Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the re-written version of chapter one. I understand the subjects and pairings in this fanfic may be considering controversial, but this fanfiction has proven to be one of my most popular and I hope you enjoy! For some of my older readers who are coming back to this fanfic, I hope you have found the difference in my writing style has improved upon the story and it's layout.
Enjoy!
'Hey…hey Lois, Lois honey? Lois…' As Peter's red headed wife sat listening to the ramblings of her drunken husband, she knew it would be easier to just give him what he wanted and save herself the trouble of enduring his unpredictable emotions. But he had gone one step too far this time. He had known for weeks that it was their anniversary and yet the Drunken Clam still came first in their marriage. Feeling the frustration surging inside her, Lois eventually resolved to leave the house and get some fresh air, hoping a walk would give her enough time to calm down…and Peter enough time to pass out.
Standing up from her side of the bed and smoothing out the black velvet dress she had put on especially for the occasion, Lois didn't bother to change and walked away from their bedroom as Peter argued with himself in the mirror, his ravings audible from the living room as she left the house and slammed the door with more force than intended.
Breathing a sigh as she leant against the door for a moment, Lois finally stood upright and began to walk with no destination in mind. With her hair up in a French twist that kept her from running her hands through it, Lois found herself running through the most recent irritations that she had to endure with her childlike husband. It was times like this that the former Pewterschmidt missed the days where she had no troubles, the days when she was only dating Peter and he made every effort to be with her and to make her happy. How was the spark in their marriage fading so dramatically? They'd experienced rough patches before, but she felt like her life lacked excitement, passion…desire. These thoughts continued to go round in a vicious circle, leaving Lois unaware of how long she had been walking for, the only indication being the blisters that were beginning to form on the backs of her ankles from the black stilettos she wore. Yet at that moment, she realised how little she cared.
Before she could take off her shoes and walk barefoot, a car began to slow alongside her, Lois rolling her eyes, expecting to have to tell a guy to keep driving when a familiar voice caught her attention.
'Lois?'
Coming to a stop and paying attention to the car that was now stopped beside her, Lois finally recognised the Toyota Prius, as well as the driver.
'Oh, hey Brian,' she remarked, the tone of sadness clear in her voice.
'What's going on? I thought you and Peter had a meal tonight,' Brian responded, his assumption that Peter had somehow messed up being his first thought, though he knew better than to say it aloud.
'It's our anniversary, why wouldn't I be alone?'
Seeing the tears that welled in her eyes, Brian instantly opened the door for her and gestured Lois to get in, the lonely housewife obliging and removing her shoes, Brian able to see the way she avoided his gaze as she put her shoes in the foot well and tried to hold onto her emotions.
'I don't suppose you have a hipflask in here?' she asked weakly, Brian shaking his head as he offered her a tissue as an alternative.
'I'm cutting down on the stuff and my god it is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life,' he remarked dryly, Lois smiling a little before putting her arms around him.
Feeling the tears that dropped silently onto his fur, Brian remained silent, knowing Peter had really done it this time.
'Where is Peter?'
'I don't know and I don't care. I feel like less of a wife and more like a Mom every year we're together. All I wanted was one night with him, but could he do it? No. He had to get drunk with his friends on our anniversary…I just don't know how to deal with it anymore Brian…'
'Well I'm the least qualified person to tell you how to deal with your marriage, but what I can tell you is that suppressing all this isn't going to do you any good in the long run,' Brian responded honestly, his voice laced with concern.
'What would I ever do without you Brian?' Lois smiled as tears continued to roll down her cheeks.
'Murder your husband?' he suggested, before adding more seriously, 'but then again, maybe it would be better if I weren't around so much.'
'What, why?'
'Don't you see? With me around, instead of telling Peter how you feel, you come to me and while I'd never turn you away, I have to keep it to myself and pretend like I have no idea what's going on. Even though I know everything he's said and done, I can't say anything…I can't tell him what an ass he is. I can't ask him how he can be so stupid to have a woman like you as his wife and not appreciate every minute of every day. It's hard to stand back and watch Peter screw up the best thing that's ever gonna happen to him.'
Allowing Lois to take in his words, Brian waited for a few minutes before saying anymore. Seeing the way his words were processed by her gradual change in expression; Lois finally responded, choosing denial over acceptance.
'You know what? If Peter can go and get drunk, why shouldn't I? Let's go to a bar, drink until we can't remember anything and see where we wake up.'
'No,' Brian told her, his expression completely serious 'there's no way that's gonna happen tonight.'
'Why the hell not? Come with me. We can go and get drunk and forget about all the crap that makes us unhappy.'
Sighing quietly, Brian shook his head, feeling somewhat resigned. There was a time when he would have willingly accompanied her. He'd do anything to see her happy. But not this time; when he knew better.
'Lois, you know you have to be the responsible one. I know you might hate me for saying it, but you do have a responsibility. If not to Peter, then to your kids…what are they going to do if they wake up in the morning with no parents around to give them some sense of normality and stability? You might not like me for it, but I guarantee, tomorrow, you'll thank me for it.'
