Abductions and Amnesia
Title: Abductions and Amnesia
Author: hunters_retreat
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Summary: Jensen was a Prime and his dedication to Jared would never allow room for someone else. He would wait on Jared forever. He just wished it was love he saw in the other man’s eyes and not just the unswerving loyalty of a Prime that had been trained into him with his devotion.
Author's Note: Written for my amnesia square on my trope bingo and beta'd by smidgeson
His head ached in the mid-morning sun and he didn't think he could remember a worse hangover even if he did have a memory. He tried to imagine a large party with a variety of recreational treats to sample on a large party transport over the shifting sands where his indulgence had led to this pain. It was probably the mind wipe though.
He was dressed in dark pants and a matching vest with a dark green shirt beneath. However he ended up in the desert it wasn't by design. His clothes and fancy dress shoes said that much. A bracelet encircled his wrist with a simple engraving on the inside. It was the only way he knew his name. Unless of course he'd stolen it.
There was no need to borrow trouble though so he assumed he was Jared. And if the words were true, somewhere someone was looking for him.
Sweat drenched his shirt and Jared thought about abandoning the vest but he wasn't ready just yet. The clothes on his back were literally all the clue he had to who he was and he refused to leave any of it behind.
He just hoped there was something over the next rise or he was in some serious trouble. No identity. No weapons. No food. No water. He wouldn't last the day before heat stroke took him and that was assuming nothing came out of the sand to eat him.
Zepphron 4 had giant snakes and Phorian had beetles that captured humans to nest their eggs in. He really hoped he wasn't on Phorian.
Jared kept putting one foot in front of the other but as he reached the crest he looked out across the barren sands and felt the first stirrings of despair. It was a foreign feeling and it made him think he wasn't the type to sit down and wait for his death. He refused to give up. He just had to hold on until his rescuer arrived.
The sand around his feet began to rumble and Jared stepped out of range of whatever was coming.
The ground erupted in a curtain of sand and Jared stared as three Kortarian mercenaries stood on the settling ground.
He wanted to damn his memory for knowing how many ways a Kortarian could kill but that left him without a proper name or a glimmer of the circumstances that had dumped him there.
The first Kortarian raised its head to look at him with his eyeless gaze. Jared held still, aware that they used the vibrations in the sand to find their victims. They could smell him well enough with the wide nose at the crown of the head but unless he moved they only knew his general location.
The other two remained still and Jared looked around them to see if anything had been dislodged in the sand that might help him. There was nothing but Jared knew the chances of survival against three Kortarians without a weapon and he was desperate.
The closest began to move and Jared watched as it raised five long, thin arms in his direction. The suckers on the underside dripped with venom and just a single scratch from the teeth-like protrusions on each sucker meant death.
He wondered what his life was like if these were the sort of facts a memory wipe left behind but as the Kortarian moved closer he had no choice but to step away. The other two squeaked and moved into place, forming a loose circle around him.
Jared prepared for their attack.
Suddenly before the mercenaries could move the ground erupted again. Just behind the first Kortarian one of the Great Werms burst through the sand's surface. A rider sat behind the sand shield and as the Werm raised its length above the sand he dropped behind the Kortarian. The sun caught the edge of metal for one moment before the man sliced the first Kortarian mercenary. His head rolled on the sand in a shower of green blood.
The man swirled around the writhing limbs and his sword cut the second Kortarian in half.
"Behind me," his rescuer called out but Jared was already moving that way. The third Kortarian screamed out to the sky as one of its arms lashed out. It was met with the blade and fell to the ground.
The creature shrieked in pain but it was short lived as the other man ran his blade through its heart. It fell to the sand with the other two mercenaries and the other man pushed him away from the bodies as the Great Werm came forward and began to devour the remains.
"Are you injured?" The man didn't wait as his frantic hands ran over his body to check for injury.
"Not that I don't appreciate the rescue, but who are you?" Jared asked as he took a step back.
The other man smiled at Jared but his smile faded as he realized Jared wasn't teasing. "You were jesting, right?"
Jared shook his head and the other man's mouth opened in silent rebuke. His wide green eyes searched Jared for a long moment before he finally stepped back.
"So if you could remind me of your name, I would greatly appreciate it. My own would be nice as well."
"Your … ” The other man seemed to understand the situation then. "You were wiped?" He swore in three languages that Jared knew and a few he didn't. "I warned you the Duke of Tangeret was up to something when he had the tankus imported for you. I told you not to drink the juice but you wouldn't listen. And now, here we are in the middle of the Gattoppan desert, in danger of being eaten I might add, and you don't even know your own name!"
"I would if you'd just tell me," Jared reminded him.
The other man’s cheeks flushed and Jared realized he was beautiful. Not just beautiful, but stunning.
"You are the High Chancellor Jared Padalecki, ruler of the Sartarian star conference."
"And you are?"
"Your companion, Jensen."
"My companion. As in my body guard?"
"That does seem to have become a part of it, yes."
"But not all of it. My lover then."
"No."
"What? I'm the ruler of a star conference. How could you say no to me?"
"If you're done worrying about your ego, Jared, could we get you back to the others? There may be more Kortarians around and I think our ride has eaten his share for the day."
"How many companions do I have?"
Jensen sighed and Jared couldn't help but smile at the other man's frustration. He couldn't believe that he'd yet to win this companion to his bed. Jensen might bandy words with him well enough but he didn't seem to know what to do when Jared looked longingly at his body and his flush was quite appealing.
"There are 47 of us. One from each planet in the Sartarian system."
"How long have you been my companion?"
"I was given to your parents by my father upon my birth. I was four when you were born."
"And where are my other companions? Why didn't they come to rescue me?"
"They are not ... as resourceful as I. They await you at the Crystalline Palace. They were quite sure I would be enough to save you."
"Is this a habit?"
Jensen reached over to the Great Werm and grabbed the saddle. He climbed up and sat on the back of the beast with an air of surety and control that spoke of his confidence.
"I don't lose you often, no, but keeping you out of trouble does seem to be my occupation for the foreseeable future."
He held his hand down for Jared to help him into the saddle and Jared was caught in the beauty of his smile.
"Trust me Jared, you don't want to miss a ride under the sands of Gattoppan on the back of a Great Werm."
