The Best Medicine chapter one

[jillmariej]

“Hold the elevator!”

At three in the morning, just the idea of walking up six flights from the parking garage to his apartment exhausted Jensen. He knew the guy in the elevator heard him, he even made brief eye contact, but the doors slid shut as if he didn’t exist. “Asshole!”

The word had barely left his lips when the doors reopened. Jensen blushed, ducked his head in embarrassment and stepped into the car. “Sorry. I thought --” he began and pressed the number five.

“You thought I was an asshole for letting the elevator leave without you,” the other man supplied with an understanding nod.

“Yeah, sorry,” he mumbled. “Thanks for holding it for me.”

“No problem. But I’ve seen enough movies where someone’s hand or foot gets cut off if they use it to hold the elevator door open, so I use the button.”

The reply made Jensen pause. “Right, well, it would have ruined my night if you suffered severe trauma holding the elevator for me.”

They rode the rest of the way in silence with their eyes trained on the numbers lighting up.

At the fourth floor, the elevator chimed, and the man stepped forward. “Good night,” he said with a slight bow of his head towards Jensen.

“Night,” Jensen replied as the doors slid shut to carry him up another floor.

Saturday night was a replay of Friday except Jensen made it to the elevator first. He heard “Hold up!” and stood against the door so it wouldn’t close.

“Thanks!” the other man said breathlessly as they entered the elevator.

“No Problem. You’d do the same for me.”

The guy shook his head and gave Jensen a teasing smile. “I'd stop the elevator but I'm not standing between the doors like that.”

Jensen nodded. “Right. Movie trauma. Guess I just risked my life for you.”

The guy's smile widened. “Now I’m forever indebted to you.”

“You can make it up to me next time I’m late for the elevator.”

As the car stopped on the fourth floor Jensen held out his hand. “I'm Jensen.”

“Jared,” the man replied shaking Jensen's hand. He had a warm smile and bright eyes that were uncommon to see at that god-awful hour. “See ya next time.”

“Yeah, good night.”

Jensen didn't see Jared until the following weekend. Then, exactly like the week before, they met at the elevator at quarter after three in the morning. “Hey, Jared, right? How's it going? Haven't seen you all week.”

Jensen held the door as Jared stepped inside smiling tiredly. “I'm good. I want to sleep for the next twenty hours, but other than that, I'm good.”

Jensen yawned, “I hear ya.”

Once in the elevator, Jared closely regarded Jensen. “Hey, do you mind if I ask you what you do? Not many guys rock the whole suit and tie thing at three in the morning on a Friday.”

Jensen huffed a small laugh as he looked at himself. Compared to Jared’s tight black tee which emphasized the man’s perfect physique, Jensen looked like a middle-aged dad. “My boss's idea. I work at County.”  He ignored Jared's confused expression and asked, “How 'bout you? You work the late shift? Or is three a.m. when you stroll home from the clubs?”

Jared chuckled. “Both actually.” Before he could elaborate, the elevator stopped on his floor. He gave Jensen another warm smile and said, “Night, Jensen.”

“Night Jared.”

Jensen sighed as the doors separated them, wishing the elevator ride would last longer. He desperately wanted to know more about Jared. The man’s smile stirred feelings Jensen had buried since his last break-up.  However, Jensen convinced himself that he was probably reading too much into the small amount of attention Jared gave him.

 

The next time they met each other was merely four days later. Jensen's sister had sent him a picture of a dog in need of adopting. As he studied the photo on his phone, Jensen absentmindedly stepped forward when the elevator doors opened and crashed into Jared.

“Ow,” Jared whined, rubbing the sore spot on his chest where Jensen's phone had hit him.

“Shit, sorry, Jared.” The door glided shut and Jensen realized he was only on the fourth floor. “I thought that was a short ride.”

“You gotta get off your phone and live in the now.”

“Obviously.” Jensen tried to appear annoyed, but failed. He was too happy to see Jared.  “My sister sent me a picture of a dog at her shelter and it's really cute.” He held the phone to show Jared and suppressed a whimper when Jared's hand folded over his.

