The Claim

You And I

It would take a few more days before they would get a sign that everything was going to be okay. Jensen was talking to Jared, who had come by for a quick visit, Eloise's hand tucked in his. At one point he could've sworn he had felt her hand move. Looking closely at her hands, he saw them twitch again.

Calling out for a nurse, startling Jared in the process, he waited while the nurse checked on Eloise. The twitching became more pronounced and soon she was responding to commands from the nurse. Both Jensen and Jared had tears of relief in their eyes, for just the slight chance that Eloise might be waking up was overwhelming.

The nurse asked them to wait outside and called Eloise's doctor. Jensen started pacing the hallway until Jared stopped him, claiming he would make a hole on the ground if he kept going. It took just a few minutes, that felt like hours to both men, until the nurse came outside, wearing a small smile.

- "Is she okay?" – Jensen asked.

- "It's looking good, but the doctor will come and talk to you in a little while. He's just finishing up his exam of Miss Anderson, and making sure everything is okay." – She answered before walking away.

Jensen pulled Jared into a bear hug, repeating what the nurse had just said. Jared couldn't help but smile at his friend and boss, and let out a sigh of relief. It had pained him seeing Eloise like that, he never wanted anyone to go through something like that, but especially not Eloise.

From the moment she walked into everyone's lives, she had done so much for them and she didn't even realize it. Eloise was always kind, thoughtful and straightforward with them, and never made them feel like she was afraid of them or that she saw them any differently, unlike everyone else in town.

When Jared heard that Eloise had been taken by Elijah, he knew that every single one of Jensen's men would do whatever it took to get her back. In one way or another, they had all adopted her into their family, and there was nothing they wouldn't do for their family.

The doctor walked out of the room and looked at them, a smile on his face. He told them that from what he saw, Eloise was going to make a full recovery, but that it would take some time. Jensen asked if they could see her, to which the doctor agreed, saying that she would still be somewhat tired so to let her rest when she needed. They thanked the doctor and Jensen started making his way to the door.

Jared grabbed him before he went in and told him that he was going to call the men, and let them know the news. Jensen agreed, saying that they were probably just as worried as he was about her. Jared couldn't stop the chuckle that came out of his mouth and added that they even had started lighting candles for her.

Jensen smiled, knowing that that was something rather unusual for a lot of his men, but grateful that they all cared as much about Eloise as he did. Patting Jared on the shoulder, he watched his consigliere walk away, already calling someone on his phone, ready to spread the good news.

He walked in the room and was surprised to see Eloise fully awake. When she saw him, she smiled and he couldn't help but smile back. Sitting in the chair that had become his best friend for the last two and a half weeks, he held her hand in his, careful not to hurt her.

- "How you feeling, sweetheart?"

- "Like I was ran over by a fucking army tank. Other than that, great."

- "You always do that." - Jensen said with a sweet smile.

- "Do what?"

- "You always try to see the silver lining in everything."

- "Well, there's no point in letting yourself get dragged to a dark place if you can avoid it."

- "True. And that is one of the many things that made me fall in love with you."

- "Wait. Care to say that again, Mr. Ackles?"

- "I love you, sweetheart." - Jensen said with a chuckle. - "I have for a while, but I have been too scared to tell you because of the whole Elijah situation. But now that that's over, I'm no longer scared. I love you Eloise Anderson."

- "Do you have any idea how long I wanted to say those exact words to you? I've loved you for so long, but with Elijah still after me, I never said anything because I didn't want it to end because of him. I love you too, Jensen Ackles, so much."

Jensen smiled and leaned over to kiss her. Eloise kissed him back, knowing that from that moment on, there would be nothing to stop them from being happy. Now was time to recover, both physically and mentally, as well as to build this new relationship.

Only time would tell if they were going to make it or not, but she wasn't worried. She was gonna take her time and enjoy her new found happiness with Jensen. Something she has been wanting for far too long.