Insomnia absolutely sucked.

Especially when you just spent half the night travelling and had a full, rich day staring you in the face.

So as Chris Jericho stared out over the dark rolling expanse of the Atlantic Ocean he silently marvelled at how empty Atlantic City seemed at three in the morning.

“A million casinos, and not a damn thing to do,” he grumbled to himself.”

Coming to the east coast...and being this close to the water.... was something he always looked forward to. The fact that he probably wouldn’t get to enjoy a second of it, was a thought he was trying unsuccessfully to push from his mind.

It ranked right up there with how much he was dreading tomorrow....actually tonight’s.... SmackDown taping.

He was scheduled to take part in a tag match with Kurt Angle as his partner.....which was fine. He liked Kurt...in spite of his dorkiness.

They were going up against Taker and the new kid on the block, John Cena. Another chance to make the rookie look good and another chance to fall further down the food chain.

And as if that weren’t enough to depress him, The Rock was due to make return number three hundred and seventy two. No doubt to one more huge pop.

Add to that another endless night of speculation over the future of HHH, Taker and Kurt bickering like two old ladies and it wasn’t hard to see why his normal optimism had chosen to desert him.

Releasing a sigh of weariness that was in no way related to sleep, he turned and headed back to his hotel.

Lack of sleep aside, he found himself enjoying the solitude of the early morning hours. No autograph seekers, no picture takers, just the odd worn out gambler or completely drunk vacationer, who had no interest in him anyway.

He was almost in front of the bank of elevators when his reverie was broken.

“Hey Jabroni...don’t tell me you’re snubbing me.” Chris grimaced slightly, quickly debating over whether or not he should simply ignore the man or just turn, smile and run like hell.

Unfortunately his decision was made for him as Rocky, shouldering his bag, sauntered over to stand next to him. “How’s it going?” he asked cheerfully, slapping his shoulder. “It’s going just great,” he sighed, although anyone listening to his voice knew a lie when they heard it.” “Why are you still up? Havin’ a little fun?”

He gave him a wink and a nudge and Chris looked at him in disbelief. “No...I'm not having any fun. I couldn’t sleep. So I thought I’d take a walk.”

Rock eyed him carefully before he spoke. “You ok? Not hurt or sick are you?’ Chris was speechless for a second, surprised at this show of concern from a man who up until now had been nothing more than someone he worked with.

“No..I’m fine,” he said shortly. “Just a lot on my mind.” He turned his view back to the still closed elevator door, using every ounce of will power he had not to kick it. 

Rock continued to smile brightly at him...a sight which was becoming just a bit unnerving. “Oh....I thought maybe you were down here to greet me. You know a welcoming committee.” “Sorry,” he replied without turning his head. “You’ll have to wait til tomorrow for that.” He was trying his damndest to sound pissed off, but nothing he said seemed to be able to wipe that ridiculous grin from Rocky’s face. 

The elevator doors finally slid open and Chris gratefully ducked inside. “Which floor?” He glanced over at the tall, dark, and impossibly handsome man, and uttered, “six.” “Well what a coincidence. I’m on six too.” Chris let his eyelids drop for a second as he shook his head. Fate sure had it in for him tonight. They rode in silence until the doors opened on their floor. “Listen...if you’ve got nothing else to do, how about joining me for a bit. You now, have a beer or something. Catch me up on what’s been going on?” 

Chris’ first inclination was to say no. Considering his frame of mind, the last thing he needed was to spend the rest of what was left of this night with Mr. Happy Face. But the thought of lying in his bed...alone...with sleep nowhere in sight was even less appealing. And if truth be told, Rock could be very entertaining. “Ok, I guess I could....for a while.” “Great,” he said, bestowing him with yet another dazzling smile.

This time, Chris returned the smile...and with more than a hint of sincerity. For some reason he expected Rocky’s room to be far more opulent than his. He was surprised to see that it was, in fact, almost identical. “All I need is a bed and a bathroom,” he said. “The rest is just wasted on me.” 

Chris took a seat by the sliding glass door and watched as Rock unpacked the few meager things he had brought along. He eyed his cell phone before quickly switching it off and tossing it onto the nightstand. “I’ll go outside if you have some calls to make or messages to get,” Chris offered. “Not necessary,” he told him. “It’s three a.m., nothing is that important that it can’t wait til morning. “Now what can I get you...a beer?”

Chris nodded, suddenly feeling just a little less annoyed. He accepted the beer with a smile and sat back enjoying the first cold sip as it trickled down his throat. “So, “Rocky began, taking a sip from his own beer. “Who’s this Cena character?” Chris nearly choked as he looked up a him. “Have you been watching Smackdown?” “Of course I have. Gotta keep up with what’s going on...don’t I?” 

“Besides, I’m a fan.” The grin on his face was enough to actually make Chris laugh. “I was wondering when I was gonna hear that,” Rocky said. “You’re<br>usually very upbeat. Something you want to talk about?” “Nah,” Chris replied, shaking his head. “Just a little downswing in my career. Things will get better.”

