This story is for a special friend who has a special birthday – Happy Birthday, downfall35!
His prompt was: Doctor Dean taking care of Castiel.
Warnings: Slash!
Fanny was bouncing next to her mother excitedly in a way only toddlers could. It was the first Thursday of May and therefore the day the ice cream parlors had just opened for the new season a few days ago. With nearly two years the little girl was finally old enough to get her very first own ice-cream cone. Her mother, Anna, decided to take a picture with her cell phone because that big smile full of anticipation covering her baby girl's face was something she wanted to be able to look at forever. Her bag was cramped full with stuff every young mother carried and the stupid phone apparently had been covered by every single toy, pacifier, baby wipes and empty wrapper that ever had found its way into Anna's bag. The clattering sound of something hitting the concrete told her that she had lost her key - not for the first time. Someday very soon she was going to buy one of that fancy diaper bags all moms had nowadays.
Anna bended down picked up her keyring and when she was finished Fanny was gone. She could have sworn her baby was standing next to her one second ago but not the small girl had just vanished. She slowly turned scanning the crowds of people, searching for the familiar shock of red hair. As she finally spotted her daughter Anna was speechless with terror. Fanny, the most precious thing in her live, was not more than ten meters away just about to enter the highly frequented road. Too far away for her to reach. Countless people were watching. Brainlessly. Unthinkingly. Not sparing much thought on what would happen if nobody stopped the toddler in time.
Everything took place so fast that in retrospect she still was not entirely sure what had happened. The man in the tan trench coat just appeared next to Fanny and gave her a hard push so the little girl lurched back to the sidewalk. Anna heard tires squealing as she sprinted the last few meters that separated her and her baby girl. Fanny was lying on the concrete crying, bleeding from a small cut on her forehead and knee. The man who had saved her child's live had been run over by at least one car and judging by the amount of blood he probably was already dead. Still Anna clutched her daughter tight and tried to think of everything she had learned at that first-aid-lesson many years ago.
~*~
"That is your last warning, Winchester. Another stunt like that and we'll give you the sack. You got it? I am serious about that. We do not need people like you. If it becomes known that our doctors are beating up patients..."
"With all due respect, Sir, it wasn't a patient but her husband."
"That doesn't matter, Winchester. You are dismissed."
Suppressing a heavy sigh Dean Winchester left the hospital manager's office. That day had started so pleasant... Up until the moment that poor beaten woman had entered his treatment room. Dean had been a doctor long enough to notice the signs of domestic violence. Every time he discovered those kind of bruises and injuries his blood started to boil. The guy he had broken his nose earlier today wasn't the first one to lie about his wife falling down or just being clumsy.
~*~
"Oh, Dean..." Sam sighed between two forks full of salad. "Why can't you just... talk to those guys. You know, violence is never the solution." The older Winchester shot his brother not even a short glance while devouring his double bacon cheese burger. They had had this discussion already too many times. All arguments said, all paths walked. "I just... I really like this hospital. And I like my job. I don't want to have to move again."
Of course his brother was worried. A few years ago Sam had been one of the youngest and most distinguished neuro surgeons on the west coast. But after his fiancée Jessica's death he fell for the wrong woman and now had to attend the weekly meetings of the local Alcoholics Anonymous. Not exactly the ideal qualifications for a surgeon. Today for Sam getting a job wasn't easy any longer and if his brother was given the pink slip they'd probably end up in a town they didn't know. And without the proper connections Sam was nearly unemployable.
"Look, Dean, just go to Mr. Corben and tell him you are sorry. He probably won't even sue the hospital because he doesn't want the extra attention. For once just stay calm and try to fix the situation."
"I was right, Sammy, and you know it. I am not going to... to prostrate before a thug like that. I am not. End of discussion."
~*~
Right after lunch Jamie, the blonde nurse that always made eyes at him, informed Dean about his newest patient. Male, approximately 30 to 35, injured in a car accident, severe head trauma, major excoriations, a broken nose, zygomatic and inferior maxillary bone. Whatever had happened to that guy he sure needed a surgeon specializing in reconstructive surgery.
