We All Fall Down Part IV

[yansadracan]

Title: We All Fall Down Part IV
Author: YanzaDracan
Beta:
Artist: tiggeratl1
Characters/Pairings: Christian Kane; Steve Carlson; Jensen Ackles; Jared Padalecki; Danneel Harris; Tim Hutton; Beth Riesgraf; OCs; Robert Riggle; Rob Huebel; Sandy & Chris Carlson; Rosalee & Darren Sher
Rating: R
Genre: RPS
Warning: Mentions of Characters death! Language
Word Count: 7,551/34,815
Summary: The massive earth changes happen Thanksgiving 2012. A sanctuary in all the chaos and destruction is the SC-KANE ranch in Broken Bow, OK. Who survived and what happens next? Will his family accept Jensen and sacrifices he made for them? Based on the earth changes maps of Gordon Michael Scallion. Images in my head from Steve Carlson's song Quarter To Three.
                            

When he felt safe, he relaxed and slept like the dead. Before finally giving in to his feelings for Steve and Christian, the last time he'd truly slept well was right before Jared dropped his bombshell about getting married to Genevieve.

Once again it was Jared interrupting his sleep. Other than Chris and Sandy's room, the RV's beds weren't big enough for three grown men so Jensen had stretched out on the couch Tim had abandoned to climb in one of the bunks with Beth. Darren and Rosalee had one and the boys were piled on the bed made when they moved the dining table.

"It's only one night." Jensen had soothed the other two.

"Don't care." Christian had growled as he climbed to the bed over the front of the motor home, a sullen Steve following.

He slept in fits and starts, his active mind running scenarios that would have woke him screaming if he'd been deeply asleep. Giving up, he secured his weapons and slipped out so quietly the springs of the coach never twitched, and slipped through the shadows towards where the Colonel lived with his partner.

Scanning the area, he was surprised at how few lights he saw…Reminded him of fireflies on an August night twinkling here and there. He remembered less than a year ago flying into Will Rogers and thinking the city looked like it was on fire there were so many lights.

Something the family didn't know was Jensen had established a network of contacts around the city and as far south as Dallas. Riding away from the house for days at a time with only Spencer and Parker allowed him to make contact with people living in the area and keep an eye on the activities around them. It was one of the reasons Jensen always went on the monthly supply runs to the city, and the Colonel was so eager for them to schedule performances along the I-35 corridor.

If Christian and Steve found out they'd probably kick his ass right before they kicked him out. He had plans in place if that should happen.

That's why he needed to know why Danneel and Jared were still in the area. Careful to avoid surveillance, he moved toward the sliding glass door. He grinned when he saw the flood lights were off. His grin got wider when he tried to the door to find it unlocked. He stayed silent until he'd closed the heavy glass door behind him.

"There better be coffee." He snarked.

"Good Marine coffee." A voice in the dark answered.

Jensen chuckled as he poured a cup and sat down the only light coming through the glass doors and a computer screen. He tossed an envelope on the table.

"Still haven't figured out how a Lt. Colonel in the Marines ends up top dog over the Air Force and Army."

"Talent, my boy…talent." A bad impression of W.C. Fields floated across the table as the memory cards were slipped into the reader.

Jensen snorted his disagreement as pictures and information flash over the computer screen.

"How's Rob?"

"Adapting. Actors and comedians really don't have a lot of skills for surviving in post apocalyptic conditions, unless of course you're a bad ass like Dean Winchester and Eliot Spencer."

"Who knew fighting and weapons training for TV shows and movies could translate?" His tone was sour.

"Didn't hurt that you're one paranoid son-of-a-bitch that rubbed off on his partners."

"Yeah. Who knew?" He drained his cup and goes for another. "I need a favor."

"Name it."

"I need to know why my exes are still in town." He drew a breath. "They should have gone to San Antonio around the first of the year."

"Together?" Eyebrows raised in the long face across from him.

"Yeah. Ain't that a kick in the head? My ex-lover's fucking my now ex-wife. I found them in camp the first time we came to the city. She was supposed to be in California. Instead she was on the way to Texas with her lover."

"Fuck. Names?"

"Danneel Harris and Jared Padalecki or maybe she's goin' by Padalecki, who knows?"

Lt. Colonel, soon to be full bird thank you very much, Robert Riggle frowned as he read the screen in front of him.

%%%%%

He'd been on his way from Los Angeles to New York when a layover in Tulsa had the higher ups putting him in charge of the Marines in the state of Oklahoma when the earthquakes hit.

