“Are you supposed to be in here? Aren’t you afraid I’m going to rape you?” Brian sneered. He’d been checking his email in his office, when Kip Thomas had walked into his office unannounced.  The meeting with the company lawyers wasn’t supposed to be for another hour. 

“You fucking win, Kinney. I don’t know how you did it, but I have to give you credit. You can lock up the dogs; I’m dropping the lawsuit. I’ll be out of here in ten minutes, but rest assured Kinney, if I can ever get even, I will.” 

“Came to your senses did you, Thomas?” Brian asked somewhat mystified about what Kip was talking about, but not wanting to admit to anything.

“I should have known that someone like you didn’t get where they were without being able to use a little persuasive blackmail when it’s needed.” 

“Actually Thomas, I’m where I am because I’m honest and tell the truth. Perhaps in your case that hurts.” Brian stood up. “You might want to try it sometime. Now get the fuck out of my office before I show you out the hard way.” Brian’s voice was low, no one other than Kip could hear him, but his eyes told Kip that he’d better leave. “I’ll expect you to do more than drop the lawsuit. I expect an apology to be made to not only myself, but to Marty Ryder for all the shit you’ve put us through.”

“The letter is with my lawyer Kinney, don’t worry, I’m taking all the blame. It was made crystal clear in your little drama moment last night.”

“As you fucking well should.” Brian opened his office door. He didn’t dare touch Kip to usher him out or he’d probably throw him through to the other wall. “It’s been a slice,” he said as he slammed the door behind. 

Leaning against the closed door Brian tried to go over what Kip had just told him. Nothing made sense, but he wasn’t going to argue. He was safe so he pulled out his cell phone, not caring about the time difference and punched in Justin’s code.

 “Good morning Sunshine.”

“Brian! Fuck it’s early. What’s wrong?” Justin sat up and rubbed his eyes so he could focus on the fact that Brian was calling.

“Remember that little problem I told you about the other day?” Brian couldn’t stop grinning. “Well it’s all gone away.” 

“Problem?” Justin shook his head. “Oh, that idiot who was suing you for sexual harassment. Well of course it’s gone away. It was bogus, and someone finally realized it and made it go away.”

“Yes, but it doesn’t make any sense.” Brian sat down behind his desk and put his feet up. “Doesn’t matter, it’s over and my life can begin again. We’ll move on to the next crisis.”

“Christ Brian, there’s more drama in your life?” Justin laughed. “How lucky can you get?” 

“Well, besides Mikey and the Doc and everyone hating my guts for the little birthday party exposé, there’s still that little thing where Lindsay and Melanie insist that I give up my parental rights to Gus.”

“I thought they’d forgotten about that.” 

“They’re lesbians; they’re like elephants, they never forget.” Brian smiled. “I don’t want to talk about it now. I’m basking in the glow of having Kip Thomas out of my life.” 

<i>Maybe next time you’ll think about whether the few minutes of pleasure is worth the pain that’ll come later.</i> Justin desperately wanted to say those words, instead he only thought them. 

“I have to go, but I wanted you to be the first to hear the news,” Brian looked up and saw Cynthia had popped her head into door. “Later,” he said in a way that made Justin’s tummy flutter. 

“Hey Cynthia.” Brian beamed. “What’s up?”

“Melanie Marcus is here. Do you want me to send her to the small boardroom?” 

“No, you can bring her in, and Cynthia, send the office boy out for lattes. Get one for yourself too. This day is looking fine.” 

Cynthia couldn’t believe Brian’s attitude, but she trusted him to know what was right. “Will do Boss.” 

Brian got up and welcomed Melanie as she walked through the door. “You’re early Mel,” he said, trying to keep his face impassive.

“It’s over. Thomas dropped everything.” She sat down... almost sprawling on the sofa. “I can’t fucking believe that he dropped the charges. Not only that, he admitted he made them up. We should sue his ass.”

“I’ve had it. Don’t want it again,” Brian snarked. “I guess you worked your magic counselor.”

“It had nothing to do with me,” Melanie said. “Apparently your Teflon hide is still working.” She shook her head. “I really don’t understand what happened.”

“Does it really matter? I told you I was innocent. Now you know I am.”

“You’re not fucking innocent Kinney. You’ve never been innocent a day in your life,” she stated and stood up. “I’ll send you my bill.” 

“Don’t forget to deduct what you and Linds owe me. That last check was a big one.” 

Melanie’s face flushed. She walked out the door and slammed it behind her.

