Twins Redux

part 4

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Meanwhile at the tastefully appointed penthouse of Joey and Aidan

Excitedly Aidan yells, "Joey, where are you?"

Joey enters from the kitchen and knows from the look in Aidan's eyes that he succeeded in hurting that cute kid from the diner. What does Aidan call him? Oh yeah, he calls him 'Brian's twink.' I wonder what his real name is.

"Hi what's up? Did you have a good day?"

Aidan bends down and gives Joey a lip-bruising kiss, a kiss that is devoid of passion, but full of possession and answers. Sounding much like a kid in a candy store. Aidan responds, "I didn't think that I would get to enjoy him getting hurt, but you could hear the scream two blocks away and when he came back from the hospital both his hands were bandaged and he looked like he was trying not to cry. God it was perfect. It's going to be hard to top this."

"Top it, but don't you think it's enough. Aidan they might put you in jail. You've never done anything quite like this before. Before they were never sure that it was you, but this time they're going to know. What if they call the police? What if…"

Joey never gets to finish his sentence as an irate Aidan lashes out at him both verbally and physically. "You just couldn't let me enjoy my victory. You always have to bring me down. Why the hell do I put up with you? You are useless."

After his tirade Joey lies prone on the floor clutching his side sure that once again Aidan has bruised if not broken several ribs. "Aidan, that's not what I was trying to do I'm worried that they'll take you from me. I'm sorry. Please don't be angry."

*Leave him. Leave him before it's too late.*

Aidan calmly asks, "What's for dinner? I'm starved."

Rising gingerly from the floor Joey hesitantly answers, "I made your favorite-prime rib and asparagus with garlic potatoes and chocolate mouse pie. If that's not okay we can go out."

Kissing Joey's forehead Aidan answers, "That's fine baby. You know how much I love your prime rib."

Walking way Aidan begins to talk to himself again, "Now I still need, fingernail, a piece of clothing and blood…Hmm…"

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8:00 a.m. the following morning Justin's bedroom

Justin snuggles closer to Brian and enjoys the warmth of his body and the smell that is uniquely Brian. He needs to go to the bathroom, but is reluctant to open his eyes and let go of what he is sure is just a very vivid dream. Brian isn't here and he won't be for two more days. His body's needs win out and he opens his eyes only to find that he is not dreaming. Brian is there.

Startled to find his lover in bed with him Justin abruptly sits up jarring the bed and waking Brian.

"Justin…you okay?"

"Yeah. What are you doing here?"

"What, not glad to see me?"

Still surprised and more than a little disoriented Justin answers, "No…I mean yes… but you weren't supposed to be back until late on Monday. How…"

"I was on Liberty Air business. Remember? I simply called a rep that got me on an earlier flight. Now, it's early and I'm tired, go back to sleep." Lying back down as if it were the most natural thing for him to be in bed with Justin in Debbie's house Brian feels Justin get out of bed. "Where are you going?…Are you all right?…Do your hands hurt?"

"Yeah they hurt a little but I'm fine I just have to go to the bathroom." Once outside the door Justin smiles as he walks into the bathroom the pain in hands all but forgotten and quietly chants, "Brian Kinney gives a shit…"

Justin finishes in the bathroom in record time. He is anxious to get back to Brain. He is a little disappointed to find Brian sound asleep, but he's still here and that's enough.

Justin slowly crawls back in bed, the pain in his hands momentarily forgotten, but his reprieve from the pain is short lived. "Ow!"

"Justin?"

"Sorry Brian. I didn't mean to wake you. I bumped my hand getting back into bed."

Brian reaches for the distraught teen and pulls him down-chest to chest. It's okay Sonnyboy."

With a sharp in drawn breath and pain tinged voice, "Brian! I can't…Let me up, PLEASE. It hurts?"

Brian quickly lets go of the now sobbing teen. "Justin…Baby, come on talk to me…What did I do? Talk to ME!"

"I'm sorry Brain. I'm okay it's just that the burns on my stomach hurt. Wiping the tears from his eyes he suddenly gives Brian a 1000-watt smile, "Did you just call me Baby?"

