AN: I should be asleep right since I do have to go work in a couple of hours but I wanted to get this finished and posted. I'm definitley trying to get this finished before the new year comes in. So we'll just see...

Lazarus Interrupted

Smile and give a toast, brag and boast, Fool the world with all of your lies

Hotel …

Ruby's been working hard, yes and the smile on her borrowed lips is satisfied. The dark eyes flick over to where Sam is heading into the bathroom where he's cleaning off the excess blood from his torso. She's thinking about doing a little more with Sam when there's an idiot at the door.

Sam looks out in to the room and catches a glimpse of the half naked Ruby going to answer the door in nothing but her underwear.

It's what's on the other side of the door that has Ruby struck mute. First off what the fuck is Dean even doing out of hell? And then all she can think is 'Dean! It's Dean!' and she knows what Sam's going to do. She knows all her hard work and all the progress she's made with Sam is in serious danger of going down the drain and what the hell is she going to do? How the fuck does she explain this?

But Ruby's a pro.

"So where is it?"

The look on their faces; Dean and Bobby's … it's worth the fucking heart attack she almost has at their sudden appearance. And then Dean is looking her over as well, green eyes just a tad on the admiring side as he gets a look of her in the small tank and her underwear. It's the expectant look on her face that has them stumbling to find an answer.

"Where's what?" because Dean has no idea what the hot chick in his brothers hotel room is talking about but if this is how Sam's been spending his time then…

"The pizza..." Ruby demands and eyes them both. She's kinda enjoying this. "That takes two guys to deliver?" and there they go looking at each other for answers it's just hard to keep a straight face even if this does throw a huge fucking wrench in her plans.

"I think we got the wrong room." Dean sort of frowns at Bobby and Ruby's thinking she's in the clear. They'll leave and Sam doesn't have to know about Dean at all…

Of course, this is when Sam steps into the main part of the room and has a view of the door. She knows that expression; grim, eyes focused on what they've been planning since Dean was supposed to be in hell but hey…

"Hey, is..." Sam stops dead when he sees Dean. He swallows, shocked, his eyes flicking between Dean and Bobby.

"Heya, Sammy." There's so much in those words, simple words Dean has spoken to his brother plenty of times in the years they've been together but this time is different. This time there's the knowledge of Hell between them and Dean steps into the room ignoring the half naked chick eyeing them.

Sam can't believe its really him, he won't and as soon as 'Dean' is close enough he pulls a knife on what has to be a shifter, an impostor, a ghoul or something! Because it is not Dean! Its not!

Ruby screams, she almost misses her cue because Sam lunging at Dean is…its so… 'Fucking hot!' and if Sam killed Dean well, problem solved and after a ton of whining and crying and moaning about what a terrible thing it is killing his own brother…well, they'll be able to move on and get that final seal taken care of.

"Who are you?" Sam shouts but the old man has a good grip on Sam's shoulders.

"Like you didn't do this?" because who else would've gone to the trouble of breaking Dean free of Hell?

"Do what?" Sam still can't believe this is his brother, he just can't allow himself to hope-

"It's him. It's him. I've been through this already, it's really him." Bobby assures and it gets through to Sam who stops struggling so damn hard to get at the Dean he doesn't want to believe is his Dean.

"What..."

Dean cautiously advances towards his brother, green eyes never leaving Sam's face and Dean's just a little cautious in Case his little brother decides to slice and dice in stead of playing nice. "I know. I look fantastic, huh?"

It's that attempt at levity more than anything that tears at Sam and tears burn up his eyes. He doesn't resist the idea that maybe it's not him and pulls Dean into a hug. Bobby doesn't bother to hide his own emotions at seeing them together again; its right, how it should be and Sam tugs on Dean just a little more before he pushes him back.

Ruby wants to gag. Their sappy bromance, chick-flik moment… and fucking Dean! He's back and now there's only one option left for Ruby.

"So are you two like... together?"

Sam forgot Ruby was even there and she's proud to see he doesn't even falter which says a lot about the time and energy she's expended on him. it hasn't been a complete waste of her time.

