Chapter 4
With meticulous care Sam gathered Dean's limp form into his arms and lowered him to the ground.
"Dean, hey man, can you hear me?" Sam asked gently shaking his brother in effort to get a response. Nothing.
With a shaking hand he reached up to Dean's neck and breathed a deep sigh of relief as he felt a weak but rapid pulse. Dean was still with him, still holding on, still fighting for him and now Sam had to move, his brother's life was depending on him, he couldn't lose him, not now, not ever.
Jumping up Sam raced to the back of his car grabbing the first aid kit and torch before rushing back to Dean's side.
Switching the torch on Sam got his first good look at his brother and he had to will himself to keep the panic a bay.
Dean was pale, too pale and the blood soaked shirt did nothing to calm Sam's alarmed state. Removing the jacket from Dean's uncooperative body he tore his eyes from Dean as he turned to flip open the first aid kit but his attention was quickly brought back to his brother when he heard a low groan.
"Dean, hey, Dean" he called as he lightly tapped Dean's cheeks frowning at the heat that radiated from his touch.
"Come on big brother, I need you to open your eyes for me."
Dean could hear Sam trying to get him to open his eyes but he didn't want to, or more to the fact couldn't really. They felt so very heavy, as if they were being held down with lead weights.
Obviously he had just had a big night out, no, scratch that, a HUGE night out. His body was aching and the pounding in his head was telling him that he was copping a much deserved hangover and now Sam wanted his attention. Nope, not gonna happen Sammy.
"Go s'way Sammy" Dean slurred as he tried to bat away the hands that were on his face but the slight movement sent a burning jolt through his entire torso and realisation hit him hard. Not a hangover.
Gasping for breath Dean's eyes flung open and he attempted to sit up only to be stopped by firm hands grasping his shoulders holding him down.
"Dean no, calm down. Take it easy."
"S..Sammy?" Dean questioned blurry eyes trying to focus on the man pinning him down.
"Yea Dean, it's me." Sam confirmed easing his hold on his brother but not letting go.
He watched Dean's unfocused eyes as they roved around the darkened area, he knew Dean's mind was racing and was about to say something when the two eyes swiftly turned back to him "Dude, that…. was fast……only just……got off the…….phone with you."
Concern caused Sam to frown at his brother "Dean that was half an hour ago."
"Huh," was all Dean managed before a wave of agony seized him causing him to clench his teeth, squeeze his eyes shut and hold onto his brother's wrist to ride through the worst of it.
"Easy, Dean just breathe it through." Sam tried to soothe being able to do little more than watch as Dean struggled to stay with him.
When the grip on his wrist loosened and Dean's face relaxed enough that he was again able to open his eyes Sam took it as his cue to get a move on.
"Dean I need to check how bad." he said as he took a pair of scissors from the open kit and cut up through Dean's sodden shirt and then the bloodied makeshift bandage.
His brother's torso was littered with multicoloured bruising, he didn't need to feel his brother's ribs to know that some where broken. Peeling back the wadded cloth beneath the bandage revealed four long, red, swollen and still bleeding claw marks.
"Damn." Sam swore to himself.
It was clear that infection had already begun to set in, add that to the amount of blood loss Dean had already suffered and the fever and shock that was slowly overtaking Sam knew he had to get his brother help fast but first things first.
"Dean I need to clean out your wounds and to try and stop the bleeding ok man." he explained as he doused a cloth with water and set about wiping the pus, mucus and blood that had gathered in Dean's injuries. He had to fight back the tears that threatened to spill over as Dean was unable to hide the torment that Sam was inflicting upon him. They both knew he had to do this but that didn't make it any easy, on either of them.
"Sorry." Sam continued to whisper as he dragged the cloth down each of the gaping claw marks watching Dean strain beneath his hold, an animalistic cry being forced from his throat.
When he had cleaned out the wounds as best he could he took some gauze from the kit pausing to give Dean a moment to collect himself. "I'm gonna need to stop the bleeding." he told him waiting for Dean to give him a nod to say he was ready before he applied firm pressure to the oozing wounds. Dean bucked from the excruciating agony but Sam laid a reassuring hand to his upper chest, away from the worst of the bruising "Just breath Dean, it's ok."
