I own nothing. Just a filler chapter. I do love playing around with Sam though, what can I say I am a Sam girl. I especially love protective Dean. I love writing as protective Dean. Sorry for the length in this chapter. It just kept flowing along. As always please be kind, I'm still new to this writing stuff.
I'm sorry this took so long to post. I've been unwell and just got accepted into study nursing. So I'll be writing whenever I can. Sorry for any errors.
As usual I apologise for any mistakes or holes or any information that isn't accurate. Enjoy.
Summer break was over. The remainder of the months that followed were filled a thick tension between the two eldest Winchester's. Sam continued to blame himself for the fight between his brother and father, his stress levels had now reached an all time high resulting in frequent attacks of intense headaches which he pinned down to the stress of the situation between his father and brother. Hunting was difficult when Dean and his father were both as equally stubborn as one another and refused to say more than a few necessary words to each other. Sam tried several times to steer the two in the direction to mend the relationship between the father and son but his attempts failed him. He didn't know what it was going to take to fix things. School was starting back up today and he hated the idea of leaving the two together alone. All he could do was picture the two at each others throats.
Sam stared at his reflection in yet another motel room bathroom in yet another state. This time they were in Kansas. Even better. Every time they had to pass through here it had brought up the worst in everyone. Another school day was to commence, new school and a new identity. Sam cupped together his hands collecting the stream of cool water that ran from the rust stained tap. He splashed the cold water on his face in a failed attempt to wake himself up more. His hands gripping firmly on the sinks edges as the water continued to run into the sink and down the drain. He'd gone to bed early the previous night, well early for a hunter. Getting a broken 5 hours sleep. Stomach pains keeping him tossing and turning through out the night. A sharp almost burning pain had erupted through his stomach after he had finished dinner which to Sam confirmed he would be having an early bedtime. Now being morning the pain still hadn't eased up. Leaning over the sink Sam felt his stomach begin to cramp. He knew what it was trying to do. He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, breathing in deeply through his nose then exhaling through his mouth. His focus was interrupted by a noise.
THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD.
Someone was pounding their fist impatiently on the door by the sounds of it.
'Hurry up, I gotta take a leak!' It was Dean's groggy morning voice. Sam opened the door clearly unimpressed with the disruption from his brother.
Dean took one look at Sam.
'Uh, what happened to you?' Dean's face both filled with what Sam would describe as disgust and concern. His brow frowned as Dean took a step back as if fearing Sam was contagious. After all Sam did look terrible.
'Nothing, lack of sleep for starters, and your snoring kept me up half the night.' Sam said flatly rubbing his hands over his face.
Sam was visibly pale, he looked like he hadn't slept in days his eyes struggling to stay open. Dean taking a mental note of the way his brother looked. He knew this was not good. But gave Sam the benefit of the doubt.
'I don't snore, I just...I just...my body decided to perform you a lovely song while I slept, anyway hurry up and get ready, have breakfast and then we'll get going.'
Sam gave a small smile at Dean's response. He hated the thought of breakfast, hearing the words alone were enough to cause a wave a nausea to wash over him. He closed his eyes and breathed in deep willing it to pass. Sam freed the bathroom allowing Dean to enter.
Now dressed and ready to leave Sam waited outside for his brother. Breakfast was not going to be happening this morning.
Dean looked around the motel room trying to locate his brother. He looked at his watch and did another view of the room, a look of confusion washed over his face. The only other person visible was their Dad. Who was still asleep. They had just wrapped up a werewolf hunt a few towns over 2 days ago and their Dad was catching up on some much needed sleep. Dean made his way over to the window and pushed the ugly olive shaded curtains aside. He could see his brother leaning on the Impala's door his head facing the ground his body arching slightly forward. What the hell was Sam doing thought Dean.
—————
'You know we've still got like 45 minutes before we have to leave right?' Dean called out to his brother as he made his way to the car while he once again glanced at his watch to confirm the ungodly hour.
'Yeh, I figured first day and all, better to get there early and suss out the place, you know..'
Dean nodded his head in agreement. Sam was right.
'We could stop by somewhere and get breakfast?' Dean suggested.
'No thanks. Not really feeling it this morning.'
Dean took notice of the hand wrapped tightly around Sam's middle. He'd always done that when not feeling well or something was wrong. Hoping it was just from the lack of sleep Dean didn't push it further and simply nodded his head before getting into the drivers side of the car.
They had reached the school. The school grounds practically empty. Sam exited the car and slammed the door shut behind him. He didn't turn around to talk to his brother he just wanted to be alone be in a place where he could focus on something other than the Dad and Dean drama his family was having.
'I'll pick you up after school!'
Dean called out to his brother, leaning over to the passenger side of the car to get a better view outside of the adjacent window.
Sam threw his hand in the air acknowledging he had heard his brother as he walked to the school entrance. He knew the drill. Administration first, then locker, then class. He could do it with his eyes closed. He heard Dean drive away as the rumble of the impalas engine swept through the parking lot until it faded to a nothing.
