A/N: Thanks again guys for all the support for this story – I'm glad everyone is enjoying it. I really appreciate those of you who have taken the time to review. I'll try to post some more in the next few days or so – depending on how busy they are.

Chapter 21

Jenni sighed as she scanned the contents of her refrigerator, pulling open the lids to many of the containers that resided there. She wrinkled her nose up at another item that should have been tossed out a long time ago and tossed it into the garbage can next to the wall. She wound a stray lock of blonde hair around her ear and let out a heavy breath before she grabbed a package of hamburger that needed to be divided and wrapped so it could be placed in the freezer, she would have some of it tonight as well. She wasn't in the mood for leftover spaghetti.

She opened up her pantry door and extracted a can of mushroom soup and her jar of instant rice as well before she headed over to the stove. She found a couple of pans well equipped for the task ahead and turned on the burners, dumping a quarter of the hamburger package into one pan and filling the other half full with hot water. She washed her hands and got to work, separating the hamburger into small pieces so it could cook properly. It soon began to sizzle and pop…bits of hamburger flying out of the pan to land on the stove's surface. Without missing a beat Jenni turned the heat down and checked the water in the other pan.

It was boiling and ready for the rice she dumped in a half cup and returned to the meat, pushing it around the large pan, turning the pieces frequently to prevent them from burning. The meat continued to sizzle and pop, but it stayed in the pan.

She checked the boiling rice again, stirring it to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and reached for her can opener. She was an expert at working the hand held device, something that most people seemed to struggle with when they tried to help her out in the kitchen. Jenni supposed it was because they were used to the automatic can openers and her hand held one was in desperate need of a replacement, but it had been a gift from her grandmother and she didn't have the heart to throw it out.

The silver top of the can was soon cut free, Jenni had to work carefully so as not to slice her fingers open on the jagged edges. She tossed the lid into her trashcan and returned to the meat, satisfied when she saw it a nice rich brown color. She set the heat on low and poured the mushroom soup on top of the cooked meat. She mixed the two ingredients together well before she removed it from the stove entirely to prevent it from burning. She turned her attention back to the rice and was about to test one of the grains when her purse started to vibrate.

Jenni put down the spoon, wiped her hands on her pants and hurried to the table where she had dropped her purse. A quick search through its contents and she found the desired object that was being so annoying. She glanced at the caller ID before she flipped the phone open and held it to her ear. "Dean? Something wrong?"

She chewed on her lip as Dean explained the situation. She ran a hand through her blonde hair and returned to the stove, checking the rice. She flicked the burner off and removed the pan from the heat. "You guys hungry now? I just made dinner."

She pulled some large bowls from a cabinet and poured the meat mixture and rice into them. She covered them as best she could and glanced at the clock over her stove. "No problem, Dean. I'll be there in a few." She clicked the phone shut and shoved it into her pocket. She quickly grabbed the two bowls off the counter, retrieved her keys, shouldered her purse and left without bothering to turn off the lights.

***
It didn't take long for Jenni to get to the old bungalow, laden with her burdens. The two bowls full of the dinner that she had prepared earlier as well as three grocery bags full of food that she had picked up along the way. She used her shoulder to push open the car door, almost falling as she stumbled on the uneven gravel driveway.

Dean had the door open for her before she had even climbed the three stairs to the porch, undoubtedly hearing her mustang's engine as she had pulled up. He offered her a tired smile as she approached and held out a hand to help lighten her burden. She gratefully gave him the two hot bowls full of the hamburger stroganoff and the rice. He led the way into the kitchen, Jenni kicking the door shut behind her, and together they placed their items onto the table.

"Jenni, thanks for coming. I just couldn't leave him."

"It's not a problem, Dean." Jenni assured as she pulled out a few cans of soup and a few six packs of soda. "How's his stomach? Still nauseous?"

"He hasn't said anything."

Jenni chewed on her lip for a moment before pointing to one of the soup cans Dean was now examining. "I think we should go easy on his stomach tonight anyway, just to be safe. The stroganoff might be a bit harsh for his system. Any sign of fever? Have you gotten any fluids into him?" Jenni took the can away from Dean and headed to the small stove, looking for a pan that she could cook in.

Dean helped out by locating the pan for her and handing it over. "A small one and no. He won't take anything."

"There is some sprite and ginger ale over there…whatever you think he'll take but he needs to get something."

Dean retrieved a cup from the cupboard and the ice tray from the freezer. He returned to the table and grabbed one of the six packs, not really caring which one he selected. It would be a war zone to try and get either into Sam anyway. He poured the bubbly substance into the cup and dropped a couple of ice cubes into it.

"Dean?"

"Hmm?"

Jenni turned from the hot stove and the barely simmering soup she had on it. "Did you say his tear ducts were healing?"

