CHAPTER TWELVE

AND IT STARTS....

I can't help but to pace up and down. Of all the fucking nerve... How can they not see that we are perfect for each other? He's the very air I breathe, the song which makes my heart find its melody. He and I belong TOGETHER!!! DAMMIT! But I know what I have to do first; I have to get rid of that motherfucking Justin. That bastard keeps ruining everything, all of my carefully laid plans. I can't stand the attraction displayed between he and Brian. You can feel it from the top of your head to the sole of your feet- it's there. Whether they've fucked or not, it doesn't matter- it's there... and knowing Brian as I do, it's inevitable.

And so what if I'm in a relationship...now. I won't be when he's free and clear. What I do know is that something has to be done and soon. No way I'm going to sit back and watch the only man I've ever loved- will ever love be taken from me by some blond boy ass. It's the only way I'll be able to make Brian see that we are perfect for each other. I don't know how but I'll know when my chance arrives. In the meantime, I will do everything in my power to make sure they don't get any closer. I've been around too long- too fucking long in Brian's life and world- to let some fly-by-night blond boy usurp my position as Brian Kinney's soul mate. His days are numbered and God help the fool who tries to stand in my way.

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Family Ties (May 22nd 2005)

Another nightmare had forced Justin from a relatively peaceful sleep held tight by Brian and Gus at the break dawn. At first he was unsure of his surroundings which almost caused a panic attack but then once he felt the stirring of a small body next to him along with the soothing large hand of the boy's father, he'd immediately calmed down. Easing himself out of the bed, he looked back to stare at its remaining two occupants unable to prevent the small smile which graced the full lips. Even in sleep the two looked like identical twins born thirty years apart. Justin couldn't stop the compulsion to capture this moment on paper at least since he was nowhere near his canvases. A long standing habit, Justin grabbed his sketchpad and seating himself by the bedroom's sliding doors, he worked to capture the beautiful and peaceful picture they made before it faded from his memory.

As he made the preliminary lines, he thought back over the past two weeks since fleeing the hellhole he was trapped in and designing a new life in Pittsburgh. When he accepted the job he'd never expected to meet a man like Brian Aiden Kinney. Hell...meeting a man of any type was the furthest thing from his mind. He didn't trust them. He loathed the way they held the power over someone they considered weaker. That wasn't the case with Brian. At the first brush of their bodies at the benefit he wasn't even planning to attend, his first inclination was to run like hell. However, his body had different plans. His feet were riveted to the floor for those brief moments; the sizzle in his chest where his collided with the lithe one of the taller man ingrained itself deep within him. When Justin heard Brian speak, it melted the steel which sealed in a bone-deep chill of fear placed there by years of abuse. Yes, Justin's reaction to Brian was different on every level- reassuring, comforting, sensual and sexual but most of all his instincts told Justin that he could trust the man behind the mask with glittering hazel eyes. Justin wanted to believe so badly, wanted Brian to be the one he could confide in not only as his lover, but as his friend. Sure he had Daphne and Alex who had known the situation almost from the beginning but he needed to tell Brian.

Justin wasn't sure how long he sat there but the sun was just beginning to peak over the buildings in the distance so he decided to make breakfast. When he reached the kitchen it wasn't a surprise to find it devoid of what he wanted so leaving a note in case Brian woke up and grabbing the house key Brian had placed on the table by the door, Justin decided a market run was in order. Thankfully Brian had introduced him to the night watchman last night but he trotted over to introduce himself to Calvin the day watchman and to ask where the nearest supermarket was. After getting his directions, Justin went about making the trip to the grocers to make breakfast for the two men he loved.

Loved? Where the hell had that thought come from? Justin mulled it over in his mind as he went up and down the aisles grabbing ingredients for pancakes for Gus and a vegetable omelet for Brian. He guessed what he did feel for Brian was a degree of it- almost like Daphne but stronger. He felt strong and protective of Brian which transferred itself to Gus, since the little boy could be used to hurt Brian. It all came back to his feelings about the older man though. He loved spending time with Brian both in the office and especially away from it. Sometimes they would talk about work which would phase into other conversations about their individual goals. The moments he loved the most were the ones where they would end up laughing like hyenas for the stupidest reasons. It always delighted and surprised him to know that beneath the tough as nails exterior laid the goofiest sense of humor. It was something that Justin found endearing but also something he craved and needed like the air he breathed. His feelings terrified him but he wouldn't trade a moment of it. They scared the hell out of him that it could be taken away in the blink of an eye but he wouldn't push them away or bury them. So yeah he loved Brian and Gus by default because they made him feel human, made him feel normal and most of all they made him feel...loved and wanted.

Justin arrived back at the condo with his arms full and prepared to dazzle young Gus-Gus with the best pancakes he'd ever tasted. The pep in his step was not lost on the older man when he arrived in the kitchen moments later looking dazed, confused and amused at the sight of the blond whirling dervish moving seamlessly around his kitchen.

"Good morning, Brian. Coffee's ready if you want some," Justin said as he stirred eggs into a bowl Brian didn't remember buying.

Moving over to the much needed beverage, Brian was amazed that it didn't smell burnt or under-brewed. Fuck it smelled great. He poured himself a cup, savoring the taste. It was even better than when he made it. "This is fucking amazing. What did you do? And how the hell did you learn to use my coffeemaker so perfectly when I'm still learning."

