Author's Note: I am sorely disappointed. Only 7 reviews? That's not very inspiring. But here's the next chapter anyway. Hit that review button!

Disclaimer: Check out Chapter One. Heard it's quite the party

Chapter 7: Return to Ground Zero

A figure walked across the hospital parking lot. His shoulders were hunched, his hands in the pockets. If anyone had seen Dean Winchester that day, they would have known he was not happy.

It had been 4 days, 2 hours, and 45 minutes since Dean had last seen Sam, had seen a fire take yet another person out of his life. In typical Winchester fashion, he had decided that no restraining order would keep him from Sammy. Especially for more than a day. Apparently, the hospital really enjoyed keeping their staff up to date as to who could and couldn't see patients. Despite a new pretty police ID, Dean had only gotten to the burn unit's front nurse desk before being stopped by security. That had been 2 days ago. To say Dean had been crawling the hotel walls was like saying Jack Nicholson had a bit of talent as an actor.

Walking up to the front desk, Dean straightened his back and added his normal swagger to his step. No sense in letting them know how pissed I am. Giving the young nurse a smile, he asked for Dr. Monroe's office number. While she wrote it down, Dean glanced around. Seeing the security guard glaring at him, Dean smiled and gave a small wave. Thanking the nurse, and noticing she had written her number on the paper along with the room, Dean walked past the guard to the elevators. After pressing the call button, Dean turned and looked up at the guard's scowl.

"Nice shiner." With that, he backed into the elevator, grinning from ear to ear. Not bad. Didn't think I had hit him that hard. Too bad he thought I liked being tossed from hospitals.

Dean stared at the buttons, all the joy from seeing Mr. Security gone. He watched them, as if waiting for them to tell him what to do. The doors closed, leaving him standing alone in the steel box. It's a fine line to walk. Try to see Sam and risk getting caught, which would effectively sweep the legs out from under me about seeing him again. Dean gave a half smirk. He had never been one to worry about risk, but that was when 9 times out of 10, he could lie, steal, or cheat his way around it. But a restraining order issued by a hospital. That takes courts and as far as he knew, Dean and Sam Harris didn't exist. Or if they did, he was fairly certain one of them wasn't in a hospital and the other restrained from him. And Sam might not… Dean shook his head, stopping that thought before it could really get going. Sam can't contest the order right now. He's…he's healing. Sam just.. He'll have to take some time off. Dean nodded, satisfied that answer wouldn't make his eyes itch.

The elevator's ding brought Dean out of his thoughts. He gave a slight jump as the doors slid open, having never even felt the elevator move up. He looked around, and found no one waiting. Glancing up, he saw floor 3 lit. He raised his eyebrows in surprise. Well, I know a sign when I see one.

As the doors slid closed, Dean thrust his arm out, blocking the door's path. Giving a quick glance around, he strode over to he front desk, trying to look more relaxed than he actually felt. The nurse glanced up. She was a different one from last time. Dean let out a small breath. Thanks for small favors, I guess. He leaned into the desk and flashed his best smile.

"Excuse me, but we have a problem. I don't know your name."

The nurse creased her brow, which quickly morphed into a shy smile. "Why should I tell you my name?"

"Cause you've stolen something from me and I want to know the culprit's name."

"And just what was it that I apparently stole?" Her smile grew larger, waiting for the inevitable punch line.

"My heart."

The girl rolled her eyes and let out a laugh. "That was really bad."

Dean hung his head, a slight blush turning his ears red. "Yeah, I know. But you can't blame a guy for trying."

"Do I seem like the kind of girl who would steal?"

"I don't know, but I'd like to find out." Dean paused, his smile fading into a grim one. "But now's really not a good time."

"Okay then. What can I do for you today?"

Dean cleared his throat. Here goes nothing. "I'm actually here to see someone. Sam Harris."

The nurse nodded, typing away at the computer. "Okay. Are you family?"

"Cousins. On my father's side" Dean replied, biting his lower lip.

The young girl continued to stare at the screen, her finger clicking the mouse every few seconds. Dean could feel his heart begin to race as the seconds ticked by. He tapped his hand against his jeans, trying not to squirm too much. Another few seconds had him wiping his palms on his pants. I've killed demons for giving me less aggravation.

Finally, the nurse turned with a smile. "All righty. Sam's in room 336. He is still in a clean room, so you can only look thru the observant window."

Dean nodded, his breathing suddenly easing up. "Thanks."

"You are very welcome."

With a small nod, Dean turned away and stared the long haul down the eerily white hallway. He paused for a moment, reading a sign giving room directions while taking in his surroundings, checking if anyone was going to ambush him. He couldn't get over the feeling that someone was watching him; waiting until he was moving to pounce on his back and haul his ass to jail. Dean turned away and started to walk down the correct hallway. A quick glance told him he was completely alone. He gave a surprised head nod. That was… well, easy Maybe the little nurse just didn't know what to do with restraining orders. Or maybe she missed it. Or maybe cause my appointment is today, they took the notice down.

Dean turned the corner, shoving his hands in his pockets. The appointment. There weren't too many things in this world that scared Dean Winchester. Losing Sam. Definitely. Things that go bump in the night. Not at all. Sitting down with a psychologist. Dean gave an involuntary shudder. Come on man. Pull yourself together It's just…. Just talking. You've lied about your past almost everyday of your life. Ever since… that happened anyway. Dean shook his head, frowning at this own thoughts. No way man. Don't even go there. Who knows how a shrink would analyze this kind of shit reaction. With a lot of psychobabble, that's what. Hell she might even-

Dean froze in the middle of the hallway. Door 336. Visitors Enter Here. Dean stared at the door sign. It was so simple. Enter Here. But for some reason, he couldn't move. His brain felt disconnected to his body. Dean could feel his chest tighten, panic beginning to settle in. Okay Dean, just lift up your hand and open the door. We'll see what we see. But behind that door was something Dean had nightmares about, would wake up sweating and swearing it would never happen. Behind that door, Sam was hurt badly. And he might not get better. Dean gave a shudder as a cold chill passed down his spine with that thought.

Clearing his throat, Dean forced his hand to lift and turned the door handle. He gave a slight push and let out a breath. Walking forward, he found himself in a small white room with a couple chairs. A large window ran along the entire left wall. Dean kept his head down, focusing on the floor as he stepped forward. Keep focused. It's the little things. Don't you dare lose it, man. Okay. White chairs. Clear window. Oh god, please let him be okay.

Too soon for Dean's liking, he found himself in the middle of the room. Taking a deep breath, he raised his head to look at his baby brother. As his brain registered the image, which he knew was now burned into his memory forever, he let out a single choked sob.

"Oh, god. Sammy."

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Author's Note: Yeah, I know not a lot happened in this chapter. And it was pretty short. But I'm trying to update as fast as I can. And I promise more will happen in the next one. And believe me when I say reviews really do inspire. So R&R. Salt and Burn, baby.