"ITVR: Chapter 48"
Openings.

By Jadedoll, Penumbren, & Raising Kane

Jeff looked at the impressive array of bruising across Adam's chest and back and offered a sympathetic wince. It looked like his friend had hit the wall hard. It was well known that the gore/spear maneuver could hurt in the ring, and that was even with a padded ring floor to land on, walls were less forgiving. But even with a three, Jeff was still in the lead on the rib fracture scale, but not by much. Funny, coming back to the WWE would probably extend his lead though. playing tiddlywinks with Melrose again? And hadn't his friend hit that nail right on the head. Tiddlywinks indeed. Fucking schoolyard games that didn't mean a damn thing, except when it was someone's career they'd been playing with... his own. "Yeah, Melrose is being his usual charmin' self. It was either storm out in a huff or make him eat Vince's desk, not a move guaranteed to get me a contract." Now this bit would be news, would his friends take it as badly at he had? "Mark stepped in for me with Vince." Seeing their expressions he shrugged. �"Guy's too�decent for his own good, if you ask me. So I'm on a two month probation, if I make it through without fuckin' up, you're stuck with me." Keep it casual Jeff, not like it'll be the end of your world if you lose the contract or disappoint Mark. And we know which of those would be the real killer, don't we? And what was up in the hall earlier? "Just Heyman being a sleazy bastard." Exchanging a look with Scott who was talking to Austin, Jeff continued, "I didn't think it would be good idea to smack him one on my first day back, so I put the fear of Hardy into him. He can't decide if I want to hurt him or seduce him... ran�away like a�chick in a horror film."�Even though he'd actually messed up the encounter in hall, 'Taker's expression showed him that very clearly, at least the man would think twice about getting to close to Mark anytime soon. As I live and breathe, JefferyNero is back! The warm arms around his waist almost caused him to react with a sharp elbow to the intruder's ribs, till he heard the voice. CJ. Relaxing back into the comforting embrace, he sneaked a hand along his hip until it touched the smaller blond's side. "Trouble? Oh the usual..." and then�Jeff attacked, his fingers unerringly finding the sensitive skin of Chris abdomen. The sudden violent jump he felt behind him was balm to his recently fraught nerves. Even after the debacle in Mark's dressing room and his actions with Heyman in the hall, it was incredibly good�to be amongst people who didn't make him feel like an idiot. Chris danced back out if the way, while Jeff turned, keeping the contact close, his fingers moving faster than CJ's feet. "...causing mayhem, tickling sassy Canadians within an inch of their lives." Chris' laughter peeled out across the locker room, along with a desperate plea of "stop Jeff... stop it... I'll kill you." Those wrestlers that looked up, simply shook their heads and smiled at the pair. He and CJ had set a new record in the ambush prank stage, the only rival to their dual crown being the late and much-loved Owen Hart. Jeff was almost to the point of pinning Chris down and tickling him until he got the much longed for 'please' when a strong hand against his chest�halted his momentum. Looking up at the person who would have stopped his fun, Jeff raised a brow at Tyson Tomko. He and Jay's lover had never met and Jeff was a big one for first impressions. If Tomko was a kill-joy then Jeff and he weren't gonna get on. "He's hurt." The growly words were enough to completely revise Jeff's opinion and send it straight into the kindred spirit scale. Shooting his gaze back to his friend, Jeff took in the bruising on Chris's back, revealed by the rumpled shirt as he bent over, hands on his stomach while he tried to breath. Two long slender fingers were also encased in a pale blue soft cast and Jeff had the momentary bizarre thought that someone had chosen the colour to complement Chris' eyes. "Damn CJ, you too? How much does someone have to kill Terry for all this?" Patting Chris' hair gently, Jeff guided him back over to Adam's chair, pushing and pressing until they were seated side by side. Hands on hips, Jeff assessed the two damaged blonds. "The day I get back and you two are all messed up? And people say I can't stay out of trouble." **** "Why don't I just head along with you, then?" Why don't you just say that you want to pry something out of me, Nash? Mark knew his face revealed his reluctance to have Kevin accompany him, but he shrugged, knowing that Kev wouldn't take "no" for an answer. His lips twitched unwillingly at Kevin's words, but he was quickly resigning himself to having Big Sexy tag along. It had�been a while since they'd talked, and he couldn't deny that he'd missed the other two... but he really could've done without the company at the moment. He wasn't entirely sure how to explain his actions or his feelings toward Jeff to himself, let alone anyone else, and that was surely something Kevin would ask