JESS

Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Supernatural. They belong to Kripke. This is done strictly for fun, not profit. Also, if anything seems familiar, I don't own it.

A/N: Hello? Anybody still out there? Hello? Yeah, I know you all are probably saying about time on the update. Sorry about that. Life, you know?

Spoilers: Season 1 up until "Shadow." I kind of flubbed the time line a little because technically in the U.S. the season finale had aired by the time Sam had his birthday, but in this story we're still before "Dead Man's Blood". But other than that, I hope I got things right.

A/N2: A few reminders. Lillian is the psychic/witch John went to for help that eventually ended up turning evil after getting a taste for stealing psychic's powers for her own and John killed her to stop her from hurting anyone else. Also, last chapter Dean and John discussed what Sam had written while still unconscious: funky town, christo, spoon bender, Hiltz. Okay…hopefully that will jog your memories a little bit.

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"Family of Sam Jackson?"

Dean and John both shot to their feet and then shuffled forward with a nervous feeling in their stomachs.

"Please, follow me," the nurse said and turned towards the double doors. As they walked down the hall, she updated them on Sam's condition. He was breathing on his own, his vitals were stable, he still had a slight fever, but it was still a miracle that he had pulled through.

But to Dean it was just static compared the tympani beat of his own heart that seemed to drown out everything else. The only thing that mattered at the moment was seeing Sammy and until then he would just go along on autopilot letting his mind wander over what all had happened so far. He couldn't help but feel a little anxious to see if Sam was really going to be okay and if he would remember what happened or if he was even aware of his fight against Lillian.

His mind kept coming back to what Sam had written and he wondered what Sam had meant by those few cryptic words. The most obvious was that Sam was in trouble and he was trying to escape. But what if it wasn't Sam? Of course, what he had written wouldn't have made a bit of sense to anyone else besides Dean, but who was to say something supernatural couldn't have snatched it from his brother's head while he was fighting for his life.

He knew it was crazy to think the worst of this. Hell, he should have been jumping for joy that Sammy was going to make it. But then why did he have this gut feeling that something was still wrong? With the Winchester luck this just seemed too…weird.

Suddenly, he felt his Dad's hand on his shoulder and he stopped suddenly in confusion before realizing they were standing in front of Sam's room.

"You okay?" his Dad asked and Dean just looked at him for a moment.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Dean finally managed and tried to give the nurse and his Dad a small smile before his eyes traveled to Sam's door.

The nurse gave a small smile of understanding in return and then turned back to address John again. "He's still sleeping, but we're pretty confident now that his fever has broken that he should wake up before too long. Do realize, however, he needs to rest so that his body can heal. The more he sleeps the better off he'll be. Just be patient and talk to him if you want. If you need anything just let me know."

John smiled at her and gave a slight nod of thanks before she turned to leave. Dean and John both stood outside the door not quite sure what to do both apprehensive to step into the room. They knew that there was no reason to be nervous but bother Winchesters couldn't help but worry about what they might find once they opened that door. John was the one to finally take a deep breath and push open the door.

As the door slid open and Sam's sleeping form came into view John suddenly released a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. Sam lay there peacefully, just a few machines surrounding the bed and thankfully the ventilator had been removed leaving just an oxygen mask to help Sam breathe a little easier. Seeing his son now, John would never have imagined that only a few hours ago he was in serious danger of losing his youngest.

John walked to his son's side and could feel the tightness in his shoulders lessen a little the longer he looked at him. He finally reached a hand out and laid it on Sam's forehead and smiled slightly as he felt the clammy coolness of Sam's skin. He was still a little warm, but it was definitely an improvement from before.

"Hey, Sam," he said softly as a small smile touched his lips. He then looked up expecting to see Dean standing on the other side and then frowned as he turned back towards the door.

There stood Dean looking hesitant and such like the young boy he had thought was long gone. He could be so fierce and confident when he was on the hunt, but now John could see Dean's vulnerability and doubt about how Sam was doing. He felt a twinge of sadness at the fact that Dean had to ever wonder about his family's safety and wished to everything that was holy that he could give that innocence back to his sons.

"Dean," he finally said and Dean's eyes drifted towards his for a moment before going back to Sam's still form. John turned back to Sam for a moment more and carded his fingers through Sam's damp bangs brushing off of his sweaty forehead. Leaning forward slightly he whispered in Sam's ear, "I'll be back." He then straightened and turned back to Dean.

Dean's wide, expressive eyes fixed on John's in a silent question and John just smiled slightly. "I'm gonna go get us some coffee." Dean nodded slightly after a moment and John gently squeezed his shoulder before heading for the door leaving the two brothers alone once again.

