They had wrestled Generation Me so many times they didn't even have to think about what to do. They had become complacent which is always dangerous. It's when injuries usually happen. The match had started out normal, but when Alex had done a simple roll through, the mat shifted, followed by a snap and the look of pain written all over Alex's face told Chris everything he needed to know. Alex had re-broken his collarbone, an injury he had suffered a few years before. Alex was able to finish the match mainly because Chris took it upon himself just not to tag Alex back in. Chris couldn't even remember how they had actually managed to win. Chris' sole concern was for Alex and to finish the match up as quickly as possible to get Alex backstage to the trainer.
After taking one look at the injury the trainer immediately sent them off to the ER for x-rays. Alex had been unusually quiet since the accident in the ring causing Chris to wonder if the injury was worse than a simple broken collarbone. Alex hadn't answered more than yes or no to the trainers questions instead letting Chris fill in any other needed information. The situation was exasperated when Chris' new girlfriend, Velvet, decided to tag along to the hospital with them. Chris knew Alex wasn't pleased when he had started to date Velvet even though they both frequently slept with random woman when they weren't with each other. Alex didn't like the fact that this was always the same woman Chris slept with and that Chris might actually have feelings for her. Chris was hoping Alex would talk to him on the ride to the hospital, but there was no way that was going to happen with Velvet in the car. Chris always tried his best to keep them apart, but Velvet was determined to come with and Chris couldn't tell her no.
Alex's silence continued through the hospital visit, where it was confirmed he had broken his collarbone, and on through the car ride back to the hotel. Velvet seemed more than please to talk incessantly to make up for Alex's lack of conversation; giving Alex ample opportunity to draw further into himself. Chris suggested they stay the night in Maryland and get some rest before flying back to Michigan. He had expected Alex to protest, but instead he just silently nodded his head in agreement unable to even make eye contact with Chris.
At the hotel Velvet had gone ahead to their room while Chris helped Alex carry his bags in, hoping to get some answers from Alex about his silence. Once in the hotel room Alex's eyes quickly shifted around the room and he jumped when some noisy kids ran down the hall. This combined with his silence and lack of eye contact all added to Chris' growing concern. When he questioned Alex about his behavior, Alex had told him not to worry and that he was fine and just needed some sleep. Knowing Alex was bluffing and not wanting to leave him, but unable to think of a sufficient excuse to tell Velvet why he wouldn't be returning back to their room next door, Chris kissed Alex goodnight and reluctantly left him alone.
Chris had fallen into a restless sleep when he was awoken by terrorized screaming coming from the next room and a voice shouting protests of "No!" over and over again. Chris sprinted out the door to Alex's room leaving Velvet to wonder what was going on, but too sleepy to really care. Walking into the room Chris observed Alex curled up on his left side, knees drawn to his chest, sobbing. The blankets were strewn everywhere. Even the fitted sheet had come undone. It looked like someone had been attacked. Chris accidentally let the door slam behind him causing Alex to jump, yelping in pain from his injured collarbone before crying out "Don't come near me." Which sounded more like a plea than a threat. "It's just me babe." Chris responded as he cautiously approached his frightened boyfriend. "Chris?" Alex turned trying to make out the figure in the dim light.
Gingerly laying down next to Alex as not to disturb his injury Chris stroked the waves of his boyfriend's dark brown hair. Chris gently urged Alex to open up about what tormented him while simultaneously trying to ease his fears. After twenty minutes of this Chris finely got Alex to break as he whispered "This isn't the second time I've broken my collarbone. It's the third." It was then the hotel phone rang causing them both to jump. Chris answered quickly wanting the intrusive noise to stop.
"What are you doing? What is his problem? When are you coming back?" the screechy voice of Velvet demanded. Chris coolly responded "I'll be back when I want." then hung up the phone and began cursing her out followed by "Alex, I'm sorry. I have to go, but I'll think of some excuse and come right back."
"No, please don't leave." Alex begged, too exhausted to keep up his aloof persona, clamping his left hand down on Chris' forearm. Unwrapping Alex's fingers and placing a kiss in the palm of Alex's hand before holding it between his own Chris repeated "I'll be right back. I promise."
Alex was sitting up in the middle of the bed trembling with his eyes focused down staring blankly at the cigarette burns on the bedspread left by the previous occupant. He did not acknowledge Chris when he entered the room a mere ten minutes later.
"See I told you I'd be right back, babe. Alex?"
Alex was too lost in his own thoughts to answer back.
"I told Velvet you had a bad reaction to the painkillers the trainer prescribed so I had to keep an eye on you the rest of the night. She won't bother us again."
Still getting no response, Chris grew increasingly concerned.
"I hope that's okay. It's the only thing I could think of to tell her. Alex?"
Now sitting behind Alex , Chris placed a gentle kiss to his lover's shoulder whispering "Alex, you can tell me now."
After getting no response again, Chris guided Alex back into his arms. Cradling him carefully as to not disturbed his injury Chris placed kisses on top of Alex's head while making him promises to always protect him.
Although, Chris didn't really know what he was protecting Alex from these reassurances seemed to calm Alex so Chris just kept repeating those words "I'll protect you." while kissing Alex's head and running a soothing hand down Alex's back. They both fell into an uneasy sleep.