Chapter Text
Brian Kinney had been in the middle of negotiating the rent for his New York loft when his phone had begun to ring. He had been in the Big Apple for the past 11 months to chase and secure new accounts for Kinnetik. He hated being away from Pittsburgh because of his son, whom he had missed a lot. When he hadn’t been in the offices of Kinnetik’s future accounts, he had been checking out places for his portfolio. Being the owner of houses and apartments in New York had been a good way for Brian and Ted to earn some more money along the way.
Kinnetik had risen to be in the list of the world’s greatest advertising agencies and it kept growing. Moving to New York for a while had been more than just a change of scenery or a longer business trip for Brian. He had always been a hunter, he loved the chase and the thrill of winning, whether in his business or personal life. While he had still enjoyed chasing new accounts for Kinnetik, he had grown tired of being the Stud of Liberty Avenue. Not that he had a problem with sex or finding someone to fuck, he just didn’t enjoy it anymore. He had become bored and no new guy had brought a good distraction or better feeling.
He had also seen how happy Emmett and Ted have been in their relationships with Drew and Blake. Being in a committed relationship hadn’t changed Emmy Lou in any way. He was still the very flamboyant and proud man Brian had known for many years. Even Ted had become more confident in himself and his talents thanks to Blake’s presence.
The only one that hadn’t changed was Michael. Once again, the comic geek had tried to melt into the person he was dating. He had acted like a snop when he had been dating David. With Ben, he had tried to be seen as an intellectual know-it-all. Only problem was that Michael had never been able to hold longer conversations about anything other than comics.
His behavior had even driven Hunter away. About a year after Ben and Michael had adopted the former hustler, he first moved out and went to stay with Deb until Melanie had made room in her house for him. After that, the former street kid had attended college and looked out for Gus and Jenny while Mel was busy at work and Lindsay was doing something on her own.
Brian hadn’t heard from Lindsay in a couple of weeks, three weeks exactly. She had told him about trouble in the muncher paradise because Mel had cheated once again on Lindsay. He had a hard time believing it because Mel was pregnant and the guy, according to Lindsay, was having a longer affair with Mel. It hadn’t made any sense to him. Mel had not been undecided, she had known who she was for many years. Mel had no interest in men at all. But he had refused for Lindsay to drag him into their mess. He had planned to talk to Mel himself to get her side of the whole story.
Michael had been calling almost 50 times a day since Mel and Lindsay had split up. Brian had stopped responding to his best friend’s many calls and messages. He had wondered more than once how Ben and Hunter would deal with the drama. Still, despite everything Brian had been ready to go home to his Sonny Boy and the gang.
Excusing himself from the possible tenant for the NY loft, Brian had taken his phone and left the office to take Ted’s call.
“What’s up Ted? I’ll be back in the Pitts in two days, whatever it is, couldn’t it have waited? You never call that many times in a row or are you trying to chanell Mikey?” Brian said sarcastically to his good friend.
“Brian, stop the shit. I’ve already booked a plane ticket for you. You’ll be home today in a few hours. Gus and Jenny need you. And Mel, too. It’s bad.” Ted said in his own no-bullshit voice.
“What the fuck is going on, Ted?” Brian demanded to know.
“It’s complicated, Bri. And it’s not my place to tell you everything. Just, come home please. The plane lands at 6:30pm. I’ll be at the airport and pick you up. We’ll go to see Mel at the hospital and then I’ll take you to the kids. Mel has to talk to you first before Lindsay and Michael have the chance to provide you with any more lies. I’ll see you in a couple of hours, right Brian?” Ted begged.
“Yeah, Ted.” Brian sighed. “I’ll see you later.” With that, Brian had ended the call and took a deep breath before going back into his office to seal the deal with the tennant. Ted’s words had been still whirling around in his head.
MEANWHILE IN PITTSBURGH
“What the hell do you mean you don’t know where Gus and Jenny are?” Michael had yelled at Lindsay. He couldn’t believe how their plans had gone so terribly wrong. All they had wanted was for Mel to quit her job at that stupid low-class law firm.
