A/N: Here we are dear readers, the end of the journey with the last chapter. I do hope you enjoy the path I took in this AU. There will be more Storm stories in the future, and I do hope you will come back to read them. Comments would be great. Enjoy…. NC

Chapter 10

Sam was sitting on the deck now and looked up when Storm stepped outside to join him.

"How was the drive?" Sam asked her as she pulled a chair closer to him. He noticed the look of concern on her face and continued. "What's wrong? Did something happen to Dean while you were gone?"

"No, not like that…" she replied as her face reddened and she looked away.

"Oh, oh!" Sam said when it clicked what she was not saying and blushed slightly too. His suspicions had been correct, they had made out while they were gone.

"I'm scared Sam," Storm whispered as she looked back into his face.

"I am too Storm. I don't want to lose Dean either." Sam could see the dark circles standing out under her eyes and saw how tired she looked. He didn't know when she had slept last and was worried about her.

"It's more than that," she continued. "Dean has given up. He's stopped fighting, he's…." she sobbed, her voice breaking as it became strained.

Sam quickly sat up and wrapped his arms around Storm as she cried in despair. He tried to comfort her as his mind raced on what she said. If Dean wasn't going to fight, they had less time than he thought. This news just made finding some way to help him more urgent.

"I'm sorry," Storm mumbled as she pulled away and wiped her face on the sleeve of her shirt.

"No, don't be. This is hard for both of us to have to stand by and watch Dean deteriorate in front of our eyes and not be able to help him," Sam explained. "Look, I might have found something in one of the older lore books I got from a fellow hunter."

"What Sam?" she asked quickly.

"It talks about crossroads demons and making a deal. I've got to research it some more, but it might be a way of saving him."

"Demons, deal, Sam, I'm not liking the sound of that. Dean has told me that there's always a price to pay when you deal with the supernatural and with a demon thrown in…I can't lose both of you."

"Yeah, but it'll be worth it if it saves my brother," Sam stated, a determined look on his face as he gazed at the lake.

"No Sam, no! You know Dean would never want you to do something like that. Please promise me you won't do anything stupid without telling me." Storm gripped Sam's hands in her own as she pleaded with him. She shook his arms and made him look at her. "Please Sam," she begged.

"Okay, I'll talk to you first," Sam finally gave in when he saw the look in her eyes. He couldn't deny her the promise, but he didn't know if he could keep it.

Storm suddenly stiffened and looked toward the sliding glass door as her face paled and she started to shake.

"Storm, what's wrong?" Sam questioned when he saw her demur change.

"Dean," Storm gasped as she ran for the door and down to her bedroom.

Sam hurried behind her and stopped in the doorway as Storm climbed on the bed with Dean and tried to wake him. She called to him and tapped his cheeks to see if he would wake and as a last resort rubbed her knuckles down the middle of his chest trying to get a reaction.

"Dean, Babe, come on open your eyes for me," Storm begged. She pressed trembling fingers to his neck trying to find a pulse and sucked in a sharp breath when she finally felt an erratic beat. "Don't you go giving up on me Dean Winchester!" she growled at him as she pressed her forehead against his. Storm let her lips brush against his cooler ones before getting up and going to Sam. "Stay with him Sam."

Before Sam could answer Storm, she was gone. He moved to the bed and sat down beside his brother and took his hand, squeezing it to let him know he was there. He was worried Dean wouldn't wake up this time and that scared the crap out of him.

"Hey bro," Sam spoke to him. "You've got to hang on, please. I can't lose you, not now. We haven't found Dad and we've got more lives to save. You've found a girl that is amazing, and she loves you so much…" Sam stopped as his throat tightened, and tears filled his eyes. He got up to check the oxygen machine and turned it up another level, hoping it would help Dean breathe easier. After adjusting the blankets around him, Sam sat back down and rubbed his arm as he continued to mumbled words of encouragement.

spn

Storm ran from the house and out the backdoor toward the lake. She didn't stop until she was past the small dock and fell to her knees on a mossy spot by the water. She choked out hard sobs as she tried to get her breath.

