On a good day, Sam was enough to scare even the bravest man. Jared had never held any delusions about his courage in the field, and today was not a good day. A year ago and he'd had bunkered down in his room and hid until the hurricane had passed. Something must have mellowed though, because instead of being afraid, Jared was having a hard time stifling the giggles.

Jensen wasn't even trying.

Crashed out on the couch with Cliché on his shoulder, Jensen against his chest, and Sadie warming both their feet, it was all Jared could do not to squeal in girlish glee. Harley and Sooty batted around a tennis ball, and Sam, much to their delight, was entering something close to a state of panic.

It wasn't that Jared was taking advantage of the situation…not really, but he had three years worth of yes ma'am no ma'am to contend with, and any chance to get his own back was gladly received. "Why Samantha Ferris, I do believe you are blushing." He teased as the woman tore around the living room in search of the red shoes Jensen had hidden behind the laundry basket.

Sam used a word that would have made Jared's momma blush and flipped him the finger, lifting pillows and cushions in the search for her shoes. She looked up, saw Jensen's none too innocent grin and rounded on him with a snarl. "Goddamnit boy, don't make me hurt you." She growled, sending Jensen into a fit of laughter that had Jared wrapping his legs over Jensen's just to keep them both seated on the couch.

The doorbell rung, and Sam squeaked. Jared nudged Jensen gently in the ribs and shot him a pointed glare. Taking pity on his friend, Jensen pointed to the bathroom. She was off like a shot, and Jared snuggled Jensen closer, his chin resting on Jensen's shoulder. Jensen settled back comfortably and sighed as Sam bounced back into the sitting room, toes now firmly planted in her red shoes.

She looked…nice. Somehow Jared had always missed the fact that Sam was a woman, and a pretty hot one to boot. Aside from the fact that she bitched at him for leaving the toilet seat up, en-suite or not, and her unyielding love for Days of Our Lives, Jared had always seen her as one of the guys. So dressed in a LBD and red accessories, he was more than a little stunned to noticed what he'd missed.

"You look beautiful." Jensen insisted as she ran a hand over her hair. "You had better bring lover boy in before you leave or we'll have Marc trail you across town."

She flushed right up to the tips of her ears, but dutifully went to the door, returning a few moments later. "Jim, this is Jensen," Jared heard her say, "I think you and Jared already know each other." She added dryly.

Jared's jaw hit Jensen's shoulder as Jim Beaver, their Jim Beaver, followed Sam into the living room. Jensen waved cheerfully as Jared stumbled over his brain cells. Finally all he could say was "Bobby, you sly dog." Marc was never going to let them live this one down. Vancouver really was incestuous.

Jensen signed, and Jared translated. "You had both better be back before ten." He winked. "And no necking on the porch."

Sam signed back silently and Jensen raised his hand to his mouth in mock horror.

"Samantha!" Jared grinned. "Such language from a lady."

"You ready?" Jim asked, grinning across at the boys. Sam huffed and glared, but nodded.

"Be good." Jared said in a sing-song voice as they left the apartment. The door slammed on "don't do anything we wouldn't do."

Jensen, still giggling, settled back down into Jared's arms.

So, alone at last, as it were. Jared sank back into the squishy cushions as Jensen fiddled with the remote, finally settling on a hockey re-run. Cliché meowed in Jared's ear. Right, yes. Reminded, Jared continued where they had left off before the entertainment Sam provided had distracted them.

In the two weeks since Jensen had been released from the hospital, he had not had one single attack, and whilst he couldn't walk in a straight line, or stand unaided for more than a second or two, Jared was seeing their current situation as an improvement. He plucked a chocolate dipped strawberry off the bowl sitting on the arm of the couch and ran it over Jensen's lips until they obediently parted. Jared, Sam, and nearly a half dozen medically licensed professionals had made it their job to see Jensen put on some weight. With hiatus rolling on, Jared was taking advantage of Jensen's steadily strengthening stomach to hand feed him everything from strawberries to his Jensen's own cookies.

After three strawberries, Jensen swatted his hand away, one sharp elbow digging in Jared's ribs as he shuffled around, displacing Harley, until he and Jared were pressed chest to chest. He leaned up and stole a gentle kiss from Jared's lips. One more, and then another, until Jared had an arm around his back and was turning them both to pin Jensen between his body and the back of the couch. He shivered as Jensen's hand found its way under his sweater, long fingers tiptoeing across flesh until they found one of Jared's nipples. Jensen grinned wickedly and took Jared's lip lightly between his teeth.

Fair was fair, and Jared retaliated by slipping his hand beneath the waistband of Jensen's track pants. Leaning in, he found the place where Jensen's surgery scar had begun to turn pink, and pressed gentle kisses to the skin. He'd lost count of the times he had thought he might lose Jensen. It was impossible to take for granted what gifts they now had, that which made their lives harder now precious for their mere existence.

Gently, Jensen pushed his lips away from the scar on his skin, his fingers resting over Jared's chest as if he could feel the guilt that lived inside his heart.

"It's over." He whispered, voice soft and sweet. "It's over. It's done." And then the kicker, the three words that went right for the jugular and hung on for dear life, "I love you."

Jared opened his mouth, but couldn't find the right words. Cliché jumped on his chest, her tail smacking Jared right in the nose. Jensen laughed, bright and happy, and suddenly the words Jared couldn't find weren't really needed anymore anyway.

Read Part Twenty Six Affirmation in the Louder Than Words 'Verse by SplashPink