————
Just as he had said, Dean was there to pick up his brother. Sam looking as if someone had roughed him up. Though it hadn't been the case Dean knew that much. Maybe the kid had had a rough first day Dean thought. He could only ask him.
'How was school?' Dean asked, though probably already knowing the answer.
'Fine.' Sam replied duly as he hopped into his seat his bag resting on his lap gripped tightly with his hands. He just wanted to get home, do his home work and sleep. It was tiring enough being a hunter and to be attending school but to also to feel like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. He felt guilty for being the reason why his father and brother were fighting. He felt responsible for not being able to fix things. Sam was a fixer a solver. He found solutions to things. He found answers. But he hadn't the faintest idea how to fix the declining relationship between his brother and father.
'So you and Dad sort out your issues yet?' Sam asked looking over to his big brother.
'What issues? We don't have issues Sammy.' Dean replied, his brow turning down to a frown as his eyes remained focused on the road ahead.
'Dean, the two of you have barely spoken since we had that solo hunt a couple months back. Its like were all walking on egg shells now.'
'Look, I get it I do, I just think Dad could have handled the situation better, end of the day you were fine, I've got nothing against the guy really, the balls in his park now. I'm ready to listen when he's ready to talk.'
'But that's the problem Dean, Dad doesn't talk, he bottles it up.'
'Yeh, kinda like someone else I know...' Dean whispered under his breath.
'What?' Sam had heard what his brother had said wanting Dean to elaborate on the uncalled for comment.
'I'm just sayin, that the two of you are more alike than you think, both of you, you hold onto everything thinking you're dealing with it but you're not and one day 'again' might I add its all going to explode and I'm going to be the one to have to deal with it all 'again.' Anger was beginning to arise in Dean's voice. He didn't want to be having this conversation.
'I'm sorry I've become such a problem to you.'
Dean looked at his brother as he raised his eyebrows at the comment, almost offended Sam could say such things.
'C'mon man, don't be like that, I didn't mean it like that..I just meant that its not healthy to hold onto so much all the time, talk it out, get angry, hell even hit something, hit me if you have to!' Dean glanced briefly at his brother, Sam wrapping an arm tightly around his stomach once again.
He knew he had to leave the conversation there, he knew he had upset his brother. He hadn't meant to. He hated when he unintentionally did that. The rest of the drive back was silent, only the rumble of the impalas engine could be heard.
————
Once they'd reached the hotel Sam made the effort to hurry to the bathroom without trying to raise too much suspicion. He knew his stomach was trying to force out its contents, though he'd barely eaten anything that day. Even drinking water was enough to make his stomach churn. He hated this. He hated feeling this way. He just wanted it to pass already. He'd been getting these pains for almost two weeks now and taking ibuprofen since it had started didn't seem to be helping too much now.
Dean sat by his father in the arm chair adjacent to his. Both facing the television. Dean looked over to his father who's focus remained on the 3 o'clock news which had started some time ago. Dean knew he had to speak to his father. Something more than just small talk. Not just for himself but for his brother too, he could tell it was upsetting Sam and he didn't want to be upsetting his brother any more. He had to watch out for Sam, and in this case it meant making an effort with his Dad. Because right now they were the problem.
'So, anything that might lead to a case?' Dean asked his father.
'No.' Johns reply was short and firm.
'Okay, anything interesting then?' Dean didn't know what to say, things began to start feeling awkward as John once again replied with the same reply of 'no'.
Luckily at that moment Sam had come out of the bathroom, an arm wrapped around his middle. His face pasty and covered in a thick layer of sweat as he stood not far from the bathrooms door frame, his other hand resting on it to support his tall frame.
Dean turned around to face his brother, glad that something had happened to break the now awkward conversation between he and his father. Except he was not glad that his brother had looked the way he did. His face now expressed concern for the younger sibling.
'You feelin okay?' Dean observed his brother from a distance.
'I'm fine, just tired, must have ate something bad...I'm gonna go to bed.'
Sams eyes looked heavy, his head was pounding in sync with his heart beat.
Sam took a step forward as a wave of dizziness washed over him and for a second his vision clouded. Dean taking noticed immediately as he quickly ran to be by his brothers side. John turning around to see what the commotion was about. Dean lifted his brothers arm that Sam had been using to support himself against the door frame and wrapped it around his own neck, bearing some of his brothers weight as they started to make their way over to Sam's bed.
'Yeah, you totally look fine.'
'I am. Its just a headache.'
'Just a headache? Let me guess, its also a stomach ache, you've also hardly been eating and you just threw up in the bathroom when we got home, I think thats a little more than a headache Sammy.'
'I'm fine Dean, besides I think its passed now.'
'Yeh well you still look like crap.' Dean shook his head not understanding why his brother just wouldn't admit to being unwell. If he knew more then he would be able to help him. They had reached Sams bed as Dean helped lower his little brother down into a sitting position.
