The Way Home
Chapter 12
Disclaimer: see chapter 1

"How's Dean handling the news?" Mac pinched the bridge of nose, Jim had just explained John's condition, the Doctor could understand his friend's doctors worry about the pneumonia and head trauma, even without the illness weakening the man his over all injuries were potentially life-threatening, throw in the sickness and the man he viewed as a Brother was literally in the fight of his life.

"He's still quiet, but at least we've gotten him to eat without Robert having to threaten him again, he also slept a couple hours, he's anguish to see his father." Jim glanced at the boy in question who was pacing the floor near the ICU's nurse's station. "He wants to talk with Samuel."

Mac motioned toward the nurse, covering the phone's hand piece, "Could you get Sammy for me? His brother wants to speak with him." The Scholar watched as the nurse nodded, going to get the younger boy, who had been asleep when Mac had left the room to take the call. "Jim, I've got the nurse getting Sammy. In a few days, once John has stabilized I can make a few calls and get him transferred to Louisville, so he will be closer to the farm. I'm also considering having Caleb transferred there if he doesn't show signs of waking soon, they have the capacity to run more detailed test, the possibility of this being tied to his abilities is still worrying me, but just to be safe I want to rule out any possible medical problems." Mac watched as a sleepy Sammy followed the nurse from the room.

"I think transferring Jonathon would be a good idea, I know Dean is very concerned about Caleb, even though he is currently focused on his father, plus he and Sammy have never been apart for this long, that's affecting him as well." The Pastor motioned for Dean to come toward the phone. "I'm going to give the phone to Dean now; I'll call again later to check on Caleb." Jim handed the phone to the teen.

"Mac?" Dean spoke quietly, the doctor hearing the exhaustion in the young boys voice, "How's Caleb?"

"He's about the same, but he's stable, next to him waking up, that's the best we can hope for at the moment. How are you doing my boy?" Mac placed his hand on Sammy's shoulder when the eleven-year old stopped next to him.

"I'm fine." Dean answered, that becoming the normal answer from the boy over the last few years, since he started hunting with his father more, John didn't respond to shows of weakness. Mac knew that even if the teen was gushing blood, 'I'm fine' would more than likely be the response so as not to worry those around him. "Is Sammy awake? I was wanting to let him know how Dad is."

"He's right here." The Doctor handed the younger boy the phone.

"Dean?" Sammy's voice sounded so young and worried to his big brother's ears, pulling at the older boy's heart that he was currently so far away from him, not able to comfort him and tell him everything was going to be all right.

"Yeah, it's me, are you being good for Mac? Helping him out and everything?" Dean put his elbows on the counter, his forehead resting on his hand, God he was tired, worried and scared, he just wanted to be back at Jim's farm, sitting down for supper with Caleb and his Dad, not standing in a hospital in South Dakota.

"I've been getting him coffee and telling him about the science experiments from school…" Sam answered his brother, then lowered his voice, "But I don't think he was really listening too much, he's really worried about Caleb, he spends all his time sitting beside him, watching him, he even reaches up and takes Caleb's hand sometimes."

Dean closed his eyes a moment, "I'm sure he wants to listen Sammy, he's just really worried, just keep trying little brother, I know he's glad you're trying to help."

The eleven-year olds voice seemed so much younger when he asked the next question, "How's Dad doing? Will you all be coming home soon?"

'Coming home', the only real home they had known was Pastor Jim's, that was always the place they came back too, Dean just hoped his father and friend would be 'coming home' soon. "It's probably going to be a few days Kiddo, Dad's in kind of rough shape, he's really sick and busted up pretty good, but the doc's said he should be okay in a little while." Dean didn't have the heart to tell Sammy all the details of their father's condition; he didn't want the kid worrying himself sick.

"When you see him…" Dean could hear a little sob escape his baby brother, his attempt to not worry the kid didn't seem to be working. Sammy was the more emotional of the Winchesters, but struggled to not show it, usually failing miserably. "Tell him I'm sorry for acting like a brat lately, I haven't meant too. Can you tell him to hurry up and get better so he can come home?"

Dean felt a tear slip free at the pain he heard in his brother's voice, he knew Sammy was trying to apologize for being a prick for the last several weeks, constantly trying to start an argument with their Dad. "Yeah, I'll tell him Buddy…" Dean cleared his throat, straightening up, "Look, I need to be getting off here, they should be letting me see him soon, you listen to Mac and I'll see ya soon, okay?"

