Brian standing in front of him is him. Brian's heart skips a beat at the sight, his body awash with sudden adrenaline, though there's a part of his that is entirely unsurprised, that looks at him and just thinks, oh, there you are.
"So you actually married my godmother"
His voice. It's still the same, still the soft melody whispering over Brian's skin, so familiar that it makes his breath hitch.
"And she is pregnant "Justin cold voice made Brian take a step back and take a good look at him.
During his time at London, Justin did look like he had spent a lot of time in a gym; He had been wearing a pair of very tight light blue jeans that showed off, not only his spectacular ass and considerable endowment, but also the fact that his thighs were now very muscular.
On his upper body, he wore a white wife-beater that clung to his torso and revealed a sculptured chest. His arms were bare, showing the large muscles in his shoulders and arms.
" I didn't know you had an older sister," said Brian trying to change the subject. He was not ashamed of his marriage to CEO but his wedding with Heidi, it was something he did not want to discuss with the man who was standing in front of him.
Justin's voice grew low, silky, seductive. "You never cared to know me. I was just a fuck for you."
Lie. That was a fucking lie. Everyone in Pittsburgh knew that the blond boy was something out of the ordinary for Brian. Even, Brian didn't want to admit it.
"This is bullshit and you know that. Right? " Brian said, a bit archly, but found it was difficult to speak, he was growing so breathless.
"Of course. " Justin answered back smoothly. " I am rge boy you fucked for that once"
Justin's roving eyes stopped, lingered on Brian's lips. Justin leaned forward slowly, lightly brushed his lips against Brian's once, then once again. Brian did not react, stood stone still. Wanting this. Hating this. Hating himself for wanting this.
Brian pulled back slightly, undeterred, just enough to speak."Where is your boyfriend? "
Brian kept picturing them together, the boy touching Justin's cheek, sucking his lip.
"At London. We have an apartment together and we are happy. Thank you for asking."Justin finally said, prevaricating slightly.
Brian picked his head up, pulling away from her as anger, jealousy, and hurt began to course through his veins.
Brian smiled slightly."I am happy for you."
Brian threw down his own half-smoked cigarette, then walked towards him so determinedly that Justin backed up until he found himself against the wall. Brian placed his hands on the bricks to either side of him, boxing him in, face to face.
"I missed you like a crazy man wants air to be alive. I thought I had what I wanted sex, money, freedom but you came to my life and changed everything: My theories about love and life, you saw the real me and not that asshole who everyone keeps talking about. You loved me and you left me like the others and it was too late for me to tell you...I love you," Brian says, but it sounds more like an accusation than words of affection.
Justin closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. His inner 17 years old loves that sentiment coming out of Brian's mouth. But the adult in him knows that it isn't that simple.
"I know you do," Justin says softly."But.."
"I am a married man."Brian blurted out. "I have a new life. I have a wife, family, a daughter...I don't want to ruin my future. Just, I hope you are happy."
Justin walks forward, hand-stretched out, but Brian ignores it and hugs him instead.
Their embrace ends and Brian reluctantly lets's go. Justin nods at him one last time and then Brian´s watching him walking out of the cemetery. The end of an era. The end of him.
Brian hopes that nobody can hear his heart shatter.
The inside of Michael Novotny's little comic book shop is quiet and dark. Outside fierce winds are blowing and the sky threatens snow but inside all is still. Michael hasn't had a customer in three days. After a brief Christmas rush his business has slowed to near non-existence and that coupled with the recent departure of his lover and foster son for a "positive men's' retreat" in Hawaii has Michael consumed with melancholy and loneliness. He glances at the clock. Closing time isn't for another half an hour but he actually has somewhere to be tonight (for a change) and the warmth and silence inside the shop are making him feel claustrophobic. Closing up takes about a minute and then he grabs his heavy blue parka from the coat rack and sets off down the street, head bowed against the icy wind.
As he fights his way uptown he wonders for about the thousandth time why he doesn't own a car. The answer comes to him quickly enough, "Because you always had Brian to drive you around."
