Detailed Summary: Brian and Justin meet at Babylon for the first time, but inside. Brian owns Kinnetik and Babylon, all the characters are the same, and Justin goes to PIFA. However, Justin doesn't know any of them and didn't go to Liberty when he was in high school. Emmett is the manager of Babylon (cause I want him to be), and has an idea for a masquerade ball, inspired by Phantom of the Opera, which he and George saw in New York when they were dating. Brian and Justin may appear OOC, but given different circumstances, they would behave, act and feel differently. (Brief mentions of Justin/Other, but only plot). AU, if you couldn't already tell that (different time line and dates are off, but it's AU so I can do that, lol). Half of my inspiration for this story is the pic that will be in the banner that the lovely and talented JackieMag is making for me (I found the pic, she's making the banner). The other half of my inspiration for this story was Lady Antebellum's Just a Kiss. Hence why I skewed the time line. The title of this story also comes from Jackie, it's much better than my original title.
Author's Note about the story: I know I have other stories that I need to finish, and I apologize to all my wonderful and loyal readers who are probably annoyed that I didn't finish the other stories first, but I promise you won't be disappointed here. My finals are this week, so I'll finally get around to writing more and hopefully finishing my other stories over the next couple of months. Thank you to all you fantastic readers and reviewers who make it a joy to write. I was in a hopeless romantic mood a few days ago when I had to write this. The very first time I heard "Just a Kiss" (months ago, don't remember when), the "scene" between Brian and Justin in Babylon came fully formed in my mind. I just didn't have the time to write it because I didn't know where to go or how to get there. Then, I was listening to the Phantom soundtrack a week ago while going through pics on my computer, and this story was the result. I had to share and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Complete: Not yet, but getting there, will finish much sooner than my other stories (my semester ends next week... YEAH!)
Pairings: Brian/Justin, of course, was there any other choice?
Rated: M... definitely M... this is my story, after all. *wink, wink*
Disclaimer: You all know the drill... don't own anything, Showtime, Cowlip, yadda, yadda, yadda. If I owned it, it would have ended a whole lot differently, and there would be a QAF movie.

"You want me to what?"

"You heard me."

"One would think you would learn to not talk to me like that."

"Oh, pshaw… you never could scare me, you know that. I think it would be fun."

"Theodore, talk to your partner and explain why it's a phenomenally bad idea."

"Actually Brian, I think it's a great idea, and he's not my partner… but he is my best friend." Ted said with a smile at Emmett, who grinned happily back at him.

"Such a sweetie my Teddy is."

"Oh please…you'll always be partners: tweedle dum and tweedle dee."

"Do you hear the way he's talking to us Teddy?"

"Uh uh, I'm not getting into the middle of that, he signs my paychecks."

"Why Theodore Schmidt, I think that's one of the smartest things you've ever said."

They all chuckle at the banter that none of them meant and they all knew it. As bizarre as their friendship may be, they're all business partners as well as good friends. They might never be able to explain it… well, at least Brian will never want to explain it, but it is what it is.

"So, back to my idea."

"Drop it Em, he's never gonna give in…even if it would make a lot of money."

"Not like I'm worried about not making money."

"I know that… but it would be so much fun, and even if you don't want to participate, party pooper, I think I may do it anyway."

"Just because I made you manager doesn't mean I can't fire your ass."

"Oh, like you would… business is booming, you've made more money since I took over, and you know it."

He did know it, that was the problem. He didn't want to do what everyone else did, he'd never done anything to fit in and he never would. He'll never think, even to himself, that he's older, but he's certainly wiser and he's done a lot of things based on other people's perception of him, but never to fit in.

"All the other clubs in the other area do something every holiday. Don't give me that look, you know Babylon is the greatest club on the street and I would never suggest we follow the crowd, but… and think about this before you answer… think of all the other clubs that queers go to cause they celebrate more than just being queer… think of all the extra business you'll do just because you added something extra, made the night bigger and better. I'm not suggesting you do something just because it's Halloween or Christmas. Hell, have it some random Saturday connected to nothing, but make it fabulous!"

