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MissCris: For your pleasure only my darling fans, here's a one shot of what happened between Isaac and Justin (My Brother's Best Friend) before and after Justin's 'little' talk with Stephan in I Fell For His Brother chapter 5 (don't remember the talk? Go reread it so you're not confused!)

Song: Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis (I feel like the songs fits both boys in certain parts)

[A/N:This one shot will alternate between point of views. The first will be Isaac's and it will start with him talking to Stephan and his mom in chapter 5 of IFFHB]

Isaac's POV

"You think I don't know that?" I demand raking my hand through my hair making it stick up, "I just don't know what to do anymore, he won't let me help him. It breaks my heart to see him like this but I can't do anything!"

How can Stephan think that I don't realize what's going on with Justin? I've been watching over him since the incident happened over a month ago. Everyday I have to see him get thinner and paler and more recluse. He doesn't let me touch him anymore, not even just to hold him.

Stephan doesn't know how much it tears at my heart every time I reach out to comfort the love of my life and he pulls away. I know that Noah and Stephan are in a weird place in their relationship right now but he hasn't been able to hold Noah and love him and then have him get distant as time goes by. He hasn't had to feel the sting of rejection.

I sit on the couch beside me and place my face in my hands. My emotions get the better of me and I fell hot, heavy tears fall from my eyes as my shoulders shake with sobs. The squeak of Stephan's wheelchair moving is the only sound and then I feel his hand rubbing my back lightly.

"I'll talk to him, ok? It's going to be ok, he'll get over it. Remember, he doesn't mean to hurt you, he's just too hurt right now." Stephan's words are soft but they hold a ringing of truth, as if he's speaking from experience and I can't help but believe him a little.

Taking a ragged breath I look up him, my eyes begging, "I just want him to understand, it's not his fault."

Stephan nods, "Go get him, the sooner we do this the better."

Nodding in return I get up and walk out of the living room. The hallway leading to my room, the room I share with Justin, seems so long. When I reach my door I hesitate. In all the years I've known Justin, the almost nine years Noah and I have been friends, I've never been nervous or afraid to talk to him. Until recently, not even when I found out he was in love with me and I didn't want to accept it did I feel like I would rather do anything else in the world than talk to him.

I'm just getting tired of his rejections. Of having to feel the same wound open again and again.

Slowly I open the door and peer inside. Justin's lying on the bed, under the covers. His usually springy curls fall flat on his head and a few stray strands fall on his face. I walk cautiously to where he is. His eyes are staring off into the distance and I feel a hopeless despair at seeing him like this.

Sitting on the bed I reach out and tuck a curl that's over his eyes behind his ear. Justin's head whips around and his eyes go wide as they land on me. He unconsciously scoots back until my hand is a good six inches from him and looks at me with flat eyes.

I try to stomp down the disappointment and pain and force a smile to my lips, "Stephan wants to talk to you."

Justin's eyes don't show any reaction to my statement and his lips barely move, "For what?"

"I don't know." I lie, shaking my head, "He's in the living room."

Standing up I walk over to the open doorway, resisting the urge to look back, even though I can feel Justin's eyes on me. I make my way back the way I came but go into the room one door before the living room. My mom is in the kitchen talking on the phone, I go over to the fridge and grab a bottle of water before sitting on a stool.

The faint sound of footsteps comes from the hallway and I smile, Justin's going to talk to Stephan. Opening the water bottle I take a few gulps and wait for my mom to finish her phone conversation. As I set the bottle down on the island counter my mom hangs up.

She lets out a frustrated sigh and I furrow my brow, "What is it, mom? More news?"

My mom looks over at me, "No, Ryan was just calling to tell me that he has to cancel our date tomorrow because he'll be in court."

I smile a little, "That was a very big sigh for a canceled date."

A soft smile plays on my mom's lips. I know she finds it weird to talk to us about her relationship with Ryan but, honest to God, Stephan and I couldn't be happier that she's dating. Especially such a great man like Ryan, after my father passed away my mom was a mess, she deserves to be happy. And if Ryan made her happy what right did we have to object to him?

"With all that's been going on I was looking forward to a little fun time, but it's ok, next time." she explains.

I frown. Yes, a lot has been going on, I never stopped to think how it affected my mom. She's had to deal with all this too, I guess I've been a little selfish these past few days.

"Why don't-" my word are cut off by a shout from the living room.

"Well maybe he should just stop talking about me then!" Justin yells and I feel all the blood drain from my face.

My mom grimaces but doesn't say anything. We both strain to here something else but there's only silence, "He's really hurting and hurting you, isn't he?" she asks quietly.

I feel tears threatens again so I blink and clear my throat, "I feel like he doesn't love me anymore."

"Oh, sweetheart, of course he does," my mom's face fills with tenderness, "Justin adores you, just give him time."

"How much time is enough? It's been over a month." I respond bleakly.

Walking around to me my mom hugs me and murmurs against my temple, "I know, I know you're scared too but you have to know Justin's strong and he'll get over this."

