A Father Lost, A Father Gained Ch. 14
Warning: Cursing as usual--they are hunter's after all.
Disclaimer: The Winchesters and everything recognizable in this story belongs to Kripke and the CW.
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Previously: "Sorry doc, but I'm out of here. Get me the AMA papers to sign." John stated with a groan as he threw the blankets off his legs and pushed himself to a standing position. It was time to hit the road and find the life he left behind.
As he waited for the doctor to return with his release papers, John pulled on the boots that were sitting near the small dresser in his room. He knew he would look funny walking around in hospital scrubs with boots on, but his clothes had been cut off of him the day he was brought in and he didn't have anything else to wear. He just hoped and prayed that people wouldn't think he had escaped from the psyche ward or something. Taking a seat in the chair by his bed, he looked up to see his nurse, Sarah, entering the room carrying a plastic bag with something in it.
"Hey Sarah, I uh, I'm going to be leaving this morning." He said with a smile as he saw the concerned look upon her face.
"So we've been told. I'm sorry John but I think you are making a stupid move. It's too early for you to be out there on your own when the doctor thinks you need to convalesce at least another forty-eight hours." Sarah informed the patient that all of the nurses had become attached to.
"Sarah, I need to get out of here and find my life. I have two little boys out there somewhere needing me and I'm not going to find them if I'm stuck in here. Hell, I know the chance of finding them without my memory is a long shot, but it's one I have to take." John explained hoping the nurse would understand his reason for leaving.
"Well you can't go out there dressed like that or people will think you're crazy. We, the other nurses and I, have all chipped in and bought you a couple of outfits since we knew this day would be coming sooner or later." Sarah informed John as she handed over the bag holding two pairs of blue jeans, four shirts, and a package of boxers and socks, along with the basic necessities like a comb, toothbrush, and toothpaste. "We got your clothing size from the items that were cut off the night you were brought in."
"I..I don't know what to say." John said astonished that the nurses had done something so nice for him.
"Just say you'll take care of yourself, and that when you find your life, you'll let us know and that you'll be happy." Sarah said as tears filmed her eyes.
"I will, and thanks." John said knowing it was an inadequate thanks for the gesture the nurses had made by taking care of his basic needs.
"Go on and get yourself dressed." Sarah told the hunter with tears in her eyes as she nodded her head towards the small bathroom. "Nathan will be waiting at the nurses desk with your AMA papers."
Making his way to the small bathroom, John changed into one of the outfits making him finally feel like a person again after so long of wearing either a hospital gown or scrubs. Exiting the bathroom, he noticed Janice waiting on him with a wheel chair and took a seat in his "chariot" so he could be wheeled out of the room.
Stopping by the nurses desk, John signed the AMA forms as John Doe and then handed them back to Nathan. "I don't know how to thank you all for everything you've done for me." John said to the group that had gathered to see him off. "I'll never be able to repay that kindness that you've shown me."
"You don't have to repay us John. Our payment was seeing you progress and get well again." Nathan replied with a smile. Handing over an envelope, Nathan said, "There will be a cab outside waiting for you. There is enough money in the envelope for your cab fare and to rent a motel room for a few days. And before you say anything, it's from the hospital emergency funds. The fund is specifically set up to help patients upon their release who don't have anywhere to go."
Accepting the envelope gratefully, John thanked the hospital workers once again and sat nervously in anticipation, wondering what would behold him once he left the hospital.
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As he worked on the classic Corvette out in his yard, Bobby taught Dean about the proper tools to use when working on different parts of the engine. He explained how the socket wrench was used and how different sized fittings were used to loosen or tighten the bolts and made the job easier. He explained how different parts of the engine had to be oiled and maintained and how the filters needed to be changed every so often to keep the car in proper running order. Wanting to make sure Dean felt included with the actual process, Bobby allowed Dean to remove some of the parts after he had loosened them enough that Dean could do it.
While he worked, Bobby also kept a close eye on Sammy to make sure he was staying within close range to them and that he was occupied with the toys. He couldn't help but smile at the way Sammy arranged the toy cars like he owned a salvage yard and how he pretended to work on the parts just like his big brother. Smiling, he couldn't imagine a better time than being right where he was, spending time with John's boys. Closing his eyes for just a moment, he shuddered at the thought of the boys leaving again someday, a day he knew would break his heart.
