Disclaimer: I have absolutely no connection with Desperate Housewives. I just need something to entertain me in the long summer hiatus.

A/n: I've had the idea for this one for ages and I finally forced myself to find the words to express it. I hope you all enjoy this.

Chapter Summary: Justin and Bree talk about Andrew. Set toward the end of season 2.

One Hundred Love Stories

By Ryeloza

Two: Beauty

Though Justin had been invited over to the Van de Kamps' on more than one occasion now, he still felt like a most unwelcome stalker as he walked down the sidewalk of Wisteria Lane. The well-kept beauty of the suburbs generally had an unfriendly feel—look, don't touch—and there was no home worse than the Van de Kamps'. Justin wasn't sure if this was because it was the most unnaturally beautiful place he'd ever seen, or because up until a few weeks ago, Mrs. Van de Kamp had looked at him as though he was a boil on her son's back. Whatever the reason, Justin dragged his feet as he approached Andrew's front door and reluctantly rang the doorbell.

Someday, Justin was going to move far away from the suburbs. He'd been saving every cent he made for over a year now; each paycheck got him one step closer to buying his boat. His freedom. Just him and the ocean and a life free from the mundane expectations of society. Andrew didn't see the appeal, but, then, Andrew was too wild to be confined.

The door opened and Justin straightened to attention, clasping his hands behind his back and trying to look angelic. "Hello, Mrs. Van de Kamp," he said, trying not to wince as her expression went from curious to disdainful to guilty in less than five seconds. "Is Andrew home?"

"Justin…" She sighed, glanced out to the street behind him, and then stepped aside. "You better come inside."

Justin raised an eyebrow, but simply did as she bade, following her into the living room and taking a seat on the couch at her indication. She remained standing, running her hands over her skirt in a nervous manner, and said, "Would you like something to drink? I just made lemonade."

"No, thanks." He rubbed his hands over his knees, trying to wipe the sweat from his palms. "Is Andrew here?"

Mrs. Van de Kamp pressed her lips together and sat down opposite him. "Justin…" She hesitated, obviously considering her words. "Andrew is…gone."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I kicked him out."

Justin balked for a moment. Andrew had talked time and again of running away; of gaining independence from his mother. The way he spoke made it seem like she was keeping him captive. When she'd approached Justin in the hope of allying to keep Andrew from leaving with his grandparents, Justin had assumed she truly couldn't bear to let Andrew go. She loved him. He thought she loved him. This…This just made no sense.

"Why?" he finally managed to ask.

"Because I couldn't fight him anymore. I don't…I don't know how well you knew Andrew—"

"I love him, Mrs. Van de Kamp," he interrupted.

"Yes, well…" She smiled sadly. "Then maybe you do know. Andrew was just so angry and hateful. We were just deadlocked in this war. And I just wasn't…I wasn't strong enough to battle him anymore. I couldn't do it."

"So you just kicked him out?"

"I didn't know what else to do. He was out of control."

Justin swallowed hard. "But that's the most beautiful thing about Andrew."

"What?"

"He's untamable. That's a beautiful thing." He sighed, unsure why he was trying to explain the loveliness of the uncontrollable to a woman who was so controlled that she could talk about kicking out her son as though she didn't feel a scrap of emotion. She just couldn't understand. Andrew was one of those rare people who burned so hot and bright that no one would ever be able to douse his flame. He'd simply spread—causing destruction, yes—but also lighting the world with an unspeakable beauty. It was excruciating to be around him, but Justin feared that it would be even worse to be without him.

"Justin," Mrs. Van de Kamp said pityingly. He knew that she thought he was being naïve, but in light of everything else he could hardly take offense. "If you only knew the things he had done. Not only to me, but to you…"

Justin shrugged. "I can imagine, Mrs. Van de Kamp. I know that Andrew was never going to really be mine. He's never going to belong to anyone. Not completely. But that doesn't mean I love him any less."

Mrs. Van de Kamp stared at him, her face as unreadable as always. Justin shook his head sadly and stood, unable to bear being trapped in this house any longer. He wouldn't return; he knew that already. There was nothing to do now but to move on and see what other exquisite things the world had to offer.

"Goodbye, Mrs. Van de Kamp," he said quietly. "I hope for your sake that he comes back some day."