Dean energetically opened the door and stopped dead in his tracks. The records he had gotten from nurse Jamie said this man had no ID and therefore no relatives had been informed. Still there as a young woman with a sleeping toddler on her lap sitting in a chair next to the bed. She was not beautiful but still good looking enough Dean would normally be hitting at her. Long fiery red hair, pale, soft skin, eyes that changed between rich brown and hazel depending on the light.
He must have stared longer than intended because suddenly there was a faint blush creeping up her cheeks and she rose clutching the small child tightly to her chest. "I'm sorry... The nurse told me I was allowed to stay... I'll leave immediately..." The woman sounded confused, exhausted and anxious likewise.
Dean just shook his head, pointed at the chair and told her in a soft voice to sit down again. "Are you family? Because he seems to lack any ID so we still have a lot of paperwork to be done..." But the red haired woman just shook her head. "I don't know him. He... he just saved my baby." Dean saw moisture gathering in the dark brown eyes as she rattled on: "I just looked away for a second then Fanny was gone. All the other people where just watching. Nobody did anything. I was too far away. Fanny... she... she was running to the street. I've told her a thousand times not to walk on a street but... And then there were so many cars. He suddenly was there, like appeared next to her and... I think a car ran over him. Or two. I owe him the live of my little girl. I just want to make sure he survives so I can say thank you. He is going to survive. Right?"
Great, Dean thought as he crouched down next to the crying woman, Now I have to calm her down and fast before she wakes up the baby and I have two girls to comfort. He put a hand on the redhead's arm and softly told her: "He will be all right. Don't worry. What's your name? I'm Doctor Winchester, but just call me Dean." He knew it wouldn't take him long to get her to smile again.
"Anna."
"Hi, Anna."
~*~
An hour later Dean knew more about Anna than he had learned about most of his colleagues in the three years he had been working here. The unnamed man in the bed hadn't woken once. The older Winchester glanced at his watch and started to rise. There were other patients waiting for him. As much as he liked talking to Anna - or listening to her, he hadn't been able to contribute much to their conversation because the red haired woman only stopped when she needed air - as much as he'd like to stay now he had to at least pretend to be working again.
"So... Looks like we have another John Doe." Anna looked genuine confused so Dean felt constrained to explain: "Whenever we get a patient without an ID or anyone to identify him we still have to give that guy a name. 'Patient number 114' sounds very impersonal. So somehow the name John Doe is used in that case - at least in all hospitals I know of."
Anna seemed to think about that a few seconds before turning to watch the unconscious man again. "He doesn't look like a John to me."
Dean hardly resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Women. "How does he look like? James Doe?"
"No. I think... You know, he saved the live of my baby. He was godsend. Her rescuing angel." She slowly looked at Dean again, determination in her dark eyes. "Castiel. Why don't you call him Castiel?"
~*~
Apparently everybody knew about Castiel being the Angel of Thursday. Everybody except Dean. He hadn't even know there were Angels for every day. Perhaps there were Angels watching over flowerpots and shoelaces, too. And frankly he couldn't care less. There was still a lot of paperwork to do and in half an hour the older Winchester had surgery scheduled. A teen had broken his nose and without Dean fixing it he would end up with an unattractive crook. He hated broken noses. They hurt like a bitch, looked ridiculous with those tampons down each nostril and the surgery to fix it was boring like hell. Dean really needed a coffee.
He was half way to the staff's drinks dispenser when he heard unmistakably voice of Anna hollering for him. Apparently her 'angel' had woken up. With a resigned sigh he headed back to the hospital room. Of course when he passed the nurses he heard Ruby mock: "Looks like your angel is conscious again." His angel. Right. That's why he hated that dark haired bitch. "At least he is no hell spawn like certain other persons 'round..." he muttered loud enough for her to hear as he hurried towards Anna.
The bluest eyes Dean had ever seen waited for him. Dean was sure the guy was high like a kite on various pain meds but still that blank look of mild disinterest he regarded Dean with was more than just a bit unnerving. "Hi, I'm Dean Winchester. I'm your doctor. Unfortunately we weren't able to find any ID on your stuff so..."
The man still stared mutely.
"If you could help us fill out the blanks...?"
