Chapter Ten

Brian sat in his loft, smoking a cigarette and staring out the window. He had gone to the Lieutenant, hoping he would agree that Brian needed to be there with Justin. But he was shot down. The Lieutenant didn't feel that Justin was in any immediate danger, which pissed Brian off more. Sighing, he blew a puff of smoke out the window, glancing at the street below.

"Fuck this. I can't just sit here," he said, throwing his cigarette butt out the window. He grabbed his keys and got into his jeep. As he was driving, his cell phone rang. Glancing at it, he smiled and opened it.

"Hey there, Sunshine," he answered. He practically heard Justin's smile.

"Hey stud, what's going on?" Justin asked.

"I'm in the jeep. Where are you? Are you alone?"

"Yeah. I'm in my room. Door's locked."

"Good boy."

"I miss you," Justin whispered. Brian smiled.

"Aww. You're a dork. Well, can you keep a secret?"

"Depends on the secret."

"I'm coming back."

"Brian, you're gonna get arrested if you come back."

"I don't care. I just have a bad feeling about leaving you there alone," Brian pulled up outside of Michael's apartment.

"Brian, I'm fine! Don't be stupid."

"I'm not being stupid. I'm stopping by Mikey's to get his spare gun, since they took mine when I lost the job. I'll be there in about an hour," he said, going up the stairs and using his spare key to get inside. He tuned out while Justin was telling him fifty million reasons why it was a bad idea.

Going inside, he went right to Michael's bedroom. He opened the drawer that Mikey's spare gun was in, pocketing it and taking some bullets. Turning around, an open door caught his eye. He walked closer to Mikey's open closet door.

"Justin, shut the fuck up for five sec-" he cut himself off when he opened the door. He had meant to close the door, but out of curiosity, he glanced inside.

There was picture upon picture of Justin taped to the wall. Some had hearts around the face, others had the face x'd out, and even others had the face scribbled out. In the center was a picture of Justin and someone else, but there was a picture glued next to him. It was a picture of Mikey. Brian's mouth dropped open.

"Brian? Brian are you there?" Justin's voice brought him out of his shocked trance.

"Justin, listen to me. Stay in your bedroom. Keep the door locked, and don't leave it for any reason. Do you understand? I'll be there in an hour tops," he said, running down the stairs.

"Brian, what's going on?" Justin asked, worry in his voice.

"Just don't leave your room. Promise me you won't leave your room."

"Brian-"

"PROMISE ME!" Brian yelled, interrupting him. He got into his jeep and began speeding.

"Okay, I promise."

"Okay. I have to make a stop, but I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Will you at least tell me what's going on?" Brian could hear the desperation in Justin's voice. He sighed.

"I can't. Just, don't leave your room," Brian pleaded.

"Okay. I won't. Just hurry, I'm scared now," Justin begged.

"I'll be there soon." Brian promised, and hung up just as he parked his jeep outside Beckett's house. He took a deep breath and got out of the jeep, going up to the door and knocking. He waited for what seemed like forever, but was really just a minute, before the door opened.

"Brian!" Beckett exclaimed, surprised. "What can I do for you?" he asked.

"It's Michael," Brian said. Beckett looked confused.

"What do you mean 'it's Michael'? Who's Michael?"

"The fan! Justin's stalker! It's Michael!"

"Brian, what is WRONG with you? First, you become physical with a client, and fall in love with him. Then, you fuck up and mess with Thomas' investigation. Now, you're accusing a fellow officer, your best friend, of being this kid's stalker?" Beckett shook his head.

"Yes!" Brian screamed. "Bill, you have to believe me. I just came from Mikey's apartment … he's got a fucking SHRINE to Justin in his closet!

"Do you have proof?"

"PROOF? Go see it for yourself!"

"I don't have the authority to go into Novotny's apartment," Beckett said, pinching the bridge of his nose. Brian shook his head.

"I don't fucking believe this! Fuck you, Beckett. Fuck you!" Brian yelled, going back to his jeep and speeding towards Justin's.

"I'm coming, Justin. I'm coming."

-----

Justin sat on his bed, staring at his cell phone. He had just gotten off the phone with Brian and was worried. He grabbed the pillow that Brian slept on and clutched it to him tightly. He jumped about ten feet into the air when he heard a knock on his door. He cleared his throat.

"Who's there?" he asked, clutching the pillow tighter.

"It's Michael, can I come in?" came the voice. Justin stood up and went to the door to unlock it, but then remembered what Brian said.

"Um … actually Mikey, I'm not feeling too well right now. I'm just laying down," he lied, backing up to his bed.

"Oh, can I get you anything?" Michael asked.

"No … I'm good," Justin assured him.

"Alright. Well, if you need anything, let me know," Michael called.

"Will do. Thanks," Justin held Brian's pillow tighter and got under the covers.

"Hurry, Brian … please."

-----

Michael cursed silently, turning away from Justin's door. Ever since Brian left, the fucking kid wouldn't even come out of his room. He went into the kitchen and saw Kip standing there. Kip looked up and saw the angry look on Michael's face.

"What's up, boss?" he asked.

"Why is this not working?" Michael whined. "For years, I've been sending him letters. I finally get close to him, and I'm not with him! The mailbox didn't scare him into my arms … you murdering his friend didn't scare him into my arms … I thought he'd be mine. But instead, he ran into Brian's arms. I couldn't hurt Brian … he's my best friend, so I just sent him away. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Obviously that didn't work, either!"

"I'm sorry, boss. What do you want me to do about it?" Kip asked.

"Kill Brian Kinney," Michael said.

"Boss? Are you sure about that?"

"Justin Taylor will be mine!" Michael slammed his fist onto the table.

"Yes, boss," Kip said, looking down. Michael glanced back out to Justin's bedroom.

"Yes, beautiful … you will be mine," he whispered.

End Chapter Ten
8-31-05