"ITVR: Chapter 46"
Searches.
By Jadedoll, Penumbren, & Raising Kane
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And save him she did...for a little bit in any case. Dave himself hid a laugh in the back of her hair as she backed them towards the doorway, especially when he heard what she said. "You and Hunt are such degenerates, it's a miracle he stayed as pure as long as he did." Him, pure? His thoughts preceded Shawn's voiced opinion of that by mere seconds. If she only knew what he'd gotten up to in the past she surely wouldn't have chosen that particular word to describe him, but he would go with it for the moment just because of Shawn's reaction. Simply grinning in return to Shawn's raised brows, Dave followed Steph's direction and opened the door. "I think you should wait a respectable period... Don't you think?" That made Dave laugh all the harder though silently as he muffled it behind one hand. Wait a respectable period? Considering what had just happened in the shower, it was very unlikely that Shawn... or Dave or Hunter for that matter would be willing to wait any period past tonight's show. Unless of course things went to hell in a hand-basket with Vince. If Dave had a say, that wouldn't change anything either. Deciding that a little teasing was in order, Dave peeked around Stephanie and stuck his tongue out at Shawn, though he was sure to keep Steph in the middle of them as they walked down the hall. He hadn't expected a verbal reply, but Shawn gave him one anyway. "Don't tease, Dave... you know it's my turn next, anyway." Oh really? Taking turns now were they? He'd be perfectly happy himself if they just fell into one big pile on return to the hotel, never mind trying to keep track of turns. He had a solution though. "Consider it an open-ended promise." Open-ended meant exactly that. It might not be his turn next, but he would most certainly get another one. He'd take as many as they'd let him actually, more than happy to express his feelings for them both. Keeping in theme with his newly playful mood, Dave reached around Stephanie's back and slapped him on the ass. He hadn't expected the reaction that netted him, but he wasn't disappointed with it either. That sent him off on tangents of thought he really shouldn't be considering right now when they were so close to Vince's office. Luckily for him, Shawn poked him in the side just then, making him jump and bringing his thoughts back to the present. Dave hesitated for just a moment on following Steph and Shawn into Vince's office, but stuffed down his worry about intruding on an explosive situation and followed them anyway, closing the door behind him. Vince didn't look happy at all and Hunter looked even less happy until he spotted Stephanie. At any other time he would have smiled over the obvious affection in the hug between Hunter and Steph, but the air was so thick in the room he didn't want to invoke Vince's ire by seeming to take this less than seriously. That didn't seem to be an issue though as Hunter drew Vince's attention back on himself with his next words. "Shawn, Dave and I are together, deal with it." Vince didn't look happy at all about that and not even close to like he planned on just 'dealing with it.' Dave scrambled his brain for a way to defuse the situation, but came up with basically zilch. He hadn't even noticed Shawn approaching Vince until he started to speak and when Dave heard what Shawn had to say he joined the group of very unhappy people in that room. "If us being together is that big of a problem for you, Vince, then my hiatus can be permanent." Dave ducked his head so that Vince would not see his reaction to that statement. What the hell was Shawn thinking? That his career wasn't as important as the two of them. The same thing that Dave had said during lunch... still Dave hadn't voiced it in front of Vince McMahon. While it had him feeling over the moon that Shawn cared that much for them, he hadn't expected Shawn to threaten to quit. He was angry that Vince's reaction had him even thinking about doing so and he'd be sure to let Shawn know that later, but for right now... He couldn�t honestly say that he wasn't feeling the same way. Raising his head once again, he took in Vince's reaction to what Shawn had just said. Before Vince could actually voice his opinion on Shawn's threat, Dave decided he might as well toss in his two cents worth and get the big explosion out of the way. Then they could deal with the aftermath. If it