beanside: (Jeff/Chad)
beanside ([personal profile] beanside) wrote2006-11-09 08:39 am
Entry tags:

Fic: Eight Easy Steps

Title: Eight Easy Steps
Rating: R
Pairing: JDM/CMM
Disclaimer: Never happened. Nothing is assumed.
A/N: Previous parts can be found here.



Even before Bisou licked his nose, Jeff knew he was alone in the bed. The room was quiet, devoid of the energy Chad seemed to emanate. He finally pushed himself upright, rumpling Bisou’s fur, and glanced around the room.

Nothing but his suitcase and strewn clothes greeted him. So, not just off getting coffee. He would have left Joe otherwise, Jeff thought.

Well, fuck.

You knew it was a bad idea, Morgan, he told himself. He’s too fucking young. And also Chad Michael Murray. Y’know, Mayhem?

He headed for the coffee maker and set it up, flipping it on. “You need to go out, sweetheart?” he asked Bisou.

She eyed Jeff for a moment, then laid her head back on the pillow. “Guess not.”

A slip of paper caught his eye, and Jeff wandered over, glancing down.

Hey,
I had to finish packing up my stuff. Movers are coming early tomorrow. I had a great time. Thanks for everything, Chad

PS. I took Bisou out for walkies, and she did both #1 & #2.


“Well, that’s just fucking great,” Jeff drawled. “He had a great time.” A twenty dollar bill under the note fluttered in the air conditioning, along with the note that said “For last night’s dinner.”

Bisou lifted her head for a moment, tilting it at him.

“S’okay, sweetheart. Daddy’s just a twenty dollar whore today.” Jeff shook his head as she settled back down. He shouldn’t be this surprised, he thought. He’d known all along that it was a bad idea. Too fucking young. Too selfish.

But damn, he’d wanted the little bastard. They’d just…clicked somehow. It had been nice to be around someone who didn’t bullshit, who wore everything good and bad about themselves on their sleeves.

He’d forgotten that the problem with that was that you didn’t have anyone to blame but yourself when things blew up spectacularly in your face.

Okay, that wasn’t quite true. He could certainly blame the little bastard. Jesus.

In what universe was it okay to just…leave? And to leave a note and cash behind? Fuck.

“Well, that’s what you get, idiot.”

The drive back to LA was normally Jeff’s favorite part of any trip. Just him, Bisou and a decent CD player, with miles of asphalt stretching out in front of them.

This time, it wasn’t helping.

This time, he had a few extra passengers.

Guilt was riding shotgun, practically crowding Bisou out of the Jeep’s seat. He’d known better. Too fucking young. Chad had told him right up front that he wasn’t in it for anything beyond the sex. Buddy fucking.

Anger was next to Guilt, but it was tempered by the last passenger. Hurt. It had been a long time since he’d felt like this. He’d really liked Chad. Had hoped for something more than one night. Had deluded himself into thinking that maybe Chad had felt something.

It had been a dumb idea. Chad was twenty five, had nothing but potential. Jeff was forty and had gotten a lucky break. He’d pretended he’d had something to offer, but in the end, he’d only been kidding himself.

And here he was, with a note and a twenty folded in his wallet, to remind him of how stupid an old man could still be.

He was five days out from North Carolina, crossing the Nevada border when his cell phone rang. He glanced at the display, recognizing Jensen’s cell number.

He slid the earpiece in, rolling his window up against the wind. “Hey, Jen,” he murmured. “How’s it going?”

“Hey. What’s going on?” Jensen’s voice was sharper than he’d expected, and Jeff shook his head.

“What do you mean? Nothing’s going on.”

“Jeff. What happened with Chad?”

“Oh. That.” Jeff stared through the windshield as the sign for a rest stop whipped by. “Nothing major.”

“Really? Jared says that Chad’s acting like his dog died.”

“Jen, I really don’t want to talk about this.”

“C’mon, Jeff, what happened? You sound like shit.”

Jeff pulled into the rest stop and put Bisou’s leash on. “Hang on a sec.”

Bisou trotted happily around the park, sniffing trees, and Jeff turned back to the phone. “We had sex. Happy?”

“Must have been pretty bad sex to put you in that kind of mood.”

“Jen! No. It was. It was fine.”

“Fine? Wow. So, Chad’s a crap lay?” Jensen sounded positively cheered by the thought.

“It was good, okay?” Jeff growled.

“Then what’s the problem?”

Jeff sighed. “You’re right. Absolutely nothing.”

“Shit. You’re really upset. What happened?”

Jeff glanced around the rest stop, watching a family pile into their van. “We had sex. We fell asleep. I woke up alone. With a note that he had a great time.”

