Caleb walked back to the room balancing two sodas and some sandwiches. They had been at the hospital for almost four hours. After the first five vials were administered the next set went one per hour. So far Dean was up to eight vials. Dr. Tompkins estimated it would take about nine to ten vials. Reaves pushed the door open to find Pastor Jim exactly where he left him, reading a book by Dean's bedside.
Jim looked up to see Caleb juggling several items. "Let me take those."
"Thanks," Caleb said releasing the sodas. "How's he doing?"
"Oh he's fine," Jim said glancing at Dean. "Doctor thinks one more should do it."
The teen nodded and walked over to the bed. Dean was asleep with Sam curled at his side. Sandwiched between the two boys was a stuffed snake Caleb purchased earlier. He'd gone back to the house to feed the animals and leave a note for John. On the way back he stopped at the toy store to get something to keep the boys occupied. The stuffed snake was wrapped around the pole at the store's entrance. Caleb grabbed it as a joke. When he gave it to Dean he knew the older boy liked it even if verbally he abused Caleb for getting such a sissy toy. The dark haired teen took the seat next to Jim, opening his sandwich.
"I wish John would get back," the Pastor said looking at his watch. "I expected him earlier."
"You know John." Caleb shrugged. "He probably got caught up in something."
"You did leave him a note?"
"Yup, right on the table in the kitchen."
"You sure you won't try to get him the other way?" The minister was referring to contacting the other hunter telepathically.
Caleb shook as he bit into his sandwich. "John wouldn't like that."
"Don't talk with your mouth full." Jim commented. "Sometimes that man drives me crazy."
"Only sometimes?" Caleb laughed. "No I can't contact John like that. He has barriers, like you."
"I just think the boys need their father." Jim explained.
Caleb nodded, wishing John would come in and take charge. He finished his sandwich as he watched the boys sleep. The chairs in the hospital were uncomfortable and the teen tried to find a position that wouldn't break his back.
"Trust me, no amount of squirming will make those chairs comfortable," Dr. Thompkins said, smiling as he walked into the room.
"Tell me about it," Jim complained.
The doctor flipped through the pages on Dean's chart. "One more vial should do it," he announced.
"That's good news,"Murphy smiled.
"I'll send the nurse in with the last IV."
Caleb watched the doctor leave. He stretched his long legs out and leaned his head against the wall. The nurse came in with the last IV and carefully hooked it to the tube in Dean's arm. The boy stirred, but didn't wake. Jim thanked her as Reaves gave her his most winning smile. As the nurse exited the psychic moaned clutching his head.
"Damn it, John!" Caleb cursed pinching the bridge of his nose.
John Winchester stormed into the room. He took stock of the room noting the boys and his friends were the only ones there. Caleb looked up and glared.
"Did you have to yell so loud."
"It was all in your head, kid," John said. "Learn to put up stronger barriers."
"Whatever."
John shook his head. Now he knew where Dean got that expression. He walked closer to the bed to get a better look at his boys. Sam was curled against Dean side sleeping soundly. John could see the arm his eldest son had over the youngest was connected to the IV. The oldest Winchester gently moved Dean's arm and picked Sam up off the bed.
"John, no!" Jim warned. Both boys began to stir.
"Sam," Dean mumbled opening his eyes.
"Easy, Ace, you're okay."
"Dean?" Sam said rubbing his eyes.
"Sammy!" Dean cried, not fully awake.
The heart monitor went off, as Dean became agitated. The loud beeping made both boys flinch. The blond was now awake looking around. The alarm brought the nurse. She was surprised to see some one else in the room, leaning over the bed trying to calm her patient.
"Dad?" Dean looked into his father's eyes.
"Yeah it's me." John smiled.
"Mr. Winchester if you could step to the side," the nurse instructed.
John moved out of the way as the nurse reset the monitor and checked on Dean.
"He needs to remain calm." When she was satisfied her patient was well, and the occupants understood the instructions, she left.
"I want to go back with Dean," Sam protested from his father's arms.
"Dean doesn't need you hanging all over him," John said.
"But Daddy!"
"It's okay, Sammy," Dean said.
"Way to go, John, everything was quiet until you showed up," Caleb groused.
"When did this happen?"
