Gone but not Forgotten By Bryant MacLagan Part Eleven Brian walked into the courtroom, bright and early Monday morning running his hand across Justin’s back as he passed by. He had remembered a great deal more over the weekend, other than things that he wished he hadn’t. Then with his talk with Ted, Brian knew he had to do this, get past it all and start his life with Justin. He couldn’t even entertain the idea of not testifying. He couldn’t, not after the hell Justin went through the week prior. Not with the hell that they both went through during that year they were missing. Plus, he wanted to see the look on Bellwether’s face when he sat there and explained what he remembered. He wanted to see the smug ass look on the man’s face wither as Brian told what he knew. When the other man found out that his little plan to stop Brian had failed. Brian moved up to the stand, and was sworn in. “My name’s Brian Kinney. K-I-N-N-E-Y. I’m in advertising.” Justin nervously watched Brian take the stand. Brian was all bluster and gave everyone who looked at him the impression he was invincible, but Justin knew better. Brian was more vulnerable than most people despite his bravado. His parents had seen to that. Brian took the stand and gave a quick glance at Justin. Justin smiled and mouthed a kiss causing Brian to smile though he tried to hide it. “Mr. Kinney, you are the owner of Kinnetic Inc are you not?” “Yes I am.” “And how do you know the defendant?” Brian glanced over at the table, and looked at the man sitting there. What was both Bellwether and Saperstein on Friday was now only Bellwether. The man had to know that his life was about to end, that everything he had was quickly coming to an end. Brian of course knew that the attorney would have a lot of information to use again Saperstein, discrediting anything he had to say. Hell, Brian knew that they would have a lot against him, but between the others testimonies, and what Brian remembered, he would make sure that this asshole lost this battle. He knew the war was just beginning, but he could wait on the real revenge until later. When the other man least expected it. “He wrote an article on me once, calling me a complete fraud, and a menace to society.” Brian said with a smile. “What did you think of that statement?” Brian shrugged, remembering what he had thought, but knew he couldn’t put that to words. “I laughed. It was basically true. Yes, I was known as someone who would have a different person every night… sometimes more than one person. Yes, I used drugs, and yes, I was a complete menace. But what I found funny was how he called me a fraud. If anyone was one, he was.” “Why do you say that?” Daniels asked before the Defense could object. “He kept talking about how he was this great person, role model for all gays in our society. He would talk about how we should be safe, and be proud. However, I know for a fact that he would turn around and have bare-backing parties with plenty of drugs, and sex.” “How do you know this?” “I was invited to one. Didn’t know what it was until I walked in and saw. Walked right back out.” “Why?” “It wasn’t my thing. Yes, I may not be the best person, but I do have my limits. And what I saw frankly made me sick.” Brian wanted to quickly get past all of the BS before junk, and just get right to the year he was missing. He hated that they wanted the back story, but knew that Daniels wanted to surprise the Defense with how much he remembered. A total waste of time, in Brian’s opinion. “Have you ever had sex with Mr. Bellwether?” Brian tried not to laugh out loud at the question, only shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Yes, once. He was a trick, and I guess it wasn’t handled well when I kicked him to the curb so to speak.” “Why is that?” “It was at a gathering of some sort. We f… had sex, well I topped him, then walked away afterward. All of his friends were there. He wasn’t real pleased with me about that.” “How do you know?” “He started to cause a scene, calling me names, and grabbed a hold of my arm. I pulled my arm free and walked away.” Brian wanted to lay Bellwether out, but knew that he couldn’t do that. He had a little more class than that, and didn’t want to cause a huge scene. “Was that the only time you had any encounters with the defendant?” “No. When I had started my business, one of his sisters was an employee of mine. I discovered that she had been lifting money, and stealing things from me.” “Did you press charges?” Brian shook his head. He had thought about it, he was ready to, but after seeing the signs he knew he had to do something else. She was a good employee and he didn’t want to totally destroy her life. “No. I called her into my office, and we talked. She had told me things, and since no one else would get her the help she wanted, I figured that I might as well help her out.” “Did she have a drug problem?” “Yes.” “What do you mean no one else would help her?” Mr. Cox shook his head. “Hearsay your honor.” “Sustained.” “To the best of your knowledge did anyone in her family know about her problem?” “To the best of my knowledge, yes they did. In fact I had received a visit from the defendant.” “When was this?” “After I had gotten Michelle