Disclaimer: Supernatural belongs to Eric Kripke and the CW Network. No profit is being made in the telling of this story.

Readers Note: The Demon Within is an alternate take on the Season Two Finale, there will be absolutely NO Season Three content within these pages for those that have not yet seen Season Three. Also, this story will have intense angsty moments in which you may not kill me as a writer. laughs I seriously hope all of you enjoy this story, it is a chapter fic and will come in probably around 25-30 chapters. I'm not exactly positive where it is right now, but we'll all see as it goes. I'd love to hear what you think, but don't feel obligated to review. Each chapter will be between 4-6 pages long so they won't be very long so bare with me.

THE DEMON WITHIN

Chapter One: Deadly Images

"Sam," Dean says teeth clenched tightly together. The world is turned upside down in those few moments as Dean stares at Sam, his body shaking with the intensity of trying to keep control. Heart pounds loudly in his chest and for a second he wonders if the whole world hears it. When green orbs notice Sam's unmoving figure he screams again to him. "Run!"

Sam's head bolts up as he looks at his older brother. The sweat is pouring over him, dripping from his face, hair plastered to his head as he tries to comprehend what is happening around him. He's forgotten already. Pain…he remembers pain and then…hazel orbs wander over Dean. Something is definitely off, but Sam doesn't remember what and refuses to leave Dean behind. At this time Dean's eyes latch onto his and Sam's memory is jogged back to reality as he realizes he needs to run. It is too late as his body refuses to listen to him, the pain overwhelms him and then he feels his body slam back into the wall behind him, shattering the mirror beside him. Slivers of glass imbedding into his skin and he winces at the sharp pricks. He would collapse onto the floor if he weren't being held in place there.

Then the cold black eyes stare back at Sam with a satisfied look on the demon possessed face. Body moves forward, closer to Sam with ill intent written all over its face. This is too easy. All the hoopla about the Winchester's is a sad disappointment to the demon's efforts. Far too easy.

"What are you going to do without Daddy and your brother?" the demon mocks.

Sam fights to bring his body out away from the wall, but he doesn't have enough power to move, or maybe he hasn't harnessed it enough to use it. Either way he's stuck and the only thing he can do is stare into the demon's pupil-less eyes knowing that not only has he failed the woman they came there to save, but his brother. He fights back against the hopelessness as he glares at the demon coldly.

"Let them go!" Sam growls.

"No," the demon laughs.

"What do you want?" Sam shouts in anger as he becomes desperate eyes screaming with pain and confusion as they land on the woman pinned to the ceiling in a daze and then to his brother. This isn't happening…it can't be happening. It's only a dream he isn't pinned against a wall…his brother…his brother isn't…

"To see you in pain," the demon smirks interrupting the young Winchester's thoughts.

Sam feels a fire explode in his body and he cries out, body arching subtly against the wall, his closing in pain. The burning fire spreads quickly through his body and he feels like he is dying. The pain is unbearable and he has to force himself to look into the eyes of his brother, in hope that Dean could save the day once again, that he'd be able to help him and the woman as he always has.

"Dean…help her…" Sam musters as blood drips from his mouth, flesh still feeling as if it is on fire, brown orbs dart to the woman whose body is consumed in flames, her screams die off slowly.

"Sammy…" Dean says softly, pushing back the veil hovering over him, but it's too late. Dean's whole world falls apart as he watches Sammy go limp against the wall. "No…" the words leave Dean's mouth in a whisper. He is the one responsible for getting his brother into this mess. It is his fault all this is happening. It is his fault that Sammy is practically dying. Dean grasps the gun tightly in his hand and quickly puts it to his head. "I'm sorry Sammy," Dean whispers, eyes turn to the woman who is lit up in a fiery blaze, knowing he has failed her too. He closes his eyes and takes one last deep breath before pulling the trigger.

Days Inn

Alamosa, CO

Tall, strong frame tosses restlessly as a moan escaped, a groan that signified the intensity of the images. Body lurched, sweat dripped, and hair stuck to the face as hazel orbs traveled swiftly under the closed lids. The body seemed to shake as muscles contracted under the blue nightshirt. Everything seemed wrong, the air thick, the world slowed in the early morning. That is until the images died down as lids rapidly burst open, hazel orbs traveling around the room in panic as realization of location slammed into the mind of Sam Winchester.

Without a moment's hesitation Sam shot up in the bed. "Dean!" his voice reverberated around the quiet room. The sound of a low guttural moan drifted into his right ear and Sam looked over to the bed beside his. There his older brother's sleeping form still rested like it had two hours ago when Sam had tried to get some sleep. Heart rate slowed, lids blinked shut several times before a hand moved to wipe the sweat from the sides of his face. So it was a dream…or was it? He rubbed his temples as he looked at the clock. 5:25am. Sam rolled his eyes as he collapsed back to the bed in exhaustion. This whole lack of sleep thing was definitely driving him up a wall very, very slowly, which in a way was a sort of torture. However, it didn't bother him this day as he ran over all the thoughts bombarding his brain, the images of what could only be the future, as it always was, the slow horror of the Yellow-Eyed Demon's plans.

