Disclaimer: They're not mine, nothing changed over night and I still don't get paid to do this.
Chapter Four
Waiting, watching, dreaming…
John rested his head gently on Dean's as they watched Sammy's chest rising and falling with the aid of the machine. The steady beeping of another machine told them that his heart was beating steadily. Other than the sounds of the machines that were keeping the youngest Winchester alive, the room was so silent that John was certain they would have been able to hear a ghosts footsteps.
He still didn't know what had actually happened. They had been at the hospital for two nights now, and Dean had barely spoken a word since he'd thrown Sammy's book at the wall and insisted there be no more wolves. He only slept when his body couldn't hold out any longer, and when he slept it was fitful and restless. He whimpered and cried and once woke up with Sammy's name bursting from his lips. John wished he knew what was going through his son's mind, what was invading his dreams, but he wasn't sure he'd ever get Dean to tell him. Whatever it was, it was clear that it continued to worry him. Dean wasn't as sensitive as he had once been. He grew out of that sensitivity as he'd learned more about the world of evil that John fought against, and he regretted that every time he saw the innocence fading from Dean's eyes. He wished that some of the hope that always filled Sammy's eyes could once again fill Dean's, but John knew it was too late.
Maybe he would be able to protect Sammy's innocence a little longer…
Dean shifted in John's lap and sighed. He had refused to leave the room, even when John had physically tried to carry him out. Dean had cried and pounded him with his fists until John finally settled him back on his feet and Dean had run to the opposite side of Sammy's bed, grabbed his brother's hand and held on tight as if Sammy would be able to anchor him to the spot and stop his father from making him leave.
Still Dean had said nothing, but the anger and fear in his eyes at the thought of leaving Sammy spoke volumes. John had considered ordering him out, knowing that Dean wouldn't disobey a direct order, but he didn't want to do that. The last time he had ordered Dean away from his brother, John had had to carry him as he cried and begged to stay with Sammy all the way up the top of the cliff and pry him from his arms so he could go back for Sammy. He didn't want to experience anything like that again, and clearly neither did Dean.
He wouldn't force Dean away from his little brother. So instead, John nodded grimly, announced he was going for coffee, and instead went to call in reinforcements.
Jim Murphy.
John had quickly outlined the problem and Jim had immediately grown silent. John felt his heart pounding in those few seconds but found his breathing return easier when he heard his old friend assure him he was on his way and would make the trip as quickly as possible. Even if John had been driving, he wouldn't be able to make it quicker than two days… which meant Jim should be there sometime the following day, John thought. He could hold out until then. Meanwhile, after hanging up from Jim he headed for the cafeteria and bought some food that he could keep with them so they wouldn't starve by Sammy's bedside at least… Dean had barely eaten since they come to the hospital, either, but John had to keep trying.
No way he was going to watch both his son's waste away. He couldn't control what was happening with Sammy, he could only wait… but he had more influence with Dean and his health, and so he forced Dean to eat whenever he could. Even to the point where he tore sandwiches to pieces and fed them to him the way he had when Dean was three… whatever it took, John was willing to keep him alive and well.
Once, however, a nurse came in while John was feeding Dean and checked Sammy's vitals. John had asked her how he was, and she had grimly responded that there was no change… hearing that, Dean ran for the nearest toilet and lost all of his lunch, unable to bear the thought that his brother wasn't at least getting better.
When he came back into the room, Dean had stood silently beside his brother's bed, not speaking.
"He's fighting it, Dean," John assured him. "No change doesn't mean he's not getting better, it means he's not getting worse… and besides, he is getting better, the machines and the doctors just can't see it yet… but we can. We know Sammy better than they do, and he's a fighter, remember? He's a little firecracker… he's going to be fine."
Dean didn't move, didn't flinch, he just stood there. It was as if he hadn't even heard his fathers words, like he wasn't even aware of him standing beside him. Finally John had taken him gently by the arm, pulled him back to the chair they had occupied together and pulled him back onto his lap.
And they still hadn't moved.
John wished that something would change, even if it was just hearing Dean's voice again. Hearing his oldest son say something – anything – would suggest some kind of improvement in the situation, and John found himself silently begging him to say something. There had been times when John had pleaded for the complete opposite – from both the boys – but now he wished for their fights, their laugh, their brotherly banter.
