Pennsylvania State House – Harrisburg

Tony continued to sit anxiously on the hard, wooden bench located just outside the senate chamber; his hands resting on his knees, he rubbed his hands over his face in exasperation as he thought about the conversation he had just had with his lover. How did everything get SO fucked up? And maybe even more importantly, when did he actually think it would be a good idea to keep their relationship a secret?

Initially, his partner had told him he needed to maintain anonymity regarding their true relationship due to his newly-acquired seat in the Senate; ten years ago, being gay, even in a monogamous arrangement, was seen as perverse by a majority of the mainly-conservative public in the state; Fin had somehow persuaded him at the time that if he were to openly divulge their relationship, it would most assuredly destroy any chance he had of being reelected. Then, once he had firmly planted his footprints indelibly on the Senate floor, and won the admiration and respect of both Republican and Democratic colleagues state-wide, Fin had then talked him into continuing to keep their love a secret because he told him it would undoubtedly fuck up any chance he had of becoming governor. When was it going to END, Fin? WHEN? He was beginning to doubt if there would EVER be an end to it now.

He looked up from his distressed thoughts as he heard the heavy, oak doors being opened nearby, signaling the voting in the senate chamber had apparently ended. He watched closely as several people slowly filtered out of the cavernous room until he finally spied the man he had been waiting for. As Fin walked toward him, he noticed to his consternation that he wasn't alone; he really hadn't expected him to be, though. With his partner's prestige as the leading Democrat in the senate, as well as the rumored, impending run he was contemplating for the Governor's position, the man seldom could travel anywhere without either the media or fellow colleagues grouping around him like a school of tuna.

The man, of course, didn't even acknowledge him as he passed right by him. Sighing at the typical treatment but not any happier about it than he ever was, he slowly rose to his feet and resolutely took off in the opposite direction toward the service elevators. Well, TWO can play that game, Buddy, he thought determinedly. With his partner's entourage trailing close at his partner's feet, Tony had no doubt he could reach Fin's private office quicker than HE could. He would definitely be waiting for him when he got there; he had just decided Justin Taylor's arrival was quite serendipitous, because it was time to have it out – he was finally tired of it.


Justin stood at a large, cherry wood bookcase in Senator O'Connor's office, staring with interest at a number of first-edition copies of classic works by well-known authors. The books had to have been quite expensive to collect, but at the moment he was actually much more interested in the photos and certificates that were tastefully grouped around them. There were several photos of the Senator with well-known politicians – he immediately recognized the current Governor of Pennsylvania and even the President and Vice-President of the United States in one large color photo, obviously taken in the Oval Office. He noted with mild surprise that the President seemed quite chummy with Brian's father, as he had his arm draped around the Senator's shoulders and was smiling broadly into the camera with him.

There were also photos of Senator O'Connor showing him on a golf course, putter in hand, with a couple of well-known television actors, as well as a couple of other shots, apparently taken in a restaurant setting, where the Senator was sitting in front of his dinner next to two easily-recognizable, Grammy award-winning rhythm and blues singers.

The framed certificates clearly indicated, also, that the man was active in several worthwhile, diverse charitable causes, bearing witness to the same thing Justin had determined while conducting internet research on the man last night; there were certificates of appreciation from causes ranging from international children's aid to protection of the Allegheny River to support of the Armed Services. Clearly, the man had a wide-ranging scope of influence, and there was certainly no doubt that the Senator was a well-known and powerful figure.

What Justin couldn't quite figure out, however, was what the man's personal life was like. He had read he wasn't married and did not have any children; but did he have any relatives at all, though? Any parents still alive, any cousins or siblings, or any nieces and nephews? If he did, Brian DID, too, and he felt sure Brian would love to get to know them, at least if they weren't all intolerant homophobes. And what about the man himself? And what about this Tony person? The two of them certainly seemed to know each other well enough – the question was, how well? Justin had felt that familiar suspicion he normally got when he thought another man was gay; Tony for whatever reason had seemed to broadcast that possibility loud and clear when he had first met him downstairs in the lobby. And he certainly had no problem gaining access to the Senator's private office. Just what did it all mean?