“Ooh, damn. That’s harsh.”

“Tell me about it.”

“What else?”

“Nothing,” Jeff said tiredly. “It shouldn’t bother me. He didn’t mean it like that.”

“What?” Jensen growled.

“He. Um. We’d gotten dinner the night before, and I’d used my card, because I didn’t have cash. Told him not to worry about it. Under the note was a twenty. Towards dinner, I know. But still.”

“Jesus, Jeff. I’m sorry. He’s a douche. You knew that going in.”

“He’s young. You were too, once.” Jeff headed back towards the Jeep. “Anyhow, no big. I’m a grownup. I’ll survive getting my feelings hurt.”

“Yeah, I know. Still sucks. You want me to kick his ass for you?”

Jeff felt a smile touch his lips. “Nah. It’s okay. I think I’m just going to chalk this one up to another lesson learned. If I keep this up, I might actually grow up before I’m fifty.”

Jen laughed softly and they talked for a couple of minutes about the show, weather in Vancouver (cold and wet, how new), and when they’d be able to get together for dinner before Jeff hung up and got back on the road. “Not long now,” he told Bisou.

By the time they got to his house, the sun was riding low in the horizon. He pushed the door open, letting Bisou dart in ahead of him, happily running through the house as he pulled in the luggage.

The message light was blinking on the phone. Probably his mother, though she usually called his cell, he thought, pushing the Play button.

The first two were garbage; a mechanical voice asking if the homeowner would like to have someone visit to talk about vinyl siding. “No, the homeowner would not,” he muttered, deleting them.

“Hey. It’s Chad,” the soft voice came from the speaker. “Um. I wanted to apologize. For hurting you. I really—yeah. I’m sorry. Bye.”

Jeff laid his head against the cool tile. The asshole was sorry. Fucking great. Bisou nosed him, probably heard Chad’s voice on the machine. “Hey, sweetheart. Daddy’s too old for this crap.”

She wagged her tail at him, and Jeff smiled. “I know. I always have my girl.” His finger hovered over the delete key for a moment before he gave up, scooping up her leash and a baggie.

[identity profile] shutyourface.livejournal.com 2006-11-09 02:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Ok, well. You have me Jensen wanting to kick Chad's ass so maybe I don't hate you this time.

And amen re: the JDM line about maybe being grownup by the time he's 50.

[identity profile] beanside.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
*grin* Why thank you!

[identity profile] masterofmercury.livejournal.com 2006-11-09 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
The dude was determined to fix what ain't broke, eh? Sigh. Chad, Chad, Chad... *pets his silly head*

And poor Jeff! D:

[identity profile] beanside.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 06:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Chad's not the brightest, but he sure is cute. *grin*

I'm glad you liked it!
ext_5650: Six of my favourite characters (Default)

[identity profile] phantomas.livejournal.com 2006-11-09 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Bisou lifted her head for a moment, tilting it at him.
“S’okay, sweetheart. Daddy’s just a twenty dollar whore today.”


Love that passage, because we know from Bisou first that Jeff had a reaction - as anyone would, I'd imagine! - to that 20+note, and Jeff's line is so bitter and sad :(

CMM is such a...f-up!!! *G* *pets him*

OMG! *points above* you got me to PET CMM!!!
That's a proof of evilness if you ever needed one! :D

Jen and Jeff's convo is great, and funny - how quick is Jensen to offer to kick CMM's ass, eh? ;) - AND you can hear the friendship there oozing out from the cellphone. Erm. Didn't have coffee yet, sorry ;)

And how are you btw, got your results back?
*waits for news and more CMM/JDM CRACK, since she is now ADDICTED to IT, because of YOU*

[identity profile] beanside.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
*laugh* Whoohoo! My work here is complete. *adds another to the converted to evil list* I've qualified for an Evil!Toaster!

*grin* I'm glad it's working for you.

As far as me, looks like I do indeed have a gallbladder issue. I get to go on Wed. for more poking and prodding to confirm it. For now, I'm on the low-fat, low-spice, low-flavor diet. *grin*
varadia: (Default)

[personal profile] varadia 2006-11-09 03:06 pm (UTC)(link)
I love this 'verse, I really do.

*pets it a lot*

It is my new happy place.

Poor Chad and Jeff, so screwed up.

Silly men. *sigh*

[identity profile] beanside.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
*laugh* I'm glad you like! Thank you!
embroiderama: (JDM)

[personal profile] embroiderama 2006-11-09 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)
“S’okay, sweetheart. Daddy’s just a twenty dollar whore today.”

