Chapter 18

"The good news is that the bullet didn't hit his heart which would've instantly killed Sam. However, since I didn't see an exit wound, we know the bullet is still lodged behind his heart. So our options are to do surgery to remove the bullet, or leave the bullet inside."

"Do you know if the bullet is fully intact?" Bobby asked.

The doctor furrowed his brow, "I'm not one hundred percent sure but, from what I can tell, it is possible that it is fully intact."

"So that could make for an easy removal, right?"

The doctor sighed, "Yes and no. Because of the fact that the bullet is behind his heart, if we do surgery we have to be extremely careful because at worse, it can kill him. At best it can damage a nerve."

Bobby looked over to where Dean was sitting holding his brother's hand, "Dean? You listenin'?"

Dean blinked and looked up, "Huh? Yeah."

Bobby sighed, "So what do you want the doctor to do?"

Dean swallowed. He had never made a decision like this for Sam's life before. He wanted to have the doctor remove the bullet but what if Sam died? He'd never forgive himself. But what if he had pain from the bullet being inside him? He'd never forgive himself then either. He sighed and wiped a hand over his face and looked at both the doctor and Bobby. They were waiting patiently knowing that this was a hard decision to make.

"Do it. Do the surgery," he said after a while.

The doctor nodded, "I'll schedule it. Hopefully I'll be able to get the Operating Room sometime today if not it'll have to be tomorrow," he said and left.

After the doctor left Dean looked at Bobby and Harmone, "You guys should finish the hunt. I mean there are still kids that are missing."

Harmone shook her head, "We're not going anywhere Dean. We're family. We stick together."

Dean gave her a small smile before turning his attention on his unconscious brother, "Don't worry Sammy, we're going to get you all better. You'll be as good as new. And then, I'll murder John for shooting you."

~~~ADTH~~~~

The doctor returned early the next morning to take Sam to the operating room. Unfortunately, Dean was not allowed to be in the room so he stayed in the waiting room with Bobby and Harmone pacing back and forth.

"Son, I know you're worried but you're going to burn a hole in the floor. Sit down and relax."

Dean sighed and sat down. He hated not being near his brother and he wondered how much longer this operation was going to take. He was so deep in his thoughts that he jumped when a hand touched his shoulder. He blinked and saw it was only Harmone.

"Hey come on; let's go get something from the cafeteria while we wait."

Dean frowned. He didn't want to leave in case the doctor came out, but his stomach grumbled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten all day so far. He sighed and reluctantly followed Harmone to the elevators.

~~~ADTH~~~~

When they returned Bobby was reading a magazine. Dean sat down and before he could open his mouth and ask, Bobby glanced at him and shook his head. Dean sighed. Just then the doctor came into the waiting room and Dean jumped to his feet. He tried not to freak out at all the blood that was covering the doctor's coat and gloves.

"Well?"

The doctor smiled, "We were successfully able to remove the bullet without causing Sam anymore damage. So all that's left is for him to wake up. He will have a nasty scar on his chest for a while so I can prescribe some cream that might help with the itching."

Dean nodded, "Thanks."

The doctor nodded, "I'll have a nurse come get you once we settle Sam back into his room."

Several minutes later the three were being led into Sam's room by a nurse, "Let me know if you need anything," she said, winking at Dean.

Dean flashed his flirty smile, "Thanks sweetheart."

The nurse giggled and walked out of the room. Harmone and Bobby rolled their eyes. As soon as the nurse was gone though, Dean made a beeline for his bed. He sat in the chair next to his brother and held his hand. He gently stroked his brother's cheek before signing something on his arm.

I'm here Sammy. Right here Sammy. Never leaving you.

Sam remained silent and still. Dean sighed and settled in to wait for him to wake up.

~~~ADTH~~~~

Back in the motel room John opened his eyes and cursed. They were gone. He hoped that little brat died. Who gave him the right to talk to him about Mary? Sniveling and whining about how it wasn't his fault. If it wasn't his fault Mary would be alive right now. He cursed Bobby and the others for protecting him. Dean was his and he could care less about that whiny brat. He had known the minute they found out Sam was deaf and brought him home he would be trouble for them. Always crying and sniveling and needing help with every little thing. From what John remembered, and he remembered a lot, Dean hadn't caused them that much trouble as an infant. And it was worse when Mary died.

John pulled himself up off the floor with determination. He was determined to get Dean back by any means necessary. He groaned as he pulled out his cell and first contemplated calling Jim but he knew Jim would never do what he was going to ask. So he dialed Drew.

"John?"

"Hey Drew. Listen I'm sorry for calling you so late but I need a favor."

"Anything John you know that."

"It's Sam."

"Sam? Your youngest? What about him?"

"If you happen to cross his path I want you to kill him. And anyone that stands in your way. Except Dean. You can injure Dean but I need him alive."

John heard Drew gasp, "John…he's your son."

"No he's not. He's murderer. He's the reason Mary's dead. He's the reason Caleb's dead and if I had left him alone, he would've killed Dean too."

"I don't know John. This is pretty extreme."

"Just do it Drew. You owe me."

"Yeah but killing your son?"

"Do I need to remind you why you owe me?"

John heard Drew sigh, "Fine."

John grinned, "Good boy."

He hung up the phone and headed out of the motel room. He decided to check the local hospitals and check on Sam's status. Hopefully that bullet penetrated his heart and killed him.

~~~ADTH~~~~

Sam blinked and looked around confused. Where was he? What happened? Where was Dean? He lifted his head a little and saw his brother knocked out with his head on the bed. He smiled. And continued to look around. He saw Harmone curled up in one chair reading and Bobby was in another chair passed out. He shifted and Dean immediately woke up and smiled.

"Hey," he mouthed. "How are you feeling?"

Sam blinked and shifted before signing. What happened?

Dean blinked, "Sam," he spoke softly. "You were shot."

Sam's eyes went wide. Shot?! Who shot me? Am I dead?

Dean chuckled, causing Harmone to look over and smile, "Well look whose back to the land of the living. Are you okay?"

Sam shook his head. Who shot me?

Harmone and Dean looked at each other before turning back to Sam. Dean sighed, "Dad."

Sam's eyes filled with tears and spilled over. He cried loud broken sobs which made Bobby wake up. Before he could ask what was wrong though his cell rang and he left the room to answer it. Dean sat up on the bed next to Sam and pulled him close rubbing his back.

Harmone frowned when her father walked back in the room, "What is it?"

"A hunter named Drew. He just got a call from John."

Dean looked up, "And?"

"John told him that if he was ever to cross paths with Sam, he was to kill him and anyone who stood in his way. Except for you."

Dean jerked back in shock, "What on earth has gotten into this man? This goes beyond his normal level of hatred of Sam."

Bobby shrugged, "I don't know Dean, but it's time to put this state in the rearview. Of course as soon as they discharge Sam."

Dean glanced at Sam and nodded.

TBC...