I Fought The Law, Part 2
So, I'm a bit behind on the flist, because I basically suck. But, I do have more of this western to post, sand I figured I'd go for it. Also, I was gonna wait until this was finished to post it to comms, but what the hell? I think I'm just gonna go ahead and do it. So, sorry I've been MIA, and, uh...enjoy! :)
Title: I Fought The Law
Fandom: RPS
Characters: Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki
Prompt: 063. Summer.
fanfic100 table: here
Word Count: 22,324
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Language and hardcore smexing, both het and slash.
Summary: Jensen Ackles feels trapped in Richardson, Texas, living according to others' expectations and doing his best to abide by the law. He longs for more excitement in his life, and turns to tracking down outlaws, earning himself a badge and a good reputation. But the men he captures seem more alive than he could ever be, and when the infamous Jared makes himself known in Richardson, Jensen makes a decision that changes his life forever.
Disclaimer: Not only do I not even know them, but this is an AU...clearly not trufax.
Author's Notes: tishawyman wanted a historical AU. Jensen's character is based slightly on Burton Alvord. You gotta love Google. And I kind of love Christian Kane.
Part 1
Jared rode deliberately slowly, something within him hoping like hell that Jensen would come to his senses and follow him. If the handsome failed deputy had managed to get under his skin three years ago, that was nothing compared to now. Seeing him again, learning his name, and hearing of his newfound freedom piqued Jared’s interest even more, and, while he didn’t subscribe to rules or leave his life to fate, he couldn’t help but feel that there was something more here. What were the chances of Jared coming back to find Jensen at such a time, when he had no more ties to the law and nothing left to hold him back in Richardson? What had made him feel so compelled to look for him now, after three years had passed?
The spark of joy and heat that flooded his body when he looked back to see Jensen mounting his horse almost took him by surprise. The ex-deputy was a picture of strength, grace, beauty, and power all rolled into one. Jared quelled his desire quickly, continuously glancing behind him to watch as Jensen beckoned to another man on the ground; the same one he’d seem him standing beside in the saloon. The man shook his head, but, at Jensen’s insistence, untied his own horse and mounted it, the two of them riding up to meet Jared. Jared fought against the spike of jealousy he suddenly felt rising within him. It wasn’t as if Jensen had ever been his. Still, if fate existed, Jared was sure it’d brought him and Jensen together for a reason.
“Hey,” Jensen called out, trotting up beside him and nodding back towards the man following him. “Think we got room for one more? Neither of us really belongs here.”
“Who is he?” Jared asked, casting another glance back at the man, who smiled and tipped his hat at him.
“Outlaw,” Jensen said, smiling a bit, and Jared couldn’t help but grin back at him, the enthusiasm in Jensen’s eyes too damn infectious to ignore. “Friend I made in my time as a deputy. One of the reasons I lost my badge. Figured I’d ask if he could come along, seeing as how I owe him for such a priceless gift.”
“Well, alright, then,” Jared said, beckoning the outlaw forward. He rode up on the opposite side of Jared and nodded, extending his hand.
“Happy to join you. Name’s Christian Kane.”
“Jared,” he said, shaking Christian’s hand. “Welcome to the gang.” He straightened up on his horse, looking forward, doing his best to appear calm and collected. “Either of you have anybody you wanna say goodbye to?”
“I don’t have family here,” Christian said, shaking his head. “But Jensen…”
“No,” Jensen cut him off quickly, and Jared saw him go stiff out of the corner of his eye. “No, I’m ready to leave. Let’s get the hell outta here.”
“Okay.” Jared gently prodded his horse, picking up the pace, Jensen and Christian following suit. “We’re headed to Fort Worth. It’s about a day’s ride. Seein’ as how the day’s half over already, we’ll have to get as far as we can before stoppin’ for the night.” He looked to both men and saw them nod their agreement. “Let’s go.”
****
The ride was uneventful, with very few words spoken between the three men, Jared leading the way. Jensen caught Jared glancing back at him enough times to make his stomach flutter with something he couldn’t identify, but he did his best to ignore it, riding through the heat and focusing his attention on getting to their destination. It wasn’t until the sky began to darken over the wilderness they found themselves in that Jared finally spoke, halting them and pointing them towards a fairly sheltered area among the trees. They settled themselves with a fire and very few provisions to hold them over until the next day.
