"Carl, I get that this isn't ordinary... or even completely ethical; however, I really feel this needs to be done!" Melanie was using all of her practiced legal skills to convince Carl to agree to her request. So far she wasn't faring too well.

"Melanie, I respect you... and I know you are trying to protect your client, but he's free now. No good will come of rehashing this case." Carl didn't add how bad it would look if he allowed an unapproved visitor in to see Chris Hobbs. The chief was already steaming about how bad this case looked on the department. He was pushing for a speedy, and quiet trial. Stockwell wanted this case fully resolved quickly. After the apparent ineptness of the department in Justin Taylor's arrest, he didn't blame the chief at all.

"N-no good?" Melanie sputtered. "Listen, Carl. I know you're just doing your job... but I'm trying to do mine as well. Justin Taylor was victimized solely on prejudice. And the bottom line is this - there is still an unsolved crime out there, and we both know it!"

Carl scowled. That fact hadn't escaped his notice either; although, Chief Stockwell only seemed interested in getting Hobbs to trial. "The system isn't perfect, Melanie. Sometimes a few offenders slip through the cracks."

"My God!" she exclaimed. "Now you sound exactly like your bigoted prick of a boss!"

"Listen, Melanie... I get that you're upset over the injustice your client endured, but that's over now. I think he'd rather just move on with his life. Don't you?" Carl hated the words as they tumbled from his mouth. He felt like he was playing devil's advocate... and he didn't like it one bit.

Melanie sighed. "I'm sure he would... but we are both remiss if we don't ask these questions, Carl." She looked at him imploringly. "You are a damned good cop, Carl Horvath. I know you don't approve of what happened to Justin, just as I know you realize there are too many holes in this story. Help me find the answers."

"And you think a visit with Hobbs will give you those?" he prodded. "He isn't going to tell you a damned thing... especially if it benefits Justin Taylor. You do remember why Justin was indicted?"

"Yes. I'm very familiar with the case file," Melanie groused. Recognizing that aggressiveness wasn't getting her anywhere with Carl, she moved for a more practical approach. "I know it's a long shot, Carl. But it's all we've got. I know you want to see justice served. And think about it. Chris Hobbs doesn't have the capability of manipulating medical records. His body was pronounced dead. Someone rather influential had to be helping him. Until we find out who - it's not only Justin at risk, but anyone that this freak has a grudge against. Tell me that you see that."

Hanging his head in defeat, Carl couldn't fight this familiar bulldog any further. "Alright, Counselor. You make some very good points. You know this is my ass, right? If Stockwell finds out I authorized your visit - it will get brutal in here. As Justin's attorney, this is all sorts of conflicts of interest."

"I know that. I will be brief... but the bottom line is this, Carl - Chris Hobbs had to have been assisted by someone in law enforcement. No one else has the power to change police records, not to mention death certificates." She affixed an intense stare on the attentive police sergeant, both of them knowing what this all could mean. "This could be big, Carl. Not only that, but it could mean my client's life is still in danger. I won't rest until every lead has been extinguished."

"Alright... but please, keep it down, Melanie." Carl looked nervously toward his door, making certain no one was hovering close to it. "These walls can have ears... and the accusations you are making have serious consequences."

Nodding, Melanie told him, "I don't like making them... but it's the only thing that makes sense."

"I'm afraid I have to agree. I'd hoped there would be another answer... but it's been staring me in the face the entire time. I feel like a damned fool... and an incompetent officer..."

"Nonsense. You're a damned good cop... one with integrity. You don't want to think any of your own is corrupt. Sadly, it comes into play sometimes."

Carl stood to his feet, grimly accepting the truth in her words. "Come on. I'll walk you down to the visitation room. You will have about ten minutes. Chief Stockwell is in a meeting with the Mayor; I want Hobbs back in his cell before he gets back."

"Thank you, Carl. Ten minutes should be more than enough." Melanie knew that Carl was probably right - Hobbs most likely would be too scared and belligerent to cooperate. That wouldn't stop her, though. She realized if the corrupt officer was around, they could become spooked from her snooping around. Whether she gained her information from the mouth of Chris Hobbs or another source... she would get answers today. Melanie was determined to do nothing short of that.

Justin was sitting on the couch when he heard the sharp knock on the door. Daphne had left for work a short while ago, and his mother was working as well. He wondered who it could be. Stepping over to the door, Justin opened it, a murmur of surprise on his lips at the sight of his visitor. "B-Brandon. What are you doing here? And how did you know where I live? Is everything okay?"

Brandon smiled at Justin, his brow arching in amusement. "May I come in, Justin? I'll be glad to answer your barrage of questions then."

Scrunching up his nose, Justin opened the door wide to allow him entrance. "Oh, right. Sorry. I guess I did throw a few at you."

