Chapter Thirty
John and Dean sat across from Dr. Greene in the man's office early the next morning.
It was just the two eldest Winchesters in attendance. Sam's doctor had called and asked his father and brother to meet him at the hospital to discuss something.
As soon as John heard the doctor's words he knew that somehow he had found out about the file.
Dr. Greene wasn't happy, that much was clear. His lips were pursed tightly and he didn't greet the Winchesters with the same warmth, as he normally would have.
"Last night someone snuck into the hospital, broke into my office and looked at a patient's confidential files," he said quietly.
"Why-" Dean began but the doctor raised a hand, silencing him.
"Do not take me for a fool," Dr. Greene said, "It does not take a genius to figure out who was snooping in my files, especially when they replace the file in the wrong spot."
John cut eyes at his eldest son for his rookie mistake but then Dr. Greene focused on him.
"Mr. Winchester, those files were confidential for a reason," he told the father, "Not only to protect your son but the man who is going to donate a kidney."
"I just wanted-" John began but the doctor interrupted him, not bothering this time to raise his hand.
"I know you want to make sure Sam's donor is a good person but that is not part of my job," Dr. Greene said, "If the donor is an asshole would you deny your son a kidney because you don't like that?"
John opened his mouth but then shook his head. He hadn't really thought about it that way.
"With your son's blood type we cannot afford to be picky, Mr. Winchester," Dr. Greene said, "Do you understand that?"
John nodded, "I do."
Rarely had the hunter ever felt so shamed in his life. Only two people he knew could make him feel so low like this, his mother and his late wife.
Now Dr. Greene folded his hands, "I trust you liked what you saw about Sam's Good Samaritan?"
John looked up and nodded, "Yeah."
Dr. Greene stood and took Sam's file from the cabinet, "That's good. I called him, by the way, this morning to find out if you'd contacted him."
John waited, his mouth suddenly dry.
"He informed me that he was still going to give Sam a kidney, even after your conversation last night."
John sighed, relieved.
"I am not going to press charges, though I should," Dr. Greene told them, "For Sam's sake."
John lowered his head, chastised.
"Now, if you'll excuse me," Dr. Greene said brusquely, "I have patients to attend to."
The physician saw Dean and John out of his office before making his way down the hallway, not giving them a second glance.
Dean sighed and leaned against the wall for a moment, "Dad, I'm so-"
John shook his head, "What's done is done. We're all right. Next time, pay attention to what you're doing, Dean."
Dean nodded and followed his father as John walked down the corridor towards the parking lot.
SPN
Dean found Bobby and Sam in the kitchen when he and John returned from the hospital. Bobby was sitting at the table, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. Sam was eating a bowl of cereal.
The younger man raised his head when he heard Dean step into the room.
"What did Dr. Greene want?" Sam asked.
"Just needed us to fill out some forms, Sammy," Dean lied and took a seat beside his brother, "You feeling better?"
Sam nodded, "Yeah."
"Look, Sam, I'm so-" For the second time that morning Dean was halting in the midst of his apology.
"It was my fault," Sam replied, "I knew I shouldn't have eaten that stuff and I did. It wasn't like you were twisting my arm or anything."
Dean shrugged, "I guess. Still, I feel bad that you were so sick."
Sam lifted one shoulder and ate a spoonful of Rice Krispies, "I just want to forget about it."
Dean nodded and met Bobby's eyes from over the top of his newspaper.
W
Dean and Sam went to the Pharmacy after breakfast, the younger brother using his cane to help guide him. Dean had to resist the urge to grab his brother's elbow and steer him through the aisles but Sam insisted he use his cane unaided.
"You're not always going to be around to help me find my way in unfamiliar places," Sam reminded him before they had exited the car.
Dean nodded and relented, knowing that this was important for Sam.
He made his way up to the counter and waited patiently for his brother. The pharmacist looked at Dean, eyebrow raised and the young man pointed casually at his sibling. The pharmacist nodded and continued his work for a moment until Sam joined them.
Dean took the prescription Dr. Greene had written up for Sam's medications and handed them over.
The pharmacist looked over the paper and then went to get the required medicine.
"Want to do anything while we're out?" Dean asked his brother as they waited.
Sam shook his head, "I just want to go back to Bobby's."
