Nothing Ventured

Part 1

As Michael drove, the only other vehicles on the highway seemed to be transport trucks. It was almost two in the morning and there weren't many other cars. Hunter was asleep next to him. I'll have to stop soon for something to eat. We didn't finish dinner, thought Michael.

He looked at the sleeping boy. What am I going to do? I don't even know where in the hell I am going. I wonder what Ben told the cops. I have to do what I can to keep him safe. What kind of mother could do that to her own son? He was just starting to be a regular kid. He deserves that. There is also the whole HIV situation. Ben will be able to teach him how to take care of himself and stay healthy.

I can't believe that Brian just let me have the car. He has changed so much in the last few months. I was so pissed when Justin left him, but I guess it was for the best because they seem stronger now. I don't know what kind of agreements they have this time, but I have a feeling that Brian is not taking him for granted quite as much as he used to.

I have to start looking for a place to eat. Seeing a sign for a rest stop ahead, he changed lanes to get to the off ramp. Unable to get there in time, he had no choice but to pass it.

"Fuck!"

"What?" Hunter jumped to a sitting position, looking around with wild eyes.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I missed the exit for a place to eat."

"Oh. Shit. I `m hungry," sighed Hunter, as he rubbed his eyes. "Do you have any idea where we are going?"

"Not really, but everything will be okay. We have to take things one step at a time. First things first, we eat." Michael got into the outside lane and quickly turned onto the emergency vehicles median between the opposing lanes of traffic.

"That's illegal," said Hunter.

"So was taking off with you. Maybe I am turning into a rebel," smirked Michael.

"You?"

"If Brian can be the responsible one, why can't I be the rebel," Michael started to argue. The teen couldn't help but laugh. Michael looked at him incredulously, but soon laughed, too. "I'm going to need a lot of help with this. I have always been the good one." Just then, they heard a siren from behind them.

"My first piece of advice is to not break any traffic laws when trying to get away from the police."

"FUCK! Okay, stay calm. Hopefully, he will just give me a ticket for using the median." Michael said, as he pulled over.

"What are you doing? Why are you stopping?"

"What do you expect me to do? Try and outrun him?"

"It's a Corvette. We could at least try."

"Just stay calm and let me do the talking."

This should be good, thought Hunter.

Michael pulled out his wallet, rolled down the window and waited for the policeman. Soon, a bright light was shining in his face.

"May I see your license and registration?" Came the gruff voice. A very intimidating officer looked at Michael and then turned his attention to Hunter.

Michael handed the cards to him. "You do realize that it is illegal to use the median connectors?"

"I was trying to get back to the rest stop. The kid is starving. I'm not familiar with the road and I was afraid that there wouldn't be a place to stop for quite awhile."

"They are for emergency purposes and personnel ONLY."

"I understand, sorry," offered Michael meekly.

"My partner is going to the car to write you up. Where are you headed?"

"Harrisburg." "Philadelphia." They both answered at the same time.

The policeman gave them a questioning look.

"We are going to Philadelphia but stopping in Harrisburg on the way," Michael tried to cover.

The other officer called him away before he could respond. Returning to the car, he opened Michael's door. "Mr. Novotny, please step out of the vehicle. You are under arrest for kidnapping a minor. Please place your hands on the hood."

Seeing Michael being pulled from the car, Hunter bolted and sprinted across the field. The other cop chased him and yelled for him to stop. Hunter didn't listen, but tripped over something and fell to the ground. The cop dropped on top of him and held him down.  Watching, Michael was yelling at the cop to be careful and not to hurt Hunter. "He's HIV-positive."

The cop loosened his grip, warning the boy not to flee again. Then he pulled him up and took him to the car. Michael was handcuffed and placed in the squad car with the scared boy. "Are you Okay?" Michael asked, concerned. The boy nodded. "It's going to be okay," said Michael. Hunter just slumped in his seat and stared out the window.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A joyful Debbie led Brian, Justin, Emmett, Vic, and Rodney into the diner. The all night party on Liberty Avenue had been a wonderful celebration.

"I can't believe how long it has been since I partied all night," smiled Vic.

"It was a lot of fun," said Rodney, sliding into a booth.