Justin worried about Brian all the time. He knew how much his son meant to him because Brian confided in him more than he realized. Perhaps it was the distance thing, but he also talked to Daphne too and she talked to Justin. There had to be some way of making him realize that he couldn’t sign away his parental rights. Or maybe there was some way to get Melanie and Lindsay to back off. 

But right now he had the prom to deal with, and also Ruby and Reggie; not to mention LV who had helped get them intertwined. 

The time until the prom seemed to melt away. Justin and LVfound themselves running into Ruby and Reggie at school a few times each day, which was odd as far as he was concerned because until LV had dragged him to their lair, he’d never seen them before. They didn’t exactly fade into the background, so he couldn’t have overlooked either of the sisters. 

“Hey LV, Justy,” Ruby or Reggie called out. Justin wasn’t sure which one slipped into the seat next to him in the lunchroom. 

“Justin,” he mumbled reaching for his milk.

“Hey Ruby,” LV grinned. He was constantly amused that Justin couldn’t tell the girls apart, not to mention the fact that they took pains to tease his friend by pretending to be each other.

“Just wanted to give you the heads up that Dad had you checked out and you’re okay,” she grinned at LV who understood what she was saying. 

“He fucking investigated me?” he asked as this brought Justin’s head up.

“Well duh, you’re going to date his daughter and he is a movie star; one of the top five leading men of the century.” 

“The century only barely begun, that’s not so great,” Justin muttered. He looked at LV and mouthed “Who”? 

“Ricky Nester.” LV shrugged. 

“You’re shitting me. Ricky Nester is your dad?” Justin gaped. “He’s like gay.”

“Well, he hides it well if he is,” Ruby laughed. “He and my mom have been together for almost twenty years. We have two brothers and a baby sister.” 

“No shit.” Justin looked at LV for confirmation, who nodded in agreement. “Cool, but he had no right to investigate me. That’s like invasion of privacy or something.”

“He wants to be sure we’re safe,” she giggled. “You are sooooo gay, he can’t help but be pleased. Of course, we had to have this little heart to heart, you know explain gay and all that. Reggie and I pretended we had no clue what he was talking about.”

“Why didn’t he investigate LV?” 

“Puuuleeze, Lavaughn went to nursery school with us. He knows him and that’s why he doesn’t mind that he’s straight. He figures LV is such a... well he said loser, that we’ll be safe.” 

“Not to get personal here, but the two of you, with your rainbow-colored hair that looks like it hasn’t been washed since nursery school, not to mention the piercings that have got to freak him out, or maybe the seventeen layers of clothes you wear, kind of spell loser to me.” 

Ruby looked at Justin hard, then laughed out loud. When she could finally catch her breath she leaned over and kissed him firmly on the lips. Justin could almost hear the silence that descended on the lunchroom. “You are like the coolest guy we’ve ever met.”

“Thanks, I guess.” Justin used all of his will power not to rub the taste of her off his lips. 

“Oh, and for the record, the piercings aren’t real.” She pulled off the one from her nose.
“We just do it to piss off everyone and when we want to be anonymous, we can be.” She fixed the ring to her nose. “Besides, there’s no way we’d put metal into our bodies.” 

“I have a nipple ring,” Justin volunteered.  “It hurt like a son of a bitch.” 

“Then why did you do it?” Ruby asked.

“Cause it looks hot,” Justin grinned at LV. “I’m after LV’s ass.”

His friend rolled his eyes heavenward. “So not my type, Jus.” 

“It does look good though,” Justin defended. “My boyfriend back in Pittsburgh liked it once he got used to it.”  Calling Brian his boyfriend was stretching things slightly, but it sounded good to his ears.

“Wow, you have a boyfriend?” Ruby said as she leaned forward.

“In an undefined unconventional way, yeah.” Justin smiled thinking of Brian. “But we’re taking a break. Like a four year fucking break while I’m stuck here going to school,” Justin’s voice was bitter. “The school I want is here and I can’t afford to go back to the Pitts to visit. I’d have no place to stay, ‘cause my fucking parents sure don’t want me.”

“Stay with Brian,” LV said his voice matter of fact.

“I can’t.” Justin finished his milk and pushed the carton to the back of his tray. “He’s got this thing about the difference in our ages. He said what we had was good, but that I have to live my life. He’s already been there and bought the tee shirt while I haven’t even gone in the front gate. He’s big on euphemisms.” 

“Geeze,” Ruby said. She leaned over and gave Justin a quick hug. “If I was you I wouldn’t give up, especially if you really like him.”

