S15 sometime

[weirddreams]

His first red flag should have been a few days ago (48 hours eariler) when Ruby texted him to say that she was on a case in Detriot and would be gone a little while. Normally by now they would have had at least one phone call or video chat to check in on each other. The strangest thing of it all came when he decided to follow her last known location by tracking her phone and almost the second he set foot in town Ruby texted him again to meet her somewhere. In said text message, babe and other such words or mannerisms struck him as suspect as Ruby leaned heavily to calling him Puppy and generally was more teasing in her speech or writing. He tested his theory by playing along with sexting her to discover that his intuition was on to something. It couldn't be Ruby. She often would describe things in a way that almost painted a real picture of their sex life. All the prose on her end read as if someone else entered the picture.

On the flip side, if it was a trap...his only clue to finding Ruby was to agree to meet her and do his do dilegence in surveying the place beforehand. If he was wrong, which he was sure he wasn't, then he would be open to new possibilities and tease her about what calling him babe was about. He brings coffee for the two of them to the location.

Comments

[weirddreams]

There are a number of other words that Sam could think of to add to her list of qualities. Each one less complimentary than the last.

"We really haven't had the chance to talk much," he answers dryly. "You thought those messages fooled me? I was suspicious from the beginning. I'm here for Ruby, nothing more. You'll see." He winces at the phone being crushed under her heel. At the end of the day, Ruby's phone could be replaced but it would still have been useful. Probably the safest bet for Astaroth to keep the key on hand. Give him time and Sam soon will understand that the other demons couldn't possibly have her trust in the key. It's beginning to be clear that they're nothing more than lackies.

It's not the laugh that bothers him, but it's the cut made to Ruby's thigh. He holds up his hands. "Alright. Alright. I can seat myself. Just take it easy." Each of the two demons still are emboldened to push and shove him until his ass is on the aged metal chair. He gives a miffed glance at the one that unnecessarily shoved him against the back. His hands were still cuffed in front of him so one of them had to get creative to tie him more securely. This would definitely be the dumbest part of his plan in progress.

While they were busy, he turned his eyes to Ruby and mouthed 'Don't worry. I'll think of something. Just try to stay awake.'

[peaceonearth]

"You're here, Sam. That's all that really matters," Astaroth told him. "The texts were just more fun than 'we have your girlfriend. come and get her'." She pauses, letting her gaze flicker across Sam's body and over his limbs. "Or should I say wife? I thought maybe Ruby here was just delusional when I saw her ring. This just keeps getting better."

Ruby tries to bite back the scream that rips itself out of her throat when the demon digs the knife into her thigh, but Astaroth has been at this too long for Ruby to have many reserves left. Once she catches her breath she casts an apologetic look at Sam. She watches as the demons tie him up, leaving his hands cuffed in front of him, but binding his arms, torso, and legs to the chair.

Ruby understands what Sam is telling her and it snaps her out of it. She finally speaks up. "Astaroth, it's not--you know Dean will come looking for him. Remember? The guy who killed you last time? Let him go, run him off, and if you're lucky you never have to see another Winchester again."

Astaroth turns her attention to Ruby, walking over to her to reach up and grab Ruby's chin. "Oh. Kotku. You've gotten so weak. Besides, if I remember my human rituals correctly, You are a Winchester." She turns back to Sam, picking up a knife from a table holding an array of sharp instruments. "Besides, if you two are any indication, I'll have Dean eating out of my hand to save you," she looks to Sam. "Things are just starting to get fun," she approaches Sam with the knife.

[weirddreams]

He's not about to talk about his engagement with Ruby and what led them there. He doesn't deny that she is his wife though. It's very clear that he loves her to have come in the first place. His ring does indeed make it fairly clear. The less information Astaroth can use against them, the better it is; it's why he thinks quickly and shifts the subject a little. "You've missed a lot where you were dead. We've defeated the likes of Lucifer himself so I'm hardly afraid of you." He taunts her. If anything, he wants her attention to move off of Ruby and on to him to give his favorite demon a break from the torture.

Watching Ruby unable to escape and scream out isn't easy. He almost makes his gums bleed inside of his mouth holding back a few choice words. As hard as it is, he wants the attention to remain on himself. He shakes his head when Ruby delivers an apology through her eyes. It's not her fault. The blame rests on the mastermind in the room. The rope might be snug in some areas and tight in others but he tries to not to be any more tense under the circumstances (keyword: try.) It's impossible not to be uneasy and tense is exactly how he gets.

He was confident she could read his lips given how many times she's watched him speak or talk to her.

For a split moment, he fears the worst for Ruby when she speaks up and Astaroth without issue jerks Ruby's chin up from his perspective. He forgets trying to play calm and loses it. "Take your filthy hands off her. You've done enough. You've got me now so do you worst." His legs might be bound but he can scoot the chair with him an inch closer to them in protest. He grits his teeth even before the sting of the sharp instrument slices into a sensitive nerve along his hand. More disturbing than that is when Astaroth grabs his fingers (lefty hand) to force them to straighten out; the point of her knife hooks onto his ring and pulls it off as it slices downward from there. The band clatters on the floor. One of them wasn't expecting that, the other seems happy to have removed that little nuisance.

