A/N: A special request for prayers for myself and my family. My father was put in Hospice yesterday and it is not looking good. NC

Chapter 19

"How's the boy doing?" Bobby asked when Sam came back down with the lunch tray.

"Still being a pain in the ass," Sam grunted in an irritated, annoyed voice. "The soup was too hot, he wanted toast not crackers, he sneezed snot over everything, spilled the last of his drink on the bed and I had to change the sheets again, and I thought I was going to have to hold him down to get his next dose of medicine in him. I'm going to kill him if he doesn't get better soon."

"Sounds about right, you gotta remember he's being a kid now, not like the first time when he had to be an adult before he was ready. Dean didn't get to be a brat when he was sick back then."

"Do you think I should take him to the urgent care in town to be on the safe side?"

"His fever's not that high now and I listened to his breathing, he's congested, but I don't think it's in his chest yet. You might try putting the vapor rub on his chest to help open his head so he can breathe easier. If he's not better in a day or so, or his fever gets higher, then we should take him in. I'm thinking he's fighting a bad cold."

"Alright," Sam sighed, nodding at Bobby's opinion. "I'll keep an eye on his fever and breathing and I'll use the vapor rub when I go back up."

"Why don't you get something to eat and I'll go up and set with the boy?"

"Okay, will you take a Pedialyte Pop up to him? And tell him I'll be up after I eat."

"Okay Sam," Bobby replied going to the fridge freezer and getting a pop out for Dean. He headed upstairs to find the wet sheets in the hallway and Dean stumbling from the bathroom toward the bedroom. "Come on son, let's get you back in bed," Bobby told him, helping him alone.

"Where's Sam, I want Sam," Dean croaked out, coughing and hacking.

"He's eating, you got me, so get over it," Bobby told him. "Here, blow your nose and you can have your pop."

"I wanted cherry," Dean whined when he saw the pop was blue.

"Well, you got this flavor, so either eat it or do without. I ain't going to baby you just 'cause you're feeling poorly."

"Fine," Dean pouted taking the frozen pop that Bobby opened for him and started to suck on it. The coldness eased his sore throat, and it didn't taste that bad, even if it wasn't cherry. He was bored staying in bed but didn't feel like going downstairs to play. His head was hurting and made it hard to concentrate so he was in an ill mood. Dean grabbed another tissue and blew his nose and dropped it off the side of the bed missing the trashcan.

"You can hit the trashcan better than that," Bobby chastised him, leaning over to pick the tissue up with a clean one to toss them in the trashcan. "Look before you toss."

"Okay," Dean mumbled slouching down in the bed as he finished his pop. He rolled over to his side and pulled the blanket up to his chin as he shivered for a moment. He felt Bobby lay his hand on his forehead for a moment, before wiping his face with a damp cloth. It was a short time later, Dean raised his head when he saw Sam in the doorway but whined softly when he didn't come into the room.

"Let me use the bathroom and I'll back," Sam spoke before stepping across the hall to the bathroom. A few minutes later he stepped into the bedroom. "Okay Bobby, I'll take over."

"You sure Sam? I can sit with him a little longer," Bobby asked.

"Want my brother…" Dean whispered hoarsely pouting and sticking his lower lip out.

"Yeah, I'm going to see if Dean can take a quick shower. I'm hoping it might help bring down his fever."

"Alright then, I'm going to head out to the garage if you need me. I'll have my cell on me."

"Okay; we should be fine. I promise not to drown him in the tub," Sam chuckled tiredly. "How about a nice cool shower Dean? It might make you feel better, and we can play some games afterwards if you feel like it."

"I guess," Dean replied looking pitifully at Sam.

"Guess you'll have to wear a T-shirt since you're out of pajamas," Sam told him before getting clean briefs from the dresser and looked in Dean's duffle for a T-shirt. "Are you ready?" Sam asked pulling down the covers so Dean could get up. He led them into the bathroom and started the water in the shower to get warm. "I know it sucks to be sick, but hopefully the medicine will bring your fever down and the shower should help with your congestion." He stuck his hand under the water to check it before helping Dean take his clothes off and get in the tub. He could feel Dean's body tremble under his hand. "Why don't I wash your hair for you?"

