FIC: "Avalanches Approaching" (8/10)
Avalanches Approaching
By Simarillion
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Universe: Alternative Universe
Rating: PG-13/R (this instalment)
Beta: asm_z
Pairing: Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki, Jared Padalecki/Sandra McCoy (mentioned), others
Warnings: slash, M/M
Word Count: 3,141 (25,217)
Summary: Extra! Extra! Read all about it! (Of pictures, and rumours, and beginnings)
Disclaimer: None of the herein presented happenings and events are true. Everything is 100% fiction and that includes the sexuality of the characters. I don’t claim to be in the know about their relations and private affairs, and I don’t make any money with the creation of this story.
Author’s Note: I changed the age of Jensen and Jared, they are the same age now. The plot wouldn’t really work otherwise.
This is part 3 of the Glaciology! ‘verse. Jensen is a scientist in the field of glaciology and he spends most of his time surrounded by ice, whereas Jared is a Hollywood movie star. Prequel to this story are Invisible Glaciers and Iceberg Anatomy.
[ Masterpost]
Part Eight
Thursday is Jensen’s last day in LA, and he spends it lounging around the house, taking a walk on the beach with the dogs, and keeping Linda from her work, by chatting with her. In the evening, Jared surprises him with an unscheduled barbeque, to which Chad, Hayden, Adam, Linda, and Jack show up as well.
The grill next to the pool is fired up, and Jack, who worked as a bartender during his college days, mans the bar, mixing drinks for everyone. It’s a nice evening, and a perfect end of his visit with Jared. Jensen has to admit that even though there was the unfortunate press incident, the trip to LA had been a lot of fun.
Their little get-together lasts until midnight, which is when everyone leaves, and Jared and Jensen get some sleep before they have to get up at six in the morning. Jensen still has to return his car (which he can do at the airport), and checking in with Dean always takes some time.
When the alarm goes off, Jensen is sorely tempted to just turn around, but he rolls out of bed, takes a shower, and puts on some clothes. His bag is already packed, and Jensen takes Dean and Jared’s dogs for a walk, down the beach and a short distance up the path. On their way back they are joined by Jared who grins sheepishly.
“Sorry, the alarm didn’t work.” Jensen just raises his eyebrow, because he heard Jared’s alarm ringing right after his own. This has Jared blush lightly, but they’re both letting it go.
They don’t have the time for a real breakfast, but Jensen drinks a cup of coffee, says his goodbye to Linda, and then they are loading everything into the cars. The kennel and Dean go into the truck; the bags go into the SUV.
Jensen drives behind Jared, careful not to lose him in the morning traffic. There’s a jam shortly before the exit to the airport, some truck rammed the side barrier and flipped over. It takes about forty-five minutes to arrive at the airport parking lot. While Jared takes care of taking Dean and the kennel to the check in, Jensen has to sprint to the car rental office, take care of returning the SUV, and then hurry to the check in for is flight.
It comes as no surprise that there’s a long line of travelers already waiting to check in. Once his luggage is taken care of, Jensen calls Jared and asks for his whereabouts. He finds him waiting at the entrance to the duty free area. Dean is already checked in. Unlike their flight from Dallas to LA, the cabin is too full to allow the dog to stay in the cabin. This time the husky is loaded into the cargo hold.
“Three hours in the cargo hold of an airplane sucks.” Jensen can only agree, but there’s nothing he can do about it, Dean’s just too big. It was a courtesy of the airline that the dog had been allowed to stay with Jensen the first time around. “Don’t forget to call and let me know if both of you survived the flight.”
“Will do.” Jensen smiles at Jared. “Thank you for having me.”
“No, thank you for putting up with me. I’m sorry I was gone so many times, but work can’t wait.” At Jared’s apologetic grin, Jensen whacks him on the back of his head.
“Nonsense. I got to see Hollywood, was allowed on set of your movie, visited some friends, and could hang out at your house. It was awesome.” They say their goodbye after that and Jensen dashes through the duty free area to his terminal.
