Chasing Prince Charming [FIC]
Title:Chasing Prince Charming
Author: yahnknshadows
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: slash, drug use, abuse, AIDS scare, drag shows, language
Pairing Jared/Jensen, J2/OMC
Total World Count: About 75k
Disclaimer: Lies, all lies!
Summary: Full summary to be found with Master Post
Music: Why Don't You and I? by Carlos Santana featuring Chad Kroeger
Beta: Let's all give a rousing round of applause to Sarah <3 <3 <3 <3! Thanks so much for your help, honey!
Master Post
Prologue Chapter One pt.I Chapter One pt.II Chapter 2 Chapter Three
Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six pt.I Chapter Six pt. II
Chapter Seven pt. I Chapter Seven pt. II Chapter Eight
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Two days later and Jared was still flying high. Jensen loved him, hadn’t run away when he’d confessed, and had agreed to move in. Permanently. It was enough to boost his mood considerably. Granted, the moment the phone call came his mood dropped and he fretted, pacing back and forth in front of the phone, too worried and freaked that everything would change the moment he answered it.
Though the test results were still on his mind Jensen was happy, more than really should be possible. He and Jared were together and it felt so fucking good that he couldn't really believe it. He could hear the phone ringing from inside but it didn't even cross his mind at first. He moved inside for another beer when he saw Jared pacing and freaking and his heart stopped, he didn't even have to look at the caller ID, Jared's reaction said enough. "Do you want me to answer it?" he asked.
“No! Yes, no; fuck, I don’t know.” Jared scrubbed his fingers through his hair agitatedly, staring at the phone as though he could glean the test results with just the power of his mind. “God, I can’t do it. Could you? Would you please answer it?”
Jensen nodded and reached the phone, just needing to get it over with. "Hello?" he answered, though his voice was much lower than he intended. The doctor began to speak and Jensen just nodded. "Yeah, Jensen Ackles," he confirmed and his mouth went dry. The doctor flipped through paperwork before finally speaking again.
A smile spread across Jensen's face as his features lit up, he let go of the breath he’d been holding and the knuckle white grip he'd had on the phone relaxed as his heart started to beat again. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out, though his eyes found Jared. "You're sure, right? I mean, seriously nothing at all?" he asked just to make sure and just to hear the doctor say it again. "Yes, thank you, thank you so much. Yeah, yeah, he's here. Hold on a second and thanks again."
The relief on Jensen’s face made Jared’s knees buckle. Even if he wasn’t clear, as long as Jensen was, Jared would be fine. He took the phone with a shaking hand and took a deep breath. “H-hello?” he said softly, shoulder hunching as he sat down on the couch, head bowed. “Yes, sir; Jared Padalecki.”
There was a long moment of silence, Jared frozen in his seat, scarcely daring to breathe, and then he slumped, elbow resting on his knee and forehead in his hand. “Yes, sir. Yes, I understand. Thank you.” The phone beeped when he thumbed it off and then dropped it onto the couch. Shaggy dark hair fell over his brow, scrunched under the heel of his hand where it pressed into his forehead. Broad shoulders heaved as Jared took a deep breath, and then Jared looked up at Jensen, smiling wide and happy.
Jensen watched Jared carefully, his own happiness gone for the few moments it took Jared to look up at him. When he saw that smile, though, the one that had been so rare the last week, his happiness ramped right back up. He moved over to Jared, his own smile returning. "Really?" he asked, needing and wanting to hear it.
“I’m perfectly healthy-all test results were negative.” Jared dragged Jensen into his lap and caught his face between his hands, thumbs grazing high cheekbones briefly before Jared surged up and devoured Jensen’s mouth. It was music to Jensen’s ears and his smile was so large it almost split his face. He wrapped his arms tightly around Jared and pushed their bodies together. Jensen opened his mouth and welcomed the kiss, hard and deep.
~*~
Jared stood at the bedroom door, watching Jensen get dressed to go back to work. His time off had come to an end and Jared couldn’t help pouting as he watched all of that glorious skin vanish into jeans and tee shirt. After they’d gotten the results back, they’d ended up fucking on the couch-Misha and Terry had walked in, watched for a minute, and then approved-in the hallway-once Terry and Misha had left-again on the kitchen counter, and finally collapsed into Jared’s-their-bed for a nap, which had resulted in yet another round, the last one slow and heartbreakingly tender.
“I’m not dancing tonight, so I’ll just have dinner ready for you when you get home. Misha dragged Terry off to his place for the night, so I thought I might do something romantic for you when you get home.” Jared folded his arms over his chest, leaning against the doorframe, pouting still but much less than he would’ve been had Jensen not agreed to move in.
As Jensen finished he turned back to Jared. "Man, don't tell me that; I'll skip out tonight, too," he said as he reached Jared, his arms going around his boyfriend's waist and pulling him in. Relief had flooded him and he was still riding high on the test results, he really didn't want to go in and be apart from Jared. He hadn't been more than five feet from Jared for the last week. He’d been happy living with Ryan and Nelson but with Jared, Jensen felt right at home. This was his home and where he belonged. "Can't wait to see you back up on that stage again," he teased lightly, though he meant it. He missed seeing Jared on stage. "Maybe we'll be slow tonight and they'll let me leave early." He just wanted to go and come right back.
“Sometimes I wonder if you like me in drag more than you like me out of it.” Jared draped his arms over Jensen’s shoulders and gave him a quick peck on the lips-more would undoubtedly lead to more than just kissing, and as much as Jared didn’t want Jensen to leave, he didn’t want Jen losing his job. “Go to work. I’ll be here when you get home.”
"Nah, I like you better as a boy more than a girl, but I haven't seen you in a thong for a while." Jensen licked his lips and stepped past Jared before he completely forgot about work all together. "Alright, well, I better get out of here. I'll you see you later tonight." He kissed Jared again and then headed out.
Jared let Jensen get all the way out onto the porch before calling out, “Jen!” He gripped the front door to keep from reaching out and dragging Jensen back inside. “I love you,” he murmured, a bright smile sliding over his face.
Jensen turned with a smile on his face. "I love you, too, baby."
~*~
The music was loud and the crowd was worse. The dancers were on stage every time Jensen looked up and it felt great to be back to work. Even better tonight for some reason, things were coming together after years and he really couldn't believe it. Couldn't believe he was so lucky.
