You guys are awesome! If i could send you Dean and Sam as a gift i would (but they're kinda busy washing my car at the moment ...shirtless)
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Dean felt relaxed. No, scratch that, he felt better than relaxed. He felt high. Which could mean one of two things. Either he was currently riding a wave of post coital bliss, (and oh how he wished this were the case), or he was high as a kite on the good stuff thanks to a veritable list of injuries that would no doubt send Sam into queen mother hen mode.
Again, he was hoping for the post coital bliss. Involving some gorgeous chick on a mission to wear him out.
He tried to move but found his limbs too heavy. He heard Sam's voice in the distance. Knowing his brother was safe he allowed his mind to drift as he fell into a deep sleep.
Sam listened to the doctor carefully. He nodded where appropriate and tried to look innocent as he was chastised for exhausting himself by watching over Dean.
When help had finally found them in the forest, Sam had allowed the exhaustion that had been gradually running through his blood stream to send him into a relieved oblivion. As the paramedics had loaded his unconscious brother into the ambulance, Sam's legs had given way and he'd crumpled to a heap on the ground.
He'd come to only to be blinded by a bright light being shone in each eye. The ER doctor, concerned he had a concussion, but so thankful the young man in his care had decided to wake up finally.
"It's ok, Sam, just relax. I'm Doctor Wells. You're in the hospital. Seems you and your brother had quite the nature hike." The doctor smiled good naturedly.
Sam squinted up at the man until he came into focus. He couldn't have been much older than Dean, with dark hair and bright blue eyes. The doctor's kind face helped ease Sam's anxiety until the thought of his brother sent his blood pressure sky high.
"Dean!" Sam attempted to sit up, only to be assaulted by stars dancing across his vision. A gentle hand pushed him back down.
"He's fine, Sam."
"How'd you know my name?" asked Sam from behind the arm he had draped over his eyes.
"Your brother told me. He was awake when they brought you in. Has himself quite an infection and a whole list of injuries, but his main concern was you. He told us you had a seizure. That you hit your head when you fell. Is that right?"
Sam nodded as the relief that Dean was awake washed over him.
"I fell…" he paused, wondering what story Dean had given.
"Fell off the edge of a cliff" supplied the Doctor.
"Yeah , that was it."
"Listen man" the doctor sat on the edge of the bed, "these aren't the kind of woods where inexperienced hikers can go be one with nature. You're real lucky that you managed to get close enough to town to call for help. A lot of people haven't been so lucky."
Sam let out a sigh as he nodded. "Doc? How's my brother? Can I see him?"
"He's gonna be ok. He's in surgery at the moment."
"What? Why?" Sam struggled to sit up again, this time managing the task with the help of the young doctor.
"The bone in his leg broke skin. You set it well, really well actually, but his leg needs a bit more help to set properly so they're putting in pins to keep the bone in place. He's in good hands. The operation shouldn't take long so you'll be able to see him soon."
Sam nodded, suddenly aware of how tired he was he fought the urge to close his eyes.
"Sam?"
Sam realised the doctor must have been trying to get his attention for a while now judging by the concern across his features.
"Yeah?"
"Sam are you feeling tired?"
"Yeah."
"Headache?"
"Yeah."
"Ok, hold still for me." Sam kept as still as he could as the light shone in his eyes again.
"I want to send you for a CT scan. We're gonna keep you overnight as well."
"CT?"
"Just to make sure there's nothing untoward going on in you noggin."
Sam smiled at that.
"It's probably the blow to your head that caused the seizure but it's best to be sure. Ok?"
That and the slight possession, thought Sam.
"Ok. When can I see Dean?"
"You're as bad as your brother, you know that? We'll put you both in the same room so don't worry, you'll see him soon."
"What do you mean 'as bad as him'?"
"All that guy kept saying was that we had to make sure you were ok. You were all that mattered. He was almost hysterical and, at one point, the nurse was about to sedate him. He kept on saying that if you weren't ok then it was all for nothing. You know what he meant by that?"
Sam shook his head and swallowed convulsively. The doctor patted his knee and left to make arrangements for the scan. Sam's mind began to wander back to Dean's voice, lying at the bottom of that grave. Listening to those words and knowing that his brother's worst fear had been realised. What had it been like for Dean, holding Sam's dead body in his arms? Dean didn't regret a thing about making the deal. Would do it all over if he had to. That love almost knocked Sam over and ran him threw. He felt guilt on top of guilt for having a brother that would go to such lengths for him. Over and over in his mind, Sam had tried to put himself in that very same position, and over and over his mind had refused to picture the image of loosing Dean. They had always said they would do anything for each other, would die for each other, and now Dean was going to prove that point.
Sam, however, had other ideas. It was his turn to save his brother.
