BRIAN - Christmas We exchanged gifts at exactly 12:01 a.m. Christmas Day. Justin was like a Kid. He couldn't wait to see what I'd bought him. He insisted I opened his gifts first. The first gift was a Prada tie that probably cost more than he could afford. "Do you like it?" He asked anxiously. "Yes, I love it." "I brought it to go with your Green Armani suit." I knew the exact one he was talking about. "It will match perfectly." I wasn't much into over praising. Justin knew that. Justin's next gift to me was a sketch of Gus. He was wearing the crappy I'm a Big Brother t-shirt and braves hat that Eve had bought him. I barked out a laugh, "You just had to rub it in, huh?" Justin returned the laugh. It was no secret how much I hated the t-shirt and cap. "I couldn't resist." Justin opened my gifts next. He gave me a lewd grin when he pulled out the sheer boxers. He stripped off his grey cotton briefs and slid the sheer blue ones over his perfect ass. I was salivating just watching him. He turned around and modeled them for me. "How do you like them?" he asked suggestively. "Bring that tight ass and succulent cock over here and I'll show you." Justin smiled and waved his finger back and forth. "Not yet. I have one more present to open. Then you can show me just how succulent my cock is." I was a little nervous about the next gift. I'd gotten it from Tiffany's. I’d told Eve about the sheer boxers I had bought him but I hadn't mentioned the bracelet I'd bought him. It was a simple platinum bracelet. On the back I had J&B and the sign for infinity engraved on it. "Brian," he said in awe turning the bracelet over and over admiring it. He read the inscription aloud, "J and B for infinity." He walked over to the sofa where I was sitting. He kneeled down in front of me and handed me the bracelet. "Put it on me." I took the bracelet from his hand and secured it around his wrist. "I'll treasure it always," he promised. Then he launched himself at me. I showed him exactly how succulent his cock was by sucking it through the sheer boxers. They were wet and plastered to his cock by the time I pulled them off him and literally took his whole cock in my mouth. We fucked each other within an inch of our lives. Somehow we made it back to the bed where we fell asleep. Later Christmas Day was chaos. I was lucky that I got the chance to fuck Justin as much as I did. It certainly wasn't a Kinney Marathon Fuck. We fucked maybe three times. Then fell asleep. I woke up a few hours later to people moving around. Deb had come over early to start Christmas Dinner and Justin was in the kitchen with her. I got out of bed. I tried to get Justin to join me in the shower but he refused. "Hey you've fucked all night. Now let the kid rest, jeez!" Deb said. "Plus you're still recovering from the flu. Go shower and change. I'll fix you something for breakfast." "Yes, Mother," I sniped. I did as I was told. I showered and pulled on jeans and a t-shirt. I went out and lay on the sofa. I watched a little TV as Deb and Justin started the Christmas dinner. Of course, I got a lot of mothering from Deb. Nothing like a little illness to get Deb to pamper you. I must have dozed watching the TV. I woke up and Em, Vic and Rodney had shown up to help with the cooking. Then of course Mel, Lindz and their kids showed up and Gus decided I had to read him the book he'd gotten as a Christmas present. Ben and Mikey were the last to show. If the glow on Mikey's face was any indication the Professor had given him a Christmas fuck to start the day off. I was a little jealous it was how I wanted to start the day but I was going to be denied because there were so many people in the loft. Jennifer was the last to arrive. I could tell by her tight, guarded expression that she wasn't pleased to see Justin at the loft....with me. I must admit the news that Justin and I were back together received mixed emotions. Em and Vic were pleased. Em hugged Justin, "Oh, honey I'm so excited for you. I still don't know how you can put up with him but if you're happy I'm happy for you" "Thanks Em. I'm happy." Em batted my arm, "You be good to him. Or next time I'll come along and take him from you." I snorted, "Em you aren't fag enough to take my man from me." That got a laugh out of everyone. Vic sat by me on the sofa and we watched a little TV together. "Don't let him get away again," he advised squeezing my shoulder affectionately. "I won't," I promised. Ben and Ted were accepting of our reconciliation. Ben said some Zen nonsense about soul mates, Germany and reunification or some bullshit similar to that. Melanie was pessimistic. She cut me up with her eyes before throwing her arm around Justin's shoulder and hugging him. "I don't know what you see in him or why you want him back but I'm glad to see you happy. Just take things easy. I don't want to see you get hurt again." "Don't worry Mel. Everything is going to work out this time," Justin assured her. Lindsey was giddy. You would have thought she was instrumental in getting us back together. "I knew it would happen," she kept saying clapping like a high school cheerleader. "I'm so happy for you baby," she said and kissed Justin on the cheek. She looked at me and warned, "Don't fuck it up again, Bri." Mikey wasn't pleased and made no secret of it. "If he fucks around on you again it's no more than you deserve. He fucked around on you once he'll do it again." I was pissed and almost went off on Mikey, but I was determined not to ruin the Christmas dinner. Justin was too hyped about being the *lil' host.