Redemption Chapter 15B

Jun 24, 2013 14:13



He half-listened to his sons’ conversation, catching enough to understand that they were discussing which dinosaur, a velociraptor or a T-rex, would win in a fight, but his mind was elsewhere. He heard the bell over the front door jingle, but only looked up when the animated paleolithic debate stopped on twin gasps. Before he could comprehend what was going on, the boys were out of their seats and across the diner, shouts of “Papa Jensen!” echoing through the restaurant.

Jared stood, his heart thundering in his chest. His legs went weak seeing his boys run into Jensen, the older man stumbling slightly under the attack, their small arms wrapping around his legs. Jensen dropped to his knees and pulled the twins into tight hugs, their small bodies melting against his larger frame. Bracing himself on the table to keep from toppling over, Jared stared as Jensen kissed the boys’ heads and wiped their eyes and noses. There was a smile and searching eyes then Jensen was walking toward him, Chris leading the twins off to the pie case.

Jared gaped as Jensen approached, eyes memorizing every detail his memory hadn’t been able to conjure in the last two weeks. The exact green of Jensen’s eyes, the way his hair appeared sandy-blonde in a certain light, the curve of his bowed legs, the perfect arch of his Cupid ’s bow lips. The hundreds of little things he’d taken for granted.

“Jare,” Jensen’s voice was soft and the nickname made the ache in his heart throb painfully.

“Deputy,” Jared’s heart was beating so fast he was out of breath. He swallowed down the urge to touch, the sound of his dry throat clicking loud between them. He needed to get out before he did something that would end badly. “We have to go.”

“Don’t, please.” Jensen’s hand lifted, stopping only inches from Jared’s skin and he could feel the tingle as though he’d actually been touched.

“I can’t,” Jared whispered, trying to force the words out past the sob he felt coming. He couldn’t do this. It was a big enough risk just bringing the boys here to begin with, but if Timothy found out that Jensen was here, that Jared had talked to him, no amount of begging would save him. “He’ll…” He refused to finish that sentence, to let Jensen know exactly what was happening behind the closed doors of the Old McIntyre Farm. He was certain Jensen had a clue, but Jared didn’t need to confirm it.

“Tell me how to help you,” Jensen was pleading and Jared couldn’t bear the sound. “Did he threaten the kids again? Jared, we can protect them. He’ll never hurt them again, I promise.” Warm fingers encircled his forearm, the touch light and hesitant and Jared just wanted to feel Jensen’s arms around him.

“No, we can’t.” There was no we, only Jared. He looked down at his salad, wishing he could drown in the dressing.

“Jared,” Jensen’s voice changed, took on the soothing tone he used when he was trying to convince you he was right, “you’re putting the boys in danger by staying there. How could you let him back into their lives after he tried to hit Benji? What if next time you can’t stop him? What if you’re not there to shield them from the blows?” Jared shook his head, not wanting to hear Jensen repeat the questions he’d asked himself so many times. Eyes downcast, he missed the flash of anger in Jensen’s eyes. “If he hurts them, it’ll be your fault. Guilty by complicity.”

Jared gasped, he couldn’t help it. Jensen’s words were like a dagger to his already broken heart and he barely kept himself upright under the pain. Suddenly, as if knowing Jared needed them, Teddy and Benji were at his side. Small arms wrapped around his waist and he bit off the groan, their embrace pressing against his still healing ribs. He reached down to smooth a hand over his sons’ heads, trying to draw comfort from the gesture. He could feel Jensen’s anger, his accusing stare adding weight to the guilt Jared constantly carried . Tears sprung to his eyes, wetting his eyelids as he realized that not only had he lost Jensen’s love, he’d lost his trust.

The bell on the door dinged again and Jared had half a second to realize it was Timothy and Matt. He quickly blinked away his tears and fixed the smile that had gotten him through six years of charity functions and dinner parties.

“Jared?”

He saw Jensen shudder and rub his hand over his face before he directed a hostile smile at Timothy. Hoping to diffuse the situation, Jared took a calming breath and turned to Timothy. The fury he could see in the man’s eyes had Jared’s smile faltering, but he managed to snap it back into place. “T-Timothy, I thought you had meetings all day?”

