Desperate Times - 30
Oct. 12th, 2008 09:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hemrageChapter 29 here.
Title: Desperate Times (30/?)
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Jensen/Jared, Jensen/OMCs, AU, Non-con, Dub-con, MPREG
Additional Warnings For This and Upcoming Chapters for those that want them – Reading these may, in my opinion, spoil your enjoyment of the story: (Highlight to read) Extreme medical practices, acts of terrorism, violence - murder and CHARACTER DEATH (I only kill original characters.)
He changed gears on the ancient piece of shit he’d picked up a hundred miles ago and cursed under his breath as the hunk of rust shuddered violently. It would get them where they were going – if he was lucky. He didn’t relish the idea of having to acquire another vehicle so close to their destination.
He was half tempted to turn the radio on, assuming it worked. Though, admittedly, it didn’t look promising. Not the way half the antenna, the half that was still attached, was lying parallel to the hood, threatening to break through the bodywork every time they hit a pot hole.
He decided against it. There was nothing on the news that wasn’t completely depressing and as for the music …? He hated all the modern crap that Christian always had blaring out of the stereo on those rare occasions they were home at the same time.
The road was quiet and the scenery hadn’t changed in hours. Monotonous, boring.
His passengers knew, they had to know, that he’d been driving back and forth along highways and interstates, going on detour after detour, dragging out, prolonging their journey. Delaying their arrival.
They had to know that.
What they didn’t, couldn’t know, was how close they really were to their destination. Or that they’d been within a hundred miles of their destination since daybreak.
They knew the delays were safety precautions … they didn’t complain.
Much.
Andy’s patience had long since run out, this wasn’t what he’d signed up for. Playing taxi driver would never be his idea of fun, but at least it wasn’t as dangerous as the last few jobs he’d been on. He should have welcomed the change of pace – he didn’t.
He was pretty certain they weren’t being followed, especially as every item the Ackles family had brought with them had been relieved of all the listening and tracking devices hidden inside them within their first hour on the road.
Most of them had long since stopped working anyway, and those that hadn’t… well, they weren’t an issue anymore.
They’d played musical chairs at their last stop, when he called in for gas. Mrs Ackles had never sat up front with him before and, for some reason, she made him more uncomfortable than any of the others had.
That was a joke: for some reason.
He knew the fucking reason, just didn’t want to acknowledge it. The woman scared him with her intensity. There was nothing more dangerous than a mother when she thought one of her kids was in danger.
He’d deliberately avoided conversation with her for the last couple of days, but he didn’t doubt that that was the reason the older woman had climbed into the front seat with him now. She’d stayed with her husband, or sat with her sons, for all of the time he’d been ferrying them around.
And now she was with him.
Maybe he should try the radio, fill the void before she could.
He leant forward, turned the dial and a burst of static filled the air. Not willing to give up straight away, dead air greeted him at every wavelength.
He gave up.
Turned it off.
Braced for it.
She didn’t disappoint.
“How’s my boy?”
She looked out the window, watched the passing scenery. She didn’t look his way at all.
If the vehicle had been silent before, it was more so now. He could probably hear the death throes of the bugs that collided with his windshield if he listened hard enough.
Every man sitting behind him waited for his answer.
“Last time I saw him, he was fine.”
She turned to him then, her green eyes were sharp, intense. She didn’t want any nonsense, wouldn’t accept any half truths or lies. “With what happened to him… while he was inside the Center… I expected you to tell me he was pregnant.”
Andy swallowed, his throat suddenly very dry.
He’d spoken to Chris only yesterday and knew there were moves to create a clinic for the two pregnant Gestates they’d landed themselves with. Knew that there were others gathering medical equipment even as he was thinking it. Ideally they should have been moved, further north, to a larger camp the other side of the Canadian border, where other Gestates had been taken in the past. But for some reason it wasn’t considered safe, even now, weeks after their escape.
Two pregnant Gestates.
Two.
Trey had obviously been pregnant the last time he’d seen him, with Jensen, he hadn’t been able to tell.
He could feel her stare as he kept his eyes on the road, knew the sweat he felt rolling down between his shoulder blades had nothing to do with physical exertion or the heat of the day. Though it wasn’t his news to break, the way she looked at him reminded him of his own mother. He didn’t doubt she’d know if he was lying. “He is.”
She nodded. Her face grew a little paler, her eyes a little colder, as she turned back to the window.
A sharp intake of breath from behind him was the only clue that they’d heard too.
