Spotted

pic coming soon

That shift felt like it lasted for two days thought Justin as he wearily made his way toward Tremont Street. We can have take out tonight, I'm too tired to cook. As he came around the corner, he noticed the jeep parked across the street from the building. That's weird. Brian shouldn't be home for another couple of hours. He better not have a trick up there. I'm not in the mood for his shit.

Walking into the loft, Justin could hear the TV but didn't see anyone. Then, he noticed Brian curled up on the couch covered by a blanket. He was facing the entertainment centre and wasn't moving. He must be asleep thought Justin. I doubt that he would watch General Hospital. He must be coming down with something. I'll let him sleep for awhile. The teen headed for the bedroom and started to remove his clothing getting ready for a shower.

Feeling refreshed Justin was still rubbing a towel though his hair when he heard the phone ring. He rushed to answer it before it woke Brian.

"Hello."

"Justin."

"Hey Mom."

"I'm just calling to check in. I've been so busy with this convention lately."

"I'm good, but I think Brian is coming down with something. He's been asleep on the couch since before I got home from the diner."

"That doesn't sound like Brian."

"I know. I think I'll make soup and salad for dinner."

"Does he have a fever?"

"I don't know. I let him sleep while I took a shower. Just a second, I'll check," answered Justin, heading for the couch.

"OH. MY. GOD." Gasped Justin.

"What?"

"He's pale, flushed and sweaty. And he has red spots all over his face," explained Justin. He reached for the older man's forehead, "he's burning up!"

Justin rushed to the medicine cabinet to get the thermometer.

"Could it be an allergic reaction?" Jennifer asked.

"Maybe, but I think it's the chicken pox. Gus was with us right before he broke out with them last week."

"It is much more serious when adults contract them. Did he have them as a child? It is rare to get it twice but it does happen."

"He said he had them already, but maybe not," said Justin, as he pressed the thermometer to Brian's ear.

"Hmph," mumbled Brian slapping in the direction of his ear.

BEEP

Justin looked at the display pad. "104.2," he gasped.

"I have got to go Mom. I have to cool him down NOW!"

"Do you want me to come over there? I am in the car. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Okay."

"Brian. Brian, wake up. Can you hear me?"

"Humm."

"God! Brian, please wake up."

There was no response.

"Brian, you have to help me get you up," said Justin trying to pull on him.

"No sleep. Go away," mumbled Brian trying to push the blond away.

Justin pulled him up but he flopped back down. I am never going to get him to the shower alone, he thought.

He went back to the bathroom and retrieved the bottle of Tylenol and then to the kitchen to get a bottle of water.

"Brian, wake up. You have to take these."

Brian didn't move.

"BRIAN," Justin shouted, trying to pull him up. "Open your mouth."

"Not now. Stop," sighed Brian.

"Here." Justin forced three extra strength Tylenol into Brian's mouth. Then poured water in until Brian swallowed with a few coughs and then a deep breath. He pulled the white wife beater over Brian's head in one well practiced motion.

"Cold." Brian shivered.

Justin removed his own shirt and socks as he went to answer the knocking at the door.

"Thank God you're here! I really need some help with him," said Justin as he slid the heavy metal door open.

He was faced with the stunned faces of his friends.

"You're not my mother."

"Smart boy," snarled Michael. "Where's Brian?"

"I don't think we want to know why you are half naked and waiting for your mother to help you with Brian," smirked Ted. "Kinky."

"TEDDEE," shrieked Emmett, hitting him on the shoulder.

Michael tried to push past Justin.

"You can't come in."

"Who the fuck do you think you are?" snapped Michael.

"No, you don't understand. Brian's sick. I don't want you to get sick," said Justin looking at Ben.

"What's wrong with him?" Michael asked.

"Chicken pox, I think. I read on the net last week that it can be very bad if you are HIV positive. That is why Brian, Mel, Lindsay, and I have been avoiding you and Vic."

"Debbie said that Gus had them," offered Emmett.

"We didn't want to be carriers."

"Michael, you and Ben should leave, but Ted and Emmett, I could use your help."

"What?"

"His fever is very high. He took some Tylenol but I need to get him into the shower to cool him down. The problem is he is too out of it to cooperate."