He and the Marines in the recruiter's office met up with the detachment from Ft. Sill. Thankfully he'd gotten along with the heads of the Army National Guard and Tinker Air Force base, making it easier to coordinate their troops in and around the capital city, along with Tulsa, and securing the Governor and most of the state government. He was thankful Oklahoma didn't have more big cities.

He'd met Jensen Ackles at some dinner or celebrity golf tournament…something several years ago. The younger man could probably tell him down to date and time. He was scary like that. They'd become friends, Jensen being one of the few people in Hollywood or New York that knew his comedy partner, Rob Huebel was also his real life partner, and they were part of the handful outside Jensen's immediate circle that knew the truth about the Ackles.

Rob swore quietly trying not to wake his partner.

"That good?" Jensen joked sadly.

"They were offered transport back in January when the supply convoy came through. Apparently the accommodations weren't to Mrs. Padalecki's standards. Since then they've gone on the grift, just this side of the line from illegal, cultivating acquaintances in low and high places to raise money."

"Planes or trains running south yet?" Jensen asked.

"Trains are starting back up, planes not so much. Highway traffic has started to pick up since a few of the refineries that are left are getting up to speed. We're starting to get crude coming in from Texas and Oklahoma. The Big Guys are trying to get the rigs in the Gulf up and pumping again." Rob answered him.

"So we're starting to get back on our feet?"

"Slowly. We'll probably be under some form of martial law for good while. The states least affected are getting their act together the quickest, but as people start moving out into the countryside I expect to see a rise in the type of problems you're watching."

"So I won't be out of a job any time soon?" Jensen joked.

"Unfortunately, no."

He stood to leave.

"I better get back. My luck Christian'll get up to take a piss and come lookin'."

The Colonel chuckled as he used Jensen's handshake to pull him in for a hug.

"Take care of the family. I'll keep an eye out, but I don't want to know about it if something happens to your exes unless it's to arrest them." Rob gave him a stern look.

"Got my stuff?" Jensen avoided the topic.

"Duffels by the door." He handed the now empty memory cards back to Jensen. "Take care yourself. I don't want Christian Fucking Kane on my ass, though I hear the blond is the dangerous one 'cause you're so busy watching Kane you don't see him comin'."

"Don't forget it." Jensen grinned as he shouldered the duffels and slipped back out the door.

%%%%%

Dawn was breaking in the eastern sky when he slid the large duffels in the compartment under RV. Slipping back inside, he breathed a sigh of relief to find everyone still asleep. He picked his camera off the dash to finish going through his pictures.

He was surprised the smell of coffee hadn't woke the others, and while he felt tired, Jensen knew there would be no more sleep while he worried over the Danneel and Jared.

Camera around his neck, he sat slouched down in the camp chair, coffee in one hand, cigarette in the other watching the birth of a new day, snapping the occasional picture in the changing light.

He'd heard the door to the RV open so was not surprised when he heard the clicks of Beth's camera. Between the two of them Jensen felt they could put together an incredible video.

All too soon everyone was up and breakfast was being prepared. Steve had commandeered Beth's chair when she went back inside to see to Tim and the boys. Jensen lit a cigarette and passed it to the blond enjoying the sense of peace he had this morning. Christian appeared carrying two mugs of fresh coffee one he passed to Jensen before settling so Jensen was between him and Steve.

It was Steve that broke the peace.

"Where were you, Jensen?" His voice was conversational.

Jensen looked confused. "When."

"This morning-say around 3?"

"Nowhere."

An impatient growl came from Christian. Before he could speak, Steve continued.

"Strange thing, I woke up about 3:30 and you were nowhere to be found."

"Don't sleep so good alone anymore." Jensen said into his coffee cup.

That brought a smile to the other men's faces, but it faded just quickly. Something was going on and they wanted to know what Jensen was doing when he disappeared, sometimes for days at a time.

Jensen continued to act like there was nothing more on his mind than sitting and sharing coffee with his lovers. Steve and Christian both reached out to lay a hand on one of Jensen's thighs.

"Where do you go, Jenny…when you leave us in the dead of winter for days at a time?"

Before he could formulate an answer Steve started.

"How come you take Stoney sometimes, but other times you take Spook?"

Jensen looked back and forth between the two people he loved more than his own life, and for a split second considered lying. Seeing the concern and love in the two sets of pale eyes, he settled for the only lie he could live with-a lie omission. He did not want his family to know he'd prostituted himself to the military for Tim's continued health care, fuel, and other things that made their lives easier until things returned to some semblance of normal.

