AN: First and foremost, BIG thanks to charmed for being so patient and getting this out to me, I owe you huge haha. Sorry for the delay on this chapter, there was some really big email issues, maybe it was trying to tell me not to put this chapter up I'm not sure, clearly you reading this are the judges, haha.

But I hope you enjoy, read and review!

Disclaimer: See ch.1

ENJOY

Dean never thought he would be sitting in the hospital waiting for his brother to wake up, never thought he wouldn't be there for Sam when he needed him most. But that was the situation he was in, his brother had needed him, had called out for him, begged for him, and he had let him go into that room on his own. Into the room where there was no protection from evil that lurked, and now his brother was passed out on a hospital bed, and Dean was trying to wait patiently for him to wake up.

"Come on Sammy, time to wake up" Dean cooed, hoping to raise his brother from the depths of his sleep. He sat stock still as he watched Sam's eyes begin to flutter open. "That's it" he encouraged as he looked on, Sam's eyes opening up to the world.

"That's it Sammy, now we can get out of here" Dean said as he reached over and pressed the nurse call button "He's up" he said through the speaker, receiving no reply, the nurse didn't take long to make it down to the small room.

"Glad to see those big eyes of yours Sam" the nurse said as she busied herself with Sam's vitals, "The doctor should be here soon, I just paged her, and once she gives you the go ahead you can head home"

Sam said nothing, he didn't even look at the young attractive nurse that was leaning over him, he lay still, staring ahead. Only smiling and acknowledging the doctor once she came in.

Dean just looked on, he wasn't stupid, he knew it was an act; something had Sam rattled and sure he hid it well in front of the doctor, but Dean knew better.

Yet even though he could see the act his brother was putting on, he didn't say anything, didn't mention it in fear that the doctor would keep Sam in the hospital, and Dean didn't want to stay any longer.

'Am I such a selfish prick that I would put my brother at risk just so I could get out?' he thought angrily, 'No, Sammy wants out of here as well' he reminded himself as he let the doctor and Sam continue to interact.

"Sam, you gave us quite the scare." The young doctor said as she performed her own set of vitals.

"Well I like to keep things interesting" he tried to joke, knowing the doctor would buy into his facade, but he could feel Deans gaze on him.

"Well, everything appears to be okay, so you can head home, just try and relax a little bit"

"Did the results of the test come in yet?" Dean spoke up, curious as to what was wrong with his brother's heart besides the fact that it was broken and shattered.

"Well the tests were very important, they provided us with lots of pictures that will help us, but they didn't show any pictures that we needed in terms of the abnormality in Sam's right atrium. So I will be discussing with the other doctors about the best course of action and any further testing that may need to be done."

Dean stared wide eyed, that whole experience, the pain and torture Sam went through for that test, the test that was supposed to figure out what was going on with his right atrium was useless? It didn't show the pictures? The older brother couldn't believe it, and if he wasn't in an oncology ward he may have started a fuss with the young doctor. But he bit his tongue and kept it to himself, he didn't need to put Sam through the stress of an argument, the kid had been through enough in one day.

"Okay Sammy lets get out of here" he stated instead, gathering Sam's belongings and helping his little brother out of the room. "See you later doctor" he called out as he helped Sam out of the room and out of the hospital, hoping to clear Sam's head from the day's events, and to figure out what had his brother in such distress.

Of course that was two days ago that Dean had taken his little brother from the room, two days since he had last heard his little brother's quiet voice, two days since his brother had left the bedroom for more than five minutes, and now Dean wasn't sure getting Sam out of the hospital was such a good idea.

"Hey Sammy" the older brother whispered as he entered the dark bedroom, a plate of food in one hand, his face etched with worry, his usually handsome features having aged twenty years since Sam had fallen ill.

He smiled slightly, trying to engage his brother as he set the food down, "You gotta eat Sammy."

He was met with silence as he sat beside his still brother whose listless eyes unnerved the older brother as they stared straight ahead into the darkness.