On board the plane, Jensen settles into his seat, and takes one of the newspapers he’s being offered. After the take off, when they are allowed to unfasten the seat belts and the flight attendants push the cart with the breakfast through the aisles, he unfolds the paper and starts reading.
Jensen has a sandwich (which tastes weird), a coffee and some juice. He finishes his newspaper and asks for another one, when he notices two teenage girls glancing over to him and giggling behind their magazines. On the front of one of the glossy papers, he finds a photo of himself and Jared. It’s photoshopped, showing the two of them together, like a portray of them as a couple.
In bright letters the headline spells: “The true love of Jared Padalecki.”
Jensen turns away from them and looks out of the window, watching the clouds underneath them. Strangely enough no-one has said anything about the whole incident after Sunday. The silence had made him believe that the press had lost interest in it, but apparently that isn’t so.
The flight attendant brings him his newspaper, and asks him if there’s anything else he wants. After the fraction of a second, Jensen tells her that he would like a copy of the In Touch magazine. Her eyes widen shortly, but she leaves to bring what he asked for.
When he scans the front page, Jensen has to take calming breaths. The manipulated picture makes him and Jared look like lovesick teenagers, and the heart-shaped cutout with a picture of the dogs doesn’t help to create a more serious impression. Their story made page two and three. It’s an article with more photos of the kind he saw online already, but there are a couple of new pictures, that show him and Jared at the studio.
Jensen tries to remember if he noticed anyone following them or lurking around, but nothing comes to mind.
The article starts with a short introduction to Jared, and there’s a full paragraph about his and Sandy’s breakup. What follows are fantastic tales and wrong assumptions of the meaning of the photos that accompany the article. Apparently the reason why Jared and him are a couple is that Jensen is gay. His mere presence makes Jared gay by association. The next step from gay friends to lovers is not far, for the media at least.
So called Hollywood insiders and personal friends are quoted, and they all say the same, that Jared has been in love for some time now. His feelings led to the end of his relationship and the engagement with Sandra McCoy, and now that he’s at liberty to do so, he can openly show himself with his new partner.
If he wasn’t the person people were referring to, Jensen would laugh about the stories and tales that are cooked up by the press. On page four some openly gay movie star, Jensen doesn’t recognize him, talks about the outing of Hollywood’s favorite and it’s impact on the gay rights movement.
The page after, he finds a poll where readers have been asked to evaluate his and Jared’s relationship. Apparently forty-six percent believe that they’ll last, the others don’t.
Jensen closes the magazine and leaves it lying on his lap. He stares out of the window and tries to sort out everything he read. It stands to reason that with his returning to Texas and moving back to Alaska, the whole affair will quiet down. If Jensen isn’t around, they can’t take any new photos, and he’s sure that the next time Jared goes for some coffee or food with a female colleague, they will be dealt as the hottest now pair of tinsel town.
But until then, Jensen is not so much worried about himself, but about his family. He really doesn’t want them to be hounded because of the whole thing. His calls to Mac and Josh told him all the same, no reporters and paparazzi around anymore, but he couldn’t be sure about that.
The rest of the flight Jensen thinks about what to do, and possible contingency plans. His other newspaper stays untouched, and when they are starting in on the landing procedures, Jensen hands them back without giving them a second glance.
The landing is smooth, and this time, without Dean, he doesn’t have to wait for the other passengers to get out. He makes for the baggage claim, and once he’s got his bags secured on a trolley, he pushes it to the customs desks where he shows Dean’s papers. He waits for the dog, and then he stows the kennel away on the trolley, wraps Dean’s leash around his hand, and heads for the exit.
It’s Mac who’s picking him up from the airport. She’s waving at him, wearing glasses inside as if she’s trying to disguise her face.
He pushes the trolley over to her, Dean pulling on his leash to get to Mac faster. As soon as they reach her, the husky jumps her, licking her face and yipping excitedly. This makes Mac laugh, rubbing his head.
