Author: Katie
E-mail: [email protected]
Disclaimer: Only in my dreams do I have any say in what these guys (or girls) do. I don't own 'em & I'm not claiming that this happened, only in my mind.
Distribution: Only at Castles in the Sky http://members.tripod.com/katemarie_1
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Jeff joins the X-Factor and Matt's not happy about it.
Note: This was started because I absolutely HATE that Lita cheats for the Hardy's. It ticks me off and this came out of it.
Another Note: This first part is more of a teaser so go with me okay?
"Dammit, dammit, dammit. Why the fuck does that bitch have to interfere in every single one of their matches?" Sean Waltman says throwing furniture around X-Factor's dressing room.
Justin Credible ducks a flying chair. "I don't know man. Why don't you ask one of the pretty boys?"
Albert stands there impassive as a table flies by his head. "Maybe we should find her and ask her."
Sean turns around slowly and grins. "Ya know what Albert, you may be right. Let's go find the little bitch and let her know how we feel about her interfering in our match."
The three members of X-Factor walk out of the dressing room in search of Lita.
"Where is she Hardy? I don't give two shits about you or your brother; I just want to find Matt's little bitch. Now where is she?" Sean has Jeff pinned against the wall.
"I don't know Sean. Last I saw of either of them they were talking about going back to the hotel and celebrating the victory. I'm sorry man. I didn't want her to help. I hate her as much as you do. Please Sean you've got to believe me."
Sean let's go of the youngest Hardy and steps back looking into Jeff's crystal green eyes. He nods. "I believe you kid. What hotel are they staying at?"
Jeff frowns and looks away. "I don't know man. Matt wouldn�t tell me. He said he didn't want me bothering him and Lita with my pettiness."
Sean looks over at Justin who frowns. Albert raises an eyebrow. "Are you serious kid? Your brother won't tell you what hotel he's staying at?" Justin asks incredulous.
Jeff looks up at Justin with tears in his eyes. "Do you really think my brother gives a shit about me? What happens in front of the cameras and our fans is an act man. Matt won't even talk to me unless it has something to do with work. He hates my guts."
Sean motions Justin closer and they have a quick whispered conference. Sean turns back to Jeff. "If you're lying to us kid, so help me I will beat your skinny ass into a bloody pulp."
Jeff looks up at Sean. "Why would I lie? Besides you can ask Jericho. He's seen what an ass my brother is to me." Sean nods at Justin who goes off in search of Chris Jericho. "Or you can ask Eddy. Everyone thinks he's been hanging around because of Lita. He's not. He's trying to help me get away from Matt and that bitch."
Sean looks at Albert who nods and goes off in search of Eddy Guerrero. "Jeff, why does your brother hate you so much?"
"If I tell you you'll just kick my ass anyway so why don't we get that part over with?"
"I'm not gonna kick your ass Jeffrey. But I want to know why Matt would hate his baby brother."
Jeff looks up into Sean's brown eyes and frowns. "Why do you care all of a sudden? A couple of minutes ago you were ready to kick my ass. Now you're all nice and shit. What's going on?"
Sean frowns. "I don't know Jeff. But I do know that I don't like the idea of anybody treating you like Matt apparently does."
Jeff chews on his lower lip before answering. "Matt hates me because I don't like women."
Sean raises an eyebrow and just stares at Jeff.
Jeff looks away and frowns. "What? You know what why don't you just kick my ass and get it over with? That's what everyone else has done when they found out. Except for�"
Sean interrupts. "Jericho and Guerrero right?" Jeff nods. "Jeff, I'm not gonna kick your ass just cause your gay. That would be just slightly hypocritical of me now wouldn't it?"
Jeff looks up shocked. "You mean you're�" Jeff trails off his question unasked.
Sean nods and smiles. "Yeah. I'm gay. How else do you think Hunter got me to do anything he wanted me to?"
"I don't know. I just assumed that because you guys were such good friends�" Jeff trails off feeling stupid.
