(Dedicated to @moonlight_starlight for all of the votes!)

Jake's POV

I wait until Cas's eyes close again before I allow myself to cry. It's 6:45 pm and I've stayed awake at here side in the hospital the entire time. The nurses said she needs sleep, so they jacked her up on some sleeping shit and mega pain medication last night, and she'd been out cold since. I, however, haven't been able to catch any sleep. I don't think Cas even noticed we were in a hospital when she came to briefly. I finally was able to convince Cas's parents, Mary and Chris, to head down to the cafeteria to get some food. As soon as the party was cleared and the ambulances arrived, I had a sober Melissa call my parents. She knew I would just throw up if I tried to talk. Since my parents were with the Waters, they all drove straight to the hospital, arriving here a little after 3 am. Mary and Chris didn't leave Cas's side, either, but I knew they needed time to digest everything, and they knew I would make sure Cas is okay. Despite...

She's okay now, Jake. That bastard is in jail. You're here for her now.

But I know that will never be enough.

~•~

It's 10:48 pm when Cas wakes up again.

She moans and rolls over, eyebrows pinched in pain.

"Daddy, it hurts." At those words, my shoulders sag and I fold in half, shaking, and Mary lets out a final sob. I can barely hear Chris cross the room to his daughter over Mary and my crying.

The urge to leave hits me suddenly, and I stand up, darting out of the room, and down the white halls. I pass my parents, Nick, Melissa, Kyle and Julia on my way by the waiting room, but ignore their protests. The door of the hospital slams behind me, and I gasp, but it feels like no air is entering my lungs. I clutch my face and fall forward onto my knees on the cold pavement.

I don't know how much time passes before a sturdy hand plants itself on my shoulder. I turn, looking into the eyes identical to mine. My dad takes a seat on the curb next to me, and gazes out at the car lights beyond the parking lot. I'm fully sitting now, with my head down and hands clasped in between my legs. My tears have stopped, leaving a raging headache in their place.

"I should have been there," I croak. Dad sighs and puts an arm around my shoulder, cradling my head to his chest like he used to when I would get nightmares as a child.

"You had no way of knowing."

"Yes I did. I knew she shouldn't have trusted him." My words slur from exhaustion, and Dad pats my shoulder.

"He's gone now - locked away, and Cassie's going to be okay, Jake. I promise." I rest my full weight against him, too drained to support myself. "You found her, Bud. You did everything you could. You love her." It wasn't a question, but I wouldn't have been able to answer anyways. My brain was too far gone, and I fell asleep to the sound of my dad's voice.

~•~

I find myself at Cassie's hospital door the next afternoon.

Holding a vase with hyacinths.

I did the research and found that hyacinths symbolize sincerity. I am feeling nothing stronger than sincerity at this moment. Except, maybe, love.

I finally build up the courage to knock on the door, but it opens before I get the chance to. Julia, crazy curls steps and all, comes out of the room with red-brimmed eyes. Her mouth is slightly agape as she nods to me on her way by.

"You don't need to just stand there, you know." I take a step into the room and fiddle with the vase, suddenly unsure of myself.

"For you..." I trail off, stepping closer to Cas's bed, holding out the flowers.

"Thanks." Her hair falls in front of her eyes, and my feet seem to move themselves to her on their own accord. I put the vase down, and all hesitancy disappears. My explanation of the flowers and my rehearsed apology fly from my mind, and I move on instinct.

I raise a hand to swipe the hair away, but her flinch stops me mid-motion. My hand hovers mere inches from her soft skin.

"I'm sorry." It comes out a whisper, but it pierces straight through my heart.

"What are you apologizing for?" I ask. " the one who should be apologizing, hell this whole thing is my freaking fault! I knew he was bad news, but I let you go to him. Oh, who am I kidding; I practically shoved you into his arms..." My eyes burn and my chest is heavy with emotion as I steady myself on the chair.

"But now, Cas, I will make sure nothing bad ever happens to you again. No, listen, please. I am in love with you, Cassie Waters, and I am going to do whatever I can to prove this to you. I will never push you, and I am so sorry that...what happened..." I sigh and sit down. I gaze hard into her eyes and tentatively hold out a hand towards hers. Hers twitches and her breathing picks up slightly as she slowly slips her fingers through mine.

I let out a breath I hadn't noticed I was holding and squeeze her hand.

"So I heard they're letting you out of here..." And just like that, the tension is released, and the girl I love is going to be okay.

///

A/N

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Question of the chapter: What do you guys think of Jake's sensitive side?

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Xx Niki