Here is the second half of The Choice. Warning: there is some dark subject matter but it is only mentioned and does not go into detail.

Cindy.

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The Choice-Part Two

It was four weeks before Sam actually looked at them and they were overjoyed. That was until he rose from his bed in the cabin they had rented and walked to the nearest person, which of course was Dean, because really, he hadn't been more than five feet away from Sam's side since they rescued him. As Sam neared Dean, his dull hazel eyes, which used to be so full of life and vibrancy, fixed on his face. He lifted his hands to his shirt collar and with trembling fingers he pulled the collar down and turned his head, tilting it so his throat was exposed. It didn't take anyone in the room long to realize that Sam was offering his neck to Dean, mistakenly assuming that Dean wished to feed.

Dean reached out, tears in his eyes, and gently pulled Sam's hand from his collar then with his fingers moved Sam's head until they were looking each other in the eyes. A look of understanding and extreme sadness crossed Sam's face and he slowly moved his hands down and began to unfasten his jeans. The sound of John's shocked cry filled the room as understanding of what Sam thought was expected of him hit the hunters like a sledgehammer. Their worst fears had been confirmed in that one action. John stumbled to the bathroom as he mumbled brokenly, "What have I done? What have I done?" He barely made it before the contents of his stomach were emptied into the toilet.

Dean stood, unable to breathe as he stared at his baby brother. He fell to the floor as his knees gave way beneath him, then he curled into a ball at Sam's feet, his sobs breaking the already broken hearts of the hunters that bore witness to the agonizing scene. Sam stood motionless, his fingers frozen on the button of his jeans. He gazed down at Dean with confusion, but that was his only movement. Dean's sobs subsided and he slowly rose from the floor. John's retching also ceased and he staggered from the bathroom as he wiped the back of his hand across his mouth.

John watched as Dean grasped Sam's hands in his and led him to the bed. He gently guided Sam down onto the edge, then seated himself next to him. He took Sam into his arms and kissed him softly on top of his head.

"No Sammy, you never have to do any of that ever again. You're home now and we will always protect you. I promise," Dean whispered as he pulled his brother tighter to himself.

Sam pulled away and gazed at Dean and for the first time in a month actually saw him. In a small voice, scratchy and hoarse from months of disuse, Sam whispered one word and it was the most beautiful sound any of them had ever heard.

"D-Dean?"

Sam threw his arms around Dean's neck and began to sob, his tears soaking the fabric on Dean's shoulder. Dean pulled Sam closer, his arms wrapped so tightly around Sam's back it felt like he'd never let go.

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John sat, lost in thought, at the table of the small cabin. It had been almost a month since that awful but equally wonderful day when horrible revelations were revealed, and a voice had finally been heard. Sam still didn't talk much and when he did it was only to Dean. He had yet to acknowledge John and it weighed heavily on the man's heart. Of course, John knew he didn't deserve his baby's attention or love. After all, it was he who gave Sam over to the vampire and everything that had been done to him was his fault. He had had plenty of time to look back over the past months and was appalled at his behavior. Instead of searching for his son, he had left that to his friends while he dragged Dean into hunt after hunt when he knew all Dean wanted to do was to find his beloved brother. He was unable to bring himself to tell Dean that he thought Sam was already lost to them and that the hunts were his way of forgetting just how much he had failed his baby boy.

When Dean had asked him a few weeks ago why he had chosen him over Sam, John had explained that he felt he and Dean would have a better chance of rescuing Sam than if it was Dean who needed rescuing. Dean had shouted that it was a bunch of bull and had stormed off, but John knew in his heart it was true. He loved both of his boys equally, but in retrospect could understand why it appeared to not be the case. He was harder on Sam and less apt to show him the love that he was able to show Dean. He didn't understand why he was that way but vowed if Sam ever forgave him, he would never deny his baby that love again.

John looked over to the bed in the corner and watched his youngest as he slept. He was suddenly overwhelmed with his feelings of guilt and remorse and before he could stop them, tears spilled over from his dark eyes. He dropped his head to the table and wept bitter tears of regret and shame. He continued to weep until a light, gentle touch rested on his shoulder. He peered up into the sad eyes of his youngest son. His breath caught and he stared, unable to say a word. This was the first time Sam had looked at him and he had no clue as to what he should say. As it turned out, he didn't need to say anything at all.

"Dad?" Sam started, his voice soft and slightly hoarse. "Please don't cry. You made the right choice. I understand why you chose Dean and it's okay."

John stood from the chair and took Sam's face in his hands. "Oh Sam, I should have figured out a way to save you both. I…"

"No Dad. He would have killed both Dean and I. We're both alive because of the choice you made. I wish it could have been different, but it was what it was."

"Sam…what you went through…what you endured…I…I'm so sorry. I couldn't protect you from that and it's all my fault…"

"I forgive you Dad. Now…you have to forgive yourself. I'm okay…we're all okay. That's what matters. Please Dad…I love you and I want you…I need you to forgive yourself."

