Chapter 6

John set watching Sam. He had finished eating a while ago, but couldn't bring himself to get up from the table. He watched as Sam slowly moved the spoon to his mouth. The boy's stiff and swollen hands made holding the spoon a challenge, but Sam continued with the task. Thoughts of his boys in earlier days came to mind. John thought of the few times they set at a table and ate together. Sammy talking about school and Dean asking about the next hunt. Dean always asking about the next hunt.

John's eyes drifted away from Sam. 'Dad. Are you going after the shapeshifter? When are you leaving? Can I go too?' The young eager voice rang in his head. The day he and his wife brought a tiny baby home from the hospital. They all were smiling. Even the baby, Dean. The first day Dean got to hold his little brother. John snapped the photo to remember that day.

"Dad? You all right?" Sam was looking at his father.

John looked up. He smiled. "Yeah. I'm fine." He looks at the empty bowl in front of Sam. "You want some more?"

"No. I'm ok." Sam looked at the bowl. The chilli was ok but Sam just wasn't that hungry. "What did Bobby say?" The worry that hasn't left Sam's face increased tenfold.

"They had him sedated, but Dean seems to be doing better. Bobby hasn't talked to the doctor yet." John first thought not to tell of Dean calling for Sam, but decided to. "Bobby said he called your name." Sam's face changed to excitement. "Even under sedation, your brother is still worried about you, Sammy."

"When can we go see him?" Sam's voice was that of a child. John could see his pleading eyes speaking volumes.

"We can't, Sam." John watched Sam's expression morph. "When Dean can leave the hospital, Bobby will bring him here. I'm sorry, son. Bobby said the law is already asking questions."

Thinking more aloud, Sam said. "Yeah. And we don't want them to see these." He held up his hands, staring at them. John reached out and gentle embraced Sam's bandaged hands in his own. He didn't know what to say. Sam's eyes started to tear up but nothing rolled down his cheeks. He was fighting the emotions. He was trying to be strong. Strong for his big brother.

After a while, John got up and started to clear the table. Sam remained seated as he watched his father clean the dishes. With the chore done, John tossed the towel on the counter and turned toward Sam. "Unless you want chilli for lunch and dinner, I need to go to the store."

"Ok." Sam started to stand. "Let's go."

"No, Sam. You stay here." John knew he was in for a fight, but Sam didn't argue. Instead he set back down. "I have the doors and windows salted. You'll be safe here." He moved in closer to his son. "You stay inside. I shouldn't be more that a couple of hours."John moved around the cabin to where he had laid Sam's coat. After going through the pocket, he removed Sam's cell phone. He walked back to Sam and handed it to him. Sam took it. "You can call me if you need anything. Ok?" John was looking hard at Sam. Trying to read the boy's face.

Sam was more lost than anything. He took the phone and stared at it. The words came from his father was an obscure. "Ok." He softly answered.

John placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "I mean it, Sammy. You stay inside." Sam looked up at his father and only nodded his head. On that, John walked out the door. Making sure he didn't brake the salt line. He felt bad leaving Sam alone, but they had to eat.

Though Sam's eyes watched his father walk out the door, he really never saw him leave. It was a few minutes before he realized he was alone in the cabin. His eyes sweeping the room. Sam got up and moved to the cot. He thought maybe laying down would help. It couldn't hurt. Sam didn't realize he was tired. He didn't realize that the minute his body relaxed he would be asleep. He did realize the next thing he remembered was in his slumber he was back at the warehouse. Staring at his brother's body hanging from the ceiling. His eyes followed the blood running down his body. The blood forming puddles beneath his brother's feet. He did this. He did this to his own brother. The tears came to Sam's closed eyes, escaping down the side of his face.

Bobby was watching Dean who was still asleep. The rest the young man needed came easier now. Bobby could notice the swollen around his eyes was starting to go down. Even once, Dean had tried to open his eyes to only small slits of green before he submitted to his slumber again.

"So how's my patient, this morning." Dr. Westmore said as he entered the room. He was carrying a clipboard in his hands and was followed by a tech.

"He seems to be trying to wake up." Bobby said. Watching the tech as he checked the monitors. "Where's Kathy? Dean's nurse?" Bobby asked.

"Shift change. She'll be back tonight." The tech declared.

"Well, Mr. Smith. Your nephew is doing good. The test all came back good. The slight bleed had stopped." The doctor leaned in and looked closer at Dean's swollen face. "And the swelling has started to go down. My only concern is the wound on the side." The doctor moved the sheet back to expose the bandage on Dean's side. Not to jar his arm which was in a sling. "It doesn't look like it's healing." He turned to the tech. "Let's try a strong antibiotic." He said as he covered Dean back up.

