Long Game

"Feel like playing tonight, Shawn?"

John's drawl was more pronounced, but this was his third Jack and Coke. His nerves were a little tangled, and Shawn wasn't too surprised, the last time out, things had gotten just a little colorful.

"Oooh, I don't know, Big Man," Shawn teased as he got the deck from under the seat. "I mean, I've already won your dignity and your modesty."

Layfield's cheeks turned rosy red and he lay his head back on the seat, rolling his eyes to the sky.

"Don't remind me. It's what I get for drinking too much around a man with a mind like yours. I must be worse off tonight for agreeing to this."

Shawn smiled. "Trust me, you are and I have had a whole week to put my creative mind to use."

Layfield winced and took down some whiskey. "Awww, god, what the hell are you gonna do to me now?"

Shawn winked. "Are you conceding already?"

The dark eyes flashed and the full lips thinned.

"That's not going to happen." John reached for his cards, then paused. "We haven't set terms. What are you gonna bet?"

Shawn laughed. "I take that to mean that we will not be playing truth or dare poker?"

John's eyes were indignant. "I am not that drunk." he sat down his glass.

"This time I want to know what I stand to loose and what I get when I win."

"Alright, Big Fella...and I do mean Big," Shawn bit his lip in amusement when Layfield covered his eyes and sighed. "If I loose I will get down on my knees.."Layfield uncovered his eyes, now wide in alarm as Shawn continued. "and lace your boots every night."

There was an audible crack in John's shoulders as the tension released and Shawn chuckled.

"Had you doing there for a moment, didn't I?"

Layfield snatched his glass and took down two quick swigs of his Jack and Coke. "One of these days, you're gonna regret messing with me like this. Just tell me, what the hell do you want if you win?"

Shawn leaned in closer, drawing his lips to Layfield's ear.

"Let's see.....dignity, modesty...how about virtue?"

"You son of a bitch." John sputtered as Shawn pulled away. "I am going to pretend that I didn't hear that."

Shawn looked him dead in the eye.

Beads of sweat formed on Layfield's forehead.

"You're damn serious!! You really want...that?"

It was now or never for the Heartbreak Kid and his hands shivered a bit in his lap.

"Yes. That's what I want. Are you willing to play?"

Their eyes locked for a long moment, then Layfield's flickered just perceptibly.

"I....That's a bit too rich for my blood, Shawn."

The Showstopper smiled wistfully, in a way he had won, but what he had lost...then his eyes flashed as a thought occured to him.

"I had a feeling you'd say that, Moneybags." Shawn forced his tone to be light. "There's something else you can give me."

Layfield rubbed his forehead. "Oh Lord, what now?" his tone was pitious but Shawn could see that his eyes were smiling.

"A kiss on the lips. Think you can afford that one, Big Man?"

A sly smile tugged at Layfield's cheeks and Shawn shivered to his bones at the warm glow in the man's eye.

"I think I can cover that."

Shawn felt the warmth flooding into his own face as he reached for his cards.

"You like to play a nice slow game, don't you, John?"

Layfield's face was obscured as he studied his hand but Shawn heard him chuckle.

"Darling, I can afford the luxury of time."