The Cradle Will Rock
Chapter One
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Rating: Adults Only
Category: Fanfiction
Pairing: Brian Kinney, Justin Taylor
Genres: Angst, AU, POV, Drama, Romance
Warnings: OOC
Summary:Brian works for FBI. Justin possesses special talents but is in a mental hospital. He comes to Brian's attention because he has information about a case Brian is working on. Will seven years in an institution make it impossible for Justin to function in the outside world? Plot Bunny by Gina.
Disclaimer: All characters and situations from Queer as Folk are properties of Russell T. Davies, Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman, Showtime, and others. No copyright infringement is intended. This story is rated by the author and not by any independent body.
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Justin tossed from side to side, perspiration beading on his forehead. The pillow fell off the bed as he thrashed about in his sleep, his whole body rolling over. He mumbled noooooooooo…… under his breath as he turned again and began to sob.
It was as if he was on the outside watching the drama unfold. His father scooped him up into his arms and carried him to the car.
“No, I don’t want to go,” Justin objected, trying to escape his father's grasp.
Craig buckled him in with the seat belt, but to make sure Justin couldn’t escape, he taped his hands to the grab handle. He didn’t want him getting free on the way up. “We are going for a little ride. You are sick and you need treatment. They will help you; it’s not normal Justin to think like you do, knowing stuff before it happens is weird. The doctors at the clinic will help you get cured. You have always been different, Justin, but this is too much.” Justin wriggled trying to get free; his back ached as he was twisted in the seat. This couldn’t be happening; his father was putting him into a loony bin.
His mother sat in the back seat with his little sister Molly.
“Why are Justin’s hands taped Mommy?” Molly asked.
“Justin is sick baby and we are taking him to a place where they can fix him. I told you to stop all that stuff around your father, why didn’t you listen to me Justin, I tried to keep you safe but you just wouldn’t listen.” Jennifer cried the last part under her breath.
“I’m not broken, I don’t need fixing, and I’m just gay,” Justin objected, still trying to get free.
His father put tape over his mouth. “Your mother and sister don’t want to here about your perversion; we will come and get you when you’re well again.”
Justin continued to struggle but knew it was no good. He was only fifteen and his birthday seemed a million years ago. He closed his eyes, remembering how this mess came to a head.
He was tidying the yard in preparation for his party with Shane Reynolds who went to the same school. Shane had come over to help him and they had ended up in the pool shed and Shane had kissed him. It wasn’t a very passionate kiss but Justin thought it felt sort of nice until his Dad had opened the door and seen Shane touching Justin’s cock through his trunks. That was when it all went to hell.
His father had totally lost it, grabbing Shane and telling him to get out and sending Justin to his room. Of course his party had been cancelled and his father just organized him a one way trip to the nut house, after all, he couldn’t be sane and want a man to touch him rather than a women. His father didn’t even want an explanation, he just wanted Justin gone. It was as if he had a contagious disease and he would infect the rest of the family.
They drove for what seemed like forever. The movement of the car would normally have put Justin to sleep but he was frightened, he didn’t really know if he was even gay. He didn’t know why he and just stood there and let Shane Reynolds kiss him. He only barely touched his cock; it wasn’t even really a touch. He couldn’t even remember what it felt like now.
His father stopped the car and two burly men opened up Justin’s door. They cut the tape and carried him inside. His mother was crying and Molly was screaming for them to bring her brother back. Justin was plain scared.
Craig Taylor talked to Justin’s doctor while his mother tried to calm Molly.
“Is that all I have to sign?” Craig asked.
“Yes Craig you have placed Justin under my care and I will help him.”
“Good, I know my son isn’t really a homo, it’s the boy who I caught him with. He corrupted Justin. How do you erase those thoughts from his mind? Do you give them shock treatment or something like that?”
“No, electroshock therapy has been outlawed in this country since the late seventies but there are many other treatments just as effective for curing his illness.”
