Hello folks, hope you are enjoying the new year of 2018. I'm sorry for uploading the chapter with such a long pause between 2 and 3 when the time between 1 and 2 was significantly shorter. I had a lot of time to write the first 2 chapters so when it came to write chapter 3 I had to start from scratch (and to figure out where to take the story) plus my personal life getting in the way, holidays, moving etc. But after reading a very lovely review from an equally lovely reader, the wind under my wings to continue writing was renewed. I want to thank XxBirdxOfxHermesxX for their amazing feedback and how humbled this writer is for their generous critique. I really appreciate it and it honestly made my day when I read it. You inspired the motivation to start this next chapter, I hope you and the rest of the readers enjoy it. To those who have just arrived, I hope you've enjoyed what you've read so far and to leave a review once you're done.
Many thanks.
-Bel
I don't own Supernatural.
True to Castiels' word, the doctor didn't allow for any intimate contact between him and his charge. When the time came to change Deans bandages or check on his injuries and take his temperature, the doctor made sure there was a nurse on hand to help him. Once Dean thought he could at least sneak in a peck on the cheek, as if Castiel could read his mind, the doctor simply stood back and watched as a nurse took over. Dean tried not to let his disappointment show on his face but deep down he knew the doctor wasn't going to go back on his word on waiting until Dean was no longer his patient. Dean knew that Castiel could get into a lot of trouble for crossing the line between doctor and patient and he didn't want the man to lose his job or get in trouble all because he couldn't keep his hands to himself.
After their pie 'date', Dean couldn't keep his eyes off the doctor, since he wasn't allowed to do much else, and hungrily observed all his mannerisms and ticks. How when Castiel would get frustrated he would pinch the bridge of his nose, or when he was confused or annoyed his brows would bunch together and his head would tilt to the side.
God, that head tilt.
His favorite quirk about the doctor had to be the eyebrow raise that Cas would do when something didn't go his way, if there was another doctor in the room or if Cas was disagreeing with a nurse (usually his brother) an eyebrow would go up. Castiel was driving Dean up the damn wall and he just wanted to get better already so he could have the man to himself, but like Cas kept reminding him, it was going to take time.
Which was another issue Dean had to consider: his post recovery.
Sam had assured him that his condo was set up for Dean and his furniture moved and replaced so he could be somewhat self-sufficient in his own home. Sam said he could even hire an aide or live in aide to help him but Dean shut down that conversation immediately, he didn't need some stranger taking care of him at his weakest. Plus, if he was going to have Castiel around to simply hang-out, he didn't want a stranger ruining any moments between them or making himself look like even more pathetic in front of the doctor.
A knock interrupt his train of thought and he glanced up to see who it was, a huge grin stretching out over his face when he saw familiar blues.
"Heya Cas."
Castiel came stepped into the room, no nurse in tow, and smiled softly towards Dean, ducking his head in greeting.
"Hello, Dean."
"What brings my favorite doctor in today?" Dean lightly flirted, shifting himself further up into the bed so he could look directly at Castiel, the small smile still playing on his lips.
Dean noticed the doctor rarely smiled at anyone, being rather stoic and professional when he talked to the nurses or other doctors, but whenever he talked with Dean or Sam a small smile would always spread out on his face. At first it started as a small twitch on his lips and after talking and joking with the Winchesters it would form into a small smile, the barest of crinkling around the edges of his eyes forming.
It had only been 4 weeks since Dean had been admitted, and 2 room changes, but even in that short amount of time the two Winchester brothers had gotten along quite well with the doctor, only making Dean giddy at the idea of Sam being more than accepting if he managed to convince the doctor to go out with him.
Castiel lifted a clipboard to his side, shaking it gently, tearing Dean away from his thoughts.
"Looks like you'll be able to go home tomorrow once we get some things settled. First thing tomorrow morning you'll be able to be discharged and enjoy recovering in the comfort of your own home."
Dean brightened at the news, relief coursing through him at the idea of finally sleeping and falling into his memory foam mattress.
"Cas that's probably the best thing I've heard all day."