Brian.
His best friend. The supposed best friend was more like it. Michael could count how many times he'd seen Brian in the last three months on the fingers of one hand. Some best friend.
Thinking about the pair of them, Brian and his "wife" gets Michael good and pissed. Deep down he knows he doesn't have any real reason to be but the anger heats his blood, so much so that he barely notices the cold and being mad seems a more noble occupation than indulging in self-pity, so he gives himself up to it. Brian and Heidi. Heidi and Brian.
Michael bets Heidi's phone calls never go unreturned. No way. And it occurs to him that the few times he has seen either of them, they're together. Kissing, touching, arms around each other, laughing, talking, so goddamn infatuated with each other it's like they're living in a bubble with everyone else on the outside.
He must get rip of her and that child.
Heidi was sitting in the kitchen at Jennifer and was thinking about everything that happened today. The anniversary of Felicia `s death, Justin homecoming, the baby. Heidi sighed and rubbed a hand over her face as she flipped through the pictures which she stole from Jennifer`s house after they found pictures of Felicia. Or, really, it was one in particular that had caught her attention. She didn't even think Felicia realized what he'd caught on camera. Her beautiful goddaughter with her long blonde hair and blue eyes just like her mother and brother.
The other picture was Jennifer as the centerpiece but also included Heidi this time as well. They smiled as she recalled being reluctantly tugged into the middle of the Todd and Brandon sandwich by Brandon. Jennifer'd laughed, and tried to fight them off, even as she wrapped her arms around her best friend and pressed her lips into Jennifer's hair. And Jennifer holding her stomach and laughing as she whispered ridiculous things in her ear.
"What are you looking at?" Brian asked as he came up behind her
"Some pictures that I took stole from Jennifer," Heidi said, tipping her head back to kiss him. Brian smiled against her mouth and then pulled away, rubbing her nose against Brian's before they both turned back to the photo. "Or, more specifically, pictures from when Jennifer made the announcement of her pregnancy "
"Tell me about her."Brian's eyes landed on Jennifer, sad eyes through the living room.
"She was the most energetic girl you ever saw. She used to play piano and guitar and some times Felicia pretended to be Maria Callas and sing."She shook off the bit of sadness and smiled again. "Her favorite color was green and rose her favorite flower, hating people she was locked into her room with a book. Felicia was my heir, it was my light after my marriage with Ace."
Heidi reached for two water glasses, filling them halfway with vodka she retrieved from her freezer.
"What happened? "
Heidi brushed past him and took a seat on her sofa with one of the glasses. "Me"
Brian turned to face her. "What?"
" I killed her." She folded her legs beneath her and leaned against the arm of the couch as she sipped her vodka slowly.
"I was in Miami to see an old friend of mine. Carter Verone was a friend and a criminal but I could not judge him because I was worst. I lost the count of how many times I helped him with drugs or guns." This caused Heidi to laugh." His husband is a fucking former FBI Agent for God's sake."
"During my time at Miami, Felicia had decided to visit me before Collage but I did not know"
"Felicia show up out of blue..", Heidi bit his lip. The slight tremble of her hands was impossible for Brian to ignore."She shows up t my apartment while I was partying with Carter and Brian for our win against the police. The previous night someone from Carter enemies had to inform the police about drugs and we hid it at my house."
The air was dangerous. It was as if anytime a spark would appear out of thin air and burst into a fire.
"Members from another cartel showed up my house reaching for drugs and they found Felicia."
The tears fell from Heidi's eyes at this point. " I can't do this anymore."
Heidi rushed out of the kitchen with Brandon and Todd after her while Jennifer, Tucker, and Brian were stunned.
"They killed her, "Jennifer said helplessly.
Brian looked at the blonde woman who was crying her eyes out. He wanted to protect her and hug her.
Tucker stood next her pulled her close to him.
"Heidi found her the next day. She has been blaming herself for years about Felicia`s death and tried to kill herself more than twice "
"Did you?", Brian asked. Jennifer swallowed again.
