Sticks and Stones- AU series Prologue

[guavejuice]

Banner and icon made by Patty pfodge thank you so much.


Author:guavejuice
Pairing:Brian/Justin
Other Characters:The rest of QaF characters.
Summary:
An intention to help at the LGBT Youth Center has life-altering ramifications for Justin and Daphne when tragedy strikes and new relationships are forged. Based on an actual, RL event.
Beta:The amazing Kim predec2. thank you so much for everything!!
Disclaimer:I own nothing but this story.
Comments are love.







Prologue

Michael and Ben's place.

"Are you sure that's what you want to do?" Michael whispered, turning to Ben's side in bed.

"I'm sure." Ben answered quietly.

"You've got so many responsibilities all ready and you need to take care of yourself." Michael continued.

"I know but I feel I must do that. And besides… you and Hunter would be there to help me, won't you?" he smiled.

"Guess you're not leaving us much choice." Michael shrugged his shoulders. "But this is why we love you so much." He said quietly and kissed Ben on his lips.

"In different ways, I hope." Ben smiled widely.

"Good luck." Michael said lovingly.

- _ _ _ _ _ _


Justin and Daphne's apartment, same day.


"Wanna go out to Babylon Friday night?" Justin asked Daphne. "They're having a Here's to the ladies in drag night." He continued.

"As much as I love cute guys in drag I can't go." Daphne wrinkled her nose as she set the small coffee table in the living room for dinner.

"Oh, you're only there when cute guys show their dicks, right?" Justin teased.

"Speak for yourself, asshole." Daphne giggled. "They won't even look at me anyway." She said, bringing a huge pasta ball and two plates to the table.

"I don't need cute guys; I have Mr. Dreamboat right here." Justin sighed dramatically and showed Daphne his phone screen saver.

"Come on, get a life. The guy is cute but he's an underwear model." Daphne giggled and went to the kitchen to fetch a bottle of red wine and two glasses.

"Here's to us!" Justin raised his glass.

"And I hope you find your real Mr. Dreamboat." Daphne smiled.

"You, too," Justin replied.

"Like hell. I'm never getting married!" she said.

"Who said anything about getting married?" Justin smirked with a mouthful of pasta.

"Well, anyway, until my Mr. Dreamboat or yours comes along I have decided to do some good deeds. There's a new LGBT youth center on Liberty Avenue called the Hope House and the owner, who's actually a professor in our English department, needed volunteers. He was really pleased to know I'm finishing my degree in psychology and asked if I can be a counselor there few a times a night," Daphne explained as she folded her legs under her on the sofa.

"So can't you start there after we go out to Babylon?" Justin asked.

"I don't think so, Justin. He just opened up the place, I need to be there. But why won't you join me? they're having an opening night party on Friday, it could be fun. We'll stay there for a while and then go check out your Diva's Night at Babylon." She takes another sip of wine.

"Ladies in drag," Justin corrected her.

"Whatever. You're so gay." She smiled.

" So what?" Justin flashed a smile. So it's a date?" he asked.

"Yeah, right." She rolled her eyes at him playfully.

_ _ _ _

A couple of days later, Hope House

"Can I help you?" Ben asked a slim young boy in an oversized gray hoodie.

"No, I'm just passing by." The boy dragged his feet on the pavement. . He couldn't have been more than sixteen years old and Ben noticed the bruises on his lips.

"You're more than welcome to come in. We've got a kitchen here so you can have something to eat and we have another room at the back where you can watch TV, play video games and even crash for the night," Ben said.

"No, it's okay. I'd better go." The boy shoved his tiny hands in his pockets. He reminded Ben so much of the first time he and Michael met Hunter.

"Suit yourself," Ben said. "But just so you know we close at midnight so if you wanna stay the night be back by then." He smiled at him. "What's your name?" he asked the kid just before he disappeared into the cold night.

"Cody." The boy answered reluctantly.

"I'm Ben." Ben introduced himself.

"Yeah," the boy said and turned away.

Much later that night when Ben made one last round to check on everything before he locked up to go home, he found the young boy curled up on the sofa in the large room.

Ben picked up a blanket from one of the shelves and gently wrapped it around the boy's slender body. The boy instantly became awake and jumped up in shock.

"What are you doin', you fucking faggot? Get your hands off me! Don't touch me!" he stood up, kicked Ben in his calf and run out of the house leaving Ben stunned and shaken himself.

