Betrayal Unmasked 

Sean’s POV

I watch him. I watch him travel alone. I watch him room alone. I watch him do everything alone. I watch him tear through everyone in the ring. I watch him destroy everyone in his path. I watch him declare he’s a monster. I watch it all and I know that it’s my fault. Just when he was finding his heart, just as he was learning to trust, I destroyed that. It’s not something I’m proud of. I knew exactly where he was most vulnerable and I used that against him. Why did I do it? It’s not what people think. It wasn’t just about reuniting DX. Hunter just happened to approach me when I was weak. I was weak and afraid. Afraid of what I was feeling. Too afraid to tell Kane that my feelings for him had moved far beyond friendship. I was too much of a coward to even hope that he could return those feelings. So it was easier to turn my back on him. It was easier to hurt him than to love him and hope that he would love me in return. So now I watch. I watch him choke slam his way through everyone one on the roster. And every time another victim hits the mat I watch a piece of him die. I watch him destroy himself.

Kane’s POV

I tell the world I’m a monster. I may even have them believing it. If they only knew the truth, the truth is I can’t get him out of my head. No. Scratch that. I can’t get him out of my heart. I knew he could never love someone like me, but I had resigned myself to being content with his friendship. I even foolishly believed he would never betray me. How wrong I was. I can hardly blame him. Why would he want anything to do with a freak like me? But in spite of it all I still care. I know I shouldn’t but I do. Even when I was fighting him I never hurt him like I could have. I couldn’t bring myself to hurt him. How fucked up is that? The guy betrays me in the worst way and I can’t find it in me to kick his ass. So I bury my feelings and take my frustrations out on anyone else I can get my hands on. Even my own brother, I choke slammed him right through the ring. Of course that was more for Sean than for me. I did it for all the times he attacked Sean as way to hurt me. I thought causing some pain to others would ease my own pain but it doesn’t. Every match, every run in, every attack back stage, each one leaves me emptier than when I began. But that’s ok. Eventually maybe there won’t be anything left in me to hurt.

Sean’s POV

I finally told Hunter to go to hell. DX has pretty much dissolved anyway. I never did like Stephanie. Tori was Hunters idea to use as a way to torment Kane but she and I were never really together. Little does Hunter know that she and Kane were nothing more than friends. She wanted the power and backing of DX and I was still hiding from my true feelings so the two of us pretended to do what Hunter wanted. Jesse and I never really worked as a tag team, so he found himself another partner. Billy wanted no part of DX when he came back. Smart man. The only reason I stayed loyal to Hunter as long as I did is because I didn’t really have any other options. But the truth is I just don’t care anymore. So I told him not to count on me being one of his boot lickers any more. Needless to say he wasn’t happy. Don’t misunderstand, not because he cares about me, but because the decision wasn’t his. Hunter likes to be in control, and he doesn’t like to be crossed. That’s why I’m not surprised when I hear the Radicals music begin to play in the middle of my match with Jericho. Yep, here they come, all four of them. I try to fight them off but I’m no match for all of them. As I’m thrown into the ring post I feel a sharp pain in my side. Yea, that was probably a rib or two. One of them clocks me with a belt, and I can feel the blood flowing down my face. Now I’m lying on the mat but I’m not sure how I got here. I don’t know if they took me down or if I simply fell. It doesn’t matter anyway; it’ll be over soon. They’re stomping on me; everything’s getting blurry, now I just wait for the darkness to claim me. Did I just hear Kanes pyro go off? Good, he can finish me off; I deserve it after what I did to him. It’s too bad I was never man enough to tell him how sorry I am.

Kane’s POV

I watch his match as I always do, but something is not right. He didn’t come out with his usual cocky bounciness. What the hell are the Radicals doing out there? That’s not right, they’re supposed to be in Hunters back pocket. I watch as they pound on him unmercifully. He must have done something to piss off Hunter. I should be enjoying this but I’m not. I feel each blow with him. He’s bleeding now, isn’t someone going to stop this? They’re not letting up they just keep beating on him. I can’t watch anymore. Without even being aware that I’ve made the decision, I’m moving, heading for the ring.

