WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! INDIAN OCEAN TUSNAMI STORY! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! -- “You’re going away?!” Jennifer asked as an all-smiles Justin nodded. “But, what about Christmas?” “Mom, we can exchange gifts when Brian and I get back.” Justin explained already distracted by making a list of things he’d need for the trip. “What about Molly?” Jennifer said. “Molly’s a big girl.” Justin said. “It’s not like she still believes in Santa, Mom. She already said she thought it was cool that Brian and I are going.” Jennifer looked at Justin sternly. “Besides, it may be the last time Brian and I can get away before I start work on ‘Rage’.” “But -.” Jennifer began. “And, we’ll be home before New Year’s.” Justin explained. “It’s only for a couple weeks, Mom.” “Sweetheart -.” Jennifer attempted. “Fine. Just be careful.” “We will be.” Justin said already rummaging through the large storage closet for luggage. “Can I use this black set of luggage?” “Yes.” Jennifer said knowing that she had lost this fight before it even started. -- Brian was on the phone when Justin walked into the loft with the luggage he’d borrowed from his mother. He looked up when Justin walked in then hurried over to relieve his partner of two of the 5 bags. “Yeah, Leo, no problem.” Brian was saying into the phone as he set the bags on the floor by the bar. “The copy and photos are all ready. You’ll get the mock up before Christmas. Yeah. Would I ever let you down?” Justin smiled when Brian rolled his eyes. “Alright. Yes. Well, thank you. I hope to have fun, too. Good-bye.” “Last minute business?” Justin said opening the bags and as he sat them on the sofa. “Last minute bullshit is more like it.” Brian said shaking his head. “Justin, exactly how much shit are you taking?” “Well, I probably won’t use all these bags.” Justin said seriously causing Brian to chuckle. “What?” “You are such a princess.” Brian teased. “And, who said we’d even make it out of the bedroom?” “Brian.” Justin scolded. “We’re going to be in Thailand, you know, ‘The Orient’. I am not spending all my time inside.” “Not even if I give you an incentive?” Brian said moving in behind Justin to nibble on his lover’s neck. “No.” Justin said pushing Brian away laughing. “I am going to go to the beach and I’m going shopping and I’m going to eat real Thai food and -.” “Quite the full schedule you have there.” Brian said. “Mine is just a bit different.” Justin looked at his expectantly. “I’m going to fuck you on the beach, fuck you in every room of our bungalow, fuck you while eating real Thai food, you know, routine stuff.” “Yeah, routine.” Justin said rolling his eyes. -- Brian and Justin fell onto the bed in their bungalow’s bedroom exhausted after their long flight. They all but ignored the tropical paradise that lay just outside the door all their attention on unwinding. Justin stretched out yawning. Brian lay on his stomach his face buried in the pillow. “Hungry?” Justin asked. Brian nodded against the pillow not bothering to raise his head or open his eyes. “I’ll order room service.” “Nothing too spicy.” Brian said his voice muffled by the pillow. “Traveling always fucks up my stomach.” “I know.” Justin said softly opening the guest folder he found on the bedside table. “Wow, look at this room service menu. They have everything imaginable.” “Turkey sandwich?” Brian asked finally pulling himself up to a sitting position. “No mayo?” “Well, they have turkey salad, turkey soup, ah, here it is. Anything else?” Justin looked at Brian who shook his head. “Oh, and see if they have unsweetened ice tea.” Justin nodded as he walked over to the phone. As Justin called the order in to room service, Brian stood up and walked over to the window. There was beautiful beach as far as the eye could see. Palm trees swayed in a gentle breeze. Soft waves crashed in on themselves as they rushed to the beach. “Paradise.” Brian said softly. “What?” Justin asked as he hung up the phone. “Paradise.” Brian repeated. “Yeah.” Justin said moving in behind his lover to wrap his arms around the older man’s waist. “What’s say after we eat, we take a little nap then check out the beach?” “Food, sleep, beach.” Brian agreed. “Sounds good to me. -- Justin rocked back and forth as he straddled Brian’s cock. He closed his eyes then leaned back a bit. Brian’s cock brushed Justin’s prostate and he moaned deep in his chest. Brian’s hand was stoking Justin’s cock with the same steady rhythm as his cock