about. Managing not to look over his shoulder at their companions as they turned and headed the other way, caught up in his own thoughts as he was,�Kev's question caught him off guard. "So, what's up with you and Jeff, anyway?" Debating for a minute as they paused, Mark leaned against one of the crates stacked nearby, carefully avoiding meeting Nash's gaze. Settling for the casual response, he shrugged after a moment, a studied expression of nonchalance on his face as he answered. "Not a whole lot. Talked to Vince to convince him to give the kid another shot, since he was here for a contract discussion." The snort put lie to his hope that Kevin would accept the casual answer. "Sure, Mark. I believe you, but no way in hell is that all there is to it. Why would you put yourself out on a limb for Hardy? You barely know him... unless this is your way of telling him that you'd like to know him better." Mark's fingers clenched briefly at the cynical words before he relaxed again, realising belatedly from the smirk on Kev's face that the taller man had been looking for a reaction like that. Taking a breath, he rolled his eyes before sighing, not too happy at the thought of sharing his confused thoughts with anyone else, but hoping that it might help him sort them out a little. Maybe if he started with the basics, not the deeper things, the ones that he'd hidden for two years and tried not to look at, let alone admit to himself... "Not that, Kevin. Anything but that." Dammit. That had been pretty brutally honest, his tone of voice revealing more than he'd intended... and Nash had caught it, from the serious expression settling over those normally playful features. He tilted his head back and crossed his arms over his chest, staring blankly at the ceiling. "I convinced Vince to give him another chance by taking responsibility for him. He's got two months to show up on time, train, get back in shape, not miss shows, improve his attitude... you know the drill." A sidelong look, and a�wry expression on the blond's face. Mark knew very well that the entire Clique had had that particular discussion with McMahon once or twice. "And...? What's the catch, Mark?" The quiet question made him sigh again. "If he screws up, I take the fall." He didn't have to look at the man next to him this time to see the half-disbelieving, half-pissed off expression. The condition hadn't thrilled him either, but it was the only thing he'd had to offer when Vince had demanded something in return for an extension of his much-abused trust. At least this gave him an excuse to spend time around the fascinating whirlwind and see just how much he really was like Shawn: If all that attitude and flippancy was just a shell hiding something much deeper, or if he was merely skin-deep. "What the hell kind of deal is that?" The angry tone in Kevin's voice shifted almost immediately. "But... I shouldn't be surprised. What with how you feel for the kid and all." Mark's head whipped around, his eyes widening. How in the hell had Kevin guessed that? He hadn't been that obvious, had he? He hadn't even figured out his own emotions yet---how could Nash know? All he'd been able to tell�for the last two years was that he desperately missed the flying rainbow that had somehow captured a part of him before disappearing from his life. But he couldn't possibly tell Kevin that... if he was�going to tell anyone, it would be Jeff. And that was about as likely as Vince coming up and asking him to kindly take another championship reign, starting tonight.�Maybe if he tried the disbelief tactic...�"How I feel for him? What the hell are you talking about?" ****� 'Schoolboy crush, my ass,' Scott thought to himself. One didn't throw oneself in Heyman's path unless it was for a better cause than a simple crush. He'd let this issue lie for the moment though. No sense pushing Hardy. The kid didn't know him and Scott could certainly understand his reluctance to admit anything to someone he didn't know. If the guy was interested in Mark, then Scott would just have to try to get to know the kid, because it was obvious, at least to Scott, that the interest was returned. After ducking Jay's flying hand, Scott stared at the retreating figure. That one was just plain weird from what he'd seen, except in the ring. Guy was talented, sure, but Scott wondered how he managed to avoid killing himself outside of it. Jeff's explanation helped, although it did raise a brow or two. Shopping cart over an embankment? The things these youngsters got up to. Of course it wasn't like he hadn't done some rather insane things himself when he was young, but still... In that case he could excuse Reso's hit and run with a smile of understanding. It was similar in a way to how he felt whenever Kev got hurt, or any of the other Clique members, though he certainly didn't freak out like Reso was doing... nope, not him. He left that to Kevin instead. Following Jay across the room along with Jeff, they were stopped a moment by Austin. Scott let out an inelegant snort at Steve's question. Austin was a