Well, I reckon I've tortured you all enough. Here is the next chapter. I think you will be very pleased. Enjoy.

Cindy.

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John woke slowly, his gaze immediately moving to his oldest son. Dean sat quietly watching John, his arms still protectively around his baby brother. John smiled softly and sat up, his gaze drifting to his baby.

"It's weird Dad. It's like he isn't even dead. He's not stiff and his color, it just looks like he's sleeping. His cheeks are still flushed."

John squeezed Sam's hand, noting that it still felt as pliable as the previous night. John looked at Dean before he spoke.

"Maybe whatever force that he used is keeping him from...uh..." John started, unable to say any more.

"Yeah, maybe," Dean replied. "Dad? How are you here?"

John was taken aback momentarily but soon recovered, understanding how Dean must feel about his sudden reappearance.

"I guess when Sam destroyed the demon army, Azazel included, I was set free. Azazel held my contract so when he died so did the contract," John explained as best as he could, considering he didn't quite understand it all himself.

Dean nodded, absently brushing hair from Sam's forehead. "Where were you?"

"I don't really know. It was completely black, just nothing. Azazel would show up sometimes, but other than that I was alone in all this...nothingness."

"So what happened before you were freed?"

"There was a bright flash of light, nearly blinded me. When I could see again, I was in the middle of nowhere. I started walking and before long I came upon the complex here. Somehow I knew where to go and how to find you."

"Huh. Dad...I-I'm really glad you're here. I just wish that Sam could...well, you know."

"Me too Dean. I'm sorry for what you've had to go through. You and Sam. This should've never been your life. And Sam..." John hesitated, glancing at his youngest son, tears filling his eyes. "Sam shouldn't be lying there. He didn't deserve any of this. I miss him Dean..."

"I do too Dad. God...what are we gonna do without him? I can't let go of him...I just can't," Dean whispered as a tear rolled slowly down his cheek.

John reached toward Dean and grasped his arm, giving a gentle squeeze. Both men turned their attention to the door when it opened and Bobby walked tentatively in. The grizzled hunter gazed sadly at the men, their youngest lying between them wrapped in his brother's arms. Bobby couldn't help but wonder at Sam's appearance. The young man didn't look dead, just merely sleeping, yet his chest did not move. Bobby's quizzical look prompted John to speak up.

"We know Bobby. It's like he's...I don't know. There's no pulse, no breathing and he's cold, but his color...and there's no rigor."

Bobby neared the bed, reaching slowly out he took Sam's hand. It didn't feel like the hand of a dead man, other than the coldness.

"Maybe we should ask Isaral about this," the older hunter said.

As if on cue, the door opened and the Troy brothers entered, followed by the fair haired messenger. Jakota and Bryan stopped just short of the bed, while Isaral walked straight up to the side of the bed, his light eyes resting on Sam's lax face. He reached his hand out, his fingertips trailing over Sam's forehead. His eyes closed and all eyes fell upon him, waiting for whatever reaction he would display. Isaral's eyes opened and he smiled softly at the two older Winchesters.

"It is as I felt it last night," he said in his soft, musical voice.

"What is as you felt it?" Dean asked, glancing at the man then back to his brother.

"It is not time for Samuel to go. The Father needs him here still. His journey is not yet complete."

"What do you mean?" John asked, standing ubruptly, his heart beating furiously.

"Samuel is needed here more than he is needed in His kingdom. Although the demon army has been defeated, there are still more demons who may yearn to fill the place left vacant by Azazel's death."

Dean's eyes widened, the implications of Isaral's words slowly sinking in. Gazing at Sam's face, he thought he saw a slight movement beneath his eyelids and sat up straight, his hand coming to cup Sam's cheek. He could swear that Sam's skin wasn't as cold as it had been moments before.

"He's alive? Sam's alive?" Dean questioned, his voice choking with emotion.

"He is," Isaral replied.

John sank onto the bed, taking Sam's warming hand in his, eyes raising to see Dean staring wide eyed back at him, a grin spreading across his tired face. Bobby took a step closer as did the brothers, their smiles lighting their faces.

"Why didn't you tell us last night about this? Why did you let us believe we had lost him?" John asked warily.

"I wasn't sure and I didn't want to give you false hope. If I had told you and it had not come to pass, it would have been like losing your precious boy again."

"But how? I don't understand." Dean said softly.

"This was not the first demon war the world has seen. It is however the first one that we have won. All of the others ended in an uncomfortable truce. Samuel is not the first chosen one to be given a decision to make. He is however the first one to sacrifice everything for the good of humanity. He is now being rewarded for his sacrifice."

"Was he really dead? Before?" Jakota asked, in awe of the scene before him.

"Yes, he was young hunter. The sacrifice had to be made in order for the war to be won. And now, his resurrection is underway," the messenger answered.

"Will he remember what happened?" Bryan queried, his large brown eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Yes, he will remember. There will be confusion and pain, but that will pass."

A soft moan from the still figure on the bed brought every man's attention around. Sam's fingers twitched and John squeezed his hand gently, raising it and softly kissing it before holding it to his chest. The men watched in wonder as Sam's eyelashes fluttered, then his lids slowly cracked open. Dean gently pulled Sam's face around until their eyes met. Dean smiled warmly, tears pooling in his eyes. Sam's eyes opened further, the hazel green irises barely visible around the large pupils.

"Hey Sammy, welcome back," Dean said softly as he brushed his fingers gently through Sam's hair.

Sam gazed at Dean, his eyes filled with confusion. His mouth opened as he tried to speak, but no words came out.

"Shhh Sam, don't try to talk. You've had quite a night. Just rest..." John said, his normally gruff voice filled with tenderness.

