"Allegra, can you hear me? I need your help."

Dean had tried to think about Allegra as little as possible since they'd last spoken since that was what she wanted, and he had no desire to continue fighting with her. But things with Sam had gone on for long enough. He needed her now more than ever.

"Alley, please, I..."

"I'm here."

Dean spun around when he heard Allegra's voice behind him. His heart soared and sank at the same time. Every time he left, he felt bad. Every time she left, he felt worse. Every time they met again, it was pure agony.

"Wasn't sure you were gonna show." He smiled weakly at her.

"Well, it was either showing up or listening to your stalker voice in my head for the next couple of hours, so yeah, easy choice."

Dean rolled his eyes at her, laughing at the joke on the inside. 

"What's wrong?" she asked, her tone more serious then.

"Everything. I messed up with Lisa. And Sammy... Something's wrong with him. He watched me turn into a vamp like..."

"Wow, what?! You turned into a vampire?!" Allegra was at Dean's side in a heartbeat, completely frantic, and took hold of his face. "How?! When?! Why the hell didn't you call me?!"

"Hey, hey, calm down. I'm fine. See, no fangs."

He raised his upper lip to show Allegra he was indeed fang-free. She let out a breath in relief and relaxed a little.

"Don't scare me like that, you stupid idiot," she mumbled.

"Sorry," he apologized with a grin.

She didn't let go just yet. Their eyes met and Dean's grin wavered. His body moved on its own and he leaned in. Allegra recoiled and let go of his face. She cast her eyes down and put a lock of hair behind her ear.

"You euhm... You were saying? About Sam?" 

Part of Dean felt disappointed at her action. But the other part was glad of it. Now was not the time nor place. He had to focus on the problem at hand - his brother.

"Things were muddled at first, but I remember now," he said. "I saw him smiling when that vamp bit me. Like he wanted it to happen. It's like... I don't know. It's Sam on the outside, but..."

"Not on the inside," finished Allegra. "Yeah, I've been noticing that too."

Dean sighed and sat down on the bed, mentally exhausted. She knelt down in front of him and put her hands on his knee.

"There's something you should know. When Sam came back, he still had some of Lucifer inside of him."

"What?! Why the hell didn't you tell me this before?!"

"Relax, I took care of it."

"You did? How?"

"My grace. Since I'm part Archangel, Castiel figured I could cast whatever remained of Lucifer out of Sam's body completely. He helped me tap into it. I guess it was a one-time fluke 'cause I haven't been able to do it again."

Dean noticed her hesitant look then.

"There's something else, isn't there?"

"Maybe... I'm not sure. Just...every time I lock on to Sam's soul, I can't find him. Even when Sam's right in the room with me. And before you freak out, it could be nothing. Just a weird-ass side effect from being the creep's vessel for so long. You get all scrambled on the inside; I suspect it's normal you need some time to get over that."

But Dean could tell Allegra didn't believe that herself. She was holding on to it because it was the only thing that made some sense. The alternative meant... Nope, definitely holding on to hope.

"You tell me when you notice anything different?" he asked.

"Yes, of course."

With both Allegra and Bobby looking into whatever the hell was going on with Sam, Dean felt a bit more at ease. One less thing to worry about anyway. Sort of.

"So euhm..." He looked up at the sound of Allegra's voice. "What... What happened with Lisa?"

Though she wasn't looking directly at him, Dean could tell she was curious about his answer. It would've been so easy to tell her. To ask her if she was finally willing to give them a chance. But Dean decided against it. He shook his head, indicating that the topic was not up for discussion right now. Allegra gave him an encouraging pinch but didn't repeat her question. For that, he was grateful. He cleared his throat and let go, running his hands over his knees instead.

"You going back to Bobby's?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, we actually got a case here in Calumet City. People are dropping like flies. We could use your help... if you're up for it."

"Sure... but just research. I gotta go to work, but I can look things up on the computer at the sheriff's station and let you know what I find."

Dean had hoped Allegra would've stayed. But of course, she went running.

"Fair enough." He nodded, hiding his disappointment.