"Yes, doctor." The tech answered.

"Is it bad?" Bobby asked. He had thought everything was going great.

"It's not infected. It's just slow at healing." The doctor added. "I'm going to finish my round and be back later." With that, the doctor and the tech exited the room leaving Bobby with Dean.

Bobby debated leaving to call John, but a gut feeling told him to stay with the boy. He settled back in the chair and waited. All the years of hunting Bobby had done, something wasn't right. He couldn't put his finger on it. Bobby set there, watching over Dean.

An hour after the doctor had stopped by, Bobby saw moving coming from the bed. Dean was trying to wake up again. First there was subdued movement. A leg. Slow rolling of the head. Lips parting with a sigh. Then a single word. "Sammy." Slipped from Dean's lips. Bobby was out of the chair and leaning over the young man. The slits where Dean's eyes are opened enough to show the green beneath them. A confused look worked it way across Dean's face. "Bobby?"

"Yeah, it's me." Bobby was grinning from ear to ear. "Boy, it's good to see you awake."

"Was I asleep?" Dean tried to focus on the surroundings. "Where am I?"

"You're in a hospital. You got worked over pretty good." Bobby started to tell.

Dean had already started to look around the room. A worried look appeared on his face. "Where's Sammy? Is he ok?"

"Easy there, kiddo. Sammy's fine. He's with your father." Bobby had to settle Dean back down. Dean's confusion didn't lessen. "What do you remember?" Bobby had to ask so he knew what needed to be filled in.

Dean settled back in bed. "Remember? I remember changing a tire. A church? I think."

Bobby could see the young man struggling. He placed a hand on Dean's shoulder. "That's ok." Bobby started to say. "You and Sam ran into your father at St. Michael's in Bowman. You two were to meet John back at my place but you boys never showed up."

"Did I get into a bar fight?" He was remembering Bobby saying something able him being worked over.

"No. We're not sure what happened." Bobby didn't think saying any more would be beneficial. "Get some rest. I'm going to call your daddy. I'll just be outside the door." Dean nodded his head as he settled in. It was no time that Dean was asleep again. Bobby figured it was the medicine he was on. He stepped just outside the door and pulled his phone out.

John was on his way back to the cabin with the food when his phone rang. He answered it quickly, not looking to see who was calling. "Hello?"

"John. Thought you like to know, Dean woke up." Bobby started to say.

"That's great. Did he tell you anything?" John asked.

"Only bits and pieces. Changing a tire and the church." Bobby could hear the engine of the Chevelle in the background. "John, where are you?"

John laughed at Bobby's mother hen act. "Driving back to the cabin. Your friend only likes chilli and I have to tell you, Old Buddy. I ain't eating it three times a day."

Bobby laughed. "Sam still with you?"

"No. I left him at the cabin." John added as he turned down the lane leading to the cabin.

"You think that was wise?" Bobby sometimes questions John reasoning.

"He's still pretty much out of it. It was better for him. I'm just pulling up." John maneuvers the car next to the cabin.

"I'll let you go. Call you later." Bobby hung up and walked back to Dean's side. He watched as Dean's chest rise and fell. Bobby was making his way back to the chair when the doctor reentered the room. "Doc."

"Did he wake up yet?" The doctor moved over to the bed.

"Yeah. He's a little confused about where he was, but he knew who I was." Bobby now watched the doctor look again at the wound on Dean's side. Dean started to stir.

When Dean's eyes opened to see the doctor, the doctor said. "Well, nice to see you awake, young man." Dean looked from him to Bobby and slowly smiled. "Are you in any pain?" He asked. Dean shook his head. "Well, I have them getting a different type of antibiotic for this wound." Dean looked down at it, before the doctor recovered it. It looked like a deep cut but wasn't bleeding. The doctor turned to face Bobby again. "I still like to keep him another day. I want to see that wound a little better than it is." Bobby nodded. The doctor started to leave but turned at the door. "There's an officer outside who wishes to talk to you?"

Bobby sighed as he nodded. He looked at Dean who was looking questionable at him. The officer walked in as the doctor left. "Mr. Smith." He addressed Bobby. "Mr. Galloway. Glad to see you feeling better." As he addressed Dean. Dean looked back at Bobby. Bobby moved to rest a hand on Dean's shoulder.

"Officer Wright?" Bobby asked. The officer nodded. "What can we do for you?" Dean was watching closely as they talked.