'Well as fine as you may think you are I say otherwise. You're not going to school tomorrow, not like this.' Dean now pointing his finger at his brother as if he were a 6 year old being told off for doing the wrong thing.
'Umm yeh, I am. I've got an assessment for Gym. We've got a mini triathlon type of event and the coach wants me to beat my personal best I got when I did it last year back in Texas.' Sam was now standing his hand gripping the bed head in an attempt to show his brother he truly was okay.
'I don't care if Britney Spears herself is coming to your school tomorrow with a personal invitation to spend 10 minutes alone with you, you're staying put and thats final.' Dean was now becoming annoyed with this conversation.
And just like that, to add fuel to fire Sam knew exactly what he had to do. He didn't want to have to do it but he was left with no choice.
'Hey Dad? I am feeling much better, can I go to school tomorrow? Coach says that if I can beat my old track and swim time then we can look at putting more intense training into my Gym classes which would mean training during school hours and more time to be able to research at home especially if I wont have to be training with Dean after school almost every day.'
Sam caught the look on his brothers face. Dean appeared to be mortified. Did Sam really just do that? Did Sam really just go over his head to get what he wanted? That was a low blow, even for Sam. Dean looked at his brother and then over to his Dad.
John stood up from the arm chair and looked at his youngest son making his way over to the brothers. He looked at Sam, really looked at him. There was no way Dad would allow Sam to go to school looking the way he did thought Dean.
'Ok, i'll allow it.'
'No Dad! Look at him! How can you say yes? He can barely keep his eyes open not to mention he's clearly running a fever, I could feel the heat coming off of him when helping him over. When are you going to start being a decent father and actually start caring about how your own children are doing? Because I'm not good, Sam is not good and I sure as hell don't think you're good either!' Dean was now fuming. He just didn't understand how his Dad could be this way.
'You watch your tone with me boy! Your brother says he's fine and I believe him, he's capable of looking after himself! I am doing the best I can with what I have!' John was now standing inches from Dean's face. Dean could feel the tension between he and his father rising. He could feel the man's breath as he exhaled. Eye to eye they stared at one another, their eyes both filled with anger, not blinking. But Dean stood firm, standing his ground. He wasn't going to budge. Just as tensions rose to an all time high John broke the eye contact before walking toward the front door.
'I need a drink..' John muttered under his breath as he stuffed his wallet into his back pocket and walked out the motel door slamming it behind him.
'YEAH WELL SO DO I!' Dean yelled out in the direction of his Dad that he would hear him.
Dean now searching the cupboards for his bottle of whiskey he purchased earlier that week. Not paying attention to anything but getting himself a drink. He was too angry with his father to care about anything else, too angry and annoyed with Sam to acknowledge him. He needed that drink and he needed it now.
Sam sat on the side edge of his bed. He was sick of what was going on between his Dad and brother. He was sick of being the reason for these arguments. Normally it was he who'd be at his Dad's throat. An intense surge of pain erupted through his abdomen. He didn't need his brother to be more worried about him than he already was. He tightened his arm around his middle section as he doubled over in pain. He had to compose himself before his brother could see. With great difficulty Sam slid his shoes off and rolled himself into bed as he brought the covers up above his shoulder trying to focus on getting through the pain. Sam could hear his brother moving about, the clanking of the glass as it was placed forcefully on the table followed by the familiar sound of the corked whiskey bottle being opened as the amber liquid filled the glass. The rich sent of whiskey filled the small motel room as Sam drifted off into darkness. The place where he was free from pain.
————
There was blackness. The whole world around him was dark. Every direction he looked, there was nothing. He could see his Dad walking towards him. It was as if a spotlight were shining down on the eldest Winchester. Sam looked up to see none. His Dad's face displayed emotions of hurt and anger. Carrying gun in hand he walked towards Sam.
'Dad?'
No response, it was as though his Dad was looking right through him. His father raised his weapon, his eyes filled with fury. Sam turned around. Dean was behind him. He stood there. Still, his arms stretched out wide as if accepting his fate. Dean's eyes fearful but his face firm and strong. He hid behind a wall of emotion.
'Dad! Stop!' Sam tried to yell but nothing was coming out.
His father put his finger on the trigger.
'NO STOP! LEAVE HIM ALONE! DEAN RUN! GO!' Sam tried shouting but nothing was coming out. If he couldn't use his voice he'd have to get physical. Sam tried pushing his father but nothing happened, his hands protruding straight through him. Sam looked down at his hands and tried to attack his father once more this time throwing punch after punch after punch. Still nothing. He didn't know what else to do. Sam ran over to his brother standing in front of him his arms out from his sides.
'IM NOT GONNA LET YOU HURT HIM!'
And with that his father pulled the trigger.
————
'STOP IT! SAM?! STOP! SAMMY WAKE UP, WAKE UP, ITS A DREAM GODDAMMIT!'
