Wow! I can't believe how many reviews I got for that first chapter! Thanks!!! I feel so much pressure now to write a good story! I hope I don't crap out on ya'll. If you can make it through the two middle chapters (which is primarily hurt!Samness), I think the ending should be pretty good. And if you like hurt!Dean- there'll be some there.

Oh! And just as a warning: in true Kyriebess fashion (apparently) this chapter's a bit gross (nowhere near as gross as some other things I've written though)…

Blind, But Now I See: Chapter 1-

Sam concentrated on his breathing as he scaled his way up the rope. He was sweating and freezing and the pain in his arm had him struggling for each breath. Dean had the rope wrapped around a large tree, so it wasn't going anywhere, but climbing a rope using only your feet and one hand was not an easy task. Thankfully, it was only twenty feet. Any longer and he'd be Danny's companion for eternity.

Sam continued to climb his way to safety, extending all his willpower to subdue the shaking in his arms and legs. The cold that had seeped into his bones was painful now. It radiated through his chest and back causing his jaw and lungs to ache. Another upward pull and Sam felt the strain in his abdominal muscles travel inward filling him with nausea. Fortunately, it seemed he had made it to the top, for on his next pull up, Sam felt the rope curve to the side, along the top of the embankment. And suddenly, there were hands under his armpits, pulling him over the lip of the cliff and onto the land.

The scent of grass filled his nostrils as he sprawled face down on the ground, breathing heavily. Around him he heard Dean moving about, most likely packing up the rope and giving Sam time to catch his breath. He was shaking, from the cold and the exertion, his muscles trembling from being forced to perform and save his life. Gradually, Sam felt himself begin to relax, watching the blades of grass blow in the wind created by his open mouth. It was so much nicer to be lying down rather than climbing a rope one handed.

An ant crawled its way over the waving grass seemingly headed toward Sam's mouth. Unhappy with that prospect, Sam forced his body to move once more until he was no longer lying, but now crouched in a kneeling position. Lifting his head, Sam looked at his brother. As he had suspected, Dean had unraveled the rope from the tree and was now rolling it up around his arm.

Watching his brother work reminded Sam of his new mission. Dean had come back for him- and he should be thanked for it. Because it really wasn't fair just to expect it, even though Dean was reliable enough that he could.

As Dean finished winding the last of the rope, Sam crawled over to the edge of the cliff and looked down. Almost immediately he spotted Danny's spirit looking up at the top. The boy smiled and waved, bouncing on the toes of his feet as he saw Sam.

"Is Drew there too? Sam, do you see him up there? Tell him I'm here."

Sam's arms shook with emotion and tears re-entered his eyes. Casually he looked around as though looking for someone and then looked back down to the boy and shook his head. Immediately the ghost's face fell and Sam could've sworn he saw tears in the spirit's eyes. But Danny seemed to pull himself together rather quickly, replacing his crestfallen expression with one of determination. "He'll be back. He promised. I just have to be patient and wait." Then the boy moved back to his remains and sat, looking out onto the water.

Unable to do anything for the boy at the moment, Sam pushed himself away from the cliff and sat facing his brother with his knees to his chest. Dean looked down at him. "Sorry it took me so long. I didn't have your 'map' and the tree markings we left freakin' sucked. It took me an hour and a half to get to the freakin' car."

Normally that statement would've led Sam directly into a 'so you admit the map was helpful then' comment. Especially considering the amount of grief Dean had given him earlier when he was drawing it. But right now, Sam was just so grateful that Dean cared enough to come back at all.

His eyes filled with sincerity and love, Sam expressed his appreciation. "Thanks Dean…for coming back for me."

Immediately, Dean's face morphed into a mixture of suspicion and concern. "Dude, what the hell are you talking about?"

Sam forced himself to shakily stand up as he tried to explain his gratitude. "You didn't have to come back. I just…thanks, man."

Concern slowly began to overtake the suspicion in Dean's expression. For a moment he only stood, staring at Sam, trying to find something other than sincerity in his brother's comments. Upon not finding anything, Dean moved onto a new explanation for his brother's behavior. "Did you hit your head when you fell?"

Sam rolled his eyes. "Can't I just be grateful? Does that have to mean there's something wrong with me? Can't I just thank you, instead of acting like, 'of course you'd come back for me'—"

Dean shook his head and held up his hands to interrupt his brother. "—Of course I'd come back for you." Dean's suddenly looked insulted and offended, "What? Did you think I'd just leave you there?"