Justin shook his head in confusion – the only result so far from his visit with Fintan O'Connor had been even more questions. Justin let out a shaky breath as he sat back down in a nearby chair to think. He couldn't quite decide what the senator's motives were, but he WAS somewhat encouraged by the other man's wish to see other photographs of Brian. He definitely saw that as a good sign. At least the man wasn't rejecting Brian outright. Could it mean that this man might actually be willing to get to know him? That would definitely be the most wonderful part of his surprise gift to Brian. His maternal grandparents' willingness to meet him – and accept him for who he was – was definitely a welcome gift, but the ultimate prize would be for Brian to meet his FATHER; that is, if the man was willing to meet Brian and welcome him unconditionally into his life. THAT was the crux of the situation, the vital part of the puzzle that Justin did not yet know. Hopefully, if the man returned soon, he would be able to obtain an answer.

He jumped a little then as he heard a firm rapping on the "Supply Requisition Door." He waited a few seconds to see if the Senator's assistant in the outer office would come in and open it, but when that didn't happen, the knocking sounded again, only this time it was even MORE persistent. He was surprised to hear someone calling out his name, but after a few seconds he realized he knew that voice.

Making a spontaneous decision that it would be okay to allow him access, Justin rose from his chair and walked over the door to open it.

"I was hoping you'd still be here and would open that for me," Tony told him in relief as he rushed in. "If I had to wait for Fin to get back, I wouldn't have gotten in first." As Justin peered back at him in puzzlement, he elaborated. "I need to speak with you before he gets back," he explained. "He's on his way – he's out of the chamber – but he's got a virtual mob crowded around him, so with the elevators we've got, it's going to take him a while to make his way back up here."

Justin stood there, somewhat transfixed and uncertain as to what to do, as Tony purposefully walked over to the nearby bar and helped himself to a shot of Grey Goose. Downing it in one gulp, he placed the squat glass back on the sleek, contemporary-looking bar and turned to face the younger man. "Maybe we'd better sit down, Mr. Taylor. You and I need to talk." He motioned for Justin to move over to the couch.

Justin bit his lip in hesitation, not sure if he should follow this man's orders and not sure if he could even trust the man. After a moment, however, he figured he ought to be relatively safe in a Senator's private office – after all, the man had to have security nearby, he reasoned – before he decided to follow the other man's request and walk over to the couch to take a seat.

Cassinelli quickly followed him to take his place at the opposite end. As they stood there quietly for a moment, the older man collected his thoughts before he finally began to speak. "I'm not quite sure where to begin," he admitted. "But it seems you and I have a lot in common."

Justin raised an eyebrow in surprise. "We do?" he asked softly. At the moment, he couldn't quite figure out where their conversation was leading.

Cassinelli nodded as he unexpectedly grinned a little lopsidedly. "Yeah….it seems we both like the dark, brooding, pig-headed type," he quipped. "At least – that is, if your Brian is like his father."

Justin narrowed his eyes in scrutiny of the other man. Was he saying what he thought he was saying? He had his suspicions – even more so now – but he had to make absolutely sure he wasn't reading something into that statement that wasn't there. "Just what exactly are you saying, Mr. Cassinelli?" he asked the other man quietly, fixing him with a penetrating gaze. He was really getting tired of playing games with these two men. His head was practically spinning as he began to feel the first pangs of a distinct tension headache while he tried to read the other man's mind.

Cassinelli was about to confirm Justin's suspicions but was unfortunately interrupted by the loud but familiar voice of his partner drifting in from the other side of his private office's door. "I said you will find out all about it tomorrow at the news conference," O'Connor stated clearly with just a hint of annoyance in his voice. "That's all I'm going to say about it," he added, just before the door was flung open and O'Connor rushed inside, a bank of reporters and fellow politicians prevented from going any further by apparently the man's security personnel, who quickly closed the door which blessfully hid the two men sitting on the couch in an obscured side of the room.

The man stopped, a little startled, as he realized that Justin wasn't alone in his office. His surprise, however, quickly turned to anger and aggravation as he became fearful about just what his partner had managed to discuss with his son's fiancé. "Tony…..How did you get up here so fast?" he demanded, although he already knew the likely answer. Son of a bitch, he thought in annoyance, fuming in silence.

"You know the answer to that, Fin," Tony told his partner somewhat testily. "I came up in the service elevator like I normally do when I need to get your attention. You were hanging out with your groupies as usual, so I figured it wouldn't be too difficult to get back up here before you did," he said, shrugging as if it were the most simple answer in the world. In a way, it was. Heaven knows he had done this numerous times before.

