Author's Note: Two weeks later. (( 2 weeks after the chapter: Soulfire. ))

And everywhere I look I see your face
On the face of others
And I can't escape the pain
Losing my Grip-Hoobastank

Brian

"Hi!"

I had barely walked through the door when Justin's arms were wrapped sturdily around my neck and his lips were on mine. I let my briefcase fall on the floor along with my coat that I had abandoned while walking up here so I could wrap my arms around the blonde and pull him closer to me. I used one of my hands to slam the door shut. I'd have to lock it later. Lips still connected I walked backwards until I fall over the arm of the sofa. Justin landed comfortable on top of me, hands digging through my hair. I tell myself I hate it when he does that but, in all honesty, that's a lie. I love it when he does that. His lips finally pry away from mine when we both need a breather.

"I missed you."

"I was only gone for a few hours."

Although it was Saturday I had had a meeting with the other employees at Kinnetic. It had been pointless, boring and totally unproductive. We hadn't even really talked about the business at all. It was just the "rule" that we should have a meeting at least once a month to catch up on everything happening at Kinnetic. Total. Waste. Of. My. Time. Especially since, during the whole "meeting" I knew Justin was just waiting for me to come home and throw him down on my bed and fuck him until he couldn't speak or think coherently. Needless to say, I had been hard during the entire "meeting". "Well, it felt like a long time." I grin and capture his lips with mine again. A few seconds later I pull back. "Yeah, tell me about it."

"So what'd you guys discuss?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"You really want to know about the meeting right now?"

I lifted my hips against his as if to emphasize my point. He only laughed and nodded. I can tell he's trying to be as annoying as possible. "It was boring. The end." He rolls his eyes and gets off of me. I groan in protest and sit up, watching him over the back of the couch as he strides towards the kitchen. "What do you want for lunch?" I grin and let myself fall back down on the couch, eyes closing. "Aw, you're the perfect little housewife. You cook and everything." Suddenly his blonde head appears over the top of the couch and, my body just senses him whenever he's near, I open my eyes and meet his. He's looking down at me with the look that says "Shut up or you aren't getting any tonight." I smile sweetly up at him.

"That's a good thing of course."

He smiled and, even though I've told him not to do it countless times, he tips himself over the top of the couch and lands on top of me. He almost rolls right off me and onto the floor but I catch him before that can happen. "Brian?" I take a deep breath, his scent sweetly intoxicating me, and push my nose through his hair, mouth brushing along the skin of his neck. He snuggles – Yes. Snuggles. And I allow this kind of behavior but not because I like it. – closer against me, arms wrapping around my neck. "What, Sunshine?" One of my hands, on it's own accord of course, slides up under his shirt and runs along the smooth skin of his back. I love his skin. "Did I…did I get any mail today?" I immediately stiffen at the words. Mail is like a bad word in our-my house.

"I-I didn't look."

I prayed to God, if there is one anyway, that he didn't get any mail. It had all started a week ago. Justin getting mail. Sure, not a big deal. Everyone gets mail at some point whether it be from a friend or the doctor's office reminding you that you have an appointment the next day. But this hadn't been just any letter. This had been a fucked up kind of letter. The kind of letter that people get in the movies that are being stalked or something. And, no doubt, it was from Ethan. Justin had told me so after we for the first one. Ethan hadn't done much to hide that fact. Justin had quickly told me it was Ethan's handwriting. All it had said was 'I'm watching you'. How stupid was that? I hadn't known they had even used that line anymore.

Stalkers these days.

Since it hadn't sounded threatening in any way shape or form we hadn't called the police. We had both figured it had been a one-time thing. Plus, the police probably would've laughed when they saw it. 'I'm watching you'. Seriously. Could the letter get any lamer? Then, two days after that one, he had gotten another one. It had said the exact same thing. Same handwriting. Whoop-dee-doo. Of course, Justin had been more then a little freaked out at the fact that Ethan was somehow watching him even though we were on one of the higher floors of the building. I had comforted him in the fact that Ethan would probably pop a vein if he saw us fucking. So we did. Right in front of the open window on the couch.

