"How bad is your shoulder?" Bobby asked Alec as they all walked outside.
"How bad…um…what?" Alec asked, looking at him with wide eyes. Shit, he was scarin' the kid and he didn't want to do that. He just wanted him to be ok. But obviously the kid wasn't ok.
"Can you drive?" Bobby clarified. Alec swallowed hard and nodded. "You're driving the Impala with Sam. Dean's comin' with me."
"Says who?" Dean growled.
"Bobby, I can drive," Sam argued at the same time.
"Get your ass in the truck and don't argue," Bobby ordered. He turned to look at Alec, but the kid still hadn't moved. "You waitin' for an invitation?"
"Where am I going?" Alec asked when Dean handed him the keys and walked away.
"Does it look like I care?" Bobby asked. "Go to Disney World if that'll make ya happy. Just start drivin'."
Alec nodded once and got into the driver's seat of the Impala. Bobby sighed, but walked over to get into his truck. Dean was pouting in the passenger's seat, but he would get to him later. First, he was gonna let him stew a little bit.
His boys were a mess, there was no doubt about it. Dean was coughing every few minutes and Sam's cheeks were flushed with fever. And Alec…the poor kid was just there and barely going through the motions. His eyes were hollow, he'd lost weight, and he still hadn't healed from his injuries and he knew Alec healed fast.
"How'd you know?" Dean asked after a while. The silence must've been wearing on him.
He considered not answering, but he was ready to knock some sense into Dean. "How d'you think?"
"Sam called you," Dean guessed.
"Wrong little brother," Bobby replied, trying to hide his smirk.
"Alec?" Dean asked, confused.
"You got another little brother I don't know about?" Bobby grumbled.
"No," Dean stated.
"Then yeah, it was Alec," Bobby replied. "He didn't know how to help you two idjits so he called for advice. He didn't know I was comin' though, so don't give him a hard time about this, understand?"
Dean glared at him, "Even if he did ask you to come, I'm not going to give him a hard time about anything. Anything."
Bobby sighed and shook his head, "You should've called sooner."
"I'm his older brother! I'm supposed to take care of him!" Dean yelled.
"You can't do this alone," Bobby said, his voice softer than it had been. "You and Sam are sick and he's not gettin' any better." Dean didn't say anything so he asked, "So far, what've you and Sam been doin'?"
"We've tried to do what he wants, but he doesn't want to do anything," Dean said. "We went on a hunt and he actually wanted to know what was going on, but then we got sick…"
"Alright, well, your method ain't workin' so let me try mine," Bobby said.
"Your method?" Dean asked.
"He's not the first Winchester who's been depressed," Bobby replied. "Your Daddy, you, and Sam…I've seen it in all three of ya. You and Sam can usually take care of each other and John would just go to a bar until he could pull himself back together, but Alec had a different upbrinin' than you did."
"Don't you think I know that?" Dean asked angrily. "I've been trying, I swear I have been."
"I believe ya, boy, I do," Bobby quickly reassured. He knew better than to step on Dean's toes when it came to his little brothers, but he needed Dean to let him do this. "Just let me stick around for a while."
Dean huffed, "Let you? Like I let you in the motel earlier?"
"If you and Sam keep goin' like this, then you won't have a little brother for very much longer," Bobby said. "I know you don't want to hear it, but he's fadin'. He's lost more weight since I saw him."
Dean looked down in shame and said, "I know…"
"Let me try," Bobby said. He knew he wouldn't be able to get very close to Alec unless he had Dean's permission.
Dean finally nodded, but asked, "What's your way?"
"You're not gonna like it," Bobby warned. Sam and Dean were both very protective over Alec, and he knew they would want to stop him from doing this.
"What is it?"
"You just gotta let me do it…" Bobby said. He just hoped it would work.
Sam looked like he didn't feel good again, so Alec decided he should probably stop. Bobby pulled up next to him and walked over, but Dean didn't get out. Alec frowned, but looked over at Bobby.
"Why'd we stop?" Bobby asked.
"Sam doesn't feel good," Alec replied softly.
"Did you want to stop?" Bobby asked gruffly.
"Um…why does that matter?" Alec asked back.
"Get back in the car and keep drivin'," Bobby ordered.
"Bobby," Alec started, but then stopped when Bobby looked at him. "Never mind…"
"You got somethin' to say, then say it," Bobby growled.