Jensen knew that he should sleep, but he sat in front of the fire instead, wide awake, Jared beside him. He could feel tension between them, things left unsaid, and things yet to be discovered. He didn’t regret bringing Christian along, but he couldn’t suppress his sigh of relief when he saw that Christian had fallen asleep on the ground beside him.
“You’ve been wanting this for a while, haven’t you?” Jared asked quietly, checking Christian’s still form, as if he’d also been waiting for a chance to speak with Jensen in private.
“Yeah,” Jensen whispered back, swallowing audibly. He felt nervous, though he wasn’t sure why. “Yeah, up ‘til now, I haven’t really felt like I’ve been living, you know?”
“What about your family?”
The question was unexpected and private, and Jensen waited a few moments before answering, unable to find the words. He was staring into the fire, but he could feel Jared’s eyes on him, following the lines of his body and reading his reply in its stiffened form. He supposed men like Jared and Christian had learned long ago to read people in different ways. It could only help them in times of trouble. When Jensen finally spoke, it was mechanically; a short, clipped statement that reminded him of unpleasant things: pressure, expectations, and disgust.
“My daddy was killed by outlaws.”
“I’m sorry,” Jared said, his tone sincere though not surprised, and Jensen wondered just how much of his thoughts, his past, could be seen in his body language.
“He was a lawman,” Jensen continued, speaking if only for the sake of Jared’s attention. “A judge, actually. I was supposed to be, too, but...as you can see, it didn’t really work out.”
There was a brief pause, and Jensen remained focused on the flames in front of him, the searing yellows and oranges that he despised for their heat during the day, yet craved at night. He could feel his stomach twisting, and wondered if he’d managed to offend the man he’d seen as his salvation. But Jared’s soft voice put his fears to rest, gentle and understanding.
“I’ve never killed anyone,” Jared said, and Jensen caught him leaning forward out of the corner of his eye, hugging his knees to his chest. “I have weapons, and I shoot ‘em, but it’s mostly for the fear. And the respect. People respect you when you have the power to kill. It’s when you actually do kill that they start to hate you.”
“I’ve heard some talk,” Jensen said, finally turning to look at Jared. Light danced across Jared’s face, his eyes glinting as they stared into the fire, long locks of hair falling into them. “I’ve heard some talk about you killin’ people.”
“And you ain’t scared?” Jared teased, turning to him and smirking. Jensen grinned back, shaking his head, and Jared looked back to the flames and shrugged. “That’s because it’s only talk. Nobody’s ever seen it, nobody’s ever proven anything. But people see the crimes I commit, and how much I can take with just three men, and they turn me into a monster.” He shrugged again. “I’m not sayin’ it ain’t worked well for me, because it has. This reputation might put a high price on my head and make people hungry to put me behind bars, but it also gets me the respect I need from my own. And it brings me people like you.”
Jensen felt that flutter in his stomach again, his eyes focused on the man who now seemed so young and vulnerable in the firelight. He chuckled nervously, the sound slightly louder than the crackling of the lit wood.
“What’s so great about me? You don’t even know me, Jared.”
Hazel eyes focused on him in the dark with a certainty that almost made Jensen flinch. He thought then of the way Christian and Jared seemed to know his innermost thoughts, and knew that what he’d said was wrong. Jared’s gaze was steady, his tone strong and sure.
“Yes, I do.”
1889 - One Day Later - Fort Worth, Texas
“This is my kinda town!”
Jared chuckled at Christian’s enthusiasm, feeling more at ease himself as they rode into an area that was all too familiar to him. He looked back at Jensen, saw his eyes widening and his lips turning up into a grin. Jensen would learn to live soon enough. Outlaws were welcome here, saloons and bordellos prominent among the buildings housing criminals and the self-indulgent. When Jared had found this place, he’d realized that Heaven wasn’t some otherworldly place that you prayed to get into. It was right there in Texas.
“This here is Hell’s Half Acre, gentlemen,” Jared said, spotting a familiar sign and coming to a halt, dismounting his horse. “And this is where we’re staying. For now, anyway.” Jensen jumped down beside him, laughing.
“If only my folks could see me now. ‘Bout to head right into a whorehouse.”
“If they had any sense, they’d be proud,” Christian said, resting a hand on his shoulder.
“Come on,” Jared laughed, nodding towards the entrance. “I’ll introduce you to the guys.”
