Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
Chapter Five
Chapter Wordcount: 1969
“Hey you.”
“Hey, what’s going on?”
“Nothin,’ just on the computer. Sup?”
“Got a favor to ask you.”
“Shoot.”
“The CW’s got some green carpet gig bullshit that me and Jared have to go to.”
“And?”
“Wondering if you’d go with me.”
Tareena laughed, “Seriously? What about your girlfriend?”
“She’s still shooting her movie. Can’t and doesn’t wanna fly all the way back to this coast just for a weekend party.”
“And yet you expect me to.”
“No…I mean…I don’t expect you to…”
“You crack me up,” she grinned, switching the phone to her other ear while she answered some emails.
“Does that mean that you’ll come?”
“You gonna buy me a plane ticket? ‘Cause you know damn well I can’t just pick up and leave unlike some people.”
“Hey now!” he teased. “Of course I’m paying for the tickets…and the dress,” he mumbled.
“Excuse me?”
“Well…it’s sort of…formal.”
“I’m gonna kill you.”
“Please?”
“Oh my god! Don’t even look at me in that tone of voice!”
“What?!” he laughed.
“Dude! I can hear you pouting over the phone!”
“Oh come on! Sandy’s going with Jared…”
“Sandy’s his girlfriend!”
“Come on baby girl…”
“Oh how dare you use that baby girl crap!”
He laughed, “Gimme a break, I can hear you laughing. Come on, it’s one night in a dress, you can deal with that.”
“You do realize you owe me like big time for this right?”
“Is that a yes?”
“That’s a you owe me big friggin’ time for this bullshit,” she laughed, “Go book my plane ticket jerk and call me back.”
“You’re the best you know that right?”
“Shut up,” she grinned, snapping the phone closed.
“Tareena! Come on, you’ve been in there for an hour! Can I at least see?”
“I’ve been in here for fifteen minutes! And no you can’t!” she yelled back through the dressing room door.
“Oh come on, I’m gonna see it tomorrow night anyways.”
“That’s if I don’t bail on your annoying ass.”
Jensen just laughed, smiling politely at the store manager that had eyed them when they came in like they were hoodlums. Granted, Jensen was use to these kind of stores, but Tareena had shown up in worn blue jeans and a black t-shirt and then proceeded to call two-thirds of the store either crap, offensive…or both.
He stumbled to catch himself when she yanked the door open, sudden loss of support behind his back.
“You pick one?”
She rolled her eyes, pushing him out of the way and went walking up to the counter, black fabric wrapped in plastic in such a mess that Jensen still couldn’t tell what it was she had finally decided on. She snatched a box of shoes off a shelf without even stopping on her way towards the cash register.
“Did you find everything you needed?” the girl asked, younger and much more polite than the old bat that had been trailing them the entire time.
“Sure did,” Tareena smiled. Jensen froze, wallet in his hand, still surprised by how easily she could slip into whatever role she needed. “Just don’t let him see,” she winked, lowering her voice and leaning over the counter.
“No problem,” the girl grinned back, quick swish of a bag and she had the dress on a hanger and hid before Jensen even had his credit card pulled out.
“You guys are ridiculous,” he laughed, handing over the plastic.
“But you love it,” Tareena grinned.
“Just for the record, I hate your guts,” she groaned.
“Oh come on, it can’t be that bad.”
“Says the guy in pants.”
Jensen laughed, “Come on! We’re gonna be late.”
“Shut up!”
“Hey,” Jared knocked his knuckles on the door, popping his head in the bedroom. “Where is she?”
“Still in the bathroom,” Jensen groaned, glaring at Jared when he walked up next to him laughing.
“Is that Jared?”
“Yes! Now you’re gonna make us all late.”
“Watch it or you’re gonna trade in that tux for a body bag,” she growled through the door.
Finally the lock on the bathroom door clicked and Jensen was just about to spout something off when she stepped out.
Midnight black gown, metallic sheen on the crisp taffeta that swept up from the floor just to melt into lace that wove and danced through sheer tulle that showed just the hint of skin underneath before blending into a solid woven lace design that covered her chest.
“Holy…” Jared whispered.
One hand holding the hem from the ground she pointed a finger at Jared.
“I will end you,” she growled, silver-blue eyes framed with black, brown hair falling around her face with a soft wave, burnished silver leaf necklace draped around her neck, accenting the subtle floral design on the lace.
He held his hands up in surrender, biting back a smile.