Jared looked up at Jensen and he finally noticed what he’d been missing about the other man. He was a Prime. A single ring of gold around his pupil gave his heritage away and Jared understood far more about him. He had a Prime as a companion. He had no idea what Jensen had dedicated himself to, but he was not just a prime by ancestry, but a Dedicated Prime. He had given his life to something and that something meant saving Jared.
He wasn’t a soldier, no matter how skilled he was. No Prime was allowed to dedicate himself to war because once upon a time, it was all they had been. No one remembered the true history anymore except the Primes and it was a well-guarded secret. What the universe knew was that Primes had been soldiers, born and bred with only the purpose of battle. When they had been freed from endless wars, they had gone together, every last one, and settled onto an uninhabited and harsh planet.
Then they disappeared into legend.
A thousand years passed before they finally came forward again. No longer bred to war, the prime nation was strong but fair. They opened their borders to the galaxy and entered the worlds of universal politics. Among them though, were the Dedicated Primes. The prime nation vowed to never declare itself for war again, but some still felt the need of a life of devotion. Those Primes were trained at a young age and a path was chosen for them.
No one knew how the path was chosen. No one spoke of the paths that were chosen. They trained hard, with the fervor of their warrior-ancestors and never stopped.
“You’re a Prime,” Jared confirmed.
Jensen nodded as he raised his hand again for Jared to take. He did without hesitation this time. He settled behind his companion and he held tight around the other man’s waist. He enjoyed the feel of Jensen’s strong back pressed against his chest. He was a High Chancellor after all. He should be allowed to enjoy his companion as he saw fit.
**
Jensen saw him safely to the palace and without a word he was escorted to fine rooms that overlooked the city’s spaceport. As Jensen opened the door that lead to his outer rooms, Jared found himself facing a sea of companions he didn’t know.
“You can congratulate me later,” Jensen said as he pushed Jared through the horde. “Jared needs a bath and a nap. Misha, Katie, come with me.”
People reached out to touch him but Jensen slapped hands away good naturedly as he pushed Jared through. When he reached another door Jared was relieved to find them alone in a smaller room. A dark haired man followed behind them along with a woman with long blond hair.
The room was a smaller sitting room but it was lavishly furnished. Jared took a seat on a couch as Jensen walked towards the back of the room. When the two newcomers had seated themselves, Jensen came forward with a drink for Jared before he settled close to the others.
“Misha, we need to find out who drugged the Chancellor last night.”
“What drugs am I looking for?”
“Mind wipes.”
“Really?” Misha asked as he looked over at Jared.
“So you wanna clean him up and hand him over to me?” the woman asked.
“Yes, Katie. Once I get him cleaned up it’s up to you to get his memory back.”
“Katie? Misha?”
They looked over at him and Jared smiled. “Thank you, for helping me.”
“Our pleasure, Jared,” Katie said as she smiled back at him. Misha nodded his head and then looked back to Jensen.
“With your pardon, I’ll get started.”
Katie stood with him. “I’ll leave him to you. I’ll come back when I have the antidote ready.”
They both left without further comment and Jared was left alone with Jensen then.
“So, they seem to like you a lot,” Jared said as he watched the door behind them close.
Jensen looked startled at the idea. “It isn’t me they care for. They are trying to take care of you.”
“Really? Because they didn’t say good bye to me.”
“You don’t …”
“What?”
“You just usually leave that sort of thing to me. Should we get you cleaned up then?”
When Jensen motioned towards another doorway, Jared followed him through. The bath before him was a pool of delight and he let out a sigh of relief.
Jensen took the empty glass from his hands and filled it before setting it down beside the bathing pool. “Did you think I intended to listen to you complain about the sand for much longer?”
“It really is in places sand should never be,” Jared said with a shake of his head.
“Would you have preferred another mode of transportation?”
Jared laughed at that. “You know very well I enjoyed the ride of the Great Werm,” he admitted.
Jensen’s smile was warm as he walked closer. “I do know. Just like you complained about the sea salt when I took you out to the Varrian wherwhale migration. Or the time we went lava diving and you moaned about the heat.”
“You took me to all those things?”
“Your other companions aren’t as adventurous as I am.” Jensen stood in front of him and he began to unbutton Jared’s vest.
“I thought we weren’t…”
Jensen’s hands didn’t stop as he finished the last button and pushed it off his shoulders to fall on the ground at his feet. “You think the High Chancellor dresses or undresses himself? What would the citizens of Sarta 3 think?”
“I have no idea,” Jared answered as Jensen moved behind him. His fingers began to dig into the tension on Jared’s neck. “Stars but that feels good.”
Jensen chuckled before he reached around Jared and began unbuttoning his shirt. Jared leaned back against Jensen and the other man held him close as the buttons slowly came undone.
“Are you falling asleep on me, Jared?”
“I might. This feels pretty damn good.”
“It will feel better when I get you cleaned up and can give you a real massage.”
“Lead the way,” Jared said as he stood up straight. Jensen moved around to the front and pushed Jared’s shirt all the way to the ground before he undid his pants and slid them down his legs to pool at his feet. When Jared stepped out of his clothes Jensen led him to the steps down into the water.
He walked into the water and the warmth soothed his tired muscles. He knelt in the pool and the water at the shallow end came up to his chest. He closed his eyes and let his body relax.
He startled as he felt hands on his shoulders.
“Jared, relax.”
He looked over his shoulder and Jensen was behind him, strong hands working at tired muscles again.
He turned to look forward then and closed his eyes as he relaxed into Jensen’s ministrations. “I keep thinking I should freak out any minute now. Most people probably would if they were told they were the ruler of a star system and they’d been mind wiped.”
“Most people aren’t the ruler of a star system so this would probably feel strange to them, so they should freak out. This is your life though and even if you don’t remember the details, somewhere inside you it feels right. Besides, this isn’t the first time we’ve done this.”
“The bathing or the lost memories?”
“Either,” Jensen said with a soft laugh. “Misha put a tracking device on your bracelet just in case.”
“How much trouble do I usually get into?”
“You are the High Chancellor. You don’t get into trouble. You do however attract some rather persistent courtesans though.”
“If I have 47 companions why am I being pursued by courtesans?”
Jensen leaned Jared back as they talked and he began running his fingers through Jared’s hair, working out the knots before he worked the soap into a lather and began cleaning Jared’s hair.
“Because you have had 47 companions for nearly 30 years now and you have yet to take a spouse. Your refusal to wed for political reasons has made you an enigma and everyone thinks they, or their recently come of age daughter or son, are just the one to figure you out.”
