Fic: Hold on to me (While the ground shakes), [9/15]
Title: ‘Hold on to me (While the ground shakes)’ (9/15)
Author: JM
Pairing: Jared/Jensen, past other/Jensen, Michael/Tom, Jeff/Samantha, mentions of Erica/Allison, Denny/Izzie, George/Meredith, Derek/Meredith.
Rating: NC-17 overall
Characters: They’re quite a lot, so I’ll put them behind a cut for the sake of your f-lists.
Main: Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Eric Kripke, Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Michael Weatherly, Nathan Petrelli (Heroes), Josh Holloway, Chris Kane.
Secondary: Chase McDonald (LA Heat) Allison Mack, Erica Durance, Samantha Smith, Don Eppes (Numb3rs), Megan Reeves (Numb3rs), Colby Granger (Numb3rs).
Guest stars: Alona Tal, August Brooks (LA Heat), Annette O’Toole, Chad Michael Murray, Charlie Eppes (Numb3rs), David Sinclair (Numb3rs), Meredith Grey (Grey’s Anatomy), George O'Malley (Grey’s Anatomy), Addison Montgomery-Shepard (Grey’s Anatomy), Derek Shepard (Grey’s Anatomy), Denny Duquette (Grey’s Anatomy), Izzie Stevens (Grey’s Anatomy), Christina Yang (Grey’s Anatomy), Alex Karev (Grey’s Anatomy)
Mentions of: Josh Charles, Dan Rydell (Sports Night), Sandy McCoy, Steve Carlson, Kate Austen (Lost)
Category: Slash
Word count: 60,000 total
Warnings: AU, angst, slash, language (sometimes), amnesiac!Jensen, mention of non-con, murder and violence.
Disclaimer: Again, for the sake of your f-lists, here's the lj-cut.
Jared and Jensen aren’t mine ç_ç they belong to each other themselves. So does every other real person and/or every fictional character I mentioned here. Well, except Josh Charles, who belongs to my dear Fae and if you say otherwise she’s gonna cut your hands and feed them to her goldfish. (Yeah, I’m obviously kidding, we own nothing. ;_____;)
Numb3rs belongs to Cheryl Heuton and Nicholas Falacci, Grey’s Anatomy belongs to Shonda Rhimes, Heroes belongs to Tim Kring, LA Heat belongs to whoever its creator is, Sports Night belongs to Aaron Sorkin and Lost belongs to JJ Abrams.I really don’t mean to offend anyone and nothing of what I wrote in this story is to be considered real, it’s all fiction.
Author’s Notes: Okay, so…first thing. You don't need to know the shows I put in this story, so don't worry about that. I know it sounds crazy to mix up real people and fictional characters. But trust me, I had a hell of a lot of fun writing this, and if you give it a chance, maybe you’ll enjoy reading it! ^_-
As ever, feel free to report any mistake. Constructive criticism is welcome, feedback makes me happy!
A special thanks to
nejem for her precious support!!
Beta: My beloved and wonderful and irreplaceable and amazing
faechan .
Summary: “After a car accident Jensen wakes up with a gap of four years in his memory, and the way everyone around him acts makes him understand something horrible happened in that period. While Jensen tries to get back his life back together, Jared leaves his family home in San Antonio, trying to find his own way, and he ends up working in a place he’d never imagined.
But things are not as simple as they appear and they’ll find out their lives are linked, in more ways than they think.” - First story in the Threads!Verse
Crossposted
[ Chapter 1 - ‘Awakenings and new towns’ ]
[ Chapter 2 - ‘New starts and old fairytales’ ]
[ Chapter 3 - 'Therapy sessions and a goodbye party' ]
[ Chapter 4 - 'Teardrops and new friendships' ]
[ Chapter 5 - 'Bad ideas and unexpected offers' ]
[ Chapter 6 - 'Sketchbooks and domestic bliss' ]
[ Chapter 7 - 'Breakfasts and car crashes' ]
[ Chapter 8 - 'Small steps and birthday presents' ]
Chapter 9 - ‘Dances and old scars’
“You want to what?” Tom asked, almost dropping his beer.
“I wanna dance.” Jensen shrugged, sipping from his own bottle. “Just once.”
“Why?”
“Maybe it could help, with the memories and stuff I mean.” Jensen explained as he looked at Jared, talking to a group of girls a few feet from them. “And yeah, Jared might like it too.”
“You don’t have to do it for him.” Tom’s frown deepened and he leaned closer.
“I’m doin’ it for myself.” Jensen showed a little smile, putting his beer on the counter. “And Eric thinks it could be useful.”
Tom looked at him with a worried expression, then nodded, sighing heavily. “I’ll tell Allison.”
Jensen watched as Tom walked away just before Jared reached him.
“Where is he goin’?”
“We’re kinda preparing a surprise.” Jensen smirked, closing the distance between them and kissing Jared. “I suggest you take a seat near the stage.” He whispered on the younger boy’s lips, and then walked away.
Jared didn’t say anything, he just stood there, stunned. Where did that come from? Without waiting another minute he took the seat right in front of the stage, where Erica was dancing around the pole.
A few minutes passed and Jared sat quietly, enjoying Erica’s skills and mirroring the smile the girl addressed him. He’d learned to know her and to like her, and yeah, she really was a tough girl, but she had a great heart.
When her show ended Tom arrived on the stage with an unsure smile and Jared frowned. Why Jensen wanted him to see the show? He saw it every night and he knew perfectly how…oh.
His mind stopped, frozen in the exact second he spotted Jensen coming on the stage with a smirk. He was wearing a pair of old jeans, a matching sleeveless jeans jacked and a black cowboy hat. Nothing else, except for a pair of black cowboy boots. The pants had a rip on the right thigh and one on the left knee.
Tom said something about an ex-dancer who wanted to dance one last time, but Jared’s ears refused to work, as his eyes were stuck on the vision of Jensen dressed like a cowboy. A very very sexy one.
He snapped out of his daze when he saw Tom ask Jensen if he was sure and the lack of hesitation in Jensen’s reply made Jared frown again, worried. He wasn’t going to complain about that surprise, he just hoped Jensen was sure he knew what he was doing.
When the music started and Jensen slowly walked towards the pole, Jared’s train of thoughts went out of the window.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
Jensen was moving on the stage like he belonged there and Jared’s jaw dropped as his boyfriend swung his hips along with the rhythm of the song. His breath hitched when Jensen addressed him a slow predatory smile and he found himself wishing he could be switch places with the pole.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
Jensen kept moving along with the music, feeling the words get inside him but ignoring them.
Jared was looking at him with a light in his eyes, with lust, but not with the look of possession he’d seen in Nathan’s eyes so many times in his nightmares.
No, it wasn’t mere lust, it wasn’t predatory, he could see respect, maybe awe and something else in Jared’s gaze.
No, that look didn’t make him feel a prey, it made him feel alive.
Hold your head up, movin' on
Keep your head up, movin' on
Hold your head up, movin' on
Keep your head up, movin' on
Hold your head up, movin' on
Keep your head up, movin' on
Movin' on!
Jared knew Jensen had chosen that song on purpose. He’d heard that song so many times before, but this time the meaning of the words hit him hard like a punch. However he was still too wrapped up in Jensen’s moves and the looks he threw in Jared’s direction, and he couldn’t bring himself to finish that thought.
Jensen took his hat off and threw it in Jared’s lap, and for a second they made eye contact as Jensen blew him a kiss. He’d never seen Jensen act like that but he had to admit he liked it, maybe even too much.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
I'm gonna use you and abuse you
I'm gonna know what's inside
Gonna use you and abuse you
I'm gonna know what's inside you
The music faded slowly as Jensen finished his dance, and Jared couldn’t even bring himself to clap his hand as the rest of the audience whistled and applauded enthusiastically.
When Jensen disappeared and Erica came back on the stage Jared shook his head, looking down at the hat in his hands.
He’d never imagined how good Jensen could have looked on that stage, he’d always thoughts his boyfriend hated dancing after what had happened, and this new discovery left him dumbfounded.
