Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters. I and am not making any money on this…I'm just having fun!

Ties that Blind

Chapter 11 – Reality Check

Sharon stood in front of him, her arms extended towards him. "Help me Sam; please I don't want to die!" Sharon cried as she continued to burn in front of him. Suddenly her eyes were yellow, "She's mine and you will be too…soon Sam, all of you will be mine!"

Sam sat up in the bed, his breath coming in short gasps. He searched frantically for his brother, but he couldn't see. He reached up with his hands and tried to pull the bandage from his eyes. He had to see, he couldn't do this. Sam whimpered at the pain in his hands as he tried to move, but they were also encased in bandages. "No…please!" Sam whispered to the empty room.

Dean had stepped out for a moment to grab a quick cup of coffee. Sam had been sleeping soundly for most of the day. The drugs would keep Sam out of it for quite a while. Dean knew that Sam was still in pain from the way he whimpered every so often in his sleep, he could only imagine how much pain he'd be in if he were awake.

Opening the door he immediately knew something was wrong. He could hear the sobs from the bed and moved quickly to Sam's side. He could see that Sam had worked the bandages off from his eyes, eyes that were filled with tears and staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Sammy!" Dean watched as Sam jumped, looking around as if searching for him. "Sammy, I'm here…what have you done to yourself?" Dean placed a calming hand on Sam's shoulder, trying to be careful around Sam's burned hands. He reached for the call button as he continued to try to calm his brother.

"Dean…I can't….Oh God, I thought it was a dream…but I can't see!" Sam hiccupped reaching around with his arms trying to latch onto something.

"Sammy, I told you it is only temporary…but you have to keep the bandages on bro' and you have to stop trying to use your hands. You're never going to heal if you keep this up." Dean heard the hiss from Sam as he tried to use his hands to grab hold of Dean's arm.

"Sammy, you need to calm down. I've called the nurse so that she can take care of your bandages and give you something else for the pain. You're going to be ok…I promise." Dean watched as Sam's eyes slowly began to close. The exhaustion and drugs starting to take hold of his brother once more.

"M'sorry Dean…you sure got the bad end of the deal" Sam muttered.

"What are you talking about Sam?" Dean asked, concerned by the defeat he heard in his brother's voice.

"Dad's deal Dean…he traded his life for yours and stuck you with me…the Winchester curse. You're right Dean, you would have been better off…you wouldn't have to worry any more about my sorry ass…" Sam turned his head away.

Dean sucked in a deep breath. "Damn it Sam…what the hell are you talking about!"

"Only a matter of time Dean…everyone around me dies…for what? The demon said I'd be his, and I think may be he's right."

"Sam, how many times do we have to go through this? You aren't going to help that demon any more than I would. We are going to find the bastard and send him back to hell."

Sam was quiet for a moment before Dean heard a soft whisper. "I'm not worth it Dean…"

Before Dean could respond he saw the nurse entering the room. "What's the problem?"

"He woke when I wasn't here. He pulled off the bandages…" Dean started to explain.

"Not to worry, we'll have this fixed up in no time. Looks like we need to re-do the ones on his hands as well. Let me get an orderly to help me. I'll be right back…don't you worry sweetie, we'll have you on your feet in no time!" The nurse patted Sam on the shoulder lightly.

As the nurse left, Dean returned his attention to his brother. "Sam?" But Sam's eyes were closed, he was asleep again. "Damn it Sam…what do you have circling around in that freaky brain of yours now?" Dean sat back down. This time he wasn't going to leave, he was going to make sure that he was here when Sam woke up.

Dean knew that Sam had been holding things in and it was mostly his fault. Since his father's death he had been pushing Sam away. He knew that Sam needed to talk, but he just couldn't do it…not yet. He knew that he shouldn't be here…his father never should have made the trade. He'd have to live with that guilt. But what was done was done. He couldn't bring his father back, but he would save Sam. Dean shifted, running a hand down his face, the coffee forgotten as he looked at his little brother.

"Don't you worry Sam…we'll figure this out. I know I haven't been there for you…but I'll try ok? Just don't give up on me." Dean said softly as he stroked Sam's hair. He smiled as Sam leaned into this hand, seeking the only comfort that his big brother could offer.

Ellen cleared her throat as she walked quietly into the room. She watched as Dean stood up; mask back in place before he sat down in the chair near Sam's bed. But she had seen the despair that had been there just a moment before. "Dean, I brought you some dinner. I figured that you wouldn't want to leave Sam, but if you'd rather run down to the cafeteria, I can sit with him for a bit."

