Best Interest At Heart Part 3

[yansadracan]

Title: Best Interest At Heart
Author: YanzaDracan
Artist: Tiggeratl1
Fandom: RPS (KANE & SPN), Person of Interest, SWAT, Law & Order: LA, The Bourne Legacy
Rating: R
Warning: Implied torture; language
Word Count: 19,265
Summary: The Machine always protected The Creator, but when numbers began to appear in other parts of the country, The Creator and The Human Protector could not be in these other places so The Machine found a solution. It found The Sorcerer and The Guardian.

The argument that started the minute Dean walked in the door didn't get physical, but we left each other bruised and bloody emotionally and mentally.

Dean tried valiantly not to get too personal…joking about hanging around like a third wheel or someone's eccentric uncle. He tried to leave Steve out of it. He tried so damn hard, but I was hurt and mad about him making a home away from me…leaving me that I went for the jugular. As the words came out of my mouth my brain woke up and called me all types a fool.

Pale and still, expression wiped from his face, green eyes flat and cold. I knew that look, but I'd never had it directed at me. Dean closed his eyes and breathed deep before he began to talk.

"I had to move my bedroom from over yours so I wouldn't have to listen to you say all the things to Steve you used to say to me. Memories of when it was me in your bed meant there was no sleep for me as I was graphically reminded that you no longer loved me. You didn't love Jensen-hell you didn't even particularly like Jensen. You were so happy being Christian Kane with his blond cop/singer lover that it's okay to be the happy couple with Steve whether I'm in the room or not because you're torturing poor dumb Jensen. Dean is dead."

I wanted to reach out and pull Dean into my arms, but knew he would no longer accept comfort from me.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you. That you don't have spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder--that Christian Kane is such a perfect fit that you forget that you were ever Eliot Spencer, but I won't stay here and watch the person I love live happily ever after with someone else. I have to go…I'm not that strong or that good an actor."

My vision blurred…tears. All we'd been through we'd never given in to tears. Here we were in the middle of our new home and new life our faces wet with tears. I wrapped my arms around Dean, and this time he didn't resist. We comforted each other while we mourned the death of Eliot Spencer, and Dean mourned his lover. When the tears were exhausted, Dean pulled away to go to the bathroom and splash cold water on his swollen eyes.

"I can't live here anymore, Christian. I can't be Jensen Ackles."

"I know, but you always have a place here."

"Maybe someday."

"We'll get back on an even keel."

"Yeah. I really like Steve. I glad you're letting him in on your music."

"Danni's thrilled, too. She's turned into a greedy little wench only wanting us for our pretty faces and guitars."

"Smart woman."

I hugged him one more time as he got ready to leave.

"I'm coming with Steve tonight."

"See you there."

Dean's living room was pretty crowded by the time Jeff Morgan finished introducing him to everyone. There were snacks, drinks and easy to throw together foods were spread on the trestle table that'd been pushed off to the side. I watched the players that milled around the room. We had two Captains counting Morgan-Major Crimes and SWAT. Two Lieutenants one each from SWAT and Homicide, each one had brought several of their people. I watched how they interacted, watched the different personalities emerging. It looked like a good group. It'd be interesting to see what it looked like when Dean was done with them. Steve and I stood in support of Dean and Morgan as the older man started to speak.

When Steve had introduced us, I was wary. Steve had spoken well of the man, but what I'd seen on the cameras showed a man a bit on the rough side for me to warm up to him. I know Dean could kill the man four ways before he drew a breath, but he had a tendency to give people he cared about a lot of leeway. Watching him in the time before the other officers showed up exposed me to Jeffrey Dean Morgan as opposed to Captain Morgan.

Jeff Morgan had presence, but away from the pressures of being a cop was quiet, soft-spoken and easy going. It made me feel better about watching him flirt while Dean and I set up the refreshments.

Jeff introduced Dean then asked everyone to hold their questions until the video ended. The grumbles had started when it was obvious the video was almost over. Finally Jim Street asked what everyone was thinking.

