{SPN J2 Big Bang} Gunmetal Dawn - Chapter 5
Fic Title: Gunmetal Dawn
Author name: deannawol
Artist name: grayscaled
Genre: RPS AU
Pairing: Jensen/Jared
Rating: NC-17 / R
Word count: 66,666
Warnings: Slash (M/M) relationship, oral sex, violence, language, angst .
Summary: J2 Cyberpunk AU; Three years ago, Christian Kane betrayed Jared Padalecki and killed most of his family. Mercenary Jensen Ackles saved him and his younger sister Megan and brought them to live with them out in the wilds of Texas. Jared's been training and is finally ready to take Kane on to win back his family's corporate empire. However, the course of true love never runs smoothly and in regaining what he's lost, he's put everything he loves in jeopardy, including his partner and lover, Jensen. A J2 Romance in a Cyberpunk AU setting.
Link to Fic Masterpost: Link
Link to Art Masterpost: Link
Previous Chapter
Jensen stepped out, leaving Jared and JD to catch up. This was time for family and he wasn't going to get in the way of that. Three years was a lot of gossip. Jensen could barely recognize the man that had hired him to keep Jared safe all those years ago. The time hadn't been kind to him but even Jensen could recognise the look in JD's eyes as he'd seen Jared again.
He walked down the street, his hand still on his gun just in case, to grab coffee and breakfast. He killed some time, checking the local papers and chatting with the waitress in the coffee shop. He made his way back to the motel and quietly opened the door. The two men were sitting facing each other over the small dining table, talking quietly. Jensen passed out the coffee and bagels and slid his gun under the pillow on the bed. He dumped the heavy armour jacket on the floor beside the bed and settled down to grab some rest, tucking one of his guns under the pillow, just in case. It had been a long day.
He caught Jared's eye, asking silently if he was okay. A small nod was all it took and Jensen let his eyes close, relaxing but not enough to fall asleep. The conversation skimmed over him. And eventually the door clicked closed and the room fell to silence. Jensen opened an eye. Jared stood facing the door, one hand against the frame, a smile on his face.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," Jared's voice was quiet but happy. "Yeah, I'm good. I never thought I’d get to… It's just... Wow."
Jensen rolled over and propped himself up on an elbow.
"I... I can't believe it," Jared turned, "It's so good to see him again. Even if he's still seeing me as the nineteen year old kid. He's taking to me about people I haven't even thought about since I left the city. But it’s him. It’s like I never left, like the last three years didn’t matter. I don't wanna lose touch with him again."
Jensen frowned, "Why would you...?"
Jared scrubbed his hands through his hair, "He's got all these plans for me taking over the company. And he's started to get things in place. Had meetings, talked to people. And I'm not sure how to tell him that I don't want it. I don’t want to lose him again."
"You sure you don't want it?" Jensen asked.
Jared said nothing, just moved to the bed and sat down.
"Jay?"
"Meg would be so much better at this. I'd crash the company in days," he turned to look at Jensen, "I'm not a business man. I wear jeans and combats and armour. I feel naked without a gun somewhere on me. You know what I mean?"
"Yeah, I know, Jay," Jensen reassured his boyfriend. He paused, "There's a compromise you could work out with him."
Jared was curious now, "Oh?"
"Think about it," Jensen sat up, "It's going to take work to bring the company back. It's going to take board meetings, it's going to take some hard work. At least people know your face. There have been news stories about the lost heir to the throne, Jay. You can use that to get it all set up right and then you can walk away, leave it all for Meg. Last time people saw her, she was a kinda goofy teenager dressed totally in pink. Not exactly the image that you want shown on the news. Your dad gave you some training. You got some before you left the city from JD. Use it, pass it on to Meg. Bring her with you as you take back the company. You don't give someone a broken engine without finding out if they have the toolkit to fix it, do you? This is exactly the same. This way you get to figure out if that's the way you want to go, you get to make JD happy and you make sure that Meg's okay to lead the company."
Jared looked at him, honestly surprised, "I have the best boyfriend in the world."
"Yeah, well…” Jensen blushed, looking down and brushing the back of his neck, “Tell me something that I don't know!"
Reaching out, Jared took his hand, rubbing his thumb over the palm, "You'll stay with me, right?"
"Course."
"Good, cause I couldn't have gotten through these last few years without you, man. You know that, don't you?"
Jensen smiled, "You would have done fine, Jay. You and Meg and Sam. You would have made it on your own."
