Emotional Rescue

Pic coming soon

"So, sweetie, when does Brian get back?" Emmett asked, leaning against the bar and taking a sip of his cosmo.

"Sunday," Justin replied, signaling the bartender for a beer. They'd spent the better part of the last hour on the dance floor and had worked up quite a thirst.

"Which means," Ted mused thoughtfully from where he stood on the other side of Justin, "that between unpacking, the initial reunion sex and the subsequent making up for lost time, we should see you both again what… next Thursday?"

Justin shot him a playful smirk. "Better make it Friday."

Ted tipped his bottle in acknowledgement while Emmett snickered and Michael rolled his eyes good naturedly. "Well, Ma will have both your asses if you're not there for dinner Friday night."

Justin nodded. "We'll be there, I promise." He was almost knocked off his feet as someone bumped carelessly into him. "Hey," he said, frowning slightly at the interruption.

"Sorry," the large man murmured, turning to see who he'd practically stepped on. He looked at Justin for a moment. "Well, well, well," he drawled. "If it isn't the party favour that got away."

Justin's eyes widened slightly in recognition before turning his back on the intruder.

Emmett sensed the sudden tension in his friend and intervened. "Let's dance, baby." He grabbed Justin's wrist and pulled him toward the dance floor.

Grateful for the escape, Justin didn't protest, offering Emmett a weak smile as they found a spot and began to dance.

"So, who was that?" Em asked after a few moments.

Justin shrugged. "Hell if I know."

Emmett looked from the blond to where the stranger was standing with another man and then back again. Taking his cue from Justin's expression, he decided against pushing the matter.

But he filed it away in his memory, just the same.

********

"Who was that?"

The tall man cut a glance at his companion as they walked out of the club. "Remember that party last year? The one where that kid broke Sap's tooth?"

"Yeah," the guy nodded. He looked back toward the bar in surprise. "That the kid?"

The man nodded and continued to usher his friend through the door. "Yeah, that's him."

"But he's Kinney's twink, isn't he?"

The guy only shrugged. "When Kinney's in the mood, I guess. He still fucks whoever he wants. The kid does too, from what I've seen." He paused, thoughtfully looking back towards the club

"I thought we were going back to your place," the other man said with a confused frown.

"Yeah," his friend replied, turning back to face him with a smile. "Yeah, we are."

********

"I should go," Justin announced, downing the last of his beer. "I've got an early class tomorrow." It was nearing midnight and Michael had already left to spend some time with Ben who'd been teaching a late class at the university. Besides, Brian would be calling and there was no way he wanted to miss that.

"We can give you a ride," Emmett offered, smiling persuasively at his friend. "Can't we, Teddy?"

"Sure," Ted agreed.

Justin noted Ted's still full drink and knew he'd be waiting a while. "That's ok, I don't mind the walk," he said. "Clears my head. Thanks anyway."

Ted shrugged in acceptance and Em kissed Justin on the cheek. "See you tomorrow?"

"Depends," Justin replied. "I have Littman's 'life in motion' class tomorrow. That usually means a lot of homework."

"I'll call you," Em promised.

Justin nodded. "Sure. Night."

"Night."

"Bye baby."

Turning toward the exit, Justin had all but forgotten about his earlier, unpleasant encounter.

********

Brian slid the loft door open with a tired sigh; he'd only been in New York a week, but it felt like he'd been gone a lot longer. Taking note of the empty loft, he headed to the bedroom to hang up his garment bag and unpack. As much as he hated to admit it, he was disappointed that Justin wasn't home. It had been days since he'd talked to his partner. He'd called Tuesday evening only to get the machine. The next day, Justin had left a hurried message on his voicemail while he was in a meeting and since then, they hadn't been able to connect.

A familiar buzzing interrupted his unpacking and he retraced his path back to the door.

"Yeah," he said, holding the intercom button.

"Brian?"

"Come on up, Mikey," Brian said, releasing the lock. He pushed open the loft door and left it ajar while he went to finish his interrupted task.

"I didn't think you were coming back until tomorrow," Michael said as he crossed the loft floor toward the bedroom.

"In that case, why are you here?" Brian asked casually. He was tired and not in the mood for company, even that of his best friend.

"I came to see Justin," Michael explained. "He promised to drop off some sketches two days ago and every time I ask him about them, he says he forgot. I thought I'd just pick them up myself."

Brian waved a hand in the general direction of Justin's workspace. "Be my guest," he said.

Michael hesitated for a moment. "Is everything all right?" he finally asked.

Turning to look at him for the first time, Brian arched an eyebrow. "Well, the price of gas is a little high and the state of the economy in general is …"

"I mean with Justin," Michael interrupted him.

"How the fuck should I know what's going on with Justin?" Brian retorted irritably. "I've been in New York for the past week, remember?" He didn't want to admit, especially to Michael, that he'd been wondering that very thing himself.

"I just thought…" Michael began reluctantly. "Never mind." With a slight shake of his head, he walked over to Justin's computer.

Brian had to bite his tongue to keep from pressing Michael to say whatever it was he obviously wanted to.

"They're not here," Michael finally announced.

"Maybe he's got them with him, dropping them off at your place as we speak," Brian suggested, his voice conveying little interest in the whereabouts of a few sketches.

"Maybe." Michael was decidedly unconvinced. He stared at his friend for a long moment with a somewhat pained expression before Brian couldn't take it anymore.

"Was there something else on your mind?" he asked irritably.

Michael shrugged uncomfortably. "I just thought you might want to talk or something."

Brian laughed wryly. "Yeah, being the great conversationalist that I am, I can see how you'd think that."

Michael, too, was getting annoyed. "Look, I know something's going on with you two, so don't fucking stand there and act like you don't give a shit."

Heaving an exaggerated sigh, Brian gave up on the unpacking and headed for the bar cart. "Maybe I'd be in a better position to give a shit if I knew what the Hell you were talking about."

"The fight or whatever you had. He was fine at Babylon on Tuesday, called in sick for his shift on Wednesday and by Thursday he looked like he'd lost his best friend and avoided all of us. He had the morning shift yesterday and would bite your head off as soon as look at you and last night he was tricking at a rate even you'd be impressed with." Michael took a breath. "So what the Hell happened between you two?"

Brian was shocked by all he'd heard but wasn't about to reveal that to Michael. "What makes you think it has anything to do with me? I wasn't even here."

Michael crossed his arms over his chest and rolled his eyes. "I know you talk on the phone every night; Justin told us as much."

"Not that it's any of your business, but I haven't talked to Justin since Monday."

Michael frowned. "Monday?" Realization seemed to dawn in his eyes. "You mean this whole drama princess routine is because you didn't call? Jesus, Brian, I need those sketches. I can't put the publisher off just because Justin's feeling like the neglected boyfriend!"

"Forget the fucking sketches," Brian barked back. "And I doubt Justin's feeling all that neglected since he's the one who's been avoiding me." He winced inwardly at the admission but kept the angry façade turned on his friend.

"Avoiding you?" Michael repeated as though it was the most ludicrous notion he'd ever heard. "Why would he be avoiding you?"

