Disclaimer: I don't own or profit from this in anyway.
A/N: I don't have a lot to say. Thank you for all your reviews for the last chapter and keep up the good work.
Previously
"He's in a coma but he's alive."
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"A coma?" Tony asked weakly sagging back into the chair he had snagged.
"I'm afraid so, but I would like to point out that the damage could have been a lot worse. I mean with the amount of toxins in his system it is a miracle that he is alive at all. He is quite the fighter." Dr. Hale said trying to help the situation but it wasn't doing much for the situation.
"Can I see him?"
"Of course follow me and I'll take you to him," Dr. Hale said as he hefted himself from his chair and waddled towards the door and led the team out of his office and down the hallway turning to the high security ICU ward, "I would like all of you to know that in the ICU we only allow two people at a time to minimize stress on our patients. Also in addition to Dean being on the ventilator we have him in restraints-"
"What do you mean you have him in restraints? I want them taken off right away." Tony demanded knowing his brother would freak when he found himself trapped in the bed.
"As much as I would love to do that for you Mr. Winchester I'm afraid I can't. It is protocol for suicide watch to have the patient restrained to prevent any harm they may cause themselves. It is also a precaution that we like to take when the patient is intubated in case when they wake up they don't try to remove the tube themselves."
Tony was about to protest again at the treatment of his brother when Gibbs whispered in his ear, "Just do as the man says Tony."
The young agent nodded before looking back to the Doctor, "Can I see him now?"
"You and one other person may go in now. If you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to let me or my nurse, Kara know. I will be on for the rest of the evening." Dr. Hale announced before turning to shuffle back towards his office.
McGee and Abby glanced at each other before Abby spoke up, "Why don't you two go and sit with Dean first. We can explain what happened to Kate."
Tony was already through the room door when Abby spoke so Gibbs answered, "Thanks Abbs." He added with a quick kiss to the top of her head and turned to the room.
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"Come on Castiel! We have reservations for five and we are going to be late if you don't hurry up!" Michael yelled up the stairs as he paced the lower level of his house waiting for everyone else to get ready. Gabe was just finishing polishing his nice dress shoes, Balthazar was changing his clothes after coming down in ratty jeans and holey shirt, but Castiel hadn't been seen at all yet. He knew that his youngest didn't really care for Gabe but he always made a decent effort at being nice, "Come on!"
"I'm coming. I'm coming hold your jets old man." Cas yelled as he walked down the stairs dressed in a nice suit along with his usual messy hair.
"Honestly don't you even attempt to tame your hair?" The father asked as he walked over and started to tamper with the reluctant raven locks while his son gave him a look of exasperation.
"Why mess with something that has all the ladies swooning," Balthazar said as he came down dressed more respectively in a nice polo and khakis.
"Balthazar!" Cas yelled in embarrassment his cheeks blushing deep red.
"I see the way the ladies follow you around little brother. It is nothing to be ashamed of its all part of the Novak charm."
"Clearly so is tying a tie. I swear if it weren't for me you two would be walking around completely oblivious." Gabe announced walking out of his and Michael's shared room dressed to the tens in a black, pinstriped suit and neatly tied gold tie. Walking over to his boyfriend he quickly retied the purple one and turned to Cas, "You know kiddo you should learn how to do this you may need it for a job one day."
The teen watched in earnest to try and figure out how to move the fabric so it wouldn't end up backwards like usual but he always managed to forget, "There you go. Think you got it this time?"
"I highly doubt it."
"Hey at least you're honest." Gabe joked before grabbing his nice dress jacket and grabbing the keys, "I'll get the car warmed up. Meet you three in the car."
Grabbing his tan trench coat he always wore on special occasions he turned around to see his Dad and brother hiding smirks as they watched him slip the jacket on, "What?"
They shook their heads laughing before Balthazar spoke up, "It's just with your name and choice of clothing you look like a freaking Holy Tax Accountant."
