Controlling The Fallout Part 2

[paulacas]

Title: Controlling The Fallout
Author: YanzaDracanyanzadracan
Fandom: RPS
Characters: Vampire!Steve/Chris & Vampire!JDM/Jensen
Word Count: 6,274/11,920
Rating: R
Summary: Can there be a happy ending?
Author's Note: Story falls between The Space Between and Can Find No Comfort

Jared nodded slowly then rested his forehead against Jensen's. They exchanged a few more words before Jared called the dogs and headed upstairs to shower without a word to Jeffrey.

The vampire's agitation increased the longer Jensen remained outside. The teeth baring smile he gave Jeffrey as he lit another cigarette and sipped his coffee told the vampire Jensen knew exactly how he was feeling.

*Fuckin' psychics.* Jeffrey thought viciously as he tried to pull in the reins on his vampire nature.

A non-committal shrug of Jensen's shoulders and a glare from Jeffrey had Jared helping him move his bags into the guest room in the basement.

They spent the rest of the day doing normal things they did on their day off, but after a dinner of Chinese take-out they sat Jared down and told him the truth. Watching the expressions passing over the younger man's face, Jensen started locking down the emotions that were threatening to take over his reason.

They were sitting close enough that Jeffrey didn't need the fledgling bond he'd once had with Jensen to know how he was feeling…the boy was practically vibrating with the strength of his emotions.

"I can stay in a hotel until I find an apartment." Jensen stood to go upstairs.

"What!?...Why!?...Jen?" Jeffrey actually growled when Jared wrapped a long arm around Jensen's waist. "No. This is your home."

"I saw your face, Jared. You were scared, revolted, horrified." Jensen tried to pull away without hurt Jared.

"Not of you…because of what they did to you." He let go when he felt Jensen relax. "We good?"

"Yeah…" Jensen rubbed his hands over his face. "We're good." He looked at Jared then Jeffrey. "I'm wasted. I'm goin' ta bed." His exhaustion caused his words to slur.

Jared grabbed him for one more hug before letting him escape upstairs, Sadie following close behind. Harley stood undecided between Jared and Jensen, then turning to stare at Jeffrey in a way that made the vampire's skin crawl before following.

"That was weird." Jared commented as he grabbed another beer.

"What?" Jeffrey inquired.

"The dogs. They've always loved Jen, especially Sadie, but Harley's never acted like that."

Jeffrey sighed. Seemed Jensen's quiet nature brought out the protective instincts of not only his friends, but their animals as well. This was going to be so much fun. Not.

With only a couple episodes left of Season 3 things were getting heavy for all the characters. Both actors were frazzled around the edges, and with Jeffrey constantly hovering during their off hours, Jensen finally broke.

"Don't you have a movie, Council meeting or something to get you out of my hair?" He snapped.

Separation from Chris, knowing Jeffrey was in contact with Steven because of Council business along with his own pressures had Jensen in knots. He couldn't write-the music in his head was tangled, discordant, jangling against his frayed nerves. The visions were wrecking his sleep. They got more vivid every time he closed his eyes. Everyone was talking about Season 4. He had his doubts he would make through hiatus.

Jeffrey had been at Jared's so long he'd had Bisou shipped to Vancouver. After greeting Jeffrey, she had begun exploring her new home. When she didn't reappear, Jeffrey had found her with the other two attempting to wake Jensen from the nightmare he was obviously trapped inside.

With a sigh, Jeffrey had slipped off his shoes and gathered the sweating distressed man into his arms and began the process of soothing Jensen into a restful sleep.

Not wanting a confrontation, Jeffrey made sure he left Jensen's bed before he woke. All three dogs gave him reproachful looks as he slipped out of the room.

It was official, the whole household expected him to fix Jensen, but if Jensen had his way Jeffrey wouldn't get close enough to fix anything.

???????????

Every time he talked to Steven he asked them to come to Vancouver. Every time the answer was the same. Christian and the record company were at loggerheads. The only way they could get away from Nashville was if Christian had filming obligations, otherwise he was at the Sony's beck and call.

Jensen spent several days working at his computer. The evening he finished, he changed his clothes and left the house. When he returned it was all Jeffrey could do not to snatch him up and demand to know where he'd been. The vampire could smell cigarette smoke and liquor. The thing that had him tied in knots was the scent of strangers on Jensen. The smell had Jeffrey growling under his breath and when Jensen didn't shower before falling into bed, the vampire spent the night prowling the house looking for threats to what was his.