"I'll make sure you leave with the proper medication for the pain and another to help with nausea. Tessas' notes said you're still having trouble with that, yes?"
Dean nodded, shifting uncomfortably where he sat, his hand gripping at the top of his right leg.
"Yeah should make life a bit easier. Will you be working tomorrow, see me off while I sail off into the sunset?" he joked but he was sure the doctor would pick up on the hidden intention behind his words. At this though, the doctor hesitated and he gripped the clipboard tightly.
"I, uh...I will be here in the morning but I've a scheduled surgery tomorrow." his face scrunching up in disappointment.
"Oh, no yeah of course. I mean duh, you're a doctor. Amazing surgeon to boot, don't worry about it Cas." he stammered nervously, of course Cas would be busy. He was a damn doctor and Dean wasn't the center of Cas' universe. He felt dumb for even assuming that Cas would just drop everything to spend time with him, they weren't even dating yet!
"Dean…" Cas lamented, taking a step forward but Dean shook his hand dismissively.
"Nah, don't worry about it. I totally understand. I'm just, getting ahead of myself as usual. Just make sure you don't fall for another handsome car crash victim, I don't need that kind of competition." he joked.
"I could...I could text you once I'm done with the surgery...if you'd like. It's a simple procedure, it shouldn't take more than a few hours." Daringly, Castiel took another step towards Dean until he was at his left side, hands resting on the bed rails. It was the closest Cas had allowed himself since the 'pie kiss'.
Dean perked up at the idea, his eyes lifting to meet Castiels' blues.
"Yeah? I'd like that."
Castiel smiled and before he could take his hands away from the railing, Dean caught his wrist gently, slightly pulling the doctor towards him. Castiel jerked in surprised but didn't pull away from Deans' grip, his crystal clear blue eyes meeting determined green.
Castiel couldn't even justify describing them as green. 'Green' just wasn't enough; they were moss against honey and wheat and when they watered they could shimmer like enchanted pools in spring. Two perfect orbs the same shade as earth during summers. Those intense orbs drew Castiel in, trapping him, encasing him in a warmth that Castiel hadn't felt with anyone else, not even with his own parents when he was a child. How those eyes looked at him, really looked at him and the intensity almost made Cas want to look away.
"Once I'm out...Cas I'm serious about getting to know you. I'm not letting whatever...spark we have die in this hospital room. Whatever chemistry we have...I ain't letting it end here."
Cas smiled softly before he spoke. "I promised didn't I? That I'd give us a chance?" he reminded Dean.
Dean grinned, showing off those brilliant white teeth, the wolfish grin that embodied cockiness.
"Yeah, just reminding you that you don't have an out. I'm not letting you slip through my fingers." and with that, he moved his hand down the doctors slim wrist to intertwine his calloused fingers with the soft ones of the doctors.
Dean was discharged early the next day and was waiting for Sam to pick him up when all of a sudden there was a brief knock on his door.
"Come on in." he barked out, too distracted on trying to slip into his flannel without jostling his injured arm to turn and look at who entered.
"Big day huh? Got your ruby slippers on and everything." came the lispy voice, the voice that haunted Dean on a particularly bad night with the pain, the voice that made his leg twinge in response and sent a shooting white hot pain through his body. Dean turned his head to come face to face with Alastair.
"What are you doin' in my room? Castiel said you weren't allowed anywhere near me." Deans voice boomed, all the while he tried to shift where he sat to stay as far away from the deranged doctor.
At that Alastair sneered, rolling his eyes. He took a step forward, his crisp shoes making an ominous clicking sound in the eerily now-silent room. Dean wasn't hooked up to monitors anymore, to his delight, and without the constant beeping of the heart monitor he was so used to hearing, the silence was deafening.
"Yes, I wasn't allowed anywhere near his charge. But, you're not his patient anymore Dean-o. No, no, no. You're a free man now. Rules don't apply." he took another step towards Dean, standing over his chart at the end of his bed, flipping through the pages with a bored look on his face.
"How's your pain? Last time we met you weren't doing so hot and looking at this, Castiels' got you nice and hooked. Shame he doesn't share the same views I do on pain but I guess that would go against his values. Humanity and all that." He waved his hand in the air dismissively.