"So what are we supposed to do?"

"With two high profile defendants coming into the courthouse on the same day, what's the plan? SWAT on the surrounding rooftops, clearing the area where they unload? What's the word from the higher ups?" Dean asked.

The floor and stained glass windows suddenly became the most interesting features of the old church.

"They're not going to do anything out of the ordinary." Dean stated.

With a huff of irritation Captain Harrelson from SWAT spoke up.

"Brass wants to keep a low profile."

"They don't think anyone will take advantage of that little fact?" I asked.

"If what you say is right, I imagine that's just what they want."

"What about the DA's? Any protection on them?"

Dean running his hands through his hair made the gelled spikes more unruly than usual.

"Okay."

He snatched up a keyboard and began to type. A computer model of the courthouse with lines of sight and weakness hit the big screen.

"How much leeway have you got with scheduling and who can be where?"

"My crew's probably the most flexible." Lt. Street added. "I've a couple people scheduled to be off duty, but I don't think they'll mind hanging around on their day off."

He looked at the man and woman who'd been introduced as Sanchez and Kay.

"I'm sure we'll need some practice time in the next week." Sanchez gave them a shark's smile.

"Riley and I'll be with DA Riesfraf. We're testifying in the motorcycle gang case." Steve offered.

"Who's on Deputy DA Rubirosa?" I asked.

"Jaruszalski and Winters." Lt. Gonzalez was the highest ranking woman present.

"We don't have the autonomy that departments like SWAT and Major Crimes have in moving people around." Gonzalez pointed out.

"What about the judges and jurors?" Kay asked.

"I don't think we have to worry about them. Judges are easy enough to manipulate, cops are harder. Follow worst case-they take out a Deputy and Assistant DA, four successful honest detectives and whoever else they catch as collateral damage. Rubirosa and Riesgraf's second chairs, civilians, guards, a handful of cops coming and going at the courthouse and a dozen journalists." Dean's eyes stayed on his screen as he threw information out.

"I'll backup Steve and Riley."

Morgan gave me a glare, but kept silent.

"I'll fix you up some papers so you can carry. Morgan can vouch for you." Dean muttered.

That earned Dean a glare.

"Going in won't be the problem. They'll wait until court's adjourned for the day. Different times, people are tired, not paying attention, the journalists are being a nuisance about 'thoughts on the trial'. That'd be the best time for the most impact."

"At the end of the day, I can probably have a 'training exercise' in the area of the courthouse. We are right across the street. Be outfitted and ready to go if someone can give me a head's up when court's adjourned." Street looked at Captain Harrelson who nodded his agreement.

"Christian and I can handle that chore. I'll take Rubirosa and the Mexicans." Dean said.

We all exchange phone numbers before calling it a night. Steve and I offer to stay and help clean up, but Dean shoos us out. Steve has work, and I have an early morning at the market. Jeff Morgan shows no signs of leaving, and I wonder if he'll succumb to Dean's shameless flirting. While I'm trying to decide if Dean and Jeff Morgan are a good idea, Steve drags me back to the outside world.

"If Ack…Winchester hurts him, we're going to have problem."

"So Morgan swings that way?"

"We'll just say he's flexible."

"You're giving me the shovel talk about Dean?"

I started to chuckle, but Steve looked stricken.

"Steve? What's wrong?"

"Your ex. Dean is your ex."

"No. Dean was Eliot's Spencer's partner and lover. Eliot Spencer is dead. There's only Christian Kane and Steve Carlson."

"You know how fucked up that sounds? Does he have family?"

"No."

"So there's no one?"

"You and me. There's an old curmudgeon in Denver that used to be Dean's handler, but they don't talk."

"Maybe I should be giving the Captain the shovel talk instead of Dean."

"Dean's a big boy."

"Maybe, but I feel like I chased him from his home."

"Dean made his choice."