Sean’s POV

The fuzz is starting to clear, but it seems like too much effort to open my eyes so I don’t. Hmmm, I’m in a bed, rough sheets and a tube in my arm, antiseptic odor in the air. It’s gotta be your standard hospital room. Ok, I’m gonna open my eyes now, slowly. Finally I can focus, yep there’s the standard beside table, TV above my head, I turn slowly to check the other side of the room. What the fuck? That can’t be right, maybe I’m still unconscious, I close my eyes tight and slowly open them again. What I see makes my heart skip and my breath catch. Its Kane, sleeping, sprawled uncomfortably in the chair by my bed. I can’t imagine what he’s doing here, but his presence comforts me. I’m too sleepy to contemplate the meaning of that; I’ll just take a little nap. When I wake again I immediately look for Kane, but he’s not there. I don’t know what I was expecting, I must have been dreaming before. After all, why would he be here? I turn expectantly when I hear the door open, but it’s only a doctor.

"Well Mr. Waltman, I guess I’ll have plenty to say the next time I hear someone say that wrestling is fake."

"Funny doc," I say flatly. "When can I get out of here?" I hate hospitals. I’ve spent way too much time in them.

"Probably later this afternoon, I want to wait for the last series of test results, make sure we didn’t miss anything, then you can go. But no wrestling for several weeks. You need to give your body time to heal. You’ve got 12 stitches in your head, two broken ribs, and a nasty bump on the head. Not to mention various scrapes and bruises."

"Yea, sure doc, whatever." I don’t even care anymore. I could die right now and no one would give a rat’s ass. It’s no less than what I deserve.

"That’s all for now. I’ll check on you later this afternoon and assuming nothing unexpected shows up I’ll release you. In the mean time you’ve got a visitor outside waiting to see you."

"A visitor?" God please don’t let it be Hunter with some bullshit about how this was some kind of tough love lesson.

"Yes, he was here all night. It’s against hospital policy, but he made up his mind he was going to stay and quite frankly there wasn’t anyone who was going to argue with him."

He walked out the door and a minute later my ‘visitor’ walked in.

Kane? What the hell?

Kane’s POV

As I enter his room I’m surprised, and afraid, to see him awake. I don’t know what makes me think he’d want me here, but I need to see for myself that he’s o.k. He looks at me with wide eyes as I walk slowly towards his bed. I don’t know what to say to him so I simply look back.

Finally it’s him who breaks the silence, "Kane, what are you doing here?" His voice isn’t angry he just sounds tired. But how do I answer him when I don’t understand myself what brought me here. I shrug my shoulders and decide to try out a little honesty, "I don’t know", I answer him.

He contemplates that for a moment before he speaks again. "I woke up earlier and saw you sleeping in the chair. I thought I was dreaming." He pauses and takes a deep breath before he continues. "I’m glad I wasn’t."

My head snaps up at that. Did I hear him right? I must have because he’s looking at me with those eyes, for once unguarded, like he’s afraid I’ll snap the olive branch he’s just offered.

No way am I gonna do that. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and smile. A smile not to be seen because of my mask. But he’ll know. I’m confident he’ll see that same smile in my eyes. He always could read my eyes. He’s the only one who ever could. He doesn’t disappoint, I know he sees it because I see relief wash over him before he speaks again. "Kane, I’m so sorry. For everything."

And just like that I’m ready to trust him again. I know I should be suspicious but I can’t find it in myself. The tears in his eyes, the raw emotion in his voice, and the way he’s suddenly clutching my hand all tell me he’s sincere.

He’s waiting for my response but I don’t think I can trust my own voice. There’s really only one thing for me to say and I finally choke it out, "forgiven."

The next thing I know I’m holding him as he sobs into my chest. I stroke circles on his back trying to comfort him as I surrender to my own tears. Finally he calms down and eventually his even breathing tells me he’s asleep. I ease him back on the bed but as I release him he begins to whimper, so I take his hand gently in mine and this seems to calm him. O.k. if that’s what he wants I won’t deny him. I slide the chair closer to the bed and sit, never releasing his hand. This is where I’ll stay; this is where I belong.

Sean’s POV

He comes in my room and silently walks toward my bed. When I ask him why he’s here, he’s silent for a moment before shrugging his shoulders and telling me he doesn’t know. There’s a sadness in his eyes and I still must not be thinking clearly because something in his voice has me believing that just maybe he doesn’t hate me. I decide to test the waters, I tell him I saw him earlier, tell him I’m glad it wasn’t a dream. So there it is. I wait to see how he responds. His head snaps up and he searches my eyes, probably looking for the lies, the hatred. He won’t find any. I’m too tired and broken to deny how much he means to me anymore. I wait for him to tell me to go to hell. But the words never come, instead an amazing thing happens. He sighs deeply and then I see a smile light up his eyes. God, I’ve missed those eyes. It gives me the courage to continue. I owe him that much. It’s all I can do to keep the tears from slipping down my cheeks as I apologize. The words hang in the air as I wait for him to respond. Finally one whispered word slips from his lips, ‘forgiven’. It’s all the more meaningful in it’s simplicity. No questions, no conditions, just pure simple forgiveness. I don’t deserve it, but I’ll take it. I can’t contain my emotions any longer; I dive into his arms and sob out my relief. The movement hurts my broken body, but it’s nothing compared to the emotional pain that one word has just healed. He holds me gently, stroking my back comfortingly and eventually my tears stop and I feel sleep begin to claim me. I should let go of him but I can’t, this is the only place I want to be.

