Sam pulled the 'borrowed' mustang up outside a dilapidated looking house. His neck was sore and his back hurt through the five hours drive it took to get here. His head pounded with an insistent annoying voice at the back of his mind that couldn't shut up for one second.

The whole drive over here Dean seemed to have reverted back to a childlike state with questioning 'where are we going,' 'are we there yet,' and 'stop ignoring me sasquatch' every moment he could get. There was no escaping him and no way to make him shut up without injuring himself in the process.

-Where the fuck are we and stop ignoring me bitch! I thought we were meant to be going back to Bobby's after the hospital and I'm not stupid enough to be fooled into thinking that this is his place. Despite what you may think Sam I do have some brain cells if that comes to a shock to you!

Sam rolled his eyes while he tried to suppress his anger towards his brother, the last thing he needs to do is fly off the handle towards Dean. In his heart he knew that he deserves everything that his elder sibling had to throw at him and much more which was why they were here. After all he had promised no more lies.

"I know you're not stupid…"

-Could have fooled me

Sam drew in a deep breath and tightened his grip upon the steering wheel until his knuckles turned as white as snow. He counted to ten in his head then back again before answering deciding to ignore his brother's earlier comment entirely.

"We're here because I told you that there was going to be no more lies and I meant it."

Sam could sense the apprehension within Dean and he knew that if he could he would be frowning right now. In fact he could see what his brother's face would have looked like at this moment and instantly this image molded into the ever staring glassy look created in death. That image had been etched into his brain for several months now; it had only risen to the surface once more because of the sense of déjà vu of the situation, seeing his brother's corpse again.

-What has that got to do with anything? For all I know that could have been a lie in itself. I don't even know how to tell when you're telling the truth or not anymore Sam.

That admission sent a tremor racking through the younger siblings body and tears pricked at the corner of his eyes. In that one sentence the rate that their bond had been severed was revealed and this was down to heaven and hell, angels and the demons and both Sam and Dean's influence. They all had a part to play however Sam couldn't help but feel the most guilt and blame fell solely on his shoulders alone.

"This has everything to do with it Dean, I promise you right here right now that I am not lying to you, I will never lie to you again about anything important. You're my brother and I need to show you this. I need you to understand what has been happening to me as I know…" Sam stopped his sentence there not wanting to reveal any more information, knowing full well how his brother would react with the news he almost confessed.

He could sense the sudden skepticism wash over his elder sibling along with it the feeling of distrust and disbelief. In that instant Sam found himself wishing he had never opened his big mouth but then again maybe it was better this way…maybe it needed to come out into the open…maybe this is what they needed to be brothers again…maybe Dean needed to know that there is someone out there who could share the burden, who knew about what happened to him.

-You know what Sam? Jesus you promise not to lie so what you're going to do start hiding stuff from me…again? Withholding information? Yeah because that is really going to convince me to trust you dude

"No."

-No? No what?

"How many times do I have to fucking tell you before you actually believe me!? I'm not going to lie to you or hold back on you anymore but I need you to promise the same beforehand because I'm not the only one who has been keeping things from the other am I Dean?! Sam shouted his anger starting to get the better of him.

-That was different…

"How? How was it any different? Dammit how was it any different for you than what it was for me?!

-I was trying to protect you bro…

"Protect me? And what do you suppose I was trying to do? I wasn't hiding stuff for my own benefit was I? Anyway I wish you would stop trying to protect me, I don't need your protection Dean. If you haven't noticed I am an adult now. Able to make my own decisions and lead my life the way I want to," Sam snapped unable to control himself and in an instant he regretted every word he had uttered because once again he ended up lying. God…it was like an incurable disease of something.

-Right so that cat is out of the bag now. So if you didn't need me around why couldn't you have just let me die back then? Why am I still here? Just…

"NO!" Sam interrupted feeling the horror well up inside him in reaction to what his brother was saying. "Don't you say that, don't you dare! I have lived without you for four fucking months Dean…it was like…"

-Hell? You don't even know the meaning of the word

"Yes I do. I do Dean. I know exactly what it is like."

-How…? What do you mean?

Sam drew in a deep breath and pulled his grip away from the steering wheel; he opened the driver side door, stepped out and leaned against the metal hoping that the fresh air would help his festering nerves. Plunging his hands in his pocket he tilted his head up to face the sky before drawing in another shaky breath.

"When I was captured by Alastair, he…well…he showed me some stuff…"

-Like? Sam could feel the horror and dread dripping from every letter within that one word and it made him want to pull his brother into a painfully chick flicky hug even though that was deemed impossible at the moment.

"I didn't have a choice Dean. He forced me to see it; he forced me to watch…I'm so sorry…" Sam stammered slightly.

