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 5 – Stronger Together

Sam walked slowly towards the back of the road house. He stopped and sat on part of a crumbling wall as he tried to figure out his next move. His first instinct was to leave Dean behind, but he couldn't do that to his brother. He had heard the fear in his brother's voice when he admitted that he didn't tell him sooner because he didn't want to lose him. He understood that he and Dean were all that were left of their family now and he still believed that they were stronger together than apart.

But, could he continue to face a future where Dean might have to make a decision between what was right and his love for Sam. What if he turned evil…he couldn't put his brother through the same nightmare he had faced when he held the gun on his father. The aftermath of that action would haunt him forever. If he had done what his father asked, none of this would be happening now and his father would not be suffering. Sam jumped when he felt a hand touch his shoulder.

"Hey Sam." Dean said softly as he took a seat beside his brother. Normally he would have left Sam be alone, but he knew that this time Sam was trying to decide his future and he was terrified that the future Sam would pick wouldn't include him.

Sam continued to stare into the night. He didn't know what to say to make his brother feel better right now. "Look Sam, I get that you're mad at me and maybe you don't trust me…but hell, it's time you let me get down off that damn pedestal that you have had me on since you were a kid. I'm not perfect Sam…"

Sam turned and saw the despair and fear in his brother's eyes. "Dean, I'm not mad at you and I'd trust you with my life. You've been there for me all my life…it's just, I guess it's time for me to stand on my own two clumsy feet for awhile."

Dean knew it. Sam was going to leave him behind again. He quickly turned his face so that Sam couldn't see the tears that were threatening to fall. "So that's it then. You don't need me anymore. You're going to leave me again." Dean started to stand. He couldn't handle this right now.

Sam heard the thickness in Dean's voice and he also remembered the demon's words in the cabin echoing in his brothers last words. He grabbed Dean's arm and pulled him back. "No Dean, you misunderstood. I'm not leaving you man…and I do need you, maybe even more now than before. But you have to stop trying to hold me back…you can't prevent what may happen."

Dean looked at Sam and sighed when he didn't see any anger in his brother's expressive eyes. "So why are we sitting out here freezing our asses off when we could be in a nice warm bed catching up on some sleep?"

Sam smiled but decided he needed to get one more thing straight with Dean. "Dean, look I know that you think that I'm your responsibility and I know that you will follow Dad's last order to protect me. But I meant what I said…you and I are partners in this. I protect you; you protect me and together we go after the bastard that is trying to destroy our family. Can you do that Dean?" Sam asked softly.

Dean stood up and looked at Sam for a moment. He knew that he couldn't stop worrying about his brother, but he also understood that Sam was tired of being protected. "Alright Sam, but if you think I'm going to stop worry about you or taking care of you…that ain't gonna happen."

Sam grinned. "Fine, as long as it's a two way street, I can live with that. So why don't we go find a hotel and I'll tuck you in since you look like you're dead on your feet. I'll drive this time." Sam stood and stretched realizing that his rear end was getting cold from sitting on the cold stone.

"You don't have to drive Sam…Ellen offered us the spare beds she had in the back. We can stay here tonight and then plan our move for tomorrow. As for tucking me in…sure, like that's going to happen.!" Dean slapped Sam on the shoulder. "Ok Sundance, let's turn in before you turn into a pumpkin."

"I'm Butch not Sundance!" Sam said as he ducked another round from Dean.

"Sorry, you are so not Butch…how about you Tonto and me Lone Ranger!" Dean said back as they started back towards the front of the road house.

"Sure thing Kimosabee, besides everyone knows that Tonto was the one with the brains!" Sam laughed at the hurt look on Dean's face.

As they entered the front door of the road house, Dean let Ellen know that they would take her up on her offer of a room for the night. Sam started to follow Dean and Ellen to the back of the bar when he felt a sharp pain in his head. "Oh God, not again!" Sam cried as he crashed to the floor, grabbing his head.

A man was sitting in a recliner in what looked like an apartment. He was obviously channel surfing as the TV remote kept pointing at the screen. Suddenly the man began to turn around, a look of fear in his eyes as he heard a sound behind him.

"You will not turn around but get up and walk towards your bedroom…now Chester." A female voice commanded.

Chester remained seated for a moment, shaking his head. "No way, I've heard about the murders in this area…you can't force me to argh!" Chester grabbed his head, his whole body shaking as he fell from the chair onto the ground.

"I said; go to your bedroom Chester!" The voice was dripping with venom and a promise of more pain to come.

"NO!" Chester screamed, trying to crawl towards the front door. But before he could reach the door handle his body was lifted into the air and thrown towards the bedroom door. Unfortunately, the door to the bedroom was closed so Chester hit the door with a loud thud before falling in front of it, unconscious.

"You've really been a bad bad boy Chester and bad boys have to be punished!" The door to the bedroom opened and Chester's unconscious body floated into the room.

"NO!" Sammy yelled as he felt strong arms holding him. It took a moment before he realized that Dean was talking to him.

"Take it easy Sammy, deep breaths, that's it. You can do it." Dean held Sam tightly, trying to keep Sam's hands from pulling his hair.

"Are they always this bad Dean?" Ellen asked as she passed him a glass of water for Sam.

"Not always, but they are getting more frequent and more painful…I don't know how much more he can take." Dean said softly as he watched his brother's head fall forward, his eyes closed.

"Let me get Ash back here to help you Dean." Ellen started to move but Dean shook his head.

"No, I can handle him. Just lead the way to the room you mentioned." Dean pulled Sam up and placed his brother's arm over his shoulder. "Don't worry Sam, I've got you. So much for you tucking me into bed little brother!" Dean said as he saw Sam's eyes begin to focus.

"Sorry Butch…guess it will have to be your turn tonight." Sam slurred. His head was killing him and he felt like he was going to pass out again.

Dean quickly placed Sam on the bed in the room that Ellen indicated. "The bathroom's across the hall boys…you sure you don't need anything else Dean?"

"Naw, we're good." Dean watched as Ellen quietly closed the door before turning to Sam.

"Ok Sam, was it the same as the others?" Dean asked.

Sam nodded his head. "Dean I think…whoever is doing this has abilities…I must be connected to her and I'm seeing these things happen through her eyes."

Dean watched as Sam's eyes started to close. "Sam?"

"Mmmmmm…jus give me 5 more minutes Dad" Sam's head turned to the side as his breathing evened out. Dean patted his brother on the shoulder. "OK Sam, you can rest for now. But in the morning we are going to have to talk about this."

TBC

Raven524: Sorry for the short chapter, but I just got home from work and am a little burned out. Thanks for all the reviews…hope you all continue to enjoy the story. You know what to do, just push the little button and let me know what you think!!