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Sam set to work getting Bobby set up in his room, and converting the couch into a bed for himself.

Dean almost offered to let Sam sleep in Robin's spot, she wouldn't be back until the early hours of the morning anyway, but he decided against it. The rift between them hadn't healed much and it would be awkward sleeping in the same bed now that they were two mostly grown men. He remembered sharing a bed with his brother as a child. Sam had always been so cuddly. He would start off on his side of the bed, not afraid of the dark or nightmares or anything, and by morning he was attached to his big brother's side.

The excitement of Bobby's arrival died down and soon the house was dark and quiet. Sam hadn't thought to grab pajamas from his room, and he didn't want to bother Bobby, so before tugging the covers up over himself, Sam pulled off his shirt and pants so that he was left with only his boxers, Next, he threw back a couple of pain pills. His pain had died down substantially, but he found that taking a few before bed helped keep mind numb and free of night terrors. It wasn't a perfect system, but it seemed to work most of the time.

Hours passed, and Sam slept soundly. A bit before dawn, Robin quietly entered the house. Dean had called earlier to inform her of their surprise visitor and he had assured her that they were making him as comfortable as possible.

Robin set down her bag and felt her way through the living room. She saw the outline of a sleeping figure on the couch/bed.

"Dean?" she whispered.

"Mmm," was the sleepy reply. Robin smiled. How sweet of her husband to take the roughest accommodation.

The next morning Sam woke with a feeling of peace he hadn't felt in a good few months. He felt warm and safe. He felt…human contact. Then he felt a kiss. He kissed back. What a nice dream. Wait…that was an actual kiss.

"Morning, babe." Robin's sleepy voice hummed.

Sam's eyes flew open. He was startled to find Robin lying next to him on the pullout couch bed. Sam propped himself up and scuttled away from her. Robin suddenly became aware of her surroundings as well. Her eyes grew large and she flung a hand over her mouth.

The two of them sat on the bed in silence. Then Robin began to laugh. It started as a small chuckle but grew into a loud roaring, snorting, rocking back and forth, laugh. She tried to stop laughing long enough to spit out a few words, but she couldn't get herself under control.

Dean popped a messy head around the corner. "Robin, you're back late. I didn't hear you come in."

Dean entered the living room and took a seat. He was still in his plaid pajama pants and white t-shirt.

Sam was turning bright red, and the sight of him and his embarrassment only made Robin laugh harder.

"What's so funny?" Dean asked, looking back and forth between his wife and his brother. He noticed Sam's look of horror. "Robin?"

Robin had controlled her hysterics a bit and was trying to take deep breaths. It was funny, plus she was exhausted, and things are always funnier when you're tired. She held up a finger, telling Dean to hold his horses. A few more deep breaths and then she cleared her throat.

"Dean." She would have to say it fast because she could feel her smile spreading, "I came home a little early. I was tired and I thought you were sleeping on the pullout."

"Ok?" Dean was failing to see the humor, but his mind was still waking up.

"Honey… I slept with your brother last night." She tried to say it with a straight face but she couldn't manage it. She started laughing again.

Dean's forehead furrowed in confusion. He took a second to process. He looked at his wife and his brother. They were both in bed. Both under the covers. Sam was missing a shirt.

Dean opened his mouth to say something but words would form. Robin continued laughing.

"Nothing happened!" Sam blurted out. He was nervous, embarrassed, horrified, aroused, ashamed, and confused all at once. "I swear!"

This little outburst only made Robin laugh harder. Obviously nothing would have happened, she had been exhausted, he was dead asleep, they were on a squeaky uncomfortable bed, and there was a guest in the house. Plus, she would have noticed that she wasn't with her husband.

"I wouldn't call what we shared nothing Sam." Robin said with a goofy smile. It was fun teasing the poor kid a little.

"It was just a kiss!" Sam wasn't sure if he should look at Dean or keep his eyes on the ground. "That was it. Nothing more!"

"You kissed my wife?" Dean couldn't believe what he was hearing. He felt a sudden urge to punch his brother, but at the same time the whole scenario was comical. Sam's face alone was enough to put a smile on Dean's face.

"You brother is a pretty good kisser." Robin said smiling. She rose from the bed and made her way over onto Dean's lap. "Let's see how you compare."

Sam put his face in his hands to mask his embarrassment.