Dean frowned, "Are you feeling alright?"
Sam shrugged, "Better than last night."
"Okay, Sammy," his brother said, "We'll get your pills and we can go back to Bobby's."
The pharmacist returned with two bottles. Dean stared at the large bottles as the man set them on the counter.
"These ones are the antibiotics," he told Dean, "Take two of these once a day. Only two. They're pretty powerful."
The pharmacist handed the bottle to the older brother, casting a sympathetic look at Sam, "These ones are capsules."
Dean nodded and took the bottle, peering through the clear orange plastic. The antibiotics were small, one half of each was yellow and the other was red. They looked like every other antibiotic pill out there.
"And these are the immunosuppressants," the pharmacist, "You'll need to take three in the morning- with food- and three at night, also with food. That's very important. Always eat when you're taking these."
Dean took the bottle the pharmacist gave him and squinted at the immunosuppressants, "So… these things are supposed to make my brother's immune system go for a shit but he'll get sick if he doesn't eat if he takes them?"
"Dean-" Sam began but his brother put a hand on his younger sibling's arm.
"If you don't eat and you take these," the pharmacist explained looking at Sam even though he couldn't see him, "you'll vomit."
"But they'll fuck up Sam's immune system," Dean said even though he knew all this. Dr. Greene had explained it all to Bobby and the Winchesters when he'd told them the good news about Sam's donor. It just bugged Dean that even though his brother was going to get a new kidney he was risking severe illness and infection by having his immune system compromised- important if he didn't want his body to reject his kidney- but, Dean, guessed that was what the antibiotics were for; to keep his weak immune system protected since it couldn't do the job for itself.
"That's the whole idea," the pharmacist said blandly.
Dean opened his mouth to speak, perhaps to argue with the man, but Sam hit his shoulder with the flat of his hand.
"Forget it, Dean," he muttered, "Let's just go home."
Dean stared at his brother, "How did you know I was gonna talk?"
Sam smiled a little as Dean used a fake insurance card to pay for the medication, "I know you."
SPN
John sipped at slowly at his coffee as Bobby contentedly read his newspaper.
The father set his coffee cup down and sighed. Bobby raised an eyebrow, "Y'all right Johnny?"
The younger hunter pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I'm scared, Bobby," he confessed.
The veteran hunter put the paper down and stared at his friend.
"Talk to me, John," he said.
The father sighed again, "This isn't a joke."
Bobby nodded, "No, it isn't."
"Sam could still get really sick," John continued, "Even when he does get this kidney there's still a chance he could reject it."
Bobby nodded solemnly, "That's always a possibility."
"He's already been through so much," John lamented, "He can't take much more abuse."
Bobby swiped his ball cap from his head and nodded, "I hear ya. But Sam can't go on without this."
John nodded, "I know that… I do… I just don't want to see Sam hurting anymore."
Bobby pressed his lips together, "Neither do I."
John looked down, staring at his coffee for a moment.
"Listen, Johnny," the veteran hunter continued, "Things are really starting to look up. You and yer boys are finally starting to get on Lady Luck's good side."
John nodded, getting control of his emotions. He smiled and looked up at Bobby.
"Yeah," he said, "You're right, Sam's a fighter. He's made it this far… he's not going to give up."
Bobby smiled back and stood, going to the cupboard above the stove and pulling out a bottle of Jack Daniels.
John pushed his coffee cup towards his friend and Bobby topped it up.
SPN
"These ones," Dean said and Sam felt his brother press the pills into his palm, "Are the immuno- immune- whatever, they screw with your immune system."
Sam felt the pills with the fingers of his left hand- they were small and round, slightly convex- like Aspirin.
"Okay," he replied, "Got it."
"These ones you have to take with food, Sammy," Dean told him, "I don't think you wanna be puking your guts out again."
Sam nodded and flinched when he felt his brother press his hand against his brow, "How are you feeling? Better? You're not warm."
"Dean," Sam grumbled, "Stop it, I'm fine."
His brother scooped the pills from his hand and Sam heard the sharp click as Dean opened the second bottle. Sam felt the capsules as Dean dropped a couple into his hand, their coating slightly tacky.
"Antibiotics," Dean said, "You've gotta take two of these ones a day."
Sam nodded.