"Me? Are you kidding? I think the pain must be effecting your hearing." Once again reaching for Justin, he pulls the youth into an intimate embrace. This time he settles the teen between his legs, chest to back.

Nuzzling Justin's neck and placing soft barely there kisses against his ear and jawline he does the one thing he knows will calm his blond beauty-he sings in a clear and lilting tenor.

Oh Sonnyboy, the pipes, the pipes are calling

From glen to glen, and down the mountain side

The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying

'tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.

But come you back when summer's in the meadow

Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow

'tis I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow

Oh Sonnyboy, oh Sonnyboy, I love you so.

And if you come, when all the flowers are dying

And I am dead, as dead I well may be

You'll come and find the place where I am lying

And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.

And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me

And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be

If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me

I simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

Before he finishes the second verse Justin is asleep, but he continues to sing. The song isn't just for his Baby. Finally, he settles down to join the teen in some much-needed slumber.

So bent on soothing Justin, Brian forgets that the walls at Debbie's are paper-thin and that others can also hear his impromptu concert.

Downstairs at the kitchen table

"Damn, good looking, intelligent, successful, and the voice of an angel, if it weren't for his screwed up psyche he'd be fucking perfect."

"Yeah Sis, you're right, but you know what the Buddhist or is it the Hindus…somebody believes that only God is perfect and we all know that Brian is not God…the devil maybe. Although I often think that he might be the reincarnation of somebody like Alexander the Great or maybe the illegitimate child of some Roman god come down to Earth to play with us mortals."

Vic and Debbie both begin to laugh. Then Debbie abruptly stops when she realizes that Michael isn't joining them.

"Sympathetically Vic pats Michael's shoulder as his mother addresses him, "Michael when are you going to get you head out of your ass and recognize that Brian cares for this kid…Hell, he may actually be falling in love. Michael let him go. You have David…"

"Ma! You're the one not seeing things straight. He just feels sorry for him. He feels responsible that's all…so what if he flew back after he got hurt…and the singing…that's…that's just a seduction tool. Nothing else. As for the rest…Ma he's my best friend, so I can't let go."

Vic and Debbie share a knowing look, but opt not to say anything. Suddenly Michael jumps up from the table.

"Where are you going?"

"Where do you think, ma? I came to see Brian. Now I'm going to see him."

Rolling her eyes, Debbie throws her hands up in the air and all but shouts, "God, please give my son a clue."

Vic's quiet voice stops Michael. "I wouldn't go up there if I were you."

"Look Vic if they were…you know. We'd hear it."

"That's not why. Brian gave strict orders and I quote. 'I know this is your house, but if anyone bothers me or Justin before noon I will personally tear them a new one.' End quote."

"Come on he was just tired and cranky. Beside even if he did mean it, he didn't mean me."

Vic reaches into his robe pocket and pulls out a folded slip of paper and hands it to Michael.

Michael's hand shakes as he takes the note. There are 5 words on the page:

That includes you, Mikey

B.

Michael looks up from the page and simply leaves without uttering another word.

Sadden, Debbie shakes her head, "He's never going to learn."

When Justin awoke sometime after 1:00 he was in bed alone…well almost alone. Next to him was a large bear made of mink and a note that read:

To Sonnyboy:

Day #4 and counting. Something soft to hug until I return.

B.

Justin smiles. He thought that Brian would discontinue the tradition of giving him a bear anytime he was away for more than 3 days. The tradition started because he once told Brian that he could only hold out for 3 days before he needed someone to hug. The bear usually arrived by courier or by Cynthia on the evening of the fourth day. Nobody knows that's why he wasn't suspicious of the bear because it came on day four.

Startled by his revelation Justin goes bounding down the stairs. Thanks to the pain pills and bandages on his hands he trips down the last three stairs and stumbles into Brian's open arms.

"Hey slow down. You don't need a broken neck to go with the burns."

"Brian, he knew!"

"He who? Knew what?"

"Aidan. He knew about the hugging bears."

"No Justin it had to be just a coincidence."

