Well if you just close your eyes and just imagine everything’s alright but do not hide your tears cause they were sent to wash away those tears. Baby we can wash away those years. Wash Away Those Years -- Creed Notes: Must read the previous parts in order to understand this fic. Summary of Previous Parts: Part 1: Brian and Daphne discuss Justin’s problem with PTSD, and try to come up with some plan to help him. Meanwhile, Justin breaks up with Ethan, and makes plans to leave Pittsburgh. Part 2: Justin runs into his father at his mom’s house, and learns what his father thinks of him. Brian and Daphne go in search of Justin after a frantic call from Jennifer. Once Brian finds Justin he takes him back to the loft, and Justin lets everything out into the open. The two make love, but when Brian wakes in the morning, Justin is gone. Interlude #1: Reactions from the gang back in Pittsburgh when they discover that Justin is gone. Brian gets a call from Justin. Part 3: Justin arrives at his destination, and tries to start his life over. Meanwhile, back in Pittsburgh, the gang tries to become close again. Brian makes plans to make his move, but a phone call puts everything on hold. Interlude #2: Set During Part 3: Fourth of July in Atlanta with Daphne, Emmett, Brian, and Justin. Brian and Justin talk NOTE: This is a little different type fic than I have written before. I hope it works. ***************** “Jennifer, it’s Brian.” “Brian? Is everything alright? Is Justin okay?” “I just got a call from Kate, in Atlanta, and she said that there’s been an accident.” “Accident? Oh my god. . . Justin? Is he alright? What happened?” “I don’t have all the details, but from what I was told it’s serious.” “What happened, Brian?” “Kate said that Justin was driving down the highway with Nate. She said they were coming to pick her up. All she knows is that their car was hit by a drunk driver, and . . . the car hit the median . . . I don’t know much else.” “Oh my god. I need to get down there. Thank-you Brian . . . for telling me.” “I’m getting a private jet to fly down there. I’ll pick you and Molly up on my way. Daphne said she’d meet us there.” “You don’t have to do that, Brian . . .I’m sure. . .” “The earliest flight to Atlanta is ten in the morning, and it’ll take longer than that to drive down there. So I’ll pick you up in an hour.” “Thank-you, Brian . . . Molly and I will be ready.” **************** “Brian you promised. Mel and I have made plans. We were counting on you.” “Listen, I know I promised that I’d take him this weekend, but something came up that I have to take care of.” “What could be so important? Bri? I just think that with you leaving that it would be nice to spend sometime with your son.” “You think that if I had a choice I wouldn’t be there. I’m not that fucking cold, Lindsey!” “Bri, I know that. I’m sorry, I know you want to spend time with Gus, it’s just that you’re leaving soon, and . . .” “Lindz, listen. Justin’s been in an accident and I have . . .” “What? Is he alright?” “I don’t know. I won’t know anything until I get there. I’m packing as we speak, as a matter of fact.” “Do you know what happened?” “Not really. Look I can’t talk right now, I have to get my ass on a plane in about forty minutes, and I still have to pick up Jennifer. Can you do something for me?” “Anything.” “Call the others let them know. Let them know I’ll call and tell you guys know what’s going on. I just don’t have time right now to call everyone.” “Bri, calm down. I’m sure that Justin’s fine. He’s strong.” “Fuck. . . I know he’s strong, Lindz. It’s just. . .” “You still love him.” “Yeah. Yeah, I do. I just didn’t think that I would, you know. After everything that’s happened . . .fuck he has the worst fucking luck of anyone I know.” “I’m sure he’ll be alright. You have to believe that.” “I’m trying. I really am. He’s just been through so much, Lindz. What more can he take? I don’t know if I’m strong enough to go through this again.” “Brian, you are strong enough. You have to believe that you are. You can do this. You will do this . . . for Justin. I know you – remember. I know you’ll do anything for him. I have faith in you.” “I just think about what happened and I . . . it could’ve been me Lindz.” “What could’ve been you?” “He was hit by a drunk driver. And all I can think about is all the times I drove myself home – drunk, or stoned – and it fucking makes me sick.” “Bri, listen to me, okay. You would never purposely hurt Justin. I know that.” “That doesn’t matter, Lindz. The fact is, I know that I have done some stupid shit in my life, and I realize that I could have . . . Fuck, Lindz. I could’ve been the one driving the car that hit him.” “But you didn’t. You weren’t the one, Brian.” “But I could’ve! I could’ve driven my jeep -- thinking as I always do that I can do it -- and who knows what would happen. What if it was Gus?” “It wasn’t, Bri. You need to settle down. Getting yourself worked up won’t help him. Don’t worry about anything here, we’ll take care of it. Just get down there to Atlanta, and see what you can do. Okay?” “Christ, Lindz. I can’t lose him now. Not now.” “Don’t think like that. You don’t know for sure