"I'm fine. I'd do a lot better if you got the hell outta here." Dean growled out, gripping the handle bar on his bed to steady himself while also looking for his panic button or the phone.
"Hot talk from a cripple. Relax," Alastair purred, noticing how Dean was not so subtly trying to look for the buzzer. Dean didn't stop, not trusting Alastair for obvious reasons, but he did slow his motions. "I'm only here to see you off. Make sure you have everything you need and such. After all, you were my patient, even if only for a day." he continued looking over Deans chart, stopping short at one page and reading intently.
Dean rolled his eyes and snorted. "Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night. Now that you've done your good deed for the day why don't you do us all a favor and just slither on outta here." He wanted the creep to leave before Sam could arrive, not wanting to explain to his little brother why the doc was there and their little history.
Alastair pulled his eyes away from his chart and looked evenly at Dean. "I don't think you fully understand the kind of situation you're in. It's only going to get harder from here. When you're not wrapped up in a safety blanket of morphine to keep the pain away. That's what I was trying to teach you, before Castiel took me off your case, to help you in your recovery. Believe it or not, I was and still am trying to help you."
Alastair gestured to Deans injuries, mainly his leg, before continuing.
"Yeah okay, putting me through the worst pain I've ever felt in my entire life was definitely helping me. I couldn't even think straight! It was like...like having shards of glass ground into me!"
Alastair smirked, moving himself closer to Dean and shook his head while 'tut'ing like an adult would reprimand a child. "The night I took you off the drip was to give you a glimpse of the pain that was to come and help you learn how to handle it but now...well that's just a lesson you're going to have to learn by yourself."
Alastair leaned over the bed, baring his yellowed teeth, hissing as he inhaled and stretched his neck almost inhumanly. All of a sudden Alastair gripped Deans injured leg making him cry out in pain and fall back onto the hospital bed, his good hand gripping the doctors own to try and pry him off.
The pain was blinding, Deans voice catching in his throat as he tried to force some kind of sound out and hopefully attract a passing nurse or doctor. Hell anyone. Dean was almost sure he'd pass out from the pain when Alastair released his leg only to grab it once more, hissing in his ear while he spoke.
"The pills won't last forever and the aches won't stop once the flesh has healed and the bones have mended. An injury like this...will be your companion for life. When the weather gets bad and you hear the thunder in the sky echo in your leg, when the chills in your body rival that of the fog and how your body will creak like rusted metal. With each and every painful ache you'll remember me. And you'll remember how I tried to help you." Alastair sucked his teeth, his eyes roaming over Deans body again reminding him of the first night he saw the doctor, and pulled away releasing his leg.
Dean could only watch helplessly as Alastair left the room, his blurry vision just barely making out the retreating form of the sadistic doctor while Dean tried to regain his sanity from the pain induced fog. He panted heavily, trying to calm down his heart beat, biting on his inner cheek hard enough to draw blood while he waited for the sensation to pass. The throb in his leg was so intense in it's beating, Dean was sure his leg would burst out from the cast. Every single pulse felt like it was straining against his cast and he half expected to hear it crack due to the pressure.
"Shit...looks like I was too late." came a voice from the door.
Dean snapped his head up to see Gabriel standing by the door, his hair a little disheveled and breathing somewhat hard.
"Sorry Dean-o, when I saw Alastair walking out of the ward I had a feeling he might have been here to see you." Gabriel quickly went to Deans side and put a finger to his neck, his eyes looking to his watch.
"Tell me what's goin' on with you Dean. What'd that sadist do to you?"
Dean tried to wave off Gabriel but didn't fight a second time when Gabriel returned his finger to his neck.
"The bastard came to talk to me. Apparently assaulting an injured patient is his way of saying 'Hello Clarice'. He wanted to give me some kind of pep talk about the pain...sick son of a bitch." he muttered the last bit under his breath, clenching his fist as another fresh wave of pain rolled through him, a chill wracking through his body and making him shake from the ordeal. He felt like he didn't even have full control of his body, the shakes making his teeth chatter and fresh tears prick at the corners of his eyes. He took a deep shuddering breath, trying to will his body under control but no matter how many breaths he took it only seem to get worse.
