Chapter Thirty-One

Dr. Greene met Bobby and the Winchesters as soon as they entered the hospital. He led the small family down to an empty exam room so that he could speak with them privately and allow Sam to get ready for the operation.

"You've had your last dialysis appointment," the doctor said, not really asking the question but Sam confirmed that he had gone the day before, as scheduled.

"You've been taking the immunosuppressants and antibiotics as prescribed?"

Sam nodded.

"You haven't been feeling sick recently? No cough, no fever?"

Sam shook his head; other than after his unfortunate decision to diverge from his special diet three days ago, he had felt fine.

"Good," Dr. Greene said and Sam noticed a change in the physician's tone when he began speaking to his family instead of him.

"The surgery will last roughly three hours," the doctor told Dean, John and Bobby, "Longer if there are complications but we are sure there won't be."

"Immediately afterwards," Dr. Greene continued, "Sam will be given immunosuppressants and antibiotics intravenously. He'll have to stay here for four to seven days to ensure that there is not infection or rejection."

"After we're certain that everything is working properly," the doctor said, "Sam will be able to go home but he'll need to come in again for check-ups for the next couple of weeks."

Sam again felt nervous. He, and his family, had heard all this before from Dr. Greene but now he was starting to feel doubtful.

What if something went wrong? What if his body rejected the kidney? What if he got an infection?

"Sam?" Dean's voice said suddenly, "Hey, you okay?"

"There's nothing to be anxious about," Dr. Greene told him, "You're in good hands."

Sam nodded and bit his lips, "I know… It's just…"

He startled a little when he felt a hand on his shoulder- it wasn't Dean's- and the doctor spoke again, "I understand your fear but please trust me when I say that we will try and make this as painless as possible. We are here to help you, Samuel."

The eighteen-year old raised his head and stared in the direction of Dr. Greene's voice, "I know… thank you."

The hand left his shoulder, "I have to go and get ready. A nurse will come in and help you prepare."

"Can I stay with him?" Dean's voice asked, "Just until he's ready?"

There was a long pause as though the doctor was thinking but then Sam guessed he must have nodded because he felt Dean's hand touch his arm comfortingly.

"If you two gentlemen wish to stay too you can," Dr. Greene's voice said and Sam heard the sound of his footsteps against the tile floor as he left the room.

Sam turned his head, seeking his father and friend.

"We'll be right there when you wake up, Son," Bobby said, "It'll all be okay."

The young man felt Bobby's rough, calloused hand squeeze his shoulder for a moment before it fell away.

Sam jumped slightly when John hugged him- it was going to take a little bit to get used to having his father so affectionate towards him again- and embraced the older man as well.

"I love you Sam," John mumbled quietly in his ear and pulled away.

The young man listened to the sound of his father and friend's footsteps grow faint as they left the room and walked down the hall.

"Dean?" Sam asked.

"I'm right here, Sammy," Dean assured him and Sam relaxed.

"Why don't you sit up here?" his brother suggested and Sam heard a faint sound of paper crinkling as Dean patted the exam table.

Before Sam could move though, another set of footsteps sounded- this one lighter and quicker than the hunters' or the doctor's- and a female voice spoke up.

"Hello, my name's Claire," the nurse greeted, "I'll be helping you get ready for your surgery."

"Hi," Sam replied, slightly nervous.

"Is this your brother?" the nurse asked and Sam nodded.

"Dean," the twenty-two year old answered.

"Sam, can I get you to take your clothes off except for your underwear?" the nurse said in a kindly voice, "There's a gown here for you to put on."

Sam nodded and he heard the nurse retreat, "I'll be back in a few minutes with a gurney."

Sam didn't move until he heard the snick of the door as it closed behind Claire and then he grabbed the hem of his t-shirt.

"You need help?" Dean's voice asked but Sam shook his head, "I've got it."

SPN

Dean knew Sam was scared. His knew Sam thought it didn't show and maybe it didn't- on his face- but his body language was harder to control. Sam moved slowly, reluctantly handing over his cane and removing his garments.

Dean collected Sam's clothes as his brother shed them, folding them haphazardly and dropping them onto a chair.

Clad only in his boxer shorts, Sam looked very vulnerable. He could see the scar on Sam's side from where Dr. Bates had removed his kidney to give to some asshole and the bruise over the fistula on his arm- the IV needles they used for dialysis were merciless- was dark purple, making his skin seem even paler.

Sam was still fairly thin, as well, and Dean supposed it would take more than a few weeks for his brother to gain back the weight he'd lost while he'd been in Dunhill.

Dean handed Sam the blue hospital gown and his brother shrugged into it.

The door opened and Claire stepped into the room. Outside a couple of orderlies stood on either side of a gurney that would transport Sam to the operating room.

"Are you ready?" the nurse asked and Dean saw Sam nod and swallow thickly.

Reaching out, Dean took his brother's wrist, "It'll be okay, Sammy. I promise. I won't let anything bad happen to you."

Sam turned his head towards Dean, his milky eyes wet.

