A/N: I may have rushed this part a little, but I didn't want to drag on with a bunch of filler chapters. You might think this is the end but we're almost to where the story really starts to get good! Please Review!

6 months later.

Caroline shot up, sweat dripping down her face. When she looked around the room it was as if she had woken from one nightmare to another. All the bags were sitting on the table along with enough guns for a small army. It took a minute to sink in, but Caroline realized what today was. It was Dean's final day. Caroline grabbed her phone from the bedside table and checked the time. 4:13 am, Dean only had a few more hours…and they were going somewhere. Caroline pushed the covers off her lap and walked over to the set of drawers retrieving a set of clothes. Just as she was about to change Dean walked into the room and stopped short seeing Caroline standing there awake. Caroline did her best to flash him a typical Caroline smile.

"You could have woken me up, I would have helped pack up the car." Caroline playfully scolded.

Dean sighed as he walked over to Caroline. When he had closed the distance between them he cupped her face in his hands and stared into her eyes. This would be the last time he would see those blue eyes sparkling up at him.

"Caroline…I'm…You're staying here. I'm not taking you with me." Dean spoke the words with no feeling, his face expressionless.

Caroline's smile slipped away as she stared up at Dean, confused. There was no way. After all of this time, all of that work, there was no way he was going to just leave her here.

"No. NO!" Caroline shouted in Dean's face as he continued to hold her. "I've spent the last year preparing for this."

"You spent that last year learning how to protect yourself."

Caroline gaped at him. "You're just going to drop me at some sleazy motel and call it quits? I refuse to just sit here while you fight for your life. I hate to break this to you but you mean the world to me Dean Winchester and I'm not going to just sit around and twiddle my damn thumbs!"

Dean smiled at her last comment. "Well, someone has been hanging around Bobby too long. I may need to wash your mouth out with soap."

Seeing Dean smile, on today of all days, was the think that broke her. Tears started to form in her eyes as she stared back at Dean, feeling so helpless for the first time in months.

"This isn't a joke" Caroline choked between tears as she turned her gaze to the carpet. "Why won't you let me protect you for once? I can help. I won't get in the way. I just…I can't just let you walk into the sunset and let that be the end."

"Technically Care, it would be the sunrise. Doesn't make your statement any less cheesy, but…"

Caroline let out a small giggle before turning her attention back to Dean. "How can you be joking at a time like this?"

Dean smiled weakly. "I'm not good at these chick-flick moments Caroline but for you, I'll try my best to throw my fist in the air as I walk into the sunrise."

Caroline shot him a quizzical look. "You've seen The Breakfast Club?"

"I have seen a television in my lifetime."

Caroline sighed. "You're distracting me Dean. Please, let me come with you."

Dean's face hardened. "No."

Caroline could feel a fresh set of tears begin to form from the frustration and desperation she was feeling.

"Why?" Caroline choked.

Dean pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear. "Because Caroline, I hate to break it to ya, but you mean the world to me Caroline Forbes and I'm not gonna let anything happen to you. Trust me Care, sit around for a day, paint your nails, watch crap television, I'll be back before you know it."

Caroline covered her mouth trying to stifle a sob. "What if you don't come back?"

Before Dean could reply the door to the room opened and Sam entered the room. The two of them turned towards an awkward looking Sam. Sam flashed Caroline a weak smile before turning his attention to Dean.

"Sorry to interrupt but Ellen's here." Sam said, avoiding eye contact with Caroline.

Caroline whipped her head around to face Dean. "You got me a babysitter?"

"Give me a minute." Dean instructed Sam.

Caroline refused to take her eyes off Dean even when she heard the door close again. Dean sighed, kissed Caroline gently on her forehead, and pulled away to look her in the eyes.

"I'm not taking chances when it comes to you Caroline. I'm gonna do everything to keep you safe, even if that means locking you in my trunk."

Caroline watched Dean's face, taking in every feature. She had stared at this face so many time, she thought she knew everything about it, but still she couldn't look away. She could tell Dean talked a big game, because there was no hope in his eyes, he knew he wasn't coming back. Caroline would have argued with him until she was blue in the face, and part of her wanted to, but she was wasting time. These were their last moments together and she didn't want their epic love story to go out with an argument. Caroline relaxed before flinging herself at Dean. Dean was shocked at first but recovered and wrapped his arms around her.

