Disclaimer: I don't own Dean, Sam or Bobby. That honor belongs to Eric Kripke. Though he is generous to allow us fans to play with his sandbox, and for that I thank him.

A.N: Nothing to say really.

Summary: Takes an AU approach to the events after 5x18 Point of No Return. After returning to Bobby's Dean realizes a piece of himself will forever be missing…..or will it? MajorGuiltyDean and some LimpSam

Chapter 3: Side-effects?

The Winchester walked back into the house locking up behind them. They returned to the table to finish up their meal. Dean glanced at Sam.

He swallowed his bite of food before asking, "Are you alright? You are looking a bit pale, there."

'And quiet', was his added thought to himself.

Sam had been preoccupied with stifling the dull pain that seemed to be a part of his chest and back now. He was sitting extremely still. Well, as still as he could and still eat. He making sure to breathe a bit shallower so that it did not hurt him as much. It was working….at little.

Dean took the time to really look at Sam, lowering his fork. He knitted his eyebrows together in worry.

Sam looked up. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you keep asking?" he asked.

Dean just stared at him. Sam shifted once under his unflinching glaze. Finally he stood up taking his plate with him. Turning his back he was slow to put his dish in the sink.

"So, what are you going to do?" Sam asked. He was aware of his brother's piercing glaze on his back as he proceeded to occupy himself with fixing the sink to let the dishes soak to watch later.

Dean didn't answer right away. He was starting to see that something was wrong but Sam wouldn't tell him. He would give it a short while and then he would hound his brother until he told him.

"Well, since Bobby's out and won't be back until tomorrow, I'm going to rock his TV set", Dean finally answered finishing off the last of his pancakes.

Sam made the mistake of letting a chuckle out then broke off suddenly, his hand flying up to grasp his chest. He breathed and shut his eyes leaning on the sink. He tried to breathe through it. It seemed to work. He was unaware of a hand on his back and worried eyes glazing at him, or even a voice calling his name.

It took a few moments to realize he was being called for.

"Dean?" Sam questioned.

Sam felt Dean relaxed if only marginally. "Seriously, what's wrong?" Dean asked.

Sam couldn't help to reveled in the concern in Dean's voice. A few weeks ago, Dean wasn't the overprotective big brother….he barely cared. Now though, he seemed to be watching Sam closely for anything out of place. Sam knew that someday it'll get on his nerves again but for now he was grateful for it.

Truly.....

"Guess, I shouldn't have chuckled so hard", Sam gave a sideways smile.

Dean didn't find it funny as he furrowed his brow. "Sam if that was chuckling hard I'd want to know what is chuckling easy."

"Ha-ha…..just sleeping in a car wasn't agreeable I guess", Sam said.

"I know you are a giant, Sam, but are you sure that is all it is?"

"What do you mean?" Sam found he was able to stand up a little straighter, his hand falling from his chest, as he turned to his brother.

"Zacky. Are you sure it's not a side effect of whatever he was doing to you?"

Sam thought about it as he felt the pain receding. "I'm sure it's nothing of that sort", he said.

"Maybe….we should go to the hospital just in case", Dean said eyeing his little brother.

"Dean….." there was a warning in Sam's voice. He was not going to the hospital! And he was not going to a hospital especially given the current world crisis going on right now. He would not lay up in bed for even a second when all hands were needed on deck.

Dean studied his brother then slowly relented though everything in him was saying put the guy in a sack and drag him to the hospital. But he would let Sam be an adult….for now.

"Fine….but you let me know if it gets worse, understand." Dean gave his no-nonsense voice.

Sam smiled, his eyes lightening up, unexpectedly making Dean frown and ask, "What?"

"Nothing…", Sam looked away from Dean with a small smile, "Nothing at all", he murmured quietly.

"You still haven't agreed", Dean pressed.

"I shall tell you, if it gets worse", Sam promised.

Dean nodded after a moment and stepped away from Sam. "Anyway, let's go rock the TV set", he said with a small grin.

"Nah, I should scope through Bobby's books", Sam said absently.

"Sam…..take it easy and take a break….." Dean said glaring at his younger sibling.

"That is taking a break from me", Sam's mouth twitched.

Dean sighed. "Fine…do whatever." Then with a final glance over Dean darted into the living room and turned the TV on.

Sam breathed a sigh of relief and absently his hand went up to rub his chest. He didn't want to give Dean anything more to worry about then what was already on his plate. He would take care of this himself. Sam turned and got out some Tylenol.

TBC....

A.N: Typical Sam, swallow the pain and move on....

Next chapter things start making some headway.