Coma
Chapter Eighteen
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Supernatural, and I'm not making any money from this fic. Any character you don't recognise from the show, I probably own. Anything you recognise from another fandom, I don't own
Warning(s): Some violence; mild swearing; spoilers up to and including episode ten
Author's Note: Once again, thank you to all of those who have taken the time to read this fic and to let me know what they think – it's always nice to get feedback. Don't be afraid to give constructive criticism, either. If I don't know that something doesn't work, I'm not going to be able to change it .
And in regards to the comment about the fic being confusing – well, hopefully it'll make sense the further on you read
John stood next to Dean's bed, looking down at his oldest son and wishing that he knew what to do to wake him up. He'd tried everything that he could think of, medicinal as well as supernatural. Not one thing had worked.
John had the intense desire to go and punch something – preferably a brick wall – until his knuckles bled, and the pain and despair were numbed. The only thing that kept him from doing so was the thought that Dean needed his father to be strong – not lose him to his own anger and grief.
Damn it… He shook his head from side to side, trying with everything he had not to lose hope. But it was so difficult… Not even pumping Dean's stomach to get rid of the sleeping pills and alcohol had worked. Dean was stuck in a coma, and John had no idea of how to wake him up.
Yet again, John was hit with the desire to go to his youngest son and do what he could to help Sammy. The only things that stopped him from doing so were the words he had spoken to Missouri.
He couldn't see his boys – not yet, at least. Couldn't talk to them. All he could do was leave them trails, co-ordinates.
And, even though it killed him to be apart from them, he knew that was the way it had to be.
John sat on the chair next to Dean's bed, and took his son's cold, pale hand. "What's happening to you, Dean? Is this life so horrible that you'd rather stay in a dream world than wake up and carry on? Sam needs you, you know." He leaned over to gently touch his lips to Dean's forehead, something that he definitely wouldn't have got away with if Dean were conscious.
Not very professional behaviour for someone supposed to be a doctor… But I don't care.
John leaned back slightly, watching Dean's pale face for any signs of life. "What are you dreaming about, champ? Knowing you, it probably has a load of beautiful girls in it." Even despite the situation, he was revelling in the close proximity to his son – so close that he was able to reach out and touch Dean.
I would like to have more moments like this – with both of my sons. Maybe some day – when the demon is finally destroyed – we will be able to work at being a family again.
Of course, just because he wasn't going to reveal himself to his sons, it didn't mean that John Winchester didn't know what was going on with them. Even if he didn't return their calls, that didn't mean he never listened to them. That he wouldn't come running the moment he felt that one or both of them were in danger.
If only he could let them know how much he cared, how much he wished that he could be with them…
John was startled out of his reverie by the door being quietly opened. He let go of Dean's hand and was on his feet even before it registered that he didn't have any kind of weapon on him.
It didn't matter anyway. The person who was coming into the room was the volunteer he had met when first coming into the hospital – Jody. She paused as she spotted him, and slipped whatever she'd been holding in her hands behind her back. "Oh… I'm sorry. I didn't realise anyone was here."
It took a moment or two for John to regain his composure and be able to talk without worrying about his voice trembling. "It's all right," he said, attempting a smile. "I just came in to check on Dean."
Jody nodded. "How is he?" she asked.
"Not much better," John admitted. "He had his stomach pumped, but – as you can see – he's still not woken up. Where's his brother? I haven't seen him around."
Jody blinked, looking a bit taken aback by the question. "Um… He's, er… Trying to find a way of getting Dean awake, I guess…"
John nodded, wanting to ask Jody if Sam had any idea what might have caused the coma. However, it was possible that the question might make her suspicious. If she had any idea of the existence of the supernatural, she was hardly likely to tell him. And, if she didn't, she might freak out if he mentioned something about it.
"What brings you here today?" he asked, trying to make things a bit less awkward. "Do you have a shift?"
"Huh?" Jody shook her head. "No… I just wanted to get something tested by one of the people working here. I figured that I might as well come in and see how Dean was doing while I was here."