"What? No. No. He's my brother."

Ruby almost smiles with pride at this bold faced lie. Almost….

"Uh... got it. I... I guess. Look, I should probably go."

"Yeah. Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Sorry."

Ruby grabs her clothes and heads out. The less time she's in the same room with Dean the better and Sam? Well…

spn

Davis Ranch…

Private Investigator Hicks called with an update. Dani sits at the counter staring at the phone wondering what the hell Kris was doing in New York when she was supposed to have been at the derby. She's trying to find the words to tell her brother Kris lied to him, she lied to them both and right now Dani doesn't care what the pull of family feels like when its Junior in pain because of it. Because of Kris.

"Who was that?" Ken Davis Sr ignores the slight twitch of his daughters' shoulders and waits. He thinks of all the years his little girl has spent trying to win his approval and surpassing any expectations he could ever have had for her. Even now, Dani is still taking care of them all.

"It was the PI." Dani replies with a glance over her shoulder. Ken moves into the kitchen, takes two glasses and pours them each some juice. It's been a while since he's touched anything harder than coffee. Dani smoothes both hands through her now long hair, the dark strands falling back into place as soon as she's through.

Dani knows she has to tell them no matter how much she wishes none of it was happening at all. She cups the glass between her hands and starts with where Kris was last seen and what the PI was able to find out. She's smart enough to figure out Jace had to have called Kris, bugged her about their Father until she gave in. It had to have been important because Kris had vowed not to have any contact with either of them, they had no claim on her … not anymore but now Dani thinks it wasn't as easy.

"He's was waiting for her Father to show up. Maybe find out where Kris went after she left him… he'll call when there's more." Dani can't help feeling anxious just sitting there and waiting. It's not her thing; she doesn't just wait around on people because Dani does.

Ken thinks about telling her not to worry, that everything will be fine and so will Kris wherever she is but … no, he can't do that to Dani. It's been months and though ken is certain Kris can handle herself there are some things even the most street smart kid can't evade.

He settles for a light hug but when he draws back Dani holds on just a little tighter for a second and it's almost as if he has his little girl once again. He can picture her at 6years old, her huge smile and that infectious laughter, yelling Daddy! at the tops of her lungs … 'My little girl.'

Dani stands up, one hand wiping at her eyes while she offers her Father a smile that feels so forced she's afraid her face will break but she has to be strong no matter what comes. She is a Davis after all.

spn

Illinois…

Ruby watches Sam get out of the Impala. He's on the phone and she'd bet its Dean on the other end. Sam finally sees her and he's quick to end the call as he approaches her. She's got a bone to pick with him-

"- Ruby."
"So, is it true?" that's all she wants to know, that's all that matters right now but if it is …
"Is what true?" Sam stops, features drawing into a confused frown and then he notices Ruby is pissed –quiet pissed but definitely pissed off.
"Did an angel rescue Dean?"

"You heard." Sam had hoped the word wouldn't get around so fast. Having a bunch of Hunters on their ass again … he doesn't need a repeat of Gordon, not with Dean.

"Who hasn't?" Ruby snaps and she wants to smack him for being such an idiot as to think no one would find out.
"We're not 100% sure, but I think so."

"Okay. Bye, Sam." Ruby starts walking away, she's not dealing with fucking angels! Angels were never part of the deal and what the fuck-! Ruby isn't a quitter; she doesn't just walk away from a job especially this job because having the BoyKing for her own … she really wants to kill something.

Sam grabs her arm and turns her back to face him. He doesn't get what happened that now all of a sudden Ruby is just leaving him and he doesn't even let the wording register because he is so not going there.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait. What's going on?"
"Sam, they're angels." And she gives him a look that says he surely is a moron if he doesn't get it. "I'm a demon. They're not gonna care If I'm being helpful. They smite first, and then they ask questions later." And Ruby is not waiting around for either.
"What do you know about them?"

