Boi Zone

Title: Boi Zone

By: Phoenix Ghost

Rating: Adults Only

Category: Fanfiction

Characters: Justin Taylor, Daphne Chanders, Other Male Character(s), Brian Kinney, Debbie Novotny, Michael Novotny, Emmett Honeycutt, Ted Schmidt, Lindsay Peterson, Melanie Marcus, Gus, Vic Grassi, Cynthia, Other female Character, Jennifer Taylor, Craig Taylor, Molly Taylor, The Chanders, Chris Hobbs

Genre AU, Drama, General/Misc. Romance, Angst

Warnings: AU, OOC some Het references

Summary: Question, What if? Answer, Boi Zone

Disclaimer: All Characters and situations from Queer as Folk are the properties of Russell T. Davies, Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman, (Cowlip) ShowTime, and others. This author or this website has intended no Copyright infringement. This story has been invented for entertainment purposes only and has been rated by the author, and not by any independent body.

A/N Beta by Mary

Dedications: To Carly, Mary and to the AIM mad chatters! ;) Ya'll know who you are...And, to my Cassy Love, for believing in me always, no matter where my ships may sail...I love you.

And, to the best 'site' Mummy a girl could ever have, Kiwi, I love you too!

And, finally to 'Hope, who gave me much 'hope' when I though all was lost.

Thank you for giving me the courage to still write. I love you too girl!

Hugs, and much luv all around and rainbow kisses for all! PG

PS: for the sake of my story, Daphne's middle name is the initial J. =)

Also, please remember, this is an AU. But, it's also a Brian and a Justin love story. It will have a happy ending, this I promise you, but? As far as a happy middle, well, just stay tuned. ;)

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CHAPTER 3



Spring 2001, later that night, 20 minutes till 10:00pm



After carefully pulling into a parking space then sliding the car's gear shift into park and switching the car keys to off, she twisted the ignition back to on so she could listen to the radio while she waited for her best friend Justin Taylor.



Feeling a bit stuffy, soon she's pressing the down button, to allow first the passenger side window and then changing buttons, she eases down a little bit of the drivers side window to give her some fresh air.



Sighing as the cooling small evening Spring breezes caress her heated flesh, Daphne Chanders sat impatiently in her car, strumming her slender fingers on the steering wheel, then absently pushing buttons and fiddling with the volume knobs on the car stereo because she can't seem to find anything she wants to hear right now.



To her sensitive ears, songs that used to be okay were now either too mushy, too loud, or too boring.



Over the last couple of months she'd gradually noticed more changes in her taking place than just tightness in her wardrobe.



At times, she felt herself becoming overly emotional, and bitchy at the least little thing.



She even found herself over dramatizing things.



'Yes world, Daphne Chanders was slowly turning into a Drama Queen,' she thought ruefully, 'and without the benefit of being gay!'



Like now for instance, it's 15 minutes till ten, and she's staring first at her watch, and then inside the brightly lit cafe, watching Justin Taylor and Debbie Novotny moving around the busy diner.



To her they seemed like human hummingbirds, never remaining in one place for too long.



Smirking, she thought, ''Well Debbie, more so than Justin, due to her daily outrageous attire of a bright tee shirt, pants and a red vest with it's large multi collection of shining slogan buttons adorning her full frame.'



'Mmmm, that looks good!' She thought as she observed them hastily sitting down plate after plate of food in front of the many hungry looking patrons.



The diner's door opening and shutting to let the customers come and go, allowed the tantalizing aromas to waft over to her open car windows and tease her overly sensitive nose.



'Dammit!'. Now she finds herself fighting the insane urge to jump out of the stuffy vehicle and run inside and give in to a new sudden craving for a big juicy double bacon cheeseburger with the works plus extra onions, and a large order of onion rings, and a huge chocolate, banana-strawberry shake topped with fluffy whipped cream and lots of maraschino cherries.



Shuddering, she sighed, glared at her watch again, and finally turned off the radio by deftly twisting the key in the ignition switch back to off.



That had been happening alot lately and dammit Daphne HATED bananas!



Now the only sounds in the car were her gentle breathing, and the 'tap' 'tap' tapping of the palms of her hands on the base of the steering column, along with the occasional belly growl from the baby, signaling her or his displeasure at not getting what was being demanded.



