Title: Silent Consequences (2/3)

Author: Julieshadow

Genre: hurt/comfort, Gen.

Rating: NC-17

Spoilers: Takes place after 2.03 Bloodlust

Summary: Sam thinks things are settling down with Dean after their run in with Gordon Walker and decides to talk to his brother about their father's death, but when Dean's refusal to talk about it leads to a fight will Dean regret his actions.

Part Three

Dean sat anxiously in the ER waiting room after Sam had been taken in to be examined. He sat with his head in his hands as thought about how stupid and inconsiderate he had been.

Sitting up and scrubbing a hand down his face he could only imagine what his dad would say to him if he was here. Sam was his number one responsibility, his priority and the hunter had seriously dropped the ball on this one.

Guilt rocked through Dean as he thought back to the hunt. Sam had been kidnapped by vampires. Why the hell hadn't he checked his younger sibling for injuries? Tears began to well in his eyes as he realised he hadn't even asked his brother if he was alright after the ordeal. Inside he punched himself in the face.

No longer able to sit still, the worried hunter started pacing the small waiting area. Anger at himself began to build as he relived the fight he had with Sam in the motel.

He was brought from his thoughts as a middle aged Doctor appeared through the doors calling for the family of Sam Smith.

"I'm his brother Dean." Dean told him as he came to a stop in front of the physician.

"I'm Dr O' Riordan. I've been treating your brother." The Doctor informed him offering his hand to Dean.

"Is he going to be okay?" Dean inquired as he took the offered hand.

"Sam is suffering from chronic compartment syndrome. It is a condition that arises after an injury when there is not a sufficient blood supply to the muscles and nerves because of the raised pressure within the compartment. This is relatively easy to fix with a minimally invasive procedure known as subcutaneous fasciotomy." Dr O' Riordan explained.

"So after the procedure he will be alright? There won't be any lasting effects?" Dean asked nervously.

"He will need a couple of weeks to recover fully but there shouldn't be any long term problems." The Doctor reassured with a small smile.

"Can I see him?"

"He has just been taken up for the procedure but it shouldn't be any longer than an hour. I will have a nurse come to you to him once he is settled into a room."

"Thank you Doctor." Dean said gratefully shaking the man's hand.

Dr O' Riordan returned the handshake and took his leave. Dean left out a long relieved sigh and retook a seat in the waiting room.

The first thing that registered was a dull ache followed by his tongue being stuck to the roof of his mouth.

A small whimper escaped his lips as he slowly blinked his eyes open trying to adjust to the light.

"Hey, take it easy man. Take some of this."

Sam felt a straw being pushed between his lips and he eagerly sucked up the cool welcome water relishing the liquid entering his mouth. All too soon the straw was removed.

"How are you feeling Sammy?"

"D'n?"

"Yeah, bro. You all right?" and Sam could hear the anxiety rise in his older brother's voice.

He left out a cough to clear his throat and opened his eyes fully to meet worried green ones staring back at him.

"I'm okay. Surgery?" Sam inquired feeling a little fuzzy.

"A minor one. Something about compartment syndrome but it's all sorted now." Dean offered reassuringly.

Sam nodded as memories of the ER doctor explaining it to him started to come back. Suddenly Sam could feel his stomach flip. Dean had to bring him to hospital and it wasn't all that long ago that his brother had lost their dad in the hospital. Shit.

"Dean, I'm so sorry. I didn't realise I was hurt as bad as this. I should have said something sooner. I just-"

"Wow, Sam stop. This isn't your fault. I should have known something was up earlier. Christ you were kidnapped by vampires and I didn't even check you out." Dean stated and Sam could hear the guilt in his sibling's voice.

"Dean, I kept pushing you and-" Sam tried.

"Sam we both made mistakes but I'm by far the most at fault here and I'm sorry. I don't want to have to talk about dad but I know you do. I shouldn't have shot you down and ignored you. I'm not ready to talk about what has happened with dad but I can listen to you. Okay?" Dean stated.

"Yeah, okay. And I'm sorry for trying to push you into talking." Sam offered.

Dean smiled at that and felt some of the tension between them go away.

"Now, about the whole hunt. I should have made sure you were alright and I do take the blame for that but Sammy you know better than to hide an injury. And so help me God if you do it again I will kick your ass! Got it?" Dean said firmly.

"Got it." Sam replied grateful and relieved that Dean was still very much his protective big brother.

"Great! Now, you need to get some rest and there are some seriously hot nurses on this floor just so you know." Dean stated with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

"Go Dean, I actually could do with getting some sleep." Sam said with a knowing smile.

"Awesome. I'll be back to check on you in a while Sammy." Dean replied tapping Sam on the knee on his way out of the room.

Sam had a genuine smile on his face as the door closed behind his big brother. He knew they could get past their dad's death and that they would be okay. He let his eyes drift close content in the knowledge he had his big brother back.

The End.