Clean Slate - Chapter Thirteen
Title: Clean Slate - Chapter Thirteen
Rating: T
Word Count: 2,056
Characters/Pairing: Sam, Dean, Bobby.
Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Angst
Summary: Death: 'Nasty, those memories. You don't want to know what they'll do to him.'
After an accident, Sam's memories of the last two years are wiped. What
starts out as a blessing soon turns into a curse as Sam's memories are
reawakened.
LIMP!HURT!SAM WORRIED!DEAN
Set S7 Episode 06 - Story picks up at the end of Slash Fiction and becomes AU.
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended.
Spoilers: Up to Season Seven: Episode 6
Thanks go to SnarkyMuch2 for beta’ing this fic.
Chapter Thirteen
Sam leaned back in his chair and sighed. He was exhausted. He never realized sitting upright was so much effort.
Dean watched him, concern furrowing his brow. "You need to lie down again?"
Sam shook his head. "Just a little longer."
"Sam, you're going to need to take it easy for a while. The doc said your muscles are going to be weak."
"I know," Sam said sadly. "The PT guy said I was lucky. I don't feel lucky."
Dean reached out a hand and squeezed his brother's arm. "You are lucky, Sammy. You survived against the odds, and now you're up and talking. It's…" He trailed off.
"What, Dean?"
Dean rubbed at his eyes. "It's more than I was expecting. I thought I lost you in more ways than one. They did this test, an EEG. They said that there might be brain damage. The way I see it, you sitting up and talking to me, it's a gift."
Sam fell silent. He didn't realize how close it had been. In truth, he knew little of his injuries. He opened his mouth to ask Dean to explain to him what exactly had happened, but he saw the haunted look in his brother's eyes, and it made him pause. He needed answers, but Dean wasn't the person to ask. It could wait until he saw the doctor again.
"Is Bobby coming by again?" Sam asked, trying to draw the look of devastation from his brother's eyes.
"You want him to? He's kinda been keeping his distance since you… uh…"
"Since I freaked out on him?" Sam grinned.
"Yes, since that." Dean didn't like to think of what happened immediately after his brother saw Bobby the last time.
"In my defense, I did think I was seeing a dead guy," Sam said. "Anyone would have freaked."
"True. So, do you want to see him?" Dean knew Bobby was likely sitting at the motel, waiting for the phone to ring.
"Definitely."
An idea occurred to Dean. "Fine, I'll call him, on one condition; you have to get back into bed before I make the call."
Sam scowled and Dean sighed. "I'm not trying to be an ass. I'm trying to stop you from face planting at my feet. You're exhausted, and you know it."
"Okay. You mind helping me out?"
"Whatever you need, man. Just tell me what to do."
"Let me hold your shoulders."
Dean squatted and Sam gripped his shoulders. With great effort-and a lot of help from Dean-Sam managed to get to his feet. Dean was right, he was exhausted, and his legs didn't want to support him. He listed to the side, but Dean caught him with an arm around the waist.
"Easy, Sammy. I got ya."
Sam half stepped, half threw himself towards the bed. He landed awkwardly, but he was at least on there. Dean huffed as he lifted Sam's legs and pushed them onto the blankets and then helped his brother roll over. Sam was panting by the time Dean had got him settled back against the pillows.
"For someone that's not eaten for a month you sure do weigh a lot."
Sam laughed weakly. "Cut the sweet talking and get Bobby here."
Dean pulled out his phone and grinned. "Sure thing."
Dean was right; Bobby was sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for the phone to ring. But the first call he received wasn't from Dean.
He was contemplating whether to go out for food or to wait for Dean to come back, when his phone rang.
He snatched it up. "Dean."
"Nah, man, it's Mackey."
In all the excitement of Sam waking up, Bobby had completely forgotten about Mackey and his faith healer gig.
"Hey, Mackey. Sorry about that. I've been waiting on a call is all."
"Everything okay with the Winchester guy?"
"Yeah. Things are better than okay in fact; he woke up yesterday."
"That's great news."
Bobby smiled to himself. It was more than great, it was the best news they'd had in too long to recall. After years of constant knocks, their luck was changing.
"So, how did things go with your faith healer?" Bobby asked.
"That's why I'm calling. He was the real deal, Bobby. A genuine healer. Not a reaper in sight. He fixed my busted eye."