Sam shook his head. "No. I knew you'd come back, I'm just…not everyone would, Dean. I'm grateful you're my brother. I love you, man."

"Whoa! Sam, what're you doin'?" Dean's eyes widened in alarm.

Sam exhaled in exasperation and threw up his good arm. "I'm being honest with you. I want you to know. Dean, we deal with a lot of shit everyday, okay? I—"

Dean waved his hands through the air in a scissoring motion as he cut his brother off. "Dude! Stop! Yeah, we deal with shit and yeah we're risking our lives, but that doesn't mean you have to…to…" Dean waved his arm uncomfortably in his brother's direction, "…you know."

Looking down at the floor, Sam gave a quick nod and turned to start walking toward the car. Behind him he heard Dean wait a few moments and then begin walking as well.

So much for thanking Dean. Sam pulled his coat up as he shivered. All thanking Dean seemed to do was scare the crap out of him and make him thoroughly uncomfortable. Not that Sam really would've expected any less, 'I love you' conversations were pretty much the bane of Dean's existence. But after talking to Danny, he really just wanted Dean to know that he knew how much Dean had given up for him, how much Dean would always be there for him, and how much he was grateful for it. In fact, 'grateful' didn't even seem like it encompassed the power of the emotion he was feeling. It filled him from the core of his soul to the brim of his body. He just wanted Dean to know…wanted Dean to feel thanked, to feel appreciated, to feel how grateful Sam was to be his brother. But clearly, getting that across to Dean was not going to be easy. Sam pulled on his coat again. Danny was right, feeling the cold in your bones hurt like hell.

"You cold?"

Startled, Sam looked up to find his brother walking next to him. Briefly he looked behind him, when had Dean caught up?

"Sam,…" Sam turned his attention back to his brother. "…you shivering?"

He didn't need to respond; the answer was obvious as a chill ripped through his body. Dean shrugged off his jacket and handed it over. Sam stopped walking.

"Dean, youneed it."

Dean shook his head. "Nah. Look at me, man, I'm sweating. I just went on a two hour run." Again Dean pushed the jacket towards his brother.

Sam stepped back, away from the offered clothing. Yet another example of Dean's consistent support. Danny had said that Drew would lend him his jacket if he asked. Well, that was debatable, but either way, Sam didn't even need to ask- the need was seen and without a second thought the jacket was handed over. Sam felt like crap. It seemed that Dean was there for him literally every time he needed him. How could he ever repay his brother?

A sudden thought came to mind as Dean pushed his jacket into Sam's hands, forcing him to take it with a command, "Dude, stop staring like I've got cooties and put the damn thing on. You're freezing."

Sam smirked, "Cooties?"

Dean was not amused. Using his 'older brother, I know what's best, don't mess with me' voice, he barked out a directive. "Sam, now."

Responding to the tone, Sam carefully took off his own jacket and put Dean's on. Then, coming up with a new plan, he held out his jacket for his brother.

Dean sighed and ran a hand over his face. "Dude, what the hell are you doing?"

Sam explained. "Your jacket's warmer, so I put it on- as you commanded- but you're gonna freeze. So, I'll take yours and you take my lighter one."

For a long moment Dean stared at the offered jacket with an expressionless look. Then, with a look of confident suspicion, Dean looked up, seemingly investigating his brother's face.

Sam shook the jacket. "Dean it's freezing out here. Take it."

Ignoring the jacket, Dean moved up to his brother and put one hand on either side of Sam's face. Startled, Sam tried to step back, but he was held in place. Dean's hands then moved to Sam's neck, and then finally to Sam's outstretched hand. Sam squirmed uncomfortably, maybe Dean really didn't need the jacket- his hands were burning hot.

Pulling up Sam's sleeve, Dean held his brother's wrist, counting as he looked at his watch. Rolling his eyes, Sam questioned his brother. "Dean, what're you doing?"

Dean ignored him as he continued to count in his head. Finally, he released Sam's wrist and looked around. "Sam, let me see your arm."

Sam shook his head, confused. "What?" How had Dean gone from begrudgingly receiving a jacket to, 'let me see your arm'?

