Supernatural RPS fic: Shadows in His Eyes (Jensen/Jared) 5/5
Title: Shadows in His Eyes
Author: agt_spooky
Pairing: Jensen/Jared
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 45,121
Genre: Police AU
Warnings/Spoilers: domestic violence themes
Disclaimer: It’s RPS, people. It never happened, but I wish it would. :-)
Author’s Notes: Many thanks to sn_24lover, charityflint and queeberquabbler for their beta work and invaluable input. Thank you for being my cheerleaders!
Summary: For K-9 Officer Jared Padalecki, transferring from the San Antonio police department to the elite L.A.P.D. was a dream come true. He nearly forgets he’s in Hollywood until he responds to a 911 call that brings him to the home of actor Jensen Ackles.
It appeared that Jensen had it all - a career that was on fire and a loving, long-term relationship with his partner, Mark. But then Jared uncovers the truth that Jensen had been trying to hide, and the illusion comes crashing down.
Can Jared help Jensen break free of a life he’s convinced he deserves before it’s too late, and in the process help them both find love?
(banner by agt_spooky)
Previous chapters: Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3 / Chapter 4
Jensen fidgeted on the seat next to Jared in the limo, plucking at the bowtie of his tuxedo while he looked out the window at the lights of Hollywood. Jared reached over and stilled his nervous motions.
“Sorry,” Jensen apologized, clasping his hands in his lap.
Jared smiled gently at the anxious actor. “You’ve got nothing to be nervous about. The movie’s gonna be amazing, I know it.”
Jensen blew out a breath. “Thanks, Jare. It’s just…there’s a lot riding on this for me, you know?”
“Well, I know you rode me just fine about three hours ago,” Jared leered playfully, trying to get Jensen to relax. And it worked as Jensen rolled his eyes and smacked Jared on his chest. “And have I mentioned how fucking hot you look tonight in that tux?” Jared growled, sliding his hand up Jensen’s leg, his fingers just brushing the heavy weight of Jensen’s balls. Jensen’s legs fell open slightly at the touch and Jared was going for Jensen’s zipper when the limo started to slow down. Both men looked out the window and saw the bright lights of Grauman’s Chinese Theater just up the street.
Jared cupped Jensen’s face in his hand and turned him to face him, kissing him gently as the limo came to a stop. Through the tinted glass they could already see dozens of flashbulbs going off.
They took a moment to just look at one another, steeling themselves for what was to come, until Jensen smiled brightly.
“Let’s do this,” he said…and opened the door.
Jared was instantly blinded by the enormous amounts of flashes going off as both the paparazzi and fans alike started snapping away the moment Jensen emerged from the limo. Jared could hear the screams from Jensen’s fans and the press all yelling for Jensen to “Look this way!”
Jensen smiled and waved at everyone for a moment before turning back and looking inside the limo, offering Jared his hand. Jared grasped it and let Jensen lead him out of the car and onto the red carpet, where he froze for an instant, overwhelmed.
He’d only ever seen red carpet events from the comfort of his living room and wasn’t prepared for the controlled chaos around him. The press lined both sides of the carpet, cameras and microphones raised, all pointing at he and Jensen. On the left, behind the press, a small section of bleachers had been set up which contained a few hundred rabid, screaming Jensen Ackles fans. Some were taking pictures, others held up signs professing their love for the green-eyed actor. Further down the carpet was a section where Jensen would stop and say a few words to selected members of the press on camera. Jared could see that several of Jensen’s co-stars were already there and being interviewed. Giant spotlights lit up the front of the theater where an enormous banner hung with Jensen’s face and Dark Highway on it.
Jensen tugged gently on Jared’s hand and inclined his head. “C’mon,” he smiled.
Jared nodded and let Jensen lead him down the carpet, their hands still linked. While Jensen continued to smile and wave, Jared was noticing the curious expressions being directed his way, the press whispering to one another, because he was most certainly not Mark Fisher.
By the time he and Jensen made it down to the interview area Jared was smiling as well, caught up in the excitement of the event and the fact that he was on Jensen’s arm, the envy of most every man and woman there.
They stopped in front of the first reporter and Jared saw Jensen take a breath and Jared squeezed his hand in silent support.
“Jensen!” the female reporter greeted him with a smile. “Congratulations on what the critics are calling your best movie yet, the one that’s going to make you a household name and perhaps earn you an Oscar.”
Jensen smiled. “Thanks, Sarah, that’s very nice of you to say. I’m so pleased with how this movie turned out. Christopher was an amazing director and every one of my co-stars turned in fantastic performances. And if the public enjoys it that’s all the reward I’ll need. I don’t need a statue,” he replied.
“Spoken like a true gentlemen, Jensen,” Sarah grinned. “And now the question that’s been on everyone’s lips from the minute you got out of the limo - “ she looked Jared up and down. “Who’s this that you have with you tonight? And are we to assume that this means Mark Fisher is out of the picture?”
Jared felt Jensen tense for a split second. “Yes, Mark and I have gone our separate ways,” he answered simply, then turned his head toward Jared, eyes happy and bright. “This is Jared Padalecki. Jared and I have been dating for several months, and this is our first public appearance together.”
“Well you make quite the handsome couple if I do say so myself,” Sarah answered. “Best of luck with the success of your movie, Jensen.”
“I appreciate it, Sarah.” Jensen replied, then he and Jared stepped back, both giving a sigh that it was now over and done with. No more secrets, no more hiding. Granted, the press didn’t know why Jensen and Mark had split, but that was another hurdle they’d deal with later.
Jared leaned down and whispered in Jensen’s ear. “I love you. You did fantastic.”
“I feel like this huge weight’s been lifted off my shoulders now. Thank you for convincing me I needed to do this,” Jensen answered sincerely.
And then, in front of about a million cameras, Jensen kissed Jared with a gentleness that brought a lump to Jared’s throat.
“Are you ready to run the rest of the gauntlet?” Jared asked when the kiss ended.
Jensen gave Jared’s hand a squeeze. “With you by my side? Absolutely.”
~*~*~*~
Two and a half hours later the lights came up in the theater and Jared simply sat with his mouth open as the credits rolled and thunderous applause broke out. Dark Highway was simply brilliant - a masterful psychological thriller of murder, grief, justice and revenge that had Jared on the edge of his seat the entire length of the movie. The critics had been right on the money - this film was going to propel Jensen into stardom, without a doubt. Jensen had brushed off anything having to do with he and the Oscars, but as far as Jared was concerned, he needed to start working on his acceptance speech.
Everyone started to stand, breaking Jared out of his musings, and he turned and pulled Jensen into a huge, congratulatory hug. “My God, Jen, you were amazing!”
“Does this mean you want another autograph?” Jensen joked and Jared laughed, pulling Jensen close once more before a throng of other people surrounded them, all wanting to talk to Jensen.
Jared stood off to the side, intensely, fiercely proud of Jensen, happy to watch him being congratulated left and right, wanting nothing more than to get him alone and congratulate him in his own way. A way that would preferably involve minimal clothing and lots and lots of skin.
~*~*~*~
Another hour later Jensen and Jared tumbled into their limo, laughing and smiling, both of them buzzed on the many glasses of champagne they’d had from the bottles the director had broken out after the movie.
The minute the door closed Jared slapped the control that raised the dark glass between them and the driver and fastened his mouth to Jensen’s for a steamy kiss that had him hard inside his suit pants in moments. He pulled back, panting, then slid to the floor in front of Jensen, his hands unzipping Jensen’s tuxedo pants.
“Now let me congratulate you properly,” he winked, and Jensen groaned as the pressure on his cock was relieved as Jared drew him out through the slit in his dark grey boxers.
Jared didn’t waste a moment, sinking down on Jensen’s cock until he felt the head bump the back of his throat.
“Shit!” Jensen swore, throwing his head back as Jared started to bob his head. “God, that feels good!”
Jared worked him hard and fast, wanting to see how quickly he could get the other man off, hollowing his cheeks and sucking hard, the taste of Jensen’s pre-come salty on his tongue. Jensen was squirming beneath him in moments, fingers buried in Jared’s long hair, as short, breathy moans fell from his lips.
“Gonna come, Jare…unghh…gonna come,” Jensen warned him a minute later, an instant before his cock swelled in Jared’s mouth and he poured his release down Jared’s throat with a sharp groan.
Jared drank greedily as Jensen’s body trembled with his orgasm, taking everything Jensen had to give until the other man was spent. He pulled off then and smirked up at Jensen, licking his lips.
“Better than an autograph any day.”
~*~*~*~
Jared collapsed face first onto the bed with a long, satisfied groan. Jensen was a warm, heavy weight on his back, his half-hard cock still buried deep inside Jared, both men feeling the aftershocks of their intense orgasms.
Jensen had practically attacked Jared the moment the limo dropped them off at Jensen’s house, tearing at Jared’s suit as soon as they were through the front door. They had shed their clothes like snakes shedding their skins, leaving a trail from the front door all the way to Jensen’s bed, kissing, biting at one another’s mouths the entire time.