was pounding his ass. “Come on, Sunshine.” Brian moaned. “Come with me, baby.” “Oh, God.” Justin breathed. “Oh, God. Oh, yeah.” “That’s it, Baby.” Brian said through clenched teeth. “Come on.” “Ahhhh.” Justin’s climax hit him like a freight train. “Ga-.” He managed as his hole clamped down on Brian’s invading cock. “Oh -.” Brian breathed and climaxed just seconds after Justin. Justin collapsed onto Brian’s chest Brian’s cock still deep inside him. The only sounds in the small room were the duo’s labored breathing. “Lift up.” Brian whispered against to top of Justin’s head when he’d finally caught his breath. Justin dutifully lifted up allowing Brian to pull his cock free. Brian removed the condom, tied a knot in it then disposed of it in the trashcan beside the bed. Once he was finished, Justin plastered himself on top of the other man once more. Brian brought his arms around Justin pulling him close. “Merry Christmas, Sunshine.” Brian breathed. Justin snuggled closer. “Merry Christmas to you, too.” He managed. “And, God bless us every one.” Brian said in a very bad British accent causing Justin to laugh his shoulders shaking against Brian’s chest. “You’re demented, you know that, right?” Justin said pulling himself up on his elbows to look down on his lover. Brian gave him a tongue in cheek smile. “What do you think Santa brought us?” “Now whose the demented one?” Brian said causing Justin to chuckle once more. “I’m starving.” Justin said through a yawn. “Of course you are.” “Room service or dining room?” Justin asked as he slid to Brian’s side and draped his leg over Brian’s. “I think we shall eat in the dining room this morning.” Brian said. “Shower?” “By all means.” -- The dining room was only about half full when Brian and Justin walked in. Breakfast was set up buffet style, so they grabbed a couple of plates and started loading up. Well, at least, Justin started loading up, Brian merely picked some fresh fruit, coffee, and dry toast. “I can’t believe you eat so little.” Justin teased. “I can’t believe you’re going to eat all that.” Brian said indicating the pile of food on Justin’s plate. “I’m a growing boy.” Justin argued. “Keep eating like that and you’ll start growing out instead of up.” Brian said with a chuckle causing Justin to give him a playful swat on the arm. -- After breakfast Justin convinced Brian a walk on the beach was in order. The headed down to the beach hand in hand. So far they had not run into any trolls who looked down their noses or made rude comments at them, so the made it a point of holding hands just about whenever they were out. They strolled along watching a group of children playing in the sand and surf. “Not so far out.” Came a concerned female voice with an Australian accent. “And, mind the undertow.” Justin looked in her direction and she smiled. “Don’t know why I even try?” She said in an exasperated voice. “You’d think they’d never seen the ocean before in their lives.” Justin smiled and she laughed. “We’re from Perth. There’s ocean and beach every bloody where.” “Kids.” Brian said with a roll of his eyes. “You’re the couple from bungalow 1120, aren’t you?” She asked. Brian nodded. “We’re in the little cul de sac just a ways down from there.” She extended her hand. “I’m Elaine Young.” “Brian Kinney.” Brian said shaking Elaine’s proffered hand. “And, this is my partner, Justin Taylor.” “Nice to meet you both.” Elaine said shaking Justin’s hand. A cry for help suddenly came from where the children were playing, Elaine looked up to find one of her children being pulled out to sea. “I told you to be careful of the undertow.” Elaine ran out, but Justin beat her to the boy. He grabbed the boy by the arm and managed to drag him back to chore. Crying the boy hurried to his mother. “Oh, thank you.” Elaine said. “Foolish brat.” She chided the boy in her arms. “Say thank you to the nice man that just saved your arse.” “Thank you.” Came the boy’s scared voice. “Your welcome.” Justin said ruffling the boy’s hair. “Now, remember to mind your mother, okay?” The boy nodded then hid his face in his mother shoulder. -- During their walk, Justin noticed a market place and dragged Brian to it. They spent hours wandering around the area looking at all manner of fruit and vegetables as well as souvenirs and knick-knacks. They didn’t arrive back at the bungalow until nearly 4 o’clock. This time Brian was starving. “Let’s go shower and eat dinner in the restaurant.” Brian said as they mounted the steps to their