Chapter 9 - Family Friend

Seth woke up when his phone buzzed on his bedside table. He reached over the blonde in his bed to see who was calling, and checked the time as he accepted the call.

"Hey, boss." he croaked.

"Seth Rollins!" Santino shouted in his ear, happy he got through.

Seth winced at the sound and held the phone away from his ear.

"It's pretty early in the morning," said Seth, still groggy. "You need something?"

Kelly stirred beside Seth, rolling onto her stomach without fully waking up. If she'd been listening closely she would have heard a man with a thick Italian accent chatting exuberantly with her one-night-stand about a truck he needed delivered to him later that week.

"...Yeah, I know where that is..."

Kelly groaned, apparently unhappy that her sleep was being interrupted.

"Yeah, we'd be interested." said Seth. He looked over at Kelly, lifting the top edge of the sheet from her lower back, already thinking about how he was going to wake her up. "I'll talk to the guys and we'll stop by later to hash out the details..."

Mick and Elizabeth Foley left for an early doctor's appointment before their daughter woke up. AJ got ready for the gym in an empty house, not expecting her parents back before she left. While she put in her contacts and pulled her hair back, she thought about what Kaitlyn told her the previous night, about what happened between Roman and the guy with the perfectly straight, red hair who confronted them about someone named Santino, who apparently stole cars? The details were unclear, and neither of the girls had asked any questions about it. They'd all been too busy having fun, and Heath had really been a buzzkill for those two minutes. What was clear was that Roman, Seth and Dean could all handle themselves if trouble popped up.

When AJ returned home after her work out, AJ found her parents sitting in the living room, as if they'd been waiting for her. She hated the way it felt, to look into their eyes and know instantly that they had bad news. There was a heavy stone in the pit of AJ's stomach, and she felt shaky as she put her gym bag down next to the door.

"Hi, honey." said Elizabeth. Her feigned smile became real when AJ curled up next to her and wrapped her arms around her mother's waist.

"What did the doctor say?" AJ asked, afraid to look into their eyes again.

Elizabeth looked at her husband, her own emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She couldn't put AJ through this again. But she'd have to. They would all have to deal with it together.

Across town, Dean laid in his bed and stared at the wrinkled business card in his hand. It said REGAL AGENCY in big, gold letters flanked by an ornate crown and a roaring lion. It contrasted starkly with the glossy black card stock. Dean could tell by the card alone that this Regal guy was the real deal.

He'd had the card in the pocket of his jeans for a few days now, too chicken to call the number. All he did was stare at it, until he thought of something else just a little more urgent to take care of.

He had a date later that week, with a girl way too cute and way too good for him. When AJ smiled at him, it made him feel like it was worth behaving for a little while, being a good boy, a decent guy, getting a normal job, making himself into someone she could take home to meet mom and dad.

When he looked at the business card, he thought about how he'd felt when he walked into that warehouse with Regal. The sights, the sounds, even the smell. It gave him goosebumps. It scared the shit out of him. He knew he could lose himself there, and that once he started he wouldn't stop. He wouldn't have to; he would either win, or someone else would stop it for him by punching him hard enough to make him stay down.

Dean glanced at his clock; usually he'd be at the gym already, tuning out Coach while he punched Zack or Sami in the face as hard as he could without even knowing it. He hadn't been back since he'd murdered all the garbage cans. Roman and Seth still went every other day, but they didn't work with Coach Michaels, and Dean didn't want to talk about it anyway. So Dean put the card away, put on sweats and an old t-shirt and went for a run by himself.

AJ went over to Kaitlyn's apartment to hang out and get her mind off of things. Kaitlyn could tell she was down, and AJ broke down and cried when she told Kaitlyn about her mother's latest diagnosis. Her mother was still sick, and they were going to slip further into debt just fighting to keep her alive. Kaitlyn suggested she stay home from work that night, but AJ cried harder when she realized she couldn't, because they needed the money so badly. Kaitlyn hugged AJ close, and vowed to make sure she didn't get harassed that night. Kaitlyn also suggested they disguise Erick in one of AJ's outfits, that no one would be able to tell the difference. AJ laughed through her tears, and she knew she'd get through it with Kaitlyn around to lean on.

