This is the extended version of the 3rd Chapter of the Consequence Series, I thank all my Reviewers who wanted me to post this and the Readers who didn't/don't review (we all have our flaws, I'm Miss-too-lazy-to-review often too, I have however put that on my New-Years-Resolution List hehehehe)
DISCLAIMER: And no, I know it comes as a shocking surprise, but I don't own anything, besides euuh, yeah, myself I guess, the rest is Vince's or the differents protagonist's ;-)
Had to split the prequel since I again overdid it hehehe, sorry, I'm actually writing on 4 stories (Glimpse, a Randy/Jeff for the Consequence Series, this one and a revised version of Kane/CM Punk (Just for my own peace of mind) at once, I'm going completely crazy sometimes, good I'm back at work hehehe, I still have a life, yes :-)
Warnings:
"Crude language, drug abuse, male on male sex, etc etc (Why only commit one sin :-))
"Wrestling is REAL in this story, no scripts, no keeping back, no anything, IT'S ALL SOOOO REAAAAL TO ME DAMMIT *smirks*
"I have no idea what Jeff took, and I just go guessing here, that's the fictional part, I usually let my story dictate the plots, so don't come yelling he didn't do this or that, I don't know, it's just FICTION, and oh yes, there's no Beth, sorry *apologizes, but she just didn't fit in here and it would have taken the fiction level a little away lol*
A/N: I kept the Prequel a little more vague on what happened inbetween the days I wrote about, there will be Flashbacks in the next chapters :-)
Also, the relationship between the Undertaker and Jeff will be completely different than the one in "Glimpse of an Eyebeat", so I don't go turning them into two similar things, they are not, don't even think of the other fic while reading this one (for the ones who are indeed reading both ;-))
Now, I hope you'll enjoy the beginning, the real action comes later hehehe
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CHAPTER 00 – Prequel Part 1
A tough Road to Recovery
One more screw-up
When Jeff was told Vince wanted to see him he had a bad feeling, but knowing he didn't like to wait he made his way over to the office, inhaling deeply before knocking and entering, the glare he got only making him feel even worse "Jeff, we need to talk", "Sure", "Sit down please", he tried to look into his eyes but failed miserably as his boss continued "I have a real problem at hand Jeff", a document flew over and landed in front of Jeff, who read over it and shrugged his shoulders "I went partying Vince, sorry for that… And the painkillers were for my back", "Yeah, and I'm the Easterbunny Jeff, so here's how this will go now, you are suspended", Jeff's jaw dropped and he fixed Vince, a sad shimmer in his eyes making his boss continue a lot softer as he'd actually prepared himself "I'm really sorry Jeff, please believe me, but I've been covering this up for long enough Jeff and I'm worried, you'll check into rehab, we'll pay for any expenses, and you get help, ok?", "No", Vince wasn't sure he had heard right, the tone Jeff had spat his "no" in had been more than his already strained patience could take "No?", "No", "Well, you're not coming back until you're clean Jeff, so I advise you strongly to rethink the matter, you've got two months time for that, if you love this job as much as you claim, you'll change your mind", "Vince, I don't have a problem", "Oh yes you do, and one more last thing… You'll have to lose your match tonight, you're not leaving with the title", "Whatever", "Find Jericho and work something out, he knows already", "Great", Jeff had to restrain not to slam the door and rushed to the locker room, ignoring the looks he got from some people as he was looking for Chris, he'd rather just have handed the belt over and left immediately, this was pure evil punishment, especially when he felt a hand grab him strongly by the shoulder and pull him along to push him inside an empty lockerroom…
Paul had heard it firsthand, his lovely ex-wife having given him the news, and the rage that was fueling him as he saw Jeff coming down the hallway just had made his selfcontrol evaporate, he slammed the door, his voice full of venom "You little ass, how could you", "Hunter", Jeff felt pushed into the wall and a hand made contact with his cheek, slapping him with all his strength, Paul was beyond comprehensive "After all I've done for you, you screw-up like this", the next punch landed on his stomach and the jolt of pain made Jeff react, he pushed, or at least tried to push the bigger man away "Leave me alone", "Oh I will", Paul pushed him again, keeping back to not just take him apart right there and then "Don't touch me you fucker", Paul stared at him, and his fist made it to connect brutally with Jeff's face "Fucker? You called me fucker?", Jeff threw himself on him, Paul moving and throwing him into the door, door Mark was just passing by on the other side and curious, opened to come nose-to-nose with exactly the situation he had wanted to avoid after Vince had informed him "Paul…", "Stay out of this", "You'll regret it if you do this Paul", kicking Jeff who was half laying half sitting on the floor he walked out "I don't want to see you again Jeff", Mark didn't know what to say for a little moment, Jeff had tears in his eyes and started sobbing on the floor, but Paul was a problem too he wanted to take care of, so he kneeled and patted Jeff's head "You're injured?", Jeff just shook his head, yeah he was hurt but he wasn't ready to admit it, "Ok, see you later kid", Mark left him alone in the empty room and followed Paul…