Kane’s POV

I’ve sat here for hours holding his hand and watching him sleep. The doctor came back to say they’re preparing to release him. He seems so peaceful I don’t want to disturb him but if he doesn’t wake soon I’m going have to wake him. Finally he begins to stir and when he opens his eyes and sees me, he actually smiles. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him smile. Not that sinister smirk he’d been sporting since getting sucked back into DX but a genuine smile. It looks good on him. When I tell him they’re releasing him, he moves as quickly as his injured body will allow him to get ready to leave. I give him his bag that I retrieved from the arena before coming here and go outside to wait for him. He dresses quickly, but it’s another hour before all the paperwork is complete and we leave. As I drive he begins to speak, "if you could just take me to whatever hotel you’re at I’ll get a room there."

"No," I tell him.

He looks at me incredulously, almost afraid, "what do you mean no?"

I guess I should be a little clearer, "I’ve got a double, you can room with me."

"Kane, you don’t have to."

"I know I don’t. You’re hurt. I’m not leaving you alone."

For a moment I think he’s going to argue with me, but he concedes, "o.k. Thanks."

Sean’s POV

I shouldn’t let him do this for me but it just feels right to let him take care of me. The fact is I’d much rather share a room with him than be alone. As I shift in my seat pain racks my body and a groan escapes my lips. He looks at me concerned, "you alright?"

I nod, "yea, I’ll make it. Damn they banged me up pretty good, what happened after I passed out anyway?"

He seems startled by my question, "standard procedure stuff, it took some doing but they we’re pulled off you then you were treated and put in the ambulance."

I shake my head, "the last thing I remember is four pairs of feet stomping on me, then waking up in the hospital."

"Your lucky you weren’t hurt a lot worse," this said as we pull into the hotel parking lot.

We make our way silently to his room, once there I immediately crawl onto one of the beds. I can’t believe how tired and sore I am. Kanes sitting on the other bed looking at me expectantly. "So, care to tell me what you did to piss off Hunter so bad that he’d sic all four of The Radicals on you?"

I should’ve known that was coming. "I told him I was through with DX, and through being one of his flunkies."

"Why?"

He doesn’t pull any punches does he? "Because I hated what we were doing and I hated myself for doing it."

"You must have known he’d react that way."

I nodded, "yea, and that’s exactly why I didn’t do it sooner. I was too much of coward to walk away."

"What changed?"

"It just got to be too much. I began to hate myself so much I didn’t care what Hunter did to me; I just wanted out." I take a deep breath before I continue; he deserves more of an apology than the brief one I gave him. "Most of all Kane, I hated what I did to you. Nothing I can say to you can make it up to you. I can’t even explain why I did it, but I am sorry. I know I have no right to ask, but if you’ll give me the chance I’ll prove to you that you can trust me again."

Kane’s POV

He looks at me expectantly; trust him again? As much as my head screams no, my heart desperately wants to trust him. My heart wins. I’ve already told him once that he’s forgiven, but evidently he needs to hear it again. He seems to have punished himself enough; I don’t want to punish him any more. "I thought we went through this already. I don’t want to dwell it. I’ve spent too much of my life harboring anger and seeking revenge. As far as I’m concerned it’s over. It’s in the past. Let’s move forward, friends. I believe in you Sean." It’s as close to completely honest with anyone as I’ve ever been. The one thing I still can’t tell him is that what I really want is to love him. But I’ll take what I can get.

Sean’s POV

He believes in me? I think he’s the only one who ever has. I’m not sure what to do with that except to be glad that after all I’ve done he’s willing to forgive and forget. What an idiot am I to have destroyed our friendship to begin with. Some will think he’s weak for trusting me again but to continue to hate would be the easy thing. For him to forgive me and trust me is the true act of courage. There’s no questioning Kane’s physical strength but who knew he would prove to be so strong emotionally. I’m glad he is. "You won’t regret this," I tell him. As I settle back into the bed I realize it’s six o’clock in the evening and there’s a show tonight. "Kane, shouldn’t you be at the show tonight?"

