Chapter Five

Sam awoke a few hours later to the sound of coughing from the other room. He untangled himself from the covers and rushed into Dean's room, still trying to wipe the sleep from his eyes. Dean was once again heaving, leant over the edge of the bed . Grace held the bucket with one hand and rubbed small circles of comfort on his back.

"Shhh baby it's ok, there's nothing there, it's just heaves so just let it all out. It's ok honey, breathe deeply Dean come on now, that's it honey, cough it all up. That's it."

"Grace?"

"It's ok Sam, he's just getting rid of the last of his stomach lining, obviously felt he had no further use for it." She laughed yet the sound came out hollow and forced. She smiled sadly at Sam who came to sit behind Dean, helping his brother lean up toward the bucket as more heaves wracked through his body.

"Shouldn't this be over now?"

"Sam honey this is his body's way of getting rid of the bug. I can't imagine it'll last much longer."

"How long did he sleep for?"

"Only an hour." sighed Grace. "I was hoping he'd be out for the rest of the night."

Dean spat into the bucket and rolled onto his back, looking up at Sam weakly he closed his eyes as the room span.

"Grace do you think we should call Doc Jones again?"

"He said he'd be here first thing, it's 5am and first thing to that man is usually 6.30 or 7am."

"He's an early riser like you then?"

"Yes I guess he is." laughed Grace. She looked down as Dean coughed weakly. "You still with us honey?"

"Mmm."

"I'm gonna go get some sleep Sam. You wake me when Doc Jones gets here?"

"Definitely will Grace. Thanks again."

"Boy you say thank you once more and I'll be making you eat brussel sprouts for a week."

"Not if we share a room you won't." Said Dean in a stronger voice than she'd heard from him all night.

Grace looked down at Dean and laughed. "So Sam is one that suffers from them is he?"

"Like you wouldn't believe."

Grace laughed again as she stood to make her way toward her room. Sam looked as if he was about to defend himself but couldn't think of anything to say. Dean simply smiled and let his eyes drift closed.

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Doc Jones stretched his aching back muscles as he waited patiently for Sam to open the front door. He'd spent the whole night with a young girl who had the same symptoms Grace had described in Dean. He'd managed to calm her nausea but having to hold the young woman while she heaved, even with the help of the father, had pulled on his already abused back muscles. The stoop Doc Jones carried with him a painful reminder that he wasn't getting any younger, and as much as he wanted to care for his patients, he was going to have to start giving orders rather than carrying them out.

"Hey Doc."

"Hello there young Sam. How are you?"

"I'm good thanks, just sorry to get you out so early."

"Nonsense young man, I'm glad to help. Where is he?"

"Upstairs, first bedroom on the right."

Dean was sat upright, leaning weakly against Grace who sat beside him, arm around his shoulder, holding a bucket in front of him as he coughed and heaved. Doc Jones immediately took in his exhausted, pale appearance and dejected features. He placed his bag on the end of the bed, pulled out his stethoscope and reached around the bucket to pull Dean's t-shirt up.

"Miss Grace, how are you?"

"Good thanks Robert. Sorry to get you out so early."

"Nonsense, it's fine. Ok young man breathe in for me."

Dean breathed in and immediately coughed the air back out followed by a weak heave.

"How high has his temperature got?"

"Last night it was past 103." Said Sam as he made his way to stand by where Grace was sitting.

Doc Jones placed a thermometer into Dean's ear. He pursed his lips as he waited for the readout.

"Lots of bugs going around this time of year young man. Guess your brother here picked up a nasty one. Young Mackenzie Austin has a very similar bug. Wouldn't be surprised if it's the same one. We'll have you fit and well though, mark my words."

Dean looked weakly at the Doctor then raised his eyes at Sam who frowned at him to co-operate. Grace watched the exchange, it always amazed her how the brothers could carry on a conversation through their eyes divulging more information than a person could in speech.

"Ok, well young man you still have a very high temperature. Has he slept at all?"

"Only managed an hour here and there. We've taken turns keeping his temperature down but it's been tough going." Grace replied.

"Ok well that's probably because he hasn't slept. His body can't recover unless he sleeps. Is it the nausea that wakes you Dean?"

Dean nodded wearily. He just wanted the Doctor to knock him out. That's all. No talk, no examination. Just one shot of something sweet and then oblivion please.

Doc Jones reached into his bag and pulled out a small bottle of pills, a syringe and a vial of clear liquid.

"Well it's looking to be the same virus that Mackenzie and others have so I'm going to give you a shot to help calm the nausea. Grace I'll leave you a course of antibiotics for him. Leave it an hour before you wake him to take the first course. They should stay down by then. Other than that it's sleep and fluids. How's that sound Dean?"

Dean smiled and gave a weary thumbs up. He'd heard the word sleep. That's all he needed to know.

Grace held Dean's arm as the Doctor administered the shot. Sam kept a hand on his brother's knee, keeping him distracted from the needle. Planes and needles. Two things Dean Winchester was not fond of.

