"Castiel," Anna lightly touched his shoulder, "Gabe and I are going to get everyone coffee. Would you want some or anything else? Whatever it is, we'll get it. We know you don't want to leave him."

Castiel didn't look up at her and spoke in a slightly cracked voice, "Just a coffee."

Anna gave him a soft smile that he didn't see and walked out of the room with Gabriel. Castiel rested his arms on the edge of Dean's bed and layed his head on them, staring up at Dean. His heart beat monitor beeped behind him and the screen that showed his vitals said everything was okay, but nothing stopped Castiel's worry. Dean's body was covered in scrapes and bruises along with two cracked ribs and a broken leg. Nothing was fatal, though. Anna had just been hysterical at the sight of Dean when she found him. Castiel didn't see, but he could imagine and he tried not to. Dean may still lay unconscious, but the doctor said he didn't have any fractures in his skull, which had been a great relief. When Castiel had asked when he would wake up, the doctor pretty much just shrugged at him. So, there was Castiel, just waiting by Dean's bed for him to wake up, never leaving his side.

Michael walked in then and frowned at Castiel, "Castiel, I told you he will be okay. Stop staring at him like he might disappear."

Castiel didn't comment, but felt a slight ease at Michael's words. After Dean's doctor had checked him out, Castiel asked Michael to look over everything and make sure the doctor didn't miss anything. Castiel hadn't been trying to question the doctor, but Michael was the only doctor he'd put Dean's life in. Michael had said that the doctor had done a good job, though.

Michael went and stood next to Castiel and shoved a sub sandwich in his face, "Eat something."

Castiel was going to reject it, when his stomach grumbled and he realized how hungry he was. He took the sandwich, "Thank you, Michael, for everything."

Michael waved his hand, "Don't worry about it. Dean's with you so he's like an extra brother and I look out for my brothers."

Castiel looked at him shocked, but smiled touched. Michael wasn't the kind of guy to outright show his feelings, he and Dean were similar in that sense. He usually showed he cared by expensive gifts and rarely anything else. Castiel didn't hear a lot of things like that from him, actual affection. Castiel just wished some of his siblings could at least show as much affection as him. Well, besides, Gabriel and Anna. They had really been the only ones Castiel thought actually cared about him beyond his ambitions in life. There was Samandriel, too, but he kept to himself.

Michael sat in one of the chairs across the room and flipped threw a magazine, saying nothing else. His father was around here somewhere, but besides him, Michael, Gabe, and Anna, everyone else had gone back to Balthazar's after the first couple of hours. Although, Raphael had surprisingly stayed with Anna as she talked to the police. He had acted as a lawyer, demanding the attackers to be found and persecuted, but Castiel felt that that had been his way of showing support or at least he hoped. Raphael left after that along with everyone else. His mother told him she would have stayed, but she wanted to make arrangements for Dean to have a comfortable flight back home when he was released. She even called to inform Dean's boss he would probably need another week off. She had also offered to call the Winchesters, but Castiel felt he should do that.

The call had been difficult to make, especially with Mary saying she was going to fly over. She had been so worried and in shock. It broke Castiel's heart he let her son get hurt like that. After he reassured her, though, that Dean was going to be fine and he would be home in a day or two, she calmed down. The call with was still ringing through Castiel's head.

"Well, I know he's in good hands over there. I trust you to take care of him, Castiel. You're real good for him, you know. He changed after he met you, he was happier. I thought he had given up, but you saved him. I can never thank you enough for that."

Castiel had replied in shock, "But I-I didn't do anything."

Castiel could practically hear Mary's smile, "Oh, but you did, though. Well, I'll let you go. Remember you can get some rest, too. Dean's not going to disappear from that hospital bed if you shut your eyes for a few minutes. I know you're just being a statue by his bed."

"Okay, Mary."

Mary chuckled, "You actually remembered to call me Mary? Thank God, that Mrs. Winchester manner was making me feel old. Anyway, watch over my boy and get some rest, Castiel. Love you, bye."