“Have they?” Jared asked with a grin as he looked over at Jensen.
“Stars, no,” he laughed. “They think you should sit behind a desk and give council. They have no idea how many of us sit behind desks while you travel the stars with minimal input.”
“You don’t sit behind a desk.”
“Someone has to keep you in check.”
Jared smiled but he didn’t say anything else as he let Jensen work.
**
When Jensen was done he led Jared back into his bedroom and let him stretch out before he massaged invigorating oils into tired muscles.
When Jensen was done Jared felt relaxed. He didn’t want Jensen to leave and as he turned his head he saw the way Jensen’s eyes trailed over his body. Jared could feel the heat between them and he sat up to reach for Jensen just as the door opened and Jensen turned to face the newcomer.
“Time to get Jared back,” Katie said as she walked in with a case of equipment. Jensen left with a nod to her and Jared regretted what might have been in that moment. Katie smiled at him though and Jared could see the fondness of her smile.
“You can really give me my memory back?”
“It was just a matter of tracking the drug in your system and giving you’re the right detoxers. Jensen seems to have you nice and relaxed and that’s the first step. A fun little cocktail and a good night’s sleep and you’ll wake up as you again.”
“Am I so different?”
“I’m not the one to ask.”
“You’re not one of my companions?”
She smiled. “Jensen would never trust your health to someone other than a companion.” Jared was sure his confusion was clear because she sat down in the chair next to his bed and took his hand.
“There are 47 of us and each of us has sworn to protect you with our lives. Every one of us was given to your parents at our birth. Some of us waited years for you to be born and some were born after you, but we were all raised to love you. Some of us trained to be of different service to you while others just made themselves available to you when you needed someone.”
“And why haven’t I married yet?”
“You refuse to marry until you are head over heels in love.”
“With 47 people raised to love me that should be easy.”
Katie let go of his hand as she grabbed the medication and gently inserted the needle in his arm. “You’d think. But there is love and love and you always said you could tell the difference.”
“Do you love me?”
She laughed. “I love you, but I don’t love you. You allowed me to marry another companion three years ago.”
“I did?”
“You may be the ruler of the star system but you aren’t heartless.”
“You mean I don’t get to keep you all to myself forever?” Jared felt his eyes growing heavy but he didn’t want to stop talking with Katie. She had a sweet laugh and he liked her even if he didn’t know her better yet.
“You do, but some of us have gotten over waiting for you to realize its true love.”
“And Jensen?” His words were slurred but Katie understood him anyway.
She caressed his cheek softly and gave him a sad smile. “Jensen is a Prime. He’ll never stop waiting.”
**
Jared woke the next morning and stretched out across the wonderfully comfortable bed. His body was well relaxed and he wanted nothing more than to stay where he was. Of course, he couldn’t. He was the High Chancellor and he’d already taken a few days off to celebrate the wedding of the First Prime’s heir. Jensen hadn’t said anything but Jared knew he’d appreciated a chance to be at his brother’s festivities.
Jared sat up and noticed the glass of water and the cocktail waiting beside it. He let out a deep breath and remembered the events of the last day and drank the cocktail quickly. It was bitter tasting but he knew Katie did her best to hide the taste of the recovery drugs.
He hated the fact that he had to take them. He hated that someone had gotten to him for a third time and swiped his memory. He could remember accepting a drink from the Duke of Tangeret and then he’d woken in the middle of the desert.
“Jared?”
Jared grabbed the glass of water and drank its contents too and ignored his companion as he went to the closet and found clothes to wear. He held the glass out and it was taken from his hand quickly and silently.
He was traveling today and working in his private office so there was no reason to dress up. He found a pair of casual pants and a soft shirt to wear and threw them onto the bed.
He needed to address the Duke of Tangeret’s actions but he hadn’t been hurt and he wasn’t sure the attack was meant to harm him or if the Duke had simply been bored. Tomarson had asked to borrow Jensen two days before and Jared had refused. The Duke didn’t understand the disrespect he’d handed Jared by asking to use one of his companions but it was clear then that the Tomarson wanted to see Jensen in action. Any kind of action.
He lifted his foot and his pants were tugged up one leg before he lifted the other. Strong, capable hands dressed him quickly as Jared tried to make a decision.
“I think he wanted to see you kill something,” Jared finally said as Jensen settled the shirt over Jared’s shoulders.
“Yesterday? I killed more than a few somethings. Whoever did this to you got to see what they wanted then.”
“I don’t even know how to retaliate for this. I can’t let Tomarson think he can abduct me just to watch you in action.”
“I have a few ideas.”
“Something that doesn’t include death to a public official that is behind one of our most fragile negotiations.”
Jensen shrugged. “I’m out of ideas then.”
Jared laughed as Jensen brought his shoes out and began to place them on his feet. He remembered Katie’s words about Jensen from the night before and wished the circumstances were different. She was right though. Jensen was a Prime and his dedication to Jared would never allow room for someone else. He would wait on Jared forever. He just wished it was love he saw in the other man’s eyes and not just the unswerving loyalty of a Prime that had been trained into him with his devotion. “I suppose the matter will wait then. Is Alona ready for me yet?”
“She waited with you last night and left only to prepare your schedule when you began to wake.”
“Let’s call her in then. I’ve lost a day and I’m none too happy about the delay.”
“You did get to ride a Great Werm though.”
Jared grinned as Jensen walked out of the room. Alona would be there in a few minutes to start working and it was likely to be the last moment he had to himself.
Jared loved his companions, every one of them. Alona was like a little sister to him and he had never been happier than when she’d come back from the University. He’d felt the same pride in her as he did when Misha finished tech school or when Katie became a healer. Every companion was a part of his family and he relished his time with them.
No one said anything about his one obvious bit of favoritism, though he doubted Jensen would believe it if they did.
“You’re looking more like yourself now,” Alona said as she came into the room.
He held her tight against him for a moment before he let her pull back. She walked to the desk that sat next to the windows overlooking the east garden and Jared followed her there.
“No comments this time Alona. It wasn’t about me.”
“It’s always about you, Jared. If you’d just pick a spouse this would stop happening.”
“It was Jensen. Tomarson wanted to see Jensen in action and I refused to lend him out.”
“He didn’t really ask that, did he?”
“Absolutely.”
“No wonder you looked so upset the other night.”
