Sticks and Stones- AU series Part 1/9

[guavejuice]

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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!!
Click here to read the Prologue.
Disclaimer:I own nothing but this story.
Comments are love.


Part 1

Three years later.


"I wish you would stop going out every night dressed like that," Drew's wife gently scolds him as she smiles at her husband. He zips his tight jeans up and adjusts his dark, sleeveless blue shirt.

Drew Boyd is a detective in the Pittsburgh PD homicide division who just recently became Detective Brian Kinney's partner after Kinney's former partner, Carl Horvath, retired and Kinney was promoted to head the investigation team in the LGBT Youth Center double murder case that had occurred three years earlier.

"Come on, Pam," Drew huffs. "You know it's only an undercover assignment. We have to search everywhere. Gay bars, clubs and even public parks. Next week we'll be at the Pittsburgh Gay Pride March."

"I can't understand why you keep doing this for so long," Pam says.

"We'll get there eventually." Drew looks back at her before he leaves the room.

_ _ _ _ _

"We've been here for the past two hours and you haven't even ordered a drink, Kinney." Drew laughs at his partner while they stand at the bar of one of Pittsburgh's well-known gay night clubs, Babylon.

Brian is dressed in black tight jeans and a black sleeveless top. He curls his lips inward and shrugs his shoulders. "You know we don't drink while we're on duty, Boyd," he replies. "But don't worry, I won't blow my cover."

"I thought you were gonna say you're heading to the back room," Drew says.

"I see you're picking up on everything. You're a fast learner, Boyd," Brian answers, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Does she know?"

"No," he admits quietly. "Let's just leave it at that, Kinney," Drew whispers.

"Fine, but just so you know, you can't keep hiding forever, man," Brian tells him. "Although I have to hand it to our perp. Fuck! Three years and not even one lead." He brushes a hand restlessly through his hair as he decides to ignore the rules. "I'll have a double Jim Beam," he instructs the bartender, who nods.

"What about that guy who was the dead girl's best friend… what was his name? Taylor?" Drew continues after a slight pause.

"What about him?" Brian says as he empties his drink in one gulp.

"He was there at the youth center the night of the murders," Drew reminds him.

"I guess he was. I can't remember." Brian pinches the bridge of his nose. "Plus it was three years ago. Things change, people move on."

"I'll say…," Drew pointed out. "But… I think our possible witness just walked in." He points to the dance floor.

Brian turns his head to where Drew points and notices a petite figure dressed in tight, dark blue jeans and a light blue T shirt that accentuates his rather toned arms and torso. Brian nods to Drew and makes his way into the crowd until he faces Justin. The blond guy is much smaller than him in stature, so Brian is forced to bend his head to peer down at him.

"Good evening," Brian drawls.

The blond looks at him. Brian is taken aback by Justin's stunning blue eyes which glow toward him even in the darkness of the dance floor. Brian knows he must keep his composure.

He clears his throat and continues. "Detective Kinney, Pittsburgh PD, remember me?" Brian asks.

"Is that the best you can come up with?" Justin states with a smirk.

"Excuse me?" Brian answers, perplexed.

Justin takes a closer look at the tall, handsome guy in front of him and smiles sheepishly. "So sorry, Detective, I thought you were someone else. People can come up with the most bizarre pickup lines in here, you know… but I guess you don't have that kind of problem. With pickup lines, I mean. Okay, I think I'd better stop now. I'm here with a friend. We were just leaving. Was there anything you wanted to ask me about?" Justin concludes in a high-pitched voice.

"In fact, I was about to ask you if there's someplace quiet where we could go and talk." Brian moves closer to the blond. "The music here is terrible."

"Oh?" Justin replies. "What did you want to talk about?"

"About the case," Brian explains, still gazing into Justin's eyes.

"I already told you before, I don't remember anything," Justin answers quietly. "Please excuse me; my friend and I are just leaving. Have a nice night, Detective."

A tall, slender guy dressed in tight dark jeans, a dark, blue-and-black-striped top and dark blue nail polish approaches. Justin waves at him. "This is Emmett Honeycutt. He worked with my f… with Daphne at the Youth Center when they just opened. He was there that night as well." Justin sounds edgy.

"I remember you," Brian replies as he studies the flamboyantly-dressed man. "Only you had a bit more hair back than."

'"Very smart, Detective." Emmett chuckles. "Considering we're about the same age."

"We'd better go now, Em," Justin intervenes as Drew moves in towards them.

"Detective Boyd," he introduces himself to Justin and Emmett.

Emmett and Justin both nod at him.

"So I guess there's nothing more for us here tonight," Brian says dryly. ”By the way, do you still have my card?" He turns to Justin.

Justin suddenly blushes as he feels Emmett's hand squeezing his.

"I'm not sure. I moved into a different apartment right after… everything happened. I got rid of lots of stuff," he tells him. "And as I said I don't think I could be of much help to you anyway."

"Here. Take it, just in case something might come up," Brian urges him, his fingers slightly touching Justin's as he hands him the card.

TBC...