Dean's face flashed. His green eyes were full of pain. His mouth was open a scream that reverberated in his ears. Invisible claws were ripping into his skin, blood seeping out. Dean struck out, his fists clenched, trying to strike the beast that was clawing his soul out of his body. His face was covered in sweat and blood, glistening. Sam was trying to fight the beasts he couldn't see. He was trying to save his brother. "Go!" Dean cried out, his voice distorted beyond belief with pain. Sam shook his head desperately, his mouth opening in a scream of despair that he couldn't hear.

The door to his room opened, arms enveloping his sweat covered body and holding him as he cried, heart-wrenching sobs that tore through his very soul. "No, no, no, Dean, no, please, don't leave me, Dean," he pleaded, still half in the nightmare.

"Shhhhhh, shhh," she soothed in his ear, rocking him slightly as she calmed him. Her voice slowly drew him back to reality, to the cold hard truth that his brother was dead and that he, the person who was supposed to watch his back, hadn't been able to save him. Had caused his death. He sobbed even harder then, his soul clenching. He cried until he had no more tears to shed and then he dry-sobbed, his throat soar and his head aching. And she held him until he was done and she held him afterwards, supporting his body and comforting him. And as he lay, feeling protected in her arms, he fell asleep.

He didn't feel Lea's eyes on him as she looked at this broken shadow of a man lying in her arms. She continued to rock and sooth him in sleep, all the while watching him. Remembering how she held her brother like this before he died. She rested her cheek against the top of his head and smelt the cheap motel shampoo in his long hair and fell asleep.

When Sam awoke, he was instantly aware of the arms enveloping him, the cheek pressed against the crown of his head and the hair mingled with his own. He stirred, moving slowly, remembering the nightmare, the flashback of the night that Dean was dragged from him. He remembered how she had held him as he cried and then fell asleep in her arms. She mumbled into his ear, some nonsensical words, and snuggled into him even more. He stiffened, not wanting to wake her.

He thought back to how she had held him, providing solid, human comfort. She had protected him in a way that only Dean had previously done. She had held him. He was grateful for that. He turned his head and jumped. Sitting in the chair was Dean. He blinked. And Dean was gone. He stared at the spot where phantom Dean had sat, willing him to come back. "Dean," he whispered, "Oh God Dean, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry that I couldn't protect you, that I couldn't save you." His voice broke. He forced back tears. He wouldn't cry again. He refused to.

Lea stirred and her hold on him loosened. He turned his head to watch her, wary of her reaction. She blinked blearily, her head lifting off of Sam's. He turned his body and looked at her properly. She opened her eyes again and she looked around, confused. Then she looked down, her mouth forming an 'O' of surprise, before her eyes widened as she remembered.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice soft and slightly hoarse from the sleep.

He nodded, "Thank you. For last night. I appreciate it." She gave him a tiny smile.

"I know what it feels like to lose someone. To watch them die and not be able to do anything about it. To be the cause of death and to be alone afterwards. It was the least I could do," she said. She began to stretch, her back curving and her arms reaching to the sky. She rolled her neck. Sam sat up to allow her to move her legs. She moved them over the side of the bed and Sam could imagine her wiggling her toes and rolling her ankles. She stood up and moved to the door.

"Lea? Do you wanna grab breakfast? On me," he asked, feeling slightly shy. Breakfast seemed like an insignificant thank you but it was all he could think of. He watched as she smiled.

"That would be lovely. Half an hour? I need to shower and change so I'll meet you by your car?" she replied.

"Sure thing. I'll see you in half an hour," he smiled. She grinned and left his room. Sam rolled off the bed and padded to the bathroom. He stripped off his shorts and t-shirt and stepped under the shower. He needed to wash off the sweat from last night and water helped to clear his head. He scrubbed his skin again, the body wash lathering up thick and foamy. It smelt like musk. He would put that one in his bag, he liked it. He washed off the foam and got to work on his hair. He shampooed it, rinsed it, conditioned it, rinsed it and then stood, letting the water run over his face. He stood like this until he realised he only had about 10 minutes left.

He got out of the shower and towelled off before tying the towel around his waist and going to his duffel. He pulled out undershorts, his Harry Potter socks, some jeans, a plain grey tee and his plaid shirt. His fingers brushed the amulet he had put at the bottom of his bag. Dean's amulet. He pulled it out and looked at it. He brushed his fingers over the grooves in the charm and felt the soft, worn leather strap. He pulled it over his head. It was part of Dean and it comforted him. He got dressed quickly, then returned to the bathroom and brushed his teeth before grabbing his bag and heading out the door.

As he handed in his key at reception and left a tip, he heard footsteps behind him.

"Well you were hard to find," a female voice said, not Lea's he noted. It was a woman he'd never seen before. He blinked in confusion.

"You've got the wrong guy, I don't know who you are," he said, assuming that was the case. Unusual for him, his height normally distinguished him quite well, but there was an exception to every rule.

"Nope," she replied, popping the 'p'. She raised an eyebrow. "Really, Sam? Are you that stupid? Hello, big boy, its Ruby over here," her voice quickly gaining an incredible amount of sarcasm.

His mouth dropped open. "Ruby?" he hissed. "What the hell?" He glanced at the receptionist who was regarding them with interest. "Thank you," he said to her, before grabbing Ruby's arm and dragging her out of the door. "I thought you were in Hell? How did you escpae?"

"I didn't. I somehow managed to persuade Lilith that I was completely loyal to her and she released me. I'm supposed to be, ya know, killing you, but whatever. Pleased to see me?" she smirked. Sam blinked. Was he glad to see her? He didn't know.

"Yes, am I glad to see you! I was worried but, you were in Hell ad there was nothing I could've done. And with Dean and everything it's been kinda insane but if you're back, then maybe Dean could get out," he said, breathless with joy. If Ruby could get out, then so could Dean. He was sure of it.

"I'm not so sure about Dean-o getting out. Contract and all that? Oh yeah, and he's a Winchester and since Hell kinda lost your pops, they've been eager to get their hands on another one. Preferably both of you, but one is good. For now," she said, a look of sympathy on her face.

"Oh," Sam said. "But, there has to be some way, come on Ruby, think, please! This is my brother," his voice pleading.

She shook her head. "I'm sorry, Sam, I really am, but I don't think it's going to happen." She looked behind him. Her head tilted and her eyebrow raised again. "Picking up the chicks though, hmm?"

Sam looked behind him. Lea was stood by Baby watching them. He smiled and waved slightly. She smiled and waved back. He looked back at Ruby. "I have to go. Call me later though, yeah? Please? And think of if there is any way possible to get him out, please," he asked. She nodded. "Thank you, really," he said, his voice exuding gratefulness. He backed away a step and began to turn away. Her hand reached out.

"No promises, Sam." He nodded. He didn't want promises, he wanted results.

He walked over to Lea and Baby. He reached for the car keys in his jacket and unlocked the car. "Ready?" he said, feeling happier than he had in a while.

"Ready," she replied.