Chapter 1

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Brian sat back in the hard, uncomfortable chair letting the strong sense of déjà vu sweep over him. He studied Justin's pale form and sighed. Here he was again, keeping vigil over his wounded lover. Only this time he was actually in the room with him and not out lurking the halls, stoned and guilt ridden. Well, maybe he was a little guilt ridden.

"I hope you're not feeling guilty about this somewhere in that fucked up brain of yours," came a soft voice from behind him.

Brian looked up at Jennifer Taylor and smiled ruefully. "Are you from a long line of gypsies or something? How do you Taylors always know what I'm thinking?"

Jennifer shrugged and smiled. "It's a gift." She moved over to the bed and brushed her son's blond bangs out of his eyes, then looked at Brian again. "Now, how on earth have you worked out that this is your fault?"

"If I would have been here…" She stared at him with a frown. "If I never let him come here…" She crossed her arms and shook her head. Brian ran a hand through his hair. "Fuck, I know, there's nothing I could have done, but I hate to see him like this…again."

Jennifer tenderly kissed Justin's forehead. "I know, but it's not as bad this time. They expect him to be okay." She tried to stifle a yawn.

"Where's Molly?" Brian asked, looking around for Jennifer's sixteen year old daughter.

"She fell asleep on one of the benches out there."

Brian stood up and moved to Jennifer's side. "Why don't you girls go check into the hotel. It's just down the street from here." He handed her a paper from his pocket. "I had Cynthia make reservations when she booked the flight. I promise to call you if there's any change."

Jennifer started to protest, but she couldn't deny the exhaustion that permeated her bones and thought of poor Molly on that awful bench. "Okay, but what about you? You must be tired, too."

"I'll be fine right here. I can't…" he trailed off.

Jennifer smiled and patted his arm. She knew he couldn't leave her son until he saw tangible evidence that his lover would be okay. She was so grateful that Justin had Brian Kinney in his life. "I know," she replied, looking deep into his hazel eyes. She kissed him on the cheek, leaned over to give Justin one last peck and then left the room

Brian settled himself back down into his seat again and picked up Justin's left hand. He ran his fingers over the platinum band on his ring finger. He smiled at how his matching one looked on his own finger. He wondered what Justin would say when he woke up and saw them.

Justin had been in New York for a year now and they had maintained a working long distance relationship. They had never talked about marriage again and Brian had kept the rings sequestered away in his bank deposit box. When he got the frantic call from Justin's agent this morning, he had made time to make a quick stop at the bank on his way to picking up Jennifer and Molly and then heading to the airport.

This latest crisis with his lover was the last straw for Brian. He had placed the rings on their fingers as soon as he arrived at the hospital, making his own silent vows as he slid Justin's into place. Justin was coming home to Pittsburgh to stay and to live as Brian's husband. In one of his weaker moments, Brian would say that he was getting too old to live with the drama and worry of his lover being so far away.

He had confirmed with Justin's agent, who had been so nice as to stay at the hospital until he and Jennifer had arrived, that Justin's career was at a point now that he could work from anywhere and still be in demand.

He missed Justin. He missed him with every ounce of his being and he knew Justin felt the same way. There was no need for them to both be miserable any longer. And, obviously, Justin needed Brian to keep him safe. Yes, there were probably ladders in art galleries in Pittsburgh, but he was certain no Pittsburgh ladder would dare let Brian Kinney's lover fall off of it.

Stupid twat. He could just picture Justin at the top of the ladder, gabbing away to the gallery employees this morning while they worked on setting up Justin's first solo show, not paying fucking attention to what he was doing. Fuck! And, of course, he had to hit the same part of his head that the bat did so many years ago. That was the real topper to the whole thing.

Though the doctors were saying this bump was nowhere near as bad as the bat, he did still have a fairly serious concussion. Of course, they wouldn't know the true scope of things until the young man awoke.

He studied Justin's pale face, made even paler by the white bandage wrapped around his head. Nope, this was it. Game over. As soon as Justin was well enough to leave the hospital and put in an appearance at his show, he was coming with Brian. They would finally move into their country estate, Britin, together and live happily ever after. That's just the way it will have to be. No arguments, no discussion and most of all, no regrets.

He only hoped Justin felt the same way.

Brian laid his head on his arms, hand still clasped with his lover, and let himself fall into a fitful sleep.

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Brian felt gentle fingers stroking through his hair and smiled to himself. He loved waking up with Justin in the morning. It was a pleasure that he was denied all too often lately. He was about to reach down to find his lover's dick when he remembered where he was.

He sat up quickly to see a bright pair of blue eyes looking at him. "Hey," Justin said quietly.

Brian smiled. "Hey, you're awake."

Justin cocked his head to the side and looked at Brian oddly for a moment. "Yeah, I guess I am, Captain Obvious." He smiled and then winced when he tried to shift in the bed. "What the fuck happened to me?"

"Well, I see the sarcasm section of your brain wasn't damaged. You fell off a ladder, you twat. Don't ever do that to me again."

Justin was about to reply when the door opened, admitting a nurse, Jennifer and then Molly, who hung back a little. Jennifer glanced at the bed and smiled brightly. "Honey, you woke up. How are you feeling?"

Justin gave his mother that odd look again and then replied. "I've felt better."

The nurse checked his vitals and then left the room, promising to alert the doctor of Justin's new condition.

"How long have I been out?" Justin asked.

"Since yesterday morning," Brian replied.

Justin's attention finally landed on Molly. His brows furrowed a bit. "Hey, Mom, who's your friend?"

"Justin!" Jennifer exclaimed. "This is no time to tease your sister."

"Molly?" Justin asked, confusion evident in his tone.

"Stop messing around, dickhead," Molly sniped as she approached the bed. "I hauled myself all the way to New York to make sure you're okay. I'm missing school , you know."

"But…you're…it…can't…" Justin sputtered, unable to finish. He finally looked at Brian again, really studying him. "New York?" he whispered in a desperate question.

Jennifer and Brian exchanged looks, but before they could reply, the doctor breezed in. "Hello, I'm Dr. Dale. I hear Justin woke up finally." He looked at the younger man and smiled. "Let's have a look and you can answer some questions for me."

Justin nodded, shooting a desperate look to Brian, who was very concerned by now. Hopefully the doctor could shed some light on the situation.

Dr. Dale did a physical examination and then began asking simple questions, like Justin's name, birth date and name's of family members. He got all of them right until the next question threw them all for a loop. "What year is it, Justin?" asked the doctor.

Justin looked frightened. "Two thousand one?" he asked more than answered, his eyes fixed on his sister.

Brian and Jennifer gasped. "What's the last thing you remember?" Brian's voice cracked as he quietly asked his question.

Justin smiled the sunny smile that lit up his face and earned him the nickname Sunshine. "You showed up at my prom. We danced in front of everyone and you kissed me. It was the best night of my life." His smile quickly turned into a frown when he looked at the others. "What's wrong?"

Jennifer clutched Brian's arm tightly and could feel his lean body trembling in fear. "Sweetie, that was six years ago," she replied, trying hard to keep the panic from her voice.