“Oh, I’m not giving up. I love him, even if he’s just being a jerk; he does that a lot.” Justin’s good humor had returned.  “Hey, where’s your sister?” 

“She’s in the bat cave,” Ruby giggled. It was the name Justin had given their computer room and it had stuck. “There’s this big jock who’s been bugging Keith. You know that short kid with the red hair and seventy zillion freckles.  She’s working some magic on him, you really don’t want to know what,” she giggled again. “Let’s just say he won’t have time to pick on Keith for awhile.” 

“Remind me to stay on your good side,” Justin and LV laughed as they stood up. “We’ll walk you to class.”

Daphne spent all afternoon getting ready for her prom. She wasn’t going to go, but at the last minute she’d been invited and she wanted to look hot. The kids were going to shit when they saw her date. She’d already called Justin three times until he finally shut off his cell phone. She was beyond excited. 

Justin was green with envy and he didn’t want to hear Daphne’s voice until he got over it. Besides, he had his own prom to get ready for.  He looked over at his tux. He and LV had both decided to buy their own rather than rent . They’d gone to a tailor that LV’s dad used and had one made that was timeless, or that’s what the guy said. Justin still giggled at the thought of what Brian would have said had he been there. Their suits were made from identical white silk and linen, but were styled differently. Justin wore an ice blue silk tee under his and LV had a canary yellow one. It was their concession to formality. Both of them wore white leather flip-flop sandals. Justin hoped his date kept off his feet. 

“You look wonderful.” Kelly hugged Justin and then LV. “Both of you look amazing. I’m going to get the camera.” 

“Kelly we don’t need pictures,” Justin protested.

“Of course you do,” Kelly answered as she all but ran to her room to get her camera.

“I know; right of passage and all that,” Justin said, resigned to his fate. 

“And I want you both to bring your dates back here for more pictures,” Kelly began as she moved the two of them into position for a picture.

“Kelly, we’re already almost late,” Justin began.

“Yeah Miss Kelly, we’re almost late. It would be rude to take the girls to the prom late.”

“You’d be fashionably late and I would have my pictures.” Kelly grinned snapping off a series of the two boys. Justin and LV began to pretend they were posing for a fashion magazine, until all three of them ended up in fit of giggles. 

“Why don’t we bring the girls back here after the dance. You can take pictures then and you can feed us,” Justin negotiated. 

“Isn’t there going to be some kind of after prom party?” Kelly asked.

“Probably, but we haven’t been invited and I wouldn’t go even if I was.”

“That goes double for me,” LV said. “There’ll be drugs and booze, and while I don’t mind either to some extent, I’ll be damned if I’m going to do them with assholes.”

“Brian told me that you should never take anything from someone you don’t completely know and trust. And never do drugs with strangers, even if you’re sure of the drugs.”

“Good advice,” Kelly said, but she wasn’t impressed that Brian had even brought the subject up. 

“Yeah, one of his friends took something and ended up in a coma. He almost died. They wanted Brian to pull the plug on him, but he came out of it before he had to do it.” 

“I hesitate to ask, but why in hell would Brian Kinney; someone I’ve heard to be somewhat selfish, allow himself to be put in that sort of position?” Kelly had to ask. “Your mother’s view, not mine.”

“No way Brian is selfish,” Justin glared. “In fact, he’s probably the most unselfish person I’ve ever known. I suppose Ted made him his executor because he knew that Brian was honest and could be trusted completely.” 

“Saint Brian,” Kelly muttered to herself, though she smiled at Justin. “Let’s drop the subject of Mr. Kinney. The two of you have a prom to go to.” 

Justin heard what Kelly muttered and resented the fact that she allowed his mother’s views about Brian to color her thinking. He would have called her on it, but LV was with them and his friend was phobic about dissension. He’d seen too much of it in his home as he grew up and while he’d never been abused physically, he’d suffered more than his share mentally.

“We’re going.” Justin grabbed the two corsages out of the fridge, handed one to LV, checked his pocket for his cell phone and wallet, and headed out the door. LV wasn’t sure why his friend was leaving so abruptly, but he was willing to follow and find out later. 

“Why are you in such a hurry?” LV asked, for once it was him running to catch up. 

“I don’t want the girls to think we stood them up,” Justin grinned, although his smile never reached his eyes. “Hey, you brought the white limo.” He loved the white one. It was roomier and the interior was done in sky blue leather. Justin figured it made his eyes sparkle. LV thought he was full of shit.

“Yeah. Couldn’t have you taking Ruby to the prom without sparkling blue eyes,” LV grinned. “You white boys are sooooo easy to please.” 