Gabriel cursed under his breath before he took his finger off his neck and nodded towards Deans leg.
"What did he do? How bad's the pain?"
"Like I've got friggin razor blades going through my veins, man. I feel like I'm going to pass out and my vision's turning green." Dean could feel the effects of a panic attack creeping up on him, much like the last time.. "And he squeezed the ever living crap out of my bad leg like it was the last helicopter outta Vietnam."
"Just deep breaths Dean, count to 5 between every breath and try and ground yourself. I'm gonna check your leg to see if any stitches came undone or if there's any sign of bruising."
"Whoa, what's goin' on? Dean?"
Dean looked up and saw Sammy walk in pushing a wheelchair with a bag on the handlebars and a confused/concerned look on his face. Sam rushed to stand next to Gabriel looking between the two, a questioning look on his face demanding answers. Dean gave Gabriel a pointed look, one that Sam didn't miss because he might be the little brother but he wasn't born yesterday, and Gabriel opened his mouth before closing it then opening it again.
"Don't worry, your brother here was just having a panic attack and I guess the pain threw him off since he's off the drip. It's just gonna take him a few minutes to get himself together." Gabriel replied flatly, leaving out the Alastair visit from his story. "I was just poppin' in to see him off, and since Cas is elbow deep in some chick,"
Dean choked on his breath but Gabriel continued with his story.
"I figured someone from the Novak clan should say toodles."
Sam raised an eyebrow and looked at Dean, searching his face before relenting and sighing in relief.
"But you're good right Dean? Do you need to stay another night in the hospital?"
"No!" Dean boomed out surprising everyone in the room, including himself, and quickly tried to laugh it off. "No man, one more night here and I'll go full on cuckoos nest. I just-just take me home Sammy."
Sam was immediately on alert and concerned at the helplessness in his older brothers voice but decided he'd grill Dean when they were out of the hospital he was suddenly not so fond of. Again, he may be the younger brother but that doesn't mean he was useless or dumb.
"Yeah, of course Dean."
Gabriel and Sam helped Dean get into his wheelchair after Gabriel was done double and triple checking his wounds, all the while the nurse was sending him pointed glances the entire ride down to the car. They wheeled him out to the front of the hospital where Bobby was waiting in Sams' car, the early morning fog biting through Deans clothes and causing him to shiver even with all the layers he had on. With the combined help of all 3 men they helped Dean get comfortable in the car, Dean grumbling the entire way complaining that he felt like a useless princess, and thanked Gabriel for his help.
"Nah, don't sweat it. Seeing as how Dean-o has my little bro wrapped around his finger, figured I should get chummy with the soon to be in-laws."
All of them gave the nurse a firm handshake and when it came to Sam, Gabriel winked at him pointedly, which earned him a confused look. Gabriel pulled him in close and slid a lollipop into Sams back pocket, making him jump in surprise and look wide eyed at the smaller man.
"Wha-"
"My numbers wrapped around the wrapper, if you ever need a break from pretty boy over there...gimme a ring. I have a feeling you're into the whole 'nurse' thing." Gabriel whispered into Sams ear, despite their huge height difference.
"Whoa! Novak, get your grubby hands off my baby brother. He's off limits!" Dean barked out from the passengers side.
"Sorry to burst your bubble Gabriel but...I'm straight." Sam said, his hands up and taking a step back.
"So's spaghetti until it gets wet." Gabriel winked and gave Sams rear a squeeze before walking away. "See ya later boys!" he called over his shoulder. Sam looked at the back of the retreating form of the nurse, too stunned to do anything until Deans voice snapped him back to reality.
"Freaking vultures...Sam can we go now please? Papa needs some coffee. Preferably Irish." Dean slapped the side of his door impatiently, shaking his head.
"Shut up." Sam lamely retorted before getting into the driver's seat, Bobby sitting in the back with a contemplative look on his face, and started the car to drive them all back to Deans condo.
