Angel in Disguise Part 7 Notes: In this alternate universe - Brian becomes a 'real' super hero - and only one person knows his secret identity. This fic is written for Jude - Jayne - Kacie - Sandra - Tracy - who are sometimes bitter - but they are sane - (or so the rumor goes) – and for “JL’” who makes me smile ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Eighteen years later The rear booth in the Liberty Diner had seen a lot of changes in the last eighteen years. The color varied through the entire rainbow spectrum at one time or another. It had become so ingrained by the clientele of the busy diner to think of this particular booth as being almost sacred. Michael and Emmett ate there daily both in the morning and evening, often sitting for hours reminiscing with the other’s who joined them. Lindsay and Melanie stopped in when they could, but Melanie’s busy law practice and Lindsay’s art gallery kept the two of them busy. Molly Taylor sometime stopped by with her latest boyfriend. She’d always liked the atmosphere and the boys used to tease her that she was the youngest fag hag ever, though now, eighteen years later she hardly qualified. Gus liked to hang out with his Uncle Mikey and his Auntie Em. He’d sit up on the back of the booth, his feet on the seat and listen while they talked about his father and someone called Justin, Molly’s older brother. That is until he was caught by Debbie, who with a cuff on the ear would make him sit down properly. Tonight he was there more for security than anything else, he needed their support because he was going to ask his boyfriend to go to the Graduation Prom with him and he was more nervous than he could ever have imagined. St. James Academy, the school he attended, while it tolerated different sexual orientations, no one had ever had the nerve to actually put it to the test and ask someone of the same sex to a function as a date. He would be the first. Tonight they were all teasing Emmett about the latest best seller by Edward Wexler, an author who specialized in non fiction books about amazing phenomena. Emmett had bought the book more than two weeks before and this was his fifth time reading it through. None of them could see why he needed to read it more than once. In fact he was so ‘into’ the book that he refused to let any of them borrow it and insisted they buy their own copies. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Excerpt from Angel in Disguise By: Edward Wexler The small Texas town was still in shock over the near tragedy that took place in downtown Miller. The local newspapers had reported hate crimes in the area had increased in the summer of 2004. The target for the crimes appeared to be a group of young men and women who belonged to a youth organization for young gays and lesbians. The frequent attacks on these young people had them all terrified, yet the authorities had been unable to discover the person or persons behind the bashings. This was the first time that I was able to discover concrete evidence of the ‘Angel’. Two weeks earlier, a young man and his partner arrived in town. They rented a small furnished house on the outskirts, and other than the fact that the two of them were men, nothing different was noted about them. The younger one spent his days sketching various points of interest and the older one was only seen under the cover of darkness. The two kept to themselves until the night that five members of the football team arrived at the youth center during the Youth Quest meeting. In the traditional fashion of all cowards in this part of the country, they had fashioned hoods from their mother’s pillow cases and fortified themselves from their father’s liquor cabinets. They gathered up their rifles, because of course, a rifle is like a teething ring in this rural area, jumped in daddy’s pickup truck and headed out for some fun at the expense of the Youth Quest members. Only two shots were fired and both missed. The police arrived soon to hear a garbled story from all concerned. The football players had been chained naked to the lamppost, their rifle barrels mysteriously twisted around their ankles with the business end pointed at their rainbow painted privates. Conflicting stories about an Angel dressed entirely in black deflecting the two shots then quickly dealing with the miscreants have been heard by all who attended this soiree. Whatever did happen, we will never know. But once again those who were rescued each had a business card with a phone number and email address on it. Nothing else. They had been told to call or email if they needed help. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “You know baby, you are still as beautiful as ever to me. You really can go out in the sunlight.” Justin kissed the top of Brian’s head. He was standing behind Brian, who was sitting on a chair in their current living room. “That penchant you have for drinking only type A blood doesn’t mean you are a Vampire.” He teased. “Asshole” Brian laughed and reached up to pull his lover over his shoulder, sitting him on his lap. “I saw that last series of pictures you had at Armand’s gallery. You made me a vampire in every damn one of them.” “Not really, it’s all in the perception. Though come to think of it. You only dress in black, you only come out at night and you suck on my dick every chance you get.” “That makes me a cock sucker, not a vampire. Put that in your damn paintings. I bet they’d sell.” Justin nuzzled Brian’s neck. “I bet they would too. Good thing you don’t look at all my paintings that I send to Armand. You might just recognize a certain cock that’s resting in a pair of beautiful raspberry lips.” “I heard from Kuo Shen today.” “Geeze Brian, the guy has to be a zillion years old. What did he have to say?” “He sent the latest pictures of Gus, but he also said something that has me worried.” “What now?” “It’s Gus, he’s asking his boyfriend to the Prom.” “How cool is that” “No one says ‘cool’ anymore Justin.” Brian’s comment was automatic. “I worry about him.” “Things have changed. We haven’t had many calls or emails in the past year. And most of what we have had we’ve been able to deal with from here.” “I just have a bad feeling about this Sunshine.” “We can go there. The loft will be dusty, but it’s still waiting for the two of us.” “I know, I suppose it’s safe. I’m sure we’ve been forgotten. CK died last year and since the uprising in the states, even the nut case fundamentalists have settled down.” He looked at Justin, and then rested his forehead against the younger man’s. “Can you believe there has actually been no war anywhere in the world for almost eighteen months?” “No” “It’s true. But damn these pockets of hatred never stop. Why can’t everyone get along?” “Because they’re human and because no matter what, we’ll never beat down the dark forces.” Brian had been slowly unbuttoning Justin’s shirt as they had talked. Pretending not to notice, Justin had turned, allowing him access to the harder to reach buttons while still talking and nuzzling Brian’s neck. He could never get enough of feeling the life force of the man he loved pulse through his body. There hadn’t been a day go by when he didn’t thank the powers that be for letting him join his lover eighteen years ago. It had been tough, letting everyone think they had died. But it had been for the best. The investigation into their deaths had been brief and Brian had been able to undergo the nine months of extensive recovery he’d needed to return to his ‘fighting’ shape. Justin thought back to his nineteenth birthday, the birthday he would never forget because it was the one where the two of them lost their virginity together. His eighteenth birthday had been a whirlwind of fast car rides and long plane rides, of shadows, and hushed voices until he’d been reunited with Brian. The next months had been working with Brian and the Shaolin to teach Brian all over again how to walk and regain what he’d lost. It had all culminated in the amazing weekend that had been his nineteenth birthday. They were living in a small villa on an island near Greece. Because of the partial facial paralysis that Brian had suffered when he’d hit his head on the road, he refused to go out unless it was night. So instead the two of them spent their days in bed and the nights were reserved for exploring the rocky coast line. It was a time that Justin’s manager called his ‘dark’ period, for all the paintings he did, had been done in the night or the very early dawn. He signed his work TK, for the initials of his last name and Brian’s and it was by this name he became well known in the art world. Brian figured prominently in everything he painted, rare was the picture without some part of the man he loved included in it. The picture Brian treasured the most was the one that Justin had done of him after their first time making love. He’d been asleep, the bad side of his face turned toward the pillow, but the rest of him sprawled across the tossed aside sheet, naked, sleeping peacefully, satiated. It was a painting he refused to let his lover sell and it traveled with them wherever they lived. Justin often teased him that it was lucky he’d only had small canvases on hand or else they would be forced to have a permanent crate built. And eventually that’s what they did. Brian had found a master woodworker who built the perfect resting place for the painting and its frequent moves. “Like the first time” four little words that had become their own private code. If either of them invoked these magic words they were instantly taken back in time to the night that both of them would never forget. It was a night of no words, yet it spoke whole volumes to them both. It hadn’t been planned. They both knew that sooner rather than later their sexual play would lead to more than the amazing blow jobs that were becoming more and more creative. But neither man was in a hurry. The next step they took would be forever. It was an old fashioned concept in such a modern day world, but nevertheless a concept