~VI~ – Mr. Big Hero, the Demon, and the Feathered Freak on the Side

"I'm starting to think you've got a beacon on us, feathers," is Ruby's greeting to me as I enter the dark warehouse.

Before me is Ruby, Sam Winchester, and a demon stuck in a chair, in the center of a Devil's trap. The demon glares at me. If only he was fearful. I keep my newly acquired blade low at my side.

"It's just coincidence," I lie. Truthfully, it's not. I've found a way to keep my eyes on Sam Winchester and be able to find him wherever he is. I've tuned into his aura, which as strange as that sounds, helps a lot. He's got an aura full of vibrant colors, but when together, they mesh into an ugly color that should never be seen by any eyes.

"Shouldn't you be putzing around making modern miracles come true?"

I look at Ruby severely. "Humans do enough miracles for themselves. There are more important matters at hand."

"I didn't realize I was going to be tortured by nonsense bullshit," hisses the demon. I turn my head.

"Where's Lilith?" Sam demands.

"Kiss my ass." The demon exposes its true eyes: black, the color of death.

The Winchester smiles at the comment. "I'd watch myself if I were you."

"Why? Huh? Because you're Sam Winchester, Mr. Big Hero? And yet here you are, slutting around with some demon, with a feathered freak on the side. Real hero."

Is he implying what I think he's implying? It's not far-fetched; Sam reeked of Ruby's scent the night I met the both of them. How could he fall so low to bed with a demon? It's bad enough he's allied himself with one, who claims to want Lilith stopped.

And then I realize the demon has roped me into the conversation. As cliché as it's going to sound, it ruffles my feathers a bit.

"Shut your mouth," snap Sam.

"Tell me about those months without your brother. About all the things you and this demon bitch do in the dark. Huh? Tell me, hero."

I watch in awe, and in slight horror, as Sam exorcises the demon without an incantation. The demon pours from the vessel, making its way to the floor. It burns through the floor. I watch Sam, who's looking on the weak side.

I look back at the man tied to the chair. The demon's true face isn't there any longer. I can sense there's life still in him, though.

"How'd it feel?" Ruby asks him. She wears a smile on her face.

"Good," Sam replies. He's at the man, whose slumped unconscious in the chair. "No more headaches." He begins to let the body out of the ropes.

"None? That's good."

"Do you need me to heal him?" I ask Sam as the man starts to wake up.

"No, he needs proper care. I think he's had enough of this for one day."

"Or a lifetime."

"Hey, hey," Sam says to the man. "I got you. It's alright." He helps the man out of the chair. I sidestep away from the door, watching.

But when Sam opens the door, big brother Dean Winchester is right there to greet him.

"Ooh, this is going to be good," Ruby whispers. I look at her strangely. "Too bad we don't have popcorn."

"So...Anything you wanna tell me, Sam?" Dean asks his younger brother coldly.

"Dean, hold on, okay?" Sam sputters as his brother walks into the warehouse. "Just let me—"

"You gonna say, 'let me explain'? You're gonna explain this? How about this? Why don't you start with who they are, and what the hell they're doing here?"

"Well, I don't need to re-introduce myself," I say gruffly, giving a pointed stare at Dean. "You already know who I am, even if you still refuse to believe me."

"Good to see you again, Dean," Ruby tells the elder Winchester. She even has the audacity to smile.

"Ruby?" Dean asks. He looks at Sam. "Is that Ruby?"

It happens so fast that, instead of breaking up the impending fight, I jump out of the way. Dean launches himself at Ruby, shoving her up against the nearest wall. A knife comes out, ready to strike through her heart. Sam intervenes, grabbing his brother's hand.

"Don't!"

Unbelievable. I watch in utter embarrassment as the Winchesters struggle for control of the knife. It flies out of Dean's hand, and I catch it nimbly.

"Sam!" I say as he goes into a wall.

Ruby, on the offense, grabs Dean, pinning him against the same wall she had been up against earlier. She's got him in a chokehold with her right hand.

"Hand me the knife, feathers," she growls.

"You're not harming him," I say neutrally as I go to Sam. He pushes my help away when I try to help him upright. "Sorry, I figured you'd want a helping hand."

"Ruby! Stop it!" Sam demands. Alright, just don't act like I tried to help you out, Samuel. Now I understand the connection. It's twisted, it has to be, somehow. How can Sam trust Ruby? How can he assume that she'll let Dean go?

"If you don't let go of him, I'll force you to," I say steely. "And I'll be more than happy to put you down myself."

"Vera, you're not doing that."

I glare at Sam malevolently. "And I suppose you'll be the one to try and stop me? Go ahead. See where that gets you, Samuel."

Sam starts, and I can see in his eyes that he's thinking his options through. We both focus back on Ruby and Dean. Ruby, who hasn't let the elder Winchester go. I begin to creep in behind her, both weapons at the ready. If I have to threaten her, I will.

