Chapter 6

"What is it, Bobby? There's been something bothering you for weeks now."

John and Bobby were cuddling in front of their fireplace. It was late Spring but the night air was cool enough for a small fire. Patrick was asleep in his room, Bree with him. Patrick had overindulged, eating far too many cookies he had bought at his school's cake sale. His tummy ached, and Bree felt the need to be his nurse or at least provide him with sympathy after being scolded for not listening to his parents' warning.

"Is it what the investigators found?"

Brian's team of investigators did confirm what the police and fire department suspected, the fires were started by a bunch of high school kids. It first began as a dare then grew into almost a rite of passage. The kids, like most teenagers, thought they could continue to outsmart the adults. However, none of them had ever come up against the likes of Brian Kinney. And it was Brian's suggestion that all the kids involved work toward restitution on The Farm with Bill and Steve's guidance. The teens would spend up to two years at The Farm in lieu of jail time. Schooling would be provided as well as counseling. No one wanted to see the kids scarred by prison and yet they had to learn. It was a good solution.

"I don't know," Bobby answered softly but John was not convinced. John had seen that expression on Bobby's face all too often on Patrick's. He twisted them around on the sofa so that they could face each other.

"Yes, you do know," John whispered back, encouraging his spouse to speak. Then John slipped a couple of fingers under Bobby's chin to raise his face and look into the blue-grey eyes. "Tell me," John murmured. Bobby sighed loudly then took a deep breath.

"Does it bother you?"

"Does what bother me?"

"What your brother does?"

"What does he do besides preventing my life from ever becoming boring?"

"The way he takes over sometimes."

"How does he take over?"

"This thing with the fires..."

"He was right, wasn't he? The perpetrators were caught before they or anyone else could be hurt or more damage done and they'll get the help they need. Maybe their lives won't be ruined."

"It just seems like every time something happens in our lives, Brian's there to fix it or take charge or spring into action."

"Like Rage?" John tried to lighten the moment but Bobby wasn't buying it.

"Don't you resent it?"

"Why would I?"

"But you're..."

"What am I, sweetheart, what am I? Top dog? The alpha male?" Bobby stayed silent but nodded. "Bobby..."

"Don't. Just because you prefer to bottom doesn't mean you take a subservient role to anyone … including Brian."

"When have I ever taken a subservient role?"

"Drew and Emmett's place, it's your company doing the work. He should have consulted with you first before ordering Gordon to put up a fence. And the guards, if you needed guards, you would have ..."

"Bobby, do you really resent Brian or is all this anger because you think I've suffered some injustice in all of this?"

"I don't resent Brian. I love the big goof but sometimes I think he steps on your toes. He makes these grand gestures..."

"I agree with you there. He does have a way of making grand gestures although it's only a few of us who realize how grand they really are, such as his clinic idea. As for him stepping on my toes, well I do have big feet."

"John..."

"All right. Bobby, did it ever occur to you why Gordon and I work so well together?"

"What does he have to do with anything?"

"Just answer the question."

"I don't know. You're the boss, I suppose."

"Not quite, although it may appear that way. We are equal partners."

"On the books..."

"No, not just on the books. Right from the beginning when we formed our company, he's always been my equal partner."

"So why is it called Anderson Construction Company?"

"Because the Smith Construction Company name was already taken and Gordo hated the sound of it."

"But he always calls you boss."

"It's an old joke between us. We've been friends since high school and we both love building and architecture. But Gordo is better with his hands. I love the design aspect of the process. Gordon has a way of looking at any tool and knowing just how to use it. Whereas, I see an empty space and can imagine the finished building. We've always been interchangeable when we have to. I can use a hammer and know my way around power tools. Gordon has been known to draw up plans or change a plan when he has to but we each have our niche and are very well suited for it."

"And he calls you 'boss' because?"

"Gordon and I were working in New York. We hooked up with a major construction company, honing our craft. On one site the foreman got injured, nothing major, but it threatened to stop construction for the day until a substitute could stand in. I had studied the plans. I could see each step of the way in my head. Gordo said I got this look in my eyes and then just started issuing orders. I guess I must have sounded convincing because the men got back to work. We did well that day. By the time the owner of the company had arrived with the new foreman, we had exceeded the projected progress for the day. Over the next few days the owner hung around to supervise but I was in charge, more or less. That's when Gordon began to call me boss. It stuck. We have the best working relationship partners could ever wish for. I think up the designs and he finds a way to make them happen. We're two sides of the same coin. And he's the voice of reason when I get a little full of myself or over the top."

