J2 Fic
Title: On the Run
Author: sandradee30
Pairings: Jared/Jensen
Ratings: NC-17 eventually, for now PG-13 maybe R (for swearing)
Disclaimer: Please, like I could have that much control over anyone.
A/N: My first try at J2 for the get a clue challenge at spn_first_time, but it’s not finished yet, so I’m posting it here to see what ya’ll think. The prompt I picked was J2 NON-AU, with something happening and the boys end up on the run, staying in motels and such like Sam and Dean.
Summary: “Jensen, Man, I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner, but I didn’t know what to do. There was so much blood, and they were shooting…”
ON THE RUN
Part 1
Jensen looked at his watch, again. He was getting concerned. He’d been a little worried when he moved in that his friend’s odd hours would affect his sleep, but Jared was quiet most mornings and usually back, showered and sipping a cup of coffee before Jensen even crawled out of bed.
Today, though, Jared wasn’t back when Jensen went looking for his coffee. Certainly wouldn’t be the first time Jared came flying in at the last minute, laughing about something one of the dogs did, and stinking up the car on the way to work because he didn’t have time for a shower. It appeared this was one of those days.
A scratch at the front door brought a smile to Jensen’s face. Pouring his friend a cup of coffee, he waited for him to enter, instead the scratching grew more insistent. Frowning, Jensen opened the door and found himself on his ass, two very excited dogs licking at his face. Fully expecting Jared’s boisterous voice to chastise the dogs for knocking him over, Jensen was surprised to find the doorway empty.
"Ok, get off,” Jensen huffed, pushing at Harley and pulling himself to his feet. Sidestepping both dogs, he stuck his head out the door, hoping Jared was just messing with him, but no such luck. Closing the door he turned back to the dogs. “Where’s your daddy, Harley?”
Jensen shook his head. He’d been around Jared too long. He was talking to the dogs now. What was next?
He occupied himself with filling bowls with food and water, but couldn’t stop the fear knotting his stomach. Jared wouldn’t let his babies out of his sight, not without a good reason. Grabbing his phone he called Jared for the third time, but again it went straight to voicemail.
“Where the hell are you?” he grumbled. The car honked outside and Jensen’s heart sank. Something was very wrong.
After sending the car away, apologizing for the confusion, Jensen called Eric explaining the situation and promised to call when he had more info. He debated on whether or not to call the police, but didn’t want to give the media anything to latch onto. They were like vultures, waiting for something juicy to sink their teeth into. No, he wasn’t going there just yet.
After two hours, though, he was on the verge of completely losing it. He had tried to hide his growing feelings for his co-star. They worked so well together he didn’t want to mess that up, especially if his feelings weren’t reciprocated. So he smiled when Jared touched him, which was all the time, and played into the comfortable banter they had. What else could he do?
Sighing, Jensen picked up his phone to call the police, almost dropping it when it rang. Caller ID told him it was Jared, and he opened it ready to rip Jared a new one.
“Jensen, Man, I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner, but I didn’t know what to do. There was so much blood, and they were shooting…”
“Wait, Jare. Who was shooting?”
“I don’t know. At first I thought it was someone who was going to help, but…” Jared stopped and Jensen could practically see the shudder. People always assumed Jared was this tough guy, being 6’4” and the bulking up for the movie he did might have something to do with it, but it was all for show. Anyone who really knew him, saw Jared for the big softly he was.
“Calm down, Jared. Just tell me what happened, from the beginning.”
“Yeah, Ok. I was almost done with my run and had a little extra time, so I thought I’d take Harley and Sadie to the park to run around. They’ve been inside a lot lately, and I just wanted to give them some time to play. On the way I stopped at that new coffee place, knowing I’d probably not have time… Anyway, I thought I saw someone in that empty building on the corner, so I just peaked inside…” Jared’s voice grew quieter with each word until Jensen could barely hear him. “This guy… he was just laying there. The dogs got spooked, tell me they came home.”
“They’re here,” Jensen said smiling at his friend’s concern. “The guy, Jared?”
