Part 8


Justin's breath hitched upon sensing the careful and deliberate movements of the slight pleasant weight of his lover being removed from his taut stomach. The blond groaned when he realized what was happening, his body already missing the warmth of JC's. He needed him back, needed the feeling of the brunette's heated willowy frame against his, needed to know where the older man was, needing to know that he was safe from harm. The one place Justin knew JC would be safe at was in his strong and capable embrace.

Justin willed his body to respond to the signals his brain was sending but his efforts were seemingly for naught as his body still ignored him. He wouldn't give up, he had to wake his self, he had to stop JC from leaving him. The young blonde's eyes fluttered open and his surroundings became clearer as he slowly regained small semblance of consciousness, his mind forcing him back into reality. Justin's eyes focused, forced to watch, helpless, while Lonnie maneuvered a barely covered JC through the room and out the door. Justin wanted to protest, wanted to scream at Lonnie and have him bring back his safety, his sanity, but his body once again rejected his instructions. Justin softly called his boyfriend's name, "J... Jceee." The exhausted man reached his hand out toward Lonnie's back, hoping, praying that the black bodyguard would hear him and turn around, turn around and bring back his baby. Justin's hand was grasped and pulled close to another man's body, instinctively, he violently jerked it back.

"Justin?"

Justin shook his head, knowing who spoke and wanting that person to leave him alone. He closed his eyes and turned his head, hoping the other man would get the hint and go away.

"Justin. Justin please." Joey gently shook Justin's shoulder. "Hey, partner. If you're awake let me know. Otherwise, I'm stuck dragging you're heavy ass out of here."

The blond turned his head toward the other, opening his eyes leisurely.

"Justin." The brunette cupped the side of the younger man's face, looking directly into cloudy azure eyes. "Listen. We need to get you out of here. Can you get up?"

"Joey," Justin sighed.

"Come on." Joey pulled on Justin's arm, in an attempt at propelling him forward. "I know you had a vision and it's totally wiped you out, but you need to get over it. Right now, the most important thing is to get you the hell out of here, before Lou... before Lou comes back."

"JC?"

"What about JC?" Joey paused as he gathered the weakened man against him, "He's with Lonnie."

"Lonnie?" The blond leaned into Joey's strong embrace.

"Yeah, after you freaked, Lonnie decided I shouldn't touch JC anymore." Parts of the vision flashed once again into Justin's mind causing his balance to fade slightly. "Hey, easy there. What's wrong?"

"Na... Nothing. Go ahead a finish," Justin whispered.

"Okay, right. So, since Lonnie carried JC out of here... that means I'm stuck with getting you out. I was a little worried about your weight and size, I figured I'd have to drag you out, but since you're up, my job just got thirty times easier."

Justin slowly straightened his tired body, moving away from Joey's arms, Joey's help. He didn't want Joey touching him, didn't want the older man's help. He would be strong for JC. He rubbed his stomach absent-mindedly upon thinking about his lover, missing the sensation of JC's pale bare skin against his. The blond looked up at Joey, remembering other parts of the powerful vision, "Why?" Justin swallowed, "Why were you gonna hit him?"

"Justin. Come on. We don't have time for this right now." Joey shamefully looked away, fidgeting. "Lonnie has left all ready with JC. We need to leave." He met Justin's eyes, "We need to get you to him, so if he wakes up he won't freak out or something."

Justin scrunched his forehead, contemplating Joey's words. He scowled, "Fine, but this isn't the end, you hear me?" Justin took a step toward the door. His vision blurred, stomach turned as he took another step. He wobbled. Joey was instantly there, arm wrapped tight around his friend's waist.

"Take it easy, Justin..."

"Don't touch me," Justin tried pulling away, but Joey's strength was too much to overcome in his weakened state. He fell against the brunette. The blond looked up, searching Joey's gaze, "You're... You're not forgiven. I just need your help, that's all."

"Yeah, I know," Joey sighed, "I hear you."

**

Lonnie swiftly moved down the narrow hallway after leaving Justin and Joey behind, carrying a barely covered, sleep heavy dancer. He silently prayed that the other two would get out safely, but right now the large man was worried about JC. He needed to get him out of the strip club and back home, safely in his bed and away from Lou and his sick demented mind. Only a few more minutes and a couple more turns and the two of them would be home free. The problem was getting throughout the narrow hallways without beings spotted by someone and questioned. The bodyguard shifted the light weight around in his arms as he peered around a corner, seeking salvation. "If I can just get him around this corner and passed that room, we'll be fine," Lonnie said to himself. Salvation was around the corner, for them, and at the end of the dimly lit hallway. Lonnie only had to pass Lou's office and out the fire exit to escape to a relatively safe location, the parking lot. There he would place JC in his Lincoln and rush him home, waiting for Justin and Joey to arrive. He just had to get by Lou's office.

Lonnie said a short prayer, maneuvered the small frame over his shoulder and burst around the corner. He hustled his way down the hall, stopping only when he heard voices coming from the dreaded room, forcing himself hard into the wall, banging JC's body. "Sorry, kid," he said softly.

"Sunny?"

"Yeah, boss."

"Have you seen Lonnie?"

"Um... No sir. I haven't seen him since Lance returned from the employees lounge."

"What?"

"Oh... I forgot to tell you..." Lonnie held his breath. Sunny you fucking asshole, he thought, again adjusting JC. The brunette stirred. "... Lance decided to leave the bar unattended and sneak in the back with JC's hot little boyfriend. He was gone for a while, I don't know what he was doing back there, but..."

"He left the bar?"

"Yeah, but Lonnie didn't want me to tell you. He said that you didn't need to know that Lance was gone. Basically wanting me to lie to you and protect that little blond haired worm."

"Did he now?"

"That's right..." Asshole, Lonnie said silently. "...besides that... I haven't seen him."

"You've got your Nextel on you?"

"Of course, sir." Sunny pulled out the small black wireless phone and opened it.

"Why don't you give him a ring? I think I need to have a little talk with him."

Shit, Lonnie thought while searching desperately with one hand for his Nextel, trying not to jar the unconscious man. Shit, shit, shit... Where is that that mother fucking thing. The big man patted his pockets looking for the item.

"Hang on boss." Sunny gripped the small phone tightly in his large menacing grasp. He smiled evilly as he dialed Lonnie's number. He waited patiently for the other to answer.

Oh shit... Lonnie turned around. He wanted to get as far away from the room as possible, he stopped when he heard Sunny yell. "Damn it. He isn't answering."

"What?"

"I didn't get an answer."

"Why not?"

"I don't know, sir, but I can..."

"No, never mind. We'll just go look for him. Come on." The two men exited the room and
walked down the hallway turning the corner. "Hey, did you see that?"

"See what sir?"

"I could've sworn I seen somebody turn the corner up there. No one is suppose to be back here."

"Do you want me to check it out sir?"

"Yeah, go ahead. I'll look for Lonnie out in the bar room and get to the bottom of his insubordination."

"Will do, sir." Sunny walked quickly down the hallway until he reached the corner. He pressed himself against the wall and counted to three. He spun around the corner and his well trained ears heard a door click shut. "Who's down here?" The bodyguard half yelled. "Who's here?" He cautiously walked down the hall, stopping at every door, opening them, scanning each room. After the fourth door, Sunny was going to call it quits, until he heard a muffled noise coming from the employee lounge. He moved silently toward the door, not wanting to alert the individual or individuals within it. He flung the door open.

**

Lonnie, having set the small brunette down on the employee lounge couch, quietly shut the door. He walked back toward the sleeping figure patting his coat down, looking for his missing phone.

"Looking for this?" A groggy voice asked.

"You little... When did you wake up?"

"When you threw me over your shoulder. You hit a rib or something and it kinda shocked me back," JC mumbled through thick lips. "And then you banged me into the wall. That was a little unpleasant as well."

"Cute. What did you do, turn off the ringer."

