"Justin, Justin!" Daphne yelled chasing her friend down the street. "Wait up!"

Finally Justin stopped running and leaned over, his hands on his knees while he caught his breath.

"Where the fuck are you going?" Daphne demanded. "The car's in the other direction."

"I never looked. I just had to get away," Justin gasped.

"I nearly broke my damn ankle running after you in these heels," Daphne griped. "What the fuck happened?"

"That man…"

"Yeah? His name's Brian Kinney. Isn't he gorgeous?"

"Brian?"

"Yes, Brian Kinney. He's a friend of Emmett's. If you had stuck around Emmett would have introduced you."

"What makes you think I want to be introduced to that guy?"

"Well, duh, he's gorgeous!"

"He grabbed me," Justin said indignantly.

"He was coming on to you," Daphne said reasonably.

"Coming on too strong."

"Justin, this is the real world out here. You're not in Cape Cod anymore. There are beautiful men around and you're beautiful too. I know you want them and they will want you. You can't keep running away."

Justin stared at Daphne. He knew she was right, but he hated to feel out of control. He hated being cornered and scared. "I guess I got spooked. That guy…"

"Yeah, Brian."

"He, um, he went too far."

"He barely got to first base with you before you bolted. I know you weren't expecting anything like that, but I talked to him and he seemed okay in a weird sort of way."

"You talked to him?"

"Yes, I told you he's a friend of Emmett's."

"Oh."

"Not everybody means you harm, you know."

"I … I know. He just took me by surprise."

"He could take me by surprise any old time," Daphne giggled.

"Daph!"

"Well, he could. He kind of flirted with me, but he's definitely gay."

"I certainly got that impression."

"As soon as he saw you, he made a beeline straight for you," Daphne explained.

"He did?" Justin asked feeling the heat rise to his cheeks as he thought about the great looking man who had had his arms around him.

"You should be flattered. He was the best looking guy in the whole place."

"He wasn't bad," Justin admitted.

"We could go back and see if he's still there," Daphne said hopefully.

"After I made a fool of myself, running out of there like a scared little rabbit. I don't think so!"

"He was definitely interested. He might be really happy to see you if you came back."

Justin shook his head. "I think that's enough for one night. Let's go home. I hope I never see that guy again. I'll be so embarrassed."

Daphne let out a big sigh. As she hobbled along the uneven sidewalk in her very high heels she resolved to try to get Justin and Brian together. Something told her that they would be perfect for each other and she was never wrong about that kind of thing. Well, hardly ever.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

About three o'clock in the morning something woke Daphne up. She sat up in bed listening to see if anything was wrong inside the apartment. She didn't hear anything out of the ordinary but something had definitely awakened her. She decided to get up and get a bottle of water from the fridge.

As she came out into the hall she saw a shadow move in the living room. She gasped and flattened herself against the wall, holding her breath.

"Daph, is that you?" Justin's voice asked from the living room.

"Shit, Justin, I almost peed myself. What the fuck are you doing?" she demanded as she marched into the room.

"I couldn't sleep," Justin said. "I just made popcorn. Want some?" He held out the bag towards her.

"It's the middle of the night," Daphne said sticking her hand in the bag. "Am I going to have to put up with this shit all the time? I need my sleep."

"I hope not, but …"

"But what?"

"I kept thinking about that guy at Babylon."

"Brian?"

"Yeah, him."

"And why were you thinking of him other than to jerk off?"

"Daaphhh!"

"Well, you did, didn't you?"

"Yeah," Justin admitted with a sheepish grin. "He was fucking hot."

"Then why the crap did you run away from him?"

"Because I'm a scared little imbecile."

"You got that right."

Justin stared at his friend. "I guess I am, but I don't know how to change that. I have to be careful. I have to be around for my mother. She needs me."

"I know she does, but she sent you here. She's paying for your education and she wants you to learn and grow and enjoy. You can't do any of those if you're always running away."

"I don't mean to."

"But you do."

"I just panic and run for a safe place."

"That Brian guy was kind of sarcastic and full of himself, but he seemed nice. He's a friend of Emmett's and Emmett is a nice guy. I think you should give Brian a chance."

"You do, huh? What makes you think that?"

"Gut instinct. I could so totally see the two of you together. You would be so beautiful. He's all dark and confident and sexy, and you're blond and bright and sexy. See … perfect."

Justin burst out laughing and hit Daphne over the head with a cushion. "You are so full of shit. I'll never see Brian again, and that's fine. I'll be fine. You'll see."

"There is a difference between being fine and being happy," Daphne told him.

"Could we talk about something else, please?"

"Sure," Daphne said grabbing a handful of popcorn. "Is there anything worth watching on TV?"

Justin snorted. "Let's look."

