Disclaimer: I really don't own the Winchester brothers, Lucifer or Bobby. That's the honor of Eric Kripke and lately Sera Gamble! Though I do own the plot!

A.N: This is without a doubt the longest chapter of this story!

Summary: AU after 5.4 The End. He had to endure so much in his young life, but now he may not have the strength to fight any longer. Would he accept the end or would he find the strength to endure? MajorLimpSam, FatherlyLucifer, LaterProtectiveDean

Chapter 3: My Son (We are the same)

Dean cried out but it died down. Since Lionel's back was to him, he could not see Sam.

But strangely he heard no impact. He strained to see.

The other hunters were wide-eyed and disgusted.

"What witchcraft is this?" Tim cried taking a step back.

Lionel had taken a few steps back and away, allowing Dean to see what the problem was. His eyes were widened.

The bullet had stopped in the air, inches from Sam's face. Dean took in Sam, trying to gauge his reaction and he seemed as shock at everyone in the room was. He was staring cross-eyed at the bullet.

"What are you?" one of the other hunters asked revulsion in his voice.

"How did you do that?" Tim asked.

"It's not me." Sam panted out a response, "It's not me."

"Hello, boys." Came a soft voice.

Everyone in the room looked up to see NickLucifer standing off the side, a small smile playing on his face. Sam's eyes widen.

"How did you get in here?" Lionel asked swinging the gun around to the face the new comer.

NickLucifer gave a soft smile, "I'm afraid you boys have done enough damage."

Sam finally found his voice, "Run. Run!" He pleaded with the hunters.

The hunters glanced at Sam before looking back at Lucifer.

"Who are you?" Tim asked, holding his own gun towards him.

Lucifer gave a small bow, "I'm Lucifer."

There was a collective gasp and a moment of stunned silence that followed. Dean's mouth was open as he stared at the Lucifer. Then suddenly Lionel screamed and pulled the trigger several times. The bullets stop midair. The hunters fidgeted as they stared in shock.

Lucifer frowned, "I don't appreciate you bothering my son."

Dean blanched at this and the hunters gave gasps. Sam just looked concerned about the hunters rather than what Lucifer called him. "Please, you have to run. You can't fight him." He tried again.

"Shut up!" Lionel yelled clearly fearful barely sparing Sam a glance.

Lucifer's frown deepened as he held up his hand.

"Please, don't hurt them." Sam tried to beg for them. Lucifer smiled gently at him before turning a frown back at them.

"They tried to hurt you…." Lucifer looked murderous then, "….and that is unacceptable."

And suddenly there were screams as Lucifer flick his hand and all the bullets flew around and shot all the hunters. One by one they dropped dead. Sam looked sorrowful at the dead bodies and Dean was still shocked, his mind reeling. Lucifer took a deep breath and let it out slowly before looking between the two.

"Sam, it's good to see you again and Dean, it's nice to meet you for the first time." He sketched a bow towards both of them.

"Why…..why did you do that?" Sam only asked his voice full of sadness.

"Like I said, no one will hurt you and live to tell the tale."

It was then, that Dean snapped out it and glared at Lucifer, pulling on his bonds. "That was kinda unnecessary don't you think?" he asked.

Lucifer only smiled, "I do what I must." He proceeded to slowly walk over to Sam, kicking away the body of Lionel that blocked his way. He kneeled before him.

"Get away from him, you psycho!" Dean yelled.

Lucifer only looked at him and admonished, "Name calling is not nice, Dean."

"I got other names if you don't like that one."

"I'm sure you are tired of hanging on that wall like that", Lucifer said instead and with a flick of his wrist Dean was released from the chains.

Dean rubbed his wrists and without preamble he took a few steps forward. But never got far, as suddenly he was frozen on the spot. He tried to speak but found he could not. Lucifer gave him an apologetic glance as he turned back to Sam who looked Dean.

"What did you do to him?" he asked.

"Don't worry, Sam. He's fine. Just frozen for the moment. I need to talk to you without a running commentary from a smart aleck." Lucifer smiled as he undid the rope that held Sam down in his chair.

Sam breathed a sigh of relief but let out a small groan, as he scrambled out of the chair and away from Lucifer almost tripping over a body in the process. It was Lucifer who stood, steadying him, gripping his arm and sliding the body further away from the two of them.