"I’m not going. I’m staying with you."

"What do you mean your not going? Vince won’t be happy."

"Fuck Vince."

O.k. then, I know better than to argue with him when he makes up his mind about something. I’m too tired to argue anyway.

Sean’s POV

When I wake the next morning I can hear the water running in the next room. I pick up the remote and flip through the channels while I wait for Kane to finish in the shower. I stumble upon ‘Livewire’ and watch Michael Cole recount Eddie and Chynas break up. The teaser before the commercial catches my attention, ‘When we return, is Kane reuniting with an old friend?’ When the commercials are over I watch the replay of my match with Jericho. The match barely begins before The Radicals make their way to the ring. They waste little time in systematically tearing me apart. I fall to the mat and the referees try unsuccessfully to pull them off me. Suddenly Kanes pyro goes off and I watch the TV in shock as Kane makes his way to the ring.

The crowd was going crazy, and JR was flabbergasted, "King, here comes Kane, my god, what's he going to do?"

"Oh, no he's going to pummel what's left of Xpac," was Kings response.

But I watch Kane slide into the ring, grab each one of The Radicals and choke slam each of them in turn. After he had cleared them from the ring, Kane stood over me with his hands on his hips, shaking his head sadly. He stood there for a brief moment before gently picking me up, and carrying me up the ramp.

JR was beside himself, "Kane has just come to Xpac's rescue!!! But why, King? Why?"

"I don't know JR, who knows why 'the big red retard' does what he does."

Why indeed, standard procedure stuff my ass. I hear movement behind me and I turn to see Kane standing in the bathroom doorway watching me. "You helped me? Why? Why would you help me after everything I did to you?" I ask him.

His voice is barely a whisper when he answers, "How could I not?" It’s then that I realize exactly what it was I threw away and almost lost. When it came right down to it he remained a better friend to me than I had ever been to him. How do I respond to that?

"Thank you," is all I manage to come up with.

Kane’s POV

Why? It was done before I knew I had acted. It’s true what I told him. How could I not? He’s everything to me, even if he doesn’t know it. Little does he know that when he asked for my forgiveness, it was already his for the taking. It makes me vulnerable, I know it. I don’t like that anyone could be that important to me, but I seem to have little choice in the matter. Yea, Sean helped me find my heart, but in finding it I also learned that there’s no controlling it.

Sean’s POV

It’s been a month since I left DX and Hunter behind me. I’ve been on the road with Kane, but am only just now starting to work matches again. Kane and I quickly fell back into the easy companionship we had before I went temporarily insane and went back to DX. I know now that I’m exactly where I belong and I made up my mind to tell Kane just how much he means to me. Tell him that I love him. There’s just one thing I have to do first. I have to confront Hunter. I know he’s not done with me. I know he’s stalking me, just waiting for the right moment to extract his revenge and until he gets it I’m a target, and so is Kane. So I decided to go to him first, because until I settle this thing with Hunter I can’t move forward.

Kane’s POV

I pace the locker room waiting for Sean to return from cutting his promo. I still can’t believe what I saw as I watched the monitor. Finally he returns, and I waste little time demanding an explanation. "A hardcore match against Hunter? What in the hell are you thinking Sean?"

"I knew you wouldn’t approve, that’s why I didn’t tell you."

I’m nearly speechless, nearly but not quite, "Sean you’ve only just come back from the last beating he orchestrated on you. Now you’re walking right into another one. Are you insane?"

"Look Kane, I have to do this. I have to stand up to Hunter and show him I’m not some little lap dog he can kick around." He looks at me pleadingly begging me to understand.

"But Sean, a Hardcore match? This is the guy that retired Foley, the guy that stops at nothing to get what he wants. He doesn’t fight fair Sean, and you just challenged him to a match that makes it legal for him to use every dirty trick he knows."

"I know, but it makes it legal for me too. Please try to understand that I have to do this."

I shake my head, I know there’s no arguing with him. And I can’t blame him for wanting to do it, but that does nothing to ease my fear. I tell him the only thing I can, "please be careful".

"I will" he answers, "there’s one more thing Kane. You have to promise to stay out of this, you have to let me do this on my own."

I groan; not this again. My answer surprises him, "no."

"Kane I’m telling you, please stay out of this."

"No, Sean. Not this time. As long as it stays one on one I’ll keep my distance, but the minute one of his flunkies interferes all bets are off. I’m sorry Sean but I won’t stand by and watch you get seriously hurt or worse. I will not lose you again. I won’t. You’re too important to me." I choke on the last words and turn my head so he won’t see the tears in my eyes.

