Within in my reach, chapter three.
Fic Title: Within My Reach
Summary: For Jeff life as an Evolutionary Enhanced isn't easy. For a start there's the prejudice he faces daily, along with a constant struggle to find clothes that will fit over his tentacles. But these difficulties pale into insignificance when Jeff is faced with trying to woo the man of his dreams.
Disclamer: Here be fiction, folks. This isn’t real nor is it meant to reflect the relationship between the two men, whose names and faces I’m borrowing. This is my very own little take on reality or as I like to think of it now, the wrong trouser leg of time, where our universe and this one split apart, and this universe is bathed in a rosy pink hue.
Author’s Notes: First and foremost, my thanks go to my amazing beta
bigj52. There should be statues erected and sonnets written to this amazing woman. I can never fully express my gratitude at her endless patience in dealing with my scribbles. Once again I've been scrbbling for
spn_reversebang, and I want to thank my artist
beelikej for all her support and her amazing art.
As they drove towards the hospital, Jeff stared out of the window and tried to put Mr and Mrs Tyler out of his mind. Their hate-filled words were fairly easy to dismiss, it was nothing he hadn’t heard many times before. But it was the look of disgust and fear in the Tylers’ eyes that was harder for him to shake. They’d reacted as if their daughter could catch being Evolutionary Enhanced, just by being touched by him.
The whole ordeal had left Jeff exhausted; he hurt all over and there was a headache building behind his eyes. Jeff closed his eyes and Larry and Curly were at his temple massaging gently, trying to soothe the pain. Jeff smiled bitterly, because no matter how helpful his four extra appendages were to him and the department, they would always mark him out as being different… a freak, a member of the Changed. God, how he missed the days of just being Lieutenant Jeffrey Dean Morgan of the Dallas Fire Department. Now he and other Changed were poster boys for the department’s inclusive hiring policy. But Jeff was well aware the first sign of trouble would see him off the front line, and manning a desk somewhere in the back of beyond. The department was great at looking like it was even handed. But if the shit did hit the fan, Jeff would be tossed to the wolves in an instant.
As he sat brooding, Jeff was unaware he was being watched by the rest of the crew. They looked at one another guiltily. Finally Jared cleared his throat. Jeff opened his eyes. “Something on your mind, Jay?”
Jared licked his lips. “Do you really think Mrs Tyler will report what happened to the department?” He leant forward. “Jeff, we never meant to get you into trouble. But the way she talked to you, me and the guys couldn’t help ourselves.” The crew nodded in agreement.
Jeff looked at his crew and smiled. “Jared, as much as I appreciated what all of you did back there, it would’ve been better if you’d managed to hold onto your tempers.” Jeff looked at the guilty expressions on the crew, and he tried to soften the blow. “There are always going to be Tylers out there, and all the shouting in the world won’t change them. Why do you think the chief gave them that particular name, Jay?”
Jared shrugged. “I don’t know. Is it because Samantha Ferris deals with those kind of complaints?”
“Yes, she does, and you should meet her husband, Ray. Great guy, and his wing span is absolutely amazing.” Jeff watched a smile slowly spread over Jared’s face. “Sam’s very protective of Ray, and doesn’t like to hear ill of the Changed.”
Jeff had known the moment Jim had handed that card over, the complaint would go no further. Sam Ferris was one of the most dogged champions of those affected by The Change. She’d met her husband at a rally for equality for the Evolutionary Enhanced. Sam was representing the Fire department, and Ray was a key note speaker.
Sam said her and Ray’s relationship was a meeting of minds, but Jim swore their friend had a secret wing kink. Whatever it was, they were blissfully happy together. Jeff couldn’t help a pang of jealousy when he saw Sam and Ray together, they’d been lucky to find one another. There were other Changed out there, who hadn’t been as fortunate with relationships.
The truck slowed and Jeff looked round in surprise. He’d been so busy being maudlin, he hadn’t realized they’d arrived at the hospital.