left him jobless, so be it. "Just in case you were wondering Vince, you can send me back to OVW and it's not going to change anything," he said with a shrug, his eyes unreadable and his arms crossed over his chest. "If you decide to hand me my contract instead, that's fine too. I'll walk out the door with no regrets. That won't stop us from being together though. I'm sure after the end of my no compete clause I could find another job, no problem. Maybe we'll all just move down to Orlando." Okay, maybe he shouldn't have tossed in that last dig, but he meant every word he had said. Shawn and Hunter would most likely give him hell for what he'd said later as well, but he hadn't wanted them to think his words at lunch were all smoke with no substance. Now they could really have no doubt... and he could always hide behind Stephanie if they got too upset with him. **** then my hiatus can be permanent. Hunter felt his jaw drop open at Shawn's suggestion. Taking time off was one thing, giving up your career because of a personal relationship wasn't just wrong... it was downright illegal. But god, wasn't he feeling flattered that Shawn was willing to go to the wall for them, for him and Dave? Hunter knew it would be the same were the situation changed, Dave had said so earlier and Hunt knew from his own perspective that he'd tell Vince to go jump in a second if it meant giving up this once in a lifetime chance with these two men. I'll walk out the door with no regrets. Dammit, speak of the devil. Now Dave was happily offering to toss away what was going to be a brilliant career and Hunter had to stomp all over the warm fuzzy feeling their reactions caused in him. Mentally Hunter stuck his tongue out at Vince. Not gonna work Vincent. So there. But there would be no handing back of contracts and no permanent hiatuses, not while Hunter had anything to say about it. Vince had paled at Shawn's statement but his colour returned at Dave's suggestion. Eyes calculating, Vince ignored the presence of two of his top stars and looked at his up and coming talent with deep speculation. "Get out all of you. You too Stephanie. Batista... you stay here." The orders were issued quickly and with the confidence of instant obedience. Nobody moved. "Not going to happen McMahon." Hunter shook his head in denial of Vince's commands. Using his father-in-law's surname was almost the height of disrespect, but Hunt wasn't feeling respectful at the minute. Taking two quick steps, Hunt put his hands on Shawn's waist and easily lifted the smaller man away from Vince's desk. Pressing a quick kiss to his lover's lips, he made a mental note to arrange for someone to look at Shawn's throat later, Hunter placed himself between Vince and his lovers, a place he would always take, no matter what anyone said. "Sorry Darling. You're not going to sacrifice yourself on this alter, not this time. No-one is going to OVW, no contracts are ended and Dave is certainly not taking the fall for this either." Looking at his dark-haired lover, Hunter made his meaning quite clear there. Forcing his�voice into a more reasonable tone, he turned back to�Vince.�"Jeezuz Vince, it's a private relationship, that doesn't mean a blind bit of difference to ninety-nine percent of the population. No. One. Will. Care.�What they will care about and what they will notice however, even more than Dave suddenly being demoted or Shawn going silent, is Hunter Hearst Helmsley quitting the WWE and going to TNA." He wasn't really pleased that he'd trumped his lovers' offers. They could jump as well as he could, but it would be an absolute betrayal of Vince, Linda and the entire WWE if Hunter turned on them. It wasn't a hollow threat either, Vince had taught him the ropes in this world, he shouldn't be surprised Hunter knew how to use them. Feeling the small fingers�of his wife slide into his hand, Hunter gave them a reassuring squeeze. "But I won't, because I love it here Vince." Seeing the confidence return to Vince's formerly pole-axed expression,�Hunter continued. "I wouldn't do that to you. To Stephanie or Linda either. Just like I know you won't fuck with our lives like this just because you can. We know what we're doing Vince, you've trusted us before�and you've never had a reason to regret that trust. Don't tame us now. Please." It wasn't begging, even if it sounded as such. It was asking for trust and if Vince couldn't give him that, then they would walk. All three of them. Whether it was the presence of his daughter standing firm with her husband, despite what he was saying or the serious prospect of losing three incredibly talented stars and two men he considered friends, Hunter didn't know. But he spotted the acquiescence in Vince's expression before the man even spoke. "Fine. Go ahead, do what you want then.