It was about four and a half hours into his shift, which meant he would be able to leave pretty soon. Jensen wasn't at all used to being at work after a full week off. He had never in his life gone that long without a job. Least not since he’d left high school. The guys greeted him, gave him shit about being pissed that he was back to take the tips. Jamie was working behind the bar with him that night and things had been pretty busy and started to slow here and there. It was only Thursday, so it was somewhat normal to get slow early, most everyone had to work the next day.
The rest would be there until three in the morning. As a small group that Jensen had been taking care of left, Jensen collected the glasses and started to wipe down the counter.
Someone else took a seat at the bar, right in front of Jensen, and folded his hands on the bar top. “How the hell can you be even more beautiful than I remember?” the guy asked, voice low and husky, whiskey-rich and deep. Dark brown hair curled around an angelic face, making him look like a cherub from a painting, making his bright blue eyes brighter and far more innocent than they had any right to. Long, elegant fingers were carded together, relaxed; broad shoulders familiarly slouched; wide mouth drawn into a seductive, full-lipped smile.
Jensen barely looked up from the counter but then did a double take and stopped dead in his tracks. His mouth went dry and he took a step away from his former boyfriend. He didn't know what to say at first, he even opened his mouth but words failed him. It had been over three years and he had moved out here to make sure he never came face to face with Max again, yet here he was. "H-how did…. What are you doing here?" he asked.
The smile lost its seductive edge and broad shoulders shrugged. “Part of getting better is to apologize to the people I’ve hurt. It’s one of the Twelve Steps. I-I really didn’t come here to hurt you again or scare you. I just-I’ve apologized to everyone, and I hurt you the most, so I had to save you for last because I hurt you more than I’ve ever hurt anyone else.” Max shifted uncomfortably, long fingers twitching as he fought to keep them on the bar and not grab Jensen and beg and plead for forgiveness.
Jensen nodded his head. "Okay, fine; cross me off the list. I forgive you, nice seeing you again; goodbye." He picked up the rag again and moved away from Max. If Max was getting better that was great, but Jensen heard lines before and he wasn't falling back into it again; he had been more than happy not seeing Max and he was even happier to keep that up. Besides, whether he meant to or not, Max still scared the living shit out of Jensen.
“Jensen, please,” Max called after him, getting up from the stool to follow him. “I know I’ve lied to you about getting off the drugs, but this time I’m serious. I’ve been clean for two and a half years. I’ve just now gotten to step nine, which is to make direct amends to people we’ve hurt wherever possible. I went to jail a week after you left, detoxed while I was in, and got into Narcotics Anonymous. It’s taken a long time to get up the courage to come and see you, Jen. Please, just hear me out. I’ll leave as soon as I’m done, but I have to make an effort to apologize, even if you never forgive me. I’d understand if you can’t-no, I’d be freaked out if you could forgive me.”
Jensen wanted to scream because why was this now his problem? He had the sudden need to go home and hide under the bed, as childish as it sounded. He stopped at the other end of the bar and made a face before turning around to face Max again. He set the rag off to the side and sighed, he did not want to do this again but he knew Max and he wasn't going anywhere until Jensen at least heard him out.
"Fine, just give me a minute," Jensen said as he moved to tell Jamie he was going to leave for a bit. Not like he was going far because he wasn't going much further than the parking lot. He really didn't know what Max had to say. He was clean, fine; Jensen wished him all the luck in the world. He came out from behind the bar and headed towards the door with Max.
The parking lot wasn’t exactly the best place to have this kind of conversation, but it was still private enough to allow them to talk about things while being public enough so Jensen wouldn’t feel alone with him. It was the best Max could hope for.
Max took a breath and let it go slowly, trying to shuffle his thoughts into some semblance of order so that he could make Jensen understand just how sorry he truly was without frightening him further. “I should have listened to you, back when this started, but I wasn’t willing to accept that I had a problem. It was so new and exciting and it made me feel so good that I couldn’t see why it was so bad. Detox hit me in jail, and let me tell you that is one thing I would never like to do ever again. All of the things I did, screaming at you, pushing you around, using you like a cheap whore-I relived it all, but this time I could actually see what I’d done. I wasn’t so doped up that I couldn’t see what I was doing, and I was so horrified… Jen, Christ, when I realized what I’d done, I went a little crazy. I had a stay in the psych ward because of it and the nurse suggested NA, telling me that it could help get me clean, keep me that way, and help me with the crushing guilt.” Max sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets, clutching at the poker chip he’d been awarded on the two year anniversary of being totally clean.
Jensen actually felt better once they were outside and in air rather than in the club. He kept his distance but he listened to what Max had to say. When they first started to date Max was an amazing guy, Jensen had fallen for him in every way. His smile, his sense of humor and everything else locked up in one package. Then things had gotten bad and then when things went from bad to worse, Jensen had always believed that Max would get it together one of these days.
It just never seemed to happen. Disagreements turned into shoving matches, misunderstandings into lies and then wake up and do it all over again the next morning. Jensen had more black and blues from Max than any amount of rough sex in his life. For the most part, he had just locked it up and forgotten about it, seeing Max though made it all rise to the surface again. Jensen still hadn't lost that heart on his sleeve though; he could still hope that Max got his life back on track. "I didn't think you remembered any of that," he said honestly, surprised it had bothered Max that much. Taking in the sight of Max, though, outside of the darkness of the club, he could see the changes. He wasn't thin and strung out, he looked healthy and human. "Two and half years, seriously?"
“Yeah,” Max agreed softly, a wry smile on his mouth. “It took me six months to get out of the psych ward and off of the drugs they gave me, and then I went right into NA. It took me awhile to let them help me, for me to admit my problems out loud to the group, but once I did, God, it was like a weight had been lifted, you know?”
If anything drugs would drive someone insane. Jensen bit his bottom lip and nodded his head. He had an understanding that the drugs were what had been talking and fighting three years ago, that somewhere in there, Max was still alive. All that didn't help with the nightmares and the heartache, but regardless of all that, if Max was getting better then Jensen was happy for him. "Yeah, I think I know what you mean." That was sort of how he’d felt when he let Jared in, when he started feeling again. Letting someone under his skin, like all of a sudden all the weight was gone, or at least lightened. "I'm glad you got yourself together." He finally settled on. "You look a lot better."