Dean nodded once as he replaced the ice tray and picked up the glass from the table.

"There were no traces of blood in the tears were there?"

Dean's eyebrows rose but he shook his head. "No, they seemed normal."

Jenni turned back to the stove to stir at the soup. "You'll need to keep an eye on him for the next couple days, make sure there isn't any swelling, or grainy build up in the corners of his eyes. Make sure that he is well medicated…especially now. It's a good thing that he's healing so quickly, but we don't want to press our good luck."

"You think something could go wrong?"

"The chance of infection is still there and if he is managing to cry he is going to be washing out the medication he is on." Jenni tapped the wooden spoon against the edge of the pot and placed it onto the countertop. She turned back to see the worried expression on Dean's face.

"Dean, as long as we keep an eye on it and he still gets his usual medication there shouldn't be any complications."

Dean seemed to accept this because he picked up the glass full of the bubbling liquid and left the kitchen. Jenni jumped when the stove behind her sizzled as the soup boiled over the top. "Shit."

***
Sam was lying down with his back to the door when Dean entered. Dean paused, unsure of whether Sam was asleep or not. But that was answered a moment later when Sam turned, having detected Dean's soft footfalls.

"Dean?"

"Hey, Sam." Dean entered the room, flipping on the light switch automatically. He blinked against the bright light and headed toward his brother's bed, sitting on the edge of it as Sam moved sluggishly toward a sitting position. "How's the stomach?"

Sam frowned as he assessed himself, rubbing one hand gingerly across his stomach while leaning against the headboard. "Kinda queasy, not too bad."

"Well here…you need to drink this." Dean pressed the cup into Sam's free hand.

Sam shook his head. "Don't want it."

"Tough, you need it. So drink."

Sam closed his eyes and shook his head again, wishing instantly that he hadn't. It made him feel light headed. He lifted a hand to cover his eyes when found it stopped by Dean's rough hand. He raised an eyebrow as his blank eyes stared right past his brother. "Dean?"

"Don't touch your eyes, Sam."

Sam pursed his lips in annoyance but couldn't question further because he soon found a cold glass in the hand that Dean had snatched before he could touch his face.

"Drink this."

"Dean…"

"Sam, just do it."

Sam did as he was told. He choked, coughing and spitting as the bubbly liquid made its way down his esophagus. "Dean…what is this?"

"It's sprite, Sam. It will help settle your stomach."

Sam made a face and tried to hand the cup back to his brother but Dean was having none of it.

"If you don't drink it Sam, so help me God, I'll freakin' pour it down your throat."

Sam debated for a minute, wondering if Dean was actually serious. After a moment though he seemed to come to the conclusion that the threat was a real one and took another hesitant sip. He shivered as the cool liquid hit his stomach like a punch; his stomach rumbled its disapproval. He shifted slightly on the bed.

"Do I have to drink all of it?"

"Half."

"Come on, Dean." Sam couldn't stop the whine in his voice.

"Half."

Sam slumped against the pillows, sulking like a two year old. Dean watched torn between amused and annoyed. Sam's finger traced its way along the top of the cup but he didn't make another attempt to drink it. Dean let this carry on for a minute or two before he grabbed the cup from Sam's hand.

"What are you doing?"

"Pouring it down your throat…gave you the choice."

"Wait…I'll drink it." Sam relented holding up a hand while his blank eyes rolled in their sockets. Dean suppressed a smile and handed the cup back to Sam, who downed half of it in a few quick swallows.

"Better?" Dean accepted the quarter full glass and set it on the bedside table.

Sam swallowed hard and rubbed his stomach once again. "I'll let you know in a minute."

Dean seemed to accept that and glanced up as Jenni entered the room carrying a small tray with a steaming bowl on it. She paused as both heads were turned in her direction, Dean's green eyes showing some sort of relief for the backup while Sam's blank hazel eyes widened briefly and then narrowed in suspicion.

"Dean?"

Dean nodded toward Jenni, giving her the ok to proceed further into the room. She walked hesitantly as Sam's head turned back toward Dean, his eyebrows raised in inquiry.

"Jenni came to help us out, wanted to check up on you."

"Jenni? From the hospital?"

"Yeah, Jenni from the hospital."

Jenni set the tray down onto the bedside table and examined Sam from where she stood at the moment. "Heard that you're doing a little better, Sam."

Sam shrugged. "Doesn't seem like it."

Jenni ignored the harsh tone in his voice, knowing that this was difficult for Sam. "Mind if I have a look?"

Sam shook his head but frowned as he felt his brother's weight lift the bed to be replaced by Jenni's. She was a lot lighter than Dean, the bed shifted slightly under her weight but it didn't sag as much as it did when Dean had sat down. Sam clenched his hands into fists as he felt her cold hands gently touch the wounds on his forehead. He instinctually closed his eyes and shuddered.

