Emmett was standing in Torso's display case, providing Rex (one of the mannequins; the shorter one with blond hair) with a new 'ensemble.' But he dropped Rex's fabulous new clothes when he happened to glance out the window and see Justin of all people headed his way. Emmett re-entered the store proper and exclaimed, "Baby!" when Justin approached him.

Justin smiled, but confusion was clearly written in his eyes. He said softly, "Pardon?"

Emmett shook his head. He'd heard that Justin had forgotten the last year, had forgotten him, Debbie, Michael, Ted, and, even, Brian, but seeing him like this, that fact really sunk in. He couldn't prevent tears from springing to his eyes, though he managed to keep them from falling.

He laughed and hastily apologized. "I'm sorry. You, you just look a lot like someone I used to know. I take it that you are our new sales associate."

Comfortable now that the undue familiarity had been explained, Justin nodded and smiled more brightly. "My name is Justin. But you can call me Baby if you want. For some reason, I kind of like it."

Emmett blinked a few times. How he'd missed that Sunshine smile! He shook his head in an attempt to clear away all the depressing thoughts that had come out of hiding upon Justin's arrival and took the boy gently by the arm. He smiled and tilted his head. "I'm Emmett, but you can call me Em."

Justin smiled again. "Em. That's a nice name."

Emmett led Justin into the display case and explained, "So I was getting Rex all ready for a hot date…You can help if you like. Afterward, I can show you around the rest of the store."

Justin raised an eyebrow. "Hot date?"

Emmett laughed. Then he covered his mouth and leaned closer, elaborating in a stage whisper, "Rex has the hots for Spike over there (nodding his head in the direction of a tall, muscular mannequin with brown hair), so I'm dolling the poor boy up. Maybe tonight, Spike will notice Rex and put the sweet dear out of his misery."

Justin giggled. He decided that he was going to love his new job.

Later, about thirty minutes before the end of Justin's shift, the bell on the door tinkled gently, drawing both his and Emmett's attention. Who should walk in but Brian. Justin nearly leaped over the counter in his haste to reach the man. He cried out excitedly, "Brian!"

Emmett smiled and softly asked no one in particular, "Now isn't this a familiar sight?"

However, Brian heard the question and shot Emmett a warning look (Justin was oblivious to everything but Brian. He'd missed him like crazy.)

Brian quickly pulled Justin into his arms and kissed his lips gently. But the moment their lips met, Justin thrust his tongue into Brian's mouth and wrapped his arms around the man's neck as he kissed him passionately. Brian kissed him back with equal ardor, even going so far as to slide his hands slowly over Justin's ass and then pull Justin tight against him as he deepened their kiss.

Emmett fanned himself and exclaimed, "Oh my!"

His voice brought Justin back to reality. He hastily broke their kiss and blushed crimson as he turned back to face Emmett. He stammered, "I'm sorry, Em. This is my boyfriend, Brian. He's been gone a week on a business trip. I was just so happy (and surprised) to see him."

Brian inclined his head and stated, "Nice to meet you, Em (he smirked as he said the last syllable)."

Emmett replied sweetly, "Your boyfriend?"

Justin nodded and smiled brightly, a million-watt smile, and Brian met Emmett's questioning gaze, his eyes containing a serious expression. This earnestness threw Emmett off balance.

He flushed and added softly, "A pleasure, Brian."

Then Justin turned back to Brian and asked, "How are you here already? I thought your flight wasn't arriving until 8pm. And how did you know I'd be here?"

As he looked down at Justin, Brian couldn't help but smile softly (a detail Emmett didn't miss). He replied, "I managed to get an early flight. When we touched down, I called your cell phone, but it went straight to voice mail, so I called Daphne. She told me that you had a new job…and (he quirked an eyebrow) a new apartment."

Justin loved the way that sounded. A new job, a new apartment, and Brian. Enthusiastically, he responded, "Yes! I told you that my mom was driving me crazy, and I am eighteen, after all. I needed my own space."

Brian agreed, more gravely than he intended, "No one can blame you for that."

Justin suddenly turned to face Emmett and asked nervously, "Would you mind if I go a little early?"

Emmett shook his head. "Course not, Baby. Close enough."

Justin smiled and started pushing Brian out of the store (though gently), as he called out, "Bye, Em. See you tomorrow."

Emmett waved.

Justin stepped through the door, but then paused and leaned back in. "Wish Rex luck for me."

Emmett smiled softly and nodded. "I will, Baby."

When Justin and Brian were outside, Brian inquired, "Who's Rex?"

Justin answered lightly, "One of the display case mannequins. (he pointed) That one."

Brian huffed a small laugh and drawled, "And he needs luck why?"

Justin stated brightly, "To snag the guy standing across the case from him, of course."

Brian chuckled and repeated, "Of course."

He looked thoughtful for a moment, but then added softly as he took Justin's hand in his and threaded their fingers together, "But, blonds are especially hot. I bet the other one…"

"Spike," Justin supplied.

Brian continued, this time more playfully, "I bet that (Brian suppressed a laugh) Spike already wants him. He's probably just playing it cool."

Justin looked deep into Brian's eyes just then (a look that had Brian swallowing hard) and slowed his pace a bit, asking a little shyly, "You think so?"

Brian held Justin's gaze as he replied, in a serious voice, "No doubt about it…"