Nothing.
"Mister...? Do you speak English?"
"I am sorry, doctor. I somehow fail to remember my name." The man's speech was heavily slurred by meds and by his broken jaw but still Dean liked that voice. Much deeper than the lithe built would imply. Velvet over gravel - huh? Where did that girly thought came from? Focus, Dean.
"It's ok... Just tell me what's the last thing you remember?"
"Light", the answer came without hesitation.
Dean frowned. That wasn't helpful at all. "Anything else?"
"Fanny. A small girl. A toddler."
The older Winchester pointed at the sleeping child in the chair next to the window. "Her?"
Cautiously the injured man turned his head to catch a glimpse of the kid. "I believe it was that child. Yes."
"And?" Dean probed.
"Nothing. I am sorry. I don't seem to be able to recall anything besides that."
"You sure talk funny, pal..." the older Winchester said jokingly while watching the strange man closely.
"So, "Anna interjected, "You have no idea who you are? The hospital has to give you a name and we decided Castiel would be nice..."
The injured man looked at Anna as if he had just noticed her for the first time. "You are the child's mother. You failed to reach her in time to... It was a... a white car. I remember a white car."
"That's good!" Dean reassured his patient. "You start remembering. Anything else?"
"Sorry..."
"Stop apologizing. There is no need to."
"I'm sor..." the man interrupted himself as Dean shot him an annoyed look.
"So, Castiel is it then..." the older Winchester glanced at Anna who was smiling from ear to ear.
"The Angel of travel. A very appropriate name." Castiel nodded slowly.
"I thought Thursday...?" Dean shot an asking glance at Anna who just shrugged.
"Thursday, too. Is it...? Is it Thursday? Than the name is even more appropriate."
~*~
Dean was just about to explain the steps of surgery necessary to make sure Castiel's face would not heal to look like a second Quasimodo - of course now Sam would point out that Quasimodo's back was deformed, not his face and Dean would counter that having a hunch on one's nose surely counted as deformation, too, but luckily his brother was neither here nor able to read his mind - when Gordon entered the room. The older Winchester hated Gordon nearly as much as he hated Ruby. Dean actually was a very laid back guy, easygoing and getting along well with nearly everybody else in the hospital - except Ruby, Gordon and sadly the manager Mr. Harker. Unfortunately Gordon was the second plastic surgeon of the hospital so Dean was forced to talk to the guy more often than he would have liked.
"Hey, Winchester, Doctor Singer wants to talk to you. I'll take over your... angel."
For that mocking tone alone Dean wanted to punch Gordon. Hard. But he had to keep up appearances for Castiel's sake. Two doctors starting to brawl next to your bed surely aren't the best conditions for your memory to start working again. Even Dean knew that kind of discomfort was best treated with quiet, peace and rest. "He's all your's, Walker."
Dr. Singer, Bobby, was the chief of medicine. A good friend of the Winchester's father who had helped them get this job despite Sam's former addiction. Dean liked the gruff and direct way of the old doctor. Bobby made no bones about it and had no problem to snub even Mr. Harker.
The older Winchester entered Bobby's office with mixed emotions hoping his friend wouldn't give him a piece of his mind about that incident today but apparently that was the exact reason Dean had been summoned.
"What didja think, you idjit?! You know I can't just go to Harker and tell him to forget about it this time. You know, you've had already too many warnings!"
"Bobby, that dick was abusing his wife! And not for the first time!"
"I know boy, I'm not mad because you tried to right a wrong here. I am mad because of how you did it."
"What do you want me to do? Look away like every other one has? You damn right know the police won't do a thing 'til she's hurt that bad that there might be permanent..."
"Boy! Did ya even listen to what I said? I do not want you to beat up people because they have beaten up other people! That's just not the right way. Even you can't be that dense. I want you to stop bullying other bullies. Got that?"
Dean sighed. "Yes, Sir."
"Good. Now why I actually wanted to talk to you... I've heard that the new owner is in town and wants to visit the hospital today or tomorrow. Please, for the sake of your brother don't do anything stupid in the next time. Take a few days off if you like. You still have way too many extra hours and Walker is more than capable of handling your patients for a couple o' days."