Added to the mix was now the steady 'plop', 'plop' of raindrops, falling on the roof of the car.



Sighing again, she twisted the key back to on, and hitting the button, raised both windows back up, leaving a few inches still down.



As the soft rhythm was gently soothing her, she pondered on many things.



And, when the rains came down a little more heavy, this time, she rolled up the windows all the way.



A soft romantic tune now filled the air, and she glanced again at her watch.



It was now 10 minutes till 10:00 PM.



Justin had asked her to meet him here, at the diner at 10:00pm. He had said he had a plan.



For as long as she'd known him, she couldn't help but recognize that look in his blue eyes.



It was one she knew ohhhhh too well.



That same look had been there when he'd been told he couldn't or shouldn't do something.



And, if that look was in Justin Taylor's baby blues, you could bet diamonds to dollars, he'd fucking do what he was planning to do anyway, just to show you he could.



He was stubborn like that.



"I can hardly wait to hear just what it is he wants to talk to me about..." She mumbled to herself dryly, rubbing her hands over her sleepy face, then wincing as she felt a slight twinge in her tummy.



Feeling her eyes slowly close, she soon finds can't fight the gentle lull of the sudden spring shower.



Already 4 months along and she could sense things.



Little things like minute movements from the baby swirling and twirling inside of her.



Touches from within. Like a caged butterfly.



The image of that thought brings back a long ago memory rushing to the forefront of her mind, as she recalls a bright Spring day, and she and Justin are playing out back at her house.



"Daphy!! Daphy!! DAPH!!” Loudly squealed a very excited five year old Justin Taylor.



Carefully sitting her Barbie and Ken Dolls back inside their hot-pink corvette, five year old Daphne rolled her eyes and ran over to see what all of the shouting was about.



Her little bare feet came skidding to a stop when she saw Justin, standing very still in her mother's bright and colorful flower garden.



Her breath had caught in her throat, and as she watched him, the sight of the beautiful little blonde boy captivated her.



His bright blue eyes were watery, and his little button nose was runny.



Slowly and very, very carefully, he'd raised one slim arm, wiping at his nose while loosely holding his small hands still together as he whispered, "Daph, c'mere, look..."



Walking over to where he stood, and looking down at his barely cupped hands, she watched as he oh-so-slowly opened them.



Now sitting on his open palms, was the largest most beautiful butterfly Daphne had ever seen.



Its long wings were bright orange and black with large spots, and it looked so soft to touch.



At her sudden movement to do so, Justin had gently and slowly pulled his hands away saying, "Easy Daph! Butterfly's are very fragile!"



Daphne had pouted, but soon her ears perked up when he'd added, "It's a Monarch Butterfly, Daph, isn't it lovely?"



And then he went on and on all about the miracle that was the Monarch Butterfly. Patiently explaining to her all he knew, telling her the purpose of the large spots that resembled a face, saying that, "When a predator like a bird or a praying mantis tries to eat the Monarch, it will flap it's wings to scare it away." Making an icky face, he'd then scrunched up his little nose as he'd added, "And to their predators Daph? They taste nasty!"



Daphne had been very impressed by all that he'd known, until his little pink nose twitched and a tiny sneeze softly blew onto the butterfly.



Both children had watched in awe as the startled winged insect hopped quickly up onto Justin's slender out stretched fingers, and in a sudden flutter of colors had winged away, soaring high up into the air. It had seemed to just disappear into the fluffy white clouds.



Daphne had thought it was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen.



And, the soft giggles of delight bubbling out of Justin's little pink lips were the most beautiful sounds Daphne had ever heard.



It had been in that moment, Daphne Chanders felt herself fall hopelessly in love with Justin Taylor.



Pulling out a blue colored tissue from one of the big pockets of her red jumper dress she'd wiped at his face and grinned at him.



If you were gonna be friends with Justin Taylor, you'd best have alot of tissues in your pocket.



Justin had just scowled, then plucked it away from her fingers, and had thrust it deep into one of the back pockets of his khaki shorts.



His other pocket had held his large magnifying glass.



Crossing his slender arms over his little tan tee shirt that barely covered his little round tummy, he continued to stare at her and she could see his cute little belly button peeking at her.