"I was wanting to ask a few questions of your nephew. If I may." The officer was now looking at Dean.

"Sure." Dean answered but was still unsure what was going on.

"Do you remember anything about the guys who did this to you?" The officer asked.

"Guys?" Dean looked at Bobby but found nothing to go on. "I.."

"My nephew doesn't seem to remember what happened." Bobby quickly added. Dean looked up at Bobby. Bobby could see in his eyes that he was totally lost.

"I see. Well, than there is nothing more I need." The officer started to leave. Years on the force told him something was up with these two. "I understand the doctor wants to keep him another day?" This time he was addressing Bobby. Bobby nods. "Well maybe tomorrow, he'll remember something more. Thank you for your time." The officer left the room.

Bobby stood there waiting to make sure the cop had gone far enough down the hall. His gut feeling was kicking in on overdrive. He turned to Dean. "We have to get out of here." Bobby realized at the moment that Dean had no clothes. He had only his jeans when he was brought in and they had to cut them off of him in the ER. 'Wait.' Bobby thought to himself. 'I'm driving the Impala.' "You wait here, Dean. I'm going to get you some clothes." Bobby said as he was moving to the door.

"Where are you going?" Dean asked. He had already swung his legs over to one side of the bed.

"I'll be right back. Just don't move." Bobby was gone.

Dean set there alone. A strange sensation ran through his body. He looked around. He felt as though he was being watched. As he set there, his demeanor changed. Dean let the corner of his lip curl up.

Bobby returned to find Dean still setting on the edge of the bed. Just the way he left him. He set a bag on the bed next to Dean. Dean looked at it. Bobby started to pull Dean's clothes out of it and help him change out of the hospital gown he was wearing. Once Dean was dressed, Bobby looked at him in the eyes. "You think you can walk?"

The act of dressing had worn Dean out. That and the fact that the pain medicines he has been on were starting to wear out. He slowly nodded his head. Bobby saw through that. The boy was having trouble setting up. How the hell will he be able to walk out of the hospital?

At about that time Kathy came walking into the room. She froze at the door as she took in what she was seeing. Bobby was about to pounce in on her when she quickly turned and closed the door behind her. She looked at Bobby, than her patient. "Are we in a hurry?" She asked.

"You don't understand." Bobby started to said.

"Let me guess. Running from the law or something like that. Well, I hate to tell you. He isn't walking out of here on his own." She gestured toward Dean. "Wait here. I'll go get a wheelchair." She turned to leave.

"Wait. You're going to help us?" Bobby was surprised as he looked at her. He was trying to read this young nurse.

"My concern is to my patient. Wait here. I'll be right back." With that, she walked out. Shortly, she returned as promised, with a wheelchair and a small bag. "Here." She handed the bag to Bobby. "Antibiotics and painkillers." Kathy walked over to Dean and removed the IV and monitor. Bobby and Kathy helped Dean to the wheelchair. She peeked out the door before opening it all the way. "This way."

They walked to the end of the hall to the elevators. Once they were on the elevator and were heading down to the main level, Bobby asked again. "Why are you helping us?"

Kathy was checking Dean who seemed to have started to get drowsy. "I don't know. Maybe cause I like him." She pulled the blanket, she had covered him with, up around his shoulders. "Whatever you two have done, I don't think it's that bad."

The rest of the way to the Impala was quiet. Once there, they loaded Dean in the passenger side. Before Bobby climbed in, he addressed the nurse once more. "Thanks."

"Sure. Make sure he takes all the pills. I wrote on a paper how to do that." With that, Kathy turned the empty wheelchair back to the building. She stopped at the door so she could watch the black car drive away. A smile came across her face as her eyes morphed to black. Her job was done now. Nurse Kathy Powell walked away from the life she dreamed of her whole life. This meat suit was never seen of again.

Bobby was on the road before he called John. John answered what his normal 'hello'. "Had to leave the hospital a little earlier than planned." Bobby informed him.

"What happened?" John was standing by the sink with Sam next to him. They were fixing something to eat form the grocery John had gotten earlier.

"A cop was starting to get suspicion. We should be there in about a half hour." Bobby looked over at Dean who had fallen asleep with his head leaning against the window. The blanket was wrapped tight around him.

"Dean's doing ok?" John asked. He caught a look from Sam. The younger Winchester still wore a worry look on his face.

"Yeah. He's asleep again." Bobby softly laughed. "We'll see you soon." With that, Bobby closed his phone. He was now paying attention to the road. He never saw the smile on Dean's face. Soon the end of the Winchesters will be reality.

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