Sean smiles and reaches out touching Jeff shoulder. "It's okay Jeff. A lot of people don't know that I am gay. It's not a fact I'd like everyone to know. And I got my share of ass kicking's when I was found out over in WCW. Luckily for me I had Kev and Scott there protecting my butt."
Jeff smiles in response and Sean takes a step back. "Come on. Get your shit. You're coming with me back to my hotel room."
"But I thought that you and Justin shared a room?"
"Nah he rooms with Albert. They have become really good friends. So come on kid." Jeff nods and throws his stuff in his bag. Hoisting the bag over his shoulder, Jeff follows Sean out to X-Factor's rental car. Albert smiles at him and takes the bag throwing it in the truck with the others. "Do you have a hotel room already Jeff?"
"Nah, I was gonna talk CJ into letting me bunk with him. He usually doesn't mind."
Sean looks at Jeff and notices his reaction. He smiles to himself. "Well, if you want to room with Chris it's no big deal Jeff."
"Nah, I don't care where I sleep as long as I get some. Sleep I mean." Jeff adds hastily when Sean raises an eyebrow at him.
Sean laughs as do the car's other occupants. "Jeff, it's okay. I knew what you meant."
Jeff blushes and shakes his head. They arrive at the hotel minutes later and everyone climbs out. Sean leads the younger Hardy up to his room. "Here ya go. You can take whichever bed. I need to get a shower, I feel all nasty right now."
Jeff smiles and flops down on one of the beds. He looks up at Sean, who is staring at him. "Yeah?"
"Are you in love with Chris?"
Jeff's eyes widen in surprise. "What makes you think that?" Jeff asks nervously.
"Just the way you say his name. When you say CJ it sounds like you worship the man."
Jeff blushes and lowers his gaze. "He's not into me. He has a crush on Hunter. I've been trying to tell him to ask Hunter out but he thinks he'll get turned down."
Sean frowns. "He will. Hunter isn't into men anymore. He decided he needed to go straight. Pun intended." Sean shrugs. "I guess that's his prerogative ya know?"
"So in other words maybe I should take my own advice?"
"Actually� Yeah, I think you should. Not that you should expect him to welcome you with open arms but you should at least tell the man how you feel about him. He deserves to know."
Jeff sits up. You know what. You're right. I'll be back Sean." Jeff jumps to his feet and grabs the key card. He leans over and kisses Sean on the cheek.
"No hurry Rainbow." Sean watches a little bit sadly as Jeff rushes out the door.
Two weeks later
"Jeffrey Nero Hardy, what the fuck is wrong with you? Who the hell do you think you are turning your back on me for those fags in X-Factor?" Matt Hardy stands in their dressing room screaming at his brother.
"I didn't turn my back on you. I just stopped Lita from cheating. That bitch needs to step off so we can regain a little bit of our credibility with the fans again. They're starting to hate us Matt. They can't stand that the only way we ever win is if Lita comes in and saves the day." Jeff yells back every bit as loud as Matt.
Matt draws back his arm and let's loose on his younger brother. Jeff fights back with everything he has but he's no match for his older and bigger brother. Matt soon has him pinned to the floor and is beating him mercilessly. Jeff tries to protect himself but after a few minutes, Jeff has passed out and Matt continues to beat on him.
Sean comes in shortly after Jeff passes out and sees what's going on. He moves in to help but Lita jumps on him, trying to beat him up. Sean calls for his back up and Justin and Albert burst into the room. Albert picks Lita up off of Sean and throws her across the room where she hits the wall with a resounding thud. She slides limply to the floor and Sean rushes Matt, throwing him off the younger man. Matt and Sean fight for several minutes before Sean quickly gains the upper hand. Sean throws a final punch at Matt, knocking him unconscious. Sean pulls himself off of Matt and walks over to Jeff who is just beginning to come around. Chris comes running into the room and asks what happened. Sean tells him and allows the older man to scoop Jeff up off the floor. Although Chris told Jeff he wasn't interested in him in that way Sean had noticed how much more protective CJ had become towards the young man. Chris carries him gently over to the couch and starts to clean his wounds carefully. Jeff wakes up and tries to smile at the older men who surround him but winces when the split in his lip reopens and blood starts gushing out.
