The ground falls out from beneath (Y/N) with no warning. Her life is now in danger, and it seems like no one believes her. She’s the only thing that can help Sam get the justice he’s been fighting so desperately for, but only if Dean can keep her safe. But how can he do that if even he has his suspicions? Could she truly be so blind to the ugly world around her? Could she have missed the signs? How? She’s asking herself the same thing over and over again as the guilt and anger battle themselves in her gut. When Dean discovers what she’s hiding will it implode everything they’ve fought to gain, or will it be the only thing to save her?
Okay- so I want throw a little mini series out there and see if it picks up any interest- only written the first chapter so far. I will keep writing it if there’s a market for it- or I’m always open to suggestions/requests if anyone want’s to see something specific. I’m trying to expand my writing a little and trying new story arcs. Thanks so much! Drop a heart or follow if you want to see more!
Summary: (Y/N)’s life is turned upside down and now she has to rely on SWAT/Bodyguard Dean Winchester to keep her alive to testify. She’s angry. She’s afraid. But she won’t go down without a fight.
Dean X Reader
Word count: 3158
Chapter Warnings: Mentions of violence, language, and mentions of drugs.
“I-I don’t know. I didn’t know about any of this!” She said frantically. She had only answered this same question ten times between the three different cops who had come in and out of the room.
Detective Sam Winchester stood on the other side of the glass, watching her cry in the interrogation room when no one else is present, but every time the door opens she automatically puts on a tough face and tries to withstand the drilling of one far too personal question after the other. He had observed for hours, now he wanted to have a conversation of his own…
He waited a few more seconds and then he let himself into the room, a water bottle in hand. He stepped forward and placed it in front of her before taking a seat and opening the folder in his hand.
“Ms. Parks, I’ve been watching your fiancé for quite some time now.” He sighed. “I’ve watched all of your conversations with the officers today. I was there as the warrant was served and your home was ripped apart. I can feel the anger rolling off of you… but you’re not angry at us are you?”
She sat and blinked. Shocked into silence at how casually he spoke to her when every other person who had entered this room over the last several hours looked at her like she was a criminal. Like she was the bad guy. Like they didn’t believe her.
But he was different.
“No.” She finally whispered. “I’m not mad at you or anyone here for doing their jobs. For s-saving them.”
Her words faltered as she bit her lip and forced herself to swallow the sob clawing its way from her chest up her throat. She had tried so hard not to fall apart in front of anyone, to be strong. To not LOOK guilty for something so terrible.
“(Y/N)” The young detective said a little softer. “I know, that you had no idea what Brian was doing.”
She looked up to him, and her intentions of not crying were suddenly lost upon her as she looked at the man who might honestly be her saving grace. Who might be the only person who gives a shit. She looked him up and down for the first time since he entered. He had shaggy brown hair and kind hazel eyes. He gave her a sad smile and reached his hand across the table and laid it on her arm.
“Thank you.” She whispered through her tears.
“I do still have questions… things that might help us finally nail him.”
“Anything.” She said confidently after coughing to clear her throat. It was clear to Sam that her anger was only directed at one person, the same Monster he had been hunting for over a year. The same monster who was using young women to traffic his drugs and then killing them once their purpose was served.
“How did he explain the business trips? The late meetings? Private dinners? I mean did you ever get suspicious?”
“Of course I did.” She scoffed. “I thought he was cheating on me. I followed him a few times. The dinners. They just seemed like business meetings with other men, their associates. No inappropriate behavior or strip clubs. Just. Dinner and conversation, not that I was close enough to hear them but I know the difference between business and pleasure and those dinners were all business.”
“Do you remember any of the men he met with?”
“Um. Maybe? I never got their names but faces usually stick out to me.”
“Okay. I tell you what. I’m gonna get you some dinner, and when I come back you and I are going to go over some phots together. Okay? If you can identify any of these men then it could be the connection we’ve been waiting for to take down the whole damn thing.”