When Dean got back to the house, he realized he hadn't checked his phone before he left. He'd been so preoccupied with not calling Regal that he'd forgotten about everyone else. There were a bunch of texts and a voice message from Seth waiting for him. The language was vague, but Dean could tell it was something big. He quickly showered, and then let Seth know that he was on his way.

"Hey, Dean?" said Roddy, when he heard Dean clomping down the stairs.

Dean grabbed the bannister and swung himself away from the front door, turning toward the sound of his father's voice in the living room. Roddy was seated on the edge of the couch, hunched over some papers spread out on the coffee table. He looked up as Dean entered, with a look on his face that said You're gonna be pissed, son. Just don't kill the messenger.

"Your mom called." Roddy told him.

Dean braced himself, and the inevitable waves of anger and repulsion slammed into him at the very thought of that woman trying to contact him. He contained as much as he could. His shoulders tensed, and his instinct was to make a scathing remark, but more than that he wanted his dad and everyone else to think he was over it, that nothing she could do would ever bother him again.

"So?" Dean asked coldly.

Roddy understood. He knew exactly what was going through Dean's mind, and he didn't blame him. He couldn't blame his son for that, not after all that had happened.

"Just letting you know."

"I'm not calling her back."

"I know," Roddy said patiently. "I don't expect you to, I just wanted to tell you, is all. Just in case."

"In case what, I got amnesia and forgot I hate her fuckin' guts?"

Roddy's expression hardened. "Yeah," he replied sarcastically. "I guess so."

'Cause that's the only way I ever talk to her again."

"Dean, I know you're never gonna be close with her, but I really think you need to consider a conversation."

"What would that accomplish?"

"It might bring you closure, for one."

"I got my closure when I got taken away."

Roddy sighed, and Dean waited for a better answer, wondering why his dad would be questioning him all of a sudden. Dean being taken by Child Protective Services was what brought them back together, father and son, after ten years apart. He'd always had this nagging fear in the back of his mind that his father hadn't really wanted him, and had only taken him on because a battered and bruised ten–year-old had nowhere else to go. No matter how close they got or how many good times they had together, it was a feeling he hadn't been able to shake.

"That's not closure, Dean." his dad warned. It was the exact opposite, in fact. It was the wound itself.

"It's closure enough for me." Dean insisted. "I'm not interested in a conversation, I'm not interested in seeing her, or letting her see her precious little boy and how well he's done for himself in spite of all the shit he's been through. I pretend she doesn't exist, she keeps her fuckin' distance, and that's the way it should be. That's the way it should always be."

"I'm worried about you, Dean. I see you right now, and it's like looking into my own past."

"Yeah, I've heard the stories of Hot Rod and his many brushes with death. I've got things to do, so if you don't mind- ?"

"Don't let me keep ya." Roddy said, with a mix of disappointment and begrudging understanding. If Dean wasn't ready, he wasn't ready.

Dean simply nodded, having reached the end of his rope. He had to get outside, away from his dad, away from the memories of his mother and the emotions they stirred.

He left through the front door, letting it slam shut behind him. While his mind was racing, while he was feeling reckless, he decided to call the number on that damned card, the one that was burning a hole in his pocket. It rang a few times. Dean barely noticed the seconds passing. They all merged into one unbearable moment when he got angry.

"Regal."

The sound of his voice brought Dean back to the present.

"Hey, uh...it's Dean. Your limo driver from the other night."

"I remember. It took you long enough to call."

"I've been busy." Dean answered petulantly.

"Are you busy tonight?" Regal asked, unfazed.

"Free as a bird."

"I'll have someone text you an address. Be there at eight."

"I will."

That was easy, thought Dean. He didn't let himself worry about what that might mean.

AJ went home again. She had a few hours before work, and she didn't want to avoid her parents, especially if their time was limited.

