Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters. I and am not making any money on this…I'm just having fun!
Summary: WARNING SPOILERS: This story refers to Season 2 episodes! Takes place after Heart – Sam's tries to find his way back but can he do it before it's too late?
Raven 524: This story is taking place after Heart and will refer to other episodes from Season 2. If you haven't watched any of season 2 and don't want to know what is happening, then don't read this story. This is picking up right after the end of the episode. This probably won't be a long story, but I just couldn't leave the story there. So here is what I think happened…I hope you all enjoy!
Choices
Chapter 1 - Darkness
A single tear rolled down Dean's cheek as he watched his brother head into the other room to face her choice. He listened and cringed as he heard the sound of the gun. Straining now to hear, knowing what his brother would be seeing as Madison's choice placed another scar on his brother's already scarred soul.
Dean heard low murmurs, soft words spoken, exchanged, words of goodbye…words that Sam had heard too often in his young life. Dean worried that this time it would be too much, this time his brother would be destroyed. Destroyed by the very thing that Dean had believed would be his brother's salvation…choice.
Dean stood and waited, it was only a matter of time before he'd be needed…to once again pick up the pieces and somehow to fix it. That is what he did, but this time…this time he wasn't sure there was a fix. He had admired the young woman. Not many had the strength to make the choice, the only choice, the right choice. And yet she had, even though Dean had offered a way out…a way she could have had more time. He was willing to give that time to her because of Sam.
Dean had been moved by her selfless act, her knowledge that eventually the added time would only destroy the man who would move heaven and earth to save her. Dean had seen it in her eyes as she looked at Sam, she understood that this would tear his little brother apart, day by day until there was nothing left. And in the end, it would have ended the same…except for one important difference. The difference that allowed Madison to make the decision…she wanted to be in control…she wanted it to be her choice.
Dean strained again the murmurs had gone silent. Dean wanted to move, to run, to comfort, but Sam had asked him to stay. He would stay until Sam let him know…he would stay as long as it took and he would never complain.
oooooooooooooooooo
Sam walked into the room and watched as Madison turned to face him. Her face peaceful, she had accepted what was going to happen. A small smile formed on her lips as she calmly waited. Sam raised the gun, not wanting to make this harder for her and in a blink of an eye he pulled the trigger.
The bullet hit her dead center; there was no gasp, no cry of pain, just a gentle sigh as she slipped slowly to the floor. Sam never her fall to the ground…his arms cradling her to the ground as he fell with her, his leg no longer able to support his weight let alone hers.
Sam watched as blood slowly trickled from her lips, the lips he had claimed only a few hours before. He gently pushed the hair from her eyes and watched as they found his one last time.
"Thank you Sam….you saved me…please…don't…don't cry. My choice…" Madison gasped softly
Sam cupped her face gently, pulling her lips to his own as if his breath could help her. But her lips were already growing cold. "Shhhh….I'm so sorry….I'm sorry Madison." Sam laid his forehead against hers as he heard the breath rattle in her throat. "Oh God Madison…what have I done!"
Sam jumped as her hand grasped his arm, surprisingly strong and insistent. Sam looked into her eyes and saw determination as she whispered. "You gave me my life back….you saved me Sam, always remember that…..you saved me." Sam watched as even her determination couldn't buy them any more time, he watched as the light left her eyes and her body became lax in his arms.
Sam didn't know how long he had sat there before the first sob escaped. Madison's body was cold to the touch and the afternoon sun was glaring in the windows, mocking him it seemed, reminding him that he was alive while another person he had let get close had gotten burned. As the silent sobs racked his body, he felt himself drowning…the darkness that was always there suddenly too big for him to handle alone and in that moment he called for the one person who could help…who could lead him away from the pain and aguish that was threatening to consume him whole. A single word escaped his lips…"Dean"
Dean had been listening, he heard the soft sobs and wondered if maybe he should move, if now was the time. But he had promised Sam that he would stay until needed. Just when Dean was ready to give up hope he heard the sound that was the adrenaline he needed to jump start his body…a sound that he would always respond to…he heard his name.
Dean moved quickly but quietly into the room. The hunter in him knowing that they had spent too much time already, but that more time was needed. He had to erase their presence from the house and he had to make it appear as if it was a robbery gone bad. A thousand thoughts racing through his mind as he paused and saw what was left of his brother sitting on the floor, rocking slowly, his shoulders shuddering softly with silent sobs and Dean's focus suddenly narrowed. "Sammy…Sam?" Dean said softly, not wanting to disturb his brother's grief and yet knowing he had no choice.
Sam looked up into his brother's eyes and saw sympathy and understanding. Sam slowly placed Madison on the floor and reached for the hand that had moved to help him. The hand that pulled him from the floor and steadied him when his knees still threatened to collapse…he felt the strength that was his brother and for once didn't push it away but actually leaned into it, trying to find some strength of his own so that he could help do what he knew needed to be done. "We have to clean up Dean…I'll help." Sam said quietly as he wiped the last of his tears from his face.
But this time Dean wasn't going to give in. He knew that every moment spent in this house was torture for Sam and he was going to do what he could to spare him any further pain. "No Sam. I'm going to help you out to the car. I need you out there with the phone and the police scanner. We are already on borrowed time. You need to watch my back while I clean up…if the police are headed this way you call me ok?"
Sam started to argue, but couldn't find the strength. It was so much easier to just do what Dean wanted. "Good, you finally figured out that big brother knows best." Dean joked softly, hoping to see some spark from his brother. He sighed as Sam simply followed his lead. Dean left Sam sitting in the car with the police scanner. He figured if the police hadn't already come by now…no one had heard the shot. But he had no idea how long it would be before Madison was missed. She seemed the type of girl that someone would miss…he knew his brother would.
It took Dean less than 30 minutes to do what had to be done. As he drove away he glanced in the rear view mirror and knew that they would have to check out of the hotel and get on the road. Just in case someone had seen them with Madison, they couldn't be anywhere nearby. Dean looked at Sam who continued to stare into the late afternoon sun. His brother hadn't said a word, hadn't moved. "I figure we'll stop a few towns over…so we can monitor the news and you can get some rest ok Sam?"
"Sure Dean…" Sam said softly never moving.
"You know you did what she wanted right Sam?" Dean started damage control, feeling his way gently.
"Yeah"
"Sam, she was living on borrowed time the moment she was bitten…once she had gone through the change, there was no going back. There was nothing you or anyone else could have done." Dean glanced, trying to see if anything was getting through to Sam.
Sam looked down at his hands, rubbing them as if he was trying to get rid of something on them. Dean looked closer and noticed the blood. "Shit Sam, I'm so sorry…I forgot…don't worry we'll stop soon and then you can get clean ok?"
Sam looked up and Dean was worried about the devastation he saw in his brother's soft hazel eyes. "I don't know Dean…I don't think they'll ever come clean do you?"
"Of course they will Sam…it will just take time…it will get better with time…I promise." Dean reached over and gently patted Sam on the shoulder, but Sam drew away…leaning against the door and closing his eyes. Dean sighed as he realized his brother had closed the door and he was going to have to work to get it open again.
TBC
Raven524: Ok, so I couldn't resist and I'm not sure where this is taking me just yet, but if you want me to continue…just press the button.