Without thinking twice he walked towards the backstage door, the hat still in his hands.
~
Jensen had barely the time to change his clothes before finding himself face to face with a stunned Jared. He didn’t have the time to ask him anything, though, because Jared’s lips were on his, starting a deep kiss.
He kissed him back, feeling somehow relieved by that reaction and smiled in the kiss as Jared put the hat back on Jensen’s head, never breaking the contact.
“You’re amazing.” Jared whispered on his boyfriend’s lips, his tone incredulous.
“Thanks.”
“Why did you…?” Jared asked, careful. He was happy about the show, very happy, but the lyrics of the song and the sudden decision had made him worry anyway.
“I thought it might bring back some memories.” Jensen rested his forehead against Jared’s, tilting the hat slightly backwards. “And it was a late birthday present. I hope you liked it.”
“I did.” Jared replied, mirroring the grin. “Trust me, I did.”
Jensen let out a soft laughter and Jared felt relieved the boy was okay. “Let’s go home.”
~~
As soon as they entered the apartment Jared felt a hand on his arm, making him turn. Jensen smiled, pushing him gently against the door after closing it. Without a word their lips connected once again and Jared felt the hard-on he’d been trying to hide since the moment Jensen had stepped on the stage come back.
“So, you liked the show?” Jensen asked, nipping gently at Jared’s bottom lip. He was still feeling the adrenaline form the stage and Jared seemed to be affected too.
“Hell, yeah.” Jared’s shaky reply convinced Jensen that yeah, Jared was still definitely affected by the previous performance.
“How much?” Jensen’s lips traveled down to Jared’s neck, leaving a trail of soft kisses and gentle bites.
“Jen, I…” Jared took a deep breath, trying to get back in control of his lungs. “Stop.”
Jensen looked up immediately, the smile replaced by a worried look. “Did I…” He looked away, feeling suddenly stupid for not talking with Jared about that before. “Sorry.”
“No…no, Jen, it’s not that…” Jared raised a hand to Jensen’s chin, directing his face so they made eye contact. “I don’t want you to feel forced, that’s all.”
“I want you.” Jensen felt the knot in his throat loosen a bit. “I want this…if you want it too.”
Jared didn’t reply immediately, he just stared at Jensen with an unreadable gaze then kissed him, feeling relieved by the sincerity in the boy’s eyes. “You sure?”
“Yeah.” Jensen whispered, his lips going back to work on Jared’s neck, as the boy started to walk them towards the living room. “Fuck, yeah.”
They landed heavily on the worn couch, Jensen half on top of Jared, never breaking the contact of their hands and lips. Somehow Jared managed to sit decently and Jensen straddled his lap, looking at Jared in the eye, his gaze serious.
“We can stop anytime if…” Jared hesitated, trying to find the rights words not to ruin the moment. “If you don’t feel like goin’ on.”
“Okay.” Jensen whispered, keeping his mind free from every bad thought that might have gotten between them. “Okay.” He repeated with a smile, his arms circling Jared’s neck.
Their lips met again and Jared’s hands wandered down Jensen’s back, caressing the skin through the thin material of the boy’s t-shirt. When they reached Jensen’s ass, Jared’s heard the boy moan in the kiss as he thrust his hips against Jared’s.
As Jensen repeated the movement, Jared broke the kiss and threw his head back, his breath hitching visibly. He felt Jensen’s lips on his Adam apple and he encouraged the boy’s thrusts with his hands, biting on his lower lip. He was close to coming in his pants in an embarrassingly short amount of time, but he’d wanted this so much he didn’t want to it end so quickly.
“Jen…fuck, I…I’m close…”
Jensen, though, seemed pretty close himself as his hand trailed in Jared’s messy hair and he directed the boy’s face back to his, starting a breathless kiss, increasing the speed of his thrusts. It was fast and frantic and Jensen wanted it to last, but he felt his body betray him.
“Jare…” He whispered between kisses, closing his eyes and biting on Jared’s neck as he came without even touching himself. He kept thrusting, riding his orgasm until he felt Jared go still under him.
“Oh god…” Jared said, his voice raspy and his breath coming out quick.
Jensen rested his forehead against Jared’s collarbone as they both tried to calm down and get their normal heartbeat back.
Jensen knew they were going to regret part of this when they did the laundry, but he couldn’t care less as he straightened up and kissed Jared again, one hand still wandering in his hair. It was slow, sweet, and yeah Jensen definitely wanted that. He wanted to do that a lot.
~~
It was Jared’s free day at the diner, and he’d decided he could delay his morning run without any trouble. He’d spent about half an hour just watching Jensen sleep next to him, remembering the events of the previous night.
He still was a bit puzzled by that almost wild side of Jensen, but he was glad Jensen could express it without it causing him to relive painful memories. What had happened on the couch was a further reason for Jared to feel relieved. In more than one sense.
He and Jensen had never talked about sex and surroundings, and it had made him worry that the boy might have had remembered something he hadn’t told Jared.
With all those thoughts going in and out of his mind he’d ended up going out very late and when he came back, he heard the shower running.
“Hey, it’s me!” He yelled when he heard the water stopping.
Jensen came into the living room with a towel around his waist and another on his head.
“You overslept, health freak?” Jensen asked with a grin.
“What can I say, I had very good dreams.” Jared replied, and he could swear he saw a light blush on boy’s skin.
“Bet you did.” Jensen chuckled and shook his head as he walked back towards his bedroom.
When Jared saw his back he frowned, following immediately. He realized it was the first time he saw Jensen without a shirt, despite they lived together and slept in the same bed. Despite they were together. Jensen always changed in the bathroom where Jared didn’t see him and no matter how hot it was outside, Jensen always slept with a t-shirt. And now Jared could tell why.
His hand found its way to Jensen’s bare back as soon as the boy stopped.
“Jen?” Jared spoke softly, passing a hand on the scars. He felt Jensen tense and turned to look at him. “What are these?”
“Marks of ownership.” Jensen whispered, looking away. Then he shook his head and talked louder. “I…I fell on a shattered vase.”
“You fell?” Jared asked, trying to get Jensen to make eye contact, but failing. “He did this to you?”
“We were…fighting, and Nathan shoved me, and I fell down on the floor. He didn’t see the glasses on the ground and I…” Jensen took a deep breath, looking up. “I must’ve hit my head, ‘cause next thing I remember is I woke up in a hospital bed with a bad headache and a doctor tellin’ me they had to take out a glass splinter from my back and…and that I’d risked damage to my spine.” He let out a soft unhappy chuckle, that had been the first time he’d ended up in hospital because of Nathan. “And Nathan said those scars were his marks of ownership, so that I learned what happened when I fought him.”
“I’m so sorry, Jen.” Jared whispered, not sure how to move around that.
“It’s not your fault.” Jensen showed a weak smile, trying to reassure him.
“I know but…I wish I could make him pay for what he did.”
“He’s paying.”
At those words Jared pulled Jensen in a hug, holding him tight and caressing his back.
“It’s not enough, it’s never gonna be enough.”
“I know.” Jensen whispered back, his arms circling Jared’s waist as he closed his eyes. “But it’s over.”
~
“Hey, I was thinking …” Jensen started, sipping from his coffee as they sat at the diner. “We could go visit Chris…I mean, if you wanna…”
“Yeah.” Jared replied, a wide smile spreading on his lips. “Yeah, that’d be awesome.”
“I think Jeff won’t argue and…well, Tom will convince Allison. She seems to be very fond of him.”
“Why do I have to see your face even in your free day?” Jeff asked, placing the pancakes in front of them.
“Hey, you like my face!”
“Yeah, sure, just like salt in my coffee.” Jeff replied with a sarcastic tone, then turned to Jensen. “Want him to come to Seattle with you?” Jensen nodded, an amused smile on his lips as he sipped from his cup. “Great, and if you manage to leave him up there, it’d be perfect.”
“I’ll bring him back.” Jensen assured, laughing.
