The Hospital
Dean finally woke up about mid morning the next day, hearing beeping noises, smelling the distinct odor known only to hospitals. The pain that had been nagging at his sleep finally reached his brain. He moaned softly, opening his eyes, and his fears were realized...hospital. Where the hell was he? His mind was frazzled, and memories were slow in returning. He tried to turn his head and excruciating pain went through his right side.
The hunter hissed, gritting his teeth, wondering where everyone was. He tried to turn his head again and saw the iv, and the blood pressure and heart monitoring machine. He winced and 'damn' escaped his lips. He refused to press the call button, knowing the fuss nurses make.
"I wouldn't move, son. You've been out for a bit." Bobby was reading but had looked up when he heard the moan.
Dean's voice was hoarse, his throat raw, from screaming Near's name. A whispered, “Bobby?” reach the older hunter's ears.
A straw was pressed to the younger hunter's lips. "It's me, son. Drink a bit, it'll help your throat."
The cool water eased the pain and dryness Dean felt in his throat. “Thanks, Bobby. Can't remember much. What happened?”
"As far as I can figure, you threw yourself in the path of a bullet. Afterwards, you decided to act a damn fool and prance around while bleeding."
Dean's memory returned with a vengeance. He cried out, “Near!” Struggling to get out of bed, he cried out from the severe pain of the damage cause by a spinning bullet at close range. “Damn it! Where is he? Is he all right?”
"Don't make me thump you over the head, idjit. He's fine. You both are in a private hospital facility." He shook his head. "You certainly know how to pick your friends. As far as the boy, they did have to take him into surgery to stop the bleeding and set the bones. However, according to that Matt kid, Near will be fine as soon as the injuries heal. You were in surgery for a few hours yourself."
“What damage did he have?”
"I'm not sure on that. Few broken bones, grazed his lung. Doctor said that if you hadn't been there, it would've killed him to take direct impact. You did good, Dean."
“If I hadn't been there, he wouldn't have been shot. Ruby fired to hurt me. He became the target because she saw how I felt about him. I got to get away. Protect him.”
A different voice intervened. "I didn't peg you for pity parties."
Bobby turned and shook his head. Both Matt and Mello were in the doorway with the blond giving Dean a mischievous grin after his words.
Dean's expression softened, “It's the damn truth, Mello, and you know it.”
"Honestly, if you hadn't been there, we'd be taking his body back home to bury because we'd have run into this completely blind."
Dean stared at the blond, pensively, tossing through his quick mind what the boy had said. “Okay. Point taken.”
Matt came in, handing Dean a wrapped box. "This is a thank you for pulling our asses out of the fire."
The hunter stared at both boys, an eyebrow raised. “It's not gonna jump out and bite me, is it?” There was a light teasing banter in the Winchester brother's voice.
He started laughing. "Nah, just something to help pass time in here or when you're bored during your travels."
Dean struggled with one hand to open the box, finally getting it open.
The red head grinned when the game machine was pulled out. There were a few games he thought would entertain the other. As it was a hand held type, it'd mean that the other could use it whenever he wanted.
Dean grinned. “Thanks. I've never played one of these. Always wondered if it'd be fun. This is great. I mean that.”
"You're welcome. I just wanted to thank you somehow, you know?" He gave an embarrassed shrug, poking Mello when the other tried to noogie him.
Dean was grateful for the kindness. He was surprised how they were getting along so much better then he'd thought they would. He wondered what had changed, but really wasn't sure.
“It was a nice thought, and I appreciate it.”
"You're welcome. Oh..you'll be out of here in a day or two. L will be sending transportation. He doesn't want you to leave until you're fully rested and healed so guess you're stuck with us a bit more." Mello didn't think he'd mind considering it'd mean that Dean wouldn't have to worry about things and just relax.
Dean nodded, “I guess I'll head back to that cabin and see if I can figure out a way to buy it. I like the place. Got to check up on Sammy, too. I'll miss you guys, when I leave. “
"He's already checked on that and bought it with the intent you could buy it from him whenever you're ready. L didn't want that to disappear on you."
Dean looked shocked. “He did that for me?”
Mello nodded with a grin. "He said that he'd start upgrades if you tell him what you want. In your line of work, getting financing would be problematic so he said it's better to do it this way."
“Yeah, I wanted to go over the plumbing and wiring, and attach a large storage room on the back, with heat and cold air. Kind of a large pantry type place and a couple of big freezers in it. Hunting meat and being able to have a place to store it, would be great. Tell him I'm grateful. I don't understand why he's doing it, but I thank him.”
Matt smiled. "You'll understand later. Just know that L does nothing without fully thinking it through. Why don't you make a list up later for him? That way he can get started."
“I will. Thanks. It will give us some time to heal. A place to come home to. I like that.”
"In the meantime, get some rest. L will have you moved to a comfortable location soon enough."
Dean lay back down, but the pain was almost unbearable. He'd heard that breaks in the shoulder blade and clavicle hurt like hell, but he hadn't realized how bad. He wasn't going to complain. He'd made it through better then it could have been.
He was confused about what L was up to. L didn't owe him anything. He did what he'd been made to do, but when had it changed from 'being made' to 'wanting' to do? He sighed and tried to sleep.
A nurse came in a short time later, administering something for the pain. She ducked out after taking his vitals, leaving him alone with Bobby. The boys had gone to visit Near a short time ago.
Dean almost sobbed when the pain eased. He was very careful that Bobby took no notice of it. His mind was wandering from Near to Sam to Cas and back again, worried about each of them, but Near was foremost in his mind. He was still a kid. Dean had begun to think of the boy as his kid, knowing he had no right, but he couldn't help it.
"You know they'll be all right, right?"
“Who, Bobby?”
"Near and Sam. They're in good hands."
“I know. Watari and L are good at this.”
"So stop worrying and start healing," he said with a grin.
“I wasn't worrying, Bobby” Dean stopped and met the older man's eyes. “Okay, but not a lot.”
"Well, stop it. You have healing to do and worrying like a mother hen won't do you or them any good."
“I know the clavicle and shoulder blade were busted up. How bad is it, Bobby? Am I gonna have problems?”
"L hired some damned good doctors. You may have the occasional ache but otherwise, good to go when it's healed."
Dean was so confused. He'd caused major injuries to Near. Sam's problems, his problems, and Ruby had been dragged into their case. Why was L doing all this for him? He was totally out his depth and could not figure out why this was happening at all.
"I can almost hear those thoughts buzzing around in your head. Worry about it later."
“I know, Bobby, it's...just....it doesn't make sense.”
"You can talk to him later about it."
The pain medicine set in and Dean dozed off.
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