The Emancipation of Heaven's Court

Disclaimer: I own nothing save for what rattles around in my rather warped imagination.

Chapter ten: eyes that cannot see, ears that can hear

Sam stirred in his bed when he heard the door swish open, he laid there silent and unmoving waiting for the new arrival to announce themselves before he showed signs of full waking.

'Hey Sam it's Amy.' A timid voice came from the infinite darkness.

A small smile tweaked at Sam's lips as he opened his eyes, the only other indication that he was indeed awake. 'Hey Amy, how you doing?'

'Fine, what about you Sam? They're not letting you out yet?'

'Hopefully later today the eye doctor wants to look at my eyes first. Hey ah Amy have you seen Dean this morning?'

Amy glanced over at the other bed where Dean lay sound asleep, 'he's still asleep Sam.'

'Where?'

'In the bed across the room,' Amy smiled and laid her hand on Sam's arm, noticing the slight flinch but she didn't say anything, 'he looks so tired.'

'Yeah the doctor gave him an exam last night and ordered bed rest and fluids.' Sam shook his head, 'wish Dean didn't put his own health in jeopardy just because of me.'

'But he's your older brother Sam, he needs to look out for you.' Amy said glancing back at Dean she noticed that he was awake and lying quietly listening to Sam, he put a finger to his lips wanting to hear what Sam wanted to say. Amy frowned but nodded she would go along with him for now.

'Yeah it's just, ever since we were kids Dean took care of me, better than any parent, but he never put his own needs first, never thought about his own safety if things got bad he put himself in harms way just to protect me. How could he do that Amy? How could he think that I would be happier alive when I would have to go on without him?'

'I used to think the same way about Lizzie until ... until I worked out that for Lizzie that was the safest way she could function. If she didn't do things like put me behind her or let me go into situations without her, she couldn't concentrate.'

'And then they end up getting hurt, yeah I know. You know it really freaked me out when I saw Dean trapped under the floor like he was, I swear Amy he looked like he was ... all coz I had a panic attack and had to leave, and he went back alone. I should have been there to back him up.'

'You don't know that Sam, both of you could have ended up under those floor boards.'

'He ... he worries me that's all.' Sam sighed and rested his aching head on the pillows, 'he's listening to everything isn't he?'

'Ah yeah sorry Sam.' Amy couldn't help smiling, especially seeing the look of shock on Dean's face.

'Dude ... I was so silent how did you know?'

'You stopped snoring!' Sam's quick reply, 'might be blind but I aint deaf.'

'Oh very funny, chuckles.'

'How you doing Dean?'

'Better, much better how bout you Sammy?'

'Okay.'

'and?'

'Fine?'

'and?'

'Dean!'

'Sam!'

'Guys!' Amy butted in to the one-worded banter, 'Dean is feeling a lot better Sam, and Dean, Sam has another headache but he is feeling better than yesterday.'

'Amy?' Both guys spoke at the same time and then Dean slid out of bed and dragged his IV pole with him to Sam's side, 'Sammy I'm right here.'

'Thanks Dean.' Sam smiled softly and relaxed even more when he felt Dean's touch on his hand.

'Ah good both of my favourite patients are up and about.' Beth said smiling brightly as she bustled into the room, a distinguished looking man with silver streaks in his black hair and dark brown eyes hidden behind rimless glasses followed her. 'Guys, Amy this is Doctor Levi ... Doctor your patient Sam, his brother Dean and friend Amy.'

'Very good, now Sam with your eyes open what do you see? Blackness? Shades of black and grey? Shapes? Shadows? Or none of the above?'

'Blackness I guess, nothing no shapes or shadows or shades just complete darkness.'

'Hmm how about headaches?'

'Very bad ones and don't let him fool ya doc.' Dean spoke up before Sam.

'Sam?' Doctor Levi stared at his patient and noticed the blush creeping over his pale features.

