Brian and Justin stepped into the living room of the bungalow to find Gus sitting with Debbie looking completely forlorn. His eyes slightly warmed upon seeing Justin coming toward him, but a scowl still remained fastened to his ever expressive face. His lower lip pulled down into a pout, he whispered dejectedly, "Morning, Daddy."

Justin folded his arms across his chest, looking at his son with an upraised brow. "Gus..." he drawled in his well-mastered petulant tone. "One diva in this family is more than enough. Now, is that the best greeting my precious son has to offer?"

Gus sniffled slightly, raising his eyes to meet Justin's firm, yet teasing gaze. He ran forward to launch himself into his arms, snuggling close to his much-adored father. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I was just looking forward to exploring the island today, and Debbie says we have to stay inside."

"That's right," Justin answered, setting his son down to lead him back to the couch. He looked toward Debbie who was watching with compassion and fear for the unknown events to come, before he smiled at her in the most reassuring manner he could muster. "Debbie, could I have a moment alone with my son?"

"Of course, Sunshine," she answered, nodding vigorously in complete agreement. Gus needed some private time with his daddy. Looking up at Brian, she raised an eyebrow when he remained motionless. "Well, hotshot? Are you coming?"

Brian rolled his eyes, curling his lips under as he dutifully responded, "I'm right behind you, Mother."

"Hmph. You should be so lucky..." Debbie grumbled, as she pulled Brian out of the room.

Brian turned to look at the two men in his charge, hating to leave them for a single moment, but knowing it was far past time that Justin leveled with Gus; in doing so making his son understand how important his behavior would be now - for all of them. "If you need me for anything..."

Justin smiled warmly and softly at Brian, his anxiety briefly fading at the caring and concern he viewed in his bodyguard's eyes. He didn't know how he knew, but he didn't doubt for a single moment that Brian would make everything alright. He didn't want to think of leaving this paradise, but most of all, he wanted to return Gus to a normal life, and that could only be done with a resolution. He was certain Brian would make that happen. "I will, Brian."

Brian nodded as he followed Debbie into the kitchen, and ran a ragged hand through his hair after giving Justin one last searching glance. As the door closed behind them, Brian sat down at the small kitchen table as he looked out at the ocean from a distance. Sighing deeply, he murmured, "This needs to be over."

Debbie sat across from him looking at him with more concern than she ever had felt concerning this normally emotionless man, at least uncaring to the rest of the world. She had always known better. Now, with Justin in his life, it was becoming even more apparent. "I'm worried about you, Brian. You really need to get some rest."

"Well, quite obviously now isn't the most ideal time for that, Deb." Looking up he met her eyes with his own weary expression. "It's fine. I've been through far worse and with much less sleep. It will be over soon."

"I certainly hope so. You're not getting any younger, you know. Maybe it's time to get out of this lifestyle and into a more run-of-the-mill one."

Brian arched his brow. "That is not me, and you know it, Deb. However, I think a long vacation could be very much in order."

"Is that so? I think I know a certain blond that would be more than happy to spend one with you, right here in this paradise," Debbie said, looking at him knowingly.

Brian smiled at her benignly, her words more of an acknowledgment of what she perceived to be Brian's feelings for the one and only Justin Taylor. He couldn't even dispute them. It would be the greatest of falsehoods that he didn't even think himself to be capable of passing through his lips. "Let's just live in the present, Debbie. The future will take care of itself."

"That it will, Brian, but your evasion is a promising sign. Your denial is quickly fading into the woodwork, and I couldn't be happier," she cackled, as she stood to pat him on the back, moving toward the coffee maker to start another fresh pot of coffee.

Standing up, Brian began to pace the floor aimlessly, silently willing his cell phone to ring. Looking at the time, he knew that Frank had surely landed by now. He wasn't concerned about the insipid Ethan Gold. The weasel wouldn't get past the front door, and he knew Frank had a man watching the place. He just didn't like the thought of that vermin being out there, free and walking about in the presence of tourists, ones with children, and undoubtedly armed. This crackpot needed to be found. He vowed it would be today!

