Here it is, the final chapter. Thanks for sticking with me and I hope you enjoy it.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: A Fallen Brother

That's still your brother in there. Are you really going to kill your brother, Sam? After he's spent his whole life protecting you?

Sam couldn't help the thoughts that were penetrating his skull as he wagered his choices.

"No." The youngest Winchester's voice was barely above a whisper as he slowly lowered his hand, freeing Dean from his power.

"Sam."

The hunter looked at Castiel with surprise, eyeing where he had appeared over by Meg, his face determined.

"Get a couple more people in here and we've got ourselves a party." Dean quipped, glancing over at his former best friend, panting hard. If he was being honest with himself, the reality that his baby brother was stronger than he first gathered frightened him. Never should've underestimated that kid, he thought.

"Sam, you have to kill him." The angel insisted as his blue gaze met Dean's dull green one, utter sorrow in his tone. "I'm sorry my friend, but you can't be saved."

Sam was taken aback by the matter-of-factness in the angel's tone. "No, there has to be a way-" The hunter tried to argue but Cas wasn't going to try and explain it all to the distressed youngest Winchester.

"There is no way. I'm sorry, Sam. You have to let your brother go." The angel took a step towards Sam who looked on the verge of tears. The tall hunter before him looked at Cas with shock from what he said. Then again, Castiel couldn't believe he had said it either.

"I- I can't," Sam started before he was cut off.

Cruel laughter echoed throughout the room as Dean relished in Sam's need to protect him.

The Knight's celebration was cut short as his dark gaze flickered to Sam's rising hand.

"But I have to."

"What are you-" Before the eldest Winchester could say much more, he was cut off by the First Blade slowly lifting back up to where it was a few moments ago, hovering over his heart.

"Sammy don't do this." The Knight pleaded, real emotion leaking through his tough façade. Cas looked at Sam doubtfully, not believing the young hunter had it in him to do what was necessary.

Meg and Cas shared a collective gasp as they saw Sam close his eyes, pushing his hand slowly forward.

Dean hissed in pain as the First Blade broke through his skin, going painfully slow into his chiseled chest.

It was like time was going in slow motion as the youngest Winchester squeezed his eyes shut, trying to ignore the sounds of pain coming from his brother.

Dean's face crinkled, his eyebrows shot up in realization as the First Blade punctured his heart, crimson staining his shirt.

"I'm so sorry." Sam's voice broke as he tried to keep the tears from falling as he watched his brother fall to his knees, pulling out the First Blade and letting it drop to the floor with a thud.

The hunter lunged forward and caught Dean before he collapsed to the ground, cradling his face with both hands.

Instant regret coursed through Sam's veins as he realized what he had done.

Had he really just killed his own brother?

"Dean?" Sam said with a small trace of hope left in his voice. The youngest Winchester's eyes glistened as tears streaked down his face. "Dean? Come on, wake up."

Meg fell to the ground from her place suspended on the wall and went to make her way over to Sam before Castiel stopped her. He knew Sam needed Dean's last few moments alone.

The hunter embraced his brother, hugging him forcefully as he cried into his Dean's shoulder.

Sam almost missed the chocked response that came from the eldest Winchester.

"S- Sammy?" Blood splattered from the Knight's lips as Sam pushed his brother off of his chest, keeping both hands on his shoulders to support him.

"I'm sorry." Sam somehow managed to get out, not knowing what else to say.

When Dean opened his eyes, they were the same brilliant green color Sam had never thought he'd see again and for a moment, the young hunter let himself believe in miracles.

"Thank you." Was all that left Dean's lips before his eyes drifted shut, his breathing ceasing.

"No, come on Dean! Everything's going to be okay!" Sam yanked off his now soiled button up, pressing it frantically to his brother's chest.

"Everything has to be okay." Sam cried brokenly, not even caring about the constant stream of tears that seemed to be never ending.

Sam's desperation paused for a brief moment as Castiel put a reassuring and calming hand on the grieving hunter's shoulder. "Sam." He said with enough force to pull the youngest Winchester from his current state.

Castiel almost couldn't hear the next words Sam muttered, but felt his heart tug as he recognized the four words he uttered to his brother's dead body.

"I'm proud of us."

….

"Sam, you need to eat." Cas insisted, tapping the hunter's shoulder lightly.

It had been a week since Dean had died and after spending three days locked in the bunker's dungeon to detox, Sam had reached his limits.

"I'll eat when I'm fucking ready." Sam spat, standing up from his slouched position at the kitchen table. Storming off to his room, the youngest Winchester left behind a worried angel.

As Sam slammed the door shut, he hadn't even realized he had gone into Dean's room on accident.

The hunter felt the ability to breathe leave him as he glanced around the decorated room, his throat closing up at the threat of tears. He could practically see his brother sitting on the mattress listening to his music.

Sam slowly walked over to the bed and sat, feeling mentally drained from the past week.

Catching sight of something taped to the back of the door he had entered through, Sam rushed over to it, practically ripping it from its position.

Noting the envelope was addressed to 'Sammy', the hunter tore it open, his eyes rushing over the words.

As he reached the end of the letter, Sam could barely read what was in front of him because of his blurry vision as he took a deep breath in, rereading the letter over and over again.

Sammy,

I could write a book about all the things I wish I could tell you.

And if you're reading this, I'm either dead or have gone total Luke Skywalker on you.

I want you to know that I've been carrying you since you were four and this past year, I lost sight of the best way to do just that.

I thought that by sacrificing myself I was protecting you. Except now, you're all alone without your pain in the ass of an older brother to keep you safe.

And I'm sorry for that.

Protecting you was really the only thing I was good at, the only thing I knew. I wouldn't change that for the world Sammy, I just want you to know that.

You were never a burden.

Sammy-

I hope you're okay.

I wrote you this letter back when you guys were trying to cure me.

One time I looked in the mirror and couldn't even recognize myself. That was when I knew I didn't have much time left.

I was supposed to keep you safe. But it seems more like lately I had been putting you in danger.

I had one job.

And I screwed it up.

I'm a selfish dick who deserves whatever ends up happening to me.

I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry.

Sammy, I'm sorry.

Okay?

-Dean

P.S. Bitch

…...

THE END

Thanks so much for sticking with me on this long journey. I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter and please be sure to leave your final thoughts.

Also, I really want to continue writing but I'm not too good on the initial idea.

SO. If any of you want to give me a prompt, you can either let me know by PMing me on here or messaging me on tumblr. My tumblr is nbditsjustlindsay

Thanks once again for reading and I hope you'll check out my future you all.

~Lindsay