In the blink of an eye, Jensen had had Jared on all fours in the middle of the bed, pushing two slick fingers past the ring of muscle while Jared moaned and spread his legs even wider, crazy with lust and arousal. Then Jensen’s rock hard cock was there, filling Jared with one swift thrust, leaving both of them gasping with the sensation. Jensen’s hands held his hips tight as he pounded into him, Jared bucking back just as hard trying to get Jensen even deeper inside him. The sound of skin on skin and breathy moans had filled the moonlit room as they raced toward their completion, with Jared finding it first. He cried out, shuddering, as his cock jerked, completely untouched, his release painting the comforter in thick, white stripes. Jensen was only a moment behind him, pushing deeper than Jared had ever felt him as he came hard, his cock pulsing again and again as he filled Jared so completely.
And now they lay together, still joined, letting their breathing even back out. Jared closed his eyes and hummed contentedly as Jensen kissed softly down the back of his neck, then made a soft noise of protest as Jensen slipped ever so slowly from his body. He rolled onto his side as Jensen laid down next to him, their arms going around one another. Jared looked deep into Jensen’s eyes, thankful once again that their green depths had been clear and bright and free of shadows for so many months now.
Jensen gave him a teasing smile. “That’s how I say thank you to my fans,” he winked.
Jared laughed. “I certainly hope not all of them!”
Jensen shook his head and kissed Jared tenderly. “Nah, just one, certain special one,” he smiled.
Jared sighed warmly and kissed Jensen on his forehead. “I was so happy for you, tonight, Jen. You deserved every minute of that applause.”
Jensen regarded him silently for a moment. “Do you know what would make me even happier?” he asked earnestly.
Jared tipped his head. “What?”
“You saying you’ll move in with me.”
Jared’s throat closed up and his chest contracted. Before he could even try to form words Jensen continued.
“I didn’t want you to leave when you were well enough to go home. I wanted to ask you right then to stay, but I was still too damn scared of people finding out about us. But after tonight I’m through hiding how much you mean to me.” Jensen paused. “I hate being gone for my job. I want something to come home to. I want you to come home to,” he whispered, voice thick with emotion. “Please…say you’ll stay…”
Jared felt the sudden prick of tears behind his eyes, his heart swelling with love for this incredible man in his arms.
“Yes,” he finally got out past the lump in his throat. “Yes, yes, yes…” he chanted, a happy laugh bursting out of him as Jensen tackled him back onto the mattress, straddled his body and started smothering him with short little kisses. Kisses that quickly turned long and slow.
Jared’s body was just gearing up for round two when a cold, wet nose pressed itself against the side of his leg. Jared yelped in surprise and Jensen started laughing.
“Way to break the mood there, Harley,” Jared muttered at the big dog, who whined at him.
Jensen patted Jared on his chest. “I’ll go let him out while you clean up the bed,” he said, giving Jared a quick kiss before he led Harley out of the room.
Jared had just finished folding up the damp comforter and was putting it on the floor by the dresser when Jensen came back in, still completely naked. Jared pulled back the sheet and held his hand out.
“C’mere, you.”
Jensen smiled and went willingly and a minute later they were wrapped in each other’s arms again, their eyes drifting closed. As Jared lay there in the moonlight with Jensen’s head resting on his chest he felt as though he was standing on the top of the world. He was truly in love for the first time in his life, their relationship was finally out in the open and Jensen’s career was about to explode.
His world was perfect and nothing, nothing could ever change that.
~*~*~*~
The sound of shattering glass tore Jared from his sleep.
He bolted upright in bed, reaching for Jensen only to discover that he wasn’t beside him at the same time he heard voices out in the main part of the house. In an instant every police instinct he possessed was screaming at him that something was horribly wrong. He slipped silently from the bed, crept over to the bedroom doorway and peered around the edge, down the hallway.
And what he saw made his heart stop beating in his chest and the blood in his veins turn to ice.
Mark Fisher was holding a knife on Jensen.
Every impulse Jared possessed was crying out for him to rush down the hallway right then and there but he tramped them down, forcing himself to think rationally, think like a cop, and survey the scene.
Mark and Jensen were at the end of the hallway between the kitchen and the living room. The small light over the sink in the kitchen was on, casting a pale yellow glow on the two men. Jensen was wearing only a pair of dark grey boxers, the broken remains of a glass of milk at his feet, his hands raised up in front of him, trying to placate Mark.
Fisher looked wild, with disheveled clothes and hair, and even though Jared couldn’t see his eyes, his behavior was more than enough to deduce he was cranked high on cocaine once again.
Jared ducked back into the bedroom and flattened himself against the wall, his heart jackrabbiting in his chest, mind whirling. My God, had it been six months already since Fisher was sent away? He cursed himself for not having kept better track, too wrapped up in his growing relationship with Jensen. He should’ve known Mark would come here as soon as he was released. But how the fuck did he even get in the house?? As passion-crazed as he and Jensen had been several hours ago, they didn’t forget to turn the alarm on before heading to the bedroom, the code which Jensen had changed several months ago. Then with sudden clarity Jared remembered Jensen telling him shortly after they’d met that Mark had been the one to install the alarm at the house. He would know exactly how to disarm the system from the outside. Then he probably used his old house key and walked right in the fucking front door. Jared pushed his head back against the wall, hands balled into fists at his side. This was his fault. He should’ve protected Jensen better than this. He was a cop for fuck’s sake.
“How could you not bail me out, Jensen?! You left me to ROT in there!”
Mark’s screaming pulled Jared from his thoughts and he sprang into action. Still naked, he crossed over to the closet and quickly pulled on his uniform pants before silently opening up the top drawer of Jensen’s dresser. He withdrew the lockbox, spun the small combination lock and took out his .45, flipping off the safety catch. He crept back over to the doorway, wishing to God that he and Jensen hadn’t put Harley outside for the night. He could’ve used his partner right about now.
Looking back down the hallway, Jared knew there was no way to sneak all the way up on Mark, because of where he and Jensen were standing. The hallway itself was dark, but Fisher would eventually notice him. He would only be able to count on the element of surprise to give him any sort of advantage.
He took a long, steady breath, then moved out into the hallway, keeping his back flattened against the wall. He moved inch by slow inch, miraculously remaining undetected until he reached the point where the light from the kitchen reached the hallway. It was time to make his move.
In one fluid motion he pushed away from the wall, raised his weapon and took up a firing stance.
“Drop the knife!”
His element of surprise worked in that he startled both Mark and Jensen, but instead of obeying Jared’s command, Fisher moved lightning quick. He grabbed Jensen’s arm, spun him to face Jared and got behind him, pressing the knife against Jensen’s throat.
Jared stopped breathing.
“YOU!” Mark roared. “I saw you! I saw you BOTH! All over the news, hand-in-hand on the red carpet - KISSING. That’s supposed to be ME!” he screamed, blue eyes wild. “I won’t be replaced! If I can’t have him NO ONE will!” He pushed the knife harder against Jensen’s throat, a thin line of blood appearing as Jensen sucked in a sharp breath through his nose. His eyes were wide, locked on Jared.
It was a nightmare situation. There was no way for Jared to take a clean shot with Mark using Jensen’s body as a shield. Even though his police instincts were telling him no, he was about to put his gun down on the floor, to show Mark he wasn’t a threat and try and get him to calm down and let Jensen go.
What happened next Jared would never be able to explain. Whether Harley knew there was danger or was just reacting to the raised voices, he suddenly barked and scratched at the back door.
Mark’s head whipped toward the noise and the knife moved ever so slightly away from Jensen’s neck. Taking advantage of Mark’s momentary distraction, Jensen’s right hand shot up and pushed against the arm holding the knife, lunging in the opposite direction as he did so. But Mark was fast. With a crazed yell he snagged Jensen’s wrist with one hand as he tried to get away, the hand with the knife raising up then plunging downward toward Jensen’s chest.
“NO!” The scream was ripped from Jared’s throat…
…and he fired.
The sound of the gunshots in the enclosed space of the house was deafening, Mark’s body jerking and spasming as both bullets found their target - one tearing through his neck, the other through the side of his head - before his lifeless body slammed into the hardwood floor.
Deathly silence fell over the room.
For the first time in his law enforcement career, Jared Padalecki had taken a life.
He stood, rooted to the spot, unable to take his eyes off of Mark or the rapidly spreading pool of blood, his heart slamming against his chest, his blood roaring in his ears. He was only broken out of his stupor when Jensen moved, reaching out for him. They grabbed onto one another furiously and Jared could feel the tremors racing under Jensen’s skin.
“Are you okay? Are you okay?” Jared kept repeating against the side of Jensen’s head, pulling back to look at Jensen’s neck, at the thin trickle of blood staining the smooth, tanned skin. “Jesus…”
“I’m okay…Jared, I’m alright,” Jensen reassured him, his voice shaky, though.
Harley barked again and both men jumped.
“Jen, go back in the bedroom and stay there while I…while I take care of this,” Jared swallowed. “You don’t need to see this.”
“Jared - “ Jensen started to protest, but Jared shook his head.