"Please!" she cried out looking up toward the Heavens. "I have been praying and begging for a miracle to save Dean. I know you're out there, why won't you answer me? If you need a soul, take mine instead, spare him…It's not his time…Take me…" she screamed as she fell forward and buried her head into her hands. She screamed as loud as she could, letting all her pent-up anger, sorrow, agony, fear, and helplessness free.

"I heard your prayers," a male voice spoke softly to her in her mind.

"Who's there?" Storm asked looking up and around her trying to find the person who spoke. She wiped her eyes to see better but didn't see anyone.

"I can save Dean Winchester, if that is what you like."

"Yes, yes, I'll do anything," she insisted getting to her feet and searching for the person behind the voice, but only seeing a shimmering, hazy like substance that seemed to swirl in the air nearby.

"All you have to do is say one little word."

"Alright, what? Tell me please," she begged urgently.

"Say yes."

"Yes, yes A hundred times yes!" she cried out without hesitation. Storm watched when the silvery, swirling cloud moved toward her like it had a life of its own. It hovered in front of her before suddenly entering her mouth and filling her with a warmth and calmness. When she looked back up, her eyes glowed a bluish silver as the grace rushed through her body taking away her weariness and fears. Storm stood tall and alert as the angel looked around at the world before turning to walk back toward the cabin. He breathed in deep, strong breaths of fresh air, marveling at how fragile a human body was.

Neither the angel or human felt or saw John standing among the trees watching the scene play out in front of him. He wasn't sure who this young woman was talking to and was shocked when the silvery cloud seemed to possess her. He could see the change in her as she got up and begin to walk back toward the cabin he found earlier. He didn't try to intercede and decided to move to another location to see what was going to happened before he would show himself. It had taken going way off the radar to be sure he wasn't followed and tracking Sam's cell to find this place, but if he wasn't needed, he would not reveal himself.

Storm moved with ease up the path to the deck and backdoor opening it to let herself in. He used her memories to move through the house and to the bedroom where the brothers were. He let Storm see what was going on for a moment, not wanting to frighten or alarm her.

"Storm, are you okay?" Sam asked when he saw her in the doorway. He stood up and looked at her with concern when she didn't answer him. There was something different with her, but he didn't know what. It was as if she gave off a different vibration and strength that wasn't there before.

Storm moved to the bed and looked down at the older Winchester brother for a moment before sitting down beside him. The angel could feel the love this woman had for him and how she was willing to sacrifice everything to save him. He laid a hand on Dean's chest over his heart and concentrated as the grace began to flow into his body.

"Storm what are you doing?" Sam asked when he saw the bluish glow coming from around her hand. He moved toward her but stopped when she looked up and her eyes turned silvery. "Storm?" he gasped as he stepped back.

"No, but she is still here. I will not harm her," the angel answered as he turned Storm's gaze back to Dean. She leaned down and breathed a breath into his mouth before pulling away.

Sam jumped when Dean suddenly drew in a sharp breath and pushed up from the bed to look around with a wild gaze, trying to figure out what was going on. He looked to Sam and then to Storm as he began to suck in deep breaths of air. He jerked the cannula from his nose and coughed and cleared his throat.

"What the hell?" Dean rasped out as his body tried to adjust to being healed.

"Who are you?" Sam asked as he stepped closer to Storm ready to defend his brother if needed as his hands fisted.

"There is no need for violence Sam Winchester. I heard this vessel's constant prayers and answered them. You and your brother have much to do in the future to save this world. Choose wisely the paths you take, some will be hard and some easy, but the fate of humanity is in your hands. We will meet again but I will not look like this."

"Stormy?" Dean asked as he reached a hand toward her but stopped before touching her when he realized that something was wrong with her. It was her voice but not her words. He stared in shock when her head turned to look at him and he saw the bluish glow in her eyes.

"You should rest now Dean and know how much this woman loves you and was willing to sacrifice for you," the angel told him as he put two fingers to his forehead putting him to sleep.