Bobby scrubbed at his beard. "You sure?"
"I threw every test I had at him, and he sailed past. He's a strange guy for sure, but as far as I can tell, he's legit."
"I'll be damned."
"That was pretty much my reaction, too. I tell ya, it spooked the hell out of me. Not that I'm complaining. I have two working eyes for the first time in years. I'm gonna call this one a win."
Bobby had seen many strange things in his life, hunting evil opened you up to it, but he had never known of a genuine faith healer before. If only they had found this guy sooner. It could have saved two weeks of pain for Sam, Dean and him.
"Well, thanks for letting me know, Mackey, but we're past that point now. Like I said, Sam's awake, and as far as I know, he's doing good. I'm waiting on Dean to call me now actually."
"I best let you go then," Mackey said. "You need anything, give me a call."
"I definitely will. And thanks again, Mackey. I appreciate it. Sam and Dean, too."
"No worries. You take care of yourself."
"You too, Mackey."
They exchanged goodbyes and Bobby set the phone down on the nightstand. He pulled off his cap and ran his hands through his hair. Sam was awake, they had a genuine faith healer to call upon if they needed, and Mackey had depth perception again. Things were looking good.
The phone rang again, and this time Bobby checked the caller ID. It was Dean.
"Hey, Dean. Everything okay?" he asked immediately.
"Everything's fine. We were wondering if you'd be able to drop by the hospital. Sammy wants to see you."
"Are you sure? I don't want to freak him out again."
"I'm sure. We've had a talk, and Sam's up to speed on everything now."
"And he's okay?" Bobby asked fretfully. He was worried about Sam's state of mind.
"Yeah, he seems to be okay," Dean said.
"I'm fine," a voice called in the background.
Bobby laughed. It felt good to hear Sam's voice again. "Okay then. I'll be right over."
"See you soon, Bobby."
Bobby hung up the phone and smiled to himself as he pulled on his jacket. He grabbed his keys and set out to the hospital again.
It was only a short drive. He was soon pulling into the hospital parking lot. His footsteps were light as he made his way to the third floor.
Dean was waiting for him outside Sam's room. He paused midstep, wondering what could have drawn Dean from Sam's bedside. His heart lightened somewhat as Dean smiled at him.
"It's okay, Bobby. He's good. I just wanted to talk to you before you see him."
Bobby frowned. "What's the problem?"
"No problem really. I just want to warn you ahead of time; Sam knows he's lost the last couple of years. He's not happy about it, as you can imagine, but he's accepted that I say it's better if he doesn't know."
"And you don't want me letting something slip," Bobby guessed.
Dean nodded. "That's about it. I'm serious about this Bobby. The doctor he saw today said that his memory might return on its own. I'm praying that doesn't happen."
"Right there with ya, boy," Bobby said. He didn't want Sam remembering hell anymore than Dean did. Those memories would only hurt Sam.
"I'm thinking we have to be extra careful," Dean said. "I don't want the wrong word triggering a memory."
"You may have a point," Bobby said. "Have you spoken to the doc about this?"
"What can I say; I don't want my brother remembering hell? No, I can't talk to them. It's got to be you and me. Sammy said he won't go ahead with the therapy they suggested."
"That's good, right?"
"Yeah, I'm just worried."
"I know you are, boy. Me too. But there's nothing we can do other than be careful with what we say and keep an eye on him. Now, are you done chewing my ear off? I've kinda been hoping to talk to your brother."
Dean grinned, feeling a little guilty about delaying Bobby as long as he had. He knew how he would feel if the situation was reversed; he would have been chomping at the bit to see Sam.
"Sure."
He eased open the door and stepped inside. "Ah, damn," he said softly.
Bobby looked over his shoulder and saw that Sam was lying with his head tilted to the side and his eyes closed.
"I guess he's worn out," Bobby said. "He's had a heck of a day." He was disappointed to see Sam sleeping. He had seen enough of that over the last two weeks. They stepped into the room, and each headed to their usual chair each side of the bed.
"You think we should wake him?" Dean asked.
Bobby wanted Sam awake, but more than that, he wanted Sam to heal, and for that, he needed rest.
Before he could answer, the figure on the bed stirred and mumbled, "Not asleep."