* I did something I rarely do. I bit my tongue and swallowed my sarcastic, nasty retort. If Justin only knew how much I did for him. I smirked at Mikey, "Mind your own fucking business and let me worry about Justin. Why don't you go spend some time with your kid." He flounced away angry but he didn't say anything nasty about Justin to me again for the entire day. Deb and Jennifer were a different story all together. Deb was all smug like she knew we'd get back together. "If you hurt him again I'll have your balls," Deb threatened waving the turkey fork at me. "Deb, I knew you always wanted a set of your own," I smirked. Deb gave me the evil eye and it wiped the smirk completely from my face. She said in all seriousness, "He loves you with his all. Don't fuck him over again." "I won't," I said truthfully. I knew she was right. I could tell by the way Justin looked at me, smiled at me that he loved me with his all. The few times I'd seen him with Ethan he'd never smiled at him like that or given him that look. Of Course, Jennifer's reaction was exactly what I expected resigned...stoic. She greeted the news with a tight smile and her WASP manners firmly in place. "Well, I hope you and Justin will make it work this time," She said her eyes boring into mine. I got the meaning. If I hurt him again I'd hear from her. "We will Mom. You'll see," Justin assured her. Gus was just happy that Jus'n and Dada were together. He only had one question, "Jus'n live with Dada again?" Justin and I didn't answer. We hadn't discussed that part of our reconciliation yet. Dinner was a loud messy affair like all of our holiday dinners. We exchanged gifts. Everyone was more than pleased with the gifts Justin had chosen for them. It didn't slip by anyone that both of our names were on the gifts we gave out. Em of course was the first to notice Justin's bracelet. He thought that it was silver. Justin corrected him and told him it was platinum. Deb and Vic gave me approving smiles. Everyone else oohed, aahed and gave a few smirks. I didn't really care. I was tired of trying to pretend Justin wasn't special in my life. Besides, everyone knew it was bullshit. I decided to drop the act. The bracelet had an infinity sign. That's what I wanted my life to be with Justin. "Is that for services rendered?" Mikey asked sarcastically. "Yes, and from now to infinity. I hope he continues to render them," I said. Justin leaned over and kissed me. It was one of those deep tongue kisses, "I will," he promised. That shut Mikey up for the rest of the evening but gave everyone else something to talk about. I had to admit I actually enjoyed Christmas. I enjoyed being with my family. Mostly I enjoyed being with Justin. I loved seeing him happy. I loved the fact that Justin and I were together as a couple with the family. Some Days Were Definitely Better Than Others. Christmas was one of those days. ------------------- BRIAN - New Year's Eve and Day Eve arrived back on New Year’s Eve. I picked her up from the airport. She looked exhausted. Her eyes were red rimmed and there were dark circles under them. She was literally dragging. I got her settled in the car and we drove off. I looked over at her as we were driving. She had her shades on and there was very little sun. She was in a long harvest gold suede coat. A pair of faded jeans, cashmere sweater and suede boots in the same color as her coat. As soon as she was seated in the car she leaned her head back against the head rest. Her skin lacked its usual healthy glow. Her mouth was tightly drawn. She was still arresting but she just seemed worn out. I was concerned about her. "Maybe you shouldn't host the party tonight. The station can get the morning crew to do it." "No, I promised Ernest I'd do it and I will." I remembered Ernest he was the co-owner of Cocks & Tails. Eve liked him. She'd been giving his business a lot of air time on her radio and cable show. Eve said she owed him one, plus he was a nice guy. I even owed him one. Calling Eve the night I was getting wasted probably saved me a lot of grief. "He'll understand, Eve. You don't look good." She cut her eyes at me. "Of course I don't look good, Kinney, you ass. You gave me your dick of a flu. I've been sick non stop since I got to my grandparents’ home. I've spent five days praying to the porcelain god as my Nana held a cold cloth to my head." "Sorry, about that," I laughed because she seemed so touchy and irritable. That got me a punch in the arm. I yelped, "Hey, muscle woman that hurt," I said rubbing my arm." She was a little thing but she had one helluva a punch. "You deserved it." We talked about her visit with her grandparents. She thanked me for all my advice. She said the visit had been great. Of course, there had been a lot of whispering at the Christmas dinner party when her grandparents had introduced her as their granddaughter, but her grandmother set anyone straight that was foolish enough to voice anything negative about her. It didn't take a genius to know she'd enjoyed the time with her grandparents. Most importantly she was more secure in her relationship with them now that she didn't view herself as their shameful secret. She smirked, "Oh, and you were right. There was someone at the dinner table I'd fucked. Not one of my grandparents’ friends but one of their friend's sons. I'd met him years ago in Atlanta at a charity for cancer research. We were seated at the same table. He became my entertainment for the rest of the evening." "Did you hook up with him again while in Charleston?" "What the fuck for? He wasn't that great the first time. Besides I was too sick to do much. Plus Nana and grandfather occupied most of my time," she said. I dropped her off at her home. Daph was waiting for her when we pulled up. "I see your fan club is here." "I called her from the airport to let her know I was back. We are going to the club together tonight. I told her to meet me here." Before Eve got out the car I asked her, "Have you fucked Daph?" She gave a wryly smile, "No and if I can help it I won't. She means too much to me as a friend to treat her like a trick. You know what I mean?" She asked. I shook my head in understanding. "Yeah, I know what you mean." I helped her carry her bags to her house. Before I drove off I saw her hug and kiss Daph. I hoped she'd