Disclaimer: refer to chapter one

Disclaimer: refer to chapter one

NOTE TO READERS: Wow, thanks for all of the review for chapter 1. Also, I tried to email a thank you to everyone, but one or two emails bounced back as undeliverable, so if you reviewed and didn't get a response, I tried. But, thank you!!

This chapter is around six pages, sorry it's short but I really had no time and I wanted to get you a chapter out this week. Happy Reading, I hope!

Borrowed Hope

Chapter Two

By Dawn Nyberg

"…you can run on for a long time, run on for a long time … sooner or later God'll cut you down …" lyric excerpt from Johnny Cash, God's Gonna Cut You Down

University of Iowa Hospital Lobby, October 29, 2007, 9:00 AM

Bobby knew he must look haggard as he rushed into the lobby wild eyed and rumpled. He had driven straight through only stopping for gas and coffee to stay awake. The drive had nearly driven him nuts as his thoughts focused on the boys, his family. They might be John's sons in blood but that meant nothing to him. As his mind went to thoughts of the eldest child, Dean he smiled at warm memories of the young hunter's stubbornness and wise-ass responses. Then there was Sam … the youngest, he remembered his first meeting with the boy. Sam was only two and bore the same dark, wide puppy eyes and dimples that the he still had today. Bobby had been a sucker for them then and was no more immune now. They had to be okay, there was no other possibility that Bobby would permit into his mind.

"May I help you?" a middle-aged woman asked from behind the Information desk.

"Yes, I was told to come here when I arrived. I had to commute in. My nephews were in an accident."

"Their names?"

Bobby blanked for a moment, what in the hell was the alias the boys were using? Finally, a spark hit him a second later. "Crockett. Sam and Dean Crockett." Her fingers were clacking away at the computer keyboard.

"Oh, yes, there is a special note attached. You need to go to the second floor, the ICU nurse's desk and ask for Rosemary Sloane."

"Sloane? Is that the boy's doctor?"

"No, she is the charge nurse on shift now." Bobby nodded. "Just take those elevators to the second floor, make a right and follow the signs to the ICU."

"Thank you," Bobby managed to push out as he was already heading with a mission toward the elevators. He wanted to see the boys; no he needed to see them.

Six Minutes Later, the ICU

Bobby walked with purpose into the unit scanning the cubicles as he walked toward the nurse's station in the hopes he'd see one or both of the boys, he didn't. "Hello?" Bobby stooped over the counter and a nurse looked up.

"Yes? Can I do something for you?"

"My name is Bobby Singer. I need to speak with someone named Rosemary Sloane, please, it's about my nephews."

"What are your nephew's names?"

"Sam and Dean Crockett," Bobby replied hastily. She nodded.

"One sec," she answered. She disappeared into a unit room and came back out followed by an African-American woman that looked to be in her forties. She was in purple scrub pants with a teal top. Bobby sized her up quickly; she looked competent and carried herself like she knew what she was doing … especially if she was taking care of his family.

"Mr. Singer?" Rosemary extended a hand. "I'm glad you could make it in. I know you were driving from a pretty good distance, right?"

"Yes, South Dakota. The boys, how are they?" Bobby was done with the niceties of conversation he needed to know about Dean and Sam.

"Dean is here in the unit and I'll take you to him. His doctor is Dr. Helman and he'll be able to speak with you once I get him here. I've already had Margaret page him to the ICU."

"What about Sam?" Bobby pushed. She hadn't mentioned the youngest member of his family.

"Still in recovery," she offered. "His surgery was extensive and long, but Dr. Helman will fill you in on everything. He was Sam's surgeon and will also be his doctor while in the ICU."

"So, he made it through the surgery, okay? The ER nurse that called me said he was in critical condition."

"Mr. Singer, I think Dr. Helman will be better able to answer any and all questions you may have about Sam. I haven't been informed of everything yet."

"What about Dean? You said he's in here, so how bad was he injured?"

