Dean led Riley back down the bunker steps as more tears fell down her cheeks silently. She flinched when Sam pulled the iron door closed behind them. Once downstairs in the war room, Sam pulled out a chair and she sat down at the table, her eyes down. He set her phone down in front of her, thumbing on her screen, still on their criminal records she'd found online.
"Riley," Sam sat down across from her. "Yeah, we have records... Why didn't you ask?"
She didn't answer and didn't dare look at Dean. "Did Bobby say anything else about us?" Dean asked from behind her.
"That I shouldn't believe anything I hear." Sam looked up at his brother.
"What do you wanna know? Ask us anything, Riley."
"At the grocery store... you paid with a credit card with someone else's name on it..." The two men glanced at one another. "Who are you really?"
"We told you," Sam spoke patiently. "Riley, we don't exactly get paid for what we do..." She wiped her tears back and she felt Dean leave her side for a moment. "We scam credit cards to pay for our living expenses. It's not exactly ideal or honest, but..."
Dean returned then and his hand came into her vision with a couple napkins. She accepted them and wiped her nose, nodding her thanks. "You're free to go at anytime, Riley." His voice made her relax slightly. "But you were important to Bobby... he'd want us to keep you safe."
Riley let out a breath, wanting to settle her nerves. This situation was just too bizaare and she just wanted to go back to Bobby's house and see him there, cooking something in the kitchen. The very thought made her eyes well up again. She closed her eyes when she felt Sam's arm around her shoulders. "Riley... I'm so sorry. Bobby never wanted this for you." Pause. "He kept this from you to protect you." Sam felt her nod against his shoulder.
The trio was quiet for a few minutes before Dean spoke. "Riley, why don't you take some time and read some more of Bobby's letter? Maybe that will help explain any questions you have." Her eyes moved to his emerald ones. "If it doesn't, ask us next time, hm?" The brunette nodded slightly.
spnspnspnspn
Let me tell ya something. Those two boys are family to me. Like sons, really. They will have you at your worst and do everything in their power to protect the ones they love. They will never be too busy to drop everything they have on their plates and do what needs to be done without bitchin' about it.
Riley, don't judge their story by the chapter you come in on... I'm not sure whether they'll come find you or you'll contact them, but they have never known about you until now, that's for damn sure. I fought damn hard to keep you from this life. Your daddy never wanted this for you and I never did either.
I haven't talked to your daddy in a few years. One thing he would be, though, is proud of the woman you've become. He always imagined you'd go to some big college and make something out of yourself. I don't know if you'd even be interested in seeing him, if he's still even around, but I'll leave you with his last contact information. The choise is completely up to you. I know you probably still have a million questions and with your momma gone, he may be the only option you haven't tried.
Riley had to set the letter down for a few minutes as tears poured down her cheeks. Sam was sitting on the couch next to her as she read. Dean had left them alone to make some sandwiches for lunch. He side eyed her, not wanting to make her feel any more uncomfortable than she already was.
Another thing you should be aware of, is if you do decide to let those boys keep you safe, your daddy wouldn't be happy about that. At all. He and John Winchester had a falling out several years ago and damn near can't stand the sight of each other. He'd probably be pissed off as all hell if he knew you were involved with the Winchesters, so remember this in whatever decision you decide to make.
"Your daddy's John Winchester?" Riley looked over at Sam, who met her eyes before nodding. "Bobby mentioned him... said that our dads... didn't get along." His brows went up a bit at that bit of information.
"Are you gonna try and find your dad?"
"I don't know." Riley folded the letter in half, then in half again. "I can't believe I never knew about... any of this." Her eyes moved from the latter to his hazel gaze. "I'm sorry... I got scared. I'm sorry I ran."
"The things they accuse us of... they're scary to look at on paper like that." His voice was gentle, his eyes soft and friendly. "Riley, I read my letter. Bobby wanted us to find you if something ever happened... Let you know everything and let you decide what you wanted." Sam suddenly remembered Dean coming during the night to get him at Stanford 10 years prior. "I remember thinking how crazy all this crap was when my brother came for me at school years ago." His tone was wistful. "But it's up to you. Ball's in your court, Riley."
She smiled ruefully. "When you brought me here and unpacked all my stuff, you kinda decided for me, Sam."
His dimple deepened. "I'd like to think that you'd stay with us so we could protect you... although you sure didn't look like you needed much protection against Dean out there." That made her smile a little.
"I didn't mean to..."
"I know." Dean's deep voice made her jump; she hadn't heard him approach them again. "I made some sandwiches..." Sam looked at Riley expectantly and she nodded before she and Sam rose to follow the older man to the bunker kitchen. Dean had made lemonade also and the trio sat down to eat at the metal kitchen table.
"I'm sorry, Dean... for earlier."
Her soft apology made him smile and he swallowed his bite. "It's fine. I get it."
"Did... you know my dad?"
"I don't know... Dad never really worked with anyone else. It was very rare for him to do that." Sam sipped his drink, the ice cubes clinking gently. "You know what his name is?"
Her eyes narrowed, her gaze snapping to Sam's. "Of course I do."
Sam held up his hand. "I was just asking."
Dean finished half of his sandwich and cleared his throat. "Guys, relax. We just need to let the dust settle here for a few days. No decision has to be made about anything today. Alright?" He saw the young woman relax a bit. They quieted then and Riley took a bite of her sandwich, suddenly starving. The two boys shared a look over her head before Sam shrugged slightly and Dean nodded.
spnspnspn