" Tempting, isn't it?"

Brian stood just a few yards away from the entrance of the Empire Hotel. His eyes glued to the revolving doors. With a gesture that was purely unconscious, his hand moved up to the silk scarf he was wearing around his neck and caressed it. This was not a dream; that he would have recognized having so many nightmares of this time in his life over the years. No, this was really happening. Again. The voice to his left was new however. His mind was acutely aware of the familiarity of it yet he made no move, nor gave any indication that he was cognizant of the others presence. Instead he took a step forward, and towards his destiny. A destiny that this time would be his to command.

"Are you sure you want to do that?" The voice called out to him more forcefully this time, demanding his response.

Brian stopped, turned his head towards the voice and blinked several times, as if to break free from the trance he was in.

"Elliot?" His voice registered his surprise.

Elliot nodded his head slightly.

"In the flesh," he said.

And he was, totally in the flesh. Gone were the wings and celestial glow that once proclaimed his Angel status and in its' place stood the 'old' Elliot, sporting his signature bright orange red hair, forest green suit and yellow poker dotted tie. The sight made Brian uneasy. He knew Elliot was breaking some serious 'Angel' rules by being here on earth and he could only speculate as to the reasons why the Angel was risking his wings.

"What are you doing here?" Brian asked warily.

Elliot raised his hand and wrapped his fingers around the fat cigar that was hanging precariously from his beefy lips and took several deep puffs before crushing it to the ground. He then pushed himself away from the garden wall he was leaning against and approached Brian.

"Ah now is that any way to greet an old friend? You could at least pretend to be happy to see me. This little trip could cost me my wings you know," he answered in his gravely voice.

Brian raised his brow.

"Yes, I do know, hence my question, what are you doing here! There is no reason for you to take such a risk. I didn't call for you and I don't need your help." Brian said.

Elliot sighed.

"Perhaps. Yet here I am just the same," he said.

A sudden noise erupted from the front of the hotel prompting Brian to turn his eyes back to the revolving doors. Teens dressed to nines for this special occasion were flowing through them laughing in groups of two and threes. Some going in, others coming out, most likely to take a few hits off a joint, or a swig from some hidden bottle of liquor. It was a typical prom night scene to the untrained eye. A night to remember….A night Brian would never forget.

"Elliot go home before you get clipped." Brian said already dismissing the Angel as his focus remained glued to those revolving doors.

"Funny, I was just going suggest the same thing to you." Elliot countered.

Brian turned angry eyes back to him.

"Stay the fuck out of this Elliot! You of all people should know the rules. I'm not here by chance, I'm here for a reason and I think we both know what that reason is!" Brian said.

"Yes we do. You're here to change the past. Well, at least that's what they expect you to do; after all they orchestrated it that way. It's their production and you're following directions beautifully. Dancing to their tune like a puppet on a string. Only… correct me if I'm wrong but the Brian Kinney I know, and watched all these years would cut his dick off before he became anyone's puppet. He did what he wanted, when he wanted…no apologies, no regrets. At least thatwasthe Kinney I knew. I don't know who this man is standing in front of me who's so willing to play right into hands of his enemies. It makes me wonder if I ever knew you at all." Elliot taunted.

Brian turned bright red with anger, not so much from the taunt, but from the truth that laid in it. Elliot was right. This was most likely a set up from his enemies. If he had any sense he would just turn around and high tail it out of there. But the bigger part of him, the emotional part of him, could not walk away from the love of his life knowing what laid ahead for him. For whatever reason, good or evil, he was given the chance to change history, for the better.

"How can you be sure it would be for the better?" Elliot asked reading his thoughts.

Brian was startled by Elliot's question.

"How could it not be?" He asked, truly confused as to how Elliot could even suggest such a thing.

What could be worse then getting your head bashed in by a monster? The same monster that later kidnapped and beat Emmett, was responsible for putting him in a coma for ten weeks and almost finished what he originally set out to do to Justin here, at the Prom. Surely Elliot could understand how that kind of evil needed to be stopped. Even if it meant risking his soul, he would have killed Hobbs, given the chance, had he known the pain he would reap upon all of them. Well now he had the chance. How could he turn it down?

Elliot walked over and placed his hand on Brian's shoulder. Brian immediately felt the calming affects of the Angels touch.

