What could have been.
Summary...Sam's feeling worthless after events at Devils Trap and his visions are out of control as he is shown what could have been.
Disclaimer...Unfortunately I wasn't one of the lucky people who won the $40 million 6-49 lotto so I still own nowt, Kripkie does...
Sam relentlessly hammered on the bathroom door where Dean was trying out the steam shower. Getting no answer he cautiously opened the door. Dean was propped up between the sink and shower, eyes closed as though sleeping, eyes that would never open again, surrounded by numerous dead bugs...flash...Sam could feel the cord of the lamp cutting into his neck, depriving air to his lungs, he tried to get the little bag of herbs into the wall, failing to do so he clawed at his throat in a vain attempt to remove the obstruction, it wouldn't budge. Falling back he prayed Dean would find him like he always seemed to. Dean lay on the kitchen floor blood oozing around him like angels wings, knifes in various parts of his body...flash...Dean couldn't move. Ellicott's hands were cupping either side of his face. As electrical currents passed into Dean's brain Ellicott spoke softly," Don't worry I'll make it all better." Rising to his feet Dean glimpsed the discarded hand gun; fishing the magazine out of his pocket he loaded the gun. Aiming at his still unconscious sibling he pulled the trigger...
Dean had forgone his usual ritual of greasy burger and fries and decided to go to the diner he'd seen that advertised good wholesome home cooking; Sam needed something other than the rabbit food he normally ate. While waiting for his order his mind wandered to Sam's latest visions, he was more used to them now but they still freaked him out, not that he'd ever admit that to Sam, and he hated the pain they caused his brother, these latest ones were especially difficult to handle and Dean wasn't afraid to admit that he was scared also.
Dean pondered just what was going on in the latest batch. What was with the old hunts popping up? Was the yellow eyed demon involved and on the prowl again? God he hoped not he didn't feel up to another round just yet. Not for the first time he wished his father was still alive. The waitress caught his eye bringing his attention back to earth. Picking up the order he paid and left, not even bothering to flirt with the pretty blonde seated next to him, much to her disappointment.
His thoughts were still on Sam's vision as he stepped back into the motel room. Placing the meals on the rickety table Dean glanced at the closed bathroom door, the sound of running water could clearly be heard which surprised him; his brother was not one for long showers knowing that Dean would want one too. Figuring that he would give Sam a few more minutes he started to take the food out of the bags and got a soda for Sam and a beer for himself out of the fridge.
Popping open the beer Dean took a long pull before sitting down. Something was niggling at the back of his mind but for the hell of it he couldn't quite place what it was. Grabbing the remote he started to turn on the TV when it suddenly hit him, although he could hear the sound of the shower there weren't any other sounds, no other noises you would normally hear, just the continuous steady beat of water hitting the tub with no interruptions. Panic overcame him. Knocking down his chair in his haste he made his way to the bathroom.
"Sam!" No answer.
"SAMMY! C'mon stop messing around". Still no answer.
Pounding on the door also resulted in nothing but the annoying sound of running water. Dean tried the handle. Locked. Stepping back he lifted his leg and hoping Sam wasn't behind the door kicked at the lock, it splintered but didn't open, trying again he was rewarded when the door crashed open, banging against the wall, the sight that greeted him stopped him in his tracks. Sam lay sprawled on a floor that was littered with broken glass, water and blood. Dropping carefully to his knees Dean, with trembling hands, checked his brother's neck. Finding a pulse he gently patted Sam's cheek.
"Hey bro, c'mon open your eyes for me. C'mon Sam wake up". No response.
"C'mon Sam, don't you do this to me, wake up!".
Still getting no response Dean, heedful of the broken glass, removed the towels from the rail placing them onto the wet floor. Taking extra care he gently turned his brother over. Sam's back had taken the brunt of the damage although there were cuts everywhere. Luckily enough most were minor but a few were deep and nasty looking, the worst was a 2 inch gash located on Sam's lower back that was gushing out blood with everyone of Sam's heartbeats, this was beyond a motel patch up job, Sam needed a hospital.
Rushing back into the other room Dean quickly grabbed his phone and more towels and hurried back to Sam. Dialing 911 with one hand he used the other to try and staunch the flow of blood with the towel. After explaining to the operator and being reassured that help was 5 minutes away, Dean sat back with his brother and waited running his hand through Sam's too long hair and whispering words of comfort as much for himself as for Sam.
Sam was rushed to the E.R as soon as they arrived at the hospital leaving Dean alone with his thoughts as he paced back and forth in the waiting area. The third cup of miserable vending machine coffee had just been thrown away when the doctor finally came to talk.
"Mr.Halen?"
"Dean! How's my brother?"
"I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news...".The doctor started, stopping mid sentence when he saw what color Dean's face had drain in seconds."Sorry bad choice of words. Your brother has multiple lacerations to the majority of his back and legs. We were concerned about a couple which we've managed to fix but there was one on his lower torso that had us very worried. Unfortunately tests show that this cut has done some internal damage, so we've rushed him to surgery. That being said if all goes well he should make a full recovery although he will be in some pain for a few days and could experience some lower back discomfort for several months. I'm heading down to surgery now as soon as the procedure is finished I'll come see you again.
Dean let out a sigh of relief and dropped into one of the hard chairs that were lining the wall to wait. Several hours later the doctor found him still in the chair, one leg over one of the chairs arms, another cup of coffee balanced precariously on the other leg, head dropped back at an awkward angle, dozing.
"Mr.Halen"
Dean shot up, he instantly regretted it as his stiff neck protested and the cup of coffee dropped to the floor.
"Yeah, how's Sam?".
"Sam made it through the surgery okay, he's in recovery right now but we'll be moving him to a room very shortly. Everything went well but he will be out for the next few hours and when he does wake up he will be groggy. If you would like to make your way upstairs one of the nurses will show you where he's going to be, once they have him settled you can go in to see him, I shall see you later on my rounds".
"Thanks doc". Dean hurriedly spoke, pumping the doctor's hand before rushing upstairs.
One hour later saw Dean perched on a stool next to Sam's bedside, his brother still hadn't woken up and Dean was getting worried. "I'm sorry bro, I can't cope with this on my own it's way above us, we need help, shit I need help." Dean thought to himself before leaving Sam to go outside for a couple of minutes to make a call. After a few rings the person on the other end picked up.
"Hey Missouri, we...I need your help!"
Returning to his brother's bedside, with Missouri's promise to get to them as soon as possible, Dean was feeling slightly more reassured. Allowing the steady beep of Sam's heart monitor lull him to relaxation he started to drift off.
Sirens shrilled loudly as Sam's heart rate suddenly elevated...
Tbc
A.N... Sorry yet another cliffie thanks to all who've read so far. Moving house so next chapter might be a bit of a longer wait, I'll try not make you wait to long. Peanut x