Chapter 21 – Fallout Part 2

"I keep telling myself I can do this," Justin said nervously as he waited for the police to arrive at Brian's hotel suite.

"You can." Brian pulled Justin in closer as they sat on the small couch. "Just tell them everything. Carl told me it'll help put Hobbs away."

Lydia sat watching the two men. She'd been intrigued by the couple at the dinner and had taken on the case herself rather than have one of her assistant's handle it. She found the dynamic between the two fascinating. She'd dropped by the gallery that morning, curious. Justin Taylor's work pulled you in, just as the young man did.

Justin snuggled into Brian, drawing strength as he waited. He looked over to where Lydia sat, looking intimidating in a plum colored suit with her perfectly coiffed brown hair. "You're sure I can't be charged with anything."

"I'm sure," she said reassuringly. "As long as you didn't physically hurt anyone, you're clear."

"I can't believe this is happening." Justin said softly, looking down. "A trip down memory lane with Chris Hobbs. I thought I'd left him behind." Justin looked up. "The press is going to be a nightmare, aren't they?"

Brian snorted softly. "Of course they will. The story's got sex, blood and violence," he assured Justin, "and that's before the bombing."

"They'll be everywhere," Lydia grimaced, thinking of other high-profile cases. "The best way to handle it is to announce you're going to do a single press conference or interview. The story is really Hobbs, so a lot of them will back off. I can set it up, but it might be better to get your agent to."

"Shit." Justin got up suddenly, looking for his phone. "I haven't warned Jared."

Brian watched, his face tensing, as Justin spoke to his agent.

Lydia wondered what put the look of pain on Brian's face and spoke softly. "He's going to be all right."

Brian shook his head slightly to clear his thoughts. "I know."

"Then why so worried?"

"I'm not worried," Brian protested immediately. "He can handle anything."

"I agree." Lydia tilted her head to the side, silently repeating her question.

"He just shouldn't have to." Brian got up suddenly, moving through the room as the knowledge he was about to relive the prom hit him.

Justin rejoined them, "Jared's going to come by in about two hours. We should be done with the detective by then." He turned at a knock at the door, opening it to reveal a tall, slim, mixed race woman with shoulder length brown hair that looked as if she had cut it herself. Her scuffed, full length, black leather coat hung to just above her well-worn black boots. "I'm Lieutenant Cam Medina. I believe you were expecting me."

Lydia spoke up first, "Lieutenant. Good to see you again."

"Ms. Avery," she responded with a sardonic lilt. "Why would a top defense attorney be involved in a simple interview like this?" Cam advanced into the room with the grace of a jungle cat, her martial arts training obvious.

"Justin and Brian are friends." Lydia performed a quick introduction. "We were at dinner together when they heard about Hobbs' arrest. Lieutenant, we're on the same side this time." Lydia chuckled, her brown eyes challenging the lieutenant. "I'm encouraging my clients to tell you everything." She needled the lieutenant gently, "I must admit I'm surprised that NYPD sent one of their top cops out on a simple interview like this."

"Really?" Cam asked with a raised brow. "These gentlemen are bombing victims linked to the Avery's. The department decided it would be best if someone…" Cam paused, searching for the right word, "sympathetic did the interview."

"Why would you be more sympathetic?" Justin asked.

"Because she's gay," Brian interjected as he got up.

"That's right, Mr. Kinney." Cam smiled slightly. "I'm here because I'm gay."

Justin snorted softly. "Me, too."

The lieutenant gave a slight smile as she laid her jacket over the back of a chair and sat down. "Why don't we get started, Mr. Taylor? How did you first meet Chris Hobbs?"

"Call me Justin, please." He took a deep breath and began to talk.

Justin realized later that being interviewed by Lieutenant Cam Medina was one of the most extraordinary experiences of his life. She pulled memories out of him that he hadn't thought of in years. She was sympathetic, patient and relentless.

