Previously On Queer As Folk: After a spending a week in Paris, Brian and Justin returned home to Pittsburgh. Justin decided to go back to school.

Emmett ended his affair with Drew and Calvin proposed to him. Emmett confessed and was heartbroken when Calvin left him.

Chapter Thirteen

With Ted's coaxing, Emmett had finally left his room, though he still didn't feel up to leaving the house. Deb, God bless her, made him meals and tea and attended to his every need – no matter how many times he insisted that he could do it himself.

The bad part came when he got a call from Calvin. He'd left some stuff at the house and wanted to come and get it. When he'd rung the doorbell, Emmett had answered the door cautiously, his heart pounding. "Hey," he said, aware of how devoid of life his voice sounded.

"Hey," Calvin replied, his lips twitching into an almost smile. "I just came to get my stuff."

"I put it all in a bag for you. I wasn't sure when you'd be back to get it, so..."

"Emmett? Who's at the door?" Debbie called from upstairs.

"It's me, Deb," Calvin replied.

"Oh, hey, honey." Debbie came out into the living room, though she did not come close enough to hug Calvin as she might have done under different circumstances. "What brings you here?"

"I left some clothes and things here."

"Oh. Well, I'm gonna get started on supper. It was nice to see you."

"You, too, Debbie." Calvin headed upstairs. Emmett followed him.

"Calvin, wait! We need to talk."

"Look, Emmett, I know that you feel bad about what you did and I respect that, I really do. You know how much I love you, but what you did is inexcusable, no matter the reason."

"I agree, but Calvin, come on! I love you, how am I supposed to go on...without you?" Emmett was close to tears now.

"You'll manage," Calvin assured him, avoiding eye contact.

"I won't! God, I just wish I could go back in time and redo it...none of this would be happening."

"We'll never know, will we?"

Emmett reached into his dresser and pulled out the engagement ring that Calvin had given him. "Here. This is yours." His heart broke again as Calvin accepted the ring.

"Thanks."

"Are you going back to Hazelhurst?" Emmett asked, trying to keep Calvin there as long as possible.

"Most likely. There's nothing for me here now." Emmett felt a pang in his chest.

"What about your job?"

"My company hasn't filled my vacated spot yet, they're willing to take me back." "That's...great."

"Yeah. My momma's happy that I'll be home."

"Gotta love mommas," Emmett joked.

"Mine is especially special," Calvin replied, chuckling. Their eyes met, just for a second. In that second, Emmett felt deep down in his bones that Calvin was the one. "Well, I'd better...get going."

"Why don't you stay for dinner?" Emmett blurted, wringing his hands.

"I..."

"Oh, come on. We're having a surprise dinner for Brian and Justin. Their wedding is coming up, and they don't want a rehearsal dinner. It would mean a lot to them if you stayed." Emmett smiled genuinely.

"All right, I'll stay for dinner," Calvin caved in.

"Yay!" Emmett clapped his hands enthusiastically. Come to think of it, this was the first time he'd been remotely happy in almost days – a record for him. "Deb, we're having one more for dinner!" he shouted down.

"Okay!" Debbie replied. The doorbell rang. "Shit. Emmett, could you get that?"

Emmett and Calvin went down the stairs. "I'm gonna go put this stuff in my car, I'll be back."

"Okay." Emmett opened the door and was shocked to see Brian and Justin. "What are you guys doing here?"

"It's good to see you, too, Honeycutt," Brian said sarcastically.

"We just got here an hour ago," Justin supplied. He noticed a man standing next to Emmett and assumed it was Calvin. "Hey," he said.

"Hey."

"Did you have fun in Paris?" Emmett asked.

"Tons," Justin assured him, fixing Brian with a quizzical look. Brian shrugged his shoulders in response.

"Sunshine, is that you?" Debbie trilled, coming out of the kitchen.

"Hey Deb!" Debbie wrapped both Brian and Justin in a bear hug.