“Please, Jen. I’ll be back there in a minute.”
Jensen nodded slowly then turned and made his way down the hallway to his bedroom, glancing over his shoulder at Jared before closing the door.
Jared sagged against the wall and ran a hand over his face, realizing he was still holding his weapon. He turned the safety back on then moved into the kitchen, stepping over Fisher’s body, avoiding looking at the sightless blue eyes staring up at him. He placed his gun on the kitchen table then grabbed the cordless phone on the counter, noting the time on the clock on the stove - 3:13 am.
He opened up the French doors and stepped out onto the deck, calming Harley down as he punched Jeff’s home number into the phone. It was picked up after four rings.
“Sarge? It’s Jared. I…I’m at Jensen’s. Fisher, he broke into the house and attacked Jensen. I…Christ, I shot him.” Jared swallowed. “He’s dead.”
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment. “I’m going to call this in and be right over,” Jeff told him. “Don’t touch anything, Jared. Just sit tight. You hear me?”
Jared nodded. “Yeah…yeah, Sarge.”
“Everything’s going to be fine, Jared,” Jeff reassured him, then hung up.
Harley nudged Jared’s leg with his nose and he dropped down beside his partner, wrapping his arms around the big dog, face buried in his short fur. “Thank you,” he whispered, the words getting caught in his throat. “Thank you…”
~*~*~*~
Back in the house a minute later, leaving Harley outside, Jared went back down the hall to Jensen’s bedroom, feeling the last of the adrenaline rush ebb from his body, leaving him feeling cold and numb.
He opened the door to see that Jensen was fully dressed now and sitting on the edge of the bed, head bowed, arms resting across his thighs. He looked up as Jared sat down next to him and Jared wanted to cry at what he saw. Jensen’s eyes were haunted and full of shadows once more, and Jared felt his perfect world break and fall like shards of glass all around him.
Jensen reached out a hand and curled his fingers around Jared’s. “Are you okay?” he whispered.
Jared’s voice sounded hollow to his own ears. “No. No, I’m not.”
~*~*~*~
It wasn’t long before half of the L.A.P.D. was swarmed outside of Jensen’s house, lighting up the early morning hours with red and white flashing lights on top of squad cars and an ambulance. There were people everywhere - patrol officers, detectives, Internal Affairs, EMTs, the coroner and the crime scene techs. Not to mention most of Jensen’s neighborhood, minus only Chris, who was in Oklahoma visiting family. The paparazzi were there, too, cameras flashing, trying to get every scrap of information they could about what was going on inside actor Jensen Ackles’ home.
Inside said home, Jensen was having the shallow cut on his neck bandaged by one of the EMTs while Jared was sitting at the kitchen table with Jeff, Detective Jennifer Robertson, and Lewis Shaw, from Internal Affairs. His weapon was in the middle of the table, the clip ejected and the gun secured to prevent any further firing.
“…he was attempting to stab Mr. Ackles in the chest when I fired my weapon twice, striking Mark Fisher once in the throat and once in the head,” Jared explained, voice flat and emotionless, feeling disconnected from himself and everything going on around him. As if all of this was happening to someone else and he was watching from a distance.
Robertson and Shaw nodded, writing in their notebooks as the crime scene techs took pictures behind them, the coroner standing ready with a black body bag and a stretcher.
“Okay, I think that’s it for now,” Shaw said, closing his notebook and standing along with Robertson. “We’ll need to have an official meeting in the IA offices later this afternoon with you and your union rep, Officer Padalecki.”
Jeff put his hand on Jared’s shoulder. “I’ll take care of contacting him for you, Jared.”
“Alright, we’ll see you at 2:30, then,” Shaw nodded, then he and Robertson walked toward the front door.
“Jared?” Jeff squeezed his shoulder. “Talk to me, son. Tell me what you’re feeling.”
Jared turned bleak eyes on his sergeant. “Nothing…I don’t feel…anything.”
“It’s okay. It’s going to take awhile for all of this to sink in. But Jared…don’t ever doubt your actions here tonight. Taking a life is never easy. I know that from experience. But it was the right thing to do. You saved Jensen’s life.”
Jared nodded and leaned forward, resting his face in his hands, utterly exhausted. “I just…I need to get out of here. I need to get Jensen out of here.”
“Go,” Jeff told him. “The detectives already took Jensen’s statement. Take him back to your place. I’ll stay here until everyone’s finished up.”
“Thanks, Sarge. For everything.”
Jeff patted Jared softly on his back. “Go get some rest. Both of you.”
~*~*~*~
The ride to Jared’s house was spent in silence, even Harley was quiet in the backseat during the twenty five minute trip. Jensen stared out the window into the breaking dawn, his fingers entwined with Jared’s, holding on tightly.
Jared moved through his semi-dark house on autopilot and followed Jensen straight back to his bedroom. As Jensen turned to look at him, the weak rays of the sun caught the white bandage on his neck, stopping Jared dead in his tracks.
And just like that, at the sight of the small piece of gauze the full impact of the events of the night finally slammed into Jared like a tidal wave, completely overwhelming him. He felt himself start to shake uncontrollably, the next second his legs were buckling under him and he fell to his knees, trying to draw breath into his chest.
He knew this day would come someday, when he’d have to kill, and even though Mark Fisher had been a violent bastard it didn’t make this any easier. He was a cop, not a robot devoid of emotions, and he had taken a human life.
Suddenly Jensen was on the floor in front of him, pulling Jared to him and Jared clutched at him, burying his face in Jensen’s shoulder as silent tears leaked from his tightly closed eyes. Jensen held him as he shook, cradling the back of his head with one hand, his other arm wrapped tightly around Jared’s back as he murmured to Jared over and over.
“It’s okay, it’s okay, I’ve got you, I’ve got you…”
~*~*~*~
Mark’s head whipped toward the noise and the knife moved ever so slightly away from Jensen’s neck. Taking advantage of Mark’s momentary distraction, Jensen’s right hand shot up and pushed against the arm holding the knife, lunging in the opposite direction as he did so. But Mark was fast. With a crazed yell he snagged Jensen’s wrist with one hand as he tried to get away, the hand with the knife raising up then plunging downward toward Jensen’s chest.
“NO!” The scream was ripped from Jared’s throat and he fired.
…and he missed.
The knife continued its downward thrust, plunging into Jensen’s chest and Jensen screamed in pain as his blood sprayed out in a bright red arc…
“Noooo-“
“-ooo!”
Jared jolted upright in bed, torn from his nightmare, his scream dying on his lips. Panicked, he reached blindly for Jensen, but the other man was already there, pulling Jared to him, holding him tightly.
“I couldn’t stop him,” Jared breathed harshly against Jensen’s shoulder. “He killed you, he - “ Jared’s words caught in his throat.
“It’s okay…it was just a nightmare,” Jensen soothed him. “I’m fine, I’m right here, see?” He put Jared’s hand over his heart and Jared could feel it beating strongly under his palm, helping to calm him down.
Jared let out a shaky sigh. “I’m sorry,” he whispered brokenly.
Jensen looked at him in confusion. “For what?”
“For not protecting you the way I should have. It was my fault - “
“Stop right there,” Jensen cut him off. “If anyone’s to blame here, it’s me. I was so happy to have Mark out of my life that I didn’t take the precautions I should have. I thought that by leaving him in jail and filing the restraining order against him that would’ve been the end of it.” Jensen blew out a breath. “I should’ve known better.”
Jared shook his head. “I’m a cop -“ he tried again.
“And Mark was an unpredictable, out of control drug addict. He would’ve found a way to get to me eventually.” Jensen tangled his fingers with Jared’s, voice thick with emotion. “He would’ve killed me tonight if it wasn’t for you. You saved my life, Jared…”
Then he was leaning forward, kissing Jared with such love and tenderness that Jared felt tears spring to his eyes once again. If he would have lost Jensen tonight…
The kiss gradually ended and they rested their foreheads together for several moments.
“Try and go back to sleep,” Jensen whispered to Jared, leaning back and drawing Jared’s head down to rest gently against his chest. “I’ll be right here.”
Jared let his eyes slide closed. “I love you,” he murmured, letting himself drift back off to sleep, held safely in Jensen’s arms where the nightmares couldn’t reach him.
~*~*~*~
It was almost noon before they rose from Jared’s bed, both of them still emotionally drained from the events of the previous night. Jensen moved around Jared’s kitchen, putting together a small breakfast for them while Jared sat at the table, staring off blankly into space, unwanted images skittering through his mind.
“Hey,” Jensen put a hand on his shoulder and Jared jerked, startled. “Eat something,” he said softly, setting a plate with scrambled eggs and toast in front of Jared.
But Jared’s stomach roiled at the thought of food and he shook his head. “Not hungry,” he mumbled, pushing the plate away, staring back off into the living room.
Jensen sighed and crouched down in front of him, taking both of Jared’s hands in his. “Talk to me. Don’t keep this bottled up inside you.”
