This chapter is going to be in third person point of view since Cas kind of knocked Jennifer out into a coma so we can see everything that's going on with the others for a change. As always thanks so much for all of the favorites , follows, and reviews . Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Cas stepped back from Jennifer's now limp form eyeing her warily for any changes in her health and aura. Bobby sat at his desk breathing heavily, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. He would never openly express his termoil but that girl was the closest he was ever going to get to a real daughter. If anything happened to her he would be completely lost all over again like he was when Karen died. Sam ccouldn't quite grasp what was happening. He felt like an enraged lion ready to strike out and protect his family, his sister. She kept everyone in line. She kept everyone happy. She kept everyone together even when no one else wanted it. Without her the family unit crumbles, along with each of its members. Then there's Dean. Stopping his pacing long enough to look at the scene before him, Sam sees his brother completely broken. He will somehow blame himself for this and if Jennifer dies, then Dean everyone knows will no longer exist. Dean is clutching to her limp form with all of his strength, jaw clenched tightly to keep his bottom lip from quivering, silent tears streaming steadily down his face. This man is one step away from broken. Both of them are covered in blood, whether Dean notices or not is unsure and no one knows what to say or if it's best to stay quiet. Dean is the first to break the silence.
"How long did you put her out for? She going to be ok?" Dean depositions his hold on her to stand up while holding her in his arms, cradling her head in the crook of his neck. Sam looks away from the scene, unable to look. Jennifer has all the appearances of being dead, of having died a brutal death in his brothers arms.
"She will be out for several days. Her body needs time to heal itself. She should be better when she awakens. I should go and find out more about which angel did this. I will return as soon as I know more." With those parting words is a sound of flapping and Cas is gone. Dean starts to head up the stairs when Sam's voice stops him.
"Where are you taking her?" Dean has no patience for anyone right now. He feels as if his chest is going to explode, as if he needs to fight to have some kind of release. Yes, he knows everyone has a soft spot for his wife, you'd be crazy not to, but no one really understands how he feels. Cas once told them that soul mates aren't as common as everyone is lead to believe. It's a rare occurrence saved for people who are truly meant to be, people who are supposed to do something great for the world. Now here he stands, covered in his wife's blood, trying to hold onto some sense of sanity. Sanity he only seems to have around her.
"Gonna clean her up, she doesn't need to wake up like this. She is gonna be just fine Sammy. We all are. We stick by her and help her no matter what, understand? We are taking a little break from hunting and getting this shit under control."
"Of course, Dean. She's family." Without another glance back Dean continues his trek upstairs with her still in his arms and into the bathroom. He sets her down gently on the floor and starts the bathtub, stripping them both of all of their clothes and throwing them in the trash. He wants no reminders of this day. After filling the tub half way he picks her up and sets himself down in the tub, her laying back against him, while he washes the blood off of them both, staining the water a dark pink. Staring at the color he finally breaks down and cries harder than he remembers doing in a long time, all the while holding her tightly to him, feeling her heart beat steadily underneath his hand.
"I really hope you can hear me baby girl cause I need you to know that you have to come back. You can't die on me. We need to fix everything between us. I know I'm a fuck up and if it wasn't for me you'd probably be living an apple pie life with some guy that works 9-5. You deserve that life and God do I want you to have it but being away from you hurts too damn much. I have to be selfish and keep you. You and Sammy are the only things that keep me breathing. I'd rather spend another 40 years in hell than be without you anymore. So I need you to wake up and be okay baby girl. I need you." Dean kisses her temple and cheek before pulling the plug and stepping out, putting towels around them both and heading to the bedroom to change. He lays her down on the bed and gets in next to her, laying himself practically on top of her just like he always used to. His head buried on her chest, listening to her heartbeat like it is his favorite song, arms wrapped tightly around her, intertwining one leg with hers, making sure she stays in place. With one last shuddering breath he falls into a peaceful sleep having the love of his life safe in his arms.
Sam and Bobby are digging through books on the Salem witch trials trying to trace Jennifer's ancestry to gain a little more insight into her powers and what to expect. All of this has been so overwhelming and no one is sure where to take things.
"He's been up there a while. Maybe we should go check." Sam suddenly feels responsible for everyone. He feels the need to hold everyone together until she wakes up and resumes the role of the glue in their dysfunctional family.
"Trust me boy, he's doin okay under circumstances. He needs to sort it out and he can't do that with everyone up his ass."