“Jared! I just messed up my makeup! I need the keys to the truck!” Sandy called from the kitchen.
Jared leaned forward, half expecting her to hit him and bent down to kiss her cheek.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered, smiling at her when a faint blush burned up her cheeks before leaving to go help Sandy.
Jensen was still staring, slack jawed.
“What?” she said softly.
“You just…wow,” he whispered.
Her face flushed and she shifted nervously on her feet.
“I fucking hate dresses,” she mumbled, finally snapping Jensen out of his shock and he smiled at her.
“You shouldn’t, ‘cause you look amazing.”
She rolled her eyes, dropping her hold on the dress when he stepped in close and pressed a kiss to her forehead, hands linking in hers.
“You do,” he whispered, meeting her eyes. “The cameras are gonna have a field day with you.”
“Oh god,” she groaned, burying her face in his shirt.
His chest rumbled with a laugh, hands running down the barely there back of her dress.
“Come on baby girl,” he grinned, hooking his arm through hers and pulling her towards the door.
“You let go of my hand and I’ll kill you,” she hissed, white knuckle grip around his arm.
“Why?”
“’Cause I still can’t see, fucking camera flashes.”
He laughed, squeezing her hand and leading her towards their seats.
He looked over at her when she started laughing softly after they had sat down.
“What?”
“Those pictures are gonna be all over the internet tomorrow.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me.”
“Yea, but you forget I talk to those people, I’m one of the fangirls remember?”
He laughed.
“It’s just kinda hilarious, they’ll be bitching back and forth about who showed up with you and they’ll have no idea it’s me,” she grinned.
“You know I appreciate that right?”
“What?” she asked, turning to look at him.
“That you don’t, you know, broadcast it, all over the internet.”
“Are you kidding me? You know me better than that!”
“I know! I’m just saying…I appreciate it.”
She rolled her eyes and smiled at him, “Loser.”
Halfway through the presentation, ceremony, whatever this thing was that he had dragged her to she started shivering.
“You okay?”
“No, it’s freaking freezing in here,” she hissed, rubbing at her arms.
“Here,” Jensen said, slipping his coat off and draping it over her shoulders.
“Now you’re gonna be cold.”
“I’m fine, I’m wearing two shirts, you on the other hand,” waving his hand towards the nonexistent middle of her dress.
“Am wearing nothing. Thanks for reminding me,” she grinned.
He laughed and pulled her into his shoulder, rubbing at her arm.
Finally they eased the lights back up and Tareena looked around as people started to leave their seats.
“Thank god, is this thing over?”
“No…there’s the after party now.”
She groaned, “Are you kidding me?”
He smiled and took her hand as she got out of her seat. “Unfortunately, no.”
“There better be alcohol,” she hissed.
Jensen had been polite, schmoozed with the appropriate people, tried to hang out with Jared and Sandy for a good part of it and then just sort of…camped out in a corner with Tareena.
“Can we leave yet?”
“No,” he grinned, bringing her another drink.
The band they had there started playing a slow song and Jensen turned and grinned at her.
“Dance with me.”
“What?! No!”
“Why not?”
“’Cause I don’t dance.”
“Oh come on,” he grinned, trying to take her hand.
“Watch it,” she growled brandishing the miniature plastic sword that had been in her drink. “I’ll castrate you with this thing.”
He laughed, “No you won’t. Come on.”
“No!”
“Oh come on! It’s just me!”
“So?! Dude, I don’t dance! I’ve never danced in my life.”
His eyes went wide. “Bullshit! What about Prom?”
“I didn’t go.”
“Why not?”
“’Cause no one asked me,” she said with a pointed look, finishing off her drink.
Jensen stumbled for a moment.
“What about your sister’s wedding? You were the Maid of Honor, you’re supposed to dance with the Best Man.”
“Ha, that’s hilarious.”
Jensen just stood there and stared at her for a minute.
“Come on,” he said, snatching her glass from her and putting it on the table behind them, grabbing her hand, “You’re dancing with me.”
“What?! Jensen!” she hissed, digging her heels in impressively.
“Come on, it’s just me. No one’s even paying attention. I’m not letting you out of this. I may never get the chance to get you in a dress again.”
She stared at him, eyes wide, fingers digging into his arm.
“Are you kidding me?”
“No,” he said simply, holding her eyes.
“Fuck,” she hissed, as he dragged her out into the empty space where a few other couples were dancing.
He pulled her in close, shooting her a smirk when she fumbled before putting her arms around his neck.