"Please Sam, come on man, you know I don't beg for anything, but I'm begging you to snap out of it"

Sam just blinked, hearing his brother's words, but his gaze focused on the lady in the corner, his reaper; his death now lurking not only in his dreams, but also in every corner he looked at. The darkness seemed to be encasing him, strangling him, only dissipating slightly with his brother or father's appearance.

Dean's heavy sigh rang through Sam's ears as he got up, leaving the plate of food on the small nightstand between the beds.

Bringing the tussled blankets back up to Sam's chin, his actions slow and tender as he tucked his brother in, just like when they were young.

"Always here for ya little brother, but you have to help me out a bit" he whispered as he made his way back out of the room, closing the door and walking back to his father who sat quietly in the kitchen.

Worry for the youngest Winchester was plaguing the family, aging both of the older men.

"How's he doing?" John asked, his worry extending to Dean as well, making sure his older boy would eat and sleep.

"Not good dad. He won't move, won't acknowledge anybody, Hell I have to force his antibiotics down his throat." Dean's emotions running high as he paced the kitchen.

John got up, placing a hand on his boy's shoulder, "He'll come around son."

Dean snapped, turning around sharp, "What if he doesn't?! Something happened to him in that hospital room, and its eating him up inside. He hasn't moved from that bed in two days dad! Whatever happened is killing him, and I'll be damned if I'm going to lose him!"

John watched as his eldest son's eyes misted over, he had never seen Dean this emotional before, "I know son, I know" John could feel his own emotions beginning to rise as the situation became intense, but he kept it together for his boy.

"I'll go and talk to Sammy, why don't you get a bath ready, its time your brother snapped out of this" John stated as he got up and walked down the hall, confident he could get his boys on the right track, and under control.

Dean just nodded, his childhood belief that his father could fix anything kicking in as he went to start the bath, giving one last glance towards his father before he disappeared into the bedroom, "Please fix it dad"

John walked into the darkness of his sons room, noting that Sam didn't flinch as he sat beside him.

"Son?" John asked meekly, he could smell the stench of defeat that lingered in the room.

"You can't go on like this Sammy, hell I can't take your brother's worrying much more" he joked, his smile quickly disappearing as his youngest son's raspy voice filled the room.

"I don't want to go Dad" his voice dripping with emotion, even though it was rough from not being used.

"You're not going anywhere Sammy" John soothed as he ran his hand down Sam's back.

Sam shook his head slightly, "Nope, you're wrong, I am; she'll take me."

"No one, and I mean no one is taking you Sammy, I won't let anyone take you, and you should know that Dean wouldn't let anyone take you either."

Sam just shook his head harder as a tear made its way down his right temple.

"The baths ready" Deans head poked in, stopping the conversation from going any further.

John sighed, looking down at how upset he had managed to make Sam, instead of helping him, he upset him. "Okay big guy, lets go." he continued as he started to remove the covers.

"No, please, I-I don't want to" Sam begged and pleaded as John and Dean both lifted him out of bed, and carried him to the washroom. Both older men taking turns at holding the majority of Sam's weight as the other would work on getting Sam's clothes off, until the youngest was clad only in his boxers.

Dean and John lifted the young man into the warm water, trying to make him comfortable, even though his large frame was awkward in the small tub.

John gently tore Dean away from his brother's side and explained what Sam had told him in the bedroom. Realization dawned on Dean as he heard mention of a lady taking his brother away.

"Okay, I got it now" the older brother said as John walked out of the bathroom and Dean shut the door. Sighing as he turned back to his brother, wondering what was going on in his little brothers head.

"Wish we had a bigger tub eh Sammy?" Dean smiled as he knelt in front of the tub, grabbing the rag cloth he had brought in and dipping it into the water, flashbacks of washing Sam when they were kids coming to mind.

Quickly realizing Sam's lack of effort, Dean brought the cloth up and gently wiped Sams back. He couldn't believe that he was sitting here bathing his brother, and in any other circumstance he wouldn't have been caught dead bathing Sam. But this wasn't any other circumstance, and it was as if his brother had transformed from the defiant 23-year-old Sam to the dependent 6 year old Sammy.

