Dean sat in the Impala with his head back, his eyes closed, listening to the local classic rock station on the radio. He was startled by Sam's tapping on the glass. Dean rolled down his window and Sam took his brother's face in his hands and kissed him.

"You came." He said.

Dean answered. "Not yet." He gave his brother the full smile, with the full effect.

Sam huffed then told Dean he would run upstairs to grab a bag. He asked for five minutes. Dean put his head back and closed his eyes. He knew it was showtime and he was okay. It was him and Sammy; nothing was easier than that.

It seemed like no time had passed when Dean heard the back door open. Through the rear view mirror, he saw a duffel bag and a backpack fly onto the back seat. Within seconds, Sam was in the front seat and asked, "Are you hungry? Do you feel like driving?"

Dean opened his eyes and without lifting his head, looked towards Sam. "That's what you college guys call a rhetorical question, right?"

"Just drive, Dean."

By a mutual unspoken agreement , they kept the chatter light. They fell into that comfortable 'on the road' synergy they had developed that allowed them to spend endless hours in the car.

Sam directed them roughly forty miles southwest to a town that shared the exit ramp with Santa Cruz. It was so remote, they found it by mile marker not road sign. After parking the car, they walked about three minutes and into a dive. Dean was happy; this almost always meant good food.

The place had six tables plus a counter that could seat four. And it was busy. There was a dry erase board, in the window, listing the daily offering. As they walked in, Dean noticed an older man who appeared to be the cook, the waiter, the busboy, one or all. Sam caught his eye, held up two fingers, and led his brother to a table in the corner.

A young man came to the table with two ice cold bottled beers. The plates came soon after. It was the best Mexican food Dean had ever eaten, with plenty of tequila and ice cold cervezas, If this was life out here, he thought, sign me up.

After the meal, they decided to walk off some of the alcohol before getting back on the road. It was obvious that Sam had been here before so, Dean let him take the lead.

They crossed the main street and walked down a tree lined road scattered with small houses. At the end, was a large brick building. At one time, it had been industrious, now it appeared vacant. As they walked, Sam, encouraged by alcohol, told Dean about Ray. It was difficult finding the words to describe to Dean how much he missed him. How, when he saw Ray, he could only think of Dean. He compared it to grabbing a life preserver. There was no future in it. But, it was almost like having him there.

As they turned the corner, Sam took hold of his brother and slammed him into the brick wall. He pressed his body against him, pinning him in place. Sam looked into Dean's face and asked, "Do I have to say it?"

Through a wicked smile, Dean answered, "I'm better looking?" Sam reached one hand around Dean's head and kissed him.

The kisses were slow and deliberate and matched their breathing. Unable to lift his arms without force, Dean maneuvered one hand and grabbing Sam's waistband, pulled him closer. Sam's body relaxed enough for Dean to free his other hand. He took advantage of Sam's disorientation and switched their positions. Dean took control; he undid the button and opened the zipper.

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Back on the road, they decided to find a place midway, to spend the night, although it was still early. Sam asked Dean how he had spent the morning.

"I took a drive down 'el camino real'"

"You mean route 82 ?"

"No, Sam. I mean 'el ca-mi-no re-al', come on!"

Sam raised his hands in surrender and laughed. "And?"

Dean told him about seeing Billy and the conversation they had. He didn't go too far into detail; Sam didn't need to know all his doubts. He did tell him how well they got along and how easy it was to talk to him. Sam was very pleased to know that Dean liked his friends.

They pulled into the parking lot of a small hotel and Sam said his brother's name.

The way he said it made Dean's spine stiffen and caused him to take in a sharp breath. Dean was very rarely truly afraid. He closed his eyes and waited.

"Dean, I can't do this any more."