Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters. I and am not making any money on this…I'm just having fun!

Choices

Chapter 10 – Shades of Truth

It had been almost a week since Sam had been taken by the werewolf. Dean had been there constantly, making sure that Sam was comfortable, taking care of his wounds, helping Sam work through the pain. Sam smiled as he thought back over how lucky he was to have a brother like Dean. It had taken him thinking that Dean had died for Sam to really appreciate what he would have lost. So he let Dean play mother hen…when truth be told, Sam was more than ready to move on.

Physically he was feeling much better. Some of the burns still bothered him and his chest was still sore, but all in all he was able to get around and do things on his own now. But Sam's mind kept going back to the conversation he had with the yellow eyed demon. Every time Sam went to sleep, he was afraid of a return visit…but so far nothing had happened. He was really beginning to wonder if it had even happened. And yet, a part of Sam knew that he had been visited by the yellow eyed demon.

"Hey Sammy, I was thinking…how about we go into town and have dinner tonight?" Dean asked as he came out onto the porch. Sam had taken to sitting in the rocking chair on the front porch of the cabin when he wasn't sleeping. Dean knew that Sam was trying to work something out and he was trying to be patient. But soon he would have to start digging to find out what was bothering his brother.

"Sure Dean…sounds good. I'll go take a shower and get changed." Sam stood slowly. The bruising on his face had faded, although he still had the bandage on his healing nose and the black eyes. Moving carefully Sam stood in the shower and let the warm water take the rest of the aches away. He had been lucky…if Dean had been a few minutes later…he would have been puppy chow for Olivia.

He closed his eyes as he thought about the second young woman who had lost her life. While killing Madison still bothered Sam, he had come to terms with it. He had seen what she would have become and he now knew that he had really saved her. But Sam regretting having to take her life…when he thought about it, a lot of the things they killed started out being innocent people who had run into evil. He wished there was some way that they could save more of them from their fate. But Sam had been raised by his father and he understood that sometimes you had to kill someone who didn't deserve killing to save them.

Sam hurried from the shower and pulled on his clothes. He opted for jogging pants instead of his jeans as the burns on his legs were still healing. Pulling on one of his favorite hoodies, Sam decided to try to enjoy himself for a night…he would do it for Dean.

"Come on Ricky…maybe we can stop at the local bar afterwards…I'd like to play a little pool to replenish our money supply…if you're up for it." Dean watched as Sam walked out the door and climb into the passenger seat.

"Sure Lucy…whatever you want!" Sam replied groaning slightly as his healing wounds pulled slightly.

Dean heard Sam and looked at him in concern. "Why don't we decide after we eat…if you're too tired we'll come back here ok Sam?"

Sam rolled his eyes. "Dean…I'm fine, I'm just stiff and a little sore. I think I can handle sitting in a bar for a few hours while you get a few phone numbers to add to your collection!"

"Who knows Sammy..maybe you'll find a phone number of your own!" Dean winked falling into their old routine.

Sam sighed and looked out the window, Madison's eyes appearing in his mind as he replied softly. "Not likely Dean…not likely."

Dean could have kicked himself as he realized that he had inadvertently reminded Sam of Madison. He knew that being with her had meant something to his brother…Sam had never been into one night stands. "Ah jeez…I'm sorry Sam. Look, lets just get something to eat and then we'll go back to the cabin."

Sam sighed again. "Dean…look, I'm not upset ok. I just don't want to…I can't…it's just too soon ok…but I'll be fine. Now if you're through Lucy…I'm hungry."

Dean grinned and headed into town. A few hours later, Dean and Sam were back in the car and heading home. Dean had $350 in his pocket and two new phone numbers. Sam was sleeping in the passenger seat, too stubborn to admit that today's outing had tired him. Dean grinned as he turned the music on low…he wanted to let Sam sleep.

As the car came to a stop outside the cabin, Dean reached over and gently shook Sam. "Time to rise and shine Sammy"

Sam opened his eyes and smiled. He had actually had a good time tonight. He was tired, but he knew that was temporary. Turning to Dean he placed a hand on his brother's arm. "Hey Dean?"

"Yes Sam?"

"Thanks!" Sam couldn't say anymore but he let his eyes speak for him. He let his eyes tell his brother how much he appreciated him, how much he loved him and how glad he was that Dean was there beside him.

Dean smiled softly and nodded at his understanding as he exited the car and headed for the cabin. He entered the cabin and immediately paused as he sensed that he wasn't alone. He turned to warn Sam, but before he could say anything he was slammed against the wall with enough force to knock him unconscious.

Sam heard his brother hit the wall and hurried into the cabin. He stopped as a figure moved to the center of the room. The moonlight from the window showing the yellow eyes of the demon. "What are you doing here?" Sam said calmly as he moved into the room. He placed himself between the demon and Dean.

"I've come to remind you of our deal Samuel. Have you been enjoying having your brother back?"

Sam's breath caught in his throat as he looked to the unconscious form of his brother. "What are you talking about. Dean was never dead!" Sam said forcefully.

"That's where you are wrong…your brother didn't remember what happened the last time I revived him did he…after he came out of the coma. He will not remember being dead Samuel…but you know the truth…you saw his heart at Maxwell's house." The demon watched as the first crack of doubt appeared in Sam's face.

"But I didn't agree…I didn't take the deal." Sam was sure he hadn't agreed to it.

"Ah…but you did Samuel, otherwise your brother would still be dead. But don't worry, I'm willing to give you some more time with your brother before I call for you. Your soul is now mine Samuel and you will do my bidding when the time is right." The demon laughed as he disappeared into the night.

Sam stood rooted to the spot, unsure what to do. He couldn't believe and yet…what if the demon was telling the truth. Sam suddenly felt like he couldn't go on. It was what he knew that Madison had felt when she realized that she was trapped. Sam was trapped and now apparently could not avoid a future with the demon.

Sam looked down at Dean lying unconscious on the floor. He knelt beside him and felt his strong pulse. Careful of Dean's healing ribs, Sam lifted his brother and got him into his bed. He began to check over Dean's injuries and sighed with relief as he realized that Dean would have a headache and a few new bruises, but nothing appeared to be seriously wrong with his brother.

Dean's eyes cracked open for a moment and he groaned. "What…did you get the number of that truck?"

Sam smiled and patted Dean on the shoulder. He could see that his brother wasn't quite with them yet. Sam handed him a couple of pain pills and helped him drink the water he had placed by Dean's bed. "Just take these and get some rest Dean. We'll talk about it when you can focus…don't worry. We're safe."

Sam watched as Dean tried to focus, but in the end gave into his body's need for some sleep. He gently pulled the covers up, his hand resting on Dean's face for a moment before he went back outside to stare at the evening sky.

Sam didn't know what to do…he knew he couldn't leave Dean. He had promised he wouldn't leave Dean. But he also knew how hard it would be for Dean to do what Sam feared would have to be done. Like Madison…Sam wanted his death to be his choice, not the choice of some demon. He couldn't become what the demon wanted.

Needing time to think, Sam walked back into the cabin and pulling out a piece of paper…he left a note for Dean. Putting the note on the bed side table, Sam quietly closed the door of the cabin and headed for the woods. He needed to be alone for a while. He had to make some choices and just in case he had to make the worst choice…he had grabbed his gun. Besides, Dean would have killed him if he went unarmed…Sam smiled at the thought…but his smile disappeared as he realized that Dean just might have to kill him if what he feared was true.

TBC

Raven524: Once again, Sam is walking away from Dean…will he return? Hmmmm…maybe…but one this is for sure…Dean won't let him go easily!