INTERMISSION ONE

When Justin got to the office later that afternoon, he fully intended on explaining to Brian that he'd changed his mind. He really didn't want to go anywhere with Brian.

He knew it was just Brian's way of getting to know him and celebrate his first case all in one, but he felt uncomfortable. He felt it was more than that and with Brian being his boss, well it made for a complicated situation.

He was not about to jeopardize his new job, not for a man. No way!

Michael was munching on a candy bar and reading a comic book when Justin entered. For quite sometime, Justin stood there, just watching Michael.

Justing didn't find him particularly ugly. His black hair could use a cut, but only because it was so puffy at the top. He had soft, trusting brown eyes and Justin could tell how naïve and gullible he was. Justin made a promise to give Michael a makeover as soon as possible.

The other man was oblivious to anyone watching him. He continued to suck and chew on the chocolate as Justin watched caramel drip onto the comic. Michael scooped the dribble up with a finger and sucked it clean.
Cringing, Justin shook the image out of his head before walking over to stand before Michael's desk.

"Hey," Justin said. He had a hand in the back pocket of his blue jeans while the other was trying to brush hair from his face. The funny thing was, he didn't have any hair to brush away, at least not yet.
"What are you doing here?" Michael asked, startled. He slammed the comic book shut and threw the wrapper in the trash. "I thought you'd left?"

Justin had the distinct impression "their" secretary didn't like him. He gave Michael a confused look before asking, "Is Brian busy?"

"He's been in there all day," Michael muttered in a whiny voice, pointing to Brian's closed office door. "I barely saw him all day."

It's not what Michael said, but how he said it that had bells going off in Justin's head. Did Michael have a crush on Brian? He couldn't believe it. How could anyone like that conceited asshole? Justin knew he wasn't being fair, but he didn't want to LIKE Brian. He refused to.

And then an idea came into his head.

"Hey, Michael," Justin fiddled with a paperweight, his eyes never moving from it. "What are you doing tonight?"

Michael shrugged. "I'll probably just go see my mom. Why?" He looked at Justin suspiciously. He hoped the guy wasn't getting any ideas. Blondes were so not his type!

"How'd you like to come out with me and Brian?" Justin suggested. "To celebrate, you know, my first case?"

Michael's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Really," Justin smiled sweetly.

Brian chose that moment to walk out of his office. Seeing Justin, he broke out into a big grin. "Couldn't stay away?"

Justin snorted. "I thought I'd left something."

Brian walked over to him, dropped the file on Michael's desk and turned to face Justin.

"Did you find it? Whatever you were looking for?" Brian asked slyly.

"Nope," Justin said. "But I'd better be on my way."

Brian watched him walk towards the door. "Well, see you later."

"Sure," Justin agreed. Turning back to look at Michael, he asked, "You too, right Michael?"

"Yeah!" Michael waved goodbye.

Brian turned to Michael when Justin was gone. "What's he talking about?"

Michael turned a bright shade of pink. "He umm...sorta invited me along tonight. That's ok, isn't it?"

Brian inwardly groaned. As if he didn't see enough of Mikey during the day, he now had to endure having dinner with him.

"Of course it's ok," Brian smiled at him before returning to his office. Why oh why did Justin invite Michael?

"This place is so nice," Michael said for the fifth time that night.

Brian wanted to stuff something down his throat to shut him up.

Justin was glad Michael was so chatty, it took the tension off of him to say anything.

Sitting opposite Brian was very distracting, knowing that his boss was staring at him, feeling hazel eyes on him all the time.

They were at The Keg, a cozy steak house Brian knew well and loved. Justin knew this was not the place he was to take Isabel to and assumed Brian either changed the reservation or just changed his mind. Either way, Justin really liked the place.

Every booth had an overhead lamp, which was dimly lit. Brian had managed to get them a private booth. It was all just a little too romantic for Justin's liking so he was really glad he had invited Michael along.

"I need to go to the bathroom," Michael said.

Brian pointed to the opposite direction and prayed he would get lost somewhere along the way.

Finally alone, Brian quickly asked, "Did you like the escargot?"

Brian had ordered escargot stuffed mushroom caps with garlic and herbs as an appetizer. Justin had turned his nose up at first but he seemed to enjoy food. He was an adventurous eater and Brian liked that. Michael, on the other hand, refused to touch it, preferring to munch on the sourdough bread.

Justin sipped on his iced tea, nodding his head quickly and spilling some on the front of his white shirt. "Fuck!"

Brian leaned across with his napkin to dab at it and was amazed at how quickly Justin pulled away.