Justin pulled Gus onto his lap, snuggling him close for several minutes, wanting to do everything he could to initially reassure him with the truths that he felt he now must tell him. He trusted Brian completely, and although he didn't know Frank Farmer very well - he knew he would take whatever steps necessary to ensure the safety of all of them. Now, it was just a waiting game, and keeping the one he loved the most out of harm's way. His son, Gus. Nothing was more important than that.

Inwardly, Justin seethed that Ethan had deceived him for so long. He had trusted him. He'd even fucked him on numerous occasions. Justin realized now that Ethan had been mentally challenged, undoubtedly caught up in the star gazed paranoia that so many others fell victim to - one that would continue to afflict others, past, present, and most likely in the future. It was a part of the circus that was his life. He didn't blame himself for that. It was all part of the life of a celebrity. To his way of thinking - everyone has control of their own actions. If they chose to fall into destructive choices, then consequences would follow. Justin was abruptly jolted from his thoughts when Gus began to impatiently tug at his shirt sleeve. Blinking, Justin smiled down at him. Reaching out to stroke the side of his son's expressive face, Justin whispered, "I know you're disappointed you have to stay inside today, but I promise I will make it up to you."

"What's wrong, Daddy? You look so sad," Gus said, his inquisitive eyes taking in every tense line on Justin's face.

"Can't hide anything from you, can I, buddy?" Justin said with a half-smile. "Okay, you're my big boy, right?"

Gus nodded vigorously. "Of course, I am. I'm not a baby!"

"Certainly not," Justin answered with a smirk. "Alright, Gus. I'm sure you know why Mr. Kinney came to stay with us, and then took us away."

"Yeah," he answered forlornly. "I hear things that grownups think I shouldn't sometimes. I know some bad men want to hurt you. Mr. Kinney is here to protect you."

"That's it exactly, Gus. Let me tell you this, Mr. Kinney is very good at his job. He will keep us safe. In fact, I think the bad man will be caught very soon. Then, we can go home..." Justin told his son earnestly, hoping more than anything his words rang true - for all of them, but mostly for his son's sake.

Gus appeared to think about that for a moment, before he asked, "When we go home, does that mean Mr. Kinney won't be with us anymore?"

Justin's eyes clouded in pain, as his intuitive son brought up a point that had begun to dwell on his mind from the moment he had felt this case could be nearing its end. "That will be up to Mr. Kinney. For now, we need to concentrate on what's happening now and keeping safe, and that's by doing exactly as he tells us. Can you do that for me, Gus? Can you follow Mr. Kinney's instructions without any fuss?"

"Yes, Daddy. I will do anything to keep you safe," Gus answered, smiling a slightly crooked smile. "I love you, Daddy. I want to be with you always."

Justin pulled Gus close, holding him tightly to his chest. His voice almost breaking, he answered, "I want that too, buddy. No matter what happens from here on out, remember that I love you."

"I will, Daddy. It's going to be okay, right?" he asked, lifting his head from Justin's chest to look deeply into his father's eyes.

Smiling, Justin nodded as he answered without hesitation. "I know it is, Gus."

"Brian, will you sit the fuck down before you wear a hole into the floor?" Debbie hissed under her breath, being careful not to be overheard.

Opening his mouth to issue a harsh retort, Brian was quickly forestalled when his cell phone began to ring. He lurched toward it, opening it and answering shortly, "Kinney."

"Brian, how wonderful. You DO answer your phone," Frank Farmer drawled in reprimand.

"Chew my ass out later, ex-boss man. Where are you?" Brian demanded, nodding to Deb as she slipped out of the kitchen.

"I'm fine, Brian. Thank you for asking. How are you and your guests?" Frank continued to goad him, feeling much more comfortable knowing that the inept Ethan Gold still hadn't found the bungalow and that he was now closing in on them, safely on Tahitian shores. Deciding to put his usually objective and much less sensitive friend at ease, he offered, "My man watching the bungalow just reported all is well. No sighting of Gold yet."

Brian grunted. "I've been keeping a lookout, Frank. I know he hasn't found us yet."