“Too bad.” Jeff muttered, walking towards another customer.
They both laughed and shook their heads, focusing on their breakfast.
~~
“You sure this is the place?” Jared asked as they entered the bar, looking around.
“Looks so. Chris said he’s gonna be here in a few minutes.”
They both walked to the counter and sat down. The bartender reached them and smiled widely.
“Hey, what can I bring you?”
“Uh, we’re waitin’ for someone.”
The bartender’s smile widened even more. “Wait, you’re Chris’ friend?”
“Yeah, you know him?” Jensen asked, mirroring the smile with a bit of confusion.
“I know every resident of this hospital. They’re here after almost every shift. He told me you were coming tonight.” The man explained shrugging. “By the way, I’m Joe.”
“Jensen.” They shook hands and then Joe turned towards Jared.
“Hey! I’m…Jared.”
“Nice to meet you guys.” Joe shook Jared’s hand too, then turned when someone called him. “Chris should be here in a few minutes.” He said before walking towards the guy who’d called him.
“You think he’s gonna kill me?” Jared asked, looking at the door behind them.
“Just for a little while. Then he’ll bring you back and kill you again.” Jensen replied with a solemn tone, then laughed at Jared’s terrified expression. “I’m just kiddin’, he’s gonna be fine with it. Maybe a bit surprised, but he’ll be fine, eventually.”
“You’re the one who hasn’t told him yet, ‘cause you’re worried about his reaction.”
“I was worried he could have jumped on a plane to come to LA and check on me.” Jensen explained, his hand finding Jared’s and squeezing it gently. “He’s gonna love you.”
Jared smiled, not too convinced by those words, but his smile disappeared when Chris walked in, looking around. Jared broke the contact of their hands and turned, looking at the counter.
“Jensen, man!” Chris almost yelled when he saw his friend. Jensen stood and they shared a long hug. “How are you?”
“I’m great.” Jensen smiled widely, and turned to look at Jared with a raised eyebrow. “Chris, you remember Jared, right?”
“Yeah, sure.” Jared stood as well and forced a smile on his lips. He was damn scared about Chris’ reaction, he knew the boy’s opinion was important for Jensen and he feared it could get between them. “You didn’t tell me you were bringing a friend with you.”
“Yeah, I know.” Jensen smiled and felt his heart skip a beat. He had to tell Chris and he had to tell him now. “About that…” Jared saw Chris’ expression turn into a frown as he waited for Jensen to go on. “I wanted to tell you face to face, not on the phone.”
“Tell me what?”
“Jared’s more than a friend.” Jensen finally admitted, looking at his friend in the eye. “We’re together.”
“By ‘together’ you mean the we-hang-out-from-time-to-time kind of together, or the boyfriends-who-shag-each-other kind of together?” Chris asked with a sincerely curious tone.
“Chris…” Jensen started, feeling Jared shift beside him.
“Yeah, I know, I’m sorry.” Chris smiled, shaking his head. “I’m just surprised, I guess. Didn’t expect it.” He showed a little smile and turned to look at Jared. “Are you even eighteen?”
“Chris!” Jensen looked at him with an annoyed expression but saw Jared smile faintly.
“I’m just kiddin’!” Chris raised his hands in a defensive gesture.
“I’m legal, don’t worry.” Jared let out a soft laughter and he made eye-contact with Chris. “I turned eighteen about a week ago.”
Chris laughed as well and nodded slowly. “Good.”
Jensen’s phone rang and he frowned when he read Jeff’s number. “I’ll be right back. You, be kind to him.”
Chris watched him go towards the exit, then turned towards Jared. “Sorry for before, I was…surprised.”
“It’s okay. You’re worried, that’s good.” Jared said, finally feeling the knot in his throat loosen considerably. “Actually I thought you were gonna kick my ass.”
“Hey, I’m not that evil! What did he tell you?” Chris asked with a laughter.
“Nothing.” Jared chuckled feeling the tension slip away completely. “It’s just that everyone keeps threatening me and you’re Jen’s best friend, so…”
“I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen Jensen smile like that.” Chris looked at Jared in the eye and shook his head again. “So no, I’m not gonna kick your ass.” Jared smiled back at that, feeling relieved. “Unless you hurt him, ‘cause if you do, in any way, then I’ll get Jeff and we’ll hunt your sorry ass down.”
“Wouldn’t be just the two of you, I guess.” Jared saw a small group of people enter the bar but he didn’t pay attention as his gaze stayed focused on Chris. “And I’m not gonna hurt him.” He felt a knot forming again in his throat and he looked away for a couple of seconds, before going back to the guy in front of him. “I know what Jensen went through, I know he’s trying to get his life back, and I want to be with him every step.”
Chris didn’t say anything for a few seconds, then a slow smile spread on his lips. “Then I guess I’m allowed to like you.”
Jared mirrored the smile and saw Jensen come back with an amused frown on his face.
“That man is crazy!”
“I know, I keep tellin’ you!” Chris replied, and they all laughed.
~
“So, you work with Jeff?” Chris asked, sipping from his beer. Jared nodded and the other boy frowned. “Brave young man.” Jared grinned at that and Jensen shook his head. “You left the job at the Crimson?”
“Not exactly.” Jared took a sip from his own beer, glancing briefly in Jensen’s direction before speaking. He’d never replied to Jensen if he was going to start Art School, even if he’d already taken a decision. “I’m doing both jobs. I’m trying to save money while, you know…while I’m not at school.”
“You’re gonna start college?”
“Art School.”
At those words Jensen’s eyebrows shot up and he smiled, surprised. “You’re gonna…?”
“Yeah.” Jared mirrored the smile, while Chris watched the two of them with a confused expression.
“What am I missing, here?” Chris asked, looking at his friends.
“Jensen found the recommendations to get me in his school.” Jared explained, unable to keep the smile from his face. “It was his birthday gift.”
“One of my birthday gifts.” Jensen grinned in his direction and saw Jared blush and Chris frown even more. Jensen turned towards his friend to see his reaction to the following words. “I danced.”
“You what?” Chris asked, almost dropping his bottle.
“Danced. At the Crimson. Once. As a birthday gift.” Jensen explained, amused by Chris’ expression of utter disbelief. “And I think it went well, for the both of us.”
“Very well.” Jared agreed with a grin and light blush.
“Okay, are we entering the too-much-information area?” Chris asked closing his eyes and shaking his head slowly.
“I think we are.” Jensen replied and saw Jared repress a laughter at the boy’s reaction.
“Okay, let’s talk about the weather.” Chris said with a casual tone, trying to keep the mental images away. “No seriously, you’re an artist?”
“Kinda. I’d like to be a draftsman.” Jared replied, sipping from his beer. Before Jensen could say anything Jared’s phone rang. “Sorry, be right back.”
“He’s got people checkin’ up on him too?” Chris asked with a grin.
“It’s probably Chad, the friend that found him the motel.” Jensen replied watching Jared walk out of the door to get less noise.
“Jensen…” When he turned towards Chris the boy was serious, and they made eye contact.
“He’s awesome, Chris.” Jensen didn’t even let him finish. “And yeah, I think I’ve never got this close to someone in so a little time.”
“By close you mean…?” Chris asked, and saw Jensen look away. “‘Cause the thing about dancing at the Crimson…”
“We got…physical, in the good sense, if that’s what you’re asking.” Jensen replied, not looking at him. “Not much but we did. He makes me feel comfortable with the idea, he makes me feel safe. He cares, and he’s amazing and thoughtful and sweet and everything Nathan has stopped being ages before…before that night.” He looked up at his friend with a smile.
“You sound like you’re head over heels in love with him.”
“I’m not far, Chris.” Jensen admitted, looking down at his beer. “And I’m scared as hell, ‘cause I dunno what I’m gonna remember, if I’m gonna remember, but when he’s with me I feel like nothing could change how happy I am right now.” Jensen chuckled, shaking his head. “Man, I sound like a girl.”
“You totally do.” Chris grinned at his friend, sincerely glad to see him happy. “Have you ever told him any of this?”
