DorkFish 3- Alls Fair in True Love and War

Yippy! for Progress

Monday April 1

12:15 P.M.

"The two weeks you got from your wee boss man are up today and I'm taking your radio silence as a brilliant sign indeed."

Jared's face fell at the receipt of Alan's text and Missouri didn't miss the marked change in his demeanor.

"What is it honey?" the older lady asked, glancing at him from behind the wheel of the Fiat.

He sighed, "Baby daddy drama."

Jared hadn't had the heart to tell Alan what had happened in Rome. He'd been so sure of Jensen's fidelity and his excitement about their baby that he couldn't bring himself to tell him the truth.

Nor did he dare tell him he'd returned to Misha.

Yes, he'd done it to save his best friend's ass. Of course, that was part of it.

But mainly he'd done it to give himself a chance at life with someone who truly loved him.

The thought of Misha eased the stab of his father-in-law's unexpected message. Ever since the day he'd come home, ever since he'd given him the standing invitation to stay the night with him, their relationship had vastly improved. The fighting had stopped, along with the constant inquisitions. It was as if confessing his love for him had released him from a confining cage of angst and aggression, and with each passing night he discovered a new more tender side of him.

The way he wrapped his arms protectively around him while he spooned his body with his.

How his strong hands caressed his belly with such possessive reverence, never letting him doubt the fact that he cherished the baby he carried as his own.

The sound of his gratified intake of breath when he buried his face at the nape of neck.

How he always made sure he fell asleep before he did.

He whispered, "I love you" just before he succumbed to the darkness.

And most importantly, how he was there every time he woke up.

Every.

Single.

Time.

'I could get used to this,' he thought. 'This whole being loved thing. I only wish I could return the favor.'

"Jared?"

Jogged from his musings, Jared lifted his head to find they were parked in front of their favorite restaurant in the Village, and he looked over to meet his friend's questioning gaze.

"It's fine," he said. "I just need a second to write him back."

Missouri handed him the keys. "Take your time, dear. I'll go get us a table. Lock her up when you're all set."

"Thanks."

Jared picked up his phone again and the sigh he gave sounded loud in the suddenly silent vehicle.

"Back at work today," he tapped in response. "I hate to tell you this, but I never met with him. My day of reckoning may be coming, but that day was not last week."

Bubbles popped up at once in the corner of his screen.

"Shit," he muttered.

"So much of our bargain, lad."

"I kept my end of the bargain," he countered. "The deal was I don't come back to you until I've met with him. So technically we're square."

"You're just prolonging the inevitable, ken."