Chapter Two



Jared smiled at the easy familiarity they'd fallen into - it was comfortable, more comfortable than he'd felt for a long time. As he started the engine, Jared looked over to Jensen, who was now shrugging off the big hoodie Jared had lent him. As he moved, his shirt rode up with the hoodie, exposing a flat stomach and firm muscles, and suddenly Jared's mouth felt very dry. As Jensen's shirt fell over the view, Jared snapped his gaze up to the man's eyes and blushed, realising he'd been caught staring. Jensen smirked at him but didn't say anything. Quickly, Jared looked back towards the road and glued his eyes out the front of the windshield as he pulled away.

After a long moment of silence, Jensen finally spoke.

"You know, I envy you," he stated matter of factually.

"You what?" Jared frowned, surprised by the sudden comment.

"You, getting away, just deciding to travel anywhere the road takes you. Man, I've never travelled, this was actually my first trip anywhere. Shame it turned out so bad." Jensen chuckled bitterly.

"Yeah well, I've never done it before. Been too watching Sandy spend my money like water," Jared confessed.

"How long were you with her?" Jensen shuffled in his seat to face Jared more comfortably. Jared began to feel a little under a microscope seeing as he couldn't meet Jensen's eyes whilst driving.

"Five years," he began, "We went out for a while during high school, and then we met up again about five years ago in a bar. She'd been having a hard time, had been kicked out by her boyfriend and didn't have any money or a place to stay. So, me being me, I took her home with me and she never left. Eventually we got together again... I really thought she loved me, but I guess she was just after an easy ride." Jared felt the familiar wave of depression flowing over him again, and scowled at the road.

"You're better off without her, seriously," Jensen said kindly. He placed a hand on Jared's knee for a moment before releasing it with a quick squeeze.

"You know I actually confronted her ex-boyfriend?" Jared went on, glancing over. Jensen raised his eyebrows. "You know what he told me?"

"I don't even wanna guess," Jensen cringed.

"He told me to run as far away from her as I could. That she was a money-grabbing whore and that I shouldn't trust her. Guess I shoulda listened to him instead of laying him out, huh?" Jared gave a bitter grin but felt the stab of betrayal deep within his heart. He clenched his jaw against it; all of a sudden the reality of his break up with Sandy was hitting him.

"Hey, it's not your fault Jared," Jensen reassured him. "She's obviously one messed up bitch and I get the impression she played her part well."

Jared didn't reply, he just stared out at the road and spent some time drowning in his misery. Jensen appeared to understand that Jared didn't want to talk about it and left him to his thoughts, so they fell into a another silence.



After about half an hour, Jared chuckled and swore under his breath.

"Well, will you look at that?" he said and pointed when Jensen frowned to indicate the motel and gas station they were pulling up to. "If I'd just managed to stay awake for a little longer last night we could've slept in proper beds and I wouldn't have this damn crick in my neck."

"Ah yes, but then you wouldn't have gotten to use me as a pillow," Jensen waggled his eyebrows teasingly and this time, instead of blushing, Jared just laughed along with him.

"Your bony ass? I'll take a nice plump pillow any day," Jared teased right back and received a playful punch in the arm for his troubles. "Oh score, they have a diner!"



Jared parked the car and was out like a shot. He paused when he realised that Jensen wasn't following him. Jensen had climbed out of the car and was leaning against the door, looking meek.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Jared asked, walking back to him.

"Jared, man, I don't have any money. My wallet was in the car when Tom drove away," Jensen explained, sheepishly. "But it's cool dude, you go get yourself something to eat, but if you could shout me a coffee I'll be forever in your debt and I'll pay you back as soon as I get my stuff back."

Jared stepped up beside Jensen and slung an arm around his neck.

"You idiot," he chuckled. "I know you don't have shit at the moment, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna let you starve. Now come on, move your ass. I hear some decent pancakes calling our names."

