Fandom: RPS (Supernatural with added Buffy, Angel, SGA, STNG, LoTR and others)
Title: In Noble Pursuit, Part 5 (Sequel to In Service - Links to Chapters
Pairing/Characters: Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki, Chris Kane, Eliza Dushku, Jason Momoa, Michael Shanks, James Marsters, Alyson Hannigan, Jeffery Dean Morgan, OCs
Rating: R-sih
Word Count: 5906
Summary: New problems, new players...Jensen's trying to hold his business together but he's bleeding money and staff. It doesn't help that it appears he may have a traitor in his midst...and Jared is feeling a little left out, but is his effort to help actually helping?

A/Ns & Warnings: Ummm...yeah totally AU. It all began as light, fluffy slave!crack (oh, be quiet...it did). I take great liberties with the families of the celebrities I...um...use...creating siblings, erasing siblings, aging and de-aging siblings...pretty much doing anything I want. Um...and just about anyone is game. All of that remains true...however...somewhere along the line it got serious and seriously dark (hush!) As to Warnings: Ummm...lots of sex? there may be dub-con and such in the future.





“Tonight on ABN, we begin an exploration of Service, it’s history, it’s secrets, the changes and conflict. Join me, Alyson Hannigan and fellow reporters James Marsters and Michael Shanks as we journey to the past and try to reconcile it with the present.”

“Cut. Good. Alyson, that was good. Let’s try it again from the second position though. I think I like the lighting better.”

Jensen chewed on the end of his thumb as he watched them reset the seen. He stood out of the way, leaning against the wall of the old sound stage. He hadn’t met the other two reporters Alyson had recruited for the production, but he’d given her free reign.

“Michael, over here.” Alyson called as a lanky man with a scowl on his face stopped just off the set. He crossed to her while the lighting was reset, and they spoke quietly until the director called for places.

Jensen shook his head. He trusted her. She hadn’t let him down yet. She was good at her job. He turned away and headed back to his office. Watching it was going to make him crazy.

His phone rang and he stopped in the middle of the corridor, side stepping a large dolly filled with set pieces. “Jared?”

“I can’t make it work.”

“What can’t you make work?”

“Anything.” He was pouting. Jensen could hear it in his voice.

“I’m sure that’s not true.” He made his way toward his office, gathering messages from Andrew as he went in. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“I suck at this math. It doesn’t make any sense, and I can’t get the DVD to play, and the heater’s out on the pool…I’m here alone.”

Jensen bit back the chuckle. “You’re not alone, Jared. You have Glenn and Donald, and the staff is there.”

“You’re not.” Jensen could hear him fiddling with papers. “Glenn is leaving.”

“He’s what?”

“His wife is having a baby, and he’s leaving. Said some other guy was taking his place in a few days. Jason…something.”

“Sounds like you’re just having a rough day.” Jensen knew Jared was just looking for sympathy, attention. “How about you save the math for when I get home and I’ll see if I can help you.”

“You can help me?” Jared asked, his voice already brighter.

“Sure. I’d love to help you.”

There was a knock on the door, and Jessica poked her head in. “They’re looking for you down in marketing. Harold is going to have a stroke.”

Jensen nodded and held up his hand. “So, is it better?”

“Talking to you always makes it better.” Jared replied.

Jensen smiled. “I’ve got to go. See you tonight.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too.”

He hung up the phone and shoved it in his pocket. “What’s wrong in marketing?”

Jessica shrugged. “I didn’t ask, just came to get you. Jeff’s down there right now.”

“Okay. Jensen rounded the desk and they set off together down the hall.

They rounded the corner and Jensen pushed Jessica out of the way quickly as something came flying through the door of the marketing department. A stapler hit the wall and clattered to the floor. He started in again, but Jeff came out, shaking his head. “You don’t want to go in there.”

“What’s going on?”

Jeff blew out and shook his head again. “It isn’t good.”