“No. And I’m not planning on it, for now.” Jensen sighed and looked up with a little smile. “He’s strong, but he’s goin’ through a lot even without the emotional overload. He’s got no one left, but he keeps goin’ anyway, and he’s always ready to make me smile. And I…” He paused, biting on his lips and looking down. He didn’t look at his friend as he kept talking, the bottle still in his hands. “He knows about Nathan, he knows what he did and he…he saw the scars. But he’s still here, Chris, he’s still the Jared I met two months ago, he treats me like a person, not like a victim.”
“I’m happy you met him.” Chris replied with a genuine smile, his hand resting on Jensen’s shoulder. “I think I’m gonna feel better knowing that you’ve got him back in LA.”
Jensen looked up, clearly surprised but glad of that reaction. “Oh, and he’s able to deal with Jeff without freaking out.”
“That’s not possible.” Chris replied with a serious tone, seeing Jared get back from his phone call.
“What did I miss?” Jared asked with a smile, sitting back in his seat.
“Not much.” Jensen shrugged and Chris looked at him with an amused glance. He was about to say something, but he spotted a group sitting at the counter.
“Those are the other residents.” Chris said, pointing at the group. “Wanna meet them?”
“Sure! They’re like my personal living soap opera!” Jensen looked in that direction, grinning.
They reached the counter and Chris poked a blond girl on the shoulder, showing a silly smile as soon as she turned. “What’s up Kane?” She asked with a suspicious tone.
“Izzie!” He replied cheerfully and gained a perplexed look from the other girl, sitting between the blond and a boy. “Jensen, Jared, these are Izzie, Cristina and Alex.”
“Jensen?” Izzie asked, surprised. “Like ‘super hot and still single best friend from LA’ Jensen?”
“That’d be me.” Jensen said, amused by that description. “But I’m not single.”
“He’s not.” Jared confirmed with a smirk, and everyone turned to look at him. “I’m Jared.”
“You never told us he had a boyfriend!” Cristina shot Chris a perplexed look.
“I found out half an hour ago.” Chris shrugged with an amused tone.
“How’s your memory?” Alex asked, as they sat down at the counter as well.
“Better. Kinda.” Jensen replied, feeling Jared’s gaze on him. “I’m…gettin’ it back.”
“Good.” Izzie smiled widely at that and Jensen nodded, looking at Joe as he gave them another round of beers.
“Yeah, good.” Jensen replied with a little smile, and he felt Jared’s hand on the small of his back.
~
“You sure? I mean, I know you don’t like hospitals…” Chris looked briefly at Jensen as they walked towards the Seattle Grace.
“I’m sure, Chris.” Jensen repeated for the third time since they’d left the bar.
“You don’t like hospitals?” Izzie asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Nope.” Jensen smiled at her. “‘Specially after the accident.” He added as an explanation, and he didn’t care if it was a lie, Jared and Chris knew the truth and it was enough.
Jared saw Chris look away at those words and wondered how many times Jensen had ended up in hospital because of Nathan. He knew only about the time Jensen got the scars on his back, but something was telling him it hadn’t been the last time.
“Right, I guess it wasn’t exactly funny.” Izzie looked away, suddenly realizing the gaffe she’d made.
They entered the hospital and Jensen looked around, a little smile on his lips. “It feels like ages ago when I left.”
A woman reached them in that moment, and Jensen saw Chris smile widely at her.
“Chris, I thought your shift was over.” She looked at the group and frowned, but her smile looked sincere.
“Actually…it is.” Chris admitted and Jensen had the impression he knew who that woman was. “My friend wants to say hello to a couple of doctors. He’d been here for a few days a couple of months ago, so…” He turned and looked at Jensen with a smirk. “Jensen, Jared, this is doctor Montgomery-Shepherd.”
“You’re doctor Shepherd’s wife.” Jensen said, holding out his hand with a polite smile. “Your husband saved my life.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Addison kept smiling but Jensen saw a shadow of something he couldn’t define in her eyes at the word husband, then she turned towards Jared with a curious expression.
“I’m his boyfriend.” Jared explained, shaking her hand as well.
“Nice to meet you, guys.” Addison looked behind her and then turned with a smile. “Derek’s checking on a patient.”
“I know where to find him, thanks.” Chris replied as she walked past them, and he couldn’t take the smirk off his face. As soon as she was out of sight Izzie slapped him on the head. “Hey!”
“Stop stripping her with your filthy filthy eyes.” Izzie scowled at him, shaking her head. “She’s married.”
Jensen and Jared laughed at that and they all walked towards the elevators.
~~
“Man, he’s…” Jensen didn’t finish the sentence, too stunned. “Dude, he looks just like Jeff!”
“I think Jeff has a secret brother or something. But Denny doesn’t want to admit it.” Chris replied as they stood in the corridor. Izzie was checking on Denny’s vitals and they were waiting for Meredith and George to come out of surgery.
“We should ask Jeff.” Jared proposed with a smirk. “And then start to run as hell.”
“Yeah, let me know if you do it, ‘cause I totally wanna see it.” Chris laughed, getting an amused glance from Jensen.
George walked by in that moment and he stopped, looking at Jensen.
“Hey, you okay?” The young doctor asked with a smile.
“Yeah, thanks!” Jensen nodded, genuinely happy to see the boy. He felt sorry for all the troubles he was having with Meredith. The thought almost made him laugh. He barely knew those people but he knew so much about their private life, it was ironical.
“I thought you were in surgery with McDreamy.” Chris commented, curious. The smile on George’s face faded.
“I was. He threw me out.” He shook his head and looked around. “Long story. Now I have to go. See you around guys!”
As he walked away, Meredith reached them from the other end of the corridor.
“He’ll get over it, eventually. I hope.” She said, sighing. “How are you doin’?”
“I’m fine.” Jensen smiled at her. “See, I kept my promise.”
“I’m glad you did.” Meredith turned and looked at Jared with a curious glance.
“Meredith, he’s Jared, my boyfriend.” Jensen introduced them and saw the surprised look on the resident’s face.
“Big changes, uh? Good.” Her smile was sincere and Jensen mirrored it just as Shepherd arrived from the same direction George had a couple of minutes before. “Doctor Shepherd, look who’s back.”
As soon as the doctor reached them with a wide smile they started another round of greeting and chatting, and Jensen somehow felt the remaining tension slip from his shoulders. That hospital was where his new life had started, a part of him was glad to be there and to talk to the people who had saved his life.
~~
It was almost sunset and Jensen was a few feet from the diner when he heard a voice calling him. Jared was already at the Crimson, and Jensen was going to meet him there after stopping briefly at Jeff’s.
“Detective?” Jensen asked with a frown, stopping. “You found something?”
“Not exactly. That’s why I’m here.” The man showed a little smile. “Can we talk inside?”
“Sure.” Jensen resumed walking, immediately followed by McDonald. They took two seats at the counter and Jeff eyed Chase with suspect, but didn’t say anything.
“So, detective…”
“Chase.” McDonald corrected him with a smile. “You don’t remember, do you?”
“Remember what?” Jensen asked, confused.
“We know each other, Jensen.” Chase replied, a weak smile on his lips. “We had known for a while before the accident.”
“Oh.” It was all Jensen could say, as his mind went back to the journal, trying to find any reference to the man. “I don’t remember, sorry.”
“I figured from the way you acted when I came over with August.” Chase’s expression became suddenly serious. “About that, he doesn’t know that we know each other.”
“What is he doing here?” Jeff asked with an angry tone, interrupting them.
“You know him?” Jensen asked, confused.
“It’s a long story.” Jeff replied, his eyes never leaving McDonald’s resolute ones.
“I know who might be trying to kill you.” Chase said finally moving his gaze back to Jensen.
~~
A/N: So…last time I forgot to mention that we were gonna see Chris again. Well, hope you liked the surprise. And yeah, I really couldn’t help putting the Denny Duquette reference. LOL
Not much else to say, the song I used at the beginning of the chapter is “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics.