Its like he didn't hear anything about smiting and Ruby's just a little proud though the fucker could show some God damn concern since its her the angels would be smiting. But…
"Not much. I've never met one, and I don't really want to. All I know is that they scare the holy hell out of me. Watch yourself, Sam." A little warning, plant the seed and let it grow all on its own though Ruby knows damn well those angels will help it along just by being themselves.
"I'm not scared of angels."

Ruby has this moment of smug satisfaction seeing the BoyKing stand tall and defiant against the Heavenly Host. It's alright when there aren't any angels around and she'd dearly love to see him say this again to their faces. Yeah, maybe there's still a way to salvage the plan, just maybe….
Ruby walks away.

It's a few days before they meet up again and Ruby was just a little surprised he didn't call to cancel but then maybe Dean doesn't have that strong a grip on his little brother before his sojourn in hell… She pulls up to where Sam is waiting and once he's in she drives.

"Ready?"
"Definitely." Sam replies. It's not far to where the meatsuit is waiting. A man is tied to a chair in the center of a Devil'sTrap, still where she left him a few hours ago. Sam moves in front of him to start interrogating while Ruby stands nearby. She's got a front row seat to the match and though this is just another warm up, they all lead up to the big match. Lilith.

"Where's Lilith?"

"Kiss my ass." His eyes go black. Defiant shit but Sam smiles at the comment.
"I'd watch myself if I were you." Sam warns. He feels powerful, strong, invincible even and it's not like he hasn't done this a dozen times over in the last few months … but now, Dean is back.

"Why? Huh? Because you're Sam Winchester, Mr. Big Hero? And yet here you are, slutting around with some demon. Real hero." Black eyes slide over to Ruby and there's that damn smirk on her rosy lips. Same fucking smirk as when she caught him-

"Shut your mouth." The words remind Sam of John and what he would say about this, about Ruby and what Sam has been doing. He knows damn well what Dean would say and Sam can't push away his guilt as easily anymore.
"Tell me about those months without your brother. About all the things you and this demon bitch do in the dark."

Ruby looks over at Sam and tries to gauge his reaction to the taunt. She's wondered too, what Sam thinks of – if maybe he's picturing that blond piece of ass he was fucking in college, back when he thought normal was still possible. Ruby doesn't want Sam thinking of anyone else but her.

"Huh? Tell me, hero."

Ruby can see it, that darkness she's been working so hard to nurture and Sam can't control his anger. He pulls the demon out of the man, black smoke billowing out of his mouth and pooling on the floor where it burns through. Sam breathes, steadying and deep just trying to get himself under control. Ruby looks down on the floor where the demon has left its ashy mark and a little smile plays on her lips. She looks over at Sam, and they exchange a look. She is so fucking proud of him right now and he can see it.

What neither of them notices it the man standing outside the window. The green eyes burning with anger but more than anything there's a total feeling of disillusion and disappointment.

'What the hell …'

Where did that promise go? Did it even mean anything to Sam?

spn

New York…

Bennett Hicks is a young 43years old, already 'retired' so to speak as long as no one went around asking at his old precinct. Still, he's good at his job; damn good and no one can doubt it. He's worked the cheating spouse case a million times over and while at first he'd thought the Davis file would be the same its really not. For one, Kris Furillo certainly doesn't fit the socialite profile. The background info was an interesting read starting from age 12 to just before she married Junior Davis though horse stealing … well. She's a jockey. The initial interview with her family, the Davises and the Ritter's and Mr. Betart, describe a completely different woman than the one on paper. It's certainly not what Bennett was expecting but seeing Mr. Furillo and having spoken to the man … well, the 12 year old girl in his file certainly got a rough start to life. So it's only normal to question why Kris would ever come back to a life she left behind and not once had looked back to. Bennett didn't think Mr. Furillo was completely truthful not even with the added incentive of cash he laid on the table to get just that extra bit of information.

Had Kris given him money as well?

Bennett thinks it's a 50/50 chance she probably did though there wasn't any transaction done in New York, at least nothing that showed up on her cards so he's sitting in his car leafing through the well worn file once again just thinking, because maybe there's something he's missing…

'Like my client? Yeah, I'm missing one Kris Furillo.'