“Not a word Alona.”
“I don’t mean anything Jared. You keep your companions far closer than most people but anyone who knew our role in your life would have understood not to ask something like that. I can’t believe Tomarson doesn’t have people teaching him better. The fact that it was Jensen…”
Jared looked out over the gardens where the people were gathering and let out a long sigh. “Yeah. We should get going before more people arrive. I don’t want a parade like last time.”
“Oh but how will Jensen be able to save you if there aren’t enough people pressing in to try to touch the High Chancellor?”
“Shut up, Alona.”
She laughed as she handed him his copy of the day’s itinerary and Jared did his best to scowl.
**
“I can’t believe you did this. Again.”
“I didn’t do anything!” Jared insisted. The words might have had more meaning if he wasn’t tied to a bed in the honeymoon suite of a galactic cruise ship.
“Jared, you need to get married. Once of these days I won’t be in time to stop the nuptials.”
“Is that a proposition Jensen?”
Jensen groaned as he picked the lock on Jared’s cuffs and helped the High Chancellor stand on his feet. “I’m going to start sending Chad to taste everything before you eat or drink. It’s the only way to make sure you aren’t drugged. Again.”
“Jensen, it wasn’t my fault.”
“Again. Jared. This is the fifth wedding I’ve had to intervene in. If you’d just stop accepting drinks-”
“It was a diplomatic meeting inside the office. How was I to know their ceremonial chest was actually a rouse they were using to be able to carry something big enough to stuff me in?”
“This wouldn’t happen if you let me into the office.”
Jared laughed. “No. The last thing I need is my military advisor glaring at everyone.”
“Military advisor? I’m a companion Jared. No one will say anything about one of your companions in the room.”
Jared looked at Jensen and shook his head. “You don’t know.”
“Fine. Let Chris sit in then. No one will mind your minstrel at your side.”
“Alright, Chris, but only when someone is coming in. You need to be with me the rest of the time.”
Jensen rolled his eyes. “Yes, sir. Now can we get you out of here? Steve has the hovercraft waiting for us and we can rendezvous with the ship.”
“Let’s get out of here. I‘m not a fan of wedding crashing and I really don’t like being a part of the wedding party without getting an invitation first.”
Jensen grabbed Jared with a little more force than necessary and pulled him out the door to their escape.
**
“You have a new arrival.”
Jensen’s voice was cold and his eyes were averted as he delivered the news. Jared wasn’t sure what he meant but then it kicked in and Jared remembered. A new planet had offered him allegiance and they had sent their tithe.
“Let’s go see, shall we?”
The companion’s suites in the palace were massive. It was a small village all its own but Jared was as comfortable there as he was in his own rooms. He should be since he spent most of his time away from work in these suites.
Today the grand sitting room was unusually full as all 47 of the companions were gathered to see the newest member. Jared had tried to stop the tradition but the council was very old fashioned and it would take most of his life to undo the law. He loved his companions though and he was thrilled at the idea of a new member of their family.
Jensen walked behind Jared, silent and brooding and Jared didn’t have time to figure that out. Nor did he have the patience when he had a little one to meet. The circle of people cleared for him and he caught his first sight of the little girl that had been gifted to him. She sat on the floor with a doll in one hand and a play sword in the other. When he approached she looked up at him with wide blue eyes and stared.
“Hello, little one. My name is Jared and I’m going to take very good care of you. What’s your name?”
She had obvious been trained to recognize him on sight but she was very young. It would be a difficult transition but he had faith in the other companions. The only change to the tithing rule that Jared had been able to make was that any new tithes were orphaned children. He refused to take a child from a happy home. He could give this one a good life and he knew that his companions would make sure she was well loved when he had to go away.
“Julia,” she said in a strong voice. “I’m be a Prime when I get big.”
Jensen snorted at that but the little girl glared at him and stomped her foot.
“It would be good to have two Primes as companions,” Jared humored her as he sat down on the floor in front of her. “Is that your baby?”
“Nope. I res’tued her.”
Jared laughed and when he opened his arms she came forward hesitantly. He held her close for a moment and then smiled as Samantha came forward for her.
“Julia, you let me know when you need to practice, okay? I’ll lend you Jensen. He’s a real Prime and he can show you all about it.”
Her eyes widened as she looked over at Jensen and then back to Jared. “Okay. I’ll be good and grow up big and strong and learn to prote’t you.”
Samantha took her away then and while Jared knew the others would be oohing and ahhing over her, he was suddenly saddened. The idea that she would dedicate her life to that, to doing anything but what she wanted for herself, made him angry. He looked back at Jensen and glared at the other man for his lack of compassion towards her but was startled to see the way he watched her as Samantha carried her off.
He wasn’t sure what to call it but for all the scowling, Jared would think he looked fond.
**
Julia disrupted their lives like a firestorm. She was headstrong and outrageously independent for one so young and yet everyone seemed to jump at her bidding. He had no idea what to do with her.
“You need to make a choice.”
Jared looked over at Alona. “I know. I can’t give them back though and no matter what anyone says, I am not finding my future spouse in a batch of toddlers.”
“Julia is the youngest, but there are three children under the age of five in the companion quarters. They’re going to keep sending tithe until you get married, Jared. Did you hear the news from Jensen? The new First Prime is ready to have his first born. If you aren’t married by the time the second born comes around, Jensen’s brother will be honor bound to send you another babe and he will follow the old ways. The prime nation will demand you take a traditional tithe. Do you think we could handle more of Jensen’s blood around here?”
Jared sighed. “I know. I just … I swore I would never take a companion unless there was love. How can I back out on that now, after all these years?”
“Why don’t you just marry the one you do love, Jared?”
“He doesn’t love me back. He sees me as a little brother. A nuisance. I thought… once.”
“What?” she asked kindly.
“Do you remember last year when I lost my memory?” Alona nodded and Jared continued. “I couldn’t remember who he was but he came out of nowhere and rescued me. Not knowing him, not knowing myself, I still loved him.”
“We’re all a little in love with him for that,” Alona teased.
“I thought we were lovers, the way he reacted to me out in the desert. When he brought me here, I thought he was looking at me. Not like Jensen does but …” Jared stared down at his hands and sighed. “I thought maybe he had an interest. I was wrong though and I could never ask. He’d say yes and he’d live his life making me happy and … I’d never know if he loved me or if it was all just because he was my companion.”
Alona closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. “Men.”