“Make it a cheeseburger and I’ll tell you anything you want.”
“You got it kiddo.” He said with a smile.
…..
…..
“Okay, (Y/N). One more time… this is the last file I’ve got.”
“Okay.” She sighed and nodded as Sam slid them over to her. The two had finished their dinner over 3 hours ago, and it was well into the night and yet they were still looking. (Y/N) had been able to identify a few men, but most of them were low on the inner circle’s totem pole. He needed something more.
“Wait.” She mumbled as she flipped to the last page. “This one… this guy. I-I remember him, it was the last dinner I spied on. I finally gave up the cheating obsession and just figured work was his mistress.”
“Are you sure?” Sam asked slowly.
“I’m sure. I’ll never forget him… he uh. He threw his drink at the waitress because she served him the wrong one. I remember thinking how incredibly entitled he must think he is.” She said with raise eyebrows and a less than impressed tone.
“Sounds about right.”
“Who is he?”
Sam debated on telling her… scaring her.
“He’s part of the cartel. He’s the boss. If your fiancé was meeting with him, then it could only be about one thing. The drugs.”
(Y/N)’s stomach sank. She couldn’t believe she had been so blind. The money. The gifts… she thought he was incredibly good at his job and managed his money well. It’s not like they were sharing bank accounts yet. The wedding was barely even planned. So much still up in the air, and now she knew why he could never give her a date… he never knew when he would have to leave in the middle of the night or take a sudden trip for ‘work’.
“What happens now… I can’t go home can I?” She asked softly. Her eyes suddenly feeling heavy again, the food now settled and her adrenaline finally winding down.
“No. I’m sorry but you can’t.”
“Where do I go?”
“Here.” Sam answered sheepishly.
“I’m never gonna get out of this room am I.” She whimpered as she laid her head against the table.
“I need you to let me make a few calls. (Y/N), I know you’ve been through a lot today and I know the last thing you need is another bomb dropped into your lap but I’m going to be honest with you because you’ve been honest with me.”
“Okay.” She whispered, suddenly afraid.
“If thigs goes the way I hope it does- and I hope it does because it would finally mean cutting some really bad guys out of the food chain and throwing their ass in prison, then you can’t go home for a long time.”
“What?” She asked with wide eyes.
“You’ll be a target, when they find out that you are the one who can identify them. That you’re the one we talked to… they’ll kill you.”
“But- can’t I just be an anonymous witness or some shit?” She asked desperately.
“We could try that, but with the connections these men have it would only be a matter of time before they were able to find a name, and then track you down.”
“So… where, where do I go?” She stuttered, feeling as if the wind was knocked out of her chest.
“Protection. You’d be under our protection with the DEA’s office until the trial is complete and we’re sure you’re safe.”
“Right.” She said staring at the table in front of her. “Safe.”
“I’m sorry. No good deed goes unpunished in these situations.”
She nodded silently, unable to pull her eyes up to him.
“You’re the only one who didn’t treat me like I was guilty.” She finally whispered. “You’re the only one who talked to me like I was a person, thank you for that.”
“You are a person. A good person who’s going to stop some really bad people from hurting more young girls.”
“I-I had no idea they were in trouble.”
She swallowed roughly as the words constricted her throat. She thought back to the ever-changing maids, the ones he said were always fired for stealing or something else. The young secretaries who changed offices every few months. Suddenly her mind flashed and she ran through their faces, wondering if any of them were even still alive.
“You couldn’t know, its not your fault. I’ll see if I can swing you a couch around here to sleep on until I know what’s next.”
…..
…..
…..
Dean came through the doors of the SWAT locker room and placed his gear back in place. Sitting and running his hand through his hair. He picked up his cell phone out of the locker and noted 3 texts, one from the girl last night at the bar and two from his little brother Sammy.
Sam: I know it’s short notice and all but I got one I’m gonna need you for. She’s important.
Sam: Cleared it with your team lead, you’re officially on our payroll until further notice. I think she could be the key to finally shutting this shit down. For Jess… Please. I need you to do it. I can’t trust her with anyone else.