"How high is his fever?" Ben asked.

"104.2"

"Let's go," said Emmett. "Before he has a seizure."

Ted and Emmett followed Justin inside. When Ben started to do to, Michael stopped him. "Maybe Justin is right."

"I have already had the chicken pox and I get the vaccine because I work with young people. Besides, the danger is more if the HIV positive person has them. The virus could be transmitted through the open pox."

Emmett and Ted followed Justin to the couch.

"My God! He looks horrible," gasped Emmett.

"Let's get him into the shower. I never thought I'd say that in reference to Brian Kinney," chuckled Ted.

Michael and Ben watched as the three men maneuvered Brian toward the bathroom.

"He's so hot," said Em.

"Of course, I am," slurred Brian. "Jus, why are we dancing with Theodore and Emmett? You know I like it better when it's just us."

"We're not dancing. You have a high fever and they're helping me cool you down. How do you feel?"

"Not too good. My head aches."

"You just took some Tylenol and that should help."

"I don't remember that."

Justin pulled Brian into the shower as Ted and Emmett stripped to their underwear and joined them standing away from where the water would soon spray. Justin turned the cold water on and Brian jumped.

"FUCK," he yelled, trying to get past the others and away from the frigid water.

"No, you have to stay here and calm down. Your fever is way too high."

They grabbed him and held him under the water and soon their teeth started to chatter.

"Justin?" A female voice called from the other room. The calling got louder until Jennifer Taylor poked her head into the bathroom.

"Oh my!" She exclaimed when she saw four men in the shower in various states of undress with two others watching. "This is what this loft is like in my nightmares," she sighed.

"Jennifer," Ben chuckled. "It's not what it looks like."

"I know," she smiled. "But I didn't need the visual. How is he? I was on the phone with Justin when he realized how sick Brian is."

"We're not sure," said Michael worriedly.

The cold water must have helped because the fog was lifting from Brian's thoughts.

"You guys can go. I'll stay but get out. I don't want the three of you getting sick because of me."

"Are you sure you can stand up on your own?" Emmett wondered.

"Yes, get off me!"

"He must be feeling better. That's the Brian we know," mumbled Ted. He and Emmett left the shower and wrapped themselves in bath sheets.

"How high was my fever?"

"104.2," answered Justin.

"Get out, Justin. You are going to get pneumonia."

Justin touched Brian's forehead and inner arm. "I think you can get out too." Ben and Jennifer held out towels for them.

"We'll let the four of you get changed," offered Michael, bringing their clothes and some extra pieces from Brian's closet.

Jennifer went to the kitchen to make hot chocolate for Emmett, Ted and Justin. Ben was looking at the calendar on Brian's desk.

"Do you know the name of Brian's doctor?" He asked Michael.

"I'm not sure. Brian never gets sick. Maybe Justin knows."

"I'm sure he does."

Ted and Emmett exited the bathroom wearing their own clothes and one of Justin's sweatshirts over top for warmth.

"Here you go boys," said Jennifer handing them each a mug. "I really appreciate you helping Justin like that."

"No need to thank us, that's what friends are for," smiled Emmett. "Thanks for the cocoa. It's delicious."

"Umm-hmm," agreed Ted.

Justin opened the bathroom door and he and Brian made their way to the bedroom. Justin held open the duvet. Brian crawled in. The others joined them in the bedroom.

"Mikey, could you get another blanket from the closet?" Brian asked quietly.

Michael quickly returned and started to arrange it over Brian.

"No, it's for Justin. He catches a chill faster than anyone I've ever met."

Jennifer smiled and wrapped her son in the blanket. Then moved to the side of the bed and stuck the thermometer in Brian's ear again. Brian, who was falling asleep again, moaned.

"103.6, that's still too high." Jennifer went about arranging the blankets around Brian.

A few minutes later, Brian was sound asleep and the others busied themselves with other tasks.

"Justin, what can I make juice in?" Jennifer asked.

"He's on the phone," Emmett offered. "I'll help you look for a container."

Ted and Michael cleaned the bathroom and Ben sat at the computer.

"Did you find anything that could help?" Michael asked.

"Just that he needs to see a doctor."

"Dr. Shawn will be here in about half an hour."