JC smiled as best he could, "Yep."

"Well, now that the coast is clear, we need to get you out of here, for the time being. Can you walk?"

"Lonnie, I was beat up, not crippled."

"Funny." Lonnie bent down and helped the battered man up. "Let's go, kid."

Just as the two men reached the door, Lonnie heard a small noise. "Shit."

"What? What is it?" JC asked, desperation dripping from his still small voice.

"We've got company."

"No," JC sighed, "I..."

"Shhhh..." Lonnie listened carefully. "I think someone may have seen me, they're checking the rooms," the black man explained. "We need to hide you."

"Come on," JC whined. "Can this day get any worse?"

"I hate to tell you, JC, but it's already tomorrow."

"Great..."

"Hurry up and hide somewhere. Behind the couch." They heard the door click, "shit there's no time." With lightening quick reflexes, Lonnie pushed JC onto the couch and instructed him to curl up as small as he could. The body guard ripped his long trench coat jacket off and threw it over the top of the small bundle, hurriedly placing his huge frame onto the couch as well.

The door opened.

**

"Hey," Lonnie mumbled as he recognized the intruder. "What do you want?"

"Did you see anyone back here?"

"When?"

"Just a bit ago, Lou thought he saw someone."

"Maybe he saw me, coming down here."

Sunny surveyed the room. "Yeah, maybe." His dark eyes focused on Lonnie and his jacket. "So..." He paused, "what are you doing in here?"

"Well, genius. It's the employee's lounge, where employee's go when they are on break. I'm an employee, I'm on break."

"Always a wise ass. Why can't you just simply answer my questions?"

Lonnie smiled, leaning back into the couch, "Cuz, I don't want to."

"Asshole."

"That's right, learn to live with it."

"Whatever." Sunny pulled out his phone, "did you get my message?"

"If I did do you think I'd answer it."

"Lou wants to talk to you."

"Yeah, about what?"

"I don't know," Sunny lied. "He just told me to get a hold of you. I do what I'm told."

"Like hell you do," Lonnie mumbled.

Sunny turned around and headed back toward the door, "You should go see what he wants."

"I will," Lonnie said as Sunny exited the room. The black man reached over and pulled his trench coat from JC's barely covered body.

"That was..."

"Shhh..." Lonnie instructed, placing two large fingers over JC's bruised lips, causing a slight moan to escape from the brunette. "He's still there. Don't say a word," the bodyguard said softly into JC's ear. "Wait."

JC nodded his reeling head. The sudden push into the couch and having to curl his weary body up caused a great deal of pain to course through the younger man. His eyes were blurry from the tears that threatened to fall, but he would not allow them, he wouldn't let them fall, he won't cry again. He was tired of being hurt, tired of being pushed around. He needed to be strong. He needed to be strong for Justin's sake. He fluttered his eyes, looking intently at Lonnie, waiting for the all clear.

Lonnie spoke, "Seems like he's finally gone. I can't hear his footsteps anymore." The footsteps indeed where becoming quieter and quieter, a tell tale sign that Sunny was leaving the area. "Don't speak," Lonnie warned. JC nodded. The heavy set black man got up off the couch and slowly made his way toward the closed door. He placed his one hand on the surface the other wrapped around the handle. Lonnie bent forward, placing his ear onto the door, listening.

"Okay, lets go."

JC uncurled his long body from the couch and attempted to heave himself up, but his body protested and he winced. Lonnie sauntered over toward the brunette and helped him up, supporting the younger man's movements.

"Thanks." Lonnie nodded.

The two men slipped out into the hallway, carefully navigating their way down the dark passage and toward the fire exit. JC was leaning heavily against the sturdier man, gaining the support he needed in order to make his way to safety. When Lonnie finally opened the door, the two men rushed out into the dark rainy night. When the cool breeze assailed JC's heat flushed body, he shuddered. It's menacing briskness penetrated his false bravado, causing his vision to blur and his knees buckled. Lonnie felt JC's smaller frame become limp in his grasp and he tightened his hold around the slender waist.

"Hang in there, JC. We've only have a few more steps. My car is just on the other side of those bushes."

They had escaped the strip club and JC was thankful for that; he shivered as another round of cold rain droplets plundered his skin, his warmth. The brunette tried wrapping his trembling arms around his body, begging for the warmth they would lend, but the movement sent another searing wave of pain through his exhausted frame, he moaned softly, not wanting his friend to hear his discomfort. However, Lonnie noticed JC's actions. He stopped and braced the younger man up against a car. He pulled his trench coat off and wrapped it around the smaller man. "There, is that better." JC nodded his thanks. "Good," Lonnie bent down and placed his arms behind JC's knees and lifted the seemingly weightless man.

"Lonnie," JC moaned, "it hurts."

"I know, we're almost there." Lonnie, although slowly, made his way through the parking lot, steering their way in the direction of the black man's car.

"Put me down..." JC whispered. "It doesn't hurt so much when I walk."

"Okay, but if your body gives out one more time..."

JC nodded his head and Lonnie placed the younger man's feet onto the cement of the parking lot. The bodyguard pointed in front of them, "My car is right there."

"Good, I'm glad it's close."

"Let me get the door for you," Lonnie said as he pulled his keys from his pocket and pressed the unlock button. The exterior lights blinked twice signaling to them that Lonnie's attempt was successful. Then the interior lights slowly intensified, lighting up the darkened area, beaming like a beacon.

"The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel," JC whispered.

"What, kid. I didn't catch that."

"It's okay. It was nothing."

Lonnie opened the passenger side door for JC and tried helping the wounded man climb inside. The task of getting into the car without pain was a daunting one, but the young man just gritted his teeth and bared it, knowing he had no other choice. When he was entirely in the car, the sitting position he was in sent shock waves of pain through him, his stomach threatening to release it's contents. His eyes watered and he blinked rapidly, trying to stop them; it was too much. "Lonnie," his words were soft, barely audible.

"What.... What is it?

"I can't... I can't stay like this."

"You need to lay down?"

JC nodded his head.

"Fuck, and I don't have bucket seats. We need to move you to the back."

JC understood what that meant... more pain. He swung his feet out of the car and allowed Lonnie to lift him out. The bodyguard already had the back door open and carefully moved his charge toward the comforting confines of the bench seat. The black man sat JC down again, this time in the back off the car, and he watched as the brunette instantly collapsed onto the cushions, pulling his legs in so the older man could easily close the door. Lonnie did, and then made his way to the driver's side. He scanned the area one last time before getting in. He sat behind the wheel, placing the key inside the ignition, "I hope the other two have an easier time than we did," Lonnie spoke softly.

"Me... Me too, Lonnie, me too."

**

Joey cracked the door open and then quickly shut it.

"What's going on?"

"Shut it," Joey chided. "Someone's coming."

"What? Who?"

With one arm still wrapped tightly around Justin's waist the brunette again opened the door. "It's Lonnie."

"What?"

"Shhh...." Joey waited a few more seconds before he saw another person walking stealth fully down the hallway. "Shit... It's Sunny." Joey closed the door softly. "He's following Lonnie and JC."

"JC?" Justin whined.

Joey squeezed Justin closer, "He'll be all right. He's with Lonnie." Justin sighed. "Besides, by the way Sunny was walking, I'm assuming he doesn't know which room they ducked into."

"What should we do?"

"Stay here, until we're sure Sunny is gone."

"What if he comes down here? Shouldn't we have a place ready to hide in just in case."

"Yeah," Joey looked behind him, surveying the area. "We could hide in the little room," Joey smirked. "I'm sure you're familiar with the area, since you've spent some quality time back there."

Justin's eyes became stormy. "Don't... Don't even pretend like you know what we were doing in there. I don't want you even thinking about JC. You got that."

Joey shrugged his shoulders.

"I say we hide behind the couch. I mean it worked once, you sat back there and let Lou beat up JC and the fat fuck didn't even know you were there. I think it would be a perfect hiding place."

