Generation 2, Chapter 36 - Competence Hearing Part 1

It's been almost a year since Elliot's near fatal encounter with the shark.  They were still fighting in the courts over Kyle's competence as his father won't give up and allow his son to live his own life. Elliot and Kyle were sitting outside the courthouse waiting for Adam to pick them up.  Elliot was grateful that Adam had put off going back to Oasis Landing until the trial was over although none of them had believed it would take this long to prove Kyle's competence.

Most of all Elliot was just thankful to his family for being supportive of him and Kyle.  They had been staying with his  parents in Dragon Valley and been flying to Appaloosa when they needed to be in court.   They had been planning on renting a house with Adam until the trial was done.  He glanced over at Kyle and asked "Adam did say he was picking us up right?"

"That's what he said" Kyle told him.

Elliot looked around at the people coming and going from the courthouse  It wasn't like Adam to be late and if he was going to be he would have called.  He wondered what happened.  "Maybe I should give him a call," he reached for his phone when Brian came rushing up to them.

"I'm sorry I'm late ..." he said coming over to where they sat.

"Where's Adam?" they asked in unison.

Looking uncomfortable Brian tried to evade the question by asking  "how did it go today?"

"Not well," Elliot grumbled  "answer the question Brian.  Where's Adam? It's not like him to not show up and he would have called if he couldn't make it."

Sighing Brian sat down beside them "He and Beverly had to fly out to Starlight Shores early this morning.  They received a call that Gene was in the hospital and Michael was falling apart ..."

"What happened? Is he alright?" Kyle asked becoming more upset as the news soaked in.

"That's all I know.  Michael was pretty incoherent on the phone from what Adam told me."  Brian explained as he watched Kyle get up and pace along the sidewalk in front of them.  Kyle always had so much excess energy.

"Shouldn't we go too?  After all we're practically family after the weeks we lived together on set."  Kyle asked ready to drop everything and hop on a plane.

"Calm down," Brian told him "right now Gene's family has requested that only immediate family be there until they know more about Gene's condition.  Don't worry Adam will keep us informed." Brian smirked "if he doesn't then he'll have to answer to me."

"Ok I guess," Kyle grumbled disliking the idea of having to wait to know what was happening.

"Let's get you guys home," Brian said standing up.  "You'll be staying with me.  It won't be luxury accommodations but there's plenty of floor space."

***

Getting out of the car Kyle looked at the small house then at Brian "I thought you were a famous hit movie music composer."  Pointing at the house "Sure doesn't look like it."

"Yeah well I don't like showy displays of wealth.  It's just not me."  Brian shrugged Kyle's comment off as he walked away from them.

"Hey don't go and upset him like that," Elliot chided Kyle.

"I was only saying I expected him to live in .... I don't know I didn't expect this."  Kyle mumbled while he wondered if Brian was really a famous composer like SSI portrayed him or was that a hoax. Maybe he was playing a part too like Percy did.  It'd make sense as Brian was Percy's mentor.

"Brian doesn't like to talk about it.  His wife is terminally ill and most of his money has gone to medical care for her," Elliot explained.

"What's wrong with her?" Kyle asked dropping all his suspicions.

"She had leukemia when they met in college.  She went into remission but she relapsed shortly after the triplets were born."  Putting a hand Kyle's shoulder "she's stopped responding to treatment.  Brian had to sell his house and most of his paintings to cover her medical expenses.   Coupled with the fact he hasn't been composing, he doesn't have a lot of excess cash lying around."

"Jeez El I had no idea," Kyle looked away embarrassed by what he had been thinking.  "Is there anything we can do help?"

"Just act normal when you see Shannon.  She's a bit self-conscious about her looks."  Kyle gave him a strange look so Elliot elaborated "she lost all of her hair with the last round of chemo."

Running his hands through his multi-colored hair Kyle groaned "I wish I had known I've been so self-absorbed with the trial.  I never even thought about anyone else."

"Kyle stop it," Elliot commanded his voice firm.  "Brian doesn't like a long of fuss.  It's been hard enough keeping this away from the media."  Laughing a little Elliot continued "Brian should have chosen a different line of work if he wanted to remain anonymous.  He's much to private of a person to be in show business."  Eyeing Kyle Elliot smirked "he's nothing  like you.  You thrive on attention. I'm amazed that you ever sat still long enough to learn how to cook led alone become a chef."