Satisfied that he had managed to lessen the blood loss as much as he could he pressed a fresh piece of gauze to his brother's injuries before carefully sitting Dean up and tightly wrapping a bandage around his torso, whispering soft calming words to him the entire time.
When done he took final stock of Dean's ragged appearance. He was even paler than before, his body constantly shook with chills and his breathing was uneven, aching and strained. He had done the best he could for now but Dean needed to get to a hospital and fast.
"Come on Dean, let's get you into the car." Sam said as he rose to his feet and then painstakingly helped Dean do the same taking on most of his brother's weight. Not wanting to jostle the injuries any more than need be Sam lowered Dean into the open driver's side before jogging his way to the passenger's. Leaning across he gently slid Dean over before racing back and gathering their strewed items. Jumping into the driver's seat he threw them over into the back seat before settling Dean's jacket over his trembling shoulders and gunning the engine.
Manoeuvring the car along the poor excuse for a dirt track Sam winced as ever jolt and shudder rocked through his brother's beaten body enticing constant groans and moans of displeasure and torment.
Turning back onto the main road Sam declared a "Thank God we're off that." but when greeted with silence he glanced over to see Dean more slumped than moments before and eyes closed.
"Dean, hey man. No sleeping yet." he said as he gently shook Dean receiving a hostile grunt but was rewarded when Dean's eyes opened.
"I want you to keep talking to me, You can sleep later."
Dean brought his head around and rested it on the back of the seat his full attention focused on his brother.
Sam took this as an attempt to comply "So did you get?"
"Get…… what?"
"The Wendigo."
"Oh yea, toasted ……..that little bastard…….no worries."
Sam raised his eyebrows at Dean's choice of words. "No worries? This you call no worries?" he indignantly questioned waving his hand toward Dean.
"Well…."
"Dean."
"You jinxed me." Dean declared, grimacing as a particularly sharp jolt ache hit him.
"I what?"
"You jinxed me…..you just had to…..go have a ….bad feeling….you…." Dean's voice hitched as a searing burn tore through his infected wounds, his chest tightened at the pressure and caused him to gasp for air. Black spots danced into his vision sending his head reeling into the back of the seat.
At seeing the sudden attack panic shoot through Sam, "Dean?" he cried.
"Sammy…pull over." it was weak and whispered but Sam didn't need to be told twice.
Swerving quickly to the side of the road Sam leapt from the car flying over the bonnet and opening the passenger door just in time to help Dean stumble out before his stomach once again made the excruciating attempt to relieve itself.
Unfortunately there wasn't really much in Dean to remove and dry heaves quickly overtook him causing painful lurches of his body.
The entire time his brother's body retched Sam held him up, supporting his weakened frame, silently willing the horrific onslaught to stop.
When finally it did Sam fell back against the car cradling Dean against him. His brother's body shook uncontrollably and his breathing was now just short gasps like a fish out of water.
"Easy bro, it's ok" Sam tried to calm him, lightly rubbing a comforting hand on Dean's upper chest, "Just take slow breathes, just breath with me Dean."
"Sa…… Sa…… Sammy?" Dean panted out as he reached up and grabbed Sam's hand with his own.
"I'm here Dean, I'm right here."
"How…did……you….get…here?"
"Dean?" Sam asked as he slowly eased himself from behind Dean, "Remember, Ellen called me."
Two bleary hazel eyes meet his own and he took his brother's face in his hands.
"You were hunting a Wendigo, and you got hurt. Ellen called me to come find you."
"Ellen?" Dean paused as he tried to clear his fogged mind. "Did….. I...get…. it?"
Sam gave him a soft smile, "You toasted that Son-of-a-bitch."
"Good." Dean replied closing his eyes again the effort of keeping them open too much.
Sam watched as he brother once again shut his eyes, he noted the bluish tinge that had formed on his bother's lips and looking at his hands, his fingertips too. Time was running out. "No Dean, hey. Eyes open you hear me?"
It was the panicked tone of his little bother's voice that had Dean obeying the command.
