A Whiter Shade of Pale Ch. 17
Disclaimer: See first chapter
Author's Note: To avoid confusion between stories, this story is the one where Sam is 13 years old and was stabbed outside their motel room by a man who was drunk.
Previously: Giving the room one final look, he swore to make the man pay for making him and his partner look so bad, but for now…now he was going to go to the bar down the street and drink his troubles away. Maybe tomorrow, he would focus on a way to make sure John Slade was put behind bars, exactly where he knew the man belonged.
Finishing up his second beer as he sat at the bar, Detective Matt Speight stood up and walked over to the trash can where he tossed the amber colored bottle carelessly into the bin. He had planned on drinking his troubles away tonight, but no, he had a much better idea. Tonight, he was going to go to the hospital and talk face to face with that arrogant asshole that nearly cost him and his partner their jobs.
Leaving the bar, he quickly climbed into his Ford pickup truck and put it into gear. Pulling out of the parking lot with a squeal of the tires, he drove to the hospital across town and pulled into the closest parking spot he could find.
Slinking his way into the hospital just a few moments later, Matt smiled as he quietly made his way up to thel room where he knew John Slade would be. He couldn't wait to see the man face to face. He so desperately wanted to let Slade know that he was on to him and his wily ways, to let the conceited bastard know that he was not above the law and that he wouldn't rest until John Slade was behind bars.
Knowing that he would need to look inconspicuous once he made it to the upstairs floor where his target was now located, he stopped off by the vending machines and bought a can of Coca Cola and a Hershey chocolate bar with almonds. No one could fault a 'concerned parent' needing the sugar fix to get through the night with their sick or injured child.
Taking the stairs up to the second floor where he knew the Slade child's room to be, he lowered his face and covered it slightly with his hand as he passed by a security camera and pretended to cough slightly. He didn't want it known he was there since he had been specifically warned by his superiors not to bother the small family. But damn it, he was doing the right thing whether Captain Stanley Thomas believed in him or not.
Passing by the nurse's desk, he raised his left arm and tugged his fingers through his hair to shield his face from the young nurse working there should she raise her eyes to look at him. No sense in having any witnesses as to his whereabouts should it eventually come up if there was an inquest later.
Taking a deep breath as he approached the room, he slowly eased the door opened, his mouth falling open in shock at the sight of the room. "What the hell?" he growled as his eyes took in the scene there.
~~Supernatural~~
Watching Sammy's face as he slept peacefully, John felt a tingle start at the base of his spine. He didn't know why, but he knew the 'shit was about to hit the fan' and that they needed to get out of there fast. Reaching over to wake Dean, who was sleeping peacefully in the chair as he leaned against Sammy's bed, he said, "Get your brother dressed. We're getting out of here."
Noticing the serious look that encompassed his Dad's persona, Dean didn't question the order. Walking over to the small closet in the room to get Sammy's clothes, he hesitated for only a moment before pulling his sibling's clothing out. Striding back over to the bed, Dean sat about getting Sammy dressed as his father left the room. He didn't have to ask what his old man was up to. He knew that his father would be appropriating the medicines Sammy would need over the next couple of weeks.
Having just put the shoes on his slumbering brother's feet, Dean had just finished tying them when his father walked back into the room, his pockets a lot fuller than when he had left.
"You ready?" John queried as he walked over to the side of Sam's bed and started removing the IV from his young son's hand.
"Yes Sir," Dean replied, carding his fingers through Sam's hair when his brother whined in his sleep as the needle was pulled from his hand. "Shh, s'okay, Tiger."
"Go make sure the coast is clear," John ordered his eldest as he slid a hand under Sam's legs and another under his back and easily hefted his thirteen year old into his arms. Damn, but Sam was small for his age. He wondered if or when the kid would finally hit his growth spurt.
"The nurse just walked down the hall," Dean informed his Dad as he watched the medical professional enter into a room at the far end of the corridor.
"Good, let's blow this popsicle stand," John stated as he eased out the door and quickly walked to the elevator which was only two doors down from Sammy's room. Pushing the button, he was grateful when the door opened immediately, allowing them to step inside
Riding the elevator down to the first floor, John was happy to see their luck holding upon noticing the floor was basically empty and they had a clear path to the exit doors. Swiftly making his way across the floor, John breathed a huge sigh of relief as they exited the building. Now all they had to do was get to the Impala and at least out of the state before finding a mote to restl.