"Very mild concussion, some internal bruising that we are keeping an eye on and the doctor can speak to you more about that. He also fractured his sternum on the steering wheel in the crash along with two ribs." Bobby's eyes were wide and focused. He felt nauseated but he'd hold steady for both of the boys.

"May I see him?"

A Few Moments Later, Dean's ICU Room

It was a private glass cubicle, "He's in here Mr. Singer," Rosemary walked up to the threshold. "He's on some pain meds through his IV, so he's sleeping." Bobby stepped into the room and pushed the edge of a pale blue curtain aside. Dean was pale and unmoving.

"I'll have Dr. Helman come to talk to you as soon as he gets here," Bobby merely nodded as his eyes never left Dean's prone form.

Bobby stood at Dean's bedside and really looked the young man over. He had one hell of a shiner of his left eye and a busted lip. He could see that his chest was wrapped for support. There was an IV line running from his right arm and pale green oxygen tubing ran under his nose. There was a blood pressure cuff attached to his left arm. Bobby took a breath and pulled a seat over and sat down. He slid his hand through the bed rail and circled his fingers around Dean's left wrist. "Dean? It's Bobby." He tried to assure the unconscious young man, he hoped his voice broke into the darkness and provided some reassurances. "Well, kiddo it looks like you got yourself in one hell of a fine mess, huh?" Dean was unmoving but Bobby found comfort in the steady beeping of the heart monitor. He sat watching the silent rise and fall of Dean's chest.

There was a gentle knock on the metal doorway frame to Dean's cubicle. "Mr. Singer?" the voice was quiet. Bobby turned and looked up from his seat. "I'm Dr. Helman. I'm here to speak to you about both of your nephews." Bobby stood and extended his hand.

"How are they really?" He was all business now.

"Come with me to the ICU conference room and I can fill you in." Bobby followed.

Twenty-minutes later, the ICU Conference Room

Bobby felt numb at everything he'd been told. He'd have to take one boy's status at a time. "So, Dean's showing signs of internal bleeding?" Bobby felt his heart crowd his chest.

"I know it sounds daunting, I do. Please, keep in mind we are monitoring the situation and right now it doesn't warrant any intervention. In fact, I'm confident that if we can keep him quiet for a two or three days we should be over the hump, so to speak."

"Keep him quiet, yeah," Bobby replied in frustration. "You don't know that boy like I do and the moment he hears about his little brother all bets are off … I doubt seriously if you'll be able to even keep in his own room. He'll want to be with Sam."

"Perhaps, you hold some sway with him in regard to keeping him under control." Bobby let a humorless chuckle.

"Sway? You're kiddin' right? Dean isn't controlled he's managed like a zoo manages a wild animal. Plus, you're throwing his kid brother into the mix; well you can forget reason let alone sway. Nah, he hears about Sam and all bets are off. I'll do my best, I will, but you better be prepared to let him see his brother or the crap's gonna hit the fan."

The doctor studied the older man in front of him and it was obvious he was going to have hands full with his patient. "Well, hopefully between the two of us we can get him to understand that he needs to take it easy unless he wants to end up in the OR and then he won't be any good to his brother." Bobby smirked and snapped his fingers.

"Playing the Sam card might just work in all of our favors," Bobby commented wisely. "Now, about Sam," his voice shook. "The heart injury and flail chest … you've fixed them, right?"

"Yes, I was able to repair the damage to the sac around Sam's heart and we surgically fixed his flail chest."

"With metal plates?" Bobby pushed.

"Yes, and I was able to mold them to reestablish a normal chest appearance. However, as I stated I am concerned about the pulmonary and cardiac contusions he has suffered."

"Yeah, you said his heart rate isn't right?"

"Well, I call it irritable. He's being closely monitored."

"You said he crashed in the OR during surgery," Bobby still felt sick as he recalled the doctor's earlier words … Sam arrested on the table.