[peaceonearth]

"Yes, I'd heard he'd been let out of his cage," Astaroth says, a smile creeping across her face. "But he's not here and I guess I'll just have to make you afraid." Her attention does shift from Ruby to Sam, so he's successful on that front.

The rope is tied reasonably well. The demons might not be up on technology, but knots haven't changed. Thankfully, none of them were sailors, rock climbers, or survivalists.

Astaroth might have run her through the wringer, but she's still Ruby, and seeing Sam here is tearing her apart regardless of the things that Astaroth has tried to convince her of. When Sam has his outburst, Astaroth goes up on tiptoe so that she's close enough Ruby can feel her breath on her skin. "Maybe I was lying just a little bit when I said I didn't think he'd come for you." She lets Ruby's chin go and uses her body to shove away from her, pulling on Ruby's wrists and making her gasp, wincing a little at the pain.

"Oh, but don't you see, Sam. It's about having you both here, but don't worry, hurting you hurts my little Ruby. I like your spunk," Astaroth says as she moves toward him quickly. She makes the cut slowly though, making certain that both Ruby and Sam feel it. "You know, I could do a lot of damage by digging deeper. You'd never be able to use this hand again," she says as she holds his hand tightly, stroking the palm with the tip of the knife. "You really should have picked that mousy little hunter to date. This wouldn't be happening right now if you had."

[weirddreams]

His presence alone is proof that whatever Astaroth told her isn't true. He glares daggers when Astaroth adds to Ruby's pain. "Here I am." He dares her to focus solely on him despite the consequences.

"Why are you so bothered by us anyway? You know, Ruby was never yours. Is that it? You can't admit it to yourself that you think you love her in your twisted little way." He struggles against his bindings to move his hand away but it's useless. His choice against the pain is either to come dangerously close to chipping a tooth or sucking in air and exhaling out heavily to control the pain; he chooses the latter. Blood trickles down to the floor and the fabric of his jeans at an uneven rate. He still manages to give her a defiant look with his eyes as it's all talk until she actually does it. It doesn't go unnoticed that the ring had been her primary focus. That, too, was on the floor with the droplets of red. His next look is one that doesn't follow what she's saying. Eileen doesn't even occur to him. "Who? You can't mean...Jo. That's, uh, it doesn't matter. It really isn't your business." Ruby is one of us is at the forefront of his mind but he bites his tongue rather than add those words exactly.

[peaceonearth]

It's very chivalrous of him to want to distract her, Astaroth thinks, but then humans often do the stupid, noble thing. "Oh please. You'd come for her if you'd met her yesterday at a gas station and she'd flipped you off. Stupid, noble Winchesters," Astaroth rolls her eyes.

Astaroth scoffs at Sam's taunting. "I own her soul, whatever is left of that twisted, dark thing anyway. She's mine in a way that you can't even comprehend. You've gotten compliant, Sam. Demons are evil. This is what evil looks like. You're here, she's here because this is fun for me," Astaroth seethes at him. The anger on her face transforms into a grin when he breathes through the pain. The look of confusion is interesting. She expects that Chuck would lie but maybe Sam truly doesn't know. "The deaf one. The one that's head over heels for you." Obviously, she heard Sam say Jo's name, but Jo doesn't really concern her. She doesn't think torturing Jo would hurt Ruby the way watching Sam be tortured hurts her. Astaroth looks over her shoulder to make sure that Ruby is watching, that her expression is broken. Ruby catches her eye.

"Let him go. I'll be yours again. You can do whatever you'd like with me," Ruby tells her. It diverts Astaroth's attention and she walks toward Ruby again. "Been there. Done that. You zone out on me and that's no fun," she says, picking up a lighter as she moves closer to Ruby. She flicks open the lighter, flame igniting as she holds it close to Ruby's leg. Ruby twists and writhes, trying to get away from the heat. "You did say anything," Astaroth tsks at her and Ruby goes still. "Watch me," Astaroth commands her. "Don't slip off to whatever little wonderland you go to. I bet you remember the way it felt when they burned you as a human. Those are the kind of things Hell lets you keep."

[weirddreams]

He would have come more stealthily had it just been a regular person off the street and not the love of his life.

"You've been gone a long time," he manages even with the light headedness. "That deal, and so many others like it, were ripped up a long time ago. I saw to that. I've been around enough evil to know that Ruby isn't it. All you're doing is projecting." He hopes that is enough to continue to get under her skin. Either way, he has Astaroth talking, which serves as a temporary reprieve from the tortue. He does righteously get a little defensive when the words deaf one comes up but not for the reasons it might seem. He will always worry about a friend's safety when he feels it's threatened. "You've been watching us for the last week or two? " Eileen was over a lot in that timeframe. There's a lot he hasn't yet connected the dots to. Her crush on him is one such thing. "I don't know what you think you saw, or if you're lying to get under my skin, but it isn't going to work." He tries grabbing Astaroth's hand, sleeve, anything to keep her from walking towards Ruby again but his fingers barely grasp anything at all.

