my_sam_dean (my_sam_dean) wrote in t_31_bang, @ 2008-09-16 21:30:00 |
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Entry tags: | entry, rated: adult, supernatural |
When Worlds Collide Title: When Worlds Collide "Sometimes I didn't feel like we'd make it this far," Jess said as they laid in bed the morning of graduation. "I always knew you would make it. I just didn't know about me," Sam replied. "Sam! I can't believe you! You are graduating law school. Shouldn't you have as much confidence in yourself as I do as you?" "Just how I am," Sam shrugged. "How does it feel to be a psychologist? Just don't go analyzing me, okay? Who knows what you might find?" He tickled her and she squirmed away. "Okay, Okay. I'll leave you alone, I promise," Jess took a deep breath when she could breath again. "We should get ready for the ceremony." "Let's skip it and stay in bed." "My family traveled a long way to see us graduate. I think we had better go." "They came for you," Sam corrected her quietly. "They came for you, too." Jess gave Sam one of her smiles. "Besides, we have our wedding next weekend." "Three life changes in one month: moving, graduating and getting married. No, we're not crazy at all." Jess laughed. "Well, it did sound easier when we were planning it. I think we'll be living out of boxes forever at this rate." "After the wedding can we sleep in?" "Sure. We'll just be on our honeymoon on a little island off the coast." "That will be wonderful," Sam told her as he watched Jess pick out her clothes. *** At the ceremony, Jess was all smiles and giggles. She exchanged phone numbers and addresses with her friends. Sam talked to some of his friends but those that he'd wanted to keep in contact with, they'd already exchanged contact information. Sam's sixth sense kicked in and he felt like someone was watching him. He saw a glimpse of--he wasn't sure. "I'll be back," Sam told Jess as his long legs took him through the crowd. He recognized the car the same time that he recognized the familiar walk. "Dean! Wait up!" Dean didn't even turn around. He was holding his side as his steps became uneven. Sam put a hand on Dean's shoulder and heard his brother hiss in pain. Sam saw Dean's face. "Why didn't you stop so I could talk with you? Are you hurt?" Dean gave him a stubborn look. "I'm fine. Just wanted to see you graduate. I'm leaving now." "No way. I want to introduce you to Jessica. Come back with me." "I can't," Dean' couldn't look at Sam. "Why not?" Dean was silent. "You are hurt. Give me the keys. I'll fix you up and bring you back." "You can't miss your own graduation." "The important part is over anyway," Sam said as he caught the keys. "Where are we going?" "Back to my house." "You don't have to--" "Yes I do. Or, I am. Whatever. I haven't seen you for years. I'm not going to leave you injured." Dean sat and stared out the window. Sam pulled in the driveway. "Sammy, you sure have done good for yourself." "Already have a place at a law firm and Jessica has offers as a psychologist." Dean nodded. Sam grabbed the first aid kit out of the trunk before helping Dean out of the car. "I can do it," Dean yanked his arm away and almost fell over. Sam settled for hovering nearby in case Dean needed assistance. Dean stopped just inside the front door and Sam unlaced his boots for him and helped him step out. "This way to the bathroom," Sam led him down the hall. Sam took Dean's jacket and shirts. There was deep purple bruising along Dean's ribs. Sam saw old injuries that had been sewn up sloppily, not at all like they'd been taught to. There were cuts that were taped when they should have been stitched. "Dean, what happened?" "Nasty poltergeist." "What's with the creative stitching?" "Hard to stitch neatly when I'm drinking to kill the pain." "Why didn't you team up with Dad?" Sam asked as he washed off some of the dirt. Dean put his hand on Sam's to get his attention. When Sam looked up, Dean cleared his throat. "Sit down, Sammy." Sam sat down on the edge of the tub. " Dad died, Sam." Sam looked confused. "We were in a bad wreck. I wasn't supposed to make it. Dad made a full recovery. Then, he died suddenly and the colt disappeared. I think the Yellow-Eyed Demon was involved but I can't prove it." "When?" Sam asked with tears in his eyes. "Two years ago." "Why didn't you call me?" Sam choked on the words. Dean moved his arm carefully to put a hand on Sam's shoulder. "I didn't want to bring our hectic world into yours. I didn't want to screw things up for you." "I would have wanted to know." Sam's tears broke free. Dean pulled Sam to his good shoulder so he could hold him. Years had passed, but he was still his