As filming was winding down, Jensen had extra time off to prepare for conventions during hiatus. During these times he would disappear from the house for days at a time causing both Jeffrey and Jared worry.

One trip took him to Nashville. His need to see Chris caused him to throw caution to the wind and show up without forewarning. He started to knock on the door, but hearing voices through the open window, he paused.

"Why would I call Jensen?" Chris snapped.

"Because he is your friend. You two are close as brothers." Steven soothed.

"Some brother I turned out to be. 'Sides I don't need to hear 'I told you so'." Now Chris just sounded tired.

"I do not believe Jensen would so quick to judge as that." Steve beckoned Chris to join him on the couch.

"Yeah, well he is a member of the 'rare paranormal freak squad'." Chris joked.

A strangled sound jerked Steven's head toward the front door. A light breeze carried Jensen's scent to the vampire.

"Oh no." Steven sprinted for the door.

"STEVEN!" Chris shouted as he chased his fast moving partner. He saw a familiar form heading for the curb. *FUCK!*

Steven caught Jensen around the waist and pulled him against his chest to keep him from getting in his rental car. His struggles against Steven's superior strength amused his vampire nature until he registered the pain emanating from his thigh. Looking down he saw the actor pulling one of his throwing knives from his leg. Steven growled low.

It had been several days since he'd fed not wanting to take too much from Christian. Jensen's struggles and anger at the world along with Steven's hunger brought the vampire to the fore. Without a thought he curled protectively over his prey as fangs pierced the freckled throat.

Sweet. The adrenaline tainted blood flowed over his tongue like fine wine. He plunged his fangs deeper wanting more. The only thing that tasted better was the blood of his mate.

A mass of muscle and dark hair hit Steven and Jensen at full speed. The three fell to the ground in a heap loosening Steven's hold on Jensen. Chris practically vaulted over Steven to get to his friend.

"Jen…Jenny. Oh man. Come on son, talk to me." Chris pleaded as he rolled the younger man over.

His tackle had interrupted Steven's feeding, but it also torn Jensen's throat. Chris started to pull off his button down to use as a pressure bandage when Steven stayed his hand.

"Let me." He said softly.

"No…I…he."Chris stopped not knowing what to do.

"I can heal his wound."

Chris nodded his consent moving aside for Steven. Blessing Christian for liking his privacy and living away from prying eyes, Steven gently lifted Jensen in his arms and headed back to the house. Chris followed retrieving Jensen's forgotten duffel off the porch.

He grabbed a towel and threw over the sofa cushion before Steven laid Jensen down. He covered the gaping wound with his mouth. Chris retrieved a basin of water and a cloth, and when Steven backed away he moved in to wash the blood and dirt away from the thin pink scar.

They wrestled the unconscious man into the shower. Once Jensen was cleaned up and comfortably ensconced in their big bed, Chris dragged Steven to the far end of the house.

"What the fuck was that?!" Chris demanded low and angry.

Steven bowed his head in shame.

"That, was something I never wanted you to see--me losing control." He answered softly. "My only thought was to stop him from leaving until we could explain what he overheard." Steven took a deep unneeded breath. "When he began to fight me the hunger rose." He closed his eyes at the memory. "The scent of all that adrenaline rich blood, of Jensen, was too much…I lost control."

"Why were you that hungry, Steven?" Chris laid a gentle hand on the pale cheek. "Why didn't you come to me?"

"I take as much as is prudent, Christian. I know you are not yet ready to take the next step." He leaned into the warm hand.

"You know how fucked up this all is, right." Jeffrey's gonna have a screamin' hissy fit and Jensen's gonna become a fuckin' ghost." Chris scrubbed his hands over his face.

Steven reached out and pulled Christian into his arms. He sent up a prayer of thanks that his mate didn't turn away from his touch. He buried his face in Christian's neck and drew in the comforting scent.

"I am sorry." He mumbled against the bronze skin.

"I know, darlin'…I know." Suddenly realizing he was exhausted he gave Steven a nasty grin. "Wanna really piss ol' Jeff off?" Chris looked out the side of his eyes as he pulled Steven toward their bedroom.

Steven arched an eyebrow at his mate.

"Let's go sleep with Jenny and tell him we did." Chris snickered. "Send 'im home smellin' of you and me."

"You are incorrigible, Christian."

"I know." The wide smile was unrepentant.

???????????