“One would think that it was me who left.” She pats the dog another time before she steps up to Jensen and hugs him lightly. “Hey, you look so much smaller in real life.”
At this Jensen grins wryly. “Yeah, you know those photographers always make me look like some giant. I missed you Mac.”
“Right.” She cuffs him on the shoulder, and hangs her arm into his. Together they make for the garage.
Dean is obediently trotting next to the trolley. He knows that he’ll get to see the rest of the Ackles clan soon. That usually means treats and more people to fuss over him.
“So, tell me about Jared Padalecki.” Jensen tells his sister about the house and Jared’s housekeeper and his bodyguard. He willingly tells him about Dean’s infatuation with Jared, and Sadie and Harley’s infatuation with Jensen. When she asks about what they did, he describes to her in detail his day on set, meeting the movie dogs, hanging out with Jared and their tourist day on Hollywood Boulevard.
They arrive at the car when Jensen goes into describing his victory at the Guitar Hero competition. Just as Jensen has stowed the kennel into the back of the car, a voice calls out to them.
“Mr. Ackles!” He turns to the person and wishes he hadn’t. There’s a photographer snapping pictures of him, Mac and Dean. The dog is growling threateningly, his hackles raised, his teeth bared. The husky’s reaction has the journalist with the photographer stop his approach.
Jensen loads his bags into the car and opens the door of the kennel. “Dean, come on.”
The dog ignores him and keeps on watching the strangers who are keeping their distance but still refuse to leave. Only when Jensen tugs at his collar and orders him once more to jump up and into the car, the dog obeys.
The moment Dean is locked away, the man and the photographer come closer. “Mr. Ackles, what do you say about the accusations that you destroyed Jared Padalecki’s and Sandra McCoy’s relationship?”
Jensen pushes the photographer to the side and makes Mac climb into the front seat. He carefully avoids looking at the camera, or meeting the journalist’s eyes.
“You were seen together with Jared Padalecki, how serious is it between the two of you.” This time when he tries to get past them, they won’t budge and he can feel anger and panic rising in him. “Mr. Padalecki hasn’t given a statement pertaining to the rumors about the nature of the relationship between him and you.”
When the two won’t budge Jensen glares at the reporter who sees this as the sign that Jensen will finally answer some of the questions he has. He shoves a recorder in his face and starts all over again. “What is the relationship between Jared Padalecki and yourself?”
“Move.” Jensen practically growls.
“I just want one statement from you.” The photographer keeps on snapping pictures and Jensen has the urge to take the camera and smash to the floor, probably stamp on it some more, just to make sure it’s useless.
“I said move. Or else I’ll press harassment charges against the two of you.” When they stay right where they are Jensen shoves the journalist to the side. Not too hard because he doesn’t want to be reported for assault, just strong enough that he can wedge through between them. He almost runs to the other side of the car, the journalists right behind him.
When he throws the door closed and locks it, Mac looks over at him, her eyes worried and a little but freaked out.
“Are you alright?” No, he isn’t alright. But he doesn’t want to think about that. Right now he just wants to get away. Leave this nightmare behind and to entrench himself inside his parent’s house until he can return to Alaska and normality.
“I’m fine, Mac.” Jensen starts the car and turning his head back to look behind him he puts in the reverse. At least the two men are intelligent enough to step aside when he pulls out of the parking spot.
Shifting gears he drives off, in the rear view mirror he can see the photographer take some more pictures, and then they pull up to the exit and leave them behind. Jensen’s heart beats like mad in his chest and he can feel adrenalin rushing through his body. He has to take several deep breaths before he’s calm enough to turn to his sister, giving her a weak smile.
Mac is staring out of her window, her sunglasses in her hands. She seems to be miles away, her gaze unfocused. Jensen wonders what it must have been like when the whole thing started five days ago. The mere thought of his mother being surrounded on her way to the supermarket, recorders shoved into her face, photographers documenting her grocery shopping, it makes Jensen sick.
