"Why is it that every time I work with you, I end up bleeding?" Caleb complained nursing is bleeding ribs.
"Screw you Reaves, I don't recall asking you to come with me on this job." Joshua replied. "I could have handled this on my own."
"Yeah well, next time don't announce your case in front of The Knight. You know how he is about people working alone."
"I know nothing of the sort, I'm not one of John Winchester's golden boys. Let me look at those injuries so I can return his protégé in... well... not one piece but close to at least."
Caleb grimaced.
"Do you have a first aid kit?" He asked.
"No, but I've got my crafting kit. It'll keep you alive until we can get you some proper help."
"Oh great... just what I need. Some witch mojo."
Joshua rolled his eyes.
"Well, either that or I can let you die from infection. Your choice."
Caleb sighed deeply and nodded allowing the older man to pull up his shirt to expose the injury. The ghost had done some pretty serious damage with a sharp knife and while Caleb wasn't in imminent danger of bleeding out the white of his ribs was visible through the bloody wounds. Joshua did his best with his herbs to apply bandages. The concoction would stop the bleeding and keep infection out, but it was only a temporary fix to their current problem. Once he was done, he leaned against the wall beside Caleb and took in his sweaty appearance. He knew they would never be able to get out of here by themselves.
It was pretty embarrassing that they were stuck here. This had been a simple ghost hunt. All they had to do was burn the chef's hat that was kept in a case in the back of the restaurant. The business had been sold recently and the former owner was causing all sorts of accidents to happen. They had burned it, but during the scuffle to escape the ghost had locked them in the wine cellar. Unfortunately, there was no way to pick the lock from the inside.
Joshua leaned back against the wall and fought back his nausea. He definitely had a concussion from hitting his head on the way down the stairs.
"Reaves... Can you psychic us out of here or something?"
"Josh, can you wave your magic wand and get us out of this?"
"It's Joshua. And fine I get your point. You got any contacts that are close by? You need to be stitched up and I don't know anyone in The Brotherhood who can get here in less than a day."
Caleb sighed and rubbed a hand through his hair. Most of his contacts were on the opposite coast right now, that's the whole reason he was stuck in this situation with Joshua Sawyer anyway.
"Can I borrow your phone?" Caleb asked.
"Why? Can't use your own?"
"Nope. Person, I have in mind won't answer if they recognize the number."
Joshua frowned and handed over his phone to Caleb.
"So, they won't answer if you call? But they are gonna come and help us out?"
"Yup. If I can get them to answer. They'll come. They understand their duty to The Brotherhood."
Caleb dialed a number he had dialed many times before but had rarely had the guts to make the call and he listened to it ring.
"Hello?" The voice said.
Caleb smiled in spite of the 2 years of hurt.
"Hey Sammy."
Sam had been trying to sleep for hours. He finally had a day off from work tomorrow after 14 consecutive days and he had wanted to sleep in but that required actually falling asleep in the first place. The small bachelor apartment he was currently renting certainly had no luxuries, but it had come furnished, relatively bug free and cheap. He was hoping this would be the last time he would need a short-term rental, Jess and him were planning to find a place off campus for their junior year, but they wouldn't be able to look until she returned from her summer internship in New York. So, for now, he had to work as much as possible and save up as much as he could for rent. Scholarships were great, but they certainly didn't cover Summers and the rising cost of rent in Palo Alto.
Sam groaned as his phone rang, he looked at the number and didn't recognize it. He frowned and let it ring twice more, before he flipped it open and answered it.
"Hello." Sam grumbled.
"Hey Sammy."
Sam frowned and then sat up in bed.
"Caleb?"
"How's it going kid?"
"What happened? Is everyone okay? Is it Dean? Or Dad?"
"Calm down, everyone is fine."
Sam sighed with relief, and then he was overcome with irritation.
"Then why are you calling me?"
"Well... Josh and I could use an assist, and before you freak out... the hunt is done. We are just stuck."
"Define stuck."
"Well... stuck in this case is stuck in a wine cellar with a concussed Josh and me bleeding like a stuck pig. And most of the Brotherhood are a day's drive a way."
"So, you are in California?"