Dean laughed softly. "You sure do a good impression of someone sleeping, buddy."
Sam fought against his heavy lids and forced them open. Blinking tiredly, he looked around the room. His eyes came to rest on the older hunter sitting beside him.
"Hey, Bobby."
Bobby grinned in response. He had known on the logical level that Sam was okay the minute he first opened his eyes, but he didn't truly believe it until that moment.
"Hey, Sam. How are you feeling?"
"Tired," Sam said honestly. "How about you?"
"Well, I sure am glad to see you awake," Bobby said. "You had us real worried for a while there."
"Dean told me. Sorry about that."
Bobby chuckled. Only Sam would think to apologize after everything he had been through.
Dean sank back in his chair. "It's all good now though, right? A few sessions of PT and we'll be able to bust you out of here."
Bobby frowned. He didn't think a few sessions of physical therapy were going to cut it here. Sam had been through a lot, and it was going to take him time to get back on his feet.
Dean didn't have Bobby's pessimistic outlook. He had seen his brother come through plenty worse before, and he knew his brother would be back on his feet in no time. Then they would be out on the road again, hunting together; their lives could go back to normal.
Hard as Sam tried, he couldn't stay awake for much longer. He only managed to talk with Bobby and Dean for another ten minutes before he drifted off to sleep again.
Dean sat forward in his chair and watched his brother sleep. Though it was the same thing he had been doing for the last two weeks, it was different now, as he didn't doubt his brother would wake in the morning.
"You coming back to the motel tonight?" Bobby asked, though he thought he already knew the answer.
"Nah. I think I'll stay here and hang with Sammy."
"You sure? He won't be happy if he knows you've slept here when there's a perfectly good bed back at the motel."
Dean smiled. "He'll flash me his bitch face, and then he'll get over it. Besides, I'm not ready to leave him yet. Who knows what trouble he can get himself in without me here."
Bobby understood that Dean was still uncomfortable leaving his brother. They had come too close to losing him. It would take a while for Dean to accept that he really was going to be okay.
"Okay, then. I'll see you in the morning."
Dean waved at him even as he allowed his chin to drop to his chest and his eyes to close.
Bobby smiled to himself as he closed the door softly behind him. His boys were going to be okay.
Rating: T
Word Count: 2,056
Characters/Pairing: Sam, Dean, Bobby.
Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Angst
Summary: Death: 'Nasty, those memories. You don't want to know what they'll do to him.'
After an accident, Sam's memories of the last two years are wiped. What
starts out as a blessing soon turns into a curse as Sam's memories are
reawakened.
LIMP!HURT!SAM WORRIED!DEAN
Set S7 Episode 06 - Story picks up at the end of Slash Fiction and becomes AU.
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended.
Spoilers: Up to Season Seven: Episode 6
Thanks go to SnarkyMuch2 for beta’ing this fic.
Chapter Thirteen
Sam leaned back in his chair and sighed. He was exhausted. He never realized sitting upright was so much effort.
Dean watched him, concern furrowing his brow. "You need to lie down again?"
Sam shook his head. "Just a little longer."
"Sam, you're going to need to take it easy for a while. The doc said your muscles are going to be weak."
"I know," Sam said sadly. "The PT guy said I was lucky. I don't feel lucky."
Dean reached out a hand and squeezed his brother's arm. "You are lucky, Sammy. You survived against the odds, and now you're up and talking. It's…" He trailed off.
"What, Dean?"
Dean rubbed at his eyes. "It's more than I was expecting. I thought I lost you in more ways than one. They did this test, an EEG. They said that there might be brain damage. The way I see it, you sitting up and talking to me, it's a gift."
Sam fell silent. He didn't realize how close it had been. In truth, he knew little of his injuries. He opened his mouth to ask Dean to explain to him what exactly had happened, but he saw the haunted look in his brother's eyes, and it made him pause. He needed answers, but Dean wasn't the person to ask. It could wait until he saw the doctor again.
"Is Bobby coming by again?" Sam asked, trying to draw the look of devastation from his brother's eyes.
"You want him to? He's kinda been keeping his distance since you… uh…"
"Since I freaked out on him?" Sam grinned.
"Yes, since that." Dean didn't like to think of what happened immediately after his brother saw Bobby the last time.
"In my defense, I did think I was seeing a dead guy," Sam said. "Anyone would have freaked."