"Okay. I miss you Dean." Sammy said quietly, "Bye."

"Bye Sammy." Dean whispered back, then he handed the phone to the nurse behind the counter who gave him a sad smile.

"Dean, are you okay?" Jim had watched the array of emotions that crossed the teen's face as he talked with his little brother. The distance between them, the worry for Caleb, the fear of losing John was clearly visible.

"I just need to see Dad…" Tear-filled eye's met Jim's, as a lump formed in the older man's throat, "I need this to all be over and for us to be home, for Dad and Caleb to be home and safe." Another tear slipped free as the boy tried his best to contain them, quickly swiping his hand over his face, "I'm scared Jim, I can't help Dad, I can't help Caleb…I don't know what to do." Dean's voice cracking slightly at the end with an honesty that Jim so rarely heard.

The Pastor stepped closer, placing his hand on Dean's shoulder, "You were there for Caleb, you understood what he was saying and used that information to take some action, insisting on coming with me to help locate your father. You are here for your father, you are here to let him know there is something to keep fighting for, that is doing something. We will be home soon, all of us, you have to have faith that both Jonathon and Caleb will find their way back to us, that they will find their way home."

Silence settled between the two for a few minutes before a nurse came through the ICU doors, stepping toward them, "Mr. Winchester may have a couple of visitors now."

Dean turned to face the woman, Jim stepping up behind him, Bobby stood near the chairs a few feet down the hallway. "Can Jim and Bobby come with me?" The young boy asked, knowing the other men were worried about his father too.

The nurse glanced at the older men, "Just on this first visit I'll allow three of you back, but after that no more than two." Dean felt relief pass through him as Bobby approached the group, he wanted to see his father so bad, but was scared to death of how the man would look, the teen didn't think he could do it alone. "You'll have about ten minutes each hour to visit, for at least the next twenty-four hours, then the doctor will decide if he will move Mr. Winchester to another room. The doctor is waiting and will go over what you should expect the first time you see Mr. Winchester. If you'll follow me." The dark-haired woman turned, Dean, followed closely by Jim and Bobby fell in behind her.

As they approached another Nurse's station a man in a white coat turned and took a few steps toward them, extending his hand to Jim. "I'm Dr. Williams; I'll be Mr. Winchester's doctor while he's with us in the ICU."

Jim placed his hand on Dean's shoulder, "I'm Pastor James Murphy, a family friend, this is Jonathon's son Dean and Robert Singer another family friend. How is Jonathon doing?"

Dean watched the doctor before him; he was good at reading people, even without abilities like Caleb had. The teen was watching for any indication that he was being lied to about his father's condition. Dr. Williams glanced between Jim and Dean, "Mr. Winchester is in critical, but stable condition, his temperature has come down a little, but he is still on the ventilator and probably will be for at least twenty-four hours." Looking at Dean the doctor continued, "Your father is currently sedated to allow his body to rest and begin to heal. The pneumonia is still our biggest worry, but like I said, it's a good sign that his temperature is dropping, if only slightly."

"The other doctor said something about worrying about his brain swelling?" Dean spoke quietly, the doctor nodding.

"So far we don't see any indication of that happening, but everything is being monitored closely and we will take whatever measures we have to if something starts to present itself." Dr. Williams tried to give a reassuring smile then his face turned serious again as he again looked at Dean. "When you see your father, he may look a little scary; with all the machines we have him hooked to, but know that they are all necessary to help your father heal. He is hooked to a ventilator which is breathing for him right now, that will be the most noticeable, then there is the heart monitor. He has IV's running into the back of both hands, one for giving him blood the other for the medications that are needed to help him get better. There's also a clip on one of his fingers that is letting us know that there is enough oxygen circulating in his blood." The doctor watched as the boy before him took in the information about his father, seeming to understand what he was being told. Dr. Williams then glanced over toward Jim and Bobby, "If you have any questions, please feel free to ask one of the nurses to page me. As I'm sure the nurse mentioned, you'll have about ten minutes every hour to visit with Mr. Winchester, I ask that one of you always be with the boy when he comes back." Jim and Bobby nodded as the doctor turned, "If you'll follow me."

Only a couple steps down the small aisle in front of the desk; the doctor paused, motioning to the open glass door of the cubicle containing John. Taking a deep-breath, Dean looked at Jim, who gave a reassuring nod to the teen, then the fifteen-year old turned slightly, now standing in the doorway, looking at the still form in the bed, the still form that was his father.