Author's Note: Ummm. Sorry.
I know I have reviews to answer – I've been travelling a lot, but that's no excuse, and I will answer them, I hope, over the weekend. But in the meantime, I'm posting this – and doing my best to get the rest of the fic up all at once to avoid further delays.
Nothing's mine, and a million thank-yous to Cheryl and to all the wonderful reviewers for their patience.
Interlude: Lady of Mercy Hospital, Baltimore
Fuller had just wrestled West away from the bed when Rob came back, Dean in tow.
"He's lying!" West snapped, trying to get loose, not realizing that the door had opened. "The little devil is lying to us! He wants to protect his brother, he's been brainwashed. He's out of his mind."
Fuller expected Dean to let loose and punch him – the detective would even have helped – but Dean just glared at him before going to the bed and gathering Sam up into a hug. Sam sighed, all the tension leaving him as he slumped bonelessly into his brother's arms.
Fuller glanced at Rob, who shook his head. Sam wasn't supposed to be sitting up, but Dean seemed to know what he was about and it was calming the patient.
"I think," Rob said quietly, "We're going to need an explanation. Preferably the truth."
To everyone's surprise – except Dean's – it was Sam who answered. "I did fall," he said quietly, without moving away from the safety offered by his big brother. After the day he'd had, Fuller couldn't really blame him for clinging to the one familiar thing. "It wasn't Dean's fault. Mr. West has been using substandard building materials. The project would have cost far less than is listed in his books. I think so, at least, but an auditor would be able to tell you for certain. I suspect he's also remodelled and built over heritage properties without due permission. And he's trying to persuade you that Dean's beaten me up so you won't believe him, and that I'm crazy so you won't believe me."
Dean abruptly buried his face in Sam's hair. Fuller suspected he was hiding a snicker.
"I see," Fuller said. Something about Sam's voice made him think the young man was telling the truth. "Do you have proof?"
"You don't have to take my word for it. Just send someone out to take a look."
"You little brat," West spat. "I'm going to –"
"Hey!" Dean snapped. "That's enough! If I ever see you near my brother again –"
"Mr. Smith," Fuller interrupted. "If I hear you making a threat, I'll have to take cognizance."
"Fair enough," Dean said, shrugging. "OK, then, Lou, listen up. If I ever see you near my brother again, I won't make you regret the day you were born, I won't rearrange your face, and I won't permanently take away your ability to have kids." He glanced at Fuller. "That OK?"
"I didn't hear a threat," Fuller said, grinning. "Did you, Rob?"
"Nothing at all."