Castiel had smiled as the call ended, always feeling warm after talking to the Winchester matriarch. She was such a kind woman and had opened her arms and her home to Castiel when they first met. She showed him more love than his own mother did at times. It made Castiel feel even worse looking at Dean now. If he hadn't been selfish and dragged Dean out to Italy, he wouldn't be lying unconscious in a hospital bed right now and his mother wouldn't be worrying herself sick thousands of miles away. Castiel was going insane with guilt and his chest ached looking at Dean's beat body. How could he ever forgive himself for this?

With his sandwich finished, Castiel returned back to his resting position at the edge of Dean's bed and decided to take Mary's advice. They had been here all day and the whole night. It was nearing one in the morning. Castiel's whole body felt tired as well as his mind. His eyes burned from unshed tears and his throat was sore from sobs he held back. He had never felt so worn out.

He told Michael, "Wake me up if the doctor comes in with more news."

Michael nodded at him, glad Castiel was finally resting. His little brother almost looked worse than Dean if you ignored the bruises. When he met Dean, he had thought he was just acting as a cover for Castiel to get their mother off Castiel's back about his nonexistent sex life. But after seeing them the past few days, there was no denying they cared deeply for each other. Michael had never seen anything like it. They didn't even touch that often, but their eyes spoke a thousand words. Michael had been in the same room with Kali and Gabriel fiercely making out in front of him and that had felt less awkward than Dean and Castiel just simply looking at each other. It was ridiculous, but Michael was happy Castiel had found someone like Dean, nevertheless.

He remembered hearing about Dean years ago. How he had saved Castiel's car after the transmission went out and then Castiel ran into him at the university. They became friends and haven't separated since. Though, Michael hadn't met or known Dean back then, he saw the shift in Castiel. He picked his head up more and his stance was more relaxed. It was like he was finally comfortable in his own skin. Castiel was happier, he was content, and Michael knew it had to have been Dean that had unwound Castiel. Michael was thankful for Dean and if he covered the medical bill without telling anyone and said it was the insurance, who would notice?

Mr. Novak walked in, then, and glanced at Castiel with a sigh of relief, "Thank God, he finally went to sleep. Thought I was going to have to slip him something."

Michael chuckled, "Yes, hopefully he'll get in a few of hours."

Mr. Novak nodded in agreement and sat beside Michael. After a moment, he said what everyone was thinking, "Who would do this?"

Michael put his magazine down, "I don't know. They weren't mugging him. Dean still had his wallet on him."

Mr. Novak frowned, "Could it have been a hate crime? Some people saw Dean and Cas acting more intimate than friends would?"

"I don't know. Maybe? It feels like it's something else, though. Let's hope it was just something stupid like that and not something serious."

"Well, what else could it have been?"

Michael didn't answer his father, not wanting the man to release his wrath on the person he had in his mind. He just shrugged and looked back over at his little brother sleeping beside his hospitalized boyfriend. Michael wouldn't tell his father his suspicions, unless he had had evidence and even then, he would like to take the matter into his own hands. People didn't just mess with the Novaks and get away with it. His dad brought him up to protect his family and that he would.

Gabriel and Anna returned with the coffee, which Michael took grateful and put Castiel's aside for later. Then, Mr. Novak took Gabriel and Anna back to Balthazar's after. Michael offered to stay and watch over the two.

Dean woke up with his chest and his leg hurting like hell along with his head throbbing. He felt weak all over and there was something tugging at his wrist. He opened his eyes and was met with the blank walls and cold atmosphere of a hospital room. His right leg was wrapped in a cast on the bed. He looked to his left and saw Castiel sleeping on his arms besides Dean's waist. Dean sat up slightly and regretted it immediately as he was welcomed with pain everywhere.

It took Dean a moment to remember what had happened. Even then, he still didn't know what had actually happened. Some guys had attacked him for no damn reason and apparently beat the shit out of him if him lying in a hospital bed was proof enough. It annoyed Dean that the bastards had snuck up on him, if it had been a fair fight he was sure he would've kicked their asses and he wouldn't look half as bad as he probably did.

Dean's eyes fell back on Castiel's ruffled hair and his exhausted face. Dean must've worried the hell out of him. He felt like shit for doing that to Cas. Dean reached out and ran his fingers through his hair. Castiel leaned into the touch like a cat. Dean chuckled at the analogy and was welcomed with a sharp pain in his chest. He must've broken a couple ribs if he guessed right. He let out a small gasp of pain and it was loud enough to wake Castiel.

