"Austin! Keep pressure on that bleed."
"Oh God… Is he gonna die?"
"Not if you keep the fucking pressure, now!"
"I'm trying. Everything's…. slippery."
"Dean, hand me that pack of sutures."
"Which ones?"
"Doesn't matter. Just open one and hand it here."
"Good. Now Austin I want you to move your fingers on the count of three and I'm going to loop this around the vein to tie it off. Ready? One… Two… Three."
...XoXoXo...
Sam thought he heard voices; they were quiet, and muffled. He felt lightheaded and nauseous.
...XoXoXo...
"Oh fuck, he's puking."
"Roll him onto his side… No not that side, the other side, genius. God, do want him to bust open his jugular again?"
"Why is he puking?"
"He's in shock. The lack of blood flow to his stomach made it upset. It's normal. He'll be fine as long as he doesn't breathe any of it in."
"How do you know all of this stuff?"
"Iraq."
"Oh."
"Hand me that small zip-lock bag. Let's put it over his cut and tape it. Then a bandage."
Austin and Dean obeyed the burly hunter's every word to the best of their abilities. Nervous and adrenaline-filled as they were, the dire circumstances forced them to perform well. The life of someone dear was literally in their hands.
"There's so much blood…" Austin whispered when there was a moment of transition between tasks.
"I know." Dean held back a sob as he looked at the dark red pool all three of them were kneeling in. It soaked through his jeans and formed morbid looking knee-patches as the denim soaked up the liquid.
"Is he going to be okay?"
Dean didn't know how to answer that. He kept quiet.
The other hunter, Terry, put a bloody hand on Dean's shoulder.
"He's not gonna make it we don't get him some blood; and fast."
Just then a strange scraping sound came from twenty feet away, at the far side of the room.
All three rescuers' attentions swung to that side of the room.
A tall, dark haired young man was dragging something big and heavy.
The man turned his head for a moment, tossing the long hair out of his eyes out of habit.
Dean saw his face.
It was Dmitri.
"You!" Dean shouted, and the suddenness of it made Austin jump out of his skin.
"I need help." Dmitri struggled with the large metal cooler that probably weighed at least a hundred pounds.
"I brought blood."
Dean attempted to squelch the fiery rage burning in his veins when he realized what the vampire was doing.
Terry ran to Dmitri's side, and flung open the cooler, looking through its contents with a tenacious speed.
"Dean, what is Sam's blood type?"
"Uh… I uh… I don't know."
"I don't see any O-neg in here. Fuck! Dean, are you sure you don't know?"
"Let's check his wallet." Dmitri said while he rushed to the young Winchester lying unconscious on the floor.
"You stay away from him, you bastard!" Dean roared.
"I'm just trying to help." Tears blurred Dmitri's vision as he pawed through Sam's pockets looking for a billfold. He finally found one, and he held it up to Dean, as if it were a speedily-offered peace token.
Dean tried not to look grateful as he took the wallet from the vampire and looked for any blood donor identification.
"A - positive." Dean struck gold and he resisted a whoop of joy upon finding a medical information card.
"I found some A - negative. It will work." Terry rummaged through his hunting duffel to retrieve some more supplies.
Dean watched with malice and jealousy when he saw Dmitri kneeling next to Sam; his Sam.
"It's okay, baby." Dmitri promised in a whisper. "We're going to get you the help you need. You'll be alright. We're all here to help you."
But Sam did not look alright.
He looked as white as a sheet and the only signs of breathing were the occasional rise and fall of his abdomen, and it looked more like a muscle spasm than real breathing.
"Oh God… Guys, I don't think he's breathing anymore." Dmitri let his ear hover over Sam's nose. He felt and heard nothing.
Dean was about to intercede, as he saw where this was about to lead, but it was too late.
Dmitri tilted Sam's head back and delivered a rescue breath; a kiss-of life, so to speak.
