Bobby heard the footsteps approaching before his front door even opened and quickly found himself rolling his eyes. Sam was an excellent hunter, there was no denying that, but by God did he have a habit of not paying attention to where his feet landed these days. A blame he placed firmly on a certain angel's shoulders. Apparently staring adoringly into a pair of blue eyes gave overly large limbs the chance to take on a life of their own.
Granted it was entertaining to watch at first, they were like two clueless baby ducks attempting to swim through sand. After a while though, you kind of just wanted to give them a gentle shove into the nearest pond.
Honestly, if he had not already suspected before, then Sam's vigilant watch over the angel crashed on his coach a week or so back may have got the cogs turning a little. The hair patting, the hand caressing, the insistence to help him shower… He had had to pinch himself a few times to make sure he hadn't walked in on some stepford wives show.
"It's not funny Sam, it's… sticky." He heard as the hinges creaked and a small breeze touched the back of his neck. He lifted his head, an amused smirk filling his old features. Sticky, didn't quite seem like it belonged in Castiel's vocabulary. Then again, in theory neither did Sam.
"It was your idea!" Sam replied and Bobby could just imagine the smile he would be wearing as he stared down at the angel, probably swinging their combined hands back and forth. He blinked, momentarily taken aback by his own assumption, then he shrugged, because yeah, that sounded about right.
"Yes, but I received no warning of the implications."
The hunter turned his head to the alcove as the voices got closer. A part of him now expecting to see hands snapping apart as they rounded the corner. What he didn't expect however, was the state of their appearance.
"What the hell happened to you?" He demanded as they came into view. If he had time to consider what he had just heard, he might not have been so surprised. But he didn't and there were leaves sticking out of their hair and dark wet patches covering various parts of their attire. It looked like they'd just taken a nosedive into the nearest swamp. Then thrashed around for good measure.
He cut all further thoughts off however as they turned to him and the redness of their lips caught his eye.
Maybe it was best he didn't know.
"Long story…" Sam shrugged. It was only at that point Cas seemed to notice their extra baggage and he reached up, pulling a twig from the tangles of Sam's hair. He tossed it to the side without a second thought as the hunter's cheeks took on an a slightly pinker shade.
Bobby looked away, pulling up another web page. Purposely choosing to not take note of how close they were standing to each other.
It was safe to say, if he suddenly found his house 'haunted' again over the next few days, he wouldn't be surprised in the slightest.
"Where's Dean?" Sam asked, breaking his eye contact with Cas. The angel took a small step back as he rolled his shoulders, looking marginally uncomfortable. A subtle, barely noticeable move of his hips followed and he quickly reached behind his trench coat, pulling a face.
The hunter decided to add that to the list of things he didn't want an explanation for. They'd probably given themselves worms.
"Don't worry I didn't try and shoot 'im. He's brooding. Through there." He replied, nodding his head towards the kitchen. Sam automatically turned to it as Castiel narrowed his eyes, peering suspiciously at the gun still lying on the table. If Bobby didn't know any better, he would have sworn he was searching for signs of it having been used.
"Dean, you alright?" Sam called out, turning away from them both. He had barely taken a few steps however, when Bobby cleared his throat.
"You might wanna read this first." He said, reaching for his glass as he twisted the laptop around. Sam paused, glancing back over his shoulder.
"Why? What is it?" He turned uncertainly when he got no reply, just in time to see Bobby shrug. The man leaned back in his chair as he raised the glass to his lips - If he wanted to know that, he would have to come and see it for himself. He hadn't spent all afternoon Deansitting just to spoon feed them information too.
For a moment, Sam looked torn, before he shook his head and headed back towards him. There was no way Bobby would make up Dean being there if he wasn't. He faltered mid stride however as he noticed Castiel pulling at the waistband of his jeans, his face bunching up in discomfort as he had to peel the material of off himself.
"Cas…"
The angel looked to him, picking up on some sort of warning in Sam's tone. Like he was anticipating him going a step further and removing his trousers completely. He uncurled his fingers with a great reluctance, his cheek muscles tightening in response as the material snapped back into place.
