Despite the fact that he coughed up blood, Sam Winchester gasped his first free breath in what felt like forever. River had started to become translucent as the young woman held onto Sam, sobbing.
"Wash!" She cried out, voice breaking. "Heal him!"
"I can't..."
"Hurry!"
Sam had put it together, and hew knee she had to. Their future was averted. The man named Wash didn't die like that, didn't become an Angel.
"River..." Sam managed to whisper, moving an arm weakly around her. "...its okay."
River heard Sam whisper her name, for the very first time, and her heart broke as she curled up beside him, head against his chest. He tried to squeeze her hand to reassure her as she sobbed, but faltered.
"...River...wheres your hand?" Sam managed to whisper.
"What?"
River lifted her head and gasped, for her hands were transparent as she looked for them.
"Everything changes..." Book's voice was instant, he and Wash almost completely faded. "Even you, River. The you that in time..."
"No!" River cried out. "I can't disappear! Not while he's like this! I just..." She fell against his chest sobbing. Sam coughed as he caressed her cheek.
"My...turn...right?" He tries to smile for her.
"Sam..." She whispered, lifting her head to face him. Her eyes were red and tears flowed like waterfalls.
"I'll find you, River. I swear it." Sam placed his forehead to hers. "But before you go..." He hadn't finished the thought before she kissed him.
River Tam's kiss in reality told him everything she'd been to scared to. And Sam Winchester loved her evermore for it. He knew she was gone when her lips left his, her body gone from atop his.
And he laid dying on the bed he'd watched Jessica die from. The bed, he realized, Rachel had slept in, a shadow of River he'd just quite not met. The bed in which one very pissed off Demon had decided he wasn't dying fast enough in.
Ruby looked feral as she lunged for his neck. He shut his eyes, expecting her hands on his throat, too tired to fight. But then he heard her yell and fall from the bed. A warm presence had arrived.
"You're dead!" Ruby screeched.
"You made sure of that. Forgot it would revert me. Begone. Harlot of Hell."
Sam opened his eys as Ruby fled and had to blink. He was dying. The only explanation. She'd disappeared, had to go, unable to stay despite her wish to.
"I am not River Tam of the Future. I am Raziel of the present." The Angel who stood there seemed to identify his confusion.
"Ah."
"Nasty wound that. I'd heal it but I've not the ability. Sammael's essence burns up keeping you alive, or you'd be long gone."
"Uh huh..." Sam winced. "While I appreciate the extra time...I don't give a shit about my past life. Or for that matter either." Another cough of blood. Raziel's laugh filled his ears and she shook her head.
"Course. I've heard of this rather impressive hospital. They could fix you up."
"Ha!" Sam coughed. "Likely story. Where, Candyland?"
"No." She placed a hand on his forehead, shutting her eyes. "Osiris."
Sam was aware of the nausea. The pain. The window of the hospital had two moons. No. Couldn't be. He was just dying Seeing double, coughing on blood and unable to fight his gag reflex. Where ever Raziel sent him, it was far away, and the process was libel to kill him before the wound.
He was of medical personnel getting him on a gurney, proceeding to inject him with something. As he faded, he thought he saw River. As his surroundings darkened, he heard her voice.
I'm...from another planet... She'd been so scared when she finally told him. Another time. Its called Osiris, ans my brother, Simon...
He would be reborn. He'd find her. It was his turn.