AN: Have to give thanks to SciFiRN, you have been a wonderful help on this story. Don't own, I'm only borrowing them for awhile, but James is all mine. I'm back in business and as long as nothing happens I'm back. Hope you enjoy more to come. Read and Review. Sorry it took so long but life gets in the way even when you don't want it too.

The next day

Dean was about to go in for the surgery on his back so he could go home before the following weekend. Sam had kept him company the entire time that he had been here and had refused to go home to the salvage yard when their dad had told him too. Bobby was staying there most the time too. John wanted to, but had started to go stir crazy so he offered to help Bobby out and work at his place while they stayed there.

Dean had started feeling a little better, but his ribs still hurt a lot. He hadn't said anything anymore about the pain so Sam turned on the TV to watch the morning news like Dean had wanted. They didn't really listen, but it was in the back ground filling up the silence that filled the room.

James came in about nine to make sure Dean was good before they took him to surgery prep in the next few minutes, "Morning," he said with a smile,

"Morning," Dean said sitting up some with Sam's help, "so am I going now?" he asked

"Soon as I make sure everything is okay then I'll take you up to prep then down to surgery."

"Up then down shouldn't it be the other way around?" Dean asked,

"You're the second person that's ever said that," James told him with a smile.

Dean smiled slightly, but didn't give him an answer, "Dean's not feeling that great today," Sam said, "his ribs hurt and so does his wrist,"

Dean flashed Sam a frown, "No, I'm fine, Sam's over zealous about it all."

James checked his ribs and wrist best he could with the cast on Dean's wrist, Dean gave a tense smile, "it doesn't hurt see."

James wasn't convinced, "If I wasn't about to take you to surgery I would give you something, but don't worry I'll have you out pain in no time."

"It's okay, I don't need anything," Dean told him quietly.

James crossed his arms and shook his head, "Dean I'm operating on your back of course I have to put you to sleep.".



"I know that, but I don't need anything for the pain, I'm good, Sam's just too protective,"

"Dean, if you're in pain then you will take the medication," Bobby cut in knowing that Dean would talk till James believed he wasn't in pain, "I heard him few times during the night groan in pain, so he's in pain,"

Dean sighed he knew Bobby wouldn't let him suffer in pain, "fine I'll take it."

"Good," James said before he left telling them he'd be back soon to get Dean.

"What did I tell you," Sam asked, "I wanted you to tell the truth about being in pain yet you wont," he glared at his brother, "stop sucking it up and just admit it, because it hurts me to see you in pain,"

Dean wasn't really listening to Sam and he had shut his eyes so he didn't have to see his brother's glare, "I'm not in pain okay, so please stop telling people I am," Dean rolled his eyes, "and if you don't stop babying me then you're not going in the room with me." Dean opened his eyes, "I'm not a three year old that needs your help, I'm the one in charge here."

"No, you're wrong, Bobby is," Sam said stubbornly.

"I'm nineteen years old, I can vote if I want to, drive when I want to and illegally drink when I want. I can also kick your ass, so I'm in charge of you and me so shut up," Dean said pushing himself up into the most threatening pose he could manage.

"Boys stop fighting. Dean's gotta stay calm so they can do the surgery and you two arguing isn't going to help him." Bobby fiddled with his hat.

"Fine," they both said and Sam sat back down to wait for James.

James came back right on time and took Dean up to the prep room letting Sam tag along too. When they finished Dean's prep, Bobby was allowed to come in to see him.

Bobby gripped Dean's hand, "You're gonna be alright boy and that's a promise, but you gotta do your part and listen to the docs, understand?"

Dean nodded and gave Bobby a grim smile, but he gripped the old hunter's hand tightly, "Okay."

After three hours in the operating room they brought Dean back to his room. Sam was glad to see he was sleeping, because he hadn't done much of it lately.

James stood beside the bed with Sam and Bobby, "he should wake up in a few hours, but I'm hoping that he'll sleep the rest the day before waking up."

"I know, he hasn't been sleeping that good," Sam replied, quietly.

"When he wakes the nurses will page me so I can check on him, okay?"



"Okay," Sam said with a smile as he sat down beside Dean and promptly fell asleep, while Bobby went to call John.

Sam woke up about three that afternoon and found Dean awake and looking at him, "how long you been awake," he asked.

"Not long," Dean told him, "so how does it look?"

"You'll have a nice scare to show the girls," Sam told him with a smile.

"That's all I can ask for," Dean said with a cocky grin of his own, "so when can I get up and walk?"

"James wants to check you over first." Sam said over his shoulder as he went to ask the nurses to page James.

James arrived several minutes later, with Bobby right behind him, "I'm glad to see you awake, though I thought did hope you'd sleep the rest the day." He smiled at Dean and moved toward the bed, "I'm going to check you out and then let you get up and walk around for a little, small steps nothing too big though, I don't want you go hurt yourself."

"Can I go see the nurses?" Dean asked.

All three of the others couldn't but laugh. Dean was already back to himself.

"One nurse maybe, but I don't need all my nurses swarming over you," James joked, "Sam why don't you go and get something to eat," he suggested, "you probably haven't eaten yet."

Sam knew they wanted him out the room so he agreed saying, he'd be back even though he didn't really want to go.

"Okay, Dean now let's see, if you can stand up for me," he said helping Dean up, "you'll be a little stiff, but it should come easy like always."

Dean slowly got up and with a little help, even though he hadn't wanted it, he started moving around. "The pain's not as bad as it was," he took a few hesitant steps, "and I can walk without feeling like I'm dead."

"Good, I'm going to let Bobby walk with you for a little, inside the room only. Later after you eat, I might let you walk outside the room for a little, I don't want you doing too much too fast." James gave Dean a stern look and when the young hunter reluctantly nodded, he smiled and left the room.