Castiel bid the front desk goodbye, slipping on his coat tiredly as he left the hospital to make his way to his car. It had been a long day. The surgery, which should have only taken a few hours, took a turn for the worse and Castiel ended up spending longer than usual on his patient. He had hoped to be able to catch Dean before he was discharged but by the time he left the O.R. and took a glance outside it was already dark. He pulled out his phone to send Dean a quick text, having promised him from the night before, letting him know he was off work and hoping the man was enjoying being back at his home.
As he walked into the parking lot Castiel inhaled the crisp San Franciscan night air, letting the cool breeze calm his heated skin from staying indoors all day and it woke him up enough for the drive home where he would no doubt pass out once he hit his pillow. Yawning at the idea of his bed Castiel picked up the pace to his car and was surprised to see Gabriel sitting on the hood, smoking a cigar.
"Gabriel." Cas greeted, standing beside his older brother unfazed by the smoke. "I'm assuming you have a reason as to why you're sitting on the hood of my car?"
Gabriel put out his cigar and jumped off the hood with a loud pop. "You were always my favorite Cassy, always the smartest one out of all of us." Gabriel lightly joked before sobering and looking up evenly at Cas.
"Alastair paid a visit to your favorite patient today."
Cas immediately felt his exhaustion disappear, if only for it to be replaced with a surge of anger, his fingers clenching tightly, his jaw tense as he turned to look off to the side. The vehemence of his possessiveness over Dean engulfed Castiel, his fury almost palpable in the cool air.
"I gave him specific instructions to not go near Dean, why didn't the staff notice he was in the ward?" Cas growled out while turning to look at Gabriel, his usually clear blue eyes dark and dangerous. When Gabriel noticed Castiel get into one of his 'moods' it always reminded him of what a slighted God might look like. Gabriel was always half expecting to see electricity crackle in the air while a huge hammer came whistling through the air to settle in his baby brothers grip.
Gabriel raised his hands to try and calm Cas down.
"Now look, it wasn't their fault. I was at the front desk all day and even I didn't see him walk in until I saw him leave. But as soon as I saw him I ran to check on Dean and made sure there wasn't a body I had to hide." he lightly joked but one look at Cas and he knew his joke went unappreciated. To be fair, nobody in the Novak clan really appreciated his humor.
"Was Dean alright? What did Alastair do to him? Why didn't you call me?" With each question Castiel advanced on Gabriel, even though Castiel was the youngest he towered over the nurse with ease.
"Cassy can you just shut up for a sec? Dean was fine but Alastair got his claws into your boyfriend. Dean said Alastair squeezed his injured leg a few times and I checked to see if there would be any lasting damage or evidence but it came up bupkis. You know Alastair is a sadistic son of a bitch and crafty to boot. No evidence of any misconduct or manhandling."
Gabriel saw Castiel try to interrupt and he pulled up his hand to stop him.
"Look. I was going to let you know as soon as possible but when I heard about your surgery going sideways I figured I'd tell you after you got off work. Dean was uninjured, to an extent, and alive so I put it on the back burner until you had some free time to process all this with a clear head. Oh and to make sure you don't go off on Alastair by yourself like the smart idiot I know you to be."
"Gabriel! Even if it was Dean or another patient, which there have been plenty, Alastair assaulted a patient. He's assaulted patients in the past and has not answered for a single one." Castiel began pacing back and forth, half shouting while he spoke. Cas couldn't understand why Gabriel wasn't more concerned about Alastair, what he did, what he has done and what he will continue to do. Instead of wondering Cas voiced his concern aloud.
"Look little brother, I get it. You've got a soft spot for Dean so it's personal but Alastair never leaves any proof. We've gone through this before. The smarmy bastard doesn't leave any tracks, he makes sure there's no witnesses and he's got the Medical Board in his pocket. With Lilly on the Board he can practically get away with murder. And I don't mean that as a metaphor."
Castiel stopped in his tracks and looked up at the hospital, his eyes boring into the concrete as if he could see past it and try and pinpoint Alastair himself. A vice-like grip on his arm pulled his attention away from the building and into the golden eyes of his brother.