�You always will anyway. I can't stop you." throwing his hands up in the air, Vince put on a good show of 'poor me' but the look he sent Hunter let him know that Hunter's words wouldn't be forgotten any time soon. He'd just burnt a very large bridge here and Vincent McMahon wouldn't let him forget it. "Stars, Pat. What did I say huh? Who's in charge here because it isn't me obviously." The little whine was just for show and Hunter could allow Vince his power, he'd won this round. "Thank you." Hunt's quiet words were lost in the hubbub of conversation between Vince, Pat and Stephanie as the young woman brutally dragged the conversation into new territory. It was probably best to leave now and let Stephanie smooth over her father's ruffled feathers with the skill of a master Daddy's Little Girl. Moving towards the circle of comfort presented by Dave and Shawn's presence, Hunter wondered if he was in shock. It had been a close thing. Had he really threatened to jump ship? Not even in his worst days had he ever considered that. Just goes to show that he did have a heart, despite opinion to the contrary. **** "...I couldn't rip his nuts off for saying that shit about you, so I thought I'd mess with his head instead." He probably looked like he'd just been hit from behind with an unexpected chair shot, but Mark couldn't stop himself from staring. Why in the world would Jeff care so much that Paul E. had been hitting on him? It wasn't unexpected, hell it wasn't even uncommon, and the only really disturbing part of it was who had been responsible for the smarm. There was no way in hell that the man in front of him could be implying anything that Mark was thinking. Most likely he was just reading his own desires into what Jeff said. That had to be it. "Didn't�exactly think it through, surprise for me I know. But don't worry, anyone says anything I'll set them straight for you." So much like Shawn ten years ago that it almost hurt. All unspoken insecurities and issues wrapped up in determinedly outrageous behavior and arrogance. It had taken extraordinary measures for Mark to break through Shawn's wall. What would it take to break through Jeff's? Shaking his head slightly, he reminded himself that these were entirely inappropriate thoughts for him to be having about someone he was responsible for. He didn't miss Jeff's non-agreement to calling him by name, which didn't entirely surprise him but still hurt. In-built defense mechanism, probably, to keep from getting too close to anybody. He'd seen it before. Hell, he'd used it before. And thinking of Shawn... watching as Jeff and Scott wandered into a conversation of their own, he realised that this would be the perfect time for him to hunt down Heartbreaker and have that conversation with him. He couldn't exactly do it with Jeff hanging over his shoulder, or it would give the kid all sorts of wrong impressions... and inhibit his own ability to grill Shawn about his current choice of companions. Taking his chance, he glanced at Kevin and asked, "Seen Shawn lately? I need to talk to him about a couple of things." The big man shrugged, disengaging himself from his lover with obvious reluctance, but with a slight smile on his face. "Not in the last little while, but it wouldn't surprise me at all to find him in Evolution's locker room." Now why did that sound like Nash was laughing to himself? What did he know that Mark didn't? Well, he'd find out soon enough. With a slight shrug, he turned to the other two members of their little group, waiting for a pause in the conversation before interrupting. "I'm going to head that way, then. Scott, would you mind keeping Jeff company for a while? This shouldn't take too long." He really didn't want to leave Jeff alone right now, after that little encounter with Heyman, but the�almost conspiratorial look that the two exchanged almost worried him. Maybe Hall wasn't the best person in the world to trust to look after his whirlwind...�the man had been pretty stormy in the past himself, after all.