Here's the next installment. Thanks to everyone who has favorited and followed my story. I appreciate it!
Sam's P.O.V.
I look down at Lilly's sleeping form. She lets out a small whimper, and I brush my hand lightly over her forehead. She relaxes into the mattress.
Dean sits up in his chair.
"Sam, I thought you only had those weirdo visions when the demon was involved." He says cautiously.
"Yeah," I say. I look at him. I feel a jolt of fear. "You don't think he's still…?"
"Alive?" Dean finishes. I nod. He shakes his head resolutely. "No way, we toasted him."
"Then what do you mean?" I ask. He shrugs.
"I don't know, Sam. I'm just pointing something out." He says. "Maybe she has something to do with the demon."
I snort. "Her? Dean, she's afraid of her own shadow."
He stands up. "I know. That's what I mean."
My eyes narrow as I catch his drift. "Are you saying he could have done this to her?"
Dean shrugs. "I'm not saying anything. It just looks that way. Possibly."
"Dean, the demon's dead. Maybe some of his followers…?"
Dean sighs. "I don't know, Sam. This whole thing is too weird."
"Tell me about it." I mumble.
Lilly's P.O.V.
I wake up slowly. I can still smell his smell, still feel his arms around me. I miss him. I haven't seen him for a long time. I wish he would come back.
I roll over, and I see Sam standing over me. He crouches down, and smiles softly at me. I see movement in the corner of my eye, and my eyes dart over to see it. I freeze when I see a man standing near the back of the room. Sam notices me staring, and he places a hand on my arm.
"It's okay, that's my brother. He won't hurt you." Sam promises.
Dean creeps forward, and crouches on my other side. "I'm Dean." He introduces himself.
I watch him warily. The door opens, and I cringe back against Sam. Jess walks in, looking tired. Behind her, Carrie Richards enters with some papers.
"Sam," She says with a smile and a nod.
"The background check went great. You and Jess have been cleared to gain temporary custody of Lilly." Carrie smiles again. "Congratulations."
"That's great." Sam laughs. Jess grins at us.
Carrie leads Sam and Jess over to the side to sign the final papers. Dean sits on the bed next to me.
"You're in good hands, kid." He tells me. "You pretty much have two girls taking care of you."
I don't answer him.
"You know, I bet you can talk." Dean guesses. "I bet you hear and understand most of what's going on."
He looks down at me. "I think you just don't want to talk." Or you're hiding something. He thinks. I wince.
The other three come back over. Sam stands by my shoulder, and Jess stands by him.
"Congratulations, again." Carrie says. "I'll be in touch in a little while."
She pulls the door shut behind her. I let out a shudder when she leaves.
"Do you think she could be discharged today?" Jess asks.
"Maybe," Sam says. "I'll go get Dr. Trace."
As he rounds the bed to the door, I slip off of the cot, and rush to his side. I grip his hand, and stare at the floor. I can feel everyone's shock.
"You want to come, Lilly?" Sam asks gently. I hold his hand tighter in response.
"Okay, then." Sam says. He opens the door, and leads me out to the hallway. He walks me to a pair of double doors, and then through them.
As we walk through the hallways, my heart pounds. I didn't really want to leave that room, I just had to get away from Dean. He knows too much.
Sam rounds a corner, and he spots Dr. Trace. He calls out, and Dr. Trace turns to us. Dr. Trace nods to the nurse he's talking to, and walks over to us.
"Lilly, nice to see you out and about." He says gently. He looks up at Sam.
"She really shouldn't be up." Dr. Trace tells Sam sternly.
"She wanted to come." Sam says apologetically. "I didn't want to refuse, you know?"
Dr. Trace sighs, and nods. "Yes, I do."
"Actually, Dr. Trace, I wanted to talk to you about Lilly." Sam says. "We were hoping she could be discharged today."
Dr. Trace looks doubtfully at me. "I'm not sure Sam. I don't think another week here could hurt her, do you?"
"How would it help?" Sam asks. "Medically, there's not much more you can do, aside from stuffing her full of pills."
I shudder, not liking the sound of "stuffing" anything.
"What she needs is some R&R." Sam says. "Please, doctor."
"Dr. Trace sighs. "You'll want to schedule some appointments with Dr. Kennedy. I'd suggest at least twice a week."
Sam nods. "But she can go home?"
Dr. Trace smiles. "Yes, she can."
Sam laughs in relief. He looks down at me. "You ready to get outta here?"
I smile weakly and offer a miniscule nod. Dr. Trace laughs.
"I don't blame you." He looks at Sam. "I'll walk back with you. There are a few things I'd like to discuss."