I know my tone is harsh. My guilt over this whole debacle has me on the defensive. The home truths Dean gave me this afternoon are still rolling around my brain. I shed Eliot Spencer like a snake sheds its skin not giving Dean a second thought and how he was adjusting to our new life. He saw how happy I was as Christian and for my benefit he tried to settle into being Jensen. He'd quietly accepted Steve into our…my life without complaint until I pushed.

Pulling into the garage I rested my head on the steering wheel.

"Christian?"

Fuck. I was worrying Steve.

"It's just been a long day. Right now all I want is a hot shower and to hide in my bed with my favorite blond."

I tried to keep my tone light, but I don't think Steve was buying it. Eliot Spencer could lie faster than a horse can run-Christian Kane can't lie for shit.

"Jensen's throwing away a year's work by resurrecting Dean Winchester, and all those emotional minefields that went along with taking on a new identity came home to roost. I was so busy jumping into my new life I didn't deal with all the things I left behind-including Dean."

I ended the conversation by getting out of the truck, but bless his stubborn heart Steve was hot on my heels.

"Christian, you have to talk about this. You can't keep all this bottled up."

"It's fine. I'm fine. It all worked out."

"Sure it did. Dean threw his Jensen Ackles alias under the bus, and moved out of Jensen's life and back in the line of fire. You're both dealing with this beautifully."

"Steve…"

"No. If you're going to be Christian Kane you have to be Christian. You have Eliot's skills, but you've moved out of the mindset, but you didn't deal with losing Dean."

"I didn't lose Dean. We were still together-after."

I headed for the bar. There was no way I could have this conversation without alcohol. I'd downed a good three fingers of Jack before the bottle was pulled from my hand.

"You're not hiding behind a drunken blackout."

"Steve…"

"We talk about this now, and I'll never bring it up again-unless you initiate the conversation."

"I'm not one of your suspects to interrogate!"

I let my anger and frustration show hoping Steve stopped to avoid our first argument.

"No, you're my partner. I love you, and I hate to see you hurting yourself and Jen…Dean by ignoring the elephant in the room."

"Now you're just fighting dirty."

"I don't care. Tell me about the past year…before us."

"We changed our look. Dean cut his hair-I grew mine out. Dean was leather and denim, and I was…well my taste in clothes didn't change. He went from jeans, t-shirts, and leather jackets to 'business casual'. Dean was flirty, assertive, comfortable in his own skin, and only loved and trusted me…Eliot."

I stopped. The words and feelings filled my throat until I couldn't speak. Like he'd done with Jim, Dean gave me everything we'd ever talked about in all those hell holes where we sat for hours waiting for it to be safe for us to move. I buried my face in my hands. I've been so busy living in the present I didn't take the time to look past the next food order or employee schedule. It's probably a good thing The Machine picked us. Dean probably would have disappeared…

"That son of a bitch!"

I jumped up and ran upstairs to my room.

"Christian?"

Steve stood in the doorway and watched as I moved the nightstand and scrabbled to get to in the floor safe underneath. Ignoring everything else I pulled out the legal sized envelope that held the deeds to the house and restaurant. There was a new document in the envelope relinquishing all his rights to the property. There was another one that relinquished his rights to The Black Rooster. All the documents made it seem that I'd bought out our partnership.

"Christian if you don't talk to me I'm calling Dean."

"NO!...Not yet. If I see him right now I might have to shoot him."

"Kane…" He pulled out his phone.

"Bossy bitch."

At the heated glare that earned me, I took a deep breath, and shoved the papers back in the envelope and shoved it in the safe. Still sitting on the floor, I turned back to Steve.

"We were lovers until The Machine sent us your number, but things weren't how they'd been. Jensen was quiet, stayed in the shadows, and backed up my decisions. Whatever I wanted, he found a way to make happen. My life was perfect. I was living my dream, but when I saw you I wanted you. As I got to know you and your friends, I wanted you in my life…my bed. I went to tell Jensen it was over only to discover that he'd moved out of my bed and to the third floor without telling me. It was probably the day he started all that legal shit, too."