"Would that happen to have anything to do with what you're hiding behind your back?"
Before Jody could make any kind of response, the door opened behind her. John watched with mild interest as she jerked, and then quickly spun round, holding the item – which he could now see was a milk bottle – behind her back. To his eyes, she looked like she was ready to go to any lengths in order to protect the bottle.
Jody seemed to relax slightly, though, as Doctor Nelson came through the door. He paused as he saw his niece. "Jody, what are you doing here? It's not your shift, and…" He hesitated, as if uncertain whether or not to continue.
"Um…" Jody seemed a little lost for words, and the very fact that she was holding the bottle of milk behind her back made it quite clear that she didn't want to tell her uncle the real reason for her being at the hospital.
Let's hope I don't regret this… John moved up beside Jody. "I gave her a call and asked her to come down," he said smoothly. "There are a few things I need to clear up with her."
"I see." Doctor Nelson glanced at John for a moment, and then turned his attention back to Jody. "I tried giving you a call, but you weren't in – Dean's brother answered the phone." He paused, then continued, "I'm afraid that there isn't an easy way of telling you this, but… Your friend – Min-Li – is dead."
Jody's reaction was barely perceptible. If John had been any less observant, he wouldn't have noticed the way she tensed up at Doctor Nelson's words. Certainly, the doctor didn't seem to have noticed.
"I… know…" Jody's voice sounded almost strangled, and she was clenching her hands a little on the milk bottle.
Feeling concerned about Jody possibly dropping the bottle or something, John stood by, ready to catch it if need be. It seemed to be important, in some way. Perhaps it has something in it that's not milk?
Jody took a deep breath, and made an obvious attempt to calm down. "I mean, someone let me know. Have her family been told? How did she die?"
"The autopsy was inconclusive," Doctor Nelson answered. "And, yes, her family has been notified. I thought that you might need a couple of days off work."
"It won't take long," John said, before Jody could make any kind of response. "I'm finished with my tests, anyway. I haven't found anything." He nodded to Jody. "Lead the way, please." I'm interested in knowing what she might have found.
Sam opened his eyes, and glanced around in slight confusion for a moment. It took him a little while to realise that the two women leaning over him were Missouri – who looked rather worried – and Amber, who looked pretty calm.
Sam blinked a few times, and then frowned a little. "Huh… That's weird." Much as he tried to remember what had happened while he'd been asleep, only one thing stuck in his mind.
Somnus-Nex demon…
"Are you all right?" Missouri asked, her eyes showing clear concern. "What happened?"
"I'm ok. I think…" Sam struggled into a sitting position, and immediately wished that he hadn't. A wave of nausea went through him, and it took everything he had not to throw up. "I don't really remember what happened…"
"Why not?" Missouri watched him closely. "Do you mean that you didn't find anything out?" As she spoke, she moved forward, and placed a hand against Sam's forehead, as if checking for a temperature.
"I'm fine…" Sam moved his head back slightly. "As for what happened? I'm not exactly sure… All I remember is a demon – Somnus-Nex."
"Sleep-Death?" Missouri frowned. "Have you heard of that kind of demon before?"
Sam shook his head. "I don't believe so… Then again, I think there are a lot of demons I've not heard of before. I'll have to do plenty of research before I can try to exorcise it." What else is there? Something important… But I can't remember.
"Demons?" Amber looked between Sam and Missouri, her face rather pale. "What do you mean, demons? I didn't know they existed!"
Sam blinked, and narrowed his eyes slightly at Amber. She sounds scared, which I probably shouldn't find good. But… it is. She's giving a reaction to what's going on. Which reminded him that there was a promise he'd made to Melissa… Or, rather, a request that she'd made of him.
"Did you find anything else out?" Missouri asked, still looking worried.
Sam shook his head, and put a hand to his forehead. "I don't think so…" That didn't sound right, though.
"Well, you should just sit there for a few moments and rest," Missouri said in a decisive tone. "I'll go and see what I can find out for you." With that, she simply left the room.
