“Oh, Hell no… What the hell are you saying, Bri?” Valary glowered at her husband’s best friend who had showed up at the Council offices. He was sporting a weary expression and had brought some disturbing news.

Though Matthew had made the guys swear not to tell her about his plans Brian felt she had the right to know, especially as it would directly affect her campaign she was running with Elliott. And, he also didn’t think it was something that should be kept from her anyway. Of course, he figured that Matt should be the one to tell her, but he had a feeling he wouldn’t ever do it. Or would leave it too late and cause a lot of unnecessary heartache.

Brian groaned, “Val, I’m telling you your husband has practically broken the law.”

“No,” Val snapped, “There is no way Matt would do that. He wouldn’t do that.” She shook her head in vehemence. “Why would he do that?”

Brian frowned as he answered gently, “You’d have to ask him.”

“Shit, Bri…I can’t believe that.” Val leaned back against her desk and glared at him, resolve hardening her features. “I won’t believe it.”

Brian sighed and shook his head. “Just. Talk to him, Valary.” He turned to leave.

Valary remained frozen against her desk, her mind in turmoil trying to process what he had told her. Finally she shook her head and walked out after him. He was waiting outside for her. She glared at him and walked to her car. He followed.

“Val.”

“Go home, Brian,” Val snapped. “You’re talking rubbish.”

“No. I’m not.” Brian grabbed the door of her car as she was getting in, preventing her from shutting it. “Valary.” She looked up at him, crease lines appearing across her brow as worry etched into her features.

“What?” she said, angry at herself for getting mad at her friend. Because he was that. He would always be that. That and he was Matt’s best friend. So the fact that he was saying these things about her husband puzzled her. It wasn’t like Brian to rat his friend out. But, then again Jason had said things that had caused his demotion, so one could never be certain, could they?

Brian sighed then said quietly, “I’m not lying. Ask my dad. Or talk to Matt.”

Val blinked at him then shook her head. “I’ll see you, Bri. Have a good night.” Before he could say anything more she pulled the door shut and pulled out of her spot.

Brian dragged his fingers through his hair and toyed with the pencil stuck behind his left ear, shaking his head as his mind wandered to thoughts of his friend. He wondered how Matt’s first day back at work had been. He’d have to ask him next time they caught up. Whenever that was. It was bound to be interesting, considering the things he’d said and done. But there was no point in speculating. Brian wouldn’t know unless Matthew saw fit to tell him.

Sighing, Brian removed his pencil and stuck it between his teeth as he went back to his car, so he could head home.

As he walked to his car, his back pocket started vibrating. He smirked a little as he pulled his cell out and glanced at the screen. Jimmy had just hit him up telling him to get his ‘ass’ to his apartment. Something about plans.

After their talk with Matthew, the elder male had thrown himself into completing his own masterpiece and finally managed to convince Brian to finish his own writing. More words had come to the self-confessed poet over the past few days and he was now able to produce a full piece to his friend.

That was actually where he’d been originally headed when he’d been diverted by the need to see Valary. It had been so strong that he couldn’t ignore it. Brian hoped that she would at least think about what he had told her. He didn’t want her to be shocked when it came out once his dad’s campaign was fully out in the open.

Personally he still couldn’t get his head around what Matthew had explained to them. But, there was one thing that he was certain of. The energy, passion and dedication that his friend had thrown into The Creed all these years, would be just as intense during this new season of his life. Possibly as intense as the passion Jimmy showed whenever he was working on one of his projects.

Jimmy. You had to love the guy. No matter how crazy he was being, one just could not be mad at him. Though he did make Brian worry. However, now that Matthew was embarking on not so legal activities, maybe there was less to get anxious about concerning Jimmy Sullivan.

Brian released a sardonic chuckle as he started his car and headed toward the city.

* * * * *

“So, what do you think?” Jimmy grinned at his best friend as he sat staring at the silent stereo in front of him. Brian’s ears were still ringing after the final cymbal clash had long ended. He shook his head and leaned back on the sofa.

“You’re a dead set crazy asshole.”

Jimmy laughed, “So, in other words a fucking genius.” He grinned and gestured as if to an audience of more than just his one friend. “Am I right? Or, am I right?”

“You’re right,” Brian mumbled as he took a swig of the beer his friend had shoved at him when he’d arrived. Jimmy’s smile got even bigger if that were even possible. Brian just moved his head from side to side some more then sighed.

Jimmy cocked an eyebrow at him. “What’s eating you?”

Brian started to shake his head again, but he caught his friend’s eyes and saw the seriousness of his expression, so stopped himself. It was unusual for Jimmy and so Brian knew he couldn’t front. He rubbed at his face, a weary gesture.