"I'll think about it, Bobby."
~*~
When Dean returned to reclaim Castiel Doe one and a half hours later he was determined to follow Dr. Singer's advice and take a vacation. As soon as Gordon handed over the records that intention ended in smoke. He took the computer generated picture that was on top of the papers and waggled it in front of Castiel.
"What's that?"
"Doctor Walker said I am going to have reconstructive surgery and if there is anything I would like to change in my face now would be the right time. He helped me and that is what we came up with..."
"Is he totally nuts?!" Dean had to fight hard to not sprint out of the room and... No. Him beating up another man was exactly what Bobby wanted to avoid. The older Winchester closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"I am sorry if I did anything wrong..."
"No! No, it's ok. Dr. Walker made a mistake. We don't do cosmetic surgery on accident victims." Even Gordon had to know that after such a traumatic event the patient needed to find his equilibrium again before he would be able to make such a grave decision.
"We will just try to make your face look like it used to. Unfortunately there are no photos I could use as a reference..."
"If you could bring me a pen and some paper..."
"You can draw?"
"I think so..."
And boy, that guy could draw! After Dean got a glimpse of the first 'sketch' he made sure Castiel got a note pad an a few pencils to pass the time – and perhaps find his missing memories again.
~*~
In the evening when Dean wanted to take a last look at Castiel before he would leave for today Anna was still sitting next to the now sleeping man - minus her daughter. There was a huge bouquet of flowers on the small bedside table – most likely from the redhead - and the last rays of the setting sun made her hair shine like fire.
"Where's your kid?" Dean asked while he checked on his patient cautiously to not wake him.
"At my mother's."
"And why are you still here?"
"I..." Anna swallowed and the older Winchester saw fresh tears in her huge eyes. "Fanny would be... And I owe him... I just... I keep thinking what if he hadn't..."
Dean pulled her gently from the chair and led the woman outside the room before her sobs could wake Castiel. "Why don't you join me on a beer? We can talk and you'll see you'll feel better soon."
Of course Dean wasn't one for much talk, he figured he could comfort Anna in another way.
~*~
Sam had just finished his bowl of cereals as his hungover brother entered the kitchen wearing only his pyjama pants, hair mussed up and the creases of the pillow still on his face.
"Morning Sunshine!" he said as cheerful as possibly because normally that never failed to piss the older Winchester off. As a red haired woman, obviously half asleep too and dressed in one of Dean's tees, followed his brother Sam replaced his smile with a frown, mumbled "Okay... Awkward..." and hurriedly left the kitchen.
~*~
Somehow Dean was looking forward to meeting Cas again - when had he started to think about the guy as 'Cas'? It was early afternoon and the older Winchester wanted to talk to his patient a last time before their scheduled surgery. He opened the door cheerfully - getting laid really was working wonders for his mood - and frowned as he saw the other man was fast asleep.
Dean had participated in quite a few bar fights so he had first hand experience to what a concussion could do to a guy. Still he needed to talk to Castiel now. There were forms to be signed and information to be passed and with his name already on the watch list Dean knew he no longer should take the liberty to bend the hospital's rules to his needs.
The other man looked very peaceful and much younger. His features were relaxed and with the warm light of nearly-there summer Castiel's skin seemed to glow softly. He really looks like an Angel, Dean thought and noticed the other man's dry and chapped lips. The urge to touch them was strong but instead the older Winchester decided to tell one of the nurses to bring him a lip balm or something.
"Cas? I need to talk to you." Dean softly touched the other man's shoulder. "Castiel, I'm sorry but you have to wake up now."
Slowly heavy lids opened and sleep swollen eyes blinked at Dean in confusion. The older Winchester noticed one pupil was still more dilated than the other and made a mental note to let Sam have a look at the guy.
"Cas, you're with me?"
"Yes...," the other man answered in a hoarse whisper.
While Dean talked them through the stack of papers Casiel's eyes never left the Doctor. An unblinking stare that made the older Winchester very self-conscious up to a point where he let the documents drop to his knees and ask a bit annoyed: "What is it? Spill it out already!"
