A Sketch in Time 3/3
Feb. 21st, 2009 11:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
surevestaTitle: A Sketch in Time – Part Three
Fandom: CW RPS
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
surevesta
Beta:anyothergirl415
Pairing: Jared/Jensen, Chad/Sophia
Rating: PG13
Warning: Time travel, language, frank discussion of sexuality
Summary: Based on the movie ‘Kate and Leopold.’ Written for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
whenboymeetsboy. “Time travel isn’t logical, it’s just possible” is a phrase that is about to embody the lives of Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. A young aristocrat from New York in 1852 finds himself in the year 2005 where the world has changed drastically. He finds himself on a journey of self discovery as he discoveries just how much the world has changed in the past 150 years.
Word Count: approx 27,100 words – 9,125 this part
Disclaimer: I’ve never been to New York, the Met, or been involved with advertising. I don’t own Jensen, Jared, Chad, Mike, or anyone else depicted in this story… even Otis belongs to himself.
Part One - Part Two - Part Three
Part Three
*****
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
It wasn’t until the next morning that Jensen read over the letter that Chad delivered to him. He woke up later than usual, having turned off his alarm clock, and just stared blankly at the front of the envelope as it leaned against the lamp on his nightstand.
Eventually he pushed himself up and opened it, sliding out a clean sheet of printer paper. Neat, perfect writing was scrawled in even lines at the center of the page.
Dear Jensen,
We have only known each other for a short period of time and yet I feel as though it has been a life time. Through our blossoming friendship I have come to learn several things about myself that I had never dreamed of. The most notable of these is my interest in you.
The feelings that I have for you are growing beyond that of a simple friendship, they are different from anything I have ever felt before. Since the moment I laid eyes upon you something changed within me. I am unsure as to the extent of these feelings but cannot on good conscious leave them unexplored.
As such, I would greatly appreciate it if you could join me for lunch tomorrow shortly after noon.
Yours Truly,
Jared
The letter dropped onto his lap, automatically refolding itself due to the sharp creases. Jensen stared at it for a long moment, eyes wide.
Jensen darted to the clock where 11:14 am shone in brilliant red from the digital display. He cursed slightly glancing back down at the letter before placing it to the side, rushing to get ready.
***
Lunch was not a fancy ordeal, Jared had raided Mike’s fridge for ingredients to several carefully selected dishes and convinced Chad to visit the market for the rest. Of course, it took Chad three trips because he wasn’t used to Jared’s curving script or he just didn’t know what the item was. In the end Jared managed set up a dinner for two at the beat up kitchen table and make a tasty meal with a scrumptious desert.
Jared almost missed Jensen’s arrival; the window creaked softly before a light thump announced the other man’s presence. He finished smoothing the placemats he had located stuffed in the back of cupboard before turning, folding his hands behind his back.
A smile broke out across his face as he surveyed Jensen. The shorter man was shifting awkwardly, a half smile crooking pale pink lips. Jensen’s green eyes were wide and nervous, a light blush darkening freckled cheeks. He wore a pressed long sleeved white button up dress shirt over a dark t-shirt and jeans. His chin was clean shaven and his dark blonde, almost brown, hair was styled into soft spikes.
“Jensen, I am very glad you came,” Jared moved forward a pace then paused. He knew what to do when courting a woman, a man was unexplored territory and he was unsure as to how act. Both of them were gentlemen, Jared knew that he wouldn’t want to be treated like a woman and doubted that Jensen would enjoy that either.
“I know that this is not a conventional first date, but I thought you might enjoy a home cooked meal,” Jared motioned towards the set table with his right hand. “If you would take a seat I will bring out our lunch.”
“Conventional or not… it doesn’t bother me,” Jensen grinned as he moved toward the table. “And you’re right; a home cooked meal sounds awesome. I’m surprised you remembered.”
“How could I forget anything about you?” Jared asked as he set a plate in front of Jensen.
“It wasn’t like it was an important conversation,” Jensen said grinning as Jared took his own seat. They were sitting at the center of the table, the shortest side. A trio of different sized candles set between them, vanilla scent hanging in the air. The room was darkened slightly as the blinds were at least partially shut, the candle light gave a nice ambience but wasn’t the main source of light. Jensen let his eyes take in the full plate in front of him, “What is this?”
“Beef with Cucumber Raita,” Jared watched as Jensen tasted a portion of the meat before trying the Raita. “It is my first time making the dish, but the recipe sounded too good to pass up.”
“This is excellent Jared,” Bright green eyes met his and he watched an expression of pure enjoyment play across Jensen’s face. “For a first time chef you’re simply amazing.”
“Thank you,” Jared ducked his head slightly as he took a bite, a blush rising high on his cheeks.
While lunch was excellent, desert was just as good if not better. Jared had made rice pudding from scratch and it was just perfect, much better than any store bought brand. As Jared carried the dishes into the kitchen, Jensen blew out the candles and tried to help clean up. Eventually they made their way to the couch, sprawling slightly closer than in the past onto the cushions.
“What now?” Jensen was turned slightly toward Jared, his knee brushing the other mans and his arm casually spread across the back of the couch.
“Actually, I was hoping you could suggest an activity of some sort,” Jared flushed slightly. “You are much more familiar with the city than I am.”
Jensen nodded and bit his lip, his eyes caught on one of Jared’s sketches lying on the coffee table. “I do have an idea, one I think you’ll love.” He grinned pushing himself up. “C’mon,” Jensen held his hand out for Jared’s. “We should be able to get there while there aren’t many crowds.”
***
“Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of Art,” Jensen grinned as they stood in the entryway to the museum. He was watching the emotions play across Jared’s face with pleasure. “What do you want to look at first?”
Jared turned his focus away from the amazing building and displays and smiled brightly at Jensen, “The paintings.”
After a quick glance at a map of the Met, Jensen slipped his fingers through Jared’s and pulled him through the sparse crowd. His cheeks burned slightly but the feel of Jared’s fingers laced through his own was worth any potential embarrassment.
***
“Now Mike, we’ve discussed this,” the doctor watched him quietly across the desk. “Time travel isn’t real.”
“Yes, it is and I am not insane,” He glared, blue eyes narrowed angrily. Not only did he have a broken leg and a concussion, but now he was stuck in some insane asylum talking to a crackpot of a psychiatrist.
“You need to accept that this is a fabrication. We need to find the source of this delusion so we can cure you.”
“I. Am. Not. INSANE!”
The doctor sighed, “Nurse Kristin?” He called then paused till a dark haired young woman peered around the door. “Could you take Mike to his room and give him his meds?”
She smiled sweetly and moved to stand behind Mike’s wheelchair, “Of course!”
***
The visit to the museum was simply amazing; Jared was in awe of the various collections from all over the world. They stayed for hours just perusing the halls examining paintings, jewelry, and all sorts of various artifacts.
Conversation was light and fun but filled with dozens of new facts about each other. A lot of information regarding their families came up, in Jared’s case he tried to be a bit more general as he didn’t want to cause Jensen to become upset with him over his ‘method acting’ again. Jensen, on the other hand, ended up telling Jared about his grandfather and childhood dreams.
The Ackles family were Texans and had been for several generations. They lived outside of Dallas in the city of Richmond, but his grandfather had built a prosperous business smack dab in the middle of busiest area of Dallas.
It was an art gallery that gave opportunities for all sorts of artists native to the area to get their works out there. People from all sorts of walks of life had used the gallery as a way to buy and sell art and it had been successful till the day that his grandfather had passed away. Jensen’s dream as a boy had been to run the gallery but his father had sold it when he was twelve, unwilling to invest the time and effort into keeping the gallery in business.
Jared had squeezed his hand firmly, offering a measure of comfort, “You could still open up a gallery one day.” He had stated watching Jensen as the man’s green eyes stared straight ahead at a random sculpture.
“No,” Jensen shook his head a small, grim smile painting his lips, “The world doesn’t work that way. I don’t have the means to get started anyway.”
“It would not hurt to look into it,” he supplied meeting Jensen’s gaze steadily as the older man turned to him.
It was the last they spoke of the subject as they were near the end of their trip. Walking back towards the entrance they passed the gift shop and Jared slipped into the restroom leaving Jensen waiting outside. Upon returning Jensen handed him a bag wrapped tightly around a book in a mockery of wrapping paper.
“I saw this through the window, I thought you’d enjoy it,” Jensen quirked a smile at him as Jared slipped the book from the bag.
That brilliant dimpled smile made an appearance, warmer and brighter than any Jensen had seen before. “This is a wonderful gift Jensen,” Jared flipped open the book to examine the pictures of various paintings.
“The major focus of it is American artists in the nineteenth century,” Jensen smile widening playfully. “I thought that was something you could relate to.”
“It certainly is,” Jared beamed up at him eyes bright.
***
They returned to the apartment before dinner so they could relieve Chad of puppy sitting duties. The rambunctious mutt was overjoyed to see them and even more so to have a leash hooked through his collar. Chad didn’t even ask how their day was, just grinned widely before rushing up stairs to get ready for his date with Sophia.
They weren’t gone long, only about half an hour. It was rather chilly out and Harley didn’t seem to enjoy marching through the wet slush as much as he did during the daylight hours. They snagged some sandwiches from a small shop a couple blocks down the road before returning to the apartment.
Jensen filled Harley’s food dish while Jared topped off the water bowl. While Harley scarfed his way through his own dinner they settled onto the couch to eat in peace.
Tossing his empty wrapper into a small waste basket, Jensen smiled softly at Jared, “I had fun today. It’s been a while since I had fun on a date.”
“I had fun as well,” Jared smiled tilting his head slightly before a serious look crossed his face.
“What’s wrong?”
Jared dropped his gaze to his hands for a moment, thinking over his words carefully, “I never thought I could have this.”
Jensen tilted his head forward, his eyes meeting Jared’s when the younger man looked up. “What do you mean?”
“I never thought I could find someone like you, someone that I could feel utterly comfortable with,” Jared paused hesitantly reaching out, fingers brushed against Jensen’s freckled cheek before dropping to his lap, “Never thought I would meet someone that I could care for enough to hazard the thought of spending my life with them.”
Jensen stared at him, face almost blank a multitude of emotions warring behind green eyes. Time stretched for what seemed like hours before Jensen lifted his own hand and settled shaking fingers against the warm skin of Jared’s cheek.
“There’s no rush Jared,” he smiled softly before a light chuckle escaped his lips. “I feel like I could care for you too. I’ve been in other relationships, but I’ve never felt so at ease with anyone else.”
“I have never been with another man before,” Jared spoke softly but with a firm voice. Jensen’s fingers slid against Jared’s skin till his palm laid flat against his jaw. “Or even a woman.”
“There’s no rush, no time limit to relationships Jared,” Jensen leaned forward, his body moving to press against Jared’s side. He tilted his head up brushing his lips against the younger mans, hand moving to card long fingers through Jared’s hair.
Jared’s eyes widened slightly before he lifted a large hand to cup Jensen’s cheek. As Jensen backed off slightly Jared leaned forward to capture the other mans lips in a gentle kiss. It was perfect and Jared never wanted the moment to end.
It did end though, Jensen pulled away to turn on the television before settling back down against Jared’s side. He smiled up at him, eyes bright, “We have all the time in the world.”
“I’m leaving Thursday,” Jared murmured dropping his forehead against Jensen’s, eyes drifting shut.
Jensen chuckled smiling brightly, “Yeah, but there are dozens of ways to keep in touch. If it’s meant to be we’ll find a way.”
Jared slipped his arm around Jensen’s shoulders and let his grasp tighten slightly, if only it were that simple.