I can't think like that. AJ thought. She tried to put a smile on her face.

When she arrived home, she saw a familiar car parked on the street. It belonged to a family friend, someone she'd known since she was a kid. She called him Uncle Dallas when she was little, but she hadn't seen him in a long time. She wondered if his visit was as much of a surprise to her parents. What an awkward time to show up, if it's a surprise...

As she entered the house, she could hear them talking in the kitchen. They sounded happy, reminiscing about the good old days. The talking stopped when she put her bags down; they could hear her in the hallway.

"AJ, is that you?" Elizabeth called out.

"Yeah, it's me." AJ answered, approaching shyly. A warm, happy feeling filled her when she saw her honorary uncle again after so many years. The view of them at the kitchen table was like the photo they kept of the same trio on the refrigerator. Mick, always a little unkempt, Elizabeth in a soft, floral print dress and Dallas in jeans and a muscle tee. They were all a little older now, and Dallas had cut his hair short, the curly blonde mullet finally gone for good.

His face transformed, his own happiness at seeing AJ mixed with disbelief at how she'd changed.

"Wowww..." Dallas said slowly, blown away. "Look at you. All grown up."

AJ laughed inwardly at his reaction. It's not like she'd gotten any taller. She was simply no longer the stick-thin tomboy she once was. She'd filled out, and she dressed a little more girly with Kaitlyn's influence, her confidence boosted by her training and toned muscles.

Mick and Elizabeth smiled proudly in her direction. They knew exactly how Dallas felt.

"Wow." Dallas said again, standing so he could hug her. AJ wrapped her arms around his waist, remembering all those times she would run to him and jump into his arms at family gatherings.

"How the hell have you been, girl?" he asked, pulling away to get another look at her.

"Good," AJ answered automatically, glancing at her mother, trying to figure out if they'd told him already. "I mean..."

"Naw, I know." Dallas said, telling her everything she needed to know. He placed a strong hand on AJ's shoulder, squeezing it supportively. "I've been in and out of the loop the last few years, but your mom and dad caught me up on all the latest."

"I was wondering why you'd be here out of the blue." AJ admitted. She went into the kitchen, missing the sheepish look that Dallas shared with her parents as he sat back down.

"Not so out of the blue." he said, though he didn't elaborate. "Sorry I didn't call you on your last few birthdays, I've been traveling."

"It's okay." AJ said, truly happy just to see him again. She closed the fridge, turned and smiled his way.

"You got the cards I sent?" he asked.

"Yeah." AJ said, going back to the table with a drink and a snack. She stood behind his chair and hugged his shoulders for a few seconds. "They were awesome, thanks."

Dallas returned the hug by squeezing her forearms. When she released him, he turned to look at her and smiled. It seemed like he wanted to say more, but wasn't sure where to begin. AJ rounded the table and hugged Mick the same way, and gave him a kiss on the top of his head before she sat down next to her mother. Elizabeth had a similar look as Dallas, a proud smile that revealed an ache in her heart.

AJ didn't read anything strange into their behavior; she figured her mother's diagnosis had everyone feeling extra nostalgic, wondering if they had less time than they'd always planned.

"How long will you be here?" AJ asked, trying to keep the conversation light so she wouldn't start crying again.

"A while. I, uh..." Dallas shifted in his chair. "I'm moving back."

"Really?" AJ asked excitedly.

"Yeah, I'm lookin' forward to spending more time with you guys. I've missed it."

"We have too." said Elizabeth, smiling Dallas' way.

AJ glanced at her father. He smiled his charmingly lopsided smile at her. He was always happy when she sat and chatted with him. AJ smiled to herself and looked down at her plate just as an acorn fell into her bowl of chips. Since autumn had begun, Mick and Elizabeth had been collecting the falling acorns in a bowl on their kitchen table. AJ knew instantly that Dallas had tossed one at her. She may have grown up, but she would always be their tiny chipmunk.

"You needed some protein." Dallas joked, laughing at the look AJ gave him.