"We have to get you back in the car ok." Sam said as he begun lifting Dean back into the car giving soft words of apologies as his brother whimpered from the abuse to his aching body.
Once again speeding out of the parked position Sam tore along the open road never letting his eyes stray from his passenger for too long.
"Dean I want you to keep talking to me."
"Man…. your…...needy……. to……night."
A laugh escaped Sam before he could help himself. Turning to face Dean he attempted an indignant look but came off more childish than anything.
"Shut up jerk."
A devious smile graced Dean's lips "Thought…… you……want…… me….. to….. talk…..bish." he slurred as he closed his eyes wanting to succumb to the calling darkness.
"No man, hey" Sam shouted patting his face, "Stay awake, ok, you just gotta stay with me."
"S'tired…..Sammy" Dean whispered fighting to keep his heavy eyes open.
"I know man, but you can't sleep just yet. Just a lit….." Sam was cut off mid sentence by the sudden squeal of a siren and the flash of blue and red lights from behind. A quick look at the Speedo showed Sam the precise reason why but then a sudden thought dawned on him. Help was here.
Pulling over on to the edge of the road Sam was filled with hope and relief.
"Hey Dean look I told you, help is here you're gonna be fine." he told his brother as he watched the patrol car pull in behind the Impala.
When silence followed Sam brought his eyes back to Dean and fear rocked through him.
"No, no, no" he cried as he twisted in his seat to get better access to his brother. "Dean, Dean no don't you do this, wake up." he begged shaking him as hard as he dared receiving no response, no grunt, no groan, nothing.
"No, no come on Dean don't do this to me. Dean!"
The Officer eased himself out of the patrol car and looked at the black Chevy parked in front of him. The beauty that was in front of him stole his breath away he hadn't ever seen any finer than her, too bad that the reckless punk driving her couldn't obey the law.
Officer Bruce Harrison had been a highway patrol man for the better part of 30 years and had been hardened by the job.
His salt and pepper hair that once had been jet black and the many lines that now appeared on his once smooth and young face now bore mark, recognition you could say, to the many years of horrors that he had been forced to face due to the irresponsibility of those from his line of work.
He had seen accidents of every kind, he had seen indescribable horrors of mangled bodies being pried from the twisted wrecks of their vehicles and still no matter the warnings, no matter the cautions and advice it still amazed him how people could be so wilfully neglectful of not only their own lives but of those of other people on the roads.
Here in front of him was another carefree maniac who was going to continue his stupidity until he killed himself or worse, some poor innocent bastard. Well not if Bruce could help it.
Sighing he placed his hat upon his head as he made his way to the driver's side door intent on letting this man no there way no way he would take this abuse of the law by him or anyone else.
Bending down he looked into the car to see the driver bent of the passenger and could here muffled pleas, "Dean don't……me. Dean!"
Three sharps taps brought the startled driver's attention to him his face fraught with fright as he began to wind the window down.
"Sir, do you know how fast……" Officer Harrison started only to be interrupted by a frantic plea.
"Help, I need your help." Sam called as he leant back over still trying to getting a reaction, any reaction from his unconscious brother, "My brother's been hurt and I can't wake him up."
Bruce was taken aback for a moment, this wasn't just another speeding lunatic with no regard to other's lives, this was a frightened man who was clearly on the verge of losing it completely.
"Please can you help me."
Quickly glancing at the unconscious passenger and back to his panic-stricken brother Bruce snapped out of his stupor making a snap decision.
"Follow me son." he ordered as he jogged back to his car.
Sam watched as the officer got back into his vehicle and pulled onto the road sirens once again blaring and lights flashing.
"Just a little longer Dean, please just a little longer." Sam prayed as he followed the patrol car onto the road and raced behind it.
Tearing along the open road Sam had to give the cop credit, he was flooring it and before he knew it Portsmouth loomed up ahead.
Not slowing the patrol car speed through the dimly lit streets, screeching around corners before finally turning into the hospital.
"We're here Dean, we made it." Sam told the unconscious form that rest beside him hoping the words reached him, hoping they would keep him from letting go.
