It was no surprise to Justin Taylor when he ended up at Michael and David's place to watch slides of their trip to Paris.   With the changes that had been going on, Justin wondered if this time would be as boring.

What had been a boring evening was made better by a repeat of Brian having his tongue down Justin's throat.  Justin felt so safe whenever he was in Brian's arms.  Michael's droning was almost putting him to sleep. 

Then he heard Deb's dulcet tones.  "Would you two cut it out?"

"Ma, you're interrupting."

"I hate when couples make out in front of me."

"It's French.  We're Frenching," Brian explained causing Justin to giggle.

Then the last slide comes across the screen.

"Fin," Michael stated as if none of them could read.  "That means the end."

"Bon.  That means 'good'."  Emmett couldn't resist saying.

"Well, I hope everyone wasn't too bored," David said apologetically.  He was holding Gus and enjoying it.

Ted woke up just then.  "No, are you kiddin'?  I haven't' been that entertained since Gandhi."

Debbie didn't hear the sarcasm in Ted's comment.  "Oh, it just looked like a trip of a lifetime."

"It sure felt that long," Brian muttered as Justin moved up off his lap so he could get up.

"The thing you need to know about Paris is not dining at Lucas-Carton or shopping at the Rue de Saint-Sulpice.    It's the little things.  You know, sharing a baguette while strolling Sur La Seine..."

"The Sur le what, honey?"  Debbie asked.

"The Seine, Mother."

Justin looked back at Deb over the sofa where he was lounging.  "It's a river."

"Would anyone like some, uh, vin rouge?"  Michael offered.

"Lucy, you wouldn't know the difference between vin rouge and Listerine," Ted snarked.

"Okay, all I want to know is, did you meet Catherine Deneuve?"  Emmett wanted to know.

"Oh, God, I love her," Teddy added.

"No, but we did meet this wonderful couple, uh, in Versailles," Michael answered.

"Oh, let me guess, Louis and Marie," Brian interjected.

"No, Jean-Pierre and Yvette," David corrected.

"They have the most fabulous Maison in the 16th," Michael added pretentiously. "Oh, try the Brie."

"Tastes like cum," Deb remarked.  "Oh, jeez!  Where's the cheddar?"

For the first time, Justin wanted to know how Deb knew what cum tasted like.

Lindsay and Melanie were there but sitting on opposite sides of the room.

Justin from his position on the sofa couldn't help but overhear them.

Melanie slid over so that she was next to Lindsay.  "Hey, mind if I join you?"

"No."  Lindsay adjusted Gus on her lap.

"Hey, sweetie.  Hi!"  Mel reached out to touch Gus.  "Oh-ho-ho, God, he gets bigger every time I see him."

"It's all the delicious French baby food Guillaume makes him."

Justin wanted to gag.

"So, this, uh, the arrangement's working out for you?"

"Yeah, a lot better than I thought."

Gus was cooing.

"Honey, even if you don't want to listen to me as...someone who cares about you, I wish you'd at least take my legal advice."

"Actually, we're getting married a week from today."

Brian had been listening in on the conversation.  "What did he do.  Knock you up?"

"No, his deportation letter came yesterday.  So, we have to do it now."  Lindsay stated.  "Maybe Michael can film the ceremony.  I mean, it's got to look real, in case there's an evidentiary hearing."  She kissed Gus.

"Come on, Jus.  Let's go home," Brian said, disgusted by the talk.

Mel, Emmett, and Ted joined them.

"I'm freaking out!"  Melanie complained.

"Why, because she didn't ask you to be Maid of Honor?"

"You think this is funny?  They are going through with this next week," Melanie hurled at Brian.

Ted tried to console Mel.  "It's not like they are really getting married."

"It's just that he can be in the country," Emmett added.

"What if he never leaves?  What if he becomes a permanent fixture?"  Melanie argued.

"What if my aunt had balls?  She'd be my uncle," was Brian's response.

"Nah, it's too late.  It's all my fault.  There is not a damn thing I can do about it."  Mel groused.  "Shotgun."  She opened the car door and shoved Emmett in first.

Brian stood at the car door and sighed.  "Everyone in the back seat.  Except you."  He pushed Justin into the front seat.  Justin couldn't help giving him his brightest smile.

The next day, Brian and Ted, along with Cynthia were going over everything they would need to start their new agency.

"You should have seen it," Ted was telling Justin.  "A golden Miata."

"With the top down," Brian added and shivered.  It was the middle of winter.

"Even Emmett couldn't believe it when Michael showed up and said it was his.  That David bought it for him.  Then there was the license plate."

Justin looked at Brian.

"CP ASTRO."

"Captain Astro?"  Justin laughed.

"Michael's completely changing.  I called him and he didn't call me back.  Said he was busy."

"Yeah, Emmett asked if he wanted to go to the gym with us and you know what he said?"  Ted groused.

Justin nodded.

