peaceonearth | All Roads Out of Hell Lead Home

Returns are hard to time, but Sam had made the deal with Rowena eight weeks ago. He had counted the minutes up in his mind for... for... well, he still was. He was holding his breath for Ruby to pop up somewhere eventually. That had actually been why he voted for Kansis. It wasn't just the place where John and Mary Winchester grew up, got married, and wanted to start a life with children that eventually were to be Dean and him. It was a place Ruby would know to come find him.

Suffice to say he was getting anxious. Dean wanted to start a bar, though, so that had helped pass the time. Renovations took about three weeks, not long since they got an existing bar. His mind wasn't really into every aspect of it so Dean won a few battles. The name definitely was one. The pool table towards the back also. But eventually Sam could see the benefit of it because it drew in the customers. Eventually, he was beginning to wonder if he hadn't made an open ended deal with Rowena that meant months or years before he'd Ruby again. His trust in the new Queen of Hell was beginning to waver when the bell tipped him off to a customer.

The bar was not technically open, but he didn't see a reason to chase a customer out, if they were the paying kind. Sam turns to gaze upon Ruby, in shock at first, but fortunately with a glass in one hand and a cloth in the other, he can polish it off and place it in front of her to offer a drink on the house. Something sweet and salty, like he remembers.

"You're late," her offers in response. He can see her fashion sense hasn't changed as he glances over her new wardrobe quickly.

Kansas was a good move for that reason exactly. However, she would have found him anywhere. She appreciates that he made it easy for her and it bolstered her confidence; he wanted her to find him (getting her out of Hell hadn't just been a goodwill mission on his part).

He's not exactly wrong to guard his trust in relation to Rowena. She's the Queen of Hell and a little mercurial to say the least.

His offer gets a slight smile out of her. His words get a more trademark smirk out of her. "You waited," she says, making the comment half statement, half question. "Margarita," she tells him. It's sweet and salty just as he remembers she likes. It's her first drink as a human. Her tolerance is going to be shit.

It was either Kansas and the bar, or go after her. Dean convinced him not to because Hell had just been crammed back with former residences who weren't going to be happy about losing their privileges to be topside. Winchesters were obviously the word going for who was responsible, if Rowena was to be trusted.

He's had his eye on her more since she took the throne that's for sure. Demon activity so far didn't pop up on the radar so it could be assumed she was keeping deals in check.

Of course she needn't worry about his offer. She may notice as he prepares the drink that he shorts her a half ounce of tequila for lime juice as a precaution. "91 one days, 18 hours," he adds, letting her know how he counted too. It had become clear she didn't have his number anymore when he had waited for her. The first time he met her she wrote her name on his palm. Returning the favor, he grabs a pen to write his number on the napkin he places her drink on when he finishes with the garish. "It wasn't easy," he admits.

She needed the time and they needed a stable place to defend. The Winchesters are usually to blame. It's a good thing. Rowena can't b trusts. It's better if they realize that.

They should all keep their eye on Rowena.

It's probably better for the both of them that she keep her wits about her. That makes her lips curve into a smile that's practically giddy. No, she didn't have his number, nor did she have the courage to call it. She's better now. She slips the napkin from beneath her drink and tucks it in her pocket, her eyes meeting his. "I was a mess when Rowena pulled me out," she admits and takes a sip of her drink. "Sometimes I still am, but I'm not losing your number."

Ruby might be able to give them better suggestions on how to do that. All they got right now is that Rowena is the new Queen of Hell and in the coming days and weeks there will be changes to the system.

It probably won't be the only drink she can get her hands on tonight so less alcohol to start is better. On the positive side, Ruby has his number now. It'll help his state of mind to know she has if she needs it the next time. There is no more excuses not to call him. "I understand. It may not be exactly the same, but I know what what Hell is like. I just need you to know that I'm here if you need an ear to listen." He pours himself a little of the same, joins her by coming around the bar to sit.

"There's a pull out upstairs if you're sticking around." Sam may have been sleeping there the last few nights but he figures his office chair is comfortable too.

She probably could. She'll make sure this place is warded properly and do something to keep them off the radar a bit.

She likes that he's thinking ahead. She also likes that he comes around the bar to sit next to her. She twists in her seat a little to face him. Her first instinct is to tell him that she'll be fine despite knowing that's not necessarily true. She pushes that instinct aside and reaches for something more true, more vulnerable and a little flirty. "You'll be my first call in the middle of the night."