bungalow. “Cool.” Justin said smiling. “And dress up.” Brian instructed. “That means dress shirt and pants not khakis and tennis shoes.” “I know what dressy means, Brian.” Justin scoffed. “You forget I grew up in the country club sect.” “And, it’s been down hill ever since.” Brian teased. “Come on.” Justin said with a leer. “You can wash my back.” “And, your front.” Brian said with a leer to match grabbing Justin’s ass cheeks making the younger man squeal and run inside. -- “It’s gonna suck to have to go back to Pittsburgh.” Justin sighed as he lay with his head pillowed on Brian’s chest. “It’s so beautiful here.” “Yeah, I know.” Brian said as he traced lazy circles on Justin’s back. “But, Cynthia will send out a posse to lynch me if I don’t get back on time and you have school.” “I know.” Justin said with a yawn. “We still have, what, 2 days ‘til we leave.” “Hm-hmm.” “We can do a lot in 2 days.” Justin said grinning. “Hm-hmm.” “By the way, have I thanked you for bringing me here?” Justin asked. “A couple hundred times.” Brian teased. “But, you don’t have to thank me, Justin. I wanted to bring you here.” Justin looked up and Brian pressed his lips to Justin’s. “No go to sleep.” “Night, Brian.” “Night, Sonny-boy.” -- Justin woke up the next morning a little after eight. He had to pee, so he disentangled himself from Brian and padded naked into the bathroom. Once that was done, he pulled on his swim trunks and decided to head down to the beach. “Where you going?” Brian asked his voice muffled by the mounds of covers he was sleeping under. “Going down to the beach for a swim.” Justin said smiling. “Uh-huh.” Brian said as he attempted to grab Justin’s hand. “Come back to bed.” “I’m not sleepy any more.” Justin said. “Besides we only have 2 more days here and I intend to make them worth while.” “Uh-huh.” Brian repeated. “Come back to bed.” “You’ll just have to get up and get dressed and come get me and drag me back to bed.” Justin challenged. Brian lifted his head and leered at Justin. “You think I won’t do that?” Brian asked. “I think you can try.” Justin said as he walked nonchalantly to the door looking back over his shoulder he wiggled his ass at Brian just before closing the bedroom door. “Twat.” Brian said under his breath as he hauled himself out of bed. He ran his hand through his hair then looked around the bedroom for the shorts he wore the day before. -- A few minutes later, Brian walked out of the door to the bungalow. He looked toward the beach and could see Justin. He was sitting in the sand with Elaine and her kids. One of them ran to the surf to get water in the bucket she was holding. She hurried back to Justin and dumped the water over his head. Justin jumped up causing the little girl to squeal and run off. Justin chased the little girl finally catching her just before she had a chance to hide behind her mother. She squealed with delight as Justin lifted her up and swung her around in a circle. It was another beautiful day. The sun was shining. It was warm but a light breeze was blowing. The palm trees were swaying as the breeze ruffled their fronds. Then, movement caught his eye. Something on the horizon. Something moving in their direction. “Holy fuck!” Brian shouted as he realized what the movement was. “Holy fuck!” He shouted again as he found his feet and began running toward the beach. “Justin!” He shouted. “Justin, run!” Justin was too involved in the game he was playing with the Young children to hear his lover’s cries. It was only when the youngest boy pointed toward the coming wave that Justin and Elaine took notice. “What’s that?” He said pointing toward the horizon. Justin and Elaine looked toward where the little boy was pointing. “Oh, my God!” Elaine screamed. “Come on! Come on! Run, children, Run! Justin come on! We’ve absolutely no time. Run!” Justin turned to run with Elaine and the kids having no idea what was happening. They were just at the base of the steps leading up to the resort when Elaine’s little girl, Maggie, the one who had dumped the water on Justin’s head, stumbled and fell. Justin stopped to grab the girl. He lifted her into his arms, turned to see where the wave was, lost his own footing and fell to his knees. The last thing Brian saw was his lover and the little girl buried under a wall of water as it engulfed the beach and hurried on its path toward the resort. “Justin!” He screamed. “JUSTIN!” He hurried in the direction he’d seen his lover last pushing past people as they rushed toward him. He