The spirit of Sam Winchester was gone, returned to his body, which lay slowly healing in the other room. By the time his brother Dean returned Sam would be very much alive, and ignorant of what he'd experienced between the time his life ended, and when it began again. As for Dean himself, he'd be under the impression he'd sold his soul and brought his brother back to life. Later, if all went according to plan, he'd be left wondering if he'd done the right thing or not.

A low, whispering voice came from the shadows in the darkest corner of the room. The yellow-eyed demon turned toward it.

"And so the wheels are set in motion," the voice said. "Nice work as always, my friend."

Azazel inclined his head. "Thank you, Lord."

"You know what you are to do next?"

"Yes, Lord."

The shadows shifted. One stood out among them, darker than the others, a swirling black mass that would, if any human were there to experience it, stink of sulfur.

"You have long been my faithful servant Azazel. I will be saddened by your loss, but some sacrifices are necessary for the greater good."

Azazel bowed his head. "I am more than willing to give myself up for the cause."

The shadow moved across the room, and as it did so its form shifted, solidified, until a human figure stood beside the bed where Sam lay sleeping. "I like this boy," it said, its voice changing to better match the body it now wore. "You have created a worthy successor, and thus far have done well to prepare him." A smile appeared upon the shadow's new face. "But now it falls upon me to guide him the rest of the way." It turned its head to regard Azazel with an intense dark-eyed gaze. "John Winchester will find his way through the gate, I will see to that, but do not forget to set the seeds of doubt in the older boy."

"I won't, Lord." Azazel grinned. "I am actually looking forward to it."

Nodding, the other came back into the common room. "As you prepared Sam for this battle, so too did John prepare his son. The brothers' bond is strong. It has been proven to be stronger than death itself. A wedge must be put in place between them, or we will not be able to gain the upper hand, regardless of our possession of Sam's soul."

"I understand, Lord. It will be done." Azazel took the nod he received in reply as a dismissal, but he hesitated before moving on to begin the next stage of their plan. "I'm intrigued by your choice of guises."

Lucifer's smile returned and formality was abandoned in favor of more casual, human speech. "Now, now, Azazel. You know as well as I do that our Sammy prefers blonds." She drew closer, leaning in toward his ear to whisper: "And please, call me Ruby."

END