"No," Jared shook his head, "We wouldn't. Thank you, Jen. For everything."
Jensen changed the subject, embarrassed, "We better get some sleep. It's been a long day and I don't know about you but I'm beat."
Jared nodded and pulled back, quickly stripping off his clothes. Jensen pushed himself up and off the bed, going to the door. He checked the locks and grabbed one of the chairs, jamming it under the door handle. The windows were safe enough, double glazed with bars on the outside to prevent any squatters from breaking in. Satisfied, Jensen stripped down to his boxers and slid into the bed to join his lover, quickly checking that his gun was still safely under the pillow before curling around Jared and kissing his shoulder. Jared groaned sleepily and Jensen smiled against his shoulder, finally letting himself relax enough to sleep.
They woke late, shared a slow, lazy morning ride and then a short shower. Jared had made arrangements to meet up with JD later and they had to check in with Chad. The call to Chad was quick and almost painless once they'd managed to convince him to speak English rather than whatever tech language he was spewing. The video was edited, their names and faces fuzzed out and ready to drop in the mailboxes of every news network in the greater Dallas area.
JD showed up later, knocking on the door just after the story broke on the first network, beer in his hand and Chinese containers held in the crook of the other arm. Jensen moved the chair and helped JD get everything down on the table without dropping anything. The beer went down next and finally the backpack.
"Did you see?" Jared was still excited, "Lead story on the six o'clock news. It's going to be hitting the newspapers for the late edition. Corporate misconduct. Conspiracy. They're even pushing for murder charges. He ever even thinks of stepping back into the city, the cops aren't going to have a choice but to lock him up."
Jensen said nothing, just grabbed a beer leaving Jared to talk.
JD pulled out some folders, dropping them onto the table, "It was good work, Jay, very good, but you can't just walk in there. What I got here is all the intel I've managed to get on the board and the upper levels of management. You'll need to know this before you walk into the building. Everything changed when Kane took over, managed to get his flunkies into place," he opened a beer and took a sip, "You'll need to either get them onside or get them replaced. I got financials, appraisals, dirty secrets. Everything you need to know about your future staff."
Jared grabbed one of the files and a container of food and dug in. Jensen grabbed the egg foo yung and another folder and started dipping in.
JD never stopped with the commentary; times, dates, meetings, new products, old products given new leases of life. He covered the changes that Kane had made and the board approved drop in product quality, the lawsuits and the wrongful death suits. It would take a hell of a lot of work to bring everything back up to spec and convince people to keep it there and it was starting to look like that would all fall on Jared's shoulders.
The beer was long gone as the late evening news broke, feeding more of Christian's great betrayal into the public arena and JD tossed Jensen a credchip and asked him if he minded picking up some more beer and snacks. Jensen sighed and pushed himself to his feet. JD had already turned back to Jared, pulling out a new file and starting in on it. He patted Jared on the shoulder and told him that he'd be back in a few minutes. Jared nodded absently, asking questions and taking notes.
Already the gossip was hitting the street, scandal starved masses picking over the edited video and issuing predictions. Jensen smirked. Not one of them realised that just down the street, everything was being decided and none of it was gonna go the way they thought.
Grabbing chips, snacks and more beer, Jensen paid and headed back. There were the usual street scuffles taking place, street gangs settling scores with people who just wouldn't tow the line, drug deals and petty crime. Nothing out of the ordinary for the area. Jensen stopped to check on the Impala quickly and then made his way back inside, juggling the brown paper and the beer to get the door opened.
He was greeted by the quiet tones of the television and the gentle snores of Jared. Jensen shook his head, smiling. He looked around and saw JD sitting off to the side, watching over Jared.
"He nodded off?" Jensen asked.
"Yeah, somewhere around the fourth quarter financials."
Jensen shrugged, "Can't say I blame him. I'd fall asleep if I had to go through that shit."
JD laughed. Jensen put the bag down and handed the older man a bag of chips.
"So, you up to date on the current security they got?"
"Yeah, I've pulled the current rosters and procedures," JD confirmed.
Jensen grabbed himself a beer, twisted the top off and sat down on the edge of the bed. He took a sip of the beer and gestured towards the pile on the table, "So, who do we have to worry about?"
“You’re coming on board with us?”
“Where Jay goes…”
JD watched him for a minute, weighing him up before leafing through the files and pulling a couple of folders free. He handed them over. Jensen flicked them open and thumbed through the pages.
"Those are the main players," he said, "but there's one or two others to watch out for."