"Yes, and we were able to use the internal paddles and he converted after two shocks."

"Has he woke up yet?"

"No, but I have no reason to believe he won't once his condition stabilizes."

"Once it stabilizes," Bobby's voice shook. "Could Dean and I lose him?"

"Mr. Singer, Sam's injuries are extremely critical I won't lie to you … yes, there is a chance that Sam could die from a complication due to the blunt force trauma he received. But, two of are biggest obstacles the injury to his heart and the flail chest have been addressed … now we support him in any way we can to see him through this." Bobby nodded.

"When's he gonna be out of recovery?"

"Another hour or two. I'd like his rhythm to be more stable before we move him to the ICU." Bobby offered a nod of comprehension.

One Hour Later, Dean's ICU Room

Bobby sat at Dean's bedside reading a magazine. He was exhausted and was trying every trick he knew to stay awake. There were three large Styrofoam cups on a table nearby, all empty, so now he was trying reading. Sam was still in recovery, so he focused all of his time on Dean and waited for the young man to wake up. There was a rustle and groan that brought Bobby's eyes up quickly. "Dean?" his voice was quiet and hopeful. He lowered a bed rail and placed his hand on Dean's left and stroked the top with a thumb. "Dean? You with me, kiddo?" Dean's head moved in the direction of Bobby's voice and the man smiled. "Dean? Come on … try to open your eyes for me," he urged gently. He watched as tired and hazy eyes opened and fought to focus on him. He tried to move again and the winced. "Easy, Dean," Bobby encouraged. "Don't move around, alright? You're pretty banged up and you busted a couple ribs and fractured your sternum."

"B…" Dean licked his dry lips. Bobby quickly poured a little water from the bedside container into a cup and held it to Dean's mouth.

"Just a sip or two, okay … slow and steady ain't no reason to push, I'm not going anywhere," he comforted. Dean sipped and relished the cool liquid.

"Bobby," Dean tried again with success. "Shit," he hissed at the pain. It was dull but there were moments of sharp agony, thankfully they seem to pass quickly.

"You in a lot of pain? " Bobby questioned with worried eyes. "The doc's giving you pain meds in your IV, maybe you need …"

"It's okay, Bobby not too bad." Dean looked around trying to clear the fog from his brain. "What happened?"

"Car accident … some dumb ass ran a red light and hit you," Bobby's voice held a hint of rage and worry. It all came back to Dean in a flash … Sam's white skin, the pained expression and then nothing …

"Oh God," he half moaned and tried to move. "Sammy?"

"Dean keep your ass still do you understand me," Bobby ordered firmly and stood up quickly putting a hand on Dean's forehead. He avoided placing any restraining weight on Dean's chest. "You're pretty busted up Dean and the doc says you've got some bleeding inside but if you're careful they won't have to do surgery, it'll take care of itself as long as you don't push yourself like an idjit." Bobby's words were rushed but he knew if he took his time saying the words that Dean would have cut him off. As it was Dean was drugged and worried about his little brother, bad combo in Bobby's mind.

"I don't give a rat's ass about me?" he hissed. "What about Sam? Where is he? Is he okay? He's okay, right?" Dean's eyes were more focused but even in his drugged haze his big brother panic was showing through.

"Dean," Bobby began as he took a seat. Dean's eyes followed the man as he sat.

"Please, Bobby …" Dean's voice pleaded. "He's okay, right? Tell me he's okay."

"Dean, son," Bobby's eyes softened along with his voice. "Sam's in rough shape." Dean felt a chill come over him at those words.

To Be Continued

Sorry, for the relatively short chapter (approx. 6 pages) but my time was practically nada this week and I promised to update this week and I always like to keep my word. I'm hoping I can set aside some time over the next couple day or so to get a jump on chapter 3, so that I can give you an update next week at some point.

The next chapter will have Sam, Dean and Bobby … I just had to get a few preliminary dialogues, and set-up, etc. out of the way. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for reading!