Back to Sam, let's see how he's doing. Thanks to Zylstra for editing this! So Dr. Novak's first name is jimmy. I don't put that a lot but I'm going to start referring to that more often. And then I'm going to edit the earlier chapters too when I have the time.

This is a reedit 10/20/13

Chapter 13

John rubbed his eyes. He couldn't remember the last time he had been out of his office for more than five minutes, so he decided to take a break from the computer. He was sure coffee would wake him up.

It wasn't until he opened the office door did he hear that the TV was on. "What are you still doing up?" John asked coming up from behind the couch.

Sam didn't turn his head to look but instead flipped the channel. "I could ask you the same question," Sam countered.

"Do you even know what time it is?"

"Dark," Sam replied. John couldn't see his face but he was positive that Sam was smirking.

"Clever… but you can whip that smirk off your face 'cause I know it's there." Sam's smirk turned into a full smile. "It's two o'clock in the morning."John said. "I know that it's Friday but you need to really-"

"Yeah I know…" Sam turned the volume down so the voices were almost inaudible. "So why are you up still?

"I was just working on a project for Jim." John sat down next to Sam.

"What does Jim want you to do?" Sam asked stretching his legs.

"He wants me to create a model for this new restaurant. It's pointless but he wants me to make another."John rubbed his eyes before continuing. "I've been looking at that computer screen for too long."

"Maybe he doesn't like the first model," Sam suggested with a shrug.

"Well, he better like this one, it's taken me all week to create," John said. Sam could hear the anger bolting out from each word.

"You hate this don't you?" Sam asked. "You need to go on a hunt to relieve stress."

"Not until you're in remission."

"But you-"

"No buts. Not until you're in remission," John repeated. "Do you want me to make you anything to eat?"

"No, that's alright. And yes, I've already taken my pills. I'm just not ready to eat or drink anything yet."

"Sleep'll always do you some good," John suggested.

"Maybe in a little bit. I'm about to watch the series premiere of Supernatural."

"At two in the morning?"

"Yeah. I missed it the first time so this is a repeat."

John lifted himself from the aged, maroon, sunken couch. "Got it. Well, I'm going to make myself some coffee and go back to work. Shout if you need anything. That's an order. Got it?" John asked walking towards the kitchen, almost able to taste the coffee.

"Yes sir," Sam said. "Hey dad!" Sam called out, getting John's attention.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks," Sam said. It was a simple gesture but John knew what it meant.

"It's you and me against the world, Sammy."

*S*P*N*

It tasted like metal and Sam knew instantly that it was blood. He had been feeling fatigued all day and this was just the cherry to top it all. "Dad!" He screamed through his gagging.

John suddenly stopped typing and ran to where Sam's voice. He ran up the steps leading to the upstairs and immediately saw the droplets of the crimson blood leading to the bathroom. He opened the bathroom door with force and instantly took a hold of the scene. There was blood on the floor and when Sam turned around, there was blood around his smeared on his mouth and on his sleeve. "Sam, what happened?" John asked as he knelt to Sam's level.

Sam turned his head back to the toilet. "Nosebleed made me sick," he muttered groggily. "I don't feel very good."

"When did this happen?" John asked rubbing Sam's back to try and comfort him.

"I don't know… I was watching TV… and…" Sam took a deep breath to ease the nausea.

"Lift up your head up for me," John demanded. Sam lifted his head slowly. His bloody nose was running down his mouth and his face looked pale. "I'm taking you to the hospital." John wiped the blood from Sam's face with toilet paper and then handing him a dry washcloth.

It didn't take long for Sam to protest. "No dad, I'm fine. My stomach doesn't hurt anymore." He sounded muffled but John still understood him.

"Sam, you're not fine, that was a lot of blood."

"I'm…I'm fine," Sam said slumping against the bathtub.

"Well the way I see it is, you have no choice. I'm going to lift you up okay?" John asked.

"I'm fine," Sam repeated as John lifted him to his feet.

The drive to the hospital was quiet. Sam was zoning in and out with a trashcan in between his legs and John was too focused on getting to the hospital to talk.

He had been worried about Sam. After Sam's chemo last week, he had had three nose bleeds and two transfusions. John had a feeling that Sam would need to have another transfusion tonight. When they arrived at the hospital, Sam didn't have to wait long for a room or for his doctor.

Dr. Novak came into the room and flipped through Sam's charts. Considering it was three in the morning and he had just finished his forth cup of coffee, he felt pretty good. "Hello John and Sam. I was hoping our next meeting wouldn't be at a hospital but it's great to see you guys." He looked down at Sam's chart again. "So to my understanding, Sam, you had a nose bleed in your sleep?"