Sure he and Rob had been friends, but now they were using each other for their mutual benefits, and if something nasty happened, which Jensen was almost sure was in the not too distant future, Rob and his Marines would take care of the problem, The Family would be safe, and Jensen would be dead or worse-injured with Kane and Carlson so pissed he'd be lucky if they let him pack before they kicked him out for not telling them.

Taking their hands and raising them to his lips in a gentle kiss, Jensen chuckled.

"Y'all's a bunch of agony aunts. I take Stoney on the days I'm not going into the Park to hunt. There's displaced people living in the Park and I don't want to take the chance of losing a valuable stud, so I take Spook. Game's harder to find close to the border so some days I have to ride in further." He kept his voice light hoping to show the two they didn't have to worry or volunteer to come with him.

His hopes were dashed moments later.

"Then Steve can take Stoney on those days, and I'll take Ojai and ride out with you."Christian stated flatly.

Jensen fought down a flare of panic. He had to be calm and stern with Christian, not let him get all Alpha on him…prick his need to put the family as a whole first.

"Kane as much as I would love to ride off into the sunset with you." He paused to smirk and waggle his eyebrows in a suggestive manner. "You know Steve's not an experienced enough rider for Stoney." He grinned apologetically to Steve. "Plus it's not fair to make him or Chris double the size of their patrol area. It's takin' all of us to keep meat in the freezer until a couple of our yearlings are big enough to butcher…"

Christian frowned. "Fuck. Quit bein' so fuckin' reasonable. I git it. I don't fuckin' like it, but I git it." He growled. He was about to wind up again when a voice came from inside the motor home.

"Christian Kane! You watch your language! All of you get in here for breakfast." Sandy scolded.

'Yes 'm." Christian answered, blushing profusely while Jensen and Steve snickered. "Shut up." He pouted as he walked toward the door in a huff.

Jensen breathed a sigh of relief as he followed Steve inside. Now that they were paying attention, he'd have to let them know the days he was going 'hunting' and make sure he brought game home when he was gone overnight.

%%%%%

The time until their concert in Dallas was busy. Calves being born, Ojai was now pregnant, Christian was back to riding Red Dawn with Goldie tagging along behind her mama. A large plot of ground was plowed and readied for planting.

Beth and the boys were learning…finding their footing in this new world. The boys were truly becoming brothers as Beth and Tim's relationship deepened. Tim had come back to approximately 80% of his pre-accident health. He spent a lot of time helping in the greenhouse and learning from Chris and Christian about the power and water systems of the house.

Joe Rivers plowed and planted what seeds Jensen had been able to get from Riggle while everyone pitched in to get the garden planted while they ooohed and aaahhed over all the new babies.

Christian and Steve tried to keep a closer eye on Jensen. Always kept him close when they were all home, fretted when he was gone over night, was glad he stopped disappearing for days at a time, and tried to make sure he knew how much he was loved.

Jensen for his part did everything he could to keep from worrying his lovers and family. Since Darren and Rosalee had taken over care of the milk cows, hogs and chickens, it freed him up to take the cattle to pasture earlier in the morning, leaving Cody and Parker with the cattle while he and Spencer hunted and did recon.

The military had taken out one camp of people that were carrying out kidnappings Riggle had told him about. They were still trying to trace the information brokers so they could clean them out once and for all.

Jensen had found the new camp and had sent the information to the Colonel, who'd sent back a message for Jensen to only check on them enough to make sure they didn't move their camp. Today was the last time he would check the camp before they left for Dallas.

Jensen tethered Spook a good quarter mile from the camp then went the rest of the way on foot. He'd just slid into position when shock caused him to freeze. Standing outside of the tent Jensen had dubbed 'command center' was Jared Padalecki. Shaking off his paralysis, Jensen started snapping pictures. When he had enough, he settled to watch.

The men talked then Jared became angry, arguing, but trying to keep their voices down. Eventually the man Jensen had figured was in charge threw his hands in the air and went inside a tent. When he returned he was carrying a sleeping child. He quickly grabbed his camera. Jensen thought the child was asleep until the blonde head lolled when the man handed what turned out to be a boy of about five to Jared. Jared carried the child to a small SUV and strapped him into a car seat. Jensen snapped pictures until the vehicle was out of sight.

He moved silently away from the camp, mounted Spook and headed back for the herd.

%%%%%

Christian kept watch from on top the hill that contained their home. Binoculars watched out over the prairie, scanning for the black mass that should be moving toward the barn. Just as the stars started to twinkle he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the paint horse bringing up the rear of the herd. He saw a tarp thrown across Spook's rump.