"Brian's doctor makes house calls?"

"Yes, Mom. He's a friend of Brian's and he doesn't mind stopping by when he's needed."

"That's nice of him. Did they go to college together?"

"No, they went to the bath house together," smirked Ted.

Jennifer blushed, as did her son who couldn't deny the fact that Dr. Shawn was one of Brian's former tricks. "I'll finish the juice," she said and went back to the kitchen.

.........................................................................................................

Justin made another phone call. This time to Joan Kinney.

"Hello."

"Mrs. Kinney, this is Justin."

"Justin who?"

"Brian's boyfriend. Listen, I need to ask you a question."

"Yes."

"Did Brian ever have chicken pox?"

"I don't remember." Joan said sipping her fourth glass of wine that evening.

"Okay, thanks anyway." Justin wasn't about to hang up.

"Wait. Does Brian have Chicken Pox?"

"I think so. I better go. Brian needs me."

"Tell him that I will pray for him."

"Okay. Bye." Justin hung up.

Amidst her drunken fog, Joan remembers something. She goes and looks in a small box that held the kid's immunization records and a list of illnesses and such.

The phone rings at the loft.

Justin, answering it wonders who could be calling since everyone is at the loft.

"Hello."

"Justin?"

"Yes, is that you Mrs. Kinney?"

"Yesssss." Joan was slurring her words. She had had another glass of wine.

"Can I help you?"

"He had it when he was two."

"Are you sure?"

"Yessss. I wrote it down. I found the paper of his illnesses and dates. It was a mild case."

"Okay, thanks Mrs. Kinney. I gotta go. Brian needs me. Bye."

"Bye." Joan tottered over to her sofa and passed out.

.........................................................................................................

Dr. Shawn handed Justin a piece of paper. "This is what he'll need over the next few days."

Justin read the list aloud. "Tylenol, Advil, Benedryl, Gatorade, juice, cotton swabs, Calamine lotion, and a camera."

"Why the Benedryl and camera?" Justin asked.

"The Benedryl is an antihistamine for the congestion. I want you to watch his breathing and call me if you think there's a problem. Pneumonia is a complication of adult onset chicken pox."

"Okay, I will. The camera?"

"Anyone as vain as Brian should have this time in his life documented. If you get the pink calamine lotion and the white cream then he will have multicoloured spots and that has to be captured for posterity."

"I like the way you think," Ted laughed. As the image formed in everyone's head, they all laughed, even Jennifer.

"I can't thank you enough, Shawn," Justin said.

"Before I go, let me see your hand. Is it still bothering you?"

Justin held out his hand. "It's okay. The pain comes and goes. Brian was overreacting when he called you."

Satisfied that Justin was telling the truth, Shawn let go. "Okay, well if you need anything else just give me call. You two are my favorite patients," he smiled.

"I wonder why," smirked Ted.

Shawn pulled the large metal door open. "One more thing Justin, he shouldn't drink or do any recreational drugs until after he recovers and definitely not while he's taking those medications. Oh, and it would be best if he didn't smoke until the congestion clears too. Have fun," he smiled and closed the door behind him.

"You guys can go. Thanks for the help but I feel better now that he's seen a doctor," Justin said to his friends. "You must have been on your way to Woody's when you stopped here. Go ahead have a good time."

"I think we'll call it a night. All of a sudden I feel like curling up under a warm blanket with a magazine," said Emmett.

"We'll go to the pharmacy and get what you need," offered Ben.

"That's okay, I can order it on-line and have it delivered. I appreciate your help, but I can handle it from here," said Justin.

"Boy Wonder, I don't think you realize what is about to happen here. Brian is sick, something I have only really seen once before and it's not pretty. On top of that, he is going to be itchy and upset about how he looks now and the possibility of scarring. Add to that fact, he can't self-medicate, drink, or smoke and it should be clear to anyone that this is not a situation that can be handled. With luck and patience you might survive. That's the best you can hope for," explained Michael.

"He's right. We will all take turns checking in on the two of you and giving you a break," agreed Ben.

"We'll go for now and let you get some rest. He probably won't wake up until the morning," Jennifer said, hugging her son goodbye. "I'll call you tomorrow."