His blood runs cold, anxiety rises when Ruby offers herself to Astaroth; he knows all too well that demon deals are binding and enforced in a few short words and typically some form of intimate act. "No, no. Ruby, don't do it. Do agree to anything." It bubbles, it boils, for the first time in a while, his head starts to split (figuratively) as to his very core he fears Ruby only has little left to put up a fight before she's truly broken. He folds his thumbs into his fists and struggles against his bindings to either pull them looser or slip out of them. There's no surviving if he doesn't do something quickly. Rushing forth from a deep place within him, his powers also extend out to save Ruby first and foremost. His intention is to knock Astaroth's balance but the lighter goes flying instead. He pushes even harder to try to accomplish more.

[peaceonearth]

Fair enough. Though most of Astaroth's protests about him coming for Ruby are for Ruby's benefit rather than Sam's.

At Sam's words, Astaroth turns to look at Ruby and grins. "I guess he should have seen you a century ago," she purrs at Ruby then directs her attention back to Sam. She is going to ignore the bit about Ruby's deal being torn up because she knows it's true. If it weren't, she would have had a much easier time getting to Ruby. "Unlike some people in the room, I didn't launch into this half-assed," Astaroth says as she squats in front of Sam to pick up his ring. She stands, examining it before tucking it, still bloody, into her pocket. "You really are stupid and oblivious sometimes, aren't you? I could see it watching from a distance." If Sam had been able to grab her, she would have had his restraints tightened. Him being touchy-touchy is not part of the plan.

If Ruby had to make an official deal to save Sam's life, she would. Right now, she's desperate enough, but still trying to get out of this without being formally bonded to Astaroth again. Sam isn't wrong about how close Ruby is to breaking. She's close to drafting her own official demon deal for Sam's life. When the lighter flies out of Astaroth's hand, several things happen at once. A pile of rubbish and boxes catches on fire which distracts a couple of the demons. The demon standing guard with Ruby is one of them. He hands off the knife to Astaroth (they all know it's the best threat they've got to keep Sam in line) and Astaroth turns, snarling toward Sam as she rushes at him, demon knife in hand.

Ruby summons her own power, working on busting the manacles around her wrists so she can help Sam. "Keep it up, Puppy," she yells in a hoarse voice, trying to make sure that he knows that whatever he's doing is a good thing.

[weirddreams]

He can't deny that Ruby told him things about her past that would turn him away from her if she didn't have the potential for change. He scoffs at Astaroth's statement because the point is that Ruby isn't the same as she was. Nothing could freeze his feelings for her now. "Which is exactly why you will never understand." What he means by that exactly is everything between having a connection with Ruby and in between. He watches her pick up the ring that signifies his greatest promise to Ruby and pocket it. He can't stomach that her little grubby hands are on it. One thing he can do is make it clear that taking the ring changes nothing by the daggers in his eyes. "Then clearly you need your eyes checked." Though later he might look at if Eileen has something for him with new lenses. He won't believe it out of the mouth of her

She should never have to make a deal for him. There's no way he's letting her hand herself over more to Astaroth and that could even mean if he deals first. Their anniversary is only around the corner but this doesn't make a very good anniversary date. It wasn't his intention to start a quick fire so close to them. But he does see the advantages of it and flings the embers wildly at Astaroth as she rushes him for cover or time. He's less afraid of burning himself given the situation. Fortunately, the flames allow him to free one of his tied wrists so he can fiddle with and loosen his other bounds. The fire wall that is thrust between Astaroth and him does remain his key focus.

He hears Ruby shout from the distance; it encourages him to try making a ring around Astaroth unnoticed. The winner will be who has the stronger will or who has more smarts. His gaze flickers between Astaroth and the more important Ruby. "I'm coming to you. Stay where you are," he calls to her. In a reckless move, he pushes the fire one more time at Astaroth before darting to the side to go around to gather up Ruby. Like facing a bear in the wild, his back is never turned to the big bad demon.

[peaceonearth]

Ruby wanted to be fair, to let him know the person she had been. She's not that person anymore, or at least she tries not to be. She wasn't that person when she met Sam; she was fighting to be a better person, for the chance to be a better person, and he has helped her become one. He makes her more human. Astaroth took the ring because she suspected it would bother both Sam and Ruby. They can pry it from her cold, dead hands. She smirks in response to Sam's comeback. One of them needs their eyes checked and she's positive it's not her. Of course, Chuck also gave her some info on Eileen that Astaroth isn't sharing.

No one should have to make a demon deal, and ye there are plenty of new demons that suggest otherwise. That being said, if Ruby were going to make another deal, she thinks Sam is a good reason for one.

The fire is a good distraction, though Ruby is worried about being caught in it. She's concerned about Sam and the smoke inhalation as well. However, she trusts that Sam can take care of himself and concentrates on breaking the manacles around her wrists. She hears Astaroth scream in frustration and it makes Ruby smile a little. She tugs hard on the manacle that seems weakest and gets one hand free before she starts working on the other. She tries not to yell out again, to distract Sam. She just steadily works on the manacle with her power and brute force to pull her hand out. Her left hand is going to be a mess: bruised, swollen, scraped, and possibly fractured, but it doesn't matter because she's finally free. She drops to the ground, knees giving out on her. She's been on tiptoe or dangling for over 48 hours.

