Dean is exhausted to the point where his hands are trembling, but he could not care less. The presence of the two sleeping individuals in the room make all of it - all of the fear and heartbreak and helplessness of the past few days worth it. He moves from one to the other, checking IVs and providing any kind of care and comfort he can think of.

The room is all but silent, but it is a good, comforting silence. The kind of silence that comes so rarely in his world. Everything is okay. Everything worked out. Now, all he has to do is wait.

He can do that. He can wait. Because you're both here. You're both where he can see you and touch you and keep you safe from harm.

Kevin is asleep in a chair by the door. Dean glances over at him and smiles fondly. The kid has been a hell of a big help in the past few hours, eagerly picking up the slack whenever Dean's attention has been solely focused on either you or Sam.

The younger Winchester brother is stretched out on a too-small cot that was brought into your room. Similarly to Kevin, he refuses to leave until you are awake. It works out, though, having you both in the same place. It makes it easier to give you both the care you need.

Dean moves as stealthily as possible to retrieve the now-cold wash cloth and basin of soapy water from your bedside table. He managed to get you cleaned up for the most part, though he knows damned well you'll probably be determined to take a shower once you're up. He smirks at that thought, greatly looking forward to arguing with you about whether you're steady enough to get out of bed.

As he picks up the basin, his eyes are on Castiel, carefully ensuring that his movements will not disturb the angel in his work.

Castiel is seated beside you on the bed, his eyes closed and hands resting on your brow and abdomen. His grace is working in tandem with the IV, slowly helping you heal and recover.

To get some kind of nutrients into you, Dean has managed to coax a few of those meal-replacement shakes down your throat. He clears away the empty cans and other items from the bedside now and takes them out of the room. When he returns, he finds Castiel sitting up with his hands resting in his lap.

"How's she doin'?" Dean asks quietly.

"She is making progress," Cas assures. "It will be a while longer, but she is on the right path."

"Think she's gonna wake up soon?" Dean presses hopefully.

"I do not think so, Dean," Castiel admits reluctantly. "I can sense her level of exhaustion as I heal her. The child would be enough of a draw on her energy, but with all of the damage she is working to overcome... It is best that she sleeps as long as possible." He sighs and turns his attention to the relieved but weary hunter beside him. "You should take the opportunity to rest now."

Dean opens his mouth to protest, but is cut off.

"She will need you when she wakes." Cas reminds determinedly.

Grudgingly, Dean nods and climbs up onto the bed, settling in fully-clothed atop the covers beside you. He may be willing to sleep, but he has every intention of being ready in case you need anything.

He is unconscious the instant his head touches the pillow. Mercifully, he manages to get a good ten hours in before you finally stir.

-SPN-

You fight to open your uncooperative eyelids. Even that small action seems like too much work. You can't understand at first where you are, or how you're even aware of your surroundings.

You had been fading out, your life slipping through your grasp.

But now...?

Your eyes open barely more than a slit and the light is too much at first. You feel disoriented and confused, but you need to know what is happening.

When you finally manage to focus on your bedroom ceiling, when you feel the familiar warmth of Dean pressed up against your side, your heart shatters in realization.

You recall Dean's words from a year prior, when he had described the sensation of dying:

"It was like it all just...slipped away. Everything. Feelings, memories, thoughts, just -boom- gone. And it was dark...but then I woke up. I was in the Impala on this road in the middle of nowhere. Didn't recognize the place at first. What really did it was seeing Sammy. Not now-Sammy - but like a little, scrawny kid Sammy, you know? It threw me off. Took me a minute to recognize it all - to remember where we were.

"It was a memory. A good memory. No, shit, a great memory. One of the best from when we were growing up. It played out right there in front of me. It was pretty freaking amazing, if I'm honest. But...it wasn't real. I mean, it was, but it wasn't. I could feel him, he was warm and felt alive and solid and everything, but it was just the memory of him from that night. He couldn't answer any questions or interact with me beyond the script.

"And that's Heaven. Like a top-forty of your greatest hits. All the memories you really cherish, the things that made you happiest or feel the most loved, you can relive them forever. Only they're on a loop. They can't change."

You struggle to draw in a choppy breath.

You died.

You know it. You slipped away.

Now, you're lost to Dean.

Which means you lost Dean's baby, too.

Oh, God.

And here you are, in bed with him. And yeah, he feels warm and solid and alive, but it's not real.

It will never be real again.

You can't help the heartbroken whimper that escapes your lips. You don't bother trying to reign in your sobs as you shut your eyes tight and break down.

-SPN-

Dean startles awakes and sits up at the sudden sound of you weeping beside him. He leans over you, cradling your cheek in his hand and trying to reign in his panic.