“Obviously.” Timothy’s anger was palpable and Jared knew he wasn’t coming out of this unscathed. Unconsciously he hugged the boys tighter to his sides. Sneering, Timothy eyed Jensen. “Apparently all those years on the police force didn’t teach you how to read a restraining order.

“It’s a public place,” Jensen evened out his weight, squaring his stance. “I didn’t know Jared was going to be here.”

“And yet,” Timothy grabbed Jared’s hand in a vicious grip, the tips of his fingers reddening under the pressure. “you didn’t leave when you realized he was.”

Jensen’s eyes flicked down to Jared’s hand and Jared was afraid he’d call Timothy on the use of force. He was surprised when Jensen merely lifted his hands in surrender. “That was a mistake. I’m leaving. I’m sorry to have bothered you, Jared.” Jared looked into Jensen’s eyes and his heart shattered at the thought of having to watch Jensen walk away.

“Did Jared tell you the news?” Timothy squeezed Jared’s hand harder and Jared couldn’t help but notice the vindictive glee in the man’s eyes.

“What news?”

“We’re getting married.” Timothy stated.

Jared let out a tiny whimper at the statement, not able to hide his pain that he’d agreed to marry this bastard. Jensen looked down at his hand and Jared could see the moment he knew it wasn’t a cruel joke. Jensen’s face paled and his hurt pressed against Jared like a physical force, battering him in endless waves.

“How badly did you have to beat him to get him to say yes?”

It was Jared’s turn to blanch, not even having to see Timothy’s face to know the murderous rage that he would find there. Timothy leaned toward Jensen and Jared worried for a minute he was going to hit Jensen. “I don’t need to lift a hand to control what’s mine,” Timothy said lowly. “It’s all about knowing the right motivation,” his gaze flicked from Jensen to Chris, standing a few feet away, then out the large window at the front of the diner to the ice cream parlor across the street, “to make someone love you.”

Jensen reared back slightly, understanding dawning on his beautiful face. “You sick, twisted bastard. It’s not love if you have to force them to stay,” Jensen yelled.

Timothy tightened his grip on Jared’s hand, the pressure enough to easily break the small, delicate bones, and Jared tried to pull his hand away. He must have made a noise because Jensen glanced down then took a few steps back, hands raised. “I’m leaving. Just don’t hurt him.”

Jensen turned around and Jared felt like he was dying. The twins shouted “Papa!” and wrenched themselves from Jared’s protective grasp. They launched themselves at Jensen who spun around in time to catch them. Jensen held them and whispered in their ears as they cried out their ‘I love yous’ into his neck. Jared could see Timothy losing what little control he still held on his temper at the sight and then his barked yell split the air.

“Theodore! Benjamin!”

The boys startled, their spines stiffening at the authority in those words. Jensen kissed them one last time and they made their way back to Jared and Timothy. When they were in arm’s reach, Timothy grabbed their sweatshirt sleeves and yanked them closer, Jared catching them before they stumbled to the ground. Jensen’s eyes flared at the boys’ surprised yelps and he started forward again only to be stopped by Chris’ hand on his arm. Jared cradled the boys to him, their little bodies shaking with silent tears, and heard Chris murmur, “It will only make it worse on Jared. Just walk away now.”

Jared appreciated the sentiment, but he knew that there wasn’t anything that would spare his Timothy’s wrath. He gave Jensen a look that begged him to go with Chris, his chin quaking as he tried to hold back his own sobs. He needed Jensen away. Timothy would have no qualms about hurting Jensen, would probably enjoy it more than he liked hurting Jared. Jensen allowed Chris to pull him out the door, his eyes never leaving Jared’s until he was distracted by Matt at the door. Jensen’s brow furrowed as he looked at Timothy’s assistant then he was being manhandled down the sidewalk.

Jared made nonsense noises in the back of his throat, trying to soothe his distraught sons, eyes still locked at the last place he’d seen Jensen. He could hear the low voices of the other patrons, their soft words confirming suspicions about his life. His cheeks flushed at how much they’d guessed right.

“Jared.” The name came out clipped, harsh and Jared’s back straightened at the sound of it. He looked over at Timothy and flinched at the look in the other man’s eyes. “I want you to go straight home like you should have earlier. I’ll be home after I meet with Tony and I suggest you be awake and waiting for me when I get there. I think it’s time I remind you of your place, who you belong to.”