When Jensen woke it was dark and he didn't know where he was. He relaxed briefly when he recognized the body holding him. Christian. He fought to keep his breathing and heart rate the same because where there was Christian-there was Steven.

He opened his eyes enough to see through the screen of his lashes. He closed them in frustration when he saw the blond vampire sitting by the bed, watching.

"We need to talk." He stated flatly as he stood and left the room.

He knew he shouldn't have come here. Everything would have been fine if Steven hadn't stopped himself from draining him, but he could work with Plan B. With a sigh he began to extricate himself from Chris' clutches. He had to stop and soothe the older man back into a deep sleep several times before grabbing his pants and closing the bedroom door with a quiet click.

Barefoot, shirtless and disheveled, he grabbed his cigarettes and kept moving until he was sitting on the porch swing absorbing the darkness.

"Did you come to say 'Goodbye'? Steven's voice came out of the deepest shadows.

Jensen never flinched. "I came to give Chris a gift." Green eyes unerringly targeted the vampire.

"What gift?" Steven stepped onto the porch and settled across from the actor.

"To see your true self before he makes a decision he can't unmake."

"You wanted me to ki…drain you?" That thought was so repugnant to Steven he was shocked into silence.

A picture of Jensen when they were cleaning him up popped into his mind. New scars, some barely healed, others older, marred the freckled body. His body was harder, leaner, with an added emotional hardness-a brittle shell that was taking over Jensen's demeanor, fear struck his non-beating heart.

Jensen watched the play of emotions over Steven's face. His smile was bitter.

"Give that vamp a prize." He said in his best Dean Winchester snark.

"What have you been doing?" Steven's words were incredulous.

He opened his arms wide. "Ta da! Hi! I'm Dean Winchester. I play the part of Jensen Ackles in this little production." His laugh was cynical as he lit another cigarette. "Seems Vancouver now has a few less rogue vampires than previously thought…in case you didn't get the memo."

"You're setting yourself up as bait!?"

"Judge…Jury…Executioner." He set the swing in motion with a push of his foot. "I decided I was tired of hiding, of being afraid, so I'm facing my fears and takin' 'em out."

"Does Jeffrey know?" Steven asked the wheels turning as he tried to recall the items in Jensen's duffel.

"Pffft. Please. I happen to be one helluva an actor. All they see is poor Jensen," he placed a hand over his chest, "so traumatized from his experience with bad ol' Weatherly. He's all but become a hermit."

Steven stared at the man in front of him. How could they have been so wrong? It seemed the vampire community needed protection from Jensen, not the other way around. Their Jensen had become a chameleon.

Jensen stood. "I'm gonna get dressed and get out of here. Kripke will have a fit if I'm late gettin' back." He paused at the door. "Thank you, Steven."

Alarmed and confused Steve looked up. "For what?"

"Being who Chris needs…giving me what I needed."

'Jensen?" Steven shook off his stupor and grabbed his arm. The new scar on Jensen's throat gleamed in the ambient light. "Oh my god. What have you done?"

"What I'm supposed to do." Jensen said calmly. His beautiful face came closer as full lips brushed over Steven's in a benediction. "I'm glad Chris has you." He slid past Steven into the house.

???????????

Christian burst from the bedroom.

"Where's Jen?" He skidded to a stop in front of Steven.

"Gone." Steven looked up from his computer. "Back to Vancouver. He's fine, Christian."

Something felt off about Steven's answer, but Christian let the subject drop…For all their past problems the vampire had never lied to him.

A few days later he found the blond blankly staring at his computer screen.

"What's wrong, Steven?" Blue eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Just reading through the information I've been gathering for the semi-annual Council meeting. It's amazing what can happen in such a short time." His voice was sad.

Put off, but not satisfied with Steven's answer, Chris went let it go. Just a two more days, and he would be free to track down Jensen, kick his ass after which they'd get drunk and start writing and singing together again.

He fought his way through the day, holding his temper, grinding his teeth, and clenching his fists. If nothing else he'd be primed for Leverage.

Walking through the house the chaos left behind by the movers fueled his frustration to the point where the next words out of his mouth would be incoherent cursing growled through the lower octaves.

All his anger and frustration disappeared when he saw Steven staring out the back door standing at the edge of afternoon sun.

"Steven!' Chris' voice was tinged with fear.

When the vampire turned, the look of despair on his face hit Chris like a physical blow.

"What's happened?" He grabbed Steven's arm and spun him around. He gasped when he saw blood tears pooled in blue eyes.