"True. So, do you want to see him?" Dean knew Bobby was likely sitting at the motel, waiting for the phone to ring.
"Definitely."
An idea occurred to Dean. "Fine, I'll call him, on one condition; you have to get back into bed before I make the call."
Sam scowled and Dean sighed. "I'm not trying to be an ass. I'm trying to stop you from face planting at my feet. You're exhausted, and you know it."
"Okay. You mind helping me out?"
"Whatever you need, man. Just tell me what to do."
"Let me hold your shoulders."
Dean squatted and Sam gripped his shoulders. With great effort-and a lot of help from Dean-Sam managed to get to his feet. Dean was right, he was exhausted, and his legs didn't want to support him. He listed to the side, but Dean caught him with an arm around the waist.
"Easy, Sammy. I got ya."
Sam half stepped, half threw himself towards the bed. He landed awkwardly, but he was at least on there. Dean huffed as he lifted Sam's legs and pushed them onto the blankets and then helped his brother roll over. Sam was panting by the time Dean had got him settled back against the pillows.
"For someone that's not eaten for a month you sure do weigh a lot."
Sam laughed weakly. "Cut the sweet talking and get Bobby here."
Dean pulled out his phone and grinned. "Sure thing."
Dean was right; Bobby was sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for the phone to ring. But the first call he received wasn't from Dean.
He was contemplating whether to go out for food or to wait for Dean to come back, when his phone rang.
He snatched it up. "Dean."
"Nah, man, it's Mackey."
In all the excitement of Sam waking up, Bobby had completely forgotten about Mackey and his faith healer gig.
"Hey, Mackey. Sorry about that. I've been waiting on a call is all."
"Everything okay with the Winchester guy?"
"Yeah. Things are better than okay in fact; he woke up yesterday."
"That's great news."
Bobby smiled to himself. It was more than great, it was the best news they'd had in too long to recall. After years of constant knocks, their luck was changing.
"So, how did things go with your faith healer?" Bobby asked.
"That's why I'm calling. He was the real deal, Bobby. A genuine healer. Not a reaper in sight. He fixed my busted eye."
Bobby scrubbed at his beard. "You sure?"
"I threw every test I had at him, and he sailed past. He's a strange guy for sure, but as far as I can tell, he's legit."
"I'll be damned."
"That was pretty much my reaction, too. I tell ya, it spooked the hell out of me. Not that I'm complaining. I have two working eyes for the first time in years. I'm gonna call this one a win."
Bobby had seen many strange things in his life, hunting evil opened you up to it, but he had never known of a genuine faith healer before. If only they had found this guy sooner. It could have saved two weeks of pain for Sam, Dean and him.
"Well, thanks for letting me know, Mackey, but we're past that point now. Like I said, Sam's awake, and as far as I know, he's doing good. I'm waiting on Dean to call me now actually."
"I best let you go then," Mackey said. "You need anything, give me a call."
"I definitely will. And thanks again, Mackey. I appreciate it. Sam and Dean, too."
"No worries. You take care of yourself."
"You too, Mackey."
They exchanged goodbyes and Bobby set the phone down on the nightstand. He pulled off his cap and ran his hands through his hair. Sam was awake, they had a genuine faith healer to call upon if they needed, and Mackey had depth perception again. Things were looking good.
The phone rang again, and this time Bobby checked the caller ID. It was Dean.
"Hey, Dean. Everything okay?" he asked immediately.
"Everything's fine. We were wondering if you'd be able to drop by the hospital. Sammy wants to see you."
"Are you sure? I don't want to freak him out again."
"I'm sure. We've had a talk, and Sam's up to speed on everything now."
"And he's okay?" Bobby asked fretfully. He was worried about Sam's state of mind.
"Yeah, he seems to be okay," Dean said.
"I'm fine," a voice called in the background.
Bobby laughed. It felt good to hear Sam's voice again. "Okay then. I'll be right over."
"See you soon, Bobby."
Bobby hung up the phone and smiled to himself as he pulled on his jacket. He grabbed his keys and set out to the hospital again.
It was only a short drive. He was soon pulling into the hospital parking lot. His footsteps were light as he made his way to the third floor.
Dean was waiting for him outside Sam's room. He paused midstep, wondering what could have drawn Dean from Sam's bedside. His heart lightened somewhat as Dean smiled at him.