“This is your captain speaking. Please remain seated until the vehicle comes to a complete halt. Then if you’d disembark from the designated exits, and proceed to the ER, where our wounded hero will be treated and I’ll be sweeping some lucky lady off her feet.” Chad said suavely in his best airline pilot voice.
Rob opened the door. “Chad, you’ve got more chance of a nurse using you as a pin cushion, than sweeping one of them off their feet. Just remember those ladies have syringes, and they’re not afraid to use them.” Rob rubbed at his backside absently and grimaced.
“Rob, I warned you not to ask that nurse if she had a prettier sister you could ask out,” Richard said as he pushed his friend out of the door.
As Jeff went to step down, Jared was there waiting to help him. “I’m not an invalid, Jay,” he said gruffly, trying not to wince as he jarred his injured leg.
Jared rolled his eyes. “Of course you’re not, Jeff. I’m just doing my good deed for the day and helping out the elderly.” Jared ducked out of the way, as Curly took a swipe at his head.
Jensen walked over to the nurses’ station in the ER and handed a patient’s notes to the receptionist. Jensen walked over to join Genevieve and Danneel. Genevieve was twirling a strand of dark brown hair around her finger. “Damn, I’m bored,” she grumbled.
Danneel wagged a finger at her. “When we’re besieged by buses filled with seriously injured patients, I’ll remember you said that.”
Jensen smiled at the auburn-haired nurse. “That’s why I love you so much, Danni. You’re a regular ray of sunshine.”
“All I’m sayin’ is, be careful what you wish for, Jenny,” she said with a shrug, and grinned as Jensen frowned at the hated nickname.
Genevieve was no longer paying attention to her friends, because she’d seen the familiar shape of a fire truck pulling up outside the ER. She smiled and smoothed her hair down. “Looks like our day’s about to get a little more exciting.” She slipped her hand into the pocket of her scrubs, pulled out a lipstick and expertly retouched her lips.
The doors flung open and the crew came in. Danneel looked away from Jensen, and winked at Genevieve. Danneel turned to the firefighters with a serious expression on her face. “We didn’t get a call about an emergency coming in.”
Jensen watched in admiration as Danni took command of the situation, marshalling her troops in the face of a medical emergency. But Jensen knew Danni was also taking the opportunity to check out who the hottest firefighter was. Jensen always admired Danni’s ability to multi-task.
A blond firefighter stepped away from the others, and swaggered towards Danni with a smile on his face. Jensen didn’t know whether to be impressed by the display of bravado, or if he should have a gurney on standby.
Chad stood in front of Danni, a seductive smile on his face. “The way my heart is racing at the sight of you, then I’ve got me an emergency.” Chad waggled his eyebrows, and grabbed the hem of his sweatshirt. “Care to take a listen to it? Maybe soothe my fevered brow?” he asked hopefully.
Danni stepped back with her lip curled. “You actually get anywhere with that line?” Danni paused, and looked closely at the man in front of her. She clicked her fingers. “Holy crap! You’re Chad Michael Murray. The girls in Obstetrics and Gynaecology warned us about you.” She looked over at Genevieve for confirmation.
“Oh, that’s Murray alright.” Genevieve agreed.
Jensen glanced over at the firefighter, who seemed undaunted by the dismissal and took a step forward. “What? Does my prowess as a lover go before me?” He preened a little as he winked at Danni.
“No, they said you were a douchebag, and not to touch you with a ten-foot barge pole,” Danni shot back.
Jensen watched as Chad reeled back, his hands pressed to his chest. “Ow, you wound me, ladies. I’m just misunderstood. Let me take you to dinner and I’ll show you just what a good guy I am.”
Danni rolled her eyes and Jensen got ready to intervene, just in case she threatened to give Chad a full examination. Last time that happened, the guy was still using an ice pack a day later, but he really shouldn’t have grabbed Danni’s ass like that.
