Beholder, Ch. 7, NC-17, RPS, AU, Jensen/Jared

[sandymg]

Sandy stood exactly where Jared had left her. It appeared she hadn’t moved a hair. Jared sucked in a deep breath before meeting her eyes.
“Jared,“ she began, her voice gentle and familiar and warm. “Come home. Please.”

How easy would that be? This was what everyone wanted. Misha. Even Jensen. Go to girl.

The first time he ever saw Sandy was in his Intro to English Lit class. Admittedly, the first thing he’d noticed was her rack. Thing of beauty. But then she’d smiled and nodded toward the empty seat next to him with her chin. He smiled back and invited her to sit. He’d kept his gaze on her face after that. On eyes that lit up when she saw him and a smile that never failed to touch him.

They’d become fast friends. Best friends. The kind of love that feels like forever, if you never experience anything else.

Epiphanies are funny things. They don’t always make you feel better. But they drown you in truth.

He felt content and safe and warm with her.

But he never burned.

Every cliché about playing with fire ran through his mind and he couldn’t stop the tremble. Except, it was too late. Because now he knew and he couldn’t not know ever again.

“Sandy … “ Her gorgeous eyes filled and he felt the sadness down to his bones. “I am so sorry.”

She fell into his arms and they stood crying. He heard the bell from the front and worked at getting himself together.

“Jay?” Misha called out.

“I’m in the back. Sandy’s here. Can you … give us a few minutes?”

“Of course. I’ll man the front.”

Sandy looked up at him, swiping at her eyes, smudging her makeup. “I don’t … how long have you been unhappy?”

“It’s not … I’m not unhappy. I wasn’t. It’s just that we both deserve it all. You, too, Sandy. You have so much going for you. I … I’m not enough.”

She frowned. “That’s not-“

“Yes. And you knew it, baby. You knew it years ago when you said you wanted us to date others. It hurt, when you said that. But a part of me knew even then … it’s just that you didn’t meet the right guy and we love each other. Always will. So it was easy … easier … but, Sandy … you know this isn’t it.”

She stayed silent and eyed him like she was trying to see past him to the corridor behind. “Jay? Back then. You never talked about it … but I knew. You didn’t … only date girls.”

Jared wasn’t really surprised at this question. He never knew what she knew for certain. But they had enough mutual friends that it was nearly impossible that she hadn’t heard something. “I’m bi-sexual.” It wasn’t the first time he’d spoken the words aloud. There were some friends that knew, not to mention the guys he’d fooled around with. But it had been a long time ago. And he’d never admitted this to her. Her eyes widened and her gaze returned to where Jensen had disappeared. Jared waited, heart thundering.

“Jensen?”

He met her eyes. “Not until I moved out. It’s not … “ He stopped and ran a hand over his eyes to clear them. “It’s something. I don’t know what exactly. But it is. I’m sorry.”

He went to hug her again but she pulled back. “No. I … Oh god.” Her arms wrapped around herself tightly. “Jared, do you have any idea what you’re doing?”

“Right now I just need to help him.”

She nodded, seemed to process. She paced the space. “I’m not enough? But he … “ She never finished, her voice laced with bitterness. “I stand no chance,” she continued, but she no longer looked at Jared, seemed to be talking to herself. “I could never be that needy.”

Jared didn’t reply. He let her have this. It soothed and sounded true. Inside he fought a laugh at the irony. Because Jensen didn’t need him. Never had.

It was Jared’s heart that had started beating again only after Jensen said he’d be back.

Sandy offered him the couch in the apartment. Said it was insane to continue sleeping in the shelter on the floor. It was so tempting to accept. He missed her. She was his best friend. He wanted to get her advice and sink into her warm chest and share a quiet night watching TV. But behind the hurt he saw a glimmer of hope in her eyes and he couldn’t do that to her. He really did love her. And he really did need to let her go.

Misha came to find Jared after Sandy left.

“Jay?”

Jared sat cross-legged before the cages, Sadie nudging her nose against his chin. He rubbed behind her ears, her fur warm and soft beneath his fingertips.

“Jay?” Misha asked again hesitantly.

“ ‘M okay.”

“There’s a couple who are interested in a kitten. I thought I’d bring them back to see Belle.”

Jared startled at this. He rose quickly. “What?”