"You know, you are beautiful, Dean." There was so much awe in the other man's voice that Dean's face blushed deeply. Of course he had heard similar things often enough – he was quite handsome – but this was a guy! And that was something guys just don't say – at least not if they don't want to lay you.
"What ever you say, buddy... I think we should finish this stuff."
"Dean, I am serious. You are beautiful. Not only your face, but your soul, too."
The older Winchester didn't interrupt the man because he was busy with blinking in surprise. Soul? What kind of new-age crap was that?!
"Everyday you try to help people. Not only because it is your job but because you want to. Even if you know it will involve you in trouble. You defended the poor beaten woman just yesterday..."
"Bullshit, Cas! Don't talk about me like that. You know jack shit about me! I am not beautiful, at least not my soul. I speed, I drink too much, I swear, I beat other people up, I cheat on the tax..."
"Still... your soul shines brightly, like a beacon in..."
"No, Cas, stop it." Dean was breathing heavily. He had no idea why this conversation bothered him that much. Normally he would shrug it off as the rambling of a seriously concussed man high on pain meds. But this Castiel-guy was strange. Different. Alien. And each of his words were getting under his skin.
The older Winchester didn't want to continue their talk – he wasn't even sure if he was able to. Ruby. Yes, he would tell that bitch to finish the papers with Castiel. Hastily Dean rose and left the room – no, he did not flee, he just... retreated.
~*~
"I really didn't think you'd cheat that soon on your angel."
Dean shot Ruby an annoyed and confused glance. What was that woman talking about this time?
"Although I have to admit the red head was hot. But still... cheating on your angel on the very first day... Dean, you'll go straight to hell for that."
Some day he was going to kill that bitch.
~*~
"Did you tell Ruby that Anna and I had sex?"
"No!"
"Sam..."
"She kinda had figured it out already and asked me, ok?"
"Dammit, you seeing that bitch again?"
"No... yes... We work in the same hospital. Of course I see her. But we are not together again. I made a mistake, I won't do it again. How many times do I have to tell you..."
"Sorry, Sam. I'm sorry, ok. Just... drop it.
After a long minute of quietness where both Winchesters were eating their late supper mutely besides each other Sam finally broke the silence. "You haven't mentioned Castiel's name in the last half an hour. Something happened to your crush?"
"He isn't my crush."
"But ever since he became your patient you are talking about him. All the time. Castiel here, Castiel there, oh, and a bit of Cas as an encore."
"Yesterday, Sammy..."
"Hmm...?"
"He was taken to us just yesterday. No need for your once-upon-a-time-talk. And you are overacting. I am not talking about Cas all the time."
"Ok, if you say so... Then let's talk about Anna. Why did you sleep with her? I though you just decided you'd like men best."
"I'm still bi, Sam. And if I want to have sex with a woman I will do so without talking to you first. And it was just to comfort her!"
"So you just showed pity and seduced her because you could no longer stand her sobs? And in fact the only one you are genuine interested is Castiel?"
The older Winchester sighed deeply. Why did everyone wanted to tick him off today? Castiel, then Ruby and now even his own brother. This day couldn't end too soon.
~*~
This night Dean Winchester dreamed. It was not one of his usual nightmares. They were not sitting in his beloved impala as a semi crushed into them killing their father and nearly Dean, too. They weren't on the muddy street, either. Where a madman had stabbed Sam leaving him to bleed to death, damaging his one still functioning kidney terminally so Dean had to donate one of his own. And the older Winchester wasn't in the OP, either. Watching a patient with ever changing faces lose his battle for survival regardless of what Dean tried to come up with.
No, this time the older Winchester was standing on the roof of the hospital. Right on the brink with a bottomless abyss only a step away. Behind him there were things. Things he didn't know. Things he couldn't see. But things he still knew where there and wanted to eat him up alive. His only chance was to jump and hope for some kind of miracle.
He shortly turned his head and glanced back. Although it was a dark night somehow there was a bit of light. Enough to notice forms approaching slowly. Some humanoid, some animal like, but all twisted and perverted. Sharp teeth, pointy horns and hazardous talons. There were only seconds left before the first one would have reached Dean.
