Warnings and disclaimers see chapter 1

Chapter 25 Confusion

Dean lay compliant on his right side while Bobby and Sam checked him thoroughly. He had scrapes and bruises at his hip, knee and shoulder as well as the graze on his face and forearm. Sam knew any other child with these injuries would be screaming blue murder but Dean held the pain in making Sam frown at the way Dean was bought up. The older hunters had the wounds cleaned and bandaged quickly then applied ice packs to the bruised areas. Bobby went and finished putting dinner together giving Sam time alone with his brother. Sam sat Dean on his lap while the ice worked and wasn't surprised the boy held a fist of his T shirt as he sat quietly in obvious pain but already having the ability and training not to let it out. It made him happier that he and Dean were now married and very much in love and there for each other. If anyone deserved love and attention when they grew up it was Dean.

When Sam put Dean down on the couch to remove the ice packs Dean moaned very softly.
"It's okay Dean." Sam soothed.
Dean's glassy eyes moved over Sam's face. "Sorry Daddy. I'm okay. Ready to hunt sir."
Dean made movements to get up but Sam was able to push Dean down to the couch easily.
"Just rest Dean. It's okay."
Dean closed his eyes and Sam looked up to find Bobby's worried eyes on him. Once Sam was sure Dean was asleep he locked the front door and moved to the kitchen table where Bobby had laid out their dinner.

Bobby had moved the table so they could see Dean from where they sat.
"I never really understood the way Dean grew up. I mean I learned bits and pieces from Dean and dad but seeing Dean wanting to tell dad he could still hunt really brings it home."
"Yeah he's had a hard life alright. Now I can see you blaming yourself for Dean getting hurt. Just like when he had that sleeping hex on him he was looking for you so the best we can do is not wring our hands on the if, what's and maybes. Let's help him recover and move on. We can make sure to keep the door locked and stay with him until he is not so delirious."
Sam was grateful for Bobby's words even though he still felt guilty for letting Dean get hurt. He could see the sensibility of letting it go and moving on however.
"Thanks Bobby."

They finished dinner and cleaned up. Bobby had to go out for parts so Sam sat on the couch and watched a movie with Dean's head on his lap. Dean slept through the movie and Sam taking him up to bed. Sam had to wake him for his night-time meds and he went straight back to sleep as soon as the medicine was down. Sam slipped into bed wrapping Dean up with one arm noting his temperature was less than it had been.

In the morning Sam was happy to find Dean's temperature was still down and he had slept well. He actually had to wake his younger brother up again for his morning meds and a shower. Dean was moving a little stiffly but trying not to show Sam how much he was hurting. He didn't have a problem going back to bed when Sam indicated. He was pretty embarrassed for getting hurt the way he did and letting Sam down. He felt like he had been hit by a train but the shower made him feel a little better.

Sam made sure Dean had his medicine during the day and stayed with him even though Dean let him know he was okay. Sam knew the medicine was starting to work as he didn't throw up all day and his temperature was almost back to normal. Still he was a little concerned that Dean didn't kick up a fuss about being in bed all day. By dinner time Sam was happier with Dean's food intake. What worried Sam the most was how little Dean was communicating with them. He did exactly what Sam told him to do every time without fuss at all. He didn't look either Sam or Bobby in the eyes at all. When they talked to him he kept his eyes down and nodded or shock his night when Sam went to bed he put his arm around Dean as was their norm and the young boy clung to Sam's arm harder than he had since he had been turned to a ten year old.

The next morning Sam woke to find Dean had been up and had a shower before going downstairs and making breakfast. He had bought Sam's up on a tray not spilling a drop of Sam's coffee. Sam sat up in bed to except the tray watching Dean carefully.
"Thanks Dean."
Dean went to escape but Sam called him back.
"You okay buddy?"
Dean shrugged without looking at him.
"Dean, what's up?"
Sam snagged Dean's arm and pulled him gently to him.
"Please tell me what's going on."
Dean looked up at Sam through his long lashes. "I'm sorry Sammy."
"For what?"
"Running out on the road."
"You remember it?"
"Kind of. It's a little blurry. I know I did the wrong thing though so sorry. It wont happen again."

Sam hugged Dean and ruffled his hair.
"Don't worry about it Dean. As long as you are okay it's all that matters right?"
"Yeah."
"Cool. You feeling better?"
"Much."
"We good?"
"Yeah thanks Sammy."
"One thing you will learn when you are older Dean is not to dwell on stuff you can't change. All it does is give you an ulcer."
Dean looked Sam in the eye with a small frown."You sound like you have been over this a few times."
"Learned the hard way more like it."
"Is there anything you would change from your past if you could?"

Sam knew what Dean was getting at straight away. "Probably but it doesn't matter. I made mistakes I deal with them and if I'm smart I learn not to do it again. "
"This is a chance to stop some Sammy."
"I'm not that comfortable with you knowing too much about the past just in case you remember when you turn back."
"Don't you wish you could though?"
"I appreciate the offer Dean but you know how stubborn dad is?"
"Yeah."
"Well when I turn sixteen I make him look like a sweet old grandma so even if you tried to tell me I probably wouldn't listen."
"Damn." Dean muttered.
It sounded strange coming from such a young mouth and Sam smiled and ruffled his hair again.
Sam sipped some coffee.
"Well you can stay up today if you like. You're still on medication so don't overexert yourself. Rest until the course is finished."
"Okay."

Dean felt he had gotten off lightly after causing Sam and Bobby to worry about him but he was happy they were over it and moving on. Sam ate his breakfast and got up to shower and dress. Dean was more active during the day and Sam had to use everything he had in his inspiration bucket for things to do. Bobby came to Sam's rescue with a bucket of pens and pencils he claimed were Dean's anyway. Dean settled at the kitchen table dressed in warm sweats and a stack of drawing paper. He amazed Sam with a great drawing of the Impala then one of Bobby's favourite Chevelle. Bobby hadn't been surprised at the talent when Dean handed him the picture which he stuck on the fridge.

TBC