Chicken Pox and Flu

John Winchester was considered a brave man. He was a Marine in Vietnam and he was a hunter and faced things that were only told about in fairy tales. Yet he was completely helpless when it came to illness. Illnesses were seen as an interference to his hunt for the thing that killed his wife Mary but when it came to his boys, he was willing to put that aside to make sure that they were all right.

It had started with Dean feeling the chills and slightly achy. It brought back bad memories for John when he had that bad case of pneumonia. He hovered around his son taking his temperature and keeping him home from school that day leaving Sam to go by himself. John almost had the lamp get thrown at him by his fourteen year old son for hovering and he smiled at that. Dean was like him when it came to people mothering him too much.

Sam came home complaining of an upset stomach and itchy spots. John inspected his son and saw the little red spots on Sam's back. He began to mull over what it was that made his youngest son sick. He then remembered Sam mentioning that one of his classmates had been sick with chicken pox. So now he had a son sick with flu and one with chicken pox; a double whammy and he knew that he was going to be in for the long haul.

John ordered rather than put Sam to bed and went to see if he had anything to ease the discomfort that was going to come from the itchy spots. He couldn't find anything and realized that he was going to have to leave his sons sick and alone while he went to the nearest drug store to get what he needed. He checked his wallet and found that he had cash enough to pay but he was apprehensive about leaving the boys alone.

"Dad, Dean needs some water," Sam said as he came walking into the kitchenette rubbing his arms trying not to scratch. His face was already covered with spots and he was looking miserable but his main concern was his brother. He grabbed a glass and began filling it up.

John followed his youngest back to the room where Dean was half asleep on his bed and watched as Sam handed his big brother the glass. Dean mumbled, "Thanks bitch."

"You're welcome jerk," Sam replied before crawling into his bed and tried to go to sleep.

John couldn't leave his boys but they did need the things that a drugstore would have. He was debating on what to do when Dean said, "I'll watch out for Sammy."

John smiled. He knew that Dean always did his best to look after Sam and would defend him to the death and even though it never looked like it, Sam would do the same. He replied, "Don't worry about it Dean. I'll wait until you feel better."

"We're out of the cough syrup that tastes like it came out of someone's ass and Sammy's gonna need something to help with the itch."

"I'm fine Dean," Sam retorted as he hugged something tight under the covers.

"Yeah right Samantha," Dean replied as he sat up and gave a violent cough. "Dad just go. It'll be alright." He grabbed the shotgun that he kept hidden and placed it within easy reach. He sat up determined to stay awake even though he looked like he was going to collapse.

John knew that Dean was going to be stubborn about it. He couldn't help but be proud at the tough little soldier his eldest was and felt pangs of regret that he had taken away the childhood that Dean should have had. If Dean had any qualms he sure as hell didn't voice them but took his lumps and pressed onward. He said, "Alright. I'll run down to the drug store and get what we need. Just look after your brother."

"Got it Dad," Dean replied feeling like shit but willing to tough it out. He had chicken pox before and he knew what a bitch it was to have them. He was surprised that Sammy caught it this late in life. Most kids caught it when they were learning to read and write. Then again Sam always had to make things hard.

John said nothing more and went to check his pockets and make sure that the room was secure by laying down the salt lines. Meanwhile Dean checked on his brother Sam who was huddled under the sheets and trying to sleep. Dean grinned and asked, "Are you going to be a Sleeping Beauty princess?"

"Bite me," Sam replied and a pillow went flying to hit Dean on the chest.

Dean gave a short laugh before he coughed again. Sam was up in an instant asking if he needed water or anything. Dean waved him off and said, "I'm fine Sammy. Get back to bed."

"Make me."

"Big brother. I win."

"Dude, no way. I'm not the one with shaky legs."

"That's enough," John said as he came in for one last check. "Sam, Dean is in charge while I'm gone. You understand."

"Yes sir," Sam mumbled.

"Dean you know the drill right?"

"Yes sir." Dean patted the shotgun that he had hidden from Sam's view.

John ruffled each of his son's hair before leaving the room and heading to where he parked the Impala. It had started raining again and John realized that he was going to be soaked. He was at the door when something grabbed him from behind and flung him across the parking lot knocking the wind out of him. John rolled across the ground trying to catch his breath when he was picked up again and flung around.