"San Franscisco to be exact. I'd rather you be here in an hour then wait for Bobby to be here in 26 hours... you know if you wouldn't mind being called off the bench for a few hours."
Sam rubbed his hand over his tired eyes. This is exactly why he didn't answer his phone. He had wanted a clean break, no ties. And as usual, his loyalty was overriding his own self-preservation.
"Where are you?"
"240 California Street. Tadich Grill. The back door is unlocked. Wine cellar entrance just off the kitchen. Watch your back, don't want you getting caught by the cops."
"I'll be there soon."
"Thanks Runt."
"Hey Caleb?"
"Yeah?"
Sam paused for a moment.
"Do Dean a favour? Keep breathing until I get there?"
Caleb laughed quietly.
"Sure kid, I'll do Dean a favour."
Caleb disconnected the call and tossed the phone back to Joshua who was looking at him grimly.
"Really? You called Sam?" Josh mumbled.
Caleb shrugged his shoulders and grimaced at the pull of his torn-up skin.
"Closest contact."
"He is barely a contact; He is a 20-year-old kid who never bothered to put on his ring and then took off."
Caleb frowned and he glared at Joshua. That may have been true, but it was the bare bones of the truth.
"You know what Josh? Let's not pretend you know the Winchesters. Or for that matter ever gave a shit about them. Sam may not be an active hunter anymore, but he is coming to save our asses. Unless you have someone who is willing to do that for you instead? Ian? Silas? Harland maybe?"
It was a hit below the belt, but Caleb wasn't really in the best of moods.
"None of them are close,"
"Or would bother coming if you asked."
"Don't act like you know anything about my friends or my dad Caleb."
"Then don't pretend to know anything about mine."
Joshua smirked coldly.
"Ah yes, wouldn't want to say anything negative about the inner circle."
Caleb groaned.
"We are no different than you are Josh. We are all members of The Brotherhood, under the same protections."
Josh laughed and covered his eyes shielding them from the light.
"Yeah, you keep thinking that Kid."
Caleb was saved from a reply when he heard the door at the top of the stairs squeak open. Josh and Caleb both raised their guns at the sound of the intrusion, and watched as a floppy haired kid in a loose hoodie made his way down the stairs. He looked up with a frown.
"I come to the rescue, and you point a gun at me? Kind of rude." Sam said.
"Well in my defense Runt... I called you 20 minutes ago. How did you get here so fast?"
Sam shrugged as he knelt down in front of Caleb eying the blood on his shirt.
"I was in the city, you good to walk? My cars in the alley."
Caleb hesitated, side eying Josh and Sam immediately understood.
"Hey Joshua, take my keys. It's the blue Bronco. Just going to make sure you didn't leave anything behind."
Joshua frowned.
"Are you dismissing me Sam? You aren't exactly the senior hunter on this hunt."
"No, but if you two leave anything behind and it leads back to me? I'm turning you in to the cops for B&E. I would rather be left in peace."
Joshua rolled his eyes and made his way to his feet. His head was pounding, and he was a little dizzy, but he made his way up the stairs as quickly as possible. Sam waited until he could no longer see the older hunter before looking back at Caleb.
"You okay Caleb?"
"I'm fine Runt, Joshua put one of those disgusting witch patches over the wounds to stop the bleeding. I didn't hit anything vital; I just need some stitches. But if you kindly help me get up those stairs and never ever discuss the fact I needed help with anyone I would appreciate it."
"Who am I gonna tell?" Sam said with a sad smirk. "You need a hospital."
Caleb had nothing to say to that. He couldn't get it through the kids head that he could call anyone at any time.
"I don't need a hospital, just someone with a steady hand. Think you could help me out?"
"I'm out of practice."
"Please, it's like riding a bike. Don't tell me you don't still have a fully stocked first aid kit hidden away somewhere."
Sam paused and eyed Caleb carefully. Caleb just waited until Sam came up with his own decision on the matter.
"Alright, I got somewhere I can take you. I'll stitch you up."
Sam helped Caleb to his feet and kept him steady up the stairs. Once they reached the door Sam kept a careful hand on him until they saw Joshua standing outside the Bronco. Sam then let go allowing Caleb to walk to the car under his own steam staying just by his elbow in case he fell. Caleb was grateful to the kid; he knew he didn't want Joshua to see that he was feeling weak.