It had made him feel better.

A day later: Same letter. The next day, Friday, he had gotten another one. Again. Same exact thing. It was really starting to get annoying too. On Saturday he hadn't gotten one. On Sunday they didn't even deliver mail so none. Now, this week we haven't received one so, Justin was in a good mood and when Justin was in a good mood that meant it was going to be a long, no-sleeping night. So, all in all, it had been a great week. A letter-free-for-Justin week. I shrugged. I hadn't even checked what mail we-I had gotten today. "I don't know. It's in the pocket of my coat." He made a move to get off, I quickly stopped him by grabbing his arm, and held him in place. "You probably don't." Justin looked unsure.

"Let me check."

I really didn't want him to because if he did that meant Justin would be worried the whole rest of the afternoon and night. I hated it when he was worried because he would walk around the loft for hours, avoiding the window at all cost, or just sit in my bedroom with his sketchpad drawing like a maniac. I let go of his arm and nodded. "Fine." The blonde scurried off of me and over next to the door where I had dropped my coat and briefcase a few minutes ago. "Lock the door while you're over there." He did so and I listened as he picked up my coat, the material rustling around, and then as he dropped it on the floor again and began shifting through today's mail. I think I heard his breath hitch. "What's wrong?" I sit up and watch him over the edge of the sofa again. His expression can only mean one thing.

I cursed.

"Don't open it and get your ass over here."

My bad mood had kicked in. Nodding, Justin set the other mail on the kitchen counter and walked slowly towards me. When he reached the couch he sat down next to me, holding the letter out to me. Whenever he got a letter, I opened it. I stared at it for a second and then looked over at him. "You know…we don't have to open it. It probably says the same thing." He looks at me worriedly and slowly shakes his head. "But – What if it doesn't? What if has, like, a threat to come take me away from you?" I smile softly at him and brush my lips quickly against his. "No one's going to take you away from me. I promise." I've noticed something over the last two weeks since I've fucked him for the first time.

I'm becoming more and more…lesbianic everyday. Frightening.

Sighing, I stare down at the white envelope and then open it. If that's what he wants to do then we'll open it. I wish we didn't have to though. But when I open it and read it I'm kind of glad I did. It didn't say the usual 'I'm watching you' shit. Instead it said 'I can see you right now' and a few other things that had to do with hurting people that were important to him if he didn't come back to him by tomorrow evening. I shoved the letter back in the envelope and threw it on the coffee table in front of the sofa. I looked over at Justin, he looked scared shitless, which was totally understandable and I pulled him close to me. There would definitely be no fucking tonight. And I would definitely not be leaving the blonde home alone anymore.

Justin

I'm scared shitless.

Not even Brian's arms around me help the situation. What did he mean he was going to hurt people close to me if I didn't "return to him tomorrow evening at seven"? This is the most…ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. To even think that someone is stalking me is ridiculous. I never thought this could happen to me. I always thought this was something that would never have to do with me. I thought it would just…stay in the movies and away from me forever. I guess I should've known Ethan wouldn't give up. Ethan never gives up. I stare at the envelope on the table and then at the large window overlooking Pittsburgh and the many other buildings. I'm sure that if someone had a pair of binoculars then they could see from the building across the street into Brian's window and on the couch where we sat. After all – he said he was watching me right now.

"Can you – can you shut the blinds?"

Brian lets go of me and hurries over to the window, shutting the blinds and then proceeding to draw the white billowy curtains. I felt slightly better now that I knew no one could see through the giant window. I stare at the floor as Brian pads back to the couch and then slides down next to me, arms encircling me once again and pulling me close against his chest. "Do-Do you think he meant what he said? That he'd hurt my friends if I didn't go back to him?" Brian lets out a long sigh. That can't be good. "Well, he is mental." I swallow and tilt my head back on his shoulder so I can look up at his face. He doesn't look at me at first. He looks extremely pissed though. His jaw is clenched the way it clenches when he's really angry.