Jensen listened as JD laid out the playing field, asking questions and working things over in his head. It looked like this was going to be a tough battle but... With him watching Jared's back and JD to guide his steps, this whole thing just might work.
They talked late into the night and well into the next day. Jensen woke Jared a little after midnight for a cup of coffee. Damned if Jensen was gonna learn this shit alone.
It took a couple of days to get everything covered and during that time, the Ackles family arrived in bits and pieces - bikes, a couple of battered jeeps and one of their older trailers rolled into the parking lot of the motel. Jensen smiled and welcomed them in, making the arrangements for each new arrival.
"Jen, boy, you been eating right?" A voice called.
Jensen turned to see his momma coming out from behind one of the jeeps.
"Momma, what are you doin' here?" Jensen walked over, gathering her up in a hug.
"Little bird told me you might be needing some reinforcements," she looked over her shoulder at Sam, "Figured we'd tag along with the boys and get things set up for you. I know my boys and I know that if you have a chance, you'll be buying out the contents of that little store on the corner and trying to cook it. And last thing my Jay needs is twenty boys all planning a raid around where the nearest bathroom is."
“It's good to see you both. You didn't have to come, you know?"
"We know, and the boys tried to lose us on the way in, but we hung in there," Momma smirked, "Now, where's our boy?"
"He's in the room working over the floor plans with JD."
"JD?" Sam asked, "He's here? Now? Well, tell him to get his scrawny ass out here so I can kick it!"
"Yes, ma'am," Jensen saluted and went to fetch both Jay and JD from the middle of their brainstorming session.
Jensen wasn't sure what sort of a reunion it was going to be but the random insults and thumps that it turned into was definitely not what he had expected. But he probably shouldn't have been surprised. Sam was a formidable woman and leaving her hanging for a day was bad enough, but three damned years? Jensen couldn't help but think that JD kinda had it coming.
"So catch me up," she said, finally stepping back from JD, "What ya'll been doing here since this reprobate showed up again?"
"Lotta information to go through," Jared started, "Lot's changed."
Jensen cut in, "And we've been getting it out there that Jay's back in the city. Random sightings, couple of names dropped in the right papers. Our data guy has been putting rumours out there, getting things in place."
"You been keeping Jay outta trouble?" Momma asked, a finger poking Jensen.
"Much as I can," Jensen grinned, "You know what he's like!"
"He's a good boy," she glared at her son. "Doesn't eat enough but a good boy." She turned to look at JD, giving him an appraising once over, "And you're Sam's JD, yes?"
JD huffed but nodded.
"I suppose that you're allergic to water?" she asked, "And clean clothes?"
Jensen could see the twitch of muscle in JD's jaw. His hands curled into fists, a single finger free as he started to bring it up. His mouth opened to tell the Ackles matriarch exactly what he though about her comments but she cut him off.
"Well, it doesn't matter, I suppose. Family is family even under all that dirt. You'll stay for supper."
It wasn't a question. JD blinked, his mouth opening and closing. Jensen smirked; Momma had that effect on people. With a click of her fingers, three boys were dispatched to find real food for cooking as others set up tables and chairs in the parking lot. Jensen was amused to see the desk clerk watching them through the blinds. Wasn't every day that a nomad family rolled into his motel and set up shop. Jensen didn't expect any trouble, the man was getting compensated quite well for their stay and the motel was packed to capacity - something that never happened, even in the height of the tourist season. What tourist wanted to visit a war zone?
"So," Momma sat down on the step of her trailer, "When are you boys planning on actually taking over the company instead of dallying around the edges?"
"We were thinking tomorrow, Momma," Jared smiled, "There's a board meeting planned."
She thought about it for a second, "Tomorrow?"
Jared nodded.
"Good, it wouldn't do any good for the boys to be sitting around a parking lot. They'd get bored and start causing trouble. Better they're put to work before they drink Dallas dry," she sighed, "Tonight then. Tonight you tell us what you want us to do."
~#~#~
The board meeting wasn't until half past eleven but they'd had eyes on the building since eight in the morning. Jensen had taken a jeep and two of the cousins. They were parked in an alley with a perfect view of the main entrance. Jensen looked down at his checklist. Everyone had showed up bar one person, Cary Williams III. Jensen had called the office earlier just to make sure that he hadn't arrived via some back door but so far he was a no show.
Jensen was about to call JD to make sure that Williams was still supposed to be showing up when a stretch limo pulled up outside the building. One of the men with Jensen elbowed him. Jensen watched as the driver hurried from the front seat around to the passenger door, pulling it open. The man inside struggled out and paused just long enough to look around before heading inside.