The wry smile on Max’s mouth widened, broad and just as gorgeous as it had been back when Jensen had been in love with him. “You look happy. Well, not happy to see me, but I watched you for a little bit before I got up the balls to talk to you, and you had this tiny smile on your mouth, like the one you used to wear before I got stupid. I’m so sorry I took that kind of smile away from you, but I’m relieved and happy that you’ve found it again.” Max leaned back against the side of the building, head cocked to the side. “So, does the happy smile have a name attached to it?”
Jensen couldn't help but smile at that comment because it made him think of the reason he smiled so much anymore. "I am happy." He bit his bottom lip. "His name’s Jared," he answered and his face lit up that much more, though he looked away and shrugged. "We've been seeing each other for a while, just became official, actually."
Max winced but he’d lost any right to Jensen when he’d gotten addicted to heroin. He firmed his smile again, glad to see Jensen so happy. The last time he’d seen Jensen, it had been in the aftermath of a huge fight, Jensen’s lip split, eye blackened, and bruises around his throat, growling at him to fuck off and stay that way. “I’m happy for you, Jensen, truly. You, more than anyone, deserve to be happy. I’m sorry I wasn’t the person you wanted, the person you loved, the last time we spoke, but I’m so fucking glad that you can be happy again.”
Jensen didn't want to hurt Max but he wasn't going to lie to him either. Had Max found him before Jared, there may have been a chance for Jensen to consider it. He wouldn't have wanted to try again with Max though; too many really bad memories and Jensen knew that if something happened he couldn't go through anything like that again. "Thanks," he said softly. "I'm really happy that you're okay." He had sometimes wondered what had happened to Max, if he was alive or still on drugs; it was good to know he was doing better. "I'm proud of you, too. I can't even imagine how hard it was for you."
“No, getting off the drugs was nothing compared to realizing that my own stupidity had driven you away. I’ve accepted the fact that I screwed up so badly that I will never have your trust again, that I don’t deserve that trust because of what I did to you and to myself. You’re the reason I finally realized I was killing myself. You’re why I wanted to get off the drugs, to be me again, because I fucked up and drove you away.” Max cleared his throat and huffed an un-amused laugh. “If I’m ever in a good enough place to have a romantic relationship again, I want to be the guy that was good enough for you, the guy I was before and prove myself to whoever it is that I fall in love with. I wanna be Max again, not the insane fucker that destroyed the kitchen because the toaster didn’t toast the bread the way I liked it, you know?”
Jensen blushed, for a long time Jensen hadn't thought that he really hadn’t meant that much to Max. That if he had made Max happier the drugs wouldn't have taken him to such a bad place. That he wouldn't have needed to find other men to keep his attention. In some ways knowing that Max thought of him to get clean was oddly touching. "I think you're getting back to being him again," he said. "And, believe me, the real Max won't have a problem finding someone to love."
Max was right; Jensen couldn't look at him and be fully comfortable, there was just too much hurt and history there. That didn't mean that Jensen hated him, that he wished Max would fail or that he couldn't forgive him. Besides, forgiving Max wasn't just for Max; carrying around hate and fear had pretty much killed Jensen. The only reason he let it go was because of Jared. Jared had reached in and pulled him out. "I can't even imagine us being… well, you know?" He loved Jared way too much to even consider it. "I do forgive you, though, and I mean it this time." He smiled gently.
Max’s wide shoulders slumped in relief and he ducked his head, dragging in a deep, fortifying breath. “Thank you, Jen. You have no idea what it means to me. I-I was so afraid you’d punch me in the mouth before I could even apologize or explain why I was here.”
Jensen smirked. "I never stopped caring about you and wanting you to be okay. I always had to believe you were in there somewhere, I'm just glad you proved me right."
~*~
Jack had found his golden fucking ticket and he was going to use it to walk right through Jared's front door. He didn't take being alone well at all and Jared was his, even if he'd had his former boyfriend waiting on the sidelines for a while there. Jared always bowed down to any and everything that Jack wanted. He had no idea where this whole new habit of saying no came from but he had a pretty good idea. And, he was about to cut out that little factor. No one at the club could deny that whatever his name was had left with whatever that other guy's name was.
It didn't matter that they hadn't been all over each other; Jack knew Jared's buttons. He knew how to play him and where to apply just the right pressure. All he needed was a foot inside Jared's front door and he would take care of the rest. Now, hopefully, without his buddy around Jared would behave better but who knew? He reached the front door of the beach house and knocked, taking a step back and putting on his best innocent face.
The oven door closed with a bang, startling Jared out of his musings. He shook his head at himself, getting lost in romantic musings when he should’ve been paying attention to the awesome, if he did say so himself, meal he’d just finished preparing for Jensen. The knock at the door drew his attention and he laughed to himself as he made his way over.
Jared swung the door open, a smile on his face. “You couldn’t stay at work, could-Jack?” Jared stuttered to a stop, gaping at the blonde standing innocently at his door. The smile died and a frown took its place. “What the hell are you doing here, Jack?”
Jack put his hands up. "Jared, seriously, I just want to talk to you." He shook his head. "I'm not here to fight with you, but something happened tonight and I think you have the right to know about it." He couldn't help but bite back the smile trying to form on his lips. He knew that Jared wasn't going to be happy to see him and he certainly was not going to be happy to hear what he had to say, but, after it was all said and done, he would need a shoulder to cry on.
An eyebrow rose in mocking question and Jared folded his arms over his chest, feet braced apart and taking up the entire doorway. “So tell me and then get the hell out of here.”
"Oh, baby, don't be like that." Jack frowned and shook his head. This whole being difficult thing Jared had going on needed to be stopped or Jack was going to kill him. "Seriously, though, you really may want to sit down for this."
“If you’re here to tell me you have HIV, I already know and I’ve already been tested and cleared. You can thank Sara for letting me know.” Jared didn’t budge an inch, his frown hardening further the longer Jack kept him standing there.
Jack rolled his eyes. "No, it isn't that, but remind me to thank the big mouth bitch later," he said, his face growing dark for a moment before settling his hands on his hips. "You know, this whole little attitude of yours is really a pain in the ass. Who do you think you are, all of a sudden?"
“I think I’m worth more than scraping on my goddamn belly every time you snap your goddamn fingers. Are you done? I’ve got dinner in the oven and Jensen will be home soon.” Jared huffed a harsh breath, tapping his foot impatiently.
"No, he won't be," Jack shot back. "And maybe if you acted a little more like that, he wouldn't have gone off with that asshole in the bar tonight. I was there, I watched; if I had my phone on me I would have taken pictures for you but let me tell you something, Jay, they were all over each other before they even hit the door. I can only imagine what they did by the time they hit the parking lot."