"I think we've tired the little one out," chuckled Brian, as Justin curled into him yawning.

"I was up most of the night before drawing. I have only slept four hours in the last forty-eight," said the blond, as he rested his head on Brian's chest and closed his eyes. Brian instinctively started to rub his back.

"I don't think WE are the ones that tired him," offered Deb.

"What?" Brian smiled.

"Like we don't know what he was up all night doing and what the two of you did every time you disappeared tonight."

Brian tried to look innocent, but being guilty as hell, he didn't pull it off. His mind wandered to the many places that he and the boy had found to celebrate together.

"He needs positive reinforcement after making such a huge sacrifice for the greater good," Justin was able to explain before a huge yawn overtook him.

Everyone ordered breakfast, with Brian ordering for Justin who had fallen asleep.

"I bet you guys will get some bookings to celebrate the return of Liberty to our fair city," said Rodney.

"I hope so. Let's see," Emmett replied, taking out his cell phone. He listened to his messages. "Three so far," he smiled. His face fell when he heard his ex-lover's voice.

"What?" Deb asked.

"There was a message from Ted."

"Is he okay?" Asked Vic, concerned.

"He checked himself into rehab," answered Emmett, with tears in his eyes.

"Thank God," sighed Deb.

"It's about fucking time," said Brian.

"I am just grateful that he finally knows that he needs help," said Emmett.

Ben rushed in looking around. "Have any of you seen Melanie?"

"She and Lindsay were celebrating the end of her first trimester. They went home quite early," said Deb. "Why?"

"I need some legal advice," said Ben. Not sure if he should tell the excitable woman that her son was in a jail cell a few hours out of town. "They must have taken the phone off the hook, I can't get through."

"How far did he get?" Brian asked.

"Johnstown."

"Fuck! Where is he now?"

"In a cell at the Cambria County police station."

"Damn, did Hunter run away again?" Deb wondered.

"Not exactly. When Hunter's mother showed up, Michael took him and ran."

"What is he being charged with?" Brian demanded.

"Kidnapping."

"WAIT. You mean MY baby is in jail," shrieked Deb.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Deb, Vic, Ben, and Mel got to the police station, Carl was leading Michael to the front desk to sign forms.

"Michael," said Deb, wrapping her arms around her son. She glared at her former boyfriend. Knowing she was about to say something, Michael covered her mouth with his hand.

"Carl helped me straighten out this misunderstanding so I could be released," he said, trying to convince everyone with his eyes to go along with the story.

"That's great! I didn't think it would be hard to straighten it out," said Mel.

"Where's Hunter?" Ben asked, as he leaned over to kiss his lover.

"In the system," said Michael, solemnly.

Carl interrupted the reunion. "If you would just sign here, you are free to go."

Michael signed the form and turned to Carl. "Thank you, I owe you one." Looking to his mother, he added, "I might have an idea on how to repay you," he smiled.

"I am just glad that I was on duty last night or there wouldn't have been much I could have done."

"Take your son to get something to eat. I've been listening to his stomach growl for over an hour now," Carl said to Debbie with a smile.

"Thank you," she replied. "There will be plenty to eat at the diner, if you would like to join us."

"I might do that…In fact, I will meet you there in half an hour."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the diner, Michael shoveled food into his mouth at an alarming rate.

"Slow down or you'll choke," warned Deb.

Finishing his pancakes, Michael sat back in his seat to see several pairs of eyes watching him.

"Mikey, I know for a fact that your metabolism isn't as good as the twink's so I wouldn't make a habit of eating like him," snickered Brian.

"Who are you calling a twink?"

Brian responded by kissing the teen.

"I want to know what the fuck is going on. And I want to know NOW!" Deb said through gritted teeth.

"When Hunter's mother showed up with the cops, I took off with him."

"Why?" Mel wondered. "If his mother wants him, wouldn't he be better off with her?"

"No."

"Why not?" Mel asked, concerned about the situation she was in. Obviously, Michael didn't have a problem taking a child from its mother.

"Hunter's mother abused him," explained Ben.

"Yes, and we have to make sure he doesn't end up there."

"What kind of abuse?" Carl asked joining the group.

