Lois, thank you for the beta...you are the greatest! Author's Comments: This chapter takes place in the Thumpa Thumpa that is Babylon. However, because of the posting delays you may have forgotten what happened in the last chapter. So you may need to refresh your memory of Chapter 40 -The Talk, Part 3 as this chapter happens immediately afterwards.
Chapter 41 – Something’s Up Late Friday Night at Babylon…(Day 33) As always when approaching Babylon, the thumpa thumpa could be heard before they exited their car. And Brian and Justin could smile at each other as they thought about the familiarity of it all. It was still early, and yet, the line was already long. “Well Sunshine, I don’t think we have to figure out any new strategies to get them in the door.” Brian commented as they walked past the waiting people. “They all seem to know where the place to be is these days,” Brian said with a laugh, pulling Justin closer to him. “Let’s go in.” “Hopefully, everyone is already filling the backrooms…so we’ll have a little space on the dance floor,” Justin suggested hopefully. “I wouldn’t worry too much. You and I seem to know how to clear a dance floor,” Brian said, just as he leaned down and kissed Justin on the cheek. Brian and Justin headed for the bar to get drinks. The bartender saw them approaching and smiled. He automatically began pouring two shots of Beam to hand to them by the time they reached the bar. “Things are going to be hopping tonight, it’s good that you’re here. Everyone has missed you,” The bartender said to them. Brian and Justin just smiled. While Brian and Justin were lingering at the bar, enjoying their drink, they heard a familiar voice over the thumpa thumpa. “Oh my gawd! Look who’s here?” Emmett exclaimed. “I didn’t know that you two were coming out tonight. Welcome back, Sweetie!” he exclaimed, reaching out to wrap his arm around Justin. Emmett was immediately surprised as his arm was intercepted…by Brian. “You seem to have lost this,” Brian said with a smile. “I see. We’re in that kind of mood tonight, are we?” Emmett commented with a smile. “Don’t pay any attention to him, Em. He’s just giving you a bad time.” Justin said, leaning in to give Emmett a hug, then immediately wrapping his arms back around Brian again, eliciting a smile. “Can we order you a Cosmos?” “In view of my harsh treatment at the hands of your partner…that would be a good idea,” Emmett teased. Once the drink arrived, Emmett immediately took a sip. Then, turned back toward Brian and Justin and commented, “Well, this is an unusual crowd for a Friday night. They must have known that you two were going to be here.” “Obviously,” Brian said with a smile. “Why else would they come?” “Why indeed?” Emmett teased. “Well, shall we test out the dance floor,” Brian asked. Justin nodded yes, and they were off. It didn’t take long before they danced as one on the dance floor, touching each other and kissing all during the dances. Seemingly lost in a world of their own, Brian and Justin continued to dance. While they were dancing, Ted arrived at the club for the evening and found Emmett at the bar. “Hey Em,” Ted said in greeting, “I would buy you a drink, but I see you already have one.” “I’m good,” Em responded. “Maybe later.” Ted gave the order to the bartender for his cranberry juice cocktail. Ted noticed that Emmett seemed to be watching something very intensely. Ted tried to follow Emmett’s line of sight. “What are you watching?” Ted asked. “Brian and Justin.” Emmett responded. “Where are they?” “See! They’re on the dance floor. Can’t you tell?” Emmett said actually pointing. “I didn’t see them come in? Did you know they were coming here tonight?” “No, maybe it was a spur of the moment decision. After all, Justin must have just gotten back into town. Hasn’t he been in New York all week?” “Yeah. But you’ve seen Brian and Justin on the dance floor before, what’s so special about this time?” Ted asked, trying to peer over toward the dance floor to see what Emmett saw. “They both look especially hot tonight. Wait until they take a break, and you’ll see what I mean. Something is definitely up with those two,” Emmett suggested. “What do you think is going on?” “I have no idea. With Brian and Justin you can never be really sure.” Emmett confirmed. “Aside from the fact that Brian took the day off from work today, what’s so odd about them being here at Babylon tonight?” Ted asked still quite perplexed. “Brian and Justin are each dressed in their sexiest club clothes. They both look especially hot tonight.” “So?” “Everybody still drools over them here at the club no matter what they wear. They’re still the hottest couple around. They don’t have to dress to attract attention.” “Yeah?” “They didn’t dress that way to draw attention from the crowd. They dressed that way to impress each other. Because although Brian and Justin are in this club with hundreds of hot guys, as far as they’re concerned, they’re on the dance floor…just the two of them…alone. Something has definitely changed between them.” “And you know this how?” “I just know. Trust me on this one! Wait until they take a break. You’ll see for yourself.” “Maybe. What are you doing here alone tonight?” “Drew had to go out of town again. Where’s Blake?” “He’s studying for a certification. I thought I’d come here and check on things so he could study in peace. Of course, if I had known that Brian was going to be here…” Ted explained. “Do you think that Michael and Ben are going to show up tonight?” Emmett casually asked. “Not unless one of us plans on calling them. So are you calling?” “Not me! I’m not up to dealing with Michael coming face to face with what I’m seeing here tonight. Are you calling?” “I’m still trying to figure out…what you think that you’re seeing.” “Teddy, look at how they’re looking at each other?” “What about it? They’re a hot couple.” “That’s not what I mean. This is totally different.” “How many of those Cosmos did you have?” “Never mind! Just dance with me, Teddy?” Emmett finally asked. Emmett led Ted onto the crowded dance floor. A few moments later they returned to the bar, with Ted complaining as usual. “You know we can’t dance on the same dance floor when those two are out there. Things are just too hot. How did I let you drag me out into all that heat in the first place?” Ted complained. “I told you things are different.” Emmett reiterated once again. “It’s always hot when they dance together. Wait a minute…it looks like they might finally be taking a break.” Ted commented. Brian and Justin approached their friends at the bar, and Ted couldn’t resist a comment, “Well, did you decide to let the club air conditioners have a chance to cool down the dance floor? That was nice of you.” Brian ignored Ted and looked directly at Emmett, with his arms still around Justin, and said, “Is someone speaking?” “Never mind,” Justin said, “It doesn’t matter. I’m not going to let you torture Ted tonight. I said that we would make it an early evening, and I’m going to be true to my word.” “Does that mean that you’re ready to leave?” Brian asked, leaning down to kiss Justin on the cheek. “It has been a rather long day,” Justin suggested. “Let’s go home.” “Let’s go home.” Brian said as he pivoted Justin to leave. “Theodore, Em, we’ll see you later.” And without any further comment, Brian and Justin left Babylon with their arms wrapped around each other. When Brian and Justin had left, Ted and Emmett ordered another round of drinks. Emmett waited a while before saying anything, but he couldn’t hold his tongue much longer, “Well Teddy, did you see what I mean?” “What was I supposed to see?” “Did you see it? Did you see the way they were together? Brian and Justin never stopped touching each other all evening. Listen Teddy! Something has changed between those two. Just remember, you heard it here first.” “Duly noted!” Ted replied. “But Em, I do wish you would stop watching those Lana Turner movies.”