OMG, I'm blown away by the support I have for this story. Usually a sequel isn't met with as much support as the original so I am extremely happy to know you are all enjoying this one so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now, onto the next chapter.

Cindy.

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Sam awoke with a start, his eyes darting around his small room. He felt uneasy, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why. He felt like something was going to happen today but didn't know what that something could be.

It had been five days since they had captured Gordon and locked him in their makeshift jail. They had gutted the supplies shed, leaving nothing but a mat and blankets in one corner and a hole cut through the floorboards for Gordon to use as a toilet. If it had been up to Dean, Gordon wouldn't even have had toilet paper, but Sam had insisted they weren't barbarians and so Dean had given in. Gordon had been fitted with an ankle shackle that allowed him to move about the room but stopped him from reaching the only entrance. Two armed guards were posted at the door 24/7 and had been instructed by Dean, without Sam's knowledge, to shoot him on sight if by chance he made it out the door.

Sam rose slowly, his stiff joints cracking as he stretched his long body. The past five days had been spent training with Isaral and sleeping with a little eating thrown in when there was time. Sam still felt somewhat weak from his poisoning but was getting stronger every day. He had refused to be healed by Isaral, much to Dean's ire. Sam knew Dean was missing him and he tried to spend as much time with his brother as possible, but the war was coming and he had to be prepared for what he had to do to destroy Azazel and his army. He knew time was running out so he decided he would spend every extra minute he had with Dean, hoping it would be enough when the time came for him to do his thing and destroy the demons.

Sam swiftly dressed then left his quarters, smiling when he saw Dean near the mess hall talking with Bobby and the Troy brothers. He quickly strolled toward the group of hunters, who all greeted him warmly when he approached.

"Mornin' Sammy. You sleep okay?" was Dean's greeting as his tall brother stepped to his side.

"I did. Isaral's really been riding me these past few days. By the time I go to bed, I'm exhausted," Sam replied.

"You hungry?" Dean asked, gazing at his brother with concern.

"Starving actually. I fell asleep last night without eating," Sam admitted to which Dean frowned disapprovingly.

"Well then, how 'bout we hit the mess," Bobby spoke up, leading the way into the mess hall.

The five hunters went through the line, Sam no longer fearful of being poisoned again. They took their seats at the first table and began to eat their breakfasts. Talk ranged from nonsense banter to what took place during the night. Three demons had been exorcised from their hosts, putting the total number of demons taken care of the past week at fourteen. Seven hunters had been hurt enough the past week to keep Maggie quite busy.

Dean watched Sam closely, noting the way his smiles and laughter seemed forced. It was almost like Sam was putting on a show for Dean's benefit. But Dean knew Sam and he could tell something was off with his baby brother. He would catch Sam gazing at him, a deep sadness in his eyes until Sam realized Dean was looking, at which point he would smile broadly, the smile not quite reaching his eyes though. The sadness always remained, no matter how bright the smile was. Dean didn't like Sam's odd behavior one bit. It made him extremely nervous. He decided he would have a talk with his brother later, after Sam was finished with Isaral for the day.

"So Sam. What's Isaral gonna have you doing today? Levitating? Macrame'?" Bryan teased from his seat across from the youngest Winchester.

"Heh, heh...Um no...actually I thought I might spend the day with Dean and the rest of you. I haven't had much time for you all since I got out of the hospital and I'd kinda like a day off from training," Sam replied with a nervous smile.

"Well hey...that's cool. We've been missing you actually," Bryan quipped happily.

Dean stared at Sam with shock. Now he knew without a doubt that something was definitely up. For the past several days Sam would rise early, maybe eat a little breakfast, then disappear with Isaral and not be seen again until dinner. He had been making time for Dean in the evenings but insisted he needed every minute he could get with Isaral so he would be ready when the time came to summon Azazel and his army. Now Sam wanted to blow off Isaral for the whole day and spend it with them? Something was not right and it caused a deep fear to build inside of Dean. Sam was keeping something from him, and Dean intended to find out what it was.

Dean pulled Sam aside once they were finished with breakfast, Sam's puppy dog eyes pulling a groan from the older sibling.

"Okay Sammy, spill," Dean demanded, grasping Sam's arm tightly just above his elbow.

"Owww Dean...ease up a bit," Sam cried indignantly.

"Sorry," Dean muttered, loosening his hold a little. "What's up with you?"

"What do you mean?" Sam queried.

"Look Sam. Something's going on, or you're keeping something from me and I want to know what it is," Dean said with frustration.