He found the Game in his lockerroom, pacing and an undescriptible frown on his face "Paul", the calmness in Mark's voice was all the contrary of Hunter's who was raging "He backstabbed us all, smiling in our faces and doing his shit behind our backs", "Paul, calm down", "No, after all, after all we've been doing for him, all the times we stuck our necks and reputations out for him, that's his way of thanking us?", "No, Paul, you should calm down a little, he screwed-up, yes, but now we should think about how we can help him", the look the Deadman got was priceless "Excuse-me?", "He needs help Paul", "Not from me, he can overdose in some dark corner, I don't give a damn", there were moments where Mark knew it didn't do any good to talk to Paul, and right now was one of those and Mark understood him, it had been mainly Paul who had been pushing Stephanie and her dad to get Jeff the right matches, but even if Mark felt betrayed he still cared too much and had seen it coming, so he was ready to give it the ultimate try "But I do Paul, I do", both men went into a little staredown, Hunter shaking his head "I'm sorry, you'll be alone on this one", "I know that Paul, I'll figure something out", "Just let him go Mark, do yourself that favour, seriously, it's a hopeless case", "No, he's got too much talent, too much drive Paul, I can't", "And he's completely fucked up, his talent ain't saving him this time Mark"
Jeff had stayed on the same spot they had left him, crying, he felt so bad, he'd just had lost the respect from the two men he was worshipping most in the company, everybody looked at him as if he was a paria, and he'd have to lose his belt and title to someone he'd always considered a friend, if he had been able of just disappearing he'd done that, but unfortunately it still was pretty early and he had to find Chris, he wiped his tears away and inhaled deeply, trying to get his heartbeat to a regular speed and then hushed down the hallways, rushing into Jericho's lockerroom…
Chris had been in the process of changing, and looked up, giving Jeff a little smile "Hey Rainbow", "Don't, I'm not in the mood", "Yeah, I heard", there was a little silence "I'm sorry Jeff, really,Vince called me and said I'd have to win, I told him I didn't want it like this but he was strict on it", Jeff was feeling very uneasy under Chris' stare, full of pity and understanding "Sure, not a problem, I just want to get it over with and get out of here Chris", "Ok, so how you wanna play it?", "We get to the ring and you pin me, done", Chris fixed him and chuckled "Don't wanna leave with a blast?", "Oh believe me, I'm already leaving with a blast", they talked it over and Jericho managed to talk Jeff into a real match that would at least give the fans something they wanted, even if they were both in some kind of weird state, 'cause Chris wasn't happy about getting a title like that either…
After the match, which Jeff didn't even remember, his mind blank on just doing the moved until Chris had pinned him, Jeff didn't even bother to change, just threw on his hoodie and took his stuff, he couldn't stand being around them anymore, all the whispering and the looks, he needed fresh air, and made it to the hotel and immediately started packing to catch the next flight home, not bothering to stay around and hear more comments, he had had it on the subject…
One though decision…
A car stopped in front of their house, Mark had first checked where to find Jeff, his mind made up, he should have done that a long time ago, but had managed to postpone it, hoping Jeff would come around by himself, but apparently it wasn't the case, he had screwed up, and now Mark would take matters into his own hands, he was in the process of getting out of the car as his phone rang "What?", "Hey Mark, it's Paul", "I thought you wanted to stay out of it?", "Well, let's say I thought it over, I won't get involved but I'll give you all my support", "Now all of a sudden?" Mark remembered their discussion after the show, when Vince had announced them that Jeff would be gone for 60 days, where Hunter had plain and simple, disappointment over Jeff's yet again failure all over his face, stated that the kid was dead to him now, they had all invested so much time and effort in helping him, this was just a huge slap in their faces, but Mark still had hope in him, and after Wrestlemania was over had decided to take care of Jeff, the same way they had helped Shawn years back, he shook the memory away as Paul was talking again "I just finished talking to Matt by the way", "To warn them?", "No, to tell him what would happen, he wasn't too happy but trusts you Mark, so you won't have any resistence with him", Mark avoided telling Paul that he'd indeed gotten involved by talking to Matt and muttered "Still leaves Jeff", "Well, that's something that you knew Deadman", "Yes", "And you're gonna go through with it?", "The kid has too much potential and talent to let him go down like that", "Well, nice ride back down to Texas Mark", "Wipe that amused smile of your face", "Hey, you could knock him out, would be easier perhaps", "Bye Paul", the Undertaker hung up, sighing deeply, he knew this would turn out to be a fight, but he had to do it, and with his divorce and everything, he had enough time on his hands, and what better than to help a lost young man finding his way back, a very cute one with that, and so he got out of the car and ready to face this little challenge…