Jensen heard laughter and looked for the source of it. Two more firefighters had entered the ER, both tall and well built. The taller of the two had chocolate coloured hair that curled round his face, framing it perfectly to show off his dimples. Out of the corner of his eye, Jensen spotted Genevieve moving towards him with a purposeful glint in her eye.
“Hate to say it, Chad, but I think you’ve met your match.” Jensen’s attention was drawn to the speaker. His sexy baritone sent a shiver down Jensen’s spine, and he was pleased to see the rest of him more than lived up to the voice. His short black hair was shot through with flecks of silver, and his broad smile made his eyes crinkle. Jensen wanted to get close enough to find out what colour his eyes were.
“Oh, you poor man. We must get you seen by a doctor. Here, let me get you a wheelchair,” Genevieve said, patting Jeff’s arm gently as she glanced coyly up at Jared.
Jared smiled down at the petite brunette. “Let me help you find a chair.” He turned to Jeff. “Will you be alright while I help, Nurse...?”
Genevieve smiled brightly. “I’m Nurse Cortese, but please call me Genevieve.”
“Go on, Jay. I’m not about to collapse.” Jeff tried to hide his amusement, as Jared followed the tiny nurse. He heard his friend tell her that Genevieve was a beautiful name. Jeff suspected her name wasn’t the only thing Jared found beautiful about her.
Jared soon came back pushing a wheelchair, and Jeff shot it a disgusted look. “Don’t look at it like that, man. It’s hospital rules. Now sit your ass down.” Jared grinned as he patted the wheelchair.
Jeff grumbled as he limped over, and suddenly Rob and Richard were beside him, helping him along. “Come on there, old timer. We don’t want you having a fall and breaking your hip, do we?”
Jeff growled softly as he sat down, then looked up at his grinning co-workers. “That’s it. Laugh it up, boys. But just remember if I’m not out of here soon…. Jared’s cooking.”
Rob and Richard looked at one another in horror, then they pushed Jared out of the way. The two men spun the wheelchair round and pushed Jeff towards the curtained off cubicles at speed. “It’s ok. We know where we’re going. Now when’s that doctor getting here? If Jared’s cooking lives will be at stake.” Richard said, as Rob deposited Jeff in an empty cubicle and helped him out of the chair.
Jensen walked over to Danni, who grinned good naturedly at him, nudging him with her elbow. “Get in there, Jenny, and start wooing your dashing firefighter. There’s something so sexy about a man in that uniform.” She purred, and deliberately ignored Chad, as he puffed out his chest and straightened his jacket.
Jensen blushed and rubbed at the back of his neck. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Jensen turned and started to organize a pile of files.
Danni took the files off him. “Jensen, I’m not blind. I saw the way your tongue was hanging out, when you spotted tall dark and injured.” She winked at him. “All that silver in papa bear’s stubble? I know you’re a sucker for the older man, with a twinkle in his eye.” She grabbed Jensen’s arm, turned him around, and sent him towards the cubicles with a gentle push. “Don’t forget to help him with his gown, so the doctor can get a good look at those muscular legs of his.”
Danni smiled as Jensen stumbled slightly, then recovered and continued to the cubicles. She knew her friend had got it bad, when he hadn’t even noticed the object of his desire had a little something ‘extra’ about him. Danni reached over and picked up the phone. She had a call to make, as it was protocol whenever they had an Evolutionary Enhanced in the Emergency Room.
Jensen was nearing the curtained off cubicle when he heard a scuffle going on. “Benedict, if you don’t get your hands off me right now, you’ll be in the bed next to me.” There was a sound of flesh hitting flesh and a muffled, “Hey, that hurt!”
Jensen grabbed a gown and stood next to the curtain. He cleared his throat loudly and the sounds stopped. “Can I come in?” he asked and waited for an answer.
The curtain opened slightly and Rob popped his head out. “Sure. I was just trying to get Jeff comfortable.”
