As soon as Brian heard the words, "It's Justin!", leave Emmett's mouth, he was out of his chair.
"I'll be right there," he said. He hung up without even finding out what was wrong with Justin. Grabbing his briefcase, he hurried to Cynthia's desk. "Tell Vance that I'm going to be gone for the rest of the day. Maybe even tomorrow."
"What should I use as your excuse?" Cynthia asked as she followed Brian to the bank of elevators.
"Family emergancy," he answered right before the elevator door shut. On his way to the parking garage, all Brian could think about was Justin. 'Is he alright? What happened?' were the thoughts running through his mind.
Breaking evey speed law, known to man, managed to turn Brian's usual fifteen minute commute into five minutes.
Emmett and Daphne were pounding on the loft's heavy steel door, demanding to be let in, while Michael stood off to the side, when Brian reached them.
"What's going on? What the fuck's the matter with Justin?!" demanded Brian. All three of them could tell how upset and worried Brian was.
"His father's in there with them and the door's locked!" answered Daphne.
"How the hell did his father find him?" When Brian saw the twin dark glares that Daphne and Emmett were throwing Michael's way, a theory stated to form. A theory that he didn't like. A theory that he hoped wasn't true.
Brian looked into Michael's eyes. Brian had always been able to see the truth in Michael's eyes. And, this time, was no exception.
Michael watched and flinched as Brian's hazel eyes tuned black in anger. What he had done seemed to crash in on him. Michael knew that he was in deep shit.
Just then, they all heard a female scream in pain. All four of them flinched in sympathy. For the scream to reach them through the steel door, it had been powerful. "This isn't over," Brian warned Michael as he snatched his key out of his pocket. Even though he wished that he insisted that Justin keep the alarm on while he was at work, Brian was also glad that he didn't have to deal with it right now.
After sliding the door open, Brian took in the scene. Molly was curled up on the couch, hugging her knees. Jennifer was holding her right arm, which was bent at an awkward angle, against her chest. Just from looking at it, Brian could tell that it was broken. Craig had his left hand around her throat, yelling at her. "You will never go against me again! DO YOU HEAR ME?!" Justin was behind Craig, trying to pull him off of his mother. He wasn't having any luck. Craig's anger seemed to be making him stronger.
Brian's eyes took in the bruises that were staining Justin's face, and felt his fury double. Even in his state, he was gentle as he gave Justin a push toward the couch. Justin immediately put his arms around his sister, hugging her.
Brian grabbed Craig's arm, tightening his hold to add pressure. The surprise and pain forced Craig to let Jennifer go. She grabbed her throat with her left hand, coughing and trying to catch her breath. Daphne and Emmett quickly helped her to the couch as they gently rubbed her back.
"Get the fuck away from me, you perverted fag!" screamed Craig.
"You're in my house, now." Brian said in a deadly calm voice. As quick as lightening, Brian landed two punches to Craig's face. Craig's head flopped back and Brian allowed him to fall to the floor.
Brian quickly walked over to the couch, wanting to check on everyone. As soon as he reached them, Justin latched onto him. Gently pulling back, after a few minutes, Brian signed, Are you alright?
Justin let out a shaky breath, waving his hand back and forth. Brian nodded his undestanding. Justin was so-so. But, Brian knew that Justin was a strong person. He would be fine.
Tilting his lover's head back, he looked at Justin's face. There was a small cut over Justin's left eye, his right cheek had a bruise, and his left cheek was starting to swell and bruise. Brian shot a glare at Craig, who was still unconcious on the floor.
"Are you okay, Molly?" he asked.
Molly looked at him with tear-filled eyes. "He di-didn't hurt m-me." "I'm goin to call an ambulance and the police," said Emmett.
Nodding his head in agreement, Brian held up a hand when it looked like Jennifer was going to protest. "You need to be looked over. And, that piece of shit," he nodded toward Craig, "needs to pay for everything he's done."
Jennifer, pale and shaky, sighed. She nodded, knowing that Brian was right.
Just then, Michael decided to make his presence known. "Brian--" Michael didn't get any further as Brian rushed at him with a feral look. Grabbing him by his shirt lapels, Brian slammed him into a support beam.
"What the fuck did you do, Michael?"
Michael was silent. As Brian continued to stare at him, Michael seemed to shrink in on himself. After a minute, he blurted out, "I did it for you!"
"Excuse me?" Brian asked in a disbelieveing tone. This wasn't the same man that he had been friends with since childhood. Then, again, maybe Brian had just never noticed this side of Michael.
"I got Justin's pa-parent's number. Craig was loo-looking for Justin, anyway. While you were at wo-work, he was sup-supposed to grab Justin and take him back to Miss-Mississippi. Nobody would know what hap-happened. You've started to change. Ever since he," Michael threw a glare at Justin, "got here, you've become a different person! I was trying to get you to be you, again. Can't you see that?!"
"Bullshit," growled Brian. "All I see is my ex-best friend stabbing me in the back. We're never going to be together. I can't make it any clearer."
"He should never have come here! It'd be better if he'd just die!" screeched Michael.
Without thinking, Brian delivered a hard punch to Michael's face. "Never say that again," snarled Brian. "We're through, Michael. Our fiendship is over. Stay the hell away from me and from Justin Do you understand?" Michael silently nodded.
"Let me hear you say it. Say, I understand Brian."
With tears running down his face, Michael shakily said, "I und-understand, Br-Brian."
With one final shake, Brian released Michael. Just then, he saw two EMT's entering the loft. When he turned to follow them to the couch, he saw that Craig was gone. "Dammit!" he hissed.
"He left when you dealing with Michael. He was up and gone before we could do anything," explained Daphne.
Brian had a thought about what to do. But, he knew that he would have to talk it over with Jennifer and Justin before he did anything.