Brian noticed the brief shadow which entered Justin's eyes before the younger man shook his head and smiled brightly at him. "As for the maker, let's just call that beginner's luck. As for the coffee itself, it's three different types blended- French roast, vanilla and bit of hazelnut. The vanilla smooths the strong taste of the other two. I had the grocer mix it to my specifications so there's more for when I'm not around."

"You planning on going somewhere?"

Before Justin could answer, Gus entered the room full of energy. "G'mornin, Daddy. Juss! You're here!" The little boy ran over to his new friend, hugging him around the knees.

Justin reached down to pick up the slight frame. "Well where else would I be, little man? I promised I'd be here when you woke up." The two smiled wide at each other. Justin had bonded with Gus while watching a collection of Disney movies Brian kept at the condo for Gus' visits. Brian remained silent listening to the two discuss the finer points of the Lion King until it was time to put Gus to bed. He extracted Justin's promise to be there in the morning which Justin promptly gave to get Gus to settle down.

"Whatcha making?" Gus asked.

"Pancakes for you and an omelet for your daddy. Bacon, eggs and home fries for me."

Gus cheered at the idea that he was going to get pancakes which he only gets when he's with his father since Lindsey was always on some sort of health kick or another. The little boy watched Justin closely and kept up a steady stream of conversation while Brian looked on. He couldn't stop smiling watching Gus enchant the blond.

"Daddy, do I have go school today?" Gus asked Brian. His first inclination was to let the boy play hooky and come with him to the office but he knew he would catch shit from Lindsey if Gus wasn't sick.

"Yes Gus and your Mama is going to pick you up."

"Why can't you pick me up?"

"I'm going to pick you up again tomorrow. Justin and I have a very important meeting this morning and may have to work tonight."

Gus looked at his father as if turning what he said over in his young mind. The look was so like his own that Brian couldn't help but smile. It made him proud that Gus not only looked like him but he took in information and reasoned like a Kinney despite the fact that his last name was Petersen-Marcus.

"Okay Daddy. As long as you and Juss don't forget to pick me up tomorrow, I guess s'okay."

Brian was saved by the ringing of Justin's cell phone. Calling Gus over to him to allow Justin privacy and to get Gus ready, Brian took his son toward the master bathroom.

Justin checked the Caller ID both grateful and dreading the identity of the caller. He took a deep breath before answering.

"Hi Mom."

"Justin where have you been? I've been to the loft and have been calling you since last night. Is everything okay? Are you hurt? Some short man was also here looking for you?"

Shit. Michael Novotny. "I'm fine, Mom. I'm over at Brian's in Squirrel Hill. Did you get my messages?"

"Yes which is why I flew out last night. I wanted to meet with you both and get a look at the contract for the sale if that works for you. What time are you due at Kinnetik?"

"We're due in at ten for a staff meeting and the first presentation is at twelve today." Justin looked at his watch, deciding that he would have to cut the phone call a little short if they wanted to have breakfast and make it on time. It would already be cutting things a little close because of the detour to Gus' school. "For what it's worth, I've already put my businesses into the conglomerate but we could meet at the office around eleven today to answer the other questions you might have about that and about the contract for TE."

"That works for me, Son. By the way, Molly will be flying in and should arrive in about an hour from now. I thought that since this concerns all three of us, she should be included."

"That's fine but what about her classes?"

Jennifer laughed. "You know sometimes you're more of a parent than I am. She's got everything handled. The last of her finals will be taken in a few days when she gets back."

"As long as you're both sure. Has she decided where she wants to transfer to yet? I mean she's in fucking Harvard; it's not like there are too many schools that compare to it."

"She applied to Penn State and Carnegie Mellon but I think if she has her way, she'll go to Carnegie. She should know by next week."

"Why Carnegie? I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a great school. But Mollusk is on the Ivy League track and you know Craig."

He could hear the smile in Jennifer's voice over the phone. "She figured that if she could get a paid internship at her brother's company then perhaps she can finally cut all ties with Craig."

Justin laughed. "As incorrigible as ever. I'll talk to Brian about it since it's his company. In the meantime, tell her don't say anything to Craig. He's just spiteful enough to cut her off now and just smart enough to figure out where I am. We still have a little over a week until I'm free and clear of this whole mess." He heard the bathroom door open from the kitchen and the sound of Brian's voice talking with Gus. "I have to go now, Mom. I'll see you in about three hours."

"I'll text you when I have Molly. See you soon."

Justin disconnected the phone and went back to plating the food for Brian and Gus. He thought over all of what he and his mother discussed. His overall feeling was that she was going to include her company in the conglomerate but wondered if that would be a good idea considering she was selling Taylor Electronics. If Kinnetik Corporation bought it, would it technically be considered a conflict of interest since her real estate company would be in the mix? He would need to speak with Ted and Donovan personally and the only way to do that was through Brian. Another reason why I need to become a partner.

Shaking his head out of his reverie, he smiled as father and son entered the room. He would have the next three hours to mull over the pros and cons of business but right now he was going to enjoy being part of a family.

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Unexplained Jitters

Connor really needed to get laid. Not just any form of laid. He needed to be fucked to within an inch of his life and then he needed to enact his revenge on the only one he could. Justin. The boy had a natural talent for sex. He was the very definition of Switch- dominant when he had to be and submissive when he needed to be. The fact that he was physically weaker and beholden to Connor was everything the man could have asked for. Punishing Justin restored his pride for loving the young man's stiff and well-endowed cock up his ass.

