All That Glitters - Part 6
With nobody on the road in the middle of the night, it takes just under two hours for Jensen to get to Palm Springs. It felt longer than that of course, his nerves fraying every minute he got closer to Jared but further from Gen. All the landmarks he used to count when he drove out with his parents as a kid are shrouded in black from a moonless night. It’s not until he sees the bright light of the gas station on North Palm Canyon that he takes deeper breaths.
He just needs to get to Jared.
He still doesn’t know what he’s going to do about Chad. Ten minutes later he’s pulling up on the phone booth Jared said he was at. It’s empty.
He gets out of his car, leaning back in to honk the horn twice. Jared may have sat down somewhere off the street or something. Jensen waits five minutes and no one shows up. He can see the lights of the Stardust about five hundred yards down the road, so he gets back in the car and heads over.
Turning into the driveway and slowing under the giant neon sign proclaiming it The Famous Stardust Motel, there really is no truth in advertising, he doesn’t see anything out of the ordinary. It’s just a big V-shaped two floor building with a kidney shaped pool in the center. Jensen laughs to himself, it’s the jewel on the crown. There doesn’t appear to be many people vacationing at The Stardust, there are only about a dozen cars in the entire parking lot. But then again, most of the rooms here probably rent by the hour. He lets the car crawl towards the far side of the building watching for anything or anyone.
He sees the room number on the second floor, light from the stairwell glinting off the two zero two on the door. The lights aren’t on in the room but the door is open a crack. This could be a good or bad thing. Given the events of the last few days, Jensen knows that it’s probably the latter. He pulls around to the back side of the building and is pleased to see that there is a short alley that dumps you back out on the main road. Quick exit.
It’s quiet back here, nothing moving except for him. Having seen enough horror movies in his life he decides to leave the keys in the ignition and all the car doors unlocked. He looked up and could see the bathroom window and another darkened window at the back of the room. His pupils must have dilated because his eyes are acclimating to the dark surroundings. Checking around as he goes, he slowly climbs the stairs trying to hear for voices or any other strange noises, there’s neither.
He makes it to the top of the stairs unscathed. The light from the stairwell is behind him and if he steps into the vicinity of the door frame someone inside would see him right away. So he waits just on the other side of the wall for a few minutes, trying to listen harder for voices or movement in the room. It occurs to him then, that is someone, not Jared, is in the room waiting for it doesn’t really matter. He doesn’t have a gun or any kind of weapon and he hasn’t been in a hand to hand fight in years. So he’s screwed if it comes down it. At this point he just needs to rip the band aid and go in.
He steps in front of the door and nothing happens, so he slowly opens it about a foot, trying to see any bodies on the two double beds. It’s dark but there doesn’t seem to be anything or anyone. Quickly he throws the door open all the way pulling back just before it hits the wall with a bang. No one behind the door. He lets out a breath. The room is empty. But then again, not really. Chad is here.
He closes the door and makes sure the heavier curtains are totally closed before he turns on one of the table lamps on the nightstand. The room is untouched. The beds aren’t messed up, there is no clothing strewn about, even the complimentary cups and plastic ice bucket are still wrapped in plastic sitting on the low dresser. He takes a deep breath and moves to the back of the room, towards the bathroom.
Jensen counts to three and turns on the bathroom light. It’s bright and at first everything is wash out and spotty, like when you look directly in to the sin for a second then look at the things around you. It only takes a few seconds but when he can see he sees Chad. Slumped on the floor leaning over the toilet. He’s in board shorts, leather sandals and a black long sleeve tee. The standard Chad uniform. The only thing unusual, besides the obvious, is the one pushed up sleeve and syringe hanging from the crook of his arm.
“You didn’t deserve this either.” Jensen murmurs.
He turns the light off, flipping the switch with his elbow just as he had before.
Leaving the room just as he found it, he gets back into his car and gets back on the street. He only goes a few blocks before he pulls over. A hard chill runs through him and he shakes out the tension that he was holding onto back there. After a minute he calls Danneel. She tells where Tom lives. He tells her where Chad is. She cries a little but then says. “Go kill that mother fucker.”