“Just relax.”
“Just shut up.”
He chuckled and pulled her in closer.
“I fucking hate you,” she whispered, voice breaking as she tried to match his movements.
“I hate you too baby girl,” he grinned, fingers splayed across the small of her back, resting his cheek on her hair when he felt her relax a little.
“Never again,” she groaned, walking in the door to his apartment.
“It wasn’t that bad,” he grinned, taking off his tie.
She stumbled, yanking off her shoes and tossing them blindly into the living room.
“I wore heels for you dude. Never. Again.”
He laughed, unbuttoning the first couple buttons on his shirt and rolling up the sleeves.
“Either way, I appreciate you going with me, so thank you,” he grinned, passing her a beer when she sat down at the counter.
“You’re welcome,” she grinned. “But don’t forget you still owe me.”
He laughed, “Yea, alright.”
“I…am taking a shower and going to bed, so don’t expect to see my face ‘til morning,” she grinned, putting her half drunk beer back in the fridge and padding towards the bathroom.
“You need help with your dress?” he asked.
She turned around and arched a brow at him.
“I got in it by myself didn’t I?”
He laughed and held up his hands, “Alright, just trying to help,” he grinned.
The bathroom door clicked shut behind her and Jensen leaned against the counter, nursing his beer.
Two minutes later and she came back out, walked right in front of him and pulled her hair out of the way.
He chuckled, but found the small zipper pull and eased it down, sheer black fabric parting to reveal tan skin underneath, his hand hovering for a split second by the small of her back where the zipper ended.
“Thanks,” she said quietly, turning her head to look at him over her shoulder but not actually meeting his eyes, hand cradled in front of her, holding the fabric over herself, before walking away.
“No problem,” he mumbled after the bathroom door clicked shut again.
Chapter Notes:
I hate dresses. I only own two, both of which were bought by my sister and for her wedding. The one I wore to her reception? I finally had it dry cleaned THREE YEARS LATER
And I totally don't dance either
And this is completely not a dress I would ever wear well, because I SO don't have the body for it but oh well, fakeMe is prettier *shrugs*
(By 'Jovani,' I have no idea if that means anything to anyone, I just Googled until I found one I liked)
Previous: Chapter Four | Next: Chapter Six
Chapter Five
Chapter Wordcount: 1969
“Hey you.”
“Hey, what’s going on?”
“Nothin,’ just on the computer. Sup?”
“Got a favor to ask you.”
“Shoot.”
“The CW’s got some green carpet gig bullshit that me and Jared have to go to.”
“And?”
“Wondering if you’d go with me.”
Tareena laughed, “Seriously? What about your girlfriend?”
“She’s still shooting her movie. Can’t and doesn’t wanna fly all the way back to this coast just for a weekend party.”
“And yet you expect me to.”
“No…I mean…I don’t expect you to…”
“You crack me up,” she grinned, switching the phone to her other ear while she answered some emails.
“Does that mean that you’ll come?”
“You gonna buy me a plane ticket? ‘Cause you know damn well I can’t just pick up and leave unlike some people.”
“Hey now!” he teased. “Of course I’m paying for the tickets…and the dress,” he mumbled.
“Excuse me?”
“Well…it’s sort of…formal.”
“I’m gonna kill you.”
“Please?”
“Oh my god! Don’t even look at me in that tone of voice!”
“What?!” he laughed.
“Dude! I can hear you pouting over the phone!”
“Oh come on! Sandy’s going with Jared…”
“Sandy’s his girlfriend!”
“Come on baby girl…”
“Oh how dare you use that baby girl crap!”
He laughed, “Gimme a break, I can hear you laughing. Come on, it’s one night in a dress, you can deal with that.”
“You do realize you owe me like big time for this right?”
“Is that a yes?”
“That’s a you owe me big friggin’ time for this bullshit,” she laughed, “Go book my plane ticket jerk and call me back.”
“You’re the best you know that right?”
“Shut up,” she grinned, snapping the phone closed.
“Tareena! Come on, you’ve been in there for an hour! Can I at least see?”
“I’ve been in here for fifteen minutes! And no you can’t!” she yelled back through the dressing room door.
“Oh come on, I’m gonna see it tomorrow night anyways.”
“That’s if I don’t bail on your annoying ass.”
Jensen just laughed, smiling politely at the store manager that had eyed them when they came in like they were hoodlums. Granted, Jensen was use to these kind of stores, but Tareena had shown up in worn blue jeans and a black t-shirt and then proceeded to call two-thirds of the store either crap, offensive…or both.