The swarm of women that flocked to Jensen the moment he stepped inside didn’t surprise Jared. He couldn’t blame them for fawning all over him, breasts spilling out of their barely laced corsets as they teased and touched and caressed, each one offering him even more for even less. Jared felt a tightening in his groin as he watched Jensen lick his lips nervously, full and wet. He felt his temperature rising, feeling somewhat victorious when he saw how uncomfortable Jensen was, attempting to politely push the women away so that he could follow Jared. They pouted almost comically, turning to Christian as Jensen declined their advances.
“Ladies,” Christian said, winking, a busty blonde wrapping herself around him almost instantly. Jensen quirked an eyebrow and stopped to watch, flashing a quick smile to Jared, and Jared couldn’t help but be just as amused at the situation.
“Oh, sweetie, I can make you come so hard,” the woman cooed, rubbing against him and licking the shell of his ear. “And it’ll only cost a little. So worth the money.”
“Really?” Christian grabbed her and pulled her even closer, grinding against her. She gasped and arched, and his lips fell to the stretch of throat she offered to him, whispering against her skin. “You wanna hold that thought, baby, and we’ll take this upstairs later?”
“Anything for a guest,” she whispered back, voice throaty and eyes half-lidded. She peeled herself away from Christian and walked away, and Christian grinned as he rejoined them, noticeably hard.
“I thought you preferred men?” Jensen asked quietly, and Jared straightened, looking to Jensen for any sign of what he might prefer.
“Course I do,” Christian replied, laughing and grabbing at his crotch. “But I’ll take what I can get!”
Jensen rolled his eyes and nodded to Jared to lead them on. Jared was already known in these parts, the women familiar with him and his gang. They knew the others were there and that he was there to see them. And, based on his reputation and his patronage, he could enter and move about the place as he pleased. He led Jensen and Christian up the stairs and down a hallway, past rooms occupied by the women and their customers, some with the doors still open, the couples unashamed. The smells and sounds of sex filled the air in the darkened building, the sun shut out for the most part. He stopped where the hallway turned, entering the room in the corner, Jensen and Christian following him inside.
The room was a bit larger, more like a lounge, though Chad and Jeff were the only people in it at that moment, both sitting quietly at a table, cards and cigars haphazardly tossed onto it. Jeff stood as soon as he looked up and saw his brother, his expression showing relief and gratitude for his return, and Jared smiled back at him.
“Jak się masz?” Jared asked, ignoring the questioning look Jensen gave him. He’d explain himself later. Jeff merely nodded in response, his expression clouding over when he spotted Jensen and Christian.
“What the fuck is this?!” Chad demanded angrily, his eyes narrowing and his face going red. He jumped up from his spot at the table and marched over to them, glaring at Jensen. “It’s about damn time you came back, Jared, but you brought this deputy filth with you?” He pointed to Christian. “And who the hell is this?”
“Relax, Chad,” Jared said, grimacing and stepping between him and Jensen. “Jensen let us go, remember? Besides, he’s not a deputy anymore. And Christian’s one of us.”
“No, no, no,” Chad said, shaking his head. “There are three of us, Jared. Always has been, always will. We always said this was it.” He pushed past Jared to get to Jensen, grabbing him by the collar. “You can leave now.”
“HEY!” Jared shouted, pulling Chad off of Jensen as quickly as possible. He didn’t miss the glint in Jensen’s eye, the fierceness in his stance. Chad could be a hothead, and Jared was willing to bet he was underestimating Jensen’s ability to throttle him. But Jared could see it. Jensen had so much energy and potential, it was almost scary. And Christian didn’t seem much different. “That’s enough, Chad!” Jared stood at his full height, looking down at his friend, muscles tense. “Who’s the leader here, huh?” He didn’t normally use his strength or his abilities against his gang, but there were times when he had to with Chad. It was the only way to keep him in line.
“You are,” Chad said, voice still low and angry. He backed off slowly, sitting back down at the table. “You are. And God help us.” Jared ignored the insult, looking to his brother and seeing a questioning fear there. He relaxed, softening his expression, and held up a hand, nodding.
“I do apologize for Chad’s behavior,” Jared said, slightly bitter. “But I hope you won’t take it personally. Chad doesn’t like strangers much.”
“Well, then,” Christian started, eyes fixed on Chad as he moved towards the table, pulling a chair out and sitting directly across from him, “Guess he’ll just have to get used to us, won’t he?” Jared watched, smirking a bit as Chad deflated and slunk down a bit in his chair. Christian smiled. “Name’s Christian. Jared kindly invited us here, and we ain’t the type to refuse an invitation. You try to throw me or Jensen outta here again, and we’ll tear off your sack and feed it to the dogs, you hear?” Chad nodded silently, and Christian’s smile grew wider. “Good.” He extended his hand across the table. “It’s nice to meet you, Chad.”