It’s a little after three am but the party still seems to be in full swing. All the lights are on n the house and there is a steady thump of music emanating from closed up windows. He leaves the keys in the ignition again and crosses the street. There are people leaving as he walks up to the front door. None of them pay him any mind, so he turns the handle and sure enough the door opens. He lets himself in and makes his way through the crowd of maybe sixty people going room by room looking for Jared, Tom or Mike. He keeps his head down in case they spot him first. Some people are dancing in what should be the dining room and others are doing lines off a Noguchi coffee table in the living room. About a dozen people are on the patio and in the pool, smell of weed wafting in thru the patio doors.
It looks like any other party really. Until he checks the powder room, three people are in there and he can see spoons and baggies on the counter top. A skinny blonde haired girl is wrapping a piece of black rubber around a guy’s arm, he’s got a shaved head but doesn’t look much older than Jensen, another girl with jet black hair and heavy lidded kohl lined eyes that are glazed over is sitting on the toilet seat leaning back against the tank. Her sleeve is pulled back and there is a small red drop of blood in the crease of her elbow. Jensen steps back out into the hallway and just holds onto the door frame.
When he looks up Tom is standing at the end of the hall, dressed in a silk bathrobe of all things. His hair is greasy, skin sweaty looking; he’s smoking a cigarette and waving a cocktail in his other hand.
“Glad to see you finally made it Jenny.” He crows.
Jensen goes straight for Tom, his fists clenched and one raised ready to strike, but then two guys come up behind and hold Jensen off.
He tries to get loose of their grip and he notices the tattoo on one of the guys. A dragon tail across his neck. Motherfucker.
“So you come here just to get your boy or did you come here to have some fun?” Tom asks, his hand swinging around like he’s offering the place up like a Price is Right model.
“I just want Jared, asshole.” Jensen spits. “We’ll get you your money.”
“Oh, I know you will.” Tom smirks. Then he leans in like he’s about to tell a secret. “But now it’s double.”
“You’re fucking nuts. We can’t come up with that. Not in three days.” Jensen answers.
“A pity about Chad, he was such a good little soldier in the early days. But he’s retired and Jared now owes his share of the cut product and for breaking my trust.” Tom clutches the drink to his chest feigning hurt.
Jensen shakes his head. “I can’t get that; not that fast.”
“Then I guess Jared’s just gonna have to keep earning his way back in the hard way, literally.” Tom motions his head back towards the hallway and Jensen turns seeing a couple of guys standing by the door. “He’s such a good little bitch, Ackles, taking it like a man and probably loving every minute of it.” Tom sneers and laughs like it’s just the funniest thing ever.
Jensen runs towards the double doors of what must be the master bedroom.
Tom’s laughing voice chases him down the hall, “You didn’t think you were the only one did you, Jensen? That boy’s mouth was made for fucking.”
Rage, adrenalin and nausea are coursing through Jensen’s body all at once. He breaks through the door and into the room. There are several guys standing around watching, watching Jared on all fours on the bed. His face is sheet white, his lips are swollen, his eyes dark and he’s sweating. Mike Rosenbaum has his dick in Jared’s mouth while some other guy with blonde is behind Jared, fucking him like a jackhammer.
Mike looks towards Jensen and laughs. “Hey Ackles! Nice to see you, again.”
Jared pulls back and his eyes go wide. Fear, shame, and an apology wrestle across his face. Jensen’s eyes fill with tears but he’s in motion before a single tear is shed. He pulls Jared off the bed and gabs the pile of clothes at the foot of the bed. The blonde guy squawks and Mike moves to grab for them.
He hasn’t done it in years but the sense memory returns, powered by hate and fury he throws a punch straight at the face of the guy who raped Gen. Mike guy goes down before Jensen can even feel the pain radiating up his arm. The guy is on the floor and without a bit of hesitation, Jensen kicks him in the stomach, then once more in the balls for good measure.