He stumbled to catch himself when she yanked the door open, sudden loss of support behind his back.
“You pick one?”
She rolled her eyes, pushing him out of the way and went walking up to the counter, black fabric wrapped in plastic in such a mess that Jensen still couldn’t tell what it was she had finally decided on. She snatched a box of shoes off a shelf without even stopping on her way towards the cash register.
“Did you find everything you needed?” the girl asked, younger and much more polite than the old bat that had been trailing them the entire time.
“Sure did,” Tareena smiled. Jensen froze, wallet in his hand, still surprised by how easily she could slip into whatever role she needed. “Just don’t let him see,” she winked, lowering her voice and leaning over the counter.
“No problem,” the girl grinned back, quick swish of a bag and she had the dress on a hanger and hid before Jensen even had his credit card pulled out.
“You guys are ridiculous,” he laughed, handing over the plastic.
“But you love it,” Tareena grinned.
“Just for the record, I hate your guts,” she groaned.
“Oh come on, it can’t be that bad.”
“Says the guy in pants.”
Jensen laughed, “Come on! We’re gonna be late.”
“Shut up!”
“Hey,” Jared knocked his knuckles on the door, popping his head in the bedroom. “Where is she?”
“Still in the bathroom,” Jensen groaned, glaring at Jared when he walked up next to him laughing.
“Is that Jared?”
“Yes! Now you’re gonna make us all late.”
“Watch it or you’re gonna trade in that tux for a body bag,” she growled through the door.
Finally the lock on the bathroom door clicked and Jensen was just about to spout something off when she stepped out.
Midnight black gown, metallic sheen on the crisp taffeta that swept up from the floor just to melt into lace that wove and danced through sheer tulle that showed just the hint of skin underneath before blending into a solid woven lace design that covered her chest.
“Holy…” Jared whispered.
One hand holding the hem from the ground she pointed a finger at Jared.
“I will end you,” she growled, silver-blue eyes framed with black, brown hair falling around her face with a soft wave, burnished silver leaf necklace draped around her neck, accenting the subtle floral design on the lace.
He held his hands up in surrender, biting back a smile.
“Jared! I just messed up my makeup! I need the keys to the truck!” Sandy called from the kitchen.
Jared leaned forward, half expecting her to hit him and bent down to kiss her cheek.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered, smiling at her when a faint blush burned up her cheeks before leaving to go help Sandy.
Jensen was still staring, slack jawed.
“What?” she said softly.
“You just…wow,” he whispered.
Her face flushed and she shifted nervously on her feet.
“I fucking hate dresses,” she mumbled, finally snapping Jensen out of his shock and he smiled at her.
“You shouldn’t, ‘cause you look amazing.”
She rolled her eyes, dropping her hold on the dress when he stepped in close and pressed a kiss to her forehead, hands linking in hers.
“You do,” he whispered, meeting her eyes. “The cameras are gonna have a field day with you.”
“Oh god,” she groaned, burying her face in his shirt.
His chest rumbled with a laugh, hands running down the barely there back of her dress.
“Come on baby girl,” he grinned, hooking his arm through hers and pulling her towards the door.
“You let go of my hand and I’ll kill you,” she hissed, white knuckle grip around his arm.
“Why?”
“’Cause I still can’t see, fucking camera flashes.”
He laughed, squeezing her hand and leading her towards their seats.
He looked over at her when she started laughing softly after they had sat down.
“What?”
“Those pictures are gonna be all over the internet tomorrow.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me.”
“Yea, but you forget I talk to those people, I’m one of the fangirls remember?”
He laughed.
“It’s just kinda hilarious, they’ll be bitching back and forth about who showed up with you and they’ll have no idea it’s me,” she grinned.
“You know I appreciate that right?”
“What?” she asked, turning to look at him.
“That you don’t, you know, broadcast it, all over the internet.”
“Are you kidding me? You know me better than that!”
“I know! I’m just saying…I appreciate it.”
She rolled her eyes and smiled at him, “Loser.”
Halfway through the presentation, ceremony, whatever this thing was that he had dragged her to she started shivering.
“You okay?”
“No, it’s freaking freezing in here,” she hissed, rubbing at her arms.
“Here,” Jensen said, slipping his coat off and draping it over her shoulders.
“Now you’re gonna be cold.”
“I’m fine, I’m wearing two shirts, you on the other hand,” waving his hand towards the nonexistent middle of her dress.