"You wound me," Kyle pantomimed being shot through the heart.

Shaking his head at Kyle's juvenile antics Elliot went to get the suitcases from the car.  Kyle watched him a moment a mischievous grin appeared on his face as he stuck his foot out to send Elliot sprawling on the ground.  Before Elliot was able to get up Kyle tackled him.  They wrestled for a few minutes until Kyle pinned Elliot to the ground.  "I win," Kyle announced.

"Kyle let me up," Elliot struggled beneath him.

"Not until I get my prize," Kyle said with a smile looking down into Elliot's eyes.

"What prize?" Elliot asked as he tried to free himself.

"This ...." Kyle said as he brought his mouth down on Elliot's.

When they parted Elliot gasped "that in my book makes us both winner."  Kyle smiled as he pulled Elliot up.

"I could do this all day," Kyle smiled gazing into Elliot's eyes.

Leaning close Elliot devoured Kyle's mouth "have I told you lately how much I love you?"

Shaking his head "no but you show me in a hundred different ways." Kyle smiled "come on we better get inside before Brian comes looking for us."

Smirking Elliot playfully punched Kyle's arm "Brian isn't oblivious.  He knows what we're doing."

Kyle rolled his eyes as his face grew hot.  He doubted he would ever get used to how open Elliot's family was with each other.  He was still in shock with how they had accepted him and his relationship with Elliot.  Knowing how opposed his family was it made it twice as difficult for to accept Elliot's family, he kept expecting them to turn against him.  He had nothing to base that fear on and if anything they keep proving him wrong.  Thinking of his family he knew he had never been one to blindly accept his father's iron rule like his brother.  He had never been able adopt his father's way of thinking or stomach his actions.  In a lot of ways he had been the source of contention in his family always bucking the system.   Shaking his head Kyle thought of his offer to donate sperm to his brother and wife if they decided on AI.  He thought it was a reasonable compromise, he'd get control of his life and they would get the heir they wanted for their father's estate.  It fell flat.  It boiled down to his father's obsession to control him and nothing more or less was going to appease him.

Every day he had to endure the made up stories of the so-called character witnesses his father's lawyer produced.  There was no doubt in Kyle's mind they each and everyone of them had been paid or threatened by his father to tell their lies.  Corina did her best debunking their testimony and she produced her own character witnesses as well.  She was good and he was grateful she was representing pro bono but he knew his father's money that the lawyer she was up against was one of the best money could buy.

***

The slamming of a car door broke up Kyle's thoughts as he looked up and saw a taxi drive away. Then he noticed the guy standing in the road staring at him and Elliot.  "That can't be who I think it is, is it?" Elliot asked.

Groaning Kyle walked down the sidewalk towards the man "what the hell are you doing here?"

I received a subpoena to be a character witness.  So here I am," he smirked.

"The hell," Kyle exploded.

"Hey don't get mad at me.  It wasn't my idea."  Percy shot back "ask that hot little number you hired as your lawyer.  It was her idea."  Eyeing Elliot Percy said without looking at Kyle "now I understand why you were so awkward with your attempts with Ivy.  You were batting for the other team all the time."

Kyle felt Elliot tug on his arm trying to get his attention.  Kyle knew he wanted to keep him from smashing his fist into Percy's face "It's not worth it," Elliot whispered in his ear.

"What are you doing her?" Elliot asked.

"The lawyer chic said I could stay with her brother since I didn't have enough money for a hotel," Percy explained.

Elliot's lips thinned as he thought of Brian and how  he would react to having this person in his house.  He could strangle Corina for putting him in this situation, knowing her though she had forgotten all about what happened on SSI.   Elliot knew how upset Brian had been at the betrayal this was going to tear him up.  "I don't think this is a good idea."

"Why?" Percy asked in a belligerent tone.  Kyle and this kid represented everything he despised. Spoiled rich kids who didn't know the meaning of hardship.  This whole trial was ridiculous as far as he was concerned.

"For one we're staying her" Elliot told him.

Laughing Percy said "what's the matter can't afford a hotel?  Already spent daddy's allowance? That's just precious.  I knew Kyle wouldn't have two nickles to rub together but your daddy's loaded. What's the matter?  Isn't he as supportive of his gay son as the papers make him out to be?"