“Has it been like this all the time?” He concentrates on driving. Forcing everything out of his head.
“No, not since the police made clear that they really shouldn’t besiege us. This is the first time since Sunday that they showed up.” Mac sighs exhausted.
Jensen knows how she feels. Now that the adrenalin rush is slowly fading, Jensen feels like the journalist sucked all the energy out of. The barbeque party yesterday, the magazine on the plane and the press sneak attack are a bit much for someone like Jensen.
“How are mum and dad?” Mac just shrugs.
“They are okay. It’s not like you being outed is a shock to them, but the sudden attention focused on them, and media people trampling all over their front yard at the ass crack dawn kind of came as a shock.” She turns her head to look at Jensen. “But as I already said, there hasn’t been any problem with the press the whole week. I guess they thought that at the airport the police wouldn’t be able to catch them.”
Jensen nods. Even knowing that this was a single incident doesn’t make it any better. He didn’t say anything to the reporter, but he can’t help but wonder what will be printed in the press about his encounter just now. Nothing good probably.
The rest of the drive they stay quiet, even the radio stays switched off. When Jensen pulls into the driveway and cuts the engine, the silence is even more pregnant.
There’s movement at the front door, and Jensen can see his parents, and Josh and his family come out, heading for the car. He takes a deep breath and opens the door. Climbing out he waves at his family, his smile getting more real with every second. The mere presence of them calms him.
“Hey there.” His mum comes round to him and gives him a crushing hug. She’s smaller than Jensen, but he bends down a little to make it easier for her. “Hi mum.”
Once she lets go his brother is the next one to hug, but theirs is much shorter. “Look at you. We let you out of our sight and you make such a ruckus.”
Josh grins mischievously at Jensen, which has him grin back. “Yeah, you know how it is. My fans just can’t get enough of me.”
“Uh huh.” Josh claps him on the shoulder and lets their father hug Jensen.
After even Emily has wrapped her puny little arms around his neck, Jensen lets Dean out of the car. The dog yips and barks excitedly, greeting everyone, and sniffing around the front yard. He grabs his bags and they hoard into the house.
The inside is cool and a relief from the heat outside. Jensen dumps his luggage into his room, and rejoins the others on the terrace.
There’s a jug of freshly made lemonade and glasses for everyone. He plops down into a chair between his dad and Mac and tells them about his stay in LA: Occasionally one of the others tosses in a comment about what had been happening at the same time here in Dallas, but mostly it was Jensen talking and the other’s listening.
Josh and Jensen’s dad were suitably impressed by Jensen’s descriptions of Jared’s house, his mum asked about Mike and Tom, and Mac and Sara got all worked up about his description of his day at the set of Jared’s new movie. Even though Mac had heard most of it already at the airport, he squealed just the same when Jensen told them about the stars he saw at the restaurant in Hollywood. Jensen even went to get his digital camera to show the pictures he took around.
His mum had prepared everything for burgers, and in the evening his dad is grilling their dinner. Surrounded by his family, eating home-made food by his mum, and drinking beer, Jensen can forget about his run-in with the press.
It’s only later when he calls Jared to let him know that he arrived in one piece at his parent’s house, that the incident comes to his mind again. Still, when Jared asks if anything happened during his journey, Jensen keeps quiet about it. He doesn’t want Jared to think that he’s whining about something that Jared can’t do anything about in the first place.
After his phone call to LA, Jensen takes a shower and prepares for bed. It’s about ten in the evening and Josh and his family have already left. Mac is at a friend’s place, and his parents are with their neighbors helping with the planning of the big barbeque get-together in two weeks time.
Dean jumps onto the bed once Jensen has buried himself into the sheets, and drapes himself over Jensen’s feet. During the night, Jensen will most likely wake up and shove the dog off the bed because of the heat, but right now he doesn’t care.
