A Hiccup in Time Ch. 21
Disclaimer. Still don't own them and still not making a profit from my stories.
Author's Note: The scene where John sped to the hospital in the previous chapter with the police eventually guiding him in was questioned--too unrealistic. I can assure you from personal experience that the police would not stop the car and then write a ticket at the hospital. My brother was bitten by a copperhead when he was four and my mom called the police to alert them what had happened. They waited for my dad and then led him in the rest of the way. Luckily, my brother survived and my dad was not cited for speeding.
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Previously: "Damn I hope Sam doesn't make an appearance while they have him wearing a diaper and that Barney t-shirt." John whispered to Bobby knowing how embarrassing that would be for his twenty two year old son. John ran his fingers through his disheveled hair and sighed as he pulled up a chair beside the boys beds. It was going to be a long night.
John was awoken from a light sleep as he heard the sounds of footsteps entering the room. He opened his eyes to see a nurse walking towards Sammy's crib. "Sorry to wake you Mr. Winchester, I just need to check on your boys." the nurse whispered as she checked Sammy's pulse and blood pressure before undoing his diaper and gently lifting his legs to check his temperature.
"Damn, I'm glad the kid is asleep for that just in case." thought John knowing how Sam felt about having his temperature taken rectally. "Does he have to keep wearing that diaper?" John asked the nurse as he stood beside Sammy and carded his fingers through his hair to keep him from waking. "He's been potty trained for a while now."
"Well, it's either that or a Foley catheter will have to be inserted like the doctor did with your oldest. The doctor doesn't want them up and walking around for the next twenty four hours to allow the antivenin the time to do it's job." Nurse Shelley stated as she removed the thermometer and charted the results before placing another diaper on the sleeping toddler.
"I guess that makes sense." John said as he rubbed a thumb over Sammy's cheek. "He feels warm."
"He has a low grade fever but that is to be expected as his body fights the snake venom." Shelly informed John as she walked over to assess the older brother. She was surprised to see him awake and watching her every move.
"Sammy okay?" Dean queried in a low voice as he focused on his sleeping baby brother.
"He's doing fine, just a little bit of a fever." Shelley answered as she patted Dean on the arm before taking his blood pressure. "Don't you worry yourself honey, we're taking good care of him.'
"Kay" Dean replied before opening his mouth to allow the nurse to take his temperature also. Shelley waited for the beep and then recorded the results on Dean's chart.
"You've got a low grade fever too." Shelley informed Dean as she walked over to the medicine cabinet and pulled out some Tylenol and shook two of the small white caplets into her hand. "Here Dean, I want you to take these." She said as she handed over the pills and a glass of water."
Dean quickly swallowed the medication and then looked over at his baby brother. "What about Sammy?" he asked with a big yawn.
"I'm going to give him some fever reducer through his IV." Shelley answered as she returned to the medicine cabinet. She quickly found the vial she needed and injected the medication into the port and then ruffled Sammy's hair. "I'll be back to check on them later." Shelley informed John before leaving the room.
"Now that the nurse is gone, you two need to stop your yapping and get some sleep before you wake up Sammy. You know how irritable he can be when he doesn't get enough sleep" Bobby grumbled before squirming in his chair and fading back off to sleep.
"Yes dad." John mocked to the sleeping hunter as he pulled up his chair and settled back down into it knowing Bobby was right. The last thing they wanted to deal with was a grumpy Sam or Sammy. He listened for Dean's breathing to even out in sleep before fully relaxing and drifting off himself.
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Early the next morning, John and the others were rudely awakened by a rather indignant shout of "What the freaking hell?" John and Bobby quickly stood up to see Sammy sitting up in the crib as he looked in shock at his state of dress while Dean looked on from his own bed.
"What's the matter diaper boy, don't you like your new outfit?" Dean questioned with a smirk as he glanced at his baby brother knowing that Sam was back with them instead of little Sammy.
"Shut up Dean. This isn't very funny." Sam quipped as he pulled out his t-shirt and glanced down to see the image of the big purple dinosaur on it. "Dad, get this damned thing off of me." he whined as he pulled on it with one hand, unable to use the other because of it being splinted and wrapped to keep it immobile.
"Aw come on Sam, you know you love Barney." Dean touted as he began to hum Barney's theme song of I love you, you love me.
"Leave him alone Dean." John sighed as he looked at his oldest while trying to keep Sammy from removing the shirt. "I'm sorry kiddo, but as long as you two are in the hospital you're going to have to wear whatever they put on you and you're going to have to play the part of a toddler like it or not."
"Come on dad, can't you at least get them to remove the diaper. It's freaking irritating between my legs." Sam grumbled as he looked down at the offensive object encompassing his whole bottom area.