Returning his attention to what Dean was doing, he took satisfaction in seeing how quickly Dean was learning. The boy could definitely become a top notch mechanic one day. Deciding that Dean needed to learn about the oil pan and parts beneath the car, Bobby was about to get a board for them to lay on when he saw that Sammy had curled up on the ground and was now sleeping. Walking over to the little tyke, he bent down to touch Sammy's arm to shake him awake. "Damn, you're feeling a little warm there kiddo." He said as he placed a palm on Sammy's forehead.
Hearing Bobby's words, Dean rushed over immediately and kneeled beside his baby brother. "Aww Sammy, are you getting sick again?" Dean asked as he watched Bobby pick the little boy up into his arms.
"What do you mean, sick again?" Bobby queried as they started towards the house. As far as he knew, Sammy hadn't been sick since he had picked up the boys.
"He had strep throat about a week before Dad left to go on his hunt." Dean answered, his tone becoming somber as he wondered why his daddy hadn't come home yet. He couldn't ever remember a hunt taking so long before.
"I guess we better get him inside then and give him a bath and put him in the bed." Bobby said wondering if he should give Jefferson a call. Jefferson knew all about the boys and the hunting life so he wouldn't have any problems getting Sammy treated. Balancing Sammy against his chest and feeling the child snuggle into him for warmth, he opened the screen door and walked in with Dean following closely behind him.
Walking up the steps, he carried Sammy into the bathroom where he put the stopper in the tub and started running bath water. Testing the water to make sure it wasn't too hot, he said, "Dean, I need you to get Sammy's pajamas for me. Placing Sammy on the toilet seat, he quickly stripped the little boy of his clothing and was lifting him into the tub when he noticed the rash on his little bottom.
Seeing Dean enter the bathroom with clothes in hand, he asked, "Dean, how long has your brother had this rash on his behind?"
"I guess he just got it, it wasn't there yesterday when we took our bath." Dean answered as he placed Sammy's pajamas on top of the dirty clothes hamper.
"Maybe it's just a fever rash." Bobby said as he lathered up a wash cloth and began to bathe Sammy. We'll give him some Children's Tylenol when I'm finished here. If he still has a fever tomorrow, I'll give Jefferson a call and see if he can see Sammy at his clinic."
"Sammy won't like that, he hates doctors." Dean replied remembering when they had taken Sammy to the emergency room with the strep throat. Sammy had cried and kicked the doctor when he gave him a shot in his little tush.
"We'll just have to deal with it if he keeps running a fever." Bobby stated knowing there was no way he was taking any chances with the boy's health. Once he had finished bathing Sammy, he wrapped a towel around him and lifted him out of the tub. Drying him off quickly, he dressed Sammy in his pajamas and carried him into the boy's bedroom. "Keep an eye on Sammy, Dean. I'm going to go get the Children's Tylenol.
Returning with the fever reducer just a few moments later, Bobby measured out the dosage prescribed on the bottle. "Here Tiger, drink this, it will help you to feel better." Bobby informed the youngster as he tipped the red colored liquid to Sammy's mouth. He made sure Sammy swallowed it all before helping him to lay down, then covering him up with the blanket. Watching as Sammy faded off to sleep, Bobby knew he would be in for a long night.
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Driving down the road, Joshua was anxious as to what they would find when they got to the hospital. He knew John was injured, that was a given. But just how badly was the man injured? Would he be in the ICU, languishing in a coma, or God forbid, was he lying on a slab in the morgue waiting for his body to be identified? "Please Lord, please let him be okay." Joshua prayed as he kept his eyes focused ahead. "His boys really need him. It wouldn't be fair to take their daddy too when they've already lost their mother."
Glancing into his rearview mirror, he couldn't help but think about how weird it was to see Caleb driving the sleek, black muscle car. It just wasn't right, the Impala was John's pride and joy and he should have been the one behind the wheel. Shuddering, he wondered if they would ever see John behind her wheel again. "Damn it, don't think like that." He chided himself for even thinking such a thought. John was alive, he had to be.
Spotting a hospital sign ahead, he thought to himself "This is it." Making the right hand turn, he pulled into the parking lot and parked in the first available parking spot, Caleb parking right beside him. Climbing out of their respective vehicles, the two hunters strode towards the front entrance, each praying that their search for John had come to an end, and end which would reunite him with his boys once again.
TBC