Revenge Is a Dish Best Served Cold Ch. 19
Disclaimer: Everything recognizable in this story belongs to the CW and Kripke. I'm just playing in their sandbox for a little while.
SNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSN
Previously: As Joshua and Caleb stood in the doorway watching the Winchesters, they were happy to see that John had finally been able to get close to his youngest child since it meant that Sammy was finally starting on that road to recovery and could soon be released.
Everybody held their breath as they watched Jurgen assessing the youngest Winchester. Today was the day he would be released if the doctor thought he had made enough progress in his recovery. Bobby had covered his end of the bargain by getting Jefferson to agree to Sam's physical therapy and Jefferson had even offered to make house calls to make it more comfortable on Sammy after finding out what he had been through. The hunters watched with anticipation as Jurgen seemed to examine Sam's hand with a fine tooth comb. They all knew he was still having a lot of pain with it, but knew that could be handled with pain meds.
As Jurgen manipulated parts of Sammy's hand, Dean couldn't help but feel sorry for his younger brother as he watched him wince and then start chewing on his bottom lip in an effort to keep from crying out. Feeling an overwhelming need to offer comfort his brother in some small way, Dean placed his hand on Sammy's shoulder and rubbed it soothingly with his thumb. Seeing Jurgen finally finish with Sammy's check up, Dean couldn't stand the suspense any longer. "So what's the verdict doc? Can we get Sammy out of here today or not?"
"Wow, I didn't know things here were so bad that you couldn't wait to get away from here." Jurgen teased as he smiled at the anxious older brother. "I wish I could answer that question for you Dean, but there's one other thing I have to check before I can give you a solid answer." Jurgen stated wishing he wasn't about to make the youngest Winchester very uncomfortable. Taking a deep breath, Jurgen looked at John and the other hunters and said, "If you gentleman don't mind, I need to finish the last part of my examination, and Dean, I could sure use your help if you don't mind staying."
"Sure doc, I'll stay." Dean replied knowing right away that Jurgen needed to check Sammy's more private injury to ascertain that it was healing properly. He was actually glad that Jurgen had asked him to stay because he knew how Sammy was going to react to the examination and it wouldn't be good.
Sam watched as his dad and the others walked out the door and then turned to face the doctor with an anxious look emblazoned on his face. "Wh-what are you going…?" He trailed off asking as a huge lump grew in his throat and tears leapt to his eyes.
Jurgen was about to answer when Dean smoothly took over doing so for him. "Sammy, the doctor needs to check your groin area little brother." Dean answered as he began to card his fingers through Sammy's hair trying to comfort him as the tears began to roll silently down his baby brother's cheeks.
"Dean No." Sammy stated with a pleading voice as he beseeched his brother to keep it from happening.
"Sammy, you want to get out of here and go to Bobby's don't ya?" Dean asked as he continued to card his fingers through Sammy's hair. Seeing his brother nod affirmatively, he went on to say, "Jurgen can't release you in good conscience without making sure that the infection on your family jewels is clearing up. It will just take a minute dude and I'll be here with you the whole time."
"Kay." Sammy whispered as he began to visibly tremble wishing he were anywhere else other than that hospital bed.
"Okay Sam, I just need you to bend you knees for me and place the bottoms of your feet on the bed." Jurgen stated removing the blanket from Sam's legs as he waited for his young patient to comply. He made sure not to reach out so he wouldn't touch the kid anymore than was absolutely necessary. "That's good right there Sam, Jurgen replied as he reached in a gloved hand and checked for any swelling indicating an infection was taking hold inside. Examining Sam as quickly as possible and applying some antibiotic ointment, he could hear Dean offering soothing words of comfort to his baby brother.
"All finished." Jurgen voiced with a smile as replaced the blanket over Sam's legs and walked over to the trash dispenser to take off his gloves. "Dean, why don't you help Sam to get dressed while I go give your father the news that Sam is being released.
"That's fantastic doc, thanks," Dean enunciated as he cupped Sammy's cheek with the palm of his hand. "You hear that dude, we are finally breaking out of this joint."
"Ye-yeah" Sam replied with a forced smile still trembling from the doctor's examination. Thank goodness that was finally over with.
SNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSN
By the time John had thanked Jurgen for his help, signed the release papers and returned to Sam's room pushing a wheel chair, Dean had him already dressed in a loose fitting pair of sweat pants and an oversized t-shirt as they both sat on the edge of the bed waiting, Dean with his arm wrapped around Sammy supporting him.
"You ready to go tiger?" John asked as he pushed the wheelchair close to Sammy's bed.
