CHAPTER FORTY FOUR

This chapters for Pixie9696 who wanted Dean to have a cold from when he fell in the bath. And also for Bia1007 who wanted Sam to be affected by what happened to Dean.

Dean has a cold, it's Dr Sammy, Bobby & Zeppelin's turn to take care of him.

"How are you feeling, kiddo?" asked Sam, carrying his brother into the house three days later.

Dean sniffled, and put his head on Sam's shoulder. "Sick, Sammy," he whispered miserably.

"Shh. I know. We'll get you better in a couple of days, I promise." Sam carried Dean to the couch, and laid him against the mountain of pillows Bobby had made earlier. He smiled, and covered Dean up with two blankets.

"Fank you, Sammy," whispered Dean, pulling the cover up as he sneezed. "I atchoo'd."

Sam reached over, and stroked Dean's face. "It's alright. Dr Sammy will take care of you."

"You's Dr Sammy?"

"Yeah. Dr Dean was around twice to take care of me, so it's Dr Sammy's turn," he said, tweaking then kissing Dean's nose. "It's Dr Sammy to the rescue this time."

Bobby came into the house with Dean's bag. "How's the little man?"

Dean pouted out his bottom lip. "Wittle man sick, unca Bee-bee," he whispered, laying his head back, and pulling the covers up to keep warm.

Bobby smiled, and knelt in-front of the couch next to Sam. "Do ya need anything?"

"Yeah," Dean nodded, looking miserable.

"What do ya need?"

"I's need hug," Dean told him, holding out his arms.

"Ya need a hug? Aw. Come here, little man." He leaned over, and gently wrapped his arms around the sick little boy.

Dean closed his eyes, and hugged his uncle. "ATCHHOOO! Oops," he whispered, wiping his nose on his shirt.

"Hey. Do ya mind?" asked Bobby, pulling away. He looked down, and saw snot all over one of his favourite shirts. He mock-glared at Dean, who had laid back down with the covers pulled up to his chin, smiling shyly at him, looking all adorable. "It's alright, little man. I'll go change, then I'll come down and get ya some juice."

"F-Fank you, unca Bee-bee." Dean frowned and sniffled. "I's not wike be sick."

Sam smiled sadly, and gently picked Dean up again. "I know, kiddo. Let's keep you warm," he said, sitting on the couch, and covering his brother back up. Since Dean woke up in the hospital, Sam had hardly let him go, he kept getting paranoid something would happened to him if he let him out of his sight.

Dean sighed, and snuggled closer to Sam. "I's need hug again, Sammy."

"Again? Well, it's a good thing I love you, isn't it? You'll get loads and loads of big hugs," he said, before gently giving his brother a hug.

Bobby came back down, and smiled when he saw the brothers hugging each other. "Do ya need anything else? How about some soup huh?"

"Erm... Yes pwease, unca Bee-bee. Zeppin come? Miss him."

"Just for a minute. I don't want him to hurt ya." Bobby opened the kitchen door, and Zeppelin came running in, his tongue lolling out and his tail wagging in excitement.

"Whoa," gasped Sam, holding Dean protectively. "Calm down, Zeppelin. Dean's still hurt, and he's sick. Be really careful, okay?"

Zeppelin jumped up, so his paws were on the couch. He sniffed at the white covering on Dean's head, and whined softly.

"It 'kay, Zeppin. I's have kiss?"

Zeppelin reached over, and licked Dean's cheek and nuzzled against him lovingly. Afterwards, he lowered his head on his paws, watching Dean.

Sam took pity on the poor dog, and patted the couch beside him. "Up here boy. But remember, don't be too rough with him, or you'll go back in the kitchen."

Zeppelin jumped up to lay beside Sam, being careful not to hurt his sick best friend, and started staring at Dean. When he heard a noise behind him, he turned and started growling savagely.

"It's okay, Zeppelin. It's just Bobby, he won't hurt him." Sam reached over, and stroked the dogs head to calm him down. "Nobody's going to hurt Dean. Shh, calm down."

Zeppelin relaxed, and turned back to his best friend. Dean reached out to him, so Zeppelin shifted closer, and licked the out-stretched hand.

"Woves you Zeppin," he told him, before taking the cup from Bobby. "Fank you."

"Yer welcome, little man." Bobby handed Sam the bowl of soup to feed to Dean, and took the Batman cup when it was empty.

"Are you ready for some soup?" asked Sam, dipping Dean's spoon into the bowl. He blew on it to make sure it wasn't too hot, and started flying the spoon around. "NEEEEOOOOW! Open up, kiddo."