Joshua threw Sam's keys back to him and stood awkwardly at the back of the vehicle where he had put his stuff. Sam couldn't exactly leave the older hunter standing on the side of the road.
"Get in Joshua, you can come with us for now. That way you two can high tail it out of town later. Caleb lay down in the back."
Caleb climbed into the back and laid down on his uninjured side. He could feel the squelch of blood under his hand and knew he was starting to bleed again.
"I'm hoping we aren't going very far Sammy. Josh's mojo is starting to wear off."
"About 10 minutes. Your mojo gonna hold til then Joshua?"
"Stop calling it mojo and yes, he will be fine until then. Where are we going anyway? You got some weird off the books veterinarian you use for injuries Sam?"
"No, I'm taking you to my place you can hole up for the night?"
Caleb frowned and looked at Sam in the mirror.
"Your place? What are you doing living in San Fransisco?" Caleb asked
Sam looked at him in the rear view and then over to Joshua.
"Not really any business of the Brotherhood, is it?" Sam said sourly.
Caleb eyed the younger man, and hoped he was saying that because of Joshua's presence not because of him. They were family. He did not continue the discussion but when Sam met his eyes, he let the kid know this conversation was not over.
Sam lowered Caleb down onto the bed and Joshua took a seat at the kitchen table. Sam then made his way into the bathroom returning with his first aid kit. He made a brief stop in the kitchen to pull out some ice packs. He gave one of the ice packs to Joshua as he passed and brought the other kitchen chair over to the bed to sit beside Caleb.
"You good over there Joshua? Any other injuries besides the headache?" Sam asked. He began to cut up the side of Caleb's shirt.
"No need to play Doctor Winchester with me kid. You got a kettle? I'll make us some tea for the pain."
"Uh... Yeah. Bottom cupboard."
Joshua wandered into the kitchen with his backpack and began smashing around. Caleb took the opportunity to talk to Sam. He winced as Sam pulled back the bandages and got his first look at the wounds underneath.
"Caleb... these are bad. You should go to the hospital?" Sam asked.
Caleb chuckled softly.
"Stop acting like this is your first rodeo College Boy. The whole nervous thing doesn't suit you."
Sam sighed and took off his hoodie, leaving himself in a t-shirt so his sleeves were out of the way.
"Fine, but don't blame me when girls run at the mere sight of you."
Caleb smirked.
"Chicks dig scars, I'm sure I can spin a great story about these where I turn out the hero."
"Yeah, you and Dean were always great at that." Sam smiled sadly.
Caleb groaned as alcohol made its way into his wounds.
"Sammy, what are you doing here?"
"You want to talk about this now?"
"Yes, if it will distract me from that million stitches you are about to do."
Sam was silent as he began to thread the needle that was going to close up his friend's side.
"There is not any big mystery to be solved here. I needed a place for the summer, this place was cheaper than anything I could find in Palo Alto. Jessica is in New York for an internship, and I am working and saving up money so we can get an apartment. That's it."
"Okay fine I get that, but you never thought to tell anyone you weren't living in Palo Alto? I mean what if something happened?"
Sam stopped stitching for a moment and Caleb saw the tick of his jaw.
"Nothing is going to happen... I'm just a normal college kid who is working a summer job. I don't need anyone's protection."
"When did being normal ever keep anyone safe? The supernatural go after normal people all of the time."
"I'm not stupid, okay? There are salt lines on every door and window, shotgun in my closet. I'm protected."
"Oh yeah because that all sounds really normal."
"Look Caleb... I don't want to do this right now okay? I'm too tired."
For the first-time all-night Caleb took a moment to look at Sam. He took inventory of the younger man. He noticed the purple bags under his eyes, the slightly greasy hair. He noticed that his clothes hung off him a little bit, not in an unhealthy way but his weight had certainly not filled out with the last few inches of height the kid had put on. Something was going on here and Caleb wasn't sure what to make of it.
"How are you doing Sammy?"
"I just said I'm not going to talk about it."
Caleb sighed and adjusted his arm above his head. It was going numb, but he couldn't move it until Sam was done.
"Thats not what I mean. You look like crap."