Sammy. He still wanted to protect him from everything, even though death wasn't something he could keep at bay. Sam could hear the tears in Dean's voice, "We took care of him, Bobby and I. We cremated him and scattered his ashes at the scrap yard. I have his dog tags and some other of his belongings in the Impala if you would like them." After sitting in silence, Sam asked, "So you look like this from stitching yourself up?" Dean nodded. "Stand in the shower. I can use the handheld showerhead to check out your head. Looks like you have some cuts." Dean stood still and just let Sam clean the dirt off. "You haven't been taking it any easier on your head. What have you been banging it on lately?" "Just the usual." Sam remembered other times when they were patching each other up. It made him smile and miss parts of the hunting lifestyle. "I'm going to need to stitch this, Dean." "Do you have anything to drink?" *** Sam called Jessica to apologize for leaving like he had. He promised to explain everything when she got home. Sam changed out of his suit and grabbed Dean some sweats and a soft t-shirt. Dean appeared exhausted as he waited for Sam to finish checking him over. "I didn't come to put you out," Dean argued. "I just meant to see you graduate and then leave." "Yeah? Well, I guess it's not going to go like you planned." Sam ran his fingers along Dean's ribs as gently as he could. "They don't feel broken. They'll feel better when I wrap them, though." Dean stayed quiet while Sam wrapped him up. "Do you have any meds left in here?" Sam asked as he dug in the first aid kit. "Ran out. Been using alcohol until I can get to Bobby's and see if he has any." "They gave me something for my wisdom teeth. Let me go get 'em." Dean just looked at him. "I still have the habit of filling the prescription even if I don't plan of using them. I'll be right back. No new allergies?" Dean shook his head. After ten minutes, Dean was sound asleep in the guestroom. Sam sat in a chair, hunched forward. He was watching Dean sleep and wondering how to explain everything to Jess. *** Jess got home before Dean woke up. Sam met her at the door. "How are your folks doing?" he asked as he gave her a kiss. "Fine. A little confused about why you took off and I couldn't give them any good answer. Whose car is that outside?" "Know how I've never said much about my life before college?" "Yeah." "Well, my past came back today. You might want to sit down." Jess's face turned white. "This isn't something that's going to make it so we have to cancel the wedding, is it?" "That will be up to you," Sam tried to give her a reassuring smile but it just make him look nervous. He led her to the couch and sat down by her, still holding her hands. "My brother, Dean, came to our graduation. I hadn't seen him since before got on the bus to Stanford." "Why didn't you introduce us?" "He was injured. I brought him back here to tend to him. That's his car you saw out front." "Is he okay?" Jess had quickly moved from surprise to concern. "His job causes him to take risks and sometimes he gets hurt. I used to help him. That's why I have the scars that I never could give you reasons for." Jess nodded. "That's better than the other alternatives, I guess. I'd hate to think that they'd been caused by someone abusing you. I knew you'd tell me if it had just been an accident. How did you get into working in a field that is dangerous?" "Our dad got us started in it when we were very young. It's just how we grew up." "I don't understand." "That's okay. It's going to take time to sink in. Are you with me so far?" "Yes." "Right now, Dean is in our guest room. His ribs are taped up and he has some stitches. Mostly he needs to be able to rest, eat, and regain his strength. Then, he'll be back on his feet." "What about your parents?" "My mother died when I was six months old and I just found out that my dad died two years ago after he and Dean were in a very bad car wreck." Sam's eyes filled with tears, remembering his last words spoke in anger to his father. "I'm so sorry, Sam." Jess gave him a hug. "At least you found your brother. Think he can stay for the wedding? Maybe be your best man?" Sam smiled. "Yeah, we'll see. I want to stay down here until I know that Dean doesn't have a bad reaction to the painkillers I gave him. You can go on upstairs if you're tired." "Whatever you have to tell me, Sam, we'll work it out," Jess promised as she wrapped her arms around Sam. "I know so much has changed today. It will be fine. I love you." "Love you, Jess," Sam watched her walk up the stairs. He let out a sigh and ran his fingers through his hair before returning to the chair by the