*Disclaimer- I own none of the characters except Eliza. The idea for this was thought of between a friend and me. I've never written a fanfic before so please let me know that you think!*

Liberty Avenue was nothing like any of the streets I had walked down back in Mississippi. I was exhausted from roaming Pittsburgh along with the long train ride from Nashville. On my back, I carried my Jansport polka-dotted backpack, and in my hand I held a worn picture of myself and my older brother. It was taken almost ten years ago and on the back, scribbled in perfect penmanship, was a note:

"Eliza Louise- I'm sorry that I have to leave you, but it won't be long until I'm back again. If you ever need me for anything, call 412-391-5421. That's the Liberty Avenue Diner. Just ask whoever answers to get a hold of me. I promise I'll call back. Love ya', Honey- Emmett."

In the picture, a six year old me stood proudly with my arms wrapped around my big brother's neck. Emmett sat awkwardly, his tall and gangly limbs falling around me. We both looked so happy. He was never really around much when I was young. The longest I can remember him being around was about the time the picture was taken. He lived with us for a little less than a year. Even though it wasn't long, he had become like a best friend to me. He swore to me that he was around a lot more when I was born and that's why we had such a strong bond, but I don't remember any of that. Emmett wrote that note on the back of my picture the last time I saw him, which was when I was eleven- five years ago. He came for Christmas and was supposed to stay for a week, but he got into a fight with my dad and had to leave after a couple of hours. I hadn't seen Emmett since.

I've tried to call the diner tons of times since then and he's never called me back. Whoever answers the phone usually sounds too busy to listen, or they just tell me they don't know who the fuck I'm talking about. But this time I really needed to get through to him- so much so, that I decided that I would run away and find him myself. I had looked all around Pittsburgh for the Liberty Avenue Diner. Everybody I asked seemed to know where it was at, but laughed as if it were a joke when I asked them to show me.

It was getting dark and with every passing minute I was becoming more frustrated. Liberty Avenue was starting to come to life. Bars and dance clubs boomed loud music out of their open doors and strangers flooded the street.

"Jesus Christ, Baby." An older woman with red frizzy hair approached me. I resisted her at first, but she wouldn't let me refuse. "What the hell are you doing out here? Liberty Avenue after dark is no place for children."

"I'm not a child," I defended myself.

"Of course not." The woman took back her comment and reached an arm up to touch my shoulder. "I'm Debbie. Can I help you find somethin'?"

"Yes, actually. I'm looking for the Liberty Avenue Diner." I told her, trying not to get upset.

"Well, you've run into the right woman! I work there." Debbie pointed to her vest which was covered in an array of gay pride buttons. "But, honey, I'm sure you didn't come all the way down here to Liberty Avenue for a burger."

"You're right. I'm looking for somebody." Tears started to well in my eyes. "His name is Emmett."

"Emmett? Emmett Honeycutt?" Debbie's eyes widened as I nodded.

"I'm his little sister, Eliza Honeycutt." Finally a tear rolled down my cheek.

"Oh, Honey! Don't cry. Come with me. We'll go to the diner. I'll make you somethin' to eat. We'll call Emmett and in between you tell Debbie what this is all about." She smiled at me. Something about her was very homely and trusting, as if I had known her before.

"I'm sorry if it's too much trouble. But this is an emergency and I didn't know how else to get a hold of him!" I explained and cried to Deb. The look on her face told me she didn't mind. "I've called and called that diner and nobody ever puts me through to him."

"Alright. It's going to be alright." Deb started to lead me down the street. "But, don't take offense to this, he's never mentioned you."

"He's never mentioned his family back in Hazlehurst, Mississippi?" I asked skeptically as I wiped a couple of tears off my face.

"Well, yeah." Debbie looked as if she had an epiphany. "Seven brothers and sisters. But I assumed they were all older."

"You assumed wrong." I bluntly stated. Debbie gave me a dirty look and I apologized by pressing my lips together.

"I guess you do look a bit like him…." Deb looked over to examine my auburn hair and tall, lanky figure.

"So, you know Emmett?" I asked after a couple of seconds.

"Of course I know Emmett! He's one of my son's best friends. In fact, you could say I take care of Emmett just like my own boy." She smiled to herself.

"What does he do? I don't even know that much about him. Is he married?" I looked at her hoping she had all of my answers.

"Married!" Deb was seemed confused and a bit aggravated. "When was the last time you saw Emmett?"

"Five years ago." I looked at Deb.

"You know he's…" Deb stopped, unsure if she should continue.

"I know he's gay." I looked back to the ground. "That's kinda why I'm here. There's was an emergency."

"There was an emergency or there is an emergency?" Deb faced me.

"I'll explain later." I looked down until she continued to walk. I stood for a second, watching as she got ahead. I took a quick second to examine our location. All I could conclude was that we were somewhere tangled in an array of gay pride and neon lights. "I guess by married I mean, is he seeing someone?"

"Not that I know of." Debbie mumbled as I came running up beside her. I sighed to myself in relief, feeling better about me sudden intrusion.

"Listen," I grabbed onto Debbie's arm. She stopped abruptly and seemed startled. "I don't know Emmett very well… I mean, I used to, but he left… And this may all seem strange- that he never mentioned me personally, and he didn't know I was coming… and that I've appeared seemingly out of nowhere with an emergency. But, I need to talk to him as soon as possible. I'm sorry if I'm wasting your time, but just know that you are doing me a great favor." I took a deep breath in and watched as Debbie soaked in my sudden outburst.

"Here we are." She took a couple of steps forward. I looked up at the diner. It was bright and colorful, beaming with pride. In side, people, mainly men, sat eating dinner and talking.

"This is it?" I asked, unsure.

"This is it. The Liberty Avenue Diner." Debbie opened the door and a bell chimed, causing some to turn and look at us. A couple of people shouted hellos to Debbie and she returned their salutations. The air was warm and smelled of lemon bars. I felt a little bit closer to Emmett already.

--------------------------------------------------------------------- What's next with Love thy Brother? Find out how Emmett reacts upon Eliza's arrival, what this emergency is that Eliza can't get off her mind, and more about the family that Emmett left behind in Hazlehurst.----------------------

*This is my first fanfic, so please give me any suggestions and let me know what you think! Thank you!*