Jared moved off, dragging Jensen with him, his arm still firmly resting over his shoulders. He felt Jensen physically relax and grinned to himself as they walked across the parking lot.



When they each had a huge pile of steaming pancakes with syrup and coffee in front of them, Jared grinned at Jensen and started to dig in.

"Hey Jared?" Jensen stared at his pancakes.

"Mmm?" Jared questioned through a mouthful.

"I just wanted to say thank you," Jensen said quietly. He looked up through his thick lashes, and Jared had to swallow hard to get his food to go down.

"For what, the food? Don't worry about it, I wasn't gonna stuff my face in front of you, that would be just wrong," Jared joked, but put his fork down and watched Jensen. Jensen shrugged and poked at his food, pushing it around his plate.

"Well yeah, the food, but also for picking me up. You know, and listening to my problems - pretty much everything. You didn't have to do any of it and I know you've got your own stuff going on..."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa - stop a minute," Jared held up his hands. "Jensen, I almost hit you with my car, and you were stranded in the middle of nowhere! I wasn't just going to leave you out there; especially with nothing in your pocket and not knowing where you where. What kinda asshole would that make me?"

"Well, I do seem to attract them," Jensen said dryly. Jared reached across the table and grabbed Jensen's hand.

"Listen to me, don't you start thinking less of yourself just because some jackass didn't know what he had when he had it. Your boyfriend's going to get home, realise that's he's just lost the best thing that's ever happened to him and then he's going to kick himself so hard he's gonna lose his foot up his own ass. And if he doesn't, then he's even less worthy of you than I figured." Jared's thumb ran over the back of Jensen's hand soothingly and Jensen just stared at him in disbelief.

"How do you know that?" Jensen asked softly, his voice breaking slightly. "You don't even know me." He looked down at the table again.

"I just know," Jared said, gripping Jensen's hand tighter. "I dunno how - I just do. You're a good person Jensen, and you don't deserve to be treated the way that asshole treated you. I mean, you could've fucking died out there all night on your own, do you think he ever thought about that? In the clothes you've got on and nothing to protect you from the elements, you'd have caught hypothermia, easily. No one deserves that Jen! No one! He's a jerk."

"Then I guess I'm lucky you came along, huh?" Jensen squeezed Jared's hand, and the thankful look in his eyes almost broke Jared's heart. Jared cleared his throat and pulled his hand away.

"Damn straight. Now eat your pancakes before they go cold."

Jared turned back to his food, his heart racing. What were these feeling he was experiencing? He'd never felt anything like it, it was like they were taking him over and he had no control over them at all.



They finished their breakfast in silence, but it was the loudest silence Jared had ever experienced. Every time their eyes met over the table, Jared felt as though he was being hit with a jolt of electricity. Eventually, after a few extra cups of coffee they were done and ready to move. During their breakfast, Jared had asked the waitress where they were, and he'd discovered that they weren't that far from Jensen's home - it would only take them about an hour to get there. Jared didn't want to think about the disappointment he'd feel at dropping Jensen off and driving away, but he didn't voice his thoughts as he left money on the table with the bill.

"I'm just gonna -" he pointed to the bathroom and Jensen nodded. "I'll meet you out by the car, okay?"

"Yeah, okay," Jensen said quietly, and Jared felt his eyes on him all the way down the aisle.

Once Jared had pushed the bathroom door open he went straight for the sink and doused his face with cold water. His skin felt too hot, too tight, his nerves tingled inside him and it felt like each breath he took didn't contain enough oxygen to survive on. Jared's mind was swimming, and he had no idea what it was he was feeling. Jensen seemed to be getting under his skin in a way no one had ever managed to before and it scared him.

"Get a grip Padalecki," Jared told himself, splashing another bout of cold water over his face, then wiped himself dry with a paper towel. He pushed out a deep breath and turned towards the door -

Just as it opened.

