Alright kids. So I have most of the remaining parts of the story laid out. Hopefully my little fanfic train can stay on track and not derail. But for now...full steam ahead ;)

Jess called later that afternoon. Said she wouldn't be back 'till late. Had taken a closing shift to cover for one of the girls at the restaurant. They could use the extra money.

Sam caught the subtext.

Still pissed. I'll be back when I won't bite your head off.

He knew though, that even though she was angry with him, she was also trying to give him time.

Time to focus on Dean.

Sam sighed. Shifted in the armchair. Watched the rise and fall of Dean's chest.

His brother had slept the remainder of the afternoon.

Sam let him rest, figuring it was the best thing for him. Dean hadn't even made it through his beer before he'd started to flag. Sam had simply taken the bottle from him, pushed him so he was lying down. Woken him up once for dinner. Again to get him to drink some water.

Dean took what was offered without complaint, but Sam almost wished he would put up a fight. Some resistance. Something that would make him seem more…Dean.

Once again, his brother seemed to be slipping away, and Sam was clueless how to help him.

It was a déjà vu experience he really could have done without.

Sam thrummed his fingers on the arm of the chair. Thinking things over. Watching his brother sleep.

The phone rang around nine.

Pushing himself up, Sam stumbled to the kitchen. Managed to grab it on the fourth ring.

"Hello?" Sam answered, surprised by just how tired he sounded.

"Hello, is this Dean Young?"

Sam froze. "This is Sam, his brother."

"Oh, Sam. Hi, it's Dr. Schweizer. I know it's late, but I was in the office. Thought you'd want to know as soon as we had something. We got your brother's results back."

Sam gripped the phone tighter. Knuckles white.

"Everything looks good. Bloodwork showed no signs of infection."

He swallowed. "And…the scans?"

"All came back clean. No sign of any tumors or abnormalities. Like I said, it's probably just due to him being run-down...Dean doesn't really strike me as the type to take it easy."

"No," Sam replied, letting out a breath. "No, he's not."

"Exhaustion's nothing to brush off, though. It's important that he drink lots of fluids and gets enough rest. He's basically running on empty, Sam. Make sure he gives his body time to recharge."

"Sure. Right. I will, Doctor, thank you."

"No problem. Keep an eye on him and if anything else develops, bring him back immediately, okay?"

"Will do."

"Alright, you take care, Sam. And take care of that brother of yours."

Sam thanked her again and hung up the phone, his hand having a hard time finding the cradle. He leaned his forehead against the wall and let out a shaky sigh.

Jesus.

Just exhaustion.

Well, shit. It was no wonder. Dean had been off doing God knows what for who knows how long...

Sam knew his brother. Knew how he would run himself into the ground over a job. Not to mention that the stupid ass was hunting alone. No Dad, no Sam to back him up. To make sure he took the 30 seconds to eat. Sleep. Give a crap about his own health.

Dean had been alone for months. Then the Rawhead, the accident. Followed way too closely by the trip to Nebraska. Dean propped up in the Impala, weakened, hurting. Dying.

Jesus.

"Sam?" Dean's rough voice cut through his thoughts.

Running a hand through his hair, Sam reentered the living room. "That was the doctor's office."

"Uh huh..."

"They got your tests back. Everything was normal," Sam said, relief evident in his voice. He dropped heavily into the armchair. Rubbed his eyes.

"That's uh. Awesome. Good to know."

"Gee. Don't sound so thrilled," Sam said. "Thought you'd be a little happier, man. You know, especially since someone said you were normal."

"Doin' cartwheels, bro. It's just…"

"What?"

"Think we may have a different problem."

"What is it," Sam asked, slowly sitting up straighter. "What's wrong?"

"I, uh. Can't see."

"See what?" Sam asked, looking behind him. The TV was off.

"Anything," Dean said quietly.

"Yeah," Sam scoffed. He leaned over and waved his hand in front of his brother's face.

Dean didn't so much as flinch.

Sam's eyes widened as he realized what Dean was saying. "Oh my God."

He slid down so he was on his knees in front of his brother. Gripped his arms. "When- "

"Realized a few minutes ago. When I woke up," Dean admitted, his eyes staring blankly past Sam. "Actually, wasn't really sure I had. Opened m'eyes and everything was just…dark."

Sam just gaped at him. "But I don't understand…I mean, all those tests..."

"Yeah," Dean huffed. "Think we might want a second opinion."

"We're going to the hospital. Now." Sam went to stand.

"No." Dean pulled his brother back down.

"Are you kidding me with this? People don't just go blind, Dean. Something is seriously wrong. We have to get you some help."

"Sam. Trust me. They can't help."

Sam ran a hand over his face. "Dean. Please, you're not making any sense."

"I don't think this is a medical thing," Dean said slowly. "I think it's a…supernatural one."

Sam put the pieces together. "You think this has to do with the reaper."

Dean tapped his nose.

"But … I shattered that cross, Dean. I destroyed the alter. Destroyed the link. It can't be after you anymore."

"I don't think what's happening is connected to the binding spell. I think it might have done something when it… touched me."

Sam rocked back on his heels. "Woah, hold on. It touched you? The reaper physically touched you?"

"Yeah. It uh, put it's hands on me. On my head."

"What? When?"

"Outside the tent. While Roy was healing Layla. While you were after Sue Ann."

"Why the hell didn't you tell me about this?"

"Slipped my mind?" Dean offered softly.

"Slipped your- " Sam kneaded his forehead. "Give me your phone."

"My phone? Why- ?"

"You really want to waste time arguing right now or you want me to do something about savin' your ass?"

Dean grunted and dug in his pocket. Handed Sam the cell.

"Alright," Sam said. "Now, just… stay here."

Dean gave him a 'I'm blind, you idiot. Where would I go?' look.

"I'll be right back," Sam said, getting to his feet. "Then dude, we are gonna have a SERIOUS talk about your communication skills."

"Where are you goin'?" Dean asked.

Sam clutched the phone. "To get a second opinion."

-tbc

For everyone that has been commenting along with this story, thank you guys! I promise, I will reply back but my mail account is weird and doesn't really note when I respond so I plan to go through them all at the end so I don't miss any. But thank you for the encouragement. You guys make my day :)