� **** He should be worried. He really should be. But somehow, seeing Scott acting playful rather than tense, teasing Hardy and getting the same back, brought a smile to Kevin's face rather than a frown. He'd never really been very good at denying Scotty what he wanted, and if his lover wanted to hang out with the Hardy kid for a while, that was fine with him. He hadn't missed Scott's inquisitive look at Mark and Jeff's behavior, and he hadn't missed the interesting vibes that the two were putting off, either. Jeff getting all up in arms at Heyman hitting on Mark and Mark getting pissy at Heyman insulting Jeff... well. He'd been friends with the Dead Man for a long time, but the only other time he'd seen him react in quite that same growly way was when Shawn was involved. Almost as if the thought of Shawn's name was a cue, Mark turned to him at that point. "Seen Shawn lately? I need to talk to him about a couple of things." Well, now. This could be interesting. He wasn't about to tell Mark stories out of school, but he definitely wanted to see the man's reaction to Shawn's current situation. Maybe it was a little cruel, but his sense of humour was like that at times. Reluctantly pulling away from Scott with one final caress, he looked at Mark as he answered, not quite able to hide his amusement. "Not in the last little while, but it wouldn't surprise me at all to find him in Evolution's locker room." The Dead Man looked a little leery of the answer, but it didn't seem to faze him too badly. "I'm going to head that way, then." Seeing Scott's nod in response to Mark's question reinforced Kev's suspicion that he should be worried about letting those two wander off on their own, but since Scotty had offered to take Jeff to see Copeland, hopefully it wouldn't be too bad. Hopefully. "Why don't I just head along with you, then?" The look on Mark's face told Kev that his presence wouldn't be unwelcome, but could be considered a little stifling. Smiling, he clapped Mark on the shoulder. "C'mon, Mark. It's been a while since we've talked, too. Gotta catch up on the gossip, don't we?" Heading them in the appropriate direction, he winked at Scott over his shoulder before looking back at Mark. Waiting until they were some distance down the hall, he asked casually, "So, what's up with you and Jeff, anyway?" **** "Hell yeah. Cute little thing, nice tight ass. It was all my pleasure I can tell ya." Adam laughed quietly and shook his head. He stopped as soon as he realized it was going to send his head swimming again. Damn it. The Tylenol having finally taken the edge off his headache, he hadn't given thought to the other concussion symptoms. Okay, no more shaking his head for awhile... as long as he could remember not to do it. Before he had a chance to answer Austin's other questions, Chris joined them at the table, dropping their bags at his feet. Listening to the conversation Chris was having with the taxi dispatch service, Adam rolled his eyes. Was there a point to calling for a taxi when he still hadn't found the Dynamic Duo? That reminded him that he had a question of his own to put to Austin. He looked to Chris first and snorted at the hand signal the man was sporting. Cute. Leaning forward Adam pressed his lips against the extended finger then sat back and laughed. "Awww, sweetheart, you shouldn't be so rough on the guy after the nice compliment he just paid your ass." Grinning he turned back to Austin in order to answer the man's questions before he asked one of his own. "They gave me a local for the ribs, unfortunately not the good stuff so the happy effect is all me thanks to the Tylenol. We came back because I left my wallet in my bag and didn't want to leave it sitting here, plus we had to bring back the keys for Batman and Robin. Once we find them and I stop to see Vince for a minute," he said, hoping that slipped right by Chris, "then we can get out of here and I'll be more than happy to stay horizontal for the next four days at 'Kitten's' mercy." He really hoped that if Chris did happen to catch on to the bit about Vince, the fact that he was going to concede to the doctor's orders would earn him credit. If not then he was going to get _that_ look again. He wasn't quite sure what to term it...the 'you are such an idiot' look or the 'you are in so much trouble' look. Either way it meant that he had disappointed Chris and that was something he really wanted to avoid if possible. "Speaking of... did you ever find Ty and Jay?" And with his mind wandering as it had been here in the last few hours, he thought of a few more things he wanted to say. "Did you guys know Hardy was here? Jeff that