“Aw, you're right, that little guy is adorable. You gonna adopt him?”

Jensen shook his head. “This building doesn't allow dogs.”

“It doesn't?” Jared sounded surprised.

“No. And I can't afford to move, you know?”

Jared nodded in sympathy. As the doors opened on the first floor, he turned to Jensen. “If it wasn't for my good looking neighbor, this place wouldn't have any redeeming qualities.” He threw Jensen a little wink and dashed out the door.

What was that? Jensen asked himself. Was Jared flirting with him? Jensen hoped it wouldn't seem too creepy to hold the elevator so he could enjoy the view of Jared jogging away.

The quiet thrum of the dryer had nearly lulled Jensen to sleep and Jared couldn't help himself; he shouted, “Jensen!”

Startled and jumping to attention, Jensen said, “Huh?” Seeing it was Jared he added, “Oh, hey, sorry, I'm almost done.”

Jared grinned and set down his hamper and switched on the machine. “I've seen zombies that look more alive than you do.”

Amused, Jensen shook his head at him. “I think you've seen too many horror films.”

“And you've seen too much of the late shift. You're falling asleep in the laundry room.”

Jensen rubbed a hand over his tired face. “You said it, I'm dead on my feet.”

Jared chuckled to himself. “So you agree, you are the walking dead.”

The dryer buzzed and Jensen unloaded the clothes into his basket. “Saved by the buzz. Now you won't need to stake me or whatever a person does to kill the walking dead.”

Jared ignored his laundry and leaned a hip against a washer. “If you're not busy later, Syfy is having a movie marathon. You wanna stop by? I'm in 412.”

Jensen’s smile brightened the room at the offer. “Yeah, sounds fun.” Then his expression crumbled. “But my shift at the hospital starts in just over an hour.  Can I take a rain check?”

“Of course.” Jared nodded, not looking the least bit disappointed. “I understand. There'll be other awful movies for us to watch.” He lifted the lid on a washer and loaded his clothes. When he turned around, he saw Jensen hadn't left. Instead he was shifting his laundry basket and rummaging in his pockets.

When he realized Jared was watching him, Jensen blushed. “I would ask for your number,” he confessed, “but I can't find my phone.”

Jared smiled. “Ever since I left mine in the pocket of some jeans I was washing, I always leave it in my apartment when I do my laundry.”

Jensen's eyes widened in panic and he rushed to the washer he'd been using to look for his phone. When he didn't find it he muttered, “Must have left it upstairs.”

Jared seized the opportunity in front of him. “Do you ever get a day off?”

“Yeah. Sundays and Mondays. You?”

“Same!” Jared replied with a bit too much enthusiasm. “Maybe we can cash that rain check next Monday.”

Jensen smiled over his sudden swell of nerves. “I'd like that.”

Jared nearly allowed the elevator to leave without Jensen the following week. He had gotten drenched in beer and was wearing a free promotional shirt from the bar as a replacement. The shirt was much too small and its ridiculous slogan was embarrassing, but the expression on Jensen's face made it worth the humiliation.  

Jensen stood in the elevator's opening, letting the doors bounce off him when they attempted to close, to appreciate the sight before him. “'I ate the worm'?” he asked over his burst of laughter.  “Did it make you grow out of your shirt?”

Jared's scowl didn't fade.

“You kinda look like you Hulked out. What happened?”

“Bar fight. I stepped in to stop it and ended up wearing a pitcher of beer for my effort.”

Jensen's smile dissolved into concern. “What are you doing getting caught up in a bar fight?  That's what they have bouncers for.”

Jared nodded. “Exactly. I was just doing my job.”

Jensen blinked. “You're a bouncer?!”  

Jared answered with a dead-eyed 'duh' expression.

“Where?”

“Teller's on Grand.”

Jensen's eyes widened at the response. He was all too familiar with Teller's patrons. At least once a month one of them was brought into the ER needing stitches because of a brawl at Teller's. He wanted to lecture Jared on the dangers of the place, but obviously the guy knew them. And his rotten mood wasn't lost on Jensen either.