found Elaine as she struggled to get her remaining children to safety. She looked at Brian with tears in her eyes. “They’re gone.” She said as she drug her children along. “Jesus fucking Christ.” “No.” Brian said seeing the water racing toward him. “No, God damn it! No!” “Come on, Brian.” Elaine said trying to pull the taller man with her. “Come on. We can still get to safety.” Brian was shaking his head. “Come on, damn it!” Brian looked down at the woman he’d only met the day before. The one who had just watched as her child was washed away along with is lover. Tears streamed down his face as he lifted two of the children and began to hurry inland hoping that somehow they would stay ahead of the rampaging water and praying that he might see Justin alive although he was pretty sure he lost the young man forever. -- Brian sat wrapped in a blanket he’d gotten from . . . he couldn’t remember now. Someone had handed it to him. He didn’t know who. Elaine sat across from him clutching her wet, frightened children to her as if afraid that another wave would take them away from her, too. Brian sniffed and ran his hand across his face. He looked at the wetness on his hand not realizing at first that he was crying. He’d seen Justin, his lover, partner, whatever, washed out to sea by a tsunami. A fucking tsunami. He’d heard bits and pieces of conversations about how the wave had been caused by an earthquake. He couldn’t think about it too hard though. His mind was racing. He tried to think of whom he needed to call to help look for Justin if he was even alive. He mentally slapped himself for even thinking such a thing. He then heard word about bodies. Rescue workers were starting to bring in bodies. Bodies that had washed up on shore. Brian felt his heart clench painfully. It’s not Justin. He thought. It can’t be. -- “Sir.” Brian heard someone say in broken English. “You look, too?” Brian looked up at him confused for a moment. The man was pointing to pictures on a board. The pictures were of bodies that had been picked up off the beach. Brian shook his head and looked away. “You must.” The man insisted. “You lose someone. You need look.” Brian felt hot tears slide down his face once more and he shook his head again. “Brian?” Elaine said reaching out to take his hand. “We’ll look together.” Brian slowly nodded his head. “Stay here children. You don’t need to see this.” They nodded sadly and leaned into each other. One of the boys stuck his thumb in his mouth. Slowly, Brian and Elaine made their way down to where the boards were set up. Brian’s mind flashed back to the prom, the bashing, the hospital. He almost pulled away then they were there. Two large bulletin boards were placed on easels. Elaine walked up to the first one, but Brian held back. Elaine turned to him concerned. “Give me second.” He said. She nodded then turned back to the board. Brian took a shuddering breath forcing himself to move closer to the board. He looked from picture to picture quickly hoping with all his might that he wouldn’t recognize any of them. When he got to the end of the pictures, he looked at Elaine. She stared at him for a moment then shook her head. Brian closed his eyes and, for the first time in a very long time, he thanked God. He hadn’t seen Justin. Elaine hadn’t seen her daughter, Maggie. There was still hope. They could still be alive. Please God. Brian thought. Please. -- The morning turned to afternoon, the afternoon to evening then the evening turned to night. Brian and Elaine stuck together her children attached to her like extra body parts. They had been moved to a make shift shelter not far from where the pictures of the found bodies were posted. The Red Cross arrived. Lists of the missing were made. Brian unhappily handed over a picture of Justin he had in his wallet. It was of Justin holding Gus over his head. The ‘airpane game’ as Gus referred to it. Which always seemed to end up in the ‘upsydown’ game where Gus hung upside down while Justin tickled his ribs. Brian sniffed and handed the picture with Justin’s name along with is own written on the back. The atmosphere in the shelter was one of shock, and fear, but silent. As silent as a tomb. Brian’s mother had been fond of that saying, but after this Brian knew he’d never use it again. A commotion brought him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see several rescue workers and Red Cross representatives talking rapidly. He wondered what was going on. Elaine touched his arm and he