Dean dead! No it can't be.

What am I missing?

Where were we?

We weren't here. I'd have recognized the hotel.

Dean?

But how did he get that way?

Was it something I did?

When does it happen?

The questions ran fast through Sam's mind as he tried to find a conclusion. He didn't bother trying to wake Dean, not when he didn't even know what was going on, besides as long as they were there Dean was safe. It was clear the vision was not pointing to where they were right that moment. It pointed to somewhere else, a place that Sam did not recognize from the images. But right now he had to figure out what was going on in his dream and not where it had been. He clearly remembered talking to Dean and a demon, but something was bothering him about the vision and yet he still couldn't put his finger on it.

The woman…Sam thought to himself, eyes sliding shut as he remembered her pain filled face, her burning flesh…she had wanted their help and all they had done was destroy her, they had gotten her killed. There was a war within himself in those moments. He wanted to tell Dean about the vision, to go and save the woman, but Dean…he'd lose his brother, the woman, and he himself might even die. It didn't look promising…if they stayed away they'd both be alive and the woman…a sigh escaped his lips…the woman would be dead. A hand rubbed hard over his face as he tried to comprehend what this meant. There was no possible way of saving them all, but if he…

"Geek boy you going to be up all night?" Dean asked nonchalantly from his side of the room interrupting the young man's thoughts of death, suicide, and sacrifice.

"Yeah. Just seeing what time it is," Sam lied as he stretched on the bed, faking a yawn. He knew that he would not fall asleep until he figured out a way to save everyone. He couldn't let this happen, he couldn't lose Dean, but he would never forgive himself for letting an innocent die by the Yellow-Eyed Demon because he didn't want to die. There had to be a way to save Dean…there had to be a way to save the woman. And still a part of him realized there was no choice…a part of him trying to recall what was bothering him about the dream, what had seemed so unfamiliar, so wrong, but it was a part of the vision that had been so unclear…so hard to see. It was something with Dean…what had been wrong with Dean? Had he been dying? Had he died? Why had he told him to run? Run from whom? And why wouldn't he go with him? The questions continued to bombard Sam's mind as he lay there, brown orbs moving in the sockets to glance at Dean and Sam couldn't help the tears that sprang to his eyes. He quickly wiped them away as he lay down staring up at the small designer holes in the ceiling tile.

Dean was awake…had been for awhile, the cry that had sounded from his brother's lips had stirred him, but he had kept quiet waiting for Sam to say something else, when nothing came he had assumed it was nothing more than a nightmare. A part of him knew that was wishful thinking, but he wasn't about to question Sam, not when he seemed so intent on ignoring the fact that he had called out, or that he had been talking in his sleep. Sam's restless sleep was enough to wake the dead…probably had in fact. Dean rolled his eyes at his brother's answer to his question. He knew very well that Sam probably hadn't slept at all that night, in fact as long as he'd been awake Sam had only slept an hour if that and Dean knew that what he'd been dreaming wasn't all candy canes and lollypops. Sam hadn't been sleeping well since their dad died, not that he'd ever slept well, but for a time he'd almost been normal. The thought overwhelmed Dean and he stared at the wall near him, eyes watered by unshed tears.

Dad's dead.

That stupid son of a bitch!

He's in hell because of me!

What fucking deal did he make?

Why did he make it?

I'm going to kill that demon if it's the last thing I do.

Dean clinched his hand into a fist in rage and anger as he tried to silently hold back the pain he was drowning in. He was so broken, but he had to be strong for Sammy. He had to keep his wits about him and make sure that Sam was taken care of, watched after, and protected. It was the last piece of his job left. His father was no longer around to take care of and now Dean made sure that he was always watching out for Sammy, making sure that what Dad had asked of him would never have to happen. Those days in the hospital after their dad's death was painful for not only Dean, but he could see it written all over Sam's face. He knew that Sam was dealing with the loss of their father hard as he was, but that was something he'd never admit to Sam. What's dead should stay dead. Dean thought to himself as he blinked his eyes, closing them hard against the unshed tears as the image of his father's lifeless body jerking up against the shock impulses of the defibrillator. The long wailing, high pitched beep was impeded in his memory and he knew he'd have the memory of that sound in his mind for the rest of his life.

Dean lay awake for the next two hours listening to his brother's breathing, knowing that Sammy was just as restless as he was. There was no movement from either though; it was their latest game. Who could play off being normal and unaffected by recent events more? It was a game Dean usually won, but recently he'd been sick of it. After Sam and Dean's fight while they were working the clown case had still been plaguing him. I'm dealing with Dad's death! Are you? Those words played over and over again in his mind as he realized that he wasn't dealing…he could say he was, pretend that he was okay, that everything was all right, but Sam had been right. You're on edge, you're erratic - except for when you're hunting, because then you're downright scary. You're tail spinning, man. And you refuse to talk about it and you won't let me help youDean had forced the words of his brother away from him, knowing that they had been difficult for Sam to say and most of all for the words Dean had forced out of him as they drove away later the next morning. Sam. You and Dad... you're the most important people in my life. And now... I never should have come back, Sam. It wasn't natural. And now look what's come of it. I was dead. And I should have stayed dead. You wanted to know how I was feeling. Well, that's it. So tell me. What could you possibly say to make that all right? As the sunlight drifted in through the window Dean heard his brother move carefully from the bed and head into the bathroom. Listening for the familiar sound of his brother's routine Dean smiled when he was met with the sound of the shower. Maybe that will cheer the sasquatch up enough to talk to me.