bed. *** Dean woke up and took in his surroundings. His mind was still foggy from the medication. When he saw Sam asleep in the chair near the bed, it all came back to him. He studied Sam. It looked like Sam might have grown an inch or two since he'd last seen him. He'd been keeping his hair shorter, which Dean would always approve of. He never understood the desire to have long hair. He was in nice clothes that weren't second hand. And, if the one room he was in was any indication, he had a beautiful home. Yep, Sammy had made a normal life for himself. Dean groaned as he sat up. He was about to put on the clothes Sam had left out for him when Sam awoke. "Here, let me help." "I've got it." Dean was grouchy as he donned the sweatpants. He held the shirt in his hands for a few minutes before he admitted, "I could use a little help-" Sam didn't even let him finish asking. He'd known, stubborn or not, Dean wasn't going to be able to get the shirt on. "Are you hungry?" Sam asked as he finished pulling the hem of the shirt down. "Mouth feels like cotton." "Do you hurt?" "No." "I had to put some stitches in your head. I wasn't sure how much pain you'd be in." "You didn't touch the hair, did you?" Dean reached up to make sure he still had a full head of hair. "I didn't shave anything. I stitched around your hair. You're going to have to quit your habit of running your fingers through your hair. It'd hurt like hell to rip those out." "Don't you think I know that?" Sam stepped back and made sure to give Dean some room. He understood why Dean was touchy when he was hurt. "I'll make us something to eat. Come out to the kitchen when you're ready." Sam stood and left the room. Dean took a few minutes to compose himself before venturing out of the spare room. He let his nose lead him to the kitchen. Although Dean had made most of their meals growing up, Sam had picked up some of the finer culinary skills since he started college. Dean sat down and just watched Sam at the stove. "I put the painkillers by the bed in case you need another one," Sam told him as he kept preparing their meal. "I don't know if you got sick taking them on an almost-empty stomach, but at least this time you stomach will have something in it." "You know me," Dean's voice was rough, like he hadn't used it in a long time. "My stomach is made of iron. I can eat damn near anything." Sam laughed softly. "I guess you've proven that before." Dean just smirked as Sam set his plate in front of him. "Need anything else?" Dean shook his head. "Nothing I can think of." "I brought your duffle in. Just give me your laundry and I'll get it washed." "Does Jess know I'm here?" Dean asked as he looked at a picture that had their names engraved on the frame. "She knows you are here, you're my brother and that your work requires you to take risks." "That's an interesting way of putting hunting." San tried not to get frustrated. "It's not easy to explain. Our wedding is only one week away and I don't want her to call it off. I have a short amount of time to ease her into hunting, if at all possible." "Or, you could have told her the truth from the beginning." Dean took another bite. "I mean, didn't she ask about the scars the first time she saw them? Wait. You two have seen each other naked, right?" Sam shot him a look. "Sammy, you sly dog," Dean grinned. "So how long did it take to talk her into bed? I'm assuming there was talking involved since that's what you do." "You're talking about my soon-to-be wife, Dean, not just some one-night stand." "Don't knock 'em. One-night stands can be very theraputic." Sam's eyebrows went together as he shook his head. "Yeah. I bet they can. Why don't you just finish eating so we can get your laundry out?" Dean sighed and went back to clearing his plate. "We need to find you a tuxedo," Sam told him after awhile. "Huh?" "You need to rent one for my wedding next weekend. You're going to by best man." "Sammy, you really don't want that. No one there knows that I exist. As long as I'm not there, you have no brother to explain." "But I want you there, Dean. After these years apart, can't you understand that?" Dean nodded silently. "Good. I'll take you down there tomorrow for measurements." After Dean was done eating, Sam suggested, "Another pill for tonight and then meet Jess in the morning?" "Sounds good," Dean yawned. "How many stitches did you put in my head?" Sam shrugged. "I dunno. Ten, maybe? It was a jagged cut." "I don't want to be putting you out or cramping your style. If that's happening, tell me to leave so you can work your mojo." "I don't need you to worry about my mojo. I'm just happy you're here." Sam closed the door to the