Following the patrol car up the emergency ramp Sam noted the four emergency hospital staff waiting outside ready with a gurney, it would seem the officer had phoned ahead. God love him.
Stopping right next to them the staff leapt into action prying the limp form from the Impala and placing him onto the gurney before rushing into the hospital with a frantic Sam hot on their heels.
"On my count," instructed the doctor who had just rushed into the room behind them, "1, 2, 3 lift" he ordered as they simultaneously lifted Dean from the gurney to the ER bed and then quickly moved the gurney back out of their way.
"Son, son can you hear me?" the middle aged man asked as he tried to coax his unresponsive patient.
"Dean"
"What?" he questioned bringing his eyes up to the lanky man who had just spoken.
"Dean, his name is Dean." Sam replied his gaze never wavering from his brother.
The Doctor gave an appreciative nod and turned back to his patient, "Dean, can you hear me?" he asked again prying open each eye and shining his pen light in them, "Pupils fixed and dilated." he called as he moved his way down to Dean's torso and began cutting the bandage Sam had used.
"BP is dropping"
"Pulse weak and erratic."
"I want 2 units of O neg blood"
The words tumbled around Sam's head as he watched the medical team work on his brother, he found himself so engrossed in their actions he didn't notice the nurse who had approached him.
"Sir, Sir, I'm sorry you can't be in here."
"No my brother…." he started pointing toward the working team.
"Is getting the best possible care I assure you but you cannot be here sir. Please just wait outside" the nurse instructed him as she ushered him outside and toward the waiting area before high-tailing it back into the ER.
He watched as the swinging doors slowly stilled to a stop before he crumpled into the nearest seat and rested his head in his hands. And that was the way he stayed for a good half hour before a burly looking woman appeared in front of him.
"Sir."
Looking up he gave her a weak smile that quickly vanished as she thrust papers into his shaking hands demanding they be filled and returned immediately before walking off.
Sam looked at the papers, they were your standard issued forms, filling these forms was second nature to Sam. He didn't have to check for details, didn't have to flick through his wallet for information. No, it was all memorised, ingrained in his mind and damn if that didn't set alarm bells ringing in his head.
Sitting there filling out insurance information shouldn't feel so familiar to him, knowing every detail of his brother's insurance information shouldn't be so damn easy. This wasn't right.
Damn it all to hell, damn you Dean, Sam's mind screamed as he angrily thrust the completed papers into the chair beside him Damn you Dean!!
He leaned back into his seat closing his eyes willing himself to get it together when the promising smell of coffee wafted up his nose.
Opening his eyes he saw that a cup had been placed in front of him and he looked up into the soft brown eyes of the officer who had pulled him over.
"I figured you could do with a boost." the man explained as Sam accepted the cup.
"Ah, thanks Officer…. Harrison" Sam said squinting to read the name badge. "I'm Sam, Sam Winchester." he introduced himself shaking Bruce's hand and then nodding to the seat beside him as an invitation.
"No worries Sam, like I said you looked like you needed it and please just call me Bruce." The elder man replied as he sat down sighing in relief.
"Well thanks Bruce" Sam said taking as sip from his cup and leaning back closing his eyes letting the warm liquid heat in from the inside.
They stayed that way for several minutes as silence filled the air around them, Sam just drinking and Bruce just happy to see the younger man next to him relax, the fear that had poured out of the frightened man on that highway shocked Bruce more than he thought possible and now he just wanted to make sure he was going to be alright, that they were both going to be alright.
"I ,ah, I wanted to thankyou."
"Sorry?" Bruce asked slightly startled at the sudden conversation.
"Thankyou, you know for helping us, for helping Dean."
"Oh… yea," he nodded, "Well all part of the job."
Sam gave him a small smile in reply, "Yea well thanks anyway."
Nothing else was said for a while as they took comfort in listening to the constant hum of people in and around the waiting area. Sam was glad that Bruce had stuck around, even though they had barely spoken just his presence, just his being there meant Sam wasn't doing this alone and he was thankful for that. But what confused him was why would a seemingly stranger, a cop at that, would want to wait around with him - and then the penny dropped.
Sam chuckled at his own stupidity and Bruce whipped around to face him confusion evident.