Dean treasured every moment. When Sam had heard his brother say that it had taken all his effort to not cry and latch onto Dean. Sam was so aware that every joke they shared and every time he laughed or smiled Dean would look at him a moment longer than necessary. Would allow the moment to linger as he fought to ingrain every second into his brain. Sam had been doing the same, but he would never want Dean to know that. He didn't want his brother to give up any more than he had done. Dean wasn't fighting. Didn't seem to want to help Sam or Bobby find a way out of this thing. He'd even shouted at Ellen when she'd tried to get him to follow up on a few leads regarding deals.
Dean was dying already; his last breath lasting a year.
A plump male nurse pulled the curtain aside and clapped his hands together startling Sam from his reverie.
"Hear you're scheduled for a CT scan Mr Sixx. Well, I'm here to escort you. Take you upstairs and wheel you all the way. Never had one of those myself though, wanted to. I asked a couple of times and they said no. Said I had to get myself a head injury before they let me in there. Apparently you don't get to play with the equipment even when you're a staff member. That's a privilege for patients only."
"Lucky me." mumbled Sam as he made a mental note of which insurance card to use. Trust Dean to pick that one. He realised the nurse was still talking. This guy was either gonna make his headache worse, or give him an excuse to let go of some of his tension by smacking the plump smug grin from his face.
Sam had been given the all clear and settled into a room on the third floor. His headache had tripled by the time he was wheeled into the room. The male nurse, who's name he now knew as Marcus, had talked a mile-a-minute all the way to the scan and back down to the room. Even when Sam had politely mentioned he had one hell of a headache, Marcus had taken it upon himself to regale Sam with stories of the headaches he used to get.
Great. Dean was somewhere floating in oblivion on the good drugs while Sam was stuck with the boonies version of Rainman.
Typical.
He'd clenched his fist and was getting ready to smack the twit in the face when another nurse had walked into the room and pushed Marcus out of the way, allowing Sam to rein in his inner Dean. Great, now he was channelling his brother.
"Hey, I'm Heather and I'll be your nurse while you're here. Just so you know your brother is in recovery and is doing fine. He'll be joining you soon."
Sam smiled gratefully at the woman. She helped him up and into the bed, setting up an IV and pulling the covers up to his shoulders. Her soft brown hair, pulled back in a pony tail, fell forward across her left shoulder, tickling Sam's arm as she fussed with his pillows. Marcus stood to the side, readying a syringe with what Sam hoped was a nice warm painkiller for his headache.
He still hadn't stopped talking.
Sam caught words like 'brother,' 'wish I had one,' and 'maybe I could visit.' and he knew that sooner or later Marcus was gonna get a face full of Sam's fist courtesy of his inner Dean. He clenched his hand and felt Heather place her warm hand on top of his. He looked up and she threw a wink at him, her blue eyes sparkling with life and care.
"Hey, Sam, how about something for that headache?"
"God, yes please."
As Heather leaned forward to inject the contents of the syringe into the IV port she whispered in Sam's ear "You know we could just knock Marcus out and wait for your headache to disappear into the peace and quiet."
Sam laughed softly.
"What ? What did I miss?" Marcus stepped forward, only to be stopped by Heather's hand to his chest.
"You didn't miss anything. Now for the love of god, will you please leave this poor man in peace."
Marcus frowned.
"Marcus, what did I tell you?"
"Only bug one person at a time" He said in a tone that wouldn't have been out of place on a chastised child.
"Right, and I'm still in the room, so leave. Go annoy someone else. I hear the nurses in the ER love having you around."
Marcus seemed to take that as a positive comment and left the room hurriedly.
"Sorry about him." Heather said as she tucked the blanket further around Sam. "He means well and he's great at the clinical side of the job, he's just a really annoying person."
"It's ok, honestly."
"Yeah, right, that's why you looked like you were about to hit him."
Sam smiled as Heather laughed softly.
"You get some sleep."
"My brother..."
"Won't be here for another hour or so. So sleep. I promise to wake you when they bring him in."
"Thanks Heather."
"You're welcome, Sam."
Heather had been true to her word and a few hours later roused Sam from his slumber. Dean was wheeled in, a look of serenity on his features. Carefully, the nurses transferred him to the bed opposite Sam. Heather helped Sam from his bed, carefully maneuvering the tall man and his IV to the chair beside Dean's bed. Once both men were settled, the nurses left. Heather paused at the door, said something about 'only an hour then back to bed' and left. Sam's attention was taken by his brother though. Nothing else mattered.
Dean was pale, a thin sheen of sweat covered his face, yet he looked so peaceful despite the bruises that covered his arms and hands. His right hand was wrapped tightly in a thick white bandage and it rested against his chest. His thumb was barely discernable amongst the bandages. His left leg was encompassed in a thick fabric leg brace with velcro straps keeping it in place. It rested on two very soft looking pillows.
Sam watched the rise and fall of Dean's chest. He felt the anger burning inside him that once again Dean had been the victim of an entity using his family against him. Dean had once again allowed himself to get in the way of the evil.
He'd said that was his job. That his role in life was protecting Sam. Why the hell couldn't he let Sam do the same? Well there was no choice now, not with a busted leg. He could hop away but Sam could walk faster. Dean was going to have to realise that little brothers had as much right to save older brothers.