"No sir," Alec snapped. He got back in the car and slammed the door shut. He peeled out of the parking lot and sped off down the road. He didn't care if Bobby could keep up or not. Except Dean was with Bobby and he was probably freaking out about his car.
"Alec, you ok?" Sam asked.
Alec took a shuddering breath, but nodded. "I'm fine…" He didn't know where the anger had come from, but he was trying to get himself back under control.
"What did Bobby say?" Sam asked.
"He told me to keep driving," Alec muttered.
Sam frowned at him, "Why?"
"I guess he's not ready to stop yet," Alec lied.
"Oh, um, ok," Sam replied. "How's your shoulder and ribs? Is driving making you sore or anything?"
"I'm fine." His shoulder was starting to throb though and his ribs still hurt from before Bobby got there. He wasn't going to tell Sam that though. He was just going to keep driving until they needed gas. Bobby was pushing him, but he could push back. He could drive a lot longer than Bobby could.
Sam fell asleep again, but he kept going. He stopped to get gas, and Bobby did too, but neither of them said anything so they kept driving. His shoulder was really hurting and his ribs were on fire. He could feel sleep tugging at him, but he wasn't ready to stop yet. He didn't want to be the one who broke first.
But it seemed like Bobby wasn't going to give in either. He kept going until he was in some serious pain and decided being the first to break was better than passing out at the wheel. He pulled into the next motel that he saw and killed the engine. He remained where he was and tried to wipe the pain off his face so they wouldn't know.
Dean tapped on his window after a few seconds though, and then opened his door. "C'mon, let's go inside," Dean said gently.
Alec tried to move his legs, but he was running on empty. "Dean…"
"What's wrong?" Dean asked, crouching down.
"I don't think I can move," Alec breathed out.
"I'll help ya, ok? We just gotta get out of the car," Dean said.
"I don't think I can even do that," Alec admitted.
"I'm gonna help you, ok? You just have to trust me," Dean replied. Alec nodded once and he let Dean help him move his legs outside of the car. The movement helped wake him up a little and he found that he could actually move his right arm to rest against Dean's shoulder. Dean wrapped his arm around his waist and warned, "This is probably going to hurt…"
Alec nodded again, but he cried out in pain when Dean hauled him up. He'd been sitting for too long and he was paying for it now.
"I gotcha, I gotcha," Dean tried to reassure as he sagged against his older brother. "That was the hard part." Alec groaned and fisted his hand in Dean's shirt. "I know, I know," Dean soothed. "We just gotta get inside now, and then the bed's not too far." Dean suddenly leaned over slightly and said, "Sammy! Wake up!"
"What? What's goin' on?" Sam slurred.
"C'mon, it's time to go inside," Dean said. "Bobby's gettin' us a room right now." Dean's arm tightened around him and said, "You ready kiddo?" Alec nodded against him and let his older brother practically drag him inside. "Here we go," Dean said, easing him onto the bed. "Give me two seconds. I gotta get some ice and your pills, ok?"
Alec nodded and slowly lay back.
"Alec, what happened?" Sam asked as he walked inside.
"I might've overdone it…" Alec replied. "Dean's getting some ice for me."
"And his pills," Dean said, coming back in. "Pain pills and tryptophan. Sam, toss me another pillow." Dean suddenly propped him up a little and held out a couple pills.
"Where's Bobby?" Alec asked after he took the pills.
"He went to grab some things," Dean said. "You'll probably be asleep by the time he gets back." Alec nodded and closed his eyes. "Alec, I'm going to put the ice on your side, ok?" He groaned when the ice made contact, but Dean kept him steady. "It'll go numb in a minute," Dean reassured.
His side did go numb and the pills started to work too, so he was able to drift off a few minutes later.
Alec turned in his sleep when the door opened, but Dean ran his fingers through his hair a few times and he relaxed again. His little brother was actually snuggled up against his side sleeping, which he hadn't done in a long time.
"He ok?" Bobby asked, dropping the food on the table.
"He's worn out and his side's hurtin' him," Dean replied coldly. He knew Alec wouldn't've gone as far as he did if Bobby hadn't said something. He didn't know what Bobby had said, but he knew Alec had kept going.
"Dean," Sam chastised from his bed. He gave him the look that told him to knock it off, but he wasn't done yet.
"Dean, I told you that you weren't gonna like it," Bobby replied. He glared back instead of answering so Bobby said, "He was pissed. He was pissed at me, which is why he kept driving. But you know what? At least he felt somethin' and he had to choose to stop. He didn't just have you guys decide since he doesn't want to do anything, but he made the choice to stop."
