Okay, next chapter. The calm before the coming storm. I hope you enjoy.

Cindy.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Dean couldn't sleep; the visions of what was to come just wouldn't allow it. So instead, he sat up watching Sam sleep, the soft sounds of the younger man's breathing bringing a slight smile to his lips. Sam had held out to well after midnight, but finally his heavy lids had won out and he'd drifted slowly off to sleep. Dean had tried to sleep himself, but every time he closed his eyes, he saw fire and darkness, sharp blades and black eyes. He couldn't bare to see these things, knowing they were what awaited his kid brother, so that was why when a sharp knock sounded at the door at 3 AM he was quickly off his bed, weapon in hand, peering out through the curtain. He let out a sigh of relief, tucked his gun into his waistband and opened the door as quietly as he could, casting a quick glance at Sam to make sure he hadn't been awakened.

"Bobby…" he whispered as he welcomed the older man into the room.

"Dean…how are ya boy?" Bobby replied, his tired eyes immediately seeking out the youngest Winchester, those same eyes softening when they found the sleeping young man.

"I'm as good as I can be…considering…" Dean said as he shut the door softly.

"Yep…I can imagine. So…what's up with that idjit brother of yours?" Bobby queried, his eyes finally moving from Sam to meet Dean's sad, tired stare.

"I honestly don't know Bobby. He won't…well, he says he can't tell me anything. I don't know what to do. Did…uh…did he tell you anything?" Dean replied, moving to the counter to pour himself and Bobby a cup of coffee.

"Nope…said he made a deal and that he needed me to get here as soon as possible," Bobby said, nodding as he took the steaming mug of black brew.

"Yeah…well…he says he doesn't want me alone…you know…after…" Dean muttered, his eyes conveying his anguish to the older hunter.

"That's what he told me too. What else did he tell you?"

"He…he said if it wasn't for you those first few weeks, he wouldn't be here. Said you kept him from…well…you know."

"He was pretty torn up Dean. I'd never seen him like that before. Not with your daddy even and I know how much he was hurtin' on that one 'cause he told me…"

Dean looked up at Bobby with surprise. "He talked to you about Dad? Why didn't he talk to me?"

"Dean…you hardly spoke to him then and when you did…uh…let's just say he was more concerned with how you were dealing and didn't want to burden you with his own pain," Bobby said, his eyes once more moving to the sleeping figure in the bed across the room.

"Shit…I guess I was so caught up in my own loss, I kinda' forgot that Sam lost his dad too. I just figured he didn't feel it like I did. What a friggin' idiot I am!" Dean cried as he stared into his cup.

"Dean…don't go there. Sam knew you were hurtin' and already had enough on your plate so he came to me…"

"Yeah…he came to you when he should've been able to come to me. I really owe you Bobby…for then and for after I…died…" Dean said softly.

"Hey…you don't owe me nothin'. You boys are my family. Sam needed me and I was there. You're gonna need me and I'll be there for you too."

"I don't know if I can take this Bobby. I can't lose him. He's my life…always has been and to know what's gonna happen to him…well…it's killing me."

"I know Dean. When he called and said he'd made a deal I…I couldn't breathe…thought I was gonna die right there. It took me a minute before I could talk and then I pretty much tore him a new one…"

"Yeah…he said you were pretty pissed."

"Pissed? I swear…between the two of ya idiots. Well, let's just say you two are harder on me than any supernatural thing has ever been. Ya frickin' little jerks…making me care about what happens to ya…" Bobby shot, his eyes betraying the harshness of his voice.

Dean chuckled lightly as he stared at the older man with affection. "Awwww Bobby..that was just…so…cute…" he said, his hands clasped together over his heart.

Bobby shot Dean an angry glare as he sputtered on his sip of coffee. "Don't you cute me boy! There ain't nothin' cute about me. Anymore sass like that and I'll do to you what I want to do to the kid!" he spat.

"Yeah…well…I already did a number on him so…no need for you to add anything," Dean said, his eyes falling in shame.

