Nightshifterby Supernaturalgeek
The usual 'Then' and 'Now' sequence is interrupted by a Breaking News bulletin. A news reporter is covering a hostage situation at the City Bank in Milwaukee. There is a commotion behind her as she talks to camera and she turns round, the camera panning past her to focus on several SWAT officers in position in front of the bank and the door opening. The cops can be heard over their radios giving orders not to shoot as it's a hostage coming out. A security guard is pushed out with his hands up, saying 'Don't shoot!' There is a man behind him with a gun on him. As the guy moves we see that man is Dean. He seems alarmed by the number of cops, lights and cameras everywhere.
Cut to one day earlier. A young woman in a jewellery store is asking what it's like, being an FBI agent. As she walks towards the counter we see Dean, in a suit and tie, leaning against it. Clearly she is talking to him as he says “You have no idea” and that mostly it's lonely. The girl, Franny, says she knows exactly what he means. Now we see Sam, also in a suit and tie, talking to the store manager. The manager is again saying how unlikely it was for Helena to rob the place, and that she had always thought of her colleagues “like family, the only family she had”. It transpires she shot the night-watchman, Edgar, dead during the robbery after he'd called the manager at home. He heard him die over the phone. He says it doesn't make sense that she should steal all those diamonds and then just dump them and go home.
We cut to Dean again who asks Franny if Helena killed herself. She replies that the cops said she apparently killed herself by dropping a hairdryer in the bath and electrocuting herself, and they should know right? Dean replies “Yeah” slightly sarcastically. Dean thanks Franny for her help and says he has everything they need. She asks “are you sure?” and says that she has more, suggesting that maybe they should have a private interview session later, just in case she missed anything. Dean thinks about it for a second, then agrees that's a great idea and tells her she's a true patriot. He gets her to write her phone number down for him.
Dean walks over to Sam and the manager, looking pleased with himself as he puts the card with the girl's number on in his pocket. He overhears Sam confirm with the manager that he hasn't seen the security tapes and he replies that the police took them all first thing. Dean says “yeah, of course they did” with heavy sarcasm as he joins them.
The Impala pulls up outside a house and we overhear Sam saying the cops are just doing their job. Dean replies that “no they're doing our job; only they don't know it so they suck at it.” As they get out of the car Dean asks Sam to go remind him of the details for the guy they're going to see. He is a security guard who was badly beaten at a robbery at Milwaukee National Trust Bank that has exactly the same M.O as the jewellery store job.
They knock on the door calling out for “Ronald Resnick”. There is no answer but a security light comes on, almost blinding both of them. A man comes to the door asking who they are, to which Dean and Sam reply FBI. He asks for ID and the boys put their badges up to the window at exactly the same time! He says he already gave his statement to the police and Dean says they just need some clarification about some things in his statement. Ronald asks if they've read it and when Dean says yes, he says so they're here to get the real story and opens the door to let them in.
As they walk into his house he is saying how the cops never called him back, not after he told them what was really going on. Inside the walls are covered with newspaper clippings about aliens, and slogans of how they are 'waiting for you'. Dean and Sam look round slightly incredulously as they sit down. Ronald is talking about how Juan Morales couldn't have robbed the National Trust Bank, that he was a friend of his and they used to play cards. It comes to light that Ronald had let him in after closing but he says the thing he let into the bank wasn't Juan. He says it had his face but it was too perfect, like he was talking to a “big Juan doll”. He says that it's the same as the robbery recently in the jewellery store and that neither the cops nor FBI will see it, that he knows what they are. When Sam asks what that is, Ronald holds up a copy of Fortean Times with a picture of a Cyberman on the front. He says that China has been working on them for years - they are part man, part machine and can make themselves look like different people. Dean pipes up like the machine in T2 and Ron agrees enthusiastically, while Sam shoots Dean a look that seems to say 'don't encourage him'. Ronald then says these machines are called Mandroids. Sam repeats the name in serious disbelief. Dean asks what makes Ron so sure about this, and he reveals that he made copies of the security tapes. He shows them footage of Juan and we see his eyes flash. Ron calls it “laser eyes” and says the cops tried to tell him it was just camera flare. Dean and Sam exchange a glance that says they know exactly what it is. Ron shows them he's made maps and thinks the 'Mandroid' is down in the sewers and that if the cops won't go after it, he will. Sam stands and says he's going to tell him the truth and proceeds to say that there is nothing unusual going on and that it was just people doing this. Dean looks slightly uncomfortable at the way Sam is speaking to Ron, and Ron gets extremely angry and throws them out.