Jensen pulled out his phone, dialling Jared's number. He waited until he heard the click as the phone was answered.
"Got a full house. Coast is clear."
"On our way. There in five," Jared answered.
Jensen clicked the phone closed and nodded to the guys beside him. Getting out, they unpacked their heavy armour, changing from the light jackets that ended just below their hips to the full length coats that covered everything. Ceramic plates were pulled out of specially designed containers and slid into place in compartments on their Kevlar trousers. Jensen rolled his shoulders, limbering up against the weight. It was like putting a couple of bricks on each shoulder but if it stopped him from becoming Swiss cheese then the weight was nothing.
Next came the weapons, checked, double-checked, safetied and holstered. Jensen connected into his gun, letting the heads up display overlay his vision. He ran through the system diagnostics and watched everything tick over to green. Clicking the safety off, he stuck the gun in his waistband rather than in the holster. If they were going hit trouble, it would be quick and any additional help he could get, he'd take it.
Jensen checked his guys and then started across the street. He could hear the heavy diesel engines of the jeeps rumbling towards them. Their feet touched the pavement just as the lead jeep arrived, bearing Jared and JD. Family jumped from the vehicles as they came to a stop, engines ticking as they cooled down.
Jared was dressed in a new suit, off the rack but looking damned good on him. Charcoal grey with a white shirt and a dark grey tie. He knew that he had a gun strapped on under it but the cut was good enough that it didn’t show.
“Looking good!”
Jared turned, giving Jensen a show as the Family wolf-whistled. Jared rolled his eyes.
Jensen looked over the men and gave Jared a nod, "Whenever you're ready, Jay."
Jared looked to JD and smiled, "Time to go home."
Jensen signalled; four of the men split off and double timed it up the steps. One pulled open a door while the other three moved inside, checking the lobby. Jensen and JD went next, Jared close on their heels. Jensen stretched his fingers a little before wrapping them securely around the grip of his gun. The final contingent of men brought up the rear, watching their flanks and behind for any threats.
They were quick and confident as they moved through the lobby, ignoring the protests of the receptionist. Security stepped out, saw the collection of guns and stepped back to call for reinforcements.
"Head's up, we have incoming," Jensen whispered.
"Lifts," JD instructed. "We're heading for floor forty. South end."
Three elevators side by side were filled by the invading force. Watching the numbers rising, Jensen reached out, taking Jared's hand. He gave a reassuring squeeze.
"Be prepared, guys. No kill shots," Jensen's voice was quiet, "Incapacitate if you can. Use your best judgement, but remember, Jay's going to need security when he takes over, so nothing... ya know, freaky."
There was laughter over the comms.
Ten seconds to target. Nine. Jensen pulled his hand back from Jared and moved to the front of the elevator.
"Jay, stay behind me for this. Remember what JD said. You need to look like you're in charge. Keep your gun close, but if you can avoid it, don't pull it. They all know you're capable, you just don't need to tell them how good you are."
Jared nodded. He could see the nervousness in his boyfriend’s eyes, in the tightness of his mouth.
"Just another walk in the park, Jay," Jensen smiled, "We faced worse than this going out to get groceries."
The doors opened with a ping and Jensen cautiously stepped out, checking the corridors. The elevators to the sides arrived just seconds later.
JD’s voice was low but commanding, "End of the corridor and left. You move out first. I’ve got Jay."
"You heard the man," Jensen nodded to the others.
As before, they moved, bracketing Jared and JD. The men leapfrogged forward, checking for signs of threat. In offices, secretaries were plugged into computers, oblivious to the outside world. They moved carefully, making slow progress until they were in sight of the large conference room. Jensen pulled his gun, keeping it braced but pointed low to the floor. He waved half of his men to the left and the other half to the right, lining along the corridor. He watched them take positions and then held up three fingers, making sure that both Jared and JD understood the signal.
Three.
Two.
One.
Jensen threw the door open and ducked inside, gun up and covering the board as they sat around the table. Jared followed him, hand dipped back ready to pull his handgun from it's holster at the small of his back. The seventeen board members blinked in surprise, their eyes skimming over Jensen to rest on Jared.
One man stood slowly, his hands held up. It was Williams.
"Jared, my boy, wonderful to see you again. We've been keeping your seat vacant," he gestured to the seat at the end of the table, "Such a wonderful entrance. But time is wasting. Someone get the lad a coffee. We have a lot to get through today."
