"Can you really think of a reason that Peter would suddenly turn on how he feels about you?" Justin asked, trying to begin the conversation pragmatically. "He knows how your sister is, and she knows, at least to some extent, that the two of you are acquainted now. Don'tyou think she'd have tried every weapon she had if she was running a smear campaign against you?"

"I don't know," Brian said tiredly, rubbing his eyes. "I wouldn't put anything past her."

--

When Brian's nephew Peter and his girlfriend Alexis come to spend Christmas in New York, things are off to a great start -- until they're not. Soon, it becomes apparent to everyone that old Kinney family scars run deep.

Brian and Jusitn’s marriage was short-lived.  After three years of being a couple and one year of marriage, Justin left and ended up in Seattle.  Now, three years later when Justin arrives two days early they end up up sharing it for a couple days.  Can they work out their differences or will they both find the resolution they needed to live their own lives?

Brian Kinney is a contract killer. He has no mercy. Can anything thaw his icy heart?    

Justin Taylor graduated from art school with a graphic design degree.  While his partner Steven finished school, he was working for a small advertising firm.  He had applied for the city's biggest advertising company, Kinnetik, but after meetint the owner decided he prefered to make less money at the small agency than work with the arrogent prick, Brian Kinney.

But sometimes fate has a mind of its own.

Everything was perfect.

Brian and I were finally together in New York, making both of our dreams come true. I was working from a spacious, comfortable studio in SoHo, and the first show of my return to the city was scheduled for the following weekend. Brian was out with a real estate broker, looking at potential office spaces for the soon-to-be New York expansion of Kinnetik. We had wedding rings on our fingers, having finally tied the knot a few years before, in front of all of our family and friends in Pittsburgh.

Our lives were full of new and exciting opportunities, both professionally and personally. I felt like everything was falling into place in a nice, neat, orderly fashion, one piece after another.

Then, I had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And the puzzle that was my life -- so carefully and painstakingly assembled over the years -- was picked up and thrown to the ground, scattering the pieces everywhere.

And everything wasn’t so perfect anymore.

Brian and Justin made plans.  They were going to travel for the first six months of the year ending up celebrating Brian's 60th birthday in Australia.  While they are away, the family continues to grow and expand.  Nothing can bring down the Taylor- Kinney empire, can it?

Brian attends Justin's new opening.

How will Mercury being in retrograde affect everyone? And what happens when secret plans are revealed?  

**Part of a series of the same name, being done through a series of one-shots, short stories and novelettes.**

As always, Lorie, thanks for being my sanity.

**COMPLETED**

HAPPY READING EVERYONE! 

It’s funny how life works sometimes -- in cycles, repeating the same themes in different ways with different situations. Leaving it up to us to recognize a familiar situation and call on our past experience to get through it. But sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees.

***

Justin decides to make a huge transition in his career, but things are not always what they seem.

It is 2015, Brian and Justin have been together for 15 years, some of the years happier than most. But now they are finally at peace and ready to move onto the next stage of their lives...yes the Stud and Sunshine are getting married! However, the spectre of the prom still haunts them. Brian has never stopped searching for whoever attacked his Sunshine, the police never bothered after Brian couldn't identify the attacker. But now they can finally close that horrible chapter, as they now know who tried to kill Justin. 

So can Michael talk his way out of this?

Banner credit goes to Midgardsnake

Gus’ lips rolled inward, a carbon copy of Brian’s signature contemplative look. “I just like…” he sighed again, more heavily this time. “I just wish I could forget about this for, like, an hour or something.” 

Brian made a small noise of realization that made Justin look toward him, and as soon as he registered the intention on his husband’s face, he moved closer to Brian and hissed, “No. Brian, you can’t.” 

Brian gave Justin his most charming smile and said, “Oh, but I can!”

***

A heartbroken Gus spends a weekend in New York with Brian and Justin. In an effort to help his son, Brian turns to a tried-and-true method.

New take on Episode 301. What would have possibly happened if Justin had been the one to punch Michael instead of Brian? Thank you Deb Tanner for the idea involving Justin hearing Michael's rant at the Anniversary Party!

Justin's in his studio, working on a painting, when he gets an upsetting phone call from Brian.

This story fits into the "Changed" verse.

Thanks to SandiD and PrettyTheWorld for helping me make this story the best it could be, and SandiD for the banner!