Anything that would suggest that his family still had some life left.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Dean let his head rest against his fathers shoulder, drawing comfort from his strength. Somehow, whenever John Winchester was around, things didn't seem so scary, and Dean wished that the same could be said this time. Instead of feeling safe in John's arms, he felt tired and weary. He felt like he could rest some, but he was still afraid. Constantly afraid.
Afraid of facing a life without his little brother.
The doctors didn't talk to Dean, and they only talked to John outside the room where Dean couldn't hear. The nurses told John the usual 'no change' stuff in front of him, and normally Dean could deal with that. He just ignored it and pretended that 'no change' only applied to normal people, not Winchester's… but he knew deep down that that wasn't true. They were Winchester's, they were smart and strong, they were hunters… but they were still human, no matter how much they pretended otherwise. Something's they couldn't escape, and the harsh reality of their mortality appeared to be the latest one.
Dean's ability to ignore the nurses evaporated all at once, which made him throw up in rather spectacular fashion in the toilets. Dean was relieved that his father hadn't followed him, but when he got back he couldn't help but feel embarrassed and ashamed of his inability to remain strong like his dad. Now, when nurses came in, Dean hid his face in his father's neck and pretended to be asleep…
Feeling his eyes drooping shut involuntarily, Dean had enough time to snuggled in closer to his father to keep warm and safe before he slipped into dream land completely…
Sammy was lying broken and battered before Dean, his head in his lap as he breathing came out in tiny gasps of rattling air. Dean felt helpless, knowing there was nothing he could do to help him, that all he could do was cry.
"Sammy…" Dean whispered, lowering his head to meet his brother's. "Sammy, no…"
Sammy's eyes were open and staring up at Dean when he straightened, and he saw a single tear slip down one cheek. Sammy opened his mouth as if to speak, when a final choke escaped his lips before his bottom went lip.
"Sammy?" Dean cried, pulling Sammy closer to him. "Sammy!"
Dean shook his brother gently, still worried about his injuries but that worry was now clouded by fear and grief and a desperation to wake him up. To prove that Sammy wasn't gone, that there was still life in him and he was going to survive this ordeal.
"Sammy!" Dean cried again, shaking his brother's lifeless body harder. "Sammy, please… don't do this!!!"
Dean's eyes flew open suddenly, his body tense and shaking, his voice hoarse and sore as his father rocked him gently back and forth. Dean could hear his voice whispering to him, but he couldn't make out the words as fear laced with the pain and anguish of what was happening. Dean's eyes were wide, his head heard and his heart ached in his chest. He wanted to cry, but all he could do was let his father hold him tight and rock him, speaking softly and soothingly into his ear…
Dean wished more than anything that he could hear the words. He'd feel better if he could hear the words…
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
John's heart wrenched painfully in his chest again as he realised that Dean was having another nightmare. He was almost certain that it was about Sammy dying, probably in Dean's arms, and he wished he could somehow take the image of Sammy's broken body away from Dean and hide it somewhere he would never have to deal with it again.
The truth was, if Sammy survived this there would still be horrors awaiting him. John wished he could take those away too, and determined to himself that he would finish the hunt… not just hunting, but The Hunt, before Sammy was old enough to join them… before he was older enough to get hurt.
He hoped he could avoid Sammy having to fight demons and ghosts. He hoped he could kill the thing that had destroyed his family and get his boys back to a normal and safe life before they were touched too much by the hunt. John saw two problems with this, however…
One, he wasn't sure that the hunt would ever be truly over, that even after he destroyed the creature that had killed Mary there would always be something out there evil that was hurting innocent people, and he wasn't sure he'd be able to walk away from the responsibility he had taken upon himself.
And two… he wasn't sure that the boys hadn't been irreparably touched by the hunt already.
John heard a noise behind him. His nerves red raw already, he jumped slightly and turned to face the door behind him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you… I just didn't want to wake Dean…"
John sighed with relief as he recognised his old friend. He shifted Dean onto his feet and got up himself, moving to greet Jim Murphy as he stood in the doorway. They shook hands and embraced slightly, Jim patting John's shoulder as he pulled John's head to him in offer of comfort. John appreciated the much needed gesture, but he'd never tell Jim how little it had helped him.
When they parted, John glanced back at Dean and exchanged worried looks with Jim. He had very quickly told Jim what was happening with Dean and yet neither man had come up with a solution to the poor boys nightmares, his disinterest in food or his apparent inability to speak.