is, not Matt. Thought I was hallucinating there for a moment when I saw him with Mark. And just to be nosy... who's your 'appointment' with tonight?" Adam asked, his tone clearly indicating that said appointment was more likely a date or romantic rendezvous than an actual appointment. If he didn't stop chattering like a magpie, Steve was going to doubt his words about not having been given the 'good' drugs, but if he didn't get his questions out now, he'd likely forget them before he got them asked. Damn Terry. **** Chris had gone straight to the locker room when he'd arrived at the arena. Actually getting to his intended destination had been a little difficult, what with being stopped every five minutes by crew asking after Adam. It seemed the time they'd spent at the clinic was enough to spread rumours like wild fire. Correcting some of the more outrageous suggestions, he did not have to give Adam mouth to mouth thank god, CJ assured them of Adam's health as best he could and agreed that Terry was a piece of shit. Finally reaching the locker room where they'd left their gear, Chris repeated his 'concussion and cracked ribs' explanation for the twentieth time to Rob while finding their bags. He and Adam had changed for their work-out, which seemed like hours ago now, so he tossed their strewn clothes into either bag and hunted around for his cell phone. The sooner they could get out of here the better. Not that CJ didn't like his friends or his work, but right now, he really, really wanted to get somewhere safe with Adam. Pausing a moment with the phone in one hand, Chris examined this thought carefully. Mentally walking in a circle around it, CJ poked the idea with an invisible finger to see what would happen. He was certainly protective of Adam, his desire to get the blond to the hotel a sign of that. But since when did that 'protection' become a drag back to the lair to lick their wounds in peace kinda thing? Chris was brutally honest with himself about his feelings, he didn't like to lie to himself, because he always came off the fool either way. He'd always really liked Adam, to use a schoolyard term, being in severe lust had been the natural progression from there. Since their spectacular confessions and even more spectacular lovemaking last night, Chris was going into deep adoration and probably what? Love? He'd actually had never been there before so the terrain was unfamiliar to say the least. But given that he was growly protective, angry as hell at anyone who hurt his lover and craving time for just the two of them, CJ admitted it probably was love. Well fuck me then, Chris thought pleased. Dialing information and being put through to a local cab company, was done in a rather happy daze that had nothing to with the painkiller he'd been given at the hospital. Shauna, the dispatch lady, was sweet voiced, even if she seemed incredibly bored with her job. At least he was calling early enough that she might, might�be able to help them in about thirty minutes. If he'd wanted a ride just after the taping, they'd be out of luck and Shauna told him so. She put him on hold. Poking his head into various other locker rooms, Chris started looking for Adam. The bubble of pleasure in his stomach wanting him to lay his eyes on his lover... love-er... right now. He found success in the catering area where Adam was sitting with Steve, their grins indicating a teasing edge to their conversation. Given Austin's general mode of teasing, CJ decided to retaliate to whatever Steve was grinning about. It may have had nothing to do with him, but Chris knew Austin deserved it anyway. At least his fingers didn't hurt anymore. There was no sign of Jay or Ty near them, so Chris dumped�their bags at Adam's feet, chatting to Shauna when she came back to tell him he was in luck. sweetheart, you shouldn't be so rough on the guy after the nice compliment he just paid your ass. Giving their details and the location of the arena to Shauna, Chris shook his head at Adam's admonishment. If Steve had been discussing his ass, then he certainly deserved the finger no doubt, compliment or not. One ear on the conversation between Adam and Steve and one on Shauna, CJ gratefully hung up and leaned down to drop a kiss on Adam's head. "No sign of Bunnykins Babe?" Given the confirmation, Chris straightened up with a smile. "You stay here and bully Austin into having some balls, I'll find Jay. Then we leave." Matching his stare to his words, Chris kissed Adam again before turning to leave. Where the hell would Reso be hiding anyway? **** We can walk that way if you want to check on him. Jeff didn�t respond to Scott�s suggestion for a moment, his thoughts�shifting immediately from curiosity to concern over his friend's well-being.