Dean frowned, wishing he could be there in the room with his brother during the surgery but knew that would be out of the question.

"I'll be there as soon as you wake up," Dean assured Sam and led him towards Claire.

Dean held Sam's hand out by the wrist and placed it on the gurney as the nurse and orderlies watched.

"Can you lie down on your side, Sam?" Claire asked and Dean watched his brother get onto the gurney and lie on his left side.

Before the gurney could move, Dean reached out again and put his hand on Sam's head, running his fingers through his brother's short hair.

"It's gonna be okay, Sammy," Dean murmured then lowered his hand.

He watched as the Claire gave the orderlies the 'go-ahead' and they began pushing the gurney down the hallway, the nurse speaking quietly to Sam.

Dean sighed and watched until the group had rounded a corner before turning and heading towards the waiting room where John and Bobby would be.

SPN

Sam's heart was jackhammering.

He knew he wasn't in Dunhill anymore. He knew that the nurse and orderlies were here to help him, that Dr. Greene was going to help him but it seemed instinctual that his body was reacting the way it was now.

"Sam, are you alright?" he heard the nurse ask from beside him and he nodded once.

"Yeah… just don't like hospitals," he muttered.

"Don't worry, everything's going to be fine," Claire said in a calming tone and Sam tried to relax.

He closed his eyes and jumped when the gurney bumped open a pair of double doors- the kind they seemed to have in every hospital- and heard the sounds of more nurses and other medical personnel.

The gurney Sam was laying on came to a stop and he felt someone standing him.

"How are you feeling, Sam?" Dr. Greene's voice asked.

The young man opened his eyes even though he wouldn't see anything and answered, "Okay."

Sam wondered if his donor was already in the room, conscious for now as he was or already asleep and prepped for the operation. Sam felt unease creeping through him and decided that he didn't want to know.

"If you're ready I'm going to give you the anesthetic now," Dr. Greene's voice told him and Sam nodded once.

Sam felt the doctor carefully fit the mask over his mouth and nose and he closed his eyes, the urge to fight almost irresistible.

Its okay, Sam told himself, he's not going to hurt me.

"-Count to ten for me, Sam," Dr. Greene instructed, interrupting the young man's thought.

"Try to breathe normally," the doctor said and Sam held his breath, realizing that he was close to panic again.

A slightly sweet smell filled the air inside the mask and Sam reached up to pull the offensive thing off his face.

He struggled when he felt someone- probably Dr. Greene- grab his arm by the wrist and push it away.

"Sam," the man said, "Sam, it's alright. Calm down."

"Get off of me! Don't touch me! Get-"

Sam couldn't fight the unconsciousness the anesthetic brought with it, its affects quickened by his frantic breathing. His limbs became limp and his mind felt disjointed until finally everything became dark and he floated away into sleep.

SPN

Dean hoped that Sam was all right. He glanced down at his watch and saw that his brother's surgery had already begun.

"How was he?" John asked, his tone concerned.

Dean shrugged, "He was nervous. But I think he was okay."

Bobby nodded, "Anyone would get scared for a big surgery like that and after what Sam's been through, well, he has certainly been brave for all of this."

Three hours- give or take- until they could see Sam again; Dean didn't know if he could wait that long.

Bobby stood and stretched, "I'm gonna go get some coffee. You two want any?"

"I'll come with you," John offered and looked at Dean.

"Come on, Dean," his father encouraged, "The cafeteria will be better than sitting here on your own."

The older brother wanted to wait for his sibling but he knew that remaining where he was wasn't going to make Sam's operation move faster. Instead, he stood and nodded, "I could really use some caffeine."

SPN

John looked up instantly when Dr. Greene stepped into the waiting room. The physician had taken off his gloves and pulled down his mask but he still wore his mint-green smock, booties, and cap. There was a smear of blood on his shirt.

"Is Sam alright?" John asked as the doctor approached, looking tired but pleased.

Three and a half hours had passed since Sam had been taken into surgery and although that wasn't too much longer than the doctor had told them it would be, that extra half-hour made the hunters nervous.

Dr. Greene smiled, "The operation went well. Both patients are recovering nicely."

John's shoulders slumped in relief, "Thank you, Doctor."

"If you'd like to come and wait with Sam while he wakes up, I'll allow it," Dr. Greene continued, "He had a bit of a panic attack before the surgery."

Dean's eyes widened in concern, "What happened?"

"Sam was calm up until he was given the anesthetic," Dr. Greene explained, "Which is to be expected from what he'd experienced at Dunhill. He went under without a problem but I think having his family there as soon as he wakes will relieve any lingering anxiety."

Although John knew Dean had planned on being at Sam's bedside as soon as his brother woke up, having actual permission from the doctor made a potentially bad scene a nonissue.

"Sam's in a recovery room right now," Dr. Greene told them, "Once he's awake and everything is working as it should, he'll be moved into a more permanent room for a few days."

