Epilogue

The days following their bittersweet victory were almost like a haze for the four victors. One of the ‘demon kids’ happened to have healing abilities and had been all too willing to heal one of his saviors, so he’d taken care of Sarah’s injuries before they’d become too serious. They’d then burned Cassie’s body with the tents as kindling, freeing her completely so she wouldn’t haunt the world in her sorrow. After that, they’d headed back for the parking lot, where most of the other ‘demon kids’ had left already in their trucks or cars, heading away from what would most likely be a terrible nightmare for the rest of their lives.

Sam, Dean, Andy, and Sarah had all gotten into the Impala and found a hotel so they could rest, too exhausted to do anything else. The next day they had then headed south, which had confused Andy a bit, but he had a feeling that it was for something very important. They had stopped at the Roadhouse on the third day out and delivered the victorious news and had even celebrated a bit, but they had once more not stayed long. If one had watched Dean, they could tell that he was very anxious and was no longer able to be quieted by either Sam or Sarah’s touches.

When they crossed into Florida, Sam had had to take over driving when Dean grew too antsy to even steer correctly. They arrived at Pensacola, Florida five days after the death of Cassie and their nemesis and headed straight for the Pier that had changed the Winchester brothers’ lives for all time.

Parking in the nearby parking lot, the four got out of the car and faced the ocean, which was almost glittering with greeting in the late afternoon sun. Dean turned to Andy and smiled softly, looking finally to be at peace. “Andy, there’re some things that you need to know. We’re here because this is where I at least say good bye,” he said softly as he played with his car keys.

“Hey...me too,” Sam retorted with a light tap on Dean’s head and grinned when Dean smiled at him in relief.

“And me as well,” Sarah added as she touched Sam’s hand.

“You sure, Sarah?” Dean asked quietly as he looked over at her and she nodded firmly.

“You and Sam are all I got. I’m not losing that...besides, I can’t really stand this country anymore,” Sarah answered with a wink and the brothers laughed.

Andy watched them in confusion and sighed. “Anytime now,” he commented as he waved his hand for them to get to the point.

Laughing again, Dean shook his head and clapped Andy on the shoulder. “You’re a great guy, Andy, and you grew up a lot recently. I’ll be straight with you. Out there is my mate...a mermaid that changed me two and a half years ago into a merman. My family is also out there, my kids with her and...with Sam,” he explained with a warm smile.

“Whoa...you and Sam had a kid?” Andy asked as his eyes widened and Sam snorted with laughter while Dean grinned. He hadn’t even sounded put off by the fact that they were sleeping together, which gave a base to the theory that he’d definitely been listening in the last two nights.

“Yea, we had a kid. A wonderful son that we saw for only a few minutes before givin’ him to Naida, my mate. Now, we’re gonna go back in there and leave this world. But we have a couple of things to take care of,” Dean explained as he leaned against the car. His face became serious then and it became apparent that it was difficult for him to go on. But, he managed a deep breath and nodded. “I want you to take my car, Andy, and take good care of it. I also want you to give all of our arsenal and Dad’s journal to Ellen, the lady you met at the Roadhouse, and just tell her that we found our niche. Can you do that for us?” he asked quietly as he focused on Andy while the other two watched them solemnly, knowing how hard it was for Dean to do this. He was letting go of his car, his baby...and he was letting go of John Winchester.

Stunned, Andy stared at Dean in silence for a couple of minutes before shaking himself. “You’re...joking, right? Dean...this is...your car and your things? Your dad’s journal? I...” he trailed off, biting his lip anxiously as he looked at Dean.

“Yea I know. But you’ve really shown yourself to be strong and worth trustin’. I want my car taken care of by someone who will worship her,” Dean replied and grinned as Sam nearly burst out laughing and turned away. Sarah giggled softly as Andy’s face lit up.

“Sure Dean...I’ll do it for you! You...I just don’t know how to thank you guys enough! I’ll...I promise to treat this car like she was a goddess and I’ll take care of all of your stuff, I promise,” Andy declared as he reached a hand out to Dean to shake.

Shaking Andy’s hand before pulling him in for a brief hug, Dean smiled warmly even as a tear rolled down his cheek. “Thanks man...I knew I could count on ya,” he whispered huskily before pulling back and handing his keys over to Andy. He turned to his car and patted its roof before going to the trunk. He waited until Andy unlocked it, then pushed up the lid and searched around for a bit before pulling out a picture of him, Sam, and their parents. He caressed it lightly then smiled at the others. “Yea ok...” he said with a huff before shutting the trunk after Sam had done the same and found a picture as a keepsake. They stepped to the side as Andy reverently climbed into the car behind the wheel and started it up with a growling purr. He pulled out carefully and waved at them before turning and heading away as they watched him go.

“You got the ownership changed on it, Sammy?” Dean murmured as he stood next to his brother bravely while watching his baby leave his sight.

“Yea I did. He’ll find out when he opens up the case,” Sam answered tenderly before hugging Dean to him. He kissed his brother softly and smiled when Dean sniffled before he tucked his brother close to him. “It’s ok, Dean,” he murmured comfortingly.

“Yea I know. But...small sacrifice to what’s comin’ up, ya know? I just need this chick moment,” Dean mumbled against his brother’s shoulder, who chuckled at that before they both turned a bit to look at Sarah, who was watching them with a grin. “You sure on this, girl? It’s a one time thing.”

“I’m positive, Dean. You and Sam are all I have in this world. And besides...I love the idea of being a mermaid and seeing stuff that no one will!” she answered with a laugh and they joined her as they reached for her and pulled her close. They held each other before turning towards the ocean as a quiet joyful song floated over to them and they saw three figures bobbing in the water. One of them pushed up and waved excitedly at them and they all smiled. “I’m guessing that’s Naida,” Sarah whispered nervously.

“Don’t worry...they’ll take care of us from now on,” Dean said softly as he hugged them both before heading for the ocean with his brother and Sarah. It was indeed a new day for them as they answered the call of the water.

THE END.

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