“Yeah, right. Like I said, there was so much blood, and it’s not like on set, Man, blood smells bad. I knew there was too much, but I thought maybe I could help him, but he was gone. I was about to call the police when there was this noise, and I looked up… They started shooting at me, so I ran out the door and down the alley, but they followed me. This car pulled up at the end of the alley and these guys in suits jumped out, but the guys behind me were still shooting and then the suits were shooting, and it all got confusing.”
“Did the suits identify themselves before they started shooting?”
“I don’t remember. It all happened so fast. Maybe, FBI or CIA or something.”
“And they shot at you?”
“I don’t know if they meant to, or if they just didn’t realize I wasn’t with the other two, but yeah, when I ran they were still shooting at me.”
“You need to come home, Jared. We need to call the police, get this all straightened out. Where are you?” Jensen asked trying to calm his friend.
“I don’t know. I was a little preoccupied with trying not to get killed. I just kept running.”
“Look around, Jared.”
“Oh, um, yeah, there aren’t any street signs, but there is a sign for the airport.”
“Ok, give me a minute,” Jensen dug in the kitchen drawers and pulled out a map. “Jeez, Jared, you by the golf course?”
“Yeah, I guess. I’ve never seen it from this side before.”
“Ok, see if you can find the entrance and wait for me there.”
“Jensen, I…” Jared was cut off by a knock on the front door.
“Just a minute,” Jensen called over the barking of the dogs. “Jared just do what I said, ok. Someone is at the door. I’ll meet you there.”
“Yeah, the front of the golf course.”
Jensen hung up, setting his phone on the kitchen counter next to the map. The knocking grew more insistent.
“I’m coming, hold on,” Jensen called pushing the barking dogs away from the door and opening it. “Can I help you?”
“I hope so,” the gentleman closest to Jensen said. Both men held up badges. “Agent Ridley and Lucas. Is this the residence of a Jared Pada…?”
“How did you know that?” Jensen asked. Even the FBI shouldn’t have been able to get the information that fast.
“The local law enforcement has your address on file, as requested by an Erik Kripke,” the agent said flipping pages in a black notebook. “I take it from your response that this is his residence.”
“Yes, but he’s not here,” Jensen said.
“There was an altercation this morning, and we need to speak to Mr. Padalecki.”
“Altercation? Is everything all right?” Jensen asked, not liking their tone.
“Not really. When was the last time you saw Mr. Padalecki?” Agent Ridley asked pulling out a notebook and pen.
“Last night. He was gone when I woke up this morning.”
“Do you know where he went?” Agent Lucas asked.
“He gets up early to run.”
“By himself?”
“Yeah, I’m not a morning person. Sometimes he takes the dogs,” Jensen said shrugging.
“Is it common for him to be gone this long?” Agent Ridley asked.
“No,” Jensen said purposely being vague. The conversation started to prickle the hairs on the back of his neck. Something wasn’t right.
“Young man, it would be in your best interest to tell us where your friend is,” Agent Ridley said.
“I’m not saying anything until I know what’s going on,” Jensen said crossing his arms.
“A man was killed this morning, Mr…”
“Jensen Ackles.”
“We have several witnesses who saw Mr. Padalecki fleeing the area, covered in blood. We are currently testing the weapon for fingerprints, and it would be in…”
“Hold up,” Jensen said finally getting what the man was saying. “You think Jared did this? That is the stupidest thing I have every heard. Jared would never hurt…”
“Right now, all we want is to speak to Mr. Padalecki,” Agent Lucas said. “We just want all the facts.”
“It seems to me that you think you already have it figured out. Until you have proof that my friend did anything, you can leave.” Jensen turned to open the door.
“Mr. Ackles, is that blood on your shirt?” Agent Ridley asked.
Jensen shouldn’t have given them the satisfaction, but couldn’t help dropping his gaze to the front of his shirt. Two faded but obvious dog footprints were smeared along the bottom of his light blue t-shirt. He’d been so concerned with where Jared was that he hadn’t even noticed.