"Okay," Dean didn't object.

"Here you go, put this cloth over your eyes," Sam instructed, giving him a washcloth. He squirted shampoo on Dean's wet head and began to wash it and then rinse. "That's done, let's get your body washed off and we'll get you back in bed." Sam washed Dean's body and guided him under the spray to rinse good before turning the water off and grabbing a towel to wrap around Dean. He briskly dried him and his hair before helping he put on his briefs. "Let me put some vapor rub on your chest before we put on your T-shirt." Sam opened the jar, scooped out a blob, and smeared it on Dean's chest. He gently rubbed it in and put some on his back too before slipping the shirt over his head. "There, now that wasn't so bad, was it? Do you feel better?"

"Don't know," Dean shrugged before sneezing snot on Sam and coughing up more that he spit in the commode.

"That's just nasty," Sam grimaced in disgust taking the towel to wipe his shirt before washing his hands. "But I guess the shower and the vapor rub loosened the mucus in your head and it's better you get it out."

"Sorry," Dean said. "I stink now."

"Yeah, but it will help you breath better. You ready to lay back down?"

"Yes," Dean replied feeling weak and exhausted after his shower.

"Come on then," Sam told him picking him up and carrying him back to the bedroom. He sat him on the bed so he could lay down and pulled the covers up over his body.

"Lay down," Dean begged.

Sam looked down at Dean for a moment and saw how pathic he looked. He couldn't say no to him.

"Okay, move over then," Sam sighed sitting on the bed to remove his boots before pulling the covers back and laying down. He pulled Dean onto his chest and covered them. Dean wiggled around until he got comfortable. Sam grabbed tissues to clean Dean's nose and let him blow it again as the congestion seemed to be breaking up. He still had a fever, maybe a little lower, but his breathing seemed better. It wasn't long before both were asleep. Neither heard Bobby come up and gather the dirty sheets and Dean's pajamas to throw in to wash. He figured Sam was doing enough taking care of Dean and wanted to lend a helping hand.

spn

Sam startled when Dean coughed hard waking him. He looked at the digital clock to see he had only slept for thirty minutes. He looked down at his brother and saw Dean was still asleep and very carefully eased his body out from under Dean's and slid him onto the bed. Sam tried to keep his balance but fell on his butt between the beds. He sat there for a minute, stretching his neck to be sure Dean was still asleep.

Using the other bed, Sam pushed himself to a standing position and picked up the thermometer. He turned it on and eased it into Dean's ear to check his temperature. When it beeped, Sam looked at the display to see his fever had dropped to one hundred and one. He double checked the time to know when Dean would need another dose of medicine and figured if the fever kept going down, he wouldn't have to take him to the urgent care. Sam tiptoed from the room and headed downstairs.

The house was quiet except for the occasional creak of it settling. Sam wandered into the living room and looked toward the kitchen wondering if Bobby was still out running errands or at the garage.

"In here Sam," Bobby called to him when he saw him standing in the living room.

"Hey," Sam sighed as he dropped into a chair in front of the desk.

"How's yer brother?"

"His fever has dropped slightly. I'm thinking the medicine and the shower helped."

"That's good. I figured the boy would start to mend once you got the meds in him."

"Yeah, not soon enough for me. I like the fun, carefree, loving kid, but this whiney, demanding, sick kid is frustrating and wears on my last nerve. How Dean handled me all those years, I'll never know. I'm starting to see what a brat I was at times. Man Bobby, how did Dean ever do it?"

"Because he loved you son. It was his mission to protect you and take care of you. He became your caregiver and raised you as best he could. That boy took on a task that most adults wouldn't take on. And I'd say he did a pretty good job of raising you. Look how you turned out."

"Wow, guess I never thought of it that way. I am who I am because of Dean."

"Oh, Jody called me since she couldn't get you to see how we were doing. I told her Dean was sick and she's bringing a vaporizer and medicine for it over so you can run it tonight in the bedroom. She said it will make it easier for Dean to breath."

"Great, I never even thought of that. Guess I need to suck it up and take care of Dean like he would take care of me."