She arches an eyebrow at the offer. "I guess I can't exactly scare the teenager in the motel office into giving me a room for the night anymore, can I?"

They could use some new wards set up around the bar and the bunker. Honestly, Sam wouldn't be opposed to another tattoo either.

The bar is closed so there is no one stopping him from sitting next to her. He adjusts himself to lean elbow against the back of his stool, give her one of his most honest smiles in the bar in a while. He wouldn't be able to take her word for it even if she said she was fine. But that might be have to do with him than her. He's missed her. He will put it on himself to make sure she is okay no matter what.

Flirty from her is always super effective and no way comes across as vulnerable. "My phone is always on. Call anytime."

He scratches the back of his neck, cheeks a little red. Moving on though, he mirrors her expression with the shake of his head. "I'm sure you could, but it'd be better to get out of bad habits while you can. The real question is can you say no to me offering you something at least one and a half star more comfortable than the motel down the street? There's color TV."

Ooooh. She isn't opposed to another tattoo on him either.

Yeah, she wasn't sure that she could handle a crowd of people and she didn't want their first meeting to include other people. She's missed him as well, more than he probably imagines. As long as she isn't a burden to him.

Good. She'll stick with flirty then. Her lips crook up a little in a teasing smile. "I'll hold you to that. Are you still sharing a room with Dean?" Relevant to the phone calls, she promises.

Yeah, she'll skip right over the admonishment about bad habits and move to the fun part. "Ooooh. Color TV. You're right. I can't possibly turn that down. 2AM Golden Girls in glorius technicolor. I'm sold."

It wouldn't take much convincing on her part to have him believe it's the best option. She could even choose the spot (with some exceptions).

Maybe he can imagine more than she cares to think, but he wouldn't understand the bones in her body that could stay away from him for so long. She can never be a burden. Besides he offered her the pull out couch bed so she would stay.

Flirty suits her, the same way the heels and curly fry hair does. There is such thing as too much teasing, but they are not there yet. His lips push into a thinned out smile because there's no easy answer. "That sort of depends on where we are. We have our own rooms at the bunker, which is a long story." He can guess she means the calls like she used to do and Dean being in the same room is never ideal.

Hey, he's serious about helping her curb her bad habits. Mostly he worries that she could land in jail and not get her one call till morning with her behavior. "I thought you would be. There's more than 2AM Golden Girls on TV now. But far be it for me to tell you everything and ruin the surprise."

Low on his hip would be her first choice.

She hadn't wanted to be a disappointment to him. Her pride had kept her away for s a little while. She'd been half crazy when Rowena had brought her back. She hadn't wanted him to see her that way. Of course, eventually, he might see her that way after a nightmare, but it won't be his first experience with her. Oh, she had not missed that he'd asked her to stay. It had made her belly flutter in all kinds of wonderful ways.

Oh good because this is the most fun she's had since she got out of Hell. She considers his explanation. "Then we'll save the bunker for another conversation. I trust you'll figure out how to have a private conversation," she smiles at him and takes another sip of her drink.

Oh, she'll definitely take the help. She'll need it. He would also be her first call should she end up in jail, though she doesn't imagine she'd function very well there so she'll try to stay out of it. "Oh really? I might need some guidance, you know. I'd hate to get lost in the maze of late night TV."

He would go along with that.

What's crazy about this is that he could never look at her as a disappointment. She could be crazier than the regular person finding help in a hospital and somehow he would be able to see all her fears, her concerns and PTSD for what it is. Deep down he could never see her any differently. He might be the only one that can help her with her nightmares and the only one willing to. She should stay. It would set his mind at ease to know where she was tomorrow and at least have the chance to set her up if she wanted to go again.

If this is the most fun she's had then she's stayed away for too long. His head turns to one side, a sign he can figure out a solution. "I think I can figure it out, one way or another. I seem to recall we made it work before." He gives her credit where credit is due. He still isn't sure how she knew where he was or what he was doing half the time.

Good call. The only time he would not try to hide how he's perplexed with her is in a case such as that. "Yeah?" He chuckles, but looks at her with fondness. "I'd hate to let you down so give me some parameters to work within. What else do you like?"