He frowned.
He had tried, but he couldn't put up with it a moment longer.
"I may need some other pants Sam, making out with you has made these ones very wet."
Bobby choked, almost inhaling his drink as the water took an unexpected detour to his lungs. Within seconds traces of the liquid dripped out of his nose and he coughed. His hand coming up to catch it. Suddenly extremely grateful that he hadn't gone for the whiskey bottle instead.
"Cas!" Sam hissed, mortified, his cheeks flushing red.
"I'm going to pretend I didn't just hear that."
Sam's eyes darted back towards him, his mouth gaping. "No. Uh, Oh God...It's- it's not what it sounds like."
Bobby raised his eyebrows.
"Boy, I think God is the last person you want to involve in this."
Perhaps it made him a terrible person, but he very much enjoyed the look that quickly passed over Sam's features. Hey if he had to suffer, then it was only fair the other in law was brought into the equation too.
"Christ no-Fuck." His cringed and Bobby had to press his lips together to stop himself from smirking.
Revenge was sweet.
He turned back to his computer as Sam desperately tried to backtrack, words flowing out faster than what his brain could process. It remained him very much of when the kid was seven and had taken an interest in history. It had been necessary to learn to tune him out at times then too.
He clicked on the new google alert, bringing up the next page and quickly scanned the article it provided. He glanced back to Sam when he was done, vaguely registering Cas having spoken. What ever he said, must have been worse than before because Sam's cheeks flushed an even deeper shade, if that was at all possible.
He thanked the heavens he'd managed to escape hearing it.
"That's not helping!" That comment was directed to the angel, who was by now stood leaning against a radiator, with folded arms and squinted eyes. He didn't look like he had clue what was going on. Sam turned his attention back to Bobby, shaking his head with a nervous laugh. "I-lost my balance." He explained, his head moving a little more vigorously. "We weren't..." He trailed of, lifting his hands and sort of doing a sideways clapping motion.
Bobby simply blinked, suddenly understanding exactly how Castiel must have been feeling.
And how exactly was he meant to interpret that?
He raised one of his eyebrows and just gave the man a 'look'.
Sam squeezed his eyes close, very aware of how this coming across. He dropped his shoulders and bowed his head in defeat.
"..Doing anything." He finished anyway.
Bobby couldn't keep the snort at bay, especially as Castiel opened his mouth as if to contradict the statement.
"Yeah, and I was born on mars with a trophy up my ass." Bobby replied, the eyebrow staying put.
Sam's visibly jolted.
"What?"
"Exactly. Now get over it and come read this. You pair of daft ducks."
The older hunter reached for the laptop again, gesturing to the webpage he had up. Ignoring the similar looks both the hunter and the angel gave him. If they didn't know, he couldn't be bothered to explain it to them.
Though he was glad they had at least found a puddle, maybe now he could get his sanity back.
As Sam took a few steps forward, placing his hands on the edge of the desk and leaning over, Castiel glanced towards the kitchen.
"I'll just… check on Dean." He had been far too quiet throughout all of this. Not even a scraping of a chair came from his direction. It made the angel slightly more nervous than he cared to admit. Stiffly, he pushed himself off of the one chance he had at drying his clothes and walked towards the alcove. Trying to figure out why he and Sam were apparently birds now.
He paused as he turned the corner, blinking at the sight that greeted him. "Why is he handcuffed to the refrigerator?"
Sam, having not even read past the headline, shot a look over his shoulder. His forehead creasing up. He opened his mouth to say something, but Bobby beat him to it.
"He tried to pull a fast one." The hunter replied nonchalantly, causing Sam's attention to dart back to him.
"You serious?" He asked, not quite believing it wasn't some sort of prearranged joke. When he received a nod, he straightened himself up and headed over to where Castiel was stood, his back still to them.
He peered around the corner and sure enough, sat on the floor, his arm handcuffed to the handle, was Dean. Looking completely and utterly done with the world.
"What?" Bobby shrugged as both the men turned to face him. "Told him not to run."