what happened, or how he is doing. Just take a deep breath, finish packing, get on that plane, and be there for him.” “Thanks, Lindz. I’m not sure how I’m going to get through this.” “You will. If you need anything . . . you know that you can call me. No matter what time of the day it is.” “Thanks, Lindz.” “Take care of yourself, and Justin. I love you Brian. Don’t forget that.” “How the hell could I?” “Call me, as soon as you hear something.” *************** “Vic, I’m so glad that someone is there.” “Lindsey? Is everything alright? Is it Gus? “No, no. Gus is fine. But it’s Brian.” “Brian? What’s wrong with Brian? . . . Hold on a sec. . . No, it’s Lindsey. . . I don’t know what she wants yet, that’s what I’m trying to find out. . . Alright, don’t get your panties in a knot.” “Lindsey, what’s going on? What did Brian do this time?” “Deb, Brian didn’t do anything. He just called me and wanted you all to know that he’s leaving town tonight. . .” “Tonight? What the hell is he doing leaving tonight. He wasn’t supposed to leave for another week or so. What’s going on?” “He told me that he got a call. Justin. . .” “Sunshine?” “Brian said that Justin was in an accident.” “What?! What happened? Is he okay? Shit, I better get my things. . . Vic start packing a bag, we’re going to see, Sunshine.” “Deb. . . Deb!” “What?” “Brian is leaving in less than fifteen minutes to pick up Jennifer, and they are heading down there. He promised to call us just as soon as he knows something.” “Does he know how bad it is?” “If he does he’s not saying. I think he just wants to see for himself. I don’t know, Deb, but he did say he’s let us all know.” “Well let me just throw some things into a bag and meet him at the airport.” “Deb, I don’t think that right now would be the time for all of us to head down there. At least until we know more of what’s going on.” “But Sunshine is hurt. Who knows what happened.” “I know, and I want to go too . . .but I think that for right now, until we get the call from Brian we should just wait. There’s not point for everyone to head down there, if he’s fine. Justin wouldn’t want us to put our lives aside for him.” “Dammit, I hate it when you’re right. But I don’t have to like it. How did Brian sound?” “He’s confused, and naturally upset. But he’s fine, and he’ll be there for Justin.” “I always knew those two belonged together. If they hadn’t broken up then none of this would’ve happened. Justin would be here where he belongs and not off in some god forsaken city halfway across the goddamn country.” “I don’t know what really happened with the break-up between the two. I do know that more went on then we know. What I’m not sure.” “Well Brian better get there and bring Sunshine back. Or at least him back in his life. He’s been fucking miserable without the kid.” “I know, and I know that Brian wants to try, but it isn’t up to him. Justin has to decide that for himself, but right now we don’t even know what’s going on with Justin. I just hope he’s alright.” “Brian told you something about what happened to Justin didn’t he? What happened Lindsey?” “As I said I’m not sure. All I was able to get out of him was that it was a drunk driver, or at least that’s what I gather.” “Sweet Jesus.” “As I said I don’t know what really happened. But when we hear from Brian, whoever hears from him first we’ll let the others know.” “Who else knows?” “I called Ted and Emmett right before I called you. I haven’t been able to reach Michael yet.” “I’ll call him. You just wait by that phone and let me know as soon as we hear something.” “I will.” *************** “Ma, do you have any idea what time it is?” “Of course I do, but this is important.” “Okay, okay. Jeez! Just a second, let me move to the other phone okay? . . . Ben can you hang up that extension? Thanks. Okay, ma what’s going on?” “I just got a call from Lindsey, and she told me that Brian’s headed down to Atlanta. . .” “What!? Ma, Brian’s not going down there for another week. What would he be doing going down there now? It doesn’t make any sense. Why didn’t he call me?” “Michael Charles Novotny, that is enough out of you. Can I finish what I was going to say, or do you want to just guess, and be miserable?” “Go ahead, Ma.” “Okay, anyway as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted.” “Ma!” “Anyway, Brian said that he got a call from saying that Justin had been in an accident. He’s gone down there to see what’s going on.” “What happened to Justin?” “I’m not sure. Hell, all I was able to get out of Lindsey was what little she had been able to get out of Brian. So believe me, it’s not a lot.” “So?” “From what we DO know, Justin was in a car accident. From what Lindsey could gather, it appears that it was a drunk driver.” “Fuck. So what are we going to do? Brian will need us, so will Justin.” “Well right now, from what I know – Brian and Jennifer are on their way down there. I was told that once they know something . . .we’ll know something. Besides that. . .” “So what are we going to do? WE can’t just sit here. There has to be something.” “We can do what Brian asked, and wait for his call. That’s what we can do.” “I don’t like it.” “Well you don’t have to