He stuck his head in the door and hollered for Steve to come help carry in whatever Jensen had strapped behind his saddle. By the time they got to the barn, the tarp laid by the door, and Jensen was giving Spook a rubdown. The black and white gelding leaned into the brushes as Jensen cleaned the dried sweat off his back.

"Stoney wasn't happy today." Christian groused.

"Did he settle?" Jensen's put the brushes away while Steve fed the gelding.

"Yeah, after we agreed on who was gonna be boss." Chris exchanged a look with Steve.

"Jenny…"

"I…" The men started at the same time.

Christian and Steve paused for Jensen to speak.

"I need to talk to everyone after supper." He paused. "Where the kids won't hear."

With a nod they picked up the deer carcass and headed to the house. If there was going to be a family powwow, they needed to get this meat processed so it didn't go to waste.

They continued to watch as Jensen toyed with his dinner, finally carrying his plate into the kitchen then going outside to smoke a cigarette. Of all the things they ran short on, cigarettes was not one of them.

The boys played baseball then with the dogs until they were all exhausted. Beth hustled them off to a shower and bed before returning with a thermos of coffee as they sat around the outdoor fireplace. When they settled all eyes turned to Jensen.

Not wanting to see the expressions on their faces, Jensen stared into the darkness as he started his story.

"When we went to the camps the first time and found y'all, I ran into an old friend. When we met he was a comedian and a Lt. Colonel in the Marine Reserves. The Marines found him in Tulsa during the quakes and put him in charge of all the Marines in Oklahoma. Knowing where we lived he asked me to do him a favor. In exchange for that favor I asked for and received medical care, supplies for here and to use to set up an information network in the State Park and surrounding area…"

Too tense to sit still, Jensen smoked while he paced and talked. He told them everything, even that he was driving into Oklahoma City tomorrow to turn over information that would probably get Jared and Danneel arrested.

"I never wanted you to know what I was doing, and if I wasn't going to attempt to save Jared and Danneel from their own stupidity, I wouldn't have said anything at all." He finished still not looking at anyone.

"Save them how?" Christian asked shocked to his soul at what Jensen had told them.

"By offering them a ride to San Antonio. I'll be setting up fuel stops with the Colonel tomorrow, but I know how you feel about them, and probably wouldn't want them riding with us in the RV to Dallas. I'll be taking my truck and we'll convoy."

He stopped his pacing to scrub his hands over his face.

"This may all be moot depending on what I find out tomorrow. If Jared or Danneel are directly involved in what I've been reconnoitering in any way there's no need to try and get them to Texas. They'll be in prison."

Shocked gasps filled the yard, but it was Steve who finally broke the deafening silence.

"So the shows…the music, did you whore yourself out for that, too?" He spat.

Jensen jerked like he'd taken a body blow.

"No. One of the Marines had bought Kane's CD and Rob asked about doin' the shows after our business had been concluded."

"What if some of those people had followed you. Did you ever think about the danger you were putting us in skulking around their camp? Do you know what could have happened?" Steve continued before anyone else could form a thought.

Jensen felt his heart sink. He'd never seen Steve so angry. He could see the end hurtling toward him. He saw Christian entwine their fingers, giving Steve his support. The others filed back into the house, their silence feeling like added weight to Steve's condemnation.

The house had long gone dark before the solitary figure moved.

%%%%%

There was a pall over the household the next morning. The boys sensing something wrong among the adults were subdued.

Rosalee came into the house breathless from running from the barn.

"It's gone." She panted.

"What?" They exchanged concerned looks.

"Jensen, his truck, gear, his dogs."

Steve and Christian moved to where they'd buried a safe in the floor. Nothing was missing. After breakfast they looked in several other places Jensen was known to stash things. A bundle of cash was missing, but several documents had been added. A will, a list of conditions he'd set with Riggle in exchange for Jensen's services.

"My god." Sandy breathed out as they read.

Jensen had driven a hard bargain with the Marine Colonel making sure the SC-KANE Ranch was protected.

"At least he's a high dollar whore." Steve snarled under his breath.

"Steven Paul Carlson, I don't want to hear another derogatory word out of your mouth." His mother snapped.

Shocked they all turned toward the older woman.

"That boy gave us everything. My life, things we needed, protection, everything he could think of to make sure this family survived. He didn't tell anyone about what he'd done because he felt he was expendable."She had to stop and gather herself. "He felt it was okay because he wasn't leaving behind someone who'd be left alone."

