Okay, so I'm home from my nightshift and am not going to bed today, so I thought I'd put out a chapter early. I will still post another one tonight at the regular time. I hope this is okay with everyone? LOL Here it is.

Cindy

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The following forty five minutes was an exhausting flurry of activity. After Bobby had led the paramedics up, they had pushed Dean aside so they could work on Sam, shouting instructions and vitals and what not. Dean stood to the side watching the paramedics every movement and making sure they weren't hurting Sam.

The police had come and pulled Dean aside. They wanted to know exactly what had happened. Dean explained that Sam had disappeared and that he and Bobby had found him nailed to the wall and this other guy collapsed on the floor. He told them that whomever had done this had gotten away but he was able to give a description. When the cops had asked how Dean and Bobby had managed to find Sam in this rundown, abandoned house, Dean had explained that they had tracked him by the GPS in his cell phone. Then Dean had excused himself, saying he needed to be with his brother in case he woke up, and if they had any more questions for him they would just have to talk to him later.

When the cops talked to Bobby, they got the same story as Dean had given them. Then they talked to Jake, but they got nowhere with him because the poor guy couldn't even tell them how he came to be in the house. To say he was freaked out was a major understatement. A paramedic had finally been forced to sedate him.

Once Sam had been stablized well enough, he was loaded into the ambulance and taken to the nearest hospital with Dean and Bobby following in the Impala. Jake had been allowed to go home with a promise to talk to the cops when he had calmed down. Dean and Bobby had reached the hospital and had come through the ER doors just as Sam's gurney disappeared through the exam area doors. Dean was given forms to fill out, and they were both asked to have a seat in the waiting area until someone came to talk to them about Sam's condition. The papers had been filled out and Dean had sat down next to Bobby and that's where they still were at the present time.

Dean stood up from his chair, stretching his stiff muscles then began to pace the length of the waiting room. On his fourth trip back by Bobby, he stopped.

"How long have they had him back there for God's sake!?" he exclaimed in frustration.

Bobby glanced at his watch, then answered, "'Bout an hour. Just settle down Dean, they'll be out when they're done."

"I just need to know what's going on! I can't lose him. I wish they'd get out here already!" Dean cried as he started pacing again.

Bobby shook his head as he watched his young friend. He was worried too about Sam. Sam had been extremely pale when he was taken away. He had lost a good amount of blood. He had not even stirred as the paramedics tried to stablize him. They were very worried about the blood loss and shock. There was also concern about his chest. They didn't like what they heard when they listened to his heart and lungs. They had whisked him off to the hospital and there had been no word since. The last he or Dean had seen of Sam was when the ambulance doors had slammed and the ambulance had sped off down the road. Bobby thought Dean was doing quite well considering the circumstances.

The doors to the exam area opened and a tall, graying man stepped through.

"Are you here for Samuel Jenkins?" the man asked Dean.

"Yeah. I'm his brother, Dean. How is Sam?" Dean asked, his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

"Let's sit down and talk. I'm Doctor Ameche," the doctor said as he offered his hand to Dean.

Dean shook his hand and nodded his head.

"So, how's my brother?"

"Well, I have to say, your brother is quite lucky," Dr. Ameche started.

"How so?" Dean replied.

"Aside from the injuries he was brought in for, he did have some injuries that were a few days old. He has bruised and cracked ribs, and also a cracked cheekbone, accompanied by a slight concussion. Now, who's to say if the same person who caused his most recent injuries is the same one who caused the older ones. I just don't know. Now, he also presented with irregular chest sounds. An x-ray confirmed that your brother has pneumonia."

"Pneumonia? How serious is it?" Dean asked, swallowing the lump in his throat.

"Luckily it hasn't progressed to the point of being critical. It is however a very serious situation, but we have Samuel on a high dosage of antibiotics to deal with this."

"And his other injuries?"

"Samuel is very rundown and dehydrated. And with the bitter cold, all of these things have contributed to his pneumonia. Those are going to be taken care of. Now, he had numerous scalp lacerations, several serious enough to require stitches. In fact, there were a few that were all the way to his skull."

The doctor stopped when Dean paled. He reached a hand out and placed it on Dean's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"The lacerations have been taken care of Mr. Jenkins," Dr. Ameche said, a slight smile on his face.

"Please, just call me Dean. What about Sam's hands? They looked really bad."

"Ahhh, yes his hands. Now this is where the biggest problems arise. The injuries Samuel sustained to his hands are quite serious. The wounds are in a place where bone and nerve damage is very likely to occur. Samuel is being prepared for surgery as we speak to try and repair the damage. I have to be honest with you Dean. Samuel will most likely suffer permanent loss of some function in his hands, especially the left one. Now, the extent of the loss won't be known for awhile, not until he recovers enough to start physical therapy." The doctor waited for Dean's response patiently, understanding the seriousness of the information he had relayed.

After a few moments, Dean regained his composure and spoke. "With Sam's pneumonia, won't surgery be all the more dangerous?"

"Well, we would rather not operate with his health diminished this way, but we have to move quickly if we are going to give him any use back in his hands. I assure you, all precautions will be taken to insure Samuels well being. He will be intubated to help with his breathing and his vitals will be constantly monitored. Samuel's in good hands Dean."

"Okay. Do whatever you have to for my brother. Thank you doctor. Thank you so much." Dean shook the doctor's hand then lowered his face, not wanting his tears to be seen.

"You're welcome Dean. Now, I better get ready for surgery. This is going to be a long haul so I'll have you taken to the surgical waiting area where you'll be more comfortable," Dr. Ameche said before turning and walking back through the exam area doors.

Dean and Bobby were soon escorted to the surgical waiting area and left alone.

"Shit Bobby! Sam may not be able to use his hands. And with his pneumonia, he could die on the operating table!" Dean cried anxiously.

"Dean, you heard the doctor. They're gonna do all they can for Sam. He's a strong young man. He'll be just fine," Bobby replied, trying to console the younger man.

"I know he's strong, but between those jerks beating the crap out of him and the cold, no food or water, and then the fucking demon! How much can one body take?"

"You know Sam. He can take a lot. This will be a piece of cake for him."

"Yeah, I guess. But Bobby, what about his will to live? Do you think he truly believes that I don't hate him? I mean, if he still thinks that what was said came from me, his will to survive may be gone."

"I think Sam will always fight to stay with you Dean. Even through the pain and his illness, I saw hope in his eyes. He knows you love him. He will fight to live. No doubt about it!"

"I hope you're right Bobby. God, I hope you're right!" Dean said softly.

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Well, there it is. Sam's in rough shape and Dean is worried he has lost his will to fight. Please let me know what you think. Will post more later. Take care all!

Cindy.