Jensen stepped into the restroom and stopped dead when his eyes met Jared's. He looked nervous and Jared couldn't help but think that he looked adorable when he was nervous. God, what am I thinking?

Jensen stepped closer to Jared, his eyes were wide and his hands appeared to be trembling. Jared felt like he should be backing away, but he didn't. He moved closer to Jensen until they were close enough to touch, but they didn't. They stared into each others eyes - hazel into green - and both could see the confusion evident in the other's.

"What are we -?" Jared murmured.

"I don't know," Jensen replied. Slowly Jensen raised a hand, his finger tips brushing across Jared's cheek and he swallowed thickly. He took another step closer to Jared, their bodies almost touching. "Do you want me to stop?" he asked, barely above a whisper.

Jensen's question seemed so simple, and yet Jared didn't know how to answer it. Stop what? What was happening? They were looking at each other; Jensen's hand was cupping Jared's cheek and working its way slowly down to Jared's neck. Thoughts were rushing through Jared's head uncontrollably, and his heart was pounding so hard in his chest, he swore any second it would be forced to stop from exhaustion.

"Stop what?" Jared whispered as he felt his body lean unconsciously towards Jensen's.

"This."

Jensen moved that last half inch and then their lips were touching. Jared froze. Okay, so he knew this was what it was leading up to - he wasn't dumb, but Jesus, he never expected it to feel this good.

Jensen's hand tightened on the back of his neck and tugged him in closer. Jared felt Jensen's tongue lick across his lips, and his muscles sagged into the feeling of ecstasy the movement sent through him.

He opened his mouth to Jensen, and when he felt his warm tongue slip inside, his body thrummed, and all he wanted was Jensen closer to him. He wrapped his arms around Jensen's waist; he pulled him against him and kissed him back. As soon as Jared began to respond, Jensen deepened the kiss and gripped Jared's hips. Their tongues danced together, chasing each other around their wet, hot mouths, teasing each other; giving and taking.

Suddenly, Jensen forced Jared back against the wall, his thigh slipping between Jared's legs, nudging them open as he ground his hips against the younger man's. Jared broke the kiss to gasp out loud at the sudden movement but Jensen didn't stop, his lips moving to Jared's throat, nipping the skin so blood rushed to the surface, hot and fiery, only to soothe it with little licks of his tongue.

Jared's eyes rolled back in his head, the sensations coursing though his body... he'd never felt anything like it before in his life and he never wanted it to end.

"Jensen," he murmured as he felt Jensen's hard length grind against his thigh again. His heart leapt into his throat. "Oh God," he rasped.

Jared gripped Jensen's face and pulled it back to face him, he looked into his eyes for a moment, Jensen's pupils were blown wide and black, his breath panting against Jared's lips. Jared couldn't help himself, he delved into those lips, forcing his way in with his tongue, licking his way around and exploring every detail.

Jensen groaned into his mouth and thrust his hips against Jared's leg with more force and enthusiasm, his fingers slipping beneath Jared's shirt. Jared felt his skin tingle at the touch, and he couldn't feel where his skin ended and Jensen's began - it all melted into a single pool of sensation that blew Jared's mind and took his breath away.

Slowly Jensen's hand brushed up Jared's chest and his fingers flicked over his nipple, causing the pebble of flesh to harden underneath the touch. Jared felt his breath catch at the sensation; eyes tipping to the ceiling whilst his fingers gripped Jensen arms firmly.

Suddenly, Jensen's hand was cupping his crotch and a moan escaped Jared's lips; his erection jumped in Jensen's hand and his legs quivered, threatening to give way from underneath him.

"Gnnnh, Jen...I..." Jared tried to saying something - anything, but his brain refused to form coherent words.

"Shh, Jay, it's okay, I've got ya," Jensen reassured him, nuzzling his neck, dusting it with light kisses as his palm pushed against Jared's cock.

"I don't... I can't..." Jared had no idea what it was he was trying to say, but the confusion swimming in his head was screaming at him to figure things out before he let them get any further.