Dean opened his mouth, and the spoon flew into it. "Mmmm. Dis nice," he said, before leaning forward for the next spoonful.

Sam fed Dean the soup until he had enough. He only ate half of it, then he shook his head. "I not want no more, Sammy."

Bobby stood up, and took the bowl. "Zeppelin, will ya stop staring at me? I'm not going to hurt Dean. Ya know I'll never hurt him." He winked at Dean, then took the bowl back into the kitchen.

"Stop be feek Zeppin."

Sam put his hand on Dean's cheek, and frowned. "BOBBY!" he called, making Dean jump. "BRING THE FIRST AID KIT WITH YOU! DEAN FEELS A LITTLE WARM!"

"Why shout, Sammy? You's hurted my ears," Dean pouted, and rubbed the side of his head. "Dey wun away if you make dem hurt."

"Sorry kiddo," he whispered, kissing Dean's temple.

Bobby came in with the requested item. "Sam, yer not being dramatic, are ya? Is he really hot or just a little warm?" He knelt in-front of the couch, and put his hand on Dean's forehead, and rolled his eyes. "Sam, he's only a bit warm. Yer going to have to try and calm down."

"NO!" Sam glared at Bobby. "I nearly lost him, Bobby. So excuse me for being worried about my brother." He put the kit beside him unopened, and pulled Dean closer.

Dean yawned suddenly. "Oh no. I seepy, Sammy."

"It's alright, kiddo. Try and get some rest. I'll be right here, okay? I'm not going anywhere," he promised.

Dean nodded, and closed his eyes. "Fank you's wook after me, Sammy," he whispered, snuggling closer to Sam. The tiny Winchester put his thumb in his mouth and fell asleep.

Zeppelin whined, and nudged Dean with his nose. He looked up at Sam with his big puppy dog eyes and whined again.

Sam smiled, and stroked the dog with his free hand. "It's okay, Zeppelin. He's just asleep," he told him, before turning to Bobby. "See? He's being dramatic too. We're just worried about him, okay?" He laid his hand on Dean's chest, to feel his heart beating.

"I know, Sam. So am I, but ya can't keep thinking something will happen to him every five minutes."

"Don't tell me what to do," he pouted, stroking Dean's freckled cheek gently, and humming Metallica.

Bobby sighed, and stood. He knew he might as well talk to the Impala than tell Sam not to worry about Dean. He frowned when there was a knock at the door, so he went to answer it even though they weren't expecting anybody.

"Hey Dave. What are ya doing here? I thought ya were working today. I've told ya before to come straight in."

"Sorry. I took another day off. I knew Deanie was home today, and I wanted to come see him. How is he?" he asked, walking into the living room.

"He's asleep right now. But he's doing okay. Still sick, which he hates."

Dave sighed, and sat down on the edge of the couch. His eyebrows shot up when Zeppelin started growling at him. "Whoa. It's me Dave."

Sam tried to calm the dog down again. "It's alright. He's not going to hurt your Dean. It's his uncle Dave," he whispered, stroking him until he calmed down.

"I bought him a leather jacket for his Dean the knight teddy," he told them, holding up the tiny black jacket. "And I got him a poster of Beetlejuice, and a new car. Oh, and some ice cream for when he's better."

"Ya didn't have to get him anything." Bobby smiled, and looked at the new car, which looked like his Impala model, but blue. "That's nice."

"Glad you like it. So, how's Beetlejuice the Beetle then?"

Sam looked at Dave for a second, before looking back down at Dean. "He's okay. He's up on the fish tank with AC and DC. Dean loves him by the way. No more pets, I mean it this time."

"How many is that now then? He's got Zeppelin, AC and DC, Beetlejuice, John and Mary... oh I forgot Jerry. Seven pets, not bad for a four year old."

"Not bad? He'll be able to start his own zoo soon," said Bobby with a smile.

Sam couldn't help smiling as he watched Dean sleeping. The little boy was making cute snuffly noises as he breathed through his congested nose.

Dean frowned in his sleep, and started coughing. "Hey, take it easy kiddo," whispered Sam, rubbing Dean's chest gently.

Sam sighed in relief when the coughing stopped after a few seconds, and Dean remained asleep. "I'll be back in a sec," he said, standing up with his brother still cradled to his chest.

"Where are ya going?"

Sam looked down at Dean, who was snuggled up to him. "I need to go to the bathroom."

"Pass me the little man," said Bobby, holding his arms out.

"No. He's coming with me."

Bobby rolled his eyes, and stood up. "Sam, I'll look after him. What are ya going to do? Juggle him while yer on the toilet? I know yer worried about him, but yer going to have to let him out of yer sight sometime. He won't stop breathing if ya look away from him for a second," he said gently.