Dean just stood there for a moment, the only sounds in the room that of the heart monitor beeping and the slight hiss of the oxygen mask that covered Sam's face. Finally, Dean moved towards the bed and wordlessly pulled the chair closer to the bed. He laced his fingers together hesitantly before pulling them apart and rubbing them up and down his pants legs before shifting uncomfortably in his chair. Finally, finding a little shred of courage left in his body, he cleared his throat and then tried to speak.

"Um, hi," he finally managed to get out and then rolled his eyes at the stupidity of that. Of all the things I've wanted to say to him that's what I come up with?! "You know if you stay asleep much longer, you won't be able to sleep for a week once you wake up." Dean tried for a smile but it didn't quite stick and he found himself trying to swallow down the sudden lump in his throat.

"Of course, I guess that wouldn't be so bad. You know?" He smiled sadly and then looked down at his hands trying to collect himself a little. "When we were little...you were always getting sick. It seemed like every time I turned around…you were coming down with something. Of course the way we live, who could blame you for having a shitty immune system." Dean gave a humorless chuckle and then frowned slightly as he thought of something. "Maybe that's why you eat all that rabbit food. Trying to make up for something you lack huh?" Dean looked up at his little brother's peaceful face and something in his chest seemed to tighten at the sight.

"Look, I know that you don't have many reasons to wake up right now and get better but…" Dean's voice caught slightly and he had to swallow again to keep from being choked up. "You just gotta wake up, Sammy… please." Dean reached out with his good hand and took Sam's in his own. "Please…just wake up. I don't know…if you've won against what that bitch Lillian did to you or if you're still fighting inside that freaky head of yours, but you just…"

A tear fell silently from Dean's face and landed on the blanket by Sam's hand before Dean could stop it and his lip quivered slightly as he fought against his emotions. Suddenly a wave of anger ran through him at the unfairness of the situation and his features hardened again. "You just keep fighting, Sam. I know you're stronger than her and you can beat this. I know it. You're the strongest person I know. I mean, you followed your dream. Went to college and you didn't give a damn that Dad didn't want you to go. I know you always ask me why I follow his every rule, but the truth is that I don't think I could make it on my own… But you could. You were always so stubborn and determined to have things your way. So don't you give up now, you hear me? Don't give up."

Dean squeezed Sam's lifeless hand a little tighter and then hung his head as a tidal wave of emotion washed over him. "I can't lose you again. Not now after I just got you back," he choked out. "Sam." He leaned his head against Sam's arm and finally let himself go.

As his walls cracked and a strangled sob escaped unbidden followed by a flood of tears as he begged with his unconscious brother to just stay, Dean didn't care at the moment who saw him. All he wanted was his brother.

After a while the tears subsided to nothing more than a few quiet sniffles, and Dean sat there feeling completely drained. His head drooped heavily on the edge of the bed as he fought against sleep and he watched dazedly as he rubbed his thumb along Sam's hand like he used to when Sam was a kid and would wake up with nightmares. The motion being just as soothing for his brother as it was for Dean.

Soon, his eyes began to slowly close as he felt himself being lulled by the repetitive motion. Finally, he blinked heavy lids one last time before they slipped closed and stayed that way. His breathing evened out as he drifted off and soon he was fast asleep.

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John slipped silently back into the room holding two cups of coffee and gently set them down on the table by the bed. He had come back earlier and had heard Dean's sobs through the door and decided to give him a little more privacy.

When he finally turned to look at his two sons he couldn't help but smile. Dean was bent over in his chair with his head resting against Sam's arm on the bed with one hand intertwined with his brother's while the other reached up slightly towards Sam's head gently brushing the edges of his shaggy hair.

John quickly found a spare blanket and draped it over Dean's back. Dean began to stir slightly and John froze.

Dean mumbled something in his sleep and shifted slightly again.

"Go back to sleep, Dean. I'll keep watch for now," he whispered.

Dean mumbled something again and tightened his grip on Sam's hand slightly before settling back into sleep.

John smiled slightly and then silently moved the other chair over to where he could watch both of his boys. He settled down into the chair slumping slightly to make it a little more comfortable and then crossed his arms across his chest. He gave a heavy sigh and then blinked his tired eyes. It had been a long day.

As he watched the boys, his eyelids began to droop and soon he was asleep as well.

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"Sam? Sam! Earth to Sam, come in Sam."

Sam jumped slightly at the hand waving in front of his face and then gave a sheepish grin as he saw who it was. "Sorry, guess I was just spacing."

Jess just smiled slightly and sat down next to him on the bench. "Yeah, right. Whatcha thinkin' about?"

Sam gave a small smile and let his eyes drift away for a second. "Nothing."