"Shut up."

The blond looked menacingly toward Joey. "Are you for real?"

"Look, I just don't want to go behind the couch. Is that too much to ask?"

"It is for you."

"How long are you gonna hate me?"

Justin smiled coyly, "Until JC forgives you. And even then, I still may not."

"Until then, can we call a truce. Just until we get out of here. Then I can explain what happened, what was going on between us before you and Lonnie came into the room."

"You're gonna explain what went on between you two, huh." Justin laughed to himself. "Joey, you don't have to tell me what happened. I know."

Joey sighed, "You only know half of it."

"You're right. Funny thing though," Justin crossed his arms over his chest, moving away from Joey.

"What's that?"

"It's your side of the story that I witnessed. I saw you about ready to strike JC. I didn't see it from my babies point of view, but yours. I don't know what happened from JC's perspective, but I will."

Joey took a deep breath and cracked the door opened once more. Sunny had disappeared into one of the rooms, it was time for them to move on. "Okay, looks like we can make a break for it." Justin nodded. "Follow me." Joey led Justin through the maze of turns until they reached the bar room floor. "You need to get behind me as best you can, so no one recognizes you."

Joey felt Justin's hand grab roughly onto his shoulder, biting his nails into the brunette's skin. "Let's go," the blond detective sneered.

Joey led the way across the dance floor, making brief eye contact with Lance, noticing Lou screaming at him. He wandered what the cute bartender had done this time to get the wrath of Lou Pearlman. He wouldn't get the chance to stick around and find out, Justin was practically pushing him out of the club. When the reached the door, Justin quickly let go of Joey and braced his tired body against the entrance.

"Hey, come on Justin. We just need to cross the street." Justin shook his head. "What?"

"I'm not going any further with you. I'll go by myself." Justin scanned the parking lot while speaking with Joey, looking for the familiar Lincoln. He felt another presence.

"Their gone," Wes said. "I watched them leave, about ten minutes ago."

"Thanks, Wes." Justin turned toward the black bouncer, "How'd he look?"

"I couldn't tell from this distance. But he was standing on his own for a little while."

Justin let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He shivered slightly caused by the wind blowing against his rain soaked low riding jeans. "That's good, right?"

Joey stood in the parking lot gazing at his partner, shaking the thoughts from his head. "Let's get out of here, Justin. Let me take you home to JC."

"No," the blond hissed. "Get. I don't want to see you right now. Do you understand that?"

"Yes," Joey answered softly. He turned around and ran across the parking lot toward his car. Upon reaching the vehicle he turned back in the direction he came, hoping to catch a last look at his partner, to plead his case in only a gaze, but his partner was no there. Justin was being helped to his car by Wes. Joey was furious.

**

JC stared at the back window, watching as each raindrop jutted and curved its way down the slightly slanted glass. He titled his head slightly and could until his vision took in the back side window, he again watched quietly, using his finger to trace the patterns of the droplets. He whispered, "Just like my life."

"What is?" A voice came from the front.

"The rain."

"The rain?"

"Yeah, when it runs down the window, it doesn't no where its going, but it twists and turns seeking out the way to salvation. It's never a straight path, it always curves and changes just as the water gets momentum. Each time it runs into another droplet, the first droplet takes the second one where ever it goes, seemingly down the straight and narrow and then BAM, all of a sudden you're going in a different direction, one that takes you further from your destination." JC continued staring at the raindrops, continued tracing paths in the steamed windows.

"JC?" The black man questioned, "What's this about?"


"I thought my life was on the right track. I mean, Justin... Justin decided I'm worth something, decided he wanted to spend time with me, get to know me." JC couldn't finish his train of thought, "I'm like these fucking raindrops."

"How so?" Lonnie looked for JC's reflection in his rear view mirror. "Why do you think you're like these raindrops."

"Well, Justin loves me and I'm like dragging him all over the place, into things he shouldn't be involved in. Altering the course of both our lives and never getting any closer to my destiny or his, just floundering."

"You mean Lou when you talk about things he shouldn't be involved in, right?"

"Yeah, I mean... We were doing great. Then this has to happen," JC turned his head toward Lonnie's seat, "now he's gonna figure out that this isn't the first time Lou has laid a finger on me. He's gonna remember all those other times when I'd come home and deny him the sight or the use of my body." JC gingerly sat up, wincing, placing his folded arms across the back of the front seat. "He's gonna figure it out."

"The use of your body," Lonnie scoffed. "I don't think Justin is using your body and so, what if he does figure things out. He'll still love you, he'll only want to protect you even more. I know the kid's type. He'll do anything for you. When he figures it out, that shouldn't change anything. You two should be a happy couple, no matter what happened or what will happen."

"He's gonna want me to quit. He's gonna want me to stop dancing."

"JC...," Lonnie paused, "I think you should quit. I think you should listen to your boyfriend and take him into consideration, let him run into you, let him determine the new direction you two will take. I don't think that would be unreasonable."

JC sighed, meeting Lonnie's gaze in the mirror. "You think I should quit, really?"

"I think it would be for the best. You need to get away from Lou, C. You need to make a life with Justin that doesn't involve any minute part of your past."

JC's eyes became cloudy filled with water threatening once more to escape. JC bit his abused lips.

"What is it, C?"

"He knows." He closed his eyes, not wanting to meet Lonnie's. "He already knows."

Lonnie continued driving until he reached JC and Justin's road where their large two-story brick Victorian home sat nestled in a heavily wooded caldisac. The drive had been nearly fifteen minutes; that short, but it seemed like forever to Lonnie. The rain splashed underneath the Lincoln's tires as Lonnie turned the corner. He watched the wipers move from side to side, side to side, musing over the situation, not believing the mess he was getting himself into. He gripped the steering wheel tighter, knuckles now a paling caramel brown. Lonnie sighed, when it finally dawned on him how close to Lou, JC and Justin were. The two only lived fifteen short minutes away from Lou's club, away from JC's own little personal hell. The large black man shook his head slowly as he pondered the topic, glancing in the rear view mirror to check on his passenger. He whispered, "Hey, you're extremely quite back there. We're almost to your place, sorry about it being so cold in the car, but the heater isn't working."

JC had settled back down into the seat and had wrapped Lonnie's trench coat around himself snugly; holding onto the lapels, binding it tight for warmth and comfort. The brunette's knees were bent slightly as he laid on his back, easing some of the discomfort radiating from his side. He heard the bodyguard mumble something about it being cold, and that they were almost to his house, but he couldn't concentrate on that. Instead, he sighed sadly as thoughts of Justin faded in and out of his mind; visions of his live-in boyfriend's reactions when he finally comprehended what exactly JC did. How he sold his body to women for enough money to eat and eventually find shelter.

The brunette squeezed his eyes together; water lining the lashes, trying unsuccessfully to rid himself of the tormenting phantasms whirling within him, but to no avail. In the beginning, he watches as Justin finally arrives home and storms his way into the house. JC sitting on their couch, stares wide eyed. Justin starts screaming words, hurtful words, words the brunette cares not to remember. When he doesn't respond to Justin's critisms, all hell breaks loose. JC physically shuddered at the thought of Justin becoming so angry with him that the young lover would strike him. Eventually, forcing him out of the house to live back on the street, to sell his body again.

JC blinks. He turns his head in the direction of Lonnie's voice, but still does not register completely what the black man is saying. JC closes his eyes once more, wishing he could end the cycle of the horrible thoughts trampling his mind. Wishing he could will the end result to change, but it always ends the same, this taunting vision; it always ends with Justin walking out on him.