Even his humor is lacking though he was never good at the jokes; just couldn't tell the punch-line right.

Bennett looks up at the sound of sirens in the distance and they are only getting closer. He's thinking ambulance but then the flashing lights are attached to a police cruiser. A second comes around the next corner and he's watching them head down the block past him to the crack in the wall someone labeled an alley. Only this one serves as a street to the buildings on either side of it.

It's the 'Ah-ha' moment Bennett was missing. Now there's someplace he needs to be and a lead to work before he calls the Davises and this time he's hoping to have something other than nothing as has been usual.

spn

Illinois, 425 WATERMAN …

The man is unconscious as Sam checks him to make sure he still has a pulse. He smiles up at Ruby when he finds the man still alive.

"How'd it feel?"

Sam nods. "Good. No more headaches." He starts to untie the guy who sort of wakes up.

"None? That's good." Because it means the dose can go up a little more again and maybe she'll have to try getting him a bigger bad than the lower level demons she's been having him practice on. She watches Sam help the man out of his chair all the while assuring him its alright but the snag comes when they start for the door and who else just has to fuck up her night?

"So... Anything you wanna tell me, Sam?" only Dean isn't about to stand in the door waiting for the innocent look on his little brothers face become his lying one.

Ruby stand behind Sam and watches Dean approach. She trying to figure out how this is going to benefit her in the end but the anger washing off the big brother just makes her giddy. There's definitely something worth playing with there and who knows, maybe a girl can come between these two brothers. They're human after all…

"Dean, hold on, okay? Just let me-."

"You gonna say, "let me explain"? You're gonna explain this? How about this? Why don't you start with who she is, and what the hell is she doing here?" Dean looks at him hard, he doesn't miss the look Sam shoots at Ruby who looks completely calm and even smiles as she responds.

"It's good to see you again, Dean." What Ruby really enjoys is the incredulous expression on his face once he realizes its her. She smiles a little when he says her name and has to hold in the full blown grin just hurting her face to get out.

"Is that Ruby?" Dean looks to Sam and when he doesn't respond Dean turns to Ruby again. She gets that 'Uh-oh' feeling and the smile fades just a little. After moment, Dean grabs hold of her. He shoves her up against the wall hard, pulls out her knife and fuck, really? He's gonna stab at her with her own fucking knife?

"Don't!" Sam grabs Dean's hand and they struggle for the knife though Sam gets it out of Dean's hand. They get into a tug of war, Dean shoving Sam into the wall and then Ruby grabbing Dean and pushing him into the wall he had her against a few moments ago.

"Ruby! Stop it!" but she doesn't want to. Just a little more pressure and she could snap his neck; bye-bye Dean but then … there's the last four months of emo Sam and how tedious was it? Really, she's not going to put up with it twice.

So Ruby just stares into Dean's eyes, at the fury blazing from his green eyes and man is he looking way hot – she finally lets go and he rises up to his full height. He looks over at Sam and then back at Ruby.
"Well, aren't you an obedient little bitch?" because what else can he say when he really just wants to tear into Ruby same the fucking hellhounds did when they dragged him to the pit. Hell, Dean would pick up right where he was if he could have Ruby on his rack…

She doesn't respond but there's no doubt Ruby wants to attack him again. Sam can't have that.
"Ruby."
She stares at Dean because now that he knows who she is there's definitely a huge fucking wrench in her plans for the BoyKing.

"Ruby, he's hurt." He nods to the man who was possessed. "Go."
She gives Dean one more look and then turns and walks over to the man, and as Dean watches, she puts the mans arm over her shoulder and heads out.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Dean moves to head after her, hands still itching to wrap around her scrawny neck-
"The ER... unless you want to go another round first." Ruby would love to get Dean alone but the fact is she'd have to deal with Sam and lying to him is actually starting to take some effort on her part.
Dean has to bite back the retort on the tip of his tongue and lets her leave.

spn