"Maybe we can find some porn … ooh, gay porn."

"You're such a bad influence on me," Justin giggled.

"Hell, without me you wouldn't have any fun at all."

They laughed about that for a minute while Daphne flicked through the channels on the TV. Justin had to admit that she was right if he allowed himself to think about it.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Excuse me," Justin said to the redheaded lady behind the counter.

The woman turned and a warm smile covered her face. Justin liked her immediately even if she was pretty weird looking. Her T-shirt said "I heart my penis". He wondered if maybe she did have one. The buttons covering her vest were nothing short of crude too.

"What can I do for ya', sweetie?" she asked looking him up and down.

"Um … there wouldn't be any jobs going here, would there?"

"You want to work here?" Debbie asked.

That's what her name tag said, "Debbie", Justin read. "I want something that can be flexible, to work around my school schedule."

"And what kindergarten will you be attending this fall?" Debbie asked him while chomping on her gum and chuckling.

Justin made a face. "I'm going to PIFA," Justin replied.

"And what the fuck is PFI?" Debbie asked her hand on her hip.

"Pittsburgh Institute … oh fuck it! This was a mistake." Justin headed for the door.

"Hey, blondie, come back here."

Justin hesitated. He was almost to the door. He wasn't really sure he wanted to work here anyway. He wanted to earn some spending money so that he wasn't totally in his mother's debt. After discussing the possibilities with Daphne she had suggested a job waiting tables. It would provide the most flexibility in terms of hours. Daphne also wanted him to get out with the public more. A restaurant would certainly require him to do that. Daphne had suggested the Liberty Diner which she had found when scouting the gay area of town before Justin got there. Daphne said Justin could earn big tips especially if he wore his tight jeans when he went to work. Justin wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but he had them on.

Justin turned. "I think I've made a mistake. Sorry to bother you."

"Get that bubble butt of yours back here," the bossy woman ordered.

"Excuse me," Justin said.

"One of our waitresses just called in sick and it's almost lunch time. If you want a job you can start right now."

"I … I can?"

"Do you know anything about waiting tables?"

"My mother owns a B and B and I serve breakfast to the guests all the time."

"Well, la de da, that'll be great preparation for working here," Debbie said smacking her gum and giving him an 'I don't believe it' kind of look.

"It will?"

"Not!"

"I better go," Justin said deciding he better get out of there before Debbie made more of a fool of him.

"I told you you can have the job if you want it."

"I'm not sure I want it," Justin said hesitating.

"Look, I give everybody a hard time, not just you. I could use the help if you're willing to stay."

"Okay, but do I get any kind of training?"

"Don't drop any plates and don't hit the guys who pinch your butt. A 'fuck off' will do nicely. And call me if you have any serious problems. There, that's your training. Here's your apron."

Justin stared at this woman. He didn't know if he should run for his life or stay and learn something from her. She didn't seem to lack for confidence. "Okay," Justin said again and he did his best to smile and cover the apprehension he was feeling. He accepted the apron she handed him.

"That's the spirit, sunshine," Debbie crowed liking Justin's smile and thankful to have someone help her over the busy lunch hour.

A couple of hours later the diner had cleared out. Debbie ordered them each a burger and they sat in the back booth enjoying their lunch. Justin let out a long sigh. He was fucking tired. He didn't know how someone of Debbie's age did this job. It was fucking hard work.

"Tired?" Debbie asked with a chuckle.

"Mm," Justin nodded taking a big bite of his burger. He was starving.

"Well, you did good. I thought you were going to bolt the first time one of the guys pinched your ass."

"I was ready to," Justin admitted.

"So why didn't you?"

"The extensive training that you gave me," Justin said keeping his face straight.

"What?"

"I told him that I wasn't on the menu and to keep his hands to himself," Justin said proudly.

"A 'fuck off' is faster," Debbie laughed. She liked this kid.

"Yeah, but he left me a five dollar tip."

"No shit!"

"I could make some decent money working here," Justin said with his mouth full.

"The customers certainly seemed to like you, and you bailed me out of big time trouble. Could you imagine what it would have been like in here today with me being the only waitress?"

"I don't know how you do it."

"Just call me super-waitress," Debbie laughed flexing her muscle. "If you want to work here, I'll put you on the schedule right now."

"Thanks," Justin said with a smile. He was proud that he had done so well. Daphne would never believe it.

"Hey, Deb, can I get a donut and a coffee," a voice said as the bell rang over the door.

"Keep your pants on," Debbie said getting up from the booth. "Hey, Em," she greeted the man as she realized who had spoken.

"Well, well, well, look who's here," Emmett said spotting Justin in the back booth. "Our little runaway has returned."

"Hi, Emmett," Justin waved.

