The Nature of Things

Chapter 9

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Brian opened the door and caught Justin before he hit the floor. It was obvious that Justin had been crying and Brian's heart broke.

"Come on in, Sunshine." He led Justin to the couch and sat him down. "Sit."

Brian went to the kitchen, poured a glassful of Beam, grabbed the bottle and headed for the couch. Pushing the drink into Justin's hand he waited until he'd taken a long drink before speaking.

"What's wrong?"

"Molly."

"You have to give me more than that, kid. What happened to Molly?"

"She was raped."

"When?"

"The night you woke up. She was coming home from the library and was attacked."

"Is she okay?"

"I don't know, Brian. She's acting like she is, but I honestly don't know. I went to see her and it scared me so much that I had to get out of there. I don't even know if she's been tested for STDs yet."

"Well get her to the clinic tomorrow. I'll come with you. Did they give her the morning after pill?"

"What?"

"Emergency contraception. Did the hospital give it to her?"

"She didn't say anything about it."

"Then she needs a pregnancy test as well."

"You mean, she could be pregnant by that monster?"

"If they didn't give her EC she could be."

"Fuck, Bri, how am I supposed to tell her that?"

"You aren't. I will. Now get your ass upstairs, take a shower and throw on some of my old sweats. You're staying here tonight." At Justin's hesitancy Brian clarified, "On the couch, Sunshine."

"I can't. I should get home."

"And exactly where is home these days?"

"I'm staying with Casey until my mom can show me a few places."

"You are not seriously staying with that tweaked out tramp, are you?"

"He's not a crystal queen, Brian. He's my friend and he is kind enough to let me stay a few days."

"I'll just bet he is."

"It's none of your business."

"Oh yeah, that's right, I'm supposed to just not give a fuck anymore because you say so. What do you even know about this fucking kid? God, sometimes you are such a stupid little twat."

"Fuck you. I don't know what I was expecting coming here, but obviously I was wrong. You haven't changed at all. You're still the same self-centered, narcissistic prick you've always been."

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Jennifer opened the door and was shocked to find Brian Kinney on the other side. Stepping back she let him in and led him to the living room.

"What can I do for you, Brian?"

"I came by to see Molly. Justin told me what happened and I wanted to see for myself that she was okay."

"She's fine. I thought you were supposed to be taking it easy."

"Trust me, Mrs. Taylor, this is easy for me."

"I'm sure it is. I guess I just don't really understand why it is that you're here."

"Like I said, I wanted to see for myself that Molly was okay."

"Justin told me that he left you."

"Just because your son and I are not involved anymore doesn't mean that I care any less about Molly."

"I'm sure that it doesn't. I'm concerned that you're trying to use her to get to Justin."

"I have no intention of hurting Molly now or in the future, Mrs. Taylor. I just felt that I had something that could help her."

"And what can you possibly have that will help her, Brian?"

"Cynthia."

"Your assistant? I don't understand."

"A few years before I met Justin, Cynthia was raped. She has no family in town and at the time she had no friends. She turned up on my door step that night and I guess she figured she could lean on me after that. I helped her through some rough times afterwards and I thought that maybe if I talked to Molly, I could maybe help her some too. And if she agrees, I'm sure that Cynthia could be a great support to her."

"That's very nice of you Brian. I know that Molly will be grateful to have someone who's been in her shoes to lean on."

Brian smiled a half smile and ran a shaky hand through his hair. "Mrs. Taylor, has Molly been tested?"

"You mean for STDs? They did blood work at the hospital, but she has a follow up appointment tomorrow afternoon with her gynecologist."

"I know this may not be my place or the right time, but make sure they run a pregnancy test on her. Justin wasn't sure if they gave her the morning after pill and it's something that needs to be checked."

"I'll call the doctor first thing in the morning. Would you like to see her?" Brian nodded and Jennifer stepped back to let him go upstairs. Putting her hand on his arm she barely whispered, "Thank you."

"It's my pleasure."

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Molly was once again lying on her bed in the dark. Brian rapped lightly on the door, opened it and flipped the light switch on.

"Hey kid."

"Brian?"

"In the flesh."

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to check on my favorite Taylor."

"Justin isn't here."

"I wasn't talking about Justin. Though, he is pretty hot."

"Yeah, I thought so. So really what are you doing here?"

"Just what I said. I came to see you."

"Justin told you."

"Well it was more like it exploded out of him and then caused us to fight. But yeah, you could say that."

"What's going on with you two? Just when it seems you finally get it right something happens. You two are worse than Desperate Housewives."

"Very funny. I'm not here to talk about your brother."

"Well you're not here to talk about me either. So let's cut the shit, Brian. You are here to try to save me, just like you saved Justin. I'm on to you, Mr. Kinney."

"Guilty as charged, but if you tell anyone about my secret identity, I'll have to kill you."

"Your secret is safe with me. For now."

"Molly, you know that I'm here for you if you need anything right?"

"Yeah, I know."

"You need to be tested and not just for HIV. You need to be tested for everything. Don't let them tell you that it isn't necessary. And make sure they give you a pregnancy test."

"Pregnancy test?"

"Yes, Molly."

"Do you think that I could be pregnant?"

"There's a possibility. Your mom says they didn't give you the morning after pill so it is entirely possible."

Molly was silent and visibly shaken.

"Listen, Moll, my assistant Cynthia is a rape victim. She can help you with what you're feeling now. Give her a call and talk to her. Don't be afraid and don't let that bastard win. Be strong and move forward. If you're anything like your brother, you'll be okay soon."

"Thanks, Brian. Do you think that you could go with me to the doctor?"

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