A/N: here is chapter 2! thank you all for your wonderful reviews, i'm glad that so many people are interested in this story. work is incredibly busy this week, so i don't know how often i will be able to update this, but i swear that i will try to do it as quickly as possible. so without further adu, here is chapter 2! (ha ha i rhymed!)

Disclaimer: i forgot to do this with the first chapter, but needless to say the winchester boys are not mine, but alas, a girl can dream...

Brothers in Arms

Chapter 2

"Come on Dean. You have to wake up now. What's that you're always saying? There's time to sleep when you're dead? Well you're not dead so I need you to open your eyes now, okay?"

But Dean did not stir. Sam kept murmuring things to Dean, laying out a trial with his words, a path that he hoped Dean would pick up and follow home. Finally, after more than an hour, Sam felt Dean stirring, and had never been happier to hear the expletive that always escaped from Dean's lips with his return to consciousness, followed by his name. Although it was barely more than a whisper, Sam thought it was one of the best sounds that he had ever heard.

"Sam? W'happened?"

"You got pretty sliced up by that creature. You've been out of it for more than an hour now. I was starting to worry."

"'kay?"

Sam knew that Dean was asking if he was okay, but didn't want Dean to have to worry about him too. He just shook his head and looked at Dean. "I'm fine Dean."

From the look that Dean gave him he knew that Dean didn't quite believe him, but he was too tired and cold to argue with him.

"S'cold"

"I know Dean. We got caught in the blizzard and couldn't make it back to the car, remember? We're in the old abandoned barn."

Dean just nodded his head, and then must have realized that that was a really bad plan, because his face was screwed up in pain. That looked snapped Sam back into reality. He didn't have time to dwell on his aching ribs or his throbbing head or his burning back. Dean was awake. Now he needed to warm him up and dress those wounds before they got infected. He shuffled out from behind Dean and started patting Dean's pockets.

"Don't put out on the first date, Sammy"

Sam snorted and continued right along with his search. "Since when?"

Dean was quiet for a moment, and then " touché"

Sam held up his prize, Dean's lighter, and had to smile. If Dean was cracking jokes then he was going to be alright. Right? Or was he just putting on that whole tough guy routine? Sam's smile quickly faded. Dean would be okay. He was going to make damn sure of that. Cracking some pieces off of the crates, Sam gathered up as much dry hay as he could find, and dragged one of the small feeding troughs over where Dean sat. After situating all of his flammables inside the small metal trough, he lit it up and watched it crackle and burn to life. After feeding it for a couple more minutes, he turned and grabbed his sweatshirt and zipped Dean into it, then grabbed his coat and threw it on.

"Sammy"

"Dean" this game was familiar.

"Going somewhere?"

Sam gave a sigh. "Dean, your chest is a mess. We don't have anything with us to help, not even a bottle of damn aspirin. I'm going to head for the house and bring back some supplies."

"Well help me up and I'll go with you."

"Dean, you are in no condition to be going anywhere. Just talking is making you exhausted. There's no way that you are making it to that house. Just stay here, warm up, and stay awake. Do you hear me? Keep those eyes open, alright?"

"You ordering me around Sammy?"

"Damn straight. And if I get back and find that you have moved more than 3 inches from that spot I will kick your ass."

"You wish."

"Jerk."

"Bitch."

"Seriously Dean. Stay put. The last thing I need is a brother who's injured and lost in the snow."

"Alright, alright. I promise. And Sam?"

"Yeah?"

"Be careful, alright?"

Sam knew that Dean hadn't believed him when he tried to tell him that he was alright. He could see it in Dean's eyes, that the last thing he needed was a brother who was injured and lost in the snow. "I'll be careful Dean. I promise." And with that, he stepped out into the swirling snow. He was instantly hit by how cold it was. His jacket didn't do a lot to keep him overly warm, but at least he'd be dry, well sort of. And with that thought, he began his trek.

alright kiddies, how did you like chapter 2? let me know! chapter 3 is coming soon...