"How do you know all this?" Tim asked.

"Jensen isn't the only insomniac in the family. Menopause is not always kind to a person's sleep habits. I'd sit in the hallway and listen to him talk to the dogs, and it broke my heart. I thought after Christmas…after you took him to your bed it would get better, but it only got worse. His determination to protect us increased to the point where he took a chance of pissin' everyone off to keep us safe."

"Why didn't he talk to us?" Beth asked.

"Jensen's hidden his true self for so long…He never trusted anyone with his 'real' self after Jared." Christian was the one to answer. "We thought he stopped, but the only thing he quit hiding was his feelings for us."

"I made things worse. I shouldn't have lost my temper, but I thought we were past Jared and Danni causing him more pain." Steve admitted running his fingers over Jensen's guitar pick necklace that matched his and Christian's.

"So what now?" Darren asked.

"Hope he meets us in Dallas either before or after the concert. That's all we can do." Christian said sadly as he turned to start packing.

"What about the Colonel…Riggle?" Tim asked.

"Jensen didn't leave any contact information for Riggle so other than driving to Norman, and we don't have time for that or a guarantee Riggle would see us." Steve added before following Christian.

%%%%%

Though it was early, he managed to find a cup of coffee as he headed to the address Riggle had given him for the Padaleckis. He left Parker in the truck. He headed to the house, Spencer at his side.

When the door opened enough for him to see Jared, he was through the door before Jared had a chance to protest. Closing the door after Spencer came through, the dog stood between the men.

"What the…Jensen?" Jared went from irate to confused.

"You need to pack, we're leaving." He said bluntly.

"What!?"

"You want to go to San Antonio-here's your chance."

"Jensen!" Danneel's voice was shrill when she spotted him. "Jared?"

"Jensen came to give us a ride home."

"Why?" The spoke together when they turned toward their ex.

"Why not? Is there something holding you here?"

"In December you wouldn't have spit on us if we were on fire…" Danneel started. Jared laid a hand on her arm.

"What's the catch?"

"You have to talk to a friend of mine first."

"About what?" The younger man's voice got small.

Jensen held out a proof sheet.

"It's not what it looks like…" Jared started.

"I don't care what you're doing, but my friend is very interested." Flat green eyes looked at the couple. "Pack yer shit or yer leavin' without it."

"You can't…" Danneel straightened to her full 5'7".

A pistol appeared in Jensen's hand. He was exhausted and soul sick and in no mood for theatrics. They'd surprised him last night. Steve and Christian had reversed roles on him, though Christian had ultimately supported Steve as he knew he would. It didn't matter that they'd invited him into their bed, he was the interloper.

He'd made a plan on the drive to Oklahoma City. He'd come back and help Rob clear the really bad guys out of the Park. Maybe he'd visit the new west coast. He had an ID that said he was Jacob Gray. It'd been a joke when he'd bought it, but he had it stashed where he could get to it without going to the house.

He was brought back to the present by Jared.

"Where did you get these?"

"Doesn't matter."

"But…just…I…" He gave up. "We better get packed." He turned to Danneel.

She didn't protest, but glared at Jensen, who ignored her. He followed them to their room, he didn't want any surprises.

As soon as they were loaded in the truck, Jensen made a call.

"We're comin' in." He listened for a moment. "Be there in 30."

He'd put Jared and Danneel in the back and ordered the dogs to 'guard'. Danneel had tried to friendly up to them, but the dogs refused her overtures.

They started to protest when Jensen pulled up to the administration building at OU, but a warning growl from the dogs had them settling back in the seat. Two of Riggle's personal detail met them along with his aide.

"Hey Mike." Jensen greeted the corporal.

"Jake." The corporal gave him a wink.

"Brought some people to meet with the Colonel then I need a place to shower, sleep and put their stuff."

"Knew you were comin'. The boys will take care of your guests. I'll show you to your room. Colonel expects you for mess."

"Thanks Mike."

He left his gear where Mike indicated and he and the dogs headed to the Colonel's office.

By the time Jensen knocked on the door of Riggle's office, the room was set up for supper for the four of them. A very subdued Jared and Danneel sat off to the side as he settled the dogs across the door.

"Paranoid much, Jake?" The Colonel joked.

Jensen grinned back. "The number of people that probably hate me right now…yeah."

Rob's eyes widen as he noticed the grin didn't reach the green eyes.

"How?" He sounded angry.

