A/N: This is it! Last chapter. Wow, almost took me a year, but it's finished. A Big shout out to all the fangirls that helped me reach this point. Thank you vrskaandrea for your help on this chapter! You ROCK! Also a big THANK YOU to Blondie 20000, Secretwrittenword, SilverDragonflymoon, Lokis Mischef & NegansDoll for your continued cheerleading & encouragement. You guys are the best fangirls EVER!

Disclaimer: Everything you recognise either belongs to Eric Kripke or the real world. I own nothing but my OC, Nelle.

Chapter 16

Cool, crisp white sheets covered the hospital bed. The constant beep of the heart monitor was the only sound in the room. Nelle was hooked up to an IV drip and hadn't moved since. Her hand lay lifeless, covered by Dean's. The swelling has gone done around her eyes and neck and she was breathing on her own but she hasn't woken up yet.

When they brought her in she was as pale as hospital sheets, with blood seeping through the hasty bandages they tied around her neck in an effort to stop the bleeding on the way to the hospital. She lost a lot of blood and Dean wasn't quite sure who tried to drain her, judging by the bites on her neck and the delirious state she was in. He couldn't even stop to think what would have happened if he was one second too late. If Dave managed to finish her off. She crashed and coded three times before they had managed to stabilise her and move her out of the ICU.

It's been three days since they rescued Nelle. Though the drive to the hospital was short, it felt like forever that Dean had to stare down on her lifeless, bloody form, wishing for her to open her eyes and smile up at him. But soon they rushed into the emergency room and she was taken from him. There were so many questions about the bite marks on her neck, the blood and bruises. And he zoned out multiple times, enough for Sam to shake him, to get him to focus. He needed to know she would be okay.

Dave and Bill were dead. Sam went back to make sure they were salted and burned along with the other vampires. Jody handled the deputies and victims while Claire and the other hunter helped with the clean up. The guilt inside him was eating him alive. Letting Nelle down, that was getting to him. After he promised her she would be safe at Bobby's. But he knew well, while Bobby's place is warded against every kind of supernatural evil, there was nothing to ward off monsters like Dave & Bill.

Sam has been rotating the shifts with sitting next to her, hoping she'd wake up. Constantly making sure she was not alone in the room. It took a lot of sweet talk to convince the hospital to transfer her over to Sioux Falls so they could be close to Bobby, which was already home and well on his way to recovery with a mild concussion. Adam was so glad to have his family back in one place he practically fell over himself doing coffee runs and checking up on Nelle, driving the few miles between the Salvage Yard and hospital three times a day to bring food. But Dean refused to go home. He opted to stay long enough in the only motel in town, just to shower and change into fresh clothes, before he would return to her side. He felt responsible. This strange girl that wandered into their lives just a little over a week ago surely had her hands firmly gripped around his heart. He swallowed hard. All he wanted was for her to wake up and be okay. He needed her to be okay. After all the crap that has happened in his life, he needed this win. He needed her to be fine.

"Coffee?" Sam was leaning against the door frame of the hospital room, holding the take away coffee in his left hand while drinking his own from the right.

"Thanks." Dean smiled thankfully. It's been a long night.

"You want to take a break? I'll sit with her." Sam smiled. He was tired but not nearly as tired as Dean. Nelle's hand moved in Dean's as he was getting up to take the coffee. A moan escaped her lips as she tried to speak but her lips didn't want to move.

Dean stood over her, concern engraved on his face. "Shhh now, you're safe. Everything is fine now, I am here." A tear rolled over her cheek as she turned her head towards the sound of his voice.

"I'm so sorry, Nelle." He buried his head in her neck, as sobs ripped through his body. "I'm so sorry I was too late. Please forgive me."