Jared stifled a laugh and leaned towards Jensen, speaking quietly as Chad hesitantly took Christian’s hand and shook it.
“Is he always like this?”
“Yeah,” Jensen said, laughing and nodding. “Yeah, pretty much.”
“Christian,” Christian said, simply stating his name as he turned to Jeff and held out his hand. Jared stepped closer, nodding to Jeff when he looked to him for approval.
“Jeff.”
****
Jensen sat in the lounge with Jared, feeling warm and satisfied, a steady supply of scotch to keep him happy. It felt better already, to be away from home and the feelings that came with it. Christian had run off long ago, undoubtedly one of the men moaning in one of the bedrooms out in the hallway, Chad indulging in the same pleasures. Jeff was already asleep on a couch by the far wall, and Jensen looked to him curiously, Jared following his gaze.
“He’s my brother,” Jared said, turning back to him. “He’s older, but, uh...I kinda take care of things, you know?” Jensen nodded slowly, his brain a bit muddled with alcohol.
“He doesn’t speak much English, does he?”
“No.” Jared shook his head, leaning back in his chair and sighing. “No, he does not.” Jensen waited for a moment before speaking again, and Jared answered his next question before he could even ask it. “Polish,” he said. “He speaks Polish.” He laughed, but the sound only made Jensen cringe. “You think people’d wanna string us up even more if they knew we weren’t even American?” Jensen remained silent, unsure of how to respond, Jared picking up the conversation again moments later. “You could say I am. I was born here. Jeff wasn’t. My family...We were new here.”
“What happened to them?” Jensen asked, wondering if he wanted to know the answer when he saw the sadness in Jared’s eyes. Jared contemplated his drink for a moment, swallowing it down before continuing.
“They came here, to Panna Maria. My mama was pregnant with me. She died givin’ birth to me.” Jared sighed again, long and heavy this time, smiling without humor, and Jensen wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch him. “My daddy blamed me for it. He hated me. Did from the start. But I still knew it was wrong. I left as soon as I could.”
“How old were you?” Jensen asked, suddenly realizing that the life Jensen saw as exciting had started off as a terrifying game of survival for Jared.
“I was young,” Jared said, staring off into space. “Just a kid, really. But old enough to know I had to get out.” He turned and focused glazed eyes on his brother. “Jeff wouldn’t let me go alone. He left with me. He didn’t have to. Daddy didn’t have any problem with him. But he left. I was young, been in school, learnin’ some English. But Jeff was put to work soon as we got here, tryin’ to make us a living. He left with me, and he didn’t even know...Couldn’t even really communicate with people, you know?”
“So you protect him,” Jensen said, his heart going out to Jared when he caught his gaze, sad and lonely.
“Yeah.” Jared nodded. “Yeah. I owe him that much. He gave up his life for me. We were out, runnin’ away, had to get by stealin’ and doin’ whatever we could. And now I got him caught up in all this. I just gotta keep him safe.”
“And Chad?” Jensen asked. “Where’s Chad in all this?”
“Oh, Chad.” Jared really laughed then, and Jensen smiled, the mood growing lighter. “Chad’s just some asshole that kept showin’ up everywhere we went. Had to keep splittin’ our take with him, so we finally just decided to make ourselves a trio.”
“You’ve sure come a long way,” Jensen laughed. “Literally, too. Panna Maria’s at least two weeks’ ride from here. Not bad for a scrappy little kid.”
“Not bad at all,” Jared said, winking.
“Tell me somethin’,” Jensen said, leaning back in his chair. “You got a last name, then?”
“Padalecki,” Jared answered, eyes dancing in the candlelight. “Course an American outlaw doesn’t go by a Polish name, now, does he? Not like I wanna carry on my daddy’s name, anyway. And our actual first names?” He indicated himself and Jeff. “Shit you probably couldn’t even pronounce. What about you? You got a last name?”
“Ackles,” Jensen said, grinning and extending his hand as if they’d just met. “Jensen Ackles.”
Jared leaned over the table and took his hand, not shaking it, but holding it, squeezing gently. Jensen faltered a bit but squeezed back, Jared’s physical touch warming him even more than the alcohol he’d consumed.