Sam only nodded.

"how long do you think it went on before you noticed?"

"I just woke up and started feeling like I was gonna throw up," Sam finished. He was so close to sleep that he didn't hear the doctor's next question.

Dr. Novak snapped his fingers but Sam had fallen asleep. "Sam?" Jimmy asked. He usually liked to directly address his patients that were older than thirteen but seeing that Sam was out cold, he turned his attention to John.

"Okay so the reason this happened is happening to Sam is because his platelets are dangerously low." So are his white blood cells. Sam's body is acting this way because it needs to recuperate. I suggest that we hold off chemo for a week. It's a bit of a setback but it's only temporary. I assure you that the leukemia will not grow or spread substantially during this time," Dr. Novak informed them. "Think of this as a little break for Sam." John put his hands in his pocket and leaned on the hospital bed.

"Will I need to stay overnight?" Sam asked suddenly. His stomach had been hurting and he was tired but his curiosity overpowered both.

"Yeah Sam," John answered. "You're hooked up for a transfusion." Sam looked at his arm to see the IV. That minor detail hadn't registered yet. "Sorry Sammy."

"How long?" Sam asked feeling like he was fading again. John sighed. "Whatever, I don't want to know."

*S*P*N*

John pulled the doctor to the side. "Is everything alright?" He was pretty sure that Sam was asleep but he could never be too careful.

"I'm not sure John. This could just be side effects of the chemo or this could be something bigger. I recall Sam having a brother. Adam right?" John gave a simply nod. "Well I'm thinking that it would be in Sam's best interest if Adam got tested. The sooner we find Sam a healthy source of cells, the faster he'll be able to get out of here and the sooner hell be to enjoying life again. I'd be happy to give Imogen a call if you'd like."

"No that's alright. I'll call Imogen. When will we know if the chemo has stopped working again?" He wasn't sure if he wanted to know the answer.

The doctor sighed; these were the days that he hated his job. "The soonest I could get the results would be tomorrow," Dr. Novak responded. John just nodded. "The nurses will be here soon to take Sam's blood."

*S*P*N*

"Imogen… I… it's John. Sam… he's in the hospital."

"Wait what?" Imogene asked. "Please… just please tell me he's okay," Imogen whispered. She automatically started chewing her finger nails, an old habit that she thought she got rid of.

"He's fine right now. He's actually attempting to eat Jello," John said. He could almost hear the sigh of relief from the other end. "I'm calling because the chemo has stopped working. Sam's Doctor compared the results from two months ago and his abnormal blasts, the bad cells, are way up. That's not good. They're higher than they were when he was first diagnosed. I'm surprised he hasn't been sicker. But if we find a bone marrow donor in a reasonable amount of time, there's a good chance that Sam'll pull through."

"He's a fighter."

"Damn right he is. I think… I think it would be in Sam's best interest if Adam were to get tested."

"I've been doing some research and I hoped that it wouldn't come to that. We'll take the next flight to Kansas."John didn't say anything. "… You still there?"

"Yeah…yeah. I'm still here. I just wow… this is really about to happen… maybe Adam shouldn't-"

"John there is absolutely nothing- I mean nothing that you can say or do to make me change my mind. Once I explain this to Adam, he'll understand."

John didn't object. Hopefully, Sam wouldn't need Adam. That Sam would be fine on his own. But as always, nothing went right for the Winchesters.

*S*P*N*

Imogen was getting antsy. She and Adam had been stuck on an airplane all morning and now being stuck in traffic only made her more anxious. "How far away is this hospital? I hate traffic," she told John. He looked far more relaxed than she felt.

"Imogen, relax. If I go any faster, we'll get pulled over. And this isn't traffic; I'm going 5 over the speed limit."

"I just feel like we've been in this car forever."

John couldn't help but smirk. "We've only been driving for five minutes..."

Imogen sighed. "I'm sorry; it's been a long morning. Right Adam?"

"Hm?" he asked without taking his headphones out. "Whatever it was I didn't do it," he responded.

"Okay…." Imogen drew out.

John smirked. He loved this kid already. "We're not going to the hospital. I'm dropping you guys off at the hotel first."

Imogen shook her head. "That's not happening. I want to go straight to the hospital," Imogen told him.

"Whoa… I just picked you guys up from the airport. Could you just- look, how about you guys least check into a hotel, and then we can get Adam tested out. Sam's not going anywhere."