Lonnie slowed the vehicle and leisurely maneuvered his Lincoln between the large stone lion head statues situated at the end of the winding driveway. He drove up the wide path and parked just in front of the house, aligned with the walkway. Lonnie turned off the engine and waited for his young passenger to realize he was finally home.
"JC, you're home," Lonnie mumbled to himself. He looked into the mirror watching the battered man rise from his comfortable position. The black man stared at JC, determining the condition of his charge. JC winced at his own movements, seeking the easiest way with the least amount of hurt. When he was comfortable with his position, he looked out the window. Lonnie blinked slowly, they sat silently for a while, listening to the raindrops assail the car; each deep in thought until JC finally broke the silence.

"Thanks," he whispered and began sliding his weary body toward the door, making his way out of the Lincoln by placing one hand on the door handle.

"For what kid?" Lonnie peered over his right shoulder, trying to steal a glimpse, effectively stopping JC's actions.

JC shrugged his shoulders dejectedly, avoiding the black man's gaze. "For everything." He paused, turning his head slowly and meeting chocolate brown eyes in the rearview mirror. Hi eyes twinkled, "I guess."

"Hey, you wouldn't have left me back there, right? Don't think nothing of it."

"I guess," JC answered. " I'm not... Not really use to," he paused gathering his thoughts, "people other than Justin or Lance being nice to me." He looked away, staring at the raindrops. "Not many people are."

"What?" Lonnie smiled softly, "I can't hear you, you're mumbling. You need to speak up."

"Nice to me," the brunette said in a louder voice. He turned once again toward his companion, "I'm not use to others being nice to me."

"Well, I don't understand how that could be. You're a very likable person."

JC huffed and blinked back tears. "I don't know why, people don't like me, they just don't. Do you? Do you know why people don't like me, Lonnie."

"JC..." Lonnie began, sadness in his voice, "Not everyone hates you, it just seems like it right now, you've had a tough couple of days. Besides, I don't really think it has anything to do with you personally. I mean... There're a lot of idiots out there, who don't really take the time to know people, but instead judge them with some bias opinion."

"I'd except that if I were out and out gay," he shrugged, "I'm not. I like girls too."

"I know, and I'm sure that's what makes it seem worse for you. Doesn't it?"

"Yeah, I guess," shrugging his shoulders once more, "Everyone likes Justin. He has a lot of friends." JC blinked slowly, "His parents still like him, even though he's gay. I don't have anyone Lonnie." He turned his head and gazed directly at the other man. "I only have him."

"That's not true." Lonnie tried turning his large body toward JC, desperately searching the brunette's pain filled eyes.

"I can't loose him, too, Lonnie... I wouldn't be able to take that. I can take anything this life throws at me, all the hate, all the hurt," he shook his head from side to side, "but I wouldn't be able to take loosing him, Lonnie. Life wouldn't be worth it."

"JC... don't say that. You know you have Lance and now me..."

"It's not the same... He's everything to me."

"Well, maybe," Lonnie paused "...maybe you should let him guide the two of you. You know, like we talked about on the way here. Let him dictate what happens and see where it goes from there."

JC looked away quickly, biting his bottom lip, hand trembling on the door handle. "He'll want me to quit. I know he will." He tipped his head forward, thinking, "I'll quit," he whispered.

"What...?"

"If that's what he wants. If... If you think it's... It's the right thing to do."

"JC I'm not gonna tell you what you should or shouldn't do. That's completely up to you. You should quit only if you think it's the right thing. I mean... As I said... I don't run your life, neither does Justin." He paused, "If you want some advice... Then yeah... I'll give you some, but ultimately it's up to you and what you want to do. I don't like seeing you get hurt, but the decision must come from you. You're the one who has to live with it."

"Not anymore Lonnie. Now I have to think about Justin, and how my decisions affect him. It's not just about me anymore. I... I just don't know how."

The large black man sighed, contemplating his next statement. "I'd help you. If you wanted to leave Lou's."

JC quickly covered his steel eyes with trembling hands as he shook his head. "I want to," he whimpered. "I want to, but I'm afraid."

"What are you afraid of?" Lonnie asked, knowing the answer already.

"I'm afraid... Afraid no one else would hire me. Lou would make sure I'd never dance again... he... he would tell them that I was a male whore and that he caught me in one of his rooms, making money on the side, cheating him. He would tell them that... I'm sure of it."

Lonnie turned around in his seat and softly encompassed one of JC's slender wrists. "Listen, JC. I'll help you as much as I can. I'll try and keep Lou from you, but you have to make the first move. You've gotta be the one to move on from this life."

"Lonnie, you don't understand."

"Yes, I do." He squeezed the wrist he was holding tighter, "Let me see if I get this right." His cold stare penetrating JC's, "If it weren't for Lou, you'd still be selling yourself, trying to make it in this God forsaken place. You'd still be sleeping somewhere in a run down area of town with barely a garbage bag for a blanket. If it hadn't been for Lou offering you a job, you'd still be a whore and you would've never have met Justin." He shook the brunette slightly, "Right." He raised his voice, "Am I fucking right, JC." The brunette nodded his head. "I know all to well the noose you have around your neck, and who is holding the other end, but I will help you. Only if you want it though. Only if you make the first attempt at breaking the ties." Lonnie pulled the other hand away from JC's tired and battered face, "Are you willing to give it up? Are you willing to give up dancing for Justin? Are you willing to give up everything you were and everything you are for him?"

JC nodded and then whispered, "yes."

"Then that's good enough for me." The bodyguard let go of JC's wrists and watched as the defeated man lowered his head, resting it upon the back of the passenger seat. "I'll tell you what, why don't you just go inside and take a nice long soothing shower, dress in your pajamas and go to sleep. It's two o'clock now and you're scheduled to come in early tomorrow and I'm sure Lou's gonna want you to work a double."

"Lonnie?"

"Yeah."

"When do I tell him I don't want to do this anymore. I'm sick of this."

"Whenever you feel like it. If you want to do it tomorrow; I'll be there."

"Okay... Let me sleep on it."

"Why don't you do that, kid? Maybe discuss it with Justin when he gets back. I'm sure he'll want to be a part of your decision."

JC took a deep breath., "You think I should... Let him in on the decision... But I want it to be my idea, just like you said."

"That's right."

"Okay. Right." JC nodded his head and then looked back toward Lonnie, "thanks, again. For everything. I'm lucky I've got you on my side."

"You're most welcome and I would like it if you considered me one of your friends."

JC smiled, "yeah I'd like that."

"Me too. Now get the hell out of my car and get some sleep, have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately," he joked.

"All right, I'm going... I'm going."

JC opened the back driver's side door, grasped the roof for leverage and tried sliding out of the car, he moaned softly; catching Lonnie's attention.

"Hey, you need a hand."

The brunette bashfully looked away and mumbled, "please. Just to the door, I think I can manage from there."

Lonnie quickly but gracefully exited the vehicle, walked around the door and wrapped his strong comforting arm underneath the coat and around JC. He gently guided the battered man out of his Lincoln and unhurriedly maneuvered him toward the front door that marked the young man's salvation. As the two made their way down the narrow path, JC's limp bare foot caught on an uplifted block, bruising the toe, pitching him slightly forward. The brunette gasped when Lonnie instinctually tightened his once comforting hold around JC's sore mid section, his face paling, lips blanching. Upon hearing JC, Lonnie turned his head and studied the younger man's face, mentally cursing himself for his carelessness. He figured early on that evening that JC could be suffering from cracked or broken ribs. He would need to be more careful in the future. The black man again focused his attention on JC and realized he was definitely in more pain than the younger man was letting on. The trained bodyguard noticed the brunette's pale complexion and clammy skin. "You sure you don't need me to help you up the stairs or anything."

"God, no Lonnie. You don't have to do that. You've done so much for me already."

"JC, it's not that much trouble." As they approached the door, Lonnie's Nextel beeped. "Shit."

Lonnie propped the lighter man against the railing of the porch as he reached for his phone.

"You...ummmm... Gonna get that?"

"I hadn't planned on it. I was just gonna turn it off again."

JC closed his eyes, exhaustion creeping up on him again, "you should answer. Don't let them get suspicious of you."