Strong hands pulled him up. Sam felt such pain for his brother. It's been a long time coming for Dean to find love again. Sam has watched him change over the past week. He saw a new side to Dean he's not seen before. A softer side, as he tried to win favour with Nelle and in spite of her best efforts to push him away, keeping him at bay and not let herself be fooled by his attempts to reach through that wall she has built around her, Dean held on and never gave up trying to reach out, trying to reach her. And Sam watched, every day, as she crumbled a little bit more. And now, here he was picking up his older brother's broken pieces. They were too late to save Nelle from assault but they were able to rescue her from certain death. His brother was all torn up about it and Sam knew the long road of painful healing was ahead for both of them.

Dean held on a little while longer. He allowed himself to feel helpless for just a moment longer before he straightened up and hugged his brother tight. He's always been the strong one. To break like this, this wasn't him. He didn't understand himself these days. He could deal with the supernatural but when his feelings were handed to him on a silver plate, he didn't know what to do.

"I'm okay, Sammy." He patted Sam on his chest, then slumped back down into the chair, resting his hand against Nelle's cheek.

"Dean." Sam cleared his throat as he looked at his brother, his hand grasping his shoulder. "It's okay to love her, Dean. You need her in your life."

Dean didn't look up but Sam knew he was listening. He stood still for a little while longer before he slipped out the door.

Nelle stirred again against the pillows. The bruises on her face and neck already started changing from deep purple to green. The doctor said she had several broken ribs and he was concerned about her ability to ever have children again. Turned out the violent assault caused a miscarriage. The doctor did explain in as much details as he could muster, but Dean stopped listening after 'miscarriage'. He just held on to her hand and stared off into space. The sweet loving Nelle lost so much already. How was he going to explain to her the loss of this child she didn't want in the beginning, yet fighting with him about leaving to protect the baby. Maybe he should have let her go; maybe they would still be safe. He remembered her laughter...the first time he saw a twinkle in her eye. He remembered how she melted from being a caged animal at odd times to being relaxed and free, almost like a butterfly. Who would want to harm a butterfly? A sadistic douchebag, that's what. He hadn't even noticed that Sam left until the doctor was next to him, examining Nelle for signs that she was waking up.

Her eyes slowly fluttered open, as much as she could against the bright light shone in her face. She was confused, as could be expected and she tried to get away. She was caged again. She felt the rope tugged on her arms and feet as she tried to pull away when she saw Dean's face above her. Did she die? Is she dreaming? It was her end, right? She knew it when she saw the blood dripping down Dave's chin. She knew he wouldn't let her live for what she did. She knew it was over. Finally she had peace. And in her heart she loved Dean but it was over now. It will never be. She closed her eyes again as she rested her head against white fluff. But then a warm hand brushed against her cheek. And she heard voices. Dean's, Sam's and others she didn't recognise. She was confused. Were they dead too? Slowly the darkness came again and carried her away.

ooOoo

She heard beeping again and voices whispering. Somewhere a trolley was pushed. She felt like she was floating. Something warm on her hand. The voices were getting louder.

"Nelle, can you hear me?"

She turned her head towards the voice. It almost sounded familiar, but it was like from a dream.

"Give her time, she was pretty heavy sedated." Another voice spoke, unfamiliar but friendly.

She felt more warmth on her hand and tried to open her eyes, but they were so heavy.

ooOoo

The butterfly was flying, through branches and over flowers.

Under the clouds and through the shadows.

Never tiring, never failing.

It was free.

She could see the intricate colours on its wings.

It was beautiful.

It rested for a while on a flower, drinking in the sunlight, then continued on its journey until it found her.

She turned her head towards the sun and the butterfly touched down on her shoulder.

Slowly moving its wings up and down, up and down.

Waiting.

She reached up to it for a moment and they touched.

Then it flew away.

Free.

ooOoo

Dean was stretched out uncomfortably in the chair in Nelle's room. It's been four days since they rescued her. Sam & Adam took turns checking in on him, but the stubborn older Winchester didn't want to leave her side.