spare room after Dean was settled in for the night. He let out a breath he was holding and took a moment to himself before going upstairs to Jessica. *** He didn't turn the light on as he undressed. He tried to slip into bed without waking Jess but she'd been waiting for him. "How's Dean?" she asked sleepily as she rolled toward Sam and rested her head on his chest. "He's okay. Got him to eat something and he took another painkiller. He should sleep comfortably until morning." "That's good." Jess paused for a moment. "Does he need to go to the hospital?" Sam wasn't sure how to answer that. "Dean's not big on hospitals. I think he'll be fine here." "How did you learn to stitch someone up?" Jess was a bright gal, something like that wasn't going to slip by her unnoticed. "Just doing the job," Sam tried to keep it simple. "Dean and I learned by watching our dad and before long we were tending to each other." "Wasn't that difficult?" "It's just how we grew up, Jess. We didn't know any different." "They laid there in silence for awhile, listening to each other breathe. "Dean took good care of me back then. He was there for me when Dad was gone all the time. Dad did the best he knew how but we were often left alone when he didn't leave us with friends who were also hunters. Dean was the one constant in my life. I lost that when I came to Stanford. I was out here and on my own. I'm happy to have him back, even if just for a little bit. Just being in contact again is huge in our family. I hope you'll like him." "I'll like him because you love him and he makes you happy," Jessica said with a smile. "As I get to know him, I'll have my own reasons to like him." "You're an amazing woman, Jessica Moore." Sam pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. "And you have the rest of your life to decide just how truly amazing I really am." "That sounds good," Sam's voice rumbled in his chest. "As long as we can always fall asleep like this." "I wouldn't dream of sleeping any other way." *** Jess was already gone, running wedding errands, when Dean awoke. Sam was ready to take him to the formal wear shop so Dean could get measured for a tux. "I don't know, Sam. Are you sure about this?" "Yeah. So you can quit asking me." "You know how ridiculous I look in a monkey suit." "Everyone looks weird in a tux. Join the club." Dean couldn't argue with that, so he reluctantly followed Sam to his car. *** "So this elusive Jess actually exists, right?" Dean looked at Sam and smiled. "Cause I gotta say, I've been at your house for over 24 hours and haven't seen her." Sam didn't dignify that comment with an answer. "I was just thinking back to Bradley." Sam thought real hard and couldn't remember a Bradley. "Who is Bradley?" "I am amazed that you don't remember Bradley. You drove me nuts with him when you were five. He was your first and only imaginary friend that you were totally convinced was real. You argued with me just awful and kept claiming that Bradley agreed with you. If I could have seen the invisible bugger I would have strangled 'em. I just want to make sure that Jess isn't another Bradley." "Dean, I was five. Jess has just been busy with graduation and our wedding. She exists." "If you say so." *** On the way back from getting measurements, Sam stopped at a department store. "Why are we here?" Dean asked. "We will be going out to supper with Jessica's parents one night this week and you also need clothes for the wedding rehearsal." "I like MY clothes." "We'll need dress shoes, pants, two shirts and ties, socks and one belt," Sam rattled off. Dean rolled his eyes and sighed. Sam grabbed a salesman as soon as they entered the door. He told the salesman what they needed and, luckily, Dean fought his stubborn streak and humored Sam about the new clothes. The fabric just didn't feel right against Dean's skin. It was his body's way of rejecting clothes that weren't jeans and a t-shirt or a flannel shirt. Sam thanked the man who helped them as they walked out of the store with their purchases. Dean felt bad that he didn't have the money to pay for the clothes that Sam said he needed. Still, he couldn't see a time when he would wear them again. They weren't exactly made for hunting. Maybe he could use them as disguises. "How do your ribs feel?" Sam asked on their way home. "Sore. Do I have time to lie down when we get back?" "Yeah. Need a painkiller?" "When do we go do dinner with Jessica's parents?" "Tomorrow evening. Today you're still okay to take painkillers." Dean nodded. "I think I'll take advantage of that." *** The aroma of a good meal woke Dean up. He eased himself to a sitting position and swung his legs over the