The plot hole is fixed! Yay! Thanks so much to everyone for the wonderful reviews, alerts, favorites, etc. You're all so awesome! Anyway, here's the next chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 6 – Questions

John looked over his shoulder as the door to Sam's private room opened and Dean walked in, the young man's face slightly red, anger burning in his eyes. Following closely behind Dean, Detective Sano entered the room and immediately glanced at the protective man sitting next to the hospital bed that held the subject of the questioning that had just taken place. John stood and moved between Sam and the detective while Dean went around the bed and took his normal seat, the young man reaching for his brother's hand as Sam gazed nervously up at the serious looking man who was now squaring off against his father.

"Mr. Winchester, I'm going to need to speak with Sam…alone," Detective Sano said as he squared his shoulders and stared the shorter man down.

"He's tired…he's had a long day with physical therapy. This can wait," John replied, his chin jutting out as he glared at the man before him.

Undeterred, the detective spoke again. "This can't wait any longer. You've been putting me off for days now and I'm not going to wait any longer. If you want this matter put to rest, you need to let me talk to your son."

"You have Dean's and my statements…Sammy doesn't know anything so why don't you just leave us alone and find the bastard who did this to my son!" John snapped as he took a step toward the detective.

"Mr. Winchester…"

"Dad…I'll talk to him," Sam's raspy voice called. John looked over his shoulder before turning and walking to his son's bedside. Dean glanced worriedly up at his father before returning his gaze to his little brother's face. He gave Sam's hand a gentle squeeze and smiled softly when Sam glanced over at him. Sam smiled back then turned to look up at his father.

"Sammy…you don't have to talk to him. He's gotten all he needs from Dean and I. You need to sleep, kiddo," John said, his normally gruff voice soft as he tenderly touched Sam's arm.

"Sam is an eyewitness…the only eyewitness and the victim I might remind you…I need his statement," Detective Sano said from where he had stepped up to the end of the bed.

Dean glared angrily up at the detective and pushed to his feet. "Do you think we don't know that he is the victim here! We've been sitting by his bedside ever since that f***ing night! He doesn't know anything! Can't you see how tired he is? How much pain he is in? Just leave him alone!" he snapped, his hand moving to protectively rest on Sam's chest.

Detective Sano glanced over at Dean and frowned. "Look, I understand your concern, but without Sam's statement, we may never know what happened that night. He is the only one who knows for sure what went on inside that motel room…unless you maybe left something out of your statement?" he said evenly.

Dean pulled his hand from Sam's chest and moved toward the detective. A weak grip on his wrist stopped him and he looked down only to be met with the pleading eyes of his baby brother. "Dean…he needs to know what happened and I'm the only one who can tell him. I'll be fine…really," Sam said softly.

Dean closed his eyes and dropped his head for a moment before glancing back up at this brother. "Are you sure, Sammy? You don't have to talk to him right now," he asked.

"I'm going to have to eventually. Might as well get it over with," Sam answered.

"I don't know…you've had a pretty rough day and…"

"And I'm going to have another one tomorrow…and the next day…and the next. I just want to get this done," Sam interrupted.

Dean opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by his father's deep voice. "You have ten minutes, Detective Sano and then we're coming back in. I won't have you upsetting my son when he's still recovering so you be careful how you treat him," he demanded.

"Dad, we have to stay…"

"I need to speak with Sam alone so that he can't be influenced by your presence in the room," Detective Sano said.

"No way…we're…"

"Dean, I said he had ten minutes. We'll be right outside the door so if Sam needs us for anything, all he has to do is shout," John said, dark eyes moving to meet surprised green ones.

"But…"

"Ten minutes and then we're coming in," John repeated as he turned his attention back to the detective.

Detective Sano nodded then stepped back from the end of the bed. John looked down at Sam and smiled. "If you need us for anything, you just holler…and if you don't like what's being asked of you, you don't answer. Dean and I will be right outside, okay kiddo?" he said softly.

Sam looked up at his father and nodded. "Okay, Dad. I'll be fine," he answered, seeing the concern in his father's eyes and feeling warmth spread through him.

"Okay," John said before glancing up at the detective and giving him a warning glare. "Dean, come on."

Dean hesitated at Sam's side, his eyes moving from his father then to the detective before settling on Sam. "I'm right out there, Sammy," he said softly.