***
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
The smell of bacon and eggs permeated Jensen’s dreams, pulling him into the waking world. He blinked and pushed himself up on one elbow. His eyes itched from leaving his contacts in all night and his mouth was dry. A yawn cracked its way past his jaws and Jensen blinked, taking in the lightly lit room. The DVD player placed the time just after seven in the morning, plenty of time before he had to head to work.
The clashing sound of dishes turned Jensen’s attention to the kitchen where Jared was slowly making breakfast. He planted his feet on the floor and tiredly stretched his arms one at a time, shoulders aching from being stretched out across the couch.
“Sorry,” Jared grinned sheepishly from the kitchen. He batted Harley’s nose away from the counter as he turned the bacon over. “I was trying not to wake you.”
“Its fine,” Another yawn escaped Jensen’s lips, “I should go get ready for work anyway,” He said padding into the kitchen. Jensen squinted at the coffee maker, “Is it alright if I start some coffee before I head upstairs? It’ll save me some time.”
Jared chuckled, leaning against the counter to watch him, “It is your apartment, is it not?”
“I guess it is,” Jensen grinned as he opened the cabinet that held the coffee grinds and filters. “Mmm, nothing says morning like a fresh pot of coffee. I don’t know what I’d do without it.”
“Drink tea?”
“Blasphemy!” He laughed flipping the top closed and punching the start button. “I’m gonna head up stairs, I should be back in about fifteen.”
“Breakfast will be ready by then,” Jared smiled. “And your coffee.”
Jensen nodded, “Are you going to be ready for your photo shoot?”
“I already am,” Jared reached down to scratch Harley’s ears as the bacon hissed in the background. “I even took Harley for a walk.”
“Great,” Jensen scowled playfully. “A morning person.”
“This morning person made you breakfast,” Jared pointed at him with bacon grease covered tongs to punctuate his thought.
Green eyes sparkled and lips quirked into a grin, “You have a point.” Jensen invaded Jared’s space quickly to steal a short kiss. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
Jared watched as he slipped out of the apartment and disappeared up the fire escape. A wet sensation against the fingers of his left hand turned his attention to Harley. The dog stared at him with deep brown eyes. Jared ran his fingers through the tan fur and scratched at the darker ears.
“I have no idea what to do, Harley,” He murmured hazel eyes blurring slightly. He blinked away the moisture and turned his gaze to the crackling bacon. “I really don’t know what to do.”
***
Jensen flipped through a few layouts, looking them over sharing opinions with Kripke. The photographer was excited about the shoot, not that Jensen had ever not seen him excited about anything related to photography. They were going over the specific details of the basic shots when one of the makeup girls interrupted them nervously.
“Are you Jensen?” Her eyes darted between them, fingers pulling at the hem of her shirt.
“Yeah, what’s going on?”
“Jared, umm the model,” She stammered. “He’s being a bit uncooperative.”
Jensen frowned eyebrow rising, “Uncooperative? What do you mean?”
“He shut us out of the dressing room… he said he wanted to talk to you?”
He gave her a small smile and nodded, sighing inwardly, “I’ll be right there.” Jensen tapped the concept photos and slid them closer to Kripke. “I’m going to go check on Jared- you should get ready to do your thing.”
The dressing room wasn’t that far away from the studio where the photo shoot was set up, just a few rooms down the hall. It didn’t take long for Jensen to locate the correct room.
“Jared?” Jensen rapped his knuckles against the white washed door. The lock clicked and the door opened slightly, he frowned and slipped through the gap. His eyes widened slightly, throat dry as he watched Jared shut and relock the door. The younger man turned to look at him, hands shifting nervously at his side.
“So, uh,” Jensen cleared his throat glancing away from Jared for a moment. “What’s wrong? The uh,” green eyes shifted back to Jared, tracing over the exposed chest. “The makeup girl said you chased her out?”
“You did not tell me this would be a photo shoot of an obscene nature!”
“Obscene?” Jensen’s eyebrows knit together, eyes shifting up to meet Jared’s. “What are you talking about?”
“They want me, you want me to get my picture taken half naked! It is entirely inappropriate!”
“Jared, the product we’re selling is lotion, for your skin,” Jensen laid a hand on his arm. “Of course the photo will show a little skin. But, it’s not as if you’re naked.”
“I might as well be,” Jared narrowed his eyes; he shifted far enough that Jensen’s fingers dropped off his bicep. “And this product? I cannot understand why someone would want to purchase it. It leaves behind a shiny greasy mess. The feel of it is atrocious!”
“That’s not the real lotion; it’s just an effect for the camera, to get a better picture. I thought you were an actor, Jared,” Jensen pushed into Jared’s space and settled his hands on the younger man’s biceps, grip firm. “It really isn’t a big deal.”
Jared’s reached up to grip Jensen’s arms in turn as he tilted his head down, “You told me this ad would appear in several major magazines and newspapers, that several thousand people would see it.”
“More like hundreds of thousands, actually,” Jensen grimaced. “Jared, models pose shirtless and actors appear on television practically naked daily. Honestly, it’s not a big deal.”
Jared pushed him back and walked a few paces away, pausing in front of a body length mirror. He pushed his fingers through his hair as he surveyed himself, jaw clenched.
“I told you I’m not an actor.”
“No, you’re a member of the aristocracy from the nineteenth century,” Jensen scoffed rolling his eyes. “If you don’t want to do the shoot, fine, it’s okay. But seriously, don’t do this.”
“Do what?” Jared turned to face him eyes hard. “Be myself? At least I am being honest, I have integrity.”
“Integrity? I have integrity… I’m not the one pretending he’s a time traveler.”
“You may have integrity in your personal life Jensen, but your business… it’s based off lies,” Jared shook his head. “Even my father never resorted to false advertisement.”
Jensen clenched his jaw and closed his eyes, breathing deeply, “Whatever. I give up. You know, I’ve worked hard to get where I am… my life and my job may not be perfect but it’s mine.” He turned to the door, flipping the lock. “I’ll get a hold of one of the backup models, I’m sure you can find-“
“Wait,” Jared interrupted him. “I signed a contract. I will participate in this photo shoot as promised.”
“You’ll still need to find your own way home.”
Jared watched as the door shut behind Jensen and let out a sharp curse that he heard Chad had used the day before. It seemed rather appropriate for the situation.
***
The common area in the psychiatric hospital was well lit; patients huddled around various locations and numbers. Some were playing games while others were just staring off into space.
“Hello Mike, how are you feeling today?”
Mike transferred his glare from the open window to the smiling nurse next to him, “Like crap.”
“Is your pain medication not working?” Kristin frowned as she slid into the chair next to him, clipboard settling on her knees.
“My leg is fine; I want to go home… I really need to get back to my friend.”
“Your time traveler friend?” Kristin tilted her head, eyes watching him.
He rolled his eyes, “Yes, my time traveler friend.” Mike sighed running a hand over his head where the hairs were beginning to grow. “I know it sounds crazy, but it’s the truth!”
She nodded, grasping her lip between perfectly white teeth, “I believe you.”
Mike’s head shot up and his eyes surveyed her, looking for the truth or lie behind the statement.
***
“So, what’s up with Jenny? Did you two have a fight?” Chad dropped onto the couch and propped his sneaker clad feet on the coffee table.
“We did,” Jared didn’t even look up from his sketch, pencil moving harshly over the paper.
“And?” Chad prodded using the remote to shut the television off. “What was this fight about?”
“The photo shoot.”
“The shoot?” Chad snorted. “What the hell made you fight about the photo shoot… the shoot where your ass was being paid a large amount of money for minimal work that you were then giving to Mike.”
“The photos they took were obscene,” Jared finally turned away from the paper, pencil dropping out of his fingers.
“Jenny was having you do a porno? That doesn’t sound like him,” The blonde frowned. “What exactly did they want you to do?”
“They took photos of me without my shirt on! The images will be appearing in dozens of widely circulated media, hundreds of thousands of people will see me half naked.”
“Dude, you’re an actor, people would see you shirtless at some point.”
“For the last time, I am not an actor!”
“Look, whether you’re an actor or a time traveler it doesn’t matter,” Chad shook his head. “I don’t care if you came from Fourteen ninty-“
“1852.”
“-two. You’re in 2005 now, almost 2006, and here posing shirtless or in a fucking speedo is just normal advertising,” Chad motioned towards the television. “Hell, there are channels where you can see naked men and women on regular television shows- not just porn. Today’s definition of appropriate is entirely different from ten years ago let alone two hundred.”
Chad slapped his hand against Jared’s shoulder as he stood, “Think about, then get your ass upstairs and apologize to Jenny. I can only take his moping ass for so long.”
***
Mike groaned as he slid his key into the apartment door, it had taken him about two hours to maneuver up the long stair cases. He had briefly considered taking the elevator but decided not to on account that it was the reason he was in this entire mess, well one of them anyway. Nurse Kristin had helped him escape shortly after dark, after a short make out session that he had been too happy to participate in if it got him out of the Looney bin.
He swung the door open and slipped through, using one of his crutches to shut it behind him. It was late, almost midnight, but even though Mike was exhausted he had something more important to do.
“Mike?”
Lifting his gaze from his feet, Mike took in Jared for the first time in almost a week. The time traveler was dressed in a slightly short pair of jeans and one of Mike’s old T-shirts. He looked like a normal guy, like a very hot guy but still normal.
“Jared, thank god you’re here,” Mike sighed leaning on his right crutch. “We need to get you ready to go home.”
“To 1852,” Jared stated softly, glancing down at Harley who had followed him from the living room.
“Yep, the portal will take you back to the morning of December 29th, the day you left,” Mike nodded as he maneuvered his way into the living room. He frowned glancing around the room, “Where’s my research?”
“Oh,” Jared moved quickly to the desk. He picked up a neat stack of papers and grinned sheepishly. “I straightened up a bit while you were gone.”
“I see that. So, you’ll arrive the morning of December 29th-“
“What about my past self?”
“Huh?” Mike glanced up frowning.
“If I return to the morning that I left won’t I risk running into myself?” Jared asked quietly, fingers gripping one of the chair backs. His knuckles were white as his mind tumbled over the day’s events and the fact that he was being told he could go home, back to the past where he belonged.
“Uh no,” He shook his head. “You should merge with your past self, there can only be one version of you in your proper time. Just do everything exactly like you did before only don’t follow me to the bridge.”
“So if I go back in time and don’t follow you we’ll never have this conversation?”
“No, we will,” Mike answered absently as he sorted through the papers, scattering them across the dinner table.
“I do not understand,” Jared frowned moving closer to the table to watch the shorter man work.
Mike made a noise of excitement and lifted up a sheet of paper, a wide grin spreading across his face, “Time travel isn’t logical, it’s just possible. Now,” He shifted his stance, adjusting the crutches. “Let’s get you home.”
***
Thursday, December 29, 2005, Mid Morning
Jensen sat quietly at the kitchen table in Chad’s apartment a cup of coffee cooling in front of him. His clothes were rumpled, slept in, hair sleep mussed and glasses posed in front of bleary green eyes.
“Dude, did you just get up?” Jensen glanced up to see Chad opening the apartment door sacks of groceries in hand. He smiled sheepishly and nodded.
“Didn’t you have to be at work, like, an hour ago?”
Jensen shrugged slumping down in the uncomfortable wooden chair, “Kinda.”