"I can't.  I'm meeting David at our sports club," Ted mimicked.  "He couldn't come to Woody's with us because they had reservations at Papagono with Bobo and Melisande.  Can you believe that?"

"Wow, sounds like a couple of drag queens," Cynthia giggled.

"That's what Emmett said.  But Michael was quick to correct us.  Bobo is their broker.  They have their investments with him."  Ted explained in a snotty tone with his nose in the air as he shook his head.

"Michael has investments?"  Justin asked.  It had seemed at times like Michael couldn't do shit without Brian's okay and now he was doing things without sharing.

"Not only that, but they're having a dinner for David's friends.  Catered."  Ted announced. 

"Without ya'll?"  Cynthia asked, shocked.  "This is the same Michael who was constantly calling you at work, Brian?"

Once everyone left and all the paperwork was pulled aside, Brian decided he'd drop in on Lindsay and see what was going on. 

"Don't forget to say hello to Gus for me?"  Justin told him as he walked out the door.  He sighed as he pulled out his homework and reviewed what had happened the last time.  At least he wasn't worried about the club he and Daph had started.  The Gay and Straight Alliance.  It hadn't gone anywhere, and he was finding he didn't miss it at all.

Once Brian returned home Justin was fixing them something to eat and he told how he'd tried to talk Lindsay out of the marriage and that now Lindsay was blaming herself for the breakup with Melanie.

"She's determined to go through with it.  Then I stopped in to see Michael.  He was polishing that car of his."  Brian said as he set the table. 

"So how was his dinner with Bobo and Mélisande?"  Justin asked.

"He's turning into a snob.  I asked when he was going to introduce his new best friends to his old best friends, and he said who has had time.  He just got back from Paris."

"He went to Paris?  God!  I hadn't heard."

Brian laughed.  "That's what I said.  I mean how long have I known him?  Forever.  And with his new friends, it's like he doesn't want to know us.  He thinks he's become 'interesting'" Brian made quote signs in the air.  "That he finally has a life.  But whose life.  His or David's?"

Justin couldn't think of anything to say to Brian to comfort him.  Not having Michael show up and using his key whenever he felt like it seemed like a good deal to him.

Two days later Brian decided they would breakfast at the diner. 

"Anyone see a certain hot item in the local gay rag?"  Vic asked as he showed up at the table where they were sitting with Emmett and Ted.

"Is my ad still running?"  Emmett wanted to know.

"If you got it, I'll sit on it?  Is that you?  I mean this."  Vic passed the paper over and pointed to an article.

"I don't think I've opened this paper from the front," Ted said.

Brian took the paper and read.  "A fundraiser for State Senator Diane Baxter will be held at the home of Dr. David Cameron and Mr. Michael Novotny."

Debbie who was waiting on the next table charged over and shrieked.  "What?  Let me see that!"

The guy at the table she'd left hanging called out.  "Hey, can we have our food?"

"Eat the bread!  Oh, my God, my baby is in high society."

Just then Michael entered wearing a turtleneck and leather jacket that must have cost a mint.

"Oh, and here is our hostess with the mostest," Vic welcomed him with.

Slapping Michael with the paper, Debbie said.  "Why didn't you tell me about this?"

Emmett waved a slice of bacon around.  "Entertaining a senator."

"God, you're a society lady now, Mikey," Brian sneered.

"I hope you don't show her those slides about Paris," Ted suggested.

"This is just a little thing that David's throwing.  I think he gave the Senator an adjustment once or something."

"Can we please have our food?"  The guy at the next table asked again.

"It's salad!  It's not going to get cold.  Oh shit, what do I wear to meet a senator?"

"Oh, I think I'll wear my orange suit with my new lime-green tie," Emmett offered.

"Oh, understated, yeah.  That's definitely the way to go. " Ted agreed jokingly.  Emmett stuck out his tongue.  "How about you Brian?"

"A little Armani? Zena? Prada?"  Emmett suggested.

"Nada.  I wasn't invited."

"Of course, you're invited. We're all invited," Debbie said, then turned to Michael.  "Right, honey?"

"Well, it's going to be really stuffy," Michael explained.  "No fun at all.  And you have to make a contribution."

"So? I mean, how often do you get to meet a Senator?"

"Well, you have to work," Michael tried reasoning.

"I'll take it off."

"Look, this just isn't your thing, okay," Michael blurted out.  "So just drop it."  It was obvious to everyone at the table that Michael didn't want them showing up.  "Now, can I please get the turkey meatloaf to go?"

"Okay, sweetie."  It was easy to see that Deb was disappointed.  "Just let me serve this man his dinner."

"I gotta go to the washroom."  Michael hurried away.

Brian leaned forward.  "Say, Ted, as my accountant, what do you think about increasing my political contributions?"

Justin remembered them going, but he hadn't known the details until now.  This was going to be fun.