"What if…what if he tries to hurt you?"

The very thought makes me even more scared. And I'm already really freaked out by all of this. How can I not be? This is one of the most frightening things that has ever happened to me before. This time he looks at me, a supposed to be reassuring smile on his face, and rests his forehead against mind. "He can't hurt me." I decide that Brian is wrong. "Yes, he can. Like you said, he's insane. We should call the police. This is more threatening then the other ones." I leap off the couch and head over to the phone that's sitting on the little stand he has set up. Suddenly I feel Brian's hand grabbing the back of my shirt. I spin around to look up at him with a raised eyebrow. He stares down at me, exasperated expression on his face.

"They won't believe you."

"Why? What makes you say that?"

Brian sighed and lets go of me.

"Because everyone thinks he straight and sane. Why the hell would Ethan Gold do this? They'll never believe you. They'll just think you're some angry man who didn't get his autograph at one of his performances and blow you off. They won't believe you. It's a waste of time."

He's right. I sigh and just stand there and run a hand furiously through my hair. "Doesn't Debbie have a cop friend? That guy…Carl Horvath?" He had been the one to question me at the hospital on the Sunday of the car wreck. Sometime between then and now Debbie and him had become friends. Everyone else thought friends wasn't the right term. More like a couple or something. Brian nodded. "Yeah…but…there's only so much one cop can do but…yeah, go ahead and call him." I watch as he walks away, across the loft, up onto his platform and then fall down on the large bed. Sighing, I follow him. I can always call Carl later. We're supposed to go to Debbie's tonight for dinner anyway. Carl will probably be there. I can talk to him then. Well, Brian can talk to him. He'd probably be better.

I fall down next to him.

"What are we gonna do?"

"What'd you mean?"

I sigh. "Should we stay here? I mean, he obviously knows where you live. Maybe we should leave until…it gets sorted out." Brian's silent for a moment. He probably won't want to leave his loft. He's in love with his loft. It's his pride and joy. I sigh and roll over on my back to stare at the ceiling. I shouldn't have even asked. Brian's not going to want to leave his loft and there's no way I'm leaving the loft without Brian. Brian's my…protector. "You don't feel safe here." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. I sigh and roll back over on my side to stare at my boyfriend? Lover? I don't know what to call him. We've never discussed it.

"I feel safe with you."

"But not here."

I sigh again and then nod.

"Yeah, I guess so."

He opens his eyes and scoots closer to me, arm moving to wrap around my back and bring me closer to his body. I allow myself to be moved and I wrap both arms around him, one of my hands thrusting into his hair. "Where would we even go?" I shrug. Is he actually contemplating on leaving the loft for a little while? I rack my brain trying to think of someplace where we could stay for a little while but nothing comes to mind. I close my eyes and wrap my arms tighter around the man next to me. "I could rent a place out for a little while…" I open my eyes to meet those of Brian's. I smile slightly. "You would do that?" Brian raises an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I just mean that you love your loft."

He doesn't say anything and I offer him a cheeky smile.

"But I guess you just love me more."

He doesn't say anything. He's never really said he's loved me before. The closest thing he's ever said to loving me is that he cared about me. He only smiles and leans in to kiss me, long and slow. I guess that's all I need to see that he loves me. "I'll figure something out, Sunshine. I thought you were going to make me lunch." I grin and shake my head. "Not after you called me a housewife. You can make your own lunch. I think you're quite capable of doing so. By the way, don't forget. We're going to eat at Debbie's tonight." Brian groaned. "Let me guess – A family dinner." I grin and nod. "Yeah, that's what she called it. I guess that means I'm part of your family and that I'm never leaving." Brian smiles over at me, hand fingering my hair.

"So I guess I am going to be stuck with your immaturity forever."

"I am not immature."

"Whatever you say, Sunshine."

"I'm not!"

"Yes you are. You're immature and you giggle."