Craig shook hands with the doctor. “I feel happier knowing my son is here with you getting cured. I will call next week and check on his progress.”
The doctor nodded as they left.
That was the last time Justin ever saw his family. As they were driving home, his father fell asleep at the wheel and drove head on into a road train. None of them survived. He didn’t even find out they were dead for six months but that was another nightmare.
“Justin, wake up baby, you are having a nightmare.” Debbie tried to stop him thrashing about. “Justin, can you hear me baby, Justin.”
Justin opened his eyes, they were sore from crying, He looked up and saw Debbie’s face. He sat up quickly and she hugged him. He didn’t object.
“Which one was it?” she asked.
“When they dropped me here,” Justin said softly.
“So long ago.” She stroked his cheek as she said the words softly. “Happy Birthday Justin.” She hugged him tightly. “I wish you didn’t have to stay here, how old are you this year?”
Justin whispered “22” as he snuggled into her arms. “Was your bracelet on top of the refrigerator?” he asked.
“Sure was, uncanny, exactly where you said. My son and his friend were at my place and Brian is tall so I got him to look and sure enough there it was.”
“Brian?”
“Brian Kinney, he and Michael have been friends since they were 14.”
“What does he do?”
“Advertising.”
Justin was confused. How could someone in advertising have so much pain around him? That wasn’t right; it couldn’t be, advertising, no.
“What does your son do?”
“He run’s a comic book store and his boyfriend is a professor at Carnegie Melon.”
“Your son is gay,” Justin said surprised. “That’s why my dad put me in here, he thought I was gay.”
“He should never have done that” Debbie shook her head. “How did he manage it?”
“Dr Cadman and he went to college together.”
“Makes sense, he’s a first class homophobe.”
“And he is the caretaker of my parent’s estate since I am in here, so he isn’t in any hurry for me to get out. He wants me to be weak and pathetic but I won’t give him the satisfaction.”
“Good for you baby.”
“Advertising you said and the boyfriend's a teacher.”
“No that’s my son’s boyfriend, his friend Brian is in advertising. “
“Tell him that he needs to look near the lake, there is a cave in the rocks near the lake. I’m not sure what he’s lost but it’s in the cave. Debbie, I need to sleep, I’m exhausted. Thanks for coming and waking me.”
Debbie kissed Justin on his forehead. “Don’t forget, in the caves near the lake. Promise you’ll tell him. He needs to find this quickly. Will you ring him now?”
“I’ll tell him Justin.”
“Right now Deb, please ring him right now.”
“I promise Justin, I’ll call now,” Debbie hurried from the room.
Justin reached down and picked up his pillow. It didn’t make sense. What was someone in advertising doing looking for lost children and why was his friend the teacher there? Justin turned over, punching his pillow, trying to get comfortable. He hoped Debbie did as he asked and called right away. He tried not to think about the child’s cries in the darkness. Brian would get there soon, Justin knew it. He turned over and closed his eyes.
******
Brian was sitting on a fallen branch when his cell phone started to ring.
”Kinney.”
“Brian, it's Deb.”
“Debbie, this is a bad time, can I call you back later.”
“Brian, I know this will sound weird but have you looked in the caves near the lake?”
“What the fuck are you talking about Deb?”
“I don’t know myself. Have you looked in the caves near the lake?”
“There are no caves near the lake,” Brian snapped.
“Brian, listen to me, if Justin says there are caves near the lake then you should be searching for caves near the lake.”
“Deb, I have no idea what you are talking about, I will call you later,” he closed his cell.
Bloody women, how did she know where he was?
“What’s wrong, who was that?”
“Your mother in law, telling us to look in the caves near the lake.”
“But there are no caves near the lake,” Ben objected.
“This is too fucking weird for me let's work it out. If we were looking for caves near the lake, where would we find them?” Brian mused.
“But…”
Brian cut him off. “Assume that there is.”