"What's this for?" Dean whispered into Caroline's hair.

"Just come back to me Winchester, you hear me?" Caroline said sternly as she pulled away.

Dean flashed her his usual cocky smile. "Have some faith Caroline, I'm gonna give 'em hell."

Caroline rolled her eyes as she giggled at Dean's terrible pun. Dean cupped Caroline's face in his hands, stared down into her blue eyes before he pressed his lips against hers. This was like no other kiss Dean and Caroline shared before. It was earnest, desperate, like Dean had walked through a desert for days and Caroline was his source of water. Caroline tried to hold back the tears but she couldn't help it. That kiss told her what she already knew, Dean wasn't coming back.

When they pulled away from each other it felt like their kiss lasted lifetimes and still it wasn't long enough. Dean brushed the tears away from Caroline's face before flashing her a weak smile.

"Come on Forbes, time for us to go."

Dean wrapped his arm around Caroline's shoulders as they walked out of the room. Outside Sam was leaning against the Impala standing opposite Bobby and Ellen. The three turned at the sound of a door closing to find Dean and Caroline. Caroline took a deep breath before smiling weakly at the group. Ellen returned the gesture by flashing the girl her own sympathetic smile. Ellen walked over to Caroline and placed her arm around the tiny blonde's shoulders, embracing her in a very Ellen-like hug.

"You ready to get going girlie?" Ellen said, trying to sound as normal under the circumstances.

Caroline nodded weakly. "Maybe this road trip won't be so bad. I might actually be able to touch the radio."

Ellen let out a genuine laugh as she released Caroline and went back to standing next to her car. Bobby took Ellen's place in front of the girl, standing there awkwardly, not sure what to do next. Caroline smiled before wrapping her arms around Bobby. Bobby didn't even hesitate, he just hugged the girl back.

"Shoot first, ask questions later, you hear me?" Bobby said as he hugged Caroline.

"You do the same. Keep yourself safe…you idgit." Caroline said between giggles.

Bobby chuckled as he pulled away. He patted Caroline on her back before stepping away. Sam walked up next, his hands in his pockets looking nervous. Caroline shook her head at him.

"I'm not gonna break Sam, I'm not girly little Caroline anymore." Caroline reassured him.

Sam smiled as he embraced Caroline. "No matter what Caroline, you're one of the Winchesters, however this turns out, I'm going to come get you when all of this is over."

Caroline pulled away and smiled. "I'm going to hold you to that Sam."

Sam nodded before he took his place next to the Impala. Caroline turned her attention to Dean who stood a few inches away from her, staring at her. Caroline smiled as she closed the distance between them. She put her hands in his pockets where his were resting and rubbed her fingers over his hands.

"I know how bad you are at good-byes" Caroline mocked as she stared at their feet. "So just…I'm glad I got to spend this year with you."

Dean turned her face up to his. "I'm so glad you forgave me for leaving. I never thought I could be this happy Care. So…thank you."

Before Caroline could respond Dean pressed his lips against hers, less urgent than before, and kissed Caroline good-bye…for the last time. When they pulled away from one another they were out of breath and tears streamed down Caroline's face. Dean gave her a weak smiled before stepping away from her. As if Ellen could read her mind, she grabbed Caroline around the shoulders and directed her to the other car before she could grab onto Dean and refuse to let him go. Ellen opened the car door and directed Caroline into the passenger's seat. Once the door was shut behind her Ellen walked around the car and took Dean in an embrace. Caroline tried to pay attention to the dials on the radio but she couldn't help hearing Dean tell Ellen to "Keep her safe". Caroline let out a sob and turned her face towards the window next to her, facing out into the dark. She heard the car door open and slam shut then a set of keys jingle as they were placed into the ignition. The car came to life and without hesitation Ellen pulled out of the parking space. Caroline turned around to see Dean watch the car drive away. She kept a forced smile until the pulled out of the parking lot when she finally let her guard down and broke into tears.