See you for next chapter.JM
Author: JM
Pairing: Jared/Jensen, past other/Jensen, Michael/Tom, Jeff/Samantha, mentions of Erica/Allison, Denny/Izzie, George/Meredith, Derek/Meredith.
Rating: NC-17 overall
Characters: They’re quite a lot, so I’ll put them behind a cut for the sake of your f-lists.
Main: Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Eric Kripke, Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Michael Weatherly, Nathan Petrelli (Heroes), Josh Holloway, Chris Kane.
Secondary: Chase McDonald (LA Heat) Allison Mack, Erica Durance, Samantha Smith, Don Eppes (Numb3rs), Megan Reeves (Numb3rs), Colby Granger (Numb3rs).
Guest stars: Alona Tal, August Brooks (LA Heat), Annette O’Toole, Chad Michael Murray, Charlie Eppes (Numb3rs), David Sinclair (Numb3rs), Meredith Grey (Grey’s Anatomy), George O'Malley (Grey’s Anatomy), Addison Montgomery-Shepard (Grey’s Anatomy), Derek Shepard (Grey’s Anatomy), Denny Duquette (Grey’s Anatomy), Izzie Stevens (Grey’s Anatomy), Christina Yang (Grey’s Anatomy), Alex Karev (Grey’s Anatomy)
Mentions of: Josh Charles, Dan Rydell (Sports Night), Sandy McCoy, Steve Carlson, Kate Austen (Lost)
Category: Slash
Word count: 60,000 total
Warnings: AU, angst, slash, language (sometimes), amnesiac!Jensen, mention of non-con, murder and violence.
Disclaimer: Again, for the sake of your f-lists, here's the lj-cut.
Jared and Jensen aren’t mine ç_ç they belong to each other themselves. So does every other real person and/or every fictional character I mentioned here. Well, except Josh Charles, who belongs to my dear Fae and if you say otherwise she’s gonna cut your hands and feed them to her goldfish. (Yeah, I’m obviously kidding, we own nothing. ;_____;)
Numb3rs belongs to Cheryl Heuton and Nicholas Falacci, Grey’s Anatomy belongs to Shonda Rhimes, Heroes belongs to Tim Kring, LA Heat belongs to whoever its creator is, Sports Night belongs to Aaron Sorkin and Lost belongs to JJ Abrams.I really don’t mean to offend anyone and nothing of what I wrote in this story is to be considered real, it’s all fiction.
Author’s Notes: Okay, so…first thing. You don't need to know the shows I put in this story, so don't worry about that. I know it sounds crazy to mix up real people and fictional characters. But trust me, I had a hell of a lot of fun writing this, and if you give it a chance, maybe you’ll enjoy reading it! ^_-
As ever, feel free to report any mistake. Constructive criticism is welcome, feedback makes me happy!
A special thanks to
nejem for her precious support!!
Beta: My beloved and wonderful and irreplaceable and amazing
faechan .
Summary: “After a car accident Jensen wakes up with a gap of four years in his memory, and the way everyone around him acts makes him understand something horrible happened in that period. While Jensen tries to get back his life back together, Jared leaves his family home in San Antonio, trying to find his own way, and he ends up working in a place he’d never imagined.
But things are not as simple as they appear and they’ll find out their lives are linked, in more ways than they think.” - First story in the Threads!Verse
Crossposted
[ Chapter 1 - ‘Awakenings and new towns’ ]
[ Chapter 2 - ‘New starts and old fairytales’ ]
[ Chapter 3 - 'Therapy sessions and a goodbye party' ]
[ Chapter 4 - 'Teardrops and new friendships' ]
[ Chapter 5 - 'Bad ideas and unexpected offers' ]
[ Chapter 6 - 'Sketchbooks and domestic bliss' ]
[ Chapter 7 - 'Breakfasts and car crashes' ]
[ Chapter 8 - 'Small steps and birthday presents' ]
Chapter 9 - ‘Dances and old scars’
“You want to what?” Tom asked, almost dropping his beer.
“I wanna dance.” Jensen shrugged, sipping from his own bottle. “Just once.”
“Why?”
“Maybe it could help, with the memories and stuff I mean.” Jensen explained as he looked at Jared, talking to a group of girls a few feet from them. “And yeah, Jared might like it too.”
“You don’t have to do it for him.” Tom’s frown deepened and he leaned closer.
“I’m doin’ it for myself.” Jensen showed a little smile, putting his beer on the counter. “And Eric thinks it could be useful.”
Tom looked at him with a worried expression, then nodded, sighing heavily. “I’ll tell Allison.”
Jensen watched as Tom walked away just before Jared reached him.
“Where is he goin’?”
“We’re kinda preparing a surprise.” Jensen smirked, closing the distance between them and kissing Jared. “I suggest you take a seat near the stage.” He whispered on the younger boy’s lips, and then walked away.
Jared didn’t say anything, he just stood there, stunned. Where did that come from? Without waiting another minute he took the seat right in front of the stage, where Erica was dancing around the pole.
A few minutes passed and Jared sat quietly, enjoying Erica’s skills and mirroring the smile the girl addressed him. He’d learned to know her and to like her, and yeah, she really was a tough girl, but she had a great heart.
When her show ended Tom arrived on the stage with an unsure smile and Jared frowned. Why Jensen wanted him to see the show? He saw it every night and he knew perfectly how…oh.
His mind stopped, frozen in the exact second he spotted Jensen coming on the stage with a smirk. He was wearing a pair of old jeans, a matching sleeveless jeans jacked and a black cowboy hat. Nothing else, except for a pair of black cowboy boots. The pants had a rip on the right thigh and one on the left knee.
Tom said something about an ex-dancer who wanted to dance one last time, but Jared’s ears refused to work, as his eyes were stuck on the vision of Jensen dressed like a cowboy. A very very sexy one.
He snapped out of his daze when he saw Tom ask Jensen if he was sure and the lack of hesitation in Jensen’s reply made Jared frown again, worried. He wasn’t going to complain about that surprise, he just hoped Jensen was sure he knew what he was doing.
When the music started and Jensen slowly walked towards the pole, Jared’s train of thoughts went out of the window.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
Jensen was moving on the stage like he belonged there and Jared’s jaw dropped as his boyfriend swung his hips along with the rhythm of the song. His breath hitched when Jensen addressed him a slow predatory smile and he found himself wishing he could be switch places with the pole.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
Jensen kept moving along with the music, feeling the words get inside him but ignoring them.
Jared was looking at him with a light in his eyes, with lust, but not with the look of possession he’d seen in Nathan’s eyes so many times in his nightmares.
No, it wasn’t mere lust, it wasn’t predatory, he could see respect, maybe awe and something else in Jared’s gaze.
No, that look didn’t make him feel a prey, it made him feel alive.
Hold your head up, movin' on
Keep your head up, movin' on
Hold your head up, movin' on
Keep your head up, movin' on
Hold your head up, movin' on
Keep your head up, movin' on
Movin' on!
Jared knew Jensen had chosen that song on purpose. He’d heard that song so many times before, but this time the meaning of the words hit him hard like a punch. However he was still too wrapped up in Jensen’s moves and the looks he threw in Jared’s direction, and he couldn’t bring himself to finish that thought.
Jensen took his hat off and threw it in Jared’s lap, and for a second they made eye contact as Jensen blew him a kiss. He’d never seen Jensen act like that but he had to admit he liked it, maybe even too much.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
I'm gonna use you and abuse you
I'm gonna know what's inside
Gonna use you and abuse you
I'm gonna know what's inside you
The music faded slowly as Jensen finished his dance, and Jared couldn’t even bring himself to clap his hand as the rest of the audience whistled and applauded enthusiastically.
When Jensen disappeared and Erica came back on the stage Jared shook his head, looking down at the hat in his hands.
He’d never imagined how good Jensen could have looked on that stage, he’d always thoughts his boyfriend hated dancing after what had happened, and this new discovery left him dumbfounded.