On to Part Two
Author: hunters_retreat
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Summary: Jensen was a Prime and his dedication to Jared would never allow room for someone else. He would wait on Jared forever. He just wished it was love he saw in the other man’s eyes and not just the unswerving loyalty of a Prime that had been trained into him with his devotion.
Author's Note: Written for my amnesia square on my trope bingo and beta'd by smidgeson
His head ached in the mid-morning sun and he didn't think he could remember a worse hangover even if he did have a memory. He tried to imagine a large party with a variety of recreational treats to sample on a large party transport over the shifting sands where his indulgence had led to this pain. It was probably the mind wipe though.
He was dressed in dark pants and a matching vest with a dark green shirt beneath. However he ended up in the desert it wasn't by design. His clothes and fancy dress shoes said that much. A bracelet encircled his wrist with a simple engraving on the inside. It was the only way he knew his name. Unless of course he'd stolen it.
There was no need to borrow trouble though so he assumed he was Jared. And if the words were true, somewhere someone was looking for him.
Sweat drenched his shirt and Jared thought about abandoning the vest but he wasn't ready just yet. The clothes on his back were literally all the clue he had to who he was and he refused to leave any of it behind.
He just hoped there was something over the next rise or he was in some serious trouble. No identity. No weapons. No food. No water. He wouldn't last the day before heat stroke took him and that was assuming nothing came out of the sand to eat him.
Zepphron 4 had giant snakes and Phorian had beetles that captured humans to nest their eggs in. He really hoped he wasn't on Phorian.
Jared kept putting one foot in front of the other but as he reached the crest he looked out across the barren sands and felt the first stirrings of despair. It was a foreign feeling and it made him think he wasn't the type to sit down and wait for his death. He refused to give up. He just had to hold on until his rescuer arrived.
The sand around his feet began to rumble and Jared stepped out of range of whatever was coming.
The ground erupted in a curtain of sand and Jared stared as three Kortarian mercenaries stood on the settling ground.
He wanted to damn his memory for knowing how many ways a Kortarian could kill but that left him without a proper name or a glimmer of the circumstances that had dumped him there.
The first Kortarian raised its head to look at him with his eyeless gaze. Jared held still, aware that they used the vibrations in the sand to find their victims. They could smell him well enough with the wide nose at the crown of the head but unless he moved they only knew his general location.
The other two remained still and Jared looked around them to see if anything had been dislodged in the sand that might help him. There was nothing but Jared knew the chances of survival against three Kortarians without a weapon and he was desperate.
The closest began to move and Jared watched as it raised five long, thin arms in his direction. The suckers on the underside dripped with venom and just a single scratch from the teeth-like protrusions on each sucker meant death.
He wondered what his life was like if these were the sort of facts a memory wipe left behind but as the Kortarian moved closer he had no choice but to step away. The other two squeaked and moved into place, forming a loose circle around him.
Jared prepared for their attack.
Suddenly before the mercenaries could move the ground erupted again. Just behind the first Kortarian one of the Great Werms burst through the sand's surface. A rider sat behind the sand shield and as the Werm raised its length above the sand he dropped behind the Kortarian. The sun caught the edge of metal for one moment before the man sliced the first Kortarian mercenary. His head rolled on the sand in a shower of green blood.
The man swirled around the writhing limbs and his sword cut the second Kortarian in half.
"Behind me," his rescuer called out but Jared was already moving that way. The third Kortarian screamed out to the sky as one of its arms lashed out. It was met with the blade and fell to the ground.
The creature shrieked in pain but it was short lived as the other man ran his blade through its heart. It fell to the sand with the other two mercenaries and the other man pushed him away from the bodies as the Great Werm came forward and began to devour the remains.
"Are you injured?" The man didn't wait as his frantic hands ran over his body to check for injury.
"Not that I don't appreciate the rescue, but who are you?" Jared asked as he took a step back.
The other man smiled at Jared but his smile faded as he realized Jared wasn't teasing. "You were jesting, right?"
Jared shook his head and the other man's mouth opened in silent rebuke. His wide green eyes searched Jared for a long moment before he finally stepped back.
"So if you could remind me of your name, I would greatly appreciate it. My own would be nice as well."
"Your … ” The other man seemed to understand the situation then. "You were wiped?" He swore in three languages that Jared knew and a few he didn't. "I warned you the Duke of Tangeret was up to something when he had the tankus imported for you. I told you not to drink the juice but you wouldn't listen. And now, here we are in the middle of the Gattoppan desert, in danger of being eaten I might add, and you don't even know your own name!"
"I would if you'd just tell me," Jared reminded him.
The other man’s cheeks flushed and Jared realized he was beautiful. Not just beautiful, but stunning.
"You are the High Chancellor Jared Padalecki, ruler of the Sartarian star conference."
"And you are?"
"Your companion, Jensen."
"My companion. As in my body guard?"
"That does seem to have become a part of it, yes."
"But not all of it. My lover then."
"No."
"What? I'm the ruler of a star conference. How could you say no to me?"
"If you're done worrying about your ego, Jared, could we get you back to the others? There may be more Kortarians around and I think our ride has eaten his share for the day."
"How many companions do I have?"
Jensen sighed and Jared couldn't help but smile at the other man's frustration. He couldn't believe that he'd yet to win this companion to his bed. Jensen might bandy words with him well enough but he didn't seem to know what to do when Jared looked longingly at his body and his flush was quite appealing.
"There are 47 of us. One from each planet in the Sartarian system."
"How long have you been my companion?"
"I was given to your parents by my father upon my birth. I was four when you were born."
"And where are my other companions? Why didn't they come to rescue me?"
"They are not ... as resourceful as I. They await you at the Crystalline Palace. They were quite sure I would be enough to save you."
"Is this a habit?"
Jensen reached over to the Great Werm and grabbed the saddle. He climbed up and sat on the back of the beast with an air of surety and control that spoke of his confidence.
"I don't lose you often, no, but keeping you out of trouble does seem to be my occupation for the foreseeable future."
He held his hand down for Jared to help him into the saddle and Jared was caught in the beauty of his smile.
"Trust me Jared, you don't want to miss a ride under the sands of Gattoppan on the back of a Great Werm."
