Chapter 12

Dean leaned sideways against the bar, his legs crossed at his ankles and a beer spinning around between his fingers of his right hand. His left hand was shoved into his pocket, rubbing against the keypad of his phone. He was miserable, the beer hadn't helped at all, it hadn't drowned out even the tiniest bit of guilt that he felt when he had stormed out of the bungalow and left Sam by himself. No matter how angry he was with his brother, Sam was vulnerable and needed Dean to be there, Dean needed to get a grip and just let whatever Sam said slide off him.

He should be getting back right now, Sam was alone and probably worried sick. Dean had never taken off on him like that, and for him to take off now when Sam had been injured. That was a low blow, even for Dean. Yet Dean couldn't make himself take out his keys and head back, he was determined to stay here. For what reason he couldn't explain but here he stayed, totally miserable and uncomfortable, a full beer bottle that had yet to be opened, and locked in a guilt trip.

He didn't quite understand why he was letting Sam's anger get to him; he knew how Sam was when he was injured. He was bitchy and whined all the time; he tended to lash out at things he couldn't control. He had always been that way…so why was Dean letting it get to him this time? He had dealt with this kind of thing before, they both had, but it had never affected them like this before. It was like a nasty aftertaste that he couldn't get rid of and he didn't like it. He didn't want to be fighting with Sam and he doubted that Sam wanted to do the same.

Dean mentally kicked himself as he remembered Sam telling him specifically that he didn't want to fight, and yet they had fought. Dean glanced down to his beer and pushed it away, he wasn't in the mood for it at all now. He really should get back to Sam before he did something stupid…like try to come after him. It would be just the kind of thing that Sam would do.

Dean reached into his back pocket and withdrew his wallet, thumbing through a few bills and finally finding a five. As he pulled it out a small piece of white paper caught his eye. Not remembering what it was Dean slapped the bill on the counter, and without waiting for the bartender to make his change, headed for the exit, extracting the paper and opening it.

It was a note from Sam's nurse, Jennifer…not a long one but there was a number at the bottom of it. Dean crushed the note into a wad and started to throw it in the trashcan but thought better of it and stuck it into his pocket next to his phone. He really wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone tonight, he really wanted to go back and make sure Sam hadn't killed himself before grabbing a few hours of sleep.

He pushed open the doors, drawing his leather jacket closer around himself as a cold wind greeted him. He turned up the collar of his jacket a little higher and walked faster, the sooner he got inside his baby the better. He had just stepped off the curb when he heard someone calling his name. Surprised he stopped and turned, his hands falling out of his pockets as Jennifer waved to him as she stepped out of a red 1965 mustang.

"Dean…hey!" Jennifer yelled again closing the door to her car and hurrying up onto the sidewalk.

Dean hesitated, then dropped his keys back into his pocket and walked down to meet her halfway. "Hey, Jennifer."

"You can call me Jenni…how's everything going? How's Sam?"

Dean frowned. "Don't ask."

"That bad huh?" Jennifer smiled and shook her head. "Well it has to be quite an adjustment for him, I don't know how I'd feel if I went to sleep one day and woke up the next and couldn't see. That'd scare the crap out me."

Dean nodded slowly. "Yeah…must be weird."

"So where is he?"

"Back at the motel. Didn't want to come."

Jennifer studied him for a moment, critically, but didn't say anything. He could tell that she wasn't buying his lie, but was grateful she didn't call him on it. He shifted for a moment before looking at his car and pulling out his keys once more. "Well, I should get back…"

"Right…well it was good to see you again." Jennifer smiled warmly at him and her eyes strayed to the parking lot. "Holy crap!"

Dean stepped back a bit, startled at Jennifer's sudden outburst. "What? What is it?" He turned expecting to see some freak of nature stepping out of the shadows…but saw nothing but his baby. He turned back to Jennifer, an eyebrow cocked but that quickly turned into a smile of understanding when he saw Jennifer walking forward to examine the impala more closely.

"Wow, this car is…just wow."

"Rebuilt her myself."

"She's yours?" Jennifer looked up to Dean as her hand ran over the impala's hood.

Dean nodded proudly. "Yep, she sure is. Sam complains but he just doesn't understand classic."

"I'll say…I feel the same way about my mustang. Wouldn't give her up for anything."

"I saw her…she's in really nice condition."

"Cost me a fortune to rebuild her, but she's worth it. Can't complain since I bought her at a bargain."

Dean looked over his shoulder to where the red mustang gleamed under the dull lights.

