Huh. Long fingers. Never really noticed that before. Were they always that long? Don't remember right now. Although, don't really remember much of anything at the moment.

Ow! Sonavubitch! That hurt! Who'd have thought those fingers could hurt so much? Oh wait, it could be something to do with that bone poking out. Is that my arm? Crap – I think it is. What the hell happened here?

"S'mmy?" Ooh – that didn't sound good. Might have to try again. "S'm?"

Ha! That got him. Now he's looking worried. Must be bad.

"Dean? How you doing?"

How do you think I'm doing Sam!? I've got a bone poking out of my arm and I'm contemplating your fingers! I'm just great.

"'m good S'mmy." God, I'm still croaking. Wish I could remember what happened here. Come to that, where is here? It's so damned dark in here. And cold. And damp. "Wha' happ'n?"

Now he's just looking at me again, looking worried again. Any minute now … yup, here it comes. There's his hand again with those long, long fingers. Huh – on my forehead this time. Feels kinda nice actually, though I'll never tell him that – far too chick flick. Didn't realise how warm his hands are. Or maybe I'm cold. Either way I don't really want him to take it away just yet.

"Dean? Open your eyes, Dean. C'mon dude."

Open my eyes? Haven't shut them, dude. Oh, wait, yes I did. When did that happen? And where did that hand go? I was enjoying that. And why won't he tell me what happened here?

Oh, crap!! That's where his hands went. Might have grunted a bit there.

"I don't think any of them are broken, maybe cracked." A pause. "I'm sorry, Dean."

He's sorry? What the hell for? Actually I don't really care right now cos that arm is starting hurt like a bitch and there's a pounding right between my eyes that I'm sure wasn't there a minute ago. Maybe I should just close them for a bit – just a bit.

"Dean – no! Stay with me, man. Don't go to sleep. Please."

I'm sorry, Sammy. I really am. I don't want to scare you, and I know I am, but right now, even the magic word can't keep me awake … I'm sorry.

"Dean? Dean? C'mon man. Please. Open your eyes for me here. I need your help. C'mon." Jeez – doesn't that boy ever know when to shut up? My head's killing me here, Sam. A little peace and quiet wouldn't go amiss. And stop poking my shoulder like that. That's not the way to get into my good books right now. If you do that one more time I swear I'm gonna punch your lights out. Later though.

"Dean. You're scaring me, dude." I know I am, Sammy. I'm trying to open my eyes. I really am. Hah. Here we go. I can do this, I know I can. Jeez – who turned on the lights in here? Come to that, where is here. It's not where I closed my eyes I know that much.

"S'm? Where are we?" Woah – talk about in your face. He couldn't get much closer to me if he tried. And he's still looking worried, and a little bit scared if I'm honest. Did I put that look on his? Oh crap, I think I did.

"God, Dean. You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice."

Okay, so that's got me confused again now. I'd think about it a bit more if my brain wasn't trying to break it's way out of the top of my skull. The light isn't helping. I'll close my eyes for a few seconds, just till my head settles down.

"Dean??" There's a hand on my forehead now. I don't need to look to know that it's that little brother of mine – again. He's always been the touchy feely type. Must have come from Mom cos he certainly didn't get it from Dad. The only touchy feely Dad ever does is a quick, manly hug when he thinks no-one's looking or a swift backhander, although he only ever does that when he's really pissed. And I suppose most of the time I deserve it. And Sammy… Hell, that boy could wind up a saint so Dad stands no chance.

"Dean? C'mon, wake up."

Oops – sorry, bro. Forgot you were there for a minute. Which reminds me, where is here? You've still not told me. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? You'll have to tell me, thinking hurts too much. And it's so damn bright in here too. Can't you do something about that. And why are you looking at me like that? And who the hell is that in the corner? God, I hope she's not just some part of my fantasy. Tell me she's real, Sammy.

"Has he woken up?" Oh honey, I'm wide awake now.

"Just. He still doesn't remember where he is." Hey, Sammy – keep your eyes off her. She's all mine.

"That's to be expected. He should remember more each time he wakes up. Try not to worry, Sam."

"It's been hours …"

This looks interesting. She's got her eyes on him now and I know that look. Been on the receiving end of it often enough myself. Most recently with Abby. Gotta love Abby. They're so into each other they've forgotten I'm here. Perhaps I should do something about that.

"Sam?" Yep, that got his attention back. And hers.

"I'll go fetch the doctor." And she's out the door.

Well, at least I know where I am now – Sam's taken me to a damn hospital. It must be bad. I try to sit up a bit. I'm fed up of being down here, feel like a specimen and if my hunch is right I'm going to be prodded like a pin cushion any minute now. I'd like to maintain some sense of dignity. My arm is in plaster from wrist to elbow which doesn't help and Sam's got his hands on my shoulders now, helping pull me upright. He's good. He goes slow so when the room starts to spin and swirl he's there to steady me, although my stomach might disagree. I swallow repeatedly, trying to keep the bile down.

Sam helps me the rest of the way up and reaches behind me to plump up the pillows. But now my face is in his shoulder and I can tell he's not hit the shower for a while. I don't mind though – I guess I'm no beauty pagent queen either right now. I'm in no rush to move. Feels kinda nice. No way I'm ever telling him that though. I can feel the blood pulsing through his veins at his neck and he feels so … alive.

He lowers me back down gently and passes me a cup of ice chips. Now I think of it, I am pretty thirsty. God, that feels good on my throat. Don't cough it up again, Dean. Hold on to it. My stomach's protesting, don't think that… no, here it comes.

Yep, that was definitely breakfast. Sorry, Sammy. Didn't mean to throw up all over you. Still, I bet that nurse will be happy to help you change. And you'll be quicker with that paper bowl thingy next time. Maybe I should just lie back down again.

"Woah, Dean, hold on." And there he is, easing me back down again with those strong, cool hands of his. His fingers are digging in to my back a bit too hard but it's okay – kinda reminds me of when we were little and he used to hang on to me when he was scared of something. I'm so tired now. I know the doctor is coming but I really don't want to deal with that just now. I'm gonna close my eyes again for few minutes … just for a minute or two.

tbc…