~~Supernatural~~
Driving down the interstate, John couldn't help but glance into the backseat every few minutes. He knew Sam was becoming uncomfortable from the moaning he could hear emanating from the back seat and knew he would have to stop soon. It ate at his very soul to know that he was the one who was causing his youngest son's pain right now, but he fully believed they had no other option than to hit the road. Scrubbing the grit from his exhausted eyes with a calloused hand, John winced when a particularly pained whimper was heard coming from the back seat.
"Dean?" He questioned, glancing into the backseat to see the look of concern evident in his eldest child's green eyes.
"He's hurting Dad. We're going to have to stop soon," Dean reported as he rubbed his brother's arm, trying to offer what little comfort he could.
"M'okay, we can keep going," Sam voiced weakly as he squirmed once again, trying to find a position that would be more comfortable and not put so much pressure on his aching stomach. He didn't want to be the reason that they had to stop.
"No Sam, your brother's right. You need a comfortable bed and I need to get a few hours of shuteye myself," John retorted as he started scanning the road signs ahead for an out of the way motel. He didn't want one too close to the interstate. Seeing a sign for the Shadyside Motel, which advertised nothing more than clean rooms, he knew he had found the perfect place.
Taking the off ramp designated by the billboard, John then followed the signs pointing him to the motel which was 4.5 miles down the road to the left.
Pulling the sleek black muscle car into the reception area, he placed the gear in park and turned around to face his boys. "I'll only be a moment," he voiced, reaching back to ruffle Sam's hair lightly.
"Okay, we'll be fine," Dean informed his father as his eyes began to scan the parking lot for any signs of danger. No way was Sammy getting hurt on his watch.
"I know you will," John returned, turning around and pushing open the door. The sooner he went in, the sooner they would have a room for the night.
Returning just a few moments later, John climbed back into the car and then drove the Impala around to the backside of the building. Parking the car in front of room 123, he thrust the door open and climbed out. Taking just a moment to stretch the kinks out of his back, he then turned his attention to his boys.
"Dean, get our duffle bags and the first aid kit out of the back while I get your brother inside," John stated as he knelt down and reached into the car, gently sliding Sam over to the edge of the seat where he could lift him out of the car.
By the time John had Sam safely in his arms, Dean had already unlocked the door and propped it open, before returning to the trunk of the Impala to get their things.
Walking inside, John automatically walked over to the bed furthest from the door and gently lay Sammy down on the bed, the covers having been turned down by Dean while John waited. If there was one unspoken rule in their family, it was that he and Dean would always be Sam's first line of defense.
Okay, let's get some meds in you so you can sleep, Champ," John intoned, brushing a hand through his youngest child's hair before walking over to the small sink counter in the room beside the bathroom. Grasping one of the plastic cups, he removed the protective covering from it and filled it half way full with water.
Carrying the water over to Sam's bedside, he placed it on the small dresser between the two beds in the room and pulled a couple of medicine bottles from his pocket. Removing the lid from the bottle with the codeine in it, he shook one out into his palm and handed the small white pill to his baby boy.
"Take this Sammy," he encouraged as he placed the pill in Sammy's hand.
Raising the pill to his mouth with a shaky hand, Sam was glad when Dean grasped the cup of water and held it to his mouth so he could wash the pill down.
"Th-Thanks De'," he rasped, before sliding down further onto the bed and closing his eyes. He really was tired.
"Dean, go get ready for bed yourself while I take care of salting the windows and door," John voiced, knowing that his eldest had to be worn out also.
"Yes Sir," Dean answered, stripping off his jeans as he walked into the bathroom where he could take care of business and brush his teeth. Returning to the room moments later, he quickly slid in behind Sammy and pulled his baby brother close. He wanted to know if Sam even whimpered in his sleep.
"Night boys," John called out as he turned off the light and stripped out of his jeans also. He would call Bobby in the morning to let the gruff hunter know they were on their way. For now, he just needed to get some sleep himself.
TBC