"You're doing that boy. Don't think you're not. Don't sell yourself short either. You've been a good big brother to Dean and given him something that he never had before."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Sam huffed loudly. "Guess I should go check on him. I thought if he felt better, I'd bring him down and let him watch television. He can lay on the couch and rest. Maybe that'll make him less grumpy and irritable."

"You know Sam, you don't have to do this all on your own. I'm here for you and I know Jody would be willing to help too. We're here for you, as well as Dean," Bobby commented.

"Thanks Bobby, and I know…" said Sam in a grateful voice. He got up and went to the kitchen first to get something to drink before heading back upstairs to check on his brother.

"Sam," a weak voice called out as Sam neared the bedroom door. "Where are you?" A pathic sob followed.

"Hey, I'm right here," Sam replied going over to sit on Dean's bed. "I went to talk to Bobby and guess what, Jody is going to come by later. Do you feel like going downstairs and resting on the couch? Maybe watch a little television?"

"Yeah," Dean whimpered. "I want Jody."

"Okay, why don't you go to the bathroom, and I'll get a blanket and pillow to take down and make you a bed on the couch." Sam helped Dean from the bed and steered him toward the bathroom before turning back to the bed. He pulled the quilt off and grabbed a pillow and went to wait on Dean in the hall. "Did you wash your hands?" Sam asked Dean when he stepped from the bathroom looking at him skeptically.

"Crap," Dean muttered in his childlike voice and turned to go back into the bathroom.

Sam looked at his retreating form a bit perplexed by his language and wondered if he had heard him say it. He made note to watch what he said around Dean hoping he wouldn't pick up any other words or vices. God knows he had enough of them as an adult.

"Done," Dean stated holding his damp hands up for Sam to see.

"That's good work. Are you feeling better?" Sam asked feeling his forehead to find it still warm, but not as hot as before.

"I guess," Dean grunted before coughing hard, bringing up mucus. He looked around as he gagged until Sam grabbed him up and moved him into the bathroom where he could spit into the commode.

"Cough it up Dean, and spit it out," Sam encouraged him. When Dean was finished, Sam wiped his face and made him blow his nose before picking him up in his free arm.

"Need clothes to see Jody."

"What?" Sam asked.

"I want clothes, this is too big," Dean complained pulling at the too big T-shirt he was wearing. "Jody is coming."

"How about some light pants and a T-shirt?" Sam offered, hiding his smile.

"Okay," Dean agreed.

They went back into the bedroom and Sam helped him change clothes. With that done, Sam picked Dean back up and headed downstairs and sat him on his feet at the couch so he could spread the quilt out and fix the pillow. "There you go Buddy, why don't you get settled and I'll see if I can find something for you to watch on television." Sam turned on the television and began to flip through the channels until he found an aminated movie that he though Dean might like.

"Thirsty Sam," Dean told him.

"Alright, do you want Gatorade, apple juice, ginger ale, or water?"

"Apple juice."

"Think you can eat some plain pasta? I fixed some earlier for you, just like you like. You'll need to take some more medicine in a couple of hours, and it'll be good to have something on your stomach."

"Do I have to have medicine?" he griped in his raspy voice.

"Yes, aren't you feeling better? It's the medicine that's helping."

"Maybe pasta."

"Okay. I'll get you a little bowl of pasta and some juice." Sam went into the kitchen and got him a juice box and a small bowl of pasta. He sprinkled a little salt over it before taking the things out to Dean. "Here you go bro, pasta and juice."

"Thank you," Dean replied sitting up to take the bowl of pasta and juice box. He sat the box beside him and began to eat the pasta while he watched the movie.

Sam sat in Bobby's recliner and watched Dean to be sure he was okay, and he ate a little. He was being very picky since he had gotten sick and was hard to appease. Sam grimaced when Dean coughed and pasta flew from his mouth, luckily it went back into the bowl.

"You okay Dean?"

"Yeah," Dean coughed lightly again before sipping some juice. "I'm done," he told Sam holding out the bowl to Sam that still had pasta in it.

"Okay, that was pretty good Dean. Hopefully you can eat a little more later." Sam took the bowl to the kitchen and sat it in the sink. He went back into the living room and sat back down glancing at the television to see little yellow cubby, creatures running across the screen. The movie was almost over when a knock sounded at the front door.