Since rumors had started floating around approximately six months ago about the possibility of his partner running for the Governor's mansion, it had become even more critical for them not to be seen together; Cassinelli had resorted to taking the service elevator for some time now, just to be able to see his partner alone. That didn't mean he liked it; in fact, it made him feel dirty somehow and he was quickly becoming extremely agitated just thinking about it. But to keep his partner happy, he had reluctantly agreed to continue with their cat-and-mouse game. Now, though, in light of the young man sitting next to him and the courage he was displaying, he realized just how weary he was of following their rules.

As O'Connor locked the door firmly between his private office and the lobby, he turned, perturbed, to face his feisty, stubborn partner. "How many times do I have to tell you NOT to keep flitting in and out by the back door? One of these days, the press is going to catch on that you're not going in there to pick up another broom and dustpan and figure out where the door really goes. THEN what will I do?" he said, his hands on his hips in consternation.

Justin watched mutely but with fascinated interest as Cassinelli stood up defiantly to face the other man and retort, "Maybe you'd actually have to tell the TRUTH then, wouldn't you? That would be just awful, wouldn't it?"

Fin huffed out an angry breath. "Just what did you tell him, Tony?" he asked, crossing his hands over his chest angrily as he glanced over at Justin; had his lover already told the young man exactly what their relationship was? He didn't know if Tony would believe him, but he was actually going to tell him himself once he got back up to his office. Had his lover already divulged that information already? "You've already TOLD him, haven't you?" he accused his lover, his voice rising in resentment. If anyone was going to tell his son's fiancé about his sexual preference, it should have been HIM.

Tony shook his head, furious now, as he totally ignored Justin for the time being to concentrate on his lover's untrue accusations. To be honest, he WAS about to tell Justin the whole truth, but his partner had interrupted him. Not sure if he should really feel righteously indignant or not, nevertheless he was upset and extremely tired of playing this stupid game with his partner. He wasn't about to keep participating any longer, whatever the outcome would be. So be it, Fin, he thought with determination – I'm tired of living this LIE.

"No, Senator," he snapped icily, his blue eyes flashing. "For your information, I did NOT tell Mr. Taylor about you and me. But if you don't right NOW," he added, "I WILL." He stood there, glaring at the brunet with fury, as he dared him to continue lying. "Well?" he said brusquely. "Are YOU going to tell him or will I?" He left no doubt that it was going to be one or the other.

Fin stared at him, not backing down, as the two continued to almost bore holes into each other's eyes. Finally, Fin sighed heavily and shook his head, the strong anger slowly evaporating. He loved Tony and hated to fight with him, and besides, the man was right. The fiancé of the son he didn't even know he had until about an hour ago had a right to know what was going on. That didn't mean everyone else did, but if he wanted Mr. Taylor to be upfront and honest with him about his son, the man deserved the same respect in return.

"All right, Tony," he said softly now. "Sit your high horse down and I'll explain it to him." He looked over apologetically at Justin now, who had remained silent through their entire emotional discourse. He smirked self-deprecatingly as he added, "A typical day in the life of Senator Fin O'Connor," before he rolled his eyes at Cassinelli as he turned to walk over to his desk and perch once again on the front corner to face both of his visitors.

"How much have you told him, Tony?" he asked evenly now, all bluster now gone out of him.

Tony sat back down next to Justin on the couch. "I told you, Fin….I didn't get a chance to tell him anything yet – except we both seemed to have a thing for the dark, brooding, pig-headed types – just like you and your son go for the hot blondes with the big, blue eyes."

Justin's eyes widened at that unambiguous statement as he noticed the Senator not trying to refute it. His suspicions, then, were apparently right on target, but he had to make absolutely sure. "You're gay," he said, his comment coming out as a statement, not a question. "The two of you are partners, aren't you?" he added softly.

Fin let out a large sigh as he looked over at his bullheaded partner that he loved more and more as each year went by, despite the man's predilection to charge full-throttle ahead without thinking things through completely about the consequences. There was no point in denying their relationship anymore, at least in private, as he looked over at the two men who he noticed, for the first time, DID look very similar. I guess Tony's right AFTER all, he thought ruefully. "Yes," he finally admitted softly as he nodded. "To both questions."

