Bridge Over Troubled Waters Ch. 2
Disclaimer: I won nothing recognizable in this story. The Winchesters and everything associated with them belongs to Erik Kripke and the CW
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Previously: "Well that's just great." Dean grumbled knowing that they would be far from any place where they would have the comforts of civilization like a hot shower to bathe in or a bed to sleep in. Damn, but he hated camping.
Stopping at a roadside diner after a few hours of driving, John parked the car and then reached into the back seat to gently shake Sam's uninjured shoulder. "Wake up tiger, it's time to get some breakfast." John stated as he noticed Sam open his eyes to half mast.
"Kay." Sammy stated with a yawn, noticing that Dean's jacket had been draped over him at some time during the drive. Sam smiled knowing how much that little act spoke volumes Dean's love for him since Dean treasured his leather jacket. Handing the jacket back to Dean, Sam shivered a little from the coolness of the morning air and pushed open his door as his dad and Dean did the same. "Where are we?" Sam questioned as he wrapped his arms around himself to ward off the chill in the autumn air.
"Hot Springs Wyoming, known for all its picturesque soaking pools." Dean answered as he once again wrapped his jacket around Sam's shoulders to keep him warm. "Of course, you know that dad isn't going to let us experience the pleasure of soaking away in those picturesque pools with some of the local beauties, possibly scoring…"
"Dean, that's enough." John said cutting off Dean's line of conversation midstream as he started towards the restaurant. Having one teenager with raging hormones in the family was more than enough.
"Yes Sir." Dean stated before giving Sam a wink once his father turned his back. Throwing an arm lightly around Sam's shoulders, he said, "Come on dude, we better get in there before dad eats everything in sight and nothing is left for the two of us.
Entering the diner, the boys followed their dad to the back table where they could keep an eye on everything that happened in the restaurant. It was second nature for all hunters to take the table at the back whenever it was unoccupied, that way they wouldn't have to worry about any surprises from behind. Scooting into one side of the booth, John sat in the middle, as his sons scooted into the other side. Picking up a menu, John began to scan the offerings as his boys did the same.
"So what will it be gentleman?" Queried a bored looking waitress as she walked up to the family of three and pulled a notepad from the pocket of her apron as she smacked on a wad of chewing gum loudly.
"I'll have the steak and eggs cooked over easy with a side of toast and a cup of coffee." John answered as he closed the menu. "Boys?"
"I'll have the same." Dean said foregoing the flirting this time since the waitress just wasn't his type. Her makeup was much too gaudy and her had been colored just a few too many times in his opinion.
"Make mine scrambled eggs, with a side of sausage and toast." Sam said with a shy smile.
"Anything to drink kid?" The waitress questioned as she tapped the tip of the pencil impatiently on the pad.
"Just some water, thanks." Sam replied
Waiting for the waitress to walk away, John focused his attention on his youngest and said, "Sammy, I think it's time you know what Dean and I were talking about this morning while you were in the shower."
"Okay." Sam replied warily as he glanced at Dean wondering what their father was about to spring on him.
"I've decided that it's time for you boys to have some survival training. You two were a little sloppy on that last hunt and…"
"But dad…"
"No buts about it Sammy, you and Dean could have been killed because you lost focus and the spirit got the upper hand on the two of you. Maybe with a little intense training, you boys will get your minds back into the hunt where it belongs instead of on those damn practical jokes you two have been pulling on each other lately." John stated firmly.
"Yes Sir, M'sorry Sir." Sam replied as he hung his head towards his chest. He was the one who had started the joking around the last time, even though it hadn't been on the hunt, and now because of him, they were going to have to put up with some rigorous training. He wouldn't blame Dean if he hated him now.
"Sam, I'm not trying to make you feel remorseful son, I just don't want anything like that to ever happen again. Besides, a few days in the great outdoors will do us all some good." John said as he reached out to grasp Sam's chin and lift his head up so that he could look him in the eyes. "You boys are all I have left and I'm going to make sure the two of you are ready to face any situation that comes along. Do you understand me son?"
Yes Sir, I understand." Sam voiced just as the waitress walked to the table with their orders. He watched as she placed their plates and drinks in front of them before asking if there was anything else they needed and then walking away after John had told her they were fine.
"So will it be the usual hand to hand combat training this time, or are you planning something else?" Dean questioned his dad to take the attention off of Sammy who seemed to be a little uncomfortable under their dad's scrutiny.
"Yes, as a matter of fact you will be practicing hand to hand combat training, but there will be a whole lot more than just that. I want to make sure you boys have the skills to take care of yourselves if you're ever stranded out in the wilderness Dean. I plan to touch on a lot of things." John said in answer to Dean's query.
"Things such as…?"