“Well, Mr. Ackles,” Jared said, smiling softly at him, “Seems like we learn somethin’ new about each other every day.”
Part 3
Title: I Fought The Law
Fandom: RPS
Characters: Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki
Prompt: 063. Summer.
fanfic100 table: here
Word Count: 22,324
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Language and hardcore smexing, both het and slash.
Summary: Jensen Ackles feels trapped in Richardson, Texas, living according to others' expectations and doing his best to abide by the law. He longs for more excitement in his life, and turns to tracking down outlaws, earning himself a badge and a good reputation. But the men he captures seem more alive than he could ever be, and when the infamous Jared makes himself known in Richardson, Jensen makes a decision that changes his life forever.
Disclaimer: Not only do I not even know them, but this is an AU...clearly not trufax.
Author's Notes: tishawyman wanted a historical AU. Jensen's character is based slightly on Burton Alvord. You gotta love Google. And I kind of love Christian Kane.
Part 1
Jared rode deliberately slowly, something within him hoping like hell that Jensen would come to his senses and follow him. If the handsome failed deputy had managed to get under his skin three years ago, that was nothing compared to now. Seeing him again, learning his name, and hearing of his newfound freedom piqued Jared’s interest even more, and, while he didn’t subscribe to rules or leave his life to fate, he couldn’t help but feel that there was something more here. What were the chances of Jared coming back to find Jensen at such a time, when he had no more ties to the law and nothing left to hold him back in Richardson? What had made him feel so compelled to look for him now, after three years had passed?
The spark of joy and heat that flooded his body when he looked back to see Jensen mounting his horse almost took him by surprise. The ex-deputy was a picture of strength, grace, beauty, and power all rolled into one. Jared quelled his desire quickly, continuously glancing behind him to watch as Jensen beckoned to another man on the ground; the same one he’d seem him standing beside in the saloon. The man shook his head, but, at Jensen’s insistence, untied his own horse and mounted it, the two of them riding up to meet Jared. Jared fought against the spike of jealousy he suddenly felt rising within him. It wasn’t as if Jensen had ever been his. Still, if fate existed, Jared was sure it’d brought him and Jensen together for a reason.
“Hey,” Jensen called out, trotting up beside him and nodding back towards the man following him. “Think we got room for one more? Neither of us really belongs here.”
“Who is he?” Jared asked, casting another glance back at the man, who smiled and tipped his hat at him.
“Outlaw,” Jensen said, smiling a bit, and Jared couldn’t help but grin back at him, the enthusiasm in Jensen’s eyes too damn infectious to ignore. “Friend I made in my time as a deputy. One of the reasons I lost my badge. Figured I’d ask if he could come along, seeing as how I owe him for such a priceless gift.”
“Well, alright, then,” Jared said, beckoning the outlaw forward. He rode up on the opposite side of Jared and nodded, extending his hand.
“Happy to join you. Name’s Christian Kane.”
“Jared,” he said, shaking Christian’s hand. “Welcome to the gang.” He straightened up on his horse, looking forward, doing his best to appear calm and collected. “Either of you have anybody you wanna say goodbye to?”
“I don’t have family here,” Christian said, shaking his head. “But Jensen…”
“No,” Jensen cut him off quickly, and Jared saw him go stiff out of the corner of his eye. “No, I’m ready to leave. Let’s get the hell outta here.”
“Okay.” Jared gently prodded his horse, picking up the pace, Jensen and Christian following suit. “We’re headed to Fort Worth. It’s about a day’s ride. Seein’ as how the day’s half over already, we’ll have to get as far as we can before stoppin’ for the night.” He looked to both men and saw them nod their agreement. “Let’s go.”
****
The ride was uneventful, with very few words spoken between the three men, Jared leading the way. Jensen caught Jared glancing back at him enough times to make his stomach flutter with something he couldn’t identify, but he did his best to ignore it, riding through the heat and focusing his attention on getting to their destination. It wasn’t until the sky began to darken over the wilderness they found themselves in that Jared finally spoke, halting them and pointing them towards a fairly sheltered area among the trees. They settled themselves with a fire and very few provisions to hold them over until the next day.
Jensen knew that he should sleep, but he sat in front of the fire instead, wide awake, Jared beside him. He could feel tension between them, things left unsaid, and things yet to be discovered. He didn’t regret bringing Christian along, but he couldn’t suppress his sigh of relief when he saw that Christian had fallen asleep on the ground beside him.
