He's my son

Chapter ten

Sam was lying on the hospital bed, he had been fighting against leukemia for a while now, and the effects of chemo hadn't changed, they still made him sick as a dog, and they had yet to work towards remission. Lately Sam had been tired all the time and he knew what that meant, the chemo wasn't doing its job no matter what combination the doctors tried nothing was working. Sam knew he was dying no matter what Dean and his father said. It would only be a matter of time now, a tear drifted down his face. He didn't want to die; he wanted to live even if it meant all he got out of life was fighting monsters.

He had just fallen asleep when he felt a strange dark, presence standing beside him. He knew without looking that a reaper was standing beside him.

"I don't want to go with you" Sam declared terror filling his heart. He knew there wasn't going to be anyway he could avoid not going with him. But he had to at least try.

"You know what will happen if you stay here" Death said "Do you really want to force your family to have put you down again." Tears filled Sam's he couldn't stand the thought of his family suffering because of his death, because he wasn't strong enough to defeat cancer. Sam was scared he didn't want to die alone but apparently he wasn't going to get his wish.

"Just think you won't be sick anymore" Death said trying to make dying into a good thing.

"Being sick is worth it if I get to be around my family" Sam said but he knew what he was going to do, he had no choice really. He couldn't let his family bury him twice. As if sensing Sam's thoughts Death reached out and placed his hand on Sam's chest. Sam's eyes closed slowly and his heart beat came to a slow stop. Now there was only two Winchesters walking the planet. The sad news was they didn't even know it yet.

Crying out Sam shot up in his bed, his chest heaving with each breath he took. That dream had been so lifelike; he could almost feel the reapers touch on his skin. He swallowed hard, he felt like getting sick again, that dream had been all too real.

Five minutes later the door to his room opened and in walked a blonde nurse Sam had never seen before. He looked at her and vaguely had the feeling that he knew her from somewhere he just couldn't place it.

She smiled at him and walked over to the bed.

"Did you have a bad dream?" she asked placing her hand on his back and rubbing slow circles in between his shoulder blades. Sam nodded and had to swallow back tears. He had left Dean and his father to suffer through his death. That was not a choice he would ever make not if he had a choice in the matter.

"I died" Sam said "I left my family alone." The nurse smiled and continued rubbing his back.

"We're not going to let that happen" she said softly "We have some of the best doctors in the world working here; we will find something that works for you."

"I don't want to leave them" Sam said biting back more tears he'd already felt like he'd cried enough for one lifetime.

"I know" the nurse said comfortingly "Believe me when I say it's not going to come down to that." Sam wished he could be that confidant but when it came to cancer you never knew how it was going to turn out. She smiled when she saw the doubting expression on Sam's face.

"You know I have a son about your age, his name is Sam too, also like you he worries far too much than a kid his age should. He's as stubborn as a mule but he's the kindest hearted kid, I'm proud to call him my son." She smiled. "He'll do anything for anyone, they don't have to ask, and he always puts his whole heart into anything he does."

"Sounds like a good kid" Sam murmured starting to feel sleepy again but he was still scared to close his eyes. He still could still see the pale face of death leaning over him and touching his chest. He shivered unconsciously the terror had felt so real.

"Sam, you don't have to be afraid, I'm with you" the nurse said gently.

"I want Dean" Sam said "whenever I need him, he's here."

"I'll call Dean" she said softly "but understand that you my child, still have much to do, death won't come for you yet." She pressed a gentle kiss to Sam's forehead and turned and walked out of the room.

Just who on earth was she? Sam knew that he knew her from somewhere he just couldn't remember where. That bugged him, he was too tired to figure out mysteries right now, he wanted answers and he wanted Dean. Dean would make the dream go away. Lying back on the bed, Sam stared up at the ceiling, the terror he'd felt slowly draining from him.

Twenty minutes later a PJ clad, sleepy looking Dean strolled into Sam's room. He hadn't cared that visiting hours were nowhere near to starting, his little brother needed him and by god that's where he would be. Sure enough, Sam was still awake and just lying on the bed, looking as miserable as a kid fighting cancer could look. Dean's heart ached for what his brother was going through. If he had known a spell that could let them exchange places Dean would do it in a heartbeat.

"Sammy, I hear you're having trouble" Dean said softly approaching the bed. Sam threw himself at Dean as soon as Dean was close enough to the bed. Dean staggered back, but kept a tight grip on Sam.

"It's okay kiddo, you're not alone anymore, I promise I'll always be here when you need me."

"I know" Sam said softly clinging tightly to his older brother, Dean always knew what to do when he was scared.

"How about lying back down" Dean said gently as Sam relaxed back onto the bed, Dean climbed on the bed beside him and held him as Sam slowly drifted off to sleep.

"I'll keep the nightmares away" Dean said softly watching his brother breath evenly as he slept. Unknown to them the blonde nurse was watching from the shadows.

"Take good care of your brother Dean," she murmured smiling and turning and disappearing.

Thanks for reading and reviewing! Hope you enjoy this chapter. Have a great week. Liz