Lois and Shadownyc, thank you for the beta...you're the greatest!
Author’s Comments: This is the final chapter of everyone's return from Cincinnati, and then the story continues. There are references to events in previous stories so if you can’t remember what happened the last time that Brian and Justin were in NYC together, take a look at Sparring Partners, Chapter 5 to refresh your memory. There is also a reference to the most recent dealings between Brian and Molly, once again take a look at Superheroes, Chapter 22 for additional reminders.
Chapter 24 – Let Us Not Forget, Part 4 A While Later…(Day 42) The limo pulled into the airport, and Brian and Justin boarded their flight to New York. “I have to admit that you’re a much more interesting flight companion than Gus,” Brian teased during the flight. “You just like the idea of flying with someone who isn’t going to challenge you to a game of UNO. By the way, what did you do with the cards?” “I’m keeping them in my briefcase. I wasn’t planning on giving Gus a chance to practice with them when I’m not around,” Brian said, secretly congratulating himself for his tactical victory over a six year old. “You’re so evil,” Justin insisted with a laugh. The flight between Toronto and New York City was less than an hour, so before they knew it, the captain had announced their approach to New York City. When the plane finally landed, Brian and Justin were both very glad that their day long ordeal of planes had finally ended. Justin opened the door to his small loft. He almost wished that it was the door to Bri-tin, but as he gently leaned back against Brian, he smiled as he remembered that he was at his loft…with Brian. And it was ok. It was more than ok. For Brian had forsaken the comfort of a luxury hotel room to spend this night in his loft with him. They quickly unpacked and moved the suitcases out of the way. Brian changed into his usual jeans and tank top. He settled into one of the chairs and propped his bare feet on the edge of the nearby coffee table. Brian was very relaxed. Justin was bustling about the loft as he always did whenever he’d just returned from a trip. Brian simply smiled as he watched him. “Is everything still here,” Brian finally asked with a smile “It seems so,” Justin smirked, finally reaching into the refrigerator for water and returning with two bottles. “Thanks.” “You know, it’s been a long time since we’ve been here together,” Justin said, making himself comfortable next to Brian. “If I remember correctly,” Brian began triumphantly, “On that occasion, you learned that I knew about Sparring Partners…the painting that you sent to Melanie. And once again were taught a valuable lesson…not to keep things from me.” “Leave it to you to bring that up.” “Oh yes. If memory serves me, it was here in this very loft that I learned that there were two additional paintings out there in the universe…with their own cosmic lessons to impart.” “Are you done?” Justin asked. “What did you tell we when I asked to whom they were sent…you said that they would eventually turn up…well they sure did,” Brian said with a laugh. “And look at the results.” “If you weren’t so stubborn, I wouldn’t have to resort to these extreme measures to make a simple point.” “And that point being?” Brian innocently asked. Justin simply sighed, “That it’s time for you and me to be together.” Brian smiled, “You know, I do remember that point being made abundantly clear. So now you can relax. I got the message,” he teased. “But I have to keep reminding you,” Justin said, straddling Brian’s lap and giving him a gentle kiss, “Because you have a tendency to forget.” “I do not!” Brian protested. “We both just have to figure out how to get through the next few months with all the work ahead of both of us. All that work has to be done as well as managing to get us moved here.” “We can do it.” “I have to talk to Theodore. We have to talk to Jennifer. This may be the last chance we have to see each other for months,” Brian was now teasing, “So I wanted to take this last chance to get this one last look at you,” he said, employing a wide-eyed stare, for good measure. “Brian will you stop being a drama queen. We’ll be living in the same house, or have you forgotten where my studio is? And I have a studio here in the city as well. I can paint anywhere, you know that.” “You can paint anywhere, provided you can get to somewhere to paint. What you can’t do… is what I’ve done to you this past month…you can’t paint if I keep you moving about. Not like this. So we need to be sure you’re at least in one spot long enough so you can paint in either New York or Pittsburgh, but this traveling back and forth for you has got to stop. It may be ok ordinarily, but not when you have upcoming shows...” “What do you suggest? Are you ready to be without me again?” Justin asked. “Not even for one night,” Brian whispered. “That was all I needed to hear,” Justin announced with a big smile. “But the shows…” “I’m ok. Really. I’m probably going to stay here and paint because I have to work on that project with Spyder. I’ll be home for the weekend because of Gus.” “I knew that you would do that!” Brian protested. “What?” “Put your painting aside for the weekend because of Gus. That’s why I asked Paul and Jason to bring Nicky for a play date.” “What?” “Oh, I know that Gus and Nicky wouldn’t be happy if they weren’t