like it. It’s what we were asked to do. Believe you me, I want to be on that plane right now going down there, but. . .” “I know, Ma. I know. But I’m sure that Justin will be okay. I mean look at what he’s gone through this past year. He’s tough. He’ll get through this.” “I hope so, sweetie.” *************** “The jet is waiting, and ready for us. They’ll take us straight to Atlanta, where I’ve got a car waiting for us to take us to the hospital. The rooms however at the hotel won’t be ready until tomorrow, but . . . never mind it is tomorrow. . .fu. . . they’ll be ready for us after noon today.” “You thought of everything. But Brian, you know that you don’t have to do all of this. I can take care of it, I can pay for some of this. I can take care of Molly and myself, and Daphne. Just take care of what you need to take care of. Don’t worry about us.” “It’s no problem. It’s easier to just make the plans for everyone, and worry about the rest later. I’ll take care of it, you just worry about taking care of Justin. I’ll take care of everything else.” “You don’t have to do that. We’ll be fine. I just don’t feel right about you paying for everything.” “Jennifer, I don’t give a damn about the money. Justin is my number one concern right now, and that’s what important. Not the money.” “I know you still care about him, that you still . . . love him . . . and I’m . . . I’m glad that he has you. I know that I may not have always been supportive of your . . . relationship with my son, but I do know that he loves you, and you take care of him. I don’t know where he would be if you weren’t there for him. If you hadn’t been there for him.” “He might have been better off.” “I don’t think so. You are the reason he is here today. . . Don’t give me that look, as I said I know that I haven’t always been supportive of your relationship, but I see now that I was wrong. I regret the things I have said and done to you in the past. I was wrong. But I do know – now – that you have always done what was best for him. More so than Craig or I have done.” “Yeah, well Craig lost out. Justin’s a good kid, with a big heart. His father doesn’t know what he’s missing. And I can tell you if that man ever gets near Justin again . . . I won’t be held responsible for what I might do.” “I wish that Craig could be more understanding. I just don’t know what’s gotten into him. The two had always been close . . .so close. When I saw Justin that night – before he left – I knew that Craig would do something. I just didn’t think . . . I didn’t even realize that he had felt that way about it. All I could think of was all of the good times they had before we found out that Justin was . . . gay. I never realized that Craig would do something like that.” “What happened that night? Justin didn’t tell me all of it . . . only . . .” “That Craig had told him that Justin was dead to him?” “Yeah.” “Craig had told me that he didn’t want Justin around Molly. Of course we have been fighting over that issue for a number of months. He said that because of Justin, I have become a disgrace to the family and Justin is ‘going around like it’s alright to be who – what – he is’. Craig told Justin that he had left the family, that he should’ve stayed away from us.” “Did he say something about what happened at Prom? All Justin told me was that his father had wished that Hobbs had . . . he didn’t even finish that thought. He just said that he was dead to his father. What the fuck did he say to Justin exactly?” “Craig . . . I don’t know really. He told Justin that – and these are his words not mine – that when Justin had left the family with that ‘monster’ – in Craig’s eyes, he had died that day. Craig blamed Justin for everything that happened to the family since his coming out, and he went on to say that . . .God . . . sorry it’s just hard to think about.” “It’s okay. I just need to know.” “Craig told Justin that he was sorry that Justin got hurt. However, he said that Chris Hobbs would’ve done us all a favor if he had just finished the job.” “That fucking. . . I mean my father was an asshole, but. . . Fuck.” “I tried to talk to Justin, I tried to get him away from Craig and talk to him, but he just ran off. I’m glad he went to you. At least he had somewhere he could go.” “He didn’t really come to me. I found him. But that’s beside the point. It’s in the past. All we can do is be there for him now. We’ll deal with Craig Taylor at a later date.” “Brian, I don’t want you to get into trouble. Don’t do anything to Craig. Justin wouldn’t want you to do anything. He wouldn’t want you to get into trouble because of Craig.” “Mr. Taylor will sit down one of these days and have a little chat with me. You can count on that.” “Brian. Please, for Justin.” “I can’t make that promise. Besides I can’t worry about that now. Justin needs all of you there with him now.” “He needs you. Now more than ever. He still loves you.” “I know. I know. I love him too.” “Then tell him. Tell him what you feel about him. ‘Cause I’m telling you, Brian, he needs to know.” ******************** Short but Sweet. TBC in Part 4 as Brian, Jennifer, Molly, and Daphne land in Atlanta, and more are on their way.