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

Secrets

Chapter 4 – A Plan Unfolds

Dean sighed as they finally pulled up in front of the road house. It had been a long drive, but he was glad that his brother had finally managed to get some sleep. "Hey Sam, we're here." Dean said as he opened the door and stepped out.

Sam's eyes snapped open as he heard his brother call him. He looked guiltily at Dean as he watched him stretch his tired muscles. His brother had driven the whole way while Sam had slept. As far back as Sam could remember, his brother had always been there taking care of him. He had fallen back into the familiar routine and in some ways had become dependent on it. But that had to change…Sam would no longer follow along, he had to take control of his life and that meant that he had to let go of Dean. He swallowed as he pulled himself from the car.

"You should have woke me up Dean…you need sleep too." Sam said quietly.

"Naw, it's ok. I was too keyed up to sleep. Are you ok Sam?" Dean asked trying to catch a look at Sam's eyes. But Sam quickly hid his eyes from Dean, it was Sam speak for trouble on the horizon. Dean would have to be watchful or Sam would go and do something stupid.

"I'm fine Dean…really. We're good ok?" Sam strode towards the road house. He was anxious to find Ash and get started.

It was near closing time for the bar so there were only a few stragglers left. Sam headed for Ash's room while Dean went up to the bar to speak to Ellen. "Hey Ellen!" Dean smiled as he saw her place a beer in front of him.

"Hey yourself Dean. What's up?" Ellen had seen Sam head back to talk to Ash.

Dean shrugged. "I'm not sure Ellen. Sam wanted to talk to Ash."

"Dean, what did I say about keeping secrets?" Ellen asked quietly, not wanting to call attention to what they were discussing.

"I'm telling you the truth Ellen…Sam had another one of his…you know episodes" Dean lowered his voice. "He just wanted to check some things with Ash."

Ellen nodded; she would let it slide until the bar was closed. "So, you plan on spending the night? That offer of a room out back still stands."

"You know what, I think we might just take you up on that Ellen…but let me check with Sam first ok?" Dean could use some time to sleep; the long hours on the road were beginning to catch up with him. He looked towards Ash's room and wondered what those two were discussing.

"I think I'll go check on Sam…see you later Ellen…and…thanks!" Dean moved towards Ash's room. It wasn't that he didn't trust Sam, but he could tell that Sam had something on his mind and he needed to make sure that it didn't involve something stupid.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sam knocked quickly on Ash's door. He just hoped this time Ash would greet him with more clothes on than the last time he had visited here. The door slowly opened and Ash's face appeared. "Sam? Where's Dean?"

"He stopped to get a beer…Ash can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure..how about we go get a beer?" Ash licked his lips.

Sam laughed. "Ok Ash…I'll meet you out in the bar, first round is on me!"

Sam shook his head as he headed back out to the bar. As he rounded the corner he ran into Dean. "Sam, where's Ash?"

"He's coming Dean. You know you don't need to follow me around, I can take care of myself." Sam said crossly.

"I know that Sam…but we are in this together remember. I just wanted to save you the time of telling me what was going on later."

Sam rolled his eyes and headed back out to the bar. He noticed that Ellen was saying good night to the last of the customers. "I'm sorry Ellen…am I holding you up?"

"Not at all Sam. Ash is on his way out right?"

"Yep"

"Well sit down and I'll get us all a round." Ellen moved off to grab the beer.

Sam sighed. He really hadn't wanted an audience, but then he guessed it didn't matter. They would find out eventually anyway.

Ash sat down a few minutes later, his laptop already open and ready as he looked at Sam. "Ok, so what am I looking for this time Sam?"

"I need you to look for three things for me Ash. First, can you do the usual search to see if there are any signs of the demon around? Especially in Whiting Indiana?"

Ash nodded and began typing. As Dean sipped on his beer he watched as Sam clenched his hands in his lap. He could feel the tension flowing off his brother.

A few moments later Ash shook his head. "Sorry Sam, I don't see anything. It looks quiet."

"Ok, can you check to see if there were any unusual fires in 1983?"