Sam didn't quite manage to fight off a laugh.
"Oh. Yeah. Sure. Its hilarious." Dean grumbled, rolling his eyes. "Where the hell have you been anyway? Do you know how long i've been stuck here for?" Castiel purposely avoided his attention landing anywhere near Dean's face as he turned back to look in his general direction. Not quite wanting to meet his eyes just yet. "Never mind the gawping Juliet, get the damn key."
Castiel spared a look to Sam, unsure which of them he was referring to. He watched as the hunter, still smiling, reached into his jacket pocket and fiddled with something inside. Dean nodded his head, pressing his lips together and Castiel could only presume it was meant to be some sort of signal to tell the younger Winchester to hurry the hell up.
Patience never had been his strong point.
He was about to ask Sam how he could possibly have a key to a pair of handcuffs he didn't know were being used, when he realised it was a phone he was retrieving instead.
"Don't you dare." Dean warned, apparently seeing something coming that the angel could not.
Sam crouched down in front of him, flipping the camera app open.
"Sorry, too good an opportunity." Lifting the phone, he turned it around and held his arm out as far as it would go. "Cas come here!" He grinned, indicating with his head to the spot beside him.
"I'm warning you..." Dean threatened, his expression darkening.
Castiel gave the hunter an odd look, before hesitantly taking a step forward and moving himself so he was in the same position as Sam, just on the other side of Dean.
"Smile."
Castiel raised his eyebrow, not completing the request as he glanced at the hunter as if he had just grown an extra head. He watched as his spare hand moved to point to his brother. If looks could kill he would have dropped dead on that very spot.
He heard a click, and then Sam was suddenly pulling an overly exaggerated face. He couldn't help the warm smile that grew on his own in response. There was just something about it that was captivating to him.
"One more?"
Not knowing what he was doing, Cas nodded and attempted to copy the expression Sam had worn. Curling his top lip up and bunching his nose. He felt all together too ridiculous, there were better things they could be doing. But at the same time, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. He was not used to seeing Sam being silly and he found he quite liked the way it made his heart feel like it was swelling up in his chest.
All too soon, Sam was on his feet again.
"You'll pay for that. The both of you." Dean warned, causing Castiel to frown. What had he done? He reached a hand out behind him as his balance wavered and awkwardly pushed himself back into a standing position too.
"How did this even happen?" Sam asked, sobering himself up completely as he folded his arms across his chest.
Dean puffed out a huff of air, his eyes flickering upwards. "Bobby's a ninja. With or without legs."
As if that explained anything.
"Watch it boy, or you'll you will find yourself having to use a plant pot as a toilet tonight." Bobby replied, wheeling into the room and stopping just shy of the table. Castiel simply blinked as his eyes scanned over each of them individually. There was some things he was pretty sure he would never come to understand. Their interactions were one of them.
"I'd take him seriously if I were you." Sam said, earning himself a serious glare.
"Bite me."
Castiel somehow doubted that was a literal request. Who would willingly invite anyone to do that to them?
"Would you two knock it off. " Bobby demanded, lifting the computer off his lap and holding it out to Sam. He didn't have to repeat his earlier request as Sam immediately reached for it and started scanning the article.
"What's happening?" Dean asked, directing the question to Bobby as Castiel walked to Sam's side and squinted at the screen.
Bobby didn't reply.
Possible terrorist attack in Wisconsin. The outskirts of town were hit by a terrifying explosion. Eight bodies have already been recovered from the site with severe burns to the eyes. Information on the substance released in the blast are as of yet unknown but people are warned to stay away from the infected area. All glass structures were shattered within a 5 mile radius. The sheriff is still unavailable for comment.
"Look at the time stamp… that's when you…" Sam trailed off, but he didn't need to complete the sentence for Cas to know what he was referring to. "What the hell are we missing here?"
Dean pulled a face, waving his free hand in the air. Almost as if it was a polite request, Sam reached over and handed the device down to him, his eyes staying firmly on the angel.
Castiel folded his arms, swallowing hard. Of course, how could he have been so stupid?