"Please, be careful Sam. After all my work I do not wish you to trip over any of these buffoons and break your neck. That would not be prudent to my cause." Lucifer spoke with care as he release Sam's arm with a small smile.

Sam just stared at him perplexed. He swallowed, "What are you doing here?" he asked softly.

Lucifer smiled and cocked his head. "You know why I am here. But more than that…..you aren't doing well. I could not let that go. Sam, you let these morons get the drop on you and your brother. I know you are trained better than that. But it goes beyond that doesn't it?"

Dean kept trying to struggle but now wondered what Lucifer was talking about. That cold dread was coming back and it was pressing against him. Sam didn't say anything but glance down. That small action worried Dean.

"Oh, Sam. I know it's been hard. I've been watching you, making sure you are okay. Sometimes, when you felt so alone, even with your brother right there with you…", here Lucifer paused and lazily look over at Dean before he continued, "…I would reach out from across time and space just so you knew you weren't alone. Because at those moments, your brother didn't even know how you felt. More than that, he didn't even care."

Dean's eyes bugged as Sam shivered. Lucifer looked back at Sam, "You knew it was me, didn't you? You felt it. But it's getting worse for you, isn't it? That's why I felt I was needed to step in now." He took a step forward and to Dean's concern Sam didn't take a step back as Lucifer took another. "Oh, my son….."

If Dean could have he would have blanched. But as it was, he had to settle for a mental blanch. What discerned him was the fact that Sam wasn't say anything to this, even as he looked up and saw Lucifer closer to his person than a few steps ago. And what's more he was looking at Lucifer helplessly.

And none of this was sitting right with Dean.

"I know it's hard. You realize now what your life has been reduced to, don't you?" Lucifer gave a small sigh, "I wish, for you, it had not come to this. I do, Sam, because I want you to be happy."

Dean struggled again and tried to say something, but he was firmly frozen. Lucifer spared him the smallest glance as he continued, "These hunters, turned their backs on you. The entire hunter community, for that matter, has turned their backs on you. They all blame you for something that you didn't mean to happen, but it did because it was meant to be. But even more than that…much more than that…." Another step closer, "You're brother has turned his back on you, hasn't he?"

Dean tried to get a sound out, but couldn't. He denied such a statement in his mind.

"You could deal with the hunters and the world turning their backs, but without Dean….." Lucifer trailed off and gave a small shrug, "It's all meaningless isn't it? And you would have let those morons kill you without any defense to yourself. That was what you were doing. And that is not the Sam I know. I know you are lost, my son, but I'm here to pick up those pieces. Dean doesn't want to anymore and you know that. He doesn't care anymore."

And to Dean's utter disgust which was pretty high as it was, Lucifer reached up and wrapped his arms around Sam's shoulders.

And Sam didn't even pull back.

He just stood there awkwardly, his arms hanging limply at his side staring off.

It was a look that Dean had seen a few times since they got back together.

And now it scared him more than ever.

Lucifer took Sam's head and guided it to lay on his shoulder. His hand began to pat Sam's hair as if he was a mere child. Dean glared at Lucifer screaming at him to get off of his younger brother. As if hearing him, Lucifer looked over at him with a smile as he opened his mouth and spoke, his eyes staring piercingly into Dean's,

"I know you have no more strength to endure. You have been failing for the longest time, haven't you? And you broke, when you accidentally released me, but you hide it well, didn't you?"

It was discerning to Dean that Lucifer seemed to know what he was talking about as if he was reading Sam's mind.

But none of it was true…..

Was it?

Lucifer continued, "And you hide the fact that you broke so well, or maybe it was that your brother", here he spat the word out as if it was vile still staring into Dean's eyes as he spoke, "didn't care enough to look beyond the tip of his nose to see what was right in front of you. All he did was shut you out, push you away, no….oh no….he did more than push you away, didn't he? He threw you away, didn't he?"

Lucifer glared fiercely at Dean as Dean returned the glare back twice fold. Sam shivered violently at this statement. Dean saw this and his stomach dropped.

Did Sam really feel this way?

And if so, how did Dean miss such a thing?

And a part of him that was trying to ignore now begged the question: How much of it did he chose to ignore?

