Summary: Through a tragedy, Sam learns that Dean will never leave him, he will always be there to protect him. This story takes place during Folsom Prison Blues, and becomes an AU story.
I know, you, heard it all before
There's nothing worse than living less
When you yearn for something more
Makes no sense, its, hard to understand
When there's something that should fill you up
Keeps slipping through your hands
This is the last night, you'll have to be alone
Bon Jovi- The Last Night
The Last Night Part 2
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
Dean had been at UAMS for two days now, sneaking around trying to find out all he could about Sam. He was happy that Sam had ended up at this hospital. While it was a teaching hospital, it was considered one of the best in the States, so at least his brother was in good hands.
Not wanting to be caught by the staff, it had been a little difficult to figure out Sammy's condition. He heard the term "TBI" tossed around. He was able to find a computer not in use, and did some research. He knew his brother had taken a bad blow to his head, and the more he read about Traumatic Brain Injury, the more he worried about his brother. His brother had not been conscious in the last two days, and he found that was not uncommon among brain injury patients. He knew that the doctors had been running tests, and thought that Sam had some brain damage, but unfortunately they would not know how bad Sam was until he was conscious. One of the possible symptoms was amnesia, and Dean really hoped that it was not going to be the case with Sam. He knew if Sam could remember him, then everything would be ok.
Dean sat with his brother whenever he could. He hoped that Sam would wake up while he was there. Sitting with Sam, watching over him, was all Dean could do now. He was left alone with his thoughts.
Dean was very upset with himself, and the way things had played out on this last hunt. His number one priority was supposed to be watching out for Sammy, and he let a family debt to Deacon cloud his judgment on this one. Sam had had a bad feeling about this hunt going in, and if he had just listened to Sam, Sam would be ok now.
It was while sitting with Sam that Dean came to the decision that he would never leave his little brother alone again, especially now that his Sammy was going to be mentally impaired. Sam would come first from now on, and he just wished he could have realized this before he almost lost his little brother.
Three days into his stay at UAMS, Sam began to stir. As he opened his eyes, he began to blink, the light was too much. Dean noticing his brother's movement, and went to touch his hand.
"Hey Sammy, you deciding to finally wake up?" Dean was hopeful that his brother would recognize him.
"Deeean?" Sam slurred, " Lights too bright it hurts!"
"Ok, little brother, hold on, I will turn them down ok? " Dean was so happy that his brother actually recognized him. This was a plus.
"Dean, what happened? My head hurts bad." Sam shifted in bed.
Dean noticed that his brother was talking slowly, and looked confused. He knew that slowness in thinking and speaking was a symptom of TBI, and he thought he was prepared for this, but it was still like a punch to the stomach to hear Sammy speak. "Sammy, you are at a hospital. You took a hard hit to your head and that is why it hurts. What is the last thing you remember?"
Dean was hoping that Sam did not remember much about the riot, he really did not want to relive that moment right now.
"I, uh, we were, in jail? And some bad people started fighting, and we got hurt?" Sam said, confusion visible in his large hazel eyes as he looked to Dean for answers.
"Yeah, that's right Sammy, and during the fight, your head got hit hard. You're going to be ok, though, just need to stay here in the hospital so the doctor can get you better ok?" Dean was relieved that Sam did not remember all the details.
"You ok Dean? Not hurt?" Sam was frowning, trying to pull a memory out. It hurt to see his once able minded brother so muzzy.
"I am ok Sammy, but I need to tell you something really important, ok? I need you to really listen to me ." Dean hated to do this to Sam, but he could not stay much longer. The doctor would be making his rounds soon, and Bobby was also due back soon. While he was very grateful, that Bobby was here for his brother, he could not afford to let Bobby see him.
"Ok, Dean I will listen, promise." Sam brow was creased in concern.
"Sammy, do you remember a man named Hendrickson?" Dean hoped that his brother had some grasp on this.
"He was that mean man, that wanted us in jail right?" The look Sam gave Dean, reminded him of a six year old Sam looking at his big brother for approval.
"Good job Sammy, yeah that was him. Well, he is still after me, so I need to leave so that he does not catch me ok? He will not hurt you, don't worry about that. Since you got hurt, he is only after me ok?" Dean hoped Sam could follow his logic. Poor kid was so pale, and looked like he was going to cry. It killed Dean, to think he was going to have to leave Sammy.
"Dean, I don't want you to leave, I scared." Sam took in a big breath stifling back a sob.
Dean took Sam in his arms and started to sooth him. "I promise Sammy, I will be back? I will just have to sneak in for short visits when no one else is around, ok? "
"Promise, cause I need you Dean, k?" Sam looked at Dean with the puppy dog eyes that told Dean he was again Sam's big brother the hero, just like when they were kids.
"I promise Sammy, ok? But Sam, I need you to promise me that you will try to be brave ok?" Dean was so proud of his brother, at this moment, even confused and lost, he was willing to trust his big brother.
"I promise, I will try to be a brave boy." Sam gave Dean a weak smile, and Dean knew that his brother was trying hard not to have a total breakdown.
"Sammy, do you remember Bobby, our friend?" Dean was so happy that with Bobby around, he knew that Sam would be taken care of.
"Yeah, Bobby, he wears hats and smells like cars right? But he is a good friend to us ." Sam's face brightened.
"That would be Bobby, and he will be coming any minute to sit with you, so you won't be alone, ok? I need you to listen to Bobby and your Doctor, so that you can get better and leave this silly hospital." Dean put his hand on Sam's leg and gave it a firm pat.
"Ok, Dean, I will try my best, cause I don't like it here!" Sam replied, eyes big. Dean knew this was hard on Sam, none of the Winchesters had any good memories when it came to hospitals.
"Thanks Sammy, I know you will do your best." Dean dreaded saying goodbye, but he knew his time was running out. He gave Sam a big hug, and took his right hand in his. "Sammy, I need to go now, but don't worry, Bobby will be here soon, and so will the doctor ok? You tell them what hurts and they will make sure you get some medicine to make you feel better ok?"
"Ok, Dean, but you will be back soon?" Sam looked up with pleading eyes, that reminded Dean of why Sam always got what he wanted from him as a child.
"I promise, I will as soon as I can. I am proud of you Sammy, you are my brave little brother." Dean, knew he needed to leave now or risk being busted. "I love you Sammy, I will be back soon, promise." Dean gave Sam another hug and rose from the bed.
" I love you Dean, I see you soon." Tears began to fall as Sam watched Dean wink, and walk out the door.