that was taken for granted by the two of them. As usual they both awoke as the sun began to set. They had fallen asleep earlier that day, tangled pieces of naked maleness reminiscent of the paintings by the old masters. The night had been unusually warm and Brian pulled their mattress out under the olive trees in the garden. He’d piled it high with all the cushions in the house and had served a light dinner or was that breakfast, of grapes and cheeses, slices of melons of various hues and pieces of freshly baked bread from the outdoor oven that he and Justin had built the month before. It had been a birthday feast fit for the gods. Brian had lay back on the cushions and fed his nymph, carefully choosing only the best of the selection. The laughter and giggles, the teasing murmurs, floated down the mountain side to the ears of their neighbors who smiled with indulgence at the happiness of the beautiful couple. Justin had let his Greek god feed him, indulging his senses, letting them overload while he drank in the sculptured perfection of Brian’s body. The occasional scar, the small facial paralysis, only heightened the mystery and intrigue that surrounded the man he loved. Neither man could tell you, should you ask, when their love play turned the corner and became love making. Each one took turns letting their finger tips read the contours of the other. Each man delighted in the tastes and scents that were produced and absorbed for future reference as tongues and lips made their way over moon kissed skin. It was the insistent deep seated throb inside that began when Brian, spread across the younger man’s heat saturated body, leaned in for yet another sweet kiss, the moon light or maybe the light from the first of the stars, reflected in Justin’s blue eyes, so dark with passion that they were a deeper blue than the richest of sapphires. It was this throbbing, that timed with the beat of both of their hearts, that pulled both Brian and Justin over the edge of love play, into the depths of love making. Brian’s hazel eyes, flecks of gold hidden in the nadir of the iris, shouted his love for the man in his arms. No hesitation was felt as once again their mouths found each other for a kiss that this time shook them both to the core. In a carefully choreographed dance of love Justin’s back arched and his legs spread, to allow access to all of him. Brian, the purpled head of his cock, leaking strings of silky smooth lubricant found the tight opening and nudged it gently, desperately wanting in, but knowing he had to make it good for both of them. While both understood the mechanics of sex, neither one had experienced it completely and so it was a time for experimentation and trust for both of them as the thick hard/soft mushroom head moved inside, the slick precum providing the necessary lubricant. What could take seconds or even minutes doubled and tripled in time as each tiny push was met with resistance then relaxation. Still no words were spoken. Pain filled pants that escaped from Justin were inhaled by Brian and comforting kisses turned pain into something joyous until with a final push by Justin, Brian’s sensitive organ was fully incased in the velvet heat of the man he loved. Someone down the mountain began to play a melody of romance and it was to this that each thrust was met and parried while the shadows in the garden moved around the two of them, hiding the wood nymphs and garden sprites that were surely watching this momentous occasion. As the orgasmic pull began to wash over them, laughter bubbled up and it was with a cry of joy that they both came, though tears of happiness slipped over their faces as they held each other while their breathing turned to normal and their heart beats calmed. It was with regret that Brian’s cock, its bravado over, slipped out of Justin, leaving him temporarily satisfied but empty. The luscious fullness of Brian’s passion swollen lips demanded that Justin taste them and once again they began their wordless torment of each other, only this time Brian, wanting his turn to feel what Justin felt, pulled the blonde on top of him and their love making continued to the contented sighs of shadowed watchers from the realms that both traveled from time to time. “Like the first time.” Four little words that spoke volumes to them both, four little words that would be their prayer to each other as they grew older, four little words that would comfort them and make them smile as the heat from ‘the first time’ flashed through their bodies each time the words were uttered. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Excerpt from Angel in Disguise By: Edward Wexler In the introductory chapter, I took you through the sequence of events that led to my initial thought that “Angel”, that masked man dressed in black who has been performing heroic feats since early 2004 through out the world was actually a ‘real’ person and not some legend that had been perpetuated by those whose lives this man has touched. Some of the stories I will relate in this book will seem almost unworldly in their daring and perhaps better suited to a work of fiction than my usual genre of non fiction. But to the people involved, these stories are their life and the out come of each and every one of them has helped to shape their lives and make them ‘better’ people. It has been suggested in one other book written almost five years ago, by Aubrey Bigger that “Angel” is in fact more than one person. Perhaps a secret society or group of vigilantes who work outside the usual rules of the law, I believe there is some truth in this, but I have seen and heard evidence that the main force is “Angel” the tall well muscled man dressed in black. His voice has rarely been heard, and his face has never been seen as he wears a mask that covers half of it in the way of a harlequin of old. Some say he has hazel eyes, while others swear they are green or even black. His hair is the color or ripe chestnuts a fact that became known when an adversary tore his hooded mask off revealing his hair, though not his face when he retreated from the building. I feel that he has a companion. Where ever there have been traceable incidents - reports of a blonde man, an artist, have also turned up. The mysterious duo rarely stays in one location for any length of time. But rather, settle in long enough to decide whether the request is a valid one, fix the problem, and then leave. The card they leave behind, with a phone number and an email address, is standard stock. The phone number has been traced to a New York phone exchange and is forwarded on so many times that it becomes virtually impossible to find where it is finally answered. The email address is also a shell for the cyber world and is untraceable, many have tried and failed. Just like many have sent fictitious requests to this righter of wrongs. To my knowledge, no bogus request has ever been answered. Not even in the negative. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Gus stood firm in front of his locker, his back to the smoke that was pouring out of the air vents. His face, a perfect mask of indifference quelled the nervous laughter of the five boys who had lit the fire. “Gus, aren’t you going to try and save your stuff?” his boyfriend Sean asked as he nervously glanced over his shoulder at the group a few feet away. “No” “Gus, the school could burn down.” “Tough shit, like I care.” Gus watched with interest as the principal came running down the hall, a fire extinguisher in his hands. “Out of the way Kinney. Why haven’t you put this fire out? This is your locker isn’t it?” The burly ex jock pushed past Gus and foolishly tried to open the locker, only to have his hand burned by the hot metal. “Open this locker.” He demanded, pissed and hurting. “No.” Gus began to walk down the hall, Sean by his side. “Kinney, get back here.” The principal called out to the disappearing back as Gus and Sean walked outside. “You’re going to get into trouble.” Sean began. “I’ll sue his ass if he tries. My mother is a damn good lawyer. I didn’t light the fire and I don’t have to put it out. It was the ineptitude of the principal that has allowed these assholes to continue harassing me. Let him deal with it.” Gus put his arm around his boyfriend’s shoulder. “You want to go get a milkshake at the diner? He didn’t care if the rest of the school noticed when he showed signs of affection for the other boy. And Sean didn’t mind, because Gus Kinney was a formidable opponent, rarely was any homophobic bashing directed towards him, because the bullies all knew that Gus would tolerate acts against himself, but god help them if they touched his boyfriend. The two friends climbed into the car that Gus had bought for his eighteen birthday. His father had left him well cared for financially, but Gus, being his father’s son, was very careful about what he spent his money on. The car was a vintage Jeep Cherokee, black, in mint condition. Even though it was the same kind of car that his father died in, Gus had listened to the stories about him form his Uncle Mikey and Auntie Em and he knew how much the jeep had meant to his father. In his own quiet way, buying this jeep was a kind of tribute to the man he didn’t remember. He’d also listened to his mothers as well as his Auntie Em about how much his dad had loved the man who had died with him. His whole life Gus strived to be the kind of man his father had been. He wanted him to be proud of him and what he had accomplished. Often, in times of celebration Gus had felt his father and Justin close by. It was a little bit of himself that he never shared with anyone else. