�What the fuck are you doing here still?� Debbie said, coming in and taking her coat off on the way to the break room.

�I thought you had off tonight,� Brian replied, looking up at the red-wigged woman. �At least that�s what you promised when you left here earlier.�

�Kiki called out,� she told him, going into the back. She came right back out. �And that still doesn�t tell me why you�re in the same damn place you were when I left here five hours ago. Have you even left?�

�Is that any of your fucking business?� Brian retorted turning his attention back to Justin when he saw him avoiding an especially grabby customer. He was just about to get up and confront the bastard when said bastard�s friends said something to make him back down. Unfortunately Debbie had noticed Brian�s reaction.

�You know, Brian, Sunshine has been getting hit on since he started here and he�s always been able to handle himself.�

�So?�

�So, what�s with the protection thing you�ve got going?� The waitress asked. �You�ve never seemed to care before and now you haven�t left that fucking booth for two days. I meant while Sunshine�s working,� she continued before Brian could interrupt her. �And I want to fucking know why.�

�And again I ask if it�s any of your fucking business?� Debbie slapped Brian upside his head. �Ow. What the fuck was that for?�

�For being an asshole,� she said, sitting down opposite Brian. �Now what the fuck did you do this time?�

�What makes you think I did something? I�m not always the bad guy you know,� Brian pointed out; already knowing it was a lost cause. He knew that most, if not all of his friends, always blamed him when something went wrong, especially in reference to Justin.

�Just usually,� Debbie shot back. �Now spill. What did you do that upset Justin? And before you give me some bullshit that Justin isn�t upset, let me just say that I can see how Justin has been putting on a happy face the past couple of days. He hasn�t been our Sunshine this weekend even if he hasn�t said anything.�

�He�s just been going through some things, Deb,� Brian told her, not wanting to tell her what happened with Ethan. The decision to tell their friends what had happened with the violinist was up to Justin and, so far, the blond didn�t want any of them to know. The only concession he had made with Brian, other than agreeing to see a counselor, was making sure that Daphne could pick up or drop off Justin on those days that Brian couldn�t.

�What things?�

�Leave it Deb,� Brian sighed, wishing that the older woman would just go away. All he wanted to do was take his lover home and help soothe the younger man�s nerves. The night before, after Justin�s shift, he had been so tense, it had taken every skill Brian had, other than sexual, to calm his lover and he knew that tonight would be no different. It reminded Brian once more of the time after the bashing when Justin couldn�t stand to be around crowds.

�Don�t tell me to leave it,� she almost shouted, for once caring about drawing a crowd. �I care about that kid and I can tell he�s hurting and I want to know why.�

�If Justin wants you to know, he�ll tell you,� Brian said. �And since he hasn�t, I guess that means it�s none of your fucking business so back off.�

�Listen asshole, I don�t know what you did��

�Ready to go,� Brian asked, cutting Debbie off when he saw Justin over her shoulder. At Justin�s nod, he got up and grabbed his and Justin�s coats. He handed it over to his lover.�

�Sunshine,� Debbie turned her attention to the blond, figuring if she couldn�t get her answers from Brian she would just have to go to the younger of the two. �What�s going on with you?

�Hey Deb, thanks for coming in,� Justin ignored her question. �I know you were planning on having the night off.�

�It wasn�t a problem,� she waved him off. �I�m just worried about you.� She made a move to hug him but stopped when she saw Justin flinch. It was something she hadn�t seen since he came home from the hospital after the bashing and it made her curiosity increase.

�There�s nothing to worry about,� he told her. �Just been busy with school and everything. You know how it is.�

�Sure, baby, whatever you say,� she said, knowing somehow not to push him any further. �You just take care of yourself okay.�

�I will.�

�Let�s go,� Brian said, leaning over and kissing Debbie�s cheek, silently thanking her for not pushing Justin. He knew that eventually the gang would have to know what had happened between Justin and Ethan, if anything just for Justin�s protection. Brian knew that he couldn�t be around Justin all the time, especially when he was working at the diner or with Mikey on the comic, and Brian would need the others help in making sure the bastard that had hurt Justin couldn�t get near him. And making sure that Ethan couldn�t hurt Justin again was just the beginning. Brian also knew that he would need some help if he wanted to make the bastard pay for daring to touch what was his.