"And not only did Dean throw you away, he left you! He allowed you to walk away without a fight. I know you were shocked and hurt at that. You expected a fight at least. At least it would have meant that he cared on some level, but he didn't. Just let you go and secretly a part of him was happy to see you go. What did he say, something like, I can't do the job well if I'm worried about you? Something about, not even being able to afford it! A big brother not being able to afford the time and effort to take care of his little brother!"

Dean saw Sam stiffened and his heart sunk. He was getting angrier and angrier at Lucifer. He was twisting his words! Dean never meant it that way! Besides, how would Lucifer know that, he wasn't there! It was like he was picking all these things from Sam's mind, taking it out of context, twisting them to suit his purpose.

"You try so hard and this is what you get? But then, Dean allowed you to return to his side and I know you rejoiced. But that was short lived wasn't it? You knew it wouldn't be like before, but you thought you it wouldn't be as bad as it did. But you didn't complain. You took whatever Dean and any other threw at you because you think you deserve all that and more!"

Dean swallowed hard at this revelation as Sam stiffened even more if that was possible.

"And all because he simply wouldn't throw you a bone. A simple, measly little bone." Here Lucifer's eyes narrowed at Dean before they returned to the top of Sam's head and softened as he patted Sam's hair again, "He didn't give you anything to grasp ahold of, did he? No bone, no anchor, no nothing. And slowly you died a little more inside. Every day your strength was waning even with your big brother a few inches from you. And now your strength is up, isn't it? Isn't it, my son?"

Dean saw Sam's fist clench as he shut his eyes. Dean could only look on helpless to intervene.

And still Lucifer continued. Dean thought he would have said all the got to say, but he didn't.

Hadn't Lucifer said enough?

What was he trying to do, push Sam over the edge?

"And does your big brother see this, no! But I understand that, Sam. I'm a little brother myself. I understand the pain of crying out to your big brother and he either chooses to ignore you or just plain deaf. I understand, Sam. You and me, we aren't that different. That's why I have reached out on those nights when you wanted your brother but he wasn't around. That's why I could, cause we're the same, connected, you and I."

A single choking sound escaped Sam as he tensed up, scrunching his body, looking for all the world a small child, his shoulders shaking. Dean wanted badly to question Sam on this. He wanted so badly to talk about this.

He couldn't believe that his brother would willingly allow Lucifer to talk to him.

But was this, all of this, including everything Lucifer was saying, a testament as to how far Sam has fallen?

How far he was falling?

And Dean didn't see.

No, he chose not to see.

He could no longer ignore that.

Not in the face of what was playing out before him.

Looking back Dean saw clearly signs that he could have called Sam out on. Things that bothered him, but he choose not to.

And he hated himself for it.

Dean was trying to avoid this route when he called Sam back to into the hunting game with him. He was, but now he saw clearly his part that he failed to play, to stop this from playing out.

He saw it too clearly.

Dean only prayed he wouldn't be too late in fixing it.

Lucifer only hugged him tighter. "My son, it will be okay."

'He's not your son!' Dean screamed yet again, but only to himself, as he couldn't open his mouth.

As if hearing him, Lucifer glanced at Dean with a warning look before turning back to Sam. "Sam, let me ask you a question. Why do continue to fight? Why? I don't understand this. You are offered a way out and you don't take it. Why? I mean, what are you fighting for?"

Lucifer pulled back and peered into Sam's face. Said young male had tears treading down his face. Lucifer looked at him sorrowfully before reaching out and wiping his tears away.

"Answer me, what are you fighting for?"

There was no answer as Sam looked uncertain at NickLucifer once more.

"I have offered you the choice those nights I reached out to you and you never have given me a straight answer. You never answered one way or another."

Dean looked powerless and horrified at this new information.

Sam he knew would have told Lucifer where to shove it.

So, you mean, that those days when they were mere inches apart, Lucifer has offered the choice and Sam said nothing?

You mean those nights when only a step separated their beds, Lucifer offered the choice and Sam said nothing?

How many times did Lucifer offer the choice and Sam said nothing?

How many times now was he presented with the choice wearing down his resolve?

How many?

Lucifer continued to look sympathetically at Sam and pulled his head back to his shoulder. "Sam, I know why you don't answer, because you don't know yourself anymore. It used to be so clear, didn't it? Now, though it's all muddled." Lucifer gave a small sigh and closed his eyes murmuring, "I want you to be happy. Say yes. Say yes and it can all be over. I promise you. And remember I promised to never lie or trick you. I don't want you to suffer anymore. Say yes, and you can rest."