“Sir, we just want…”
Jensen’s eyes snapped back to the two men. “I can see exactly what you want, and I believe I asked you to leave.”
He didn’t wait for a response, shutting the door in their faces.
“Harley, come here boy,” the dog scurried over, probably looking for a treat. Scratching the dog behind the ears, Harley did his usually and turned onto his back looking for a belly rub. Jensen rubbed his belly with one hand and gently grabbed his front paw with the other, finding what he hoped wouldn’t be there, dried blood.
Standing so abruptly Harley whined, Jensen peeled his shirt off, throwing it in the laundry room and went into his room looking for another. His head was spinning. None of this made any sense. Jared rarely raised his voice let alone hurt anyone. How anyone could possibly think Jared could do something like this… It was ridiculous.
Shaking his head, Jensen grabbed the first shirt his hand touched and pulled it on. Grabbing his keys and his phone he headed out the door only to stop.
“You have got to be shitting me,” he said. The black car had tinted windows, but Jensen knew instantly who it was. Patting his pants pockets, he turned back to the house, pretending he’d forgotten something.
“Shit, shit, shit,” he muttered leaning against the closed door. He scrambled for his phone when it started to ring. Frowning at the Caller ID, he almost didn’t answer.
“Chad, what the hell are you calling me for?” It was a little rude, but Jensen didn’t care.
“Dude, shut the fuck up and tell me what’s going on? Why is the FBI asking me about Jared?”
“Oh this is just stupid,” Jensen growled.
“Has something happened to Jared?” Chad’s usual sarcasm was gone, and Jensen felt slightly guilty.
“No, he’s not hurt, but he saw something this morning and things are just getting out of hand.”
“They asked a lot of strange questions.”
“Like what?”
“Like if Jared’s into drugs and has his behavior changed lately. What did he see?”
“A dead body.”
“What?”
“Yeah, he just stumbled upon it.”
“Sounds like Jared. What does that have to do with him being into drugs?”
“Hell if I know. Could have something to do with the guys who were shooting at him.”
“Ok, I’m flying up there…”
“No, Chad, that won’t help.”
“Then what will?”
“I…” the phone beeped. “It’s Jared. I’ll call you back.”
“You better.”
“Jensen where the hell are you?” Jared growled.
“Things have gotten a little complicated,” Jensen said pulling the blinds back and checking the street. The car was still there.
“What does that mean?”
“The FBI is involved. I don’t know, Jare, they seem to think you had something to do with what happened this morning.”
“Huh? Did they say that?”
“Not in so many words, but they saw you running away covered in blood.”
“But I can explain that.”
“I know, but Chad called me. They were asking him questions…”
“Questions? About me?”
“No, about George Bush because Chad’s such good friends with him, dumb ass, of course about you.”
“You’re such a dick,” Jared mumbled. “What did they ask?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Jensen,” Jared demanded.
“They asked if you were into drugs, which is stupid…”
“No, actually, that kind of makes sense.”
“What? Now you’re not making sense,” Jensen said sitting down on the couch.
“If they think I’m working with the guys who were shooting at me. Maybe I saw a drug deal gone bad or something.”
“Dude, you sound like one of those guys from Law & Order, but you could be right. The only evidence they have though is you running away, so it should be ok.”
“Oh shit,” Jared said.
“What?”
“When I knelt down next to the dead guy the gun was in the way…”
“Tell me you didn’t,” Jensen groaned.
“I was trying to help the guy. I didn’t think…”
“I know. I know,” Jensen said running his hand through his hair. This was bad.
“What else?”
“What else, what? I didn’t even pick the gun up. I just moved it over.”
“No, if they look into your past…”
“Damn Jensen, what do think I have some deep dark secret or something? You know me better than anyone,” Jared said sounding hurt.
“Sorry, this is just freaking me out. I can’t come and get you because the FBI is staked outside. The fucking FBI, Jared.”
“Really?”
“Black car with tinted windows. I don’t think it belongs to the Petersons, but it’s sitting in front of their house.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah, you could say that. I don’t know what to do, Jared. The logical thing would be to turn yourself in, but the way Feds were talking, they’ve already decided you’re guilty.”
