Beta: Helen PB: Helen and Gerri Proof: G.M. This Chapter is dedicated to the wonderful Helen. Thank you so much for your help. Deb’s house was filled with balloons of every color of the rainbow but its Deb so there would be no other way. The food from Emmett’s talented group of caterers finished cooking and setting up while Deb was at the diner. Back at Kinnetik Brian returned from his lunch with Justin, it wasn’t really lunch, it was talking…worst yet; talking about feelings. He couldn’t believe that Justin still loved him and wasn’t walking away. What did this mean? He was confused. He realized he never looked at who was the new Art Director. He found the file on his desk that Ted gave him before Justin showed up wanting to talk. He looked at the folder and saw a familiar name. Justin Taylor. He slammed the folder down and yelled. Brian: “Theodore! Get Your Pathetic Ass in here!” Ted was right across from the door of Brian’s office; he had been standing there when Brian walked in knowing that he would be pissed when he saw Justin’s name. When Ted first saw it , he was shocked and wondered if it was some kind of a joke but hearing Justin’s voice when he called him, he figured he didn’t know nor did Justin wanted to tell Brian until he knew if he had the job. As Ted is about to open the door to a very pissed off Brian, he looks at Cynthia and she mouths “Good luck”; he takes in a deep breath and lets it out as he opens the door. Ted: “Yes, Bri?” Brian while looking at Ted sees fear thinking ‘good’. Brian: “Mind telling me what the fuck Justin is doing applying for a job here or you could tell me why the fuck you hired him?” Red Cape Comic: Michael sees Justin walk in and head straight for the back and sits on the couch. Michael: “What happened?” Justin: “I know who Jason is.” Michael sits next to him with one leg on the couch and one planted on the floor. Michael: “Omg! Who?” Justin looks at him. Justin: “What are you, fifteen or something?” Michael: “No *playfully slaps him in the arm* Just tell me.” Justin laughs at Michael Justin: “God, you’re a loser sometimes.” Michael: “Takes one to know one.” Justin: “Are we twelve?” Michael laughs. Michael: “No, just tell me.” Justin rolls his eyes Justin: “Fine! He’s my competition.” Michael: “What?” Justin: “Did you know Brian was dating someone when he was 18?” Deb’s house Emmett: “Come on everyone we have to hurry, it’s already after 4. They boys will be here by 5:30.” Red Cape Comics Michael: “So, what are you going to do?” Justin: “Well, since Brian may not be talking to me when I get to the party…” Michael: “Why isn’t he going to talk to you?” Justin: “Um… I applied for a job at Kinnetik and I got.” Michael: “Wait, so you’re not going back to New York?” Justin: “I am on Sunday just to get the rest of my stuff from Daph’s and mine place; but after that I am moving here, no worries I already have a place. It just won’t be ready for two weeks, which is fine, because I will be here in time for Thanksgiving, so, you’ll help move my stuff out of storage, right?” Michael: “Yeah, so Brian doesn’t know this yet?” Justin: “Ted should be telling him now.” *smiles* Michael: “Poor Ted.” Kinnetik Ted: “Because he is the most qualified to work here and the fact that he won’t put up with your shit all the time.” Brian: “Did you just yell at me?” (Asking full of threats but really secretly amused that he had the balls to do it) Ted: “Well, umm…uh…y-ye- yes.” Brian: “I’m surprised at you Theodore; I didn’t know you had that kind of balls.” Cynthia walks in Cynthia: “Guys, you have two hours before Deb’s party. You should leave now.” Deb’s House So far the party was going great; there was no yelling of surprise because Deb pretty much knew about it. Deb of course had cooked something; they all knew she loved cooking for her boys, as she called them over and over again. Everyone was laughing and talking when Jason showed up. Let’s just say, if looks could kill, both Jason and Justin would be dead. Seriously, the looks they were giving each other were deadly. Justin was helping Deb with putting the finishing touches on dinner when the doorbell rang and Jason stepped in, and I swear to god, Brian just froze and so did Justin; let’s just say Justin doesn’t share well. He kissed Deb on the cheek and made the introductions properly. So everything was okay; there was tension, but it was okay until the wine happened. Jason: “Brian, would you like some red wine?” (He ask as he gets up to fill his glass) But before Brian can answer Justin steps in. Justin: “Brian doesn’t like red wine. Didn’t