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

End of Innocence

Chapter 12 – Battle for Sam

"I know what we have to do Dean…there is only one way that we can leave. I have to be the bait."

Dean looked at Sam like he had grown two heads. "You've got to be kidding me Sam. You can barely sit up and who knows what those drugs are doing to your head…you're in no shape to take on a demon."

Sam stared into a corner of the room. His eyes were unfocused for a moment before he blinked and tried to focus on Dean. "Dean…you know there's only one way this can go down." Sam swallowed; he kept seeing shadows in the room that appeared to be moving. After the incident with the shadow demons, he felt his skin crawl. "They're not real..not here" Sam whispered to himself. He could feel his hold on reality slipping as the drugs continued to wreak havoc with his system.

"Who's not here Sammy?" Dean asked quietly, watching his brother closely.

Sam shook his head. "Nothing Dean…it's nothing. What were you saying?"

Dean looked at Nick, both sharing the same unspoken concern. Sam was definitely not ready to face a demon. "Nothing Sam…we weren't saying anything. Say why don't you try to lay back down here and get some rest. Nick and I are going to have a conversation with our new friend Peggy and see if we can't get you out of here."

Sam shook his head. "NO! I know you think I'm crazy Dean…maybe I am…but I know that the only way to trap that demon is to let me trick him into jumping into me. I can hold him until you do the banishing spell."

Dean knelt down and looked deep into Sam's eyes. He could see the confusion and the fear that was there, but he also saw the stubbornness that smoldered deep within their depths. "Sam, look even if you were 100 percent, I'd still try to find another way. I know you've done this before and succeeded, but this time you might not win. I can't take the chance Sam…I can't lose you." Dean turned his head, trying to hide the tears that were forming in his eyes as he looked at his younger brother.

"Dean, I know I can do this…we have to try. If he gets control of these children's abilities what do you think is going to happen? Can you leave here and take the chance?" Sam waited, knowing that eventually Dean would see that this was the only way. He could still feel the other children in his mind, helping him to stay focused. He shuddered to think what he would be like without them helping him…even now, he still heard voices whispering in his mind. But each time he started to slip, he'd hear the young boy's voice. "It's not real Sam, listen to your brother's voice…he'll help you find your way back."

Dean watched as Sam seemed to be listening to something. "Sammy?"

Sam refocused on Dean. "Hmmm"

"I gotta say, you're not filling me with confidence here…you keep spacing out on me. How are you going to control this thing when you can't even concentrate for more than a minute? No, we have to find another way. We have time; we don't need to rush into this."

Sam smiled sadly. "No Dean, we don't have time. I can feel the children and they are getting weaker. It has taken a lot for them to protect us…"

Nick joined the conversation. "He's right Dean. Peggy says that before long they won't be able to resist the demon. Once that happens, they won't be able to hold him back. I'm sorry Dean, but if we are going to do something, we need to do it soon."

Dean turned to Nick. "Look, watch Sam for me. I'm going to go out and take a quick look around. Maybe we can trap him some other way. Meanwhile, here is my father's journal. See if your friend Peggy knows which banishing rite will work on the bastard." Dean didn't wait to hear what Nick had to say. He wasn't going to let Sam put himself at risk. There had to be another way out of this mess and he was going to find it.

Nick looked at Peggy and noticed that she seemed to be listening to something else. "Peggy, what's going on?"

Peggy looked at Nick. "Wendell has sensed Dean, he's heading this way. I don't know if we can stop him from hurting Dean."

"You have to try. Sam is too weak to take this demon on right now." Nick said quietly. As he focused on his discussion with Peggy, he never noticed the young hunter behind him quietly standing.

Sam knew that he had to end this now before Dean got hurt. The room spun as he stood, but Sam clenched his teeth and wrapped the thin blanket more closely around his body. He staggered out into the hall and walked only a few steps before collapsing against the wall outside the protected room. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up.

"Hey man, you can't be out here. Let me help you back into the room." Nick reached down to help Sam to his feet.

Sam shook Nick's hand away as he whispered. "Too late Nick, he's found me. Get Dean!"

Sam watched as Nick looked at what he figured was the ghost of Peggy, nodded and headed off around the corner. Sam closed his eyes, trying to gather his strength for what he knew was coming. It didn't take long before he felt the evil presence. As he opened his eyes, he smiled as he saw the angry face of Wendell staring down at him.

"You thought you could hide from me? You should have known that you wouldn't get far, even with those pesky kids helping you!"

Sam smiled; evidently the kids had managed to block Wendell from sensing Dean and Nick. He just hoped they could continue to do it for a few more minutes. Sam felt the man pull his head back, forcing Sam to look into the depths of his black eyes. "I'm out of patience Sam, you will let me in or I will kill you. Do you hear me?"

Sam merely nodded. He didn't have to pretend that he was exhausted and whipped. He just hoped that if this didn't work out, Dean would forgive him. Sam whispered. "What do you want me to do…please, just make it stop…I'll do it."

The body of Wendell fell to the ground motionless as a black cloud flowed from his body and hovered briefly. Sam could sense the hesitation and knew that he had to convince the demon to enter him. He swallowed and let the emotions that he had been holding in check come to the surface. The tears were falling from his eyes as he looked to the vaporous cloud. "Please…I can't do this anymore…just make it stop!"

Sam screamed at the pain as the demon forced his way into his mind. It was quicker than he had expected and more painful. Sam immediately began to put up the barriers in his mind. He would face the demon, but it would be on his terms now.

Sam stood in the fog watching as the demon appeared before him. He swallowed; he was no longer looking at Wendell, but at his own face. The demon had taken on Sam's appearance. "Hello Sam, I have to admit this is much nicer than my previous accommodations….and the power, I can sense it in you. Soon you will know how to use your abilities."

"No, I won't let you…I won't let you hurt anyone." Sam glared at the demon.

"I don't think you're going to be able to stop me Sam! The drugs in your system will keep you docile long enough for me to take control. You and I are going to do great things together Sam. Through you I will be able to find the other special children…what do you think you are doing!" The demon screamed as Sam launched himself at him. He grabbed hold of the demon and just prayed that Dean would be able to do his part.

But as the two fought for control, Sam's head exploded with pain as the demon also screamed in agony. Sam felt the heat of the flames and smelled the smoke as he began to choke. His last thought as he passed out was of his brother and how he was going to miss him saying 'I told you so'.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Dean jumped as he heard Nick calling his name. "Dean…Dean you have to come back quick!"

"What's wrong…why aren't you with Sammy?" Dean asked as he ran back towards Nick.

"I tried to stop him Dean, but he wouldn't listen. I think the demon has him!" Nick had heard Sam's scream as he ran to get Dean. He knew that could only mean one thing.

Nick and Dean both ran back towards the room. As they rounded the corner, they both stopped and looked in horror. There was a scorched area on the floor near where Nick had left Sam. "Oh God Dean, I'm so sorry…I heard him scream."

Nick looked and saw the small form of Peggy standing off to the side. "What have you done Peggy?" Nick asked.

Peggy shook her head. "I'm sorry Nick, I had to do it…it was the only way to stop the demon."

Dean just looked at the scorched mark on the floor, a single tear making a track down his face as he sobbed a single word. "Sam"

TBC

Raven524: I know, evil cliff hanger. But I really couldn't resist it. I tried…I really did. But not to worry, I will be updating soon. Thanks again for all the wonderful reviews! I really enjoy reading them.