“You’ve been wanting this for a while, haven’t you?” Jared asked quietly, checking Christian’s still form, as if he’d also been waiting for a chance to speak with Jensen in private.
“Yeah,” Jensen whispered back, swallowing audibly. He felt nervous, though he wasn’t sure why. “Yeah, up ‘til now, I haven’t really felt like I’ve been living, you know?”
“What about your family?”
The question was unexpected and private, and Jensen waited a few moments before answering, unable to find the words. He was staring into the fire, but he could feel Jared’s eyes on him, following the lines of his body and reading his reply in its stiffened form. He supposed men like Jared and Christian had learned long ago to read people in different ways. It could only help them in times of trouble. When Jensen finally spoke, it was mechanically; a short, clipped statement that reminded him of unpleasant things: pressure, expectations, and disgust.
“My daddy was killed by outlaws.”
“I’m sorry,” Jared said, his tone sincere though not surprised, and Jensen wondered just how much of his thoughts, his past, could be seen in his body language.
“He was a lawman,” Jensen continued, speaking if only for the sake of Jared’s attention. “A judge, actually. I was supposed to be, too, but...as you can see, it didn’t really work out.”
There was a brief pause, and Jensen remained focused on the flames in front of him, the searing yellows and oranges that he despised for their heat during the day, yet craved at night. He could feel his stomach twisting, and wondered if he’d managed to offend the man he’d seen as his salvation. But Jared’s soft voice put his fears to rest, gentle and understanding.
“I’ve never killed anyone,” Jared said, and Jensen caught him leaning forward out of the corner of his eye, hugging his knees to his chest. “I have weapons, and I shoot ‘em, but it’s mostly for the fear. And the respect. People respect you when you have the power to kill. It’s when you actually do kill that they start to hate you.”
“I’ve heard some talk,” Jensen said, finally turning to look at Jared. Light danced across Jared’s face, his eyes glinting as they stared into the fire, long locks of hair falling into them. “I’ve heard some talk about you killin’ people.”
“And you ain’t scared?” Jared teased, turning to him and smirking. Jensen grinned back, shaking his head, and Jared looked back to the flames and shrugged. “That’s because it’s only talk. Nobody’s ever seen it, nobody’s ever proven anything. But people see the crimes I commit, and how much I can take with just three men, and they turn me into a monster.” He shrugged again. “I’m not sayin’ it ain’t worked well for me, because it has. This reputation might put a high price on my head and make people hungry to put me behind bars, but it also gets me the respect I need from my own. And it brings me people like you.”
Jensen felt that flutter in his stomach again, his eyes focused on the man who now seemed so young and vulnerable in the firelight. He chuckled nervously, the sound slightly louder than the crackling of the lit wood.
“What’s so great about me? You don’t even know me, Jared.”
Hazel eyes focused on him in the dark with a certainty that almost made Jensen flinch. He thought then of the way Christian and Jared seemed to know his innermost thoughts, and knew that what he’d said was wrong. Jared’s gaze was steady, his tone strong and sure.
“Yes, I do.”
1889 - One Day Later - Fort Worth, Texas
“This is my kinda town!”
Jared chuckled at Christian’s enthusiasm, feeling more at ease himself as they rode into an area that was all too familiar to him. He looked back at Jensen, saw his eyes widening and his lips turning up into a grin. Jensen would learn to live soon enough. Outlaws were welcome here, saloons and bordellos prominent among the buildings housing criminals and the self-indulgent. When Jared had found this place, he’d realized that Heaven wasn’t some otherworldly place that you prayed to get into. It was right there in Texas.
“This here is Hell’s Half Acre, gentlemen,” Jared said, spotting a familiar sign and coming to a halt, dismounting his horse. “And this is where we’re staying. For now, anyway.” Jensen jumped down beside him, laughing.
“If only my folks could see me now. ‘Bout to head right into a whorehouse.”
“If they had any sense, they’d be proud,” Christian said, resting a hand on his shoulder.
“Come on,” Jared laughed, nodding towards the entrance. “I’ll introduce you to the guys.”
The swarm of women that flocked to Jensen the moment he stepped inside didn’t surprise Jared. He couldn’t blame them for fawning all over him, breasts spilling out of their barely laced corsets as they teased and touched and caressed, each one offering him even more for even less. Jared felt a tightening in his groin as he watched Jensen lick his lips nervously, full and wet. He felt his temperature rising, feeling somewhat victorious when he saw how uncomfortable Jensen was, attempting to politely push the women away so that he could follow Jared. They pouted almost comically, turning to Christian as Jensen declined their advances.