"You think you'll remember that?" Dean asked and Sam nodded, "I'll try."
He heard Dean chuckle, "I know you will."
Sam felt Dean's hand on his shoulder, squeezing slightly, "Two days Sammy. Two days."
SPN
The next couple of days were uneventful for the Winchesters, a calm before the storm, it felt like- but hopefully wasn't- and then the big day finally came around. Sam took his pills when he was supposed to and ate only the foods Dr. Greene had allowed him. Dean and John kept an eye on Sam for signs of illness while Bobby rolled his eyes in exasperation, often telling the two older Winchesters to leave the boy alone. The tension and excitement in the house grew exponentially as the hours passed until finally, the big day arrived.
Dean shook Sam awake even before sunrise.
"C'mon Sammy," he heard his brother say and felt Dean push some clothes into his arms, "Get dressed."
Sam nodded and pulled his t-shirt and jogging pants off, fumbling nervously with his clothes as he heard Dean dressing a few feet away.
"Hurry up, Sam!" Dean exclaimed, making Sam jump.
"Sorry," he muttered and reached into the collar of his shirt to find the tag so he could put it on the right way around.
"C'mon!" Dean's voice urged, now right in front of Sam and his brother grabbed the pair of pants on his lap.
"Here, they're the right way," Dean told him and Sam grabbed the pants from him, stood and tugged them on.
"Are Dad and Bobby awake?" Sam asked, wanting his brother to leave him be.
"Damn," Dean breathed and Sam heard his footsteps recede as he left the room.
Sam sighed and sat down on the edge of his bed. He rubbed both hands over his face then rubbed them over his short hair.
Now that the day of his operation had arrived, Sam couldn't be more anxious. He found himself wanting nothing more but to go back to bed.
It'll be okay, Sam thought, you know Dr. Greene.
Despite his own reassurances, Sam felt panic begin to sink in.
SPN
"Sammy! C'mon! What are you doing? Sammy?" Dean called as he headed up the stairs. He'd left his brother alone for several minutes and his sibling still hadn't come downstairs. He knew that Sam took a little longer to get dressed than he did when he had his sight but it shouldn't be taking him this long.
Dean made his way up the staircase and peered into the guest bedroom.
Sam was staring straight ahead, his face pale and his milky eyes, wide. His breathe was coming in short, sharp bursts.
"Sammy, calm down," Dean stepped into the room and sat down beside his brother, "Hey, it's okay, just take deep breaths."
Sam nodded, struggling to control his breathing. Dean, seeing that it wasn't making much difference to reassure his sibling, decided to try something else. Since Sam couldn't see him breathing calmly and regularly, he lifted his sibling's hand and placed it, palm down, on his own chest so Sam could feel his even breathing.
A minute or two passed before Sam's breaths were once again under control. He lowered his hand from Dean's chest and sighed.
"You okay?" Dean asked, concerned.
"Yeah… A little nervous," Sam admitted.
"Hey, it's okay to be scared," Dean told him, "Just remember that the doctors are there to help you and besides, Bobby, Dad and I will be there as soon as you wake up."
Sam raised his head, his eyes wet, "I know."
Dean patted his back and stood.
"I'll get your bag," he said and scooped up Sam's brand new duffel they had bought just the day before and left his brother to gather himself.
Bobby and John, puffy-eyed but alert, were waiting in front of the door.
"Sam comin' down?" the eldest hunter asked and Dean nodded, "He's a little bit nervous right now."
Both men nodded in sympathy.
"I'll go and get the car warmed up," Bobby suggested and took Sam's bag from Dean.
W
Five minutes later Sam was exiting the front door with Dean right behind him. Dean followed Sam, who walked slowly towards the growling Impala using his cane, and couldn't help but smile.
Sam was going to get a new kidney today; he was going to be okay. Everything was going to be okay.
Author's Note:
Thanks to KatyMVT, Ghostwriter, mara-isamoose, KlainebowsHallowsRumbleroar, mandancie, babyreaper, BranchSuper, SPN Mum, MysteryMadchen, L.A.H.H, Jeanny, ncsupnatfan, SamDeanLover28, Abbygailsnow, TheCartwrightKid, angel1718 and Guest for reviewing.
Sam's big day is here! Please join me in the next chapter to find out how it goes! And don't forget, leave a review!