Jared’s left eye twitched, a small crack in the wall he’d built up with Jensen’s help. “What are you talking about? And, let me make it perfectly clear that if you’re lying to me, I will break you in half with my bare hands.”
"Yeah? I would love to see you try," Jack snapped back and folded his arms over his chest because at this point hurting Jared was more important than anything else he had in mind. "I was at the club and Jensen was working behind the bar, some guy came up to him and they started talking. Ended up in the back room and, let me just say that by the time your boyfriend came out he was wearing a different shirt than he went in with."
Jared dropped his arms to his sides and tipped his head to one side. “Step in, but don’t go further than the couch; you’re not staying.” Jared moved away, making a beeline for the phone. He picked it up and dialed the club and put his back to Jack while it rang. Jack made a face at Jared's back before rolling his eyes and looking around the house. Not much had changed from what he remembered but that didn't matter right now. Instead he listened closely to Jared and his phone call.
Picking the phone up, Jamie shoved it between his ear and his shoulder. "Hello?" he said, the place sounded loud in the background but things were actually slowing down. He took a few glasses and started putting them away before shifting the phone the other ear.
“Yeah, Jamie? It’s Jared. Is Jen there?” Jared walked into the kitchen, absently checking the meal in the oven as he strained over the music in the club to hear Jamie’s reply.
"Hey, Jared," Jamie answered. "Nah, he cut out with a friend of his. Max, I think he said his name was." Jensen had said he'd be back in a minute but it had more been like thirty now, but it didn't really matter. "Want me to have him call you when he gets back?"
“Uh, no, thanks. I’ll-I’ll talk to him when he comes home. Thanks, Jamie.” Jared ended the call and carefully set it on the counter before heading back out to the living room. He stared at Jack in silence for a long moment and then folded his arms across his chest again.
Jack cocked his head to the side as Jared came back and again he forced the smile off of his face. Taking a step forward, he watched Jared carefully for a second. "Told you I wasn't lying," he offered though his tone was less harsh now, as if he cared for whatever suffering Jared was feeling at the moment. "You okay?"
“I need you to leave.” Jared’s voice was quiet and calm, obviously masking whatever his true emotions were at the moment. “I have things to do.”
Jack's eyes narrowed for a moment. "Come on, baby, don't be like that." He took another step closer and took Jared's arm. "I can read you like a book and the last thing you need right now is to be alone."
Jared gripped Jack’s wrist, harsh and painful and bruising, and snatched it off of his arm. “I need you to leave. Right now, Jack,” he said calmly, expression completely blank.
Jack pulled his arm away and gave Jared a shove. "Fuck you, you little bitch," he said, all kindness gone from his face. "You lost him and now you’re kicking me out, huh? Can't keep anyone these days, can you?”
One big hand curled around Jack’s throat and Jared dragged him forcefully to the front door, shoved it open and heaved Jack off of his feet with one hand. “I SAID GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY GODDAMN HOUSE, MOTHERFUCKER!” he shouted into Jack’s face, livid, and then chucked the guy to the porch and slammed the door behind him.
Jack hit the front porch hard; he never in his life thought Jared would grow a fucking sack like that. He groaned as he pushed himself up and stared at the door for a second before shaking his head. "Okay, what the fuck just happened?" he muttered as he stalked off.
Meanwhile, Jared was busy in his room. He’d written a note for Terry, explaining that he was leaving for a while and to take care of the Cars’ place, and then he’d started packing his things. Toiletry bag, clothes, wallet, shoes, and then he wrote a note for Jensen, though he had no real faith that Jensen would ever get it. It was simple, merely two words: Be happy. He left it on the bed and gathered up his bag, slung it over his shoulder and left the house.
Jared was on his bike and heading out of town barely ten minutes after he’d physically thrown Jack out. He was numb after his anger had been spent on Jack, and wanted to keep it that way until he got to a motel room for the night. He could, and probably would, break down once he was indoors and away from prying eyes.
~*~
Jensen came home not long after. He and Max had talked for a little bit, catching up or whatever but honestly as happy as Jensen was that Max was clean again he still wasn't too comfortable around him. In fact, the sight of him still sent bad shivers down his spine and he just couldn't handle being around him that long. He walked through the front door and smelled something burning. "Jared?" he called out, heading into the kitchen and turning the oven off and opening the windows to clear the smoke. He headed to his and Jared's bedroom and first found the note he'd left and then headed back to the living room, finding another one for Terry.
Pulling out his phone he called Jared first in a panic, even more panicked when Jared didn't answer. It actually went right to voicemail; why was Jared's phone off? He bit his bottom lip and called again, same thing but this time he left a message. "Jared, what the fuck? Call me as soon you get this," he said before snapping the phone off and calling Terry.
“Someone better be dying,” Terry grumbled into the line, sounding breathless and husky. “We were in the middle of some serious fucking, so, I’m serious; someone better be dying or dead or there soon will be.”
"Terry, where the fuck is Jared?" Jensen snapped, not at all caring about Terry and Misha's fucking. "I came home and there were these notes everywhere and all his shit is gone. Has he called you? Do you know where he is or what the hell is going on here?" he asked, obviously upset though unsure if he was scared or pissed off.
“What are you talking about? No, I’ve got no idea where he is. Weren’t you two supposed to be doing the romantic domestic shit tonight?” Terry asked, shocked and a little disconcerted at the venom in Jensen’s voice. “What did the notes say, Jen?” he asked, gentling his voice.
Jensen growled and picked up the note that was addressed to Terry. "He left one for me saying, be happy, and one for you saying he was leaving for a while and to care of the Cars' place." His heart felt like it was about to pound right out of his chest, because Terry always knew what was going on with Jared and he had no idea. "Why would he leave me?" he asked, sounding a more pathetic than he ever meant to.
“Well, I don’t know. He hasn’t pulled a runner since Jack came home with the first guy he cheated with. You’re too gone for him to have a guy on the side, so I have no freaking clue. Do you want me and Misha to come over?” Terry was sounding more and more upset, pissed and worried the more he spoke.
Jensen shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "No, I'm going out to look for him. Just, if he calls you, please call me. I called his phone but he has it turned off. I'll call you as soon as I find him." He grabbed his keys off the table and headed out, having no idea where he was going to look but he wasn’t going to let it stop him.