"Yeah, you're right. There is no telling what they're up to."

"Mmmm, hmmmm."

The older man pulled his phone from his pocket and answered the annoying beep. "Yeah?"

"Where the hell are you?" Bleep.

"I had some errands to run." Bleep. Bleep.

"Errands?" Bleep

"Yeah, errands and it's none of your fucking business." Bleep. Bleep.

"Well, Lou needs you. He wants you back here like yesterday." Bleep.

"Okay, I'm on my way." Bleep. Bleep.

"Better make it quick." Bleep.

Lonnie flipped his phone off, "yeah." Bleep. Bleep. The bodyguard glanced over his shoulder toward JC. "I've gotta go, kid. You'll be all right?"

JC half smiled, "I've done it before."

"That isn't funny."

"I'll be fine, Lonnie. You need to get back."

"All right. I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yeah, tomorrow."

Lonnie turned his back and was halfway down the walk when he heard JC's weak voice call out his name. He quickly turned around, fearing the worst. "What?"

"Lance."

"What about him?"

"Would you make sure that he knows I'm okay?"

"I'll tell him," he turned to walk again.

"Lonnie wait."

"JC, I've gotta go."

"Would you make sure he's all right? Will you help him out too?"

The black man nodded his head, "I'll try my best."

"Thanks. Bye."

"Bye, kid." Lonnie sat back in his Lincoln and started the engine, only looking once over his shoulder to check on the progress of his new friend. He huffed when JC was no where to be seen. Must've made it inside okay, Lonnie thought as he pulled out of the driveway and back in the direction of the club.


As JC watched his new friend leave the confines of his yard, he sighed. He rolled his head toward the door contemplating his next move. He bit the inside of his mouth, chewing, gnawing on the skin. JC closed his eyes and ran his fingers through his rain slick tangled hair in an attempt to come to a conclusion. He knew he had to go inside the house and wait for Justin's return, but what he wasn't sure of, was just how he was going to accomplish that. He laughed silently to himself when he realized he wasn't wearing the clothes he left in, in fact, he was only wearing Lonnie's trench coat and his skin tight work pants.

"Go figure," he whispered. "I absolutely can't win, today." JC looked toward the right and his eyes rested on the large porch swing. "Well, this will have to do until Justin comes home." The brunette walked over toward the swing and cautiously sat down, drawing the coat around his small frame. He manipulated his legs up onto the now moving object and turned over, bending his knees and laying on his back. "Justin should be here in a few minutes, it shouldn't be a long wait. I just wish I was smart enough to have remembered the damn things. Justin will get a good laugh out of this one." JC laid quietly, listening to the raindrops spatter harshly like bullets onto the awning, turning his head and watching the water ricochet toward him. He wrapped his arms around his shivering body to protect against the wiping wind and waited.

**

When Justin initially left the club he had one thought on his mind, JC. He was only ten minutes behind Lonnie. It wouldn't be long before he would be holding his baby in his arms and comforting him. The blond frantically drove down the wet paved roads, intent on catching up with the Lincoln, maybe even passing it, so that he would be there waiting with open arms for JC.

He blinked back unshed tears as he thought about everything. Everything that happened to either himself or JC. It just seemed like one thing after another and they weren't allowed any time to recuperate from any of it. "I wonder what JC's doing right now," Justin said out loud as he wiped his hand across the front window, cutting through the thick layer of condensation. "He's probably taking a nice long warm bath and I'm fucking missing it." The vision of JC's shimmering body was interrupted brutally and Justin's mind reeled.

The images that accosted his mind were vivid, running sequentially and painfully real. A man. Suspended, arms above his head, wrists bound by a steel cord, moaned painfully. Blood dripping from various cuts, bruises thick over the young man's slender naked body were a signal of what scene was playing out before Justin's eyes. It seemed real, to real. Another man, dressed in leather chaps and a matching vest sat in the corner, watching, watching his prey. The other's face was a blur, body large almost menacing. The ogre of a man stood and the trapped man trembled, pulling his battered body away from his tormentor. Justin watched; head pounding. The large faceless man approached the other, stopped in front of him and reared his hand back. The fist flew forward and connected with the tied man's face sending a spattering of bright red blood onto the wall beside them, mingling with the darker dried shades. The ogre screamed, "Fucking make up your mind. You fukers are all the same, you think you can have any one you want, not caring who's shut out, who looses out cuz you can have whom ever you want. But you can't... You can't have them all. One or the other not both." The brute hit the young man once more, knocking him senseless. The large man loomed closer, forcing the other's legs apart and....

The car squealed out of control, careening into a shallow ditch. The blonde's body lurched forward striking his forehead against the steering wheel, harshly, adding to the berage of bumps and bruises already adorning it. Justin looked up at the object that stopped his forward momentum, blinking his eyes profusely and reaching a shaking hand to his temple. The young detective slowly raised his head and noticed the car was stopped in front of an old abandoned church. The detective carefully tilted his head sideways as he examined the outside of the building, he huffed.

"I can't fucking believe this," Justin said to no one. "Arrrggghhhh. Why me?" The blonde's grip on the steering wheel intensified while he figured out what to do next. "Well..." he conceded, "I guess I'll need to check out the fucking damage." The young detective opened his car door and swiftly exited, wanting to make short work of his inspection. As the rain soaked through his cloths, Justin walked toward the front of the vehicle and noticed the awkward angle of the tires. Blinking the offending rain water from his eyes and rubbing his face, the young man sighed.

"Shit," Justin paused, "shit, shit, shit." The blond reached into his wet pocket and pulled out his cell phone, dialing the house phone. No one answered. "That's odd." He hung up and tried the number once more and again no answer. "Where is he? He should be there by now," Justin let the phone ring over and over, before finally giving up, believing his boyfriend to be in the shower. "I'll just call back later."

Justin walked back to the opened door and slid inside, closing the door. He stretched his body across the passenger seat and opened his glove compartment, shuffling through the various papers within it. "Damn it. I know that fucker is in here somewhere. I saw JC put it in here myself and I don't know how many times it's fallen out, but now... now that I need it... ah ha... found ya... Okay." Justin skimmed through the list of phone number listed on the AAA card, hoping to find one relatively close. "Well," Justin mused, "this one will have to do." He dialed the number. When a man answered the phone, Justin gave him directions and waited for a time estimate.

"It'll take about thirty minutes for one of our guys to get out that way."

"I really don't have much of a choice in the matter, so make it so. But tell them to hurry."

"Yeah, right."

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

Justin pressed end on the cell pad and watched the glow of the face. He rubbed his large thumb of the key pad and decided to speed dial his house again. He wanted to let JC know what had happened, and that he would be home as soon as he could. The number of the house flashed onto the green lighted face and Justin pressed send. He waited. The ringing of the other line continued sounding as Justin silently cursed himself for not buying a new answering machine. Clicking the phone off, Justin whispered, "Where the hell are you, JC?"

The blond closed his eyes, intent on taking a little nap before the tow truck arrived, however, his mind wouldn't settle down. It continually flashed small bits of the unfolding scene that caused the accident. After each flash Justin would open his eyes briefly, stopping the images and catching small glimpses of the church. The church. He closed his eyes again and then opened them quickly at the first sign of the image, the church. Justin got out of the car.

"What are you trying to tell me?" Justin whispered as he approached the run down building. "What secrets are you hiding?" The sound of the rain and the rustling of the leaves were the only other noises the detective could here other than the sucking sound coming from his shoes. By the time he arrived at the front broken in door, his feet were soaked. He touched the door...

The illusion was back, clearer than before, more profound. The large man was brutally thrusting his hips up into the suspended man, body wet with presperation, grunting uncontrollably. The younger man's mouth was permanently opened, fists clenched tight, head thrown back, while short gasps of pain gurgled from his throat. Liquid red streams were rushing downward, creating intrique patterns inside the man's arms and thighs, as the attacker climaxed into the victim. The ogre pulled roughly out and stood laughing. "Have I changed your mind, yet." This time when the man turned around, Justin could almost make out a face, could almost see. The large man smiled at Justin, "He's next," the attacker laughed, "he's next."

