A/N: I want to thank subtlelife, Hime-Miko-Love and Raine for reviewing the last chapter and also everyone else who added this story to their alerts and favorites! :)

Weddings, Jared decided, were more trouble than they were worth. In the excitement following the announcement of his and Jensen's upcoming nuptials, it seemed like everyone had decided to forgo telling him just how stressful the whole thing was going to be.

There was just so much to organize. And the closer it came to day, the harder and more panicked everything became. On top that, both his mother and soon-to-be mother-in-law had taken it upon themselves to 'help' as wedding planners – Jared really shouldn't of been surprised when what they called 'help' turned out to be nothing short of a living nightmare (he still didn't see the difference between ivory and white, but apparently they were worlds apart and it was just so shocking that he didn't see it! Maybe he should have told them just how little something like that actually mattered in his opinion – it was a credit to his manners and self-preservation that he didn't).

The thing is – Jared was o.k. with all of that, he could deal with the 'thousand and one' thing long list he had to contend with and the fussing mothers and over-excited sisters – all of that was to be expected, hell he could almost learn to enjoy it, if it wasn't for one other factor. The press. Ever since he and Jensen had gone public after season 5, the paparazzi along with interviewers for all the trashy, glossy, celebrity gossip magazines just refused to leave them alone and the second they had gotten wind of the engagement things had become ten times worse. He couldn't walk down the street without having his photo taken.

It had been months since he'd seen anything other than his own and Jensen's faces plastered all over the cover of every single gossip mag he came across.

The whole thing was ridiculous, marriage was supposed to be about two people who loved each other sealing their commitment. It was intimate. Private, and everything Jared wanted with Jensen, but how could they when at the moment he couldn't even take Harley and Sadie out for a run without the whole world knowing about it?

Why couldn't they just leave them alone?

In all honesty Jared thought that was one of the main reasons he threw himself into organising the wedding like he did – it gave him the distraction he needed from the vultures clinging to and photographing every aspect of his and Jensen's lives. As well that, in his mind Jared almost felt as if he was compensating for the media storm, like if every part of their lives had to be lived out under a microscope now, then at least this way he could regain some control. He could control this, their wedding. He could make sure that it was about him and Jensen – them and only them – like it was always supposed to be. Without the media's interference.

As for Jensen? Jensen was amazing – Jared had no need for exaggeration or lies when he said that Jensen was the best fiancé he ever could have asked for. He took everything in his stride without freaking up a storm like Jared had found himself doing on more than one occasion lately. Even though the press were constantly speculating and spouting rumours about Jensen's imaginary 'commitment-phobic' behaviour his fiancé just dealt with it like a pro, with an endless patience that Jared had figured out a long time ago that he just didn't possess. Whenever Jared got too stressed or angry about the media circus – it was Jensen who calmed him down with a few hushed reassurances and gentle touches. Jensen was his anchor and if Jared had ever had any doubts about how much he loved and wanted to marry this incredible man then the last few months had banished them entirely.

Jared was startled out of his musings then as the his fiancé appeared behind him, wrapping his arms around Jared's waist, holding him in a tight embrace as he pressed a gentle kiss to the nape of Jared's neck. Jared smiled at the simple loving action.

"Jay?"

"Yeah Jense?"

"What're you thinking about?"

Turning in Jensen's arms, Jared placed a firm kiss on his fiancé's lips.

"You."

"Hmm, only good thoughts I hope."

"Maybe . . . I was just thinking about how amazing you are, how perfect and sexy. How much I love you and can't wait to marry you."

"Sap."

"Your sap."

"Damn right you are – mine and no-one elses and by this time next week you'll have the ring to prove it."

"Possessive much?"

"You love it."

"I love you."

"You love my inner caveman and you know it."

"When did you get back? I didn't hear you come in."

"Wow you were out of it – whatever was going on in that head of yours must have been interesting. I just got in, in fact I was looking for you – called your name a few times but you didn't answer."

"Really? Sorry babe, guess I was a little . . . lost – why were you looking for me anyway?"

"I've got some news." Whatever the news was Jared could tell it was something Jensen was happy about – he could see the barely contained excitement bubbling under his fiancé's smile.

"So spill."

"Well you remember I told you about my friend Tom?"

"The Navy SEAL?"

"Yep, that's the one. You remember I told you that he probably wouldn't be able to make the wedding – that he wouldn't get leave in time?"

"Yeah, you were really upset about that – no matter how many times you said it was fine, it really got to you. I could tell. I can always tell."

"And you always find a way to make it better, it's one of the reasons I'm marrying you. . ."

"Um Jense? You were saying about Tom?"

"Oh right, yeah. I got a phone call from Tom today – apparently a few months back he was injure in action . . ." Seeing the look of concern that immediately crossed Jared's expressive face Jensen was quick to reassure. "Nothing too serious, just a minor leg injury but enough to put him out of action – in fact it's pretty much completely healed by now, but knowing Tom it's probably taken him this long to even admit that there was ever anything wrong with him in the first place. Stubborn bastard."

"Why does that sound familiar?" The fond smile belied Jared's good-natured teasing.

"Hey, just think yourself lucky that I'm not throwing myself in the way of bullets like Tom."

"Good point – as much as I admire and respect the military and everything they do, I don't think I'd be able to cope with having you in danger every day."

"You'll never have to. . . The thing is Tom was never happy with it either. He loved serving his country, but he always hated the sacrifices that came with it. He just wanted to find someone to fall in love with, settle down and start a family – obviously being a SEAL he couldn't do that. Tom's taken his injury as an out – his superiors told him he was welcome back when he healed but because of how well he's served over the years the was no obligation. It was entirely his choice and Tom - as much as he loves serving - decided to take honourable discharge instead. He's not a SEAL anymore – a decision he made three months ago but only informed me of today, and just to keep the revelations coming he asked me when the wedding was and told me that he's flying out in a few days so that he'll be here in time for the service."

"So he is gonna be there? Well that's great, now you can stop moping around!"

"I guess I did get pretty down for a while huh? Doesn't matter now though right? I can't wait for you to meet him babe. Honestly you'll love him. I just know you two are gonna get on great."

"I'm sure we will. It's good to see you so happy."

"Why wouldn't I be? I'm marrying the most amazing man I've ever met next week and one of my best friends is gonna be there – I'd say that's a pretty damn awesome reason to be happy."

And Jared couldn't argue with that. Yet deep down he felt there was just something off about this whole thing – like an understanding that the universe doesn't allow anyone to be this happy without causing a storm further down the line.

It was stupid and he was probably just worrying over nothing – but Jared was scared.

He was scared that there was something waiting just around the corner.

He didn't know how right he was.

TBC