deep sorrow.

She picked up that accursed syringe, keening for when this show would be over. Joanna looked at the pinpricks in her arm for a moment before blemishing another untarnished spot next to the bandage. The blood vacuumed into the syringe and it swirled then settled.

The needle left her flesh and Jo turned to Dean. He was waiting for her with that mask still in place, both over his emotions and his heart. She put a hand to the side of Dean's face, her thumb wiping away the tear streak. She smiled and he blinked, watching her as if his saviour had finally come to rescue him.

Joanna let the syringe fall towards his neck and it broke the skin and pierced flesh. With a push of her thumb, the sanguine raced into a battle against Dean's polluted blood and it was winning. Ever so slowly, the war was falling to her side and she was winning.

Dean looked up at Joanna Beth and he smiled gently, his eyes gleaming brightly.

And they watched each other, revelling in their shared pain.

So did you like? Personally, I liked the 'bitch, jerk' part =D ^_^ Also, where Dean says- I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry. That's a Doctor Who reference for all you Heathens who don't watch it. =) So... Seeya next chapter =D For the final lap of Joanna Beth and Dean Winchester's story. Because that, my reviewers, is the End.