“I saw Val before coming here.” Jimmy raised his eyebrows questioningly. “Yeah, I kinda told her about Shads’ plan...”

“Are you mad?” Jimmy exclaimed. He was surprised by his friend's admission. It wasn't like Brian to tattle on his friends, or to break confidences.

Brian grimaced looking down at his shoes. The scuffed edges of the soles glared up at him.

“Syn?” Jimmy prompted in a soft voice.

Brian gritted out, “I ask myself that a lot.” He scowled at his shoes. “More so the last couple of weeks.”

“Yeah?” Jimmy asked as he flopped down next to his friend.

“Yeah. Matt's doing my head in.”

Jimmy laughed. “Who would've thought, Mr Hardass.”

Brian smiled a little. “It's like when we were kids. Before all the crap.” He sighed looking up at his friend. “Remember? Luke and Matt...”

“Life of the party,” Jimmy commented.

Brian crossed his arms, nodding, “They were the closest...” his voice trailed off as the memories flooded his mind. He muttered, “They pranked me good a few times. Shads had no shame.” He paused again a tight smile playing across his lips.

Matthew had never been the obvious prankster. He was the brooding one of the group and always seemed to be the one to hold everyone else back. But, he had the ability to surprise everyone, and had got Brian a good one back in the day.

“Luke was always the one we blamed, though,” Jimmy said with a sad smile.

Brian nodded, a frown creasing his brow. Luke looked like an older version of Johnny, just a lot stockier. Within their circle of friends he was the one most likely to get into trouble with teachers, parents, authority…it was just the way he had been wired. He’d had a good heart, though and he always stuck up for his younger brother and his best friends. Brian remembered the five of them – Matt, Jimmy, Zacky, Luke and himself – getting away with the most horrendous things because Luke convinced people it was all him. Trashing the school, getting into fights, he always took the heat.

He was the same with the guys he formed a band with. He was filled with bravado and the sense that he could take it all in his stride. And then The Creed caught them, and it all changed.

“He got blamed for everything…that’s why…” Brian didn’t finish that thought. He couldn’t, it was still too painful after all the years that had gone by. Jimmy murmured unintelligibly. Brian scowled at him. “He couldn’t save his friends that time…”

Jimmy shook his head in agreement. “I still can’t imagine what went through Shad’s head that day…can’t imagine what he went through.”

Brian pushed up off the couch, stretching the muscles in his legs which had stiffened from sitting down for so long. He walked over to the window looking out onto the road below. He waited a few moments just watching as a couple of cars passed, before responding to his friend’s statement.

“We saw the aftermath. It was a fucking bitch.” He squinted down at the road watching as a familiar bike appeared at the top of the street. “He changed.”

“True,” Jimmy murmured as he got to his feet and joined Brian. “He shut up shop in his head.”

“And shut us out.”

“Yeah, and when you do that for too long you’re bound to break,” Jimmy muttered, sagely. Brian glanced at him. He continued in the same tone, “Or do crazy shit, like he’s been planning with your Dad.”

“Yeah…or both.”

The two men fell silent, once again remembering. That night Matthew had stumbled home to the apartment he’d shared with Val; he hadn’t been living at the barracks then. He’d walked in to find his friends spread around the living room, silent as death. Everyone knew what had happened; it had been a publically televised execution. But the reason they’d stayed around was because they wanted to be there when their friend came home. No knowing what effect the execution would have had on him.

It hadn’t been obvious, though and Matt hadn’t spoken a word. He’d looked like they felt, numb and unable to focus on anything. It had been Jimmy and Brian who got the buff male to bed, bundled him up and then sat watching as he slept fitfully. It had broken Brian’s heart to see him in such a state and they’d all thought Matt would pull out. But, it had had the opposite effect and after that they hardly saw him.

Matthew made the permanent move to the barracks and it wasn’t until he and Val became more serious and he proposed that he moved back in with her. Which, really, hadn’t been that long ago. A couple of years at most.

And then there was the fact that he never spoke about what he felt about it all. His parents, before they left New Huntington, had tried to convince him to go see a shrink, but Matthew refused and just immersed himself into his job. Brian worried about him. As did the others. Except perhaps Zacky who had resented Matt for such a long time. For his profession, for the ‘murder’ of their best friend. For not being there for the rest of them.

Perhaps it was oddly fitting then that, aside from Johnny, he’d been the first Matthew had opened up to.

Brian sighed, breaking the silence. “He’s coming.”

Jimmy glanced down seeing Matt’s bike glide up the road then moved away from the window heading for the fridge. “I’ll get him something strong.”

Brian rolled his eyes and turned away from the street view. “I’ll get into that.” His friend smiled faintly and grabbed two bottles tossing them over. Then he collapsed back on the couch as they waited for Matt to show.