“Jeff, what the fuck is going on?”

“We’re losing at least half the marketing staff. Five of them came in and gave notice. Two more just quit over the phone.”

Jensen felt like someone had punched him in the gut. “What? How?”

Jeff shook his head. “I just tried to talk Kara into staying. She said she was offered a job making twice as much. We can’t match it.”

“Stewart?”

Jeff shrugged. “She wouldn’t say…but I’m guessing the answer is yes.”

“Stealing our advertisers isn’t enough for him, he’s gotta pull our staff too?”

“So we replace them.” Jessica said, hands on her hips.

“It isn’t that easy.” Jensen said. “Not just anyone off the streets can do this job.”

“Bullshit. It’s basic sales. Change your focus. Stop chasing what’s running away, and start bringing new companies in. Same with the people. You didn’t know anything about running a studio when you started, now look at you.”

Jensen stared at her. She was right. He nodded slowly. “Okay. Put together a plan for hiring and training. I need a fully staffed department in two weeks.”

“Me?” She looked shocked.

“Why not? Your idea, your project.”

“I don’t know anything about marketing,” she protested.

Jensen grinned. “You just told me that shouldn’t matter…but if you don’t think you’re up to the task—“

She drew herself up and huffed. “I didn’t say that.”

“Better get busy then.” Jensen said with a grin. She stalked away muttering.

“She’s a pistol.” Jeff said, watching her go.

Jensen agreed. “You haven’t seen the half of it.” He knew she’d rise to the bait, she’d been working for him for less than two weeks, but she was determined to prove she could do the job.

He turned back to Jeff. “Okay, she’s right about going after new blood. We need major transfusions. Let’s set up for a brainstorming session tomorrow. Full senior staff and all that’s left of marketing. It’s time to milk every personal connection, every family business.”

“You’ve got tomorrow afternoon set up with the accounting department.” Jeff reminded.

Jensen cursed, then shook his head. “This is more important. You handle the accountants, we can swap info over dinner tomorrow night.”



Jared was frustrated. It was more than the math and the DVD player and the rest. Every night Jensen came home more exhausted, more withdrawn. His temper was stretched thin, his patience thinner. The only time he didn’t seem ready to snap was when they were alone and nearing sleep.

Then, he’d let go just a little, and Jared wanted it to last, but it was usually the sign that Jensen was nearly asleep.

“You seem agitated.” Ellen said as she set down her load of books on the kitchen table. ‘

Jared looked up. “I’m worried.”

“About Jensen?”

He crinkled his nose and nodded. He hadn’t known her long, but she seemed to have learned a lot about him in that time. “I’m not supposed to talk about it…but if I don’t talk about something, how am I supposed to learn about it?” He stood and went to the coffee pot. “You want some?”

She nodded and started sorting through her books. “Well, that’s a good point Jared. Have you talked to him?”

He shook his head and poured two cups of coffee. “I don’t want to bother him. He’s got so much on his mind. I want to help him, but I don’t know how.”

He brought the coffee back to the table and sighed as he sat. “I mean, I know that it’s the money. I know that he’s having trouble with his advertisers…and I know that he’s upset.” He sighed again and picked at the corner of his math book. “And I know it’s all to do with me.”

Her hand covered his. “Jared, you can’t blame yourself.”

He shook his head. “You don’t understand.” He pressed his lips together and considered his next words. He hadn’t spoken about it in a long time. It always made Jensen upset and Jessica wouldn’t listen and Chris wasn’t around. “Jensen…he wasn’t always like this. When I came, he changed. He saw me and wanted me and so he got his father to cheat Lord Stewart. Then he was bullied into the deal with Stewart. Then he had to do the thing with the ratings, and it was because of me, and then it was about me…the whole Servant thing…”

He pulled his hand away and played with his coffee cup. “And the advertisers leaving is because of the Servant thing…and the bombing that is going to be the reason he lost all that money was because of the Servant thing…and so it isn’t my fault, exactly.”