Without thinking twice he walked towards the backstage door, the hat still in his hands.
~
Jensen had barely the time to change his clothes before finding himself face to face with a stunned Jared. He didn’t have the time to ask him anything, though, because Jared’s lips were on his, starting a deep kiss.
He kissed him back, feeling somehow relieved by that reaction and smiled in the kiss as Jared put the hat back on Jensen’s head, never breaking the contact.
“You’re amazing.” Jared whispered on his boyfriend’s lips, his tone incredulous.
“Thanks.”
“Why did you…?” Jared asked, careful. He was happy about the show, very happy, but the lyrics of the song and the sudden decision had made him worry anyway.
“I thought it might bring back some memories.” Jensen rested his forehead against Jared’s, tilting the hat slightly backwards. “And it was a late birthday present. I hope you liked it.”
“I did.” Jared replied, mirroring the grin. “Trust me, I did.”
Jensen let out a soft laughter and Jared felt relieved the boy was okay. “Let’s go home.”
~~
As soon as they entered the apartment Jared felt a hand on his arm, making him turn. Jensen smiled, pushing him gently against the door after closing it. Without a word their lips connected once again and Jared felt the hard-on he’d been trying to hide since the moment Jensen had stepped on the stage come back.
“So, you liked the show?” Jensen asked, nipping gently at Jared’s bottom lip. He was still feeling the adrenaline form the stage and Jared seemed to be affected too.
“Hell, yeah.” Jared’s shaky reply convinced Jensen that yeah, Jared was still definitely affected by the previous performance.
“How much?” Jensen’s lips traveled down to Jared’s neck, leaving a trail of soft kisses and gentle bites.
“Jen, I…” Jared took a deep breath, trying to get back in control of his lungs. “Stop.”
Jensen looked up immediately, the smile replaced by a worried look. “Did I…” He looked away, feeling suddenly stupid for not talking with Jared about that before. “Sorry.”
“No…no, Jen, it’s not that…” Jared raised a hand to Jensen’s chin, directing his face so they made eye contact. “I don’t want you to feel forced, that’s all.”
“I want you.” Jensen felt the knot in his throat loosen a bit. “I want this…if you want it too.”
Jared didn’t reply immediately, he just stared at Jensen with an unreadable gaze then kissed him, feeling relieved by the sincerity in the boy’s eyes. “You sure?”
“Yeah.” Jensen whispered, his lips going back to work on Jared’s neck, as the boy started to walk them towards the living room. “Fuck, yeah.”
They landed heavily on the worn couch, Jensen half on top of Jared, never breaking the contact of their hands and lips. Somehow Jared managed to sit decently and Jensen straddled his lap, looking at Jared in the eye, his gaze serious.
“We can stop anytime if…” Jared hesitated, trying to find the rights words not to ruin the moment. “If you don’t feel like goin’ on.”
“Okay.” Jensen whispered, keeping his mind free from every bad thought that might have gotten between them. “Okay.” He repeated with a smile, his arms circling Jared’s neck.
Their lips met again and Jared’s hands wandered down Jensen’s back, caressing the skin through the thin material of the boy’s t-shirt. When they reached Jensen’s ass, Jared’s heard the boy moan in the kiss as he thrust his hips against Jared’s.
As Jensen repeated the movement, Jared broke the kiss and threw his head back, his breath hitching visibly. He felt Jensen’s lips on his Adam apple and he encouraged the boy’s thrusts with his hands, biting on his lower lip. He was close to coming in his pants in an embarrassingly short amount of time, but he’d wanted this so much he didn’t want to it end so quickly.
“Jen…fuck, I…I’m close…”
Jensen, though, seemed pretty close himself as his hand trailed in Jared’s messy hair and he directed the boy’s face back to his, starting a breathless kiss, increasing the speed of his thrusts. It was fast and frantic and Jensen wanted it to last, but he felt his body betray him.
“Jare…” He whispered between kisses, closing his eyes and biting on Jared’s neck as he came without even touching himself. He kept thrusting, riding his orgasm until he felt Jared go still under him.
“Oh god…” Jared said, his voice raspy and his breath coming out quick.
Jensen rested his forehead against Jared’s collarbone as they both tried to calm down and get their normal heartbeat back.
Jensen knew they were going to regret part of this when they did the laundry, but he couldn’t care less as he straightened up and kissed Jared again, one hand still wandering in his hair. It was slow, sweet, and yeah Jensen definitely wanted that. He wanted to do that a lot.
~~
It was Jared’s free day at the diner, and he’d decided he could delay his morning run without any trouble. He’d spent about half an hour just watching Jensen sleep next to him, remembering the events of the previous night.
He still was a bit puzzled by that almost wild side of Jensen, but he was glad Jensen could express it without it causing him to relive painful memories. What had happened on the couch was a further reason for Jared to feel relieved. In more than one sense.
He and Jensen had never talked about sex and surroundings, and it had made him worry that the boy might have had remembered something he hadn’t told Jared.
With all those thoughts going in and out of his mind he’d ended up going out very late and when he came back, he heard the shower running.
“Hey, it’s me!” He yelled when he heard the water stopping.
Jensen came into the living room with a towel around his waist and another on his head.
“You overslept, health freak?” Jensen asked with a grin.
“What can I say, I had very good dreams.” Jared replied, and he could swear he saw a light blush on boy’s skin.
“Bet you did.” Jensen chuckled and shook his head as he walked back towards his bedroom.
When Jared saw his back he frowned, following immediately. He realized it was the first time he saw Jensen without a shirt, despite they lived together and slept in the same bed. Despite they were together. Jensen always changed in the bathroom where Jared didn’t see him and no matter how hot it was outside, Jensen always slept with a t-shirt. And now Jared could tell why.
His hand found its way to Jensen’s bare back as soon as the boy stopped.
“Jen?” Jared spoke softly, passing a hand on the scars. He felt Jensen tense and turned to look at him. “What are these?”
“Marks of ownership.” Jensen whispered, looking away. Then he shook his head and talked louder. “I…I fell on a shattered vase.”
“You fell?” Jared asked, trying to get Jensen to make eye contact, but failing. “He did this to you?”
“We were…fighting, and Nathan shoved me, and I fell down on the floor. He didn’t see the glasses on the ground and I…” Jensen took a deep breath, looking up. “I must’ve hit my head, ‘cause next thing I remember is I woke up in a hospital bed with a bad headache and a doctor tellin’ me they had to take out a glass splinter from my back and…and that I’d risked damage to my spine.” He let out a soft unhappy chuckle, that had been the first time he’d ended up in hospital because of Nathan. “And Nathan said those scars were his marks of ownership, so that I learned what happened when I fought him.”
“I’m so sorry, Jen.” Jared whispered, not sure how to move around that.
“It’s not your fault.” Jensen showed a weak smile, trying to reassure him.
“I know but…I wish I could make him pay for what he did.”
“He’s paying.”
At those words Jared pulled Jensen in a hug, holding him tight and caressing his back.
“It’s not enough, it’s never gonna be enough.”
“I know.” Jensen whispered back, his arms circling Jared’s waist as he closed his eyes. “But it’s over.”
~
“Hey, I was thinking …” Jensen started, sipping from his coffee as they sat at the diner. “We could go visit Chris…I mean, if you wanna…”
“Yeah.” Jared replied, a wide smile spreading on his lips. “Yeah, that’d be awesome.”
“I think Jeff won’t argue and…well, Tom will convince Allison. She seems to be very fond of him.”
“Why do I have to see your face even in your free day?” Jeff asked, placing the pancakes in front of them.
“Hey, you like my face!”
“Yeah, sure, just like salt in my coffee.” Jeff replied with a sarcastic tone, then turned to Jensen. “Want him to come to Seattle with you?” Jensen nodded, an amused smile on his lips as he sipped from his cup. “Great, and if you manage to leave him up there, it’d be perfect.”
“I’ll bring him back.” Jensen assured, laughing.
“Too bad.” Jeff muttered, walking towards another customer.
