Bridge Over Troubled Waters Ch. 30

Disclaimer: See chapter one.

Previously: Deciding to allow the small family some time to celebrate, Jefferson quietly left the room so that he could check the results of Dean's tests. With a little luck, maybe he would be able to give them some more good news.

Double checking everything to make sure he got everything right, Jefferson strode down the hall to the boys room to deliver the results of Dean's latest tests. He had no doubts that John was now anxiously awaiting the results of Dean's scan and spinal tap, even though he had been in an elated mood earlier. Arriving at the boys room, he opened the door to find Sam sitting at the bottom of Dean's bed, his cheeks highlighted by a bright red color.

"Did I miss something?" Jefferson inquired as he walked into the room with a smile.

"Nah, I was just enlightening Sammy on the finer aspects of getting the girl and hitting a home run if you know what I mean." Dean answered smugly, much to Sam's chagrin.

"Deeean" Sam whined as the blush on his cheeks became a much brighter shade.

"What?" Dean questioned as he held his hands up in innocence. "Can I help it if you're a geek and the chicks naturally gravitate towards me dude?"

"Shut up jerk." Sam stated as he gently thumped Dean on the foot.

"Make me bitch." Dean retorted automatically.

"Alright boys, that's enough out of you two." John rebuked, even though he had a smile on his face. It was good to see his sons finally acting like their normal selves again. Taking note of the manila folder held in Jefferson's hands, he asked, "Is that the result of Dean's tests?"

"Yes it is, and I'm happy to inform all of you that the antibiotics are working and the encephalitis infection is clearing up. I've also read the results of the scans that we performed on Dean earlier today and the swelling near the occipital lobe has reduced a great deal which is why Dean is now able to see outlines and shades of color. Given another day or two, his vision should return fully."

Afraid to actually believe that things were going right for a change, John looked at the doctor. "You're sure, I mean there isn't some kind of mistake about this?"

"I'm sure John. I've check and double checked my results. Dean is most definitely on the mend." The doctor enunciated clearly.

"YES! Did you hear that Dean? You're finally going to be able to see again." Sam enthused as he practically threw himself on top of Dean and gave his brother a hug.

"Yeah, that's the best news I've heard in a long time Tiger." Dean answered as he found himself basically tackled to the bed by Sam's exuberance. He couldn't blame the kid when he felt like partying himself.

"Me too Ace, me too." John replied as he watched his sons with tears gleaming in his eyes, thinking that it was about damn time that things started going their way.

"Hey Doc, since I'm getting my eyesight back, there's only one other thing I need to know now." Dean said as he looked in Jefferson's direction.

"And what's that Dean?" Jefferson asked already sure of what the question would be.

"When can I get the hell out of here?"

"What's the matter, you don't like my room service?" Jefferson quipped through a barely suppressed laugh.

"The room service is just fine, it's the clothing line that bothers me. Don't get me wrong dude, I don't mind flashing my bare ass when it comes to hot nurses, but to everybody in the whole damn clinic is going just a little too far." Dean retorted with a straight face.

"Well, since you've put it that way, how about tomorrow? Will that be soon enough for you?" Jefferson queried after looking over his notes once more.

"No, but I guess it'll have to do." Dean answered knowing his dad wouldn't spring him from the hospital until Jefferson gave him the all clear. If he never saw the inside of another hospital room, it would be too freaking soon for him.

Twenty four hours later found the hunters making their way back to Bobby's place. Dean's eyesight had improved to the point where he could actually see the faces of his family, though they were a bit blurry, but Jefferson informed them that the blurriness would clear up over time and Dean would be able to go back to his normal activities within a couple of weeks to a month.

Arriving back at Singer Salvage, Dean surveyed the house and thought it was just about the best looking place he had ever seen. After having been in the dark for so long, he could truly appreciate the beauty of the place, especially since it was almost like coming home. Striding up the steps, he couldn't wait to actually sit down and watch the television. It would be fantastic to actually watch a program or movie without just listening to it. Entering the house behind Bobby who made his way to the kitchen, he flopped down on one end of the couch while Sam plopped on the other side. Picking up the remote, he scanned the channels and settled on an old black and white zombie horror flick. Within minutes, both boys were engrossed by the movie.