I push him away and roll over on my back, arms crossing over my chest. "I do not giggle." I hear him snort and move to sit up. "See, now you're pouting. You're immature and," His face moves to hover over mine. "You do too giggle." I roll my eyes. "Fine. I'm immature but I don't giggle." Brian grins and suddenly his hands are on my sides, my most ticklish spot, and he's tickling me like there's no tomorrow. And I'm…fuck. I am giggling. I clamp my mouth shut and squirm to get away from him and, eventually, I jump off the bed and run off the platform to keep my distance.

I'm breathless so It's kind of hard to speak.

"Fine – you got me. I…giggle."

He smiles triumphantly and steps off the platform in long strides until I'm pushed against a wall and trapped between his arms and body. "Don't worry, Sunshine. I like it when you giggle." I roll my eyes. "Yeah. Right." He smirks and grabs both of my hands, holding them high above my head, his body pressing harder against mine and his forehead leaning against mine too. "Really – It turns me on." I grin and struggle, trying to get him to let go of my wrists. "Everything turns you on." He pretends to think about it for a few seconds before shrugging his shoulders.

"You might be right but…you giggling goes,"

He rams his hips into mine for emphasis.

"Straight to," Rams his hips again. "My," Oh, God, again. "Dick." He rams even harder and his lips connect with mine. All thoughts of the letter and moving out of the loft for a little while soon fly out of my head and all I can think about is Brian ramming into me all afternoon. Before I even know what's happening, his hands release my arms and they replace themselves on my ass where they proceed to lift me up off the floor. I hook my legs around his waist automatically and he's soon carrying me away from the wall, up onto his platform, and down on his bed, his weight falling on top of me. I keep my legs locked around his body wanting to feel as close as possible. I grip his neck with my hands and keep our mouths connected despite the fact that I, we, have to breathe.

Then there's a knock on the door. Loud. Fuck.

Brian

Fuck. I pull my mouth away from his with a loud groan. This cannot be happening. I wait to see if maybe, just maybe, the person on the other side of my door will just…go away when I don't answer it the first time. They don't go away. They just keep right on knocking. "Fuck." I sit up, ignoring the raging hard on that I have at the moment and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. Justin's hand on my wrist stops me from going anywhere just yet. "Please don't answer it." I don't know if it's because he wants me to fuck his brains out or because he's scared about who might be on the other side. Or maybe both. I lean down and kiss him quickly on the lips.

"They won't go away. I'll tell whoever it is to fuck off."

He groans in annoyance and I hurry off the platform and to the front door. Someone downstairs must've left the door open. Usually I have to buzz people up. I stand on the other side of the door. "Who is it?" Silence. Then: "It's Daphne. Is this a bad time?" I quickly open the door so I can show her just how bad of a time it is. My boner isn't exactly hard to miss. "Yes, this is a very bad time. I'm trying to fuck your friend. 'Trying' being the key word here." She smiles and shrugs. "Well, sorry, Mr. Grumpy," I interrupt. "More like, Mr. Horny as hell. I wouldn't be horny, though, if you would just leave. Hint, hint." She only laughs and strides past me. She obviously doesn't plan on leaving yet. Despite the fucking fact that I'm clearly telling her that this is a bad time.

"I guess I'll just have to fuck him in front of you."

She shrugs.

"Fine by me."

"Fuck. I forgot you got off on guy on guy action."

"That's right."

I groan and follow her into the kitchen. "Is there a specific reason as to why you are here?" She turned around and nodded. She had gotten an apple out of my fridge like she lived here. In a way, she kind of did. She's been here a lot lately. Because of her best-friend who's still lying in my bedroom. Probably very disappointed that Daphne won't leave. "Actually, yeah. I just came," I muttered something under my breath about not being able to come yet because of a certain annoying girl. She ignored me. "Because one, I wanted to remind you to be at Debbie's tonight and, I wanted to know if any…letters came today." I glared at her. Sure, just bring that up. Now my dick's never going to be satisfied.

"Actually, yes, we did. Now go away."

"Did it say the same thing?"

"No. Please leave."