"How the hell are ya!"

"We'd be better if we could breath," Brian managed.

"Sorry. I've just missed you guys."

"We were only gone a week, Deb," Brian reminded her.

"So? I'm used to seeing you practically every damn day," Debbie insisted. Brian rolled his eyes.

"How was your trip?"

"If one more person asks me that..." Brian muttered.

"It was great. Words can't even describe it. Just wait until you see the pictures!"

"I can't wait!" Deb assured him. Something beeped in the kitchen. "Oh, Sunshine, would you help me and Carl in the kitchen?"

"Sure, Deb." He smiled at Brian and followed Deb back into the kitchen.

Brian and Emmett were left alone in the living room and neither of them knew what say. After a few minutes of silence, Emmett said "so, are you glad to be back?"

"Yes and no," Brian replied. Apparently he wasn't very talkative today, then again, when was he?

"Justin sure looks like he had a good time."

"He did. What's with the chit chat, Emmett?"

"I'm just trying to make conversation."

"I have a question for you: what is Calvin doing here?"

"What do you mean?" Emmett asked, feigning ignorance.

"I heard about your...activities." Shit.

"Oh, this is just great. Now I'm going to get a lecture from Brian Kinney about being faithful. How ironic, seeing as it took you five years to finally tell Justin you loved him, and God knows how long before you stopped fucking other guys."

Brian laughed. "You're so cute when you're angry," he teased. Someone's a little testy.

"Don't," Emmett threatened.

"What are you going to do? Slap me?"

"No, I'll..."

"Look, Emmett, I didn't come here to lecture you or advise you. To be honest, I could give a fuck less what you do with your life, that's your business."

Emmett was stunned for a second. "Then why did you come here?" he asked. You don't know about the surprise dinner.

"Mikey said you needed us. In case you've forgotten, Justin and I are your friends."

"I'm sorry...about what I said before. I was out of line."

"No you weren't. Anyway, you didn't answer my question: why is Calvin here?"

Emmett filled Brian in, and finished just as Calvin walked back in the front door. "Dinner's almost ready," Emmett said, smiling.

Unexpectedly, Ted and Blake showed up, and then they were followed by Michael, Ben, and Hunter. "The whole family's here!" Deb beamed.

"What is this?" Brian asked, starting to get suspicious.

"Surprise! Since you and Sunshine aren't having a rehearsal dinner, we wanted to celebrate our own way – without your consent!"

"Thanks guys." Justin wrapped his arm around Brian. "We really appreciate it."

"Yeah." Brian forced himself to smile.

"Are you sure you're up to this?" Justin asked Emmett. "We'd understand..."

"I'll be fine. It's time for me to stop wallowing in self pity."

"Good for you, honey," Debbie said, smiling encouragingly.

They sat down to dinner in couples: Brian and Justin, Michael and Ben, Emmett and Calvin, Ted and Blake, Debbie and Carl; Hunter sat by himself in the living room; he'd been spending a lot of time alone lately. There was much conversation to be had, and a casual passerby would not suspect that any strife existed. The spark between Calvin and Emmett was as strong as ever, Michael noted, though he did not get his hopes up as Calvin had said that he couldn't stay much longer.

Much to Emmett's chagrin, dinner did not last as long as he'd hoped. He walked Calvin the door, eyes downcast. "Are you sure you can't stay for awhile longer?" he pleaded.

"No. I'd better be getting home," Calvin replied, sighing.

"Will you call me before you leave town?"

"Sure." Their eyes met again and they were both frozen in place. Calvin shook his head slightly. "Well, bye, Emmett."

"Bye." Calvin shut the door behind him and Emmett began to feel the pangs in his heart once more.

"Are you okay?" Justin asked. He'd been sitting next by Brian and Hunter on the sofa.

"Yeah. I'll be fine," Emmett assured him, hoping beyond hope that it was the truth. "I'm gonna go lie down, I'm tired."