"You don't know that," he whispered, eyes filling with tears. "We were only away from him for a couple of minutes the other day, and he almost drowned. He nearly died, Bobby. He could've died."

"I know. I'll look after him, ya know I will. Just go to the bathroom, and pass him to me." Bobby held his arms out again. "Come on, Sam."

Sam bit his lip, and reluctantly handed his sleeping brother over to Bobby. He ran his fingers through Dean's hair, and ran out of the room. "I'll be a sec," he called over his shoulder.

Bobby sighed, and sat down in his chair with Dean in his arms.

Dave looked at Bobby in shock. "I've never seen Sam like that before."

"I know. I thought he was bad enough after that demon went after him, or when Dean got stung. But now..." Bobby shook his head. "Since he nearly drowned, Sam's hardly slept, left Dean's side or let him go. He thinks if he does, he'll lose Dean."

"I guess he hasn't eaten much either. He won't be much use to Dean if he passes out. I'll make him something to eat."

"There's some soup in a pan. It just needs heating up, ya know where the bread is."

Dave nodded, and walked into the kitchen to get Sam some food.

"How is he?" asked Sam, running back into the room. He knelt before Bobby's chair, and checked Dean over.

"He's alright. Go sit down, Dave's making ya some soup."

Sam blinked in surprise. "Why? I'm not the one who's sick. Pass him to me," he said, holding his arms out.

"No. Ya need to take care of yerself too, Sam."

"I need my brother, now give him to me."

"Ya can't take care of Dean if ya make yerself sick too. Now sit down."

Dave came in with a bowl of soup, and a few slices of bread. "Sit, or I'll make you."

"Fine." Sam glared at the two men, and took the soup and bread. After every mouthful, he kept shooting glances at his brother to make sure he was alright. He ate quickly, then put the empty bowl on the table.

"Now give me my brother," Sam said, taking Dean from Bobby's arms, and sitting back on the couch. "Hey kiddo. Love you."

Dean started coughing again. This time he woke up, and threw up all over the blanket. "S-Sammy," he whispered, crying.

"Shh. It's alright." Sam looked worriedly at Bobby. "Maybe we should take him back to the hospital," he said, taking the top blanket off, and wiping Dean's mouth, before throwing it on the floor.

"Sam, calm down. Ya know as well as I do, that when Dean's sick even with a cold, he has a hard time keeping things down."

Dean sniffled, and laid his head against Sam's chest. "I sick, Sammy. Need hug, make better."

"One hug coming right up," said Sam, gently hugging his sick brother again.

Zeppelin barked and wagged his tail excitedly at seeing his friend awake.

When Dean pulled away, he saw Dave on the other side of the couch. "Hiya," he said, before sneezing three times in a row, and looked miserably up at Sam.

"I know you feel like crap, but you'll be better in a couple of days. I promise. Dr Sammy will take care of you." Sam wiped Dean's nose, and got the thermometer out of the kit, and placed it in his mouth. "Keep it in."

When it beeped, Sam took it out and sighed. "It's up a bit. We'll have to keep an eye on him."

Dean wiped his nose on his sleeve. "Watch cartoons pwease?"

Dave and Bobby got to their feet at the same time, making Sam laugh. "You don't have to fight over it, you know."

Bobby glared, and went to turn the TV on. "What do ya want to watch, little man?" He flicked through the kids channels, and stopped when he found SpongeBob Squarepants. "What about this?"

"Yeah," he croaked, before clearing his throat, and wincing in pain. "I's have mik pwease?"

Dave got up. "I'll get you some juice. Do you need anything else, Deanie?"

"Um..." thought Dean, putting a finger against his lips. "Hug."

Dave laughed, and headed towards the kitchen. "I'll give you a hug in a minute." He came back a minute later with Dean's Batman cup. "And one special hug," he said, carefully wrapping one arm around Dean. "Do you want anything else?"

Dean took a sip of his juice, and shook his head. "No, fank you."

"Do you feel any better yet, kiddo?" Sam asked him, stroking his freckled cheek.

"I's hate be sick."

"Yeah, I know. Me too." Sam touched the white covering on Dean's forehead. "I'll change this for you." He got out what he needed from the kit, and took the covering off, and gently touched the injured area. "Sorry kiddo," he whispered when Dean winced. "The doctor said the stitches might be taken out in a few more days."

Dean winced again, and clung onto Sam's shirt. "Owie." His eyes went wide when Bobby came over with a bowl of water. "NO! NO! WATER NO!" he yelled in terror, his eyes were huge. "No water."