Back at their Motel, Dean is saying that it was a little unfair to be so hard on Ron and confiscate all his evidence. Sam asks if Dean is pissed at him, and Dean says no he's just a little creeped out how good of a Fed Sam is. He also says they could have “thrown him a bone” given how much leg work Ron had put in. Sam looks at him and says “Mandroid?” and Dean reluctantly admits ok, maybe not that part. He also says Ron isn't that different from them, and people think they're crazy too. Sam replies maybe, but Ron isn't a hunter and if he went after that thing he could get himself killed. Sam is watching the security tape while Dean is looking over Ron's maps. Sam says “Shapeshifter” and says that it's just like back in St Louis, with the same retinal reaction to the camera. Dean says he hates those things to which Sam replies “you think I don't?” but Dean points out that one didn't turn into Sam and frame him for murder. They agree that Ron's idea about the sewers was most likely right and Dean says that there is one more bank on the same sewer main that the other buildings were on.
We cut to a bank and a security guard is leading Dean and Sam, who are wearing 'Securisave Guard Service' uniforms, through the main area as he says they “haven't had any flags go up on their system”. Dean tells him it's a fault on the main system and that they're just checking to make sure the monitors in the bank are “kosher”. The guard replies it's better to be safe than sorry and takes them to a room where all the feeds from the cameras are. Sam says they won't be too long and the guard says “okey-dokey”. As he leaves them to it Dean says “I like him – he says okey-dokey”. Sam asks him what he'll do if Mr Okey-Dokey is the shifter and Dean says they follow him home and put a silver bullet in his chest plate, without missing a beat. As they sit down to watch the monitors Dean asks if Sam brought popcorn.
After watching them for a while Sam says maybe they jumped the gun and the shifter isn't even there yet. As he asks if perhaps they should go check out the sewers he notices that Dean is focusing one of the cameras on the ass of a female teller who's bending over. He dryly reminds him they're supposed to be looking at their eyes and Dean replies he's “getting there” with a smirk. Suddenly they see a guy whose eyes flare as the camera pans over him. Dean says “hello freak” and they get up to leave, but as Sam reaches the door Dean suddenly calls him back and points out Ron, who has arrived at the bank and seems to be chaining the doors shut. “Hello Ronald” says Dean dryly.
We see Ron take a gun from his bag and he shoots into the ceiling saying “this is not a robbery!” People start screaming and running, and we see Dean and Sam walking past the fleeing people towards where Ron is. Dean reminds Sam that he didn't want them to bring guns, and Sam retorts that he didn't know this was going to happen. Dean says to leave the talking to him as Ron clearly doesn't like Sam. When Ron sees them he points the gun at them, asking what's going on and what are they doing there? He asks who they're working for, is it the Men In Black or the Mandroids? He makes them get down on their knees and has one of the other hostages frisk them. He finds a knife in a sheath on Dean's leg and Sam glares at Dean who says he wasn't going to “walk in there naked”. Dean is not happy at losing his knife.
Dean tries to calm an increasingly agitated Ron and tells him that he was right, that they believe him, and that's why they've had the bank under surveillance. He offers to go with Ron to look around, after telling him it's the bank manager, to protect the other hostages, and we can see from Sam's expression he's not happy about Dean putting himself in danger like that. Ron agrees though and all the hostages, including Sam, are made to get into the vault.
We see a brief shot of a cop walking past the doors and as he gets around the corner we see there are police cars everywhere. Clearly someone has managed to raise the alarm. As Dean shuts the door of the vault, now everyone is inside it, he shoots Sam a sort of 'it'll be ok' look but Sam isn't convinced. One of the female hostages asks Sam who that is - obviously impressed - and Sam says “he's my brother” in a heartfelt way, looking really worried for Dean. The woman replies that he is “so brave”, clearly enamoured with Dean.
In the bank manager's office Dean and Ron are looking around when Ron slips on something. It's a pile of skin and clothes. Dean says “great” – the shifter has changed again and now it could be anybody. Ron is poking at the skin, saying it's remarkable how lifelike the robot skin is and Dean replies that it's not a Mandroid, it's a shapeshifter and explains what they are and how to kill them. He picks up a letter opener from the desk and is relieved to see it is real silver; as now he has a weapon to use against it as silver is the only thing that hurts them. They leave the room to look for it and Ron is obviously happy to have learnt what is really going on and that he's not crazy.