Jim moved to stand beside Dean. Dean was standing at Sammy's side, staring down at him. His arms hung uselessly by his side, the one bandaged looking thicker under the jumper he wore than the other but he didn't seem to notice it. He hadn't complained about pain or itching, he hadn't even acknowledged that he had any injuries… the only thing he seemed to register was his little brother.
"Hi Dean," Jim greeted him, reaching a hand out to him and gently squeezing his shoulder. "How are you feeling?"
Dean didn't respond.
"Your Dad tells me that you're not feeling too great," Jim continued as if unfazed by the young boys silence. "You're not giving the nurses a hard time, are you?"
Still nothing.
"Well, kiddo, why don't you and me go and get something to eat, huh?" Jim suggested. "Maybe I can rustle up something really unhealthy that your dad wouldn't approve of."
Dean glanced up at the pastor but didn't comment. His only response was to move away from the man and over to his fathers side, gripping his dad's hand tightly and tugging him over to where Sammy lay still. Dean put himself into John's arms, physically wrapping his fathers arms around him as they stood together so they could both watch Sammy.
Jim sighed.
"Okay Dean, how about you stay here and watch your brother, huh?" Jim suggested, as if there was any other option. "I'll take your Dad for a coffee and bring you back something to eat… but I warn you, it might be an apple since you're not co-operating."
Dean didn't say anything, but he did grip his father tighter.
"Okay, son," John rubbed his son's back gently. "I wont go anywhere, I promise…"
Dean sighed as if he were relieved to hear that and then stepped away from his father to perch on the chair right next to Sammy. He knelt on it, and John couldn't blame him since it was a painfully uncomfortable chair and kneeling was probably the only thing it was good for.
John caught Jim's nod to follow him outside, and quietly slipped through the door behind his old friend. He saw concern in Jim's eyes, and he knew he wasn't going to like what the man had to say.
"You're telling me he hasn't spoken a word since he took the book from you?" Jim asked. John merely nodded. "And he's having nightmares?"
John nodded again.
"What happened out there, John?"
John shrugged.
"I don't know," he admitted. "They left the car, they fell down a hole, now we're here… that's about all I know from their side. Dean hasn't spoken enough to tell me anything."
Jim nodded.
"What were you…" he trailed off, pulling John further up the corridor as he saw a nurse step out of a nearby room. John glanced anxiously at the room he had left his sons in, clearly uneasy about moving any further away from them, but allowed himself to be tugged further up the corridor anyway. "What were you hunting?"
John lowered his voice to match Jim's.
"Wendigo," he answered softly. "It looks like it was after them, but I cant really be sure…"
"No indication it hurt them?"
John shook his head.
"They fell down a fifteen foot hole that an idiot hunter wannabe dug up intended for the Wendigo," John explained. "That's literally all I know."
"I figure Dean's probably dreaming about his brother in that hole, probably about him dying," Jim sighed, rubbing tired eyes. John saw how exhausted the man was and realised that he had reached the hospital a lot quicker than he should have. He must have driven with no stops to make that trip so fast, and John suddenly felt bad for dragging him into this when there really wasn't a lot he wasn't going to be able to do. "As for the talking… have you considered that maybe he's blaming himself? He couldn't control what happened to Sammy, couldn't stop it… when he found he was hurt, he couldn't do anything for it and now maybe his body is doing the only thing it can in penance. It wont eat, sleep or function until Sammy's well again."
"You mean, he's on strike?" John asked, confused.
"Kind of, though I doubt it's deliberate on his part… it could be some sort of post traumatic stress, this could be his body's way of dealing with what happened to his brother," Jim explained. "The good news is, it could go away on its own, especially if Sammy wakes up…"
"If," John spat, anger flashing dangerously in his eyes. "I wish people would stop saying that… whatever happened to positive thinking? Whatever happened to thinking good thoughts? That anything can happen as long as you believe in it? Everyone's walking around saying IF, and when they come in to check on him, they're not really looking for any kind of improvement… they're walking in to see if he's dead yet!"
Jim put a calming hand on his friends arm, but John pulled away and stalked back into the room. He knew Jim only meant well, that he was there tto help, but he just wanted to ONCE hear someone say WHEN Sammy woke up, not IF!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
It was another two days of virtual silence in the room before anything of interest happened. Jim had made several coffee runs, only to have to dispose of most of John's coffee a few hours later when it went cold in his hand as he stared from one son to the other. He had also brought juice back for Dean, but so far he had yet to see the boy drink any of it. John still fed Dean whenever he could find a moment of co-operation, but even that was starting to slip away.
