Chapter 14

Bobby stepped into the hospital and headed for the elevators to go up to the third floor where John's room was located. He was supposed to be discharged today, if things were still looking good. He knew John and even if they weren't, he was going to bluff his way out of here. The Winchester men had a bad habit of not following doctor's orders when they wanted out of the hospital. He stepped off the elevator and walked down the hall to a corner room, knocking once before pushing the door open. The room was empty, but he heard movement in the bathroom and determined John was in there getting ready. Muffled cursing made him shake his head and knew no amount of coaxing was going to get him to stay another day.

"Good, you're here," John greeted him when he opened the bathroom door.

"Has the doc be around?" Bobby asked. He noted the pale look on John's face and the thin beads of sweat on his forehead. He moved stiffly and slowly as he made his way back to the bed and sat down.

"Should be here shortly, I'm ready to get out of here."

"You sure? Probably wouldn't hurt ya to stay one more day."

"Nothing doing, one way or the other I'm leaving here today. I've been laid up long enough. What other healing that needs to be done I can do elsewhere."

"Suit yerself, but you better listen to what the doc tells you or you'll find yerself right back in a hospital," Bobby cautioned him.

"Good morning Mr. Winchester, I see you're anxious to get out of here," the doctor greeted him as he strolled into the room.

"I am," John agreed sitting up and acting like there was nothing wrong.

"Well, this is going against my better judgement, but since you are so insistent on leaving, I'll have the nurse start the discharge paperwork and get you going. I am going to give you a prescription for pain meds in case you need them, and you should check in with your family doctor when you get home. You need to take it easy for at least a couple of weeks to let your body heal. You might experience some mild headaches after your head injury, but if they get worse or you have other issues, please go to the emergency room immediately. Your lacerations are healing nicely, but you still need to be careful lifting anything or doing anything strenuous until they're completely healed. Don't need you ripping them open. Now, do you have any questions for me?" the doctor asked after his instructions.

"No, I think I'm good. Thank you, Doc," John replied, shaking his hand.

"I'll get the nurse to get your discharge paperwork and have you out of here shortly. Good luck to you Mr. Winchester," he said.

After the doctor left the room, John sank back on the bed with a grimace and grunt of pain. He had done well hiding his discomfort and was anxious to leave.

"We need to go by a U-Haul place to pick up a car trailer so I can pull my car behind your truck," Bobby told him.

"No problem. How long do you think it'll take us to drive back?"

"Couple of days, I ain't gonna push it, especially towing my car. We can stop for the night partway and make it on home the following day. You may need to stop to stretch and walk around so there's no reason we can't take our time."

"Have you heard from Dean?" John asked, his voice low and deep.

Bobby looked over at him, studying the man. It didn't get past him he only asked about one of his sons and not both. He knew they needed to have a serious talk about Dean and Sam. "Yes, he's fine. I told him I'll call when we get home." Bobby wanted to chastise him for not asking about Sam but didn't want to pick a fight in the hospital. He held his tongue, but he still steeped in the anger John brought out. They fell silent as they waited for the nurse to come with the discharge paperwork.

John looked at the clock again and moved to pace around the room, impatient that the nurse was not there yet. He wanted Bobby to go check on things, but he told him to relax, she would get here when things were ready. It wasn't like he was the only patient here. They had other sick people to take care of too. John gave him a disgruntled huff and grabbed the remote to see what was on the television, hoping it would make the time pass quicker. They settled down to watch the news and weather to see how it was going to be driving home.

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It was nearly two hours later when a nurse came in pushing a wheelchair and carrying some paper. "Good morning, I see you're ready to get out of here," she said cheerfully. "I have your discharge papers, prescription for pain meds, and post discharge instructions Mr. Winchester. If you do have any questions, there are phone numbers you can call or contact your local physician. Is there anything I can answer for you before I get you ready to leave?"

"No, I'm good, thank you," John told her.

"If you'll sign these two forms for me and sir, if you want to go pull your vehicle around to the front, I'll bring him down shortly," the nurse told Bobby.

"I can do that. Thanks ma'am," Bobby replied getting up to head out the door.

"Thank you, sir. Now if you'll have a seat, I'll take you to the front doors," she said moving the chair closer to the bed for John.

He stood and took a seat in the wheelchair and accepted the papers from the nurse. She pushed him from the room to the elevator and waited for it to arrive. They took it to the first floor, and she guided the wheelchair to the front doors seeing Bobby waiting for them. Bobby had the passenger door opened and stood back as the nurse parked the wheelchair by the truck so John could get in and settle in the seat. Bobby thanked her and headed around to the driver's side and got in. They headed away from the hospital and to a U-Haul business he had found not too far from the hospital to get a car trailer and then were heading to the motel to pick up his car.

When Bobby passed a drug store, he stopped and went in to get John's prescription for pain meds filled thinking he might need them for the trip home.

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John moved around trying to get comfortable as they made their way down the interstate. Bobby was taking it easy since they were towing his car behind them. He looked over at his passenger and saw the grimace of pain cross his face before he hid it and decided now was a good time to stop for a short break. He checked the road signs and found an exit with a choice of gas stations and food options that would suit their needs that was only five miles further down the highway.