“Jenny,” Chad slammed the bags down on the table causing Jensen to flinch as glass somethings crashed together. “Just go up and talk to Jared, you two moping around isn’t going to help either of you. ‘Sides he’s leaving today… you should probably clear the air before he does and get his number. No way am I going to put up with you acting like this my entire hiatus.”
“I doubt he wants to talk to me,” Jensen mumbled taking a sip of coffee, it was bitter and downright cold and he nearly spit it back into the cup.
“Dude, Jensen, how could he not? He practically salivates over the ground you walk on,” Chad rolled his eyes and took the mug from Jensen’s grasp. “Now get up stairs and apologize so you can have hot makeup sex. And call your work while you’re at it so you don’t lose your lame ass job.”
Jensen glared at the blond for a long moment before forcing himself up and down the hall to change.
***
After getting up the long flights of stairs for a second time in six hours Mike didn’t have the energy to drag himself around the maze that was his bedroom, instead he crashed on the couch and completely ignored Harley in favor of the black oblivion that was sleep. Mike didn’t even notice when the dog had an accident in the middle of the kitchen floor or hear his incessant whining.
In fact Mike didn’t notice anything till Jensen kicked at the couch back and shook his shoulder till he woke up.
“’m up! God Jensen,” Mike blinked up at him, taking in the annoyed expression on his former roommates face. “Where’s the fire?”
“Where’s Jared?”
“Wha?” Mike forced himself into a sitting position, carefully maneuvering his broken leg. “It’s Thursday, Jared went home this morning.”
Jensen rolled his eyes, “I kind of figured that, what with the lack of his presence and all.” He moved around the couch so that they could talk easier. “I forgot to get his contact info… I figured you’d have it since he’s your friend.”
“Contact info?” Mike eyed the other man wearily. “No, we weren’t really good friends, just acquaintances.”
“You don’t have a phone number for him?” Jensen asked running fingers through his short hair. “No email or anything?”
“No, we didn’t really know each other that well… wait how well did you get to know him?” Mike narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Jensen’s face.
Freckled cheeks flushed lightly with color and Jensen turned away, his eyes stopping on the coffee table. “Apparently not as well as I thought,” Expression darkening, Jensen reached out and picked up the heavy hard cover book lying over Jared’s sketchpad. “Forget I even asked,” He said standing quickly and heading towards the window.
“Wait, Jensen,” Mike shuffled quickly to his feet, hoping awkwardly on his good leg. “I’m sorry.”
Jensen paused and glanced over his shoulder, “You’re sorry for what?”
“For everything. For sleeping with Tom, for making you feel uncomfortable in your own home-“
“For letting a manipulative bastard you didn’t even know stay in my home?” Jensen turned around his eyes blazing. “I thought Jared was my friend, that we had something. Sure we had a fight… but I was ready to put that all behind us. I was an idiot. He obviously didn’t care enough to leave me a way to get in contact with him, hell he didn’t even take the book I gave him.”
“Jensen-“
“Don’t Mike, nothing you could say will make me feel any better at the moment,” He shook his head and held up the book. “I’m just an idiot. Did you have fun? Get a good laugh with your ’Time Traveler’ buddy?”
“He told you?”
“He told me a bunch of lies,” Jensen sighed heavily and tossed the book towards the couch. “You can have that by the way; I really don’t have any use for it.”
Mike ran through the stubble covering his head helplessly as he watched Jensen disappear up the fire escape.
***
December 29, 1852, Morning
The man Jared saw in the small mirror above his bureau was entirely different then he had been the last time he stood there. The last week had been an adventure, one Jared almost wished he could dismiss as a dream. He could not dismiss it though; it had been too real and too vivid to be just an ordinary dream. There was no way his subconscious could have come up with things like televisions, cars, or, hell, even the can of shaving cream. But, only hours after having been living in the year 2005, Jared was back home, back in 1852.
Now, once again, his mind was tormented by thoughts of his father’s party, of the fact that he was supposed to be deciding which suitable lady he would be spending his life with. This time, instead of just dreading the idea of marriage, Jared hated the idea of spending his life with anyone but the man he had come to care deeply for. A man that he would never see again.
The simple fact that Jared would have to choose anyone, female or male, to live out his life with was causing his stomach to roll and flip almost leading him to be physically ill.
He forced it away, just like before his trip Jared could not see a way to avoid his fate. So instead of letting the thoughts drive him to illness, Jared found his charcoal and began to sketch against rough paper. His fingers swept across the page in long arcs, tracing familiar lines and curves, imprinting memory onto paper.
***
Only hours later, Jared found himself in front of a familiar shop window looking for a gift to present to his future wife. His eyes roved across the trinkets inside, across jewelry and watches that glittered in the sunlight.
The art supplies he remembered from what seemed like years before lay in the same position not a speck of dust on the wooden case. Just like last time, Jared’s arm knocked into Mike’s, causing the shorter man to drop his camera into the thick slush covering the walkway.
“Fuck,” Mike mumbled glancing sharply up to meet Jared’s steady gaze. He snatched up the camera and dashed off, apologies mumbled under his breath. Jared’s hazel eyes stared after, something churning in his gut.
“Jared Padalecki!” Sandy’s squeal of delight caused Jared to flinch, an awkward smile filtering across his face.
“Sandy McCoy,” He nodded absently at her. She gazed up at him with large brown eyes, a honey sweet smile covering her face.
“I am looking forward to the party tonight,” She started pleasantly. “I heard-“
“Excuse me,” He nodded slightly stepping away, eyes locked on something in the shop. “I am in a bit of a hurry.”
“I shall see you tonight then?” She called after him, watching as he disappeared into the building.
***
Thursday, December 29, 2005, Early Afternoon
“You’re late,” Jensen groaned as Milo’s voice called from his open office door. He had just started going over emails and the day’s messages.
“I’m sorry, sir,” he stood quickly eyes darting over his boss, trying to gauge the man’s state of mind. “My former roommate just got out of the hospital with a broken leg- I was trying to help him get situated.”
“That model friend of yours who was staying with him couldn’t help?” Milo asked, eyebrow arching.
“No, Jared went home late last night,” Jensen shook his head his green eyes wide with nerves. “I called in-“
“Almost two hours after you should have,” Milo shook his head a smirk drifting over his lips. “So the model left huh… anyway, there’s a meeting tomorrow morning about the Johnson account.”
Jensen nodded, “Yes I was just about to get the final details together-“
“Don’t worry about it Jensen,” Milo smiled. “I took care of it. The final layout I drew up looks amazing, Mr. Morgan is sure to enjoy it… he rather liked the rough copies we had at the photo shoot.”
“The layout you drew…” Jensen trailed off slightly a frown marring his features. “You didn’t do anything.”
“Of course I did Jensen; I was the one overseeing the project after all.”
“No, I’m the one that came up with the layouts and I’m the one that did all the work on this project. You just waltzed in to show your pretty face to the client and take all the credit,” Jensen wasn’t even looking at Milo as he spoke; the words exiting his mouth were incredulous. “You know what?” He asked, finally turning to the wide eyed man. “I quit. You want to take the credit? Fine, take the credit. You can also do all the work or hire some other puppet to play with and take the credit from. I’m done.”
***
December 29, 1852, Evening
The collar of his dress suit was slightly crooked, leaning up against his neck. Jared smoothed it down carefully as he looked himself over in the mirror. The party was only hours away and with it the unsettled feeling in his stomach was growing steadily.
A familiar rustling sound brought his attention to the bed where his sister was lying, draped haphazardly crossways as she looked through his sketch book.
“These are good Jared! You should display these somewhere!” Megan looked up at him, a wide smile on her face.
“Are they?” He grinned back, crossing the room.
She nodded, “They really are. I think you could make a living with your art. I have seen art, Jared. My friend Katherine’s parents have a large collection. They have works from all the greatest artists in the world. These sketches are just as good if not more so. You could even paint on a larger scale!”
Jared chuckled softly and shook his head, “They are a hobby, I am to join Jeffery in the family business and marry a beautiful woman.”
“Father should not be able to force you into a life you want no part of.”
“Megan,” Jared settled his hand down on her shoulder. “This is our life, my life. I will do what is expected of me.”
“Jeff is the oldest and he is already married with a child on the way,” She pushed herself into a sitting position and adjusted her skirts. “You and I are not important. I will be wed and join another family. That is all that is expected of me, but you are the second born son. Jared you should be able to choose your life.”
“Wise words, if only that were the way the world worked,” Jared smiled sadly, eyes lingering on the open sketchbook, taking in the image he had finished earlier. “Tell you what, you can have these.” He flipped the lid closed and handed the sketchbook to her.
“No, I could-“
“You can and will Meggie, I can purchase another sketchbook in a day or so. This one was almost filled anyway.”
She beamed up at him, “Thank you!” Jared stumbled slightly as she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
He dropped a kiss to the top of her curls and grinned, “Now go get ready for the party; I need to finish getting ready myself.”
Jared watched as she practically bounced out of the room, skirts twirling around her ankles. A sigh escaped his lips, gaze drifting around the room settling on his dresser where his newest purchase gleamed in the soft light drifting through the windows. Half a dozen older trinkets surrounded it almost awkward in their positions on his bureau.
***
Jared smiled weakly at a couple of young ladies who stood near the bottom of the stairs. They giggled softly to each other as they shot glances at him. Jared rolled his eyes and searched for Otis in the busy crowd.
“There you are, sir,” the middle aged man grinned at him from a few feet away. “I have your dance card ready.”
“Thank you Otis,” Jared inclined his head slightly. “I was wondering if I could speak with you for a moment before I join the festivities. I would like your opinion on my invention.”
“Of course, sir,” Otis nodded as he followed Jared up the stairs. “Best be quick about it, we do not want to upset your father.”
***
Thursday, December 29, 2005, Late Evening
“Dude, it smells like dog piss in here,” Chad crinkled his nose as he made his way to the couch. “The land lord is going to have a field day… and Jenny is going to be pissed.”
Mike answered, arm thrown across his face to block out the light, “Broken leg here, kind of hard to get around.”
“Jenny isn’t going to like that excuse.”
“I doubt I can piss him off more than I already have,” He rolled his eyes, peering up at Chad from under his arm.
“Did Jared seriously not leave you any contact information? He didn’t just ask you not to give it to Jensen due to their fight?”
Mike shook his head and dropped his arm to his chest, blue eyes glaring at the other man, “No, Jared didn’t leave contact information because he couldn’t. He’s a time traveler, as I have said and apparently as he told Jensen.”
Chad rolled his eyes, “You two are assholes. Seriously Mike, drop the fucking act. How can I get a hold of the bastard?”
“You can’t,” Mike sighed groping into his pocket. “If you don’t believe me look at this.” He tossed his camera to Chad as he sat up. “There’s your proof.”
“Dude, these could be doctored or something,” Chad raised an eyebrow as he scanned through the photos on the small preview screen. “I have to admit they are pretty good though, especially the outdoor shots.”
“That’s because they’re real,” Mike growled snatching the camera out of Chad’s hands. He didn’t manage to get a good hold on it and it fell to the floor, its fall was broken by the spine of Jared’s art book.
“Dude, calm down,” Chad picked up the camera and handed it over before lifting the heavy art book as well.
“Sorry, I’ve just had a very, very bad week,” he grumbled checking over the camera.
“What the fuck! Are you fucking kidding me?”
Mike shot his head up to find Chad staring wide eyed at the open book in front of him. One of the pages was creased from where Jensen had thrown it; Chad had been trying to press it down. “What?”
“Jared really was a time traveler, wasn’t he?”
***
When Mike and Chad made it upstairs, using the suddenly operational elevator, they found Jensen sitting on his bed with a variety of comfort foods circling him. He was just staring off into the distance, leaning against the headboard.