Jared looked up at Jensen and he finally noticed what he’d been missing about the other man. He was a Prime. A single ring of gold around his pupil gave his heritage away and Jared understood far more about him. He had a Prime as a companion. He had no idea what Jensen had dedicated himself to, but he was not just a prime by ancestry, but a Dedicated Prime. He had given his life to something and that something meant saving Jared.
He wasn’t a soldier, no matter how skilled he was. No Prime was allowed to dedicate himself to war because once upon a time, it was all they had been. No one remembered the true history anymore except the Primes and it was a well-guarded secret. What the universe knew was that Primes had been soldiers, born and bred with only the purpose of battle. When they had been freed from endless wars, they had gone together, every last one, and settled onto an uninhabited and harsh planet.
Then they disappeared into legend.
A thousand years passed before they finally came forward again. No longer bred to war, the prime nation was strong but fair. They opened their borders to the galaxy and entered the worlds of universal politics. Among them though, were the Dedicated Primes. The prime nation vowed to never declare itself for war again, but some still felt the need of a life of devotion. Those Primes were trained at a young age and a path was chosen for them.
No one knew how the path was chosen. No one spoke of the paths that were chosen. They trained hard, with the fervor of their warrior-ancestors and never stopped.
“You’re a Prime,” Jared confirmed.
Jensen nodded as he raised his hand again for Jared to take. He did without hesitation this time. He settled behind his companion and he held tight around the other man’s waist. He enjoyed the feel of Jensen’s strong back pressed against his chest. He was a High Chancellor after all. He should be allowed to enjoy his companion as he saw fit.
**
Jensen saw him safely to the palace and without a word he was escorted to fine rooms that overlooked the city’s spaceport. As Jensen opened the door that lead to his outer rooms, Jared found himself facing a sea of companions he didn’t know.
“You can congratulate me later,” Jensen said as he pushed Jared through the horde. “Jared needs a bath and a nap. Misha, Katie, come with me.”
People reached out to touch him but Jensen slapped hands away good naturedly as he pushed Jared through. When he reached another door Jared was relieved to find them alone in a smaller room. A dark haired man followed behind them along with a woman with long blond hair.
The room was a smaller sitting room but it was lavishly furnished. Jared took a seat on a couch as Jensen walked towards the back of the room. When the two newcomers had seated themselves, Jensen came forward with a drink for Jared before he settled close to the others.
“Misha, we need to find out who drugged the Chancellor last night.”
“What drugs am I looking for?”
“Mind wipes.”
“Really?” Misha asked as he looked over at Jared.
“So you wanna clean him up and hand him over to me?” the woman asked.
“Yes, Katie. Once I get him cleaned up it’s up to you to get his memory back.”
“Katie? Misha?”
They looked over at him and Jared smiled. “Thank you, for helping me.”
“Our pleasure, Jared,” Katie said as she smiled back at him. Misha nodded his head and then looked back to Jensen.
“With your pardon, I’ll get started.”
Katie stood with him. “I’ll leave him to you. I’ll come back when I have the antidote ready.”
They both left without further comment and Jared was left alone with Jensen then.
“So, they seem to like you a lot,” Jared said as he watched the door behind them close.
Jensen looked startled at the idea. “It isn’t me they care for. They are trying to take care of you.”
“Really? Because they didn’t say good bye to me.”
“You don’t …”
“What?”
“You just usually leave that sort of thing to me. Should we get you cleaned up then?”
When Jensen motioned towards another doorway, Jared followed him through. The bath before him was a pool of delight and he let out a sigh of relief.
Jensen took the empty glass from his hands and filled it before setting it down beside the bathing pool. “Did you think I intended to listen to you complain about the sand for much longer?”
“It really is in places sand should never be,” Jared said with a shake of his head.
“Would you have preferred another mode of transportation?”
Jared laughed at that. “You know very well I enjoyed the ride of the Great Werm,” he admitted.
Jensen’s smile was warm as he walked closer. “I do know. Just like you complained about the sea salt when I took you out to the Varrian wherwhale migration. Or the time we went lava diving and you moaned about the heat.”
“You took me to all those things?”
“Your other companions aren’t as adventurous as I am.” Jensen stood in front of him and he began to unbutton Jared’s vest.
“I thought we weren’t…”
Jensen’s hands didn’t stop as he finished the last button and pushed it off his shoulders to fall on the ground at his feet. “You think the High Chancellor dresses or undresses himself? What would the citizens of Sarta 3 think?”
“I have no idea,” Jared answered as Jensen moved behind him. His fingers began to dig into the tension on Jared’s neck. “Stars but that feels good.”
Jensen chuckled before he reached around Jared and began unbuttoning his shirt. Jared leaned back against Jensen and the other man held him close as the buttons slowly came undone.
“Are you falling asleep on me, Jared?”
“I might. This feels pretty damn good.”
“It will feel better when I get you cleaned up and can give you a real massage.”
“Lead the way,” Jared said as he stood up straight. Jensen moved around to the front and pushed Jared’s shirt all the way to the ground before he undid his pants and slid them down his legs to pool at his feet. When Jared stepped out of his clothes Jensen led him to the steps down into the water.
He walked into the water and the warmth soothed his tired muscles. He knelt in the pool and the water at the shallow end came up to his chest. He closed his eyes and let his body relax.
He startled as he felt hands on his shoulders.
“Jared, relax.”
He looked over his shoulder and Jensen was behind him, strong hands working at tired muscles again.
He turned to look forward then and closed his eyes as he relaxed into Jensen’s ministrations. “I keep thinking I should freak out any minute now. Most people probably would if they were told they were the ruler of a star system and they’d been mind wiped.”
“Most people aren’t the ruler of a star system so this would probably feel strange to them, so they should freak out. This is your life though and even if you don’t remember the details, somewhere inside you it feels right. Besides, this isn’t the first time we’ve done this.”
“The bathing or the lost memories?”
“Either,” Jensen said with a soft laugh. “Misha put a tracking device on your bracelet just in case.”
“How much trouble do I usually get into?”
“You are the High Chancellor. You don’t get into trouble. You do however attract some rather persistent courtesans though.”
“If I have 47 companions why am I being pursued by courtesans?”
Jensen leaned Jared back as they talked and he began running his fingers through Jared’s hair, working out the knots before he worked the soap into a lather and began cleaning Jared’s hair.
“Because you have had 47 companions for nearly 30 years now and you have yet to take a spouse. Your refusal to wed for political reasons has made you an enigma and everyone thinks they, or their recently come of age daughter or son, are just the one to figure you out.”
