Well, I'm back. It's been a hectic week, but I finally got this chapter done for you. Ritu...I know I promised it last night, but just couldn't get it done. Sorry sweetie. Anyway, first of all, my son is doing well. Got the all clear to play this weekend, scored two goals and they won their game. All right with the world according to him. Thanks for all of your well wishes and comments. Now, onto the story.

Cindy


"Where are you taking them!?" John shouted over the roaring beat of the helicopters rotors.

The medic looked up as he continued to monitor Daniel's vitals. "The closest larger hospital is in Bend! Saint Charles Medical Center!" the medic shouted in reply.

"How long before we get there!"

"Not long! We should be there in about twenty minutes!"

The medic returned his full attention back to Daniel as John watched with eagle eyes every single thing the man did. Sam sat beside John, his eyes never leaving his brothers face. His small hand held Daniel's bigger one, his thumb caressing over the top of the cool hand as he silently prayed for his brothers to be okay. John suddenly tightened his arm around Sam, drawing a hiss from the boy before he could stop it. John leaned over and craned his neck so he could see Sam's face and didn't like what he saw.

"Sammy…you okay?" he asked with growing concern.

Sam glanced up at his father and nodded minutely. "'m fine, Dad," he said, his soft voice barely audible over the noise of the helicopter.

"Sam…you're hiding…" John started, but his attention was quickly drawn away when Daniel suddenly began to moan and roll his head from side to side, the boy becoming more and more agitated as he regained consciousness.

John let go of Sam and leaned forward, taking Daniel's hand from Sam's and giving it a gently squeeze. Sam scooted off the uncomfortable bench seat and knelt on the floor next to the stretcher that held Daniel and gazed worriedly up at his brother's face.

"Danny…it's okay, son…you're safe," John said, his mouth right up close to Daniel's ear so the boy could hear him.

Daniel settled almost immediately and rolled his head toward his father. John smiled as recognition lit his son's eyes and he adjusted himself on the seat so he could lean even closer to the teen, the man inadvertently bumping into Sam and knocking the youngster to the floor of the helicopter. Sam cried out as his side made contact with the floor, but the roar of the helicopter rotors kept the sound from reaching any of the other occupant's ears. John turned as he caught the movement as Sam attempted to pull himself up onto the bench.

"Sammy…I'm sorry. You okay, kiddo?" he asked as he helped the boy up from the floor, the worried father leaning close to his son's face.

Sam dropped his head and scrunched his eyes closed, the boy trying to breathe through the pain as best he could. Finally, he looked up and smiled weakly. "'m okay…just tired," he said softly.

"You sure?" John said, a hint of worry worming its way into his mind as he looked upon the pale face of his youngest son.

"Yeah," Sam answered, his hazel eyes moving to his brother, hoping his father would follow suit.

Daniel gazed down at his brother, his eyes half open as he tried to stay awake. Sam leaned forward and tried to ignore the pain that pierced right through him as he took Daniel's hand. Daniel lightly squeezed his hand before his eyes drifted shut and he was dead to the world once again. Sam squeezed back even though he knew his brother couldn't feel it. Sam closed his eyes against the darkness that threatened to take him, just as it had taken his brother. He knew something was wrong, but refused to allow any attention be taken away from the two who needed it most. Dean and Daniel had been hurt because he'd been too weak and timid to make his father listen. It was his fault and he would show no more weakness. He would be just fine, he just needed to suck it up like his father and brothers did.

Sam gently laid Daniel's hand down and leaned back on the bench, his eyes still tightly closed. He let himself drift, not quite asleep, but not quite awake either. He felt his father's arm once again snake around him and he allowed himself to be pulled to the man's side despite the pain it caused him. John never held him anymore, rarely showed him affection and Sam hadn't realized how much he'd missed it until now. Sam leaned his head against his father's shoulder and let himself go, knowing he was safe and protected. Suddenly, he was being shaken awake and he blinked his eyes open just as Daniel was being pulled from the helicopter. He began to panic until John grasped his chin and pulled him around to face him.

"We're here, Sammy. We're at the hospital," John said tiredly.