Before Brian had a chance to launch a caustic reply, the door slid open and Justin walked in.

"Hey," he said, stopping and eyeing both men warily. "You're home early."

"All that education is paying off, I see," was his lover's flippant reply.

"Michael," Justin greeted the other man cautiously. "What's going on?"

"I came for the sketches," Michael answered, frowning in Justin's direction. The kid looked like he hadn't slept in days.

Justin grimaced. "Fuck. I forgot." With that, he dropped his bag beside the counter and headed for the fridge.

"Forgot to drop them off or forgot to draw them?" Michael asked.

Justin shrugged. "I'll get them to you as soon as I can."

"But I need them now," Michael protested. "The publisher…"

"Who gives a fuck about the publisher?!" Justin practically screamed, slamming down the water bottle he'd just pulled from the fridge. "I said I'd do them! That's the best I can do; take it or leave it!"

Without another word, he stormed into the bathroom, closing the door firmly behind him.

Michael turned a questioning look in Brian's direction and noticed a brief look of shock on his best friend's face before the characteristic mask of indifference took hold. "Brian?"

"Not now." Brian's voice was flat. "Go home, Mikey. I'll call you later."

With a baffled nod, Michael silently turned and left the loft.

********

By the time Justin emerged from the bathroom half an hour later, Brian had put away everything from his trip and was sitting on the bed, waiting.

"Hey," Justin smiled sheepishly. "Not exactly a proper homecoming."

Brian cocked one brow and eyed Justin's appearance carefully. "You look tired," he said.

With a sigh, the younger man closed the distance between them and knelt on the floor between Brian's legs. "Yeah," he said, reaching up to plant a gentle kiss on his lover's lips before pulling him into a tight hug.

Brian returned the embrace, frowning a little as Justin seemed to burrow into him. "You OK?"

There was no verbal reply to his question, but he felt Justin's head nodding against his chest.

After a moment, he placed his hands on the blond's shoulders and gently pushed him back so that he could look into his face. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Justin assured him with a forced smile. "Just… school and shit."

"Busy week?"

Justin nodded again, not trusting his voice.

"Want to stay in tonight?"

The blue eyes widened at the suggestion. "We don't have to," he said in a rush. "You've been away all week; you probably want to go to Babylon or something…"

"I can go to Babylon anytime," Brian replied with a smirk. "I'd rather stay here and fuck you. As you said, I've been away all week."

Justin got to his feet quickly. "I can't."

Both Brian's eyebrows rose as he looked at his young lover.

"Daphne's sick," Justin explained quickly. "Her parents are out of town and I told her I'd go over there."

"Fine," Brian said with a shrug.

"I didn't think you'd be home until tomorrow," Justin continued, his voice bordering on panic.

Brian frowned at him. "I said it was fine. What the fuck's the matter with you?"

"Nothing."

The quick reply earned a skeptical look from his lover.

"I just didn't think… I mean, I don't want … I told Daph I'd come…"

"Justin." Brian's voice quieted his stammering.

"Yeah?"

"If you want to go to Daphne's, go to Daphne's."

Justin looked at him for a moment before nodding quickly. With an uncharacteristic hesitance, he stepped toward his lover and placed a quick kiss on the other man's lips. "I'll um… see you tomorrow, then?"

"I'm sure I'll be around," Brian replied dryly.

"Good." Justin nodded again. "Fine. I'll just grab some things..."

Brian watched with veiled concern as Justin awkwardly threw some things into a bag.

"Tell Daphne I hope she's feeling better soon."

"Huh?" Justin asked, turning to face him with a frown. "Oh, right. I will." With that, he forced a smile and headed from the room. When he got to the door, he hesitated, looking back to where Brian was watching him from the steps. "Later."

"Later," Brian replied quietly.

Once the door closed Brian lowered himself slowly to sit on the steps. Even a fool could tell that Justin was lying.

And Brian Kinney was no fool.

********

"Hey," Daphne said, surprised to find Justin at the door. "What's up?"

"I need a place to stay tonight," he said miserably, dropping his bag as he followed her into the room.

"What's wrong with staying at the loft?" she asked, picking some scattered magazines up off the sofa.

"Brian's home," Justin replied. "He wasn't supposed to be home until tomorrow."

Daphne turned to face him, then crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her head to one side. "So, Brian's home early and you're here. What's wrong with this picture?"

"Look, if it's a fucking problem for you, I'll go somewhere else," Justin snapped angrily.

Frowning, Daphne planted her hands on her hips. "Don't get all pissy with me. Of course you can stay here, but you can't just come in here and yell at me when it's not me you're mad at."

Justin sighed, running a hand irritably through his hair. "I'm sorry," he muttered.

She glared at him for a moment as though to gauge the sincerity of his words. "Ok," she finally said with a sharp nod. "So, what happened this time?"

Flopping into the nearest chair, Justin closed his eyes and his mouth, his lips forming a tight line.

Daphne sat on the edge of the sofa and leaned toward him, her forearms on her knees. "Come on, Justin, you can tell me."

"No, I can't," he said, so quietly that she had to strain to hear him.

"Of course you can," she scoffed with a brief laugh. "We always tell each other every…"

"I said I can't!" he barked, jumping to his feet and causing Daphne to lean back in alarm.

Before she had a chance to say anything, he'd grabbed his bag and rushed from the dorm.

********

Even the primal thumping of Babylon didn't fully chase the disquieting thoughts from Brian's mind. After the younger man had left the loft, he'd contemplating staying in considering the exhausting week he'd had, but then decided that he'd benefit more from the distraction. Something was going on and it was obvious Justin wasn't ready or willing to let him in on it. He figured he'd find out sooner or later, and in the meantime, he might as well indulge himself.

After all, Brian Kinney wasn't one to stay home alone on a Saturday night.

"Brian!" Emmett exclaimed upon seeing the man walking toward them. "Justin said you wouldn't be home until tomorrow."

"I didn't know my itinerary was a matter of public interest," Brian retorted dryly.

"We're just surprised you'd pass up a Saturday night in New York City for this," Ted said, gesturing at the sweaty mass of bodies on the dance floor.

Instead of replying, Brian ordered a double shot from the bartender.

"Brian!" Michael exclaimed as he and Ben returned from the dance floor. "I didn't think you'd be here tonight." He looked around. "Where's Justin?"

After downing his drink, Brian signaled for another. "Babysitting a sick Daphne when last I heard."

He didn't miss the looks that passed between his friends, but pretended not to notice.

"Everything OK with him?" Emmett asked, despite the warning look Michael was desperately trying to throw his way.

Brian tossed back the amber liquid. "Why wouldn't it be?"

Emmett shrugged. "I dunno. He just didn't seem very … Justin-y last night."

After shooting the other man a look that showed just how utterly idiotic he'd found that statement to be, Brian turned his back to the bar and surveyed the crowd.

Not one to be dismissed so easily, Emmett continued with his questions. "Did you talk to him?"

"About?" Brian asked casually.

Emmett rolled his eyes. "About whatever's wrong. He's avoiding everyone and he looks like Hell."