character that was for sure. They talked for a few moments, but Austin seemed a bit distracted. Must be catching since that seemed to be the mood of everyone these days. After Austin left, Scott watched the antics of the younger group. He wasn't feeling old, damn it, but he certainly felt a bit out of place amongst the group. Watching as Jericho joined the group, Scott thought for a moment that they kind of reminded him of another little group that he knew of... a bunch of close knit friends that would stick up for each other no matter what. He noticed the look that Jericho sent his way, but didn't reply. What was he to say after all? It wasn't like he was baby-sitting after all, just keeping an eye out on Jeff in case Heyman the creep showed up again. Mark had reason to ask him to keep Jeff company and he would. As far as his suggestion to check on Adam... he'd been curious about why he and Jericho were back at the arena and not laid up in some hotel somewhere. What Terry had done was completely reprehensible. Scott might sneak in a word or two about that situation when he went to talk to Vince later as well. Why not? He was already going to have the man's head spinning with everything else he wanted to talk to him about. Scott smiled and leaned back against a table as he watched the antics of Chris and Jeff and Tomko's interception of Jeff. Yep. Sure did remind him of another bunch he knew. **** "...It was either storm out in a huff or make him eat Vince's desk, not a move guaranteed to get me a contract." Now why didn't that surprise him? Probably because Melrose was, to put it quite plainly, a huge dick. The guy had been a complete ass when he and Jay had signed their contracts and for the renewals as well. Too bad. It would have been nice having Jeff back again. "Mark stepped in for me with Vince..." Whoa. He hadn't seen that one coming. Mark stepping in for Jeff? And what exactly had Mark had to promise to get Jeff that second chance? Not that he wasn't thrilled that Jeff would be around, in fact he'd do his best to help make sure that Jeff made it through his probation with flying colors. He almost missed Jeff's explanation of the incident in the hall. Sounded like a load of fun. Too bad he'd missed it. He could almost imagine the look on Heyman's face, though the idea of Heyman thinking Jeff would want anything to do with him was almost hilarious in itself. Yeah, it would be great to have Jeff back. Watching Chris sneak up behind Jeff, Adam stifled a grin. He watched the two interacting with each other and laughed himself as Chris started laughing. He'd have to remember that Chris was just a bit ticklish and use it to his advantage later. Although Chris was hurt and he wasn't sure that things weren't getting to be a little bit too much. Despite Chris having taken painkillers his hand was probably still sore. He was just about to say something when Ty stepped in. Nodding his thanks to the big man, he watched as Jeff steered Chris into the seat next to him. "The day I get back and you two are all messed up? And people say I can't stay out of trouble." It was almost funny... if it hadn't reminded him exactly why they were all messed up. Like he could have forgotten. It was definitely a sore subject, no pun intended, with him right now. His feelings for Terry more than evident on his face, he spoke more to the table than anyone around him. "Yeah, well Terry's a huge dick, even if he doesn't have one, so it shouldn't come as a huge shock that he tried to take me out. It wouldn't be the first time after all. I don't know what the hell crawled up his ass this time, but it can stay there and rot for all I care. If Vince doesn't do him a favor and bust his ass down to OVW, then I'll even things up sooner or later." He turned to look at Chris, his features softening as he looked at the man he loved. "If it were just me I wouldn't care..." He left his words trail off, the meaning obvious. He wasn't looking to get back at Terry for what had happened to him. It was because Chris got hurt that he wanted to even the score with his ex-lover. Turning and slashing a look at Jeff, Adam smiled, wiping away any sign of the anger he was feeling. "And you can't stay out of trouble Hardy, or was your confrontation with Heyman because you actually were trying to seduce the man?" Raising an eyebrow, he showed his doubt at that likelihood. Even Jeff wasn't insane enough to draw the man's interest unless he had a reason. And just what that reason might be was what had Adam curious as all hell. **** Affecting a posture of casual nonchalance as he watched Mark avoid his gaze, Kevin wondered if he'd struck the right tone. He'd tried to keep it light, easygoing, so that he wouldn't scare the man off... but this awkward pause was unusual for Mark, to say the least. Maybe he'd struck too close to home? That'd be downright strange, in his opinion. If Mark really had a thing for the Hardy kid that was his�business, but Kev couldn't help but wonder at the odd picture the two of them made together. He couldn't have missed the