Chapter 7 

"Brian, there's a Mr. Bruckner here to see you."

Brian sighed. "Send him in," he said into the intercom. "What is with the fucking formalities today?" he muttered to the empty office.

"Professor," Brian said as Ben came in the door. "What can I do for you?" He already suspected the purpose of Ben's visit based on what Debbie had told him.

"Michael," was all Ben said. Brian and Ben had known each other long enough that the one word spoke volumes between them.

"Oh him! Short, dark hair, puppy dog eyes, unpredictable temper."

"You know, don't you?" Ben said more as a statement than a question.

Brian nodded. "Debbie."

Ben nodded in understanding. They had developed a Michael shorthand, as Brian once called it, over the years of dealing with the dark haired queen.

"So what's he doing this time that sent you scampering over here to see me?" Brian asked.

"Bitchier than usual, slamming pots and pans around, grumbling and muttering."

"The usual."

"Yep."

"What can I do?"

"Not sure. He never wants to speak to you again," Ben explained.

Brian sighed. "If I had a dime for every time he's said that since I've known him, I could buy a fucking donut and coffee."

Ben laughed. "Like you'd ever do that."

"Sit down, Professor. Maybe we can figure something out."

*****

"Michael," Emmett grinned as Michael stepped out of the back room of the comic book store.

"What can I do for you?" Michael said formally.

"You fucking called me!" Emmett retorted. He had been awakened out of a sound sleep all snuggled up against Drewsie when his cell phone had gone off. The sound of "Caribbean Queen" playing loudly had jolted him back to reality. The call had been from Michael whining and looking for sympathy because Brian had once again wronged him. Emmett had been too groggy to utter the right responses so Michael had hung up on him. After that Emmett had been unable to get back to sleep, so a couple of hours later here he was being abused once more by his friend.

"Forget it," Michael said haughtily.

"You wake me out of a sound sleep and now you tell me to forget it?" Emmett's voice was gradually rising with each word.

"Come into the back," Michael said grudgingly, taking Emmett's arm and dragging him back into the storeroom. "Don't make a scene."

"I'll fucking make a scene if I want to. What did Brian do this time?"

Michael shook his head. "He told Steve to go into Hunter's room at the hospital. I'm Hunter's father and he wouldn't let me go in. Who died and made him fucking God?"

"Michael, I don't know what was going on but I'm sure Brian must have had a good reason for doing that."

"Sure, defend the great Brian Kinney! You're just like all the rest."

"Haven't you learned anything about Brian after all these years?" Emmett asked him. "I'm sure Brian was doing what he thought was best."

Michael crossed his arms on his chest and gave Emmett that look that said "I know I'm right and I'm pissed with you for not agreeing with me".

"Why don't you talk to Brian about it? Find out why he did that."

"I'm never speaking to that asshole again," Michael declared.

"May I ask why you called me when you obviously don't want to listen to anything I suggest?"

"I wanted…"

"You wanted me to tell you that you're right and Brian's wrong. Well, those days are long gone, Michael. I don't support anyone without knowing the facts. Talk to Brian … or Hunter, and find out the fucking facts."

Michael glared at his friend but refused to say anything.

Emmett sighed. "I feel the need of a little retail therapy. I could use a new outfit. See ya, Michael," Emmett called cheerily as he exited the shop.

"Fucking asshole!" Michael muttered at Emmett's retreating form. No one ever understood.

*****

"Hunter, are you in there?" Something made Steve want to come down to Hunter's apartment and check on him. He was knocking loudly on the door.

"Keep your shirt on!" Steve could hear through the door. Hunter slid back the heavy metal door. "Where's the fire?" Hunter snarked then stepped aside to allow Steve to enter.

"I could ask you the same," Steve said noting that Hunter was somewhat out of breath.

"Bathroom," was all that Hunter needed to say.

Steve nodded. "Sorry about that."

"It happens, but I'm glad you came down. I got an interesting phone call earlier."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, dear old mom wants to meet with her baby boy."

"And your reply?"

"I wrote down her info and told her I'd get back to her."

"And are you planning to get back to her?"

"Yes, I am but not without protection. I learned my lesson. I'm not just a pretty face, you know." Hunter smirked; he was getting a grip on his feelings and on how his mother affected him. He had no plans of losing himself within himself again and every intention of using the help the family had offered him.

"Good boy. So tell me your plan and my part in it."