Dean was now on his brothers bed trying to restrain him. His hands pinning down Sams arms to try and stop the thrashing. Dean had already avoided a few punches but he was more worried that his brother would hurt himself if he didn't wake up out of this nightmare. Sam's eyes snapped open, his breathing raspy and fast as he tried to catch his breath. He sat up quickly causing his head to spin, the sheets tangled around his body practically drenched in every crevasse with his sweat.
Dean loosened the grip on this brother now helping him sit up.
'You good? You with me now?' Dean asked his brother with worry in his voice. His face filled with a familiar look of concern for his younger brother.
'Huh? Uh..yeh..Yeh' Sam forcefully squinting his eyes shut and open in an attempt to clear his vision and understand what was going on.
'I think you had a nightmare, which is no surprise, you've got a raging fever, I could roast a friggin marshmallow on you.' Dean handed his brother a small damp white hand towel to wipe of some of the excess sweat from himself. Sam accepted it and lifted it to his face. It felt like bliss against his sweltering skin.
'I know you're so eager to go to school tomorrow but just promise me one thing, please just take some Ibuprofen tonight to get that fever down as well as tomorrow morning before school.' Dean said pleadingly.
Dean never said please to his brother unless he was that desperate. He was beyond worried for him now. He was responsible for Sam. He always had been, always will be. It was his job to make sure things went smoothly and that they both came out together at the end. But Sam was sure making this difficult for him which made his heart ache more. He wanted to help his brother, he truly did but Sam wouldn't let him.
Sam reluctantly accepted the tablets that Dean handed him and swallowed them with the glass of water someone had placed by his bedside table. Probably Dean thought Sam. He always did that when Sam was unwell or worried abut him. He thought it was funny really, people always seemed to think that a glass of water was capable of fixing all things.
'You okay to go back to sleep? Want me to sing you a song, read you a bed time story? You know I know a good story about a clown named JifferJackle' Dean joked.
'Yeah, no thanks..what time is it? Where's Dad?' Sam looked around the room confused .
'Its about a quarter to twelve and he's still out.' Dean sat down on the end of his brothers bed. His elbows on his knees. He looked defeated.
'You know I'm only trying to look out for you right, do what I think might be best?'
There was a silence between the brothers before Dean spoke again.
'You know I never told anyone this because I thought it wouldn't come true at the time...but for my 4th birthday Mom was pregnant with you, she was barely showing but still showing enough to know, you know? Anyway, Mom told me to make a wish as I blew out the candles on my cake. She made the cake herself, thinking back now it was the worst looking cake. She tried to make it look like a car, the Impala if I remember correctly...it looked more like a frog...anyway, I remember for weeks before my birthday knowing what I wanted more than anything in the world. Most kids would have wished for a brand new bike or a remote controlled car, but you know what I wished for Sammy?'
Sam shook his head.
'I wished that I'd get a little brother, I didn't tell anyone that because I was afraid of it not coming true, and after you were born I was afraid if I told anyone that I got my wish that you'd go away. You mean a lot to me Sammy, and I'm trying here so just meet me half way okay, I need you around for a while longer okay, till were old and grey and in a nursing home together where we'll have a pair of hot wives who are till in their 20's.' Dean smiled at his brother his hand on his knee and he gave it a small squeeze.
'Gross Dean.' Sam shook his head with a smile.
'But sure, I'll try and meet you half way, I'm sorry for worrying you . You think you can get off my bed now so I can go back to sleep?'
'Yeh, sure no problem Bitch. Ill drop you off in the morning okay?'
'Ok Jerk' Sam rested his head back down on his pillow and closed his eyes. His brother had told him things he'd never knew. Dean could relax, Sam wasn't going to be going anywhere, at least not anytime soon.
———
That morning when Sam woke up he took his Ibuprofen first thing as per Dean's request. Though he was not hungry he forced down a small few bites of toast. Playing with the rest of it, pulling the crusts off and ripping it apart hiding several small pieces under a slightly bigger piece to look like he had eaten more. He didn't want to worry his brother and he knew he'd need to take the pain relief with something in his stomach.
'You ready to go?' Dean asked his brother giving him a visual once over to ensure his brother looked to be okay
'Yeh just give me a second.' Sam finished tying his shoe laces and stood up from his beds side. Pulling his bag over one shoulder he made his way over to the table where his father sat drinking a large cup of coffee. He wasn't even sure his father had slept. He was still wearing the same clothes as he had the previous night, his stubble looking thicker, his eyes sunken with dark grey bags hanging below them. He looked like he'd had a rough night. But then again Sam didn't look any better. Dean was surprised Sam was still walking. He looked like walking death.
Sam gripped his bags strap as he heightened it on his shoulder.
'Hey Dad, thanks...for letting me do this, its important to me.' Sam knew his father wasn't a chick flick moment sort of a person but Sam wanted to show his appreciation in some way.
'No problem, now go do me proud.' John gave a weak smile to his youngest son as the two brothers made their way out the door.
