"Raziel?"

God was not what River expected. He was a smaller man, with orange-ish hair and beard. Furthermore he was wearing boxers, a tank top, slippers and a bath robe. But somehow...she just knew he was God.

"You've probably been in Hell over this." God stated as he shook his head.
"I guess I have." River sat up as she hugged her knees. "Not as much as him."

They were on a rooftop. She couldn't tell which casino.
"I bet they never guessed what extremes you'd go to save him." God stated, offering her a breaded object on a stick.
"I'd imagine they'd have tried to stop me." River replied.
"So you're here to change the future."
"I was. Now my priority is saving Sam."
"I see." God nodded. "So you came to Vegas..."
"We're looking for the Prophet Chuck." River stated. "I need access to Raziel's memories."
"They're more painful then Rowena or Rachel's." God stated.
"I need to know what happened to her..." River trailed off. "To me."
"What if it changes your priority and you don't wanna save Sam anymore?"

It took River a minute to understand.
"I will save Sam Winchester." She stated. "It may be Raziel's goal to save Sammael, but not mine. Sam and I...we we aren't them."

"That being said, do you really need to know what happened?" God glanced at her, honest concern on his face.

"...I need to understand why Ruby and Lucifer fight." River replied. "Or I'll never be able to defeat them."
"Now you know why you have to go back. Should I tell you about it?"
"Is that the only way?" River frowned. God laughed and shook his head.
"It's that or you seek out Sammael's memories from the depths if Sam's mind. A delicate process."
"I have a gentle touch."

God laughed again and River became aware she could hear Vera calling for her.
"You're friends are almost here. And then I can't answer big questions. Do you know the disaster it'd be if everyone knew who I was?"
"Catastrophe." River exhaled. "Why don't you interfere more?"
"Free will, mostly." God sighed. "Also, the fact is humans are resilient. I could throw almost anything at them and they'd bounce right back. If I saved them, they'd lose that. It's the feature I like most about them."
"How can I save Sam?" River chose her final question.

God frowned and looked at her.
"You sure you want that spoiler?"
"If Lucifer wins all I've done is a waste."
"Fair enough." God sighed. "You must run Lucifer through with an Angelic Blade."
"Why is that bade?"
"Because in order to succeed in that task," God frowned, "You'll have to do it while he's in his vessel. You'll have to deal the fatal blow to Lucifer and Sam Winchester."

River stared in horror as the others reached the rooftop.

"There you are!" Dean panted, then looked up. "And you found Chuck! Hey, dude, we have a question-"
Vera stopped him, having spotted River's expression.
"River...?"
"You're a pigu!" River snapped at Chuck before running past them.
"River!" Crowley exclaimed as Grim ran after her.
"What did you say to her?" Vera shouted.

Their voices were faint as River ran down the stairs and out of the building. She didn't stop until she reached a fountain and looked up slowly. Night had fallen and the city was as noisy as before. Grim whined, nudging her softly as River sat down slowly.
"What do I do...?" She whispered, staring at her reflection. She couldn't rejoin the others at the moment. She just couldn't.
"Is something wrong my child?"
"You have no..."

River froze for a moment as she turned and faced the voice's owner. There, standing in a lit up jumpsuit sporting a pompadour, was the unmistakable...

"Shepherd Book?"