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Kate was sitting in the cafeteria with Sam who was picking at a chicken sandwich looking around anxiously. They had hurriedly gotten Tony his coffee and made it back to the waiting room as McGee slipped through the doors towards the doctor offices. Realizing that the team would probably be looking for them eventually Kate had lead them back towards the cafeteria and after seeing it was nearing five had decided to buy both of them something to tide them over until they could get home and eat.
"Do you think Dean's ok?"
Interrupted from her internal musing she looked across the table to where Sam was looking at her with misty eyes, "I'm sure he is fine. He probably needed to get his nose checked out again because from what your brother told me it was looking pretty nasty this morning." It was true Tony had mentioned that he was considering calling Dean in sick today and bringing him to work because he looked so rough.
"I don't think so Kate. Dean is really tough and he never complains about being hurt. I remember last summer him and Dad were gone for a couple of weeks and left me with Uncle Bobby and Caleb and when they came back Dean went two whole days before telling Dad he had a broken arm. He didn't even complain once." Sam bragged much to Kate's horror. What kind of man was John Winchester if he couldn't even figure out his own son was harboring a broken arm?
"That sounds really brave Sam."
"I'm not so sure Dean is like that anymore though." Sam added quietly a few minutes later as he took a sip from his apple juice.
Looking in confusion as the conversation went from near hero worshiping to sadness Kate asked the obvious question, "Why is that Sam?"
"Dean is scaring me. He isn't like himself not since Dad died. Dean always used to talk and tease me; I would even tell him to shut up he would talk so much. Now though I would give anything to hear him tease me about my girly hair or my freakish studying habits. I miss him being him so much. I can hear him screaming at night and crying into his pillow. Tony doesn't know I can hear, but I do."
Kate was shocked. She thought Sam was an innocent little kid that was being sheltered from the horrors of his former life apparently not, "I know you are scared Sam and so am I. But I'm gonna let you in on a little secret," Kate paused before continuing, "Your brother Tony, he is doing everything in his power to give you boys the best life he can. He is trying to help Dean and it is just taking a little longer for your brother to accept what is being given to him. He misses your Dad and the life he use to live."
"Why would he miss moving around all the time? We never made any friends and Dad was just working for a mechanic we could have settled down anywhere." Sam answered looking for answers that no one else would give him.
Kate paused and leaned back in the stiff plastic cafeteria chair. She didn't know about the hunting lifestyle not like Caleb or the Winchesters. Honestly she had only known the family truly for a month but she couldn't help but make assumptions it was part of her profiling nature, "Sam I don't think it is so much the lifestyle Dean misses but the family. When you moved around it was you and him against the world no one else to worry about; you were all his and he was all yours. He got to hunt down the bad guys and deliver his own kind of vengeance to the world that took your Mom. That was his life he grew up hunting the bad guy and taking care of you Sam. He doesn't know what it is like to be kid, to not have something hanging over his head all the time. He and your Dad had a lot of good times along with the bad and now he is gone. It must be heart breaking for Dean. He just needs time Sam. Do you think you can give him that?"
Sam stopped at that. Nobody had been that honest with him since he moved in with Tony and Dean stopped talking. Usually it was Dean that said stuff like this; was the voice of reason for him. He nodded before speaking up, "I will give him all the time in the world."
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Abby and McGee had barely made it the elevator before Abby burst into tears and clung to McGee as the machine lowered them towards the cafeteria where they hoped Kate had taken Sam, "Shh Abby its gonna be ok."
"How can you say that McGee," Abby outraged looking up from the shoulder she had been using with mascara running down her face and stormy eyes glaring into the agent, "How can you say that when Dean could still die? When Tony could lose someone else?"
"He didn't die though. You heard the Doctor it's a miracle Dean made it this long and I don't think Dean is the kind of kid to give up a fight. He did something stupid and I'm sure he will realize it once he knows how much we love him, but right now we have to be there for Tony and Sam. It isn't going to be easy for them to deal with even once Dean gets out of the hospital. We need to be there for them Abbs."
