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 15 – Return to the Cabin

It had been the longest 3 days of Sam's life. He woke up again this morning, only to find out that he still could not move his legs. The doctors had assured him that there was no damage to his spine and that the swelling had gone down. But still his legs refused to work. He had seen the looks the doctors gave his brother when they thought he wasn't looking and he had heard the word psychiatrist more than once, but Dean had continued on as if this was just a small bump in the road.

Sam slammed his fist on his useless thigh, if there was nothing physically wrong, why couldn't he move his legs? He once again concentrated on movement, but there was nothing, not even a flinch in the muscles. He sighed in frustration, trying to compose himself as he heard Dean walking down the hallway. Sam smiled as he heard his brother propositioning a nurse outside the doorway, yeah, the nymph certainly picked the right animal for his brother.

"Ok Sammy are you ready to blow this Popsicle stand?" Dean asked as he walked in the door. Dean could see the sweat on Sam's face and knew that his brother had probably been trying to move his legs again. He had spoken to the doctors and they had assured him that if Sam wanted to walk, he could. Dean had noticed that although Sam was keeping up a good front, he had been more quiet than usual. He also noticed that Sam seemed to be having more nightmares than usual and he swore that he heard the name Jess more than once.

Each time Dean tried to talk to Sam about it, he just changed the subject or simply refused to talk about it. He knew something was bothering Sam, and he would get to the bottom of it. But he couldn't do anything as long as Sam was here. There were too many prying eyes.

"But I can't walk yet Dean…where are we going to go?" Sam hadn't wanted to leave until he was able to do so under his own power. The thought of what Dean would need to do for him in his current condition caused Sam to feel like the burden he knew he would be to his brother.

Dean heard the panic in Sam's voice. "No problem bro', that's why you get the cool wheels…what? You thought I was gonna carry your heavy ass around? No way! I help you into the chair and out…the rest is up to you." Dean walked towards the window, not wanting Sam to see the worry in his eyes. He had to make Sam believe that he was independent and not a burden…God knows he would feel the same way.

"But where are we going Dean?…I mean, how will we continue doing, you know…what we do?" Sam knew that Dean would get antsy just sitting around waiting on him. He also wasn't sure he could handle just sitting around waiting for Dean to come back from a hunt. He had spent his younger years waiting for his father to come home, constantly afraid that he would never return. The only thing that kept him sane was Dean's presence.

"Well, we actually have some unfinished business to attend to. I promised the nymph we would return and help her protect the forest until she was back on her feet. I mean, how hard can that be now that you took care of the bear? Besides, it will give you time to get back on your feet and keep me out of your hair for a while during the day." Dean started packing up the few things that Sam had with him.

"You mean the nymph is still alive…she didn't die?" Sam asked, wondering why he hadn't asked Dean about this before.

"She was the last time I saw her…but we can have this conversation on the way back to the cabin. Meanwhile, I have to finish the stack of paperwork to get your ass out of here. I'll stock up on supplies before we head out, so we'll be set for awhile." Dean watched the emotions flowing across Sam's expressive face. He could tell that Sam was terrified to leave, afraid that he would never walk again. But Dean knew that Sam would never get better with everyone waiting on him. Besides, sooner or later their luck would run out with the insurance card…he needed to get him out of here before they discovered it was fake.

"OK Dean, whatever you want is fine with me." Sam said quietly, wondering how he was going to get around in the forest if Dean needed him.

A few hours later found Dean unloading Sam from the car into the wheel chair. Sam saw that there was a new ramp leading up to the front door. "How?" Sam started.

"Let's just say, I called in a few favors from some old friends of mine."

"Wait a minute Dean…you have friends?" Sam couldn't help it, it felt good to be on his own, even if it was in the chair.

Dean slapped Sam on the shoulder, being careful not to hit any of the wounds that were still healing form the bear. The doctors had said that the stitches could come out in another week, something Dean could handle easily. All he had to do in the meantime was keep them clean and dry. All in all, except for the walking issue, Dean felt prepared to handle Sam's current medical needs. He just wasn't sure he could handle the emotional one that was keeping his brother tied to the chair.