Sean, Justin and Albert lead the way for Chris to carry Jeff out to the car. Jeff finally agreed to go to the hospital and have his lip looked at. Sean intended to have the doctor look over the other injuries as well.
Chris Benoit comes rushing out of the arena with all of Jeff & CJ's stuff. He throws it in the trunk of the car he and Chris are sharing and hops behind the wheel. He looks in the rearview mirror and smiles at Chris who is too busy watching Jeff to notice.
They arrive at the hotel and all five men are hovering over the small blonde in Chris's arms. Jeff rolls his eyes and then winces in pain. "Guys, would you just back off? It's not like Matt's never beat me up before." Jeff tries in vain to get off of Chris's lap. Chris only tightens his hold. Jeff turns a little in his seat and looks at Chris. "Please let me go CJ. I don't feel right with you holding me."
Chris frowns and then realizes why Jeff said this. He lets the younger man go and Jeff slides into the seat next to Sean. Jeff looks up at Sean sadly and the dark haired man wraps an arm around him. "Shhhh. It's okay Jeff. Chris was just worried about you. I'm sure if I hadn't been the first one in the room, Chris would've been the one to beat the shit out of Matt for you."
Jeff pulls back. "You what? Why the hell did you do that Sean?"
"Jeff, he had you out cold. Someone had to do something."
"You didn't have to beat Matt up. Damn Sean, now he's really gonna be out for my ass."
"Why'd he beat you up in the first place Jeff?" Albert asks.
"Because he thinks that by stopping Lita from interfering in our match I was helping you guys out. He wouldn't listen when I told him that she was the reason the fans don't like us as much." Jeff hangs his head and sighs.
Chris looks at Sean and they both frown. Sean leans down to whisper to Jeff. "I'll be right back Jeffie. Don't go anywhere okay? You let Albert, Benoit and Justin take care of you."
Jeff nods and Sean walks off a little ways with Chris in tow. Sean looks at Chris and frowns. "Listen man I know you and I don't get along but I was thinking that maybe if you and I went to Vince together and convinced him to add you and Benoit to X-Factor we could help Jeff get away from Matt. Vince has wanted to split them up but he doesn't want either of them getting lost in the shuffle."
"Okay, if Vince agrees I'm in. But if he doesn't I'm going to petition to have Jeff join me and Benoit as a team." Chris looks at Sean expecting him to put up a fight.
"You know how I feel about Jeff. I've made that fact clear to everyone but him. If he wants to go with you and Benoit then I won't fight it. But it should be his decision not ours."
Chris nods his agreement and they make their way back to the plastic chairs of the waiting room. Jeff isn't there and Albert is quick to explain that the nurse came out and took him back to get examined.
Two Weeks Later
"Jeff, wait up." Jeff turns around to face Lita.
"What is it Lita? What do you want?"
"Matt sent me. He wants to talk to you about you and the Chris's joining X-Factor. How could you betray him like that Jeff?"
"He betrayed me first. He's the one who beat me up just because I wouldn't let you cheat for us anymore. And you know what, if Matt wants to talk to me then he knows where to find me. I'll be in X-Factor's dressing room." Jeff turns on his heel and walks into his dressing room. Sean smiles up at him from his position on the floor where he is stretching.
"Hey Jeff. What's up kid?"
"Matt sent Lita to talk to me." Jeff says sitting down sadly. "Why, if he wants to talk to me so bad, can't he just talk to me himself?"
Sean shrugs and sits up straight, rolling his shoulders. "I don't know Jeff. Maybe he's scared of getting jumped?"
"If Matt had any brains then he'd know that you guys are just as likely to jump that bitch Lita as you are to jump him."
Sean smiles and nods his head. "Yeah that's probably true. But Matt isn't necessarily the sharpest knife in the drawer ya know?"