“Great.” He sighed to himself.
Dean: Okay, I’m gonna crash on the couch in my office. Wake me when you’re ready and we’ll go over everything.
He picked himself up off the bench and dragged his feet down the hall and to his office. Pushing the door open he didn’t even bother turning on the lights. He just wanted sleep. He’d been out on the same standoff for nearly 16 hours. The bad guy went down and the hostage went free but damn he was exhausted. He kicked off his boots and pulled off his jacket before flopping down onto the cheap couch he dragged in after a separate particularly long day.
It wasn’t much, but it was comfy and allowed him to shut his eyes for a few hours between calls.
However, this time when he flopped himself down he landed on something other than the cushions, and it squealed loudly at him before shoving him to the ground. He scrambled in the dark and pulled his weapon from the holster, his small mag light in the other hand to identify his intruder.
“WHAT THE FUCK!” He shouted as the woman on his couch jumped back and made herself small into the corner, hands raised as his light landed on her face. He quickly dropped his weapon, but didn’t holster it quite yet as he stood and flipped on the lights.
“What the hell is wrong with you!” She yelled at him as she realized he was wearing a badge, and was not working for the cartel.
“Me?! What the hell is wrong with you! Why are you on my couch?!”
“I just go where they tell me to dude.” She scoffed as she threw her hands up. “The detective brought me in here.”
He looked her up and down and noted her hands shook, her eyes were wide and her anger was most likely her fear trying to cover itself. Like cornered prey facing its hunter and trying to find a way to deter themselves from becoming a meal. He finally slid his weapon back to its holster and pressed his fingers against his eyes.
“What detective?” He groaned with a slightly less annoyed tone.
“The only nice one here apparently.” She snarked.
He looked up to her with a well perfected bitch face.
“Sam?”
“Yes.”
“Great.”
“I’m sorry. Just. Call Sam and tell him to shove me somewhere else.” She said as she stood and shoved the blanket she was covered in towards him as she walked past.
“Wait.” He called out to her. She paused as her hand grabbed the doorknob. “Sam’s gonna be here in a few minutes.”
She stood and looked him up and down before deciding on whether or not she believed him, and whether or not she wanted to wait in here with him.
“Fine.” She said crossing her arms and moving to the far wall behind her. She sank down against the wall and pulled her knees up to her chest. Dean rolled his eyes out of her sight as he flopped back down onto the couch for a second time. Like clockwork the moment he shut his eyes the door opened and in burst his brother.
“Dean. Hey, sorry… I just read your text. Was hoping I’d make it here before you to give you the heads up.”
Sam took notice of (Y/N)’s stiff posture where she sat against the wall and Dean’s annoyed glare.
“Yeah. No big deal. Sorry I interrupted your nap.” Dean said looking over to her. She pulled her eyes down to the ground.
“(Y/N)” Sam said getting her attention and sitting in a chair in front of her. “This is my brother, Dean. I have some good news.”
“Was it enough?” She asked finally looking up to him.
“It was.” He smiled. “We were able to pull some surveillance footage. Photos. Traffic cameras and routes. Pulled receipts from the restaurant. This was the break we needed to finally connect some dots and establish the pattern.”
“Good.” She breathed before nodding with a sad smile. “So. I uh. I’m not going home then.”
“No.” He said softly. “But I want you to know that what you’re doing, what you have given us paired with your testimony in court. It will bury them.”
“I have to testify too?”
Her eyes watered. She knew she was going to be hiding now that she was officially a snitch and the cartel had a certain long reach, but she had no idea she’d have to face them all in a courtroom. To throw herself out there like a sitting duck for target practice.
“Please. You don’t know what it would mean to me. To all those families who have been searching for their daughters. Their sisters. Their friends. You’re the only person who has ever been an eye witness to the meetings.”
“Of course I am.” She laughed humorlessly. “Okay. What do I have do?”