"Dean?" Castiel looked at him with wide eyes.

"Sorry, Cas, didn't mean to wake you-"

Castiel stood up from his chair and threw his arms around Dean and buried his head in Dean's shoulder. Dean caught him and tried not to wince in pain as Castiel gripped him tightly. Dean patted his back and joked, "What? Do I look that bad? I wasn't going to die, Cas."

Castiel didn't respond but shook in Dean's arms. Dean's joking smile faded, "Cas?"

"Anna...she said that it didn't look good and you've been unconscious for almost a whole day," Castiel whispered so low Dean wouldn't have heard him if he wasn't right next to his ear, "I-I thought...Dean, I thought I lost you."

Dean leaned back and looked at Castiel's face. He had tears running down his face and he looked so broken. Dean couldn't stand it. He brought his hand to Cas's face and wiped away the tears with his thumb. He pulled him back into his arms and fell back against the pillow, dragging Cas with him nearly on top of him. Dean ignored the pain that followed, just focused on Cas. This time, Dean soothed Cas; a hand stroking his back and one in his hair. Dean spoke softly and kissed Castiel's hair, though Castiel could have imagined that part, "Cas, I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

Castiel lay there for a minute in Dean's arms and then he laughed, "Dean, I should be comforting you not the other way around. I'm probably hurting you right now, aren't I?"

Dean shrugged, "I'm fine."

Castiel looked up and saw the lie in Dean's expression. He lept off of Dean as gently as he could. Dean looked regretful as Cas sat down in the chair and he groaned, "Cas, I'm not a freaking China doll."

"You fractured two ribs and have a broken leg."

Dean rolled his eyes, "That's nothing."

Castiel gave Dean doubtful eyes and then Michael walked back in with another coffee. He stopped in his step, "Oh, hey, Dean. Glad to see you up. Castiel was going out of his mind."

Dean glanced at Castiel who avoided his eyes, but he knew he had really freaked Castiel out. He settled his hand on his and squeezed it. Castiel smiled slightly.

Michael said, "I'll go tell the doctor you're awake," and walked back out the door.

Dean gazed at Castiel. His hair was a mess, his eye bags had eye bags, and his clothes were all wrinkled. It caused a pain in his chest that had nothing to do with the broken ribs, knowing he was the cause of Castiel's distress and sleep deprivation.

Dean ran his thumb across Castiel's skin like Cas would do to him. But Cas didn't respond, he didn't even turn his hand up.

Dean sighed and held out his hand palm up, "My hand's not broken, is it?"

Castiel interlocked their fingers and smirked playfully, "Dean, you're very clingy, you know that?"

Dean winked back at him.

The doctor said Dean could go home after another day. The police still had to come by and get his statement, anyway. Dean argued with Castiel about going back to Kansas, because he didn't want to ruin the traditional Novak vacation.

"Dean, don't worry about it. You're not ruining anything. Michael's taking us back, then returning for the others. They're going to Rome, while they wait for him to come back with the plane," Castiel told him as Dean ate his disgusting lunch. Even in Italy, the hospital food sucked.

"Us?" Dean asked.

"Well, of course I'm going back with you. Who's going to take care of you?"

Dean rolled his eyes, "Cas, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I don't need a babysitter."

Castiel raised his eyebrows, "Dean, you can't even walk."

Dean didn't respond, because he knew Cas had a point.

Castiel looked down at his hands in his lap, "Well, I understand if you don't want me to, but then you should at least go home to your parents if so."

Dean frowned, "Cas, no, that's not it. I just don't want you to feel obligated to."

"I don't."

Dean smiled, "Alright, then, I'm staying at the Cas Suite."

Castiel returned the smile and then Gabriel burst into the room then, "Hey, Sleeping Beauty! Did the true loves kiss wake you up?"

Castiel and Dean both blushed. Gabriel just rolled his eyes and muttered something about them acting like a couple teenager girls with a crush.

"Hey, where's Anna? I haven't seen her," Dean asked then paused, considering something, "Wait, she didn't get hurt, too, did she? Is she okay?"

Castiel quickly assured Dean, "No, she's fine, Dean."

Dean sighed relieved, "Okay, then where is she? Still recovering from her hangover?"