"You've been looking since you decided to return to the land of the living. This is not the time for distractions, Brian. I hope you have that particular itch scratched for now..." Frank told him in amused derision.

"Asshole," Brian grumbled. "What's the plan?"

Frank sighed as he drove toward the side of the island that housed Brian and the ones he was protecting, knowing his volatile friend would fight him on this. Brian was emotionally attached to both Justin Taylor and the small child. That wasn't good in his position, however, bottom line - he knew Brian to be a professional. When lives were at stake, as they undoubtedly were now, Brian would do what needed to be done to protect the Taylor men, and bring the criminal to justice. Frank didn't doubt that for a single moment. "You won't like it, Brian, but it's the best way to end this and bring Gold to justice. His attack on Daphne Chanders isn't enough to keep him incarcerated."

"Hold on there, Frank. What attack on Daphne?" Brian snarled in a low voice, knowing exactly how Justin would react to this unpleasant bit of news.

"I didn't get into this in my messages as it would have taken forever. This is the recap: Ms. Chanders stumbled upon Gold's mad ramblings about his obsession with Justin. In her fear, she hid her purse and cell phone in the bathroom. She had sent Justin a text to warn him, one that he never received due to him leaving it behind at your home when you had the bomb threat. Gold found out she was going to the police and attacked her. We found her tied and gagged and unconscious. I believe she was very fortunate. If he hadn't departed for Tahiti, I think it would have been much worse for the girl," Frank clipped out grimly.

Brian's eyes sharpened as he asked, "Fortunate? Are you saying she's okay?"

"I just received word from my man back in PA. She's hurting and drifting in and out. The prognosis is very good, but they will probably keep her for a few days," Frank was thankful to report.

Brian breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good news. Justin would have been devastated if anything happened to her. Now, what's this plan that I won't like?"

"Very textbook, really. I'm working on the assumption that Gold is flashing Justin's picture around in hopes of someone recognizing him. Since he passed through our checkpoints, I will further assume he is in disguise."

Brian nodded. "Yes, I'd say that to be likely."

"Right. I'm going to have one of my men strolling the beaches in tourist mode, and when asked, direct our Mr. Gold to your side of the island. I think you know where I'm heading next..." Frank continued, as he waited for the proverbial ax to fall. He didn't have to wait long.

Brian cursed vehemently under his breath. "No fucking way, Frank! Justin is not going to be a guinea pig to add another collar to your already overfilled belt. Find another way!"

"You know this is the only way to make Justin safe and lock this little prick up for a very long time. You can't let your feelings rule you in this, and don't tell me they don't exist. You are completely distracted and emotionally connected to Justin Taylor. Don't let that cloud your judgment," Frank snapped, knowing he would have to go to the source to gain Brian's cooperation, while hoping Brian would see this was their best option. "Do the right thing, Brian, or I will go to Justin myself. And don't think of taking him away. I'm pulling into the drive now."

"Sonofabitch. Why are you doing this to me, Frank?" Brian asked in exasperation, knowing himself to be pinned to the wall. Fear for Justin, his driving concern, while knowing Frank was right, and that in any other circumstance, this was exactly what he would be pushing himself.

Frank smiled as he stepped out of the car and walked toward the bungalow. He nodded to the man who had been watching from a distance as he continued forward. "You're my friend, Brian. You called me in because you needed me. Don't divert from that now. Let me do what I do best and make this go away. It can end today if you just trust and follow me, and you know that. Let's make that happen."

Tensing as he heard the tapping at the door, knowing it would be Frank, Brian sighed in resignation. "You win, Frank. I'll talk to Justin, but hear me well, if he's not comfortable with this, then it's a no-go. You got that?"

"I got it, Brian," Frank answered before closing the phone once Brian hesitantly opened the door. Smiling in greeting, he clapped Brian on the back before moving into the room. "By this time tomorrow, it will be over. I promise you that."

"I'll hold you to that, Frank..." Brian whispered, as his gaze pulled toward the two blonds huddled together on the couch, ones that he now knew carried a piece of him with them. Today it was time to complete this rescue mission and to effect some justice. Tomorrow would be the start of a safer existence, for all of them.

TBC