Allegra zapped out of the room with a final glance into his eyes, leaving Dean alone to meet up with Sam. He told his brother he would be doing research, which he had sort of done before deciding to talk to Allegra. His research hadn't resulted in much, though. Dean would just tell Sam he bumped into something strange and that Bobby and Allegra were looking into it for him, which was true in a way.
As Dean changed his clothes again, he couldn't stop thinking about Allegra. But he knew he couldn't take that road. Not yet, anyway. He couldn't be impulsive and he couldn't just scratch the past year out to start a new chapter in his life. Maybe he could still fix things with Lisa and Ben. He owed them that much.

***

After talking to a guy who got a horn stolen on the same day the first victim died, Dean believed he found the next of Heaven's missing nukes; Gabriel's Horn of Truth. He thought about asking Allegra about it but reconsidered. No need to remind her of that bastard if it wasn't necessary. So he contacted Castiel instead.
The angel quickly blew that theory out of the water and was no further help to him. With Sam still out, Dean went to a local bar to clear his head. Without realizing it, he spoke the magic words after a few drinks with the bartender; I'd just like the freakin' truth.
It was all it took to fall under the same curse the victims' had fallen under. People just started blabbing things, some of which made Dean wish he had never heard them uttered in the first place. The bartender, Bobby, Lisa... That one was the worst of all. She called him and flat-out said it was over. Probably for the best, anyway.

Taking advantage of the situation, Dean met up with Sam and questioned him about the vampire thing. But Sammy, not being able to lie now, answered his questions, and Dean was back to square one. He started to think that maybe he really had imagined it after all...
Sam, meanwhile, had been more successful and found something in the first victim's apartment; all ingredients required to summon Veritas, the Goddess of Truth. Biggest attention whore in the universe, as it turned out. This brought the Winchesters to their number one suspect; Ashley Frank, the host of a show called Frank Talk. The girl was all about preaching truth and whatnot. They went and 'borrowed' all the show's tapes and were now going through the footage to see if they could find any dirt on her.

"She's creepy," said Dean in between videos. "I mean, the hair alone. I don't know, man. Maybe there's nothing here."

He looked at Sam, but his brother was solely focused on the screen.

"Hmm, maybe," was the only reaction he got out of him.

Dean stood up and stretched his stiff joints.

"Going out for some air, be right back."

He walked out of the motel room and closed the door behind him. He took in the night air and started pacing. He thought about the case. Then he thought about Sam. Then he thought about Lisa. Which automatically brought him to...
Allegra appeared right in front of Dean as he turned mid-pace. He froze as she stumbled back, seemingly flustered at having been so close (perhaps too close?) to him. Had she heard his thoughts? Or did she come for him?

"Dean! Hi, sorry, I euhm... I was just wondering... Did you find out what's killing those people? Since you didn't call back, I thought I would euhm... check in?"

"And here I thought you missed my good looks."

Allegra rolled her eyes at him. Dean grinned and briefed her about their suspect on the case and the Goddess Veritas.

"Okay, I'll go back and find out how you guys can kill this Goddess then," said Allegra when he was done and appeared ready to zap away at any instant.

"It's over," Dean blurted out hastily before she disappeared on him. 

Her eyes caught his. Perhaps it was a trick of the streetlight above them, but he was certain a light golden shimmer played in those brown orbs. 

"With Lisa," he clarified clearly. "We're through, it's... it's over between us."

"Oh." Allegra lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry."

A thought suddenly occurred to Dean. But he wasn't sure he should do it. It was okay with Sam; he was his brother. And Bobby, that'd been a test. But Allegra... It felt like he was invading her privacy. Still, he should at least try.

"Are you?" he asked her with bated breath. "Tell me the truth, are you really sorry it's over?"

"I honestly couldn't be happier."

Her eyes widened after she said that.

"I... I mean..."

"No, go on, say it. You kept telling me to go back to Lisa, for my sake, but you hated the thought of me being with her, didn't you? All this crap about 'pushing me away to save me 'cause you care'. You were hurting both of is by doing that. Now tell me why. Tell me what's really going on."

Allegra shook her head violently and bit her lip. Dean opened his mouth to put some more pressure on the curse, but she zapped away before he could say anything. He cursed loudly and threw his hands in the air.

"Dammit! Perfect... just perfect..."

