The Winchester Three (S1): The Beginning

Ch 9 Section 3

In the sheriff's car...

As Kathleen drove she pointed to a passing traffic camera, "Okay, the next traffic cam is fifty miles from here, and the pickup didn't pass that one, so..."

"So, they must've pulled off somewhere." Dean studied the map before looking out the window, "I don't see any other roads here."

"A lot of these backwoods properties have their own private roads."

Dean shifted in his seat becoming annoyed, "Great."

He stared out the window as new information popped up on Kathleen's computer. She clicked the highlighted item and brought up a page about Dean's fake ID. The more she read, the more she looked concerned.

"So, Gregory..."

Dean turned to look at her, "Yeah?"

"I ran your badge number. It's routine when we're working a case with state police." She shrugged, "For accounting purposes and what have you."

"Mmhmm."

"And, uh, they just got back to me." She pulled the car over to the side of the road, "It says here your badge was stolen." A look of stressed surprise crossed Dean's face, "And there's a picture of you." She turned the computer to Dean so he could see a picture of a heavy African-American man before she took off her seatbelt, "Would you step out of the car, please?"

"Look, look, look." At his pleading she stopped, "If you wanna arrest me, that's fine. I'll cooperate, I swear. But, first, please let me find Angel and Sam."

"I don't even know who you are. Or if these Sam and Angel people are actually missing."

Dean pleaded with her, "Look into my eyes and tell me if I'm lying about this."

"Identity theft? You're impersonating an officer."

"Here's the thing. When we were young... Angel pretty much pulled us from a fire. And ever since then, the three of us have looked out for each other. We're responsible for each other. It's our job to keep eachother safe. I'm just afraid if we don't find them fast-" His voice broke with emotion and he had to take a second to collect himself, "Please. They're my family."

Her jaw set as she looked away from him, "I'm sorry. You've given me no choice. I have to take you in."

She glanced at her visor where a picture of her and another young man smiling was clipped. Emotion flooded her as she became sad and sighed, defeated.

"After we find Angel and Sam Winchester."

As she fastened her seatbelt Dean looked at her in confusion.

Later on...

Dean and Kathleen walked back to the car, coffee in hand as Dean looked her over, "Hey, Officer? I don't mean to press my luck-"

"Your luck is so pressed."

"Right..." He nodded, continuing on anyway, "I was wondering- why are you helping me out? Why don't you just lock me up?"

"My brother, Riley, disappeared three years ago. A lot like Angel and Sam. We searched for him, but- nothing." Her eyes became sad once more, "I know what it's like to feel responsible for someone, and for them-" She cut herself off when she felt the tears building, motioning for him to get in the car, "Come on. Let's keep at it."

At the edge of the forest...

As Kathleen drove, something caught Deans eye, "Wait, wait- pull over here. Pull over." She did as told and they both got out of the car and walked toward the forest, "It's the first turn-off I've seen so far."