It doesn’t take long before both man and dog are fast asleep.
continue: Part Nine
By Simarillion
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Universe: Alternative Universe
Rating: PG-13/R (this instalment)
Beta: asm_z
Pairing: Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki, Jared Padalecki/Sandra McCoy (mentioned), others
Warnings: slash, M/M
Word Count: 3,141 (25,217)
Summary: Extra! Extra! Read all about it! (Of pictures, and rumours, and beginnings)
Disclaimer: None of the herein presented happenings and events are true. Everything is 100% fiction and that includes the sexuality of the characters. I don’t claim to be in the know about their relations and private affairs, and I don’t make any money with the creation of this story.
Author’s Note: I changed the age of Jensen and Jared, they are the same age now. The plot wouldn’t really work otherwise.
This is part 3 of the Glaciology! ‘verse. Jensen is a scientist in the field of glaciology and he spends most of his time surrounded by ice, whereas Jared is a Hollywood movie star. Prequel to this story are Invisible Glaciers and Iceberg Anatomy.
[ Masterpost]
Part Eight
Thursday is Jensen’s last day in LA, and he spends it lounging around the house, taking a walk on the beach with the dogs, and keeping Linda from her work, by chatting with her. In the evening, Jared surprises him with an unscheduled barbeque, to which Chad, Hayden, Adam, Linda, and Jack show up as well.
The grill next to the pool is fired up, and Jack, who worked as a bartender during his college days, mans the bar, mixing drinks for everyone. It’s a nice evening, and a perfect end of his visit with Jared. Jensen has to admit that even though there was the unfortunate press incident, the trip to LA had been a lot of fun.
Their little get-together lasts until midnight, which is when everyone leaves, and Jared and Jensen get some sleep before they have to get up at six in the morning. Jensen still has to return his car (which he can do at the airport), and checking in with Dean always takes some time.
When the alarm goes off, Jensen is sorely tempted to just turn around, but he rolls out of bed, takes a shower, and puts on some clothes. His bag is already packed, and Jensen takes Dean and Jared’s dogs for a walk, down the beach and a short distance up the path. On their way back they are joined by Jared who grins sheepishly.
“Sorry, the alarm didn’t work.” Jensen just raises his eyebrow, because he heard Jared’s alarm ringing right after his own. This has Jared blush lightly, but they’re both letting it go.
They don’t have the time for a real breakfast, but Jensen drinks a cup of coffee, says his goodbye to Linda, and then they are loading everything into the cars. The kennel and Dean go into the truck; the bags go into the SUV.
Jensen drives behind Jared, careful not to lose him in the morning traffic. There’s a jam shortly before the exit to the airport, some truck rammed the side barrier and flipped over. It takes about forty-five minutes to arrive at the airport parking lot. While Jared takes care of taking Dean and the kennel to the check in, Jensen has to sprint to the car rental office, take care of returning the SUV, and then hurry to the check in for is flight.
It comes as no surprise that there’s a long line of travelers already waiting to check in. Once his luggage is taken care of, Jensen calls Jared and asks for his whereabouts. He finds him waiting at the entrance to the duty free area. Dean is already checked in. Unlike their flight from Dallas to LA, the cabin is too full to allow the dog to stay in the cabin. This time the husky is loaded into the cargo hold.
“Three hours in the cargo hold of an airplane sucks.” Jensen can only agree, but there’s nothing he can do about it, Dean’s just too big. It was a courtesy of the airline that the dog had been allowed to stay with Jensen the first time around. “Don’t forget to call and let me know if both of you survived the flight.”
“Will do.” Jensen smiles at Jared. “Thank you for having me.”
“No, thank you for putting up with me. I’m sorry I was gone so many times, but work can’t wait.” At Jared’s apologetic grin, Jensen whacks him on the back of his head.
“Nonsense. I got to see Hollywood, was allowed on set of your movie, visited some friends, and could hang out at your house. It was awesome.” They say their goodbye after that and Jensen dashes through the duty free area to his terminal.
