Horvath escorted Ethan to the holding cell at the precinct. A uniformed officer opened the door and removed Ethan's handcuffs before closing and locking it again. Horvath stared at the young man behind the bars with disgust. "You know if it was up to me, I'd lock you in there with Brian and let the chips fall where they may." Ethan tried to look unimpressed, but Horvath could see the fear beneath the bravado. "As it is, looks like he got in a shot or two before I got there, huh?" Ethan remained silent. "You know, I stopped trying to understand why a man beats on someone he claims to love a long time ago, but it still pisses me right the hell off." Horvath ran his hand over his head. "Granted I don't know Justin very well, but I know there isn't anything he could have done to you to warrant the beating he took from you." Ethan looked toward the ceiling. "You're just damned lucky that you didn't kill him. Otherwise, I'd let Brian beat the living shit out of you and badge be damned." Ethan stared at Horvath as if the man had grown another head. Horvath just shook his head and walked away. -- Brian snapped awake suddenly and looked around the hospital room quickly. Justin was still sleeping. He himself had dozed off in the chair next to the bed. He rubbed his face with his hands, yawned then stood up to stretch. The room door opened and Jennifer walked in. She smiled at Brian and handed him a cup of coffee. He took the steaming brew and nodded a thank you. "How's he doing?" "Good." Brian said between sips. "He only woke up once last night. He saw me sitting here with him and was able to calm down right away." Jennifer moved to the side of Justin's bed. "I guess he was having a nightmare." "Yeah." Jennifer smiled sadly. "Just when he stops having Chris Hobbs nightmares, he has to deal with Ethan Gold nightmares. Doesn't seem quite fair." "Life's like that." Brian offered. Jennifer nodded. "Mom?" Justin called softly. "Morning sweetie." "Timezit?" "Almost 9:30." Jennifer said after consulting her watch. "When do I get out of here?" "Later today probably. The doctor still has to release you.” Jennifer said as she brushed Justin's bangs out of his eyes. "Wanna go home." Justin groaned. Brian moved to the opposite side of the bed. Justin looked up at him, smiled and reached for his hand. Brian lifted his hand to his lips and kissed the teens knuckles. "I'll take you home, baby." Brian said. "Just as soon as they cut you loose." "He's going to the loft with you?" Brian nodded. Jennifer was a bit surprised. She had figured on taking Justin home with her. She knew better than to argue though, Justin had obviously made up his mind. "What about Ethan, Brian?" Justin asked suddenly. "Last I saw him, Carl was carting him off to jail." "When?" Justin and Jennifer asked in unison. "Yesterday when I went to his place to get your stuff." Brian explained. "Little fuck was there acting like nothing happened." “What did you do?” Justin asked. “Nothing. I can honestly say he was in one piece when he left with Horvath.” “Brian.” Justin said warily. “I-I didn’t hurt him - too bad.” Justin looked up at Brian horrified. “I just bounced his head off the wall a couple times. Michael and Ben were able to stop me. Hell, I wanted to do a lot worse.” -- Ethan sat on the hard bench in his cell staring at the floor. He couldn't remember all that had happened. He had been in such a rage after seeing Justin with Brian that everything had become a blur. He had been truly surprised when the detective had said he's beaten Justin. He definitely didn’t remember *that*. He loved Justin. He would do anything for Justin. He could never hurt Justin. Could he? Had he? His mind kept coming up blank. But, the detective said he’d almost killed Justin. Ethan shook his head. “Can’t let it happen again.” He whispered and began to look around his cell. “Can’t let it.” -- Justin lay wrapped in Brian's arms watching the older man sleep. Why he had ever wanted to give this up was beyond him now. Brian was all Justin ever needed or wanted. And, apparently Justin held a similar place in Brian's life. Tears welled in his eyes as he remembered Brian's heart felt confession of love. At that moment, when big, bad Brian Kinney had shown just how vulnerable he could be, Justin had fallen in love with him all over again. "You're staring at me again." Brian said startling Justin. "I like looking at you." Justin explained smiling. "You *are* the most beautiful man I have ever seen after all." Brian chuckled and opened his eyes. He leaned in to capture Justin's lips. Justin ran his hand across Brian's chest and down his arm to his hand lacing their fingers. "Love you." Brian whispered against Justin's lips. Justin smiled and deepened the kiss taking Brian's breath away. Just as Brian pulled back to look at Justin, the teen yawned causing Brian to chuckle. "Am I boring you?" Brian teased. "Never." Justin said as he stretched. "Still tired." "Then go back to sleep. It's still early." Brain said pulling Justin closer to him. Justin laid his head on Brian's shoulder and sighed contentedly. He was asleep seconds later. Brian looked down at the top of Justin's head and smiled to himself. This is where they were meant to be. This is definitely where he was meant to be. His mind wandered back to the months of separation and loneliness he'd endured without Justin. He had felt lost and alone. He hadn't exaggerated about not being with anyone else either. He had indeed seen Justin in the face of every single trick he'd attempted to do. But, now, now he was back where he belonged. He smiled and closed his eyes. -- Brian realized that he must have dozed off when the phone woke him. He turned and picked it up. Justin stirred and opened his eyes. "Hello." "Brian, Carl Horvath. I hope I didn't wake you." "You did, but that's okay. What's up?" "Um, I wanted to call and give you the news before your heard it from someone else.” "What news?" "Ethan Gold was found dead in his cell this morning." "What?" "Apparently he hanged himself with sheets he’d ripped off his bed." "Jesus." "That's not the only reason I called." He paused. "There was a message scratched into the floor. He wrote, 'I'm sorry, Justin.'" "Fuck." Brian said softly. Justin stared at him questioningly. "Thank for calling." Brian hung up the phone and pressed his lips together. "Who was that?" Justin asked. "Carl Horvath." Brian turned to face Justin. "He said, he said that Ethan was found hanged in his cell this morning." "Oh my God." Justin gasped. "Fuck." Brian pulled Justin into his arms as the teen began to tremble. "It isn't your fault, Justin. Ethan's problems were his own." "But, if . . ." "No." Brian said placing his finger on Justin's lips to silence him. "You did not do this to him." As tears spilled down Justin face, Brian pulled him into his arms. "I'm not really crying because he's dead, you know." Justin said voice muffled against Brian's shoulder. "I'm crying because, because I feel relieved. Isn't that awful?" "No." Brian said as he held the teen tightly to him. "You should be relieved, Justin. It’s over.” Brian lifted the teen’s chin. “He will never hurt you or anyone else ever again, Baby. It’s all over.” Justin nodded and then buried his face in Brian’s chest. As Justin cried, Brian held him tightly wishing away all the hurt and pain the younger man felt. After several minutes, Brian realized that Justin had fallen asleep once again. He lay down and pulled Justin closer to him. As he lay there gently stroking Justin’s back, he found himself drifting off as well. Before long, they were both sleeping soundly.