Parting Gifts - Part I
Title: Parting Gifts
Pairing: JA/JP
Rating: R for violence
Disclaimer: Of course I don't own these people. Slavery is outlawed. To the dismay of some, I suspect.
WARNINGS: My first RPF. If this is anywhere near the truth, I'm from the Gamma Quadrant.
Summary: Jared Padalecki lost his husband, Jensen Ackles, through neglect. Then the real nightmare begins when a group kidnaps Jensen and ransoms him for fifteen million dollars. The problem isn't paying the money: it's getting Jensen back alive and in one piece.
Title Page
Day One
Jared Padalecki was nowhere near drunk enough to forget what had crawled out of his mouth an hour ago. Was it an hour? Maybe two, or three even. He wasn’t sure anymore and that was fine with him. Still, Jared couldn’t stop fingering his cell as he finished his third whisky. He really should find out what Jensen’s response was to his summation of their ruined marriage.
“Do you know what I think, Jen? Honestly? If you’re that pissed with me then grow a fucking pair and leave. And while you’re at it, take Anna with you ‘cause as far as she’s concerned I’m not her daddy but some jackass who pays the goddamn bills!”
Jared choked down the bile that suddenly rose from his alcohol-soaked gut. With great trepidation he called Jensen’s private number, equally hoping and dreading his husband would pick up. It went straight into voicemail. Not surprising since that was one of Jensen’s tactical moves when he was channeling his inner bitch. Feeling overwhelmingly pissed himself Jared slammed the cell phone on the bar and ordered a fourth.
“You sure you want to do that, pal?” The bartender asked with genuine concern. “I know the old lady must have been a royal pain in the ass tonight, but you’re already in bad shape and another drink isn’t going to help matters.”
Jared caught the man’s surreptitious glance towards the hotel security guard standing at the bar’s entrance. He tried to flash his trademark grin but failed miserably due to the fact he couldn’t forget the venomous words he spat out earlier. “I’m a big boy. I just need one more to make it all go away.”
The bartender shook his head, “Sorry, but…”
“He’s with me. Don’t worry about it.” A female voice said from behind Jared.
Jared turned to the woman to say his thanks only to have the words stuck on his tongue. The stranger was blessed with what could only be defined as a kick-ass body and thoughtful brown eyes. The combination hit him worse than the three glasses of whisky he had. The two remained tactfully silent when the bartender placed another glass in front of Jared.
“You look like you could use some help. My name is Sandy," she said.
“Thanks for the drink, and I could definitely use a friendly smile, but I’m having a hard time believing you need to ask for company.”
Sandy smiled shyly. “I got stood up, and now I’m being pursued by two drunks who don’t understand what ‘no’ means. I’m staying here tonight and I’m afraid they’re going to follow me to my room. I guess I’m looking for a rescue.”
“Oh, a rescue, now that I can do. By the way, my name’s Jared.”
“Nice to meet you, Jared. Do I detect a genuine Texan accent?”
Jared laughed, “Yep, that’s one-hundred percent genu-ine Texan drawl there. To tell the truth, it’s nothing but lazy talk.”
Sandy shook her head. “One of my supposed suitors was trying to impress me with his so-called Texan accent. I think my college roommate pegged it as something else.”
Jared’s laughter was sharper this time. “One of those. You have my sympathies. By the way, your date’s a total loser.”
Sandy sighed, “I don’t know why I’m so disappointed. I met the guy online, after all. But things were going well for almost a year. Last week I found out that I’ll be in town for business, and I thought it’d be great if we met face to face. He sounded so excited in his e-mails so here I am, in my best black dress and shoes.”
“Trust me, you’re better off. Maybe the guy’s some psycho killer or worse, a dweeb.”
Sandy threw back her head and laughed freely. “Dweeb - oh my God, I haven’t heard that word in ages. But you’re probably right. Mark probably is a dweeb.”
“And a loser, let’s not forget loser.” Jared added, feeling pleasantly light-headed by Sandy’s carefree humor and musky perfume.
“A dweeb and a loser, but he did have one good point.”
“What?”
“Because of him I met my knight in shining armor.”
“I wish that were true, but I’m sorry to say my armor’s tarnished quite a bit.”
“That’s because you actually fought. Nobody could survive in this world without getting a little dirty. Better that than living in an ivory tower.”
“You’re sweet for trying to make me feel better,” Jared said.
He saw the offer in her words and for a moment wondered what it would be like to accept it. No cares about the morning after, what it would all mean or not. He and Jensen had to practically schedule their sex because of their hectic lives, and Jared missed the spontaneity of it. Jensen might have been able to handle the routine of fatherhood but Jared had a hard time accepting the fact that his entire life revolved around a five-year-old girl.