Next Chapter
Author name: deannawol
Artist name: grayscaled
Genre: RPS AU
Pairing: Jensen/Jared
Rating: NC-17 / R
Word count: 66,666
Warnings: Slash (M/M) relationship, oral sex, violence, language, angst .
Summary: J2 Cyberpunk AU; Three years ago, Christian Kane betrayed Jared Padalecki and killed most of his family. Mercenary Jensen Ackles saved him and his younger sister Megan and brought them to live with them out in the wilds of Texas. Jared's been training and is finally ready to take Kane on to win back his family's corporate empire. However, the course of true love never runs smoothly and in regaining what he's lost, he's put everything he loves in jeopardy, including his partner and lover, Jensen. A J2 Romance in a Cyberpunk AU setting.
Link to Fic Masterpost: Link
Link to Art Masterpost: Link
Previous Chapter
Jensen stepped out, leaving Jared and JD to catch up. This was time for family and he wasn't going to get in the way of that. Three years was a lot of gossip. Jensen could barely recognize the man that had hired him to keep Jared safe all those years ago. The time hadn't been kind to him but even Jensen could recognise the look in JD's eyes as he'd seen Jared again.
He walked down the street, his hand still on his gun just in case, to grab coffee and breakfast. He killed some time, checking the local papers and chatting with the waitress in the coffee shop. He made his way back to the motel and quietly opened the door. The two men were sitting facing each other over the small dining table, talking quietly. Jensen passed out the coffee and bagels and slid his gun under the pillow on the bed. He dumped the heavy armour jacket on the floor beside the bed and settled down to grab some rest, tucking one of his guns under the pillow, just in case. It had been a long day.
He caught Jared's eye, asking silently if he was okay. A small nod was all it took and Jensen let his eyes close, relaxing but not enough to fall asleep. The conversation skimmed over him. And eventually the door clicked closed and the room fell to silence. Jensen opened an eye. Jared stood facing the door, one hand against the frame, a smile on his face.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," Jared's voice was quiet but happy. "Yeah, I'm good. I never thought I’d get to… It's just... Wow."
Jensen rolled over and propped himself up on an elbow.
"I... I can't believe it," Jared turned, "It's so good to see him again. Even if he's still seeing me as the nineteen year old kid. He's taking to me about people I haven't even thought about since I left the city. But it’s him. It’s like I never left, like the last three years didn’t matter. I don't wanna lose touch with him again."
Jensen frowned, "Why would you...?"
Jared scrubbed his hands through his hair, "He's got all these plans for me taking over the company. And he's started to get things in place. Had meetings, talked to people. And I'm not sure how to tell him that I don't want it. I don’t want to lose him again."
"You sure you don't want it?" Jensen asked.
Jared said nothing, just moved to the bed and sat down.
"Jay?"
"Meg would be so much better at this. I'd crash the company in days," he turned to look at Jensen, "I'm not a business man. I wear jeans and combats and armour. I feel naked without a gun somewhere on me. You know what I mean?"
"Yeah, I know, Jay," Jensen reassured his boyfriend. He paused, "There's a compromise you could work out with him."
Jared was curious now, "Oh?"
"Think about it," Jensen sat up, "It's going to take work to bring the company back. It's going to take board meetings, it's going to take some hard work. At least people know your face. There have been news stories about the lost heir to the throne, Jay. You can use that to get it all set up right and then you can walk away, leave it all for Meg. Last time people saw her, she was a kinda goofy teenager dressed totally in pink. Not exactly the image that you want shown on the news. Your dad gave you some training. You got some before you left the city from JD. Use it, pass it on to Meg. Bring her with you as you take back the company. You don't give someone a broken engine without finding out if they have the toolkit to fix it, do you? This is exactly the same. This way you get to figure out if that's the way you want to go, you get to make JD happy and you make sure that Meg's okay to lead the company."
Jared looked at him, honestly surprised, "I have the best boyfriend in the world."
"Yeah, well…” Jensen blushed, looking down and brushing the back of his neck, “Tell me something that I don't know!"
Reaching out, Jared took his hand, rubbing his thumb over the palm, "You'll stay with me, right?"
"Course."
"Good, cause I couldn't have gotten through these last few years without you, man. You know that, don't you?"
Jensen smiled, "You would have done fine, Jay. You and Meg and Sam. You would have made it on your own."
"No," Jared shook his head, "We wouldn't. Thank you, Jen. For everything."