vibes the two had been putting off earlier, and Jeff's reaction to Heyman's hitting on the Dead Man had been pretty surprising... maybe he was right. "Talked to Vince to convince him to give the kid another shot..." Raising one disbelieving eyebrow, Kevin snorted at the too-casual answer, well aware from Mark's body language that there was a lot the man was glossing over. No way had Mark just felt sorry for the kid; he never pulled those kinds of strings unless there was good reason to do so, and if all it had been was Vince being stupid, Mark wouldn't have done it. The man had made an effort for the last year or so to distance himself from the backstage politics, according to Shawn, and Kevin just couldn't see him putting himself so squarely back into the middle of it all without some better reason than "he felt like it". "Sure, Mark. I believe you, but no way in hell is that all there is to it. Why would you put yourself out on a limb for Hardy? You barely know him... unless this is your way of telling him that you'd like to know him better." That should get a reaction, considering the growl that Heyman had gotten at a similar suggestion. Mark's clenched fists didn't miss his sharp gaze and he smirked, a little amused that the man had let himself react like that. Apparently his "big dumb blond" persona was more effective than he'd thought, if an old friend had fallen for it. "Not that, Kevin. Anything but that." Oh really? Now that was interesting, to say the least. Scotty would be proud of him; he'd prodded Mark into saying more than he'd meant to, if the rueful expression on that face was anything to judge from. He nodded, a reminiscent grin pulling at his lips, as Mark explained further... very carefully avoiding mentioning anything about his own side of the deal. And knowing Vince, there had to be something. McMahon could be a great guy... but when it came to talent and backstage politicking, he was all business. "And...? What's the catch, Mark?" His eyes narrowed at the sigh and he could feel himself tensing at the quiet answer. "If he screws up, I take the fall." "What the hell kind of deal is that?" he responded before stopping to think. But... if his suspicions were correct... then it made sense. Unfortunately. Vince had undoubtedly spotted something behind Mark's request and had reached in to grab at the exposed weakness as tightly as he could. McMahon wasn't stupid enough to be thinking of having Mark retire yet... but even without the man using his backstage power, Kevin was sure that Vince wouldn't mind the obvious threat to his own control negated, and there were any number of ways to accomplish that, especially with this kind of deal involved. Mark must have it pretty bad for the kid to agree to that. "But... I shouldn't be surprised. What with how you feel for the kid and all." The words were really more like an out-loud thought, but Mark's reaction to them was gratifying. "How I feel for him? What the hell are you talking about?" Pushing himself up from leaning against the crate, Kevin smirked as he met Mark's outraged gaze. "Oh, nothing, really. Just... y'know. It's pretty rare for you to take that kind of personal interest in anybody... in fact, the last time I can remember, it was Shawn." Taking advantage of the Dead Man's quietly stunned silence, Kevin took a few steps down the hall before turning and cocking his head at him. Maybe it was cruel of him, maybe it was just his twisted sense of humour. Either way...�"Still wanna look for him? Evolution's room is right around the corner." **** "... in fact, the last time I can remember, it was Shawn." Blinking, Mark opened his mouth only to close it again. Dammit, Kevin was right. He'd tried so hard for so long to stay out of the backstage politics, only to stride right in and do whatever he could to help Shawn out, to try to help him through some bad times in his life. The fact that he'd fallen in love with the man had been something he'd disregarded until Shawn caught him backstage by himself and kissed him. He still remembered every second of that kiss. The uncharacteristic unsure expression on that face, the cockiness sliding towards fear, had stayed with him, too. That expression had looked a damn lot like the look on Jeff's face earlier. Before he could even think about trying to follow that thought, Nash was walking away. The arrogant bastard, Mark thought grumpily. And undoubtedly gloating at having thrown him like that, too. He resolutely refused to wonder what Jeff's lips would taste like or what that slight body would feel like, pressed against his. He refused. So why was that thought foremost in his mind when Kevin spoke again? "Still wanna look for him? Evolution's room is right around the corner." Nodding sharply, Mark kept his thoughts to himself and followed Kevin down the hall and around the corner that he'd nearly missed seeing. Kevin stopped in front of the door before stepping to the side and looking at him, his expression clearly saying that Mark was the one looking for Shawn, so he should be the one to