"Nothing, yet, but if the information I have received is correct I fear for Jensen."

"Why?"

"He has put a plan in motion that will solidify Jeffrey and mine's position on the Council and bring into the light things that have only been innuendo and speculation." Steven seemed to gather himself.

"What does Jeffrey say about all this?" Chris moved to get a beer.

"I cannot get in contact with him. That leads me to believe that Jensen has put his plans in motion."

???????????

Jensen had indeed put his plans in motion. Jeffrey lay in deep sleep sated from rough sex and heavy feeding. Jensen ran his finger down the new scar on his throat opposite the one from Steven. Marked by the two most powerful vampires on the west coast Council would make him even more irresistible to the parties he was trying to draw into the open.

A wistful expression settled on Jensen's face as he stared down at his sleeping mate. Now…on the day that would surely see his death…he freely admitted that he loved the man sprawled across his bed. He hoped one day Jeffrey would forgive him.

The last few hours were the best sleep he'd had since Nashville with Chris and Steven. He smiled at the memory of Jeffrey's reaction when he'd returned home smelling of the two men. He had no doubt the minute he and Jared left for the set Jeffrey had been burning up the airwaves to Tennessee.

Something about his connection to the two vampires settled his 'sight' enough to allow him to truly rest. His visions never went beyond the moment he was in the hands of those hiding behind masks, allowing Jeffrey and Steven to believe them fit to serve the Council. Vampires that worked their way into positions of power while hiding their agenda for the enslavement of humans.

Running his fingertips lightly over the rugged face, Jensen forced himself from the room.

Grabbing his black duffel from under the stairs he quietly left the house to climb into a black SUV with blacked out windows. Eager hands quickly pulled him through the door with a squawk of protest. Losing his balance he fell across Riley's lap. Amidst the joking and teasing, a note of seriousness ran through the group of twenty something looking vampires that had become friends of Jensen's because of Smallville, all but Katie and Pauley. Pauley, he met after hooking up with Weatherly and Katie when she was at Kripke's office auditioning for a part in Season4.

Who knew such a group would contain the vampire council's top enforcers. This was who he had turned to when his blood family couldn't accept what he had become. He looked around the vehicle sending prayers to gods in which he no longer believed that all his friends ended the night in one piece, they could retrieve Mike, and bring down the vampire that was the lynchpin for the coalition against humans.

He righted himself and settled next to Riley as Katie sent the lumbering SUV through the neighborhood like she was driving a rally car.

"Good way to keep a low profile, Cassidy." He grumbled.

"What's the matter, Jen?" She teased. "No time for coffee?"

Jensen glared at the back of her head, turned his sunniest smile on the Pauley when a large Styrofoam cup appeared under his nose.

"Ya wanna turn that smile down a notch or two before you incinerate all the vamps in the car?" Her laugh was throaty and low.

The teasing stopped when she saw the matching scars on his throat.

"Ah Jenny," She sighed.

"Don't start…You know it's the best way."

"They are gonna be so pissed at us."

"Yeah…well…a lot of people made a lot of assumptions about 'poor pitiful Jensen'. If I didn't take the time to correct them or if they didn't look any deeper…well you know what they say about assumptions." He sneered.

He turned at Riley's snort of laughter. "You're not going to be the one taking the brunt of Jeffrey and Steven's tempers."

"They can try." Green eyes flashed gold.

These people…vampires were his family. Riley and Pauley had found him in the alley where Weatherly and his sycophants had left him. They had taken him home, watched over him, protected him, and when he was healed, trained him. Many nights they had hunted together on the streets of LA cementing bonds that would never be broken.

Tom had joined their little group when his human friend, Mike had been taken by the vampire they were hunting. John Glover had taken his role as Lionel Luther a step too far when he kidnapped his Smallville cast mate that played his son, Lex.

Only this group knew why Mike had disappeared from the show and from his life. Jensen shuddered to think how many others like Mike they might find at Glover's compound.

Katie had simply made herself at home in their group when she accidentally discovered Jensen's secret. She had insinuated herself into Jensen's life until people thought they were a couple. Out of desperation for peace and quiet, Jensen finally introduced her to the other three.

That they got along like a house afire, and agreed that Jensen couldn't possibly take care of himself, was both a blessing and a curse in the hybrid's life. His fondest wish was that they all find their mates so they had someone else to mother hen.

The one thing his 'sight' did show him past tonight was that they would all find their mates very soon. He was glad they would have something to distract them from his death.