"Wait a minute. You did that to his face? Dean…"

"No Bobby. Not all of it at least, and…I know. I just…when he told me, I lost it…"

"But that's not all from you?" Bobby asked, understanding and sympathy in his eyes.

"No…he took off to some bar after I wouldn't talk to him and he got shitfaced. He hustled a couple of guys out of some serious cash and they didn't take too kindly to it," Dean explained.

"How'd ya find him?" Bobby asked, eyeing Sam with fatherly concern.

"Some lady…Angie I think…answered his cell and told me to hurry my ass down there…which reminds me…I gotta get back there and thank her. I tell ya Bobby…if I hadn't shown up when I did…we might not be worrying about Sam's deal…" Dean said, his face paling as he thought about what almost happened.

"That bad huh?"

"They meant to beat him to death Bobby."

Bobby hissed through his teeth, his anger causing his hands to shake. "Did'ja take care of the bastards?"

"I got 'em good. They won't be playing pool or doing much of anything for that matter for a long time," Dean answered through clenched teeth.

"Good boy…" Bobby said.

"Hey Bobby?"

"Yeah?"

"What're we gonna do? Sam dies tonight at midnight. How are we gonna stop it?" Dean asked softly.

"Dean…I…" Bobby stammered helplessly

"Yeah…I know. I'm gonna lose my brother," Dean whispered as one lone tear trailed down his cheek.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

That Night-11:30 PM

Sam stood at the crossroads, his eyes darting over the area, filled with fear but also determination. Dean and Bobby stood nearby, their eyes trained on Sam. They knew he could hear the hellhounds, if not see them already. Dean swallowed uncomfortably, his emotions threatening to overwhelm him. Sam turned until he had his brother and friend in his sight and smiled sadly. He walked the short distance to where they stood and slipped his hands nervously into his pockets.

"You can hear 'em can't you?" Dean asked softly.

Sam peered at Dean then cast his gaze once more over their surroundings. "Yeah, for about fifteen minutes now. Can't see them yet though."

"Sam…are you sure we can't get you out of this?" Bobby asked.

"No…we can't change it and even if we could…I wouldn't want to…" Sam replied.

"Why Sam? You can't possibly want this," Dean cried, deciding to hell with holding anything in. "Whatever you think you're gaining here…well…it just ain't worth your soul Sam."

"It's the best solution Dean. I wish I could make you understand. You'll know soon enough…after I'm gone."

"Yeah? It'll be too late by then Sammy. What good is knowing when you're already dead?"

"Just…please…just trust me Dean. I know what I'm doing. I need to know that you trust me okay?" Sam pled as he grasped Dean's arm.

"I'll always trust you Sammy…"

Sam nodded and smiled. "Thanks Dean."

Movement to their right caught the men's attention and they turned to find Ruby walking from the trees and she didn't look happy.

"What the hell did you do Sam?" she spat as she stepped up to the group and roughly grabbed Sam's arm.

"Let him go Ruby," Dean warned as he stepped toward her.

"Back off bubblehead! This is between Sam and me!" Ruby shot, her grip on Sam's arm tightening.

"Ruby…shut up…" Sam said evenly.

Ruby turned surprised eyes onto Sam and scowled as she let go of his arm. "I heard rumors. Word was that one Sam Winchester made a deal. I really didn't think you were that stupid, but I guess I was wrong!"

"Back off my brother bitch or you'll be dealing with me!" Dean hissed as he moved between the demon and the hunter.

"You guys…just knock it off…" Sam said as he pulled Dean back.

"What the hell are you even doing here Ruby? Shouldn't you be biting the heads off kittens or something?" Dean shot.

"Dean…stop…please," Sam pled.

"Nah…I've had my fill of cute little fuzzies Deano," Ruby spat.

"Alright…that's it! Ruby…get the hell out of here. You're not welcome, okay?" Sam cried.

"What? After everything I've done for you?" Ruby answered, anger flashing in her now black eyes.

"Look…I owe you for my life, but I don't want to spend my last minutes watching you and Dean go at each other. Will you please just leave?" Sam said pleadingly.

"I'm not leaving if they get to stay…" Ruby replied, the hunter's eyes following the demon's gaze.

