We need to have a talk (Sam and Dean S4)

[dudeimbatman]

Dean was not happy. He'd spent the night stewing over it while Sam was in another room with Ruby doing God knows what. Suffice it to say he is unhappy about Sam's reveal of his relationship with Ruby. They'd fought about it last night before Sam stormed out to spend the night with Ruby. Dean had gone to the bar to drink too many whiskeys before he returned to the motel room to see that Sam was still with Ruby.

Breakfast that morning had been an awkward, silent affair in which Dean had spent the morning plotting how they would ditch Ruby. Of course, that idea is squashed when Sam walks Ruby to her car, kisses her (gross), and loudly says "I'll see you there."

Dean grumbles "oh christ on a stick," then gets in the car and shuts the door, cranking the music up as he waits for Sam to join him.

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[weirddreams]

Nothing happened with Ruby because Sam couldn't think about anything else. In fact, Ruby was the one suggested ways he might relax with a soak and a sleep rather than pace in the room the rest of the night. She was right. Admittedly, he wasn't feeling as raw and argumentative when he woke up before the two of them walked to the diner down the street.

His mood was helped more with a little to eat. Although nothing could change the awkwardness at breakfast. Sam also needed the nudge from Ruby and a little of his own sense to sit with Dean. Silence spoke more than words could at the table; he could see Dean was working up to saying something. It was clear going with his brother to their next destination was something they both needed. Of course he thought Dean might be planning to ditch Ruby too. What he doesn't share is that Ruby already had access to his GPS with his permission.

Sam has one more kiss for Ruby just for Dean's complaint, before turning to get in the passenger's side. He rolls his eyes as Dean cranks up the music. Fine. If his brother doesn't want to talk right away, they won't. He makes himself comfortable for the three-hundred mile drive ahead.

[dudeimbatman]

A bath is always a good idea in Ruby's opinion, but especially to relax. One of these days the boys will realize that Ruby is often right; not always, she's not perfect, but often. While Sam had been in the bath, she'd also brewed him a cup of tea with herbs to help him sleep like valerian root, catnip, passion flower, and lavender.

Ruby had eaten her hashbrowns in silence, aware that the boys would have time to talk on the ride. She was going to insist that Sam go with Dean if he hadn't come to that decision on his own. Sam would not be happy without Dean in his life and Ruby wasn't happy if Sam wasn't happy. Ruby had had too many garbage miserable years centuries to even entertain that idea. Good not to share; that information would have sent Dean into another rant because what if sam needed to get away from her?

They drive for about 70 miles before Dean reaches out, turns the music down a little and says, "is it a Stockholm thing? Like she was there for you when I was gone and now you're under some sort of...Stockholm Syndrome thing? Are you Patty Hearst?"

[weirddreams]

Next time she should join him, but for the most part he was glad she gave him space so none of his tension turned on her. He was less tense by the time he was out of the bath. A towel around his waist when he stepped into their shared room. He thanked her for the tea and talked to Ruby until the effects of it started to take hold. Truth is he hadn't slept well the last couple of weeks and he needed as much help as he could get.

Part of why he doesn't believe/see Ruby as a problem is because she has made it clear that she was not going to get in between them. Part of it is because her method, before Castiel was in the picture, to retrieve Dean was as sound as anything else. Part of it was because she was working with him the whole while to do it. So far things were on the up and up. The only thing there was to talk about were the bruises on bruises on his body from training physically as well as his latent abilities. He would tell Dean at some point. Their relationship wasn't only about that though. He could always throw away his phone, but yeah. Dropping one thing at a time over time on Dean is the plan.

He anticipated it'd be an hour before Dean even looked at him but the silence wasn't any less uncomfortable. Sam only adjusted himself for the umpteenth time when he turned to Dean, "No. First of all, I was the one that asked her to stick around. Second of all, she was the only one that had any sort of idea on how to get you out. Don't be ridiculous. I'm not changing my name to Tania."

