"ITVR: Chapter 49"
Details.
By Jadedoll, Penumbren, & Raising Kane
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Hunter was prepared for Mark's reaction, for an icy comeback about his own behaviour the past few months or even a snide remark concerning his backstage politicking. What he wasn't prepared for was his 'Animal' going postal. Dave managed to stay just out of 'Taker's personal space, and it was a good thing too, because by the look on Mark's face, the man wouldn't tolerate a step further. Hunter found his own offended anger drain away at the frustrated fury emanating from his lover. First Stephanie... Oh great. What had the Girl said now? Then Vince... Yeah well, that had been an uber fuckup if ever there was one. Now you come in here... Hunter was beginning to see why Dave might�be kinda pissed. Piece of straw for your camel sir? I love Shawn and I love Hunter... Now that... well... that was just cool. When Dave rounded on him and he had those magic fingers in Hunter's hair again, Hunt could feel himself melting at the sincerity and love in Dave's gaze. Anger obliterated by his lover's passionate defense of their relationship, Hunter happily accepted Dave's hurried, soft kiss, sneakily licking Dave's full lower lip with his tongue. With a stalk that would have Stephanie applauding, Dave Batista then turned on his heel, spared a "I'm so not talking to you" glare at the other occupants of the room and left like an Emperor. If he'd had a cloak it would have swirled with a flurry... or flourish. Whatever. A warm smile rose on Hunter's face as he absorbed both Dave's words and his actions. How'd he get this lucky? And since when had Steph barged in on them? Looking at Mark with a rueful smile, Hunter offered in a mollifying tone, "For what it's worth, I don't think all that was directed at you personally Mark." Seeing the expression on the bigger man's face, Hunter quickly continued, "We wouldn't fuck Shawn over like that... I promise. If that means anything these days." Looking around Mark's shoulder, Hunter could see Kevin leaning in the doorway. "Lotta help you were Big Man," Hunt thought to himself. Not that he and Dave had really given them any chance to get a word in. **** Adam smiled watching the shudder rack Jeff's frame. That would have been his reaction as well. Still if Jeff thought he was buying the whole 'helping Mark out because he helped me out' bit, then Jeff was off his freakin' rocker. Nope. There was definitely something else going on there and he'd be sure to keep an eye on the two of them in future. If it turned out that Jeff was interested in Mark, which was the only plausible reason that Adam could think of for what Jeff had done, then he'd be more than happy to lend a hand to that situation if possible. He knew more than most what kind of guy Mark was and honestly he thought that Jeff and Mark would do each other some good. The only thing was convincing the two of them of that. "You would have been proud, I almost got the smile right too." Wouldn't he have loved to have seen that? Heyman seemed to have something against that particular smile too, because whenever Adam had aimed it in his direction the man had turned tail and run. It was a useful thing to have in one's repertoire. When Jeff mentioned taking off, Adam figured they should take off as well. Chris would be getting antsy to get back to the hotel since he'd called for the cab and he still needed to figure out a way to stop by and see Vince on the way out. He watched as Scott pushed away from the table and waved Jeff towards the door, only to have his attention drawn back to Chris as he stood up. "Yes Babe, I would have your head on a platter if you'd become involved in another 'situation'." Ha... didn't he know it. Chris probably would have kept him under lock and key for the next month if that had happened. He certainly wouldn't have been able to con his way into still doing the pay per view, that's for damn sure. Thankfully Chris was being understanding about the situation, because Adam would have hated to have to fight with Chris over the match on Sunday... but he would have. Chris would do the same exact thing in his situation. There was no doubt in Adam's mind about that. "...And a gorgeous dish it would have been too." Now that he didn't know about. Far as he was concerned, Chris was the 'gorgeous' one in their relationship. It evened out though since he was also the insane one. That was fair... wasn't it? He shook his head as Chris pulled him to his feet. "...we may as well follow Jeff there, as it's so necessary that we do it right now of course." Ouch. That was rather pointed. Adam however knew that Chris was concerned about him so he didn't take it to heart. Smiling, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to Chris' cheek. "I'm glad you realize the necessity, sweetheart. See if I do this now, then I can be a good little boy and follow Dr. Tom's orders, which would be me staying in bed for the next four days. If I don't talk to Vince now, then I'll have to do it later and you know he doesn't like dealing with stuff like this over the phone." Chris wouldn't like his reasoning, but maybe he'd like the fact that Adam actually planned on doing what he'd been told. Well, as long as Chris was there to keep him company that is. He'd gladly spend four days in bed with his beautiful blond angel of mercy. Turning to Jeff, he flashed Jeff an 'I'm so getting some' smile, complete with eyebrow wiggle, before commenting, "You should practice this one as well to use on Mark later." It was a guess, but Jeff's reaction