- What did he show you Sam?

"Dean…"

-What did he show you? Dean asked more forceful this time and Sam knew that if he could of he would have spoken those words through clenched teeth to show his annoyance and anger.

"Hell Dean…He showed me hell…" The tears clenched painfully at his eyes while the images from his little trip burned at the front of his mind. He could see his brother bleeding and broken. He could see his brother screaming out his name hoping for some form of relief and he could see his brother carve into Bela for the first time breaking the seal.

-I guess you got to see what I became after all huh Sam. Happy now are you? Happy that after all these months you finally got your wish to know what happened to me, to know what haunts my every waking moment and what I see when I close my eyes every god damned night?!

"No of course I'm not happy. HOW CAN YOU THINK THAT OF ME DEAN? HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY THINK THAT I WOULD BE HAPPY SEEING YOU GO THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE THAT?! Sam drew in a deep breath to control the level of his voice before he continued. His eyes glistened through the unshed tears that he refused to let fall at the moment. "If anything I'm proud to call you my brother…"

-What the fuck are you on? You're proud to call this monster as your brother? What the hell has happened to you? You saw what I am capable of; you saw what I did because of my own selfishness. I couldn't handle it anymore. You were right. I was weak to do anything about it. I gave in after thirty years…I gave into the torture…I couldn't handle it…I broke Sam and your proud?!

Sam closed his eyes shut briefly to stop the tears from gathering further; he didn't want to do what he had planned next with tears in his eyes. No…he needed a level head if he was going to show his brother that he can be truthful, that he can be trusted.

However before he could continue his conversation he was interrupted by a female voice calling out to him which sent a jolt of dread throughout his veins. It looked like it was now or never. Opening his eyes he caught sight of a brunette scowling while she made her way over towards him. Her eyes flickered around the surroundings briefly before locking onto his own hazel.

"You wanted the truth Dean…well that is what you are going to get…" Sam muttered to his brother finishing just in time to notice the female stop a few feet away from him. In his head he could feel his brother's anger and confusion however he choose to remain silent but Sam could tell his whole attention was focused on the person in front of him.

The female continued scowling as she crossed her arms against her chest. Her whole body language gave off the sense of annoyance but her eyes glistened with what Sam presumed was lust and probably power.

"I thought I heard you out here Sam. Jesus you make enough noise to disturb Lucifer himself," she commented and that devil reference didn't go unnoticed by the eldest Winchester whose anger was growing with every second that passed.

-Ruby? Dean called out using Sam's mouth making the name sound more like a question rather than an acknowledgement to her presence. In response the woman smirked, the corner of her lips twisting up in satisfaction.

"Duh, so what brings you out here?" Ruby asked her eyes glistening once more as if she already knew the answer.

"I needed to talk to you," Sam replied, his eyes remained focused on the demon while his mind remained focused on his big brother. Whoever said men couldn't multitask…

"Talk…or talk," with those words she took another step close, swaggering her hips in the process in her usual seductive manner. She removed her hands from across her chest and placed them on Sam's hips instead. Her tongue ran the length of her lips in the process.

-Dude that's gross…I don't need to see the live show

"What did you just say?" Ruby asked narrowing her eyes while pulling apart from him slightly, her whole body language went from seductress to warrior.

"Nothing…"

"Ummhmm…so what can I help you with then Sam if it is not for the mind blowing sex? Oh…is it time for that already…How long has it been? Three weeks…"

Sam watched as Ruby took another step closer to him and he couldn't help but turn his mind towards the sweet addiction that was running through her veins. His only chance for revenge belonged to the demon and boy did she know it.

"I told you I wanted to talk," Sam stammered trying to refocus his mind upon Dean, he knew that as long as his brother was there then he could try and get some strength from that fact. At least he hoped anyway.

"Talk, why Sammy I didn't have you down as the sentimentalist. Hope you brought some flowers and chocolate as well," Ruby taunted reaching into her waistband to retrieve a knife. This she placed against her forearm which was outstretched towards Sam.

Sam's eyes were immediately drawn towards that blade. His heart hammered in his ears. He could taste that delicious drug in the back of his throat and it was almost like he could feel it slowly sliding down into his stomach.

It had been a long time since he had a taste of Ruby. Alastair managed to quench some form of his desire but it wasn't enough and he was pretty sure that the demon knew this fact. His resolve was crumbling while his weakness was becoming overwhelming. He couldn't do it…he couldn't refuse…he wasn't strong enough.

That thought hit him like lightening. He wasn't strong enough…he was weak…he was weak as well…the power gave him a delusion of strength but that was all it really was. A delusion he had been forced fed. A delusion he was unable to give up.