"Brian, the note read, Day #4, Give me a hug for a big surprise. I'm telling you he knew. Think about it. He knew about my school and the diner. How does he know so much about us?" Justin shivers as he thinks about the note and package hidden in his backpack. "Brian he seems to know everything about us and we don't really know anything about him. I guess this is what it feels like to be stalked."

Brian is stunned. Until now he has assumed that the diner encounter and the bear were coincidences, but the wording of the note changes all that.

Turning to Vic with a worried look, "Vic you took delivery of the bear right?"

"Yeah. So?"

"Who delivered it?"

"It came by courier…I saw the guy's van…Let me think…Distinguished Designs or something like that."

Brian's face hardens and his eyes narrow. "Thanks Vic. What time is everyone going to be here?"

"Puzzled by Brian's questions and his reactions to his answers Vic looks over at the two lovers especially Justin, who is clinging to Brian's left arm with his head on his shoulder. Debbie told them to be here by 9:00. Is there a problem with that?"

"No. Thanks for the info." Taking his phone out and disengaging himself from the frightened teen Brian begins to make a flurry of calls.

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Later that evening in Debbie's living room a "family meeting" is taking place. In attendance are Debbie, Vic, Michael, David, Brian, Justin, Ted, Emmett, Melanie, Lindsey (Gus, to Brian's chagrin is spending the day with Lindsey's parents), and Daphne. The topic of discussion is Aidan Brady.

"Why not just call the police and let them deal with this psycho?"

Brian responds, "David we don't have any proof that it was Aidan who sent the teddy bear and besides it would require that all of our lives be put under a microscope for public inspection. Do you want that?"

Melanie using her best lawyer voice backs up her earnest while adversary, "Brian's right on both accounts we could have the police pick up this guy, but without evidence he'll be back on the street before we finish filling out the paperwork. Meanwhile we'll open ourselves up to public scrutiny, ridicule and God knows what else while this creep is still free to stalk Justin and Brian."

"Well what the hell are we supposed to do? I for one am getting tired of this asshole. I thought I'd never have to deal with him again after what he did to Michael in high school." And the price he paid for it.

"Mom we all thought that he was out of our lives, but Aidan's not wired like the rest of us. He's…"

"Crazy."

Still stinging from this morning's written rebuke from Brian, Michael lashes out at Justin. "That's not what I was going to say Boy Wonder, so butt out."

"Butt out! I'm the one whose been stalked, kidnapped, pushed out of a car, had my hair butchered, threatened with a knife, and burned with acid and you want…"

The whole room erupts into pandemonium all speaking at the same time and speaking almost the exact same words, but it is Emmett who voices the question the loudest. "What? When were you threatened with a knife?"

"Shit!" Ignoring everyone else in the room Justin talks directly to Brian and begins to explain, "I was going to tell you about it when you got back, but then this acid thing happened and it didn't seem important."

"Justin, you're stalling. Talk."

"It was the first day that you were gone. The teachers were having some kind of emergency meeting and we got out early, Daphne had left earlier for a dentist appointment so I had to wait alone for the car and driver to come pick me up. While I was waiting Aidan showed up. One minute I was alone and finishing a sketch and the next he was there holding a knife to my throat telling me to get up and come with him or else. The teacher's meeting must have ended because some of them started coming out of the school and he got spooked and left. Then the car and driver you sent showed up. That's all."

Before anyone can respond to this new information Melanie speaks up, "Now THAT we can call the police about."

Ted then speaks, "What about the public scrutiny?"

"Fuck the public scrutiny. This guy needs to be stopped."

Only Justin is surprised that it is Lindsey who makes this declaration."

Brian, realizing that this is the second time that Justin has failed to tell him something that Aidan has said or done, crosses to where Justin is seated and squats so that they are eye to eye and asks, "What are you not telling us Justin?"

Justin looks at Brian and without speaking reaches for his backpack on the floor next his chair and pulls out a large manila envelope and hands it to Brian.

Brian reaches into the envelope and slowly removes the contents-slashed and mutilated photographs of Justin's family, not the one in attendance today, but his birth family- Craig, Jennifer and Molly and a note that reads, "It's you or them. Choose."

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July 1987 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Juvenile Court

A large authoritative man-Mr. Carter the headmaster of Aidan's former school, sits on the witness stand and reads from a crinkled sheet of notebook paper, "It's you or them. Choose."

