The Ruins of Men

Chapter 2: A Negotiation.

"Ruby."

Dean's head swiveled in his brother's direction, as did Cas's, and for a moment, everyone just stared at him. Sam's gaze didn't waver as he made direct eye contact with Lucifer, who was grinning wildly. He looked like a little kid, giddy after stealing a cookie from the cookie jar without parental permission.

"You can't be serious," Dean finally said, looking over to Lucifer. "She's gone. We killed her."

"Oh, I very much am serious. Do you truly believe I do not have the power to bring her back? She was loyal, much more loyal than many other servants of mine, so I will be honoring her with a fresh, strong vessel." He gestured to Livia, who was continuing to stare at him angrily.

"You're psychotic, all of you! Demons aren't real!" she screamed. Everyone, including Lucifer, seemed surprised by her words; it was the first time she'd spoken since Sam helped her up and she'd stopped screaming. Her voice was broken but firm. It was clear that she believed what she was saying.

"Excuse her," Lucifer said, continuing to smile. "She's a little stubborn." He gestured to Castiel. "Him, there--that's the angel I was telling you about."

"What drugs are you on?" Livia snapped.

Lucifer's eyes narrowed, but he smiled tightly as he looked back at Sam, Cas and Dean. "Humans, huh? Ever the skeptics."

Livia aimed a glob of spit at him.

Lucifer didn't move, but Livia's chair flew backwards, taking her with it, and slammed against the wall. She cried out in pain, her head hanging forward. She looked up slowly, and Sam could see a plan formulating behind her eyes.

"What do I get if I say yes?" she finally said.

Sam's eyes widened. "No!"

Lucifer grinned. "Power. Money. Whatever you want, I will grant it."

Dean and Cas made eye contact; an understanding passed between them. As quick as possible, Cas appeared beside Livia, but just as he was about to teleport out, Lucifer appeared in front of him with a hand on his shoulder. Dean's entire body stiffened, his mind screaming at him to surge forward and attack.

"Ah. It won't be quite that easy, I'm afraid," he said in mock-empathy, tilting his head. He raised his hand as if to slap him.

"I'll say yes!" Dean shouted, snapping forward.

"What?"

"I'll say yes to Michael right now, and I gaurantee you big brother won't be too happy with you," Dean explained, the dagger gripped tightly in his right hand.

Lucifer stood motionless for several seconds before releasing Cas, who hestitated.

"Go," Dean urged. Cas didn't move. "Go! Take her with you!"

Cas nodded and him and Livia disappeared right away. Sam turned to Dean, walking back to his side. The three stared silently at each other, the air filled with a tension that said they were all waiting for one another to speak.

"A little 'thank you' would be nice. I just spared Livia and your angel boy's life there," Lucifer hissed.

"Oh, aren't you just the kindest guy out there," Dean said sarcastically. "And you wouldn't have killed her. She's Ruby's vessel." The name felt sour on his tongue. It had been so long that he'd said her name in a way that wasn't referring to Sam's addiction. Yes, he still struggled, but at least she was gone. Now, she could possibly come back? The world would flip on its head, especially for Sam. A brotherly protectiveness bubbled up inside of him.

"Will that be all?" Sam asked, keeping his eyes on Lucifer. He wanted to act like he was steady and perfectly fine. That the idea of Ruby returning wasn't setting his mind on fire and destroying every bit of strength he'd built since they'd killed her. Most of him wanted to scream and hide under a blanket like a small child, but there was a part of him he couldn't silence that wanted her back. That wanted--needed--her to return. The strange excitement made him want to throw up and begin hysterically laughing all at the same time.