Just like that, the mood in the room lightened, and it was just like old times.

Dean let himself into Seth and Roman's apartment when he arrived. Roman, also freshly showered, wandered out of the kitchen when he heard the door.

"What's the emergency?" Dean joked. "Where's Seth?"

Instead of answering, Roman took a big bite of his freshly made cold-cut sandwich and let Dean figure it out for himself as Kelly walked out from the bedroom area.

Dean smirked. "Good morning." he said at one o'clock in the afternoon.

"Hi guys." Kelly said with a beautiful smile. She was wearing her dress from last night's party, and her lack of make-up and unwashed hair made for a sexy morning-after look. Seth, in a pair of track pants and nothing else, walked out after her.

"Be right back." he said to Dean and Roman.

"Thanks for taking care of me last night." Kelly said to Seth, smiling at him as she put her heels on near the front door.

"Didn't want you going to bed dehydrated." Seth joked.

Dean gave Roman a look, and Roman tried not to spit food out of his mouth as he laughed silently to himself. They eavesdropped while Kelly told Seth what a good time she'd had, and that they'd have to do it again sometime. Their murmuring got quiet as Seth gave her his number, and Kelly told him to stop by the club any time for a free dance.

When Seth walked back to the living room, he could see the looks on his friends' faces, and he didn't give a single shit. He pushed his hair back, clasped his hands behind his head and sighed.

"Dude." Seth said, telling the whole story with one word and a very telling smug smile.

"I can't even tease you right now." said Dean, smiling proudly.

"She was hot, right?" Seth grinned and chuckled to himself.

"I knew not to come home last night." said Roman, taking another huge bite of his sandwich.

"You're a true friend." Seth sighed again, giving Roman a fist bump to the shoulder as he passed by. "So," Seth shifted gears as he dropped onto the couch. "Santino wants a truck this time."

"Any model in particular?" Dean asked. They were usually told to bring him whatever they could find, provided it was less than a year old and in good condition.

"Yeah. He was very specific."

"How big are we talking?" Roman asked.

"Pretty big."

"What, like an eighteen-wheeler?" Dean said.

"Nah, not that big. It'll be an old U-Haul truck, twenty or twenty-four feet. I'm just sayin', we won't be able to hide it in any old nook or cranny like we usually do. It'll be conspicuous, and we'll have to take it right from under the driver's nose."

"We've taken rigs like that before. Remember that RV?"

"This is different." Seth warned them. "There's gonna be stuff in the truck. Merchandise."

Roman's brow furrowed with concern, while Dean's rose with curiosity.

"What kind of merchandise?" Dean asked.

Seth shook his head. "Santino didn't say."

That gave the other two pause. Roman leaned against the nearest wall and ate the rest of his sandwich in one bite. "I don't know, man." he said with a full mouth. "That's a lot of risk."

"Knowing him, it's probably a truck full of Italian porn." said Dean.

"Who exactly are we stealing this truck from?" Roman asked.

Seth shrugged. "I got a location, and a time, and instructions to stay out of sight until the driver is away from the truck. I could try pressing Santino for more information, but you know how he is. He says not to worry about what's inside, we're good at what we do and he knows we'll get the truck to him safe and sound if we follow his instructions."

"Easy for him to say," said Roman. "He's not the one with his ass on the line."

"He trusts us though," said Seth. "That says a lot."

Dean grunted in agreement. Roman still looked worried.

"You think Heath will have anything to say about this?"

Dean and Seth looked at each other, then back at Roman and his pensive expression.

"...Are you kidding?" Dean asked.

Roman cracked a smile. "Yeah."

"Asshole."

Roman chuckled, pleased with his ability to trick his friends after all their years together.

"So are we doin' this?" Seth asked his buddies.

"I'm in." said Dean. "It's easy money, nothing we haven't done before, just a little bigger this time."

"It's more money, too." said Seth, finally slipping the amount of the potential payout into the conversation.

Roman whistled. "That definitely helps erase my doubts."