On board the plane, Jensen settles into his seat, and takes one of the newspapers he’s being offered. After the take off, when they are allowed to unfasten the seat belts and the flight attendants push the cart with the breakfast through the aisles, he unfolds the paper and starts reading.
Jensen has a sandwich (which tastes weird), a coffee and some juice. He finishes his newspaper and asks for another one, when he notices two teenage girls glancing over to him and giggling behind their magazines. On the front of one of the glossy papers, he finds a photo of himself and Jared. It’s photoshopped, showing the two of them together, like a portray of them as a couple.
In bright letters the headline spells: “The true love of Jared Padalecki.”
Jensen turns away from them and looks out of the window, watching the clouds underneath them. Strangely enough no-one has said anything about the whole incident after Sunday. The silence had made him believe that the press had lost interest in it, but apparently that isn’t so.
The flight attendant brings him his newspaper, and asks him if there’s anything else he wants. After the fraction of a second, Jensen tells her that he would like a copy of the In Touch magazine. Her eyes widen shortly, but she leaves to bring what he asked for.
When he scans the front page, Jensen has to take calming breaths. The manipulated picture makes him and Jared look like lovesick teenagers, and the heart-shaped cutout with a picture of the dogs doesn’t help to create a more serious impression. Their story made page two and three. It’s an article with more photos of the kind he saw online already, but there are a couple of new pictures, that show him and Jared at the studio.
Jensen tries to remember if he noticed anyone following them or lurking around, but nothing comes to mind.
The article starts with a short introduction to Jared, and there’s a full paragraph about his and Sandy’s breakup. What follows are fantastic tales and wrong assumptions of the meaning of the photos that accompany the article. Apparently the reason why Jared and him are a couple is that Jensen is gay. His mere presence makes Jared gay by association. The next step from gay friends to lovers is not far, for the media at least.
So called Hollywood insiders and personal friends are quoted, and they all say the same, that Jared has been in love for some time now. His feelings led to the end of his relationship and the engagement with Sandra McCoy, and now that he’s at liberty to do so, he can openly show himself with his new partner.
If he wasn’t the person people were referring to, Jensen would laugh about the stories and tales that are cooked up by the press. On page four some openly gay movie star, Jensen doesn’t recognize him, talks about the outing of Hollywood’s favorite and it’s impact on the gay rights movement.
The page after, he finds a poll where readers have been asked to evaluate his and Jared’s relationship. Apparently forty-six percent believe that they’ll last, the others don’t.
Jensen closes the magazine and leaves it lying on his lap. He stares out of the window and tries to sort out everything he read. It stands to reason that with his returning to Texas and moving back to Alaska, the whole affair will quiet down. If Jensen isn’t around, they can’t take any new photos, and he’s sure that the next time Jared goes for some coffee or food with a female colleague, they will be dealt as the hottest now pair of tinsel town.
But until then, Jensen is not so much worried about himself, but about his family. He really doesn’t want them to be hounded because of the whole thing. His calls to Mac and Josh told him all the same, no reporters and paparazzi around anymore, but he couldn’t be sure about that.
The rest of the flight Jensen thinks about what to do, and possible contingency plans. His other newspaper stays untouched, and when they are starting in on the landing procedures, Jensen hands them back without giving them a second glance.
The landing is smooth, and this time, without Dean, he doesn’t have to wait for the other passengers to get out. He makes for the baggage claim, and once he’s got his bags secured on a trolley, he pushes it to the customs desks where he shows Dean’s papers. He waits for the dog, and then he stows the kennel away on the trolley, wraps Dean’s leash around his hand, and heads for the exit.
It’s Mac who’s picking him up from the airport. She’s waving at him, wearing glasses inside as if she’s trying to disguise her face.
He pushes the trolley over to her, Dean pulling on his leash to get to Mac faster. As soon as they reach her, the husky jumps her, licking her face and yipping excitedly. This makes Mac laugh, rubbing his head.