"Brian, the events of your past is what shaped your future and created the life you now enjoy. If you alter that past, you'll be faced with a new future. Possibly one not to your liking. True, you can stop Hobbs from attacking Justin tonight, and you both could walk out of here unharmed. But then what? What assurances do you have that there won't be another 'Hobbs' in this alternative future you would have created? And perhaps succeed where the other had failed? You could be facing a life without Justin when you wake up; that is if you wake up at all. And what about your children? The twins and little Elliot may never be born. And what would happen to Jagger, Peter, Johnny and Lizzy if you and Justin are not there to take them in? Think of all the lives, including yours and Justin's that will be affected if you go through with this. As tragic as your past was Brian, it led you to where you are now. Happy, surrounded by love. Change the past, and you change your present. Are you willing to take that risk?" Elliot asked.

Brian swallowed the lump that formed in his throat at Elliot's words. He hadn't thought of all he'd be risking, he only thought of stopping Hobbs from hurting Justin. He failed Justin in the past. He tried to save him, but he wasn't quick enough. He saw Hobbs come around from the back of his Jeep and he did nothing. He just watched thinking the boy was going to his car or something. He didn't move until he saw the bat Hobb's was carrying. If he had just gotten out of his jeep a few seconds sooner, he could have saved Justin. But he didn't see the danger coming. Never suspected it and HE of all people should have known better. They had just danced and kissed in front of a whole gymnasium full of homo-phobic teens. What the fuck was he thinking? He wasn't thinking. He was too high on their love. On finally admitting to Justin he loved him. He'd been a reckless stupid fool….Still, fool or not, Elliot was right. It was done. Changing it would only assuage his own guilt, and as Elliot surmised, change his whole future. It was NOT something he was willing to risk.

He wondered if he and Justin would ever be free of this night…? It haunted him still he realized. Sure, he'd been able to put it behind him. They both had. Justin didn't blame him; in fact he maintained that if not for Brian, he'd surely be dead. And Brian accepted that it was one possibility. The trouble with hindsight was that it was NEVER 20/20 as some suggested. There were just too many variables to make any conclusions of what could have or what should have been. The only thing you could do was move forward. And that's what he intended to do. Move forward, and away from this awful night.

He turned to Elliot and gave him a sad, grateful smile.

"It seems I did need you after all," he said.

"Nah, you didn't. You would have figured it out yourself." Elliot said.

Brian tilted his head back and gave Elliot a dubious look.

"I thought Angels couldn't lie?" He asked mockingly.

Elliot laughed.

"Apparently not," he said.

Brian was about to ask him for a lift back to his present body, having exhausted his energy emotionally, when the sound of teen voices reached his ears.

"Hey Chris, isn't that the fag who was with Justin on Liberty avenue that night?"

Brian's blood ran cold. He turned around to find himself staring into the face of the boy who forever changed his and Justin's life. And on this very night. A night he was about to walk away from, though God only knew where he'd find the strength now in the face of his nemesis.

"Hobbs," he said. Every muscle in his body clenched painfully.

Elliot tightened his hold on Brian's shoulder.

"Easy now…Let's get you home." Elliot said.

"Who's that freak with him? Geesh Chris you sure got some fucked up friends." One of the boys standing with Hobbs said. They all laughed. Hobbs got red with anger and embarrassment.

"Shut the fuck up!" Hobbs said to this pals.

"He's probably here for Justine." Another boy taunted, referring to Justin. Everyone laughed, including Hobbs who was glad to be off the hook of their barbs.

Brian was starting to see red.

"Yeah, pretty boy here must be the queers' boyfriend. Come to dance with your butt fucking buddy?" One boy needled.

"Fuck that's disgusting! These fags are going to ruin our Prom!" Another boy said.

"Over my dead body." Yet another announced with a scornful snort.

And that's when Chris spoke the words that nearly shattered Brian's resolve.

"Or his," he threatened with a sardonic smile, his eyes glaring menacingly at Brian.

Elliot stepped forward placing himself in front of Brian's body and gently pushed him back only to be met with resistance.

"I can't force you Brian. Free will and all. You have to do this on your own. Walk away." Elliot advised.

"Better yet…stay." Brian heard the demon Joffith's voice hiss the words close to his ear as if he were perched on his shoulder.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Brian said.

Elliot looked over his shoulder.

"Yes, I would. Besides, I'm not just Justin's spirit guide, I'm his guardian Angel. Well, for the time being anyway. I won't have to worry about losing my wings if he finds out I let you ruin your future. He'll rip them off of me himself." Elliot said mistaking Brian's words to be directed at him.

"Angel? More like fairy!" One of the boys snickered picking up on their conversation.

Elliot rolled his eyes.