The small family followed the surgeon down the hallway to a room just off the operating area and John felt his eyes well with tears when he saw Sam lying in bed.

SPN

Dean was at Sam's side in an instant. He reached out and took his sibling's hand, gently rubbing his thumb over the knuckles. He felt bad that Sam had been frightened in the operating room and once again wished he could have been there to let his brother know nothing bad was going to happen to him.

But he was here now; Dean was going to make sure Sam knew he wasn't alone when he woke up.

Sam looked kind of bad, in Dean's opinion but he guessed that was to be expected after a nearly four-hours in surgery. His brother's face was pale except for two red spots high on his cheeks- as though he had a fever- and his hair was damp with sweat. His breathing and his heart rate- both monitored by a machine sitting beside him- were regular and calm.

Dean saw his father lift his arm and wipe his eyes with his sleeve.

"He's okay, Dad," he said, "He'll be okay now."

John nodded and reached out to take Sam's other hand.

Bobby remained at the foot of the bed, part of the family but distancing himself.

Not wanting to crowd Sam too much, Dean thought.

"C'mon Sammy," the twenty-two year old mumbled, "It's time to wake up now."

"Dean," John said, "Sam's only just got out of surgery. Give him some time to come around."

The young man looked at his father, knowing that John felt he was being impatient but he knew Sam and was certain his brother would wake up at the sound of his voice.

"Sammy," Dean whispered, his thumb rubbing his brother's knuckles, "C'mon Sammy. You did great. Time to enjoy that new kidney of yours."

Just as he'd expected, Sam's fingers twitched against his hand and squeezed. Dean smiled down at his sibling as Sam's eyelids began to flutter.

"Atta boy, Sammy," Dean encouraged, "I knew you had it in you."

John, looking surprised at how quickly his youngest was recovering from the anesthesia, joined his eldest in urging Sam to wake.

"Sam," he murmured, "Can you open your eyes?"

The eighteen-year old groaned and his eyelids slowly lifted.

Dean felt a pang of sadness at the sight of his brother's milky eyes even though he knew he wouldn't see anything else.

"Hey," he said and patted his brother's hand, "How're you feeling?"

"D'n?" Sam muttered, "Where'm I?"

"The hospital," Dean answered carefully, "But it's all okay."

Sam's eyes widened at the word 'hospital' and he groaned again, "Don' feel good."

"You'll be alright in a few minutes," John said, "Just relax."

Sam's head bobbed and his chin drifted down towards his chest.

"My side hur's," he mumbled, his words slurring, and raised his head.

"Okay Sammy," Dean said, "Don't worry, Dr. Greene's gonna give you the good stuff really soon."

Again Sam nodded once, slowly but steadily become more coherent and orientated as the anesthetic wore off.

SPN

Randall Gorman opened his eyes and saw Dr. Greene standing beside his bed.

"How'd it go, Doc?" he asked hoarsely.

"Excellent," the physician told him happily, "How are you feeling? Are you in any pain?"

Randall shrugged, "I'm good. How's the kid?"

"He should be waking up from the anesthesia any time now."

Gorman nodded, "Good."

"As soon as we're sure that you have no infection and that your kidney is working as it should, you'll be allowed to leave," the doctor told him.

Randall nodded. Dr. Greene had informed him that even with one kidney, he should live a full and long life. There wasn't even any need for him to be on any special medication or diet as long as his remaining healthy kidney stayed that way.

Dr. Greene smiled at Randall, "There should be more people out there like you, Mr. Gorman."

Suddenly the man felt his eyes prick with tears. He certainly had never heard anyone tell him that before.

"Are you alright?" the physician asked, his tone now concerned.

Randall nodded, "Yeah… Yeah… I'm great."

Dr. Greene seemed satisfied with the answer, "A nurse will see you shortly."

The doctor walked from the room and Randall closed his eyes for a moment, sighing.

Although he would never be called a saint- he certainly hadn't done much good in his life- Randall felt peace come over him unlike he'd ever felt before.

With his eyes closed, Randall did not see the nurse enter the room. With his eyes closed, Randall did not see her blue eyes flash coal-black and a smile cross her mouth. With his eyes closed, Randall did not see the woman lift her left hand lazily and flick her fingers.

There was a sharp snapping sound as Randall Gorman's neck broke and he died instantaneously.

The monitors he was still attached to- heart and breathing- let out their warning signals as all signs of life abruptly stopped.

The nurse calmly looked at the machines for a moment before her mouth opened as wide as it could go and thick black smoke pushed its way out, streaming up towards the ceiling and vanishing in a crackle of lightning.

The nurse fell to the floor- stunned- and later, when revived, would claim she had no memory of ever entering Randall Gorman's room or meeting him at all.

Author's Note:

Thanks to Ghostwriter, KlainebowsHallowsRumbleroar, SamDeanLover28, reannablue, Jenjoremy, TheCartwrightKid, L.A.H.H, MysteryMadchen, BranchSuper, babyreaper, SPN Mum, mandancie, and ncsupnatfan for reviewing.

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