Master of Puppets [Sam] ~ flashback

[Deleted]

Ruby

It had taken Ruby a while to track down Sam. The last she’d heard, he’d parted ways with Dean for some reason. She didn’t know why and didn’t really care. She’d assumed she would’ve heard from Sam soon enough.

But, everyone knows what happens when you assume.

At first she hadn’t thought much of it. Sometimes Sam needed to be alone for a while to sort out his thoughts. And when that man wanted to be alone, he really got gone. Then she’d thought maybe he was shutting her out on purpose, which irritated her. Then again, she’d shut him out enough times not to be surprised he’d want to return the favor.

But after a few months had gone by and she couldn’t even find a good lead on Sam, Ruby had started to worry. The last time he’d gone that far off the grid was when Dean died. Even Bobby hadn’t been able to reach him, and that guy was like a father to the two of them. Or a close uncle, maybe. Either way, he was closer to the Winchesters than Ruby had ever been. But she’d been the only one able to reach Sam then. And it was a good thing she had. Otherwise, who knew what would’ve happened.

She’d kept her eyes and ears open, checking out any lead she got on anything that could potentially bring her to Sam. And then she’d heard Lucifer had found himself a new vessel. A more “appropriate” one.

That had made her go way past worried into the land of “Oh shit” real fast and she’d started making a real effort to find him. Not just listening in on whatever chatter she heard and checking newspapers. She’d started adamantly seeking him out. Getting sloppy with covering her tracks, leaving her name at bars and motels, hoping that if he knew she was looking – knew someone cared enough to go looking – he’d meet her half-way.

She walked into a sparse motel room and flipped on a light as she closed the door. She pulled off her coat before she even looked around, wincing as she pulled her right arm through the sleeve. There was a long gash along her forearm. She tossed the jacket onto the bed and sighed.

“Damn. I loved that coat,” she muttered.

Ruby walked over to the bathroom, flipping a switch and casting a blue-green fluorescent glow on the room. She put her arm under the tap and turned on the cold water. She’d made a risky move by wandering into a bar frequented by hunters. She’d left her name with the bartender and been overheard by the wrong people. Thanks to her combat skills and some crafty teleportation, she’d gotten herself to the Freebird Motel in one piece. Minus her favorite coat.

She grabbed a white motel towel and wrapped it around her arm. The bleeding would stop quickly and the wound would heal in a day or two, but for now she needed to keep pressure on it. Ruby sighed and looked at her reflection. No matter how long she took up residence in this body, seeing herself in it always startled her.

[Sam Winchester (NPC)]

Lucifer!Sam

The man appeared outside the door of the motel room. Well, he wasn't really a man, but he looked like one. To the occupant of the room, a very familiar man. He could have just appeared inside the room but he wanted to see her reaction. It had been a long time since he'd seen her or more correctly, since his vessel had seen her.

He knew about Ruby. Everything the man Sam Winchester knew about her. Which was quite a bit. This was a test of sorts for the demon. As such he was dressed appropriately, like Sam would have dressed. Boots, jeans, a grey t-shirt underneath a long sleeved button down shirt and a casual olive drab, green jacket.

The word had gotten back to him that Ruby was looking for Sam and she wasn't keeping it quiet either. That intrigued him. It also meant that she seemed to be unaware of Sam's fate. However, on that count he couldn't be sure. That's what this little visit was for. He needed to know what she wanted with him. Besides, she could probably be useful. Well... He would know soon enough he thought as he reached out and knocked firmly upon the door.

[Deleted]

Ruby

Ruby shut off the water and jumped slightly at the sudden knock at the door. She frowned as she stood in the doorway of the bathroom, staring at the motel room door, which she hadn't even locked.

Crap.

Anyone she could think of who would have come to see her wouldn't have knocked. Busted down the door? Sure. Teleported into the room? Probably. Broken through a window just to be a jerk? Most likely. She walked toward the door with brisk steps, still holding the towel to her arm.

If this is the manager bitching about that credit card I gave him...

But it wasn't the manager.

Ruby stood on her tip-toes to look through the peep-hole and her breath caught in her throat for a moment. There was the one man in the world who actually would knock if he were coming to see her.

Forgetting about her wound for a moment, she pulled open the door, letting the bloody towel drop to the floor as she looked up at Sam's chiseled face.

"Sam..."

In all the time she'd been looking for him, she'd never actually expected him to come and find her. Hoping, maybe - it sure made things easier. But it wasn't something she thought would happen, realistically.

