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Nearly five hours later, a nurse came and led John and Dean to Sam.

"Now, just to warn you. Sam is hooked up to a lot of different machines. Most noticeably will be the tube in his mouth helping him breathe. He was too weak to break on his own, so Dr. Mathews decided to keep it in. The boy is fighting hard enough as it is."

John and Dean nodded in response, but said nothing.

" Sam has multiple I.V.'s in his hands and he also has a catheter in place. Sam also had a tube coming from his brain. This is the hole the Doctor's had to drill to relieve the pressure. Sometimes families are overwhelmed by the sight of their loved one's lying there, so I like to brief them as much as I can."

They arrived at Room 435 of the ICU unit and caught their first sight of their Sam. Even after the nurse told them what to expect, they both couldn't believe their eyes. This wasn't the vibrant, stubborn Sam they loved and cared about. This Sam was small, helpless under all the wires and machines he was attached to.

John and Dean felt the breath sucked out of their bodies, and felt their feet fuse to the floor. Never in their wildest dreams did they think they would see their Sammy here, fighting for his life. A large gash was stitched on his forehead, his left arm was in a cast, and numerous cuts and bruises decorated his body. Not to mention the two tubes sticking out of the young boy's mouth and head.

"You can come in, if you like," the kind nurse replied softly, seeing the shocked look on the poor men's faces. "ICU visting hours stopped at 9, but Dr. Mathews wrote a note that the times will be disregarded in your case. You can spend as much time here as you can."

Dean and John nodded, thanking the nurse, and took their seats next to Sam. Both took Sam's hands and stayed the whole night.

--------------------------------------------------

Two weeks passed and there was still no change in Sam Winchester. The Doctor warned Dean and John the longer he was unconscious, the worse the outlook.

The eldest Winchester men never left Sam's side, unless to eat, make a phone call, or a quick trip home for whatever they needed. John informed his dear friends, Pastor Jim and Caleb, both promising they would stop in as soon as they could. John and Dean spoke few words to each other. Not out of anger, but a feeling of hopelessness that had descended upon them.

It was a Friday afternoon and John and Dean were sitting with Sam. John was looking at his eldest, noticing he was looking as bad as Sam was. Dark circles plagued his young face and he was even beginning to lose weight. He hadn't shaved in days and was now sporting a 5 o'clock shadow thicker than usual.

"Dean."

"Yea Dad."

"Go home for a while. Shave, sleep in a bed, and get a good meal."

"No way, Sam needs me here."

"Dean, I promise you, if anything happens, I will call you. I already have Sam in here, I don't need you here too."

Dean was quiet for a while, but grudgingly left.

John sat quietly with Sam, like he had done everyday since the accident happened.

"Hey Sam, I think you've slept enough. Your brother needs you, he hasn't been the same since this all happened. And neither have I." John scrubbed a hand over his weary face.

"I'm sorry Sammy. I…am so sorry," John chocked out. "I should have let you go to the debate. I'm a stubborn bastard, your mother said I was too stubborn for my own good. Sam, you remind me so much of your mother, it scares me. I couldn't protect her and if something happens to you boys…" John almost laughed at the irony. Something already did.

"I remember when your mother was pregnant with you, and she was two weeks past her due date. Dean was so anxious to meet you but your Mom said when you were ready, you would come. And you did. You boys made your mother so, so happy. As a child, you were the same way. We couldn't force you to do any thing, you would do it when you felt you were ready," John looked at his son for some sort of response, but all he received was the steady beat of the heart monitor and the pumping of the vent.

"You see, when we hunt, I know where you are. I can watch you and protect you. When you're not around, how can I be there for you? Schooling was the one thing you cared about with your whole heart, and I may have just ruined it. I do not love you any less than your brother, Sammy. It's hard for me to understand that you boys are old enough to make your own decisions. From now on, I will let you decide what paths good for you," John said clearing his throat.

"You just have to come back to me. Please come back to me," John whispered, and slowly, the outer shell of John Winchester cracked and fell to pieces.

Quiet, stifled, sobs wracked his body; tears slid down his worn face. He picked up Sam's hand and kissed it, and he rested his head on top of Sam's stomach, hand still interwoven with his broken baby. John Winchester sobs turned into silent tears, and he fell asleep listening to his son's heart beat.

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