Justin just laid on his back staring at the ceiling. Ever since Brian told him about the surgery, he has been on Debbie's couch. He hadn't eaten or showed any signs of life beside occasionally getting up to use the bathroom. Everyone tried to get him to move or at least speak but Justin ignored them. All he could think about was Brian.

What if I lose him? was the question that played over and over in Justin's head. "Come on Sunshine. Try some soup." Debbie said setting a bowl of soup next to him. He continued to stare at the ceiling, remaining mute. Debbie sighed and went back into the kitchen where everyone was gathered at the table eating.

"He's going to be alright." Michael told Justin in an attempt to make contact. Nothing. Justin didn't care about anyone, not even himself, at the moment. Only Brian. "He's a superhero remember?" Justin's mind drifted to Rage and about how every superhero has a weakness. Michael rubbed Justin's arm but left when Justin showed no response.

"Maybe we should try a shrink?" Emmett suggested as they sat around the table eating. It was Lindsay's and Melanie's second to last night in Pittsburgh. They were staying for Brian's surgery then leaving. Hunger tore at Justin's stomach but he couldn't eat move. He wasn't sure why but he stayed on the couch as if he was permanently glued to it. In the morning he would go and stay with Brian until they took him off to surgery. He listened to everyone eat and a few hours later everyone left. No one said another word to Justin. When Debbie, Carl, and Emmett went upstairs for bed Justin decided he had to do something since he couldn't sleep anyway. Once he was sure everyone was asleep, Justin put on his coat and left.

The cool night air stung Justin's lungs a bit but he didn't care. He walked down many streets. Nothing but silence on many of the streets. The night was eerie and like a ghost story. Everywhere seemed to be closed. It was like the world was at a halt and Justin was the only one with the ability to move. With his hands in his coat pockets, Justin went from street to street as quiet and as invisible as a ghost. In his right hand he clutched a key so tight it was cutting into him but he didn't feel the pain.

When Justin came to a large building he went inside and slowly walked up the stairs, each step as precious as the last. Justin unlocked the large green door and shoved it to the side. Once inside, Justin shut and locked the door behind him then put the key back in his pocket. Suppressing tears, Justin walked to the large blue bed off to the side. He stood in front of it and stared.

Memories of the first night he and Brian fucked for the first time flashed through Justin's mind followed by the last night they spent together before Justin left for New York. Then he thought about Brian's cancer and Brian's accident after Justin's dad hit him as well as the liberty ride. Now crying, Justin crawled into the bed and laid down, taking up as much space as he could. The sheets were nice and pressed, the pillows fluffed and neatly in their place, everything just how Justin remembered it. "Like the first time." He whispered to himself then grabbed a pillow and cried himself to sleep.

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Daylight finally broke the longest night Brian ever experienced. His surgery was a few hours away. He waited anxiously for Justin to show up.

At 6am Justin finally appeared. His surgery was at 7 so they let Justin spend time with him before the operation. They barricaded the door so no one could get in. Brian held Justin tightly in his arms as Justin rested his head on Brian's chest. Neither had tears left to cry but they both felt the same fear and pain in the other. Michael and everyone tried to get in but Brian wouldn't let them. He didn't care about them. Justin was most important at the time. As the dreadful hour drew nearer, Brian had Justin let in only hospital staff who prepped him. He wanted to back out but he knew he had to be strong for Justin.



Finally the horrifying hour came. Justin was crying harder than Brian had ever seen him. He seemed to find the tears to let go and Brian told him to stop because everything would be fine. Before they wheeled Brian away, Debbie and Michael entered Brian's room to escort Justin to the waiting room. It was difficult because Brian and Justin's hands were locked tightly together. With a little effort though they got Justin off. "I'll be fine." He called to Justin before they were completely gone. Justin tried to go back to Brian but Ben stopped him. Once they had Justin inside the waiting room they shut the door and Debbie sat with Justin to calm him down.

Brian was carted off to surgery and they stuck him in a room full of nurses, under a bright white light. One of the nurses stood over Brian. "Mr. Kinney, just breath and count back from ten." She said sticking a mask over his face. He counted to himself and soon his vision blurred until everything and everyone disappeared. When Brian opened his eyes, it was the same horrifying nightmare he experienced a few days ago. He was looking at himself; well what he could see between the doctors.

"That's one strong wall you have in your loft." Brian whipped around to see Vic standing behind him, smiling, yet he had a haunting look in his eyes.

"Christ! You again?" Brian said rolling his eyes.

"Watch your language." Vic's face became very serious.

"Sorry." Brian mumbled back to him.

"Well come on. No need to waist time." Vic said, his hands in his pockets, rocking on his feet a little.

"Where we going this time?" Brian said with anger.

"Up stairs. You achieved your purpose. You needed to let Justin know you loved him. You needed to let him know that he didn't lose everything and everyone." Vic said quietly.

"What? No! I promised him! Go away! Put me back in my body!" Brian lashed at Vic.

"Sorry, no can do. The Big Man wants you now." Vic told him.

Brian pushed past Vic and left the surgery room and started walking the halls. "Won't do you any good. You have no choice." Vic said, popping up in front of him.

"Move!" Brian yelled at him. He came upon the room he was looking for. The waiting room. Debbie was holding Justin, rubbing his back and swaying gently as though he was a small child. Ben and Michael sat across from them; Michaels head rested on Bens chest and Ben's head sat on top of Michaels head. Ted and Emmett sat in front of the window staring at the floor. Brian walked to Justin and stared into his eyes. They were full of more pain than Brian could ever imagine. "I won't leave him." Brian yelled at Vic.

"I already told you, you have no choice." Vic said heavily.

"Why the fuck does he want me now? He knows I'd be leaving Justin behind! I thought he was supposed to care about those on Earth!" Brian had to look away from Justin.

"It's just your time." Vic replied coldly. "I had to leave Rodney and Debbie behind. There's nothing you can do about it." The doctor that was doing the surgery opened the door to the waiting room and pulled his mask off.

Brian was angry yet he felt peaceful. He bent down and whispered in Justin's ear though he knew Justin couldn't hear him. "I will love you more than you'll ever know." Justin fell to the floor, freaking out and Ben and Michael quickly rushed to him to control him. Brian faintly heard the doctor tell them Brian had died.

The bleeding got out of control. We tried to stop it but there was nothing we could do. Tears poured from Justin's eyes, creating large puddles on the tile. Debbie was crying and Emmett's face was buried in Ted's shoulder who was too crying. Brian watched everyone cry and the doctor left. He couldn't bare looking at them any longer so he walked to the room they did his surgery in. His lifeless body laid on the table. A moment later a nurse covered it with a sheet. "Come on." Vic said from behind him in a calm voice.



Brian turned around and walked with Vic through the hospital. They went to the exit of the hospital where Vic disappeared into a warm light. "I'll never leave you." Brian said before he followed Vic into the light, leaving his friends, family, and lover behind.