Jensen changed the subject, embarrassed, "We better get some sleep. It's been a long day and I don't know about you but I'm beat."
Jared nodded and pulled back, quickly stripping off his clothes. Jensen pushed himself up and off the bed, going to the door. He checked the locks and grabbed one of the chairs, jamming it under the door handle. The windows were safe enough, double glazed with bars on the outside to prevent any squatters from breaking in. Satisfied, Jensen stripped down to his boxers and slid into the bed to join his lover, quickly checking that his gun was still safely under the pillow before curling around Jared and kissing his shoulder. Jared groaned sleepily and Jensen smiled against his shoulder, finally letting himself relax enough to sleep.
They woke late, shared a slow, lazy morning ride and then a short shower. Jared had made arrangements to meet up with JD later and they had to check in with Chad. The call to Chad was quick and almost painless once they'd managed to convince him to speak English rather than whatever tech language he was spewing. The video was edited, their names and faces fuzzed out and ready to drop in the mailboxes of every news network in the greater Dallas area.
JD showed up later, knocking on the door just after the story broke on the first network, beer in his hand and Chinese containers held in the crook of the other arm. Jensen moved the chair and helped JD get everything down on the table without dropping anything. The beer went down next and finally the backpack.
"Did you see?" Jared was still excited, "Lead story on the six o'clock news. It's going to be hitting the newspapers for the late edition. Corporate misconduct. Conspiracy. They're even pushing for murder charges. He ever even thinks of stepping back into the city, the cops aren't going to have a choice but to lock him up."
Jensen said nothing, just grabbed a beer leaving Jared to talk.
JD pulled out some folders, dropping them onto the table, "It was good work, Jay, very good, but you can't just walk in there. What I got here is all the intel I've managed to get on the board and the upper levels of management. You'll need to know this before you walk into the building. Everything changed when Kane took over, managed to get his flunkies into place," he opened a beer and took a sip, "You'll need to either get them onside or get them replaced. I got financials, appraisals, dirty secrets. Everything you need to know about your future staff."
Jared grabbed one of the files and a container of food and dug in. Jensen grabbed the egg foo yung and another folder and started dipping in.
JD never stopped with the commentary; times, dates, meetings, new products, old products given new leases of life. He covered the changes that Kane had made and the board approved drop in product quality, the lawsuits and the wrongful death suits. It would take a hell of a lot of work to bring everything back up to spec and convince people to keep it there and it was starting to look like that would all fall on Jared's shoulders.
The beer was long gone as the late evening news broke, feeding more of Christian's great betrayal into the public arena and JD tossed Jensen a credchip and asked him if he minded picking up some more beer and snacks. Jensen sighed and pushed himself to his feet. JD had already turned back to Jared, pulling out a new file and starting in on it. He patted Jared on the shoulder and told him that he'd be back in a few minutes. Jared nodded absently, asking questions and taking notes.
Already the gossip was hitting the street, scandal starved masses picking over the edited video and issuing predictions. Jensen smirked. Not one of them realised that just down the street, everything was being decided and none of it was gonna go the way they thought.
Grabbing chips, snacks and more beer, Jensen paid and headed back. There were the usual street scuffles taking place, street gangs settling scores with people who just wouldn't tow the line, drug deals and petty crime. Nothing out of the ordinary for the area. Jensen stopped to check on the Impala quickly and then made his way back inside, juggling the brown paper and the beer to get the door opened.
He was greeted by the quiet tones of the television and the gentle snores of Jared. Jensen shook his head, smiling. He looked around and saw JD sitting off to the side, watching over Jared.
"He nodded off?" Jensen asked.
"Yeah, somewhere around the fourth quarter financials."
Jensen shrugged, "Can't say I blame him. I'd fall asleep if I had to go through that shit."
JD laughed. Jensen put the bag down and handed the older man a bag of chips.
"So, you up to date on the current security they got?"
"Yeah, I've pulled the current rosters and procedures," JD confirmed.
Jensen grabbed himself a beer, twisted the top off and sat down on the edge of the bed. He took a sip of the beer and gestured towards the pile on the table, "So, who do we have to worry about?"
“You’re coming on board with us?”
“Where Jay goes…”
JD watched him for a minute, weighing him up before leafing through the files and pulling a couple of folders free. He handed them over. Jensen flicked them open and thumbed through the pages.
"Those are the main players," he said, "but there's one or two others to watch out for."