Without waiting for Sam's help, Dean lifted his brother's arm, pushed up the jacket, and rolled up his sleeve. Sam winced at the motion and the sight. His wrist was swollen to about four times its normal size. Although their only light was moonlight, they could clearly see that the skin covering the swollen area was shiny, and purple. Small blisters of blood were appearing on the surface of the skin. As Dean examined the injury, Sam realized that he had lost feeling to part of his hand since he couldn't feel Dean touching it. With an injury like his, loss of feeling in the broken limb wasn't uncommon, but it still was a bit unnerving. At least it wasn't his right wrist this time.

When Dean had finished his examination, he carefully rolled down his brother's sleeve and jacket, and stepped back. "You're in shock."

Sam squinted his eyes, puzzled. "What? It's a bad break, I know that, but I don't—"

Dean cut him off. "Your skin's freezing cold, your behavior's off, your pulse is 130…it's not just the break, man. You're body's going into shock. We need to get you to a hospital."

Sam argued. "I don't think so, Dean, I'm not dizzy; I don't feel like I'm drunk. Yeah, I'm cold, but I just spent two hours down by the river and my pulse is high because I just climbed twenty feet up a rope using one hand…and my behavior's not off."

Dean snorted. "Right. 'Cause it's everyday that you're announcing how much you love me and giving me your jacket when you're the one who's freezing."

Sam stepped back, upset. "Dean, I explained the jacket thing. And what the hell, man? Just 'cause I said 'I love you' that doesn't mean I'm going into shock."

Dean, obviously frustrated, rolled his eyes. "Sam—"

Now annoyed, Sam continued. "You think that's the only reason I would say that? I meant it!"

Dean put up his hands in a soothing manner. "Alright, alright, calm down."

But Sam shook his head, meeting his brother's eyes. "Do you really not believe me? Do you really think I only said that because you think I'm in shock?"

Dean took a calming breath. "Sam, you are in shock."

Sam moved to argue again, but Dean stopped him. "Hey, hey…I'm not saying you didn't mean it, all right? I'm sure you did dude, but less face it, it's not something you'd normally say."

Dean was right, and Sam couldn't help feeling guilty. Based on his past actions, it hadn't always been clear how he felt about Dean. He should've made it clear all along. "Maybe it should be."

Now appearing annoyed, Dean stuck out his lower jaw and looked to the side. "Sam- I'm not gonna have this argument with you. You need to be in a hospital. Let's go."

Sam watched as Dean turned and resumed walking toward the car. With a sigh, Sam put his jacket on his shoulders and followed his brother. "I met Danny."

Still walking, Dean looked back, confused. "What?"

Sam walked faster to catch up and then, once he was along side his brother, he explained. "Danny Collins. I met him."

Dean's confusion grew into concern. "Sam, Danny's been missing for 24 years…"

Sam stared his brother down, waiting for Dean to catch on. When Dean stared back with raised brows, oblivious to Sam's thoughts, Sam stated the obvious. "Ghost?"

"Oh."

Sam continued, "He and I did the same thing. The druggies were chasing him and he ran off the embankment and broke his leg."

Dean made a face. "And he died there? That sucks."

Sam nodded. "Five days later."

Dean took in a breath. "Dude, he laid there for five days, dying? Damn." Then he turned to Sam worried, "Did he attack you?"

Sam shook his head. "No. He just talked to me. Actually, it was a nice conversation."

Dean raised his eyebrows, impressed. "Well, what'd he say?"

Sam looked at the ground as he walked, a sad look returning to his face. "He wasn't alone when he went over the cliff."

"The druggies saw it." Dean stated matter-of-factly.

"No. Drew."

Dean stopped walking. "Drew? What do you mean, Drew?"

Sam raised his sad eyes to his brother's. "You know what I mean, Dean."

Dean stared for a moment before taking a step back. "So wait…so you're saying…no, no way, dude."

Sam nodded and Dean shook his head in denial. "No, man. That doesn't make sense. If Drew was with him, he would've gotten help."

Sam bit his lip. "No, you would've gotten help."

Dean still seemed confused, unaccepting of the obvious conclusion. "So you're saying Drew left him to die? Drew was his brother, why would he just leave him there?"

Sam tried again. "Because not everybody's you, Dean."

Dean squinted his eyes in anger. "This isn't about me, Sam. Most people wouldn't leave their brother there. Maybe the ghost was confused…maybe his memories got warped when he died. It wouldn't be the first time it happened."

