Chapter Four

Kaitlyn walks around the classroom to make sure everyone is doing what they're supposed to be. She likes giving them time to work on things at the end of each session in case they have questions. She stops beside one of the desks and points to a problem on Jessie's page. "Look at this one again," she says.

Jessie looks up. "Thank you, Miss Bonin. I thought I had it wrong."

"Try again and if you need help just let me know." As she's walking to the next aisle, she sees her door open. She stops to see who steps in, but doesn't recognize the man. "Can I help you?" She gasps when the man pulls a gun out, pointing it straight at her. Just as quickly, the kids are all shrieking.

"Get the kids out of here," the man says. "Now!"

Kaitlyn takes a deep breath and looks around. "Line up by the door, just like usual." She isn't surprised when they all scramble to line up.

"Don't you dare try to leave with them." Once the kids are all out of the room, the man grabs Kaitlyn causing her to shriek.

"Tell me what you want," Kaitlyn says carefully.

"You know exactly why I'm here." He puts the gun to Kaitlyn's temple.

She squeezes her eyes shut. "I don't. I swear to you I have no idea. Please…"

Dean climbs out of his car once reaching the school. He walks over to where everyone is gathered. "What do we know?" he asks.

"He's in a classroom holding the teacher hostage. He apparently let the kids walk out. They ran to the office and that's when we were called. We've been in contact with him via the intercom and he's willing to let one person come in to talk."

"I'll do it."

"Ambrose…"

"I said I'll do it."

"Okay. Rollins, Reigns, be ready to back him up if need be."

"Yes, sir," Seth says. He looks at Dean. "Dean, you sure about this?"

"Who else is gonna go in?"

"Why should you though?"

"I'm the only one crazy enough to." Dean smiles. "It's my job. This is what we've trained for, yeah?"

Roman nods. "He's right," he says. "We'll be here if you need us."

Dean nods. "I know." He looks over when his boss walks over. "Hunter."

"Ambrose, you ready for this?"

"Yeah, I'm ready."

"Okay. Have your radio on at all times so we can hear what's going on."

"Of course. Do we know what room they're in?"

"Not for sure. First floor on the east hall. We do know that."

"Okay. The kids wouldn't say?"

"They're all too scared and the workers are trying to keep everything under control so we aren't able to get much from them right now. Which is completely understandable. They're all very young. But he's waiting for someone, so it shouldn't surprise him."

Dean nods. "Okay." He looks at Seth and Roman. "Stay out here for now. Give me like five minutes once I'm in the room with him before coming in."

"Dean," Roman says.

"Five minutes."

"All right. Just be careful."

He nods once again before slipping out of his jacket. He notices Seth looking around to where all of the classes are standing and knows he's looking for Kaitlyn. He squeezes his friend's shoulder. "She's short, probably can't see her over her own students."

Seth grins. "Yeah, probably. Go. You got five minutes."

Dean glances into one of the classrooms, finally spotting the man. "Shit," he mutters when he sees the woman sitting on one of the desks. He reaches for his shoulder radio. "I see him. Going in." He sighs, knowing Seth can't be in here if Dean needs backup. He'll panic at the sight of Kaitlyn. "Keep Rollins out," he adds before pushing the door open slowly. He holds his hands up when the man turns and points the gun at him. "I'm Dean Ambrose. I'm just here to talk."

Kaitlyn looks over quickly and Dean can see her tear stained cheeks. He just hopes she won't say anything about knowing him. It'll be better for everyone if that is left alone.

"What's your name, man?"

"Eric."

"Okay, Eric. I'm going to put my hands down and sit on one of the desks. Okay? We can just talk."

"Slowly."

Dean nods. "Sure." He drops his arms before walking over to one of the desks. He sits down, never taking his eyes off Eric. "Talk to me, Eric. We can work this out I'm sure."

"This little bitch knows exactly what this is about."

"Let's keep the names out of it, okay?"

"She knows what this is about! Tell 'im!"