We slowly make our way to my room, Sam and Dr. Trace making small talk along the way. When we reach the door, Sam opens the door.
"Why don't you head in?" He says. I skirt inside, hugging the wall, and I edge around the room until I reach the bed. Sam looks in at Dean and Jess. He nods to them, and they stand and walk out.
Sam's P.O.V.
Jess walks into the hallway, with Dean close behind her. Dean pulls the door shut, and Dr. Trace looks at us seriously.
"If Lilly's going to discharged today, there are a few things I want to run by you." Dr. Trace says.
He looks at me. "Honestly, I would sign her up for more than two a week, but don't tell her."
I raise my eyebrows, but I nod.
He looks at Jess and me. "Is your brother going to be staying with you?"
"I'm not sure, but probably, for a little." I shrug, with a glance to Dean. He nods.
"If he does, you should try to get her used to him. Obviously, she trusts Sam, and somewhat Jessica, but I don't think she knows Dean very well."
I nod. "Okay."
Dr. Trace places his hands in his pockets. "When you get home, you're going to want to place Lilly under what I call 'Trauma Watch'."
Jess cocks her head, and Dean reels back slightly, looking confused. I decide to ask the question everyone's thinking.
"What's Trauma Watch, sir?"
"It's usually with younger patients, but also with older people. Basically, when someone has been through a traumatic event, they're going to have some issues. Nightmares, anxiety, the occasional panic attack. What you're watching out for is self harm tendencies, suicidal thoughts or actions, or a really bad panic attack, to the point of extreme discomfort."
Now I'm the one reeling. "You- you think Lilly would-?"
Dr. Trace holds up a hand. "I'm not saying she will. I'm merely suggesting that you watch for these."
"Of course." Jess says.
Dr. Trace smiles. "Great. I'll go get the discharge papers."
I sigh with relief, and open the door to Lilly's room. She's sitting on the bed, with one leg tucked under the others knee. The other leg dangles over the edge of the bed. She's playing with her hands, and staring at the floor.
Jess walks over to her, and sinks onto the mattress. She gently reaches up and brushes her fingers through Lilly's hair. Lilly flinches, but then settles, and lets Jess lightly play with her hair.
Dr. Trace re-enters with papers in his hands, and hands them to Jess. She signs a few places, and I sign. Dr. Trace grins.
"You're free to go." He says. "You can sign out at the front desk."
I feel a huge weight lift off my shoulders at the thought of getting home. Jess pulls a bag out from behind a chair, and sets it between her feet. She lifts out a pile of clothes. Jess looks at Dean and me.
"Well, get out." She says, like it should be obvious. Dean awkwardly lurches up from his chair, and he opens the door. I close it behind us.
"Dean, can you pull up the car?" I ask.
"Sure. My car or yours?" He asks, looking back.
I toss him my car keys. "Mine. Unless you want me driving your car?"
Dean nods. "Your car it is."
I laugh, and turn back to the room. The door opens, and Jess smiles at me. Lilly sits on the bed, in new clothes. She's wearing blue jeans, and a plain red shirt with a gray jacket over it. She has her curly brown hair pulled back in a ponytail.
"Dean's pulling the car up." I state. I look at Jess. "I know you drove your car, but do you want a ride?"
"I think I'll take my car back." She says. "Speaking of, I should probably go…" She trails off.
"Sure, Jess." I say. "See you at home?"
Jess smiles, and lifts up on her tip-toes to kiss me. "Absolutely."
She leaves, and I sit next to Lilly. "You ready to go?"
She looks up at me, and I see the tears welling in her eyes.
"Oh, Lilly." I sigh, and tuck my arm over her. I pull her into a hug, and she grabs my jacket.
"It's okay." I promise. "You'll like it at our house. It's quiet, there's books, plenty of space. You'll like it there."
She takes a shaky breath, and nods. I stand up, and she stands with me. I pull her to the door, and we walk through the hospital.
People remember her from her outbursts, and they don't hide their stares. I make eye contact with them, and stare them down until they look away.
When we finally walk out into the sunlight, Lilly hisses for a moment, and shies away from the light. Then she shields her eyes, and steps forward. I see Dean in my car, pulled up to the curb.
I urge Lilly towards. "You see the green car?" She nods. "That's mine." I say.
We walk forward. I open the passenger door, and Lilly gingerly sits inside. Dean steps out, and tosses me the keys. He rounds the car, and I step into the car. I turn the ignition on, and Lilly jumps.
I pull out of the parking lot. Lilly cranes her neck around watching the world speed by. After a while, the rocking motion slowly lulls her to sleep.
Hope you all enjoyed that chapter. Sorry there wasn't that much excitement in this one. I'm going to add some more next chapter…(he he he)