'Yeah I guess they get bad.'

'What about now? On a scale of one to ten?'

'Getting close to ... twelve.' Sam said through gritted teeth.

'Hmm, did you hit your head at anytime?'

'I don't really remember.'

'Hmm any recent injuries to the eye?'

'Only a black eye but that was a few months ago.'

'Hmm very well, I am just going to take Sam here for some tests and a couple of scans to see if we can pinpoint the problem.'

'Ah Doctor Levi can Dean come with me?' Sam asked nervously chewing on his lower lip.

'No I'm sorry no one will be allowed with you for the duration of the tests.'

'Dean?' Sam's breathing hitched slightly, 'Dean you there?'

'Here dude, hey it's gonna be okay. I'll be right here when you get back.'

'Wh-what if I have another ... you know.'

'Just breath nice and slow ... I know you can do it.' Dean patted Sam's arm and then turned a baleful stare at Doctor Levi, 'make sure nothing happens to my brother doc.'

'Yes, well I will meet you down there Sam.' Doctor Levi turned on his heels and strode out of the room, Beth followed him explaining Sam's specific problems as they disappeared down the hallway.

An hour later Rachel wheeled Sam back into his room with his discharge papers in hand, 'looks like we can spring you guys, Doctor Levi will take Sam on as an outpatient.'

'Great news, Sammy you okay dude?'

'Huh? Oh yeah just tired.' Sam gave him a wan smile, 'and wanna get outta here.'

'You and me both dude.' Dean smiled, 'no offence there Rachel but ...'

'Oh I know everyone seems to feel the same way.' Rachel smiled, 'I'll be back in a few minutes to escort you guys to freedom.'

Just as Rachel, left Doctor Beth Wilson came in carrying a large folder, with Sam's name stamped on it. 'Okay Sam, Dean we have some test results back.'

'And?' Dean asked clamping a strong hand onto Sam's shoulder.

'Well the good news is that it seems Sam's blindness may not be permanent,'

'but the bad news Doc?' Sam said turning his sightless eyes to the woman, looking down at Sam she gasped audibly and dropped the file.

'What's wrong Doctor?' Dean growled instantly disliking the woman again.

'S-Sam's eyes.' She stammered, 'Sam your eyes ... they are ... black completely black.'

'What?' Dean stepped around and crouched down next to Sam, 'oh Gods Sam.'

'Wh-what is it Dean?'

'She's right, they're black, and there's no other colour showing at all.' Dean cupped Sam's chin in his hand and tilted his head back slightly, 'nothing Sammy.'

'Dean, dude this is not ...'

'Yeah I know, so ah Doc what else did Sammy's tests show?'

'Huh? Oh there is swelling behind Sam's eyes pressing on his optic nerves, Doctor Levi believes that, that is what is causing Sam's blindness, as the swelling reduces his sight should return.'

'Oh, okay anything else I need to know?' Sam asked, his head ached and he just wanted to lie down.

'Sam ... your blood tests show that you are anaemic, lacking in iron actually I have never seen levels so low before, your blood pressure is still dangerously high so I have increased your dosage. I have also prescribed relief for your migraines.'

'Thanks doc.'

'Now Rachel will be back with your appointment times with Doctor Levi and I want to see you in a week's time to check your blood pressure and iron levels.

'Sure doc.' Sam nodded but was clearly distracted, frowning Beth glanced at Dean and Amy trying to smile but it faded as she left the room.

'Dean?' Sam lifted his head up and listened for signs of his brother's presence. 'Dean?'

'Hey Sammy I'm right here.' Dean crouched down in front of Sam and put his hand on his little brother's knee. 'What's up dude?'

'I – I wanna get out of here now.' Sam whispered urgently, 'now Dean.'

'Yeah sure okay, how about I take you to the car and then come back and get the paperwork?'

'Dean are you alright I mean you were ...'