"Come on Sam, what's going on man? Remember our talk about no secrets?" Dean asked desperation hidden in his usually strong voice as he dipped the cloth in the water once more, "Cause whatever has you like this falls into that category."

Bringing his free hand up, covering Sam's eyes, he squeezed the cloth over Sam's head before picking up the shampoo, his hands hesitant as they loomed over Sam's hairless head.

"That old lady I told you about" Sam finally spoke up as Dean brought his hands down.

"Yeah? What about her?" Dean asked as he massaged the shampoo onto Sam's skin.

"I see her everywhere, I saw her in that room Dean, she touched me and I thought; I thought that was it" The younger man's voice broke as he relaxed under Dean's touch, comforted in knowing he could still feel, that he wasn't dead… yet.

Dean felt his brother begin to relax and to lean in to his hands as he worked the soap in, forgetting about the absence of Sam's hair, just glad his brother was actually responding to him again.

"Hey, listen to me Sammy. I'm not letting anyone take you from me, and I mean that" Dean's voice stern, but his mind reeling, debating whether he should mention his own dream.

"You can't stop her Dean, if she wants me she'll take me, you can't stop a reaper."

"Like hell I can't" the older brother's voice filled with frustration, but his hands still soft as he brought the cloth up and carefully wiped the soap away.

A heavy sigh escaping the older boy's lips as he began to speak once more, "Sam, you know its probably not the best time for me to bring this up since we're on a whole tell the truth rampage, but I didn't tell you something the other day."

The younger brother would have normally perked up at his brother's emotionally driven confession, but his mind was still too far from reality, trapped in the fear of death.

Having received no response Dean just continued, "I had a dream about you when I was sick Sammy. I dreamt that you had… uh; that you had died" he finally choked out, garnering a little more of Sam's attention.

"I didn't want to believe it, any of it, but an older woman came to me that day and showed me." His eyes rolling at how ridiculous his words sounded, "I didn't tell you because I didn't believe it, and I still don't believe it, because there is no way in hell I'm letting you go." He could feel himself choking up but held himself together as Sam finally turned to face him.

"I'm sorry you had to see that."

Deans' heart broke at his brother's words, "Really? Cause I'm not, you know Sam she showed me the heart-break, the shattering of the world around me, and I think its not because she's taking you away, she was warning me to what could happen. Sammy, I'm not losing you, I refuse to lose you!"

"Dean; I can't…"

"No Sam, don't give me this shit, I've tried being comforting and it hasn't worked. You're on a self-destructive path and enough is enough. Snap out of it!"

Silence hung between the brothers, both contemplating the exchange of words, Dean ready to apologize.

"Is that an order?" Sam asked quietly, the smallest smile creeping on to his pale face, causing Dean to smile back.

"Yeah it is little brother"

Sam nodded, "Probably the best order you or dad had ever given to me. Thanks" he said as he made to get up, Dean's strong arms helping to pull him up.

The tension in the room beginning to lift, "See Sammy, wasn't that a nice bath? And lets just point out that my baths are oatmeal free."

Sam chuckled lightly as he watched the lady in the corner smile and fade away.

MONTH FOUR, DAY EIGHT

Sam had bounced back quickly after his talk with Dean, and things had started looking better. The sore in his mouth had diminished to a much more manageable size, and the first three days of in hospital treatment had occurred with little nausea and thankfully no dreams.

Now he and his brother and father sat in a small room, waiting for the small doctor to make her appearance before Sam went for more Chemo.

"Big day today Son" John said, a hand on his youngest boy's back.

And it was, it was the day in which Sam would figure out if he had two, or four more months of treatment left.

Sam sighed as the young doctor walked in, he just wanted out of the hospital.

"Good morning Sam" She said, nodding her acknowledgement to the other two men in the room.

"How are you doing today?" she asked as she felt his neck, beginning her usual physical check of the young man.

"I'm fine." was the only response she received as silence fell over the room once more.

Clearing her throat to break the silence she started up with what she was sure the men wanted to know.

"Sam, after all of the tests, I have some good news and some bad news, any preference as to what news you would like first?"

