Sorry it's been so long guys. to make up for it I'll give you extra chapters. I have absolutely no excuse since I finished this story and moved onto its sequel (which is the one giving me some difficulty). Yikes, I'm terrible...
Hailey had given the brothers a key to her cabin, just in case, and made them promise to drop her Chevy off there. She also solicited a promise from them that they would tell the woman that Castiel had been married to when he was Emmanuel something, anything, so she wouldn't spend the rest of her life wondering what had happened to him.
An hour on her laptop and a trip to the library had resumes for both Meg and herself. Since she was a licensed therapist, Hailey was already well suited for the job at hand, she just had to make up a few job experiences to add. Meg's was a little more difficult, since she had no previous experience in any of this work and she didn't hold a license that they would most assuredly run a check for, Hailey told her the simplest position to apply for would be a caregiver/orderly, and it would leave her with more of a free range to care for the angel since those were the people who spent more one on one time with patients, assisting them with daily tasks.
Their interviews were given the same day they turned in their applications and resumes, apparently they were understaffed after the sudden disappearances of several of their employees, and they started orientation the next day.
Hailey found a tiny two bedroom apartment a few blocks away that was willing to do short term leases. It was a dilapidated building, but most of the residents kept to themselves so it was ideal.
Meg huffed, "You know I don't sleep." As the air mattress hit the floor.
Hailey rolled her eyes, "Well it's not for you. I'm human you know."
"I thought you were a witch." The demon smirked.
Hailey rolled her eyes, "I'm a white witch. Meaning I haven't done anything to jeopardize or pervert my humanity."
"Boo!" The demon dropped cross legged on the floor and poured, "That's no fun."
Said witch narrowed her eyes at the hellion. "You remember our agreement right?"
"Of course I do!" Meg fell back on the floor, arms spread out, "I get to be boring and mundane all while keeping an eye on poor, mentally ill Castiel."
Hailey nodded firmly, "That's right. We go clean and mainstream."
The demon sat up on her elbows, "You're just a bucket of thrills aren't you kitty? I still don't get why I have to stay here with you
"
The witch sighed, already annoyed, "You may not need to eat or sleep, but you still have to shower and dress your host. Honestly I could care less if you stay here or not, as long as you show up for your shift and stick to our agreement."
"Great!" The demon said before winking out of existence.
Hailey was happy she was gone, the demon was a little much for her to handle. The witch sighed and looked around the tiny apartment. Calling it a two bedroom was overly generous, it was a bedroom and study- where the bedroom was the size of a study and the study was just a large closet. Like most crappy apartments, everything that could be painted over was, it thick, almost goopy layers.
There was a small couch that Hailey found for free on Craigslist that was covered in a sheet because god knew what could have happened on. The only other furniture was two bar stools sat in front of the narrow ledge on the other side of the shotgun kitchen, and now her inflatable mattress. In the corner were bags from Walmart, still yet to be unpacked, but would hopefully make the situation a little more bearable.
Hailey sat about to inflating the bed before unloading the bags, one of which held the cheapest sheets she could find. Out also came work clothes, toiletries, hangers and a couple cheap dishes.
With a sigh she threw all the clothes and the sheets into her new plastic laundry basket to take downstairs to the little four machine washateria.
The next morning was the first day of actual work now that orientation was over. Hailey was set to following a senior therapist as they made rounds, throwing lab coats over business casual outfits before they started out. The time dragged on as Hailey was taken to each room and introduced to each 'resident'. Her trainer, a blond woman in her late forties, named Rachel, told her that she would only have three or four patients for the first few months as she went through a probation period, but it was important to learn everyone they cared for because most of them were long term residents.
"Oh, here's one of yours… Marrin." Hailey perked up, remembering Sam telling them about her before he left.
The therapist gave Hailey the girl's diagnosis before they entered the room. It went well, even though Marrin didn't say much. They continued on, the next patient they met that Hailey was to work with was an older man named Phil who was in a near catatonic state and neither seemed to know or care when they entered and when they left.