"I never blame her for that. Heidi loved my daughter with all her heart, she was there for her when she had her first heartbreak or when Felicia won at a talent show."Jennifer shakily took in a deep breath." Felicia was like her daughter and Heidi would do everything to protect her but some times.."
"Greg blamed me for her death"
Brian's heart sank at Heidi's words.
"Heidi?" he asked, trepidation creeping into his voice.
"He found me after the funeral and beat me up, calling me names and blaming me for Felicia."
Silence fell upon the room and Jennifer looked hurt, but she only nodded and got back to the sofa.
"Even Justin blamed me"Heidi offered, reaching out to rest her hand on Brian's arm."He is right"
"No," Brian shook his head, voice unbearably soft, and when he looked at Heidi her eyes were shining with unshed tears. "You loved Felicia with all your heart. You did everything for her, even you paid for her Collage. Her loss is painful but you cannot blame yourself anymore."
"Brian is right" Jennifer admits.
"The world is falling apart." , Tucker stated after overcoming his shock
"Tucker," reprimanded Heidi.
"Heidi, you must stop blaming yourself. We have been through a lot of shit for years. We ate going through this shit, together. Like family"Jennifer finished with a huff and a big gulp of air, as she stared down at her hands.
"Fuck, Schmidt, you look like shit," Brian said as the zombie that was his friend and CFO lurched through the door and slumped into a chair, completely ignoring the curious looks shot his way. "What the hell are you doing here? I know for a fact that you have nearly a month and a half left of paternity leave as I signed the paperwork myself."
"Blake kicked me out," Ted muttered, his eyes a mere slit as he rested his chin on his hand; and, frankly, looked like he'd fall over at any minute.
"Ah, you were hovering were you?" Brian snickered, and then laughed outright when Ted shot him a dirty look and flipped him off.
"Like you're one to talk," Ted snapped, and then rubbed a hand over his face and smiled sheepishly. "I do happen to know that you don't exactly handoff yourself."
Brian arched a brow.
"Heidi and Blake talk," Ted smirked tiredly. "Every single day apparently. I swear, between Heidi and Emmett, the phone is always fucking ringing." He paused to look at Brian, who's confusion must have shown on his face. "I'm guessing you didn't know about that. The three of them are thick as thieves and talk to each other about everything. It's been even worse lately as Emmett has been making noises about starting to plan for yours and Heidi's baby shower."
"Baby shower?" Brian asked; dread coating each word as a chill tripped its way down his spine. "What do you mean baby shower?"
"Ah, you didn't actually think you were going to get out of an Emmett special, did you" Ted teased, sniggering at Brian's more than horrified look. "Yeah, not happening. They have been talking themes and colors and games and favors and food to fit the said theme. Emmett has been salivating for this day; there is no way in hell he's going to give up planning the baby shower of the year."
"That's enough," Brian said, holding up a hand; he so didn't want to think about this right now. He had a meeting to run in about ten minutes and didn't need the added stress. He'd deal with it when he got home. "So why did Blake send you packing?"
"Blake said that my going in to constantly check on Luc was waking him up before his time," Ted muttered, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. "And he said, if Luc doesn't sleep then he doesn't get to sleep. And if he doesn't sleep, you can bet my sweet ass that I wouldn't be sleeping. And thus, he kicked me out of the house in order to salvage his sanity and my well-being; because if I didn't leave, he wasn't going to be held responsible for what he did."
Brian threw his head back and laughed; a deep belly laugh that startled the employees that had already gathered in the conference room.
"Yeah, you laugh now," Ted said with a smirk. "But in about five months, you're going to be in my shoes and it won't seem so funny then."
"Theodore, I'm already there," Brian snickered, a wicked grin on his face. "Heidi has reached the point where sex is a thing that must happen at least twice a day, if not more. Sleep is not a thing that happens right now."
"Twice a day?" Ted asked incredulously.
"Sometimes three or four depending on her mood." Brian shrugged and smirked when Ted's jaw dropped. "Close your mouth, Theodore; we don't need you collecting flies."