Abby looked at her friend he always was the one to talk her down from the ledge. She always let her emotions get in the way of what needed to be done or lead her falsely in one direction, "I know McGee I just don't know what to do."
"I think being here for them is enough for now." McGee answered pulling the scientist in for another hug before exiting the elevator and starting towards the cafeteria where they could see Kate and Sam eating at one of the tables.
They had barely sat down before they were bombarded with questions, "How is he? Where's Tony? What happened?"
"Sam why don't you help me pick something out to eat?" Abby said getting up and hoping that the little boy would follow her so McGee could explain the situation.
"No, I want to know how my brother is." Sam said with stubbornness none of them had seen before.
"I think that-"
"Abby, if Sam wants to know he has every right to hear what you have to say. " Kate said speaking up for the youngest Winchester.
"Are you sure about this Sam it is really scary." McGee asked looking at his little friend and found a look so similar to Tony when he wanted something he had no doubt the kid wanted to know.
"I'm sure now what happened to Dean?"
McGee took a deep breath before continuing, "He tried to kill himself. He's in a coma and they said it is a miracle he is alive." Nothing like short and sweet and to the point.
Kate gasped and Sam hurled himself into Abby's lap where he was instantly encased in a hug, "Is that all? Can we see him?"
"Dr. Hale said only two visitors at a time and Gibbs and Tony are with him right now. We can go up and wait until we switch but until then we have nothing to do but wait."
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Tony was stepping through the door and walking over to the bed where his brother was laying machine breathing for him but at least he was alive. Coming closer he saw Dean's usually plump, pink lips were tinged with black from the charcoal the doctors had no doubt used to get the pills out of his stomach before more damage could be done to his body. Spotting a chair he pulled it over and sat down reaching for one of the limp hands remembering quickly he wouldn't be able to hold it comfortably without hurting Dean so he moved closer and ended up leaning on the bed to hold Dean's hand, "What did you do buddy? What did you do?"
It was hard to think that this time last night Dean was sleeping peacefully at home and everything was seemingly normal Dean would be getting help from Dr. Cranston soon, Sam was making friends and Tony was finally adjusting to this new life. Crazy how things can change in the blink of an eye, "Dean I need you, Sam needs you, we all need you and I will do whatever it takes to make you understand that. I love you Dean, I love you more then you know. You are like my kid, Dad wasn't around much and even before the fire I helped Mom all the time with you. She would joke and say I was acting like mini Dad because I never complained about cleaning your diapers or feeding you, hell most of the time I was the only one who could calm you down. You're killing me here Dean. I need to know what I can do to make this better. I'm not ready for you to leave yet kiddo and neither is anyone else," Tony whispered using the limp hand to wipe away a few of the tears that were straying from his eyes, "I'll be waiting here Dean. I'll be waiting here to help you through this."
He wasn't sure when Gibbs came in but he knew it was his boss when he felt a calloused hand cup his shoulder and lightly squeeze it before coming around to the other side of the bed and sat down on the couch near the window, "Boss you don't need to stay. We have the case to take care of and I'm sure Vance won't be happy about it being delayed." Tony said sitting up a little in his chair but never letting go of Dean's hand as the mechanical whoosh of the ventilator filled the room.
"I called Vance and let him know what happened and he is taking us off the case and giving me and you the next week off. The team is also off rotation until Dean is better," Gibbs answered walking closer to the bed and placed a hand on Dean's bruised face before looking back to the eldest Winchester, "and I do need to be here Tony. You guys are my family, the only thing I have had since Shannon and Kelly were killed. My team is my family. I would give and do anything to help any of you. Dean and Sam are part of the team family by default and they will get the attention that the rest of you get. I will be here every step of the way Tony and I won't leave when the going gets tough."