The older Winchester took a deep breath, tried to calm his rapidly beating heart and steady his nerves. In and out. The pawing sounds were right behind him now. In and out. He could already smell the foul breath. In and out. And... Dean stepped forward into the emptiness. Countless throats streaked in frustration as the older Winchester fell beyond their reach and towards the black pit.
There was a rusting sound. Like countless feathers then something gripped him tight, clasped his forearm and pain shot through Dean's shoulder as it nearly dislocated. It took him a few moments to blink away his tears before the older Winchester turned his head and – looked into the bluest eyes he had ever seen.
Castiel. But still not. He had beautiful wings, majestic, august, regal. Some kind of armor, shining with an inner light covered a slightly transparent robe that flapped softly as they started to ascend again. Castiel, the Angel, had rescued him.
The peace lasted only shortly. Some of the vile creatures had wings, too – bat like, leathery, nothing like the Angel's – and they were rapidly making up leeway. Although Castiel had a huge and gleaming sword he could not fight properly without risking Dean to slip out of his arm. Sharp claws sliced through sensitive skin, leaving blood stained feathers behind. The beings attacked the Angel's wing fiercely trying to make both Dean and Castiel come down. It was obvious this wasn't the first airborne battle the Angel was fighting still having to hold a full grown man was a serious handicap. Castiel managed shield Dean from their attackers so the creatures could only injure the Angel.
Suddenly they were standing on top of another house, above the skyline of a city Dean didn't know.
"You should not let your fears tyrannize you, Dean." Castiel's voice bore hints of pain and his breath came in ragged spurts.
Dean did not answer. There was still too much to process first. Like the sight of the Angel's shredded wings, bleeding on the roof, dark red staining the pristine white feathers and robe.
"I will not be always around to rescue you."
"Cas, this is a dream, right?"
Instead of an answer the Angel sank to his knees, a small groan escaping his lips.
"Castiel?"
The unnerving beep-beep-beep-beeeep of his alarm clock made Dean sit up straight in his bed. He rubbed a weary hand across his face. Early shift always sucked. And after that strange dream he didn't feel recovered at all.
~*~
Dean didn't waste time with his coffee – he could drink it while heading to care unit B where Castiel's room was located. The older Winchester rushed towards the huge elevators trying to calm his nerves. It was ridiculous. Really. It had just been a stupid dream. Castiel was no Angel of the Lord. And the things lurking in his nightmares were not able to hurt anyone. Still... a strange feeling of dread remained.
Dean was too occupied with his inner turmoil to pay much attention to his surroundings. He was on autopilot, knew the way to all care units by heard and let his feet lead him while his thoughts circled around the stranger in room B4-11.
"Dean!"
Someone touched his shoulder and pulled him back into the real world. Anna.
"Hey, Dean. I... are you heading to Castiel? We could walk together..."
"Uhm... yeah... sure."
"Fanny decided we should invite him to have some ice cream with us as soon as he is released. As a small thank-you. Do you think he likes ice cream?"
"Everybody does."
They had nearly reached Castiel's room as Bela, one of the night nurses, intercepted them. She had a small frown on her face, looking pitifully at him.
"Dean, you are early. Heading to Castiel Doe?"
The older Winchester answered with a mute nod. Something inside his stomach suddenly became heavy, making it impossible to speak.
"He is in ICU."
Anna inhaled sharply to Dean's left and found her speech long before he did. "What happened?"
Bela eyed her shortly before turning to Dean again. "Wait a sec..." She grabbed a folder from the nurse desk and handed it to the older Winchester. While he flipped through the patient record Bela filled them in: "He lost unconsciousness sometime around 4:30 am. MRI showed a cerebral hemorrhage..."
"Brain bleeding," Dean translated for Anna without looking up.
"...and he was instantly transferred to ICU. Dr. Harvell is currently on duty. You should talk to her, Dean."
The older Winchester nodded and sighed deeply. Was this a coincidence? Was he slowly losing his mind? He felt Bela's hand on his shoulder. The exact spot where Castiel had gripped him tight... in his dream...
"I'm so sorry, Dean." There was more feeling in Bela's voice than he had heard in the entire last year.
