A/N: A huge thanks to all those who reviewed. I skipped Scarecrow and I hope everyone's okay with it. I wrote Faith instead, a chapter we all were waiting for. Hope you enjoy.
Lyra had her iPod plugged in and she was nodding her head with the beat. Music was one thing which could calm her nerves. And she needed it right now because they were going to hunt down another monster. It had been over two weeks since she accepted her feelings towards Dean but was too shy to confess them. But she also didn't know what he thought about her. If she had told him how she felt and he wasn't yet ready to face his own growing ones, then it would have ruined things as they were. She was content with his pace and how things between them were progressing. She had no reason to rush it up as they had a long time ahead of them.
The Impala jerked to a halt and the brothers got out, going straight to the trunk. That was her cue to cut off her favorite song and get out. She joined them at the rear of the car and saw Dean handing out a taser to Sam.
"What do you got these amped up to?" Sam asked.
"A hundred thousand volts," Dean answered, holding out another for Lyra to take.
"Damn." "Whoa." Sam and Lyra said at the same time, checking out their own guns.
"Yeah, I want this raw-head extra freaking crispy," Dean explained. "And remember, you only get one shot with these things. So make it count."
"Jeez, talk about easy," Lyra muttered.
"You won't be using it. It's just for safety for you." Dean smirked at her, turning to go inside.
"Yeah, because of my sucky aim, I won't try my luck." Lyra laughed at herself.
"No. It's because you won't be anywhere near that bastard," Dean replied, glancing back at her.
"Sure, you never let me in line of danger, lion," she huffed. "You overprotect me, you know that?"
"My job description, remember?" he said, winking at her.
Sam smiled at their usual banter and headed inside. But a part of him was hurting. Somewhere inside him, he knew he could have been the one bantering with his brother. Now, most of the time it was just Lyra and Dean; teasing and taunting each other. Sam felt left out. But he wouldn't hold it against her. Dean deserved to be happy and she was the one who defined his happiness. So Sam stopped the jealous thoughts right on their destructive path and tried to feel happy for them. After all, didn't he always complain about being babied? Now that Dean had granted him his wish, there was no need to sulk about lack of attention.
Inside the house, the trio silently descended the stairs to the basement, flashlight in hand, gun at the ready. They heard some noise from a cupboard nearby and with a nod of confirmation from all, they moved towards it.
"On count of three," Dean whispered to the others. "One, two, three." He opened the door to find a boy and a girl inside, cowering in fear.
"Is it still here?" Sam asked the children, keeping his voice low, receiving nods in reply.
"Ok, grab your sister's hand. Come on, we gotta get you out of here," Dean ordered urgently. They started towards the stairs. "Let's go. Go!"
Sam was leading the frightened kids up the stairs when a rough hand grabbed his leg, taking him down. Dean and Lyra watched in horror while the kids took off with a scream. Dean shot his taser but missed by an inch.
"Sam, get them out of here," he shouted, then turned his gaze on Lyra. "Lyra, go!"
Sam tossed his own gun at him. "Here take this!" He didn't wait for Lyra to follow and climbed up to take the children outside.
"I'm not going anywhere," she said seriously, her tone leaving no room for arguments. Dean met her eyes and sure, he could see the determination there.
Without another word, they started searching for the raw-head. But they didn't have to look for long as the raw head jumped on Dean, shoving him into Lyra, who staggered backwards and braced herself against a wall. She watched as Dean quickly moved to pick up his gun from the floor, where it must have been tossed aside when the creature had tackled them. But to her horror, she noticed that Dean was standing in a puddle of water, which meant that if he electrocuted the raw-head, he'd get fried too. Without thinking twice, she dashed towards him. And it was one of those moments when even though it happens within a matter of seconds, it feels like slow motion.
She crashed into him just when he was aiming for the creature's ugly face. He lost his balance due to the sudden impact and stumbled out of the puddle of dirty water. But the trigger had been pulled. And somehow, it didn't miss its intended target. Dean looked up from his position on the floor and saw the raw-head twitching and falling to the ground but then his eyes found Lyra. And for a second, it seemed that their eyes met and she smiled in relief, before collapsing to the floor herself. He stared at her body lying in the puddle, seeming lifeless. For a minute he couldn't comprehend what had happened; all he could see was her pale body. Then as a crushing wave of tsunami, it hit him – she had been electrocuted.