Gabriel and Castiel exchanged a look that implied they knew something Dean didn't.

"What?" Dean asked.

Castiel sighed, "Anna,...thinks it's her fault you're in the hospital. I think she's scared to come and see you."

"What? That's ridiculous. It's not her fault. Give me my phone," Dean held out his hand.

"No can do, buddy," Gabriel said as he sunk into one of the chairs with a cooking magazine in hand, "Those assholes broke it."

"Well, tell her to come by," Dean looked at Castiel who pulled out his phone and sent off a text to Anna telling her Dean wanted to see her. She replied she'd be there in a while.

"Maybe she'll listen to you, because it's definitely not her fault," Castiel sighed.

Dean frowned, guessing exactly what Castiel was thinking. But he didn't want to call him out on it with his brother in the room.

"Hey, Gabe, do me a favor?" Dean called over to Gabe.

"What is it, Deano?"

"Think you can go get me some real food?" Dean gestured to his plate, "This taste like crap."

Gabriel nodded, taking the hint and walked out. As soon as he left, Dean looked at Castiel with raised eyebrows.

"What?" Castiel asked innocently.

"Cas, do you think this is your fault?"

Castiel didn't answer and that was all the confirmation Dean needed. He let out a heavy breath.

"Cas, this isn't your fault. This isn't anyone's fault, besides the assholes who attacked me."

"Well, I'm the one who dragged you out here, made you pretend to be something you're not and look where it's gotten you. You're in a hospital bed for Christ's sakes! How is this not my fault?" Castiel stood up from his chair and turned to walk away, but Dean caught his wrist.

"Hey, you didn't make me do anything. I agreed to this, my own choices. You didn't know it would have me end up in the hospital. Come on, Cas. I don't blame you so don't blame yourself."

Castiel looked Dean in the eye and Dean met his gaze with a pleading look. Castiel sighed, giving in. Dean didn't need to be stressing over what was running through Castiel's mind, anyway. He still didn't think he could forgive himself, though. He sat back down and slipped his hand into Dean's nonchalantly.

Castiel stared at their interlocked fingers for a minute and then said without looking up, "When did this stop being -"

A knock on the door interrupted the question and they both looked up startled. Two officers stood there. Castiel let go of Dean's hand and walked over to greet them. He explained Dean didn't speak Italian and he would act as the translator.

They already knew this jest of the story, but they still needed to hear Dean's side of it. After Castiel relayed it to them, one of them asked, "Essi urlando a voi?"

Dean looked at Cas for translation and he said, "They're asking if the attackers were yelling at you."

Dean nodded and then they went through things they could have been saying to see if Dean recognized any of the words. It was still a free for all for why Dean had been attacked. The main thing they could do right now was determine whether it was random or not. They went through a list of racial slurs and then homophobic slurs, but Dean said none of it was familiar.

One of the officers sighed, "Quindi, questa non era una coincidenza. Sapevano chi erano attaccare. Vi รจ stato un bersaglio."

Castiel frowned and Dean had a confused expression, "What?"

"They said the attackers probably knew who they were attacking. It was premeditated."

"But I don't even know anyone over here," Dean answered. What the hell was going on? Why would someone want to attack him? He hasn't done anything to provoke that sort of reaction. He hasn't even talked to anyone outside of the Novaks besides the bartender, Benny, back in Venice.

Castiel stared off into the distance, "I know. That's why it's weird. Is there anyone back home who would want to hurt you?"

"Probably, but someone who would follow me all the way to fucking Italy? No."

Castiel nodded and said goodbye to the officers who promised to get back to them with any news. Castiel was just starting to feel better about this since Dean finally woke up, but now this happened. The worry that someone was going to hurt Dean was never going to go away until they caught them and it was eating away at Castiel. He didn't know what he could do to protect Dean. Though, Dean would probably argue he could handle it himself and he didn't need any guardian angel, Castiel couldn't help how he felt. He never wanted to see Dean beat up on a hospital bed knocked out unconscious ever again.

An hour or so later, Anna finally came by with Raphael in tow. She looked at Dean with a sad face from the door, not stepping in. She had tear stains on her cheeks she hadn't bothered to wash away and she still had most of her hangover look, though she had brushed her hair.