In that case, she'll suggest it.

It'll take her a little while to realize that. She's definitely got PTSD and probably some mental instability, but it'll continue to improve. Sam may not realize it, but he and Dean are the only two people in the entire world that she knows. She'd only had a slim hope that he'd want her to stay when she'd come here today. This is already so much better than she'd imagined it would be. She will stay for as long as he wants her around.

She's definitely stayed away too long. A smile steals across her face, quick and so very pleased. "yeah. You did okay, Puppy." Credit where credit is due.

his question about parameters makes her pause, considering it carefully. She takes a long sip of her drink, tongue slipping out to lick a bit of the salt off the rim. "Romantic comedies. Documentaries. Nothing with a laugh track, with a few exceptions. Mysteries."

She will be staying the rest of her life if she only goes by what Sam desires. God knows the only other people Sam knows is his brother and Castiel. Her face is one more he can trust.

As long as she won't stay away for too long again somehow he can find it in him to forgive her. She has every right to be pleased. He flashes his pearly whites because she brought the nickname up. "Really? You're still going to call me that?" He isn't in disbelief so much as he thought the nickname was something he grew out of.

She should take as much time as she needs. He drinks with her, eyes not moving off of her for a second. He fondly chuckles at the memory of catching her watching a rom com. "That's a tough selection, but I will see what I can do." He is only teasing. "Have you heard of this thing called Netflix?"

Good thing they've got that settled now.

Her smile is mischievous. "Trust me. You're still a puppy." It's definitely not a nickname he's going to outgrow. She reaches out and glides her fingertips over the scruff on his cheek (if he'll let her). "Just a scruffy one now."

Her eyebrows lift a bit. "Like Blockbuster, but by mail?" Streaming wasn't so much a thing when she got tossed downstairs. He's got a few things to catch her up on.

He rolls his eyes, but in a way more at himself. "I don't know if I should have expected less." There are just somethings he can't change and nor should they ever change. Of course he let's her but his own fingers won't stay idle and will twine with hers to give her hand a kiss. "Good thing or bad thing?" He chuckles.

He tilts his head to the stairs going up to the loft. "C'mon. The only way to explain it is to show you." Upstairs is pretty open but on one side there is a desk to work from and on the other is the couch, a table-- old pizza, a gaming console and a 32" flat screen on it.

"I like to set the bar high." She wouldn't be her if she didn't call him Puppy. His hands should never be idle. "Good thing. You're not hobo puppy. Yet," she teases him.

He doesn't have to convince her. At his suggestion, she slips off the barstool and snags her drink to follow him upstairs. Once there, she turns in a slow circle to give the space a look. It was small, but good. She can look at it and imagine Sam spending hours up here. "It's very open for a Batcave. Fewer bats. Less cave. I like it."

He chuckles given her way with words. He would never expect the bar would be low. "Hobo?" His head pulls back, acting only somewhat offended but not very. He slips and smiles at her because homeless is one thing he could never consider himself. "You can be the one to trim my ends if you like," he offers.

He leaves his drink behind because he doesn't need it. Things are feeling better already with Ruby returned. Sam allows her to have a look around and sits, turning on the game system to access Netflix--the sound and logo play from the screen. She's not wrong because he spends hours between the desk or couch some days making sure things run smoothly behind the scenes. "Some days it's more like Titan's tour. We have a few employees and friends crash here more than you would guess. Hunters."

Good. That'll reassure him in the coming months that he's her first choice, even if it took her a little while to get here. He shouldn't be offended. She sets the bar high, remember? "You've got a deal. I'll be sure to mention it to you before you get to hobo status," she teases.

The drink gives Ruby something to do with her hands, but the liquid courage is helpful as well. She moves to the couch to sit beside him, giving him a little space. She's not sure either of them are ready to crowd each other yet (though they are getting there). Initially, she'll worry about being in his way when they're both up here; eventually, she'll keep him company, often quiet company while she reads and knits. She'll even learn how to help him keep things running smoothly in time. Her brows lift a little at that. "Okay. I won't stay in the way long. Just until I get on my feet and I can figure out another place to stay." She assumes that he'll want the space for hunters to crash.

Just as she will see how much he wants her around when he asks her opinion or invites her along on cases in the coming weeks. Well, he's less offended when she adds that she will warn him. He shakes his head, however, then chuckles. "We have a deal."