Jess gave a snort. "Oh, no, you don't. I know when you've got something on your mind, and the 1000 yard stare doesn't help your case at all. You do know that right?"

Sam blushed slightly knowing that he was busted.

"So…talk." Jess turned slightly towards Sam and gave him her full attention.

Sam just shook his head and looked down at the book he was holding. "It's nothing really," he said and he couldn't help the slightly sad tinge to his voice.

Jess's smile faded at his tone and she laced her fingers with Sam's. "You're thinking about your family again aren't you?" she asked quietly and Sam just nodded. "Have you heard from them?"

Sam's gave a slightly sardonic smirk. "Not really." Unless you count my Dad spying on us this morning, then…no.

"Oh, Sam, I'm sorry."

Sam gave her a slight smile and squeezed her hand a little tighter. "That's okay. I've got you."

Jess gave him a sad smile and her eyes welled slightly with emotion. She then leaned forward slowly and kissed him gently on the lips before tilting her forehead against his for a moment.

Sam closed his eyes and just relished in her closeness and the comfort that he got from that.

"Come on," Jess said quietly breaking the peace of the moment as she leaned back. "We better get going. We don't want you to be late for your own birthday party," Jess said with an excited smile as she got up and Sam couldn't help but laugh a little at her excitement.

"Okay. Just let me pack my stuff up." He quickly packed his books and stood.

"Ready?" Jess asked holding her hand out for him to take.

Sam hesitated for a second suddenly feeling like he was forgetting to do something but for the life of him couldn't remember what it was. "Yeah, I'm ready," he said with a smile as he laced his fingers with Jess's and they strolled down the sidewalk towards their apartment.

As they walked through the open grounds they talked and laughed about what had gone on with their days and enjoyed just being together. Neither of them seeing the figure that watched them from the shadows as they disappeared down the sidewalk.

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Dean shifted slightly in his sleep and then started to settle again when he felt something move near his hand. He drifted a little closer towards consciousness as his fuzzy mind tried to process what the movement was when it happened again.

Finally, the movement caught and he sprang to wide awake so quickly the blanket flew from his shoulders as he sat up straight in his seat. He quickly blinked his eyes trying to get the fuzzy world to come into focus and tried to get his sluggish brain to kick into gear. Finally, shapes started to make sense again and he stared down at his brother who was starting to move slightly. Eyebrows scrunching up in confusion, Sam was moving his head back and forth slightly.

"Dean?" his Dad's gravelly voice came from behind him and Dean slightly turned towards him without taking his eyes off of his brother. "Dean, what is it?" John asked again not entirely sure if his eldest had heard him the first time.

"I'm not…" Dean trailed off unsure watching Sam's still form not sure if he'd really seen Sam move or if he had just dreamed it until it happened again.

Sam's head move minutely to the side and his fingers twitched ever so slightly inside Dean's grip.

Dean felt his heart soar and he liked his lips in anticipation. "Sammy?"

His brother moved again and Dean stood up to lean over the bed slightly.

"Come on, Sammy. Nap time's over, Sleeping Beauty, time to open those big eyes of yours."

Sam groaned slightly and Dean could see his eyelids flutter slightly.

"Come on, Sam. Open your eyes," Dean said hoping that Sam would respond to his voice.

"Come on, son. Open your eyes," John finally said taking Sam's other hand in his own and brushing his fingers over Sam's forehead.

Sam seemed to struggle to open his eyes, his forehead creasing with the effort and his head jerking back and forth slightly.

"Sam, wake up. Right now," John finally barked out hoping that his son would still obey his order and after a few more moments struggle, they were rewarded with two tiny slits of hazel.

"Hey there, Sasquatch, about time you woke up."

The eyes drifted closed again but then struggled to reopen just as quickly. Sam blinked several times to try and make the black blob before him come into focus and finally after a few more blinks, Dean's face came into focus and he noticed the sappy grin plastered on his face.

"De-" He tried to talk and found his throat was dry and scratchy.

"Hey, here. You thirsty?" Dean quickly grabbed the glass of water next to the bed and helped Sam take a few sips.

After managing just a few sips, Sam let his head fall back on the pillow and closed his eyes against the wave of exhaustion that little movement had caused.

"Better?" Dean asked and Sam managed a small nod.

"Where?" It came out no more than a whisper but Dean knew what he was saying.

"You're in a hospital."

Sam just raised an eyebrow and Dean could almost hear his saying, Duh. "You got pretty sick and didn't know what else to do. You scared the crap out of me," Dean finally got out and got a surprised blink in response. "And for your information, you better not do it again. You hear me, Samantha?"