Sam smiled and nodded. "I know," he replied before turning his attention to the detective.

John and Dean reluctantly left the room, Dean sending one last glance over his shoulder before softly shutting the door behind him. Sam continued to watch as the detective moved around the bed and stood in front of the chair John normally occupied.

"So, what do you want to know?" Sam asked as he warily eyed the detective.

Detective Sano smiled as he opened his notebook and pulled the pen from the binding. "Do you need anything? Water? Do you need the bed adjusted?" he asked.

"I'm fine…let's just get this over with okay," Sam replied.

"Do you mind if I sit?" Detective Sano asked.

"Whatever you want," Sam answered, his tired voice laced with nervousness.

The detective pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down. He glanced over his notes before finally looking up at Sam. "Sam, what happened the night you were attacked?" he asked. "Were you alone…before the attack?"

Sam rolled his head on his pillow and gazed at the detective. "I was alone," he said.

"So, your father and brother weren't there?"

Sam furrowed his forehead and shook his head. "Do you think they would've let this happen if they'd been there?"

The detective shrugged his shoulders as he watched the teen intently. "I don't know your father and brother very well. You'll have to tell me if they'd let that happen…or if they'd…"

"Wait…just stop. Do you honestly think that my family hurt me? Is that what you're trying to imply?" Sam asked incredulously.

"I don't know, Sam. I'm trying to understand why first of all, you were left alone…if you were left alone, and second, if you weren't assaulted by either your father or brother, why was there no forced entry into the room? Why didn't you have any defensive injuries? Why does it appear as if you didn't fight back?" the detective answered.

Sam swallowed nervously and turned his head until he was staring up at the ceiling. "I was alone. My dad and Dean had left me there…I'm old enough to take care of myself..."

"Why did they leave you? Where did they go?"

Sam glanced over and shrugged lightly. "I'm not sure why they left…probably went scouting…I don't know where," he answered.

Detective Sano wrote something in his notebook then looked back up at the teen. "So, they left you and then what? How did whomever did this to you get into your room without forcing their way in?"

Sam lowered his eyes and sighed. "I…I did the one thing my dad always told me not to do…I opened the door," he said.

The detective cocked his head and frowned. "Why did you open the door?" he asked.

Sam looked up, lifted his good arm then rested his hand on his stomach. "I heard something outside. I went to the door and asked if there was anybody there, but nobody answered. I went back to bed, but then I heard it again."

"What was the noise?"

Sam shrugged as he nervously played with the blanket that covered him. "It sounded like an animal or something. I thought maybe it was hurt so I…I opened the door and looked outside, but I didn't see anything. When I turned around, I was hit from behind and knocked back into the room," he said softly.

"Did you see who attacked you?"

Sam shook his head and dropped his eyes once again. "It was dark in the room and I was on my stomach on the floor. He…he asked me where my money was…"

"So it was a male?"

"Yeah…I mean, it sounded like a guy. He was holding me down and he was strong. I…I tried to get him off, but I was dizzy from being hit in the head. I asked what he wanted."

"What did he say?"

"He wanted my money…anything of value. I told him I didn't have anything."

"So, what did he do next?"

"Um…he dragged me up from the floor and threw me onto one of the beds. I jumped up, but he punched me in the face and I fell back onto the bed. He started to look around the room…he went through my jean pockets…looked in all of the drawers…the duffel bags…"

"Did you get a look at him then?"

Sam glanced over and shook his head. "It was dark…and he was wearing some sort of mask."

"How could he see to look for valuables if it was dark in the room?"

"Uh…he had a flashlight…must have gotten it out of his pocket. There was some light coming in through the window, but with his mask, I couldn't see his face." Sam shuffled nervously on the bed, the teen hissing as the movement pulled at the stitches in his stomach.

"Are you okay?" Detective Sano asked.

"I'm fine…just…what else do you want to know?" Sam answered somewhat breathlessly.

"I want to know why a simple robbery turned into you nearly being beaten and strangled to death," the detective replied, the man watching Sam intently.

Sam looked over and met the detective's eyes. "He didn't find anything and he got…he got really mad. He started yelling that I wasted his time and that I would be sorry. He said that he owed someone money or something. I was scared…he just went crazy, then…he…"

"He what, Sam?"

