*~Resurrection~*

Trying his best to look calm and collected Justin stood near the back entrance of Melanie and Lindsay's house. He'd stressed about going to an event with so many people but even in his state he couldn't turn down Gus' birthday party. Thankfully, Brain had not left his side since they'd arrived. As he nervously toyed with his hands, Justin watched Lindsay open her son's next gift with Gus on her lap. As she reached into the colorful box the pretty woman let out a gasp of enthusiastic surprise and pulled out the miniature, yellow bat.

"Your son's gonna be a baseball player!" She called out turning her head to Brian.

"Yeah, if you make a man outta him I'm gonna hold you personally responsible."

The laughter continued as the guests watched the toddler throw the bat around and then, clasping it within his tiny hand, Lindsay aided him in swinging it around. The slight smile that was playing on Justin's lips gradually vanished as he suddenly became fixated on the yellow plastic. Closing his eyes he saw it.

Parking garage

Behind him.

Chris Hobbes.

Trying to shake the image from his mind he closed his eyes and slightly moved away. It was then that Brian noticed the change and carefully questioned him.

"Justin?"

JUSTIN!

He felt himself beginning to collapse from the inside out and by the time Brian had moved to him Justin felt as if he were going to break. Brian wrapped his arms around him as tightly as he dared knowing full well that the young man recoiled from touch. Out of reflex Justin attempted to push him away but after a moment gave in and clasped his hand on Brian's protective arm, pulling him closer. Keeping his grip on him, Brian's mind raced to figure out what best to do. Eyeing the open door behind them, the taller man leaned down and softly whispered into Justin's shivering ear.

"Come on," he urged gently. "It's okay… I've got you."

Justin pulled his face away from Brian's chest but remained plastered to his body as his lover led him inside and onto the couch. When they sat down Justin pulled slightly away and kept his eyes downcast but his agitated breathing ceased to falter.

"Hey," Brian said wrapping his fingers around Justin's chin and pulling his gaze up to meet his own.

As soon as the blond met Brian's eyes he felt the remains of his inner wall crumble. Reaching for him, Brian pulled him back to his chest and slowly caressed his back as the teenager cried against him. There had been no doubt in Brian's mind what had just taken place. He'd told him the horror story in more detail than he had ever wanted to repeat again. He'd re-created their last dance. He'd driven him back to that godforsaken parking garage. He'd nearly broken down in front of him twice and it was his son's birthday present that had triggered his memory. Justin's audible cries were dying down but his shoulders were still shaking when Debbie walked in. Knowing that the last thing Justin needed now was more attention, Brian held a hand up as Debbie saw them on the couch.

"Anyone know where the - "

Debbie's face changed from one of elation to confusion and then settled on concern. As she was about to question the situation, Brian looked up at her with emotional eyes, gently pleading her not to say anything more.

"Brian?"

Moving his head slightly so that he press his ear to Brian's heartbeat, Justin sniffed.

"Can we go home?"

Running a hand slowly into his hair Brian immediately answered.

"Yeah, we'll go."

Debbie gave the man a sympathetic smile and then walked back out to the party. She'd tell Lindsay and Melanie what had happened. Brian just felt he lacked the ability to tell anyone and besides the last thing he wanted to do was leave Justin alone, if only for an instant.

"Come on," he whispered.

Justin wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve and hooked his arm tight around Brian's waist as the older man led him to the jeep. Once he was sure that his smaller partner could stand unaided he hurried to the driver's side and started the ignition. Silently, Justin crawled into the opposite side and Brian reached over to do his seatbelt as Justin closed the door. After securing the belt, Brian cupped the side of his face and looked into his watery, reddened eyes.

"You okay?"

Despite his belief that he was unable to, Justin gave him a little smile and even leaned into Brian's gentle, hesitant kiss. When they pulled away Justin leaned back into the seat as Brian drove them back to the loft. The journey was silent, accompanied only by the sounds of the street, and the entire time Justin gazed mindlessly out at the passing sights. When they got back to the building Brian parked and put an arm around Justin's slender waist as he felt him to the same. Justin leaned heavily on him and by the time they'd reached the sliding door the younger man felt he would fall over from his sudden exhaustion.

"Why don't you go lie down?" Brain softly suggested. "Come on."

When they'd gotten to the bed Justin turned to Brian and spoke for the first time since he'd asked to be taken home at the party.

"Will you stay with me?" he asked almost shyly. "Please?"

Justin's voice sounded on the brink of breaking again.

"Yeah," he answered. "Yeah. Here."

Brain slowly helped him out of his shoes and socks and, reaching down, undid the buttons of Justin's jeans and slowly slid them down his legs. After he stepped out of them Justin entwined Brian's fingers in his own and lay on his side of the bed, pulling his lover down beside him. Again, the younger man sniffed and held back tears as Brian's tightened their grip and rested his other hand under his head.

"It's all right," he whispered reassuringly. "Everything's okay."

Justin closed his eyes and it wasn't long before he felt the tiny fingers gripped within his go limp. He wondered what this meant. How much would this episode help him to move on? Could he handle regular human contact? Could he allow himself to be touched intimately again? When he was certain that Justin was asleep he carefully slid away and moved off the bed to shut off the lights. Only then did he realize that his stomach was growling but before he could move to the kitchen he heard Justin moving behind him. Holding his breath he waited for him to wake but sighed in content when he only wrapped his arm around his waist and settled back down. Walking to the refrigerator, Brian soon closed it in disappointment when he viewed its lack of contents and instead he moved to shut off all the lights. When the only illumination left was the vibrant blue coming from the bedroom he followed it back up the steps and spied Justin sitting up on the mattress looking up at him with thankful, loving eyes.

"Better now?"