"Dean!" Sam cried out raising a hand to jerk Storm away from him. As he pulled her toward him, Storm pressed her fingers to his forehead and guided him to the bed beside Dean, as Sam fell into a light sleep.

"Rest, I will return her to you." The angel walked from the bedroom and out the backdoor and toward the lake. He looked and listened to the life that was around him before stopping at the dock on the lake. "Your prayers have been answered child. I shall go now, there is much that must be prepared for. The brothers have roles to play, thought you are sort of a wildcard here. I am curious to see what happens. You are strong and selfless. Take care of the brothers, their path will not be an easy one." The grace flowed from Storm and wavered in front of her as she fell gently to the dock unconscious. It seemed to float over her as if caressing her before disappearing upward into the sky.

spn

Sam started waking first and was confused as to where he was and what had happened. He quickly looked to his brother as Dean moaned softly and raised a hand to his head to rub it.

"Dean, are you okay?" Sam asked as he pushed himself to a sitting position on the bed. He looked Dean over and saw the color back in his face and his breathing was even and strong. He couldn't stop himself from throwing his arms around Dean and hugging him tightly.

"Easy there Sammy, what's going on?" Dean grunted as Sam hugged him too tightly. "Can't breathe dude."

"Sorry, sorry, you're alright," Sam replied releasing his hold as he blinked away the tears of happiness. "I thought we had lost you there for a moment."

"Stormy? Where is she?" Dean asked quickly looking around the room before pushing Sam out of the way to get up.

"What do you remember?" Sam asked as he followed his brother through the house searching for Storm.

"It got harder to breath and things started going dark," Dean responded. "Stormy!" he called as panic began to set in. "She was here, but something wasn't right about her."

"I think she was possessed by something, and they healed you. She was called a vessel, but I don't think a demon could heal you like that. Could it have been a pagan god? But why would one of them want to heal you? And what did she give in return? This couldn't have been done for free."

"I don't know, but she doesn't know enough about the supernatural to have summoned anything that we know of. Oh god, what if they took her?" Dean opened the front door and jogged down the steps to the front of the cabin, calling her name but not finding her. He started back up the steps when Sam called for him.

John watched from his hiding place as his oldest son stepped from the cabin and onto the porch. He seemed to be well now and not ill like Sam had left on his voicemail. He breathed a sigh of relief as tears welled in his eyes to see him healed now. Knowing he wasn't needed here, John backed slowly into the trees and disappeared, leaving them alone. He had other matters to take care of and didn't want them involved in it because it was too dangerous for them. He had to keep his boys safe and that meant staying away from them.

"Dean, I found her," Sam yelled before turning to go back outside. He took the trail to the lake as Dean rushed past him and to the dock where Storm's still body lay.

"Stormy, hey, hey, wake up," Dean begged kneeling down beside her as he lifted her in his arms.

"Does she have a pulse?" Sam asked squatting beside Dean and pressing his fingers to her neck. He sighed with relief as he felt it beating against his fingers.

"She's breathing okay, she just won't wake up," Dean told him as he checked her for signs of injury and found none.

"Let's take her back to the cabin," Sam suggested. "Maybe she just needs to rest for a bit and will wake up."

Dean slipped an arm under her knees and one around her shoulders as he lifted her and turned to carry her back to the cabin. Sam followed behind him still amazed that Dean was fine now, with no signs of trauma. He carried her to her bedroom and waited as Sam straighten the covers before laying her on the bed.

"Get a wet cloth for me Sammy," Dean ordered Sam as he brushed her hair from her face.

Sam turned off the oxygen machine on his way to the bathroom knowing it wasn't needed anymore. He brought the washcloth to Dean and watched as he wiped Storm's face and neck, trying to revive her. After a few minutes, Storm rolled her head and groaned softly. She tried to raise her hand and open her eyes as she fought her way back.

"Stormy, wake up baby," Dean whispered. "That's it, you can do it. Let me see those beautiful blue eyes."

Storm finally got her eyes to open and tried to focus on the person talking to her. It took her a moment to clear her vision as she stared up into the face of the man she loved.