"Lucky bastard," Ted grumbled, sinking back in his chair with a huff. "I was lucky if Blake wanted to have sex a few times a week; especially at the end. He complained that his skin was far too sensitive and he didn't want to be touched."
" I still want to get over that I had sex with a woman." Brian hummed, flipping the folder in front of him open when he saw Cynthia walk into the room and nod, letting him know they were ready."But this is my life now and I will not change Heidi for no one."
"Even for Justin .?" Ted exclaimed as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Brian opened his eyes wide, not believing what he had just heard.
"No"
Ted snorted but didn't say anything as Brian brought the meeting to order. He spent the next hour going over the new accounts that had been brought in that week and got updates on the current campaigns in progress, finding out where they stood and where they needed to focus in order to bring them up to date. They had just finished going over staffing needs and issues when Brian flipped to the financials, which he was going to take care of; but since Ted was here, he'd have the man do it himself.
"And so, I'll turn it over to Ted, and he can fill us in on the details," Brian said, sitting back in his chair and waiting for Ted to take over the discussion. But when a few seconds had passed without any noise from that direction, Brian turned and prompted him again. "Ted?"
But the only thing that came out of Ted's mouth was a loud snore, followed by a grunt and snuffle, much to the rest of the staff's amusement. Brian pinched the bridge of his nose and mentally rolled his eyes skyward, begging for patience as everyone else around him chuckled when Ted kept right on snoozing without a care in the world.
"Ted!" Brian shouted, startling the other man out of his slumber; Ted snorted and jumped, looking around blurrily as if trying to figure out where exactly he was. He turned to Brian and quelled at his exasperated glare. "Go sleep in your fucking office so I can finish the meeting in peace."
Ted flushed and quickly gathered his things before heading towards the door, only pausing as Brian admonished.
"And for fuck's sake, Ted; the next time Blake kicks you out, go bug Heidi or Emmett; some of us are trying to work here."
"So, baby shower?" Brian asked, arching a brow as this had been the first he'd heard of it. He should have expected it though; he'd seen the fervent gleam in Emmett's eye right after he and Heidi announced their pregnancy.
"Nothing you have to worry your pretty, little head about, darling," Heidi simpered and batted her lashes; Brian just scowled. "I'll just tell you the date once it's been decided, and you only have to show up."
"But…" Brian trailed off with a grimace when Heidi leveled a gimlet stare in his direction.
"And you will show up if you know what's good for you," she stated firmly, his tone brooking no argument. Brian frowned but knew better than to say anything. "I don't expect you to play the games or do any of the silly rituals, as I know you'll probably break out in hives if you had to, but you will be here. I'll leave you to entertain Todd and Bradon."
"Yes, dear," Brian sniggered, making Heidi roll her eyes.
"Besides, it's not like I'm doing much myself, as Emmett has taken complete control..." Heidi trailed off with a funny look on her face.
Brian furrowed his brow and watched Heidi's look of utter concentration, wondering what the fuck was going on with his wife now.
"Oh," Heidi exclaimed softly, her hand flying to her belly, which had started to develop some curvature to it lately. "Oh, wow that is…"
"Heidi…" Brian looked at the hand clenched against Heidi's stomach, and then took in Heidi's stunned face with no little amount of alarm; he made all the worse as Heidi paled, sending a frisson of fear rippling down his spine. "Is everything okay? Is there something wrong with the baby?"
"Oh, Brian," Heidi said, her eyes tearing over, and that did nothing to reassure Brian. "It's…it's… I'm fine. I'm fine." Brian looked at her skeptically. "No, really, I'm fine. I promise. It's just that…I just felt the baby move."
Brian's eyes flew to Heidi's stomach and in an instant, he was on the floor his hands-on Heidi's stomach. But try as he might, he couldn't feel anything, much to his disappointment.