"He attacked me. He picked me up and threw me against the door and before I could even move, he picked me up again and began hitting me. He threw me onto the floor and began choking me, but then he stopped and just stood up. He started kicking me and it hurt so bad…I guess I blacked out after a while. I don't remember anything after that until I woke up here."

Detective Sano leaned forward and eyed the teen critically. "Why didn't you fight back? Your father said that you were trained to protect yourself…why is it that you didn't do anything to stop the attack?"
he asked.

Sam swallowed and bit his lower lip. He looked over at the detective and narrowed his eyes. "I told you, he took me by surprise," he said in reply.

"But, you said after he threw you onto the bed, he went through the room looking for money. You should have had time to recover at least somewhat…"

"I had a concussion…if you'd talked to the doctor, you'd know that…and I also told you that he punched me in the face. He was twice my size or more and strong…almost too strong, like maybe he was on drugs or something. I don't know what else to say…if I could have fought back, I would have!"

The detective stood and looked down at Sam. "Sam, are you trying to protect someone? Your father perhaps…or your brother?" he asked coolly.

Sam felt his heart rate pick up as anger burned through him. He pushed up as far as he could from the bed, ignoring the agony the movement brought him and glared up at the man. "My dad and brother would die protecting me! They would never, ever hurt me! Screw you! I want you to leave now! I want you out of my room!" he screamed and instantly the door flew open and John and Dean rushed in.

"What the hell is going on in here!" John shouted as he looked over at his agitated and obviously hurting son before he turned his glare onto the detective. "I told you not to upset him! Look at him! If he's hurt himself because of you, I'll make it my mission to have you fired!" John turned away from the detective and hurried to Sam's bedside, his eyes meeting Dean's as the younger man tried to calm his brother.

"Mr. Winchester, I still have a few questions for Sam…"

"You can go to hell!" Dean snapped as he stood. He would have attacked the man if at that moment the alarm on Sam's heart monitor hadn't started beeping an urgent alarm. He turned back to his brother, the detective all but forgotten as he tried desperately to calm Sam down.

The door to the room burst open and Jenny rushed into the room. "What's going on? Why is he so upset?" Jenny asked angrily as she pushed past the detective and went to Sam's bedside. She checked his vitals as Dean continued to speak softly to his brother and finally, the blaring alarm had stopped and Sam was lying back on the bed, his heart rate returning to a safer level.

John brushed the hair from Sam's eyes then turned toward the detective. "You're done here," he hissed as he moved forward a step.

"Like I said, I still have a few questions…"

"You've had your ten minutes. You're done questioning my son."

"There are a few inconsistencies that I need to clear up."

"He was beaten nearly to death…do you really expect him to have a crystal clear memory of what happened? Did he tell you that either his brother or I beat him?"

"No…he said he was alone and that someone else attacked him when he opened the door."

"Then you have no more reason to be here. Go find the person who hurt my boy and leave us alone," John snarled.

"Mr. Winchester…"

"Am I hearing this right?" Jenny suddenly asked as she moved from the side of the bed and stood in front of the detective. "Are you actually accusing these men of hurting this boy?"

"I have to consider all possibilities," the detective answered.

Jenny put her hands on her hips and glared up at the detective. "I've been doing this job for a good many years, long before you even thought about what you were going to do with your life, and I've become a pretty darned good judge of character. I've never in all my years seen a father and brother as devoted as these two are to that sweet boy. If there's one thing I am one hundred percent sure about, it's this…John and Dean Winchester are in no way responsible for Sam's injuries. Now, you have all you need from them. Sam needs to rest and you need to do your job and find the person who hurt him."

"That's what I'm trying to do…"

"Not by harassing this family you aren't. They've been through enough already don't you think? Sam told you it wasn't his family…what more do you need?" Jenny asked.

"I need…"

"Do you have any evidence…any at all that shows these two men may be guilty of this horrible crime?"

"No…there's no physical evidence…"

"And you have the statement of the victim himself saying that it was a stranger who hurt him, not his family so you have no reason to continue accusing them."

"He may be covering for them for fear…"

"I'm not covering for them," Sam's exhausted voice interrupted. "They did not hurt me. They had nothing to do with what happened to me."

"Sam, are you sure? You don't have to be afaid."

"I will never be afraid of my family…they would never hurt me so please, just…leave us alone now," Sam whispered, the teen fighting to stay awake, his eyes blinking slowly up at the detective.