Chapter Ten
Author: yahnknshadows
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: slash, drug use, abuse, AIDS scare, drag shows, language
Pairing Jared/Jensen, J2/OMC
Total World Count: About 75k
Disclaimer: Lies, all lies!
Summary: Full summary to be found with Master Post
Music: Why Don't You and I? by Carlos Santana featuring Chad Kroeger
Beta: Let's all give a rousing round of applause to Sarah <3 <3 <3 <3! Thanks so much for your help, honey!
Master Post
Prologue Chapter One pt.I Chapter One pt.II Chapter 2 Chapter Three
Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six pt.I Chapter Six pt. II
Chapter Seven pt. I Chapter Seven pt. II Chapter Eight
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Two days later and Jared was still flying high. Jensen loved him, hadn’t run away when he’d confessed, and had agreed to move in. Permanently. It was enough to boost his mood considerably. Granted, the moment the phone call came his mood dropped and he fretted, pacing back and forth in front of the phone, too worried and freaked that everything would change the moment he answered it.
Though the test results were still on his mind Jensen was happy, more than really should be possible. He and Jared were together and it felt so fucking good that he couldn't really believe it. He could hear the phone ringing from inside but it didn't even cross his mind at first. He moved inside for another beer when he saw Jared pacing and freaking and his heart stopped, he didn't even have to look at the caller ID, Jared's reaction said enough. "Do you want me to answer it?" he asked.
“No! Yes, no; fuck, I don’t know.” Jared scrubbed his fingers through his hair agitatedly, staring at the phone as though he could glean the test results with just the power of his mind. “God, I can’t do it. Could you? Would you please answer it?”
Jensen nodded and reached the phone, just needing to get it over with. "Hello?" he answered, though his voice was much lower than he intended. The doctor began to speak and Jensen just nodded. "Yeah, Jensen Ackles," he confirmed and his mouth went dry. The doctor flipped through paperwork before finally speaking again.
A smile spread across Jensen's face as his features lit up, he let go of the breath he’d been holding and the knuckle white grip he'd had on the phone relaxed as his heart started to beat again. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out, though his eyes found Jared. "You're sure, right? I mean, seriously nothing at all?" he asked just to make sure and just to hear the doctor say it again. "Yes, thank you, thank you so much. Yeah, yeah, he's here. Hold on a second and thanks again."
The relief on Jensen’s face made Jared’s knees buckle. Even if he wasn’t clear, as long as Jensen was, Jared would be fine. He took the phone with a shaking hand and took a deep breath. “H-hello?” he said softly, shoulder hunching as he sat down on the couch, head bowed. “Yes, sir; Jared Padalecki.”
There was a long moment of silence, Jared frozen in his seat, scarcely daring to breathe, and then he slumped, elbow resting on his knee and forehead in his hand. “Yes, sir. Yes, I understand. Thank you.” The phone beeped when he thumbed it off and then dropped it onto the couch. Shaggy dark hair fell over his brow, scrunched under the heel of his hand where it pressed into his forehead. Broad shoulders heaved as Jared took a deep breath, and then Jared looked up at Jensen, smiling wide and happy.
Jensen watched Jared carefully, his own happiness gone for the few moments it took Jared to look up at him. When he saw that smile, though, the one that had been so rare the last week, his happiness ramped right back up. He moved over to Jared, his own smile returning. "Really?" he asked, needing and wanting to hear it.
“I’m perfectly healthy-all test results were negative.” Jared dragged Jensen into his lap and caught his face between his hands, thumbs grazing high cheekbones briefly before Jared surged up and devoured Jensen’s mouth. It was music to Jensen’s ears and his smile was so large it almost split his face. He wrapped his arms tightly around Jared and pushed their bodies together. Jensen opened his mouth and welcomed the kiss, hard and deep.
~*~
Jared stood at the bedroom door, watching Jensen get dressed to go back to work. His time off had come to an end and Jared couldn’t help pouting as he watched all of that glorious skin vanish into jeans and tee shirt. After they’d gotten the results back, they’d ended up fucking on the couch-Misha and Terry had walked in, watched for a minute, and then approved-in the hallway-once Terry and Misha had left-again on the kitchen counter, and finally collapsed into Jared’s-their-bed for a nap, which had resulted in yet another round, the last one slow and heartbreakingly tender.
“I’m not dancing tonight, so I’ll just have dinner ready for you when you get home. Misha dragged Terry off to his place for the night, so I thought I might do something romantic for you when you get home.” Jared folded his arms over his chest, leaning against the doorframe, pouting still but much less than he would’ve been had Jensen not agreed to move in.
As Jensen finished he turned back to Jared. "Man, don't tell me that; I'll skip out tonight, too," he said as he reached Jared, his arms going around his boyfriend's waist and pulling him in. Relief had flooded him and he was still riding high on the test results, he really didn't want to go in and be apart from Jared. He hadn't been more than five feet from Jared for the last week. He’d been happy living with Ryan and Nelson but with Jared, Jensen felt right at home. This was his home and where he belonged. "Can't wait to see you back up on that stage again," he teased lightly, though he meant it. He missed seeing Jared on stage. "Maybe we'll be slow tonight and they'll let me leave early." He just wanted to go and come right back.
“Sometimes I wonder if you like me in drag more than you like me out of it.” Jared draped his arms over Jensen’s shoulders and gave him a quick peck on the lips-more would undoubtedly lead to more than just kissing, and as much as Jared didn’t want Jensen to leave, he didn’t want Jen losing his job. “Go to work. I’ll be here when you get home.”
"Nah, I like you better as a boy more than a girl, but I haven't seen you in a thong for a while." Jensen licked his lips and stepped past Jared before he completely forgot about work all together. "Alright, well, I better get out of here. I'll you see you later tonight." He kissed Jared again and then headed out.
Jared let Jensen get all the way out onto the porch before calling out, “Jen!” He gripped the front door to keep from reaching out and dragging Jensen back inside. “I love you,” he murmured, a bright smile sliding over his face.
Jensen turned with a smile on his face. "I love you, too, baby."
~*~
The music was loud and the crowd was worse. The dancers were on stage every time Jensen looked up and it felt great to be back to work. Even better tonight for some reason, things were coming together after years and he really couldn't believe it. Couldn't believe he was so lucky.