knock. Returning the look, Mark paused in front of the door, wondering for a minute why Shawn would be in Evolution's locker room... oh. Of course. If he and Batista had hooked up, there was no reason for Shawn to be in the main locker room if all he had to do tonight was shoot some promo work. Shrugging a little, he raised his hand and knocked, waiting for a minute before trying the door. It was unlocked, so he pushed it open and stepped inside, his mouth opening to ask if Shawn was there. The sight that greeted him took his voice away. Batista and Hunter, arms wrapped around each other, kissing... no. Devouring each other. The intensity of the kiss was obvious even from the distance Mark was at, but his initial shock of reaction was quickly being overtaken by other emotions. Feeling like he was moving in slow motion, Mark took another step, taking in every detail. The fingers tangled in hair, hands clutching at shoulders, bodies pressed almost obscenely close together, hips cradled against hips... He was surprised by how angry he was at the sight. But dammit, Adam had said that Shawn and Batista had hooked up or were close to it, and he'd seen them earlier together, and now... this. This betrayal. Not even aware of his hands clenched into fists at his sides, all he could see was the two men in front of him... and his Heartbreaker, thrown aside like garbage... again. He'd watched it so often before he'd made Shawn a part of his life, a part of his heart... and he'd seen it too often since then. Hell, he'd been guilty of the same damned thing, and even though they'd worked through that, there was a part of him that would never forgive himself for doing it. Somewhere along the line, he'd developed a protective streak for the smaller man that had never gone away, even when their relationship had. The sight of the man Adam had said Shawn was falling for, kissing the man that Mark knew Shawn had loved for nearly a decade, tore him up... and pissed him off. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" It was more than a growl, but less than a shout, and he was darkly gratified to see the surprise on their faces as they broke apart. "You're supposed to care about Shawn, and you're in here doing this? Did you even wait for him to leave before you stabbed him in the back?" **** "...you." Hunter spoke the last word into Dave's deep kiss as his lover gave him equal return of his affections. Dave hadn't said the words but the nature of his passionate kiss spoke volumes. Starting soft and gentle, like the first kiss of teenagers, Hunt leaned into the strong arms surrounding him, his own mouth hungry for more. More than the loving sweetness he was being granted, even with its undertone of reciprocal emotion. Hunter balanced on the edge of wanting to wallow in Dave's�slow, deliberate pace and push for a stronger taste of the passion he could sense building in them both. Just as he was ready to make his move, Dave changed the tenor of the kiss. Lips no longer delicate, now pressed hard and firm against his, a burning hot tongue pleading for entry into his willing mouth. Hearing a low growl come from his own throat, Hunter encouragingly stroked his hands up the curve of Dave's spine,�pressing their bodies�tightly together, as his lover's hands carded through his hair. Not as much of an erogenous zone for him as it was for Shawn, Hunter nevertheless like the feel of Dave's fingers around his skull. Determined but only�in cradling Hunter for their kiss. It was like being smothered,�worshipped and owned all at once. A heady mixture of love and tenderness curled up from Hunter's heart. Dave was... amazing would be the word if it didn't sound so trite in Hunter's fogged brain. Just amazing. No wonder Hunt loved him, Dave was everything he didn't have in his life. The contrast to his long-time adoration of Shawn, his love for Dave was newer, unexpected and disconcerting. A series of surprises that kept rocking Hunter off his feet and fortunately, straight into Dave's welcoming arms. He'd fallen for Dave like a ton of bricks and that was before he knew he could be kissed like this. Moving his legs slightly, Hunter angled his hips against Dave's. The release they'd enjoyed not so long ago lending them a banked hot-coal burn in Hunter's groin, rather than the mighty arousal he'd felt earlier. Pleased again at their almost matching heights, Hunter tangled his tongue with Dave's questing one, pressing into the warm cavern of Dave's mouth and doing some gentle exploring of his own. It just felt so damn good. To kiss and be kissed like this. And no hint of panic in sight. What the hell do you think you're doing? Hunter thanked the years of training with�faster than light men like Shawn and CJ, for his own speedy reflexes. Breaking away from�Dave, Hunter placed himself between his lover and the immediate threat presented by the intrusive voice. Mark�Calloway stood just a few feet into the dressing room, green eyes sharp and furious,�anger radiating off him in waves. Hunter�felt his hackles rise like a cat spying a large dog in its territory.