CHAPTER 35

Dean left his private room and walked straight into April's room, he thought he had seen her at her worst when he had carried her into the hospital earlier. But he didn't imagine his heart would be thrown into chaos when he saw her lying on the hospital bed, her pale skin shone similar to the moonlight that streamed in through the window. He unconsciously held his breath every time the heart monitor seemed to beep, the sound was harsh and soothing to his ears. He slowly approached her bedside and with his fingers stroked her cheek. His brows furrowed, she was cool to the touch. He picked up a blanket and covered her properly. He sat down on the bed beside her and watched her as she slept.

After a while Casey came through the door and approached the bed, Dean continued to watch over April and didn't lift his head to see who it was, there was nothing more important than watching her sleep at that moment.

Casey set down the bag of food he had brought in knowing his friend wouldn't touch it, "You know she will be angry if you don't eat something. You both have been put through a lot today."

Dean didn't reply he was thinking of what was best for her. It left him helpless and confused.

Casey sighed, "I will tell her as soon as she wakes that you aren't taking care of yourself properly."

Dean gave off a dry laugh, "Yes she would be angry with me and usually I would enjoy the banter…"

Dean paused before continuing, "I have spent my entire life waiting and wanting, I am just so fucking tired, it's the impatience, it's the impracticality, and it's the selfishness of everyone around me. But it's not their fault it is mine, and mine alone and I know that to be a fact. I have spent my entire life wanting what's out of reach and every time I get close I lose it all over again it's like being pulled with a band towards where I want to be only to get snapped and go off in the opposite direction. My uncle won't stop until he gets what he wants from me, but that will never happen. I don't want to drag her into this chaos."

Casey nodded, "If she likes you as much as I think she does she won't care what comes your way, you will be stronger together than you will be apart."

Dean continued to watch April sleep as he responded to his friend, "See that is precisely the problem I don't want her to have to join this fight I want her to have an easy life. I don't want her to end up in situations like this but here she is and it's all my fault. I have started out countless of times, walked around aimlessly only to find myself back to where I started and I did it again, and again and again. I don't think I am meant to have the happiness that you all have with your partners."

Casey responded quickly he didn't like to see his friend this despondent, "You can't just give up on someone because the situations not ideal. Great relationships aren't great because they have no problems. They are great because both people care enough about the other person to find a way to make it work. Life is about highs and lows and the person that cares enough for you will be by your side during both. Wouldn't you want her to ask you for help if she needed it? Well, it works both ways."

Dean knew his friend was right as always, he would want April to come to him but he felt it was wrong to involve her in his messy life, "She's young and beautiful she is independent and will go on living a happy life without me."

Casey laughed at his idiotic friend, "Yeah, she doesn't need you but she wants you that's the huge difference. People will need you for your money and what you can give them. All she wants is you, just you, you idiot, do you know how rare those types of people are in this world full of people who treat others as if they are disposable. Don't miss out on happiness due to one roadblock or you will kick yourself."

"But she will be better off," Dean was about to argue Casey's point but Casey interrupted his thought.

"So you are okay if she is loved by someone else then? You're happy to sit back and watch her with him? Then what… what if that guy treats her like she's an option not his number one? Are you okay with that, knowing you could be there for her and give her endless happiness but you messed it up because you overthought the situation. Give her a chance… I know you would miss her. April is the type to want nothing but your time and affection, she's not like the other girls. Ask her before you make decisions on her behalf." Casey hoped that his friend would listen, he was always saying with business decisions but when it came to his heart Dean often didn't know what to do with his emotions so he pushed people away.

"I would miss her, she feels like home and without her I would be endlessly homesick. She is a rare kind soul in this life, she doesn't care what car I drive, my job or where I live. I'm seriously impressed by her mindset, the heart she holds and the value she has in others, she never sees their faults first." Dean smiled as he described April.

"The worst thing you can do to her and yourself is show her your love and affection and she returns it and gives you her loyalty only for you to now abandon her. You could be great together you just have to give yourself and her the chance." Casey gave his heartfelt opinion hoping it would reach Dean.

Dean leaned forward and kissed April's forehead before he stood up and turned as he quickly walked out of the private room without replying to his friend.

Dean walked quickly out of the hospital, his footsteps were heavy as he had left her, he had to fix everything before April woke up.

He reached the exit and walked out into the darkness, it felt like he had just stepped out of her light and back into his dull life without her warmth.

