A/N: Again, this is a continuation by request. This chapter is short due to it having been intended as a drabble form. If you have read it already, thanks...and the next one will be a new one - when I can get back to it. Lol. Again...please remember this is an alternate telling of what happens following the "bracelet scene" in 3.04. This is the version my plot bunny thinks should be told. Hope you enjoy it! =)

Chapter 3

Justin stepped into Daphne's small apartment feeling more lost than he had ever felt.

Brian fucking Kinney - once again. How he had convinced himself he was out of that for good.

Perhaps his mind had convinced himself of that...but his heart had never recieved that memo.

He had lied to himself all along.

His entire commitment to Ethan was the biggest of falsehoods.

In truth, he had only went to Ethan because at that time he had felt he had no other choice.

Brian had been pushing him too hard...and the events at the "Rage party" had pushed him over the edge.

But, what had Brian really done wrong that night?

He had given a party to end all others in celebration of his success with Michael. The party had cost him a fortune. Not that money really meant that much to Brian.

In the end, Brian had just been himself. Wasn't that the man he had fallen hopelessly in love with from the beginning?

Brian had shown in his own ways countless times how much he cared about him.

Justin should have realized that from day one when he had been the only one of Brian's tricks to get a second look. How Brian systematically broke all of his self inflicted rules for him - Justin. Something he had never done for anyone else. Just him.

Now...what was he going to do about Ethan? It didn't occur to him that maybe Ethan had played him from the start. Enticing him with thoughts of an idylic life that Brian couldn't...no, wouldn't give him.

None of that mattered now. All that mattered now was that he couldn't escape his thoughts of the sexy beast that had dominated his each and every thought from the moment their worlds collided under that street lamp.

Daphne watched him with cautious concern as he took a seat on the beaten up sofa. She spoke softly, "Justin...what's wrong? I swear, if Ethan hurt you - I will..."

Cutting her off with a harsh laugh he said, "No, Daph. It's not Ethan. Well, not directly."

"I saw Brian tonight. Just came from there actually." he admitted with a sigh of despair.

He didn't see how her eyes lit up. Had no idea she had always felt that was where Justin belonged. "And, how did that go?"

"Confusing. I dropped off something of his that I had come across. I went to leave and he kissed me before giving me much more to think about." Justin told her without going into the details of returning Brian's bracelet wanting to keep Brian's personal business private.

"And, did you come up with any conclusions?" she asked with a slight smirk.

"The biggest one of all. I realized I am still in love with Brian Kinney. I don't think I ever stopped." Justin told her in total acceptance.

She burst out laughing startling Justin at the timing of such a laugh. "Finally, Justin! I could have told you this all along."

"You knew? Why didn't you give me a clue?" Justin looked at her incredulously.

"That is something you had to learn on your own. I kinda suspected Brian would get tired of standing in the shadows and make a move at some point. It appears that he did." she giggled.

"Yes, he did...as only Brian can."

"Surely, it can't be that much of a surprise. Think about how much he was just there so many times since you broke up. Making his presence known...assuring himself that you would not forget him - as if you ever could. He had been subtly wooing you back in his own way ever since you left him. Can't you see this even just a little bit, Jus?" she asked him in disbelief he had been so blind - for so long.

Justin thought about that and realized she was correct. Brian was always there - so very often. Now he just didn't know what to do next.

"What do I do, Daph?" he asked her as his heart was displayed so clearly not only in his words but his eyes as well.

She smiled at him taking his hand to give it a warm squeeze.

"It's very simple, my friend. You are going to go to sleep. Then, when tomorrow comes you are just going to follow your heart. That's all you can do - and it's what you must do."