Detective Sano must have seen something in those eyes because after a few moments he nodded and closed his notebook. "I'm sorry for upsetting you, Sam. It wasn't my intention at all. I apologize for my assumptions, but you have to understand that I'm just doing my job. I think I have everything I need from you all and I'll keep you updated on any progress in the case," he said.

The detective looked at Dean, but received only a glare in return so he turned to John, expecting the same thing. When John reached out his hand, the detective was somewhat nervous to take it, but finally he did and received a firm shake in return.

"I appreciate what you're trying to do for my son and I hope you understand that I'm just trying to protect him. I messed up before, leaving him like that and I failed to protect him then…now, I'm not going to let anybody else hurt him in any way," John said as he led the detective to the door.

Detective Sano nodded and reached for the door handle. He turned and gave Sam one last look before pulling the door open and stepping out into the hall, the door shutting silently behind him. John returned to Sam's bedside and gazed down at his son. "You okay, kiddo?" he asked as tired, hazel eyes looked up at him.

"I'm fine…just tired," Sam answered.

"Get some sleep then. Dean and I will be right here when you wake up," John said, a fond smile curling his lips.

Sam smiled and let his eyes drift shut, his breathing evening out within moments. John looked over at Jenny as she stood at the end of the bed and smiled. "Thank you," he said. "I can't even begin to tell you how much you've done for my family. I don't know how I can ever repay you."

"There's no need for any of that. I've grown quite fond of this young one here and was only doing what needed to be done. You can repay me by taking care of this little family of yours," Jenny replied. She turned and left the Winchesters before either John or Dean could say another word.

Dean looked over at John and let out a shaky breath. "You think that jerk is going to stay away?" he asked.

"I don't think he'll be bothering us anymore," John said with guarded certainty.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x

One week later

"Thank you, Detective Sano…I appreciate it," John said into his phone as he stood near the door to Sam's room. He listened for a few moments before speaking again. "Yeah, we'll be heading out this afternoon…just as soon as Sam's walking papers are done. You have my number if you need anything else from me." John flipped his phone shut then turned and headed back to Sam's bed. He smiled down at his fully dressed son and ruffled the fidgeting teen's hair. "You ready to get out of this place, Sammy?" he asked lightly.

Sam nodded as he smiled up at his father. "You know I am…when are we leaving?" he answered.

"As soon as they bring the paperwork, kiddo," Dean said from across the bed. Dean looked up at his father and cocked his head. "So, that was the dick detective on the phone?" he asked, his eyes lit with still smoldering anger.

"Dean, he's doing his job," John answered, then held his hand up when Dean opened his mouth to speak. "And, he believes he's solved Sam's case," he added.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Sam asked, his forehead furrowed in confusion.

"Well, seems last night a man was attacked in his hotel room. He was robbed and beaten pretty bad. Detective Sano believes it's the same man who attacked you," John answered with a relieved grin.

"Are you kidding? That's great! I mean…as long as the guy who got robbed is okay," Dean exclaimed excitedly.

"The guy is going to be fine according to Sano. Anyway, I guess when the perpetrator was asked if he'd beaten a teenager a few weeks ago in a botched robbery, the guy couldn't say whether he had or not. Apparently he was so high he couldn't even remember his own name," John said.

Sam looked up and frowned. "Sammy, what's wrong?" John asked worriedly.

"I don't want this guy to go to jail for something he didn't do, Dad. I mean…he didn't hurt me," Sam answered softly.

Dean shook his head and grasped Sam's arm. "Sam, he did hurt that other guy so he deserves to go to jail," he said.

"Yeah…but not for hurting me. I mean, what if they charge him with attempted murder or something?" Sam cried.

John sighed as he reached down and touched Sam's hand. He smiled when Sam glanced up at him. "Sam, I understand, but there's nothing we can do now. They're charging this guy with your attack and that will keep them off of our backs. For all we know, he very well could have done this a lot of times before now and just hasn't been caught. Seems like maybe he's an addict who robs people to fund his habit," he explained.

Sam sighed as he laid back on the bed. "Yeah, I guess, I…I don't know…it just doesn't seem right he gets punished for something he didn't do," he said.

Dean looked up at John then turned his attention to his brother. "Sam, if it keeps him off the street where he can't hurt, or possibly kill anybody else, then I think it's a good thing. I know it won't do any good to tell you not to let it bother you, but at least try okay?"