The eldest Winchester tried not to see it as a kiss; though it resembled one. Dmitri repeated the action every six seconds or so, trying to provide enough oxygen, and allow for the lungs to blow off carbon dioxide.
Dean couldn't help the eye twitch and the jealous fire that ate through his guts like piranhas.
Austin helped get the IV supplies assembled from a kit Terry fortunately brought with him. Soon all friends and family were surrounding Sam's body, ready to start the blood transfusion.
"You're doing a good job. Have Dean take over once you're tired." Terry ordered Dmitri while he searched Sam's forearm for the best vein to stick the IV catheter into.
A rubber tourniquet was tied around Sam's arm and in a matter of seconds Dean saw the needle poke into Sam's skin. Austin stood, holding the bag of blood so gravity did the rest of the work.
"Everybody's doing well." Terry affirmed while he took off the tourniquet and checked to make sure the blood was flowing properly.
"What about Sam?" Dean's mouth was dry and his voice cracked.
"We'll need to get him to a hospital for surgery; this was just a patch fix to keep him from bleeding out. But I think he'll make it."
Dean tried not to think about the fact that Sam would be dead if it weren't for Dmitri, the evil, twisted vampire pervert who got Sam into this mess in the first place.
...XoXoXo...
Eighteen hours later, the Winchester patient and the rest of the gang were safe and sound at the rental house. Dmitri and Dean had carried their patient up the stairs on an aluminum-framed army stretcher and Austin trailed beside, dutifully holding an IV bag of saline the hospital had sent home. Dean was grateful that Terry knew a few of the people working at the hospital and they asked very little questions regarding the nature of Sam's "accident." They also let them take Sam home, under the care and supervision of Terry, who turned out to be an invaluable asset and it never ceased to amaze Dean all of the things the hunter knew.
...XoXoXo...
"Does this mean he'll be okay?" Dean looked Sam up and down, as though he were expecting to see some sort of obvious telltale sign of getting better. He wished he knew more medical stuff, like Terry.
The army medic's lips pressed into a thin lined frown.
"I don't know, Dean. He'll live, but…"
"But what?"
"The blood loss he suffered was enormous. He might have brain damage. We won't know until he wakes up, which, by the way, I advise we keep him sedated for a few days, at least. It will allow time for any swelling in his brain to go down and it will reduce the stress he puts on his body."
"Okay." As much as Dean wanted to look into Sam's eyes again and to hold him close and kiss him, he know that he had to do what was best for Sam. Or else he might not have a Sam to be with at all.
"I think he's stable. We should let him rest. The sedatives are enough for the next few hours. I'll check on him in a half hour just in case."
"I… I think I'll stay here." Dmitri lagged behind.
"No, you and I are gonna have a talk." Dean said insistently.
"Austin can stay here with Sam. You, douche bag, you're coming with me."
...XoXoXo...
Sam awoke groggily, feeling like he'd been hit by a freight train and then run over by a steam roller.
His hand was covered in tape which was used to secure an IV catheter. Sam felt the tube coming out of his hand and decided it was best to leave it alone. He felt a strange tickling sensation in his nose and he realized he had a tube inserted in that as well. Sam suspected it was a feeding tube. He wondered how long he'd been unconscious.
"Dean," was the first word out of his mouth while he blinked over and over, attempting to clear his vision.
A fuzzy outline of a familiar figure appeared from somewhere, and an even more familiar voice hit his ears.
"Hey Sammy."
Dean. It was Dean.
Sam couldn't help the tears collecting in his already blurry eyes and he reached his arms out weakly, hoping to receive a hug.
Dean got the message, and he plopped himself onto the side of the bed, being careful of all the connecting tubes so he could finally hug his baby Sam; the only person that really mattered to him. The only one he loved.
"It's so good to finally hold you, Sam. It's been a while."
"I thought I died." Sam's voice cracked, and not just because of emotion. His mouth was as dry as a stale saltine cracker and he was sure he had morning breath that could murder.