Daphne had then giggled, and smiled at him.



Because despite the fact that Justin was allergic, there he was, standing barefoot in the midst of allergy central, and all because he'd wanted to share with his best friend something so beautiful and so special.



Eagerly teaching her all he knew about butterflies.



And Daphne knew Justin was very, very smart. Everyone said so, and although Daphne loved to learn new things too, Justin was going to get them both into trouble. BIG trouble with a capital 'T'.



"Justin!" She had scolded, shaking her little finger in front of his nose My mommy said, that you're mommy said that you were not to play near the flowers cause you're 'allergic' and you were supposed to keep your shoes and socks on you because you could get very sick if you didn't!"



The determined and stubborn look crystallizing in those bright blue eyes had startled her with their sudden fierceness when he'd retorted, "So what?"



Looking pointedly at her feet, smirking, then looking back up at her face he'd said, "Look, I just wanted you to see the butterfly, besides Daph," he'd chuckled softly, pushing a lock of bright blonde hair from his eyes, "If my mommy had her way? She'd stuff me into a big bubble and lock me up in a tower."



Frowning, and giving a little shrug he'd added, "That's what my daddy says alot."



Daphne had snorted at that, pushing her long cinnamon brown braids over her shoulders, retorting, "Just because you're pretty, doesn't mean you're Rapunzel Jus."



At his little indignant gasp, she winked at him slyly adding, "Besides, if anyone would be Rapunzel, it would be me, cause I have longer hair, so there!"



Grabbing his little hands into her own she pulled at him saying, "Come on Jus, you can be Ken and drive my Barbie car and I'll be Barbie, and we can go for a ride."



Rolling his big blue eyes Justin had snarked, "But Daph, what if I wanted to be Barbie?"



Smacking at his arm playfully she had snorted, "Silly rabbit, only girls can be Barbie you bonehead!"



Justin had been right though. His mother was very over protective. Even more so than her own.



As the sweet memory faded as fast as it had arrived, Daphne grinned to herself and wondered just who their child would take after.



Would their little baby have Justin's thirst for knowledge, and his talent for mischief? Or, would their little baby have her reserved attitude, and thirst for adventure? Who was this little baby person now growing inside her?



It was her baby.



It was his baby.



It was their baby.



Just those thoughts alone scared her shitless and thrilled her senseless all in the same moment when she realized that by September of this year, she and her best friend since toddler-hood, Justin Taylor, would be parents.

Shit...Parents...Oh my God.

_______________________________________________________________________________



Inside the diner, Justin's head was spinning.



Taking a minute to pop open a top of bottled water, he peeked inside the door of the backroom long enough to check the time, then, tipping the small green bottle, drinks it down, instead of pouring it onto his head like he wished he could.



'Thank GOD, only 10 minutes left and I'm outta here!' he thought.



And that thought made him so happy, he wanted to dance a jig, but his legs were just too tired to cooperate.



After finishing his wet treat, he reached up underneath his large white apron and tugged his white tee shirt back into place.



As he tucked it into his khaki cargo pants, his fingers brushed against the back pocket where tucked snugly inside his wallet was the check for a thousand dollars that he'd been issued by Sap the owner of Club Babylon for winning the King Of Babylon contest. And the two tickets to the trip that he was soon going to cash in, plus a check in advance for modeling as the reining King of Babylon.



Ignoring the tongue-in-cheek off color comments the older man had made about who he would obviously be bringing, Sap had been a bit taken back when instead of agreeing, Justin had blithely asked if the exotic trip tickets were cash redeemable.



After being told that normally he didn't do that, Justin had made his plea about upcoming College expenses and his constant need for art supplies until Sap had finally agreed.



Once being assured that the tickets were indeed cash redeemable, and after giving Justin the address to the travel agency from where they had been purchased, Sap was a bit miffed that Justin had still insisted for the older man to write up a note stating that very fact.



But, after agreeing to pose for the posters and stills for next years King of Babylon contest. And after signing the agreement and contract on the dotted line, and then pocketing the check for that, and the check for winning the contest and the two trip tickets, both men had felt appeased.