"Someone's taken a vessel." He replied carefully, almost certain that was the case. He flicked his eyes back over to meet Sam's as Dean's head shot up over the laptop screen.
"But why would heaven protest that?" Sam asked. From what he had experienced, the consent issue could not be bypassed and there had been no complaints for the way the angels had treated them so far. If torturing someone to change their will wasn't a problem, then what the hell was? It didn't make sense.
"Guys..."
Castiel shrugged, his lips drawing into a thin line. Without being able to listen to the celestial wavelengths, he was as clueless as any of them.
"It wouldn't. We need to investigate this." Quickly. He added mentally. There was something major going on and he did not like it. Not one bit. He could feel the back of his neck prickling as hair's there stood up on end. An instinct he didn't quite understand demanding he heed his body's warning.
Dean let out an exasperated sigh."Sam."
"Investigate what? They don't seem the type to leave witnesses." Bobby injected, not paying the older WInchester the slightest bit of attention.
Dean rolled his eyes. What did he need a siren? Was it really that hard for them to turn their attention to the man on the floor? Especially as he seemed to be the only one using his brain.
"HEY!" He shouted and three sets of eyes turned to face him almost in union. He turned the laptop around, pointing at the picture on the side of the screen. The one they had all clearly been overlooking. He swallowed, his eyes instantly going straight over to Sam's. Of all the people, he should have recognised it. He was the sentimentalist. "That's where we burnt Adam's body."
It was only because of how close Castiel was stood to Sam, did Dean catch the exact moment the colour drained from his face. He frowned, studying him carefully, an uneasy feeling rising in his gut. Life had long ago taught him not to believe in coincidences and if Castiel's reaction was anything to go by, he had a horrible feeling the end was near.
Sam must have followed his gaze, because he was soon turning his attention to the angel too.
"What does that mean?"
Castiel looked away, out of the small kitchen window, cursing. How? How had he not considered this a possibility before? The archangels had cut their own leashes, of course they would go that far.
"It means..." He paused, slowly turning back around to look Dean in the eye for the first time since he almost buried his head in the wall. He had expected to feel some form of guilt, but that was pushed aside as the worry convulsed through him instead. "The decision to become a vessel may have just been taken out of Dean's hands."
"Sam, this is not a good idea." Castiel spoke as he pulled at his shirt, lifting it over his head and dropping the material to the floor. He cast a glance to Sam before he turned and reached for the clothes Bobby had provided him with. He held the t-shirt in one hand, unable to keep the displeasure of his features. The older hunter had told him that these would be a 'better fit' than the Winchester's on him. He wasn't entirely sure what he meant by that, but they certainly didn't feel any better beneath his fingertips.
In fact they felt old and rough, like the fabric could fall apart at any moment. There was also an odd smell to them. Like they had been stored away somewhere damp and dark for years.
"It will be fine." Sam replied, and Castiel turned his attention back to him with a frown. He did not sound at all convinced by his own statement. Sam gave him a small smile, almost as if he knew that too. He looked away and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to remove the rest of the debris.
Castiel dropped his hand, the clean clothes quickly discarded as he took a few steps towards him.
"If I am wrong, if Michael has not already taken Adam as his vessel, then we will be walking right into a trap. Taking Dean to him ourselves." Sam turned back, unable to resist his eyes flashing down to his bare chest, even if it was just for a moment.
"You don't think I know that?" He asked, reaching for his duffle bag. Of course he knew the risk he was taking. But he also knew they couldn't live like this for the rest of their lives. Keeping Dean under lock and key, not being able to take their eyes off of him for even a second, it was no solution. That stress, that constant worry, it would send them to an early grave far before the archangels ever would. No. They needed this sorted. He needed his brother back.
Castiel frowned again and spared a glance towards the wall, where he knew the man in question was still sat on the other side.
"Then would it not be best for Dean to stay here?" He suggested, lowering his voice a fraction, just encase he could hear them through the thin plaster. He doubted he would appreciate the suggestion.