“Then what do we do?” Jensen couldn’t help smiling at the ‘we’. It was nice to hear.
“I don’t know.”
“Maybe… Run,” Jared said.
“Run where? It’s not like we can blend, Jared. We’re on national TV.”
“Then we change our appearance and stay in cheap motels, kind of like Sam and Dean.”
“They pay for those cheap motels with stolen credit cards or money from hustling pool, neither of which is a good idea, Jare.”
“Ok, then we need to plan this out. Call Mike or Tom. If you think they’ll help you can even ask Chris or Steve.”
“What about Sandy?” They’d broken up, but Jensen knew they still talked.
“No, she’s busy, and I don’t want to worry her.”
“If this goes where I think it’s going, she’ll hear about it. I’d be surprised if the FBI hasn’t talked to her already. You were together for a long time.”
“I’ll call her, just to give her a heads up. Oh, call Chad. I remember him saying once that he had a cousin who could fake papers or something.”
“Why does that not surprise me,” Jensen sighed. “Fake papers, huh. We really doing this?”
“I guess. I really don’t want to go to jail, Jensen.”
-J2-
It was scary how easy it was to convince their friends to help. Within three hours, Jensen had a car registered to Mike Richardson (thanks to Mike), a handful of prepaid cards (thanks to Steve), an envelope of cash (Jensen emptied out his own bank account), and a promise from Chad that their fake papers would be ready by that evening.
Three phone calls and four text messages later, Jensen was pacing the living room. He’d made arrangements with Mike to meet him at the airport to exchange vehicles. Tom was going to be the designated distraction, giving Jensen the opening he needed to leave without being followed. He’d packed what he could, filling the truck in the privacy of the garage. The dogs had been the hardest part of the plan. In the end Chad had agreed to take them, which surprised the hell out of Jensen.
Jared had made his way to a gas station, managing to sneak into the outside bathroom and wash off as much of the blood as he could. Jensen had planned on meeting him there after picking up the car.
Over the next hour, the guys started trickling in. Tom was first, followed by Chad.
“Don’t say I never did anything for you,” Chad said tossing him an envelope. Jensen could only smile at the contents. Jared had been right. The forgeries were good, birth certificates in the names of Mike Richardson and Tim Franklin, social security cards, and passports with much younger versions of Jared and Jensen with matching Drivers Licenses. “With the birth certificates and social security cards, you guys can get new Driver’s Licenses when you get into the states. I just figured you ‘d need one for now.”
“This is awesome,” Jensen muttered.
Chad just shrugged, making his way to the dogs. “Hey guys, remember me.”
Jensen left him to it and moved into the kitchen where Tom was raiding the fridge. “So what’s the plan?”
Tom just smiled and held up the bottle of tequila.
“You going to play drunk?”
“Drunk and stupid. Figured that way I wouldn’t get into too much trouble.”
“You get yourself arrested, and Jared will never forgive me,” Jensen said.
Tom proceeded to splash himself vigorously with the alcohol. “So, you ready?”
“I have to be,” Jensen said.
Tom slapped him playfully on the back and gave him a reassuring smile. “Be careful.”
“You too,” Jensen said grabbing his keys and heading for his truck.
Twenty minutes later Chad gave him the go ahead. Suppressing the urge to floor it, he slowly backed out of the driveway and almost ran into the neighbor’s yard at the site that greeted him. Tom was definitely going to get arrested. Jensen could only shake his head as the half naked man ran the opposite direction down the street followed closely by the two Feds.
“Thank you, Tom,” Jensen mumbled gunning the engine and heading for the airport.
-J2-
Less than an hour later, Jensen met Mike at the airport.
“Dude, what is this?” Jensen asked frowning at the car.
“It’s a Honda.”
“This is the best you could do?”
“Fuck, Jensen, you’re supposed to be blending, right? What did you expect, an Impala?”
“Bite me,” Jensen growled. “Just tell me it’s in good condition.”