"We're staying here because Brian is my brother and Corina is my sister, you know the lawyer chic. That's why you staying here isn't a good idea," Elliot said through clenched teeth.

Putting his hands up in mock surrender "don't get yourself all worked up kid.  I didn't know.  Besides I thought Brian would live in something a little more .... I don't know grand or something being a hit movie composer."

"Elliot why don't you go inside and warn Brian," Kyle said while he stared daggers at Percy.  

"You don't scare me you wuss," Percy told him crossing his arms trying to hide his misgivings of being here.  He dismissed the fleeting thought that not every rich person had it easy.  He thought back to his audition tape for SSI.  At the time he just wanted to get his voice out there to save the forest from greedy commercialism. It worked but now everyone expected him to be the back stabbing SOB they saw on TV.  He wasn't complaining, the reputation has come in handy and had landed him with jobs he wouldn't otherwise have been given.  A lot of times he'd been given the job of getting compromising pictures of individuals where the paparazzi couldn't get without being noticed.  It paid well and he needed the money.  It didn't really bother him that the pictures he took may have caused someone else pain.   How much pain could someone have when they had the money to spread around to make any situation disappear?

Kyle stared at Percy wondering what his game was "these are good people Percy ...."

"Aw cry me a river," Percy rolled his eyes unmoved.  "If you didn't want me here.  Why didn't you ask someone else to be your character witness?  Oh I get it.  You did and they turned you down. That's it isn't?  Gene and Ashton turn you down after they found out they shared a room with a ...."

"That's enough Percy," Brian scowled at the him as he walked towards them.  Brian looked Percy up and down crossing his arms "hand over all your recording devices and cameras."

"Hey no I have every right to take pictures of whom ever I want," Percy protested.

"If you want to stay in my home for free you'll hand them over.  If not there's the road."  Brian was adamant Percy wasn't coming into his house to with cameras blazing.   "I don't like or trust you Percy.  I won't have you upsetting my wife and kids."

"What gives you the idea I would do that?" Percy asked feigning innocence.

Brian's eyes narrowed "don't try and con me.  You played me for a fool once.  That's all you get.  I know you freelance for the rags that masquerade as magazines.  I'm aware that people would pay to get pictures of my kids, my wife and house.  I don't live under a rock like some people."  He looked meaningfully at Percy "do you really think not knowing the fallout of the pictures you sell means no one gets hurt?  I thought you were better than that."

"I need the money," Percy told him.

"You're deluding yourself if you believe that's the reason you do it," Brian told him hands on hips "you enjoy it. The feeling of getting one up on the rich because you despise everything they represent.  Well I have news for you, just because a person has money doesn't mean their life is easy and care free. We all have problems."

"You don't know anything about me," Percy objected.

"I know enough to know I don't want you anywhere near my family."  Brian stood unrelenting in his demand.

"Tell your lady lawyer to find someone else to be character witness for gay boy over there.  I won't do it."  Percy said smiling as he thought he had them over a barrel.  He'd get his way and the pictures that he came for.

Shrugging Brian took his phone out "Corina what the hell were you thinking?  Percy of all people." Brian eyed Percy with undisguised disapproval "No I won't calm down," he nearly shouted at his sister.  "What's my problem?  This little shit won't hand over his recording devices and cameras .... I don't care if it is his right.   He's not coming into my house with them.  Now he says he won't testify." Brian nodded  "Ok I'll do that."  He smiled as he turned to Percy "We don't need you after all.  So you can get the hell off my property."

Percy's mouth fell open "I don't believe you ..."

Walking away Brian said "I could care less what  you believe.  Just so long as you leave."

Standing on the street Percy watched them walk away.   Now what was he going to do?  How was he going to get home?  Corina paid for his ticket out here.  Now that he wasn't testifying he doubted she'd pay for his ticket home and he didn't have enough cash on him for a hotel.  Then there was the complication of the job he took to get pictures of Brian's family. He couldn't go back empty handed; especially now since he took an advance on the money he was offered. He couldn't pay it back and he'd never get another job if he failed.  Smiling he knew what he could do.  "Wait," he called out. They stopped and waited for him to continue "I'll do it.  All my equipment is in this bag." He said walking towards them.  "See I can be reasonable and a good guy when I want to be."

Credit:  Percy Wilde is the creation of LegendofSim - Thank you for letting me use him in my story.