Having Brandon there also helped but in an entirely different way. Brandon would see what Connor would miss while bent over; would see the expressive boy's feelings written over his face. There were times when Justin would smile at having gotten Connor off, thinking that it would save him from punishment. Connor would reward him with a thrashing instead. Brandon would join in as well. He was excellent at administering pain and prolonging the sensation. Together they ruled the headstrong kid- had broken him and beat him into obedience; had whipped the thoughts right out of his head and replaced them with their wishes and wills. It would be hard to find another to train so thoroughly or another who would keep Connor's darkest secret out of fear. Justin was perfect in every way imaginable and Connor couldn't imagine replacing him. He had to find a way to make him stay.

"What are you thinking about so deeply, Con?" Brandon asked. They were on the way to yet another awards show.

"Justin," Connor answered truthfully.

"What about the blond boy? He's at home where he belongs. Better to think about this monumental task of acting straight right now. You know Diana Flemming is dying to fuck you."

Connor laughed. "Yeah, I know. It's enough that she serves as my beard even though she doesn't know it. Maybe I should just fuck her and get it over with."

"It has been a long time since you fucked a woman, Connor. Not since you've had sole control over Justin. People are beginning to wonder what's with you."

"What do you mean?" Connor couldn't keep the alarm from his tone. He looked over to see Brandon smirking.

"Calm down, Dude. They are beginning to suspect steroid use which is known to fuck up the libido. Every movie you do requires you to look like a fucking superhero in some form. Whatever hours we don't spend at the business or you being ass up for Justin, finds you in the gym pushing yourself harder and harder to maintain your image. You've already had to have your suits refitted twice in the two weeks we've been on the award circuit here in Italy. Maybe you should cut back."

Connor thought about what Brandon was saying. He hasn't used steroids since the very early days of his career. Once they started to change is attitude and he hit a guy just for asking for an autograph, that was the end of his love of the juice. They had served their purpose and started him on the right road for maintaining his physique. That had been over thirteen years ago. But Brandon did make a valid point about his fixation with the blond. He was almost afraid to try to have sex outside of Justin for fear of calling his name during it or worse not being able to get it up at all. It was time to at least try to fulfill Diane's wish to a degree. He couldn't ‘date' her indefinitely anymore without a public acknowledgment and a public breakup. Connor took out his cell phone.

"What the fuck are you doing, Con?"

"Checking on our ward. I'm going to fuck Diane tonight and I just want to hear his submissive little voice before I have to play straight."

Brandon chuckled. "I somehow thought that might be the case. Well tell the little bastard I said hello and that I can't wait for the next week to be up."

"Yeah. That will give him something to look forward to. Hopefully he would have healed from the injuries of the last time. If not, we'll have him blow us until he chokes."

Connor let the phone ring several times. The fucker didn't even have the wherewithal to set up the voicemail so the automated voice grated on his nerves. He would have to teach Justin a further lesson in obedience when he got back.

"No luck?"

Connor shook his head. "He must be in the fucking studio blasting his music again. It's only ten in the morning in New York right now but still this shit is unacceptable. Aside from the third day we've been here, I haven't been able to speak to him."

"I never understood why you let him have that studio in the first place."

"The boy needed something and honestly it was better than seeing all his art shit lying around while he was at the Institute. He needed a place to paint and I didn't want the fucking condo smelling of that disgusting turpentine. I don't know how the fuck he manages to breath it in."

"Perhaps it was his way of getting high and remaining numb to all we've done to him. It would explain why it took so long to crush his spirit. Have you noticed how quiet he's been lately; how obliging? If breathing in that shit helps disorientate him enough that the iron will we've seen in him is now malleable, then I hope he keeps taking the shit in. Dealing with a headstrong teen is fucking exhausting."

Connor laughed. He often had to remind Brandon that Justin wasn't a teenager anymore but a young adult. Either way, Brandon was right. Justin had been quiet and agreeable lately... and that was the problem. He was always often lost in thought or had a blank look about him. He didn't smile secretly anymore; didn't voice an opinion. He basically did nothing to earn him a reprimand or a punishment. He didn't even beg for them to stop anymore which would often piss Connor off even further. All Justin would do was look at them with those cold or devoid eyes. It was like he didn't care about living or dying. Maybe it was time for them to reevaluate their methods when dealing with the sullen youth.

Connor didn't like where his sudden thoughts were taking him. He shivered before saying, "After tomorrow's engagements, we're heading back to New York."

"Why?" Brandon wasn't immune to his brother's change in mood.

"I just need to make sure the boy hasn't done anything stupid."

"Like kill himself?"

"Yeah... among other things."

"And if he has?"

"We'll deal with it."

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Blessed Quietness

Melanie woke up with the backache from hell from sleeping on the futon in her home office. After she and Lindsey's talk last night, she felt lucky that was all she felt having escaped without a massive headache after halfway drowning herself in a bottle of tequila deep into the night. As expected the conversation which had started off about them and their relationship ended up being about Brian and potential relationship. That was how Lindsey put it- ‘potential.' It occurred to her right then just how much had not changed in the five years that Brian Kinney was not part of their daily lives. And the worse part was that she couldn't even blame the man in question. While their conversations over the years were far from friendly, they weren't hostile either. To this day that still managed to surprise her. They were both driven in their careers but they both also loved Gus- a fact Mel could accept now. Which brought up another problem.