'Jen! You with us, bro?" Riley teased.

Jensen slugged him in the arm. "Ass."

Riley's grin was unrepentant.

The joking abruptly stopped as Katie put the SUV in park. They would travel on foot from here.

Close to the gates of Glover's compound, Jensen took his knife and ran the sharp edge over his forearm until the blood flowed freely. His face and clothes were already made up to look like he'd been mugged. The group of enforcers melted into the shadows as Jensen 'stumbled' toward the gates.

"Help me." He mewed softly as he staggered toward the guards.

Two pair of eyes glowed as they fixated on the blood seeping between Jensen's fingers.

"What happened, prett…sir?"

"I was…walking…home…mugged." Jensen leaned heavily against the gate. He raised the bleeding arm. "Please, can you help me?"

Without thought they opened the gate and pulled Jensen inside. Riley and Pauley slip in the gates while the guards were occupied with the bleeding human. They never saw who killed them. Gates opened and disabled, they parked the SUV out of sight while Tom bandaged Jensen's arm. After cleaning the makeup off his face, Jensen slid his scabbard across his shoulders and shrugged into his black leather coat.

The raiding party moved toward the house. Security fell silently as the group moved quickly and silently across the grounds. Pauley began working the lock while the others watched her back. Lucky for them the camera room was right inside the door.

Pauley and Katie stayed with the cameras while Jensen, Riley and Tom started a systematic searched of the house. They cleared the lower level, opening a dozen cell doors. Encouraging those who were strong enough to help those that weren't, Tom and Riley directed them off the grounds. The two cursed when they turned to find Jensen gone.

Following his vision, Jensen went straight to Glover's office. When the door banged against the walnut paneling, Glover looked up from where he sat on the couch, Mike lay at his feet.

A half dozen vampires lounged around the room. Members of both the east and west coast councils were enjoying Glover's hospitality. Jensen could see three other humans in the room besides Mike…all showing signs of recent feedings.

All eyes turned as the tantalizing scent of Jensen caught their attention. Frowns and fear appeared in their expressions when they caught the underlying scent of Jeffrey and Steven swirling about the human.

Glover stood and began to move toward Jensen.

"Desert has arrived." He waved his hand with a flourish until he recognized Jensen. "You!"

The others gathered behind Glover waiting to see how he was going to handle the intrusion. Jensen lifted his head so they could see his scars. With a collective hiss they backed up a step. There were rumors about this man…rumors that said he rarely traveled alone. Eyes began shifting around the room looking for the danger and a way to escape.

But Glover saw none of this. He only saw the human responsible for the death of his childe-his brightest star among all that he had made.

'Hello, John." Jensen looked at the others in the room. "Still suckin' in the weak minded, I see."

Glover growled. "What are you after, Ackles?"

"I came to take Mike home."

"Why would he go with you? You and that pack of whelps you run with abandoned him years ago."

"We never stopped looking. It's just taken us this long to run you to ground." Green eyes started to leech to gold as Jensen's temper rose.

He saw Mike raise his head from the floor when he heard Jensen's words. Jensen gave him a wink. Mike's expression didn't change, but Jensen could see the hope flare in his eyes.

Jensen turned back to Glover when he heard the hiss of steel against leather. In a blink of an eye, Jensen's sword was in his hand as he placed himself between the vampire and Mike.

A red haze slid over John Glover's vision. This man was responsible for the death of his protégé. He stank of two of his greatest obstacles, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Steven Carlson. Adjusting the grip on his sword he lunged.

???????????

Steven was getting more frantic the closer their plane got to Vancouver. Christian gripped his hand in quiet support. Before take-off he had tried to reach Jeffrey, Jensen and Jared, but to no avail.

A groggy, disheveled Jared answered the pounding on the front door. The dogs sat quietly to the side telling him they knew the person on the other side.

"Hey. What are you doin' here?" He asked sleepily.

"Where's Jen?" Steven and Chris asked together.

'In bed." He smirked. "I think he finally let Jeff catch him." Jared's grin was wide.

"Why didn't ya answer yer phone, Jared?"Chris growled.

"'Cause it didn't ring."

They trailed Jared up the stairs. He picked his phone up from the dresser. His eyes were wide when he turned back to the pair.

"Off. I never shut it off." He looked over at his laptop. "Everything is turned off."

"I bet he did the same to Jeffrey's." Chris volunteered.

They rushed toward to Jensen's room.