"Keep your feathers on," Ruby snarls out. She releases Dean, and now he's able to stand at his full height. "I wasn't going to do anything."

"I wish I could believe that," I say in disgust.

"Well, aren't you an obedient little bitch?" says Dean.

"Ruby," says Sam. She's poised to strike again, and I'm prepared to tackle her to keep that from happening. Samuel, you're playing a risky game, by allying with her. "Ruby, he's hurt." Sam gestures to the man. "Go."

Reluctantly, Ruby goes to the man, throwing one of his arms over her shoulder.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Dean asks.

"The ER," Ruby snaps, "unless you want to go another round first."

"I don't trust you."

"Gee, that's been established."

"If it'll make you less paranoid, I'll go with her," I speak up. "She won't do the man any harm while I'm around."

"Ugh, you selfless winged bitches," I hear Ruby mutter. "Come on, then."

"Why bother driving?" We're outside now.

"Oh, you're strong enough to teleport now?"

I snort. "Yes. But first." I stop Ruby and the man and tap two fingers to his forehead. He falls unconscious, and when he falls, he nearly takes Ruby down with him. The demon glares at me.

"You did that on purpose," she snarls.

"What, is your demonic strength not enough to hold up a mortal man? He won't remember what happened when he wakes up." I go to the other side of the man and help balance out the weight.

"It's not like he'd squeal to anyone. If he did, I'd have to kill him." I'm more angered than shocked at Ruby's comment. "I'm joking, feathers. Relax."

Sure you were kidding. Once I make sure all three of us have contact, I transport us to the nearest hospital. We land just outside of the ER doors. Together, the three of us stumble in, where human medical personnel take the man off of our hands. Ruby and I leave the ER before anyone has the chance to question us on what's happened.

"Okay, watchdog, go run off and fetch more demons to kill. I don't need to be babysat anymore."

"Sure you don't."

"By the way, I'd like my knife back."

"Oh, this?" I twirl the small blade. "You're not getting it back. It's going back to the Winchesters."

"It was mine first!"

"When I came around, they had possession of it."

"Ugh, who cares about finders keepers, losers weepers?" She crosses her arms. "It was mine first, ergo I need it back."

"Fine, then I want my blade back."

"But you've got one of your own!"

"Yeah, but it's not mine."

"Great, you're sentimental."

"I'm holding onto it." I jiggle her knife in my grip.

"Feathers, I swear, you and I will go a round in this ER parking lot. I really don't give a shit."

I chuckle. "You think that's wise?"

"Well, hey, if you by chance kill me, it'll kill Sam's fragile trust with you." She smirks.

"Speaking of Sam Winchester, whatever you're planning with him, it needs to end."

She raises a curious eyebrow at me. "Since when did you become his guardian angel?"

"Since I found out he has been running around with the likes of you." My eyes narrow. "And since you've been...fornicating."

"You honestly believed that demon's bullshit?"

"He's not wrong, though, is he?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't go prying into your life."

"You tried to a few times."

"Then you understand I value privacy like you do."

I snort. "Your kind are nuisances enough, you don't need to be growing close to humans, let alone hunters."

"Yeah, well, right now I'm not like my kind. Unlike them, I'm trying to help save this pathetic excuse of a planet." Ruby slowly paces in front of me. "Let me ask you something, feathers. If Heaven is so worried about Lilith breaking sixty-six seals, why aren't you with your other feathered freaks in stopping the other seals being broken? Why are you stationed here?" She frowns.

"Heaven's orders," I lie. Truthfully, I'm "stationed" near Sam Winchester because I don't trust Ruby. He and his brother, Dean, are in this fight too. Why not ally with them?

"See, I'd believe that, if I were gullible and didn't know any better."

"What? Are you being protective over Sam?" It's my turn to raise a questioning eyebrow.

"I've been helping him train to exorcise demons like you've been seeing. He needs me as a guide. You've got no business around here."

"I'm onto you, demon. The second you slip up, the second you betray the Winchesters, I hope I'm there. I hope I'm there to witness the day you die."

"Well, it's not gonna happen."

I snort in amusement. "We'll see."

"Let me guess, you're gonna go run back to be at Sam's feet like the obedient bitch you're becoming?"

I lick my lips. "I'll be keeping an eye on him when I can."

"Oh, joy, so I'll be seeing you poking your head in when you shouldn't."

I tilt my head. "Like that's not what you're doing right now?"

Ruby rolls her eyes. "Just get out of here before we really throw down."

Her attempts to be intimidating amuse me. As if she can really do me harm. I find myself laughing as I disappear, leaving her at the ER. 

**Phew. One of the longest chapter titles ever.

I like writing the Veruby dialogue. It's always fun to write their banter.

And yes, I made a name out of theirs.**