At the school Dean pulled up to the main entrance building, most kids hated that because they didn't want to be seen by their peers as their parents dropped them off. But Sam didn't care. He wouldn't be staying at the school long enough for anyone to form a valid opinion of him.
Sam got out of the car but this time he turned around looking down through the window.
'I'll let you know if I need you to pick me up.'
'No problem.'
'Oh and Dean, try and sort things out with Dad, it'd make me feel better and I know that both of you need it.'
Dean knew the minute Sam had said that that his brother wasn't getting better. Sam didn't say that. He was more of a suffer alone in silence type of guy. He'd stay in class learning while having a heart attack before he'd get picked up from school early.
'I'll try Sammy, cant make any promises though. Don't forget the Meds.'
And with that Dean drove away leaving his brother standing before the schools main entrance building.
————
Second Period had come around and the event had started. 75 minute lesson to run as many laps of the schools track before the timer went off. They had 15 minutes. Sam could do this, he was fast. He'd out run monsters before. He was sure he could out run everyone here and then some. After the running they'd have to change quickly before doing as many laps of the swimming pool as possible.
Sam stood at the tracks starting point, he looked either side of him. Both boys and girls waiting nervously for the buzzer. Sam had taken his third dose of Ibuprofen that day. Sure it was a little more than required but his pain kept making itself known and he didn't have time for this today. He stared ahead of him focusing on the track ahead as his eyes narrowed in focus. His pain though still there was improved in only the slightest amount. I just have to get through this period he thought to himself.
The buzzer went off and the class began sprinting down the track to achieve as many laps as they could possibly do. Sam was up to his 4th lap now and he was feeling it more than ever. The pain in his stomach was now more intense than it had ever been, the pain so severe it was radiating down his legs but still he pushed on. The 15 minutes was almost up Sam had run 7 and a half laps of the track when he heard the buzzer go off. He wasn't sure how he'd done. Having a brief moments rest before running to the swimming pool Sam rested his hands down on his knees as he panted. Trying to take in deep breaths to steady his now clouding vision. Do not pass out on this track he thought to himself as he so desperately wished the wave of nausea and dizziness to pass. When Sam looked up almost all of his peers had ventured towards the pool. Sam hurried his way up after them.
There was chatter as the students lined up behind the starting blocks. They'd be taking this one in turns as there were not enough lanes for everyone to swim in. Sam was in the second group. The goal was to swim as many laps as possible in 15 minutes again. The first group stood on their markers. The buzzer made its noise indicating it was time to dive in as the first group leapt into the depths of the water below.
A familiar cramping of his stomach returned as a sickening feeling rose into his throat. Oh god not now, not now. Sam took a few gulps from his water from his bottle next to him and practiced his breathing. Nice and slow. He inhaled through his nose and exhaled from his mouth.
'GROUP 2! YOU'RE UP!' Coach Rossman shouted to the students as he held out his clipboard gesturing them where to go.
The students lined up behind their starting blocks. Sam placed behind block number 1, right on the edge of the pool.
'Everybody on your markers' the Coach yelled.
And thats when things started to slow down. Sam looked around him, everybody moving as if they were in a stop motion picture. Everything was so slow and choppy. He could hear someone calling his name. He spun around which was a mistake his equilibrium unable to catch up with him. His hand reaching up to his face as he rubbed the palm of his hand down over the side of his face. What was going on? His vision began to cloud as he felt an unbearable pain erupt through his stomach. He could no longer stay vertical as his vision darkened and he came crashing down.
Coach Rossman looked over at the second group of students about to take place on their blocks. Thats when he noticed Sam. Sam wasn't looking right. He looked disorientated, he was ghostly pale, he'd looked as if he'd already done his laps of the pool his body was profusely covered with perspiration. The kid had probably pushed himself too far on the running side of things thought the coach. After all Sam had managed to complete more laps than anyone else. He had seen this a few times in his long career as a coach. He knew the look Sam had and he knew he didn't have much time to get to him.
'Sam!' He called out to the young boy but there was no response. Sam obviously hearing him and making his best efforts to turn around. This wasn't going to be good if he didn't get to him soon Sam could collapse and hit his head on the edging of the pool or worse he could collapse hit his head and fall into the water. Coach Rossman did not want to be performing CPR today. Pushing his way through the waiting students he made his way to Sam and just in time, Sams eyes rolled into the back of his head as his body became limp crashing down to the ground below, well almost to the ground if it hadn't been for the Coach reaching out just in time to catch Sam's limp body.
————
Sam awoke. He could smell chlorine, his body resting on something hard below. Probably the ground he thought. It was damp and uncomfortable. Something was under his head, it wasn't uncomfortable but it wasn't comfortable. It felt like a firm piece of foam. It was. Somebody had placed a paddle board under his head. It was better than nothing, though a pillow would have been nice. Sam opened his eyes, he was horizontal in the recovery position. Confused he looked around him. There were almost no students around and Coach Rossman was crouched down by his side. How long he he been out?