"Hungry? Don't worry baby I'll quench that for you," on those words Ruby brought the blade down along her arm forcing a deep cut to appear. Blood floated to the surface which seemed to hypnotize Sam.

-It wasn't a onetime thing

"No," Sam whispered his eyes continued to lock onto the blood. He could sense the demon's eyes upon him and Dean's anger and fury directed towards him but he couldn't be forced to care. All that existed for him at this moment was his next fix. Jesus…he started to sound just like a fucking drug addict.

"Come on baby, you know you need it…your powers are impressive but you're not strong enough yet. Not for Lilith anyway," Ruby lifted her arm so that it was hovering an inch in front of Sam's lips. "Don't be shy it's not like it's the first time…"

Sam found himself leaning forward towards the blood. His tongue snaked out desperate to connect with the blood once more. He thought that he could fight it; he thought that he was strong enough to conquer his desires but he was wrong on both accounts. Underneath he was the same weak Sam he had always been, the one who is lost without his big brother's direction, the one who always falters underneath Dean's shadow.

-No…but you can be as sure as hell it is the last!

Sam's left hand shot up and wrapped around Ruby's wrist twisting it away from Sam's mouth in the process. In that one moment Sam seemed to come back to himself enough to realize what had happened. His eyes locked onto the now coal black of the demon, she looked shocked and pissed at the same time.

"Make up your damn mind. I swear this Winchester stubbornness is going to drive me to insanity one day. Do you want revenge on Lilith or not? Do you want to avenge Dean's death the first time around or not? Do you care about him enough to take on the strength to his weak?" Ruby spat struggling against his grip…well technically it was Dean's grip using his arm and strength.

-This is what it had been all about?

"Jesus Sam what the hell has gotten into you?" Ruby questioned her eyes narrowing.

-I think who is more appropriate here you fucking bitch

The demon's eyes remained locked onto Sam's and realization seemed to dawn on her. A smirk pulled at the corners of her lips with giggles escaping them in due course. Her amusement seemed to overwhelm her previous annoyance.

"Well Sam what a state you have gotten yourself into. You see I heard a strange story about two hours ago from a dear friend of mine. It turns out that Dean Winchester has died yet his soul is nowhere to be found. Heaven and hell both tried to claim it but neither one succeeded…the angels and demons have seemed to have failed where you have succeeded Sam. Isn't that right Dean?"

-Go to hell

"I'm sure I will see you there again and won't it be a pretty sight," Ruby taunted and in response the grip on her wrist tightened until a sickening crack ran out into the atmosphere. "Touché, Sam can't you control your brother."

-What like you control mine?

Sam physically flinched at those words hearing the heat and truth behind them. He knew that things weren't going to be pretty from here on, in fact he knew that as soon as he decided to saw his brother what really had been going on that there was no way of escaping the situation without some form of a bloodbath.

"No one controls me," Sam bit back unable to stay quiet. To be honest even he was starting to doubt the sincerity behind that statement.

-What was that thing you said about lying…?

Sam clenched his right fist to his side. His own anger was adding towards his brother's and that was leading to an explosion of an enormous intensity to fester within one body. It wouldn't be long until both Winchester's erupted beyond the point of no return. The last time that had happened Sam had ended up captured by demons and Dean ended up poisoned by Alastair.

"Sam's right Dean. This is his own free will; he chose to drink my blood to add towards his power. He chose to walk down this road and you're just pissed because he isn't your little shadow anymore. Poor Dean…his brother no longer needs him, his little brother is a stronger man than he will ever be!" Ruby taunted breaking the grip upon her wrist instantly. She stepped back once before squaring up to the brothers sharing once body again.

-No…what happened was that you used my death to your own sick advantage. Dangling a hook in front of Sam hoping that he would bite, gripping your fucking claws into him before he cracked. Whatever is going on between you two ends now!

"Oh really, I think Sam is old enough to make decisions himself. He doesn't need his big brother hanging around holding him back all of the time. You see that is all you do Dean. It is all you have ever done whereas I have shown Sam his potential I have shown him what he is capable of. Whereas all you have done is squash these gifts like you are so perfect yourself. The broken shell of a man…weak and pathetic…"

-Those words…

Sam could sense where his brother was heading with that sentence before he broke off. It was the same words he had used to insult Dean while under the influence of the siren. It was those words that had started this whole situation off. It was those words that had caused the bond tying the brothers together to severe in the first place.

-It was you the whole time!

"What the hell are you talking about?" Ruby spat out backing away slightly not liking the look that crossed deep within the familiar hazel belonging to the youngest Winchester.