John let out a sob and reached for his son, pulling him into a strong embrace. He held Sam tighter as the boy also began to weep. He nuzzled his face into Sam's hair as he softly spoke.

"I love you so much Sam and I'm sorry I never let you see that. I'm sorry you've had so much pain in your life. You deserve so much better. I will forgive myself, but not today. I need to feel the pain for one more day then tomorrow, we'll start over."

Sam wrapped his arms around his father's waist and relished in the safety and comfort John's embrace offered. He nodded his head, unable to speak through his tears. He was truly home now and his family was on the mend. He could finally put all of the bad things behind him and for the first time in eight months could see a future ahead of him.

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"Wake up sleepyhead," Dean's voice urged as he leaned over his sleeping brother. "We have a surprise for you."

Sam moaned softly and rolled onto his side, mumbling something incoherent as he tried to stay asleep. A hand gently nudging his shoulder brought him around and he turned his head as his eyes fluttered open. He looked up sleepily into Dean's smiling face. He had only meant to take a short nap but he could tell from the light that shone through the window that it was late afternoon, which meant he had slept several hours. He slowly pulled himself up and stared at Dean.

"What time is it?" he asked tiredly.

"It's time for you to get your lazy butt outa' bed and come outside," Dean joked.

Sam swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. "I'm comin'…I'm comin'," he said grumpily.

Dean led him to the door then flung it open and pulled Sam out onto the porch. Sam's eyes grew large when he saw the setup in the front yard of the cabin.

"Wh-what's all this?" he asked in wonder.

"Well…we figured since we missed your birthday…we'd kinda celebrate a few months late," Dean answered as he tried to mask the sadness he felt at Sam spending his fifteenth birthday as a captive of the vampire.

Sam turned to his brother and smiled warmly.

"Y-You did this for me?" he asked quietly.

"Of course we did it for you Sammy! Now come on…let's have cake!" Dean chirped as he bounded down the steps.

Sam stepped gingerly off the porch, his eyes taking in the colorfully decorated table, the big chocolate cake complete with candles, and the rough and tumble hunters that sat around the table, cheerful party hats securely on their heads.

"Well come on kiddo, we're not getting any younger over here," Caleb called, a huge grin on his face.

"What are you guys doing here? I thought you were all on a Wendigo hunt," Sam said sheepishly.

"Ahhh…we finished that up. We couldn't miss your birthday party Sam," Joshua answered cheerfully, the balloon decorated party hat sitting crookedly on his head.

"I…I've never had a birthday party before," Sam whispered as he approached the table.

"Yeah…well, there's a first time for everything," Bobby said.

"Sit down Sam! Come on," Dean cried as he pulled out the chair that sat at the head of the table.

Sam sat down and Dean slid a party hat onto his head before placing one on his own head. He then rested his hands on Sam's shoulders.

"Where's Dad?" Sam asked, his eyes searching around the property.

"Oh…he's around," Dean said with a smile. "Close your eyes Sammy."

Sam closed his eyes and waited nervously for whatever was going to happen. A few moments later, Dean instructed him to open his eyes and when he did, all he could do was stare in shock. John stood beside Sam, and held safely in his arms was the cutest puppy Sam had ever seen.

"What…is it mine?" he asked, afraid that if he touched it and it wasn't really his, he'd burst out crying in front of all these men.

"Yeah Sammy, she's all yours," John said in his gravely voice, a happy grin on his face.

Sam reached out and ran his fingers through the puppy's thick, downy fur. The puppy wriggled in John's arms, attempting to get to Sam as it apparently already decided that Sam was its boy. Sam took the puppy from John and hugged it close to his chest, smiling brightly as it licked spastically at his chin. Suddenly, the puppy wriggled free and jumped from Sam's lap, then raced across the grass, yipping wildly. Sam jumped from his seat and chased happily after her in what had become a game of tag. The puppy ran through Sam's legs and as Sam spun to grab her, he lost his balance and fell to the ground with at thud.

The puppy was on Sam in a heartbeat, taking a mouthful of Sam's shirt and tugging wildly while shaking its head side to side. It was at that moment that the older Winchesters heard something they hadn't heard since before the whole nightmare began, and they nearly came undone with joy. Lying on the grass, wrestling with the roly poly ball of fur, Sam Winchester began to laugh and it was the sweetest, most miraculous sound that had ever been heard in all the history of the world. At least it was to the rag tag bunch of hunters that were assembled.

Dean and John looked at one another and each saw tear-filled eyes staring back at them. Dean turned his eyes back to Sam and in a trembling voice he called for his brother.

"Hey Sam, c'mere. You need to make a wish!"

Sam smiled, gazing at his family and friends and shook his head.

"That's okay Dean. My wish has already come true."

The End

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Well, there it is. I hope you all enjoyed my little distraction. Please let me know what you think.

Cindy.