Dean rolled out of the cheap hard motel bed and settled down in the chair near his own laptop, which he had basically given to Sam after the fire that destroyed all of Sam's belongings and of course took the life of his girlfriend, Jessica. They had been following a lead on the Demon for the last couple days. They had traveled rapidly through Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, and now on their way to New Mexico. Dean flipped the laptop up and waited patiently for the computer to log in. He ran a hand through his hair and yawned rather largely. A loud crashing sound came from the bathroom and Dean bolted from his seat.

"Sammy!" Dean said as he took off for the door.

"I'm fine," a voice called from the bathroom.

"What happened?" Dean asked as his worry began to subside, his head practically leaning against the door listening for any signs of trouble.

"Just slipped," Sam said.

"Smooth move, Exlax," Dean laughed in through the door before he returned to the seat in front of the laptop.

Sam laid his head against the cool bathroom wall. His head was throbbing as the images of Dean's death flashed through his mind again. He willed the vision away. Every time he saw it he felt his body freeze. He was beginning to believe that it would be impossible for him to stop this vision.

No! I can't think like that. I'm going to stop this vision from coming true. I have to or…

Sam didn't finish his thought as he felt the steaming hot water sting his back. He let the water wash away his fear and worries. He would be no use to Dean if he was acting the way he was. He needed to be calm right now that way he could think and act efficiently. There wasn't much time…there was never much time with his visions, but for the moment…everything was okay…everyone was still alive...

Sam felt the tear bead in his eyes, but he quickly ran his face under the shower water to keep it from forming completely. He wasn't about to let his eyes get red and puffy. Not now. Not when he had things to get done. And not when Dean would be grading him on his appearance when he got out. Somehow Dean was always so good at figuring out what was wrong with him…he always knew and if he came out with puffy eyes he'd be a dead giveaway.

"Dude, Sam!" Dean said loudly as he knocked on the door.

"What?" Sam asked in confusion.

"Dude you been in there for a half hour already. You may have long hair, but dude I know girls that take faster showers than that," Dean smirked.

"Give me a second," Sam said, a half smirk falling over his own face. At least Dean was cheerful this morning. That was good.

Dean shook his head at the door with a smile on his face, but deep down he was worried. Something was upsetting Sam, but he wasn't sure what and it didn't look like Sam was going to share with him. He shook his head as he moved back to sit down in the chair. His mind was racing with reasons at to why Sam would be so…standoffish. He'd had another vision…maybe, no…Sam would have told him if it had been a vision. He wouldn't hide that from Dean, not now when they were so close to finding the demon and sending him back to hell.

Sam exited the bathroom a few minutes later with a towel wrapped around his waist. A look of confusion was written across his face.

"Space boy what's going on?" Dean asked as he looked at his brother.

"Nothing," Sam said as he grabbed his duffle bag and started shifting through clothes.

"You sure?" Dean asked.

"Yeah," Sam said as he turned his face from Dean. He didn't want Dean to see the fear in his face. It was there; he knew it was. But if Dean saw it then he would force him to tell him what was going on and Sam wasn't sure he could recount the vision to him, not yet anyhow. Everything was far to fresh in his mind right now for him to even think about how to broach the subject with Dean. If only there was another way…if only he could solve this problem on his own than he wouldn't have to worry about telling Dean.

"Sam…" Dean started.

"I'm fine Dean," Sam snapped as he turned sharply to stare his brother down, the mask falling into place immediately, like it always had when he was lying to his brother or worried about something that he couldn't fix.

Dean sighed, but didn't push the matter further. He just frowned and headed into the bathroom to take his turn under the hot refreshing water, which wasn't so hot after Sam's long ass shower. He'd have to yell at Sam later for that.

Sam collapsed onto his bed as he watched his brother's frame disappear behind the closed door. His heavy head dropped into his hands and he tried to take a few deep breaths. The images flashed behind his closed lids and he felt his hands shake.

How long do I have? I have to stop this!

Sam bit his lip and jumped from his bed changing into clothes within seconds. He grabbed the laptop and sat down researching everything he could, but he didn't give far before he noticed the small closed window on the bottom of the screen. Brow furrowed, head cocked to the right as he looked at it, his hand almost shaking as he moved the pad of his finger over the mouse pad, clicking on the closed window. The moment the window popped up and loaded Sam knew what he was looking at…Dean's research, but that wasn't what had caused his mouth to drop open in utter fear…it was the fact that now he knew the answer to how long he had…and it wasn't looking good at all.