“That’s where we have you black boys fooled,” Justin grinned back as he climbed inside. “Cool, champagne.” 

“Only one bottle and it only opens when we pick up the girls.” He looked embarrassed. “Just because we were part of the business deal with them, doesn’t mean we can’t make their prom memorable.”

“You’re a good man LV,” Justin commented as he leaned back against the blue leather. 

“Look Jus, I heard what Kelly said. She’s just jumping to conclusions because her sister mentioned her version of Brian. I mean all she knows is that her virginal teenager was seduced by a much older man.”

“Why can’t she believe me? I know Brian; my mother doesn’t,” Justin said sadly. His heart was heavy.

“Because traditionally adults rarely believe teenagers,” LV sighed. “It’s always been that way and it sucks.” 

“Brian is an adult and he always believes me,” Justin stated with a touch of defiance as he lifted his chin.

“That’s because the two of you have a relationship, even if he hasn’t a clue that it is one.” LV sat back his head thrown against the seat as he stared up through the moon window at the passing lights. 

“I wish you were gay,” Justin sighed. “There are times when a gay guy needs a hug.”

“Not to creep you out, but I don’t mind giving you a hug as long as you keep your clothes on.” LV lifted his arm and pulled Justin close. “And if you tell anyone, I’m having you killed.” 

Justin snickered, but let himself be comforted by LV’s warm body. “For a straight boy you aren’t all that bad.” 

The limo turned and they were faced with a heavy iron gate. “I think we’re here,” Justin said and sat up moving to his side of the backseat.

“This is it,” LV agreed. The two boys watched while the limo driver said something into an intercom. Slowly the gates parted and they began their long, slow drive up to a house larger even than the one LV lived in. “Can you imagine living in this place?” he asked Justin. “It’s like a fucking museum.”

“Do you think they actually, like pee?” Justin asked with a giggle.

LV rolled his eyes and then laughed, “You have no idea Jus.” He leaned forward and spoke into the intercom that linked the boys with the driver. “Go around to the guest house please, the girls are living there.” 

“Really, they have their own place?” Justin leaned forward eager to see where the girls lived. The guest cottage was almost as big as the home where he’d lived in Pittsburgh. “Not a bad little place,” he grinned. The limo stopped and they got out before the driver had a chance to open their doors. 

Corsages in hand, they walked to the front door, that opened as they approached. Both of them stood dumbfounded. Facing the boys were two of the most beautiful young women they’d ever seen. Tall, slim, perfectly coiffed, dressed in white dresses, similar, but not the same. The dresses barely covered their crotches they were so short.

“Cool dress,” Justin said with a grin. “Aren’t you afraid you’re going to catch cold?” 

“Behave yourself Justy,” Ruby grinned. “Hey LV.” 

“Hey yourself.” LV kissed both girls on the cheek. The boys handed them their corsages. “Good thing we got wrist ones, ‘cause there’s no place to pin them.” 

“That’s the whole point LV,” Reggie snickered. “Dad would totally freak if he saw us. He thinks we’re going to be kidnapped or made into white, make that chocolate slaves. Good thing he’s at Sundance this weekend. You have no idea what we had to do just to get him to agree to going to the prom looking like we really do.”

“No shit, you guys dress like you do so that you can hide?” Justin couldn’t believe this.  He was definitely in a different world from that of Pittsburgh. He and LV followed the girls inside their house. “You two seriously make yourselves less than what you are just to fucking hide from kidnappers? Which by the way only happens in television shows not real life. I mean for fuck sake your dad is some movie star guy, like who really gives a shit. No offense.”

“None taken,” Reggie said and shrugged as she led them to the living room area. A tray with cold drinks had been set out. “We were kidnapped when we were four. Two men were killed and a big ransom was asked. We don’t remember a lot about it except we were cold and scared and Ruby pissed in her pants.”

“I did not! That was you.” Ruby glared at her sister, as she handed the boys a frosty glass of cold, iced-tea and poured a glass for herself, leaving one glass empty. Reggie could get her own, the bitch. 