"This afternoon," Jim answered. "We've been here about five hours now. We expected you earlier then this"
John glanced at his watch; it was almost ten o'clock. "It took me longer then expected."
"Daddy why can't I sit with Dean?" Sam asked. "The doctor said I could."
"Sam, you do not need to sit with your brother," John said, raising his voice.
"Sammy, I'm alright," Dean said, knowing his brother would push his father.
Sam looked at Dean and knew his brother didn't want him to make their father angry. The six-year-old sighed turning to Caleb. The teen rolled his eyes and took Sam from John.
"Come on, kiddo, let's go get something to drink," Caleb suggested.
Dean watched as Caleb left with Sam. He turned back to his father to see him run a hand through his hair as he took a deep breath.
"I'm alright, Dad," Dean said.
John smiled. "I know your are kiddo." He moved over to the bed and placed his hand on his boy's head. "What happened?"
"We were playing catch," Dean explained. "The ball rolled under the shed. I should have looked first."
"It's not your fault, Dean," John said.
"Of course it isn't." Jim agreed.
"I let you down," the ten-year old stammered.
John watched as tears welled up in Dean's eyes. He watched as his son struggled to get his emotions under control.
"Dean you could never do that." The older hunter placed his hand on his son's cheek.
The ten-year-old smiled at his father. John ruffled Dean's hair as the doctor walked into the room.
"You must be Mr. Winchester, I'm Dr. Thompkins"
"John," he said. "How's my son?"
"He's quite the trooper," the doctor said. "His last test have come back normal. The venom is out of his system."
"Can we take him home?" Jim asked.
"I'm afraid not," Dr. Thompkins said.
"Why not?" Dean asked panicking. "I want to go home."
"Easy, Dean, you're all right," John said, laying a hand on his son's chest.
"The venom is no longer in your system but we have to make sure it did not do any damage," Dr. Thompkins explained to Dean. "So you'll have to spend the night up in a special room called ICU. There the nurses will be able to monitor your heart and some other things."
"Can Sammy stay with me?"
"I'm afraid not," Dr. Thompkins replied in sympathy.
"But I can stay?" John asked.
"Not in the room," the doctor explained. "You can stay in the waiting room and go in every hour."
"He's only ten," John protested.
"It's hospital policy I'm afraid. Once we get Dean up to ICU he'll probably sleep the rest of the night."
"This is crazy," Winchester complained.
"John," Jim said placing a hand on the younger hunter's arm. "Everything will be fine."
Jim nodded towards Dean. John turned to his son and saw the boy was frightened. He smiled at Dean.
"Don't worry, Ace, I'll be right there with you."
Dean nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
"I'll get everything ready for the transfer," Dr. Thompkins answered walking out.
"What's up?" Caleb asked re-entering the room.
"Dean has to stay at the hospital tonight," Jim explained.
"Why?" Sam asked.
"They just want to make sure everything is all right," John replied.
"Then I'll stay too," the six-year-old announced.
"Sorry, Sammy you can't," John said. "You'll have to go home with Pastor Jim and Caleb."
"No, I have to stay with Dean!"
"Sammy," John warned.
"No, Dad, let me talk to him," Dean said.
Caleb picked Sam up and sat him next to his older brother.
"Look, Sammy, you have to go home with Caleb," Dean explained. "Who'll take care of Scout and Atticus?"
"But I want to stay with you."
"I know but the dogs need you," Dean reasoned. "They'll be lonely without you."
"But you'll be lonely." Sam pouted.
"Dad will be with me," the blond said. "And I'll have Slither." He patted the stuffed snake.
"Okay," Sam agreed.
"Sammy you be good and listen to Pastor Jim," John said.
"Sam is always good," Jim said, holding out his hand. Sam smiled and went out with the Pastor.
"Dad, can I talk to Caleb for a minute?"
"Sure," John nodded as he followed Jim.
"What is it Deuce?"
"Swear you'll watch out for Sam."
"You know I will," Caleb said. "I just wish I hadn't bought him that candy bar now that I'll have to be watching him."
"Dude, it's ten o'clock why'd you give him a candy bar?"
"He was hungry and he asked for it."
Caleb ruffled Dean's hair then headed for the door. He knew Dean was putting up brave front for Sam but the psychic knew otherwise. It was going to be a long night.