Tony returned a watery smile before using his free hand to wipe away the tears. He knew Gibbs didn't know but he couldn't help equating what Gibbs had said to his father. He could remember many times from before the fire when John would leave for days on end because he and Mary had gotten in a fight and the house would be encased in a stony silence until John came home full of childlike innocence and beg for Mary's forgiveness, "Thank you Boss you don't know how much that means to me."
Gibbs nodded once more running a hand through Dean's hair before whispering, "I think I do kid."
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McGee, Abby, Kate and Sam had been sitting in the ICU waiting room for hours before Kate stood up with her tears and breathing finally under control and announced her next plan, "I need to call Caleb and let him know what happened. I'm sure he would like to know and he can call Bobby and Pastor Jim."
Sam had long ago fallen asleep leaning against McGee so the man whispered back, "Sounds good Kate. I'll let you know when we can go in."
Kate nodded and quietly made her way towards the outdoor bay of the hospital and sat down on one of the nice benches and pulled out her phone. It was strange really how much her life had changed in the last month. Last month all she was worried about was the next girl's retreat and when to schedule her next manicure. Now though she had a boyfriend who was a hunter and owned a successful ammunition business, she also had two boys that she loved like nephews and would do anything for. It absolutely broke her heart to have to make this call knowing what it was going to do to Caleb.
She had no more than dialed and the phone was picked up followed by Caleb's rough voice, "Hey Sweetie? How are you doing?" He asked oblivious to the turmoil happening back home.
"Caleb?" Kate gasped out and her voice betrayed her.
"Kate? What's wrong baby? Are you hurt?" Caleb asked worriedly getting ready to pack up his hotel room. It had taken less time then he thought to fix the problems at this office and was catching the last flight back to surprise Kate.
"I'm fine," Kate answered taking a deep breath and wiping her eyes with the back of her hand before continuing, "It's Dean."
Caleb froze mid stride and landed on the bed next to his suitcase, "What happened to Dean? Is he ok?"
"He tried to kill himself Caleb."
For him the world stopped with those five little words. Dean had tried to kill himself, "Is he…"
She realized what he was asking and gave him what he was looking for, "He's in a coma. His doctor said it was a miracle he was alive with everything he took. I haven't seen him so I don't know anything else, but Caleb can you come back? I'm scared and I need you here. Tony and Sam need you."
He unfroze with the admission and quickly started throwing his possessions into his bag and quickly left the room running towards his rental, "I'll be there as soon as I can baby I promise."
"I love you Caleb." The brunette whispered in the phone watching as the busy evening traffic passed by the hospital.
"I love you too Baby. I'll call you as soon as I land." Caleb answered rushing through rush hour traffic. He needed to get to his family.
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"That was like the best meal ever Dad! Thank you." Castiel exclaimed as they left the fancy five star restaurant where his Dad had treated the family to supper in celebration of Gabe's birthday.
"Yes thank you Michael." Gabe answered bringing his boyfriend in for a passionate kiss before they got into the car to head home for the evening.
"Get a room you two!" Balthazar yelled and covered Cas's eyes, "No need to mentally scar this young child." He teased as his younger brother playfully batted away the offending hands.
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It was nearing seven when Tony looked up from Dean and stopped his mental prayer to any entity that would listen to help his brother. He realized he should be getting Sam home so he could get some sleep. Standing up he caught Gibbs attention, "I think we should let everyone else in to see Dean before visiting hours are over. I need to get Sam home anyway the kid must be exhausted."
Gibbs nodded his agreement and the two made their way out to the waiting room and came back at the same time as Kate, "Abby, McGee do you wanna go and sit with him?"
The Abby nudged McGee who was dozing and the couple made their way down the hall and into the ICU room closing the door behind them.
"I called Caleb and let him know what was happening. He said he was on his way back." Kate said sitting down beside Tony who brought Sam to sit on his lap so he could explain what he was going to be seeing.