"Bobby, I think Jody is here," Sam called to him.

"Okay son. I'll be out in a moment," Bobby replied.

Sam got up and went to answer it. He opened the front door to find Jody standing there with two bags in her hands.

"Jody, good to see you, come on in," Sam greeted her, stepping back out of the way.

"Sam, hello. Why didn't you call me when Dean got sick? You know I would have come over to help," Jody chastised him as she stepped into the house.

"I thought I could maybe handle it and if he got worse, I was going to take him to the urgent care."

"Here, this is a vaporizer for you to run tonight to help break up the congestion and let him breath better. And this is a casserole for your dinner tonight. Put it in the oven at 350 degrees for thirty minutes should be good."

"Jody," a small voice called out.

"Hey there sweetie," Jody cooed to Dean. She waved to Bobby when he came into the room.

"I sick," he whined holding his arms out to her. "Did you bring me pie?"

"Oh, baby I know, Bobby told me. I came to see how you are doing and no honey, no pie this time." Jody sat down on the couch and pulled Dean into her lap. She snuggled with him, kissing his forehead and feeling the fever still in his body.

"It might make me feel better," Dean suggested.

"I promise we'll bake another pie honey," Jody told him. "Has Sam been taking care of you?"

"Yeah, but he's making me take this bad medicine," Dean told her eyeing Sam with betrayal in his eyes.

"Hey," Sam complained wanting to defend himself. "You need it to get better."

"Sam's mean to me," Dean pouted giving Jody his best puppy dog eyes and pitiful expression.

"Now Dean, is he really? He's trying to take care of you and get you better. Don't you want that?"

"Yeah," Dean mumbled sheepishly. "I guess."

"Jody's right Dean, Sam is only trying to help you like a good brother should," Bobby added.

"Do you want someone else to take care of you?" Jody asked Dean.

Dean glanced sideways at Sam, giving him a curious look before replying.

"No, he's my big brother. I love him," Dean said.

"And I love you too," Sam spoke softly.

"I can't stay long but I'll love you while I'm here," Jody whispered to Dean, hugging him.

"Awe, you can't stay?" Dean asked.

"No honey, but I promise I'll come back to see you and maybe you'll feel better."

"Will you read to me when you come back?"

"Yes honey. I'll read to you. But you have to do something for me. You need to take the medicine that Sam gives you so you can get better. Can you do that?"

"I guess," Dean mumbled begrudgingly looking over at Sam before burying his head into Jody's neck. He coughed softly and sniffed hard.

"Here, blow your nose so you don't get snot on Jody," Sam told Dean handing him several tissues.

"Here sweetie," Jody told Dean taking the offered tissues and holding them to Dean's nose. "Blow easy now, you don't want to hurt your ears. You need to watch for that Sam and be sure he doesn't get an earache. It's very painful."

"Okay Jody, I will," Sam nodded making note of it.

"Well, honey, I need to go, but I'll check on you later, okay?" Jody told Dean kissing his forehead.

"I love you," Dean told her throwing his arms around her neck. "You're still my girlfriend."

"I love you too, very much, and yes, I'm still your girlfriend," Jody replied smiling and looking at Sam over Dean's head. "We all do."

"I'll see you out, Jody," Bobby spoke up as she sat Dean on the couch and got up.

"Sam, you take care of yourself and your brother," Jody told him hugging him tightly. "You better call me buster if you need anything," she insisted poking him in the chest.

"I will Jody, I promise." Sam nodded smiling warmly at her. "Bye."

"Bye sweetie," Jody waved to Dean before following Bobby to the door and outside.

Dean curled back up in the quilt and laid his head on the pillow as looked back toward the television. There was another movie playing that he started to watch. Sam checked the time and headed upstairs to get Dean's medicine and took the vaporizer with him. He'd get it set up before bedtime and hoped it helped tonight.

A/N: Dean is getting better but he's milking it all he can. Sam is doing his best and is learning how much Dean did for him growing up. We're coming down to the last leg of the journey, only a few more chapters left. I hope you have enjoyed the trip. I do like reviews/comments. NC