“Okay, then they would need to be in that collection of rocks. It’s the only place it could be,” Ben announced.
“Then let’s look again, come on men, everyone search these rocks, we are looking for an entrance to a cave.” The team searched the rock faces inch by inch searching for an opening.
“Over here,” someone called out. “I found it.”
Ben and Brian ran over to where the man was standing.
“This rock rolls away, look”
As soon as they rolled the stone at the opening away, they could hear the baby crying. Brian wriggled in through the opening and went in the direction of the sound. Minutes later he emerged with the crying baby in his arms. Cheers were heard as the men celebrated their good fortune. This was the first one that had been found alive.
******
From the other side of the lake a pair of eyes watched from the scrub. How did they find it? What had he done wrong? They should never have stumbled across it. He knew he was smarter than them, what had gone wrong?
******
“What made you look for a cave?” the Captain asked Brian and Ben.
“You will never believe it if we told you,” Brian laughed.
“Great job guys.”
“Thanks Cap.”
Brian and Ben walked silently to the car park. Brian leaned against his vette. “So say it.”
“How did she know Brian?” Ben asked.
“I don’t know Prof, but I think we should find out.”
Ben nodded.
“I’ll meet you there; we will just drop by and find out,” Brian was intrigued. “I’ll see you later.”
“Okay, six thirty? I’ll pick Mikey up from the store.”
“Good, see you at the house and Debbie better come clean. If she hadn’t rung and been so persistent we would never have found that kid.”
“I know that’s why we need to get to the bottom of it. If Debbie knows a way to keep ahead of this guy, we need to know what it is.”
******
“Brian, what are you doing here?”
“I told you I would see you.”
“I’m sorry about calling you but I promised Justin I would.”
“Justin?” Brian asked.
“He’s a kid in my ward, he told me I had to call and tell you straight away. He insisted on it. What were you doing at the lake, a photo shoot? What was lost anyway?”
“Lost?”
“Justin is an expert in finding lost things. Remember my bracelet that was on the fridge, Justin told me it was there. You ask him where something is and he either thinks about it or he can draw where it is. I’m sure he can do other things to. He’s very secretive, he doesn’t trust easily. I’ve known him for seven years and he only told me when I was upset about my bracelet being lost. Since then, he helps me find things all the time.
Brian listened to Debbie’s explanation. Could there really be a kid that was tuned into to this guy? Could they really afford not to use him? He had been an institution for seven years. Odds are he was crazy. How was that going to look to his bosses? By the way, I need this crazy person from an insane asylum to help with solve my case. “What’s he like?” Brian asked, trying to sound casual.
“He’s a sweet kid.”
“How old?”
“Twenty two”
“He's been in there since he was fifteen? Is there anything else wrong with him?”
“You know I can't talk about patients with you Brian but between you and me, you are crazier than he is,” Debbie laughed, nudging Brian; to be sure he understood her meaning. “Staying for dinner, the boys should be home soon.”
Brian nodded. “Lasagna?”
“How did you know?” she asked.
“It’s my favorite.”
Debbie pulled the large tray of lasagna out of the refrigerator and slipped it into the oven. “Coffee?”
“Yeah, that would be good. So tell me more about this kid?” Brian asked.
“You know I can't Brian," Debbie said sighing loudly. "It's just not fair, him being in there. She looked at Brian sternly. "You tell anyone and I'll lose my job. He has nightmares; I would too in a place like that. Considering, I would say he is pretty well adjusted. Sane people go nuts in institutions all the time but Justin retreats when it gets too much. Sometimes he won’t talk for days but when he comes out of it, he is Justin again.”
“Why has he been there so long?”
“The night his parents committed him, they were killed in and auto accident. Justin was made a ward of the court and he is stuck in the system. I saw the notes. The only thing that was wrong with that kid when they bought him in was the doctor in charge then went to college with his father and was as big a homophobe as he was. The father said he scared everyone, used to talk to himself, knew when the phone was going to ring…. stuff like that. Might have even known we were having lasagna for dinner,” Debbie laughed.