When her fingers twitched around his and her eyelids finally fluttered open, he was out of the chair, leaning over her in seconds, his heart beating wildly in both relief and dread. It took her a few moments to fully wake up and focus on his concerned face hovering above her.

"Dean?" she whispered; her voice raspy from lack of use.

"I'm here." He gave her a reassuring smile, touching her face, then leaned in to kiss her on the forehead.

She frowned a little as she focussed on him. Then she gathered her thoughts for a moment before her hands automatically rubbed over her stomach.

"My baby?" she questioned; alarm and fear both on display across her face as she struggled to sit up.

"Hey, take it easy," Dean urged, laying a firm hand on her shoulder, while gently pushing her back down.

"My baby?" she repeated, her eyes locking with his.

Dean swallowed. No use prolonging the inevitable. He shook his head. "I'm so so sorry," he said quietly, while rubbing circles on the back of her hands.

"No!" she choked, again struggling against her bruised and battered body to sit up, against the pain in her heart, against the agony in her soul. "No, no, no!"

This time she refused to stay prone and her hands were gripping his shirt sleeves by the time she was sitting up.

"No, Dean, no, please..." she stammered, her words now only choking sobs. "Please no!"

Dean climbed onto the bed, sliding next to her as he pulled her gently in towards him. She fisted his shirt and buried her face in his chest, her shoulders heaving as full on sobs wrack her body.

"No, no, no," she repeated as she clung to him in desperation.

He fought back tears of his own as he held her close and couldn't help but remember her initial reaction to the pregnancy and then how she accepted it and started looking forward to the baby. It even excited him a little bit. Though they were...are not together or whatever, he felt excited about the prospect of a little person in his life. He shook his head to clear the thoughts. Just random thoughts, he said to himself as he became aware of her body against his. Her sobs have died down but she still had her face buried in his chest and she still held on tightly to his shirt, afraid to let go. And frankly, he didn't want her to let go. Amidst all this heartache and pain, amidst all the hell of the past 96 hours, this was where he wanted to be. Hunting be damned, he could give that up in a heartbeat if it meant having her in his life, safe. And then it dawned on him, Sam was right; he couldn't imagine his life without her. His heart ached at the mere thought, if the past four days was not evident enough, that he needed her, as he nearly lost her. But now that he found her and she was safe – still in the hospital, not at a hundred percent yet, but still safer than she was, and she was here with him. She needed him, and dare he admit this to himself, he needed her. He needed her! He swallowed hard against the lump in his throat, against the tears pooling behind his eyes as he stopped fighting himself and let the feeling of utter realisation dawn on him. He has fallen in love with her.

Her breathing was stable again as she nuzzled into his side, her head resting against his shoulder. She was asleep. Dean adjusted his position, getting comfortable while resting with his head against the wall, careful not to wake her up. He closed his eyes and allowed sleep to take over. This is how Sam found him a couple of hours later. He quietly sat down in the chair next to the bed, watching over the ones he loved and also allowed himself to drift off.

ooOoo

Nelle woke up again. The room was dimly lit. She could make out the faint morning light through the half closed curtains. She felt rested and calm. There was a warm body next to hers. She didn't need to look up to know it was Dean. For a moment she wondered why he was in the bed with her but then her breath hitched in her throat as she remembered the baby she no longer had and she couldn't help the tears softly falling again.

Dean woke up from the movement next to him. His neck was a bit stiff from the upright position he stayed in all night, but it was better than the chair. He slowly opened his eyes and first saw Sam slumped over the chair, softly snoring, long legs stretched out in front of him. He smiled as he realised his brother was there all night, looking out for him and Nelle and also because he needed to be there, close by. It's always been like that. He felt movement next to him and instantly realised Nelle was awake and sobbing softly against him. His arms tightened around her as he whispered words of love into her hair while he rubbed small circles on her back. She calmed down and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, then pushed herself up against him.

"Hey," he said quietly, cupping her face.

