Chapter 12

Dean sat in a chair in the waiting room. Every time a door would open, Dean would almost jump out of his seat, but no one came to him. He had yelled at the nurse, behind the desk, and slammed his fists against the protective window that kept her safe, once she told him she couldn't help. She made it very clear, after, that he had to stay calm before she called security. It was about an hour later when the doors open once more and Dean saw Sam come in.

- How is she? He asked his brother even before he got to him.

- I don't know... When I brought her in the doc said something about internal bleeding and a concussion... They left for the OR... A nurse told me to wait here... haven't seen anyone since.

- Ok... how long ago was that?

- 'bout an hour or so... I don't know Sammy... Dean said tiredly.

- It's going to be okay. Sam told Dean making sure he meant it.

- What if we found her too late, Sam? Dammit I should have left the first time she didn't pick up.

- You can't think like that. She needs us to be strong here.

- I just can't get the imagine of her stuck there, hurt, calling for help... Scared.

- Dean, don't-

Sam was cut off by doors banging open. Jo and Ellen came into the waiting room. Both girls hugged Sam while Dean walked farther from them, not wanting any pity from them, knowing he was about to break himself. But he needed to keep it together, for Hailey.

- Any news? Asked worriedly Ellen to Sam.

- No, they said something about internal bleeding and a concussion before they brought her to the OR... Nothing since.

Ellen nodded at the information.

- I'll go get us some coffee, might be a while before we know anything... Ellen said squeezing Sam's arm before leaving.

Jo hugged herself and smiled weakly at Sam. Both sat in the row of chairs. She hated hospitals. But her friend needed her there. She watched Dean pace in front of them till he settled on leaning against the wall across from them.

- Hailey... She's the most pig headed hunter I know... And that's saying a lot. She managed to stay alive this long... She's going to pull through. She'll be fine. I mean, she has too. Right? Jo said to the brothers, tears running down her cheeks.

- Yeah. She's a fighter. Sam added, wrapping an arm around Jo as she tried to control her sobs.

Dean watched them as they hugged each other. He barely could stand up, wanting to tear anything and everything. He pushed himself off the wall and started pacing again. He stopped pacing when he heard yelling from down the hall. The doors slammed opened and Bobby rushed in followed by Rufus.

- Where is she!? Bobby barked at them.

- The OR, they won't tell us anything... Dean said glaring at the nurse behind the desk.

Bobby stomped his way to the desk and banged loudly on the protective shield, making the nurse jump.

- What's happening to my daughter?! He yelled.

- Let me guess Miss Singer... And you are..?

- Robert Singer, her father.

- They're still working on her in the OR. I'll tell the doctors that her father's here... I'm sorry it's all I can do for the moment.

- Why are they operating on her!? Bobby asked barely able to contain his anger.

- I'm sorry, I don't know. The doctors are doing their best, if you can just take a seat and-

- Take a seat!? You tell me they're cutting into my baby and I should take a seat!? Bobby said banging his fists, just like Dean before, on the shield.

- Bobby, easy now, C'mon let's just take it easy. We'll know soon. C'mon buddy. Ain't gonna be any help if they kick you out of here. Rufus said grabbing Bobby's shoulders and pulling him away from the startled nurse.

Ellen came back with coffees and muffins. She gave the tray and bag to Jo and made her way to Bobby, hugging him tightly.

- Ellen, they're cutting into her... And that bitch can't tell me anything! Bobby said in a shaky voice glaring at the nervous nurse.

- I know Bobby. Listen to me. You need to pull it together. Hailey's going to need you once she wakes up. C'mon sit with me. Ellen said pulling bobby to the chairs.

Two more hours passed, the group stayed silent, all of them secretly praying to god to save Hailey. Bobby got up and leaned against the wall next to Dean. Dean opened his mouth but the words didn't come out. He looked pale and exhausted. Bobby saw the fear in his eyes, the pain they both shared.

