After Effect

By: chocolate rules

(Post Devil's Trap)

Chapter 9: Normalcy

A/N:Thanks for every one who reviewed the last chapter and wished me a happy BDay:D I'm done w/ the BDay things and so I'm back to writing!

A/N2:Ok, so let's just ignore Elijah and worry about him when he comes into play, alright? Good! The plot bunnies want to continue along and so we will:D Again, no beta, all me and the plot bunnies!

Disclaimer: Winchesters, not mine. Zach, Becky, not mine. Steve, docs, plot. all mine. Pack of gum and melted kisses (Hershey's) all mine. If you sue, that's all you get! And my left over birthday cake that I want for a snack tomorrow, but that's it!

Dean walked down the whitewashed walls towards his brother's room. Elijah had confirmed what Bobby had told them just weeks before; the supernatural world was getting insane. Bobby had said that there had almost four times as many possessions this year as there had ever been. Who better than the Connollys to know that?

Dean walked passed the nurse's station, batting his eyes towards Nurse Mandy – or Molly – who he had taken a liking to during his many hours there. She smiled at him, along with a few others as well and he kept on walking. A few doors down from Sam's room, Dean could hear the laughter going on in there. He stayed for a second at the door just enjoying his brother's laughter.

Now, Dean knew that Sam would hate him leaving after this thing. Sam would fight him tooth and nail to come along. But, he was determined to not let him go. He had grown to know the best methods to not give into Sam, or his damn puppy eyes. Dean knew that Sam would be safer, better off, where he didn't have to worry so much about this demon. Somewhere where he had been happy and had once called home.

Even if Sam continuously reminded him that he didn't want a part of a life that separated them again, Dean had already made that choice weeks ago and he really could see no going back now.

Dean opened the door to find a nearly breathless Steve crouched over from laughter on the couch. Zach seemed to be telling a story, one that seemed to be embarrassing Becky to a grand blush. Sam was laughing really hard as well, he was lying on the bed, curled up and looking as if the laughter was hurting his sides slightly.

Dean walked in and Sam noted him first. He smiled widely at his bro, which Dean returned, and Becky stood up from her seat besides Sam. She started walking over to him with a sigh of relief.

"Thank you!" she said reaching him. She grabbed his arm and tugged him in. "I can't stand this, help me. Make him stop!" She said pointing to her brother.

"Aww, come on Becky. It's such a great story." Zach said with fake sadness.

"Zach man you've got to tell him." Steve said once he had stood from the floor and managed to breathe.

Zach made like he was about to start up again, and Becky let go of Dean and shoved at him, grabbing her purse as she left the room with a "I don't have to listen to this!"

Dean walked over to his brother, shit eating grin on his face, and sat by his hip.

"Having fun?"

"A blast" Sam says sitting up. He starts eyeing his brother, no doubt trying to figure out what Dean wanted to do next.

"So, you don't mind it too much being here now?" Dean asks cautiously. Truth is, he really wants Sam to be comfortable here, and he can't let himself to leave him if he isn't happy here.

"Yeah, I…guess its ok being here. For now." Sam says; intent on reminding Dean he is so not staying here.

Dean rolled his eyes as he eyed his little brother. God, this kid wasn't going to let Dean do anything the easy way, was he?

"Dude, next week man, Zach's going to play in that street tournament again. Member that?" Steve asked excited like as he shoved his friend.

Zach shoved him back and the twinkle was back in Sam's eye that Dean almost wished these two would never stop their bantering. If they could get Sam to remember the 'good ol' times' then Sam could easily slip back into that lifestyle. And Dean was eager to help. Not that he wanted, or even liked thinking about Sam away and happy those four long years, but now it would surely work to his advantage.

"Tournament?" Dean asked the shoving duo, brow raised in both curiosity and cockiness. "What kind of tournament?"

"Aww, man." Zach replied as he seemingly laughed at a memory. "It's just a basketball tournament. Just some college kids with their friends making up stupid rules and…well, it's like a fraternity versus fraternity thing, but we never joined anything."

"Yeah, but once they saw these two playing, the ABF or something 'recruited' them. Dude, have you seen them play. They're awesome!"

"Just because you can barely dribble, doesn't make us awesome, Steve," Sam says but he's grinning at the praise. It's rare that anyone other than Dean praises him. It was one of the things that Jess had taken up to do.

"Wait," Dean said with a smirk as he looked between his brother and Zach. "So, you mean to tell me that after years of me trying and practically dragging you ass over to some courts, you did this willingly?"

"And," Sam added with a smock grin as he softly punched Dean's shoulder. "I'm good at it. I think it's the height thing."

Trust me, there was a point in all this, not just so random. I'm really liking where I'm taking this story, and I don't always say that. So, if anything, trust that this will be getting good, and angsty, real soon.

BUT, YOU MUST REVIEW FOR ME TO CONTINUE:D