Mel showered and dressed for work before stepping foot outside of what had become her refuge within her own home. Making her way to the kitchen, she looked both ways before deciding it was safe to venture in to grab her travel mug while avoiding her wife. Mel was due in court within two hours and her opponent as well as the judge was tough. She needed all her energy put there otherwise it could mean the worst possible situation for her clients. What she did not need was another conversation with Lindsey or her criticisms of what Melanie wore to work. Or how many hours Mel had been spending at work lately or... just ‘or.'There was always something to complain about and compare. Before she would put it off to Lindsey's upbringing but it was the fact that she was not Brian. It was beginning to feel like Lindsey thought she had settled for Melanie which pushed her to resent the innocent party in the whole mess...Brian Kinney.

Mel almost laughed aloud at the thought. Brian and innocent were never synonymous- at least not since he was probably a child. She knew all about the Kinneys and their mistreatment of him. Consequently the very things she hated about him, were the very reasons she also understood his outlook on life. His ‘fuck'em all' philosophy, the blatant and often brutal honesty he administers, his motto of no apologies, no excuses and no regrets... all of these things she understood even if she didn't like them. But she secretly admired him for it because it took guts to live life on his own terms and society with their often biased and censorious views be damned. I used to be like that; a whole fucking lifetime ago but I was. 

As she left the house, making a quick stop at the office before she was due in court, she decided that maybe it was time to adopt the Brian Kinney way of living her own life. The problem was that she also had a wife and responsibilities including a child. But in truth, so did Brian. Mel sighed. She wanted change- wanted things to change for herself before it was too late for her to do anything about it. Right now it felt like she was watching the life she was trying to design for her family was slipping away and there was nothing she could do to stop it. It felt like she had lost herself; like her life with Lindz was sucking the life and essence of who she was out of her body little by little, like her very soul was being crushed.

Maybe she would take Daphne up on her offer to talk. She always believed in therapy helping her clients so why not her too? One thing Mel knew for certain was that she needed to figure out if all of the heartache and struggle over the last eleven years with Lindsey, all of the worry and sacrifices she had made thus far, was still worth it.

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Friends and Lovers

Michael was having the most amazing dream. He and Brian were back at the Loft, having a smoke of Brian's expensive chronic, vegging out listening to music and reminiscing on the good old days they'd spent up in his room at his mom's house. Then Brian kissed him and asked him what was his fantasy. He responded with the single word, ‘you' and Brian smiled telling him it was a good answer. Brian took him to his bedroom and began kissing him all over... Behind his ears... down his neck... on the little patch of hair separating his nipples. EVERYWHERE. Just as Brian was moving downward toward his groin, Michael reached out to caress his descending head, reveling in the little biting kisses to his stomach. He opened his eyes and... froze.

"Michael, baby, you're going to be late for work if you don't get a move on." In between each word another peck was placed on his quivering abdomen.

"B.. Ben, what are you doing here?" Michael stuttered. The dream had seems so real. Deep in his fogged mind, he wished it was.

"What?" Ben chuckled. "Don't tell me you've forgotten about what happened last night, Michael. I'm so glad you finally agreed to come home with me."

"I did?" Michael couldn't remember everything that happened after his fifth beer but he vaguely remembered his and Ben's conversation about him not wanting to be alone. After the way Brian spoke to him at Lindsey and Melanie's, he was not only angry but hurt. "I did. Thank you for bringing me here, Ben."

"It was my pleasure, Michael and I hope a bit of yours as well. But now we both have to get to work. So how about you go take a shower and then I'll make you breakfast...?"

Michael roused himself quickly. The thought that he would miss having breakfast with Emmett in his mind but he wanted to see Brian. Hopefully yesterday was just a big misunderstanding and it would be the perfect time for he and Brian to make plans to hang out tonight before he got busy with Kinnetik business. He just hoped Blondie wasn't with him. He was soooo not Brian's type, yet there was something between Brian and Justin Taylor besides work. He was sure of it. Something that needed to be STOPPED immediately if he was going to have his best friend back. And that meant climbing out of this warm bed with a hot-as-hell male and getting his priorities in order.

"Although I'll take you up on the shower, can we take a rain check on breakfast? Emmett and I made plans to meet this morning."

"You're sure you don't want to call and postpone it until lunch?"

Ben removed himself from the bed, dropping the towel wrapped loosely around his hips. The bulging biceps and well-toned chest was glistening with beads of water, some already sliding down to those perfectly formed abs. Michael couldn't help but follow the line of moisture as it continued its descent disappearing into the nicely trimmed pubes. Nor could he help the fact that his mouth watered at the sight of the erection nestled within the wiry bush. He licked his lips and cleared his throat before answering.

"I can't cancel on short notice especially with Emmett's schedule. But next time, I'm all yours for breakfast."

Ben nodded and smiled as he began to get dressed. He could hear the small groan which escaped the man on the bed as he put on his underwear first and then his tee. He couldn't help the mental laugh as he noticed Michael sudden pout at being denied his eye candy.

"It's okay. I understand. Will you be at the store around one today? I thought maybe since I don't have another class until four, you could give me another comic book dissertation to add to my lectures for my classes. It's kinda fun being the professor who can relate to his class full of young hopefuls."

Michael chuckled. He really did like Ben. He wasn't Brian but he liked that Ben was funny and smart and super talented and a good fuck. "I guess there are advantages to being known as ‘Professor Cool.' Yeah, I'll be at the store later. I have inventory and a new shipment coming in that's going to take awhile to catalog in."

"Great! So I'll see you then. In the meantime since you're not sticking around for breakfast, can you lock up before you leave? I'm just going to grab a muffin on my way to work."

"Sure or we can just leave together now. I have to go back to my place to change clothes anyway and I'll be closer to the diner then too."