Chad exchanged a look with Mike before clearing his throat, “Hey Jenny- err Jensen, are you alright?”
“No.”
“Is this about Jared?” Chad glanced back at Mike who was cringing against his crutches.
“I quit my job.”
Mike blinked before shuffling into the room, “You what?!”
“I told my boss he was manipulative and then I quit. I cursed at him as I left, called him a perverted manipulative bastard whose goal in life was to bed his subordinates and take the credit for their work in front of the entire office,” Jensen turned blank green eyes to Mike.
“Danneel couldn’t stop laughing. I think I may have scandalized Ms. Ferris with a few choice phrases too.”
“Wow, you rock!” Chad grinned and then cleared his throat when Mike hit him. “Uh, we kind of wanted to talk to you about Jared.”
“What about him? Did he finally decide to gift me with contact information?” Jensen snorted, eyes drifting down to a melting slop of ice cream. “If he did I don’t want it.”
“Uh, not exactly,” Mike poked at Chad with a crutch as he leaned against the door jamb.
“Then what is it?”
Chad glanced back at Mike before sending Jensen a sheepish look, “He, uh, well you see… Jared really was a time traveler?”
Jensen raised both his eyebrows in disbelief before rolling dull green orbs, “Right, you can stop with this lame attempt to cheer me up, Chad. And tell Mike to get the fuck out of here while you’re at it.”
“I’m serious Jensen, he is!” Chad walked into the room and stood next to the bed, camera and book in hand. “I didn’t believe it either, but then Mike showed me this and explained his research to me.”
Jensen scoffed but took the camera from the blonde when he held it out, “These could easily be fakes… just photos of whatever show Jared was getting ready for.”
“True, but what about this?” Chad asked holding out the book, one of Jared’s sketches was being used as a bookmark marking the right page. “You’re the one that bought him this book, there’s really no way he could have or would have gone through the effort of doctoring it.”
“Jared was telling the truth.”
Jensen eyed the book wearily before taking it. He settled it across his lap before opening it to the marked page. The bookmark was a sketch of Harley and Mike entering Jensen’s old room. The dog was caught in mid bound, excitement rolling through his movements. The details were astounding, just like all of Jared’s sketches he had seen in the past week. Jensen smoothed his fingers over the paper before moving it to the bed.
The page was creased slightly in the middle, probably from when he had thrown it this morning. That wasn’t what caught Jensen’s attention though. There was a perfect sketch, lines and movement captured in the same style as the one he had just examined. The moment captured was a man standing in front of a closed door, a large puppy bracing himself against him in an attempt to spread kisses and licks. Jensen recognized himself and Harley in the aged charcoal sketch, lines smudged slightly from wear.
His eyes drifted to a small yellowed photo below the sketch, a familiar face stared back at him, the caption reading the Artists named: Jared Padalecki.
His eyes shot up to meet Chad’s, “He was telling the truth?”
“Yeah, guess I shouldn’t have pushed the actor thing so much, huh?”
Jensen’s eyes darted back and forth unseeing, gaze drifting back towards the open book, “I’m never going to see him again, am I?”
Chad shook his head sadly, “No-“
“Well, there is one way…” Mike trailed off as both men turned to stare at him. “It’d be a one way ticket, though, unlike him I don’t think you could get back here. Today was the last portal I could find to that time period. It’ll be decades before you could manage to find one even close to being able to returning you here.”
Jensen stared at him for a long moment, “I don’t care. I care for him… I… I think I love him. I don’t want to live without him.”
Mike nodded, eyes observing his friend carefully, “Then we better hurry, the portal won’t be open for much longer.”
***
The problem with going anywhere in New York City this close to New Years is that it is extremely busy, the traffic is horrible and the weather is just atrocious. Which was why they were stuck in traffic, a good five minute drive away from the bridge with less than fifteen minutes left.
“Shit,” Chad cursed squinting at the traffic ahead of them. “I don’t think it’s going to clear up in time.”
“It has to,” Mike darted a glance at Jensen. “There isn’t much time left.”
“I think we’re going to have to hoof it,” Chad glanced over his shoulder before turning back to Mike. “Where exactly is the thing supposed to be at?”
“Uh, I marked it with a white ‘X’, for reference…” Mike turned to face Jensen settling a hand on his arm. “You’ll have to climb out over traffic. You don’t need to jump or anything; you should just disappear before you get to the other side. Be prepared to take a swim though on the other side.”
Jensen wrung his hands together and nodded before slipping out the Taxi door and sprinting down the damp road and through the traffic jam, Chad on his heels.
The white ‘X’ on the bridge wasn’t as easy to spot as Mike had insisted it would be, but they managed to find it rather quickly.
“Do I have enough time?” Jensen asked as he pulled himself up onto the beams.
“I’m not sure,” Chad replied honestly. “I hope so, if not I’m going to have to put up with your ass for the rest of my life.”
“Funny,” He shot a glare over his shoulder and smiled. “Make sure Mike takes care of Harley, and make up something good to tell my Mom.”
“’Course,” Chad grinned. “Now get out there and find your boy before-“
“Get down from there!”
Jensen glanced over to the policeman as he carefully made his way across slim beam. Chad blocked the officers path, hands outstretched, “Whoa he’s not trying to commit suicide or anything, honest!”
“Get out of the way, sir. Your friend is in violation of the law and is endangering himself and the motorists below!” Chad grimaced as another officer joined the first. This wasn’t going to end well.
“It’s fine, sorry about that officer. It was just a stupid dare.” Jensen’s voice interrupted the confrontation. He was staring at the ground as he jumped down to the walkway.
***
Friday, December 30, 2005, Morning
“You’re idiots, both of you,” Jensen grumbled as he helped Chad support Mike. The other man was exhausted and in a lot of pain after having to locate and bail them out of jail for reckless endangerment. “I can’t believe that I listened to either of you.”
“I’m sorry we missed the portal Jensen,” Mike grimaced as they made their way down the hall. “I’m also sorry about the jail time.”
“You can pay my fine, how does that sound?” Jensen glared at him as they reached the apartment door. He shuffled slightly, letting Mike lean heavily on Chad as he searched his pocket for his keys. “Shit, Jared never gave me back the key.”
Chad frowned, “You gave him your key?”
“Yeah, I figured Mike trusted him enough to leave him alone-“
“I fell down a fucking elevator shaft!” Mike interjected as he dug through his own pockets.
“-so it could be on Mike’s head if he stole anything.”
“Here,” Mike snorted tossing his keys to Jensen. He caught the keys, found the correct one easily and slid it into the lock.
“You’re also going to clean up Harley’s messes,” Jensen stated as he pushed open the door. “I don’t care how much your leg hurts or-“
“Jensen,” Chad stated from where he had froze in the doorway.
“-how tired you are. It’s disgusting and- what?” Jensen glanced at Chad over Mike, finally realizing the two men had stopped dead in their tracks.
“Jensen,” a murmur tore Jensen’s gaze away from Chad. He stared at slanted hazel eyes, dark hair, and a large, tall frame. “Is it too late to ask for forgiveness?”
Jensen stared at Jared, green eyes wide with astonishment, “Jared?”
A small smile crossed the other man’s face and he nodded slightly, “I could not live without you Jensen, I did not want to.”
Mike found himself stumbling against Chad and he hissed in pain as his cast hit the ground with a sick thud. Chad stumbled as well, but his gaze stayed on the pair down the hall a smile growing on his face.
Jensen threw his body against Jared, the taller man barely managed to keep his footing. He wound his arms around Jensen’s frame as their lips met in a passionate kiss, Jensen’s right hand wrapping around the back of his head, fingers carding through the thick hair at the base of Jared’s skull.
“I’m sorry,” Jensen murmured pulling back slightly. “I don’t care if you’re an actor, a time traveler, or an alien. I’m so sorry.”
“Me too,” Jared answered before sliding his hands up to Jensen’s face, cupping his freckled cheeks as he leaned back down to capture Jensen’s lips.
“So, uh, not to intrude or anything, but how the hell did you get back here?”
Jared broke the kiss and grinned, “Time travel isn’t logical, Mike, it’s just possible.”
***
One Year Later: Sunday, December 31, 2006 - 11: 58 pm
Mike had been right about time travel, it wasn’t logical. When faced with deciding his future Jared had made a difficult choice. Rather than live out a life he hated, the one his father expected of him, Jared had given Otis the plans to his invention and Megan all of his sketches. He had then taken various trinkets and items of value and gone to the bridge where he had first spoken with Mike.
After making sure that his past self had indeed appeared in this time with Mike, Jared had located a pawn shop, specifically the one he had walked passed that day with Jensen, and sold several trinkets for some quick cash. He hadn’t wanted to risk running into himself or anyone else so he had found a hotel to stay in for the week and had spent the majority of the time filling several large canvases with amazing imagery.
He and Jensen were now staying in what had been Chad’s apartment; the blond had ended up moving in Sophia, who was now his fiancé. They were happy and in love and were sharing the small apartment with Harley and Sadie, a recently acquired puppy.
Jared tilted his head examining the display of pottery in front of him, “It’s perfect.”
“Good,” Jensen grinned up at him green eyes sparkling. “I’m glad you like it. We should really get back to the party Mr. Famous Painter Guy.”
“I wouldn’t have sold a single piece without you,” Jared answered a hand coming up to cup Jensen’s cheek. It was true, in a way. After they had gotten over the initial phase of wonderment at being together, Jensen had freaked out again over the loss of his job.
With some gentle encouragement from Jared he had focused on the dream he had nearly forgotten. Now, a year later, they were standing in the newly opened Ackles Art Gallery with a room full of friends, artists, and potential client’s just feet away. The first works Jensen had sold were the charcoal covered canvases that Jared had worked on during that long week. It hadn’t taken long to find buyers, Megan had been right about people loving Jared’s works.
“I wouldn’t have this life without you,” Jensen answered softly. In the other room they could hear the countdown to New Years begin, the start of another wonderful year together. He reached a hand up to pull Jared’s lips down to his, “I love you.”
“I love you,” Jared whispered against his lips as cheers echoed around them. He pushed back slightly, smiling down at Jensen. Taking the shorter man’s hand he placed an object against his palm, curving Jensen’s fingers around it as he leaned down to press a chaste kiss against chapped lips.
“I love you more than time itself, more than anything or anyone that has ever existed.”
Jensen gazed down as he opened his hand, green eyes absorbing the glimmering pocket watch resting there.
“Will you be my Husband?”
*****
Fin.
Fandom: CW RPS
Author:
surevestaBeta:
anyothergirl415Pairing: Jared/Jensen, Chad/Sophia
Rating: PG13
Warning: Time travel, language, frank discussion of sexuality
Summary: Based on the movie ‘Kate and Leopold.’ Written for
whenboymeetsboy. “Time travel isn’t logical, it’s just possible” is a phrase that is about to embody the lives of Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. A young aristocrat from New York in 1852 finds himself in the year 2005 where the world has changed drastically. He finds himself on a journey of self discovery as he discoveries just how much the world has changed in the past 150 years. Word Count: approx 27,100 words – 9,125 this part
Disclaimer: I’ve never been to New York, the Met, or been involved with advertising. I don’t own Jensen, Jared, Chad, Mike, or anyone else depicted in this story… even Otis belongs to himself.
Part One - Part Two - Part Three
Part Three
*****
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
It wasn’t until the next morning that Jensen read over the letter that Chad delivered to him. He woke up later than usual, having turned off his alarm clock, and just stared blankly at the front of the envelope as it leaned against the lamp on his nightstand.