"And what does he get out of it?"

John blushed and began to laugh. "Gordon once told me that if I wasn't around to inspire his creative side, all of his buildings would look like big boring boxes. Functional but boring."

"And Brian?"

"Brian is my brother."

"You know what I mean."

"Brian and I share many of the same traits. You must see how creative he is, how he can visualize the completed project. It's what makes him so great in advertising. And he's able to pick out the right people to work with, those with his vision, so that his company is never stagnant. He knows how to get things done, just like Gordon. I was never good with the books so I have a good accountant and a great lawyer." John smiled at his spouse. "Bobby, I would never presume to tell you how to try a case nor would you ever presume to tell me how to build a house. It's the same with Brian, I would never presume to tell him how to run his business or..."

"How to fix things."

"Or how to fix things. I'm not blinded to the fact that he can go too far at times but that's what he has Justin and us for. We'll keep him in line if necessary but he has the balls to do what we can only dream of. You know that's true, even his oldest friends know that. That's probably why so many people in his past resented him. Maybe that's why Melanie still harbors some resentment. No one ever had the guts to do what Brian did, and still does. He needs to be able to work freely and we keep him grounded and safe. No, Bobby, in answer to your original question, it doesn't bother me. I love the big goof too. And I thank God every day for sending him to us. Just like you said, Baby, it was meant to be. And I'll always be top dog and he knows it too."

"I love you, John."

"Love you too, Bobby." The lovers kissed then snuggled up again. "Babe, you're not angry with Brian, are you?"

"No, love, I can never be angry with the big guy. Annoyed as hell but not really angry. I don't want you to feel slighted. It's like whenever he walks into a room, all eyes turn to him. You're just as beautiful and sexy as he is. I just don't understand it."

"Bobby, we've been together for all this time. Why is this the first I've heard of this? You know what, don't answer that, it doesn't matter. I have no reason to feel slighted. Brian is a natural born ad man. He knows how to package a product. Brian Kinney has been a product for years and even when that product isn't on display, he can't stop being what he is. It would be like asking him to stop breathing or asking Justin to stop seeing the world through his artist eyes. They can't and I wouldn't want them to. I don't envy them, especially Brian. It's an awesome responsibility to be Brian Kinney, to have the world expect you to always be young and beautiful."

"But that's not the real Brian."

"No, it's not, and we're some of the few who truly understand that. So when Brian fucking Kinney enters a room looking like he owns the place, he's just giving them what they want."

"And when John Anderson walks onto a construction site with his hard hat on his head..."

"He's doing exactly what's expected of him and what he was born to do."

"And the Brian that rocks his daughter to sleep or chases away his partner's nightmares?"

"Is the Brian who has so much love in his heart and has finally learned how to give it and accept it in return. And that man deserves our love and our protection."

"And you're the alpha dog, the leader of our pack, the one who will protect the protector."

"Yes."

"Then it's all as it should be."

"Yes," John whispered as he nuzzled Bobby's ear. The lovers snuggled closer then drifted to sleep.

*****

[good boy...big boy...protect...mine...good boy]

"So, Dog, what brings you to this end of the cottage?" Brian arched a brow as he spied Beau entering the kitchen. Justin had gone to Pittsburgh for the day taking Bree with him. Brian had spent most of the morning in Harrisburg at Part Deux, ruffling some feathers, lighting fires under his ad men and generally making a nuisance of himself. Scott took it all in stride and then wowed Brian with a multimillion dollar contract they had just secured in Philadelphia. Part Deux had scooped Vance and with some input from N'rgy, Scott and his team were on their way to developing a killer ad. Brian was duly impressed and then sent on his way.

Beau groaned his reply, sat at Brian's feet, then yawned widely.

"Bored, are we?" Brian asked his big silent friend. "Well, let me get out of this monkey suit then you and me can take a jog down to the new cottage." Beau perked up, appearing to understand Brian. He waited patiently until Brian appeared in the hall and beckoned. Beau was at Brian's side as they went out the sun porch door.