He scrambled over to her side, cold sweat drenching his clothes. With a trembling hand, he brushed a few strands of her hair out of her face. Her face was ashen white, as if all blood had left her system. The usually invisible circles under her eyes had darkened twenty shades. Just the sight of her threw Dean on the verge of tears. He placed her head in his lap, all the while frantically calling her name.
"Please kitten. Wake up!" He tried shaking her but even he knew it was of no avail. He checked her pulse and when he stilled his trembling hands, he could feel the feeble beat of her heart.
"Dean!" Sam's voice filtered in his brain through his hazy senses and he glanced up to see his brother standing in the doorway.
"Sammy!" he cried, panic making his voice rise in pitch.
With a gasp of shock, Sam saw the reason of Dean's terror-stricken expression. "Oh God!" He strode forward and crouched beside them.
"Sammy," Dean whimpered again. And one look at his face told Sam that he wasn't in a position to think rationally. So Sam quickly took matters in his own hands and got up to call an ambulance.
"The paramedics will be here in no time," Sam told him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We need to get her out of here."
Dean nodded silently and scrambled up to gather her in his arms. He carried her out of the unfortunate place and laid her down on the backseat to wait for the ambulance.
"Dean, you need to keep it together man," Sam said, looking at him worriedly. Dean lifted his eyes from Lyra's still figure and gazed up at him. "She needs you."
Dean turned his eyes back to her and for a second, Sam thought his words fell on deaf ears but then Dean straightened up. His jaw set in determination and Sam could see a new emotion in his eyes; protectiveness. He wasn't going to let her die. Not now. Not ever.
"I'll drive the Impala to the hospital," Sam said as he saw the ambulance pulling up in front of them.
"Yeah, alright," Dean replied as he lifted Lyra from the backseat.
Dean rode in the ambulance beside her, clutching her hand in his. He wanted to feel that she was still there; that he still had hope of saving her. Within minutes they were at the hospital. The nurses rushed Lyra in, towards the ER. Somewhere along the way, from the entrance to the door to the ER, a doctor had joined them. When Dean didn't stop at the door to the ER, the doctor blocked his way.
"You can't go in," he said urgently.
"The hell I'm not," Dean roared, pushing past the doctor to go in.
"Please Sir, you can't come in," he stopped him once again. "There are rules."
"Screw the rules," Dean replied irritatingly. "I'm going in. Period."
"Don't make me call the guards," the doctor threatened.
Dean took a deep breath. There was no point in arguing here and delay her treatment. But he also couldn't leave her to die inside. "Listen doc. You do your work while I do mine. We both want her to survive. And believe me; she won't make it if I'm not there. So, please."
"But-" the doctor started to argue.
"I won't be in your way, I swear," Dean interrupted him. "But you gotta understand; life or death here."
The doctor scowled at him for a moment, trying to make his decision. It was certainly against the rules to let somebody in while treating a patient but Dean's desperate look made him reconsider. He could see that Dean was telling the truth, and that meant it really was necessary to let him come in.
"Alright," the doctor conceded. "But one wrong move and you're out."
"Dean!" Sam called from a few feet away.
Dean turned to look at him, "You handle here, Sam." With that, he hurried inside the ER, faintly hearing his brother's call of 'alright' after him.
Inside the ER room, there was an air of urgency. In the short time Dean was arguing with the doctor, the nurses had changed Lyra into a hospital gown. Dean stood in a corner, watching the people clad in white, doing whatever they could to save his wife. She was hooked to machines, IV needles penetrating her veins. Dean could hear the beeping sound of her heart-rate monitor, sticking out among the quiet murmurs of the nurses and doctor. It was a relief as well as a pain for him to hear it. That beeping sound meant she was alive but it also meant she was there, in a hospital; because of him.