Eventually he pushed himself up and opened it, sliding out a clean sheet of printer paper. Neat, perfect writing was scrawled in even lines at the center of the page.
Dear Jensen,
We have only known each other for a short period of time and yet I feel as though it has been a life time. Through our blossoming friendship I have come to learn several things about myself that I had never dreamed of. The most notable of these is my interest in you.
The feelings that I have for you are growing beyond that of a simple friendship, they are different from anything I have ever felt before. Since the moment I laid eyes upon you something changed within me. I am unsure as to the extent of these feelings but cannot on good conscious leave them unexplored.
As such, I would greatly appreciate it if you could join me for lunch tomorrow shortly after noon.
Yours Truly,
Jared
The letter dropped onto his lap, automatically refolding itself due to the sharp creases. Jensen stared at it for a long moment, eyes wide.
Jensen darted to the clock where 11:14 am shone in brilliant red from the digital display. He cursed slightly glancing back down at the letter before placing it to the side, rushing to get ready.
***
Lunch was not a fancy ordeal, Jared had raided Mike’s fridge for ingredients to several carefully selected dishes and convinced Chad to visit the market for the rest. Of course, it took Chad three trips because he wasn’t used to Jared’s curving script or he just didn’t know what the item was. In the end Jared managed set up a dinner for two at the beat up kitchen table and make a tasty meal with a scrumptious desert.
Jared almost missed Jensen’s arrival; the window creaked softly before a light thump announced the other man’s presence. He finished smoothing the placemats he had located stuffed in the back of cupboard before turning, folding his hands behind his back.
A smile broke out across his face as he surveyed Jensen. The shorter man was shifting awkwardly, a half smile crooking pale pink lips. Jensen’s green eyes were wide and nervous, a light blush darkening freckled cheeks. He wore a pressed long sleeved white button up dress shirt over a dark t-shirt and jeans. His chin was clean shaven and his dark blonde, almost brown, hair was styled into soft spikes.
“Jensen, I am very glad you came,” Jared moved forward a pace then paused. He knew what to do when courting a woman, a man was unexplored territory and he was unsure as to how act. Both of them were gentlemen, Jared knew that he wouldn’t want to be treated like a woman and doubted that Jensen would enjoy that either.
“I know that this is not a conventional first date, but I thought you might enjoy a home cooked meal,” Jared motioned towards the set table with his right hand. “If you would take a seat I will bring out our lunch.”
“Conventional or not… it doesn’t bother me,” Jensen grinned as he moved toward the table. “And you’re right; a home cooked meal sounds awesome. I’m surprised you remembered.”
“How could I forget anything about you?” Jared asked as he set a plate in front of Jensen.
“It wasn’t like it was an important conversation,” Jensen said grinning as Jared took his own seat. They were sitting at the center of the table, the shortest side. A trio of different sized candles set between them, vanilla scent hanging in the air. The room was darkened slightly as the blinds were at least partially shut, the candle light gave a nice ambience but wasn’t the main source of light. Jensen let his eyes take in the full plate in front of him, “What is this?”
“Beef with Cucumber Raita,” Jared watched as Jensen tasted a portion of the meat before trying the Raita. “It is my first time making the dish, but the recipe sounded too good to pass up.”
“This is excellent Jared,” Bright green eyes met his and he watched an expression of pure enjoyment play across Jensen’s face. “For a first time chef you’re simply amazing.”
“Thank you,” Jared ducked his head slightly as he took a bite, a blush rising high on his cheeks.
While lunch was excellent, desert was just as good if not better. Jared had made rice pudding from scratch and it was just perfect, much better than any store bought brand. As Jared carried the dishes into the kitchen, Jensen blew out the candles and tried to help clean up. Eventually they made their way to the couch, sprawling slightly closer than in the past onto the cushions.
“What now?” Jensen was turned slightly toward Jared, his knee brushing the other mans and his arm casually spread across the back of the couch.
“Actually, I was hoping you could suggest an activity of some sort,” Jared flushed slightly. “You are much more familiar with the city than I am.”
Jensen nodded and bit his lip, his eyes caught on one of Jared’s sketches lying on the coffee table. “I do have an idea, one I think you’ll love.” He grinned pushing himself up. “C’mon,” Jensen held his hand out for Jared’s. “We should be able to get there while there aren’t many crowds.”
***
“Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of Art,” Jensen grinned as they stood in the entryway to the museum. He was watching the emotions play across Jared’s face with pleasure. “What do you want to look at first?”
Jared turned his focus away from the amazing building and displays and smiled brightly at Jensen, “The paintings.”
After a quick glance at a map of the Met, Jensen slipped his fingers through Jared’s and pulled him through the sparse crowd. His cheeks burned slightly but the feel of Jared’s fingers laced through his own was worth any potential embarrassment.
***
“Now Mike, we’ve discussed this,” the doctor watched him quietly across the desk. “Time travel isn’t real.”
“Yes, it is and I am not insane,” He glared, blue eyes narrowed angrily. Not only did he have a broken leg and a concussion, but now he was stuck in some insane asylum talking to a crackpot of a psychiatrist.
“You need to accept that this is a fabrication. We need to find the source of this delusion so we can cure you.”
“I. Am. Not. INSANE!”
The doctor sighed, “Nurse Kristin?” He called then paused till a dark haired young woman peered around the door. “Could you take Mike to his room and give him his meds?”
She smiled sweetly and moved to stand behind Mike’s wheelchair, “Of course!”
***
The visit to the museum was simply amazing; Jared was in awe of the various collections from all over the world. They stayed for hours just perusing the halls examining paintings, jewelry, and all sorts of various artifacts.
Conversation was light and fun but filled with dozens of new facts about each other. A lot of information regarding their families came up, in Jared’s case he tried to be a bit more general as he didn’t want to cause Jensen to become upset with him over his ‘method acting’ again. Jensen, on the other hand, ended up telling Jared about his grandfather and childhood dreams.
The Ackles family were Texans and had been for several generations. They lived outside of Dallas in the city of Richmond, but his grandfather had built a prosperous business smack dab in the middle of busiest area of Dallas.
It was an art gallery that gave opportunities for all sorts of artists native to the area to get their works out there. People from all sorts of walks of life had used the gallery as a way to buy and sell art and it had been successful till the day that his grandfather had passed away. Jensen’s dream as a boy had been to run the gallery but his father had sold it when he was twelve, unwilling to invest the time and effort into keeping the gallery in business.
Jared had squeezed his hand firmly, offering a measure of comfort, “You could still open up a gallery one day.” He had stated watching Jensen as the man’s green eyes stared straight ahead at a random sculpture.
“No,” Jensen shook his head a small, grim smile painting his lips, “The world doesn’t work that way. I don’t have the means to get started anyway.”
“It would not hurt to look into it,” he supplied meeting Jensen’s gaze steadily as the older man turned to him.
It was the last they spoke of the subject as they were near the end of their trip. Walking back towards the entrance they passed the gift shop and Jared slipped into the restroom leaving Jensen waiting outside. Upon returning Jensen handed him a bag wrapped tightly around a book in a mockery of wrapping paper.
“I saw this through the window, I thought you’d enjoy it,” Jensen quirked a smile at him as Jared slipped the book from the bag.
That brilliant dimpled smile made an appearance, warmer and brighter than any Jensen had seen before. “This is a wonderful gift Jensen,” Jared flipped open the book to examine the pictures of various paintings.
“The major focus of it is American artists in the nineteenth century,” Jensen smile widening playfully. “I thought that was something you could relate to.”
“It certainly is,” Jared beamed up at him eyes bright.
***
They returned to the apartment before dinner so they could relieve Chad of puppy sitting duties. The rambunctious mutt was overjoyed to see them and even more so to have a leash hooked through his collar. Chad didn’t even ask how their day was, just grinned widely before rushing up stairs to get ready for his date with Sophia.
They weren’t gone long, only about half an hour. It was rather chilly out and Harley didn’t seem to enjoy marching through the wet slush as much as he did during the daylight hours. They snagged some sandwiches from a small shop a couple blocks down the road before returning to the apartment.
Jensen filled Harley’s food dish while Jared topped off the water bowl. While Harley scarfed his way through his own dinner they settled onto the couch to eat in peace.
Tossing his empty wrapper into a small waste basket, Jensen smiled softly at Jared, “I had fun today. It’s been a while since I had fun on a date.”
“I had fun as well,” Jared smiled tilting his head slightly before a serious look crossed his face.
“What’s wrong?”
Jared dropped his gaze to his hands for a moment, thinking over his words carefully, “I never thought I could have this.”
Jensen tilted his head forward, his eyes meeting Jared’s when the younger man looked up. “What do you mean?”
“I never thought I could find someone like you, someone that I could feel utterly comfortable with,” Jared paused hesitantly reaching out, fingers brushed against Jensen’s freckled cheek before dropping to his lap, “Never thought I would meet someone that I could care for enough to hazard the thought of spending my life with them.”
Jensen stared at him, face almost blank a multitude of emotions warring behind green eyes. Time stretched for what seemed like hours before Jensen lifted his own hand and settled shaking fingers against the warm skin of Jared’s cheek.
“There’s no rush Jared,” he smiled softly before a light chuckle escaped his lips. “I feel like I could care for you too. I’ve been in other relationships, but I’ve never felt so at ease with anyone else.”
“I have never been with another man before,” Jared spoke softly but with a firm voice. Jensen’s fingers slid against Jared’s skin till his palm laid flat against his jaw. “Or even a woman.”
“There’s no rush, no time limit to relationships Jared,” Jensen leaned forward, his body moving to press against Jared’s side. He tilted his head up brushing his lips against the younger mans, hand moving to card long fingers through Jared’s hair.
Jared’s eyes widened slightly before he lifted a large hand to cup Jensen’s cheek. As Jensen backed off slightly Jared leaned forward to capture the other mans lips in a gentle kiss. It was perfect and Jared never wanted the moment to end.
It did end though, Jensen pulled away to turn on the television before settling back down against Jared’s side. He smiled up at him, eyes bright, “We have all the time in the world.”
“I’m leaving Thursday,” Jared murmured dropping his forehead against Jensen’s, eyes drifting shut.
Jensen chuckled smiling brightly, “Yeah, but there are dozens of ways to keep in touch. If it’s meant to be we’ll find a way.”
Jared slipped his arm around Jensen’s shoulders and let his grasp tighten slightly, if only it were that simple.
***
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
The smell of bacon and eggs permeated Jensen’s dreams, pulling him into the waking world. He blinked and pushed himself up on one elbow. His eyes itched from leaving his contacts in all night and his mouth was dry. A yawn cracked its way past his jaws and Jensen blinked, taking in the lightly lit room. The DVD player placed the time just after seven in the morning, plenty of time before he had to head to work.
The clashing sound of dishes turned Jensen’s attention to the kitchen where Jared was slowly making breakfast. He planted his feet on the floor and tiredly stretched his arms one at a time, shoulders aching from being stretched out across the couch.
“Sorry,” Jared grinned sheepishly from the kitchen. He batted Harley’s nose away from the counter as he turned the bacon over. “I was trying not to wake you.”
“Its fine,” Another yawn escaped Jensen’s lips, “I should go get ready for work anyway,” He said padding into the kitchen. Jensen squinted at the coffee maker, “Is it alright if I start some coffee before I head upstairs? It’ll save me some time.”
Jared chuckled, leaning against the counter to watch him, “It is your apartment, is it not?”
