Chapter 4

Dean sighed. He knew he had made Sam mad. But he would not, could not let his brother continue in this relationship of his without having his eyes opened about a few things. Things Sam obviously couldn't or wouldn't see. In the world of the hunting ignorance of such realizations often got you killed.

Dean looked around the room again, he had forgotten about Christmas, almost. He had come across some things while in his travels the past three months. He had just hoped his brother would like them, if they were still in his baby when he found it. Dean thought as he closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep.

Dean didn't wake when Sam threw his keys onto his bed. He didn't even move. Sam was glad that the pain medicine was working for him. The young Winchester was also glad to get a reprieve. He didn't like arguing with Dean, especially now. Dean was in pain, and he really would need Sam's help for a while.

Dean woke up a few hours later. Sam had just let him sleep knowing that he needed the rest. Dean looked at his brother, confused, after he spotted the keys.

"How did you…?" Dean started to ask 'find my keys.'

The younger Winchester shook his head. "I didn't. I had a copy made."

Dean nodded, picking up the key and putting it on the bedside table. He looked back at his brother, hoping he would like the answer to the question he was going to ask.

Sam shook his head again. "She drove my car. I drove the Impala."

Dean nodded, feeling a lot better about the whole situation. "I've got a couple plastic bags and a newspaper in the back seat. Get them for me?"

Sam looked at his brother for a moment. He guessed this fight was over, at least for now. Sam sighed. He took his keys to the Impala out of his pocket as he walked out the door. He returned, moments later, bags and newspaper in hand.

Dean told him to put the items on the floor on the other side of the bed, the one near the door. Sam wondered why Dean didn't look into the bags. But he didn't ask. He just went to the bathroom. He then came out and ordered them pizza. He knew Dean was hungry because he was starving.

They ate their pizza in silence. Sam had turned the TV on as a distraction. He then fell asleep, half an eaten slice of pizza on his chest.

Dean looked over at his brother and grinned. He then leaned over the bed and picked up the newspaper and plastic bags. He had had to ask Sam to bring his own Christmas presents in, but Dean had no choice. He had planned on wrapping the presents sitting in the car, somewhere. But that had not happened. Dean tore the paper apart getting to the comics. He then used them and the tape he had stashed in one of the bags to wrap Sam's presents. He put the three things he had gotten his brother in one of the bedside table drawers. He then went back to watching the movie and was soon asleep.

SPN SPN SPN

Dean opened his eyes just as Sam finished cleaning and changing his bandages. The elder Winchester had been awake when Sam had started, but he just lay still and kept his eyes closed. It made things easier.

Sam smoothed down the last of the tape on Dean's back and then stood up. He gathered his supplies. "You can open your eyes now, Dean." He said, grinning.

"How did you know?" Dean asked. He hadn't moved or anything, he didn't think.

"You've always done that, even with Dad." Sam explained. "You would always flinch or make a face. You don't even realize you're doing it." The younger Winchester paused. "All I had to do was look in the mirror." He pointed to the floor-length mirror that was beside Dean's bed, on the closet door.

"Bitch!"

"Jerk!"

A comfortable silence feel between them as Sam cleaned up after himself and Dean got comfortable in the bed.

"Nice attempt there, Sammy." Dean said, talking about his Christmas decorations.

"You try shopping three days before Christmas, people pushing and shoving. I had to fight just to get eggnog. And an old lady almost took me out to get that strand of lights. She was hitting people with her purse."

Dean chuckled, even though it hurt. "People around here must take their Christmas very seriously."

"Huh, I guess." Sam said, brushing his hair out of his eyes. He then went to their small kitchenette. He took out three presents he had placed on a bottom shelf. He brought them over to Dean's bed and lay them down.

Dean smiled. He loved presents. He loved giving them as much as he did getting them. He reached over and pulled out the second drawer of the bedside table to reveal Sam's presents inside.

"Wait!" Sam said, he quickly got up and went to the fridge. He pulled out the eggnog and the rum. He got two plastic cups. He poured eggnog in both but only put the rum in his. He then walked back to the Dean's bed and handed him his eggnog. "Can't open presents without eggnog."

Dean greedily took his cup. He took a sip and then made a face. "Dude, what is this crap…plain eggnog? Seriously?"

"Pain pills…remember?"

"Give me yours!" Dean demanded. He knew Sam's had alcohol in it. He reached out to take the cup.

Sam pulled his hand back. "No!"

"Give me it!" Dean demanded again.

Sam stood at the foot of Dean's bed and grinned as he sipped his eggnog.

"You are very lucky I can't get up out of this bed." Dean said, glaring at his brother.

"Just shut up and open your presents." Sam said as he sat back down and picked up his first present.

Soon Dean Winchester had a bottle of Jack Daniels, a copy of Busty Asian Beauties, and two bottles of motor oil. And Sam had his very own copy of a book on American folklore, an extra power cord for his computer, and his very own six pack of beer.

Sam opened one of the bottles and took a drink. He held his hand out to Dean. Dean reluctantly, very reluctantly, handed over his bottle of Jack.

"Don't drink it, Sammy."

"I'm putting it into the fridge until you can." Sam said as he brother pouted and sulked.

"Merry Christmas, Dean." Sam said sweetly, knowing it would bug the hell out of Dean.

"Yeah, Merry…Whatever." Dean replied, still sulking.

THE END

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. And best wishes for the New Year. Thanks for reading, JL.