be able to keep it as a friendship. We, Justin, the family and I, met Eve at the club later that night. The whole family met to dance, drink and have a good time. Even Lindsey and Mel were there to ring in the New Year. Surprisingly enough they were dancing, laughing and having a great time like with everyone. I hoped this meant they had resolved their difficulties. Even Emmett and Ted seemed to be getting along better. The booze, chronic and *E* were flowing around the club. Justin and I had agreed to alcoholic beverages only at the club. We decided to have a private little celebration once we got back home. Justin was looking hot in a pair of tight black jeans that hugged his bubble butt and a blue pullover that molded to his lean chest. I, of course, master of everything cool was in all black. Tight black jeans, cashmere sweater and black Prada boots. I'd been hit on from the moment I walked in the club. Hell, Justin and I both were hit on from the moment we walked through the door. I'd said fuck off so much it had become a mantra. The only others worth mentioning were Em and Deb. Both had on hideous lime green ensembles. I don't know which one looked worst. Well, maybe Deb's because the color clashed like HELL with her red wig. We didn't get a chance to see much of Eve. She was on the stage or in the DJ booth most of the night. Her time off or away from the DJ booth was spent dancing and signing autographs. She didn't seem to stay still but for moments at a time. At one point she even had Vic and Rodney on the floor dancing with her. She just seemed so energized. Nothing like the exhausted woman I'd picked up that morning at the airport. As the evening progressed I made it upstairs. I stood on the catwalk and looked down at Eve dancing with about four men. Some hip hop song I was too old to know was playing. She was so mesmerizing. I looked around me. I wasn't the only one watching her intently. Her hands were raised above her head, crossed at the wrist, her head was thrown back and her body swayed and gyrated to the beat of the music. It was something about her that made you want to watch her, be near her. She was in a room with hundreds of people yet she seemed to be alone. Nothing but her and the music. It flowed through her, around her. She became one with it. Everyone around her wanted to be a part of it but no matter how hard they tried they would never be able to. Damn, I was sprouting philosophy like Ben. He said something about it was her aura that captivated people. I wasn't in to all that Zen shit. All I knew was Eve drew people to her. Eve came to the table two or three times to rest during the night. It was never long. Ty was always right behind her pulling her off to meet another sponsor or contributor. I spent most of my night with my hands gripping the best ass in the club, the Pitts, in Pennsylvania. I loved the way Justin's tight body moved when he walked, when he danced and when we fucked. He had such a fluid motion. It was so sensual. It just made me want to fuck him. I had a perpetual hard on all night. As we danced men tried to join in with us. They quickly caught my *fuck off* look. For those who didn't get the look I voiced the words. A few minutes before midnight Justin and I slipped away from the table. We brought in the New Year with a fuck. His idea. We had managed to find an empty stall in the bathroom. When the clock struck twelve I was stroking my dick in his tight hot ass. By the time the New Year had officially rung in Justin had rung a cum from me that was so intense I saw lights flashing behind my eyes. We spent the next 10 minutes after the New Year kissing and hugging and of course before we left the stall I'd sucked him off. Yes, Some Days Were Definitely Better Than Others. Tonight was one of them. ------------------- Monday after New Year’s I was in my office going over a few leads, or at least trying to go over them. My mind kept wondering. I hadn't gotten much sleep since Christmas Eve not that I was complaining. It's amazing how great...no awesome non stop, make your toes curl sex could put you in a great mood. I was still sarcastic, quit with the cutting wit but I'd never been in as good of a mood as I was in lately. Even the looming meeting with Stockwell and Vance couldn't get me down. Christmas and New Year's had passed in a blaze of hot, smutty sex delivered to me each and everyday personally by one Justin Taylor. I was amazed that either one of us could walk or still had any brain cells left. It brought a smile to my face just thinking about it. I tried to shake those thoughts off and get back to my work. Cynthia came in and handed me a set of proofs. "These are from the New Year's Party at Cocks & Tails. I thought you'd want to see them right away." I smiled wryly at the coincidence. I was just thinking about it. "Yeah," I said taking the pictures from her hand. I tore open the envelope. I noticed Cynthia didn't leave. "I guess you want to see them, too?" I asked. "Yeah, I missed it. Some of the staff that braved the homo hot spot haven't stopped talking about it or rather Eve." "Yeah, she has that effect on people," I said looking at the first proof. The first proof was actually a shot of the club. Brightly lit and garishly decorated with streamers, balloons and falling confetti. The club was packed wall to wall with writhing bodies. The next shot was the mini marquee board announcing the New Year's Eve Bash featuring the Night Angel. There were more shots mostly guests dancing. Finally there was a picture of Justin, Eve and Daphne dancing. Actually Justin was sandwiched between Eve and Daphne. Every straight man's fantasy and Justin was probably thinking about how much fun he was having dancing with his friends. There were several more pictures of the family at a table together. There was a picture of Justin sitting on my lap. We looked so happy...content….well fucked. I sat that proof to the side. I