a/n: Thanks to all the awesome reviews I've been receiving since I posted the last chapter yesterday, my muse has decided to cooperate. I have another short chapter for you. Keep the comments coming. They really seem to be feeding the muse. She's a greedy wench!

*Chapter Twelve*

When Dean awoke the next morning, it was to find Sam coming out of the bathroom, steam billowing through the door. Squinting and rubbing a hand over his gritty eyes, he asked huskily, "'time's it?"

Sam strode to the bedside table between their beds and slipped his watch over his wrist then looked at it. "Almost seven. There's still hot water left."

Dean grunted then rolled over to his back and yawned loudly. "Any word from Lana?"

Sam sat on the edge of his bed and sighed. "No. Maybe it's too early yet." He hadn't slept worth a damn the night before. All he could think about was Lili, and what the test results might be. He hoped like hell that one of them would be a match. He wanted for it to be him.

"Sam—" Dean said as he sat up. He looked over at his brother and studied his face, worry etched across it. "She'll be fine."

"Yeah, I know." Sam didn't know who he was trying to convince, Dean or himself. "Keeping a positive attitude, here." He forced a smile to his face, hoping it was convincing.

As he rose from the bed, Dean pressed a hand to his brother's shoulder. "Works for me, dude." Stepping toward his duffel, he pulled out clean clothes then crossed toward the bathroom door. Looking back over at Sam, he tapped the door frame then said, "Gimme 10, then we can grab some grub."

Sam nodded in reply, his brother's words fading as he went back to worrying about what the day would bring.

When they walked into Lili's room a little after 8:00, the first thing Sam noted was the hopeful look shining from Lana's eyes. He strode across the room and kneeling at her feet, took her hands in his. "You got the word?"

Lana smiled and nodded. "Just a little while ago. I hadn't had the chance to call you. Dr. Greer just stepped out not five minutes ago. Sam—" She pulled her hands from his and cupped his face. "He said you're a match."

Sam felt his eyes well up. "Really?" He grabbed her and pulled her into his arms, and buried his face into her hair. "Oh, God!" He felt a hand on his shoulder. Pulling back, he looked up at Dean with a smile splitting his face. "Dude! I'm a match!"

"Yeah, man. I heard." Dean's voice was raspy and emotion-filled. Clearing it, he added, "That's awesome news, Sammy."

Sam rose to his feet and looked over at the bed where Lili slept. "How's she doing this morning?"

Lana rose to her feet as well, and crossing the short space between recliner and bed, sat beside her daughter. Caressing the girl's tangled hair, she leaned down and kissed her baby's temple. "She's hanging in. She had a restless night." She looked up at Sam. "She asked for you."

"Why didn't you call me? I would have come." Sam moved to the bed and sat on the other end, across from her. "I would have come, no questions asked."

"I know, but you'd been here all day and you were tired. You needed to rest."

"And you didn't?" Sam gently lectured her. "Lana, I'm here for you both. Not just her." He reached out and caressed his daughter's curls.

"I know. You're here now. That's what counts." At her words, there was a knock on the door, and all eyes turned.

"Good morning!" Dr. Greer announced as he stepped into the room. He stepped to the bed and gripped Sam's shoulder. "Did Lana give you the good news?"

Sam nodded. "She did. So...what's next, Doc?"

"Well," Dr. Greer studied Sam. "We do a few more tests. You aren't a perfect match, Sam, but things look good enough we think we can proceed with further tests to confirm. If everything turns out as we hope, I think we can get the procedures underway by the end of the week." Catching Sam's overjoyed gasp, he cautioned, "Keep in mind nothing's a guarantee. I said things look good. I didn't say it's a definite. Everything right now hinges on this little girl," he caressed the transparent skin over Lili's wrist, "and how she manages to hang on." He sighed. "I'm not going to blow smoke up your ass and tell you everything's good. It's not. Lili's a very sick little girl, but she's a fighter. We'll just continue onward and pray for the best." He gave them all a reassuring grin. "I'll make some arrangements then I'll let you know A.S.A.P. on what's next."

Dean escorted the doctor to the door. "Thanks, Doc."

"I'll check in again later." Dr. Greer tapped the doorframe then strode out, leaving three relieved adults and a sleeping child in his wake.

Lili awoke a short while later, and when she saw Sam, she held out her thin arms. "Sammy," she smiled weakly. "Hug, please."

Sam moved close and as gently as he could, gathered her into his arms. "How's my Princess this morning, huh?"

Her words too soft for anyone but Sam to hear, she said, "I don't feel too good. Ribbet kept me awake all night."

Sam smiled into her hair. "He did, huh? Bad frog. We'll have to lecture him on proper manners, won't we?"

Lili nodded against his chest and snuggled closer, holding as tightly as her weakened strength allowed. "Missed you last night."

"I know, baby. I'm sorry I wasn't here. I'll stay all day with you, how's that?" Sam closed his eyes against the tears that threatened to flood over his lashes. He began to gently rock his body and hummed softly, tunelessly.

Within a short span of minutes, the girl drifted asleep again, content once more to have her Sammy close.

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