Dean took the bag and grinned. "How did you know I like fast and greasy?"

Ellen smiled "You just look the type…didn't figure you ever took the time to stop for a decent meal. How's he doing?"

Dean sighed as he looked back at his brother. "I don't know Ellen. If he doesn't get his vision back…I don't know if he can deal with it…I just wish that…" Dean stopped as he realized that he almost blamed Jo again. He had promised Sam that he would try to help Jo, but it was one promise that was definitely going to be hard to keep.

"You just wish that Jo had more common sense." Ellen finished for Dean, knowing that he was still angry with her daughter.

"Yeah, well what's done is done Ellen. She didn't mean for it to happen and Sam doesn't blame her, so why don't we just let it drop." Dean pulled out the hamburger and started to eat. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until he took the first bite.

Ellen nodded, letting it drop for now. But she knew that while Sam may have forgiven Jo, Dean still held her responsible for Sam's condition. "Ok Dean, I'm going to stop in and check on Jo. I've got us adjoining rooms at the new hotel. I've already moved Jo's things to the new hotel…do you want me to pick up your things?"

Dean hadn't thought about getting their things. He sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "Look, I appreciate the help Ellen, but…"

"No you look Dean. I know we haven't gotten off on the best foot here. But you are going to need some help while Sam recovers. You can either let me help, or I'll find someone else to help you if you don't want Jo and me around. But you can't do this on your own boy…you're not alone. I know you feel that way since your father died, but even he had people he relied on."

"Ellen, it's just that Sam and I are used to handling things on our own…we don't need to be looked after."

"Dean, everyone needs help now and then. I told you, you are not the only ones who are a part of the war to come. You're going to need help."

"She's right Dean…we…you can't do this alone…not anymore." Sam said quietly.

"Hey Sam…how long have you been awake?" Dean asked, moving closer to the bed.

"Not long Dean…but Ellen's right. You're going to need help, I…I can't watch your back" Sam giggled slightly as he thought about the phrase. "You're great as a guard dog…but I'm not thinking you'll be happy as my seeing eye dog…so let her help Dean."

Ellen looked at Dean; concern was reflected in both of their eyes as they turned to look at the young man in the bed. Sam moved his hand and felt for his face, wincing at the pain in his hand and arm as he moved it. "I mean, you have to face facts Dean…in our line of work, you have to be able to see the monster to kill it. Hell, I won't even be able to help you with research…you're going to need Ash for that, you can't do better than a drop out from MIT."

"Sam..stop it. You're talking crazy. The doctor told you this was only temporary…I won't be needing anyone else after you're healed." Dean moved closer to place a hand on Sam's shoulder. But Sam shrugged it off.

"Dean…face it! Dad always knew that this day would come…he knew that I wouldn't be able to protect myself. That's why his last words, or should I say orders were for you to watch out for me. If he only knew the rest…do you think he would have given you those same orders? Do you think he would want you to protect me once I turn into a killer? You know it's going to happen Dean; it's just a matter of time. Three of the four people we met with abilities had turned into killers. Not very good odds if you ask me." Sam couldn't take it anymore. At least before he could rationalize that he was able to help Dean, but now…now he was just something holding his brother back. Worse, when the demon came for him, he'd likely get Dean killed.

"Damn it Sammy! I've had just about enough of this. I told you, Dad didn't order me to take care of you…we are brothers, end of story." Dean paced angrily around the room.

"Dean, I can't help you anymore…don't you understand? I can't be the cause of your death…not you!" Sam sobbed as he tried to sit up on the bed. A white hot pain shooting through his arms as he tried to put weight on his hands caused him to cry out.

Dean moved to help Sam, but once again Sam pushed him away. "I can sit up by myself Dean…that I can still do!" Sam growled, wincing as he continued to push himself upright.

"Fine, you think you can do this on your own…I'm out of here Sam. I'll be back in the morning to take you to the hotel, if you can stand my presence that long." Dean turned and stormed from the room.

He never heard the soft sobs that were torn from his brother's throat as the rest of his world crumbled around him.

TBC

Raven524: So, now Sam is pushing Dean away…will these boys ever learn? Me thinks not…otherwise this would be a short story (LOL). Thanks for all the wonderful reviews, please keep them coming!