Summary: Justin Taylor is nearing the end of his first year at PIFA. He has met Emmett months ago, and they are the best of friends. Justin has not yet met Brian Kinney nor has he been exposed to Liberty Avenue. Justin has long ago accepted that he is gay, now circumstances arise forcing Justin to come out to his family...knowing harsh realities may set in once his judgemental, and conservative father learns about his son. Emmett has kept Justin from meeting his friends for months now fearing what would happen if the lust driven Brian Kinney sets his eyes on innocent, and inexperienced Justin. Now that Justin has decided to come out-how long can Emmett succeed in keeping him away from Brian Kinney?

A/N: In this story I will take some things from the show, mixed in with my own plot. Some things may happen that are similar in the show but happening at different times. This I will classify as AU as I am changing the intial meeting, certain events, and the order of them. This will be a long story, and sadly no Brian/Justin interaction in this opening chapter...but don't worry there will be much of that to come. This chapter is just the backstory of Justin's life just prior to meeting Brian, and how much his life is destined to change.

Chapter 1

Justin Taylor knew something was terribly wrong when he recieved the incoming text alert from his mom. Not that a text message from his mom was all that uncommon-it was not. However, the subject of the message was far from normal.

He texted her back immediately letting her know he was on the way. Next, he prepared to call Emmett to cancel their lunch plans. He only hoped that Emmett was not going to "queen" out on him over the last minute cancellation.

When Emmett picked up the phone with his ever energetic greeting, Justin couldn't help smiling. Meeting Emmett had been the best thing that could have happened to him at such a crucial time in his young life. Justin had been exiting a diverse bookstore downtown his arms weighted down with numerous books of art when he had virtually collided with Emmett on the sidewalk. And, the rest, as they say, is history. He could remember it as if it were yesterday, when in fact it had been nearly four months ago.

Hands grasping his arms to face off the collision a pleasant voice whispered, "Whoa there, little fella. I hope you draw better than you manuever doorways."

"Damn, so sorry. I wasn't paying attention." Justin reddened in embarrassment as he bent over to pick up the scattering art books.

Before Justin had known what was happening they had introduced themselves, and Emmett was pulling him across the street to a small cafe. After several cups of coffee they knew more about each other than seemed to be possible for such a short span of time. And, then Emmett asked a question that had Justin dropping his jaw in complete surprise.

"So, tell me, baby...when did you come out?" Emmett asked wide-eyed and curious.

"Come out?" Justin asked trying to appear blank and not understanding of the question.

Emmett smiled at Justin knowingly. "Honey, I would know blind-folded, and from halfway across the room."

"Am I that obvious?" Justin asked in concern.

Emmett smiled at him reassuringly, "Only to those of us who know the signs. But, don't hide who you are-it's best to face up to it, and move forward."

"I don't want to hide. It's driving me crazy...it's complicated with my family-especially my father." Justin said cringing at the thought of Craig Taylor finding out his son was gay.

"The longer you wait the harder it gets...and not hard in a good way." Emmett chuckled. "I want to exchange numbers, I have a feeling we are going to be the best of friends. Please call me just to talk...you should not go through this alone."

"Thanks, Emmett-I appreciate that, and it was great meeting you. I need to get to class, but I will call you." Justin said with a smile that lit up his entire face as he gave Emmett his number, and took his in return.

Back in the present Justin smiled into the phone before saying, "Now promise you are not about to "queen out" on me, Emmett."

"Emmett Honeycutt does not "queen out" without good reason." his friend bemoaned pretending to appear offended...failing miserably.

Justin laughed in delight at the dramatic tone in his friend's voice. Emmett was the truest of friends, and Justin would be quite lost without him.

"Hate to do this, Em...but, I gotta cancel lunch." Justin told him with regret.

"What's wrong, baby?" Emmett asked him knowing him so well in such a short time.

"Not sure. Mom texted me saying Dad was on the way home...which at midday is odd in itself, and he wanted me to meet them there."

"Sounds strange. Your parents having problems at home?" Emmett asked.

"I don't know...can't say I noticed if they were. Don't worry, I will let you know afterwards." Justin told him.

Emmett sighed before saying, "Ok. Call me when you are done, and we can meet up for coffee. This is your free afternoon right?"