Oh, ouch. Poor Jeff, slept with a guy who can't help but be a jerk.

[identity profile] beanside.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
*laugh* Pretty much! Even when he's trying to be good.

Thank you!
(deleted comment)

[identity profile] beanside.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
*snerk* Sadly, I could totally see him saying it, too. *grin* Whoohoo! I got an Oh boys!

Thank you!

[identity profile] iwwfw.livejournal.com 2006-11-09 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Yay! An update. So happy until you ripped my heart out.

Here I am angsty and teary at Jeff all hurt and then giggling when Jensen perks up at the thought of Chad being bad in bed. This is going so great -- for you as a writer, not so much for Jeff and Chad. The Jeff and Bisou scenes are just golden.

Did Jeff just save Chad's message? Awww!

[identity profile] beanside.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
*grin* Jeff's kinda a tool. A sweet one, but he's a putz. I kind of love that in a guy.

I'm glad you like! Thanks!
poisontaster: (Papa)

[personal profile] poisontaster 2006-11-09 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey honey. I've been super busy with NaNo and so I've been reading all the parts but I've been a shit commenter. But I AM still reading, which should tell you something. *grins*

*smooch*

[identity profile] beanside.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
*cuddle* No worries. With the gallbladder issues, I've been reading everything, but I've been shit on commenting, so please assume that I'm reading everything, enjoying it, and just sucking ass at commenting? Cause that's about right!

*smooches back*

[identity profile] alanna-zero.livejournal.com 2006-11-09 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Gosh, I love this. And I'm so sorry for Jeff. Fix it. Soon. Please? :)
(And YAY for Jensen wanting to kick Chad's ass!!!)

[identity profile] beanside.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Will do my best to fix them up quickly! Thank you!

[identity profile] eloise-bright.livejournal.com 2006-11-09 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
*grins like an idiot*

It should not make me happy that Chad fucked it up. But it does, because I know that when they finally do sort it out, Jeff is going to be a little bit pissed. So, the whole spanking fantasy of mine could still happen. A girl can dream.

And as much as I loved Jensen before, I love him even more after reading this. But let Jeff kick his ass, Jen. He'll be so much more effective at it in this case.

*dances with wild glee*

[identity profile] beanside.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
*grin* No, there may well be spanking eventually.

We'll have to see. *grin*

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[identity profile] moosesal.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
I read the previous part, but didn't comment. Sorry about that. So you give us this wonderful friendly evening followed by sex that they both enjoyed (and wasn't a hardship on the reader either) and now this? My heart breaks for JDM. But Chad called! He called, so it's gonna be better, right?

And Jensen's phone call was wonderful.

[identity profile] beanside.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 06:37 pm (UTC)(link)
*snerk* Oh, dear. You're very very cute. And rather sucked into the Chad.

*grin* Whee! *does a little dance*

Thank you, my dear. *grin*

*points at icon* my Jensen toasts your icon.

[identity profile] moosesal.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 06:59 pm (UTC)(link)
:) I will never forgive you for pulling me into this story. Never.

[identity profile] beanside.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 07:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Awww. You love me. *grin* And look, there's more!

[identity profile] shotofjack.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
Please please please - can we have Jensen kick The Chad's ass???? Pretty please with a cherry on top?

[identity profile] beanside.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 06:39 pm (UTC)(link)
*grin* You'll just have to wait and see.

[identity profile] tobemeagain.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 09:54 am (UTC)(link)
How the heck I missed this absofab verse I have no idea. Maybe my head was buried somewhere and I was off on a quest. Anywho, a wonderful friend clued me in on where to find my brain and this story and wow I just read it all in (hmmh don't mention how fast *shifty eyes*). Guh, talk about love. I am loving the voices and interactions all the way around. OTH, SN, and BSG so cool.
BTW I thought I had friended you a few months back, but I was obviously missing some crucial parts of my brain then too (not a good trend that) and I was wondering if you mind me doing that now.

[identity profile] beanside.livejournal.com 2006-11-10 06:42 pm (UTC)(link)
*laugh* Awww...thank you!

I'm glad you liked it so much. *blush*

And yeah, welcome to my journal. *grin*

[identity profile] rynnalyn.livejournal.com 2006-11-11 02:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Hello from the stalker. I've been in transit and without internet for a little while. So yesterday I was at someone else's house so I could go out to birthday brunch and told her I was checking my email. which, by the by, I was not. Instead I immediately signed in to see if I could find a new fic. TADA. You rock. Okay. Not only did I tear up for the twenty dollar whore and the not deleted message, I also go my sister to read it. Hi! I am so your bitch, and I'm bringing minions.