Tom and his thugs are there now. Jensen spits at Mike, writhing on the floor, Tom is yelling at him and Jared, and just before Tom can land a blow to Jensen who is too focused on the squirming piece of shit at his feet, Jared swings his arm to cover Jensen and knocks Tom hard with his elbow. Blood gushes from Tom’s nose.
Jared is comes up behind Jensen, his pants open but over his hips, his shirt hanging from one arm. It all takes a matter of seconds and they are stumbling down the hall trying to get Jared’s clothes on while getting out. Through the noise and the chaos they can hear Mike coming down the hall after them.
Jensen trips and falls to his knees but then Jared pulls him up, they stumble and run out the front door, careening towards the car and they take off. Jared has his head down and trying to get his shirt all the way on when Jensen reaches out to grab his hand. Jensen’s heart is beating out of his chest but he wants to make sure Jared is ok. Or at least as ok as he can be, nothing broken or bleeding. Jared won’t look at him though.
They are about twenty minutes down the highway, before Jensen lets up on the gas pedal. No one seems to be behind them. Adrenalin and fear is making its way out of Jensen’s body. The sky is turning a milky gray, dawn not too far off. There is a service station with all their lights on just ahead and Jensen makes to pull in. There are no people in sight and the sign on the cashier’s window reads “Closed”.
Jensen parks and gets out of the car. His hand is swollen and knuckles split. He rakes his uninjured hand thru his hair and turns to look at Jared. He hunched over and looks so small, which is almost funny considering he’s been taller than Jensen for years now. But his shaggy brown hair hangs in his eyes and he looks likes his five year old self, pouting.
Jensen walks over to the other side of the car and opens the door. He crouches down to look at Jared. His eyes are black from lack of sleep and too many drugs, the corners of his mouth are crusted and his nose is dripping.
“Jared, Jared it’s ok. I got you” Jensen tries to push his hair off his face and tilt his chin up.
Jared finally looks up, dark eyes rimmed red and he’s crying. Those eyes Jensen fell in love with. The kaleidoscope of green, brown, and blue are darkened, the light behind them gone. “I’m sorry Jen.”
Jensen reaches into the back seat and grabs a clean shirt from his duffle. He wipes away the tears, and smudges, cleans at Jared’s nose and mouth and leans in to kiss his forehead.
“Makes it heal quicker.” Jared gives a small smile at that. “We’ll figure it out.”
They sit there for a few minutes, neither saying a thing, just clutching each other as much as they can in their awkward position.
They get back on the road; the sun is just starting to rise at their backs. Jensen keeps reassuring himself in his head, they’ll figure it out.
Just then Jared starts coughing and shaking, he starts to throw up white gunk that Jensen isn’t about to question and sweating harder than he was before. Jensen pulls over and tries to turn him facing out the door.
“Jared, Jared…no. Jared?” Jared is shaking so hard he’s almost convulsing.
Jensen can’t even believe it; he’s at the hospital again.
The paramedics were able to stabilize Jared and get him to a local hospital. Tom had dosed him, just as he had Chad, but with Jared as big as he is, he was able to get through it, just barely, but he’s alive and that’s all that matters right now.
Jensen isn’t alone this time; Gen is sitting next to him in the small desert hospital.
Megan and Mackenzie are sleeping curled up with each other on a sofa in the corner of the waiting room. Donna and Alan stepped out to get everyone some coffee and food. There’s no fancy coffee or state of the art luxury facility here to accommodate them. The hospital serving it’s only real purpose, to heal, and for that, they are all grateful.
Gerry and Sherry are in a small conference room down the hall, talking with Jared’s doctors and a Substance Abuse Counselor.
Over the next few days, Jared is released from the hospital. He stays with his folks who decide, with Jensen’s parents and Gen’s, that they would forgo their annual trip to Monaco to stay home and reacquaint themselves with their children.
A small service is held on the beach for Chad, they all attend and after, Jared is driven to rehab.
Tom’s place in the desert was raided and him and Mike were arrested for drug trafficking and Chad’s murder. Genevieve identified Mike as the person who attacked her and with the evidence from the rape kit, that charge was added to the others.