Sam shook his head, pulling out a brush and running it through the back of his hair. Wincing as he pulled at one spot in particular, trying to loosen the tangled strands. Most of the time his fingers did the trick but it just wasn't working now. "We need him, we can't do this without him."
Perhaps the more accurate statement would have been, he couldn't. Although he had a feeling that Castiel knew that one already.
"But if he-"
"He won't. Okay, he won't. I believe in him…." The angel's expression said it all and Sam rolled his eyes, his cheek twitching as he contemplated reaching for some scissors. "Don't. He won't let us down." And in all honestly, he believed that. He really did. Dean always came through in the end. Surely, after everything he owed him the chance to prove he would again?
Castiel stepped closer, shaking his head and moving to take the brush from Sam's hand. He motioned with his finger for Sam to turn around and when he did, reached up to run it through his hair himself.
"You don't know that for sure." He said, pressing on Sam's shoulder and guiding him down onto the couch's armrest so he could get a better look. He always seemed to forget the height difference until it really mattered. He took hold of the roots just above the knot, taking great care not pull on them as he ran the brush through.
The last thing he wanted was to hurt him.
Sam shook his head.
"Be still."
"Cas, you don't understand Dean like I do. No one does. And I know why you're worried. But honestly I wouldn't risk it if I thought for a moment he would say yes." He replied, but he stopped moving all the same.
"Maybe I know that too, but does that mean I have to like it?" He smiled as the ball of spikes came free. He ran his hand through Sam's hair where it had been a few times after, making sure there was nothing left. Nothing there that would cause him any further discomfort.
When he drew his hand away, Sam swiveled around to face him. It was funny, like this, they were almost at eye level. He was tempted to reach out, to tuck the pieces of Sam's hair that fell into his face, behind his ear. But he refrained. Now was not the time.
"Of course not." Sam replied, his eyes flickering up. "But I know my brother. I trust him."
"Then your a fool."
They both turned as Bobby came back into the room, his expression set. Castiel took a step back, automatically reaching for the T-shirt and making a move to actually put it on.
Sam shook his head again, his shoulders deflating slightly. "Not you too."
"I'm sorry Sam." Bobby shrugged.
He knew why he had to hold that hope, and he honestly couldn't blame him for it. But he couldn't sit back and let him make yet another mistake either, not when it would cost them all so dearly. He had heard the conversation and Dean's expression had said it all. He would say yes in a heartbeat. He wouldn't leave Adam to that fate if he could help it. Sam might have hoped that he could save them both, but he knew better and deep down, he was sure Sam did too. He just wasn't ready to face it.
"Look, when push comes to shove, he will make the right call." Sam insisted, looking between the two of them, as Castiel reached for the clean trousers next. He didn't say anything though. If that's what Sam had already decided, then there wasn't much he could do about it. He was far too stubborn to change his mind.
"I know you want to believe that, but come on Sam, you're damn well smarter than this." Bobby continued, reaching for a pair of socks and chucking them towards Cas, indicating with his head towards the bathroom. Castiel paused in his movements to remove his jeans, catching the bundle with ease as he followed the man's gaze.
It took him a moment to realise what it was he was wanting from him.
"Maybe. But he's still my big brother." Sam sighed, stepping to the side as Castiel rolled his eyes and headed with the lower half of his clothing out of the room. As the hunter glanced down at the thin material, he couldn't help but think they needed to take the angel clothes shopping for his own stuff some time soon. "And I'm not giving up on him. He's coming. Okay. He's coming."
Bobby just looked away. "Well on your head be it boy."
Stopping outside an abandoned warehouse, Dean parked the Impala just out of view. Frowning as he took in the scene around him. The place did not look guarded in the slightest. There didn't seem to be sigils keeping anyone out on the walls either. It just looked like a normal building set to be demolished some time soon. It was certainly did not look like it contained the beautiful room he remembered so well.
Yet Castiel insisted this was the place.
He shared a look with Sam, before they both in usion turned to the angel in the back seat. He wouldn't put it past him to lead them on a wild goose chase.
