Bewildered Heart

Chapter Five: Let Me Take Care of You

     A few days turned to weeks, and for the next month and a half, Remi and Dean lived apart, her sleeping in her old room and him in his. They were more conscious when they were around one another, making sure to not touch unnecessarily. However, they did allow themselves a few moments of reprieve. Dean would slip his hand over hers when she would sit in the front of the Impala while Sam was napping in the back. Other times he would place his palm on the small of her back when Sam was not looking. And when they were on a hunt, Dean always made sure they got a room with only two beds. She would silently slip in with him after Sam fell asleep, snoring from the bed opposite them.

     They all fell into an amicable routine, and Remi was relieved when she started to feel the tension between her and Sam begin to ease. She still kept her distance, but Sam did not pressure her much to her relief. He had not given her any further indication he suspected anything between her and Dean, and she was beginning to think their plan was working.

     One morning, Remi woke up with a start, her stomach roiling. She pushed the covers from her sweaty body and rushed to the bathroom. She barely made it to the toilet before she vomited up the contents of her stomach. Her body was warm as she heaved, dizziness enveloping her. She paused for a moment, gasping for air before another wave of nausea hit her.

     Suddenly, she felt a strong hand on her back as another pulled her long dark hair out of her face. "It's okay. It's okay," Sam soothed as his hand on her back rubbed comforting circles over her clothed skin. She finally felt the nausea subside.

     After flushing the toilet, she sat down heavily on the floor, swiping her hand across her mouth. She looked up to find Sam kneeling on the floor beside her, a concerned expression on his face.

     "Sam, what are you doing? You're supposed to be resting," Remi admonished. Sam had been injured in their last hunt, bad enough that Dean thought it wise he stay and rest at the bunker while Dean, Cas, and Jack took care of their next one. Dean suggested Remi stay back with him in case he needed anything despite his brother's protests. Remi was not too thrilled with the arrangement either. Even though the tension was beginning to lift, she still was not completely comfortable being in his presence, especially alone.

     Sam smiled gently. "I heard you and wanted to make sure you were alright."

     "I'm sorry, Sam," Remi answered with a weak smile. "I'm supposed to be taking care of you, not the other way around."

     Sam waved away her comment. "Don't worry. It's no problem," he reassured. "Here, let's get you comfortable."

     "No, no, it's alright, Sam. I can make it," Remi said, struggling to her feet, her legs suddenly very weak. She stumbled forward, Sam catching her before she could fall.

     "I don't think so," Sam answered. Before she could protest, he swept her into his strong arms, picking her up as if she weighed no more than a twig. He walked to their old room before he gently placed her on the mattress. He covered her with the comforter before tenderly brushing away a strand of hair that had fallen across her forehead. He smiled softly. "You rest. I'll come check on you in a while." Remi was too tired to answer so she simply nodded. She slid further under the warm covers, her eyes becoming heavy as Sam exited the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

     When Remi opened her eyes again, she was met with darkness. Her eyes roamed around the room, settling on the digital clock beside her, her jaw nearly dropping at the time. She had slept the entire day! She groaned slightly as she started rolling onto her back, but she abruptly stopped as she hit a solid form behind her. She felt an arm tighten around her waist, and she realized with chagrin that Sam had joined her. She had not even been aware he had come in.