nearly jumped out of his skin. “Sorry, Love.” She said. “Didn’t mean to startle.” Brian nodded. “They’re talking about a batch of survivors. Picked up at sea by a ship that was limping into shore after being beat to hell in the wake of the wave. Survivors, Brian. Can you imagine?” Brian could imagine, but couldn’t even begin to hope that any of them would include Justin or Elaine’s Maggie. “My husband, Gerald, always called her Maggie May.” Elaine said wistfully as if she had read Brian’s mind. “Used to sing it to her when she was a baby.” Brian saw the pain in Elaine’s eyes at the memory. “She had no idea who Rod Stewart was or anything, but she loved the song and loved that her Da sung it to her.” She shook her head. “Dear God.” “Don’t lose hope, Elaine.” Brian said it but didn’t really feel it. “We can’t lose hope. It’s all we have left.” Elaine nodded. -- At about 2am, Brian was awakened by the voice of one of the Red Cross workers. He could barely force his mind to process what was being said. “. . . if you’ll all line up here. Please try to remain calm and orderly.” The female worker said. “Come on, Brian.” Elaine said. “They have a another set of pictures for us.” Brian shook his head and turned away sure that he had seen all the pictures of dead bodies he could stomach. “It’s of the survivors they found. Come on, Love.” Brian nodded and stood taking Elaine’s proffered hand. “Please stay in line.” The worker called. “Don’t run. We ask that you remain calm and orderly. Thank you.” “Sounds like a bloody PSA.” Elaine grumped as she and Brian walked slowly trying to remain orderly. “God, give me strength.” She whispered to no one in particular. Brian closed his eyes and asked for the same. As Brian and Elaine got closer to the board Brian felt nauseas. He didn’t know how to handle this. He didn’t know if he could handle not seeing Justin’s picture. Fighting the urge to bolt, Brian held Elaine’s hand tightly and taking a deep breath started looking over the board. He was only about a dozen pictures in when he saw them. Justin wrapped in a blanket holding a small girl on his lap who clung to him. He gasped and Elaine turned toward him. He couldn’t speak. He could only point at the picture. Elaine burst into tears at the site of them. Brian pulled her into his arms lifting her off the ground in the pure joy of it all. They flagged down one of the Red Cross worker and excitedly asked where the survivors were. The woman, who had probably seen far too much death and pain in the last few hours, asked several times if they were sure they had seen people they knew. “Yes, yes.” Elaine said loudly. “Criky, don’t you think I know my own daughter.” “I’m sorry, it’s just, I don’t think -.” She trailed off. “It’s okay, Dear.” Elaine said putting her hand on the woman’s arm. “I know you don’t want us to be hurt, but that’s my Maggie.” “And, that’s Justin.” Brian said pointing at the picture again. “I’d know that face anywhere. Please. Where are they and how do we get there?” -- Brian was on pins and needles as he sat through an amazingly long truck ride made nearly impossible by washed out roads and debris. Once at the destination, Brian, Elaine and her children made their way through a hastily erected medical center. Patients lay everywhere. There did seem to be a method to the madness, though. Brian could discern an area for people with very minor injuries and one for those more badly injured, and then there was a curtained area where the most badly injured were. Brian and Elaine walked quickly through it all to get to another make shift shelter. Before the tsunami, Brian thought, it was probably a sports arena. Once inside Brian tried to look in every direction at once. There were only a handful of people, so finding his quarry took only a moment. He locked eyes with the most beautiful site he’d ever seen. Justin Taylor. Filthy, bruised and looking more tired than Brian felt. But, alive. “Maggie!” Elaine cried. The little girl looked up at once and ran toward her mother crying. “Oh, my baby. My baby.” Elaine chanted as she covered the girl’s small face with kisses. The other children crowded around crying; hugging their mother and sister tightly. Brian watched the reunion smiling. He then turned back to his lover stared at him as if he’d never seen him before. At first, he was glued to the spot. It was only when Justin started toward him that Brian finally found his feet. He rushed to the blond and pulled him into his arms wanting to bury himself in