Hailey had been in a dozen and a half rooms and all the names were blurring together, but she hadn't seen the one patient she had been wanting to see.
"Oh," said Rachel, looking at her clipboard, "Here's your last one. Looks like you only get three for now, lucky you. His name is Jimmy Novak and he's a recent admission. Looks like the doctor did an initial assessment, but have no diagnosis as of yet."
The door opened and Hailey breathed a sigh of relief to see Castiel sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed in white. He didn't look too much worse for wear, but was flinching every so often.
"Hi, Jimmy." Rachel said loudly, "How are you today." There was no acknowledgement. "He's a mystery to us. We actually found him in the department, but no one knows how he got here. He had no ID or anything on him, but family finally called and claimed him. They stopped by once, brothers of his, but that was it."
"That's so sad." Hailey said distracted.
The rest of the introductions flew by and soon Rachel was telling her, "Well, it's time for lunch. Afterwards you can have sessions with your patients on your own if you're feeling up to it, I know this isn't your first rodeo. Meet me at my office in an hour and I'll show you to your own office, they should be finished moving the furniture in by then."
Hailey got lunch from the cafeteria and headed out to the courtyard to eat it, not ready to face the break room yet. It was a beautiful day with little fluffy clouds floating in the bright blue sky, sunlight drifting into the courtyard, birds chirping. It would have been the perfect picture if it wasn't for the demon sitting on a bench in the garden, marring it.
The witch plopped down next to the woman who was leaning back, soaking up the sun. It was the first time they'd seen each other all day.
"So.." The demon rolled the word slowly on her tongue, not opening her eyes, "You see him yet?"
Hailey nodded, popping open her container of chicken salad, "He'll be one of my patients."
The hellion groaned and cracked open an eye, "Luck you. I just got a glimpse of him through the door at breakfast, they don't bring him out for meals." She breathed heavily, "Good news is, I might be able to convince one of the other orderlies to switch with me."
The witch didn't say anything, just ate her food quietly. Halfway through Meg stood, "Break over. I'll meet you at home for a report."
After lunch, Rachel showed Hailey to her office. It was about as big as the 'study' in her apartment, "Now", the older therapist was saying "you can see your residents either in their rooms or in your office, whatever you find works best. For example, Marrin would probably benefit more getting out of her room, while Phil and Jimmy might be more comfortable in their own environment."
Hailey just nodded her agreement, "Thank you, Rachel. You've been so helpful."
"Well," the blonde smiled, "I want you and our residents to succeed. You're going to do great. You know where my office is if you need anything."
Hailey made her way to Marrin's room first and knocked on the door before opening, "Marrin, would you like to join me in my office?"
The red head gave her a sulky, "I guess." Before following Hailey down the hall, keeping her arms crossed the whole way.
Once they were in the tiny space and the door securely closed, the witch motioned for the young lady to have a sweet on the overstuffed sofa before perching on the edge of her desk. Marrin refused to make eye contact, choosing to look into a corner of the room instead.
Hailey was sorry for what this girl had been put through by her brother's spirit and that she's been made to believe she was crazy by all those around her.
"Marrin." The girl didn't respond, so she continued, "Marrin, I'm a friend of Sam Winchester."
That elicited a response as wide eyes shot up to eyes. Hailey smiled as gently as possible, "He told me what happened when he found out I was going to be working here."
"So you know? About my brother?" She asked, trepidatiously.
Hailey nodded, "Yes. I know that it was your brother's spirit that lit the fire and convinced you to hurt yourself"
Marrin's whole demeanor relaxed, "Does that mean I get to go home?"
"Eventually." The girl tensed again before Hailey explained, "What you went through was a big ordeal. I know you're mentally sound, but emotionally this must be hard on you. Besides" Hailey teased "if I gave you a clean bill of health on the first day, they might ask questions."