you know that?” (Finishes with an evil like smirk) Hunter is sitting next to the entry, way off the kitchen trying his hardest not to laugh. Ted goes into the kitchen and walks over to Emmett. Ted: “If Justin and Jason get in a fight, which is your money on?” Emmett turns and looks at each man are giving scowl at each other. Emmett: “Justin.” Ted: “Seriously?” Emmett: “He may look innocent but I know he really is a devil blond.” What either of them didn’t know was that Brian over heard this. Brian: “Don’t you two have anything better to do? “" Emmett: “No we don’t. (smiles) Food’s ready!” Everyone comes into the room; Deb, Michael at both ends. To Michael’s left were Ben, Brian, Jason and Hunter. On his right, was Justin who was right across from Brian along with Emmett on each side. Justin: “Jason, you’re pretty quick, ya know for someone your age.” Deb: “Boys can we eat?” Justin: “Sorry Deb.” Eventually everyone was eating and having a good conversation; both Jason and Justin wanted to know more about the other. Deb: “The girls and kids will be here in two weeks.” Michael: “I can’t wait to see my honey bun again.” Ben: “Neither can I.” Justin: “Are you excited about seeing Gus, Brian?” Brian smiles: “Of course I am.” Jason: “Who’s Gus?” Brian: “My son.” Jason: “You’re what?” Brian: “You heard me.” Jason: “How old is he?” Ted: “How long have we known Justin?” Justin and Brian’s eyes met. Justin: “Seven years.” Jason: “Why does Justin have anything to do with Gus?” Justin: “Because I met Brian that night, I named him and was there with Brian; you weren’t.” (Smirks) Michael: “God, you been in our lives for seven years?” Brian: “You mean, Michael you didn’t enjoy the whole stalking thing?” Everyone laughs Emmett: “Remember when he showed up the next night and stole those guys from you Bri?” Michael: “God, I hated you.” Justin: “Aww, you do care Mikey.” Brian: “I didn’t know weather to kill you or fuck you.” Justin: “Lucky me you decided to fuck me, huh?” (Smiles) Deb: “I remember when he and Daphne asked Vic and I about Babylon.” Michael: “That’s how you got in!” Everyone laughs. Jason: “How old where you? I mean, you couldn’t get into the club by yourself?” Justin: “I was 17.” Ted: “But he looked 12.” Both Brian and Justin say: “Fuck you!” Jason: “Brian, remember your 19th birthday?” Brian: “You’re not telling that story.” The mention of Brian’s birthday causes the darkness to come over Justin’s eyes. Emmett leans over and whispers in his ear. Emmett: “Are you okay?” Justin nods. Emmett: “Do you even remember?” Justin looks at Emmett and nods his head “yes” Emmett: “Omg!” He says aloud for the whole table to turn to him. Brian: “What Honeycutt?” Emmett: “Don’t call me Honeycutt, and nothing.” Deb: “Let’s play a game?” Michael: “Okay ma what game?” Deb: “Truth or dare.” Everyone laughs. Michael: “Ma’ we are all too old to play. Except for Hunter.” Deb: “It’s my fucking birthday and I want to play.” Michael: “Okay.” They all go in the living room and get comfortable. Deb: “Jason, Truth or Dare?” Jason: “Truth.” Deb: “What is your relationship with Brian?” Jason licks his lips before answering. Jason: “I used to date him.” Brian laughs. Deb: “Okay, your turn.” Jason: “Brian, truth or dare?” Brian: “Omg, I feel like I’m 15 again but truth.” Jason: “Why did you laugh?” Brian: “You just fucked me, that’s it.” Before Jason had a chance to say anything else Brian took his turn. Brian: “Emmett, Truth or Dare?” Emmett: “Truth.” Brian: “Why did you say “Oh, My, God” at the table?” Emmett looks at Justin. Emmett: “Can I go to dare?” Brian: “NO, tell me” Emmett: “I’m sorry. Because I asked Justin if he remember the prom and he said yes.” At that point you could hear a pin drop. No one knew what to do or say, they just looked at Brian who went completely pale and Justin who looked scared. Emmett: “Justin, Truth or Dare?” Justin: “Dare.” Emmett: “Bastard” Justin smiles. Emmett: “I dare you to…” Debbie: “You aren’t going to have him fuck, are you?” Emmett: “No.” Hunter: “Damn.” Ben: “You’re straight.” Hunter: “That’s beside the point.” Justin: “I’m waiting Emmett.” Emmett: “I dare you to take off all your clothes and run outside the house in your briefs.” Justin: “It’s fucking freezing out there!” Emmett: “That or Truth.” Justin: “I want truth.” Emmett: “Fine. When did you remember Prom?” Justin: “3 months ago.” Brian: “Why didn’t you tell me?” Justin: “Brian, truth or dare?” Brian: “Truth.” Justin: “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me you watched me every fucking night while I was in that damn hospital?”