�Terry and Adam had been over forever as far as Jeff knew, so what the hell had happened? And why was Jericho figuring so largely in�Adam's situation? Were the two bombshells actually going to paint move beyond the 'sorta friends' stage? They'd never managed 'just buds' in the past and while Jeff had been blind to any sexual tension between them, he'd�beg�his ignorance as�those two having sexual tension with everyone. Scott's words eventually sank in and Jeff looked up at the dark man with a faint smile. Hall was the kind of guy Jeff appreciated being�in the same business�with.�Scott was friendly for one thing, a rarer commodity than someone might think and one of those rare people who�didn't judge someone on how they looked. People like that didn't come around too often in Jeff's experience.�The WWE was like any workplace, there were groups of people who hung together in common interest. Jeff didn't have a lot in common with most wrestlers, only the crazy Canadians taking�Jeff and his brother under their collective wings. The Outsiders were another story entirely. They liked who they liked and hated who they hated and didn't give a shit who you were one way or the other. �Why he'd managed to be on the right side of that choice was a mystery to Jeff, but not one he wanted to complain about. �Sure thing Raze. If Adam lost an arm, he'd still want to wrestle, but then... wouldn't we all?" Jeff saw Mark and Nash turn back towards them with�lighter expressions than they'd had a moment ago. Damn Heyman anyway. That slimy little man had got under Jeff's skin way too quick for his liking, but it seemed that anyone who messed with Mark was by default messing with J Hardy. Well good. If 'Taker was supposed to be watching out so Jeff didn't get into trouble, he could return the favour, couldn't he? Keeping the Bullfrog at bay would be his little pet project while he was getting ring-ready again. Mark was just too much of a gentleman to peel Heyman's face off like he deserved. Jeff didn't think he had a gentlemanly bone in his body. Scott, would you mind keeping Jeff company for a while? See! See! Making sure Jeff's all nicely squared away with a bodyguard while he goes hunting for his ex. How many people would bother with that? Jeff granted Mark a warm smile as it sunk in exactly the kind of man he was dealing with. "Nahh, he doesn't mind do ya Raze?" Jeff blinked up at Scott winningly. "Scotty and I are gonna find Adam and see how many ribs he broke. We're keeping a tally, him and me." Jeff winked at 'Taker. He wasn't kidding, but Mark didn't need to know that. Jeff was winning by a mile, the Swanton Bomb being a perfectly designed move for the breaking of ribs, but Adam had a longer career and more matches so the tally was often quite close. Feeling an inexplicable need to farewell Mark in some way, Jeff reached out and gently knocked his knuckles against the gloved ones of the man beside him. In the last hour his world had been turned upside down by this man and Jeff�had a certainly�liking for�being on top of the world. "I'll call in on Vince and sign that contract. Find me after?" It came out a little more flirtatiously than he'd have liked, but he couldn't change it now. Moments later Jeff was walking with Scott down the hall towards the locker room, looking for sign of Adam or Jericho. "I want to see Copeland�s face when I tell him about my contract. He�ll either faint or laugh his ass off, can't wait to see which." Not spotting them in any of the locker rooms, they turned for the common areas. "Jericho went batshit on Terry huh? Well that's one�I didn't see coming. CJ and Adam. Hmm. Good for them. Those two together? Paints a picture that�anyone would love to see... 