“I’m telling the story,” Reggie giggled. “Dad freaked, mom drank, dad freaked some more, and thought he’d be the hero like he is in his movies. I guess it was pretty intense around here. Once we were back home it was bodyguards and pissed off mean dogs running around the yard. The fence appeared and the gate, surveillance cameras and everything. Ruby and I have always hated it. It’s like being under a microscope. In retaliation, we got into computers. I guess we kind of became computer geeks. When we rebelled and insisted that we go to school like the rest of the world... did I mention we’d been home schooled for years...we came to an agreement with dad and mom, but only if we dressed like you see us at school. They barely recognized us and agreed that if we were willing to show up at school like that we could go. I guess they figured we’d never do it, but we did. Besides we weren’t interested in actually associating with the kids, we just wanted to be there and experience some of the stuff we saw on TV. You know, Laura Mars, Buffy, that kind of thing.”

Justin laughed out loud, “And did you?”

“Well we found out it was a Hell Mouth, a la Buffy,” Ruby’s voice was dry. “But we were damned if we were going to let dad and mom know that they were right. Lavaughn, or rather LV, has been our only real friend, but things have been pretty good since we found the Bat Cave.” She snickered and Justin suddenly could see the girl he was used to behind this beautiful young woman’s façade. 

“It just seems so unreal, this kidnapping thing. I mean your dad is famous, but shit, lots of people are famous,” Justin said.

“I think Jus, it’s because their dad has kind of pissed off a lot people to get famous,” LV smirked. “He plays a real good guy, fun-loving, family-man kind of person, but you know what they say.”

“No, apparently I don’t,” Justin said looking mystified.

“What he’s like on the big screen is opposite of what he’s like in real life.” 

“Yeah, I guess he was kind of mean when he was just starting. He’s a pussy cat now,” Reggie said with a smile. 

“Yeah, a lion with a thorn in his paw,” LV muttered only to have Ruby elbow him in the chest. “Hey that hurt,” the tall boy said as he rubbed his chest. 

“I heard what you said LV. He may be an asshole ninety-nine percent of the time, but he means well with us and he’s <i>our</i> asshole.” Ruby and Reggie winced slightly as Ruby said what no doubt had been said many times before.

Justin completely got it. He hated it when anyone started in about Brian. For a couple of reasons; first, because they had it all wrong; he was nothing like everyone thought and second, it really didn’t matter. He was the man Justin loved.

The vibration of the phone in his pocket startled him, so Justin retrieved it. “Sorry guys, I should take this call and then I promise I’ll turn it off.” It was Brian of course and Justin was torn between talking to him and sulking because he was doing something tonight he desperately wanted for himself. “Hey,” Justin voice was soft, he couldn’t really stay mad at his best friend or Brian.

“Hey yourself, Sunshine. Daphne and I are about to share this last dance of the evening, but it’s really something we’re doing for you. I’m having one of the kids video this on the phone. I want you to know that it’s you in my arms.” 

“Yeah you lucky shit, I’m the substitute.” Daphne’s face appeared in the phone and Justin laughed out loud as she stuck her tongue out at him. 

“You’re looking good too Daphne,” he had to admit. She was dressed in peach, but Brian, was something else again, dressed as he was in a black tuxedo, burgundy shirt and his killer smile. 

Music began to play and the phone showed him a pan of the prom, balloons and all.  Suddenly he could see Brian and Daphne dancing to an old fashioned waltz. Justin followed the dips and curves and as best he could considering the phone camera was manipulated by someone who really didn’t care. When it was over Brian and Daphne were laughing into the phone. “That one was for you,” they said together. 

“Shit, I wish I was there.” The words were soft, but Brian could hear them.

“Someday, maybe you and I will have a dance like this Justin. You just don’t know where time will place us. I wish I could share your night with you. I want you to know that both Daphne and I have been thinking of you all evening. Have fun tonight with LV and the girls. I’m sure it will be just as memorable for you as tonight was for us.” Brian’s tongue in cheek smirk was evident. “Who knew when I lost the bet with Daphne that she’d actually make me go to the prom.”

“I told you not to bet with her, she always wins,” Justin laughed. “And you said you wouldn’t be caught dead in a room full of eighteen-year olds.”

“No more betting with the princess,” Brian agreed. “It wasn’t so bad; kind of reminded me of the prom I went to with Mikey.” 

“A visual I can’t even begin to imagine,” Justin snickered. “I hope Mikey’s dress was nice.”

“You’re a brat,” Brian laughed. “Yes, yes it was if I recall,” he snickered to show he was joking. “Later.”

Justin hadn’t been paying attention to the others while he took Brian’s call. The room was silent. “Wow Jus, he’s like the most dreamy guy ever,” Reggie said out loud. “And to think he actually likes you.”

“He’s Brian.” Was all Justin could think to say. But he was thrilled that he had called and arranged for him to have a dance even if Daphne had been his stand in. He’d have to call her later and demand that she recount every second she was on the dance floor with <i> his Brian </i>.