"Do, you feel it?" Heidi asked hoarsely, her eyes shining with joy as she took Brian's hands and moved them to a bit lower on her stomach. "Right there." But Brian couldn't 't and shook his head in negation; Heidi made a disappointed noise. "Well, they did warn us that it might take longer before you could feel it. But still..."
"What's it like?" Brian asked, his hands caressing Heidi's stomach with wonder.
"It's kind of like this fluttery feeling?" Heidi said with a frown. "Only not? Maybe more like popcorn popping. You know like these quick, little, bubbling jabs. I don't know how to explain it." Heidi paused, a small giggle of wonder bubbling out as her hand tightened over her stomach. "I thought I felt something yesterday when we're watching the ultrasound; but then I thought, I had to be imagining it just because I could see the baby squirming around on the monitor."
"I wish I could feel it," Brian said, pulling his hands away with some disappointment. He rested his hands on Heidi's hips and pressed a kiss to her stomach, and whispered.
"Soon, Sunbeam; soon."
After 4 hours Brian was watching Heidi while left the office. The woman was stressed because someone tried to sabotage her firm.
Three days ago someone hacked her security system and destroyed all her copies of design plans and Heidi almost lost control over her emotions. She threw plates and vases over the wall and threatened to slap her sons when they tried to comfort her. The firm was the baby of Heidi and it is killing her inside knowing that someone tried to hurt her hard work.
Brian, Jennifer, Tucker, Todd, and Brandon were trying everything to keep Heidi calm but only Todd was felicitously using his puppy eyes at Heidi.
His thoughts were interrupted by the voice of a man.
"She's a murderess."
Brian looked at the man who was standing at the door of his office. The man has long black hair and a big smile on his face. Wore expensive clothes and the air of arrogant was around him.
"What?" Brian snarled, saliva flying from his mouth.
"Heidi O`Neil"The man sounded gleeful. "She will kill you. She is a heartless slut and.."
Brian drags him out of his office, dumbass' arm firmly clutched in his hand. Brian shoved him towards the entranceway, his lips compressed into a thin white line and his eyes blazing. The stranger ripped his arm away and rubbed it, unwisely opening his mouth to complain. But Brian put a halt to it with one raised hand.
"Who the fuck are you.?" Brian asked between clenched teeth, staring the man down.
"A friend."The man's voice grumbled."Heidi O`Neil is a monster and a murderer. "
Brian opened his mouth to speak, nothing came out. His heart was beating so heavily against his ribcage he could feel the vibrations in his hand.
"She will kill you like she killed her first husband"The man drawled, a sardonic grin on his face and a hard glint in his eyes.
Brian looked at him, her expression stern. The brunette knew about Heidi`s ex-husband and the abuse. He had seen the scars and her screams from nightmares. She was young and naive, a true believer about true love but now, she is just like him. A broken person.
"My name is Al Ruzek and I was there. At the funeral, Heidi was smiling and everyone knows that she was the one who killed Ace"Al's tone was scathing." Blood, so much blood. Running, trickling, splattered on the ground. She was covered in it. Thick, red, and coppery. It smelt like death. Ace was dead."
"You don't know my wife." The words left a bitter taste in Brian's mouth. "You knew that he was an abuser? Have you see her scars?"
"Yeah, that's what I thought," Brian snorted, obviously reading the non-answer correctly. "Get the fuck out of my office, Ruzek; I don't have time to deal with this bullshit. I have someone important to take care of; and newsflash is my wife."
"Come near to her and you will lose your fingers."Brian scowled. "If I found out that you were behind the hacking, I will end you."
Turning his back on the asshole, Brian smiled tightly and nodded as he took the cloth and mug from her hands. "Thank you, Cynthia. Please take care of that, if you would?"
"It would be my pleasure," Cynthia said, casting the peon an evil smile as Brian walked back into his office. "Shall we, Mr. Ruzek?"
Heidi leaned back and closed her eyes, a tight little smile on her face as Emmett excused himself to go use the restroom. She felt bad for her friend. Emmett had been trying so hard to distract her from jer work, but all Heidi could see in her mind were the destroyed plans. It's what it felt like too.