*****

"Hey, Jus," Brian strode into the Bloom gallery look for Justin Taylor, artiste extraordinaire.

"Hey, Bri, this is a pleasant surprise." Justin crossed the gallery floor to give his partner a kiss.

"I'm just full of surprises," Brian smirked with his patented tongue in cheek grin.

"What are you up to?" Justin stood with his hands on his hips knowing Brian all too well. Justin scrutinized his partner closely.

"Just keeping my word about getting us to New York for Friday night. I wanted to check in with you first before I did anything. You know, us being equal partners and all." Brian wandered around the gallery, casually gazing at the exhibits and feeling Justin's eyes boring through him. Brian had momentarily flustered his spouse. Brian liked that.

"Asshole. You're planning something, something I may not like, so instead of doing it behind my back, you're doing it in front of my face."

"I'm losing my touch, aren't I," Brian stated as he twisted his head trying to understand a very abstract sculpture in front of him. He thought it looked like two guys in the 69 position but he wasn't sure. When he crossed his eyes, Justin broke out into laughter.

"Yes, they are doing what you think they're doing, and no, you haven't lost your touch. I'm just on to you. Kyle would like us to be at his gallery around seven Friday night and then spend most of Saturday there. We can come home on Sunday and Sidney said we can use his loft while we're there. No need to get a hotel room. He's having it cleaned and aired out but he wants us to give it the once over to make sure it's in good repair. His place isn't used that often and he doesn't want to sublet."

"That fits into my plan very nicely. I had some interesting visitors today at Kinnetik and one very interesting phone call." Justin gave Brian a screwed up look. "No need to worry your pretty little blond head about it. You leave the details to me."

Justin snorted. "That's what I'm worried about," Justin snarked but left it in Brian's capable hands. "Can we get lunch? My hand needs a break." Justin had been signing COA's and posters all morning long.

"Sure, your stomach waits for no man, Sunshine." They let Sidney know they were going to lunch then Brian and Justin left the building.

*****

"Susan!" Craig exclaimed. "What brings you to my office? You don't often visit. Are you free for lunch?" Craig kissed his wife gently. They were getting along better these days.

"Yes, I am but you may not want to go with me after I discuss what I came here to talk about." Susan had gotten a phone call from a certain Brian Kinney.

"That sound ominous."

"Yes, well, as I said you may not feel like lunch afterwards."

"I'll take my chances. Sit and tell me about your phone call." Susan made herself as comfortable as she could and then proceeded to be brutally honest with her husband. Brian had suggested that all of the skulking around, plots, and using Bree to get to Craig, while somewhat effective, were slow going and could have disastrous consequences. Meaning that Briana could get hurt, as well as Molly. Brian suggested honesty.

"So all this time, you and Justin have been using Briana to get to me?" Craig didn't sound angry, more shocked than anything else.

Susan nodded; tears were forming in her eyes. "It didn't start off that way, not really. Bree's your son's daughter. So sweet and beautiful, I ached to get to know her and spend time with her. I miss not having children around."

The tears fell freely, Craig urged her to continue speaking.

"I enjoyed baby-sitting, baking cookies and reading to her. And Justin and I thought that if you got to know her, see that she's so lovely, you wouldn't mind so much who her parents are. Craig, Justin has never stopped loving you but you forced him into making a choice. A choice he never wanted, but had to make. For all intents and purposes, he and Brian are married. Could you make a decision like that? Justin chose to be with his partner, above all else and now his daughter and his partner. It wasn't easy for him to walk away from his father. And now, he's trying to make it possible for Molly to have the wedding she deserves."

Susan's tears flowed heavily. Craig poured her a glass of water.

"Thank you. In spite of Molly's protestations, she wants you to walk her down the aisle. Both she and Owen want it. Justin is willing to do the honor but even he feels that honor belongs to you. Brian has said he won't go if that would make a difference but if Brian doesn't go then Justin won't go and that means Bree won't go and she is supposed to be Molly's flower girl. There's even been talk of elopement." Craig's eyes widened at the thought of Molly running away to elope.

"Don't worry. They talked her out of it."

"Susan, I don't want to be rude but is there a point to all of this?" Again no anger in Craig's voice but he didn't know what she wanted.

"Yes. Justin's show has gone to New York and he has to put in an appearance."

"What does this have to do with us? Did you want to go? I'll try to arrange it."

"No, but thank you. I had the pleasure of seeing it here. I wish you would have too; his paintings are magnificent."

