A/N: This is a short story that takes place in the AU (I'm starting to learn the vocabulary) of my main story, Inner Demons. The story will probably be difficult to follow without reading the main story. If you guys want a short summary, I'll include one in the next chapter (since the main story is kind of long).

I don't own the characters of Supernatural or the world of Supernatural. As usual, any critiques or tips are appreciated. :)

"Loosen up, kid."

Pip barely registered Dean Winchester's words before a blow suddenly landed on her ribs, causing her to stumble to the side. She tried to check her balance but another hit followed the first one, expertly catching her off guard. A breath wheezed out of her as she backed up, and she could sense the gap that she had left for herself. Dean could have easily followed up his first two hits with another one, but he held back as she caught her breath.

"You're tensing yourself up too much. It's making you slow and easy to knock over." He bounced lightly on his feet to emphasize his point. "You gotta stay light and move faster."

Pip backed up as he moved forward, holding her arms in front of her face. She forced her muscles to relax and watched his movements closely, but every time he so much as twitched she bunched up again. He rammed an arm onto her forearms and shoved her back. She could see his muscles clench as he set his body to throw the hit she knew was coming. His fist swung around and she tensed again, preparing for the blow. Instead of whaling on her jaw, Dean pulled back at the last second and tapped her lightly. Gritting her teeth, Pip lowered her arms.

"You're going on the defensive way too much," he observed. "You're going to have to fight back some time, Pip. You can't hold them off forever."

Her gaze flickered around the room as she avoided looking at him. Although he wasn't hitting very hard and the punches that did land healed almost immediately, they still managed to hurt. She pressed a hand to her side as she nodded at him. "Thank you," she said quietly.

He gazed at her steadily, watching her as if he expected something. "You have to put more effort into this. You were the one who asked for help with fighting. Can't always depend on your head to help you, so you got to learn the hard way."

I am putting effort into this, she thought sourly. Instead of relaying her thoughts out loud, she ducked her head. "Yes," she answered, swallowing the 'sir' that almost slipped out.

"Why should I bother if you're not?" he pushed.

Her head twitched as her expression twisted. The words she wanted to say clawed at her throat, but she held them back. "I'm sorry, I will do better," she said instead. Her gaze drilled into her feet.

Dean watched her until he gave a loud sigh and ran a hand through his hair. "Kid, someday you're going to have to stick up for yourself." His jaw worked as if he wanted to say more, but he turned away instead. "We'll stop for now."

She glanced up and watched as he walked away, suddenly feeling unsettled. It felt as if there had been a test she didn't know about, and she just failed it.

...

Sam's tired eyes lifted as Pip entered the main room of the bunker with Dean close behind her.

"Hey," Sam greeted, leaning back in his seat with a small sigh. "How'd training go?"

Dean gave a slight shrug, his gaze travelling around the room as if double-checking that there wasn't something waiting to jump him. "Good enough," he grunted, pulling a chair and slamming into it. "What's the forecast for today? And by forecast I mean whose face can we punch in?"

Sam glanced between Pip and Dean, his eyes questioning. She ignored his probing look as she sat down at the table as well, focusing her attention on the bottle of water waiting there instead.

"Right, well," Sam finally said, clearing his throat. "We've knocked a few people off of Finch's list already, but they were mostly involved with the factories, right? Dealing with magic goods and that sort of thing? I was thinking we could focus our attention on another part of Rowan's empire."

"And that is?" Dean asked while opening a beer.

"Dean, you shouldn't be drinking that after a workout," Sam said.

Dean gave a small grunt, tipping the bottle back and taking a long swig. "Wouldn't call it a workout," he muttered.

Don't roll your eyes, don't roll your eyes, Pip chanted mentally, her shoulders hunching forward as she crossed her arms. She kept her eyes locked on Sam to prevent herself from doing so, and ended up boring into him with an intense look.

Sam shook his head, his expression exasperated. "Anyway, instead of going after the goods, we could go after his information. According to Finch, and Pip, he has tons of people scattered around for the purpose of collecting information. He keeps an eye on police activity, magic activity, blackmail, things like that."

"Sounds like a lot of people we get to go after," Dean said, taking another sip.