Outside the bank there are helicopters circling and police everywhere. We see a car pull up and a detective go inside a van which has been set up with surveillance of the bank. One of the cops inside tells him that “this guy” – Ron – locked himself in and the detective tells them to cut the power.
Inside the bank Ron is walking around with a huge smile on his face and Dean asks what is wrong with him. Ron replies that he's just thrilled he's not nuts, that this is all real, and he thanks Dean for telling him. As they carry on walking the lights go out. Dean is clearly horrified and when Ron asks what's wrong, Dean replies that this is probably their way of saying hello – them being the cops. Dean is naturally not happy about the idea of encountering the police, given his record with them. He tells Ron it's not looking good for them. As they start walking again they both hear a noise inside the bank.
In the vault the woman who was so impressed with Dean is talking animatedly to Sam about how wonderful Dean is, and how he's a hero. Sam is obviously slightly fed-up with listening to her but when he replies “yeah he is” it's clearly genuine. At that moment Dean opens the vault door and the woman exclaims that he's saved them. Dean is actually just moving them into the other room though and says to Sam that he and Ron need to talk to him. The woman sees Dean is now holding a gun and seems devastated that he's one of the 'bad guys'.
Dean explains to Sam that the shifter has shed its skin again and they don't know where it is. Sam is more concerned with the fact that the place is crawling with cops, as Dean is wanted by the police, and says that even if they do kill the shifter how the hell are they going to get out of there? Dean has managed to find another silver letter opener and gives it to Sam. He tells him to stay with Ron and make sure he doesn't kill anyone – help him “manage the situation”. Sam repeats this loudly, sounding incredulous, and when Ron looks over nervously Dean gives him a thumbs up to reassure him. He tells Sam that they have no choice – if they let the cops in now Ron gets arrested, they get arrested, and the shifter gets away. As he's talking Sam sees over his Dean shoulder that Ron is standing right in the light and indicates this to Dean. Dean tells Ron “out of the light!” and as he looks back at Sam, Sam asks him in disbelief “Seriously?” gesturing towards Ron. Dean knows Sam isn't happy but tells him right now “crazy is the only game in town”. He leaves to start searching the bank and Sam looks over at Ron, both of them clearly unhappy with the situation.
Sam meanwhile opens the vault door to get the hostages some air. The woman who was talking to him earlier asks why they're helping Ron and Sam says she wouldn't understand if he told her. The security guard from earlier - Mr Okey-Dokey - seems to be having trouble breathing. A phone rings and Ron picks it up. Sam tells him to put it down but is distracted by the security guard's difficulties. Another of the hostages is saying that the guard is having a heart attack, and are they just going to let him die? Sam is torn between dealing with this and getting Ron to put the phone down. In the end he goes over and cuts off the conversation himself, telling Ron the less the cops know the better. Sam is unsure if the guard might be the shifter or it might be a trick. Sam calls the cops and tells them to send in a Paramedic. The other hostage is saying there isn't time for that; they need to get the guard out of there now.
During his search Dean discovers the body of a man hidden in the roof area. It falls through the ceiling tiles and lands at Dean's feet. It looks exactly like the hostage who's helping the guard. Dean comes back and says something we don't hear to Sam. Sam goes over to the hostages and says they are right; they need to get the guard out of there. The shapeshifter hostage offers to help but Sam says no, he's got it. The shifter looks like he knows they suspect him and shares a look with Dean. Dean asks to talk to him, and as he walks past Dean out of the vault he hits Dean in the face and runs off. Dean gets up and goes to chase him, yelling at Sam who turns round. Ron goes to run after the guy and steps directly into the light. Sam shouts a warning but it's too late. A red dot appears on Ron's back and seconds later he is shot right through the heart. He falls to the ground, dead. Dean ducks behind the counter totally shocked at Ron's death and Sam looks really sad.
Sam joins Dean behind the counter, both of them clearly shaken by the way things are going, and gives Dean the keys to the chains on the door. He says for Dean to take care of the guard and that he's going after the shifter. He takes off without giving Dean a chance to reply and Dean doesn't look happy about the plan. He crawls over to Ron's body and tells him he's sorry, saying he did a real good job tracking the shifter. He grabs the gun and gives the body one last sorrowful look as he leaves.
Sam is looking for the shifter and finds some hostages, including the woman who was so impressed with Dean. He tells them they shouldn't be there, that they are in danger and they need to go back to the vault. They take off.