Before she could stop herself - before she even realized she was doing it - Ruby'd wrapped her arms around Sam's neck, standing on her toes to hug him tightly. In the first few seconds of seeing him, she was just incredibly relieved he was still alive.

The pain in her arm made her realize what she'd done and she pulled away from him quickly. She backed into the doorway and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, focusing her gaze on her bleeding arm, not looking at him. Embarrassed and frustrated with herself.

"Wow. Um... Awkward. Anyway, good to know you're not dead," she said, her tone aggravated.

She glared at him, putting her good hand on her hip. Now her relief was turning into frustration. How could he just drop off the grid like that and not tell anybody whether or not he was even alright?

"So, let me get this straight. You're allowed to just drop off the face of the earth and not call, but I'm not? Oh, yeah. That's fair."

[Sam Winchester (NPC)]

Lucifer!Sam

He stood with his arms folded, a neutral look on his face. Waiting for the door to open. Staring at the door he did his best to keep up the facade he wanted her to see. When the door finally opened he brought his eyes up to look at her. He saw the surprise etched on her face. It brought a slight smile to his face.

Then is was his turn to be caught off guard a bit. He hadn't really expected her to make such an affectionate move. It only took him a split second to recover and he wrapped one arm around her waist, returning the hug a bit awkwardly. As he figured Sam would have done. Even Sam would have been prepared for a flippant and sarcastic remark, not a warm embrace.

His mind was turning now though. The hug told him something. A vital piece of information. Her bond with Sam was strong, stronger than either she or even Sam had been aware. As Ruby broke away from him and backed away he looked her over. Giving her a slight smile. Nothing too bright and cheerful. Just something that acknowledged he wasn't there to deliver bad news or something of that sort.

"Hello Ruby."

It was stated simply. A friendly greeting. Still trying to judge her reaction. Her initial enthusiasm had now turned into something more along the lines of what he had initially expected. She seemed a bit thrown by her own reaction to Sam showing up on her doorstep.

Her familiar tone and attitude was quickly returning. The defiance showed in her body language. Still playing the role he nodded his head as she spoke. Affixing an appropriately sheepish look on his face as she admonished him. When she finished he let a moment of silence pass before he looked her in the eye and spoke.

"I know Ruby. I'm sorry. It's not fair. In my defense, I'd have to say that there were extenuating circumstances."

He allowed another pause to fill the air. Still standing outside the door he waited a moment but it wasn't long before he couldn't help but grin at her.

"Well, are you going to invite me in? or are you so pissed off at me that you're going to just send me packing?"

He already knew the answer. There was no way she wasn't going to let him in. She was the one that had been searching him out. At the very least him showing up had her intrigued, she wouldn't let him just walk away.

[Deleted]

Ruby

Ruby stood with her hand on her hip looking up at Sam.

“Hello Ruby.”

He gave a small smile and Ruby glared at him. ‘Hello Ruby’? After how long he’d been gone with Lucifer going around ending the world and all, that was what he had to say?

“So, let me get this straight. You’re allowed to just drop off the face of the earth and not call, but I’m not? Oh, yeah. That’s fair.”

“I know Ruby. I’m sorry. It’s not fair. In my defense, I’d have to say that there were extenuating circumstances.”

Ruby wrinkled her brows. Something about the way he said that bothered her, but before she could reply he spoke again, smiling.

“Well, are you going to invite me in? Or are you so pissed off at me that you’re going to just send me packing?”

Ruby studied him for a moment. Yes, she was a bit pissed off at him, but she’d been looking for him all this time. It wasn’t like she was going to turn him away. She opened the door all the way and turned around to walk into the room.

“‘In my defense’? ‘Extenuating circumstances’? What’d you go back to law school?”

She picked up the towel from the floor and pressed it to her arm again before she sat down on the edge of the bed.

[Sam Winchester (NPC)]

Sam

Sam gave her a slightly smirking smile as she opened the door for him. He followed her through the door, taking a cursory look around the room.

“‘In my defense’? ‘Extenuating circumstances’? What’d you go back to law school?”

Sam rolled his eyes at her snarky comment but when Ruby picked up the towel he noticed her injury. Walking over to her he stood in front of her when she sat down. He allowed a look of concern to cross his face before he answered her question.

"I have been a little busy you know. The whole Lucifer thing. I'm sorry, I just thought it was best I deal with it on my own."

Pausing, he sat down on the bed next to her. Eyeing her carefully before touching her arm.

"You OK? What happened? Let me take a look at it."