Justin locked the door behind them and set the alarm. He made himself a sandwich and turned on the TV. An hour later, he made sure everything was turned off for the night and crawled into bed. He lied there in the quiet darkness and listened to Brian's breathing. Satisfied that it was strong and even Justin soon fell asleep too.

.........................................................................................................

Brian woke first. He looked around the room trying to orient himself while he scratched his head and then his leg. He looked to the left and Justin was sleeping peacefully. Brian smiled. He glanced at the alarm clock 8:09.

"Fuck, we overslept," he growled. "Get up Sunshine, we're late."

"What?" Justin asked, startled from his slumber. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I had a really good time last night, but I don't remember it. Whatever the fuck happened, I desperately need a shower. I'm so filthy I itch. Let's go," he said and got out of bed. He sat right back down lightheaded.

"Brian, you're not dirty. You have the chicken pox. Here, let me take your temperature."

"I have the WHAT??" He shrieked, bolting from bed to the bathroom mirror. The sight before him made him weak in the knees. His face looked like he'd developed dozens of pimply looking small scarlet red blisters. He checked the rest of his body to find they were everywhere.

"FUCK!!" He screamed.

Justin joined him. "You have to calm down and I need to take your temperature."

Brian was staring at his reflection in the mirror. A look of horror crossed his face.

"Just let me take your temperature."

"Get away from me with that thing. Look at me," he yelled, looking up again.

"Calm down…"

"Calm down? CALM DOWN? I have spots on my dick!"

Justin pulled his lips into his mouth and bit his cheek as hard as he could. He knew that laughing at this moment could spell the end of his relationship with Brian and possibly his life.

"What do I do now?"

"Dr. Shawn said to treat the symptoms, keep an eye out for complications, and let it run its course."

"You called Shawn?"

"Yes, he was here last night. I was scared. You had a very high fever. I was afraid you might go into seizures. I don't know how I would have gotten you into the shower to cool you down if the guys hadn't stopped by."

"Who stopped by?"

"Michael, Ben, Emmett, Ted and my mom." Justin said, walking to the kitchen.

"Shit!"

Justin put the thermometer into Brian's ear. It beeped.

"So?"

"102.7. That's down some but you still need to take some Tylenol."

"How high was it last night?"

"Over 104."

"You must have been scared. I know I hate it when you used to spike a fever. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. Let's just follow doctor's orders and have a quiet day. Stop scratching, you'll scar. Michael and Ben must have left this bag from the pharmacy after I went to bed last night. I know he's your best friend but it still weirds me out that he can come and go without our knowledge," Justin said as he took items from a shopping bag.

"I know. It might be time to change the locks and codes now that you're here."

Justin smiled. "Here, take this. It should help the itching and this lotion too."

"I'll take the Benedryl, but it will be a cold day in hell before I use that pink lotion shit."

"It's up to you. Just remember that if you scratch you could have scars for the rest of your life. At least the pink shit would be just temporary. Take the Advil for the fever too."

"Am I getting a cold too? My nose is running and I feel stuffed up."

"That's one of the symptoms. We have to watch and make sure that you aren't developing pneumonia. Getting the chicken pox as an adult is much more serious."

"Great."

"It looks like they got us some DVDs too."

"Anything Good?" Brian asked.

"No porn, if that's what you're asking."

"That's probably a good thing since I don't think I could fuck you right now. I have these fucking pox all over my dick."

"I would reconsider the calamine lotion. Scars down there could really curb your tricking. Guys might think it was something other than chicken pox scars if you know what I mean."

"Bite your tongue!" Brian growled. He took a bottle of water and headed back to bed.

"Do you want some toast? You should eat something."

"I'm not hungry, but could you bring the cream. I'm itchy as hell. I still don't want the pink shit."

"Okay. Here let me help put it on," Justin said sitting down on the bed next to his lover. He opened the bag of cotton balls and started to rub the cool cream on the blisters that littered Brian's chest and arms. "Turn over and I'll get the ones on your back."

Brian did as he was asked. "You know if I didn't feel so shitty this would be really hot."

"No kidding. Why do you think I'm not going below your waist? No need to start anything we can't finish. You can take care of that for yourself."

"Just give me a few days, Sunshine." Brian offered through a yawn and then fell asleep.

