Justin sat on the bench; bleakly he realized he was seeing nothing, yet everything at the same time. He shook his head as he took in the crisp, yet warm air. This little exercise was apparently his only remaining luxury. One hour alone in the prison yard; alone except for the guards that monitored him from within the yard and up above. They were always slightly visible in their stations up above; Justin decided it must be to act as a deterrent to either attempted escape or prison riots. As much as he wanted out of here in the worst possible way, he would never risk added time on his incarceration by attempting something so foolhardy. And riots... Well, that didn't look likely for him either. His new accommodations had changed that aspect. The other inmates could no longer reach him. He supposed that was good in a way... but how it had come about still filled him with feelings of betrayal and a wounded spirit.

Warden Kinney, Justin thought to himself in disgust. How stupid he had been. He didn't fault himself for falling into his arms. After all, he was only human. The man was hotter than any man should be. Justin had always been one to admire a man that looked good in a fine suit; the warden was in a class by himself in that category - grimly he acknowledged... in every other one as well. The man could undoubtedly be a model for the most prestigious designer labels. But the beauty was only skin deep. He should have read him for exactly what he was - an unscrupulous ass that would do anything to get what he wanted. After having that, whether he'd had the full experience or not, Justin was quickly brushed aside without a moment's thought or regret. Justin hated Warden Kinney right now, but more than that, he was repulsed by his own responses to him. No matter what the warden had done, Justin couldn't deny how his body still responded when he came near. He hoped time would cure him of that.

Justin knew he only had himself to blame. He had often engaged in romantic fantasy in the past; Warden Kinney was no exception. He had known that Brian viewed him as a sexual object, a number even; still, he had hoped in the back of his mind that he'd meant something more to the austere warden. All the good warden cared about was his image in regard to running this prison. Granted, that was essential and vitally important in keeping these hardened and savage men in line... but he could see no reason for his present confinement. The warden's explanations had been vague, but the way his dictates had been encased in such disinterest and icy demeanor had been the fatal blow. He not only felt used, but he also felt insignificant to Brian. The saddest part of all being - he knew he had been falling for him. Thankfully, he had learned the truth before falling completely into that painful abyss. At least he hoped he had.

He sighed knowing his time in the prison yard was almost over. Next, he would be back in his cramped little cell for another twenty-four hours. Thankfully, Brandon had given him his radio and book. That was something. Unfortunately, after Brandon had left last night, he had read the remainder of his book. Ironically, he had just finished it when the lights were extinguished. He was quick to find that they were turned out early. The daytime hours were depressing enough... but the night had been horrid. Everything became shrouded in darkness when the lights were turned off. Justin could see why solitary was considered torturous. It wasn't so much the days... but the night had been endless. He only hoped he didn't have to spend too many nights in this isolated new home.

Hearing footsteps clicking along the pavement, Justin tensed, assuming his time was already up. He had known it was probably getting close, but he hated the thoughts of those caged walls surrounding him after his brief time out in the revitalizing air. He sighed deeply, not standing to his feet, yet knowing he must. He didn't look at the approaching guard, his words slipping out despondently, "I guess my time is up."

"Well... only if you want it to be." Brandon smiled down at the young inmate; knowing he had something that would perk his spirits up quickly.

Justin looked up at the sound of the familiar voice, his eyes widening in surprise... and if he were to be honest - relief. Brandon was to be his guard tonight? He thought he only worked the day shift and that he was off today... but apparently, he had been mistaken. "I didn't know you would be here today."

"Disappointed?" Brandon asked him, quirking a brow as he delivered him a mock look of reproof.

"No! Of course not. You've always been nice to me, perhaps more so since I arrived in solitary... but it hasn't gone unnoticed."

Brandon nodded and smiled, holding one hand behind his back; not relinquishing his surprise yet. "That's good. I don't go over and beyond for all the prisoners."

"I know that." Justin scrunched up his nose as he looked up at Brandon. "I don't know why I'm so special, but I'm not complaining."

"Wouldn't do you any good, kid. I'm as stubborn as a mule." Brandon looked at Justin somberly for a moment. "So, how was your first night in solitary?"

Justin shrugged, trying to pretend it wasn't that bad. He remembered the warden saying he shouldn't show his weaknesses so openly; in that, he knew the commanding warden had given him good advice. "It's different, I'll give you that. I got through it."

