A/N: We meet Romeo in this chapter, though that is not his name. Thank you for taking this journey with me. I do like reviews/comments. NC

Chapter 3

The following week had Dean heading out to meet John for a hunt and Sam picking up a huge project at work. Deanna was back in school and going through the motions just keeping her head down. She had no problem doing any of the homework assigned to her and aced her pop quizzes. Several of her teachers saw her potential and tried to challenge her with extra work that would give her college credits. Deanna didn't mind since this kept her mind sharp, and she loved to learn, absorbing new knowledge like a sponge, just like her dad.

The week was almost over, and Deanna had stayed after school to use the library for an assignment she had been given in one of her classes. She stepped out into the cool afternoon and zipped her light jacket against the chill. She headed to the parking lot and slipped into her car, deciding to stop at the burger joint that was a hangout for high school kids. They had the best milkshakes and burgers and didn't mind the teenagers using the place to gather.

Once Deanna found a parking spot, she got out and went inside to order fries and a milkshake. She took a table in the corner with her back against the wall where she couldn't be snuck up on just like Dean taught her. She hummed softly as she bit into a hot fry and drunk some of her milkshake. She watched the crowd without them really knowing and waved or smiled at some she was friends with from school.

After her fries were gone, Deanna got up and made her way to the door and tossed her trash before stepping out into the cool afternoon air. She paused to let her eyes adjust to the bright light before strolling toward the back of the lot where her car was parked.

"Well, well, who do we have here?" a football player sneered as he stepped around a van to block her way. "Why it's the bitch who thinks she's too good to date one of us."

"Get out of the way Mitch," Deanna huffed not in the mood for this. "I'm not playing your game."

"Oh, I think you'll do exactly what I tell you," he growled as two more players stepped out and flanked her where she couldn't pass.

Deanna tried to step around them but was grabbed on either side by her arms and held in place. She slowly turned her head to look at her captors before staring Mitch down who was still in front of her. She didn't show any fear and was barely controlling the anger building inside of her.

"Let's help the bitch move over there where we'll have some privacy," Mitch told his buddies as he sneered at her. They drug Deanna back behind the van and out of sight of the people milling around outside. They didn't see that someone spotted them and had called 911.

"Now, let's see what you've got to offer," Mitch gloated as he unzipped her jacket and threw it open. He leered at her as he started to unbutton her shirt and licked his lips in anticipation. After the third button, Deanna suddenly kneed him in the groin, making him cry out in pain as he doubled over for a moment. "Oh, you're going to pay for that!" he hissed backhanding her hard and snapping her head to the side. He grabbed her shirt and ripped it the rest of the way open exposing her bra and skin.

Deanna stiffened her body as she prepared to attack while Mitch was preoccupied with her shirt. After she kneed him, she smiled in triumph before her head snapped to the side by being backhanded. The ring Mitch was wearing cut into her cheek and blood welled up. She felt the trickle of blood run from the corner of her mouth and growled since they had drawn first blood. That was all she needed to warrant her next move.

"Excuse me," an unfamiliar voice spoke up making the three attackers jerk their heads to the side as Deanna kept her focus on the attackers. "You're not being very nice to the young lady."

Deanna barely glanced and saw a tall, stranger, around her age leaning against a vehicle eyeing them curiously. He looked from one guy to the other and then to Deanna.

"Mind your own damn business asshole," Mitch spat at him angerly. "And she's no lady, she's a conniving bitch."

Before Mitch could do anything else, Deanna leaned as far back as she could with the two guys holding her arms and kicked out and up hard with her booted feet catching him under the chin twice and snapping his head backwards. Mitch's eyes rolled back in his head, and he fell to the ground in a heap, unconscious.

The stranger was quickly by her side and drove his fist into one guy's stomach, making him whoosh out all his air as he doubled over, releasing Deanna. He gave him another punch to the face knocking him out. Deanna took the freedom of her arm and delivered a hard punch to the other guy's face, breaking his nose and knocking him several steps backwards. She grabbed his hand that was still latched onto her arm and broke his wrist before letting him fall to the ground. She would have fallen too if the stranger hadn't grabbed her elbow so she could get her balance.

"Thanks," she told him as she slowed her breathing. There was something about this guy, but she couldn't sense what it was. She looked into his gorgeous gray eyes who observed her with curiosity. His lips twitched in a smile when he saw her blush slightly and pull her shirt together. "You deserve this, you douche bag," she growled at Mitch and kicked out again catching him in the ribs and making him groan in pain.

"Here, take this," the stranger offered unbuttoning his outer shirt and holding it out so she could slip her arms into the sleeves.

"I could have handled them," Deanna told him as she buttoned the shirt and tied the tail around her waist. He had unruly hair and she noticed a scar on the side of his face and what looked like another on his arm that ran up under his T-shirt.

"I'm thinking you could, but it didn't hurt to have help," he shrugged. "It was three against one after all."

"Hey, are you okay?" a guy asked peeking around the van. "I called the sheriff; she should be here shortly." He stepped closer as others joined him and looked in wide eyed wonder at the three guys lying on the ground, one moaning and two not moving.

"Out of the way," Jody demanded as she pushed through the growing crowd. "Deanna, what happened here?"

"Jody, hey," Deanna greeted her. "Mitch and his goons thought it would be fun to mess with me." She looked around for the stranger who helped her and didn't see him. She wanted to know who he was or at least his name.