- I know son... I know. Bobby said before he roughly pulled Dean into his arms.

- I'm sorry. Dean sobbed into Bobby's shoulder.

- You listen to me, boy. You found her. You brought her here, probably faster than possible. You did good, son. You did good. Bobby explained, tapping on Dean's back.

Dean pulled away and nodded at Bobby. He felt relieved that Bobby didn't blame him. He cleared his throat and quickly wiped away his tears. He could break, not now.

Before Bobby could take a seat the door opened and a Doctor came in the room. They all stood up.

- Wow, the nurse wasn't kidding when she said she was out numbered... Hailey Singer's family I presume? Asked the young dark haired Doctor.

- How's my girl, Doc? Bobby asked making his way to the doctor. The gang followed close behind.

- She suffered internal bleeding, broken ribs, a concussion, a couple of deep cuts that needed stitching... We lost her twice in the operating room. She's stable for now. We're keeping her under medicated coma, since there's swelling at the brain. We're giving her a blood transfusion for now. We managed to stop the internal bleeding. The next twenty four hours will be critical. Once we get the swelling down in her brain we'll know more.

No one said a word as they all took in the information.

- Is she going to be ok? Jo asked.

- If what I saw in the OR is any indication of her will to live, I'd be betting money on a full recovery. But professionally all I can say is the next twenty four hours will tell us.

- Can I see her? Bobby asked, finally able to breathe.

- Of course, one at a time, she's pretty wired up. I should warn you she is on a breathing tube at the moment. Once we wake her up we will remove it. Oh! And... Family only. The doctor said nervously.

- We're all family here, sugar. Ellen said to the young doctor.

- Alright, then, please, fallow me.

The doctor escorted them to another waiting room, in intensive care unit. This one was a lot more comfortable than the one they were in before. Instead of plastic chairs, there were couches and arm chairs. In the corner of the room; a coffee machine and there was a TV hanging on a wall with the news playing silently.

- Please make yourselves comfortable, Mister Singer please follow me. The doctor said kindly.

Bobby shared a worried look to them before he followed the doctor down a hallway. The rest of the gang took a seat while Ellen went straight to the coffee machine, making cup after cup for all of them.

- I don't think I can see her... Hooked up to all those machines... Jo said, breaking the silence.

- I know baby girl, you don't have too. I'll tell her you're here. It's okay. Ellen told her daughter handing her a cup of coffee, before heading back to the cups and handing them over to everyone. She brought the last two cups and handed one to Dean, taking a seat next to him.

- You've been awfully quiet... Wanna talk about it? I know you two are pretty close and-

- I need air. Dean cut her off, got up and left.

- Something I said? She asked to the rest of them.

- They're more than close, if you know what I mean... Rufus said wiggling his eyebrows.

- Shut. Up! Jo said in surprise.

- 'bout time if you ask me... Ellen said in a smile.

- Since when? Asked Jo.

- Not long is what Bobby told me.

- Explains why he's acting like that... My god, can you imagine you finally get to be with someone you love and... This happens... Jo said.

- Alright guys! C'mon. Can we, not talk about my brother's love life right now..? Sam scolded them.

- You're right. Said Ellen looking over to where Bobby left.

- Sorry... Rufus added and they all fell silent again.

- Gotta admit though. Must be weird saying `love life` and `my brother's` in the same sentence. Teased Jo to which Sam playfully elbowed her side.

- Yeah. It is. Sam laughed a bit. But it didn't last as he saw Bobby come out of the hallway white as a ghost.

- Bobby? Asked Sam getting up and the gang followed.

- Everything ok? Asked Rufus.

- Yeah... Yeah. It's just... Seeing her like that. She doesn't even look like herself. Bobby chocked out.

- C'mon, let's go outside for a bit. Rufus told him.

- I can't. What if...

- We'll come get you right away. Ellen reassured him.