"Yes Sir." Sam replied wincing as Dean helped him to his feet. He couldn't help but gasp in pain as the few steps to the chair caused pain to spike in his tender groin area.
"It's okay kiddo, just take it slow." Dean coaxed as he allowed Sammy to set the pace. He breathed a sigh of relief as he was finally able to help Sam ease down into the chair. Lifting Sam's feet and placing them on the foot pedals, he took over the position of pushing the chair from his dad and guided his brother out of the room as John held the door open for them.
Arriving outside, Sam saw the other hunters grinning as Dean pushed him slowly towards the Impala. He returned the smile shyly before looking down towards his feet, still feeling a bit uncomfortable around other men besides his dad and Dean.
"Damn, it's good to see you out of that hospital Sammy." Bobby said as he grasped the door handle and opened the back door to the sleek, black muscle car. He stood back as Dean and John helped Sammy into the car, not wanting to make the youngest Winchester feel any more uncomfortable than he already was. Together, John and Dean got the baby of their family situated to their satisfaction, making sure that he wasn't in too much pain before finally closing the door.
Glancing at the others, John said, "We'll see you all back at Bobby's." And watched as they loaded up into their own vehicles. As he watched them pull out of the circular drive, John climbed into the driver's seat of the Impala while Dean climbed into the back with Sammy. Pulling out of the drive himself, he glanced in the review mirror to see Sam leaning against Dean's shoulder with his eyes closed as Dean wrapped an arm around him in protection or comfort, he wasn't sure which.
As John drove down the open highway a couple of hours later, he thought about the days ahead of them. He had no qualms about the fact that there would be some rough times ahead knowing that sooner or later, Sammy would have to let his feelings out about what happened. He just hoped he and Dean would be ready to handle the resulting meltdown when it finally occurred. Hearing the sound of a soft whimper, he was drawn out of his musings and immediately pulled over to the side of the road. "Dean?" he questioned as he turned around anxiously to check on his boys.
"Nightmare" Dean stated calmly as he began carding his fingers through Sammy's hair while he tightened his other arm around his baby brother at the same time. "S'okay kiddo. I've got you." Dean soothed quietly as he tried to ease his baby brother back into a restful slumber. "Shhh, it's okay, go back to sleep." he cooed over and over until he felt Sammy beginning to relax into his hold once again.
"Dean, I know we've only been on the road for a few hours, but maybe we should stop soon and get a room." John voiced with concern, fearing for his youngest child's health. He didn't want to push Sammy too hard when he just got out of the hospital.
"Nah, he'll be okay." Dean informed his dad as he felt Sam totally relax into sleep once again. "The sooner we get him some place familiar, the better it will be for him."
SNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSN
Finally arriving at their destination after almost six hours of driving, John pulled into Singer Salvage Yard exhausted after the long drive. Sam had been awake for the last two hours of the drive and was becoming cranky from being cooped up in the car for far too long. Parking the car in the front yard, John quickly got out and then opened the back door to help Sammy out. Reaching in a hand to grasp Sammy's arm, his help was quickly rejected as Sammy slapped his hand away.
"M'not a baby, I can get out myself." Sam grumbled as he shifted his legs around and placed them on the ground. Leaning forward to grasp the car door with his good hand, he pulled himself to his feet with a grunt and stood on wobbly legs. Taking a deep breath for the trek ahead, he wasn't surprised to see his dad and Dean flank him just in case things went south on him.
Looking towards the porch and seeing the other hunters standing there, Sam sighed in resignation at having to look weak in front of them. He was tired of being thought of as the weakest link in his family. Trying to steel himself for the monumental task of making it to the porch under his own steam, he took a few steps towards the front porch only for his knees to buckle on him.
"Whoa kiddo." John and Dean gasped at the same time as they both grasped Samm by the arm, John being careful of his injured hand. Giving in to his exhaustion, Sam allowed his father and brother to support most of his weight as they walked towards the front porch at a turtle's pace. Arriving at the steps, he unconsciously tensed wondering how in the hell he was going to have the strength to climb them, even with his dad and brother's support, and especially since his groin was killing him from just the little walking he had done.
Feeling the tension in Sam's body mount, John slipped his hand behind Sammy's back and slipped the other behind his son's knees, quickly lifting him with ease and carrying him into the house. Placing Sam on the couch, he helped his youngest to lay down as Dean grabbed a small blanket from the hallway closet and placed it over him. "Get some rest kiddo." John said as he ruffled Sammy's hair, Sam sighing in frustration at being treated like a baby once again. Closing his eyes, Sam drifted off to sleep content in the knowledge that his family was close by even if they were overbearing at times.
TBC