Jeff laughs and nods his head. He starts to speak but closes his mouth when the door opens up and Chris, Benoit, Justin and Albert walk in laughing at something. Jericho smiles when he sees Jeff and moves to sit next to his young friend. Jeff stands up as soon as Chris sits down and moves across the room sitting down with Justin. Chris frowns and looks over at Sean who just shrugs. Benoit watches the exchange and smiles at Chris's attitude. Thinking to himself, Benoit frowns. 'Why is Chris acting so weird? He's the one who told Jeff he wasn't interested in that way and now he acts all mopey just because Jeff doesn't want anything to do with him. CJ is making absolutely no sense.'
Sean frowns as he watches Benoit. 'What could he possibly be thinking? I know he doesn't have feelings for Chris. Could he possibly have a crush on Jeff? He wouldn't be the only one.' Sean's gaze drifts over to where Jeff is laughing at something Justin said and sighs. 'Why do I have to fall for him when he's head over heels in love with CJ? I know I don't stand a chance. And CJ is so dumb that he actually thinks that Jeff is going to be all buddy-buddy with him when CJ turned him down twice. I mean the first time was bad enough. Jeff kind of expected that. But the second time? CJ was totally leading Jeff on. Okay granted it was unintentional, at least I think it was. But still CJ knew, knows that Jeff is head over heels in love with him. And why am I spazzing over this so much? The best thing I can do is be there for Jeff. He needs friends not men who are throwing themselves at him.' Sean sighs and pulls on his boots, tying them up quickly.
Jeff looks up and catches Sean's eye. He smiles and rolls his eyes about some joke that Justin had just told him. Standing up Jeff walks across the room and sits next to Sean. "Sean, can I talk to you for a sec? In private?"
Sean nods and pushes himself off the bench. "We'll be right back guys." The other member's of X-Factor nod as the two men walk out the door.
CJ watches intently not taking his eyes off the two young men. 'Why do I feel so jealous just because Jeff wanted to talk to Sean? I'm the one who told Jeff that we were strictly friends. I know that I led him on and that I am a horrible person for it but I can't help it. I'm too old for him. And besides Jeff needs someone like Sean who doesn't hide behind his image. If Jeff knew the real me he wouldn't want me in the least.' Chris drops his head into his hands and sighs.
"So what is it you wanted to talk to me about Jeff?" Sean looks at his young friend.
Jeff looks up at him with tears in his eyes. "I can't keep doing this Sean. I can't be around him all the time knowing he doesn't want me."
Sean sighs and wraps Jeff up in a hug. "I know baby. But you don't have to put up with it for much longer."
Jeff pulls away. "What do you mean?"
"Chris and Benny have asked to leave X-Factor. They both feel that they are just dragging the group down."
Jeff looks away. "How much of this is because of what's going on between Chris and I? Or should I say what's not going on between us?"
Sean shakes his head. "I don't know Jeff. All I know is that Chris came to me and let me know that he and Benny were leaving the group."
"So it was Chris's idea?" Jeff asks looking hurt by the idea.
"I don't know Jeff." Sean looks down at the ground.
Jeff looks away. "You know what, maybe I'm the one who should leave the group. Those two add so much to the group. All I do is fuck things up." Jeff turns on his heel and without another word walks away from the older man who has become his best friend.
Sean watches him go with tears in his eyes. He walks back into the locker room and without even thinking about it, attacks Chris. Jericho doesn't know what hit him as he and Sean fall to the floor. Chris manages to get his hands up to protect himself but Sean had already managed to break his nose. The others watched, horrified until finally Albert got up and rushed over, pulling Sean off of the older man.
"You bastard. First you break his heart and now you act like you don't give a shit about him? You're decision to leave the group with Benny has torn his heart out. You selfish self-serving bastard." Sean screams.
Benoit frowns at Chris. "You made the decision for both of us to leave the group? Who the hell do you think you are CJ? I like being a part of X-Factor. I'm not leaving the group."
Sean looks at Benoit shocked. He turns back to Chris and glares waiting for his response.