An hour and a half into the interview, a knock sounded at the door. Brian opened the door to let Jared Bannerman into the room. Dressed in casual chic with his shoulder length brown hair combed back from his square face, he looked confidently into Brian's eyes as Justin introduced them. The handshake lasted a moment longer than required.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Jared's drawl promised many future pleasures.

Brian stepped a bit closer to Jared than was necessary. "I'm looking forward to getting to know you." Brian's hand tested Jared's grip as he moved in even closer. "Justin's very excited to have you as his agent."

Cam and Lydia exchanged a simple glance that said 'Men,' louder than words - a female moment that transcended past differences.

Justin smiled softly as he watched the alpha male posturing in front of him. The sexual tension in the room began to climb. As the moment drew out, Justin decided that he didn't need the potential complications. He coughed slightly to get Brian's attention.

Brian looked over at Justin with a raised eyebrow.

Justin simply shook his lightly. "He's my agent."

Brian gave a light sigh, looked into Jared's eyes, shrugged his shoulders and stepped back. "Why don't you have a seat while the Lieutenant finishes her questions?"

Jared smirked slightly as he sat down on the large couch across from Justin.

As Cam was about to continue, another knock sounded. Brian opened the door to reveal Emmett in all his glory. His purple ankle length fall coat was topped by a purple and pink cap. Emmett smiled at the sight of Justin, "Sweetie, how are you doing?"

"Emmett?" Justin rushed up and was immediately engulfed in a hug. "What are you doing here?" Justin asked then thought better of it as the police officer cleared her throat. "Tell me later. The detective here isn't done asking questions."

Emmett took off his coat, threw it over the couch next to Jared and sat down. "Why hello. Who are you, sugar?"

Jared raised an eyebrow as he took in the shiny grey pants topped by a tight, red shirt. "Jared Bannerman - Justin's new agent." Jared's obvious interest caused Emmett's eyes to light up.

"I'm Emmett Honeycutt and I'm pleased to meet you." Emmett shifted slightly closer to Jared. "Very pleased." Emmett's face lit up as he saw the flowers on the table behind Jared. "Oh, my God! It's golden gardenias." Emmett bounced on the couch as he turned to Justin. "Where did you find them?"

Cam cleared her throat with a deadly glare for the interruptions. Emmett obediently settled down as Justin moved to sit back down with Cam to discuss the bombing itself. After a few more questions, Justin finished.

Cam looked down at her notes. "One thing I'm puzzled about - it seems out of character. Why did you go to the prom if Brian wouldn't go with you?"

"My Mom and Debbie told me the prom was a once in a lifetime experience." Justin smiled slightly. "They were …" He broke off suddenly, wincing. Justin put his hand to his head. "Shit. Sorry." He took a deep breath. "My head's pounding."

Brian moved to stand next to him. "Are you okay?"

"Not really." Justin sat perfectly still, gathering his thoughts. "This is unbelievable. I just remembered something. I went because of Hobbs." Justin looked up, stunned. "Right before I asked Daphne to go with me." He shook his head in disbelief. "I didn't remember. I didn't tell anyone before because I knew they'd freak out. Everybody told me it was because of Mom and Debbie pushing me to go, but that's not it. Hobbs told me not to go or I'd regret it."

"You got your head bashed in because you had to make a point?" Brian demanded, instantly furious.

Justin looked up at Brian, impossibly gorgeous in a rage. Justin had felt Brian tense throughout the interview, the anger simmering just below the surface, growing as he relived the prom. "Brian, could you just," he winced in agony, "hold that thought for a bit?"

"What?" Brian scowled.

"I'm really not up to a fight right now. And I like fighting with you. The makeup sex is amazing." Justin smiled wanly. "But can you wait a few minutes for me to recover first?" Justin glanced around the room. "Anybody got an aspirin?"

Brian's inarticulate mutter caused Lydia to chuckle as she reached into her purse for the painkiller to give to Justin.

Emmett jumped up, got a glass of water. "Here, baby."

"Thanks, Em."

