Traffic was bumper to bumper on the Bruckner Expressway and Sam cursed in frustration. They made good time coming from Maine, but Sam forgot just how bad traffic around Manhattan could be. He knew it was only a matter of time before Dean woke up. His brother was going to be pissed, but Dr. Connors had been right. The older hunter never would have made the trip without the pain killer. Sam inched the Impala forward then stopped. The stop and go motion wasn't helping the situation and Dean moaned. Earlier Dean had stretched out on the front seat. Sam reached over and ran his hand over his brother's sweaty hair. Dean stirred at the touch and opened his eyes.
"Fuck!"
Dean tried to push himself up with his left arm but was having trouble. Sam put the car in park and helped push his brother up until he was leaning against the door. The car behind them started laying on the horn as the cars in front started to move. -->
"I'm good." Dean said through clenched teeth. "You better move before the jerk decides to hit us."
Sam put the car in gear and moved forward. The traffic stopped again. Dean hissed in pain. "Good thing we're not in Salem or I'd be kicking someone's ass."
"It was for your own good," Sam replied defending Connors.
"He didn't tell me they'd knock me out for the whole ride!"
"He probably knew you'd just suck it up and not say if you were hurting," Sam argued.
Dean glanced at his brother. He knew Sam was worried but there was nothing he could do. Dean didn't want to take the drugs because he hated not being in control.
"Do we have any water?" Dean asked, changing the subject. "And where the hell are we?"
Sam was glad his older brother changed the subject and reached behind the seat to get the water. "Do you want something to eat?"
"Just the water."
The dark haired man braced the steering wheel with his left knee as he twisted the cap off the water and handed it to Dean. He watched in concern as the older hunter finished the bottle then lean his head against the passenger door.
"So, are you going to answer my other question?"
"We're just north of Manhattan." Sam said. "I thought the traffic would be finished by now."
"This is New York City, the traffic is never finished." Dean sighed.
An hour later Sam crossed the Triborro bridge into Manhattan and cruised down the FDR drive. Dean's labored breathing was the only indication his brother was in a lot of pain. Finally they were at 96th Street and the younger man turned towards Central Park. As he waited for the light at Park Avenue Sam grabbed his phone, dialing Mac.
"Hello, Sam."
"Caller ID or did you read my mind?'
"Hell no, Brat."
"Hey, Caleb," Sam said smiling. "We're at Park Avenue."
"OK, pull up out front. We'll be waiting."
Sam shut the phone and threw it on the seat. "We're almost there."
"No kidding," Dean snapped. "I'm not deaf or blind."
Sam slowly counted to ten and tried to ignore his brother's attitude. The younger hunter knew Dean didn't mean it. As they cruised along Central Park Sam marveled at the hustle and bustle of the city. He loved coming here. As they approached 86th Street Sam saw Caleb and Mac waiting for them outside the condo with a wheelchair. Sam pulled up next to the curb and cut the engine. The youngest Winchester climbed out of the car and walked around to greet Mac.
"You made excellent time," the doctor said.
"Yeah, it was pretty smooth sailing."
"Hey, Deuce, you look like crap." Caleb opened the passenger door.
"Still kick your ass," Dean said with a cocky grin.
"Right," Caleb laughed.
"Let's get him out of the car and upstairs" Mac interjected.
Caleb reached in to help Dean but pulled back slightly as he was assaulted by the emotions of the older Winchester. The boys didn't notice Caleb's reaction but Mac did. His father gave him a look but Caleb just shook his head as he gently lifted Dean's casted leg out of the car. It was tough getting Dean into a position where they could lift him, but finally Caleb and Sam stood the injured hunter up. As soon as Dean was vertical the edges of his vision started to black out.
"Sit him down -- Quickly!" Mac ordered.
They settled him into the chair and Mac put Dean's head down between his knees. Sam hovered at his brother's side while the neurosurgeon took his pulse.
The younger Winchester couldn't take it any more and kneeled in front of his brother. "Dean?"
Sam reached out and gently raised Dean's head. Sweat beaded on his brother's upper lip as Dean smiled.
"I'm okay, little brother, all that blood rushing to my brain was quite a trip."
"What brain?" Sam said innocently.
Caleb laughed as they helped Dean sit back up. The wounded hunter groaned as his ribs protested the move. They raised the leg rest to support Dean's cast and they were ready to head inside.
"I'll just go park this black beauty," Caleb said, holding out his hands for the keys.
Dean watched as Sam handed him the keys. "Hey, Demon Spawn, you know the rule."
"Yeah, yeah, I scratch it and you'll kick my ass."
Caleb turned the ignition and the Impala roared to life. When he was younger he envied John having this car. John always pampered the car and Caleb had been surprised when he gave the car to Dean. He pulled the car into the underground parking maneuvering it into the space between his Jeep and Mac's Jaguar. Caleb grabbed the duffel on the seat and went to exit the car. As he did a small bag feel to the concrete. He picked it up and looked inside. There were several different prescription bottles. He stuffed it in his pocket walking to the back of the car. Caleb opened the trunk, found a second duffle and pulled it out. He shook his head at the other equipment under the false compartment. A false compartment that did nothing to hide the weapons stored there. Caleb grabbed the two duffels and headed for the elevator. He arrived at the condo to hear Dean complaining.