The prosecuting attorney turns and asks, "What accompanied the note that you just read?

Mr. Carter answers as he glares at the handsome and defiant young man seated at the defendant table, "Pictures of my family, my wife, son, two daughters, and my elderly father in-law with their faces scratched through and their eyes cut out."

"Thank you Mr. Carter. Your honor my next witness is Trevor Carter."

Trevor Carter is frail, soft-spoken and startlingly handsome with large liquid blue eyes and blond hair so pale that it almost appears white.

"Trevor could you tell us what happened on May 8th of this year."

Trevor hesitantly begins to speak, "It was my 15th birthday and I hurried home because mom and dad had promised me a big surprise. When I got home there was a large box on the front steps with my name on it and a note that said 'Happy Birthday. Open me first' so I took it up to my bedroom and opened it."

"What happened then?"

Beginning to cry Trevor holds up his burn scared right hand, which is missing the top portion of the pinkie finger and replies, "This!"

Later That Same Day

"Aidan it is the decision of this court that for your crimes you shall be remanded to the custody of the Juvenile Corrections Department for a period of five years or until your 21st birthday which ever comes first."

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April 2001-2:00 a.m. Two Weeks Later in Brian's Loft

Justin is asleep lying on his stomach almost on top of Brian with his head on Brian's shoulder and his left arm across Brian's stomach. Ordinarily this would bother Brian and make him feel confined, but all he feels this time is relief.

The first week after the acid attack was the worst. Not just because of the nightmares, but also because of the burns on Justin's stomach and the problems they caused. Justin had had to sleep on his back or his side and both are unnatural sleeping positions for his 'golden boy'. So unnatural that after several days of getting little or no sleep the doctor had been forced to prescribe sleeping pills for the exhausted youth.

That is why Brian was now smiling and relieved to see that Justin is asleep on his stomach. Not because it gives him the enviable view of the youth's perfect 'bubble butt', but because it means that the burns on his stomach aren't bothering him. Hopefully this isn't a temporary reprieve and Justin will be back to being Justin. Hopefully the far away, distant, fear and pain tinged look in his eyes will be replaced by the ever present twinkle and love of life that was always there before Aidan's attacks began.

The last two weeks have been very enlightening and disturbing at the same time. Aidan hasn't hurt Justin again, not that he hasn't tried he just hasn't succeeded, but he has definitely been present in their lives.

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The Saturday following the acid attack-The master bedroom of the Taylor home

Every time Jennifer thinks about some psycho sending her son-her baby, a bear full of acid she has violent mood swings. She usually starts out crying and ends up angry enough to kill. Craig has on the other hand decided to handle this by blaming the whole thing on Brian or on Justin's "deviant lifestyle."

"Craig is this dinner absolutely necessary? I want to go se Justin."

"I thought you saw him yesterday?"

"I did, but this guy is still out there and he knows the best way to get to Brian is to hurt Justin or God forbid Gus?"

"Gus? Who's Gus?…No let me guess he's another teen-aged boy that the pervert has corrupted."

Jennifer can't believe her mistake. She takes a deep breath and answers Craig's question. "No, he's not another of Brian's lovers. Debbie says that Brian doesn't really 'do boyfriends" and that Justin is the first guy that he's every brought home. So to speak."

Sensing that Jennifer doesn't want to tell him who Gus is he again asks the question. "Jennifer. Who is Gus?"

"Gus is Brian's 6 month old son."

Craig drops down on the bench at the foot of their King sized bed and stares at his wife dazed.

Jennifer seizes on his silence and rushes on. "Does his name sound familiar?…Gus?…Remember?…It's the name of Justin's teddy bear and he's the one who named him."

"WHAT?!"

Jumping slightly at Craig's outburst Jennifer cautiously repeats herself. "Justin named Brian's son. I don't know the whole story, but he was there when Gus was born and helped pick his name."

Craig takes several deep-cleansing breaths. "Let's go. We don't want to be late. We'll finish this discussion later."