[dudeimbatman]

Next time, when he doesn't have so much to process and figure out, she will join him. Honestly, she wants some credit for not jumping him when he came out with the towel wrapped around his waist.

Her plan would have worked, but Castiel's was much simpler. Unfortunately, Ruby wasn't capable of pulling Dean out of Hell so easily. Dean will eventually get around to asking about the bruises, but he can tell that some of them are from combat. As for his abilities, he'd just as soon Sam not use those. They scare him and they worry him in regard to what they could mean for his brother. At some point, Sam will have to tell Dean exactly what his relationship with Ruby is about. It might come up in this conversation.

"Okay. So I'm back. You're not lonely anymore. We ditch her first chance we get." It sounds very reasonable to Dean. sorry, Sam.

[weirddreams]

There will be plenty of time to catch up when they meet back up at their destination. She can hint at it then.

Sam's grateful Castiel saved Dean. But no sooner had the angel appeared, he was gone again. It does work in his favor if Dean can't put together the pieces of where all the bruising came from right away. The last thing they needed is an argument compounded on the existing one. Everything is going to come up eventually. Ruby training him and his powers grown since the last time they talked just seems like the last thing to get around to.

"No, Dean... You're back and that's what I wanted, but I can't ditch her. I won't. It was more than being lonely when you were gone; as crazy as it sounds, we... Ruby and I have something." Unfortunately, it doesn't sound reasonable to Sam. It might be hard for Dean to understand but it's a friendship between them that Sam doesn't know he can find in anyone else. He'd be scared for the longest time to reach out to someone because of what they do. The thing with Ruby isn't Stockholm, it's the first possibility he's seen in years.

[dudeimbatman]

Personally, Ruby is glad the angel disappeared; She's terrified of him, though she won't admit it or show it. One argument or discussion point at a time is better for all of them. Dean won't argue with Ruby training Sam's physical abilities. He can't deny that she's good in a fight. He will have a little more to say about Sam's mental abilities though. That is for another day.

Dean looks over to Sam, a have you lost your damn mind expression on his face. "Sam...she's a demon. I get it. She gave me the 'I'm different' speech, but I can say I'm a bear and that doesn't make it true. Help me understand this because right now...I don't get it. If you weren't...you, I'd just say it was the sex because she's smoking hot, but you're not exactly led around by your dick most of the time."

[weirddreams]

Sam is also relieved the angel isn't following their every move; something about the way Castiel looks at him makes him feel uncomfortable or judged. He'd be relieved to know Ruby doesn't have that complication either if he knew what she thought. Yes, too many arguments might break them apart, and Sam doesn't want that when he just got Dean back. Unfortunately, Sam can't help Dean understand his mental abilities or connection to Ruby. That may just take time following the conversation.

Instinctively, Sam points to the road as Dean should pay attention to the traffic (namely the big rig closest to them). But he doesn't blame Dean for that expression and puts careful thought into an explanation. "You weren't there." Only so many ways he can pull the punches with that nugget of truth, but his voice is steady and calm. "She could have killed me if that's what she wanted to do; trust me, she had multiple opportunities. Instead she's gone out of her way to help me figure out my next steps. So as far as I'm concerned, she's earned my trust through her actions. She is different. We can't classify people as all good, law abiding citizens; I won't classify her as bad as the rest of them when all she's done is help. I think you should give her a chance to prove it. I can't help you understand if you don't."

[dudeimbatman]

It will definitely take time, but if Sam is willing to give him time, he'll get used to it.

Yeah, yeah. Dean sees it. The way Sam takes time to answer Dean is good. It tells Dean that Sam has put thought into this, that Sam is thinking this, Ruby, through. Dean rubs the back of his neck when Sam says Dean wasn't there. He knows and he still feels guilty for leaving Sam alone, but at least Sam was alive; he'd taken care of his little brother the only way he'd known how. Dean won't apologize for making that deal. Dean gives Sam a bit of a sideways look. "She took care of you?"