He glanced back inside, shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he then strode out of the hospital. He clenched his fists in frustration and anger. By this stage, he could barely see the pavement and could barely read the signs around him.

He felt his throat choke up, he coughed to clear it and took a deep breath. He noticed Oliver standing beside one of his cars in the parking bay and he made his way towards him. He had left his heart with April and right now all he felt was empty and the need for revenge. His uncle had thought he could easily kill him? Break him? No all he did was release the demon that lived inside him.

His uncle took his silence for weakness. Dean hadn't made a move yet not because of familial ties but because he was moving all the pawns around the board, like in a game of chess though he had forgotten that in the end, the Queen's job was to protect the King. April had done just that this evening and it had only fueled his hunger to make a counter attack and remove all the pawns that could cause her further harm in the future.

Oliver got inside the driver's seat, looking in the mirror he saw the darkness in Deans eyes he gulped and inquired, "Where to boss?"

Dean stared out into the night, the moonlight didn't touch his darkness nothing would but her, "My grandfathers."

The drive was quiet and tension filled the air. Oliver remembered back to earlier that evening when he had found out what had happened from Casey. They had all arrived at the scene together. What he had witnessed he couldn't quite believe. April stood straight in front of Dean protecting him. He hadn't thought that a selfless person would exist in this disposable world but there she was, strong and unyielding.

After they had ensured everyone was finally safe and the men were either dead or taken away for questioning he had witnessed a further miracle. His usual stoic boss scooped up an unconscious April into his arms and ordered him to take them to the hospital.

Oliver had seen the toll tonight had taken on both of them. They had both worried for each other not caring for their own injuries. Dean then took care of April in the car while she was unconscious and then carried her into the hospital's accident and emergency department. Dean only agreed to receive treatment as he passed out himself.

Arriving at the old manor, before Oliver had even fully stopped the car Dean had opened the passenger door and strode out and walked straight into the old manor house. Oliver sighed, his boss seeing red like this hadn't happened since he had lost his parents. All Oliver could do was assist when asked as he knew his friend was about to go full metal on his uncle.

Dean was angry and impatient, he entered the old manor and walked past the butler and straight into the living room. He scanned the room only seeing his grandfather.

His grandfather although had stepped away from the family business, he had eyes and ears everywhere so he had already heard the news. He sighed seeing his usually stoic grandson. He had found out the young girl he had wanted to meet his grandson was on a date with him and he had been celebrating the future union only to receive the news of his grandson's assassination attempt.

As usual, his greedy son tried to gain a foothold in the company and had failed. The cost though this time was unforgivable. He had lived a long life and witnessed many things in this world including all sides of men's wrath and greed.

His grandson was exactly like himself when he was younger. He was wild and strategic just going through the motions of life but once his soul mate had entered his life it was like a switch and everything would change. His son had just thought April was Deans weakness and he could take advantage of that but she was his strength.

What surprised him was her actions, it seemed April had the same fierce heart that Dean had to protect the ones she loved. They complimented each other perfectly and it didn't hurt that he had already felt her kindness and saw her sweet nature when he needed help during their first meeting.

Dean sighed and sat down on the sofa opposite his grandfather's armchair. Realising his uncle must be in hiding and his grandfather obviously already knew the situation. He sat forward his eyes stared straight into the flames of the fire and spoke without any feeling with words heavy and cold,

"There is nothing you can do to stop me or save him this time. He can't run or hide, he's done, wherever he is, he may sleep with one eye open. Because not you or anyone will save him from a bullet to his head."

Sighing, his grandfather then responded, "I know, I know it's either you or him. I just hoped I wouldn't be around to witness burying both my sons in this lifetime."

A quiet understanding enveloped in the living room before Dean stood. Seeing this his grandfather spoke, "Do you remember what I told you after your parents died?"

Dean turned surprised at his grandfather's question he thought for a moment and nodded.

Seeing his grandson nod he smiled, "Good now go, I shall visit April tomorrow."

Dean nodded again and strode out of the manor he wasn't surprised his grandfather had heard of April, he was always was aware of everything even though he liked to pretend he knew nothing.

He got into the backseat of the car and closed his eyes, "The office Oliver."

Feeling the car move, Dean leaned back his head remembering his grandfather's words. 'Life is like a jigsaw puzzle, we have all the pieces but no box nor instructions to guide us. What we must do is work on the edges first. The edges are easy to place, they are your home, work, life and hobbies. The centre is the hardest, it contains ourselves and our family we are yet to meet our other half. These pieces though hard to place are the most important and complete us entirely.'