HOUSE OF BROKEN SOULS Part 10
Warnings: This Chapter: None. Overall: Slash, sexually explicit content, graphic violence
The fiction includes a mental illness storyline. I am not qualified in mental health, everything I know about it is googled. It's fantasy folks, please don't shoot me though helpful criticism is always welcomed.
*Not real. The folks aren't mine. No damage intended.
Making no sense
Early hours, Sunday morning
“Put the gun down slowly Sir.”
Jensen raised his hands outwards, audibly clicking on the safety. He reached sideways and held it out for the officers to remove.
“Wow. You don’t mess about do you? I’m Jensen Ackles. I called this in.” Jensen kicked his toe slightly toward Jared’s knee, where he was kneeling on the floor beside him.
The cop who had removed Jensen’s gun flicked on her own safety and holstered her gun. Both cops joined Jensen circling warily around the two figures sat on the bedroom floor.
“Are you hurt Detective Ackles, Mr Padalecki?” the cop was looking concerned and to Jensen something didn’t seem right about this scenario. There was something ’off’ in the Officer’s reactions and expressions.
“What? No.” Jensen replied and moved forward to get past Jared to Caitlin. “Need to see how bad he hurt her. Get him cuffed and out of here.”
Jensen kept moving past Jared. What a typical bully, he thought registering how the big man seemed frozen now he had been challenged. As he reached out to touch the woman on the floor he heard a chorus of “NO!” from the two officers and Jared, all yelling in unison. He felt huge warm hands grab his arms firmly but gently, preventing him from reaching any further. “What the hell?” Jared had just put his arms around him and the police officers were doing nothing to restrain the guy. He was confused and wondered what vital details he was missing.
“Detective Ackles, please move away for your own safety Sir.”
“How? I’m being held down by this..”
“Idiot” Jared completed, loosening his grip on Jensen’s arms, his mouth starting to curl into a nervous grin as color returned to his complexion.
“I’m an idiot and ‘m sorry and oh God! There’s half the force here isn’t there? I should get her into the safe room for you guys.” He spoke it to the cops rather than Jensen and now Jensen’s mouth was gaping. He tried to inventorize the day’s alcohol intake because the cops were smiling at Jared and he was being allowed to shuffle across to Caitlin and lift her into those huge, strong arms of his. Jared paused as a dark haired man, tie askew, coat swinging, strode into the room.
“Jay. Put her down. On-call psych’s been paged. Sorry pal. The 911 alleged that you assaulted Caitlin. We have to take it seriously. ”
The man flashed blue eyes and a quirky grin at Jensen, then stretched out his hand to greet him “Detective Ackles. I’m Detective Collins, call me Misha. I wasn’t expecting to meet you till Wednesday but it’s an unexpected pleasure. That is aside from the fact that I have been dragged from my bed and a cozy rendezvous with my wife.”
“I’m not in the force anymore. It’s just Jensen. Jensen Ackles.”
Misha chuckled a little “Semantics, Detective Ackles. You know some Officers retire, but they never truly leave. I’m thinking you fit that mould.”
“Don’t you think it’s a little soon to be making assumptions about me?”
“Assumptions?” the blue eyes sparkled with laughter “Your partner Chad has to be the biggest office gossip I ever had the pleasure to pump information from!”
The ex-detective swallowed and spoke up, a little testily “Are you going to arrest the abusive bastard sometime today?”
“Well. Now who’s making assumptions?” Jared had placed Caitlin in the recovery position and moved to stand next to Detective Collins. He was pulling what could best be described as a ‘bitch-face’ at Jensen.
“She OK? She breathing?” Misha spoke to Jared gently and the big guy’s face softened. “S’breathing but this” he gulped and shrugged his arms. It’s new. She’s never, I mean she doesn’t, never like that. Y’know nightmares, yeah, but never the screaming and then” Jared looked over at the still, silent form on the floor and a few tears scattered through his long lashes “Never so still, like she just vanished. All of her.” He gulped again.
Jensen’s senses were beginning to inform him that all was not as it seemed. He’d seen the sudden remorse and apparent care of hundreds of abusive men but this didn’t have the same feel to it. He thought, rather belatedly that he should shut up and perhaps listen to what Jared was saying.
There was movement and low chatter in the hallway as yet another figure pushed his way into the now crowded bedroom.
“Doc!” the relief on Jared’s face was clear to everyone in the room. “Are those pyjamas under that coat?”
The doctor pushed his wire glasses up his nose, ran a finger through unbrushed hair and knelt beside Caitlin “What! I get a half-loopy call on my emergency line from you Jared, then when I’m getting my shit together I get bleeped by the Station with this address, then you don’t answer my text back and I’m supposed to assume it’s not life or death? I get any speeding tickets you’re paying them. There’s an ambulance and orderlies following.”