Hailey leaned over and put a hand on hers, "Give me some time, work with me, and I'll have you out of here in no time."
Marrin nodded, "Okay."
"Good! Now, I'm sure Sam never got around to explaining it, so let me tell you a few things about ghost…"
She visited Phil next, wanting to save Castiel for last so she could spend a longer amount of time with him. The older man just sat and stared out the window while Hailey tried to prompt him for about fifteen minutes. Making her leave, she told herself she would try again another day. Just because she was there for the angel, didn't mean she would neglect the other duties she was given.
Knocking on Castiel's door, Hailey opened it to find two orderlies sitting the man back down on his bed. They looked up as she entered the room and she shut the door behind her.
"Hi, I'm Hailey. I'm… Jimmy's new therapist." She said his name carefully.
A Hispanic man in his thirties replied, "Nice to meet you, I'm Jose."
"Tiff." The African American girl with natural hair tied in a scarf answered. She looked close to Hailey's own age of 27 with a burgeoning belly, heavy with child.
With a frown the witch asked, "What's going on?"
"We were taking him to the bathroom."
Jose shook his head, "He's been here three days and as far as we can tell he hasn't eaten or drank anything. He hasn't even been to the bathroom! We're starting to get worried."
"I'll try to see if I can get him to drink something while I'm with him, okay?"
They agreed and wished her luck before leaving.
Hailey sat on the floor in front of him, trying to get in the general direction of his gaze. She watched as he twitched every so often, he didn't move when she took his hands in hers.
They were warm and slightly calloused as she stroked them, "Castiel…" she began, trying to keep her voice soft and soothing, "I don't know if you remember meeting me. My name is Hailey. I'm a friend of Sam and Dean."
His eyes passed over her, not quite seeing. She continued, "I'm here to help you. I have no idea what is possibly going on in your head, but I know what you did for Sam. I just want you to know that you're not alone."
She sat on the floor, holding his hands and gently talking to him, until her legs started to tingle and go numb. Moving slowly, so not to startle him, she stood. Eying the tray of food left by one of the orderlies, Hailey took it and spooned a two bites worth of mashed potatoes and a couple sips worth of water into the toilet, flushing it down.
"Okay Cass, I'm going now, but I'll be back tomorrow." She left, taking the tray with her.
TIff was at the nurses station, working on some of her charting. She looked up at Hailey's approach. "Did he eat somethin'?"
The witch nodded, sliding the tray over, "Not much, but it was better than nothing."
The young woman smiled, "Girl, you are a lifesaver!"
Hailey just grinned and bowed her head, "Well, I aim to please."
Meg was sitting on the sofa when Hailey arrived home, kicking the door shut and tossing a purse on the kitchen counter before turning to bolt the door.
"How'd it go, pet?" Meg asked.
She hadn't been around the demon much, but was starting to pick up on the things she
say. Like how worried she was. Hailey sighed before making her way to plop down next to the she devil.
"Bad news is, he's locked up in his own head. I don't know how long it'll take to get through to him, or if we can even help him if we do."
Meg's voice was tight, "And the good news."
The witch smiled, mischievous "I think I got away to get him transferred to you."
It wasn't hard at all to make sure Meg was the one caring for Castiel after that. Hailey went to Rachel about her 'concerns' regarding his health. She shared how he hadn't been eating or drinking and emphasized that he must be getting dehydrated before suggesting that they should try different orderlies, because sometimes, for whatever reason, the residents would just 'click' with someone.
After her idea got approval, they tried a few different people, and when it was Meg's go, low and behold, she was just that person. Hailey had told her to make sure not all of the food disappear, just a little here and there, because no one went from eating nothing to eating everything, it was gradual.
After a week there was still no change. Meg was frustrated and Hailey tried to calm her down, explaining that recovery would probably start slow and take some time.
At a week and a half Marrin was discharged with a clean bill of health and one of Hailey's cards, just in case.
At the beginning of the second week, Hailey mentioned to Meg that she wanted to try something new.