"I mean, it's worth a try at least, right? If we get there and it's shady, we'll bail."

Roman nodded, pleased by that addendum to the plan.

Dean smiled a lopsided smile at Seth. "I think you just sealed the deal, brother."

"Alright, I'll let Santino know we're interested. It's not for a couple days, so we've got time to plan shit out."

Seth grabbed his phone and went into the kitchen, and they all relaxed a bit.

"You should've punched Heath right in the mouth." said Dean.

"I know." Roman agreed. "But there were ladies present."

"Did they get freaked out?"

"Honestly, it seemed like they didn't care."

"They were probably turned on." Dean grinned. "You do cut an impressive figure."

"Speaking of ladies, how's April doing?"

The way Roman enunciated AJ's name made Dean narrow his eyes.

"How'd you know her name?"

Roman looked confused. She'd always been 'AJ' to her peers, but it's not like what it stood for had ever been a secret.

"Teachers would say it all the time." Roman finally registered the suspicion in Dean's eyes, and it made Roman laugh. "What, you couldn't remember her name?"

"Well now I feel shitty." Dean said with a self-deprecating laugh. "I had to ask her last night."

"Oh, man." Roman grinned at his friend. "You need a refresher course on all the things I taught you?"

"No. I need you to eat this dick I got right here."

"You can keep that, I just ate."

"Do you know what the J stands for?"

"Nah, you're gonna have to figure that one out on your own."

"Fuck."

Roman laughed again.

"I got a date in a couple days, I wanna impress her."

"By figuring out her name 3 years later?"

"Among other things."

"Ohh, those other things..."

Seth came back to interrupt their banter and let them know Santino was very happy to hear they were going to do the truck job.

"You wanna hang later?" Seth asked Dean, since the meeting was officially adjourned.

"Nah, I got somewhere to be."

"I thought that date wasn't 'til later this week?" Seth said with a smirk.

"That is later." said Dean, revealing just a hint of a smile. "I'm meeting that Regal guy tonight."

Seth wasn't sure what to make of that. Dean had told them both about the cage fight, and Seth's instinct was to caution him against diving into that world.

"You want us to come with you, make sure everything's cool?"

Dean shook his head. He was about to elaborate when Roman and Seth shared a familiar look. It was the look they gave each other whenever Dean was about to act on a bad idea.

"You got something to say, daddies dearest?"

Seth shook his head, trying to keep his concern casual. Dean could get defensive real quick.

"It just sounded like some intense stuff."

"And stealing a truck isn't?"

"We're doing that together." Roman reminded him.

"I can't walk in there with a fucking entourage," Dean argued, prickly but understanding their concern. "It's just a meeting. I'm not getting murdered in a back alley."

Roman couldn't help but chuckle at that worst case scenario. If Dean had already decided on doing it, there was no stopping him anyway.

"Well, come over after you're done." Seth suggested. "You know us, no social life."

"Yeah, right." Dean smirked. "Tell Kelly I said hi, next time you're inside her."

"Oh believe me, I will. We'll talk about you the whole time."

Seth picked up an action figure from the kitchen counter, which Dean just knew he was going to throw at him. So Dean made for the door as if Seth had unpinned a grenade.

"Yeah, you better run, ya fuckin' idiot." Seth called after him, in the most loving way possible.

"Adios!" Dean ducked as he slipped out the door. The action figure clunked against the wall and fell to the floor.

"What are we gonna do with him?" Roman asked.

Seth sighed, still too tired to think about it. "I don't know, man. Just be there to take him to the hospital when he needs it?"

"I'm more worried about the other guy." said Roman. "Whoever Regal wants him to fight. You know how he gets."

"Yeah. And it's not like he has a coach telling him to quit it."

"I just hope he gets it out of his system and goes back to the gym."

"I don't know about the gym, man. Seemed pretty final."

"He'll either get over it or he won't. I feel like Coach'll let him back in if he wants to."

"Ahh." Seth grumbled noncommittally. "Speaking of exercise, I'm going back to bed."

