Title: Rebuilding from the Ashes
Chapter 2 – Room 26B, Parker, G., ICU
A/N: Don't quite remember the name of Dean's girlfriend…I think it was Mia…if anyone knows for sure please let me know. It started with an M so am going with Mia hope that's okay. Course I could have M on the brain from Marina hehe I am so happy it ended with her and Greg together *sigh* they looked so happy so that was nice. Plus I like her :)
Warning: You might need a kleenex (sorry!)
Note: Words in italics and double quotes taken directly from episode
"Dad? Dad you gotta stay with us…please dad…dad!"
Hearing the horrible ordeal for his father play out over the speaker at Winnie's station was a surreal nightmare; his mind telling him over and over as Ed yelled for a medic that his father would pull through and be okay, this wasn't the end for him…he would not be forced to listen to his father die over a crude piece of plastic. Not like that.
"Dad?" Dean looks up at Winnie with a tear stained face.
"They're off the air."
"No…wait…what?"
"Marina's on her way here rig…"
"No, get them back…get Ed back," Dean utters in desperation; his girlfriend standing morosely at his side.
"Ed's turned his headset off. I can't get them back."
"No. What does that mean?"
"The medics are there…Dean you heard that…"
"He was shot…multiple times. I have to go…" Dean stammers as he turns and hurries for the elevator to exit the building.
"Dean, wait for Marina and then go to the hospital together. There's nothing you can do down at the ACC," Winnie states in haste; her mind too trying to process all the horrifying events that she was also a helpless witness to.
Dean looks at her but knows what she's saying is true; he'd only be in the way down there and that's the last thing his father would want. "Okay," he nods in resignation as he pulls his phone and checks the time; a few minutes later from the last time and knowing Marina would be a few minutes closer.
"Let me know how he is," Mia, Dean's girlfriend whispers just as Marina's car comes to a fast stop just outside the front entrance to the SRU.
"I'll call you later," Dean promises as he gives her a weak smile and a squeeze of the hand before he hops into the car and it pulls away from the corner in haste.
"How is he?" Marina asks with a shaky tone.
"He's um…Ed said he lost a lot of blood and was shot multiple times," Dean answers almost mechanically.
"Oh god…" Marina remarks as her eyes water and an instant lump of hardened emotion forms in her throat. "Did he…"
"I don't know anymore," Dean replies with a small huff of his own. "Why didn't he…" he starts and then stops as he looks out the window. "I could hear the…"
"What? You heard it? What did you hear?"
"All of it. He found the bomb…the bomber ambushed him and shot…oh man he just kept firing. Dad said he'd lost but…but it if wasn't for Ed…"
Marina squeezes her eyes shut for a few seconds as they water once more; the trip to the hospital seeming to take longer due to traffic chaos and congestion from the days horrifying events. As soon as they arrive Dean doesn't wait, merely hops out of the car the second it stops and races for the ER, Marina paying for a ticket that would last at least a few hours; but knowing that the evening wasn't going to end as they had first planned their day.
'Is that the dress you'll be wearing tonight?'
'Like the color?'
'Purple?'
'Lavender.'
'Purple,' Greg's warm voice echoes in her head as she quickly swallows and then heads into the ER; her day on hold the moment the first bomb rocked the city and Greg had called her to stay inside and not leave until she heard from him. The second time she had gotten a call it was from someone with the last name Parker, only it wasn't her beloved Greg, it was his son…calling with tragic news.
'Marina…dad's um…he's been shot…come down to SRU. Please come get me. Hurry.'
"Where is he?"
"In surgery," Dean replies with a glum expression. "We have to wait."
"He's in good hands," Marina half whispers as she tries to offer Dean a reassuring smile. But it doesn't work as tears instantly form and she pulls him into her grasp for a supportive hug. "Anyone else here?"
"Yeah Clark's upstairs and…"
"No I mean…Clark? What happened to Clark?"
As they head for the waiting area bench, Dean tells Marina about Clark's ordeal; her telling him to go and see his best friend for a few moments and she'd text him as soon as Greg was out.
"You sure?"
"I'm used to waiting for him," she remarks with a small smile as fresh tears come once more. "Yes…I'm sure. Just go okay? Go and come back."
Dean takes his leave to go and see Clark; Marina waiting on the bench…waiting. Sam and Jules make a brief stopover, Jules getting her leg properly tended to and then telling Marina to let them know what happens with Greg as they were going to spend a quiet evening with their families; the reception festivities on hold for at least a month or so.
"How is he?"
"He's okay," Dean replies about Clark. "Complaining about the color of the J-ello," Dean smirks as he slumps down beside him. "Was Ed down here?"
"He left about ten minutes ago. Saw Sophie and Izzy into their car and went back up to see Clark. Sam and Jules also stopped by."
"Is she okay?"
"She got her leg tended to properly but she'll be fine. Both Spike and Leah called."
"Any word?"