Sam nodded and allowed the man who stood outside the helicopter to help him to the ground. He bit back a gasp as his feet hit the ground and he stumbled, his father's quick reflexes keeping him from falling to the ground. John made sure that Sam was steady on his feet before letting go of his shoulders and moving to Daniel's side. His dark eyes moved to where Dean was also being rolled to the waiting emergency teams then returned to his eldest son. Sam hurried as quickly as he could behind them, but he found himself struggling for each breath and his legs quickly began to weaken beneath him.

"D-Dad," he called weakly as he stopped, his legs unable to carry him any further.

John turned at his son's voice, surprised that he wasn't right there behind him. His heart leapt into his throat as he watched Sam drop to his knees before his eyes rolled back into his head and he crumpled to the ground.

"Sam!" John screamed as he took off running toward his son. He dropped down next to Sam and placed his hand on the side of the boy's face. "Help me! My son…help my son!" he screamed.

The sound of running feet immediately met John's ears and within moments, he was gently pushed aside as medical personnel swarmed around Sam, blocking John's view. He had to rely on what he could hear to know what was going on, and what he heard left him trembling with unbridled panic.

"Weak breath sounds on the left side! He's got broken ribs…probable punctured lung! Get this kid some oxygen…stat!" a man's voice shouted over all the other voices John could hear.

John pushed to his feet on trembling legs and watched as Sam was gently rolled to his back. A stretcher stood ready on the other side of the commotion and John idly wondered when that had gotten there. An oxygen mask was placed over Sam's face while his jacket was eased from his body and his shirts were cut away. John gasped when he got a look at the dark bruises that riddled Sam's side. His baby had been seriously hurt this entire time and he had failed to notice. Sure, he knew Sam was trying to hide how much pain he was in, but John had been so overwhelmed by the injuries his older boys had suffered, he had missed the severity of his baby's. John was pulled from his musings when the same voice from before called out again.

"Looks like a shoulder injury…right shoulder…and…"

John craned his neck to see why the man had paused and noticed a thirty something man with dark hair pulling the edge of the bandage on Sam's back up. "Uh…he…he said it was a mountain lion," John offered shakily as he moved closer to the crowd who were working on his baby boy. The man nodded then turned back to the others.

"And lacerations to his back…most likely a mountain lion attack," the man finished.

John watched as a backboard was taken down from the stretcher and gently maneuvered underneath Sam. The unconscious boy was strapped to the board then carefully lifted up and placed on the stretcher. The medical team took off toward the emergency entrance with John right on their heels. They disappeared into the hospital then down a long corridor before they loaded onto a large elevator and started down to the emergency department. John was ushered to a waiting area while Sam was pushed through two swinging doors, the same doors John imagined his two eldest boys had most likely been pushed through moments before. He stared at the doors, his dark eyes wide with shock. His boys…all three of them, were hurt seriously and he was to blame. If he'd only listened to Sam, none of this would be happening.

John stood and began to pace, the man unable to just sit and wait. Daniel had an obvious concussion, Dean a severely damaged, most likely broken leg and now Sam was down too.

Sam, who had dug himself out of that cave, traversed the dangerous landscape, killed an attacking mountain lion and found them when they had been heading in the wrong direction. A twelve year old boy whom they all thought was unable to take care of himself in a dangerous situation had led the three seasoned hunters and outdoorsmen to his brothers all while suffering from broken ribs and from what the medic had said, a possibly punctured lung. John brushed a hand over his face and let out a shaky breath. He walked to the back portion of the waiting room and pulled out his cell phone. He hoped that Caleb and Joshua had found their way to the cabin, or were at least close. He didn't think he could do this alone. He punched in a number and waited to see if his call would be answered. He nearly collapsed when the call was answered and Joshua's deep voice came through from the other end of the line.

"Johnny? How are the boys?"

"They…it's Sammy, Josh…he…"

"What is it? What about Sammy?"

"He's down…he's hurt bad. I don't…I don't know what to do."

"We're almost to the cabins. We'll get there as soon as we can. Where are you?"

"Uh…I…Bend. We're in Bend. Saint Charles Medical Center. My boys…my boys, Josh…"

"They'll be fine, Johnny. Just hold it together, man. We'll be there soon."

"Yeah. Thanks, Josh…be careful."

"You know we will. Let us know when you hear anything."

"I will…just…just get here."

"Bye, Johnny."

"Bye."

