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

Shades of Grey

Chapter 21 – The Cure

Sam looked at John and then back into the room where his brother was sleeping. "Yes, I'm sure…I'd rather die than be the monster I've become."

John stood and quickly walked over to his youngest son. "Sam, you have been able to control yourself. You're not a monster any more than David or Theresa are monsters. You were victimized by a monster. Son, I can't lose you…not like this."

Sam closed his eyes and swallowed as he felt the blood lust burning in his veins. It would be so easy to just give in, but he couldn't. "Dad, I can control it now. But what happens if it gets worse? With my abilities I would be unstoppable. I won't be responsible for innocent deaths. Please, I have to do this."

David stood and joined the two men. "Sam you need to understand what you will be going through. This won't be easy on you. It may even take away your ability to control the urges you are feeling right now."

"Have you done this before?" Sam asked

"Yes, it has worked in the past on a few, but most that have tried this cure have died or gone insane."

Sam turned and looked at the sleeping form of his brother. He was glad that Dean wasn't awake for this decision because he knew what his brother would say. He would never agree to the risk any more than his father appeared to be willing. But in the end it was his life and he knew that this was just one burden he couldn't carry.

"Let's get started then." Sam held his hand up as he father started to object. "Dad, I understand that you and Dean are afraid, but I can't live like this…so either you help me, or leave because if this doesn't work, I will find another way to end it."

John stopped and looked at his youngest son. He knew that this was Sam's decision, but he couldn't help but worry. "Ok Sam, Dean and I will support your decision. But if this doesn't work and you end up being a vampire, I don't want to hear about you ending your life prematurely, agreed?"

Sam sighed. "Ok Dad. David can we get this started, I'm really not feeling too well." Sam staggered slightly as his father grabbed his arm to steady him.

"Ok Sam, follow me." David led Sam and his father to a small room in the basement of the house. There was a single bed in the room. "Why don't you lie down on the bed Sam? I'll need to restrain you before we start."

Sam took a deep breath and entered the room. Everything in his being was screaming at him to run, to get away and survive. But Sam refused to listen. He calmly did as David instructed and allowed himself to be restrained.

"Good. Just relax for a few moments while I get what we need." David left the room.

"Dad?" Sam whispered.

"Yes son?"

"If this doesn't work out…I mean if I don't make it…help Dean understand it wasn't his fault. There was nothing anyone could have done to prevent this from happening, but he won't believe that unless someone forces him to see the truth."

John patted his son on the shoulder. "You know I'm not good at that kind of crap Sam, so you better just stick around. Do you hear me? I don't want to hear that kind of talk now or anytime in the near future."

Sam smiled, sometimes his father sounded so much like Dean. "Ok Dad"

David returned with a glass that contained a dark liquid. "Ok Sam, this is your last chance to stop this. Once you have ingested this, there will be no going back."

Sam wrinkled his nose. "Why does this kind of stuff always have to smell and taste so disgusting? I don't suppose you have anything cherry flavored?"

David laughed. "Sorry, but this is the best we can do. Are you ready?" David looked at John who nodded along with Sam.

"Sam you need to drink all of this and more importantly, you need to keep it down. Do you understand?"

"Great, now I know I'm going to hate this stuff. Ok, bring it on." John helped hold Sam's head up while David helped Sam drink the foul tasting liquid. Sam gagged, but continued to drink until the glass was empty. John watched as Sam continued to swallow, struggling to keep the contents of his stomach from making an unwelcome appearance.

"Ok Sam, you may feel some burning and I'm afraid you're going to feel pretty sick for a while. But you just hang in there ok?" David said as he pulled John aside. "You just try to rest and we'll check back on you in a few minutes."

Sam just groaned as he felt the liquid within him begin to burn in his stomach. He felt like a fire was burning in his body as he struggled against the sickness that was invading his system. "Go ahead, I'll be fine." Sam said bravely as he closed his eyes to begin the battle for his soul.

David turned as John exited the room and quietly closed the door. "John, this door has to always remained locked until this is over…Sam will probably beg you to let him loose, but you can't do that under any circumstances."

"What's going to happen David?" John asked as they headed back up the stairs.

"The drink I gave him contained dead man's blood, holy water and a few other herbs. It will attack the vampire blood in Sam's body and with luck destroy it. He will become delirious and may even run a high fever. I told the Doctor and he will help us monitor Sam and treat the more serious side effects. I won't lie to you John; it's not going to be pleasant."

"How long before we know that it's working?"

"Actually, that won't take long. The others began to have a reaction within an hour after ingesting the liquid. But it will be at least 72 hours before we know that his condition has been reversed. "

John shook his head. He knew that if anyone could beat the odds it would be his youngest son. But he hated that there was nothing he could do but watch and wait. Of course, he would also have to deal with his oldest son too. Dean would not be pleased when he found out what was going on. "I think I'll go check on Dean before I go back to sit with Sam. I don't want him to be alone."

"That's a good idea John. The doctor will be down there shortly to check on Sam as well. We can take turns keeping watch and helping him through this. Don't worry; I've seen your son in action and from what I've seen…he will pull through. It must be that Winchester stubbornness."

John smiled as he left David and headed into to check on Dean. As he entered the bedroom, he heard a soft moan coming from the bed. "Dean?" John asked softly as he sat on the edge of the bed.

"Dad?" Dean struggled to open his eyes. The drugs in his system were making it hard for him to focus on his father's face.

"Yes son, I'm here. You've lost a lot of blood, but the doctor says you should be up in no time."

"Sammy! Dad, where's Sam?" Dean struggled to sit up, but his father gently pushed him back onto the bed.

"You don't need to worry about him right now. He's fine. I need you to get some more rest."

Dean heard the hesitation in his father's voice and could see the concern in his eyes. He knew that his father was trying to keep something from him. "Dad…Sam is not fine, he's been converted and we both know how he feels about it. You didn't leave him alone did you?"

John sighed. He should have known that Dean wouldn't leave it alone. His instincts, especially when it came to his brother, were always on target. "Dean, your brother is downstairs. There is a treatment that can reverse the process. But it had to be done quickly."

"Damn it Dad, you didn't let him do something stupid did you?" Dean struggled once more to sit up and this time his father didn't try to push him back.

"Dean, this was your brother's choice. He is an adult now and we have to respect his decisions. Just as we would expect him to respect our decisions, even if he didn't totally agree with them."

"I want to see him…I want to see him right now Dad!" Dean started to stand and would have fallen if his father hadn't been there to support him.

"Fine Dean, we'll go together. But you need to be ready. It may not be a pleasant sight and you can't release Sam no matter how much he pleads with you…at least for the next 72 hours."

A short time later Dean and John were outside the door that led to Sam. "Are you ready Dean?"

"Open the freakin' door Dad before I kick it in!" Dean replied, anxious to get to his little brother.

As John opened the door, Dean quickly walked in and stopped. "Aw Sammy, what have you gone and done now!"

TBC

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