Ben and Michael looked to each other. "His mother was the one who made him hustle in the first place," Michael started to explain.

Deb and Mel gasped in unison.

"Fuck," mumbled Justin.

"That even beats me in the rotten parents' race," said Brian sadly.

"Are you sure?" Carl asked.

"Yes. He told us after she showed up. We could tell he was telling the truth. He was so panicked to get away from her," Ben continued.

"Damn. He is being released to her custody this afternoon," Carl sighed.

"We have to do something," exclaimed Michael.

"How did the police know to arrest Michael so soon? He just left," Ben asked Carl. "They certainly never cared about Hunter before."

"Stockwell put out a statewide warrant. He came into the station last night in a foul mood," Horvath smirked at Brian.

"I can't imagine why," laughed Vic.

"How did you get released if a warrant was issued?" Mel questioned.

"I couldn't rescind the warrant. However, when I heard the call come in that Michael had been arrested, I made sure no one would interrogate him without me."

"Thank you," Deb whispered with tears in her eyes.

"Then he helped me convince them that I didn't know anything about the police coming to get Hunter. I said I was going to Philly to check out comic book shops," offered Michael. Proud of himself, that he had followed Carl's lead.

"How do we get Hunter out of there?" Deb asked.

"That's going to be much more complicated. It will look like Hunter is fabricating the story to get away from his mother," Mel explained.

"Unfortunately, it will be hard to prove since it happened quite awhile ago. Not to mention that no one at the station are going to be eager to help with gay crimes right about now," said Carl. "But I will do what I can. I'll talk to him and see if I can find out if there were any social workers or anything involved. I just hope that he will talk to me."

"Can we see him?"

"No Michael, you have to stay away from him for a few days at least."

"Maybe, I could get in to see him. We met at the birthday party. He knows I am a friend of yours maybe he will talk to me," suggested Mel.

"Can I talk to you privately?" Carl asked Deb.

They left the table and went to one as far as they could get from the others.

"Carl, I owe you an apology. I shouldn't blame you for not wanting to rock the boat too much. You have worked a long time in a difficult job and you deserve your pension."

"Thank you. It's hard for people to understand the cop mentality. We put our lives in each other's hands everyday. You have to trust that the guys have your back or you can't keep going. It's not like we don't realize that other cops cross the line sometimes. We all have, it's impossible not to. Usually, it's roughing up scum, giving a hooker a break, even making a little extra money, or something like that. But we never want to believe it when one of us really goes too far. To most people it's a cliché, but to cops all for one and one for all is a way of life."

"Having said all that, it doesn't mean I will turn a blind eye to serious offences made by cops. Rykert was a murderer. In time, Stockwell will be investigated. I'm sure that the residents of Liberty Avenue won't rest until he is forced to resign. And rightfully so," he smiled.

"No, we won't," she agreed.

"There is a problem, though. I am sure Stockwell is going to take advantage of the next month or two to target Liberty Avenue and maybe a few of your boys while he still can."

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"He is still the police chief. The new mayor is not going to do much in police matters in the beginning because Stockwell almost won, so he won't want to alienate those citizens at first. I have no doubt that there will be an inquiry into Jason Kemp's murder, but I doubt it will happen for several months."

"You think Stockwell will seek revenge?"

"The statewide warrant wasn't issued until Stockwell came into the station last night. The patrolman that accompanied Hunter's mother to the apartment had decided to wait the forty-eight hours we usually wait for missing teenagers."

"Fuck! Why would he target Michael? He didn't do much to work against Stockwell's campaign."

"He might have recognized the name Novotny from your little tirade on the news. It's possible that he has had Brian investigated or it could have been the fact that Michael is gay. I am guessing it was all three."

"We're in for a rough ride, huh?" Deb asked.

"I hope not, but I think so. You have to understand that I won't be able to take a public stand with you most of the time. However, I think I will be more useful to your cause by being on the inside. I can help if he targets one of the guys like he did today. I want to be inconspicuous so I will have something to offer the inquiry when it happens. I can't do that if I am excluded from things at the station. I can't be too obvious in my distrust and hatred for Jim. I have to play along as much as I can."

"You are a good man, Carl. I am sorry I lost sight of that."