Justin sat there in silence. He couldn't quite say he was stunned, because he had begun to suspect the truth already. But to hear Brian's father actually say it, though, made it irrefutable. He should be thrilled beyond belief over this lucky turn of events, but why was he feeling so wary, instead? Was it because the man staring back at him appeared to look so conflicted and unhappy? He had sounded so interested earlier in learning more about his son, and he had just admitted that he, also, was gay and even had a partner. So why did he feel so much dread inside right now?

Like a flash of lightning, he suddenly realized why the man looked so troubled. It wasn't because he was gay and Justin now knew it; it was because he apparently didn't want anyone ELSE to know it. The sneaking around by his partner through the back door, the anger displayed toward the other man, and the man's persistent need to keep the press at bay….it all made perfect, awful sense for a man who was about to run for Governor and had secrets to hide – secrets that could hurt his political career.

He looked up at the older version of Brian with a penetrating stare of epiphany. "You don't want anyone else to know, do you? You're afraid if the press finds out you're – God forbid – gay," he said the last word with mock disdain, "they'll have a field day and the public backlash will prevent you from being elected Governor…..aren't you? That's what this is all about, isn't it?" he said, his voice involuntarily rising in accusation.

Tony harrumphed. "Like I said, Fin, you and your son seem to have a thing for hot blonds with big, blue eyes – hot blonds with intelligence, too, by the way," he teased, looking meaningfully over at Justin. Tony noticed to his annoyance, however, that his partner apparently wasn't finding any humor in his attempt to make light of their situation; he sat there, instead, looking stone-faced as he stared back at the blond in extreme irritation.

Out of impatience now, Tony stood up suddenly and whirled to face his partner, his hands on his hips and his eyes flashing with aggravation. "Come ON, Fin! Just tell him the fucking truth – ALL of it! Any OTHER time you wouldn't have any problem speaking!" he pointed out. "After all, that's what politicians are renowned for, aren't they?" This was getting ridiculous and totally unnecessary, he couldn't help thinking.

Tony finally got a strong reaction, only it wasn't the one he was hoping for as Fin launched himself off the corner of the desk, furious now. "Shut UP, Tony!" he snarled as he confronted his partner, his face red with rage; he stood so rigidly next to his lover that Tony could feel the man's rapid breaths of anger on his face as he continued. "This is NONE of your fucking business! This is MY son, not YOURS! Stay the hell OUT of it!" He pushed his right hand through his thick, tousled hair in vexation, trying to calm himself before things got anymore out of hand and he shoved his partner instead.

Tony stood there in shock, his mouth falling open at Fin's extremely angry diatribe toward him. The two of them had always managed to survive the ups and downs of their relationship through working them out together; this, then, was totally unlike his partner. Of course, they had never quite run into a situation like this one before, either.

"I'm YOUR partner, Fin!" he snapped in response, his voice coming out louder than he had intended and evoking a strong shushing noise from the Senator, who was no doubt concerned about their conversation being overheard out in the outer office. "So it IS my fucking business!" he retorted. "I am getting SO fucking tired of always having to sneak around, always having to look behind my back to make sure I'm not being followed, always having to be careful of what I say or DON'T say, and for what, Fin? So you can keep up this masquerade to save your political face? So you can always looks like the attractive, straight little carefree bachelor? Well, I'm DONE with it, Fin," Tony told him as he began to pace restlessly back in forth in front of the senator's massive desk. "I'm done with hiding, I'm done with pretending to be something I'm not, and if you don't come out with the truth – to everyone - then I'm done with YOU, too!"

The two partners stood there for several seconds, both hands crossed over their chests in a silent stalemate, before finally Tony let out a ragged breath and walked over to the wall of windows behind the desk to peer out onto the back lawn of the state building; the leaves swirling furiously around in the parking lot because of the unusually windy day today seemed to mimic his tumbling emotions at the moment.

He truly loved Fin – he had for such a long time now – but he just couldn't do it anymore. He wanted a partner that he could openly share his dreams and passions with and proudly stand by his side during his triumphs as well as his failures. He wanted to be able to go out to dinner with him, hold his hand in the flickering candlelight, laugh with him, and cry with him out in the open. He didn't want to only be able to do those things in the privacy sanctity of their home. As it was right now, anyway, it seemed like he really never got to see much of his powerful partner anymore, anyway. And when he did, the man was so preoccupied with political maneuvering that his body was there but his mind - and his heart - wasn't.

