Set in season 4, episode 4...
The dark, abandoned room was filled with the possessed man's anguished cries as the velvet black smoke curled from his mouth and gathered in the floor. Sam concentrated hard until it burned orange and disappeared. The man began to stir, opening his eyes.
"How'd that feel?" Asked Ruby, a small smile on her face.
"Good. No more headaches." Sam smiled back.
"Nice, that's good." She encouraged as Sam helped the struggling man up from the chair, looping a supportive arm around to help.
"Hey, I got you, it's alright." He soothed, the man whimpered in pain as Sam helped him towards the exit.
The creaking sound of the door caused Sam to look up, seeing a stormy faced Dean followed by Maria.
"So... Anything you wanna tell me, Sam?" Dean demanded.
"Dean, hold on just let me say-"
"Let me explain?" Dean interrupted, his tone incredulous. "You're gonna explain this?" He walked slowly towards his brother.
"How about this, why don't you start with this; who she is, and what the hell is she doin' here?" He said, his voice carried a clear warning. Maria stood a step behind him, watching Ruby like a hawk.
"Good to see you again Dean." Ruby smiled.
"Ruby?" Dean asked, his eyes widened momentarily with surprise. "Is that Ruby?"
Sam didn't respond, the corners of his mouth trembling in anticipation. Dean lunged forward and attacked the demon woman, Maria stood with her arms folded, allowing it to happen. The older Winchester drew his knife, raising it above Ruby but she fought back, throwing hard punches. Sam intervened, shoving himself between the two.
"Ruby, stop it!" He cried.
The two took a step away from each other, glaring and breathing hard.
"Well aren't you an obedient little bitch." Dean snarled.
"Ruby," Sam interjected, "Ruby, he's hurt, go." He instructed, and the demon walked to the man's side and helped him up.
"The hell you think you're goin'?" Dean called after her.
She turned.
"The ER, unless you wanna go another round first." She sneered and Maria growled at her. She threw a patronising smile at Dean's partner, then led the man out of the room. Dean stared Sam down, pure anger burning in his green eyes.
"Dean." Sam tried. Dean grabbed Maria by the wrist and they stormed from the room.
"Dean!"
*
Back at the motel, Sam sat at the table while Maria watched him from a chair on the far side of the room. She hadn't said a word to him since they returned and Dean had gone for a walk to cool off. Her expression was blank, but her eyes gave away the betrayal she felt. Sam threw a desperate glance her way which she didn't react to. The door flung open and Dean entered.
"Dean." Sam repeated his last word to his brother. The older man stomped past him and cocked his head at Maria in the direction of the duffle bag he'd left on the bed. Maria got up immediately and began putting their stuff in it, Dean followed suit. "What are you doing?" Sam was ignored. "Are you leaving?" Dean threw down the pair of jeans in his hands.
"You don't need me, you and Ruby go fight demons." He sneered.
"Hold on, Dean, come on." Sam pleaded, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder. The man whipped round and punched him hard in the face.
"Dean!" Maria snapped, clearly shocked.
"You satisfied?" Sam exhaled, equally surprised. As fast as lightening, Dean pulled his hand back and rocketed it into his brother's face for the second time. Maria dropped the bag and grabbed her partner's arms.
"I guess not." He sighed.
"Do you even know how far off the reservation you've gone?" Dean asked, his voice low and dangerous. "How far from normal, from human?"
"We're just exercising demons-"
"With your MIND!" Dean shouted. "What else can you do?" He ordered.