Castiel stepped into the hall with Raphael to update him on what the cops had said since he was acting as a sort of legal adviser. Anna was left alone with Dean. She didn't move an inch from the closed door.

"Anna," Dean exclaimed exaggerated, "Come here."

Anna walked toward the bed tentatively, avoiding Dean's eyes. Dean patted a spot on the bed and she sat down. After a moment, she just mumbled, "I'm sorry, Dean."

"For what?"

She gave him an incredulous look, "This is my fault. If I had just gone back to Balthazar's you wouldn't have come to look for me and get your ass kicked."

"What's with you Novaks and your self guilt? Anna this isn't your fault. Don't blame yourself, it doesn't make any sense to. I don't blame you."

Anna nodded and gave him a small smile, but then it slipped, "Wait? Novaks? Does Castiel blame himself?"

Dean nodded, "I talked to him about it, but I don't know if I changed his mind or not. Castiel's pretty stubborn."

Anna gave him a sympathetic look, "He was pretty torn up about it, you know? I've never seen Castiel like that."

"Yeah, I know."

Anna shook her head, "No, I don't think you do. When I found you, Dean, it was bad. There was blood everywhere and you were unconscious. You looked like hell. Dean, I didn't know if you were even going to pull through. That sounds dramatic, but that's what it looked like. I didn't know what had happened.

Castiel, he- he was pale and shaking when he arrived at the hospital. Then, he had to go through all this bullshit of he wasn't family so he didn't have access to what was going on with you. He was so angry that they wouldn't even tell him if you were going to be okay or not. He was so...broken, Dean, like his usual calm facade just shattered. He wouldn't even talk to anyone. He just asked me if I had seen who did it and when I told him no, he went back to pacing in the waiting room. When the doctor finally told him you were going to make it and it wasn't even that bad, he," Anna chuckled, "he got Michael to double check him. The expression on the doc's face was priceless you should have seen it. Then, Castiel had to call your mom and tell her. And if that wasn't hard enough, she had to call and like give permission or something for us to stay with you after visiting hours. I don't know exactly how that worked, but she got us approved.

Castiel, he's been through hell and back. It took forever for him to fall asleep and he wouldn't eat anything either. Nothing we said eased his worries, not even Michael. In his mind all he could think about was that you were still unconscious and there was no certainty you were even going to wake up. Dean, you mean a lot to my little brother. Whatever it is you two have going on here, don't fuck it up."

Dean nodded slowly in shock after everything he had heard, "Yeah, Anna, I won't."

She smiled, "Good, because I'd have to kick your ass if you did."

Dean held up his hands, "And I wouldn't blame you."

Anna laughed lightly as Castiel walked back in, "What's so funny?"

Anna got off the bed, "Oh, nothing."

Castiel narrowed his eyes at her, but didn't comment. Anna smiled at him innocently and then ran off to find where Raphael had gone. Castiel walked back over to Dean's bed and sat down.

"When do I get this cast off?" Dean groaned after a few seconds, glaring at his leg. The damn thing was annoying. He couldn't walk without crutches and then he'd have to keep those with him everywhere he went. The whole thing was such a pain.

Castiel chuckled, "Just over a month, Dean. The doctor said it wasn't that bad of a fracture, so it's not that long."

Dean groaned again falling back on his pillow, "How in the hell am I supposed to work?"

"Bobby gave you another week off and when I talked to him he said you could work behind a desk or something, doing paper work."

"Paper work?" Dean cringed.

"Yes, Dean. What else are you supposed to do? You can't work on cars with just one leg."

"Dammit, now I'm pissed. When they find these bastards, I'm beating them to a pulp."

Castiel rolled his eyes. Dean would be more upset over not being able to work than actually being attacked. Castiel guessed it was better than him wanting to go and find them and kick their asses, though. If he did, it'd be hell to convince him to just rest and stay still. It had been hard for Castiel to just sit here while they were still out there, but he didn't have any leads at the time and Dean needed him here. Castiel had never seen so much red before. He had been so overwhelmed with all the emotions earlier; anger, despair, worry, hope, sadness, fatigue. They were in more sorts now, though. Castiel let his anger ease, because they would pay for what they did to Dean, he'd make sure of it.