“Comfortable? You were trying to rip my pants off.” Jeff said.
Rob went bright red, and looked back over his shoulder. “No, I wasn’t! I just thought it might make things quicker if you were undressed.”
There was a rumble of soft laughter from behind the curtain. “Look, if I promise to make my special chilli, do you promise to stop trying to get me naked. As fond of you as I am Rob, you’re really not my type.”
At the promise of Jeff’s special chilli, Rob’s face lit up with a huge smile. He stepped back and ushered Jensen into the cubicle. Jensen walked passed the beaming firefighter, who looked at his patient with an arched eyebrow. Jeff gave a self-deprecating shrug. “What can I say? The guys really like my chilli.”
Jensen nodded. “I can see that. Now do you want any help, Mr...?”
Jeff waved his hand. “It’s Jeff, and I’m pretty sure you won’t need that gown.”
Jensen stood by the bed and the eyebrow arched a little higher. “Really? Why don’t you let the doctor be the judge of that? Just what did you do to end up in this state?” Jensen nodded at Jeff’s leg.
Jeff looked down and winced at his torn pants with blood staining the material. He lifted his hand and scratched at his stubble. “I might’ve gone through a floor in a burning building.” Jensen's eyes widened in shock, and Jeff added quickly, “It was nothing serious.”
Jensen nodded slowly, as he helped Jeff off with his coat. “So going through the floor in a burning building isn’t serious?” Jensen asked as he looked right into Jeff’s warm brown eyes. God, he was so screwed, he loved guys with brown eyes. For a moment the two of them stared at each other, unaware they were being watched.
Rob looked from one man to the other, and slowly reached inside his fire retardant coat. He took out his phone and quickly took a picture, smiling as he placed the phone back inside his jacket. Rob coughed and the two men looked up, startled. “I’ll just be outside with the others, and as a matter of interest, Jeff really has a thing for freckles,” he said as he backed outside.
Jeff groaned softly and put his head in his hands. When he got out of here he was going to let Larry and Moe strangle Rob slowly. Jeff lifted his head and looked up at the stupidly hot nurse stood beside him. Not only did he have freckles and a rather fetching blush heating his face, he also had amazingly green eyes and long eyelashes. And Jeff really wished he’d stop licking his lips, because those lips should be illegal or at least come with a health warning. On the other hand, if he had a heart attack there was every chance the hot nurse would give him mouth to mouth.
Jeff managed a smile. “Please excuse my friend. Subtlety is not one of his strong points.”
Jensen returned the smile. “Trust me. He’s got nothing on my friends, Gen and Danni. If Danni’s in one mood she’ll go over to guys and give them my phone number.”
Jeff burst out laughing. “Suddenly Rob looks like the soul of discretion. At least my crew hasn’t done that to me yet. Just don’t tell Jared, otherwise he’ll probably have T-shirts with my number printed on them.” Jeff was entranced as the hot nurse threw his head back and laughed. Damn, he really wanted to pull him closer and taste those freckles.
Jensen stopped laughing and looked at Jeff. The man was gorgeous and he was tired of being on his own. He went to speak but Jeff got there first. “You know my name, but I didn’t catch yours.”
“It’s Jensen, and I’m really pleased to….” Jensen stopped speaking and looked down in shock. Something heavy was wrapped around his waist, and something was gently squeezing his ass. Jensen looked up at Jeff again, and for the first time he noticed the tentacles. He’d been so busy drooling over the firefighter when he’d come in, he’d never even noticed the man was Evolutionary Enhanced. Jeff looked mortified by his tentacle’s behaviour, and started to stammer an apology.
Jeff’s apology was interrupted when the curtains swished open and the doctor came in. He took in the scene before him and smiled. “Ahh, Jeff, how’s my favourite patient?” He spotted the tentacle wrapped around Jensen. "And Nurse Ackles, I see you've met Chad."