He didn’t acknowledge them.
Andy focused on the road and drove.
“Is he alright?”
Jared looked up from the watch he was keeping on the kettle and was surprised to see Jack leaning against the door frame. They hadn’t had a lot to say to each other lately, and Jared had to be honest, he hadn’t missed the man’s company.
“Bit of a cold, he thinks.” Jared took two mugs out of the cupboard and held one of them up to Jack, setting it onto the countertop when Jack nodded.
“What do you and Jeff think?”
“That he could be on the way to getting the flu. It’s all I can do to keep him in bed.”
Jack was sat at the table when Jared next turned round, friendly smile pasted onto his face. He looked so much more like the man Jared thought he knew.
“So, you seeking peace away from your place?” Jared smiled at Jack as his eyes went heavenward.
“You wouldn’t believe how stir crazy I’m getting. Jeff’s fixated on getting the clinic set up and is spending a lot more time over at the other cabin, so it’s just me and Trey.”
Jared chuckled, picking up the kettle before its whistle could disturb the man who should be sleeping in the next room. “I don’t envy you that.” He placed the hot mug in front of Jack. Sat on the chair opposite and began sipping his own, not waiting for it to cool to a more manageable temperature.
He tried not to drink coffee in front of Jensen, not when the man was obviously hankering after it himself.
“Slow down man, you’ll burn yourself.”
Jared smiled. “Sorry, just been looking forward to this all day.”
Jared savored every mouthful. When he caught Jack’s eye the older man looked both amused, and thoughtful.
“He’s pregnant isn’t he?”
Jared held the mug to his lips, felt the steam barrel up his face, and pondered the wisdom of lying. It was Jensen’s news to tell, but it seemed Jack was the only person not in on his condition. It wasn’t as if Jensen could even hope to hide the evidence much longer. It was already visible if he held himself a certain way, would have been even more obvious if he hadn’t been burying himself under layers and layers of clothes.
Jared nodded, taking another mouthful.
Jack’s smile was small, wistful, and Jared immediately felt like a jerk. Of course the news would have an effect. Jack thought he had a son once and now … fuck, what if Jack was the father of Jensen’s baby? – or babies? He still hadn’t let Jeff anywhere near him and the possibility of twins was still a ‘scary as hell’ prospect.
Jared didn’t know whether it was the exam, or the confirmation of his condition, that caused Jensen to tense at the slightest suggestion that he should give in, let Jeff’s desire to check him over win.
But whether there was one baby, or two, Jack had to be thinking there was a chance – at least one in three – that he was more than just an interested bystander. “How’d you feel about it?”
Jack looked at him intensely, Jared couldn’t read him. “I’m happy for you.”
Jared couldn’t find any sincerity in Jack’s words.
Sam moved away from the kitchen window and walked round the side of the cabin, careful not to tread on anything that would make a noise and alert the men inside of his presence.
He’d watched Jack leave his cabin and make his way towards the one Jared and Jensen shared. He watched the two men sit, drinking coffee, even though he didn’t hear a word they said.
Sam shifted, leant closer so he could see the man asleep through the gap in the drapes that no-one seemed to close. At least they hadn’t been closed for the last four nights.
The room was dark, but not so dark he couldn’t see Jensen curled up under the comforter, his hair spread out on the pillow as his cheek rested on the back of one hand.
He looked like he was about four.
Sam knew why he felt so protective of Jensen, knew Sarah would have understood. He’d told her about Danny, after all. But it was more than Jensen’s resemblance to the long dead boy. He’d grown to like Jensen in his own right. Grown to care.
Chris was right – he had gone fucking soft. At least where Jensen was concerned.
As Jensen moved in his sleep, his face settling deeper into the pillow, he felt the weight in his chest begin to lift.
The last thing Danny’d ever asked him for had been his mom. He’d not been able to help, but Jensen’s would be here soon. Whatever else happened to him, he’d have his family with him.
He heard the twig snap behind him and considered waiting for Chris to say something. There wasn’t really a point though. His friend had been stalking him for the last ten minutes. But he really wasn’t very good at it.
He turned and walked towards the concealed man, straight towards him. As soon as he met startled eyes Sam beckoned him to follow.
Chris did.
Loudly.
Once they were far enough away not to be heard Sam began to speak. “I thought you were better at sneaking than that.”
“Well, if I hadn’t wanted you to know I was there I would’ve been quieter.”
Sam smirked but didn’t turn round, even as he heard Chris stumble and curse when his foot caught on a tree root. “Sure man, sure.”