Ruby grabs onto Sam when he comes to gather her up. "We need to get the knife from her." She's keeping an eye on the two demons that are trying to put the fire out. They seem torn between wanting to help Astaroth and trying to grab them. "Once we kill her, we need to get out of here."

[weirddreams]

They will pry it from her cold, dead hands later should they have the chance. The ring doesn't take precedence over Ruby though. When he had decided that he wanted to have a relationship with her, there had been a learning curve to open his mind up more the gray areas. As long as Ruby fought to be a better person he found he could love her unconditionally. Likewise, he felt fortunate to have someone who was by his side through the best and worst of things. How can he believe anything that comes out of Astaroth's mouth? It's very possible that Sam already needs eyeglasses to go with his blindness to Eileen's feelings for him. Astaroth's smirk doesn't convince him anymore than her taunting does.

The fire isn't his best move as he helps spread it quicker. Fortunately, the adrenaline coursing through his veins helps steer him through any smoke inhalation he might have already gotten. Her trust in him isn't misplaced as he moves away from the smoke soon enough. It's only when he reaches her side that he can exhale with any real ease. Should one of her shackles still be fastened to her, he will gently but firmly hold her wrist with one hand to keep it from unnecessary movement and pull the band off with the other hand. His range is still limited by his own cuffs. When she does finally drop from her binding, he's there to pick her up with both hands on one arm and support her upright position by bringing her close to his chest.

He looks her over briefly, deciding that he might have to break his bonds to carry her even if it means he might need to dislocate his thumb to free a hand. He shushes her with concern that fluctuates in his stress lines between his brow. "Save your energy. Our best bet might be to run unless you have an idea." They're at a clear disadvantage but he does assess how he might get the knife back. The two other demons being distracted with the flames' growth is a good and a bad thing. The energy alone around them could almost stifle any living creature's mood and he knows Astaroth is a ticking time bomb. He glances down at Ruby then back to Astaroth. He decides once again to push his powers out to unbalance her. Whatever happens next decides it all. Ruby has a lot of sway with their next move.

Fight or run.

[peaceonearth]

Ruby is always going to be morally grey, but she's also always going to struggle to do the 'right' thing. She often asks herself WWSD (what would Sam do). Of course, even when she figures out what Sam would do, she doesn't always do that; she does what has to be done; she does the things that she doesn't want Sam to have to do. Ruby and Sam can (and should considering Astaroth's emotional and mental torture she put Ruby through) talk about Eileen later.

Thankfully the ceiling of the warehouse is high so the smoke isn't too bad at Sam's height. It will get bad worse. She can definitely use the help getting the manacle off without tearing up her wrist and hand too much. She leans on him once she's free and upright. She can take care of his cuffs when they're free. She'll only need a little blood and the ability to concentrate to use a spell to unlock.

She can force herself to walk to save him any additional pain. She does her own assessment of the situation and shakes her head. "I want to be away from her," she finally says. Yes, Astaroth is a ticking timebomb, and Ruby has no doubt that they'll have to deal with her, but maybe after they regroup. They had other weapons to kill demons now; maybe it was time to let the knife go. They could recover it when they dealt with Astaroth. Ruby looks, and sounds, guilty as well as completely broken when she says 'Let's get out of here."

It's not the first time she's chosen to run in her life. Sometimes surviving means running and she thinks right now, it's the best choice. They help each other get out of the warehouse as quickly as possible while everyone is distracted and the fire is growing. The keys to her car are still in the ignition when they approach. "I can drive," Ruby says. "I should drive." She doesn't think they've got time to get rid of Sam's handcuffs right now.

[weirddreams]

Astaroth had been smart to add an anti witchcraft spell and anti demon sigil to Sam's cuffs because of his reputation and ties. That alone had been strong enough to keep any attempt Ruby or himself made while they're in a rush. He absolutely paused to protest with a questioning glance when she made the call to drive, but she was right. He couldn't drive in his state. He did get in after a moment and helped correct her driving every so often with his hands pulling the steering wheel to straighten. Both of them were in bad shape when the wheels squealed to life.

They manage to ditch the cuffs somewhere a safe distance away but before they reach town. He insists she wait for him while he pays for a motel room. There's not a lot covering her other than his jacket and button down that he offers her before he does inside. It's not that she was naked but it's also that she looks beaten down and worn too. He certainly points out someone might call the cops if they see her. He promises to be right back. He's back in only a few short moments to open her driver side door and help her out of the car comfortably. In fact, he's sure to let her know with his body language that she can choose to rely all on his weight if walking is too much. He looks at her straight. "You've done enough. Let me at least carry you the rest of the way."

Somehow he manages to fiddle with the keys and open the door while supporting her the whole time. He's careful when helping her lie on the bed, aiding her in lifting her legs up on the bed gently. "Don't worry about what's next. I think we're safe here for a while. I'll call Dean." He'll talk to Dean on the other end for a while. Of course he has to calm Dean down a bit to actually explain 'what the hell' happened on his end and get Dean caught up. He's not expecting Dean to call Cas right after and send Cas ahead of himself. He's so worn down that the idea to call Cas slips his mind.

