Johnny Angel Ch. 22

Disclaimer: See chapter one

Previously: "Okay, then let's do this," Sam murmured a little hesitantly, praying that he would be able to live up to his brothers expectations with the core strengthening exercises.

"Okay Sam, if you're sure you are ready, we're going to start with a variation of what is called the Single Arm Kettleball Row. Usually, the exercise is done while standing, but we're going to make some allowances in your case since we have yet to get you mobile enough to stand up." Brian explained as he positioned the equipment where he wanted it. "Basically, what is going to happen is that I'm going to have Dean help me get you back into the wheelchair. Once seated, I am going to give you one of the small kettleballs and I want you to hold it firmly while letting your arm hang straight down over the side of the chair. Then, while keeping your elbows close to your body, I want you to pull the kettle bell up to your body as high as you possibly can. Think you can do that for me for at least ten repetitions Champ?"

"Yeah, no problem," Sam replied confidently, even though he was seriously doubting his ability to do so. Sure, he had been using his arms to do menial tasks such as pushing himself up in the bed, but now Brian was asking him to lift twenty pound weights for a series of repetitions.

"That's my boy," Dean enthused, a broad smile encompassing his face as he knelt down in front of his brother. Palming the nape of Sam's neck, he gave it a comforting squeeze of support. "Show Brian what we Winchesters are made of, little brother."

Giving his brother a wan smile, Sam reached down with his right arm to pick up the kettle bell weight and then began to lift it, making sure to keep his elbow as close to his body as possible. Raising the weight until it was chest high, he then lowered it and repeated the process again.

"That's it kid, you're doing great," Bobby encouraged as he watched Sam complete the exercise over and over again. He could tell that the exercises were starting to cause a strain on Sam's energy and muscles by the way the youngest Winchester was grimacing as he broke out in a light sheen of sweat and he wanted to offer what little encouragement he could as an incentive for the youngest Winchester to keep at it.

Gifting Bobby with a smile, Sam was glad to have the elder hunter there for support. Bobby had been like a father to him and Dean since their own Dad had died and it meant the world to him to know that Bobby still loved him, even after the events that had occurred in Stull Cemetery. Visibly shuddering at the sudden memory of what he had done, Sam dropped his head to his chest, unable to lock eyes with the grizzled hunter any longer. Bobby should be hating him right now instead of standing by his side.

Realizing immediately what was going through Sam's mind just by the anguished look on the kid's face before he looked away, Bobby knew he had to stop that line of thinking before it became detrimental to the younger hunter's recovery. Reaching out to grasp Sam by the chin as he knelt in front of him, he gently raised the boy's head until he could look into Sam's haunted eyes.

"Un huh kiddo, don't you dare go blaming yourself for what happened in the past. It wasn't you boy. You had no control over what happened and I won't allow you to sit here and wallow in guilt," Bobby stated, praying that Sam could see the sincerity of his words in his eyes.

"But I…."

"But nothing. It's over and done with it and it's time to move on. You hear what I'm telling you boy?"

"Yes Sir," Sam answered, hearing the meaning behind Bobby's gruff words. He was to forgive himself for what happened or Bobby would make sure he did in the old fashioned way.

"S'good. Now quit your lollygagging and get busy with the other arm. We ain't got all day to wait on ya," Bobby grumbled good naturedly.

Listening into the conversation between the two men from the sideline, Brian couldn't help but wonder what had happened between the two men. Whatever it was, he was just glad that Bobby was able to put his patient at ease with his words. The last thing Sam needed was to have a setback in his recovery.

Shaking that thought from his mind as he watched Sam complete the repetitions with his left arm, Brian decided to end the day's therapy session by having his patient perform some alternating floor presses. The therapy would not only help with his arm strength, but it would also help to exercise Sam's trunk and hip area in preparation for getting the hunter mobile again.

"Okay Sam, now that you've finished the arm rows, we're going to go to work on strengthening your trunk area by doing what is know as Alternating Floor Presses," Brian informed his patient as he motioned to Dean to help him get Sam out of the wheelchair so they could get him situated on the floor mat once again. "Basically, what your are expected to do with this exercise is to lie on your back and slowly raise the kettle balls on at a time, making sure to alternate your arms as you lift the kettleballs. While doing this exercise, I want you to also slowly rotate your trunk when pushing the kettleball up. This will get your hip joints used to performing movements so we can start working on the leg exercises tomorrow."