Where they found Jeffrey--alone. He was just rousing to investigate the commotion in the house.

"Steven? What's wrong? Why are you here?" Ignoring his nakedness, Jeffrey rushed around the room gathering his clothes.

Buttoning his shirt he noticed everyone, even the dogs, were in the room.

"Where's Jen?"

"That's what we're tryin' to find out." Chris barked.

"You didn't answer your phone." Steven chastised quietly.

"But it's right here…" He fished it out of his pants pocket.

Off.

"He did the same thing to mine." Jared offered.

"Why."

"He's going after John Glover." Steve stated flatly.

"He's what?" Jeffrey's voice was incredulous.

He, Steven and their counterparts on the east coast had been trying for years find evidence against Glover.

"How can he even think…He can't…He's…" Jeffrey clamped his mouth shut.

"He's what?" Chris glared. "Weak, pitiful, can't take care of himself…the pampered little princess." He looked at Jared and Jeffrey in contempt. He pointed a finger at Jared. "I expected more from you."

Jared ducked his head. "He's just…he never says anything so you assume."

"That's right. You assume. I warned alla y'all Jenny's his most dangerous when he's quiet."

"What do you know?" He looked at Steven.

"I've been getting messages from Riley…" He started.

"What the fuck does Riley have to do with this?" Jeffrey stormed from the bedroom.

The procession that followed would have been comical if not for the seriousness of the situation.

"Apparently our enforcers adopted Jensen after his blood family rejected him." Steven explained quietly.

"You knew about this?" His glared turned on Chris.

"Knew 'bout Riley and Tom. That Pauley chick is scary weird, but okay. Then there was the blonde…what's her name…Cassidy…no…Katie."

The three stared at Chris like they'd never seen him before.

"What?! Jen and me been together a lotta years. We share a lotta friends."

"Did you know they were vampires?" Jeffrey's eyes narrowed.

"No one made an announcement, but it was one of those things everybody knows, but no one talks about." Chris shrugged.

His glare turned on Steven next.

"Why was Riley contacting you instead of me?"

'Jensen made them promise not to contact you."

Jeffrey scrubbed his hands over his face.

"Where are they? What are they doing?"

"Glover took one of the actors from Smallville, Mike Rosenbaum. They've been searching for him for over a year. Riley has sent me all of their research and proof of Glover's activities. They're going to retrieve Mike tonight." It was Steven's turn to glare. "I have been trying to reach you for most of the day."

Jeffrey's pale skin took on a pink blush. Brown eyes widen comically.

"That…he…why that little…I thought…"

"He gave in, didn't he?" Chris asked with a smirk.

"I don't think he realized he said it out loud, but he told me he loved me." He looked at the other three men. "Why would he do this…didn't he know I'd help him?" Jeffrey was truly confused.

"It's his 'sight'." Steven pulled a sheaf of papers out of his inside pocket. "Jensen sent this to me right before we left for the airport."

Jeffrey read through the papers quickly. His stricken expression alarmed Chris and Jared.

"What!?"They asked in unison.

"Steven?"Chris' face showed confusion and hurt.

Steven knew he was worried about Jensen, but he never told Chris he'd been in contact with Jensen-hadn't said anything that would have set his mind at ease.

"Christian…" Steven's tone asked for understanding.

"I thought we were past this." Chris spat through gritted teeth as he turned to leave. "Obviously this is something humans aren't meant to be privy to." He looked at Jared.

With a glare at the vampires, Jared moved to follow Chris.

"Wait!" Steven grabbed Chris and hauled him to his side. "You are right. I should not have kept this from you, but you were so worried, and Jensen's correspondence would have done nothing to alleviate your worry." He spoke quietly, his lips against Chris' temple.

Jared was becoming frantic. "Come on guys! We need to know so we can figure out what to do!" He looked at Jeff.

"I'm sorry, Jay, but according to what Jensen wrote he doesn't expect to live through taking down Glover. Michael Weatherly was Glover's protégé…his favorite childe, and he sees Jensen as the cause of his death."

"We have to find him. Make him stop."

"It's not that simple, Jared." Jeffrey's voice was defeated.

He was losing his mate before he'd really found him, mainly by his own doing for not listening to the person that knew Jensen best, and by Jensen being the finest actor he'd ever known. Jensen's façade had never slipped in all the time Jeffrey had known him, and Jeffrey had never thought to look past the mask.

"You never listened when I told you about Jen, did you?" Chris' soft question pulled Jeffrey out of those same thoughts.

