Hi, sorry I haven't responded to any of you. I hope you can forgive me. So a big thank you to those of you who reviewed, favorite and followed. Now, we'll find out just how bad things really are and we'll get to see super cute, caring Sammy.

Disclaimer: Still not mine...

Oh and in case you hadn't noticed it yet, I don't have a Beta reader. All mistakes are mine and if you happen to run across something, let me know.

-SPN-

Dean was still asleep when the doctor returned. John talked to the man. Explained to him that Dean hated being trapped. And right now his son was trapped in his own body with no way to express himself. The doctor checked his patient's stats. Truthfully, there wasn't anything in there to suggest that Dean would have problems without the breathing tube. In fact, Dean's breathing had never been severely compromised. It was more of a precaution. He considered the father's words.

"Fine. When Dean wakes up I'll remove the tube." John nodded. Jim looked relieved as well.

"Thanks doc." The doctor nodded.

"After that I want to check his reflexes again. To see if there is any damage to the nerves. We'll take him up for another CT, MRI and X-ray while were at it. No matter what the outcome, he'll stay in the brace for a while. I'm not going to risk the healing vertebrae."

John swallowed and his mouth was suddenly dry. John wanted to ask so many questions but afraid to find out the answers. John said nothing.

Sam was sitting in the recliner. He had been watching Dean for the past hours. Dean had scared him when he panicked. Sam had never seen his brother like this before. So he stayed where he was with one hand on Dean's hand. Like his dad did when he was first allowed to see Dean.

"Daddy will fix it, De." Sam whispered to his brother. It was one of the things his brother used to tell him when he was scared.

Dean moved his hand. Squeezing Sam's hand. Sam looked at his brother's face. Dean was awake.

"Hi Dean." Sam knew that Dean couldn't talk thanks to the tube in his throat and he didn't know how to communicate. Dean tried to smile but of course that damn tube was obstructing everything. He made a face or well attempted to make a face. He looked at Sam. His little brother looked worried and elated at the same time.

"I'll fix it Dean." Sam said as he looked at his father. "Daddy, Dean doesn't like the tube." Sam said. John turned to look at his son and saw that his oldest was indeed awake. He looked at the doctor. The doctor nodded.

"Alright Dean, your father and I talked and we think it's best to take the tube out." Dean was blinking furiously. The doctor actually had to laugh at that. He called for a nurse.

"I see that you agree with us there." Dean blinked over and over again. "Now, this is not going to pleasant. But on three I want you to cough for me, do you understand?" Dean blinked once.

"Very well. One, two…three. Cough Dean." Dean coughed but the feeling of that tube being removed was almost too much and then it was over. The nurse fed him a spoon of ice chips. He relished the cooling effect the ice had on his throat. He was offered another spoon and it felt like heaven to him.

"We'll give you more in a minute." The nurse said.

"How are you feeling?" The doctor asked.

"Fine." Dean croaked out. He was both surprised and relieved at the sound of his voice.

"Are you okay?" Sam asked his big brother. Apparently Dean's answer was anything but reassuring to the little boy. Maybe it was cause his voice sounded so weak. Or that speaking whole sentences was just plain painful.

"M fine, Sammy. You?" John smiled. Always the big brother, the protector.

"I just hurt my ankle. The doctor said I could walk on it in a couple of days." Dean wasn't fully assured.

"Dad?" John looked at Dean.

"Yeah kiddo?"

"What happened?" John was expecting this question. He also knew that it was better if Dean remembered things on his own.

"What do you remember?"

"Coyote. Fell, broke my arm." John nodded.

"And then?"

"Ehm, don' member. Crash?" Dean said and John could see the frustration on his face.

"It's okay Dean. It'll come to you." Dean tried to move but was once again obstructed by the torture device.

"Why can't I move?" Dean winced at the pain in his throat.

"You broke two vertebrae in your back. You are in a brace. It will help the breaks heal." John could see the the fear on Dean's face.

"I'm p-paralyzed?" Dean asked. John could see the tears well up.

"We don't know yet. You broke two vertebrae and there's some swelling around your spinal column. It might be possible for the feeling to come back once the swelling dissipates." Dean looked at John.

"It's going to be okay, Dean. You are going to walk out of here, okay?" John hoped Dean would believe him. Dean said nothing but John could see the doubt. He squeezed Dean's hand. Dean had his eyes closed and John could see that his son wasn't dealing with situation. It was bad enough to be injured, but to be stuck in the ICU without being able to move, John knew that this was hell for Dean.

"Will Dean have to stay in the ICU?" John asked while he kept stroking Dean's head.

"No, we're going to move him to the Pediatrics ward. I'll make sure you have a bed as well." John said nothing but nodded instead. He looked at Sam and saw that he was holding Dean's hand. Dean sighed softly and John knew his son was asleep again.

"Is Dean okay, daddy?"

"He will be, kiddo." John hoped he wasn't lying to his youngest. John snorted. He had been lying to Sam ever since Mary died. But not about this. He needed this to be the truth.

The doctor decided to wait with the tests till the next day. Dean had been asleep for most of the day and that was exactly what he needed. Scott Jameson sighed. He was happy that Dean was awake but he also knew that the kid had a long way to go. And he wasn't even talking about the paralysis, which he hoped was temporarily. He just hoped that the family could deal with it. The father was still running an infection.