should give him some clue as to whether or not his suspicions were right or not. "And I'll help you work on the other one to use on Heyman. Practice makes perfect." **** His eyes narrow as he watched the two men in front of him, Mark had to wonder just what the hell was going on. Shawn hadn't said anything to him about Dave, although they hadn't spoken for a while, either; but whatever was going on here, it was bound to hurt the Heartbreaker, and that was something Mark wouldn't have. The gratification Mark felt as he watched Dave and Hunter break apart was swept away with Hunter's first words. The blond and he had never really gotten along; he'd never been able to compete with Hunter in Shawn's heart, regardless of what Shawn thought, and that had hurt. A lot. When he'd finally been able to walk away from a relationship that was killing him even as it made him happier than he'd ever been before, the timing had been abysmal... but it was because of Hunter. The Game had been able to be with Shawn when he wasn't, to offer the support that Shawn needed so badly when he couldn't... and that had been the eye-opener. He knew Shawn loved him... but he loved Hunter more. So Mark had left him. And although the leaving had been bitter and harsh, the friendship they'd managed to work out afterward had been close... but Shawn had never told Hunter why it had happened. Undoubtedly because he couldn't work up the courage to tell Hunt that he loved him, but it had damaged the working relationship between them. Every time he'd had to deal with Hunter since that fateful day in the summer of 1998, there had been a cold disdain in those amber eyes... and he was hard pressed to find a reason why it shouldn't be there. "Actually Mark, we do care about Shawn, we both do." That sent a cool silence blasting through�hot angry thoughts swirling in his mind, and he blinked once, staring at the two of them before really looking at the room: Towels and clothing scattered around from earlier, draped over benches and on the floor... some of it obviously too small for it to belong to the men in front of him. They both cared about Shawn? Could Hunt possibly mean... "But since when has caring about Shawn been your top priority?" Since I walked away from him so that he could be with the man he really loved.�The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he choked them back. From the way things looked, neither man would want to hear them, let alone believe them, especially if they both only knew the basic story. The expression on Hunter's face made his fingers itch to wipe it right off, but he knew that was the intent; that expression was reserved for in-ring promos and backstage morons who rubbed Hunt the wrong way. Just his luck to have always ended up in the latter category. "I don't think it has ever been his top priority... At least not since he dumped Shawn while Shawn was still trying to deal with the fact that his career was over." He could feel himself tensing, feel the indignant anger rising up again, and he choked it back. Dave wasn't saying anything that he hadn't accused himself of countless times already... and it was true, from a certain point of view. It just wasn't the whole story... but neither he nor Shawn had ever told anyone what the whole truth was, so what did he expect? His initial anger was long gone, replaced by regret. He hadn't meant to break in on them like that, let alone get all pissed when there was obviously more going on than was obvious. "So why don't you let those of us that actually love Shawn worry about Shawn?" Eyes widening, Mark stared at Dave as the man planted himself directly in front of him, practically daring him to start something. Not that he would... not with someone who loved Shawn. Loved Shawn. That was... unexpected. And comforting, somehow. He'd always love the man, but he'd long since moved on from being in love with him, and watching him pull further and further into himself and away from others while trying to act like everything was fine had hurt to see. If these two loved him and made him happy, and Mark didn't doubt, looking at them, that they did, then he would do anything in his power to help... including staying the hell away from them, if necessary. It would hurt to lose a close friend, but he'd rather sacrifice his friendship with Shawn than interfere in something like this. "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." All he could really do was shake his head, speechless at the depths of the emotion he'd so inadvertently forced them to show. The kiss between Dave and Hunter spoke volumes to him... as did Dave's following words to Hunt. So, he hadn't told them how he felt before? Well, damned if he would say anything to Shawn about it. It wasn't his business, and he wasn't about to blunder around doing even more damage by repeating things that he had no business hearing in the first place. The glare from Dave didn't surprise him at all; the fact that the man had walked away rather than do anything else did, since very few people had that kind of self-restraint. The only reason he hadn't punched Heyman for saying things about Jeff was his pure shock at the words, after all. Oh. That was... not what he needed to be thinking about right now. Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted Kevin standing in the doorway, an expression of mixed surprise and regret on his face. Damn Nash, anyway. If he hadn't told Mark that Shawn would be in here... wait a minute. Did Kevin know about this little arrangement beforehand? Drawing in a breath, he carefully pushed away the anger that threatened at that thought. He wouldn't have said anything to anyone either, and still wouldn't, so he had no right to get pissed off at Kev for actually being discreet for once. "For what it's worth, I don't think all that was directed at you personally Mark." One eyebrow raised in disbelief at Hunter's mollifying tone. Mark suspected that himself, given what Dave had said about Stephanie and Vince, but for Hunter, of all people, to be trying to apologise to him... that was just weird. If Dave had told the truth, and Mark fully believed that he had been, then these three had been through a hellacious day and he'd probably gotten the extra-short version. "We wouldn't fuck Shawn over like that... I promise. If that means anything these days." Another breath and he allowed his lips to curl in a slight, rueful smile. "It does, Hunter. It always has, but especially for Shawn..." He trailed off, shaking his head again as he dropped his eyes to the floor. His voice softening, he slowly revealed more emotion than he'd allowed himself to in longer than he could remember. "I'm sorry. I just... I've seen Shawn hurt too often by people he cared about... including me. If you two feel like that about him, then I'm happy to hear it. He's a good man, Hunt, and he deserves to be loved by someone who can give him what he needs. I couldn't do that, so... I had to let him go." The memory of wetness streaked down sharp cheekbones, clear blue eyes drowning in tears even as they showed nothing but understanding... that image would never cease to haunt him. His own words were bringing old pains back to life, and he struggled to push them away. It was all in the past now, and he had other things to think about now. The image of rainbow-streaked hair came to mind, a pale face showing forced determination, and he wondered for an instant if really, anything had actually changed. Raising his eyes to meet Hunter's hazel ones again, he said in a slightly lighter tone of voice as he changed the subject, "I actually needed to talk to him about something... that's why I came over here in the first place." Hearing a throat clearing pointedly behind him, he rolled his eyes. Damn Nash, anyway. "I'm going to be working with Jeff Hardy for a couple of months, and since Shawn has time off coming up, I was wondering if he'd be interested in helping out. Do you know where he is?" **** Hanging in the doorway as he watched the scene in front of him unfold, Kevin felt like kicking himself. When he'd teased Mark into checking Evolution's locker room, he'd really thought that the worst they'd find was a nice hot kiss between Shawn and one of the others, if the door was unlocked. But this... as hot as the kiss had been, the explosion afterward had made it seem icy. Watching the byplay, waiting to step in if things seemed like they were getting out of hand, Kevin indulged himself in listening and observing. Scott would probably be surprised, but he did have his moments, and this seemed like a good one to practice those little-used skills. Hunter was more than willing to say that they were a trio; that was an excellent step forward from the incredible awkwardness he'd seen earlier this morning. Apparently they'd been able to hash out some of their difficulties... and Hunt seemed to have gotten over that "no touching" problem quite nicely, if that kiss were anything to judge by. Dave's tirade was eye-opening, and he resolved to let Scott know about Vince's apparently bad reaction to the news. He'd half-suspected that would be the result, for whatever reason... Vince had never quite seemed to get over Shawn, although that would be kind of strange to come into play now, of all times. Shawn had been involved with people before, after all, and Vince hadn't even blinked. So that couldn't be the reason. And knowing how Dave felt about Shawn and Hunter wasn't surprising, after watching them today, but it was nice to hear... and no way in hell was Kev going to say word one to Shawn, since Dave would probably beat the hell out of him for ruining the obvious surprise. Stepping out of the way as Dave brushed by him, Kevin watched the other two closely. Hunter and Mark had never really gotten along, and although he suspected he knew why, he didn't want to see them come to blows. Shawn loved both of them, in his own way, and he really didn't need them to be fighting over this. Damn; how was he going to explain this to Scott, anyway? Mark's softly-spoken words astonished him. The Dead Man rarely revealed any part of himself to others, and for him to offer up this sort of emotion to someone he'd always had problems dealing with... Kevin shook his head even as he smiled. Shawn did seem to have a way of getting people to open up, even when he wasn't actually present. Hearing the pause as Mark obviously debated over telling Hunter why he was looking for Shawn, he cleared his throat loudly, grinning at the reaction. At least that way Hunt wouldn't be wondering why the hell his lover's ex-lover was looking for him. That would be bad, at this point. He missed Hunter's reply as a hand on his arm caught his attention, and he turned to find himself looking down at Benoit, who looked exasperated. "Nash, Vince wants to see you and Scott in his office ASAP. Something about the tag match at Bad Blood, I don't know what, but probably because of Adam's ribs." Nodding, Kevin could certainly understand the irritation if Benny had just come from Vince's office. McMahon was undoubtedly not in a great mood, after the incident with Terry followed by Hunter's news. Glancing back