"You killed my family, hunter. For that you will pay. You will watch as I kill your sons."

John looked up to see a vampire staring at him with a malicious grin. He then turned to walk towards the room where the boys were. John's protective instincts were in high gear as he pushed himself to his feet and sprinted towards the vampire. He grabbed him from behind just as lightning flashed and fell forward into a puddle of water. "You will not touch my sons."

The vampire roared in anger and flung John off. John saw stars as he hit the side of the Impala with tremendous force. The vampire advanced towards him with his arm raised. John was too stunned from the impact to do anything but he didn't have to. When the next flash of lightning appeared, the vampire was grabbed from behind by someone in a long dark coat. John watched as the stranger wrestled with the vampire.

The flashes of lightning were like watching someone dance in a strobe light as the combatants moved with lightning fast reflexes. John watched the stranger execute a twist in midair and pulled out a gun and fired. The bullet hit the vampire and it screamed in pain. John was on his feet and reached for the machete that he kept in the Impala and was prepared to fight.

Dean was already feeling drowsy when John left but he forced himself awake. He decided that the best thing to do to stay awake was to drink some coffee. Checking to see that Sam was asleep, he dragged himself out of bed and slowly stood. His legs felt a little rubbery but he was determined to remain standing. He glanced over at Sam who was clutching what looked like a dirty rag. Peering closer, Dean recognized the old toy that he had given Sam. He would have thought that his brother would have gotten rid of it but he didn't.

Dean slowly pulled it out and found that the battered dog had undergone some repairs that were expertly done. He frowned slightly since Sam was as clumsy as he was with a needle. Still the fact that old thing was still around warmed Dean's heart as he put the dog back and went to make some coffee. He decided to make a big pot since Dad would probably need it later if Sammy woke up and started scratching.

Dean had just finished putting everything in the coffeemaker when he heard a shot. Thunder usually covered up such sounds but Dean had developed and acute sense of hearing when it came to hunting things and the like. He picked up the shotgun, flu forgotten and walked towards the door. If something was coming, he was going to be ready. It was his job to protect Sam.

He opened the door to find his dad charging at something with his machete while a stranger in a long coat just bounced off the side of another car and sprang forward. Dean held up his shotgun, ready to take a shot. He almost faltered when Dad was flung to the side but he brought up his shotgun and fired at the guy that flung him. Big mistake.

The guy turned and upon seeing him, started coming towards him. Dean fired again but that didn't slow the guy down. Instead the guy gave him a hard shove in the chest and sent him flying back into the room. Dean grimaced in pain but was glad that he hadn't let go of the shotgun. He sat up to find that the stranger had grabbed the guy in a head lock and wrestled him out of his line of sight. Dean got up and ran to the door just in time to see his dad call out, "Wait!"

Turning, Dean saw the stranger running off into the shadows, dragging the corpse away. The next thing he knew, his dad was walking over to him and asking if he was all right. Dean realized how cold he was and felt his teeth chatter. "Y-Yes sir. Dad, w-who was that?"

John looked around at the direction that the stranger had taken. He had watched that person fight and when the vampire went for his eldest, the stranger was after them like an attack dog. The same went for him. He wondered if it was the same person that had protected his boys from the witch a few years before but it seemed too much like a coincidence. Feeling his eldest starting to shake, he pushed him into the room and shut and locked the door.

Surprisingly Sam slept through the whole thing. John listened to Dean mutter something about Sleeping Beauty and directed him to go take a warm shower. The trip to the drugstore could wait until morning. He got his eldest into bed and went to clean up a bit, surprised to see the coffeemaker full of hot coffee. He sat up in the chair and jumped when his sons needed anything. At one point he saw them sleeping in the same bed, Dean holding a protective stance over his brother.

John was tired in the morning but he was determined to make that drugstore run. He opened the door and nearly tripped over a bag that had been left there. It was full of what he needed for the boys and a tin of coffee grounds. John looked around to find nothing in sight, not even blood from last night's rumble in the rain. Once again Mary's angel paid a visit.

A/N: I know the sick!Dean! and sick!Sam! are a bit old but hey they can't be healthy all the time and I wanted a piece that showcased John Winchester a little more. Stay tuned for the next short.