'cos like.. wow. That would be hot." **** Warm skin pressed against his, long, long legs around his waist, the feel of a hot heavy erection pushing into his stomach while he slowly jerked his lover off. Keeping his own hard shaft from that tempting little hole by force of will alone. "Please Steve, c'mon man. Do you want me to beg already? I told you I want it, so fuck me dammit." Music to Steve's ears, Randy demanding he obey, all pouty and aroused. The big, pretty cock in his hand throbbing under his gentle, teasing strokes. He'd still tortured them both a little longer, till Randy cursed him�a blue streak and�bit him on the arm. Steve almost came right then and there. But he managed to get himself under control and leaned down, licking at the pool of sweat on Randy's sternum, while he sank inside that glorious heat. "Oh fuck yeah." The praise had been torn out of him like a prayer. "MOVE old man or I'll beat the crap outta you." Randy panted, licking kiss bruised lips. Steve happily obeyed. ----- Steve watched Chris leave with a small smile. The Little Napoleon was at it again, organizing everyone around him to his liking. What got Austin was, that they all obeyed like good little soldiers. Guy shouldn�t be able to get away with that shit. It was wrong, dammit, for a pretty boy like Jericho�to come off as such a bully. Austin was built more like a bully than CJ, so why did he hop to whenever the guy snapped his fingers? Fucked if he knew. Looking back at Copeland, Steve decided whether he should answer the man�s questions. Not like his private life was some big secret or anything, at least twenty people had seen him and Randy leave the bar last night, so it would become common knowledge soon enough. And while he�d never considered the tall blond a friend, if he was CJ�s �significant other�, then they better get used to each other, �cos Austin wasn�t going anywhere. �Didn�t see the Odd Couple yet, was gonna jump on them when they came in fer food.� He shrugged. �The Punk�s here? �Bout time Vince dragged his skinny ass back. Not the same without that manic throwin� himself around, trouble that kid. I like it when he�s here.� Lowering his voice so he had an element of privacy, Steve confided the bare bones of his own situation. �Got together with someone last night. Someone from work if you get my meanin� and I can�t decide what ta do about it. Whether I put it down to a one night stand and go beat the shit outta the guy for usin� me like that or drag him off to my cave to make it a two night stand." Steve never claimed he was a romantic. **** After leaving Adam with Steve, Chris started looking for the missing �Dynamic Duo� as Adam had dubbed them. Normally the two were easy to find, either lingering in the locker rooms or with either Chris or Adam. That they were no-where to be seen did not auger well for a quick end to CJ�s evening. It didn�t take that long to find Jay. With Chris and Adam at the clinic, the next person Reso would look to pester would be Trish. Making his way to the Diva�s locker room, Chris knocked politely before being allowed in. The most irritating thing about Vince�s inability to recognize the skills of female wrestlers was the result that almost every talented woman had been either released from their contracts or placed in storylines so absurd they�d lost any of the respect they�d duly earned. It was really only Trish, Lita, Victoria and Molly that remained to hold together the female division of the WWE, and with Lita a head case these days, the girls were suffering. The Smackdown girls weren�t wrestlers and didn�t try to be. �Good evening Ladies.� Chris called to the room in general, as Molly turned back to her locker with a small smile, after letting him in. Lita or Victoria were obviously in the shower if the cloud of steam issuing from the cubical was any indication, while Trish, ahhh target acquired, was sitting on a bench chatting with Jay. His male friend looked despondent, shoulders slumped in a way that would be murder on his injured back, eyes downcast. Trish was rubbing his shoulder in a comforting manner while speaking earnestly to Jay in a low voice. They both looked up as Chris approached, Reso�s frown deepening as he noticed CJ�s cast. Standing, Jay came forward, concerned. �What happened to you? Your hand? Whose blood is that? Where�s Adam? Is he okay? What happened?� The questions came one after the other without time for a response, so CJ waited till he could get a word in. Blood? Oh yeah, looking at his sleeve, Chris realized he still had smudges of Adam�s blood on his shirt cuff from his lover�s head wound. Breaking into Jay�s babble, Trish put her hand over their friend�s mouth and with a head shake at Jay�s verbosity said, �What happened?" �Terry picked a fight with Adam, don�t ask me why, he�s got a small dick apparently. Adam ripped his balls off verbally, so The Fuckhead gored him into the wall outside the gym. I tried to catch Adam and my fingers got sandwiched instead.