"Baby? Baby, what's wrong? Hey, talk to me. Are you in pain? What is it?" He asks softly, but frantically.

You shake your head and cover your ears, not wanting to hear the 'script,' not wanting his words to drive home the point that he is not really here with you.

Dean's eyes lock with those of the angel sitting at the edge of the bed.

"What's wrong with her?" He demands fearfully.

Castiel places his hand gently on your brow, frowning as he tries to get a read on what is causing your distress.

"She is confused," he interprets. "I believe she is under the impression that none of this is real."

"Not real?" Dean repeats. "What? As in some kind of hallucination or...?"

"As in Heaven," Cas finishes with a sigh as he removes his hand. "She believes that she has died - that you are just a memory. She is...ignoring you."

Dean scowls and arches a defiant brow down at that.

"Oh, I just don't think so, darling. I don't do 'ignored'," he declares determinedly before leaning down and kissing your lips, effectively silencing your sobs.

You sigh in surprise at the tenderness of his kiss. Your body relaxes and tears slow in response to his touch.

Dean backs away slightly, just enough to roll his forehead against yours and run his hand through your hair.

You keep your eyes closed at first, thankful for the steadying contact, no matter how artificial it may be. Resigning yourself to the fact that this is a memory, but one that you may draw comfort from, you slowly pull away and open your eyes to take in your surroundings.

When you spot Castiel sitting on the opposite side of your bed, you sit up abruptly. While you have numerous memories like this of Dean waking you up from a nightmare, not one of them include Castiel.

Which might mean...

Your eyes search Cas' desperately, seeking a sign that maybe... just maybe... things are not as you fear.

Castiel understands your unspoken question. He inclines his head to you with a genuine smile.

You exhale sharply in astonishment before turning your attention back to Dean. You stare up at your love in wide-eyed shock.

The smirk Dean gives is enough to make your heart flutter with cautious hope.

"Hey, beautiful," he greets in a strained whisper.

"Dean?" You whisper weakly and your voice cracks on that single, all-important syllable.

"The one and only," he answers, eyeing you adoringly.

Your eyes wander around the room, finally taking notice of the others present.

Sam is standing at the foot of the bed, looking weak and a bit ill, but smiling down at you tearfully. Beside him, Kevin is grinning ear to ear.

"How...? What...? Did I...?" You try, but can't seem to finish a sentence.

Dean takes your hand in his, watching it as he slowly interlocks your fingers before offering quietly, "We got you outta there. You're home. You're safe. Everything's okay now."

Your eyes widen fearfully and, before you can catch yourself, your free hand goes to your stomach.

Knowing all too well the cause for the frightened look in your eyes, Dean leans closer, repeating purposefully and hoarsely, "Everything is okay." With glittering eyes, he brings his hand to rest over yours on your abdomen.

You seek out Cas' gaze over Dean's shoulder. The angel smiles lightly, nodding to you that the child is safe.

And now you're crying for a different reason, wrapping your arms around Dean's shoulders and pulling him closer so that you can hide away in his reassuring embrace.

Dean draws a deep, steadying breath as he holds you close.

"Can you guys-?" He chokes out quietly.

"Just leaving," Sam assures. He waits for you to peer up at him from your hiding place and gives you a dazzling, dimpled, tearful smile. "Glad you're feeling better, sweetheart. That was a close one."

You laugh, nod, and sniffle in reply as you burrow deeper into Dean's arms.

"Sweetheart?" Dean repeats with a teasing smirk as Sam rolls his eyes and walks away. "Sweetheart, huh?" He mutters under his breath with a huff of feigned jealousy. You know he's going to have a blast with all of this.

One by one the men take their leave.

Castiel pauses at the door to address Dean. "I will be in to check on her in the next hour or so. Her health is improving greatly. The sleep has done her well." He looks to you before adding, "Call for me if you need anything."

Once the door closes behind him, Dean settles you both back onto the bed. He lets out a sigh that sounds like the release of 4 days of hell. He presses his lips to your forehead, just soaking up the sensation of relief for a while before attempting words.

"Missed you, baby," he finally whispers in that powerful way only he can - cramming so much overwhelming emotion into the span of a few seemingly-simple words.

"Missed you, too," you assure and look up into his eyes lovingly. "Thought I was never gonna see you again. Broke my heart."

"Know the feeling," he answers sincerely. He studies your eyes intensely, finding something there as always, something he latches onto, something that never fails to make the corner of his mouth lift in an adoring half-smile. "So... You have something you want to tell me?"

You grin stupidly in response and he chuckles.