"Whoa. Calm down, kiddo. It's alright, it's alright," soothed Sam, holding Dean to his chest, and rubbing his back soothingly.

Zeppelin turned to Bobby, who was holding the thing that was scaring Dean, and started snarling at him. He didn't know what it was, he only knew it was the reason his best friend was making the sad/scared noises and he didn't like Dean sounding like that.

Bobby put the bowl on the table, and held Dean's free hand. "It's okay. I know yer scared, little man. But I promise we won't let it hurt ya." He reached over, and dipped some tissue in the water. "I'm just going to clean it, alright? Sam's right there with ya."

Dean took a deep breath, and nodded. "I's bwave," he whispered, closing his eyes.

"That's my boy," said Bobby with a smile, gently wiping the injured area. "There we go."

When he finished, Sam put a new covering over the stitched cut. "All better kiss," he said, gently kissing Dean's forehead.

Dave grabbed the bag, and knelt in-front of the couch. "I got you some presents," he told him, pulling out the tiny jacket.

"Wow. Dat Dean knight?"

"Yeah. Now he'll look all cool," said Dave, putting the new jacket on the teddy.

"Fank you, unca Davey."

"You're welcome. I got you a poster of Beetlejuice, which took me ages to find." Dave pulled the poster out to show Dean.

"Yay. Beetwejuice. I have Beetwe name Beetwejuice, you's gotted me him."

"And a new car," he said, pulling the blue Impala out.

"Wow. It bwoo Impa. Wook Sammy. It..." Dean's nose scrunched up, and he sneezed all over the new car. "Oh no."

Dave laughed, and took the car and cleaned it with some tissue. "Here you go," he said, getting some more tissue, and wiping Dean's red nose. "There you go, little snotty monster."

Dean giggled, and looked shyly at Dave. "I's gotted snotty nose I sick."

"I know. But when you're better, I've got some ice cream for you," he told him, before taking the ice cream into the kitchen.

"Sammy, wead stowy pwease?"

"Of course I can. What do you want me to read?"

"Erm... Hungy Catpiar."

"I'll get it, little man," said Bobby, before going upstairs. He came back a minute later with the book. "There ya go."

"Thanks." Sam got Dean comfortable against him, making sure he was still covered, and opened the book. "Right then... In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf. One Sunday morning, the warm sun came up and POP! Out of the egg came... What was it, kiddo?"

"Wittle hungy Catpiar," answered Dean with a sniffle.

"Yeah, that's right." Sam kissed Dean's cheek, and continued with the story. "He started to look for some food..."

Dave and Bobby watched the brothers with a smile as Sam read the book to his sick brother.

"..On friday, he ate through... How many oranges?"

"Um... Hunded?" asked Dean, looking up at his brother.

"No. I don't think he'd eat that many. One, two, three, four..."

"Um... five. It five ongies, Sammy?"

"Yeah. Well done. But he was still hungry. On Saturday..."

Bobby smiled at the little boy when he looked up at him.

"...He nibbled a hole in the cocoon, pushed his way out and..."

"He butfy," finished Dean, smiling. He frowned and his tiny face scrunched up when he suddenly started coughing.

Sam dropped the book, and gently rubbed Dean's back. "You're alright, kiddo."

The protective German shepherd started whining softly, and looked up at Sam as if telling him to make his best friend better.

When Dean finally finished coughing, his throat was sore, so Bobby went into the kitchen to get some chips of ice from the freezer. "Here, little man. See if this helps ya."

Sam took a couple, and put them in Dean's mouth to soothe his sore throat.

"It feezing," Dean whispered with a shiver.

Sam pulled the covers up more. "Are you warm enough now?" he asked, but before Dean could answer, Sam's face crumpled, and he suddenly burst into tears.

Dean's eyes went wide in surprise. "Sammy? What matter, Sammy?" he asked, reaching up a hand to touch Sam's cheek.

"I'm sorry," whispered Sam, leaning into the hand. "I'm so glad you're alright. I.. I nearly lost you."

"I's 'kay, Sammy. I ony cough coughed, I not getted wost, you's big feek." Dean held his two arms out. "You's have hug, Sammy. It make better."

Sam laughed, and gently hugged his brother. "God, I love you so much, kiddo."

"Woves you Sammy."

Sam ran his fingertips gently over the freckled nose, before laying a gentle kiss on it. "Why don't you try and get more sleep? I'll be right here when you wake up."

When Dean fell back to sleep several minutes later, Sam gently kissed the slightly parted lips. "Sweet dreams, kiddo."

Dean was miserable and sick for the next four days, but he had Dr Sammy to take care of him.

TBC

Hope you like.