"You almost did. We saved you. Terry, Austin, Dmitri… We all pitched in."
"Dmitri?" Sam sounded confused.
"Yeah. He showed up with a huge cooler full of donor blood; presumably from the nest's stash. If not for him you probably would have died."
"Dean you realize that he was about to turn me; before you guys showed up."
"I know. He told me everything. I agreed to let him talk to you, whenever you're ready, but he's promised to leave town after that."
"How long have I been out?"
"Two weeks."
"Seriously?"
"Yep. Terry kept you in a coma for a week. The rest was all you, baby. You might try to hide it, but you've got yourself a lazy streak somewhere deep down."
Sam couldn't help but laugh at Dean's teasing, but he instantly regretted it when he felt a sudden pain in his neck.
"Yeah, be careful. You're gonna be on bed rest for at least another week; doctor's orders. No strenuous activity until your vein is completely healed up."
Sam got a mischievous look on his face.
"What all counts as strenuous activity?"
Dean held up a cautionary finger.
"I… I don't want you to kill me, but, since you were in a coma, we had to put a… um… catheter inside your… you know… man parts, since you wouldn't be able to make it to the bathroom. So I would not recommend getting a boner right now, dude, it would be painful."
Right away Sam cringed in discomfort, as if on cue.
"Too late. God, Dean, why do you always have to be right?"
"It's part of being your big brother, Sammy." Dean placed a kiss on Sam's forehead and started to walk out of the room.
"I'll call Terry and tell him you're up." Dean gave a pointed look at the tent forming in between Sam's legs, and with that last sly innuendo he left the room.
...XoXoXo...
"No sexual activity for at least a week. And that includes solo activity too, alright?" Terry said in a chiding manner, as if he'd read Sam's mind and knew what he wanted, first thing out of a coma.
He examined Sam and checked his vitals while he lay semi-reclined on the bed, the same position he'd been sleeping in for weeks.
"Stay propped up on the pillows. It's keeping the blood pressure against the patched vein at a manageable level. Whatever you do don't lie flat, and do not bend over. I suspect the patch will be good as new in a few weeks. You can get up and walk around tomorrow, but no stairs."
"Great. Thanks, Terry I… Have no idea how to thank you." Sam was at a loss for the words to describe just how happy he was to be alive after suffering such a severe injury. If Dean hadn't called Terry to come out on the hunt, and if Terry hadn't agreed, then Sam would be dead. There were so many factors that played into his survival, and they all lined up with perfect precision.
He had gotten lucky, that was for certain.
"It's not a problem Sam. I'm just glad I could help. You know you would be dead if it weren't for that Dmitri fellow. I don't know your history with him or anything, but I could tell he cares for you very deeply."
"Thanks. I'll talk with him. I have a few things I've been meaning to say."
"Right. Well you should be all good to start eating on your own now. I think we should take this feeding tube out."
"It is going to hurt?" Sam asked without thinking.
"No, but you might feel a tickle at the back of your throat and it's normal to gag. If it's dry there might be a slight burning sensation in your sinuses. You ready?"
Sam nodded, and he winced as the medic ripped off the securing tape in one go. Then he was met with the strangest sensation. Sam thought it felt like a small, slippery snake making its way past his throat and through his nose.
"There, all done." You should keep the IV catheter in, just in case we can't keep you hydrated enough. I'll bring over a few extra bags of saline and give Dean the instructions."
"And um… what about the… other catheter?" Sam couldn't help a blush from rising to his cheeks. But he had no need to be embarrassed; Terry was as professional as they come.
"Oh yes, thanks for the reminder. You can take that out tomorrow, once you've taken your first few steps and can make it to the bathroom on your own. Just remember to do it slow and careful, or you'll regret it."
"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." Sam paled a little at the idea of taking care of a tube sticking out of his penis, but he decided to just stop thinking about it for the time being.
"Is there anything else you have questions about?"
"No." Sam said quietly. "I just… Again, I am so grateful I don't know where to start."