Brian couldn't argue with that. Justin *had* looked like Hell when he'd seen him earlier and he wasn't buying the 'busy week at school' excuse for a second. Part of him wanted to bombard the others with questions, but both Michael and Emmett had already made it clear that they didn't have any of the answers he was looking for. He'd just have to wait until he had a chance to get them from Justin himself, and hope that he got the truth this time.

He was just about to join a tall redhead on the dance floor when Emmett grabbed his arm. "How can you think about getting your dick sucked at a time like this?" he asked angrily.

One eyebrow rose in surprise as Brian looked down at the hand on his arm, the hand that its owner was smart enough to remove immediately.

"Did you even hear a word I said?" Emmett pressed valiantly.

"I heard," Brian replied irritably. "He looks like Hell, he's not all 'Justin-y'." He clearly mocked Emmett's makeshift word. "What I didn't hear is what the fuck you want me to do about it. He's a big boy. If he wants or needs my help, he'll let me know."

With that, Brian left the group to join the trick waiting on the dance floor.

"He's right, Emmett," Ben said, trying to soothe the obviously angry man. "It's up to Justin. If he won't talk, there's not much Brian can do."

"He practically took my head off this afternoon when I asked about the sketches," Michael interjected.

"Brian?" Emmett asked with a confused frown. "Why?"

"No, Justin," Michael clarified. "Brian looked as surprised as I was."

"Did he say anything?" Emmett pressed.

"Brian?" Michael asked.

The taller man rolled his eyes in frustration. "Justin!"

Michael shrugged. "Just told me he'd do them when he got around to it and basically to get off his back about it."

"Might be good advice," Ben said. "Whatever's bothering him right now, I'm sure the added pressure of the comic isn't helping."

"But we had this deadline set up weeks ago," Michael lamented. Seeing the look Ben was giving him, he sighed with resignation. "But I guess I could push it back a week or so."

Ben leaned over and kissed his temple. "You're a good man, Michael."

Emmett had to smile a little at the way Michael's face beamed back at the compliment.

After a dance and a trip to the backroom, Brian joined them at the bar and ordered another drink.

"Didn't you say Justin was at Daphne's?" Ben asked, looking toward the entrance.

Brian nodded before tossing back his drink. "She's sick."

"She must have made a remarkable recovery," Emmett mused.

At that comment, Brian looked up and followed the other man's gaze. Justin was moving toward the dance floor. As far as Brian could tell, the younger man hadn't even looked in their direction, let alone seen them. As he watched, Justin claimed a spot as his own and began to dance to the heavy beat. Within moments he had two men vying for the part of his dance partner if nothing else.

"Aren't you going to do something?" Michael asked his best friend.

Brian didn't acknowledge the question, but he *was* doing something. He was watching.

Justin's eyes were closed as though he was trying to lose himself in the music. When the first man pressed up against his back, Brian noticed the slight grimace before it was replaced with an obviously forced smile. As he continued to watch, Justin turned, opening his eyes to study his newly acquired dance partner. He continued to dance, but the moves were not the easy, natural ones he'd come to know so well. After a few minutes, Justin reached up to whisper in the other man's ear before taking his arm and leading him toward the backroom.

"There he goes again," Emmett sighed sadly. "Looks like we're in for a repeat performance of last night."

"We tried to talk to him," Michael hurried to explain. "Emmett even went back there once, but Justin told him to mind his own business."

Brian had heard and seen enough. Without a word to his friends, he made his way to the backroom, grabbing a willing companion on the way.

He leaned back against the wall and pushed the trick to his knees, his eyes riveted on the blond across the room. Justin was fucking the man from the dance floor, his eyes squeezed tight in something more resembling pain than pleasure. Once the trick shot his load, Justin pulled out, discarded the condom and tucked himself in, turning to leave the room without so much as a word to the other man. Brian tensed when he saw the trick grab Justin's arm, pulling him close to whisper something in the blond's ear. Justin just shook his head and once again turned, this time leaving the room without being stopped.

The man on his knees continued with his ministrations, and while Brian's body responded, his mind was on his young lover. It wasn't the first time he'd seen Justin in the backroom - far from it. But something was off. He was still pondering the strange behaviour when he was pulled from his thoughts by the vibrating of his cell phone. Placing one hand on the trick's head, he encouraged him to keep going while he took the call.

"Yeah."

"Brian?"

"Daphne," Brian drawled, closing his eyes as he shot his load. "Hold on."

Looking down, he saw the brunette smiling up at him. "We'll have to do this again sometime soon," the trick purred.

"Yeah, sure," Brian replied with a smirk. He zipped himself up and turned toward the corner of the room. "What is it?" he said into the phone.

"I'm sorry… Justin gave me the number in case of an emergency…"

"And is this one?" Brian asked, trying to sound nonchalant. He was hoping she had some insight into Justin's behaviour, but didn't want to sound like he was asking.

"I don't know," Daphne admitted. "Justin came here asking if he could stay the night. I don't know what happened, but it was obvious he was upset. When I tried to ask him what was wrong, he yelled at me and took off."

Brian's concern increased slightly with those words. While sometimes prone to drama, Justin usually told Daphne everything.

"I've seen him miserable before, but never anything like this." The young woman's voice continued on the other end of the line. "I don't know where he went and I'm really worried about him."

"I know where he is," Brian replied.

The sigh of relief from the girl was audible. "Thank God. Is he all right?"

That seemed to be the question of the hour. "I'll tell him to call you tomorrow," was all Brian could offer.

"Ok," she said reluctantly. "Um, Brian?"

"Yeah."

"Uh…nothing... I mean, just…"

The concern and caring in the young voice came through loud and clear. "I will," he said quietly, earning himself another sigh of relief.

"Ok, bye."

He snapped the phone shut and stood for a moment before turning to leave the backroom in search of Justin. He found Emmett and Ted at the bar and walked over to them, his eyes on the dance floor.

"Uh oh," Em murmured.

Ted looked in the direction his friend was looking. "What?"

"It's that guy from the other night." Brian joined them and Emmett tapped him on the shoulder. "You know that guy?" he asked, pointing to the man in question.

Brian saw Justin dancing with a tall blond and trying to ignore another, larger man who was trying to cut in. "Seen him around," Brian replied. "Why?"

"He was here the other night," Emmett answered, frowning slightly. "Was it Monday?"

"Tuesday," Ted corrected.

"Right. Tuesday. Anyway, he bumped into us and seemed to recognize Justin. Called him a party favour or something like that. Justin said he didn't know him but it seemed to shake him up a little."

As soon as the word party had been mentioned, Brian remembered where he'd seen the guy and with whom. Without saying anything, he made his way to where Justin was becoming visibly upset by the man's presence. "Is there a problem here?" he asked as he reached the trio.

Justin's head whipped around to stare wide-eyed at his lover. "Brian!"

Brian ignored the blond's obvious surprise, his gaze still trained on the large man who'd dropped Justin's arm the minute Brian spoke. "Well?"

"Uh… no, Kinney, no problem." He glanced at Justin and grinned. "I was just hoping to get a turn like everybody else."