“Ladies,” Christian said, winking, a busty blonde wrapping herself around him almost instantly. Jensen quirked an eyebrow and stopped to watch, flashing a quick smile to Jared, and Jared couldn’t help but be just as amused at the situation.
“Oh, sweetie, I can make you come so hard,” the woman cooed, rubbing against him and licking the shell of his ear. “And it’ll only cost a little. So worth the money.”
“Really?” Christian grabbed her and pulled her even closer, grinding against her. She gasped and arched, and his lips fell to the stretch of throat she offered to him, whispering against her skin. “You wanna hold that thought, baby, and we’ll take this upstairs later?”
“Anything for a guest,” she whispered back, voice throaty and eyes half-lidded. She peeled herself away from Christian and walked away, and Christian grinned as he rejoined them, noticeably hard.
“I thought you preferred men?” Jensen asked quietly, and Jared straightened, looking to Jensen for any sign of what he might prefer.
“Course I do,” Christian replied, laughing and grabbing at his crotch. “But I’ll take what I can get!”
Jensen rolled his eyes and nodded to Jared to lead them on. Jared was already known in these parts, the women familiar with him and his gang. They knew the others were there and that he was there to see them. And, based on his reputation and his patronage, he could enter and move about the place as he pleased. He led Jensen and Christian up the stairs and down a hallway, past rooms occupied by the women and their customers, some with the doors still open, the couples unashamed. The smells and sounds of sex filled the air in the darkened building, the sun shut out for the most part. He stopped where the hallway turned, entering the room in the corner, Jensen and Christian following him inside.
The room was a bit larger, more like a lounge, though Chad and Jeff were the only people in it at that moment, both sitting quietly at a table, cards and cigars haphazardly tossed onto it. Jeff stood as soon as he looked up and saw his brother, his expression showing relief and gratitude for his return, and Jared smiled back at him.
“Jak się masz?” Jared asked, ignoring the questioning look Jensen gave him. He’d explain himself later. Jeff merely nodded in response, his expression clouding over when he spotted Jensen and Christian.
“What the fuck is this?!” Chad demanded angrily, his eyes narrowing and his face going red. He jumped up from his spot at the table and marched over to them, glaring at Jensen. “It’s about damn time you came back, Jared, but you brought this deputy filth with you?” He pointed to Christian. “And who the hell is this?”
“Relax, Chad,” Jared said, grimacing and stepping between him and Jensen. “Jensen let us go, remember? Besides, he’s not a deputy anymore. And Christian’s one of us.”
“No, no, no,” Chad said, shaking his head. “There are three of us, Jared. Always has been, always will. We always said this was it.” He pushed past Jared to get to Jensen, grabbing him by the collar. “You can leave now.”
“HEY!” Jared shouted, pulling Chad off of Jensen as quickly as possible. He didn’t miss the glint in Jensen’s eye, the fierceness in his stance. Chad could be a hothead, and Jared was willing to bet he was underestimating Jensen’s ability to throttle him. But Jared could see it. Jensen had so much energy and potential, it was almost scary. And Christian didn’t seem much different. “That’s enough, Chad!” Jared stood at his full height, looking down at his friend, muscles tense. “Who’s the leader here, huh?” He didn’t normally use his strength or his abilities against his gang, but there were times when he had to with Chad. It was the only way to keep him in line.
“You are,” Chad said, voice still low and angry. He backed off slowly, sitting back down at the table. “You are. And God help us.” Jared ignored the insult, looking to his brother and seeing a questioning fear there. He relaxed, softening his expression, and held up a hand, nodding.
“I do apologize for Chad’s behavior,” Jared said, slightly bitter. “But I hope you won’t take it personally. Chad doesn’t like strangers much.”
“Well, then,” Christian started, eyes fixed on Chad as he moved towards the table, pulling a chair out and sitting directly across from him, “Guess he’ll just have to get used to us, won’t he?” Jared watched, smirking a bit as Chad deflated and slunk down a bit in his chair. Christian smiled. “Name’s Christian. Jared kindly invited us here, and we ain’t the type to refuse an invitation. You try to throw me or Jensen outta here again, and we’ll tear off your sack and feed it to the dogs, you hear?” Chad nodded silently, and Christian’s smile grew wider. “Good.” He extended his hand across the table. “It’s nice to meet you, Chad.”