It was about four and a half hours into his shift, which meant he would be able to leave pretty soon. Jensen wasn't at all used to being at work after a full week off. He had never in his life gone that long without a job. Least not since he’d left high school. The guys greeted him, gave him shit about being pissed that he was back to take the tips. Jamie was working behind the bar with him that night and things had been pretty busy and started to slow here and there. It was only Thursday, so it was somewhat normal to get slow early, most everyone had to work the next day.
The rest would be there until three in the morning. As a small group that Jensen had been taking care of left, Jensen collected the glasses and started to wipe down the counter.
Someone else took a seat at the bar, right in front of Jensen, and folded his hands on the bar top. “How the hell can you be even more beautiful than I remember?” the guy asked, voice low and husky, whiskey-rich and deep. Dark brown hair curled around an angelic face, making him look like a cherub from a painting, making his bright blue eyes brighter and far more innocent than they had any right to. Long, elegant fingers were carded together, relaxed; broad shoulders familiarly slouched; wide mouth drawn into a seductive, full-lipped smile.
Jensen barely looked up from the counter but then did a double take and stopped dead in his tracks. His mouth went dry and he took a step away from his former boyfriend. He didn't know what to say at first, he even opened his mouth but words failed him. It had been over three years and he had moved out here to make sure he never came face to face with Max again, yet here he was. "H-how did…. What are you doing here?" he asked.
The smile lost its seductive edge and broad shoulders shrugged. “Part of getting better is to apologize to the people I’ve hurt. It’s one of the Twelve Steps. I-I really didn’t come here to hurt you again or scare you. I just-I’ve apologized to everyone, and I hurt you the most, so I had to save you for last because I hurt you more than I’ve ever hurt anyone else.” Max shifted uncomfortably, long fingers twitching as he fought to keep them on the bar and not grab Jensen and beg and plead for forgiveness.
Jensen nodded his head. "Okay, fine; cross me off the list. I forgive you, nice seeing you again; goodbye." He picked up the rag again and moved away from Max. If Max was getting better that was great, but Jensen heard lines before and he wasn't falling back into it again; he had been more than happy not seeing Max and he was even happier to keep that up. Besides, whether he meant to or not, Max still scared the living shit out of Jensen.
“Jensen, please,” Max called after him, getting up from the stool to follow him. “I know I’ve lied to you about getting off the drugs, but this time I’m serious. I’ve been clean for two and a half years. I’ve just now gotten to step nine, which is to make direct amends to people we’ve hurt wherever possible. I went to jail a week after you left, detoxed while I was in, and got into Narcotics Anonymous. It’s taken a long time to get up the courage to come and see you, Jen. Please, just hear me out. I’ll leave as soon as I’m done, but I have to make an effort to apologize, even if you never forgive me. I’d understand if you can’t-no, I’d be freaked out if you could forgive me.”
Jensen wanted to scream because why was this now his problem? He had the sudden need to go home and hide under the bed, as childish as it sounded. He stopped at the other end of the bar and made a face before turning around to face Max again. He set the rag off to the side and sighed, he did not want to do this again but he knew Max and he wasn't going anywhere until Jensen at least heard him out.
"Fine, just give me a minute," Jensen said as he moved to tell Jamie he was going to leave for a bit. Not like he was going far because he wasn't going much further than the parking lot. He really didn't know what Max had to say. He was clean, fine; Jensen wished him all the luck in the world. He came out from behind the bar and headed towards the door with Max.
The parking lot wasn’t exactly the best place to have this kind of conversation, but it was still private enough to allow them to talk about things while being public enough so Jensen wouldn’t feel alone with him. It was the best Max could hope for.
Max took a breath and let it go slowly, trying to shuffle his thoughts into some semblance of order so that he could make Jensen understand just how sorry he truly was without frightening him further. “I should have listened to you, back when this started, but I wasn’t willing to accept that I had a problem. It was so new and exciting and it made me feel so good that I couldn’t see why it was so bad. Detox hit me in jail, and let me tell you that is one thing I would never like to do ever again. All of the things I did, screaming at you, pushing you around, using you like a cheap whore-I relived it all, but this time I could actually see what I’d done. I wasn’t so doped up that I couldn’t see what I was doing, and I was so horrified… Jen, Christ, when I realized what I’d done, I went a little crazy. I had a stay in the psych ward because of it and the nurse suggested NA, telling me that it could help get me clean, keep me that way, and help me with the crushing guilt.” Max sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets, clutching at the poker chip he’d been awarded on the two year anniversary of being totally clean.
Jensen actually felt better once they were outside and in air rather than in the club. He kept his distance but he listened to what Max had to say. When they first started to date Max was an amazing guy, Jensen had fallen for him in every way. His smile, his sense of humor and everything else locked up in one package. Then things had gotten bad and then when things went from bad to worse, Jensen had always believed that Max would get it together one of these days.
It just never seemed to happen. Disagreements turned into shoving matches, misunderstandings into lies and then wake up and do it all over again the next morning. Jensen had more black and blues from Max than any amount of rough sex in his life. For the most part, he had just locked it up and forgotten about it, seeing Max though made it all rise to the surface again. Jensen still hadn't lost that heart on his sleeve though; he could still hope that Max got his life back on track. "I didn't think you remembered any of that," he said honestly, surprised it had bothered Max that much. Taking in the sight of Max, though, outside of the darkness of the club, he could see the changes. He wasn't thin and strung out, he looked healthy and human. "Two and half years, seriously?"
“Yeah,” Max agreed softly, a wry smile on his mouth. “It took me six months to get out of the psych ward and off of the drugs they gave me, and then I went right into NA. It took me awhile to let them help me, for me to admit my problems out loud to the group, but once I did, God, it was like a weight had been lifted, you know?”
If anything drugs would drive someone insane. Jensen bit his bottom lip and nodded his head. He had an understanding that the drugs were what had been talking and fighting three years ago, that somewhere in there, Max was still alive. All that didn't help with the nightmares and the heartache, but regardless of all that, if Max was getting better then Jensen was happy for him. "Yeah, I think I know what you mean." That was sort of how he’d felt when he let Jared in, when he started feeling again. Letting someone under his skin, like all of a sudden all the weight was gone, or at least lightened. "I'm glad you got yourself together." He finally settled on. "You look a lot better."