“One would think that it was me who left.” She pats the dog another time before she steps up to Jensen and hugs him lightly. “Hey, you look so much smaller in real life.”
At this Jensen grins wryly. “Yeah, you know those photographers always make me look like some giant. I missed you Mac.”
“Right.” She cuffs him on the shoulder, and hangs her arm into his. Together they make for the garage.
Dean is obediently trotting next to the trolley. He knows that he’ll get to see the rest of the Ackles clan soon. That usually means treats and more people to fuss over him.
“So, tell me about Jared Padalecki.” Jensen tells his sister about the house and Jared’s housekeeper and his bodyguard. He willingly tells him about Dean’s infatuation with Jared, and Sadie and Harley’s infatuation with Jensen. When she asks about what they did, he describes to her in detail his day on set, meeting the movie dogs, hanging out with Jared and their tourist day on Hollywood Boulevard.
They arrive at the car when Jensen goes into describing his victory at the Guitar Hero competition. Just as Jensen has stowed the kennel into the back of the car, a voice calls out to them.
“Mr. Ackles!” He turns to the person and wishes he hadn’t. There’s a photographer snapping pictures of him, Mac and Dean. The dog is growling threateningly, his hackles raised, his teeth bared. The husky’s reaction has the journalist with the photographer stop his approach.
Jensen loads his bags into the car and opens the door of the kennel. “Dean, come on.”
The dog ignores him and keeps on watching the strangers who are keeping their distance but still refuse to leave. Only when Jensen tugs at his collar and orders him once more to jump up and into the car, the dog obeys.
The moment Dean is locked away, the man and the photographer come closer. “Mr. Ackles, what do you say about the accusations that you destroyed Jared Padalecki’s and Sandra McCoy’s relationship?”
Jensen pushes the photographer to the side and makes Mac climb into the front seat. He carefully avoids looking at the camera, or meeting the journalist’s eyes.
“You were seen together with Jared Padalecki, how serious is it between the two of you.” This time when he tries to get past them, they won’t budge and he can feel anger and panic rising in him. “Mr. Padalecki hasn’t given a statement pertaining to the rumors about the nature of the relationship between him and you.”
When the two won’t budge Jensen glares at the reporter who sees this as the sign that Jensen will finally answer some of the questions he has. He shoves a recorder in his face and starts all over again. “What is the relationship between Jared Padalecki and yourself?”
“Move.” Jensen practically growls.
“I just want one statement from you.” The photographer keeps on snapping pictures and Jensen has the urge to take the camera and smash to the floor, probably stamp on it some more, just to make sure it’s useless.
“I said move. Or else I’ll press harassment charges against the two of you.” When they stay right where they are Jensen shoves the journalist to the side. Not too hard because he doesn’t want to be reported for assault, just strong enough that he can wedge through between them. He almost runs to the other side of the car, the journalists right behind him.
When he throws the door closed and locks it, Mac looks over at him, her eyes worried and a little but freaked out.
“Are you alright?” No, he isn’t alright. But he doesn’t want to think about that. Right now he just wants to get away. Leave this nightmare behind and to entrench himself inside his parent’s house until he can return to Alaska and normality.
“I’m fine, Mac.” Jensen starts the car and turning his head back to look behind him he puts in the reverse. At least the two men are intelligent enough to step aside when he pulls out of the parking spot.
Shifting gears he drives off, in the rear view mirror he can see the photographer take some more pictures, and then they pull up to the exit and leave them behind. Jensen’s heart beats like mad in his chest and he can feel adrenalin rushing through his body. He has to take several deep breaths before he’s calm enough to turn to his sister, giving her a weak smile.
Mac is staring out of her window, her sunglasses in her hands. She seems to be miles away, her gaze unfocused. Jensen wonders what it must have been like when the whole thing started five days ago. The mere thought of his mother being surrounded on her way to the supermarket, recorders shoved into her face, photographers documenting her grocery shopping, it makes Jensen sick.