'Dude I'm fine, I got the all-clear while you were getting your tests and scans done.' Dean stood up and moved behind Sam's wheelchair, 'so you trusting me to drive this contraption?'

'Dude did you just say contraption?'

'Funny oh so funny Sammy.' Dean let the brakes off and started to push the chair out of the room when Doctor Levi appeared in front of them. 'Whoa Doc sorry didn't see you there.'

'I just wanted to check Sam once more before he is discharged.' The man said staring down at Sam's eyes, 'how long have they been like that?'

'Since he came back from all of his tests.' Dean countered not liking this eye doctor at all now. 'Look Doc I appreciate that you want to do a good job but Sam just wants to get out of here and I intend on honouring that request.'

'It will only take a moment.' Levi squatted in front of the chair and leaned in close to Sam, 'I just want to check your eyes Samuel.'

'D-Dean?'

'Right here dude.' Dean put his hand on Sam's shoulder and squeezed it, his gaze never leaving the doctor.

The doctor moved closer to Sam inspecting his eyes, one at a time he shone a penlight torch into them in the act to see a response. As he finished he moved slightly closer and whispered in Sam's ear before he stood, made his goodbyes and left the room.

'Let's get outta here Dean.'

'Sure thing bro.' Dean pushed Sam out of the room and headed towards the lifts, Amy walked quietly next to the chair, a thoughtful look on her face, glancing over her shoulder she could have sworn someone was watching them.

'Hey Amy you okay?' Dean asked noticing her shiver.

'Yeah I'm okay just ... just glad that we're getting Sam out of here and back to the bed and breakfast and Lizzie's cooking.'

'Ah okay ... and her cooking?' Dean's voice hitched as he thought of horrendous disasters coming out on plates for them. Sam laughed aloud when he heard Dean's voice hitch, he felt better with Dean at his side especially now.

'Dude I'm offended.' Dean sighed trying to sound wounded but instead felt so much better when he heard Sam's laugh.

'Dean, Sam here so you don't have to come back up.' Rachel handed Dean a small bag holding Sam's medications, pages of post-care instructions and his appointment cards. 'Thought it would be easier than you having to come all the way back up here Dean now you can just relax and go home.'

'Thanks Rachel.' Dean said taking the medical paraphernalia from the young nurse.

'Yeah thanks Rachel you've been wonderful.' Sam said giving her a warm smile complete with blush and dimples.

'Take care guys and I'll see you next week for Sam's check up.' Rachel waved them goodbye as the lift doors slid shut.

'Sammy you okay?' Dean asked as he pushed him towards the impala after noticing how quiet his brother had become.

'Yeah just tired I guess.'

'Hey bro what did Doctor Bug-Eyes whisper to you?'

'Whatcha mean? He didn't say anything ... Doctor Bug-Eyes?'

'Yeah well he has got bug eyes but no changing the subject, Sammy the dude whispered something in your ear.'

'I ah didn't hear anything.' Sam said, 'damn.'

'What is it?'

'Headache.' Sam whispered pinching the bridge of his nose, 'argh Dean.'

'Do you ... Sam it's a vision isn't it.' Dean finished more to himself than to Sam, 'Amy can you run ahead and unlock the car for me?'

'Yeah, yeah sure Dean.' Amy glanced down at Sam and then took the keys from Dean and hurried off as fast as she possibly could go.

Dean knelt next to the wheelchair and waited for Sam to ride out the vision, ready to catch him if he fell forward. Tears cascaded down Sam's face as his blank eyes tracked invisible images only Sam could see. 'De-Dean.'

'Here buddy.'

'I – I argh, damn it.'

'What was it Sam?'

'We have to go back.'

'Go back where?'

'Heaven's Gate.' Sam turned his sightless eyes towards his brother's voice, 'Dean more are going missing and it won't stop until ...'

'Until what?'

'Dean ... he wants me and he won't stop killing until ... we have to go back and finish this.'

TBC