"Endurance training, tracking skills, obstacle courses and building an emergency shelter just to name a few." John answered before taking a bite of his food. "I figure we'll go through about a week of intensive training and see how things are going after that. If I'm satisfied with the progress you boys have made, then we'll call it quits. If not…" John trailed off letting the boys use their own imagination as to how things would go.
"That's just frigging great." Dean groused as he rolled his eyes at the thought of being stuck in the woods for a whole week. The last time they had been camping had been a major disaster and things just didn't feel right this time either.
"Dean, I'm getting tired of that damn attitude you've had lately. Whether you like it or not, I am still your father and you will respect me and my authority, understood?" John questioned with a glare.
"Understood." Dean answered though he wasn't happy about it in the slightest.
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Later that afternoon after having arrived at their destination, John parked the Impala in the area reserved for the vehicles of campers and locked it up securely after he and the boys gathered the equipment they would need from the trunk. Hoisting his backpack over his shoulders, he said, "Let's go boys." Taking the lead, he set off towards the Alta Lake trail knowing that it was one of the lesser used trails because of it's degree of difficulty to hikers. Once they got about ten miles down the trail, he and the boys would veer off and make camp in an isolated area where he had camped back when the boys were small and he had left them with Jim to hunt a bear walker in these woods.
Hoisting their own packs, Dean and Sam trailed behind their dad with Dean taking the rear position. That way, he could keep an eye on Sammy and Sam would be between him and their dad should anything unexpected happen along the way. Looking ahead, Dean could see that his dad was setting a pretty brisk pace and he had no doubts that they would all be dealing with sore leg muscles later tonight. Following behind his younger brother, he couldn't help but smile at the way Sammy was keeping up with their dad. The kid had grown quite a few inches over the past year and his long legs were helping him to keep in stride with their old man.
After keeping up the quick pace for over ninety minutes, John decided it was time to give his boys a breather. They weren't used to hiking in the mountains along rocky trails and he didn't want to overdo it on their first afternoon. Glancing ahead and seeing a large, flat rock, John knew it would be the perfect place for them to sit and rest. "Time for a break boys." John announced as he slipped his backpack off his shoulders and pulled a water bottle from it, his boys doing the same. He quickly opened and chugged half the bottle as he scanned their surroundings for any signs of possible danger.
Opening the top zipper of his backpack, John pulled out some sandwiches, giving one to each of the boys before taking out one for himself. "Eat up boys, it will be later this evening before we take the time to stop and eat again," He watched as his boys lunched on their sandwiches with gusto knowing the had to have been pretty damned hungry with the pace that he had set.
Having allowed the boys to catch their breaths for about thirty minutes, John decided they had had more than enough rest. He wanted to make it at least half way to their destination before stopping for the night so they really needed to get on the move. "Okay boys, time to get moving again." John informed his sons as he reached down to pick up his backpack and sling it over his shoulder. Just as he started turning around, he caught the sight of Sam wincing in pain as he struggled to get his backpack on from the side of his eye.
"Sammy?" He questioned as he immediately turned back around and placed his pack on the ground as he walked over towards his youngest, Dean doing the same.
"M'okay dad, my shoulder just hurts a little." Sam replied as reached his left hand up to massage the aching right shoulder.
"Kneeling down in front of his son who was still sitting on the rock, John pushed Sammy's shirt out of the way to check on the swelling. "It's not as swelled as it was earlier, but I don't want to chance aggravating it anymore than it already is. Dean and I will carry your things for a while."
"Dad, I can do it." Sam stated as he started reaching for his backpack."
"You heard me Sammy. I want that shoulder back in shape by tomorrow or the next day at the latest for training exercises." John enunciated with authority
"Dad's right kiddo, no sense in hurting yourself because of stubborn Winchester pride. We've got you covered this time." Dean said as he picked up Sam's sleeping bag and secured it to the bottom of his backpack with the straps located there.
Slinging Sam's backpack over his shoulder, John then picked up his own and resumed the hike knowing he didn't have to tell Dean to keep an eye on Sammy. Dean would be watching his baby brother like a hawk now whether Sammy wanted him to or not.
Setting a steady pace that they followed well into the evening, the Winchesters reached what John considered to be the halfway mark and set up camp for the night. As his boys gathered wood for the campfire, John erected the small three man tent that they would be sleeping in overnight. By the time he had finished, his boys had already stacked the firewood and had a small fire going. They roasted marshmallows over the open fire and ate the rest of their sandwiches as they discussed plans for the following day.
Deciding to call it an early night, John didn't have to order the boys to hit the sack since they both were too exhausted to even think about doing anything else. Climbing into their sleeping bags, they were asleep before their heads even rested against their jackets which were being used as pillows.
TBC Yes, I know there was minor hurt Sam in this chapter once again, but Limp/Hurt Dean is coming in a future chapters, I promise. I'm just setting the scene.