So this is a very short chapter for me...It's intentional as it's another link up.
Ooooh I think some of you may have been a little baffled by the science in the last chapter. Sorry but there's more here.
I think you liked the fact that Dean's the Hulk but that wasn't the twist...just part of it.
Noooooooooo...you think I'm that predictable? LOL This is me. The best is yet to come and I think it's safe to say that you will be jumping up and down with glee or anger when you read the following paragraph. Awwww bless you and your love for Baby.
As always, I did my research and took some massive liberties. I hope you like!
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After they had all left, Bobby had stayed to talk to his old friend saying he had to play catch up.
"I really appreciate everythin' you've done Stu."
"Us vets have to stick together but believe me, it's worth it for results like that, my article is going to rock the world of medicine."
"And you can keep Dean's name out of it?"
"Sure, don't worry, the results speak for themselves. I'll be dining out on this for months."
Bobby laughed. "I have something I want to ask you, off the record. I didn't want to say anything in front of the boys."
"Sounds ominous. Go ahead."
"It's a hypothetical question. I mean, I know it's not really possible, but if Dean were to get a bad injury, I just wondered how far his healin' powers would go?"
The doctor looked at him suspiciously. "What kind of injury?"
"An incomplete injury of the spinal column. Just for instance."
"Right. You want to know if Dean can help his brother? It's possible but it won't happen any time soon."
"Why?"
"Dean's natural ability to heal in itself would'nt help Sam. Cell regeneration on its own can't cure severed nerves. You would need to harvest his stem cells first and add in some chemicals, it's a massive undertaking .The main problem is that stem cell research is years off helping people with Sam's kind of injury. There's all the pro-lifers and politicians wrangling over ethics. It could be years before any human testing could be done. There are some treatments out there but I doubt they apply in this case."
"But in theory it could work?"
"Animal testing has been done with some success and that's with regular stem cells. So I guess Dean's would have a better shot. Adult stem cells wouldn't cut it for something like this though, spinal injuries are about as permanent as anything gets. Cells have to be fresh, undamaged and pure. Genetically engineered basically."
"What do you mean?"
"The best shot is and always will be using embyonic stem cells, from the umbilical cord of a newborn."
"Huh?"
"Medically speaking, if you wanted to use Dean to help Sam then he would have to father a child first. A child inheriting his fathers natural abilities is Sam's best shot of walking again."
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"So how do you feel Wolverine?" Sam was smiling at his brother as he sat on the edge of the bath inspecting his cuticles.
Dean smirked. "Maybe you were a little psychic even then. You were pretty spot on." He held up his hands. "No retractable claws though."
"Yeah, shame. God this is huge Dean, finding out something like this."
"I don't feel any different." He raised his eyebrows. "Ok, maybe a little more big-headed."
"Oh God, we've created a monster!"
"Nah, it's cool I guess but I didn't need to know why I was different. I'm just grateful that I can do what I do."
"So you've thought about it before?"
"Not really but I remember when you were lying in that cellar and I had this moment of doubt. Like 'shit, we're screwed' and then I just remembered that I could do what it took. I don't know how."
Sam stopped washing for a second. "I never thanked you for that."
Dean took the cloth from him and pulling Sam forward, began to wash his back. "That's cos you don't have to."
"No man, I do. You've always been there for me. I guess I just take it for granted and I shouldn't."
Dean didn't feel comfortable with the praise. "I'm your big brother, of course I'm gonna look out for you."
"You're more than that. You practically raised me. I just want you to know I appreciate it."
Dean grabbed his shoulders and pushed his brother under the water with a splash and an evil laugh. Sam got back up with a splutter and wiped a hand down his face.
"What the hell was that for?"
Dean was still laughing as he grabbed the shampoo. "To shut you up Shirley Temple. C'mon wash your hair or shave it off. You're turning into a prune. Gimme a shout when you're done." Dean stood up and went back to the bedroom.
Dean leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. Opening himself up to his emotions may be helping his brother but it was doing nothing for him. He'd started to remember things that he thought were locked away for good and it was tearing him up.
Now, he'd found out he was practically unbreakable and still hadn't been able to stop Sam getting hurt, twice. The injustice of it had been gnawing at him since they had left the Doctor's surgery. If anything he felt worse finding out that he could have taken that fall instead of his brother and come out of it with just bruises. Fate was cruel, either that or someone upstairs had a twisted sense of humor.
"OK." Sam called.
Dean sniffed and wiped at his eyes with his palm. "Be right there."
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"But how would that even work?" Bobby asked.
"Well, assuming you found a willing partner for Dean, a foetus would have to be created. That means that both brothers and the woman would have to go through genetic counselling. Normally such babies are created to help a sibling of their own rather than another blood relative."
"You mean, make a donor? I can see why the right wingers are gettin' nervous. Hardly romantic."
"No, that's true but unlike embryonic harvesting it doesn't harm the child at all. Once the baby is born then the cells are removed from the umbilical cord and frozen for implantation."
"But the hard part is creatin' the baby right?"