"He only stopped because he was in pain," Dean shot back. He started coughing again, and he looked down at Alec in panic. Luckily Alec was completely out, but he really wished he could shake this cough. Sam seemed to be doing a little better at least, which pissed him off, but he was still coughing. He probably needed to actually get some medicine, but Alec came first.
Bobby sighed, "He admitted that he was in pain. He let you help him. For God's sake, he's snuggled up against you right now. If that's not progress, then I don't know what is."
"Dean, maybe Bobby's right," Sam tried. "It's been a long time since we didn't have to pretty much trick him into sleeping on a bed. It might be a small win-"
"But we should take the win where we can," Dean finished. He coughed again, and he tried to get himself to stop coughing, but that just made it worse.
"You really need to start taking some medicine," Sam said.
"I'm fine," Dean said automatically.
"Dean, I know you thought your cough was going to clear up on its own, but that doesn't sound like it's getting any better," Sam replied. "If you keep going like this, then it's gonna turn into pneumonia and you know that because this is how it always starts with you."
"Sam-" He had to stop so he could cough again.
"Not only that, but you're gonna wake Alec up if you keep coughing," Sam pointed out.
"I'm just gonna go to sleep," Dean grumbled.
"Alright, but when you wake yourself up in a few hours from coughing, I'm gonna say I told you so," Sam said.
"Shut up Sam," Dean said, scooting down next to Alec.
"You probably wouldn't even be this sick if you would take care of yourself more and eat a little healthier. I'm already starting to feel bit better," Sam continued.
"Shut up Sam," Dean said again.
Sam chuckled, but didn't say anything else so he could sleep. Unfortunately Sam was right. He coughed most of the night and actually thought about finding some medicine.
"Dean?" Alec asked sleepily after a particularly bad round of coughing.
"I'm alright," Dean replied breathlessly. "Sorry 'bout wakin' you up."
"You don't sound alright," Alec muttered.
"How're the ribs treatin' ya?" Dean asked to get Alec on a different track.
"If I say that I'm alright, will you believe me?" Alec asked back.
"No."
"Then we're even," Alec said with a small smile.
"Go back to sleep," Dean grumbled.
"I would, but you'll just start coughing again in a few minutes," Alec replied.
"I'm gonna take some medicine," Dean relented.
"I'll believe that when I see it," Alec said, snuggling against him again. Dean almost thought Alec really was asleep again, but then he mumbled, "Dean?"
"Yeah kiddo?"
"I just want to forget," Alec whispered. "I feel like I can't even move…"
"I know," Dean replied. "I wish I could help somehow…"
"I wish you could too," Alec said. His breathing slowed as he fell back asleep.
"Alec, let's go, up and at 'em," Dean said. "It's time to eat something."
Alec grabbed the pillow next to him and pulled it over his face. "No thanks," Alec mumbled.
"Alec," Dean sighed.
"I'll eat later," Alec said.
He heard Dean walk away, but then the pillow was suddenly ripped away from him. He flinched since it was brighter now, but then slowly opened his eyes. Bobby was standing over him and he growled, "Get up. Dean made you breakfast."
"I'm not hungry," Alec said, glaring at the older man.
"Did that sound like a suggestion to you?" Bobby asked.
"You can't tell me what to do," Alec shot back, sitting up. "If I wanna lay around in bed all day, I can."
"You're seriously gonna pass up breakfast that was made just for you?" Bobby asked. "Not to mention, it was made by your two older brothers who just wanna do somethin' nice for you even though they feel like shit."
"Yeah, well, I feel like shit too and I just wanna sleep some more," Alec replied with a smirk. He lay back again and pulled the covers up.
The blankets were ripped away though, much like his pillow, and Bobby ordered, "Get up and go eat breakfast, now."
"No," Alec replied.
"You have two minutes to change your mind," Bobby said before he walked away.
Alec rolled his eyes and got comfortable again. He didn't need the blankets to fall asleep again and he still had one pillow. He knew Sam and Dean would save something for him when he wanted to finally get up.
He drifted off again, but then gasped in surprise when freezing cold water was thrown on him, soaking him instantly. He sputtered and looked around wildly until his eyes landed on Bobby holding an empty bucket.
"What the Hell!" Alec yelled.
"I gave you two minutes to change your mind," Bobby replied.