He's thought about what he'd say to her more than a million times but he finds it's easier to talk to her like normal without any thoughts or other distractions. His attention never really falls off of her for even a moment-- the little bit of space she puts between them is disappointing but he does not say anything. He's not ready to crowd her out of a small worry for what space she may still need. However, she's perfect company already and he leans the remote slightly to her to show her what he is doing to log in.

He's not saying that at all which is why her words trouble him. "Wait. I'm asking you to go anytime soon, Ruby. You're the last person that'd be in the way."

They'll figure it out along the way. Invitations and asking her to weigh in on cases does tell her that she's wanted.

She's thought about what she would say to him as well and it hasn't gone to script, but she thinks it's gone even better than the hundreds of speeches she'd planned to give in her head. She'll get more confident as they spend time together that he wants her close. She's also not yet sure how she feels about having anyone close. She never has been a fan of being touched, but she had felt different about having Sam touch her before. She's pretty sure she still does. When he leans in, so does she so that their shoulders are just brushing. After a moment, she scoots closer to him.

The look on her face is slightly confused. "You don't need the room for someone else? So hunters can crash here." This isn't accurately expressing her feelings (which is the problem with emotions) "I'm not looking for a reason to leave." She's actually looking for a reason to stay.

As long as she maintains a distance, he has intention of giving her it. There's no rush. In fact, the first time around it was a while before either of them felt okay with any sort physical familiarity. When her shoulder brushes his however, he smiles fondly down at her and adjusts his posture so he isn't leaning into her.

There's a simple explanation to remedy her confusion that she is just not considering. "No. Right now that someone is you." He sees that she is trying to express something with her words here, but failing to understand that isn't that she wants to leave. "Then don't. I can figure out a more permanent place for you if you give me some time."

It'll take a little while for Ruby to be sure of Sam. She'll also need a little time to figure out what he wants from her and what he expects. She also has to re-learn to read those signals, like smiling at her like that but pulling away from her a little.

There's a half a second of surprise on her face before she shifts to curiosity and a little bit of satisfaction. "Oh." She nods a little. "I'd like that. If it's not a big deal." IE 'if it's not too much trouble'. She's going to have to work on allowing herself to be vulnerable with Sam again (or with anyone. It's a hard wall to let down when it's a part of what's helped her survive).

For now can they at least consider themselves friends? He will ask for no more than that.

There's a sense of relief to see her finally come to understand. He really would worry if she left or somehow he couldn't communicate that she can stay as long as she likes. "No. Of course not." He smiles to assure her. "It just won't be quiet all the time." It's never too much trouble. It's much less trouble for someone he loved (still loves) as much as Ruby. Part of the Ruby charm is that she's never *seemed* 100% vulnerable with even him. He could count on her to be safe and smart in the line of work that comes attached to or being connected to a Winchester.

Definitely friends. More than friends. Sam is an anchor for Ruby and a destination. Everything single one of the 91 days since she's been back, she's worked toward this moment; she'd pulled herself together because she wouldn't allow herself to see Sam until she thought she could act somewhat 'normal' (at least her normal). Ruby doesn't know what happens next or where she goes next because she hadn't thought that far. Now that she's here and they are 'friends', she'll start to consider what next and what else, but if he's got no objections, he will still be her anchor and destination.

"I can handle a little noise," she assures him. "I'll lock myself in the bathroom and sit in the tub if it gets crazy." Oh, Sam. She still loves him too. She's just dealing with a few decades of fresh torture and being human. It throws a girl off. He can still count on her to be safe and smart. He can also count on her to be here.

If more than friends is where she'd like to be, it's definitely not where Sam would draw the line this soon after her return. He'd still give her time to be absolutely sure she wants more though. No matter what, of course he will be her anchor and let her stay as long as she'd like. There's room at the bar and there's room in the bunker (which the Winchesters are more selective in allowing people to stay in these days). She's that important to him. He will find room for her always.

He casts a mildly concerned look on her because he can't tell if she's being serious or not. "Ruby, if it's that bad-- I can set you up somewhere else," he tells her. There's nothing he wouldn't do for her mental health. He wouldn't hold it against her if she weren't smart nor safe for a while. She can count on him to keep an eye out for her too.

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