Sam had left Wolfram & Hart about ten minutes earlier. He'd needed to go for a walk, just to get away. Faith needed time alone, Angel wasn't doing so good himself, and Dean wasn't due to arrive in town for another day or so.
"Forgive me for saying so, but you don't look so hot," came Ruby's voice.
Sam stopped in his tracks, waiting for her to catch up to him from behind.
"Is there any reason I should?" his eyebrows rose as he continued walking.
Ruby shrugged.
"I guess not. I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For your loss," she shrugged again, "I know she felt like family to you."
"You never even met her."
"Still," Ruby sighed, "Sam... you haven't contacted me in weeks."
"What, feeling left out?"
"Maybe," Ruby mused, "maybe I'm just worried. Your abilities might be getting flabby again."
"Don't worry, I'm not taking on Alistair or anyone else like him anytime soon."
"You don't know if they're going to show up on your doorstep Sam."
"They have no reason to. Anna's long gone," Sam pointed out.
"But you gotta admit, you pissed a lot of people off in the meantime."
"People? Or demons?"
"You know what I mean," Ruby stopped him, "face the facts. You need to tone up."
"Ruby," Sam held himself back, "now is really not the time."
"I don't care. It's never going to be 'the time'," she insisted.
"Faith's daughter was just murdered," Sam stood over her, "we need time."
Ruby held her tongue.
"Fine," she said, "but keep in mind that it needs to happen. And if you haven't called a week after the funeral, I'm coming after you again."
"Oh I'm real scared," Sam said sarcastically.
"I'm not joking," Ruby turned and walked away.
Sam watched after her, knowing she was right, but refusing to act on it. He continued on his way.