Justin didn't quite know what to say or do as he sat on the edge of O'Connor's expensive, leather couch absorbing the emotional outburst that had just occurred. He actually agreed with Cassinelli; if BRIAN had asked HIM to sneak around behind everyone's backs to avoid others learning of their true relationship, he didn't care how much he loved him; it would hurt like hell, but he just wouldn't be able to do it, either. He had risked way too much before to get to the place he was now. But on the other hand, he had hoped so badly that he would be able to bring Brian and his real father together. Wasn't there any way to accomplish this? Or was he going to have to give up? He had come so far, and Brian deserved so much after what he had had to endure at the hands of his adoptive parents – surely there had to be a way out of this situation that would work for everyone.

He glanced up as he noticed a movement out of the corner of his eye; as he looked up, he observed Brian's father slowly walking over to him before he sat down at the other end of the couch. Justin peered over at him curiously for a few seconds before the brunet sighed heavily, all anger and indignation gone. "I'm…sorry, Mr. Taylor."

"Justin," the blond corrected him softly. Somehow Brian's father calling him Mr. Taylor made him feel so OLD.

The man nodded. "Justin," he repeated. Justin watched, captivated, as the man's lips curled under in a show of regret, just like someone else he knew. "I'm sorry for my outburst," he told him, as he peered over at his partner, whose back was still facing away from him. Cassinelli hadn't said another word since he had sought refuge near the windows.

"I've waited so long to be in a position to run for Governor, and really be able to make a difference in the state – and that includes gay rights," he clarified firmly. "But I can only be in that position if I'm able to be elected. If everything is ended before it's even begun, I can't do any of that. Surely you can understand that," he said reasonably.

Justin's heart sank at the other man's discouraging statement. He did understand – all too well. "Yes, I DO understand," he told the other man quietly. "I understand that you're apparently willing to give up establishing a father-son relationship with a wonderful man who, incidentally, has a wonderful son, too."

As the brunet looked over at him in astonishment – and also TONY, who had now turned around to stare at them – Justin nodded as he verified to him, "YES – you're also a grandfather. And your grandson is a beautiful little boy who brings joy to everyone who knows him." He picked up the photo album he had carefully placed down on the nearby coffee table and quickly leafed through a few pages until he found the photo he was looking for – a 5 x 7 color portrait of Brian and his son, huge, beaming smiles on their faces as they sat on a large rock outcropping on the grounds of Britin, their arms around each other. Brian had purchased a digital camera with a zooms lens the day before for Justin's birthday last year (he had long ago given up on the pretense of never acknowledging it), and Justin had taken advantage of Gus visiting them that week from Canada to take several candid photos of them. This photo, which he had had enlarged at the local drug store, was one of his very favorites.

As Fin took the album from Justin to stare at the two brown-haired faces radiantly staring back at him – their physical features so like his own – his hands began to tremble. He had waited so long – so very long – to have a family; had yearned for it from the moment he had found Tony and had hoped to dream of hearing little, tiny footsteps running all over their house while he and his partner joyfully ran after them as their little voices squealed in delight the way that only little children could. After the hope for he and Tony being able to wed in an open, LEGAL commitment of their love, it was his most fervent wish. At least, his most fervent personal wish. He bit his lip in tormented anguish as he continued to stare down at the two faces that looked so much like his own before he admitted, whispering, "I always wanted a family, you know."

Justin felt his eyes begin to water as he answered softly, "So did Brian." He cleared his throat to compose himself before he added, "He has one…..NOW." He has me and he has Gus – THAT will never change. "But he always wanted more. He always wanted a mother and father that loved him and cherished him as a son should be." How I wish my OWN father did, came unbidden to his thoughts; he quickly dismissed that thought, however, as he thought of how lucky he was to have a mother that DID love and accept him just as he was.

As Fin looked closely to stare into the deep-blue, penetrating eyes of his son's fiancé, Justin told him, "Unfortunately, it's too late for Brian to meet his mother. But it's NOT too late to meet his FATHER. Brian's been through a lot growing up and even as an adult – I won't go into all the horrible details," he told the other man, anticipating his question as Fin stared back at him curiously, the unspoken query clearly etched on his face. It really wasn't Justin's place to divulge all that terrible information, and besides, even now, he didn't quite know all of it himself. That would be up to Brian to tell – that is, if he chose to and if this man chose to do the right thing by his son as well.