Like she'd been gutted. Like someone had taken a knife to her heart and belly instead of the firm.
Heidi took a deep breath and shook her head; while she was certainly upset about the rest of the damage to the firm, it was the loss of her hard work shattered her. Each piece was a part of her heart, a part of her soul that she freely gave away because she wanted to share the toys with children.
She didn't need to spark another panic attack. She'd already been close to that edge since last night and had been desperately been trying to crawl back from that ledge as she knew that this level of stress couldn't be good for her or for Sunbeam.
That is, of course, why that annoying, whining little weasel's voice decided to cut through his mental exercises now; fucking Murphy's Law.
"There you are you stupid, little alut," Michael hissed; and Heidi could tell from the tone of his voice that he was gearing up for another epic temper tantrum; fuck, where was Jennifer when she needed her; she so did not have the patience for this shit today. "I knew you were going to be nothing but trouble when you came into our lives. But, of course, you have Brian brainwashed and completely under your spell; and he never listens to me anymore."
Gee, I wonder why, Mikey? Could it be you're an annoying little shit, who seems to be stuck in a time loop; where we just keep coming back to this idea that I'm the villain in some cheesy comic book script that you've written for your life?
Did she mention that she had no patience for this shit today?
"Hello, Michael," Heidi sighed, opening her eyes to focus on the thorn in her side. "How lovely it is to see you again; how are you today? Me? Oh, I'm doing as well as can be expected given that I seem to be carrying the world's next, great soccer player or gold cast professional dancer."
"Don't get smart with me, you little whore," Michael spat; and it took everything in Heidi not to roll her eyes and, inadvertently, make things worse. "Being cute isn't going to distract me from your bullshit splattering all over Brian once again."
And Jesus Christ, Michael was a fucking broken record; he really needed to get new material because this shit was just boring Heidi now.
"So, what have I done now?" Heidi blithely asked, wondering what transgression he'd committed now in Novotneyville. "Did I single-handedly bring about the national debt? Hold down Lance Armstrong and force him to take steroids and lie to the entire world about it? Instigate global warming? Did I manage to somehow get one of your favorite comic book superheroes killed off again? Not to worry about the last one. You do know that in about a month or so, that Marvel will find a way to resurrect them, right? Superheroes never stay dead. Well, outside of Captain Astro, but he was peanuts in the greater comic book universe anyways."
Yeah, take that asshole; now go the fuck away and let me eat my lunch in peace.
"Unbelievable," Michael spat, shaking his head in disgust; Heidi just looked at him blandly since he still had no fucking idea what brought this week's tirade on. "You don't even care, do you?"
"Well, since I have no idea what the fuck you're talking about," Heidi said in an even tone, mentally counting down from one hundred so he didn't smear the insect across the floor. "As usual; it's hard to find any remorse for my so-called actions."
"I'm talking about the fact that once again Brian is in danger because of you," Michael sneered, shoving Heidi's shoulder. And, oh, she was just asking for that beat down now.
"What?" Heidi asked irritably, getting sick of the circles Michael was speaking in. Just fucking tell her the problem, so she could get on with his life; preferably within the next eon too. "What the fuck are you talking about?"
"Oh, what, now you care?" Michael asked, trying to ape Brian's sarcastic wit and failing miserably. Seriously, don't even try to engage in a battle of wits when you were outclassed in every way. It just made you look pathetic.
And then Michael said something that had Heidi's blood running cold.
"I'm talking about the fact that Brian has some psycho gunning for him and wanting to off him because of you, you shit head," Michael spat, completely ignoring Heidi's comment.
Heidi literally felt all the color in her face drain; her blood chilled further as her mind started rapidly piecing things together. Things she should have picked up from the beginning, but hadn't because he'd been so heartbroken over the loss of her firm
"What?" Ahe managed to choke out.
"Didn't think I'd hear about it, did you?" Michael sneered, still running off at the mouth and not even paying attention as he ripped into Heidi. "Oh, but I heard all of the gritty details; about how someone broke into the office of Brian and threatened to kill him because of you."