They both laughed and shook their heads, focusing on their breakfast.
~~
“You sure this is the place?” Jared asked as they entered the bar, looking around.
“Looks so. Chris said he’s gonna be here in a few minutes.”
They both walked to the counter and sat down. The bartender reached them and smiled widely.
“Hey, what can I bring you?”
“Uh, we’re waitin’ for someone.”
The bartender’s smile widened even more. “Wait, you’re Chris’ friend?”
“Yeah, you know him?” Jensen asked, mirroring the smile with a bit of confusion.
“I know every resident of this hospital. They’re here after almost every shift. He told me you were coming tonight.” The man explained shrugging. “By the way, I’m Joe.”
“Jensen.” They shook hands and then Joe turned towards Jared.
“Hey! I’m…Jared.”
“Nice to meet you guys.” Joe shook Jared’s hand too, then turned when someone called him. “Chris should be here in a few minutes.” He said before walking towards the guy who’d called him.
“You think he’s gonna kill me?” Jared asked, looking at the door behind them.
“Just for a little while. Then he’ll bring you back and kill you again.” Jensen replied with a solemn tone, then laughed at Jared’s terrified expression. “I’m just kiddin’, he’s gonna be fine with it. Maybe a bit surprised, but he’ll be fine, eventually.”
“You’re the one who hasn’t told him yet, ‘cause you’re worried about his reaction.”
“I was worried he could have jumped on a plane to come to LA and check on me.” Jensen explained, his hand finding Jared’s and squeezing it gently. “He’s gonna love you.”
Jared smiled, not too convinced by those words, but his smile disappeared when Chris walked in, looking around. Jared broke the contact of their hands and turned, looking at the counter.
“Jensen, man!” Chris almost yelled when he saw his friend. Jensen stood and they shared a long hug. “How are you?”
“I’m great.” Jensen smiled widely, and turned to look at Jared with a raised eyebrow. “Chris, you remember Jared, right?”
“Yeah, sure.” Jared stood as well and forced a smile on his lips. He was damn scared about Chris’ reaction, he knew the boy’s opinion was important for Jensen and he feared it could get between them. “You didn’t tell me you were bringing a friend with you.”
“Yeah, I know.” Jensen smiled and felt his heart skip a beat. He had to tell Chris and he had to tell him now. “About that…” Jared saw Chris’ expression turn into a frown as he waited for Jensen to go on. “I wanted to tell you face to face, not on the phone.”
“Tell me what?”
“Jared’s more than a friend.” Jensen finally admitted, looking at his friend in the eye. “We’re together.”
“By ‘together’ you mean the we-hang-out-from-time-to-time kind of together, or the boyfriends-who-shag-each-other kind of together?” Chris asked with a sincerely curious tone.
“Chris…” Jensen started, feeling Jared shift beside him.
“Yeah, I know, I’m sorry.” Chris smiled, shaking his head. “I’m just surprised, I guess. Didn’t expect it.” He showed a little smile and turned to look at Jared. “Are you even eighteen?”
“Chris!” Jensen looked at him with an annoyed expression but saw Jared smile faintly.
“I’m just kiddin’!” Chris raised his hands in a defensive gesture.
“I’m legal, don’t worry.” Jared let out a soft laughter and he made eye-contact with Chris. “I turned eighteen about a week ago.”
Chris laughed as well and nodded slowly. “Good.”
Jensen’s phone rang and he frowned when he read Jeff’s number. “I’ll be right back. You, be kind to him.”
Chris watched him go towards the exit, then turned towards Jared. “Sorry for before, I was…surprised.”
“It’s okay. You’re worried, that’s good.” Jared said, finally feeling the knot in his throat loosen considerably. “Actually I thought you were gonna kick my ass.”
“Hey, I’m not that evil! What did he tell you?” Chris asked with a laughter.
“Nothing.” Jared chuckled feeling the tension slip away completely. “It’s just that everyone keeps threatening me and you’re Jen’s best friend, so…”
“I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen Jensen smile like that.” Chris looked at Jared in the eye and shook his head again. “So no, I’m not gonna kick your ass.” Jared smiled back at that, feeling relieved. “Unless you hurt him, ‘cause if you do, in any way, then I’ll get Jeff and we’ll hunt your sorry ass down.”
“Wouldn’t be just the two of you, I guess.” Jared saw a small group of people enter the bar but he didn’t pay attention as his gaze stayed focused on Chris. “And I’m not gonna hurt him.” He felt a knot forming again in his throat and he looked away for a couple of seconds, before going back to the guy in front of him. “I know what Jensen went through, I know he’s trying to get his life back, and I want to be with him every step.”
Chris didn’t say anything for a few seconds, then a slow smile spread on his lips. “Then I guess I’m allowed to like you.”
Jared mirrored the smile and saw Jensen come back with an amused frown on his face.
“That man is crazy!”
“I know, I keep tellin’ you!” Chris replied, and they all laughed.
~
“So, you work with Jeff?” Chris asked, sipping from his beer. Jared nodded and the other boy frowned. “Brave young man.” Jared grinned at that and Jensen shook his head. “You left the job at the Crimson?”
“Not exactly.” Jared took a sip from his own beer, glancing briefly in Jensen’s direction before speaking. He’d never replied to Jensen if he was going to start Art School, even if he’d already taken a decision. “I’m doing both jobs. I’m trying to save money while, you know…while I’m not at school.”
“You’re gonna start college?”
“Art School.”
At those words Jensen’s eyebrows shot up and he smiled, surprised. “You’re gonna…?”
“Yeah.” Jared mirrored the smile, while Chris watched the two of them with a confused expression.
“What am I missing, here?” Chris asked, looking at his friends.
“Jensen found the recommendations to get me in his school.” Jared explained, unable to keep the smile from his face. “It was his birthday gift.”
“One of my birthday gifts.” Jensen grinned in his direction and saw Jared blush and Chris frown even more. Jensen turned towards his friend to see his reaction to the following words. “I danced.”
“You what?” Chris asked, almost dropping his bottle.
“Danced. At the Crimson. Once. As a birthday gift.” Jensen explained, amused by Chris’ expression of utter disbelief. “And I think it went well, for the both of us.”
“Very well.” Jared agreed with a grin and light blush.
“Okay, are we entering the too-much-information area?” Chris asked closing his eyes and shaking his head slowly.
“I think we are.” Jensen replied and saw Jared repress a laughter at the boy’s reaction.
“Okay, let’s talk about the weather.” Chris said with a casual tone, trying to keep the mental images away. “No seriously, you’re an artist?”
“Kinda. I’d like to be a draftsman.” Jared replied, sipping from his beer. Before Jensen could say anything Jared’s phone rang. “Sorry, be right back.”
“He’s got people checkin’ up on him too?” Chris asked with a grin.
“It’s probably Chad, the friend that found him the motel.” Jensen replied watching Jared walk out of the door to get less noise.
“Jensen…” When he turned towards Chris the boy was serious, and they made eye contact.
“He’s awesome, Chris.” Jensen didn’t even let him finish. “And yeah, I think I’ve never got this close to someone in so a little time.”
“By close you mean…?” Chris asked, and saw Jensen look away. “‘Cause the thing about dancing at the Crimson…”
“We got…physical, in the good sense, if that’s what you’re asking.” Jensen replied, not looking at him. “Not much but we did. He makes me feel comfortable with the idea, he makes me feel safe. He cares, and he’s amazing and thoughtful and sweet and everything Nathan has stopped being ages before…before that night.” He looked up at his friend with a smile.
“You sound like you’re head over heels in love with him.”
“I’m not far, Chris.” Jensen admitted, looking down at his beer. “And I’m scared as hell, ‘cause I dunno what I’m gonna remember, if I’m gonna remember, but when he’s with me I feel like nothing could change how happy I am right now.” Jensen chuckled, shaking his head. “Man, I sound like a girl.”
“You totally do.” Chris grinned at his friend, sincerely glad to see him happy. “Have you ever told him any of this?”