"Already did that Sam, I figured you were looking for the same patterns…but I didn't see anything. Are you looking for someone in particular Sam?" Ash took another sip of his beer as he watched Sam fidget. He could tell something was wrong. Both Sam and Dean were tense…well more tense than usual.

Sam sat back and ran a hand through is hair. He looked at Ellen and Ash, glancing at Dean who nodded. "Well, it seems that I'm supposed to be the chosen one in this damn war. Unfortunately, we haven't figured out yet which side I'm supposed to be playing on. Dad told Dean that he had figured out that I am connected to a number of children who have special abilities. What he neglected to tell me was that I'm on the short list of people that the demon wants to convert to his side."

"Sam, we don't know for sure…I don't think Dad knew for sure. But I do know that you aren't evil…there isn't an evil bone in your body. Hell, if the demon was looking for someone with darkness in his soul, he'd have better luck with me!" Dean would never let his brother believe that he was destined to be evil. Down deep, Dean truly believed that Sam was different. He had a moral center that ran deep and he never met a man stronger in his own convictions than Sam.

"What do you want to do Sam?" Ellen could see Dean was worried about Sam.

"Dad spent his whole life looking for the demon. But we all know that except for a few times, he has not shown himself. But I believe that he has been trying to contact a group of people who have abilities that he feels will help him further his cause. Webber said the demon visited him in his dreams. The man used his powers to hurt people, even kill them. If Andy hadn't killed him who knows how much damage he would have eventually done. The scary part was Webber wasn't possessed. He did what the demon wanted on his own accord."

"See Sam, that's what I was talking about. You aren't fated to be evil…any more than Webber was. Webber made a choice to be evil. You will never make that choice, no matter how much you try to convince me otherwise…I know there is too much good in you Sam. Remember Andy chose good over evil…he even sacrifice his brother rather than turn his back on what his brother was doing." Dean tried to let his brother feel the faith he had in him.

"That still doesn't answer my question Sam…what do you want to do?" Ellen persisted. She could see that what John had told Dean was tearing the boys apart.

"I want you to help me find as many of these special children as you can…do a search on anyone born around 1983 that has shown any type of special ability. If I can get to them first, maybe I can warn them of what is coming…get them on the right side."

"What if you can't convince them Sam or what if they are already serving evil?" Ellen asked quietly.

"Then I'll do what I have to do to stop them. I don't know if I can win or if I can resist what the demon wants…but I won't stand by and just wait to see what happens anymore. Can you help me Ash?" Sam noticed that Ash had already started typing.

"This is going to take some time Sam. But let me see what I can find out. I'll start with the pattern that you and Dean identified before and work from there."

"Sam, you and Dean are going to need help with this…you boys can't face this all on your own. There's too much at stake." Ellen began.

"I don't intend to do this alone Ellen, I intend to set up a network of others like me who are willing to help me fight. You're right Ellen, there's too much at stake here…we all will need to be ready to do what needs to be done. No matter what it might cost us in the end."

"Whoa there Sam, what do you mean…you're not going to set yourself up as a sacrificial lamb! You don't think I know what you are really up to. You think that if you thwart the bastard enough, he'll come out of hiding and come after you. You're setting yourself up as a fucking goat, waiting for the T-Rex to come and eat you." Dean stood and slammed his beer on the bar. "It's not gonna happen Sam!"

Sam stood up calmly and looked at Dean. "You can't stop me Dean…the last time I checked I am old enough to make my own decisions. This is my problem and I have to deal with it. I'm going for a walk…Ash I'll check back with you later." Sam moved quickly to the door. He knew that what he had said hurt Dean; he had seen it in his eyes. But he needed to find the strength to make the sacrifice that he knew had to be made. He needed to walk away from Dean, it was the only way he could save him and ultimately save himself.

TBC

Raven524: Ok, so Sam is pushing Dean away this time…will Dean let him? Somehow I don't think so…but then Sam can be stubborn can't he?? On to the next chapter…don't forget to drop me a line!!!