"You already know, though," you mock pout.

"But I want to hear you say it. Makes it real that way," he explains and shifts his head on the pillow, getting comfortable so that he can watch you, so that he can burn the moment to memory.

"Deeaannn...?" You begin with the shy smile he always eats right up.

"Yes, baby girl?" He replies in amusement, struggling to keep his grin at bay.

"Do you, by chance, want to be a Daddy?" You ask coyly and pick at the comforter as a means of avoiding his gaze.

Dean's grin is winning out, but he renews his efforts to keep a straight face.

"You gonna make me one, baby girl?" He asks just as evasively.

You look up at him from beneath a fan of lashes, smiling as you nod.

Dean's mouth is on yours instantly as he rolls you over onto your back. He kisses you deeply and hungrily, then softly and sweetly, then desperately and lovingly. When he finally comes up for air, he looks down into your eyes so intensely, you melt from the inside out. His gaze is so breathtaking, it makes your heart ache with love for him.

"There is nothing...absolutely nothing in this world, or any other, that would make me happier," he swears.

You grin up at him and watch in awe as he moves down your body, pushing your shirt aside to reach your stomach. He settles down on the bed, bringing his lips to your still-flat-belly and pressing a sweet kiss there like a promise.

"Hey in there, peanut," he greets in a deep, rough tone strained by emotion.

You melt all over again.

"I'm your Daddy," he explains, and the single tear that trickles down his cheek as he says it is the most beautiful thing you've ever seen. "It's gonna be a little while before you can come out here and play with me, but that's okay. I don't mind waiting. Besides, you've got a lot to do in there. A lot of growing and getting strong. And when you're ready to come out, I'm gonna be right here.

"I promise, I'm gonna be the best father I can be for you. I ain't exactly perfect..." he assures. His voice cracks on the word, his jaw trembling slightly as his eyes shimmer with unshed tears. You stroke the short hair at the nape of his neck in support as he continues. "...but I will always be here for you and your Mom. So, you just focus on getting bigger, and I'll focus on keeping you both safe."

After clearing his throat and getting a handle on his emotions, Dean leans forward and kisses your belly again before adding quietly, "Love you."

You pull Dean back up the length of your body and guide him to lay beside you. He closes his eyes and sighs contentedly when you kiss your way down his jaw and throat. He offers no resistance when you undress him, does not make any effort to vie for dominance or control over the situation.

You take your time exploring his body with your mouth, relearning the taste of him, savoring what you had feared lost to you forever. He is warm and solid and real. Your Dean. The love of your life and the father of the child growing inside of you. For all those things, you lavish him with the appropriate levels of adoration. And when he can almost take no more of your mouth's wandering attentions, you climb on top of him.

Dean stares up at you in open awe as he slowly removes your clothing. He holds your hips as you ride him slowly, and you drink in every second of the pleasure in his features.

When you both have reached your ends, you lay together, still joined, neither in any rush to separate.

You nuzzle your face against his bare, slightly sweaty chest and smile.

He kisses the top of your head, tracing his fingertips lazily along your back.

"I love you, Dean," you whisper.

"I love you, too, baby," he sighs peacefully.

You lose track of time as you lay in his arms. You are almost asleep when he speaks up again.

You can hear the grin in his voice.

"Sooo... You and Sammy, huh?"

"Oh, God," you groan.

"Naked and snuggled up for three days trying to stay warm... Did you two make it past day one before...bow-chicka-wow-wow?" He asks with a waggle of his eyebrows.

"Dean," you sigh.

"Was this just a foxhole thing, 'sweetheart,' or should I start moving my stuff back to my room?"

"Really?" You ask with a smirk.

"The kid's gonna be awful confused, though..." he muses to himself. "I mean, I'll be what? Daddy / Uncle Dean? That's some serious Jerry Springer shit right there."

You smack his chest and he chuckles in response.

After another long moment, he adds, "At least the last name will still be Winchester, that'll make it a little easier on the kid..."

"Oh, for God's sake," you grumble.

A/N: I don't know how, but I found the time to write this AND launch my first original novel in the past few days! :-) Phew! Any favorite lines or parts? Did anything in particular get you right in the feels or make you LOL? Could you see it all? Be sure to let me know what you think!

And check out my book, Darkness Descends: A Skye Faden Novel on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Links on my profile page. Hit me up on Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter.

Thank you ssooooooo much for the feedback, cajuncanuck, Uhlowl22, Yui, athiusa, ebonywarrior85, Kimber Thomas, Aluminesa, Ritournelle, Anne, J. L. Harp, LiviLottie, and unsigned guest!