Chris looks around at all of the angry faces and sighs. "It's nothing personal and I never said you had agreed to go with me. I said I was thinking about leaving the group to make things easier on Jeff. I hate how much my being around hurts him. And I can't deal with seeing him give me that puppy dog look. So I'll go talk to Vince and have him work me out of the group somehow."
Sean frowns and shakes his head. "I don't think you'll need to. I think Jeff is already doing just that."
Chris frowns and shouts, "What? Why the hell did you let him go?"
"It's his choice. And he thinks that you and Benoit here are better for the group than he is. Dammit Chris you really fucked up this time. Jeff is dying inside because of what you said to him."
Albert looks between the two men and stops at Sean. "What did he say anyhow? We all know he told Jeff he wasn't interested but Jeff has been acting strange ever since."
Sean glares at Chris for a minute before turning to Albert. "He said he would never be interested in a slut like Jeff."
Justin growls and starts towards Chris. Benoit beats him to the punch. Knocking Chris to the ground Benoit stands over him. "You complete and utter asshole. How dare you say that about Jeff? Everyone knows that Jeff has never slept with anyone in his life. Damn CJ."
Chris looks up from his position on the floor and nods his head. "Yeah I am an asshole. But I had to say something to make Jeff hate me. I'm not the kind of guy he should be with and you know it. Jeff needs someone closer to his age and someone who isn't afraid of showing people who he really is. I can't be that person."
All four of the other men watch in wonder as Chris gets to his feet and leaves the room. Sean turns to Benoit. "Okay what the hell was all that about? He's afraid of showing Jeff who he really is? And is it just me or is Chris in love with Jeff?"
Benoit smiles sadly at the younger man. "I'm not sure about Chris being in love with Jeff but I'd say that's a pretty safe assumption. And Chris has kind of an inferiority complex going on. He's not the same Chris Jericho we see on TV all of the time. He's actually very shy and reserved and he's never been real big on crowds. He slips into the Y2J Persona because he feels that people like him better when he's that person." Benoit shrugs and watches the younger men.
Sean swears under his breath and walks out the door. The others watch him go and then Albert and Justin turn to Benoit and start to ply him with questions.
Jeff looks at Vince in despair. "Come on Vince. Please? I don't fit in with X-Factor. You said as much yourself. You have to let me leave the group."
Vince shakes his head. "I'm sorry Jeff but I was wrong. You are the perfect addition to X-Factor. I'm not letting anyone leave the group until the fans' lose interest."
Jeff frowns and gets to his feet. "Okay. If that's the way you want it then I guess I don't have a choice." Jeff leaves Vince's office and heads out to his rental car.
"Jeff!" Jeff turns around when he hears someone scream his name. He sighs as he catches his older brother looking at him. "You little bitch. You think you're so clever having Vince break us up so that you could join your little fag buddies." Matt grabs Jeff by the collar and slams the younger man against the car. Jeff groans and tries to get Matt to loosen his grip. Matt refuses to let go and he continues screaming at his younger brother. "I fucking carried you ass for years and this is how you repay me? You stupid little bitch." Matt pulls his hand back to strike Jeff but the expected blow never comes.
Jeff watches in pain as Chris grabs Matt and spins him around. "You think it's fun beating up on Jeff? Why don't you pick on someone who's gonna fight back you stupid prick?" Matt goes to punch Chris but his fist never lands. Chris has him on the ground gasping for air in seconds. "Stay the fuck away from Jeff. If I ever see you trying to hurt your brother again, I will kill you." Chris walks away from the brunette and approaches Jeff carefully. "Are you all right Jeff? He didn't hurt you too bad did he?"
Jeff looks up at the man he is in love with and starts to shake his head winces as the pain threatens to make him black out. Chris picks Jeff up and carries him back inside the arena. He kicks open the door to the X-factor dressing room and everyone gasps. "Is he okay?" Sean says jumping to his feet and rushing over.
Chris shakes his head. "I don't think so. Matt got a hold of him."
Sean looks up in surprise at the anger in Chris's voice. "What did Matt do to him?"