“I guess it is,” Jensen grinned as he opened the cabinet that held the coffee grinds and filters. “Mmm, nothing says morning like a fresh pot of coffee. I don’t know what I’d do without it.”
“Drink tea?”
“Blasphemy!” He laughed flipping the top closed and punching the start button. “I’m gonna head up stairs, I should be back in about fifteen.”
“Breakfast will be ready by then,” Jared smiled. “And your coffee.”
Jensen nodded, “Are you going to be ready for your photo shoot?”
“I already am,” Jared reached down to scratch Harley’s ears as the bacon hissed in the background. “I even took Harley for a walk.”
“Great,” Jensen scowled playfully. “A morning person.”
“This morning person made you breakfast,” Jared pointed at him with bacon grease covered tongs to punctuate his thought.
Green eyes sparkled and lips quirked into a grin, “You have a point.” Jensen invaded Jared’s space quickly to steal a short kiss. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
Jared watched as he slipped out of the apartment and disappeared up the fire escape. A wet sensation against the fingers of his left hand turned his attention to Harley. The dog stared at him with deep brown eyes. Jared ran his fingers through the tan fur and scratched at the darker ears.
“I have no idea what to do, Harley,” He murmured hazel eyes blurring slightly. He blinked away the moisture and turned his gaze to the crackling bacon. “I really don’t know what to do.”
***
Jensen flipped through a few layouts, looking them over sharing opinions with Kripke. The photographer was excited about the shoot, not that Jensen had ever not seen him excited about anything related to photography. They were going over the specific details of the basic shots when one of the makeup girls interrupted them nervously.
“Are you Jensen?” Her eyes darted between them, fingers pulling at the hem of her shirt.
“Yeah, what’s going on?”
“Jared, umm the model,” She stammered. “He’s being a bit uncooperative.”
Jensen frowned eyebrow rising, “Uncooperative? What do you mean?”
“He shut us out of the dressing room… he said he wanted to talk to you?”
He gave her a small smile and nodded, sighing inwardly, “I’ll be right there.” Jensen tapped the concept photos and slid them closer to Kripke. “I’m going to go check on Jared- you should get ready to do your thing.”
The dressing room wasn’t that far away from the studio where the photo shoot was set up, just a few rooms down the hall. It didn’t take long for Jensen to locate the correct room.
“Jared?” Jensen rapped his knuckles against the white washed door. The lock clicked and the door opened slightly, he frowned and slipped through the gap. His eyes widened slightly, throat dry as he watched Jared shut and relock the door. The younger man turned to look at him, hands shifting nervously at his side.
“So, uh,” Jensen cleared his throat glancing away from Jared for a moment. “What’s wrong? The uh,” green eyes shifted back to Jared, tracing over the exposed chest. “The makeup girl said you chased her out?”
“You did not tell me this would be a photo shoot of an obscene nature!”
“Obscene?” Jensen’s eyebrows knit together, eyes shifting up to meet Jared’s. “What are you talking about?”
“They want me, you want me to get my picture taken half naked! It is entirely inappropriate!”
“Jared, the product we’re selling is lotion, for your skin,” Jensen laid a hand on his arm. “Of course the photo will show a little skin. But, it’s not as if you’re naked.”
“I might as well be,” Jared narrowed his eyes; he shifted far enough that Jensen’s fingers dropped off his bicep. “And this product? I cannot understand why someone would want to purchase it. It leaves behind a shiny greasy mess. The feel of it is atrocious!”
“That’s not the real lotion; it’s just an effect for the camera, to get a better picture. I thought you were an actor, Jared,” Jensen pushed into Jared’s space and settled his hands on the younger man’s biceps, grip firm. “It really isn’t a big deal.”
Jared’s reached up to grip Jensen’s arms in turn as he tilted his head down, “You told me this ad would appear in several major magazines and newspapers, that several thousand people would see it.”
“More like hundreds of thousands, actually,” Jensen grimaced. “Jared, models pose shirtless and actors appear on television practically naked daily. Honestly, it’s not a big deal.”
Jared pushed him back and walked a few paces away, pausing in front of a body length mirror. He pushed his fingers through his hair as he surveyed himself, jaw clenched.
“I told you I’m not an actor.”
“No, you’re a member of the aristocracy from the nineteenth century,” Jensen scoffed rolling his eyes. “If you don’t want to do the shoot, fine, it’s okay. But seriously, don’t do this.”
“Do what?” Jared turned to face him eyes hard. “Be myself? At least I am being honest, I have integrity.”
“Integrity? I have integrity… I’m not the one pretending he’s a time traveler.”
“You may have integrity in your personal life Jensen, but your business… it’s based off lies,” Jared shook his head. “Even my father never resorted to false advertisement.”
Jensen clenched his jaw and closed his eyes, breathing deeply, “Whatever. I give up. You know, I’ve worked hard to get where I am… my life and my job may not be perfect but it’s mine.” He turned to the door, flipping the lock. “I’ll get a hold of one of the backup models, I’m sure you can find-“
“Wait,” Jared interrupted him. “I signed a contract. I will participate in this photo shoot as promised.”
“You’ll still need to find your own way home.”
Jared watched as the door shut behind Jensen and let out a sharp curse that he heard Chad had used the day before. It seemed rather appropriate for the situation.
***
The common area in the psychiatric hospital was well lit; patients huddled around various locations and numbers. Some were playing games while others were just staring off into space.
“Hello Mike, how are you feeling today?”
Mike transferred his glare from the open window to the smiling nurse next to him, “Like crap.”
“Is your pain medication not working?” Kristin frowned as she slid into the chair next to him, clipboard settling on her knees.
“My leg is fine; I want to go home… I really need to get back to my friend.”
“Your time traveler friend?” Kristin tilted her head, eyes watching him.
He rolled his eyes, “Yes, my time traveler friend.” Mike sighed running a hand over his head where the hairs were beginning to grow. “I know it sounds crazy, but it’s the truth!”
She nodded, grasping her lip between perfectly white teeth, “I believe you.”
Mike’s head shot up and his eyes surveyed her, looking for the truth or lie behind the statement.
***
“So, what’s up with Jenny? Did you two have a fight?” Chad dropped onto the couch and propped his sneaker clad feet on the coffee table.
“We did,” Jared didn’t even look up from his sketch, pencil moving harshly over the paper.
“And?” Chad prodded using the remote to shut the television off. “What was this fight about?”
“The photo shoot.”
“The shoot?” Chad snorted. “What the hell made you fight about the photo shoot… the shoot where your ass was being paid a large amount of money for minimal work that you were then giving to Mike.”
“The photos they took were obscene,” Jared finally turned away from the paper, pencil dropping out of his fingers.
“Jenny was having you do a porno? That doesn’t sound like him,” The blonde frowned. “What exactly did they want you to do?”
“They took photos of me without my shirt on! The images will be appearing in dozens of widely circulated media, hundreds of thousands of people will see me half naked.”
“Dude, you’re an actor, people would see you shirtless at some point.”
“For the last time, I am not an actor!”
“Look, whether you’re an actor or a time traveler it doesn’t matter,” Chad shook his head. “I don’t care if you came from Fourteen ninty-“
“1852.”
“-two. You’re in 2005 now, almost 2006, and here posing shirtless or in a fucking speedo is just normal advertising,” Chad motioned towards the television. “Hell, there are channels where you can see naked men and women on regular television shows- not just porn. Today’s definition of appropriate is entirely different from ten years ago let alone two hundred.”
Chad slapped his hand against Jared’s shoulder as he stood, “Think about, then get your ass upstairs and apologize to Jenny. I can only take his moping ass for so long.”
***
Mike groaned as he slid his key into the apartment door, it had taken him about two hours to maneuver up the long stair cases. He had briefly considered taking the elevator but decided not to on account that it was the reason he was in this entire mess, well one of them anyway. Nurse Kristin had helped him escape shortly after dark, after a short make out session that he had been too happy to participate in if it got him out of the Looney bin.
He swung the door open and slipped through, using one of his crutches to shut it behind him. It was late, almost midnight, but even though Mike was exhausted he had something more important to do.
“Mike?”
Lifting his gaze from his feet, Mike took in Jared for the first time in almost a week. The time traveler was dressed in a slightly short pair of jeans and one of Mike’s old T-shirts. He looked like a normal guy, like a very hot guy but still normal.
“Jared, thank god you’re here,” Mike sighed leaning on his right crutch. “We need to get you ready to go home.”
“To 1852,” Jared stated softly, glancing down at Harley who had followed him from the living room.
“Yep, the portal will take you back to the morning of December 29th, the day you left,” Mike nodded as he maneuvered his way into the living room. He frowned glancing around the room, “Where’s my research?”
“Oh,” Jared moved quickly to the desk. He picked up a neat stack of papers and grinned sheepishly. “I straightened up a bit while you were gone.”
“I see that. So, you’ll arrive the morning of December 29th-“
“What about my past self?”
“Huh?” Mike glanced up frowning.
“If I return to the morning that I left won’t I risk running into myself?” Jared asked quietly, fingers gripping one of the chair backs. His knuckles were white as his mind tumbled over the day’s events and the fact that he was being told he could go home, back to the past where he belonged.
“Uh no,” He shook his head. “You should merge with your past self, there can only be one version of you in your proper time. Just do everything exactly like you did before only don’t follow me to the bridge.”
“So if I go back in time and don’t follow you we’ll never have this conversation?”
“No, we will,” Mike answered absently as he sorted through the papers, scattering them across the dinner table.
“I do not understand,” Jared frowned moving closer to the table to watch the shorter man work.
Mike made a noise of excitement and lifted up a sheet of paper, a wide grin spreading across his face, “Time travel isn’t logical, it’s just possible. Now,” He shifted his stance, adjusting the crutches. “Let’s get you home.”
***
Thursday, December 29, 2005, Mid Morning
Jensen sat quietly at the kitchen table in Chad’s apartment a cup of coffee cooling in front of him. His clothes were rumpled, slept in, hair sleep mussed and glasses posed in front of bleary green eyes.
“Dude, did you just get up?” Jensen glanced up to see Chad opening the apartment door sacks of groceries in hand. He smiled sheepishly and nodded.
“Didn’t you have to be at work, like, an hour ago?”
Jensen shrugged slumping down in the uncomfortable wooden chair, “Kinda.”
“Jenny,” Chad slammed the bags down on the table causing Jensen to flinch as glass somethings crashed together. “Just go up and talk to Jared, you two moping around isn’t going to help either of you. ‘Sides he’s leaving today… you should probably clear the air before he does and get his number. No way am I going to put up with you acting like this my entire hiatus.”
“I doubt he wants to talk to me,” Jensen mumbled taking a sip of coffee, it was bitter and downright cold and he nearly spit it back into the cup.
“Dude, Jensen, how could he not? He practically salivates over the ground you walk on,” Chad rolled his eyes and took the mug from Jensen’s grasp. “Now get up stairs and apologize so you can have hot makeup sex. And call your work while you’re at it so you don’t lose your lame ass job.”
Jensen glared at the blond for a long moment before forcing himself up and down the hall to change.
***
After getting up the long flights of stairs for a second time in six hours Mike didn’t have the energy to drag himself around the maze that was his bedroom, instead he crashed on the couch and completely ignored Harley in favor of the black oblivion that was sleep. Mike didn’t even notice when the dog had an accident in the middle of the kitchen floor or hear his incessant whining.
In fact Mike didn’t notice anything till Jensen kicked at the couch back and shook his shoulder till he woke up.
“’m up! God Jensen,” Mike blinked up at him, taking in the annoyed expression on his former roommates face. “Where’s the fire?”