"That's okay. I'm just glad to see you - after your abrupt departure last night." Brandon quickly noted the flush that spread across Justin's cheeks. Just as he'd thought. That look of unease; it was comparable to guilt-ridden - that told him exactly what he hadn't wanted to find. Brian's message delivered through the bartender last night hadn't been a ploy; Justin had spent the night with him. Now he had to determine if he still wanted to remain in this fight... or if he should just concede victory to the arrogant warden. "Perhaps I should go."

"No, please don't go. I was hoping to talk to you today. This is perfect timing." He motioned toward the couch. "Have a seat... please."

Brandon sat down on the couch. He didn't look at anything other than Justin. Truth be known - he was the only thing he wanted to look at. "Tell me what happened, Justin."

Justin sat next to him on the couch, his eyes downcast when he answered, "I went to the restroom, like I told you... but I was detained."

"Don't tell me," Brandon sneered. "None other than the subtle warden."

Arching his brows at that statement, Justin laughed when he realized it was complete sarcasm. "Right. Subtle." He laughed, but it definitely wasn't in amusement. "I went with him to his office to talk about some of the misunderstandings and problems we've had. And then, well..."

"You don't need to tell me the rest." Brandon stood to his feet. Obviously, he had made a wasted trip... and now he felt the fool. "I'm sorry to have bothered you, Justin." He didn't look at Justin as he made his way to the door. With his hand on the doorknob, he told him, "I hope he doesn't hurt you again. I truly mean that."

"Brandon, wait." Justin rushed after him. As much as he didn't want to string Brandon along, he wanted to be honest too. He owed this man that much. "It isn't exactly how you must be thinking. I mean - I did go home with him, and we, uhhh well..."

"Fucked?" Brandon cuttingly replied, in that instant piercing Justin with his own pained eyes. "I believe that says it all, Justin. I might not know you that well, Justin, but I know one thing - you aren't like Brian, or even me. You don't randomly fuck around. If you fucked Brian last night. It means something. At least, it does to you."

Justin knew Brandon was right. It had meant something to him. As much as he'd wanted to fight it, the truth had been hitting him in the face all morning. He had given himself to Brian last night out of love. It wasn't just to assuage a long endured desire. It had been love. Perhaps not for Brian... but for him, that hadn't changed. He still loved Brian Kinney. Justin doubted there would be a time when he didn't love that man. But that didn't mean he would be Brian's victim, either. Sometimes what someone loves isn't good for them. That was a realization that pained him more than any other.

Brandon shook his head sadly. "Your silence isn't very reassuring."

"I'm sorry. I guess I just want to say this to you in the right way... and not have it mean something it doesn't." Justin knew he wasn't making any sense, except in his own mind, but regardless of what happened in the future with Brian, he didn't want to lead Brandon on. As smart as he knew it might be to fall into Brandon's arms, Justin knew it wasn't what his heart wanted. His own reality to accept was in realizing he might never have what his heart truly desired.

As angry as he wanted to be, once again he found he couldn't. Not with Justin. This wasn't his fault. In his eyes, it had always come down to how Brian had maneuvered each meeting with Justin. He couldn't judge how Brian really felt about Justin... but he did know that many times he had abused his power as the warden. That didn't seem to matter now, though. It was clear to him, Justin had made his choice. He reached out and clasped Justin's hands in his own. He smiled at him warmly, yet with pain still in his eyes. "Justin, listen to me. You don't owe me anything. It's no surprise that I'd hoped for something to develop between us... but we can't always have what we want."

"No, we can't." Justin's voice was almost forlorn when he spoke. He looked up with compassion and regret in his own eyes. "I never meant to hurt you, Brandon. You've been so kind to me. There were times I would have been lost without you. However, regardless of what happens between me and Brian, I'm afraid all I have to offer is friendship. If you don't want that - well, I accept your decision."

Brandon smiled. He knew the smile far from reached his eyes, but he also realized that would be asking for too much. "I can accept friendship. I've never been led to believe it could be more." Forcing himself to escape from the bottomless pit of self-pity, Brandon winked at him teasingly. "I'll be your friend, Justin. And if someday you want to talk about something more, well... I guess we'll have to see if I'm still available."

Justin laughed. He really liked Brandon. If only he could like him in another way. It was hard to imagine this man breaking his heart. But once again, a safe relationship obviously wasn't what his heart wanted. Now, all he could do was bide his time, and hope Brian came to the same realizations; not only realizing them, but acting on them as well. There was nothing he wanted more than that. Justin gave Brandon's hands a warm squeeze before releasing them. "Don't worry. You'll still find your Prince Charming."

Leaning closer, Brandon brushed his lips lightly across Justin's cheek, his lips lingering far longer than appropriate for such a kiss. "I already found him..." Brandon whispered huskily, before moving away. He smiled one last time at Justin, his eyes fully drinking him in. "You've got my number. Call me if you want to talk... or if you need anything. I'll always be there for you, Justin."