"I swear to god Cassy if you go look for him yourself I will body check you right into next week." Gabriel warned, his voice light but Cas knew to take it to heart. Gabriel was small and you wouldn't think to look at him but he was packing some serious muscle. Castiel let the wave of anger pass and relaxed, letting his shoulders slump in his trenchcoat and let out a resigned sigh.
"Fine, I won't look for him but I won't let this continue. Alastair must be stopped and stripped of his license so that something like this doesn't happen again. Will you help me? Brother?" Castiel gazed at Gabriel with an earnest, resolute look on his face, his jaw set tight and his proud chin up high.
"God Cassy, you sure do have that 'righteous' look down. Yeah, yeah 'course I'll help ya. Not like I've got much choice in the matter, you are my baby brother. Darn that pesky Novak bloodline. It's gonna get me killed one day, or worse, expelled." Gabriel let his hand fall from Castiels arm, giving him a clap on his shoulder, and started walking to his own car.
Castiel smiled lightly then furrowed his brows, confused on his brothers' phrasing. "Wait, how is being expelled worse than death?" his head tilting to the side, trying to make sense of it.
Sam was helping Dean out of the car, a crutch on his good side, while Sam held him up on his injured arms side, both men slowly making their way to the entrance of Deans condo building. Bobby was there, with his arm holding the door, and once the two boys were in the lobby he hurried to press the elevator button.
"Luckily you chose a place with an elevator. Carrying you up 3 flights of stairs would be pushing our brotherly bond to its limit."
"Shaddup, you should respect your elders." Dean gruffed out, his face already dripping in sweat from the short distance from the car to the elevator.
"I'll go park the car right quick and I'll meet you two upstairs. Sam you got 'im?"
"Yeah Bobby, go park the car. I'll be good."
Bobby nodded, clapping Deans shoulder comfortingly, and left.
It was silent in the lobby for a few moments when the elevator pinged and both men hobbled in, Sam pressed the button for the third floor before he decided to bite the bullet and ask Dean what had been on his mind the whole car ride.
"So, are we gonna talk about what really happened at the hospital or not?"
"Or not. Nothin' happened, you heard Gabriel. I was just having a lame panic attack. Nothing to get your panties in a twist Samantha." Dean was not going to talk about Alastair, hell he didn't want to talk about that smarmy bastard for as long as he lived. He was out. Alastair couldn't get him here.
Sam rolled his eyes and moved to stand in front of Dean, looking down at him with a classic bitch face #45.
"Dean? Really? You're gonna lie, to me? How often has that worked out for you?"
"Often enough, now drop it. I'm out, I'm home and on the road to recovery."
"No." Sam replied stubbornly, his hands on his hips.
"No?" Dean challenged, trying to stand up tall and also to remind Sam who the older brother was in this situation.
"You heard me. There was obviously something more going on before I walked in and I've seen panic attacks before. That was more than a panic attack. What really happened Dean? If it's about your health-"
"Sam I'm fine. Really."
"Dean." Sam pressed.
"God I hate it when you're on your period. Drop it."
"You want me to drop it? Then tell me."
"Broken leg or not I'll end you baby brother. I helped bring you into this world, I can take you out."
"Yeah? Do something." Sam challenged, squaring his feet and holding up his chin.
Dean was ready to just tackle Sam, pain be damned, when the elevator door pinged open and Bobby was waiting on the other side, slightly outta breath.
"Aw balls, are you two fighting already? What the hell happened, I was gone barely 5 minutes."
"Something happened to Dean at the hospital and he won't open up about it." Sam replied, a triumphant look on his face. If Sam couldn't get Dean to crack, Bobby sure as hell could.
"Goddamit Sam, I'm fine. Sasquatch here won't get off my back Bobby, mind helping me out?"
Bobby crossed his arms. "Well...what happened at the hospital?"
Dean groaned and rolled his eyes. "I'm not gonna get any peace am I?" he mumbled, mostly to himself.
Bobby and Sam shook their heads.
"Get me into my damn home and then we'll talk."