Suddenly Jensen's hand was delving beneath the waist band of his jeans, under his boxers and - Oh God, he's touching my dick!

Jared's eyes rolled back in his head, the feeling of Jensen's hand surrounding and tempting his erection was so intoxicating, and his brain had no idea how to deal with this information. This wasn't Sandy touching him - this wasn't some girl he'd picked up to ease his pain. This was a guy - some gay guy he'd picked up on the side of the road, and yeah, sure - he liked him, but he didn't know him. He was a guy, a guy, and he had his hand down Jared's pants.

And it felt amazing.

More amazing than it had ever felt before. But it had to stop!

"Stop," Jared managed to groan. "I don't know what I'm… please… Stop…"

Jensen froze. Both men stood glued to the spot, the only sound was their heavy panting into each others necks.

Suddenly someone cleared their throat. Jared frowned; the sound hadn't come from Jensen and was pretty sure he hadn't done it, that only left… Fuck!

"The motel's next door, boys. Why don't you make use of that well-coined phrase and 'get a room.'"



Jensen quickly removed his hand from Jared's jeans but didn't turn around; instead he fixed his eyes on Jared, fear and concern exuding through every pore. Jared met his intense gaze and tried to swallow the lump blocking his throat.

"Jared?" Jensen questioned, searching Jared's face for some sign of what he was thinking. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have -"

"We should go." Jared interrupted him, speaking low as he slipped out from between Jensen and the wall. He ducked his head as he went passed the amused looking man standing there watching them. He knew his face was bright red - he could feel it spreading down his neck whilst rushing out of the diner, certain everyone was looking at him knowing exactly what had just happened.

He didn't stop until he reached the Impala. Leaning both hands on his door, Jared dropped his head down between them, carefully trying to catch his breath and slow his racing heart.

God, that had been amazing! His skin was still tingling and his lips still throbbing from Jensen's touch, but his brain refused to make any sense of it. He just didn't understand what had made him feel like that; what had made him want to kiss Jensen in the first place. He did want it - he wanted Jensen to touch him. He'd felt so alive when Jensen's hands were on him, but his head was a whirl of confusion and until it had cleared, he couldn't continue with anything like what his body was screaming out for.



Jared heard Jensen coming before he saw him, slow cautious steps edging their way towards him. Slowly, Jared turned his head and offered Jensen a weak, apologetic smile.

"Jared, I'm so sorry," Jensen started. "I completely over stepped my bounds. You've been so good to me and I just jump you like that, I should've… I shouldn't have… It's just… I'm sorry." Jensen's voice trailed off, words failing him.

"You didn't jump me Jensen," Jared said kindly. "It's not like I pushed you away, I just… I've never done… with a guy, I mean. It's confusing."

"So, why did you?" Jensen asked as he took another tentative step towards Jared.

"Honestly?" Jensen nodded. "I don't know, but I don't think I had a choice. Ever since I first saw you - after almost hitting you with my car - my head's been so messed up. I've been thinking about… things I've never thought about before; things that would never even have occurred to me before." Jared ran a hand through his shaggy hair and raised his eyes to the sky.

"About me?" Jensen asked softly. He was right beside him now and Jared looked down to meet his cautious but hopeful eyes.

"Yeah," Jared swallowed. "About you."

Jared's body yearned to move closer to Jensen's, to slip his hands over Jensen's hips and hold him against his body; Jensen's lips were begging to be kissed, and with great effort Jared took a step away. Jared sighed, and he felt the breath quiver as it left his body.

"But I can't, Jensen. I'm sorry, I can't and I don't want to use you."

"What makes you think you'd be using me?" Jensen questioned, a slight frown creasing his forehead.

"Well, the only explanation that I can think of for me to suddenly be acting like this is that I'm on the rebound from Sandy, and you're probably the same with Tom," Jared explained rationally. Jensen took a step back, hurt flashing over his face as he pursed his lips together.

