Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters. I and am not making any money on this…I'm just having fun!
End of Innocence
Chapter 16 – Journey Home
Between Dean and Nick, they had managed to get Sam to the lab where Stan had set up shop. Dean saw the exam table that Stan wanted them to put Sam on. "Are the restraints really necessary Stan…I mean, this is so close to what happened…he's going to freak."
"I understand Dean, but this isn't going to be easy on him. If we don't restrain him, he could hurt himself while the drugs are administered. I have to give him the drugs via IV in a certain combination for the next 12 hours. I won't lie to you Dean. It's not going to be pleasant."
"Can't you give him something, let him sleep through it?" Dean didn't like where this was going.
"I've included a mild sedative in the mixture to help with the pain, but there is only so much I can do Dean. If I mix another drug or give him too much sedative, the results could drive him over the edge or worse…kill him."
Dean sucked in his breath. "Ok, ok…I just wish there was another way."
Nick placed a hand on Dean's shoulder. He knew that the next 24 hours were going to be the hardest on Dean. "Dean, Peggy says that Sam knows what is going to happen…he wants you to know it's ok…no matter what happens."
Dean hated this third party crap, but was also glad that there was some way to reach his brother. "Sam, you hang in there you hear me…I'm not going to let you slip away."
Dean gently started to apply the restraints. He could feel his brother trembling beneath his hands. "Shh Sammy, you can do this…I know you can." After Dean had made sure that the restraints were tight, but not so tight as to hurt his brother, he nodded to Stan. "Ok let's get this over with."
Stan stepped up to Sam and patted him gently on the shoulder. "I know you can hear me Sam, you need to try to relax as much as you can." Stan started the IV and stood back. Dean stepped forward again running his hands through Sam's hair as he watched his brother's tears fall down his cheeks. "I'm so sorry Sammy…I wish there was another way. But I'll be here for you…I'm not leaving you no matter what happens."
Nick turned as he heard Peggy begin to speak. "Nick, the others are getting tired. How long before the drugs will take effect?"
"Stan says it will be about 12 hours before we'll know anything. Do you think they can hold on that long?"
Peggy sighed. "They will just have to. But more of the images may get through…"
"Just do your best Peggy, that's all any of us can do."
Nick turned to Stan and Dean. "The kids are getting tired. They are helping by blocking most of the disturbing images from Sam, but they don't know if they can keep it up for the full 12 hours. What happens if they leave before then?"
Stan shook his head. "I'm not sure. I was kind of hoping they could minimize the affects; it will just make it harder on Sam. I don't think it will make him worse though."
Dean looked at Nick. "Look, can they just keep him from giving up…I know my brother is strong, but..well he does have some issues in his past that might convince him to stop trying. If they can just let him know….let him know I need him!"
"Dean, you need to keep talking to him…he can hear you. If you keep talking, he will follow your voice…he'll find his way back." Nick said quietly, he couldn't stand the naked pain and fear that he saw on Dean's face. If Sam didn't make, he knew that Dean wouldn't make it either.
They all jumped as they heard a scream torn from Sam's lips. "Oh God, please…I promise I'll do anything…just stop it." Sam began to struggle against the restraints, tears coursing down his cheeks with the sweat, making him damp to the touch. Dean immediately grabbed Sam's hand amazed when his brother gripped it tightly…almost painfully.
"Sammy, I'm here bro' just hold on to my hand. You are safe, the demon is gone. Can you hear me Sam?"
"NO! I won't kill…you can't make me…go back to your father you bastard!" Sam's anger radiated through the room and sent a chill down Nick's spine. He had never seen Sam so angry or his eyes so filled with hate before.
Dean cringed as Sam's hold on his hand tightened, he just hoped that his hand could stand the next 12 hours…but if Sam could, so could he. "Sam, I'm here…feel my hand. As long as you can feel my hand, you know you're safe."
Dean spent the next 12 hours talking non-stop to his brother. In the end, he found himself repeating the same thing over and over. "You can do this Sam, just hold on for me. It will all be over soon I promise."
Stan moved to check on Sam again. He had been keeping a close watch on Sam's vitals during the process. He was amazed at the strength of the young man in front of him. Most people would have fallen apart, but other than periodic outbursts. Sam had managed to ride out the worst of the therapy. "Dean, I think he's going to be ok. His heart beat is getting back to normal and his breathing has evened out. I'm going to start giving him an IV with fluids and antibiotics. We need to start fighting the fever and make sure that none of his wounds are infected."
"Can we remove the restraints?" Dean hated to see his brother pinned down on the table.
