The Story of US

Chapter 17

The waiting room was empty and there were only two nurses at the desk when Dean inquired about Castiel. The nurse was sympathetic but un-moving when she told him she could only release information to the family. Not wanting to press it, Dean returned to the waiting room and took a seat. Pulling out his phone, he lost himself in pictures of Castiel. Taking his time on each one, memorizing every line and freckle. So lost in this, he didn't notice the sun come up or the activity growing around him.

"Hey" he heard, the voice breaking his concentration. Dean looked up to see Gabriel standing over him.

" How long have you been here?" Gabriel asked him, taking the seat next to Dean.

"Uh, I don't know" He said, looking at his phone, " six hours" He finished. Gabriel just nodded. They sat quietly for a few moments, watching the nurses station fully come to life.

" There's no change" Gabriel told him.

Dean just sat there staring at the floor, " I don't have anywhere else to go" was all he said.

Gabriel stood up and started walking towards the patient hall, " Come on" he called over his shoulder. Dean didn't need to be told twice, following him down the hall. Stopping outside Castiel's room, Gabriel spoke to the officers and then turned to Dean

" Michael and Dad wont be in til this afternoon. I'll let the staff know that you are here, but make sure you are gone by noon. " He told him and then was off back the way they had come. Dean entered to small room, still dark with only the lamp for light, he pulled a chair up to the bed and took one of Castiel's hands in between his own. Bringing his head down to kiss his fingertips he spoke to the sleeping boy,

" Where are you Castiel?"

His only answer the faint humming of the many machines doing their jobs. There he sat for hours. Dean was not a praying man and not even sure if that's what he was doing. All he could do was send out a plea to heaven or the cosmos or whatever.

Please let him wake up. Please don't let him die.

Please bring him back to me.

Over and over. This mantra was the only thing he could hear. All too soon his time was up and he was kissing Castiel's forehead when he offered up one final plea, whispering to the sleeping boy

" Don't go where I can't follow you. Come back to me baby"

A nurse stopped him on his way out and told him that he had been added to Castiel's list and that he could visit but only during certain times. Thanking her he left and meant to drive home, but found himself at Castiel's apartment. Letting himself in, he was slammed in the face with Castiel. Just breathing in the smell of him. Dean walked over and placed his phone in the dock and started his playlist simply called Cas. Digging the faded LSU shirt out of the closet Dean puled it over his head and crawled into bed, pulling the covers up and inhaling Castiel's sweet scent. Holding onto his pillow Dean feel asleep surrounded by him.