Disclaimer: Not mine.

So, so sorry this has taken so long.

Chapter 7

Dawn blinked in confusion and then leant up on an elbow and looked at her sleeping husband. Sam's brow was furrowed, sweat matting his hair. "Sam?" She put a hand on his shoulder, stroking the skin gently. "It's alright, I'm here." She soothed. Sheets rustled across the room and then a lamp flicked on, revealing a half asleep but concerned looking Dean. "Nightmare." She whispered and he nodded. They were both worried about Sam's nightmares but he wasn't saying much about them. Until he did there wasn't much they could do. Sam gradually settled down and Dawn lay back down, curling against him and Sam's arm wrapped around her even in his sleep.

Sam watched in awe as Dawn moved, wooden stake darting in and out. He shook his head and moved in to take out the others even as Dean hustled the victims out of the warehouse. Finally they stopped and watched as the last of the vampire dust settled to the rotting floor. Sam took a deep breath and then wiped the sweat from his face before looking over at his wife again. Dawn smiled softly at him, putting her stake into her belt before stretching. "So how did you like your first staking?" She asked and Sam shook his head.

"Vampires. I never knew they were real let alone so many of them."

"They're pretty much a plague." She agreed as they headed out to meet Dean.

"And your sister and her friends did this every night?"

"Usually in various graveyards." She went on tip toes to kiss his cheek. "Post slaying food now?"

Sam laughed but nodded. "Shower first I think or we'll attract a lot of attention."

"Good point."

Sam stared at Dean in horror as his brother lay in the water. Dawn shoved past him and knelt beside Dean. She took his wrist to check his pulse, finding it weak and thready. "Dean? Can you hear me? You need to open your eyes." She urged but Dean was unresponsive. "Sam I need your help." She called and Sam made himself move, helping Dawn get Dean out of the water and laid out. She placed her hands over Dean's heart and began chanting softly and Sam watched in awe as Dean's colour improved, his breathing becoming deeper. "Call an ambulance Sam, he still needs medical help." Sam instantly made the call for an ambulance.

"Is he….will he be okay?" Sam asked shakily and Dawn stood up, wrapping her arms around him.

"He had a massive heart attack Sam, I healed what I could but even the tiniest heart attack can leave permanent damage. We'll have to wait and see what the doctors say." Sam hugged her tightly, burying his face in her hair while fighting tears. Soon the dank room was flooded by emergency personal and Dawn answered any questions, seeing as Sam was still in shock. They followed the ambulance in the Impala but Dawn got no enjoyment out of her first experience driving Dean's baby, not when Dean was so ill.

By the time they arrived Dean had been taken for various tests and scans, leaving them to fill in paperwork. It felt like hours before Dean's doctor finally emerged and asked for them. "How is he?" Sam asked shakily and the doctor smiled slightly.

"He's regained consciousness finally which is good. He suffered heart attack, thankfully only a mild one. He'll be going in for surgery in the morning once his condition has stabilised. After that he should make a full recovery. He'll have to watch his diet and health for the rest of his life though."

"He won't like that. Dean loves his burgers."

"I could tell from his bloodwork. You can see him for a few minutes but then he needs to sleep."

"Thank you." Dawn smiled at the doctor and then they went through to see Dean. It was a relief to find him reclining in bed and awake if pale and hooked up to a lot of machinery. "Hey big brother." Dawn smiled at him and leant over to kiss his cheek. "You scared us."

"Sorry." Dean smiled weakly at them. "When do I get out of here?"

"Dean….the doctor said you need heart surgery tomorrow." Sam answered and Dean's eyes went wide.

"What?"

"It's true Dean, but they said you should make a full recovery. We'll find somewhere to rent while you're in here and until they clear you."

"But…"

"No buts Dean. If Dawn hadn't…..you looked like you were dead." Sam choked out and Dean closed his eyes.

"We have to leave now, get some sleep. We'll be back tomorrow." Dawn kissed him again and Sam squeezed his hand before they left.

Dawn watched as Sam paced. Dean had been in surgery for an hour now and he was scared stiff. She sighed and the next time he walked by she grabbed his hand, pulling him down to sit beside her. "It's going to be okay Sam, he's strong."

"I can't lose him Dawn, I can't."

"You won't." She hugged him and Sam clung to her. Half an hour later they were peering in at Dean who was still unconscious.

"Surgery went well and he should sleep the night through. You can come back tomorrow and see him. If all goes well he will be released by the end of the week."

"Thank you." Sam whispered.

TBC…