Chapter Three

Dean practically ran down the aisles of the little convenience store as he grabbed bottles of Ginger Ale and cough syrup, boxes of Kleenex and antihistamines. He didn't like leaving Sam alone for too long when he was sick and dropped his armload of purchases onto the counter, startling the middle-aged man at the register.

"Sick kid at home?" The guy asked as he rang through a box of chicken noodle soup.

Dean didn't even smirk. Sam was sick and that was no laughing matter.

"Total comes to twenty dollars and seventy-five cents," Dean, distracted with worry over Sam, fished thirty bucks from his wallet and handed it over.

"Keep the change," Dean muttered as the cashier peered at him quizzically.

Dean disregarded the posted speed limits as he raced back to the motel. The only thing on his mind was the sight of his baby brother lying shivering on the bed, feverish and whimpering in pain.

Arms full of groceries, Dean nearly kicked the motel room door open in his haste. Sam was exactly as his older brother had left him, lying underneath a mountain of blankets and looking much too pale.

Dean dumped the groceries onto the table in the tiny kitchenette and was immediately at his brother's side, checking his temperature.

Sam's eyes opened to slits when he felt a cool hand on his brow. Pulling his dry lips apart, he tried to speak but was shushed by his sibling.

"It's okay, Sammy," Dean crooned, "I'm here now."

Dean frowned, his brother still felt far too hot and he immediately worried about dehydration.

Leaving his brother's side for a moment, Dean rummaged in the grocery bag until he found the box of Ginger Ale. Tearing open the cardboard, Dean grabbed a can and popped open the tab.

Helping his sibling to sit up against the bed's headboard, Dean brought the can of soda to his brother's parched lips.

Sam leaned forward slightly; his eyes open halfway and glazed, and sipped at the beverage his brother carefully held for him.

Sam choked on the fizzy liquid, some of it running down his chin and he groaned with discomfort.

"Sorry, Sammy," Dean set the can of soda aside and wiped his brother's face with his blanket.

Dean knew he needed to bring Sam's fever down but he wasn't sure how his brother was going to be able to swallow the medicine if he couldn't keep down some soda.

Thinking quickly, he went into the bathroom and grabbed a hand towel and soaked it under the tap with cold water.

Wringing out as much of the excess liquid as he could, Dean returned to his brother and laid the cloth over Sam's head, dampening his hair and hopefully cooling him down.

Dean almost smiled when Sam sighed, closing his eyes and seemed to relax for the first time since Dean had found him that morning.

"Why don't you lie down for a bit?" Dean suggested and assisted his brother in settling down on his back on the bed.

Dean went to the table and begun unpacking the rest of the things he had bought. He set a box of Kleenex on the nightstand beside the Ginger Ale and put the rest of the supplies in the cupboard of the room's small kitchenette.

Deciding all he could do was keep an eye on his brother's temperature- keep the towel cool- and periodically have him drink some of the soda, Dean sat down on his own bed and turned on the television.

W

Two hours later Sam's fever was still high and Dean was beginning to grow concerned. Sam had managed a few sips of the Ginger Ale- now flat- but all attempts to swallow some gel capsules of cold and flu medicine had been in vain.

Wringing the towel out for the nth time, Dean laid it gently on his brother's brow.

When Sam got sick he really got sick and would be miserable for four or five days before bouncing back like nothing had happened. But this was different, Dean could sense it. This illness had taken hold of Sam so fast, too fast for Dean's liking and the fever seemed to have dug in deep.

A groan from Sam's bed turned Dean's attention to his sibling. Sam had rolled over onto his side and was trying to sit up.

Immediately, Dean was beside his brother, helping him. Once Sam was sitting he ducked his head down so that it was nearly between his knees.

Dean rubbed his brother's back comfortingly and murmured soothing words.

"You'll feel better soon, Sammy," Dean told his brother, hoping that what he said was the truth.

Dean felt bad that his brother was so sick, especially when he'd spent the night before in the company of some waitress and hadn't thought anything of leaving Sam alone, and wished he'd just decided to hang out like his younger sibling had suggested.

Now Dean planned to make it up to his brother. Dean wouldn't leave Sam alone again except if it was an emergency. After the trip to the convenience store, Dean was sure he had enough medicine and soup and tissues to last at least a week. Since Sam had been little, Dean had always taken care of his brother whenever he wasn't feeling well, and he had become quite good at it, knowing exactly what Sam needed even before the kid himself knew, sometimes.

Dean helped his brother straighten up and placed a hand against his hot, clammy brow.

"What some more Ginger Ale, Sammy?" Dean asked and Sam shook his head, his eyes slipping closed.

Dean sighed and helped his brother lay down again- Sam falling asleep before his head hit the pillow- and stood up, feeling helpless. Dean rubbed a hand over his face and glanced at the wall clock.

Dean knew the dangers of a high fever- especially one that lasted for hours- and wondered if he should take his brother to a hospital.

No, Dean didn't want to do that. Sam hated hospitals and they wouldn't be able to stay for an extended period of time anyway lest they were found out for insurance fraud.

Heaving a sigh, Dean made a deal with himself that if Sam's fever wasn't lower by the same time the next day, he'd take him to the nearest hospital.

Author's Note:

1. Edited by BerserkerHellHound.

2. Thanks to Samstruck, sammynanci, sprincess23, LeighAnnWallace, RainbowBetty, mb64, Lucydolly22, L.A.H.H, SPN Mum, emebalia, BranchSuper, and 2012summerstar for reviewing.

3. Thanks to everyone who alerted/favourited/followed.

4. Please review! They make me smile!