Jared shivered at the menace and the promise of violence in Timothy’s voice. He nodded, mind working through what he needed to get done before Timothy got home.

*****

Jared sent the boys outside to play as soon as they got home. He used his time wisely, gathering everything he needed and his old backpack. The zipper was broken, refused to stay closed, and safety pin kept if from accidentally opening, but it had gotten him through four years at SCAD, he figured it would last one more night. He laid out the items on the bed and carefully stuffed them into the waiting bag: Tristan Michael’s checkbook, the key to a safety deposit box he had down at the bank, a thick envelope filled with a stack of twenties, two envelopes a single name written on each and the letter he’d received in the mail today. He scribbled a quick note - only six words that he hoped conveyed everything he wanted to say - and placed it on top of the other items, zipping the bag and securing it closed with the safety pin.

He took his cell phone from his pocket and deleted all but the important numbers, changing the contact names on a few so they’d be easier to recognize. He slipped the phone in the front pocket of the bag then went downstairs to call the boys inside.

*****

He knelt on the floor in the boys’ room, his sons standing in front of him with curious eyes. The backpack was propped against his leg and he reached down for it. Swallowing, he smiled at them, trying to infuse as much of his love into the expression as he could.

“I need you both to listen to me very carefully,” he began seriously, “this is very important. Tonight, when your Father gets home I want you to stay in your room until you hear us go into our bedroom. No matter what you hear, no matter what happens you do not come out of here until our door closes. Promise me?”

Twin faces looked at him warily, their chests tingling and fluttering with the innate understanding that something bad was going to happen. “But, Daddy…” Benji protested.

“Promise me?” Jared stared at them, the words hushed.

Reluctantly, the boys nodded. They flung their arms around Jared’s neck, unknown fears rabbitting their hearts in their chest. Jared hugged them, then pulled back.

“There’s more. Once you hear our door close, I want you to take this backpack,” he held up the time-abused bag, “and, as quietly as you can, sneak down the back stairs. It’s super important that you don’t make a sound, so church mice, okay?”

Tears flowed over chubby cheeks and they nodded.

“Good boys,” he praised, fighting back his own tears. “Go out the back door, don’t bother shutting it, and run. As fast as you can.”

“L-like D-Dash from the Incedbles?” Teddy stammered.

Jared gave a watery laugh and stroked his son’s face. “Just like Dash from the Incredibles. I want you to run just like Dash across the back pasture to Papa Jensen’s house. You remember the way, right?” Jared smiled at their nods, thankful that the moon was full and would give his boys enough light to see. “Go straight there, don’t stop and do not turn around. Give him this bag when you get there. He’ll know what to do. Okay?”

“What a-about you?” Benji was trying to stifle his sobs, wanting to be brave for his Daddy.

Jared looked into their eyes and tried for his best reassuring smile. “Daddy has to stay here and finish up some things.”

“I don’t want to leave you,” Teddy was openly crying now as he hugged Jared, clinging to his shirt.

Jared looked up at the ceiling, the glow-in-the-dark stars Jensen had stuck up there staring back down at him as he tried to reign in his emotions. He pulled Benji into the hug and kissed the crowns of their heads. “You’re not leaving me,” he corrected, injecting a happy tone into his words, “I’m always with you.” He pulled them back so he could see their faces. “Right here,” he pointed to the center of their chests, “and here.” He touched their foreheads. “All you have to do is think of me and I’ll be there with you. Always.”

The boys exchanged a look. “Really?” Benji asked.

“Absolutely,” he nodded, a smile it hurt to make on his face. “Do you think you can do all that for me? Be my brave boys?”

“Yes, Daddy,” Teddy whispered.

“Yes, Daddy,” Benji echoed.

“My big boys.” He smoothed a hand over their heads. Sniffling, he cleared his throat. “If for any reason, there is a problem. I’ve put my cell phone in the front pocket of the backpack.” He pulled it out and showed it to the twins. “Our family is on speed dial. Start with number one and go from there.” He demonstrated how to use the speed dial and had them each practice a few times before tucking it back in the pocket.

Jared stared at his beautiful sons, able to see in that moment the wonderful men they would become and his heart ached to know. “I love you both so much,” he croaked, emotion stealing his voice, “and I’m so proud of you. Never forget that.”

