Domestic Bliss

Mutual Consent

"Jennifer, we want the Baggley place," Brian said into the phone.

Justin was holding onto him, his hand firmly planted on Brian's shoulder. They were both breathing rapidly. This was a big decision, and they both hoped it was the right one.

"Are you sure?" Jennifer asked coolly. She had been hoping that would be the one they selected, but she was also worried about what had happened to the businesses that had tried to start up in the Baggley house over the years.

"We came to a mutual decision," Brian said looking up at Justin for confirmation. Justin nodded his approval. "We want the Baggley house."

"You realize what happened to the last five businesses that tried to set up shop there?"

"I know," Brian sighed. "Maybe six is the charm."

"Okay, then I'll get started on the paperwork. You should have it inspected. I know someone who can do that, if you give me the go ahead."

"Sounds good," Brian replied. "What should we start at as an offer?"

"Let's get the inspection done, then we'll know if there are structural issues that will have to be dealt with. That will dictate the offer to some extent."

"Thanks, Jennifer, I trust your judgment."

"You know I only want the best for you and my son."

"I do," Brian smiled.

"I'll get back to you as soon as the inspection is completed."

"Talk to you soon." Brian hung up the phone.

"So it begins," Justin said with a smile.

"I really need to talk to Ted," Brian said.

"You haven't talked to him yet?" Justin asked surprised.

"Since he got out of rehab, I've been waiting to see how he does."

"Are you worried that he's not stable enough to handle a big job like this?" Justin asked with a worried frown.

"I'm a little concerned. I know Ted can do it. He's plenty smart. But, I don't know how stable he is emotionally. That crystal meth really screws with you."

"I know," Justin nodded. "I wish we had been able to help him."

"There's nothing you can do for someone who doesn't want your help."

"I guess."

"Now that he's checked himself into rehab and gone through the program, I think he's ready for a new start in his life. I hope this job can be it."

"Me too. I always liked Ted," Justin said sincerely.

"So do I, but don't tell him that."

"Why don't you call him? We could ask him over for dinner."

"Dinner?"

"Yes, dinner, the meal between lunch and bedtime," Justin said with a chuckle.

"I don't think we've ever had Ted here by himself. He always comes when we have the gang over."

"And that's not very often these days," Justin observed.

"Well, you were working, and there was the whole Trip Bedford thing. I didn't feel much like entertaining, did you?"

"No, I didn't, but that's all behind us now. I'm looking forward to starting this business and working with you and Ted and Cynthia. Without him we'll have to call it 3Front," Justin giggled.

Brian glared at his partner. "Without Ted we'll be screwed. And I'll kill you if you ever tell him that. But I know next to nothing about contracts and payroll and God knows what. That would all be Ted's domain."

"Wow, I didn't think of any of that. You better call Ted right now and I'll see what succulent thing I can come up with for dinner. They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

"I don't want his heart, but I'll settle for his head, and everything that's in it," Brian stated.

"Then go, call."

"Okay, okay," Brian said picking up the phone.

"Hello," Ted's voice came over the wire.

"It's Brian Kinney. Would you by any chance be available for dinner tonight?" Brian said in his sweetest voice.

"Me? Dinner? Tonight?" Ted stammered.

"Yes, dinner, tonight," Brian repeated trying not to laugh out loud. "Are you turning into a fucking parrot?"

"What's wrong?" Ted said ignoring Brian's snark. "You never ask me to go anywhere."

"Then consider this a new experience," Brian chuckled.

"Um … will Justin be there?"

"Yes, why? Oh, shit! You didn't think that…"

"No, no, no," Ted almost moaned. "Of course not, nothing like that, nothing at all. What time do you want me there?"

"Seven."

"Sure, seven, I'll be there. No problem."

"Good," Brian said before he cut the connection.

"Is he coming?" Justin asked as he pulled some steaks out of the freezer.

"At seven."

"That's good."

"He … he thought I was inviting him here for … spurious reasons," Brian laughed.

"You're kidding." Brian shook his head. "He thought you wanted to…" Brian nodded. "Oh, my fucking God!"

"See, everyone wants me," Brian smirked.

"But Ted, ew."

"Ted's not that bad."

"Stop it right now, Brian Kinney," Justin demanded. "You're trying to make me jealous."

Brian smirked again. "Ya think?"