into a drug rehab facility.” “Did you fight?” “We had a verbal disagreement yes.” “What happened?” Brian took a few seconds before he answered, trying to recall that day. It wasn’t one that he normally had, and one that he normally just blew off, but something at the time had told him to remember every second of the encounter. “He told me that I should leave his family alone, that what went on with members of his family was none of my business.” “And what did you do?” “I told him he was full of himself, and that Michelle had come to me asking for help. I had informed him that his sister wanted help, and after they had told her no she felt lost.” “Tell me about what you remember of the events after your birthday last year.” Brian stole a glance over to the defense table and gave them a small smirk. Finally they were getting to what he wanted; finally they were getting down to what this whole mess was about. With his eyes directly on Bellwether, Brian gave the man a small wink. “I can honestly say that I don’t remember much.” ”Why is that?” “Well it seems that there was a small… accident a month ago that just completely wiped out the last year from my mind.” “So you have no memory of any of the events of the last year?” ”I have actually been remembering more and more every day.” “Has your husband told you anything about the events of the past year?” “Not a damn thing.” Brian gave Justin a small smile, grateful for his husband’s stead-fast way of wanting Brian to remember it on his own. “Well, he told me we were married, and that he wasn’t going to get kicked out of our home. But nothing really about what happened while we were… missing.” “We will take a short recess at this time. Court will resume in fifteen minutes.” With that Brian stood and walked over to Justin to give his husband a hug. He was once again grateful that Justin hadn’t told him anything, even if he was pissed at the time. Now, however, he would have to let the world know just what he remember and only hoped that he got through it in one piece. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ While the rest of the people in the courtroom chatted, Brian and Justin sat as close as they could to each other. Justin held one of Brian’s hands in both of his while Brian had the other arm draped over his husband’s shoulder. They didn’t say anything. They didn’t need to. Comfort came for the both of them in the closeness they shared. The fifteen minutes seemed to fly and before they knew it, the court was being called back. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “You’ve stated that you have some memories of the time you were missing. What is the first memory that you have?” Brian looked over at Justin and smiled, still remembering the first time he had laid eyes on the other man. “I remember waking up on the floor in a room. I heard talking.” “Do you recall what was being said?” “One person started to complain about me being hit in the head too hard. I remember looking up and seeing Saperstein looking down at me, then he turned to look over to the side and started talking to a man sitting in one of the chairs. When I looked over I saw Bellwether sitting there. That’s the last thing I remember until I was thrown into the room with Justin.” “And when you arrived into the room, what do you remember of your time there?” “I remember seeing Justin sitting there, and then passing out cold.” Brian caught his husband’s small giggle, and he gave him a wink. “I have some flashes of walking around the room. I don’t remember what I was looking for, but I can tell you what was in the desk in the far right hand corner of the room.” “Do you remember anything, any outbursts you might have had brought on by the drugs that were in the food?” Brian took a second trying to put some order to what he did remember. “I can’t really place a time to what I remember. I remember an instant when I just started throwing things against the wall. I remember picking up a bottle of wine, and watching it smash against the wall. I can see Justin’s face. He was scared… of me.” Shaking his head, he sighed in defeat. “I don’t remember much after that. It’s all just pieces, scattered.” “Do you have any recollection of the incident in which Justin became sick?” ‘It was the worst time of my life,’ Brian thought. Closing his eyes, Brian tried to gather his wits, and settle the urge to hurt the man who had hurt Justin. “Yes.” “Can you tell us what you remember?” “I was scared shitless.” Brian began, his eyes locked on his husbands. “I thought I was going to lose him. He wouldn’t wake up. He had a high fever. I remember yelling out loud, screaming for them to do something. Give me something that would make him feel better. I told them that we would do what they wanted us to do, if only they would cut back the drugs, and let Justin live.” “And he eventually came out of it?” “Yes. For a while we pretended to follow their little game, ‘cause I knew. I knew he wasn’t up to anything. I was so worried that they would find out and take him away.” “Eventually you did what they wanted you to do?” “Yes.” “What did they want?” “They wanted us to have sex without a condom. So they could watch.” “Did you see anyone, talk to anyone?” “No. Not