Out of the corner of his eye, Brian saw Justin's face flush briefly before the colour disappeared from it altogether. "Is that what you want?"

"Uh, I'm going to go get a drink," the tall blond said, offering Justin a nervous smile. "Maybe another time."

Justin nodded at him, stealing a quick glance at Brian before looking away.

"That makes it easier," the larger man was saying to Justin.

"Justin." Brian's tone had Justin looking up at him, his expression a mixture of fear and panic. He softened his voice a little in response. "It's your call."

Glancing only briefly at the other man, Justin swallowed hard, his gaze once again locked with Brian's as he replied, "I'm going with you."

Brian turned back to the other man with a no-nonsense look. "There you have it. Now fuck off."

He looked from Brian to Justin and back again before slowly taking a step backward. "Have it your way, Kinney," he said with a sneer. Then, tossing a lecherous look in Justin's direction, he added. "See you around."

Justin closed his eyes briefly as the man turned and walked away.

"Ready to go?" Brian asked.

Unwilling to trust his voice, Justin merely nodded.

They were in the loft before either of them spoke another word.

Brian went to the fridge and got two bottles of water, handing one to Justin as he walked by to take a seat on the sofa. Looking up to where the younger man stood uncertainly near the island, he cocked one eyebrow in question. "Well?"

"Well, what?" Justin evaded the question.

"For starters, how's Daphne?"

Justin had the decency to blush. "She's fine." He paused for a moment. "She wasn't really sick, I just … I couldn't stay here. I needed some time to think."

Brian nodded slowly. "And? Did you?"

He only shrugged uncomfortably in response.

"Did those thoughts have anything to do with your new friend?"

The frown on the blond's face indicated his confusion at the question. "The one at Babylon," Brian clarified. "The one who seemed so sure he'd be seeing you later."

"He's not my friend," Justin hissed angrily.

Brian nodded again, feeling as though they were finally getting somewhere. "Good," he said, getting to his feet. "I'd like to think you had better taste than that."

He didn't miss the blush that crept into Justin's features. "How do you know him?" Brian seemed to consider his own words for a moment. "Better yet, how does he know you?"

There was a moment of silence in which Brian got a cigarette from the case on the coffee table and lit it.

"Just seen me around with you, I guess," Justin finally answered, straining for nonchalance.

Brian took a deep drag, then cut his eyes to his lover. "If I were to ask him the same question, would I get the same answer?"

Justin paled at the words and Brian felt a pang of something vaguely resembling dread. "Or would he tell me about Sap's party?" he asked quietly.

The question hung over the room like a dark cloud, confirming to Brian that he was on the right track. They'd never talked about it and, a year later, neither was any more anxious to do so.

"You were right, OK?" Justin finally relented. "While he was promising me I was only decoration, he was apparently promising his guests something else."

"You?" Brian asked bluntly.

Justin sighed. "I smoked some weed and I think he might have put something in my drink, I don't know. Before I knew it, there was this other guy in a sling and Gary was telling me I was next."

Brian's expression hardened but he didn't speak.

"I told him I didn't want to and when he persisted, I kneed him in the face and I left." He paused, taking a breath and allowing time for the words to register. "Nothing happened, Brian."

The other man huffed something resembling a laugh and just shook his head.

"I was stupid, I know that," Justin admitted.

"Damn right you were," Brian snapped angrily. "The question is, are you any fucking smarter now?"

Justin could only stare at him for a moment before uttering in a cold voice, "Fuck you, Brian. You don't get to walk through life as the untouchable Brian Kinney and then sit back and judge the rest of us."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Brian demanded defensively.

He looked away and breathed a heavy sigh. When his eyes returned to once again rest on Brian's, the anger had been replaced by regret. "I'm sorry," he said wearily. "It's not your fault."

Brian barked a harsh laugh. "Now there's one for the books." He was relieved to see a small smile touch Justin's lips and hoped the worst of the drama had passed. "Since we're making history here," he continued. "What exactly is it that's not my fault?" He silently cursed himself when he saw the smile disappear and Justin visibly tense. Breathing a sigh, he ran one hand through his hair, stubbing the cigarette out with the other as he considered his options. When he looked up once again, his lover looked ready to flee. "You don't have to run from me," he said quietly.

"I'm not," Justin said, his tone far from convincing.

They simply looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity. It was Brian who broke the silence with the two words Justin had been hoping to avoid.

"What happened?"

He pulled himself up to his full height, trying to project a confidence he was far from feeling. "Nothing. I already told you that."

"Not the party," Brian said, maintaining eye contact. "Tuesday night."

Justin's eyes widened slightly.

"I'm not stupid, Justin. Emmett told me that guy said something to you that night. Since then you've been avoiding me and acting like an asshole to everyone else."

The blue eyes looked away, flitting from one surface to another in an attempt to avoid their hazel counterparts.

"What happened, Justin?"

Though the words were spoken softly, they seemed to ignite a fire in Justin who turned an angry gaze on his lover. "What do you want me to say, Brian?" he demanded coldly. "That it was my own fault? That I should have known better?"

Brian had to swallow the bile rising in his throat. "Did he…"

"No!" Justin cut him off sharply. "I know what you're thinking, but the fact is, I let him, OK?" He took a step closer, his eyes blazing with barely controlled fury. "I let him fuck me, is that what you wanted to hear?"

"That depends," Brian said in a calm he was far from feeling. "Did you want to let him?"

The words had the effect of a physical blow and Justin staggered back a step.

"You don't have to answer to me," Brian continued, his voice steady. "But don't fucking lie to yourself, Justin."

Justin began shaking his head slowly. "I don't want to do this," he whispered.

Brian stepped forward and placed his hands on the younger man's shoulders. "I know you don't," he said simply, "but…"

In an instant the anger was back. "It's so fucking easy for you!" he yelled, twisting out of Brian's reach. "But you just don't get it! You have no idea what it's like for me!"

This time, while still worrisome, the anger didn't come as so much of a surprise. "Ok," he said calmly with a slow nod of his head. "Why don't you tell me."

"What?" Justin demanded, turning to fix the other man with an incredulous glare.

"Tell me what it's like for you," Brian prodded, crossing his arms casually over his chest. "Just what is it that I don't get?"

Justin's mouth dropped open in surprise for a moment before he began pacing irritably back and forth in front of the sofa. "Don't fucking play games with me, Brian."

"I'm not."

The tone was so sincere, Justin stopped in his tracks to look long and hard at his lover. "What do you want from me?" he finally asked.

"The truth."

He saw the fire building in Justin's eyes once again, but held the other man's gaze steadily.

"Fine. You want the truth, here it is. I'm not you, Brian. Half of this fucking city is afraid of you, the other's in awe. If it's not the legendary stud they see, it's the ballsy ad exec or just the most arrogant asshole they've ever met. It doesn't matter, the results are the same." His voice continued to rise as he continued. "You know what they see when they look at me? If it's not the poor bashing victim, it's that fucking blond twink that showed up a few years ago."

Brian opened his mouth to say something, but Justin cut him off.