On the second day of week two Hailey had Meg help her lead Castiel to her office, where she could guarantee that no one would disturb them. It was slow going as the angel ambled along between the witch and demon.
They sat him on the sofa chair in the tiny office, the demon left reluctantly afterwards, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do." She called behind her, trying to seem flippant and insincere, but Hailey knew her well enough to tell she was worried.
Cass sat in her chair, hands clasped and his posture immaculate, staring straight ahead with glazed eyes. Hailey scooted back on her desk a bit so she could sit, facing him. Gripping the desk, she tilted her head, pigtails sliding, as she studied him. He, or his host to be exact, was a good looking man, close to if not 6" tall. His dark hair was parted on one side and his lips were full and pink, framed by the dark stubble on his cheeks and jaws.
Definitely attractive, but that's not all she saw. Closing her eyes for a moment, and taking a deep breath to focus herself, Hailey opened them again to look upon what she could see of the creature that inhabited him. The colors were magnificent as they had been every time she had looked upon his essence, covering every possible color of the spectrum and a few that were not, that she felt more than saw as they shifted in and out of her vision, her human eyes not quite able to focus on them.
The light had previously expanded out on either side of him, almost featherlike shafts that extended out from somewhere her mind could not begin to imagine, latching onto the person, the host, to give it anchorage in this dimension. She couldn't focus on that point for long, it hurt too much, so she shifted her gaze. While these… wings of light had previously been extended, now they curled inward towards the host, like an animal in pain might huddle into itself.
Hailey saw deep etches of red gashed into the beautiful being, like wounds of fire burnt into it, and the pattern of this hellish red cracked and burned in the center, near his head. The witch focused on drawing her energy, her magic forth into her hands. It was an effort that took minutes but soon her third eye was able to see the soft tranquil blue glow emanating from her hands.
The was hesitant because healing energy was so theoretical, even now, to witches. She had to do something to help ease this celestial being's pain, so it was with tentative fingers that Hailey reached out to stroke the angel. The creature flinch at first, and so did the man, but Hailey kept it slow with soothing menstrations, using the barest tips of her fingers.
At first, there were no noticeable differences but as time passed, the creature seemed to relax ever so slightly and those impossibly bright blue eyes of the host closed into a serene expression, chin tilted softly up.
She kept it up for as long as she could, but soon the witch began to weaken and had to stop. Her hands shook as she lowered them, eye on the horrific red burns still etched into the creature. They looked no different, but he seemed slightly more at ease.
Those eyes opened and just for a moment they focused intensely on hers, scanning over her hazel eyes, dark pink full lips and natural blush before they glazed over and settled back into a land of sight without seeing.
Shaken and exhausted, Hailey slid from the desk to go around it and open one of the drawers. Pulling out a simple walkie talkie, she flipped it before depressing the bottom, "Masters. Come in Masters."
All the staff had walkies so they could contact one another without using the hospital's intercom system. It took a few seconds for her to respond, "Masters here."
"This is Winters, can you come to my office?"
"Oh my way, pet." Even over electronic equipment the demon managed to sound sarcastic and self suffering, especially when using that awful nickname she had given her.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, Hailey was surprised to learn that almost two hours had passed. She took another look at the angel in her office, he looked no different, just sitting there calmly looking into space.
When Meg arrived, they escorted him back to his room, sitting him in the chair by his bed. The demon crossed her arms, "Anything?"
Hailey sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, head pounding, "I don't know if it helped at all. I'll keep trying."
She kept the fact that he looked at her, actually
at her, for a moment to herself. At this point it could have been a fluke.
The orderly asked her, "What do I tell
when they call?"
"Don't tell them anything yet. Not until we know for sure."
The two gazed at the angel sitting with clasped hands in the firm, hospital issue, chair. It was a long moment before Meg noticed something.
"Hey, Kitty, he's not flinching anymore."
Hailey noticed with surprise that she was right. His flinching has stopped.
