Johnny Angel Ch. 11
Disclaimer: See chapter one
Previously: "Damn, I almost forgot to tell you, Sammy woke up for just a few minutes a little while ago. I thought you should know in case you needed to run some more tests or something," Bobby answered in reply to the doctor's question.
"That is the best news I've heard all day," Alison stated exuberantly as she pushed herself to her feet. It was time to go check on her favorite patient.
As they made their way down the long winding hallway towards the ICU, Alison couldn't help but wonder about the man who was walking beside her. He seemed like such a rugged man, yet it was obvious that he was a big softy where his nephews were concerned and it made her wonder how he had become so close to the brothers. Sure, she knew they were his nephews, but it seemed like he cared more as a father.
"Something on your mind Doc?" Bobby questioned, noticing the way the doctor seemed to be studying him from the side of her eyes.
"Oh, sorry. I don't mean to pry or anything, but I was just wondering how it is that you and your nephews became so close. I know it's none of my business and you don't have to answer the question if you'd prefer not too." Ali responded with a hint of embarrassment on her cheeks at being so forward.
"Nah, I don't mind," Bobby replied as he tugged off his trademark ball cap and ran his fingers through his hair before replacing it. "The boys kind of became a big part of my life after their mother died when Sammy was only six months old. See, ya need to understand that John, that's the boys father, was having a rough time after his wife was killed. It was hard on him trying to raise two young boys on his own and he started to flounder under all the pressure of taking care of an infant and a four year old boy. So one day, he showed up on my doorstep looking for some help. After that, anytime the man needed a break away to get his head together, he brought the boys to me and I gladly took care of them until he could handle things again. Now, I consider them to be more like my own sons than my nephews."
Bobby hoped the abridged version would suffice for the doctor and keep her from digging any further into the Winchester boys lives. She didn't need to know about what was truly out there and how it had devastated Sam and Dean's lives so long ago.
"Sounds like the brothers were lucky to have you," the doctor stated softly as they continued on their journey.
"That's where you're wrong Doc, I was the lucky one." Bobby refuted, knowing that he had gained so much more then he could have ever hoped when the boys came into his life all those years ago. They had filled a void he had thought no one ever could fill again after the loss of his wife.
~~Supernatural~~Supernatural~~
Standing unseen by human eyes in the corner of Sam's ICU room, Castiel smiled with contentment upon watching Dean cradle Sam to his chest as the two of them finally talked. He hated that Sam still felt so unworthy of his family's love after everything they had talked about, but he knew Dean wouldn't allow things to remain that way. Eventually, Dean would get through to his baby brother and that faith would sustain Sam and himself through the hard times to come.
Sighing as he heard a Heavenly call from above, Cas took one last look at the brothers before preparing to take his leave. Sure, he knew everything wasn't as it should be yet since the brothers still had a way to go before their bond solidified once again, but at least now he could leave to calm the chaos reining in Heaven with the knowledge that the brothers would soon be okay.
Walking over to where Dean was standing, he placed a feather light touch to the hunter's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. In doing so, he allowed some of his 'angelic power' to transfer to Dean, giving the eldest Winchester sibling the patience he would need to get his baby brother through the recovery and rehabilitation process to come. "Take care my friends, I will be watching over you," Castiel thought as he returned Heavenward with a flutter of wings.
~~Supernatural~~Supernatural~~
Sitting there with Sam's head resting on his shoulder as his sibling slumbered on, Dean felt overwhelmed by the vast emotions that were running through him. He was elated more than he thought was ever possible at having Sammy there with him and alive, but yet, he was also saddened at the same time by the fact that his baby brother had chosen not to come to him the minute he had escaped from Hell. Of all people, he more than anybody else knew what the kid had went through when he was down there in the cage. He shivered as he thought about his brother being tortured on the rack, knowing exactly what that could do to the human psyche and he prayed that Sam wouldn't remember it.
"Why didn't you come to me kiddo? What were you afraid of?" Dean queried softly as he carded his fingers through Sam's chestnut colored hair which was longer now than he had ever worn it before. Of course, he didn't expect an answer with Sam sleeping, but it was something he intended to talk with Sam about at another day and time.