"Okay, that'll work. Let me grab my keys while you get dressed and we're out of here." Ben crossed the room over to where Michael was dressing, putting his arms around him from behind. "You know I really did like having you here with me. We should let it happen more often."

Michael was torn. He really liked Ben but he wasn't in love with him. Perhaps they were moving a little to fast. He turned to tell him so when Ben took advantage of his open mouth. Ben brought him closer against his long muscular body, pillaging Michael's mouth in such a way all he could do was moan into the kiss. Maybe I... Michael quelled that thought immediately, concentrating on just the moment. When the kiss ended both he and Ben looked a bit stunned. Ben recovered first.

"There's no rush, Michael. Let's just give this a chance to see where it leads."

Michael nodded. "Take things slow and then maybe..."

"No. Let's not speak of the maybes now. One step at a time isn't necessarily a bad thing- even for gay men." Both of them chuckled at that since most of their acquaintances considered themselves in a relationship after a two-night stand. "When the time is right for the next step, we'll know. In the meantime, let's see how lunch this afternoon goes. Deal?"

"Deal."

Michael finished getting dressed, marveling at the ease he felt at having settled things with Ben about where they were going for the interim. One thing remained on his agenda though. He had to speak to Brian.

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WASP Training

With Brian dropping Gus off at school, Lindsey was all thumbs and at a lost of what to do for the day. From the moment Gus was born, her entire existence had revolved around her son. Hers and Brian's son. During her talk with Melanie the previous evening, her partner had asked her what she wanted to do with herself now that Gus was finally attending school all day. Melanie had suggested finishing up her graduate degree in Education or working at a gallery or museum. In theory, Melanie's suggestions had made sense. After all that was the original plan after Gus was born. Lindsey would continue teaching Art History at Carnegie and Melanie would continue to climb the corporate ladder while Gus was placed in daycare the preschool and finally Kindergarten.

It wasn't until Lindsey and Melanie were raking the leaves with Gus in tow during his first year when they'd seen their hetero neighbors walking their child along the street when Lindsey brought up that she would like to stay home for Gus' formative years. When Melanie reminded her of their plan to remain financially independent of the child's father and that it was going to be really difficult to sustain their lifestyle without two incomes, Lindsey asked her if she thought any parent who had stayed home during the first year ever lived to regret it. Mel had gotten with Ted and somehow they had managed to make the numbers work so that Lindsey could have her heart's desire. That was five years ago and in the world according to Lindsey, all was as it should be. Brian paid enough in child support so that coupled with Mel's salary, they were able to maintain some form of the WASPy environment which Lindsey was accustomed to even if it was on the outer fringes and she got to be the stay-at-home mom her mother, Nancy, should have been if she wasn't so busy being a socialite.

As she sat with her cup of coffee, absorbing the silence, Lindsey began to think of what a battlefield her peaceful little world was becoming. Granted, Melanie was tired all the time and quiet for the most part lately. When she did speak, she and Lindsey would start off civil which quickly turned into chaos. She couldn't see what Melanie's problem was when Lindsey would bring up Brian. For the past five years he wasn't even a permanent fixture in their day-to-day. Oft times it was impossible for Lindsey to reach out to him; he was always in a meeting or not answering his cell phone.

Okay so perhaps it was the little subtle hints Lindsey would drop about Brian's upward mobility in reference to his career. Or the fact that they didn't have enough money without the child support, but they could if Melanie took on a bigger case load. Melanie would then argue that if Lindsey went back to WORK, there wouldn't be an issue. Lindsey's argument was that she does work since being Gus' mother was a full-time job, but if they were to ask Brian to take Gus sometime, they would all be a lot happier. That would spark a whole other round of arguments, notably featuring Brian and Lindsey's obsession with him which of course, the blonde would deny. It wasn't that she was obsessed with Brian, but she did admire his tenacity in getting the things he wanted. Melanie was like that when they had first gotten together, but somehow she'd lost her way. It was up to Lindsey to redirect Melanie's focus, just as her mother had done for her father on many occasions.

There was nothing wrong with having ambition as long as the dream was able to become a reality. Lindsey's job, as Melanie's partner, was to direct and channel that ambition so they ALL benefited in the long term. Brian would have understood that, but Melanie? No, not Melanie "My way or the Highway" Marcus, who only ever sees Lindsey's advice as a threat or another way of turning her into a female edition of Brian Kinney. She would just have to change her tactics.

As far as Brian's new boy toy masquerading as the new Art Director for Kinnetik, she would have to give him some serious thought. It rankled her nerves that Brian hadn't even thought to ask her to help with his company, now that he had returned to Pittsburgh. Granted, she had seen the young man's work- even owned some his pieces- and to be honest, they were quite good. But Kinnetik was still a family business. Ted was their Chief Financial Officer and Melanie acted as another of Brian's attorneys, when necessary. Why couldn't she have been included, especially since it was their son's legacy? In any event, she would definitely have to keep her eye on the situation between Brian and Justin Taylor.

Lindsay certainly did not appreciate the young man and Melanie undermining her, or even Michael's position within the hierarchy of Brian's life. It was something Brian would never have tolerated if the little blond usurper wasn't present. They were always there for each other and Brian would have listened to her without question as he'd always done in the past. She was sure he still would have when she told him he couldn't take Gus with him, if Justin and Melanie hadn't stuck their noses where it didn't belong. Gus was hers and Brian's business, and Brian should have stated as such.