Sam just smiled slightly.

"Hey, look who's here?" Dean said with a nod towards his father.

Sam frowned slightly and moved slowly to look the other way. What he saw brought a tired smile to his face. "Dad," he whispered again.

"Hey there, Sam," John said. "Nice to have you back."

Sam just closed his eyes again and made a sort of humming noise in his throat. "mmmm…tired," he managed to mumble as consciousness started to slip from him again.

John just smiled slightly and traded a knowing smile with Dean. "Yeah, we kinda figured that. Go back to sleep, Sam. We can talk later."

"-kay," Sam said more on a breath than anything and then slipped back into sleep, his breath evening out and deepening once again.

Dean watched his brother fall back asleep and couldn't understand the uneasy feeling in his stomach. Sam was okay. He should be relieved, but something…

He couldn't seem to put his finger on it.

John let out a heavy sigh as he watched Sam sleep. His son was going to be okay. But of course there were still unanswered questions. Like what had happened with Lillian and sooner or later Sam would have to answer some of those questions. But not now.

John then looked up at Dean and frowned slightly in concern. He looked like shit with pale skin and dark circles under his eyes and if John didn't know better he would have sworn that Dean looked smaller than he did before. Come to think of it he wasn't real sure that Dean had really slept or ate since he had arrived and he knew that that wasn't a good thing.

Now that Sam was out of the woods for the moment he would have to switch his worry to his eldest.

With that thought he got up and grabbed his coat. "Come on."

Dean looked up at him in surprise and then frowned. "What?" he asked clearly confused.

"Come on. Let's go see if we can get something to eat down in the cafeteria and then you…are going to a motel and getting at least six hours of sleep."

Dean's frown deepened as he tried to process what his Dad had said before his eyebrows shot towards the roof. "What? No…no, I'm not leaving him." Dean shot to his feet and moved closer to Sam's bed as he shook his head.

"Dean, come on," John tried again stepping towards Dean with a hand reaching out.

"No! Dad, I can't. Not now. Just…please?"

John stood there looking at Dead his hand still reaching out and tried not to compare him to a kid throwing a fit because he has to leave the playground. He knew that Dean wouldn't leave Sam for anything. Not after what happened last time, but he also knew that this was for the best. "Dean, this isn't a request," John said firmly and dropped his hand as he squared his shoulders. "Now, you need to rest to let that wrist heal; and I know that you haven't eaten hardly anything since they brought Sam in."

Dean scowled slightly and dropped his eyes to his brother's sleeping form.

"Don't worry. I won't let Sam out of my sight until you get back here. I promise."

Dean bit his lip slightly and then nodded reluctantly. "Okay, but if anything happens. If there's even the smallest bit of change, you'll call me right?" He pinned his father with a stern look and waited until he nodded.

"Don't worry, you'll be my first call," John promised and then motioned for Dean to head towards the door.

Dean hesitated for a moment and then turned towards Sam and ran his hand through his brother's hair. "Hey, kiddo, I've gotta go for a little while but Dad will be here until I get back. So don't do anything I wouldn't do okay?"

John swallowed the lump in his throat as he watched how gentle Dean was with Sam as he smoothed back his little brother's hair and then adjusted Sam's blanket a little before finally picking up his jacket and moving towards the door.

At least he had done that little bit right with his boys.

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As the door closed behind the two eldest Winchesters, an almost eerie silence fell across the room.

The only occupant of the room continued to sleep for a little while longer until finally he started to open his eyes. He blinked sleepily several times looking around the room to see if his father or brother were around and finally realized that they were gone.

He then slowly lifted his arm and looked at it as if seeing it for the first time. He then looked out at the room and his eyes finally landed on one of the empty chairs in the room. He held out his shaking hand and concentrated on the chair squinting slightly as he tried to focus.

The chair shook slightly before finally moving a few inches across the floor.

Sam let his arm fall back to the bed panting slightly from that little test and smiled tiredly. "Excellent," he whispered softly. "I knew you were a wise choice, Sam."

He blinked sleepily several times feeling completely drained. Lillian/Sam smiled inwardly as she felt the fatigue in the body she now had control of and knew that all of her hard work had finally paid off. "I think," she said with exhaustion evident in Sam's voice. "I'm going to enjoy…using this body…for a while."

She finally fell asleep with a slight smile on her face and felt contented with what she had accomplished so far. At last, she had succeeded in her plans.

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A/N: Well, there it is. I hope it was worth the wait. Let me know by pushing that little blue button and sending me your thoughts. All thoughts are accepted. Good or bad. Now I'm off to come up with the ending to one of my other stories, "You Want Answers?" Until next time…hopefully sooner than later.