"Humans," he said shaking his head.

"Come on Hobbs, let's get back to the party. Don't let these freaks ruin our night." Another boy said.

"Don't worry, they won't." Hobbs said with a certainty that sent chills down Brian's spine. He watched with barely suppressed rage as the boys turned to go back into the Hotel.

"You're just going to let them walk away? Ahhh…well I can understand. Who wouldn't want to watch all that young sweet blood pool around that pretty blond head all over again? I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful sight. It was such a pleasure to watch the first time around that I keep coming back to this time to witness it over and over again. It's excruciatingly erotic you know…. Hearing the crack of the bat echo through the parking garage as it connects with his skull…watching his limp body fall to the ground, his life blood oozing seductively from his body…. Did you feel the rush of lust spread through your groin as you leaned over his body, watching his life slowly slip from your grasp? Perhaps not. But Chris Hobb did. He felt the lust. He actually got a hard on when his bat connected with your blonds' head and his blood sprayed all over his expensive rented tux. That night, in the hospital after they patched up his knee, the one you broke, he jerked off to sound of bones cracking and the image of pretty blond hair caked in blood. Yesss…let him walk away. You don't want to deny him his pleasure now, do you?"

Joffith's words pierced Brian's soul with the intensity of a sharp, well aimed dagger. He pushed himself away from Elliot and doubled over in agony, clutching his sides as waves of nausea assaulted him. The demons' words ricocheted cruelly through his brain painting images of cold grey cement floors stained with obscenely bright red sticky blood. Justin's blood…images of Hobbs sick enjoyment of his evil act…. He wanted to vomit, he wanted to turn around, run into the hotel and kill that bastard.

Elliot saw Brian's reaction and immediately assessed the cause of it. The demon was in his head. Elliot knew of the demons' plans. And he knew of the others' plan as well, but he could not divulge that information. It was times like this he hated the 'rules' most, yet he knew better than to break them.

"Brian, ask me to take you home. Now. Before the other turns up and makes things worse. You did not come here for this. Remember your mission. Richie. You came for the boy. He is not here. Ask me to take you back, NOW!" Elliot beseeched.

He needed Brian to make the request; he couldn't interfere with free will. As unfair as it was, Elliot understood all would be lost if he broke that particular rule. Just as a demon forfeited a humans' soul by interfering with free will, so did an Angel. If he forced Brian to do his bidding, he'd lose his soul. When his time came, Brian's soul would be stuck in purgatory…if he were lucky. Elliot was determined that both his and Justin's soul make it into heaven.

Brian felt hot burning bile rise in his throat. He wanted to make the request, but he couldn't form the words. He was literally drowning in his own emotions. He was consumed with rage. Blinding, scalding rage. In the back of his mind, he heard Elliot make the request again, but still, though he tried, he couldn't seem to utter a word for fear if he opened his mouth, he would scream, and not stop screaming.

"Do Elliot's bidding you coward. Go find your precious spirit guide. But know the Angel cares only for his own kind, not yours. He seeks to save Richie's soul and he's willing to sacrifice your lover for it. The question is, are you willing to make the sacrifice? " The demon spat out maliciously.

All reason left Brian. He turned on Elliot, pushing him aside as he ran toward the building with one purpose in mind. To kill Hobbs. However he didn't get too far before he felt his soul being ripped from his body.

"Nooooooooooo! Damn you Elliot you have no right! Send me back!" Brian screamed out the command in his mind.

But it was to no avail, for it was not Elliot who was responsible for his sudden, unsolicited departure. It was another meddlesome holy spirit…

"He may not have the right, but I do." Richie said.

PART 2

Brian stumbled forward awkwardly as he landed back in his body. He was disoriented, unsteady on his feet, and he realized, very, very drunk.

"Fuck Richie where am I now!" He called out.

"Same year, different place. You know I can't leave this year. If you want to go back to your present body, you'll have to do it yourself, or ask Elliot for help." Richie said.

The boy had materialized beside him, his form evanescence, ghostlike. Brian wasn't sure if his appearance had anything to do with his 'spiritual' state, or his own drunken state. His vision was blurry to the point he was seeing double. He tried to straighten himself up to get a look at his surroundings. The movement caused a wave of dizziness to wash over him.

"Whoaa… Shit! I don't think I'll be able to get myself back in this condition." Brian said.

"Want me to call Elliot for you?" Richie asked in a very worried voice.

Brian looked over to the kid.

