Standard Disclaimer applies like always.
Thank you for all your kindness. You broke the 100 mark with your reviews. What a feeling, wow. I still can only say you are awesome!
This chapter will fill in some gaps, so I hope you won't be bored.
It was only a few minutes after Sam's eyes closed again, when Dr. Johnson hurried in the room. The nurse had notified him immediately following the frantic calls from John Winchester. Although the doctor didn't know exactly what to expect, he was surprised to find his patient was sleeping peacefully. But before he could ask any questions Dean was already upon him.
"Sam woke up, but he didn't recognize me, it was almost like he was terrified and then he lost consciousness again. What is going on with him? Shouldn't he stay awake longer? Why didn't he know me? What is wrong with him?"
He would have gone on and on without taking a breath, if Father Jim didn't stop him. "Dean, you got to give the doctor a chance to check your brother!"
Even though he didn't want to, Dean had to admit the priest was right. So he grudgingly stepped back and allowed Dr. Johnson to take his place at his brother's side.
Still, he couldn't quite hide his impatience. "Could you hurry, please?"
While desperately trying to hide a smile, the physician started a thorough assessment. He had seen the young man first thing in the morning following the report from his colleague. After the last few days, he was really taken off guard by the events of the night. In his mind it was absolutely a miracle, because yesterday he wouldn't have given a penny for his patient's life.
When he completed his evaluation, he turned around and this time the smile was apparent on his face.
"I can assure you, there is nothing wrong with your brother!"
"How can you say that? You weren't here when he woke up. You didn't see the look in his eyes." Dean was very obviously angry.
"I believe I owe you an explanation. See, your brother's kidney panel is still way off and his liver functions are not back to normal yet. Matter of fact, they are still bad enough that this is in all likelihood the cause for his confusion."
"But he is going to get over it?" It was the oldest Winchester, who raised the question.
"Yes, Dr. Reddy already explained to you, that his kidneys are starting to come back. But after a total shutdown like the one Sam experienced, it will take a while for them to fully recover. That's why we are continuing with the dialysis treatments. I am pretty sure that by tomorrow his functions will be good enough that we can decrease treatments to every other day."
Dean took a step toward the bed and squeezed his brother's hand, than he looked up.
"I was a little hasty in my judgment, I 'm sorry about that."
"Young man, I wouldn't have expected any less out of you." This time there was a big grin on his features. "In the last few days I got to know you and your father well enough to know how protective you are of Sam. So forget about it. I actually appreciate, that someone finally doesn't see the 'god in white' in me. I am not perfect and I am very well aware of it."
Now Dean had to smile also, partially due to the doctor's remark and partially because of the knowledge that he had overreacted. Nothing felt better than to know, that Sammy was really on his way to recovery.
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While Dean sat with Sam again, Jim had given John a sign and both left the room. Walking back to the seating area they had used during the night, the priest started to speak about his concern.
I watched you when Sammy woke up. What was up with that deer in the headlight look of yours?" Seeing his friend's expression, he continued. "Don't try to deny it; I saw how you pushed Dean in front of you!"
After a pregnant pause and with much reluctance, the oldest Winchester finally gave him an honest answer. "I didn't want Sam to see me first, I was afraid he would only see the man that hit him."
"I should have known!" the priest was not really surprised by the response. He knew the Winchesters for too long to expect anything different. "What is it with that guild complex in your family? It surely seems to be a genetic thing. You feel guilty about hitting Sam, Dean feels guilty for not being there for Sam, I am sure, when Sam wakes up he feels guilty for what he said to you and that he disappointed Dean."
He took a pause, then he continued, "I don't have this much guilt in my confessionals in a whole month that I am getting from the three of you in a couple days. But seriously, do you really think Sammy won't have better things on his mind when he comes around? I have the odd feeling, that he will just be happy to have you and Dean around. Everything else will have time till later."
As much as he wanted to deny it, John had to give his friend right. Yet in true Winchester fashion he just said, "Yeah well, I really think I should check on Caleb, see if he needs any help."
He heard the snort coming from Jim Murphy and couldn't help but laugh back. The two men had an understanding that went beyond words.
"You are right; Caleb can handle himself and will call if he needs us. Now, let's get back to my boys before Dean, in his impatience does something stupid."
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The two men reentered Sam's room with grins on their faces. John closed the door behind him, when almost instantly it was opened again. Losing his balance by the push he received when the door handle slammed into his back, he fell forwards and into his friend.
The priest tried to turn but wasn't fast enough and got caught at an odd angle. Losing his footing also, both fell and landed on the floor.
Pushing the big man off him, Jim Murphy growled, "This has to end, I spend way too much time on this hospital floor."
John was going to give him a snarky remark but was interrupted by a loud laugh.
"See if I ask you to help me with a hunt ever again. You can't even stay on your feet if there are no spirits around."
"Caleb!"
Dean stood up from his seat and hugged his older friend. In the meantime the two older men had made it back to standing and also greeted him.
"Did you get her?"
Although he stated it as a question, John Winchester had no doubt that the younger man had completed the hunt.
"I did but instead of talking about it, why don't you turn on the news!" Caleb responded, still having a grin on his face.
The younger Winchester wasted no time and turned on the small TV that was handing on a bracket from the ceiling. All of them settled down to watch the news program that was just starting to flicker over the screen.
"You might have to wait a minute…., uh, there it is." Caleb interrupted himself as the program showed the front of the local police station.
The camera then zoomed in to show a close up of a woman gagged and tied to wheel chair before the scene went back to a studio shot an anchor woman. The still of the bound female remained behind her, as she reported.
"Two hours ago this woman was found in front of the local police station. Witnesses report she was dropped off by a man in an old black Chevy van without a license plate. The van was later found abandoned about 4 miles from the site. The woman was identified as 29 year old Joanna Boudreaux, who a few days ago, was charged with giving alcohol and drugs to an unidentified minor and with attempted manslaughter. After posting bail she disappeared and hadn't been seen until she was mysteriously until now. Local law inforcement is looking for the man who drove the van but is not very confident in finding him."
Turning off the TV, Caleb smiled, "And I am pretty sure, they are not going to look too hard for someone who made their job easier."
John and Dean exchanged a knowing look before both glanced upon Sam's sleeping form. Things were finally looking up for them. Maybe the Winchester luck was finally turning for the better.
TBC
Thank you for reading again, please review, it makes me want to write more! Hugs, Vonnie