“It’s in great condition. I bought it off a friend who only drove it four times.”
Jensen sighed and started unloading their stuff. He was going to miss his truck.
“So what exactly are you doing, Jensen?”
"Haven’t really thought that far ahead. Get away, get to Jared, get across the border, than try to get lost in the states.”
Mike just smiled and shook his head.
“What?” Jensen asked closing the trunk.
“There’s a bag in the backseat for you. Thought you could use it.”
Jensen ducked into the backseat, opening the first bag and laughed. He heard the truck start up and turned just in time to see Mike wave and drive off.
The sun was setting as he pulled into the gas station. Jared sat by the back of the building, hands around his knees. Not wanting to draw attention, Jensen stopped the car directly in front of Jared, rolling the passenger window down.
“Jared,” he called to his friend.
Jared’s head shot up, his eyes frantically looking around. He smiled when he spotted Jensen. “Dude, I am so glad to see you”
He quickly slipped into the passenger seat, squeezing Jensen’s shoulder. Jensen groaned inwardly at the heat that simple touch sent through his body.
“Nice car,” Jared said his voice laced with sarcasm.
“Don’t start.” Jensen pulled out into traffic and headed south.
“Where are we going?” Jared asked.
“Not sure. I thought we’d find a motel and sleep tonight, head into the states tomorrow.”
“Sounds good.”
They stopped at the first small motel they passed. Jensen paid for the room with cash, saving the cards for gas and food.
“Room’s at the end of the row. I got one, with two doubles, to save money.” He added the last part in a rush, hoping Jared wouldn’t mind.
“Good idea,” Jared said grabbing his bag and following Jensen to the room.
Once inside, Jared sprawled lazily on the first bed, arm over his eyes. “This is all too much, Man.”
“I know. I’ve been waiting for someone to say cut all day.”
Jared leaned up on his elbows, eyeing Jensen. “Thanks Jen.”
“For what?”
“Dropping everything to help me. You didn’t have…”
“Jared, you’re my friend, what else was I supposed to do?” Jensen smiled at his friend’s blush.
“You still didn’t have to,” Jared said looking away.
“Well, you may hate me for the next part.”
“Huh?” Jared frowned. “Why would I…”
Jensen upended the bag from Mike onto his bed. Jared’s eyes widened at the pile of hair color, and literally jumped off the bed when Jensen picked up the scissors.
“Hell no. You are not cutting my hair.”
“I’m sorry Jare, but the hair is too Sam Winchester. We’re never going to be able to hide with…”
“And what about you?” Jared asked defensively.
“Well, I was thinking blonde, not shave for awhile. I think you should let the fuzz on your face grow too,” Jensen said patting his cheek.
Jared slapped his hand away. “Shut up.”
“Don’t you trust me Jared?” Jensen asked petulantly, which was completely lost by the opening and closing of the scissors in his hand.
“With those, absolutely not.”
“Come on,” Jensen said patting the bed in front of him. “I promise not to make it too short.”
“I’m holding you to that,” he said sitting in the offered spot.
It took only fifteen minutes, but Jensen kept touching his shoulders and his arms. Jared started shifting uncomfortably with each bump of Jensen’s legs against his, trying to hide his growing erection. He nearly lost it when Jensen started on the front of his hair, leaning so close he could smell soap and shampoo. Closing his eyes he tried to think of anything other than reaching out and touching. Touching was bad. He knew Jensen tolerated his inability to keep his hands to himself, but sitting alone in a hotel room; that could be awkward.
When Jensen announced he was done, Jared jumped up, maybe a little too quickly, and headed for the shower. Once under the warm spray, he tried to resist the urge to touch himself, but he was already so incredibly hard. Without thought, he started stroking himself. It didn’t take long, he’d been hard since the first touch of Jensen’s hands in his hair, and he muffled the groan in his arm as his body pulsed through his orgasm. Sighing, he leaned his head against the wall, washing the evidence down the drain. Realizing in his haste to get away from Jensen he had forgotten to bring his clothes in, he wrapped the too small towel around his waist and opened the door.
