They were about two hours out from Bobby's house when Dean's heart took another hit. Sam awoke from his nap, smiled over at his brother oddly, and then moved in close. He snuggled up next to dean and threaded the fingers of his good hand through his brother's. Then he gave a contented sigh and dropped his head on the older boy's shoulder.

Dean froze like a deer in headlights.

"Sammy? You okay, buddy?"

"Never been better." Sam chirped. "You feel good, Dean. Warm, like a cozy oven. You're cuddly. I like that."

Dean was quiet for the space of a heartbeat before speaking. "Liz?"

"Hm?"

"Uh, why are you here?"

She yawned and stretched luxuriously. "Sam was sleeping. He's not feeling so well today. I just wanted to say hello. I'm beginning to enjoy spending time with you, you know? I'm not sure Sam realizes how lucky he is to have a big brother like you." She beamed up at him with a sexy grin.

Or what would have been a sexy grin if it wasn't originating from his little brother's face and aiming straight at Dean.

The older boy tried to suppress a shudder, but Liz felt it, and her eyes narrowed.

"You don't like me much, do you?"

Dean was careful in his answer. "Well, you're a part of my baby brother, so yeah. How could I not like you?"

She seemed satisfied with that answer, settling back down on his shoulder.

"Uh, can I ask you something though?"

"Sure, baby."

Dean's eyes closed momentarily, and he swallowed hard. "What makes you, uh, you know … appear?"

"Sammy was feeling scared and overwhelmed again, I guess. I just want to wrap him up in a big hug when he starts feeling that way. So I sort of tuck him into a corner with a blanket and let him sleep while I handle things."

"So you come out when you want to protect him? When he feels threatened?"

She nodded.

"So what happens if Sam … if he gets over feeling that way? What if he learns how to cope with his emotions instead of panicking?"

"Well, then he wouldn't need me anymore, silly." She gazed up at him. "Why? Would you miss me?"

Dean shrugged.

"Dean?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I kiss you?"

Dean tensed. He checked the mirrors before pulling the car over to the shoulder. Then he pulled Liz off his shoulder and looked into her eyes. "No."

She pouted. "Why not? You said you liked me?" She reached out to trace a hand along his jawline, but he caught it and pulled it away.

"I said no." He repeated not unkindly. "That's not going to happen."

"But, I'm attracted to you, you know. You're so strong and kind, and you take care of us so nicely."

"But you're a part of my brother, and that would be wrong. Do you understand that?" Dean gazed into Sam's eyes, trying to connect with the boy inside. "Sammy? Can you hear me?"

She made an angry face. "I have needs, Dean. Just because I live in this body. It doesn't mean I don't have needs of my own." She scooted back to sit by the window. "If you won't play, I'll find someone else who will."

Dean's eyes narrowed. "What does that mean, exactly?"

She pouted. "I'll just go find another handsome young buck. That's what."

Dean tried not to lose patience. "You do that, and you'll hurt Sam. I thought it was your job to protect him?"

"Oh pooh. Sammy won't even know. I'll put him to bed first."

Dean tried not to hyperventilate. "Have you … have you done that before? Put Sam to sleep while you … you played?"

She sighed, exasperated. "I told you before, Dean. I've never been allowed out alone like this. Not til the other night. But now that Sam's giving me some leg room, I'm liking it more and more."

"You said you liked it rough, right?"

She grinned, scooting back over. "Maybe? Why? Do you like it rough?"

"No. I don't." He said coldly. "And neither does Sam. You do realize you'd be using his body?"

She was quiet.

"So, if you go out and you find someone to … to play with … it's Sam who's going to take the brunt of it all. You really think that's a good idea?"

She gazed out the window, refusing to answer.

Dean shook her gently, "Do you? Do you think that's fair to Sam?"

"What?"

"Did I stutter?"

"Dean, what? Why are you shaking me? Why are we pulled over?"

Dean released his brother, staring. "Sammy?"

"What? What's wrong?"

Dean gazed at his brother, seeing the confusion in his eyes. "Sam, what's the last thing you remember?"

"Hunh?"

"Quick! The last thing you remember?"

"Uh, watching the poles go by. I was counting. Why?"

"That's it?"

"Yeah. Dean, what's wrong with you?"

"Dammit, Sam. That's all you remember?"

Sam flinched. He scooted back to the window, putting space between them. "Why are you angry with me? What did I do?" he asked, eyes wide like saucers.

Dean closed his eyes and counted. "Nothing, Sam. You didn't do anything. Let's just get to Bobby's." He put the car back into drive and pulled back out onto the interstate.

Sam sat, staring at his brother like he'd lost his mind.

"Sam, it's okay, really. You didn't do anything."

"You're mad about something. I can tell. Did I talk in my sleep or something?"

Dean thought about that. "Yeah. I think you did, Sam. It's no big deal though. Look we'll be at Bobby's in about an hour or two. You need to stop again?"

Sam was quiet. "No."

Dean glanced over. Sam was staring out the window with wet eyes. The older boy sighed, "It's gonna be okay, little brother. I promise."

"Why … why do I feel so weird?"

"Weird how?"

"Like … spacey or something. Like I just lost a chunk of time?"

"It was just the dream."

"I feel … guilty. I feel like I … like I did something wrong."

Dean swallowed, shaking his head.

"Dean, you'd … you'd tell me, right? I mean, if I hit you in my sleep? You'd tell me?"

"You didn't hit me, Sammy. Go back to sleep. Everything is fine."