“Am wearing nothing. Thanks for reminding me,” she grinned.
He laughed and pulled her into his shoulder, rubbing at her arm.
Finally they eased the lights back up and Tareena looked around as people started to leave their seats.
“Thank god, is this thing over?”
“No…there’s the after party now.”
She groaned, “Are you kidding me?”
He smiled and took her hand as she got out of her seat. “Unfortunately, no.”
“There better be alcohol,” she hissed.
Jensen had been polite, schmoozed with the appropriate people, tried to hang out with Jared and Sandy for a good part of it and then just sort of…camped out in a corner with Tareena.
“Can we leave yet?”
“No,” he grinned, bringing her another drink.
The band they had there started playing a slow song and Jensen turned and grinned at her.
“Dance with me.”
“What?! No!”
“Why not?”
“’Cause I don’t dance.”
“Oh come on,” he grinned, trying to take her hand.
“Watch it,” she growled brandishing the miniature plastic sword that had been in her drink. “I’ll castrate you with this thing.”
He laughed, “No you won’t. Come on.”
“No!”
“Oh come on! It’s just me!”
“So?! Dude, I don’t dance! I’ve never danced in my life.”
His eyes went wide. “Bullshit! What about Prom?”
“I didn’t go.”
“Why not?”
“’Cause no one asked me,” she said with a pointed look, finishing off her drink.
Jensen stumbled for a moment.
“What about your sister’s wedding? You were the Maid of Honor, you’re supposed to dance with the Best Man.”
“Ha, that’s hilarious.”
Jensen just stood there and stared at her for a minute.
“Come on,” he said, snatching her glass from her and putting it on the table behind them, grabbing her hand, “You’re dancing with me.”
“What?! Jensen!” she hissed, digging her heels in impressively.
“Come on, it’s just me. No one’s even paying attention. I’m not letting you out of this. I may never get the chance to get you in a dress again.”
She stared at him, eyes wide, fingers digging into his arm.
“Are you kidding me?”
“No,” he said simply, holding her eyes.
“Fuck,” she hissed, as he dragged her out into the empty space where a few other couples were dancing.
He pulled her in close, shooting her a smirk when she fumbled before putting her arms around his neck.
“Just relax.”
“Just shut up.”
He chuckled and pulled her in closer.
“I fucking hate you,” she whispered, voice breaking as she tried to match his movements.
“I hate you too baby girl,” he grinned, fingers splayed across the small of her back, resting his cheek on her hair when he felt her relax a little.
“Never again,” she groaned, walking in the door to his apartment.
“It wasn’t that bad,” he grinned, taking off his tie.
She stumbled, yanking off her shoes and tossing them blindly into the living room.
“I wore heels for you dude. Never. Again.”
He laughed, unbuttoning the first couple buttons on his shirt and rolling up the sleeves.
“Either way, I appreciate you going with me, so thank you,” he grinned, passing her a beer when she sat down at the counter.
“You’re welcome,” she grinned. “But don’t forget you still owe me.”
He laughed, “Yea, alright.”
“I…am taking a shower and going to bed, so don’t expect to see my face ‘til morning,” she grinned, putting her half drunk beer back in the fridge and padding towards the bathroom.
“You need help with your dress?” he asked.
She turned around and arched a brow at him.
“I got in it by myself didn’t I?”
He laughed and held up his hands, “Alright, just trying to help,” he grinned.
The bathroom door clicked shut behind her and Jensen leaned against the counter, nursing his beer.
Two minutes later and she came back out, walked right in front of him and pulled her hair out of the way.
He chuckled, but found the small zipper pull and eased it down, sheer black fabric parting to reveal tan skin underneath, his hand hovering for a split second by the small of her back where the zipper ended.
“Thanks,” she said quietly, turning her head to look at him over her shoulder but not actually meeting his eyes, hand cradled in front of her, holding the fabric over herself, before walking away.
“No problem,” he mumbled after the bathroom door clicked shut again.
Chapter Notes:
I hate dresses. I only own two, both of which were bought by my sister and for her wedding. The one I wore to her reception? I finally had it dry cleaned THREE YEARS LATER
And I totally don't dance either
And this is completely not a dress I would ever wear well, because I SO don't have the body for it but oh well, fakeMe is prettier *shrugs*
(By 'Jovani,' I have no idea if that means anything to anyone, I just Googled until I found one I liked)
Previous: Chapter Four | Next: Chapter Six