Dean's eyes widened when he saw the newcomers and hope filled him.

"Castiel…Uriel. Did you come to stop this?" he queried breathlessly as the angels approached.

"No Dean. We came to observe. We came to make sure promises are kept," Castiel answered.

"You came to observe? Did…did you know about Sam's deal?" Dean asked incredulously.

"Yes…we advised Sam…" Castiel started.

"What? What do you mean you advised him?"

"He summoned us and asked us for advice. We gave it to him," Uriel answered, his eyes landing on Ruby with disgust.

"You talked to them? You asked them for advice? Why them Sam? Why not me?" Dean cried as he turned on Sam.

"Because Dean…you would have flown off the handle. Besides, I wanted to know if making the deal would work and they were the only ones who could tell me," Sam explained.

"So…the angels know…Ruby knows. Who else other than me, Sam?" Dean hissed.

"I don't know what the deal is, Dean," Ruby offered. "I couldn't find that out. They're pretty tight lipped about it down there."

"Dean…just Castiel and Uriel know. I promise."

"I thought you couldn't tell anyone or you'd break your end of the bargain."

"I can't tell you Dean. That was the stipulation. Not you or any other person. Besides, Castiel and Uriel already knew before the deal was made."

"This is just great! Fuck!" Dean screamed.

"Dean…calm down," Bobby said.

"Calm down!? Sammy's dying in what? Fifteen minutes? And you want me to calm down!?" Dean yelled.

"Dean…please…" Sam pled.

Dean ignored his brother and turned to the angels. "You guys can tell me right? As long as it isn't Sam telling me, it should be fine…right?" Dean asked in desperation.

"No Dean. You can't know until after Sam dies. I'm sorry," Castiel explained.

"You're not sorry. You wanted me to kill Sam. You said you would if I didn't. You're getting what you want! That's why you told him to make the deal…to get rid of him!"

"I never told you to kill Sam. I told you to stop him. Our Lord doesn't want Sam dead," Castiel said.

"Look…I'm almost out of time. Dean…Castiel will tell you everything, but right now I just want to…I…" Sam said softly.

"I don't want to lose you Sammy," Dean said, his eyes bright with unshed tears.

"I know…it'll be okay Dean. Trust me," Sam replied, his own eyes moist.

"Sammy…" Dean started.

"Dean…I want you to have these," Sam said as he removed his leather bracelet and his wristwatch.

Dean stared wide eyed as Sam placed the items in his trembling hand. He closed his fingers around the items and he looked up at his brother.

"God Sam…this is so messed up." And with that, Dean pulled Sam into a tight embrace, his fingers fisting into the back of the taller hunter's jacket. Sam hugged back with all he had as he buried his face in Dean's neck. The brothers broke away, but Dean held tight to Sam's arms now. Sam turned to Bobby and smiled warmly.

"Bobby…thank you for coming man. I owe you so much. Keep him safe okay?" Sam said, his voice shaking with emotion.

Bobby grabbed Sam's arm and pulled him into a hug, his hand patting the younger man's back.

"What am I gonna do with you kid?" the older man questioned. "You big freakin' idjit!"

Sam let out a shaky chuckle as he pulled away. He turned back to Dean and couldn't keep his tears at bay any longer.

"Dean…I…I'm sorry. I didn't want to hurt you. I wish you wouldn't stay. I don't want you to see…" he said brokenly.

"I'm staying Sammy…" Dean said, his eyes following the slow path of Sam's tears.

"I love you Dean. You don't have to say it back…I already know. No chick flicks right?" Sam said softly.

"Damnit…I love you too Sammy…" Dean said, his cheeks wet.

Suddenly, Sam jerked his head to a stand of trees, his eyes staring fearfully into the dark. He swallowed then turned back to Dean.

"Oh God…the hellhounds…they're here…"

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Uh oh, the evil cliffies are back!! Now, should I make you all wait until tomorrow for the next chapter or should I post another one tonight? Whatever should I do? Maybe I'll leave it up to you guys. Let me know if you want another chapter tonight and if enough want one, I'll post it. Take care.

Cindy.