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

Ties that Blind

Chapter 26 – Epilogue

Sam was walking through a forest, but the forest was dark. No light was getting through the trees as he searched…but he couldn't remember what he was searching for. As he continued to walk, he could feel the cold as he shivered. Suddenly a figure started to walk towards him.

Sam stopped, his heart pounding as the familiar shape approached him. "Dad" Sam said resignedly. He now knew he was dreaming. He had been having a similar dream ever since the Demon had shown him his father.

"Samuel" John looked at Sam; the pain in his eyes ran deep.

"I'm sorry Dad" Sam started, closing his eyes to the shudder of pain that ran through his father's body. He couldn't stand seeing his father like this. "I miss you Dad…I wish…I wish we hadn't spent most of our lives fighting…I wish you were still here." Sam felt the tears beginning to flow.

"You left your father no choice Sammy" John's eyes were once again yellow. "You were too weak to destroy me and you were too weak to save your father. He is mine…of course; if you should ever change your mind…all you have to do is call me."

Sam heard his father scream in agony, he ran to his father and grabbed him in his arms. "I won't let you go Dad…there has to be a way to fix this!" Sam cried as he felt his father shake in his arms

Sam jumped as his father's yellow eyes met his own hazel ones. "Sorry Sammy, but a deal is a deal…your father made his choice because of you…and I intend to enjoy it for all eternity…say good bye Sammy!"

"NO! DAD!" Sam screamed.

Dean's eyes popped open as he rushed over to Sam. His brother's eyes were wide with fear and guilt. His breathing was erratic and sweat covered his brother's face. "Sammy, it's ok. Come on little brother wake up." Dean watched as Sam blinked and finally focused.

"Sorry Dean…I…I…think I'll go inside." Sam rose and quietly entered the house. Leaving Dean staring after his brother's back with a determined look on his face.

Dean looked out over the woods and knew it was time to find out what was bothering his brother. He had an idea and he knew that he probably didn't want to hear it. But over the past few days, he had watched as his brother tossed in his sleep, calling out for their father. Dean walked quietly into the house and looked at Ellen who nodded towards the bedroom. "Dinner will be ready soon, but I'll hold it off. You let me know when you two are ready." Ellen said quietly.

"Thanks Ellen…it may be awhile." Dean said as he moved to the closed bedroom door. He paused outside as he heard soft sobbing coming from the room. Squaring his shoulders, Dean opened the door softly and walked into the room. His brother was curled on the bed, his back to the door as sobs tore through his tall frame.

"Sam, you have to tell me what's going on…I can't help you if you won't let me." Dean moved to the bed and sat behind Sam.

Sam turned to face his brother. "I'm sorry Dean…I tried, I really tried but I couldn't do it. And now…Oh God!" Sam's face crumpled again as he fought for control.

"Sam, just tell me." Dean placed a calming hand on Sam's shoulder as he waited. "Come on Sam, what ever it is, we can deal with it. I'm not leaving here until you tell me what the demon showed you."

Sam shook his head, his eyes haunted as he tried to turn away from Dean. "I'm fine Dean, it's just a nightmare…I should be used to them my now right?" Sam laughed, but there was no humor in his tone.

"Sam, look I know that the demon showed you something about Dad and for some reason you think you are protecting me by not telling me what he showed you. I can only guess, but I'm sure it had something to do with Dad trading his soul for my life." Dean swallowed at the bitter taste in his mouth. He still was having trouble accepting the choice his father had made, but he also knew that Sam needed to get this poison out of his system.

Sam saw Dean flinch and placed a hand on his brother's arm. "He made the choice to save you Dean, he loved you."

"Yeah, well we're not talking about me this time. We've been doing enough of that. I know that you feel guilty about Dad's death, like there was something you could have done to stop it. But you know how stubborn Dad was…he would have done it no matter what you tried. So tell me, what did the demon show you?" Dean watched as Sam's eyes closed, he almost didn't hear the softly spoken words.

"He's made Dad his servant Dean…it was horrible, I could see Dad trying to fight, the pain and then the demon possesses him and controls him. Oh God, Dean, he's suffering and it's all my fault…everything I have done just before his death made it so that he had no other choice."