Doc Jones stemmed the thanks that flowed from both Sam and Grace, Dean managed a smile and nod in gratitude. Grace followed him down the stairs to say goodbye, leaving Sam to cool Dean down. Sam could hear voices from downstairs carry upward as he filled the bowl with more cool water. He ran the cloth across his brother's face and neck, down his chest and gently across his stomach. Within a few minutes Dean's eyes began to droop. The pain in his stomach had subsided, leaving behind it an ache that sleep was slowly easing away. He felt too warm but safe, with Sam sat so close he relaxed and allowed himself to drift off. Sam sighed heavily and ran a tired hand over his face. He prayed that this time Dean would stay asleep for a few hours at least. Secretly he hoped it would be the rest of the day. He'd never seen him so tired. He'd tried to rally himself when the Doctor had appeared but quickly the effort had drained him.

Grace opened the door to allow Doc Jones to leave, he once again tried to straighten his back but only succeeded in cracking a few joints in his shoulders.

"You really need to start taking it easy Robert."

"One day Grace, one day."

"Have you anyone else to see to today?"

"I'll call in on the Austin's later to check on Mackenzie, but other than that, no, I think I'll be catching up on some sleep."

"Good plan."

"You should too Grace, I doubt you've slept at all." Doc Jones looked pointedly and smiled as Grace attempted to shine her most innocent smile.

"I will, I promise."

"Make sure you do, the worst of it is over you know. This virus seems to hit hard for the first day or so and then leaves the patient tired . So he's to take it very easy. No doubt his stomach will be very tender with the abuse it's endured. But I'm sure you'll be able to ease that ache" Doc Jones threw Grace a knowing wink and climbed into his car.

Grace knew she was blushing, she knew he knew she had a soft spot for the boys, her boys as she called them. So what if she cart wheeled inside at the thought of taking care of them, of caring for Dean. Sam was always so willing to accept her mothering but Dean, he was always so guarded, always unwilling to completely allow himself to give in to her attention.

Well, he had no choice now. He wasn't going anywhere fast and Grace was pretty sure she could catch him no problem if he tried.

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Sam fell asleep on the bed beside his brother , Grace draped a blanket around his shoulders and left the two to their slumber. A small knock at the door brought her down into the kitchen to find Nicki making coffee.

"Nicki honey, how are you?"

"Aunt Grace shouldn't I be asking you that? You look exhausted."

"Long night."

"Dean?"

"Upstairs asleep thankfully."

Nicki poured two cups of coffee and sat with her Aunt at the kitchen table. For a few sips they sat in silence, enjoying the relaxing feel of each others company.

Nicki gave her Aunt an appraising look, set her cup down , crossed her arms and put on her much practised and perfected no-nonsense face.

"Aunt Grace you need to sleep. I'll look out for the boys but you go and catch up on your sleep."

"I'm fine honey."

"I'm not asking Grace."

Grace looked at the determined set of her niece's features and had to smile. She'd not only passed on her positive outlook to her niece, but also inadvertently passed on her stubbornness.

"Am I going to win this argument?"

"Not a chance. Bed. Now."

Grace laughed at her young niece and bent forward as she stood to kiss her forehead.

"Dean needs to be woken in a few minutes to take his first lot of antibiotics. After that let him sleep for four hours before the next lot."

"I got it Grace. Please, go and get some sleep."

Grace threw Nicki a wink and made her weary way up to her bedroom. Sam's gentle snores met her at the top of the stairs. He was still fast asleep, head on the bed next to his brother's still form. Dean looked pale, exhausted but at least he was sleeping. A thin sheen of sweat covered his face, as Grace started to walk into the room Nicki appeared behind her and guided her to her own bedroom.

"I'll cool him down Aunt. Now to bed with you."

"Thanks honey."

Nicki gently shook Sam awake and pointed toward his room, her frown and intense stare daring him to try to argue with her. Once she had the carers settled she sat next to Dean, pulling the covers down and gently mopping his head and chest, cooling him with the gentle touch of the cloth. Satisfied his temperature had dropped slightly she shook two small pills into her hand and rubbed his forehead with her other hand, carefully waking him.

"Hey Dean, hey there."

Dean frowned and slowly moved his head toward the sound of Nicki's voice.

"You gotta take these pills then you can go back to sleep, ok?"

Thin slits of green peered up at her, gently she raised his head and popped the pills into his mouth, helping him chase them down with a few sips of water.

"That's it Dean. They'll have you feeling better in no time."

Dean looked up at Nicki and gave what he hoped was a thankful smile, then feeling the exhaustion wash over him once more he allowed his eyes to close as he began to drift toward the long dark highway toward sleep.

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What can i say? I love you all and your reviews! I can't torture him much more, poor man. But i can have fun with the recovery!! So i hope you all stick around for that! Thank you all so much for taking the time to read and review. I've tried to get back to you all but if i've missed anyone please know your thoughts are much appreciated.

Thought i'd post this chapter before i watch Playthings (again) what an ep! I loved it!