Dr. Connors wasn't happy. He'd never met anyone as stubborn as Dean Richards. The young man was determined to sign himself out AMA. His patient had only regained consciousness 24 hours ago, and he'd preferred if Dean would stay at least one day longer. Connors even tried to scare Sam into getting Dean to stay by telling him what could happen. He hadn't been surprised when the young man didn't scare so easily. Sam told him that his brother had been hurt like this before, and if he wanted out of the hospital there was nothing that could stop him. Mike believed him after seeing the multiple healed breaks on his patient's MRI. As he pushed the wheelchair down the hall he was determined to give it one more try.
"Your ride's here." Mike stepped into the patient's room.
Dean was sitting on the edge of the bed looking slightly gray. The green scrubs, butchered for clothing, didn't help Dean's pallor. If Sam hadn't been standing next to him Mike was pretty sure he'd fall over. The doctor looked at the younger brother, pleading with him to talk to the older man. The younger man lips pressed into a thin line. Dr. Connors just shook his head.
"At least let me give you something to take the edge off," Mike said. "You've got an eight hour drive without stops."
"I'm good," Dean replied breathlessly.
"It wasn't a suggestion." Mike said angrily. "Either I give you something or you're not leaving."
The tension in the room ratcheted up a few notches as Dean and the doctor squared off. Sam knew the older hunter didn't take kindly to people telling him what to do. The only person his brother let do that was their father. But, in this instance, Sam knew the doctor was right.
"Dean, don't be an ass," Sam said. "Mike's right. It's going to be a long drive. I don't want to hear you complaining the whole drive."
"When do I ever complain about being in pain?" Dean asked, glaring at his brother.
Sam knew Dean was right, but he couldn't stand watching his brother suffer. He had one more card to play.
"Please, Dean, I can't stand to see you hurting like this."
Dean wanted to ignore the soulful hazel-blue eyes looking at him. Hell, Sam always knew what to use against him, but he didn't like the way the drugs made him feel. The older hunter hated that he wasn't in control. Dean tried to look away but Sam stopped him.
Mike Connors tried to keep from smiling as Sam used his trump card against his older brother. All younger brothers had one, even he did. And he knew his brother could never refuse him when he played it.
"Damn it, Sammy," Dean caved.
"Come on, let's get you in this chair," Mike said. "Then we'll stop by the nurses' station for the medication."
Connors pushed the wheelchair close to the bed and they help Dean into it. By the time older hunter was settled, he was panting from the exertion, trying to take a deep breath. His bound ribs prevented him. Mike was sure Dean was going to pass out and was about to check his pulse when Sam stopped him. The younger brother shook his head. Mike left it alone.
"You plan on pushing this thing or do I have to do it myself?" Dean turned to his brother.
Sam stepped behind the chair and pushed his brother towards the door. Mike grabbed the crutches Dean would eventually need and followed. The nurses were sorry to see the handsome brothers go. As they were saying their good-byes Mike left to get the pain medication. He returned to find the last of the nurses hugging Sam.
"Ready to go?"
"Yeah, we're ready." Sam pushed Dean towards the door.
Getting Dean in the car proved more of a challenge then getting him into the wheelchair. Mike wanted to put Dean in the back seat, but he refused. They were lucky Sam was driving. With his longer legs the bench seat was pushed back as far as it would go. Dean's casted leg just fit in the front passenger seat. The pain was more then Dean could take as his ribs pinched while they were getting his leg in the car. The claw marks throbbed and Dean bit his lip from crying out. Mike took one look at his patient and shook his head.
"Here," Mike said, holding out a bottle of water. Dean took the water but ignored the pills. "Take them or you aren't going anywhere."
"Dean."
The one word plea had Dean sighing as he took the pills. He popped them in his mouth, taking a swig of water.
"Happy?" The older Winchester glared.
"Yeah, Jerk."
Dean didn't respond with his customary reply, which worried Sam. He bit his lip as he watched Dean struggle with the seat belt. The younger hunter knew better than to offer help. He shut the door and turned back to the doctor.
"You've got all his medication?"
"Yeah, the nurses gave it to me this morning."
"I talked with your uncle last night," Mike confessed. "I wanted him to try to convince you to get Dean to stay."
"Mac will be able to take care of him," Sam replied.
"I'm sure he will," Mike smiled. "Dr. Mackland Ames is known even in this little back woods hospital."
Sam laughed as he held out his hand. "Thanks for everything."
"You take care," Mike shook Sam's hand. "If there's anything you want to talk about, just give me a call."
"I will." Sam said, climbing into the car.
Mike stepped back to the curb as Sam started up the car. The Impala growled to life and the doctor smiled. He remembered the young orderlies drooling over the car in the lot. He'd found them out there the first day just walking around the black beauty wishing it were theirs. Sam waved and pulled away. Mike watched as the car disappeared down the road.
Twenty minutes later Sam found the interstate and headed south. The silence in the car was grating on his nerves. Dean hadn't said anything and Sam glance over to see if he was asleep. His older brother was leaning up against the door fighting to stay awake.
"What do you want to listen too?
"Whatever."
The rule was whoever was driving got to pick the music. Usually Sam protested the Metallica and Motor Head cassettes Dean chose. This time he'd make an exception. He grabbed Metallica and slid it in the player. The hard beat blasted through the speakers.
"Knew you liked them," Dean smiled.
Sam glanced at his brother, returning the smile. Dean's eyes were closed and Sam knew it wouldn't be long before he was asleep. The Impala roared down the road and the younger Winchester was content. An hour later he heard snoring from Dean's direction. He looked over and Dean was out cold.
"Damn it, Dean, you sure make things difficult," Sam sighed. "It wouldn't have killed you to stay one more day."
Sam pushed his hair off his face in frustration. He wanted to talk to his brother about The Will, but knew Dean would be pissed that he had found it. The younger man turned to his brother.
"I found your Will," Sam began. "It wasn't on purpose. I was just holding your jacket. Your life isn't pathetic. I know I gave you a hard time in the beginning, but now I wouldn't change anything. After Jess died, you were there for me. You gave me my space, but never went far-Always watching my back."
Sam stole a glance at his brother, making sure he was still asleep. This was hard enough with Dean asleep. He'd never hear the end of it if he were awake.
"Thought for sure you'd leave the Impala to Caleb. Never dreamed you'd leave her to me. As for the cassettes, hate to tell ya - I still hate the mullet rock bands. I appreciate the money, but I'm not taking it. We're going to spend it together. Go somewhere for a week and just relax. Maybe go back to Vegas."
Sam stopped as Dean mumbled in his sleep. When he was sure his older brother wasn't waking up he continued.
"This is so stupid. I should be able to just tell you these things face to face. But, I know how much you hate chick flick moment. I just want to say you're the best One Hell of a Big Brother."
Sam sighed in relief. There relationship might be a bit weird according to others, but it worked for them. The younger man knew he wouldn't have it any other way.