Adam pulled out his headphones, he was trying to tune his mom and John out but his plan hadn't worked. "John, I don't know you that well but I do know my mom… a word of advice, she will always get her way so I would just give in now if I were you."

"Adam!" Imogene yelled. Sometimes she wondered if the newly turned 15 year old was really her son.

"No it's alright Imogen." John's eyes flicked to Adam in the rearview mirror. "He's just speaking the truth," John said with a grin.

Adam laughed. His mom had told him about John but meeting him was totally different. He was pretty cool. "You're alright John."

"Well I'm glad I have your approval." When Imogen said that Adam had been going through a rough patch, she wasn't exaggerating. Adam had jet black hair. John could tell it was dyed since his eyebrows were still blond. Adam's lip and his eyebrow were also pierced. He couldn't help the rising anger he felt towards himself; he had missed all of Adam's life. Granted, it wasn't his fault but that didn't mean that he didn't feel bad about neglecting his youngest son. Adam looked so much like John, but had Imogen's eyes. It was funny how things worked out that way.

Adam turned his attention to his mom. "Will this… thing like hurt?" Adam asked from the back seat.

"Honey, to be honest, I don't know. I think it's just a little prick." Imogen turned to face Adam from the passenger seat. "It'll be like when you got your eyebrow… and your lip… and your ears…. And your nose… pierced." Each thing she listed, her voice went down an octave.

"Whatever," Adam sighed, popping his headphones in, tuning everyone out with heavy metal again.

*S*P*N*

"The results are in. Adam's a perfect match for the Bone Marrow Transplant," Doctor Novak informed the two families. Adam smiled and Imogen gave a sigh of relief from her chair beside him but nobody was more relieved than John. Now, his son was going to beat this disease, he was sure of it.

Sam frowned. While everyone seemed to be happy, Sam was feeling the total opposite. He actually felt angry. Why was everyone celebrating? Oh yeah, maybe it had something to do with the fact that they weren't going to be pumped full of chemicals soon. The thought of having chemo, radiation and the procedure scared him and the possibilities of the BMT not working was torture. Maybe Sam was being selfish, maybe he was being a coward. After all he had been through so far, why couldn't he hold out for a little more?

Even though Adam had just met Sam, he could feel Sam's tension. "When do you guys start nuking my body?" Sam asked. Silence flooded the room. "What? It's true, isn't it?"

John's eyes narrowed and he said, "Sam, drop the attitude."

"It's an honest question so please just answer it."

"That's a very good question, Sam," said Doctor Novak. "I'll answer that and more. We'll start you off with chemo in a couple of days. We're going to completely get rid of all the cancer cells in your body so the new cells from the transplant have a chance at working. This reduces the chance of you relapsing in the future by a lot."

"When is the BMT scheduled?" John asked.

"If everything goes well, I have scheduled Sam's Bone Marrow Transplant for May 16th. In the course of two weeks, you, Adam, will get a few injections a day to make your bone marrow strong and to get your body to making more bone marrow. You'll only have to have these up until the transplant."

Adam glanced at his mom. "I asked my mom this question but will the shots hurt really badly?"

"It's just a little prick each day."

"Will Adam have any side effects from the injections?" Imogen asked.

"He may experience stiffness, his bones might be a bit ache but other than that, noting else."

Adam let out a sigh of relief. "So I won't, like, die or anything?"

"No, that's very unlikely."

John looked over at Sam, who had pulled his knees up to his chest. He hated how uncomfortable Sam felt. "What'll happen to Sam while Adam's getting the injections?"

"During that time, Sam will be getting on-again-off again chemotherapy and radiation. After that, we will harvest Adam's marrow and the very next day, we will put his marrow in Sam so it has the best chance of working. After all of this, depending on the success- and I have high hopes that it will be a success- Sam will have a recovery period of about a month. This means total isolation."

"Does that mean Sam'll be in like a bubble? Like that movie Bubble Boy?" Adam asked. Imogen gave him a tap on the arm.

Dr. Novak chuckled. "Bubble boy… I like it. Well, sort of. Basically, he'll be in this room and when people want to visit, they have to wear protective clothing and wash their hands so to not get Sam sick. We do this because his immune system is still trying to recuperate so he's very susceptible to infections. Sam will be able to go home after that. We'll continue to do checkups on him periodically to see if the BMT was successful. He'll be weak for a few months afterwards but slowly he'll get his energy back. Do you guys have any questions?"