into the locker room, he raised his voice loud enough to be heard. "Gotta go see Vinnie Mac, guys. If you need me, I'll be up there for a while, I'm betting." He turned to go, then paused and looked back with a smile. "Play nice, now!" He didn't quite catch the comment that floated out of the room after him, but the tone of voice turned his smile into a grin. If he'd managed to deflect even a little part of the tension in that room, he'd succeeded. Moving quickly, he realised that he desperately wanted to find Scott anyway. Much like Scotty last night, he just wanted to know that he was still loved, even after he'd fucked up. Scott would understand, though. He hoped. Stopping at the corner near Vince's office, his eyebrows shot up at the sight of the small crowd outside the door. What the hell was going on here tonight, anyway? And where... ah. There he was. Spotting his lover standing off to the side, behind Jeff, he changed his heading and slid up behind him, sliding an arm around Scott's waist as he leaned his chin on his shoulder. The relief that swept over him at the touch lightened his mood considerably. "So glad to see you, Scott," he said quietly. "That did not go well. Guess we have to go talk to Vince about the pay-per-view, too." Settling for a hug from behind since he didn't want to further inflame their boss if Vince was still upset, he gently steered Scott toward the doorway, pausing just outside until Vince acknowledged them. **** Hunter blinked at Mark's conciliatory tone. After being read the riot act by Dave, he wouldn't have been surprised if 'Taker had been fuming. But then Calloway was known for his particularly even temper, the very few bursts of rage Hunter had been witness to were both irregular and only on another's behalf. You couldn't pick a fight with Mark by getting in his face, the man just didn't pick. loved by someone who can give him what he needs. I couldn't do that, so... I had to let him go. Keeping his jaw from dropping by main force, Hunter listened as Mark made his startling confession. He'd always known there was more to the man's breaking up with Shawn than had seemed to be on the surface. Naturally, the more personal details of�the�relationship were kept between the two men involved, but as Hunt's cherished position as Shawn's friend, he'd been granted most of the gory details.�Shawn had�told him what had happened with Mark,�often in choked, tear-stained whispers, when a day of agonising rehab�had broken down Shawn's wall of invulnerability. He'd immediately taken Shawn's side in the break-up. Of course. Not that Shawn had held any animosity towards Mark, strangely just the opposite. Even though he'd been dumped, Hunter's choice of word not Shawn's, his beautiful friend had been drenched in nothing but sadness and an inexplicable guilt. What Shawn had been guilty of Hunter could never guess. For all his flirting, Shawn was as faithful as... as... as a really faithful man could be. There'd been no cheating from either�lover from what Hunt knew. So that had simply left him with Mark being unhappy about something Shawn did and ending it...at about the worst possible time, Hunter's inner bitch added. But now, with years of clean time between then and the present, Hunter could pull his head out of his ass and actually look at the situation from Mark's point of view. Had 'Taker suspected Shawn's feelings for Hunter? Had the man he'd spent a lot of months envying and hating with alternate breaths done the honourable thing and stepped out of Shawn's life for the blond's own good? An act Hunter had tried and failed to complete himself just last night, to do what was best for Shawn even though it had hurt his lover more than he could say? And wasn't it telling, Hunter thought with a stomach-curling guilt, that Shawn had never broken down Mark's door to beat the truth out of him? Dammit. Hunter really sucked at apologising. He was fortunate that Mark didn't give him the chance. I'm going to be working with Jeff Hardy for a couple of months... Well, now wasn't that interesting news? Hunter knew that Mark had a soft spot for the crazy punk kids who were so frighteningly talented they could make you gape, but whose brains were messed up in equal proportion. Insert picture of Shawn here, Hunter thought to himself. Well, if Jeff was the lucky one to have Mark Calloway as a mentor, then the kid probably had half a chance. Although Vince had practically relegated Jeff to the 'lost cause' basket, so Mark would have had a grand old time convincing his father-in-law to come to the party. No. Not thinking of McMahon right now. No. "Hardy Junior back on the books is he? Good. That didn't set well with anyone, despite the 'lateness' thing. If Stone Cold ever turned up on time for his matches I'd paint myself blue." Picking up his bottle of water from the floor where he'd dropped it in his haste to get to the shower earlier... Hunter quickly stifled a smug smile at the memory of that encounter... he gestured with a hand politely to the door. "No idea where Shawn is I'm afraid. Probably still doing his final promo shots for Sunday. I'm next so I'll walk there with you, if you don't mind." Following Mark out the door, Hunter thought on his previous feelings towards the big man. Shawn had always nursed a real affection for Mark after the blistering pain of the break-up faded.