The elder hung his head, but before he could reply, Steven's phone beeped.

Looking at the screen, hope lit his face.

"We have an address. We have to hurry it'll be dawn soon."

"Riley?" Chris asked.

"Yes." Steven answered as they ran for the car.

"We're not done with this." Chris growled.

"I know." Steven sighed. "Would it help if I said I had good intentions?"

"Fuck your intentions. I expected you to be honest with me…treat me as an equal in this partnership…unless you think I be can't be your equal." The words and the tone were harsh.

Steven's shock made him stop in his tracks. He knew Christian had a hot temper, but this was his first experience bearing the brunt of its fire.

"NO!...Never…I just…it seemed…I'm sorry." He looked at Christian his expression pleading.

"Never again, Steven. This is your last chance. I'll take Jen and we'll disappear." Blue eyes narrowed as he watched Steven and Jeffrey. "I can make it happen just that quick." Chris snapped his fingers.

Jared stiffened at Chris' words, but held his silence as he waited by the car.

"Never again." Steven vowed.

Chris watched them another beat then turned too knowing eyes on Jeffrey who nodded his understanding.

"Let's go get Jenny before he does something monumentally stupid." Chris slid behind the wheel. "Directions." He barked at Steven.

???????????

It was a grim faced Katie that met them at the gate of Glover's mansion. Another group worked off to the side tending to several pale, shell-shocked humans. Her eyes widened when she saw Jeffrey and Steven.

"Sirs." She looked at ground.

"Riley called us. Is there any word?" Jeffrey snapped.

"No sir." She looked up. "Pauley is in control of the electronics in the house. Last word was Jensen and Riley are with Glover and several members of both councils, Tom is with Pauley in case they need assistance."

"Lead the way." Jeffrey snapped.

They were soon hurtling down the drive toward the mansion. Leaving Katie and Jared with Pauley, they took Tom and headed toward the mansion's study.

The tableau that met them made even undead hearts clench.

Riley and Jensen stood back to back, over a naked human, swords drawn, facing off against the four remaining vampires. Four swords clattered to the floor with the entrance of Jeffrey and Steven. Tom raced across the room to Mike shedding his coat and wrapping it around the trembling man.

"Have Jared drive you back to the med team at the gate." Steven called Jared to tell him.

Jensen glared at Riley.

"What!? I didn't tell Jeffrey!"

"Semantics, Smith, semantics." Jensen golden green glare started to tone down.

"Miller time, bro. The clean-up crew is here." His grin was unrepentant as slapped Jensen on the shoulder. Ignoring Jeffrey's glare he continued. "Gonna check with Pauley, get the video wrapped up so the councils get it all with a big red bow." He looked between Jensen and Jeffrey.

"Jen." The now green eyes turned back to him. "It's over. He's dead. They're both dead."

Jensen nodded and gave Riley his best smile. "Thank you." He said quietly.

Jeffrey and Steven moved to vampires left in the room as Chris moved to grab Jensen in hug.

"Stupid, fucking jackass." He whispered as he clung to the younger man.

"Love you, too, man." Jensen voice was just as gruff with his emotions.

Chris let go and stepped back. "Still gonna kick your ass for scarin' the hell outta me." He threatened.

"I might let ya when I'm feelin' a little more up to it." Jensen teased quietly. "I missed ya."

"I'll let ya make it up ta me." Chris caught a reflection out of the corner of his eye. He looked down then back at the reflection to make sure what he was seeing was right. He turned back toward Jensen.

"Jenny?" He looked at the blood covering his clothes then back at Jensen.

With a sad smile the sword clattered to the floor from limp fingers, knees buckled. Chris rushed forward to catch the younger man before he hit the floor.

"STEVEN!"

???????????

His eyelids felt weighted as he tried to open them. *Damn he shouldn't feel this bad if he were dead…should he?* Green eyes finally opened. Two dark heads rested against his sides. Three large dogs pinned his legs to the bed.

*I'm gonna need a bigger bed.*

A giggle rose in his throat at the thought.

Sadie raised her head and nudged the body with the long hair.

Chris snapped awake, eyes flashing around the room then down to meet green.

"Jenny." He grinned as he reached over to wake Jared.

Jared startled, his gaze going from Chris to Jensen. Chris offered Jensen a drink of water.

"Not dead?" Jensen looked confused.

"No you're not dead ya stupid sumbitch." Chris jumped up and started pacing the room. "What the fuck is wrong with ya. Ya act disappointed that your vision wasn't right!"