"He's working here," Debbie said as she got Emmett's order ready.

"Maybe I'll have to come here more often then," Emmett said with a grin.

"Christ, you're here every day as it is."

"A mere technicality. I could come two or three times a day," he chuckled at the double entendre.

Justin felt himself blushing. He also decided he needed to explain his actions the other night, and maybe he could find out a little more about Brian. "I'm sorry I ran out on you the other night, Emmett."

"No problem, sweet cheeks. Someone who shall remain nameless can be a little overpowering."

"Brian!" Debbie reacted.

"You know him too?" Justin asked with a frown.

"Oh yeah! He's famous or make that infamous on Liberty Avenue," Debbie stated. "Off hand, I'd tell you to stay away from him. He's trouble, but gay guys seem to like his kind of trouble."

"Ain't that the truth!" Emmett reacted.

Justin listened to all this and decided that it would be in his own best interests if he stayed far away from Brian Kinney. He didn't need trouble of any kind.

"Hey, Justin, why don't you and Daphne meet me at Woody's tonight around nine? The whole gang will be there and I'll introduce you to everybody."

"I don't know, Emmett. I might be working," Justin said with a pleading look to Debbie.

"He just worked the lunch shift, and maybe I'll keep him," she chuckled.

"If you can make it, you know where we'll be," Emmett called as he went out the door with his donut and cup of coffee.

"What was that all about, Justin?" Debbie asked. "You don't have to go to Woody's if you don't want to."

"I know, but I'm supposed to be getting out meeting people," Justin explained.

"And enjoying yourself?" Debbie added.

"Yeah."

"Don't see much enjoyment on your face, sweetie. You sure tensed up when Brian's name came up."

"Sorry about that, but I've already met Brian Kinney."

"You have? And you didn't like what you saw? Well, that's got to be a first," Debbie chuckled.

"Didn't like it at all," Justin admitted, and that was the truth … sort of.

"Brian's a friend of Emmett and my son, Michael, and Ted Schmidt," Debbie explained. "That's who'll be at Woody's tonight."

"What's Woody's?"

"A gay bar. It's a fun place. You'd probably like it."

"I would?"

"Tell ya' what. If you work the dinner shift with me, since Kiki's not likely to be in, I'll go to Woody's with you for a drink. Who's this Daphne that Emmett mentioned?"

Justin realized that Debbie didn't miss much. "She's my best friend and my roommate."

"Then call her and tell her to meet us. We'll be done at nine, as long as Tanya comes in for her shift before we leave."

"Okay," Justin said hesitantly. He knew Daphne would definitely want him to take this opportunity, but he wasn't so keen on seeing Brian Kinney again. It sounded like he would probably be there.

A little before nine Daphne came into the diner. Justin introduced her to Debbie and they seemed to hit it off. When Tanya arrived for the late shift, they all spruced up in the back and walked down the street to Woody's. As they got close to the entrance Justin saw a familiar figure get out of a black Jeep parked across the street. His breath caught in his throat.

"Isn't that Brian?" Daphne asked elbowing Justin in the ribs to get his attention.

"Fuck!" Justin muttered as Brian headed in their direction intercepting them before they got to the steps of Woody's.

"Hi, Deb, you out for an evening of gay entertainment?" Brian asked giving Debbie a peck on the cheek.

"I'm out for an evening of fun with some friends, asshole," Debbie replied.

"Charming as always. And who do we have here?" Brian asked licking his lips and staring right at Justin.

Justin felt his cock stir as Brian's tongue seemed to call to him.

"I met you at Babylon last night," Daphne piped up.

Brian glanced at her. "Right, Daphne, wasn't it?"

Daphne smiled. "And this is Justin."

"And I almost met him too," Brian smirked.

Justin couldn't think of a thing to say. He just stood there like an idiot. He wished the street would open up and swallow him. At least that would put him out of his misery.

"We're going into Woody's for a drink," Debbie said. "Is that where you're heading?"

"Unless something better comes along," Brian said staring at Justin and licking his lips once again.

Justin felt fear creep along his spine. He grabbed Daphne's arm. "I'm really tired after working all day. I think I better take a pass and go home," he explained yanking on Daphne's arm and dragging her away.

"Justin," she protested but he pulled her with him.

"I'll call you in the morning about another shift," Debbie yelled as they moved away.

"Yeah," Justin muttered.

"What the fuck is the matter with you?" Daphne demanded once they were out of earshot.

"I … I don't like that guy, that Brian."

"I think maybe you like him too much," Daphne said as she climbed into the station wagon.

Brian was staring after them. He wondered what was going on with the intriguing blond who seemed to run at every opportunity. His stiff cock told him he better find somebody to take to the back room at Woody's … and fast.