Jared swallowed hard. “I just…I can’t get the image of him out of my head. His eyes…and the blood. Knowing I did that. That I ended a life.” He felt moisture behind his eyes and he pushed away from the table and Jensen. His agitated steps took him into the living room where he sat down wearily on the couch and buried his face in his hands.
But a minute later Jensen was sitting beside him, gently pushing Jared’s hands down. Jared could barely meet his concerned gaze.
“I can see it in your eyes,” Jensen said quietly. “You think you’re weak because this is affecting you so deeply.”
Jared closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, his shoulders sagging. “Why can’t this be like in the movies?” he asked forlornly. “Where the cop just blasts away and never gives it a second thought.” Jared blew out a ragged breath. “I’ve never felt this unbalanced in my life. I don’t know how to come to terms with this. I feel like I’m falling and I don’t know how to stop.”
“Then I’ll catch you,” Jensen replied simply, firmly, threading his fingers with Jared’s. “You’ve been my strength and support for months. Now let me be yours.”
Jared could only nod, his words of thanks and love caught behind the lump of emotion in his throat.
Jensen brushed his fingers through Jared’s hair. “I can’t even imagine what you’re feeling. But I know what I’m feeling. Grateful. Grateful that you were strong enough to make an agonizing decision, knowing that it would forever change you, in order to save my life. And I don’t care how corny this sounds - you’re my hero, Jared.”
Jared felt his eyes tear up again as the corners of Jensen’s mouth quirked up in a grin. “All you need is a cape. And a big red J on your chest.”
Jared couldn’t help but laugh, wiping at his eyes, feeling some of the tension drain from his body, thankful to Jensen for lightening the mood.
“C’mere,” Jared smiled, cupping the back of Jensen’s head, drawing him closer so he could kiss him slow and tender. “I love you,” he murmured against Jensen’s mouth, resting their foreheads together.
A moment later voices outside drew their attention and Jared stood, moving to the window and parting the blinds slightly. He shook his head at what he saw and let the blinds snap closed.
“How many now?” Jensen asked.
“About a dozen altogether,” Jared replied with a sigh. Sometime during the morning while they had been sleeping, the press had started camping out on Jared’s front lawn, hoping for a statement from either of them.
Jared pulled nervously at his tie. “I’ve gotta go.”
Jensen nodded then stood, fixing Jared’s tie. “Everything’s going to be fine,” he reassured him. “There’s no way that Internal Affairs won’t clear you.”
Jared blew out a breath. “I just want this over with.” He kissed Jensen softly. “I’ll be back soon.”
Predictably, as soon as Jared opened the front door the paparazzi swarmed like locusts, cameras flashing, yelling out questions, wanting details of what exactly happened at Jensen’s last night. Jared ignored them all, not saying a word, and shouldered past them to his truck, jumping in and roaring off down the street.
~*~*~*~
“Officer Padalecki, thank you for coming,” Lewis Shaw began, sitting down at the table across from Jared and his union rep, Patrick Collins, in the Internal Affairs offices.
Shaw hit the button on the tape recorder in the middle of the table.
“We’re here regarding the fatal shooting that occurred last night at the residence of Mr. Jensen Ackles, at 441 Highland Avenue.” Shaw flipped open the file folder in front of him. “Myself and Detective Jennifer Robertson have reviewed the evidence and the past history of Mr. Mark Fisher, in regards to Mr. Ackles and have reached our decision regarding this incident.”
Jared swallowed and flexed his fingers against his thighs.
“Officer Padalecki, we have cleared you of any wrong-doing and our official conclusion is that this was a good shoot.”
Jared released a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding and Patrick squeezed his shoulder.
“As you were involved in a fatal shooting, you will be cleared to return to duty only after you have completed a mandatory three sessions with the police department psychologist. Your weapon will be returned to you upon completion of these sessions.”
Jared nodded. “I understand.”
Shaw slid a piece of paper across to Jared, along with a pen.
“I just need your signature at the bottom and this investigation will be complete.”
Jared hastily scrawled his name on the line, dated it, and slid it back over to Shaw, who offered his hand. Jared shook it gratefully, glad to be out from under the dark cloud that had been hanging over him since yesterday.
This was the first step in getting his life put back together.
~*~*~*~
Jared once again ran the gauntlet of reporters outside his house when he returned, noticing that there were several more now. He wondered how long they’d stay until they finally gave up.
He found Jensen at the kitchen table, on his phone, a piece of paper and a pen in front of him, Harley at his feet. He looked over as Jared walked into the room.
“Jared just got back,” Jensen told the person on the other end of the phone. “Let me find out what happened and I’ll call you back.” He paused, a soft smile on his face. “Thanks, man. You, too. Bye.”
Jensen put down the phone. “Chris,” he explained. “I wanted to tell him myself what was going on before he heard it on the news. So…” Jensen stood. “How did it go?” he asked cautiously.
Jared smiled. “They cleared me.”
Jensen drew Jared into a fierce hug. “I knew it,” he smiled. “So what now?”
“Now I have to go see the department shrink three times before I’m cleared for duty.”
Jensen nodded. “I think that’s a good idea.”
“It’s not something I’m looking forward to,” Jared admitted. “I’d rather just talk to you, like this morning.”
“And you can. I want you to. But a professional police psychologist is better qualified to help you come to terms with what happened. To help you let go of the guilt you’re still feeling.”
“Things might be rough with me for a little while,” Jared warned him.
Jensen squeezed his hand. “I’m not going anywhere. In fact,” he sighed, “things are about to get rough with me, too.”
Jared cocked his head. “What do you mean?”
Jensen picked up the piece of paper, filled with his writing. “I’m about to do something I’m not looking forward to, either. But it’s something that’s long overdue. I made a statement to read to the press. About what happened between Mark and I, and how it led to last night.”
Jared could see the fear in Jensen’s eyes, that this would be the end of a career he’d worked so hard for.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Jared said gently, putting his hands on Jensen’s shoulders. “And I’ll say it again - no one is going to think that you were weak.”
Jensen nodded, but Jared could tell he didn’t quite believe him. Only time would prove Jared right.
“Will you go out there with me?”
Jared cupped Jensen’s face in his hands and kissed him softly, gently. “I’ll be right there next to you. Always.”
~*~*~*~
The press went into a frenzy as soon as Jensen and Jared stepped out onto the porch, advancing across the yard, shouting questions. Jared walked down the steps and held up his hands.
“Quiet!” he bellowed and the reporters fell silent.
“Mr. Ackles would like to read a statement,” he told them, then walked back up the steps to stand just behind Jensen on his left, putting a reassuring hand on his back and felt as Jensen took a steadying breath.
“For a year I was the victim of domestic violence at the hands of my partner, Mark Fisher, who was addicted to cocaine,” Jensen began. “After the third time Mark was arrested he was sentenced to six months in the county jail, and I filed a restraining order against him.”
Jensen paused as the reporters exchanged looks of disbelief with one another. “At 3 am this morning, two days after Mark was released from jail, he broke into my home and threatened me with a knife.”
Jensen glanced over his shoulder at Jared, and Jared moved his hand to link his fingers with Jensen’s.
“I was nearly killed before Officer Jared Padalecki of the L.A.P.D. fatally shot Mark Fisher,” Jensen finished, lowering his paper.
Then Jared watched as, like a soldier going into battle, Jensen squared his shoulders, looked the reporters directly in their eyes, and braced himself for the firestorm…
….which never came.
Four months later, to a thunderous standing ovation, Jensen accepted the Oscar for Best Actor.
Clutching the gold statue, looking absolutely stunning in his tuxedo, Jensen stepped up to the microphone, a smile of pure amazement on his face.
“There simply aren’t words to express my thanks, how much this means to me,” Jensen began sincerely. “Christopher, without your skills behind the camera, Dark Highway would never have turned out as amazing as it did. Deborah, Carrie and Martin - I couldn’t have asked for better co-stars. This is for you, too.”
Jensen paused, his gaze seeking out Jared, voice thick with emotion. “But the person I need to thank the most is Jared Padalecki. This past year hasn’t been easy for me. You were there for me in the darkest time of my life and brought me out of the shadows. I love you.”
Jared swallowed hard as Jensen bowed to the crowd, then backed away from the microphone with a wave as deafening applause erupted throughout the auditorium once again.
Instead of walking off backstage, Jensen jogged down the stairs and across the floor to where Jared was standing, still clapping, tears in his eyes. Jensen was laughing, his smile more blinding than the spotlights, and his eyes…green and clear and bright and dancing with happiness.
He threw himself at Jared and they wrapped their arms around each other and held on tight. And when Jared kissed Jensen, pouring out his love and support without words, everyone around them cheered, the cameras capturing every minute of Jensen’s victory. And it was more than a professional victory, it was personal, too. The last piece of confirmation Jensen needed that his nightmare was over, that the past was behind him and he had a bright future ahead of him.
Jared had thought once before that he’d found his happy ending. But he was wrong. Standing here with Jensen in his arms, having weathered the storm together, never wavering from each other’s side, their love for one another only growing…he knew.
This was their true Hollywood happy ending.