Soon, after sitting up his modeling appointment for the private King of Babylon shoot, Justin had firmly shook Sap's hand then just walked out, looking over his shoulder to see he was leaving the puzzled owner sitting in his black leather office chair, slowly swirling it back and forth, a small frown etched on his craggy face.



Smiling at the memory of stumping that arrogant asshole, Justin's mind moved onto more important issues.



Issues such as cashing the large checks, then turning the trip tickets into cash as well.



Knowing he'd best make it soon, before the fuck changed his mind.



Justin was friends with several of Sap's dancers, so he knew Sap was just flighty like that.



'Okay, so, yeah, hmm, now lets see,' he thought, 'I just needed a ride to the travel agency to take care of cashing in those expensive tickets.'



After that little verbal dance, the meeting with Sap, he'd then flipped open his cell phone and had made several calls, sitting up times to meet with several people.



With all the things he'd had to do, he'd been thankful for the two hours she'd given him, instead of the one she was supposed to.



Quickly catching Debbie up on all of her 'pink plates from hell' back orders, and then smoozing her until she was giggling helplessly like a school girl after a heavy dose of several Sunshine grins, Justin had gotten a couple of hours off to run his errands, and make a few phone call on his cell.



Everything was now set into motion.



All that remained was convincing Daph, and his dad.



The small black velvet ring box snug in the front of his deep cargo pants pocket felt like a lead weight as it hit him hard; he was really going to go through with this.



After clocking out, he grabs his tan hoodie and pulls it over his head.



After seeing the rain coming down outside earlier and it still didn't look like it was going to slow down anytime soon, he's wishing he'd taken a jacket to work as well.



But, just like life, the weather can change and with that change, bring change.



Smiling as Kiki handed him his order to go. Telling her later, and handing her a crumpled twenty, he winks then smiles, telling her to keep the change she was about to hand him.



Yelling out a quick, "I'm leaving now Deb! CYA Tomorrow!" he hurries out the door before she can ask him to stay for just one more hour.



And, as he can never tell her no, he beats a hasty retreat for the front door.



"Night SUNSHINE!" The busy redhead shouts back.



After spotting Daphne in her car, carefully balancing his large order, he's soon ducking his head against the rain, and making a dash for it.



*Rap Rap Rap*



"SHIT!" Daphne exclaimed frowning, as she gingerly rubbed at the spot on her head where she'd just bumped it against the car window.



The sudden noise of someone knocking on the window and their appearance in the shadows had startled her and caused her to jump.



The realization hits her sleepy mind that it's her best friend who has his button nose pressed against the glass and making silly faces at her, and he's smiling too, and he's holding...YES!



”Justin I love you! Get yer bubble butt in here with that food NOW mister!"



Almost drooling, she deftly unlocks the passenger side door.



She almost has to sit on her hands to keep from attacking him!



*food, glorious food! * 'Shit now I'm channeling my inner Annie!'



Carefully balancing his bag of goodies and two large drinks against his chest, he opens the door, and stepping inside he carefully is soon sitting in the tan leather bucket seat.



Holding the food with one hand and closing the door quickly with his other, he looks at her and grins when he hears her tummy growl loudly.



Sniffing the air with an appreciative groan, Daphne says, "Mmm Jus, what's in that big white bag that smells soooo good?"



Handing her one of the shakes and a paper wrapped straw, he then reaches into the bag to draw out a large foil wrapped sandwich for each of them and a large white Styrofoam container, filled to the brim with onion rings.



Placing a big handful of little packets of fancy ketchup and several white napkins down on the seat between them, Justin laughed as he watched her grab her food.



At the pleased yet surprised look on her face, he laughed and said, "Well Daph, I never got to finish lunch when we got really busy earlier so, well you know I don't like to eat alone, so I got you something too. Funny thing? I was craving extra everything, even onions! Oh and I made us big thick chocolate and banana-strawberry shakes too! "



Watching her little fingers quickly unwrap the burger, soon she's sinking her little white teeth into it as she's then fumbling to pop up the top of the white container to get at an onion ring, or two and stuff them into her mouth,

Justin had to giggle as he unwrapped his own burger and took his own big bite.



She looked like a cute chipmunk!



Grabbing a couple of onion rings and stuffing them in his mouth, he reasoned, now they both did!