Misha carefully returned Sadie into her cage with a last pet. “Jared. The Emersons are outside. They want a kitten. They saw the notice we placed.”

It was standard procedure to place a local ad to help place the newest arrivals. Jared shouldn’t be surprised that someone was here for Belle. This was good news. She needed a home.

He nodded yes and Misha disappeared to return with a young couple. The woman cooed and ahhed as Misha lifted the small gray kitten from her cage. The man smiled indulgently but within minutes he, too, was besotted and speaking in baby talk. Jared had seen this scene play out thousands of times over his years working in shelters. It always warmed his heart.

Except this time.

Ice water flowed through his veins as he went through the standard paperwork. Truth be told, Misha did most of the work. Finally, they were done and the couple paid the last of their fees and was given their starter bag of kitten chow and samples of the more expensive boutique foods that helped stock their supplies each month in exchange for the shelter’s endorsement.

Misha went to get the kitten but Jared stopped him. “I’ll do it.”

His friend looked at him but said nothing.

He held a cardboard carrier in one hand and the kitten in the other and stood before the couple. Their faces were beaming. “We named her Belle,” he informed her new owners. Jared knew he was breaking protocol. Especially with a kitten, folks liked to do their own naming without undue influence. “She’s a very lucky kitty.”

The couple stared at him curiously now.

“Someone … amazing … saved her life. He literally risked his own in doing so. It would mean the world to him to know that you were taking her, offering her a safe home. More than he’s … “ He stopped himself, the new pet owners were staring at him now like he was just this side of nuts.

Misha took over. “What Jared’s trying to say is that we are very happy our little charge has found a happy home. All the best.” He took the kitten from Jared’s hands and placed her gently in the carrier, securing her in and handing her over to Mrs. Emerson. She met Jared’s eyes and said thank you.

They walked the couple to the door. Jared stood a moment as it closed behind them and walked quickly back behind the counter, landing on the stool with a thud. His eyes went moist. “Fuck,” he let out softly.

“It’s a good home.”

Jared looked up at Misha. Nodded. “We broke up. It’s … over.”

There was a beat while Misha caught up. “I … I’m sorry, Jay.”

“I know. I … it has to be this way. No use lying. Pretending. It’s just that we’ve been together for years, you know? I’ve never really been alone.” He swiped at his hair. “Guess I need to find a place to live. Can’t stay here.” He rubbed his lower back.

“My offer still stands.”

“Thanks, Misha. I’ll come over tonight.”

He sensed Misha’s hesitation before the man spoke again. “What about Jensen? You can’t leave him here alone. You shouldn’t have let him sleep here in the first place.”

“Jensen won’t be back tonight. I’ll see him tomorrow, hopefully. I’m taking him to meet Jeff.”

“Officer Jeff?”

“Yeah. He’s going to fingerprint him. See if we can find any matching records or something.”

Misha nodded. The bell rang and they dealt with more business forgoing any further conversation for a while. When Alison came in Jared asked her to get the allegedly poisoned food container tested in the University lab. She asked about Jensen but Jared simply said he wouldn’t be around today.

The walk to Misha’s that evening was quiet. Jared had his duffel and sleeping bag. He figured he could use it if the couch proved too uncomfortable. He couldn’t impose on Misha and Victoria too long. He’d circled some potential apartments in the paper and found some possibilities online as well. Hopefully he’d have a place to live soon. And then Jensen wouldn’t have to sleep in the street any more, the needy part of his brain said. Except Jensen wasn’t Sadie. Wasn’t a pet. He lived and slept where he damn pleased.



Seven o’clock came and went the next day. Jensen never appeared. Misha paced a bit looking worriedly at Jared. At seven-thirty he said, “Tori’s gonna be waiting on us for dinner.”

“You go. I need to wait here.”

“Jay, you said yourself how hard a sell it would be to get Jensen to agree to trust the police. You don’t really think that he-“

“Yes. I do. He said he’d be back.” He stared at his friend. “He will be.” Jared ignored the nerves sizzling through his body fearing otherwise.

Again Jared sensed Misha carefully measuring his words. “These … feelings you have for him … Jay, you just made some difficult realizations about your relationship with Sandy. You’re feeling hurt and confused. You’re not in a position to start-“

“I know that! You think I don’t? I know I shouldn’ta … “

“Jared?”