once. But after I told them that we would play their little game, we got a basket of food, some aspirin, two joints, and note.” “What did the note say, do you remember?” “Not really.” “What else do you remember?” “I remember one time, well another time I sort of lost it. Justin was trying to calm me down; I think we were both getting a little claustrophobic or something. He was shaking, I was yelling. Five men came in, grabbed a hold of us. We both were fighting, trying to get out, get away. Then everything went black.” After a short break, Brian prepared himself for the Defense’s questioning. He knew that this was going to be the hardest part that they were going to drag everything into the light. All of his ‘evil’ deeds will be laid out on the table for all to see. He knew that it could be more difficult on his husband than it would be on him. Brian smiled a little at the thought of his husband jumping across the ‘bar’ in order to defend Brian. Justin didn’t like anyone talking bad about Brian. “Mr. Kinney.” “Mr. Cox.” Brian smiled at the attorney, smugly with a raised eyebrow. “You have stated that you don’t remember much of what happened during the past year, is that correct?” “That is correct.” “How do you know that you didn’t have an accident?” “There were no bruises, no physical sign of struggle. No evidence of anything that could have caused the loss of memory.” Brian rolled his eyes, already seeing where this whole thing was heading. Shaking his head he turned his attention back toward the defense. “You have admitted to using drugs, have you ever taken so many, or had a time when you say, blacked-out?” “Yes.” “Not remembered what happened the night before when you work up?” “Yes.” “Then how do you know that you didn’t have a reaction to drugs?” Brian rolled his lower lip into his mouth and tired to hold the small laugh that was threatening to come out. “Because one, in those cases the ‘memory loss’ would be limited. Only a couple of hours. And secondly… I haven’t used any drugs with the exception maybe of a little pot once in a while since my birthday of last year.” “You have admitted to having many sexual partners over the years?” “Yes, and I can say that it’s too many to count. Just to answer your next question.” Brian stated hearing a small gasp from the jury booth with some light laughter. His answer he could see had confused Mr. Cox for a split second and figured that if he could keep the man off balance, then he would make it out of this. He had always been very upfront about things, never hiding anything in his life. He wasn’t about to change that now, and if the jury and the defense didn’t like it he didn’t really care. He wouldn’t lie, about any of it. “You stated that you had sex with Mr. Bellwether.” “Yes.” “And that you had basically thrown him away, to use your words.” “I don’t know if those were the exact words that I used, but yes.” “You’re honor, can you please instruct Mr. Kinney to answer the question and not editorialize.” “Mr. Kinney.” The Judge stated, and Brian could see that he was quite enjoying the little show that was going on. “Of course, your honor. I will try not to.” Brian looked out at the audience and saw Justin just shaking his head, hand covering his mouth so not to laugh. Brian was happy that Justin was so far calm. He knew it wouldn’t last. “You stated that while you were … held you were forced to have sex without protection.” “Yes.” “And was this the first time you had unprotected sex?” “No.” Mr. Cox waiting for Brian to expand on that comment, and when none was forthcoming he briefly nodded. “When was that incident?” Brian closed his eyes, shaking his head. “I was what… maybe 15, 16. I was young, stupid. A friend of mine talked to me, and it never happened again.” “You have men give you oral sex, without protection is that correct?” “Before I ‘disappeared’, yes. And since Justin… only him.” “Weren’t you afraid of catching AIDS?” “At times, I can say… maybe. It’s something that I believe all men think about, gay or straight. Straight men have the same likelihood of catching AIDS as a gay man… well for the most part. Somehow that disease doesn’t discriminate.” Brian leaned back giving off the air of complete relaxation, his hands loosely placed on his lap. Internally he was bracing himself for the ‘tough’ questions he knew were coming. “Your… husband never once told you about what occurred during the time you claim to not to remember?” “Not once. My husband always made sure that if I remembered it would be on my own terms, in my own way.” “That must have been frustrating.” “We survived.” “So you came back after being missing a couple of days, and he didn’t once ask where you were?” “Not really. I suppose my asking him who the hell he was, was a good indication that something happened.” Brian stated. The last thing he wanted this man to try and do was to discredit what Justin felt for him. He didn’t want anyone to think that Justin wasn’t scared shitless over the whole thing, cause Brian knew that his lover was. “And you say your relationship is solid? How can that be if he never once questions where you were.” “You’d have to ask him that question, but I can say that I knew he was upset. A person doesn’t