"Not just any twink, though," he went on with a wry laugh. "Brian Kinney's twink. 'He must be a good fuck if Kinney's been keeping him on the side all this time'," he said in a tone mocking the local gossips. "Don't tell me you haven't heard it all before."

"Of course I've heard it, I just don't give a fuck what they think," Brian said firmly. "I didn't think you did either."

"I don't!" Justin yelled. "I don't give a flying fuck what they think of me, or us, OK?"

"Then why all the drama?" Brian asked.

"Because there's always someone like that asshole who wants to do more than just think! They want to know first hand what's managed to hold the Kinney interest so long!"

Brian didn't like the sound of this and his frown showed it. "Justin, you don't have to…"

"You're right, I don't!" Justin's voice was nearing an hysterical pitch. "I can just tell him to fuck off, right Brian? Well, guess what? I did that and he…"

The flow of angry words came to a sudden halt as Justin seemed to regain control of his tongue. "Fuck it," he hissed, moving toward the door. "It doesn't matter."

Brian grabbed his arm before he could reach the exit, turning him until they were face to face. "He what?"

Tears shone in Justin's eyes, but he only shook his head adamantly.

"He what?" Brian repeated, putting more emphasis on the latter of the two words. "Tell me, Justin."

"Why?" Justin shot back furiously. "What the fuck would it change at this point?"

Brian seemed to deflate at the words. Nothing. It wouldn't change anything. Still, as much as he didn't want to know, he could see it was tearing his lover apart. "You're right," he finally acquiesced. "It won't change a fucking thing." He let go of Justin's arm but stayed close, their faces inches apart. "Your way is much better. Give it up before anyone can take it, make sure you keep believing this is what you want, that you're the one calling the shots." He wanted to take the man in his arms when the wave of pain washed through the blue eyes, but he maintained his stance, challenging the younger man in hopes that he'd fight back.

"I am calling the shots," Justin finally hissed.

"Bullshit."

"What the fuck do you know?" Justin demanded angrily.

"I saw you tonight," Brian informed him. "In the backroom." He waited while Justin digested that bit of news.

"Did you enjoy the show?" he asked, his mouth twisting into a cruel smirk, though his eyes still radiated a combination of fear and loathing.

"No," Brian replied, "But not for the reasons you might think."

Justin's slight frown was a sign that he was at least listening and Brian took advantage of the opportunity to press a little harder. "The question is, did you enjoy it?"

"I took him back there, not the other way around," he answered angrily. "What do you think?"

"I think you wanted control," Brian replied without hesitation. "I think you needed to be the one in charge."

"Yeah, well, you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?" Justin challenged.

"Yeah," Brian admitted honestly. "I would."

Justin's eyes widened in surprise at the admission before filling with tears as Brian continued.

"But this isn't about me," he said quietly. "Is it?"

"I don't know what you want me to say, Brian," he whispered.

Brian pulled him into a hug and whispered in his ear. "Tell me you're OK."

He had to squeeze his eyes shut for fear that the emotions surging inside would pour out uninvited. He wouldn't cry like a silly faggot, not over this, it just wasn't worth it. But Brian was waiting for a response - he deserved one. Digging deep, he came up with the only honest one he had. His voice cracked as he managed to choke out, "I don't know if I can, Brian."

No further words passed Justin's lips and, after a while, Brian led his exhausted lover toward the bedroom, luring him with only the promise of sleep. He helped the younger man into the bed, then sat beside him, rubbing his back in a soothing motion until he finally drifted off into merciful oblivion.

********

Brian waited until he was sure his lover was asleep before quietly leaving the bedroom. One hand attempted to knead the stiffness from the back of his neck while the other poured a healthy shot of Beam into a glass. He downed it quickly, then poured another and took it with him to sit on the sofa. Staring into the amber liquid, he tried to decide on his next move, assuming he had one.

"No!"

Brian was on his feet and across the room in a flash, slowing as he approached the struggling figure in the bed. "Justin," he said softly, reaching out to touch the agitated form.

As soon as his hand touched Justin's arm, the blond bolted upright in the bed, eyes wide. "No!"

"It's all right, Justin, it's me," Brian assured him.

"Brian," Justin breathed, closing his eyes in relief.

"Yeah." Brian moved to sit next to him on the bed, carefully drawing the trembling man into his arms. After a moment, he said simply, "Bad dream?"

Justin huffed something resembling a strangled laugh. "Yeah, you could say that."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not really," Justin answered, pulling out of his lover's arms and leaving the bed.

Brian watched as he disappeared into the bathroom, returning a moment later after relieving himself and washing his hands. When Justin pulled out a pair of sweats, he frowned slightly. "What are you doing?"

"I don't want to go back to sleep," Justin said quietly. "I thought I'd see what's on TV."

Brian considered that along with the dark circles under Justin's eyes. "Has it been this way every night?" he asked softly.

Justin straightened, turned to where his lover sat in the bed and nodded silently.

"Come here," Brian said, holding out his hand.

Justin crawled in beside him and snuggled into Brian's chest. "I'm so tired," he murmured.

"I know." Brian stroked his blond hair gently as he held him. "Try to sleep. I'll be right here."

"Promise?"

He kissed the top of the tousled head. "Promise."

Brian awoke to the sound of Justin's voice. While he wasn't in full-blown nightmare mode yet, his sleep was far from restful. Employing all the tricks he'd learned in the nights following the bashing, he stroked his lover's back and whispered soothing words into his ear. After a few moments, the restless motions ceased and the blond's breathing was slow and even.

He was glad that he'd been able to ward off the latest nightmare but knew they couldn't go on like that indefinitely. As he adjusted his position to keep watch over his lover's sleep, he came to a decision.

He only hoped it wouldn't turn out to be the wrong one.

********

Justin awoke to the bright light of late morning and it took him a moment to adjust to his surroundings. As soon as he remembered the previous night's events, he sat up, looking around for his lover.

"Brian?"

"Yeah?"

He heard the sound of the toilet flush and Brian appeared in the doorway.

"Nothing, I just …"

Brian looked at him for a moment and then went to wash his hands quickly. When he returned to the bed, he leaned over and kissed Justin gently. "I told you I'd be here."

Justin nodded slowly as a slight blush crept into his face. "Yeah, you did."

"Hungry?"

"A little," he replied with a shrug.

"Feel like going out?"

"Not really." He paused for a second. "But you go ahead. I mean, if you promised Michael or something…"

"The only promise I made was to you," Brian informed him. "And I intend to keep it." He studied Justin's face for a moment. "I'm here for as long as you need me."

He had to swallow the lump in his throat before he could reply. "That could be a very, very long time," he whispered in a voice thick with emotion.

There were so many things he could say in reply to that, but with everything else going on, he thought it best to keep things light. "In that case, we should probably eat."

Justin huffed a surprised laugh and Brian was glad he'd chosen to steer the conversation away from emotions. They younger man had looked to be on the verge of tears and neither of them needed the additional tension at the moment.

He had a feeling there'd be plenty of that to go around soon enough.

