Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural (unfortunately)
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"Mr. Winchester?"
"Uh, yeah." It was a little unnerving being called something other than Dean. He looked up from his waiting room seat to see a neatly dressed woman, probably in her forties, with a chart in her hands.
"I'm Karen, Sam's social worker."
Dean nodded.
"Now, all of his paperwork is in order here on our end, but there is still the matter of further care that we need to discuss."
"Further care?"
"Yes, now you mentioned that you live up in Hurleyville. Small little town right?"
"Yeah," Dean dragged a tired hand through his hair.
"Unfortunately, there aren't any facilities there that can attend to Sam's needs. I do however know of an excellent psychiatrist in Poughkeepsie. It would be a long commute but – "
"Psychiatrist? That's the one that gives the crazies their meds."
"I wouldn't say – "
"Yeah, look, all due respect but my brother isn't crazy." Dean was started to slip into his defensive big brother role. It had been years but the part still seemed to fit.
"I never said he was," Karen offered a gentle smile, "I'm simply saying that Sam has undergone a very traumatic experience."
Dean almost laughed at that. This doctor didn't know the half of it. Yeah, this was probably one of the worst jams Sammy was in, not that he had too many details, but this wasn't his first rodeo. He was sure the old man had him out hunting in the line of fire just about every week of his life.
"Now, I've made some calls and he should be good to go up there. I just need to make sure that you will be able to provide him with the transportation to and from those appointments. As a minor he will need his legal guardian there. He will be living with you correct?"
Dean nodded. The title legal guardian was a new one for him. He remembered being handed his baby brother years and years ago. He remembered his father's orders to always keep Sammy safe. He was used to being his brothers keeper. Now it would just be legal.
"Alright, well I'll get you his information and then you can set up the appointments that fit with your schedule." Karen smiled. "Do you have any questions for me, Mr. Winchester?"
"No – well. Has he told you about what happened?" Dean looked up at Karen and she could see that he was drowning in his thoughts. This was a lot for a young man to take in. "I mean, I've only heard the police report. But…"
"Sam hasn't opened up to me about what happened. In fact, since coming into the hospital he has hardly spoken at all. It's not uncommon though for a trauma survivor." Karen Smiled. "You're his brother, I'm sure you'll have a better chance at getting through to him than I will. It's usually like that with family."
Dean sighed. If only this lady knew how messed up his family was.
"Now," Karen took a seat next to Dean, "even though Sam hasn't told me any details about his…situation. I do have what the doctors have disclosed and I just wanted to walk though it with you. Sound good?"
Dean nodded, this time with more enthusiasm. He was eager to get more info on his brother's health condition.
"Now, this might be difficult to hear, so stop me if you need a break or want to talk through anything."
Dean didn't like feeling like he was being babied, but he also appreciated Karen's sincerity. He could tell that she cared about people.
"Alright, now when Sam first came in he was on deaths door. Based on what the police found at the scene, and Sam's state upon being admitted, it's believed that he was drained of just about all of his blood and then transfused with new blood. The police identified at least three different blood samples at the scene but they aren't sure exactly what that means or who it came from. Your brother should have died, or at least had severe brain damage due to the extended period of time his brain was low on blood. It's a miracle he survived at all."
"I got most of that already," Dean said. He was waiting for new information.
"Yes, well then you know that he was treated and the blood he was infused with is actually responding well to his system. He shouldn't have too many complications from that. That's the good news. Now, Dean," Karen stopped and looked at the young man next to her, "I know this must be hard to talk about, especially with your father passing, but is there a history of abuse in your family?"
"No." Dean's answer was quick. Not too quick, just quick, and to the point. Karen studied the man's face to see if he was hiding anything.
"There's no shame in admi–"
"My father may have been a lot of things. But he was never…he wouldn't…" Dean knew that his father had been tough on him and Sam, but he always had their best interest in mind. But then that was five years ago. After all, at this point all he knew was that his brother received some sort of back ally black market blood transfusion in a dirty warehouse. And his dad was there, making it happen. But he had to believe there was some sort of supernatural reason for it. It could have been some sort of necessary spell thing. Witches curse? He didn't know.
"Yes, I understand that, but isn't it true that you left your fathers care, let's see," Karen opened one of her charts, "five years ago? The police records have him on file saying to let you 'rot in jail' on account of stealing bread and peanut butter. Dean, why did you need to steal bread and peanut butter?"
"That was years ago." Dean said shrugging off her insinuations.
"For you, yes. But your brother has been in John Winchesters care for his entire adolescence. Dean, I'm not trying to upset you, I'm just trying to understand what is going on here." Karen flipped through some more of her papers, "I just want to make sure that you understand the environment your brother has been living in, so that you can better understand and help him."
"Look lady, Karen, I know my family isn't exactly the Brady Bunch, but we're fine." Dean could feel heat rising to his face. He knew she was trying to help, but she had no clue what it was like living with John Winchester. Dean knew Sam had probably had a rough couple of years, but that's the life. He'd offered to take Sammy out of it years ago, and the kid had turned him down. So that was his mistake.
"Alright Dean, I'll give it to you straight. Your brother is malnourished. He has all of his new wounds, two broken ribs, deep cuts along all of his major arteries, and a fractured jaw."
Dean stiffened.
"Your brother also has bruising that has got to be at least two weeks old. He has multiple scars including those caused by knife wounds, burns, and gunshot wounds. Now call me crazy, but those aren't exactly common for your typical seventeen-year-old boy. So either your brother is in a gang or you father involved him devil worship and was abusive."
"Devil worship?" Dean asked, where had she gotten that idea.
"There were strange symbols and sigils all over the warehouse where your brother was held. Some drawn with spray paint…others…with blood."
Dean almost smiled, but he knew that would be inappropriate at a time like this. This was good news though; there was something supernatural going on. His father hadn't just gone postal.
"Dean?" Robin asked approaching the two. "Sorry, am I interrupting anything?"
"No, we're done here." Dean said standing to give his wife a hug.
"I thought you might want to get some food," Robin suggested. Dean was usually adamant about getting his solid three meals a day, and then some. But she hadn't seen him eat since the night before. And it had been a long day at the hospital. Signing papers, seeing his brother for the first time in years, having to deal with doctors and social workers – Robin knew that Dean must be exhausted and famished.
OK: So I know we haven't gotten to see a lot of Sam yet but don't worry, it's coming! Also, there will be flashbacks soon too. Stay tuned!
Please Review:) I love knowing what you think and hearing from you! It makes me so happy!