"It's okay, Bobby. He's good. I just wanted to talk to you before you see him."
Bobby frowned. "What's the problem?"
"No problem really. I just want to warn you ahead of time; Sam knows he's lost the last couple of years. He's not happy about it, as you can imagine, but he's accepted that I say it's better if he doesn't know."
"And you don't want me letting something slip," Bobby guessed.
Dean nodded. "That's about it. I'm serious about this Bobby. The doctor he saw today said that his memory might return on its own. I'm praying that doesn't happen."
"Right there with ya, boy," Bobby said. He didn't want Sam remembering hell anymore than Dean did. Those memories would only hurt Sam.
"I'm thinking we have to be extra careful," Dean said. "I don't want the wrong word triggering a memory."
"You may have a point," Bobby said. "Have you spoken to the doc about this?"
"What can I say; I don't want my brother remembering hell? No, I can't talk to them. It's got to be you and me. Sammy said he won't go ahead with the therapy they suggested."
"That's good, right?"
"Yeah, I'm just worried."
"I know you are, boy. Me too. But there's nothing we can do other than be careful with what we say and keep an eye on him. Now, are you done chewing my ear off? I've kinda been hoping to talk to your brother."
Dean grinned, feeling a little guilty about delaying Bobby as long as he had. He knew how he would feel if the situation was reversed; he would have been chomping at the bit to see Sam.
"Sure."
He eased open the door and stepped inside. "Ah, damn," he said softly.
Bobby looked over his shoulder and saw that Sam was lying with his head tilted to the side and his eyes closed.
"I guess he's worn out," Bobby said. "He's had a heck of a day." He was disappointed to see Sam sleeping. He had seen enough of that over the last two weeks. They stepped into the room, and each headed to their usual chair each side of the bed.
"You think we should wake him?" Dean asked.
Bobby wanted Sam awake, but more than that, he wanted Sam to heal, and for that, he needed rest.
Before he could answer, the figure on the bed stirred and mumbled, "Not asleep."
Dean laughed softly. "You sure do a good impression of someone sleeping, buddy."
Sam fought against his heavy lids and forced them open. Blinking tiredly, he looked around the room. His eyes came to rest on the older hunter sitting beside him.
"Hey, Bobby."
Bobby grinned in response. He had known on the logical level that Sam was okay the minute he first opened his eyes, but he didn't truly believe it until that moment.
"Hey, Sam. How are you feeling?"
"Tired," Sam said honestly. "How about you?"
"Well, I sure am glad to see you awake," Bobby said. "You had us real worried for a while there."
"Dean told me. Sorry about that."
Bobby chuckled. Only Sam would think to apologize after everything he had been through.
Dean sank back in his chair. "It's all good now though, right? A few sessions of PT and we'll be able to bust you out of here."
Bobby frowned. He didn't think a few sessions of physical therapy were going to cut it here. Sam had been through a lot, and it was going to take him time to get back on his feet.
Dean didn't have Bobby's pessimistic outlook. He had seen his brother come through plenty worse before, and he knew his brother would be back on his feet in no time. Then they would be out on the road again, hunting together; their lives could go back to normal.
Hard as Sam tried, he couldn't stay awake for much longer. He only managed to talk with Bobby and Dean for another ten minutes before he drifted off to sleep again.
Dean sat forward in his chair and watched his brother sleep. Though it was the same thing he had been doing for the last two weeks, it was different now, as he didn't doubt his brother would wake in the morning.
"You coming back to the motel tonight?" Bobby asked, though he thought he already knew the answer.
"Nah. I think I'll stay here and hang with Sammy."
"You sure? He won't be happy if he knows you've slept here when there's a perfectly good bed back at the motel."
Dean smiled. "He'll flash me his bitch face, and then he'll get over it. Besides, I'm not ready to leave him yet. Who knows what trouble he can get himself in without me here."
Bobby understood that Dean was still uncomfortable leaving his brother. They had come too close to losing him. It would take a while for Dean to accept that he really was going to be okay.
"Okay, then. I'll see you in the morning."
Dean waved at him even as he allowed his chin to drop to his chest and his eyes to close.
Bobby smiled to himself as he closed the door softly behind him. His boys were going to be okay.