Okay, I have a shorter chapter for you all. The rocky road hasn't quite evened out yet and there will be more potholes along the way. Nine chapters after this one to go, so we have a bit of time for things to fall apart again. Anyway, here it is.

Cindy.

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One Week Later

"No! Just get away and leave me alone!" Sam shouted as Dr. Ameche stood next to his bed, his hands held in a placating manner.

"Samuel, it's going to be okay. I just need to check you okay?" Dr. Ameche said calmly.

"It's Sam! Not Samuel! SAM!!" Sam cried, his face red and his breaths coming in hitches.

"Okay, Sam," Dr. Ameche corrected. "Please, let me see your hands."

"Get the hell away from me!" Sam yelled, tears of fear and frustration leaking from his eyes.

Suddenly the door to Sam's room burst open and Dean and Bobby came barreling in, stopping short at the scene in front of them. Dr. Ameche stood on one side of Sam's bed with a nurse on the other. Sam was sat straight up in his bed, his face red and sweaty, tears rolling down his cheeks. He was close to hyperventilating and Dean thought he looked about ready to pass out.

"What the hell is going on here?" Dean spat as he pushed his way to Sam's side.

"De...Dean, please get them out. Please?" Sam pleaded, falling back tiredly onto his pillows.

Dean turned questioning eyes on Dr. Ameche. "What's happening? Why is he so upset?"

"I just told Sam it was time to remove the bandages from his hands and check for movement and feeling and he went ballistic," Dr. Ameche replied, confusion clouding his pleasant face.

Dean turned to Sam as Bobby moved in behind him, his eyes fixed on the youngest Winchester.

"Sammy? Why won't you let the doctor check your hands?" Dean asked softly.

"I just...don't want to right now. I'm tired, I just want to sleep," Sam said softly, turning his head and closing his eyes.

Dean stared at Sam for a moment, shaking his head slightly. He turned to Dr. Ameche, nodding toward the far corner. The doctor followed him. "Can you give me a little time with him? I'll find out what exactly is up with him."

"If you can talk some sense into him. I need to check his hands as soon as possible. We need to start physical therapy if we are going to get him back to normal, or as close as we can get him," Dr. Ameche replied, motioning to the nurse to follow him out.

"Thanks doc. I'll talk to him," Dean said, shaking the doctor's hand.

Dr. Ameche and the nurse exited the room and Dean glanced at Bobby before turning his eyes back to Sam. Bobby stood back from the bed, sitting on the window ledge as he studied Sam's face. The swelling had gone down over Sam's broken cheekbone, but the bruise had darkened and nearly covered the whole right side of his face. The bandages had been removed from his head and he no longer needed oxygen, except for when he slept. Sam's physical injuries were healing and his pneumonia was improving. The concern now was the mental and emotional problems.

Sam had been having nightmares, but he seemed to be handling them okay. There had been a few occasions when he had awakened to find no Dean in the room and had to be sedated. He and Dean were working on this, with Dean leaving for increasingly longer intervals and Sam working to control his fears.

This new snag was more perplexing. Both Dean and Bobby wondered why Sam didn't want the bandages removed. The sooner they were off, the sooner he could start PT and get the use of his hands back. The bandages had been changed several times over the past week, but Sam had been pretty much out of it whenever this was done.

Dean sat on the edge of the bed, watching Sam for a moment, before reaching out and gently nudging his shoulder.

"Sam? I know you're not sleeping so just open your eyes and look at me," Dean said, waiting for his brother to comply.

"I don't want to talk Dean," Sam replied, keeping his eyes closed.

"Sam, we need to talk about this. Why don't you want the bandages off?"

Sam opened his eyes and looked at Dean. He lowered his eyes and sighed heavily, knowing Dean was not going to let this go.

"I don't...uh, I don't want to find out that...shit..." Sam started.

"What is it Sam?" Dean prodded.

Bobby stood up and made a move to the door, wanting to give the brothers some privacy. A soft voice stopped him.

"Don't leave Bobby," Sam whispered. "You're part of this family…please stay."

Bobby's cheeks warmed and he swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. He turned and walked to the opposite side of Sam's bed, smiling warmly at the boy.

"Sam, whatever is going on, your brother and I are here to help you through it. Let us help you," Bobby said, patting Sam on the arm.

"Thanks Bobby."

"Um, so Sammy, what's up?" Dean asked, glancing quickly at Bobby and smiling.

"Dean? What if there's nothing there? I mean, what if when they take the bandages off, I can't move my hands at all?" Sam looked on the verge of tears again, but did not allow them to fall.

"Sammy, that's not gonna happen," Dean replied.

"You don't know that. There could be more nerve damage than they thought. What good am I if I can't use my hands? Come on Dean, tell me!"

"Sam, what do you want me to say? What good are you? My God Sam! Do you think it would matter to me? You mean everything to me, whether you can use your hands or not!"

"I won't be able to hunt anymore. I won't be able to research, and we both know that's what I'm best at. I won't be able to hold a weapon or watch your back. I'll just be your crippled little brother that has to be taken care of. I can't do that!" Sam cried, lowering his eyes.

Dean swallowed, slowly shaking his head. "Shit Sam, where'd this all come from? This isn't you! You're a glass half full type of guy. Not this self pitying person I'm looking at right now."

Sam looked up, his eyes so sad that Dean had to look away.

"Dean, I don't know if I can do it. I'm so tired," he said softly.

"I know you're tired Sam, but you're strong. Besides, me and Bobby will be here. You can do this, just believe in yourself a little, okay?"

"I'll try Dean. I'm scared though."

"I know, so am I. We'll get through this Sammy. We always do."

"Are you sure Dean? Because, I sure don't feel like I'm gonna get through it," Sam said sadly.

"I know it Sam. You've been through hell kiddo, but you survived. You saved Bobby and me…you saved that guy too. We'll get through whatever comes our way. Just believe in yourself a little Sammy, 'cause I sure believe in you," Dean replied with conviction.

Sam smiled softly and nodded appreciatively. "Okay Dean. You can get Dr. Ameche. We might as well get this over with," he said reluctantly.

"That's my boy!' Dean quipped as he headed for the door.

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Sooooooo? What do you think? Please let me know. There will be another chapter tonight so until then.......................................

Cindy.