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The Middle East 2010 Brian and his band of men stayed hidden in the branches of the trees. As Shaolin Warriors they were well versed in the art of becoming one with your surroundings and even the undaunting heat of the day or the merciless cold of the desert night had caused any of them to stir. Where the young one had found his email address, Brian would never know, but the distress mail had been received before the child had perished. It was a call that could not be ignored. Another round of bombs fell somewhere close enough that the dust from the falling buildings began to coat the already thick with dust building that housed fifteen young boys and girls who were being kept captive by the supposedly ‘friendly’ forces. These young people had been used in the most evil of ways and Brian and his unit were there to set them free. Morning broke and the last of the armed personnel jeeps left the building. The night of hell was once more over for the children once the men from the nearby base returned to their duties. They were confident that their security measures would keep the children from attempting to escape especially after they had murdered the last rebel in the group right before the eyes of the others. As the tail light from the last vehicle disappeared from view, the Shaolin warriors made their way, one by one into the building. The guard that had been posted was settling in for a day of fun, he’d picked out one of the youngest, a boy only thirteen years old. The Shaolin do not believe in physically or mentally harming another, in the way of Buddha’s teachings. But there are times when these teachings are very hard to remember. This was one of them. They resigned themselves to only stripping the man of his clothing, tying a piece of wet rawhide around his balls and staking him out on the side of the building that couldn’t be seen from the road. If Buddha willed it, he would be found before the rawhide dried. If not, well, he would not have to worry any longer about relieving the stress of his balls. That is unless he enjoyed carrying them in his pocket. The children watched round eyed while the silent warriors gathered them up and dealt with the guard. Each child was given clothing that would help disguise them and each one was assigned a warrior. With stealth learned from long practice the warriors helped the children melt into the dessert, they had to move quickly to get to the rendezvous point where they would then be taken to a hidden airfield and flown to safety. Keeping well below the radar that was constantly being monitored. Ten times one hundred Shaolin priests around the world would be placing thoughts of confusion around the small plane, it wouldn’t hide it completely, nothing would, but there would be enough uncertainty surrounding it that they would arrive without harm. The last thing their leader did before he headed into the desert was drop a card embossed with an Angel on it at the feet of the now squirming man, who had suddenly decided that the life of a pedophile was perhaps not so much fun after all. With minutes to spare the group arrived at the small plane. The children were loaded and all but one of the Shaolin vanished back into the desert. The one who was left, climbed into the seat beside the pilot. He buckled himself in then leaned over and kissed the still soft cheek and he wondered for the thousandth time if Justin would ever be able to grow a beard. “Hey Sunshine, up, up and away.” He said. He looked back and grinned at the kids who were still unsure of what had happened. It would be a long time before they would be rid of the emotional scars, if ever. But the kind priests who were waiting for them would certainly do their best to help them all. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Mom, why did daddy have to die?” Six year old Gus asked Melanie for what she was sure had to be the ten thousandth time. “You know the answer puddin’ now give your Grandma Jen a kiss goodnight and go up to bed. I’ll be up in a few minutes to tuck you in.” “K, mom,” he kissed Jennifer Taylor and then scampered up the stairs.” “I ask myself that question too.” Jennifer said, her voice quiet. “I ask myself why did Justin and Brian both have to die?” she shrugged. “It seems so stupid, but I don’t feel like they’re dead. I can almost see them both smiling and laughing. Justin will be sketching Brian and Brian will be grumpily letting him. I can see them holding hands and I can see them like I did that day Brian went away. Melanie, he had such a look of love in his eyes for Justin, it would have broken your heart. And Justin, when I gave him the envelope that Brian had left for him, his face mirrored the look as well.” “At least they went together.” Melanie said. It was a thought the two friends often shared. “You and Lindsay have been so generous in sharing Gus with me and Molly. Do you have any idea what it means to me to see Brian’s child growing up and remembering my Justin. Justin would have loved to see this mini replica of Brian.” ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Excerpt from Angel in Disguise By: Edward Wexler A series of daring raids and rescues involving young people took place during a two year time span toward the end of the war in Iraq. Perhaps the fact that the chain of command on all sides had fallen apart after almost eight years of fighting, led to the ‘Angel’ being made aware of the problems that were rampant. What ever it was, those of us who had been following the escapades of the tall super hero dressed in black, knew immediately that he was involved. When sighted, we again heard of his blonde companion though no one has seen him well enough to describe him, we can only assume he’s the same man who helped the ‘Angel’ in Brazil and then later in Jamaica. Always a mystery, the blonde is seen by day unlike his friend, there are conflicting reports about his looks, though he has been generally considered to be rather handsome in a boyish way. The photo taken with a telephoto lens in 2007 shows a rear view of both men as they made their getaway after finding James Sullivan, the young son of rock star Sean Sullivan. Sean Sullivan has never revealed to the press how he came in contact with the ‘Angel’ but we do know that his son was returned unharmed and the kidnappers have not been heard from. There is much speculation as to their whereabouts as the ‘Angel’ and his companion are very creative in making sure punishment fits the ‘crime’ when they apprehend wrong doers. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “You look rather dashing with a tan Brian.” Justin observed. After the last two years flying in and out of the Middle East in less than ideal conditions, Justin had managed to extract from Brian the promise of spending time awake in the sunlight. Brian was stretched out on a hot pink lounge cushion in their patio of their Greek home. Justin stood in the shade, an easel in front of him painting the sleek man who laying there, reminded him of a large jungle cat relaxing in the sun. “Enjoy it while you can Sunshine, because I’m back on schedule next week.” Brian stretched, he did enjoy the sun. Justin smiled and walked over to him. He straddled Brian’s hips and picked up the bottle of oil that lay on the flagstone patio. He opened it up and began to massage it into Brian’s chest, adding kisses for punctuation and emphasis. Brian’s eyes were shut and he purred deep inside, like any cat he enjoyed the attention of his ‘owner’ and Justin ‘owned’ him. It was an easy thing to admit. Everything he did, he did for the blonde who sat on him now. “Brian, I know I promised you we’d take a few months off, but we got an email today that you might want to look at.” Justin continued to massage the firm muscles of Brian’s chest, then moving to his arms. “Baby, after all that shit in Iraq, you promised a nice peaceful vacation.” Brian made a token effort to forget about the email. “I know, but this one is kind of close to home.” “Pitts, it’s in the Pitts?” Brian opened his eyes to look up at Justin. “No, but pretty close, it’s in the next county.” “You want to check out the family, don’t you baby?” “I miss them.” “I know you do.” He sighed. “Same rules though, no contact.” Justin beamed at him, Brian could feel the heat of his smile. “No contact.” He agreed. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Excerpt from Angel in Disguise By: Edward Wexler The more than fifty incidents that have been covered in this book, by no means tell the whole story. I was close to the ‘Angel’ twice while researching for my latest book. So close that I could almost, but not quite touch them both as they ran past me after the hostage incident in Wyoming. There they were holding hands and laughing, you could hear them both clearly and the second time was in New York City. I never did discover what they were doing in that city, though I’m sure there was some kind of wrong they were righting, once again I saw them from the rear as the got into a black car and once again they were laughing. You couldn’t help but smile at the obviously loving and happy relationship the two of them have despite their penchant for living the life of a comic book superheroes. In the almost eighteen years since the “Angel in Disguise” appeared on the scene, much like Captain Astro did eighteen years previously, the dynamic duo have saved lives, and returned lost children throughout the world and like true superheroes, they have remained anonymous, expecting no thanks. And like all comic book stories, those they have rescued have never revealed anything that might lead to the discovery of the ‘real’ Angel and his cohort. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Auntie Em, can I come to your place?” Gus stood in the lonely phone booth shivering. He looked around, but only could see shadows swirling around the midnight streets of Pittsburgh’s downtown. “Sure sweetie, but it’s kind of late, do you need a ride home?” Emmett, already in his flannel pajamas and his fuzzy slippers, looked at the clocks blurred numbers, wishing again he’d had the nerve to do laser surgery for his eyes. “I can’t go home tonight; I kind of need to talk to someone about something.” “You just find your way here hun, and Auntie Em will sit and listen.” “Thanks, I’ll be there in about ten minutes.” Gus hung up the phone and carefully climbed into his car. He held one arm tight against his ribs. He didn’t think any were broken, but the hurt like a son of a bitch. He drove carefully to Emmett’s wishing for once he’d gotten the automatic version of this jeep, though he was sure his father would never have driven an automatic. Emmett rushed out of his house as soon as Gus turned into the driveway. “Oh Gussy, what happened?” He asked in horror as he looked at the bruised and battered teen. Gus laughed and kissed the kind man on his cheek. Emmett was the only person Gus would allow to call him ‘Gussy’. “I’ll tell you all about it when we get inside and you find me something strong in the way of painkiller.” He paused “And for fuck sake Auntie Em don’t call the moms. I came here to avoid them.” Emmett fussed around the teen, making him a cup of tea and checking over all of his bruises. “I’m not sure about the drugs sweetie. Maybe you should see a doctor.” “Not going to happen.” Gus drank the tea. “Could I have a beer?” Emmett rolled his eyes, but with Gus looking like a younger version Brian Kinney, who he missed terribly even though it had been years and years since he’d seen him, well, he had to oblige. Emmett handed Gus the beer. “Now not one more thing until you tell me what happened?” “It’s the same old, same old, Auntie Em. You know the football guys, they have a hate on for me. I usually do not bad, but this time they were waiting for me when I dropped off Sean at his mom’s apartment. They waited for him to go inside then came at me. I did get a couple of good ones in though, Jeff Hobbs will be eating very carefully with his new tooth, I’m sure.” He gave a half laugh, and then winced when the movement hurt his ribs. “Auntie Em,” Gus looked embarrassed. “The reason I’m here, it’s about the book you were reading the other night at the diner?” He looked around as if seeking guidance. “You know, the ‘Angel” one? Do you think it’s real? Do you think if I emailed or phoned that this guy would come and teach these assholes a lesson?” Gus looked up at Emmett, his eyes were burning with unshed tears. “The thing is, I really like Sean, I mean really like him. And Sean, he’s not very tough, he’s kind and gentle, you know a computer geek, but he’s my geek, and with the Prom coming up I want everything to be perfect. I want it to be ridiculously romantic the whole nine yards. I’ve bought a tux and I’m getting Sean flowers, I’ve rented a limo for the night and everything.” Emmett put his arm around the boy and hugged him close. “I don’t know hun, it can’t hurt to send off an email, now can it? If he’s real, well, we’ll probably never know, but you will have a marvelous time with Sean at the Prom and those rude jocks, will be treated to some good old-fashioned retribution. “ “What if he isn’t real?” Gus was worried now. What had seemed like a good idea at the time now appeared foolish. “Let me tell you about my experience with the Angel,” Emmett began. He found a pillow for Gus’ head and pulled a soft blanket around the boy before starting his story. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Brian was doing laps in their pool, the moonlight reflecting off the water in silvery streaks as the powerful arms rhythmically moved through the water. Justin stood for a moment watching him, clutching the email print out in his shaking hand. Instinctively Brian knew that something was wrong and he pulled himself up on the still sun warmed flagstones that surrounded the long pool. “What’s wrong?” he asked. Brian put the towel Justin handed to him around his waist after drying off his face and rubbing it through his hair. “You’d better read this.” Justin handed Brian the sheet of paper, the white almost a beacon of light in the shadows. He handed Brian his reading glasses, smiling when the man put them on without bitching like he usually did. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From: AuntieM@aol.com To: Angel@wtlite.com Subject: Gus Kinney Honey, if the two of you are who I think you are, Gus needs you both now. He’s having big time problems with some homophobic jocks and the boy is just not a fighter, more the lover kind. Hey, we all can’t take after our dear old dad. Intervention time would be very nice and can you make it fast, Gus and his boyfriend are going to the Prom in a week, I’m afraid that the violence is escalating, you know how much I hate violence, it puts me off my stride for weeks and weeks. A little visit to the Pitts wouldn’t hurt you two anyway – you know I’ll love you both forever if you come – well I’ll love you anyway. Hugs. Emmett Honeycutt. (an old queen who misses her 2 favorite men more than they can know) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Geeze Brian, nothing’s changed in all these years.” Justin looked around “Shit isn’t that the same street bum playing his violin?” “Could be, kind of looks the same, though I don’t remember him being bald before.” Brian observed as they sat back in the taxi as it drove through the downtown streets of Pittsburgh. “He’s wearing