"So you forgive me?"

"I think the real question should be do you forgive me?" Deb admitted. "I assumed you were working against us and I should have known better."

"How about dinner Friday night and we can forgive each other?"

"That would be great."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brian ran on the treadmill trying to burn off some nervous energy. The party after the election a few nights before had been great. Justin was so proud of me, Brian thought, and finally for the right reasons. It was all worth it, even if I lost everything, it's all worth it. Maybe, if I keep telling myself that, it will be enough. He turned up the music and picked up the pace.

Lost in thought, he didn't hear the phone at first. He turned the music off and went to answer it.

"What?"

"Am I interrupting something?" Came the snide reply.

"Why would you think that? You more than anyone know I am unemployed. How's life as Gardner's personal slave treating you, Cyn?"

"Surprisingly, worse than my last job," she laughed.

"What's up?"

"I thought you might be interested to know that Brown Athletics was very unhappy to learn you no longer work here."

"Oh."

"Yes, the receptionist told Mr. Brown himself when he called, before Gardner had the chance."

"Holy shit," snickered Brian.

"I could hear Mr. Brown on the speaker phone from Vance's office. He was pissed that he wasn't informed of the change immediately. He wants all new campaigns stopped because he will be taking his business to whichever new firm you join. Vance reminded him that he has a contract. Mr. Brown told him that his contract was with you and that was a non-negotiable stipulation. That he had heard Gardner's boring, unimaginative ideas in the past and had no intention of listening to any of them EVER again."

"That must have gone over real big with Gardner," laughed Brian.

"Unfortunately, Gardner told him that you wouldn't be working in advertising again because you had betrayed a client."

"Fuck."

"Mr. Brown told him that he would find a new agency for the spring campaigns and to finalize any paperwork that would terminate his contract with Vangard by the end of the month."

"Wow, I guess I could take that as a compliment."

"There's more."

"Yeah, what?"

"About three hours later he called me. He said he found out what you did and he doesn't care. In fact, he respected you for it."

"Really?"

"He wanted to know if I knew how to get a hold of you, I said of course. He asked me to tell you that he is giving you a week to get back on your feet and then he wants a meeting with HIS advertising executive at his new office."

"I don't have a new office, Cyn."

"I told him that. He said you could do it free lance and maybe open your own agency. He understood that the cost of production would be higher with you, at least at first until you got more established, but he doesn't have a problem with that. He said your ideas are worth a little more time and effort."

"I don't know, Cyn. The start up would be too much. It would never work."

"Brian, this is a major account. The commission is substantial. Three to five more clients like that and it could bankroll a small agency for eighteen months or more. Plenty of time to establish yourself."

"My name is mud in advertising. There is no way it would work."

"I never thought I'd see the day that Brian Kinney gave up or was too scared to try," she said, hoping to challenge him.

"Let me think about it awhile."

"You know if you do this, I am coming with you. I can't stand this bald bastard."

"I'll call you in a couple of days."

"I'll be waiting. I will also see what other accounts would move with you. Bye," she said with a smile as she hung up. Brian sat down at his desk and stared at the box with his things from his office. His framed diploma stuck out of one side. A stack of files were in the bottom. He leaned down and picked up the picture of Justin and Gus. They need me. I have to figure out a plan. There's no other choice, he thought.

By the time Justin got home from the diner, Brian had showered, dressed, and was hard at work at his desk.

On his way to the shower, Justin stopped to kiss his lover. "If you're busy I can go home tonight."

"No, I need to ask your opinion on something after I make a few more calls."

"Okay, gonna shower. I smell like onion rings."

When Justin came out of the shower, he noticed that Brian was still busy so he decided to take a short nap. He was tired after a long shift at the diner and a relaxing hot shower.

An hour later, Brian joined Justin on the bed. God, he's beautiful when he's sleeping. He gently traced his finger down the blond's cheek, then the curve of his neck, and over his shoulder.

"Hmmmmm."

"Hey sleepy head, I didn't mean to wake you. I was watching you sleep and I couldn't help myself," admitted Brian. "Sorry."

"I don't mind," smiled Justin. "Have I been sleeping long?"