Chapter 4
Summary: For Jeff life as an Evolutionary Enhanced isn't easy. For a start there's the prejudice he faces daily, along with a constant struggle to find clothes that will fit over his tentacles. But these difficulties pale into insignificance when Jeff is faced with trying to woo the man of his dreams.
Disclamer: Here be fiction, folks. This isn’t real nor is it meant to reflect the relationship between the two men, whose names and faces I’m borrowing. This is my very own little take on reality or as I like to think of it now, the wrong trouser leg of time, where our universe and this one split apart, and this universe is bathed in a rosy pink hue.
Author’s Notes: First and foremost, my thanks go to my amazing beta
bigj52. There should be statues erected and sonnets written to this amazing woman. I can never fully express my gratitude at her endless patience in dealing with my scribbles. Once again I've been scrbbling for
spn_reversebang, and I want to thank my artist
beelikej for all her support and her amazing art.
As they drove towards the hospital, Jeff stared out of the window and tried to put Mr and Mrs Tyler out of his mind. Their hate-filled words were fairly easy to dismiss, it was nothing he hadn’t heard many times before. But it was the look of disgust and fear in the Tylers’ eyes that was harder for him to shake. They’d reacted as if their daughter could catch being Evolutionary Enhanced, just by being touched by him.
The whole ordeal had left Jeff exhausted; he hurt all over and there was a headache building behind his eyes. Jeff closed his eyes and Larry and Curly were at his temple massaging gently, trying to soothe the pain. Jeff smiled bitterly, because no matter how helpful his four extra appendages were to him and the department, they would always mark him out as being different… a freak, a member of the Changed. God, how he missed the days of just being Lieutenant Jeffrey Dean Morgan of the Dallas Fire Department. Now he and other Changed were poster boys for the department’s inclusive hiring policy. But Jeff was well aware the first sign of trouble would see him off the front line, and manning a desk somewhere in the back of beyond. The department was great at looking like it was even handed. But if the shit did hit the fan, Jeff would be tossed to the wolves in an instant.
As he sat brooding, Jeff was unaware he was being watched by the rest of the crew. They looked at one another guiltily. Finally Jared cleared his throat. Jeff opened his eyes. “Something on your mind, Jay?”
Jared licked his lips. “Do you really think Mrs Tyler will report what happened to the department?” He leant forward. “Jeff, we never meant to get you into trouble. But the way she talked to you, me and the guys couldn’t help ourselves.” The crew nodded in agreement.
Jeff looked at his crew and smiled. “Jared, as much as I appreciated what all of you did back there, it would’ve been better if you’d managed to hold onto your tempers.” Jeff looked at the guilty expressions on the crew, and he tried to soften the blow. “There are always going to be Tylers out there, and all the shouting in the world won’t change them. Why do you think the chief gave them that particular name, Jay?”
Jared shrugged. “I don’t know. Is it because Samantha Ferris deals with those kind of complaints?”
“Yes, she does, and you should meet her husband, Ray. Great guy, and his wing span is absolutely amazing.” Jeff watched a smile slowly spread over Jared’s face. “Sam’s very protective of Ray, and doesn’t like to hear ill of the Changed.”
Jeff had known the moment Jim had handed that card over, the complaint would go no further. Sam Ferris was one of the most dogged champions of those affected by The Change. She’d met her husband at a rally for equality for the Evolutionary Enhanced. Sam was representing the Fire department, and Ray was a key note speaker.
Sam said her and Ray’s relationship was a meeting of minds, but Jim swore their friend had a secret wing kink. Whatever it was, they were blissfully happy together. Jeff couldn’t help a pang of jealousy when he saw Sam and Ray together, they’d been lucky to find one another. There were other Changed out there, who hadn’t been as fortunate with relationships.
The truck slowed and Jeff looked round in surprise. He’d been so busy being maudlin, he hadn’t realized they’d arrived at the hospital.
