With finals done, I give you a very early Christmas present!

Don't own the boys even though I wish I did…

Enjoy!

Chapter 6 – The Voice in My Head Says No

Dean slept peacefully on the bed. His leg hung off the side as if he had fallen asleep before he actually got comfortable. His right thumb was looped under his belt while his other hand rested against his hip. Dean was just there, vulnerable, exposed, waiting. Lucifer walked over to the bed. He stood for a moment, just watching Dean.

Lucifer took in the sight of him, drank in Dean's presence. Lucifer didn't know what this felt like but he wasn't sure there were words to describe this pressure, this feeling.

The light caught Dean's chest and the blatant red scars glowed supernaturally against his pale skin. There were raised lines flowing swiftly down Dean's chest and Lucifer rubbed his own nails subconsciously.

Lucifer knelt beside the bed, his hips pressed against the low mattress. His hand hovered inches over the scars. Castiel had done wonders healing Dean, but the marks remained. Lucifer traced one scar from Dean's collar bone to the top of his jeans, his finger barely skimming the skin.

Dean shivered. His head rolled but he didn't wake. Lucifer traced another, being just as gentle. He saw Dean writhe in pain, the wounds suddenly bloody, but this was something different. Lucifer jerked his hand back but Dean hadn't moved; it was just a flash of a memory. A calm trail of blood ran down Dean's skin. It stained Lucifer's finger tip. Another shiver ran through Dean's body, and Lucifer watched him warily.

Lucifer hesitated. He was curious. He couldn't resist.

He traced another scar. Soft, new flesh. And Dean seemed weary, his face drained of energy, his skin growing heated under Lucifer's finger. He pulled his hand back as Dean's skin darkened. Lucifer's touch was toxic.

It was very human of Lucifer to be curious. It was very human of him to question things. But he wasn't human. The mere fact that he couldn't touch Dean without causing him pain was proof enough. He came with a purpose. As if Dean responded to Lucifer's decision, he bared his neck with a tilt of his head.

Lucifer wasn't sure what his problem was. Dean's death would put them at a tactical advantage. His army would take the world even faster. Dean meant nothing to him.

But Dean meant something to Sam.

Lucifer stood. Sam was dead and Dean would die at his hand as well. Just as he had to kill his sun now he had to kill Sam's brother. All is fair in war.

When Lucifer's hand brushed against Dean's neck, the skin was warm and felt like Dean. He hadn't shaven in a few days and the stubble was raspy against the soft flesh of Lucifer's hand. His grip encompassed most of Dean's neck.

How was Dean not awake yet?

Lucifer hesitated. His hand brushed lightly against Dean's chin and the man's eyes flew open. There was Hell-fire behind the emerald green eyes. A fist connected solidly with Lucifer's chin. He held on and pressed on Dean's windpipe. Immediately Dean's hands grabbed Lucifer's wrist and tried to loosen his hold. Dean kicked out at his attacker trying to knock Lucifer off balance.

Lucifer laughed lowly. The noise would barely reach Dean's ears. He drove a knee into Dean's chest, and the man coughed up air as his lips turned blue. Lucifer felt the blood seep into his jeans. Dean's foot hit the floor noisily and Lucifer pressed harder. Dean froze for an instant his nails red with Lucifer's blood.

Lucifer laughed again. He moved one hand and put a finger to his lips and shook his head. He leaned in to Dean's ear so that his voice was only a whisper. "No need to wake the family, Dean."

Dean grunted back and slammed his foot against the ground. Lucifer pressed up against his jaw, making it difficult for Dean to breathe. Dean's faltered; his nostril's flared. Lucifer's thumbs dug deeper into Dean's windpipe. The man flailed half-heartedly, his foot tapping the ground lightly.

Dean!

Lucifer froze.

Dean!

No. It couldn't be. Lucifer felt his hands shaking against Dean's throat. He felt them loosen and heard Dean gasp for air in shallow gulps, weary of Lucifer staring at him with blood red eyes. Dean's face mirrored Lucifer's confusion but not his horror.

Lucifer's knee digging into Dean's chest, bearing Sam's full weight, still cut the man's breath short.