Which brought her back to the subject once again of Justin Taylor, and how to get rid of his presence in Brian's life. No, she and Michael would never be close friends per se, but that didn't mean they didn't respect each others' roles as Brian's oldest and closest friends. Sure they bumped heads, but that was their place; there would never be any room for fucking newcomers. It was bad enough that Michael influenced his decisions to some degree, but Lindsey knew she couldn't compete with another blond- this one male... an attractive male. No, it would never do! So whatever was happening between Brian and Justin needed to end before it even had a chance to get started. But how was she to interfere when they worked side-by-side, day in and day out and now apparently into the night as well? She would figure it out, and Michael would help her. After all, it paid to have a lackey with the same goals.

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It's Just Business

Brian and Justin arrived at the office a few moments after Cynthia. She watched surreptitiously from her vantage point inside the breakroom as her boss and the Art Director entered the building. As a casual observer, she noticed the sly touches, the longing looks and the gleam of their eyes as they spoke to each other upon entry. Justin looked up at Brian laughing hard at something he said and it made Cynthia smile in return. She had heard on a few occasions Brian refer to Blue as Sunshine and she understood in that moment why. The younger man radiated with happiness. The wariness of the sparkling blue eyes was still there but not as often as she'd seen since she'd met him and definitely not toward her or Brian. For her boss' part, she noticed the relaxed air surrounding him for the past few weeks. Brian's edge and intensity hadn't lessened but she noticed the subtle tension he'd carried in his shoulders from years of having to watch his back constantly disappeared when Blue was around. They entered the room just as she was finishing making her coffee.

"Morning guys. What brings you two in so early? The meeting with Ted isn't until nine."

"Morning, Cynthia,"Justin responded politely, smile still beaming.

"What? I can't come into work early now? I supposed that's only reserved for my assistant," Brian said, rolling his eyes causing Cynthia and Justin to chuckle.

"Not at all. I just thought you two would still be engaged in... whatever it is you do in the mornings."

"Oh yeah. We're about to engage in it, aren't we Sunshine?"

"We most certainly are, Aiden. Coffee heavy on sugar, light on any substance coming right up."

Cynthia laughed. "Well it seems that he has your coffee order down packed and on such acquaintance too."

Justin arched an eyebrow at her while still pouring. "Well what can I say other than I'm an over achiever." He handed the cup to Brian who in turn stole a brief kiss as Cynthia looked on. Turning back to his own cup, he began preparing, he said, "We moved the meeting with Ted and Donovan. My mom is due here any minute."

"Oh and what has she decided?" Cynthia was anxious to know. Gathering the potential partners for the conglomerate had been her primary focus for the past week. So far everything had gone well.

"I think she'll go for it but again that's up to her. Either way I think it's good that we're going ahead with Kinnetik Enterprises. In the grand scheme of things, it can only work to everyone's benefit."

As they moved toward the conference room, Jennifer arrived. Justin offered to fix her a cup of coffee. Ordinarily she was a tea drinker, having had given up coffee a few years ago. With all they had to discuss with her, Justin persuaded her that it was for the best to overload on caffeine first out. His mother laughed at him and told him that he made a persuasive argument.

Settling themselves in the chrome and white room, Justin marveled to himself at how well his time at Kinnetik was going so far. It had only been a short time ago when this dream of a job was only that... a dream. Now things were finally coming together and he had found friends like Brian and Cynthia. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that Emmett would become a friend too as well as Ted who he'd only met through video conference calls but was engaging in all their interactions. Part of him wished he'd met them before he'd become an unwilling party in the Connor and Brandon show but then he reasoned to himself that it was better late than never that he'd met them all. If not for his time in Gay Hell, he wouldn't have had a chance to hone his art skills and business acumen to the degree it required to work for Kinnetik Corporation.

Ted and Donovan appeared on screen and after the usual exchange of greetings and good-natured jibes, it was time to get down to business.

"As Justin may have told you Jennifer, there are two reasons we asked you here this morning. The first was to allow you to become a part of an elite group of business which will be known as Kinnetik Enterprises and also to talk about the next step in acquiring Taylor Electronics."

"What are your plans for TE once you get it? Since its main specialty is only geared toward the distribution of entertainment devices, I can't see how it would benefit Kinnetik as a whole, let alone a conglomerate." Jennifer was genuinely interested in what Brian and Justin had come up with.

Ted took the liberty of answering from the financial point of view. "Based on TE's current profit, it would not be a hardship to divide the company in two. One section would still deal with distribution while the more technically proficient of the staff can handle repairs in house as opposed to shipping the products overseas. There is also another possibility to increase the profit margin which I think Justin would be ideal to head up. He mentioned to me some time ago about wanting to branch off into Video game manufacturing. Considering his minor in Computer Graphics and the upward mobility in that market, I think we should take a serious look at advantages. "

"So the employees who work for the company now would be safe?" Jennifer asked. That was her main concern about this entire venture.

Ted nodded. "All except five who Donovan and I found out are sympathetic to Craig and his machinations. Even though they don't know the full extent of the circumstances, I still can't trust them to do their jobs effectively since they've done their best to undermine you while you've the CEO of Taylor Electronics. Donovan and I have put together a short list which should be coming through on fax now." As Cynthia went to retrieve the fax, Ted continued to explain. "The names on that list are the people who have aided Craig in finding a potential buyer and they each have family ties here in New York to the men who have been offering for the company."

Justin and Jennifer looked over the list. One name in particular caused an involuntary shiver and momentary paralyzing fear on Justin's part.

Brian noticed and shifted to look over the list as well. "What is it, Justin?"

"We know most of the names on this list," Jennifer answered.