***

Why!? Why did you say that to him?! What the hell were you thinking? No, actually, you weren't thinking. You don't think when you're with Dean. That's the whole goddamn problem. Gah, stupid! You just had to go to him, didn't you?! Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Allegra was lying face down in her bed. She'd been fine for a few weeks, forcing herself to keep busy at work and on hunts. Out of sight, out of mind, and all. But then Dean thought of her once, begging for help, and she went running like a love-sick teen. It was getting harder to make herself stay away from him. And it was near impossible to leave him. Her mask was crumbling, and she knew Dean noticed. But she had to keep it on for as long as she could. Him breaking up with Lisa couldn't change anything. Dean could never know what she really felt about him. She refused to be responsible for his death.

Allegra turned around, hoping a different position might help to fall asleep, but it was no use. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Dean. She sat up and let out a frustrated sigh. Finally, Allegra detangled herself from her sheets, got up, and sat down at her desk, starting up her laptop. She spent the rest of the night looking up all she could about the Goddess of Truth; makes people speak the truth, craves attention and tributes, big fan of cats, so not so much of dogs, really old, yada-yada-yada... Typical ancient deity.
By morning, she got the info the Winchesters needed, and she sent it all to Sam's phone. Allegra resolutely ignored the twelve messages Dean sent her. She ignored his voice in her head, even though she desperately wanted to answer. Weary, she crawled back into bed and let herself get swept away in an uneasy sleep, with Dean at the very heart of her dreams.

***

Dean opened his eyes. His head felt like exploding. Why did it feel like his hands were tied up around a pole? He blinked and saw Sam in a similar position. What the...? Oh right...

Veritas... damn bitch got the drop on us...

His brother's eyes flickered at something left of him, and Dean turned to see what it was. He was shocked to find Allegra unconscious and tied up with chains on the floor. She had a head wound, but it looked like it was already healing.

What the hell is she doing here?

Dean called out to her with his thoughts, and she slowly opened her eyes.

"Alley, you okay?"

She nodded slightly and started to fight against the chains holding her, but they only seemed to tighten themselves even more around her. Allegra gave up as the chains dug into her, making it difficult for her to breathe.

"Hang on, I'll get you out. Somehow..."

"Sit tight." Dean heard the voice of Ashley Frank - or rather Veritas - and he looked up at her. "You're up next."

Dean's eyes flashed to Sam as the Goddess walked over to one of her victims. His brother gave him a meaningful look. There was a flicker of a switchblade in his hand.

Attaboy Sammy.

His attention went back to Veritas, who had taken out the dentist's tongue and dangled it in front of her like a fish to a cat.

"The tongue is the tastiest part. It's where the lies roll off."

She took a bite out of the tongue, making Dean sick with disgust.

"Mm-Mmm! I cannot wait to eat yours," said Veritas. "I mean, I've seen liars before, but you two? Gold standard."

"Point of professional pride,"said Dean with a revolted tone.

The Goddess walked over to him.

"I wouldn't be so cocky if I were you, Dean. You know what happens when you base your life on lies, right? The truth is sure to come along. So, while you've still got your tongue, and God knows you've got an earful, I think it's your turn to spill some."

Come on, Sam, hurry the hell up!

"How 'bout we play a little truth or truth?" continued Veritas as she sat next to him. "What should we ask Dean first, hmm? Something... Personal about you? I'm curious. What do you really feel about your brother?"

"Better now," answered Dean despite himself. "As of yesterday, I wanted to kill him in his sleep."

He ignored Sam's surprised look as the spell forced him to go on.

"I thought he was a monster. But now I think..."

"Now you think what?" pressed Veritas.

"He's just acting like me. It's the gig. You're covered in blood until you're covered in your own. Half the time, you're about to die. Like right now. I told myself I wanted out... That I wanted a family."

"But you were lying."

"No. But what I'm good at... is slicing throats. I ain't a father; I'm a killer. And there's no changing that. I know that now."

"Just so I know... is she the one you were planning this whole family with?"

Veritas pointed at Allegra, who looked up at Dean. 'Don't,' she mouthed. But Veritas's influence was too strong.

"She's the one I really wanted it to be with," admitted Dean softly.

The Goddess of Truth grinned wickedly at him, and she pulled at the chain holding Allegra. She groaned in pain as she was dragged across the floor, and Dean struggled against his own bonds, but they were too tight. He looked at Sam, but his brother just shook his head, indicating he wasn't ready yet. Dean could only watch helplessly as Veritas made Allegra sit up on her knees right in front of him.