Jared looked at her, trying to make the rolling emotions make sense, even to him. “But it’s because of me…and I want to help fix it, but I don’t know how.”

“Okay, so let’s look at what Jensen needs and what skills you have.”

Jared frowned. “I don’t have skills.” In fact, that was why she was there. Why he was studying. To get to the place where he could learn skills. So that he wouldn’t be just a pretty decoration for Jensen’s house.

She smiled at him, and it was soft and sweet. “You sell yourself short, Jared. We need to work on that.”

He sighed and lifted his coffee cup. “I know how to offer a man pleasure, but I don’t think Jensen would be overly fond of me offering to let his advertisers fuck me if they’ll stay.” His voice was bitter, even more so than the words themselves.

“You’re thinking too small, Jared.” Ellen said softly. “You’re letting the opinions of others color how you see yourself.”

He pouted, but looked up at her. “You think so?”

She nodded. “So the two issues right now are that the studio needs money, and the advertisers are leaving?”

“I think so.”

“Okay, if you could do anything…anything at all…what would it be?”

Jared chewed on his lip. “Find him new advertisers?”

“That’s good. So, who?”

Jared shook his head. “I don’t know…companies that aren’t owned by nobles maybe? Companies that don’t advertise much now?”

She was smiling when he looked up. “Good. That’s a start.”

“But how can I do anything?”

“You can write letters, Jared. Make phone calls. I’m willing to bet that there are people out there who would respond to you before they’d respond to anyone in Jensen’s marketing department.”

“I can do that?” Jared felt a little thrill at the idea. “Can you help me?”

“I’d be honored.”

Jared nodded. It was something to do, something that could help. And maybe he wouldn’t feel so lonely.



Jeff collapsed into his chair and pulled a hand through his hair. The door to the bedroom peeked open. “It’s just me Darren, come on out.”

The boy had lost weight and his clothes hung off him. He was convinced that his half brother was going to send people to kill him. Jeff wasn’t entirely sure he was wrong, but he couldn’t stomach living in fear the way the kid did.

“I brought home dinner.” Jeff pointed to the kitchen and the pizza he’d picked up on his way home.

“Not hungry.” Darren shuffled across the floor and held out a shaking hand. In it was an envelope. “This came today.”

Jeff took the envelope, frowning. The threats had stopped with the arrest of the ring leaders of the Sons and Daughters of Nobility. “What is it?”

Darren shook his head, crossing his arms over his stomach and holding himself. “I didn’t look. Couldn’t.”

Like the envelopes before, there was no address, no name. Jeff opened it slowly, pulling out a single folded piece of paper. The paper was a black and white printout of a snapshot. Jeff held his breath. The picture could only have been taken that morning, on the set. It was a shot of him, Alyson and Michael, between shots.

There were no words. No direct threats.

Jeff pulled his phone out of his pocket, thumbing Alyson’s preset number and holding his breath until she picked up. “Where are you?”

He licked his lips. Still at the studio. “Are you alone?” He was freaking her out, he could hear it in her voice. “Calm down. Just…I’m coming to get you. No. Wait with Michael. I’ll explain when I get there.”

He pocketed his phone and lurched back to his feet. “Darren, I’m headed back to the studio. You probably should stay here. Out of sight.”

Not that he had to worry, Darren was already on his way back to his bedroom. He grabbed at his car keys and headed out the door, careful to lock it behind him.



“Well, Mr. Cryptic Phone-Call Man, it’s about time.” Alyson wagged her finger at him as she looked up from the work she and Michael were huddled over. James sat on the other side, tossing a tennis ball.

“I was worried. There was a picture delivered to my house today. Someone was on set.” He handed her the envelope. Michael frowned over her shoulder, then looked up.

“Is this supposed to be some sort of threat?”

Jeff shrugged. “I suppose. It isn’t really clear.”