"You don't have to wait to see if my brother makes it before you book me for speeding, but if you think for one moment that I'm leaving here under any terms before……"
"Hey whoa, there young fella," Bruce interrupted receiving a small look of amusement from the 'young fella' comment, " I have no intention of dragging you away and as far as the speeding ticket goes well……. I think under the circumstances I can let you off with a warning but," he said looking stern and pointing a finger at Sam, "if I ever catch you speeding on my highways again Hard-assed Harrison will be all over you."
Sam gave Bruce a flippant look "Hard-assed Harrison?"
"Hey, I'll have you know that I'm the meanest SOB in these parts" Bruce stated before laughing at himself glad to hear a soft chuckle from Sam as well.
"Oh before I forget I think these might belong to you." he said as he removed the Impala's keys from his pocket handing them over, "I took the liberty of parking her in the lot, hate to think a beauty like that got towed."
Sam suddenly remembered dashing out of the car keys left in the ignition and groaned at his foolishness. Dean would have his head if anything had happened to his girl. "Oh God, thankyou so much. Dean would have killed me if……" he stopped when he thought that Dean still might not make it.
Bruce watched as the reappearance of dread made it's way back onto Sam's face.
"You know I know how you feel, been in this position myself, you know on the waiting end of things."
Sam closed his eyes at Bruce's words and sighed, "I'm here all too often."
The older man couldn't help but show his surprise, "This brother of yours, he gets hurt a lot?"
"Comes with the job."
"The job? Is he a cop?" Bruce questioned trying to think if he had heard the name Winchester before.
Sam straightened in his chair realising he had said too much, "Ah no, no it's he, he just puts himself at risk to, to save others and….."
"And never thinks that one day it's gonna get himself killed?"
Sam laughed sadly shaking his head, "No he knows, we both do, it's just, it never gets any easier you know and there is more at stake now. It's not just us now, there's Sarah and Katie and….."
Sam stopped jumping from his seat starling Bruce, "My wife, oh god, I should ring her, I should…."
"Easy there Sam," Bruce calmly said standing placing a hand on Sam's arm, "there is a payphone around the corner from the reception desk. Why don't you go and give your wife a call and I can take this back for you." referring to the discarded paperwork on the seat next to the one Sam had just vacated.
Sam looked around for a moment as if weighing up his options before relenting and nodding to Bruce, "That would be great thanks."
"Your welcome Sam, now just go on and call your wife I'll fix things up here."
Nodding again Sam left Bruce to hand in the paperwork and made his way to the payphone near the reception desk.
Picking up the receiver and inserting his loose change Sam shakily dialled the numbers of his home phone.
1 ring
2 rings
3 rings
4.…
"Hello?" came the soft and tired voice.
"Sarah, hey" Sam said looking at his watch and silently cursing himself at ringing home so early in the morning.
"Sam? Sam!" Sarah's sleepy voice instantly cleared and she continued sharp and alert, "Is Dean ok? Did you find him, are you ok?" she finally paused to gain breath and wait for answers but all she got was a tired, emotional sigh as Sam closed his eyes and leant his head against the wall trying to pull himself together.
"Baby, what's wrong?"
"I found him Sarah but….. he was, he is hurt real bad and I…"he trailed off as the lump in his throat tightened.
"Sam, Dean is gonna be Ok right?"
"I..I don't know" came the half choked sob.
"Sammy."
"I couldn't get him to wake up, he had lost so much blood. I can't lose him Sarah, I don't know what I'd do if I lost him."
Hearing the desperation in her husband's voice Sarah took control, "We are not gonna lose him Sam." she affirmed her tone leaving no room for question, "This is Dean we are talking about. He is gonna be fine."
"But…."
"No Sam, no buts. This is Dean, he has never let us down Sam and he isn't going to start now. Do you hear me?"
A small smile creased Sam's face "Yes Ma'am I hear you."
"Good, it's bad enough that I'm gonna have to have a stern talking to with that brother of yours, I don't need to be having to kick your butt as well mister."
This evoked a chuckle from Sam.
"I'll let the kids sleep for a few more hours then I'll get them up and we will head on down."