� Holding up his good hand for silence when they opened their mouths, Chris continued. �He�s okay. Got a concussion and cracked ribs butwe�vebeentoaclinicsowhenIsaywe�reokay,i�mtellingthetruth.� Chris finished the last part in a rush to forestall any demands that he see a medical professional. �Terry? God, why does everyone have to be such assholes?� Jay moaned with a lot more feeling than Terry�s behavior would credit. Exchanging a look with Trish, Chris nodded imperceptibly and made a motion to shoo Jay towards the door. �Adam�s flying on some painkillers right now Jay. He�d in the catering area with Steve, could you go keep an eye on him for us, so he doesn�t try and do anything stupid like try to do a moonsault or something?� Nudging Reso out into the hallway, Chris winked at Trish before pushing his friend in the direction of catering. �If you�ve still got the rental keys then you�re driving tonight. I�ve ordered a taxi for us in twenty. You remember the way back to the hotel?� Chris sure didn�t, but that was probably because he�d had his eyes shut tight the entire trip over. Hoping Adam could handle an emotional Jay in his current condition, Chris sent his lover a mental �I�m sorry� and set out to find �Robin�. After ten minutes of his precious twenty was chewed up, he spotted the big, tattooed individual he�d nicknamed Bunnykins. Ty was trying to avoid everybody and had hidden himself in the far corner of the gym. On the floor. Doing sit ups. It would normally be difficult for someone of Ty�s size to go unnoticed, but given his supernatural quiet, lying down was probably his only hope. He must have just finished his run, because Tyson had a forearm over his eyes and was still panting lightly. Sitting on a piece of equipment, CJ tossed Ty�s towel onto the other man�s stomach. A grunt was his only response. Fuck, this was even harder than getting something out of Austin! �I�m taking Adam back to the hotel, so you�re on your own with the Juvenile. That gonna be a problem?� Chris asked. A sigh that seemed to come from the very depths of the big man�s abdomen. �Nah. We�ll be right by then.� Chris waited a beat to see if there would be any further information coming. There wasn�t. �Well good. Because if I chart the time between when you two have your arguments, I can have coffee and donuts waiting, just in case.� If that didn�t prompt a reaction nothing would. A sudden sharp intake of breath and Ty lifted the towel to rub his face, voice low and, Chris realized, very tired, Tyson explained. �He won�t stop. He�s rushing about like an idiot, trying to keep things hot for me while I�m working with Trish. I�m worried he�ll make his back worse by being on the road, but he�s�being an idiot and HE WON�T LISTEN!.� This last was said through gritted teeth as Ty sat up with a violent clench of stomach muscles. The towel hurtled across the room and smacked into the �Steroids Kill Your Libido� poster. Unsure if he should be pleased or not with the break down of Ty�s reserve, CJ unthinkingly reached out to pat the big man�s shoulder comfortingly. His small hiss of pain as his injured fingers touched Ty�s rock-like shoulder caused the bald man�s head to snap around in query. Chocolate eyes narrowing, Tyson took in CJ�s disheveled state and the shiny new cast on his hand. Chris could actually see the gears turning behind Ty�s eyes as he made mental guesses about what had occurred. In complete reverse of his boyfriend, Tyson remained silent while he took in the blood on CJ�s sleeve and processed the information about Chris taking Adam to the hotel�. early. Adam rarely left the arena before a taping was over and for Chris to leave was unheard of. �Who?� Ty demanded in a frighteningly perceptive tone. Chris was afraid of very few things. Breaking his neck in the ring, damaging his throat so he�d never sing again and his new baby, fucking up this �thing� with Adam, were some of the only things that could make him tremble. He wasn�t afraid of Tyson right then and there, but The Fuckhead sure should be. �Terry.� Chris dobbed the bastard in happily. As far as he knew, Rhyno was hiding in a private room, so he doubted Ty would actually be able to hurt him. S�funny, CJ thought while he jumped out of the man�s way as Bunnykins left the room with steam visibly coming from his ears, he hadn�t expected such a violent reaction from his friend on his and Adam�s behalf. Almost running to keep up with Tyson�s huge stride, Chris shook his head. **** to be continued... |