"Yeah. I am free for the day, except some assignments I need to work on." Justin answered.

"I am going to go pump some iron, and we can meet at the cafe thats just at the start of Liberty Ave." Emmett offered.

Justin smiled and almost gasped in shock. "You are inviting me down to Liberty Ave? Thought you said I was too green yet."

"You are, baby doll. But, this should be okay. All the perves should be working." Emmett said with an unconvinced laugh.

"Whatever you say, Em. Finally, something to look forward to...talk to you soon." Justin smiled before ending the call.

"See you soon, Justin." Emmett replied as he muttered under his breath- "Hope you know what you are doing Honeycutt. And, that Brian doesn't leave work to get his own latte today."

Taylor Home

Justin stepped into the living room seeing his parents seated on the couch whispering to each other rather heatedly. Jennifer Taylor looked up seeing Justin, and flushing momentarily before she moved towards him giving him a warm hug.

"Thanks for coming, Justin. I know you probably had plans."

Craig Taylor snorted in derision. "Yes, I have few doubts of that."

Justin arched an eyebrow at his father's sarcasm having a feeling he was not liking where this was heading. "This is my free afternoon. I had lunch plans with Emmett."

"I can fix you a sandwich, Justin." his mom answered acting nervous alarming Justin even further.

"Jennifer, sit down. This is not a damned luncheon event." his father snapped out in anger.

"There is no need for unpleasantries, Craig. He has not eaten yet." his mom explained glaring at his father.

"I am fine, Mom. Let's just get to the point." Justin said in a rush wanting to be done with this.

His father gestured to the recliner across from them. "Have a seat, Justin. This shouldn't take long. I know how time consuming your studies are."

"Okay, let's hear it." Justin said looking at his father.

"I had a call this morning from Chris Hobbs' father. I trust that you remember him." his father began harshly.

"Ah yes, Chris Hobbs...I remember him well." Justin smirked remembering a moment he had with him in the equipment room not long before graduation.

"That I find surprising being that the circles you ran in was far removed from those of the jocks. Most especially now that I am being informed regarding the element you are now surrounding yourself." his father nearly yelled at him.

Jennifer Taylor shook her head as she glared at her husband. Justin looked at them both incredulously, yet having a feeling he knew exactly where this was heading.

"And, what have you been informed, Dad?" Justin asked thinking if it was what he thought then it was past time for it to all come out...and for him to fully come out as well.

"The Hobbs family are upstanding, moral people. I have been told that your new friend, Edward is one of those fags that frequents Liberty Avenue. And, what does that tell me about you, Justin?" Craig Taylor said standing practically screaming at his son.

"Craig, can you please calm down...this is not going to make things better." his mom stormed back at his father.

Justin narrowed his eyes as he stared down his judgemental father, in this moment hating him for his close minded ideals. "Okay, Dad. I will tell you exactly what it says about me. I am one of those fucking queers that you hate."

"I like men."

"I like to suck cock...and I want to be fucked by them. Does that answer your question...Dad?" Justin said coming back at his father full force standing up unwilling to back down from his father this time. "And, his name is Emmett."

"Justin!" his Mom exclaimed in a surprised gasp. "Are you saying you are having sex with your friend, or some other man?"

"I really don't want to discuss my level of homosexual experiences with my parents. Have I taken it up the ass yet...no, but I intend to do so." Justin said his eyes angry hating his father that he had to come out in this way on the heels of his extreme prejudice, and contempt for what he deemed to be abnormal.

"You will not speak to us in that manner, Justin. This stops now, or there will be consequences." his father threatened him. "We can get you some therapy."

Justin looked at his father with a mixture of hate and pity. His father thinking to take his son, the fag, to a shrink and it will all be worked out of him. How utterly clueless the Dartmouth grad truly was. "Fuck you, and fuck your therapy. It's not a matter of a simple choice, it's who I am. Either accept me as I am or lose your son."

"Both of you, please let's calm down. We can work through this, we are a family." Jennifer Taylor implored them both seeing this was getting out of control quickly.