"Or maybe you're just attracted to me," Jensen snapped harshly. "D'you ever think of that? 'Cause I know I'm sure as Hell attracted to you, it had nothing to do with being on the rebound. I kissed you because I wanted to. Because I'd wanted to from the moment I saw you. I - I thought you wanted it too." His voice had softened a little, but he still kept his distance from Jared.

"I did want it too, and you're gorgeous - you know you are. But this?" Jared gestured between the two of them desperately, trying to find the words. "I think… Hell I don't know what to think, I've never done this before and to be honest it's scaring the shit out of me," Jared finally admitted, leaning back against his car door.



Jensen deflated and leaned on the car next to Jared.

"Yeah I bet," he said, and smiled wryly. "Look, if you don't want me to, you know -" Jensen shot Jared a sheepish glance. "I can just find another way home, you don't have to -"

"Dude," Jared grinned, shaking his head slightly until Jensen looked at him. "Get in the damn car."

Jensen's face split into a grin and they both chuckled a little. They got in the Impala and in no time Jared was peeling down the road towards Jensen's home.



The drive flew by so quickly that Jared was surprised at first when Jensen started directing him around the streets. They'd fallen easily into the banter they'd managed before they'd… you know. Kissed. It wasn't like it hadn't happened, they just didn't talk about it, but it also wasn't floating around between them like a bomb waiting to blow them to smithereens. The Impala had been filled with laughter and gentle jibes at each other, their conversation about nothing in particular, yet to Jared it felt vital. He absorbed every word that left Jensen's lips.

"This is my street," Jensen said suddenly, pointing ahead. Jared's heart dropped and a panic began vibrating through his body. But what could he do? Ask Jensen not to go back to his life? To stay with him when Jared had nothing to give him? Not likely. All the same, Jared felt like he was losing him, even if they weren't anything more than friends, he still felt like they could've been good friends. Amazing friends.

"What the fuck?" Jensen's harsh voice broke him out of his misery; Jared looked at the other man, following his piercing glare to a house a couple of doors down. "Oh, you've gotta be shitting me!" Jensen fumed.

Jared pulled the car over to the curb, and Jensen was out the door before it had even fully stopped. Hastily Jared followed, desperate to know what had distressed Jensen all of a sudden.

"Son of a BITCH!!" Jensen yelled as he stood in front of a pile of garbage - or at least it was all garbage now. Jensen didn't even go through any of it - he just fell to his knees on the sidewalk, defeated, all the anger draining from him as his eyes surveyed what Jared assumed to be all his worldly possessions. Jared started to pick through a heap of smashed CD's and DVD's. His eyes roved over the books with the pages torn to shreds, a wide screen TV that looked as though it had been shoved out the first floor window and a smouldering pile of what looked as though it used to be clothes. Not a single item could be salvaged.

"God Jensen, he didn't -" Jared faltered; he truly didn't know what to say.

"Didn't waste any time, did he?" Jensen finished for him.

"I'm so sorry," Jared told him weakly. Like that's gonna make him feel any better.

Jensen looked at the ground, averting his eyes from the shattered remains of his belongings. His voice cracked when he spoke, "Thanks."

Jared frowned but didn't hesitate to kneel next to Jensen and take him into his arms. Jensen's body shook; whether it was from anger or if he was crying Jared wasn't sure, but immediately Jensen leaned into Jared's warmth, burying his face in Jared's shoulder.

"It's okay," Jared soothed as he cradled Jensen, rocking slightly as he would a small child. "We'll figure something out, I promise, Jen."

"How could he do this to me?" Jensen whispered and Jared felt rage starting to burn through his veins.

"I want my keys back."

The voice startled the two of them - it was cold and emotionless, and Jared didn't have to be told to know it belonged to Tom.

