As they walked to Grace's room Dr. Kline filled Dean in on what was done to stabilize her. Dean only half listened. He didn't really understand much of what the doctor was talking about, and images of Grace, beaten and tortured by his hands, kept popping up into his brain. It didn't matter that it had to be done. It didn't matter that Grace had told him to do it. He put this girl in the hospital. He would make sure she was okay. Dean didn't say much as they walked. He nodded along as Dr. Kline spoke.
"As I said before, she is awake. We have her on pain killers, but not enough to knock her out. When I found she was staying awake, I wanted to keep her that way. It helps us monitor her better when we can actually ask her how she's feeling. We'll give her a little more to help her sleep later."
"Has she said anything about what happened to her?"
"No. She tried to talk a bit, but I suggested to her that she save her strength. Besides, there wasn't much she could say that would help me treat her, and I knew she would have to talk to the cops... or, in this case, the FBI," he said, motioning to Dean. "At one point she asked, 'Where's Dean?' I asked her who 'Dean' is, but she just repeated the name. Now, of course, I know that's you. It should do her good to see you."
Dean wondered. How would she react to seeing the man who tortured her? He wondered how much she actually experienced. Did the demon have her on full lockdown, or did it keep her just conscious enough to see and feel the pain?
"I do suggest not asking her about her experience just yet. I know you guys like to get details while they are fresh on the victim's mind, but this had to be a very traumatic experience. It's in her best interest to wait until we are sure she is stable."
Dean nodded, "I understand."
When they reached Grace's room Dr. Kline knocked, then entered. Dean followed him in, and he was immediately hit with the image of Grace. She was hooked up to an IV, and a tube ran just under her nose for oxygen. She was bruised. More bruised than he remembered. Her lip was split and swollen where he'd punched her... that was before he'd actually met her. He had just been trying to catch a demon at that point. Her arms were above the covers, full of the cuts that he had inflicted on her. The sight hit him hard. He almost turned and walked back out of the room, but Grace was awake and her eyes were locked on his. She was actually smiling.
"Dean..."
Dr. Kline quickly checked the monitors after walking in, then went to Grace's side.
"How are you feeling?"
"I've been better."
"Is the pain medication working?"
"It's taking care of the worst part. I still feel very sore."
"Then the medication is working. We'll give you more later to help you sleep."
Grace nodded and Dr. Kline left the room, closing the door behind him. There was a window that led out to the hall. Dean closed the blinds, then pulled a chair next to Grace's bed. He wasn't sure what to say. What can you say to the person you tortured?
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize."
"How can I not apologize? Look what I did to you."
"I agreed to it."
"Only because that demon let you out for a minute. I'd have done it even if you hadn't been able to give your permission."
"So then why apologize? You did what you had to do."
Dean looked away and rubbed his hand over his face.
"Doc said you really shouldn't talk about any of this right now, so how about we change the subject?"
"Fine... where's Sam?"
Dean stared at her with a confused look on his face.
"Okay, why don't we talk about that?"
"What?"
"How you know our names. You said my name before that demon took control of you again, and now you ask about Sam? We never told you who we are, so how do you know?"
"The demon knew you."
Dean rolled his eyes. "Of course it did."
"Whenever I was conscious of what was going on, I could see the demon's thoughts. It knew you and Sam pretty well. It seemed to be particularly interested in you."
Dean smiled, "Most people who know me are."
"I got to see some of what they were planning. That's why I gave you permission to do what you did. They have to be stopped, and I knew you'd get the job done. That demon really didn't like you."
She grinned at Dean, who returned the gesture, but her smile slowly faded.
"Did you at least get what you were looking for?"
"Yeah, we got some information... we just don't know how much of it is true."
"Maybe I can help with that. I can at least verify what I saw."
Dean nodded, "That sounds good... but not now. Doctor's orders."
Dean leaned back in the chair. Grace stared at her hands in her lap. Neither spoke for a while, trying to figure out what to say next. Then Grace looked up.
"I'm surprised they let you in here. I mean, I'm glad they did... you probably saved my life. I just didn't think they would let you in."
"Yeah, about that... I told them I was your fiancé."
Grace's raised her eyebrows. "Oh..."
"Sam tried the FBI route, but that didn't help. So, I told them I was also your fiancé. That got us some cooperation."
"Well, I'm glad you told me. I need to know that in case someone brings it up."
Dean shrugged, "Honestly, I wasn't thinking that far ahead. I was just trying to get back here to make sure you're okay."
He stood and walked over to the window to look outside.
"Dean, it's..."
"Is there anyone you need us to call?" He cut her off. He didn't want to hear that it was okay, or that it wasn't his fault she was laying there.
She paused for a minute. "No."
"Parents, siblings, boyfriend?"
"No..."
"Girlfriend?" Dean smiled.
Grace chuckled and shook her head. "No."
He sat back down in the chair next to Grace's bed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.
"Friends?"
"Honestly? No. None close enough that I would put through this."
She saw a look of concern on Dean's face, so she told him a little of her story.
"I'm an only child. My parents didn't have any siblings either. They died in a car accident a few years ago. I've always been a bit of a loner. I have friends, but none that I'm really close to... mostly co-workers. I spend a lot of time by myself."
There was a knock at the door, and then a nurse walked in.
"How are you feeling?"
"She's been better," Dean answered, using her words to the doctor earlier. Grace smiled at him, and he winked.
"Well, we'll fix that," the nurse smiled. "I'm going to increase your pain meds so you can get a good night's sleep. How does that sound?"
"Sounds good," Grace said. And she meant it. She really was very sore.
The nurse looked at Dean, "You're the fiancé, right?"
"Right."
"Will you be spending the night here? I can get a roll away bed for you."
"Really?" He looked at Grace. "Okay, yeah. I'll stay the night."
Grace shook her head, "Dean, you don't have to stay." Then, to keep up the fiancé charade she added, "I'll just be sleeping. Why don't you go home and get some sleep, too? You have to work tomorrow."
Dean walked over to her bed and put his hands on the side rail, which was, down.
"I'm staying. And I'm taking tomorrow off."
Grace put her hand on Dean's, and he took it in his and gave it a light squeeze.
"I'm gonna go talk to Sam. There's no reason for him to stay. Be back in a minute."
Dean closed the door behind him as he left the room, heading to the waiting area. The nurse smiled at Grace.
"He seems like a good guy."
"He's a very good guy."