I nod and hug her back, "I know, but he's so distant."

"He'll come back to you Isaac, sooner rather than later, I promise." with a soft kiss on my head she lets me go and goes to make dinner.

"Mom." I call after her, she turns to look at me, "Why don't you go out with Mrs. Ricardi and Mrs. Anderson tomorrow, a girls night out. Just forget about what's going on, we can handle things for a few hours."

She smiles, "That sounds like a wonderful idea, I'll call them later tonight, thank you, Issac."

Smiling back at her I watch her turn and begin getting out ingredients for cooking dinner. I strain to here anything from the living room but after that outburst earlier it's been unnaturally quiet. Hopping off the stool I make my way to the living room the long way. Bypassing the connecting door between the kitchen and the living room, I walk out into the hallway and down to the door leading to the living room.

The doorway is open and I hear Justin talking more animatedly than he has in the past month, "Don't worry, my brother's responsible, he's taken care of me my whole life, he'll be home soon. He won't do anything stupid, for all our sake's, he won't do anything stupid."

I can tell from Stephan's expression that he's thinking the same thing I am, I hope so, "You should go talk to Isaac." he says instead.

My brow crinkles and I speak up, "Talk to me about what?"

Justin's head snaps to me and then he practically flies across the room. I'm frozen in place as he approaches me and wraps his arms around me tightly and repeats, "I'm sorry, "I'm sorry." over and over again.

My arms wrap around him instinctively, I feel so confused but I try and comfort him, "It's ok, baby, shh, it's ok."

Looking past Justin's deflated curls I seek Stephan and mouth, 'What's going on?' Stephan smiles a small smile and mouths back, 'Talk to him'. Then he wheels his chair to the connecting door between the living room and kitchen and leaves.

I pull Justin back and stare down at his face. His eyes are red rimmed and full of tears. A single drop spills over and runs down the crest of his cheek. I bend my head and gently kiss the tear away. I hear Justin's intake of breath and I pull back, my eyes locking with his again. My hand goes up and smooths the place where I kissed him.

He closes his eyes and I take the opportunity to look over him. His cheekbones are more pronounced and his jawline is very evident. I hesitate a minute then lean down and place a soft kiss on that rigged jaw. I feel it relax beneath my lips and I trail my mouth to his until my lips are a hairsbreadth away from his.

"Justin?" it's a whispered request for permission more than anything.

Instead of answering me Justin presses his lips to mine, awkwardly at first, then with more confidence. I kiss him back and seek to enter his mouth, he opens for me. With a groan I wrap my arms around his torso and haul him up to me. My mouth continues to devour his.

Justin kisses me back for a minute but then pushes me back lightly, "Isaac," his voice is ragged and I find myself pleased that he's not unaffected by our kiss, "we need to talk."

He leans his forehead on my shoulder, breathing heavily, his fingers tangled in the back of my shirt. I nod, even though he can't see me. Pulling his hand's from my back I grab one and tug him with me to my room.

---

Justin's POV

I let Isaac pull me down the narrow hall to his room. When we're inside I let go of his hand and walk over to the bed, plopping down on the sheets I had been wrapped in before. My eyes are on the floor, I don't think I can look at Isaac. I can't read the pain in his expression and not breakdown.

I know how hard it's been for him to have to deal with me these past few weeks, but what I told Stephan was true, I can't help it. Every time I see him, his kind eyes shining with love and care, I feel like a terrible person. Stephan might be right that I didn't pull the trigger that landed Isaac in the hospital but the guilt is still there.

Katherine Reed was one of my best friends, one of my Musketeers. The pain from her betrayal and the guilt I feel at not realizing it sooner have made me withdraw into myself. I havn't even spoken to JJ or Nancy other than to tell them I was alive and whole after the incident, since then I haven't talked with them or hung out.

My nerves are always on edge and the stupid nightmares I keep having stop me from being able to forget the whole ordeal. Isaac is the one who's had to suffer the most through this, I know. I can see it in his eyes every time I pull away from him, the slash of pain that crosses his features, but I can't stop myself. I don't feel worthy of having him touch me, like I told Stephan, every time I see him without a shirt, when I see his wound, it makes me feel incredibly guilty and unworthy of him.

How can he want to be with someone who caused him so much pain? Who almost cost him his life? I've asked myself these questions continuously and can come up with no answer, yet every morning I wake up to find his arm around me pulling me to him. It's an unconscious act, like breathing, he explains when I have to wake him up to let me go so I can get up.

He doesn't know how much I revel in the feel of him holding me tight, even though I don't think I deserve it. And then there's the kiss a few moments ago. I could feel his love, his passion, his desire. I know I reacted in kind, how could I not? Stephan's right, I need to stop pushing people away, especially the person that means the most to me in the world.

"Justin?" Isaac's voice floats to me from the door, his feet make little thumps as he walks over to the bed and sits next to me, "Are you ok?"

Lifting my head I look at him. His eyes go wide when he sees my expression, one of grief and pain and regret, "I'm sorry." I whisper for the hundredth time.