THE END
Whew! That's it, folks! I hope all of you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. :-)
Feedback is always welcomed!
Author: agt_spooky
Pairing: Jensen/Jared
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 45,121
Genre: Police AU
Warnings/Spoilers: domestic violence themes
Disclaimer: It’s RPS, people. It never happened, but I wish it would. :-)
Author’s Notes: Many thanks to sn_24lover, charityflint and queeberquabbler for their beta work and invaluable input. Thank you for being my cheerleaders!
Summary: For K-9 Officer Jared Padalecki, transferring from the San Antonio police department to the elite L.A.P.D. was a dream come true. He nearly forgets he’s in Hollywood until he responds to a 911 call that brings him to the home of actor Jensen Ackles.
It appeared that Jensen had it all - a career that was on fire and a loving, long-term relationship with his partner, Mark. But then Jared uncovers the truth that Jensen had been trying to hide, and the illusion comes crashing down.
Can Jared help Jensen break free of a life he’s convinced he deserves before it’s too late, and in the process help them both find love?
(banner by agt_spooky)
Previous chapters: Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3 / Chapter 4
Jensen fidgeted on the seat next to Jared in the limo, plucking at the bowtie of his tuxedo while he looked out the window at the lights of Hollywood. Jared reached over and stilled his nervous motions.
“Sorry,” Jensen apologized, clasping his hands in his lap.
Jared smiled gently at the anxious actor. “You’ve got nothing to be nervous about. The movie’s gonna be amazing, I know it.”
Jensen blew out a breath. “Thanks, Jare. It’s just…there’s a lot riding on this for me, you know?”
“Well, I know you rode me just fine about three hours ago,” Jared leered playfully, trying to get Jensen to relax. And it worked as Jensen rolled his eyes and smacked Jared on his chest. “And have I mentioned how fucking hot you look tonight in that tux?” Jared growled, sliding his hand up Jensen’s leg, his fingers just brushing the heavy weight of Jensen’s balls. Jensen’s legs fell open slightly at the touch and Jared was going for Jensen’s zipper when the limo started to slow down. Both men looked out the window and saw the bright lights of Grauman’s Chinese Theater just up the street.
Jared cupped Jensen’s face in his hand and turned him to face him, kissing him gently as the limo came to a stop. Through the tinted glass they could already see dozens of flashbulbs going off.
They took a moment to just look at one another, steeling themselves for what was to come, until Jensen smiled brightly.
“Let’s do this,” he said…and opened the door.
Jared was instantly blinded by the enormous amounts of flashes going off as both the paparazzi and fans alike started snapping away the moment Jensen emerged from the limo. Jared could hear the screams from Jensen’s fans and the press all yelling for Jensen to “Look this way!”
Jensen smiled and waved at everyone for a moment before turning back and looking inside the limo, offering Jared his hand. Jared grasped it and let Jensen lead him out of the car and onto the red carpet, where he froze for an instant, overwhelmed.
He’d only ever seen red carpet events from the comfort of his living room and wasn’t prepared for the controlled chaos around him. The press lined both sides of the carpet, cameras and microphones raised, all pointing at he and Jensen. On the left, behind the press, a small section of bleachers had been set up which contained a few hundred rabid, screaming Jensen Ackles fans. Some were taking pictures, others held up signs professing their love for the green-eyed actor. Further down the carpet was a section where Jensen would stop and say a few words to selected members of the press on camera. Jared could see that several of Jensen’s co-stars were already there and being interviewed. Giant spotlights lit up the front of the theater where an enormous banner hung with Jensen’s face and Dark Highway on it.
Jensen tugged gently on Jared’s hand and inclined his head. “C’mon,” he smiled.
Jared nodded and let Jensen lead him down the carpet, their hands still linked. While Jensen continued to smile and wave, Jared was noticing the curious expressions being directed his way, the press whispering to one another, because he was most certainly not Mark Fisher.
By the time he and Jensen made it down to the interview area Jared was smiling as well, caught up in the excitement of the event and the fact that he was on Jensen’s arm, the envy of most every man and woman there.
They stopped in front of the first reporter and Jared saw Jensen take a breath and Jared squeezed his hand in silent support.
“Jensen!” the female reporter greeted him with a smile. “Congratulations on what the critics are calling your best movie yet, the one that’s going to make you a household name and perhaps earn you an Oscar.”
Jensen smiled. “Thanks, Sarah, that’s very nice of you to say. I’m so pleased with how this movie turned out. Christopher was an amazing director and every one of my co-stars turned in fantastic performances. And if the public enjoys it that’s all the reward I’ll need. I don’t need a statue,” he replied.
“Spoken like a true gentlemen, Jensen,” Sarah grinned. “And now the question that’s been on everyone’s lips from the minute you got out of the limo - “ she looked Jared up and down. “Who’s this that you have with you tonight? And are we to assume that this means Mark Fisher is out of the picture?”
Jared felt Jensen tense for a split second. “Yes, Mark and I have gone our separate ways,” he answered simply, then turned his head toward Jared, eyes happy and bright. “This is Jared Padalecki. Jared and I have been dating for several months, and this is our first public appearance together.”
“Well you make quite the handsome couple if I do say so myself,” Sarah answered. “Best of luck with the success of your movie, Jensen.”
“I appreciate it, Sarah.” Jensen replied, then he and Jared stepped back, both giving a sigh that it was now over and done with. No more secrets, no more hiding. Granted, the press didn’t know why Jensen and Mark had split, but that was another hurdle they’d deal with later.
Jared leaned down and whispered in Jensen’s ear. “I love you. You did fantastic.”
“I feel like this huge weight’s been lifted off my shoulders now. Thank you for convincing me I needed to do this,” Jensen answered sincerely.
And then, in front of about a million cameras, Jensen kissed Jared with a gentleness that brought a lump to Jared’s throat.
“Are you ready to run the rest of the gauntlet?” Jared asked when the kiss ended.
Jensen gave Jared’s hand a squeeze. “With you by my side? Absolutely.”
~*~*~*~
Two and a half hours later the lights came up in the theater and Jared simply sat with his mouth open as the credits rolled and thunderous applause broke out. Dark Highway was simply brilliant - a masterful psychological thriller of murder, grief, justice and revenge that had Jared on the edge of his seat the entire length of the movie. The critics had been right on the money - this film was going to propel Jensen into stardom, without a doubt. Jensen had brushed off anything having to do with he and the Oscars, but as far as Jared was concerned, he needed to start working on his acceptance speech.
Everyone started to stand, breaking Jared out of his musings, and he turned and pulled Jensen into a huge, congratulatory hug. “My God, Jen, you were amazing!”
“Does this mean you want another autograph?” Jensen joked and Jared laughed, pulling Jensen close once more before a throng of other people surrounded them, all wanting to talk to Jensen.
Jared stood off to the side, intensely, fiercely proud of Jensen, happy to watch him being congratulated left and right, wanting nothing more than to get him alone and congratulate him in his own way. A way that would preferably involve minimal clothing and lots and lots of skin.
~*~*~*~
Another hour later Jensen and Jared tumbled into their limo, laughing and smiling, both of them buzzed on the many glasses of champagne they’d had from the bottles the director had broken out after the movie.
The minute the door closed Jared slapped the control that raised the dark glass between them and the driver and fastened his mouth to Jensen’s for a steamy kiss that had him hard inside his suit pants in moments. He pulled back, panting, then slid to the floor in front of Jensen, his hands unzipping Jensen’s tuxedo pants.
“Now let me congratulate you properly,” he winked, and Jensen groaned as the pressure on his cock was relieved as Jared drew him out through the slit in his dark grey boxers.
Jared didn’t waste a moment, sinking down on Jensen’s cock until he felt the head bump the back of his throat.
“Shit!” Jensen swore, throwing his head back as Jared started to bob his head. “God, that feels good!”
Jared worked him hard and fast, wanting to see how quickly he could get the other man off, hollowing his cheeks and sucking hard, the taste of Jensen’s pre-come salty on his tongue. Jensen was squirming beneath him in moments, fingers buried in Jared’s long hair, as short, breathy moans fell from his lips.
“Gonna come, Jare…unghh…gonna come,” Jensen warned him a minute later, an instant before his cock swelled in Jared’s mouth and he poured his release down Jared’s throat with a sharp groan.
Jared drank greedily as Jensen’s body trembled with his orgasm, taking everything Jensen had to give until the other man was spent. He pulled off then and smirked up at Jensen, licking his lips.
“Better than an autograph any day.”
~*~*~*~
Jared collapsed face first onto the bed with a long, satisfied groan. Jensen was a warm, heavy weight on his back, his half-hard cock still buried deep inside Jared, both men feeling the aftershocks of their intense orgasms.
Jensen had practically attacked Jared the moment the limo dropped them off at Jensen’s house, tearing at Jared’s suit as soon as they were through the front door. They had shed their clothes like snakes shedding their skins, leaving a trail from the front door all the way to Jensen’s bed, kissing, biting at one another’s mouths the entire time.