"You don't have to be so rude."

I wanted to strangle her right now…even though I do like her. Just not right now.

"Look at my dick! I have a right to be rude. It's going to fall off if you don't leave."

"Good."

I glare at her.

"No, that is not good. I need my dick."

She shrugged, throwing the apple core away. "I don't think you need it. Especially since you're being so mean to your sister-in-law." I raised an eyebrow. "What the fuck are you talking about? For one, Justin and I aren't married. I don't know what the hell gave you that idea and secondly, you aren't his sister so even if by some…fucked up chance we did get married…you wouldn't be my sister-in-law. Especially if I kill you right now." Daphne smirked up at me and shrugged. "You wouldn't do that. Justin would kill you. Plus, I am his sister. I might as well be anyway so there." I groan in exasperation.

"Can you please leave? I said please."

She laughed.

"Fine. But after I see the letter. Where is it?"

"On the coffee table."

I follow her out of the kitchen and to the coffee table. By that time Justin's wandered off of the platform, his shirt long enough to hide his little problem. I send him an apologetic look. "Sorry, your sister, here, is intruding. I've asked her to leave but she won't." Daphne shot me a glare and picked up the envelope, reading and then tucking it away again. I can tell she's disturbed but I know she's trying to act calm for Justin's sake. Justin didn't answer me. Instead he turned to Daphne, worried look on his face. "Daph, you should be careful. He might try and…hurt you." Daphne shrugged. "Yeah, he already threatened to kill me." Justin's eyes widened. I quickly butted in.

"She's talking about me, Sunshine."

I turn to Daphne.

"God, don't give him a fucking heart attack."

Daphne bit her bottom lip, obviously sorry.

"Oh, sorry. Yeah, of course. I'll be careful, Jus. Plus, it's not like he knows where I live. I'm also leaving town with my boyfriend for a few weeks. We're going to New York. That's another reason I came here. To tell you." Justin looked relieved. Probably because he knew she was be safe as long as she was away from him. He reached over and hugged her, taking care not to touch here with any of his lower body, I notice. I can't help but smile slightly, turning away to walk into my kitchen. I keep myself occupied by grabbing a bottle of water. "Have fun." Daphne headed towards the door. "I will. Keep safe. Oh, I'll see you at the dinner tonight too. You should talk to Carl." I nodded at her.

"We were planning to."

I sent her a look that clearly said for her to leave. She offered one last smile.

"Well – bye. Happy…fucking."

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks, Daphne. I didn't know you cared." Without another word, only a smile, she walked out the door and shut the door. Justin quickly wandered over to it and locked it, frown still on his face. "What if he tries to hurt her?" I shook my head. Damn her and her intruding tendencies. "He won't. She's leaving for New York. She'll be fine. Plus, he's probably focusing on me anyway. Relax." I obviously said the wrong thing because he immediately freaked out at the prospect of me getting hurt. He turns towards me, arms crossed over his chest, and shakes his head, eyes slightly wide. "Oh, well, that just makes me feel so much better…knowing that he's probably after you." I give him, what I hope is, a reassuring smile and walk towards him.

When I reach him I grab his arms and force him to look up at me.

"Justin. Listen to me. Are you listening?"

He only nods.

"Nothing's going to happen to me. I promise. The little asshole doesn't have a chance against me. Plus, we're going to leave as soon as possible. We'll leave Pittsburgh for a while," My hands wander up his arms and up to the sides of his face, thumbs caressing the soft skin of his cheeks. "And it'll be fine. Carl will nail his ass and then we can live happily ever after." I make sure to make my voice sound a little sarcastic when I say the 'Happily ever after' part so he doesn't think I'm serious about it. Not that I am! I smile down at him and lean my head down to kiss him. He ends up being the one to break it, his hands clinging onto the front of my shirt and his eyes watery with unshed tears that I know he doesn't want to cry. I know it makes him feel stupid, when he cries.

"I love you."

Yeah, I love you too. I just won't say it. I only nod and kiss him. I show him instead.