Brian did stop and think about that. The thought of celebrating anything was beyond tedious and pointless. On the other hand, he had grown up and been through enough since his son was born to teach him there is more to life than the do anything and say anything attitude he used to have. He had to admit that Emmett had a point, not only had Babylon been even more successful once he made Emmett manager, but Emmett did know how to throw a party, especially if his constant catering schedule said anything. It always surprised him that for being a big nelly bottom with horrible fashion sense, that Emmett certainly pulled off his eclectic wardrobe, and his catered events were sometimes better than the ridiculously extravagant I-have-more-money-and-are-more-important-than-you business parties he'd been invited to throughout his career.

"I'm not promising anything, but I'll think about it and let you know."

Ted could see Emmett was about to say something else and he knew from experience as Brian's CFO that he'd heard enough for now.

"Come on Em, let him think about it, that may not be a yes, but it's not a no. You've given Brian enough to think about, now let him think about it."

Emmett complained a little, but Ted was able to easily drag him off to the dance floor, having both finished their drinks already. Brian gave his standard smirk to Ted as he walked away, with a slight nod of thanks. If you had told him a few years ago that one of his closest advisors, and, crazy at it seems, friends, would be Theodore Schmidt he would have thought you had more drugs than even Anita could supply you with.

For all his fuck-ups and mistakes, Ted was a damn good accountant, and Brian couldn't have picked a better person to give a chance to. Ted knew accounting, finances and budget better than even Brian did. As for Emmett, well, he may give him a hard time, but Emmett came from worse homophobic areas than Brian and still had the courage to be an out and proud gay man at all times and didn't bat an eyelash at being a flaming homo. You can say what you want about it, but it takes balls of steel to do that. In a way Ted had the same courage. He didn't hide who he was and it took guts to be a simple plain accountant, and still hang out at Babylon. Not to mention he put up with and worked with Brian on a daily basis, him and Cynthia… he honestly didn't know where he'd be if it weren't for them, but he'll never tell them that.

Michael was still his best friend, always had been, always would be; but this was his business he was talking about, and for as much as he loved Michael, Michael was only slightly better than Debbie in his personal life, and wouldn't know a damn thing about running a business. Not that running your own comic book shop was anything to scoff at, but it was a ready made business, with a store front and inventory, and customers. All Michael needed was a bit more of all that and he was set. He also knew that Ted looked over Michael's books, too, on his own time of course, but based on how well Kinnetik was doing with Ted at the financial helm, then Red Cape Comics must be doing pretty well, too.

Kinnetik… took him a while to come up with that name, but somehow it fit. He had thought of renaming Babylon when he bought it, but it just didn't seem right. It was a whole cleaner than it used to be, and the back room had been steam cleaned (and then aired out, for weeks, you have no idea how much steam cleaning actually cleans… but even less idea that whatever you're cleaning… that smell… good god!). So he was now that proud owner of, still, the hottest club in town, and the hottest advertising agency in PA, hopefully soon the east coast, and he certainly wouldn't object to being the best in the nation. Although that would definitely make a lot of business, and he knew his staff could handle, he would have to go over those numbers with Ted when the time came, because he wasn't sure if his building could handle it.

He loved the building he was in, the old bath house, he had a lot of memories in there. It was a shame when it was closed, but it didn't hurt his feelings, it was a cesspool with a filthy owner who Brian had no interest in remembering some of his worst nights and what he did then. Fortunately that time period in his life didn't last long, but he did learn that if you want something, you took it, no excuses, no apologies, no regrets. Oh, it was more than just the bath house that influenced those ideals, but since fucking was a huge part of his life then (still was, to a point), and what he wanted to experiment with didn't exactly go on in the back room. Well, suffice it to say, Brian discovered that while every gay man can bottom, cause it feels great, he was truly meant to be a top, in every sense of the word, and he had the mentality and stamina to prove it.