“We should go, I think we’re fashionably late enough.” LV stood by a fireplace nervously rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. “I kind of promised Justin’s aunt that we’d go over for pictures later if that’s okay.” 

“Sure, I don’t mind,” Ruby said with a grin. “But why aren’t you asking Justy Poo?” 

Justin winced. “Geeze Ruby,” he groaned. “I don’t want my picture taken, but Kelly insists. I can’t help but wonder if she’s under the delusion that this date means I’ve changed teams.”

“With the hot, hot, hot Brian Kinney waiting patiently in Pittsburgh for you to grow up, fat chance,” LV snorted. 

“He’s not waiting for me to grow up. He’s just living his life and I’m living mine. I will probably always love him. I mean first love and all of that, but I’m hardly his first love, so he’ll be doing his thing while I do mine.” The words felt wrong to Justin’s ear, but they were the words he was beginning to believe despite phone calls and emails. It just wasn’t the same as waking up against Brian’s hard warm body and the sun in their faces. 

“If we hurry, we can avoid the bodyguards,” Reggie said peeking out the window. “I told dad we were leaving in an hour, but you know the company, they’ll be here any time now to check out the car and stuff.” 

“Bodyguards?” Justin looked at LV who shrugged. 

“I said we could go, but you didn’t think dad would completely give up control did you?” Ruby and Reggie both laughed, then grabbed their shawls. Each one took a boy’s hand as they headed for the door. “Tonight it’s all about us having fun. Daddy can deal with us later.”

“They’ll only follow us to the hotel where the prom is being held,” LV said, but joined the girls in their quick getaway. 

“I know, but we’ll have a few minutes without the goons.” Ruby slipped into the waiting open door of the limo, quickly followed by her sister, Justin, and LV.

The champagne was opened and poured as the luxury car purred its way to the party. Justin began to enjoy himself even though he longed for Brian’s touch; so much so it was like an ache deep inside his body. He had watched the other’s drink, wincing as they chugged the expensive drink. He had hated champagne ever since he was a child and had finished off a number of partial bottles after a party at his parent’s house. But having experienced peer pressure about his inability to drink the stuff, he sipped at his, barely letting the stuff touch his lips. It was easier than saying he didn’t want any. 

The bottle was empty when Justin noticed two things; one that LV and the girls had become very quiet and two that they were nowhere near where they were supposed to be. He was about to sit forward and demand an answer from the driver when Justin realized that it would be in his best interests to not let anyone know that he was in trouble. Instead he reached into his pocket for the cell phone Brian had given him and hit the preprogrammed number for Brian. He knew he didn’t dare speak; instead he laid the phone on the seat beside him, covering it with the filmy wisp of fabric that was Ruby’s shawl. Brian should be able to hear everything. 

The car slowed to a stop beside another car. Justin could tell that they were hidden from view of the road. Very faintly he could hear Brian’s voice calling him, getting more and more concerned. 

When the door opened, Justin, who had bunched his legs close to his chest, kicked out, hitting the man directly in the face. He wished he’d worn something more substantial than sandals, but used all the strength he had. 

The man flew back, his hands covering his face that gushed blood. Justin figured he’d no doubt broken his nose, but didn’t wait to find out. Instead he began to kick at the downed kidnapper. 

“STOP THAT,” someone shouted. 

Justin looked up to see another man running with a gun drawn toward him. He ducked behind the car door just a shot was fired. He managed to pull the car door closed quickly locking it. “Wake up, wake up.” He pulled at LV’s arm knocking the larger boy sideways. 

The man with the gun was now pounding on the door. Justin pushed the button to release the partition that separated the back from the front and threw himself toward the door lock clicking it shut quickly. Another shot was fired, the bulletproof glass on the side window held, even though it cracked slightly. Justin turned the key in the ignition, slipped down behind the driver’s wheel. He’d never driven anything other than his mother’s car and that hadn’t been after.  He could hear echoes of Brian’s now frantic demands to be answered. Justin had no time to find the phone. He hoped Brian would shut up soon and call someone to help him. 

The man with the broken nose, dressed as a chauffer was now fumbling with the door handle. The other one, the one with the gun was shouting and threatening to shoot again. Justin wasn’t about to wait around for them to decide to shoot out the tires. He gunned the motor, threw it in gear and lurched through some bushes and over a lawn to come careening out on a busy street, barely escaping an accident. Another shot was fired and Justin felt the car fall to one side. A tire had been shot out. Justin didn’t care, he continued to drive, wincing at the screech metal on pavement was making. He screamed, “BRIAN FOR FUCK SAKE WE’RE BEING SHOT AT, CALL SOMEONE FOR HELP. I THINK IT’S KIDNAPPERS… EVERYONE HAS BEEN DRUGGED….HURRY THE FUCK UP.” 