“Have they?” Jared asked with a grin as he looked over at Jensen.
“Stars, no,” he laughed. “They think you should sit behind a desk and give council. They have no idea how many of us sit behind desks while you travel the stars with minimal input.”
“You don’t sit behind a desk.”
“Someone has to keep you in check.”
Jared smiled but he didn’t say anything else as he let Jensen work.
**
When Jensen was done he led Jared back into his bedroom and let him stretch out before he massaged invigorating oils into tired muscles.
When Jensen was done Jared felt relaxed. He didn’t want Jensen to leave and as he turned his head he saw the way Jensen’s eyes trailed over his body. Jared could feel the heat between them and he sat up to reach for Jensen just as the door opened and Jensen turned to face the newcomer.
“Time to get Jared back,” Katie said as she walked in with a case of equipment. Jensen left with a nod to her and Jared regretted what might have been in that moment. Katie smiled at him though and Jared could see the fondness of her smile.
“You can really give me my memory back?”
“It was just a matter of tracking the drug in your system and giving you’re the right detoxers. Jensen seems to have you nice and relaxed and that’s the first step. A fun little cocktail and a good night’s sleep and you’ll wake up as you again.”
“Am I so different?”
“I’m not the one to ask.”
“You’re not one of my companions?”
She smiled. “Jensen would never trust your health to someone other than a companion.” Jared was sure his confusion was clear because she sat down in the chair next to his bed and took his hand.
“There are 47 of us and each of us has sworn to protect you with our lives. Every one of us was given to your parents at our birth. Some of us waited years for you to be born and some were born after you, but we were all raised to love you. Some of us trained to be of different service to you while others just made themselves available to you when you needed someone.”
“And why haven’t I married yet?”
“You refuse to marry until you are head over heels in love.”
“With 47 people raised to love me that should be easy.”
Katie let go of his hand as she grabbed the medication and gently inserted the needle in his arm. “You’d think. But there is love and love and you always said you could tell the difference.”
“Do you love me?”
She laughed. “I love you, but I don’t love you. You allowed me to marry another companion three years ago.”
“I did?”
“You may be the ruler of the star system but you aren’t heartless.”
“You mean I don’t get to keep you all to myself forever?” Jared felt his eyes growing heavy but he didn’t want to stop talking with Katie. She had a sweet laugh and he liked her even if he didn’t know her better yet.
“You do, but some of us have gotten over waiting for you to realize its true love.”
“And Jensen?” His words were slurred but Katie understood him anyway.
She caressed his cheek softly and gave him a sad smile. “Jensen is a Prime. He’ll never stop waiting.”
**
Jared woke the next morning and stretched out across the wonderfully comfortable bed. His body was well relaxed and he wanted nothing more than to stay where he was. Of course, he couldn’t. He was the High Chancellor and he’d already taken a few days off to celebrate the wedding of the First Prime’s heir. Jensen hadn’t said anything but Jared knew he’d appreciated a chance to be at his brother’s festivities.
Jared sat up and noticed the glass of water and the cocktail waiting beside it. He let out a deep breath and remembered the events of the last day and drank the cocktail quickly. It was bitter tasting but he knew Katie did her best to hide the taste of the recovery drugs.
He hated the fact that he had to take them. He hated that someone had gotten to him for a third time and swiped his memory. He could remember accepting a drink from the Duke of Tangeret and then he’d woken in the middle of the desert.
“Jared?”
Jared grabbed the glass of water and drank its contents too and ignored his companion as he went to the closet and found clothes to wear. He held the glass out and it was taken from his hand quickly and silently.
He was traveling today and working in his private office so there was no reason to dress up. He found a pair of casual pants and a soft shirt to wear and threw them onto the bed.
He needed to address the Duke of Tangeret’s actions but he hadn’t been hurt and he wasn’t sure the attack was meant to harm him or if the Duke had simply been bored. Tomarson had asked to borrow Jensen two days before and Jared had refused. The Duke didn’t understand the disrespect he’d handed Jared by asking to use one of his companions but it was clear then that the Tomarson wanted to see Jensen in action. Any kind of action.
He lifted his foot and his pants were tugged up one leg before he lifted the other. Strong, capable hands dressed him quickly as Jared tried to make a decision.
“I think he wanted to see you kill something,” Jared finally said as Jensen settled the shirt over Jared’s shoulders.
“Yesterday? I killed more than a few somethings. Whoever did this to you got to see what they wanted then.”
“I don’t even know how to retaliate for this. I can’t let Tomarson think he can abduct me just to watch you in action.”
“I have a few ideas.”
“Something that doesn’t include death to a public official that is behind one of our most fragile negotiations.”
Jensen shrugged. “I’m out of ideas then.”
Jared laughed as Jensen brought his shoes out and began to place them on his feet. He remembered Katie’s words about Jensen from the night before and wished the circumstances were different. She was right though. Jensen was a Prime and his dedication to Jared would never allow room for someone else. He would wait on Jared forever. He just wished it was love he saw in the other man’s eyes and not just the unswerving loyalty of a Prime that had been trained into him with his devotion. “I suppose the matter will wait then. Is Alona ready for me yet?”
“She waited with you last night and left only to prepare your schedule when you began to wake.”
“Let’s call her in then. I’ve lost a day and I’m none too happy about the delay.”
“You did get to ride a Great Werm though.”
Jared grinned as Jensen walked out of the room. Alona would be there in a few minutes to start working and it was likely to be the last moment he had to himself.
Jared loved his companions, every one of them. Alona was like a little sister to him and he had never been happier than when she’d come back from the University. He’d felt the same pride in her as he did when Misha finished tech school or when Katie became a healer. Every companion was a part of his family and he relished his time with them.
No one said anything about his one obvious bit of favoritism, though he doubted Jensen would believe it if they did.
“You’re looking more like yourself now,” Alona said as she came into the room.
He held her tight against him for a moment before he let her pull back. She walked to the desk that sat next to the windows overlooking the east garden and Jared followed her there.
“No comments this time Alona. It wasn’t about me.”
“It’s always about you, Jared. If you’d just pick a spouse this would stop happening.”
“It was Jensen. Tomarson wanted to see Jensen in action and I refused to lend him out.”
“He didn’t really ask that, did he?”
“Absolutely.”
“No wonder you looked so upset the other night.”
“Not a word Alona.”