have to ask the questions and when you just know someone as well as we know each other you can tell these sort of things.” “How? If you didn’t even remember him?” “I knew in the back of my mind, I knew. I can’t explain it, and I don’t think I can even begin to explain it. All I know is that I knew he was something very important in my life, that he was everything. No amount of memory loss could take that way. It was instinctive.” Brian felt himself start to get upset with the way the attorney was trying to degrade his and Justin’s relationship. He hated that the man was trying to completely discredit Justin. It was one thing to try and say things about him, but when the man started in on Justin, Brian drew the line. Luckily for everyone, the Judge called a break for lunch. Brian walked over to Justin and just held his husband. Leading them out of the courthouse and leaving everything behind for the next hour. He had to get his strength back, make sure he didn’t completely lose it on the stand. He could feel it starting, and was grateful for the break. He had to get his walls back in place before they continued. Justin accepted being held by Brian before they left the courtroom. As they were walking out the door he said. “So doesn’t it make you feel good that you are MUCH better looking than Cox?” Justin grinned at him. “I mean he couldn’t PAY anyone to have sex with him let alone have the fun and pleasure of the number of tricks you’ve had.” Brian laughed, his mood lightened. “Now I know why I love you. You can always make me smile.” “I hope there’s a few other reasons as well.” Justin laughed with his husband. “Where are we going for lunch?” Brian asked and then relenting “I have one or two other reasons, I admit.” “Good, glad to hear it.” Justin gave him a quick kiss. “I have lunch under control.” He led Brian into an empty room in the courthouse and closed and locked the door. In the room was a table and chairs, but best of all there was a long leather sofa. Brian grinned. “Now this is the kind of relaxing lunch that I need, that we both need.” He began to unbutton Justin’s shirt. “I want dessert first.” “Such a greedy boy.” Justin mumbled into Brian’s neck where he’d exposed one of the man’s ‘sweet’ spots and was doing his best to drive Brian wild with his kisses. They were relaxing on the sofa, lunch eaten and sexually sated for the moment when Justin’s cell phone rang. He took it out of his pocket and said. “Hey” it had been Lindsay’s number that had come up. “Jus’n, it’s me Gus.” Said the small boy. “Mommy said I could call you. It’s important.” “Gus, you can call me anytime, what’s wrong?” Justin looked at Brian with a questioning eye and raised brows. “It’s about Ghost.” “What about Ghost?” “He came into my room last night to say goodbye. He said that his grandson’s grandson would meet me when I go back to Canada with you. He said he was with the Great Spirit and that his bones didn’t ache anymore.” He paused. “I was sad ‘cause he’s my friend, but he said not to be sad because he was very happy. He said you would always be my father in spirit. What did he mean?” Brian and Justin were listening to Gus together. Brian shrugged helpless to answer, but Justin said. “Gus, Ghost must have loved you very much to come to you when he passed into Heaven so don’t be sad. And you know that I love your daddy, so he wanted you to know that I think of you as my son as well even though you aren’t a blood relation. Meaning that I am not part of your ‘real’ family.” “You are too my ‘real’ family.” Gus said. “I told mommy and momma that I was at your wedding and that now you and daddy are my real family.” Justin laughed softly. “Then if you say so Gus, then it must be true.” A knock on the door told the men that they had to go back to their ordeal. “I have to go now Gus. Your Daddy and I will come and see you as soon as we can.” “Bye, Jus’n, I love you.” Gus said before disconnecting. “That was kind of strange.” Brian said. “About the wolf I mean. Do you really think he actually saw him?” “Yes I do.” Justin smiled, “Gus is still young and innocent and easy for animal spirits to contact, it was nice that Ghost was able to say goodbye. We’ll have to be on the lookout for his grandson.” “Many times grandson.” Brian answered back. He gave one long and reluctant look at the room they were leaving before girding himself to head back to the afternoon’s questions in the courtroom. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Now, you say, Mr. Kinney, that you had an accident and that you don’t remember the past year. Is that correct?” “I didn’t say accident. I said that something happened, and I had lost the time from my 30th birthday until a month ago.” Brian rolled his eyes hating that he had to go through this line of questioning again. “So if it wasn’t an accident what happened?” Brian leaned back, trying to once again gather his thoughts about him. He had been trying to put order to all of the memories flying around in his head. “I only have flashes, so I can’t really say for sure what did happen.” He hated that he had to answer the question that way, but he wasn’t about to tell them something that he wasn’t a hundred percent sure of. “Were you kidnapped?” “I