Jared jumped. Jensen. He must have entered through the back. Jared had purposely left it unlocked all day. It all disappeared. The worry doused by a blanket of relief like sand on a flame. Every promise he’d made to himself about boundaries and propriety and distance, vanished as if they were never made.

He took Jensen in a tight hug, drawing him flush and burying his head in the soft fabric surrounding his neck. “You came back,” he murmured. Jensen stiffened a moment before melting into Jared’s touch. The smaller man wrapped his arms around Jared’s upper back and hugged back.

Jensen pulled back first, his hood dislodging as Jared slipped his hand beneath it to touch Jensen’s cheek. A sharp intake of breath from Misha’s direction made Jensen leap backward and turn abruptly, a small snarl escaping.

“No,” Misha said voice slightly breathless. “It’s not … Jared said you were … “ He turned and met Jared’s gaze. “You weren’t exaggerating. He’s like a model or something.”

Jared laughed. “You hear that Jensen. See? Not just me that thinks this. You are gorgeous. Even the straight guy thinks it.”

He was met with another little snarl which made Jared laugh again. He moved to stand before Jensen again, whose back was still toward Misha. The relief and the simple joy of having Jensen here again made him not care who saw what. He pulled the damn hood down again and leaned in to reach Jensen’s warm lips. It was soft and close mouthed but god it felt good.

Misha coughed. “I’m gonna go. Jay, you’ll be okay?”

Jared looked down at the most beautiful green eyes he’d ever seen. “Yeah.” He put his arm around Jensen’s shoulders and whispered into the shell of his ear. “Trust me.” Slowly he turned them both around. Jensen shuddered and buried his face partly into Jared’s shoulder but he went along with it.

Jared’s smile was so deep it felt like it would break his face.

Misha smiled at them tentatively. Jared leaned in to whisper again. “See? No one is screaming.”

Jensen lifted up slightly, eyes still never meeting the other man’s. He looked up at Jared and held his gaze tight. His voice was almost whisper soft. “Not scared of monster?”

He was about to reply but Misha beat him to it, coming closer. “Jensen. You’re not a monster. You’re a very handsome man.”

Jensen looked confused, brows furrowing. “Thought. Only Jared. Because Jared so good.” He met Misha’s eyes for the first time. Jared caught Misha’s eyes widen as that green intensity met his. “Misha good, too,” Jensen concluded, lips curving up in a slight smile.

Jared sighed. It’s not like he could deny that Misha was indeed a good guy. But the underlying problem remained.

Misha smiled back and put out his hand. “We were never really properly introduced. Misha Collins,” he said before extending his hand.

Jensen looked up at Jared a moment before taking a step away and putting out his own hand. Jared watched on inordinately grateful to his very kind friend. “Jensen.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Misha looked up at Jared, met his smile. “I’ll see you later.”

Jared nodded, feeling suddenly odd at having somewhere to sleep when …

“Jay … Jensen, you are welcome to stay at my home tonight as well if you wish.”

Jared’s breath caught but Jensen answered first. “You very good. Jensen cannot.” He drew himself taller and met Misha’s stare boldly now. “I be fine. Take care self. Thank you.” He turned back to Jared and now his eyes glimmered with sadness. “Jared no go home?”

The word ‘home’ uttered in Jensen’s sweet baritone was just too much. Jared sucked in air and forced himself to say goodbye to Misha.

“Thanks, man, for everything. I … later, okay?”

“Sure. Bye, Jay. Jensen.”

The second the door closed behind his friend Jared leaned back into Jensen. Instinctively Jensen brought his arms back around him and squeezed tight. “Hate Jared sad,” he said rubbing Jared’s back gently.

Again, Jared thought on a half snort. Who was helping who?

“Yeah, me, too, buddy. But, hey, you’re here now so … “ He stopped because he couldn’t possibly end that sentence.

They pulled apart slowly. “Go police?” Jensen asked hesitantly.

Jared pulled himself together. Right. They were here to help Jensen. “Officer Morgan. Jeff. I met with him. He said he’d help us. But he needs to fingerprint you. Then he can run the prints through the computer and see if we can figure out who you are. He also needs a photograph. Will you let me photograph you? I brought my camera.”