"Your turn, honey. Don't bother getting free. That chain will hold any celestial being, especially a weak demi-Archangel like you, so just relax. Let's get to it, shall we? I want you to look at dear Dean over here and tell me - if he had asked you to be part of his family, would you have said yes?"

"No, I wouldn't have," Allegra spoke with gritted teeth.

"Huh... Well, that's disappointing. The way you stormed in here to save him, I really thought you cared."

Allegra lowered her head. The Goddess gasped silently when she saw this and her wicked grin returned.

"Oh, but that's it, isn't it? He doesn't know just how much you really care, does he? You're hiding it! You're even... Oh, this is good! You actually believe pushing him away will help, how adorable. Let's burst that bubble right now. Tell me, dear, who is it you love?"

Veritas was inches away from Allegra, trying to force an answer out of her. A blood drop fell on the floor, and Dean realized she was biting on her lip to keep herself from giving in to the Goddess' spel. 

"Tell me who you love!" yelled Veritas.

"Alley, just say it!"

"DEAN WINCHESTER!"

Veritas chuckled in her victory as Allegra dropped her head. Her tears fell to the floor. Deep down, Dean had known. The way she pushed him away but still cared so much about him. The way she was there when it mattered. The way she kissed him that last time. It shouldn't have come as a surprise. But it did. It hit him hard. 

"Good girl." Veritas' fingers went through Allegra's hair when she rose and turned her attention to Sam. "So we have a killer, a lover... On to number three."

***

Veritas was defeated. Sam killed her with a dagger soaked in dog blood (Allegra's tip on how to kill the crazy cat lady) after Dean distracted the Goddess by impaling her on a hook. That should've been the end of it. But it all went horribly wrong after that. 
She revealed Sam was somehow lying to her right before the Winchesters ganked her ass. And if he was lying to a deity of Truth, then he had been lying to Dean as well. Dean gave Sam no other choice but to come clean, with one of the daggers they brought to kill Veritas aimed right at his brother's heart. Sam finally admitted he let that vampire turn Dean, that he had no feelings and didn't care about anything at all.
With the truth finally revealed, Dean lost it and sucker-punched his brother. Allegra, freed from her chains the minute Veritas dropped dead, pulled him off Sam before he did something he would regret for the rest of his life.

"Dean, don't! Stop, you're killing him!"

She didn't let go of his arm and let her shield surround him. Dean panted and held on to his anger, but slowly, her power managed to calm him. He stared at Sam, who was lying unconscious and in a bloody mess on the floor. Allegra took Dean's lighter out of his pocket.

"Get him to the car, I'll take care of things here."  

He bent down and lifted his brother over his shoulder. Then, he glimpsed back at Allegra.

"I'll be right behind you, I promise," she reassured him.

The doubt in his eyes stung her, but in the end, Dean nodded and left. Allegra piled the mangled bodies of Veritas's victims together, hurried upstairs to find anything that could work as an accelerator, and brought it all back to the underground room. She drenched the bodies and everything around them. The only thing she stayed clear of was Veritas's corpse. She had other plans for her.
Allegra put the little flame of Dean's lighter against alcohol, and the fire quickly spread into an inferno. She put the lighter in her pocket and knelt beside Veritas. She'd never actually taken someone with her when she teleported, but no time like the present to try. 

Allegra went to her safe house in southern Louisiana. It was a rickety shack in the middle of the bayou where she'd stayed a few times before. Since she became a Hunter, Allegra put up all sorts of wards and sigils, keeping the shack invisible to anyone else.
Happy to see Veritas's body came along with her, she dragged the Goddess into the makeshift bathroom and hoisted the corpse into the through that she used as a tub. Allegra covered it with a broken door, weighing it down with some bricks, and drew a guarding sigil on the wood with her blood. She took a deep breath, reflecting on what she planned to do next. 
Staying put and not going back to Dean was the safest option. She could just forget that whole night happened and focus on her plan. But it would just delay the inevitable. Dean would force her to talk to him sooner or later. He was capable of searching the globe for her if he set his mind to it. She had no choice but to face the man she loved. Hopefully, she had hurt him enough to make him turn her down. Otherwise... Death would come knocking.