Recovering
AN: As always, I do not own Supernatural even though I really wish I could. This story may contain language, dark themes, and violence. The rating is for safely reasons. It may contain spoilers, but at this point I do not think there will be many serious ones- there are some from season 9. I am always open to criticism and look forward to what you have to say about the chapters I post. If you do not like how something turned out or where I am going, let me know politely and I will try to work in your suggestions as best as possible, since I (literally) have some blank spaces in my already written chapters. Here is the first chapter of Winchester Strong! Tell me what you think, and read Big Brother Winchester first if you are just picking this up. ~Ash
Ashley stared out the window of the house she shared with her family in San Diego while the news continued to cover how a jury would be selected for the James Holmes case. "Still think something is possessing the kid" Ashley muttered to the still room.
"No, he's just certifiably insane" Sam chuckled as he carefully sat down next to Ashley on the couch so as not to jar her still healing back.
"And you wanted to represent these people" she snickered as she struggled to get comfortable again. Ashley was almost fully recovered, five months later with the help of her family.
When Ashley was thrown by the archangel Raguel, her back was broken and several discs were both slipped and herniated. Upon release from the hospital, Dean shouldered the task of rehabilitating Ashley to the best she will be, while Sam helped her complete everyday tasks she still struggled with. It took a while and strained her relationship with Dean, but Ashley was finally ready to try running again.
"Damn, people just creep me out" Dean whined from his armchair. "Worse than fricken witches."
"Sucks you're surrounded by them" Ben smirked as he leaned over Ashley's shoulder. "So you going to run with me tomorrow?"
"No hun," Ashley smiled "you are too young and agile for me right now. I should go with Sam for a bit, then I'll go a couple rounds with you once I'm cleared by Dr. Dean."
Sam looked over his shoulder at Dean with a cocky grin on his face. Ever since Ashley got out of the hospital, they have begun to grow closer again. "Whoa, I'm not that much slower than Ben you know."
Ashley smiled the first truly genuine smile in a long time and placed her head on Sam's shoulder. Everyone continued to watch the local news for a case close to home while the two Winchester children slept upstairs. It was a comfortable silence, but even still Dean felt uncomfortable around his blood for whatever reason. Luckily he was saved by the sound of fluttering wings, announcing his closest friend came for a visit.
"Ben, Sam, Ashley, Dean" Castiel said in replacement of the normal "hello".
"Cas" everyone said in unison, causing the angel to take a stunned step back and a smile to spread across everyone else's face. "How are you, Cas?" Ashley asked without looking up form wherever he gaze had fallen once she placed her head on Sam's shoulder.
"Dean, we need to talk" Castiel replied.
Ashley had fallen asleep on the couch again while she waited for Dean to finish talking with Castiel. Dean came back into the living room once the angel had left to turn off the TV, but instead he saw Ashley. No matter how hard he tried, Dean couldn't keep the smile off his hard face. He sat down next to Ashley's head on the edge of a cushion and found himself brushing the few strands of hair out of her calm face.
"Mm, had a good talk?" Ashley said after a few minutes.
"Yeah, how'd you know I was here?" Dean whispered back.
"I could feel the brooding comin' off you. So everything okay?" Ever since Ashley got out of the hospital, she wasn't able to turn around and see who walked into the room with her or who was sitting around her. She learned to become dependent on reading the energy swirling around in the room the person emanated. Ashley was always good at this even before she broke her back, but now with her injury it was scary accurate and put everyone else on edge with how accurate she was.
"Not really. But I'm going to bed, I'll tell you later" Dean answered as he tried to change his thoughts and mood so Ashley would not question him right now.
"Mmkay" Ashley said as she drifted back to sleep. "Night, Dean."
Dean watched silently as Ashley rocketed back to sleep in record time. Once she was fully asleep again, Dean scooped her up to carry her up to bed. She had slept alone ever since coming home from the hospital to limit the chance of re-injuring her back. Dean carefully laid her down on the bed in Ben's previous room. He stepped back and continued to think about these last five months. How can we go from being close to miles away?