-You were the one who planted those words in my brother's head. It was you the whole time…you were trying to break us apart. You were trying to get Sam to walk on this darkened path of yours the whole time. Why?

"I don't know what the fuck you are talking about. Sam can you control your psycho brother?" there was a small sense of desperation present in her voice which didn't go unnoticed.

"No…I can't and I won't. You know why Ruby?" Sam stepped forward towards her stretching his right hand out which immediately sent the demon flying into the side of the house she had stepped out of. "Because you are a manipulative excuse of a demon."

Sam walked over towards where he held Ruby trapped. His lips curled up into a smirk as he could feel his left hand reach into the waistband of his trousers showing his brother's intentions. He focused upon holding her within her invisible binds.

"Sam what are you doing? You need me! You need the blood! You think that you can just give up cold turkey and take on Lilith with your powers being as weak as they are! She will murder you without a second thought and then come for Dean. She will send you both down the pit for the rest of eternity and there will be no escape this time. You'll both be sent into the deepest darkest corner where no angel will be able to reach or will be willing to go. You're condemning yourself to death Sam unless you allow me to help you with those powers; you can be so much more than you already are. You have a destiny waiting for you!" Ruby screamed while struggling against the bonds.

"Ruby do us all a favor and shut up for once in your god damned existence!" Sam shouted back stunning the demon momentarily.

"DON'T BE STUPID SAM! YOU ARE RUINING YOUR LAST CHANCE TO DEFEAT LILITH! YOU CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT ME AND YOU KNOW IT!" she yelled once more trying to get into that thick head of his.

Sam took another step closer so that he was an inch in front of the demon's face. His breath ghosted across her features adding a sense of menace behind his next words. "You're wrong Ruby. I don't need you, I can see that now. You were just a piss poor attempt to replace the whole left inside of me the moment Dean died. You were a replacement that refused to budge out of its place. You are a virus hacking away at me until I molded into who you wanted me to be. I don't need you!" Sam shouted back.

"SAM!" the demon shouted once more before being cut off by Sam.

"It wasn't you I needed. It was Dean but you managed to worm your way into my head by acting just like him. By telling me to think about what he would have wanted and that I should get revenge for him. No more…I'm not going to be your puppet any longer Ruby…"

-Actually I have to thank you bitch

Dean's words startled both Ruby and Sam into silence as they both waited for him to continue, neither was sure where he was going with this.

-You kept Sam alive for me for those four months, for that I am thankful for. I will have to repay you for everything you have done.

Sam's left hand pulled out of his waistband and tight within its grip was the demon killing knife that Sam had picked up from the floor of the house along with his brother's body.

The knife glinted in the sunlight, adding a sense of danger and excitement to the situation. Ruby's eyes widened upon seeing this knife knowing what was going to happen next. Desperately she turned her eyes towards Sam's.

"Don't let him do this Sam. Don't let him control you like this. You're worth so much more than him and he will only hold you back. Please let me help you! I can show you things you will have never dreamed off. Please Sam. I love you!"

"I don't care!" with those hateful words Dean plunged the knife straight through the demon's heart without a moment of hesitation. Both brothers watched Ruby scream in pain before her form slumped to the ground dead.

Sam's eyes locked onto the corpse, he could feel those tears threaten to overwhelm him once more. Dean knew everything now; Dean had done what he had never been able to do…break the hold Ruby had over him.

After two hours of silence both boys found themselves back at Bobby's and sitting in the room which contained Dean's corpse. Neither had said anything more about what had happened. Neither had managed to process what was going to happen now.

Sam sighed deeply running a hand through his hair and across his cheek which by now contained an almost full grown beard. He would have to sort that out at some point but at the moment he felt too exhausted.

-Are you ok?

Sam startled slightly at the sound of Dean's voice ringing in his head. He could hear how defeated and exhausted he sounded in the tone of his voice and it made his heart go right out to his brother once more.

"No not really, but I will be."

-We will be Dean replied and Sam could feel a small form of warmth spread over him at those words. The weight on his heart seemed to lift in an instant and he even found a small smile crossing over his face. But before he could say anything back to his brother another voice called out to them from outside the front of the house.

Dread and horror washed over Sam in an instant and he could feel the same emotions filtered across his sibling at the same time. Slowly Sam walked over towards the window and peered out. His heart caught in his throat at the sight that greeted him.

"Come out; come out wherever you are Winchesters!"

TBC (Twenty Five done and dusted, I hope you lot are still enjoying this story as this ride comes to a close soon. Hopefully I will met my goal reviews wise which is to have 100 reviews or more at the end of the story, that would be amazing. Anyway, don't forget reviews are awesome along with the reviewers and I will see you all in Part Twenty Six which unfortunately will be the last chapterL)