AN: A big thank you to everyone who reviewed, you really made me enjoy writing even more. A special thank you to emebalia for letting me borrow Luis, and to NerdAngel for her reviews, support and help. And to Lilybolt and ChicoThorn for the great reviews!

CHAPTER 7

EPILOGUE

I stretched out in my arm chair, sighing in contentment. That coffee Dean had picked up was really good and warmed me from the inside. Not that I was cold, but last night's adventure had taken its toll on me. Unlike the brothers, I wasn't used to these kinds of experiences.

Putting my now empty mug back on the coffee table I chanced a glance at Sam and Dean. Dean was sporting a sugar coated top lip. I guess he was enjoying his donut too much to notice. I grinned. Sam, who caught onto my grin, also broke out in a broad smile.

After taking another bite, Dean became aware of our staring. He stopped chewing and glanced from Sam to me and back to Sam.

"What?" he challenged us. "Can't a man enjoy a damned good donut after a hard night's work?" Sam chuckled and nodded, taking a bite from his cream cheese bagel. Dean turned to me. "Go stare at Sam eating, for a change."

I shook my head with a smile on my lips. As gruff as Dean sometimes appeared to be, it was hard not to like him. Looking at Sam I saw him wink at me.

"Any ideas about how Tyler ended up in the attic?" I tried to change the topic and at the same time to satisfy my own curiosity.

"My best bet is," Sam squeezed out between two mouthfuls of bagel, "Jeremy's death was an accident. Tyler was distraught, took the necklace, and eventually hid up in the attic."

"Sounds plausible," I nodded. "But how did he die?"

"Maybe he offed himself 'cause he couldn't live with the guilt," Dean chimed in, wiping the excess sugar off his lips. I swallowed hard. Did Dean really think that's what happened? I found it hard to wrap my mind around someone taking his or her own life.

"Or maybe," Sam added, "he accidentally locked himself in the attic and since nobody knew he was up there..."

If that was supposed to put my mind at ease, it had the opposite effect. Starving to death sounded just as horrible as suicide. I got up and collected the wrappers from the bagels and donuts.

"Fact is," Dean continued, "nobody knows for sure but Tyler. And he can't tell anybody. Don't let it get to you, Luis." Dean had gotten up and was now next to me, briefly dropping his hand on my back reassuringly. A moment later he was past me and dropped his empty Styrofoam cup in the trash.

"I know it's easy for us to say," Sam backed up his brother. "We grew up with it. We learned long ago to shrug it off and accept we can't save everybody." Dean snorted somewhat derisively as he sat back down on the couch. Sam shot him a warning glance. I wasn't sure about it, but it seemed like a whole conversation unfolded in the brief moment the brothers locked eyes.

When Dean averted his gaze a moment later it was not in defeat but more in way of saying 'not now, Sam'. Sam nodded almost imperceptibly and addressed me again.

"Keep in mind that nobody else will die in there from a ghost attack, and you are part of the reason it's that way. You helped us getting rid of the Caspers and actually saved our butts in there."

I chuckled despite the mental picture Sam's words evoked. I was sure for some nights to come, yet I would be seeing a crowbar connecting with Sam's head and Dean dropping to the floor like an oversized rag doll. Not to mention the way it felt when an invisible power flings you across the room. I nodded and rubbed my stubbled chin.

"Yes, I know. Thanks, you two." It had taken me a while to digest my first encounter with the spirit world when the brothers had salted and burned Anne's bones. I had learned a lot since, but last night's experiences were much more intense and too close for comfort. There was no way I could just shrug it off as if nothing extraordinary had happened. "I'll be okay," I added, mustering a grin.

"Atta boy," Dean grinned back at me. "Sammy, you ready to hit the road?"

A slight tinge of disappointment washed through me at Dean's words. Somehow I had hoped the brothers would maybe stay on a day longer, but on the other hand, it didn't come as a surprise, really. Moving around was just in their nature.

I got up and went to my medicine cabinet in the bathroom. When I emerged, the Winchesters were already standing at the front door.

"If anything is the matter, give us a call," Sam said, drawing me in a friendly hug. "Thanks for everything, Luis."

"I will, and you're welcome," I replied, dropping a box of Ibus into Sam's hands. "Smarties for the road," I grinned and winked at Dean.

Dean smiled and shook his head slightly. "You never give up, doc, do you?" His voice was soft and his eyes twinkled. Then he slapped my shoulder in way of good-bye and walked through the door to the impressive black car. Sam followed suit and soon the rumbling of the 67 Impala disappeared in the distance, receding until it ceased completely.

AN2: It's done, I finished the story. Thank you for joining me on the ride. I truly hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Always keep fighting!