Sam blinked, watching the woman leave as his tired mind tried to wrap itself around what had just happened. I'm sure I shouldn't be feeling this worn out… I don't remember doing anything really complicated. Oh, well – he was on his own with Amber – well, unless Melissa was nearby. In any case, he should probably talk to the woman about letting her sister move on once all of this was over.
Sam sat up, and patted the seat next to him. "Come sit down." When Amber did, he thought for a moment, and then asked, "When did you first start keeping your sister's spirit around?" It may not be the right choice of words, but I have to start this conversation in some way.
Amber frowned slightly, and bit her lip. "What do you mean? I'm not keeping her anywhere. She wants to stay with me."
Sam could see the slight look of panic in Amber's eyes, though. She probably doesn't want to hear this… Sam gave a slight sigh. "Look… I get that you miss your sister. But this? It's not healthy. She needs to be able to move on, and you have to let her go."
Amber shook her head frantically. "I can't!"
"Sure you can," Sam replied, smiling reassuringly. "I know it's not easy – but it's very important that you do." He looked into Amber's eyes. "Please. You have to know that all you're doing is hurting your sister by not allowing her to move on." But if I had the chance to hold Jessica, to keep her with me… I can't honestly say what I would do. And that thought almost scared him…
Amber stared at the floor, but Sam could still see the tears glistening in her eyes, and the look of hopelessness on her face.
"But why do you want me to come with you?" Amber demanded yet again as she stood just beside Dean on the steps leading up to Missouri's house.
Dean gave a sigh. "Because I'm hoping that she'll be able to help with your… problem," he explained. "And I figured that she would probably have to see you to be able to understand the situation fully." He couldn't help remembering Missouri's words when he and Sam had spoken to her last time. She can't pick facts out of the air… So I'm bringing Amber straight to her, he thought grimly.
"I wanted to talk to your Mom a bit, though…"
Talk to someone 'normal', you mean. "Well, we won't be leaving until the day after tomorrow, at the earliest," Dean replied. "You'll get a chance to talk to her later; I promise."
"I hope you're right…" Amber folded her arms across her chest, and then removed them to stare at her stomach, almost as though trying to see inside her own body and find the demon that was residing there. "It's like a cancer…"
"Yeah," Dean agreed, glancing at her. "I'm sorry."
Amber glanced at him, looking surprised for a moment. Then, she shrugged. "It's not really entirely your fault…" She sighed. "It doesn't even feel like there's anything there most of the time, you know? I still feel… normal. But just when I think I've been able to forget about it… That's when it stirs. That's when I feel it moving around. And it's inside me!" She looked pale, and was shaking slightly.
Please don't cry. Dean immediately turned from the door to place a hand on Amber's arm. "It's all right. It's going to be all right. I'm not gonna let it get you – you hear me?"
Of course, it was at that moment Missouri chose to open the door. She regarded Amber and Dean with apparently no surprise, and stood back to let them enter the house. "You certainly took your time getting here."
"Sorry, ma'am." Dean took Amber's arm, and led the young woman into the house. He was fully aware that this Missouri might not be exactly the same as the Missouri in his world, so he decided that it was better to be polite.
"Don't call me ma'am; I do have a name, you know." Missouri closed the door, and then turned to Dean and Amber. "Well? Aren't you going to sit down? There's some coffee in the living room. And, no – there's no beer," she added, before Dean could even open his mouth. She then headed into the kitchen, calling back over her shoulder, "I'm just going to get the cookies. You two make yourselves comfortable – but don't put your feet up on my clean coffee table."
"Cookies?" Dean muttered, as he herded Amber into the living room. "What are we, five?" He sat down on the sofa, and pulled Amber down next to him.
As Missouri came in with the plate of cookies, she gave Dean a level stare. "Do you want me to help you or not?" Without waiting for an answer, she sat down – putting the plate on the table – and asked, "So… What brings the two of you here?"
"Can't you tell?"
"Of course I can – but I generally find that it puts people more at ease if I let them explain in their own words." Missouri then reached across to gently take Amber's hand. "Oh, honey… You shouldn't be so fearful of the supernatural. After all, you've got a hunter here to protect you."