In the blink of an eye, Jensen had had Jared on all fours in the middle of the bed, pushing two slick fingers past the ring of muscle while Jared moaned and spread his legs even wider, crazy with lust and arousal. Then Jensen’s rock hard cock was there, filling Jared with one swift thrust, leaving both of them gasping with the sensation. Jensen’s hands held his hips tight as he pounded into him, Jared bucking back just as hard trying to get Jensen even deeper inside him. The sound of skin on skin and breathy moans had filled the moonlit room as they raced toward their completion, with Jared finding it first. He cried out, shuddering, as his cock jerked, completely untouched, his release painting the comforter in thick, white stripes. Jensen was only a moment behind him, pushing deeper than Jared had ever felt him as he came hard, his cock pulsing again and again as he filled Jared so completely.
And now they lay together, still joined, letting their breathing even back out. Jared closed his eyes and hummed contentedly as Jensen kissed softly down the back of his neck, then made a soft noise of protest as Jensen slipped ever so slowly from his body. He rolled onto his side as Jensen laid down next to him, their arms going around one another. Jared looked deep into Jensen’s eyes, thankful once again that their green depths had been clear and bright and free of shadows for so many months now.
Jensen gave him a teasing smile. “That’s how I say thank you to my fans,” he winked.
Jared laughed. “I certainly hope not all of them!”
Jensen shook his head and kissed Jared tenderly. “Nah, just one, certain special one,” he smiled.
Jared sighed warmly and kissed Jensen on his forehead. “I was so happy for you, tonight, Jen. You deserved every minute of that applause.”
Jensen regarded him silently for a moment. “Do you know what would make me even happier?” he asked earnestly.
Jared tipped his head. “What?”
“You saying you’ll move in with me.”
Jared’s throat closed up and his chest contracted. Before he could even try to form words Jensen continued.
“I didn’t want you to leave when you were well enough to go home. I wanted to ask you right then to stay, but I was still too damn scared of people finding out about us. But after tonight I’m through hiding how much you mean to me.” Jensen paused. “I hate being gone for my job. I want something to come home to. I want you to come home to,” he whispered, voice thick with emotion. “Please…say you’ll stay…”
Jared felt the sudden prick of tears behind his eyes, his heart swelling with love for this incredible man in his arms.
“Yes,” he finally got out past the lump in his throat. “Yes, yes, yes…” he chanted, a happy laugh bursting out of him as Jensen tackled him back onto the mattress, straddled his body and started smothering him with short little kisses. Kisses that quickly turned long and slow.
Jared’s body was just gearing up for round two when a cold, wet nose pressed itself against the side of his leg. Jared yelped in surprise and Jensen started laughing.
“Way to break the mood there, Harley,” Jared muttered at the big dog, who whined at him.
Jensen patted Jared on his chest. “I’ll go let him out while you clean up the bed,” he said, giving Jared a quick kiss before he led Harley out of the room.
Jared had just finished folding up the damp comforter and was putting it on the floor by the dresser when Jensen came back in, still completely naked. Jared pulled back the sheet and held his hand out.
“C’mere, you.”
Jensen smiled and went willingly and a minute later they were wrapped in each other’s arms again, their eyes drifting closed. As Jared lay there in the moonlight with Jensen’s head resting on his chest he felt as though he was standing on the top of the world. He was truly in love for the first time in his life, their relationship was finally out in the open and Jensen’s career was about to explode.
His world was perfect and nothing, nothing could ever change that.
~*~*~*~
The sound of shattering glass tore Jared from his sleep.
He bolted upright in bed, reaching for Jensen only to discover that he wasn’t beside him at the same time he heard voices out in the main part of the house. In an instant every police instinct he possessed was screaming at him that something was horribly wrong. He slipped silently from the bed, crept over to the bedroom doorway and peered around the edge, down the hallway.
And what he saw made his heart stop beating in his chest and the blood in his veins turn to ice.
Mark Fisher was holding a knife on Jensen.
Every impulse Jared possessed was crying out for him to rush down the hallway right then and there but he tramped them down, forcing himself to think rationally, think like a cop, and survey the scene.
Mark and Jensen were at the end of the hallway between the kitchen and the living room. The small light over the sink in the kitchen was on, casting a pale yellow glow on the two men. Jensen was wearing only a pair of dark grey boxers, the broken remains of a glass of milk at his feet, his hands raised up in front of him, trying to placate Mark.
Fisher looked wild, with disheveled clothes and hair, and even though Jared couldn’t see his eyes, his behavior was more than enough to deduce he was cranked high on cocaine once again.
Jared ducked back into the bedroom and flattened himself against the wall, his heart jackrabbiting in his chest, mind whirling. My God, had it been six months already since Fisher was sent away? He cursed himself for not having kept better track, too wrapped up in his growing relationship with Jensen. He should’ve known Mark would come here as soon as he was released. But how the fuck did he even get in the house?? As passion-crazed as he and Jensen had been several hours ago, they didn’t forget to turn the alarm on before heading to the bedroom, the code which Jensen had changed several months ago. Then with sudden clarity Jared remembered Jensen telling him shortly after they’d met that Mark had been the one to install the alarm at the house. He would know exactly how to disarm the system from the outside. Then he probably used his old house key and walked right in the fucking front door. Jared pushed his head back against the wall, hands balled into fists at his side. This was his fault. He should’ve protected Jensen better than this. He was a cop for fuck’s sake.
“How could you not bail me out, Jensen?! You left me to ROT in there!”
Mark’s screaming pulled Jared from his thoughts and he sprang into action. Still naked, he crossed over to the closet and quickly pulled on his uniform pants before silently opening up the top drawer of Jensen’s dresser. He withdrew the lockbox, spun the small combination lock and took out his .45, flipping off the safety catch. He crept back over to the doorway, wishing to God that he and Jensen hadn’t put Harley outside for the night. He could’ve used his partner right about now.
Looking back down the hallway, Jared knew there was no way to sneak all the way up on Mark, because of where he and Jensen were standing. The hallway itself was dark, but Fisher would eventually notice him. He would only be able to count on the element of surprise to give him any sort of advantage.
He took a long, steady breath, then moved out into the hallway, keeping his back flattened against the wall. He moved inch by slow inch, miraculously remaining undetected until he reached the point where the light from the kitchen reached the hallway. It was time to make his move.
In one fluid motion he pushed away from the wall, raised his weapon and took up a firing stance.
“Drop the knife!”
His element of surprise worked in that he startled both Mark and Jensen, but instead of obeying Jared’s command, Fisher moved lightning quick. He grabbed Jensen’s arm, spun him to face Jared and got behind him, pressing the knife against Jensen’s throat.
Jared stopped breathing.
“YOU!” Mark roared. “I saw you! I saw you BOTH! All over the news, hand-in-hand on the red carpet - KISSING. That’s supposed to be ME!” he screamed, blue eyes wild. “I won’t be replaced! If I can’t have him NO ONE will!” He pushed the knife harder against Jensen’s throat, a thin line of blood appearing as Jensen sucked in a sharp breath through his nose. His eyes were wide, locked on Jared.
It was a nightmare situation. There was no way for Jared to take a clean shot with Mark using Jensen’s body as a shield. Even though his police instincts were telling him no, he was about to put his gun down on the floor, to show Mark he wasn’t a threat and try and get him to calm down and let Jensen go.
What happened next Jared would never be able to explain. Whether Harley knew there was danger or was just reacting to the raised voices, he suddenly barked and scratched at the back door.
Mark’s head whipped toward the noise and the knife moved ever so slightly away from Jensen’s neck. Taking advantage of Mark’s momentary distraction, Jensen’s right hand shot up and pushed against the arm holding the knife, lunging in the opposite direction as he did so. But Mark was fast. With a crazed yell he snagged Jensen’s wrist with one hand as he tried to get away, the hand with the knife raising up then plunging downward toward Jensen’s chest.
“NO!” The scream was ripped from Jared’s throat…
…and he fired.
The sound of the gunshots in the enclosed space of the house was deafening, Mark’s body jerking and spasming as both bullets found their target - one tearing through his neck, the other through the side of his head - before his lifeless body slammed into the hardwood floor.
Deathly silence fell over the room.
For the first time in his law enforcement career, Jared Padalecki had taken a life.
He stood, rooted to the spot, unable to take his eyes off of Mark or the rapidly spreading pool of blood, his heart slamming against his chest, his blood roaring in his ears. He was only broken out of his stupor when Jensen moved, reaching out for him. They grabbed onto one another furiously and Jared could feel the tremors racing under Jensen’s skin.
“Are you okay? Are you okay?” Jared kept repeating against the side of Jensen’s head, pulling back to look at Jensen’s neck, at the thin trickle of blood staining the smooth, tanned skin. “Jesus…”
“I’m okay…Jared, I’m alright,” Jensen reassured him, his voice shaky, though.
Harley barked again and both men jumped.
“Jen, go back in the bedroom and stay there while I…while I take care of this,” Jared swallowed. “You don’t need to see this.”
“Jared - “ Jensen started to protest, but Jared shook his head.
“Please, Jen. I’ll be back there in a minute.”