Jensen stood outside the door, hoping Jared hadn’t witnessed his reaction to being so close. He’d made quick work of the haircut for that very reason. Every touch sent warmth through his body, and he didn’t think he could hide his hardness. Cursing the too tight jeans he had pulled on that morning, he waited until the door was completely closed before palming his dick through his jeans. It was a little embarrassing how fast he came. Feeling foolish and sticky, he pulled new clothes from his bag, using them to hide the wet spot as he slipped past Jared when he exited the bathroom, his dick making a quick rebound at the sight of Jared in just a towel.
Neither slept well that night.
-J2-
“Leave it alone, Jare.” Jensen couldn’t help the small smile at his friend’s distress. Personally he like Jared’s new haircut, Jared on the other wouldn’t stop messing with it.
“It’s too short,” Jared whined, standing in front of the bathroom mirror, pushing the top of his hair one way then the other.
“I thought I’d seen a picture of you with your hair like this,” Jensen said. He’d done his best cutting the back short and leaving the top a little longer.
“You’ve looked at pictures of me?” Jared asked with a sly smile.
“You knew that, before the audition I Googled you.”
“You Googled me,” Jared giggled, making Jensen smile.
“You’re telling me that you didn’t research me at all before we met?” Jensen asked with a smirk.
“Maybe a little,” Jared muttered. In reality he’d spent the whole night before looking at pictures of Jensen, but he wasn’t about to admit that. Giving up, he turned the bathroom light off and walked into the main room. “I guess it’s not that bad.”
“That’s better,” Jensen smirked.
“Oh shut up. At least I don’t look like a surfer, Dude,” Jared laughed.
“So not cool,” Jensen deadpanned. Jared threw his head back and laughed. “You don’t like it?”
“I didn’t say that. It’s just really blonde.”
That it was. Bleached almost white blonde. Jared had tried hard not to laugh when Jensen came out of the bathroom the night before, but he couldn’t help it. The color was just not Jensen, but then, that was the point. Jensen also stopped wearing his contacts, his wire rimed glasses making him look more like a professor than an actor. He looked hot, which Jared kept reminding himself, he couldn’t say out loud. EVER.
“So, we’re leaving yet?” Jared asked.
“Yeah, I was going to grab us some food for the road, maybe some coffee, and drop the key off. Be ready when I get back,” Jensen said grabbing his coat and heading for the door.
“Bossy,” Jared mumbled as the door closed behind him.
Jensen must not have gone far, because he was back fifteen minutes later, and he didn’t look happy. Handing Jared a coffee and setting a bag on the table he held up a newspaper.
The front-page blaring headline:
Supernatural Star Wanted For Questioning
“Damn it, I hate that picture,” Jared groaned grabbing the paper. “They couldn’t use one where I was at least smiling?”
“I like it,” Jensen said without thinking. “Got the whole brooding thing going.”
“Shut up,” Jared said, punching Jensen in the arm.
“The picture is the least of our problems. I know why the FBI is in on this.”
“Why’s that?” Jared asked eyes skimming the paper.
“Apparently you interrupted a drug sting.”
“They still do that? Thought drug dealers would have figured that one out,” Jared said crumpling the paper and reaching for the bag of food.
“Jared, be serious for a minute,” Jensen said grabbing his arm.
“Sor-ry,” Jared said, his tone definitely not sorry.
Jensen roughly grabbed the paper and shook it at Jared. “They think you were there for the deal, Jare.’
“Jensen…”
“It gets better. The dead guy… He was a Fed, undercover agent, and they think you killed him.”
“It says that?” Jared asked grabbing for the paper.
“Of course it doesn’t say that, but it says enough. You were seen running from the scene covered in blood, and the morons actually believe you were shooting at them, apparently with an imaginary gun. You know what that means. The warrant out for you will say armed and dangerous.” Jensen knew he was babbling, but he just couldn’t stop. The idea that Jared could get hurt was freaking him out.
“Jensen, please calm down,” Jared said grabbing Jensen by the shoulders and leading his friend to the bed.
