CHAPTER 26

Cas decided to wipe Dean's memories first, as it would be easier to do while he was still unconscious. He pressed 2 fingers to Dean's forehead and white light came from the tips of Cas' fingers and seemed to dissolve into Dean's skin. Cas' eyes were distant and they moved back and forth as he searched Dean's mind for the right memories. It only took him a moment to find them then he closed his eyes, concentrating on the task at hand. His hand glowed even brighter as Cas burned away the toxic memories from Dean's mind. Dean didn't so much as twitch. The glow faded and Cas moved his hand away. "It's done.

"That's all there is to it?", Y/N asked in amazement.

"Yes. Although it may feel a little strange", Cas admitted. "Like I'm tickling you brain with a feather. But you won't remember that either. Cas, Sam, and Bobby all followed her to her room. Y/N laid down on the bed and the three men stood next it. Cas looked at his feet as he spoke again. "I must ask Y/N, could you be pregnant?"

"I don't know", she whispered staring up at the ceiling. She had been trying not to think about that possibility. Cas held his hand over her belly and the palm of his hand glowed as he concentrated. A moment later the glow faded and Cas moved his hand away.

"You are not pregnant", Cas said. Y/N sighed in relief. She looked over at Sam and he smiled warmly at her.

"You got a convincing story, Sam?", she asked. She didn't want to wake up and have no idea what was going on and why she was covered in cuts and bruises and why Sam had a broken arm. Sam nodded as he spoke.

"Dean has been sick with a high fever for a week. You and I went to town to the drugstore and were hit by a car as we crossed the street". She smirked at Sam.

"That's the best story you could come up with?, she asked, chuckling.

"I'm sorry! It's the best I could do on such short notice!", Sam whined as he grinned back at her. She settled back on the pillow and looked nervously up at Cas.

"Don't worry, Y/N", Cas said softly. "It won't hurt. I promise. Just close your eyes and try to relax." She closed her eyes and tried to think about nothing. She let her mind drift as she felt Cas' warm fingers lightly touch her forehead just above her right eyebrow. She felt a light tingling sensation seep from the spot where Cas was touching and move across the top of her head. It settled into a spot at the very top of her head and stayed there. She felt a strange tugging and everything went black.

Cas lifted his hand from Y/N's head and turned to Sam. "I put her into a deep sleep. She will be out until at least tomorrow morning, maybe afternoon. Her mind was very tired. Hopefully Dean will be awake before she is." Sam nodded and sighed. Cas approached Sam and put a hand on the young hunter's shoulder. "I could take your memories of these events as well, if you want", Cas said quietly. Sam smiled, but shook his head.

"No thanks, Cas. I'm not gonna leave Bobby alone with this secret", Sam answered as he looked over at the older hunter. Cas simply nodded and moved to the other side of the room. Sam walked over to Bobby, who was staring down at the young girl.

"Are we sure that we're doing the right thing by her, Sam?", Bobby whispered. "I just have this sinking feeling this is gonna come back to bite us in the ass". He rubbed a shaking hand down his haggard face.

"I don't know Bobby, but I know what I would want if I were her or Dean", Sam sighed. "The same damn thing." Bobby nodded in defeat. He knew Sam was right. He felt the same way. He wouldn't want those memories in his head either. If he could erase the memories he had, he would. But someone had to keep up the lie.

Since Sam had spent the night before with Y/N, he decided to spend this night watching over Dean, while Bobby stayed in Y/N's room. They didn't want to leave the two unconscious people alone in case they woke in the night. Sam propped himself up on the headboard just as he had in Y/N's room the night before. He sat there for a long time, just staring into the darkened room, lost in his own thoughts. He was worried about what Dean would remember when he woke. Would this all backfire in there faces? He had to trust that Cas knew what he was doing.

"Sam?", a quiet voice whispered. Sam must have drifted off sometime during the night because he jerked up off the headboard when he heard the voice. Had he dreamed it? Sam fumbled for the switch on the lamp next to him on the night stand. He looked over and Dean was staring at him with tired eyes. "What are you doing in my bed, Sam?" Dean looked at him in confusion.

"I uh...you've been sick, Dean. You've had a very high fever. It must have broken in the night." Sam looked down at his lap. He couldn't look Dean in the eye as he lied. Dean's gazed shifted to the cast on his arm. "Y/N and I went to town to get medicine and we were hit by a car crossing the street. Dean sat bolt upright when Sam said Y/N's name. His eyes flew wide in horror and he jumped from the bed.

"WHAT?! IS SHE OK?!", Dean roared. He looked down and noticed he was dressed only in his boxers. He ran to his dresser and grabbed a t-shirt and jeans. Dressing quickly, he ran back to Sam and asked him again. "Well?! Is she alright?!" Sam stood up and grabbed Dean's shoulder with his good hand.

"Calm down, Dean! She'll be OK. She has a bad concussion, cuts, and bruises. The doctor said she would probably experience some short term memory loss and would probably sleep until at least late morning or early afternoon tomorrow", Sam explained. Dean sat down heavily on the bed and sighed, holding his head in his hands.

"If something happens to her, I'll never forgive myself!", Dean moaned. Sam sat down next to his brother and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"This is not your fault Dean!", Sam argued. "It was just bad luck. There was nothing you could have done." Dean hung his head, nodding in defeat. "Why don't you try to get some sleep?", Sam suggested. "You've been sick for a week, Dean. You need the rest". Dean nodded again but, just sat there staring at the wall. "You OK, Dean?", Sam asked. His eyes narrowed at Dean, suspicious that his memories might be coming back.

"Yeah, just worried about Y/N/N", Dean murmured. "I guess I've started to think of her kinda like a little sister, ya know?" Sam smiled and nodded. He knew how Dean felt. He felt the same way.

Y/N was family.