As Sam got to the truck he’d been sleeping in for the last couple of nights, he climbed in and turned her over, letting the heater warm the cab.
Chris climbed in the far side. “I don’t suppose he’s given himself away?”
Sam shook his head, reached for the bottle lying under the seat. He opened it and took a mouthful before handing it to Chris. “Did he tell you why he decided not to leave with you?”
“Gave me some crap about wanting to make sure the guys were safe before he left. Said Jensen was his friend and he wanted to make sure everything was alright with him.”
Sam shook his head, he wasn’t surprised. “He knows Jen’s pregnant then. Awkward. He’s probably thinking the kid could be his.”
“It could be.”
“I know.”
“Could be yours too.”
Sam said nothing, just swallowed a larger mouthful.
“We could just take him away? Get him far enough away and deal with him for what he’s already done. What’s the point in giving him enough rope to hang himself with if he doesn’t swing?”
“He could be useful to us. And I don’t want …”
“Jensen to worry? Christ, Sam. That guy’s not an idiot. If you don’t trust Adams then you get him away from the people you care about – even if that is just Jensen. He’s the reason we can’t go somewhere safer. We should’ve been able to get them over the Canadian border before now.”
Sam shook his head, “It’s not just Jack. You know they haven’t given up looking for him. Jensen’s too important.”
“I know, but…”
“He’s safer where he is, at least for now.”
Joshua threw his bag down onto the closest bed as the door slammed behind him. This had been brewing for the last couple of hours and he was surprised he’d managed to hold it back this long. “Calm the hell down.”
“Did you hear what he said? Jenny’s pregnant.”
Joe didn’t do calm well, his mom or dad should’ve spoken to him as soon as they got the chance. He’d have been more likely to listen to them. Mind you, they could probably hear him through the motel wall. They were only in the room next door, after all. They’d be here if Joshua failed in his attempts to placate.
“I heard him, but damn it Joe, we can’t do anything about that right now. D’ya hear me? Mom doesn’t need you going off on one. This is hard enough as it is.”
“I’m not.” Joe’s eyes blazed.
“The hell you aren’t. Nobody’s happy about it, but we’ve just got to accept it. Jen’s pregnant and we’ll help him through it.” Joshua reached out, touched his brother’s arm. Tried to ground him.
It hadn’t helped that Casey had refused to come with them. Had left when Joseph insisted that Jensen had to be his priority.
Josh sighed. It had undoubtedly made things even worse when he’d said how his separation from Alexis was temporary. He’d be going back to her, and to the life he’d built, as soon as he knew his family, all his family, was alright.
Jen would understand, even if Joe didn’t.
“I just…” Joseph sank onto the nearest bed, head held in his hands.
“What is it man? You can’t protect him from life, ya know? D’ya think we never knew the way you used to disappear for days and go check up on him? Follow him around? Watch him?” Joe looked up at him, surprised. “Damn it, I think the only person who didn’t know you did that was Jen. And he’d have kicked your ass if he ever found out.”
Josh was relieved to see a ghost of a smile grace his brother’s face. “He would’ve tried.”
“And you would’a let him. There’s no way you’d’ve fought back.” Josh smirked.
Joseph’s smile slipped, his eyes filled up as he deflated. “He’s our baby brother Josh, how can …?”
“He’s an adult. You got to let him grow up sometime.”
Joseph got up, picked up his bag and started going through the contents. Joshua knew his brother well enough to know he was just looking for a distraction. Joe’s back stiffened, but he didn’t turn. “It’s been months. What do you think he’ll be like?”
Josh touched his brother’s shoulder. Rested his hand there. “I think our Jenny’ll be fine.”
Joe turned, hopeful. “You really think that? I mean, after what happened at the church, after that, he couldn’t cope. And that was one man, one time.”
Joshua dropped his hand to grasp his brother’s, kept the connection. “That was one, violent man who wanted to hurt him. Made sure he did. The men who’ve been with Jenny this time…” Joe turned away, didn’t want to think about what Jensen had been through the last few months. “Joe, listen to me. The men that were with him had about as much choice in this as Jenny did. They aren’t the monsters Karl was.”
“You really believe that?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Joseph pulled away, severed the connection between them, and walked into the bathroom. Closed the door after him, leaving Joshua to his thoughts. He hoped he was right too, because if he wasn’t there wasn’t anything that would stop Joseph from making them pay.
But then, Joshua realized belatedly, he wouldn’t really want to try.