"I told them. I knew they wouldn't want to travel to Dallas with Mutt and Jeff." He jerked his thumb toward the couple.

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah, well it pretty much met my expectations."

"You have a place…" The Colonel started, but Jensen waved him off.

"Jen…" Danneel started, but stopped when the two men glared at her.

"I don't want anyone to associate 'this' me with SC-KANE Ranch."

"How can they not…" Another glare cut off Jared.

"Because I'm that fuckin' good. People see what they wanna see." Jensen snarled. He looked at his exes. "Know what I see as you sit there?" They shook their heads. "You thought you were smarter than the people around you until you woke up to find you were up to yer ass in alligators. The users were being used. The fact yer settin' here instead of the brig says you aren't bad guys, just stupid. You refused to accept the help you were offered. You could have already been home, but you were too good to travel in a supply truck, so here we sit." Jensen helped himself to a cup of coffee.

"Sure you don't wanna join the Marines." Rob joked.

"I thought I did." Jensen's tone was sour.

His attention remained on Jensen as he spoke. "My troops only know him as 'Jake'-it better stay that way." He turned to glare at them.

Their conversation was cut short by Mike's return with a cart of food.

The Colonel met them at the fuel pump the next morning.

"What are you going to do?"

Sadness drifted across the freckled face before it disappeared.

"I'll see you in a couple days. I may stop by Dallas or not." He shrugged as he screwed the cap back on the fuel tank.

"We'll be ready."

Jensen gave a curt nod and turned away, but Rob stopped him with a hand on his arm.

"You can stay with us." He offered.

"Not very good company right now."

"Just think about it."

One last nod and he climbed in the truck, Jared and Danneel once again in the back seat with the dogs on watch.

"Are we doing this all the way to San Antonio?" Danneel wheedled.

"Unless you wanna ride handcuffed in the bed." Jensen snapped.

His passengers were fairly quiet, which suited Jensen just fine. It gave him time to nurse his broken heart, and work to pull the bleeding edges of his soul together. That Steve and Christian could believe he would do anything that would put his family in danger cut him to the quick, and he was still trying to stop the bleeding. He would help Rob's people clean out the State Park then leave.

They'd just entered the north side of San Antonio when he was shaken out of his reverie as Jared and Danneel started asking about his plans and would he be staying in the city-trying to cajole him into spending time with them.

"You didn't want me before so why are you so keen on me staying?" He asked bluntly.

"I never wanted to give you up, Jen. I wanted to have you and Gen, now you and Danneel." Jared blurted out.

Jensen's laugh was both bitter and unhinged. "You thought I was so stupidly in love with you that I would just hang around on the fringes your of life while you did the whole wife, kids, all-American family thing? 'Poor pathetic Uncle Jensen never found 'the one'. It's good to know how highly you think of me."

He watched as Danneel and Jared exchanged a look.

"We could do it, Jensen, the three of us. In these times no one would think twice." Danneel's voice had that wheedle that had him agreeing to marry her after a night of too much Jack and too much heartbreak.

"Tried the threesome thing, sweetheart. You can see how well that worked out." The dogs bristled at his raised voice. He let them. "You've managed to fuck my life over three times. Even I get the hint if you hit me in the head enough times." He spoke more to himself than them. "The quicker I can dump you and your shit on the Padaleckis' doorstep the better I'll like it."

Ten minutes later he was doing just that. He unloaded the truck while everyone made over the happy couple and when Gerald and Sherry would have approached him, a hard look from Jensen and a growl from the dogs kept them at bay.

He followed the directions from Colonel Riggle to a place to get fuel then headed north. Rob had set him up with an ID that would get him access to any checkpoint or base making sure if he needed to go to ground he had somewhere safe to go.

The guard at the gate gave him directions to the auditorium. To keep from using the air conditioning, they had propped open all the doors. He parked in front of the doors knowing he wouldn't be staying long enough to be a hazard. He kept to the shadows. Rosalee was on stage with Darren and Steve backing her. They'd just finished I Believe. He watched Christian come on stage, listened until Christian announced the last song. He dodged the light as he slipped out the doorway. He never noticed the shrewd blue eyes that watched him until he left.

The watcher was interrupted when someone bumped his arm.

"Hey, you gonna help or just sit there like a lump." Beth complained. When she didn't get a response she got worried. "Tim?"

"Huh, oh sorry. Got lost in thought." He turned to help her set out CDs.