Dean didn't know what to think or how to feel. Should he feel guilty as she pushed him out of harm's way and ended up in his place? Or should he succumb to the despair he was feeling at the prospect of losing her? His mind turned blank. No thoughts, no feelings. But it was the calm before the storm; as a few moments later, it was like the floodgates of his memories had been opened. It is said that your life flashes before eyes when you're about to die; and Dean experienced the same thing. Only he wasn't dying; she was. Every single moment he had spent with her was playing in his mind, with a spotlight on it. If the circumstances were any different, he would have smiled at the sweet memories, but right now, it was torture for him. A bitter reminder of what he would lose if she died.
He slid down to the floor, head in hands, willing his eyes to stop tearing up. He refused to cry; not because there were people to witness his, what they called, moment of weakness, but because shedding tears would mean there was no hope left. And Dean wasn't going to give up. He would go against all odds to save her, the girl he had come to love. There was no denying the fact that he was in love with her. How could he not love the only blessing he had got in a world full of curses? He had realized his feelings for her when she had held him while he cried, but he didn't have the courage to express them. And now, he wished he had acted upon them then and there. That way, at least now she could have had one more incentive to pull through, knowing someone who loved her was waiting for her to wake up.
A hand on his shoulder startled Dean. He looked up to see the doctor looming over him with a grim expression on his face. The doctor beckoned him to follow him out and so Dean quickly stood up. He stole one glance at Lyra to find her eyes closed, and then he was out. Sam joined his side, throwing a questioning look at him but he just shrugged wearily.
"About her," the doctor started.
"What about her?" Dean cut him off. "She's going to be fine, right?" Sam's face softened at his brother's desperate pleas and he squeezed his shoulder to show his support.
The doctor's face turned even more sorrowful at Dean's question. "The electrocution triggered a heart attack. Pretty massive, I'm afraid. Her heart...it's damaged."
"How damaged?" Dean asked in a tense tone.
"We've done all we can. We can try and keep her comfortable at this point. But, I'd give her a couple weeks at most, maybe a month."
"No," Dean cried. "There has to be way! Do something!"
"We can't work miracles. I'm really sorry," the doctor replied, turning to go.
Dean stopped him, grabbing his collar. "What do you mean I'm sorry? That's my wife in there! You have to save her!" His voice was a mixture of desperation, anger, and worry.
"Dean," Sam said, prying away his hands from the doctor's coat. "Relax, just calm down."
Dean turned on his brother, "How can you ask me that, Sam? He said she's going to die. In a month! And you want me to calm down?"
"Dean, we'll find a way," Sam reasoned. "But for now, you need to relax. I promise we'll save her. Nothing will happen to her."
Dean stared in his eyes for a long moment, trying to see the hope which was diminishing within him. When he found what he was searching for, he turned away with a sigh. He ran a hand across his face, taking deep breaths to quell his anxiety. Sam was right; he needed to keep his emotions in check if he wanted to help Lyra.
A nurse walked out of Lyra's room and Sam stopped her. "Can we see her?"
Dean rolled his eyes at Sam's stupid question and headed inside. Even if she said no, he had to be there with her. He quietly walked over to her bed, trying his best to not disturb her. He drew back the bedside stool to sit, making a loud scraping sound. Lyra's eyes slowly opened, but the shine he was so used to seeing in their emerald color was missing. He sat down beside her, taking in her weary state.
"Hey," she said in an exhausted voice. "I was wondering where you were." She tried to smile but it got twisted into a grimace.
"Why?" he asked, holding her gaze with a tearful one of his own.
A sigh escaped her lips. She knew exactly what he was asking about. Why had she thrown herself in danger to save him? She took a deep breath to prepare for her answer. "Just imagine what would have happened if I hadn't pushed you out of the way. Imagine the worst condition. You could've died on the spot and then what? I would have followed suit half an hour later. End result? Two lives lost. But now, only one life is in danger. That too not lost." She paused to take another deep breath and then her voice softened. "Don't lose hope already. There's always a way." She placed her paler than usual hand on top of his and squeezed lightly. Though she didn't hesitate to rekindle his hopes, she couldn't bring herself to believe her words. There was no point in feeding herself false hope but then why was she doing that with Dean? Because she couldn't see his agonized face; devoid of any positive emotion.