Leaving his spot on high, after sufficiently surveying his kingdom, Brian decided it was time he paid a visit to the backroom before going home. He didn't do the late, drug and sex filled nights he used to have, but he definitely knew how to get his needs met, and even with everything he'd been through, he still had sex drive to rival many. One might think that finding a willing hole in the backroom is degrading, but anyone who knows the backroom, knows that the hole is a person who just wants to fuck… a whole lot of fags who just want to fuck, without all the bullshit that goes on outside the club. And if the ass or mouth happens to be talented, it becomes a lot more pleasurable than your right hand at home. Not to mention he's Brian Kinney, so no matter who he's using always feels privileged, and always gets off, too.

Later that night lying in bed, smoking and reading… yes, reading, something that not even his friends knew. Although he suspected Ted knew, after all, Ted knew things that not even Michael knew, things Michael wouldn't understand. He loved reading, mystery, suspense, thriller, western, sci-fi, even plays and non-fiction. He enjoyed reading about historical leaders, from any country, and he thoroughly enjoyed books about other cultures and languages. Part of that he thought came from wanting to know people so well he could design any campaign to make you want to buy something you didn't need, so he could profit, but part of it was his love for knowledge, and understanding people from every culture was a big part of him. And the more in depth a book went psychologically, the more he enjoyed it.

He was reading an interesting book at the moment, but his mind couldn't help but wander to the conversation he'd had with Ted and Emmett. He knew that by not saying no to Emmett, that Emmett would be bugging him soon until he answered. He also was pretty sure his answer would be yes. He particularly enjoyed the idea that this, and he'll have to hold in a groan when saying it, masquerade ball (he gets shivers just thinking about it, and not in a positive, life-affirming way) would be unassociated with any holiday. Although he also knew business, and the more you market to the masses, the more money you make.

It didn't have to be on a holiday, although it could be during the holiday season. Having a son changed the way he always had viewed holidays, and while he still thinks Scrooge had the right idea about Christmas, he also remembered seeing his sons face the last couple years on Christmas morning, when he'd finally agreed to go to the munchers to see his son. To actually see his son's sweet, innocent little face light up with pure joy on Christmas morning. Well, he was very glad no one noticed his moistening eyes, and he knew, without a doubt, that his own Christmas's had never looked like that, and he truly hoped that Gus would never have a Christmas, or any holiday, or any day, like the one's that Brian knew.

The holiday season had just passed, and while Emmett had done some minor decorating of Babylon for all the holidays that all seem rolled into one (he should know, he's in advertising), he didn't make a big deal about any of it. Queers went to Babylon to dance, party, fuck or just relax… they didn't need to go somewhere else taken over by commercialization and marketing. Not to mention there were so many different cultures and religions and belief systems, how on earth would you decorate for that and include everyone? Not that Brian cared if he offended anyone, or if anyone felt left out, but let's face it, the more people feel accepted, the more they come back, and the more money he makes. And that's not heartless, that's just a fact of life, especially for a business owner.

And suddenly Brian had the perfect idea. Sure it was kind of a piggy-backed idea to what Emmett had said, but Brian could certainly manipulate that to one hell of a masquerade ball that will have fags from all over panting and begging to get into Babylon. Emmett's idea came from a few years back when he was dating a filthy rich old man by the name of George Schickle. Brian had never been one for pickles, but he certainly knew the company and the man. There were a number of thoughts that went through Brian's head when he saw them together and found out who he was, but… to each his own and they both oddly seemed stupidly happy.

Anyway, good ole Georgie took Emmett to New York and went to see Phantom of the Opera and Emmett will tell you about it anytime anyone mentions anything that might remotely remind him of that play. Sure Brian has seen it, no one would believe he reads, and no one would believe he was a lover of theater either, and of art and music. Part of his attraction to advertising was his love of art, when he couldn't draw to save his life. Advertising uses the arts and creativity and inspiration to convince the masses, the idiots, the sheep, that the shit he's selling people can't live without was truly something he wanted to pursue the moment he had learned how an ad was created.

