Sorry, this is a day late and I didn't get everything in there I wanted to. Life has been crazy this week. Anyway, there will be a complication to Sam's condition in the next chapter for which you have to thank or complain to the mighty Skag Trendy. She put my nose right into it and I have to say, I liked it a lot. It was supposed to start in this chapter, but as I said, life didn't give me time. So you have something to look forward to.
Bobby Singer was getting really concerned. He spent the last two days in the hospital with Sam, only leaving to take a shower at the motel room he rented for that very reason. It might as well not have a bed, because he never touched it. His sleeping hours were spent in the recliner beside his young friend.
John's youngest didn't really make any progress, but he also didn't seem to get worse and for right now both his physicians seemed to be happy with just that. It didn't take him long though to discover that his legs didn't feel right. Although he could move them, he didn't have much control, as they felt like they were asleep. Going from total numbness to a mild tingling and sometimes an almost stabbing pain, only added to his already severe discomfort.
Dr. Finch remained very patient in explaining that it was the injuries to his muscles and ligaments, which caused this, yet it didn't prevent the young man from sliding further into depression. When awake, with wasn't often, the pain meds kept him groggy pretty much most of the time, the kid was withdrawn, but at least made an effort to interact with the older hunter. Bobby could tell though, it was more out of some kind of misguided guilt than actual interest in anything he had to say.
Dean called at least twice a day to find out how Sam was doing, yet refused to talk to him. The experienced hunter could tell by the way his voice sounded, how much he missed his kid brother, yet he insisted that it would distress Sam only further, where he to suddenly show up at his side or even talk to him. Nothing the older man could say could convince the stubborn Winchester otherwise.
On the other hand he didn't have any more luck with Sam either, who was convinced that he was the reason for all of Dean's problems and his big brother needed to stay away from him, if he ever wanted to have a life. At this point the salvage yard owner wasn't sure, which one of the two Winchesters was the more bullheaded one, but it really didn't matter, either of them was driving him nuts and together, or rather apart, they were more effective in driving him to an early grave then any supernatural entity ever could.
Early this afternoon Sam started to run a slightly elevated temperature, nothing too bad, only around 100.1 F and Dr. Finch assured Bobby it was not unusual for this to happen. Still, it seemed almost like a precursor of things to come. The kid was even quieter today and although he denied having more pain, the older man knew him well enough to tell he was lying. Again the doc explained this was perfectly normal, yet the addition of "in most cases" did nothing to take away the hunter's worry. After all both Winchesters seemed to favor being the exception to any rule, the "few cases" and the "abnormal".
What finally made his concern shoot out over the top was the latest call from Dean. After giving the younger man an update on Sam's condition, including the low grade fever he was running and the increase in his pain, there had been a long silence. Misreading the pause as worry, he hurried to give him the same assurances he'd received from the doc. To his surprise the oldest Winchester told him, he would call back in the morning, if Sam continued to hold his own at that time, he was planning to take off. He'd found a hunt and was going to meet up with Joshua down in Kentucky. After that he hung up before Bobby could even open his mouth and wouldn't answer his phone when the older man called him back.
With this on his mind, the hunter was now sitting in his usually spot and watched Sam push his supper away. He knew he needed to keep Dean here, yet he wasn't sure how to accomplish this almost impossible task. Maybe he could put Rumfeld's choke collar on Dean, chain him to the back of his truck to drag him to the hospital. For a second he actually smiled at the though, it would serve the pigheaded Winchester right.
Making up his mind, he stood and stepped closer to the bed. After taking in the injured young man's haggard looks and the pastiness of his skin, he almost change his mind, yet knowing that Sam wouldn't get better without his brother on his side, he pushed all doubts aside.
"Hey kiddo, I really should go home and get a change of clothes. You think you'll be alright by yourself tonight?"
He had an inkling he already knew the answer he would get, although it still almost broke his heart, when Sam replied, " I told you before you don't have to waste your time on me."
"Son, you've never been a waste of time for me." He locked eyes with the younger man for only a split second, as Sam averted his face almost instantly, yet even this short glimpse showed him the depths of the boy's despair. Unable to find words to address what he saw in them, he for once feigned ignorance, "I'll be back in the morning, but I'll leave a note at the nurses station to call me anytime if you need me.. In the meantime, don't go anywhere." He added, cringing as the words left his mouth and he realized what he just said.
"Couldn't if I wanted." was all the response he got before Sam let his heavy lids slide close and turned his head away.
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Dean Winchester was trying very hard to keep his mind on the "right" track. He knew leaving town and giving his brother room was the right thing to do. He was glad when Joshua called about this hunt in Kentucky. The hunter actually called to recruit Bobby, but was more than happy, when Dean offered his services instead.