"Just relax, Sam." Jenni said softly. "Dean, can you get me some more light?"

Sam heard a click to his right and was sure Dean had turned on one of the bedside lamps.

"That's good just turn the shade…yeah, perfect." Jenni returned her attention once again to Sam. She seemed satisfied with the way the scratches were healing. "Sam, I'm going to open your eyes so I can look at them ok?"

Sam took in a steadying breath and nodded once. He tried not to flinch away as Jenni's fingers gently pried open his lids, and gently probed the flesh underneath them.

"There doesn't seem to be any swelling…or bleeding into the eyes."

Sam heard Dean shifting next to the bed, and a moment later felt a light hand on his shoulder, he leaned into it, grateful for the support.

"Jenni, is there anything specific I should watch for?"

"Redness would be the main thing to watch for. Right now his eyes seem pretty clear, there isn't any excess leakage or anything else right now that should be a concern. Has there been a lot of pain, Sam? Any burning?"

"Sometimes."

"Now?"

Sam flinched as she moved to the other eye. "Ah, not so much."

Jenni looked back up at Dean. He had his jaw clenched tightly as he watched Jenni examine his brother. "He'll need to be medicated more frequently now that his eyes are starting to heal, especially since you said his tear ducts are healing."

Dean nodded.

"Sam, does this eye hurt right now?" Jenni asked studying Sam's left eye closely.

"It burns a little."

Jenni frowned and looked to Dean. "Go get me a clean towel and a bowl of hot water."

Dean's eyes widened a little but he did as he was told after giving Sam's shoulder one final squeeze.

Jenni waited until Dean had left the room before turning back to Sam again. "Sam, really how does this eye feel?"

"It burns."

"How bad?"

"Worse than the other."

"That's what I thought. It's all pink on one side, when's the last time you were medicated."

"A couple hours ago, I think."

Dean chose that moment to rejoin them, clean towel and bowl in hand. He handed the ordered things to Jenni and resumed his stance next to Sam; hand on his baby brother's shoulder.

"Sam, I need you to lie down. Can you do that or do you want Dean to help you?"

Sam shook his head. "I can do it."

Jenni and Dean got out of the way as Sam struggled. It took a minute or two but Sam was finally on his back, head propped up on a few pillows, since Dean had snatched one from his bed as well. Jenni resumed her position and took the towel, dunking it in the bowl of hot water before gently dabbing at Sam's eye. Sam tried to squeeze his eye shut against the rough material but Jenni used her free hand to keep it open.

"I'm sorry, Sam. I know this is uncomfortable but I need to see…" Jenni once again began cleaning Sam's eye. Sam's eyes began to water, and a few tears began to leak free and run down his face. Jenni placed the towel next to the bowl. "Dean, where's his medication?"

Dean retrieved the bottles and watched as Jenni quickly administered Sam's medication into both eyes.

"Do you have any gauze pads left? They are going to be really sensitive for the next twenty four hours and it would be best if they were covered to prevent any further damage."

"Yeah, I think so." Dean left the room to go retrieve the items.

"Sam." Jenni said quietly as she heard the soft groan coming from her patient. "I know you don't like the pads but they'll help. And this is really important, when your eyes start to burn again get your brother to medicate you immediately…from the looks of it there could be an infection trying to start so I'd like to nip it in the bud while we are still on top."

Sam's eyes were closed and a few more tears squeezed out from under his lids. "Ok."

Dean returned with the gauze pads and helped Sam to sit up while Jenni placed the gauze pads over Sam's eyes before wrapping a gauze strip all the way around his head. "Dean, be on the look out for redness of the sclera."

"The what?"

"Sorry, the sclera is the white around the iris or the colored part of Sam's eye. If there is any redness in the sclera it could mean an irritation, which would be a lot better than an infection. Keep an eye out for discharge as well…especially if the tears run bloody. If that happens call me immediately or run him into the hospital."

"Ok." Dean cast an uneasy glance at his brother, feeling his stomach clench uncomfortably.

"Ok, Sam…I brought you some soup…I know you're probably not that hungry, but you need to eat." Jenni waited until Dean had helped Sam lean back against the headboard again before placing the tray on Sam's lap.

Sam was rigid, his head felt heavy and his body ached with fatigue. He knew he wouldn't be able to feed himself but was far too embarrassed to ask Dean for help in front of the nurse. Jenni and Dean seemed to catch on anyway though.

"Dean, I'll go fix you a plate and warm it up…you have a microwave right?"

"Yeah there is."

"Coffee ok?"

"Sounds great, thanks."

Jenni gave Dean a soft smile and left.

"So…" Dean trailed off as he lifted the spoon from the watery soup. He wrinkled his nose and looked at his brother. "You hungry?"