A while has passed since Dean and Cas opened up to each other and their school is on Fall Break. Dean's glad for the two-week break from school work and annoying people. Their entire group was exhausted after everything that's happened. Sam appears to be doing better on the outside, but Dean sees how far away his eyes are when he thinks no one is looking. He sees that Sam is spending more and more time away from their group. He sees him avoid his therapist like Dean had in the beginning. Dean knows that's bed, because talking to Missouri had really helped him; is really helping him.
Most of all, Dean sees Sam spending more and more time with Ruby, who had been Jess' best friend. At first he thinks Sam just wants to be close to Jess again, but after a while he thinks they're trying to comfort each other as the closest people to Jess.
Whenever Dean tries to confront Sam, he avoids the entire subject, no matter what it is. Some days are better than others. Some days Sam will just close up on Dean and not say anything and try to leave. Other days Sam will explode and yell and say things he knows will hurt Dean. But Dean doesn't give up on his baby brother; he keeps up pretenses and still tries to talk to Sam, but he gives him his space when he asks.
Like now, Sam is hanging out at a friend's house; a new friend, one that Dean's never heard of until today. He doesn't ask questions- God knows he wants to- and instead invites all of his friends over for a small sleep over the last Friday of the quarter. When Dean says small, he means his whole family. Everyone agrees, but most have to go gather their things and do their chores. Cas brought his things with him to school, unlike Anna and Gabriel who hadn't thought ahead.
So Cas went to the Singer residence with Dean. Initially it was only the two of them; Bobby was out fetching a disabled vehicle, Crowley was out of town on business, Adam had detention, Sam was gone with his new friend, and the others were getting their stuff. Dean and Cas are sitting there, joking about what they're going to do when the other's get there-namely getting revenge on Adam for spreading those pictures around.
They're cut short when one of Bobby's phones ring in the kitchen. Dean gets up and walks into the kitchen to get it. Dean gets in the kitchen and finds it's the black phone ringing-the house phone.
'It has to be a personal call, then.' He thinks as he answers it.
"Singer residence, Dean speaking."
"Dean? It's Jody Mills, the sheriff. Could you get Bobby for me?" Dean smiles, thinking Jody should give up on Bobby.
"He's out getting someone's car. Can I take a message?" He grabs the magnetic note pad stuck to the fridge and a pen.
"It's Sam. He's in the hospital." Dean feels like throwing up.
"What?" He can barely get it out. His mind races a thousand miles an hour trying to figure out what's happened to his baby brother.
"I… don't know if I should tell you. But I suppose Bobby can't get around telling you." Dean clings to the counter.
"Apparently Sam ditched school, and…Sam has OD'd, Dean. He's alive, and he's detoxing in the hospital…"
It takes a few minute for Dean to understand that. "Which room?"
"Dean, I think you sh-"
"Which room, Jody?" He doesn't yell, but he knows she can hear the urgency in his voice.
"He's in Sioux Falls County Hospital in room 312, Dean. You should wait for Bobby."
"I can't!" His voice doesn't rise, but she doesn't argue.
"Be safe Dean." Dean hangs up without a good bye.
Dean feels numb as he walks back to the living room. "So I was thinking we could-" Cas turns to look at him. "Dean? Dean what's wrong?"
"Sam, he…" and he can't bring himself to say it. His Sam wouldn't do this. Not his Sammy.
"I-I need to…go to the Hospital." He stumbles over to his jacket for Baby's keys, but he can't seem to get them.
Cas is there and he's gripping Dean's hands hard, "Dean, what happened?" Cas looks scared, and Dean can only imagine how shaken he must look.
"Sam." He tries to talk but his voice breaks and before he knows it he's sobbing and he can't stop.
Cas tries to make him sit down, but he's having none of that. He has to get to Sam. He barges past Cas towards the door and jerks it open. He tries to head towards Baby, but Cas stops him.
"Dean, you can't drive like this, you'll kill us both and wreck Baby!" Dean doesn't know when Cas started calling her that, but he finds he rather likes it.
"And leave Sam all alone in the Hospital? Fuck that Cas!" He's yelling now, and Cas shrinks back. Dean doesn't care as he stalks down the porch towards Baby again.
Cas follows him and he really doesn't know why. He circles Baby to the driver's side, but he still can't get his fucking keys. He's wrestling with his damn jacket when Gabe and Anna stroll up.
"Sorry we're late, but Sweetie blew a head gasket so Dad had to drive us here." Dean snaps.
"NO ONE GIVES A FUCK ABOUT YOUR CAR, GABE!" Dean is yelling as loud as he can and all three people around him freeze.
He still can't get his keys, and in a fit of rage, he punches the drivers' side window, shattering the glass. He breaks and falls to his knees, cradling his bleeding hand. Instantly Cas and Gabe are on either side of him.
"What the hell is going on Cas?"
"I don't know! All I got was 'Sam' and 'the Hospital'!" Cas pulls off his black jacket and uses it to stop Dean's hand from bleeding.
Dean pulls himself together enough to tell them that Sam's in the hospital. Dean finally, finally, gets his keys from his damn jacket. With shaking hands, he hands Cas the keys to Baby. Cas looks flabbergasted.
"What do you want me to do with these?" Cas asks his worried.
"Drive. You have a license!" Dean stands up, his hand held close, and walks-shakily-to the other side of the car. Cas flounders like a fish for a few seconds as Dean gets in the passenger side. Cas thinks about handing the keys to Gabe, because he has so little experience in stick shift.
"Dean, I can't drive stick that well!" Cas says through the broken window. "Gabe coul-"
"Get in and drive, Cas!" Dean isn't yelling, but Cas gets in anyway and starts Baby. Gabe and Anna pile in the back before Cas can drive off.
Dean gives Cas directions to Sioux Falls Hospital from memory- God knows he's been there enough. Cas does exceptionally well driving Baby, but he's going far too slow for Dean's liking. When they get to the hospital, Dean gets out of the car without locking up or anything. He hears Cas ask Anna to lock up the car-you don't need the keys for that, thankfully- as he and Gabe chase after Dean into the hospital. They rush up to the front desk and the nurse thinks they're there for Dean.
He snaps at her, "I'm here for my brother! Give me the damn badge so I can go in!"
"You can't go in while you're bleeding, it's unsanitary!"
Dean growls, but lets the nurses take care of his hand. It doesn't need stitches, but it does need to be disinfected and wrapped, which takes thirty minutes. Dean yanks his hand away from the nurse the second it's done and demands to see his brother. The nurses hand him his badge but bar Sam and Gabe from entering until Sam's legal guardian can give them permission and Dean doesn't count. Dean actually stops when he hears Cas can't come with him.
"Go, we'll wait here for Bobby." Dean remembers he has to call him.
Dean hesitates for a moment before hugging Cas tight. "Thank you, Cas." He doesn't just mean for driving him here, but he'll explain that later. As he pulls away, he kisses Cas on the cheek. He quickly turns around and darts off towards Sam's room. He gets inside and sighs when he sees Sam asleep. He settles on the floor and fires off a text to Adam that Sam's in the hospital and to spread the word.