Sam looked down. "He was really clear about it, Dean. I don't think he imagined it." Dean was silent as he began to accept the implications of the information and Sam continued. "You should've heard him, man. Drew could do no wrong in Danny's eyes. According to Danny, Drew was perfect. And he promised Danny he'd be back with help. He's still waiting. Dean…he doesn't even question it. It was like listening to myself talk about you…" Sam let out a humorless laugh, "…only you actually did come back for me."

Taking a breath, Dean stepped back, nodding in understanding. "So that's what that was about."

Sam nodded.

Dean walked toward his brother. "Look, Sam, what Drew did to Danny- that's…unforgivable…I mean, that's just…" Dean shook his head as he composed himself before continuing, "…but you don't need to get all sharing and caring with me. I know. Okay, man. I know. You don't need to say it. If I was down there instead of you, would you have come back for me?"

Sam looked up startled. "Yeah- of cou…Dean, you know I would."

Dean nodded. "And I wouldn't expect any less from you. Would you want to be thanked for it?"

Sam shook his head. "No, but Dean, Danny expected it too. He still does. He's still waiting there for Drew to come get him."

Dean sucked in his lips and raised his brows. "Fine, and if I ever see Drew again…on behalf of all older brothers everywhere…I'll make sure he's pissing blood for a month. But the fact that he's screwed up doesn't have anything to do with us."

Sam disagreed. "It was luck, man. I could've just as easily gotten Drew for a brother."

Dean balled a fist. "No, because if anyone ever treated you like that, I'd kick their ass."

Sam rolled his eyes. "Dean. If Drew was my brother, you wouldn't even know me."

Dean pushed his brother forward as he resumed walking. "I'd always know you, Sam."

Sam took a breath. "Dean, I'm being serious."

Dean continued walking forward, parallel to his brother. "So am I. Now shut the hell up."

Giving up the discussion, Sam did as he was told and watched the ground below him as he walked. It was a relief to know that Dean knew that Sam cared, despite some poor decisions on his part in the past, but Sam still felt indebted to his brother. Dean had raised him, saved him…how do you thank someone for that?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was an hour later when the top of his right foot hit the back of his left, sending Sam falling forward. Automatically, both hands flew out, cushioning the rest of his body from the impact of the ground. Unfortunately, his arm was what really needed to be protected. His left arm hit the ground sending a blinding explosion of sharp freezing pain up his arm, through his shoulder, and into the rest of his body.

Upon colliding with the ground, Sam sucked in an agonizing breath, all his muscles trembling as the agonizing pain made its way around the front of his shoulder and into his chest. Sam held the breath in his chest, fearful that breathing would only add to the pain. The nausea that he had been fighting off all night came back in full force and suddenly Sam felt the vomit force its way out between his clenched teeth and up his nose. It was at this time that his body realized that it should be breathing and instead, ended up choking on the former contents of its stomach.

Whether his eyes were closed or not, Sam couldn't tell, but either way, his vision was black. It seemed that all of his senses, sight, sound, taste, smell, were all non-existent, the pain had overtaken all process in his brain. Overall, Sam could feel himself shaking, each muscle tightening in small spasms. He could feel the vomit cooling on his chin and upper lip, but was unable to wipe it off. He was unable to do anything really, other than choke and try to resist movement.

Suddenly a hand was on his back, making itself known through Sam's sore skin. Of course it was Dean and Sam hoped to God that Dean could help him because he, right now, couldn't do a damn thing. The hand hit his back hard and Sam felt himself cough harder, his lungs and nose expelling the remainder of the hamburger/acid. Just when he finally felt like he could breathe without coughing, his sense of smell returned and Sam found himself heaving for a second time. The hand on his back was rubbing in small circles now and while he appreciated the thought, the skin on his back was so sensitive that the comforting movement was painful. With a moan, Sam shrugged away from his brother, spitting the remaining vomit out of his mouth. Dean understood immediately and Sam sighed in relief as the hand moved off.

Lifting his shaking right hand, Sam clumsily wiped the liquid off his chin, mouth, and nose before smearing it on the grass and his jeans. The sharp pain in his left hand was now a burning hot ache and Sam could feel his pulse throb under his skin. The outside of his arm was beginning to cool and he was pretty sure that there must have been some fluid on it, most likely blood.