John Winchester was looking more defeated than Jim had ever seen him… and he wasn't sure what he could do about it.
"Mr Winchester?" a voice came from the door. John's head and eyes snapped in the general direction and he was immediately on his feet as he recognised the uniformed officers standing behind the woman speaking to him. Jim and Dean were by his side immediately, as if aware that John was in a volatile mood and needing them to be nearby in case someone said something he didn't like. "I'm Miss Dogden from Child Protective Services…"
John tensed.
"And?" he snapped, his voice immediately defensive.
"I've had a report of child abuse and I'm afraid I have to remove your children from your care immediately while we investigate," she continued, unfazed by the oldest Winchester's angered voice. "Would you please step out of the room?"
John clenched his teeth.
"Please, Mr Winchester. I can have these officer's remove you, but I think it would be a lot easier for everyone concerned if you leave willingly… it would be less traumatic for your son…" Miss Dogden told him carefully.
John looked down at Dean as he clung to his father's arm. Fear was evident on his face, his eyes wide with panic at being separated from his father.
"I'm their father," John told the woman bluntly, looking back at her. "What the hell allegations are you talking about?"
"Neglect, Mr Winchester," Miss Dogden answered. "I have been informed that you left your son's in the car in the middle of the woods, while one of them was ill no less… and they ended up spending several hours at the bottom of a fifteen foot pit in a snow storm, both injured, leaving one of them on a respirator. Now, I can see the truth in most of the story, and I hope there's some explanation other than child neglect and child endangerment, but until that determination has been established and we are confident that you are not a threat to your boys, I'm afraid I'm going to have to separate them from you… I have here a court order taking custody of Dean and Samuel Winchester into Child Protective Services care, and that means that until we know you aren't abusing them, you wont be allowed to see them… Dean will stay in a home that we provide for him, and Samuel – while he's here – will have a guard on him at all times… if he wakes up, he'll also be housed in one of our facilities."
"Facilities?" John asked, grinding his teeth now.
"If there's no foster home available at that time, he'll go into one of out group homes," Miss Dogden told him. "Now, you have all the information you need, I'm asking you to please remove yourself from this room."
"You cant just walk in and take someone's children away from them," John shouted angrily, taking a step toward the woman threatening to tear apart his family. The officers immediately moved toward him, taking both his hands and bodily dragging him from the room. John wanted to fight, to scream, to yell, to lash out but he caught Dean's face and his heart just fell. He was crushed, he was in pieces, and Dean was going to pay for any display he gave. He stopped in his tracks, pulled his arms from them and dropped to his knees, opening his arms to his oldest son. Dean ran straight into him, crying softly into John's neck. "It's okay, Dean, everything will be okay… I'm always here for you, you know that right? Nobody's taking you away from me, nobody ever could… you just be strong and brave for me, alright? And whatever happens, know…"
John swallowed and pulled Dean from him so he could see into his eyes.
"Know that," John choked on barely controlled emotion. "Know that I love you with everything that I am, and I will do anything I have to to get you back… I promise. You trust me, right?"
Dean nodded.
"Good," John nodded, getting to his feet. He turned to leave when Dean grabbed his hand again.
"I love you, Dad," Dean said, his voice barely above a whisper. John's heart melted as he heard more than he could ever have hoped for from his son. He scooped him into his arms and hugged him fiercely.
"I love you, too, kiddo," John told him. He glanced over Dean's shoulder at Sammy and sighed, squeezing his eyes shut against the tears that refused to disappear. "Don't ever forget that."
Dean shook his head in a silent promise as John put him back on the floor. John turned to leave…
As John was halfway out the door, Dean's voice once again stopped him in his tracks.
"SAMMY!" Dean squealed, running toward his gasping brother as he fought against the tube in his throat and began to panic. John pushed passed everyone in the room and fell to his knees beside his son so he was eye to eye with them both.
"Oh, thank God!" he breathed, one arm around Dean and the other holding Sammy's hand. "Relax Sammy, it's okay… everything's okay…"
John pressed the call button as the officers once again grabbed him. He wanted to fight even harder now, but he knew that he couldn't. Sammy was too young, too weak to handle watching his father be dragged away from him, and in the condition he was in John had no choice but to leave quietly.