********

They'd finished eating and Brian sat on one of the stools watching Justin put things away. After a moment, he got to his feet. "I'm going to take a shower."

"'K," Justin replied, not looking up.

"Care to join me?"

Justin's movements stilled for a good thirty seconds before he finally shrugged. "I'll just take one later."

Brian took a deep breath. This was his chance. "What exactly are you afraid of, Justin?"

The blond head snapped up instantly and he whirled to face his lover. "What?! I'm not…"

"Bullshit," Brian cut him off shortly. "Is it me?"

"No! Of course not!"

"Is it what I might see? Marks? Bruises?"

Justin's face paled. The bruises on his upper arm were practically gone, as were the ones on his hips. He hadn't even thought about them when he'd turned down Brian's invitation. And he didn't want to think about them now. "No," he answered the question before adding in a pleading whisper, "Please, Brian, don't do this."

Brian took a step closer, feeling like a cold hand was clenching the inside of his gut. "Don't do what? Don't wonder if the truth could possibly be worse than some of the things that have been running through my head?"

"Brian…" Justin's voice was barely audible and he had to close his eyes against the pain he could see in his lover's.

"Or if you're in pain, or if he was safe, or if…"

"Stop it!"

Brian waited, glad that he'd elicited a reaction.

"It wasn't like that," Justin finally said in a quiet voice.

"The nightmares are back," Brian pointed out gently. "You're not sleeping. Tell me what I'm supposed to think, Justin."

He was torn. As much as he didn't want to tell Brian what he'd done, neither did he want the man tortured by whatever scenarios his mind was conjuring up. Without a word, he slowly walked over to the sofa and sat down.

Brian hesitated just a moment before joining his partner, taking a seat by his side. He realized that Justin had chosen the current seating arrangement for a reason. Side by side, they didn't have to look at one another, but were still close enough to touch if the need arose. As the man by his side took a deep breath, he felt himself tensing.

"You were right," Justin said quietly, studying his hands as they fidgeted nervously in his lap. "He was at Sap's party."

Brian nodded and put one arm around his lover's shoulders in silent encouragement.

"They were waiting for me when I came out of the club that night," he went on in a hushed voice. "He and his friend. He said we had… unfinished business."

Despite the clenching of his jaw, Brian managed to keep his hold on the blond gentle and unthreatening.

Justin leaned closer, resting his head on Brian's shoulder, grateful that he couldn't see the other man's eyes as the details emerged.

"He wanted to go back to his place and I told him I wasn't interested." He paused for a long moment, closing his eyes as the memory of the man's laughter made its way to the surface. "Somebody came out of the club and they pulled me into the alley out of sight. I tried to yell for help, Brian, I swear, but he had his hand over my mouth and was pinning me to the wall." He swallowed the fear rising in his throat at the mere memory. "I could hear Emmett's voice and I knew they were walking to Ted's car, but I couldn't do anything and then they were gone and I was alone."

Brian pulled him closer in response to the desolation he heard in the other man's voice.

"And then I just … stopped."

His lover frowned slightly and was about to ask for clarification when Justin continued.

"I stopped struggling, stopped trying to call out. I just stopped." His voice took on a hard edge. "I agreed to go back to his place and we fucked, end of story."

Brian knew it was far from the end of the story. "Did they hurt you?" he asked quietly.

Justin shook his head slightly. "We all got what we wanted and then I came home."

Brian's mind was reeling. We? We all got what *we* wanted? "What the fuck did *you* want out of that?"

There was a long silence as Justin considered the question. "To not be a victim," he finally whispered.

Brian had to swallow the lump in his throat that those words invoked. "Justin, it was …"

"No," Justin said emphatically, getting to his feet in one hurried motion. He turned to look down at his lover, his eyes ablaze with anger. "Don't you dare try to turn this into something it's not. I told you what happened. It was my choice!"

"Fuck!" Brian bellowed, jumping to his feet. "That's not a choice, Justin, it's a fucking capitulation! Don't tell me you don't know the goddamned difference!"

"And don't you tell me you know what I'm thinking!" Justin shouted back. "It *was* a choice, MY choice! I made it and I'll fucking live with it!"

"And when he wants a repeat performance like he did last night, then what?" Brian demanded. "Or what about when he brags to his friends how easy it was and they come looking for their share? What then, Justin? You going to choose all of them, too?"

The colour drained instantly from Justin's face and he looked like he was going to collapse. Without thinking, Brian reached out and pulled him close, their chests heaving together as they both fought for control of their emotions.

"What the fuck am I doing?" Justin breathed anxiously as he clutched his lover's shirt. "Oh God, Brian."

"It's OK," Brian tried to reassure him. "Take it easy." He rubbed small circles on his lover's back as he held him, trying to offer what comfort he could.

"Brian," Justin gasped frantically. "I can't breathe."

"Yes, you can," he replied calmly. "Breathe with me, Justin. Come on."

It took a moment, but he managed to time his breaths with those of his lover and before long, he could feel his heartbeat begin to slow as well.

Brian continued to hold him for long moments once the panic had subsided, knowing that his lover needed the physical closeness. "Better?" he finally asked.

Justin nodded against his chest. "I really fucked up," he said quietly. "I can't believe I thought going with him would somehow make it better than…" He paused for a moment. "It didn't, Brian. It's not better."

"You're alive and in one piece," Brian pointed out. "If your so-called fuck-up is what kept you that way, then I'm not complaining."

Justin took a deep, shaky breath and let it out. "I don't … I don't know what to do," he admitted reluctantly.

"Whatever it is, we can do it together."

Pulling back slightly, Justin studied the other man's face. "This is my problem."

Brian seemed to consider that. "And you're mine."

Justin rolled his eyes and tried to look away, but Brian's hand gently holding his chin prevented it. "And that's *my* choice, OK?"

They looked into each other's eyes for a moment before Justin nodded with a relieved smile.

Returning the smile, Brian slowly leaned down to initiate the first real kiss they'd shared in a week. When it ended, they were both breathless and Brian pressed his forehead against that of his lover, closing his eyes. "I think maybe I missed you."

Justin's ensuing smile was short-lived and he broke the intimate physical connection while he cleared his throat. "Brian… about what you said earlier."

Brian felt as though he'd just had the weight of the world collapse on him and he closed his eyes. Oh, no.

Justin knew he needed to assuage the other man's fears but didn't want to torture him further with unnecessary details. He didn't need to know the friend had also taken his turn; he didn't need to hear about positions or the number of times they'd taken advantage of his reluctantly willing body before he'd been allowed to leave otherwise unscathed.

But there was one thing he did need to know. How better to tell him than to use the same words Brian himself had used not so long ago, words that had triggered memories of safety and had been his only source of comfort during the nightmarish ordeal he was so desperate to forget.

"Never without a condom."

The whispered words permeated the fog of dread shrouding Brian's mind and his eyes flew open to stare into the face of his lover. One single tear, the first he'd seen throughout the recent drama, began to track its way slowly down Justin's smooth cheek and he reached out to brush it away with the pad of his thumb, his gaze still locked with Justin's. When he felt tears of relief burning behind his own eyes he quickly pulled the younger man close, effectively hiding his face in the smooth strands of golden silk.