Justin's hand fell threw the door, his body followed, hurling him into utter darkness. "So close," he whispered, moving onto his knees as he cradled the hand against his chest. He looked up and observed a small sliver of light escaping from underneath a closed door at the far end of the church. Justin carefully stood, checking his balance before continuing forward. His curiosity getting the better of him. He circumvented his way around the dark room, using the light as a beacon, showing him the way toward salvation. Only once did the young detective misjudge his footing and stumble over something, catching his balance quickly. He finally was at the door. He closed his eyes half expecting another vision to assail his mind. He reached for the door, coming in contact with it... Nothing. Justin ran his hand over the solid wood door until he found the handle, again bracing for the worse. Nothing. The blond turned the handle and pushed the door open.

The room was aglow in low burning candles, illuminating the space just enough for Justin's observation. The enclosure was rather small, but large enough for the act which took place within it, the act which is now embedded in Justin's mind. When Justin turned his head toward one of the corners his suspicions were proven true. In the corner, hanging from the ceiling was a long steel cable. The detective moved toward it, grasping it within his hands, hoping for more information. A flash. A flash of blurry images of trees and bushes, pavement. A blurring of colors swirling, tumbling within his mind. He blinked. "This is it. This is the room, but why aren't I getting a clear vision. What's going on?"

Justin turned and walked across the dimly lit room searching for additional clues. That's when he found it. A small door, leading... "Only god knows where," Justin said out loud. He grasped the iron door handle with both hands and pulled. A loud creaking noise permeated throughout the room, causing the blond to wince. He dropped the handle and turned around, grasping a burning candle within his left hand. Justin moved around the tiny door and dipped his head forward, trying for a better look. The candle flickered.

"It must lead outside," Justin said. "Hmmm... Well, let's see just where it leads, too." The blond stepped inside, slipping and catching his balance with the help of the door. "I'd better be more careful."

Justin maneuvered his half bent form through the tunnel, stopping momentarily to get his bearings. The candle was nearing its end and if he didn't find the opening he would have to flounder in the dark passage, either looking for the end or turning around and heading back in the direction of the church. It was then that Justin became aware of a brisk damp breeze, cupping the flame, he continued forward. He could see the opening of the tunnel and his steps quickened. The candle winked once, twice and then disappeared and the detective discarded it to the side, no longer needing it. When he reached the edge, he was surprised by the quick descent and to slow to stop his forward momentum, he slid. He tumbled down the slope. The falling man moved his hands in front of his face, protecting it from the sharp pieces of wood and the stones scattered about the embankment. His body was pummeled from those same objects, but thankfully none could penetrate his thick jacket. A blurring of colors swirling, tumbling within his mind. Blurry images of trees and bushes... and then... pavement.

The night was no longer young, however, the crowd at Lou's Club didn't seem to notice. The patrons continued dishing their money out to the dancers and bellying up to the bar; as if they had all night or something. The last dance was up, and the establishment was still standing room only.

"Lousy pieces of shit," the blond bartender mumbled under his breath. As much as Lance hated the stragglers, tonight he wished there were more. Tonight the lowly scum of the earth, he affectionately calls them, are a God sends. A small alarm behind the counter went off, signaling Lance that it was time for last call. The bartender cringed at the taunting sound, dreading this moment, silently praying that the night would never end so he could avoid speaking with Lou. The blond knew he was in for it, but he just didn't know how deep, and my making last call, the bar crowd would thin. Lou was a very intimidating figure by himself, but throw Sunny in the mix, and Lou was down right scary. Lance was thankful the owner didn't know about his slip up, him leaving the bar unattended. If Lou ever found out... he shuddered, wiping the sweat rings from the glasses off the counter, busying himself, avoiding the inevitable. He looked over his shoulder at the clock and took a deep breath. The blond slowly walked over toward his discarded microphone, picked it up and placed the cumbersome object onto his head, adjusting the mic.

"It's 3:30 everybody, and that means it's last call at the bar. You've got fifteen minutes and then the bar will be closing." Lance peeled the headset off, mussing his hair, and waited for the last rush of alcoholics to get their last drink.

**

Lonnie entered the strip club with ease, expecting nothing less. He heard the announcement about last call and sighed to himself. The bodyguard looked in the direction of the bar and watched as Lance poured the last minute drinks for the patrons. Lonnie shook his head, "This isn't gonna be easy," he said to no one in particular. He made his way through the dispersing crowd and scanned the room, finding his intended target mere feet away from the bar, Lou. The black man quickened his steps while pulling out his Nextel and dialing a familiar number.

Bleep. "Boss man?"

Bleep, Bleep. "Hey, Tiny."

Bleep. "Yeah, what's up?"

Bleep, Bleep. "Could ya come up front to Lance's position and give me a hand?"

Bleep. "What's the problem? Is someone hassling the kid?"

Bleep. Bleep. "Actually, I see Sunny advancing on the little guy. I may need some help getting the kid out of here, tonight."

Bleep. "Lon, you know by helping him... you know what that means don't you?"

Bleep Bleep. "It depends on what exactly takes place. If they just rough him up, than... we can live with that, but if it goes too far... I just need you... will you have my six?"

Bleep. "Yeah, I've got your back. I'll be there in a minute."

Bleep. Bleep. "Thanks."

Lonnie pushed his way through the rest of the crowd and settled in beside the bar. He rested his elbows on the counter and nodded his head at Lance signaling the blond over. Lance lifted his index finger toward Lonnie, as he continued filling the customers drink. The bodyguard observed the usually steady hands of the bartender shaking profusely as he continually peered over his shoulder toward Sunny.

Lance pushed the finished drink toward the patron and excepted the large bill the man gave him. He retrieved the correct amount of change and placed it in front of the man. The patron pushed the money back toward Lance, silently instructing the blond to keep it. The blond smiled at the man and thanked him for the generous tip. The stranger winked at him and whispered something into his ear. Lance turned his head away, blushing. The stranger turned and disappeared into the dwindling crowd. The blond shook his head slightly and tilted his head forward watching the man walk away.

Lonnie cleared his throat, again gaining the younger man's attention. This time the bartender didn't ignore Lonnie and approached him cautiously.

"Y...yeah."

"Look kid. JC wanted me to tell you that he was all right."

Lance's face brightened, "that's great. Where is he?"

"He's at home right now. I told him to stay there until his next shift."

"That's tomorrow morning. He's scheduled for stock duty, so am I. So he's coming in for that?"

"Well," Lonnie lowered his voice and grabbed Lance by his shirt, pulling him closer. The black man whispered, "He's quitting."

"Noooo," Lance gasped quietly. "He... he can't do that." The blond pulled himself away from Lonnie, "he can't Lon. I mean... this is his life." Lance threw his hands up in the air motioning around the room. "He can't give this up. I bet he won't."

"Put your fucking hands down," Lonnie growled, "you want to attract attention." The black man quickly looked around the room, double checking, making sure no one noticed. He turned back toward the young bartender, "And what the fuck do you mean, he can't give this up. That this is his life." He stared hard at Lance. "You think JC likes getting beat up all the time, fondled by the patrons, by Lou. You think that's something JC couldn't give up. You think he couldn't give up going home and having to hide his body from Justin's sight, that he has to deny Justin. You think he likes having to stop Justin from making love with him because his body is to black and blue and the simple idea of having sex hurts him."

onnie turned his head again surveying the scene and then continued. "JC deserves better than this... he deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, and I think you know that." The bodyguard paused again, watching Lance's eyes well up, "And in case you've forgotten... Justin is JC's life now, not this."

"But... he can't."

"Why? Why can't he, Lansten?"