“This is your captain speaking. Please remain seated until the vehicle comes to a complete halt. Then if you’d disembark from the designated exits, and proceed to the ER, where our wounded hero will be treated and I’ll be sweeping some lucky lady off her feet.” Chad said suavely in his best airline pilot voice.
Rob opened the door. “Chad, you’ve got more chance of a nurse using you as a pin cushion, than sweeping one of them off their feet. Just remember those ladies have syringes, and they’re not afraid to use them.” Rob rubbed at his backside absently and grimaced.
“Rob, I warned you not to ask that nurse if she had a prettier sister you could ask out,” Richard said as he pushed his friend out of the door.
As Jeff went to step down, Jared was there waiting to help him. “I’m not an invalid, Jay,” he said gruffly, trying not to wince as he jarred his injured leg.
Jared rolled his eyes. “Of course you’re not, Jeff. I’m just doing my good deed for the day and helping out the elderly.” Jared ducked out of the way, as Curly took a swipe at his head.
Jensen walked over to the nurses’ station in the ER and handed a patient’s notes to the receptionist. Jensen walked over to join Genevieve and Danneel. Genevieve was twirling a strand of dark brown hair around her finger. “Damn, I’m bored,” she grumbled.
Danneel wagged a finger at her. “When we’re besieged by buses filled with seriously injured patients, I’ll remember you said that.”
Jensen smiled at the auburn-haired nurse. “That’s why I love you so much, Danni. You’re a regular ray of sunshine.”
“All I’m sayin’ is, be careful what you wish for, Jenny,” she said with a shrug, and grinned as Jensen frowned at the hated nickname.
Genevieve was no longer paying attention to her friends, because she’d seen the familiar shape of a fire truck pulling up outside the ER. She smiled and smoothed her hair down. “Looks like our day’s about to get a little more exciting.” She slipped her hand into the pocket of her scrubs, pulled out a lipstick and expertly retouched her lips.
The doors flung open and the crew came in. Danneel looked away from Jensen, and winked at Genevieve. Danneel turned to the firefighters with a serious expression on her face. “We didn’t get a call about an emergency coming in.”
Jensen watched in admiration as Danni took command of the situation, marshalling her troops in the face of a medical emergency. But Jensen knew Danni was also taking the opportunity to check out who the hottest firefighter was. Jensen always admired Danni’s ability to multi-task.
A blond firefighter stepped away from the others, and swaggered towards Danni with a smile on his face. Jensen didn’t know whether to be impressed by the display of bravado, or if he should have a gurney on standby.
Chad stood in front of Danni, a seductive smile on his face. “The way my heart is racing at the sight of you, then I’ve got me an emergency.” Chad waggled his eyebrows, and grabbed the hem of his sweatshirt. “Care to take a listen to it? Maybe soothe my fevered brow?” he asked hopefully.
Danni stepped back with her lip curled. “You actually get anywhere with that line?” Danni paused, and looked closely at the man in front of her. She clicked her fingers. “Holy crap! You’re Chad Michael Murray. The girls in Obstetrics and Gynaecology warned us about you.” She looked over at Genevieve for confirmation.
“Oh, that’s Murray alright.” Genevieve agreed.
Jensen glanced over at the firefighter, who seemed undaunted by the dismissal and took a step forward. “What? Does my prowess as a lover go before me?” He preened a little as he winked at Danni.
“No, they said you were a douchebag, and not to touch you with a ten-foot barge pole,” Danni shot back.
Jensen watched as Chad reeled back, his hands pressed to his chest. “Ow, you wound me, ladies. I’m just misunderstood. Let me take you to dinner and I’ll show you just what a good guy I am.”
Danni rolled her eyes and Jensen got ready to intervene, just in case she threatened to give Chad a full examination. Last time that happened, the guy was still using an ice pack a day later, but he really shouldn’t have grabbed Danni’s ass like that.