Changing the tone of his voice to a one of caring and concern as he spoke to her. He tugged gently at the towel to uncover the wound. Holding her arm and examining it. Then he took the towel and wrapped it carefully back around her arm.

"It doesn't look that bad. Could use some stitches if it was me. But, you heal up a lot faster than I do."

Giving her a soft smile he set her arm back down and let go of it. Sighing quietly as he thought for a moment.

"So... Are we past being pissed off at me? OK. Probably a stupid question... But are we at least ready to talk? I heard you were looking for me... "

Sam paused again while a smirk flashed on his face.

"Must be a reason for that. I mean... Don't tell me you just really really missed me."

[Deleted]

Ruby

“I have been a little busy you know. The whole Lucifer thing. I’m sorry, I just thought it was best to deal with it on my own.”

Ruby glared at him. This wasn’t the first time Sam had gone off on his own to ‘deal’ with something, but he didn’t do so well on his own. And that was exactly what Lucifer would use against him. She opened her mouth to say something, but Sam spoke before she could get any words out.

“You OK? What happened? Let me take a look at it”

Ruby gave him a questioning look.

“What? Oh.”

She shrugged when he touched her arm.

“It’s fine.”

She watched as he examined her wound.

“It doesn’t look too bad. Could use some stitches if it was me. But, you heal up a lot faster than I do.”

“I told you, it’s fine.”

She jerked her arm away and rolled her eyes.

“So… Are we past being pissed off at me?”

Ruby raised an eyebrow. Was he kidding?

“OK. Probably a stupid question… But are we at least ready to talk? I heard you were looking for me… Must be a reason for that. I mean… Don’t tell me you just really really missed me.”

Ruby sighed irritably.

“Oh, yeah, Sam. I just totally missed the whole ‘bonding over the end of the world’ thing we had going on. Lucifer is here, Sam. This isn’t just damage control anymore. This is it. He’s here and he’s looking to make you his meat puppet. Do you not get that?”

She stood and turned to face him.

“And you just take off and don’t tell anybody? That’s your diabolical master plan? Are you kidding me?”

She went to cross her arms in front of her chest and winced, inhaling sharply through her teeth as her good arm brushed against the gash on the other arm. She let the towel fall to the floor and put her good hand on her hip.

[Sam Winchester (NPC)]

Lucifer!Sam

Sam let out a bit of a sigh while Ruby kept protesting that her injury was fine. When she pulled her arm away from him he took in a deep breath. She was being stubborn. He needed to think like Sam. This was her typical behavior. Her anger bubbling to the surface and rightly so it seemed from her perspective.

“Oh, yeah, Sam. I just totally missed the whole ‘bonding over the end of the world’ thing we had going on. Lucifer is here, Sam. This isn’t just damage control anymore. This is it. He’s here and he’s looking to make you his meat puppet. Do you not get that?”

The man let his hands fall into his lap. Watching her as she got up, her stepping back before she turned around to look at him. He remained quiet.

“And you just take off and don’t tell anybody? That’s your diabolical master plan? Are you kidding me?”

Now, what was he supposed to say to that? She was almost right on the money with what she said. But... Not quite. She had no idea that the plan had already been implemented. Her precious Sam was not who she was talking to. Oh, he was still there... buried deep inside though, he wasn't going to surface anytime soon.

Sam stood up, bending down he picked up the towel she dropped. He tossed the towel over onto the table. Then he turned his attention back to Ruby. What did she need to see from him? He changed his tact a bit. His face looking serious. Taking a few steps he moved in close to her, standing directly in front of her. Looking into her eyes as she made a defiant stand.

"I'm sorry, Ruby. You're right. I shouldn't have cut you out. It's been a long time, I know. I'm here now."

Reaching up he took a bit of a risk, touching her hair, pushing some stray strands away from her face. Lucifer felt something inside the host flutter. It seemed he had gotten Sam's attention at the very least. Now he just wondered what affect it was going to have on Ruby.

[Deleted]

Ruby

Ruby ignored the pain in her arm. She should’ve been keeping it elevated, but she was too aggravated to care. Besides, she had a high tolerance for pain. She looked up as Sam approached her, a serious expression on his face.

“I’m sorry, Ruby. You’re right,” he said. “I shouldn’t have cut you out.”

Ruby sighed as he spoke. This was how she knew it would start. ‘I’m sorry, I know I screwed up.’ Then there was always a ‘but’ followed by a logical Sam-speak explanation. Then she’d rebut, and they’d go back and forth before finally deciding on the next step. That was how things worked between them. One step at a time, lots of friction.

“It’s been a long time, I know,” he continued. “I’m here now.”

