AN: Sorry for the wait, life is tossing more curve balls. I'd like to say that I'll update again in a few days, but my publisher wants an expanded manuscript of "Going to California" by Thursday and I through my mom a birthday party earlier today for oh so many people! I hope you like this chapter... let me know!
He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so thankful to be left alone to his own thoughts. Then again, if what he was being told was true… then he wasn't remembering much anyways. Sighing, he leaned back against the mattress and once again began to stare out the window. He didn't know what to think and the only reason why he hadn't walked out the door and roll the bones so to speak was Ellie. So far everyone was in agreement – she was doing fine, her teachers knew to call if she began acting out, they'd all meet up with her later. But that was the problem. According to these people, his best friend was dead and he had sole custody of her but was sharing a house with his brother next door to his parents. That would have been almost plausible if he hadn't been told repeatedly that there was no reference to who he could be, that no one had sent inquiries for him and that he needed to just accept that he'd never find his 'real' family… which he had been more than happy to do, after all if his family didn't want him… he didn't want them.
"Hey kiddo, you're starting to scare Mom, you know?" Dean said as he walked back in the room.
Biting back the groan, Sam looked over to watch as his brother walked further into the room. He knew why they were worried, and honestly, so was he; but this was something he needed to deal with, at least until he could figure out why all this seemed so wrong.
"Yeah, sorry about that… don't know what got into me," Sam said before he turned to look out the window again. Maybe the road had the answers?
Dean walked into his brother's line of sight and waited until he was noticed again, "Don't sweat it. After everything, we're just glad you're still with us, you know?"
Trying to smile, but sure it came out more like a cringe, Sam nodded. "So, what the doc say?"
"That you're outta here!" Dean beamed, happy to be the one to give Sammy the good news. He knew that his brother wasn't a hundred percent, but they all were hoping familiar surroundings would help trigger some of the brain's natural healing. "As soon as we get you settled, I'll go pick up Ellie. Man, she's going to be thrilled to see you! All we've heard since you've been in here is how she wants her Johnny."
Puzzled, Sam looked towards Dean but the man claiming to be his brother had already turned towards the small closet to remove his clothes. It didn't make sense… why would Ellie still call him Johnny if his name was really…
"Sam? Hey… Sammy… you okay in there?" Dean asked warily, concerned by how quickly his brother spaced out. He was just about to press the call button when he noticed awareness once again.
"Huh? Yeah, I'm okay. When did you say I get to leave? I don't want to be late picking Ellie up from school."
Worried, Dean watched Sam as he slowly got dressed, unease quickly building within him.
Mary looked at her watch once again and wondered what was taking the pharmacy so long. Sure, there were quite a few people today, but she'd never heard of it taking over an hour before; the only reason why she'd chose this one instead of the one she normally went to close to the house was because it was so close to the hospital and she was sure they'd be more efficient.
The pharmacist broke away from what he was doing to talk to a young woman behind the counter and Mary noticed the man sigh and shake his head afterwards before getting back to work. Seeing that they were understaffed made her almost feel sorry for the man, but then again, it wasn't her fault that they didn't hire enough employees. Looking at her watch she became more agitated, she didn't want to get back to Sammy's room just to find out the guys had left without her.
Walking up to the pharmacist she waited until she got his attention, "Excuse me, but I was hoping to find out how much longer. My son is being released from the hospital shortly and I want to be with him when he leaves."
Looking up, the man looked puzzled for a moment until understanding dawned on him, "Samuel Winchester, yes? Oh my, please forgive me, I was sure we had you out of here awhile ago, we were just waiting for the paperwork to print out I believe."
Watching the man walk along the counter to the small printer, Mary could tell when he found what he was looking for. Smiling, she was relieved that she could now get out of here and back to her business… her family. Taking a moment to look around at the other people waiting for their medication, she didn't notice what the pharmacist didn't do.
Leaning against the wall, John tried to control the impatience warring within him. He knew it wasn't Sammy's fault, he knew that his son wasn't being inconsiderate on purpose, but it was frustrating to see the mixture of his son from a mere week ago and the stranger they found on the side of the road a few years ago. It was hard to watch especially when he suspected that his son was losing the battle within himself.
The door opened and Dean walked out, obviously concerned, but unwilling to give voice to it. "He'll be fine, Dad. You heard the doctor, his brain just needs to heal up then he'll be our normal OCD Sammy again."
Smirking, John nodded and had to agree. As long as the doctor was right, within weeks they could start to begin piecing everything back together again. It amazed him how he couldn't wait to get back to dealing with insurance companies, irate customers and even a bounced check or two – amazing how perceptions change when someone you love is almost lost.
As they began talking about what they would need to make Sam more comfortable in his own home, they noticed Mary rushing down the hall with a triumphant look on her face.
"Got it!" Mary exclaimed and at their confused expressions she laughed, "Don't ask, just know that from now on, we stick with the pharmacy in the neighborhood!"
He was sick of this. He was tired of people telling him he'd be alright. He was sick of having people talk to him like they knew how he was feeling and why. He was tired of having the same conversations over and over and still not being able to remember the intricate of 'HOW'. But most of all he was just sick and tired of being sick and tired. Right now he wanted to leave the room, leave the hospital and find Ellie… after that, who knew, but where he was right now left too many questions unanswered, and that wasn't doing anyone any good – especially him.
How he wished Cade was there. They might not have always got along, hell there were a few times he thought Cade was going to kill him, but overall he was his best friend and he sure could use the other man's opinion right about now. Then again, if what he'd been told was right, then he'd never get a chance to do that, never get a chance to ask about something, never see Cade roll his eyes and give a smart assed answer in response just in time for Johnny to feel at least slightly stupid for even asking.
The more he thought about it though, it didn't fit. Cade was too smart to have gotten caught up in a deal gone bad, and too healthy to just die so young. So what happened, what could have been so bad that it could take down his friend? He didn't know, but wasn't going to let it go, he was going to get answers one way or another. Until then, he'd play his part and if he didn't like what he found, he knew what he'd have to do.
With his decision made, he waited patiently until the doctor came in with his release papers and complacently went through the motions as his 'family' helped him into the wheelchair and down the corridor. He could wait, at least until he saw Ellie.
Terri couldn't believe her luck. It had been bad enough that there had been a huge onslaught of people needing their prescriptions, but for her to have been called into the office to speak to one of her advisors about her intern status was just too much. It was almost like the universe was out to get her today and she honestly didn't know how much she could take.
Going back to her station she didn't notice anything out of the ordinary and quickly got back into her routine, ignoring the glares she received from her boss. She couldn't help it that she was still bound to the school as much as she was to the pharmacy.
Hours tripped over each other as customers came and went, each one with their own malady or concern, leaving both the pharmacist and Terri thankful when it was time to close. As she gathered up her personal items, she reached over for the bottle she had put to the side but didn't find it. Puzzled, she was about to frantically search for it when it occurred to her that most likely she'd already slipped it into her purse when she went to her locker before meeting with her advisor. Seeing her boss' impatience, she quickly smiled and rushed out of the area and heard him lock the door with his night code.
Listening to Pearl Jam while driving home she was content to enjoy her few moments of solitude before her nightly torment began. One day she'd have her own place, but until then she'd make do with what she had. It wasn't until she was home, in her room that she realized that she didn't have the bottle of pills in her purse and the horrible fear that one of the day's customers got it by mistake hit her hard.