"No. He's already risked too much. I just need to get sober. Wait, I smell…Lasagna. We must be close to Debs house." Brian said out loud to himself.

He rubbed his eyes in an effort to ward off the blurred, alcohol induced vision he was currently experience to pinpoint his exact location. He turned his head and saw his jeep parked half on and half off the curb.

"Fuck! I can't believe I use to drive this fucking drunk," he said, once again, to himself.

The Jeep was parked about two blocks from Debs house. Might as well be two fucking miles, that's how difficult it was for him to walk at the moment.

"Jesus fucking Christ you could have at least put me in a sober body!" Brian complained as he tried to make his way up to Deb's house, tripping every other step along the way.

"That's kind of hard to do since you were drunk pretty much all the time at this point in your life." Richie replied honestly.

Brian was too drunk appreciate his honesty, though he had to admit at least this intoxicated body did not hold the emotional rage he was feeling right before Richie pulled him away from Prom night. He was about to do something he knew he'd regret. He should thank the boy, but right now all his efforts were on trying to keep himself upright. Fuck! He knew this kind of drunk. It was usually preceded by some fucked up event in his life.

'What now?' He mused pensively.

He shook his morose thoughts away and tried to keep his eyes focused on Deb's front door. It was dark out, and quiet. It must be past midnight he thought yet there was a dim light streaming out from her kitchen window. Good, that meant someone was up.

"Where are you going?" Richie asked watching Brian stagger forward.

"You really need to learn to mind your own business. Go home! And this time DON'T come unless I call you! You should have never pulled me from the Prom." Brian said perturbed by his young spirit guide's interference. He could have gotten himself in trouble by pulling Brian's spirit from his body. Brian knew the rules; the boy overstepped his bounds once again. Even if his actions did save his sorry ass, he did so at his own peril.

"If I hadn't, you would have probably killed that guy you call Hobbs, damning your soul to Hell! Instead of yelling at me, you should be grateful I followed you tonight and stopped you from doing something stupid! And for the record, you ARE my business! Andy made me your spirit guide, that means I have to steer you away from trouble, and it looked like you were heading for a whole lot of it when I yanked you out of there." Richie scolded right back.

Brian's heart clenched in his chest at Richie's words. He had followed him to the Prom…Brian suspected that was Emilian's plan all along. He remembered Elliot saying something about leaving before the 'other' showed up, making things worse. He knew the 'other' had to be Emilian. He silently cursed himself for being so stupid. While Joffith was playing games with him, Emilian was laying a trap for Richie. Two souls in one night, and Brian had almost handed them over to the demons on a silver platter.

Fuck…fuck… fuck! Justin was going to kill him when he found out how reckless he'd been. Elliot was right; he should have just walked away when he had the chance instead of letting the demon get to him like he did. He was positive that had Elliot not been there, Emilian would have snatched Richie's soul. He owed the Angel big time. And he owed Richie, but first, he needed some strong black coffee, and lots of it, before he could figure out his next move.

"Be that as it may, I don't want you interfering again. It's too dangerous. Now I'm going to Debs house to sober up and then I need to do some investigating. I don't want you around for this, do you understand? You've already disregarded every instruction of mine. This time I'm not telling, I'm asking you to please go home. I need to do this alone. I'm fully aware that if I'm in danger, you're going to show up regardless of what I say, but hopefully, this visit won't require any intervention on your part. Now…are we clear?" Brian asked sounding amazingly coherent in his drunken stupor. Although his words were slightly slurred.

"Yeah, we're clear. Please don't be mad at me. I just….I don't want you to get hurt." Richie said.

Brian reached out and clumsily ruffled the boy's hair.

"Not gonna happen this time, I promise." Brian said.

Richie smiled up at him. Brian then turned and headed towards Deb's house to where he'd hopefully find some hot coffee and maybe a cold ice pack.

Richie waited until Brian reached the front door of the house before he faded away. It took a lot of energy to manifest into human form, and he wanted to save his energy should Brian need him again. He'd do what Brian asked. For now. But tonight was a cold wake up call. Joffith had almost snared Brian in his trap. Richie had to be more diligent in protecting his ward in the future. A little help couldn't hurt he thought. Perhaps another visit with Jack was in order…

xxxxxxx

"Stay away from Jack." Elliot's voice startled Richie. He turned around to find the Angel standing behind him.

"But…" he started to explain but was cut off.

"But nothing. Your foolish act could have cost you and your ward your souls. Didn't Andy explain the rules to you?" Elliot asked.

