This was one of those times that Brian was glad his building had an elevator. As Justin waited for it to reach Brian's floor, a melancholy feeling overtook him. He remembered when the loft used to be his home, their home. Brian wheeled Justin into the loft, and slid the door shut. Justin looked around. The place was virtually the same as when he had left over two years ago. The only difference seemed to be the new stools at the counter. Brian cleared his throat, causing Justin to focus his attention on him. "I'll be working from home the next couple of weeks so I can observe your therapy sessions, and ensure that you behave." "What about Kinnetik and Babylon?", Justin questioned. "Don't they need your personal attention too?" "I think they can both manage to survive without me for a little while. Besides I pay Ted and Cynthia ridiculously high salaries, it's time they started earning them", he snarked. Brian, having never taken off his coat, informed Justin that he needed to go out to buy some groceries. "If I recall your eating habits Sunshine, I'll have to stock up. I wouldn't want you to starve. I'll be back in a few." "Before you go, I need to use the bathroom", Justin stated nonchalantly. "So, what's stopping you?" "Brian, I'm not kidding, I have to take a piss. You're going to have to help me." "It's time you start doing things for yourself Sunshine", Brian remarked sternly. "And just how do you propose I accomplish that particular feat by myself, I'm paralyzed." "It's not my problem. I'm sure you'll figure it out. See ya later." Brian left without so much as a backwards glance. Justin panicked. Did Brian really leave him alone? What a shit! Justin desperately needed to relieve himself. He successfully maneuvered the chair to the step leading to the bedroom, but how the hell was he suppose to navigate the rest? When Brian returned from the store with grocery bags, he spotted the empty wheelchair. Placing the bags on the counter he called out, "Justin, I'm back". When he got no response, he stalked towards the bedroom, and almost stumbled over Justin. He was sitting in an awkward position on the floor, between the bed and the bathroom. Brian was about to say something, when he noticed the tears of frustration in Justin's eyes, and the huge wet spot on his pants. They were soaked. Brian bit his lower lip. "I see you didn't succeed in making it to the bathroom." "Brilliant deduction Mr. Kinney", Justin said with a quavering voice. "Did you think I was miraculously going to be cured when you brought me here?" Brian frowned, but went over to Justin and lifted him, almost dragging him to the bathroom. He sat him on the toilet, and began to undress him. "Well Sunshine, this is what it's going to be like if you don't start cooperating with your therapists. Don't expect me to coddle you. I'm not your mother, and I'm not your shrink. Besides, you know that pity makes my dick soft." He raised his eyebrows and continued, as he set about removing Justin's pants. "I was told that you've regained some feeling in your legs. It's possible that someday you'll walk again." Justin was shocked. Brian had obviously been talking with his doctors and therapists. "What the fuck do you know?" "I know it's far easier for you to sit in this chair sulking, and having everyone do things for you, then to have the courage to find out if you'll ever be able to walk again. It's your call Sunshine." Brian walked away to turn on the shower. Justin saw the disappointment in Brian's eyes. He suddenly felt ashamed of his behavior. He remained quiet and introspective, as Brian helped him wash, and then put on sweats. Brian ordered Thai food, and sat at the table to eat. He thoughtfully removed a chair, and replaced it with Justin's wheelchair. Breaking the silence, he announced, "I want to take you someplace with me tomorrow. Hopefully it will give you the inspiration you need." Brian's statement was acknowledged by a shrug of the shoulders. After dinner, Justin wheeled himself over to the TV. Brian quickly discarded the empty cartons, and put the dishes in the dishwasher. Then he retrieved something from his desk, and approached Justin. Justin examined the articles that Brian handed to him. It was a sketch pad and charcoal. He looked up at him with a confused expression. Brian explained, "I thought you might want to draw. I know how it relaxes you." "I don't draw anymore", Justin stated flatly, and handed the things back to Brian. "Oh, I see." Brian walked away, and observed Justin from his desk, a Justin he didn't know. He feigned working on the computer, as he observed the young man sitting stoically in front of the TV. 'What in the world was he going to do with him. It seemed Justin had lost his enthusiasm for life, and the things he used to enjoy. It's something Brian never imagined would ever happen.' He wondered if their trip tomorrow would help the troubled blond. "I think it's time you got some sleep", Brian remarked to Justin when he saw him yawning. "You can sleep in the bed, I'll take the couch." "Are you sure? I mean it is your place." Brian sighed at his words. This whole scenario was painful for him. "And you're my guest. So don't worry your pretty little head about it, and take advantage of my hospitality." Brian assisted Justin into the bed. Justin pulled the covers tightly around him, and immediately drifted off to sleep. Brian laid on the couch, but didn't fall asleep right away. Instead, he stayed awake, and listened to Justin toss and turn in his sleep. When he heard him whimper, he sprung up, and rushed over to the restless figure. Brian crouched down and saw that Justin was still asleep. He pushed a sweaty strand of blond away from his face, and stroked his arm to soothe him. It worked, because within a couple of minutes, Justin lapsed back into a peaceful slumber. Brian stood watching him for a while, before he returned to his makeshift bed. He realized he would give anything, to be able to restore a sunshine smile to that beautiful face.