Jensen growled low. “No! No one can see. Beast.”

“You’re not a beast. Misha just saw you. He told you how beautiful you are.”

“Jensen see. Others scream. Jensen know. Witch curse. Beast. Ugly inside. Ugly outside.” He paused, and ran a hand over the back of his neck. “You want find me? Why? Find bad. Find ugly.”

“You’re not bad. And you sure as hell aren’t ugly. Dammit, I’m tired of this argument.” He stopped to slow his heart and tamp his frustration. “You’re wrong. I don’t need to find you. I already did. But your past belongs to you. You deserve to know. Even if … even if it is bad.”

Jensen’s eyes shuttered and Jared swore under his breath. He’d meant bad circumstances … he never really thought …

“You aren’t bad. I know this. I couldn’t … I wouldn’t’ve … “

Jensen continued avoiding Jared’s eyes. He looked toward the back. “Visit Belle?” he asked softly.

Jared’s heart sank. Damn. He’d forgotten to tell Jensen. The thought of disappointing him, of not letting him have this small thing, just skewered him. “Jen … Belle was adopted yesterday. This really nice couple they took her home. She … she has a home now.”

Jensen’s eyes clouded a moment but then his face broke into a bittersweet smile. “Good. So good. Kitten be loved.”

Epiphanies really are funny things. Because Jared had thought he understood love. Thought he was a loving person. But he knew nothing.



They had some time before having to meet Jeff at the precinct.

“Jen, you wanna wash up? Take a shower? I can throw your clothes in the laundry. Also, I … bought you some new clothes. Nothing fancy … just a pair of jeans, a new tee-shirt and a button down.”

As expected Jensen immediately complained. “No Jared. You do too much.”

“It’s okay. You worked here and we didn’t pay you … this was nothing. I bought it at the discount store, it’s nothing fancy, really. I took a guess on the jeans size but I think they’ll be okay.”

Jensen stared at him silently a few moments but finally just nodded and disappeared into the little bathroom. His clothes were left outside the door.

Jared ran the laundry and tried not to worry about how it would go at the police station. The possibility for disaster was high.

Jensen reemerged dressed in the new clothes.

Jared’s breath caught. Holy crap. Jensen wore the new faded blue jeans and light gray tee-shirt he’d bought him. Over that he had on the light blue cotton button down shirt. How someone could make those crappy nameless jeans look like they came out of a designer store was beyond Jared. He’d guessed well on size and they sat low on Jensen’s slim hips, hugging the curves of his ass in all the right ways. His legs looked long and slightly bowed, and Jared wished he’d been able to buy Jensen some boots. The cheap sneakers didn’t do justice.

He’d shaved again and his face was smooth and slightly pink from the hot water. His eyes were huge beneath his wet tousled hair. Jared reached into his own duffel and pulled out a hair gel product that never really managed to tame his own long locks. He put a small dab in his palm.

“Here,” he said, rubbing a little into Jensen’s hair. “This’ll keep it looking this way.” Jensen looked up at him quizzically. Jared laughed. “You really have no idea, do you? How smoking hot you are? Even in crappy cheap clothes. Hell, there’s nothing you wouldn’t look good in.”

Jensen studied him with a slight frown. He looked down and touched his jeans. Then he pointed at Jared. “Look like Jared.”

Jared smiled and looked Jensen over head to toe openly leering. “Babe, in a million years I couldn’t look as hot as you.”

Jensen reached out and placed his hand on Jared’s chest. “More. Jared more beautiful. Most beautiful.” Jensen dropped his hand and lowered his gaze quickly, face flushing adorably.

The hundreds of reasons why this was a really bad idea vanished under that soft blush. Jared approached and intended only to give Jensen a soft kiss. Except Jensen opened his mouth and their tongues collided and Jared felt the charge to his toes and let the flames consume him willingly. All shyness seemed to vanish as he manhandled Jared up against the wall and ground hard against his thigh as his lips and tongue explored at a ravenous pace.

O--kay. New kink discovered. Sandy had been so tiny Jared always had to hold back. Could never really be the aggressor and even when she took the initiative she couldn’t ever overpower him. The man surging into him right now might have been a few inches shorter but he was sheer muscle and his power oozed with absolute control. And, man, that was hot. He pushed his cock against Jensen, lifting the other man up until they were able to press against each other. The friction felt so good he shuddered.