“Has it been like this all the time?” He concentrates on driving. Forcing everything out of his head.
“No, not since the police made clear that they really shouldn’t besiege us. This is the first time since Sunday that they showed up.” Mac sighs exhausted.
Jensen knows how she feels. Now that the adrenalin rush is slowly fading, Jensen feels like the journalist sucked all the energy out of. The barbeque party yesterday, the magazine on the plane and the press sneak attack are a bit much for someone like Jensen.
“How are mum and dad?” Mac just shrugs.
“They are okay. It’s not like you being outed is a shock to them, but the sudden attention focused on them, and media people trampling all over their front yard at the ass crack dawn kind of came as a shock.” She turns her head to look at Jensen. “But as I already said, there hasn’t been any problem with the press the whole week. I guess they thought that at the airport the police wouldn’t be able to catch them.”
Jensen nods. Even knowing that this was a single incident doesn’t make it any better. He didn’t say anything to the reporter, but he can’t help but wonder what will be printed in the press about his encounter just now. Nothing good probably.
The rest of the drive they stay quiet, even the radio stays switched off. When Jensen pulls into the driveway and cuts the engine, the silence is even more pregnant.
There’s movement at the front door, and Jensen can see his parents, and Josh and his family come out, heading for the car. He takes a deep breath and opens the door. Climbing out he waves at his family, his smile getting more real with every second. The mere presence of them calms him.
“Hey there.” His mum comes round to him and gives him a crushing hug. She’s smaller than Jensen, but he bends down a little to make it easier for her. “Hi mum.”
Once she lets go his brother is the next one to hug, but theirs is much shorter. “Look at you. We let you out of our sight and you make such a ruckus.”
Josh grins mischievously at Jensen, which has him grin back. “Yeah, you know how it is. My fans just can’t get enough of me.”
“Uh huh.” Josh claps him on the shoulder and lets their father hug Jensen.
After even Emily has wrapped her puny little arms around his neck, Jensen lets Dean out of the car. The dog yips and barks excitedly, greeting everyone, and sniffing around the front yard. He grabs his bags and they hoard into the house.
The inside is cool and a relief from the heat outside. Jensen dumps his luggage into his room, and rejoins the others on the terrace.
There’s a jug of freshly made lemonade and glasses for everyone. He plops down into a chair between his dad and Mac and tells them about his stay in LA: Occasionally one of the others tosses in a comment about what had been happening at the same time here in Dallas, but mostly it was Jensen talking and the other’s listening.
Josh and Jensen’s dad were suitably impressed by Jensen’s descriptions of Jared’s house, his mum asked about Mike and Tom, and Mac and Sara got all worked up about his description of his day at the set of Jared’s new movie. Even though Mac had heard most of it already at the airport, he squealed just the same when Jensen told them about the stars he saw at the restaurant in Hollywood. Jensen even went to get his digital camera to show the pictures he took around.
His mum had prepared everything for burgers, and in the evening his dad is grilling their dinner. Surrounded by his family, eating home-made food by his mum, and drinking beer, Jensen can forget about his run-in with the press.
It’s only later when he calls Jared to let him know that he arrived in one piece at his parent’s house, that the incident comes to his mind again. Still, when Jared asks if anything happened during his journey, Jensen keeps quiet about it. He doesn’t want Jared to think that he’s whining about something that Jared can’t do anything about in the first place.
After his phone call to LA, Jensen takes a shower and prepares for bed. It’s about ten in the evening and Josh and his family have already left. Mac is at a friend’s place, and his parents are with their neighbors helping with the planning of the big barbeque get-together in two weeks time.
Dean jumps onto the bed once Jensen has buried himself into the sheets, and drapes himself over Jensen’s feet. During the night, Jensen will most likely wake up and shove the dog off the bed because of the heat, but right now he doesn’t care.
It doesn’t take long before both man and dog are fast asleep.
continue: Part Nine