“Well, at least you make that shirt look good,” Jensen said, trying to hide his concern behind a flirt. “And the euphemisms my mind is providing for that slogan...”

Jared finally smiled and his brows arched. “Really? Such as?”

Jensen smirked and the elevator's doors opened. “Guess you and your worm will have to wait 'til next time.”

Jared laughed and his eyes didn't leave Jensen's until the doors separated them.

 

Jensen cursed under his breath as he jogged in place waiting for the traffic signal to change.  The sun had been shining when he started but just when he hit the halfway mark on his daily run, the rain began. The light drizzle was annoying and cold, but Jensen could deal with it. When it developed into a downpour, it became unbearable.

When the light changed Jensen leapt over a puddle only to be forced back when a car turned the corner. He swore again as the car splashed the dirty gutter water onto him.

By the time he reached his building, Jensen was soaked through and freezing. His t-shirt, now stretched out with the weight of the water it had absorbed, clung to him and his shoes squished with each step. He shivered as he waited in the air-conditioned lobby for the elevator. As Jensen wondered if he should take the stairs, the doors slid open to reveal Jared and the elderly Mrs. Fitzsimmons. Each carried a laundry basket, and both gasped when they saw him.

“Jensen, oh my god.” Jared dropped his basket and pulled Jensen into the elevator car. “You must be freezing.” As he spoke he removed his zip-up sweatshirt and draped it around Jensen’s shoulders letting his hands rest on Jensen’s upper arms.

“I’m okay,” Jensen replied, his voice shaking and belying his words.

“Nonsense!” said Mrs Fitzsimmons, “you’re nearly blue. Here,” she nodded to her basket, “take one of these towels and let your boyfriend warm you up.”

Both Jared and Jensen blushed at her remark, but instead of correcting her or moving away, Jared rubbed his hands up and down Jensen’s arms.

“Um, we’re, uh, not-” Jensen stammered, but Mrs. Fitzsimmons shushed him and handed him a towel.

“Nevermind me boys. I’m an original flower child. I was all about free love in the sixties.” The elevator sounded at her floor and she smiled as she moved around them. “Jared, dear, you can return the towel next week. Toodle-doo.”

When the doors shut, Jared let his hands fall from Jensen’s arms. “I, uh, didn’t think it was supposed to rain until tonight.”

“Me either.” Jensen turned to the door and wiped the towel over his face and hair so he wouldn’t have to meet Jared’s eyes. “Sun was shining when I left.”

“Well, since it’s raining,” Jared began but the sound of the elevator arriving at his floor interrupted him. He grabbed his basket and bumped Jensen as he moved to the door. “Didn’t we, I mean, did you want to --?”

“Oh! Yeah, here.” Jensen slipped out of the sweatshirt and returned it to him. “Thanks.”

Jared’s head cocked to the side, his brow furrowed. “No, keep it on or you’ll freeze.” He pressed the elevator button to keep the door open. “I wanted to know if you — we have a rain check, remember? Wanna catch a movie or something?”

Time froze as Jensen went through a myriad of reactions. His face brightened into a smile, but then his expression crumbled. “I can’t. I promised my mom I’d come by for dinner.”

Jared shrugged. “Okay. Rain check on our rain check.”

“What do you think of Bill in radiology?” Genevieve asked Jensen apropos of nothing as they walked to their cars after their shift.

“He's nice, I guess. Good at his job. Why?” Jensen was confused at the mention of their random co-worker.

“I know he's not seeing anybody, and I was just wondering what you thought of him.” She gave a seemingly harmless shrug, but Jensen knew better.

“Gen, I love you but I am not letting you fix me up with anyone. Not after the Tony Romo guy.”

Genevieve gasped. “Roger is a nice guy, and he totally looks like Tony Romo!”

Jensen rolled his eyes. “Not even a little. In fact, Roger wasn't even the least bit athletic.” He hesitated for a second. “He was nice, I guess, but there was no spark. We had nothing in common.”