- C'mon I got a bottle in your car. You look like you can use a drink. Rufus said putting an arm around Bobby's shoulder and walking him out of the waiting room. Dean entered the same time they left. He stopped cold and looked at Sam panic written all over his face.

- She's fine Dean! Sam said quickly. Dean features relaxed at his words.

- It's just, a lot for Bobby right now... Ellen clarified further.

- Yeah... I- I get that. Dean said.

- Why don't you go, be with her. Ellen said squeezing his arm.

Dean hesitated but nodded and walked down the hall Bobby had used. The rooms were all windows, so the nurses could have a visual on them all. It made it easier to find her room. He came in and a nurse was in the room, writing information on her clipboard. She smiled at Dean before leaving the room.

He stayed by the door, taking in all the tubes and wires plugged into her. She was covered by that and bandages. She looked so small and weak. She was even paler than he remembered. The only noise in the room was the beeping of her steady heartbeat and the respirator machine pushing the air into her lungs. Dean walked over to her and sat in the chair by her side. He carefully took her cold hand into his, leaning closer, kissing her bruised knuckles. His lower lip quivered as he fought the urge to cry. With the other hand he gently pushed her hair away from her face.

- Hey, shortcake. I'm here. The doc told us you're going to be fine... That was stupid Hailey, going on a job alone, without even telling anybody about it, without bringing a phone with you. Last time I felt scared like that... I lost Sammy. I can't lose you Hails. You need to rest. once you wake up we got to find the bastard that did this to you. He's going to wish for death once I'm done with him... But for now, rest. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere.

Dean got up and gently kissed her forehead. He leaned forward closer to her ear.

- I love you, Hailey. So damn much... You have to come back to me, please. I need you.

Dean closed his eyes letting tears roll down his face. He didn't notice the beeping get louder and closer. What he did hear was the gagging sounds coming from Hailey. He pulled away to see her eyes open wide. She trashed in her bed as she desperately pulled at the breathing tube. She ripped it out and alarms started ringing in the room.

- Hailey relax! You're at the hospital it's ok! Dean told her trying to keep her lying on the bed.

- The book. She managed to say in a raw voice.

- What book?

Before Hailey had a chance to explain five nurses and the doctor ran inside the room. They pushed Dean away and Hailey managed to punch a nurse right in the face. Three of them managed to turn her over on her stomach.

- Let go!

- You're hurting her! Dean yelled and tried to push his way to Hailey but two nurses managed to hold him back.

- Dean! My book! It's my book! They want it.

- Who!?

The doctor managed to prick her with the needle on her rear and Hailey went limp almost instantly.

- My book... beauty... Get it. Hide it... I love... too. Hailey said before she passed out.

- What happened? Asked the doctor to Dean.

- You tell me I thought you said she was in a medical coma.

- She was! I- I don't know how she even woke up...

- Hailey! Dean heard Bobby scream in the hallway.

- I have to ask you to step out, I need to run more tests.

- Yeah, yeah you do that. Dean said hotly before stepping out.

- Dean! What the hell is going on? Bobby yelled while he struggled away from Rufus' grip.

Dean made his way to Bobby, a shock look on his face.

- She woke up.

- What? How? Is she still awake?

- They drugged her up again and she passed right back out. But she was ripping her tube and well... everything.

- Did she say anything?

- Yeah... She said they wanted her book.

- Her book? Asked Sam.

- I think it's the one she stole from the chapel. Dean guessed.

- Guys Hailey's drugged up. Maybe we should wait for her wake up before we- Started Ellen.

- Where is it? Cut off Sam.

Dean closed his eyes and replayed Hailey's rambling.

- Beauty! She said Beauty!

- Got it! Sam said and both brothers ran out.

- You brought her? Dean asked while they made their way out.

- Of course! Sam answered

- Anybody got... any of that? Asked Rufus. Jo and Ellen shook their heads confused as well.

- As long as they understand each other... That's good enough for me. Bobby said before leaving them to check up on Hailey.