Sam pulled the deck of cards from his pocket and handed them to Dean.
"Shuffle these and show Kira one. Kira, you think what the card is and I'll see if I can pick up on it. It can't be any harder that the conversation we had earlier."
Dean spent five minutes shuffling the cards. He knew from all the years of hustling poker with his brother that Sam could stack a deck in a minute. He was curious to see how accurate this new thing was between Sam and Kira. He held up a card for Kira to see, making sure he held it at such an angle it wouldn't reflect in her luminous brown eyes. It was a three of spades.
Three of spades.
"Three of spades."
"Good. Next one."
King of hearts.
"King of Hearts."
"Okay, here's three." He flashed three cards at Kira.
Ace of spades, jack of diamonds and a joker.
"Joker, jack of diamonds, and an ace, but I can't get the suit."
"Spades." Dean said, noticing Sam's pallor. "This is harder than you thought it was, Sammy. Just relax for a little while."
"Okay."
The three talked about nothing important, enjoying the sun, fresh air and each other's company. Taking time to heal. Which was what they needed. They ate supper at about six o'clock, played a hand of cards; Sam winning this time, while Kira watched, and headed back to the motel at sunset. They were all tired and Dean was desperate for a shower. Sam walked her to her suite, while Dean got cleaned up.
"Are you sure you're gonna be okay tonight."
"I'm fine, Sam." Besides it's not like you won't hear me if I need you.
True.
She stood on her toes and Sam wrapped his arms around her. She returned the squeeze with her good arm. He kissed her long and sweet, burying a hand in her soft hair. They parted and she caressed his cheek.
"G'night."
"Goodnight. I'll see you in the morning."
Dean was sitting on his bed in shorts, shirtless when Sam entered.
"Sammy, take these damn stitches out."
"Don't you think you should wait another day or two, Dean?"
"It'll heal. I hate stitches."
"You just pulled two yesterday. It'll be sore."
"I'll be fine."
"Fine." Sam removed Dean's stitches while he chugged Vodka from the refreshed Mini-bar. Sam carefully kept his thoughts quiet, not wanting to disturb Kira's rest. By the time he was finished, Dean was smiling drunkenly. Sam cleaned the small amount of blood away, smeared on some ointment, and dressed it.
"Don't roll around too much. You'll break it back open."
"Not a problem, Sammy, sleep like a log." Dean's speech was beginning to slur as Sam laid him back. He was snoring two minutes later. Sam went to the bathroom, brushed his teeth and washed his face. He lay down on his bed.
Goodnight, baby. In her room, Kira smiled in her sleep.