"Hey," she looked at him, while a small smile curled in the corners of her mouth.

"Feeling better?"

She nodded at first but then shook her head as another wave of sadness washed over her. Dean didn't say anything, just held her again.

"I'm sorry, Dean." She suddenly said softly against his chest.

"Shhh, its okay, Nelle." He rubbed her back, soothing his hand up and down, enjoying her warm body against his. It felt so right to have her lay against him like this. It felt like it was suppose to be. It felt like home.

But then Nelle pushed herself away from him again.

"It's not okay, Dean. You shouldn't be here. I-I'm sorry but it's better if you go."

"Whatever do you mean?" He was confused. He thought everything was good now.

"It's not right for you to be here. I'm okay now. And you have other things to worry about now."

Dean sat up straight, suddenly confused and hurt. He couldn't understand why she was pushing him away.

Sam stirred in the chair and stretched his long limbs while yawning. He peeked over to the bed, instantly noticing the stiff atmosphere.

"Hey guys."

Nelle jumped slightly with fright. She never realised Sam was there as well. Instantly he was at the side of the bed.

"Thank God, you're awake, we were so worried." Sam smiled down at her.

But Nelle shook her head.

"Don't Sam. Don't worry about me. I'm fine now."

Sam frowned, looking at Dean who only shook his head.

"I need to be alone, please." She looked at Sam, then down at her hands.

Dean stood up from the bed and slowly moved towards the door, taking Sam by his arm as he passed him. Sam still wanted to protest, but Dean just pulled him out and closed the door behind them.

"What the hell, man?" Sam asked, pulling his arm free.

"I don't know, Sammy. One moment she was fine, the next she's like- like this. I'm going for a walk." Dean said as he looked at his brother for a moment, before heading down the corridor.

Sam stood still, watching his brother go. Then he took out his phone and dialled Bobby.

ooOoo

Alone at last, Nelle looked down to the various cables attached to her. She pushed the covers off her and slid from the bed. Her body tingled with numbness but she waited for a moment before moving along the side of her bed, testing her legs. They felt a bit wobbly but she pushed herself away from the bed towards the monitors. Everything ached and it was painful to walk. Her back screamed at her and her head was throbbing again. It was time to leave again. She caused enough heartache and pain. She caused enough trouble. Time to go. She didn't know where she would go or how she was going to get there, but she couldn't stay and ruin more lives. She was a bit hazy on the details and she wasn't sure where Dave was but if he was coming for her again, she couldn't stay there, she couldn't allow another tragedy to happen again.

It took a minute or two to figure out the machine, but soon she found the off switch and then pulled the cable patches from her chest, not minding the sticky residue it left behind. She quickly slipped into the bathroom and took care of business. She straightened her hospital gown and glanced around for any sign of her shoes. There was no sign of her clothes. She quickly moved to the door, then inhaled deeply and counted to ten before slowly breathing out. She quietly opened the door and peeked out but was immediately met with a solid chest.

"Leaving so soon, Darling?" Bobby softly whispered.

Nelle inhaled sharply as she stepped back into the room, then she glanced at the floor when she realised her plan had been foiled. But she looked up again, determined to still push through.

"I have to, there's no other way. I cannot stay. There's nothing left for me here."

"No Nelle, you are family now and I would like it if you stayed. You are safe; why would you give this up?"

Frustrated Nelle sat down on her bed again. She felt defeated.

"No, Bobby. I've upset your lives too much. You didn't need this baggage that followed me, the danger. It's my fault you were hit over the head." She wanted to reach out and touch him, but then decided against it. "If it wasn't for me...if they didn't come for me..." Her voice broke and she sobbed quietly. Bobby sat down next to her and took her into his arms. He smoothed over her hair, and let her cry. He softly rocked back and forth, whispering into her hair.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught movement by the door. He recognised Sam's head. Sadness was in the giant's eyes and Bobby realised Sam heard everything.