The Atherton's home is one of the most palatial in the gated community of the Cloisters. The Georgian style mansion boast a 6 car garage, tennis court and 2 pool areas-one for the Italian mosaic pool complete with waterfall and Jacuzzi and the other indoor his and her lap pools.

Aidan is talking to his hostess when he spots his reason for being here-The Taylors. It takes him nearly 30 minutes to get "Brian's Twink's" father alone. He would have preferred the mother, but he doesn't think that the father will be a real problem.

Jennifer sees her husband heading for the balcony of the ballroom with an unknown yet vaguely familiar young man. "Excuse me Leigh, who is that with Craig?"

The very polished hostess is overjoyed at being able to brag about her latest social coup. "Oh that's the son of one of my father's former business partners-Aidan Brady he's just…"

Before Leigh Atherton can finish her sentence Jennifer takes off in a near run. She reaches the balcony just in time to scream and scare away Aidan who is standing over an unconscious Craig with knife in hand.

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"No Brian, Craig is fine he just has a headache. The doctor says it was Rhohipnol…Yes. That's what the doctor called it. The date rape drug. Needless to say Craig can't remember a thing after going out on the balcony…Tell Justin not to worry…Brian there is one more thing. He cut off a piece of Craig's suit…Yes, I guess you're right. The man really is psychotic…Well he won't be able to get near us again. He also won't be having dinner with anymore of the Pittsburgh elite. Leigh Atherton has one of the biggest mouths this side of the Mississippi. I may not be able to physically hurt him, but I can destroy him socially."

Brian listens for a few minutes more until Jennifer's anger is finally spent and then goes in search of Justin. He is pleased to see that the teen is sound asleep. The smile on his face broadens as he surveys Justin's 3 bed partners-Gus hugging and all but lying on top of his leather bear and Justin hugging his ancient teddy-Gus, that Jennifer dropped off the day before.

His smile fades as he goes over his conversation with Justin's mother and then he has it-a way to fight Aidan without actually being able to find him.

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The only good that has come out of this is that Brain can have Justin with him every night and no one questions it.

While lying awake and relishing Justin's dreamless sleep Brian begins to think about the future.

What am I going to do when this is over and he goes back to living at Deb's? I'll miss his smell, his touch, seeing him first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Although no one would believe it I don't miss going to the bars or the nameless faceless tricks. How in the hell will I ever be able to go back to that and convince the others that I'm happy?

If anyone had told me that I could hate one individual as much as I hate Aidan Brady, I would have told him or her they were crazy. But now I know the truth. I hate Aidan with a passion. A passion born of love for one thin, porcelain-skinned teenager that is frightening in its intensity. I'd being lying if I said that I didn't think that being in love would be hard, but this is fucking ridiculous.

Musing aloud as he finally begins to drift off to sleep Brian asks what many have in the past and will again in the future. "Why is this so hard? How do people do this?"

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St. James Academy Monday Morning, Three Days after the Acid Attack

Brian stops the Jeep and turns to Justin and is disturbed to find his young lover is sound asleep. "Justin, wake up."

Slowly Justin opens his eyes and turns to Brian and seeing the look of concern on his face yawns and says, "Sorry. It's the pain pills."

Brian knows that he is lying. Even if he hadn't spent the night in bed with Justin as he tossed and turned, the dark circles under Justin's eyes would have branded him a liar.

"Yeah, right. I'm taking you to Lindsey and Mel's so that you can get some rest. I'll pick you up after work."

"No, Brian I can't. We start the state required standardized tests today. I can't miss those. I'll be okay I promise."

Brian acquiesces and leans in to give Justin a goodbye kiss, he then whispers in his ear, "Don't forget Mel is picking you up after school today because I have a late meeting. I'll pick you up from their house and we can go out for dinner. Okay?"

Yawning once again Justin answers, "Okay." And begins to open the door.

"Justin. If you don't feel any better by lunch give me a call and I'll come pick you up. Damn the tests."

"Brian really I'm okay."

"Promise me, Justin… I said promise me."

"Okay. I promise. Later."

Justin exits the Jeep and is immediately surrounded by curious classmates. Finally free of the questioning crowd he slowly begins to climb the stairs. Brian has watched the teen's progress through his rear view mirror as he sits at the corner. Seeing how slowly Justin is moving he reluctantly drives away and takes out his cell phone.