"I know but there's something else," Brian said watching Justin's reaction. "You want to tell me what's with that look, Justin?"

Justin swallowed hard at the sound of Brian's voice. "Chance Morrison is Stockwell's nephew. He's also a closeted homosexual."

"Okay. So how do you know that?"

Justin laughed mirthlessly. "Everyone knows he's Jim Stockwell's nephew." He looked to Jennifer. Her eyes also widened at the implication and she returned his look.

Brian noted the silent communication between mother and son. "Not that part, Justin and I think you know it."

"Justin, whatever you tell us won't leave this room. You have to believe that," Cynthia said, trying to assuage the fear which gripped the younger man. It was palpable permeating every corner of the large office space.

"Chance was also the reason Craig Taylor was able to secure the loan from Connor and Brandon James in the first place."

"Oh, Honey..." Jennifer began watching helplessly as her son's eyes filled with tears.

"Mom... if... If we... If we don't do this now, they will send someone else. You know that right?"

"I know, Justin. Craig won't stop and neither will the rest of them."

"No they won't."

"Who won't stop? What the hell is going on, Jennifer? Justin?" Brian stood there wanting- needing- to know what he could do to fix whatever was going on with the little blond Taylors.

"I think I can answer the questions, Mr. Kinney." A strawberry blonde woman entered the room crossing over to Jennifer and Justin. "Sorry I'm late everyone. My plane was delayed and I told Sugar to come on ahead. I dropped my luggage at the hotel and got here as soon as I could."

"And you are?" Cynthia asked.

"Malinda Taylor but you all can call me Molly- all my family and friends do." The young woman smiled as she bent to give her mom a kiss on the cheek. Standing tall, she embraced her brother. "Hiya Blue. I've missed you, you know."

Justin returned the gesture unable to believe how much she had grown since he'd seen her last. "Five years is a long time, Mollusk. I still can't believe you're here."

Brian was loathe to break up what was clearly an important moment in the Taylor family but they had clients due in less than an hour and there was still so much to be discussed. Plus the staff was sure to begin interrupting once they made it into the office. He was relieved that he didn't have to say anything because Molly detached herself from her brother determined to answer Brian's question.

She turned to Brian, Cynthia and the screen housing Ted and Donovan. "Hold on to your hats lady and gentlemen because the answers you're looking for are neither pleasant nor safe but I know that Justin can't speak on them personally yet. However, I have no such qualms in at least telling you who the major players in this particular drama are." She took her seat, not letting go of Justin's hand. With the other hand, she nabbed his coffee and took a long draught, winking at her brother as she did so. "So the question, Mr. Kinney, was basically who is Chance Morrison and what does he have to do with Stockwell.

Brian nodded. "Any light you'd be willing to shed on this would be appreciated."

"Jim Stockwell and my father- if you can call him that- go way back to their college days. They maintained the friendship for many years even before Justin and I were born. Ironically before my mom met Craig Taylor, he was involved with Stockwell's sister who is Chance's mom. There was always some question, although not formally announced within our sect, of whether Chance was actually Craig's child before he and Sugar married. I'm not ashamed to say that the idea has merit considering that Chance's coloring does appear similar to the asshole's."

"Molly, don't talk about your father that way," Jennifer scolded.

"What way exactly, Sugar? You have always told Justin and I to tell the truth. Craig Taylor is an asshole, and believe that's one of the nicest names I actually call him. I'll spare your delicate ears the rest." Molly smiled at her brother and took another sip of coffee. "About seven years ago, Chance had just graduated college and Stockwell had asked Craig to give him a job. By then Craig was already setting up house with his chick on the side though none of us knew it."

"Except me but I didn't say anything," Justin stated.

"I'm still pissed as hell that you didn't tell me, Blue. We could have avoided all of this. Anyway, the stipulation or should we say the carrot dangled, was that Craig would give Chance a job if Jim supplied a few of his contacts. Taylor Electronics was just beginning to be in financial trouble at the time. So fast forward two years when Craig was noticeably taking more money out of the company than they were pulling in so that he could maintain his TWO households and enter the dastardly duo of Connor and Brandon James."

Justin stiffened at the mention of the beginning of what would become a five-year living nightmare.

"The actor and his model brother?" Ted questioned. "Why would they be involved with Craig Taylor?"

"They own a loan company which bails big corporations out of trouble- big corporations who the banks will no longer fund. Corporations like Taylor Electronics," Molly answered.

"Okay I'm getting the picture here. So what does that have to do with this Change or Chappy or whatever-the-fuck his name is?" Brian asked while still watching Justin.

Justin closed his eyes as he felt Molly and Jennifer hold his hand even tighter. He dreaded this conversation even more than the possibility of Connor and Brandon finding him. Tears pooled behind the closed lids as he replayed ever minute of torture in his mind's eye- seeing the bruises and broken ribs among the repeated rape of his person. But he knew that to be free of it, he had to tell Brian and the others. There wasn't a way to cover it any longer unless they went off on their own. And the three of them couldn't. On their own, they didn't have enough backing that a major corporation would. Sure they had buying power represented by heft bank accounts but without the clout to write their own destiny, they would be sitting ducks in a matter of weeks. Using that rationale, Justin opened his eyes to look at Brian directly.

"I was part of the deal, Brian. In exchange for saving the company, Craig traded me in addition to an agreement to pay back the monetary sum lent. Connor and Brandon were very specific in their agenda. They would fulfill their end of the contract which included my attendance and subsequent graduation at the Art Institute and bail Taylor Electronics out in exchange for the continual possession of me until the contract was up on June first."