Once their hunger had been sated, and they both were sitting back in their seats contentedly sucking on the last of their thick shakes, Justin slowly turned his head toward Daphne saying softly, "Daph, we really should talk about our baby."



Turning her own head toward her best friend, she just as softly replied, "I know, Jus. I know."



Without missing a beat she added, "And Brian, Justin we should talk about him too."



Wincing at just what the older man would have to say about this whole situation, Justin shook his blonde head.



Seeing his negative response, she sighed. "Justin, he's your boyfriend. He has a right to know the truth."



Pointedly ignoring her, he sat up. Gathering up the empty containers and used sandwich wrappers and squished ketchup packets, he shoved them angrily into the white paper bag.



Finishing off his shake with a loud 'slurp' he then smashed the cup and stuffed it in there too.



Wordlessly she handed her now empty cup to him, her fingers shaking slightly.



"Justin, Brian..."



Quickly rolling up the bag of trash, he deftly sat it in the floorboard before turning sideways in his seat to face her.



Looking into her concerned brown eyes, he knew if she was gonna go along with his plan, he'd have to convince her 100% that what he was about to propose, was their only option.



If he didn't have her help, he'd never make it alone.



And this time, he just didn't want to go there all alone.



Off and on all day long after Daphne had left, Justin couldn't help but make a pros and cons chart in his mind about this whole situation.



His conclusion had spurred him to the decision that he'd made.



The decision he wished to share with her, if only she'd shut the hell up about Brian Kinney, his non-boyfriend.



"But Justin!"



"Dammit Daphne, no more talk about Brian!"



Falling silent, she pouted.



The apology on his lips died at her next words.



"Justin, I'm scared. A big part of me really, really wants this baby, and yet, another part of me doesn't. That makes me a bad person, and a bad parent doesn't it."



Putting her small hands to her face she begins to cry.



Leaning over and gathering her shaking weeping form gently into his arms, as he let his own tears fall freely softly whispering into her curly hair, "No Daph, it doesn't. It just makes you human."



She enjoyed the guilty pleasure of being held by another man's lover for just a moment longer before gently pushing him away, back to his own side of the car.



Wiping a shaky hand across her small tear stained face, she said, "Justin, I need to see a real Doctor." Not looking at him, but staring straight ahead she softly admitted, "I've been going to a free Christian pregnancy crisis center for a while now, and each time they keep pressuring me to sign some papers to give our baby up because I'm a single and unwed mother."



Tears began to slowly trace down her high cheekbones as she continued, "They have been telling me all kinds of mean and scary things, and I really don't wish to go back there."



Taking a deep breath, then slowly releasing it she said, "So, I went ahead and made an appointment with a real Doctor, an OB/GYN, but, I was hoping you'd come too?"



Wiping off his own face, he smiled a small sad smile and said, "Daphne, you just try and stop me..."



Still smiling at her he said, Daph, I need to get home to Deb's, but I have some stuff to tell you, that I just don't want to do out here in the car so will you please give me a lift there and then come inside?"



At her hesitation, he added, "Deb's working an extra half shift, and Vic's out with some friends."



At her silence he gently added, "Please, say you will?"



Looking over at his best friend with what he hoped was an endearing grin, inside he was hoping and praying she'd just do as he'd asked, preferably the less questions the better.



Peering into Justin's steady baby-blue gaze Daphne had only one thought, 'Oh shit! NOT THAT look again!'



The last time she'd been in here, they'd made love for the first and last time.



Both agreeing before hand that things wouldn't get weird.



They had made love right after making that vow.



Looking down at the small bump on her belly, Daphne patted it gently whispering softly, "Well little baby, things may of gotten weird, but, the one thing I can promise you that is true, is this, you were made with love."



Daphne didn't see Justin standing there holding her full glass of milk and his own bottle of water, his bright blue eyes swimming with unshed tears at her honest child-like declaration of love for their unborn baby.



Closing his eyes briefly, he sent up a silent prayer of thanks that he'd not have to take Daphne to court to fight for the life of his child.



He could see she was slowly bonding with the baby.



And, she had been right.



That day he'd taken her virginity from her as a favor to her, to make her first time something meaningful, something special and they had made love.



It had never been 'just a fuck' for either of them.



Now, it's almost five months later, and things well, things were definitely about to become very weird indeed.