don’t know.” ”Abused? Drugged?” “I don’t know. My memory of that time is only in bits and pieces. I wouldn’t want to say something that I’m not a hundred percent was positive about.” “You said that you have had a number of one night stands. Correct?” “Yes.” “Sometimes more than one a night.” “Yes.” Brian glanced over at Justin and gave his husband a small smile. He hated that Justin had to hear this even though they both had been with others before they meet. “Did you ever have sex in public?” “Yes.” “Where?” “Babylon, the dance club. Woodys’, various other places.” “So you liked to be watched while you had sex, isn’t that right?” “I can say that there was some thrill in it, but it was always by my choice.” Brian hadn’t thought that that question would come up. “How anyone can say that what we went through in that warehouse is the same type of thing that we chose to do at places of OUR choice is absurd.” “Just answer the question, Mr. Kinney.” Mr. Cox went over to the table and pulled another sheet off of the pad that was sitting there. “Isn’t it true that you have also taken part in pornographic movies?” Brian shook his head, trying to control his temper at the man before him. “For personal enjoyment, and never without the other person’s approval.” “So you liked it didn’t you, Mr. Kinney? Being on display for everyone to see?” “Not in that instance, no. Not in that warehouse. We weren’t given the choice, and everyone…” “Now, Mr. Taylor stated that the only people who came looking for you was your co-workers, is that correct?” “Yes.” “Why didn’t your friends?” ”You’d have to ask them?” “Family?” “Not a part of the picture.” “Why? Did you get along with your family; weren’t they worried when their son didn’t show up for the holidays?” Brian leaned back in the chair and placed his hands on his stomach. His eyes never once left Mr. Cox’s. “My ‘family’ as you like to put it, have had no interest in me for a number of years. I don’t talk to them, and they don’t talk to me.” “Why?” “Pops was a womanizer and an abusive drunk who didn’t give a rats ass about me, who never wanted me, and my mother was too busy praying and hitting the bottle herself to care. Does that answer your question, Mr. Cox? They most likely haven’t heard a thing about this case, and if they did my mother would be too busy praying for my dammed soul, and cursing me to hell.” “You’re honor, I would like it if Mr. Kinney watched his language, and not ask any questions.” Mr. Cox stated giving Brian a small smile. Brian held his hand to prevent giving the man the bird, as he heard the judge warn him and his language. “Yes, your honor.” “Isn’t it true, Mr. Kinney that you have repeatedly used men for your own gain?’ “If you mean for sex and to get off, yes. But I have never used sex to get a better grade in school or whatever.” “But you’ve constantly pulled Mr. Novotany along, teasing him with sexual favors then shooting him down time and time again.” “I wouldn’t put it that way, but yes, I knew that Michael had feelings for me. I never felt that way for him. I didn’t want to lose our friendship by adding sex to the mix. But no, I never once told him that I would have sex with him. He knew the score.” “And Mr. Novotany wasn’t the only one that you did this to, was it?” “I don’t know what you’re referring to.” “Didn’t you have sex with people in order to get accounts, meet them at hotel rooms or have sex with them right in your office, just so you could win the account?” “I have, yes. Not in a long time, but yes, I have.” The rest of Brian’s testimony blurred for Justin. His heart ached for the other man. He knew how private a person Brian was and to have his peccadilloes aired for the world to hear must have been painful. Justin knew that the Brian of before, wasn’t the Brian he had fallen in love with. They had almost a year to get to know one another. There really wasn’t anything that the defense could bring up that Justin didn’t already know. That’s probably the only good that came out of their captivity, the ability to bare their souls to one another. When the court was dismissed for the day, Justin stood up and moved to help Brian down from the stand. “Hey Stud, let’s go home.” “You aren’t mad at me because of the questions I had to answer?” Brian looked ashamed and embarrassed. “Hell no, if I’d known you before, I would have fucked you.” “No I would have fucked you.” Brian laughed, cheered again. “Well, would have had an interesting evening, ‘cause I think we both would have insisted on our rights.” Justin linked his arm through Brian’s. “I think we should play ‘Stud meets handsome blond’ tonight.” “Mr. Kinney, I do believe that sounds like a terrific plan.” Brian leaned down and kissed Justin’s lips not caring who watched. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Justin let the thump of the music flow through him, taking him to a place he hadn’t been to in a long, long time. He completely let go, and let the music take over his body. He ran his hands up to his hair, feeling free for the first time in months. Justin had always loved the way dancing made him feel, love the chance to just totally let go, forget everything. “Fuck off,” he heard behind him as one body that had been pressed up against him left, and he felt another. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you around these parts before.” Justin shrugged a little keeping his back to the man pressed up against him. “I normally prefer more private dancing establishments.” “Private huh? How private?” “Oh you know… just me, my man… any surface that can handle us.” Justin said with a smile as he turned around and pulled Brian’s lips down to his own. “Think you could handle that, Stud?” “Oh, I’m sure I could. Question is… can you?” Brian wrapped his arms tightly around Justin’s body pulling him so that their bodies were flush against one another. “Do you think you could handle an all night party?” “Wouldn’t be the first time. You?” “I’m definitely up.” Brian ground his pelvis against Justin’s rubbing their clothes covered cocks against each other. “I can see that.” Justin pulled away slightly not wanting to lose it completely on the dance floor of Babylon. “How about you buy me a drink and then we can take this show on the road? I’m not really into floorshows these days.” “Neither am I.” Brian led Justin through the dance floor toward the rest of the gang waiting for them at the bar. “Two JB’s.” Once the drinks came, Brian leaned up against the counter, with Justin leaning with his back to Brian’s chest. “All I can say is thank-goodness we’re done with our shit.” “How’d it go today, Brian?” Michael asked as he took a sip from his beer. Brian had told the others not to show up. Wanting this whole thing to be private, not wanting his whole life spread out for those who hadn’t cared that he had even gone missing. Slowly Brian was starting to forgive them, but there were still things that he didn’t want them to know. And anything dealing with him and Justin was private. “It’s finally over, let’s just say that. Now it’s up to the rest of the witnesses, then the damn defense has their chance. Fuck, it maybe another two weeks or so before we even hear anything about a verdict.” “Yeah, these things take a while.” Michael said. Stealing a quick glance at Justin, Michael immediately shot down the hurt at the sight of the two men. Seeing Justin in the position that he himself had wanted for so long, would always cause him a sharp pain in the chest. “So, Justin. I was looking into some of those classes you were telling me about.” “They were suggestions, Michael. I just think that they can help you out in running the place. You don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to. Fuck, if anyone knows what it’s like to have to do something you don’t want to do it would be Brian and I.” Justin moved his head to the side, giving Brian more access to his neck. He could feel Brian’s hands on him, his lips sucking his flesh. The last thing on Justin’s mind was dealing with Michael. Brian slammed his glass down on the counter, and grabbed Justin’s to place beside his. “Well, boys this has been fun. We have our own celebrating to do.” With that Brian pulled Justin out of the club and toward the ‘vette.’ He had to get away from the crowds that were threatening to over take him. He wanted to spend some time getting to know his husband all over again. That was something he wasn’t about to share. Michael stood watching them leave. It was really only then that he realized his dreams about Brian were well and truly over. He sighed and turned back to the bar signaling for a refill. The part that was the hardest was seeing the love in Brian’s eyes when he looked at Justin. Michael had known Brian for a long time and with the exception of Gus, he’d never before seen Brian look at anyone that way. Brian twirled Justin to the beat of the music that had escaped the heavy doors. Both of them were laughing out loud at the sheer joy of being alive. Justin moved to the music, lost in his own world of love and joy for Brian. The last thing he heard before everything went black was Brian screaming ‘JUSTIN” Brian gathered Justin’s bloodied body into his arms. He didn’t register Mouse coming out of no where and calling for an ambulance or the people streaming out of Babylon to stand and stare at the drama unfolding before them. Michael put his hand on Brian’s shoulder. “I’ll call Ma, we’ll meet you at the hospital.” Brian heard him but couldn’t concentrate on what he was saying. He was too busy trying to listen to the shallow breaths Justin was taking. It was obvious that his leg was broken but who knew what else. Brian was sure that his own heart had stopped beating when he’d seen the body of his husband fly up and over the black car to land with a sickening thud on the damp and dirty road. At the hospital, Justin was whisked away down a corridor leaving Brian standing alone and terrified for his husband’s life. He didn’t notice as one by one his family and friends appeared to wait with him. Each one stopped to give his shoulder a squeeze or a quick hug as they took their places. When the doctor finally came out into the waiting room smiling, it was as if a weight had been lifted from them all. “He has a concussion, a broken leg and a lot of bruising. He’s a lucky young man. It could have been worse.” The doctor said to Brian. “He’s asking for you.” Brian looked panicked for a moment