Justin returned the embrace with a matching intensity, reveling in the closeness, both physical and emotional, that he'd missed during the last week. Of all the scenarios he'd imagined upon Brian finding out, this was the one he'd filed under the heading of wishful thinking. He'd envisioned his lover walking out without a word to drown what he'd heard in booze and nameless tricks. At the very least, he'd been prepared for a scathing lecture on how to avoid the type of situation he'd found himself in. Only in the deepest recesses of his heart had he imagined Brian holding him like he currently was, comforting him with words that dispelled the guilt and shame he'd been feeling.

And he was sure that he'd never love anyone as much as he did Brian at that moment.

"God, I love you," he whispered fiercely, unable to hold back the strong emotion coursing through him.

Brian reluctantly loosened his hold, pulling back just enough to press their foreheads together in a comfortingly familiar gesture. His eyes seemed to glow with the soft light usually reserved for Gus and Justin was sure he was hearing the words loud and clear, despite the fact that Brian's lips were still.

Justin drew a shaky breath. "What now?" he asked uncertainly.

"That's up to you," Brian informed him. "We can talk to Carl if you want, file a report."

The blond head was shaking before Brian had a chance to get the words out. "I don't want to go through what we did after prom," he said quietly. While he'd been comatose during the legal proceedings, he'd still had to put up with his share of media interest following his release from the hospital. Though Brian had never talked about it, he suspected his lover had gone through even worse in the days immediately following the attack. He didn't want either of them to have to go through that again.

"It's your call," Brian was saying. "Whatever gets you through."

"The worst part was you not knowing," Justin admitted quietly. "I felt like I'd disappointed you and I just couldn't…"

"You didn't," Brian assured him firmly as his lover's voice trailed off. "You don't ever have to be afraid to tell me anything, Justin." He saw one blond eyebrow creeping upward and huffed a self-deprecating laugh. "So I'm not always the easiest person to talk to." He paused for a moment. "But I don't ever want you to feel like you can't at least try." He drew his lips between his teeth in a gesture that Justin had come to recognize as one of uncustomary vulnerability.

"I'll remember that," Justin promised with a small smile.

They were both silent for a long moment, each wondering where to go from there.

"Brian," he finally ventured. "I wasn't trying to avoid you, I was… I mean, I guess I was but it wasn't…"

"It's OK," Brian tried to reassure him.

"No, it isn't," Justin countered quietly. "Every time I was with a trick, I was wishing it could be you. I just…" He lowered his eyes while he continued in a hurried breath. "I was afraid I'd picture … I didn't want them to ruin what we have that way."

Brian took his chin between thumb and forefinger and raised it until their eyes met. He studied the blue eyes for a moment before slowly leaning in to capture his lover's lips in a deep, lingering kiss. When they parted, his intent gaze once again claimed Justin's. "The only way they have that kind of power is if you give it to them," he said quietly.

A combination of relief and love flooded through Justin at the words. "I won't, not with you to help me," he whispered. "I need you, Brian…I need to feel you inside me."

Brian took that as his cue and led his lover to the bedroom. Once there, he slowly removed the younger man's clothes, taking care to worship every newly exposed patch of skin with warm lips and fingers. When he was naked, he gently guided him to lay on the bed before removing his own clothing efficiently. Stretching out beside the lithe body, he pulled the other man into his arms, kissing him deeply before whispering in his ear. "Nothing matters but this, right here, right now."

Justin could only nod mutely as emotion choked his throat. When Brian proceeded to trail soft kisses along his jaw and down his throat, he closed his eyes, his entire world reduced to the sensations only his lover could generate.

Once he'd kissed every inch of skin available to him, Brian reached for the lube and condom on the night stand. "Roll over," he whispered gently.

Without hesitation, Justin rolled lazily onto his stomach, his mind floating in a pleasant haze of arousal. He moaned softly as Brian's lips slowly tacked a path down his back until they reached the swell of his ass. When he felt the warmth of his lover's tongue at his hole, the moan turned to a whimper and he heard Brian chuckle softly even as he felt the accompanying breath against his skin.

"Easy, Justin," Brian soothed.

"Easy can wait," Justin panted. "I need you to fuck me now."

Brian sheathed his cock and then proceeded to open his lover as quickly and gently as possible. Once the slender hips were bucking in anticipation, he removed his fingers and positioned his cock at the ready entrance. Slowly, he pushed his way inside, encouraged by the way Justin pushed back against him. When he was fully embedded, he leaned forward and kissed one pale shoulder gently. "You feel so good," he murmured.

"Brian," Justin pleaded, sending the other man into motion. The strokes started out slow and deep, gathering momentum as they fell into a familiar rhythm. When Justin's moans reached a fevered pitch, Brian reached below the writhing body of his lover and grasped the hard leaking cock in his hand. With two firm strokes, Justin was screaming Brian's name, pumping his load into his lover's hand. Brian thrust deeply once, twice, three more times and then he, too, was flying over the edge, filling the condom to capacity before collapsing on the satiated body beneath him.

"That was fucking fantastic," he murmured, kissing the back of Justin's neck before pulling carefully out and rolling to his lover's side.

Justin rolled closer, pressing his body against Brian's and planting a warm kiss on his lover's heaving chest before resting his head there. "Mmmm," he agreed.

"You OK?" Brian asked, pulling the smaller body protectively into his arms.

Justin considered the question before tilting his head to look into his lover's eyes. "Right now or in general?"

Brian reached down and kissed the tip of his nose. "Both."

Justin thought about it for a moment and nodded slowly. "Right now, here with you, I feel amazing." He paused, looking down at Brian's chest where his fingers were tracing obscure patterns. "In general, I just don't know."

While glad for the honest answer, Brian had been hoping for something more. He knew it was naïve to think that it would be so easy, but that hadn't stopped him from hoping. "Well then," he said, pulling Justin closer until the blond head once again rested on his chest. "I guess we'll just have to take it one amazing moment at a time, won't we?"

Justin smiled, turning his head to place a kiss on the sweaty skin of his lover. He wasn't sure that Brian knew how much it meant to hear him say 'we' and he didn't want to ruin it by calling undue attention to it. "Yeah," said quietly. "I guess we will."

********

Friday night found them at Deb's for the family dinner. The evening had been pleasant and the girls were getting ready to take Gus home to bed. Brian was watching his son playing with Justin, an affectionate smile gracing his lips.

"My, my, don't we look mellow," Em said, sidling up to Brian. "To what do we owe this uncharacteristic contentment?"

Brian shot him a warning look, but it had little venom in it. Returning his attention to his son and his lover, he merely countered with, "To what do I owe this characteristic butting in?"

Emmett only nudged him playfully with his hip. "Haven't seen you guys much this week," he said. "I guess Ted's calculations were pretty accurate, huh?"

"What calculations?" he asked with a puzzled frown.

"Well, he's got this formula," Em explained enthusiastically. "He figures for every day you're away, that's one day we don't see you once you get back, give or take a day depending on the work week, of course."