"Slammed me against the car. I'm fine� I think. He knocked my head against the car that's all." Jeff says his voice sounding weak and shaky. Sean scowls and looks at Chris.
Chris looks back and nods. Sean nods back and takes Jeff from Chris's arms. Chris walks out of the room as Jeff watches sadly. "Vince won't let me leave. And he won't let the Chris's leave either. What am I going to do Sean? I can't keep dealing with this."
Sean nods and holds Jeff closer. "I know Jeff. We'll figure something out. I don't know what but we'll figure something out."
Jeff nods and lays his head on the older man's shoulder crying softly.
Chris walks into Matt & Lita's room and looks around wildly. His eyes fall on Lita taking care of Matt's wounds. Lita looks up and moves to stand in front of Chris. "You get the fuck out of here. You could have killed him. What the hell is your problem?"
Chris glares at her and shoves her aside making the young woman fall on her ass. Lita stares up at him sputtering as Chris walks over to Matt and grabs him by the collar. "Listen to me carefully you little fucking bitch. Stay the hell away from Jeff and the rest of X-Factor." Chris shoves Matt hard against the locker making the young man see stars. "Jeff is completely and totally off limits to you. And if you even think about sending your little whore to talk to him or after him, I'll kick her ass too. I have no problems beating that little bitch up and don't think I won't do it."
Matt nods his head throbbing. "Fine whatever. Just go."
Chris nods his head and drops Matt to the floor. He turns on his heel and walks out. Bumping into Benoit on the way out, Chris looks up at his friend with tears in his eyes. "He'll leave Jeff alone."
Benoit looks at the younger man and nods. "Good. But will you?"
Chris looks at Benoit in shock. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you�re the reason he was left so upset. It means that you're the one who broke his heart. Matt didn't have anything to do with Jeff wanting to leave the group. That's all your doing. Jeff was upset and that's why he was unprotected. I know that doesn't excuse what Matt did to his brother but you have to except your blame in all of this."
Chris looks up at Benoit sadly and nods his head. "I don�t stand a fucking chance do I?"
Benoit shrugs. "I don't know Chris. I don't know. But maybe you should let him get to know you. Not Jericho but the real you."
Chris shakes his head. "I can't Benny. I'm not the right guy for him. He needs someone who is a charismatic as he seems to think I am. I can't be that guy." Chris bites back a sob and looks at Benoit with tears in his eyes. "Just let Jeff know that he won't have to worry about Matt, Lita or me again."
Benoit frowns as Chris turns and walks away. "What the hell is that supposed to mean Chris? Chris? CHRIS?" Benoit debates between following Chris and going back to X-Factor. He finally decides to go back and talk to the other guys in X-Factor. He walks slowly into the room and looks at Jeff who has fallen asleep. Sean and the others look at him and frown.
"What's wrong Benoit?"
"Chris took off after telling me to tell Jeff that he wouldn't have to worry about Matt or Lita or him again. I don't know what he's going to do but I'm scared. I thought you guys would be able to help."
Sean nods and looks at Justin and Albert who take off in search of Chris. "Which one of us should stay with Jeff?"
Benoit frowns. "I will. You go find Chris and try talking some sense into him." Benoit sits on the bench next to Jeff and watches as Sean leaves in search of Chris.
"Why don't you just tell Sean how you feel?" Jeff asks making the older man jump.
Benoit turns to look at the young man. "Because I don't want to lose what little friendship we have by telling him that I am in love with him. Don't you regret telling Jericho how you feel?"
"Yes but only because he rejected me. I feel better that he knows I am in love with him."
"Are you? Are you really in love with him? Or are you in love with Y2J?"
"Of course I'm in love with him. What do you mean am I in love with Y2J? Aren't they the same person?"
"Not even close. Chris Irvine is a shy sweet man. Jericho is a loud-mouthed self-assured cocky son of a bitch. So which man are you in love with?"
"Both. You can't have one without the other. Why are you asking all of this?"