wanted that developed for my on personal collection. The last series of pictures were all of Eve. These pictures were supposed to be used in the next ad campaign for her Cable Show. I spread the 10 pictures out on my desk and closely went over each one of them. Eve was dressed in a cream colored suede that hugged her hips. There were slits on both sides of the skirt up to the mid-thigh. A long expanse of muscled shapely legs showed clearly each time she moved. She wore a crochet top in the same color, her dark skin playing peek-a-boo through the open weave material. The only closure on the top was the button between her breasts. The top flared open at the bottom showing an expanse tone muscled stomach and her pierced belly button. Of course she had on her ever present four inch heels. The shoes were a series of inter-crossed suede straps that wrapped around her ankles. There was nothing elaborate or exceptional about her ensemble, but on her it was exotic, erotic and sensual. It was just something about the way she wore clothes. "What is it about her?" Cynthia asked. I had almost forgotten she was there. I looked up at her. She was studying the pictures I'd laid out across my desk. I could see she was genuinely confused. "I mean she's short in stature, her hair is short and she really isn't beautiful." I looked at Cynthia. She was beautiful. Blonde, blue eyes, long legs, slim firm body. She had men falling all over themselves for her attention. She was a woman that took great care of herself. She probably didn't see Eve's appeal. Most beautiful women didn't. I looked at one picture in particular. Eve seemed to radiate sensuality. And actually on that particular picture she probably did. I remember exactly when it was taken. Ty had came to the table and told me he couldn't find Eve. Justin and Daphne were on the floor dancing together so I knew she wasn't with them. I had vaguely remembered her talking to a dark handsome guy a little earlier. I thought she was setting up a date for later. She had that predator stance that I knew so well. I told him I'd find her. It didn't take me long. She was in the back hallway down from the main office. No one would have known to look there. She was leaning against the wall, tall dark and handsome on his knees his head buried between her legs. Eve's right leg was over his shoulder, her hands holding his head steady against her. I could hear his slurping noises from where I stood. She must have sensed me. She opened her eyes and they locked with mine. Her golden eyes were glazed with lust. I don't even know how it happened but I was beside her, my mouth clamped to hers, our tongues dueling, my hands gripping her face as we devoured each other. I swallowed her soft throaty moans as she climaxed. When it was over her body was slack against me. “Thanks,” she breathed against my lips, “I needed that extra push to get there.” She licked her lips and said, "Tell Justin the residue of his cum is tasting better and better." I laughed. This was the second time she'd kissed me after I sucked Justin off. I told her trick to fuck off. He wasn't happy but he got lost. "Was that the main course," I asked her. She gave me a wolfish smile, "He was my appetizer." I could only shake my head as I watched her put herself together. It only took Eve seconds to smooth down her skirt and top, finger her hair in place and follow me back out in to the dance area. She was strutting across the stage within minutes. I looked at the picture again and thought about Cynthia's question. I tried to answer it. "Cynthia, Eve has this innate sensuality. It's just there. It's something about her. The petite frame, the whiskey and smoke voice, her body is the perfect combination of toned muscles and gentle curves. She's not beautiful but her face has bold, strong facial features that are arresting…unforgettable. Then she has the added effect of her golden eyes against the jet black hair and dark coloring…the exotic beauty mark, the sultry sweet secretive smile…she draws you in. She makes you want to get to know her. To be with her. To know the secret that smile holds. Everything about her...draws you to her." Cynthia must have heard something in my voice, "You sound like you know this from experience." I gave a noncommittal shrug. Cynthia gave a non committal shrug of her own. "Well maybe it's a guy thing." I smirked thinking of all the dykes that had salivated around Eve. Eve was literally beating them off. "I think it’s a woman thing too," I paused. I handed Cynthia the picture of Eve that was taken of her after she'd cum. She had this secretive smile on her face. Her eyes were bright filled with wanton lust and promise. Her skin glowed. She looked sexy, sultry and sleek. A predator in her prime. I tapped the proof. "Tell the art department I want the caption *Come spend the Night with an Angel.*" I smiled. "That should turn a few heads." "Okay." I tucked the rest of the proofs back in the envelope. I'd go over them later. I looked at my watch. It was almost time for my meeting. Stockwell was losing it over some posters that had been popping up all over town. They were causing quite a stir in the media. Deb had a few of them hanging prominently in the diner. I had an idea...okay truthfully I knew who was doing it. The posters had the same angry feel as a lot of the art Justin produced right after his attack. The red and black vivid slashing color. Angry colors Justin had once told me. I wanted to confront Justin about the posters but I refused to do anything to jeopardize the fragile bond we had. Plus if it came down to Justin and Stockwell....let's just say the blonde boy would win every time. I knew how Justin and all the others felt about my association with Stockwell. I was lucky any of them were still on speaking terms with me. I kept trying to convince myself it was just business. Each day it became harder and harder to believe my own spill. I