Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this or anything else. Everything belongs to the respective owners of Supernatural and Doctor Who.

Cutting Ties

Dean stood back as he watched her walk into the blue box. She didn't know he was back already otherwise he doubted that she'd have that smile on her face as she laughed with the Doctor and followed his steps. It wasn't the first time Amy ran off in hopes that she'd be back before he even noticed that she was gone. And that was how it went normally. It wasn't until later when she brought it up that he had any clue what she had been doing.

It was just another brief adventure, he was sure, but it didn't matter. Dean always wondered when the last trip would be. When Amy finally wouldn't come back because that was where she belonged. It wasn't hard to see. Any time they spoke about the TARDIS, there was that longing in her voice and that reluctance in her step whenever she would come back. Who was he to take her away from that and drag her into this crappy life that included dirty motels and long car rides? He knew the danger wasn't much of an issue anymore. Monsters or aliens, she was always going to be in some kind of trouble. This life was far worse though because he couldn't protect her like he needed to.

With quick steps, he ran into the motel room and gathered his stuff. Each time he threw something into his bag, it killed him a bit inside. After all the times that she said she wouldn't leave, he was the one leaving. He knew there wasn't any time before they'd appear again, but he hesitated at the door. She would find a way back to him because she knew that he was waiting. But he couldn't keep doing that. It wasn't fair to her.

With slow and heavy steps, he moved back to the bed and pulled the chain from his neck. He really should have kept better care of her ring, but there wasn't anything to do about it now. Even if he was taking it into hunts and getting it covered with dirt and blood, she was always happy to see that he wore it… With a sigh, he sat it on top of her pillow. It was the only way to show her that this was really over. He wasn't going to drag her around and get her an early death. He couldn't take that again and she certainly didn't deserve it.

Dean jumped back into his quick pace as he grabbed his bag up from its place by the door and raced to the car. The clear sound of the TARDIS appeared and he dropped to the ground, hiding behind the Impala. He couldn't do this if she was here. It was already hard enough to push back his own emotions, but it would be impossible if he knew how she reacted.

He closed his eyes as he rested his head against the door. From the sound of it, the Doctor was following her in and that's exactly what he needed. At least she'd be taken care of. The second he heard the motel door open and shut, he threw open the door, started the car and pulled out with barely enough time to get his door shut again.

As he choked back his tears, he glanced in the rearview mirror. Sure enough, Amy was there, heartbreak clear in her eyes as the Doctor held her back. He didn't know what she was screaming and it was better that way. With shaky breathing, he tried to focus on the road, only taking enough time to turn off his phone.

Perhaps one day they'd speak again, but she had to move on first and he had to kill all hope for her to do that. In a little while, he'd call Sam, but for now he just needed the road because this was just as tough for him as it would be for her. It was better this way though because she was the best thing in his life and there was no way for them to stay happy. This life didn't allow it. But she could go back to the stars and be happy there. She could learn to be happy again without him because that would be a better life.