"Dean…do you mind?" Jennifer asked looking at the impala eagerly.

"No…of course not." Dean fumbled with the keys for a minute before slipping them into the lock and holding open the passenger door for Jennifer who slipped into the seat, her hands running over the fine leather upholstery.

Dean closed the door and walked around to the driver's side, settling in behind the wheel and turning to look at her. Jennifer wasn't paying attention though; she had found his box of tapes on the floor and was thumbing through them.

"Hey, Dean, do you have AC/DC's Back in Black album…oh wait…I found it." Jennifer pulled the cassette tape from the box and read the list of tracks on it.

"Classic rock fan?"

"Are you kidding…can't get enough of it. You have some of my favorite bands here."

Dean laughed softly before sticking the keys into the ignition and starting the impala up with a roar.

"Hmm…I love the sound of that purr…"

Dean grinned. "Nothing sweeter."

Jennifer popped the tape into the cassette deck and turned up the volume. Dean turned up the heat and settled back against the door. He and Jennifer stared at each other their smiles widening. Perhaps the night wouldn't be a total loss after all.

***
Sam knocked his head against the wall for the hundredth time; he was bored and terrified at the same time. It made for a very interesting sensation in his stomach, making him want to puke and curl up into a ball all at the same time. He was counting away the seconds in his head, not sure how long Dean would be, but was determined to wait until he came back. He hoped that Dean wouldn't stay away too long, Sam had never felt more vulnerable in his life.

A buzzing from the other side of the room made him jump…was it his phone going off? He guessed that was probably what it was, he didn't know of anything else that would buzz like that. Sam pushed himself slowly to his feet, ignoring the walking stick and made his way through the room, a hand on the wall acting as his guide.

The buzzing stopped as his feet hit the couch; he winced but bent halfway, feeling for the end of the couch so he could make his way around it. He found the front of it and sat down onto the pillow Dean had dragged out there. The buzzing started again, coming from right in front of him. He leaned forward and felt with his hands, trying to locate the irritating object.

A small victory was made when he found it, answering it was another thing entirely. He managed to answer the phone without hanging up on the caller and held the phone to his ear. "Dean?" Who else would be calling him but Dean?

"Sam…hey."

"Dean…are you on your way back?"

"No, not exactly. I'm actually kind of…holy…" Dean's words were cut off as someone giggled. Sam frowned. What was going on?

"Dean…you ok?"

"I'm fine Sam. I'll be later than I thought…I'll get back when I can." Dean ended the call without saying goodbye and Sam pulled the phone away from his ear slowly, his heart sinking in his chest. Dean sounded happier, that was for sure, but that happiness wasn't directed at him, it was directed at someone else.

Sam's hand clenched the phone, his jaw tightened, he couldn't help being angry. Why did Dean get to go out and have fun and Sam was left here in the motel worried sick and helpless? It wasn't fair. Without really thinking about it Sam hurled the phone as hard as he could, getting some satisfaction when he heard a sickening smack and crunch when the phone met the opposite wall. Good. He hoped he had broken the damn thing. If his brother could have a good time on his own, then Sam could have one too.

He pushed himself to his feet once more and walked back the way he had come, hoping for the direction of the bedroom. He'd have to find a coat, but then he'd be on his own. Without Dean here to baby him he could do whatever he wanted…go wherever he wanted. He was tired of being cooped up in here…a walk to the river…yeah. He liked that. Just to get away for a bit…just half an hour would do. Dean would never know…he'd be too busy in the backseat of the impala with the chick he had hooked up with. Sam bumped into the doorframe and stumbled into the bedroom.

***
Dean frowned as he closed his phone…he had tried calling Sam at least five times now and got nothing but voicemail. Where the hell was Sam? On the other side of the car Jennifer sat watching him, her eyes wide with worry.

"He's still not answering?"

"No, and the bad reception isn't helping either, it keeps cutting me off. Damn it! This isn't like him. He wouldn't not answer his phone if he could…" Dean's voice trailed off as he stared out the windshield to the dark night.

"What do you think could have happened?"

"I don't know but I don't like this. I need to get back there." Dean turned to face her, his face grim.

"I understand, Dean…honestly I do." Jennifer reached over and opened the handle to the door. "Thanks for showing me your car, she really is nice."

"I'll see you, Jenni." Dean promised as Jennifer shut the door and walked back to her mustang. Dean pulled the impala into reverse, backed out of his parking spot, and gunned the car forward. He had to get to Sam…something had happened…and if it hadn't and Sam was just being an ass…something would happen to him Dean would be sure of that.