Warnings and disclaimers: See chapter 1

Many thanks to CorieHall for the beta on this story.

Chapter 22 The patch up

Once the wounds were closed, antiseptic applied then bandaged they started on his shoulder turning Dean slowly to get to his back. John sucked in a breath at the welts on his oldest sons back making a mental note to look at those before they finished. By the time they had Dean's shoulder sewn up, Dean was panting a little with the pain but was determinately looking to Sam to let him know he was doing well. He had hardly spared John a glance and John knew they had lots to talk about when Dean was doing better.

Bobby entered with a large cardboard box in front of him and began setting up an IV of antibiotics without being asked. Bobby got a look from Dean as he inserted the needle into his less used left arm that he didn't want it but knew he had to because of his new injuries.

John asked Dean several times if he was okay and got only a small nod from him. John's head was finally clearing up more as they set to work on Dean's right hand. John saw how this hand seemed to have the biggest hole out of all of them. John sighed as the pile of bloody bandages grew on the floor as he tried to estimate how much blood Dean had lost. For someone as pale as Dean was he knew he should be out for the count and it didn't escape him that Dean's eyelids were looking weighed down when Sam wasn't looking at him or encouraging him on. John marveled at the closeness of his boys and knew they were going to come out stronger. They never ceased to amaze him with their tenacity and knew it was from Mary and Dean rather than himself and Sam had got it from Dean.

John's eyes skated to Bobby as they sewed the last hole up with sutures Bobby had bought in that large box. Bobby nodded subtly knowing what John was thinking straight away. They let Sam hold Dean's bandaged hand while they treated the young hunters back then John stepped over to Sam's bag and got him a change of clothes.
"Time to take a break Sammy. Have a shower and clean up."
"But I …"
"…want to stay with Dean we know. We are going to take a break now and let Dean rest a bit before we finish off the worst stuff. I promise we won't do any more bandaging till you come out. Besides you're covered in his blood and by the looks of him, Dean's going to need some sleep soon."

Sam looked torn but saw the sense in what John was saying. He did feel a bit gross with Dean's dried blood all over him. He didn't like the reminder of just how close he had come to losing his big brother. Dean gave Sam a small nod letting him know he would be there when he got back.

As soon as the bathroom door shut behind Sam, John and Bobby quickly set up a transfusion line between John and Dean. Bobby kept an eye on his watch and a blood pressure cuff he had procured when he had visited the medical supply factory. They knew the transfusion wouldn't be done before Sam got back but they didn't want to start it while Sam was around. The look in Dean's eyes had been bad enough when they started it let alone what Sam's puppy dog eyes would have been like.

Sure enough Sam stumbled to a stop when he saw John perched on a stool by Dean's right arm and the red line between them.
"I would have done that!" Sam hands screwed into fists.
"I know you would have Sam but I'm a better match to Dean's blood type than you are. It's just a top up, it won't take long."
"He should have gone to hospital and had it done properly. Not a…a…backyard job in a dirty motel room."
John could see Sam was at the end of his rope standing there with tears in his eyes.
"I know Sam but we don't really have a choice, do we? You want to help Bobby with the rest?"

Sam went sullenly to Bobby's side and took the scraps of gauze soaked in antiseptic and gently rubbed Dean's wrists then moved to his neck. Dean took the opportunity to pull Sam closer in a hug and pat the back of his neck with a bandaged hand. Sam felt the emotion of the week's events that threatened to engulf him in the shower flow over him in his brothers warm embrace. He had hurried through the shower to get back to Dean but also so he wasn't alone when he was feeling so confused and emotional about everything.

Dean wasn't surprised to feel Sam's warm tears on his neck because he knew how Sam could get when he couldn't do everything. Dean dragged his fingers lightly through Sam's hair murmuring that it was all over and everyone was safe. He was looking at it from Sam's point of view and how hard it must be for the boy to have gone through looking for him, seeing his injuries and being captured himself. It wasn't a typical hunt. This would hurt them all emotionally and they would have to talk about it. He knew Sam wouldn't allow him to bury it and pretend it didn't happen and in a case like this it would be better if he just let Sam have his way.

Dean pulled Sam closer to him in attempt to make him feel better. It was hard with his sore hands but he made it work and Sam was soon tucked up tight against him using his shoulder as a pillow as he fell to sleep.

John finished the blood transfusion and disconnected the tubes and both older hunters busied themselves with unpacking the rest of the box Bobby had 'obtained' giving Dean and Sam a moment alone. John was glad to see the box was half full of bandages and gauze which he was grateful for considering Dean's wounds. John went to the motel's office and rented the room next door for the two adults for the next couple of days. That done, he went down to the market around the block and bought soups, broths and Gatorades for Dean. He remembered to get supplies for the rest of them before heading back.

When he got there, the boys were how he had left them but Dean had finally succumbed and fallen asleep with his arms still wrapped around Sam. With Sam asleep, Dean didn't have to be strong and brave and got the sleep he needed. John was going to have to make sure Dean rested as much as possible even when Sam was around. Bobby had tucked a blanket around them and was sitting quietly at the first aid laden table. John ran a hand through both boys hair happy to have them back together. John gave Bobby the key to the other room taking first watch.

TBC