"What happened?" Sam asked, walking over.
Alec didn't answer, and instead got up and stormed over to the bathroom. He slammed the door shut behind him and grabbed one of the towels to dry off. He should've grabbed some dry clothes to change into, but he hadn't thought about that.
"Bobby, lay off would ya?" Dean asked from the other side of the door. "He usually eats after a little while."
"Yeah, and you didn't have to toss water on him," Sam threw in. "He hates being cold."
"Shut up and go eat your breakfast," Bobby said to Sam and Dean before he yelled, "And you better get your ass outta that bathroom in five minutes."
"Or what? You'll break the door down?" Alec asked quietly to himself. He smiled and actually chuckled to himself. It was funny to think about Bobby trying to bust down the door. He was tempted to let him try, but he didn't want Bobby to hurt himself. Not yet anyway. But if any more water was tossed on him, then he knew where he was going.
He left the bathroom after a couple more minutes and walked over to the little table where Sam and Dean were already eating. He didn't say anything to them, and he completely ignored Bobby, but he did grab his fork and started to eat the scrambled eggs.
His day didn't get any better though. Bobby bossed him around all day and refused to leave him alone. When he tried to watch TV, Bobby walked over and unplugged it. When he went to take a nap, Bobby pushed him off of the sofa. Bobby threw water on him again when he didn't get up for lunch, and he went back to the bathroom and locked the door. Bobby surprised him though and actually broke down the door.
"I'm goin' out," Alec finally grumbled. He looked around for the keys to the Impala, but he couldn't find them. He would walk if he had to, but he really wanted to drive.
"Here," Dean said, tossing him the keys.
Alec caught them and said, "Thanks." He was just about to walk out the door when Dean started coughing again. He stopped and looked back and waited until Dean caught his breath. "You wanna come with me?" He looked over at Sam too and said, "Actually, you both wanna go? We could sneak out while Bobby's in the bathroom." They'd hung up one of the blankets to make due as a door since the real door was broken.
Sam and Dean both looked at him in surprise, but then moved at the same time. They both grabbed their jackets and practically ran to the door.
Alec still drove even though Dean was going now too. He would just give Dean the keys back, but he wanted to make a run somewhere and he didn't think Dean would agree to it if he was the one driving.
"So Bobby's being annoying, huh?" Alec asked as he drove away from the motel.
Dean chuckled next to him and said, "Yeah, I didn't think he was actually gonna break down the door…"
"That was pretty impressive," Sam said. Sam started laughing after a moment and said, "You should've seen your face."
Dean laughed too, but his turned into a cough. After a minute he managed to ask, "You didn't think he could do it, did you?"
"No," Alec said with a chuckle. "But can you blame me? The guy's like 100 years old."
"Bobby's a badass," Dean said. He started coughing again and Alec looked over at him in concern. "Eyes on the road, kiddo," Dean forced out. "You're not gonna get to drive Baby anymore if you wreck her."
"Dean, you really sound terrible," Sam said. "I think it's time for a trip to the hospital…"
"No," Dean refused. He looked over at him again and asked, "Where're we goin' anyway?"
Alec looked out the window and refused to meet Dean's gaze. "We're just driving around…"
"Liar," Dean said with a cough.
Sam leaned forward and asked, "Seriously Alec, where're we going?"
"The pharmacy," Alec muttered, staring straight ahead.
Sam immediately started laughing, but Dean sort of growled at him and said, "Nope. Not a chance, kiddo. Pull the car over right now…You've lost your driving privileges."
"But Dean, I think I'm running low on pain pills," Alec lied.
"Liar," Dean said again. "Y'know, for a super-powered super-soldier you are a terrible liar."
"I'm only bad at lying to you," Alec muttered. Louder he said, "You said you would take some medicine. Why not just go to the pharmacy and show me what the medicine is instead of me looking around like an idiot for a few hours?"
"Alec…" Dean sighed.
"Please Dean," Alec begged.
Dean glared at him, but he kept up the sad puppy-dog eyes hoping Dean would break first.
"Alec, I think we're past the point of cough medicine," Sam said when neither of them would budge.
Alec frowned, "What d'you mean?"
"He's already got pneumonia…or at least he's pretty much at that point and refusing to acknowledge it," Sam said. "Which means we need to go to the hospital to get him some antibiotics, but he's going to refuse until he doesn't have a choice."
"Sam," Dean growled.