Dean watched the interaction between them carefully. He knew what this meant to Sam. For that reason alone he’d do anything to protect this woman and make sure that she follows through for him. He was surprised however to see her resolve and resistance to testifying break so easily… wasn’t she a cartel guy’s girl? They never cooperate like this. His suspicions ran almost as fast as his curiosities.
She’s scared.
She’s not walking away though.
“Dean is a SWAT officer, but he also does private protection. He’s the best in the business, and I mean that or I wouldn’t have convinced his boss to give him up for the DEA to hire him for you. He will keep you safe.” Sam looked up to Dean and turned his body to where he could look back and forth between them and they could see each other more clearly. “Dean, this is (Y/N). She’s going to need a full work up. Safe house. Back up routes. Vetted team. Whatever you need, it’s yours. Just say the word.”
“You got a file I can catch up on?”
“Yeah. Sure. I’ll go get it.” Sam said jumping up.
(Y/N) stayed seated in the floor, looking up to him curiously as the two brothers spoke and he watched Sam walk out the door. His eyes diverting back down to her.
“Sorry I took over your couch. You look tired…” She admitted sheepishly as she twisted her hands against each other.
“S’fine. Don’t get much sleep around here anyways.” He countered. “You might as well sit somewhere more comfortable. We’ve got a lot to go over.”
He pulled himself to sit more upright and opened the other half of the couch. (Y/N) hesitantly stood and walked towards him. Sitting down once more as Sam walked into the room, handing a folder over to Dean.
(Y/N) looked curiously over at the folder in his hands from where she sat. She saw a page with Brian’s picture, then several behind it before she saw a page with her own face attached.
Great… I was a suspect- she thought to herself.
“We ruled out any chance of involvement?” Dean asked looking up to Sam. (Y/N) could only assume he was referring to her.
“I had no idea what he was doing.” She growled.
Dean looked over to her with an amused smirk on his face before quietly going back to the folder in his hands. (Y/N) looked up to Sam who gave an apologetic smile. She returned a smile that didn’t quite reach her cheeks like it normally would. She then kicked off her shoes and pulled her feet up, crossing them underneath her and leaning against the arm rest. Her eyes getting heavy once again.
“You’re a photographer?” Dean asked after several minutes of silence.
“Yeah.” She nodded not opening her eyes.
“Hmm.”
“What?”
“Nothing.” He shrugged, but she could tell he was keeping some sort of comment to himself.
She sighed in response and curled further into herself.
After about 10 more minutes of silent reading Dean looked over and noted the slow steady movement of her chest and the way her lips slightly parted.
“She’s out.” Sam said softly. “Dean, listen. I know it’s not the most reassuring file but she’s not involved in this. I’ve been watching him… and I heard her interrogation with 4 different people. She never faltered. Nothing changed.”
“She could just be good at it, Sammy.”
“Dean. I watched her wait until she was alone and her life fell apart in front of her eyes, she cried. She hurt. Guilty people don’t hurt like that. She’s devastated… and she’s angry at him. She’s the perfect witness. She got all of this information, spotted the deals and discussions going down because she was investigating him on her own. She’s smart.”
“Investigating him?” Dean questioned.
“She thought he was cheating, same old working late and business trips excuses.”
“Great. So, she’s obsessive and insecure.”
“Dean. Stop.” Sam deadpanned.
“I’m just saying. All the more reason to be suspicious here.”
“Dean. She’s not guilty here. I know it.”
“Okay. I trust you.”
“I mean it. You get to call all the shots here. You pick the team. The locations. The schedules. Everything… I want this done right.”
“Give me 4 hours. I’ll have everything listed.”
“Thank you, Dean.”
“Only for you, Sammy.” Dean smiled back.
Sam stood after returning the loving smile and walked out the door. He was a few steps away from the office when he turned around, seeing him pull the blanket over her through the window.
There was no question in his mind, she would be safer with Dean than she would with anyone else in the world. He’d used up all his favors, but it was the right call.