Sam turned his head, his eyes falling on John. They widened in astonishment at seeing his supposedly dead father staring down at him, a joyful smile lighting his scruffy face.

"I know Sam...it's a long story that can wait until you're rested up," John said softly.

Sam stared a moment longer until his eyelids became heavy, slowly falling shut as his breathing evened out. John stared down at his now sleeping son, thinking it was the most wondrous sight he had ever seen. He glanced at Dean, who was also staring at Sam, a look of utter relief and astonishment on his handsome face. Dean laid his hand on Sam's chest, relishing the feel of his brother's steady heartbeat beneath his fingers. Both men sat for nearly an hour, just watching Sam as he slept. 'Sleeping,' Dean thought. 'Not dead. Sleeping.' The others in the room found places to sit, their eyes resting on the small family on the bed. The wondrous event that just took place left each one speechless, but happy beyond belief. Sam was back. Rewarded for the sacrifice he had made. The sacrifice he had made for each and every one of them. For every person on earth. Even for Gordon Walker.

Finally, John rose from the bed, gently setting Sam's hand down across his stomach. Dean inched his way out from under his brother then carefully climbed over him to stand next to John. Both men glanced down at the sleeping young man, then John turned his attention to the other men.

"Sam needs to rest, but I don't want him to wake up alone so someone needs to be with him at all times," John said with authority.

Dean smirked to himself as his father finished speaking. Leave it to John to be gone for a year, supposedly dead, then show up out of the blue and take over. Of course, when it came to his son's safety, Dean expected nothing less.

"I'll take first watch," Bryan volunteered. He pulled a chair from across the room and sat next to the bed, his eyes falling on his younger friend. A friend he felt close enough to to consider him a brother.

The other men nodded and started walking from the room, albeit quite reluctantly. They had just gotten Sam back and were loathe to leave his side, but their grumbling stomachs made them aware that they needed to eat. It would not be good to have Sam see them collapse from hunger. Once they closed the door behind them, Isaral slowly walked toward his quarters without a single word spoken. John and Dean watched him for a moment then caught up with Bobby and Jakota. They walked in silence to a building that upon entering, John immediately realized was the mess hall. There were several men and women sitting at tables, plates of food in front of them. All looked like they had been through the wringer, but fighting a demon war could do that to you John surmised.

The four men stopped when all eyes turned their way. Sadness filled those eyes as none of the hunters were yet aware of the miracle that had just taken place. Some eyes conveyed surprise as the older hunters recognized John from years past. Dean gazed around the room, his eyes searching for Maggie. He caught sight of her just as she saw him. She quickly strode across the room toward the group of men. Bobby and Jakota nodded, then headed for the food line, leaving Dean and John to talk to the doctor.

"Maggie, this is my dad, John," Dean said as the doctor stopped in front of them.

"Y-your father? But I thought he was..." Maggie stammered as she stared at the dark eyed man.

"Yeah, I did too. Seems Azazel didn't kill him, but wanted me and Sammy to think he did. Anyway, when Sam killed Azazel, Dad was set free," Dean explained.

Maggie reached her hand out and John took the offered hand in his. "It's very nice to meet you John. I've heard a lot about you."

"It's nice to meet you too Maggie," John replied politely.

"Dad, Maggie is the doctor here. She's patched us up more times than I can count. We've kept her and Isaral quite busy," Dean said.

"Ah. I'm sure. My boys have a knack for getting hurt, especially Sam. Oh...you'll need to go check on Sam right away," John said.

Maggie looked at John with confusion. Why check on Sam? As much as it hurt her to think of the young man, her expertise could do nothing for him now. He was gone before anyone ever reached him.

"Sam? But...I don't understand. Sam's gone," Maggie said, her confused eyes searching the men before her for an explanation.

The other hunters in the room sat silently as the conversation was taking place, curious as to what was happening. They were soon rewarded with an answer and the room became abuzz with whispered voices when the truth was revealed.

"Maggie, Sam's alive," Dean exclaimed, glancing around the room at the gasps he heard.

"What!? But that's impossible. He...last night...he had no pulse, no heartbeat, no breathing..." the doctor cried as she stared at the two men in shock.

"Isaral said that he is still needed here. He's been resurrected Maggie. He woke for a moment but fell asleep. Bryan's with him now," John explained.

"I...I better go then. I...uh...I'll go get some things from my quarters then I'll check him. Dean...he's really alive?" Maggie stammered.

"Yes Maggie. Sammy's back." Dean smiled as the doctor hurried from the hall. He knew how fond Maggie was of Sam, how he reminded her of her long dead brother.

John and Dean were soon surrounded by hunters, all wanting confirmation that the leader they had all come to respect and care for was indeed back in the land of the living. Once the Winchesters were set free from the mob of hunters, they hurried through the food line and joined Bobby and Jakota at a table, all the men eating absently as a multitude of thoughts raced through their minds. Jakota finished first, then stood and placed his plate on the cart next to the wall behind him.

"I'm gonna get Bryan a plate. I'll just hang out in Sam's room for a while," he said, eagerly wanting to check on his friend.

Once Jakota had prepared a plate for his younger brother and left, the three remaining hunters glanced around the table at each other. No words were spoken, their long history with each other making words unnecessary. Each man felt like a huge weight had been lifted from them. Their Sammy had defeated the demon army and had died as a result. Now he was resurrected, back with them. They weren't sure what to expect from the youngest of them when he awoke, not knowing what kind of effect the experience would have on him, but they were determined to help him with whatever he needed. Sam was back and each one vowed to make sure it stayed that way.

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So? Am I forgiven? I sure hope so. I certainly hope that made up for the heartache I caused you all. Please let me know. Two chapter left folks!

Cindy.