"You know, Mr. Kinney," Cam drawled. "You seem awfully protective of Justin."

"So what?"

"Just wondering - how often have you interacted with Chris Hobbs?"

Brian's face changed as he looked at Cam with new respect. He gave a sideways smile and said, "Twice."

"What?" Justin sat up, ignoring the pain the in his head. "When?"

"The first would be when you got him away from Justin at the prom, right?" Cam asked.

Brian nodded. "Right. How'd you know I saw him again?"

"I'm very good at my job. You're not the type to just let it go," Cam responded quietly. "When was the second time?"

Brian rubbed his neck, leaning his head back before dropping his hand with a sigh. "During gay pride. Right after Justin saw him at the Aids Hospice. I wanted to make sure he understood what would happen if he got near Justin again."

"What did you do to him?" Emmett asked in a hushed voice.

"We talked." Brian slowly enunciated, throwing Emmett a disgusted glance. "When I left, there wasn't a mark on him, but I think he got the point."

"What did you do?" the lieutenant repeated firmly.

Lydia quickly interjected, "Brian, your immunity extends after the bashing only if no one got hurt."

"There really wasn't a mark on him," Brian repeated, but added more at Lydia's warning glance. "If you want to hear more, it's off the record." Lydia nodded in agreement.

Cam looked at Lydia then agreed with a light shrug. "All right - off the record, Brian. What did you do to him?"

"Why do you really want to know?" Brian asked.

"I like to learn new techniques to interview people." Cam grinned at Brian. "Something tells me yours was effective."

Brian looked at her thoughtfully then shrugged. "Anyone ever fucked a masochist?" Brian asked the group, tongue in cheek.

At the negative responses, Brian nodded agreeably. "I usually avoid them too, not really into it, but there was this one." Brian grinned at Emmett. "Stand up for a second."

"Brian," Emmett fluttered his hands nervously as he got up. "I am so not into pain."

"Don't worry." Brian moved in front of Emmett. "I won't hurt you… much." Emmett didn't appear reassured.

Brian started. "He was having a hard time getting off so I asked him what to do. He told me that the most exquisite pain could be found with a two step process."

"Grab here," Brian's long fingers moved towards Emmett's crotch without touching, "and squeeze and twist as hard as you can." Emmett's eyes widened as Brian's left hand went to the airways on Emmett's neck, touching them lightly. "Then cut off his breath like this." Emmett stared into Brian's eyes, mesmerized, unable to get his breath.

Brian stepped back, causing Emmett to take a shaky breath. "The lack of oxygen intensifies the pain of the injury."

Brian smiled brightly at the wide-eyed people in the room. "It's a good method. He can't scream and he walks away without a mark. Apparently it lasts all day. Every time you piss or fuck, it hurts like hell." Brian shrugged. "Masochists like that part."

"You did that to someone for fun?" Emmett asked incredulously.

Brian's hand came up to lightly hold Emmett's chin as he looked him in the eye. "It's what he needed." Brian grinned evilly at Justin as he let go of Emmett. "Besides I couldn't break rule number two. I had to do something."

"What rule?" Emmett queried, his voice rising to a squeak. "There are rules for this?"

Justin smiled back from the couch. "Rule Number Two: The bottom always comes first." Brian gave a nod, the teacher complimenting his pupil.

"Well," Cam cleared her throat lightly. "It was effective on Hobbs, was it?"

"He couldn't speak but he did seem to listen when I threatened to have him murdered."

Emmett stared at Brian. "You're a little scary, sometimes. You know that, right?"

Brian just chuckled in response.

Cam rose. "If you gentlemen wouldn't mind, keep both of your later encounters with Hobbs secret. It may help the investigation since they're not public knowledge." At Justin's and Brian's agreeing nods, she started for the door. "Thank you for your help. We may need to get in touch with you again." She paused on the way out the door, looking at Brian. "I was just wondering. Are you any relation to Aiden Kinney?"

"I don't think so."