Part 31
Title: Desperate Times (30/?)
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Jensen/Jared, Jensen/OMCs, AU, Non-con, Dub-con, MPREG
Additional Warnings For This and Upcoming Chapters for those that want them – Reading these may, in my opinion, spoil your enjoyment of the story: (Highlight to read) Extreme medical practices, acts of terrorism, violence - murder and CHARACTER DEATH (I only kill original characters.)
He changed gears on the ancient piece of shit he’d picked up a hundred miles ago and cursed under his breath as the hunk of rust shuddered violently. It would get them where they were going – if he was lucky. He didn’t relish the idea of having to acquire another vehicle so close to their destination.
He was half tempted to turn the radio on, assuming it worked. Though, admittedly, it didn’t look promising. Not the way half the antenna, the half that was still attached, was lying parallel to the hood, threatening to break through the bodywork every time they hit a pot hole.
He decided against it. There was nothing on the news that wasn’t completely depressing and as for the music …? He hated all the modern crap that Christian always had blaring out of the stereo on those rare occasions they were home at the same time.
The road was quiet and the scenery hadn’t changed in hours. Monotonous, boring.
His passengers knew, they had to know, that he’d been driving back and forth along highways and interstates, going on detour after detour, dragging out, prolonging their journey. Delaying their arrival.
They had to know that.
What they didn’t, couldn’t know, was how close they really were to their destination. Or that they’d been within a hundred miles of their destination since daybreak.
They knew the delays were safety precautions … they didn’t complain.
Much.
Andy’s patience had long since run out, this wasn’t what he’d signed up for. Playing taxi driver would never be his idea of fun, but at least it wasn’t as dangerous as the last few jobs he’d been on. He should have welcomed the change of pace – he didn’t.
He was pretty certain they weren’t being followed, especially as every item the Ackles family had brought with them had been relieved of all the listening and tracking devices hidden inside them within their first hour on the road.
Most of them had long since stopped working anyway, and those that hadn’t… well, they weren’t an issue anymore.
They’d played musical chairs at their last stop, when he called in for gas. Mrs Ackles had never sat up front with him before and, for some reason, she made him more uncomfortable than any of the others had.
That was a joke: for some reason.
He knew the fucking reason, just didn’t want to acknowledge it. The woman scared him with her intensity. There was nothing more dangerous than a mother when she thought one of her kids was in danger.
He’d deliberately avoided conversation with her for the last couple of days, but he didn’t doubt that that was the reason the older woman had climbed into the front seat with him now. She’d stayed with her husband, or sat with her sons, for all of the time he’d been ferrying them around.
And now she was with him.
Maybe he should try the radio, fill the void before she could.
He leant forward, turned the dial and a burst of static filled the air. Not willing to give up straight away, dead air greeted him at every wavelength.
He gave up.
Turned it off.
Braced for it.
She didn’t disappoint.
“How’s my boy?”
She looked out the window, watched the passing scenery. She didn’t look his way at all.
If the vehicle had been silent before, it was more so now. He could probably hear the death throes of the bugs that collided with his windshield if he listened hard enough.
Every man sitting behind him waited for his answer.
“Last time I saw him, he was fine.”
She turned to him then, her green eyes were sharp, intense. She didn’t want any nonsense, wouldn’t accept any half truths or lies. “With what happened to him… while he was inside the Center… I expected you to tell me he was pregnant.”
Andy swallowed, his throat suddenly very dry.
He’d spoken to Chris only yesterday and knew there were moves to create a clinic for the two pregnant Gestates they’d landed themselves with. Knew that there were others gathering medical equipment even as he was thinking it. Ideally they should have been moved, further north, to a larger camp the other side of the Canadian border, where other Gestates had been taken in the past. But for some reason it wasn’t considered safe, even now, weeks after their escape.
Two pregnant Gestates.
Two.
Trey had obviously been pregnant the last time he’d seen him, with Jensen, he hadn’t been able to tell.
He could feel her stare as he kept his eyes on the road, knew the sweat he felt rolling down between his shoulder blades had nothing to do with physical exertion or the heat of the day. Though it wasn’t his news to break, the way she looked at him reminded him of his own mother. He didn’t doubt she’d know if he was lying. “He is.”
She nodded. Her face grew a little paler, her eyes a little colder, as she turned back to the window.
A sharp intake of breath from behind him was the only clue that they’d heard too.
He didn’t acknowledge them.
Andy focused on the road and drove.
“Is he alright?”