"Not yet. I keep asking but…but I think they are starting to get tired of that," Marina remarks lightly. "I just wish they'd tell us…something," she whispers as she looks down, trying to keep her tears at bay. She looks up at Dean and sees the same sad look on his face and offers a kind expression. "Your father…he's one of the strongest men I know and he…he has too much to live for. He'll be okay."
"Ed said that…he said there was so much blood."
"I'm sorry."
Dean looks at her and nods as he looks back down at his phone; the two of them sitting in silence a bit longer before she asks him about his and Mia's adventure before the day literally went to hell in one madman's hand basket.
"He's going to be okay," Dean whispers as Marina looks up with a tight lipped smile and nod. But as much as they tell themselves that Greg Parker has escaped unscathed, as soon as the emergency surgery doctor appears with a somewhat grim expression, their hopes instantly start to sink.
"Family of Greg Parker?"
"I'm his son," Dean stands up in haste, Marina at his side taking his hand. "Is he okay?"
"It was touch and go and he's lost a lot of blood. But the surgery was a success. We removed all of the bullets. He's in good health and should make a good recovery."
"Should?" Marina asks in haste. "And not a full recovery? What aren't you telling us?" She quickly interjects; Dean's hand gripping hers a bit more tightly.
"His left leg has incurred extensive bone injury and nerve damage."
"Is he gonna lose it?" Dean blurts out in horror.
"No, the surgery to seal the main artery and the wound itself were successful. Dr. Hau is our best Neurosurgeon but…but there was only so much he could do. Now with rehab and…"
While Marina listens to the rest of the somewhat grim news, Dean's mind starts to swirl, his core rapidly heating and his heart racing. Could my dad still lose his leg? More likely he'll have an irreparable limp and need a cane? Done with the SRU?
"This…this can't be," Dean looks up with a teary gaze and sad expression.
"I'm sorry. I've sent all the notes to his family doctor who will be in in the morning to..."
"Can I see him? I want to see him."
"He's not awake yet," the doctor replies with a kind tone.
"But he's done surgery a few hours ago right?"
"Yes but…"
"I want to see him," Dean insists with an impatient shuffle of his feet. "Can I?"
"We'll set him up in an ICU room but he really needs…"
"Just a few minutes."
"We'll notify you as soon as he's set up."
"Is that okay?" Dean turns and looks at Marina with an anxious expression.
"He'd want that," she assures him as she rests her head on his shoulders and her cheek on the top of his head.
"A cane? Dad's gonna hate…"
"Dean he's alive. Let's thank God for that," Marina whispers softly. "Lots today can't say that."
"Right and he'd want me to think that also," Dean huffs as he looks at her with a sad expression. "I just can't believe that though I mean…"
"Your father knows the risks of the job."
"I know but…"
"But he always seems indestructible right?"
"Yeah. Yeah he does."
"Come on…let's go to the ICU waiting area," Marina suggests as they slowly head for the elevator to go up.
"Man Clark was right."
"What's that?"
"Today really sucks."
"Yes…it does."
They head for the busy ICU waiting area; the day being busier than normal thanks to Marcus Faber's brief but destructive reign of terror. Marina watches a family had obviously been told their loved one didn't make it and instantly feels her eyes water over the horrific loss the family would now be forced to cope with. She directs her and Dean to a small bench and both sit down, heavy sighs being emitted; minds racing with thoughts about what the future would now hold for them all; especially as a growing family unit.
After what seems like a small eternity, the ICU nurse comes toward them with a kind but tired look on her face.
"Dean…Parker?"
"Can I see my dad now?"
"He's just set up for…"
"Yeah I know, the ER doctor told us. I won't stay long, I promise. I just want to see him. Can Marina come too?"
"Dean…"
"Just don't stay too long, he really needs to rest."
"Copy," Dean utters before he takes off; leaving Marina to offer a small smile as she falls into step behind him.
Dean heads his father's room but slows his steps as he nears the entrance; stopping altogether as he stares in disbelief at the heart breaking sight before him. Sensing Marina standing a few feet behind him, his feet finally find the strength to take a step…then another…then another…until he was a few feet from his father's pale frame on the bed.
"Oh damn…" Dean lightly curses as he frowns; turning back to see a teary eyed Marina watching with a mournful gaze. "Um…" he pauses as he looks back, silently beckoning for Marina to near.
"He looks pale," Dean comments with a frown as he shuffles nervously on his feet in place; his mind going blank on what to even say in this moment.
Marina's right hand reaches out and softly touches Greg's cheek; her body leaning in closer and planting a tender kiss on his forehead.
"I love you Greg," she whispers as she pulls back and offers Dean a kind smile. "Talk to him."
"Sure…okay," Dean replies as he looks back at his father's pale and placid expression. "Dad…am glad you got the guy…" Dean pauses and then shakes his head as he looks at Marina with a heavy frown.
"I'll text Ed an update," she tells him as she pulls away; leaving Dean at his father's side.
