The Ends Justify the Means - Chapter 4

[shadownyc]

THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS

Title: Chapter 4 - Heating Up
Written By: shadownyc
Timeline: Post-513
Rating: PG-13 to R for language and sexual references
Warnings: Some angst
Summary: The lives of the QaF Family move forward. This fic was written for the NaNoWriMo 2007 challenge
Disclaimer: Don’t own the characters, Cowlip does…but wish I owned some of them

Comments

[jans_intentions]

“Well, boys, this has been fun. Next time we can try to find some archaeological dig to venture into. We’d probably find more intact objects there.”

OMG, that made me laugh. SO Brian.

Oh, Ben, this is so in character for him and I'm terrified. He loves Hunter so much. Like many parents, he's putting his family before his own needs, which never works out.

[shadownyc]

That line of Brian's popped into my head and I actually laughed too as I envisioned him saying it. I rarely laugh at my own humor. I'm so glad it struck you as well.

Ben is much more dramatic in his desire to care for those he loves than he's written in fanfic. I think about his reactions to Hunter right from the start and then all his dramatic behavior throughout S5, in regards to both Hunter and Michael.

Thank you so much for continuing to support me AND this fic!!!

[court1429]

Look here, sister! I don't wanna have to pull out that cliffhanger icon, remember, so don't be proofreading too long! ;))

I enjoyed this chapter and can't wait to see more of the marriage plans and what happens with Ben. I certainly do understand the power of denial and you presented it completely faithfully. So faithfully, in fact, that I wanted to reach in and pinch Ben and tell him not to be such a dipshit! I agree with the doc that it's a bad example for Hunter (though it could turn out to be a good example in a bad way), and that Mikey's shop woes would pale in comparison to Ben's health; there'd be no question where Michael's energies would go and rightly so.

I liked the parallels you drew between Ben & Brian, too, especially in having both Ben & Brian each of them recognize them. Not surprising Ben would be so aware, but then, really, I generally think Brian is well aware of his own bullshit; he just ignores it. ;)

[shadownyc]

I'll work on trying to keep your cliffhanger icon in storage. *winks*

Thank you so much for all those wonderful comments and words of feedback!

I'm trying very hard to bring these four men to a point where I believe that show was shy of reaching. They were close to the end of the journey from boys to men, but didn't quite get there. I guess this is my story of how they strive to reach for the ultimate goal.

Ben and Brian are similar in so many ways. I think part of Brian's journey must include ADMITTING to those feelings he tries to bury, whether good or bad and learning when they need to be shared. Ben needs to understand that while others count on him he can learn to count on others. He doesn't always have to be the supreme Zen-alpha-male. In fact I think he did begin to have human reactions in S5.

[mickiebg]

That was a great chapter! You have Ben down pat and it was wonderful to read. Not too many writers have written him in depth and so this is such a treat for me, seeing this whole new side of Ben. I especially like how supportive and honest Brian is, in offering his help and in actually admitting how similar he and Ben are, as far as pushing away any helping hand.

Can't wait for more:))

Michele

[shadownyc]

This really is my completion of the boys to men theme that I thought was cut short at the end of canon. Each was so close but not quite there yet.

Ben and to admit he was human and reacted emotionally and Brian has to learn to share his feelings and needs honestly. Both of them have similar attitudes towards the way in which they need to care for everyone else first.

This was the chapter that started the flow of writing that couldn't be stopped.

Thank you so much for your continued reading and support! ♥

[sydneyalexis]

Wow. That was so painful, but so good. You do angst really well.

Ben's doing all the wrong things for the right reasons. When Michael finds out (probably after Ben's been hospitalized again), he's not going to be thanking Ben. If anything, he'll be utterly upset that his partner would do something so stupid to spare his feelings.

*shakes head*

I don't need my great Beyond-o turban to know this is gonna end badly.

The question is -- will Justin and/or Brian keep Ben's secret or tell Michael for his own good. Especially in light of happened with Brian's cancer and Justin pretending not to know.

Oh! I can't wait to see what happens!

[shadownyc]

You do angst really well.

Thank you so much! Interesting enough coming from a schmoop-lover that I am, but actually this was the chapter that put the fic into full-speed-ahead.

Ben's doing all the wrong things for the right reasons.

Exactly! His love and feelings of responsibility are driving him to make inappropriate decisions.

No, you don't need to be a psychic to see that there will be trouble ahead.

Brian's cancer arc can certainly parallel with Ben's story. Have the men learned from the past...that's one major question.

I adore all your comments and feedback. It ALMOST makes me want to post the next chapter sooner. *winks*

[sydneyalexis]

Have the men learned from the past...that's one major question.

They're men so I'm going to vote 'no.'

It ALMOST makes me want to post the next chapter sooner.

*blows raspberry*

Meanie!

[shadownyc]

LOL!!!

[sfscarlet]

Another great chapter. Ben and Brian together make a very good combination. They both love Michael and Ben understands Michael's needs when it comes to Brian- more so than anyone else. Now Brian is helping Michael by helping Ben- how appropriate.

can't wait for another chapter and am thrilled that it will be posted shortly.

[shadownyc]

Thank you so much!

Ben and Brian have a lot more in common than either would like to admit. You're right--they both love Michael, in different ways, and want to insure his happiness.

Unfortunately right now, Ben isn't thinking to clearly.