"Of course," Brian said slowly as though it made all the sense in the world. "What the fuck are you talking about, Emmett?"

"Reunion sex," Ted interjected as he joined them. "You were scheduled home on Sunday, I predicted you two wouldn't make it out of the loft before Friday and as it turns out," he said with a smug smile, "I was 100% accurate."

Brian rolled his eyes. "Remind me when Christmas rolls around that you need a life," he muttered.

Emmett was watching Justin trying to get Gus into his jacket. "He seems better," he said, casting a casual glance in Brian's direction.

"Yeah," Brian agreed. They'd made some progress during the course of the week, he thought. Justin's nightmares had gradually decreased to the point where he hadn't had one in the last two nights. They'd talked about it when they'd had to, but for the most part, had relegated it to an unpleasant but equally unimportant place in their lives. Both were determined that it wasn't going to dictate how they lived and they'd made great strides in that direction.

Ted wandered off to talk to Michael and Emmett seemed to study Brian thoughtfully.

"You have something on your mind, or are you just capturing the moment for posterity?" Brian finally asked, uncomfortable with the scrutiny.

"Just thinking," Emmett mused aloud. "Did you hear what happened to that guy who was giving Justin a hard time at Babylon that night?"

"Gossip isn't my style," Brian replied, affecting a bored tone.

"Mmm, true," Emmett murmured in acknowledgement, though it didn't stop him from continuing. "Seems he had a rather nasty run-in with a disgruntled trick a couple of nights ago. Spent the night at Allegheny General from what I hear."

"And you thought this might interest me because…?" Brian prompted.

Emmett shrugged with a knowing smile. "Rumour has it that it's not the first time he's tried his heavy-handed techniques. Some say it's time he got what was coming to him."

"Maybe they're right," Brian said with little interest.

"Maybe," Em returned. "Funny thing, though. I was on my way to Torso and saw you talking to that very same trick only hours before it all happened." He smiled sweetly when Brian shot him a surprised look. "Small world, hmm?"

"Yeah," Brian replied cautiously. "Guess so."

With a conspiratorial wink, Emmett left to say goodbye to Mel and Lindsay.

Justin, having already said his good-byes, made his way to Brian's side. "Lindsay wants to know if you'll carry Gus to the car," he said on a chuckle. "He says he's not going anywhere unless you do."

Brian smirked and kissed his lover quickly. "Then do I get to carry you to the car, Sunshine?"

"That would be a no," Justin replied with a laugh, "But if you're good, I might let you tuck me in later."

"Mmmm," Brian murmured, kissing him again. "And if I'm bad?"

"Ohhh, but when you're bad, you are so very, very good," Justin teased, slipping his arms around his lover's waist.

"So it's win-win for me, huh?" Brian asked with a smirk.

"Isn't it always?"

Lindsay interrupted the playful banter by thrusting a recalcitrant Gus into Brian's arms. "Will you please take your son to the car?" she asked, her tone bordering on frustration.

Brian kissed his suddenly content son on the cheek and turned to Justin. "Notice how he's my son when he's acting up."

Justin just cocked an eyebrow and Brian rolled his eyes. "Come on, Sonny Boy. You're going for a car ride."

"Cow Wide!" Gus exclaimed in excitement, causing Justin to laugh. "Cow Wide, Jussin!"

"That's right, Gus," Justin said, kissing the toddler on the cheek. "You go for a car ride and we'll see you on Sunday."

"Kay. Night, Jussin!"

Brian waited patiently while Gus said good-bye to everyone else before carrying the small boy to where Mel and Lindsay were waiting in the car. When he returned to the house, he found the others discussing plans for the rest of the night.

"You and Justin coming to Babylon?" Michael asked his best friend. "It's been a while."

Brian looked over at Justin and saw an uncertainty in the blue eyes. "If we show, we show," he said in response.

"Fine," Michael said, rolling his eyes. Turning to Ted and Emmett, he added, "Come on, guys.

Once in the Jeep, Brian put the key in the ignition and turned to look at Justin. "It's your call. Where do you want to go?"

They hadn't been back to Babylon since the night Brian had returned from New York and Justin had appreciated his lover's patience. "One incident isn't going to rule the rest of my life," he said in determination. "Let's go."

"Fine, but if it's too soon or anyone gives you a hard time, you tell me, got it?"

"Got it," he replied with a smile. With that, they headed for the dance club.

Justin let out a breath as they walked through the entrance. There were so many good memories attached to the place that he couldn't help feeling glad they he'd decided not to let the bad ones rule his actions. "Let's dance," he said, leaning close to his lover in order to be heard over the music.

They were making their way to the dance floor when someone made a move toward Justin, only to have his friend grab him by the arm. "That's Kinney's twink," he was heard informing the newcomer.

Justin saw Brian's jaw clench. "It's OK," he said, taking his lover's arm. "Don't worry about it."

Brian looked at him and smiled, then slinging an arm around the younger man's shoulders, he approached the man who'd had the misfortune of being overheard. "Excuse me," he said, tapping the man none too gently on the shoulder. "I don't think you've been properly introduced." Pulling Justin close, he kissed his temple. "This is Justin, Justin Taylor. Currently in his second year at PIFA, first freshman to win the Aspiring Artist of the Year Award, former King of Babylon, recipient of a commendation from the Dean for innovative use of digital imagery, best ass in Pittsburgh and …" He paused, furrowing his brow as he looked at Justin. "Am I forgetting anything?"

Justin was blushing both from embarrassment and happiness. He wasn't even sure Brian had registered some of those accomplishments, let alone remembered them. "Uh, no, I don't think so," he murmured, rolling his eyes but unable to hide a smile.

"Oh!" Brian exclaimed, turning back to the stunned stranger. "And 1500 on his SATs," he concluded with a sweet smile, causing Justin to laugh out loud. Frowning at the man, Brian asked, "And you are?"

"Uh, Steve," the man said meekly. "Steve Lawford."

"Steve," Brian repeated with a nod. Turning to Justin, he said, "Justin, this is Steve Lawford."

"So I heard," Justin replied, repressing a laugh as he nodded in Steve's direction. "Steve."

"Pleased to meet you," Steve said, offering a sincere smile to Justin before casting an uncertain look in Brian's direction.

"You should be," Brian said, his voice containing none of its former playfulness. "Now fuck off."

Justin waited until the two men had hurried away before burying his face in his lover's chest. "You are SO bad," he said, laughing.

"You said it yourself, Sunshine," Brian grinned wickedly.

Justin looked up into Brian's face, his blue eyes twinkling. "When you're bad, you're very, very good," he repeated his words from earlier but in a far more sultry tone.

Brian kissed him hard, then whispered in his ear. "And I plan on proving it as soon as I get you home."

"Then I suggest we stop talking and start dancing," Justin suggested, grabbing the other man's hand and leading him onto the dance floor.

Brian smiled at the back of the blond head. He didn't dare hope that all their problems were behind them, but the light was once again dancing in Justin's eyes, and that was enough.

For now.

THE END

Return to Kimberley