Jensen listened as JD laid out the playing field, asking questions and working things over in his head. It looked like this was going to be a tough battle but... With him watching Jared's back and JD to guide his steps, this whole thing just might work.
They talked late into the night and well into the next day. Jensen woke Jared a little after midnight for a cup of coffee. Damned if Jensen was gonna learn this shit alone.
It took a couple of days to get everything covered and during that time, the Ackles family arrived in bits and pieces - bikes, a couple of battered jeeps and one of their older trailers rolled into the parking lot of the motel. Jensen smiled and welcomed them in, making the arrangements for each new arrival.
"Jen, boy, you been eating right?" A voice called.
Jensen turned to see his momma coming out from behind one of the jeeps.
"Momma, what are you doin' here?" Jensen walked over, gathering her up in a hug.
"Little bird told me you might be needing some reinforcements," she looked over her shoulder at Sam, "Figured we'd tag along with the boys and get things set up for you. I know my boys and I know that if you have a chance, you'll be buying out the contents of that little store on the corner and trying to cook it. And last thing my Jay needs is twenty boys all planning a raid around where the nearest bathroom is."
“It's good to see you both. You didn't have to come, you know?"
"We know, and the boys tried to lose us on the way in, but we hung in there," Momma smirked, "Now, where's our boy?"
"He's in the room working over the floor plans with JD."
"JD?" Sam asked, "He's here? Now? Well, tell him to get his scrawny ass out here so I can kick it!"
"Yes, ma'am," Jensen saluted and went to fetch both Jay and JD from the middle of their brainstorming session.
Jensen wasn't sure what sort of a reunion it was going to be but the random insults and thumps that it turned into was definitely not what he had expected. But he probably shouldn't have been surprised. Sam was a formidable woman and leaving her hanging for a day was bad enough, but three damned years? Jensen couldn't help but think that JD kinda had it coming.
"So catch me up," she said, finally stepping back from JD, "What ya'll been doing here since this reprobate showed up again?"
"Lotta information to go through," Jared started, "Lot's changed."
Jensen cut in, "And we've been getting it out there that Jay's back in the city. Random sightings, couple of names dropped in the right papers. Our data guy has been putting rumours out there, getting things in place."
"You been keeping Jay outta trouble?" Momma asked, a finger poking Jensen.
"Much as I can," Jensen grinned, "You know what he's like!"
"He's a good boy," she glared at her son. "Doesn't eat enough but a good boy." She turned to look at JD, giving him an appraising once over, "And you're Sam's JD, yes?"
JD huffed but nodded.
"I suppose that you're allergic to water?" she asked, "And clean clothes?"
Jensen could see the twitch of muscle in JD's jaw. His hands curled into fists, a single finger free as he started to bring it up. His mouth opened to tell the Ackles matriarch exactly what he though about her comments but she cut him off.
"Well, it doesn't matter, I suppose. Family is family even under all that dirt. You'll stay for supper."
It wasn't a question. JD blinked, his mouth opening and closing. Jensen smirked; Momma had that effect on people. With a click of her fingers, three boys were dispatched to find real food for cooking as others set up tables and chairs in the parking lot. Jensen was amused to see the desk clerk watching them through the blinds. Wasn't every day that a nomad family rolled into his motel and set up shop. Jensen didn't expect any trouble, the man was getting compensated quite well for their stay and the motel was packed to capacity - something that never happened, even in the height of the tourist season. What tourist wanted to visit a war zone?
"So," Momma sat down on the step of her trailer, "When are you boys planning on actually taking over the company instead of dallying around the edges?"
"We were thinking tomorrow, Momma," Jared smiled, "There's a board meeting planned."
She thought about it for a second, "Tomorrow?"
Jared nodded.
"Good, it wouldn't do any good for the boys to be sitting around a parking lot. They'd get bored and start causing trouble. Better they're put to work before they drink Dallas dry," she sighed, "Tonight then. Tonight you tell us what you want us to do."
~#~#~
The board meeting wasn't until half past eleven but they'd had eyes on the building since eight in the morning. Jensen had taken a jeep and two of the cousins. They were parked in an alley with a perfect view of the main entrance. Jensen looked down at his checklist. Everyone had showed up bar one person, Cary Williams III. Jensen had called the office earlier just to make sure that he hadn't arrived via some back door but so far he was a no show.
Jensen was about to call JD to make sure that Williams was still supposed to be showing up when a stretch limo pulled up outside the building. One of the men with Jensen elbowed him. Jensen watched as the driver hurried from the front seat around to the passenger door, pulling it open. The man inside struggled out and paused just long enough to look around before heading inside.