Lucifer shuddered. His hands moved backwards against his will. He stood and stepped back. Dean panted on the bed for a moment. There was a war in his eyes. Lucifer could see deep within the green; Dean couldn't decide whether to attack or regroup.

Dean had no more than stood up when Castiel swung in the doorway. Shock crossed his features as Lucifer glared at Dean. Lucifer's anger boiled but all he could do was stand there. He shot a warning glance to Castiel. Dean still eyed Lucifer warily.

Lucifer pushed forward. Just one leg at a time. Just one. It wouldn't budge. He tried moving backwards and his body responded too quickly. His steps stuttered as he slid back. Lucifer had to stop when his wings hit the wall.

Dean rubbed his neck gently as if brushing the feeling of Sam's hands from his throat. His eyes followed Lucifer. Castiel darted across the room, but even that couldn't draw Dean's eyes from his brother.

The only noise that filled the silence was the rustle of Lucifer's wings against the wall. He felt the pressure holding his limbs infiltrate his mind. A harsh force building against his thoughts, it drowned out Lucifer's control.

"Dean," he whispered. The name sounded forced and breathy. It sounded sacred and holy. It sounded like it didn't belong on his tongue, and yet left the most pleasant taste behind. Lucifer felt his muscles shiver under the contradiction.

Lucifer's fist clenched against his will; it drew his attention down. He stared at his fist and tried to unclench it. He looked up again to meet Dean's eyes. The shock in the emerald green reflected Lucifer's. A subtle reflection in the window caught his eye. The hazel had returned.

Dean! Sam's voice whispered, except it came out of Lucifer's mouth. It came out with that same tingle of wrong but so right. Lucifer shuddered but his body didn't follow.

Sam was alive. Lucifer felt him move to take control and fought him. He attacked Sam's mind attempting to throw him off balance. Sam instinctually grabbed his head and dropped to his knees.

Dean faltered. He took a half step forward before pulling his hand away. Lucifer could see the flash of need in Dean's eyes. It radiated from his posture. He needed to help Sam.

"Dean." Sam's plea rang needy and helpless.

"S-Sam," Dean stuttered. He took half a step forward, completely ignoring Castiel's hand on his chest.

"You've got to help me man." Every other word came out in Lucifer's deep voice. He felt Sam's control falter.

"There's nothing you can do." Again Sam's voice shared Lucifer's protest.

Sam tilted their head back and stared at the ceiling. Lucifer clawed his way back; he was stronger, more powerful then Sam could ever be. I'll deal with you later. A harsh cry escaped his throat before Sam fell back again.

"Sammy," Dean whispered.

"Not anymore." Lucifer stood, blood red eyes focusing on Dean. "Now he can watch you die." Lucifer pushed himself forward. The resistance rose against him and he paused. You can hear his heart come to a slow and painful stop while your own hands are wrapped tightly around his throat.

Lucifer suppressed the urge to cry out with Sam. A slight whimper escaped in its place. He snarled at the sound echoing inside his head. Lucifer waved his hand and Castiel flew backward against the wall. The angel looked so flustered pressed there with his trench coat fluttering open.

"Let him go," Dean rumbled.

"I don't think you are at liberty to give me orders. Just curious, which one?" Lucifer didn't want to kill Dean anymore. He wanted to make him suffer, long and slow so that Sam would suffer just as much.

Lucifer watched the light catch Dean's scarred chest as the man shifted from one leg to another. Sam moaned in agony, a retched noise that seemed to chill Lucifer's skin and seep out of his pores. His human body wanted to shiver but he refused to let it.

"Let them both go. Get the fuck out of my brother, you bastard."

"Well, that is quite a demand coming from you. I don't think you could stop me if I wanted this one to die." Lightning fast, he was across the room; his hand was cutting off Castiel's air, a gentle sizzling crackle raced along his skin. Castiel jerked but the pressure holding him to the wall echoed it as a twitch.

"But you can't kill Sam," Dean stated forcefully. His eyes darted to Castiel's face, worry crossing his features.

"Not here, but I have another visit to the freezing ocean planned that shall surely put him down again, for good this time." Dean's breath rushed out. "I drowned him once already I can do it again, but this time Sammy won't have an extra life."