"Sarah you don't….."
"I know Sam," she quietly cut him off, "but I need to, we all need to be there."
"Ok."
"Good. Now, do you need anything?" Sarah asked and he could hear her already buzzing around the bedroom packing some things.
"Can you just call Ellen for me."
"Sure."
"Thanks honey, I love you."
"I love you too Sam, now you go take care of that brother till we get there ok?"
"I will, be careful."
"Always Sammy."
Hanging up Sam felt some of the intense weight of the last day being lifted from his shoulders. Leaning up against the wall near the phone it amazed him at how Sarah could always settle him, reassure him, give him strength when he needed it so.
"Mr Winchester?"
Straightening at the call of his name Sam looked up to see the Doctor who had been in the ER with Dean.
"I'm Doctor Burrows," the man said extending his hand to Sam, "I've being seeing over your brother."
Reaching out he shook the Doctor's hand, "Please call be Sam, how is he, how is my brother?"
"Let's go somewhere where we can talk in private Sam." Burrows said as he lead him to an empty room and offering him a seat.
"Right now your brother is in a serious but stable condition. I'm not going to lie to you, Dean has suffered some very serious injuries. He has several broken ribs, concussion, blood loss and exposure."
"But that's not all is it?"
"No I'm afraid not," Burrows agreed sitting down opposite Sam, "right now what is worrying us the most is the infection that has set in and the subsequent fever. While we are fighting his infection with an antibiotic IV his fever is still alarmingly high. 104.3, the acetaminophen we have on, it's a fever reducer, does seem to be working but not like we were hoping."
Sam swallowed back a gulp as he nodded in understanding of what the Doctor was telling him.
"Your brother is fighting hard Sam, but if his fever doesn't go down……"
"We are going to be in a lot more trouble then we are now" Sam finished for him.
Burrows smiled appreciatively, "He seems to be a fighter though, a lot of weaker people would have given up already."
Sam nodded, "He is stronger than people give him credit for," he said more to himself than the doctor, "Can I see him now?"
"Yes, yes of course." Burrows replied getting up and leading Sam from the room.
Sam followed the Doctor as he took him to the ICU ward and into Dean's room. The sight before Sam brought him back to a time many long years ago. There was his brother's still form, wires protruding from his body, monitors keeping their vigil, at least he is breathing on his own.
The Doctor muttered something about leaving him to it and Sam sat down in the chair beside the bed focused solely on Dean. He looked down at Dean taking his brother in. Years of hunting and abuse had prematurely aged Dean but the man before him now looked incredibly young and frighteningly fragile.
Taking Dean's hand in his own he looked on silently struggling to keep his emotions in control.
"Dean you can fight this, you're stronger than anyone I have ever known." he begun a lone tear rolling down his cheek, "I don't want to do this without you, I can't. Sarah, Katie, Jay, we all need you man."
Sam sniffled as he thought back to a conversation the three of them had had several years ago "Remember Sarah said you have responsibilities, obligations and I'm gonna hold you to them Dean. Your job isn't done yet and, and it's Jay's birthday tomorrow, you can't let a little injury keep you from that, you've never missed one not one."
A smile twitched at the corners of Sam's mouth as he thought about how Katie might handle another punishment for her Uncle, "And your already in enough trouble as it is with Katie. You never know bro, she could always get the Impala painted pink. Yea, I think hot pin…"
A quick twitch of Dean's hand in his silenced Sam, and he brought his attention to his brother's still face.
"Dean?"
This time Dean's arm gave a small jolt, "Dean man, come on wake up."
When a harsh tremble seemed to rip through Dean's body Sam realised something wasn't right.
"Nurse, nurse I need some help in here!" Sam barked as he repeatedly pressed the red button trying to hold down the increasingly quaking body beneath him.
A nurse flew into the room closely followed by another taking one look at the fitting patient she abruptly turned and faced the second nurse.
"Get Doctor Burrows in here now!" She commanded as she moved toward Dean, "He's seizing!"
TBC
Hehehe (",) Left it at a good spot huh? LOL Please R&R I love to hear your thoughts!! Thanks