Johnny Angel Ch. 17
Disclaimer: See chapter one
Previously: "Get some sleep Sport, I'll still be here when you wake up," Dean encouraged as he leaned back against the inclined bed and closed his eyes, relishing in the memory of that day so long ago.
And that is how Bobby found the boys later that night, with both brothers sleeping soundly on Sam's hospital bed.
Watching over his boys as they slept, Bobby began to notice the telltale signs of Sam having a nightmare. "Damn it, can't the kid ever have a little peace?" he grumbled softly, as the youngest Winchester began to moan in distress. It wasn't fair that the boy he had come to love as one of his own couldn't even find serenity in sleep. He was about to try and calm the kid, because that's how he still viewed Sam, when his eyes caught sight of Dean unconsciously wrapping an arm around his baby brother.
"Shhh, s'okay kiddo, I've got you," Dean slurred without ever fully awakening as he placed a protective arm over his sibling's side and pulled Sammy close. "Nothing's going to hurt you."
Watching as Sam's features visibly relaxed into his brother's hold and the youngest Winchester slipped into a deeper sleep once again, Bobby was thankful for the calming effect Dean was able to exude on his younger brother without even trying. It had always amazed him when the boys were younger how Dean could always soothe an inconsolable toddling Sammy, especially when John had tried everything he knew to calm the baby and had been unsuccessful.
Scratching a hand across his beard covered chin, Bobby couldn't help but worry as he continued to watch the sleeping Winchesters. This was the second night in a row Sam's sleep had been disturbed by a night terror. Something was definitely haunting the boy's subconscious and they needed to find out just what it was. "Damn it kid, you need to talk to us," he grumbled softly so as not to wake the boys. Of course, he knew he might as well beat his head against a brick wall, because the Winchesters were damned stubborn when it came to admitting they needed help. Leaning back in the reclining chair, he was about to try and catch a few hours of shuteye himself when he noticed the door opening quietly.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you," Dr. Alison Thomas apologized as she walked quietly into the room. "I just wanted to check up on Johnny, I mean Sam, one more time before I left for the evening."
"S'okay Doc, he's doing fine," Bobby informed the doctor, thankful for the fact that Dean was sleeping. The hunter would be mortified to know he had been caught cuddling his younger brother by a member of the opposite sex.
"Yeah, I can see that," Alison stated with a smile, upon seeing the serene look on both of the brothers faces.
"Sam, he uh, he had a nightmare so Dean climbed into the bed with him so Sam could get some rest," Bobby explained hurriedly, worried about what the doctor might be thinking.
"That doesn't sound good. Maybe I should talk to our resident psychiatrist and see if he can fit Sam into his schedule. He could be suffering some post traumatic stress disorder from the fire," Alison remarked as she lightly grasped Sam's wrist and took his pulse, then noted it in the chart hanging at the bottom of his bed.
"Lady, if you only knew," Bobby thought to himself, thinking about the fires of hell and not the warehouse fire the doctor had been referencing to. "I'm sure it's nothing. Besides, if Sam needs to talk, he's got me and Dean."
"And I'm sure he feels very comfortable with the two of you. However, sometimes, it is easier for people to talk to a stranger than their own family," Alison rebutted gently. She had seen too many family members balk at the idea of their loved one talking to a psychiatrist because of the negative connotation that went with the profession.
"Tell ya what Doc, I'll bring up the idea of talking to a psychiatrist when I think the boys are ready," Bobby offered, even though he was sure of what the boys reactions would be to the idea.
"Fair enough," Alison agreed, knowing she couldn't force her patient to talk to a psychiatrist. She just hoped it wouldn't come back to bite him in the ass later if he refused to get help now.