"You nasty, boy."

"You know it."

Arriving at the address Regal sent him, Dean found a mostly empty warehouse with only a few people standing around inside, nothing like that night he'd chauffeured for Regal. There was no ring set up, nothing on the floor except old factory machines with dust-covered plastic sheeting draped over them.

Nobody cared when he walked in. They were engrossed with their own business, and Dean stood around waiting for Regal to come out and find him.

When Regal did arrive he was on his phone, and Dean wondered how many cards Regal gave out to guys like him. The other people in the warehouse were suddenly attentive, like employees whose boss had just arrived.

This wasn't a match; it was an audition, and Dean figured he'd have to impress in order to stand out.

Regal, in a long, black, expensive looking coat, smiled at Dean. It was more of a smirk, really, as he finished his phone conversation and ended the call.

"I have a hunch, Mr. Ambrose." he said, getting right to it. "But I need to see you fight before I invest in you." Regal turned to the others and said "Tell that weaselly boy to get out here."

One of his associates nodded and walked toward an office tucked away in the corner of the warehouse.

"I had a chance to chat with your opponent before you arrived. I believe you two know each other?"

Dean heard him before he saw him, a southern accent shouting "Wooo-eee, let's do this!" Heath Slater came into view, emerging from the corner office in his usual get up: skinny jeans, ripped t-shirt, a cowboy hat and aviator sunglasses.

Dean's eyebrows rose slowly. "Are you serious?" he asked Regal. "You can't be serious. This is a prank, right?"

"It's not a prank." Regal said, though Dean could see the little twinkle in his eye as he watched Dean react.

"I can't do this," said Dean, gesturing toward Heath as if it were a defenseless child.

"Hey!" Heath called out, sensing his disrespect. "Put up or shut up, Dean! What're ya, scared, you stupid monkey?"

Regal smiled softly, clasped his hands behind his back and turned to Dean.

Dean could only laugh. "I've fought this guy before." he told Regal, doing all he could short of begging to get Heath out of danger. "It's not gonna end pretty."

"Then make it ugly." said Regal, cool as ever and waiting patiently for one of these street thugs to impress him.

"I'm gonna crush you," Heath yelled across the room. "And then I'm gonna crush yo' mama's pussy!"

That's when Dean felt it. The little monster inside of him stirred. How nice, the monster said. A touchy subject.

Dean rolled his head around once, getting the kinks out of his neck. On the one hand, he knew Heath was about to get his head pounded into the ground. On the other hand, he knew Heath deserved it. This Regal guy wanted to see what Dean had? That was two fists and no conscience.

Heath grinned as Dean walked toward him. Dean had no idea where Heath got all that confidence. Dean had personally handed Heath's ass to him on more than one occasion, and he'd never heard of any situation - physical, business, personal - working out in Heath's favor.

"Hey Slater." Dean began conversationally. "Remember that time you- "

"Fuck you." Heath spat.

Without a warning or any hesitation, Dean's right fist flew out and jabbed Heath in the nose, knocking Heath's sunglasses and hat from his head.

"Shit!" Heath squawked and stumbled backward, covering his face with his hands. There was warm blood running down over his mouth.

"You got a fuckin' death wish, Slater." Dean said, with what sounded to Regal like a chuckle of admiration for Heath's complete lack of self-awareness.

With a desperate yell, Heath charged him with a head-butt to the chest. It knocked the wind out of Dean as it knocked him over. They scuffled for a moment. Regal watched, as always, with a cool indifference, curious merely to see who came out on top. Heath had some fight in him for sure, but his desperation made him sloppy. He was far too confident for his level of ability.

Dean had an animal instinct and training, and he quickly had Heath on his back. Dean straddled his chest and took hold of the collar of Heath's jacket.

"Pussy bitch!" Heath shouted, blood still pouring from his nose. He could see his own blood in dark smears on Dean's white t-shirt, and yet he still thought posturing was going to get him somewhere. His need to insult Dean even when he had clearly been bested; that was what amused Regal the most. He might be able to use Heath after all.