Especially if things went just the way he'd planned for them to go.



As she sat patiently on the edge of Justin's small bed, Daphne mused, looking around the room as she waited for Justin to bring up the glass of milk she'd been craving, asking herself, 'I wonder what it is Justin wants to talk to me about? What is so important that he feels he needs to say it in here?'



"Daphne?" Justin's strong young voice sounding more mature than his actual 18 years, came from the hallway as he entered the room carrying her tall, frothy, white calcium treat.



Walking over to her he handed her the glass, and then twisted off the plastic top of his bottle of water.



After taking a few sips he replaced the lid and walked over to his dresser sat it down, turning to face her saying,

"I know you're probably wondering why I asked you to come in here to talk."



Pausing he took a trembling breath, and released it with a shaky sigh, saying, "Please, Daphne, please hear what I have to say before jumping to conclusions, okay?"



At her hesitant nod, he continued, "This being our senior year and all, I feel we owe it to ourselves to attend our Prom. I was gonna ask you anyway, but when you wouldn't return any of my calls, I just figured you'd already made plans."



Taking her silence as a good thing, he pressed on. "So, if you haven't made any plans to go, I would like for us to go together as friends."



At her tiny nod, he breathed a sigh of relief. 'Okay, that was easy enough, lets hope this next bit doesn't send her running from the room.' he told himself dryly, channeling his inner Brian.



"NO!" He told himself sternly.



Brian Kinney had had been given more than enough chances to fix things between them.



More than enough tears had he shed in deep sorrow at the older man's contemptuous views on all things relationship.



If Justin needed any reminders, all he had to do was think back and remember, and feel his heart break just a little bit more.



He'd been so sure, so fucking sure that he could win the love, that he could win the heart of the captivating tall Irish man.



From the moment their eyes had met across that street. Justin had just known, he just knew his soul had met its mate.



And, although he'd spent these last few frustrating months trying to convince the older man of just that fact, deep down inside, he also knew this, Brian Kinney would never change.



Why? Simply because Brian Kinney didn't want to, didn't have to.



And, Brian Aidan Kinney never did anything he really didn't want to.



So, Justin's solution was simple.



It was the right thing to do for all concerned.



He and Daphne Chanders had been friends for as long as he could remember having a friend.



Justin had known Brian Kinney a little over a year.



He and Daphne would soon be parents.



Even after almost a year, Justin still had no real clue just what the fuck he and Brian were to each other.



Justin knew how he felt about the exasperating man, but, with all the walls Brian had built up around himself, around his heart, Justin doubted that even a good shout, wouldn't bring them tumbling down.



And, even if it did, the fallout from the debris would choke his spirit.



Also, when it came right down to it? Brian Kinney was more like the Tin Man.



Tall, slender, beautiful and hollow...He had no heart.



And, Justin could simply not wait around for someone to show him the way to the Wizard, to beg for him to give Brian one.



So, his next logical step was an easy one.



Getting down on one knee in front of his best friend, the mother of his unborn child, in front of the bed they had created that child on, looking up into her pretty face, his cerulean gaze was steady.



Smiling a beautiful smile, he held up a tiny black velvet ring box with the name of a local prestigious jeweler emblem in gold across the top of it.



Justin's smile grew wider at her fine arched brow.



Slowly, very slowly opening it up, his intense stare never leaving her pretty brown eyes, his smile grew brighter, as her chocolate-hazel eyes grew wider.



And, when her jaw dropped, he lifted a finger to push it gently closed.



Nestled inside was a slender white gold and platinum band, encrusted with three half carat pink diamonds.



Sensing her approval, for after all, they had practiced this very act, many times as children.



On her teddy bears, on her Barbie and Ken dolls, and then later on each other when they'd played house.



But, both of them knew this was not make believe, and both of them knew the many reasons behind his actions.



In fact, Justin could honestly say, Daphne knew him better than anyone on the planet.



Reaching for her hand not holding the milk, Justin clearly and proudly said, "Daphne J. Chanders, would you grant me the honor, and the privilege of becoming my wife?"



Releasing her hand slowly, when an answer either way didn't spill from her lips, nervously Justin bit on the end of his thumbnail, awaiting her reply and wondering at her silence.