“I thought these monsters were all in lock up.” James said, standing and taking the picture from Alyson.

“Obviously they missed a few.” Michael responded. “Where were you when this was taken?”

James frowned, his eyes skimming over the picture. “Maybe this was when they called me back to touch up my makeup? The smudge?” He fingered the tip of his chin and shrugged.

“We should tell Jensen.” Alyson said.

“Let’s get you three out of here first.” Jeff said. “Obviously my place is out of the question.”

“I’ve got a safe place.” Alyson said, smiling. “It’s good to have friends no one knows about.”



“My Lord, Mr. Morgan is here.”

Jensen looked at the intercom, then Jared. He was in pajama bottoms and climbing into bed. “Okay. I’ll be right down,” he said into the box, then smiled apologetically to Jared.

“I’m sure this won’t take long. Go ahead and get into bed.”

Jensen pulled on his robe and headed down the stairs. He knew from the first look on Jeff’s face that it wasn’t good. Jeff didn’t say anything, just handed him a piece of paper. Jensen unfolded it and looked at the picture. “This from on set?”

Jeff nodded. “It was stuffed under my door before I got home.”

“Shit.”

“I’ve already made sure Alyson and Michael are safe. The last few times we got these, something happened the same day.”

Jensen nodded and stepped into the living room, reaching for the phone. “I’ll call Eliza. You should stay here tonight.”

Jeff shook his head. “Can’t, Darren. He’s petrified. I can’t leave him alone.”

Jensen stiffened. It was easy to forget the kid was still around.

“I just thought you should know.”

Jeff headed for the door, but Jensen cleared his throat. “At least take one of my security detail with you?”

Jeff nodded and Jensen dialed the phone. “I need one of your guys to stay with Mr. Morgan tonight. He’s leaving now, have your guy at the gate.” Jensen crossed back to the door, holding it for Jeff. “Watch your back.”

“You too.”

Jensen watched Jeff get into his car and head for the gate. He looked at the phone in his hand and dialed Chris’ number. “Hey, you with your girlfriend?” Jensen nodded when Chris asked if everything was all right, then cleared his throat. “Can you two stop over, I’ve got something to show her.”

It was twenty minutes before they showed up, twenty minutes in which Jensen paced the room, and sent Jared back to bed when he came looking. He wasn’t ready for this to start again. He had enough other worries to consider.

“What’s going on, Jensen?” Chris asked before they were fully in the door.

Jensen handed off the picture. “That was stuffed under Jeff’s door today. It was taken on set, inside the studio, this morning.”

“Do you know who could have taken it?” Eliza asked, her phone already in her hand.

Jensen shook his head. “Any of a dozen people, or more. It was a closed set, but still there were production aides, producers, directors, make up people, costume people…”

She held up her hand and turned her attention to her phone. “Hey, I need the background checks on ABNs personnel first thing in the morning. No, I’m not kidding.” She looked up at Jensen. “And I want FBI on every single door into that building tomorrow. No one gets in without a search. No weapons, no cameras, is that clear?”

“You think it’s someone on my staff?”

Eliza nodded. “We think that’s how they got the bombs into the other studio. We think you have several people on your staff that are working for the Sons and Daughters of Nobility. Some of them may even be nobility…or like Darren, bastard nobility.”

Jensen dragged his hands through his hair. “What about Joshua? Wouldn’t he know that?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so. He wasn’t all that high up the decision making chain. His only prominence in the organization is his relation to you. Most of what we’re getting from him involves those who were part of his recruitment and the action against Jared.”

“But he is talking?” Jensen collapsed onto the couch.

“Yes. He’s still scared though.”

“Just tell me he’s safe. If he gets hurt, my mother will never speak to me again.”

“He’s as safe as I can make him.” Eliza assured him.

“I’m so freaking tired of this shit.” Jensen sighed. “Will it ever be over?”