His father raised his head piercing his son with cold eyes. "There is nothing to work out, Jennifer. He is your son now. My son is dead to me now. Furthermore, I am not supporting you or your disgusting lifestyle any longer. Your tuition for the final semester was just paid, however it ends there. In addition, I want you out of my house. Let one of your faggots support your worthless ass now."

"No, Craig...stop. You cannot just throw him out. I will not have it." his mom whispered almost in tears now.

Justin smiled at his mom before he said, "Don't cry, Mom. This pathetic piece of shit is not worth one of your tears. Molly and you will never lose me. We will stay in touch. I will just pack my clothes, and be out of here."

"Oh, and Dad...one more thing. The Hobbs family that you find to be so respectful-let me take you back to my senior year. We were in the equipment room, and yes I thought he was hot. I gave Chris a handjob he will never forget. He not only let me-he loved it!" Justin laughed as he watched his father's face turning red, and for a moment thinking he was going to strike him. His mom must have had the same thought as she bravely stepped forward, and in between them.

Running up the stairs before he burst into tears Justin began throwing his clothing into his bags, not knowing where he was going to go or what to do next. He hated his father right now on so many different levels. His lack of understanding, his malice towards his son...but, mostly for putting his mom through this. He could hear yelling downstairs, knowing it was still about him before he heard the door slamming, and a car peeling out of the driveway.

Justin gathered all he could carry in his bags, and went back down the stairs finding his mom at the bottom of the stairs silent tears streaming down her face. "Don't worry, Mom. It will be okay. I will be fine."

"I know you will, Justin. You are a survivor. But, this is not right. Just give your father time to calm down, and accept all of this. He will come around-I know he will." she said as if trying to convince herself as much as her son.

"He won't, and we both know that, Mom. I will never forgive him for what he has said, or for what he has put you through." Justin said looking at her sadly.

His mom pulled him close, hugging him tightly before whispering into his neck, "No matter what I love you, Justin. I support you in anything you do. This will all work out. We just have to give it time. Where will you go?"

"I really don't know, Mom. But, don't worry I will figure something out." he said feeling totally lost now.

She smiled at him before she placed a large roll of bills in his hand. "Well, this will help. It's all the cash I have in the house. I made a withdrawal just this morning fearing something like this might happen. It's 500 dollars. It will at least get you a place to stay, and food until we can think of something else."

"Mom, I cannot accept that. It's too much." Justin said looking at it as he shook his head in denial.

"You can and will take it, Justin. You need it. And, look at it this way...it's your father's money too." she laughed a bit of mischief in her eyes.

Justin smiled warmly at her. "I love you, Mom. You are just incredible. I will pay this back, and I will be in touch as soon as I get settled wherever."

"I love you, Justin. I expect to talk to you very soon." she said hugging him again before he left.

Reaching his car he phoned Emmett immediately. If he ever needed his friend's ear it was now. "Em...uhhhh are you still free to meet at that cafe you told me about?"

"Baby...what happened? You sound terrible, and yes, I will leave right now. It's at the very start of Liberty Ave. You can't miss it." Emmett told him.

"I will tell you when I get there. I don't know what I am gonna do, Em. I am so totally lost now." Justin said not giving Emmett time to answer before he ended the call, and headed to meet him.

Kinnetik

Brian Kinney sat in his office shutting down his laptop deciding to make an early day. He had signed his most lucrative account yet to date. His company was quickly soaring to new heights...burying the competition in its wake.

Strolling over to the door in his often percieved lazy gait he told his assistant. "I am taking the rest of the afternoon off, Cynthia. Go ahead and do the same after you finish up those correspondences."

"Are you well, Brian?" she asked him in concern. Early day, and letting her leave too...so not Brian Kinney.

"Hmmmm, I will let you know tomorrow. I am off to the baths...I am out for the remainder of the day if anyone calls before you leave." he instructed her before leaving.

Approaching his jeep he thought better of that idea. Brian thought to take a walk first. Once the frigid air began to pierce him through his tight Armani he decided a hot latte would be in order before he ventured off to the baths to get warmed up on another level. He had recently become bored-almost complacent, and almost restless in his daily routine. He hadn't visited the baths lately. Perhaps some fresh meat would spice things back up for him again. He didn't ever consider something could be missing from his life. He was Brian Kinney...what could possibly be missing?

TBC