'What happened?' Sam asked still incredibly confused
'You passed out dude.' A boy from Sams class who he recognised said. His name was Jason. He was now fully dressed in his every day clothes. That gave Sam a bit of an indication as to how long he'd been out for.
'I'm sending you to the nurses office Sam and Jason here is going to assist you, I think you pushed yourself too far on the running and you're exhausted.' The coach explained sympathetically.
Sam nodded though he wished he didn't as a wave of dizziness made his vision spin. Both the coach and Jason hoisted Sam up as they brought him over to sit against the white tiled wall. His bag now by his side as he dug through it pulling out his shirt before putting it on.
'Ready to go?' A voice finally said. Though Sam was unsure who it was. He rested his head back against the tiles his eyes closed. After a minutes silence he finally replied.
'Yes'
Once again the two strong arms hoisted him up as the three of them made their way down the hall to the nurses office. Sam felt his stomach drop as he remembered. Dean. He was going to be pissed when he found out.
The nurse must have been expecting him because she had the bed ready, his file out and the door to her office open.
'Just place him here' The nurse said as she gestured to the bed in the corner, its fresh white sheets turned down. Her name was Elise Webber. Or Nurse Webber as she was known more commonly around the school. She was in her mid thirties. Her strawberry blonde hair tied back in a pony tail her bangs hanging loosely in front of her thin face. She was still very beautiful for her age. A single mum of two pre teen girls she was, the stress on her face showed.
Nurse Webber made her way over to Sam who sat on the beds side, his feet dangling off.
'You can lay down there if you like, coach called me while you were still passed out and filled me in with what happened, when's the last time you ate something Sam?'
'This morning, I had two bites of toast but other than that my stomachs been hurting so I haven't had much to eat for the past 4 days.' Sam's eyes were drifting in and out of focus now.
Nurse Webber was sympathetic.
'Well that's probably why you passed out sweetheart, you pushed yourself too far without enough food in your body you hadn't the energy to continue and I take it your stomach pain hasn't helped, you're unwell Sam. Come and have a lie down and I'll make a few calls okay.' She smiled sympathetically at the teen.
Sam nodded at her as he proceeded to lay down on the bed underneath him. He had no intentions of falling asleep. He had to act fine when his brother came to pick him up. He had to be fine. Unfortunately Sam lost his battle with the fight to stay awake and he drifted off into a deep sleep.
————
'I'm just sayin Dad he really shouldn't have gone today, you know how he is. He's as stubborn as you are!'
'Just drop it okay, he'll be fine!'
Dean shook his head, knowing it was pointless to argue, he knew Sam wouldn't want this. He remembered what Sam had said earlier that day about trying to sort things out with their Dad. Dean sighed and then nodded as he looked over at his father. The two had spent the morning together reading through local newspapers in an attempt to find a case. Dean needed to find an excuse to get out of there. He was practically climbing the walls now.
'I'm gonna go get some lunch, you want anything?'
John was silent at first. He appeared to be thinking. He put down the newspaper.
'Yeh I'll..'
Dean's phone started to ring. He fetched it from his back pocket.
'Hold that thought.' Dean said as he raised his index finger up to his Dad.
He flipped his cell open and pressed it to his ear.
'Yeh?'
...
'Yeh why, who's this?'
...
Dean's once face once relaxed was now sprouting concern.
'He what?! Is he okay?'
...
'Yeh okay I'm on my way.'
Dean ended the phone call and looked at his father. John looking back at his son.
'That was Sam's school, they said he passed out in Gym class. Now do you believe me when I say he isn't fine?'
John was silent he didn't know how to respond. He stared blankly back at his eldest son as if waiting for the commands of what to do next. He really wasn't the best in these situations. Dean had always been Sam's carer, his responsibility thanks to John's absence.
'I'm gonna go get him.' Dean was annoyed with his father but concerned for his brother he didn't have time to waste sitting there arguing when Sam needed him.
————-
He could hear voices, they were far away. Something was going on. He wished they would shut up. He wanted to continue living in the world of pain free darkness.
'Sir? Sir! You can't just barge in there! You have to fill in the guest registration form! Sir?!'
He could hear a door open forcefully as it hit the wall a loud banging echoed through the small room as the door made impact with the wall.
The voice was getting louder.
'Where is he? Where's my brother?' He knew that voice, it was familiar. The voice sounded worried. Why was it worried. He was right here. It was Dean's voice. Why did Dean always get so stressed out when it came to him? Sam thought.
Dean stood in the nurses office looking around frantically. The nurse made her way up to Dean and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Her sympathetic smile provided Dean with an ounce of reassurance he so desperately needed.
'Shhhh, your brother is fine. He's got a bit of a fever and he collapsed from exhaustion but mostly he's fine. He's asleep. If you quiet down I can take you to him okay?'
Dean nodded his head in agreement.