the younger man. “Ow!” Justin said pulling away. “Why the hell’d you pinch me?” “Just making sure you aren’t a dream.” Brian said softly. “You’re supposed to pinch yourself not me.” Justin huffed. Brian couldn’t help smiling. “Don’t you ever do that to me again.” Justin shook his head in agreement, crossed his heart then pressed his lips to Brian’s. Tears spilled down both their faces as they kissed. They would have probably stayed like that for a lot longer, but the sound of giggling brought them back to earth. They looked over to see Maggie May – a nickname that Brian would use from then on in reference to the little girl – giggling and pressing her head against her mother’s chest. “What’s so funny, little missy?” Brian asked as he poked her in the ribs making her giggle and push his hand away. “You were kissing.” She said with a scrunched up nose. Brian smiled, turned to Justin and, lifting his chin, gave him another sound kiss on the lips. Maggie giggled again as did her sister and brothers. “Justin and Brian sitting in a tree.” They all began chanting together. “K – I – S – S – I – N – G.” They all made smacking noises with their lips and squealed when Brian acted as though he would chase them. Elaine smiled at their antics only half heartedly scolding them for their teasing. She turned to Brian and hugged him then pulled Justin into a hug as well. “Mummy?” Maggie asked. “When can we go home?” “I don’t know.” Elaine said. “But, by criky, I’m going to find out.” She looked at Brian. “Can you watch’em a second? I’m going to talk to that relief worker over there about transportation out of here.” Brian nodded. -- Brian and Justin exited the plane and headed down the corridor toward baggage claim. The stopped dead in their tracks as they saw the gang standing at the end of the terminal with large signs welcoming them home. Brian looked at Justin who shrugged. “I only called my mom.” Justin said answering Brian’s unasked question. “Oh, Honey.” Jennifer said as she crossed to where the two men stood and pulled him into a fierce hug. “Mom, I have to breathe.” Justin said. “Sorry.” She said. “We have been so worried about you. Both of you.” She turned to Brian and hugged him tightly as well. “We thought we’d lost you.” Jennifer said as she pulled away. “Hey, Kiddo!” Debbie said as she plowed into Brian. She hugged him, then pulled away and popped him in the head. “Don’t you ever do that again, you asshole. Do you have any idea how worried we all were?” “Yes, Mother.” Brian said stopping Debbie mid-rant. “Fuck.” She said and started crying pulling both Brian and Justin into another breath stealing hug. “Don’t you ever-.” She warned again before pulling away. “Brian.” Michael said as he too plowed into his best friend. “Justin.” He said hugging him tightly as well. “Don’t – ever –.” He stopped unable to finish. “It’s okay, Mikey.” Brian whispered kissing his friend on the cheek. “We’re okay.” Michael nodded and stepped back. Ben wrapped his arms around Michael’s waist his own eyes misty. Hunter winked at Brian making him roll his eyes. Ben gave the teen a stern look. Hunter gave him the ‘what me’ look then grinned and winked again. Emmett was a basket case and could only hug Brian and Justin and cry. Ted shook both their hands and pulled Emmett away. The other man sniffed loudly as Ted wrapped his arm around his shoulder trying to comfort him. Vic rolled his eyes and took his hugs as well before moving off to help Ted with Emmett. Lindsay hugged first Brian then Justin then Brian and Justin again unable to speak as she fought to keep her emotions under control. Melanie stared at Brian for a long time then smirked. “You really are made of Teflon.” Melanie said. She sniffed. Brian wasn’t sure but he thought he saw tears in her eyes as well. She hugged Justin then handed Gus to Brian. “Daddy.” Gus said throwing his arms around Brian’s neck. “Jus’n.” He said leaning over in order to get a hug from Justin. “I hungry.” He said making everyone laugh. “Me too, Sonny-Boy.” Brian said tweaking Gus’ nose. “Well, you have to come over to the house.” Debbie said. “Yeah, Deb made enough food to feed an army.” Hunter quipped. “Of, course.” Brian said causing Debbie to give him a playful swat on the arm. “Actually, it sounds pretty good. You up for it, Sunshine?” “Absolutely.” -- Prologue As of today, January 10, 2005 the death toll from the Indian Ocean Tsunami is more than 150,000. U.N. officials now say that the final count could top 200,000. -- The end.