Craig nodded in agreement although Susan had no idea Craig had seen them.

"They're leaving Friday after lunch and returning Sunday. Brian asked if Briana could stay with us. They have business in Pittsburgh before they go and they're taking the shuttle to the airport."

"Don't they have other family who could care for the child?"

"Yes, I suppose they do but Brian called me first."

"Brian called you?"

"Yes."

"Not Justin."

"No. He didn't want to burden Justin if you said no. He'll make other arrangements if you don't agree."

"If I don't agree? Brian wanted you to discuss this with me and not have Bree just show up at the house?"

"That's right. His exact words were 'tell the bastard the fucking truth'. Brian would have nothing to do with it if you didn't know the whole story. He said Briana deserves a grandfather who loves her for being who she is and that means a part of Justin. Brian said that Justin deserves to have a father that loves him simply because he's your son. Brian said..."

Craig held up his hands. "I know what Brian said." Craig got up to look out of his office window. Brian. To make peace with his son, Craig would have to make peace with Brian. To be a grandfather to Bree, Craig would have to come to some sort of agreement with Brian. Sounded more like a business arrangement than anything else. Craig turned to face his wife.

"When do you have to let Brian know?"

"Later this afternoon or tonight. I have to give him time to make other arrangements. They were considering taking Bree with them but Justin wants Brian at his side when he meets and greets. It would be too much for Briana."

"Let me think about it. Now, how about that lunch?"

*****

"Brian, there's a Mr. Taylor to see you." Brian looked at his watch, it was close to five. He was supposed to meet Justin at the gallery with Bree. Maybe Justin decided to leave early. Brian smiled.

"Show him in then start wrapping it up," Brian said to Cynthia via the intercom.

"I think I'll stay," Cynthia stated pensively.

"What the hell?" Brian muttered at the intercom then stood as his door opened. Craig walked in.

"Quite the mover and the shaker, aren't you, Kinney?" Craig looked over his nemesis. Brian decided to wait it out and remain silent. "But then you're quite adept at plotting out strategy. It's what made you so successful, so powerful. Men and women would bend over backwards to please you."

Brian arched a brow at that statement. He wasn't sure if Craig got the double entendre.

"Bottom line, Kinney, I don't like you. I don't think I will ever like you. You stole my son's innocence away and that's something I'll never get back, nor forgive. But it's come to my attention that you want me to get to know my granddaughter and to escort Molly down the aisle on her wedding day. To be honest with you, I'm not sure if I can do it. I can't condone your lifestyle; however, I'd like to be able to see Briana and Justin on occasion, if he'll allow it." Craig paused, seemingly in debate with himself. "Briana can stay the weekend with us. I haven't decided about the wedding yet. I've seen the guest list and I've seen who Molly's hired to plan this thing."

Craig pulled a business card from his wallet. Brian immediately recognized the distinctive shade of mauve.

"Emmett Honeycutt, party planner. Fairy godmother to the Pitts?" Craig read the card out loud and Brian had trouble stifling a chuckle. Brian had once made that remark to Emmett when the cooking queen was getting his business off the ground. He had no idea Emmett had put that on his business card.

"You know him, I gather?" Brian shrugged. "I also saw his name as one of the guests, next to Drew Boyd's name. Does Owen know that one of his football heroes is a..."

Brian's eyes narrowed, his jaw tensed and his hands balled up into fists. Craig noticed.

"...a friend of yours?" Brian relaxed a bit and nodded. "Hmm. Let Susan know where and when to pick up Briana." Craig turned then strode out.

A few minutes later Cynthia and Ted came into Brian's office where they found their friend and boss frozen to the floor.

"Brian, is everything all right?" Cynthia asked gently. She exchanged looks with Ted.

"Can I get you anything, Bri?" Ted went to the wet bar.

Brian shook his head then sat back into his chair. Just then Briana came barreling into the office with her teacher close behind.

"Dada! We go get Daddy now?" Bree had her backpack. She was the last to leave daycare. Her teacher smiled at them then left for the night.

"Yes, Squirt, we'll go get your daddy." Bree studied her Dada's face for a second then patted it gently.

"You okay, Dada?" Wide blue eyes stared into her father's hazel ones.

"I'm okay. Just add another member to the Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor fan club." Brian smiled lovingly at his princess, tickling her under her chin. "Let's go, people! Out. Tomorrow's another day."

Kinnetik's top execs, and Bree, packed it up for the night.

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