"It didn't work the first time; what makes you think my brother won't be strong enough to fight you again?" There was venom in the statement.

"You'll already be dead." Lucifer laughed. Sam cried Dean's name again.

Dean growled. It was a low and feral sound. The flash of teeth reminded Lucifer of a cornered animal, not going down without a fight. "Then do it already," Dean challenged.

Lucifer moved forward slowly, a chuckle rumbling in his chest. "What do you think you are doing?" Castiel's voice was rough but Dean didn't seem to here. His scowl didn't falter.

Lucifer's hand was inches from Dean while Castiel was still pressed solidly against the wall. Lucifer smiled when Dean tilted his head back, baring his throat. Sam's hand found that precise spot around Dean's throat, that one brush of skin that made Lucifer shiver. He stopped.

Sam held him back. Dean was still staring at him as the stubble covering his chin rasped against Lucifer's hand. Dean's own hand flew out and caught Lucifer solidly in the jaw. The blow made Lucifer's head spin but his body stood rigid.

Shit! Again, Dean. Sam called to his brother but Lucifer still had control over his mouth. Somehow the message came through loud and clear because Dean swung again. The sharp sting died quickly. He tried for Lucifer's stomach but even Sam could have taken the blow.

"Trying to hurt me Dean?" Control was flooding Lucifer as he fought the restraint. Sam wasn't able to endure the constant pressure. His hand tightened. He watched the scowl on Dean's face fail as his air supply disappeared. "You aren't doing a very good job."

Dean grabbed Lucifer's arm. He reached out for Lucifer, but his arm was too short to reach his neck. Sam thrashed around violently.

Lightning raced across Lucifer's skin. It burned but he didn't show that he was in any pain. The next flare was stronger and Sam's cry of pain made Lucifer flinch.

"The angel's are coming," Castiel's voice rang out. "Brother, they are coming to kill you."

Good. If I can't stop you then they can, Sam growled.

Except they won't get here in time to save Dean. He will die here for nothing.

Sam's thoughts faltered. Another shock made Lucifer's muscles twitch.

But they won't be able to kill me Sam. It takes a lot to kill an angel. His death will be in vain. Lucifer wrapped this around Sam's mind like a sturdy rope.

He felt Sam try to hold on, felt him try to keep Lucifer standing there waiting for the angels. Dean would gladly die if it meant the death of you.

Would he die if it meant the death of you?

He… That was the problem. Lucifer picked at Sam's mind. Dean would do anything to save Sam and Lucifer began to realize that the reverse was true as well. He would…

Sam. We need to leave. I will let your brother live if you let me leave this house. The lightning flared again and it visibly lit Lucifer's skin.

How can I trust you? You are the devil? Sam's decision was already made. Lucifer could feel it.

I am all you have at the moment. They won't see you in here, not like Dean does. They will kill you and me no matter what Dean does to stop them.

Sam still held back; Lucifer felt like mentally slapping Sam. But it didn't come to that. Release flooded every inch of his limbs. Castiel hit the floor in an unexpected heap. Dean stumbled back against the bed as Lucifer's hand fell open, his own hold failing. He stood for a moment looking down at Dean. Sam stirred restlessly at the back of his mind. Lucifer's eyes flickered hazel before Lucifer could stop them.

Lucifer nodded to Dean before letting the room melt around him.

The ocean was a wide stretch of black nothing. Lucifer could see but only through his sight instead of Sam's.

Wait. What are you doing?

"I'm putting an end to this." A sharp spray of mist hit Lucifer's chest.

No. I just saved you. We had a deal. Are you just going to go back on your word?

"No, Sam. The deal was for your brother's life, not yours. I can't have you hiding out in the back of my mind. You are a liability that I thought I was rid of."

No.

"I cannot fight you every time I move. I cannot allow you to live if you are going to be so disruptive. Your life is over." Lucifer stepped forward.

I stopped you once… I can do it again…

Sam fought viciously but he couldn't regain control. Lucifer laughed a little but didn't move any closer. "Sam, Sam, Sam. Your only power over me came in your brother's defense. You couldn't do that again if you tried."

No.

"Good bye Sam."