The next moment Adam barged into the room. Nelle lift her head to see what the commotion was about.

"Please stay!" Adam grabbed her hand with both of his. "You're...you're like my sister and I've lost so much in my life already, I cannot lose you too, Nelle. Please, please don't go." Tears now streamed freely over his face as he held onto her hand for dear life. She looked up to Bobby as he smiled at her.

"Family don't end in blood, Nelle and you are already loved so much. Besides, I like your cooking." Bobby smiled at her and she blushed slightly.

There was a moment of silence before Sam stepped into the room as well. Quietly he moved towards her bed, and took a seat at her feet.

"It won't be the same without you." He said smiling at her. "You've already brightened up our lives, just by being in it. We need you, Nelle."

Nelle pulled her hand free from Adam's grip and wiped her tears away. Bobby quickly stepped into the bathroom to fetch some tissues which she thankfully took from him. After blowing her nose and chucking the used tissue, she looked up at the boys in front of her.

"I have to think about this. Can you...can you just leave me alone for a bit, please?"

"Sure darling," Bobby pulled Adam up and they walked out the room while Sam slowly stood up and walked closer to Nelle. He bent down, practically folded in half to give her a hug.

"We're right outside if you need us." He said before quietly leaving the room as well.

Left to her own thoughts, Nelle glanced around the room. Dean's jacket hung over the chair where he was sitting the past couple of nights, waiting for her, guarding over her to make sure she was okay. She closed her eyes and let the memory of the kidnapping play in her mind. She didn't want to, but it flooded her mind without control. From the moment she woke up in that hotel room with Bill hovering over her, to the events that followed with him and Dave. To the warehouse where those...those...'what were they?' she wondered. Instinctively she reached up and touched the side of her neck where she felt a big bandaged covering a large area of her neck. She put slight pressure on it and immediately flinched when the injury stung. 'No, not injury,' she thought. 'I've been bitten.'

"It should be healed in another couple of days or so." Dean spoke up from the door as he shouldered the frame.

"It...it was a Vampire, wasn't it?" Nelle looked up at him as he slowly walked closer. He took a seat next to her on the bed, folding his arms over his chest.

"I'm sorry, Nelle. I'm sorry I wasn't there to save you from that." Tears welled up in his eyes and frustrated he blinked a couple of times to will them away.

"But they were all Vampires?" she urged him, suddenly leaning forward, staring into his eyes.

"Yes," he said, looking sad.

"And...and Dave?" she whispered softly. "Wa...was he one too?" She closed her eyes for a moment, not sure if she really wanted to know but she knew she needed the truth, even though it might hurt a lot.

"They turned him. By the looks of it, he was transitioning when I found you. He wasn't always one, he was human before."

It was quiet for a moment, then Nelle's eyes grew big and she gasped. "Does...does, oh my God, does that mean I will turn into one as well?" Instantly Dean sat closer to Nelle, holding her in his arms.

"No no no. You are fine. You are not turning into one."

"But they bit me. They sucked on...on m-my neck." She gasped as she clutched her hand over her neck and pulled on the bandage.

"It doesn't work like that," Dean pulled her hand away, securing the bandage in place and cupped her face, forcing her to look at him.

"You are fine. You only turn when they bleed into your mouth and they didn't do that. Besides, you would have turned by now if it did happen. It's already been four days, Nelle. You are still human. You are fine."

A lonely sob escaped her as she leaned into him and he embraced her. She rested her head against his chest, listening to his strong heart beating.

Suddenly she pulled away again, her eyes wide with fright.

"Dave! He tried...he was coming for you. He pushed me!" The events flashed through her mind. Everything was jumbled up.

"He did, but I stopped him. You saved me and then I saved you and then Sam saved both of us." He took her hands and gripped them tight. "It's over, Nelle. Dave is...uhm...he's dead."

"D-dead? But... but how?"

"I will explain everything, I promise, but for now, what you say we focus on getting you better first?"