Not waiting for her to answer, Brian put his Prius into drive and made a U-turn. It was the right thing to do. As Lois sat back and looked out into the night, she understood Brian's surprise at finding her where he did. Though a glance at the time told her it was about right, not that it made talking any easier.
'Thank you Brian,'
Not taking his eyes off the road Brian let out a sigh and assured her it was okay.
'I just hate seeing him do this to you all the time…'
'Brian, really I'm fine, I just-'
'Lois, you're not fine; you're in a marriage where your husbands so mentally retarded that he can barely take care of himself, let alone three kids, provide for them and you. I'm not perfect but when he has someone like you I just…I don't get it. Words fail me.'
Choosing to remain silent on the matter, Brian refrained from saying anymore until turned onto Spooner Street. Pulling into the driveway beside Lois's vehicle, the pair got out to find the first indicator that something had gone on in their absence. Walking up to the door that was ajar and hanging off it's hinges, Brian got the impression that Peter had thrown a party whilst no one was in the house to stop him. Yet all that was left in his wake was a house wrecked beyond belief. Windows were broken; the TV was face down on the floor and amidst the wreckage Peter was slouched by the stairs, naked and singing off key.
Seeing the two of them stood in the doorway, Peter managed to stand and began staggering towards them.
'Hey, look who it is! Lois, you missed out, Captain Caveman came and-and we had this game to see who could pin the tail in the wall first…then the lights went out and it was super scary!'
'…Peter…' Lois began, her hands clenched and shaking with anger as she tried to find words to express the contempt and fury she felt towards him in that moment.
'Peter, what the hell?' Brian cut in,
'Oh hey buddy; I didn't see ya there. I thought you were like Snoopy, or a giant marshmallow…'
'Shut up! Do you have any idea how much of a retarded idiot you are?! I don't know anybody who could be this stupid and incompetent. Why don't you just do all of us a favour and get the hell out!'
As Peter stood swaying on the spot looking down at Brian with a dumbfounded expression, he suddenly turned Lois in confusion.
'I didn't know we had three dogs…or is it five?' he questioned, Brian feeling as though he could lose his temper at any moment when something distracted him. Seeing the hovering figures of Meg and Chris at the top of the stairs, the family dog managed to compose himself enough to speak to them calmly.
'Meg, Chris, go back to bed,' he encouraged as softly as his voice would allow, the two siblings exchanging glances before Brian assured them it was okay. Pausing for a moment longer, they finally nodded, ascending the top stair and disappearing from sight.
'Brian, listen to me. I want you to go and check on the kids. Make sure they're okay and Stewie is safe,' Lois remarked, finally managing to speak.
'Lois, I'm not about to let you…'
'Go Brian,' she said her tone final as she regained her authority over the situation.
Leaving the room unsatisfied, Brian climbed the stairs, only looking back for a moment as Peter made a movement towards Lois. The thought of him making a sexual advance towards Lois in his state sickening Brian to his stomach as he turned away, knowing he had to ignore it, before he did something he might regret.
'I say; looks like the fat man has been stirring up trouble once again…'
Looking up to see Stewie stood in his onesie, looking rather amused at Lois's predicament.
'I just don't know what to do Stewie, Lois just goes running back to him every time.'
'You say that like you think it will change. I don't know what you see in her anyway. She's not exactly getting any younger is she?'
Ignoring the infants comment, Brian walked Stewie to his room.
'I do share some of your irritation if it helps?'
'Really? How?' Brian responded doubtfully.
'The fat man has sabotaged all attempts at sleep so far. Do you have any idea how much sleep an evil genius like me needs?'
'Look Stewie I'm really not in the mood for discussing how a toddler wants to take over the world. I have more pressing matters to deal with in case you hadn't noticed the atrocity downstairs.'
'Dear god, Lois really has given you a sour outlook on life tonight hasn't she? Well maybe once you've slept you'll be more willing to help with my plans.'
'Just go to bed Stewie,' Brian sighed, leaving the toddler to check on Chris and Meg, who had retired to their respective rooms.
'You okay in here?' Brian asked quietly, peering his head around Meg's door to find her huddled in the corner of her bed with the duvet pulled up to her neck.
'No,' she mumbled, Brian pushing the door ajar as he tried to think of something that would comfort her.
'Look your Dad's just having one of those days, it'll be over soon…'
'Yeah but the ugliness isn't going to go away is it?' she cried out hysterically. 'Look at what he's done! What he always does! Yet everyone jumps to his defense.'
Pulling back the covers to show Brian the cuts that covered her arms and legs.
'Dear god, what did he do to you?'
'It's his idea of wrestling; he threw me into the TV.' She stated in a disgusted tone.
'Look just get that cleaned up, did he do anything to Chris?'
'No…' she sighed shaking her head.
Going back downstairs, Peter was now gone, the door broken off its hinges and Lois sobbing against the arm of the sofa.
'Lois why are you doing this to yourself?' he questioned, the housewife looking at him and shaking her head in despair.