After Emmett went upstairs, everyone convened in the living room. "Was having him over for dinner really the best thing for Emmett?" Ted asked, slightly angry.

"What could I do? Kick him out of the house?" Deb replied. "Emmett wanted him here."

"And look at the state he's in now," Michael muttered.

"Just when he was starting to do better," Debbie agreed.

"He looked so happy though, shouldn't that count for something?" Justin offered.

"Everyone looks happy to you, Sunshine. We just got back from Paris," Brian teased.

"At least before, he knew it was over. Now he has hope, albeit false hope." Carl shook his head sadly.

"I'll give it ten days, tops," Brian said. They all looked at him. "What? Don't tell me none of you noticed the way they were looking at each other during dinner."

"I didn't," Ben offered.

"There were definitely some sparks," Justin agreed.

"Thank God. We have to get those two back together, come hell or high water. I don't know how much longer I can take Emmett moping around here, it's fucking depressing!" Debbie exclaimed.

"So what's the plan?" Michael asked.

"Invite Calvin to the wedding," Justin suggested. "There's nothing like a wedding to bring two people together."

"I knew there was a reason besides the ones I can't say here that I loved you," Brian said, grinning broadly.

"Thanks, Brian." Justin laughed.

"Good thinking, Sunshine," Debbie said, smiling proudly.

"What if it doesn't work?" Ted asked.

"Don't be so negative," Blake chided him.

"I'm being realistic."

"Is that what we're calling it these days?" Brian joked. Everyone laughed.

"I just want him to be happy again."

"We all do," Deb assured him. "Now, who's up for dessert? I made a chocolate soufflé."

"I would love some Deb, but we'd probably better get going. I've got some work to do tomorrow," Justin said, rising.

"What kind of work?" Debbie asked.

"I'm thinking about going back to school."

"That's great, Sunshine! If you need a letter of recommendation or something, you know who to call."

"Thanks, Deb."

"I'd write a better one," Brian whispered into Justin's ear. "All right, we're off," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Bye guys." Justin waved. "Thanks for dinner."

"It was my pleasure," Debbie assured him. "Bye."

"Bye," everyone else said in unison.

Later that night, at home, Michael confronted Ben. "Aren't you even the slightest bit worried? He's been spending a lot of time on his own; more than usual."

"He's a teenager. Teenagers like to spend time on their own," Ben said.

"I'll give you that, but I know deep down that it's more than that."

"Okay, I tell you what, tomorrow when he gets home from school, we'll sit him down and have a discussion. How's that?"

"Thanks." Michael kissed Ben.

Just then, Hunter came down the stairs. "Hey Hunter?" Ben called. While Hunter was up, they may as well get put Michael's worries to bed.

"Yeah?" Hunter asked, slowly coming into the room.

"Can we talk for a minute?"

"I'm not in trouble or anything, am I?"

"No. Why, is there something you did that you feel you should be in trouble for?"

"Ben! Don't pull that on him!" Michael insisted.

"You two are acting weird," Hunter said, sitting down on the couch.

"Sorry. We're just worried."

"I'm fine. Really. There's nothing to worry about," Hunter said, getting up to leave.

"If nothing is wrong, then why can you barely stand to be with us in the same room for more than two minutes?" Michael accused. Hunter stopped dead in his tracks. "Hunter, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, okay? I'm telling you the truth. There's just..."

"What?" Michael prodded.

"I'm seeing someone," Hunter confessed.

"What!" Michael exclaimed. Thank God it's not drugs.

"I'm seeing someone," Hunter repeated.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Ben asked.

"After what happened with Callie and her parents..."

"You thought we wouldn't want you to be in a relationship," Ben finished.

"Yeah."

"Hunter, that couldn't be farther from truth. We want you to be happy."

"Yeah. Tell us about her!" Michael insisted.

"Her name is Lexi. She's in the same grade as me and she is smokin' hot!"