A week later Jensen goes back to New York, Genevieve goes with him.
It’s a little over a month later when he gets the call. It’s Jared. He’s says he’s doing well and has earned enough good behavior merits to get one ten minute phone call. Jensen puts the phone on speaker so Gen can hear him and talk to him too. He starts by apologizing, it’s part of the steps, but he means it, and Jensen knows it’s real this time. He can’t apologize enough to Gen and swears he’s going to make it up to her. They talk for a couple of minutes before Jared asks to speak to Jensen privately. He doesn’t have much phone time left so he just says what he needs to say.
“I know you don’t believe me, not right now. But I’m hoping, if I work hard enough I can make this all up to you. I’m hope one day you’ll be able to forgive me, trust me…and maybe even love me again?” Jared waits but Jensen is silent. “I was a mess, I know, but I meant what I said before Jensen. When I told you I was in love with you. I meant it. I am in love with you, have been my whole life.”
Given the events of the last few months, of the last few years, Jensen doesn’t know how to respond to that. . He can and will be there for Jared as his best friend, because that won’t ever change, he won’t let it. But Jared has a long road ahead of him and Jensen won’t be able to take the heartbreak again if this trip to rehab doesn’t stick. He’s got to protect his heart, especially where Jared’s concerned.
“How about I…we, pick you up when they cut you loose?” It’s the best he can do right now.
“Yeah, yeah, that would be great.” There’s a small layer of disappointment under the words, but Jared accepts it. “You two take care of each other, okay? See you soon.”
“You too Jay, see ya soon. Love you.” Jensen hangs up and rubs his eyes to keep the tears at bay.
Gen snorts right then. “Ewe, gross love stuff.” She says, giving a fake shudder. Then her face softens and she looks him in the eyes. “He’s still alive Jensen. I don’t want to be the sappy romantic here, but that’s gotta mean something, right?”
He always knew she was the strongest of all of them.
The late summer sun is settling down for the night, offering its last rays to the vast expanse of untouched land spread out in front of him, as Jensen is coming through the screen door with three beers in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. He hands the water to Genevieve, leaves one of the sweating bottles at the top of the porch stairs and hands another to Jared who is sitting on a wood rocking bench he made. Jensen sits next to him and they clink their bottles together at the neck and all three take long pulls from their drinks.
It’s been another long day, a good day.
Genevieve drew up several design options for their newest client and Jared spent the day putting the final touches on a piece for another. Jensen spent his signing the last of way too many documents for a business loan that will help them buy some new pieces of equipment for the place and finish building out the workshop for Jared, maybe even hire another hand or two.
They are making furniture, together.
Jensen finished school early with a business degree, so it was fitting that he’d run it and the ranch. Gen’s skills found a home and one of the things Jared had done while he was in rehab was woodworking. It was calming and at the same time exciting for him. He had a natural talent and loved working with his hands. It was so crazy how it all came together, after everything that had happened a little over a year ago, perfect.
None of them had seen it coming, and why would they?
Who leaves California?
They did.
After Jared left rehab, they decided they should go on a road trip together, just the three of them. Help each other heal their wounds. They were going to have an adventure, no plans, just get in the car and drive. But when the road got them to Las Cruces, they figured, the New Mexico-Texas borderline wasn’t far off so they may as well go all the way to Dallas. Jared wanted to see if the big slide was still there. So did Jensen.
The park was still there, but their big slide had been replaced with a newer model. Still, Gen insisted she take a picture of them together on it. Despite the questioning looks from the adults and the annoyed looks from the children around the playground, they managed to get up the slide and into their old seated positions. Both men being over six feet tall, it was a feat. They had their legs dangling over the side of the railing, Jared leaning back against Jensen’s chest, one of Jensen’s arms circle Jared’s waist, just as it was back then. I didn’t matter though once they settled and Gen snapped several pictures; their smiles and the faces they made at each other spoke volumes of what really mattered.
They stayed in Dallas for an extra day, checking out all their old stomping grounds, even driving by the Ackles first house. It was great, and for the boys, just what the doctor ordered.