"Actually I would think in Dean's case that it may be easy to isolate the gene that made him what he is. All things considered, I doubt he's firing blanks. The recipient..."
"Ya mean the mom?"
"Sure, she would have to be tested for any genetic abnormalities and then of course go through with the Invitro Fertilization."
"In English Stu."
"Once you've taken a viable egg from her and created the embryo using Dean's sperm then it would be reimplanted and you just have to wait and see if it takes."
"Hardly a quick fix then is it?"
"If it works first time then you have the nine month wait and Sam would then have the transplant. If it works then it's not like he would be able to just get up and start tap dancing. His muscles would have gotten weaker and he would have to learn how to walk all over again."
Bobby exhaled. "What do you think?"
"I think you'd be crazy to try it, then again I remember that weekend with the hookers in Hanoi...crazy's your middle name Singer."
"Where would we even go?"
"The leading guys are at Johns Hopkins. I reckon they'd help following the article. This would be massive if you could pull it off. Only problem is they'll want a big fanfare. If they can prove the potential of something like this then it would push congress into donating more money for research."
"And Dean would be exposed."
"This isn't the most ethical thing in the world. I shouldn't be even talking to you like this. It's a long shot. Plus..."
"What?"
"Dean's a single guy right? I mean, where would you even find a woman who would be willing to go through with something as ridiculous as this?"
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"So, tell me something about yourself...Elke."
"Well, I am seventeen, tall, blonde and I have how you say? Big boobies." Bonnie said in her breathy Swedish accent.
"Cooool. So what d'ya do Elke?"
"Now I am in school, I don't like it. I have to wear uniform."
"Like Britney?"
"Yes, like that but with a shorter skirt. The nun's are mean to me."
"Aww that's too bad."
"They bend me over desk and whip me for being naughty."
Dean exhaled heavily. "How are you naughty?" He managed.
"With the boys...they make me do bad things. I like it though...they bring me sweets and I give them something in return."
"Uh-huh?"
"In Sveden we have a saying...no point in having a lollipop if no one sucks it."
Dean laughed out loud and almost lost his stride. "Keep it up Elke, I know one lollipop that's appreciating your efforts."
"Are you a bad boy? I bet you are. The nuns warned me to stay away from bad, sexy boys."
"They have a point. Tell me, you do any horse riding at that school?"
"I only ride the stallions. I go bareback and let them buck under me. Again and again and again..."
"Yee ha!" Dean exclaimed, hearing the sound of the TV in the next room go up.
Bonnie laughed as she heard him exhale heavily.
She waited a moment for him to calm down."You like Elke huh?" She said in her regular accent.
"Woman, you're a genius. You outdid yourself."
"Why thank you."
"Seriously, you're so cool."
"Coming from you that's pretty huge.
Dean sighed. "I dunno what I'd do without this. Really."
She paused. "You ok Winchester?"
"Yeah. Ya know that government agency I was telling you about?"
"Yeah, with the tests."
"It was real, only it wasn't the government, just Bobby."
She paused "And what did they find? You're ok right?" she asked slowly.
"Yeah, better than ok. It's hard to explain."
"Try Dean."
"Ya know when you get really good news and you should be stoked, but at the same time you wish you didn't know?"
"Dean, this has to stop. I mean it. There's nothing you could have done to stop what happened to Sam."
"You don't know that."
"Yes, I do. And so does everyone else who cares about you. The only thing you can do for him is what you're doing now. Just stop blaming yourself."
He could tell her about the Trickster's deal but what would that achieve? She'd just wind up feeling like crap too and all she was trying to do was cheer him up. "I know."
"Maybe you should talk to him about how you feel?"
"I can't do that."
"Why? He's not a kid. Sure, he looks up to you Dean but it might make him feel better to know you're human like everyone else."
"I dunno. You don't know about these test results. I think it's got everyone on edge."
"You wanna tell me?"
Dean sat back and thought about it for a minute. He'd never talked to a woman this honestly, he didn't know why but before he could stop himself he was telling Bonnie everything.
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Bobby had intended to get a cab back to the hotel but found that he felt like walking.
He felt out of place in big cities and hated it but somehow today he found it reassuring. He'd been so confident in Dean's test results, he had known as soon as he heard Ling's words that Dean was the answer. He'd thought he'd found a way to finally help Sam but he'd hit another brick wall instead.
Bobby knew it was a crazy idea and a long shot at best but if it meant Sam not having to suffer would it be worth it? He knew that he had two choices; he could keep his trap shut or he could be honest with them and let them decide.
For the first time Bobby understood John and the troubles and responsibilities that he had faced raising his two boys. Bobby wanted Sam to get better but he also knew Dean would do what it took to help his brother. Entering into Fatherhood was not something to take lightly and he just didn't know if Dean was ready.
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So what d'ya think girls? Is Dean ready? Or do you prefer Sam to stay as he is? Answers on a postcard please!
So if someone told you you had to get impregnated by one Winchester to save the other...would you be up for it?! LOL My hand just shot up to volunteer!!
Anyway, as always, feedback is appreciated, but if you hate the idea I gotta say, we're running out of options at this point!