_ _ _ _ _

Ben and Michael's place, after midnight.

"What's wrong, Ben? Are you okay?" Michael jumped out of bed to check on his husband.

Ben didn't answer; he just stood there, letting all his anguish melt away while he's tucked in Michael's embrace.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Michael whispered when he helped Ben get into bed.

"Sure I do. Remember how Hunter was when we first saw him? I must help those kids, Michael. They're lost, they're alone, they're scared, they're scarred.."

"I can't argue with that." Michael sighed. "But promise me you'll be careful. You've got a family here; we need you, too. I need you." He softly ran his hand across Ben's bare shoulder and noticed he was fast asleep.
_ _ _ _ _



Hope house, Friday night.

"Hey, guys, welcome." Ben smiled as Daphne and Justin entered the large room.

"I'm Justin Taylor, Daphne's friend and roommate; she told me so much about you and this place," Justin said as he shook Ben's hand.

"Justin is an art student. He's a great artist. He also draws comic books, so if you ever need a helping hand I'm sure he'd love to join me here." Daphne smiled at the two men and waved at another tall guy wearing tight jeans and a Stop Prop 8 white tank top.

"Hi, sweetie." The guy smiled back at Daphne. "Who's your friend? He's rather yummy."

"Justin, this is Emmett. He's one of the counselors I work with here," Daphne said.

Justin smiled and waved.

"Don't mind if I do," the tall guy said cheerfully. "My gaydar is never wrong," he whispered in Daphne's ear.

"Sure, but I don't think he's your type." Daphne giggled. "Now if you boys will excuse me, there's Jason Kemp. He's new here. I need to talk to him." She smiled at them and moved to the other side of the room where a young, blond-haired boy who looked like Justin's long-lost brother stood by the door.

"So Justin, tell me more about your art work." Emmett turned towards Justin.

"Well, I'm getting ready to graduate from PIFA, so I thought I might go to New York City to check its summer program in…" Justin stopped mid-sentence as loud gunshot explosions rang out in the room. Thick smoke filled the air as people started crying and screaming for help.

Justin looked around but couldn't see anything. He rushed toward the door where, to his horror, he found Daphne lying on the floor covered in blood. The young blond boy, Jason Kemp, was lying beside her face down.


_ _ _ _


The Hope House, later that night.

Justin couldn't breath.

His hands shook when he reached out to try and touch Daphne, but someone pulled him away and wrapped a blanket over him.

Everyone was standing outside. Ben looked shattered. Justin's throat burned, but his eyes were dry.

As he watched the rainbow flags waving outside and realized that people were being taken out on stretchers, he suddenly felt a flood of tears washing over him. He stood at the street corner outside Hope House, his whole body shaking with grief as the tears cascaded down his face and he felt the saltiness on his lips.

"Let's get you out of here." He heard Emmett's voice. The guy was as pale as his bloodstained tank top.

"I… I can't go back to the apartment. I can't," Justin said between bursts of tears.

"It's okay, you can stay at my place until we… figure out what to do," Emmett whispered and hugged Justin.

Justin tried to stand up straight and walk with Emmett to his car, but his legs could barely support him.

"I need a minute," he mouthed at Emmett.

"Sure," the tall guy said.

Justin sat on a curb and took a deep breath. Someone handed him a warm cup of coffee.

He wrapped his hands around the plastic cup and that's when he recognized him.

Out there.

Hiding in the dark.

Chris Hobbs.

The guy had been carrying a grudge for Justin ever since they had been in high school. Justin always told Daphne that Chris must have been a closeted gay and that he probably hated him because Justin tried to jerk him off a few weeks before their senior prom.

Justin blinked as more tears ran down his face over memories of Daphne.

Then he saw it.

A gun. Chris was wearing a pair of black gloves, but Justin could clearly see him holding a handgun.

Justin wiped his eyes and then looked in Chris' direction once more, but the jerk was already gone.

He let out a sigh and tried to get up. Once he was able to stand, he noticed Emmett talking to a couple of guys.

"I think I need to go now, please, Emmett," he said quietly as he approached them.

"Sure. Right away," Emmett said. "By the way, Justin, this is Detective Horvath." He gestured towards an elderly gentleman wearing a dark, long trench coat. "And this is his partner, Detective Kinney." Emmett introduced a tall handsome guy wearing a short, black leather jacket and dark pair of jeans. Both men nodded at him politely.