He loved Anna, and would move stars for her, but he missed the private time he shared with Jensen. Jared knew it was selfish but he felt neglected whenever he saw Jensen with their child. The two had bonded very quickly and that relationship flourished while their marriage slowly disintegrated.
And now Jared feared his marriage was no longer salvageable because of the blowout they had earlier. Suddenly, panic overwhelmed him. He could see what his house would be like without his family. The palatial home would be spotless and filled with priceless, fragile things. He could leave his office doors open and there would be no need to keep the expensive alcohol sequestered in a cabinet. The pool would no longer require fencing with a lock system that took Jared half a day to figure out.
However, the silence would be glacial. There would be no evidence of a gleeful little girl being chased around by a grown man - a man whose laughter made seasoned bodyguards smile. Harley and Sadie would probably sun themselves to death, as they would no longer have companions to play with. No toys to trip over, no heart-stopping emergency room visits because of a slip on the marble floors or a covert exploration of the medicine cabinet. He wouldn’t hear the laundry running at three in the morning because of Jensen’s unpredictable bouts of insomnia. He also wouldn’t wake to Jensen’s lazy exploration of his chest with his clever, wonderful tongue.
No gentle music coming from Jensen’s battered guitar. The one Jared fondly called ‘Gunslinger’ because it looked like it was dragged through the twentieth century’s version of the Alamo. Even now he got the shivers, remembering Jensen’s harrowing stories about his heydays working as a refugee camp director in Angola.
“Are you okay?” Sandy asked kindly. “You look a bit pale.”
Jared felt shame flood him as he realized the last thing he needed was her company. A woman like Sandy deserved someone better than a man looking for a quick pity-fuck. Mark, the dweeb and loser, at least had the decency not to take advantage of her.
“I know this is going to make me a bastard but I have to go home,” Jared explained, hoping the genuine regret in his voice would somehow temper the rejection thrown at Sandy’s face. “I shouldn’t have come here. I was running away and nothing good could come out of that.”
Sandy took a deep breath but never broke eye contact. “Yes, you’re right. You should.”
Jared kissed her cheek. “Hope you find your knight damn soon. It’s a crying shame that a girl like you should be in need of one.”
“Thank you, Jared.” She slipped her business card into his jacket pocket. “If you meet one before I do, please direct them my way.”
“Sure will,” Jared answered. “C’mon, let me walk you to the elevator so those assholes won’t follow you.”
“Thank you,” Sandy said with a bright smile. “One left but the other one is still hanging around.”
“Where is he?”
“Your three o’clock, wearing the blue pinstripe suit.”
Jared took a quick glance. “He’s old enough to be your father. Hell, maybe even your grandfather.”
“Now I really like you!” Sandy laughed and linked her arm around his as they exited the bar.
Jared waved good-bye as he watched her enter the hotel elevator. He congratulated himself for avoiding the stupidity of having anonymous sex. He knew only too well that he could never keep something like that a secret for long, especially if he won back Jensen’s trust.
And how the fuck was he going to make up for the shitty stunt he pulled earlier?
First off, he had to go home. In all likelihood he’d probably sleep it off in one of the guest bedrooms, but at least he’ll be with Jensen when his husband woke up. That way he could start the groveling early and wear down Jensen before noon. Jared made a fuzzy list of things to do, starting with calling his office to cancel his appointments.
Hell, he’s the goddamn boss. He’ll just cancel rest of the week and take the family to Texas. Of course, it being December, Jensen might take issue with being stuck in their home state for more than a week. As much as they loved their respective families, hanging around them during the holidays for more than two or three days at a time was taxing on both their patience and sanity. Then, Jared remembered his longtime friend, Chad, boasting about buying a retreat roughly the size of Rhode Island in the Bahamas. He could easily sweet-talk his old buddy into giving him access to the place for the rest of the month if not longer. Jared could simply buy his own place but time was of the essence. He didn’t want Jensen to actually contemplate how pissed he was once Jared successfully wheedled back into his good graces.
Jared called for his car. It took his driver, Demmy, few minutes to bring the custom-made Jaguar to the front of the hotel. To Jared’s amusement he caught Demmy eyeing him warily. He saw how upset Jared was when he stormed out of the house, and the scent of alcohol wafting towards him probably made the man even more anxious.
“Take me home, Demmy,” Jared said softly. “Gotta do some big-time apologizing.”
Demmy shook his head, “Gonna take more than sweet words this time, Sir.”