"Thank you Kate." He answered before gently shaking his brother, "Sam can you wake up for me? We are going to see Dean soon but I need to talk to you first about what you are going to see?"
Slowly Sam opened his eyes and answered, "I'm ready Tony." He was determined to help Dean in any way he could; he just wanted his brother back.
"He is going to have machines breathing for him. You know what that looks like right?" Tony questioned because he was pretty sure their Dad had been on a ventilator one time when he had to come and stay Sam and Dean until John was released from the hospital.
"Yeah I remember what else Tony?"
"He is going to have IVs and machines attached to him but it's still Dean. Don't be afraid of him ok?"
"I will never be afraid of him. He's my brother and I love him."
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Tony let Sam lead the way and watched as he slipped into the room making his way over to the bed and grabbed Dean's hand and started talking, "Dean your stupid you know that? You didn't need to do this. I love you and Tony loves you. I don't want you to die so you better wake up soon so I can talk some sense into you. I'm tired now but I'll be back and I'll talk until you wake up and tell me to shut up. I love you big brother." Sam finished before walking back to Tony and announcing he was ready to leave.
"You sure kiddo we can stay for awhile yet if you want."
"I'm ready besides tomorrow is a new day."
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Tony collapsed onto his couch with a beer in hand. He had just gotten Sam into bed and made sure he was asleep before switching into sweats and a t shirt. He had a long night ahead of him; phone calls to Bobby, Pastor Jim and Dean's principal were all in order. Glancing at the clock he saw it was close to nine thirty and felt bad about calling the Principal this late at night but it needed to be done. Grabbing the business card from his wallet he picked up the phone and dialed the cell number and waited for the voice mail or someone to pick up.
"Hello?" He heard a sleepy voice answer from the other end of the line.
"Is this Michael Novak?" Tony asked hesitantly hoping he hadn't disrupted someone else.
Sitting up in bed he gently scooted out from next to Gabe who had fallen asleep as they watched a Dr. Sexy marathon, "Yes it is. May I ask who is calling?"
"This Tony Winchester, Dean's older brother."
"Yes of course how is he? I'm sorry about the incident earlier. I can tell you the offending party has been properly dealt with." The Principal reassured as he took a seat in the living room on the couch.
"I found him after he ran away. But that's the end of the good news." Tony said and realized he didn't know what to say next.
Michael felt his stomach drop at the interlude. What had happened, "Tony what happened?"
"Dean tried to kill himself and is now in the hospital in a coma. I'm only calling to tell you that until further notice Dean will not be in school for obvious reasons and I wanted to know what I should be doing about his schoolwork." Tony answered already tired of talking about Dean like this, like he was already gone.
Michael released a gasp before replying in full control, "I'm sorry to hear that and I will punish Dean's attacker more severely because of this. As for Dean's education I will let his teachers know about this; I don't want you to worry about anything other than Dean."
"Thank you sir. I have other calls to make so I'll you go." Tony answered and hung up.
Michael sat on the couch for a long while before he heard footsteps coming down the stairs, "Dad? What are doing up?"
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Cas came walking down the stairs when he saw his Dad sitting on the couch. It was nearing eleven and he himself was just finishing up his homework for the weekend and getting ready for bed.
"Come here buddy." His Dad said wrapping him in a hug before continuing, "I have some bad news for you."
He got that horrible feeling in his stomach again like he did earlier when they were talking about Dean. He didn't like this feeling, "What happened?"
"It's Dean. I know you said you were close to him or becoming close to him," He watched as the teen shook his head in agreement and waited for him to continue, "His brother just called and said they found him. He tried to kill himself Cas and he is in a coma."
Cas shook his head in disbelief. That couldn't be true Dean wouldn't do that, "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure son. I need to send an email out in the morning but after that we can see if you can sit with him for a little bit if you like."
"I would like that a lot Dad."
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