Disclaimer : I don't even think it, nowadays.

A/n : Hiya, guys, in a hurry, huh? See you at the bottom!

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"A friend is someone who is there for you when he'd rather be anywhere else."
- Len Wein.

Friends That Count

Chapter 7 : And He Was

Sam stood still in front of the white door, body hesitating and tensed. Caleb and Mac were standing behind him, wondering why he wasn't opening it and rushing in, as they had expected him to do. As Sammy had done when he was younger and Dean was hurt. What was he thinking about, now?. Caleb reached past Sam and rested his hand on the door-knob, concern lacing his voice," Sammy?"

"Uh ... " Sam turned away, abruptly and hobbled to the plastic chair.

Mac followed him," Sam? Is something wrong?"

"Uh ... " Sam said again and saw Caleb tilt his head, frowning," Please could you ... uh, please could you go in and ... um, see if he wants me?"

Caleb's mouth dropped open," The hell?"

Sam rubbed his arm self-consciously," Um ..."

"Sammy, what the hell is wrong with you?" frustrated, Caleb strode over to him," We drove all that way and now you don't want to see him? Come on!"

"It's not that I don't want to see him," Sam suddenly snapped, his voice rising," Damn it, Caleb! He went through all that trouble to get away from me and I - " Sam broke off turning away.

"What?"

"Why disappoint him?" Sam said, softly, looking down at his feet.

"Aw, shit, Sammy ..." Caleb knelt down in front of the boy as if Sam was three again and had scraped his knee," He didn't want to get away from you, he just ... needed some time."

"Time for what?" Sam asked in a small voice and Caleb sighed.

"To figure out things, kiddo ... " when Sam didn't say anything, Caleb gave in and patted his shoulder," Okay, Sammy."

Sam's face lifted from the slouch and he nodded, and Caleb pretended he didn't see the tears. Pushing himself up, he threw the door open and Mac followed, closing it behind him. Sam's hand clenched into his knee. God ... what if Dean didn't want to see him? There was so much he wanted to tell his brother, so much he wanted to ask ... but he wouldn't push Dean. Pillowing his head on the arm-rest, he closed his eyes and prepared for the longest five minutes of his life.

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Caleb paused.

This didn't look like Dean at all. He was sprawled on the snowy white hospital sheets, his right wrist held in a cast and bandages wrapped around his chest. But worst of all, he had that empty look in his eyes, just like the day he announced he was leaving. Only this time, Caleb could read him, invisible waves of pain radiating from the prone body. He turned his head a little as Caleb approached the bed and sat on it, fingers involuntarily brushing Dean's arm.

A few minutes passed, Caleb letting Dean think it out before the younger man whispered, voice hoarse," Is Sammy okay?"

"You stubborn son of a bitch," Caleb said, shaking his head, before answering the question," Course he is. I said I'd look after him till you came back, didn't I?"

And then, the corners of Dean's mouth lifted and he raised a hand," Hey, Mac."

The doctor smiled, relievedly," Dean. You had us all worried for a while."

"Where's Sammy?" Dean asked suddenly, as if he had just realized that Sam wasn't in the room.

Caleb exchanged a look with Mac and said," He's - uh, right outside."

A confused look came into Dean's eyes," What?"

"Well," Caleb huffed a laugh," You scared the kid , man. And not just because he didn't know where you were. He thinks you don't wanna see him."

Dean drew in a deep breath and let it out. "Okay," he said, presently," Caleb, call Sammy in. My brother and I have things to discuss."

Caleb grinned.

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Sam caught his breath, looking at his big brother. He didn't ever recall Dean looking so vulnerable. Caleb and Mac left, for coffee, promising Dean they'd sneak some in for him as well.

He stood akwardly, leaning against the door, he'd been waiting to see his brother but now that he was here... he didn't know what to say. Finally though, Dean motioned him closer and Sam limped to the hospital bed, sitting in the chair," How - are you okay?"

Dean nodded, smiling," You?"

"I'm okay," Sam started, " I was worried about you. I thought - " Sam's voice choked up and he dashed a hand across his eyes impatiently," I'm sorry I pushed you, Dean. If - I won't push you, anymore. If you don't wanna talk, it's fine. Just - uh, just - I'm sorry."

"No, Sammy," Dean spoke," I'm sorry. I shouldn'tve left you like that. I just - I needed to - "

"It's okay," Sam whispered," IIt's all right." And smiled, slightly.

Dean's breathing hitched. It had been too long since he'd seen those dimples," Yeah, I know."

Sam untied the amulet from around his neck," I think this belongs to you." He bent over Dean, who lifted his head so that Sam could tie it back. And, suddenly, he found himself yanked down, head on Dean's bandaged chest," Dean?"

"I'm sorry," Dean's voice burned something inside Sam," I'm so sorry, Sammy. I'm sorry I dragged you back into this, I'm sorry for dad, I'm sorry for everything, I just - I never wanted this for you, you know. I didn't want you dragged all over the country, I didn't - "

"Dean," Sam interrupted softly, not bothering to lift his head," I didn't want it - I kinda realized it Oklahoma."

Dean's unhurt hand passed over Sam's hair," And are you okay? Really?"

"I'm fine," Sam suddenly remembered something," Dean, in my - vision - I had a vision about the crash and - in my vision, you were coming back, right? You were coming back."

"... yeah."

A wondering look came into Sam's eyes, gratitude shining in them. The big brother in him just couldn't stay away. He smiled, running his hand down Dean's arm. He could finally sleep. They were fractured and they were hurt. Insecurities remained but Dean was here and he was okay. Which made everything seem good. Bright.

And that was how Caleb found them, twenty minutes later, Sam was asleep, having given in to the exhausion, his head still on Dean's chest. He grinned. The Winchester boys were back.

He saw Dean's eyes flutter open and the two friends smiled at each other.

"Thanks," Dean said, softly," For - you know."

"Hey," Caleb shrugged, leaning back in the chair," What're friends for?"

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A/n : I am proud to announce that my first multi-chapter story is officially complete! A warm thank you to all the people who have been following this story. An epilogue might be posted, depending on the number of reviews I get. Also, I'm looking for a beta, so if anyone's interested, please feel free to private message me.

- love, CS.