“When was the last time he was assessed?”
“I’d have to check his file but those assholes aren’t interested in this kid’s welfare, just the money that comes from keeping their patient locked up. Brian, this kid is as normal as you and I.”
“Except he can find lost things,” Brian chuckled.
“Asshole, what did you lose today anyway?”
“Oh um camera lenses, searched for them for hours. Good thing that kid made you call.”
“Brian, what are you doing here?” Michael asked.
“Had a yearning for lasagna and this the best in town,” Brian smirked. “How are you Professor, how was your day?”
“Same ole same ole. You know what daily grind is like.”
Brian laughed. “I have to go out of town on Friday on a trip, I have to see a client in New York and I’ll be gone for a week.”
“Ben has a convention, what day are you leaving honey?” Michael asked.
“Thursday.”
“Careful you two, people will think you are having an affair,” Debbie teased.
Both men laughed loudly. Ben pulled Michael in close to him and smiled. “I’m happy and settled with what I have thanks.”
“His ass is too big for me, I like em lean not muscle-bound,” Brian quipped nodding at Ben.
“There is nothing wrong with muscles mister believe me muscles are good.” Michael jumped to the defense of his lover.
“This is too weird. Even for me, I need a smoke.” Brian shook his head and went out onto the porch for a hit of nicotine.
Michael handed Brian his coffee.
“Thanks.”
“You do a lot of traveling Brian; does it ever get you down?”
“Its just part of the job Mikey, keep the customers happy. It’s what keeps them coming back and my bonuses coming in,” Brian laughed.
“Michael, your Mom wants you to help her,” Ben appeared from nowhere. Michael hadn’t even heard the door open.
“Sure, can I trust you two alone?” Michael laughed.
“Fuck off Mikey,” Brian growled.
When Michael was safely out of earshot, Ben turned to Brian. “Did she tell you?”
“Yeah some kid in the loony bin, it sounds interesting. I think I should talk to him at least. He seems to be tuned in to our guy. He told us where the kid was and it’s the only one we got back alive, it’s worth a conversation. I’ll go down tomorrow before Debbie starts. I’ll have the office make the arrangements. If he’s the real deal, we’ll need to get him out of there. We can’t run into Debbie all the time.”
Ben nodded.
“I want him assessed by an Bureau doc, I want to know if he is crazy or not. Deb says not, let’s see”
“Do you need me to come with you?” Ben asked.
“No, you do the paperwork and get me an assessment for this kid, I want it tomorrow. We can’t afford to wait.”
A voice called from the kitchen. “Dinner boys.”
“Let’s eat, I’m starved,” Ben laughed.
“Me too, I’ve been hungry ever since we found that baby. Different to the last time when I couldn’t eat for days.”
Ben nodded. “Happy endings make me hungry too.”
“Except this isn’t the end, it’s a small step forward.” Brian looked solemn.
Ben punched him in the arm. “Food, now or she will make us pay if it gets cold.”
Brian laughed and both men went in for dinner.
******
Brian knew Debbie started at ten, he arrived at eight. A lethargic looking man was sitting behind the reception counter. Brian could hear the TV playing under the desk.
”I’m from County Health," Brian flashed his ID. "My office arranged for me to meet with a Justin Taylor. “
“Hang on, I’ll get Dr Fredricks, he can help you.”
Brian waited patiently. After ten minutes an elderly man with a red face raced up to him. “Mr. Isaacs?”
Brian shook his hand. “Yes, Dr Fredricks, I assume?”
“Yes, your office contacted me and said you were interested in Justin.”
“He has a cousin, apparently related to the mother, that we have just located and she wants his status altered to be released in her care. What is his condition?”
“Let’s go to my office so I can look at his files.”