"So what do we do?" Alec asked, looking back at Sam. Pneumonia sounded serious. It was a serious medical term and Dean needed to go to the hospital.
"Alec, eyes on the road," Dean ordered.
"Sam, what do we do?" Alec asked again, ignoring Dean.
"Turn the car around," Sam said.
Alec didn't argue even though he was confused; he knew the hospital was the way they were already going since he'd seen the blue sign for it a while back.
"Sam, what're you doin'?" Dean asked, just as confused as he was.
"You won't go to the hospital, so it's pointless," Sam said.
"Yeah, but we could go to the pharmacy still and restock," Dean said. "Our supplies are runnin' low and we can never have too much tryptophan."
Alec shook his head, but he didn't take the bait. Instead, he kept driving back to the motel. He was itching to ask Sam what the plan was, but he had a feeling that Dean was going to shoot it down as soon as he heard it. He was surprised though when they got back and Sam didn't say anything.
Bobby asked them where they went, but none of them really said anything. It was a tense dinner and Alec kept looking between Sam and Dean. They were obviously having a silent argument, and all he could pick up on was that they were still arguing about the hospital.
"Spill," Dean finally demanded.
"Just hear me out and don't immediately shoot it down, ok?" Sam asked quickly.
"What is it?" Dean asked with a scowl.
"We go to Wisconsin," Sam said. He continued before Dean could say anything. "We go see Zach and Chris. It's not really a hospital, they can get you some medicine, and they can check Alec over."
"What?" Alec asked with a frown.
"You don't get to shoot it down either," Sam said.
"I don't need a hospital," Alec argued. "I already went to the hospital, which is why my arm's in a sling. And, unlike some people, I'm actually taking my medicine."
"You've got four screws holding your collarbone together," Sam pointed out. "I'm sure for normal people it's fine to keep the screws where they are, but in our line of work I think it's safer if we get them taken out when your collarbone's healed."
"He's got a point there," Dean muttered.
Alec rolled his eyes, "Oh yeah, now you think it's a good idea…"
"Just think about it," Sam said, still trying to convince them. "We could get some real rest and some good food, all while you two get the medical help you need without going to a hospital."
"You think this Chris and Zach will be ok with this plan?" Bobby asked.
"I gotta call them, but I think they'd be ok with it," Sam said. Sam looked at him and Dean and ducked his head to try and convince them as he said, "As long as you guys are ok with it…"
Dean leaned closer to him and whispered, "He's not gonna drop this, just so you know."
"Will you actually take the antibiotics if we go there?" Alec asked seriously.
"Yeah as long as you agree to get the screws out," Dean replied.
"Promise me," Alec demanded. He knew if Dean made a promise, then he wouldn't break it.
Dean hesitated, but then replied, "I promise."
"Alright, looks like we're going to Wisconsin," Alec said to Sam.
Sam smiled, "Great! You guys pack and I'll call them."
Sam and Dean both got up, but he and Bobby remained where they were. Bobby gave him a small smile and said, "You look a little better than you did yesterday."
"I know what you're doing," Alec said instead of acknowledging what Bobby had said. "You're kinda bein' an ass, you know that?"
"Is it working?" Bobby asked.
"Maybe a little bit," Alec admitted. "Got me wanting to actually get out of the motel room for a while at least."
"Maybe Wisconsin will help too," Bobby said. "But the best thing is gonna be time, you know that right?"
Alec shrugged, "I guess I do now…"
"You better get to packin'," Bobby said. "Your brothers might leave without you."
"You're comin' too, right?" Alec asked.
"Kid, I think my work here is done," Bobby said.
"What?" Alec asked. "Dean's still sick…"
"Sam's feelin' better now, Dean's gonna get some medicine, and I think you're gonna be ok," Bobby said. "It's gonna take some more time, but you're gonna be alright."
Alec smiled a little and said, "Thanks Bobby."
"Alec, c'mon dude, time to start moving," Dean said. "I'm not packin' all your shit this time."
"He's lying," Alec said to Bobby. "He's been packing for me every time we leave a motel. He thinks I go too slow, which I guess is true. But I can't help that I only pack one thing at a time. I've only got one arm for cryin' out loud."
Bobby chuckled and said, "Go on and help your brother."
"Why do you get everything out of your duffle? We've only been here one night," Dean said. "C'mon, one arm or not you're helpin' this time."
Alec smiled at Bobby before he got up to help pack.
More soon...