He glanced at Jim on his way out.
"Stay with Sammy," he pleaded with him. "Take care of him."
Jim nodded.
Before John could be torn from the room, he looked back at Sammy and forced a smile on his face through his tears.
"I love you, Sammy, I'll be back really soon, I promise!" John called to him. "It'll be okay!"
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Once John was gone and nurses started piling into the room, Jim and Dean were made to leave. They sat outside, Miss Dogden still standing nearby. She was like a constant threat hanging over their heads, and Jim knew that it wouldn't be much longer before Dean was taken away too. Jim wasn't sure even he was strong enough for that, especially since Dean wasn't going to want to leave his brother's side. That was going to be painful to watch, and extra traumatic for Dean to see.
After John had left, Dean's mouth had clamped shut again, and Jim knew that the temporary recovery from whatever was making the boy mute hadn't meant that he was going to be able to recover fully. He had been distracted from the trauma long enough for his desire to tell him father he loved him to take over. Now, however, Dean was solemn and shutdown, not speaking and not making eye contact with anyone – not even Jim.
"I really have to take him," Miss Dogden announced, her voice not showing even a hint of compassion.
"Where?" Jim asked, his arm still around the boy.
"There's a family who has a bed ready for him, they're one of our best," the woman assured him. "I promised you, he'll be well taken care of… better than…"
"Don't finish that sentence in my presence," Jim warned her. He got to his feet, anger flaring in his eyes. "You may not know it, but you're destroying one of the best, most loving families I have ever known. John Winchester is a good father, he cares for these boys more than anyone could ever understand. He would never hurt them! Never!"
"I'm sorry, but given the severity of the claims, I'm afraid we have to take this very seriously," she continued. "We'll try to investigate as quickly as we can, but these things do take time… the information we have so far is disturbing to say the least, and I'm not letting that man near those boys again until I know they're safe!"
"What if he stays with me?" Jim suggested. "He knows me, it would be less traumatic for him to stay in my care than for him to be taken away… and I can take Sammy, too, when he's better. They wouldn't have to be separated!"
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I cant do that," Miss Dogden. "Dean's going to have to come with me… now."
"Can't he wait until he sees if his brother is okay?" Jim pleaded, feeling the panic from Dean even as he sat silently and stared at his shoes.
"No, I'm sorry."
"You can't separate them," Jim insisted again, pleading. "It'll kill them! They're really close, you can't do this!"
"Mr…"
"Pastor Murphy," Jim supplied.
"Pastor… so you're going to be a character reference for John Winchester, I take it? Gee, he thinks ahead… already planning his case, huh?"
"No, it's not like that," Jim insisted. "He needed help, support from a family friend and someone who happens to be the families spiritual leader… it's not unusual when facing something like this to call the family clergyman, is it?"
"Only when it's in a case of abuse, then it's what I call suspicious."
"You've already made up your mind about this, haven't you?" Jim snapped angrily.
The woman scoffed.
"About whether a boy whose left on a respirator and another that could have ended up with pneumonia might be suffering abuse and neglect? Gee, let me think on that for a moment," Miss Dogden snapped. "Now, Pastor Murphy, I can have you removed by these nice officers, too, if you like… or you can stand back and let the boy come with me… which would you prefer?"
Dean got to his feet and grabbed Jim's hand to get his attention. In his eyes was a plea for so many things that Jim could barely decipher them all. A plea to let him go, to help John, to be there for Sammy as long as he could… and Jim was powerless to do any less.
Jim nodded at the young boy, amazed and terrified at the wisdom and years that he saw in his eyes as he woman grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him away.
"Remember what your dad said," Jim reminded him. "And know it goes for me too."
The last vision Jim had of Dean before he disappeared behind the elevator door was one of pain and fear… and it was a look that Jim Murphy wasn't going to forget in a while.
The nurses and the doctor finally stepped out of Sammy's room, a look of surprise covered the doctors face when he saw no one left but the pastor.
"Where's the family?" he asked.
"I'm the only one left," Jim told him, careful not to suggest that he wasn't family.
"Okay, well Sammy's off the respirator. We were going to start checking him for that tomorrow anyway, but the decision was made to take him off now since he was awake," he explained.
"Whose decision was that?" Jim asked.