"How could you not know?"

"Dean was the undercover genius. He could disappear so far into a role that you forgot Dean Winchester ever existed. He took Christian and Jensen from lovers to fuck buddies to brothers without me noticing anything was happening."

"So you think what? He's going to disappear?"

"Yeah. Those papers prove it. They're dated a few days before Finch and Reese came to town."

"You think working with these guys will be enough to keep him here?"

"He was flirting with Morgan."

"Genuine or blowing smoke."

Steve's question gave me pause. I thought over their interaction. There were new shadows floating behind those pretty green eyes, but the warmth I saw seemed real.

"I honestly don't know."

"Enough to give him another reason to stay?"

"Depends on Morgan though he was practically standing on Dean's heels all evening."

"What about you? Are you jealous that Dean's trying to seduce my boss?"

"I love you, why would I be jealous of my friend's dates?"

"Just checking."Steve said before his mouth captured mine.

On my way home from the Farmer's Market, I stopped by Dean's to confront him about the documents I found in the safe. Morgan was coming out of the old church wearing a suit and carrying a duffel bag. I prayed to whoever might listen that this was genuine and not a way to distract me from Dean's real plans.

When he opened the door the first thing I did was punch him. His reactions were quick enough that it turned into a glancing blow, but it made me feel better.

"What the fuck, Christian!"

"You try to leave me again, and I'll hunt you down."

I threw the envelope at him.

"It's your dream."

"A dream I shared with my partner."

"I'm not your partner anymore. That's for you and Steve."

"Dean…just because we're not lovers anymore doesn't mean I don't want you in my life."

The exhaustion in his voice broke my heart. He'd been working so hard to give everyone else what they wanted. He always had everyone else's best interest at heart.

"Please, Dean."

He nodded reluctantly.

"But you have to give me some time. It's been a long time since I was Dean without Eliot."

"Seems like you made a good start. I saw Morgan leaving when I pulled up."

Dean gave an exasperated huff.

"All we did was sleep. He wants to take it slow."

"Someone resistant to the Winchester charm. There's a first."

"We'll see if he feels the same way when the dust settles from this mess The Machine dropped on us."

The day before the trials, Steve took Dean to the District Attorney's office to introduce him to Connie Rubirosa, Beth Riesgraf, and DA Jerry Hardin. They'd been suspicious until Steve explained they were taking extra precautions due to rumors floating around the grapevine.

Nothing happened the first or second day of the trial. I could see the doubt in Steve's eyes as we tucked Beth into her car. On the third day Beth's witness tied the motorcycle gang to the Mexican cartel, and the journalists left the courtroom so fast the judge had to shout for order.

Both trials were adjourned until it could be decided how they were going to proceed. That's when I saw it. Beth and Connie were on the landing halfway up the stairs of the courthouse. The press had finally disbursed, and they were discussing their options. Everyone had stepped away from the women to give them some privacy. Everyone except Dean who was nearly plastered to Rubirosa's back while he scanned the surrounding rooftops.

Dammit. This was the perfect scenario. Both DA's and the cops involved in the cases all standing together. It'd be like shooting fish in a barrel. I was dialing Lt. Street's number as I ran back toward Dean and the women.

Dean had pushed them down and was sheltering them with his body as he drew his gun and pointed at a head barely seen over the edge of a rooftop to the right. He fired and the head disappeared. Shots sounded from three directions. Dean jerked but stayed upright. Thank the gods he'd worn a vest. Marble chipped as bullets hit the steps.

Steve and Riley pulled Beth to her feet dragging her back toward the doors. I covered their backs as they ran. Steve flinched when he was hit with flying marble, the shards cutting through cloth and skin. Once they had her inside, I turned back to help Dean, Winters and Jaruszalski. They were trying to do the same with Rubirosa, but the shooters seemed to be focused on her.