"Not just yet, I want to make sure he is lucid before we remove them. He's just sleeping now Dean, the ordeal has simply worn him out. Don't worry, he will wake up soon." Stan continued to work on Sam as Dean continued to hold his brother's hand.
Nick placed a hand on Dean's shoulder. "Dean, you can let go now. Peggy says Sam is safe. He is just sleeping. The others are getting ready to leave."
Dean shook his head. "No, I told him I wouldn't let go until he woke up and that's what I'm going to do. Tell the others…tell them thanks!"
Nick smiled. They heard you Dean…I wish you could see them. They are all at peace, including Peggy. Nick continued to concentrate as he watched Peggy turn and leave. She smiled shyly and waved as she moved on.
Dean smiled as he looked at his brother. He also appeared to be at peace, at least for now. He just hoped that it would stay that way when Sam woke up.
ooooooooooooooooooooooo
Sam slowly opened his eyes and panicked. He was strapped down to a table in a lab with an IV drip. The agony he had suffered at the hands of the demon flashed back as he became aware of the pain in his body and his head. Sam turned his face, a tear slowly falling from his eye as he tried to figure out a way to get out of this mess. He had to escape before that madman got back to him.
Sam tried to break free of the restraints but other than making his injuries hurt worse, he wasn't able to do anything. Sam heard footsteps coming down the hall. He couldn't help it; his breathing began to hitch in his throat, each breath getting harder and harder as he continued to struggle. Finally, he couldn't help it any more…a scream was torn from his throat "DEAN!"
ooooooooooooooooooooooo
Nick and Stan had left to catch a few winks. Dean had stepped out to use the facilities…which he might add, had much to be desired. He had hated to leave Sam, but nature just wouldn't be held off any longer. As he rounded the corner to the lab, he heard Sam's scream.
Breaking into a run, Dean entered the room. His brother was almost hyperventilating as he struggled against the restraints; his eyes were wild as he continued to scream. "Sammy!" Dean rushed towards his brother, placing his hands on Sam's shoulders to try to calm him, but Sam was in full panic attack. His breathing was coming in gasps as Sam's lips began to turn blue. Dean yelled for Stan while he continued to try to calm Sam down.
A moment later, Stan ran in and immediately gave Sam a mild sedative. As the drugs began to work, Sam's breathing evened out and his movements calmed down. Stan moved to check Sam's pupils and other vitals. "Don't worry Dean, it was just a panic attack. He'll be just fine."
Dean leaned close to Sam's face as he saw his brother struggling to open his eyes once more. "Dean?" Sam said in a whisper.
"The one and only…you really gave me a scare there little brother. I'm sorry I wasn't here when you woke up. How are you feeling?"
Sam sighed he was safe...Dean was really here. As he saw the stranger moving towards him; he jerked and tried to get away, his eyes finding Dean's the fear in them almost painful to see. "Sam, it's ok. This is Stan. He is the doctor who has been taking care of you."
Sam still flinched as Stan continued his exam, but he remained calm as long as Dean held his hand. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he trusted Dean.
Stan stepped back. "Can you tell me what hurts Sam?"
Sam groaned but responded. "It's easier to list what doesn't…I think my pinky on my left hand is ok, but otherwise…" Sam couldn't believe that his body could hurt this much.
Stan laughed and patted Sam on the shoulder. "How about we get these restraints off of you. I want to keep the IV going for a little longer as you were pretty dehydrated. I'll give you something for the pain and of course we are giving you antibiotics and a fever reducer. I think you're going to be fine with some good food and rest."
Dean helped remove the restraints, keeping a watchful eye on his brother as he worked. He knew that Sam was about ready to jump out of his skin…but his brother continued to put up a brave front for Stan. Once Stan finished giving Sam the additional medications, he left the room to give the brother's some privacy.
Dean ran his hand through Sam's hair in a calming gesture. He could feel the tenseness in Sam's muscles and knew that Sam was far from ok. "It's ok Sammy, I know you are scared. It will take time, but we'll work through this. So how do you feel about a trip to Kansas?"
Sam looked up at Dean, a small smile on his face. "Missouri?"
"Yeah, she basically demanded that I bring you there."
"Ok, but none of her tea…God, I hate her tea!" Sam's eyes closed as the drugs took him into a peaceful sleep.
TBC
Raven524: Looks like only one more chapter to go in this one…I can't believe we are here already! I even gave Sammy a little something to help him get a good nights sleep…see I can be nice:p Don't forget to drop me a line or two or three…I'm not above begging, really!