"Sorry for your loss," the taller guy said matter-of-factly, chewing on some gum. He crossed his arms over his chest slightly, revealing a golden detective badge attached to his waist.

Emmett looked at Justin and nodded slightly. If Justin had been in a different place and a different time, he might have picked up on that but not that night.

"Here's my card," Kinney said. He moved closer, handing the card to Justin.

"If you saw or heard anything, or if you remember anything that might help with this investigation, please let me know," he continued.


Justin couldn't help but notice the guy's distinctive scent of cigarettes and sandalwood, even through the smoke and the havoc that surrounded them.

Detective Brian Kinney, Pittsburgh P.D, the card read.

"It's late. I really need to get some sleep now," Justin said. "They'll be so much to deal with tomorrow."

"It's okay, take your time," Detective Kinney advised him. "And… take care."

"Thanks," Justin answered, barely dragging himself toward Emmett's car. Brian watched the young man shuffle tiredly over to the vehicle as Emmett helped him, before he turned back to that task at hand.

TBC...

Comments

[shadownyc.livejournal.com]

Great idea! I look forward to seeing where you take this.

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your supportive feedback my dear Car. It means a lot to me because this story means a lot to me.
More to come soon.
*hugs you tight*

[weenlau.livejournal.com]

Detective Kinney *faints* :D Just yesterday we were talking with a friend of mine, what other professions we could imagine Brian would do, and both of us agreed he would be a pretty good detective, because he's so much focused on details. And now you come up with this story! Could you read our minds? :D
Thank you for the new story, it sounds interesting.

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your encouraging feedback, hon. It means a lot. In fact I didn't come up with the story because it is almost entirely based a RL event which is indeed stronger than fiction, believe it or not. I took the liberties of an alternative universe and as I was building the plot to this story back in June I knew Brian would have to be the detective.

[piksa.livejournal.com]

A very strong start for a new fic. Will be interesting to see where this develops.

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your supportive feedback. It really means a lot to me.

[7wildwaysup.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's enough to scare Justin to death... I like how you've incorporated everyone into the story with a little twist... Can't wait for more...

Later Darling ~ Kathleen

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your encouraging feedback, darling. It means a lot coming from you.
More to come soon.
*hugs you tight*

[duffy-60.livejournal.com]

this is interesting! love the idea, sweetie. i think this will be a fun ride. :-)

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for reading and for taking the time to leave a comment. I'd love it if you come along for this ride even if it is somewhat angsty.

[duffy-60.livejournal.com]

but i'm such an angst 'ho. :-))

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

You'll have lots of angst here...

[shenova.livejournal.com]

Looking forward to reading more soon. Brian a police officer I like it. Poor Daphne.

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Poor Daphne indeed *sigh*
Thank you so much for your warm feedback. I really appreciate it. More to come soon.

[har2.livejournal.com]

What a dramatic start to a story! I hope Daphne is still alive!

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your supportive feedback.
You'll have to wait and see what's next...

[rulisteningbj.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness. I had company for the weekend and just getting caught back up. Wow, what a great idea for a new story. Really enjoyed it so far. Not sure I understand though if Daphne is dead?

Dee Dee

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and leave such a heartfelt feedback, Dee Dee. It does mean a lot to me.
There's definitely more angst to come.

[emac66.livejournal.com]

Wow1 Brilliant story line! Really looking forward to this!

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your kind supportive feedback. It means a lot.
More to come.

[spike7451.livejournal.com]

Loving the idea of this very much. :)

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your supportive feedback, my dear Lyn. It means a lot to me.
*hugs*

[urugwaj.livejournal.com]

Daphne is gone? ;(
But detective Kinney, yum, yum!
Fantastic idea for fic. I run to next part :)

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Yes she is :(
Thank you so much for your supportive feedback, my dear. It really means a lot to me.
*hugs you tight*

[yumyumpm.livejournal.com]

I don't know how I missed this story. Interesting premise and I will be following to its conclusion.

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so so much for taking the time to follow this story and for all your supportive thoughtful feedback. It means so much to me.

♥

[hikinggirl70.livejournal.com]

Wow that was a great start to this series.

Re: ♥

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this story. This story meant a lot to me when I first wrote it and it still is very relevant these days.
Thank you for your thoughtful supportive feedback. I really appreciate it :)