"He can't... I know this is selfish," Lance looked down at the floor, "but... but he can't leave me, here, by myself."

"Who's to say that you can't leave too?"

"Lon, that just isn't possible," Lance whimpered.

"Why?"

"Cuz... if it wasn't for Lou..."

"Don't even finish that fucking sentence." Lonnie placed his head on his forehead, rubbing it. "Deja Vu. My god, did you and JC sit down and write up that sorry excuse for a reason together, cuz he tried using the same one."

"I owe him. I mean... if it weren't for him I'd still be on the streets right now."

"You owe him?" Lonnie gasped. "Fuck kid, for all the blood, sweat and tears he has taken from you, I'd think that he'd owe you." The black man felt another person's presence by his side. He turned his head and acknowledged Tiny. "Watch out for Sunny or Lou, K."

"Gottcha, boss."

Lonnie turned his large head back toward Lance observing the look of contemplation spread across his face. Just a little more and I'll have this one free as well and then my conscience will be cleared. "Besides, Lansten, can you prove that you'd still be on the street, with no job and no place to go. I think you're a bit more resilient than that."

"I didn't even finish high school, Lonnie. How would I be able to find another job?"

"Lansten, more than one place in this sleazy town hires people without a high school diploma."

The bartender tilted his head, "They do."

"Yes, they do."

"I was told that Lou's was the only place."

"By who, kid. Who told you this?" Lonnie paused. "Lou?"

The younger man quickly looked away, sighing. Laughing silently to himself, "Yeah, Lou told me." He raised a hand to his head and rubbed his temple. "You think he'll let me go? You think he let us walk, without repercussions?"

"I don't know, kid." Lonnie grabbed Lance's forearm gently, "I'll do what I can for you two, but you know it won't be easy." The big man shook his head, "It won't be easy at all."

"Does JC know how hard it'll be? Did you tell him what may happen?"

Lonnie made a sour face and looked sheepishly into Lance's eyes. Lance's face darkened when realization struck.

"You didn't... shit, Lonnie. You didn't tell him, did you? You let him think that he was gonna be able to walk away from this shit unscathed. How could you do that?"

"In coming," Tiny interrupted.

Thank God, Lonnie thought. "We'll finish this later. Right now we need to worry about what's gonna happen to you."

"Yeah, tell me about it." Lance turned from Lonnie and began cleaning the bar area. He glanced quickly at the two menacing figures looming toward him. The blond also noticed the man who tipped him almost fifty bucks following closely behind them. He started filling a small tub with hot water and soap, getting things ready so he could wash the glasses. As he dumped the Dawn dish soap into the water, he watched as his hand shook with nervousness. Lance set the blue plastic bottle down and filled the tub with the dirty dishes, anticipating Lou's call.

**

An enormous clap of thunder startled Justin from his unconscious state. Upon waking, he blinked his hazy blue eyes rapidly, batting away the droplets of water that assailed his face. His vision focused on a large pile of disintegrating leaves, American Tulip he guessed. Intent on getting up, he cautiously moved one of his arms underneath his body, arching his back slightly. He moaned as a searing jolt of pain stifled his movements; he laid back down.

Turning his head, he gazed at the embankment that he fell down and shook his head at his own lack of caution. It was then he realized it was still night. The rain was coming down in sheets, pelting the groggy man, soaking him to the bone. He sighed while watching his breath escape his lips; he sighed again. He was cold, wet, covered in mud and felt downright miserable. The blond just wanted to go home. In order for that to happen, Justin realized he needed to get up.

Justin was still lying on his stomach in a pile of soggy leaves and mud, jarred awake once more by the storm; he had dozed. Upon opening his eyes again he determined how lucky he was. It seems when he completed his fall, he ended up with his head tilted, facing up the embankment, potential saving him from suffocating. Thank God for small favors, Justin thought. The young blond had no idea how long he had been unconscious lying in the rain drenched earth, but he needed to get moving. He slid his arms underneath his body and pushed gently, tentatively, hoping he didn't suffer from any broken bones.

Looking down at his arms he noticed his watch. It had stopped. Shit, he paused his movement, shaking his head slightly, time what the hell time is it, the blond thought. I need to get up and find my way back to the car before the tow truck arrives. The young detective rolled toward his left, feeling an immovable object collide with his back. He pressed against it trying to push it blindly away. It wouldn't budge and from Justin's angle he couldn't muster enough strength to move it. Justin rolled his body away from the object, facing it for the first time.

"Oh my God," Justin whispered hand cupping over his gaping mouth, body swiftly moving away. The object was a corpse. He was pushing against a corpse. Justin continued progressing away from the body, scampering back, slipping in the mud, trying to get further from the battered and pale body.

It was lying in the same manner as Justin had found himself in. The prone figure looked to be male. In fact, it appeared to be the same body from Justin's vision, the same timid scared man that had been hanging from his wrists in the small room in the church. Justin closed his eyes, rain running down his face, heart racing. He was experiencing short flashes of the vision, replaying certain parts of it over and over again. They were focusing on words said by the faceless man. Words he couldn't quite make out. He pushed the imagery from his mind and reopened his wet lashes.

Justin was resting on his backside, knees drawn up to his chest, one hand positioned behind him, the other still tightly fitted over his mouth; he continued to gawk at the body. The detective allowed his breathing to slow down before he removed the suction of his hand from his lips. The blond tilted his head toward the side, wet strands of hair falling into his face and squinted his eyes, wiping rain from them. He swung his body around, flipping his legs underneath his weight onto his hands and knees. He crawled closer to the small beaten frame.

This was the first time Justin had ever discovered a body, the first time he was first on the scene. He had no idea what exactly to do. By falling down the cliff and striking the corpse, he had already disrupted the evidence and was sure to get an earful by the investigative and forensic teams. The young detective examined the position of the body. The way it was lying was definitely unnatural. The body appeared nearly embedded in the thick mud surrounding it, only somewhat removed from its original position, the outline still prevalent. "Well, at least I know I wasn't out for too long, but I better call this in." When he moved closer, that's when he noticed the patches of rotting flesh and the hordes of maggots hanging desperately onto the decomposing skin. Justin's stomach turned. He felt the bile rise quickly and bent down behind a tree, retching. "Shit, that's fucking disgusting," the detective said, running his hand down his face, wiping the residue from his lips.

As Justin reached for his phone, he prayed that God would grant him at least one miracle today. He prayed that the phone was still functional. When he removed it from his pocket and pressed the slippery on button, he was relieved. "Yes," he yelled out loudly. "Looks like your luck is about to change, Timberlake." The phone had turned on.

The blond crouched down, balancing on the balls of his feet studying the unmoving figure, while dialing dispatch. He studied the crisscrossing marks that marred the man's back, and the bruises that were still evident running rampantly over the pale skin. By the condition of the body, Justin estimated that the time of death was nearly ten days ago. The detective then observed the sloppy and less deliberate dumping of the body, so close to where the actual murder took place. The suspect appears to be getting desperate. It can't be that. We just found one the yesterday. This was one of his first victim, Justin thought. "Otherwise, there's no way he would have dumped the body so carelessly."

Justin waited patiently, "This is dispatch."

"Yeah, hey, Brit. Detective Timberlake."

"Justin you know you don't have to be so formal, it's not like you're on the CB or anything."

"Brit, hush. I've got something important here and I need you to contact..." Justin hated even mentioning his name right now, "... Joey. I've found a body."

"Really? Okay. Wow. What's your position?"

"I... I have no idea... Um, I think I'm about ten minutes from my house, going east on Hamilton. There's an old abandon church there. I'm behind it, I think..."

"Justin, these aren't very good directions, but I think they'll be sufficient. Joey's a pretty bright guy."

"Yeah, whatever. I really don't have time to chat, Brit. Just have Joey bring his team to the church. Tell him he has to pass the church on foot until the come to a cliff. The body is at the bottom. That's all I can tell you."

"Okay, keep your phone on, I'm sure Joey will be calling you."

