Author's note: Still don't own the boys or the other things I used from the show. I really hadn't planned for the story to turn out as long as it is, but I'm having fun playing with this new, "normal" life for the boys. Plus, I think they needed a break. Everyone deserves a vacation now and then. Also, I want to thank everyone for all the comments on the last two chapters. It's been really helpful and encouraging.

Chapter Three

The next morning, Sam woke up lying beside his brother. He glanced over and saw that Dean had finally fallen asleep too. It had been a long night. Dean's headache had caused him to vomit up most of the dinner they had eaten. The painkillers hadn't done much for the headache and Dean lie on the bed in pain for hours.

Sam rolled off the bed, careful not to move the bed and awaken Dean. When he could see that Dean was still out, he went to the bathroom. Elizabeth had left a note saying that she had gone to work and would see him soon. So Sam got dressed for work and fixed food for Dean to eat later. Then, he left his own note for Dean before leaving the apartment.

"How was Dean when you left?" Elizabeth asked.

"Still asleep."

"Good," she said. "He had a rough night."

"Yeah."

Elizabeth touched Sam's hand. "So did you. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm just worried about Dean."

"I get off here in an hour. I'll call you when I get home and let you know how he's doing," Elizabeth promised.

"Thanks. For everything. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"Funny," Elizabeth said.

"What is?"

"I was just thinking the same thing about you."

Before Sam even knew what was happening, they were kissing. He wasn't even certain which of them had started it, but he knew that he was the first to pull back. Elizabeth took a step back. "I'm sorry. I, um, I didn't mean to do that."

"Me either."

"I really didn't invite you to stay with me so we could hook up," Elizabeth said.

"I know. It's okay. Uh, so call me when you check on Dean."

"Sure."

And Elizabeth hurried off to find something to do elsewhere.

Dean found the food Sam had left for him in the refrigerator and forced himself to eat some. He still wasn't that hungry, but he knew that Sam would nag him if he didn't try to eat at least some of it.

He was just sticking it back into the fridge when Elizabeth entered the apartment. "Hey, you're up. How are you feeling?" she asked, coming over to get a closer look at him.

"Better. The headache's mostly gone."

"Good. Do you need anything?"

Dean shook his head and regretted it immediately. Elizabeth pulled a chair out for him and guided him back into it. "Did you see Sam?"

"Yeah," Elizabeth said, going over to the cabinets to retrieve a glass.

Dean frowned. "Did something happen?"

"No. We just talked," Elizabeth said, not turning, despite the fact that she had the glass in hand now.

Dean smiled. "You kissed him, didn't you?"

"What?" Elizabeth asked, whipping around so fast she nearly dropped her glass. "How did you know?"

Dean shrugged, still grinning. "I guess I'm good at sizing people up. Maybe it's a skill I used to have, you know, before."

"Well, it was a mistake. It won't happen again."

"Sure," Dean said.

"It won't," Elizabeth said with more firmness in her voice. "I don't think Sam will let it."

"Why not?"

"I don't think he likes me."

Dean snorted. "Are you blind? Of course he does. He's just not sure how to show it. It's been hard for him since Jessica died."

"Who's Jessica?"

Dean frowned, shaking his head. "I…I don't know."

Elizabeth leaned over the counter, closer to Dean. "Well, you said that it had been hard for Sam since she died. Was she a wife? Girlfriend?"

Dean studied the marble counter as though the answer would appear there. "I don't know." Dean rubbed his forehead, squinting. "I can't remember."

Elizabeth came over to him. "Is the headache back?"

"Yeah."

"Come on," Elizabeth said, helping him to his feet. She led him back to bed. "When I was little and I used to have a headache, my mom used to rub my head and it would take some of the pain away. Do you want me to try it?"

Dean's eyes were closed tightly. "Okay."

Elizabeth gently massaged his head, working from his forehead all the way down to the base of his neck. Slowly, she felt Dean relaxing against her and his breathing evened out. When she backed away, he was still asleep.

As soon as Elizabeth heard the key in the door she realized that she had forgotten to call Sam. "Is he okay?" were the first words out of Sam's mouth when he stepped into the apartment.

Elizabeth stood. "He's sleeping. I'm sorry I didn't call, Sam. Dean and I were talking and then he got another headache and I was trying to help him feel better and-"

"It's okay," Sam said. "I'm glad you were taking care of him. How bad was the headache?"

"It seemed pretty strong."

"I'm gonna look in on him," Sam said, already heading toward the bedroom.

When Sam returned, Elizabeth was stirring a pot of soup. "I thought soup might be easier on his stomach," Elizabeth said without looking up.

"That's a good idea. Do you need any help?"

Elizabeth shook her head, still avoiding Sam's eyes.

"So, I get my first paycheck at the end of the week. It won't be much, but with my tips, Dean and I should have enough to get a motel room."

"You'll barely have any money left for food," Elizabeth said, finally looking up.

"We'll make it work."

"I thought that's what you were doing now."

Sam sighed. "We can't stay here if it makes you uncomfortable."

"It doesn't make me uncomfortable, Sam. I shouldn't have kissed you. I should have realized that you didn't choose to stay here with me because you like me and I was just projecting my own feelings onto you."

"No, you were right. I do like you. It's just… things are complicated right now."

Elizabeth looked back into her pot of soup. "I get it. You don't have to explain."

"Look, Liz, I'm just worried about Dean right now. But I really do like you."

"Can I ask you a question?" Elizabeth asked.

"Sure."

"Who was Jessica?"

Sam drew in a breath. "Where did you hear about her?"