He hoped Brian heard him through the noise the car was now making and the retching that LV was doing. The drugs had only had a short-term effect on his friend.; no doubt because of his size. Justin prayed that the girls would be as lucky. He didn’t dare turn and check on them as he was too busy trying to stay on the road. The sudden appearance of multiple police cars all of them moving rapidly toward him, sirens blaring, lights flashing made him grin. He let the car coast to a stop, resting his forehead on the wheel. The kidnapper who had been chasing him, tried to swerve around his limo, and avoid the police, but they weren’t quite lucky enough. He almost laughed out loud when they t- boned a parked car crumpling their front end.

“Sit still son, you’ve been hurt,” a kind voiced policeman said, his hand on Justin’s shoulder. Justin turned and watched his friend LV as he tried to revive the girls. 

“The girls, I’ve got to help the girls,” Justin said as he turned to crawl back over the seat. It was then that he realized blood was streaming down his face covering his white suit and the powder blue leather. “Oh,” he said, his hand reaching for his head. It was then he felt the white hot sting of a head wound. “The fucker shot me.” 

“It’s a graze, but head wounds bleed like a son of a bitch,” the cop said conversationally. “I’ll get a paramedic here as soon as I can.”

“The girls,” Justin began again.

“We’ve got help on the way, don’t worry.” 

“They were trying to kidnap them I think,” Justin began. “It all happened kind of fast. I think the champagne was drugged. I fucking hate champagne.”

“It’s a good thing,” the cop grinned; happy to see the ambulances arrive. “Is there someone I can call to let them know where you’re being taken?” 

Justin thought of his aunt, she was going to freak. He didn’t want her to call his parents, maybe LV’s dad would deal with all of this shit. As he was about to say something, the world began to shift until it disappeared in a swirl of black and flashing lights. It was the last thing Justin remembered until he woke up later in the hospital. 

In Pittsburgh, Brian had at first been annoyed to see Justin’s number come up on his phone. It was late and he’d had a long day. Attending a high school prom with a vivacious eighteen year old, had taken more out of him than he cared to admit. 

When Justin hadn’t answered Brian had been pissed, but the screaming, the shooting and the subsequent melee, had the older man terrified. He’d kept Justin’s phone line open while using his landline to contact the police in L.A. After dealing tersely with the phone system, he’d finally gotten through to someone who realized the urgency. It was a combination of Brian’s phone call and the emergency calls already appearing that had things moving quickly forward. 

Once that was dealt with, Brian, still listening to Justin’s cell phone, made an online reservation with Liberty Air for the next flight to L.A. He checked that he had his wallet and headed for the Jeep, his cell phone still to his ear. It was then he heard the fact that Justin had been wounded. He could hear the paramedic’s conversation, and the conversations of the various others at the crime scene. Only the fading ambulance siren as the kids were whisked away, convinced Brian to disconnect. 

Brian arrived at the airport with seconds to spare. He felt like he was moving through a fog of fear, regrets and remorse. Why he was feeling these things, however, was something he refused to think about. 

At the hospital in L.A., life had taken on a reality that Justin had never anticipated in his short life. He and the others were all placed in separate examining rooms. He was assessed and sent for a MRI. LV was placed under observation along with the girls once their stomach’s had been pumped. Police were milling around and soon the press arrived along with the girl’s father. LV’s father, after being assured that his son was fine, quickly left, he had a party to attend. He made sure his son had enough money for anything he might need. The fact that it was his limo driver who had been injured when the kidnappers had taken over the car didn’t concern him once he knew his insurance covered the damages done to the car and the driver. He arranged to have a limo service pick LV up when he was able to be released from the hospital. 

By the time Brian arrived in L.A. tired and disheveled from his flight, the kidnapping was all over the local news. The policeman, who had first found Justin, made sure that everyone knew it was only the actions of the small blond who had managed to thwart the kidnappers. The fact that they were prepared to use weapons meant that it would have been unlikely the girls would have survived the kidnapping, although that was only speculation on the part of the press. Justin was being hailed as a hero, an injured hero. That fact alone made Brian’s heart grow cold with fear as his taxi sped toward the hospital. 