He rejoins Ruby at her bedside. "You should sleep until Dean gets here."

[peaceonearth]

Astaroth is very smart. She wouldn't have gotten far if she weren't. Ruby had been doubtful if she was in any shape to drive, but she had both hands free so she had to try and there wasn't time for discussion. It wouldn't take Astaroth long to get out of the warehouse; they needed to be gone before that happened. At least together they manage to get away safely.

It's a much better decision to have him get the room. They're both beat up, but him less so, plus he's fully clothed even without the jacket and button-down shirt. Most of the time, Ruby would insist that she can walk, but she's beaten down emotionally and mentally as well. She gets out of the car with his help, but when he asks to carry her, she hesitates then nods. Her lips form the words okay, but there's no sound.

"Salt the doors and windows. Astaroth won't hesitate to switch bodies to find me." She closes her eyes as she listens to Sam talk to Dean. She opens her eyes when Sam comes over to the side of the bed. "You know she was hurting you to hurt me. You shouldn't have come. She said you wouldn't."

[weirddreams]

He can support her with his arms without injuring his hand. He understands her hesitation and waits for her to make the decision before scooping her up. Somehow he manages to carry her and unlock the room door, pushing it open with his foot.

He looks over his shoulder to her when she prompts him to salt the windows and doors while talking to Dean. Last he could recall, there was a bag of salt in her vehicle. "One thing at a time," he mouths to her. He would go and return the moment he hung up the phone. He also brought back the first aid kit for the both of them. He started to pull out the gauze and alcohol for wounds. He wraps his hand up first only so that he's more freely able to tend to her. "Yeah, no. If something happened to you, I couldn't live with myself. She doesn't know me as well as you do. What did you believe?"

[peaceonearth]

She tries to assist as well, holding onto him as tightly as she can, though she's definitely weaker right now than she usually is.

She nods, obviously on the defensive, even a little jumpy. She breathes a little sigh of relief once he gets the salt spread in front of the door and along the window sills. "What did Dean say?" she asks, avoiding his question a little. She focuses on his hands when she speaks, not ready to look him in the eye when she answers. "I don't--she had some good points. If...when we get Chuck under control, you could have a normal life with a normal, human wife, like Eileen. Someone who doesn't pull you back into this life because of a past that I'm never going to be able to outrun."

[weirddreams]

Thankfully, for the both of them, the distance isn't too great to manage. Sam breathes through each of the throbs sent through his hand and the cuffs being a mild annoyance when on the phone.

He also uses a pinch clip hanger to bring the curtains together to keep light in and uses the dimmed setting on the lamp furthest from the door for their trusty source of light. "He wasn't thrilled to find out I acted alone on a hunch, but I got him up to speed. He's a few hours out. He said he'll contact Cas. We just need to tend to our injuries while we wait. As a matter of fact, he told me to tell you not to die either." Eventually her eyes draw his to his hands and his one finger does look bad but at the same time he isn't sure if it's worth complaining as he considers how he has lost most of the feeling in it. He clears his throat to make a suggestion, I'll clean it up first if you promise you lay down for a while. I'll take first watch."

There's a lot of ways he could react to how Ruby sounds less like Ruby and more like the psychologocial torture of not just Astaroth but the last months of Chuck, but not being serious and understanding isn't one. He slides his thumb against her cheek. "This isn't you talking, it's her. We've been together eleven years now and that isn't going to change. Eileen, or any other normal wife, isn't who I want in my life." He pauses for a brief second, giving Ruby a simple smile for her, trying not to be visibly angry at what Ruby went through for fear Ruby would misinterupt it. He checks if her body has a low-grade fever with the back of his hand to her forehead. "Get some rest."

[peaceonearth]

Later, Ruby will worry that she'd injured Sam more and berate herself for not walking on her own. However, right now, she's grateful.

The dim lighting is helpful for both of their headaches. Ruby watches Sam from where she sits on the bed. She even manages a small smirk at his comment about Dean. "So he's more upset than he wants you to know." Her gaze lingers on his hand then slips back up to his eyes. "Bring the first aid kit over here. The least I can do is bandage it up." They can talk about her resting and watches while she does that. "I--I'm sorry that she---I should have realized that Chuck might bring her back." Ruby rarely gets tripped up in her words and she more rarely apologizes; she's not in a good place.

Ruby's eyes well with tears. She hates being vulnerable like this, but it's also something she can't control right now. The tears are there whether she wants them to be or not. They've had the conversation about children, about growing old (or lack thereof), and traditional marriage. She knows that Sam has made his peace with what she can give him. She thought she'd come to accept that even with all of those things, Sam wanted a life with her. That was before Eileen was an option, before Chuck shoved it down their throat, and dragged up every insecurity, including Astaroth, that Ruby had. "Even if you could have the normal, monsterless life that came with it?" Because if they defeat Chuck, that's the hope. "What if there's no place for me in your life when I'm the only monster interrupting it?"

