Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters and am not making any money on this…I'm still just having fun!

Heart of the Protector

Chapter 14 – Newest Challenge

As Dean sat in the emergency waiting room, he thought about the last harrowing couple of hours. Sammy had never regained consciousness on the trip to the car or the long drive to the hospital. Normally the trip would have taken over 2 hours, but Dean managed to make it in half the time. While he had managed to get the bleeding under control, Sam had still lost a lot of blood and the bullet from the hunter was still in him.

Damn, he hated this part…the waiting to hear. If he were going to devise a torture chamber, the emergency waiting room would be top on his list. Dean thought about calling his father, but decided that until he knew more, it would be senseless. He had already filled out paperwork, using another fake ID…this time they were under the name of Johnson. He had also spent a great deal of time with the local police, telling them the truth, mostly.

They seemed to buy into the story about them walking into a poacher committing a crime and getting caught in the cross fire. He had to hold himself in check when the young deputy taking his statement told him that next time, they should report the crime to the local ranger's office, rather than trying to do something themselves. But Dean wasn't in the mood to spend a night in jail for decking an officer of the law…even if he deserved it.

Then of course, there was the well meaning doctor who noticed that Dean was also injured. The doctor had wanted to admit Dean for observation and to receive some fluids to help with the blood loss, but Dean had politely refused. He allowed them to give him a shot of antibiotics and a prescription for some pain meds. He had even agreed to allow them to place his arm in the funky fluorescent green sling. But he would not allow them to do anything that might keep him from Sam once he was out of surgery.

Now all he could do was wait and hope that Sam would pull through. They had taken him up to surgery over 2 hours ago to remove the bullet. The doctor had told him that the surgery should be over within 2 to 4 hours, depending on how much damage they found. Luckily the bullet appeared to have missed most of the major organs, but had lodged perilously close to the spine. Dean shuddered as he thought about all the jostling he had done to Sam getting him here. God a slight move in the wrong direction could have crippled Sam.

Finally, after 5 hours, 10 minutes and 23 seconds Dean saw Sam's doctor heading in his direction. He motioned Dean to follow him into the consultation room…not a good sign Dean thought as he followed quickly. "Mr. Johnson, first I want to assure you that your brother has come out of surgery just fine, we were able to retrieve the bullet."

"I hear a 'but' coming doctor, what is it?" Dean asked not liking where this was heading.

"Well, it's really too soon to tell, but there could have been some damage done to the spinal cord which could result in some paralysis. But right now, we just have to wait and see what happens, there is significant swelling around the spine and our hope is that once the swelling is reduced, he should get full use of his legs once more."

"So you're telling me that Sammy can't walk?" Dean asked quietly.

"For now, yes. But once again, it is most likely a temporary situation. I've seen many of these kinds of injuries, some even more severe than your brothers. They have all been able to resume normal activities."

"How long before we know?"

The doctor shrugged. "A lot depends on the patient's ability to heal and mental state. The swelling should go down within the next 24 to 48 hours. At that time, we should be able to determine the extent of the injury. Until then, it's important that you keep him up beat. He has to believe that he will walk again."

"How long before I can take him home doctor, I know my brother and he will want to be out of here as soon as possible…he hates hospitals." Dean didn't mention that he hated them as well.

"Assuming there are no complications, he should be ready to go home within the next 4 or 5 days. We normally try to get the patient into the home environment as quickly as possible with outpatient support…recovery is usually quicker than if we keep them here. Would you like to see your brother?"

"Yeah…ah, Doctor? Does Sam know any of this yet?" Dean asked, knowing that Sam would not take the news very well. Especially if there was any lingering damage.

"Yes, I told him in recovery…but he looked like he took the news well. He has been asking for you, so if you would follow me?" The doctor led Dean to Sam's room. "Don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions or concerns…and try not to worry. I'm sure that he will be just fine."

Dean took a moment to compose himself before entering Sam's room. He didn't buy that Sam took the news well. Sam was almost as good as he was at hiding his true feelings from strangers. Something both brothers learned from their father at a very young age. As he entered the room, he couldn't help but grimace at the number of bandages that covered his brother. The bear had really done a number on him. Dean walked up to the bed and placed his hand on his brother's arm. "Hey little brother…how are ya doing? I hear that they are taking auditions for extras in the next Mummy flick…I think you'd be a prime candidate!"

Sam opened his eyes and stared at Dean for a moment, then quickly looked away. "Sammy, what is it? What's wrong…are you in pain?"

Sam took a shuddering breath and swallowed a few times before turning his tear filled eyes towards Dean. "Dean, you need to leave…as soon as I get better, I'm heading back to Stanford. At least as a lawyer, I can still do some good…but as a hunter…Oh God!" Sam's face crumpled as the misery he felt over not being able to back up his brother anymore hit home.

Sam hated hunting, but he never regretted being there for his brother. He had promised he would always protect Dean's back, but how was he going to do that if he couldn't move his legs. Sam had been trying ever since he woke up to just move his toes, but no matter how hard he tried, nothing below the waist would move. He knew that the doctor had said that it might be temporary…but what if it wasn't? At some level Sam believed that he deserved what he got, he should never had let the nymph save him…the price was too high.

Sam's head snapped up when he heard the anger in his brother's voice. "How dare you Samuel, you think you can just give up, tuck your tail and run away! I thought you were better than that…I know you're better than that…well let me tell you something. You wouldn't let me die in peace and I'm going to watch you walk if I have to move your damn legs myself to do it! So you can just get any idea of me walking away from you out of your mind right now. I'm not leaving and neither are you!"

"But Dean…I can't feel my legs. I'll just be a burden to you; I can't do that to you." Sam swallowed as he felt his control slipping more under the gaze of his older brother.

Dean saw the fear in Sam's eyes and softened his tone. "Look, let's just take this one step at a time ok…the doctor says we should know something within the next two days. I believe that you will walk again…no I know you will walk again, because you're too stubborn not to. Also, no matter what happens, I never want to hear you refer to yourself as a burden again…you are my brother and I will always be there for you. Just like I know you would do the same for me. Now are you in any pain? Do you need anything, because if not, I want you to lie back and get some rest."

Sam looked at his brother and noticed for the first time that his arm was in a sling. He had been so self centered on his own problems, he had forgotten that Dean had been injured as well. "How's the arm? Are you ok Dean?" Sam asked quietly.

"Ya, it takes more than a scratch to keep me down. Of course, I keep getting this craving to chew on a raw hide…but otherwise I'm good." Dean grinned, he knew Sam was trying to change the subject and for now he was willing to let him.

Sam actually smiled as he thought about Dean running through the woods as a wolf. "Ok big brother, but if I find you howling at the moon or scratching at fleas…you're getting your own room."

Dean smirked as he lowered himself into the chair in Sam's room. He knew that it would be a long night, and even longer days, but he would see Sam through this. After all it was his job.

TBC

Raven524: Ok, just one more chapter I think to tie things up…Thanks to everyone who posted reviews…even the threatening one's. They did make my day.