"That's fine, thanks."

"No problem."

Justin leaned back against the tree and hit end, leaving the phone on, placing into his drenched pocket. No telling how long that damn phone will work, if this fucking rain keeps up, Justin thought. He lifted his gaze heavenward and closed them, letting the water splash upon his face, rinsing away the mud and muck. Snippets of his vision still haunted his thoughts. His mind was seemingly trying to tell him something, trying to remind him. Justin pushed the thoughts back as he pushed himself away from the tree. Still a little unsteady, he nearly fell over. He reached forward with one hand toward the ground, catching himself. However, instead of the ground, Justin's hand rested on the corpse's leg and he jolted back into his vision. The images appeared mingled and unfocused except of one aspect. The part of the vision where the faceless man turns in his direction, voice menacing... He's next. Again his mind played through the whole scenario in a jumbled mess of colors, until reaching that one part. It resounded in his mind clearly. He's next. Realization dawned on him.

"No...no" shaking his head, " .... no... no...," he looked up toward the cliff and whispered, "It can't be... It can't mean. I won't let it." Again the haunting voice echoed in his head, He's next. "JC!"

**

The enormous clap of thunder startled JC awake. He blinked opened his steel blue eyes and dazedly took in the sight around him. He moved awkwardly. Fuck, he thought, that fucking hurt like hell. He crinkled his face at the pain, absorbing it.

"Hm... I'm still locked out, still on the swing. Justin must've been called in. Damn it. I hate his fucking job. He should be here with me, taking care of me. Nooo... instead he's out there somewhere, solving crimes." JC lifted a weary hand to his head, "Stop it, JC. You're being unreasonable," he chuckled softly at his current situation, "and it seems you're going insane talking to yourself." He paused, calming himself down, "He doesn't even know I'm suck out here."

JC decided to go back to sleep. He knew he would be able to fall asleep on the rickety wooden porch swing again, so he wrapped the coat tighter around his shivering frame. "I guess I'm stuck out here for the rest of the night," he sighed and closed his eyes.

**

The young blond ran from his perch, scaling the impossible cliff without regard to injury. Though the cliff was not extremely steep, the rain made the grass slick and the ground saturated. Digging his dirt caked blunt nails into the earth and grabbing clingy clumps of grass Justin painstakingly pulled himself up the embankment. Slipping only once, twice and a third time, this third time Justin completely lost his footing and narrowly managed stopping his downward movement. In the process he smacked his body hard against the ground, knocking the wind out of him. The blond closed his eyes and paused, silently reminding himself that he must make it; he must get to JC. Pushing his weary body up once more, he continued upward. The rest of his misjudgments were quickly compensated for allowing him sure footing. He was not going to allow this simple obstacle from interfering with his need to find JC. Justin needed to make sure the vision was wrong, make sure his lover was all right. He'd be damned if he was letting a simple rainstorm and slippery conditions get in his way.

He found the opening in the embankment he had fallen out of and charged into the light less tunnel. Remembering vaguely the directions it would take him, Justin tried navigating a safe path. However, the young detective found it extremely difficult, running into the solid wall numerous times in the dark. He wouldn't slow down, though. The blond continued his heart stopping pace and would continue until JC was safe in his arms.

It seemed to Justin he was taking forever in the cave. The detective fell on numerous occasions, swearing each time his battered knees hit the tunnel floor. Eventually, he found the small wooden door leading into the church. It was one of Justin's most unforgettable moments, for he knew now that JC was only ten minutes away.

He streaked down the main aisle of the church and crawled through the door and out into the rain again. The blond stopped on the front step, refocusing his attention, looking for his car. My car, it's gone. No... No, this can't be happening. I need to get to JC. Where's my fucking car? Someone stole my fucking car. The blond was panicked, dazed. When Justin heard a loud clanking noise he looked up and observed a short fat man stepping into the cab of his tow truck. He scanned the truck and recognized his car fastened onto the back. Shit, he thought. That's right... I was in an accident. How am I gonna get to JC now. I can't run that far. No, this can't be happening. "Shit," Justin screamed out loudly causing the driver to turn his head. When the man caught sight of Justin, he climbed back out of the truck.

"This your car, mister," the driver screamed.

"Yes," Justin clumsily ran forward, still disoriented.

"Well, you need a ride somewheres. I can give you one."

Justin looked fanatically around, not knowing what to do. He looked at the driver, at the truck and then at his car again. The blond ponder an idea only briefly before determining it was the best course of action. He grabbed the man's shoulders, squeezing. "Take the car off."

"What? Are you crazy?"

Justin squeezed tighter, "Look, I need your truck. It's for police business. I need you to take my car off," he paused and closed his eyes. "Just take the fucking car off," Justin's voice squeaked with intensity.

"Whatever man." Justin let go of the driver and watched as he removed the car from the lift.

"Hurry it up, Jesus."

"Look, I'm going as fast as I can."

When Justin saw the vehicle hit the ground, he turned toward the man. "The police will be here in a few minutes," he stepped up into the cab, "tell them to go into the church and all the way toward the back." Justin turned the ignition on. "There's a small room, they need to go into the room and in the far corner is a door," he looked at the man, "do you got all that, so far?" The driver nodded his head. "Good, tell them... tell them they need to go into the tunnel, at the end is a cliff, at the bottom of the cliff is the body." Justin smiled when he observed the man's color drain, "Yeah, don't forget to tell them that, all right."

"Right."

Justin closed the door and then quickly opened it again, "Thanks." He shut the door and sped off, toward their house.

**

After eight minutes of careless driving, Justin squealed into the driveway. He threw the truck into park and jumped out of the cab, neglecting to shut off the engine. Justin noticed the lights were out as he ran up the narrow walking path toward the front door. "JC," he whimpered. Reaching the door he patted his cloths down looking desperately for his keys. No, no, no, no... they've gotta be here. "Shit," he yelled and grabbed the doorknob, checking to see if JC had left it unlocked. He hadn't.

Justin's insides twisted with guilt as images of a beaten and raped JC rushed through his mind. Tears developed quickly and Justin lashed out, banging his shoulder into the door, breaking the door in. He ran into the house screaming JC's name. No answer. Justin ran up the stairs and checked each room, no JC. "Where are you? Where are you, JC?" The blond moved back downstairs and entered the kitchen, still no sign of his lover. Justin slouched his shoulders. He tipped his head forward and allowed his tears to escape his eyes. "Not my baby, please. Please God."

**

JC woke with a start upon hearing a loud voice screaming the word shit. He gingerly moved his body into a sitting position. The startled brunette stared in the direction of the voice, vision blurry. "Justin?" he whispered. JC watched Justin search for his keys and chuckled softly when his lover couldn't find them. His mood changed quickly when Justin began breaking the door in. JC said his name again, but the noise from Justin's pounding drowned his weak voice out. The brunette became panicked himself, hearing Justin's pain filled calls throughout the house. He needed to get up. The battered man threw caution by the way side, desperately needing to find Justin, to calm him; he got up. He winced occasionally as he made it to the broken door. JC leaned on the door jam, watching Justin's defeated body quake with despair. "Justin?"

Justin's head shot up. Eyes still filled with tears, "JC?" He glanced toward the doorway and saw the most beautiful sight in his world, JC. His lover was half naked, shivering, holding his arms across his small body. Justin's breath hitched at the view and took three long quick strides toward JC, dropping to his knees, encircling his arms around JC's narrow and willowy frame. "JC," he cried pulling the smaller man tight against his body. Tears streaking his face as he looked up and met steel blue orbs. "JC," he wailed, disbelieving. "Thank God," Justin rubbed his cheek against JC's bare stomach. "Thank you, God."

JC uncoiled his arms from around his sides and ran his fingers through Justin's wet hair, soothing his lover. "I'm here, Justin," he whispered. "I'm right here."

It seemed that God would grant Justin two miracles this time.



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