Jared chuckled, “I know, I know, but I’ve got a great plan. And it’s going to work. You’ll see.”
The driver sighed and gave a measured glance at the rear-view mirror. “You never minded me speaking out so here it is. I’ve been married twenty-seven years now, and I’ve walked out on my wife couple of times. But I never, and I mean never, met anyone or anything that convinced me not to go back. Marriage takes work, sir. More work than running a business, even if that business is a multi-billion dollar empire. And, honestly … at the end of the day, the CEO chair won’t keep your bed warm or make you coffee in the morning when you get up late. It won’t do laundry and make sure you get your flu shot. It sure as hell won’t stand by you when you inevitably screw up.”
“You like Jensen, don’t you?”
“Yes sir, I do. I thought he was a bit cold at first, until Yoshida told me he was just shy. Strange for a man who does all that campaigning for charities, I thought. It took me a while to realize that his shyness makes perfect sense. With you, he’s Jensen, the man. With the public, he’s Mr. Ackles, fundraiser extraordinaire. With you he can walk around in sweats and t-shirts. With everyone else, it’s Hugo Boss suits and Brioni ties. But the real reason I like Mr. Ackles is because he can tell the difference between what is important and what isn’t. I think it’s about time you do too, sir. If you don’t mind my saying.”
“No,” Jared replied hoarsely. “No, I don’t. Thanks, Demmy.”
“Always a pleasure. And I thought you should know - I saw Anna’s Christmas dress. It’s a killer.”
“Really?”
“She looks like an angel, and I’m not exaggerating. Never seen a child so taken with Christmas, like our little Anna. Makes people want to give her Christmas every day of the year.”
Jared felt like someone punched him in the gut. Now that he really gave some thought to the entire situation he knew that was exactly what Jensen’s been doing: trying to make up for all the horrid memories and traumas Anna suffered. It was also obvious to him that Jensen was trying his damn best to make Jared participate in his version of therapy.
No wonder Jensen went apeshit the last two Christmases. The candles, the multiple Christmas trees, the garlands festooning every staircase and chandelier, not to mention swags, bows, and ornaments decorating doors, furniture or any place Jensen could reach. Even the poor dogs ended up with Christmas sweaters and Santa hats strapped onto their heads.
Jared pulled out a picture from his wallet and fingered the humorous figures in it. It featured Sadie and Harley grinning happily in spite of the tacky velvet bows around their necks. In between the dogs was Anna, dressed in her first Christmas outfit. One of five Jensen bought last year. Mercifully he toned it down and now Anna only had to change three times.
Jared heard the familiar crunch of gravel and looked up as the car pulled through the electronic gates. Dismay shot through his nerves as he saw the house was completely dark; not even the decorative Christmas lights were on. Jensen always made sure the sparkling display was on full blast before going to sleep. Jared teased him about wasting electricity and contributing to light pollution. Jensen’s reply to the good-natured ribbing was a loud snort and a second helping of waffles.
Jared took a deep breath and calmed himself. The last thing he needed was to dive into a situation with his emotions running amok. That resolution didn’t last long as he entered the house. The cavernous silence that greeted him as he made his way to the private wing infected his soul with depression. With trembling hands Jared opened the door to Anna’s bedroom. He saw the neatly made bed, the empty space where her Pooh bear reigned over all the other stuffed toys.
Jared entered the master bedroom and disrobed. He dialed the settings to the shower and entered the bathroom only when the steam fogged up the entire room. That way he didn’t have to see the empty containers that once held his husband’s toiletries.
Jared stood under scalding downpour and let the water wash away his foolish hopes. He was too late. Jensen had finally given up on them, and once his husband made up his mind, he was implacable. Besides, Jensen had other worries now, Anna for one. Jared quietly mouthed his daughter’s name and sat down on the smooth wood planks that acted as the shower floor. Jared didn’t only lose a husband tonight. He had lost his entire family.
Jared clutched his cell phone in his hands, even as he slid under the bedsheets of the now too-large bed. While brushing his teeth he became firmly convinced that Jensen would call, if only to tell him that he and Anna were safe.
Even at his worst Jensen would never forgo his duties. Jared was only too well aware of Jensen’s sense of fairness, a trait he had teased many times as anachronistic, if also admirable.
Jared finally drifted off to sleep after three, only to be woken up when the panic alarm went off in the bedroom. He scrambled off the bed and dove for the bottom drawer of the night table where a fully loaded Browning automatic waited. He then cautiously made his way to the designated safe room to wait out the emergency.
“Sir!” Justin’s voice rang out from below, catching Jared midway down the main hallway. There was a moment before he shouted, “Range!”