"Here, you can hold some of this junk…it's easier to wheel it in with you!" Dean piled their bags on Sam's lap along with some of the supplies. He then pushed Sam up the ramp and into the room.

"You can put your bag over by your bed. I'm going to finish unloading." Dean grabbed his bag and the supplies, dropped them onto the table and went to get the rest.

Sam noticed that Dean was doing his best not to hover, but he also knew that sooner or later, Dean's mother hen mode would kick in. Feeling more tired than he wanted to admit, Sam wheeled over to the bed and transferred to the bed from the chair the way he had been taught in the hospital. Sighing, he closed his eyes and was soon asleep.

Dean came back in and smiled as he saw his brother sleeping peacefully…at least for now. Step one was done. Now all he had to do was get Sam to open up and maybe they would be able to figure out what was stopping him from walking.

The next morning, Dean helped Sam get out of bed, washed and dressed…letting Sam do as much as he could and not offering to help unless he was asked. As they sat finishing their coffee, Dean casually rose from his chair and reached for his jacket. "Ok Sammy, I'm heading over to the nymph's cottage to check things out. Do you think you need help getting back into bed, or would you rather stay in the chair for a bit?"

Sam swallowed, he hadn't expected Dean to leave so soon. He fought the panic building in his gut as he shook his head. "Don't worry Dean…I'm good."

Dean nodded and headed out the door. It was the hardest thing he had ever done, but in his gut he knew that he needed to continue to build Sam's self confidence. A short time later he arrived at the nymph's cabin. Before he could knock, the door opened and he was met with the smiling face of the nymph. She still looked translucent, but at least she was still alive. Dean let out the breath he had been holding. "Nice to see you…I wasn't sure what to expect." Dean said awkwardly.

"Dean, I'm glad you returned…that must mean that Sam is ok?"

"For the most part…he just is having a little trouble walking at the moment, but some good fresh air should help him heal. Have you been having any more problems with poachers lately?"

"No, luckily it has been fairly quiet. I'm not sure that my powers will return, but at least I am still here and able to monitor the forest. It's just…" The nymph was at a loss for words. She wasn't used to discussing her problems with someone else or seeking advice. She was used to handling everything on her own.

"What? You can tell me, remember I'm here to help you at least until Sam is feeling better." Dean didn't want her to get the wrong impression.

"I'm not sure I have enough power to prevent the poachers from harming those I protect. I can still sense intention if I'm close enough and I can transform myself into an animal…I can also still communicate with the animals to some extent, but I can't control them with my mind as I have in the past."

"If you use any of those powers, will you weaken any further?" Dean asked, concerned about her translucent appearance.

"No, the mind control, healing powers and transformation of others took a great deal of power…the rest will not weaken me."

Dean sat down and thought over the problem. They needed to come up with a plan that would allow the nymph to protect the animals in the forest without having to use her main powers. "Look, I think two heads will work better than one…why don't you stop by our cabin tomorrow morning. Between Sam and I, we should be able to come up with something to help you on a more permanent basis. In the meantime, if you sense something, you know where I am…you can just drop by the cabin."

"Thank you Dean…I will do that." The nymph smiled as she watched the young man heading back through the forest. She felt honored that he had decided to include her, at least temporarily, in his protective power. For the first time in days, she began to feel hopeful that she would be able to continue her job until the creator decided to replace her.

As Dean approached the cabin, he looked up and saw a brief shadow move quickly away from the window. Sighing, he entered the cabin and found Sam trying to pretend that he hadn't been watching for him. Dean decided to play along for now…but soon, he and Sammy were going to need to talk.

TBC

Raven524: Ok, so it will take at least one more chapter to tie this up…I didn't think you guys would mind…I just couldn't resist a little more Sammy/Dean anst.