�His lover�actually had very good taste when it came to choosing his friends, his love for Hunter being the only deviation that Hunt could tell. So if he couldn't hate Mark for hurting Shawn, maybe he could start to like him for caring so much about Shawn that he'd let him go. Not like he couldn't relate. Deciding that a heavy emotional confession was out of the question, Hunter planned on not being an asshole to the man as his way of�saying 'sorry'. It would have been really uncomfortable for the both of them anyway. **** then I can be a good little boy and follow Dr. Tom's orders Chris snorted. Yeah right. Adam would be doing as he was ordered, no doubt about that, CJ would make certain of it. But being good, nahhh, Chris knew he'd probably have to coax, cajole and hopefully bribe Adam with sex to�get his lover to stay in bed for a few hours, let alone four days. And Chris wouldn't describe a single bit of his newly discovered beloved as 'little'. "It's not Dr. Tom's orders I expect you to follow Babe." Chris murmured into Adam's shoulder and they walked towards Vince's office. CJ had casually draped an arm across Adam's lower back to keep his lover close. It was a far more intimate embrace that 'just friends' but was hardly anywhere near the 'WE ARE A COUPLE' physical declarations that often went on back stage. Why just last week he'd seen Maven and one of the wannabe Divas in a position that had left him stumbling and screaming 'I'm blind, I'm blind' as he backed across the locker room. But Chris, for all his own uninhibited behaviour, wanted to let his lover call the shots as to how far he was allowed to go. The discreet touching and looks they'd exchanged would be obvious to their friends, but after the Fuckhead's actions, many eyes would be watching them for the next while. Adam hadn't been with a co-worker in any of the capacities that 'with' could cover since he'd demonstrated his belated good taste by dumping the Fuckhead. While Chris knew this was because his lover had been bitten and bitten hard, he wasn't going to bulldoze over Adam's feelings by jumping him in public. At least not while they both had fractures. What could start in fun would definitely end in tears at this juncture. Arriving at Vince's door, Chris turned and grinned at the other two men. "As we're all fighting to get in to see Vince, I'll claim first go for Adam as he's the most damaged." Seeing the very unenthusiastic expression on Jeff's face, Chris offered a sympathetic smile. "Want us to hang around while you beard the lion Junior?" Dipping is head in an obvious sign of nerves, Jeff looked at Chris, his expression one of thanks and hope. But... "Nahh, thanks but I'm good. Just got to make sure I don't go mental on him again. Hope Melrose isn't there though." "Tell you what," CJ smiled as Adam knocked and was granted admission to Vince's office, "I'll do reconnaissance for you. Back in a tick." Chris followed his lover into the make-shift office and managed to catch the beginning of the conversation. **** Jeff caught Adam's smug 'cat's gonna get some cream smile' and�upgraded his opinion on the Adam and Chris in bed visual from hot to seriously hot. Not that he was actually attracted to either of the blonds, no matter how pretty a picture they made together. Jeff's taste tended towards bigger and darker than his friends, which was probably a blessing considering most people he had relationships with ended up as blood enemies or worse. Making a move on either of the blonds had just never occurred to him, they were his friends after all, they fell into the same category as his brother, guys he loved... he just didn't love them that's all. 'Cos that would be just eeewww. Seeing the byplay between them didn't stop him from feeling evilly pleased at the new relationship developing before him. As far as Jeff was concerned, Chris had screwed around far too much, with far too many caveman for his own good. Being with Adam would be a fresh change that may indicate his friend getting a clue about deserving better than being someone's sex toy. As for Adam... that the taller man was fucking someone he liked and cared about for a change was definitely a plus. Knowing the guy's name made a difference too. He let Adam's comment about Mark roll off him like water. What his friend thought he knew and what he actually knew, were two completely different things. "Ahh no, don't think I'll be trying any come hither looks on Mark anytime soon," Jeff confided in a whisper as he moved out of the way of Adam's slow rise from his seat. "Would go down like a ton of bricks, if you know what I mean?" And he hadn't meant the pun in that at all. Following the blonds into the hall, Jeff fell in step beside Scott, who was still hovering around him like a silent bodyguard. It was nice... weird but nice, to have someone watching his back for a change, even if it was more of a favour to Mark than for any affection for Jeff. But it was still nice. Not that anyone would get in his face here, for all that Terry had attacked Adam, that shit just didn't really happen back stage. He'd only been here a couple of hours after all, so no-one who had it in for him would be even aware that he'd darkened the WWE's halls again. "Thanks for the back-up here Raze, but I'm fine really.