“I don’t mean anything Jared. You keep your companions far closer than most people but anyone who knew our role in your life would have understood not to ask something like that. I can’t believe Tomarson doesn’t have people teaching him better. The fact that it was Jensen…”
Jared looked out over the gardens where the people were gathering and let out a long sigh. “Yeah. We should get going before more people arrive. I don’t want a parade like last time.”
“Oh but how will Jensen be able to save you if there aren’t enough people pressing in to try to touch the High Chancellor?”
“Shut up, Alona.”
She laughed as she handed him his copy of the day’s itinerary and Jared did his best to scowl.
**
“I can’t believe you did this. Again.”
“I didn’t do anything!” Jared insisted. The words might have had more meaning if he wasn’t tied to a bed in the honeymoon suite of a galactic cruise ship.
“Jared, you need to get married. Once of these days I won’t be in time to stop the nuptials.”
“Is that a proposition Jensen?”
Jensen groaned as he picked the lock on Jared’s cuffs and helped the High Chancellor stand on his feet. “I’m going to start sending Chad to taste everything before you eat or drink. It’s the only way to make sure you aren’t drugged. Again.”
“Jensen, it wasn’t my fault.”
“Again. Jared. This is the fifth wedding I’ve had to intervene in. If you’d just stop accepting drinks-”
“It was a diplomatic meeting inside the office. How was I to know their ceremonial chest was actually a rouse they were using to be able to carry something big enough to stuff me in?”
“This wouldn’t happen if you let me into the office.”
Jared laughed. “No. The last thing I need is my military advisor glaring at everyone.”
“Military advisor? I’m a companion Jared. No one will say anything about one of your companions in the room.”
Jared looked at Jensen and shook his head. “You don’t know.”
“Fine. Let Chris sit in then. No one will mind your minstrel at your side.”
“Alright, Chris, but only when someone is coming in. You need to be with me the rest of the time.”
Jensen rolled his eyes. “Yes, sir. Now can we get you out of here? Steve has the hovercraft waiting for us and we can rendezvous with the ship.”
“Let’s get out of here. I‘m not a fan of wedding crashing and I really don’t like being a part of the wedding party without getting an invitation first.”
Jensen grabbed Jared with a little more force than necessary and pulled him out the door to their escape.
**
“You have a new arrival.”
Jensen’s voice was cold and his eyes were averted as he delivered the news. Jared wasn’t sure what he meant but then it kicked in and Jared remembered. A new planet had offered him allegiance and they had sent their tithe.
“Let’s go see, shall we?”
The companion’s suites in the palace were massive. It was a small village all its own but Jared was as comfortable there as he was in his own rooms. He should be since he spent most of his time away from work in these suites.
Today the grand sitting room was unusually full as all 47 of the companions were gathered to see the newest member. Jared had tried to stop the tradition but the council was very old fashioned and it would take most of his life to undo the law. He loved his companions though and he was thrilled at the idea of a new member of their family.
Jensen walked behind Jared, silent and brooding and Jared didn’t have time to figure that out. Nor did he have the patience when he had a little one to meet. The circle of people cleared for him and he caught his first sight of the little girl that had been gifted to him. She sat on the floor with a doll in one hand and a play sword in the other. When he approached she looked up at him with wide blue eyes and stared.
“Hello, little one. My name is Jared and I’m going to take very good care of you. What’s your name?”
She had obvious been trained to recognize him on sight but she was very young. It would be a difficult transition but he had faith in the other companions. The only change to the tithing rule that Jared had been able to make was that any new tithes were orphaned children. He refused to take a child from a happy home. He could give this one a good life and he knew that his companions would make sure she was well loved when he had to go away.
“Julia,” she said in a strong voice. “I’m be a Prime when I get big.”
Jensen snorted at that but the little girl glared at him and stomped her foot.
“It would be good to have two Primes as companions,” Jared humored her as he sat down on the floor in front of her. “Is that your baby?”
“Nope. I res’tued her.”
Jared laughed and when he opened his arms she came forward hesitantly. He held her close for a moment and then smiled as Samantha came forward for her.
“Julia, you let me know when you need to practice, okay? I’ll lend you Jensen. He’s a real Prime and he can show you all about it.”
Her eyes widened as she looked over at Jensen and then back to Jared. “Okay. I’ll be good and grow up big and strong and learn to prote’t you.”
Samantha took her away then and while Jared knew the others would be oohing and ahhing over her, he was suddenly saddened. The idea that she would dedicate her life to that, to doing anything but what she wanted for herself, made him angry. He looked back at Jensen and glared at the other man for his lack of compassion towards her but was startled to see the way he watched her as Samantha carried her off.
He wasn’t sure what to call it but for all the scowling, Jared would think he looked fond.
**
Julia disrupted their lives like a firestorm. She was headstrong and outrageously independent for one so young and yet everyone seemed to jump at her bidding. He had no idea what to do with her.
“You need to make a choice.”
Jared looked over at Alona. “I know. I can’t give them back though and no matter what anyone says, I am not finding my future spouse in a batch of toddlers.”
“Julia is the youngest, but there are three children under the age of five in the companion quarters. They’re going to keep sending tithe until you get married, Jared. Did you hear the news from Jensen? The new First Prime is ready to have his first born. If you aren’t married by the time the second born comes around, Jensen’s brother will be honor bound to send you another babe and he will follow the old ways. The prime nation will demand you take a traditional tithe. Do you think we could handle more of Jensen’s blood around here?”
Jared sighed. “I know. I just … I swore I would never take a companion unless there was love. How can I back out on that now, after all these years?”
“Why don’t you just marry the one you do love, Jared?”
“He doesn’t love me back. He sees me as a little brother. A nuisance. I thought… once.”
“What?” she asked kindly.
“Do you remember last year when I lost my memory?” Alona nodded and Jared continued. “I couldn’t remember who he was but he came out of nowhere and rescued me. Not knowing him, not knowing myself, I still loved him.”
“We’re all a little in love with him for that,” Alona teased.
“I thought we were lovers, the way he reacted to me out in the desert. When he brought me here, I thought he was looking at me. Not like Jensen does but …” Jared stared down at his hands and sighed. “I thought maybe he had an interest. I was wrong though and I could never ask. He’d say yes and he’d live his life making me happy and … I’d never know if he loved me or if it was all just because he was my companion.”
Alona closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. “Men.”
On to Part Two