started towards the door. "Cynthia make sure that's taken care of today." I was out of my office heading towards Vance before she answered. I slowed as I neared Vance's office. His assistant must have been on break she wasn't at her desk. His door was ajar. I was about to announce myself when I heard Stockwell's loud arrogant voice. "The best thing you did was convince me to let that fag continue working on my campaign. Now when the naysayers try to accuse me of being unsympathetic to the homos I can point out I have a fag on my campaign. It shuts them up every time.” I thought I'd be sick I was so angry. That homophobic prick was using me. I didn't mind being used if it was my idea but I'll be damn if I allowed Stockwell and Vance to use me unknowingly. "Like I told you, Brian has great ideas and he brings diversity to your campaign. By the time the fags figure out you mean to shut down their hedonist sex clubs and bars it will be too late. You'll be mayor and we'll be able to run those fags undercover where they need to stay." I'd heard enough. Stockwell and Vance had no idea who they were fucking with but I had every intention of showing them. I stepped back into the interoffice and made noise so they would be alerted to my presence. I put on my mask and knocked lightly on the door. "Come in," Vance said. I walked in. The both had plastered smile on their face. The backstabbing son of bitches greeted me like we were the best of friends. "Brian, we were just taking about how well everything is going." Stockwell lied smoothly. I smiled at him. Just like Stockwell and Vance I could lie, and kiss ass with the best of them. I’d been kissing ass most of my life. "I'm glad you like the ad campaign so far,” I said my face smile firmly in place. “Just stick with me Stockwell. You haven't seen my best work yet." I was going to make it my main goal to ruin both of the mutherfuckers even if I fell with them. ---------------- I was sitting in my office squeezing my stress ball. I'd had one helluva day. Walking in on Vance and Stockwell, then trying to sit through the meeting with them had almost given me an aneurism. I’d taken three pain killers and my head was still pounding. I'd tried to call Justin but he either didn’t have his cell phone on or the battery was dead. I was giving some serious thought to going home when my cellular telephone rung. "Brian you need to come to Deb's." Vic said. His voice was shaky. I knew something was wrong. "Why?" "Justin just saw Chris Hobbs." I don't think I heard much more. I was grabbing my briefcase and coat as I headed out the door. "Cynthia cancel all my appointments. I won't be back in for the rest of the day. --------------- JUSTIN We’d had a full day of shopping and just hanging out. I had planned on having lunch with Daph and Eve. Mom called to invite me to lunch with her and Molly. It was my bright idea for all of us to eat lunch together. It ended up as a shopping and lunch date. It had lasted for a few hours. It was almost 4:00pm when we finally emerged from the restaurant. Sated, happy and talking non stop. We were in the parking lot and were heading to our cars. I had turned around to laugh at something Eve had said to Daphne. She told Daph that she was a *Diva Without A Cause.* That had made us all laugh. I saw the expression of anger, hatred and fear cross my Mom and Daph's face. Molly's face showed the same emotion. Eve looked shocked. I turned around to see what had brought on all these emotions and came face to face with the man I'd feared and then hated for years. I don't know what reaction he was expecting from me. I guess I didn't give him the one he wanted. He visibly flinched and stepped back from me. I'd long put my fear of Chris Hobbs to rest. I still had a lot of unresolved issues where he was concerned. Mainly what I felt for him was this red haze of hatred. I was immobilized by my hatred. I couldn't do anything but stare at him. The scene in the parking garage played over and over in my head. In my mind I could hear Brian call my name, that moment of excruciating pain, then nothing but total darkness. This was the man that had all but destroyed my life. He had almost taken my life. His face and deed had haunted my dreams. I still couldn't watch a baseball game because I hated the sound of the ball hitting the bat. The cracking sound reverberated through my head. I hyperventilated in parking decks. The mental, emotional and physical repercussions of his act of hatred against me were unending. He just stood arrogantly in front of us blocking our path as if he had every right to do so. I really looked at him now. In high school I had once found him so attractive and physically he was. What I failed to see was his mental instability. Chris was an undercover fag. He was fighting so hard against the truth he was willing to hurt those that were brave enough to admit to the world who they were and live their lives openly and proudly. I was a reminder to Chris of his own weakness; the fact that he was indeed a coward. He was afraid to be who he was so he took out his frustration and anger on those of us that weren't. I was about to deliver a sarcastic remark that would have made Brian proud when I was cut off. ---------------------- EVE I had my arm wrapped around Daph's shoulder as we walked to the parking lot. I knew Daphne was still dealing with her sexual attraction to me but I was more than willing to let it play out. We had decided to give it a little while. If Daph still wanted to turn our relationship in to a physical one, we would go that route. I was personally hoping she didn't. I liked our relationship. I didn't want it to change. Besides, Daph was too much of a Drama Princess for me. She was the quintessential *Diva Without A Cause* and I certainly didn't want to give her one. I saw the two guys standing in front of us. I had really dismissed them. I hadn’t paid the guy much attention until he