When Emmett had mentioned his idea for a masquerade ball, Brian knew exactly what Emmett was thinking of, he just didn't mention that out loud. There's no way that Babylon was the place to recreate that type of masquerade, however, Emmett's idea was not without merit. He had seen Babylon do a number of events over the years, this was just a more refined and sophisticated theme than a strip contest or who had the biggest cock. Not that he was against those competitions, heavens no, Brian frequently attended those events at times and either congratulated the winner or consoled the loser. Those memories of course brought a smile to his face, not that he could particularly remember the details of any of the men, but he could remember the hunt and the capture, and there were a few memorable cocks, asses, and blowjobs.

The only problem was finding someone to create the actual ad. Surprised at that thought? Brian owns his own very successful advertising agency, surely someone could create an ad for his own club as well. Very true, however, this was Babylon, Brian's first club, his first home away from home, the first place he felt welcome, a world he was a part of; and this was going to be one hell of an event.

He always made sure his employees were very talented, but he wasn't sure if any of them could conceive a poster for gay night club, with a back room, where fucking meant nothing more than getting off, but combined with a masquerade ball that was elegant, sexy, alluring, enticing and seductive… all while being mysterious, where everyone hid behind masks and costumes, an idea from an era long ago where masquerades were for the grandiose, the rich, the cream of the crop of society… perhaps he needed to discuss this with Cynthia. He was sure she was a gay man trapped in a woman's body, for a woman she had ideas and beliefs rather similar to Brian's, and she certainly had the balls to be in the advertising business and deal with Brian for years.

After putting his book away (safely in his bed side table where no one ever looked, along with his reading glasses, and if you ever tell anyone that he will find you, be sure of that) and closing and locking up he fell asleep dreaming about being in a masquerade ball, as the main attraction… he's Brian Kinney, why wouldn't he be? He could see his costume perfectly, maybe not typical masquerade affair, but this was Babylon, on Liberty Avenue, you can be sure that queers, fags, and queens would be in anything and everything that would be absolutely reprehensible to a traditional masquerade ball. No, Brian could see himself perfectly, wearing a costume he'd secretly wanted to wear for a while but never had a reason to try: Antonio Banderas as Zorro, complete with cape and mask, of course.

Over the next few weeks Brian was very busy at work, the after holiday lull in many other businesses didn't happen in the advertising world, no, they just started on replacing all the holiday themed ads they had already done. Not that there weren't holidays in the new year they couldn't pull from, or other companies wanted to incorporate into their ads. Brian had already met with Emmett and Ted about the masquerade possibilities at Babylon. Fortunately they both knew Brian well enough that neither of them suggested having it anywhere near February 14th, he was pretty sure he would have fired Emmett, for real this time, had he actually seriously said it.

Cynthia had a uniquely inspired idea about an ad for the masquerade ball, one so genius, he would have thought it was his idea. They had all decided that the ball should be sometime in early Spring, the snow would have melted, the weather would be cool, but no one would freeze at night, and dressing up in some of the costumes he could already imagine people would be in, he knew he would get more people showing up if they didn't have to worry about the weather in Winter, or Summer.

Since the ball (he didn't know why he called this a ball, it wouldn't technically be a ball, but party seemed too simple and event seemed too dull) had been decided to be in late April, they had a few months to prepare for this. Cynthia thought that a competition would be an ideal way to get the best ideas. Obviously because Babylon was for 21 and over (fake ID's aside) they couldn't open the contest in any high school, but colleges would be acceptable (possibly, depending on the views of the administration), along with local art stores and businesses, particularly those in the area. The winner would not only win free entrance into the ball (should they want to attend), but they would win a gift certificate to a local costume shop who specialized in, well, specialized costumes, and a cash prize equal to how much a free lance artist or advertiser might get paid for this type of ad: $1000.

Since the contest was Cynthia's idea, Brian put her in charge. Emmett would start the preparations, and Ted would go back to doing what he did best and making sure that everything was covered financially. With all that taken care of, Brian gladly went back to work, conveniently forgetting the ball and the contest.

End A/N: No idea what the cost for ads are, just took a guess based on what sounded right for this kind of ad/contest.