After Sam and Bobby helped Dean get comfortable on the couch and stood squarely on either side of him, both arms crossed over their chests, Dean decided to just spill the beans.
He told them about the first night with Alastair, leaving out the somewhat recurring nightmares he was having about the doctor, and the last visit he paid Dean. Dean was shaking by the time he was done describing their latest goodbye and gripped his leg, the story seeming to have triggered shooting hot pain from the sole of his foot to his hip.
"Boy...you need me to call in some favors?" Bobby replied coolly, his gaze hard and steely. Though Dean knew that look all too well, he was glad it wasn't directed at him and for a split second felt a tad bad for Alastair but with another shooting pain in his leg, all sympathy went out the window.
"Forget putting out a hit on the guy, Dean that's assault. You need a lawyer. This guy should be nowhere near a hospital, let along handling patients."
"Look, I'm with you on this. The guy should be in the nut house with a cozy jacket that doesn't open for the rest of his life, but I'm tired. I'm in pain, I'm cold, I'm hungry and dealing with a doctor I ain't gonna see for the rest of my life isn't high on my priority list. Besides, how am I gonna build a case against him? Me and him were the only ones in the room, and Gabe didn't find any bruises. Which means?"
Sam clenched his jaw and looked away, shaking his head. "No evidence."
"But Dean you can't just let this slide. You probably aren't the only patient he's done this to and by the sounds of it, you won't be the last. It almost sounds like he gets off on it." Bobby gruffed out, moving to sit on Deans coffee table.
"Oh trust me, he does. You should have the seen the look in his eyes. It was like staring at Hannibal Lecter himself." Dean shuddered at the memory and comically gagged.
"Dean. We can't just do nothing. Please tell me you'll contact a lawyer and file something against this guy. Because if you don't, I will." Sam ran a stressed hand through his hair, trying to calm himself to not call the police on this Alastair by himself, Dean be damned.
"Okay, I will. I promise. But lemme at least enjoy my one day of freedom Alastair-free? Ok? Just one day. That's all I'm askin'."
The two brothers squared off in a staring competition before Sam relented.
"One day. Tomorrow, first thing, we're talking to a lawyer."
Sam and Bobby helped Dean settle in while also catching up on simple gossip, how the company was doing and how Bobby was taking retirement. The 3 men simply enjoyed each other's company, the brothers glad to have Bobby around even if it was under terrible circumstances, and before they knew it the early morning sky was turning different shades of purple to a final midnight blue.
"Oh by the way, I picked up your meds this morning." Sam tossed Dean a plastic bag filled with bottles of pills. He poured them out onto the dining table, the bottles rattling as they bounced, and Dean whistled impressively.
"Guess Cas really did give me the hookup." Dean awed at the pills while rubbing his injured leg, the pain pulsating and rising in intensity. Whatever remnants were left from the drip back at the hospital must have finally worn off.
"Alright there Motley Crue...these are to fight off infection." Sam went about pointing at specific bottles, the lids taped different colors to show which are which.
"These are for pain, one's stronger than the other but she wants you to start on the low dose first, and these are for nausea. The pharmacist said you need to have them with food or a glass of milk. Oh and this," Sam pulled out a foldable cane, tossing it to Dean.
"Cas also recommended you get this and to use it immediately."
Dean wrinkled his nose at the cane and tossed it to the side, ignoring the look from his brother. He grabbed the two bottles for pain and took one of each, all the while evading Sams' attempt to grab them.
"Speakin' of 'Cas' what did Gabriel mean when he said you got 'im wrapped around your finger? You sweet on him?" Bobby asked, an eyebrow raised in question.
Like Sam, Bobby knew of Deans' preference for both men and women. Bobby was one of the first few that Dean had come out to when Dean was younger, Sam being the first. Bobby of course accepted Deans' confession right away, though if he was being honest it surprised him since Dean was such a huge flirt. Especially with women.
But like he told Dean at the time; 'Ain't nothin' wrong with likin' apples and oranges.' Which was Bobbys' way of saying he accepted Dean and that was that.
Sam looked bewildered, his eyes darting between Dean and Bobby.