Jensen pulled out his phone, dialling Jared's number. He waited until he heard the click as the phone was answered.
"Got a full house. Coast is clear."
"On our way. There in five," Jared answered.
Jensen clicked the phone closed and nodded to the guys beside him. Getting out, they unpacked their heavy armour, changing from the light jackets that ended just below their hips to the full length coats that covered everything. Ceramic plates were pulled out of specially designed containers and slid into place in compartments on their Kevlar trousers. Jensen rolled his shoulders, limbering up against the weight. It was like putting a couple of bricks on each shoulder but if it stopped him from becoming Swiss cheese then the weight was nothing.
Next came the weapons, checked, double-checked, safetied and holstered. Jensen connected into his gun, letting the heads up display overlay his vision. He ran through the system diagnostics and watched everything tick over to green. Clicking the safety off, he stuck the gun in his waistband rather than in the holster. If they were going hit trouble, it would be quick and any additional help he could get, he'd take it.
Jensen checked his guys and then started across the street. He could hear the heavy diesel engines of the jeeps rumbling towards them. Their feet touched the pavement just as the lead jeep arrived, bearing Jared and JD. Family jumped from the vehicles as they came to a stop, engines ticking as they cooled down.
Jared was dressed in a new suit, off the rack but looking damned good on him. Charcoal grey with a white shirt and a dark grey tie. He knew that he had a gun strapped on under it but the cut was good enough that it didn’t show.
“Looking good!”
Jared turned, giving Jensen a show as the Family wolf-whistled. Jared rolled his eyes.
Jensen looked over the men and gave Jared a nod, "Whenever you're ready, Jay."
Jared looked to JD and smiled, "Time to go home."
Jensen signalled; four of the men split off and double timed it up the steps. One pulled open a door while the other three moved inside, checking the lobby. Jensen and JD went next, Jared close on their heels. Jensen stretched his fingers a little before wrapping them securely around the grip of his gun. The final contingent of men brought up the rear, watching their flanks and behind for any threats.
They were quick and confident as they moved through the lobby, ignoring the protests of the receptionist. Security stepped out, saw the collection of guns and stepped back to call for reinforcements.
"Head's up, we have incoming," Jensen whispered.
"Lifts," JD instructed. "We're heading for floor forty. South end."
Three elevators side by side were filled by the invading force. Watching the numbers rising, Jensen reached out, taking Jared's hand. He gave a reassuring squeeze.
"Be prepared, guys. No kill shots," Jensen's voice was quiet, "Incapacitate if you can. Use your best judgement, but remember, Jay's going to need security when he takes over, so nothing... ya know, freaky."
There was laughter over the comms.
Ten seconds to target. Nine. Jensen pulled his hand back from Jared and moved to the front of the elevator.
"Jay, stay behind me for this. Remember what JD said. You need to look like you're in charge. Keep your gun close, but if you can avoid it, don't pull it. They all know you're capable, you just don't need to tell them how good you are."
Jared nodded. He could see the nervousness in his boyfriend’s eyes, in the tightness of his mouth.
"Just another walk in the park, Jay," Jensen smiled, "We faced worse than this going out to get groceries."
The doors opened with a ping and Jensen cautiously stepped out, checking the corridors. The elevators to the sides arrived just seconds later.
JD’s voice was low but commanding, "End of the corridor and left. You move out first. I’ve got Jay."
"You heard the man," Jensen nodded to the others.
As before, they moved, bracketing Jared and JD. The men leapfrogged forward, checking for signs of threat. In offices, secretaries were plugged into computers, oblivious to the outside world. They moved carefully, making slow progress until they were in sight of the large conference room. Jensen pulled his gun, keeping it braced but pointed low to the floor. He waved half of his men to the left and the other half to the right, lining along the corridor. He watched them take positions and then held up three fingers, making sure that both Jared and JD understood the signal.
Three.
Two.
One.
Jensen threw the door open and ducked inside, gun up and covering the board as they sat around the table. Jared followed him, hand dipped back ready to pull his handgun from it's holster at the small of his back. The seventeen board members blinked in surprise, their eyes skimming over Jensen to rest on Jared.
One man stood slowly, his hands held up. It was Williams.
"Jared, my boy, wonderful to see you again. We've been keeping your seat vacant," he gestured to the seat at the end of the table, "Such a wonderful entrance. But time is wasting. Someone get the lad a coffee. We have a lot to get through today."
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