spoke. "Well if it isn't the little fag and his friends," he sneered. Daphne bristled. She was the first to recover, "What the fuck do you want Chris. This isn't a vacant parking lot. Justin’s back isn't turned and you don't have a bat." Chris Hobbs. I finally met the asshole I hated with all my being but had never seen. I looked him over scathingly. I hadn’t missed much. Chris turned bright red at Daph’s insult. "Why you skanky whore," he sneered. "Don't call her names, Chris. The ones I have for you are much worst," Justin said coming to Daph’s defense. "Oh yeah, fudge packer? Like what?" Justin didn't get a chance to finish. Jennifer shoved him back and got right up in Chris' face, "Like no good, low life, sniveling coward." Some where the thought entered my mind that Some days were definitely better than others. It didn't take me long to realize this was not one of them. ----------------- BRIAN I walked in to a house in chaos. Everyone seemed to be there. Emmett was playing nurse. He and Deb had Eve's head tilted back. A pink ice bag was over her left eye. Vic was on a tirade about calling the cops. Rodney was trying to calm him down. Jennifer seemed to be a little shaken. She was sitting at the table next to Eve. Lindsey and Daph were trying to get her to sip on a glass of wine while Justin was sitting next to her his right hand in a bowl of ice. Mikey, Mel, Ben, Horvath and Ted were just sitting around. Everyone was talking at once and I wasn't sure what had happened. "Dada pick me up," I reached down with out thinking and lifted Gus in my arms. "Excuse me," no one answered. I said it louder, "Excuse me!" I yelled. That got everyone's attention. They all stopped and looked in my direction. "Can someone PLEASE tell me what the fuck is going on?" "I can," Molly volunteered eagerly. I sat down at Deb’s crowded dining room table. "Well, Mol you have the floor." "See it was like this," she started excitedly. “We got in to a fight. See it went down like this. We saw them--Chris and his friend in the parking lot and Chris, he calls Justin a fag. Then Daph calls him a coward. Then Mom got all up in his face. You know like she wanted to hit him or something." Molly jumped up to imitate her Mother. "So she said you are a no account cowardly bully. If you were such a big man you wouldn't have had to sneak up behind Justin's back and hit him with a bat. Justin may be Gay but he is more of a man than you will ever be. You low life cowardly scum. You should be ashamed to show your face in public. Then Daphne asked Eve what they were going to do. She was talking about the really big guy with muscles. He was with Chris. Eve gave me her purse and told me to hold it. Then Eve told Daphne I'm going to take him down and you are going to help me. Then Daphne goes that's a big Motherfu...." Molly blushed. "That's okay sweetie. This time you can say the words," Deb told her. She smiled like she'd been given a million dollars. "Well, Daphne, goes that’s one big Mother Fucker. Then Eve says that means he'll just fall harder. So Chris says ‘it's your fag son that should be ashamed of showing his face in public.’ Then Mom hauls off and slaps Chris," Molly dramatized the act using her hand as Chris' face. "Oh, it was like totally cool. I've never seen my mom hit anybody before. Especially that hard. So, then Chris calls Mom a Bitch and Justin tells him to apologize. He says ‘make me faggot,’ then Justin swung and hit him in the face and kicked him in the knee. It was really great. I didn't know Justin even knew how to fight. So, anyways, then Eve yelled Hey no neck.....*you know what* sucker." I could imagine what Eve yelled. Most likely dick or cock sucker. Molly continued, "So, the big guy turns around and Eve sprayed something in the big guys eyes and he started screaming and calling her a bitch and whore. Eve says your Mama and then she kicks him in the knee and Daphne jumped on his back then Eve tells me to help Mom so I try to help. Then I see Eve kick him in his di....I mean between the legs but he manages to hit her before he falls. Anyway Chris is on his knees and Justin punches him in the face again and he falls on the ground. So, Justin is like kicking Chris in the side over and over again and he won't stop. Mom has to pull him off. Then the big guy knocks Daphne off his back and she falls on her butt. Eve yells at him ‘you mutherfucker you hurt my friend.’ So Eve helps Daphne up. So I ran over and started beating him with Eve's purse and then we just started kicking him. And Daphne was calling him a bastard and asshole. Then she knees him in the side and slaps him really hard. Then the security guard showed up and stopped all the fun. It was like way awesome, Brian. You should have been there!" Everyone was laughing over Molly’s colorful narrative of the fight. Everyone was talking at once asking her questions. Getting her to clarify certain events. Molly was basking in the attention she was receiving. I was just looking around at Justin, Eve, Daph, Jennifer and Molly. I noticed Justin’s knuckles were a little bruised. They’d hurt like hell tomorrow. I was scared because I didn't know how Justin was feeling about all of this. I was angry because this had to happen and I wasn't there to protect him. To protect them. I was upset because they didn't walk away. They could have been hurt. Eve had been hurt. Finally, I locked eyes with Justin and asked, "Are you okay?" My voice was barely a whisper but he knew what I was asking. I didn't want to know if he was okay physically I could see that. I needed to know if the encounter had caused him any emotional and mental trauma. He contemplated his answer for a while. I noticed the room was quiet waiting on his response. Then I heard his soft answer. "Brian, I feel better than I've felt in a long time." The smile he gave me lifted my spirits. Gone were the nasty troubling thoughts about Stockwell and Vance. They were not important