[weirddreams]

Later, Cas will be able to patch up Sam so that it won't be in either of their faces (Ruby and his) so blatantly. She's never forced him to do anything he never wanted to do. He helped her because he loves her. He always will.

It certainly is another perk of the low light to have their headaches stabilize to a comfortable dull sensation. He has the first aid kit with him. Next thing to do get Ruby cleaned up with the potions they have on hand. He considers one of two for a split second before he hands her the one that is a slower but more potent cure. As much as he'd love to see her get well sooner, he can't take any chances with her long-term health. The quicker potion mixed with the slower one creates a toxen and neither should ever mix. He half smiles at Ruby's acknowledgment of Dean. "My guess is that we're in for an earful when he gets here. Only thing to do now is make it look like we're only half dead." He hesitates to follow her instructions, but slides the kit closer between the two of them. "But when you're done, let me bandage you up anywhere that might be bothering you. If you were human, you would likely be in acoma from what I see."

She should absolutely rest. Once the first aid kit is almost bare, he lays next to her, every once in a while glancing towards the door at the sounds of passersby.

Her apology is foreign as much as it comes off broken. Sam regrets that didn't make the decision at multiple points to go with her or join her at some point. He knew Chuck was out there, playing with their strings. He hates to see Ruby so broken up. He knows that she has every right to feel the way she does right now and to be heard and that's the only thing that keeps him from stopping her there. He places his better hand over hers, his other not far view due to the chain link. She can rest against him if she pleases with the way he settles next to her and speak her peace.

The motel room is fortunately stocked with tissue and he pulls some from the box to hand to her. What all those other conversations and this one have in common is that they need to talk and build each other back up. Sam gives her a squeeze to let her know that he wants to weigh in. "I don't think this is exactly what you want to hear, but I want my life to be monsterless. You showed me that it isn't what one is but how one acts that is the important thing." He nuzzles her ear. "What's a little interruption or two? Though that isn't normally the word I'd choose to call you. One thing I'm most relieved about, in fact, is that you're safe. Would I feel that way if I thought you were a mere interruption? No. Never."

[peaceonearth]

Ruby will be grateful to have Cas heal Sam. She'll feel a bit less guilt over it.

She needs the more potent one and takes it without hesitation. If she's going to help Sam fend off Astaroth when (not if) she shows up, she's going to have to be in better shape than she is now. She nods in slight agreement. Yeah, Dean is going to chew them out when he gets there. To be fair, she didn't know what sort of situation she was stumbling into. Ruby had thought it was something she could handle on her own. Of course, Sam probably thought the same thing. She half smiles at Sam's opinion of her current state of being. "I'll be okay," she promises. "The burn on my leg...that hurts."

"Let me try to get the handcuffs off," she gestures to Sam's wrists. "We'll both be more comfortable." She sits up, digging into one of the gashes on her arm for a little bit of blood then smears it on the cuffs. Her eyes go black as she whispers a spell. She has to repeat it three times before the cuffs fall open.

Ruby takes a deep breath, listening to Sam's words. She's quiet for several moments, turning them over in her head before she responds. Those doubts and insecurities aren't gone, but she has to trust him, both his actions and his words. "How is that not exactly what I want to hear?" she says softly. "Okay," she leans in to kiss him, pausing for a moment to give him a chance to pull away before her lips brush his.

[weirddreams]

It was never her fault in the first place.

Ruby will need a lot of rest as well before she has any hope of facing Astaroth, Sam thinks. Hopefully, Astaroth won't find them easily. Everything from the unisex name he used to book the motel (Ashley) to how close it is to an exit is different to throw off the demons on their trail. He knows full well they're in a weakened state and their best move is to sit still and gather their strength. His first priority is Ruby. They can work out the rest once she isn't visibly drained. Neither of them had known what they would walk into. The two of them are experienced enough to have believed they could handle what clues the issue presented itself as. It is neither here nor there that they were individually wrong. The good thing was that they had some time and space on their side. Dean would arrive as soon as he was able. Unfortunately for them, Cas hadn't yet answered any of Dean's calls yet. He was more than a little preoccupied with a hot date. They would just have to hold out.

Sam could tell Ruby put on a brave face for him and he nodded. "Okay, but on a scale of one to ten: how bad is the burn?" he asks. "If you let me, I can get you a cold compress."

She stops him before he can move to stand up though. The cuffs are a hindrance, that he can agree. So he stays put for the time being. He turns his body more directly to her and sticks his wrists out, watchful of the spell and the steps she takes so that maybe he can do the same in the future. His eyes widen the moment she draws blood for the spell and he opens and closes his mouth again. The urge to say something about not injuring herself further is something he can barely hold back. He decides the better thing to do is show her appreciation once the cuffs come off by touching her face with his good hand. "Thank you. The least I can do now is bandage up that gash." He fishes for the small bottle of alcohol and before he pours it over the wound, adds, "This will sting," so that she has some warning.