Isaac's hand goes up and he lightly brushes my cheek, "For what, baby? You're in pain, I know that, I understand, I just wish you would talk to me about it."

I cover his hand with mine, "I don't mean to push you away, Isaac. I love you. That's why it's so hard for me to let you touch me."

He frowns and furrows his brow, "I love you too, but what do you mean 'that's why it's so hard for me to let you touch me'?"

"Isaac, she was Kat, she was my best friend. My best friend tried to kill you." I've never said the words aloud before and saying them now makes it all too real, like anything I had thought about the whole incident had been seen through a veil. I had been shielding myself from the full pain but now that I said it, it feels like a million knives carved into me at once.

A heavy breath leaves me and I feel myself start to shake, "She tried to kill you...be-because..." my words are swallowed by a sob that racks my body. Hot tears roll down my face and land in lap.

Without a word Isaac takes the hand that is still covering his and pulls me onto his lap. With my slighter build my head rests on his chest, right where his heart it. I can hear the bu bum, bu bum, bu bum as it beats strongly with life.

"She tried to kill me because she was sick, not because of you." Isaac murmurs into my hair.

His arms are wrapped around me tightly, making sure there's no way for me to get out of his embrace, not that I want to. It's only the steady rhythm of his heart that calms me down enough to turn my sobs into hiccups.

"I-I couldn't b-bear losing you, I-Isaac." I hiccup against his chest.

He kisses the top of my head, "You didn't."

I know. I know that he's still alive, even after hours of agonizing surgery, he's still here after this past month of turmoil. He's still here because he loves me.

Stephan's right, I need to trust in Isaac's love. Need to trust he'll always be here for me. I need to trust others in general, like Stephan said, there here to help me. Even when I don't want the help.

"There's something I need to tell you." I whisper and swallow as I lift my head from Isaac's chest. He looks at me expectantly, "It's about the nightmares I have.

Isaac's eyes go wide, he knows I hate talking about them. When I have a nightmare I usually withdraw more into myself, I shun him out completely, "Ok."

"I...I dream that you're dying. That you've been shot and I'm standing there but I can't move." I feel tear cascade down my cheeks again, my voice is barely a whisper, "It's like, like I'm watching a movie but in real time and as much as I try I can't go past the glass. All I can do is watch."

Without a word or warning Isaac pulls my head down and captures my lips with his. The kiss is full of urgency and fear and....hope. His lips nibble mine softly, molding them to match his, to fuse with his. I respond and kiss him back, savoring his taste his warmth.

"I will never leave you, ever." Isaac promises against my lips before capturing them again.

His tongue invades my moth this time and I feel it wrap around mine. I moan as the feeling shoots straight to my groin, God I haven't felt this way in a while. My arms warp around Isaac's neck and my fingers tangle in his hair. He groans as I tug on his strands and he bites my lower lip in warning.

I can't help but smile and tug a little harder. Isaac's groan is rough as he propels us so that I end up on my back on the bed with him hovering over me. His lips leave mine to travel to my neck and I moan as he sucks gently.

"I-I'm going to talk my, ugh, therapist." I get out, barely, his mouth is doing delicious things to my neck.

"Hmm, good." he gets out between kisses.

I laugh at his response and he lifts his head to look at me with sad eyes, "I've missed that sound."

Smiling sadly I brush the hair in his eyes off his face and I remember him doing that just an hour ago. My hand cups his beautiful face, "Can we just lay here for a minute?" I ask.

He looks at me as if expecting me to go back into myself then nods. He kneels on the bed and I scoot over so that I'm lying with my head on the pillow. Isaac climbs over me to his side of the bed and lays next to me. I stare up at the ceiling for a minute before turning to my side.

I watch Isaac's profile as he stares into space. After a minute he turns his head and looks at me, "What?"

"Nothing." I reply quietly, he shifts so that he's lying on his side too, facing me.

Scooting closer, I move until my forehead is touching his and I can stare into his sky blue eyes. His arm lifts and lands on my back pulling the rest of my body flush against him. We're content to just lie there staring at each other and we do for a long while.

"I've missed you." Isaac murmurs sleepily after a while.

I smile and shift to place a soft kiss on his lips, "I've missed you too, baby."

His lips curve into a smile, his eyes are closed and I'm pretty sure he's asleep. I watch him for a few minutes, his face is relaxed and he looks so much like a little boy instead of a young man. His blond hair falls slightly over his forehead and his eyes flutter every now and then.

I love him so much. I don't want to lose him. I know he loves me too, I've always known it. Now it's time to embrace it.

With a last smile I close my eyes and fall asleep.

Love's healing caress wrapped around me like a shield.

[A/N: Well there you have it. Keep up with Justin and Isaac and see what happens with Justin's recovery in IFFHB (2nd book in The Hughes Brother's Trilogy) and when that one's over make sure to read He's My Brother's Ex! (3rd book in the Hughes Brother's Trilogy) and keep up with these two boys as well as all the other characters in the trilogy]

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