Close Encounters of the Hunted Kind - Chapter Four
Disclaimer: Supernatural is not mine.
"Dean?"
Dean struggled upright in the hard plastic chair. "What Sam?" he said, running his hands through his hair.
Sam smiled. It hurt too much to laugh but Dean looked so funny with his hair on end. "Dean, I want out of here. Get the AMA papers."
"What are you talking about? You can barely take a breath on your own right now. What if something went wrong? They need to check. . ."
Sam interrupted. "What if he had a partner?"
Dean had thought about it but hadn't wanted to give it credence nor tell Sam his fears. "I'm not leaving so you don't need to worry. No one will get to you. Not through me." Dean was implacable.
Sam sighed. "It wouldn't take a gun. All someone needs to do is shoot this IV with air. There is no chance of me surviving that." Maybe that would be for the best. No. Dean had made it perfectly clear in Rivergrove that he would not go on without Sam. Sam could not give up on himself since he would be allowing Dean to give up too. Dean was needed in the fight.
Dean sank back into his chair. He hadn't considered that aspect. Someone using medical means to hurt Sam. Goodness knows that nurses were in and out of here all the time. He'd gotten to know most of them by face. "I know your nurses, dude. No one new will get by me. Security is keeping an eye out too."
"Get the AMA papers." Sam was adamant. He wanted away from this place. Only then would Dean be able to sleep.
Dean was saved from answering by the doctor walking in. "How are you doing today?"
"Fine. I want the AMA papers."
Dr. Rosado blinked. "You can't leave yet. There is still too much risk of. . ."
"I want out. I'm awake. I'm an adult. I want those papers."
Older brother and doctor exchanged glances and headed towards the door ignoring Sam's cry of indignation.
"If he leaves, you might not realize he's in distress until it's too late. I cannot deny his request but it could kill him. He could develop a blood clot or pneumonia. Why does he want out?"
"He doesn't trust anyone and to be honest, neither do I. I hate to say this but can you dope him up for another day or two. Keep him so dopey that he can't really do much? I am his brother. I'll keep watch over him, protect him."
"I really shouldn't go against a patient's wishes but he could do himself harm. Give me a few minutes to get something but can you keep him distracted when I come back?"
"Sure." Dean turned back towards Sam. "He's going to get what you need."
Sam sank back into his bed. If he was going to get out of here, he would need to draw on some reserves that he wasn't sure he had. If he fell, Dean would pop him back into bed so fast it would make his head spin. Doctor Rosado walked in and handed Dean a clipboard with papers. Dean was writing while the doctor fiddled with the lines running from Sam to the various machines. Dean moved back towards the window, and Sam turned his head to follow. His limbs became cold, his eyelids heavy, and he realized he'd been tricked. He tried to shoot a glare at Dean but failed. The last thing he felt was Dean's hand on his forehead. "Sorry, Sam, give it two more days and I promise we'll leave. I'll be here when you wake up. I'm not leaving your side." Sam descended into the cottony darkness that was becoming too familiar. He wanted to rail at his brother. Something in the darkness scared him, called to him.
ooooOOOOoooo
When Sam stirred next, Dean was dozing in the chair. His brother's moan brought him back to consciousness quickly. "Hey, Sam, you doing okay? Another day and I promise, I'll get you out of here." He looked up as a nurse entered carrying a syringe that she injected into the IV port. "Perfect timing," she said.
Sam thrashed as he tried to sit up. "Dean. Don't put me out!"
The pleading in his brother's voice hurt but Dean knew he wouldn't stay still to heal. He couldn't risk losing him.
Sam's eyelids were already starting to drop. "No…he's here."
"Who's here, Sam? There is no one who will hurt you here. I promise."
"In my head." Sam's voice had dropped to a whisper. "yellow eyes. . .can't . . . escape…" His voice trailed off.
Dean's heart was clutched with an icy grip. Oh God! What was happening? Was the demon in Sam's dreams? He shook Sam lightly, but his brother could barely keep his eyes open. "Sam. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. You hold on. Don't believe it. Don't give in. I will be here when you wake up." Sam's eyes did not open again. "Come back to me," Dean whispered. What had he done?
Having promised that he would not leave Sam's side, Dean waited impatiently for the doctor to arrive. He paced around the room, stopping each circuit to check on his brother. When Doctor Rosado walked in Dean didn't even let him get a word out before he asked, "Can you give Sam something to wake him up?"
The doctor was taken aback. They'd decided that Sam wouldn't rest unless drugged. "What caused this change?"
"Something Sam said when he was awake. He…uhm…he had a problem with nightmares a while back and I guess they are really bothering him while he's been knocked out."
"And how is that a problem?"
"If he can't wake up, he can't escape."
"You make it sound like he's in danger."
You have no idea was Dean's unspoken thought. "He saw his girlfriend die in a fire. She was on the other side of the flames, and we couldn't reach her. I dragged him out but he still dreams about it. It's tearing him apart. Please. Can you wake him up?" The last came out as a heartfelt plea.
Looking down at his patient, the doctor could see his eyes moving back and forth under his lids. The heart monitor showed an elevated pulse. He looked at the chart to see when the drug had been administered. "I can't give him something for another two hours. The two drugs in his system might do more harm than good. I'll order something for when it's safe. I'm sorry it can't be quicker than that."
Dean sat down next to Sam and clasped his hand. He leaned close to his brother's head and started talking to him. The litany was repetitive as he spoke of how strong he believed his brother to be, how much he needed him back. He didn't even notice when the nurse finally came back and injected a new drug into his brother's IV. The events of the past few days had taken a toll on the eldest Winchester and his head dropped onto his brother's arm. Dean dozed off.
Movement under his head brought Dean upright. He watched Sam's head shift on the pillow. "Hey, Dean." Sam's voice was barely loud enough for him to hear. "Long time no see." He turned to face his brother and opened eyes that were no longer hazel but were a bilious yellow. A smirk twisted the corner of his brother's mouth. "Miss me?"
Dean shoved his chair back from the bed in panic. This was all his fault. He'd lost Sam.