�I may have been persona non grata for a while, but no-one here holds grudges for that long do they?" He kept the sarcasm in his voice to a tolerable level, he knew who he was talking to after all. Scott Hall could probably tell him a thing or two about long held grudges that would turn even his hair white. Want us to hang around while you beard the lion Junior? Oh and wouldn't he just love to take Chris up on that offer? To go into Vince's office and sign that contract with CJ and Adam backing him up, like seconds in a duel. But wouldn't that be just another sign of Jeff's own lack of self-reliance, self-control? That he needed other people to hold his hand while he signed a contract for his own fucking career? It was bad enough... bad?... that he was only here because Mark had put his ass on the line for him, he didn't want to put Adam and Chris in the same boat. "Naahh thanks, but I'm good. Just got to make sure I don't go mental on him again. Hope Melrose isn't there though." And he really, really did. Because if�Melrose did that thing where he sniffed at Jeff while rolling his eyes, he was gonna have a serious time controlling his 'kick the asshole in the head' reflex. Fortunately Chris saved him from that situation by going in with Adam to check out the landscape of the office. While the two Canadians were closeted with Vince, Jeff looked down at his boots, wrapping his arms around himself while he contemplated what he wanted to say. "Scott? Why is Mark helping me like this? I've got a few ideas but the obvious ones aren't true," and wasn't that a killer, in more ways than one. "Is he just being a great guy, giving me a chance 'cos no-one else will? Or because..." No, he wasn't going there... not yet. "...or is he doing this for another reason?" Waiting for Scott's answer, Jeff didn't look up at the sound of incoming footsteps. But he recognised the presence of Kevin Nash easily. Would either of them know why Mark was helping him? Or would he just have to continue wondering until he summoned the courage to ask the man directly? **** "It's not Dr. Tom's orders I expect you to follow Babe." Like he was going to mind following Chris' orders? Not... especially if they included some of his favorite words... like more, right there, and harder. He was such a horndog. Jeff's reply to his comment drew his mind from baser thoughts. "Would go down like a ton of bricks, if you know what I mean?" Interesting wasn't it. That while Jeff wasn't planning to use those come hither looks on Mark, he'd qualified it. So... Jeff didn't think Mark would be interested. Yet Mark had taken enough of an interest to step into the backstage political arena and give him a chance at a contract... something that Mark hadn't done in a long, long while. He would definitely be keeping an eye on developments there. After knocking on the door to Vince's office, Adam ducked and kissed the top of Chris' head while he waited for a summons to enter. Raising his brows over the muffled 'What now?', he turned the knob and stuck his head through the door. Vince didn't look happy. He looked even less happy when he saw who had knocked on the door. "What in the hell are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be getting X-rays or something? And I'm pretty sure I know what happened in the hall from witness statements, but do you have anything to add before I decide what to do about Terry?" Ouch. Hoping that Vince's ire wasn't all for his benefit, Adam walked into the office. "Been for X-rays already and we are leaving, but I wanted to let you know what the doctor had to say." Vince's expectant look begged him to continue, so he did so. "No breaks. A few fractures. The doctor said as long as I wrap my ribs I can work." Okay so maybe that wasn't 'exactly' what he had said, but it was close enough. He knew Chris was listening though and if he didn't spill all then Chris would. "I'll have to guard my left side and try not to get dropped on my head, but with the match we had planned I'll only have to be out there for a few minutes before Glen makes his appearance. No need to cancel the match for my benefit. As far as Terry... not much to tell. He said some things, I said some things, he didn't like what I had to say and he let me have it. End of story." He could have added details, but what was the point. He was sure Vince had already heard them if he had witnesses. In a way, he almost hoped Terry wouldn't get sent to OVW so he had a chance to get back some of his own, but it would be better for Chris if Terry did go. "Fine, Adam. I won't pull the match, but I am going to make a few changes. We're going to add another team to the match. I know it isn't what we had planned, but since the whole incident happened I've been thinking about it and that's what I've decided to do. Terry's going to be sent down to OVW. I can't have people going off half-cocked and costing us pay per view matches, even if that didn't happen in this case." Adam raised a brow. Another team? And just how the hell were they going to introduce the other team to the match when the pay per view was on Sunday? "Okay Vince. I have no problems with that, just let me know what you want to do. I'm planning on working Monday as well, then if it's not a problem I'll take the rest of the week off. I just don't want to cause any problems with the schedule." He didn't address the issue with Terry. Vince had already made up his mind and it was for the best. It was Vince's turn to raise a brow. "You still want to do the six-man on Monday? Okay. Whatever. As long as you're cleared for it, then we'll go with it. I've already sent someone to find Nash and Hall. You and Jericho get out of here and don't let me see you before Sunday. I'll have someone call you with the details for the match." Nash and Hall as the other team? Damn. That sounded like fun. Too bad he and Chris were going to get taken out early. "Yes, sir. Hall is outside... in the hall." Didn't that just sound weird? "Jeff's waiting out there as well. I'll send him in on my way out." Vince rolled his eyes as if he weren't really in the mood to deal with Hardy at