Jensen knew he was tired, he rubbed his eyes trying to get them to focus. He looked down when his fingers came away wet. He brushed them on his shirt only to realize there were wet spots on it. Feeling his distress, Parker swiped a tongue over his face and leaned into his side. As much as he wanted to take the comfort the animals were offering he had to get out of here before the show finished.

As the grey pickup sped off into the night, a flurry of lithe body and blonde hair dashed through the door in time to watch taillights leaving the parking lot.

By the time he pulled into Rob's driveway, he was bleary eyed. He and the dogs slipped quietly into the spare room only taking time to pull off his boots, guns and jacket before crawling onto the bed. Spencer across the door and Parker on the bed between Jensen and the door, everyone was soon asleep.

Riggle and his partner Rob looked in the door of their spare room. They had hoped it would be empty after the frantic call they'd gotten from one Christian Kane, but apparently Jensen hadn't stopped in Dallas to speak to his family. Apparently Kane had asked their liaison in Dallas for his number, but they weren't very forthcoming until Christian threatened violence on the next person that told him no. The Colonel was torn between happy to have Jensen working for him and sad that the younger man thought his family no longer loved him because of his scouting for the military.

He told Christian Jensen Ackles was not on any of his bases. He hadn't been lying-technically. Everyone knew Jensen as Jake Gray so technically Jensen wasn't sleeping in his spare room-Jake was.

It was nearly noon when Jensen woke. He showered and headed to the kitchen in search of coffee feeling just as tired as when he'd fallen across the bed. He found breakfast then headed for Riggle's office.

"You're just in time, Jake."

The Colonel made introductions before starting the briefing.

"Gray here is your scout. He knows this area intimately and has provided the intel we have on this camp."

By the end of the briefing, the Marines had gained a respect for the scouting Jensen had done and his suggestions. As soon as he was outfitted they set out for their staging area at Ardmore. They would move out at dawn.

The squad of Seals rested quietly waiting for Jake to return. Too well trained to yell, Lt. Jack Dawson nearly peed himself when he felt a wet nose on the back of his neck. Standing behind him as though he'd sprung from the Earth was Gray with an unrepentant grin. He pulled out the map he had marked with sentry positions for the camp they were set the raid and transferred the information to the LT's map.

For six months they conducted mostly successful raids suffering only a few injuries, losing two of their squad. Jensen sported a few new scars including three silvery lines that marred his left cheek. Parker died protecting him in the same fight. Spencer had lain on his bed at the clinic refusing to be moved. The two lone males had withdrawn further into themselves.

He'd just been released from the clinic and was in Oklahoma City to replenish his wardrobe and eat something that wasn't an MRE or hospital food. He'd stepped out of the restaurant and ended up literally on Steve and Christian's heels.

Feeling like Spencer was sitting on his chest, Jensen followed a few steps behind making sure the oversized hood he wore to hide his scars also hid his identity. He tasted blood as he clamped down on the inside of his cheek to keep from calling out.

Both men looked good, apparently him not being with them hadn't made a lot of difference in their lives, and listening to their conversation, he found out the rest of the family was well, Rosalee and Beth were expecting babies, one in spring, the other in early summer. When they turned into a shop selling books and music he continued on to complete the rest of his shopping. He didn't come into the city again.

The country was slowly returning to normal, or as close as they were going to get. Television stations started showing programs other than news and weather-offices started reopening as industry slowly started to climb back on its feet.

With the normalization of society, martial-law was being lifted in some of the east coast cities, but west of the Mississippi things were still unsettled, so martial law remained in place.

Colonel Riggle was worried. Most men in his position would be elated at the numbers he was reading, but he knew the costs of those numbers intimately. He saw the effects every time he looked into the face of his friend who was now more Jake Gray than Jensen Ackles.

The information network Jensen had built across the state would have done the CIA proud, but the man he'd met a few short years ago was no longer in evidence. His squad respected him and feared for him for he seemed to have left his sense of self-preservation behind the day he drove away from SC-KANE Ranch.

Soon he would pull all his raiding squads back. One more raid would see the last of the outlaw bands brought to heel in the state. Location had been the key to the longevity of this group. They'd made their base in Robbers Cave State Park, but Jensen using one of the female members of his squad as his 'wife' had convinced some of the women he could get them some place safe. The women agreed but only if he could get their children out, too.

One squad caused a diversion-they stole the camp's horses, and while most of the men had headed for the stables, Jensen's squad had gone in the back entrance to the main cavern and taken the women and children that wanted to leave, killing or taking into custody any of the fighters that resisted.

The Colonel had sweated bullets over that one. Now with the intel they'd received from the women and children …bless the children for all the nooks and crannies they found to play, he had to send his people back in to finish cleaning out the park.