A car pulled up outside and his breath shuddered in his chest. “Remember what I told you,” he leveled them with serious looks. “As soon as our door shuts, you go.”

“Yes, sir,” they chorused.

He kissed them again, face lingering to take in as much of their smell as he could to get him through what he knew he had to do, and went to answer the door

*****

Jared opened the door cautiously, knowing that if Timothy was so drunk he had to knock things could get ugly from the word hello. He nearly slammed the door shut again, mind learning its lesson from the last time he’d stood with the door open too long, at finding Jensen on the front porch. “Deputy? What are you doing here?” He tossed wild glances over Jensen’s shoulder, afraid he’d see Timothy’s Mercedes coming up the drive.

“We need to talk.” Jensen took his hat off and held the brim between his hands, the hat making slow revolution in anxious fingers.

Yes, they needed to talk. Jared had so many things he wanted to tell Jensen: how sorry he was, how much he loved him, how this was the only way to keep everyone safe. He wanted to get on his knees and beg for Jensen’s forgiveness: for all the pain he’d caused, for putting the boys in danger, for leaving Jensen alone. There was so much he needed to say, just in case. Jared scanned the yard again, shivers wracking his form at the thought of Timothy coming home to Jensen on the doorstep. Yes, they needed to talk, but it was too dangerous. “That isn’t a good idea. Timothy could be home any minute.” The imploration in his voice was clear. He needed Jensen to leave because he knew he didn’t have it in him to force him away.

“We need to talk,” Jensen enunciated slowly, his gaze brooking no argument.

Jared bit his lip. This was such a bad idea. A little voice in the back of his head whispered that this might be his last chance to say the things he needed Jensen to hear. He looked down the drive again and decided to take this chance to make Jensen understand, it was the least he could do. “Yeah, we do.” He stepped back and held the door open for Jensen to enter.

He could see Jensen cataloguing the changes that Timothy had made in the house and feel his disapproval. Jensen hated the new look as much as Jared did and an apology burned on the tip of his tongue. Jensen had worked just as hard as Jared to make this house a home for their family, a haven just for them, and now it was almost unrecognizable. Jared had let Timothy not only destroy their family, but their home as well. His head bowed, shame and self-hatred weighing it down until his neck could no longer support it. A tear followed the line of his nose, dangling from the tip until it fell onto the white, plush rug Timothy had bought to cover the hardwood floors until they could be pulled up and replaced with tile.

“Jensen…” Jared began, hoping to get out what he needed to say before Jensen started yelling at him for ruining his life or he broke down completely.

“I’m sorry for what I said today,” Jensen interrupted and Jared paused, not expecting the words. “I know that you aren’t here because you want to be and that you’d never put the boys in danger without a good reason.”

Jensen didn’t need to be apologizing. He was right. Jared had put the kids in danger. He deserved Jensen’s blame and anger. He tried to say something, but Jensen cut him off with a staying hand.

“He did more than threaten the kids this time, didn’t he?”

Jared stared at his feet, a small sniffle making its way past the curtain of his hair.

“You don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

Jared shook his head. Jensen didn’t understand, he thought Timothy was only threatening to hurt people, but Jared had no doubts that he would. There was a dark side to Timothy and Jared had always been afraid of it, afraid of provoking it. If someone got hurt because of Jared, he’d never forgive himself. “I won’t let him hurt the people I love. He’ll do it, Jensen. I know he will.”

“You don’t understand,” Jensen pleaded. “Timothy won’t be a problem much longer.”

Jared stopped shaking his head. Jensen sounded so sure and despite his efforts the dying spark of hope in Jared’s chest fluttered at the confidence.

“Jared, Matt Cohen came to see me today.”

Jared’s eyes snapped up in surprise. Why would Matt go to see Jensen?

“He brought me a bunch of evidence that should get the case against me thrown out and have Timothy behind bars for a good long time.”

“W - Why would he do that?” Jared muttered. Matt had never held any love loss for Jared over the years. Jared had tried to be friendly, but Matt seemed to look down on him, like Jared was the other man in Timothy’s life.

“He really needs to tell you that himself, but, basically, he’s trying to make amends. He’s looking for redemption.” Jensen stepped closer and Jared soaked up his closeness, a winter weary flower bathing in the warmth of the spring sunshine.