Jensen nodded slowly then turned and made his way down the hallway to his bedroom, glancing over his shoulder at Jared before closing the door.
Jared sagged against the wall and ran a hand over his face, realizing he was still holding his weapon. He turned the safety back on then moved into the kitchen, stepping over Fisher’s body, avoiding looking at the sightless blue eyes staring up at him. He placed his gun on the kitchen table then grabbed the cordless phone on the counter, noting the time on the clock on the stove - 3:13 am.
He opened up the French doors and stepped out onto the deck, calming Harley down as he punched Jeff’s home number into the phone. It was picked up after four rings.
“Sarge? It’s Jared. I…I’m at Jensen’s. Fisher, he broke into the house and attacked Jensen. I…Christ, I shot him.” Jared swallowed. “He’s dead.”
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment. “I’m going to call this in and be right over,” Jeff told him. “Don’t touch anything, Jared. Just sit tight. You hear me?”
Jared nodded. “Yeah…yeah, Sarge.”
“Everything’s going to be fine, Jared,” Jeff reassured him, then hung up.
Harley nudged Jared’s leg with his nose and he dropped down beside his partner, wrapping his arms around the big dog, face buried in his short fur. “Thank you,” he whispered, the words getting caught in his throat. “Thank you…”
~*~*~*~
Back in the house a minute later, leaving Harley outside, Jared went back down the hall to Jensen’s bedroom, feeling the last of the adrenaline rush ebb from his body, leaving him feeling cold and numb.
He opened the door to see that Jensen was fully dressed now and sitting on the edge of the bed, head bowed, arms resting across his thighs. He looked up as Jared sat down next to him and Jared wanted to cry at what he saw. Jensen’s eyes were haunted and full of shadows once more, and Jared felt his perfect world break and fall like shards of glass all around him.
Jensen reached out a hand and curled his fingers around Jared’s. “Are you okay?” he whispered.
Jared’s voice sounded hollow to his own ears. “No. No, I’m not.”
~*~*~*~
It wasn’t long before half of the L.A.P.D. was swarmed outside of Jensen’s house, lighting up the early morning hours with red and white flashing lights on top of squad cars and an ambulance. There were people everywhere - patrol officers, detectives, Internal Affairs, EMTs, the coroner and the crime scene techs. Not to mention most of Jensen’s neighborhood, minus only Chris, who was in Oklahoma visiting family. The paparazzi were there, too, cameras flashing, trying to get every scrap of information they could about what was going on inside actor Jensen Ackles’ home.
Inside said home, Jensen was having the shallow cut on his neck bandaged by one of the EMTs while Jared was sitting at the kitchen table with Jeff, Detective Jennifer Robertson, and Lewis Shaw, from Internal Affairs. His weapon was in the middle of the table, the clip ejected and the gun secured to prevent any further firing.
“…he was attempting to stab Mr. Ackles in the chest when I fired my weapon twice, striking Mark Fisher once in the throat and once in the head,” Jared explained, voice flat and emotionless, feeling disconnected from himself and everything going on around him. As if all of this was happening to someone else and he was watching from a distance.
Robertson and Shaw nodded, writing in their notebooks as the crime scene techs took pictures behind them, the coroner standing ready with a black body bag and a stretcher.
“Okay, I think that’s it for now,” Shaw said, closing his notebook and standing along with Robertson. “We’ll need to have an official meeting in the IA offices later this afternoon with you and your union rep, Officer Padalecki.”
Jeff put his hand on Jared’s shoulder. “I’ll take care of contacting him for you, Jared.”
“Alright, we’ll see you at 2:30, then,” Shaw nodded, then he and Robertson walked toward the front door.
“Jared?” Jeff squeezed his shoulder. “Talk to me, son. Tell me what you’re feeling.”
Jared turned bleak eyes on his sergeant. “Nothing…I don’t feel…anything.”
“It’s okay. It’s going to take awhile for all of this to sink in. But Jared…don’t ever doubt your actions here tonight. Taking a life is never easy. I know that from experience. But it was the right thing to do. You saved Jensen’s life.”
Jared nodded and leaned forward, resting his face in his hands, utterly exhausted. “I just…I need to get out of here. I need to get Jensen out of here.”
“Go,” Jeff told him. “The detectives already took Jensen’s statement. Take him back to your place. I’ll stay here until everyone’s finished up.”
“Thanks, Sarge. For everything.”
Jeff patted Jared softly on his back. “Go get some rest. Both of you.”
~*~*~*~
The ride to Jared’s house was spent in silence, even Harley was quiet in the backseat during the twenty five minute trip. Jensen stared out the window into the breaking dawn, his fingers entwined with Jared’s, holding on tightly.
Jared moved through his semi-dark house on autopilot and followed Jensen straight back to his bedroom. As Jensen turned to look at him, the weak rays of the sun caught the white bandage on his neck, stopping Jared dead in his tracks.
And just like that, at the sight of the small piece of gauze the full impact of the events of the night finally slammed into Jared like a tidal wave, completely overwhelming him. He felt himself start to shake uncontrollably, the next second his legs were buckling under him and he fell to his knees, trying to draw breath into his chest.
He knew this day would come someday, when he’d have to kill, and even though Mark Fisher had been a violent bastard it didn’t make this any easier. He was a cop, not a robot devoid of emotions, and he had taken a human life.
Suddenly Jensen was on the floor in front of him, pulling Jared to him and Jared clutched at him, burying his face in Jensen’s shoulder as silent tears leaked from his tightly closed eyes. Jensen held him as he shook, cradling the back of his head with one hand, his other arm wrapped tightly around Jared’s back as he murmured to Jared over and over.
“It’s okay, it’s okay, I’ve got you, I’ve got you…”
~*~*~*~
Mark’s head whipped toward the noise and the knife moved ever so slightly away from Jensen’s neck. Taking advantage of Mark’s momentary distraction, Jensen’s right hand shot up and pushed against the arm holding the knife, lunging in the opposite direction as he did so. But Mark was fast. With a crazed yell he snagged Jensen’s wrist with one hand as he tried to get away, the hand with the knife raising up then plunging downward toward Jensen’s chest.
“NO!” The scream was ripped from Jared’s throat and he fired.
…and he missed.
The knife continued its downward thrust, plunging into Jensen’s chest and Jensen screamed in pain as his blood sprayed out in a bright red arc…
“Noooo-“
“-ooo!”
Jared jolted upright in bed, torn from his nightmare, his scream dying on his lips. Panicked, he reached blindly for Jensen, but the other man was already there, pulling Jared to him, holding him tightly.
“I couldn’t stop him,” Jared breathed harshly against Jensen’s shoulder. “He killed you, he - “ Jared’s words caught in his throat.
“It’s okay…it was just a nightmare,” Jensen soothed him. “I’m fine, I’m right here, see?” He put Jared’s hand over his heart and Jared could feel it beating strongly under his palm, helping to calm him down.
Jared let out a shaky sigh. “I’m sorry,” he whispered brokenly.
Jensen looked at him in confusion. “For what?”
“For not protecting you the way I should have. It was my fault - “
“Stop right there,” Jensen cut him off. “If anyone’s to blame here, it’s me. I was so happy to have Mark out of my life that I didn’t take the precautions I should have. I thought that by leaving him in jail and filing the restraining order against him that would’ve been the end of it.” Jensen blew out a breath. “I should’ve known better.”
Jared shook his head. “I’m a cop -“ he tried again.
“And Mark was an unpredictable, out of control drug addict. He would’ve found a way to get to me eventually.” Jensen tangled his fingers with Jared’s, voice thick with emotion. “He would’ve killed me tonight if it wasn’t for you. You saved my life, Jared…”
Then he was leaning forward, kissing Jared with such love and tenderness that Jared felt tears spring to his eyes once again. If he would have lost Jensen tonight…
The kiss gradually ended and they rested their foreheads together for several moments.
“Try and go back to sleep,” Jensen whispered to Jared, leaning back and drawing Jared’s head down to rest gently against his chest. “I’ll be right here.”
Jared let his eyes slide closed. “I love you,” he murmured, letting himself drift back off to sleep, held safely in Jensen’s arms where the nightmares couldn’t reach him.
~*~*~*~
It was almost noon before they rose from Jared’s bed, both of them still emotionally drained from the events of the previous night. Jensen moved around Jared’s kitchen, putting together a small breakfast for them while Jared sat at the table, staring off blankly into space, unwanted images skittering through his mind.
“Hey,” Jensen put a hand on his shoulder and Jared jerked, startled. “Eat something,” he said softly, setting a plate with scrambled eggs and toast in front of Jared.
But Jared’s stomach roiled at the thought of food and he shook his head. “Not hungry,” he mumbled, pushing the plate away, staring back off into the living room.
Jensen sighed and crouched down in front of him, taking both of Jared’s hands in his. “Talk to me. Don’t keep this bottled up inside you.”
Jared swallowed hard. “I just…I can’t get the image of him out of my head. His eyes…and the blood. Knowing I did that. That I ended a life.” He felt moisture behind his eyes and he pushed away from the table and Jensen. His agitated steps took him into the living room where he sat down wearily on the couch and buried his face in his hands.