“No. And I’m not planning on it, for now.” Jensen sighed and looked up with a little smile. “He’s strong, but he’s goin’ through a lot even without the emotional overload. He’s got no one left, but he keeps goin’ anyway, and he’s always ready to make me smile. And I…” He paused, biting on his lips and looking down. He didn’t look at his friend as he kept talking, the bottle still in his hands. “He knows about Nathan, he knows what he did and he…he saw the scars. But he’s still here, Chris, he’s still the Jared I met two months ago, he treats me like a person, not like a victim.”
“I’m happy you met him.” Chris replied with a genuine smile, his hand resting on Jensen’s shoulder. “I think I’m gonna feel better knowing that you’ve got him back in LA.”
Jensen looked up, clearly surprised but glad of that reaction. “Oh, and he’s able to deal with Jeff without freaking out.”
“That’s not possible.” Chris replied with a serious tone, seeing Jared get back from his phone call.
“What did I miss?” Jared asked with a smile, sitting back in his seat.
“Not much.” Jensen shrugged and Chris looked at him with an amused glance. He was about to say something, but he spotted a group sitting at the counter.
“Those are the other residents.” Chris said, pointing at the group. “Wanna meet them?”
“Sure! They’re like my personal living soap opera!” Jensen looked in that direction, grinning.
They reached the counter and Chris poked a blond girl on the shoulder, showing a silly smile as soon as she turned. “What’s up Kane?” She asked with a suspicious tone.
“Izzie!” He replied cheerfully and gained a perplexed look from the other girl, sitting between the blond and a boy. “Jensen, Jared, these are Izzie, Cristina and Alex.”
“Jensen?” Izzie asked, surprised. “Like ‘super hot and still single best friend from LA’ Jensen?”
“That’d be me.” Jensen said, amused by that description. “But I’m not single.”
“He’s not.” Jared confirmed with a smirk, and everyone turned to look at him. “I’m Jared.”
“You never told us he had a boyfriend!” Cristina shot Chris a perplexed look.
“I found out half an hour ago.” Chris shrugged with an amused tone.
“How’s your memory?” Alex asked, as they sat down at the counter as well.
“Better. Kinda.” Jensen replied, feeling Jared’s gaze on him. “I’m…gettin’ it back.”
“Good.” Izzie smiled widely at that and Jensen nodded, looking at Joe as he gave them another round of beers.
“Yeah, good.” Jensen replied with a little smile, and he felt Jared’s hand on the small of his back.
~
“You sure? I mean, I know you don’t like hospitals…” Chris looked briefly at Jensen as they walked towards the Seattle Grace.
“I’m sure, Chris.” Jensen repeated for the third time since they’d left the bar.
“You don’t like hospitals?” Izzie asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Nope.” Jensen smiled at her. “‘Specially after the accident.” He added as an explanation, and he didn’t care if it was a lie, Jared and Chris knew the truth and it was enough.
Jared saw Chris look away at those words and wondered how many times Jensen had ended up in hospital because of Nathan. He knew only about the time Jensen got the scars on his back, but something was telling him it hadn’t been the last time.
“Right, I guess it wasn’t exactly funny.” Izzie looked away, suddenly realizing the gaffe she’d made.
They entered the hospital and Jensen looked around, a little smile on his lips. “It feels like ages ago when I left.”
A woman reached them in that moment, and Jensen saw Chris smile widely at her.
“Chris, I thought your shift was over.” She looked at the group and frowned, but her smile looked sincere.
“Actually…it is.” Chris admitted and Jensen had the impression he knew who that woman was. “My friend wants to say hello to a couple of doctors. He’d been here for a few days a couple of months ago, so…” He turned and looked at Jensen with a smirk. “Jensen, Jared, this is doctor Montgomery-Shepherd.”
“You’re doctor Shepherd’s wife.” Jensen said, holding out his hand with a polite smile. “Your husband saved my life.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Addison kept smiling but Jensen saw a shadow of something he couldn’t define in her eyes at the word husband, then she turned towards Jared with a curious expression.
“I’m his boyfriend.” Jared explained, shaking her hand as well.
“Nice to meet you, guys.” Addison looked behind her and then turned with a smile. “Derek’s checking on a patient.”
“I know where to find him, thanks.” Chris replied as she walked past them, and he couldn’t take the smirk off his face. As soon as she was out of sight Izzie slapped him on the head. “Hey!”
“Stop stripping her with your filthy filthy eyes.” Izzie scowled at him, shaking her head. “She’s married.”
Jensen and Jared laughed at that and they all walked towards the elevators.
~~
“Man, he’s…” Jensen didn’t finish the sentence, too stunned. “Dude, he looks just like Jeff!”
“I think Jeff has a secret brother or something. But Denny doesn’t want to admit it.” Chris replied as they stood in the corridor. Izzie was checking on Denny’s vitals and they were waiting for Meredith and George to come out of surgery.
“We should ask Jeff.” Jared proposed with a smirk. “And then start to run as hell.”
“Yeah, let me know if you do it, ‘cause I totally wanna see it.” Chris laughed, getting an amused glance from Jensen.
George walked by in that moment and he stopped, looking at Jensen.
“Hey, you okay?” The young doctor asked with a smile.
“Yeah, thanks!” Jensen nodded, genuinely happy to see the boy. He felt sorry for all the troubles he was having with Meredith. The thought almost made him laugh. He barely knew those people but he knew so much about their private life, it was ironical.
“I thought you were in surgery with McDreamy.” Chris commented, curious. The smile on George’s face faded.
“I was. He threw me out.” He shook his head and looked around. “Long story. Now I have to go. See you around guys!”
As he walked away, Meredith reached them from the other end of the corridor.
“He’ll get over it, eventually. I hope.” She said, sighing. “How are you doin’?”
“I’m fine.” Jensen smiled at her. “See, I kept my promise.”
“I’m glad you did.” Meredith turned and looked at Jared with a curious glance.
“Meredith, he’s Jared, my boyfriend.” Jensen introduced them and saw the surprised look on the resident’s face.
“Big changes, uh? Good.” Her smile was sincere and Jensen mirrored it just as Shepherd arrived from the same direction George had a couple of minutes before. “Doctor Shepherd, look who’s back.”
As soon as the doctor reached them with a wide smile they started another round of greeting and chatting, and Jensen somehow felt the remaining tension slip from his shoulders. That hospital was where his new life had started, a part of him was glad to be there and to talk to the people who had saved his life.
~~
It was almost sunset and Jensen was a few feet from the diner when he heard a voice calling him. Jared was already at the Crimson, and Jensen was going to meet him there after stopping briefly at Jeff’s.
“Detective?” Jensen asked with a frown, stopping. “You found something?”
“Not exactly. That’s why I’m here.” The man showed a little smile. “Can we talk inside?”
“Sure.” Jensen resumed walking, immediately followed by McDonald. They took two seats at the counter and Jeff eyed Chase with suspect, but didn’t say anything.
“So, detective…”
“Chase.” McDonald corrected him with a smile. “You don’t remember, do you?”
“Remember what?” Jensen asked, confused.
“We know each other, Jensen.” Chase replied, a weak smile on his lips. “We had known for a while before the accident.”
“Oh.” It was all Jensen could say, as his mind went back to the journal, trying to find any reference to the man. “I don’t remember, sorry.”
“I figured from the way you acted when I came over with August.” Chase’s expression became suddenly serious. “About that, he doesn’t know that we know each other.”
“What is he doing here?” Jeff asked with an angry tone, interrupting them.
“You know him?” Jensen asked, confused.
“It’s a long story.” Jeff replied, his eyes never leaving McDonald’s resolute ones.
“I know who might be trying to kill you.” Chase said finally moving his gaze back to Jensen.
~~
A/N: So…last time I forgot to mention that we were gonna see Chris again. Well, hope you liked the surprise. And yeah, I really couldn’t help putting the Denny Duquette reference. LOL
Not much else to say, the song I used at the beginning of the chapter is “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics.
See you for next chapter.JM