Jared had never honestly blamed Matt for the affair, knowing that if it hadn’t been him, Timothy would have found someone else. Matt was just another tool in Timothy’s vast arsenal to hurt Jared, no different than a frying pan or a belt. “Really?” Despite Jared’s attempts to be a realist, that little flutter of hope shined brighter.

“Yeah,” Jensen nodded, he cupped Jared’s cheek. “I want you to go upstairs and pack your and the twins’ things. I’m getting you out of here.”

Jared stood there for a minute battling with himself, wanting so much to believe that this was over, that all he had to do was go upstairs and pack to end the nightmare, but he’d been burned so many times. He wanted to think there was another ending to this story, but despite what Disney tried to convince you, life very rarely ended in happily ever after.

Jensen leaned forward, his lips warm and familiar against Jared’s, making the younger man shiver. He gasped, mind temporarily overwhelmed at having Jensen like this again, before pulling himself together and returning the kiss. His hands found their way to Jensen’s back, fisting in the fabric, desperate for tangible evidence that this was real. It was passionate, filled with longing and love and reassurance, Jensen baring his soul to Jared in such a simple act. Jared clung tighter, kissed harder. If this was a dream or a cruel joke, then please God let him die with this as his last memory - the feel of Jensen’s lips against his and the taste of Jensen in his mouth.

They broke apart, Jensen’s thumb tracing an arch over his cheekbone with such a look of adoration in his eyes that Jared felt unworthy of the honor. This was what Jared was doing this for, this man right here and the two upstairs. Jared would do anything for them, endure any pain, pay any price, beg, borrow or steal if the cost was too much. He leaned into the touch, tears making glistening trails down his cheeks. “There’s something I need to tell you,” he whispered.

“We’ll talk later. Hurry, Jared,” Jensen kissed him again, a mere press of lips before releasing him and stepping back. “I don’t want to take the chance of Timothy coming home.”

“Too late.”

Jared’s whole body froze, the blood in his veins turning to ice. Jensen spun around, blocking his view and Jared moved slightly to the side to see Timothy in the doorway with a gun pointed at Jensen’s chest. He felt Jensen tense and a cold smile ghosted over Timothy’s lips.

“Gotta love the art of German engineering. So much quieter than that piece of shit Detroit relic you love so much.”

This couldn’t be happening. Not now, not after Jared dared to believe that he and the kids could escape. He couldn’t lose Jensen. He’d rather stay with Timothy forever, knowing that Jensen was somewhere in the world safe than be free with Jensen six feet under. “Timothy, don’t,” Jared begged, trying to move around Jensen.

“Stay back, Jared,” Jensen snarled, shifting sideways until Jared was shielded again.

“Yes, Jared,” Timothy sneered. “Wait your turn.” Jared nearly cowered at the promise those cold eyes held.

“Over my dead body,” Jensen growled.

“That can be arranged.”

Jared’s heart stopped as Timothy took aim. “No,” he shouted and shoved Jensen aside to stand between the two men. “Timothy, don’t. You promised me if I stayed you wouldn’t hurt him.”

“You weren’t going to stay, were you?” Timothy kept the gun pointed at Jensen. “You were going to leave with him. That negates our agreement.”

“I never said I was going with him,” Jared corrected. It was a dangerous game he was playing and Jared had no idea how it would turn out. He just knew that he couldn’t stand by and let Timothy shoot Jensen. The look Jensen gave him was wounded, eyes filled with self-doubt, and it ate at Jared, but he needed to see this through. Jensen’s plan hadn’t worked out like he’d imagined, but Jared still had his contingency, the one where nobody that Jared loved got hurt.

“Jared, no,” he croaked.

“I never said I was leaving.” Please, Jensen, stay quiet. Let me handle this. You can’t fix this mess, only I can.

Timothy hesitated and Jared barely dared to breath, afraid that anything might set the volatile man off again. He jumped at the sound of sirens coming up the driveway. He looked down at the cell phone still clutched in Timothy’s free hand. He must have called when he pulled up and the Impala was outside.

Timothy walked over to the hall table and put his gun in the topmost drawer. He smiled at Jensen, a look of malicious victory on his face. “I overlooked you violating the restraining order in the diner earlier, but my patience has run out. With those lips, I’m sure some nice convict named Bubba will be happy to make you his bitch.”

