Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing.
Warning: Some Violence, AU/Crossover [Highlander Universe], Minor Language, Fatalism
Pairings: None.
Spoilers: Season 1-2, minor Season 4

The first time it happened, Sam didn't even know. One moment the spirit had completely closed off his throat, his vision had siphoned to a thin tunnel and-Deanhurryupican'tbreathcan'tbreath…

The next moment he was on the ground, deep purple prints around his neck, and Dean was shaking his shoulders while looking far more worried than he had when they started this hunt. Later, they laughed it off and Dean cracked jokes about necks being magnets for spirits and "Seriously, Sammy, what is it with you and getting choked on hunts?"

o0o

The second time it happened (at Stanford, Dean wasn't there and thank goodness cause he would have freaked), Sam only had the time to think "shit" before the bullet shrnicked its way into his head and splattered its way out.

He woke up four hours later in an alleyway covered in blood and brain matter, very strongly overcome by the thought, "This is not good."

o0o

The third time it happened, Dad was injured, Dean was dying, and the doctors called it a miracle that he walked away with nothing but whiplash, a concussion, and some nasty bruises. Miracles had nothing to do with it and he could have walked away completely healed, but he had to wake prematurely to make sure those sons of bitches didn't kill his family.

o0o

The last time it happened, it was bad. Really bad. Spinal cord severed, organs punctured and slashed; he never should have turned his back on Jake. But this time, he actually got a choice. He didn't have to come back, not if he didn't want to. He could stay and the demon's plan for him could go screw itself.

(Of course, in the end "choice" was all a big joke cause Dean sold his soul and he came back anyway.)

So when Dean looked at him, face tortured, and told him "Don't get mad at me. Don't you do that." He knew it was his fault. He should have come back and damn the demon's plan for him cause his brother will always be more important than any demon. (Heaven laughed at this and ain't irony a bitch?)

"I don't care what it takes, I'm gonna get you out of this." He meant every word. Nothing else mattered. He didn't care how many times he'd have to die, if it meant going near other immortals, if it meant changing and becoming something he's not. He'd save Dean.

(Of course, in the end "choice" is all a big joke cause Dean sold his soul and any chance for either of them with a kiss and a midnight deal.)

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