Sam shook his head furiously. "No. You're lying. I would never give in to that yellow-eyed bastard."

The Trickster held his arms out at his sides, calling Sam's attention to the destroyed city that surrounded them. "Well, look around, buddy, because all this is proof that you did."

"No." Sam clenched his teeth. "I wouldn't do that."

"I know you wouldn't, Sam. You're one of the good guys. There's absolutely no way you'd ever do what the demon tells you to do, especially knowing that it'll result in all the wreckage you see around you." The Trickster took a step forward. "Unless the demon threatens you."

"I don't care if he kills me. I'll never follow him."

"Oh, I know you don't care if he kills you. Problem is, the demon knows that too. He knows your real weakness. And that, Sam, is your brother."

Sam frowned.

"Yep," The Trickster said. "Now, I don't know for certain, but I'm pretty friggin' sure the reason you decide to go along with the demon's plans is because he threatens Dean's life. Maybe his new gal-pal's, too. Either you join Yellow Eyes, or he takes them out."

"But you just said Dean and Jennifer are dead in five years if I give in."

"Exactly. Demons lie. They'll manipulate the crap right outta ya." The Trickster placed a hand on Sam's shoulder. "That's why we're talking, Sam. I know the kinda stuff you've been dealing with lately. With Yellow Eyes. With your dreams."

"How do you know so much?" Sam demanded, brushing away the creature's hand.

The Trickster shrugged his shoulders. "I just do. I know a lot of things. A whole lot more than you think," he said. "Now. I promised you a recap, so let's get to it."

"Fine."

"I know you and your big bro think I'm one of the bad guys, but I swear to you, we're on the same side. The whole reason I'm here, Sam, is to help you," The Trickster said. "Didn't you pay attention to what your girlfriend said? Everything you've seen tonight can help pull you off the path you're on, help you escape that evil destiny of yours. I, or Pastor Jim Murphy, I guess, hauled you to 1982, then to '83, so you'd see the kinda evil you're up against. So you could see for yourself what that yellow-eyed snake did to your family. How it contaminated you with demon blood, killed your mom without hesitation, and ripped your family apart. All that for…this."

Sam was silent as he stared at the city's remains.

"You needed to see the future to realize just how horrible things end up if you give in. We're talking the end of the world, here, Sam," The Trickster went on. "When the demon comes to you and wants to strike a deal, all you're gonna be thinking about is the safety and well-being of your brother. I mean, he'll pressure you. Find ways to break you. But you've gotta stay strong. Don't ever say yes to the demon. Unless you want the world to come to this."

Sam swallowed.

"One more thing, then I'm off my soapbox," The Trickster said. "'Andy' took you to Jennifer's room for a reason, too."

Sam waited for him to go on.

"You needed to realize how much you need to talk to your brother," The Trickster told him.

Sam's eyes dropped to the ground.

"Dean may be your weakness, but he's your strength in a lotta ways, too. He wants to help you. So let him. And Jennifer, too." The Trickster grinned. "You guys can be a triple threat." His perkiness faded. He peered intensely into Sam's eyes. "You can't fight this battle against Yellow Eyes alone, Sam. 'Cause if you do, you're sure to lose the war."

Sam remained quiet for a moment. Then, slowly, softly, he asked, "Why are you trying to help me?"

The grin reappeared on The Trickster's face. "'Tis the season, isn't it? The season for giving? For miracles? For peace on Earth and goodwill toward men?" He shrugged once more. "That is what this is all about, Sam. Consider this my Christmas gift to you."

Sam didn't know how to respond.

"So. To sum up our little lesson, I'll give you a relevant quote- 'Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead. But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change.' Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Surprisingly classy of me, I know." The Trickster gave him an encouraging smile. "Point is, there is hope for you, Sam. You don't have to turn evil. You don't have to be the one responsible for the annihilation of the human race. You can change your fate." He slapped Sam on the back. "So, here's hopin' ya do. Like, really hopin'. 'Cause if you don't, everybody's pushin' up daisies."

Sam nodded.

The Trickster pointed at him. "Go talk to your brother." He snapped his fingers.

Elk Ridge Motel,

Beason, Wyoming.

Present day.

About an hour later, when Dean left Jennifer's room and pushed open the door to his own, he was surprised to find Sam sitting on one of the beds, waiting for him.

Dean closed the door and met his brother's eyes. "I see you made it back," he said curtly, without thinking. He immediately regretted it. Determined to take Jennifer's advice to heart, he calmly added, "I, uh, I'm glad. I was worried."

"I know you were," Sam said. "And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left without telling you."

Dean's voice remained cool as he asked, "Where'd you go?"

Sam sighed. "1982."

A frown wrinkled Dean's forehead. "What?"

Sam half-smiled. "It's kind of a long story."

"Well, I have no idea what that means, but I'm not gonna press it right now," Dean told him. "If you wanna fill me in on the details, please, by all means, do. Let's have ourselves a heart-to-heart. But if not…fine. I just don't wanna fight about it. Not now. Not tonight." Dean shrugged. "I mean, it's Christmas."

"Yeah." Sam smiled. "I don't wanna fight either."

"Good."

Sam lowered his eyes to the bedspread. "Actually, Dean…" He swallowed. "I wanna talk to you."

Dean tried to hide his amazement as he slid out of his jacket and sank onto the empty bed. "Okay." He faced his brother. "Shoot."

Sam drew in a deep breath. "You were right," he exhaled. "Keeping each other in the dark only leads to trouble. I, uh, I hadn't realized how much we'd drifted apart because of me. Not until now."

Sam proceeded to tell him everything. His dreams of Yellow Eyes. His experience with the Trickster. His visions of the past, the present, the future. He even told him about the blood the demon had dripped into his mouth as an infant. When his story was finished, Dean was quiet. For a long time.

Don't blow up. Keep it together, Dean told himself, if for no other reason than the fact that he now knew Jennifer was listening through the motel's flimsy walls.

"Lying to you was a mistake. I know that now," Sam said. "I should have told you about the dreams in the beginning. But I couldn't. You've already got so much on you, Dean, I just couldn't give you one more thing to worry about."

How was sneaking around and lying about it any better? Dean wanted to ask. But he managed to control himself.

"And I'm sorry for not trusting Jennifer," Sam said. "Yeah, the demon's got some sorta plan for her, too, but I can see now that whatever her part is, she's as innocent and confused about it as we are."

Yes, as innocent and confused as they were. Maybe Sam hadn't handled all of this in the best way possible, but he'd done nothing wrong. He hadn't asked to be contaminated with demon blood. He hadn't summoned Yellow Eyes every night, willing him to appear and taunt him. None of it was Sam's fault. And Dean couldn't blame him for keeping it all to himself. Because when it came down to it, he probably would have reacted the same way if their roles were reversed. He wasn't exactly known for sharing his burdens either. As much as he wanted to lash out at his little brother, Dean couldn't.

"So, from here out," Sam said, "whatever else happens with Yellow Eyes, my nightmares…you'll know about it. I promise."

Dean dipped his head. "Okay. Then we're on the same page here."

"Yeah."

"Good." Dean grinned. "Now let's kick this thing's ass. Together."