Dean looks back down at Greg and feels his heart starting to sink. "I still wanna be a cop. Man that sounds so stupid right now but um…I don't know what to say right now. I'm scared…but happy you're alive. I just…wish you'd wake up. I guess I'll let the doc tell you about…your leg and such but um…dad wake up okay? You just need to wake up right now and tell me that everything will be okay. Please? I will only believe it if you tell me," Dean insists with a small sniffle.
"Clark's okay. I heard about Donna…dad I'm so sorry. You were there and…okay please wake up. Tell me…just tell me," Dean sighs as he swallows back a sniffle, looking up at Marina who gives him a kind smile in return; an unspoken urging to keep going.
"I know Ed shot the guy but um…well he said you saved everyone. Dad you did…you're a hero. Your um…you're my hero. You know that? My hero," Dean lightly laments as he looks up at the machines that were monitoring his father's heart rate, breathing rate, fluid level and a few other things.
But when he looks back down; he sees warm brown eyes watching him with a soft expression.
"Dad!" Dean exclaims, gesturing for Marina to come to his side. "You're awake…" he states the obvious and then gives himself a small eye roll, earning a soft smirk from his father in return. However, Greg's alertness also calls in the nurse to check his progress.
"Just a few minutes okay? Tomorrow will be best. He needs his rest."
"A few minutes…okay promise," Dean utters in haste.
"We were worried," Marina offers softly as her warm hand slips into his cool one and gives it a loving squeeze. "Very worried."
"Me too," Greg manages with a hoarse whisper. "Diagnosis?"
"We can talk about…"
"Please?"
"Full recovery."
"But?"
"But…nerve damage in your…left leg," Marina tells him in truth; Dean looking at her in expectation.
"Prognosis?"
"Another scar to admire," Marina replies with a warm smile. "You need to rest now."
"Yeah we'll get in trouble," Dean adds with a smile of his own.
"Clark?"
"He's okay. A few broken ribs and a broken leg but um…yeah he'll be okay. How do you feel?"
"Tired."
"You can just rest now. We'll be back in the morning. I love you," Marina tells Greg tenderly.
"Love you…back," Greg replies with a warm smile as Marina pulls back and allows Greg and Dean their few precious moments. "You…okay?"
"Yeah…" Dean shrugs.
"Thank you…care package."
"Figured you didn't want to walk around nude. You know scaring people and stuff…" Dean tries to joke but then frowns and looks away with a small groan at his own lame comment.
"It's…okay."
"Dad no," Dean turns back. "It's not…you nearly died and…when I was listening and…when I heard Ed's voice…I was so scared and…I was scared."
"Never…give up."
"But dad what if…"
"No. No what if. Family."
"We nearly lost you today."
"I kept…my leg."
"You might need a cane. Dad there was so…so much blood and…" Dean's voice breaks as his eyes water.
"Come closer," Greg quietly begs as Dean quickly leans in closer. "Love you….always."
Dean's eyes instantly flood as he leans in closer, his cheek resting on his father's and his body slightly heaving.
"Love you son. So proud of you."
"I love you dad," Dean utters in truth as he pulls up a little. "Don't do that to us again okay?"
"Promise," Greg softly nods as he tries to smile as well. "Cane huh?"
"Marina would probably like it."
"I can hear you," she pipes up as Dean looks over with a smile. "And I would love him…no matter what," she ends her confession with a soft broken tone; Dean looking back down as Greg's eyes water.
"Okay…Mr. Parker really needs his rest now," the nurse kindly reminds them all as she pokes her head into the room and then back out.
"Dad we really gotta go or else," Dean sighs as he looks back at his father. "I um…"
"Hey…gonna be okay."
"Even now…after all this…you believe that?"
"Always," Greg states firmly.
"But things…dad everything's change and…friends died and…" Dean starts with a heavy sigh.
"We adapt…and rebuild."
"Dad…"
"We will…survive. Love you."
Dean and Marina each offer him one last kiss and 'I love you' before they take their leave; Greg reading Ed's message just before the phone is taken away and he's left alone in the room. And as he closes his eyes and allows sheer fatigue and the medications to take over his mind utters a very similar sentiment to Ed's:
The reunion with his son was marked with both relief and despair; joy and sadness. They had been brought to their knees but fought back hard and took back their future and freedom. What he said to his son was true; while their lives would never be the same again; they would be forced to rebuild and they would survive this. The future was changed forever whether they wanted it or not. Now they would just have to adapt and move on…move on but never forget. Always remember. Rebuild.
Rebuild and reshape their legacy. That was something the madman failed to destroy.
THE END!
A/N: Hope you all liked this and since we know that Greg ends up retiring from the SRU and with a cane I guessed as to the medical reason in conjunction to where he was shot. Hope that's okay and it seems plausible. Hope you all liked this little 2 shot eppy overview. The next one shot will be the final tribute to the Ed/Greg series for this season; set one year after the shooting, just like in the eppy. So please do review before you go and thanks so much!