Justin glared at Brian. "You want Ted to work for you, then you're going to have to be nice to him. Now, help me decide what to have with the steaks."

"Yes, dear," Brian replied sucking his bottom lip into his mouth.

*****

"Theodore, old man, come on in," Brian said holding the door for Ted and then slapping him on the back.

Ted looked frazzled to say the least.

"Hi, Ted," Justin said coming out of the kitchen. "Would you like a drink? Dinner will be a few minutes."

"Um, yeah," Ted replied with a smile for Justin. "Thank you for inviting me, although I'm not sure why I'm here. There isn't a surprise party or something, is there?" Ted asked looking around.

"Oh God, Ted, it's not your birthday, is it?" Justin asked.

"No, no, it's not, but the invitation really confused me," Ted admitted.

"Here, drink this," Brian said shoving a glass of vodka into Ted's hand.

"I really can't have alcohol," Ted said holding out the drink to Brian. "Um, could I have a soda or some iced tea, or something?"

"Sure, I have iced tea in the fridge," Justin said hurrying into the kitchen. This wasn't going well.

"So, you're on the wagon now, are you?" Brian smirked and took the glass from Ted. He threw his arm around Ted's shoulder and drew him into the family room.

"They don't allow us to touch anything addictive," Ted said.

"Well, we wouldn't want to go against what they say, now would we?" Brian said sitting down on the sofa.

Ted took the armchair across from Brian. Justin reappeared and handed Ted a glass of iced tea.

"Thanks," Ted said looking relieved to have something in his hand, something that he was allowed to have.

"I'm putting the steaks on," Justin said.

"Leave mine till the end. I like it rare," Brian said. "What about you?" he asked looking at Ted.

"Um, medium."

Brian snorted. "Charred!"

"Not everybody likes their meat raw," Justin said as he left the room.

"So how are you these days?" Brian asked studying Ted. He thought Ted looked thinner but his eyes seemed clear and other then appearing somewhat nervous about being in Brian's house, he seemed to have his shit together.

"Not bad, not bad," Ted said. He didn't remember Brian ever asking him how he was before. "I'm on the road to recovery. Clean as a whistle and desperate for a job."

"Oh?" Brian's ears perked up at that statement.

"I … I have to admit that crystal meth eats into your finances," Ted admitted reluctantly. "I'm glad I didn't lose the condo."

"Yeah," Brian said with a raised eyebrow. He hadn't realized that things were quite that bad for Ted.

"If I don't find a job soon, I could still lose it."

"Not good," Brian commiserated.

"No, it isn't, but a resume that says you just got out of rehab doesn't sell very well these days."

"I can imagine. Do you have to tell them?" Brian asked, curious as to why Ted didn't just keep his drug problems to himself.

"Part of the Twelve Step Program is being totally honest … with myself and with everyone else. I don't want someone to hire me without knowing. Keeping that secret might push me back into crystal again."

"I see," Brian replied. He was interested in the workings of Ted's mind. He was beginning to think Ted could be ready for the job he wanted to offer him.

"I still have trouble believing I spun out of control the way I did," Ted said shaking his head and then taking a sip of his iced tea. "I was so shitty to Emmett, and all he did was try to help me. It wasn't like me to treat people that way. I was really a pathetic loser."

"You don't look like a loser to me," Justin said coming in from the kitchen. "You look like someone who's weathered a storm and come out the other side."

"Thanks, Justin, that's good to hear," Ted said with a smile.

"Dinner's ready."

They all got up and made their way into the dining room where Justin had set a fine table. Steaks waited on their plates along with a baked potato and a huge bowl of salad.

"This looks great," Ted said as he sat down. "I don't get many invitations to dinner nowadays. Hell, I never get invited anywhere."

"Those times are about to change … if you want them to," Brian said suddenly. He had heard enough. He was ready to make his offer.

Ted glanced over at Brian. He had been scooping salad onto his plate. He finished doing that and handed the salad bowl to Brian. "What do you mean?"

Brian stared at Ted sizing him up. He wondered how the man was going to react. "I have a proposal for you," Brian said finally as he got some salad for himself.

Ted finished fixing his baked potato. He didn't understand what was going on. He decided he better make a joke. "I haven't had a marriage proposal in like … forever," Ted laughed. "Don't you think Justin might be a little put out?"