As he spoke, he stood and walked to the open glass doors, taking a deep breath of the tangy air. “I just seem to be treading water at the moment...that’s all. I mean, I was all set up to face Edge at Vengeance....that is until he turned into Hulk Junior. Vince informed me earlier this evening that our match has been scrapped. Apparently he wants the dynamic duo to face off against Christian and Storm."

Rocky rose from the edge of the bed where he had been sitting and walked over to stand in front of Chris. “Actually, it kind of makes sense.” His voice was soft....comforting. Chris snorted in laughter. “Yeah...I know. Doesn’t mean I have to like it though.” “So you don’t get a match at all?” Chris raised his head and sneered. “Nothing is written in stone, but it looks like I’ll be facing Crena....and his bitch slap from hell.” 

He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully as he spoke and Rocky chuckled. Reaching out a single finger he traced a line down Chris’ jaw. “The memory lingers on...huh?” Chris drew back in surprise. “Yeah...something like that.” Dropping his hand quickly to his side, Rocky motioned to the now empty bottle in Chris’ hand. “Get you another?” Chris looked down at the amber bottle and back up into Rocky’s smiling face. “I don’t want to keep you up. You probably want to get some sleep.”

Rock reached down and slipped the bottle from his hand. “I’ll go to bed when I’m ready.” Chris watched him move across the room...completely unaware of how intently he was staring at him. He thanked him quietly as he handed him a second frosted bottle and decided to change the subject. 

“You glad to be back?” “Yeah...I am,” he said happily. “I missed all this...the backstage fun, the bitching and moaning......the friends.” His eyes connected with Chris’ and the blonde felt a peculiar tremor pass through him. “It’s why I can’t give it up completely. There are too many things that keep drawing me back.”

Chris flicked his finger idly at the silver wrapper on his bottle. “Well...I’ll tell you something....and don’t repeat this....but it’s nice to have you back.” If it was possible, Rock’s smile became even brighter. Chris found himself gazing into his deep brown eyes...and losing the inner battle he was fighting to stay in the foul mood he had carefully cultivated all evening. “So...why are you out so late?” he asked Rocky. “I was in Philly,” he explained as he took another long sip of his beer. “Vince wanted me to make a token appearance at Raw...off camera, of course.” “And the people went nuts....right?” 

Rock looked at him, the smile just a bit dimmer. “It was a nice reception....yeah.” Chris instantly regretted his tone. “Hey...I’m sorry. You deserve what the fans give you. I remember what it was like when we were feuding over the title. They love you....nothing wrong with that.” Rock stepped across the carpet quietly until he was face to face with Chris.” “I think about that feud a lot.” “You do?” Chris said in surprise. “Yes....I do. Sometimes I find myself wishing that some things had ended up just a little differently.”

“Oh you mean like you winning the belts?” Chris asked, not at all uncomfortable with the fact that Rock’s face was now only inches from his. “No,” he continued. His voice now a deep, low, sensual rumble. “I was thinking more in terms of......us.” 

His lips pressed against Chris’, sending a shiver through both men. Rock was fully prepared for Chris to pull back and either storm from the room or deck him. What he wasn’t prepared for was hearing Chris’ bottle hit the floor right before he wrapped his arms around his neck and trapped him in a breathless kiss. 

Part 2

When they broke apart Chris was breathing raggedly. “Listen,” Rocky began. “If you don’t.....” “You always did talk too much,” Chris murmured right before he settled his lips back on Rocky’s. Leaning down slightly, Rock placed his beer bottle on the table next to them and slid his hands under Chris’ shirt. Chris jumped at the coolness of the fingers that had been holding the bottle. “Oh...sorry,” Rock said against his now throbbing lips. “I thought I told you to be quiet,” Chris whispered, opening his mouth just enough to let Rocky’s tongue begin it’s exploration.

A soft sound caught in his throat as he gave in to the deep, longing kiss. Without realizing it, he allowed Rocky to steer him in the direction of the bed. As the back of his legs hit, he sat down abruptly. Looking up at Rock’s dark, fiery eyes, he lifted his shirt over his head. Rocky, taking the hint, did the same. Never taking their eyes from one another, Rock sank to his knees in front of Chris and pulling him forward, ran first his lips, and then his warm, velvet tongue across his chest.

Smiling at the hiss of pleasure that he heard, he continued downward, nipping at the firm skin of his stomach. He paused when he reached the waistband of his jean shorts, toying with the button as he spoke. “Why don’t you move back so we can both be a little more comfortable?” Chris kicked off his sneakers and slid back effortlessly. Rock placed his hands gently against his shoulders and pushed him back, capturing his mouth in another searing kiss. 

With gentle fingers, Rock brushed across the beard Chris had recently grown. “This is new.” “Not really,” Chris said, allowing his own hands to glide down the back of Rocky’s thighs to cup his perfect ass. “You know me. Tomorrow I’ll change my mind and shave it off.” A shiver passed through him as Rock  licked slowly at his throat before nuzzling the soft, brown whiskers with his nose. “I don’t know if you should do that...it’s kind of sexy.” They shared a smile before Rock, his eyes filling with unquenched desire, kissed him once more, his soft, full lips gliding back and forth sending waves of pleasure through Chris.