Kaitlyn jumps a little. "I don't know." She shakes her head and looks at Dean. "I don't know what he's talking about."

"You do to!" He puts the gun to Kaitlyn's temple. "Tell the fucking truth!"

Kaitlyn shrinks down as best as she can. "I…"

"Eric, why don't you tell me," Dean says. "Let's you and I talk this out. What's the problem?" He can see that Eric's hold on the gun is slipping; the man could end up pulling the trigger any moment without even meaning to. "Talk to me."

"All I ever wanted was to be with her. But she kept saying no. She ruined my life. We could've been happy."

Dean frowns a little. "How did she ruin your life?"

"By saying no!"

"Eric, come on man. Why let something like this affect your life? You could've moved on."

"You don't get it. She's all I've ever wanted."

Dean licks his lips as he glances over at Kaitlyn. He does get it. Clearing his throat, he looks at Eric again. "Eric…"

"And then I had to see her at prom with that… that monster." He grabs Kaitlyn's hair, pulling her head back, making her scream a little. "We could've been happy together. I could have made you happy."

"Eric…"

Eric puts the gun to Kaitlyn's temple. "We can still be together, forever."

Kaitlyn shakes her head. "Please. I…"

Dean shifts a little. Eric's too far gone to listen to reasoning. Out of the corner of his eye he can see Roman and Alex standing outside the door. He nods a little, hoping Eric won't see him doing so.

"We are going to be together, Kaitlyn," Eric says.

Dean jumps up when Roman and Alex barge in and tackle Eric to the ground. He walks over, pulling Kaitlyn up. She's shaking and is immediately crying harder as she lets him pull her out of the room.

"It's okay," Dean says when they're in the hall. He looks down at her, rubbing her arms gently. "Did he hurt you before I got in?"

Kaitlyn shakes her head. "No." She covers her face, sobbing now.

Dean pulls her into him. "You're safe now." He rubs her back as she cries against his chest. "You're okay." He turns them around, so Eric can't see her as Roman and Alex bring him out of the room. "They're going to want to question you, Kait."

She nods slowly as she pulls back. "Think they'll let me rinse my face off first?"

"Kaitlyn!" Seth yells running into the school.

Dean steps out of the way to let Seth pull Kaitlyn into a tight hug. He rubs the back of his neck as he backs away. "Seth will stay with you while you do that," he says after a moment. "I'll…" He gestures behind him. "I need to go start my report and all that." He walks away before Kaitlyn or Seth can say anything.

Seth cups Kaitlyn's face between his hands. "Are you okay? Did that jackass hurt you?"

"I'm okay," she answers. "I want to go rinse off my face."

A few minutes later, they're finally heading outside. Seth leads her over to a group of officers. He rubs her back before he steps to the side. He looks around, spotting Dean immediately talking with Hunter. He walks over and pushes Dean.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Seth asks.

Dean looks at him. "What?"

"How could you not let me in there?"

"Because you would never been able to handle it."

"Fuck you, Dean. That's my sister."

"You don't think I know that?!"

"Guys," Hunter says. "Knock it off."

"You should have gotten her out of there quicker," Seth says pushing Dean again.

"I was trying not to get her killed. The fucker had a gun to her head. When Roman and Alex came in, that was the time. Anything before that would have had gunshots. Is that what you wanted?"

"Fuck you!" Seth turns and walks away.

"Right back at you!" Dean sighs and turns back toward Hunter. "I couldn't do anything any sooner. It would have turned even worse."

Hunter nods. "I know that, Ambrose. You did good. And you know him."

Dean sighs. "Yeah, I know." He looks over to where Seth and Roman are standing with Kaitlyn now.

"Go on over. I'll see you back at the station."

Dean walks over to Kaitlyn, Seth, and Roman. "Hey," he says softly.

Kaitlyn looks at him. "Hey," she says.

Seth stares at him. "Don't you have papers to fill out?"

Dean sighs. "Right." He shakes his head as he walks away. "Fuck!" He kicks his front tire before climbing behind the steering wheel.