He first dials Lindsey's home number and getting no answer hangs up and dials her cell. She picks up on the second ring.

"Hi Bri. What's up?…Well Gus and I are driving Mel to work. Why?…What?…Of course we can. Actually we are only a few blocks from there…Bri you know we don't mind. We love Justin…What?…Tell him what? Okay, yeah. I got it…Yes I will give OUR son a kiss for you. Bye."

"So what does the asshole want?"

"Language, please. He wants us to go get Justin from school and take him to our place to sleep. I hope it's okay and it won't make you too late for work?"

"Like you told the ass…Brian we love him. Of course we'll go get him. Besides I don't have anything special today. I can work from home. I'll just have to go to the office for about an hour sometime this afternoon.

As they drive Lindsey relays the rest of Brian's instructions. Lindsey quickly opens the door and jumps out the car. Leaning back through the open window, "I'll go get him before he goes into school."

"Okay Gus and I will meet you there."

"Why? It shouldn't take long."

"Lindsey, we should go into the school and tell them why Justin isn't going to be there and Gus won't like waiting.

"Makes sense. I better hurry."

Finally reaching the waiting and obviously concerned Daphne, Justin paste what he hopes is a convincing smile on his face and greets Daphne. "Hey… Why do you look so grim?"

"Justin you look like you can barely stay awake. Why'd you come, today?"

"We've got those stupid state tests to take."

"Duh, Justin! That's next week. We're just doing practice this week."

"Shit! You mean I dragged my ass here for practice tests."

Taking out her cell phone and car keys Daphne says, "Come on. I'll drive you to Debbie's and before you say anything I won't be that late for homeroom."

"Don't worry I wasn't going to argue…who are you calling?"

"Brian to let him know that I'm taking you to Deb's"

"You don't have to do…wait! Brian gave you his cell phone number?"

"Yeah. I don't know if he loves you or not, but he does care. Damn! Forgot to charge the batteries again. Well I'll call from Debbie's. Let's go."

As they turn to leave their way is blocked by the next to last person Justin wants to see-Chris Hobbs.

"Taylor! What the fuck happened to you?"

"Oh fuck off Chris! Come on Daphne." But before Justin and Daphne can take even a cursory step Chris grabs one of Justin's bandaged hands and squeezes. He laughs at the groan of pain that comes from deep within Justin. His pleasure is short lived as he feels a shooting pain emanating from the thumb of his right hand which is tightly gripping Justin's damaged left hand.

Daphne remembering the self-defense techniques that her mother taught her is causing Chris's distress. Just as she is about to use her heel to crush Chris's instep he falls to the floor screaming and holding his profusely bleeding nose."

Justin and Daphne hearing laughter look up and see not only the amused faces of their classmates, but also a stunned Melanie holding Gus and a furious Lindsey shaking her right hand and imploring Chris to get up. "How do you like someone hurting you? Get up! I'm not done with you yet."

Melanie who is holding Gus on her right hip while frantically trying to hold Lindsey back by the arm, finally speaks, "Justin are you all right? Do you need to go to the doctor?"

"No. I'm fine. What are you doing here?"

"Brian called and asked us to come get you and take you home so that you can get some rest."

"But I told him I had tests today."

Lindsey finally turning her attention away from the cowering Chris says, "I'm thinking that was a lie."

"Well not really. I read the schedule wrong. We're practicing for the state tests this week. The actual tests are next week. Daphne was just about to drive me to Deb's so that I could get some sleep. But Brian wouldn't know that unless he…"

"So that's what the message he told us to deliver is about."

"Huh? What message?"

Mel and Lindsey answer together "Tell Justin that I DO know how to dial a phone and that we'll talk about lying when I get home."

Lindsey then turns to Daphne and says, "Go on to class we're taking him to our house so he can sleep. Would you let the office know why he won't be in school today and get his homework assignments? It'll save us a trip."

"Sure. Get some rest Justin. I'll call you tonight at Brian's."

As Justin is walking toward Mel and Lindsey's car he asks, "Why can't I go to Deb's?"