"I don't think so. Thanks Dr. Novak," John said watching his eldest son. He had been quiet and Sam was never quiet. He had always been very talkative. Even when Sam was younger, the ability to talk had happened so fast. One day he was saying a few words, the next day, full sentences. He learned how to talk before he learned how to walk. John knew that Sam didn't want have the transplant. John noticed the look on Sam's face; it was a mixture sadness and fear. And even though John could be oblivious at times, he didn't fail to notice the way Sam had receded from everyone and sunk into his seat. "How you feeling about all this Sam?"

Sam retreated further into his chair. "It's whatever. Just do it."

*S*P*N*

Sam couldn't help feel a bit annoyed. It was just him and Adam in his hospital room, and the only reason was so Adam could keep an eye on him. His dad hadn't said it directly but it was implied with his body language. Sam turned his attention from the TV to Adam. "So, what'd they tell you about all of this?" Sam asked. Adam took out his headphones. Sam rolled his eyes he swore that those headphones were glued into Adam's ears.

"Uh… other than what the doc said, not much. But what I do know is that you're sick, with leukemia, I can't catch it and that I'm going to help you 'cause… you're my brother," Adam finished.

Sam nodded his head. "Good answer." It wasn't until then had Sam gotten a real good look at Adam and his piercings. Sam had to admit, his somewhat emo appearance didn't match his personality at all. "Your mom actually let you get piercing?"

"Yeah."

Sam made a confused face. "Why?"

"Why did she let me or why did I want to get them?"

"Both."

"Cause she believes in expressing yourself. Whatever that means... and I guess I thought it was cool at the time, I wanted to be different."

"Well, do you feel any different?"

Adam shrugged his shoulders casually and said, "Some days."

"How long have you had them?"

"January of last year."

Sam had obviously never had a younger sibling before so he didn't think they would become friends so easily in the few days that they had known each other, but they had. After all, Adam was going to save his life.

"Well I'm glad you're helping me out."

"You better be. Those injections make me feel weird. What the hell is that stuff?"

"I have no clue but welcome to my life." Sam returned his attention back to the TV.

"So I was wonder… no- I… I never mind," Adam dismissed. He then started tapping his foot on the floor. He wanted to ask Sam a question but he wasn't sure if they were that close yet.

"You obviously have a question."

"No-"

Sam rolled his eyes in irritation. It was Friday and his patients had left for the weekend. "Just ask it."

"You know, the big C."

"Cancer?" Sam suggested. Adam nodded.

"What's it like?" Adam asked. "You know… having it."

Sam adjusted himself in his bed. "Maybe I shouldn't have forced you to ask that question. Let me think about that one," Sam said as he rubbed his neck. "It's frustrating," he started. " 93% of the time, it's basically like the weakest you've ever felt, the sickest you've ever been and the most pain you've ever experienced all packed into one but the other 7%," he paused and smiled. "You're glad to be alive. You know, when I was first diagnosed I blamed everyone, even Imogen. I felt like there was something that everyone could have done differently but the reality is that nobody could have prevented this. I've read stories where people say that this cancer shit makes you a stronger person and it's supposed to be a journey, but right now, I don't feel like it is. Maybe later if I beat this thing I'll think that way."

"It's weird that you got something like cancer."

"Why?" Sam asked.

"Because kids don't get cancer," Adam justified.

"Hate to burst your bubble but, they do."

"But they don't deserve it."

Sam looked at him with scrutiny. Just a year ago, he had been Adam. Naive. Cancer was never a threat to him because in his mind, it didn't exist. Before he was diagnosed, Cancer was just a word that floated around in science class, like a bubble. "Does anybody?"

*S*P*N*

Sam glanced at the bags of chemo. He followed the drips with his eyes.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

He felt like he was dying a little more with each of them. It was 8 o'clock in the morning and he was in his second treatment of chemo out of eight.

"Sam! You okay?" Sam turned his head to where the voice was. It was his dad, who he hadn't even noticed come in. His dad was holding a medium sized box with plain blue wrapping paper around the exterior.

Sam slowly nodded his head. "Yeah I'm fine. What's that box for"

"You don't remember what day it is?"

"Chemo day?"

"No… It's your birthday." John handed him the box and Sam stared at it. The box wasn't wrapped very well. The wrapping paper was punctured and Sam could see rips revealing the cardboard underneath. "Happy Birthday. Go ahead, open it."

Sam didn't move. "Oh yeah? What's so good about it?" Sam asked unenthused. He knew his dad was only trying to cheer him up but he found himself getting annoyed.

"I promise I'll make it up to you."

"Don't worry about it. It doesn't even feel like it's my birthday anyway." Sam shook the box lightly. "How can this box be so light when it's so big?"