"Are you sure they're in there?" It just didn't feel right to him. Usually buildings, which contained any hint of supernatural activity, made him feel something. This was just, bland. Unexciting. Not even kids would want to break in there.
Then again, he supposed that could be the idea. The angels were hardly ones to want anyone sniffing around.
"No. But if there is one place on earth they would be, it's here." Castiel replied, his face as straight as ever. He'd been quiet on the journey, Dean could almost feel the eyes glaring into the back of his head the entire drive. He supposed he deserved it. Though he had given them both fair warning on what he would do if they brought him. If Cas really didn't want him here, then he should have fought Sam harder. Not giving in like the whipped little boyfriend his brother was turning him into.
"I still think we should have gone to Wisconsin." He argued, looking back to Sam. He'd been equally as quiet. It made the whole journey rather uncomfortable. Like a thick fog was surrounding each of them. He met his brother's eyes, but he was surprised to find nothing but certainty there. It was rather eerie, realising he believed Castiel for why they should be here, and that Dean would be coming back with them. He felt a pang of something in his chest. Whatever happened beyond those doors, one of them was going to be letting him down today.m He hoped with everything he had, that it would be him.
If he could just get to Michael, then Sam and Cas would be safe and this whole thing would be over.
He could deal with them hating him if it meant they walked out of that building alive.
"Well I don't." Castiel replied, his voice rough, the words almost being forced out. Sam's eyes traveled back to the angel as he mouthed something to him. Breathe perhaps? Castiel glanced away, but Dean didn't fail to notice the angel's shoulders sagging a little. The anger depleting. He raised his eyebrow, looking between them. What ever had happened on that little walk, had certainly had an impact. He had honestly thought the angel was going to attack him at one stage. Even as he continued to goad him and Bobby. He wasn't entirely convinced a part of him didn't want Cas to do it either. But there was no signs of that now, just some sort of silent understanding between two of the most important people in his life.
He wasn't sure how to feel about that.
"Look. I'll clear everyone out. You two look for Adam. Just be quick about it."
"Whoa, wait. If there are angels in there, then how are you gonna take them on?" One powerless dude against God only knows how many angels? It didn't take a math genius to work out how that one would end.
Castiel didn't reply, instead he pulled at his tie and it took Dean a moment to realise he was undoing it. He saw Sam frown as he pulled it off completely and placed it in his trench coat's pocket.
"Cas?" Sam questioned, his lips pressing together as finally, the worry started to creep onto his face. "What are you planning?"
The angel looked to him, his eyes guarded and Dean found his expression soon matching his brothers. That was never a good look and he wasn't about to leave Sam all on his own. He didn't want to know what path he would turn down if he lost Cas and him on the same day…
"Just trust me." He said softly, his hand reaching out and squeezing Sam's shoulder.
"Don't you dare break our promise!" Sam swallowed, trying to bury the bile that rose up his throat. Because he knew that look all too well, the one everyone wore when they were about to do something that could potentially get them killed. Not even a day had passed yet since they sat in the wasteland and swore they would try their hardest to be there at the end of all this. Jumping head first in front of a gun- or in this case angels- did not honor that.
Castiel smiled softly. A smile that wasn't meant for his rough features if you asked Dean.
"I won't." He sat forward, so he was closer to Sam, his face mere inches away as he looked directly into his eyes. "You have my word on that. I will return to you"
Dean had to resist the urge to gag, as he undid his seatbelt and exited the car. As obvious as they had been lately, he didn't need to see the floor show.
He was rather surprised when only moments later, the other doors opened.
"This is suicide." He said as Castiel took a step out of the shadows and towards the gate. He knew it, Sam knew it. So why were they pretending otherwise?
"Maybe it is. But then I won't have to watch you fail. I'm sorry, Dean. I don't have the same faith in you that Sam does."
Sam didn't hear that, and Dean found, despite everything he was grateful for small mercies.
Castiel reached back into his pocket as Sam walked around to join them. He pulled out a small retractable knife and pushed the blade out, a determined look crossing his features.