Jensen heard laughter and looked for the source of it. Two more firefighters had entered the ER, both tall and well built. The taller of the two had chocolate coloured hair that curled round his face, framing it perfectly to show off his dimples. Out of the corner of his eye, Jensen spotted Genevieve moving towards him with a purposeful glint in her eye.
“Hate to say it, Chad, but I think you’ve met your match.” Jensen’s attention was drawn to the speaker. His sexy baritone sent a shiver down Jensen’s spine, and he was pleased to see the rest of him more than lived up to the voice. His short black hair was shot through with flecks of silver, and his broad smile made his eyes crinkle. Jensen wanted to get close enough to find out what colour his eyes were.
“Oh, you poor man. We must get you seen by a doctor. Here, let me get you a wheelchair,” Genevieve said, patting Jeff’s arm gently as she glanced coyly up at Jared.
Jared smiled down at the petite brunette. “Let me help you find a chair.” He turned to Jeff. “Will you be alright while I help, Nurse...?”
Genevieve smiled brightly. “I’m Nurse Cortese, but please call me Genevieve.”
“Go on, Jay. I’m not about to collapse.” Jeff tried to hide his amusement, as Jared followed the tiny nurse. He heard his friend tell her that Genevieve was a beautiful name. Jeff suspected her name wasn’t the only thing Jared found beautiful about her.
Jared soon came back pushing a wheelchair, and Jeff shot it a disgusted look. “Don’t look at it like that, man. It’s hospital rules. Now sit your ass down.” Jared grinned as he patted the wheelchair.
Jeff grumbled as he limped over, and suddenly Rob and Richard were beside him, helping him along. “Come on there, old timer. We don’t want you having a fall and breaking your hip, do we?”
Jeff growled softly as he sat down, then looked up at his grinning co-workers. “That’s it. Laugh it up, boys. But just remember if I’m not out of here soon…. Jared’s cooking.”
Rob and Richard looked at one another in horror, then they pushed Jared out of the way. The two men spun the wheelchair round and pushed Jeff towards the curtained off cubicles at speed. “It’s ok. We know where we’re going. Now when’s that doctor getting here? If Jared’s cooking lives will be at stake.” Richard said, as Rob deposited Jeff in an empty cubicle and helped him out of the chair.
Jensen walked over to Danni, who grinned good naturedly at him, nudging him with her elbow. “Get in there, Jenny, and start wooing your dashing firefighter. There’s something so sexy about a man in that uniform.” She purred, and deliberately ignored Chad, as he puffed out his chest and straightened his jacket.
Jensen blushed and rubbed at the back of his neck. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Jensen turned and started to organize a pile of files.
Danni took the files off him. “Jensen, I’m not blind. I saw the way your tongue was hanging out, when you spotted tall dark and injured.” She winked at him. “All that silver in papa bear’s stubble? I know you’re a sucker for the older man, with a twinkle in his eye.” She grabbed Jensen’s arm, turned him around, and sent him towards the cubicles with a gentle push. “Don’t forget to help him with his gown, so the doctor can get a good look at those muscular legs of his.”
Danni smiled as Jensen stumbled slightly, then recovered and continued to the cubicles. She knew her friend had got it bad, when he hadn’t even noticed the object of his desire had a little something ‘extra’ about him. Danni reached over and picked up the phone. She had a call to make, as it was protocol whenever they had an Evolutionary Enhanced in the Emergency Room.
Jensen was nearing the curtained off cubicle when he heard a scuffle going on. “Benedict, if you don’t get your hands off me right now, you’ll be in the bed next to me.” There was a sound of flesh hitting flesh and a muffled, “Hey, that hurt!”
Jensen grabbed a gown and stood next to the curtain. He cleared his throat loudly and the sounds stopped. “Can I come in?” he asked and waited for an answer.
The curtain opened slightly and Rob popped his head out. “Sure. I was just trying to get Jeff comfortable.”