Their relationship is completely build on trust, but even Sam is aware that it takes time for the effects of torture to be shaken off. Even then, sometimes it lingers like a droplet of water in the smallest crack of one's sense of being. Communication is key. He wants Ruby to know she can talk about it whenever she needs to, with his actions and his words. "I'll always be honest with you," he answers, not having a good answer for how it isn't either. The question should be why would move away from her? Everything from his worry about where she was earlier in the day, shock to see her hurt, anger, relief, all of it comes flooding forward when he leans in to kiss her softly due to her state but fiercely in mind and energy. She initiated it so he allows her the room to have it be as short or long as needed.

[peaceonearth]

Yes, she will. Sam had shown up after Astaroth had already broken her, but she'd spent 48 hours fighting with everything she had until he showed up. Her power is depleted and until she was healed, she'd have to use any power she built up to heal her wounds. They'll eventually need to move because Astaroth will find them, but for now, they're safe to wait for Dean at least. Eventually, Cas will remember to check his phone, or Lucy will remind him.

Ruby shakes her head because, yes she is putting on a brave face. "It's...a five." It's probably more like a 7, but she doesn't like complaining about pain; it goes against every survival instinct she's developed in hell. "A cold compress would be good," she says, gratitude in her tone of voice.

It's an easy spell for a witch, probably a little more difficult for someone else, but she has little doubt he could master it. The blood is what makes it powerful, though with time and preparation it can be done without the blood. Blood is just a quick and dirty route to magic. She grits her teeth, hissing a little between them when the alcohol hits. It's a sign of vulnerability and trust that she shows any reaction at all. It's also a conscious decision on her part, a sort of apology for doubting him, a way to show her gratitude.

The damage Astaroth has caused will echo for a while. However, if Sam is willing to stick with her through the rough patches, they can get through it. She nods at his promise. She deepens the kiss, but keeps it soft and gentle. She needs him close, needs this kiss, but also needs the gentleness that is the opposite of everything Astaroth has ever been.

[weirddreams]

As far as Sam is concerned, they won't move until Ruby is more than fifty percent or if they have no other choice than to run. He isn't proud that the thought crosses his mind but it helps to a degree that Ruby's powers aren't a beckon to other demons on top whatever could be felt of his own. On the contrary, it bothers him that his connection to Ruby, something that usually has his hairs on end and his mind feel at ease or tingly when she's in his proximity, is weakened. His hope is that Dean moves faster than Astaroth. Certainly they've gotten used to Cas being a savior. Without him, they will have to make do until he shows up.

Sam bites his lip to avoid the frown from marking his face, but there are the stress lines on his forehead to show how worried he is instead. He can reason to some extent that Ruby tells him only what she thinks he needs to hear. "Alright. Let's keep it up and off of it for now. I'll get you that cold compress." He takes a breath but then locks eyes with her. He knows the situation isn't easy but he wants to do what's best for her. He takes another breath in and then out to keep his priorities straight. "And on a scale from one to ten, how cold are you?" That's important too. Demons don't get sick in his experience but a weakened one does tend to shiver. He's noticed Ruby's shivers since he saw her chained up at the start. He stands up to go get the cold compress once she answers that and returns in short order. He's grabbed the extra blanket from the closet to throw over her as well.

His proficiency in magic has skyrocketed over the years and some could say he's between a level befitting a witch and just a regular human. Blood is usually what he needs to access magic if that says anything. His abilities and all of that start and end with blood so it definitely is he makes note of with her method to release him from his chains. He apologizes instantaneously when she hisses between her teeth, pulling the cloth away the moment it's not necessary to dab the alcohol in. He knows it's a sign that she has her faith in him to do what's best for her by showing any vulnerability at all. When it's all wrapped to keep it clean, he smiles just enough to thank her for trusting him but not overdo it.

He's with her not just through the rough patches but for life. One thing he is certain of is that the chances of getting out of their predicament look better than they did before. He is certain whatever damage Asaroth did can be undone. Though on some level, he might realize there is something of a misunderstanding to address with Eileen. There were clearly more discussions with Ruby about her concerns about Eileen to have over time to assure her that he never did nor could see in his future. He tilts her head back by gently guiding her with his hand at the base of her neck, fingers long enough to touch the back of her hairs and support her neck. He may be doing his best to restrain himself from the level of passion usual to his desire of a certain intoxicating blonde, but half way through he pulls at the bottom of her lip gently with his teeth before releasing it. He kisses her a second time with a little more fever. When that breaks, he positions himself carefully right next to her so that can have that closeness. He needs to be close to her too. He doesn't have to think about it too long or too hard to feel in his very core that the best thing for her and himself is quiet togetherness. He meant what he said earlier by being first on watch. His arm snuggled her into himself to enjoy her to close her eyes and rest.

[peaceonearth]

She would absolutely understand though if he were to express that disappointment. It's part of their connection. Thanks to them, Astaroth will have to take a moment and regroup. She might even start adapting her plan because she's not only got Sam's engagement band, but she's got Ruby's knife. They've given her a few things to ponder and reassess while they heal.

