Will have language and possibly graphic violence.
Summary: Sequel to Meddlesome Fools. Major ANGST! John's decisions are weighing heavily on him and nightmares plague his dreams. The demon is still keeping tabs on the boys and making itself know with Dean's migraines. Then there's the new kid…
Disclaimer: I do not own anything Supernatural related, but I wish I did! Enjoy!! Yes I will probably use direct quotes in this story, but I admit it so please don't sue me!!
Warning: Will contain child abuse! If you don't like it, please don't read it!
As requested, there will be more and more on Dean and the two sets of siblings in the next few chapters! Hope you enjoy!
Roger started checking for internal damage and broken bones. Ethan knew the drill now and sat perfectly still. The doc moved slowly and methodically from the boy's chest to his abdomen, and finished with his severely bruised back. The whole time John kept a steadying hand on Ethan's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze whenever he saw the kid flinch or heard him hiss.
"Well, it looks like your father may have succeeded where he failed the first time. Two of your ribs are fractured, but luckily not broken. We'll get them wrapped securely and then put some ice on your back to slow the swelling."
As Roger began wrapping Ethan's ribs, John slowly floated towards the other bed willing his son to wake up. He was oblivious to the fact that every step he took put Sam that much more on the defense.
When John reached the bed, he stretched out a hand to lay on top of Dean's, but Sam bristled and broke the silence.
"Don't touch him," he warned. He was glaring daggers into his father's heart and positioned himself between John and Dean to protect his brother.
Only then did John fully register his other son. "Sammy, I'm not gonna hurt him. I just want to make sure he's okay."
"He'll be fine. I'm watching over him."
"You two always were good at protectin' each other." John smiled sadly. Normally he'd never let one of his children talk to him like that, but he was still feeling guilty over what had happened, and he was afraid he'd push Sam into leaving earlier than he was destined to.
"Look, Sammy, I know I've given you no reason to trust me lately, but I'm still your father and I still love you boys more than anything. I wish I could take it all back, but I'm not dumb enough to believe that would solve everythin' that's come between us. I wish we didn't end up fightin' all the time. I mean, half the time I don't even know what we're fightin' about. I'm beggin' you, kiddo. Please just give me another chance."
Silence fell over the room again and John knew Ethan and Roger were watching their interaction, but he didn't care. He just wanted Sam's answer.
"Another chance? You stabbed my brother! How many more chances do you need before he ends up dead?!"
"That's enough, Sam." The quiet order came from the doorway rather than from John. Sam's attention snapped over to find Bobby who had been listening in like everyone else.
"But, Bobby, he…"
"I know what happened, kiddo. As much as you want to blame your dad, it wasn't his fault."
"How is it not his fault?! The knife was in his hand, and then it was in my brother's stomach! Not much evidence needed to figure that one out, Bobby!"
"Just keep takin' care of Dean, will ya? John, I need to speak with you in the kitchen. Ethan, are you ready for Emma to come in? She's worried about you."
"Uh… Yeah. I wanna make sure she's okay too. Just…" He grabbed his over shirt and Roger quickly moved in to help him slide it on to cover up some of his injuries. He fumbled with the three buttons in the center, closing the shirt just enough to keep the bruises from his sister's sight. Then he looked back up and nodded his okay to Bobby.
John took one last look at his boys and the damage he had caused before striding into the kitchen behind Bobby. Emma was still at the table snacking on grapes.
"Hey, Sweetie. Your brother's waitin' for ya."
She beamed at Bobby before sliding off the seat and racing into the other room. Ethan looked up just in time to catch her before she tackled him into a tight hug.
"Whoa! Easy, Emma! It's okay!"
Remembering how injured he had been, she forced herself to slow down and wrapped her arms around him gently.
"I was so scared, Ethan! I thought he was going to kill you this time!"
"Nah. He'd get bored without me around." He smirked, but she didn't return it.
"You have to get away from him, Ethan. We both know he's never going to stop."
"Listen to me, Emma. I'm not leaving you. I don't care what he does to me as…"
"Well I do! I do care, and I can't just hide under my bed anymore while he takes his failures out on you! I won't!"
Ethan sighed and shook his head. There was no talking sense to his sister when she got like this.
As Ethan and Emma talked, Roger headed back over to Sam and Dean. He noticed the younger of the two was watching the other siblings as they were reunited with clouded eyes. He also noticed Sam's death grip on Dean's wrist.
"Careful, Sammy. That kind of bruise might lead to some awkward questions…"
Sam turned his gaze towards the doc and looked extremely confused until Roger nodded at his hand. Only when he followed the man's gaze did he realize what he had been doing. He eased his grip immediately, but refused to let go and break their contact. The doc smiled gently and ruffled Sam's hair.
"He's gonna be okay, Sam. Trust me."
"I just want him to wake up. I need him to tell me everything's gonna be okay. No offense."