Tongues melded together, sliding smoothly before darting anxiously to taste and savour. Reluctantly Rock broke the kiss, just long enough to undo Chris’ shorts. In one motion he removed both his shorts and his boxers, freeing his straining erection. Then he glanced down and noticed that all Chris was wearing were his white crew socks. Raising a sultry eyebrow he picked up first one foot and then the other, sliding each sock off slowly and pressing his thumb into the soft sole of each foot, massaging gently.

Chris bit back a moan as the sensations travelled up each leg and settled in the desired spot. Rock watched in amazement....and with nothing but pure lust in his eyes...as Chris erection bobbed and twitched, sending an obvious invitation to do so much more. Taking the cue, Rock slid his hands up the other man’s thighs, slowly...almost torturously. One hand continued upward to stroke his already aching nipples while the other cupped and caressed his tight balls.

Leaning down, he wrapped his soft tongue around the base of his cock and drew it up the length slowly. A low, keening sound escaped from Chris as the delicious, wet heat engulfed him. For as long as he could remember, Rocky had wondered...no dreamed.... what it would be like to be in this situation with Chris. And judging from the moans he was hearing and the look of total abandon in his eyes, Rock was fairly sure he had a screamer on his hands. A thought that caused him more than a little a little pleasure. 

Longing to hear more from his lover, he covered his shaft completely with his searching mouth. Chris jolted upward, gasping harshly as he gripped his broad shoulders. He sucked long and slow, swirling his tongue across the tip frequently to lap at the sweet pre-cum. Chris continued to release wild, passionate noises as Rock worked to bring him to sweet release.

Chris suddenly pushed Rocky back , moaning gently as he felt the warmth of his mouth disappear. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Rock asked. Chris looked up at him, his blue eyes dark with desire and spoke between passion induced gasps. “Do you have any lube?” Rocky stared for just a second, before his lips turned faintly upward in a smile. “Yeah...in my bag.” Chris reached between them and stroked the bulge that he knew was there. “Get it...now.”

Not needing to be told twice, Dwayne slid off the bed and quickly retrieved what Chris had asked...no...demanded.... that he get. With suddenly nervous fingers, he fumbled with his own pants until they were finally off and tossed across the room. 

Chris stared in awe at Rock, watching with wide eyes as he slowly coated his cock. Licking his lips in anticipation he almost chuckled when a strange thought went through his head. He had seen The Rock countless times in the locker room...in varying states of undress. So why hadn’t he actually SEEN him before? This was definitely a man worth staring out...among other things. He spread his legs willingly as Rock approached him, gently warming the lube he had spread on his fingers.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Chris silenced him. “Not a word....please.....just love me.” Releasing a groan of his own, Rock dropped down next to him, capturing his mouth in another deep, wet kiss. He teased at his tight opening, loving the low rumble of approval he heard deep in Chris’ chest. Sliding the finger in slowly, he could feel Chris fighting back the urge to thrust forward. 

“More?” he asked softly. Chris, rapidly losing the power of speech, nodded frantically. Rock eased in a second finger...and soon after, a third, enjoying the tight heat he was feeling, and more than anxious to bury himself inside, he slipped the fingers out and moved over Chris. Lifting his hips with care, he pushed himself inside slowly, as much to ease any discomfort for his lover as to draw out his own pleasure.

“Oh damn Rock!” he cried. “I knew you would feel this way. So hard....so good!” Sliding his hands from his hips to wrap them around his waist, Rock began a slow, smooth glide. Chris brought his hips up to meet each thrust crying out with overwhelming pleasure at each brush to his prostate. “Touch me...please,” he begged, as he ran his own hand up and down his waiting shaft. Rock joined his hand to his and together they stroked, keeping time with each of Rocky’s pounding thrusts.

Chris’ cries were now nothing more than guttural noises as he felt himself losing any control he might have had. Dropping his head back he released a sound...a mixture of passion and relief combined with something that sounded vaguely like Rock’s name. Seconds later as he continued to bury himself deep inside his lover, Rock tensed and then leaning his head against the blonde’s shoulder, he called out his name as he released inside of him.

For an long while after, neither man could move. Months of pent up longing and unknown desires had taken quite a toll. With a grunting effort, Rock finally rolled to the side, and looked at Chris. He was pleased and somewhat surprised to see him smiling.

Brushing the hair back from his shining blue eyes, he returned the smile. “So...admit it. You really did miss me...didn’t you?” Chuckling lightly, Chris laid his hand on top of Rock’s as it caressed his cheek. “I don’t know about that. But I do know...that from now on...when you leave? I think I just might.”

Rock pulled him into his arms and sighed as he felt him mold himself against his side. He let his fingers trail through the softness of his hair for several seconds before he looked down. The words he was about to say, died on his lips, replaced by a knowing grin. Chris, a contented smile teasing at the corners of his mouth, was finally, fast asleep.