We now see the shot of Dean letting the security guard go that we saw at the beginning. The cops remark in surprise that it looks like one of the hostages has taken over the situation. Dean manages to get back inside and chains the doors again. He is clearly shaken and mutters “we are so screwed”.
Sam has found another pile of skin and clothes and calls Dean to tell him it's changed again, it's much faster than the one in St Louis. Dean is frustrated, saying it could be anyone again now. He tells Sam to carry on searching and that he's going to round the hostages up.
Outside the FBI, being led by an agent called Hendrickson, have arrived to take over from the cops. He is rude to the cops and tells them they don't know what they're dealing with and he needs the SWAT team locked and loaded. There is a monster in there.
As Dean rounds up the hostages, the woman who was so enamoured with him earlier says disappointedly that she thought he was one of the good guys. Dean asks her name and she says why would you care? Dean tells her his own name and she says her name is Sherry. Dean tells her that everything is going to be alright, that it'll all be over soon. The phone rings and Dean answers it. It's Hendrickson. Dean says he's not in the mood for negotiating and Hendrickson replies good, neither is he. He says it's his job to bring him in and that alive is a bonus but not necessary. Dean is a little surprised at the attitude, but Hendrickson then floors him by saying he knows exactly who he is and using his name. He says he and Sam need to come out right now. He says he's been tracking them for weeks and he knows all about them, about Sam being Bonnie to Dean's Clyde, about their Dad and how he raised them. He's just trying to work out exactly what kind of whacko John was - white supremacist, Timmy Mcveigh. Dean's jaw tightens and he says Hendrickson knows nothing about their Dad, that he was a hero. Hendrickson says yeah right, it sure sounds like it. He tells Dean he has one hour and they will storm the place before hanging up.
In the van Hendrickson tells the SWAT team to be ready in 5 minutes. The detective protests, saying they've let out one hostage and not hurt anyone. Hendrickson says they don't know these Winchesters – they're smart, quick and expertly trained. And they're dangerous.
Back inside the bank Sam is still looking for the shifter. He finds a body in a cupboard with its throat cut – it's Sherry. Sam goes back to Dean and Dean tells him they've got a bit of a problem outside. Sam tells him they've got a bit of a problem inside too.
They open the door and Dean says they are going to let Sherry go as a show of good faith. She is reluctant to leave, saying she'd rather stay with the others. She eyes the letter opener Sam is holding nervously. Dean says they have to insist, and she reluctantly goes with them. They take her to the room with the body and as soon as she sees it she freaks out and starts screaming. Dean is impressed and asks if she's done community theatre or is she just naturally that good? She carries on screaming though and as Sam raises the letter opener and says she won't be able to hurt anyone again, she faints.
The boys look confused. Dean crouches down next to her and raises the letter opener, but Sam says wait – what would be the advantage of this plan for the shifter? Dean sees his point and goes over to crouch next to the other body. Just then they hear glass breaking. As Dean looks up, distracted, the supposedly dead body opens its eyes and grabs him round the throat. Sherry wakes up, sees this, and starts screaming again. Dean struggles with the shifter and shouts at Sam to get Sherry out of there. The shifter knocks Dean over and runs off. We cut to SWAT making their way into the bank. Dean sees them and hides, coming out after they've gone. The SWAT team find Sherry and get her out of the building. Two of them then come across Sam and tell him to freeze and raise his hands.
Dean finds the shifter and is fighting her. As he does, we cut to Sam as he manages to take out the two SWAT guys. The fight between Dean and the shifter continues but eventually he manages to stab her with the letter opener. As he is crouched over the body a SWAT member comes up behind him and Dean raises his hands in surrender.
We see the SWAT team and the cops moving through the bank. They find the body of the hostage and the body of the shifter. As they look at her body one of the SWAT team says he just walked her out of the bank – she must have a twin sister or something. Hendrickson is not happy that there's no sign of Dean and Sam. He tells the cops to sweep every inch of the building for them. At that moment one of the cops says that might not be necessary. He takes Hendrickson to a cupboard and shows him two SWAT guys tied up, unconscious and only in their underwear. Hendrickson looks almost impressed.
We see two guys in SWAT gear leaving the bank and running into a car park. They go towards the Impala and as they get in and take off their helmets we see it's Dean and Sam. They sit there for a few moments, both out of breath and both clearly stunned by what's just happened. Eventually Dean speaks as he starts the engine, saying again “we are so screwed”. Sam doesn't reply, and they drive off quickly.
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