"I know you will." Justin closed the door, a bittersweet feeling in his chest. He wouldn't call Brandon. There wasn't a doubt in his mind. As much as he wanted him around for support, it wasn't fair to Brandon. It was time to be on his own for a while. As Justin's mind drifted to Brian, and the incredible passion they had shared last night, he hoped he wouldn't be alone for long.

Brian sat at his desk at the prison, his eyes seeing nothing, and yet everything. He couldn't forget the events of last night. Finally, he had achieved what he'd desperately wanted from the first moment Justin Taylor had entered his life. However, he soon realized he was left wanting more. He didn't know what to do to get him back. Brian only knew he wanted him back in the worst way. He couldn't think about anything other than him. It wasn't only the enticement of his perfect ass. Although, that had been more than worth the wait. No. It wasn't just that. It was everything about him.

Justin's smile kept returning to his mind. Fuck. That smile lit up the entire room. Brian gritted his teeth in aggravation. He didn't like that analogy at all. He was Brian Kinney - Warden Kinney to be exact. The Lord of all he surveyed. He wasn't a pathetic lesbian. And yet... when Justin had walked away from him last night, he had been filled with devastation. For the first time in his life he had felt weakened... and he didn't know how to balance those scales again.

That wasn't quite true, though. He knew what Justin wanted - what he realized Justin felt he needed. Brian just wasn't sure he could be that man. Until he knew he could be, he had to stay away. He had hurt Justin too much already. That couldn't continue. No matter how much he wanted to go to Justin and pull him into his arms, his bed, stamping his presence inescapably into his life; Brian knew that wasn't fair to Justin. It was time he placed someone else's needs above his own. In not chasing Justin down last night, he had done exactly that.

Brian ran an unsteady hand through his hair, grimly accepting what he had never thought to be a part of his reality. He loved Justin Taylor. The worst part was in knowing that didn't solve his predicament. He was the iron man incapable of showing emotion. Despite feeling emotions, he didn't know how to express them. Until he could prove to Justin how much he meant to him, he had lost him. The austere warden was the man who could always solve any disciplinary problem... but in matters of the heart, he was a blind man feeling his way through the dark. Brian knew until he found that way out, he was in the darkness. Never had he wanted to find the sunlight more. He only hoped he found it soon.

Melanie looked at Chris Hobbs' unrepentant face, her jaw dropping down in shock. "Would you mind repeating that, Mr. Hobbs?"

"Listen, I don't have to talk to you. If you don't believe me, then just leave me the hell alone..." Chris sputtered, the only reason he had said one word to Taylor's mouthpiece, was the fact that he thought she might somehow help him. Once again, he was screwed over by that worthless faggot.

"I didn't say that, Mr. Hobbs. I was just shocked." She took in a deep breath, trying to process what it all meant. "You're saying that Craig Taylor, Justin's father, plotted his own son's incarceration... and was paying you for your silence."

"That's right." Chris openly sneered. "Must be a fucked up piece of shit to have your father hate you so much."

Melanie glared hatefully at Hobbs, but she wasn't going to risk his surprising cooperation by exploding on him. "And the reason you came back?"

"Taylor said he couldn't keep paying me. He said he was out of money, and whoever was backing him, had cut him off." He released a loud snort. "I then found out he was dead... I guess his partner grew tired of the arrangement."

Very interesting, Melanie thought. And utterly morbid. How would she tell Justin what his father had done? It was unfathomable from every conceivable angle. "Did Craig Taylor ever mention his partner's name?"

"No. He just said that he was managing the purse strings, along with the cover-up. I assumed he was someone important."

"Thank you, Mr. Hobbs. You have been very helpful." Melanie stood to leave, tensing when Hobbs' eyes glittered at her in rage.

"Wait a minute, bitch! I helped you." His hand reached out to the glass, knowing he couldn't touch her, but intent on making his presence felt.

She smiled benignly. "Yes, you did. Sadly, at least for your sake, I can't assist you. It would be a conflict of interest. You know how that is, right?"

"Fuck you!" Chris snarled through the glass, the guard coming quickly to pull him from the visitation room. "I hope whoever killed Taylor gets his worthless son too!"

Melanie felt a shiver running down her spine. The malicious words filled her with fear - for all of them. She had some answers, but the biggest one still remained. Who had been working with Craig Taylor? She headed back toward the front of the station, her footsteps abruptly halted by a rough hand that clasped around her arm. She turned her head to face an enraged Chief Stockwell.

"I'm afraid your visits aren't quite over, Ms. Marcus." He kept his voice low, as he motioned her in the direction of his office. "Hold my calls..." he snapped to his secretary. Stockwell followed Melanie inside his office, his teeth grinding together in fury at the woman's insolent interference. He had to find out how much she knew... and then, he would be forced to act. Fucking queers, he thought to himself in revulsion. This immoral woman, nor her disgusting client would be the cause of him losing everything. No matter what he needed to do next - his secret would be protected.

TBC