Richie cringed at the censure in the Angel's voice. What did Elliot mean? He cared nothing for his own soul but he would NEVER endanger Brian! He thought he was saving him. What had he done?

"He told me a few things. But mostly other spirits have been filling me in on the way. Did I do something to hurt Brian?" He asked. He hated that he might be getting Andy in trouble, yet he was more concerned at the moment that he might have inadvertently done something bad to his ward because of his ignorance.

Elliot snorted. He wasn't surprised. If he knew Andy, and he did, he purposely withheld the rules from Richie. If the boy broke them unawares, the consequences would be waved.

'…He who is blind is without sin….'

Andy knew this, and thus left the little spirit guide 'blind'.

"Fortunately for the both of you, no. Because you weren't properly coached on how to be a spirit guide, your ward will be spared any repercussions from your actions, as will you. But know this….You may NEVER interfere with any humans' free will again. Do you understand? If you do, you forfeit their souls' entrance into Heaven. They'll be condemned to purgatory, or worse. And you'll be cast down to the lower levels." Elliot told the boy.

Elliot's words hit Richie like a ton of bricks. He visibly shook at the knowledge that he could have been responsible for losing Brian's soul. Andy trusted him and he was failing miserably. God what had he done?

Elliot saw the guilt was over the boy and took pity on him.

"You were only trying to protect your ward. That is to be commended. I'm sure if you knew the rules you would have handled things differently. As it turned out, you did save him. However, from now on…keep that rule in mind before you go making any rash decisions again, ok?" Elliot advised.

Richie nodded his head vigorously.

"Yes Sir! I'll be more careful in the future, I promise." He said emphatically.

"Good. Now what do you say we go home? I think Brian will be fine for the time being. There are things he needs to do that we must not have part of. If he needs us, he'll call." Elliot said reaching his hand out to the boy.

Brian did have business to tend to. Business that concerned Richie and Elliot didn't want Richie to be party to it. It was important that Brian complete his mission without the boys' interference.

Richie took Elliot's hand and ascended with him into the heavens. He felt better the moment he reached the upper levels. Perhaps Elliot was right. It was best he leave Brian alone for a while, he didn't want to cause him any more trouble. His goal now was to learn as much as he could about being a spirit guide so that he could be the best for Brian.

xxxxxxx

Brian heaved a big sigh of relief as he made his way up the front steps of the old familiar porch. He raised his hand and knocked on the door, resting his forehead against the dark scarred wood as he did so.

Deb opened the door so quickly that Brian literally fell into the foyer, landing flat on his face.

"Jesus Christ you asshole! Why the fuck didn't you use your key?" Deb scolded as she helped him to his feet.

Brian threw his arm around her neck, using her sturdy frame to support his weight.

"Forgot," he managed to mumble out.

Deb jerked her head back at the strong smell of alcohol on his breath but kept her hold on him.

"You're fucking plastered!" She said, her voicing sounding harsh and shrill.

Brian quirked a lopsided grin at her.

"Ya think?" He retorted snidely.

Deb shook her head, more in sadness then disapproval, and shut the front door. She then guided Brian over to the couch. He fell limply onto it.

Deb sighed.

"What the fuck am I going to do with you kiddo?" She said, doubtful he'd hear her.

But Brian did hear her. He especially heard the sympathy in her voice, which confused him. Deb never had any sympathy for him when he'd crashed her house drunk. In fact, he could always count on a lecture about his debauched ways when he showed up stinking of booze and sex. Yet this time, there was no note of censure in her voice. No sign of the scolding she'd normally had reserved just for him, and just for occasions like this.

"You going soft on me Deb? Why the fuck aren't you haranguing me?" He asked derisively though the effect was lost considering his cheek was firmly pressed into the cushion of her pill infested green fabric couch when he voiced the question.

Deb stared at him with… dare he think it, pity? God he hated pity.

"Listen kiddo. You did the right thing. Stop beating yourself over it," she said as if that would explain her strange behavior.

Brian opened one droopy eye and looked up at Deb. What the fuck was she talking about?

"I did something right?" He asked.

Deb spat out a curse under her breath then pushed his legs aside so she could sit on the couch next to him.

"Yes, you did. In fact, you never did anything wrong to that man. He was the one who wronged you. God rest his soul, but he was not a good father to you and I know how hard you tried to be a good son. Up till the end. You did right by telling him who you really are before he died. How he took that news was his choice. You gave him the truth. No parent could ask for more. And he gave you nothing in return. I wouldn't have blamed you if you didn't show up at the funeral today, but you did. Again, trying to be the good son. But what you fail to understand all these years is that you were ALWAYS a good son. To him, to Joan and to me…" Deb said smiling down at Brian as she gently brushed his hair away from his eyes.