and then straightening his shoulders, he headed off with the doctor. “Hey Sunshine.” He said when he came into the room. “Hey Stud.” Justin smiled at his husband. “Bellwether doesn’t give the fuck up does he?” his voice was bitter. “You don’t know it was him.” Though Brian was positive it was Bellwether’s car. He wanted to talk to Mouse about it first before telling the police. It was time to do something about that asshole. “Sure I do.” Justin held out his hand. “I’m not that broken that you can’t kiss me.” “I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.” Brian was very much afraid he’d hurt Justin. The man was covered in bruises and the cast on his leg looked intimidating. “Get over here Stud. I’m not supposed to sleep for at least twelve hours. So I could use some distraction.” Brian obliged by kissing Justin soundly. “The whole damn family is outside the waiting room. They all want to see that you’re okay.” He kissed him again. “Do you mind dealing with them for an hour or so. Mouse and I have some business to attend to.” “Brian don’t you two dare do something foolish.” “Sunshine, don’t worry, Mouse and I can take care of ourselves. I was raised on the wrong side of town by an Irish bully. There isn’t much I don’t know about bullying.” “That’s what I was afraid of.” Brian kissed him again. “Later Sunshine.” He smiled as he walked out the door. The friends and family who saw that smile all felt a shiver go over their bodies. Brian was beyond angry and they all knew it. He nodded to Mouse who joined him as they walked out the door. “We’ve got some business to attend to.” He said quietly to the large man. “I was hoping you’d say that.” Mouse grinned an evil grin and walked through the hospital door beside Brian letting the dark night swallow them. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Brian quickly drove down the almost empty streets of Pittsburgh, with Mouse in the seat beside him. Seeing Justin covered in blood, the car smashing into him then driving off without a backwards glace, filled both men with pure unadulterated hatred. Mouse had recognized the car from the parking lot of the courthouse, he knew who had done it. The moment he told Brian who it was, they were off. Justin was being looked at, and the rest of Brian’s friends were there. So the two men decided that no matter what, this would end that night. Brian parked the car, and rushed out, heading directly toward the door. He pointed to Mouse, who slammed his shoulder against the wooden door, forcing it off its hinges. “Bellwether!?” Brian crooned as he caught sight of the man rushing toward one of the rooms to the left. “Ohhh don’t play that way. We’re only here to talk. We can’t do that if you are running away.” Mouse shook his head, following the angry man toward the other room. He watched as Mouse quickly caught up with Bellwether, and slammed his face against the wall. “You should have listened to Mr. Kinney.” “Yeah… you should have listened. I mean, I just wanted to talk.” Brian pulled Bellwether back by the back of the neck and slammed him once again into the wall. “I at least am willing to talk this over, man to man, face to face. Unlike some people I know who will use a fucking car to slam into someone. Unlike some people I know who will kidnap someone and use some quack science experiment on them. You don’t know who would do that sort of thing, do you?” “I’ll have you thrown in jail for this, Kinney. You will never see your… husband again.” Bellwether cursed, threatening Brian with the only thing he knew would hurt the man. “Or… what? You’ll take away my memory again, if that doesn’t work?” Brian leaned in placing his mouth right next to Bellwether’s ear. “It didn’t work before, you fucking piece of shit, it won’t work now. No matter what you try to do, Justin and I will always be together, and we’ll always be here to haunt you. In life and in death, we’ll be there to terrorize you.” Brian pulled away and looked around the room. Giving a small smile toward Mouse, he nodded in the direction of the door. “Guess what I just remembered? I seem to remember something about a little S&M fetish. Shall we go and have a look?” Brian pushed Bellwether over to Mouse who grabbed the man around the throat to keep him from running off. The larger black man held Bellwether tight within his arms as they followed Brian throughout the house. “I’ll have your ass for this, Kinney.” “Shut him up.” Brian stated as he watched Mouse place a large hand over their victim’s mouth. “Much better. Soooo, what do we have down here?” Brian opened the door that lead to the basement, and gave a huge smile back at the other two men. “I guess the rumors were true. It’s playtime, boys.” ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Mouse placed Bellwether against the wooden cross, allowing Brian to tie up the man’s hands. Once Bellwether was secured, Mouse bent down to make sure the man’s legs were firmly tied. “Um.. Brian?” Mouse asked holding up a tight leather mask. “It won’t shut him up, but…” Brian gave the other man an evil smile as he grabbed a hold of the mask. “Actually, I want to hear what he has to say. Cause, my buddy here is going to tell us everything! Aren’t you?” “Like hell, Kinney. I haven’t done anything illegal. Unlike you. I hope you spend the rest…” Brian placed a small ball in Bellwether’s mouth and shrugged his shoulders. “Well maybe a little break from his bickering would be a good thing.” Mouse gave Brian a grateful smirk, as he began to look through the room for some things that they could ‘play’ with. When he had seen the car racing down the street and Justin’s body being flung through the air, Mouse had felt like everything had come to a stand-still. He had failed in his job, he had let Justin down. Justin was hurt because he had been unable to stop this man who was now at their mercy. Mouse wasn’t going to let that happen again. He would not fail Justin, nor Brian. “Brian?” Mouse asked as he opened one of the large cabinets on the side of the room. Brian walked over and saw row after row of video tapes and DVD’s. Grabbing one, he went over to the small entertainment center in the corner of the room and began to view what they had found. Seeing the whole thing, their hell, played out on the TV made Brian almost physically ill. He could only stand and watch as Justin and himself made love on the TV. Quickly turning, Brian threw a punch to Bellwether’s face. “You fucking sick son of a bitch!” Brian grabbed the mask that he had set off to the side and placed it over Bellwether’s head. “Now it’s time to be on your own TV, make your own video huh?” Mouse had found a small video camera in the corner of the room, and picked it up. “Do you think that he will tell us anything?” “Oh, he will most definitely be screaming like a baby when I’m done with him. Won’t you?” Brian picked up some small toys that hung on the wall, and began to run the soft leather whip across Bellwether’s chest. “You like to play games? You like to watch as you try to play master? Well, you sick fuck, I’m the master now. You’re nothing.” Brian began to spray the whip across Bellwether’s body, seeing the flesh redden with each touch of the leather. “You have no idea what I want to do to you. You have no idea what I wish I could do to you. You tried to destroy me, destroy Justin. You think I don’t know, you think that you took it all away from me. But I remember. I told you that if anything happens to Justin that I would come after you. I told you that I would make you pay. Did you THINK I was kidding? Did you think that I wouldn’t’ remember that?” Brian lit a candle, and watched as the wax began to pool under the wick. He could see Bellwether’s eyes widen, see the fear start to rise within the man. Brian wasn’t sure if it was him, or if Bellwether was scared of what Mouse would do, as Mouse stood next to Bellwether with a 10 inch dildo in his hand and an evil grin playing across his lips. “Now, if I were you, I’d start at the beginning. Tell us everything you know about what happened. Tell us all about the warehouse, the brainwashing… and yes about how you just ran Justin down. Cause if you don’t, I won’t be held responsible for what I might do to you.” ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Brian gathered up the tapes, and placed them all in his trunk. He would let Mouse deal with the rest. After Bellwether started to tell them everything, Brian knew he would have to leave, or he would have killed the man. Hearing how the man had not only enjoyed making Brian and Justin suffer, how the man had wanted them both to die a slow and painful death, Brian knew he had to walk out. He couldn’t stand there and listen to any more of the sick details. He lived through it once, he didn’t want to hear how someone took great pleasure out of his and Justin’s pain. Seeing Mouse walk out of the house, Brian went over to Bellwether’s car and ran his fingers across the front bumper. He could feel Justin’s blood on the now damaged surface. “Did you leave him alive?” Mouse nodded as he handed Brian the last of the video tapes, and a single picture. Brian smiled, shaking his head. He pulled out the cordless phone that he had swiped from inside the house and dialed 911. “Yes, I would like to report, a hit and run. I followed the man home, and… the door was smashed in when I got here…. I don’t know. … yes, the front door was smashed in, and there’s a man tied up downstairs…. Yes. Please hurry.” Brian gave the operator the address then disconnected the phone. “You did wipe the place down didn’t you? Make sure that we didn’t show up in the tape?” Mouse nodded as he made his way back to the ‘vette. Brian turned back to glance at the house one more time. Placing the portable phone in his pocket, deciding that the police wouldn’t get any prints off of it if they couldn’t find it, Brian followed the other man to the car. He had to get back to Justin, and hold him. He had to be with his husband, and make sure that he was all right. Once in the car, Brian turned his attention to Mouse. “When we get there, I want you to take the videos out of the trunk. Get them up to Canada. Justin and I are going to have a little bon-fire once we get home.” Mouse placed one of his large hands on Brian’s shoulder, letting the other man know that he wouldn’t fail this time. “No one will ever see those tapes.” “Not when we get done with them. Not when we get done.” End of Part eleven