Sean’s POV

I want to be angry with him, but I can’t. There was something in that last outburst. Something in his eyes and in his voice as much as in the words themselves. Then it finally hits me. Love. God, could it have been there all along and I missed it? I go to him and reach up to turn his face to me and remove his mask. There it is in his eyes, clouded by unshed tears but there just the same, love. Man, I could have saved us both a lot of grief if I hadn’t been too blind to see it before. We’ve wasted enough time. I cup his face in my hands as I speak, "Kane, I love you." His face lights up at my words and in a flash I’m wrapped up in his arms. He nuzzles my neck and my whole body tingles, as much from his touch as from the words he whispers in my ear, "I love you too Sean. I always have." And then he kisses me. It’s sweet and tender and passionate all at once. I lean into the kiss and go limp in his arms as his tongue explores my mouth and trails across the roof. When his mouth leaves mine to trail kisses along my cheek and down to my neck I can’t help but whimper. And when his hands reach between us to pluck my nipples I can only groan in pleasure. Never before in my life has anyone made me feel this way and we’ve only just begun. The magic of the moment is shattered by a knock on the door, "ten minutes until your match Mr. Waltman."

Kane and I stare at each other as we both try to catch our breath. When I can finally speak again I tell him, "I’m gonna go kick Hunters ass and then we can pick this up at the hotel."

He grins at me as he speaks, "just be careful Baby, I’ve got plans for you and none of them include a trip to the hospital."

He called me Baby. I like that. "Don’t worry" I tell him as I kiss him one more time.

When we part he squeezes my hand as he speaks, "I’ve got your back. I love you Sean."

Yep, no way is he gonna stay out of this match if things get out of hand. But instead of making me angry, it’s comforting. Somehow, now, instead of making me feel weak it just makes me feel loved. "I love you too" I tell him as I release his hand and head for the ring.

Kane’s POV

He loves me. I can hardly believe it as I watch him walk away, but he does. He loves me. And then I curse Hunter, because instead of celebrating our newly declared love for one another I’m plagued by an overwhelming fear for Sean’s safety.

The match begins and I watch from the monitor resisting the urge to run out there with every blow My Love takes. They throw everything they have at each other and then some. But neither man will stay down. I can tell Hunters getting frustrated by Sean’s resiliency. Hell, he’s known for that. Hunter should know that as well as anybody. When another blow with a trashcan fails to keep Sean down Chris Benoit suddenly appears seemly out of nowhere. That’s it. I rush to the ramp and by the time I get to the ring Benoit’s got Sean in the crossface and Hunter is climbing into the ring with a lead pipe. I pull Hunter from the ring apron and toss him to the ground before sliding into the ring. One quick sharp blow to Benoit is enough to make him break the crossface. I add a few more punches before throwing him over the top rope and out of the ring. But when I turn around my heart stops. Hunter’s got Sean set up for the pedigree and in the split second before he finishes the move I can see it’s no ordinary pedigree. He’s holding Sean’s head with his chin tucked in, an angle guaranteed to cause serious injury to the strongest neck let a lone one weakened by previous injury. I lunge at Hunter, trying to stop it, but I’m not quick enough and Sean’s head is driven forcefully into the ring with a sickening thud. I stare in shock at Sean’s motionless body before turning to glare at Hunter who’s standing at the ropes smirking. One look into the Bastards eyes tells me he knew exactly what he was doing. He should have left when he had the chance. Before he has a chance to react I grab him and choke slam him over the top rope and onto the ground. Then there’s nothing I can do but watch the medics treat Sean and carry him from the ring.

Kane’s POV

Even as I stand here crying silent tears I can feel my heart hardening. I don’t regret loving him. I understand you can’t have joy without sorrow. And if I didn’t know the incredible sorrow I’m now feeling now, then I could never have experienced the overwhelming joy that came from loving him. And for one brief wonderful moment I basked in the knowledge that he loved me in return. But only for him would I ever expose my soul. I finger his name etched in the stone as I cry my final tears, and say my final goodbye. "I love you Sean, with an intensity and completeness that I didn’t know I was capable of. You are the first and only I ever loved Baby……… and you will be the last. Rest well my love." As I stand I wipe the last, and they will be the last, of the tears from under my mask. And as I turn to walk away my heart slams securely shut. I have no intention of ever using it again. I said I was a monster before, but now that Sean has been buried, and all my love with him, the true monster in me can emerge. God help Hunter, and God help anyone who dares get in my way.

The End

Well, what do you think? When I started this I had a happy ending planned, but my muses had other ideas.