bed. After wandering into the bathroom, he walked out into the kitchen. He saw Jessica sitting at the table. She and Sam were having a conversation but she stopped talking when she saw Dean. Sam turned to see Dean in the doorway. "Hey, you're up. Are you ready to eat something?" "Sure." "Dean, this is Jessica. Jessica, my brother, Dean." "It's great to meet you!" Jess stood up and gave Dean a hug. Dean let out a little, "Oomph." "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I hurt your ribs?" Jess pulled away. "Nope. Nope. I'm fine. Nice to meet you." Dean walked over to the stove. "What's on the menu?" "Ask Sam. He made it." Jessica beamed at Sam. "Wow, Sam. Your culinary skills amaze me. I pictured you living off mac & cheese and hamburger helper." "Got tired of that, so I had to learn to cook. Figured if I could study law, I could follow a cookbook," Sam dished up the plates. "There's more on the stove," he told them as he put the plates down. "This is good, Sam," Dean said with food in his mouth. "Thanks, Dean." Sam blushed. Jess just smiled. "So, tell me about your family before I meet your folks tomorrow night. I gotta tell ya, I'm nervous about dinner." "Well, they are from New York. I have two older brothers and one younger sister. It'll just be my parents tomorrow night. My mom stays at home and my dad is a CEO." Jess paused. "What is it that you do, Dean?" "I go wherever I find--ow! I think Sam could explain it better." Dean shot Sam a look after Sam had kicked him under the table. "I think it would be a good idea if we talked about that after eating," Sam told her. "Anyone else want seconds?" *** Sam and Jess were on the couch and Dean sat in an armchair, wondering how Sam was going to explain hunting. Dean didn't doubt that Jess was a smart gal, he just didn't know how much she could take before she called off the wedding. "You know that our work involved moving around frequently. We would search for people that seemed to need our help, do research to make sure it was our kind of problem and fix it. Sometimes we got injured in the process." Sam looked at Jess to see how she was taking the information. Jess blinked before she said, "I think I know enough for now. We can talk about it more after the wedding. I can't divide my attention between the wedding and figuring out the life you had before." "Really?" Sam was shocked. "I fell in love with you without knowing your past, so I don't need to know it to marry you. Tell me later about it. Right now we just need to get through this week." Sam gave her a hug. Dean watched from the chair, stunned. He'd expected the evening to end differently. *** Dean felt strangled by his tie. "Quit fidgeting," Sam whispered to him. "I can't. It's choking me." "It is not. You're exaggerating. Just leave it be." Dean eyed Sam. He wouldn't be in this situation if Sam hadn't insisted that he meet Jessica's parents. "Is Dean okay?" Jessica asked Sam. "He's just being Dean." "He looks so, I don't know, uncomfortable." "His body is rejecting the clothes." Jess looked at him, confused, and was about to say something when her parents arrived. *** Dean survived the dinner, even though his discomfort was increased by just having met Jessica's parents. They seemed nice enough. They just came from money, and Dean wasn't used to that. He watched Sam, who seemed to fit in so well. Sam had always aspired to be normal, and maybe this is what normal was. His little brother had always been adaptable. Dean supposed he should be proud of him, but it also hurt. He wondered if Sam looked down on him. If he really considered Dean good enough to be in his wedding, and what Jess really thought of him. Dean tried to keep those thoughts at bay as he finished his meal. He had no clue what he was eating, but it wasn't bad. He'd still kill for a cheeseburger with extra onions. And pie. He'd love some pie. Sam glanced over at Dean several times during dinner. Dean seemed to be deep in thought. He tried to keep up the appearance of who Jessica's parents expected him to be. Truth was, he was getting tired. It had been a long week. Jess saw how the boys were tiring out. She tried to cut the dinner short. She made the excuse that she still had to complete some tasks before the wedding. Her parents just smiled and hugged her before they left. Once they got in the car, Sam looked at Dean and asked, "Cheeseburger, extra onions. Pie, if they have it?" "Hell, yeah!" Jessica laughed. Sam started the car and thought that a cheeseburger sounded good to him, too. *** The wedding rehearsal went smoothly. Jess and the bridesmaids had a few changes they wanted to make with the flowers and other items in the