"What the hell are you gonna do with that?" Sam demanded, his eyes widening. Castiel didn't answer, just spared them one last look before walking forwards and forcing the gates open.
"Just be ready."
Dean held his hand up, pressing the back of it to Sam's chest as his brother took a step forward in protest. He shook his head.
"You heard him. Trust him." Though he too had a horrible feeling pooling in the pit of his stomach as he watched the angel disappear.
Sam sank back, worry and dread flashing across his features. Dean soon found himself fisting a handful of Sam's shirt, beating his hand against his chest in an attempt at reassurance.
Not fifteen minutes later, did blinding lights flash through the warehouse windows. Angel's departing in all sorts of directions. It only took them seconds to work out the reason why.
"CAS!" Sam shouted and Dean was running before the man even got a chance to start.
If they were about to find a body, then he would do everything in his power to prevent his little brother from seeing those burn out wings.
He opened his eyes slowly, his surroundings blurry and unfixed. He squeezed them close again for a moment, moving his head just a fraction to the side. It was bright and everything hurt. His head, his chest... his stomach felt like it had been sliced in two. He moved his arm, intending to cover his eyes, but flinched as something almost seemed to move inside of it.
He took a deep breathe, trying to settle the alarm bells. With great reluctance he forced his eyes to try again open. He curled his lip, shifting slightly as the white ceiling warped. He tried to concentrate, to get everything back into focus. When the room finally stilled, he glanced down. There seemed to be some sort of wire sticking out of his skin, a large clip stuck to the end of his finger. He moved his head to the the right, looking around, trying to determine where he was.
It was only at the moment he realised he was lying down, a thin sheet laying over his waist, a machine beeping by his head. Monitoring his heart rate. He let out a small groan.
What had happened?
How did he get here?
He remembered very little, just one very bright light. And pain. So much pain. Like there was something crawling around his body, trying to rip him apart at the seams. He was pretty sure it had succeeded, torn him in a way he could never recover from.
There were other noises, going on around him, outside the small room he had been placed in. Alone. That felt wrong. If he were truly in a hospital, then were there not supposed to be people with him? Willing him to wake? His family? HIs friends?
Was he found alone?
Did they know who he was?
He pushed down on his hands, trying to get himself into a sitting position. He almost let out a scream as his side came alive. Fire and pins all at once. He threw his head back, breathing in and out.
That had hurt, hurt more than it possibly should have.
Once again he found himself asking what had happened?
His mind could not provide an answer.
"You're awake." He glanced towards the voice, watching a nurse walk into the room.
He was, but he wasn't sure that was a good thing.
It left him in a circle of confusion.
Somehow he doubted this woman could help him either.
"How are you feeling James?" She asked.
He frowned. Was that his name? It didn't feel like it.
His eyes widened considerably when he realised he didn't know.
He could see the woman's mouth moving, but he couldn't hear the words, the world around him falling silent. Spinning. The monitor told him his heartbeat had picked up pace. He wasn't surprised. How could it not when he had no idea … about anything.
Who was he?
Who was he?
"We found your wallet." She reached into a draw by his side. He didn't even remember seeing her move from the bottom of his bed. His attention snapped to her, the panic evident. "Do you remember what happened?" She asked as she digged inside.
Fire and pain and a light so bright.
He shook his head.
At least he still knew how to do that.
"You were unconscious when you were brought in, you had taken quite a knock, but don't worry I'm sure it will come back to you. Here." She handed a black leather pouch to him, the wallet he soon realised.
He opened it up tentatively, looking inside.
He hit his head? He definitely did not remember a fall.
Just the light and screams and curses and things wanting him to explode into pieces of matter.
He looked at the picture on the first card he could see. A driving licence.
Was that him?
Was that what he looked like?
He supposed it must be. It didn't feel right though.
"So can I call you James? Or would you prefer Mr Novak?" She asked, and he glanced back to her, his forehead creasing. He shook his head. There was another name on his tongue.
He swallowed, his eyes moving about as he mulled that over.
"No." He said finally. Placing the card back where it came from. "It's Jimmy."
(a/n) *hands out a plate of cookies*