Timothy looked over at Jared, his face a cruel smirk. “Once the police have taken him away, I think you and I need to discuss that kiss.”

Jared saw him wink at Jensen, but before he could react Jensen growled and lunged at Timothy. Jensen’s fingers circled Timothy’s throat, the digits pressing hard into the skin, as he shoved the man against the wall. “Don’t you fucking touch him!” Jensen’s fingers tightened and Timothy gasped for air, his fingers clawing at Jensen’s constricting grasp.

“Jensen, stop!” Jared’s yelled, frightened by the violence he’d never seen before on Jensen. “Please, stop!”

“Papa Jensen?”

Jared looked up to see his sons at the top of the stairs, their hands intertwined and eyes glassy, staring down at Jensen. At the sight of them, Jensen relaxed and released Timothy. Timothy slid to the floor, sputtering, fingers tracing the reddened skin on his neck.

“I’m sorry.” Jared attention came back to Jensen who apologized first to the kids and then to Jared. Jared shook his head in sympathy. It was unnecessary. Jared knew that Jensen had never meant to scare them. He was only trying to protect Jared.

Red and blue lights flashed across the white walls of the foyer and then Sheriff Jones was there with Tom and Mike in tow. Jared watched mutely as Jensen was cuffed, Timothy babbling on about the restraining order and physical assault. Jared felt numb as he watched Jensen be led from the house, his green eyes on Jared’s until the large front door slammed shut. He’d missed his chance - to tell Jensen everything he needed to say, to make Jensen understand why things had to happen this way, to keep Jensen forever.

Sheriff Jones helped Timothy up from the floor, assuring him that Jensen wouldn’t be bothering them again. Timothy shook the older man’s hand, ushering him to the door with words of thanks. Half-way out the door, Sheriff Jones turned to Jared. “Jared, you okay?”

Jared nodded, not trusting his voice to be strong enough to sell the lie.

“Nothing you want to tell me?” Jones eyed Timothy carefully.

Timothy’s gaze was deadly behind the officer’s back. “N-no, sir,” Jared stuttered

Jones looked like he wanted to press the issue, but refrained. “All right, son,” he nodded at Jared. “You call us if you have any more problems.”

Timothy cleared his throat noisily and gave the sheriff a tight smile. “We will, Sheriff Jones.”

Timothy shut the door behind the man and stood watching out the window until the cruiser’s taillights faded into the distance. He spun around so fast that Jared didn’t have time to brace himself, the blow coming fast and hard, knocking him straight to the ground.

“You fucking little whore!” Timothy snarled, fisting his hands in Jared’s hair and lifting his head up to deliver another hit. “How dare you?” He jerked Jared’s head back, forcing the younger man to face him. Leaning close, he looked Jared directly in the eye. “I hope he was worth what I’m going to do to you.”

He kicked out hard, his foot catching Jared in his already injured ribs, forcing him onto his back. Jared screamed, body curling to protect itself. Above him he heard the boys crying and he looked up at Timothy with beseeching eyes. He’d accepted his fate, it didn’t mean his children had to witness it. “P-please, Timothy.” Blood dribbled down his chin, this lips split during Timothy’s initial blow, “Not here.”

Timothy’s lip curled into a sneer. “We’ll do this any goddamn place I want,” he grabbed Jared by the front of his shirt, leaning over him.

“Th-the boys can s-see.”

Timothy spared a hate-filled glance up at the twins, cowering against the rail of the upper landing, frozen in horror of what was happening to their father, and snorted. “I don’t give a shit about those boys. They were a means to an end, a way to keep you in line. Now I’ve got a whole town full of bargaining chips. As far as I’m concerned, they’re disposable.” He brought his lips to Jared’s ear, “Maybe it’s time for them to see what a bitch their father really is. Show them how pretty you cry.”

A surge of righteous anger fueled by a wave of protectiveness rushed through Jared. He struggled against Timothy’s hold, getting his foot up between them and kicking out, catching Timothy in the solar plexus and knocking him back. Jared rolled over and scrambled toward the stairs, desperate to get to his sons. He came up short when something snagged his ankle and looked back to see Timothy holding tight to his foot, pulling him back across the floor. Jared looked up into terrified eyes and mouthed “run” before he was hauled up and tossed across the room, hitting the wall with a resounding thud and head cracking against the door jamb to the dining room. He fell in a heap to the floor, head spinning. He checked the landing again to see the boys still there, wide, unblinking eyes staring at him as they shook their heads. Spots floated in his vision, but he held them off long enough to mouth his order to his children again. There was a flash of motion then the landing was blessedly empty.