"Are you okay?" Jody asked turning her head to see the cut lip, and small gash and redness on her cheek that was going to bruise.

"Yes, it's nothing," she replied lightly touching her lip and cheek before wincing.

"Should I call your Dad?"

"No, I can make it home."

"Alright, I'll take care of these hoodlums. I'll be in touch to get a statement from you and see if you want to press charges."

"Thanks, Aunt Jody," Deanna nodded before moving through the crowd that had gathered to head for her car and drive home. She looked into the rearview mirror to see the damage to her mouth and dap at the broken skin on her cheek and knew she couldn't hide it unless she had Castiel heal her before her Dad or uncle, or grandpa saw it. Deanna had been hurt worse while training, so she was going to suck it up and deal with it.

Deanna headed home and tried to decide how to tell her Dad and Grandpa Bobby about what happened. She knew they were not going to be happy about it. She couldn't lie to them, she knew that, but maybe she could tone it down some. Deanna would never have let them go through with the attack; she would have prayed to Castiel for help so not to expose her powers to anyone.

spn

"I'm home," Sam called as he entered the house from work. He was late getting home due to the new project that was given to him.

"In here Dad," Deanna replied stepping to the office doorway being sure to keep her good side facing him. "I need to talk to you."

"What's wrong?" Sam questioned going full Dad mode sensing something in the tone of his daughter's voice.

"Sit down Dad. Now that everyone's here, I need to tell you guys what happened after school today," Deanna began to explain. "Jody is going to be calling to take my statement…"

"Statement?" Sam butted in. "Why does she want your statement?"

"Easy there, son, let her finish," Bobby cautioned him. "Go on Lass."

"I was doing some schoolwork in the library after school and decided to stop by the hangout to grab a milkshake. When I came out, Mitch, the football captain, and two of his lapdogs cornered me. Let me finish Dad," Deanna cautioned Sam when he opened his mouth to talk. "I knew I could beat them, but I was smart and let them draw first blood. I took them down with a little help from a bystander. Jody got there and told me to go on home and she'd contact me to get my statement." She finally let Sam see her split lip, cut on her cheek, and the shade of a bruise starting to show around it.

"Where were you at?" Sam addressed Castiel in a harsh voice who was standing nearby.

"She didn't pray to me," Castiel replied looking upset that she hadn't prayed to him for help. "You know I am not with her all the time just as she wishes."

"It's not his fault Dad," Deanna told him, absently touching her cheek and wincing.

"I'm going to talk to Jody and confront those assholes," Sam stated getting up from his chair to be stopped by Deanna stepping in front of him.

"No Dad…"

"I'm your father Deanna. It's my job to stand up for you and protect you," Sam insisted. "Get out of my way."

"It will only make matters worse Dad. Look, I'm not really hurt that bad. A couple of cuts and bruises, I've had worse sparring with Uncle Dee."

"You're not stopping me," Sam barked as his anger rose. He was letting his rage take over and not thinking straight. He didn't take it well when someone he loved was hurt.

"Cas, a little help here," Deanna complained as Sam physically moved her out of the way.

Castiel moved to block Sam's way, making him take a step backwards as he glared at him with defiant eyes. He balled his hands into fists as his breathing quickened.

"Move Cas," Sam growled at him as he stood his full height trying to look intimidating.

"You are angry, I understand, they hurt your daughter, but Deanna doesn't want you to go," Castiel told him in his monotone voice.

Sam tried to push by Castiel, and it felt like trying to move a brick wall. He started to take a swing at him, but the angel caught his fist before it could make contact. He didn't hurt him but kept a strong grip on his balled fist to let him know it wasn't going to happen.

"Sit back down Dad," Deanna sighed. "He won't let you leave unless I say so."

"Fine!" Sam hissed through clenched teeth. He was seeing red and clenched his fist tightly as he fought to control the rage building inside of him. He knew from what little Deanna would tell him that some of the jocks had been bullying her off and on since she started high school. She didn't want him to go to the school and complain, telling him it would only make it worse. He had abided by her wishes, but now, he was ready to crack some heads. Sam knew it was a good thing Dean wasn't here to hear this or he'd already be hunting the guys down and heaven help them when he found them. Sam was going to make a mental note to call Jody and be sure she kept the report on file in case it was needed later.

"Dad, I wasn't hurt. I could have stopped it sooner, but I didn't want to use my powers. I didn't want someone seeing and spreading rumors about me. They do enough of that already. I'm not going to press charges; it would only make it worse on me."

"That's good thinking Lass," Bobby offered. "Take some deep breaths Sam, I know you want to defend her, but it should be her decision."

"You shouldn't let them get away with attacking you honey. At least let me take a couple of photos of your face so we have documentation of the attack." Sam pulled his cell out and brought up the camera app. He gently moved Deanna's hair out of the way and snapped half a dozen pics at different angles and checked them to be sure they captured the spreading bruise and cut on her cheek and her split lip. "I guess I won't be pressing charges either."

"I think they got the message Dad; two were knocked out and the other wasn't getting up," Deanna told him as she waited for him to finish. She knew it would help ease his mind and hopefully calm him.

"I don't like it, but it's your choice honey. But if they ever touch you again…"

"Thanks Dad," Deanna sighed with relief giving him a hug. She felt comfort in his arms and knew he would always protect her. "I love you," she mumbled to him.

"I love you too," Sam whispered kissing the top of her head. He didn't know what he'd do if something happened to his little girl.