"Many men have cracked in there. Some even call it the torture chamber at night - deafening silence, and nightmare-inducing darkness. I'm glad to see you were unaffected." Brandon thought the boy to be more disturbed by his new conditions than he let on. His words might be startling, but talking about it might make the reality less forbidding. For some reason, he found he wanted to do that for him.

"I wouldn't say unaffected... but I survived it." Justin peered at him closely. "Why is your hand behind your back? I'm not about to resist going back inside; you won't have to beat me down."

Brandon laughed. The very idea of having to use a club to restrain Justin was laughable to him. He wouldn't need a weapon. His size and strength alone would have this prisoner pinned immobile to the ground. He couldn't help but think about that scenario, but at once, wishing he hadn't. The very idea of this boy crushed beneath him was something that stirred things inside of him that he knew best to be forgotten. "I'm not the least bit concerned with you trying to rebel against my authority." Brandon pulled the small sketch pad out from behind his back, his efforts completely worthwhile when he watched Justin's face transform from confusion into one of an excited child that had just gotten his most desired toy on Christmas morning. "I take it you know what to do with this..."

Justin's mouth spread into a beaming smile; unbeknownst to him a smile that the other man found instantly enchanting. "You got me a sketch pad? I don't know what to say, Brandon."

"You just take it and use it." Brandon handed it over to him, a self-satisfied smile on his face. "Thank you would be accepted as well."

Taking the offering, Justin blinked at it in disbelief. Such a simple thing gave him an unbelievable amount of pleasure. He surmised that was how his life would be now. "Right. Sorry." Justin blushed in embarrassment that he hadn't thanked him immediately. "Thank you, Brandon. I can't tell you how much this means to me... especially since I finished my book before lights went out last night."

"I can get you some more books after I get you back inside. You just need to tell me what you want." Brandon didn't understand why he was being so accommodating to this particular prisoner. He had rearranged his work schedule just so he could be here tonight. After going home last night, he had thought about what Justin's first night would be like for him in that dark and quiet room. Instantly, he had wanted to be there for him tonight should he struggle. Brandon convinced himself he was just being humane, and that it wasn't due to his growing attraction to what he viewed as unattainable. As Brandon openly surveyed the beautiful young blond, he couldn't deny being incredibly tempted. If not for the warden's obvious interest and involvement with Justin, he doubted he would resist.

Justin stood to his feet, his eyes glancing up at the tower above them. "I'll go inside now. I don't want to get you into any trouble. I know I'm probably past my hour by now."

Brandon shrugged. "It's up to you. We have time if you want to stay longer." He looked up at the same tower, not admitting to Justin that his assumptions were correct. Eyebrows would raise that he had given a solitary inmate extra time. The news would travel to Warden Kinney quickly. He didn't really think that would be a big deal to him. It was more than obvious that Justin was to be treated differently. He knew there was much more to Justin being placed in solitary than what the warden had told him. What it was, he might never know... but one thing he did know - the warden wanted Justin to be comfortable, whether he came out and admitted that or not. That told him something else as well - Warden Kinney was still very interested in Justin on a personal level. A smart man would keep his distance. All of a sudden, Brandon wasn't certain he was feeling all that smart.

Clutching the sketch pad to his chest almost as if it was the most fragile lifeline, Justin shook his head. "No. I think I'll go inside. I would imagine you have some other prisoners to check on too."

None that I want to check on as much as you, Mr. Taylor. Brandon didn't voice his thoughts aloud, knowing to do so could be catastrophic. Justin trusted him; intuitively Brandon knew that Justin needed that more than any flirtatious banter. The boy felt lost and totally alone. In a matter of moments, Justin had gone from feeling the protected and much-desired man of the one who held the ultimate power over his well-being, to being just another outcast. Justin had to be reeling from that right now. He had gotten to know Brian quite well, and had thought he read him better than most - he didn't believe the warden's indifference for one moment. That alone warned him to tread with extreme caution. Brandon wasn't sure why it was so important to him to be there for Justin; he only knew it was. He was more than aware of his physical attraction to Justin, but that was a line he didn't intend to cross. He would be his friend as much as he could in his position of authority over him. It would have to be enough.