"It's true you know. I've always considered you my son. You know besides my own baby, Michael, you've been the best son a mother could ask for." Deb said.

Brian had to choke back the tears that were threatening to spill over. Now he understood why he was so drunk. He remembered going out after rolling that stupid fucking bowling ball Jack loved so much down the street with Mikey, and getting shit faced. He had so much remorse and regret back then. It was a very rough patch for him. Actually, this whole fucking year was one long rough patch and at the core of all his and Justin's current problems. It was the year his father died, the year Richie took his own life, the year James killed Emilian, and the year Justin got bashed. In the back of his mind he knew it was all connected, but right now he couldn't think straight. It was the combination of all the booze in his system, and Deb's heart wrenching words.

His misery must have showed on his face because Deb shot him another sympathetic look. …..'Could his dick get any softer?'….. he thought wryly.

Deb ran her hand down his back and gave him a motherly smack on his ass before standing up.

"I know just the thing to cheer you up kiddo," she said.

"Justin! Get your bubble butt down here!" She called up the stairs.

Brian's face lit up. Justin was here. He didn't come to the funeral with him. Brian wouldn't let him. He didn't want Justin to see him that vulnerable. Jack had a way of making him feel 'less', and he didn't want Justin to see him that way.

Justin bounced down the stairs in all his jubilant youth only to stop short at the sight of Brian lying, face down, on the couch. He rushed over to him and knelt down beside him.

"What happened? Is he hurt?" He asked frantically.

"Nah, just drunk. I'll go make some coffee, you keep him company. I think he could use some right now." Deb said before heading off to the kitchen.

Justin ran his hand over Brian's forehead as if checking for a fever. Brian caught his wrist and pulled his hand to his mouth, turned it over then proceeded to lick the inside of his palm.

"God you're fucking hot," he said, lust pushing away all thoughts of his father.

Justin sighed melting into the sensations Brian was creating inside of him.

"And you're very drunk." Justin stated the obvious.

"True, but you're still hot." Brian said pulling Justin closer to him so that their mouths were mere inches from each others. Justin stared at him like a deer caught in the headlights.

"You haven't changed much at all you know." Brian said.

"Um, Bri…how much did you expect me to change from yesterday?" Justin asked blinking his eyes rapidly as if to break the spell Brian was weaving around him.

Brian laughed.

"Ah Sunshine, I promised you a good time, so we better get me sober, and fast. You'll be pissed if I get back and you don't have one hot new memory stored away in that pretty blond head of yours." Brian said.

Justin scrunched his face up in confusion. Brian thought the expression fucking adorable.

"Deb hurry with the coffee, I think he's taken some of Anita's shit again." Justin yelled out to the kitchen.

Brian released Justin's wrist and struggled to sit up. Justin helped him.

"I haven't done any drugs, well other than pot, since I was thirty-three." Brian said.

"Now that's interesting. Especially since you're only TWENTY-NINE!" Justin said shaking Brian slightly. He was starting to worry that Brian might be hallucinating.

Brian's eyebrow shot up and a satisfied look crossed his face.

"That's right! I'm twenty-nine! Oh Sunshine you are in for such a hot time tonight," he said chuckling to himself.

Deb walked in with the coffee.

"What's he going on about?" She asked as she put the coffee down on the table in front of the couch.

"He thought he was thirty-three there for a minute." Justin said.

"No I said I haven't taken any drugs since I was thirty-three, I'm actually forty-two." Brian corrected.

Deb and Justin exchanged confused, worried looks.

Brian snorted and reached forward to grab the coffee. He carefully brought it to his lips, which took an extraordinary amount of effort, and took a big sip of the dark strong brew.

"Settle down you two, I'm not losing my mind," he said lowering the cup for a minute before raising it again to take another sip.

"Uh huh…well we'll talk about how old you are again after you've gotten some coffee into you." Justin said.

"I'll go get some aspirin. He's going to have a bitch of a headache." Deb said.

"That won't be necessary. Justin can whip me up some of his Nana's special tonic and I'll be just fine." Brian said.

"How do you know about Nana's special tonic?" Justin asked.

"Because you've made it for me about a million times, that's how!" Brian said frustrated. Then he remembered that Justin hadn't introduced him to Nana's tonic until later that year. 'Fuck!' This was complicated.