His vision was still black and his muscles still shook and slowly Sam felt himself tilting towards the side, aiming to lie down in the grass. Before he could make it though, a set of strong arms stopped him, catching him and lifting him back into a sitting position. Sam gasped and coughed in response to the pain the arms caused as they made contact with his overly sensitive skin. Briefly Sam tried to worm his way out of the arms and in response, Dean loosened his hold, but didn't let go.

"Easy Sam; just breathe through it." Sam felt the instruction whispered in his ear and he immediately complied, falling back against his brother. It hurt, but he could breathe through it here; he was safe.

Seemingly realizing that Sam wasn't going to fight him anymore, Dean dropped his arms, serving now only as a warm backrest as Sam tried to pull himself together. The pain was receding along with the nausea and gradually the darkness that had covered his vision began to fade. So, his eyes were open then… The trembling in his muscles slowly diminished, a wave of relaxation flowing over his body. His breathing was steadier now, although still quite heavy, and the nausea seemed to pull itself out of his esophagus and back into his stomach.

Looking down, Sam watched as Dean's hand came from behind him and very tenderly lifted the broken arm. Immediately Sam tensed in reaction, his right hand gripping its way into the dirt.

"I need to look at it, dude. Just focus on breathing."

Closing his eyes, Sam did as his brother suggested, trying to ignore the agony as Dean reached over him with his other hand. A tear escaped his eye and Sam whimpered as Dean struggled to pull the material over his wrist.

With a hiss of sympathy, Dean ceased his actions, and lowered his brother's arm. "You think you can sit up yourself?"

His eyes still closed, Sam swallowed and nodded as he tried to sit up. The use of his abdominal muscles brought the nausea back and his muscles began trembling again in preparation for another puke-fest. But the feeling seemed to pass quickly this time and although he was now gasping, Sam found that he could open his eyes.

Dean was now crouched in front of him, dangerously close to the acid soaked grass, with a concerned look on his face. Pulling out a knife, he put a hand around Sam's broken arm to hold it steady.

Sam tried to speak through the deep gasps. "What're you…doing?"

Dean briefly looked up before returning his attention to the knife at his brother's arm. "Your arm's too swollen. I have to cut the sleeves off."

Sam shook his head. "Dean, this is…your leather…jacket."

Dean nodded and carefully slipped the knife under the material, slicing upward. "I know. You owe me a new one."

Sam agreed and watched with intermittent pain as Dean cut through the two sleeves, releasing Sam's swollen arm.

It was bad. He knew it was bad. He had felt it was bad. He had seen it after he fell off the cliff. But this was bad. From the elbow to his fingers, the arm was purple and the skin was stretched as far as it could go. It he wasn't staring at it himself, Sam wouldn't have believed that his arm could ever be that size- because currently, it was larger than his calf. Blood was literally oozing through his skin, evidently having no other way out of the arm. One look at Dean and Sam knew what his brother thought as well.

Dean rubbed a hand over the rough stubble on his face. "Shit, Sammy."

"I'm gonna lose it, aren't I?"

Dean looked up, with a serious expression. Without responding, he put his hands under Sam's armpits and began to lift him into a standing position. The lack of response solidified it: there was no question Dean thought he would lose the arm.

Once he was standing, the world began to sway and Dean accepted most of his weight with a grunt as Sam's knees buckled. "Come on, Sam. We're almost at the car."

Swallowing another uprising in his stomach, Sam forced himself to breathe and take back some of his weight. Sam laughed at his thoughts as Dean moved to his side, throwing an arm over his shoulder. "I think you were right about the shock."

Dean paused in his movements to shoot his brother a disbelieving glance. "Thanks for the confirmation, man, but I wasn't really doubting myself on that one."

Sam shook his head as they slowly moved forward. "I thought I felt okay."

This time Dean laughed. "Yeah, well, if you were in your right mind and heard yourself, you would've known you weren't okay."

Sam became upset, his eyes watering. "I wasn't crazy, Dean. I meant what I said."

Dean squinted his eyes. "Do me a favor, dude, lose the estrogen and try to focus on not puking all over me."

With a sigh, Sam did as requested. Sam had tried to tell Dean that he loved him, and now Dean thought it was just the shock talking…sure, if he's crazy and he says, "I hate you," Dean believes him. He's crazy and says, "I love you" and Dean thinks it's just the craziness talking. Sam shook his head through the pain. How had it ended up like this?

Keep in mind that this is all Sam POV- Dean's got some things to say in the next chapter that may give you an insight as to what he's thinking as oppose to what Sam thinks he's thinking…