"You wanna talk about my fucking mother?" Dean said aloud, but coldly. To an outsider it would have seemed he was defending the woman's honor, but Dean knew what it really was. He was doing to Heath what he could never do to his step-father. What he would never do to his mother, even though she was the reason he felt this way. So angry he couldn't breathe.

Dean let loose a series of harsh, direct punches to Heath's face. Heath didn't say anything else after that. After a few more punches Heath stopped fighting back entirely.

"Enough." Regal said, somewhere behind him.

Dean stopped and his mind registered Heath's bloody face. Dean had Heath's collar in a tightly squeezed fist, his other fist raised and ready to deliver another punch. But Heath was already knocked out. He was just meat now, unable to defend himself.

"That's enough." Regal repeated himself, waiting for Dean to let Heath go. Dean released the hold on Heath's collar, and the redhead slumped back to the floor unconscious.

"Get him out of here." Regal ordered, gesturing to Heath's limp body. One of Regal's associates grabbed Dean's arm and yanked him up and away from Heath. Dean stepped back and watched a few other hands pick Heath up and drag him out. To the dumpster? Dean wondered, as the heels of Heath's cowboy boots scraped against the concrete floor. The curb? Where did their garbage go? Where would Dean's limp body go, if he encountered someone stronger and faster than him?

"You're hired." Regal said to Dean, snapping him out of that dangerous train of thought. The rest of Regal's employees had scattered to find cleaning supplies.

"He wasn't much of a threat." Dean said, almost apologetic in tone.

"And yet you were ruthless."

"We've got history, I guess you could say."

"He told us you took his job repossessing cars?"

Dean chuckled, stretching his right hand subconsciously. The pain was starting to surface; just a sting and a dull ache, but it reminded him of what he'd done. He could even feel the wet spots on his shirt. That wasn't cool. He didn't have any extra shirts with him. Hadn't thought the meeting would go like that.

"I'd say he gave the job away." Dean replied, Heath's ineptitude heavily implied. "Seriously, if you put me up against someone better-"

"I've seen what I've needed to see. I've got to start you off strong, get your feet wet first. Then you can look for a challenge."

Dean nodded, still not entirely sure what he was agreeing to.

"We have a big night coming up. Would you like to open the show?"

"When is it?"

"Friday night."

"And all I have to do..." Dean glanced at the floor where Heath had been. There were a few drops of blood, the ones that hadn't been soaked up by Dean's shirt. "Is what I just did right there?"

"Incapacitate your opponent." said Regal. "Just like that."

Dean nodded. "And I'll get paid?"

"Whether you win or lose." said Regal. "Although, the more you win..."

"Yeah." said Dean.

"It's all set, then?"

Dean nodded.

"Well then." Regal smiled. "Welcome to my little club."

As if they were going to be knitting.

"You'll text me an address?" Dean guessed.

Regal's smile deepened and he chuckled. "A quick learner. That will serve you well in this business."

The little voice in the back of Dean's mind was trying to tell him something about Coach Michaels' advice, of not giving into his rage impulse. But he ignored it.

Before Regal left, he told Dean to clean himself up in the bathroom. Seeing Heath's blood on his shirt, and washing it from his hands, Dean began to wonder again where they'd taken Heath. He also began to wonder why he cared. He'd fought with Heath before, but it had always been kid stuff, an argument or two that had to end with Dean knocking Heath on his ass just to show him who was in charge. He'd always gotten up and walked away afterward. It had been with his tail between his legs, sure, but standing upright. It got Dean thinking about all the fights and scrapes he'd been in, with Roman and Seth there to help, or to stop him when they heard sirens. There was no one to stop him here. No friends, no cops, just William Regal standing there with that polite smile, waiting for Dean to finish a job.

That's all it is, Dean told himself, lifting his head to look at his own face in the mirror. A job. Finally getting paid to do what you do best.

Dean ran his wet hands through his hair, ignoring the way they shook.