"Why...? He's just a patient. It's tragic, but..." Was he so easy to read? And besides Castiel was just a patient. A strange patient. But nothing more. And Dean definitely did not feel like someone had pulled the rug out from under him. No. He was completely professional.
"Room C5-03!" Bela cat-called at Dean as he was already halfway to the stairs.
~*~
This night Dean did not sleep. Do you believe in Angels? he had asked Anna before he had left her outside the ICU. He was not sure if he believed in them. Castiel, this strange man somehow had him in his adamant grasp and was not letting him go again. From the first time he looked into those deep blue eyes something in Dean had awoken and slowly began to grow. Something he had not felt in a very long time. It was hard to name that feeling – no it actually was quite easy but Dean was afraid to. As if calling it by its right name would make it more real. As if he could deny it any longer.
Dean sighed heavily and changed his position. The dim light of a full moon shone into his room casting everything in an eerie light. Perhaps Angels truly walked earth as his mother had always claimed. And perhaps this guy really was one of them. He had rescued the little girl. But shouldn't he just have disappeared afterwards? Not been run over by a couple of cars and landed in the hospital? So he couldn't be an Angel. By no means. Or...? What if that really had been Castiel in his dream? What if he had rescued Dean and been injured in the process? Or going back another step, what if the only reason for that Angel to let himself be hurt by some cars was to meet Dean? Fuck, his head started to hurt.
~*~
As soon as Sam saw his brother the next morning he knew something must have happened. Dean's eyes were red trimmed and he looked tired and somewhat forlorn. He sat a huge mug of hot coffee down in front of his older brother and waited for him to take his first gulp before speaking up.
"Dean, what happened? You look like shit."
"Couldn't sleep..."
"Because of that Castiel-guy?"
A deep sigh was answer enough for Sam. He was not sure if he was interpreting too much into his brother's behaviour since he had met that guy so he decided to stick to the obvious. Dean feeling responsible for his patient.
"Ruby told me. He's in a coma now... I'm sorry. You know it wasn't your fault."
"I'm not sure..."
"What could you possible have done wrong? He had a severe head trauma! Cerebral hemorrhage is a common complication..."
Dean sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly before answering his brother: "Yeah, I know... See, I had this weird-ass dream. Where Castiel kind of saved me. And the next morning I learn he went comatose around the same time. Perhaps it's just Anna's jabbering about angels... perhaps I'm slowly going mad. I don't know."
"Perhaps you have more than just a crush...?"
Again Dean sighed and slowly shook his head. "I don't know. I'm tired, I..." The older Winchester shrugged wearily.
"You are not going to work like that. I'll call Bobby and tell him you are sick. And perhaps take a day or two off. And you should try to get some rest. Watch TV – I head daytime TV is better than any sleeping pill..."
A few minutes later Dean had made himself comfy with a fluffy comforter and a thick blanket and was watching what he thought must be an episode of Dallas as Sam entered the room again.
"Hey. I've just talked to Bobby. You can stay home the next two days. If you need more we just have to tell him. And he'll make sure as soon as there are news from Castiel Doe someone will call you. Oh, and did you know, the new owner is missing. He didn't show up to the appointment with Mr. Harker. So the entire hospital is in a dither. I think that's actually quite good. When he finally appears again your 'argument' with that patient's husband will surely be already forgotten."
~*~
Daytime TV really was the most boring stuff one could imagine. After two hours Dean was desperate enough to try one of Sam's books. Unfortunately he was so tired reading soon hurt. The letters kept blurring and moving around while his eyes burned each time he opened them. Dean leaned back onto the comforter and closed his eyes. His brain was still way too active to let him sleep but Dean decided to put that to good use.
Once again he recalled his weird dream. It really had been Castiel. His Castiel. His Castiel... Dean thought about blue eyes that could make the arctic ice melt and hell freeze over at the same time. He thought about soft but chapped lips, about how it would feel to touch them. To kiss them.
Dean was sure – at least as sure as he could be regarding something as big as this. He had feelings for this strange man. But not just some feelings. No crush. No, this was the real thing. Dammit, man up and call it by its name already! he scolded himself. He was in freaking love with Castiel.