the moment, but nodded anyway. "Okay, send him in so we can get this over with. Tell Hall as soon as Nash gets here I want them in here." "I'll do that. Bye, Vince." Ducking out the door, he turned to Scott and nodded. "I take it you heard that?" After Scott's nod in return, Adam turned to Jeff. "Looks like you're up. Good luck." As Jeff ducked into the office, Adam turned to Chris and smiled. "I'm all yours now, sweetheart. Ready to go tuck me in?" **** "I may have been persona non grata for a while, but no-one here holds grudges for that long do they?" Scott snorted quietly in response to the sarcastic comment. Grudges? He could probably come up with a few stories to convince Jeff of just how right he was. Stories that would have him running from the world of wrestling if he had any brain cells... nah, on second thought, Hardy wasn't the type to quit with the odds against him. Scott wasn't sure if that made him brave... or insane. At least they hadn't run into Heyman again since the earlier encounter. He wondered how Kev was doing with the whole Mark/Shawn/Hunter/Dave situation. If he knew Kev, which he most certainly did, then Kevin would find him in a little while all laughs and smiles. Unless something went wrong... but how likely was that to happen? Done with his own mental wandering for the moment, he caught the tail end of Jeff's reply to Chris. Scott determined to hang around for awhile yet, just in case the slimy little rodent was present. Scott had had a few interesting encounters with Melrose himself, including one where he had thought Kev was going to rip the man's head off for referring to Scott's past. Scott had circumvented an incident that day, but the man was still on his shit list. "...Or is he doing this for another reason?" Wow. That was a hell of a loaded question. How exactly should he answer it? He had his own suspicions of course, but nothing that Mark had confirmed verbally. Scott wasn't one to visit supposition as it always led him into trouble. Witness his error in judgment with the whole Dave situation yesterday although it seemed as if that might have ended up working out for the best. He wouldn't take that kind of chance with the Mark/Jeff situation. Mark would string him up by his toes if he were by chance wrong. He didn't think he was though. All he could do is go with what he knew of Mark in the past and work from there. "Jeff, I could speculate all day on why Mark does the things he does and still not come up with the right answer. I think you should ask the man himself why he did it, but if you want my opinion..." Scott studied his boots as he considered how to phrase his thoughts without taking a step over the mental ledge he was standing beside. "Sometimes the most obvious explanation is close to the truth without being close enough. Think about what you know personally of the man," Scott said, his eyes flicking towards the office where Adam was ensconced with CJ and Vince in a broad hint. Adam's relationship with Mark had been surprising while at the same time not. Mark wasn't one for brief flings. That was obvious by the relationships he'd had in the past. That he and Adam had been together so long, even with the deeper feelings not present was clue enough of that. Scott couldn't remember hearing any gossip about who Mark had been seeing since he'd split with Adam and Scott had to wonder who it was that Mark had been with since then. From the Dead Man's reactions earlier, Scott would guess that whomever might have been receiving his attentions... it wasn't serious. Mark wasn't the type to run around behind someone else's back. That and the fact that Mark had been antsy when Scott had asked who he was staying with led him to the conclusion that Mark hadn't been seeing anyone, at least recently. "If you really messed up as badly with Melrose as what you implied, then it's obvious Mark had to give one hell of a concession to Vince to pull you out of the mud. While Mark is generous to a fault for those he cares about, I can't see him doing it on a lark." He was an inch from that proverbial ledge. Luckily for him, Kevin showed up before he could toss himself over it. Mark would already want to kill him. "That did not go well. Guess we have to go talk to Vince about the pay-per-view, too." Scott leaned back into Kevin's touch. The fact that things didn't go well... well damn, how wrong could he be? He should have figured it, considering their luck lately. He would most certainly pry the details out of Kevin later, but for now... It was Jeff's turn to face Vince. As the blonds exited and sent Jeff into the depths of Hell, otherwise known as Vince's office, Scott allowed Kevin to steer him to the door of the office as well. He'd keep an ear out, just in case Jeff needed the help. Turning his head slightly so that his breath blew gently against Kevin's cheek, Scott whispered, "Missed you too, babe. So what the hell happened with Mark and the boys? I thought the way the wind was blowing that Mark would have been okay with Shawn getting together with Dave and Hunter. Did they say anything about Vince's reaction?" Scott watched Jeff talking to Vince with vague interest. Everything seemed okay at the moment and he really wanted to know what had happened with Shawn, Dave, Hunter, and Mark. **** Chris wasn't surprised at Adam's quick recitation of events or the total lock of detail he offered Vince over the fight in the hall. Telling your boss you got attacked by your ex because you said he had a small dick wasn't exactly a story�Adam seemed aching to tell. And no... CJ didn't delude himself