'I don't know Brian, please just tell me what to do…?' she begged grabbing hold of Brian's collar and pulling him close. So close he could smell the perfume from her neck…feel her warm breath against his face…
Pulling himself out of her grasp and taking hold of her hands by wrapping his paws around them, Brian made her look at him.
'Listen to me; your children need you to be their Mum right now. They need you to be strong. Just go upstairs and see to them and I'll deal with this mess.'
Unable to disagree or argue his points, Lois succumbed to his request and left Brian to start the impossible task of cleaning up the shards of glass before beginning to repair the broken items around the house. The fact Peter had wandered out into the night didn't bother Brian. He didn't care what the man did as long as he wasn't causing any more trouble for the Griffin family. He'd done enough of that for one night. Wondering how he had managed to live under the same roof as Peter for so many years, Brian realised he had cleaned up Peter's messes one to many times…
~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~
After three years of strenuous work to try and clear up the catastrophe that was a living room, Brian decided finally decided to call it a night after catching site of the time. Pulling himself up off the now upright sofa, Brian walked wearily up to Lois and Peter's room where she lay awake, looking pale and restless.
'Hey…'
'Hi Brian,'
'I thought you'd be asleep?' he remarked, Lois shaking her head as she sat up, her eyes blood shot in the dim light.
'Look, things will get better…' he offered, unsure of how confident he sounded in his own words. He knew Peter would never change, his attitude when he was drunk not being any different from when he was sober. In fact Brian was certain that eventually, it would just get worse.
'I know you're right Brian…not about things getting better. I've been kidding myself thinking that Peter's behaviour is acceptable. I just don't know what to do anymore…'
'As I told you, I'm in no position to tell you how to deal with marital problems. But I'm here for you. You and Peter gave me a home and I'll never forget that…'
Allowing the moment to settle, Brian felt the awkward atmosphere in the room and tried to shrug it off by curling up at the foot of the bed.
'I've er, I've cleaned up as best I can down there; I just hope that Peter doesn't come in with a hangover, or it'll be hell trying to clean all that out of the carpet.'
'Thank you Brian, you are such a good friend,' Lois replied gratefully, Brian mumbling in return, the thought of seeing Peter in the morning being enough to give him a headache as he shut his eyes.
Mulling over the thoughts that ran through his mind, Brian considered the way one moment with Lois had thrown him completely. It was so hard for him to stand by and watch the lady he desired with a mentally retarded husband who only put her through endless stress. Wishing he could be the one who was drunk and staggering around Quahog, Brian tried to clear his mind and get to sleep before he allowed that idea come to any fruition. He had been through so much in his short life…and a lot of which he wasn't proud of…the drugs, smoking, drinking himself till he couldn't even walk. It had all been so worthless…it amounted to nothing. Even Stewie had shown some higher level of understanding. He had looked out for Brian in a time when the family dog couldn't put a stop to his drinking habits.
Wishing he had a way to make a turn around in his life, Brian glanced over at the clock on Peter's beside table and realised an hour had passed. Pulling himself up, Brian decided to go and wait for Peter to return, so as to try and prevent him disturbing the rest of the family. Sitting on the bottom stair, Brian waited and watched for any sign of Peter's return…
~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~
It was seven am by the time Brian had seen or heard anything from Peter, his ears twitching as he stirred from his uneasy slumber at the sound of Peter stumbling in through the door. Seeing his large silhouette enter the house, Brian flicked on a light to see Peter was still naked, his hair completely matted and his balance still off.
'Hey Brian,' he said cheerfully, his balance wavering as he wandered in clumsily. 'Hey Brian, do you know where Lois is? I remember it was our anniversary…but then Captain Caveman came and Lois just sorta disappeared…'
As Brian presumed, all memories of the previous night were lost to him, and though he wanted to shout himself hoarse at Peter before throwing him out, Brian knew he couldn't do it. He would help Peter for Lois's sake. So after forcing Peter to go and take a shower and put some clothes on, Brian went instinctively to the medicine cabinet, knowing Peter was in for a rough headache as he began to sober up.
'Now that you at least look presentable, I'm going to bed,' Brian said yawning. 'I left you a blanket and a couple of pillows on the sofa, cause I don't know whether Lois is going to want to wake up next to you or not. But you're going to have some explaining to do when she does.'
Not waiting for Peter to work out what he meant, Brian went upstairs, only to hear Peter's wails of despair at realising his precious TV was damaged beyond repair. Ignoring him as Brian rubbed his eyes and took a couple of aspirin for himself, Brian finally went back to bed, pulling his own blanket over his head and shutting out the light, determined to forget the events of the last few hours. Yet Brian was about to learn the hardships that came with love and lust, the few weeks ahead and the challenges he were about to face being ones that would change the course of his life and everyone in it, forever…
So ladies and gentlemen, there you have it! A completely re-written chapter one of Lust, Affairs and Love!
Keep checking back for the re-write of Chapter Two and it's subsequent chapters!
Goodnight!
~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x