Jared stifled a laugh and leaned towards Jensen, speaking quietly as Chad hesitantly took Christian’s hand and shook it.
“Is he always like this?”
“Yeah,” Jensen said, laughing and nodding. “Yeah, pretty much.”
“Christian,” Christian said, simply stating his name as he turned to Jeff and held out his hand. Jared stepped closer, nodding to Jeff when he looked to him for approval.
“Jeff.”
****
Jensen sat in the lounge with Jared, feeling warm and satisfied, a steady supply of scotch to keep him happy. It felt better already, to be away from home and the feelings that came with it. Christian had run off long ago, undoubtedly one of the men moaning in one of the bedrooms out in the hallway, Chad indulging in the same pleasures. Jeff was already asleep on a couch by the far wall, and Jensen looked to him curiously, Jared following his gaze.
“He’s my brother,” Jared said, turning back to him. “He’s older, but, uh...I kinda take care of things, you know?” Jensen nodded slowly, his brain a bit muddled with alcohol.
“He doesn’t speak much English, does he?”
“No.” Jared shook his head, leaning back in his chair and sighing. “No, he does not.” Jensen waited for a moment before speaking again, and Jared answered his next question before he could even ask it. “Polish,” he said. “He speaks Polish.” He laughed, but the sound only made Jensen cringe. “You think people’d wanna string us up even more if they knew we weren’t even American?” Jensen remained silent, unsure of how to respond, Jared picking up the conversation again moments later. “You could say I am. I was born here. Jeff wasn’t. My family...We were new here.”
“What happened to them?” Jensen asked, wondering if he wanted to know the answer when he saw the sadness in Jared’s eyes. Jared contemplated his drink for a moment, swallowing it down before continuing.
“They came here, to Panna Maria. My mama was pregnant with me. She died givin’ birth to me.” Jared sighed again, long and heavy this time, smiling without humor, and Jensen wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch him. “My daddy blamed me for it. He hated me. Did from the start. But I still knew it was wrong. I left as soon as I could.”
“How old were you?” Jensen asked, suddenly realizing that the life Jensen saw as exciting had started off as a terrifying game of survival for Jared.
“I was young,” Jared said, staring off into space. “Just a kid, really. But old enough to know I had to get out.” He turned and focused glazed eyes on his brother. “Jeff wouldn’t let me go alone. He left with me. He didn’t have to. Daddy didn’t have any problem with him. But he left. I was young, been in school, learnin’ some English. But Jeff was put to work soon as we got here, tryin’ to make us a living. He left with me, and he didn’t even know...Couldn’t even really communicate with people, you know?”
“So you protect him,” Jensen said, his heart going out to Jared when he caught his gaze, sad and lonely.
“Yeah.” Jared nodded. “Yeah. I owe him that much. He gave up his life for me. We were out, runnin’ away, had to get by stealin’ and doin’ whatever we could. And now I got him caught up in all this. I just gotta keep him safe.”
“And Chad?” Jensen asked. “Where’s Chad in all this?”
“Oh, Chad.” Jared really laughed then, and Jensen smiled, the mood growing lighter. “Chad’s just some asshole that kept showin’ up everywhere we went. Had to keep splittin’ our take with him, so we finally just decided to make ourselves a trio.”
“You’ve sure come a long way,” Jensen laughed. “Literally, too. Panna Maria’s at least two weeks’ ride from here. Not bad for a scrappy little kid.”
“Not bad at all,” Jared said, winking.
“Tell me somethin’,” Jensen said, leaning back in his chair. “You got a last name, then?”
“Padalecki,” Jared answered, eyes dancing in the candlelight. “Course an American outlaw doesn’t go by a Polish name, now, does he? Not like I wanna carry on my daddy’s name, anyway. And our actual first names?” He indicated himself and Jeff. “Shit you probably couldn’t even pronounce. What about you? You got a last name?”
“Ackles,” Jensen said, grinning and extending his hand as if they’d just met. “Jensen Ackles.”
Jared leaned over the table and took his hand, not shaking it, but holding it, squeezing gently. Jensen faltered a bit but squeezed back, Jared’s physical touch warming him even more than the alcohol he’d consumed.
“Well, Mr. Ackles,” Jared said, smiling softly at him, “Seems like we learn somethin’ new about each other every day.”
Part 3