right now. What was important was the young man sitting across from me smiling. He'd just faced his demons. His living devil and he survived. I didn't realize I was holding my arms out to him until he stood up and moved in them. I hugged him to me. This was what was important. These two people in my arms. My son and my lover. They were the most important people in my life. In my world. Justin locked his lips with mine and we were in full make out mode. "Ugh, make them stop," I heard Molly whine in disgust. That broke the quiet. Everyone laughed. I could finally concentrate on every thing else going on. I finally looked over at Eve. "How bad is the eye?" I asked her. She laughed. "I've had worst." I thought about the attempted rape. She was right, she'd had worst. Jennifer grimaced, "I'm so sorry, Eve. If I would have held my temper we wouldn't have been in an open parking lot fighting like....like," she didn't seem able to finish the thought. "Like family taking up for each other," Eve finished. "Jennifer, if you hadn't slapped Chris, I would have or Daph, or Molly or Justin. The fight was inevitable because Chris wasn't about to back off. This wasn't your fault. It's a fight that had to be fought. I'm just proud I was part of it." Jennifer reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "Thank you. I'm just so sorry you got hurt." Eve brushed off her concern. "Don't worry about it. It's nothing makeup won't hide. Next time I'll remember to stay at arms length." "The main concern should be that Chris and his friend don't press charges. All of you could be arrested for assault," Melanie warned. I snorted, "I doubt that. I can't see Chris owning up to being beat up in a fight by the fag he bashed and his mother. And his muscle bound friend is not about to admit that he was punked by three little girls." Eve bristled good naturedly, "We take offense to that. It was two little women and one little girl." "Yeah," Daph and Molly agreed in unison as the others laughed. Horvath dismissed Melanie’s warning, "Chris and his friend don't have a leg to stand on. He and his friend accosted them in the parking lot. They instigated the entire fight. If the police were called Chris and his friend would end up in handcuffs. I don't think he's going to report the incident. Like Brian said two big hulking men are not going to want to admit to being beat up by three small women, a child and a Gay man." "Well I always said that a family that fights together stays together," Emmett added. "I just wished I could have been there with you." "What were you going to do? Assault Chris and his friend with your terrible fashion taste," I sniped. Emmett didn't take offense, "Of course not," he huffed indignantly. "I would have screamed for help." That got a laugh from everyone. "We really kicked ass didn't we?" Daph bragged. She was leaning over Eve's chair her arms wrapped around Eve's neck. Eve leaned her head back and kissed Daphne on the lips. "Damn right," Eve agreed. "Damn right," Gus repeated. "Gus, watch your language," Lindz scolded. "Eve said it first," his pudgy little finger pointed at Eve. I whispered to him, "Don't let Mommy hear you say bad words." "Okay, Dada. I'll only say them around you." My son was learning. "Well, they're just lucky," Mikey sniped. "They could have been hurt, landed in jail or any number of things could have happened. Trouble just seems to follow Justin and Eve." "Let it go Michael. It's not your concern," Ben told him. "Yeah, learn when to shut up and let it go," I advised. Mikey clamped his lips shut and pouted. No one in the room actually gave a fuck. Eve looked at Vic. "Daddy don't you think now is a good time to give everyone the news. After today's events we certainly can't shock anyone." Vic cupped her face affectionately. "Yes, now seems like the right time." He puffed out his chest. "For our Christmas gift to each other Eve and I decided to make everything official. So, we contacted a lawyer. We received the papers a few days before Christmas. So, I'm not only Eve's father in my heart and hers, I'm also her father legally. I adopted Eve.” The room seemed to explode with excitement at the announcement. Everyone was asking questions at once. Vic and Eve were being smothered with hugs and kisses. "It's about damn time," Deb exclaimed. She hugged Vic and then Eve. "This deserves a celebration." --------------------------- Deb’s celebration lasted until after 11:00 p.m. No one seemed to want to leave. I think everyone saw how tired Eve was getting. Eve claimed the traveling, all the personal appearances and shows she'd done between Christmas and New Years, not to mention catching the flu had drained her. She left and slowly everyone dispersed. We had been home now for a few hours. Justin and I'd smoked a joint, fucked in the shower, and in bed. We were both exhausted. It had been a long eventful day. Justin was cuddling against me recovering from our last bout of fucking. I knew Justin was nodding off. His arm around my waist was a little slack. "I like the new posters you did of Stockwell. A little heavy on the red don't you think?" "I don’t think...." he caught himself and looked up at me. "Brian I'm not going to stop. I know he's your client. But I can't sit by and let him close down Liberty Avenue. The guy is a homophobe and has to be stopped." "I'm not going to try to stop you Justin. I'm going to help you." Justin looked at me suspiciously, "Why?" "Because I've known for months what type of man he was and I brushed it aside for greed and power. Today I heard him and Vance admitting they only wanted me on the campaign because I was a fag. My being on his campaign gave it credence. So, while he was on his anti-Gay agenda he could always point to me to prove he had nothing against the Gay community. I was being used. Now I want to show them that no one uses Brian Kinney." Justin hugged me tightly, "I'm sorry about that Brian. The