"Miss Dogden from… well, she has authority since custody has been temporarily transferred to Child Protective Services," the doctor explained. "In fact, I'm afraid I wont even be allowed to let you back in… we're under strict orders not to let anyone see the boy."
"You're going to let a five year old boy be alone after seeing his family dragged away from him when he's been seriously hurt and unconscious for days?" Jim asked, disbelief and horror at the though.
The doctor sighed.
"The thought never crossed my mind," he assured him. "Look, I'm going to be going out on a limb here for you guys, okay? Here's my card, you can call me whenever you want an update on Sam, okay? And I'm prepared to get up at whatever hearing they put in place for Mr Winchester and make a statement to what I saw."
"What exactly did you see?" Jim asked, his eyes narrowed at the unexpected offer of help and support.
"A father like I've never seen before…"
Jim sighed, nodding his understanding. When it was visible, John's love and dedication to those boys could really take your breath away. It was a relief to Jim that someone other than him, someone impartial, was willing to get up and testify to that fact… whenever it was that they got that opportunity.
"So, how is Sam?" Jim asked finally, pocketing the doctors card.
"Emotionally scarred as you could imagine," the doctor told him. "He cant really talk much, but his eyes are very expressive and they're enough to break your heart on their own!"
"Oh, I know what you mean, believe me," Jim chuckled sadly.
"He's breathing on his own, though he'll be monitored extremely closely over the next twenty four hours in case of complications, but it's remarkable really… it looks like he's dodged this bullet by sheer will," he continued. "That's one strong kid… you can tell Mr Winchester that I'm confident his son's going to be okay…"
Jim sighed with relief and after a final nod from the doctor he ducked inside the room. Sammy looked tiny against the pillows, machines still beeping around him, an oxygen mask covering his pale face. His heart ached seeing him like that, and he wished he had the words to explain where John and Dean were. How would he ever explain that?
"Heya, Sammy," he greeted him, hoping the subject wouldn't come up.
Sammy's eyes flew open and locked on Jim with a flash of recognition before searching the room for his father and brother.
Jim sighed.
"They're not here, Sammy," Jim told him gently. "You're dad had to leave. Some people were very worried about you and they have to find out how you got hurt before they can let him come and see you… do you understand?"
Sammy looked away, tears filling his eyes.
"Not… Dad's… fault…" Sammy croaked painfully.
"I know that, son, but they have to make sure," Jim explained. "Dean's gone to stay with a nice family not far from here until this is all sorted out, okay?"
Sammy shook his head, devastation clear in his eyes as more tears slipped down his cheeks. Jim sighed as pain filled his chest for the youngest Winchester even as fear for the whole family threatened to overwhelm him, and he sat in the uncomfortable chair where he could hold Sammy's hand for as long as the nice doctor, Doctor Westerly, was on duty and could cover for him…
Jim Murphy had his work cut out for him this time, but he was not going to let the Winchester family go down with one hell of a blazing fight. Mentally, as he sat with Sammy, he thought about all his contacts and how he could best help John get his boys back. However long this went on for, it was going to be painful for all of them
Determination rose in his heart, however, as Jim Murphy swore silently to Sammy that he wouldn't become a victim of the system, that he and Dean would not slip through the cracks. Jim knew that John would do anything – anything! – that he had to to get them back, and Jim swore that he would do everything legal he could before he started letting John consider other alternatives.
Doctor Westerly stuck his head through the door with a slightly nod.
"They're on their way," he announced. "You gotta bail…"
The doctor glanced up the hall as he waited for Jim to say good bye to Sammy.
"I'll see you really soon, okay?" Jim assured him. "I'll try and come by tomorrow, but if you don't see me again until the hearing, remember that I'll be with your dad, and we're going to fight to get you back… you know that's what we do best, right?"
Sammy nodded, but he looked so tiny and miserable that Jim felt crushed under his gaze. He planted a kiss on Sammy's head and hurried for the door.
On his way out, he slipped the doctor his number and made him promise to call with Sammy's progress.
"And don't forget, you can call me anytime," Westerly reminded him. "Day or night…"
Jim left the hospital, jumped in his car and headed for the motel John had told him they had been staying in. He wasn't looking forward to what condition John might be in when he got there, but he was looking forward to starting the battle to end all battles…
The fight for the Winchester family had begun, and he was taking no prisoners!
SUPERNATURAL