Jensen stopped shaking and looked up at Tom. Jared's heart broke at the flare of hate he saw on a face he knew should never have been contorted into such an ugly, angry shape. But he knew it was only on the surface - he could still see the real feelings; the betrayal, the hurt and the sorrow swirling around in Jensen's watery-green eyes.

"Why?" was all Jensen could manage, he slowly got to his feet and stepped towards Tom.

"It's my house, I didn't want your stuff stinking up the place," Tom said matter of factually. He stepped down from where he was on the porch of his house and emptied a box of things onto the pile of burnt clothes. They fell with a crash and a tinkling of shattering glass - they were photos: of Jensen and Tom, of Jensen by himself, of people Jared didn't recognise. The photos smouldered in the heat that remained from the fire until the smiling faces were unrecognisable.

Jensen watched in horror, and his face flared in anger again.

"How - how could you do this?" Jensen's voice cracked again and Jared had to force himself to stay on the sidelines - this wasn't his battle and he had no place butting into their business, but like Hell was he going to leave Jensen alone now.

"Well you said you were going to move out, I just thought I'd save you the trouble," Tom smirked as he moved to tower over Jensen. Tom's piercing blue eyes bore holes into Jensen who, to his credit, stood tall and straightened his shoulders.

"All this cause I said your mom couldn't cook?" Jensen asked; he tried to blink the tears out of his eyes, tried not to show weakness.

"Oh Jenny, Jenny, Jenny. You just don't get it, do you?" Tom sighed deeply, his face a picture of mock sympathy for who he obviously viewed as a stupid person. He wrapped an arm around Jensen's shoulder and pulled him along away from the house as he spoke, "It's not like I was going to keep you around forever anyway."

"What?" Jensen gasped, too shocked to pull away from Tom's embrace. "Then why… with your parents?"

"I have to take someone up there every now and then, otherwise they don't stop nagging," Tom explained with a roll of his eyes, as though it should be obvious. "Then they show up on my doorstep, eat all my food, rearrange my furniture and I can't get rid of them for a week."

"But we've been together for nearly two years. I thought -" Jensen choked.

"You thought what? That I loved you? Oh please," Tom scoffed. "You're a pretty face and a willing fuck, Jenny, why wouldn't I keep you while you were useful? But really, you're too emotional, too needy."

His words twisted foully inside Jared as he watched. He couldn't imagine how they made Jensen feel. Tom was enjoying it - Jared could see it in his eyes - he was loving every second of putting Jensen down, and Jared's fist was clenching so hard, he swore he drew blood with his nails in his palm.

"Now it's time to move on, Jenny. That's what I intend to do and I suggest you do the same."

"You planned this, didn't you? When you kicked me out of the car you knew you were going to come back and do this, didn't you?" Jensen growled, finally shoving Tom off him angrily. Tom just laughed.

"Your face was a picture, Jenny. I wish I'd had a camera and taken something to remember you by," Tom grinned evilly.

"You didn't even come back for me, I could've died out there you jackass! And you don't even care, do you?!" Jensen spat at him, his voice getting louder by the second. Tom didn't even say a word; he just looked bored with the whole conversation.

Jensen took a few horrified stumbles backwards, unable to tear his eyes away from his ex-boyfriend's face.

"Look, you're okay, you didn't die," Tom sighed.

"Only 'cause I barely avoided running him over," Jared snapped, unable to keep his mouth shut and watch any longer. Jensen jumped at Jared's voice, as though he'd completely forgotten Jared was there.

"Ah yes, your strapping hero," Tom said sarcastically, stalking towards Jared and eyed him up and down appraisingly. "Tall, like me. Handsome, like me. Fit body… like me." Tom looked over at Jensen in amusement. "Trying to say something Jenny?"

Jensen looked horrified. He opened his mouth but Tom was talking again, staring Jared right in the eye whilst still speaking to Jensen. His smirk made Jared's blood boil.