~~SUPERNATURAL~~
Later the next morning found the brothers and Bobby in the PT room as Brian and Dean put Sam through his range-of-motion exercises once again. As Brian manipulated Sam's arms and legs, he was impressed with the way his patient attempted to actively participate in the exercises by trying to move them himself. This turn of events made him wonder if it was time to start Sam on General Conditioning Exercises which consisted of a combination of range-of-motion exercises and muscle strengthening exercises that were designed to help counter the effects of the prolonged bed rest Sam had went through while catatonic. He knew the exercises would be needed to help improve Sam's cardiovascular fitness, as well as his flexibility and muscle strength.
"So Brian, how long do you think it will be before I can get up and start walking?" Sam asked the physical therapist as Brian cupped the back of his right knee and pushed his leg back as far as it would go. He was sick and tired of laying on his back all the time.
"Well, that depends on how quickly you progress through your PT exercises Sam," Brian answered after having been drawn out of his thoughts by the sound of the youngest Winchester's voice.
"How the hell am I supposed to progress when you keep me doing these stupid range of motion exercises and not some real rehabilitation exercises?" Sam growled as Dean repeated the motion that Brian did on the opposite leg.
"Sam, these exercises are preparing your muscles to take on the more vigorous exercises later on. If you push things to hard, you could strain your muscles, or even worse, tear them. I know you feel as though you aren't accomplishing anything, but I can assure you that you are. You have already progressed to the active-assisted part of the program just by participating in your exercises, something that most people aren't able to accomplish for at least a couple of weeks," Brian informed his aggravated patient.
"Brian's right Sammy, you've got to give yourself some time," Dean agreed as he pushed Sam's leg back until he met the point of resistance and then straightened it out once again.
"You wouldn't be saying that if it were you laying in this damn bed," Sam retorted in frustration. "I feel like I'm wasting my life away."
"Tell ya what, I'll make you a deal, Sam," Brian offered, entering into the conversation. "If you'll give the ROM exercises another day or two, I'll start you on some general conditioning exercises which will work on building your core body strength. At least that way, you'll be working the muscles that will allow you to sit up on your own and eventually become ambulatory. What do you say? Do we have a deal?"
"Ya better take it Sam, you might not get a second chance," Bobby stated gruffly, knowing Sam's penchant for arguing at times. Of course he couldn't blame the boy for being frustrated with his slow recovery. He'd be going crazy too if he were stuck in a bed for weeks at a time, especially after having spent time in that two wheeled contraption they called a wheelchair.
"Guess I don't have a choice, Sam replied sullenly as Brian and Dean finished off his rehab with the ankle rotation exercises.
"Come on Dude, stop being so grumpy. It will all be over before you know it and you'll be back to yourself again," Dean cajoled, trying to cheer his younger sibling up.
"Whatever," Sam mumbled as he transferred back to the gurney to be pushed to his room again.
Striding down the hall beside the boys, Bobby knew he needed to broach the subject of the doctor wanting Sam to talk to a psychiatrist soon. He didn't want the Winchesters to be put on the spot when Dr. Alison Thomas returned knowing things would spiral out of control quickly if either of the boys felt cornered by the suggestion. Following Brian and Dean into Sam's room where the two men swiftly transferred Sam to his hospital bed, he waited for the physical therapist to leave before pulling up a chair.
"Uh, there's something I really need to talk to you boys about," Bobby stammered as he pulled off his ball cap and scratched his fingers through his hair. He really wasn't looking forward to having the conversation.
"Something tells me this isn't gonna be good," Dean groaned, noticing the older hunter's discomfort immediately.
"I guess that depends on how you look at things," Bobby started as he decided to get things rolling. "Sam's doctor was in here last night and she thought it might be a good idea for Sam to, uh,…:
"For me to what Bobby?" Sam asked, a feeling of dread rising in his body.
"She thought it might be a good idea for you to talk to a psychiatrist," Bobby answered quickly, steeling himself for the explosion he knew was to come.
TBC. So how do you think the brothers will react?
Author's Note: Sorry you had to wait on this one and that the chapter is short. I have been feeling 'under the weather' the past few days and not up to posting.