Jensen pulled away first leaving Jared panting and reaching forward to keep their connection.

“Jared. Mess up pants. Must stop.”

Jared forced his breathing under control. Tried to let logic back in. Jensen’s words slowly penetrated his lust fog. Christ, what were they doing? They had to go meet Jeff. And Jensen was right … a little more and he would come in his pants like a teenager. “Oh god. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t … you don’t want … “

Jensen reached up and held his face. “I do,” he said clearly. “Want you. So much.” He stepped away again. Looked down to compose himself. Jared saw the struggle in Jensen’s strained expression. “Words mix up. Can’t say right. Jumble. But, inside my head … clear. Right. Do you understand?”

Jared nodded although he wasn’t really sure he did. Jensen continued, “Know what Jensen … I … want. But Jared have girl. I not a girl.”

Jared chuckled. “Oh, I am very aware you aren’t a girl. I, um, like both.” He paused, looked at his friend. “How about you? Do you remember being with anyone … intimately? Man, woman?”

“After kiss Jared … I know. Not remember. Just know. Think maybe like you.” He pursed his lips in frustration. “I mean. I am like you. Looked magazines. To test. Now clean, not tell me leave store. Magazines with girls. Magazines with boys.” His skin flushed pink. “Like both.”

Jared smiled at this revelation. Jensen had tested his sexual preference by looking at skin mags. Well, it was certainly one way to figure things out. He was surprised when Jensen kept going.

“Jared. The pictures. Pretty men. Pretty women. Nice. But not like … not same … with you … different. Want so much. Scary.”

“Yeah. I know. Scares me, too.” He took Jensen in a hug. “But we’ll figure it out, okay? And take it slow. You’re just figuring out so many things. We are way more alike than you realize.”

“Want to know who Jared is?” Jensen asked.

Jared pulled away to look into Jensen’s eyes. It was so easy to confuse his odd speech with a lack of intelligence. But those knowing eyes gave it all away. He blinked first and had to look away. It was too much, sometimes, how much this man made him feel.

He glanced at his watch and swallowed. “I have to take a few pictures and then we should go.”

Jensen allowed Jared to take some straight on head shots and one full body.

Jensen zipped up his hoodie just before they left the building. The hood was down as they stepped outside. Jared said nothing as Jensen allowed the fresh air to touch his face a moment, head tilted up. But then the hood was raised and that beautiful face was once again hidden from the world.



Jared had called Jeff’s cell phone and the police officer came to open the side entrance for them. He shook hands with Jared and hesitated a moment before speaking to Jensen.

“Jensen,” Jeff said in his calm deep voice. “I’m Officer Morgan. You can call me Jeff.”

Jared felt a surge of affection for the officer and was pleased that his own people assessment skills were clearly still in place. This guy was the real deal. Jensen tilted his hooded head toward Jared. Jared squeezed Jensen’s shoulder and said, “It’s okay.”

He watched as Jensen put his hand out and said, “Jensen.” Jeff took Jensen’s hand and gave it a brief shake. If Jeff was surprised he didn’t show it.

“Okay. C’mon in.”

They followed Jeff, Jared keeping his hand on Jensen’s shoulder for reassurance.

They stopped at a tall counter in the interior of the building. Jared watched as Jeff spread out the supplies he’d need. Fingerprint cards, ink pad, a bottle of cleanser. He turned back to Jared and Jensen and said, “Let’s talk a bit first, okay.” Then Jeff pointed to an empty desk and some chairs. He sat behind the desk and motioned for him and Jensen to take the opposite seats. Jared could feel Jensen’s tension. He took the other man’s hand and squeezed. Jensen looked toward him. The fluorescent overhead kept Jensen’s face in shadow but Jared knew he’d smiled.

“Jensen,” Jeff began. “Jared tells me he believes you are suffering from memory loss. So tell me what it is you do remember.”

Jensen tightened his grip on Jared’s hand. “It’s okay, Jen. I already told Jeff some. Just tell him what you know. What you remember. It’ll be okay.”

Jensen leaned into Jared and spoke low. “Police think crazy. Lock up. Again.”