Nelle realised what Dean said about Dave. That he was gone, that she was safe and even though the baby was gone, she was SAFE and Dean. He was real and here and he was safe too.

"Dean, I..." Nelle looked down to his hands holding hers, then up to his face. His eyes had a sparkle to them and not from tears. His face was so close she could count the freckles over his nose. There were some bruises over his eyes that were already healing.

"Dean," she tried again. "I'm broken."

"No you're not. You're bruised and took a beating from a douchebag vampire monster but you won. And you're safe now. And I'm here to protect you always, Nelle." He freed his one hand, and lifted her chin up to look into her bright blue eyes.

A lonely sob escaped from her as she looked back at him.

"Why, Dean? Why do you care?"

"B-because I," he briefly closed his eyes but quickly opened them again. It was time to man up and face the truth and not be afraid. "because I love you, Nelle."

"You can't, Dean. I'm not worthy of love."

She tried to turn her head away but Dean wouldn't let her. His head bent down and his lips brushed over hers. His lips were soft and his breath was warm over her face and she closed her eyes.

"I...I only cause trouble, Dean."

She groaned, but he just hummed against her, kissing her nose, her eyes, her cheeks. She lifted her hands and tried to push against his chest. His heart was beating steadily under her fingers. He pulled her closer, and her hands pushed up towards his shoulders, his neck, until their bodies were flushed against each other.

"Dean," she whispered as his mouth found hers again and he put all he could into that kiss. She felt the butterflies in her stomach again as he deepened the kiss and her lips parted as his tongue swept across her bottom lip. They tasted each other completely and when they broke apart again there were smiles on both their faces and her cheeks were flushed.

"I love you, Nelle." He said again, breathing hard, trying to catch his breath. He looked down to her hands, letting his eyes linger over her body before finding her eyes again. "And I can't just let you go. I-I need you. I need you like I've never needed anyone. You brighten my day, you make me smile. I've felt so lost without you these past few days. I almost lost you. I couldn't bear the thought that I was almost too late." Suddenly a sob hitched in his throat and he became aware of something wet on his cheeks. He was crying. Dean Winchester was crying, showing emotion and he didn't hide it.

"Please stay. Please stay with me and let me show you what love should look like. Please stay and let me show you that you are worthy of love and worthy of care and worthy of so many things." He rested his forehead against hers. "I love you so damn much it hurts." He smiled at her. "But it's a good kind of hurt and I just need you, please. Please stay."

"Dean, I-I..." she wiped her thumbs over his cheeks, dried them off with the palm of her hand. She didn't understand why but her heart was breaking for him. He looked like a lost little boy and all she wanted to do was to wrap him up and protect him.

But he interrupted her. "You deserve so much more, Nelle." He kissed her softly again. "You deserve a safe home with a family that loves you. Brothers that adore you and Bobby. Gosh, Nelle. He already thinks of you as a daughter." His fingers were entwined in her hair, lovingly rubbing her skull. He kissed the side of her head, her temple, her jaw and then his lips brushed over her bandages. He kissed over the spot she was bitten. Then he gently sucked on her earlobe and she inhaled sharply while a moan escaped her.

"I cannot promise that there won't be other monsters. And I will explain it all, I promise you, but there will never be another Dave or Bill. I will protect you and I will train you to protect yourself as well."

He covered her in sweet hungry kisses that bore promises of safety, love and care and most importantly – need. She leaned into him and allowed herself to enjoy it, to breath in his scent and to give herself completely over to his affection and love.

With her arms wrapped around his neck, she pulled away briefly and stared up into his emerald green eyes.

"I love you too, Dean."

He smiled at her and she smiled back, then his lips found hers and the world faded around them.

Sam slowly opened the door and popped his head inside but stopped himself just short of breaking the moment. A small smile crept over his face as he watched Dean melt into Nelle and he knew, the world just became a better place.

The end.