A/n: Thank you so much to everyone who reads, reviews, follows and/or favorites this story. A special thank you to hectatess, Guest, and Souless666 for your recent reviews.

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Chapter 13

Dean didn't know the area like the back of his hand, but he was good with directions and it helped that he knew his way around a map. He killed the engine when he reached his destination and stepped out of the car. Snow still blanketed the earth, making Dean's task a bit less fast and easy. However he wasn't in his beloved Baby, he was in the hunter's car which meant he had help. The elder Winchester opened the trunk and sure enough, laying towards the back, was an old rust crusted shovel. Dean got to work removing snow from what he deemed the middle of the road until finally he heard a thunk. Layer one was gone, onto layer two, dirt and gravel. Luckily, he didn't need it to be a deep hole, just enough that he can put the small tin box in. The only thing left was a picture. Dean didn't carry around many pictures of himself as it is, but without his wallet, he had nothing. Hoping that at least hair was enough, he closed it up and pushed the dirt and gravel back over the container. The young man's eyes darted around as he waited.

"Well well well, Dean Winchester." The voice seemed to come out of thin air, causing the man to jump slightly and stand to face the owner. A man shorter than him wearing a black suit with an equally as black tie was standing with a content smirk on his face. His eyes glowed red then settled down to a coal black, not making the thing before him any less intimidating. It didn't help that he also seemed to have a constant smile in his eyes, one that Dean found more dangerous than friendly.

"I'll be damned," he said under his breath. "It worked."

"It wasn't easy mind you," the demon said in a rough British accent clearly having heard the man or having read the look on his face. "It was like reading an unsigned art piece made of macaroni created by a kindergartner. A picture would have helped tremendously."

"I made do with what I had," Dean shrugged.

"Really? You look like you belong in a Calvin Klein ad, and you don't have one picture of yourself?" the demon questioned. Dean made a face between disgusted and taken aback. When he didn't answer, the well tailored man moved on. "So, Dean, is there something I can do for you? Or did you come to thank me?"

Dean screwed up his face. "What? What the hell for? Who are you?"

"For Hell of course. Or lack there of. The name's Crowley, you can call me King. I am King of the Crossroads after all." When the man only continued to stare at him, the demon rolled his eyes. "Dumber than advertised I see," he sneered. Dean gave his company his own version of a bitchface. "I'm the reason you're no longer pushing up daisies. You're welcome."

"Why?"

"I'm so glad you asked. You already know that Lucifer is trying to break free from his cage and plans on using your brother to do it, yes?"

"I've heard."

"Well I for one don't want that spoiled little prat out running amok."

Dean quirked an eyebrow. "A demon doesn't want the devil to get loose? Isn't he your God or Overlord or whatever."

"I have my reasons," the demon replied ambiguously. "Anyways that doesn't really matter to you. Tell me Dean, if you had to choose between saving the world and saving your brother, which would you choose?

"So you brought me back to life so that I can choose between the world and Sam?" Dean asked angrily.

"So to speak."

"You're a demon, what does it matter to you?"

"Oh it doesn't. I win either way you slice it."

"Then why are you asking me this?" Dean asked suspiciously.

"It's why you're here is it not? I mean surely you aren't here to make a deal. Unless...?" The elder Winchester didn't respond. "That's what I thought."

"Well if you think I'm going to let anything happen to Sam, you've got another thing coming."

"Spoiler alert, Sam isn't going to make it out alive either way."

The elder Winchester's throat tightened but his expression never waviered.

"So...you brought me back to make a choice that isn't even anything I have a choice in the matter of?"

"That hurt your head a bit didn't it?" The demon retorted.

"Answer me damn it!"

"Look, I'm giving you the opportunity to be a hero and save the world here, Dean. You can't save Sam, but think of all the lives you can save. What more could a man ask for? Well, a man with a soul anyways."

"Let me make one thing clear. Whatever happens, my brother is going to be fine. You hear me?"

"Can I ask you something Dean? Why?"

Dean quirked an eyebrow. "What?" The demon took a few steps closer to the man.

"Why does it matter if he makes it?"

"Sam's my brother. I'm not going to let anything happen to him."

"Well then let me ask you another question. Do you honestly think he would say the same thing about you?"

The night air fell silent and the demon's lips curled into a satisfied grin.

"It doesn't matter," Dean countered. "I'm the one who has to make the decision. Not Sam."

"I thought not," the man said as though Dean hadn't responded. "Alright let's try another approach then. Your brother is part demon."

"So?"

"So? Need I go on?" When the elder Winchester didn't respond, the well tailored vessel sighed. "Demons are the reason you're little orphan Dean. Your father made a deal and your mother," he paused dramatically and his mischievous dark eyes locked on elder Winchester brother. "Well, I'm sure we don't have to go over how a deal was made and you were possessed. A deal that really came back to bite her in the ass. Or rather snap her neck."

"SHUT UP!"

"Too soon?"

"You don't know what you're talking about. My mom may have made a deal, or two, but my dad didn't. He got sick and died, end of story."

"Did he now?" Though the words seemed preposterous, the look on the vessel's face told a different story. "We're getting away from ourselves here. My point is, Sam is a demon. Part, full, it makes no difference. Word around the roaster is that he's had a taste of demon blood. Powerful stuff that, especially to one of Lucifer's true vessels. It's only a matter of time before his craving exceeds and that brother you're trying so hard to save is beyond your reach. Trust me Dean, everyone is better off without Sam Winchester."

"You're wrong," the elder brother's voice shook.

"I'm really not," no evidence of humor was in the demon's tone. He let that sink in a bit before moving on. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm a very busy demon."

"I'm not done with you."

"Maybe not, but I'm done with you." The creature responded as though he couldn't be bothered. "Don't call me, I'll call you. Ta." With that the demon and his vessel were gone, leaving Dean standing alone at the crossroads with more questions than answers.

A/n: Thank you all for reading. Please feel free to comment/review. See you next Wednesday!