Jared started at this. He hadn’t been aware that Jensen had been locked up ever. He looked up at Jeff and prayed that his instincts were spot on. He was risking Jensen’s life. He was risking everything. His eyes held the officer’s stare a moment. “Jeff is doing this as a … friend. Not as a cop. What you say here will be private.” He looked pointedly at Jeff.

Jeff‘s eyes widened as they passed from Jared’s open gaze to Jensen’s hidden one. “Jared is right, Jensen. What we do here today is not official. I only want to take some notes on what you remember. Then we’ll take your fingerprints and I’ll run them through the database - see if we get a match. That reminds me … Jared, did you bring the photo?”

Jared reached into his back pocket. “Yeah. Here’s the memory chip from my camera. Can you take them off of this?”

Jeff nodded, reaching down. “I have my laptop.” He looked at Jensen. “This is my personal computer, not the precinct’s.” He inserted the small chip into a reader on the side. Jared waited, hiding a smile, as the other man used the touch pad gingerly. Jeff’s eyes widened to an open gape. He looked abruptly at Jensen and Jared’s smile deepened. “That’s you?”

Jensen sank deeper into his seat trying to make himself as small as possible. He let out something between a groan and a whimper, scared and tiny. Jared immediately put his arm around him and drew him close. “It’s okay. He’s not frightened of you. He thinks you’re beautiful.”

Jared blushed after the words came out and Jeff met his eyes appraisingly. But the other man recovered quickly. “Jensen. You really don’t have any reason to hide. You’re a very respectable looking young man.” Jeff spoke to Jared. “You did a good job cleaning him up. Assuming as you say that he was living a more, well, normal, life years ago … then this will help someone recognize him.”

“Jen. See. No screaming. I told you. I’ve told you so many times. How about we pull down that hood, eh?”

The words had just left Jared’s lips when two uniformed officers walked through the open doorway. They stopped mid-speech to look oddly at Jeff. Jensen jumped out of his seat and scurried backward, knees bending defensively and crouching low. He let out a growl and buried his head as inward as possible.

Jared sprang into action and stood in front of Jensen protectively. He knelt down and held the sides of Jensen’s head through the hoodie. “It’s okay. I promise. I would never let anyone hurt you. Ever. You trust me, right?”

Jeff was speaking in a hushed tone to the two cops that came in. Jared heard it peripherally, all his focus on the shaking man before him. “Jen … please.”

Jensen stood slowly, straightening his legs. He reached out for Jared’s hand again and Jared held on gratefully. “Stay covered,” Jensen said decisively.

Jared nodded. “Yeah, buddy. Okay. It’s up to you. It’s always up to you.”

The two officers looked at all of them one last time before picking up some paperwork off of one of the desks and disappearing back the way they came.

“Sorry about that,” Jeff said. “I, um, explained. Let’s get on with this, okay? Jensen, you feel up to this?”

Jensen nodded. Jeff looked back to the computer screen a moment his head shaking slightly. “Okay. Let’s start again … what do you remember? What’s your oldest memory?”

Jensen leaned forward as he spoke. “Old woman … black eyes. Witch. Scare me. She angry.”

“What did the witch say? What did she do, Jensen?” Jared asked.

“She said work in garden. Say Jensen bad. Evil. She tell me Jensen think he is a prince. But not. Tell me Jensen a broken, worthless, thing. Deserve nothing. She throw dirt in my eyes. I remember, sting. It hurt.

“She told me I hurt princess. I ask who and she get more mad. She say princess think love me but Jensen empty. No love. Evil. Pretty outside. Ugly inside. Then … she curse me.” Jensen’s eyes turned inward as he recited the witch’s words. His tone changed. The words flowed as if they’d been recorded in his brain. “You are a monster. A beast. You have no soul. Every look in the mirror will make you scream. The monster within will be the monster without. Children will run and scream. Adults will weep.”

Jared was beyond himself by now. This story was so much worse than he’d even imagined. Jensen must have sensed Jared’s distress because he squeezed his hand reassuringly before continuing.

Jensen let go of Jared’s hand and looked down. Jeff said gently. “Then what Jensen? Do you remember any more?”

Jensen’s voice was small and raspy. “Pain.”

Jared turned. “Pain? Were you hurt?”

