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Michael and Debbie decided that Justin would go to the front through the alley. They didn't want the gang surrounding Justin with questions. Debbie went inside. She would have to pretend everything was fine as she told Emmett that Micheal wanted to talk to him in private outside. The others noticed the oddness in this but decided not to say anything about it.

Emmett ducked outside and saw Michael standing next to Justin.

"What's going on?" He asked curiosity growing larger. He knew how pissed Michael was at Justin, Micheal didn't exactly keep it a secret.

"Justin's staying at our place," Michael told him, which shocked Emmett even more.

"What...why?" He glanced at Justin who kept his head down. "Sweetie, what's wrong?" Michael sighed.

"You might as well show him, Justin. He's going to find out sooner or later."

"Find out what?" Emmett asked. Justin swallowed.

"Please don't tell the others," Justin begged in a timid tone. A tone Emmett never heard Justin use. Emmett didn't like that tone, not at all.

"Don't... tell the others what?" Emmett frowned. Then his eyes widened and he gasped when Justin slowly lifted his shirt to reveal the bruises.

"Oh my God..." He couldn't stop staring at them, there were so many. He noticed how Justin was shaking too when he lowered his shirt.

"They're on his arms too," said Michael grimly. He glanced at Justin. "And his legs, I presume." Justin didn't deny that part.

"I...did...Ethan do this?" Emmett asked tearfully. He couldn't imagine someone like Sunshine going through something so horrible. He couldn't imagine anyone going through something like this. Justin didn't answer.

"Yes," said Michael for him. "He admitted it to me and mom." Justin kept his head cast down, almost as if he was afraid to look Emmett in they eye. Emmett placed his hand over his mouth. He hated seeing how reserved Justin had become. How shy and timid he seemed. He wished he had noticed these signs earlier, like Debbie did. He realized he hadn't seen Justin smile or laugh within the last month. Anger filled him, anger towards Ethatn. No, it was more like rage. He wanted to kill that sick bastard for doing something like this to Justin.

"Emmett?" Michael asked softly.

"Does...Brian know?" Emmett finally asked and Justin's eyes widened.

"PLEASE, don't tell Brian!"

"Justin, Brian would KILL us if we kept this from him," Michael said sadly. "And...honestly so would Lindsay, Melanie,Ted, Ben, and Vic. They all care very deeply about you...if they found out we helped keep this from them...they'd never trust us again. Besides, they deserve to know."

Justin shook his head.

"Brian would lose it...he'd try and go after Ethan..."His voice shook.

"Maybe that's not such a bad thing," Emmett said and Michael nodded.

"After what he did to you-"

"Don't you get it?" Justin shouted. "If Brian beats the shit out of him or worse...loses it completly and does kill him he could get into HUGE trouble. We're talking jailtime-for life."

That silenced both Micheal and Emmett.

"I don't think Brian would kill him, though," Emmett said softly. He couldn't imagine Brian taking a life-ever. Niether could Michael.

"Maybe not on purpose," said Justin. "But you've said it yourself Michael, when Brian gets super angry, like REALLY angry, he becomes like a wild animal-right? If he loses control and doesn't stop with the beating..."He swallowed. "And even if he stops they'll still arrest him for beating the shit out of Ethan."

"Even though Hobbes was able to bash you in the head and get away with it," Emmett muttered and Justin nodded slowly.

Michael cloesd his eyes. He could see Justin's point...but how the fuck was he supposed to keep this from Brian."

"Maybe if we made him promise not to lose his cool-"

"Bullshit, Michael, when have we ever been able to control Brian?" Justin was scared now. Really scared. This is why he didn't want them to know. Why he didn't want Brian to know. He didn't want to have to worry about Brian's safety...about him going to jail and especially the idea of Ethan fighting back and hurting Brian. He didn't want Brian's future destroyed because of him.

Emmett closed his eyes. What the hell were they supposed to do? Keep this from Brian forever? Could they really do that? Could they keep it from the others as well?

"Justin...I don't think I could lie to them," he said softly and tears fell from Justin's eyes.

"P...please...Emmett..."

"Come on,"Michael mumbled as he noticed people giving them odd looks. "Let's go to the comic store, for privacy." Emmett nodded.

"I'll just grab my jacket and tell everyone you wanted to run some errands with me," he decided.

"And if they ask what kind of errands?" Justin asked, arms folded, and Emmett shrugged.

"I'll improvise."

He went back into the diner. Michael stared at Justin.

"Sooner or later they will have to find out."

"I know...I just...not now okay?" Justin whispered. Michael nodded and touched Justin's shoulder. Justin jerked it away and Michael jerked his arm away, angry at himself.

"Sorry,"mumbled Justin. Michael shook his head.

"Don't be," he whispered. Emmett finally ducked back out of the diner.

"That was harder than I thought, but I used your mom's birthday as an excuse."

Michael's eyes widened.

"Oh crap, I almost forgot...it's in a couple of weeks...with everything that's been happening-good excuse Emmett."

Emmett smiled, but his smile faded at Justin's timid look.

"Come on,"he sighed.

"Wait, what did you say about me? Cause I never came back in the diner-"Justin finally said.

"Debbie told them you suddenly got sick and was throwing up in the alley and had to go home," said Emmett quickly and slowly Justin nodded. They walked quickly to the comic store. Michael locked the door. Justin sighed as he sank into a chair. Michael and Emmett saw how miserable he looked.

"What am I going to do?" Justin maoned.

"We've already decided you'll stay with me and Emmett-if that's all right with you," Michael said to Emmett quickly. Emmett nodded.

Justin nodded.

"And when Ethan comes looking for me?"

"We'll be ready," Emmett said firmly.

"That's als why we should tell the others," added Michael. "So when he does come around looking for you they know not to say anything."

Justin swallowed. Michael had a point. He really couldn't keep it a secret from them.

"Okay," he whispered. "Just...not tonight, okay?"

"Okay sweetie," said Emmett as he rubbed Justin's shoulder, or tried to. Justin jerked quickly away. Mchael shook his head at Emmett.

"Same thing happened to me," he whispered.

"Right." mumbled Emmett, feeling guilt.

"Let's get you back to our place," said Michael suddenly. When he turned, though, he saw tears stream down Justin's face.

"Justin?" He knelt next to the kid.

"I just want it to be over," Justin started to sob. Emmett placed his hand over his mouth, his heart going out for the young man. "I just want to stop being scared...all the time."

"You will," Michael answered. "And we'll help you, we'll protect you and keep you safe. You don't have to be afraid anymore."

Justin nodded and continued to sob. Slowly Micheal reached out again but this time Justin didn't jerk back. Tendrly Michael wrapped his arms around the kid and held him as Justin allowed himself to be touched as he sobbed onto Michael's shoulder.