"Why are we stopping?" John asked when Bobby exited the interstate.

"I think we're due for a short break, stretch our legs and hit the head. Don't know 'bout you, but these old bones ain't what they used to be. Sitting too long has them stiffening up," Bobby replied trying to make it sound like he needed to stop, and he wasn't just doing it for John.

Bobby eased the truck to the gas pumps first so he could fill it up and watched John get out and walk stiffly toward the station. After he had the gas pumped, he moved the truck to the side out of the way and went in to find the restrooms and grab a cup of coffee. He found John looking over the selection of food with a coffee in his hand.

When he came out of the restroom, John was waiting for him at the front, sipping his coffee and munching on a pastry. Bobby got a large coffee and headed for the door with John behind him. He stopped short as he looked toward the truck to see the shadow of someone standing by it. It was there and gone before he could get a good look but could have sworn it was Sam standing there. It was hard to miss his height and shaggy hair and wondered if he was seeing things.

"Anything wrong Bobby?" John asked when he stopped short and almost ran into him.

"Nope, just thought I saw something," Bobby replied not wanting to tell him what he thought he saw. He headed on to the truck and they got back out on the road again. Bobby decided to drive a few more hours before stopping somewhere for the night. They could have an early dinner and maybe he could talk some sense into his passenger. He knew Sam was having a hard enough time as it was, and he didn't need to lose his Daddy too.

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The motel was small and nondescript as Bobby pulled the truck to a stop at the office and got out to get them a room. After Bobby was out of the truck, John groaned loudly trying to shift his tired body enough to get some relief. He found it was harder than he expected to travel, and glad Bobby chose to stop for the night. He would not have suggested it no matter how much he hurt. Bobby was back out with a key and moved the truck around back and parked away from the rooms so he wouldn't block anyone with the car he was towing. They got their bags and headed across the lot to their room.

"How 'bout I go across the street and get us something to eat and you can relax in the room?" Bobby asked.

"Fine with me," John shrugged. He didn't much care. He wasn't all that hungry but knew he needed to eat to get his strength back. "Maybe I'll get a quick shower to help loosen up my muscles."

"Probably wouldn't hurt to take a couple of pain pills so you can sleep tonight."

"Yeah, you're probably right," John replied.

"Anything special you want for dinner?"

"Don't really care, maybe something light, not too hungry."

"Alright, I'll be back shortly." After Bobby got outside and away from the room, he pulled his cell and called Dean.

"Hey Bobby," Dean greeted him. "Everything okay?"

"It's fine, we're halfway home but I stopped for the night to let yer Daddy rest. Traveling's not the easiest thing for him right now."

"I bet," Dean snickered. He knew how his Dad was and was glad he wasn't the one dealing with him. Dean listened to Bobby's silence on the other end and felt he wanted to say something. "Something else on your mind Bobby?"

"It's nothing I guess…It's just I thought I saw Sam at the gas station we stopped at is all. Must be my eyes playing tricks on me."

"You did see him? Damn, Sammy thought he got away before you did."

"Care to explain what you're talking about?"

"Sammy was practicing, what was it, damnit…It's where you leave your body and can travel."

"You mean astral projection?"

"Yeah, that's it. He said he saw you and flashed back here real fast. He didn't want you to see him."

"Sounds like the boy is learning things pretty fast. How is he doing? I mean really doing?"

"I think okay. Missouri and him have had some talks and I think he's coming to terms with all this crap and that he is a psychic. You know she said he already had natural abilities that might or might not have come out. What the demons did just enhanced them and opened him up to other powers."

"How are you dealing with it all?"

"Like Sammy I'm learning to adjust and accept what I can't change. If he's going to have these powers, might as well learn to use them. Hell, he saved my ass when we went after a poltergeist a few days ago."

"It's good to know you two can take care of each other. Okay, good to know you're dealing with things. I'm at the diner so I better go. You take care of your brother, Dean."

"Don't I always? If Dad leaves will you let me know. Sammy's won't come there if he's still there. I don't know how much longer we'll be here at Missouri's."

"I will son, tell Missouri I'll send her a list of some herbs I need restocked on."

"I'll do that. Bye Bobby, and Bobby, take care of Dad if he'll let you."

"That may be a tall order Dean, but I'll try. Goodbye." Bobby stowed his cell and pushed open the door to the diner. He got a menu and looked at it trying to decide on what might be good. He was thinking of calling Missouri when he got home to get her take on Sam. If he was already doing astral projection, he must have some strong powers. Bobby knew Missouri would take care of him and guide him as best she could. He placed his order and sat on the bench at the front to wait for it.

John was coming out of the bathroom towel drying his hair when Bobby stepped back into the room. He tossed the towel and headed toward the table where Bobby sat the bags of food. The aroma of the meal had his mouth watering and his stomach grumbling about wanting to be fed. They sat at the table and ate with little conversation passing between them. When the meal was done and trash removed, Bobby decided it was time they had a talk about John's sons, both of them, whether he liked it or not.

A/N: We learn a little of how John is feeling and his uncertainties. Bobby can only do so much. At least Dean is not giving up on Sam. Thank you for

taking this journey with me and I hope all are staying safe. You guys are my lifeline and keep me going. I do like reviews. NC