"Okay, if you want." Brandon followed him to the yard gate and entrance to the lower level of the prison, maintaining the distance that was standard procedure. He wouldn't be human if he didn't admire the walk of the hot blond in front of him. Brandon shook his head in amazement. Warden Kinney was a fool to risk losing his chances with Justin. He wished things were different. Brandon knew one thing for certain - in the outside world, he would hunt this beautiful boy with the same intensity that Brian committed to his various pursuits. He and Brian had a couple of things in common. They were both undisputed tops, and they always got their man. Whereas Brian was reputed not to do repeats, Brandon didn't follow along the same. If they were worth repeating, he had no problem in multiple hook-ups. As he followed Justin down the small hallway that led to his solitary cell, Brandon knew in a world outside of this prison, Justin would be worth much more than a first look. He was a man that could inspire addiction.

Brandon decided that it was a good thing Justin was in here and not on the outside. He had the unshakable feeling his problems would only begin if that temptation was so readily available.

Monday morning came with Brian arriving at the prison with the feeling that this wasn't going to be the best of days. Granted, it was a Monday... and one that he originally intended on taking off. He changed his plans of using one of his free days today, largely due to the situation with Justin. As much as he knew Justin was safe in solitary confinement, he knew he couldn't relax his guard with the end so near. Justin would undoubtedly be released within the next several days. He wasn't about to let anything happen to him in that amount of time. Placing his coffee on his desk, he scanned his desk for messages from over the weekend. Often the guards would leave it there for him, knowing he would see that first. The one on the top astounded him.

Brandon had traded shifts with one of the night guards, and done so without discussing it with him. That was very curious, he thought. Why would he give up his standard nighttime clubbing and tricking to be here? Brian didn't know why, but he had the feeling he wasn't going to like the answer to that. He picked up the phone, dialing immediately to the guard monitoring solitary. His voice was curt, and quick to the point. "Is Brandon still here?"

"Yes, Warden. He should be gone... but he stayed to do rounds and is giving Taylor his breakfast now." The on-duty guard flushed and stood taller; uncertain as to whether the warden was watching him on camera now.

Interesting, Brian thought. "Tell him to come and see me on his way out."

"Yes Sir. I'll tell him right away."

Brian dropped the phone back onto the cradle, instantly powering up his computer and scanning for the rest of his messages and alerts. He was glad that nothing required his immediate attention. Brian had the feeling Brandon would require some of his time. What was he thinking? Had something happened after he had left on Friday night to inspire this? That didn't make sense either. Brandon wasn't any more self-sacrificing than he was himself. They were each arrogant in their own ways and never did anything without a reason. He found he couldn't wait to hear Brandon's reasons for these surprising actions.

He didn't have to wait for long. Not ten minutes had passed before the knock came to his door. Not even looking up to see who entered, Brian snapped out sharply, "Come in."

Brandon entered the office, his eyes immediately taking in the warden's hostile demeanor. He had hoped to avoid this a bit longer. In fact, he had been certain he would be safe enough for today. Brian was supposed to be taking today off... and yet he was here. Brandon couldn't help but wonder how much that had to do with Justin. "You wanted to see me, Sir?"

"That I did, Brandon." Finally, he looked up, piecing his most trusted guard with his most assessing gaze. "Have a seat. I have a feeling you could be here for a while."

Resisting the impulse to roll his eyes, Brandon took a seat, as always respectful of the warden, yet not as intimidated by him as he often appeared to be. Brandon accepted that he was a force to be reckoned with, but he had seen him in action outside of these walls too. He was just a man. An aggressive one for certain... but still only a man. "I believe I know what this is about. If it hadn't been the weekend, I would have asked for your permission... but I didn't think it was a reason to upset your weekend plans."

"How considerate..." Brian drawled. "That aside, how about you tell me exactly why you felt the need to break my rules and switch shifts with another guard - not only for one night, but for the entire week. And I caution you, Brandon. I have the ability to pull up surveillance films of every minute you have been on duty since Friday. So, how about we cut to the chase quickly. I admit to being extremely intrigued by your answers..."

Brandon grimaced. This was going to be awkward, and most likely unpleasant. Perhaps befriending the beautiful prisoner that so fascinated both him and the warden hadn't been his best decision. Regardless of that, he didn't intend to back down. He only hoped he could state his case and still have his job once the meeting ended. As his gaze fully connected with the coldness in the eyes of Warden Kinney, Brandon wasn't so sure that would be achieved.

TBC