But a minute later Jensen was sitting beside him, gently pushing Jared’s hands down. Jared could barely meet his concerned gaze.
“I can see it in your eyes,” Jensen said quietly. “You think you’re weak because this is affecting you so deeply.”
Jared closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, his shoulders sagging. “Why can’t this be like in the movies?” he asked forlornly. “Where the cop just blasts away and never gives it a second thought.” Jared blew out a ragged breath. “I’ve never felt this unbalanced in my life. I don’t know how to come to terms with this. I feel like I’m falling and I don’t know how to stop.”
“Then I’ll catch you,” Jensen replied simply, firmly, threading his fingers with Jared’s. “You’ve been my strength and support for months. Now let me be yours.”
Jared could only nod, his words of thanks and love caught behind the lump of emotion in his throat.
Jensen brushed his fingers through Jared’s hair. “I can’t even imagine what you’re feeling. But I know what I’m feeling. Grateful. Grateful that you were strong enough to make an agonizing decision, knowing that it would forever change you, in order to save my life. And I don’t care how corny this sounds - you’re my hero, Jared.”
Jared felt his eyes tear up again as the corners of Jensen’s mouth quirked up in a grin. “All you need is a cape. And a big red J on your chest.”
Jared couldn’t help but laugh, wiping at his eyes, feeling some of the tension drain from his body, thankful to Jensen for lightening the mood.
“C’mere,” Jared smiled, cupping the back of Jensen’s head, drawing him closer so he could kiss him slow and tender. “I love you,” he murmured against Jensen’s mouth, resting their foreheads together.
A moment later voices outside drew their attention and Jared stood, moving to the window and parting the blinds slightly. He shook his head at what he saw and let the blinds snap closed.
“How many now?” Jensen asked.
“About a dozen altogether,” Jared replied with a sigh. Sometime during the morning while they had been sleeping, the press had started camping out on Jared’s front lawn, hoping for a statement from either of them.
Jared pulled nervously at his tie. “I’ve gotta go.”
Jensen nodded then stood, fixing Jared’s tie. “Everything’s going to be fine,” he reassured him. “There’s no way that Internal Affairs won’t clear you.”
Jared blew out a breath. “I just want this over with.” He kissed Jensen softly. “I’ll be back soon.”
Predictably, as soon as Jared opened the front door the paparazzi swarmed like locusts, cameras flashing, yelling out questions, wanting details of what exactly happened at Jensen’s last night. Jared ignored them all, not saying a word, and shouldered past them to his truck, jumping in and roaring off down the street.
~*~*~*~
“Officer Padalecki, thank you for coming,” Lewis Shaw began, sitting down at the table across from Jared and his union rep, Patrick Collins, in the Internal Affairs offices.
Shaw hit the button on the tape recorder in the middle of the table.
“We’re here regarding the fatal shooting that occurred last night at the residence of Mr. Jensen Ackles, at 441 Highland Avenue.” Shaw flipped open the file folder in front of him. “Myself and Detective Jennifer Robertson have reviewed the evidence and the past history of Mr. Mark Fisher, in regards to Mr. Ackles and have reached our decision regarding this incident.”
Jared swallowed and flexed his fingers against his thighs.
“Officer Padalecki, we have cleared you of any wrong-doing and our official conclusion is that this was a good shoot.”
Jared released a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding and Patrick squeezed his shoulder.
“As you were involved in a fatal shooting, you will be cleared to return to duty only after you have completed a mandatory three sessions with the police department psychologist. Your weapon will be returned to you upon completion of these sessions.”
Jared nodded. “I understand.”
Shaw slid a piece of paper across to Jared, along with a pen.
“I just need your signature at the bottom and this investigation will be complete.”
Jared hastily scrawled his name on the line, dated it, and slid it back over to Shaw, who offered his hand. Jared shook it gratefully, glad to be out from under the dark cloud that had been hanging over him since yesterday.
This was the first step in getting his life put back together.
~*~*~*~
Jared once again ran the gauntlet of reporters outside his house when he returned, noticing that there were several more now. He wondered how long they’d stay until they finally gave up.
He found Jensen at the kitchen table, on his phone, a piece of paper and a pen in front of him, Harley at his feet. He looked over as Jared walked into the room.
“Jared just got back,” Jensen told the person on the other end of the phone. “Let me find out what happened and I’ll call you back.” He paused, a soft smile on his face. “Thanks, man. You, too. Bye.”
Jensen put down the phone. “Chris,” he explained. “I wanted to tell him myself what was going on before he heard it on the news. So…” Jensen stood. “How did it go?” he asked cautiously.
Jared smiled. “They cleared me.”
Jensen drew Jared into a fierce hug. “I knew it,” he smiled. “So what now?”
“Now I have to go see the department shrink three times before I’m cleared for duty.”
Jensen nodded. “I think that’s a good idea.”
“It’s not something I’m looking forward to,” Jared admitted. “I’d rather just talk to you, like this morning.”
“And you can. I want you to. But a professional police psychologist is better qualified to help you come to terms with what happened. To help you let go of the guilt you’re still feeling.”
“Things might be rough with me for a little while,” Jared warned him.
Jensen squeezed his hand. “I’m not going anywhere. In fact,” he sighed, “things are about to get rough with me, too.”
Jared cocked his head. “What do you mean?”
Jensen picked up the piece of paper, filled with his writing. “I’m about to do something I’m not looking forward to, either. But it’s something that’s long overdue. I made a statement to read to the press. About what happened between Mark and I, and how it led to last night.”
Jared could see the fear in Jensen’s eyes, that this would be the end of a career he’d worked so hard for.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Jared said gently, putting his hands on Jensen’s shoulders. “And I’ll say it again - no one is going to think that you were weak.”
Jensen nodded, but Jared could tell he didn’t quite believe him. Only time would prove Jared right.
“Will you go out there with me?”
Jared cupped Jensen’s face in his hands and kissed him softly, gently. “I’ll be right there next to you. Always.”
~*~*~*~
The press went into a frenzy as soon as Jensen and Jared stepped out onto the porch, advancing across the yard, shouting questions. Jared walked down the steps and held up his hands.
“Quiet!” he bellowed and the reporters fell silent.
“Mr. Ackles would like to read a statement,” he told them, then walked back up the steps to stand just behind Jensen on his left, putting a reassuring hand on his back and felt as Jensen took a steadying breath.
“For a year I was the victim of domestic violence at the hands of my partner, Mark Fisher, who was addicted to cocaine,” Jensen began. “After the third time Mark was arrested he was sentenced to six months in the county jail, and I filed a restraining order against him.”
Jensen paused as the reporters exchanged looks of disbelief with one another. “At 3 am this morning, two days after Mark was released from jail, he broke into my home and threatened me with a knife.”
Jensen glanced over his shoulder at Jared, and Jared moved his hand to link his fingers with Jensen’s.
“I was nearly killed before Officer Jared Padalecki of the L.A.P.D. fatally shot Mark Fisher,” Jensen finished, lowering his paper.
Then Jared watched as, like a soldier going into battle, Jensen squared his shoulders, looked the reporters directly in their eyes, and braced himself for the firestorm…
….which never came.
Four months later, to a thunderous standing ovation, Jensen accepted the Oscar for Best Actor.
Clutching the gold statue, looking absolutely stunning in his tuxedo, Jensen stepped up to the microphone, a smile of pure amazement on his face.
“There simply aren’t words to express my thanks, how much this means to me,” Jensen began sincerely. “Christopher, without your skills behind the camera, Dark Highway would never have turned out as amazing as it did. Deborah, Carrie and Martin - I couldn’t have asked for better co-stars. This is for you, too.”
Jensen paused, his gaze seeking out Jared, voice thick with emotion. “But the person I need to thank the most is Jared Padalecki. This past year hasn’t been easy for me. You were there for me in the darkest time of my life and brought me out of the shadows. I love you.”
Jared swallowed hard as Jensen bowed to the crowd, then backed away from the microphone with a wave as deafening applause erupted throughout the auditorium once again.
Instead of walking off backstage, Jensen jogged down the stairs and across the floor to where Jared was standing, still clapping, tears in his eyes. Jensen was laughing, his smile more blinding than the spotlights, and his eyes…green and clear and bright and dancing with happiness.
He threw himself at Jared and they wrapped their arms around each other and held on tight. And when Jared kissed Jensen, pouring out his love and support without words, everyone around them cheered, the cameras capturing every minute of Jensen’s victory. And it was more than a professional victory, it was personal, too. The last piece of confirmation Jensen needed that his nightmare was over, that the past was behind him and he had a bright future ahead of him.
Jared had thought once before that he’d found his happy ending. But he was wrong. Standing here with Jensen in his arms, having weathered the storm together, never wavering from each other’s side, their love for one another only growing…he knew.
This was their true Hollywood happy ending.
THE END
Whew! That's it, folks! I hope all of you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. :-)
Feedback is always welcomed!