"Possession? What the hell does that mean, Justin?"

"To put it simply, I was owned by Connor and Brandon James. I fulfilled everything including their sexual favors in order to keep Taylor Electronics in the family."

"You agreed to this?"

"Is that what you think of me Brian? You think I would have willingly chosen that life for myself? No. I had no say so in any of it but if I didn't abide by it Mom and Molly would have suffered even worse than they are now. For a little over a year, neither of them knew where I was; Craig kept a tight lid on that. By the time they found out, I was already locked away in their penthouse only to be let out under heavy guard to attend classes."

"And you allowed this, Jennifer?" Brian's voice had risen as he addressed Justin's mother.

"I had no choice but to, Brian. By way of the law, I was just as guilty as Craig and I had Molly to think about. So I did the next best thing. With the help of Daphne, Molly and I gathered all the information we could to wrest control of the company from Craig in the divorce settlement. Then as much as we were able, which really wasn't much, we helped Justin to survive as best he could. Connor and Brandon were extremely controlling and possessive but Justin was resourceful in his own right. He procured a prepaid phone which he kept in the only place within that hellhole he was allowed any privacy- the studio. He completed his assignments, graduated and thanks to his career counselor and agent was able to secure commissions, including freelance work with Kinnetik, secret his money away between Daphne and Molly and escape their prison only a few weeks ago in time for him to be here."

"You can't blame her, Brian. I would have endured whatever I had to to keep Sugar and Mollusk safe. Daph and her boyfriend, Alejandro, along with my other business partner in Torso were big helps to me during that... ordeal."

Cynthia shook her head. She knew something had happened but there was no way she could have imagined that. "Why would your father do that to you?"

Justin smiled slightly as much as he was able. "To Craig Taylor appearance is everything. There was no secret that I was gay and he was fine with gay people in general. As long as they weren't his son. He made a big show of accepting me as is but when the opportunity arose to hide me away and at the same time help one of the biggest, most famous closet cases in Hollywood in exchange for saving his embezzling ass, it only made sense to him to give me away. So he drugged me during one of his meetings. It wasn't uncommon for me to sit in on the corporate meetings so it didn't dawn on me that he would do something like this."

"So what happens now?" Ted asked. He had heard some horror stories from some of his friends about how their families reacted to having a gay member. Hell Emmett's own family tried to have him and a bus load of people murdered in order to wipe him off their family tree but this... THIS was way beyond what he could have ever dreamed up.

Jennifer cleared her throat. Her heart still ached for Justin in ways no one could possibly know. "Brian, may I have a dollar?"

At first he threw her an incredulous look but reached into his pocket anyway. Walking over to her he handed her the money.

Molly smiled. "Congratulations, Mr. Kinney. You've just bought Taylor Electronics."

"For a dollar? For a fucking dollar? Are you people nuts?"

"Not at all, Brian," Jennifer said. "For what my children- especially Justin- and I have endured for this company, we don't see it as worth much more. Our pain and suffering can never be measured in dollars and cents. However, that doesn't mean that I won't get the biggest kick out telling Craig that his profit from the sale is only fifty cents." Turning her view to the screen, "Donovan, I would like you to draw up the bill of sale immediately and have it faxed here. As for the employees including Craig, Brian, I will leave you to handle that. As the new owner, I'm sure you'll think of something."

"Ted, take care of it and take Bill Bronson and his staff with you. I'm fairly certain that the only one you'll have to bodily remove from the premises will be Craig Taylor. Advise Bill that he has my permission to be as rough as he needs to be. While you are firing them and they are in the office, make sure that security with the exception of Bill and one other are clearing out their personal effects. I want Bill and the other guard of his choosing in the room with you and Donovan at all times. Also confirm their addresses and advise that their severance pay will be mailed to them. Since the company is newly acquired and now officially a Kinnetik Enterprises company, they can't expect us to have full access to their financial information just yet but I expect you to by the end of the day."

"Gotcha, Boss. And the other piece of business about the conglomerate?" Ted said as he made notes on what needed to be done.

Jennifer smiled at Brian and Ted, the relief evident in her posture as she sat primly in her seat flanked by her two adult children. Brian wondered briefly if he would ever sit side-by-side like that with Gus someday.

"Well Jennifer, what'll it be? You in or you out?" Brian asked employing a dazzling smile of his own.

"I'm in. New Beginnings Real Estate is now part of Kinnetik."

"I'm sure my partner in Kinnetik Enterprises will be very pleased, isn't that right Mr. Taylor?"

"That's a definite, Brian especially since you can't make a decision without me." Justin smiled but Brian noticed it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"There's more isn't there, Blue?"

Justin looked at him about to give voice to the thing he most feared. He nodded solemnly looking at all assembled. "Don't ask me how I know this but they're coming for me. There is still a week left to the original contract. If they touch down in New York prior to June first, they're going to be looking for me."

"Who other than the people here knows where you are?" Donovan asked.

"Other than Joan and Carla, there shouldn't be anyone who isn't already here. But that won't stop Connor and Brandon. They don't like to lose."

"And I never lose," Brian answered assuredly. "Look I know you're afraid but you're also a fighter, Blue. Unlike before, you have help now- you all do- so we're not going to worry until we have to. Let's live in the solution, not the problem."

He reached out to touch Justin which caused the young man to flinch at first. Brian almost snatched his hand back until he felt Justin relax into his hand. Yeah... they would get through this because Justin was HIS and he'd be damned if he let Connor James, Craig Taylor or Christ himself take him away.