The older Winchester would have preferred to stay around until he was completely sure Sam was going to be fine, yet he knew his older friend needed his help as soon as possible. After a year of hunting with Sam again, even the thought of going it without him felt strange, but he pushed the thought aside, knowing there was no other choice. Maybe later, much later, when the kid was all better and they've been away from each other for a while, Sam would be able to forgive him. After what he did to him, Dean wasn't sure it would ever be possible, yet to go off without any hope of ever seeing his brother again, was more than the older brother could cope with. Man, how did things get messed up so bad? For the first time Dean understood, why Sam didn't get along with their father.
Hearing the sound of an engine in the drive way, he looked out of the window, as Bobby exited the car.
"Damn, I should have known." He cursed.
Taking his jacket and the car keys, he was just about to leave, when the door opened, almost hitting him. The way Bobby Singer stood in the doorway reminded the firstborn Winchester so much of his father, it almost felt like deja vue. His legs were spread apart and he stood stretched to his full heights, which although slightly shorter then Dean was still impressive given the added bulk of the man. His face was schooled into a stern expression and his voice sounded like thunder, leaving no doubt he meant what he said.
"You'll better hold it right here boy. If you think I'll let you run away again, you're dead wrong. Try it and I'll show you that I'm not too old to beat the shit out of you."
Watching the younger man turn and walk over to the couch with his head down, reminded the grizzled hunter of a kicked dog running into his corner with his tail between his legs. Unable to hide a grin, he averted his face, when Dean sat down and looked at him.
Clearing his throat, he said, "We really need to talk about this."
Encouraged by the change in Bobby's voice the younger man spoke up, "There is nothing to talk about."
"That's bull and you know it!" The junk yard owner made his way into the kitchen and returned a moment later with two cans of beer. Handing one to his friend, he sat down and opened the other. Taking a large gulp of the foaming brew, he studied the other's face for a moment, before he said, "I have no idea what your dad told you before he died, but I know it was something that is ripping you apart."
Before Dean could protest, Bobby continued, "I don't expect you to tell me what it was. I knew your daddy for a long time and I know he put responsibilities on your shoulders he never should have. I don't think his head came out of his butt long enough for that to change before he died. Whatever it was though, I want you to know, it's not worth splitting up with your brother over."
The pause that ensued after this was long and hung heavy in the room. Burying his head in his hands, Dean sat motionless and it wasn't until several minutes later, when he finally found his voice.
"It wasn't like that though. I let my brother down. He was trying to help me and I pushed him away. Not just that, I walked away from him and when he needed me most, I accused him of getting hurt on purpose to get my attention. Because of my ignorance I missed what was really going on with him." He glanced up, his eyes moist with unshed tears, "He got hurt because I wasn't there for him and now he is scared of me and hates me."
The salvage man wanted to let out one of his 'you idjit', but knew now wasn't the time for it, instead he said, "Sam loves you, he isn't capable of hating you. The only reason he was scared was because he was confused, sounded to me like he had some kind of dream, when he was sleepwalking."
"He told you?"
"Not really, he was more talking to himself after I told him about the sleepwalking. Said something about it making sense and that it wasn't you but his mind accusing him." Bobby responded.
Dean thought for a moment then shook his head, "Still, he'll never be able to forgive me for what I've done to him."
The older man's turned sad, "Son, you don't know your brother very well, or you would know the kid doesn't blame you for anything. He thinks all of this is his fault and it's you who hates him."
"Why…? Why in the world would he think that?"
"Dean, the kid adores you and he woke up in the hospital without you at his side. How could he think anything else?"
The expression on Dean's face changed suddenly as the truth started to dawn on him, "Oh God, I really messed up Bobby." He jumped up, "Let's go, I need to tell him he is wrong, I don't hate him, it isn't his fault."
The other also abandoned his seat, but only to hold his friend back, "We do that first thing in the morning. When was the last thing you got any sleep?" From the dark smudges under his eyes, he could tell it had been at least a few days.
"I don't need to sleep right now." Dean protested.
"Well, maybe you don't, but maybe I do and Sam definitely needs his rest. They got him on the good stuff and I'm amazed he is able to keep his eyes open for any amount of time." Bobby's voice once again left no opening for dispute.
Reluctantly the younger hunter agreed, but made his voice known before he disappeared upstairs, "I'll leave around six, if you're not ready to go, I'll go without you."
"Wouldn't expect anything else!" Bobby now openly smiled, knowing at least he'd gotten through to one of those pigheaded Winchesters.
TBC
So once again, what do you think? Let me know, if its still okay. Hugs, Vonnie
