Sam pulls his Dodge Charger into his driveway, after a long drive back home. His mind had been reeling the whole time. He was used to him and Dean arguing so much, although these days there was just silence between them. But Sam honestly thought Dean would put all of that aside, after being told the severity of the threat they're facing. Was Sam stupid to think Dean could forgive and forget so quickly? Or did Dean really not understand how bad the situation is?
His car glistens in the moonlight, as he locks it behind him and heads inside. Before he has barely taken a step inside the front door, Ruby is there to welcome him with open arms.
"You're home!" she squeals with excitement – and relief. "Where's Dean?"
Sam brushes past her, with a heavy look of defeat on his face. He heads into the lounge, and scoops up his son from the play pen. Ruby had obviously kept him awake so he can see his daddy. She knows Sam wouldn't have felt comfortable leaving John in his cot, without the pair of them watching over him.
"He's not coming, is he?" Ruby affirms, as she follows her husband into the room.
Sam really doesn't feel like talking. He feels betrayed by his brother. This is bigger than those two and their problems – their children are in danger. And he hates his brother for not realising that.
Squeezing his 6 month old in his arms, Sam looks across the room at his wife. He forces his puppy eyes to disappear, as he sighs to himself and stands to attention.
"it's alright," the hunter states, "we don't need him anyway – we have me! One Winchester is all we have ever needed."
"Sam-," Ruby tries to interrupt.
"And with my amazing wife by my side," Sam continues, talking over her, "he'll never get to John, again."
"Sam," Ruby speaks louder this time, placing a comforting hand on his bicep.
Sam's overly-false smile disappears again, as he finally stops rambling and looks at his wife.
"Sam, sit down."
Doing as he is told, Sam perches himself on the edge of the couch. He watches on as Ruby pops little John on her lap, sitting opposite him. He cant help but smile to himself, as she begins to pull faces at their son, getting him to giggle a little. Sam shakes his head with worry, trying to avert his gaze away from his family.
"It was worth a try, babe," Ruby assures, as she looks over at her concerned husband.
"was it?" he asks, looking right at her. "It feels like he is angry with me now more than ever," he sighs to himself. "And he's got a kid. Dean has a daughter; I have a niece, and I didn't even know."
"Well," Ruby averts his gaze now, knowing he isn't going to be too pleased with her next comment. "If you ever told me what went on between you two, maybe I could help?"
She tries to act quite nonchalant with her point, but it becomes pretty obvious that this is not the first time she has had to prod at the current state of the Winchester brothers. And Sam is really not in the mood.
"I've told you," Sam insists, annoyance immediately recognisable in his voice, "its just-"
"just brother stuff," Ruby finishes his excuse for him, having heard it for the millionth time. "Yeah, you've said that much."
Ruby perches John on her hip, as she stands herself up from the couch. She heads for the door and towards the staircase.
"I'm going to settle him down," she informs Sam. "Don't worry, I will take the first watch."
She may be annoyed at Sam right now, but she can see he is in no fit state to stay up for a few more hours. Whether or not he will actually get some sleep over the next few hours, she highly doubts. But he cannot watch over John when his mind is so distracted.
And she is right. Sam finds himself leaning back into the couch, sighing as he rubs a hand over his face. With the weight of the world on his shoulders, he is trying his best not to let the tears fall. What the hell is he going to do now?