�He and Mark had always had a relationship that teetered from cool�to civil on the best of occasions. Shawn had once said in exasperation that they just operated on different wavelengths and Hunter had agreed that, even�without the height difference, he and the Dead�Man just didn't see eye to eye. Given that Mark had been responsible for breaking Shawn's heart, Hunter would say his 'cool' feelings were justified.�Even if he'd�almost done the same thing himself not a day before.� even wait for him to leave before you stabbed him in the back? Hunter wasn't called a mastermind for nothing and his own enmity relaxed somewhat as the cause of Mark's anger became clear. Hunt couldn't hate someone for wanting to protect Shawn, just that 'Taker's conclusions had led to two and two becoming thirty seven. Still, Hunter wasn't known for making things easy on anyone. "Actually Mark, we do care about Shawn, we both do." Tilting his head at the asshole angle that sent Shawn through the roof,�Hunter continued, "But since when has caring about Shawn been your top priority?" **** Chris was still panting and giggling as Jeff pushed him down onto a plastic seat.�He'd known he�wasn't the only one to get inside information from the eldest Hardy brother, bastard had ratted him out years ago to Jeff, but most of the time the younger man refrained from attacking Chris at his weakest point. He couldn't help being ticklish and normally guarded the secret like it was gold. Now half the locker room knew and CJ suspected there'd be 'accidental' tickling in the ring if he wasn't careful. He hoped Jeff landed a decent contract this time, CJ's payback would be a masterpiece if he had any say in the matter. Looking up, Chris wiped the moisture from his eyes and noticed the conversation going on over his head. Jay and Ty were talking quietly, but not about anything relevant from what he could hear, while Jeff and Adam exchanged recent history. Reminded of the fight, Chris felt another wave of anger sweep through him at the thought of the Fuckhead's actions. Bunnykins had been diverted from his mad rampage but Chris knew that there would be plenty of people willing to take Terry to task for hurting a co-worker, even the ones who didn't know Adam all that well, would call Rhyno a stupid bastard for almost fucking up a Pay Per View. Remaining quiet for once, Chris just looked over his friends and felt a small secret smile cross his face. Yesterday he'd forgotten that he had this... these people in his life. He'd been about to dive into a lake of self-pity over Shawn, Hunter, the Clique and his place in the world, when Adam had snuck up behind him and turned that world right around. Sure Jay and Ty's lives, which rivaled day-time TV for endless 'drama' could be a pain, but they were also tragically amusing, even in just seeing the lessons of what not to do while in a relationship. With Jeff back, their travel and ring work would be more fun than normal, unless Hardy Junior had other places to spend his time... and wouldn't CJ be cornering him about that sometime in the future, when his hand didn't feel like someone was slicing his fingers open with a hot knife! If only Matt was here and they could get Amy's head out of her ass, it would be just like it should be again. Except... Chris looked over at Adam... it would be even better. At that precise moment Adam turned to look at CJ and the expression in his eyes caused his breath to catch in his lungs. It was a look, not just of affection, but a mixture of rage, passion and protectiveness that Chris had never been blessed to receive before. Why would Adam look at him like that? Why? What had he ever done to deserve a look like that? Other than run his mouth off and act like a five-year-old on a caffeine high? It was an expression that CJ realised had just welded his heart to Adam's for the foreseeable future. No-one could feel that way about him and get away with it. There were consequences of giving a man�that kind of�'look' and Adam would have to deal with them. If it were just me I wouldn't care... Great. Now Chris was totally smitten and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. Just his luck to find a lover who was not only gorgeous, clever, evil funny, talented, had a great ass, noble, mysterious, could fuck like a champion, crazy, affectionate, thought he had a big dick, but who cared about Chris and was all cranky because CJ couldn't get his hand out of the way of a hurtling body. If he was even remotely inclined to struggle against his horrible fate, Chris knew he wouldn't last long anyway. He'd thought falling in love would be a lot harder. Guess not. **** Jeff saw the look Adam sent Chris and felt that twinge of envy curl in his heart again. Two more people who had started something that could be good... or insane depending on the outcome. Although with CJ and Adam it would likely tend towards the insanely good rather than go downhill from what he knew of them. He'd been around when both of them had ended previous relationships, Adam dumping Terry