A Struggle to Survive”

By: supernaturaldh

Chapter 14

Do My Job

The wipers tapped out a staccato rhythm against the windshield and Dean’s fingers beat a silent tempo against the steering wheel. He refused to turn on the radio, knowing his recovering little brother needed to rest. He glanced sideways at the gangly body folded awkwardly in the bench seat. It still amazed him how Sam could fit himself inside the car, let alone look so comfortable doing it. He grinned, his fingers reaching over to tug the army blanket back up against his sleeping sibling’s side.

“De…” a drowsy voice mumbled, lashes fluttering slightly, “we th’re?”

“Shhh, Sammy, sleep,” Dean encouraged, fingers brushing lightly through the chestnut brown locks.

And Sam did, his head nuzzling deeper into the cool black leather, as Dean’s hand drifted silently through his dark hair, lulling him back to sleep.

-0-

Bobby Singer’s head pulled upward from his research, the rumbling sound of the familiar Impala catching his attention. “Look’s like the boy’s have arrived.” He grinned at Tom as they both shuffled toward the front door.

Dean’s bright smile greeted the two hunters as he eased out of the driver’s door. He nodded toward the slumbering Sam, as he moved hastily around to the passenger door and tugged it gently open. He crouched, face level with Sam’s resting form as his hand clasped against his brothers lax arm.

“Sammy, we’re here kiddo.”

Sluggish eyes blinked open and gazed blankly at Dean for a moment. Slow recognition flashed across the hazel orbs as the pale little brother looked from Tom to Bobby. He pushed awkwardly against the blanket that covered him.

“Hey guys,” he whispered, his voice hoarse from lack of use.

Both older hunters smiled.

“Dean, keys, I’ll get the bags.” Tom offered, fingers waggling in front of Dean’s face.

Dean’s head nodded slightly as he slipped the car keys into Tom’s awaiting fingers.

“Need some help, Sam?” Bobby asked as he moved to stand next to Dean.

Blue green eyes peered through the too long bangs and a soft smile curled to Sam’s lips. “I got it.” He said self assuredly.

Both brother and father figure moved slightly back, allowing Sam the room he seemed to need.

The young hunter pushed shakily to stand, both Bobby and Dean’s hands poised directly behind him as he shuffled along, just in case.

The young hunter moved slowly forward until he reached the front steps. His hand fell shakily to the railing as he attempted to steady the spinning world around him.

“I...Th...think I need some ‘elp,” he whispered.

Two hands immediately gripped Sam’s arms, steadying his swaying movement and offering the needed assistance. The younger hunter accepted the offered help and moved unsteadily up the four weather worn steps.

He was really glad when he made it to the couch.

-0-

Tom looked intently at Dean’s tired face. The young man had been through a lot in the last couple of months, almost dying in a car wreak, loosing his father, and now, watching his brother recover from the botched hunt for the Yowie, and a vicious bout with pneumonia. He and Bobby both realized that Dean was carrying around some guilt with regards to his recovering brother. They just couldn’t quite put there finger on why. The large hunter pushed a cup of coffee at Dean’s exhausted face, as he sat down in the old oak chair. He looked curiously at Dean, the oldest Winchester sitting stoically at the kitchen table.

“Sam’s sleeping on the couch,” Bobby said as he entered the kitchen, yanked up a broken coffee cup and poured it full cup of the steaming hot liquid. His eyes darted over both men, gaining a quizzical look from Tom.

“So, what’s going on with you Dean?” Bobby asked inquisitively as he sat abruptly down in one of the empty chairs.

Dean’s head rose, bloodshot eyes staring at Tom and Bobby. “Nothing.” He muttered.

“Oh come on Dean, you been wallowing around here all damn week. Sam’s getting better, what is the deal.” Bobby asked unsympathetically as he slammed his cup down against the dull Formica tabletop.

The tired Winchester sucked in a stifled breath. “I didn’t do my job,” he sighed heavily, draining his coffee cup dry.

“What job’s that?” Tom asked.

“Dad said, take care of Sam,” Dean whispered, “and I didn’t, I was so wrapped up in myself, I couldn’t focus…I...”

“Aw gees,” Bobby hissed out, “That’s just stupid Dean, you didn’t know he was getting sick.”

“I should’ve.” Dean pushed away from the table as he stood to his full height, bleary eyes gazing at both men.

“Dean, you just lost your Dad, you had a lot to deal with….” Tom’s voice trailed off.

“He was Sam’s dad too.” The young hunter whispered as he moved slowly from the room.

-0-

A week later, and a lot of sleep, and Sam was beginning to feel almost human again. He still felt weak, but he could stay awake for more than twenty minutes at a time, and that alone made him happy. He lounged against the bedspread; long body sprawled out on the twin bed that he remembered as a child. He smiled and pulled his head up from the screen as he heard his older brother shuffle into the room.

“Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping, not surfing the net?” Dean eyed his little brother and the open laptop poised in front of him.

“I was bored,” Sam offered with a grin, “thought I’d find us a new gig.”

“Not anytime soon you won’t.” Dean said vehemently.

“Deaaaannnn,” Sam whined.

Dean just rolled his eyes and plopped down on the bed next to Sam, firm fingers shutting the laptop closed as it rested in Sam’s hands.

“Not happening Sam so just forget it.”

“But…I found a hunt in Nebraska, close by and…”

“Nope.” Dean said firmly.

Sam’s face frowned in a deep V.

An awkward silence settled between the brothers, Dean’s face a mask of too many emotions for Sam to grasp.

“You mad…mad at me?” Sam asked curiously.

Dean was taken aback, “What? No…no Sam, I’m not mad at you.”

Sam’s face contoured in confusion, “You look mad.” He muttered.

The silence stretched around them, Dean sighing loudly before he finally spoke. “At myself maybe…yeah.”

“Why?” Sam asked.

“Going off half cocked on a hunt, not talking to you, not researching. I was unfocused on the hunt, have been a lot in the last couple of months. I can’t keep taking a chance…”

“What chance?” Sam queried face contouring up into confusion.

“Loosing you…” Tears glistened in the older brothers green eyes and he swiped them quickly away with the back of his hand. “Dad’s gone…we…we only got – each other.”

“Dean…” Sam murmured, not knowing what had brought on his big brother’s meltdown. He blinked back his own welling tears.

“I lost my focus…what’s important, and well, I almost lost you.”

Sam looked wide eyed at Dean.

“I can’t bring Dad…back, but, but… I can take care of you.”

Sam’s eyes glistened with Dean’s emotional confession. He finally had his brother back.

“I can do my job.”

The End

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