Dean tried to give a smile back but didn't succeed much. How could he even pretend to be happy when it had been confirmed that he was the reason of her impending doom? He knew she was right in her place but he just couldn't stop his guilt from growing. She had saved him, at the risk of her own life. But then again, he died or not, her fate had been set. There was no way out for her. If only he could have paid more attention to where he stood, she wouldn't have been compelled to take such drastic step. If only he could have been a little more careful.
"Now I know what you're thinking," Lyra said. "And let me get this very clear that none of this is your fault. It was my decision to jump in and so I'm living the result. If you continue to blame yourself, I swear I'll haunt you for the rest of your life."
"You'll need to die to haunt me. And I'm not going to let that happen," Dean replied with a small smile, taking her fragile hand in his. There eyes locked and Dean almost made his mind about confessing, but then the door opened and Sam walked in. He had waited this long to give them some time alone, how much more could you ask of him?
"How are you feeling?" Sam asked Lyra, a somber expression on his face.
"Like someone sucked the life out of me?" she answered but her tone converted it into a question. And Dean's face contorted in pain. She didn't deserve it. She didn't deserve any of it. It was practically his fault that she was in this dangerous life. Why did he have to engage her in a conversation at the bar when they first met? If the stupid ghost couple wouldn't have seen them together, they wouldn't have thought of pairing her with him. And she wouldn't be here, looking like a withering flower.
"You'll live," Sam assured her. "You have to live." He nodded to make himself as well as her to believe that his words were going to come true. Sure, he might have been jealous of her at a few occasions, but it was nothing compared to the bond he had forged with her. He had grown to love her like the sister he never had. It was impossible for him to think about a life where she won't be present with them.
Lyra smiled at the brothers' reluctant to let her go and sighed in contentment. Her eyes drooped shut heavily and Dean didn't need another sign to let her rest. "You need your rest. I'll be here when you wake up," he said and drew the covers to her chin, pecking her on the forehead.
"What now?" Sam asked as soon as she was in a deep slumber.
Dean fixed his gaze at him, his face looking far older than he actually was. "We find a way to save her, somehow. Anyhow."
"I guess then I'll head back to the motel and start searching," Sam replied. "While you just… stay here and watch over her."
"I'll try to reach Dad's contacts and see if they can help." Dean wanted to do something. He couldn't just sit and watch her struggle for every breath, letting his brother do all the work. He should help in some way, after all she saved him, and he should repay the favor. But something in him told that it wasn't just a favor. And he loved to think that, that was the case here.
It had been three days since Lyra was admitted into the hospital, most of which she had spent sleeping. Dean was always there with her, though the hospital administration tried to coax him out when the visiting hours ended, but he didn't budge an inch. After a while of arguing and threatening, they'd left him to sleep in her room on the painful couch. It was another matter that he hadn't slept a wink during the whole three nights. He was afraid that if he closed his eyes, she will be gone, leaving him brokenhearted.
"Oh good, you're up," Dean said as he walked into the room, a cup of coffee in his hands.
Lyra smiled as he reached her, taking in the sudden glimmer of hope in his eyes. "What do you need me awake?"
"'Cause we're going," he replied, helping her sit up.
"Where?"
"Nebraska," he answered. "I think we've got a way."
"How so?" she questioned again, looking at him quizzically.
"You'll find out soon. A nurse is coming to get to you changed," he told her. "Meanwhile I'll get your discharge papers. I'll be back in no time."
And just like he promised, Dean returned when the nurse was finished dressing her up. He offered a hand to her and she gladly accepted, needing support to walk. They made their way out slowly, reaching the Impala to find Sam leaning against the hood.
"Tell me again, why do we need to take her there?" Dean asked him, silent anger lacing his voice. "Why can't she be fixed here?"
"Dean," Sam sighed. "We've talked about this. The world doesn't work our way; we gotta work according to it."
"She can barely walk," Dean pointed out, motioning to a very breathless Lyra. "How is she gonna survive the trip?"
"I'll be alright," she said between gasps of breaths.
"Yeah sure." Dean gave out a sarcastic chuckle, which reverberated in her entire frame as he was holding her up by the waist. "You're driving." He chucked the car keys at Sam, who caught it effortlessly. He then proceeded to settle her in the backseat, slipping in beside her. She leaned against him, placing her head on his shoulder, and closed her eyes, exhausted by the long walk out.