Lindsey still in her earth-mother-protector mode answers, "Debbie and Vic are going to be out all day and you're NOT staying home alone."

Just as Justin is about climb into the back seat next to Gus he hears a familiar voice address Lindsey and Melanie. "Hello ladies, what a beautiful baby. He looks exactly like his father."

Lindsey beaming begins to answer without turning around. "Thank you…Wait how do you know Brian?"

Justin provides the answer, "Aidan!"

Mel and Lindsey take protective stands in front of Justin who has moved his body so that he is blocking the car door and access to Gus.

"Do you really think that if I wanted to hurt you or Justin or Gus you could stop me?"

Again Lindsey speaks first, "Try me."

"Better yet, try me!" A very large, very menacing looking man with olive skin and dressed totally in black has spoken these words. Even his shoulder length hair, which is pulled back into a ponytail and eyes are black.

"Justin. Ladies. My name is Matthew and Brian sends his greetings."

While Matthew is distracted, Aidan attempts to flee but is stopped cold when he collides with another mountain of a man identical in looks to Matthew except he is dressed totally in white and has porcelain skin, platinum blond hair and ice blue eyes.

Turning to Lindsey and Melanie he simply says, "And I'm Luke."

While Luke escorts Aidan away from the car Matthew holds the door open so that Lindsey and Justin can get in and says, "Don't worry everything will be okay." Peering into the back seat and addressing Justin he says, "When was the last time you had some sleep?" Not waiting for an answer to his question he gestures toward Aidan with his head while looking at Justin's bandaged hands and asks another question. "Is he responsible for that?"

Justin more than a little intimidated by his inquisitor simply nods his head. Matthew's reply is, "Go. Get some rest. He'll never hurt you again."

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An hour later in the guest room of Lindsey and Melanie's house

Unable to sleep because of the discomfort of his burns Justin thinks about the events of the morning.

Brian actually hired two bodyguards to look after me. Lindsey and Mel said they knew that he was thinking about doing it but didn't realize that he had actually done it.

I wish I could sleep. I really am tired. But between the burns and the nightmares I don't think I'll ever sleep again and the worst part is I can't even sketch. My hand hurts too much to hold the charcoals. The doctor said I should be able to draw again in a week or two, but what do I do until then? How do I excise my demons? I've always done it through my art. Now I don't have that.

Feeling the tears that had been welling up behind his eyes begin to fall. Look at me crying again. Speaking out loud to no one in particular he laments, "God I'm pathetic."

Lindsey who is coming from putting Gus down for his morning nap decides to check on Justin. Just as she is about to peek through the door she hears the undeniable sound of crying and Justin's self-deprecating statement.

Walking into the room and sitting beside Justin on the bed Lindsey vehemently declares, "You are NOT pathetic! Listen Justin, we've all talked about this-Mel, Emmett, Ted, Debbie, Vic, and me and the one thing that we all agree on is that you are dealing with this better than any of us would. And when I say this I don't just mean Aidan, I mean coming out, the thing with your parents, the harassment at school, and most of all Brian."

"That's just it I'm not handling it that well. Most of the time I'm scared shitless, but I just keep going. The only thing that is remotely easy is Brian. We kind of have an understanding. I let Brian be Brian and he treats me like a person who is a part of his life and not just some convenient trick. Sure sometimes it hurts to see him go off with other guys, but in the end I'm the one he talks to and takes places and for now that's enough."

"See. That's what I'm talking about you've figured out a way to get what you want and need from Brian without loosing yourself. In 16 years of trying Michael never figured that out... Oh God, did I just say that out loud?"

The two start to laugh. Turning serious once more Lindsey begins to stroke the side of Justin's face and offers him some "motherly" advice, "Justin being strong doesn't mean not being scared or asking for help." Lindsey looks at the dark circles under Justin's eyes and says, "Honey you really should try to get some sleep."

Justin thinking about Lindsey's advice replies, "I can't. It's not just the burns it's …the nightmares…I'm afraid of my own dreams. Ordinarily I would draw and work out what's bothering me, but I can't. Aidan even took that away. Lindsey I…"

"It's okay honey, please try to get some sleep. You can't go on like this."