not included, and�could reliably report that at least they managed to stay friends with their ex's. Not a trait Jeff could share, that was for sure. Just damn bad luck that their first day together had resulted in broken fingers and cracked ribs. Usually that kind of violence was reserved for some of the more 'interesting' couples in the locker room. was your confrontation with Heyman because you actually were trying to seduce the man? "Ah, that's just... ewww." Jeff exaggerated a full body shudder at the suggestion he might want to be in any way intimate with Paul E. "In words of one syllable... No." Seeing Adam's unrelenting curiosity coming to the fore, Jeff decided that telling at least part of the truth was in order. Mark had been right about Heyman spreading rumours so he may as well get his own version on the table first. Beat the prick to the punch so to speak. "As I said, Frogman was being a sleaze... all over Mark." It wouldn't be news to any Smackdown boys but as far as he knew, this lot were all Raw. "Given that the guy has gone into bat for me with Vince, the least I could do was get Paul off his back... or out of his face. Problem was I couldn't actually�hurt the guy or poof," a snap on his fingers, "there goes Jeff's contract." A shrug, he knew at it hadn't been his finest moment but hey. "So I freaked him out instead." Looking at Adam, Jeff tipped his head to acknowledge the Master. "You would have been proud, I almost got the smile right too." Thinking of the confrontation brought Jeff's mind back to Mark and all the man was doing for him... just out of decency no less. He really oughtta get his ass�over to Vince's office and sign the damn contract. Mark had put himself out to get it for him and there was less than no chance Jeff would renege on anything he had to promise to make it right. He didn't know what would happen if he fucked up this time and it didn't really matter. Because it wouldn't happen. "In light of that, I'll leave you crazy Canadians to put ice on each other while I go grovel to Melrose and sign my life away." Looking over at Scott, who'd remained silent during the exchange, Jeff arched an eyebrow at his watch-dog. "You coming Raze?" It wasn't Scott who answered but Chris. Rising to his feet, the blond looked down at Adam and offered his un-bandaged hand to his lover. "Yes Babe, I would have your head on a platter if you'd become involved in another 'situation'. And a gorgeous dish it would have been too." Linking his fingers through Adam's, CJ gently tugged his lover to his feet. "And seeing as you need to 'stop and see Vince for a minute' we may as well follow Jeff there, as it's so necessary that we do it right now of course." Ouch... Jeff winced to himself. Chris certainly had a way with words, and he didn't spare his lover from his opinion either. **** Hunter's low growl sent shivers down his spine in opposition to the strong warm hands sliding up it. Little explosions raced along his backbone, winding through his body almost like a series of fireworks, the bloom falling into trickling fingers of pleasure spreading in an ever widening pattern. The press of Hunter's body against his own drew those fingers together lacing them in a nice little knot around his heart. Not that Hunter hadn't already had his love sewn up, but between the threat to Vince to quit the Fed, the admission he had just made, and the fact that Hunter was not running for the door... Dave was feeling pretty damn secure at the moment. Secure enough that he wanted to tell Hunter how he felt as well... right now... plan or no plan... or at least as soon as they finished this kiss. His hands framing Hunter's head, his fingers massaging along his scalp as their mouths met over and over, Dave was lost when Hunter shifted his hips ever so slightly, the action sending another set of sparkling bright fingers towards his groin. Their tongues dueled for a moment before Dave ceded the conquest and Hunter's tongue slipped into his mouth in a gentle inquiry. Just another moment or two he promised himself. Another moment of feeling Hunter's sexy muscular body pressed fully against his. Another moment of wallowing in the pleasure of Hunter's slow exploration of his mouth. Another moment of inhaling the lingering scent of the soap he used clinging to Hunter from their shower with the hope that next time Hunter used it that it would be applied by his hands. Just another moment... "What the hell do you think you're doing?" His head snapped up even as Hunter moved between he and Mark. This had to be a joke right? It really had to be. After the day he'd already had, barring the lovely bits with Shawn and Hunter, he wasn't sure he could handle any more drama. Hadn't they filled their quota for the day? Obviously not... at least according to the Dead Man. Eyes burning with fire, body tensed in anger... Mark was surely an impressive and intimidating sight, except... that Dave just wasn't in the damn mood to be intimidated. Not one bit. Especially when he heard the next little bit that Mark had to impart. "...Did