"What are you talking about Sam?" Dean could tell that Sam was getting upset, but this time he had to make Sam finish. "It will be ok Sam, just tell me." Dean moved to sit next to Sam on the bed, pulling his brother closer to him like he had done was Sam was small. He could feel the shudders running through his brother's frame. "Spill it Sam...I'm not going anywhere."

Sam took in a deep breath; he never could keep things from Dean. He looked down at his hands as he continued in a soft voice. "I should have gone back into the burning building Dean and killed the bastard when I had the chance, but my life was more important so we let him go. Then when Dad begged me to shoot him…I couldn't do it…if I had, you wouldn't have been hurt to the point of dying and Dad wouldn't have had to sacrifice himself for you. I was too weak to do what needed to be done to defeat the demon Dean. I even brought Dad the things he needed to summon the damn thing…even though Bobby had told me what they were for…I gave him the means to make the trade. All my life Dean, people have sacrificed…the demon said he would let Dad go if I agreed…" Sam swallowed, turning his face from his brother.

"Agreed to what Sam…what did the demon offer you?" Dean was starting to understand and it made his blood run cold.

"If I agree to give in, let him use me and my powers…he will bring Dad back Dean. He said he'd trade Dad for me and I wouldn't do it. Tell me Dean…how many people are going to die to save me? How many will suffer because in the end, I will be too weak to do what has to be done. The demon has a plan for me and it scares the shit out of me Dean, because when push comes to shove…he may get what he wanted in the end and everything…Mom's death, Jessica's death, Dad's sacrifice and your sacrifice will be for nothing!" Sam tried to move to get away from Dean, the pain too intense for him to bear. But Dean pulled him tighter into his embrace, forcing Sam to stay close to him. He could feel his brother's body shudder as he tried to control his emotions.

"Sam, what a sorry pair we are." Dean rubbed Sam's back, comforting his brother the only way he knew how. "You know the only one to blame for this whole mess is laughing his ass off right now and I for one and tired of giving him the upper hand."

Sam looked up at his brother's face and saw sadness but also saw understanding in his eyes. "Every time I close my eyes Dean, I see Dad suffering. But I couldn't make the trade…it…it..didn't feel right."

"I know Sam…don't you think I feel the same way. There is nothing we can do right now, but I swear Sam. If there is a way to kill that bastard and free Dad, we are going to find it…together." Dean watched as Sam smiled softly.

"Now I don't want to hear any more about you feeling guilty about Dad. He wouldn't have wanted you to make that deal and you know it. In fact, he would probably have come back to hell and kicked your ass for even thinking about it. Besides, I would miss my pain in the ass brother…so Francis are you ready to go eat the dinner that Ellen prepared? Talk about hell on earth…I have a feeling if dinner is ruined, we are going to find out what that is like…that woman scares me to death!" Dean winked as he gave same one last quick hug before standing up.

"I don't know Dean; she could eventually become your mother-in-law. You better be careful." Sam quipped.

Dean looked at Sam like he had grown two heads. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Jo and Deanie sittin in a tree…" Sam started to sing ducking as Dean slapped at him.

"In your dreams Sammy…that girl isn't my type. Besides, I don't think she's interested in me, but you on the other hand…you're more her type…she loves to do research. The two of you could be bookworms together." Dean laughed at the look on Sam's face.

"Get real Dean…"

"You know what, why don't we ask Ellen…I'm sure she'd rather have you as a son-in-law. She thinks I take too many risks and I'm sure she hasn't forgiven me for almost losing Jo. Oh Ellen.." Dean called as he walked out the door.

Sam lunged to catch Dean. "You wouldn't dare!"

Dean grinned. "Ellen, Sammy here was wondering when Jo would be back…he has a question to ask her."

Sam groaned, when was he going to learn to never dare Dean to do anything. "Dean!" Sam called as he walked out after his brother.

The End!

Raven524: So here we are at the end of another story. Thanks again to all those who have reviewed…hugs to all of you!