"She's not dying Bobby. She can't."
"She won't ya idgjit. That gal will be right as rain. Just keep researchin. That's how we help."
"Wait, her mother's maiden name was Parker, right? Two women, Alice and Mary Parker were executed on September 22 in 1692. Didn't Cas say one went into hiding to carry on their line?"
"I believe so. How else would she be here?"
"They had a sister named Elizabeth Parker that was charged but never executed. She wasn't found until 1693 after the trials ended in Boston. Where is her family from again?"
"I think she said they're from Hyannis. That's where she came from as a kid."
"That's only a couple of hours away from Boston. I think we found her family line, so we just need to concentrate on the Parker line in Massachusetts."
"Good job boy!"
Dean wakes with a start and looks up into her face, feeling her breath fan out across his face. He let's out a sigh of relief and looks around the room, seeing Cas standing at the door.
"I am sorry for disturbing your rest. I have some news." Dean gently removes himself from the bed and walks over to Cas. He feels exhausted both mentally and physically and isn't sure how to function properly anymore. This soul mate bond runs so deep that he is sure that they would never choose this for themselves willingly. Feeling even the slightest amount of what the other feels can be great but in instances like these they are draining.
"So who is the dick trying to kill my wife?"
"It was Michael although his intention was not to kill her. His intention was to give her a jump start into her powers. Being that you are Michaels true vessel, Jennifer by default, becomes a being he cherishes. He has a love for her much like your own. He was trying to help but did not think of all consequences."
"Wait, Michael, as in the archangel?"
"Yes."
"And he loves her?"
"Yes. As your soul mate, he is bound to the same feelings the bond creates because you are his true vessel. He is to love and protect her the same as you do."
"He's doing a bang up job." Dean roughly runs his hands over his face and hair and begins pacing, stealing glances at Jennifer who is still sleeping peacefully. The idea of any other man, angel or not, loving her to the same capability as himself also causes his jealousy to flair up to intense levels. She would never agree to any of this which meant he has been visiting her while she sleeps. This makes another wave of unease run through his body. How can he protect her from all of this?
"Can he reverse it? Let things happen the way they were meant to?"
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"Damn it Cas! We just have to watch her suffer? What if she doesn't wake up? What if she…." He cannot bring himself to finish the thought out loud. It can't happen. She's alive in the future. She saw it so it will be fine.
"You can always call for Michael himself to repair any damages. His power is greater than mine in many ways."
"I don't want that asshat anywhere near MY wife."
"You may not have a choice Dean. I am sorry."
"It's all my fault Cas. If she wasn't soul mated to me then none of this would be happening to her."
"I told you Dean, in all of the 13 planes of existence, soul mate bond or not, you always find each other. Nothing keeps the two of you apart. The soul mate bond I placed onto both of your souls before your births was just to create a deeper bond than you would already create on your own. I've never seen two souls more meant to be than yours. It cannot be broken."
Dean hears this and cannot help but smile through his guilt. She would never be without him regardless. No matter how much they screw up, here they are.
"Would you like me to show you?"
"You're not gonna send me anywhere are you?"
"No. I can just show you the memories of your other selves."
Dean hesitantly nods his head resulting in Cas touching two fingers to Deans temple. All of a sudden Dean is rushed and bombarded with an overload of memories, seeing weddings, children, birthdays, christmases, and deaths. He sees the good with the bad and feels the love they share, no matter what happens. He also feels the same love whether the same bond is present or not, easing some of his guilt. Once Cas removes his fingers the memories remain along with a massive headache.
"The pain will subside shortly once your brain compartmentalizes the memories for you."
"Thanks Cas."
"You are welcome. Sam and Bobby also have some information about her lineage….she will be safe Dean. I have a fondness for her also. I do not wish her harm. She is a rare soul and has many protectors. I hope this eases you." With a sound of flapping wings he is gone once again before Dean can answer. He makes his way back over to the bed and climbs in beside her, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips, letting out a shaky breath.
"I always knew you were special. Thanks for always picking a loser like me and keeping me together." Inhaling her scent once more he makes his way downstairs to Sam and Bobby to hear the information they've gathered on her lineage, all the while waiting for her to wake up and decide what the hell they are going to do. Does he continue to be selfish and keep his wife and their fate or does he finally sign the papers and give her the out she has been asking for?