Sam tried to stay awake; he wanted to be there for Dean if he woke up. But he just didn't have any energy left. He'd been awake for at least 48 hours, maybe more. His muscles ached from being so stressed and his neck and back hurt from sitting in one spot for too long.

But Dean had a good chance of waking up. The doctor had taken him off of the ventilator and had been optimistic the last time he'd checked on them. Sam didn't want to miss it if Dean woke up. He'd be in pain and he'd probably be confused when he woke up, not to mention nauseous because of the morphine. Sam needed to be there for Dean and help him if he needed it.

None of it mattered though. He could tell himself to stay awake all he wanted, but his body wasn't listening to him. His eyelids started to droop and he managed to startle himself awake a few times before he couldn't help it.

His head was too heavy to keep up. He decided to just rest for a few minutes, and then he'd really be ready when Dean was awake.

He leaned forward and rested his head on the mattress next to Dean's arm. He knew if his brother woke up, the most he'd be able to move would be his hand. If he needed something and Sam wasn't awake, then he might be able to move the short distance to get his attention.

Luckily, he was so exhausted he didn't dream any. He knew he would relive Dean getting shot over and over again in his dreams later, but for now there was nothing.

He knew it'd been a few hours when he finally woke up again. He wasn't sure what had woken him up until he looked to Dean and saw that his brother was sort of awake and giving him a soft smile.

"Dean, how're you feeling? You ok? I'm sorry I feel asleep," Sam said quickly.

"'M alright," Dean slurred, his voice coming out as barely a whisper.

"Do you want me to get the doctor?" Sam asked.

"No Sam," Dean breathed out.

His eyes started to close again, and Sam couldn't ignore his panic. "Dean, please try to stay awake just a little longer."

"Worry wart," Dean said, but his eyes slowly opened again. "How long?"

Sam tried to add it all up, but he was coming up blank. "Umm…I can go ask someone…"

He started to get up, but Dean easily stopped him, "No…just stay."

"Ok Dean, I'm not going anywhere," Sam quickly reassured.

"Thanks Sammy…"

Dean fell back asleep after that, but Sam was reassured that his brother wasn't going anywhere.

Dean was a little more aware the next time he woke up. Sam was fairly sure that Dean was going to be ok now even though he knew they wouldn't be able to leave for a while still.

"So when are we gettin' outta here?" Dean asked.

Sam rolled his eyes; Dean couldn't even sit up, but he already wanted to leave. "Not for a while," Sam said.

"I'm fine-"

"You took a bullet to the chest, Dean. You're not fine," Sam argued.

"Whatever," Dean grumbled.

Sam pulled out his phone to see if he had any missed calls or any messages. He couldn't help himself. Mom hadn't called or texted or anything. He hadn't wanted to get his hopes up, but he wanted Mom to be different from Dad. He wanted Mom to be there for Dean.

"You expectin' a call?" Dean asked, raising one eyebrow.

"What? No," Sam quickly said.

Dean rolled his eyes, "Then why do you keep checking your phone?"

"Um, just seeing if Cas got my messages yet…" Sam mumbled lamely.

"I'm guessin' he didn't," Dean said.

Sam didn't answer. Maybe Mom hadn't gotten his message. Maybe she didn't know how to check her messages so it wasn't her fault that she wasn't here for Dean.

"Sam," Dean growled.

"Um I don't know…" Sam said.

"Spill," Dean demanded. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Nothing Dean. Everything's fine," Sam quickly replied.

"I don't believe you," Dean stated. He moved to sit up, but Sam easily pushed him back down. "Sam, if they're in trouble then we need to go help."

"You're not going anywhere Dean," Sam said.

"The Hell I'm not," Dean grumbled.

"Dean, please," Sam begged. "You scared the Hell outta me man."

"Sam," Dean sighed. "I'm fine."

"Would you stop saying that?!" Sam yelled, getting to his feet and running his hand through his hair. "I thought I lost you again. Again Dean! When will you get it through your head that I need you! I can't do this without you!"

"I had to do something," Dean tried to defend himself.

"You could've called the cops," Sam said. "It's not up to you to save everyone Dean."

"I couldn't just stand by and watch and you know that," Dean said.

"But I just got you back," Sam admitted. "I can't keep goin' through this. You sacrificing yourself for everyone else, it kills me. And it's selfish of me, but I'd rather the world end than lose you again. You're my big brother Dean, and from now on, if you're goin' down, then I'm goin' down with you."

Dean was stunned into silence after his declaration. "Sam, you'd be ok without me," Dean finally whispered.

"Don't you dare say that to me," Sam growled.

Dean sighed and closed his eyes, effectively ending their conversation. That was ok, Sam had a lot of time to convince Dean since they'd be here a while. He'd keep drilling this into his brother's head until he got through to him.

He took up his chair again and looked at his phone. He wanted to call Mom again and see if he could reach her this time. When he'd called before he didn't want to give her too much information just in case she didn't come. But now he wanted confirmation if she was coming or not. He couldn't stand not knowing.

"You're doin' it again," Dean grumbled.

"What?"

"You're lookin' at your phone again," Dean said, opening his eyes a crack. "So either tell me what you're waiting for or stop lookin' at it."

"I'll stop, ok?" Sam asked, dropping his phone in his lap again.

Dean nodded, but then his attention was drawn suddenly to the door. His eyes widened and he breathed out, "Mom?"

More soon...