"Would you rather have a Foley catheter inserted like your big brother over there?" John questioned as he nodded towards Dean in the other bed.
"What? No way!" Dean groused as he lifted the blanket to see that one had indeed been inserted while he was out of it the previous day. "Damn it, how could you allow them to do that to little Dean?" he lamented as he crossed his arms over his chest in agitation.
"They never asked my permission Dean. You have to have it because the doctor doesn't want you two up and moving around until the antivenin has had time to work." John informed his oldest.
"Wait a minute, antivenin?" Sam questioned as he looked from his dad to Bobby in surprise.
"Yeah tiger, you boys were bitten by a prairie rattler." Bobby answered as he walked over to the crib Sam was sitting in. "It happened while you were in your de-aged state."
"Damn it. Knowing me, I probably just walked right up to the damn thing without thinking. I'm sorry Dean, I know you were probably bit trying to protect me." Sam apologized as he hung his head in shame.
"Hold it right there Sammy, don't go blaming yourself for what happened. I should have been more observant of your surroundings. If it's anybody's fault it's mine so let the guilt go." Dean said trying to take a load of guilt of his brother's shoulders. Besides, you know it is bro: I love you, you love me, we're a happy family…"
"Shut up Dean" The other three hunters grumbled as Dean began to sing the Barney theme song once again while rolling their eyes at Dean's attempt to lighten the situation.
"What? Can't a guy sing around here?" he questioned with an innocent grin on his face.
"On that note, I think I'll go get some coffee." Bobby said as he walked over towards the door. "You want a cup John?"
"Yeah, thanks Bobby." John answered run a calloused hand through his hair. He could use the jolt of caffeine right about now. Once Bobby left the room, John reached into the crib and picked up Sam knowing that his youngest would soon be raising hell if he was left in there. Taking the few steps to Dean's bed, he placed Sam by his brother being careful not to jar his arm or the IV that was still attached to it as he snagged a chair with his foot and pulled it close to the bed. He had just clicked on the television to see what was playing when he noticed a young candy striper walking into the room with a bounce to her step.
"Good Morning." She said cheerfully as she walked up to stand near the boys bed. "My name is Kandy with a K, not the letter C. Is there anything I can get for you?" she asked as she flounced her overly bleached hair.
"Uh, no thank you, we're fine." John answered with a roll of his eyes as he watched Dean paying obvious attention to the girls abundant cleavage. "Oh okay grandpa." she stated before turning to face the patients on the bed. "What about you cutie, can I get anything for you and that sweet little boy of yours?" she asked Dean with a wink as she licked her lips in a seductive kind of way.
Dean started snickering as he noticed the stormy look in his dad's eyes at being referred to as grandpa once again. Focusing his attention back on the sweet young thing before him, he was about to make a pass at the candy striper when Sam, who realized this would be the perfect moment to get back at Dean for picking on him, spoke up and ruined his plans. "My daddy don't wikes girls wike you. My daddy says you too air headed." Sam stated with an innocent look as he plopped his thumb in his mouth and snuggled next to Dean.
"Well" Kandy remarked indignantly as she placed her hands on her hips and glared at Dean. "Looks like daddy needs to learn some manners so he can teach them to his son." she stated before turning around curtly and leaving the room. She had no sooner left the room when John burst out laughing.
"That was awesome tiger." John said as he reached out to ruffle Sam's hair who was now laughing so hard that tears were flowing down his little cheeks.
"Awesome my ass, he just ruined my chances for a little fun." Dean groaned as he leaned back against the pillow. "I could have gotten all they way to home plate with her."
"That's what you get for calling me diaper boy." Sam giggled before suddenly whimpering when a sudden pain spiked through his arm.
"Sam, what's wrong with you dude?" Dean questioned pushing the fun banter aside as he pulled Sam closer to him.
"Ah my arm, stop Dean, it hurts!" Sam gasped as he wrapped his good arm around the hurting one to keep it from being jostled even more.
"Just try to breathe through the pain son. The doctor said the bite area is going to be real tender and painful for a few days." John informed his youngest as he picked him up and held him tenderly to his chest to provide what comfort he could. Reaching over to push the call button, he informed the nurses that his youngest son needed something for pain.
It took only a few moments for the doctor to arrive check out Sam's arm while John held him in his lap. After assessing the area, the doctor assured John that everything was okay and he injected some pain medication into Sam's IV port. "The medicine should take effect in a few minutes. It will most likely make him sleep for a while." the doctor informed John before leaving them alone once again
Nodding his understanding, John watched as his baby boy's eyes soon became droopy and he faded off to sleep. "Sweet dreams tiger." he said as he kissed Sam on the forehead and then placed him back into the crib.
TBC