Days passed by slowly, repeating the same thing over and over like Groundhog Day. Dean would turn up to the hospital every day at seven am without fail and sit by Sam's side, watching over him, talking, making the kid smile. He was like Sam's guardian angel; everyone could see that, especially Doctor Novak. He just wished Dean had an angel of his own to take care of him, Dean certainly needed it.

At around midday everyday either Meg or Doctor Novak would come in and check up on Sam, run a few tests then leave. Dean would stumble home at nine o'clock every night when a doctor came over and kicked him out leaving Dean in his small rented apartment alone to drink himself to death whilst his baby brother rotted alone in that hospital.

*.*.*.*

As weeks slowly came and went Dean started to grow closer to Doctor Novak. Dean found that with Sam's speedy recovery he was actually able to go out and do things like a regular person… all with doctor Novak of course. The more time Dean spent with the uptight doctor the more he was able to relax. Dean knew Sam was going to be ok, he knew that soon Sam would be able to leave and they were going to get the hell out of this town and never look back.

There was one problem…

Dean would never look back and see that stupidly adorable face Doctor Novak pull's whenever Dean makes a pop culture reference he doesn't understand. This man was surely going to be his downfall.

*.*.*.*

The weeks leading up to Sam's release Dean spent as much time as he could with doctor Novak. Dean could only say the experience was… educational. He learnt that the doctor was a complete tight ass and dedicated his life to work, he learnt that doctor Novak hated being called by his doctoral title in 'such informal and unprofessional circumstances' so he should just call him Castiel. Dean learnt that Doctor Novak… Castiel… wanted to leave the hospital and start his own clinic using his number of different doctor's degrees. Dean learnt that he only had three day's left with this annoying, frustrating excuse of a doctor and he had never been more terrified.

*.*.*.*

Dean smiled softly to himself as he walked towards the coffee shop, if this was going to be their last day together he sure as hell were going to make it a good one. Dean could see the man's unkempt hair from the other side of the courtyard, sitting there absorbed in a book still in his scrubs made him stick out like a sore thumb. Approaching Castiel, Dean slipped into the seat opposite him, beaming widely.

"Heya Cas. What you reading?" Glancing upwards, Castiel lifted the book upwards letting Dean see the title of the medical textbook not tearing his away from the page. "Aw c'mon, you can't be studying now. Can't you do this another time?"

Without as much as a glance in Dean's direction Cas just nodded slightly, "Dean you must know that it is paramount that I pass my exams. Dean you have to understand tha-"

Dean wasn't going to hear it any longer, he was sick of Castiel's bullshit excuses why he couldn't meet up with Dean or why he was distracted or god forbid why he should take his head out of a god damn book for a minute. So of course Dean was going to take it into his own hands, if this was their last god damned meeting before Dean went back over to the hospital in less than half an hour to pick up Sam. So Dean did what any sane person would do in that situation, with a firm grip he reached over the table and grabbed Castiel's shirt, his fingers curling round the fabric and pulled him in, roughly pressing his lips against the startled Doctors. It certainly wasn't the greatest executed kiss, their teeth knocked together; Cas was struggling to find a foothold, but it certainly was the best kiss he had ever experience. The world blurred around him as Cas left out a soft moan against Dean's lips, and for the second time that day Dean made a decision but maybe this was less wise, he let go of Cas Dean bolted out of the chair and storming away without looking back.

*.*.*.*

Castiel watched Dean walk away, his mouth open from the initial shock. That was certainly the most interesting and pleasant good bye Castiel had ever received but it made it hurt more. It made the throb of his heart feel like someone had plunged their hand in his chest and squeezed. The world blurred around Cas as Dean walked away, each person was an insignificant blur of color in the dull world, an illusion of color and a trick to the eye.

*.*.*.*

Dean couldn't have signed papers fast enough; he needed to get out of this god damned town as fast as he could. Like hell he was going to stay here just because of one stupid doctor, he was going to take Sammy and run, running after all was what Dean did best. Dean ran his whole life, re ran away from school, ran away from work, responsibilities and people, but that was ok. He had Sammy, who was alive and pretty much alright besides the bandages that covered most of the right side of his chest and thighs, but he was alive and that's all that mattered. Getting Sam and leaving was the plan, an insignificant asshole of a doctor was not going to change that. No matter how adorable he looked when he pouted.

Dean had already prepared the car; a suitcase of clothes and equipment for had been fitted in the back, the chair pulled back for Sam and his wheelchair had been fitted neatly in the backseat. Dean wheeled Sam out of the hospital, laughing to himself as Sam argued that he wasn't a baby.

"Less than five minutes of freedom and you're already complaining"

All that helped with was an unwelcomed punch to the shoulder and a scowl that could have had monsters fleeing. After squabbling and throwing insults at each other Dean was able to help Sam climb into the passenger's seat before sliding into his own, starting up the car before sliding in an ACDC tape.

Grabbing the box of tapes, Sam started to sift through them, "I swear man, you've gotta update your cassette tape collection."

"Why?"

"Well for one they're cassette tapes, and two, Black Sabbath? Motorhead? Metallica? It's the greatest hits of mullet rock."

"House rules, Sammy. Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole," Dean flicked on the music, letting his fingers tap along to the beat.

Huffing in annoyance Sam sunk into his seat, crossing his arms as Dean started to speed away from the hospital. "Y'know 'Sammy' is a chubby twelve year old. It's Sam okay"

With a grin Dean reached out and started to turn the music up, drowning out Sam's voice in the loud beat. "Sorry I can't hear you, the music's too loud"

With a roll of his eyes Sam sunk down into his seat and closed his eyes, moving and shifting about as he tried not to rub the bandages against the rough leather of the car.

This kid is going to be the death of me. Dean didn't really care, as long as they were on the road with miles between them and that town Dean didn't care if he was stringed up in Hell for the next 40 years. He was ok and so was Sam. Dean couldn't ask for anything more. He just drove and drove to wherever this highway was taking them. Dean was going to protect Sammy no matter what.

What?! two chapters in one day? I was originally going to time skip all of this so I just wrote a few events that took place (revolving around Dean) in the time Sam was sick. I left it vague and short. The rest is to your imagination. Any queries message me or send me an email at eraik59 . Thank you to the people who have reviewed/followed and given this story a like. It means a lot. Thank you guys. xx