Chris came to sit beside him. “Give them what they want and it’s over.” He clapped a hand to Jensen’s knee.

“Aren’t you a bright ray of sunshine?”

Chris grinned. “I do my best.”



Jared sat on the bed watching Jensen get dressed. “Are you sure everything’s okay?”

Jensen glanced at him and nodded. “For the fifth time, yes, everything is fine, Jared.”

Jared chuckled. “You might want to put pants on then.”

Jensen looked down. He was shoving his feet into his shoes but his legs were bare. He rolled his eyes. “I’ve got an all day meeting with the marketing staff. I’m a little distracted.”

“This isn’t about Jeff’s visit last night?”

Jensen swallowed and looked away. “That was just business Jared. Not unusual.”

“He hasn’t been over that late in a while.” Jared observed.

It made Jensen uncomfortable lying to him, but he didn’t want him frightened by the whole thing. “He’s working hard, we all are.” He went to where Jared was sitting and kissed him lightly. “So we can put this whole thing behind us.”

“So what’s the meeting for?” Jared asked as Jensen moved away to find the pants he wasn’t wearing.

“We need to find new advertisers and new campaigns for existing ones. Today I’m going to try to inspire the troops to think outside the comfort zone. ABN’s an old company that’s existed on the status quo for too long.”

“That sounds good.”

“What are your plans for the day?” Jensen asked as he emerged from the closet with a pair of black dress pants.

“History today. And English.”

“You call me if you need to, okay?” Jensen said, as he finally put his shoes on. “I may not pick up, but I’ll call you back as soon as I can.”

“I’m fine.” Jared said. “Jessica showed me what I was doing wrong with the DVD player…and Ellen’s coming earlier and Glenn’s going to introduce me to the new guy today, instead of tomorrow. Apparently his baby’s coming early…something about a see…something.”

“A C-section?” Jensen asked.

Jared nodded, his hair flopping in his eyes. “That’s it. The baby’s upside down or something.”

Jensen couldn’t help but smile. “You must talk to Glenn a lot.”

“I like him. He’s nice to me.”

“Okay, I’m going to be late if I don’t get going. I’ll see you tonight.” He paused to kiss Jared, then headed out the door. It was going to be a long day.



Jared flipped the channels on the television while he waited for Ellen to show up. Glenn had brought the new guy in and introduced him. Jared had stared. The guy was huge. Donald and Glenn had talked while Jared and Jason stared at one another, then Glenn was gone and Donald took up his station at the front door while Jason sat in the living room chair.

“Former Servant turned national success story, Martin Bulving announced this morning that his company, Los Angeles based Martique Services Inc., is developing teaching software to emulate its award winning classroom environment.”

Jared stopped flipping and squinted at the screen. “Originally, all I set out to do was to utilize the methods used in training centers for Service to teach other skills. It was after I met my wife that I realized that there was a market for the skills of Service in the mainstream population as well. Who doesn’t want to learn to please their lover, or prepare an awesome and romantic meal? By offering this software, we take it a step further, bringing the cost down even further, so that everyone can learn with the added benefit of not needing to travel outside their home.”

Jared turned off the television and turned to Jason. “How do you feel about taking a little trip?”

“Where we going?”

Jared smiled for himself. “To drum up a little business.”



Jared dressed himself in his nicest clothes, and despite Donald’s protests, he and Jason climbed into the back seat of Jared’s car. The trip downtown took longer than he’d anticipated in midday traffic, and when they’d stopped in front of the building he had a moment of panic.

He was being silly. He should have called first. Jason held the door for him and he stepped out of the car, feeling like every eye in the place was on him. Which was silly. No one even knew he was there. He adjusted his jacket and glanced around him. “I can do this.”

“Pardon?” Jason asked, moving in closer.

Jared sighed and shook his head. “Nothing. Let’s go.”