Nobody laughed and Ted felt suddenly very self-conscious. Maybe this was all some kind of elaborate plot to make him more humiliated than he already was. He wouldn't put it past an asshole like Brian Kinney. But then he remembered that although Brian often hit him with verbal barbs, he never was deliberately cruel. Mostly just age jokes, and dull accountant jokes. Although, nobody could use those anymore, since no one would hire him as an accountant or anything else, for that matter. Ted cut a piece off his steak and stuffed it in his mouth. He decided he better eat something quickly before they asked him to leave. It wouldn't surprise him if that was going to happen at any minute.

"Ted," Justin said gently. "Listen to Brian for a moment."

"Yeah, sure, right, no problem." Ted chewed his steak and turned to face Brian. "Excellent steak, by the way."

"Thanks," Brian said staring at Ted. "I've decided to open my own advertising agency," Brian said looking into Ted's eyes.

Ted averted his gaze. This must be the punchline. 'I'm opening my own agency and you're not, Ted. Ha! Ha! Ha! You're a pathetic loser, Ted,' were the thoughts that ran through Ted's mind. "That will be exciting," Ted replied aloud, but without much enthusiasm.

"I think so," Brian said with a frown. Ted obviously wasn't getting the point.

"What are you going to call the new place? Kinetic?" Ted joked.

"Actually that's not bad," Brian said thoughtfully.

"We're calling it 4Front, using the number four instead of the word," Justin supplied.

"That's clever," Ted replied shoveling in some more steak and potato.

"Even more so since there are going to be four of us getting this enterprise off the ground," Justin said with a smile at Brian.

"Oh yeah? Brian and that lovely woman, Cynthia, I would imagine," Ted said with a wistful look. "She was very nice to me when I worked at Ryder for a day or two."

"Cynthia's great," Justin said. "And yes, she's planning on coming over to 4Front."

Brian studied the two of them not saying anything. He was going to let Justin reveal what was going on.

"So, who else will be in this mighty quartet?" Ted laughed.

"Me," Justin replied.

"You? Oh, that's great."

"I'll be head of the art department at 4Front," Justin said.

"Sunshine, I keep telling you that you are the art department. There's no one else, just you," Brian said with a smile.

"I know, but we have to think big."

"Big, yes, definitely, big," Ted mumbled. "There must be one more, since my very notable accounting skills tell me that that only makes three," Ted chuckled. He wished they'd just get this over with. "Who else is part of it?"

"Well, he hasn't actually signed on yet," Brian said slowly. "But I'm hoping he will."

"Stealing someone from a rival agency?" Ted asked with a wry grin. "Sounds like you."

"No, that's not it," Brian said wondering if he should just come out and ask Ted.

"We want you to be the fourth," Justin blurted out.

"Fourth what?" Ted asked innocently.

Brian and Justin stared at him in disbelief. Ted frowned and then the light began to dawn.

"You…you're not asking me to work at your agency, are you?" he managed to get out. Brian nodded. "You are? You mean it? You want me to work for you?"

Brian nodded again. "That's what I've been trying to tell you. For a smart man, you sure are slow on the uptake. If you're going to work for me, you'll have to be quicker than that."

"Oh? Oh, yes, yes, I can do that," Ted blathered. "I mean … you want me? You really want me?"

"Yes, Sally Field, I really want you," Brian said sticking his tongue in his cheek.

"I … I can't believe it," Ted said with a stunned expression on his face. "When you asked me to come over here, I couldn't figure out why. And now you offer me a job. I don't know what to say."

"Yes would be good," Brian snarked.

"I … yes, of course, yes! But are you sure? I mean … I was an addict. I'm still an addict."

"But you're not a user, are you, Schmidt?"

"No, never, never again," Ted said crossing his heart and holding up his hand.

"Then we're good. I need a man who's good with accounts, payroll, contracts," Brian explained.

Ted's smile began to spread across his face. "I can do that."

"I'm counting on the fact that you can," Brian said.

"Yes, Boss," Ted said softly, trying out the unfamiliar phrase on Brian.

Brian smiled. "You got that part right. And you will have to stay on the straight and narrow if you're going to work for me."

"I really appreciate the chance you're giving me," Ted said. "I really need a job. My bank account is just about empty."

"We're not going to be up and running for a while yet," Brian said. "If you need money to tide you over, I could issue you an advance. We could call it a signing bonus."

"I really appreciate that offer," Ted replied. "I'm okay for a little while. If it gets desperate, I may have to take you up on that offer."