The brunette had refused to ask Brian for more money since the girls had been struggling for a while. But Mel had no desire to quit her job and go to one of the higher law firms. She had always prided herself in being able to help her clients through nasty divorces and custody battles. If her clients hadn’t been able to pay her large sums for her services then it hadn’t bothered her. She had always made enough to provide for her family.
But Lindsay had been another story. She had been bothered by not being able to spend money on everything she wanted. And in her mind, Mel had to provide her with all the money she needed to always look fashionable. She had loved the luxurious side of life, she had been born into that world and had no desire to leave. The blonde had grown more unpleasant with each day that had passed and had demanded from Michael to pay support for Jenny. But like Lindsay, Michael had his own reasons to not spend money on things. Ben had been taking care of all their bills since they had gotten married and Michael had been able to save a lot of money and to spend that on more collectibles and rare comics for his private collection.
They had come up with a plan that had guaranteed that Mel would give up her job at the small law firm. Being more protected and ultimately paid a lot more, Mel would have finally been able to provide Lindsay with all the money she needed.
ALLEGHENY HOSPITAL
“He’s coming, Mel. I booked a ticket for him before I actually called him.” Ted spoke gently, trying to assure his friend.
“Does Lindsay know he’s coming sooner?” Mel asked, between sobbing and shaking.
“I haven’t told her and nobody else knows. I also mentioned that you need to talk to Brian first before Lindsay and Michael can feed him more bullshit so I doubt he’s going to call them. He knows it’s about the kids and he’d move hell and earth to make sure they’re alright. Gus means the world to him, more than Lindsay and Michael so no worries. I’ll pick him up from the airport and bring him straight here.” Ted explained.
“I just wish… I…” Mel had begun but had another meltdown.
“Shit!” Ted mumbled and got up to call a nurse. He hoped that Blake would make it on time so he could stay with her while he picked up Brian.
LIBERTY DINER
“Hey Emmett, honey. What can I bring you? By the way, have you seen Michael today? I haven’t heard from him yet and normally he’d have called about 3 times at this time of the day.” Debbie greeted and asked the flamboyant queen.
“No Deb, I haven’t heard from him yet. But the day’s still young, I’m sure he’ll get in touch with you soon.” Emmett said. “Oh I already called in for my orders. Vic and I will eat at the shop. We have so much to do, it’s great. We love it, Deb.”
“I’m so fucking proud of you and Vic, honey. But please make sure that Vic takes care of himself.” Debbie gushed.
“Of course I’m making sure of that. We all look out for him.” Emmett said with a smile. Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of two police officers.
“Excuse me, I’m detective Hovarth and this is detective Patts. We are looking for Lindsay Peterson and Michael Novotny. We’ve been told they are here quite often. Have you seen them today?” The detective asked.
“What the fuck?!” Debbie shrieked, outraged and shocked. “Why are you looking for my son? He’s a good man, my Michael.”
“I’m sorry, Ma'am but we can’t give out any details.” Detective Hovarth said, understanding in his voice.
“I’m his mother, of course you can tell me what this is all about.” Debbie demanded.
“Deb, calm down. Detectives Hovarth and Patts, my name is Emmett Honeycutt. I know both Lindsay and Michael. We haven’t heard from either of them today but Lindsay should be either at home with the children or at the Bloom Gallery, where she works. Michael owns Red Cape Comics just a couple of blogs away. But let me try to call them.” Emmett offered politely. He was just as shocked and curious as Debbie.
“Hhm, Michael isn’t picking up. That’s weird. Let me try Lindsay.” The call went straight to voicemail, just like Michael’s. “Same with Lindsay. Are they okay?” Emmett asked, worried.
“As my colleague said, we can’t disclose any information. We have been to their homes and places of work already but neither can be found. Thank you for your help.” Detective Pratt had said before he and Hovarth turned around and left the diner.
“What the hell is going on, Debs?”
Emmett mused.
“Fuck if I know.”
Debbie said.
TBC