man is a snake. We'll get him. I promise you." I had to smile at the vehemence behind his statement. "I know we will Justin. You and I will get him together." -------------------- EVE I woke up feeling nauseated which was a little unusual. Yes, I'd been drinking last night but not enough for a hangover. I had a rock solid rule of never getting drunk when I was with a guy. I never broke that rule….well only when I was with Brian and that's a totally different story. Besides, I really wasn't in the mood last night and ditched my *trick du jour* and came home alone. I threw the cover back and made it to the bathroom to brush my teeth and gargle. I looked like warmed over shit. I wasn't quite sure how that looked but I'm sure it was bad. I ran the comb through my thick curls. I had a terrible case of bed hair. I dragged my tired ass to the shower. I had been lathering and rinsing for a few minutes when I first felt it. I hoped it was just my imagination but it wasn't. There was no mistaking what I was feeling. I felt my right breast again. It was smooth. I felt my left breast. No mistaking it. A lump. I tried not to panic. I tried to be calm. I told myself it was nothing to worry about. I told myself I could handle this. It didn't take me long to realize I had told myself a lie. I was able to get an appointment the same day. Good thing I worked at night. After my initial exam, lab work and blood tests I took a series of ex-rays. I was sitting in the doctor's office waiting on her to give me the news good or bad. I could tell by the expression on the doctor's face as she looked at my chart and test results that I wasn't going to like the news. That I was not going to want to hear what she had to say. None of that mattered. What did matter was I wanted to hear the words. I broke the silence. "So doc what's the verdict." Her earnest brown eyes bored into mine. "There's a tumor in your left breast and of course I'm going to need to run a few more test. I'd like for you to check in to the hospital so that a biopsy can be done. The sooner we determine if the tumor is malignant the better we can proceed with treatment." I was trying to be cool but inside my heart was racing. "Okay what if it is malignant? How do we proceed?" "First let's find out if it's malignant. There is no need to worry until we know what we are dealing with." I stood up and started pacing. "Dr. Hammond I will worry regardless. This is my life we are talking about. Whether it's malignant or benign I'll worry. I'm a bottom line type of person. I need to know what I'm dealing with so I can DEAL! So give me the worst case scenario so if it happens I'll be ready to deal and if it doesn't then I can go home and celebrate!" I could see Dr. Hammond waging a battle as I stared at her but finally she let out a sigh. "Worst case scenario we find out it is malignant and has spread or metastasized to other parts of the body. If it hasn't then we can perform a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy which will only remove the lump and some of the surrounding breast tissue. This will leave the breast intact. Of course there is the simple mastectomy which involves the removal of the affected breast. A modified radical mastectomy involves the removal of the entire breast and some of the underarm lymph nodes near the breast. The most invasive is the radical mastectomy. It requires removing the breast, lymph nodes and chest wall muscles under the breast. Of course with all procedures radiation therapy is also used." I wasn't prepared to hear all of that but I had asked for it. "I'll need a few days. I have a radio and cable show to do, then Sunday dinner at my Aunt Deb’s. I can check in on Monday morning." It was Thursday. Which meant I'd spend all of Friday and the entire weekend mulling this over. I could tell the doctor wanted me to check in right away but I needed time to digest this. I needed time to arrange my life. Funny thing about a breast tumor it was there now, a part of my life, but the other parts of my life were still there too. "Very well," Dr. Hammond's tone was resigned. "I guess you will need to arrange the time away from work so that a family member can be here with you." I hadn't thought about that. "Will I be so out of it that I'll need a family member to be with me?" "Well, you'll be a little groggy after the biopsy. Then if we have to do surgery you will have to stay for a few days. After that you can be treated as an outpatient." I thought about it. I could hire a limo service to pick me up and take me home. If I needed additional care I could hire a private nurse to handle the medical end and a housekeeper to take care of preparing meals and cleaning the house. I wasn't ready to let my family know about this. I wanted to deal with this on my own. If I had to I'd call Heather. I knew she'd drop everything to be with me. "Okay, make arrangements for Monday morning. I'll check in then." We'd talked about the treatments and the procedures but we had yet to talk about the *What* would happen if the treatments were not successful. Our worst case scenario hadn't included our *true worst case scenario* which was what if nothing worked. I looked at Dr. Hammond. I could tell by her face there was more. Much more she wasn't telling me. "Is there something else you're not telling me?" The look in her eyes chilled me to the bone. "Yes, I'm afraid there is." It was just as the fortune teller had predicted when I was twelve years old. I wouldn’t make it to see my thirtieth birthday. I was only twenty-five years old. I should have been prepared. Death had come knocking. Right now I hadn’t opened the door, but that wouldn’t last for long. I could feel it. It was coming faster than I wanted. And whether I open the door or not death was coming in. It was coming in to get me. I let out a sigh as I accepted my fate. Well, Some Days Were Definitely Better Than Others. This wasn't one of them.