Standing in front of the roomful of people he was sending out tomorrow he saw the results of a year's work. Hard-eyed men and women, who fought, died and killed on his orders. People who before the earthquakes had been teachers, actors, grocery clerks…just ordinary people-Now he could think of no better fighting force in the country.

He'd read the reports from all over the country and thanked any of the Powers that were listening everyday for these people. In three days he would send his civilian scouts home and give his raiders some well deserved R & R.

Now he watched his people file out of the room, and hoped they all came back.

%%%%%

"GRAMS!!!" Milo and Pilot yelled together for Sandy.

All the adults in the house came running when they heard the boys yell. The television station in Oklahoma City had broken into the program the boys were watching with a special report. People were scrambling to move vehicles as the camera showed a military helicopter landing in the parking lot of the Trauma One Center. Men and women bristling with weapons poured out of the huge machine as medical personnel poured out of the building with gurneys.

They tried to reach into the chopper only to be met with a bundle of teeth and growls. Something from inside caused the dog to settle.

Everyone in the room recognized Spencer. No one breathed as four soldiers reached in and carefully lifted a body out of the helicopter. The dog jumped out and planted himself by the gurney with his master's body. When the medical personnel started to argue, a hard look from a Captain and the dog had them wheeling the gurney into the hospital behind the other two. The remainder of the squad followed.

The voice of the reporter grabbed their attention.

"No one had any comment on how these soldiers were injured, but while we've been standing here two humvees have pulled up to the hospital entrance. Colonel Riggle from the temporary base in Norman got out of the lead vehicle. We're going to send you back to James in the studio, but as soon as we have further information we'll let you know."

The camera showed one last shot of the hospital and helicopter before going back to regular programming.

Silence reigned in the TV room as a tidal wave of emotions ran through everyone. It had been over a year since Jensen had left. There'd been rumors when they'd gone into Broken Bow about a man with two dogs that ran with a Special Forces group working on clearing some very nasty people out of the State Park.

Once a month they would find supplies sitting in the driveway halfway between the house and the highway. One bag had contained Parker's collar and dog tags. There was a note that simply said, He threw them away.

They started a family cemetery that day in a copse of trees not far from the house. A cross was erected with Parker's name and the inscription Christian had carved into the wood. She gave all for the love of one. The boys hung her tags on the cross.

Steve had hidden himself away in the studio after their little ceremony. The words he shouted at Jensen running on a loop through his brain until words and music were scratched on paper stained with tears. He'd come out feeling cleansed and ready to find a way to get Jensen to come home.

Christian had taken the horses and cattle to the back field, letting the antics of the babies soothe his guilt and regret for not offering Jensen the same support he'd given Steve. His reaching out to Steve to diffuse his anger had been an ingrained habit from all their years together. He had hesitated in reaching out to Jensen, and the younger man had taken it as a rejection.

They had all played their parts by keeping their silence, and he could only hope Jensen's Colonel would let them know if something serious happened.

Now it appeared something serious had happened, and all they could do was wait to see if they were contacted, if only to retrieve a body for burial.

Supper was a quiet affair until Sandy slammed her fork against her plate.

"How long are you going to wait to see if he comes home? Are you ever going to give him any reason to think he still has a home here? Maybe you're glad he's gone."

A collective gasp sounded around the table at Sandy's harsh words.

"MOM!" Steve protested. "How could you even…" His tirade was interrupted.

"She's right." Christian said quietly.

"WHAT!"

"We didn't DO anything. Just let him go. Didn't try very hard to find him…talk to him. We coulda gone to that Colonel fella, tried to get him to let us see him." He got up and left the table.

Steve shot a glare at his mother before going after Christian.

"Christian!" The dark haired man didn't stop until he was outside. "Dammit Kane, wait!"He grabbed Christian by the arm and spun him around. "What are you doing?"

"Goin' to Norman. See if I can talk to that Colonel again." He pulled his arm out of Steve's grip.

"Wait. It's too late to go tonight. We'll go first thing in the morning. We can be there by lunch. You can't pay any attention to what mom said. We're not the only ones in the wrong. Nobody else said anything either."

Christian turned on Steve, eyes spitting blue fire.

"They didn't say anything because it's OUR home. If we didn't want Jensen here how could they nay say that? Hell, they might have been afraid to say anything for fear we'd throw them out, too."

"We've royally fucked this up." Steve said quietly.

They walked quietly back to the house.

%%%%%

Part 5