Standing in the doorway, John watched his boys as they sat on the sofa in Bobby's living room watching the old horror flick. As he stood there gazing at them, he knew how lucky he was to still have both of them in his life. He had made some bad choices over the past month, and it had nearly cost him his family. Because of his actions, both of his boys lives had been put in jeopardy and it was time he make amends for what he had done. It was time for him to admit that he had been wrong, and damned if it wasn't going to be one of the hardest things he had ever done in his life. Taking a seat in the recliner, he reached out to pick up the television remote and clicked the off button.

"Dad, what the hell?" Dean questioned with astonishment as his dad turned the movie off just when it was getting to the good part, the zombies taking over the town.

"I need to talk to you boys for a few minutes." John stated before he lost his nerve.

"What about?" Dean queried anxiously after picking up on a light tremor in his father's voice. His dad wasn't one to talk, so it kind of worried him that something could be wrong.

"About the mistakes I made over the past month, about the hurt I've caused you two." John answered as he gazed at both boys.

'Dad, you didn't mean…"

"No Dean, let me finish. I should have never put you into a position where you could get hurt so badly by hanging you over that river. I was wrong and it almost cost you your life and I am truly sorry." John stated as his hand fiddled with the hem of his t-shirt, feeling totally uncomfortable with baring his soul.

"Dad, you couldn't have known what was going to happen, it was just an accident is all." Dean voiced, trying to relieve some of his dad's guilt.

"That's no excuse Dean. Not only did I hurt you with my idiotic plan, but I managed to hurt your brother too. I put the weight of your well-being on his shoulders, and then worse yet, I blamed him afterwards for your blindness, told him if he hadn't been so weak that you wouldn't have ended up in the water." John retorted as he turned soulful eyes on Sammy, trying to express his sorrow through them.

"You were right though Dad, it was my fault." Sam replied just above a whisper as he hung his head, still blaming himself after all this time.

Springing up from his chair, John walked over and took a seat beside Sammy. Hooking his fingers under Sam's chin, he raised his baby boy's head so he could look him in the eyes. "You're wrong Sammy. It was never your fault son and I will never forgive myself for putting the blame on you. I was the one who tied Dean to the end of that damn rope. I was the one who cut it with my knife." John vehemently stated trying to get his point across. "Sammy, I wasn't thinking clearly when I blamed you in the hospital, or for that fact, when I made you boys participate in that stupid training exercise in the first place. I can only hope that you boys will eventually forgive me someday. But more than anything else Tiger, I want you to quit blaming yourself for something that definitely was NOT your fault, okay kiddo?"

"Yes Sir." Sam answered automatically, even though he knew it would be a while before he could forgive himself for not being strong enough or quick enough to keep Dean out of the water.

Accepting the answer with a sigh, John hoped that Sam would actually believe his words one day. His youngest had a penchant for carrying too much guilt on his shoulders and he worried that Sammy would eventually break under that burden one day, that they would lose him to the hunting world. Shaking his head to clear the somber thoughts, he decided it was time they all took a break from hunting and just relax for once.

"Boys, I've been thinking, maybe it's time we take a vacation." John stated as he scrubbed a calloused hand across his face.

"Come again." Dean replied incredulously. "Who are you and what have you done with our father."

"Not funny Ace." John replied with a roll of his eyes. "You're still healing from your injuries and we could all use a breather. Joshua has a cabin up in Minnesota and he's offered it to us for the next few weeks, free of charge. He just stocked it with groceries and the cabin is located not too far from a lake known for it's large sized trout."

"You really are serious aren't you Dad?" Dean asked as a huge grin began to form at the idea of kicking back for a few weeks with his family.

"Serious as a heart attack Ace. I want to spend some time with my boys and not have to worry whether they're safe or not for once." John intoned. "So what do you say, you boys up for a little fishing?"

"Hell yes." Dean replied after glancing quickly at Sammy to see him nod his approval of the idea.

"Fantastic. I'll tell Bobby that the trip is definitely on and we'll start packing tonight. You boys just relax and leave everything to us." John said as he started towards the kitchen, looking forward to the days ahead. If it was the last thing he done, he would make sure the boys had the time of their lives.

The End Once again, I want to say thanks to all of you who read, reviewed, or put this story on your favorites list. Your reviews are an inspiration to me and I love hearing from each and every one of you.