"Says the guy with three six-inch gashes in his side."
"Can we just not with the Winchester sidestep tonight? Deuce does that enough."
Sam snipped off the last stitch and looked up at the older hunter.
"I'm fine. I'm just working too much, not sleeping enough, not eating enough. Usual starving college student shit."
"Yeah, but usually starving college students go home during summer break."
Sam shrugged his shoulders.
"My home is on four wheels. Wouldn't know where to find it even if I was welcome in it. Besides, I've stayed in worse places growing up. At least here there is hot water."
Caleb went to answer when Joshua came back in carrying two mugs. He nudged one at Caleb.
"Sorry boys, this stuff has to be drank hot to be effective and I don't give a shit about your little share and care in here."
"Fuck off Sawyer." Sam growled.
"Oh, believe me, I would love to. But I can't see straight and don't want to crash my car into a wall tonight. Guess you are stuck with me for the night."
"Fantastic..." Sam mumbled. "You can take the couch."
Joshua walked over and sat down on the creaky sofa, and he looked back at Sam.
"So Sam, tell me why did you come and help us? You left everything you knew behind, your Dad, your brother, Reaves over there. And then Caleb tells me he needs to use my phone to call you because you won't answer if you recognize the number."
"Josh..." Caleb warned.
"What? I'm just curious as to why he would ignore your call... But had no issue coming to get us."
"I would have come if Caleb called. He would just have had to leave a message. I don't answer when my family calls. Fine that's true. But I always check my messages to make sure it's not an emergency. Caleb probably just used your phone because it was easier."
"Sure... nothing like knowing little Sam Winchester won't answer when his own flesh and blood calls." Joshua looked over at Caleb.
Caleb wasn't sure what to make of the comment. Was this just about Dean and John or was Joshua casually throwing out the connection Sam and Caleb may have through Yellow Eyes.
Sam sighed and went over to the fridge pulling out 3 beers. He helped Caleb sit up and handed him one before walking over to Joshua. He held it out in front of him waiting for the older man to take it when he did Sam eyed him coldly.
"Don't project your own issues with your Father onto me Josh. What I am? What my family is? Has fuck all to do with you. I may have left but whether it was Dean, or my Dad, or Bobby, or Caleb, or even you... I'm not going to let you die in a basement when I am 20 minutes away. Can you say the same thing about your father Joshua?"
Joshua looked a little hurt by the comment but said nothing.
"Get some sleep, and then I'll take you wherever you need to go tomorrow."
Sam grabbed his hoodie off the chair and headed for the door.
"Where you going?" Caleb asked.
"For a run, I'll bring back some food."
"You are going for a run at 4:30 in the morning?"
"Yes, I'm too keyed up to sleep." Sam replied with a scowl. "I'll be back soon."
Sam closed the door behind him and Caleb stared at the door.
"The Kid looks worse then you." Joshua commented.
"I noticed." Caleb snarled.
"You gonna call Dean?"
"No."
"Why not? You know that he would want to know. Dean gets all weird and maternal around his brother."
Caleb looked at Joshua trying to sense if the older man was trying to be helpful or not. He could never get a read on him.
"Two reasons, Sam doesn't want him to know or he would call him himself, and two if I call Deuce and let him know that his brother looks like shit? It's just going to piss him off and Sam still won't accept his help."
Joshua nodded and took another sip of his beer.
"I get it."
Caleb eyed him awkwardly.
"You do."
"Sure. I mean Sam looks like shit, but it's normal look like shit. Look at the calendar in the kitchen, he is working 100 hours a week. He's tired. But if you get Dean worked up about something he can't fix, he could get himself killed. I understand."
"Right..."
Sam knew before he even got to his apartment door that the hunters were gone. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. He wished they had at least stayed the night and rested but he also knew it was better if they went their separate ways.
Sam put the breakfast sandwiches on the counter and picked up an envelope that had been placed there. Inside was a stack of $100 bills.
Sammy,
I couldn't find my insurance card anyway,
So these stitches would have cost more then I'm leaving you if I went to the ER.
Swallow your pride and take the payment.
P.S. Work less and sleep more.
-Caleb
Sam laughed at the flimsy lie but decided to take his friend's advice. He really needed some sleep.