'Before I take you in to him I should let you know that Sam has informed me that he's been experiencing some stomach pains for a while now which have been putting him off his food. Which is probably the reason why he collapsed. His body is running on nothing, and whatever is going on with his stomach I'm sure didn't help. You're going to have to take him to a Doctor okay?'
Dean took in the information he had just been fed. His only response was yet another nod.
The nurse then pushed back the disposable blue curtain which hung on a track from the ceiling. Sam was asleep. Dean looked at his brother helplessly and couldn't help feel completely responsible for this. He made his way over to his younger sibling and brushed his hair from his eyes. Sam looked worse than ever. Dean fought the tears from welling up in his eyes. He brushed his hand through his hair before rubbing it down his jaw resting it on his face. He felt small, useless. He didn't know how to fix this. This wasn't something he could salt and burn and make go away. This was his brother. His only brother.
'Sam? You okay?' Dean asked, barely a whisper escaping his lips.
'Dean?' Sam appeared to be confused as he opened his eyes to the sound of his brothers voice.
'What happened Dean? Why are you here?
'Well you decided to be dramatic again Sammy, you fainted.'
'No I didn't, I was just trying to conserve energy.' Sam joked, Dean not finding it funny. This was serious why did his brother have to joke at a time like this. Sam was probably only trying to make Dean feel better. He could see the worry softening his brothers face.
'Yeh, right. Hey listen were taking you straight home okay so you can sleep off whatever this is and if you're not better by morning were taking you straight to see a Doctor okay.' Dean's voice was firm yet on the edge of breaking as he made the plan of action.
Sam nodded at his brother weakly as he steadied himself upright to get ready to leave.
Dean now by his side supporting the weight of his brother as they made their way to the exit, ready to leave the school. Walking past administration they saw Coach Rossman. His arms against the administration desk as he leant over a piece of paper filling it out. Likely to be a report about the events that had taken place. Coach Rossman looked up at the brothers as Dean stopped to ask the schools Coach a few questions. It was obvious he was the coach, what other teacher would be wearing shorts with a polo shirt and whistle around his neck.
'So how'd my brother do Coach?
'Well, honestly... he almost beat the school record. Half a lap more and he could have been there tied. Ive been here since 1980 and haven't seen anyone come as close to that.'
A smile filled Deans face. He was proud of his brother, he'd managed to do all that while unwell. He couldn't help but think his brother could have easily smashed that record had he been well.
'Thanks coach' Dean nodded before once again helping his brother make their way to the exit.
—————
Sam rested for a majority of the drive home, they were 5 minutes from the hotel when Sam's hand met with his mouth, cupping it tightly.
Deans eyes glanced from the road over to his brother as he noticed the movement from his younger brother. Now turning his head he knew that look Sam had.
'You gonna puke?'
Afraid to open his mouth Sam simply just nodded.
'Alright hold on, I'll pull over' Dean pulled over the Impala on the side of the road. The motel almost visible on the straight road ahead. Dean hurried out from his side of the vehicle and made his way over to the passenger side to help his brother as he opened the door for him. Sam immediately getting himself out and away from the car as much as possible as he proceeded to vomit the contents of his stomach. Dean standing by not too far should his brother need him, looking away to give the younger Winchester some privacy.
'Dean?'
Seriously what now Dean thought to himself. Then he saw it.
'Oh crap, well thats not good.'
Bright red blood stained in with the ground in the vomit Sam had expelled from his body. He didn't think it was possible but Sam's face dropped to another shade of white.
'Okay, were getting you straight to the hospital, I'll call Dad on the way.' Dean now taking charge once again as he decided on the change of plans. Sam didn't protest and he knew that that wasn't good. Sam always protested.
————
As they entered the hospitals emergency department Dean helped his brother onto a near by chair giving him a once over to ensure he was okay, well as okay as he could be given that something had to be seriously wrong with his little brother.
After what seemed like hours Sam was called into a room by a doctor named Doctor Yang. Dean remaining by his brothers side the whole time as they made their way down the hall to a small room and took a seat inside.
'So Sam reading your paper work you've been experiencing some abdominal pain, headaches, fever and nausea with vomiting?'
Sam nodded in reply, he hadn't the energy to talk.
'Sorry, may I ask where your legal guardian is?' The doctor asked looking around.
'Our Dad, we called him on the way over he should be here soon, but Sammy here, he's my responsibility and I take care of him and besides I'm old enough to consent to anything you need to make him better.'
The doctor nodded.
'So, how long have you been getting the headaches for Sam?'
Sam drowsily looked up at the doctor pulling his head away from his hands where his head had been resting until now.
'Just about all summer.'
'And what have you been taking for them?'
'Just Ibuprofen since they started.'
'You've been taking Ibuprofen everyday for the past few months?' The doctor now frowning. Dean noticed the change in the doctors face.
'Yeh, several times a day. It helped a bit at first but then not so much, then my stomach started hurting half way through the summer, the pains would come and go but these past few weeks its just been really intense, it's been difficult to eat too.'