"Because Chris Irvine is in love with you but he doesn't think you could possibly love him if you knew the real him."
"So he's not even willing to give me a chance? That's bullshit." Jeff gets to his feet and looks down at Benoit. "Where is he? I know you know where he went."
Benoit nods his head. "I do know where he is. You have to promise me something before I'll tell you Jeff."
"What's that?"
"Don't be too mad at Chris for not telling you what was going on in his mind. He does love you but is scared of being hurt or even worse hurting you."
"He couldn't possibly hurt me more than he already has. Where is he?"
Benoit tells Jeff and Jeff takes off. Benoit sits alone in the room until Sean and the others come back. "We couldn't find him. Where's Jeff?" Sean asks.
"He left. He went to find Chris. He'll be okay."
"Oh." The other X-Factor members sit down and look at one another. Justin stands back up and grabs Albert's hand. "Come on big guy. Let's go find somebody to pick on." Albert stands up and follows the smaller man out of the room.
Sean looks at Benoit and smiles. "So what do you want to do?"
Benoit thinks to himself before answering, 'Tell you that I love you and have you return the sentiment.' Out loud he says, "I don't know. Whatever."
Sean smiles and scoots closer to Benoit. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Who is it that you have a crush on?"
"What are you talking about?"
"The other day when Jeff, Chris and I were talking you couldn't take your eyes off one of them. Which one was it?"
Benoit looks away and answers so softly that Sean doesn't hear him. "You."
"Who?"
Benoit looks back at Sean and sighs. "I don't want to talk about this Sean."
"Oh. Okay. I was just wondering if you were in love with Jeff. It's not like you'd be the only one." Sean says, amazed at how jealous he feels at the idea that Benoit might be in love with either Jeff or Chris.
"I'm not in love with Jeff and I'm not in love with Chris. So just drop it."
Sean frowns and then starts smiling when it dawns on him what Benoit means. "Benoit? Are you telling me that you like me?"
"Didn't I tell you to drop this? I don't want to discuss it."
Sean scoots closer to the older man and puts a hand on his arm. "I like you too."
'But not the same way,' Benoit thinks to himself. "Just drop it Sean."
Sean nods and moves to stand up. Benoit gets to his feet and is shocked when Sean pulls him close and kisses him softly. Benoit steps back after Sean breaks the kiss. "What the hell was that Sean?"
Sean looks down at the ground. "I'm not sure but I enjoyed it."
"But you're in love with Jeff."
"No I'm not. I thought I was but Jeff is one of my best friends. He means the world to me and yeah I think he's gorgeous but I am not in love with him. I think it was more of a case of me being comfortable with being in love with him because he could never feel the same way about me. Not only that but part of me was sure that the guy I really like wouldn't be interested."
"How could anyone not be interested in you? You're gorgeous, smart, funny, sexy, a terrific wrestler and a great friend. Any man would be crazy not to be in love with you." Benoit closes his mouth when he realizes what he's just said.
Sean blushes and leans over kissing Benoit on the cheek. "Thank you for that. Tell me something Benoit? Do you want to be with me?"
Benoit nods slowly. Sean smiles and wraps his arms around the older man's neck. "I want you to want me. I want to be with you. I think I am falling in love with you Benoit."
Benoit's eyes widen and he simply stares speechless at Sean.
Sean grins and kisses him. "Let me know if you want this to work Benoit. I'll be in my room at the hotel okay?"
Benoit nods and watches as Sean grabs his stuff and heads out the door. He sits on the bench and sighs.
Jeff looks around the darkened gym and sighs. He throws a punch at a nearby punching bag and winces. "You're going to hurt your hand Jeff."
Jeff whirls around squinting in the dark. "Chris? Is that you?"
Chris steps into a shard of light that is coming into the room. "How'd you find me Jeff?"
"Benoit. He told me where you go when you're upset. Chris, why did you run away?"
"What Benoit didn't tell you that too?"
"He told me but I want to hear it from you. Chris, please just tell me in your words what's going on?"
Chris sighs and walks back into the shadows. "I don't know what you want me to say. You already know everything."