"Is she...?" Ben began.

"Aware that I'm positive?" Hunter finished for him. "Yes."

"Good."

"Yep. It gets better: so is she."

"What!" Michael couldn't believe his ears. What were the chances of that happening?

"Hunter, that's…" Ben clapped Hunter on the shoulder.

"Great?"

"I wouldn't say that, but I'm glad that you found someone."

"Invite Lexi family over for dinner tomorrow night," Michael suggested.

"Are you sure?" Hunter asked.

"Of course! I can't wait to meet her."

"I'm so glad you guys are okay with this. I'd better get to bed. I've got school in the morning.

Goodnight, guys."

"Goodnight," Ben and Michael said in unison as Hunter jogged up the stairs.

"Wow," Michael said, unsure of what else to say.

"Thank God it isn't something serious." Ben heaved a sigh of relief. "I thought it was drugs."

"I just hope things work out better for him this time."

"The good news is that Lexi's positive. Well, it isn't good news, I'd never wish that on anyone, but I'm glad that he won't have to worry about infecting her. And at least her parents won't react like Callie's did."

"I could kill them for what they did to Hunter."

"Don't worry about them. That's all in the past."

Michael decided to change the subject. "Do you think Justin's plan will work?" he asked.

"I hope so. I've never seen Emmett so crestfallen. Not even when Ted was addicted to crystal meth. At least then he left the house."

"They love each other, that should be enough."

"It'll take some work. Calvin's going to have to forgive Emmett, which won't be easy."

"I just wish none of this had happened, then we wouldn't have to see him like this."

"Like Justin said, there's nothing that can bring two people together like a wedding."

"I can't believe there's only ten days until Brian and Justin get married," Michael confessed.

"That'll be a hell of a day," Ben agreed.

Michael and Ben went upstairs to get ready for bed; Ben had an early class. "Just think, now we can go on double dates with Brian and Justin," Michael joked.

"I'm sure Brian would love that." Yeah, right.

"He might not, but Justin will, and if Justin likes it, Brian will do it." Ben laughed.

At the loft, Brian and Justin were laying bed. "Can you believe we only have ten days" until our wedding?" Justin asked.

"That many? I thought it was fewer," Brian joked.

"Joke all you want, Brian, I don't care. We're actually doing it. We're actually getting married."

"I'm exhausted," Brian muttered. "Dinner did nothing but wear me out even more."

"Me, too, but I'm restless."

"It's all that pent up excitement left over from Paris." Brian tenderly wrapped his arms around Justin and kissed the back of his neck. "I can think of a way to tire you out."

"You can? Care to share it with me, Doctor Kinney?"

"Ooh. Doctor Kinney. That's one we haven't done before."

"I hope you like it. Consider it a thank you for the wonderful week in Paris."

"All forms of payments are greatly appreciated."

"I can tell." Justin grinned mischievously.

"Show me where it hurts," Brian said.

"How about...here?" Justin pointed below his waist.

"That'll work." Brian worked his way down and took Justin into his mouth.

Justin moaned quietly and gave into pleasure. No one could give head like Brian, it was one of his many talents. I hope we'll still do this once we're married, Justin thought, though he knew deep down that they would. The day that he and Brian stopped having sex would be the day that even Viagra couldn't help get an erection, and Justin liked it that way.

He didn't last as long as he normally did, but he was tired, so he didn't mind too much. Brian moved up next to Justin. "Now, Nurse Taylor, I think I might have a problem with my groin, would you mind examining me?"

"Why no, Doctor Kinney, it would be my pleasure." Another night of making love: just what the doctor ordered.

Next Time On Queer As Folk: Justin has a meeting with the Dean of Admissions at the Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Arts. Hoping to get Emmett and Calvin back together, Justin personally invites Calvin to the wedding. Michael and Ben meet Lexi (Hunter's girlfriend) and her quirky parents.