Lying down in an attempt to take her advice Justin is surprised when she lays down beside him and pulls his head onto her shoulder and begins to gently stroke his face. Her touch feels so much like his mother's that he finds himself almost instantly falling asleep.

Even after Justin falls into a deep sleep, Lindsey is reluctant to leave him, so as she often does with Gus she finds herself watching him sleep. She does this until 15 minutes later when Melanie quietly opens the door. Reluctantly she leaves the sleeping teen.

"How is he?"

More than a little embarrassed to be caught treating the teen as if he were a child she sheepishly smiles, slowly gets off of bed so as not to wake the sleeping teen and leaves the room. "He was feeling a little overwhelmed and a lot scared, and it brought out the mommie in me. Well anyway I think he'll be fine."

"No need to apologize. I came up to check on him and maybe even tuck him in if the occasion arose. It's just that he's so young and vulnerable and he's been through so much. No thanks to Brian…"

"Mel you can't blame Brian for this. My God he's hired body guards for him."

"I know you're right we all have someone in our past who may not be totally sane and could come back and snap. I just need someone to blame and Brian's always been handy."

Laughing the two continue down the stairs. "Was everything okay at the office?"

"Yeah, fine."

"Mel what are you not telling me?"

"Nothing, honey. I was just thinking about work and this situation. So you think the asshole will come for dinner?"

"Now I know something is wrong. You hate eating with Brian. You hate doing anything with Brian. What's up?"

"Nothing and I will deny this if you ever repeat it, but I like doing things with Justin's Brian. I like doing things with Gus' Brian. I just hate your Brian, Michael's Brian and I definitely hate Brian's Brian. Does that make sense?"

"Actually in a strange way it does. So we invite Gus' and Justin's Brian to dinner and hope that the other three stay away."

"Amen to that."

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Meanwhile in a remote deserted part of the warehouse district less that a half mile from where Aidan had taken Justin

"You know Brian never changes. When we were kids he would beat me up every time I touched one of his little conquests. I was expecting more."

Matthew laughs at Aidan's diatribe, "Brian hasn't hired us to beat you up. That WOULD be juvenile. We're simply here to deliver a message."

"Oh and what's the message?"

"From now on whatever you do to Justin or anyone else in Brian's life will be responded to."

Laughing Aidan replies, "Talk about juvenile. You break my twink and I'll break yours. I repeat JU- VE- NILE."

Luke responds to Aidan's analysis of Brian's message, "That's not what it means."

"Really. Then what does it mean?"

Again the usually silent Luke speaks up, "There's no need for us to explain. You'll be finding out very soon because of your actions today."

Matthew never takes his eyes off of Luke who despite his menacing appearance is soft spoken and shy. He is also a published poet, Matthew's junior by 12 years and his lover for more than ten years. Still looking at the man who in private he often refers to as "baby", "sweetheart" and "darling" Matthew addresses Aidan and delivers his own message, "Brian only hired us to make sure that his family is safe. He actually said to only use force to keep you from hurting them, but after having met Justin I've decided to modify our assignment. So pay attention. If you hurt him you will deal directly with me. You see he reminds me a lot of someone that I love and juvenile or not I WILL do whatever you do to him to you. Speaking of which…"

Still never taking his eyes off of Luke, Matthew reaches out and grabs Aidan by the hand and begins to squeeze. Ignoring the curses that deteriorate into screams and moans of pain he continues to do so until he hears the undeniable sound of bones breaking. Satisfied he finally looks at Aidan who is now on the floor clutching his mangled hand and writhing in pain and says, "Have a nice day and remember this is your only warning."

Turning once again to Luke and acting as if he hadn't just broken several bones and fingers of Aidan's hand he begins to walk back toward his car, "Come on I want to make sure that Justin is okay. Hopefully he took my advice and is sleeping."

"Brian said that he's an artist, right?

"Yeah, a damned good one. Brian showed me a couple of sketches that he did. Why?"

"I have an idea why he isn't sleeping. Can we stop first? I want to pick up a gift for him."

"Sure…what kind of gift?"

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