I own only natural things. . .except my diabolical imagination. . .
.~o()o~.
"What? Ruby? How dare you think I am that stupid, demon slut? It's me, Leah, your one true love," she batted her eyelashes furiously.
"Drop the act, Ruby," Sam scowled. "I know it's you."
"Aw, what gave me away?" Ruby pouted.
"Well, I know Leah. . ." Sam started.
"Ha," Ruby scoffed. "Not in the biblical sense, and that's where I come in."
"I am not in the mood for games. You better get out of her and fast or I will forget that you saved my life."
"Sam," Ruby scooted closer to him. "Why are you so angry? I am here to help you. There is one thing you want right now and one thing you need. I can give you both."
"You have thirty seconds," Sam's face darkened in anger.
"You need the blood, Sam. It has been too long since I last gave you any. You are weakening by the day. And you want this body, but she keeps denying you, even though you both know you are meant to be together," Ruby pleaded.
"I said I wouldn't force her and I won't. If she ever gives herself to me, it will be on her terms," Sam said firmly.
"Silly Sam," Ruby giggled. "You wouldn't be forcing her. She wants you just as badly as you want her. She may have resisted before, but her body is crying out for you. I'll even let her out to enjoy this, once she is too far gone to push you away again. It will be her when it really matters. It might be a little kinkier than she planned for her first time, but she will enjoy every moment. See it as a gift. She is too afraid to take what she wants. I am just here to break the ice."
"What kind of monster do you think I am," Sam roared. "I respect Leah, if I ignore that respect now, I will lose her.
"If you don't, you will lose me," Ruby gazed unwaveringly into his eyes, suddenly serious.
"What makes you think I care," Sam asked softly.
"Oh, come on. We've had so much fun together. Are you going to toss me away like so much garbage?"
"Every second you ignore me and stay inside her makes that outcome more likely," Sam growled.
"You can't just throw me away, Sam! You need my blood. You won't survive the path you are walking without it," Ruby clutched frantically at his arm.
"Then maybe it is time I chose a different path," Sam said with finality. He raised his hand to her again, concentrating.
"What about Nathan?" Ruby said in a rush. "What if by keeping to the path you are on and drinking the demon blood, you could save him from the future that is fast approaching?"
"What do you know about that?" Sam glared murderously. He focused his concentration and she cried out in pain.
"Nothing," she gasped. "All I know is that one of the angels took him as a backup plan when Castiel saved Leah's life. He knew Leah would divert you from your destiny."
"What is Nathan's part in this?" he shouted.
"I don't know what the plan is," Ruby cried out. "I just know you can save him if you do this."
"No," Sam whispered. "You have been lying to me and manipulating me since day one. You have been a wedge between me and Dean since he returned to hell. You want me to be tainted. You want me to be evil and you never want me to become whole. Suddenly, it seems like maybe there is hope for me, like perhaps redemption is in my future, and you want me to give up every hope of having it? Hell has swallowed up everyone I have ever loved. I will not let it claim one more victim. Now get out of her before I kill you."
"Funny thing, Sam, you can't kill me, not without killing her. Whether you have my knife or the colt, it will result in the same thing, her bleeding out on the floor," Ruby laughed.
"Not if I use my mind," Sam said, concentrating harder.
"Funny thing about that. You Won't be powerful enough to kill me unless you drink her blood. . .all her blood. I have her now and there is nothing you can do about it. You might as well give in. I will let you have her back after you drink."
"Not this time," Sam shouted as Ruby started to pour out of Leah's mouth, causing her to cough and choke. Blood started dripping from one nostril as it poured out with greater ease.
Ruby suddenly looked frightened as Sam did not falter, pulling her from Leah with no pause. Both nostrils were bleeding now and a drip of blood started in the corner of his left eye but soon, Leah collapsed on the floor and a cloud floated in the air above her, unable to leave. Sam tightened his fist and the gold handprint on his forehead glowed once more, his irises completely overtaken by white light. There was a soundless explosion of wind and the cloud was obliterated.
Sam stood in the middle of the room, completely drained, just breathing, he tried to go to Leah, but his legs wouldn't work. He sat in the middle of the floor, staring glassily off into space, calling out Leah's name.
Leah soon roused and looked over at Sam, terribly confused and frightened.
He smiled brightly. "She's gone. I'm free." Then he keeled over.
"This is getting to be a habit with you," Leah mumbled, hurrying to his side. She reached to brush his hair back from his forehead, then cried out in pain and snatched her hand back, blisters already forming on her fingertips. "Oh crap."
.~o()o~.
Dean woke to the sound of his cell phone ringing. "This better be good," he grumbled sleepily when it reached his face. He pulled it away slightly at the burst of panicked sound that met his ears. "Again, but slower and less shrill. I just woke up," he complained. He listened for a minute, then his face grew pale. "Can't you two stay out of trouble for five minutes? I'll be right over, don't do anything. I'll try and get ahold of Cas too. And calm down. You're not helping anything.
He reached over and shook Shelby awake. "Wake up, we're needed."
She yawned and stretched. "Can't they take care of it themselves, whatever it is? I'm sleeping."
"When Leah panics, she usually has a good reason, and I don't ever take chances with Sammy," Dean said, already pulling on his boots.
"Fair enough," Shelby yawned again. "I'll be ready in a sec." They both hurried and were soon knocking on the door of the room next to theirs.
Leah opened it, eyes red and bloodshot. She threw herself into Dean's arms. He hugged her briefly, then set her down, pushing past her to his brother.
"Careful," Leah said when he reached out to touch him. She held out her burnt hand.
Dean ignored her and touched his forehead anyway, yanking it back with a yelp. "What the hell?"
"I don't know," Leah sobbed. "I ran out of the room and then suddenly I was lying on the floor inside the room. He collapsed in front of me and he was burning up already."
"I've been calling for Cas, but usually if he is going to come, he comes instantly," Dean said. "Look, we have to cool him down. I am pretty sure his fever is already far past fatal and I have no idea what it is doing to him right now."
"How are we going to move him?" Shelby asked.
Dean thought for a moment, then spread one of the blankets on the ground. Roll him onto here. We'll have to drag him into the bathroom." They moved as quickly as they could, avoiding all contact with his bare skin. Finally, they managed to lift him up enough to tip him into the bathtub, his head hit the side with a resounding crack and they all winced, but there wasn't really anything they could do.
Dean turned the shower on full cold and adjusted it so it wouldn't hit Sam in the face. The water sizzled when it hit Sam's body, turning instantly to steam. Soon the tiny bathroom felt like a sauna, despite leaving the door open, opening the window and turning on the fan.
"That is all I can do," Dean whispered helplessly. Both Leah and Shelby snuggled into his sides, all of them needing comfort. Dean pulled them close. His shirt was soon wet from Leah's tears.
"Is he going to live?" Leah asked at one point.
"I. . ." Dean stuttered. "I don't know. I don't know how he is still living now."
All three of them stood there in the steam, praying desperately for Cas to come. They were still praying when the first seizures hit.
.~o()o~.
I am on a roll! Please reward me for my diligence with some reviews!