Once inside it took him a minute to get his bearings, but once he had, he marched up to the receptionist. “I’m here to see Mr. Bulving.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

He should have called first. “Um…no, but…” But what? “My name is Jared Padalecki Ackles, and…um…”

Jason stepped in, around Jared, leaning over the desk. “Tell Mr. Bulving that Lord Jared Ackles is here to see him. I’m sure he’ll see us.”

She looked up, first at Jason, then at Jared. “Oh…oh….okay, just a minute.” She picked up the phone. Jared backed off a step and Jason smirked at him.

“Sometimes you have to be aggressive.” Jason said. He turned his back to the receptionist and reached out to straighten Jared’s tie. He was as tall as Jared. Somehow it was comforting. Jared had always been freakishly tall. Jason picked some lint off his shoulder. “Stand up straight and don’t be afraid to look him in the eye. You’re the one with the title.”

Jared smiled. He was starting to really like this guy.

“Mr. Bulving will see you, please follow me.”

“My Lord! What an honor…please, please come in.” Martin Bulving was a short man, but handsome…or he had been once. Jared let himself be ushered into the office. “I have been trying to reach you for weeks, my Lord. I wanted to offer my services.”

Jared held up his hand, shaking his head lightly. “Please, Mr. Bulving. Let’s not…please, sit, and we can talk.”

“I want you to know that I followed your story very closely, my Lord. I was moved beyond tears when you were married. Such a beautiful man, your husband.”

Jared smiled, but he was uncomfortable. “Yes, he is. But that isn’t why I’m here.”

“Of course, of course. As I said, my services are at your command. Any class at all, any skill. Free of charge.”

Jared shook his head. “No. I’m not here for that either.”

Bulving sat back in his chair, clearly confused. “Ah, teaching? Is that it? I am told you have fabulous hands. I have an opening for someone to teach erotic massage.”

Jared held up both hands. “Mr. Bulving. Please. If you would give me a moment.” He wasn’t sure how this man would know he had fabulous hands, Jared wasn’t even sure it was true. “I’m here on behalf of ABN, actually. Jared shifted in his seat. “I see an opportunity here, one that could be good for both you and the network.”

Bulving folded his hands on his desk and fixed Jared with a stare that made him twitch. “I’m listening.”

Jared licked his lips and nodded. “Okay, well…you have a new product. You need advertising. ABN is a good fit for your needs. I did some checking before I came over. You’ve only ever advertised on the radio and internet. Television reaches a broader audience.”

“Television costs more.” Bulving said. “I looked into it last year.”

Jared’s heart sank. “My dad used to tell me that making money takes money,” he offered tentatively. “If you don’t spend it now, you don’t make it later.”

“I don’t know. It’s a lot of money.”

“It is. It’s a lot of money.” Jared conceded. “And with ABN’s ratings through the roof, it’s only going to cost more as time moves on. Right now is probably the only time you’d be able to get into ABN at prices this low. Did you know they’ve placed first in the overall weekly ratings the last three weeks?” He sat forward and lowered his voice. “In fact, if you want the inside scoop, I can tell you that the history of Service special would be the absolute perfect placement for your ads. It’s sure to draw the people you want to reach most.”

“History of Service?”

Jared nodded. “They’re shooting it right now…but you didn’t hear it from me. It’s not supposed to be public knowledge just yet.”

He could see the wheels turning. “I think the experts are saying that it should draw quite a diverse crowd, including former Servants and bored housewives, just the kind of people who might be interested in what you have to offer.”

He knew no such thing, but he’d learned a thing or two watching television. “But, if it’s too much money, it’s too much money. I understand. Forget I said anything. I’ll just head on out to my next stop.” Jared stood, smoothing his jacket and taking three steps toward the door before Bulving’s voice stopped him.

“Just a minute my Lord. Not so fast.”

Jared turned, an eyebrow raised. “Yes?”

“Perhaps I’m being hasty. I should look at some numbers…talk to my ad guys.”