On the night of Michael's do, Brian was dressed in his sluttiest outfit and had laid out the outfit he thought Justin should wear.  Emmett and Ted met up with them at the loft, Emmett in his Jackie Kennedy outfit and Ted wearing leather as in something a biker would wear.  Justin wondered if what they were going to do was wise, but with how Michael had ended up embarrassing himself, he couldn't bring himself to regret it. 

They met up with Vic and Debbie at Michael and David's place.  Debbie was giving him a look.  At the time he had felt sorry for Debbie, but with her recent behavior toward him, he kind of felt she deserved it.  Still, he pulled Vic aside and suggested that he watch out for Deb.

Vic was dressed in a suit straight from the seventies.  Debbie looked sleazy in a red fuzzy top and black tights, topping her ensemble off with red heart-shaped glasses.  Once they entered the party Debbie remarked.  "Jesus.  This looks like awake.  Who died?"

"Hey, Novotny!"  Brian called out once he spotted his 'best friend'.

Michael hurried over; it was obvious that David had dressed him.  He looked fucking good.  "What are you doing here?"

"We wouldn't miss your party for the world, Sweetheart," Debbie gushed.

Ted tossed out.  "Yeah, we figured our invitations got lost in the mail."

"Damn the postal service.  I'm going to write my Senator," Emmett added.

"You don't have to. She's here," Justin pointed out.

"This is a private benefit; you can't just break-in!"  Michael snapped.

Vic looked affronted.  "Break in?!  We're family.  Not bandits."

"Here is a little check, doc.  I think it should be enough to cover all of us.  Nice tie, Mikey."  Brian then pushed his way in between Michael and the doc to join the party.

The music was just as bad as he remembered so Justin made his way to the sound system.

"I believe it's jazz fusion," This older guy said exactly on cue.

"Yeah, in physics, a fusion is supposed to cause a blast.  Like..."  Justin adjusted the station.  "This."  He began moving to the beat and sidled over to the guy.  "You want to dance?"

"I don't dance."

Grabbing the guy by the tie, Justin told him.  "You do now."

Before he could get his groove on Brian showed up and claimed him.  "Come on, Sunshine.  Let's groove to the music."

For the rest of the time, Brian did not let Justin out of his sight.  This was different from last time, where Brian had made off with one of the waiters.

Justin watched as Emmett was having fun redressing the men in one corner.  Justin shook his head in sympathy when one of the waiters ran into Em and spilled a drink all over him.  Then it happened.

You could hear Deb saying loudly, "I say, kick those Republicans right in the balls, only they haven't got any."

The Senator was laughing.  Justin stopped dancing.  Michael had rushed over to his mother.  "Oh, my God!  Ma, could you, um, stop monopolizing the Senator?"

"What's wrong, Justin?"  Brian wanted to know.

Justin nodded toward Michael who was berating his mom.  "Watch."

"Ma, um, can I talk to you for a second?"  He led her away from the Senator and she stopped along the way to give one of the waiters some professional advice.

"How dare you do this to me?  And to David."

"Do what?  I was just talking to Diane.  Do you know that she worked as a waitress?  To take care of her family."

"She was just being polite."

"Polite?"

"Do you actually think she wanted to spend her entire evening talking to you?"  Michael couldn't have been more insulting.  "I think you should all leave."

Debbie wasn't having any of it.  "This party was a stinker when we got here.  You should be thanking us."

"For embarrassing the hell out of me?"  Michael shouted, surprising everyone nearby.

"Can we get out of here?"  Justin asked.  He didn't want to hear anymore.

He and Brian were getting into the jeep when Debbie marched out the door with Emmett, Ted, and Vic close behind her.

~QAF~

A couple of nights later Justin woke up to an empty bed.  Hearing something from the living room, he gathered the sheet around him and followed the sound to find Brian staring at a framed photo of himself and Gus.

"I love that picture," Justin said.

"Yeah, Dada and sonny-boy."  Brian went and flopped down on his sofa.  "All right, so I'm a shitty father.  Are we surprised?  I'm upholding a fine family tradition."

"Okay, what brought this on?"  Justin asked.  Things had seemed to have been going well.  The new business was moving on. 

"I saw Frenchie at the fruit market.  He's talking adoption and telling me I won't be able to see Gus once they're married.

Justin sat next to Brian and snuggled close.  "Fuck him.  You're not thinking of giving up your rights?"

Brian looked at his picture again.  "If it gets Lindsay and Melanie back together it might be worth it."

Justin sighed.  "Look, Brian, you've always said that monogamy for gays does not work.  They've already cheated once."

"Lindsay hasn't."

"Yet," Justin corrected.  "What if she meets someone and decides it's time for payback?  She and Melanie split again.  Or god forbid they decide to move out of the country?  Keeping your rights might be the only thing that stops them."

Brian nodded and Justin snuggled even closer.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm killing you with kindness."

The next day Justin made an anonymous call to Immigration.