Jared looked up from the watch he was keeping on the kettle and was surprised to see Jack leaning against the door frame. They hadn’t had a lot to say to each other lately, and Jared had to be honest, he hadn’t missed the man’s company.
“Bit of a cold, he thinks.” Jared took two mugs out of the cupboard and held one of them up to Jack, setting it onto the countertop when Jack nodded.
“What do you and Jeff think?”
“That he could be on the way to getting the flu. It’s all I can do to keep him in bed.”
Jack was sat at the table when Jared next turned round, friendly smile pasted onto his face. He looked so much more like the man Jared thought he knew.
“So, you seeking peace away from your place?” Jared smiled at Jack as his eyes went heavenward.
“You wouldn’t believe how stir crazy I’m getting. Jeff’s fixated on getting the clinic set up and is spending a lot more time over at the other cabin, so it’s just me and Trey.”
Jared chuckled, picking up the kettle before its whistle could disturb the man who should be sleeping in the next room. “I don’t envy you that.” He placed the hot mug in front of Jack. Sat on the chair opposite and began sipping his own, not waiting for it to cool to a more manageable temperature.
He tried not to drink coffee in front of Jensen, not when the man was obviously hankering after it himself.
“Slow down man, you’ll burn yourself.”
Jared smiled. “Sorry, just been looking forward to this all day.”
Jared savored every mouthful. When he caught Jack’s eye the older man looked both amused, and thoughtful.
“He’s pregnant isn’t he?”
Jared held the mug to his lips, felt the steam barrel up his face, and pondered the wisdom of lying. It was Jensen’s news to tell, but it seemed Jack was the only person not in on his condition. It wasn’t as if Jensen could even hope to hide the evidence much longer. It was already visible if he held himself a certain way, would have been even more obvious if he hadn’t been burying himself under layers and layers of clothes.
Jared nodded, taking another mouthful.
Jack’s smile was small, wistful, and Jared immediately felt like a jerk. Of course the news would have an effect. Jack thought he had a son once and now … fuck, what if Jack was the father of Jensen’s baby? – or babies? He still hadn’t let Jeff anywhere near him and the possibility of twins was still a ‘scary as hell’ prospect.
Jared didn’t know whether it was the exam, or the confirmation of his condition, that caused Jensen to tense at the slightest suggestion that he should give in, let Jeff’s desire to check him over win.
But whether there was one baby, or two, Jack had to be thinking there was a chance – at least one in three – that he was more than just an interested bystander. “How’d you feel about it?”
Jack looked at him intensely, Jared couldn’t read him. “I’m happy for you.”
Jared couldn’t find any sincerity in Jack’s words.
Sam moved away from the kitchen window and walked round the side of the cabin, careful not to tread on anything that would make a noise and alert the men inside of his presence.
He’d watched Jack leave his cabin and make his way towards the one Jared and Jensen shared. He watched the two men sit, drinking coffee, even though he didn’t hear a word they said.
Sam shifted, leant closer so he could see the man asleep through the gap in the drapes that no-one seemed to close. At least they hadn’t been closed for the last four nights.
The room was dark, but not so dark he couldn’t see Jensen curled up under the comforter, his hair spread out on the pillow as his cheek rested on the back of one hand.
He looked like he was about four.
Sam knew why he felt so protective of Jensen, knew Sarah would have understood. He’d told her about Danny, after all. But it was more than Jensen’s resemblance to the long dead boy. He’d grown to like Jensen in his own right. Grown to care.
Chris was right – he had gone fucking soft. At least where Jensen was concerned.
As Jensen moved in his sleep, his face settling deeper into the pillow, he felt the weight in his chest begin to lift.
The last thing Danny’d ever asked him for had been his mom. He’d not been able to help, but Jensen’s would be here soon. Whatever else happened to him, he’d have his family with him.
He heard the twig snap behind him and considered waiting for Chris to say something. There wasn’t really a point though. His friend had been stalking him for the last ten minutes. But he really wasn’t very good at it.
He turned and walked towards the concealed man, straight towards him. As soon as he met startled eyes Sam beckoned him to follow.
Chris did.
Loudly.
Once they were far enough away not to be heard Sam began to speak. “I thought you were better at sneaking than that.”
“Well, if I hadn’t wanted you to know I was there I would’ve been quieter.”
Sam smirked but didn’t turn round, even as he heard Chris stumble and curse when his foot caught on a tree root. “Sure man, sure.”
