Oh glory, I have been forgiven! I am so happy. So glad you all liked the last chapter. Now, we have the next to the last. I hope you enjoy it as well.
Cindy.
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It had been five days since Sam's death and subsequent resurrection and the young man had yet to speak. He awoke for short periods of time and would merely stare at Dean and John, who had become permanent fixtures in his quarters. Since that first morning when Sam had come back and they had left to eat and find Maggie they had not left the room except to use the restroom, shower and grab a plate of food before returning to Sam's side. As it was, they had only allowed themselves fifteen minutes that morning before they were rushing back to be at Sam's side. Neither one of them could stand having Sam out of their sight and had rushed through their breakfast to hurry back and relieve Bryan from his watch. Both Bryan and Jakota had remained in the room though, not wanting to leave either.
A cot had been moved into the room for John and Dean to take turns sleeping on. A constant vigil was kept by the two older Winchesters as Sam seemed in constant pain and nightmares plagued his sleep. Maggie had been forced to connect Sam to an IV to make sure he received the adequate fluids, nutrients and medications that his body needed and she had instructed both the Winchesters on how to change the bags when necessary.
Dean had pled with Isaral to help Sam but the healer had said he was unable to help lessen Sam's pain, that the pain went deeper than just physical and that the young hunter would have to ride it out in his own time. Isaral had said that Sam would find relief but that it would take some time. After that, Isaral had left, saying his presence was no longer needed.
John sat in the chair beside Sam's bed watching his baby sleep. Dean had gone to the mess hall to grab a plate, but John expected him to return soon. John leaned forward when he heard a soft moan come from his youngest son. He watched as Sam's eyes fluttered open and almost immediately settle on his father. John smiled warmly and reached a hand out to tenderly caress Sam's fevered cheek.
"Hi Sam. How are you feeling son?" John inquired, not expecting an answer from the exhausted looking young man.
"D-Dad?" Sam's hoarse voice whispered softly as he weakly lifted his hand from the bed.
John reached out and grasped the hand gently, his eyes brightening at hearing his baby's voice after so long.
"I'm here Sammy. I know it's a shock, but I'm here," John said as he laid his other hand on Sam's forehead.
"H-How?" Sam rasped, swallowing thickly against his dry throat.
John reached to the side table and picked up a glass of water, then gently lifted Sam so the young man could drink down some of the cool liquid.
"Not too fast Sammy or you'll get sick," John instructed, pulling the glass away and carefully laying Sam back down.
"Dad..." Sam said, his eyes questioning.
"I was never dead Sam. Azazel had me imprisoned, but I was alive. When you killed him, I was set free," John explained to his confused son.
Sam's mouth moved to speak, but at that moment Dean walked in, smiling broadly when he saw Sam's opened eyes turn to him.
"Hey little brother, you're awake," Dean exclaimed, sitting on the edge of the bed and patting Sam's knee.
"D-Dean?" Sam whispered, his eyes filling with tears.
"Sammy! You talked! Hey...what's wrong? Are you okay? Do you hurt anywhere? What's wrong Sammy?" Dean cried as tears spilled from Sam's tired eyes.
Sam's eyes turned to John then back to Dean. He smiled softly and Dean knew what the tears meant.
"Yeah kiddo, we're all here. We're together again little brother, just as it should be."
"Why...I'm...Isaral s-said..." Sam choked out, his dry, sore and unused throat straining to make the words.
"Uh...yeah...Isaral said you would die, right?" Dean asked wearily.
Sam nodded, deciding talking wasn't such a good idea at the moment.
"Well...you...you did die Sam," Dean said softly, his own eyes brimming with tears.
Sam's eyes widened as he stared at Dean. He turned his attention to John as if asking for confirmation. John squeezed his hand and smiled warily.
"From what they told me, you were dead when they got to you after you destroyed the demon army. And until the following morning, you remained dead Sam," John said with a slight shudder.
Sam turned back to Dean. "Dean?"
"Isaral said you were being rewarded for your sacrifice. You were resurrected. You were given back to us Sammy," Dean said lovingly as he gazed into Sam's shocked eyes.
Dean watched a myriad of emotions play across Sam's face. He could also see the exhaustion that his baby brother was dealing with pull his eyelids to half mast and Sam desperately trying to stay awake.
"Don't fight the sleep Sammy. You need your rest," Dean instructed lightly. "Maggie will be in to check on you in a couple of hours, then maybe we can try and get some food in you. You're skin and bones kiddo."
Sam nodded sleepily and gave up trying to fight the pull of sleep and was almost instantly off in the land of nod, his fingers still wrapped around John's warm hand.
John and Dean glanced briefly at each other before both settled in next to Sam's bed. They watched the young man sleep, his brow furrowing as if in pain occasionally but nothing like before. For the most part he slept peacefully, and both father and older brother thanked the God that they now believed in for bringing him home to them.
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There you go. One chapter to go. I will post that chapter along with a description of the next story I will be posting. Take care.
Cindy.