He shook his head at the absurdity of the whole situation.

"Justin, please don't ask me anymore questions. Just make me the fucking tonic, ok?" Brian asked.

Justin eyed him suspiciously but then got up to prepare the drink for him.

Several minutes later he returned with the foul smelling concoction.

Brian took it from him and wrinkled up his nose at the foul smell before taking a long swig of the equally foul tasting tonic.

"God you'd think that after all these years I'd be use to this shit." Brian said nearly gagging on the bitter remedy.

"Some things you don't get use to. Like how fucking weird you can be at times. " Justin huffed under his breath.

Brian laughed.

"I know I'm not making any sense right now Sunshine, but trust me, I'm not crazy," he said then proceeded to drain the glass.

"Urrrghhhh! That's fucking disgusting! Why do I do these things to myself?" He mused out loud handing the glass back to Justin.

"Because you need to." Justin answered absentmindedly.

Brian wasn't surprised at Justin's perceptiveness. Though he didn't know it then, he knew now that Justin was born an Intuitive. It's what kept him coming back to Brian no matter how many times he pushed him away. He instinctively knew Brian loved him from the start. A fact Brian had a hard time accepting at first. But thanks to one persistent little shit, Brian finally came around to embracing what Justin always knew to be the truth from the beginning.

Brian reached forward and grabbed the back of Justin's neck and pulled him towards him.

"How did I ever get along without you Sunshine?" He asked resting his forehead against his.

Justin leaned in and brushed his lips against Brian's.

"You didn't," he whispered into his mouth.

"Now lie down. You need to rest," he said gently pushing him back on the couch.

Brian shook his head.

"Not here. At the loft. We'll grab a few hours sleep, and then I'm going to fuck your brains out," he said as he started to rise from the couch.

"Now wait one God damn minute! You're not taking the boy anywhere! It's late and you're drunk! I'll not have you driving in your condition." Deb said.

"Who said I'll be driving? Justin can drive." Brian said.

Justin's jaw dropped open.

"You want me to drive your Jeep?" He asked in a shocked voice.

"Well yeah of course the Jeep! I haven't bought the Vette yet!" Brian answered as if that made any sense to either of them.

"The kid doesn't have a license." Deb argued.

"No, but he has his permit. His mother has been letting him take her car out for practice. It's late, the roads will be clear, and it's not that far to the loft." Brian said.

Deb started to protest when Justin intervened.

"Please Deb. Just for tonight. He's had a rough day." Justin pleaded.

Deb snapped her mouth shut and glared at Brian.

"Listen kiddo, I know you're hurting, but it's no excuse to take advantage of the boy. You know how he feels. He's not some vice you can use to help you forget all the fucking rotten things in your life. Why don't you just let him be?" Deb asked; her words cruel, yet voiced out of concern.

Brian stood up, amazingly without swaying and faced Deb.

"Because I CAN'T! Jesus Deb I thought you of all people understood that from the first. I can't let him be, and I won't. Not tonight, not EVER! He's MINE!" Brian said.

A jolt of emotion coursed through Justin's veins though he was careful not to make too much of Brian's words. The man was after all, shit faced and grieving the loss of his father.

Deb however, knowing Brian since he was a kid, heard the truth behind the booze induced declaration. She nodded her head slightly acknowledging his confession, yet still wary of the outcome of such an admission.

"You'll hurt him," she stated.

Brian's shoulder's slumped a bit.

"Yes, I will. And he'll hurt me. And we'll do that for a while. But Deb, we're inevitable." Brian said.

Deb didn't know how to answer him. The only thing she did know was that no matter what she said, or did, she couldn't keep these two apart. Not tonight, and apparently not for a long time to come.

She turned her gaze to Justin.

"Don't you dare miss your shift at the diner tomorrow." She said.

Justin beamed at her and threw his arms around her neck, kissing her soundly on the cheek.

"Don't worry I won't! It doesn't start till noon." Justin said.

Deb released him into Brian's arms.

"Let him get some sleep tonight you asshole," she threw at him.

Brian laughed.

"Don't worry, I will," he said then leaned over to kiss her cheek as well.

"I love you, you know." Brian said softly.

Deb blushed. It was so out of character for Brian to just blurt the words out like that. Not that she didn't know it, she did, but it wasn't often Brian said those three particular words. They were just too difficult for him to voice, and she understood why.

"I love you too," she simply replied then watched them walk out of her house.

x x x x

Several minutes later they were in Brian's Jeep, top down, with Justin driving, heading towards the loft. Justin had the biggest shit eating grin on his face.