When they started to head home they drove south towards San Antonio and stopped for lunch just north of Austin. It was gorgeous country, hilly, richly green, and still very much Texas. Not at all like the desert scrub brush and high plains they had envisioned as kids; dreaming about being cowboys.
As they ate sandwiches on a bench just outside of a small roadhouse, Gen spotted a handmade advertisement for a ranch for sale. Out of curiosity they drove out and looked at the place, it was empty but for a few buildings on the land; a single story ranch house with a wrap-around porch, a barn in need of attention and a small stable. The ad said it sat on a little over fifty acres of land. It was kind of cool and had some great views. They got back on the road and headed back to California. Gen held on to the ad.
A few short months later they were home, in Texas.
They fixed up the house and turned the barn into a workshop. Gen was able to get a few horses and a pony she helped train in the coral they built off the back end of the stable. She and Jared would ride together every morning, looping the perimeter of their land, while Jensen would cook up breakfast and read the paper, drink his coffee and wait for them to get back.
They had spent a small fortune at the Tack and Feed in town and that’s where they met Matt. He had worked there since he was kid and spent a few weeks helping them outfit the stables. It didn’t take long for him to take a liking to Gen of course. He’d come around in the afternoon, after his shift, and help her groom the horses and rake hay into the stalls. It took her a little longer to return the feelings, but she did.
It wasn’t long after that that Gen insisted they build another house for her. After much teasing about her liking a boy and wanting alone time, they all agreed it was a good idea; she should have a place of her own. Gen casually shot back that it was really to keep from having to deal with all the noise Jensen and Jared made with their crazy monkey lovin’ that had kept her up more nights than she wanted to admit. After that pronouncement Jared and Jensen made sure the place was extra nice. It was smaller, more of a cottage, but she loved it. Most meals and tv watching was done in ‘the big house’ so was perfect her…and eventually Matt.
They’re drinking their beers, and water, just taking in another picture perfect sunset. Matt’s across the yard giving a piece of cut apple to Denmark, Gen’s new mare.
“That’s a good looking animal.” Jared offers.
“Sure is.” Gen agrees. “He even rubs my feet at night.”
Jensen groans, then they all laugh, Matt turns around and waves back at them, none the wiser, but fully aware of how they talk with each other.
“Hey Jen, do you think you can get me another box of tracing paper tomorrow when you go into town?” She asks, leaning back into the rocking chair Jared made for her a few months ago when they found out she wasn’t just eating too much red meat, and settles her hand over her rounded belly.
“Sure thing.” He replies.
“Thanks, Chief.”
Matt is heading towards them and when he gets to stairs he bends to grab the beer waiting for him. “So what’s on the menu for tonight?” He asks, taking a drink and coming to stand between Gen’s legs.
She squeezes them together trapping him as he bends down to kiss her and place a hand over hers. “I vote for pizza.” She offers.
“Better get two, I feel like I could eat a horse.” Jared chimes in.
“Hey!” Gen points her finger at him.
“Sorry, sorry. I could eat an animal not living on our land.” He gives her. “Better?”
“Better.” She says as Matt helps pull her to her feet. “But I get to pick the movie tonight.”
“Says who?” Jared chides.
“Says the pregnant woman who will pee all over your damn boots if you don’t let her pick the movie tonight!” She huffs, but there’s a giant smile there too.
“You’re vicious.” Jared winks at her.
Jared gets up and pulls Jensen up the same way and the four of them head in to the house.
Jensen pulls Jared back, looping a finger in the waist of his jeans.
“Wanna drive into town with me tomorrow?” Jensen asks, head tilting up and rising on his toes a bit to kiss Jared under his chin.
“Depends, you haven’t taught me about road head yet.” Jared teases.
Jensen looks at him and rolls his eyes, then goes back to kissing Jared’s neck as he Jared chuckles.
Jared bends his head to give Jensen a soft warm kiss and smiles against his lips. “I’ll do anything you want, Jen.”
Jensen smiles, kisses him back and winks. “You’re driving.”
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