Sam sat there the rest of the night, unaware of the day light shining through the large window behind him. He held Dean's left hand carefully, mindful of the IV in the back of his hand. Thinking of all the things he could say but not knowing if he could reach Dean. How could he convince his brother that he had to help, had to allow Sam to save him. That he was worth saving.
Sam knew he needed help. He knew who he needed to call.
The decision made, he moved to stand only to find himself face to face with an elderly looking doctor with deep brown eyes and tanned skin. His first thought was that Roy Schneider had decided on a new career in the medical field.
"Doc?"
"Gray" supplied the doctor. He stood in front of the young man, not at all intimidated by his height. "Doctor Gray. I'm in charge of you and your brother."
"In charge?" Sam felt himself shrink beneath the glare and authority in the man's face.
"Yep, in charge. Which means you are in trouble young man."
"I am?" Sam couldn't help but gulp back the fear that he was about to be put over this man's knee and smacked.
"I believe Nurse Benda told you to go back to bed after your brother was brought in."
"Nurse Benda?"
"Heather" said the Doctor patiently. He knew he came across as a hard ass but it was one of the perks of the job; messing with people. He knew what affect he was having on the young man.
"Oh, yeah. Heather. She did."
"But you stayed by your brother's side all night" Doctor Gray didn't flinch, didn't allow his smile to bleed through his stern features. He'd operated on Dean and knew how worried the older brother had been about the younger one. Even as the sedative had taken hold, Dean kept on asking about Sam, wanting to make sure he was ok. He'd made it clear to all the staff that he wanted them to know that Sam was their top priority. Doctor Gray had a younger brother himself so he knew the worry, could recognise the care and love the two men had for each other. Didn't mean he couldn't mess with them though. After all, it was an older siblings prerogative.
Sam shuffled his feet and entertained the idea of using the IV pole to vault over Dean and make a run for it. He looked up and marvelled at the smile that over took Doctor Gray's features. A smile that reached his eyes and beyond. The older man smacked Sam's arm affectionately.
"Don't worry son, I won't tell Heather you disobeyed her. But she'll know though. I swear that woman is psychic. I would have done the same in your shoes. But unless you get yourself back across the room and get some rest I will be allowing Heather to punish you accordingly."
Sam allowed himself to smile, but truth be told, he was still wary as hell about the doctor. There was no doubt he was an older brother to some poor man out there somewhere. Dean was gonna love him. Sam sighed inwardly as he realised he would be stuck in a room with two older brothers and no escape.
"Dare I ask what the punishment would be?"
"Heather only has one form of punishment. And it involves Marcus sitting with the patients until they've learnt their lesson."
Sam moved across the room and hastily climbed into bed. Doctor Gray laughed as he followed him.
"Listen, you'll probably be allowed to leave here later on today ,but you need to rest. You hit your head, had a seizure and then, through what I'm guessing is sheer will, you dragged your brother to safety. That takes a lot out of a guy."
"Ok, I get it" Sam smiled, deciding he liked this guy after all. "But before I give in and sleep. Not due to your threat of course." Doctor Gray pursed his lips and nodded, waiting for Sam to continue. "Please tell me how my brother is."
"He's ok, Sam. He'll be in pain especially seeing as we had to put three pins in his leg to set the bone. He had some numbness in the limb, but once the bone was set and wasn't pressing on a nerve, that began to recede. The pins won't make flying real fun for you in the future."
"Trust me, that won't be a problem."
"His infection is coming under control, his hand needed ten stitches and the thumb has been wrapped to keep it supported. You did a great job getting that back in place, by the way. You ever set a dislocation before?"
"Once or twice." Sam looked away before the doctor could ask anymore questions. He frowned as he realised Dean's fingers were twitching. Doctor Gray followed his gaze.
"He's starting to come around. It'll take a few hours but he should be awake soon. He has multiple bruises, including a dandy on his lower back that will make sitting pretty uncomfortable for a while. Plus, on top of all that, he's got two cracked ribs. You know, just to add to the fun."
Sam smiled sadly, lowering his eyes to his hands in his lap. He raised his head when he felt the doctor tap his knee.
"He's gonna be ok, Sam. He'll be fit and healthy in no time. Good as new."
"Good as new." Sam looked away again as the doctor got up and left the room.
Good as new? What did he know. This was merely a patch on the bigger injury that was slowly draining his brother of life. Sam inhaled deeply and closed his eyes, intent on feigning sleep while the nurses came in to check on Dean. He never meant to actually fall asleep but his body betrayed him and carried him away to the darkness beyond
Dean opened his eyes, frowning around him, not quite comprehending where he was or why he felt so heavy he couldn't move. He listened carefully, trying to piece together all the pieces. By the smell he figured hospital. By the sound of Sam's gentle snores he knew he was safe. He gave in to the firm pull of sleep and relaxed further into the warm bed.
TBC
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Thanks Heather , hope this was ok ;o)
So...do you guys wanna hang out with Marcus...Or Sam and Dean?