Ruby can see the worry and concern on his face despite his attempts to hide it and she appreciates it. She feels a little better about answering his second question honestly. "I...a six. Very cold, but not as bad as waking up in a walk-in freezer," she tells him. Part of it is an inside joke or memory. She's woken up in a walk-in a couple of times when they attempted to keep her body fresh while she wasn't in it. The shivers are under control because of his shirt and the blanket on the bed. A hot shower would probably be good, but she's awfully happy to be in bed right now too. He can help warm her up with his body heat.

She murmurs that it's fine in response to his apology. She knows it's something that has to be done. She doesn't need to fight off an infection and heal as well.

He probably should talk to Eileen and let her know that nothing has changed from the last time she was around. He is still with Ruby and she can't do things like kiss him or flirt with him or hope that things will work out between herself and him. Ruby's concerns haven't changed much either; Astaroth just leaned on those concerns and amplified them. There are things that Sam can have with Eileen that he can never have with Ruby, including children and growing old together. Ruby could switch bodies to stay the same apparent age as him, but she's still not going to grow old with him. That passion and fever is good because it reminds Ruby that he wants her as much as he loves her. She's a little reluctant to break the kisses, but she's also aware they're both exhausted and need rest. Once he pulls her closer to him, she snuggles up with him, tucking herself next to his chest, one leg between his legs, one arm over him. "Warmer now," she murmurs before drifting off to sleep.

After some discussion with Jo, and the ultimate decision that she'd stay at the bunker, Dean had gotten in the Impala as soon as he'd gotten off the phone with Sam. Four and half hours later (he'd driven too fast), Dean is knocking on the door to their hotel room. "Sammy, put some pants on! It's too early to see anyone naked. I brought coffee!" He yells through the door, fully prepared to pick the lock if need be or smash through it as a last resort.

[weirddreams]

All that matters to Sam right now is that Ruby is alive and hasn't taken a turn for the worst due to her injuries. As far as what Astaroth might be planning, it benefits Ruby and Sam the longer the vindictive demon stays off of their heels. They need as much time as they can get to heal. Though of all the things they had to leave behind, Sam doesn't feel great that they had to leave behind one thing that could kill Ruby and the one thing that represented Ruby's commitment to him.

He's never been great at hiding his concern from those he loves. His brave face is for her though. He laughs dryly at her answer. "The good thing is that you don't look half as dead as you did when you were in the walk-in freezer. I think there's a very good chance you'll be feeling right as rain in a few days." He sounds wistful only because he does not have any real evidence to back up his claim. It's up to Ruby to play along. They can definitely take a hot shower later, but for now, he feels it's best that they rest and conserve energy. Besides they also don't know who may be watching the motel for activity in the rooms. Their clothes are very optional though. His are. He's not the one with the shivers. He has a lot of body heat to go around.

With her response to his apology, he is quiet for a second before he finishes tending to her. There are a few more spots over her body that need the alcohol treatment to ensure there won't be infections. Each one he warns her about before dabbing lightly.

The next time Eileen gets in touch with him there will certainly be a conversation in that regard. Sam let her know that he needs space after she kissed him and read the situation wrong. He let her know that he'd need time before she was welcomed back as a woman of letters. He let her know that if she needed anything before he was ready to talk, Charlie could provide her with assistance. As for the part where Sam would age and Ruby wouldn't, that's the only facet to their whole relationship they can't do anything about. Sam told her at least once or twice that they should enjoy the time they do have together. He's told her children are an option. They can adopt. They could travel instead. Sometimes he forgets Ruby isn't as certain as she makes herself out to be. He's overdue on the little reminder. That's his bad even with everything that's been going on. He has to do better. He will do better. His cue to break from the kiss comes from her and he moves back slightly to give her the space to relax against him. His exhaustion only sets in once he allows himself the leeway to think they're safe for now. He runs his hand through her hair as she drifts off and as promised he takes the first shift, and more. He can feel his heartbeat in his chest. He holds Ruby with this feeling in his chest that there isn't anything to say but he does know that her comfort and being there is all that matters in the world. It isn't until the sun starts to rise a bit that his eyes are heavy to force him to drift off too.

He isn't sure how long he had been out but the hard pound on the door (it sounded loud as his heart jolted him awake) but he could tell it was some time. Two hours or perhaps three. He didn't answer or move right away in case it was a scare tactic from their enemy that tracked them here. He reached on pure instinct under his pillow for his gun. Obviously, there was nothing to grab. His mind flinched. Dean's voice from behind the door was the only thing to keep his mind from working overtime on his next move. He regretfully woke up Ruby gently if she wasn't already. If so, it was a nudge on his part so he could get up and open the door.

"Dean? ...Wait one second." Before he swung open the door, he gave Ruby some drawstring gym pants from his bag and the time to put them on. He turned on some lights around the room while he was at it. Maybe he should have kept them off but he wanted to see how Ruby looked. He could tell the medicine had some effect on Ruby. On some level, he knew there was no hiding how rough they looked so the lights stayed on. Sam doesn't reach to take the coffee for himself and Ruby as Dean steps in. His hand is bandaged and he'd rather it not seem as bad as Ruby's condition. "I think I'll pass on the coffee. I'd like to just get out of here."