ceremony. Dean found that he liked Sam's friends. Jessica's brothers seemed personable, too. He was more relaxed at the rehearsal and groom's dinner than he had been at the dinner with Jessica's parents. The groom's dinner was at a casual restaurant. Dean took off his tie as soon as he walked in and put it in his pocket. Sam sighed when he saw what Dean had done, but Dean just unbuttoned the top two buttons for good measure. The other groomsmen weren't wearing ties and Dean just wanted to be comfortable. Before too long, ties were forgotten, and the group was laughing over stories of what they'd done in the past. Dean found himself joining in. After they were home and Jess had already gone to bed, Dean and Sam sat up in the living room drinking beer. "So you're really going to take the plunge tomorrow?" "Yep," was all Sam said. "Are you nervous?" "Yep." "Hell, Sam. I wish I had some advice to give you here, but you're heading into uncharted territory as far as I'm concerned. But, you've obviously been doing something right to keep Jess happy for the past few years. Just be who you are and married life should be good for you. You always wanted a normal life. Now you have it." Sam sat silent. "Are you happy?" Sam nodded. "Do you love her?" "Of course." "Then you're doing the right thing." Dean paused to take a drink. "You know it, too. You're just doubting yourself because it's down to the wire. In your heart you know you wouldn't have it any other way." Sam looked at his bottle for a minute. "When did you get so smart?" "I've always been smart. I just didn't want to flaunt it in front of you, make you feel bad." Dean smiled. Sam found himself smiling and that was all Dean needed to know that Sam was going to be alright. *** Dean's job on Sam's wedding day seemed to be to keep Sam calm. Their brotherly banter was all that was keeping Sam sane. He just wanted it to be over and be the reception already. That's when he'd feel better. Sam's heart was pounding when he stood at the head of the church with Dean, watching the procession. "You're doing fine," Dean told Sam when he could tell that his nerves were getting the best of him. When he saw Jess standing at the back of the church, Sam whispered, "She's beautiful." "You're a lucky man," Dean replied. Sam turned in time to see Dean's smirk. It put him at ease. *** Sam and Jessica spent the night at a hotel and left for their honeymoon the next day. Dean stayed at their house while they were gone. Sam had taken the stitches out of his head before the wedding. His ribs were healed but he stayed on because he didn't want to leave without saying goodbye to Sam and Jess. He was getting a drink of water when he heard them pull in the driveway. He looked out the window and saw Jess practically bounce out of the car. "How was your trip?" Dean met them at the door. "Beautiful," Jess breezed in and gave Dean a hug. "It was so nice not to have to worry about the house while we were gone. I knew that if anything went wrong, you would just take care of it." "Yeah." Dean awkwardly hugged her back. *** "I'm leaving in the morning," Dean told Sam as he helped him unpack. "I just wanted to stay here long enough to say goodbye." Sam nodded, choking on the instant lump in his throat. "Will you be back?" "Yeah, I will. Not just because I'm injured, either. I left my cell number on the fridge. I'm only a call away if you need me. The Impala makes good time on the road." "I seem to remember that." Sam tried to smile. "Can you say goodbye to Jess for me?" "Sure. Do you feel ready to leave in the morning? Are you still sore?" "I'm healed, Sam. Don't worry." "I'll help you pack. My unpacking can wait. I have a few more days until I have to be at work." "So, a lawyer. That means you wear suits. You okay with that?" Dean asked as they went downstairs. "It's law that I love. If I have to wear suits, oh well. It's only part of it." Sam stopped in the kitchen to get something. When he joined Dean in the spare room, he handed him a small card. "What's this?" "My business card," Sam replied. "I put our home number and cell phones on the back. Just so you can always reach us." "Thanks." "I'm happy you found us, Dean. I really am." "Me, too, Sam. Me, too." With that, Dean gave Sam a hug. The Winchester brothers were back together, even though they weren't hunting. They were back in touch and felt like family again. It was how it should be.
Author's Name: my_sam_dean
Disclaimer: I own nothing Supernatural
Warnings: None
Ratings: R
Summary: Dean shows up at Sam and Jessica's graduation and is in their wedding.
Author's Note: Jessica never died, she and Sam graduated from Stanford and got married.