"But if you DO decide to meet him – and I HOPE you do – I don't think it's fair to pretend to him that you're something you're NOT. Brian is an open book regarding his sexuality, and he would expect nothing less from his gay father. The question is, though, Senator – are you willing to DO that? Are you willing to be open about everything in return for an even greater reward?"

O'Connor almost reverently rubbed his fingers slowly across the plastic sleeve of the page holding the picture of his son and grandson as he continued to stare at the photo of something he had always thought would be forever out of his reach. Up until today, he thought his life was proceeding on a predictable track, heading toward his ultimate goal of becoming Pennsylvania's next governor. He and Tony would remain together, happy but out of the limelight, and he would be able to influence – and quietly encourage – any legislative that he was passionate about, INCLUDING those favoring gay rights.

He was confident that he could continue to steer those interests properly while still maintaining the visage of a straight bachelor type while privately enjoying his life with the man he loved. Now this. He had worked for years for the time to be right to run for Governor – how he could he simply drop his political dream NOW?

"Fin," he heard Tony say softly; he turned his head to stare up at his partner, who was still standing by the windows, his body leaning against a nearby beam. "He asked you a question," he said quietly. Yes, I KNOW, Tony, he thought silently. And I know what you want me to say...

Fin breathed out a large sigh of frustration. He looked one more time at the photo, still undecided. Both had been such big dreams of his – a family and a burgeoning political career – and he knew which one he was most familiar with, and most comfortable with. You're a damn coward, O'Connor, he scolded himself...….

He closed his eyes briefly, steeling himself for what he had to do. He just couldn't do it; he just couldn't risk everything he had worked for – and the good he could do for so many – for the hope of establishing a relationship with a single person, no matter HOW important.

"I….I'm sorry, Justin," he finally whispered in torment. "Now is just not the right time. Maybe sometime in the future….." He suggested hopefully. He gently closed the photo album and placed it down on the glass coffee table, resting his hands on his knees and his head in his hands as he looked down at the floor in defeat.

He looked back up as he heard Justin sigh sadly in return. The blond stood up, looking down at Brian's father in extreme sadness and great disappointment, all hopes of a loving, welcome reunion between father and son torn to pieces, along with Justin's HEART.

"I'm sorry too, Senator," he said stiffly. "More sorry than you'll ever know." He leaned down to retrieve the photo album and reach over to grab the art portfolio he had carried with him earlier today - a day that had started out so full of promise for the future.

He made a quick decision before he swung the strap up over his shoulder, leaning it against the back of the couch and pulling out his sketchpad. Brian's father watched, puzzled, as Justin leafed through several pages of the pad before he stopped at a particular drawing of Gus and Brian he had done of the two of them playing together at the park. Brian was pushing Gus on a wooden swing as the little boy squealed in joy, his little legs kicking furiously in an attempt to go higher and faster. Justin smiled tenderly at the memory that had produced the inspiration of the drawing before he slowly tore the sketch out and laid it down carefully, face up, on the coffee table, directly in front of Fin O'Connor's direct line of vision.

"Maybe this will remind you of what you're losing," he told Brian's father, his voice catching. "Or maybe what you never HAD." He quickly reached over for the portfolio and snapped it shut before swinging the strap deftly over his shoulder. Finally equipped with his portfolio and the photo album, held securely with curled fingers and cradled protectively against the side of his body, he glanced over at Tony, who had remained standing near the windows silently, witnessing the dramatic exchange taking place between his lover and the man who was the courageous, defiant, and proud fiancé of Fin's son. How I wish I had what YOU have, Justin, he mourned mutely.

Justin nodded politely at Tony before saying, "It was…..interesting meeting you, Tony. Thank you for trying at least." Tony nodded and smiled sadly as Justin turned to go. Just before he headed toward the outer door leading to the Senator's lobby area, Justin softly acknowledged Brian's father one last time, utterly discouraged that his goal of reuniting father and son was apparently not meant to be. "Goodbye, Senator," he said in farewell. "I hope you get what you're looking for, although I doubt it will help you sleep at night." Fin didn't look up at the blond as Justin walked quietly over to the other door and opened it, shutting it softly behind him.

As an eerie stillness quickly invaded the room , Fin took a ragged breath and finally looked over at his partner, who was shaking his head in pain and regret - regret for what he didn't HAVE and probably never WOULD.

"My God, Tony…what have I done?" was the only question Fin could think to ask. Unfortunately, for once his partner didn't have an answer for him.