"Well, not necessarily," Sam answered. He tapped a finger on a location circled on the map in front of him. "There are several locations where the information is gathered before being passed on to Rowan. One of the biggest locations is in," he gave a low sigh, "New York City."

Pip leaned forward as the name rang a bell in her memory. She'd heard of the place, on more than one occasion, but had never been there. Father's information came to him, not the other way around.

Dean seemed to perk up at Sam's words. "Sounds like we're going to have to take a trip to the Big Apple, eh, Sammy?" A grin tugged at the corners of his lips. "Love me some big city life."

Sam grimaced. "Yeah, well, big city life means it'll be a pain getting this job done. It's surrounded by apartments and stores, so getting rid of it will be hard without collateral damage. We'd have to be careful about it, and that will take time." He fiddled with the map in front of him, moving assorted weapons and books out of the way. "We can't just blow the place up like we have the warehouses. Especially not in New York."

"So we burn it?" Dean asked. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. Suddenly he seemed all business.

Sam's eyes flickered to his brother for a moment before focusing back on the map. "Yeah, carefully. Anything else would take too long, and we can't take it all. But I'm thinking we can at least steal some of it as well." He gave a light shrug. "Maybe it will be useful."

Steal information, she thought, unease bubbling under her skin as she focused on Sam's words. The brothers didn't plan on destroying all of her father's information. If this place held so much of her father's studies, there was no doubt that a file on her would be included. Pip's anxiety grew, her panic beginning to ring bells in her head. If the brothers managed to find it...

You could always listen to what I've been telling you and just ditch these two idiots, Amon butted in, his voice sour. You're exerting too much energy on trying to hide things from them.

They haven't given me much of a choice, she reminded him. Her eyes shifted between the two Winchesters as they spoke to each other, struggling to focus on what they were saying.

Amon's snort buzzed in her skull. You've managed to get away from your father―twice. I'm certain even someone like you could handle these two.

Wow, she responded, her mental voice dry. That almost sounded like a compliment. I'm touched.

Yeah, I'm just showering you with kindness.

"What about me?"

Pip jumped at Ollie's voice from the bunker's hallway. Sam and Dean were less startled and both turned to stare Ollie down.

"You'll stay here," Sam said, his tone firm. Ollie scoffed, but Dean interrupted him before he could speak.

"And by stay here, he means you'll sit tight and not touch anything at all. Or better yet, you could just leave until we come back."

"Does Pip get to stay with me at least?" Ollie asked, his usual smirk dancing on his lips. His heavy gaze turned to rest on her, and she narrowed her eyes at him. He always seemed up to something, and she struggled to stay one step ahead. She was never successful.

I can't stay behind, she thought. She had to make sure Sam and Dean didn't find anything about her. Bundling up her thoughts, she glared at Ollie to shut up, imagining she was shooting him one of those silent messages Sam and Dean always seemed to share.

"She'll come with us," Sam said as he stood up. The chair scraped loudly against the bunker floor as he pushed it back.

Pip let out a small, relieved sigh. She wouldn't have to beg or bargain to go.

"What, and I don't get to join?" Ollie shot back. "I'm super helpful."

Sam shook his head slightly as he gathered up papers that had been scattered around the table. "You can be super helpful here." Dean followed his brother's lead and stood up as well. He carried his beer with him as he lumbered towards Ollie and shouldered his way past him. Pip didn't miss the stare-down the two had as Dean passed.

"I'm beginning to feel used," Ollie complained, focusing on Sam again. Pip stiffened and stood up as well. Ollie's complaints made her feel anxious, as if Sam would change his mind and force both of them to stay at the bunker. Or worse, that he would cave in and bring Ollie along. "I love New York," Ollie continued, his voice wistful. "I know some great places we can visit there, and I can help out with the―"

"Yeah, we'll be fine, thanks," Sam interjected. His words were sharp.

"Hmph," Ollie muttered, but he was still smiling. He fixed his gaze on Pip again, his dark eyes glittering at her. "Very well." The rose scar on her palm suddenly felt warm when he smiled at her and her fingers twitched at the sensation.

She did not like this one bit.