Present

Sam snapped out of his thoughts of the nights past events and began running after the nurse. The whole memory had taken but a moment to relive, but it still felt too fresh, too real. Sam jumped a bit when a doctor started running at him, and then turned abruptly into the room Dean occupied.

As soon as Sam entered he paled at the sight before him. His mind was spinning out of control and his knees buckled, causing him to crash to the cold, bloody, tiled floor beneath him. Right before his eyes was a sight he'd never thought he'd see. Dean…the big brother who fought like the devil…Dean…Mr. Tough and ready…Dean…a strong man who never gave up, lying on a surgical table, his chest open, exposing his heart and internal organs to the world. A heart that was not beating but was being poked and prodded to life by doctors and nurses. He was blue, quiet, bloody, and unresponsive. Not the Dean that Sam knew at all. Sobs torn out of his throat and his hands clenched into tight fists while a nurse tried to remove him from the room.

Please Dean, you can't die, not like this, no. You're my big brother, you've always been around to help me and save me and annoy me, Sam thought. Desperately, he searched his mind for hoodoo, rituals, anointings, and even thought of summoning a crossroads demon, all just to get Dean back to the way he should be. Sam continued to look at his lifeless brother, tears streaming done his face uncontrollably. The doctors and nurses continued to work on his body, attempting to bring life to the bloody remains. "Save him!" yelled Sam, then, using Dean's favorite phrase he screamed in such agony and sorrow it seemed as if it would rip his throat open, "Dean, you can't die, you son of a bitch! I need you, you're my big brother!"

At that moment the doctor shocked Dean's heart for what he figured would be the last time. There was no saving this boy after all that. The electrical charge course through Den and, as if he'd heard his brother's screams, his heart started beating again. The doctor stepped back in aw, "We got a rhythm." The nurses and doctors quickly worked to keep Dean alive and mend the horrible wounds he had.

Sam began to run for Dean, pure hope and joy on his face. "Thank you," he said, smiling and turning to the doctor.

"We're not out of the woods yet, son. But this boy here is a fighter, he's not gonna give up. It's going to take months for those back wounds to heal, not to mention the fact that we had to open his chest…but I'm optimistic that he's gonna live."

"Dean," Sam stated in a monotone, completely drained of all emotion and energy. His only thought of his brother.

"What?" questioned the doctor.

"His name. It's Dean. He's my brother. And all his life he's fought long and hard, so yes, he's going to make it. I know it." Sam's eyes were once again filled with tears, this time of joy. He turned away and let the nurse lead him out to the waiting room.

Yes, it's going to be a long hard road. Maybe we can get some anointing oils and rituals and speed up the process, though. Dean's got to make it though, and we're going to get him out of that damn deal if it's the last thing I do! Sam focused on that thought as he called Bobby, needing the support of their old family friend during this difficult time but knowing that they would make it though somehow. After all, they were Winchesters.

***The End***