Sam glanced over at Dean and nodded. "I'll try, Dean," he whispered.

"Hey, if it makes you feel any better, I kinda feel bad for the guy too. I mean, I'm the one who hurt you…I should be the one punished," Dean said softly as he dropped his eyes, the young man finding it hard to meet his baby brother's eyes.

"What! No, Dean…don't say that…it wasn't you and you shouldn't be punished for anything! You don't hurt innocent people, that guy does so maybe it is good that he gets put away longer…even if he is innocent of my attack, like Dad said, he's probably hurt people before. Just…just don't keep blaming yourself, Dean…please," Sam cried, his hazel eyes wide as he stared pleadingly at his brother.

Dean looked up at the alarm he heard in Sam's voice and gripped his arm. "Sam, calm down okay…I'm sorry. I know it was the witch…I know that. Don't get worked up," he said as he forced a smiled on his face.

"It was, Dean. It wasn't you and I don't blame you at all."

"I know, kiddo. Let's just forget I even said that okay? Does that sound good? I mean, we can't put a damper on the day you get freed from this pit can we?"

Sam smiled and nodded his head. "It's forgotten," he said softly.

"Good, now when the heck do we get out of here?" Dean replied, his green eyes raising to meet John's.

John looked toward the door and shrugged. "Should be any minute now. I hope it's soon…I want to get on the road so we can reach Bobby's at a decent hour. He's got everything ready for us, we just have to get there."

The Winchesters waited another fifteen minutes before the door to Sam's room opened and Jenny came in pushing a wheelchair. She allowed the two men to help their youngest into the chair then took the handles from Dean. She gave him a stern look when he began to protest being pushed aside.

"Now Dean, I know that you consider it your job to take care of your brother, but hospital policy states an orderly or nurse employed at the hospital has to push the patient out of the facility. Normally, we have an orderly do it, but I want to get as much time with my little man as I can before I never see you all again. You can give me that much, can't you?" Jenny asked, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief as she looked over at the sullen young man.

Dean stared at the nurse before finally giving her a slight grin and stepping aside. "Yeah…okay," he replied with chagrin.

Jenny winked at the young man then waited for him to open the door before she pushed and eager Sam out into the hallway. She talked the entire trip to the exit of the hospital and the wait time for John to retrieve the car so they could load Sam up for the trip to Bobby's. Once Sam was safely tucked into the back seat, she crouched down and took his good hand. "You be good, Sam. Do all of your exercises, but don't overdo it," she said.

Sam smiled and gave the nurse's hand a light squeeze. "I will, I promise. Thanks Jenny. You're the only thing I'm gonna miss about this hospital," he said in reply.

"Oh my…such a sweet child. I'm going to miss you too, but I'm so happy that you're getting out of here. You need to get some color back into your face and some meat on your bones and you're not going to do it lying around here," Jenny said before leaning into the car and giving Sam a tender kiss on the forehead. "Take care of that family of yours, you hear?"

"I will…bye, Jenny."

"Bye, Sam," Jenny said. She looked up and met first Dean's then John's eyes. "You all take care…drive safely," she said.

"We will, and thanks for everything, Jenny," John said before ducking into the car behind the steering wheel.

"Thanks for taking such great care of my brother, " Dean said as he reached out and gently grasped Jenny's arm.

"It was a pleasure," Jenny said, returning Dean's grateful smile.

Dean nodded and slid into the front passenger seat. He looked over the seat and grinned at his smiling brother. "You ready, Sammy?" he asked.

"I've never been more ready in my life," was Sam's answer.

Dean chuckled then looked back out the door at Jenny. "Bye, Jenny," he said.

"Bye, Dean," Jenny answered as she took a few steps back.

Dean shut the door and the car rolled away from the curb. Jenny watched until the car disappeared from sight before she smiled and shook her head. She turned and pushed the wheelchair back into the hospital, the middle aged woman already missing her young patient and his family. She prayed silently that she never would have the need to see them again, at least not for the reason they had come into her life to begin with. She shook her head from the thoughts that filled her mind and made her way back up to the PICU. She had patients waiting for her and she was not one to keep anybody waiting.

Well, I hope that was okay for everyone. There are two chapters left, so...this one is almost done. Thanks for reading.

Cindy