"Damn Brian, don't you think Sam's been through enough already today?" Dean questioned the therapist, worried that the man might be pushing Sam too hard before he was ready.

"I know it seems like he's being overworked Dean, but it's what is best for Sam. The longer his muscles remain inactive, the harder it will be for him to fully recover. He has already lost some bone and muscle mass because of the time he spent in the catatonic state, not to mention a loss of cardiovascular fitness. Therefore, we need to make sure Sam exercises to the maximum of his potential so that we can offset all of the negative side effects of his forced inactivity," Brian said by way of explanation.

"Okay, whatever you think is best," Dean agreed, brushing a hand through his hair which was becoming longer than he usually wore it since he had been remaining at the hospital with Sam. "I'm just…I'm worried about how sore he'll be after all this exercising."

"No worries there. I plan on having Sam participate in some hydrotherapy as soon as he finishes here," Brian voiced with a smile as Sam started lifting one kettle ball from the floor, making sure to slightly rotate the hip area as Brian had requested. "The hot water therapy will help to stimulate Sam's nerve and circulatory system, thereby enhancing his immune system with the increased circulation while easing muscle aches at the same time."

"You hear that Sammy, you're going to be spending some time in the hot tub," Dean smirked with a hint of envy in his voice. "Maybe if you're lucky, one of those cute nurses will climb in there with ya. Just think, you and some naked chick cavorting in a hot tub together. The possibilities there could be endless, little brother."

"Shut up, Jerk," Sam groaned, his cheeks tingeing a slight pink color at the remark, even though he had a smile on his face.

"Make me, Bitch," Dean retorted affectionately, happy to see his brother relaxed and smiling for once. It had been way too long since he had seen those dimples.

~~Supernatural~~

Returning to his room after a good twenty minutes of soaking in the hot tub, Sam felt more relaxed than he had in a long time since the massaging action of the spa had helped to relieve the tension he had been feeling while at the same time relieving the aches and pains he had felt while participating in therapy.

"You look like you're feeling pretty good, Tiger," Dean stated, working to transfer Sam back to his bed from the wheelchair with the help of Bobby.

"Yeah, I guess I am feeling better than I have in a long time," Sam admitted with a yawn as he lay back in the bed and rested his head on the pillow. For once, he felt like he could actually sleep restfully without any nightmares encroaching on his mind.

"That's good to hear. Why don't you get some sleep kiddo, Bobby and I will be right here when you wake up and you definitely need the rest," Dean voiced softly as he watched his brother's eyes begin to droop.

"Mhmmm" Sam muttered, just before his breathing evened out and a light snore was heard. He was way too exhausted to even think about staying awake.

Tucking the blanket in around his sibling, Dean couldn't help but be reminded of the five year old who used to drop off to sleep at a moment's notice. Sighing at the thought, he wished they could go back to those times when Sam was still so innocent to the ways of the world around him, a time when the only problem Sam had was choosing what he wanted to eat for dinner.

"He's gonna be alright ya know," Bobby stated as he clasped Dean on the shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.

"Yeah, I know. I just wish he didn't have to go through all of this," Dean replied, carding his fingers through Sam's hair before pulling a chair over to Sam's bedside to watch over his brother.

"That's understandable, but at least he doesn't have to go through it alone. He's got the two of us and we'll be there for him every step of the way," Bobby intoned as he pulled up a chair beside Dean.

"Thanks for that Bobby. I don't know what we'd do without your help," Dean stated sincerely.

"No thanks needed Ace. You boys are family and family always takes care of each other. And talking about family, I hope you know that I expect you boys to come stay with me once Sam is strong enough to be released. I'll get him enrolled in an outpatient therapy program so that he gets all the help he needs," Bobby stated.

"I don't want to put you out Bobby. Sam and I can…"

"Can come stay with me and I don't want to hear anymore about it," Bobby finished tersely to put an end to the argument before it ever got started.

"Yes Sir," Dean replied, happy to know that they would have a place to stay where Sam could feel at home until he was fully recovered. And t be honest, he was looking forward to spending some time at Bobby's place himself since it was the closest thing they had to a home besides the Impala.

TBC