-SPN-

The next morning Dean was situated in his new room. He hated it already. They were joined by Bobby who, as it turned out, towed the car himself. He told John that the car was in a rough shape but fixable. And Bobby was worried about the boys. That was the primary reason as to why he was in Moose Lake, MN.
John had been surprised when Bobby showed up and Sam was happy to see the older hunter. John had to admit that he was somewhat relieved now that Bobby was here as well. Ever since it happened, John couldn't stop wondering if the coyotes were just coyotes or maybe something more sinister? He couldn't send Jim because he needed Jim's help with Sam. Sam was released into Jim's care and Jim had to make sure that Sam ate and at the end of the day Sam would have to leave the hospital with Jim. Jim was also better equipped to handle Sam's mood swings.

John looked at Dean. His son's mood had certainly improved since he was off the ventilator.

"What's up with the 'unicorn puked on the walls' paint?" Dean asked aloud. His voice was still hoarse.

"Unicorns don't puke in rainbows Dean, do they daddy?" Sam asked with a pensive frown.

"Unicorns aren't real, doofus."

"You're a doofus." Sam shot back while sticking his tongue out.

"Dean." Dean sighed and closed his eyes. John knew that if it was possible Dean would've probably turned his head. He rolled his eyes. He had to admit that his son had a point. The walls did look like someone threw on the paint without thought. He groaned inwardly. John carefully shifted on the bed. Even that hurt his leg.

"Little idjits." Bobby said.

"Robert, please refrain from such language when you're around the boys." Bobby huffed.

"It's too late for Dean. He's got a jarhead for a father. Idjit probably isn't the worse he's heard." When the pastor kept looking at Bobby he sighed. John was just about to object when Bobby spoke again.

"Sorry pastor. I'll watch the tongue from now on." Bobby said with an exasperated sigh. Jim just nodded.

"You two are worse than the boys." John said. Sam giggled and John smiled. Even Dean had a small smile on his face.

"How bout you take Sam for something to eat and bring back something for me?" Jim got the hint and nodded.

"Samuel, would you like to join me for pancakes?" Sam's eyes lit up and he nodded fervently.

"Can uncle Bobby come too?"

"You thought you can keep yer uncle Bobby from joining you." Bobby said with a hint of a smile. Sam gave him a dimpled smile in return. Bobby lifted Sam of the bed.

"Let's go runt." Bobby and Sam left the room. Sam giggling from the tickle treatment he was getting.

"Is there anything else you want me to do, John?" Jim asked his friend.

"Nah, just watch him and don't give him too much sugar." John said. Jim understood what those words meant. It was John's way of saying I trust you to keep my son safe. Jim nodded and left as well.

"No, wait uncle Bobby." Sam said all of a sudden.

"Why? What's up Sam?"

"Dean. I have to say bye to Dean."

"It's okay, Sammy. I'll see you when you get back." Dean said to Sam but Sam wouldn't go without giving Dean a hug first.

"I won't be long." Sam whispered and Dean rolled his eyes. He also recognized it for what it was. Worry. Sam was still worried about him.

"I mean it Sam. I'm okay. Make sure you eat a piece of pie for me." Sam smiled. All teeth and dimples.

When the trio left Dean sighed and closed his eyes.

John was watching Dean closely. His face fell the moment everyone left. John didn't know what to do about that. He knew that his boy hated this. Being confined and forced to stay in one position. He also knew that Dean was going through a lot of emotions right now. But John was clueless in that department. It was obvious that Dean had something on his mind but John had no idea how to even start a conversation. Mary was always better at consoling the kid. And Dean was a real mama's boy. John thought back to those days. He sighed. Nothing would ever be the same. Mary's death had put all of this in motion and it was too late to stop it now.

Dean startled awake. He wanted to move but he couldn't.

"Dad?" He tried not to panic but it wasn't easy.

"I'm here, buddy. Just take it easy." John heard the panic in Dean's voice. John was trying to scramble out of bed but it was no feast. He jarred his leg and bit his lip keeping himself from crying out. Dean was almost beside himself. Close to hyperventilating. John made it to Dean's side but not without a hitch. His sole focus was Dean.

"Breathe buddy. Just calm down." John was looming over Dean. He looked into Dean's green eyes.

"Easy buddy. In and out. That's it. You're doing great." John stroked Dean's forehead. Finally, Dean calmed down.

"Are you okay?" John asked Dean.

"Yeah, sorry." Dean said looking anywhere but his dad.

"You don't have to apologize, buddy. I'm sorry that you had to wake up alone."
"Wasn't alone. Just couldn't see anyone." Dean said and yawned.

"You won't wake up alone again. I promise."

"It's okay dad. Your leg is still healing. I'm not a baby." John sighed.

"I know you're not a baby. I'm just saying that waking up in a hospital is not a comfortable place to wake up in, alone. No matter how old you are."

"So, you're scared to wake up alone?" Dean asked incredulously.

"I am scared. Scared to lose you and Sammy." John admitted. Dean just looked at his father. Understanding what his father was saying.

"Don't worry dad. I'll never leave you." Dean said as he closed his eyes again. John let a tear slip. How the hell did he wind up here? His 12-year-old shouldn't have to comfort him. It should be the other way around. Did he screw up so badly that he couldn't even do that without his son feeling the need to provide comfort for him? He needed to change that. He was going to change that.

-SPN-

I hope you guys like this chapter. I'll try to post the next chapter as soon as I can.

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