Timothy stalked over to him and Jared reached out to the leg of the nearest table, trying to pull himself up. The lamp on top wobbled precariously, falling over to shatter on the floor, the answering machine following to land on its side.

*Beep*

Mr. Olyphant, this is Rebecca with Tony’s office. The tile has come in…”

Timothy kicked him again, this time hitting his diaphragm and Jared gasped for breath as the muscle spasmed from the abuse. He clawed at the carpet, chest heaving but not bringing in any air. Finally the twitching muscle settled and he gulped in a ragged breath, the grayness around his vision from the lack of oxygen fading. Timothy fisted his shirt, dragging him up, his arm raised for another punch.

*Beep*

Jared, it’s Dr. Morgan. I wanted to personally call and give you the results of your blood tests. Congratulations, Jared! You’re pregnant. From the looks of things you’re about ten weeks along, but we’ll need to do an ultrasound to be sure. Give the office a call and we’ll…”

Jared stared at the machine, trying to work through the haze clouding his mind. He was pregnant?

Timothy roared, the sound feral and inhuman, and Jared looked up in time to see Timothy’s fist coming at him. His head snapped back, connecting with the floor beneath him, and his shirt was released.

Timothy’s face was contorted in fury, his features twisted and animalistic. “Not again!” he raged, kicking Jared in the ribs again. There was a loud crack and Jared screamed in pain, writhing on the floor as he tried to move away from the agony.

Timothy pulled his leg back for another kick and Jared forced himself to move, arms circling his torso to create a protective cage around his abdomen. Timothy didn’t stop his assault, dress shoe attacking the guarding limbs over and over, more cracks splitting the air. Jared brought his legs up, determined to protect his vulnerable stomach. The kicks continued now running a bruising path up and down his shins. He knew Timothy was talking, words flowing non-stop from hateful lips, but all Jared could hear was the mantra running through his mind. Protectthebaby, Jensen’sbaby.

He’d accepted that tonight was probably the night that Timothy would kill him. He’d done what he could, made sure the kids would be safe. He was the one that Timothy was obsessed with and once he was dead, everyone would be safe. His only regret had been missing his opportunity to tell Jensen everything in his heart and had hoped that the man knew, that Jared had showed him enough when they were together. But it didn’t matter now, this was about more than just Jared. He was carrying Jensen’s baby, their baby. There were no longer three people in this world that Jared would do anything for. No, now there were four.

He rolled on his front, his back and sides taking the brunt of Timothy’s rage. The remains of the broken lamp were scattered in front of him and he reached out, pain rocketing down his arm, and clumsily closed numb fingers around one of the shards. Gritting his teeth and swallowing the bile churned up from the pain, he swung his arm back and imbedded the sharp-edged piece into the meat of Timothy’s calf. Timothy screamed, leg collapsing out from under him, and he fell hard to the floor.

Jared didn’t waste a moment enjoying his victory, he pumped his legs against the hardwood, rubber-soled tennis shoes finding purchase and propelling him forward in a slither across the floor. The rug bunched under his chest, the non-slip back preventing him from sliding further. He forced uncooperative fingers to grab the shag, retching and screaming as he pulled himself over the white rug. There was movement from behind him, but Jared forced his rapidly swelling eyes to focus on the front door only a few feet away. A shadow passed over him and then Timothy was on his back, straddling him.

“Well, see how much your precious Jensen still wants you when I’ve finished with you,” Timothy growled in his ear. Jared heard metal jangle, the rasping whisper of a zipper, and he knew what was coming. He struggled harder and received a hard blow to the back of his head for his efforts

“Stay still!”
Jared bucked and writhed, all his energy focused on getting away. His hair was pulled mercilessly, his head craned back until his spine bowed. With a sudden powerful thrust, Jared’s head connected with floor. His vision dimmed and his last thought trailed him into oblivion. Jensen’sbaby.

mpreg, abuse, j2, redemption, non-con, hurt/comfort, imogen's bunny ranch

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