He sounds doubtful because he is, but he's listening.

[weirddreams]

He wasn't trying to make Dean feel guilty. More than anything he wished he could have changed Dean's fate but the deal Dean accepted left no alternatives. He will get to what Ruby proposed as part of how he trusted her or why she took care of him in due time. He notices that Dean is starting to listen a little, "She came back when Lilith ejected from her body." He won't go into the gamble he made by betting on the smoke that seemed to hover over the city. "She pushed me back onto my feet and covered our tracks. She stepped in when I'm not too sure I could have."

A coldness still feels like it's under his skin because he couldn't do anything to bring Dean back. He's grateful that Castiel did it for whatever reason there was for it. Naturally, his focus will eventually shift to what was even happening between Hell and Heaven.

[dudeimbatman]

“So she jumped back into her body and came looking for you. Why? What was in it for her, Sam? You? I’m not saying she’s evil. I’m just saying she’s not Mother Theresa. “ dean asks as they continue to drive.

After a pause, Dean admits “I’m glad you weren’t alone.”

[weirddreams]

Sam turns his eyes out the window. "Well, not exactly. I was going to bury her body too, but... It didn't work out that way." That's not the half of it. He feels a wave of exhaustion that there has to be any reason at all with Ruby. "Maybe. Maybe it's as simple as that. She doesn't want the world to mirror Hell, and neither do I. Ruby and I have some common ground." Even if he knew Ruby wanted a get out of Hell free card, he wouldn't blame her. There's a lot written on Dean's face since his return that tells Sam that Hell isn't a place demons want to be either.

He nods, his thoughts elsewhere. He knows it's not Dean's fault for how things worked out. "Nothing has to change with her in the picture. You're back now and we can figure it out. Give Ruby a chance, Dean."

[dudeimbatman]

Dean nods a little. He can tell Sam is holding back some details, but this isn't the time to push for them. It feels like Sam is telling him the big things even if he is leaving a lot of important details out. He sees that wave of exhaustion sweep over Sam, but he doesn't know what it's from. Unfortunately, Sam is right. If Ruby were human, Dean would be happy for Sam. There'd be no need for a fourth degree. "You have common ground with a demon, Sam? Just because Yellow Eyes pulled that bullshit with you doesn't mean you're anything like a demon." Sorry, but this is important to Dean. His baby brother is nothing like a demon (or what Dean believes all demons are like).

Dan sighs a little and pauses for a long moment. "One chance. For you, Sam."

[weirddreams]

Sorry, Dean. The last thing he wants is to fight about Ruby by sharing too much too soon. Why? He's worried Dean will reject him for continuing things with Ruby. As nice as it is to hear Dean believe in him (as far as his humanity goes), it still doesn't change that he feels different. He doesn't wish to fight about it either. "Not with any demon, Dean. With Ruby. I think you should ask her yourself what she wants." Truth is, he believes Dean needs to hear it as well as see it. He firmly Ruby is nothing like the demons they were taught to hate. She is no one close to as detestable as Yellow Eyes.

It's all he asks for, but he spends a moment deciphering how much Dean means it. "So you will talk to her?" When they get there.

[dudeimbatman]

Oh, Sammy. Dean would never reject him; he's incapable of it. Dean wouldn't know what to do with a life that didn't have Sam in it. Dean hesitates and then nods. "Fine. Yeah. I'll talk to hr when we get to the motel. We'll share dessert and chat about her feelings and motivations for you."

[weirddreams]

They always have been in communication one way or another. Sam hadn't been able to cut Dean out of his either. But the words have to come out of Dean's mouth. There isn't anything in any book that can tell him how far is too far with Dean. It takes a little effort on his part not to pick apart the choice of words.

"I think food is a good idea once we reach the motel. We skipped lunch already."