"About an hour. I'll leave you alone so you can get some more rest."

"No, I have to get up. I'm hungry. Are you ready to talk?"

"Yes, let's talk while we make something to eat."

"Great idea," answered Justin, kissing his lover.

Brian prepared the indoor grill as Justin mixed some herbs for the chicken breasts.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on?" Justin asked.

"Okay. Cynthia called me today to tell me one of my clients from Vangard wants me to continue with his advertising campaigns."

"With his company?"

"Either free lance or to start my own agency."

"Congratulations, that's fantastic," smiled Justin, kissing the older man again. It was a wonderful thing for Brian, but Justin couldn't help but be scared that this could lead to Brian moving from Pittsburgh.

"Thanks, I called some of my other big clients and three others aren't concerned with what I did to Stockwell. I explained that selling products and getting someone elected to a powerful position involve completely different moral standards. They agreed," said Brian still shocked.

"Brian, that's great. How many clients would you need to start your own place? Would you go to New York?" Justin hoped that the last question didn't sound as terror-filled as he felt.

Brian smiled. He knew that his boyfriend was anxious about what would happen now that they were a couple.

"Cyn, thinks five large clients would be enough to cover the start-up of a small firm. It would be here in the Pitts. New York would be too costly. The west coast might be an option for the future. When you are done with school and Gus is old enough to travel."

The younger man just smiled, he was afraid to say anything, he might start crying from the relief he felt.

"I was thinking that if I decide to do this, I might need to hire a young artist with advertising experience. What do you say, Sunshine? Want to quit the diner and be my art department?"

"I'd love to," said Justin as he chopped vegetables for a salad.

"Don't you want to know what your salary and benefits would be?"

"Not really, the same as the diner is fine."

"We really have to work on your negotiating," laughed Brian.

"You said you need five and you already have four. Any thoughts on whom the next one should be?"

"I was working on a presentation for a national campaign for one of the state's biggest companies. I am waiting to hear if they will consider my proposal even though, I no longer work at Vangard."

The phone ringing interrupted them. Brian answered and sat at his desk again. Justin finished preparing dinner then set their places at the bar. He was almost giddy that Brian was finally voicing the fact that he wanted their futures to be together. The west coast, he thought to himself, I've never really thought of it. New York, of course, is where I always assumed I would end up. The art, the museums, and a more enriching lifestyle would all feed my artistic expression. I wonder if Brian was referring to Los Angeles or San Francisco. My impression of LA is not entirely artistic, but San Francisco would be good. The beauty of the Pacific Ocean would be amazing to draw. The boy continued to imagine all the beauty he could capture on paper. Since he had never been to these places, it was fun creating his own hopes for the future.

Finishing his call, Brian went to the fridge and retrieved a bottle of wine. "That looks great," he said, adding the wine glasses to the place setting.

"Thanks. Was that the call you've been waiting for?"

"Yeah, they are meeting with Vance at ten on Monday and they want to see me at one."

"Wow, this is really happening," he said, kissing the back of his lover's neck as he made his way around their makeshift table. The gesture sent shivers up Justin's spine. "It drives me wild when you do that," he sighed.

"Really?" Brian said, and leaned over to do it again. He kissed the soft flesh at the base of the teen's neck, while he ran his fingers through silky blond hair. He slowly kissed his way around to his Adam's apple.

"Brian," Justin whispered breathlessly.

"Yes."

"It's been a long day, I need you."

"What about dinner?"

"Later," he answered pulling the older man to the bedroom.

"Are you sure? It will get cold. I thought you were hungry."

"I am, but I'm more hungry for you."

Kissing and licking each other hungrily, they could barely wait to devour each other. Their thirst matching their hunger, if not surpassing it. Standing to remove his pants, Brian had a thought. Pulling his lover up, taking him to the living room area and the large pillows that were on the floor, placing him there, then he went to retrieve their plates from the kitchen. Taking a sticky strip of chicken he made a trail of sauce on his chest. Justin smiled, beginning to lick it off. Brian had succeeded again in finding a unique idea, feeding both Justin's physical and sexual hunger at the same time. Emotionally already satisfied, Brian wanted to satisfy him in every way.

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