“Where’s Jared?”
“Wha?” Mike forced himself into a sitting position, carefully maneuvering his broken leg. “It’s Thursday, Jared went home this morning.”
Jensen rolled his eyes, “I kind of figured that, what with the lack of his presence and all.” He moved around the couch so that they could talk easier. “I forgot to get his contact info… I figured you’d have it since he’s your friend.”
“Contact info?” Mike eyed the other man wearily. “No, we weren’t really good friends, just acquaintances.”
“You don’t have a phone number for him?” Jensen asked running fingers through his short hair. “No email or anything?”
“No, we didn’t really know each other that well… wait how well did you get to know him?” Mike narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Jensen’s face.
Freckled cheeks flushed lightly with color and Jensen turned away, his eyes stopping on the coffee table. “Apparently not as well as I thought,” Expression darkening, Jensen reached out and picked up the heavy hard cover book lying over Jared’s sketchpad. “Forget I even asked,” He said standing quickly and heading towards the window.
“Wait, Jensen,” Mike shuffled quickly to his feet, hoping awkwardly on his good leg. “I’m sorry.”
Jensen paused and glanced over his shoulder, “You’re sorry for what?”
“For everything. For sleeping with Tom, for making you feel uncomfortable in your own home-“
“For letting a manipulative bastard you didn’t even know stay in my home?” Jensen turned around his eyes blazing. “I thought Jared was my friend, that we had something. Sure we had a fight… but I was ready to put that all behind us. I was an idiot. He obviously didn’t care enough to leave me a way to get in contact with him, hell he didn’t even take the book I gave him.”
“Jensen-“
“Don’t Mike, nothing you could say will make me feel any better at the moment,” He shook his head and held up the book. “I’m just an idiot. Did you have fun? Get a good laugh with your ’Time Traveler’ buddy?”
“He told you?”
“He told me a bunch of lies,” Jensen sighed heavily and tossed the book towards the couch. “You can have that by the way; I really don’t have any use for it.”
Mike ran through the stubble covering his head helplessly as he watched Jensen disappear up the fire escape.
***
December 29, 1852, Morning
The man Jared saw in the small mirror above his bureau was entirely different then he had been the last time he stood there. The last week had been an adventure, one Jared almost wished he could dismiss as a dream. He could not dismiss it though; it had been too real and too vivid to be just an ordinary dream. There was no way his subconscious could have come up with things like televisions, cars, or, hell, even the can of shaving cream. But, only hours after having been living in the year 2005, Jared was back home, back in 1852.
Now, once again, his mind was tormented by thoughts of his father’s party, of the fact that he was supposed to be deciding which suitable lady he would be spending his life with. This time, instead of just dreading the idea of marriage, Jared hated the idea of spending his life with anyone but the man he had come to care deeply for. A man that he would never see again.
The simple fact that Jared would have to choose anyone, female or male, to live out his life with was causing his stomach to roll and flip almost leading him to be physically ill.
He forced it away, just like before his trip Jared could not see a way to avoid his fate. So instead of letting the thoughts drive him to illness, Jared found his charcoal and began to sketch against rough paper. His fingers swept across the page in long arcs, tracing familiar lines and curves, imprinting memory onto paper.
***
Only hours later, Jared found himself in front of a familiar shop window looking for a gift to present to his future wife. His eyes roved across the trinkets inside, across jewelry and watches that glittered in the sunlight.
The art supplies he remembered from what seemed like years before lay in the same position not a speck of dust on the wooden case. Just like last time, Jared’s arm knocked into Mike’s, causing the shorter man to drop his camera into the thick slush covering the walkway.
“Fuck,” Mike mumbled glancing sharply up to meet Jared’s steady gaze. He snatched up the camera and dashed off, apologies mumbled under his breath. Jared’s hazel eyes stared after, something churning in his gut.
“Jared Padalecki!” Sandy’s squeal of delight caused Jared to flinch, an awkward smile filtering across his face.
“Sandy McCoy,” He nodded absently at her. She gazed up at him with large brown eyes, a honey sweet smile covering her face.
“I am looking forward to the party tonight,” She started pleasantly. “I heard-“
“Excuse me,” He nodded slightly stepping away, eyes locked on something in the shop. “I am in a bit of a hurry.”
“I shall see you tonight then?” She called after him, watching as he disappeared into the building.
***
Thursday, December 29, 2005, Early Afternoon
“You’re late,” Jensen groaned as Milo’s voice called from his open office door. He had just started going over emails and the day’s messages.
“I’m sorry, sir,” he stood quickly eyes darting over his boss, trying to gauge the man’s state of mind. “My former roommate just got out of the hospital with a broken leg- I was trying to help him get situated.”
“That model friend of yours who was staying with him couldn’t help?” Milo asked, eyebrow arching.
“No, Jared went home late last night,” Jensen shook his head his green eyes wide with nerves. “I called in-“
“Almost two hours after you should have,” Milo shook his head a smirk drifting over his lips. “So the model left huh… anyway, there’s a meeting tomorrow morning about the Johnson account.”
Jensen nodded, “Yes I was just about to get the final details together-“
“Don’t worry about it Jensen,” Milo smiled. “I took care of it. The final layout I drew up looks amazing, Mr. Morgan is sure to enjoy it… he rather liked the rough copies we had at the photo shoot.”
“The layout you drew…” Jensen trailed off slightly a frown marring his features. “You didn’t do anything.”
“Of course I did Jensen; I was the one overseeing the project after all.”
“No, I’m the one that came up with the layouts and I’m the one that did all the work on this project. You just waltzed in to show your pretty face to the client and take all the credit,” Jensen wasn’t even looking at Milo as he spoke; the words exiting his mouth were incredulous. “You know what?” He asked, finally turning to the wide eyed man. “I quit. You want to take the credit? Fine, take the credit. You can also do all the work or hire some other puppet to play with and take the credit from. I’m done.”
***
December 29, 1852, Evening
The collar of his dress suit was slightly crooked, leaning up against his neck. Jared smoothed it down carefully as he looked himself over in the mirror. The party was only hours away and with it the unsettled feeling in his stomach was growing steadily.
A familiar rustling sound brought his attention to the bed where his sister was lying, draped haphazardly crossways as she looked through his sketch book.
“These are good Jared! You should display these somewhere!” Megan looked up at him, a wide smile on her face.
“Are they?” He grinned back, crossing the room.
She nodded, “They really are. I think you could make a living with your art. I have seen art, Jared. My friend Katherine’s parents have a large collection. They have works from all the greatest artists in the world. These sketches are just as good if not more so. You could even paint on a larger scale!”
Jared chuckled softly and shook his head, “They are a hobby, I am to join Jeffery in the family business and marry a beautiful woman.”
“Father should not be able to force you into a life you want no part of.”
“Megan,” Jared settled his hand down on her shoulder. “This is our life, my life. I will do what is expected of me.”
“Jeff is the oldest and he is already married with a child on the way,” She pushed herself into a sitting position and adjusted her skirts. “You and I are not important. I will be wed and join another family. That is all that is expected of me, but you are the second born son. Jared you should be able to choose your life.”
“Wise words, if only that were the way the world worked,” Jared smiled sadly, eyes lingering on the open sketchbook, taking in the image he had finished earlier. “Tell you what, you can have these.” He flipped the lid closed and handed the sketchbook to her.
“No, I could-“
“You can and will Meggie, I can purchase another sketchbook in a day or so. This one was almost filled anyway.”
She beamed up at him, “Thank you!” Jared stumbled slightly as she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
He dropped a kiss to the top of her curls and grinned, “Now go get ready for the party; I need to finish getting ready myself.”
Jared watched as she practically bounced out of the room, skirts twirling around her ankles. A sigh escaped his lips, gaze drifting around the room settling on his dresser where his newest purchase gleamed in the soft light drifting through the windows. Half a dozen older trinkets surrounded it almost awkward in their positions on his bureau.
***
Jared smiled weakly at a couple of young ladies who stood near the bottom of the stairs. They giggled softly to each other as they shot glances at him. Jared rolled his eyes and searched for Otis in the busy crowd.
“There you are, sir,” the middle aged man grinned at him from a few feet away. “I have your dance card ready.”
“Thank you Otis,” Jared inclined his head slightly. “I was wondering if I could speak with you for a moment before I join the festivities. I would like your opinion on my invention.”
“Of course, sir,” Otis nodded as he followed Jared up the stairs. “Best be quick about it, we do not want to upset your father.”
***
Thursday, December 29, 2005, Late Evening
“Dude, it smells like dog piss in here,” Chad crinkled his nose as he made his way to the couch. “The land lord is going to have a field day… and Jenny is going to be pissed.”
Mike answered, arm thrown across his face to block out the light, “Broken leg here, kind of hard to get around.”
“Jenny isn’t going to like that excuse.”
“I doubt I can piss him off more than I already have,” He rolled his eyes, peering up at Chad from under his arm.
“Did Jared seriously not leave you any contact information? He didn’t just ask you not to give it to Jensen due to their fight?”
Mike shook his head and dropped his arm to his chest, blue eyes glaring at the other man, “No, Jared didn’t leave contact information because he couldn’t. He’s a time traveler, as I have said and apparently as he told Jensen.”
Chad rolled his eyes, “You two are assholes. Seriously Mike, drop the fucking act. How can I get a hold of the bastard?”
“You can’t,” Mike sighed groping into his pocket. “If you don’t believe me look at this.” He tossed his camera to Chad as he sat up. “There’s your proof.”
“Dude, these could be doctored or something,” Chad raised an eyebrow as he scanned through the photos on the small preview screen. “I have to admit they are pretty good though, especially the outdoor shots.”
“That’s because they’re real,” Mike growled snatching the camera out of Chad’s hands. He didn’t manage to get a good hold on it and it fell to the floor, its fall was broken by the spine of Jared’s art book.
“Dude, calm down,” Chad picked up the camera and handed it over before lifting the heavy art book as well.
“Sorry, I’ve just had a very, very bad week,” he grumbled checking over the camera.
“What the fuck! Are you fucking kidding me?”
Mike shot his head up to find Chad staring wide eyed at the open book in front of him. One of the pages was creased from where Jensen had thrown it; Chad had been trying to press it down. “What?”
“Jared really was a time traveler, wasn’t he?”
***
When Mike and Chad made it upstairs, using the suddenly operational elevator, they found Jensen sitting on his bed with a variety of comfort foods circling him. He was just staring off into the distance, leaning against the headboard.
Chad exchanged a look with Mike before clearing his throat, “Hey Jenny- err Jensen, are you alright?”
“No.”
“Is this about Jared?” Chad glanced back at Mike who was cringing against his crutches.
“I quit my job.”
Mike blinked before shuffling into the room, “You what?!”
“I told my boss he was manipulative and then I quit. I cursed at him as I left, called him a perverted manipulative bastard whose goal in life was to bed his subordinates and take the credit for their work in front of the entire office,” Jensen turned blank green eyes to Mike.
“Danneel couldn’t stop laughing. I think I may have scandalized Ms. Ferris with a few choice phrases too.”
“Wow, you rock!” Chad grinned and then cleared his throat when Mike hit him. “Uh, we kind of wanted to talk to you about Jared.”
“What about him? Did he finally decide to gift me with contact information?” Jensen snorted, eyes drifting down to a melting slop of ice cream. “If he did I don’t want it.”
“Uh, not exactly,” Mike poked at Chad with a crutch as he leaned against the door jamb.
“Then what is it?”