His friend didn’t give up. “Well, Bill is --”

“No, Gen. Besides, I might sort of have a guy.”

She spun to face him, smiling widely. “Really?!  Why didn't you tell me? Come on,” she said, grabbing his arm. “Let's go to Denny's. I'll buy and you tell me all about your new beau.”

Jensen snorted a laugh as he let her drag him to her car. “Beau? Who says ‘beau’ anymore? He's not a beau, anyway. He's just a guy in my building. That's all I know about him.”

Genevieve put her hands on her hips and scowled up at him. “Bullshit. Tell me everything.”

 

Breakfast with Genevieve meant he didn't get home until nearly four. She had let him ramble about ‘Jared, the hot guy from his building’ and their harmless flirtations. It was nice to talk to someone, but doing so meant he had missed Jared that night.

Oddly enough, the elevator's doors were just sliding closed as he turned the corner.  

He pushed the button expecting to wait several long minutes for the elevator's return, but surprisingly, the doors immediately slid open. Jensen took a stunned breath and wished for better timing.

Inside the lift a guy had one hand in Jared's hair, pulling him into a kiss, and the other working Jared's belt. Jared opened his eyes at the sound of the door opening. Upon seeing Jensen, Jared put his hands on his companion's shoulders and lightly pushed him back. Looking as uncomfortable as Jensen felt, Jared ran a hand through his hair and mumbled, “Hey Jensen.”

His date turned and gave Jensen a smug look. “So into it we forgot to push the button.”

Jensen didn't pay the guy any attention. His eyes were glued to Jared, taking in his disheveled appearance and wishing he was the one who had Jared pressed against the elevator's walls. He moved to step into the elevator when the man with Jared asked, “Oh, will you be joining us?”

Still staring at Jared, Jensen replied, “As much as I'd love to be with Jared,” he reached over and pushed the number for Jared's floor and stepped back, “I've never been good at sharing.”

 

The doors slid shut, but Jared's wide eyes stayed on him and Jensen felt them like an ember.  Burning with embarrassment from what he’d confessed, Jensen wasn't about to wait for the elevator. Instead, he hiked up the six flights to his apartment. When he arrived, most of his anger had faded. He spent the first few flights cursing Jared even though with each tiring step he knew the man was blameless. Jensen was jealous, not angry. Jealous of some scrawny dork Jared had picked up... Jensen sighed. He couldn't even be angry with Jared's date. He couldn't blame the guy for attacking Jared the moment they were alone; he'd do the same thing if given the chance. And that was it. Jensen was angry he had missed his chance and embarrassed that he’d admitted to wanting Jared. In frustration and exhaustion, he collapsed onto his couch. “Such a fucking moron. Why do I never step up? I should have asked him out,” he groaned

He sighed, releasing the knot of tension in his chest and letting self pity take root. I'm obviously not his type if he liked that little twink. God, I hope this isn't going to make it weird when I see him. I can avoid him. I only see him three days a week; I'll just stay late at the hospital. Except that didn't work out tonight. I'll just... I'll take the fucking stairs. At least I'll be getting more exercise. A new wave of embarrassment crashed over him and he closed his eyes. “Oh, fuck me. The guy was inviting me into the elevator. He wasn't inviting me to a threesome with Jared! I'm such a fucking idiot!” Jensen growled in his empty apartment. Avoid him. Or move. Either way, I can never see Jared again.

 

Jensen's plan worked. Not that there was any reason it wouldn't as he rarely saw Jared during the week anyway. On the following Friday and Saturday, he didn't park in the garage and took the stairs to his apartment. After nearly fourteen Jared-free days, Jensen was pretty confident any awkwardness between them had been forgotten.

 


 

At one-thirty on Saturday morning, Jensen was just finishing the paperwork for a teenage girl with alcohol poisoning when two people burst through the emergency room entrance.

“Hey! Hey you! Help me! My friend needs help!”

Jensen set aside his file, grabbed a wheelchair and rushed over to the two men. When Jensen finally got the injured man into the chair, Jensen gasped. “Jared?”

 Chapter 2