Disclaimer: I unfortunately do not own Supernatural…. So I cry myself to sleep at night
Dean sat staring blankly at the monitors surrounding Caeli's motionless body. "How's she holding up?" Sam asked as he slid into her ICU room.
"As well as anyone who's been used as a chew toy by a leopard." Sam pat Dean on the back as he sat in the chair next to him. "She looks awful…" Dean grunted in agreement as he finally drew his eyes off the being monitors and really looked at Caeli for the first time (even tough he had been sitting there for four hours). The arm that had become uncovered was covered in scratches and bruises; her face was lightly scared with only a split lip and a bruised cheek. Dean knew that the damage done to her face and arms was insignificant compared to the damage done to her side. Dean remembered when she had finally been brought out of the OR, and how thrilled he had felt just seeing the beep on the monitor that meant her heart was still beating. He had been staring at it since to keep reminding himself that Caeli was still alive and he wasn't responsible for another death. Almost as if reading his mind, Sam glanced at Dean and quietly reassured him that it wasn't his fault, that Caeli was a hunter and had known the risks of what she had agreed to do. Dean heard Sam but ignored his words of comfort, Dean felt it was his fault because no matter what Sam said it had been his idea. Sighing, Sam left to get food and talk to the doctor. Dean went back to staring at the monitor and was mentally kicking himself when he heard a groan from the bed. Whipping his head around, Dean saw Caeli slowly open her eyes. "Hey" Dean whispered as Caeli examined her surroundings.
"Ouch, hi! Did we kill that stupid cat?"
"Yeah we got him" Dean smiled, happy to share some positive news.
"Great!" Caeli laughed, "I would hate to have ended up in this joint for him just to get away."
Just then Sam burst into the room, "Hey, glad to see you awake! Dean, I got some bad news…"
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, the police found another girl mauled like the ones before, so you know what that means…"
"The freaking thing is still alive?!"
"I guess, I'm gonna check out the body just to make sure."
"Good idea, I'll stay here in case it tries to finish off Caeli and try and find out why bullets don't work."
"Dean you make me seem like an insignificant weakling," Caeli growled pissed off.
"Can you even move?" Dean countered with a raised eyebrow.
"Not exactly …" Caeli muttered in defeat, which caused Dean in smirk in triumph. Caeli rolled her eyes and went to punch his arm but winced in pain as she tried to move. Dean moved to help but stopped feeling awkward.
"Ok… well I'm gonna go…" Sam paused wondering if it was a wise decision to leave Dean with a wounded Caeli. He glanced meaningfully at Dean and after being ignored with an eye roll he left the room.
"So…" Dean started, trying to fill the silence, "I was told to tell you not to pull any stitches."
"How many do I have?" Caeli asked while gingerly feeling her side.
"About 21 on the outside and double that on your innards. That puddy cat got ya good."
Caeli laughed, "So how long till I can get back out there and kill this bastard once and for all?"
"Uh, you'll have to ask the doc that." Dean replied debating whether to say he didn't think she should go back out but decided against it. Glancing at Caeli, Dean could tell she was pissed at being stuck in a hospital bed while the Leopard man was still on the prowl. Noticing Dean looking at her, Caeli smiled and asked if she was really that sexy in a hospital gown. Laughing Dean confirmed that she was and secretly thought she was the only girl in the world that could look good in a paper sheet.
"Do you want to know why I told you up front that I was a hunter?" Caeli asked staring at ceiling.
"Yeah, and while you're sharing want to tell me how you got in the biz?"
"That's not important," Caeli said shortly, shooting Dean a look that said drop it or die. "Anyways, it was because you said your name was Dean."
"You knew who I was?"
"Well not exactly, I've heard about you and Sam before but I've never seen what you guys look like or meet you in person."
"How could you automatically assume I was a hunter though? What if I was just some average Joe named Dean?"
"True, but you have the look of a hunter. Like you've lived through too much shit and never get a chance to take a break and work your way through it before it piles up again. So on top of the look you said your name was Dean so I went with my gut and took the chance. The worst that could've happened is that you would have though I was talking about hunting deer or something."
