Without warning, the ghost stepped into Brian, and, suddenly, Brian saw a series of images, bits and pieces of scenes. But he was more than a passive viewer. He could feel what the ghost had felt watching the original scenes and hear the ghost's thoughts.

Brian saw himself telling Justin that they weren't together, the pain on Justin's face as he strode off, looking for a trick or three to fuck, Justin watching him flirt with Sean, a betrayed look in Justin's eyes, the look of anguish in his eyes when he saw Justin fucking Sean later, Justin's tears as he told the boy he'd forget all about him when he was in New York. Next, Brian saw himself pushing Justin to go to a frat party with Daphne, the kid Justin had deflowered acting so sad when Justin wouldn't kiss him, Justin taking pity on the kid and indulging him, the look of desolation on his face when he realized Justin had broken one of the rules, Justin brushing the kid off later, and the look on Justin's face after the kid ran off, as though he'd become a monster.

Then as quickly as it started, it ended.

Brian hissed, "What the fuck were you trying to show me? That I'm no good for Justin? This I already knew."

The ghost retorted, "You can be such a dolt. No. I was trying to show you that Justin will always come back even after you push him away, but that in the process of pushing him away, to protect yourself or to make him find the ever elusive 'something better,' you hurt yourself and him, and in the end, you don't even achieve your goal. He'll never be able to leave forever because he loves you, is in love with you, and whatever you say, you love him, too, so you'll always welcome him back, but in the meantime what have you done to yourself, to Justin? Wouldn't it be better to simply admit how you feel and stop pushing Justin away? To let yourself be happy?"

Brian stated emotionlessly, "He thinks he loves me, but he doesn't."

The ghost quirked an eyebrow and suggested, "Let's put that to the test, shall we?"

Brian again saw a series of images, bits and pieces of scenes.

Michael's birthday party, all of Brian's friends and adopted family walking out on him, while Justin alone remained. Brian sending Justin away because Kip was coming over, Brian being accused of sexual harassment, all of Brian's friends and adopted family feeling sorry for him, but doing nothing, except Mel, who was fruitlessly attempting to use the legal system to aid him, however begrudgingly, while Justin alone managed to entrap and bribe Kip, safeguarding Brian's career.

Then the visions broke off.

Brian exclaimed, "It was Justin?"

The ghost replied sharply, "Who else would it have been? No one else loves you enough to do whatever it takes to keep you safe. No one else loves you unconditionally. He would do nearly anything to make you happy, including reuniting you with Michael, even though it meant losing all the extra attention you lavished on him once you and Michael had parted ways, even though Michael still showed nothing but disdain for him."

Then, out of the blue, Brian snapped defensively, "If he loved me, if he really knew me, he wouldn't need the words."

The ghost replied, "Really?"

Brian sighed. "Here we go again."

For the third time, Brian saw a series of images, bits and pieces of scenes.

Brian telling Justin that he didn't believe in love, Brian calling Justin his stalker, Michael calling him the trick that wouldn't go away, everyone telling Justin, one by one, at different times, that Brian could never or would never change, Lindsay telling Justin that he should expect nothing from Brian lest he be disappointed, Michael chasing Justin out of the diner the morning after zucchini man to demand how he dare be surprised, dare expect more from Brian, Brian telling Justin that he didn't celebrate birthdays and then throwing Michael a huge party, but only getting Justin a hustler for his and, even then, at the last minute. Brian leaving for Chicago abruptly, never telling Justin what was at stake, letting him believe work was simply more important, Brian telling Justin that he could give Justin what he wanted but that he wouldn't, Justin asking Brian if he'd even care if he left and Brian saying nothing.

The ghost stated sharply, "You know better than anyone that if you tell someone something enough times, he will eventually start to believe it. You have given Justin plenty of words, but so few of them positive, truly indicative of your feelings. Even your precious 'actions' have sent him mixed signals, and everyone you care about has told Justin in no uncertain terms that you could never or would never love him. How could he not start to doubt your feelings? Why wouldn't he ask for more proof?"

Suddenly, Justin's voice rang out. "Brian? Is that you? Why are you out here?"

Brian looked around for the ghost, but he had vanished.

Justin asked, "What are you looking for?"

Brian shook his head and replied softly, "Nothing. I…you're early."

Justin looked down. He blushed a little as he confessed, "I was so surprised by your text message. I kept wondering what you wanted to say to me. I was going crazy, so I finally decided just to come over."

Brian rolled his lips into his mouth and suggested, "Let's go inside. It's a little chilly out here."

Justin smiled at Brian weakly and followed him to the apartment building.