A/N: This has been bugging me since I watched AHBL Parts 1 and 2. I couldn't help but wonder where Sam was when he was "dead" and this came to mind. So, it set right after those two eppys. One-shot.

"Wrap me in a bolt of lightning

Send me on my way still smiling

Maybe thats the way I should go

Straight into the mouth of the unknown..."

Song: Call Me By: Shinedown

Caught in the Middle:

By: LOSTrocker

It was a question that Dean kept in the back of his mind. He thought he could keep it there but every time he looked at Sam it only inched closer and closer to the tip of his tongue. Where had Sam been while he was "dead"? Heaven? Hell? Dean would hate to think the latter but that damn Yellow Eyed bastard words about Sam coming back and not being as pure as he thought scared the crap out of him. And he had done it. That was the worst part.

"Dude, what?" Sam asked from the passenger seat of the Impala. He saw Dean looking his way. There was something taunting in his brother's eyes that he couldn't escape. What was going on in Dean's head? Contrary to popular belief Dean did think. It was a scary concept Sam knew but it happened.

"Nothin'," Dean answered and focused his eyes on the road.

"Bull." called Sam. "Dean, what is it?"

Dean sighed and rolled his eyes. "I was just wondering... You know... When you were..."

"Dead?" Sam finished knowing that was never an easy thing to say for Dean.

"Yeah..." Dean went on. "Where were you? If you remember?"

"What brought this on?" Sam wondered.

Dean shrugged. "Humor me." The truth was if it had been Hell Sam was at he wouldn't mind a preview. That way he could prepare himself but one couldn't really get ready for going head first straight into The Pit now could they?

Sam tried to think back. It was time he'd rather like to forget because no matter how long he was gone he was still separated from his brother. Then he remembered shades of gray. No fire or bright light. Just gray. "To be honest I don't know." Sam finally gave his answer. "I just remember gray."

"Gray?" Dean asked.

"Yeah." Sam answered.

Dean gulped a little with his next question. "Nothing hurt you did it Sammy?"

Sam shook his head. "No, there was no one else there. Just me."

Dean sighed with relief with that one. Where his brother had been... Limbo or wherever at least there was no pain. Sadly, he couldn't say the same for him and where he was going.

Sam knew about the deal. He couldn't interfere. If he did he was as good as dead. Still, there was some hope. If Dean could bring him back then there was one hell of a slim chance that he could do the same for Dean.

END.