that it was that little�comment of Adam's that caused the Fuckhead's violent reaction. There was a lot more to Terry's feelings for�CJ's boyfriend�than just bitchiness over getting caught screwing around and Chris meant to keep his eye on the Hornless Rhyno, just to be on the safe side. Fine, Adam. I won't pull the match, but I am going to make a few changes. Well, what had he been expecting? That Vince would overrule Adam and Dr. Tom and forbid his lover to wrestle on Sunday? Vince could and often did, order his employees to stay out of the ring, his ears deaf to demands and pleas of 'I'm fine really'. But in some cases, most notably those of his headline talent, Vince could be persuaded to let�a wrestler perform in spite of medical opinions to the contrary. Adam had made his best possible case here, presenting Vince with all the medical evidence on his condition and making his arguments clearly and with a minimum of fuss. There was no doubt Vince was a very busy man, he really, really didn't like fuss. Terry's going to be sent down to OVW. There. See? Fuss-causer just got canned and good riddance too. Pity though... CJ really would have liked to try and break a couple more of the guy's fingers. Just to keep them on even ground. While Adam and Vince worked out the Raw match, Chris leaned his head back out the door of the office. "All clear Junior, Melrose must be off signing someone else's soul to the devil." Jeff nodded absently at Chris' information,�arms across his�middle and eyes on�his boots in a pose that could be kindly called 'subdued', but given that CJ wasn't noted for being kind, he'd call it 'defensive'. Whatever his multi-coloured haired friend was discussing with Scott was obviously something personal to cause such a change in Jeff's demeanour. Chris turned back into the room, just catching the end of Scott Hall's quiet words. ...about, I can't see him doing it on a lark. Ahhh. So Calloway was stepping up to bat for Jeff with Vince on the contract issue. The massive 'Why?' in that equation was one CJ would like answered himself, his protective instincts coming to the fore in regard to his favorite Hardy. Mark may be an ultimate gentleman with sterling taste, dating Adam was certainly an indicator of that, but Chris was still going to subtly bring Mark's possible motives up with his lover sometime in the near future. Sometime. When they were at the hotel. When they actually left the arena. And didn't come back again. And talk to some more people. Suppressing an urge to drum his fingers on the door frame, Chris smiled with false cheerfulness at Vince when his boss looked at him with a wary expression. CJ had no intention of mentioning the condition of his hand to the man on the other side of the desk. Just like he hadn't mentioned the nasty bruising he'd received after impacting with several monitors when Tyson had tossed him through the announce table. Chris acknowledged the fact that he didn't have a medical degree, but he also�knew that he didn't care.�When he could and couldn't work was something he was quite capable of determining for himself. He didn't need Vince to be 'fussed' by him as well. I'm all yours now, sweetheart. Ready to go tuck me in? Chris stifled his tart response of "Really? You sure now? Don't wanna chat with ten other people just because we're here?" Adam didn't need heavy sarcasm right now, what he needed was a bed, some low lighting and Chris' talented hands. And Chris meant him to have them. "Willing and able Babe. You don't know what you've been missing till you've been put to bed by yours truly. My tucking is legendary so I've been told." And if you couldn't guess which word he emphasised in that sentence, then you didn't know Chris Jericho. "Ty's taken our bags to the car park and�is gonna sit on�the taxi if it's early... let's go." Returning his arm to its former position at Adam's lower back, Chris guided his lover as swiftly as Adam's drug-soothed ribs would allow, through the backstage corridors. Nodding and smiling at the few crew members who tried to stop them to ask how they were, CJ ruthlessly propelled them�away from�any such encounters, his hand slipping to grasp�Adam's�belt with a firm grip. Ignoring images of himself as a bullet-like tug boat nudging a long sea liner into port, Chris breathed a sigh of relief as they finally emerged back into the dubious fresh air of the car park. Tyson was just loading their bags into the back of a cab, while Jay tried to give the driver directions. "He lives here Jay, I don't think the main hotels will be too difficult to find." Chris smiled at the slightly perplexed cab-driver, who had�been nodding at Jay with a uncertain�look on his face.�"We'll see you two in the morning okay? I promise not to interrupt anything important again." In truth, Chris kinda wished something would be happening between his two friends, not that he really wanted the visual or anything. But make-up sex was always good no matter who the participants were. Nevertheless, Chris wasn't going to let them off easy. Checking to make sure Adam was still in a pain-free place, Chris climbed into the back seat beside his lover and rolled down the window. "Oh Jay? Slow the fuck down with the managing 'thing'. It's driving us all nuts and you're going to wreck your back again if you don't quit it." Grinning at his startled friends, Chris gave them the royal wave as the driver finally found a gear higher than first and they moved out into traffic. Lolling his head around to look at Adam, Chris asked his lover, "So. How was your evening?" **** to be continued... |