"Dee…" she whispered reaching out a hand to touch him to be sure she wasn't dreaming. "Dean…"

"I'm here Babe, it's me," he told her letting her pull him down into her embrace. He could feel her body shaking as she cried softly, touching him on his face, arms, chest, like she couldn't believe he was real. "Are you okay?"

"I'm going to give you guys some time alone," Sam spoke up as he backed from the room. He wiped his eyes once in the hall and headed to the kitchen for something to drink. He was mystified as to what or who had taken over Storm's body and went into the living room to do some research.

"I think so, you're real, this isn't a dream?" Storm asked.

Dean leaned down and kissed her deeply, letting their forehead touch.

"No, I'm not a dream Babe. I'm here and I'm okay."

"You're not dying anymore? You truly are alright?"

"Yes, I'm not dying, and I feel great, actually better than great, I feel…Amazing," Dean said.

"It worked," she mumbled as she tried to remember all the events that happened once, she said 'yes', but it was hard to piece them together. It was like her body was being used by someone else and she could only see bits and pieces of what was happening.

"What did you do Stormy?" Dean asked cautiously. "What did you have to do for me to be healed?"

"I'm not sure. I have been praying for a miracle to save you since I found out what happened. And, well, when I found you unconscious and dying…I begged for someone to help me. I offered my life for yours, anything if they would save you," she told him looking into his concerned green eyes that were brimming with life now. "Something or someone came to me and said they could heal you if I said yes and I did. It's hard to explain, I only know whatever it was, didn't hurt me at least."

"I was healed, but I don't know who did it. They never said who they were. It's still kind of fuzzy in my head. I think you put me to sleep."

"I don't care, you're alive and healthy. I'll pay any price they want for this miracle."

"No, you won't. No one is sacrificing themselves for me," Dean sternly said. "I'd rather die than have someone else take my place."

"Why don't we just be happy that you're well and not dwell on this right now?" she questioned. "I for one could use something to drink."

"Yeah, that does sound good," Dean replied helping her to sit up and stand. "Are you okay?"

"I think so, just a little lightheaded, but I actually feel better." Storm stood tall as she assessed her body not feeling any of the weariness or being tired and exhausted that had plagued her all that week. She had barely slept and had been living off coffee and toast or crackers to keep her going.

"Let's go find Sammy and celebrate."

"Yes, let's do that. I think there's some steaks in the freezer I can lay out to thaw, and we'll have a party," she agreed lacing her fingers in Dean's and leading them toward the living room to find Sam. "See, I told you miracles do happen."

"You did at that," Dean agreed, warmth in his voice.

"Guys, I think I know what possessed Storm," Sam announced when they came into the room.

"Well, that was quick," Dean commented. "So, geek boy, what did you find out?"

"It was an angel," Sam said. "That is the only thing that can heal like that, and they have to ask a person's permission to possess them. Remember Storm said she had to say yes."

"That can't be, angels aren't real," Dean insisted.

"Why not?" Storm asked looking between the brothers. "You say demons are real and monsters, why can't angels be real? I mean, look at everything that's out there on angels. Where would it have come from if there wasn't some truth in it. It actually makes sense. I mean, you have one balancing out the other."

Dean and Sam let their mouths hang open for a moment as Storm spoke.

"You know, what she said does make sense," Sam shrugged. "I'm going to do some more research on them."

"You do that, we're going to work on dinner." Dean steered Storm to the kitchen and left Sam to do his thing.

Storm didn't tell him about the words that were spoken to her by the lake. She would mull those over and try to find meaning to them and how she played a role in the future with the guys. After everything she had learned and been told, she had no doubt that Dean and Sam, if needed, could save the world….But at what cost.

Dean was lucky to be alive and wasn't sure if he should be scared or happy or both. The words that Storm had spoken to him when he woke, haunted his mind and he wondered what Fate had in store for him and Sam. Were they really going to save the world some day? What monster could threaten an entire planet, he wondered. There were so many unanswered questions, but for now he wasn't going to dwell on it. He was given a second chance and was not going to waste it.

Carry on my wayward son…

The End