‘thoughts’

Warnings: Language, some violence, and hinted sexual tension.

Jared jerked awake when the sound of someone pounding on a door broke through his light sleep and he looked around, panicking when he didn't recognize his surroundings at first. But then he felt a body shift on him and looked down at Jensen's sleeping face and relaxed a bit as everything came back to him. He listened intently as he heard shouting from outside and Mike's answering growl as the older man went down the hall towards the front stairs to answer the door. His heart froze as he heard the words 'New York Police Department' shouted and got out from under Jensen as quickly and carefully as he could, still wary of Jensen's injury as the older man mumbled a bit in his sleep. He crept out the door and down the hall silently and listened in as Mike talked to whoever was at the door, denying any knowledge of visitors.

But then Jared remembered that he had left the Harley right outside of the saloon and cussed a blue streak under his breath as he dashed back to the room and to the slowly waking Jensen. "Jensen, we have to get out of here. The cops are outside and Mike can't hold them back for much longer," he whispered urgently as he searched for some pants or something for Jensen to wear. He caught a brief glimpse of Jensen's naked front and a rather large cock and flushed in arousal at the unexpected exposure but then tossed a pair of sweatpants at the older man, who struggled to pull them on before pushing into the shoes that were placed before him.

A door banging open and Mike's angry cry caught their attention and Jared grabbed Jensen's hand and yanked him along as they scrambled, not even grabbing for jackets as they ran down the hallway away from the front stairs. They went as quick as they could down the back stairs and dashed out the back door and into the woods behind the saloon. Jared tugged Jensen along frantically, huffing in fear as they ran through the woods. They had about ten or so minutes before sunrise, but could they hide that long? A gun shot and some rustling branches near where they were told them otherwise and they quickly turned opposite to the branches and ploughed ahead.

But suddenly they ran out of ground as they came to a gorge that overlooked a river valley and Jared cried out as he barely skidded to a stop and Jensen ran into him.  "Fuck what the hell!" he snarled as they gasped for air.

"Jared...they're after me..." Jensen panted and held his injured shoulder, which was bleeding again.

Snorting as he went around Jensen and looked anxiously for another route as the sounds of their pursuers grew closer, Jared growled. "Hey, I'm just as wanted," he stated and smirked as Jensen touched his back in gratitude. They both jumped though as another couple of gun shots sounded and rock exploded near them.

Jensen suddenly yelled as he lost his footing from the crumbling rock wall and sliding stones and fell backwards over the cliff. "Jared!"

"No!" Jared dove for the edge and managed to grab Jensen's hand of his injured shoulder as he fell, then braced himself as they both groaned. He clung to the older man's hand, wincing as Jensen cried out again in agony, the strain on his injured shoulder agonizing as Jared struggled to get his grip enough to pull them both back up on the shifting rocks and slippery grass.

"Don't let go!" Jensen pleaded hoarsely as tears rolled down his cheeks and he tried to grab onto Jared's other hand as their fingers slipped. "Jared! Please don't let me fall!"

"Hold on!" Jared cried desperately as their fingers worked to stay locked together, cramping with their strain as they slipped from sweat. Suddenly, in a breath's time, Jensen's fingers slipped free. "NO!"

"JARED!!" Jensen screamed as he fell towards the bottom of the rock filled river vale. All of a sudden, a brilliant flash of light came over the horizon and Jensen's scream changed into the scream of a hawk as he transformed and flew off.

Gasping in relief and sobbing, Jared pulled up and watched as Jensen soared to safety while the sun peeked up over the horizon. 'He's safe...o-oh god he's safe!' he thought in relief and managed to stand as he gripped his bleeding stomach from where he had landed on and been scraped over the rough stones.

But his relief didn't last as the twin sounds of guns cocking stopped him and he brought his hands up innocently. "Where's the other guy?" was asked angrily and he glanced over his shoulder at the two cops.

"He flew away," he stated matter-of-factly and turned to them as they stared at him in disbelief.

"You're full of shit! Now where is he?!" the second cop asked as he waved his gun angrily.

"Swear to god he flew away!" Jared shot back and trembled as they both took aim at him. But he was saved once again as two gun shots rang out and they both dropped to the ground, dead and with smoking holes between their eyes. Looking over at the origin of the shots, Jared couldn't help the laugh as he saw Jeff standing with his Colt lowering to his side, the smirk on the older man's face doing everything to reassure him. He ran over and hugged the older man tightly; shaking as he was hugged just as firmly and a hand ran soothingly through his hair. "J-Jeff...god...thank god..." he whispered shakily and buried his face in the strong shoulder.

"Glad I got here in time," Jeff whispered just as huskily and shakily as he stroked Jared's hair. He leaned back and grinned as Jared smiled up at him brilliantly. "You did good, Jared. I knew I could count on you," Morgan murmured as his hand cupped Jared's cheek tenderly.