Jensen watched the blue eyed detective as the man fought to contain laughter, a lopsided grin forming on his face. He wondered at the easy familiarity between the Detective, Jared and this Doctor.
Within moments Detective Collins was all business again. “Okay team. Doc’s here. You can stand down. Two officers stay, whoever has the longest left of their shift or the least paperwork to do. Everyone else is dismissed.
Jensen raised an eyebrow at the detective which was met with an ice-blue glare “I am not on duty tonight Detective Ackles so excuse me if, in the rush to avoid bloodshed, I am unfamiliar with my squad. Furthermore, I‘m not going to waste time and effort on a school-trip to the Station when I can sort this out here and now, with only half the paperwork. Clear?”
“So why are you here for a ‘domestic’ at all?” Jensen was confused.
“That will be because your 911 cited two addresses, both of which have my informal marker against them for immediate, armed, make sure you have your shit together and by the way I will beat your asses if I’m not paged, response.” The detective didn’t wait for the next question he could see forming in the ex-detectives eyes “Detective Murray is worried about you. He asked me. I agreed. He can’t be bothered to argue with you about it and neither can I. Get over it. As for this address, Jared can be bouncy, loud, stubborn and ever so irritating but I have no wish to see him filleted.”
Misha’s outburst caught both Jensen and Jared off-guard and for a moment their eyes met in a curious glance, wondering at the information they had just been thrown. Jared broke first, hazel eyes shifting to the floor as he colored. His fists balled tensely by his side “She hasn’t hurt anyone” he ground out.
“Okay then. Detective Ackles, if you would be so kind as to go through to the kitchen and find the kettle. I’ll be there in just a moment to take your statement. Tea with milk & two sugars for Mr. Padalecki, black for Doc Carver and white no sugar for me.” He shooed a startled Jensen out of the room before addressing Jared and Dr Carver, “I’m leaving an Officer here with you. So you know Doc, there is an allegation that Jared has assaulted Caitlin. You will take whatever information is needed to treat her, after that, standard drill. Sorry, a formal exam is needed. As soon as you’re ready, the Officer will take Mr. Padalecki through to the Living Room and get his statement. I’ll need to talk to you about the call you received from Jared too.” He nodded his dismissal as he left the room.
Jared bit his lip and shrugged at the doctor. He looked shattered and pale “I did NOT hurt her Doc.”
“Just tell me everything that did happen Jay.”
In two separate rooms Jared and Jensen set about explaining the events of that evening.
****
Misha sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“Can you read and sign the statement please sir.”
Jensen signed quickly, he had watched the detective as he wrote and was satisfied that it was correct.
There was a knock on the door and Doctor Carver entered. “Caitlin’s away in the ambulance. I’ve found a space at Glenview for now.”
Misha quirked his eyebrow at the disheveled doctor “I figure I’ll foot the bill tonight and decide where to go from there. Caitlin has no cuts, contusions or other injuries consistent with assault in the last 12 hours. There are bruises consistent with struggle against wrist restraints, possibly a few days old. It’s no more than I’ve seen after we’ve restrained her. We’ll do bloods and report fully in a day or so.” He dialed a code and handed his cell phone to the detective. “You wanted to know what message Jared left. It’s there along with the time it was made. I’d like a private word with Mr Ackles and Mr Padalecki before I leave, as soon as you’re ready of course.”
“I’m done. Mr. Ackles is all yours whilst I take a look at Jay’s statement but I think we’re mostly looking at a case of criminal miscommunication. Misha rolled his eyes at Jensen before leaving the room.
“and you need to speak to me why exactly?” Jensen was tired and irritated. His knee and his back hurt and the beginning of a hangover was threatening, not to mention the slightly sick feeling he had acquired when he’d been asked about his own activities that evening, about which he had been creatively vague.
“I’d like to know, honestly, if Caitlin hurt or tried to hurt you or Mr Padalecki in any way.”
“No. No. She was the one screaming, then she just stopped and stared. Like she was when you arrived. Will you please tell me what this is all about because I’ve had enough of all this rubbish. I’m tired and none of this makes sense.”
Misha popped his head around the door. “Y’know Doc, I’m about ready to go now. I think we should talk to Mr Ackles and Mr Padalecki together because I’ve a feeling your lecture and mine is going to be similar.” The Doc nodded mutely and gestured for Jensen to join Jared in the living room.
“Sit!” growled Detective Collins, pointing at the one sofa in the room which was already occupied by Jared.
Jared folded his legs a little and scooted over to accommodate Jensen. They sat awkwardly, knees and shoulders almost touching. Jared watched Jensen nervously through his bangs and squeaked a short “Hi.” at him which would have been adorable to Jensen under normal circumstances, but right now just served to confuse Jensen further. It wasn’t the action of an abuser.
Misha clapped his hands for attention which was over the top but felt right so he went with it and it got him the attention he needed.