Jensen looked toward him. “Remember pain. All over. Especially head. So much. Burning like squeeze too tight. Make explode. Try to think but confused. Blurry. Have words but come out all mixed. Remember … shaking … then … nothing. Later, I wake up. Again.””

Jeff looked at Jared. “If … and this is a huge if … he had sustained a head injury like you thought, he might have seized.”

“Anything else, Jen?”

Jensen met Jared’s eyes. “I was scared. Want to know how to break curse. Must be way to break curse. I ask what I need do. Hear witch laugh. Angry. Say no. Say forever Beast.” Jensen looked toward Jared. “I … try be good. Try not scare anyone.”

Jared heard the hitch in Jensen’s voice and immediately took his hand and walked him a few steps back. He took Jensen in a hug, shielding him from Jeff’s view with his body. “It’s okay. You are good. I know this absolutely. She was wrong.”

“Curse forever,” Jensen uttered near his ear.

“No. It won’t be forever. I promise.”

Jensen took a calming breath very aware of where they were. He let himself be led back.

“When was all this?” Jeff asked.

Jared replied. “I think about ten years ago. Jensen held up both hands when I asked before.”

They both turned toward the hooded man. Jensen nodded and held up all his fingers again. “Think. This many years. Hard to know.”

“Christ. You can’t be much over thirty. You were young when … maybe still a teenager.” Jared stared at Jeff. “He wasn’t evil. I know this.”

Jeff chuckled. “Evil is a rather dramatic word. Who knows? Maybe he just pissed off someone.”

Jared’s voice raised, “And they cursed him?!”

Jeff stared at him. “No. I mean, clearly not in reality. “ He pointed to his laptop monitor. “But whatever they said he believed it. Assuming … Jared, we don’t know if any of this is real. I’m sorry, but it could all be a delusion.”

“Since we met, everything Jensen’s said and done and talked about has been based in truth. In reality. He doesn’t imagine anything that’s not there. This woman he met in his past. She’s real. She was there. And she told someone who was still practically a kid, all of this garbage. I don’t know why he … “ Jared turned to Jensen. “ … you believed it. But it’s not true. You aren’t ugly inside or out. You never were.”

“But curse … “

Jared took his hand. “We’re going to find out what happened. And we’re going to break the curse.” He leaned in and touched his forehead against Jensen’s, peripherally aware of Jeff’s ever-growing frown. “I will break it.”

Jeff cleared his throat and said, “Let’s get the fingerprinting over with.”

Jeff walked Jensen to the counter and took his hand. Jared stood close. Jeff carefully manipulated Jensen’s hand onto the ink pad and then slowly rolled each finger over the card stock. “Relax,” he said softly at Jensen’s stiffness. “You’re doing fine.”

They were done quickly. “How soon till we learn anything?” Jared asked.

“Well, local database, I’ll know right away. National will take longer. I’ll call you within a week.”

As Jensen wiped the ink off his stained fingers, Jeff asked Jensen to excuse them a moment and pulled Jared over for a private word.

“Kid … do you know what you’re doing?”

Why did everyone ask him this? “Yes. I want to help him.”

“I know you think that there’s something to this witch business. But more likely we’ll find out Jensen’s schizophrenic and suffering from delusional paranoia. The timing fits. Manifests in one’s late teens or early twenties. I just don’t want you to find yourself wanting something that just … can’t be.”

Too late, Jared thought quickly.

“I’ll be fine. Let’s just get Jensen his life back.”

Jensen approached then and anything further Jeff might have been about to say died in his throat. He walked them both to the outside door promising to call Jared as soon as he uncovered anything.

“But Jared,” Jeff warned. “Don’t expect much. Even if everything you believe is true … not everyone’s prints are in the system. If Jensen didn’t have a reason to be fingerprinted before … then there won’t be a match.”

“I know. And I appreciate your help, Jeff. You’ve … you’re a good guy. Thanks.”

“Take care of yourself,” Jeff said looking toward Jensen but Jared had the feeling the words were directed to both of them.

Jared walked away hopeful. But a part of him was still mired in Jeff’s concerns about Jensen’s mental health. And Jensen had mentioned something about being locked up. Jared needed to speak with Jensen, but it was not a conversation he could have with Jensen hidden. He needed to see his eyes, see his face. And if Jared was painfully honest with himself, he needed Jensen to see him.

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