SWAT teams were beginning to swarm the street and rooftops. They almost had the Deputy DA inside when Dean stopped and curled her into the protection of his body. I turned to see what he saw. One of the cops that stood guard on the steps was pointing his weapon in their direction. I was firing at him as I saw the muzzle flash from his gun and Dean and Connie went down.

The gunfire stopped, but there was running and shouting, sirens screaming as EMT's rushed up the stairs. Winters and his partner had pulled Rubirosa into the courthouse. I ran to Dean. The way his body was positioned meant the guard's bullet missed his vest and gone in through his side. The question was what vital organs did the bullet hit? I gently rolled him to strip off his vest and shirt.

"Dammit, Dean, what'd I tell you?"

"You always were a bossy fucker."

"Pain?"

"I could use some of the good stuff."

He gritted his teeth waiting for the wave of pain to pass while I worked the vest open, I frowned to see no exit wound. I prayed it was lodged against a rib, but had missed his lung. A cough and a trickle of blood told a different story.

The paramedics tried to keep me out of the ambulance, but an explanation that I was Dean's emergency contact and good old-fashion intimidation had me riding with Dean to the hospital.

J2 & KANE

Something was wrong. The time in surgery for the removal of a bullet lodged against a rib had come and gone. Steve had come with a change of clothes. I felt better not having to see and smell Dean's blood on me.

Morgan and the SWAT Captain Harrelson showed up an hour after that, and still no word from the surgeons. Tired of waiting I started for the nurses' desk when a woman looking so exhausted I was surprised she was on her feet came out of the recovery area.

"Christian Kane?"

Steve crowded behind me.

"I'm Kane."

She eyed the man behind me.

"Lover-mine. Talk."

"Mr. Winchester survived surgery-barely. The bullet fragmented giving me more problems than Mr. Winchester. Stubborn man fought everything. Anesthesia, flat-lining, everything-kept us on our toes the whole time."

"Flat-lining?"

I heard Steve gasp behind me.

"Twice, but he should make a full recovery with a diminished capacity in his left lung. How much won't be determined until after he's healed. Though if he's as stubborn conscious as he was unconscious, it'll probably be negligible."

She looked up from the chart and saw the goofy grins on our faces.

"Figures. I'll have the nurse let you know when he's been moved from Recovery to ICU. If things go well, he should be moved to a regular room in a couple days."

"Thank you, Doctor…"

"Evans. You're welcome."

I stayed until Dean woke the first time. When he started to stir I gripped his hand in a ritual we'd shared all the years we were together. Though I didn't practice often, my hands still carried the calluses from handling guns and knives. It also meant the hand holding his was familiar. I felt his thumb run over the palm of my hand. He opened his eyes.

"We're safe. You're in the hospital. You were the only one who was hurt badly."

The green eyes slid close.

The next time Dean woke he was coherent enough to remember, but I warned the nurses on the floor not to startle, restrain or touch him when he wasn't aware. Things went well both with his healing and with the staff. The surprise in his eyes was telling when he'd wake to find Jeff sitting by his bed.

It was amusing to watch Dean try to chase the police captain away. Dean finally gave up when Morgan bluntly told Dean he was stuck with him at least until he could get his lazy ass out of bed of prove that he didn't want Jeff around.

I was leaving The Black Rooster to visit Dean when my phone rang a number I didn't know. One of Dean's ICU nurses was calling to let me know Dean had been moved to room 321.

"Did you warn the nurses about him?" I asked.

"It's on his chart…"

"Did you tell them in person-face to face?"

"No."

"Shit. Get someone down there and tell them."

"Mr. Kane…"

"Just do it. I'm on my way."

Chaos reigned in room 321. Dean backed in a corner with blood running down his arms from IVs that had been pulled out. Between fear, pain and confusion he was having trouble breathing, but was holding off the staff. A male nurse and three orderlies were supporting broken noses. Security guards were standing just inside the door. I met Dean's doctor outside the door.

"What the fuck is going on?"

"Mr. Winchester punched a nurse." One security guard pointed to a man in green holding his nose.

