THANK YOU! To everyone who's read and everyone who's reviewed! You guys are the best!If i've forgotten to reply back to ya blame my stinkin' cold! sneezes

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Chapter Three

When Sam had woken the next morning Dean was still fast asleep. He could still smell the smoke from his brother. He'd been so lucky. Sam tried to not think of all the things that could have happened that previous day. His brother could have been burnt to a crisp. He pushed the thought from his mind and placed a mug of coffee on the table in-between the beds. He sat carefully next to his sleeping brother and gently lifted his right arm. Dean was sleeping on his back, both hands resting outside of the green floral covers. Now that he was closer the smell of smoke was stronger. There was also a faint wisp of sweat from his brother. Sam knew there was no way in hell Dean could wash himself without getting his hands wet. Maybe they'd heal before it came to him having to give the elder a wash. Maybe. Sam knew he was going to have a fight on his hands. Maybe it was best to wait until the smell repulsed Dean and he asked for help.

Yeah, cos that was likely.

He gently lifted the other hand and checked as he had with the first for signs of infection. Thankfully there were none. The antibiotics were doing their job. The Doctor had described the symptoms to look out for but so far Dean's hands, although red, weren't weeping. Sam shook Dean's shoulder slowly and waited for him to crook open an eye.

"Coffee?"

"Sleep"

"There's coffee here. I'm going to get you some breakfast so you need to sit up ok?"

Dean closed his eyes and tried to ignore Sam. What was the point in getting up if he couldn't do anything? Plus his brother would have to feed him again and that was something Dean didn't want to have to relive.

"Dean? I've got Lucky Charms"

This time Dean opened both eyes, after a few seconds of inner debate he pushed himself upright with his elbows and accepted a few sips of coffee from Sam.

Sam helped his brother eat his breakfast . He loaded the spoon with the cereal and resisted the urge to make train noises as he placed the food in his brother's mouth. Dean was accepting the meal without question. Sam wanted to believe it was because he wanted little brothers help. But it was probably more likely that the painkillers, antibiotics and grumbles from his stomach had all pretty much rendered him passive to attention. He'd run to the store and made sure they had better provisions seeing as Dean refused to go anywhere near a restaurant or diner until he could feed himself. Sam understood. Heck, he'd feel the same way. He'd stocked up on milk, cereal, bread, ham and orange juice. No need to be unhealthy when cooped up in a motel room. He was thankful they'd gotten a room with a small kitchen.

Once the bowl was empty Sam went to wash up their bowls. He could hear Dean behind him slowly moving around the room.

"We could go check out some more of the town" Sam called over his shoulder.

"What? Like, sightsee?"

Dean frowned at the thought of doing something, touristy. He'd never done anything like that without having a purpose. If they looked around a museum it was because it was haunted, if they went to a historic site it was because there were bones to burn. Although the thought of getting out of the hotel room and into some fresh air did appeal. Dean stared at his brother's back contemplating the different scenarios he might need help with. When he couldn't think of anything too embarrassing he decided little brother's idea wasn't that bad after all.

"Where would we go?"

Sam smiled to himself as he washed up their mugs. Most people during a Dean silence would expect a negative answer. Whereas he knew big brother needed to think things through. If he was going to say no it would be an instant, ground out growl of the word.

"There's a park not far from here, we could take a walk there. Get that smell off of you"

"Dude I don't smell"

"Yeah, alright Dean. Whatever"

Dean glared at his brothers back but moved to sniff his shoulder. He stopped when he saw Sam's body shudder with a laugh.

"Shut up I don't smell"

"Do so"

"No, you smell"

Great comeback Dean, great one. He sniffed his body again and forcefully told himself that the slight smell of BO was a good sign of a healthy system.

Dean looked at his bag on the floor. He knew which t-shirt he wanted, knew which jeans. What he didn't know was how the hell he was going to get them from the depths of the bag onto his body.

This was just stupid.

He looked up and straight into the face of the beaming baby Winchester.

"Need a hand there kiddo?"

"Screw you"

Dean looked at the bag again, could feel Sam towering over him, just waiting. God, did he have to make it such a victory?

"Can you er…..get my….er" Dean cleared his throat and threw Sam an imploring look.

"Clothes?"

Sam smirked and guided his brother out of the way, Dean sat dejectedly on the end of the bed while Sam pulled the garments from the bag. He didn't say a word as he stepped in front of Dean, kept silent as he pulled his t-shirt from him, carefully pulling the sleeves wide so that Dean could get his hands out easily. He would have continued to stay silent had it not been for the large dark bruise over his siblings ribs.

He raised his eyes and Dean looked down to survey the damage.

"Not broken, just bruised dude"

"Mmm"

He pulled the fresh t-shirt over his brothers head and then helped Dean into his jeans. Dean wasn't a shy guy when it came to his body but having to be helped into his clothes had put a red flush in his cheeks. Even if it was Sam helping him. Hell, probably because it was Sam. He changed Sam's diapers , he dressed him, fed him. Was this how It had felt for Sam? Dean remembered his baby brother accepting all the mothering Dean gave gratefully and with a big goofy grin. It was natural and normal to him. It was as it always had been. But for Dean this was so alien. So, wrong. He cursed himself for not being able to give in to the help so easily. Inside he was berating his brother's every move. He bit his tongue. He held back the remarks and the whining, knowing he needed help. Knowing Sam needed help. If it took his mind off Dad being wherever the hell he was, and Jessica being…well…..if it helped then Dean would allow it. He'd try to anyway. It was the thought that counted right?

"I can put my own damn shoes on Sam"

"Really?"

"Really!"

"Ok then"

Sam grabbed his own clothes and headed for the bathroom. If Dean was determined to be so pig headed then he certainly wasn't going to stand around and watch as his older brother aggravated his injuries.

When Sam exited the bathroom Dean was sprawled back on the bed, arms out to his side, feet hanging off the end. One shoe almost on. By almost, it was hanging on to his big toe.

He knelt quietly and gently pulled Deans boots on, tied the laces and grabbed his jacket.

Dean sat up slowly, Sam was taken aback by the frustration in his eyes. By the helplessness. He held out the jacket and Dean slipped his arms into the sleeves. Sam laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Fresh air, make you feel a whole lot better"

He guided his brother from the room and they made their way toward the park.

TBC

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