"God damn it, Sammy, Florence Nightingale you're not."
Sam stepped back from placing Dean's leg on a pillow and was about to lay into his brother when Mac placed a hand on his arm. "Come help me with dinner."
Caleb watched as Sam followed Mac to the kitchen. Dean dropped his head against the back of the couch and sighed.
"Was that really called for?" Caleb asked as he dropped the bags by the door. He pulled the bag of medicine from his pocket and dropped it on top it the duffels. Dean didn't answer as Caleb sat in the recliner next to the couch. "He's worried."
"No shit, Sherlock."
"Man, you make one mean invalid," Caleb observed.
"Give me some Tequila and I might not be so mean," Dean said.
"I don't know about that, you got pretty mean down in New Orleans."
"You're never going to let me live that down are you?"
"What do you think?"
Dean groaned, but it had nothing to do with the pain.
Mac watched as Sam helped him put the sandwiches on plates. The youngest Winchester was tense and upset.
"Dean didn't mean what he said."
"I know," Sam sighed. "He's worried."
"And in a lot of pain," Mac said. "Did they give you anything for him?"
"Yeah but Dean doesn't like to take it," the young hunter admitted.
"Well, your brother is under my care now. He'll take the medication if I have to force it on him."
"Hell, you could use the Jedi mind trick and Dean wouldn't know what hit him."
"There is that." Mac smiled.
Sam bit his lip and looked at his dad's friend. "Mac, what are we going to do?"
"Caleb and I have been doing research," the doctor replied. "We may have found something, but I need more information."
"What?"
"Not tonight," Mac said. "Tonight the two of you need a good meal and a good night's sleep."
Mac and Sam carried the sandwiches out to the living room. They placed everything on the coffee table. The younger hunter walked over to the duffle bags and grabbed the bag with the medication. He pulled out the bottles and popped the lids off two of them. Dean held out his hand as Sam dumped the pills into his palm. Sam didn't say anything as his brother popped the pills into his mouth. Dean took the water Sam handed him and finished it in a few gulps.
"Thanks, Bitch."
Mac was about to reprimand Dean for his language, but Caleb held up his hand. That's when Mac noticed the huge smile on Sam's face.
"Jerk." Sam answered as he sat down next to Dean.
Mac just shook his head as Caleb laughed. Dinner was quiet but Mac was amazed at the amount of food Sam could consume. Dean, on the other hand, ate only enough to buffer his stomach against the medication. When the young hunter was finished he leaned back and got comfortable. Caleb had turned on the TV to a football game. Mac took the time to watch the two brothers. Sam had originally sat a few inches away from Dean. The psychic noticed that the younger boy had moved slowly closer to his brother until their shoulders were touching. Dean's eyes were half closed and Mac knew he wouldn't be awake much longer. As Mac predicted the blond hunter's head slowly leaned towards Sam's shoulder. As soon as Dean's head touched his shoulder, Sam sighed and relaxed.
"It's about damn time!" Caleb complained, messaging his temples.
"What do you mean?" Sam asked quietly.
"When your brother is hurt he's really loud," Caleb said. "I had to put up a shield as soon as I touched him in the car."
"Is that why you pulled away?" Mac was surprised Sam saw that.
"Normally, Dean has one hell of a shield up around his emotions." Caleb said. "But hurt him or get him really drunk and forget it."
"You feel him too, Sam." Mac said.
"I know," Sam admitted. "But, not like you or Caleb."
"Believe me, you don't want to," Caleb laughed. "You think your brother is warped on the outside."
"Caleb!" Mac scolded. Caleb laughed harder.
"I have a pretty good idea about how Dean thinks," Sam smiled.
"Well I guess we better get sleeping beauty to bed," Caleb said, walking over to Dean.
"Are you sure you can handle him with the cast?" Mac asked.
"Yeah, being a Demon Spawn has its perks."
Caleb effortlessly lifted Dean off the couch. Sam grabbed the duffle bags and followed the longhaired hunter into one of the bedrooms. The room had a king size bed. Mac helped place pillows under Dean's right leg.
"I'm going to get more pillows," Mac said. "I want to keep him in a reclining position."
"If you're tired, Sam, you can take the other bedroom." Caleb said. "I can sleep on the couch."
"No," Sam said. "I'll stay with Dean. There's plenty of room."
Caleb knew that would be Sam's answer. When Mac returned they propped the pillows behind Dean's back and Mac checked to see if his arm and ribs were all right. When he was satisfied he pulled the covers over Dean and turned to Sam.
"If he has any trouble breathing or anything else, wake me."
" 'Night, Sam," Caleb said, following his father out the door, closing it behind him.
Sam knew it was early but he was beat. He went into the bathroom and came out a few minutes later in sweat pants. There was plenty of room on the other side of the bed. He wouldn't disturb Dean. Sam crawled into the bed and was asleep before his head hit the pillow.