"Why?"

"I was taking his vitals."

I pushed past the guards. They tried to stop me.

"Let me go or you'll join him."

They back off so I left the hospital people to the doctor. My concern was the wild eyed Dean.

"Was he sleeping?"

"Yes."

"Did you read the warning on his chart?"

"What's that…"

"Did you?"

"No."

"You deserve the broken nose just for being stupid. The man's a government agent. You don't startle people like that. You're lucky you only have a broken nose."

"Dean…" I crooned.

Confused green eyes met mine.

"E…Christian?"

"Yeah…it's Christian. It's safe…you're safe…let me get you back to bed."

"Home. I need to go home."

"In a few days, Babe."

I gather him in my arms and help him back into bed.

"Why are you here?" He asked.

"Where else would I be?" I was afraid of his answer in his confused state.

"Not with me…not anymore."

Dammit , we did not need an audience for this, but when I looked up Dr. Evans had chased everyone from the room. She was there to help get Dean settled, and check his wounds.

"We're brothers. I'll always be here-so will Steve. Jeff will be here after he gets off work."

"Jeff?" His voice was hopeful.

"Yeah. Your ruggedly handsome police captain."

"Good man. Too good…" His voice trailed off.

Panicked, I looked up to the doctor. She was putting a cap back on a hypodermic.

"A light sedative to let him rest."

"Did he tear anything?"

"No, luckily for the nurse and the orderlies they didn't cause Dean to undo all my hard work. I think the shortness of breath had him more panicked and confused than anything else."

"I really need to get him some place familiar, Doc."

"I can only do so much. We can't risk him developing any kind of respiratory problems before he's healed from the surgery. I'll speak to the staff."

There were no more incidents and a week later, Dean was allowed to go home with a regime to help strengthen his weakened lung.

A week after that, I closed The Black Rooster, and invited all our friends and the cops that helped us to celebrate. I wanted mine and Steve's friends to become Dean's friends, too. I had the SWAT and Homicide cops that had been at Dean's before the shootout, to come early to give a final accounting.

Dean was sitting by the fireplace nursing a beer, Jeff no more than an arm's length away. It had taken a lot of yelling, but the older man had finally convinced Dean that he wanted to be there, but they were still going to take it slow until the doctor was happy that he was completely healed.

The cops greeted Dean like he was one of their own. Watching the SWAT crew bonding with Dean made me happy and a little jealous.

"You can't keep him isolated. If you want him to stay, he has to have roots." Steve whispered in my ear.

"My logical mind knows that-my lizard brain wants to keep you both to myself." I leered to keep the mood light.

"I'll take care of that after the party. I'm sure Jeff can inspire your reptilian friend to behave. Don't let the suit fool you."

At Steve's happy laugh, I relaxed. With the help of our friends I'd be able to hold Dean in my life.

Morgan and Harrelson stood in front of the bar to brief everyone about the fallout from the shooting at the courthouse.

The trials had continued plus the men were facing new charges. When word leaked out that there was information implicating prominent people in Los Angeles, it caused a spate of early retirements and a few resignations. By the time Jeff and Hondo finished their recitation, the dining room was silent.

"Most of them were dickwads anyway." Chris Sanchez quipped.

"You're just saying that 'cause they tried to keep you, a mere woman, out of SWAT." Kay teased.

That broke the ice, and it wasn't long until our friends from the Dixie Belle started to trickle in the restaurant. I kept track of Dean until Jason and Riley got out the guitars, and Steve brought ours over from the house.

Dean already knew Riley because he was Steve's partner, and he'd been friendly with everyone else, but it was the persona he pulled out when Jim told him to be on his best behavior. I'd tried to corner him, but Danni had pulled me back to the other players, and Dean had gotten lost in the shadows.

Most of the cops had called it a night, citing early work schedules and kids on their way out. I'd seen them in the courtyard with Jeff and Dean before Steve had pulled my attention back to the music. Jeff came by later to tell me he was taking Dean home.