The tonic was finally taking affect on Brian and reason started to slip back into his conscious. He whisked Justin away from Debs' house on the night of his fathers' funeral. A change of events from their past.

'Shit'…

This small act was altering their future and though he doubted it would make any significant changes to their present, he was still taking a risk. As he remembered, he spent this night alone in his loft, passed out, and didn't see Justin until the next day at the diner. He most certainly could get away with a night of hot sex with Justin then sending him off to work in the morning without causing too much damage but then what? He had a mission. He had to track down Richie and find out what happened. Who was this 'Sir'? He suspected it was Emilian, but he needed proof. And if it were Emilian, and he found him, then what? Could he get to him before James did? Could he stop Richie from killing himself? Was he even supposed to?

So many questions running through his head gave him a headache. He groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Justin heard him and snuck a peek at him.

"Are you ok? Nana's tonic should be kicking in soon." Justin said.

Brian looked over at him. God he was so beautiful. Young and innocent. Void of that guarded strained look he carried for so many years after the bashing…..He wished….

No, he wasn't going to let his thoughts go in that direction. He needed to stay focused, and he needed help.

"I'm fine. It's just I've got this problem…" Brian started to say.

"Can I help?" Justin chimed in enthusiastically.

Brian turned his head to look out the passenger side window.

"Actually you could help, if you were you," he said wistfully.

Justin furrowed his brow in confusion.

"I think you need some more of Nana's tonic," he said.

"No, I need…" Brian stopped mid-sentence and turned in his seat to stare at Justin.

"YOU!" He said as if he just had a light bulb moment.

Justin kept casting sideward glances at him while trying to keep his eyes on the road. Brian wasn't making any sense, yet he didn't appear that drunk.

"Bri are you fucking with me?" He asked suspiciously.

Brian laughed.

"No Sunshine, not yet anyway. I'm sorry but I'm going to have to take a rain check on tonight. Turn the Jeep around." Brian said.

Disappointment quickly washed over Justin's features. Brian almost changed his mind but held stern. He didn't know if he'd be able to accomplish what he had in mind, but he had to try.

"I promise to make it up to you." Brian said.

Justin nodded his head, took a deep steadying breath, one Brian identified as an attempt to keep his emotions in check, and turned the Jeep around.

"That's ok. I understand," he said, which was a total lie.

Justin pulled the Jeep up to Deb's house, pulled the keys out of the ignition and threw them at Brian.

"Later," he said then jumped out of the Jeep so fast it made Brian's head spin.

"Justin!" Brian called out before he reached the front steps.

Justin stopped but didn't turn around. Brian slid over to the driver side of the Jeep.

"Remember what I said to you that first night we fucked?" He asked once he was situated behind the wheel.

That made Justin spin around, eyes wide.

Brian held his gaze intently trying to convey his meaning in his look. When he saw a glimmer of recognition of the words, those three little words he'd forgotten, but Justin never did, that he was referring to register in his blond's crystal blue eyes; he slid the keys into the ignition and started his engine.

"Yeah…" Justin answered warily.

"Good," he said then sped off.

Justin starred after the 'fuck mobile' as it disappeared into the night in bewilderment. A smile slowly crept across his face.

"You are one fucking piece of work Brian Kinney" Justin said laughing as he turned and skipped into the house.

PART 3

Brian slowly opened his eyes to find his blonde staring down at him. He made it back on his own.

"Well that was quick." Justin said.

"How long was I out?" He asked.

"About ten minutes. Did you find out anything?" Justin asked.

"Mmm…yeah I found out what I need to do." Brian said stretching his body out.

He took a few minutes to 'reconnect' then sat up in the bed. It felt like a hell of a lot longer then ten minutes. These OOB's were taking a toll on him. He bit his lip worriedly, rethinking his decision.

Justin picked up on Brian's conflict right away.

"Tell me."

"Never mind," he said and got out of bed.

"Oh no you don't. We're in this together." Justin insisted rising to his feet to face Brian adopting a warlike stance with his hands on his hips.

Brian smiled at the image Justin presented.

"You want to do this together huh?" He said pushing his tongue against the inside of his cheek.

"Yes." Justin said.

"Then how about you taking a little trip with me?" Brian said.

It took all of ten seconds before it hit Justin what Brian was asking. A huge smile spread across his face. He walked over to Brian and threw his arms around his neck.

"I told you a long time ago, where you go, I follow." Justin said.