"Well, start with thanking Dmitri. You would have died if he hadn't brought the blood to save you. He's actually waiting downstairs right now. Do you want me to send him up?"
Terry was oblivious to the fact that Dmitri was a vampire, and he had no idea that he was responsible for this whole fiasco to start with. But Sam was in no mood or condition to fill him in.
"Yeah, go ahead. Tell him I'd like to talk to him."
Dmitri arrived at Sam's door in less than a minute, obviously eager to talk.
"Sam, baby it's so good to see you're awake."
"It's good to be back. God I think I have blisters on my ass. I've been in this bed forever."
Dmitri let the conversation stall awkwardly for a few moments, like he just didn't know where to take the conversation from there.
"Sam. I've been waiting so long to talk to you and now that I am I find it hard to formulate words."
"About?"
"All of this… I mean, how sorry I am for my abhorrent behavior. How much I wish I could go back in time and change all of this from happening."
"Do you wish you would have turned me when you had the chance? Before my rescue party showed up?" Sam verbally needled.
"No." Dmitri said firmly.
"I regret all of that now, Sam. I wasn't thinking clearly. I was just driven mad with jealousy over you and Dean. The only way I could see us being together was if you were like me. It was so very selfish of me, Sam. And I see that now. I've had two weeks to stew in my regret."
The young Winchester fought back tears as he realized that this was the most honest he'd ever seen Dmitri. It was no act. Sam wished it was. He wished that he could just turn off his care for Dmitri and tell him never to come back. It would be easier that way. But instead it was like tearing of a scab at a morbidly slow pace; Dmitri wanted closure. But part of Sam just wanted him gone.
The other part wanted to hear him out.
"I didn't even know if you were coming back. Terry had said you might have brain damage. The thought of never being able to speak to you again was… unbearable. It killed me inside to think that I was even capable of being so fucking selfish. I was putting my feelings above what is best for you; above your happiness and well-being. It was awful of me. It was… downright evil. And I don't deserve your forgiveness. And in fact I don't think I want it, because I already know I cannot forgive myself. I just hope you know now… that I am very sorry. I'm doing my best to make amends before I leave."
Sam couldn't stop a few tears from sliding down his cheek, and he felt a warm hand wipe them away gently.
"I don't want you to have to leave." The young man finally said.
"But I know we can't be together. And if that's the only way you can bear to stay away, then I guess it would be best."
"I made a deal with Dean. I'm lucky he's even letting me live. I'm still a little paranoid of him, by the way. He could still kill me before I leave."
Sam chuckled, but only a tiny bit because of the still sore wound on his neck.
"It's okay. I'm sure he's grateful that you helped save me. I am too."
"It doesn't excuse what I did."
"No, but it helped to make up for it. And, just so you know, I understand why you did what you did. And whether you want it or not… I do forgive you."
Dmitri sat on the edge of the bed and leaned in close to Sam, intending to just give him a hug.
Sam accepted the hug, and he kissed the side of Dmitri's face hoping to portray the amnesty he felt in his heart.
The vampire nearly startled when he felt the soft lips against his cheek. He was not expecting it, but he quickly and almost instinctively returned it, leaving a quick peck on the hunter's face.
Dmitri bit back a confession of love, knowing that it was not right to bring his own feelings into the picture. Not now, after everything he had done.
"Well…" The vampire stood up, and looked ready to take his leave.
"I guess this is goodbye."
"Yeah. I guess so." Tears threatened to continue falling, but Sam sniffed and looked away briefly, hoping to get the tears to stop developing.
"Thanks for everything, Sam."
"You too." The hunter replied quietly.
He broke into a sob once Dmitri left.
That was the last Sam would ever see of Dmitri.
And what was worse, was that Sam couldn't bring himself to be glad about his leaving.
He knew he would miss Dmitri.
Despite everything that happened, he knew that dark haired vampire would still have a place in his heart.
Always.