The more he paced the louder he got. Jared started to intervene, but Jensen's hand on his arm stopped him.

"He needs to do this." Jensen whispered.

Jared glared at the older man. "I agree with whatever he yells." He jerked his arm out of Jensen's grasp, called the dogs and left the bedroom in a huff.

*Oh yeah this was gonna be real fun. Pissed off Christian, Jared, Jeffrey, Steven and probably the dogs, too. Wonderful.*

He turned his attention back to Chris who was still ranting.

"Christian." The quiet tone stopped him in mid-sentence. "I'm sorry." Tears sheened the green eyes. "I didn't want you to know how far I'm off the freak charts…thought ya'd leave me--then there was Steven, and I was alone anyway." He sat up and threw his legs over the side of the bed, back to Chris. "Gods, there I go sounding pitiful again. I'll stay gone this time."

"NO!" Four voices sounded in unison.

He turned his head so fast he was momentarily dizzy.

Steven moved to Chris' side sliding an arm around his waist. Exhausted, he leaned into Steven's strength. Jeffrey moved around the bed to kneel in front of Jensen.

"Did you mean it when you said you loved me?" He asked.

Jensen wanted to look away, but the hopeful brown eyes pinned him in place. He swallowed roughly before nodding.

'Yeah."

"Stay. Stay in this life, with me. Be my freak." He threaded his fingers through Jensen's.

The room went still. Even the dogs seemed frozen.

"Damn, Jen, the man proposed. Give 'im an answered already." Jared prompted.

Jensen looked at his friends…his family. He looked at the man at his feet.

"Yes."

~Fin~

Comments

[deluweil.livejournal.com]

Awwwwwwwwwwwww I knew Jensen had muscles to show off :D

Love this ending, it was awesome!!

[yanzadracan.livejournal.com]

Thanx. I couldn't just leave him being the damsel in distress, and he is a helluva an actor.

[deluweil.livejournal.com]

Totally agree with you! :D

[elebridith]

Oh holy shit, that was intense! I gotta read the whole thing in order again, but oh my. BOYS!! *wibbles*

[yanzadracan.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I can't believe this started from 4 prompts on c_f. We're going to have to rename that page the birthplace of 'verses.

[elebridith]

Ohh, that would be a cool subtitle for the comm!

[yanzadracan.livejournal.com]

Yeah it would. Look how many other writers got bit the same way and it all started with a simple prompt.

Should we be afraid?

[elebridith]

Oh yes we should. Very. *g*

[yanzadracan.livejournal.com]

It probably isn't going to get any better either. *SIGH*

[honeyjojames.livejournal.com]

Wow, intense is the word! *breathes* That was awesome! I literally couldn't stop reading! Glad you made it okay in the end!
♥

[yanzadracan.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much. I was going to leave it as it stood, but no one wanted Jeff and Jensen just hanging.

[witchy78.livejournal.com]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaah I just read this fic tonight, while it was opened on my computer for days !!!!!!!!!!!!! How come I was so slow ??? I loved very bit of it. I loved how everyone was so protective over Jensen !! I loved your hurt!jensen, sensitive!jensen, all the time they cared for him, healed him, put him to bed, cuddled with him !! This fic was just Yummy and I neeeeeeeeeeeed mooooore !!! Is there a sequel I missed too ? Should I go through your LJ to find it ?

[yanzadracan.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. In case you missed my other reply, here's a rerun. LOL

It started out as 4 prompts on c_f, Eye of the Beholder, You Are My Comfort, Craving Like Fire, Craving Like Fire - Politics.

Then someone, don't remember who wanted a longer Vampire!Steve, so I combined those four into Could Find No Comfort.

Then they wanted the story of how Chris and Steve got back together, so I came up with The Space Between.

And just to wrap everything in a bow, I wrote Controlling The Fallout, which is Jensen and Vampire!Jeff's story.

Hope that helps the confusion. :-)

[witchy78.livejournal.com]

You know I'm reading your old classics these days ;o) I'm thinking that the end of this awesome AU could be the beginning off a great vamp fic with the whole "fighing the bad vampires together !". It could also explore the relationship between Jeff and Jensen that was less developped than the Chris and Steve one.
Oh well just wanted to let you know again that this was a great fic ;o)

[yanzadracan.livejournal.com]

This started out on Comment_fic as different bits, then took on a life of it's own. Seems there might still be some life in it...lol