"Nothing's up Dean. Why do you think something's up?" Sam replied, swallowing nervously.

Dean eyed him suspiciously, noticing the nervous way he held himself. "Why all of the sudden do you want to spend the day with me Sam? Let's start there."

"What? You don't want to spend the day with me?"

"Of course I do, but I've hardly seen you lately because you're off with Isaral all day. So, imagine my surprise when you announce you're going to basically ditch Isaral. Something's up Sam 'cause that's just not like you."

Dean glared at Sam, daring him to lie or hold back any information. Dean's main job in this whole set up was watching out for his younger sibling, keeping him safe and he couldn't do that if he didn't have all of the information. He continued to glare until Sam reluctantly began to speak.

"Dean...I just...I know I haven't been around much lately and with what's coming...well...I just want to spend some time with you. I mean, who knows what's gonna happen. This thing Isaral says I can do, well...it may not work. I just don't know what's gonna happen. It kind of scares me, you know?" Sam said softly.

"So...that's it? 'Cause Sam, I think Isaral probably knows if it's gonna work or not. Don't worry, it'll all work out fine and after this is all over, we can all go get hammered and act stupid."

"Yeah, I guess...I don't know about the getting hammered and stupid part though," Sam said with a smile.

"Oh...you are so getting hammered and stupid. No arguing...got it!" Dean quipped.

"Yeah...I got it," Sam replied, a sad note to his voice.

"Sam? Are you sure there's nothing else you want to tell me?" Dean asked.

"No Dean. Everything's fine," Sam murmured, hating himself for lying to his brother.

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Dean and Sam trailed Bobby and the Troy brothers as the group walked the perimeter of the compound, checking to see that the salt filled trench was completely intact and that the rest of the wards and protections were in place. Sam chattered aimlessly at times and at others fell into an almost morose silence that had the four other men glancing at him and shaking their heads nervously.

The group made their way toward the center of the complex, their inspection now complete. As they neared the mess hall, Sam turned when he heard his name being called. He stopped when he saw Isaral gracefully approaching, Dean stopping with him.

"Samuel, I need to speak with you right away," the tall, fair haired man said with a sense of urgency.

"Uh...okay," Sam said, glancing at Dean apologetically.

"Go ahead Sam. Just come find me when you're done," Dean said, watching as Sam nodded then walked away, Isaral by his side.

Dean continued to watch, his big brother-o-meter blaring furiously. He couldn't help the feeling that somehow he was losing his brother. The way Sam had been acting all day, no, all week was not normal for the young man and Dean had no clue as to what was going on or what to do about it. He turned to enter the mess hall, swallowing the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat.

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"What is it Isaral? What's going on?" Sam queried as he walked hurriedly beside the healer.

"We have to prepare Samuel. Azazel has sent forth his army across the earth. The war is upon us. We must act immediately," Isaral said urgently, stopping and peering at Sam with his light blue eyes.

"What? How much time do we have?" Sam cried, his tone fearful.

"We must do the summoning tonight. Tomorrow will be too late," Isaral answered.

"Tonight? I...I thought I'd have more time. Are you sure Isaral?" Sam inquired softly.

"I'm sure Samuel. All of the signs are there. Are you sure you want to do this? There are other ways."

"No...no, it has to be this way. There's no other choice. Too many people will suffer if I don't do this. Get Dean and start assembling everyone in the mess hall. I'll be there shortly," Sam said as he walked slowly away towards his quarters.

Sam entered his room and shuffled to his bed, collapsing down onto the edge with a heavy sigh. He buried his face in his hands then raked his fingers through his hair. He knew this time would come, he just hadn't expected it this soon. The moment of his destiny was upon him and he would do nothing but meet it head on. The choice he had made was the right one, the only one. The chance to rid the world of the demon threat with minimal human suffering. There was no other way in Sam's mind.

Sam stood and walked to the door, composing himself before opening it. He walked through the door, shoulders back and head held high. This was what he had been leading up to his whole life and he would not fail. He would not fail his family, especially Dean. He would not fail the people that didn't even know they would owe their very survival to him. Tonight was the night he had been waiting anxiously for, and dreading for a very long time. Sam gazed up to the blue sky, which would soon turn dark and twinkle with the cheerful lights of millions of stars. It would be a beautiful night. A beautiful night to fight. A beautiful night to die.

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I know, I know. WTF????? Yep, I am evil and I am leaving it there until tomorrow. Please let me know what you think!

Cindy.