The safe word meant the danger had passed. However, Jared carefully made his way to the first floor using the back stairs. He saw his personal bodyguard, Justin Hartley, standing in the foyer, the tension visible on the lean, athletic frame.
“What is it?” Jared asked cautiously.
Justin stepped aside to reveal Anna.
“Sweetie!” Jared cried out, rushing towards his child. “What…”
He never finished his sentence as he brain processed the condition his daughter was in. Mr. Pooh, Anna's most cherished toy, was hanging limply in her left hand, seemingly forgotten by its owner. Her winter sweater, handmade by his mother, was ripped in the front, with the hood precariously dangling by few loose threads. The right side of her face was bruised, already turning purple. But it was her eyes - the cornflower blue eyes were wide, unseeing. Jared suddenly feared that she and Jensen were involved in an accident while trying to return to the house.
Jared embraced her, whispering, “What happened, baby girl? Where’s Sen-Sen Daddy?”
Anna did not respond to either his presence or his question. He hugged her tighter and heard a crinkling noise. He opened her sweater to find a small envelope pinned to her turtleneck. With trembling hands he took it.
“Sir, you shouldn’t touch anything.” Justin said, unable to mask the fear in his voice.
Jared ignored the advice and opened the envelope. Out fell the simple platinum chain he bought for Jensen’s thirty-fifth birthday. The chain rolled in his hand, painting his palm with Jensen’s blood.
Jensen eyed the hotel clock, wondering if he should call Jared. Their violent argument had drained him and it took every bit of his will power to pack up for Anna and himself and leave home. It killed him to take their daughter away right before Christmas, but he knew the last thing she needed to witness was another shit storm of a fight between her daddies.
No, what she needed was love and security. He planned to call his family the following morning and tell them about his decision to leave Jared. He also knew his mother wouldn’t hesitate to invite them to Richardson to spend the holidays with them. Not for the first time Jensen was grateful to have such understanding parents. With a heaving sigh he peeked in the second bedroom, glad to see Anna fast asleep with Pooh firmly tucked under her chin.
Unable to stop himself Jensen gave Anna a third goodnight kiss. "I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry.” Jensen whispered into the wheat-blonde head. “But we’ll be fine, I promise.”
Once again Jensen debated calling Jared but decided to turn in instead. He was going to need all his strength when he did call home. Jensen knew what to expect from his soon-to-be ex-husband: contrition, promises, before the inevitable fallout. Press Repeat.
Jensen didn’t have the patience or the time for that anymore. Not since Anna had come into their lives. In many ways Jared wasn’t a bad father, but he wasn’t a good one either. Jensen knew Jared felt overburdened by their daughter, but how could a CEO of one of the largest companies in California complain about the time it takes to properly raise a child?
Feeling tears of defeat and exhaustion sting his eyes Jensen decided to just crawl into bed. He was checking to make sure his cell phone was off when someone knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” Jensen wondered if Kevin, his personal bodyguard, successfully tracked him to the hotel.
“Hotel security, Sir. Could we speak to you for a minute? A serious incident took place in the suite next to yours.”
Jensen took a glance at the peephole and saw a police officer with a man who wore a suit similar to the concierge downstairs.
What the fuck now? Jensen thought, his exasperation partly fueled by fatigue. He opened the door quietly in order not to wake Anna.
“What is it, officer?”
Jensen saw the security guard swing his hand up and ducked. The sap missed his nose but smashed his forehead. Jensen heard a muffled noise as the weapon made contact but ignored the sound and the pain as his training kicked in. He threw his entire weight against the guard, propelling both of them into the middle of the hallway. He tried to yell for help when the man posing as the police officer sprayed his face. Whatever was in the container was both odorless and tasteless, but its effect on him was immediate.
Jensen collapsed into the security guard’s arms. The men quickly entered the suite, closing the door behind him.
“Son of a bitch, he moves fast!” The guard hissed.
“Shut the fuck up,” the officer said. “We need to get the girl.”
Jensen heard the two men enter Anna’s room. With the last of his conscious will he tried to crawl towards his daughter. A small, sharp cry emanated from the room before heart-rending silence settled in. The officer returned to see Jensen struggling on the carpeted floor.
“You are one stubborn bastard.” was the last thing Jensen heard.
Part II
A/N: This fic was written originally few years ago for La Femme Nikita fandom. It turned out to be just another standard 'let's kill Nikita so we can all go back to being abnormal' story so I quashed it. Tried to revive it for vitamin_fic but mercifully stopped because it sucked worse second time around. Then this prompt came along so I revived it again. What can I say save I'm stubborn about certain things...