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A Lot Like Me

Chapter 2

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

"Shane." Baron says flatly when the detective appears in his office doorway at the FBI academy. "Here poaching my best and brightest for your teams again?"

Shane takes his time walking leisurely into the office of the formidable Dr. Corbin. Baron Corbin is a world-class psycologist, therapist, and specialist who has been a colleague of Dean's for years. The pair are considered close friends, especially since they've been teaching together at the academy. "Potentially, but this time I've actually come to ask a professional favor." Shane replies as he takes a seat across the desk from Baron.

The space is full of occult artifacts and manuscripts. Shane can even see a wolf's skull resting on one of the black shelves. The man always had a flair for the dramatic, but Shane would expect nothing less from the leading expert of pagan, satanic, and occult ritual symbolism.

Baron leans back in his wide leather chair and steeples his fingers as he looks up at Shane. He has a guess what has the normally energetic investigator so on edge, but he's not going to let Shane off the hook my telling him that. "A favor means it's not strictly official FBI business. What can I do for you, Agent McMahon?"

Shane chuckles and shrugs, "I've taken on a friend of yours as a consultant - Dean Ambrose. His skills are... unique but unstable. I'm worried he may not be able to withstand the pressures of being on the field."

Baron raises both eyebrows and folds his arms as he continues to look at Shane. "So you're here to... ask me my opinion? He's a very unique man, with a great variety of skills but... field work? With you? I don't think that's wise for either of you."

Baron finds Dean entirely fascinating, truth be told. Watching a man with pure empathy, pure understanding of any person he turns his focus on, is incredible. But Baron is also Dean's friend, and the kind of things he's opened himself up to Dean about are dark enough without getting anywhere near the depth of dark and twisted shit that Shane wades into day in and day out.

"Dean is a resource we can not afford to leave untapped." Shane counters. "But I agree that we must be careful. Which is why I would like to ask you to help evaluate Dean. Or if you feel that your history would prevent you from being subjective, do you have a recommendation of someone else that could... keep our boy in one piece."

Baron shakes his head, though the phrasing makes him smirk slightly. "No way, not me. Dean doesn't like being 'evaluated.' I have more respect for him than to try to pull that bullshit." He frowns, looking Shane over. "I can think of one guy. Maybe. But you have to promise me you take this seriously. You watch Dean and you take the professional opinions to heart. Even if he doesn't say what you want him too."

"Are you suggesting someone else because of your past with him or do you actually care about his well being?" Shane asks, leaning forward. "I only ask because I want to know who I'm protecting by hiring someone else; you or Dean."

"Shane, Shane, come on. You know it can easily be both.” Baron says nonchalantly. "I get to keep being Dean's... friend and not strain our relationship by trying to convince him to accept my analysis. You get a fresh opinion and someone with a better chance at being truly neutral about Dean's talents and his stability."

Baron shifts to straighten some papers on the desk and gives Shane a firm look. "And I get to know that you're not just strong arming some poor FBI shrink into giving him a pass because you need him. You won't be able to intimidate Roman."

"Roman?" Shane asks with an arched eyebrow. "I haven't heard of a psychiatrist named Roman. Is he good? I can't rely on someone I don't know if he's not worth it." Shane replies, relaxing a bit. "Also of you're suggesting him I'm sure the price is going to make me cringe."

Baron smirks. "Oh, the government can afford it, I promise. But if you haven't heard of Roman Reigns, I'm not sure how hard you've been looking. He just set up practice here, used to work mostly in Europe. That's where I studied with him. Right after he gave up being a surgeon."

Baron holds up a hand and writes a short note with a phone number and address down to hand to Shane. "Look, he's good. I wouldn't recommend just any patient to him, but him and Dean? I think they might... fit. It's just a sense I get. Roman likes unique cases and Dean is certainly that."

Notes:

Our chapters are pretty short on this on, but here's another scene.

Thank you to everyone who is giving this story a shot and enjoying it. Your comments give us life. <3

Notes:

No, this is not the story you wanted to see a new chapter of. Hopefully enjoy it anyway?

Also... how about that Jon Moxley on AEW, huh? ^_~ Looking forward to the stories we'll see in the next few months.

This is a little thing we started some time ago and have a few chapters set aside of... editing is less intense than some other projects, but we'd love to hear what you think.