"No, that's not…" Heidi denied quietly, but then trailed off as her blood began to rush in her head, leaving Michael's voice to grow distance, as more pieces fell into place.
Her heart started tripping wildly in her chest, tapping out an erratic tempo as she recalled the feeling of being watched; about how he thought she felt someone touch her at the parade and whisper something softly in his ear. She'd ignored it at the time, but now distinctly remembered a voice saying, 'you look lovely today, my angel.'
"Ace?"
"How they defaced anything that even hinted at Brian being in your life," Michael continued without even realizing he'd lost his audience's attention as Heidi was too wrapped up in her thoughts.
Heidi's breathing grew shallow with every word spat at her and every single sign that came to mind until her heartfelt as if it were trying to pound out of her chest. Her vision swam before his eyes and she felt like she couldn't breathe. It felt like her blood was literally throbbing in her head and neck and her chest was being crushed in a vise. She tried to draw in a deep breath, but he couldn't, ramping up her panic another notch.
"He said that they were actively trying to wipe Brian out of your life," Michael sneered, and Heidi barely felt Michael's spittle hit his cheek as he rampaged on like a rabid animal. "Which should be the opposite if you asked me; you're nothing but a danger to Brian because this asshole has, for some reason beyond me, decided that eliminating Brian out of your life will get them what they want. That…"
Michael's voice instantly cut off as Em came back to the table; some small part of Heidi registered Michael's face paling as he looked around and noted the disgusted looks of the patrons around him. And then he cringed when he noticed Em staring at him with barely repressed rage. But the greater part of Heidi's focus was internal, latched onto the one thought that could terrify her more than losing the use of her right hand once more.
"Michael," Em hissed, shoving the other man away from Heidi; but Heidi could barely even react as her mind was elsewhere. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I'm was just telling this slut that once again he is nothing but a menace and Brian would have been better off…" Michael hissed, gearing up once more, before cowering as Emmett's face darkened.
"Better off what, Michael?" Em asked in a deceptively silky tone, his eyes flashing fire at the smaller man. "Being with you?"
"That is not…" Michael protested, realizing he was perilously close to getting his ass kicked by any, and all, present.
"Save it for someone who cares," Em spat, turning back to aking and panting Heidi. "Heidi?" Heidi turned slowly towards him, blanching when she saw the worried look on Em's face; shit, she must look worse than she felt. "Heidi; are you okay?"
Heidi tried to reassure her friend that she was okay, but he couldn't get the words out. All she could see in his mind's eye was Brian, lying broken and bleeding among the glass and the ceramics and the wood and the slashed canvas on the loft floor. Heidi sucked in a sharp breath and, unknowingly, made a keening sound in the back of her throat.
"Heidi, come on," Em pleaded, reaching out a hand towards Heidi; but she couldn't stand the thought of anyone touching her right now. She flinched, curling away from Emmett as the visual of Brian continued to play over and over in a continuous loop in Heidi's head. Em growled and spun around. "What the fuck did you say to her, Michael?"
"Oh, this is just so typical," Michael spat, firing up once again and clearly not getting the picture that he was treading on thin ice; something that a small, still observant, part of Heidi recognized by Em's tone. It was the same one he'd developed for tricks who couldn't seem to understand that no meant no. "She freaks out and you blame me; the stupid slut just couldn't face the truth that once again Brian is in danger because of her."
"You said what?" Em asked in a deceptively calm voice, and then he held up his hand before Michael could answer. "You know what? I don't have time for your petty bullshit. You have exactly thirty seconds to get the hell out of here, or you will learn just how I survived all those years in Hazelhurst. And trust me, when they say my aim is deadly accurate; it means just that."
"Sir, is there a problem?" the manager asked, coming up at that moment.
"No," Em said, and then paused, giving Michael the evil eye. "Actually yes; this man was harassing my friend and I'd like him to leave."