"Maybe that's something Sam will be willing to answer for us in time." Bobby voiced, as he walked back into the room with Dr. Alison Thomas strutting in beside him.
"I sure hope so, but you know how tightlipped the kid can be sometimes," Dean retorted with a somber smile. It pained him to know how far things had drifted apart between him and Sam over the past year before the sacrifice. Sammy used to tell him everything up until Ruby entered their lives and then the demon bitch had managed to create a barrier between them with all of her lies, almost destroying them in the process.
"Uh, excuse me for interrupting, but Bobby here just informed me that Sam finally woke up from his catatonic state and I would like to assess how he is doing if that's okay." Alison interrupted, needing to check on her patient.
"Sure Doc, but can you wait until he wakes up again? He is really exhausted and I don't want him pushed over the edge," Dean answered as he wrapped a protective arm around Sam.
"Well, we've waited this long for Johnny…sorry, I mean Sam to wake up so I guess we can wait a little while longer." Alison stated wistfully at having to wait. "Just have them page me when Sam wakes up again."
"Wait a minute Doc. Before you leave again, can you tell me what Sam's recovery process will entail?" Dean inquired of the doctor.
"Of course. Since Sam has been in a catatonic state for quite a few weeks, his muscle tone has been depleted. By that, I mean his muscles are going to be really weak and he'll have to have rehab to strengthen them again before he tries something strenuous such as walking. Luckily, we had some volunteers who helped us keep Sam's muscles from atrophying by doing some range of motion exercises with him, but he'll still feel weak as a newborn kitten. Even something as basic as sitting up will be taxing to his system to begin with. Also, as you can see, we've had Sam on a nasogastric feeding tube giving his body the nutrients it required, so we're going to have to reintroduce his digestive system to taking in foods once again. We'll start out with a bland liquid diet and then progress from there," Alison answered to name a few. Of course there would be other things that Sam would require, but at least she gave Dean a few of the basics.
"I have one more question for you doc. Can I participate in Sam's rehabilitation process? I want to be able to help my brother in every way I can. Sammy needs to know that I will be there for him every step of the way." Dean voiced.
"I'll have to talk to his physical therapists, but I'm sure they won't mind. Patients always seem to do better when they have family to support them," Alison agreed with a smile.
"Ya know, if you people would quit talking so much, a guy could get some sleep around here," Sam groaned after having been awakened by the conversation going on between his brother and the doctor.
"Sorry about that Tiger, didn't mean to wake you," Dean apologized as he gave his brother an affectionate pat on the shoulder. "But now that you're awake, the doctor would like to assess how you're doing."
Alison couldn't hold back the smile that leapt to her face upon seeing the way that her patient rolled his eyes when his brother had referred to him as "Tiger." It made her heart swell with happiness to know that the young man was loved so much and she had no doubts whatsoever that Sam would recover one hundred percent with the support system of his brother and his uncle.
"Hello Sam, my name is Dr. Alison Thomas and I have been your doctor since you've been here at Hanover General Hospital," Alison informed her patient as she walked over to his bedside. "I've been waiting for you to wake up for a while now. How are you feeling?"
"Honestly? Like I've been on a drunken binge for the last year or so," Sam answered as best he could with a hoarse sounding voice, "My mind is kind of foggy right now, I'm having trouble remembering things and my throat hurts like a bit….well, it hurts."
"That's totally understandable with every thing you've been through over the past month or so," Alison explained as she reached out and wrapped her fingers around her patient's wrist to check his pulse. "Things should start to clear up for you soon. As for your throat, you were caught up in a burning building and it caused you to have some superficial burns to your esophagus from the heat and smoke inhalation and that is what's causing your discomfort. You're throat is nearly healed now, so the pain should start receding sometime soon, but if you'd like, I'll have the nurses give you a little something more for the pain.
"Nah. M'okay. My head is already foggy enough without more medication," Sam retorted, his eyes starting to close against his will once again. Damn, but he was exhausted.
"Okay, well you just let us know if you decide to change your mind," Alison stated as she pulled her stethoscope from around her neck to listen to Sam's heart and lungs. Feeling satisfied with the sounds she heard, she patted her patient on the leg. "You just get some sleep Sam. I'll do a more thorough exam when you're feeling up to it."
TBC