"Chance can sometimes screw you over…. but I guess we live after each job on chance."
Caeli smiled at Dean then closed her eyes and feel asleep. Dean stared at Caeli's sleeping face and tried to think of what her past must have been, sure she seemed a little eccentric but a least the job hadn't made her crazy like some hunters. Bored Dean started walking around the ICU to stretch after sitting for hours. After passing a couple people, Dean noticed they all seemed to have flowers or cards or stupid little "get well" bears. Stopping in front of a coma patent that seemed to have thousands little bears, Dean paused and then picked up a light blue bear, pocketed it, and continued on his walk.
When Caeli woke up she noticed two things immediately. One, she was alone, which made her frown, and two, a little blue bear holding a white rose which made her smile and then laugh when she saw the tag on the bear said it was for Greg. Glancing around the room Caeli noticed Dean's leather jacket thrown over the back of the chair closest to her bed and was comforted by the thought that he wasn't far.
Just when the idea of escaping her bed and making a run for it was put into action, Dean entered the room with coffee and an old book.
"Hi!" Caeli chirped relived that she had a companion besides the little bear.
"Someone seems happy to see me." Dean chuckled as he sat down and moved his chair slightly closer to Caeli. Caeli rolled her eyes but continued to smile.
"So, I was doing some research while Sam was ff playing cop and I found something that we overlooked."
"What is it?" Caeli asked, the smile gone from her face and replaced with a serious expression.
"The Leopard Man can only be killed with a chiefs spear dipped in the blood of a killer."
"Well any of us can supply the blood. Where are you planning on stealing the spear from?"
"How'd you know that was the next part of my brilliant plan?" Dean said with mock surprise.
"Great minds think a like," Caeli replied with a sly smile and a wink. Dean paused trying to figure out if there was a hidden meaning but decided to save it for later.
"I found a museum close by that just happens to have an Ancient Tribal exhibit this month. So we're going to go pay it a visit tonight. We meaning Sam and me." Dean finished with a voice that dared Caeli to argue, so she did.
"Dean I have done much more than break into a dinky little museum with a couple stitches before."
"No dice sister, you're staying."
"Dean," Caeli growled, "I am not a child and I can do what I want."
"So can I. Which is why if you don't agree I'll have the doctor knock you out so you don't wake up till this case is over." Caeli glared at Dean but didn't say anything else in protest.
"I know it sucks, but look I got you a friend!" Dean said happily, pointing at the little bear.
"A stolen one." Caeli countered trying not to laugh at Dean's childish enthusiasm.
"He just happens to be named Greg and a foolish person just put his name in the wrong spot."
"Aaah, that explains everything," Caeli said dramatically as she reaches for "Greg".
"Did you steal the flower too?" Caeli asked while stroking Greg's head.
"Nope, I picked it…" Dean smiled, invoking a raised eyebrow from Caeli, "from a vase in the lobby."
"You're horrible!" Caeli laughed, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Moi?" Dean mocked with face hurt. Before Caeli could reply Sam walked in. After asking Caeli how she felt, Sam turned to Dean and asked if he found anything useful. As Dean filled him in, Caeli zoned out as she continued to pet Greg.
"Caeli, earth to Caeli." Sam said as he nudged her shoulder.
"Yeah?" Caeli asked, snapping back into the present.
"We're gonna go and have an edumactional visit at the museum." Dean explained.
"Ok." Caeli replied trying to not sound upset at being left behind, "Don't kill anything without me."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Dean winked as he and Sam started to leave. Before he was out of the room completely Dean turned and started at Caeli with a serious expression.
"You," he ordered pointing at Greg, "keep her safe." With that he left the room, leaving Caeli smiling down at her little protector.
Ta Da! This is the longest update yet! You guys better be happy ;)
I wanted to introduce the idea of a serious background story for Caeli and I have a little surprise up my sleeve but it might be a couple chapters before I can use it. I hope everyone likes Greg :) I plan on having him stick around for a while! Any mistakes or suggestions will be appreciated. Don't forget to review review review! * As always have some cookies *