“Comfortable? You were trying to rip my pants off.” Jeff said.
Rob went bright red, and looked back over his shoulder. “No, I wasn’t! I just thought it might make things quicker if you were undressed.”
There was a rumble of soft laughter from behind the curtain. “Look, if I promise to make my special chilli, do you promise to stop trying to get me naked. As fond of you as I am Rob, you’re really not my type.”
At the promise of Jeff’s special chilli, Rob’s face lit up with a huge smile. He stepped back and ushered Jensen into the cubicle. Jensen walked passed the beaming firefighter, who looked at his patient with an arched eyebrow. Jeff gave a self-deprecating shrug. “What can I say? The guys really like my chilli.”
Jensen nodded. “I can see that. Now do you want any help, Mr...?”
Jeff waved his hand. “It’s Jeff, and I’m pretty sure you won’t need that gown.”
Jensen stood by the bed and the eyebrow arched a little higher. “Really? Why don’t you let the doctor be the judge of that? Just what did you do to end up in this state?” Jensen nodded at Jeff’s leg.
Jeff looked down and winced at his torn pants with blood staining the material. He lifted his hand and scratched at his stubble. “I might’ve gone through a floor in a burning building.” Jensen's eyes widened in shock, and Jeff added quickly, “It was nothing serious.”
Jensen nodded slowly, as he helped Jeff off with his coat. “So going through the floor in a burning building isn’t serious?” Jensen asked as he looked right into Jeff’s warm brown eyes. God, he was so screwed, he loved guys with brown eyes. For a moment the two of them stared at each other, unaware they were being watched.
Rob looked from one man to the other, and slowly reached inside his fire retardant coat. He took out his phone and quickly took a picture, smiling as he placed the phone back inside his jacket. Rob coughed and the two men looked up, startled. “I’ll just be outside with the others, and as a matter of interest, Jeff really has a thing for freckles,” he said as he backed outside.
Jeff groaned softly and put his head in his hands. When he got out of here he was going to let Larry and Moe strangle Rob slowly. Jeff lifted his head and looked up at the stupidly hot nurse stood beside him. Not only did he have freckles and a rather fetching blush heating his face, he also had amazingly green eyes and long eyelashes. And Jeff really wished he’d stop licking his lips, because those lips should be illegal or at least come with a health warning. On the other hand, if he had a heart attack there was every chance the hot nurse would give him mouth to mouth.
Jeff managed a smile. “Please excuse my friend. Subtlety is not one of his strong points.”
Jensen returned the smile. “Trust me. He’s got nothing on my friends, Gen and Danni. If Danni’s in one mood she’ll go over to guys and give them my phone number.”
Jeff burst out laughing. “Suddenly Rob looks like the soul of discretion. At least my crew hasn’t done that to me yet. Just don’t tell Jared, otherwise he’ll probably have T-shirts with my number printed on them.” Jeff was entranced as the hot nurse threw his head back and laughed. Damn, he really wanted to pull him closer and taste those freckles.
Jensen stopped laughing and looked at Jeff. The man was gorgeous and he was tired of being on his own. He went to speak but Jeff got there first. “You know my name, but I didn’t catch yours.”
“It’s Jensen, and I’m really pleased to….” Jensen stopped speaking and looked down in shock. Something heavy was wrapped around his waist, and something was gently squeezing his ass. Jensen looked up at Jeff again, and for the first time he noticed the tentacles. He’d been so busy drooling over the firefighter when he’d come in, he’d never even noticed the man was Evolutionary Enhanced. Jeff looked mortified by his tentacle’s behaviour, and started to stammer an apology.
Jeff’s apology was interrupted when the curtains swished open and the doctor came in. He took in the scene before him and smiled. “Ahh, Jeff, how’s my favourite patient?” He spotted the tentacle wrapped around Jensen. "And Nurse Ackles, I see you've met Chad."
Chapter 4