The next day Justin slid the big metal door open to find Lindsay and Gus and a rather large shopping bag. Gus jumped into Justin's arms and gave him a big a kiss. Justin smiled and gave him a loud smack on the cheek. "Where Dada?"

"He's watching TV."

Justin watched the boy scamper off toward his father nervously.

"What's the matter Justin?"

"Nothing. It's just that Brian is extremely cranky today. I hope he isn't short with Gus."

"Look," Lindsay said, looking over to the couch. "I don't think you have anything to worry about."

Justin smiled. He and Lindsay joined father and son in the living room.

"Dadda, you have pops like me," Gus squealed. He lifted his shirt to show his father some crusty scabs and fading spots.

"Chicken POX," Brian corrected.

"Yea pops," agreed Gus.

"How are you feeling, Brian?'

"Just peachy Linds. How the hell do you think I feel?"

"Cranky," she smiled. "When I explained to Gus that you were sick and couldn't come visit, he had a lot of questions. Now that he knows you have the same thing he did, he insisted on coming to see you."

Brian smiled. "I'm very glad you did come to see me, Sonnyboy."

"I got stuff," Gus said pulling the shopping bag over to his father.

"Whatcha got there Gus?" Justin asked.

Gus started to pull things from the bag. "This is Rex and he makes the itchy go away with his roar." Gus squeezed the plush dinosaur and it roared. He handed it to Brian. He pulled out two movies. One was Dora the Explorer and the other was Franklin. "These are fun," he said. "Watch them make you feel all better."

"That does sound like fun," Justin said looking at the DVD boxes. "Look Bri, Dora is looking for the magic portal to a magic kingdom."

"I found my own magic portal a few years ago," Brian chuckled looking at Justin's ass.

"Brian!" Lindsay squealed.

"What else?" Justin said to Gus, trying to change the subject back to Gus.

"Colors," the boy said placing a box of crayons on the coffee table. He then added a roll of paper. "Look Dadda like toilet paper," he laughed as he unrolled some of it. Gus then took his blankie out and sat it next to Brian on the couch.

"Is that it?" Brian asked.

"No," Gus laughed, his Dadda could be so silly. "Juice and yums." He said proudly.

"What kind of yums?"

"Stop thinking with your stomach, Sunshine," laughed the older man.

"Gapes, cwakers and cheese."

"Cool."

"I got books too."

"You sure fit a lot in that bag. Which books?"

"Love Forever, Where Wild Things, Guess Much Love. Oh, and Arthur's Chicken Pops."

"Arthur got the chicken pox too?" Brian asked.

"Yep," Gus giggled. "Can I stay here and watch movies with you?" He asked hopefully.

"Sweetheart, Daddy is sick and needs his rest. I think we should go and come back another time. You brought Dadda everything that made you feel better when you were sick. I'm sure you helped him a lot."

"Yes, you did Buddy. But I think it would make me feel even better if you stayed here with me for the day and showed me how to use all of this great stuff you brought."

"Are you sure that's okay?" Lindsay asked Brian, but was looking at Justin.

"It's fine. I think it will be fun." Justin replied for both of them.

Three hours later the loft was a wreck. The coffee table was covered in cracker crumbs, pieces of broken crayon and long pictures that almost reached the floor where they rolled in on themselves. Franklin the Green Knight was on the big screen TV. Franklin was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his new baby sister. Jennifer had bought it for Gus not long before Jenny was born knowing how older brothers could react to new baby girls from her own experience. Brian had to admit the story wasn't as awful as he first feared. Justin appreciated the art for its appeal to the age group yet with good detail. Books had been left on the floor along with Rex the Dinosaur.

On the large pillows that were in front of the couch Brian was lying with Gus' blankie on his chest. He was white and pink polka dotted because Gus had insisted on painting on him with the no itchy paint. His left thigh was being used as a pillow by Gus who had fallen asleep not long after the movie started. Justin was asleep to his right snoring lightly. The phone rang and Brian reached for it.

"Hello."

"Hey, I just wanted to see how you were feeling? And to see if you needed anything." Michael asked.

Brian looked around the loft and especially at the boys asleep next to him. "Thanks, but I'm good. I have everything I need right here," he smiled.

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