"I got it," Justin told him, as way of an explanation and used his own napkin. Fuck! He was being such an asshole tonight. Brian just looked so hot. He was in a black pinstripe suit, the very same one he was wearing earlier, so Justin couldn't figure out what was different about him, why he wanted him so much all of a sudden.

All he could think about was how much he wanted those lips on his, to feel Brian's tongue slide into his mouth and to have his lips sucked in return. He groaned inwardly and wiped harder at the stain.

Brian just shrugged and took a big gulp of beer. This was turning out to be one of the worst evenings of his life.

He was trying to figure out what could possibly have made him think this kid was even remotely interested in him? He was so obviously not.

"So do you think you're going to stay in it?" Brian asked, in yet another attempt to make conversation.

Justin looked up at him, as he continued dabbing at his wet shirt. "The job?"

"Yeah," Brian confirmed.

"Sure, why not? I made a lot of money today,"

"It's not always as easy as today,"

"Well, I'm a quick learner. And you can teach me,"

Brian could think of quite a few things he'd like to teach this boy, but he kept his mouth shut.

Justin finally threw the napkin back on the table and smiled at Brian, for the first time that night.

"Thank you, Brian," he said.

Brian was fascinated with the smile. He felt as though someone had punched him in the stomach. When he could get a coherent thought out, he asked, "What for?"

Justin lowered his eyes shyly, "For taking a chance on me,"

"I guess I saw something in you," Brian said. He wondered if maybe it wasn't something ON him, like his ass? It was a fine ass, that was for sure.

Justin looked up and they just stared at each other for what seemed like eternity, hazel locked onto blue.

"Brian, you sent me in the wrong direction!" Michael complained, as he plopped down next to Justin.

Brian tore his eyes away from Justin's to apologize to Michael.

Their waiter, Brad, arrived to take their orders and Brian noticed him looking at Justin through lowered lids. Justin was oblivious to it, engrossed in the menu.

"Are we ready to order?" Brad asked with a smile, his pen and paper ready before him. He was a tall guy, nice curly brown hair and big brown eyes.

Not really Brian's type though. The white apron wrapped around his waist didn't hide his fit body. He had an adorable smile, straight teeth and a tiny mole just below his full bottom lip.

"I'll have the Grilled Top Sirloin; Baseball cut; rare." Brian handed Brad the menu with a coy smile.

Brad blinked twice before returning the smile and turned to Justin.

Justin sighed. "It all looks so good," he muttered.

Brad grinned. "It tastes pretty good too,"

Justin looked up and they locked eyes, both smiling.

This irritated Brian enough for him to snap at Justin, "Will you just fucking order something?"

Justin glared at him. "I'll have the steak and tiger shrimp," he decided. "Medium rare. Baked potato, well dressed. Thanks, Brad."

Brad smiled and turned to Michael. "And you, sir?"

"Herb chicken with rice, please," Mikey said.

As soon as Brad left, Justin and Michael turned to each other.

"He's fucking hot!" Justin said, a wide grin on his face.

"He was so checking you out, too!" Michael gushed.

Brian snorted. "He's just trying to get a good tip."

Justin rolled his eyes. "You're just jealous 'cuz he was so ignoring you."

Brian bit on a nail, bored, and leaned back in his seat. "Why would I want some 20-year-old twink following me around?"

"Let's rephrase," Justin suggested. "WHY would a 20-year-old twink even want to follow you around?"

Michael laughed. He'd never heard anyone talk to Brian the way this guy did.

Brian grinned. "Care to put your money where your mouth is?"

"I'm listening," Justin encouraged.

"Let's see who young Brad walks out of here with,"

"That's dumb,"

"Is it?" Brian cocked an eyebrow.

Justin was not about to let Brian think him a coward. "Alright. You're on. Let's play."

Brian leaned forward. "Winner take all. If I get him, I get your paycheck. If you get him, you get mine."

"Wow," Michael mumbled. "That's a lot of money, guys."

Justin's blue eyes never left Brian's. "You got yourself a bet, Boss."

When Brad returned with their orders fifteen minutes later, Justin was ready for him. He made Michael exchange seats with him in the booth so he was sitting on the end.

"Oh Brad," Justin smiled up at Brad sweetly as he lay his order in front of him. "You look delicious." Justin laughed, feigning embarrassment. "I mean, the food looks good."

Brad blushed and smiled at Justin. "I hope you enjoy it,"

Brian snorted and Michael couldn't help but laugh.