"How'd I rate?" Dean asked as he slowly pulled away from the sign of affection.

"Hmm…not bad." Robin said. She rubbed her chin in mock deliberation. "It's a close call. I will say that while your kiss had stronger emotion behind it… Sam has softer lips."

Dean huffed, "Yeah, cuz he's a girl."

Sam smiled and shook his head. It was shaping up to be an interesting day, and it was only eight o'clock.

"I still need a few more hours of shut eye but, if it's alright with you two, I'll join you for breakfast so I can meet this family friend of yours." Robin said, changing the subject. She could see the relief on Sam's face.

"Great idea." Dean smiled. "I'll cook breakfast, you just relax."

"I knew I picked a winner." Robin said. She gave Dean another kiss before standing. "I'm gonna get a shower and lie down for a bit, but come get me for breakfast."

"You got it." Dean watched her walk out of the room. He was a lucky man.

"I thought you only knew how to make Lucky Charms." Sam said.

"That was then." Dean had been swept up in the laughter and comedic situation, but now his attention focused on Sam's exposed upper body. "People change."

Sam could feel his brother's eyes moving from scar to scar. It made him want to shimmy under the protection of the covers. He didn't want to be ashamed of his battle wounds but somehow they seemed more like signs of weakness than strength.

Every time Sam sustained an injury that left it's mark his dad would simply wag his head and offer some classic John Winchester gem like: "that's why you shoot first and ask questions later" or "you could've broke free if you were up to your required minimum on push-ups." There were a few scars that John didn't attribute to Sam's inadequacy but instead held himself responsible for, a rare few.

Sam considered waiting for Dean to leave before he stood to slip on his shirt and pants. But watching Dean watch him created a small sense of satisfaction. Dean looked pained and Sam liked that. Maybe it was time for Dean to face the ugly reality of the toll his leaving took. Before Dean left he had always been there to look out for Sam. Keep him safe. A little piece of Sam had always yearned for his big brother whenever he was sick or afraid or hurting.

Now, Sam's scars were a testament of the pain he had endured, the rough life he had lived without the shelter of his big brother. Dean couldn't help but think that if he had gone back to his family, Sammy would be whole.

Sam flipped off the covers and stood next to the couch, revealing more cuts, scrapes and scars along his legs. Out of the corner of his eye he watched for Dean's continued attention.

"Is that – " Dean didn't mean to point but all of a sudden his finger was extended and pointing right at Sam's upper thigh.

"Tattoo." Sam said matter-of-factly. He slipped his shirt over his head and reached for his pants.

"Dad let you get a tattoo?"

"Dad made me get a tattoo." There was a hint of disgust in Sam's voice.

"Why?"

"You don't want to know." Sam said, and he meant it, but he could see that Dean was only more intrigued. "Anti-possession."

"So…?"

"So," Sam sighed, "if a demon wanted to take control of my body, he's out of luck."

"Keeps demons out. Like a… demonic chastity belt?"

Sam rolled his eyes. Leave it to Dean.

"When did you get it?"

"Couple weeks after I got possessed." Sam said. "Dad got one too. Last year."

"Demons. Up close and personal." Dean muttered. "You two sure worked your way up the food chain fast. What happened to simple salt and burns? Werewolves?"

Sam just shrugged. It was the life.

"How'd you get inked at 16?" Dean asked.

"Dad knew a guy." Sam was now fully dressed and transforming the bed back into a couch. "I didn't want to get one yet. Told him I'd just wear an anti-possession charm or something, but he wouldn't budge."

"Sounds like him." Dean said. He could imagine John Winchesters unwavering order. "Did it hurt?"

"Not really," Sam finished replacing the cushions, "I was drunk. Kind of hurt later though."

"Drunk?"

Sam just shrugged.

Dean stood.

"Guess I'll get going on breakfast." Dean said.

It was nice to get bits and pieces of what he had missed over the years. Well, maybe not nice, but at least he felt like his understanding was deepening.

"I'm gonna take a walk." Sam said.

Dean's eyes flashed a little look of panic. Sam, outside, alone.

"I'll be fine." Sam said. "I'll be back in time for breakfast."

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Thank you for reading! Hope you liked this chapter. If you have a minute I'd love to hear what you think.

Thanks to all of you who are reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following. It really helps motivate me to write more. You guys are awesome!