The wry smile on Max’s mouth widened, broad and just as gorgeous as it had been back when Jensen had been in love with him. “You look happy. Well, not happy to see me, but I watched you for a little bit before I got up the balls to talk to you, and you had this tiny smile on your mouth, like the one you used to wear before I got stupid. I’m so sorry I took that kind of smile away from you, but I’m relieved and happy that you’ve found it again.” Max leaned back against the side of the building, head cocked to the side. “So, does the happy smile have a name attached to it?”
Jensen couldn't help but smile at that comment because it made him think of the reason he smiled so much anymore. "I am happy." He bit his bottom lip. "His name’s Jared," he answered and his face lit up that much more, though he looked away and shrugged. "We've been seeing each other for a while, just became official, actually."
Max winced but he’d lost any right to Jensen when he’d gotten addicted to heroin. He firmed his smile again, glad to see Jensen so happy. The last time he’d seen Jensen, it had been in the aftermath of a huge fight, Jensen’s lip split, eye blackened, and bruises around his throat, growling at him to fuck off and stay that way. “I’m happy for you, Jensen, truly. You, more than anyone, deserve to be happy. I’m sorry I wasn’t the person you wanted, the person you loved, the last time we spoke, but I’m so fucking glad that you can be happy again.”
Jensen didn't want to hurt Max but he wasn't going to lie to him either. Had Max found him before Jared, there may have been a chance for Jensen to consider it. He wouldn't have wanted to try again with Max though; too many really bad memories and Jensen knew that if something happened he couldn't go through anything like that again. "Thanks," he said softly. "I'm really happy that you're okay." He had sometimes wondered what had happened to Max, if he was alive or still on drugs; it was good to know he was doing better. "I'm proud of you, too. I can't even imagine how hard it was for you."
“No, getting off the drugs was nothing compared to realizing that my own stupidity had driven you away. I’ve accepted the fact that I screwed up so badly that I will never have your trust again, that I don’t deserve that trust because of what I did to you and to myself. You’re the reason I finally realized I was killing myself. You’re why I wanted to get off the drugs, to be me again, because I fucked up and drove you away.” Max cleared his throat and huffed an un-amused laugh. “If I’m ever in a good enough place to have a romantic relationship again, I want to be the guy that was good enough for you, the guy I was before and prove myself to whoever it is that I fall in love with. I wanna be Max again, not the insane fucker that destroyed the kitchen because the toaster didn’t toast the bread the way I liked it, you know?”
Jensen blushed, for a long time Jensen hadn't thought that he really hadn’t meant that much to Max. That if he had made Max happier the drugs wouldn't have taken him to such a bad place. That he wouldn't have needed to find other men to keep his attention. In some ways knowing that Max thought of him to get clean was oddly touching. "I think you're getting back to being him again," he said. "And, believe me, the real Max won't have a problem finding someone to love."
Max was right; Jensen couldn't look at him and be fully comfortable, there was just too much hurt and history there. That didn't mean that Jensen hated him, that he wished Max would fail or that he couldn't forgive him. Besides, forgiving Max wasn't just for Max; carrying around hate and fear had pretty much killed Jensen. The only reason he let it go was because of Jared. Jared had reached in and pulled him out. "I can't even imagine us being… well, you know?" He loved Jared way too much to even consider it. "I do forgive you, though, and I mean it this time." He smiled gently.
Max’s wide shoulders slumped in relief and he ducked his head, dragging in a deep, fortifying breath. “Thank you, Jen. You have no idea what it means to me. I-I was so afraid you’d punch me in the mouth before I could even apologize or explain why I was here.”
Jensen smirked. "I never stopped caring about you and wanting you to be okay. I always had to believe you were in there somewhere, I'm just glad you proved me right."
~*~
Jack had found his golden fucking ticket and he was going to use it to walk right through Jared's front door. He didn't take being alone well at all and Jared was his, even if he'd had his former boyfriend waiting on the sidelines for a while there. Jared always bowed down to any and everything that Jack wanted. He had no idea where this whole new habit of saying no came from but he had a pretty good idea. And, he was about to cut out that little factor. No one at the club could deny that whatever his name was had left with whatever that other guy's name was.
It didn't matter that they hadn't been all over each other; Jack knew Jared's buttons. He knew how to play him and where to apply just the right pressure. All he needed was a foot inside Jared's front door and he would take care of the rest. Now, hopefully, without his buddy around Jared would behave better but who knew? He reached the front door of the beach house and knocked, taking a step back and putting on his best innocent face.
The oven door closed with a bang, startling Jared out of his musings. He shook his head at himself, getting lost in romantic musings when he should’ve been paying attention to the awesome, if he did say so himself, meal he’d just finished preparing for Jensen. The knock at the door drew his attention and he laughed to himself as he made his way over.
Jared swung the door open, a smile on his face. “You couldn’t stay at work, could-Jack?” Jared stuttered to a stop, gaping at the blonde standing innocently at his door. The smile died and a frown took its place. “What the hell are you doing here, Jack?”
Jack put his hands up. "Jared, seriously, I just want to talk to you." He shook his head. "I'm not here to fight with you, but something happened tonight and I think you have the right to know about it." He couldn't help but bite back the smile trying to form on his lips. He knew that Jared wasn't going to be happy to see him and he certainly was not going to be happy to hear what he had to say, but, after it was all said and done, he would need a shoulder to cry on.
An eyebrow rose in mocking question and Jared folded his arms over his chest, feet braced apart and taking up the entire doorway. “So tell me and then get the hell out of here.”
"Oh, baby, don't be like that." Jack frowned and shook his head. This whole being difficult thing Jared had going on needed to be stopped or Jack was going to kill him. "Seriously, though, you really may want to sit down for this."
“If you’re here to tell me you have HIV, I already know and I’ve already been tested and cleared. You can thank Sara for letting me know.” Jared didn’t budge an inch, his frown hardening further the longer Jack kept him standing there.
Jack rolled his eyes. "No, it isn't that, but remind me to thank the big mouth bitch later," he said, his face growing dark for a moment before settling his hands on his hips. "You know, this whole little attitude of yours is really a pain in the ass. Who do you think you are, all of a sudden?"
“I think I’m worth more than scraping on my goddamn belly every time you snap your goddamn fingers. Are you done? I’ve got dinner in the oven and Jensen will be home soon.” Jared huffed a harsh breath, tapping his foot impatiently.
"No, he won't be," Jack shot back. "And maybe if you acted a little more like that, he wouldn't have gone off with that asshole in the bar tonight. I was there, I watched; if I had my phone on me I would have taken pictures for you but let me tell you something, Jay, they were all over each other before they even hit the door. I can only imagine what they did by the time they hit the parking lot."