Nodding silently, unable to speak over the lump in his throat, Jared let Jeff wrap an arm around his shoulders before they headed back to the saloon. When they got there, Jared ran over to Mike, who was holding an icepack to his head and looking little worse for the wear as he grinned tiredly at them. Jared knelt before him and took the hand that was free as he smiled. "Thanks man...for everything," he said softly and Mike chuckled a bit before swatting at him.

"Go get your stuff kid. Knowing Morgan, you'll have a long drive ahead of you," Mike commented before looking over at Morgan.

Jeff eyed Mike and nodded at Jared. "Hurry up. We have road to cover," he ordered quietly before focusing on Mike. Jared nodded and went into the saloon, but instead of getting his stuff, he stood near the door to listen.

Mike sighed and ran a hand over his bald head before replacing the icepack on the bruise that was starting to really come up on his temple. "It's good to see you still alive, Jeff," he said after a bit and glanced up at Jeff as the older man straightened his clothes and tucked his Colt into the holster along his side.

"Normally I'd want to shoot you on sight for everything that has happened, Mike. But...I'm grateful for what you did," Jeff replied quietly as he held up his arm and smiled as Jensen came to land on his arm. "You saved him...and you watched out for Jared." He looked over at Mike again and tilted an eyebrow as he saw the grin on Mike's face.

"And I finally know how to help you and Jensen break the curse. I've been searching for the past three years and have finally found the breaker," Mike stated and stood up slowly, wincing as he braced himself on the porch column.

"What do you mean?" Jeff snapped out suspiciously as he watched the younger man. "Sounds more like your drink talking, Rosenbaum."

"You think I'm drunk!? I'm not drunk and I swear I've found a way to set you two free to be together *and*..." Mike trailed off until Jeff glared at him. "And to be with the kid. Don't deny that you have feelings for him. I know Jensen does...saw it with my own eyes. I felt that bond between you. It was almost like a fuckin' holy trinity it was so pure! And I know the way you can be together!" he insisted and Jeff sighed in exasperation as he shifted.

"You've tried this before, Rosenbaum, and failed. Why should I believe you this time?" Morgan demanded tiredly and Jared felt his heart ache at the sorrow within the deep tones.

"Because I found it in the original texts," Mike whispered intently and smirked as Jeff focused on him sharply. "In three weeks' time on the first of December, the sun will be occluded by the moon. Night without a day...a day without a night. Once this happens, once you two are human again, you must stand before Welling and the curse will be broken!" he crowed and winced a bit as he held his head.

Shaking his head, Jeff sighed as he stroked a hand along Jensen's chest. "You didn't find a way out...only a way into madness," he stated softly. He looked back at Mike and scowled. "Go back to your drink, Mike. I'll break this curse by breaking the one who cast it. And die doing it more than likely. But at least...one way or another...it'll end," he declared before turning and heading around for the front of the saloon, calling for Jared to hurry his ass up.

Mouth firming in his own resolve, Jared dashed up to the room, pulled on his hoodie and backpack before running back down and kneeling next to Mike. Mike looked at him tearfully and he put a hand on the older man's arm. "Don't give up. Follow us and leave it to me. I'll convince him to go with the plan," he whispered and grinned as Mike's face lightened and a tight smile crossed the dry lips before Mike nodded. Nodding back, Jared stood and ran to the front as Jeff called for him again and grinned sheepishly as the older man tossed him a glare. The glare softened and Jared moved under the arm that was held out, enjoying the warmth and affection that the hug conveyed through his body as he was held close to Jeff. He nuzzled into the strong chest, relaxing and knowing that this was where he belonged for the moment.

They stepped apart a bit so that Jeff could finish getting the stuff packed into the bags and Jared leaned against the bike thoughtfully. "You know...Mike has a good idea about that whole eclipse thing. It totally makes sense you know," he commented and bit back a grin as Jeff tossed him an irritated look.

"You will not mention that again. And you won't tell Jensen either, understand?" Jeff growled out warningly and Jared rolled his eyes. He meeped though and ducked a bit with a grin when Jeff pinned him against the bike and it was all Jared could do to not rub against the strong body that was holding him captive. "Understand?" Jeff murmured dangerously and Jared nodded as his cheeks flushed and a jolt of arousal shot through him at Jeff's smirk. He whimpered as Jeff stepped back completely before getting onto the bike and revving it up with a loud growl. Jared got onto the back of the bike and wrapped his arms tightly around Jeff's middle and pressed close as he nosed the soft leather back. Jeff might not want to talk about it now, but that didn't mean he couldn't....wear him down.

He smiled as Jeff patted his arms before they took off down the road, heading for New York City. With the cops on their tail, they would have to take their time getting there. Perfect.

TBC