Thanks for the reviews guys :) The first story was a blast to write so I'm so glad you guys decided to stick around. I'm going to write this story like I did 'Beginnings' in that I'm just writing and posting as I go. So hopefully the Muse will stick around, and I don't write myself into a hole...
That said, let the story continue!
Exhaustion forgotten, Dean was out of his chair before he'd even fully registered the sound.
Taking off for the stairs, he mounted them two at a time and barreled down the hallway, calling his brother's name as he burst into the bedroom.
Where he found Jessica.
"Sam!"
Jess and Sam's heads turned in unison.
"Dean?" Jess asked, eyes wide. Her hair was wet and she was covered only in a pale blue towel.
Dean pulled up short. Took a few shallow breaths.
"I heard...?" He surveyed the situation. Saw that both his brother and Jess were all right. Clutched his chest. "You people…goin' for another heart attack or somethin'?"
Sam took a step towards his brother, who had doubled over in an attempt to catch his breath, hands on his thighs. "Dean?"
"With...ya, in a sec…"
"Man, breathe. "Sam gripped his brother's shoulder. "Jess was just in the shower. I scared her that's all."
"Good to know," Dean wheezed. He took another few deep breaths. Swallowed. Then he nodded towards Jessica. "Hey Jess," he added, breathlessly. "Loved the cookies."
Jess smiled and enveloped him in a hug. "It's good to see you, Dean."
He patted her back awkwardly, then pulled away, raising an eyebrow as he took in her ensemble. "It's. Good to see you, too."
Jess looked down and gripped the top of the towel. "And, I think I'll get dressed now."
She grabbed some clothes from the dresser and made her way to the bathroom. As she passed Sam, she brushed his arm lightly. "I'm gonna go get changed. Then we can talk, okay?"
Sam smiled. Nodded as she slipped into the bathroom. Waited until she'd closed the door.
Then his smile fell.
"Shit," he breathed.
He grabbed Dean and pulled his brother into the hallway.
"Dude!" Dean hissed.
"What the hell am I gonna do?"
"Well, first...hands off, Mr. Grabbby," Dean replied, unlocking Sam's grip from his bicep. "And second...'do' about what?
Sam ran a hand through his hair. He had no idea how he was going to explain Dean's mysterious recovery to Jess. It hadn't even really crossed his mind before, hell, he'd been a little preoccupied with saving his brother's life, but he wasn't going to be able to keep her in the dark forever. He hadn't went into much detail about Dean's condition before their trip, but he'd admitted it had to do with his brother's heart. Which was now healed.
No trace there was ever anything wrong.
"What the hell am I gonna tell her, Dean?"
"Sam. Calm down…"
"Calm down?"Sam repeated, trying to keep his voice low. "Dean, telling my girlfriend that 'my brother was just cured by a pseudo-faith healer with magical healing powers transferred from a reaper being controlled by his wife using black magic to keep him alive,' is probably not going to go over too well."
"Well, I mean, sure. When you put it that way…"
"Dean!" Sam threw his hands out.
Dean bit back a smile. Then it dawned on him.
He stared at his brother. Huffed. "You haven't told her have you?"
Sam stiffened. "Told her what?"
"About you. Us. The family business."
Sam looked uncomfortable. "It...never really came up."
Dean raised an eyebrow. "I see we don't play by the 'honesty is the best policy' motto?"
"Wasn't really in the Winchester playbook," Sam said flatly. "Cardinal rule, remember. We do what we do and we -"
"Shut up about it," Dean finished. "I remember, Sam." He looked down. "Just kind of surprised you did."
"Look, for all Dad's rules and orders, this one I wholeheartedly support."
"Cause that's healthy."
Sam clenched his fists. "What was I supposed to do, Dean? Just one day say, 'Hey babe..feel like pizza for dinner? Oh, by the way, my family kills evil for a living?'"
Dean shrugged.
"Are you crazy? She'd have left me. Hell, she probably would have had me committed!" Sam said. "Our family is a walking, talking horror show, Dean. I'd have to be insane to tell her the truth."
Dean flinched. Insane, huh? Sure, Cassie had dumped him, but hell, she hadn't wanted him committed.
Just suggested he seek out therapy.
"Dude, she's gonna be your wife," Dean argued. "You made her a part of this, Sam. Part of your life. You really want to keep this from her? Keep who you are a secret?"
"Dean…"
"Sam." Dean looked his brother in the eyes. "You really want to lie to her?"
Sam's jaw twitched. "I just…can't, okay" he said quietly. "Not yet."
"Can't what?" Jess asked. She leaned against the door frame, rubbing her wet hair with a towel.
Sam just stood there, mouth flopping like a fish.
"Can't…wait to get a little shut eye," Dean answered quickly. He put on his most pathetic face. "Sorry, kids, but I am beat. You know, still not feelin' all that well…" He faked a small cough. "Hate to end this little party, but I think it might time to call it a night." He cleared his throat, shot his brother a pointed look.
"Uh...actually Jess," Sam began," Think I'm gonna turn in, too. Been a long few days, you know?"
She studied him a moment, then nodded. "Sure," she said, giving him a quick kiss. "I'll be up soon, alright? Dean, why don't you go ahead and lie down? I'll get some fresh sheets ."
"You are just too good to me, Jess," Dean said. "You know, things don't work out with my brother…" He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Jess smiled. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind," she said, heading for the linen closet.
Dean followed. "You're welcome," he murmured, as he passed his brother.
Sam watched them disappear down the hallway. His past and future having suddenly collided.
He took a deep breath.
And wondered how the hell he was ever going to make this work.
I know, I know. Not much Sick!Dean in this chapter.- hangs head in shame- but I do plan to include some gratitous Dean suffering in future chapters. Just because I can.
I totally love this whole fanfic deal :P