Brian nodded and didn't say anything more. He took his bite of steak and chewed thoughtfully.

"I'm looking forward to working with you, Ted," Justin said.

"I'm looking forward to working, period," Ted laughed. "Oh, I didn't mean that the way it sounded. I meant that I'll be happy to work with you too, Justin. And Brian, that goes without saying. I'm just so happy to have a job. I don't know what I'm saying. Just ignore me." Ted finally stopped.

"You make that rather difficult," Brian said with a mock glare.

"I'll do better, I really will."

"Enough, Theodore," Brian said.

"Right, Boss, sure, Boss, no problem." Brian glared at his new employee. Ted made the 'lock the lips and throw away the key' gesture on his mouth and finished off his steak without another word.

"Would you like some dessert?" Justin asked as he started to clear away their dinner plates.

"Just some coffee, please," Ted said.

"Brian, why don't you and Ted move into the family room and we'll have coffee there. Maybe you should discuss Ted's job description," Justin suggested.

Brian stood up and Ted did so immediately after. He followed Brian into the next room. They took the seats they had occupied before. Ted waited as he could smell the coffee brewing in the kitchen.

"I really appreciate this offer," Ted said again, feeling the need to say something.

"Do you know much about contracts?" Brian asked. "I assume payroll will be no problem."

"Aren't there standard contracts that the industry uses?" Ted wanted to know.

Brian smiled. Ted was still on the ball. "Yes, there are."

"Are you going to bring some from Vangard?"

"I thought I might."

"Then I'm sure I can work with them."

"Good. I need someone to take charge of that area specifically."

"I'll start some research on contracts," Ted volunteered. "I could talk to Melanie and get some suggestions."

"Okay," Brian said. "Ted, I want to make this work."

"I do too. I won't let you down."

"You better not or I'll have to have you killed." Brian glared at the hapless Ted who shuddered involuntarily.

"I'm going to have to learn when you're kidding," Ted laughed nervously.

"I never kid," Brian said keeping his face impassive.

"He's full of you know what," Justin laughed as he carried in a tray containing the coffee, cups and some pastries. "And no, you don't have to eat any," Justin said pointedly looking at Brian.

"I'll just have coffee," Brian stated. "And stop undermining my authority with my employees."

"You are so full of shit," Justin reacted and Brian had to laugh. "Don't pay attention to more than half the crap he throws your way, Ted."

"I'll try," Ted said as he fixed his coffee.

"Is this any way to treat the boss?" Brian asked indignantly.

"It's the only way to treat him," Justin declared as he sat down. "Now let's fill Ted in on the property we're going to buy for the agency."

"Do tell!" Ted smiled. He was beginning to think this just might work. He was certainly glad that Justin seemed to be on his side.

They spent the better part of an hour discussing the new business and drinking another pot of coffee. Ted and Justin polished off the pastries.

As Ted drank the last of his coffee, he decided he better ask. "Um, I hate to mention this, but what will my … um … salary be?"

"Minimum wage," Brian answered immediately.

"Brian!" Justin chastised him.

"I think we can start you at what you made as an accountant with lots of room for bonuses and raises as the company gets on its feet," Brian explained.

"Fair enough," Ted replied. "I should get going." He stood up. "This was great. Thank you for inviting me to dinner, and thank you for the job. I … I can't tell you what it means to me." Ted felt himself choke up.

"For Christ's sake, don't get weepy on me or I'll take it all back," Brian snarked.

"Yes, Boss, sorry, Boss," Ted kowtowed.

"Go home and learn about contracts," Brian told him as they made their way to the door.

"My thoughts exactly," Ted said with a smile. "Let me know when you want me."

"We will," Justin said before he shut the door on Ted. "That went pretty well."

"Yeah, I guess."

"You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

"No, but I never realized how down and out Ted had got. I…"

"I know. He really needs this job. It sounds like it came at the right moment."

"He seems to have his shit together. And I think he will learn all he can about contracts."

"I know he will," Justin stated. "So, we have the final four."

"Not final, but we do have four. As long as it doesn't turn out to be the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse."

"Huh?"

"You know - Failure, Poverty, Discord and Death," Brian smirked.

"Don't even say that," Justin chuckled but he felt a slight chill. They couldn't fail. "And then there's the fifth Horseman," he added, "the ghost."

Brian merely stared at him.

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