you even wait for him to leave before you stabbed him in the back?" If it weren't so damn aggravating, it might have been funny. Twice! Twice in one day now he'd been accused of sneaking around behind someone's back. Twice now he'd been accused of running around on one of his lovers... with his other lover. Of course if they'd had any time at all to settle into their relationship and go public with it, rather public within the confines of the locker room, then this sort of thing wouldn't have happened. The fact that their relationship had only come about in the last day pretty much precluded that. Hell they hadn't even had a single night together yet and they already had people busting their chops. Stephanie---though that had turned out rather well if he did say so himself. Vince---he was still rather irate about that one and couldn't see his ire dying any time soon. And now Mark---and wasn't it just too bad that he was full up to his eyebrows with this shit and Mark would get the brunt of it? Not in Dave's opinion. Though Hunter cut him off a moment before he actually exploded. "...But since when has caring about Shawn been your top priority?" Dave just couldn't let that one go. Not after what he'd been told about the split between Mark and Shawn... even if it hadn't been detailed. The fact that Mark had left Shawn after his surgery when he already had to face the fact that he could never wrestle again. Shawn had mentioned during the fight with Hunter that Mark had been the one to leave, even if Shawn had glossed over that detail when he mentioned things not working out after his retirement. Dave, who was already primed with all the other confrontations of the night, saw red and couldn't think of a reason to temper his answer to Hunter's question. His hands finding their way to Hunter's shoulders, he squeezed gently before walking around to face Mark himself. He kept a little distance between them just so he wouldn't be tempted to instigate a brawl of his own tonight. "I don't think it has ever been his top priority," Dave said snidely. "At least not since he dumped Shawn while Shawn was still trying to deal with the fact that his career was over. At least that's the way I look at it. So why don't you let those of us that actually love Shawn worry about Shawn?" Crossing his arms over his chest, his stance more than obviously welcoming a confrontation, Dave wasn't quite ready to shut up yet... in fact he had quite a damn bit to say. He didn't yell---some of his momma's lessons stuck too well---instead he kept it at a deceptively even growl. "I've had it with everyone else assuming that they know what the hell is going on and what the hell is best for us. First Stephanie walks in here and accuses me of stealing Shawn away from Hunter. Then Vince gets some goddamned bug up his ass because the three of us want to be together. Now you come in here and accuse us of stabbing Shawn in the back. As far as I'm concerned the only one that had a valid reason to stick their nose in the middle of this is Steph and since she now knows the truth she fully supports the three of us." "I don't give a shit if you like it or not, Mark. I love Shawn and I love Hunter and I don't owe you or anyone else explanations for what I chose to do with either of them behind closed doors." It may not have been the brightest thing he could have done, but he turned his back on Mark and walked back over to Hunter. His hands coming up to gently caress his hair, Dave locked his eyes with Hunter's. His voice tempered with obvious adoration, he fought and lost the battle to keep the slight blush off his face. "I didn't quite mean for it to come out that way, but I meant every word of it. Right now, if I don't get out of here I'm going to end up doing something that'll earn me another trip to Vince's office... so I'm going to get some air." Pressing a gentle kiss against Hunter's lips, Dave pulled away with a smile. Turning back towards the door, he glared at Mark as he passed him on his way into the hall. He really did need to walk this off or he'd probably clothesline the next person that so much as looked at him funny... unless of course it happened to be Hunter or Shawn. At least this would give him a chance to hunt down the things he'd wanted to pick up for tonight, even if he had just blown part of the surprise with Hunter. He could still tell his story for them even if they knew; it just wouldn't be the first time they heard what he wanted to tell them... at least for Hunter. And didn't it just aggravate the hell out of him that the first time he ever confessed to loving someone that he'd had an unwelcome audience for it? Making it to the end of the hall, he headed towards the other temporary offices they always set up at the shows. He just hoped like hell that someone from marketing happened to be hanging around tonight and had what he wanted. If not, he'd just have to make some insane excuse to stop at a local discount retail **** to be continued...

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | ITVR Main Page | Home