"Your friend?" Michael squawked, his mouth agape. "Oh, and what am I?"
"Nothing, Michael," Em said, looking at him as if he'd smelled something putrid. "You are nothing to me. Because the person I met, the friend that I thought I once knew, wouldn't have done this. I don't know who the fuck you are anymore. And quite frankly, I don't care to. No, leave before I do something I won't regret."
"But Em…" Michael whined, but Em ignored him.
He turned back to Heidi and knelt down in front of her; Heidi felt as if she was watching him from a distance, her vision blurred and graying a bit around the edges. Frowning, Em grabbed a napkin, wet it with some water from Heidi's glass and dabbed at Heidi's brow. Heidi hissed and flinched; the napkin felt unnaturally cold against his unnaturally hot skin, almost as if she were running a fever. Closing her eyes, Heidi shook her head rapidly trying to get away from the soothing touch. She didn't deserve it, not when Brian…
Oh God, Brian; why hadn't she seen what had been right in front of her face? He'd been so worried about her firm and oh, God, she couldn't even think it. Shuddering, Heidi leaned her head against Em's shoulder.
"Sir, I have to ask you to leave," the tinny voice of the manager came above the roaring in Heidi's ears. "I can't have you disrupting my business or harassing my customers."
"But I don't understand what…" Michael started but was cut off.
"Please leave," the manager said a bit more firmly; and then he sighed and said to…well, Heidi had no idea who; but someone there. "A little help here?"
"Wait, wait," Michael spluttered and then demanding if he weren't the entire reason Heiss couldn't feel any of her limbs. "What's wrong with her?"
"You need to leave now, Michael; I don't have time to deal with your bullshit!" Em spat, cautiously wrapping an arm around Heidi; but Heidi couldn't really feel it. She felt so cold inside, a hardball of dread solidifying in her stomach as she played the words over in her head again. "Heidi? Come on baby, talk to me."
Heidi lifted her head and winced as pain lanced through it.
"Em?" Heidi whispered, her hands shaking. "I don't feel so good. My heart is racing; I can feel it pounding in chest and neck and ears. And my vision is swimming. My chest hurts and it feels like I can't breathe…"
"Can someone call me an ambulance?" Em called over her shoulder, panic creeping in his voice, and Heidi wanted to reassure her friend, but she wasn't even sure of it herself. "It's okay, Heidi; you're going to be fine. Just breathe with me okay. Just like you learned, inhale, two, three; hold, two, three; exhale, two, three; hold, two, three. And again; that's good, Heidi ."
After that, Heidi lost the thread of what was going on; she didn't know how long they sat there trying to force Heidi's breathing to even out; but it must have been awhile because the next thing she knew he was being lifted onto a gurney, with voices echoing over her.
"Can you tell us what happened?" an authoritative voice asked.
"Unfortunately I don't know much as I went to the restroom," Em said, his voice frantic. "But when I got back, she was arguing with a friend, and she went suddenly pale and mentioned that she was having chest pains and breathing issues and that her heart was racing. She's pregnant and I didn't want to take any chances."
"Her blood pressure is elevated," Another voice came from the fog surrounding Heidi. "Are you riding with us?"
"Yes, I'm her friend," Emmett said in a firm tone; and Heidi almost smiled at that. "Let me just call her husband and we can be on our way." Emmett pressed a kiss to her brow. "I'll be right back, Heidi. I just want to call Brian, so he can be there to meet us there. I know how much you hate this, but we don't want anything to happen to, Sunbeam."
Emmett hurried away and then finally after a period of time that Heidi couldn't quite keep the measure of, they were swiftly making their way out the door and he was being put into the ambulance, with Em's voice echoing in his ears before he mercifully blacked out.
"Brian? This is Emmett. I need you to get to West Penn as soon as possible. Um…something has happened to Heidi, but I don't know what; the paramedics said something about him having elevated blood pressure and Heidi was complaining of chest pain and being short of breath and they are currently loading her into…Brian? Brian? Fuck me. I so don't want to be in Michael's shoes right now."