"Why am I here?" Dean asked, before Amber could respond. "In this world, I mean. I can theorise, but I don't know the real reason. And how do I get back?"
Missouri looked searchingly into Dean's eyes for a moment. Then, she turned to Amber. "I need you to get me a book from upstairs," she said. "It's a journal, and it should be on the bookcase in my study up there. You'll know which one I mean."
Amber glanced at Dean, and then nodded. She must have had some idea that Missouri was getting her out of the way deliberately, but she didn't argue, and instead stood up and headed out of the room.
Once she was gone, Missouri turned her attention back to Dean, her expression rather grave. "I cannot tell you how to return to your own world. When a gateway has been weakened once, it's very difficult to know how to open it again. But what I can tell you is that the demon inside your friend is growing stronger."
"I know," Dean replied.
Missouri shook her head. "I don't think that you do know. Not completely. Do you know what type of demon is inside her?"
"A demon is a demon," Dean answered. "I promise you – I will kill it."
"The vial you wear around your neck – it will give the demon the power to take full control."
"I know that!" Dean snapped, feeling annoyed. If all Missouri's going to do is tell me what I already know, then I might as well not have come.
"Be patient," Missouri warned. "I don't have to help you, after all." For a moment, she glanced towards the door of the room. Then, "There are things that you don't know. In nature, there are certain bugs which lay eggs inside a host. Once the eggs hatch, they then devour the host from the inside. As the demon gets stronger… Amber will be completely destroyed."
"Then what? There's nothing I can do?" Dean demanded. I see why Missouri sent Amber out of the room… Knowing this would make her feel even worse.
"Use the vial," Missouri explained. "You don't have to tell her what you're doing – simply mix the elixir in with her drink. Once the demon has had its first kill – you will be able to exorcise it."
"I will not sacrifice someone to the demon."
"You don't listen very well, Dean Winchester," Missouri scolded. "It doesn't have to be a person – an animal will work just as well, if you can make the demon angry and out of control enough to kill it."
An animal? Dean pulled the vial out from under his jacket to stare at it. If it's possible… I'd rather have an animal killed than Amber – or anyone else – any day. And as for angry and out of control? Well, that's my speciality.
Before Dean could say anything else, Missouri held up her hand as Amber came back into the room. "Thank you." Missouri took the journal from her. "Let's see what we can find in here…"
Dean took the bottle of milk out of the fridge, and stared at it for a moment. I hope that this works… He poured some of the milk into a glass, and then removed the vial from around his neck.
"So… you've made your choice."
Dean glanced up quickly, and then narrowed his eyes as he saw Meg again. "What are you doing here?" he demanded in an unfriendly tone.
Meg shrugged, and smiled sweetly. "That's not a very nice way to greet me. And after everything I've done for you." She pouted.
"Yeah, right," Dean muttered. He glanced towards the set of knives, half-considering grabbing one and stabbing Meg in the heart with it. But he didn't know the whole situation right now, nor what her death would be the catalyst for.
Meg smirked. Then, she was simply gone, and Dean saw Mary standing in the doorway. "Mom…"
"Hey," Mary said, smiling a little. "I came down to get a drink. Are you all right?"
"Yeah…" Dean replied. "Amber wanted some milk, so I came down to get some for her." He turned slightly, and carefully poured the contents of the vial into the liquid. He noticed – with some relief – that there didn't appear to be anything different. He'd wondered if the elixir would be really noticeable.
"That's nice," Mary responded. "And it's good to see you looking better. Last time I saw you, you seemed rather unhappy."
Dean wondered about asking further, but then glanced down at the glass of milk. I have to do this… "Well, things have changed. Anyway, it would be a good idea if you made sure to stay inside the room tonight. Amber's been having nightmares – she's been sleepwalking – and I don't want to risk anything happening." The lie tripped easily off his tongue.
Mary looked confused. "Um… All right."
"Great." Dean picked up the glass of milk, and then turned to head up the stairs, already working through his plan in his mind.