He managed with typical Kinney charm to track down the floor Justin was on and then the room he’d been placed in. Sitting on the floor outside Justin’s room was a miserable looking black boy in a crumpled and dirty white suit. “Hey, you must be LV,” Brian said, his voice kind. “Let me help you up.” Brian held out his hand for LV who reluctantly allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. 

“Brian?” LV asked. “You’re Justin’s Brian, aren’t you?” 

“I suppose I am.” Brian rubbed his hand through his hair making it even worse than it had been. “How is he?” 

“I don’t know, they won’t tell me anything. They wouldn’t even let me in his room. I called his aunt but I only get her voice mail. I guess she’s asleep. I know she turns off the phone when she’s in bed.” 

“I’ll find out.” Brian walked to the nurse’s station. “Justin Taylor, how’s he doing?” Brian asked.

“And you are?” The nurse looked up at Brian.

“His… he hesitated for a moment, boyfriend seemed so juvenile, but partner was being presumptuous. “I’m his guardian,” Brian sighed. It was a small lie, but the difference in ages made it believable. “Brian Kinney, I just flew in from Pittsburgh.”

“Can I see some ID Mr. Kinney?” she asked. She could see that the man cared very deeply for the young blond. Justin Taylor was not only a hero, but a kind and caring young man. The nursing staff was already in love with him. 

“Sure.” Brian reached for his wallet. “I’m afraid other than Justin’s word and the word of his young friend here, I don’t have anything with me that names me Justin’s guardian. I left in rather a hurry.”

“Brian is Justin’s main man alright,” LV grinned. “He told me that Brian has taught him everything he knows.” 

“That’s fine, Mr. Kinney,” the nurse smiled. “Mr. Taylor will be released tomorrow morning. He’s only here tonight for observation. If you’d like to speak to the admitting doctor, I’ll have him paged.”

“Please do,” Brian smiled. “I’d like to see Justin now.” 

“Don’t stay long, he needs his rest,” she smiled again and led him to Justin’s room.

Brian walked inside, shocked at the pale face that stared up at the ceiling. “Hey Sunshine,” he said softly as he walked to the bed. “I know I said I’d pay your phone bill, but leaving it on is just a waste of minutes.”

“Brian?” Justin’s eyes opened wide and he tried to sit up, wincing at the pain he felt in his head.

Brian leaned down and kissed Justin’s lips with tenderness once, twice and then with passion as the kiss was returned leaving them both breathless. “I had to come and see if you were okay.” 

“I’m okay,” he mumbled and closed his eyes. “I have a bitch of a headache and I guess I ruined my white suit. I paid a lot of money for that thing.”

“It’s only money.” Brian let his fingers brush back Justin’s hair, trying not to wince at the stained bandage that covered his head wound.

“I’m glad you’re here. I didn’t know what to do,” Justin shuddered, “and then I remembered the phone. I knew you’d answer it. I knew you’d save me.” 

“Well, I think you looked after that yourself.” Brian wanted to gather Justin in his arms. “I’m going to find your aunt and let her know what’s happened. You sleep now. I’ll send you another phone. I think that one has been lost forever.” 

“Shit, I had some good stuff in the memory of that phone,” Justin smiled, his smile crooked. “Can’t you stay?” 

“I have to get back to the Pitts, Sunshine,” Brian said and kissed him again. “You have LV watching out for you now.”

“He’s not you.” Justin’s bottom lip trembled, but he was determined not to cry.

“No he isn’t,” Brian admitted. “But he’s a good friend, and they aren’t easy to find.”

“Michael will come around eventually,” Justin said. “I know he will.” 

“Maybe,” Brian shrugged. “It doesn’t matter right now.”

“Kiss Gus for me,” Justin said. “I miss the little guy.” He looked up at Brian, an unanswered question in his eyes.

“No, I haven’t signed any papers yet,” Brian said, wondering how this young boy could know him so well.

“Good.” Justin closed his eyes and sighed. “You make a super dad.”

Brian tried not to let the words hurt. Justin thought of him as a father figure. He should have known better than to let himself have feelings for someone so young.  “You think so do you?” he said trying for lighthearted banter, but the words rang flat in his ears.

“Not for me stupid, for Gus. You’re an awesome lover and a terrific friend.” Justin’s eyes were still shut so he didn’t see Brian’s flush of pleasure. “I miss you more than you can ever know. I….” Justin hesitated. “I’m kind of sleepy, but Brian, I really, really, really think I’m in like with you.”

“I really, really, really like you too,” Brian whispered to the now sleeping blond before kissing his forehead and leaving the room.