"Good news." Dean suddenly blurted, surprising the young doctor who looked to Sam, who just nodded his approval.

"Well your Gallium scan is no longer showing hot spots, which is very good news." She tried to smile as she gathered her wits to deliver the bad news. "Unfortunately from your latest cat scan it shows that the tumor has stopped decreasing in size" She paused letting the information sink in before continuing. "So we are going to push your treatment up to eight months with radiation as an option as well."

John's heart sank as he heard the news, "Shit" he muttered as he turned and walked towards the window, not bearing to watch the look of defeat in his son's eyes.

As much as Sam hated to admit it, he wasn't expecting this, he came in today certain that he was only going to have six months of treatment, and this, this was like a kick in the face. "Does this mean that the tumor isn't responding to the treatment anymore?" he asked, scared to hear the response.

"No, no, we don't believe that the treatment isn't working anymore, there is an indication that the tumor is changing density, so it is a possibility that it is becoming scar tissue. But we need to extend the treatment to make sure, and after the eight months we will discuss radiation. But for now, you just carry on with your normal chemo routine."

Sam gawked at the word normal, his whole life he had been striving for a normal life and could never find it. Not until this whole cancer experience came up, this was about as normal as his life was going to get.

"What about his heart? Is he going to need more tests?" Dean asked, still upset over how useless the veinogram had proven to be.

"After careful examination of previous echo's Sam has had, we decided that we would just continue to monitor the flap through the echo's and if there is any change we will look at more tests. But there's a good chance that this is just a normal mutation that has always been there."

Dean could feel some weight lift off his shoulders, "That's good news eh Sammy?"

Sam rolled his eyes, "Yeah, can I go to the daycare now?" he asked getting up, his father's hand on his elbow steadying his wavering frame.

"Of course Sam" the small doctor replied as she moved towards the door,

"And don't worry about the extra chemo, we'll talk about it when we get there. You can go straight to the daycare, the nurses are waiting for you." She smiled as she walked out of the room, the three men following behind, walking slowly towards the daycare, the news of extra chemo heavy in the air.

"At least its only a short day today" the older brother offered, trying to build a conversation, not liking the silence that always seemed to follow their family.

"Yeah" Sam mumbled back, glad to have finally reached the daycare. Walking in he could feel his mouth drop, he had never seen the room so busy.

He had always managed to get in early on any other visit, but because of the visit with the doctor, he was late, and the room was packed.

"Hey Sam! Back again?" A cheery nurse called out as she walked over to the Winchesters.

"It's a little busy today, but we have a few rocking chairs in the crib section. You only have a short day today so it shouldn't be that bad."

The Winchester men just stared at all the people as they followed the nurse, John and Deans eyes widened as they looked at all of the people, all of the families that were suffering, suddenly not feeling as alone as they once had.

Sam on the other hand just kept his eyes focused on getting to the chair and starting his chemo, he hated the hospital and the constant time spent there, and the smell of the rooms was beginning to wear on him, he just wanted to go home.

Home, now there's a word he never thought he would use before.

So he sat in the wood chair, his aching muscles not happy that he was sitting in the hard chair instead of a comfy bed. His stomach began to toss and turn as the nurse walked over with his first drug, Adriamycin, the awful red drug that made him ill just thinking about it.

He couldn't get over the fact that the drug was red, and as he watched the nurse put the red liquid into his IV his stomach tossed violently as the clear liquid slowly turned.

He watched as the red began to work its way into the line, he could feel himself start to panic as he watch the red get closer and closer to his chest, the urge to rip out his IV before the liquid had a chance to reach there was building.

Taking a deep breath Sam closed his eyes as the red approached, his fingers wringing together as the red liquid slowly dripped into his heart before being pumped through his body.

Slowly opening his eyes, he was glad to see his father and brother had taken it upon themselves to people watch, as all three Winchesters sat quietly as the room moved quickly around, while their world seemed to slow down.

AN: wow, there it is, the chapter that just didn't want to go up, so I hope you enjoyed it. And I hope next time there won't be so much email issues, charmed you're a doll for being so patient.

Let me know if you're still liking it

Read and review!