After a week in the hospital I was completely over it, and relieved when the doctor told me I was cleared to leave.

Normally I'd have signed myself out days ago. I hated hospitals, and had survived far worse injuries that this with just Dean's help.

But, I had stayed, for one key reason. I didn't want to make Dean feel like we had to move on. For the first time in a long while, he was happy.

He would no doubt deny it if I pointed it out, but I wasn't stupid. Hell, I probably knew him better than he knew himself sometimes. I could see it.

In just the week and a half we'd been here, he had formed a connection with Taylor. It was something he so rarely let himself do.

It reminded me, with a pang of sadness, of the way he and Jo used to be. The little smiles, the teasing, the flirting that never went any further. In their eyes it couldn't. It was a bad idea in our line of work to let yourself get too attached. Not like it mattered that they were 'only friends' when he'd had to deal with her death. I suspect the regret probably made it worse.

I didn't want to see him waste another chance at happiness, and, even better, with a girl who understood what we did for a living. I didn't want him to have another regret.

I shook myself mentally, pushing away the depressing thoughts of the past. No, I was determined to see him give himself a chance at happiness.

I looked around the room one more time, checking that I hadn't left anything behind…and grabbing a few supplies for later, one of the benefits of a hospital visit.

Dean and the girls were waiting for me out the front so I headed down the hall, giving a friendly wave as I passed one of the nurses who had been looking after me for the last week. She waved back, giving me a grin…and bumped into the wall in her distraction. I had to suppress the urge to laugh, she hadn't exactly been subtle in her ogling.

I was still grinning as I walked out the front doors. "I'm free!" I declared flinging my arms wide.

The girls laughed and gave me a hug. Emily was still in a sling, and they both had bruises that would take a while to fade, but they were both smiling happily. I wrapped an arm around each of them, feeling a wave of affection for the pair of them.

" 'bout time" Dean grumbled jokingly. "I hate hospitals…and I wasn't even the one admitted!"

I laughed and nodded, releasing the two girls. "I apologise for getting bashed across the head…again"

Dean smirked, "So you should."

Taylor laughed, "Be nice to him" she scolded him, jabbing him in the ribs with an elbow.

Dean lurched theatrically to the side, grabbing his ribs. "Oh! She wounds me!" He cried, making Taylor crack up laughing.

I gave a snort of laughter as Emily turned to grin at me, "Ah, young love." She sighed dramatically.

Dean gave an awkward little shuffle at the 'L' word, but Taylor just smiled happily and took his hand.

Dean's expression shifted to an almost comical mix of happiness and confusion as he continued to try and figure out why Taylor liked him so much.

I shook my head slightly as we headed to the carpark. Maybe one day he would see himself the way we all did…I could only hope.

The mood turned more sombre as we drove the girls back to the campus.

I wish I could suggest that we stay a while longer. Dean had given me the option several times over the years. But, we both knew we couldn't. Not right now.

The world needed saving…again. Then, maybe, I hoped we could talk about the possibility of a life that was more than just hunting.

We had both accepted that leaving the hunting life just wasn't the way our lives would work, but that didn't mean there couldn't be something more.

And that was the thought that I held onto as we said our tearful goodbyes to the two girls who had managed to wiggle their way into not only our lives, but our hearts too.

Emily and I pretended not to watch as Dean gave Taylor a tender kiss on the head as he gave her a final hug.

"It's not goodbye," I told them as I wrapped them in one last tight hug. "It's just…until next time."

Dean gave a snort of laughter, "You sound like a damn greeting card!"

I punched him on the arm, but it made me happy to see the girls still laughing as we drove away.

And there you have it! The final chapter of a story that I hope you all enjoyed as much as I did!

Thank you so much to everyone who has read, followed, favourite-ed, and especially those who reviewed! It means so much to me that you guys like reading what I like writing!

Thank you, too, for putting up with my terribly inconsistent updating! This will not be the last you see of the girls, but I am planning on taking a break from multi-chapter stories for a while, so that I can focus on finishing my studies without worrying about neglecting my wonderful fans! I won't be abandoning you though! I have a few one-shot ideas that I will be putting up when I need a break from studying!

In the meantime, feel free to read some of my older stories if you are a new follower! I'd love to know what you think of them too!

Until next time!