John took a seat next to him. "Just open the damn box. I promise it will make you feel better." Sam rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh, starting to rip the paper away. He couldn't believe what he saw on the box. He smiled. "Gee dad… I've always wanted an easy bake oven…"

John smiled. It was the first time he had seen Sam smile that week. "See, I told you that it would make you feel better. Now open the box."

Sam opened the flaps of the box and took out its content. "It's a pocket knife," said John. Sam smiled for the second time that day. "If you look at the back of it, it has your full name. Samuel Blake Winchester." Sam turned the knife over and slowly traced the letters and the smooth, dark cherry wood. He slid the knife open and scanned the sharp silver blade. He carefully -fearful that it would cut him if he went to fast- slid his thumb across the blade to test its sharpness. "Do you like it?"

Sam stared at the pocket knife with awe. "I love it." He looked over at his dad. "I'm sorry for being a jerk to you. It's just-"

"Say no more Sammy. I know with all the chemo and the BMT plans that it's been a tough few day, you don't need to explain anything." John patted Sam on the shoulder.

"Since we're all happy here… I was wondering… do you think I'll be able to make it to Dean's graduation?"

"When is it?"

"The 9th."

"Sammy, that's right before your transplant, definitely not."

"I know but this is his graduation! He's helped me through so much."

"I know how much you want to-"

"I knew you wouldn't say yes… I can't get you to change your mind?"

"Not a chance."

"Well can you at least video tape it?"

"If you're doing alright, I will go and video tape the ceremony."

"That would…" his sentence was interrupted with a yawn.

"Tired?"

"Yeah a little bit. I think I'm going to take a nap."

*S*P*N*

A few hours after Sam's nap, Dean surprised Sam by paying him a visit. After not being able to see Dean for a week, Sam was surprised to see how much skinner Dean was than their last visit. Every step Dean seemed to take made him look stiffer and the books in his arms didn't do anything good to his slightly-hunched back. It was as if the two textbooks in his arms were two boulders pulling him down slowly. Dean didn't look so good, but neither did he.

"Hey kid, what's your deal?" Dean asked. The memory of when they had first met flashed in Sam's mind.

"Jerk… my deal is a freaking bone marrow transplant," Sam responded with.

"Brought you your homework bitch," Dean said as he plopped the books onto Sam's bed. Dean then took a seat next to him slowly. That was when Sam was able to get a closer look at his face; Dean looked like he was in pain. The way that he winced when he sat down was a good indication of it.

"Are you okay?" Sam asked.

"Yeah I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Why do you look so sick?" Dean suddenly felt angry. He had surprised Sam with a visit and this was what they were going to talk about? His health?

"Look I came to visit you and see how you were doing. Today's not about me. How're you holding up?"

"Really? That's the question you came to ask?"

Dean shrugged. "I guess not?"

Sam sighed deeply. "Well to tell you the truth, I feel like shit."

"I get the feeling. That's me every day," Dean added.

"I won't be able to make it to your graduation it's days before my transplant."

"Dude, it's alright. I get it; you're going to be in recovery. I won't be offended," Dean said carelessly. "It's not a big deal."

Sam didn't probe Dean, but he knew something was bothering him. They talked for a while, everything from weather, the summer to even school. By the end of their conversation, Sam couldn't take it anymore and he asked. "You're sick again aren't you?"

Dean looked at him for what seemed to be hours but in actuality was only a few minutes. "Sam, no I'm not sick again, geez. You're always jumping to conclusions. All I need is some shut eye and I'll be as good as new."

"You gonna be alright?" Sam knew it was the most overrated question, but he asked it anyway.

Dean gave him a grin. Sam noticed it wasn't his usual carefree grin. Something about it was different but Sam couldn't figure it out. It almost looked fake. "I'll be just fine Sammy. You just focus on getting yourself better, you hear?"

Sam gave him a nod and a tight smile.

*S*P*N*

Question, does anyone know Dean and Lisa's anniversary date? I can't seem to find it anywhere. In my head or on my computer… I'm pretty sure it's the 10th…

Zylstra pushed me to be more detailed and I hoped it showed. I was supposed to get this on here yesterday but I had wayyyy too much HW

***Next chapter Preview:

"Dean honey, it's been an hour and a half." Mary caressed the left side of his face. She could see the dark around his eyes and she could tell that the nap did nothing to help anything. Dean stretched out wincing. "You okay? Do you need some medicine?"

"I already took some this morning…" Dean mumbled. The medicine's effects weren't as strong as they used to be.

"It's okay if you take more, you're obviously in pain."