Chad glanced back at Mike before sending Jensen a sheepish look, “He, uh, well you see… Jared really was a time traveler?”
Jensen raised both his eyebrows in disbelief before rolling dull green orbs, “Right, you can stop with this lame attempt to cheer me up, Chad. And tell Mike to get the fuck out of here while you’re at it.”
“I’m serious Jensen, he is!” Chad walked into the room and stood next to the bed, camera and book in hand. “I didn’t believe it either, but then Mike showed me this and explained his research to me.”
Jensen scoffed but took the camera from the blonde when he held it out, “These could easily be fakes… just photos of whatever show Jared was getting ready for.”
“True, but what about this?” Chad asked holding out the book, one of Jared’s sketches was being used as a bookmark marking the right page. “You’re the one that bought him this book, there’s really no way he could have or would have gone through the effort of doctoring it.”
“Jared was telling the truth.”
Jensen eyed the book wearily before taking it. He settled it across his lap before opening it to the marked page. The bookmark was a sketch of Harley and Mike entering Jensen’s old room. The dog was caught in mid bound, excitement rolling through his movements. The details were astounding, just like all of Jared’s sketches he had seen in the past week. Jensen smoothed his fingers over the paper before moving it to the bed.
The page was creased slightly in the middle, probably from when he had thrown it this morning. That wasn’t what caught Jensen’s attention though. There was a perfect sketch, lines and movement captured in the same style as the one he had just examined. The moment captured was a man standing in front of a closed door, a large puppy bracing himself against him in an attempt to spread kisses and licks. Jensen recognized himself and Harley in the aged charcoal sketch, lines smudged slightly from wear.
His eyes drifted to a small yellowed photo below the sketch, a familiar face stared back at him, the caption reading the Artists named: Jared Padalecki.
His eyes shot up to meet Chad’s, “He was telling the truth?”
“Yeah, guess I shouldn’t have pushed the actor thing so much, huh?”
Jensen’s eyes darted back and forth unseeing, gaze drifting back towards the open book, “I’m never going to see him again, am I?”
Chad shook his head sadly, “No-“
“Well, there is one way…” Mike trailed off as both men turned to stare at him. “It’d be a one way ticket, though, unlike him I don’t think you could get back here. Today was the last portal I could find to that time period. It’ll be decades before you could manage to find one even close to being able to returning you here.”
Jensen stared at him for a long moment, “I don’t care. I care for him… I… I think I love him. I don’t want to live without him.”
Mike nodded, eyes observing his friend carefully, “Then we better hurry, the portal won’t be open for much longer.”
***
The problem with going anywhere in New York City this close to New Years is that it is extremely busy, the traffic is horrible and the weather is just atrocious. Which was why they were stuck in traffic, a good five minute drive away from the bridge with less than fifteen minutes left.
“Shit,” Chad cursed squinting at the traffic ahead of them. “I don’t think it’s going to clear up in time.”
“It has to,” Mike darted a glance at Jensen. “There isn’t much time left.”
“I think we’re going to have to hoof it,” Chad glanced over his shoulder before turning back to Mike. “Where exactly is the thing supposed to be at?”
“Uh, I marked it with a white ‘X’, for reference…” Mike turned to face Jensen settling a hand on his arm. “You’ll have to climb out over traffic. You don’t need to jump or anything; you should just disappear before you get to the other side. Be prepared to take a swim though on the other side.”
Jensen wrung his hands together and nodded before slipping out the Taxi door and sprinting down the damp road and through the traffic jam, Chad on his heels.
The white ‘X’ on the bridge wasn’t as easy to spot as Mike had insisted it would be, but they managed to find it rather quickly.
“Do I have enough time?” Jensen asked as he pulled himself up onto the beams.
“I’m not sure,” Chad replied honestly. “I hope so, if not I’m going to have to put up with your ass for the rest of my life.”
“Funny,” He shot a glare over his shoulder and smiled. “Make sure Mike takes care of Harley, and make up something good to tell my Mom.”
“’Course,” Chad grinned. “Now get out there and find your boy before-“
“Get down from there!”
Jensen glanced over to the policeman as he carefully made his way across slim beam. Chad blocked the officers path, hands outstretched, “Whoa he’s not trying to commit suicide or anything, honest!”
“Get out of the way, sir. Your friend is in violation of the law and is endangering himself and the motorists below!” Chad grimaced as another officer joined the first. This wasn’t going to end well.
“It’s fine, sorry about that officer. It was just a stupid dare.” Jensen’s voice interrupted the confrontation. He was staring at the ground as he jumped down to the walkway.
***
Friday, December 30, 2005, Morning
“You’re idiots, both of you,” Jensen grumbled as he helped Chad support Mike. The other man was exhausted and in a lot of pain after having to locate and bail them out of jail for reckless endangerment. “I can’t believe that I listened to either of you.”
“I’m sorry we missed the portal Jensen,” Mike grimaced as they made their way down the hall. “I’m also sorry about the jail time.”
“You can pay my fine, how does that sound?” Jensen glared at him as they reached the apartment door. He shuffled slightly, letting Mike lean heavily on Chad as he searched his pocket for his keys. “Shit, Jared never gave me back the key.”
Chad frowned, “You gave him your key?”
“Yeah, I figured Mike trusted him enough to leave him alone-“
“I fell down a fucking elevator shaft!” Mike interjected as he dug through his own pockets.
“-so it could be on Mike’s head if he stole anything.”
“Here,” Mike snorted tossing his keys to Jensen. He caught the keys, found the correct one easily and slid it into the lock.
“You’re also going to clean up Harley’s messes,” Jensen stated as he pushed open the door. “I don’t care how much your leg hurts or-“
“Jensen,” Chad stated from where he had froze in the doorway.
“-how tired you are. It’s disgusting and- what?” Jensen glanced at Chad over Mike, finally realizing the two men had stopped dead in their tracks.
“Jensen,” a murmur tore Jensen’s gaze away from Chad. He stared at slanted hazel eyes, dark hair, and a large, tall frame. “Is it too late to ask for forgiveness?”
Jensen stared at Jared, green eyes wide with astonishment, “Jared?”
A small smile crossed the other man’s face and he nodded slightly, “I could not live without you Jensen, I did not want to.”
Mike found himself stumbling against Chad and he hissed in pain as his cast hit the ground with a sick thud. Chad stumbled as well, but his gaze stayed on the pair down the hall a smile growing on his face.
Jensen threw his body against Jared, the taller man barely managed to keep his footing. He wound his arms around Jensen’s frame as their lips met in a passionate kiss, Jensen’s right hand wrapping around the back of his head, fingers carding through the thick hair at the base of Jared’s skull.
“I’m sorry,” Jensen murmured pulling back slightly. “I don’t care if you’re an actor, a time traveler, or an alien. I’m so sorry.”
“Me too,” Jared answered before sliding his hands up to Jensen’s face, cupping his freckled cheeks as he leaned back down to capture Jensen’s lips.
“So, uh, not to intrude or anything, but how the hell did you get back here?”
Jared broke the kiss and grinned, “Time travel isn’t logical, Mike, it’s just possible.”
***
One Year Later: Sunday, December 31, 2006 - 11: 58 pm
Mike had been right about time travel, it wasn’t logical. When faced with deciding his future Jared had made a difficult choice. Rather than live out a life he hated, the one his father expected of him, Jared had given Otis the plans to his invention and Megan all of his sketches. He had then taken various trinkets and items of value and gone to the bridge where he had first spoken with Mike.
After making sure that his past self had indeed appeared in this time with Mike, Jared had located a pawn shop, specifically the one he had walked passed that day with Jensen, and sold several trinkets for some quick cash. He hadn’t wanted to risk running into himself or anyone else so he had found a hotel to stay in for the week and had spent the majority of the time filling several large canvases with amazing imagery.
He and Jensen were now staying in what had been Chad’s apartment; the blond had ended up moving in Sophia, who was now his fiancé. They were happy and in love and were sharing the small apartment with Harley and Sadie, a recently acquired puppy.
Jared tilted his head examining the display of pottery in front of him, “It’s perfect.”
“Good,” Jensen grinned up at him green eyes sparkling. “I’m glad you like it. We should really get back to the party Mr. Famous Painter Guy.”
“I wouldn’t have sold a single piece without you,” Jared answered a hand coming up to cup Jensen’s cheek. It was true, in a way. After they had gotten over the initial phase of wonderment at being together, Jensen had freaked out again over the loss of his job.
With some gentle encouragement from Jared he had focused on the dream he had nearly forgotten. Now, a year later, they were standing in the newly opened Ackles Art Gallery with a room full of friends, artists, and potential client’s just feet away. The first works Jensen had sold were the charcoal covered canvases that Jared had worked on during that long week. It hadn’t taken long to find buyers, Megan had been right about people loving Jared’s works.
“I wouldn’t have this life without you,” Jensen answered softly. In the other room they could hear the countdown to New Years begin, the start of another wonderful year together. He reached a hand up to pull Jared’s lips down to his, “I love you.”
“I love you,” Jared whispered against his lips as cheers echoed around them. He pushed back slightly, smiling down at Jensen. Taking the shorter man’s hand he placed an object against his palm, curving Jensen’s fingers around it as he leaned down to press a chaste kiss against chapped lips.
“I love you more than time itself, more than anything or anyone that has ever existed.”
Jensen gazed down as he opened his hand, green eyes absorbing the glimmering pocket watch resting there.
“Will you be my Husband?”
*****
Fin.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-02-23 08:38 am (UTC)I love the "Kate and Leopold" movie! I do love it and then I found this story. OH.MY.GOD!
I saved it and going to read it this night.
Thank you so much for writing it.
no subject
Date: 2009-02-23 10:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-02-25 01:50 pm (UTC)While I was reading your story, I wondered about the ending of the story. In "Kate and Leopold", 19th century New York wouldn't mind to see Leopold took Kate as his wife, even though nobody knew who Kate was.
But I guess 19th century New York were not ready to see a man-to-man relationship, in an intimate way.
Then, your ending is perfect! It's not Jensen who took the leap, but Jared who did it instead.
YOU ARE GENIUS!!! Did I say that? Oh, I did. But I don't mind repeating it. :D
Anyway, I love your story to the pieces. Including how Chad took times back and forth just for shopping, because he couldn't read Jared's handwriting. Oh, I can't imagine that part vividly, I couldn't stop laughing.
Furthermore, this story is sexy. Very, very sexy, although there's no sex scene involved.
Oh, and there's Otis as well. :)
Once again, thank YOU for writing the story. It's very, very great!
*hugs you tight*
no subject
Date: 2009-02-25 10:45 pm (UTC)Thank you very much for the compliments *blush*. When I write I'm actually trying to depict the scene as I see it happen in my head... I try not to get too detailed when putting it into words but I see every detail, quirk, expression, that the character or scene has. Basically to me I write while imagining a movie playing out in my head. Sometimes it transfers well and other times I end up with a lot of superfluous details.
Chad wrote himself- he wasn't actually planned to be as fleshed out as he was... it just kinda happened. I'm glad you enjoyed that part! My text version actually used a really really loopy handwriting to stand in for Jared's on his note to Jensen. *giggle*
Otis was based off the actual inventor of the part Jared made- kinda anyway. He was mentioned a bit in the movie too... I almost didn't add him but I needed a way for the patent to go through so the elevators didn't stay all wonky!
*blush* I'm glad you think it's sexy! This is probably the most romantic story I have written- and the first real romance focused one... I was really nervous about writing it (Monday through Wednesday took me forever to get through).
And thank you very much for reading!
*hug* <3