Brian jogged on the well worn path that led to the new cottage as Beau ran and bounced happily around him. The outer walls and roof were complete. The wiring and electrical outlets installed and the inner walls were getting a second coat of spackle. Although John had designed the cottage to mirror his own, after the fire Gordon had taken the liberty of modifying the plans a bit. Instead of a wooden structure, Gordon turned it into stone. It had one main room with the fireplace separating it from the master bedroom. There was a smaller room that could be used as a den or guest bedroom. The feature of the cottage, aside from the double fireplace was the kitchen. It contained a large granite island with lots of counter space, the latest double ovens, and super duper stove with grill. It was a chef's dream kitchen. All it needed was the appliances and the chef. Since the crew was just about finished with the outside, Gordon had arranged for the landscaper to come in. The garden plans included an arbor, hearty apple trees, and perennials and a small greenhouse so that the number one chef could have fresh herbs for his masterpieces anytime he wanted.

"Wow!" Brian exclaimed. This was the second time in the day that he was impressed. Gordon came out to get an additional tool from his truck when he noticed Brian skulking about.

"You like?"

"Yeah, I like."

"Do you think your friends will like it?"

"I think they'll love it. They may never want to leave."

"It's not really designed to be an all year round cottage, although it's been well insulated. Besides your friends have a lot of business in Pittsburgh."

"Yes, they do but they'll be happy for the opportunity to get away when they want. Drew has no intention of giving up their apartment but I think they've developed an appreciation for the country. And with the state of the art kitchen, they can get away and Emmett can still create if he wants to."

"You've thought of everything, haven't you," Gordon said knowingly.

"No, not everything." Brian looked away.

"Brian, no one could have anticipated that those junior arsonists would pick this lane as their next target. You have nothing to be ashamed of. And with your help, it's over."

"I hope so," Brian mumbled.

"Come on, let me show you the inside. I think you'll love what we've done." Gordon guided Brian inside, his face lighting up. Brian was impressed for the third time that day.

*****

"Oh no, not again," John grumbled as he heard Beau making some whiny, whimpering noises out in the sun porch. John got out of bed and quickly pulled on his jeans. Bobby woke up feeling John stir, donned his sweat pants and followed John out. As they came out into the sun porch, Brian and Justin were coming out of their room, also responding to the noise.

"It better not be another fire," Brian cursed.

"No, I don't think so. Look!" Justin pointed out into the garden. In the middle of the garden was a doe with her new fawn standing on its wobbly legs at its mother's side. Beau whimpered.

"It's okay, boy," John reassured the dog. "She won't hurt anything."

"Speak for yourself. My garden is an open buffet for deer," Brian groused. "One nibble and I send Beau out there."

"Brian, that's not very neighborly of you," Bobby commented.

"Being awakened out of a sound sleep at three in the morning does not a good neighbor make." Brian frowned.

"Oh, stop, you big oaf. They're not hurting anything. See, they're leaving." Justin pointed as the deer slowly wandered toward the woods. "There, your precious garden is safe."

"I still say Beau should go take a good look around," Brian proclaimed.

"You're a spoiled brat, do you know that?" John stated but he opened the screen door to let Beau out. Beau patrolled the gardens, sniffed around then ran off in the direction of the new cottage just to make sure everything was okay over there too.

"Great, now what do we do?" Bobby grumbled. "I have court in the morning."

"Go back to bed, Big Red," Brian said sympathetically. "I have nowhere to be in the morning. I'll wait for Beau to come back." Brian made himself comfortable on one of the lounges.

"I'll keep you company," Justin said as he went into their room then returned with a light blanket.

"You guys don't have to do that. He'll come through his doggie door," John explained.

"We know and then he'll come out here to have a snack before he finally settles. Go back to bed." Brian shooed away his brother and brother-in-law. He settled himself down next to Justin who was already falling back to sleep.

"You're sure?" John asked.

"I'm sure. I'll see you both in the morning." Brian yawned then closed his eyes. John and Bobby went back to bed.

Forty-five minutes later, Beau let himself in through his door. He quickly made the rounds of Edna's Treasures. Noting that two of his pack were out in the porch, he gave them a quick sniff. They smelled right so Beau went to his bed. He nuzzled his precious rope of socks, raised his massive head for one last look then went to sleep.

[good boy...big boy...mine...protect...good boy]