She studied him, waiting for him to launch into an explanation. His touch caught her by surprise. She turned away very slightly as he reached up to brush her hair out of her face. She looked up at him with a quizzical expression.

“Yeah… Good,” she said. “That’s good that you’re here, but that’s not the point. What the hell were you doing all this time, Sam? Where were you? I mean, you didn’t even call Dean? Really? And don’t give me that ‘he went my way I went mine’ crap, because there’s no way in hell he wasn’t worried about you.”

This didn’t make any sense. He just fell off the grid for months, no contact with anyone, no clues, no nothing, and then – bam, here he was with nothing to show for it? Was this one of those broody ‘I had to be alone and find myself’ things he liked to do? And what was with the touchy feely stuff? Sure, she’d been worried, but now that he was here the worry had turned into anger and frustration. Normally he would’ve come right back with his own frustration while he tried to explain what had happened. Something was off, but Ruby couldn’t pinpoint it exactly yet, didn’t think to pinpoint it. She’d just keep pushing his buttons until she got the right one and he gave her some answers.

[Sam Winchester (NPC)]

Lucifer!Sam

This was becoming more difficult. Something he hadn't thought of that she brought up. He hadn't even contacted Dean. That was going to be a tricky one to explain. Sam definitely wouldn't have bailed on his brother without a reason. Aaaah... But, perhaps it could work to his advantage. And it wasn't even like it was a lie. Maybe the truth really could set you free, or at least convince Ruby at least for the moment, that the man in the room with her was still Sam Winchester.

"Ruby... you know that things between Dean and I were getting complicated. I mean, for one thing there was you. Dean never could accept you, was always suspicious, but I knew I needed you."

He moved, backed away from her. He looked at her intently for a moment before he went back to the bed and sat heavily on the edge of it. Rubbing his forehead as if deep in thought before he continued.

"You and Dean... always at each other's throats and me stuck in the middle. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to get away. Once I did... I just... I don't know, I thought I could disappear, pretend none of it matter. Let Dean have his way. Handle things the way he wanted to. And you... You didn't need me. I always wanted things that you couldn't give right? I thought I would do you both a favor. It would be easier for both of you to do what needed to be done with out me clouding the waters. I was always the one that was out of place. You and Dean always saw everything so clearly, knew what you wanted, what needed to be done. I just got in the way."

He took a deep breath, then glanced up to look at the dark haired demon. Was she buying this? It seemed to be what Sam would say. A thoughtful explanation. Throw in a little bit of self doubt and it seemed perfectly logical to him. Which was exactly how Sam Winchester thought. Now if he could just keep her thinking he was Sam a little longer, maybe he could find out a few things.

[Deleted]

Ruby

Ruby studied Sam as she waited for him to explain. She had this nagging feeling that something was wrong, but she had no idea where it was coming from. It had been a long time since she’d seen Sam at all. Maybe she was just feeling weird about it.

“Ruby… you know that things between Dean and I were getting complicated. I mean, for one thing there was you.”

Ruby frowned. Here we go again, she thought.

“Dean never could accept you, was always suspicious, but I knew I needed you.”

Ruby sighed. It had been a long time since she’d heard this particular spiel, but she’d heard it several times. Dean didn’t like her, Sam needed her, blah blah blah. It got old really fast. She frowned at him as he went on, talking about how he had to get away on his own and just let Dean do what he wanted.

“And you… You didn’t need me. I always wanted things that you couldn’t give right? I thought I would do you both a favor. It would be easier for both of you to do what needed to be done without me clouding the waters. I was always the one that was out of place. You and Dean always saw everything so clearly, knew what you wanted, what needed to be done. I just got in the way.”

Ruby raised an eyebrow. Did he just compare her to Dean? Ew. Aside from that, this whole thing didn’t make sense. Sam was all upset that she and Dean weren’t getting along – which was nothing new – so he took off, never to be seen again? She could see him doing that for a specific reason – if someone died or something – but not for something as petty as the fact that Dean didn’t like her.

“You’re gonna play the Eeyore card? Really?”

She rolled her eyes and sighed.

“It’s not like me and Dean were ever best buds, so us not being friendly shouldn’t exactly be a shocker. What’s going on, Sam? There has to be more to it than that.”

It occurred to her that there was a very important piece of information she wasn’t mentioning. He had said that she couldn’t give him what he wanted. They’d argued dozens of times over emotional connections – and lack thereof – and at one point she herself had taken off so she wouldn’t have to deal with it. Maybe Sam had taken a page from her book and done the same thing.