Jared smiled. “Perhaps. I’m sure that if you call ABN they would be happy to send someone out to go over the figures with you and talk about what they can offer you.”

“I will. Are you sure I can’t offer you something? Cooking lessons? Violin?”

“Thank you, Mr. Bulving. I have my hands full at the moment.”

Jared was chuckling as the door closed.

“We’re on our way out.” Jason said into his radio. “Good meeting?” he asked as they headed out of the office and down to the elevator.

“I think so.” Jared fished his phone out and dialed Jessica’s number. “Hey. Do me a favor. Get one of your marketing guys to call Martin Bulving before the day is over. I think he’s going to want to do some advertising.”

“What are you talking about?”

Jared chuckled. The elevator dinged. “Just do it. Think of it as part of the chasing new companies thing you were talking about at dinner.” He stepped out of the elevator with Jason behind him and stopped dead. The lobby was filled with reporters and cameras. The flashes and shouting was overwhelming. He tried to step back, but they’d surrounded them.

“Jared! Jared talk to me.” Jessica’s voice was filled with panic, but Jared couldn’t respond. Jason pulled him close, grabbed the phone.

“He’ll call you back.”

“Wait! Who is this?”

“Little busy right now.” Jason growled, then closed the phone. “Listen to me, my Lord. Keep your head down, eyes on the ground and move with me. I’ll get you out.”

Jared was trembling, but he nodded, feeling Jason’s big body at his back and leaning into it. Jason’s hand was on his head and Jared ducked forward, moving forward with Jason’s movement.

“That’s it, my Lord. You’re doing fine. Keep moving.”

Jared watched feet shuffling out of their way, then felt Jason stop their movement. Donald was there, Jared could hear his voice. “Clear a path ladies and gentleman, or I will be asking the nice police officers arriving outside to do it for you.”

There was more shuffling, shouted questions, flashes and hands forcing microphones toward him. It opened up some once they were outside, but what greeted them there were television cameras. Jason kept Jared’s head ducked until they were in the car and pulling away.

“I’m sorry.” Jason said.

“You should be, I was trying to call you and tell you.” Donald said.

“My radio was working fine when we got there.” Jason pulled the earpiece out and checked it. “It’s working fine now.”

“I was on my way inside when you sounded out that you were on your way down. I couldn’t get through the crowd fast enough.”

“Well, we’re okay, aren’t we?” Jason turned concerned eyes on Jared who was huddled in the seat, hugging himself.

Jared nodded, though he wasn’t sure that was the truth. He wasn’t sure he was okay at all. He was shaking. The shouted questions filled his head. “Can we just go home? Please?”



Jessica skidded to a stop in the conference room door, out of breath and shaking. The entire room looked up at her. She held up her phone at Jensen, as if that should mean something to him. “Something’s wrong. I was talking to Jared and then he went quiet and there was all this noise and some man telling me he’d call me back….and now he won’t answer.”

Jensen picked his way across the room, his own phone pressed to his ear. “Come on. Pick up.” When it dumped to voicemail, he turned to his security guy. “Get my car. Sam, can you finish this up?”

She nodded and Jessica sprinted alongside Jensen as they headed for his office, then out to the front of the building. His car was there in only seconds and Jensen didn’t wait for the driver to get out and open the door, ushering Jessica into the car. “Get me home, Morgan.”

Jensen dialed again. This time it was picked up on the second ring. “Jared?”

“I’m sorry, Jared’s not up to talking,” a deep voice said into the phone.

“Who the fuck is this?” Jensen’s heart was racing, his mind already running over half a dozen scenarios.

“Who the fuck is this?” the voice asked back.

Jensen tried to calm himself. “Lord Jensen Ackles. Now it’s your turn.”

There was a moment of silence. “I’m sorry, my Lord. My name is Jason Momoa. I’m your husband’s new security. He’s locked himself in the bedroom and won’t come out.”