They drove in silence, with Dean shooting glares at Sam whenever a bump on the road would jerk Lyra. Sam would then roll his eyes and lower the speed to give her a comfortable ride. They reached a place with a big white tent at the centre of it. A sign declared it to be the 'church of Roy LaGrange, faith healer'.
Lyra raised an eyebrow at Dean who was helping her out of the car. "Since when did you start believing Dean?"
"Since when I needed to," he replied cryptically.
"I don't think it'll help me," Lyra said, looking at the people around them. "I have no faith." She locked eyes with him and for the first time, Dean didn't need an explanation. He knew exactly why she had lost faith in God, her parents' death.
"But I'll make it work," he stated determinately. "By believing enough for you too."
"You sure your faith would be enough?" she asked, turning in his hold to look him in the eyes more easily.
"Love holds enough power to conquer even death," a voice interjected. The couple turned to see a young blond woman smiling at them.
"I'm sure it does," Lyra said to her. "That's why I believe in it, rather than God." She looked at Dean to find him staring at her already, but she didn't look away.
The woman cleared her throat lightly and extended her hand, "Layla."
Lyra shook her hand with a smile, "Lyra and Dean."
An old woman approached them, "Come on, Layla. It's about to start." She put an arm around her and took her away.
"Well, let's go too," Dean said and started leading Lyra into the tent, with Sam following behind. The tent was full of people inside with a small stage at the far end.
"Where do we sit?" Lyra asked, frowning at the already filled chairs.
"Up front," Sam answered, taking advantage of his height to see far. "There are seats available." He led them to a row behind the one where Layla and her mother were sitting. They took the seats, just when a blind man started speaking on the stage.
"Each morning, my wife, Sue Ann, reads me the news. Never seems good, does it?" the man said, eliciting a noise of agreement from the gathered mass. "Seems like there's always someone committing some immoral, unspeakable act. But, I say to you, God is watching."
"And doing nothing," Lyra muttered to herself.
"Why do you say so young lady?" the blind man asked, making the crowd fall silent.
"I'm sorry, please carry on," she replied sheepishly.
"No, no. Don't be. Just watch what you say around a blind man, we've got real sharp ears." He paused for a second then asked, "What's your name my child?"
"Lyra."
He thought for a moment, "Lyra. I want you to come up here with me."
"I think there are more deserving people than me here," Lyra said in a small voice.
"The hell, Lyra," Dean hissed beside her.
"You've come here to be healed, haven't you?" Roy questioned.
"Yes, but…" Lyra stopped abruptly, noticing the glares the brothers' were throwing her way.
"The Lord has given you a chance," Roy told her encouragingly.
"Just go! Go!" Dean ushered her forward and she slowly made her way to the stage.
"You ready?" Roy asked her as his wife, Sue Ann, helped her near the lectern where he was standing.
"Yeah, I guess," she replied with a shrug.
"Pray with me friends," Roy said to the crowd and turned to face her. He placed his one hand on her shoulder and the other on the side of her head. A second later, Lyra's eyes glazed over and she sunk to her knees, as they gave in beneath her. Roy's hand was steady on her head, but then she swayed and fell to the floor, eyes rolled back in their sockets.
"Lyra!" Dean shot up from his seat, leaping up onto the stage. "What the hell did you do to her?" he shouted at the blind man. "Hey, kitten!"
Lyra's eyes opened suddenly and she looked up dazedly, focusing beyond Dean's worried face. She saw a tall man in a black suit with white hair and wrinkled skin, standing behind Roy. He stared at her but then turned away and vanished into thin air.
"Hey, you alright?" Dean asked her frantically.
"Yeah, I'm… fine," she said uncertainly, trying to recover from the shock of seeing a man vanish in front of her eyes.
"Oh, thank God." Dean engulfed her in a tight hug, fighting off tears. He was a bit skeptical of this faith healing thing himself but he was ready to try anything for her. All that mattered now was that, she was going to live and he still had a chance to say what he couldn't before. That he loved her with his mind, body, heart, and soul.
A/N: So, fellas? I changed a huge detail of this episode but I hope you liked it. Please take a moment to leave a review and tell me your opinion. See you soon with another update!