"He runs a pub just outside of Chelsea, the Wild Rover, with his sister Aileen. He looks like you."

"I grew up in New York until I was thirteen, but I don't remember any relatives."

Justin raised a brow towards Emmett who nodded discreetly in replay. The pub was about to have new clients.

"Lieutenant," Justin asked softly from the couch. "Are you seeing anyone?"

"What?" Cam looked puzzled, "Not right now. Why are you asking?"

"Just wondering." Justin's innocent smile told her there was more to it, but she let it go with a shrug as she left.

"That's a great idea," Emmett enthused. "She'd be perfect for Lindsay."

"No cops," Brian said. "I refuse to hide my addictions and Lindsay wouldn't want to see the father of her son in jail."

Justin simply replied, "We'll see," before changing the subject. "Jared, how do you want me to handle it when the reporters show up?" Justin grinned at Brian's glare. His headache was clearing up.

"I think one press conference to get the bulk of the questions done, followed by one or two interviews with reputable television reporters would be the way to go." Jared thoughtfully proclaimed, "We'd want to set the interviews up so they get to know you a bit, show a couple of pieces of your work, maybe do a bit of gay rights advocating. That way you get something out of it too."

Brian rolled his eyes in disgust. "Oh, goody, advocating. You can join the ranks of gays saying please don't hate me, like our friends at the GLC."

"Brian, somebody has to try. If we just give up, we're hiding from the reality of discrimination." Justin stated, getting up and walking over to Brian.

"Don't expect me to join the ranks of protestors at a rally. You can have the hugfest and wear the Shoot me please sign all by yourself."

"No one is expecting you to…" Justin started to respond, but then paused as what Brian had said sunk in. "I'm not planning to make myself into a target."

"You never do," Brian agreed with a forced smile. He then turned and walked into the kitchenette where he poured himself a drink.

"Shit," Justin murmured softly. He looked over at Jared. "Set up the interviews." He glanced at Emmett, nodding toward the door before walking over to Brian. "Brian," he started softly, "I need…"

"That's my cue," Emmett interjected loudly.

Both Justin and Brian turned together. "What?"

Emmett reached down and picked up his coat. "What time do you have to leave for your flight, Brian?"

"In two hours." Brian scowled. "Why?"

"I might be a romantic fairy, but I figure you two want some privacy before then." Emmett tilted his head questioningly.

"Definitely," responded Justin.

"Happy to be of help. I'll be back in an hour and a half." Emmett gestured toward the door, shooing Jared and Lydia in front of him. "Ta ta for now."

At the sound of the closing door, Brian turned to Justin. "What the fuck was that all about?"

Justin eyes lit up at the look on Brian's face. "He's just giving us a bit of space. It's been a brutal day." Justin leaned in to hug Brian, looking up into his eyes. "You know I have to do this, right?"

"Why? No one expects you to be the gay poster boy, but if you start our friends at the GLC will never you go. You're too damn photogenic – unlike them." Brian closed his eyes, looking away from Justin before repeating the real reason. "It makes you a target."

Justin pulled Brian down on the couch to explain. "In high school, I fought the homophobes with words, with politics, with the law. After the bashing and the trial, I didn't trust those things any more. None of it saved me." Justin glanced to the side, uncomfortable expressing his thoughts. "Hobbs, my father – they made me so angry and scared that I could beat people in the streets and aim a loaded gun just to prove I wasn't terrified. Brian, I need…" Justin looked into Brian's eyes, pleading for understanding. "I need to keep fighting back my way - with words. If I have a chance to make a difference, I can't let it go."

Brian rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. "God, you're starting to sound like Zen Ben."

"There are worse things." Justin grinned as Brian rolled his eyes. "We only have ninety minutes," Justin continued. "What do you want to do – fight or fuck?"

Brian gave an inarticulate growl, pulled Justin up off the couch and crashed his mouth down in a raging kiss. After a few minutes, Brian pulled back to drag Justin to the bed.

Justin, already aroused, gave a small laugh. "Good choice."