“Calm down! They can shoot at you, whether or not they see a gun,” Jensen said pulling away and running his hand over his face.
“Then we’ll just have to make sure we don’t give them a reason to shoot at me,” Jared said, far to calm for Jensen’s liking.
“Why am I the only one freaking out?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” Jared shrugged. That wasn’t true. He was with Jensen and that made him feel safe. God, Jensen was right. He was such a girl. “Let’s get out of here.”
He could feel Jensen’s eyes on him as he grabbed his bag.
“Yeah. I think it will be a good idea to get as far into the states as we can before we stop for the night,” Jensen said following him out the door.
-J2-
They had no problem getting across the border. Jensen had been worried, even with the change in appearance that they would get stopped, but he’d underestimated Jared’s charm. One dimpled smile and the border patrol couldn’t get them through fast enough. Jensen had to suppress the urge to laugh. It was a sight to see.
The car had a fairly decent sound system, and Jensen fiddled with the buttons until he found a halfway decent country station. He unconsciously started singing, making Jared smile, not just because he loved Jensen’s voice, but the peaceful look that softened his face, making him look younger.
Jensen caught him looking and stopped, smiling sheepishly. “Sorry.”
“You don’t have…” Jared said his eyes going back to the road.
“Let’s stop for lunch. We can figure out which way we want to go. Anyplace you’d like to see?” Jensen asked digging the map out of his bag.
“It’s been awhile since I’ve been to Yosemite. Wouldn’t mind seeing it again.”
“I’ve never been.”
“Really?”
“Not real big on camping, Jare.”
“You know you don’t have to camp. They have cabins too.”
“Good, cause I’m not sleeping outside.”
“Such a baby,” Jared muttered.
"Ass,” Jensen said swatting the back of his head.
“Watch the hair,” Jared laughed, and Jensen rolled his eyes.
-J2-
Jensen had always thought Eric was pulling his leg, which he was about half the time, but he was right about the diners and motels. He figured the first diner was a fluke. There had to be diners in some small towns, but a week and six diners (Jared had insisted they have pizza one night) later Jensen wasn’t even surprised any more.
The motels were worse. Tacky was one thing, dirty quite another. Jensen was by no means a snob, but the thirty-dollar motel was just gross. The room smelled of mold and urine, and Jensen didn’t even want to know what the spots on the sheets were.
“Dude, I’m not sleeping here,” Jensen said turning to leave.
“We already paid,” Jared called after him.
“I don’t care,” Jensen said sliding into the driver’s seat.
Jared shook his head, but trudged back to the car, slipping into the passenger seat. “Fine, you drive, and I’ll sleep.”
From then on, they stuck to the cheaper chain motels. Jensen was starting to enjoy the perks of Motel 6 (no spots on the sheets and free coffee).
Throughout the first week, they kept in contact with their friends and family. Jared had made that hard phone call to his mom and dad the second day. His mom had cried, his dad’s voice was stern, but both reassured him they never once believed he did anything wrong. Neither agreed with the way the situation was being handled. His dad urged him repeatedly to turn himself in, but Jared insisted they were doing what was best for now. In the end, both had relented, telling him to be safe.
Jensen’s call was harder which was why he waited a week. His dad was angry. Demanded to know why his son was throwing his life away for a criminal. His mom tried to be calm, but he could tell she was also upset, though she was a little more tactful about it. Jensen ended the phone call before he said anything he’d regret, but it left him moody.
Unfortunately, being around Jared and only Jared, Jensen took it out on him.
“I swear, Jen, if you do that again, I’m going to hurt you,” Jared said after Jensen flicked another French fry at him.
“In your dreams, Buddy,” Jensen taunted.
Jared sighed, trying not to take the bait, but another French fry smacked him in the side of the head.
“That’s it,” he said standing and grabbing his coat.
“Where’re you going?”
“I saw a bar down the street.” Jensen moved to follow, and Jared shook his head. “I think we need a little space. I’ll be back later.”
“Jared, come on, I didn’t mean…” The click of the door cut him off. “Shit.”
tbc…