Brad looked over at Brian to make sure his own order was acceptable. He was amazed to find hazel eyes lazily taking him in, from head to toe.  When their eyes met, Brad felt a jolt of heat rush to his loins. Brad didn't think he'd ever been as turned on by just a look as he was at that precise moment. He couldn't seem to draw his eyes away from the man.

He heard a cough and then felt a hand pressing on his now stiff cock. He looked down and realized the blonde's hands were gripping him, blue eyes looking up into his brown ones apologetically.

"I'm so sorry," Justin gushed. "I don't understand how this happened. I'm just so clumsy!"

Justin had managed to get sour cream from his potato onto the front of Brad's pants.

Brian snorted. "I'm sure young Brad knows how it got there."

Justin glared him into silence and turned back to Brad. "Do you think it will come out?"

Brad swallowed. The blonde was rubbing the front of his pants, ever so slowly.

Brian leaned forward and pulled Brad closer to him. Dipping a napkin into Michael's soda, Brian ignored Michael's, "Hey!" and pushed Justin's hands out of the way.

"These young boys, Brad," Brian said huskily. "They lack the...experience, you know? I like to take my time... with such...delicate situations." Brad heard his zipper lowering but he was too scared to look down. And then he felt a cool hand on him. "My mother always told told me, you've got to get at these things from the inside," Brian whispered, his hazel eyes staring intently into Brad's brown ones.

Justin had heard and seen enough. Brian was doing more than just stroking Brad. He was taking it too far! It was just another game to Brian and again, Justin had come out the loser.

Snatching the napkin from his lap, Justin threw it on the table and stood up. He grabbed his coat and without a word, made for the door.

"Justin?" Michael called, but Justin ignored him and walked out of the restaurant.

Damn Brian! Why did he have to do that? And why was he affecting him so much? It pissed Justin off. Immensely.

Even though he didn't smoke, he wished he had a cigarette now. Lucky for him, there was a young woman outside smoking and she was kind enough to give him one.

He heard the door slam behind him just as he took a drag.

"What the fuck was that about?" Brian asked angrily.

Justin tried to answer but the smoke got caught in his windwipe and he began a coughing fit. He just couldn't stop. Brian sighed, exasperated and started pounding on Justin's back until he was all right.

Justin refused to look at Brian. He flicked the cigarette on the ground and crushed it under his shoe.

"Well?" Brian repeated.

"Well, what?" Justin asked coldly.

"Are you going to tell me what that little act was about?"

"I needed some fresh air, ok?"

Brian glared at him. "Well, it was damn rude!"

"Fuck you!"

"Little boy-"

Justin gritted his teeth.

Brian took a deep breath and tried to calm down. He didn't even know why he was so angry. Maybe it was seeing Justin turn into a prick-teaser right in front of him. Maybe it was because he wished it were his cock Justin was paying all that attention to.

He had wanted to teach the kid a lesson.
Now, he was sorry. He didn't want Justin to hate him; far from it.

"Come back inside," Brian said softly. "I'm starving."

Justin shook his head. "You go ahead. I'm not hungry." He didn't want to be in the same room with Brian, especially when he didn't have to be.

"Justin,"

"Really, Brian," Justin forced a smile. "I feel like shit. I've made and lost a shitload of money in one day. I'm gonna go home before I lose anything else."

"I don't want the money," Brian told him.

"NO!" Justin said firmly. "You won it. Keep it. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Brian watched him leave. Why was this stupid kid affecting him so much? In a few days, he was feeling things he hadn't felt in an entire lifetime.

Returning to the table, Brian realized he too had lost his appetite.

Brad smiled when he saw him. "Everything ok?"

Brian didn't return the smile. "Can I get the bill?"

"But you haven't touched your meal? Is everything ok? And your friend, is he coming back?"

"I don't want it," Brian said. "And he's gone."

Michael put his fork down. "Are you alright?"

Brian nodded. "Just peachy." He dropped a couple bills on the table and grabbed his coat. "You stay, Mikey. I'll see you tomorrow."

Michael watched him walk out and sighed. He wished he had really taken advantage of his time with Brian tonight. He knew this was a rare opportunity.

Brad returned with the bill, his eyes scanning the room for Brian. "Where'd he go?"

"He's gone," Michael told him.

Brad groaned inwardly. He was really looking forward to going home with hazel eyes. Looking down at the unfinished meals, he asked, "Want me to box these for you?"

Michael shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

13/11/02 - Krissypig

- top - [ Authors Notes ] [ Introduction ] - home -
[ Case 1 ] [ Intermission 1 ] [ Case 2 ] [ Intermission 2 ] [ Case 3 ]
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