Brian followed him down the corridor. He sat for half and hour while the doctor flipped through his notes. Brian tried not to be annoyed. He couldn’t understand why the doctor wasn’t already familiar with his own patient’s condition.
The man frowned. “Doesn’t seem to be a whole lot wrong with him. He has nightmares, is sometimes withdrawn for days and refuses to communicate. Seemed his father thought he heard voices and at fifteen caught him kissing some boy from his school and committed him.”
“Does that happen often?”
“Not now but then, his father thought he was mentally unbalanced. We haven’t seen evidence of homosexuality since he has been here. Perhaps it was kids being curious. Anyway, when they dropped him off, the whole family was killed in an accident as they returned home, so no one cared if he stayed or went. There is a legacy, held in trust for him but apart from that this is the first we have heard about a relative at all.”
“I want him assessed so I have all the information I need when this women comes after me again. Is there any reason that he shouldn’t be released? Is he violent or dangerous?”
“No, Justin is reasonably well behaved and well thought of here. He is a nice kid. Most of his off beat behavior is a coping mechanism to survive being in here.”
“Can I meet him?”
“Sure, I can’t see why not. When will you have your expert here?”
“My office will contact you, can I see him now?”
“Wait here while I have him brought up,” he picked up the phone. “Could you bring Justin up to my office immediately? He won’t be long.”
“How long have you been here?”
“Six years too long.” Dr Fredricks laughed. “It’s a frustrating job. Nobody cares about these patients; they are put here and forgotten. Dr Cadman, the one I took over from was the one that admitted Justin.”
Brian nodded.
“When I first started here, I even thought that I might cure some of them. Unfortunately, that isn’t the way the system works. We put a roof over their heads feed them and keep them locked up forever. If they don’t have someone on the outside fighting for them, they’ll be here forever. Once they have been institutionalized for a lengthy period, they no longer have the skills to survive in the outside world. It’s a tragedy but a fact of life.”
The door opened and a young, blond man with the most intense blue eyes Brian had ever seen was led into the room. He stopped and stared at Brian and then sat down where he was told.
“Justin, this is Mr. Isaacs, he’s come to meet you. He is arranging for a doctor to come and talk to you.”
Justin glanced at Brian again, he was visibly confused.
There was a knock on the door. “Dr Fredricks, Mrs. Wilson needs to see you for a minute, I’m sorry for the interruption.”
“Justin, answer Mr. Isaacs question's please.”
Justin nodded.
He turned to Brian. “I won’t be long.”
Brian heard the lock turn from the outside. “Do you have a history of trying to escape?” Brian laughed.
“If I wanted to escape, I would have by now. Mr. Isaacs? Hmmm.”
“What?”
“Did you find the cave?”
“Pardon?”
“Didn’t Debbie call you?”
Brian was startled by this young man’s candor. He knew this was a ruse.
“Who do you think I am?”
“Your Debbie’s son’s friend Brian, aren’t you? Did you get to the baby in time?”
There was no point denying it. “Yes, he’s fine.”
“If you hadn’t found him then, he wouldn’t have been. That guy was waiting in the bushes watching you, waiting for you to go, so he could do what he normally did.”
“Thanks for helping; we wouldn’t have found him without you.”
“I know.” Justin looked at his feet, the sadness clearly evident on his face.
Dr Fredricks came back. “Have you been co-operating Justin?”
Justin nodded.
Brian stood up. “It was good to meet you Justin. I will have my doctor here this afternoon,” he held out his hand to Justin to shake.
Justin touched him for only a few seconds before pulling his hand away and hiding it behind his back. He looked into Brian’s eyes for a second and then looked back to the floor.
Dr Fredricks smiled at Brian. “Thanks Mr. Isaacs, I’ll see you again.”
“Hopefully I will contact you when I get the report.
Brian looked at Justin again and wondered how he knew so much. He wasn’t blowing his cover. Hmmm, Brian thought, how interesting.