"You made a move on Cas? Seriously? Your own doctor?"
"Hey what can I say...brunettes." Dean smirked guiltily which only earned him a resigned head shake from Sam.
"Can't take you anywhere." Sam muttered, rolling his eyes.
"Well with your track record, can't say I'm all that surprised." Bobby gruffed out before he looked long and hard at Dean. "He's a good kid Dean...granted a little weird but you can tell he's got a good heart. Be good to 'im ya hear?"
Sam cocked his head, a playful teasing tone to his voice. "Is...is Bobby giving you the 'when are you going to settle down' speech?"
Both Dean and Sam shared a grin, earning themselves a hard smack from the older man.
"Look, alls I'm sayin' is the both of youse aren't getting any younger and despite Deans personality he actually landed himself a good one."
"Hey!" Dean shouted defensively, rubbing the side of his head with his good arm. "Recovering car crash victim here!"
"Shaddup and let me finish. I ain't known Castiel for long but he's got a good heart and genuinely cares about helpin' people, which is good enough for me. If you're serious about the guy then you be good to him. I would like to see you boys settle down eventually you know. I won't be here forever."
A small silenced descended on the group until Dean spoke. A pair of bright blue eyes that rivaled the crystal clear waters of the tropics on his mind as he did so. He smiled despite himself and nodded his head, clapping Bobby on the shoulder.
"Thanks Bobby...I've got a good feeling about Cas too."
Once Sam left, Dean and Bobby decided to hit the hay and both retreated to their rooms, Dean with the help of his new cane, and said their goodnights. Bobby would be staying a little while longer to help out until Dean was sure he could handle being on his own and Sam would return to work and help pick up the workload he left while taking care of his older brother. He assured Dean that he'd be partly working from home so he would be able to drop what he was working on to help out if Dean needed any help.
On his way to his room, Dean took the bag of pills with him along with something to help wash them down with, eagerly gulping down both pain medications and one to help with the nausea. He put the bottles near his bedside table and started to change into some pajamas so he could slide into his new hospital bed.
At the sight of the almost identical bed from the hospital a chill ran down his spine from the memory of Alastair's final farewell, causing a sharp pain to run down his leg and making Dean lose his balance. He gripped the cane hard, biting his lip so he didn't make a sound and bring Bobby running in, moving himself so he fell with his hip hitting the rail guards.
Dean reached and grabbed the bottle of pills, hazily reading the directions on them and took only one of the stronger pills. He waited for the moment to pass, breathing heavily as he simply stood there gripping his cane. Dean felt tears spring to his eyes and the swelling in his chest the signal of an oncoming sob.
'God I'm gonna start bawling like a little girl.' Dean thought to himself, unable to stop the flow of tears roll down his cheeks. Whether from the pain or the memory Dean wasn't sure.
What seemed like days, the pills finally kicked in and Dean felt the pain ebb away to a warm ache in his leg. He blinked slowly and carefully made his way into the bed, deciding to just sleep with the clothes he had on, the heaviness from the pills finally taking effect. He settled into the mattress with a soft 'oof' and tried to relax, to simply let that heaviness take him and swallow him whole. The sensation wasn't anywhere near as potent as what the drip provided him back at the hospital but it was close and Dean surrendered himself to it. He vaguely felt his phone vibrate in his pocket but by the time he realized what it was, he gave up his last remaining tendril of consciousness to fall prey to the darkness that welcomed him with open arms.
A.N
I'm not proud of this chapter, for some reason I hit a lot of roadblocks on how to write this chapter and on how Alastair was to 'attack' Dean. You might notice it's a little rough or you might not but this chapter was definitely a struggle. Maybe I'm just being hard on myself, dunno. Definitely my least favorite with possibly more to come but it's out there and that's 3rd chapter done. I hope you liked it (rough edges aside) and I would appreciate it if you'd leave a review, they sincerely add fuel to my writing fire and who doesn't like hearing feedback from their work?
I hope you're all doing well and if not, I hope you're having a day. Not good, not bad but surviving because sometimes that's all you can do and that's ok.
Be kind.
-Bel