The doctor wrote something down on his clipboard.
'Sam have you had any changes at home happen? Anything that would cause you any unnecessary stress?'
Sam thought for a moment.
Thats when Dean made the connection. There had in fact been changes at home. He and his father had been fighting so much lately. Sam had tried talking to him about it more than once. It was his fault this happened to Sam, if he wasn't so stressed he wouldn't have gotten the headaches, he wouldn't have had to take the ibuprofen which wouldn't have made him sick.
Not wanting to draw attention to his family any more Sam lied.
'I've just been stressing about school all summer, we just moved states and I've been worried about fitting in, making friends...you know, all the normal stuff.'
The doctor nodded once again.
'Sam, I think there's a few things that might have caused this but I'll tell you what I think it might be, I think you might have a stomach ulcer brought on by a combination of the excessive use of medication as well as stress from school. So what I'm going to do is administer a sedative called diazepam it'll help calm you down while I perform something known as a endoscopy. So an endoscopy is where we put a camera down your throat and all the way down to your stomach so we can see what's going on in there okay? If needed it can be treated during the procedure, as well as with a round or two of antibiotics after the procedure okay?'
'Wait, is this going to hurt him?' Dean now cutting into the conversation between the doctor and his brother.
'Not at all, he's likely to not even remember it. If you like you can be in the room when it happens if your brother feels more comfortable with that?'
Both the doctor and Dean looked over to Sam.
'Yeh I'd like that.' Sam winced as a fresh wave of pain shot through him grabbing his middle section.
'Uhh...'
'Dean, my names Dean.'
'Dean, if you'd like to step out into the waiting room for a few moments while we prepare Sam and administer the sedative and just sign a few forms at reception.'
Dean nodded in agreement as he went to exit the room.
'I'll be right back Sammy, just hang in there.'
As Dean collected the forms from reception he located a familiar face in the waiting room. It was his father. John sat alone with his head in his hands. Dean knew it was time to repair the damage so his brother could get better.
'Hey Dad' Dean sat beside his father.
'Hey Dean, what's going on with Sammy?'
Dean sighed.
'They think he might have a stomach ulcer, brought on from a combination of stress and pain meds, pain meds he's been taking because of the headaches he's been getting, which he's been getting because he's been stressing out over us fighting.'
'Oh..'
'Yeh, so Dad if thats okay with you I'd like to sort out whatever is going on between us so that Sammy can start getting better. You know more than anything, I'm afraid of losing him I'd never, ever do anything that would purposely but him in harms way. You have got to know that.'
'I do...I'm sorry I haven't exactly been the easiest person to be around lately, I know you'd never do anything to hurt Sammy, I'm sorry I've been such a jackass. I'm just tired Dean. We've been hunting that thing that killed your mother for 17 years now, you boys are growing up into fine young men and here I am failing you as a father.'
'You're not failing Dad, otherwise me and Sammy wouldn't be here. We just all gotta be more open with each other more often, as chick flicky as it is, its all about communication.'
'You're right, Sammy needs us right now, we've gotta do it for him, do it for your mother.'
Dean nodded in agreement. He walked over to the reception to return the forms back.
'Dad I've gotta go in and be with Sam but how about you go get me a cup of coffee, I need it after the last few days I've had, oh and how about you get yourself one too.'
John nodded in agreement.
Dean entered the room where Sam had been waiting for him.
'You ready? The doctor asked Sam as he connected up the IV.
————
After about 45 minutes had passed Dean came out to update his father. John sat in the same chair he had been previously two coffees by his side on the chair next to him. Hearing a set of foot steps coming toward him John looked over in the direction his eldest son was coming from, glad that there was finally an update.
'How's Sammy?'
'Good good, Doc was right. Sammy had an ulcer which he was able to treat during the endoscopy, the meds they gave him are making him a little out of it. He's saying all sorts of weird things. Pretty funny actually. I almost convinced him he was a dinosaur. You should have seen his face! Doc says he'll also be on some antibiotics once he's a bit more coherent and a few other meds he's gonna prescribe, he's gonna keep him in for a day or two depending on how Sam's feeling but overall he's gonna be just fine.'
'Oh thank god' John tilted his head back as his hands ran back through his hair, letting out a sigh of relief.
—————
Two days later all three family members were on their way home. Sam resting in the back seat of the Impala, Dean beside him. He knew Sam would be fine but he felt more at ease being next to him. Things were going to start going back to normal thought Dean. His brother was on the mend, the relationship between he and his father was improving and he had a carton of beer at home with his name on it. All was going to be okay.
Pulling into the motel parking lot Johns phone started to ring. Digging through his back pocket John finally gained access.
'Hello?'
...
'How you doin Bobby?'
...
'Yeh sure no problems, were about an hour from there.'
...
'Bye' John ended the phone call.
'Boy's looks like were staying a little longer, Bobby thinks he's found us a case, a witch.'
TBC...