“I’ll keep this short and to the point. There’s no evidence of assault on Caitlin.” He shushed Jensen with a hand motion “There was every reason for Mr Ackles to believe that she was being assaulted and he was right to act in the circumstances. Those circumstances being that Jay’s an idiot who should have had some sort of neighborly conversation BEFORE this happened.” Jared opened his mouth, about to protest, but all that came out was a small, defeated “Yeah, had that coming.”
“So. Detective Jensen Ackles meet Jared Padalecki , architect, owner and resident of this building, guardian and sponsor for Caitlin Doe and apparently prize idiot. I’m going to suggest that you two get properly acquainted in a civil manner after we leave. I’m recommending that the conversation covers the nature of Caitlin’s illness, it’s related symptoms and complications. Jensen you may want to reassure Jared that you won’t be shooting anyone anytime soon and organise a new door. So you are aware Jensen, I’m absolutely sure that Jared is neither a pimp for, nor secures the services of, female hookers. He doesn’t swing that way. Of this I am sure, just don’t ask me how. I’m going home. I’ll let the Doc say his goodbyes.”
Misha leaned over and winked conspiratorially at Jared “Since I’m now off duty and on my own dollar, can I just say that you two make a very pretty couple. Maybe you should get on with it already.”
“Mish!” Jared blushed beetroot as the Detective grabbed his coat and stalked out of the door chuckling. Jensen tried to think of a smartarse reply but couldn’t find one, flushed a pale pink instead and flashed a quick look at Jared who grinned shyly back at him. “You know him?”
“What can I say? I spend far too much time at the Precinct.”
The Doc interrupted him “It really was only a nightmare that you heard Mr Ackles. In brief I treat Caitlin for severe post traumatic illness. We have no idea what the precise trauma was, except that her physical scars are extensive and around a year old. She suffers from multiple personality disorder and the personalities so far identified have no recollection beyond 6 months ago. Sometimes she simply isn’t Caitlin and then Jared has to deal. Generally he’s excellent at keeping her level and coping with outbursts. At times it includes a rapid retreat from public spaces or the use of restraints. He’s better than most of my staff, he has to be, because I’ve staked my reputation that Caitlin won’t hurt anyone while she’s in his care. If there is any instance of violence by Caitlin, I am required to take immediate action. I would be obliged to section her to a secure unit. The screaming nightmare is a new thing, it may be the start of memories returning but we’ll see.”
Jared looked up at the doctor with hope “Really. You think she may be coming back?”
Doc Carver replied softly “Don’t depend on it Jay, but sometimes yeah. At the very least I think you had a glimpse at a different personality today.”
“Oh wow!”
“Jay these memories are going to be painful. God knows what they’ll do to her.” He patted Jared on the shoulder as the big man deflated and fresh worry appeared on Jared’s brow. “We’ll pull her through it. OK.”
Jensen watched Jared as the conversation progressed. He was fascinated by the sheer love and care that the big guy generated, the obvious worry as the doctor explained the pitfalls. Jensen wondered how he didn’t recognize the good in the man and he knew with certainty he had been wrong in his accusation. He’d seen it on the floor of the bedroom as Jared refused to leave Caitlin even with a gun trained on him. Jensen wanted to take his hand and squeeze it in his own, say sorry, hug Jared and take his worries away. Instead he chewed at his bottom lip and mumbled an apology.
“I am so sorry man, for the gun and the door and all y’know” he fell silent and then the breath was knocked out of him as strong arms circled him and Jared’s face rested on his shoulder in a tight bear hug.
“Dude, my fault totally. I should’ve come and seen you the first day you arrived. It should be me apologizing, M’sorry too.”
Jared hadn’t thought the hug through, just did it impulsively. He felt guilty for the worry he had caused Jensen, especially now he knew his tenant had personal worries of his own. As he squeezed him tight it occurred to Jared that Jensen may be uncomfortable with it. He breathed in, savoring the spicy musk smell of the older man before extricating himself with a faint brush against the hint of morning stubble. The hug felt good.
Jensen was a little shocked by the hug but it felt good. Jared smelt of candy and soap and his arms felt warm, muscular and safe. He bit back a whimper as Jared pulled away from him.
The Doctor was speaking again. “I cannot believe it is 6am and I’m stood here in pyjamas. You boys should get some sleep. You need to talk to each other later. Jared, I will take care of Caitlin. If you ring before Monday morning I’ll refuse to take the call. You have to rest to be in any shape to deal with her. Call me Monday and we’ll organize an appointment. Jensen, don’t let him fret and remember you need your rest too. Oh and Jensen as the PD’s Consultant Psych I’ve taken the liberty of putting you on my books. My secretary will call you with an appointment. Don’t miss it.”
Continued in part 11 here: anniespinkhouse.livejournal.com/4158.html