Security. Jensen nodded to Jessica, put a hand on her arm to calm her. “What happened?”

“We went on an outing, my Lord. Apparently the press got wind of it. They swarmed us.”

“Is Jared okay?”

“He wasn’t hurt, but he’s pretty upset.”

Jensen let out a breath. “Okay. I’m on my way home. Just…let him be.” He hung up and looked at Jessica. “He’s okay. Upset, but okay. They got swarmed by the press.”

She frowned and shook her head. “He was at Bulving’s.”

“Who?”

“He called me, told me to have one of the marketing people call Martin Bulving, the guy with the lessons? He caters to the former Servant market…or something. I heard about him on the news this morning.”

“Why would he have been there?”

“You’re asking me? He’s your husband.”


“Jared?”

“Bathroom.”

Jensen dropped his briefcase and went to find Jared. He was soaking in a tub of hot water, a scowl on his face. “You okay?”

“No.” Jared’s scowl deepened. “Why are you home?”

Jensen sat on the edge of the tub. “Jessica was upset. We were worried that something happened to you.”

“Nothing I shouldn’t have expected. I’m stupid.”

“Stop, you’re not stupid.”

Jared sighed and shook his head. “You weren’t there. It was stupid. I shouldn’t have gone, I should have made Jason check the lobby, I should have anticipated someone would tip off the press.”

Jensen trailed a hand in the water, trying to get a handle on what Jared was feeling. He’d expected to come home and find him huddled in the corner, terrified.

Jared stood suddenly, stepping over Jensen and reaching for a towel.

“Are you okay?”

“No.” Jared said again, dripping on the rug while he rubbed himself roughly with the towel. “I’m pissed off.”

“Okay. I can understand that.”

“Can you?” Jared’s skin was red from far more than the heat of the water. “Maybe you can explain it to me then.” He seemed to deflate a little. Jensen stood and moved close enough to touch his arm.

“It’s frustrating to be in the spotlight like that.” Jensen offered. “Want to tell me why you were there?”

That only seemed to bring back the anger and Jared stalked back into the bedroom. “You should have heard the things they asked me. They wanted to know if you sent me there to learn how to be a good husband…or if I was going to be teaching classes on how to seduce a noble spouse. They wouldn’t shut up…and they’re so pushy and any one of them could have been there to do more than throw words at me.” He stormed to the bed, then back to the closet.

“It’s going to be in all the papers by morning. Pictures and god knows what they’re going to say.” Jared sighed again. Jensen put his arms around Jared from behind pulling his body close.

“Tell me why you were there.”

Jared sighed and sagged against Jensen. “I was helping,” he said after a long pause.

“Helping?”

He sighed again and set his head on Jensen’s shoulder. “I saw him on the news. I thought I could talk him into advertising on ABN.”

Jensen straightened up in surprise. “You did?”

Jared turned around and kissed him. “Yes, and he might. I mean…it isn’t like I got him to sign anything.”

Jensen grinned and pulled Jared in for a deeper kiss, tongues tangling sweetly. “You are amazing.”

“I’m still pissed.”

Jensen looked at him for a moment, then nodded. “Okay, who are you pissed at?”

Jared shook his head. “Me, mostly. I should have realized. I keep forgetting what it’s like out there. Thought no one would care anymore.”

“You’re news, baby. They still follow me around too. Camp outside the studios.”

Jared sank onto the bed, pouting. “I just want to be normal. I want us to be normal.”

Jensen came to sit next to him on the bed. “I want that too, but it’s going to take a while.”

“I don’t have to like it.”

Jensen shook his head. “No, you don’t. But you do have to get dressed and go show your sister that you’re okay. She was really upset.”

“Yeah, okay.” Jared stood and dropped his towel, but Jensen pulled him back onto the bed, pressing him to the mattress and kissing him passionately.

“Then come back here and we’ll make the most of me being home in the middle of the day.”