Jeff had followed the sound of Chris's voice as he moved across the room. Jeff grabs Chris and turns him around to face him. "Dammit Christopher Irvine. Tell me what the fuck is going on."
Chris looks at Jeff in shock. "What did you just call me?"
Jeff groans and pulls away from Chris. "Your name. Dammit Chris. I want to hear you say it."
Chris turns so that his back is to Jeff. "What do you want me to say Jeff? DO you want me to tell you that I think about you all of the time? That I am so head over heels in love with you that I can't see straight whenever you walk into a room? That I get so nervous when you look at me I feel like I'm sixteen again and have my first crush? That I'm scared to death that when you find out who I really am you'll walk away without a second glance? That as long as we stayed friends everything was okay because I didn't have to worry about getting hurt or hurting you?"
Jeff turns Chris around to face him again. "But you did hurt me Chris. And you are hurting yourself. You and I belong together. Okay so maybe I don't know the real Christopher Irvine. So let me get to know him. I want to know everything about him Chris. Everything about you. I love you so much. I hate not being with you. So let me make up my own mind about who I am in love with okay?"
Chris looks into Jeff's eyes with tears in his own. "Are you sure about this Jeff?"
"Of course I am. And just because I don�t' have another name don't think that who I am in front of everyone else is really me. Let me show you who I am in here." Jeff says pointing to his heart.
Chris smiles shyly and nods. Jeff leans over and kisses Chris softly. "Thank you. Now let's get back to the hotel. I'm tired and really need to lie down. My head is killing me."
Chris frowns and wraps an arm around Jeff's waist supporting him as they head back to the locker room for their stuff.
Six Months Later
"And now being accompanied by X-Pac, Chris Benoit, Justin Credible, Albert and Jeff Hardy the WWF Champion, Chris Jericho." Jeff and the other X-Factor members all surround the ring as Chris defends his title against the Rock. Jeff moves around so that his back is facing the ramp. None of them expect what happens next. Matt and Lita come out of no where with they're new found allies, Eddy Guerrero and Dean Malenko. They jump Jeff and beat him until he's unconscious and then they run from the other members of X-Factor. Jericho is the first to Jeff's side and he picks Jeff up carrying him to the back.
Chris leaves Jeff with the other guys and starts looking for Matt and his companions. Chris finds them laughing about what they did to Jeff. He attacks Dean and Eddy first taking them out quickly. He turns on Matt and growls. "You son of a bitch. That wasn't scripted. And what did I tell you about going near Jeff again?"
Matt is up against the wall looking desperately for an exit. Lita comes into the room and starts attacking Jericho. He picks her up and throws her as hard as he can against the wall. "What are you going to do now Matt? Your friends are out of commission and so is your slut. You are all alone." Chris jumps Matt.
He walks out of the room leaving Matt a bloody mess. He heads for Jeff immediately and wraps his arms around his young lover. "Are you okay Jeff?"
Jeff smiles a little. "I have one hell of a headache. Where were you?"
"I went and had a little talk with Matt."
Jeff closes his eyes. "Did you kill him?"
"Nope. He was still breathing when I left."
Jeff shakes his head at his lover. "Christopher Irvine I told you to leave my brother alone no matter what happened."
Chris has the grace to look sheepish. "Jeff, honey He's the one who knocked you unconscious. I wasn't about to stand by and let him get away with what he did to you."
Jeff shakes his head again and pulls Chris down for a kiss. "I love you Christopher Irvine. All of you."
Chris smiles lightly at his young lover and kisses him back shyly. "I love you too Jeffrey Hardy."
Jeff smiles and snuggles happily against his lover.
Benoit and Sean watch the scene play out with identical smiles on their faces. Sean wraps an arm around Benoit's waist and leans over kissing the older man softly on the cheek. "I love you Benny."
"I love you too Sean." Benoit grins down at his younger lover and then over at Chris and Jeff. Justin and Albert smile from their position on a bench happy that everyone is together and totally happy about it.
THE END