Jared’s left eye twitched, a small crack in the wall he’d built up with Jensen’s help. “What are you talking about? And, let me make it perfectly clear that if you’re lying to me, I will break you in half with my bare hands.”
"Yeah? I would love to see you try," Jack snapped back and folded his arms over his chest because at this point hurting Jared was more important than anything else he had in mind. "I was at the club and Jensen was working behind the bar, some guy came up to him and they started talking. Ended up in the back room and, let me just say that by the time your boyfriend came out he was wearing a different shirt than he went in with."
Jared dropped his arms to his sides and tipped his head to one side. “Step in, but don’t go further than the couch; you’re not staying.” Jared moved away, making a beeline for the phone. He picked it up and dialed the club and put his back to Jack while it rang. Jack made a face at Jared's back before rolling his eyes and looking around the house. Not much had changed from what he remembered but that didn't matter right now. Instead he listened closely to Jared and his phone call.
Picking the phone up, Jamie shoved it between his ear and his shoulder. "Hello?" he said, the place sounded loud in the background but things were actually slowing down. He took a few glasses and started putting them away before shifting the phone the other ear.
“Yeah, Jamie? It’s Jared. Is Jen there?” Jared walked into the kitchen, absently checking the meal in the oven as he strained over the music in the club to hear Jamie’s reply.
"Hey, Jared," Jamie answered. "Nah, he cut out with a friend of his. Max, I think he said his name was." Jensen had said he'd be back in a minute but it had more been like thirty now, but it didn't really matter. "Want me to have him call you when he gets back?"
“Uh, no, thanks. I’ll-I’ll talk to him when he comes home. Thanks, Jamie.” Jared ended the call and carefully set it on the counter before heading back out to the living room. He stared at Jack in silence for a long moment and then folded his arms across his chest again.
Jack cocked his head to the side as Jared came back and again he forced the smile off of his face. Taking a step forward, he watched Jared carefully for a second. "Told you I wasn't lying," he offered though his tone was less harsh now, as if he cared for whatever suffering Jared was feeling at the moment. "You okay?"
“I need you to leave.” Jared’s voice was quiet and calm, obviously masking whatever his true emotions were at the moment. “I have things to do.”
Jack's eyes narrowed for a moment. "Come on, baby, don't be like that." He took another step closer and took Jared's arm. "I can read you like a book and the last thing you need right now is to be alone."
Jared gripped Jack’s wrist, harsh and painful and bruising, and snatched it off of his arm. “I need you to leave. Right now, Jack,” he said calmly, expression completely blank.
Jack pulled his arm away and gave Jared a shove. "Fuck you, you little bitch," he said, all kindness gone from his face. "You lost him and now you’re kicking me out, huh? Can't keep anyone these days, can you?”
One big hand curled around Jack’s throat and Jared dragged him forcefully to the front door, shoved it open and heaved Jack off of his feet with one hand. “I SAID GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY GODDAMN HOUSE, MOTHERFUCKER!” he shouted into Jack’s face, livid, and then chucked the guy to the porch and slammed the door behind him.
Jack hit the front porch hard; he never in his life thought Jared would grow a fucking sack like that. He groaned as he pushed himself up and stared at the door for a second before shaking his head. "Okay, what the fuck just happened?" he muttered as he stalked off.
Meanwhile, Jared was busy in his room. He’d written a note for Terry, explaining that he was leaving for a while and to take care of the Cars’ place, and then he’d started packing his things. Toiletry bag, clothes, wallet, shoes, and then he wrote a note for Jensen, though he had no real faith that Jensen would ever get it. It was simple, merely two words: Be happy. He left it on the bed and gathered up his bag, slung it over his shoulder and left the house.
Jared was on his bike and heading out of town barely ten minutes after he’d physically thrown Jack out. He was numb after his anger had been spent on Jack, and wanted to keep it that way until he got to a motel room for the night. He could, and probably would, break down once he was indoors and away from prying eyes.
~*~
Jensen came home not long after. He and Max had talked for a little bit, catching up or whatever but honestly as happy as Jensen was that Max was clean again he still wasn't too comfortable around him. In fact, the sight of him still sent bad shivers down his spine and he just couldn't handle being around him that long. He walked through the front door and smelled something burning. "Jared?" he called out, heading into the kitchen and turning the oven off and opening the windows to clear the smoke. He headed to his and Jared's bedroom and first found the note he'd left and then headed back to the living room, finding another one for Terry.
Pulling out his phone he called Jared first in a panic, even more panicked when Jared didn't answer. It actually went right to voicemail; why was Jared's phone off? He bit his bottom lip and called again, same thing but this time he left a message. "Jared, what the fuck? Call me as soon you get this," he said before snapping the phone off and calling Terry.
“Someone better be dying,” Terry grumbled into the line, sounding breathless and husky. “We were in the middle of some serious fucking, so, I’m serious; someone better be dying or dead or there soon will be.”
"Terry, where the fuck is Jared?" Jensen snapped, not at all caring about Terry and Misha's fucking. "I came home and there were these notes everywhere and all his shit is gone. Has he called you? Do you know where he is or what the hell is going on here?" he asked, obviously upset though unsure if he was scared or pissed off.
“What are you talking about? No, I’ve got no idea where he is. Weren’t you two supposed to be doing the romantic domestic shit tonight?” Terry asked, shocked and a little disconcerted at the venom in Jensen’s voice. “What did the notes say, Jen?” he asked, gentling his voice.
Jensen growled and picked up the note that was addressed to Terry. "He left one for me saying, be happy, and one for you saying he was leaving for a while and to care of the Cars' place." His heart felt like it was about to pound right out of his chest, because Terry always knew what was going on with Jared and he had no idea. "Why would he leave me?" he asked, sounding a more pathetic than he ever meant to.
“Well, I don’t know. He hasn’t pulled a runner since Jack came home with the first guy he cheated with. You’re too gone for him to have a guy on the side, so I have no freaking clue. Do you want me and Misha to come over?” Terry was sounding more and more upset, pissed and worried the more he spoke.
Jensen shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "No, I'm going out to look for him. Just, if he calls you, please call me. I called his phone but he has it turned off. I'll call you as soon as I find him." He grabbed his keys off the table and headed out, having no idea where he was going to look but he wasn’t going to let it stop him.
Chapter Ten