As Sam got to the truck he’d been sleeping in for the last couple of nights, he climbed in and turned her over, letting the heater warm the cab.
Chris climbed in the far side. “I don’t suppose he’s given himself away?”
Sam shook his head, reached for the bottle lying under the seat. He opened it and took a mouthful before handing it to Chris. “Did he tell you why he decided not to leave with you?”
“Gave me some crap about wanting to make sure the guys were safe before he left. Said Jensen was his friend and he wanted to make sure everything was alright with him.”
Sam shook his head, he wasn’t surprised. “He knows Jen’s pregnant then. Awkward. He’s probably thinking the kid could be his.”
“It could be.”
“I know.”
“Could be yours too.”
Sam said nothing, just swallowed a larger mouthful.
“We could just take him away? Get him far enough away and deal with him for what he’s already done. What’s the point in giving him enough rope to hang himself with if he doesn’t swing?”
“He could be useful to us. And I don’t want …”
“Jensen to worry? Christ, Sam. That guy’s not an idiot. If you don’t trust Adams then you get him away from the people you care about – even if that is just Jensen. He’s the reason we can’t go somewhere safer. We should’ve been able to get them over the Canadian border before now.”
Sam shook his head, “It’s not just Jack. You know they haven’t given up looking for him. Jensen’s too important.”
“I know, but…”
“He’s safer where he is, at least for now.”
Joshua threw his bag down onto the closest bed as the door slammed behind him. This had been brewing for the last couple of hours and he was surprised he’d managed to hold it back this long. “Calm the hell down.”
“Did you hear what he said? Jenny’s pregnant.”
Joe didn’t do calm well, his mom or dad should’ve spoken to him as soon as they got the chance. He’d have been more likely to listen to them. Mind you, they could probably hear him through the motel wall. They were only in the room next door, after all. They’d be here if Joshua failed in his attempts to placate.
“I heard him, but damn it Joe, we can’t do anything about that right now. D’ya hear me? Mom doesn’t need you going off on one. This is hard enough as it is.”
“I’m not.” Joe’s eyes blazed.
“The hell you aren’t. Nobody’s happy about it, but we’ve just got to accept it. Jen’s pregnant and we’ll help him through it.” Joshua reached out, touched his brother’s arm. Tried to ground him.
It hadn’t helped that Casey had refused to come with them. Had left when Joseph insisted that Jensen had to be his priority.
Josh sighed. It had undoubtedly made things even worse when he’d said how his separation from Alexis was temporary. He’d be going back to her, and to the life he’d built, as soon as he knew his family, all his family, was alright.
Jen would understand, even if Joe didn’t.
“I just…” Joseph sank onto the nearest bed, head held in his hands.
“What is it man? You can’t protect him from life, ya know? D’ya think we never knew the way you used to disappear for days and go check up on him? Follow him around? Watch him?” Joe looked up at him, surprised. “Damn it, I think the only person who didn’t know you did that was Jen. And he’d have kicked your ass if he ever found out.”
Josh was relieved to see a ghost of a smile grace his brother’s face. “He would’ve tried.”
“And you would’a let him. There’s no way you’d’ve fought back.” Josh smirked.
Joseph’s smile slipped, his eyes filled up as he deflated. “He’s our baby brother Josh, how can …?”
“He’s an adult. You got to let him grow up sometime.”
Joseph got up, picked up his bag and started going through the contents. Joshua knew his brother well enough to know he was just looking for a distraction. Joe’s back stiffened, but he didn’t turn. “It’s been months. What do you think he’ll be like?”
Josh touched his brother’s shoulder. Rested his hand there. “I think our Jenny’ll be fine.”
Joe turned, hopeful. “You really think that? I mean, after what happened at the church, after that, he couldn’t cope. And that was one man, one time.”
Joshua dropped his hand to grasp his brother’s, kept the connection. “That was one, violent man who wanted to hurt him. Made sure he did. The men who’ve been with Jenny this time…” Joe turned away, didn’t want to think about what Jensen had been through the last few months. “Joe, listen to me. The men that were with him had about as much choice in this as Jenny did. They aren’t the monsters Karl was.”
“You really believe that?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Joseph pulled away, severed the connection between them, and walked into the bathroom. Closed the door after him, leaving Joshua to his thoughts. He hoped he was right too, because if he wasn’t there wasn’t anything that would stop Joseph from making them pay.
But then, Joshua realized belatedly, he wouldn’t really want to try.
Part 31
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Date: 2008-10-13 06:02 pm (UTC)