"Dean mentioned her, but he couldn't remember who she was. He said that she was important to you and she died. Was she your wife?"

"No, not yet."

"Dean said that you had had a hard time since her death."

Sam nodded. "It really hurt at first."

"So, her death was a surprise. I mean she died in an accident or something unexpected, right?'

"In a fire," Sam said.

"I'm really sorry, Sam. Look, I promise I won't come anywhere near you if it makes you uncomfortable, but please say you'll stay. It's been really nice having someone here when I got back from work."

This time, it was Sam who initiated the kiss, but neither one pulled back. At least until they both heard, "That's my boy."

"Dean? You're awake?" Sam said, turning toward his brother, who was standing in the hallway.

"Yeah."

"How do you feel?" Sam asked, going up to him.

"Probably not as good as you."

"Dean, seriously."

"I'm okay."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Did you have fun at work?" With the cocky smile lighting up Dean's face, Sam could almost forget that Dean had no memories extending beyond a week and a half in the past.

"It was a blast," Sam said. "Elizabeth made soup for dinner."

"Looks like you've already had dessert, though," Dean said.

Sam rolled his eyes at his brother. "Just sit down."

When the three of them finished dinner and had carried their dirty dishes to the sink, Elizabeth asked the boys to come and sit on the couch. Once Sam and Dean were seated, Elizabeth stood in front of them. "I have some news."

"What is it?'

"I got a job."

"A new job?" Sam asked.

Elizabeth nodded. "It's a job writing for an online magazine, so it's something I can do from the apartment. I've always wanted to write and Rett used to listen to my things and comment on them. He used to tell me that I should send them in. So, after he died, I made a promise to him that I would start sending in my stories. And, a week ago, I got an interview with this company. I just got a phone call yesterday asking me to write for them. The pay isn't great, but it's about what I was making at the restaurant, enough to eek by on. And there's always the chance to advance and it's something I really have an interest in."

"That's great, Liz," Sam said, standing.

Elizabeth smiled. "Yeah. It's fun sharing good news with other people."

"What is the magazine?" Sam asked.

Elizabeth looked down. "It's a little embarrassing."

"Come on," Dean said from the couch.

"Okay. Um, it's called Beyond the Veil. It's about supernatural things."

The surprise on Sam and Dean's faces must have been obvious, because Elizabeth turned away. "See, I knew you'd think it was stupid. But it's kind of always been a hobby of mine and Rett's. We used to make up stories about vampires, werewolves, goblins, ghosts, witches, and so on."

"Liz, we don't think it's stupid," Sam said, touching her shoulder.

Elizabeth turned around. "My parents used to tell us to grow up. You know, that we should be interested in normal things. I guess Rett and I were always weird."

"Actually, Sammy and I have been interested in supernatural things, too," Dean said.

"You're just saying that to make me feel like less of a dork, right?"

Sam shook his head. "No. Dean's right. Actually, supernatural things have kind of been a hobby of ours, too."

"Wow. Do you like stories about those kinds of things?"

"Fictional stories?" Sam asked. Elizabeth nodded. "We haven't read many," Sam said.

"Well, Rett and I used to write them together and on our own too. That's why the magazine wants me actually. For my supernatural stories. But since Rett died, I haven't had anyone to read them to. Are you interested?"

"Sure," Sam said.

"Okay. I'll go and get some, then," Elizabeth said.

As soon as Elizabeth left the room, Dean turned to Sam. "Sammy, that girl is perfect for you."

Sam didn't respond, just sat back down beside his brother.

Over the next two weeks, things continued much as they had before. Elizabeth finished out her two weeks at the restaurant and Sam continued to work there. Dean remained at the apartment.

However, as soon as Sam left for work, Dean would sneak out for some target practice in a remote area he had found. After two weeks of practicing, his aim had improved significantly, but a part of him knew that it still wasn't good enough.

Dean had also taken to studying their father's journal, trying to relearn all of the information about the various monsters they had faced. He quickly found that memorizing information was not a strong skill of his, but resolved to study all the more.

As far as the memories, Dean was still without any of his personal information. His childhood was a blank. He had no memories of Sam that extended beyond his hospital stay. And he found that no matter how hard he concentrated, he could not picture either his father or his mother's faces.

The headaches remained a constant problem, often leaving Dean gasping in pain. When they got that bad, Sam or Elizabeth stayed up with him, attempting to soothe the pain.

When Elizabeth finished her final two weeks at the restaurant, the routine shifted and she was now home. The first day, Dean awoke and ate breakfast like usual. He almost forgot that Elizabeth was even there, until he reached the door and heard her ask, "Where are you going?"

Dean turned. "Oh, I, uh, just wanted to go for a walk."

"Well, let me get my coat. I'll go with you," Elizabeth offered.

"I kind of want to be alone," Dean said.

"Oh, okay. Well, don't be gone too long. I want company for lunch."

Dean nodded.

As Dean and Elizabeth ate lunch that day, Dean said nothing of where he had gone. She didn't press him on it and as soon as lunch was over, Elizabeth returned to her room to write some more.

The next day, Dean went to his normal spot for target practice. After a few shots, however, the pain in his head that had been a dull throb suddenly doubled. After a few ragged breaths, Dean grabbed his things and started back toward the apartment. He only made it a few steps before collapsing.

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Author's note: I know that this chapter was short, but there's more to come, I promise. I felt like posting this much was better than making you wait another three days for anything. Like always, let me know what you think. I love reading reviews, even ones with suggestions for things to change or do in the future. So, please write and tell me what you think.