the same clothes.” Justin turned to get another look as they sped down the street. “Yep, I remember that funky scarf.” Brian laughed and patted Justin’s arm. “Down boy, you know I’m only interested in you.” He teased his partner who rolled his eyes and smiled up into the hazel ones filled with love. “Kuo Shen was going to have the loft ready. I hope he had the guys buy all the groceries I wanted.” “The world doesn’t revolve around food, contrary to what you might believe.” Brian kissed the still full lips, savoring the taste. “I don’t hear you complain about having too much food when dinner time comes around.” It was a familiar argument that had become almost a tradition for the two of them. “We’re here” Brian got out of the car and held the door for Justin. They looked into each other’s eyes. “Like the First Time?” Brian enquired. His answer was a radiant smile and they walked hand in hand up the stairs to the top floor apartment, both of them letting memories of long ago years wash over them. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The night of the Prom had arrived. Gus, handsome in tuxedo came down the stairs and Melanie taking one look at him promptly burst into tears quickly followed by his Grandma Jen. He looked at the two women puzzled and Lindsay, her hand on his arm said. “You look so much like your dad baby.” “We’re sorry Gus,” his Grandma Jen began. “But you have no idea how much this means to me to see you looking so handsome tonight.” “It’s ok, Grandma,” he said and kissed her cheek. “Sean is going to be here any minute; don’t you ladies want to take pictures?” It was a foolish question, but one designed to get their minds working in another direction. He figured he was the most photographed kid in the Pitts between these two and the rest of the large extended family. He looked at his watch, nervous about tonight. But it was something he had to do, he needed to stand up for himself and Sean once and for all. He was worried though about Jeff Hobbes and his buddies, but he figured he’d deal with them when he had to. Sean arrived in the limo that Gus had sent for him and after the pictures were taken, the two of them left for the downtown hotel where the Prom was being held. The dance was amazing, the whole class had fun and no one said anything about the two boys. Jeff Hobbes and his gang were missing from the group and other than the tense moments when the King and Queen were elected and Jeff’s name could have been called, no one really minded that the six trouble makers had decided to stay home. Brian and Justin watched the dance from the shadows of a balcony in the farthest corner of the ballroom. They stood arm in arm, smiling amid the tears of joy and pride that ran down their faces when Gus and Sean danced to an old Drifter’s tune. The two boys looked like something out of a movie they were both so beautiful and happy and Brian and Justin were proud to watch them. Both men had decided to slip away when the door behind them opened and Emmett stepped quietly beside them. “You guys did good tonight.” He whispered. “Hey Emmett,” Brian and Justin said together. They weren’t really surprised to see their old friend. “I heard from Teddy, who is Jeff Hobbes’ dad’s accountant, that the Hobbes family has put their house up for sale and is moving as soon as it’s sold. I should have known that the two of you were watching over ‘our’ boy. Those videos of the Hobbes kid and his gang doing all those hateful things have been recorded for at least two years. I understand that part of keeping the kids out of jail is mandatory counseling. It’s about time.” “It was just an amazing coincidence Emmett” Brian said to his friend. “Yeah, Em, it’s a mystery how that stuff turned up.” Justin smiled up at the taller man. “Don’t leave.” Emmett’s voice cracked. “We’ve all missed the two of you so much.” “Everyone thinks we’re dead, it’s better for all of them to leave it that way.” Brian spoke, but Justin nodded. “No it isn’t. It’s been eighteen damn years; you boys owe it to us all to stay here. We all kept up the façade of your death, when not one damn one of us believed it. You owe us.” And Emmett dissolved in sobs. Brian and Justin looked at each other. The looked down at Gus as he kissed his boyfriend tenderly on the dance floor and they looked at the tear stained face of their old friend. “Like the first time Jus?” Brian asked. “Like the first time Bri.” Justin agreed. Justin reached into his jacket and pulled out one of their cards. He hastily scribbled the address of the loft on the back. “Saturday Em, at one o’clock, and bring the family.” Before Emmett could react Brian and Justin had disappeared. It was only the small card he clutched in his hand that made it all real. “Cool, we’re going to have a party.” Emmett’s mind was whirling as he planned what and who to bring to the address written on the card. The band began to play another old song. “Let’s hear it for the boy” sounded from the speakers as Emmett all but skipped down the stairs. The end