"None taken. What do you say we finish taking care of him for today and leave him in peace for a while?"
"We can finish taking care of him, but I'm not leaving his side until he wakes up."
The doc sighed but nodded in understanding. He would have done the same if it was someone he really cared about that was hurt.
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Once Emma rounded the corner and was out of sight, Bobby turned back to John who was restlessly pacing around the small room. Bobby was about to explain his theory to his friend, but he was interrupted before he even opened his mouth.
"So what is it, Bobby? Do you think the demon is messin' with my dreams? I mean, he's been controllin' Dean's migraines…"
"I don't think he's doin' it himself, no. John, I think yer bein' attacked by a dream demon."
"A dream demon? You serious?" That stopped him in his tracks.
"Once you're asleep, they have complete control of your memories and thoughts and can make you see whatever they want."
"Why the hell would it do that? I mean, what could it possibly gain from this?"
"That's where yellow eyes comes in I think. He probably recruited it."
"What the hell for? What does this accomplish for him in his master plan?"
"Keeps you distracted, and had you put a hole in your kid. He's tryin' to tear a rift between you two cause he knows Dean's your little soldier. Always was, and always will be… unless he can break that bond. Pretty smart if you ask me. Dean's too stubborn otherwise to join his damn army, but if Dean turned outta spite…"
"What have I done, Bobby? I really am going to lose them both." The eldest Winchester sounded so broken.
"Don't you dare give up now, John. Those boys need you more than ever. You and I both know Dean's not gonna hold you responsible for this, and eventually Sam will either understand too, or he'll forgive you because of Dean. Either way, that bastard is not gonna win. Not now, not ever."
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Back in the bedroom, Ethan reached up and gently tilted Emma's head so he could see the hand mark on her cheek with better light.
"Damn it. Emma, I am so…"
"It wasn't your fault, bro. You know I… I never realized how much you really protected me. I never thought he would even try to… well, you know. Not until today that is."
"Never again, kiddo. He'll never lay another hand on you. I'll stop him if it's the last thing I do." He picked up the discarded ice pack that was resting next to his right leg and gently placed it on her red cheek.
She put her hand over his and tried to push it away. "It's fine, Ethan. It barely hurts anymore. You need this more than I do."
"What're you talkin' about? I'm practically healed already. I swear these guys have magical healing powers…"
She rolled her eyes at his obvious lie, but then realized she had no idea who the other people were. "Who are they?"
"Oh! Sorry, kiddo. I forgot to introduce you. You met Bobby earlier, and John was the man who brought us here. He's Sam and Dean's dad. They're over there with the doc."
She watched in silence for a few seconds as the doc and Sam worked around the still boy in the bed. "What's wrong with him?"
"He got hurt, but they're takin' good care of him. He'll be okay."
"How'd he get hurt?"
"It was an accident. Sometimes things just happen and you have no control over it."
Emma could read the sadness in her brother's eyes. "You really care about him, huh? That boy over there."
He looked back at his sister, knowing she was too intuitive for her own good sometimes so denying it would be useless. "He's one of those friends you can't really afford to lose, you know?"
"Is he from your school?"
"Not exactly. He was just visiting I guess and we met and kinda bonded. He's a cool kid."
"He must be if you've grown this close in such a short period of time."
"You'll like him when you finally meet him."
"I already do." After all, any friend of Ethan's…
She sat on the bed next to her brother who gingerly placed one of his sore arms around her shoulders and pulled her close for a sideways hug. That one small move made her feel safe again, and for Ethan, it was completely worth the added pain.
They sat together in silence and watched Roger and Sam as they took care of Dean.
Once Dean was propped carefully on his right side with pillows stacked behind his back, Sam turned obediently towards the doc, waiting for his orders.
"Alright, Sam. First, we need to get his teeth brushed."
Sam's nose wrinkled at the thought. "Seriously? I hadn't even thought about that."
"Well he can't do it himself just yet, can he?" The doc winked at him before pulling a fresh toothbrush from his bag. The man came prepared, there was no denying that.
The doc donned yet another pair of gloves and headed towards the kitchen door.
"Okay. Watch him for two seconds, Sam, while I get a salt water solution and some towels ready and then we'll begin."
Roger paused in the doorway to make sure he wasn't interrupting the discussion between John and Bobby who both snapped their focus towards him once he was within their sights. He pretended not to have noticed the stray tear running down the distraught father's face.
"Just need some salt water. I'll be out of your way in seconds."
John wanted answers first.
"Hey, doc? Is it supposed to be takin' him this long to wake up?"
"Every person's different, John. He needs time to heal, and when he can bear the pain his body must be in right now, he'll come out of it, I promise. But on his own terms. He's gotta make the next move. Ball's in his court now."
"I never had the chance to teach my kids sports," John lamented quietly.
TBC
More angst to come of course, and as requested, more of the Winchester boys! Please review!