There were a few moments of silence and Dean found he was holding his breath.

"What….what do you mean?" came a soft broken inquiry.

Dean tried to say something, tried to move, anything to stop this scene playing anymore before him. He had enough. It was too much.

Far too much.

"It means, my dear son, that if you let me have your body as my vessel, I'll make sure you aren't aware anymore. You can cease to exist actually as you'll be in so deep a sleep it'll seem like it. And you'll be free."

Here Sam shifted, making Lucifer smile. "You like that, don't you?"

Either by sheer willpower alone or Lucifer allowing it, Dean managed to make a single distressing sound that he hoped conveyed all he wanted Sam to know.

It must have struck some chord cause Sam shifted once more, lifting his head and glancing at Dean. Dean looked at him pleadingly, though he quickly figured out that Sam refused to look at his face. Dean saw clearly the glassy eyes of his younger brother and the tears that occasionally pooled down his cheeks.

Sam looked back at Lucifer, "Hypothetically speaking, if….if….I did….." here he swallowed hard, "….you'd…..you'd… have to guarantee….Dean's safety."

Dean's heart thudded in his chest as his eyes widen and he tried once more in vain to move or speak his mind.

Sam wasn't really considering any of this, was he?

Didn't Dean get back with his younger brother to prevent this from happening?

It hadn't been 2 weeks yet and already they were to that point?

How much did he miss?

What did he miss?

Or what was it that he chose not to see?

All these questions were plaguing Dean's mind so vividly, and so much more.

Lucifer frowned, his arms still around the younger man's shoulders, "Sam, you know that Dean would fight me with his dying breath."

Sam wet his lips nervously, "But could you guarantee his safety?"

Lucifer gave a sigh and stared hard at Sam before nodding and saying solemnly, "Yes, I could."

Sam looked so relieved it sickened Dean. Sam slowly nodded and lowered his glaze. Sheer willpower or otherwise, allowed Dean to make another desperate sound. Sam tensed at this.

Dean was screaming, 'Don't Sam! You can't! You can't do this! He's lying! Lucifer get off of my little brother you #^$#%$! Sam please, let's discuss this first, so I can talk you out of it! What did I miss? I'm sorry I ignored the signs. Why are you even considering…..?'

And on and on his screams echoed in his head but never made it out of his mouth.

Lucifer just pulled Sam back into his embrace and closed his eyes smiling lightly. "It's okay. It's okay to let go, Sam. They have no right to judge you for something you need so badly, not even your brother."

Sam let out a sob, making Dean's heart break further.

"It's okay", Lucifer cooed almost rocking Sam.

A click sounded and Lucifer opened his eyes, though he looked unperturbed and unsurprised as he felt the cold metal in the middle of his back.

Dean rejoiced at this, egging his brother on.

"Let me go, Lucifer."

Lucifer only gave a moment's pause before he slowly released Sam who moved away from him, putting distance between them. He moved closer to Dean still pointing the gun in Lucifer's face.

"Release my brother."

Lucifer gave a small sigh. "I'm only trying to help you. I know you like the idea. It's okay to like it. It's okay to see it as your salvation."

Dean saw Sam falter, lowering his gun slightly and tried to say something. Sam sucked in a breath looking calculating at Lucifer who took a step forward with smile.

It seemed to snap Sam back for a moment. "Release my brother", came a firmer repeat of the order as his grip on the gun tightened once more.

And suddenly, Dean found himself almost propelling forward enough to almost trip and land in a face plant. But he managed to gather himself enough to back Sam although he had no weapon on him.

"Leave." Sam ordered looking at Lucifer.

"Sam, know that my offer still stands even now. It will always stand. So if you change your mind, you know how to get a hold of me."

"I don't….want your offer", Sam stumbled over his words.

"My son…." Lucifer started only be interrupted.

"I'm not your son", Sam snapped.

And Dean saw briefly the strong, sassy Sam he knew well. Lucifer studied Sam quietly before he sketched a small bow and within a blink he was gone.

But Dean found he could not breathe easy.

Not yet.

TBC….

A.N: You know bad guys and monologues. They can be fun, but still are just that….a monologue.

And Lucifer apparently loves to hear himself talk.

Cause he goes on and on and on and...