finger painting with you in your studio, but I figured that most of the time Paul, Jason, and I can play with the kids and take them visiting so that you can get in some real studio time, if you manage to make it home over the weekend.” “I figured that’s what you were thinking.” “Besides, Paul and Jason haven’t seen Lindsay and Melanie in a long time. It’s a chance for them to catch up.” “Was there anything else?” “I figure this would give me brownie points with Molly too,” Brian said with a laugh. “What? How is that?” “She has always given me all these points for Gus over the years. You know how she loves to have Gus around. I just thought that having another little whirlwind for her to affect would be just the thing. She's going to love Nicky.” “And you were planning on….” “Her undying gratitude.” Justin burst out laughing. The relationship between Brian and Molly was fascinating to watch, at best, as they both tried to figure out how to deal with each other. They were both the most ardent observer of the other. Brian was constantly trying to figure out how to curry Molly’s favor, and Molly was always slyly trying to weasel something or other from Brian…from an obligatory kiss on the cheek to asking if Gus could spend the night with her and Jennifer. “That might work,” Justin finally managed to say before he burst out laughing again. Brian had had enough so he finally nudged Justin off his lap, forcing him to stand up. The sound of Justin’s cell phone interrupted the moment. “Hello,” Justin answered without checking the caller id. “Taylor,” said the familiar voice, “Tell me you’re back in the city.” “Yes, I just got back.” “I got your email this morning. Thanks for sending me the pictures of the party. My trucks were obviously the hit of the party. I loved what you did with them. As always you made my humble images look great…that’s why we work so well together. I knew there was a reason I chose you as my partner.” “You’re being nice to me for a reason. What do you want, Spyder?” “Stop being so suspicious. Haven’t I just shown an entirely new respect for your creativity? Haven’t I just said nice things to you? After all, not everyone would think to create a truck piñata.” “Are you finished?” “Yes, just had to get that out. I’m all better now! It was great by the way!” “Spyder!” “Sorry, we have a meeting at 9:30am. I was hoping that we could get together before hand and take a look at a few notes that I’ve made.” “No problem, I’ll meet you for coffee in the morning at the usual place. If you change you attitude, I might buy your mocha latte for you, but I need to see some significant changes. You have a lot to atone for…I remember all those things you said to me while I was in Cincinnati.” “Now Taylor, can I help it if I didn’t appreciate your genius until I got your email,” Spyder continued, totaling enjoying himself. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning. That should give you enough time to reflect,” Justin teased. “Perfect. I’ll work on that,” Spyder teased. “I’ll see you then.” “Bye.” When Justin closed his cell phone, Brian was smirking. “So you arranged a rendezvous right under my nose,” he smirked. “Oh yeah, with Spyder, I can see that you’re trembling in your boots.” “Jason seemed to think that I had reason to be concerned. You realize that Jason thinks that Spyder seems to be some sort of competition for your affections. He really feels threatened.” “As I told Jason, he and Spyder are about equally annoying…as you could probably tell from our conversation, but he’s meeting me for coffee in the morning, so you can see for yourself.” “You’re inviting me to join you?” “Absolutely.” Brian now had a reason to smile as Justin leaned up to gently kiss him. “So I’ll have coffee with you and meet the illusive Spyder. Then I’ll finally have my meeting with Liberty Air and find out what the big secret is. I can’t help wondering what’s going on. Mark usually doesn’t ask for a meeting without sending me some kind of agenda. Yet in this case, neither Cynthia nor Theodore could find out anything about the reason that he wanted to see me.” “That’s odd don’t you think?” Justin commented, “You’ve worked with him a long time.” “Yeah, but I guess I’ll find out what’s going on tomorrow,” Brian confirmed. “It must be something in the air,” Justin hinted, “Didn’t you also say that Eyeconics was being equally obscure about the reason for their meeting?” “I did. Although ever since Eyeconics got involved with Rudolpho Silvestri, nothing that happens there would surprise me,” Brian said with a slight laugh. “However, what’s odd is that both Kellie and Susan asked for this meeting. I usually have to only deal with one or the other of them…unless there’s some sort of problem.” “You’ve dealt with Eyeconics for years too. Why so suspicious?” “Like I said,” Brian reiterated, “Rudolpho Silvestri is involved in this somehow. I can just feel it!” “Anything I can do to help.” “Maybe you had better stand by,” Brian said with a sigh, “Unfortunately, you do handle him better than anyone when he decides to go over the top…although he did promise that he has changed.” “He said that?” “He did,” Brian now smiled, “And I have on good authority, change is possible,” he said, finally leaning down to give Justin a gentle kiss, “Except with Rudolpho, I shudder to think of the possibilities.” They both burst out laughing.