John pushed end then slid the phone into his pocket. He turned and watched the swinging doors and willed them to open, but they remained cursedly still. John took a look around and for the first time noticed how many people were in the waiting room. He wasn't all that surprised considering the strength of the earthquake. He really couldn't bring himself to care about the others who milled around him, or the ones who sat silently and in shock in the chairs scattered throughout the room. His only concern was for his sons. Nobody else mattered at the moment.

John returned to the chair he had been in before and sank into the almost comfortable seat. He dropped his head into his hands and took a deep, shaky breath. He knew he was in for a long night and he prayed that he would have nothing but good news by the time morning came.


"Mr. Winchester?"

John jerked as the unexpected voice interrupted his thoughts and he looked up warily into the kind face of an older man wearing a doctors white coat. He stood stiffly and groaned as his back popped. "Yes…I'm John Winchester," he said in gruff reply.

The man held out his hand and smiled. "I'm Dr. Bradley. I've been taking care of your son," the older man said.

"Which one? I…there's three…" John asked as he took the offered hand and gave it a quick shake.

"Oh, yes…of course. I'm sorry…it's been a long day," the doctor said in apology. "I've been taking care of Daniel."

John nodded and brushed his hand through his hair. "How is he?" he asked fearfully.

"Well, I'd say he's a lucky young man. Shall we sit?" the doctor replied.

John nodded and took his seat while the doctor pulled over an empty chair and sat down opposite him. "Is my son going to be okay?" John asked, terrified of the answer he could receive.

"He suffered a serious concussion, but the scan we performed on him did not show any signs of bleeding or swelling. We'll be keeping a close eye on him and will need to take another scan tomorrow afternoon, but all tests show he's doing quite well…considering," the doctor answered.

"Thank God," John said softly as he dropped his eyes to the floor.

"There were some injuries to his legs…"

"What?" John cried as he jerked his eyes up to the doctor's face.

"His lower legs were severely bruised. Luckily, there were no broken bones, but he's quite swollen and will have a hard time putting weight on the legs for a bit," the doctor explained.

"So…he's going to be okay?" John asked hopefully, his heart racing in his chest.

"Well…he'll have a killer headache and we do have to remember he's suffered serious head trauma, but from what we can see right now…he should make a full recovery. As I said…he's a very lucky young man," Dr. Bradley answered.

"Thank you so much. When can I see him?" John said as relief washed over him.

"He's being moved to his room right now. Give the nurses about twenty minutes to get him situated and then one will come and get you," the doctor replied.

"What about my other sons? Are they okay?" John asked fearfully.

"Uh…I'm not sure about them, but I'm sure their doctors will be out shortly to see you," Dr. Bradley said.

John sighed and leaned back wearily in his chair. He watched as Dr. Bradley stood, gave him a quick smile and disappeared through the swinging doors. He only had a few minutes to gather his thoughts and get his breathing under control before another doctor, this one much younger and female approached him and sat down in the chair the previous doctor had vacated. The doctor smiled then held out her hand.

"Mr. Winchester, I'm Dr. Swenson. I've been treating Dean," she said as she shook John's trembling hand.

"You always have this many doctors on hand?" John said with a humorless chuckle, his frayed nerves nearly at their end.

"Only when we have catastrophic earthquakes and such," the doctor replied without skipping a beat.

John smiled, the doctor's calm demeanor relaxing him ever so slightly. "How's my son?" he asked.

"Dean had a pretty bad break to his right tibia…that's the shinbone," the doctor replied.

"How bad?" John asked guardedly.

"Bad enough so that he's being prepped for surgery to insert a metal rod down the center of it," Dr. Swenson said softly.

"God," John hissed.

"It could be worse, Mr. Winchester. From what the rescue workers relayed to us, he had a large rock on his leg, which you and his uncle removed? They said you told them there were smaller rocks holding the large rock stable," Dr. Swenson said.

"Yeah?" John asked with confusion.

"Those smaller rocks most likely kept the larger rock from completely crushing Dean's leg. There was minimal muscle damage and no nerve damage that we could find. If that rock had been unhindered, Dean would have very likely lost his leg," the doctor explained.