"Has he fucked you yet? Have you begged him to take you hard and rough like you begged me? Did you imagine it was me when he was fucking you, huh Jenny?" The glint in Tom's eye showed that he knew they hadn't.

"You son of a bitch, leave him out of this!" Jensen came up behind Tom and tried to pull him away from Jared. Jared knew Jensen was no weakling, but Tom was much bigger and he just shrugged off Jensen's grasp.

"What part of his 'poor, poor me' story did he win you over with?" Tom asked Jared. "How his mommy never loved him? How his daddy ran off with some slut only to kill them both while drunk driving? How his sister won't even talk to him because he's gay? How he had to work his way through college all on his own 'cause no one would help pay his way?"

"Tom, don't," Jensen begged quietly and Tom beamed in victory at the sound, his eyes still fixed on Jared's.

Jared's body was shaking with anger and hate. He didn't even know Tom and he hated him. How could this asshole talk like that about Jensen? And even if these things were true, who the Hell was Tom to tell people about them? Jared breathed deep to keep his rage under control, but he was really struggling not to lay Tom out cold. He couldn't even trust himself to speak. The two of them stared at each other, silently, coldly, neither willing to make the first move nor sure what the other would do if they did.

"What's the matter, stun you into silence?" Tom drawled in Jared's face.

"Tom," Jensen warned in a low voice.

Tom rolled his eyes and turned away. He walked back towards the house, straight past Jensen without so much as a sideways glance, throwing a flippant, "Goodbye Jenny," over his shoulder as he went.

"What am I supposed to do now?" Jensen shouted after him. "I don't even have anything to wear to work."

"Oh you don't have to worry about that, Jenny," Tom said, turning back to sneer at Jensen.

"You're fired."

"What the -? You - you can't do that!" Jensen stuttered in shock.

"It's my company, I can do what ever I damn well please," Tom snarled angrily. "You think I want to see your stupid face around the office every single fucking day? Please." Tom took three long strides back down the front lawn, and was right back up in Jensen's face.

"I fucking run that company, it would fall apart if it wasn't for me and you know it," Jensen growled, his jaw twitching as he clenched it hard.

"You think so, do you?" Tom questioned, levelling his gaze at Jensen in an even stare.

"Nobody knows how things run like I do," Jensen stated coldly. "I brought in most of your clients, I know the ins and outs of everything that goes on, I -"

"You're not the only one, Jenny," Tom grinned. Jensen just gaped at him. "Although it's true you have been an asset, I happen to know someone who can do your job almost as well as you. As I would expect, seeing as you trained him."

"Mike!" Jensen practically squeaked.

"Yes, I've found Mike to be very agreeable, in more ways than one," Tom told him lowly, watching as the realisation dawned on Jensen's face.

"You cheated on me?" he asked. "With Mike?"

The hurt in Jensen's voice broke Jared's heart - the guy had just lost everything and this asshole was purposefully rubbing salt into the raw, open wounds.

"Well, with Mike for starters," Tom shrugged.

With that, Tom turned on his heels and walked away again, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest.

"Tom -" Jensen marched up to Tom and tried to stop him from walking away. Tom flung his arm back, catching Jensen in the face. Jensen went stumbling backwards onto the ground, holding a hand to his sore cheek; Tom sneered at him for a moment and then continued walking.



"You fucking bastard," Jared spat. He strode forward, his long legs covering the distance between them almost instantly. He grabbed Tom's shoulder, spun him round and introduced his jaw to a very powerful fist with a roaring right hook. Tom didn't even have a chance to blink before he was sprawled in the ground, blood dripping from the split in his lip. His eyes were slightly unfocused when he tried to stand, wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Don't make me put you down again," Jared warned, his voice low and dangerous. After a second to study Jared, Tom sat back down; he turned his face, his features contorted with a mix of embarrassment and anger, grinding his teeth and wincing when his jaw throbbed in pain.



Read chapter three of nine of Lycaness' Escape to Where?