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 23– Passages

Dean stood and stretched his tired muscles as he moved to look out the window. It had been 24 hours since Sam had last opened his eyes. The Doctor had assured Dean that Sam would wake up any time, his body was just resting. But Dean couldn't shake the feeling that something else was going on. He knew Sam better than anyone and he knew that unless he could talk to Sam, his brother was still in danger.

"Hey Dean" Andy walking in with two cups of coffee in his hands. He handed one to Dean as he moved to sit in the other chair in the room.

"Thanks…how's Melissa?" Dean took a sip of the coffee and sighed as the caffeine began to kick in.

"Not good Dean. She's almost catatonic…they are talking about sending her to a psych ward Dean." Andy swallowed and looked down at the floor. He felt responsible; after all it was his plan.

"Andy, this isn't your fault. She was in bad shape before you even met her." Dean looked at Sam and wondered if his brother would be in similar shape. Pushing that thought away he looked again at Andy.

"When Sam wakes up, maybe he can reach her. He's good at that kind of thing…I remember once we were on this hunt. We needed to get into this house but the old lady refused to let us in. Even though she was terrified of what was happening, she insisted that we just leave her alone. Sam talked to her for about five minutes and the next thing I knew she had us in for Tea and cookies."

"What did he say to her?" Andy asked.

"I don't know, but after that he had the woman eating out of his hands. Sam has this way about him, people trust him you know." Dean looked at his brother once again wondering how someone who could be so gentle could ever turn evil.

"Actually, I do know. When I met Sam, even though he was accusing me of killing people, there was something about him…I wasn't afraid of him." Andy turned to look at Sam and shook his head at the damage that had been done to him. Sam had bandages across his whole upper body and on both thighs. His feet were encased in bandages as well. The doctors had spent a great deal of time getting the slivers of glass out of the bottom of his feet. In a way he was glad Sam was unconscious, when he woke up, he was going to be in a lot of pain.

Dean moved closer to Sam and sat on the edge of the bed. He moved Sam's bangs off his brother's forehead and sighed. "You know Sam, if you don't wake up soon. I just might have to borrow a pair of scissors and cut this hair for you. You know, I heard that the Mohawk is back in style…what do you think?"

Dean sighed as he patted Sam on the shoulder. "It's ok Sam; I'll be here when you wake up. But you better make it soon. You know how I hate hospitals."

Sam had been sitting in the same spot for what seemed like forever. It was a beautiful place, peaceful. The lake was so clear and the sky, not a single cloud. Sam breathed in the scent of the trees around him and realized that for the first time in a long time, he wasn't afraid.

"Sammy, you can't stay here." A soft voice called to him.

"Why not? All I do is cause people pain. The demon is right, I can't save anyone and I can't save myself. If I stay here, he can't get me and Dean won't have to follow through with his promise to Dad." Sam had been thinking about it for a while. He knew instinctively that this wasn't real; it was some place that his mind had created for him to rest. The trouble was, he really didn't want to leave.

"Sammy, I'm sorry" The voice said again.

Sam turned as he recognized the words, the same words that had been spoken to him by his mother at their old house in Lawrence. "Mom? But Missouri said you were destroyed."

Sam watched as the shape of his mother materialized beside him. She pulled him into her arms, letting his head rest against her shoulder as she slowly stroked Sam's back. "I remember when you were a baby Sammy…always so full of life and curiosity. As soon as you learned to talk, the questions started. You drove your Dad and your brother crazy with them. But you need to keep asking those questions Sam. The answers you are looking for can't be found here."

"You said you were sorry…sorry for what?" Sam asked as he looked into his mother's eyes. He could see the sadness reflected in them.

"When the demon had me on the ceiling, he told me he had plans for you Sammy. He said you would be the strongest one yet. His children, his soldiers in the war to end all wars; I tried to fight Sammy, I tried to save you. In that moment, I realized that your fate was tied to the demon and there was nothing I could do to help you. I failed to keep you safe."

"There was nothing you could have done Mom…Oh God, what if I can't stop it…what if I turn into a monster." Sam felt the tears falling from his eyes as he gazed into his mother's moist eyes.

"Sam, you have to remember one thing…this is very important. The demon will keep trying to test you, to shake you, to destroy any good that resides within you. But he can't make you his unless you allow it. You need to stay strong; you need to listen to your brother Dean and you need to accept what you have been given. Dean is the key Sam, do you hear me. Don't shut him out; he will be your salvation."

Sam watched as his mother stood. She looked out towards the lake and sighed. "It really is beautiful here Sam, only someone with a pure spirit can create this kind of beauty. Tell your brother I'm proud of him and I miss him. Now you must return. There is another who needs you, needs your strength."

"Mom, don't go! Please, if it's my choice, why did Dad say Dean would have to kill me? You have to tell me what is going to happen…please!"

"I can't Sam…the future is always in motion and changing. Your Dad did a good job preparing both of you for what may come, use what he taught you, keep your brother close. Your father was preparing Dean in case."

Sam watched as his mother's figure began to disappear into the sunlight. "In case of what Mom?"

"In case you make the wrong choice Sam."

Sam blinked as his mother disappeared. He could hear a soft murmur in the wind, a familiar voice that seemed to call to him. He stood and looked at the peaceful surroundings one last time before he followed the familiar voice…"

"Dean?" Sam whispered, his throat was so dry he could barely get the words out.

"Sammy! Thank God. What are you trying to do to me? I swear, next time you decide to sleep this long, I'm going to leave your ass, you hear me." Dean smiled as he watched his brother's eyes blink in confusion. He held Sam's shoulders up and brought a glass to Sam's lips.

"Take it easy Sam, not too much." Dean pulled the glass away and gently let Sam lay back down on the bed.

"How long Dean?" Sam asked his voice a little stronger.

"Over 24 hours Sam. Your fever broke early this morning, so the doctor says you can go home tomorrow." Dean watched as Sam's eyes began to close again. He knew that the sedatives were still in his brother's system. "Go ahead and get some more sleep Sam…they've given you something to help with the pain."

Sam smiled. "Thanks Dean…Mom said to tell you…tell you she was proud of you." Sam's eyes slid shut as Dean blinked. He swallowed and looked away for a moment, unwilling to let Andy see how much that statement had affected him. A moment later he looked back at Sam and squeezed his brother's hand.

"I'm sure she's proud of you too Sammy, we all are."

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Melissa tossed on the bed in the next room. "Hello Melissa, bet you thought that you had gotten rid of me."

"NO! You made my sister into a monster. I told you I wouldn't do what you wanted and I still won't"

"You know what you have done don't you? You have sent your sister to me. She's here with me now, suffering because of you. You killed all those men, you even killed your own sister…now who is the monster?" The demon whispered.

"No, she would have killed them. I had to stop her. I heard Sam talking to Trisha, you are evil and you are the one who made her into a monster."

"It was her choice Melissa, just as it will be your choice. I can sense your guilt. You know that I am right; you don't deserve to be saved. Follow me and I can make the pain go away. You've already done the hard part. You've killed. The next one will be easier, I promise."

Melissa nodded, he was right. She didn't deserve to be saved. She had been the one who killed all those men. She should have stopped it a long time ago. "You may be right…but I won't let you take over…there is another way."

Melissa opened her eyes and looked around the hospital room. She slowly removed the IV and stood on unsteady legs. Moving quietly she got dressed and left the room. No one noticed as the quiet woman left the hospital.

TBC

Raven524: Ok, here is the next bit of angst. I hope that you all enjoy it. Let me know what you think…remember, I really enjoy hearing from you all.