"Oh my God…he could have…oh God…"

The doctor reached out and squeezed John's arm then smiled as two wide, dark eyes stared up at her. "The point is…he didn't. He'll have the surgery and his leg will be as good as new. His lower back is pretty badly bruised, but there is no permanent damage there and despite having a good sized lump on his head, he escaped with only a minor concussion," she said sympathetically.

"I'm sorry…I'm just a bit overwhelmed right now. I still don't know about my youngest and my middle kid is going into surgery," John said hoarsely.

"I know, Mr. Winchester. I don't know much about what's going on with your youngest son, but I do know he's in very good hands. Now, as for Dean…Dr. Sikes is the orthopedic surgeon who will be fixing his leg. He's one of the best, so you don't need to worry. I'll be in charge though of Dean once his surgery is done and also of your other son, Daniel. Dr. Bradley is semi retired and won't be staying so I'm afraid you'll be getting used to me in the days to come," Dr. Swenson said.

"What about Sammy? Will you be in charge of his care too?" John asked.

The doctor shook her head and bit her lower lip. "Sam will most likely stay under the care of our pediatric unit so I won't be in charge of his care, but I can assure you he's got the best doctor taking care of him that he could possibly have," Dr. Swenson answered.

Just as John was about to speak, a young woman, petite in size, walked up behind the doctor and cleared her throat. Dr. Swenson stood and stepped to the side, but did not leave.

"Mr. Winchester?" the young nurse queried.

"Yeah…that's me," John said as he too stood.

"I'm Betty. I'm here to take you to Daniel's room," the nurse said.

John smiled tiredly and moved around the other chair. Dr. Swenson grabbed his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Go see your son. Dean will be in surgery for about two hours then he'll be in recovery for a few more after that. You should get some rest in the meantime," the doctor said kindly.

"Thank you," John said.

"You're welcome," the doctor said then turned and walked back to the swinging doors.

"Are you ready to see your son?" Betty asked as she waited for John to return his attention to her.

John cast his gaze onto the young nurse and nodded. "Yeah…I'm ready," he said with a small, grateful smile.


John sat next to Daniel's bedside, his large hand holding the smaller one of his eldest son. He had tried to sleep, but worry for all three of his boys had kept him from the rest he so needed. Dr. Swenson had stopped in about twenty minutes prior to inform him that Dean was out of surgery and recovering nicely in the recovery room, but John had yet to hear anything about his youngest son's condition. He'd asked Dr. Swenson, but all she could tell him was that Sam was in good hands. John was nearly at the end of his endurance and he knew that if he didn't get some news soon, he'd go stark raving mad. He'd spoken with Caleb a half hour ago and was expecting he and Joshua to show up at any minute. He'd never needed his friends as badly as he needed them now and was so thankful that soon, he wouldn't be alone.

John looked up at the monitors that surrounded Daniel's bed for the umpteenth time and sighed deeply. The boy had awakened a few times, mumbled a few words then had drifted right back off again. He'd been assured that this was normal and that Daniel was doing quite well, but he still couldn't let himself relax. Daniel's face was bruised and swollen, cuts marring the soft skin. He had a large bandage on one side that covered a deep gash and his legs had been propped up on pillows to take the pressure off the deep bruises that covered the backs of them. A soft knock at Daniel's door brought John out of his thoughts and he looked up as the door opened, fully expecting to see Caleb and Joshua stroll into the room. However, it wasn't his friends who entered. A tall, muscular man with large brown eyes stepped into the room, his gaze falling first on the sleeping teen in the bed then onto the man who sat vigil at his side.

"Mr. Winchester…I'm Dr. Jungers. I'm the head Pediatric physician here at Saint Charles," the man said in a deep timbre.

John stood, his legs suddenly very weak. This was what he'd been waiting for. This was the man who had for the past several hours been caring for his youngest son. His baby. "H-How's my son? How's my Sammy?" John asked, his voice as shaky as his legs.

Dr. Jungers stepped further into the room and motioned at the chair John had just vacated. "Why don't you take a seat, Mr. Winchester. We need to talk," he said, and suddenly, John's whole world came crashing down around him.


Just can't seem to leave them cliffies alone! lol Sorry 'bout that. I'm on vacation this week, so hopefully I'll have more time to sit and write and you won't have to wait so long for the next chapter. I hope this chapter was worth the wait.

Cindy