When Matt had hung up with Paul he hadn't been sure if he should feel relieved or anxious, he hadn't been able to control Jeff anymore lately, and the thought of someone, especially like Mark wanting to help his baby brother was heart warming and proof Jeff still had some credit and people who cared after the stunt he had pulled this time, when the doorbell rang he jumped a little, he hadn't been ready to see Mark arrive that fast, but perhaps it was just for the best, he opened the door, both men staring at each other for a moment, before Matt motioned him to come in "Guess I have to thank you Mark, even if I'm a little nervous and scared", "It's only for his best Matt, seriously, your brother is out of control" he knew the brothers were close and could understand Matt's apprehension, so he squeezed his shoulder, his voice soft and sincere "He'll stay with me at my ranch… We'll work out, talk and I'm going to try to find out what's wrong with him", Matt was overwhelmed, Mark had always been protective of his brother, but this was just taking it into other spheres "I don't know how to thank you Mark, if it could work, it would just be perfect", "Well, then let's start it, where is he", "Upstairs, brooding and indulging in self-pity", "Great"
Jeff was brooding, high as a kyte in the room his brother had given him, his last screw-up having cost him so much he just wanted to disappear forever, the gazes his co-workers had given him, the comments, the lack of understanding he had been getting, it was just all too much for him, and the commotion he could hear in the staircase just didn't make him react at all, he snorted another line just as the door opened and not his brother stood there, but the Deadman himself, an impassive look on his face, as he entered the room and counting all the drugs that where around the younger man "I'm here to take you to rehab Jeff", Jeff was way too wasted to realize he had Mark, the Mark standing there, that Mark had actually come to help him and show him he wasn't being left alone and out and whatever, that he was actually given a huge honor, no, to him it was a disturbance to his brooding peace "Fuck you, you can leave the same way you came, and byebye", yup, Mark had known he wouldn't just be joining him without a fight "Get up, pack some things and get ready, I'm waiting…", Jeff glared at him and screamed "Matt, get him out of here", Matt pushed Mark a little and entered, a sad look on his face as he shook his head "Sorry bro, not this time", utter disbelief and fear made it to the younger brother's face as he asked, his voice shaky "Matt?", "No, I can't watch you kill yourself like that bro", "Thanx a lot for your help here", Jeff got up and took his hoodie, ready to head out and get away from their madness "See you later guys", but Mark wasn't ready to give up and grabbed him, throwing him back on the bed, none too gently, glaring and his voice dead serious "You will get ready and you'll move in with me Jeff… Now that's the nice invitation I'm extending… If you wanna play it stubborn and immature, I'll just drive you to the next clinic, your choice", "You can't do that, I'm an adult, I can take my own decisions you ass", "Jeff, this is your last chance, don't ruin it, please", Jeff's eyes met Matt's, he so badly wanted help, but not like this, he just wasn't ready "I… I can't…", "Why", "I don't need rehab, I'm ok dammit", "Sure you are… So there won't be any problem for you to stay a couple of weeks in Texas", "I have my life here", "And what a life", Mark had made it around the bed and was shaking a little bag "That's mine", "No Jeff, that's what's going to kill you, and leave you broken on the road… That's what cost you your title… What cost you Wrestlemania… What cost you the World Title kid, just think about that… You could have made it but you just let it slip out of stupidity"
Mark send Matt out, and sat down next to Jeff "I'm not forced to do this kid, it was my choice to drive here and come and get you…", Jeff snarled, rolling his eyes in defiance, Mark continuing a little pissed at his reaction "Seriously, who do you think you are…", Jeff was playing with the covers and staring down, shrugging his shoulders "I'm extending my hand here, my friendship, my help and support, and you act like an idiot, an ungrateful childish bastard", it hurt, it so badly hurt to hear him say that, especially since he didn't have any problems "I'm ok Mark, it was one slip", "Uhu, you know Vince ignored the first results kiddo, he was ready to let it slip, but how many times ha? So stop acting like a moron and pack some stuff, I'll wait downstairs", he patted his arm before leaving the room, hoping Jeff would make the right decision…
Jeff was pacing his room, his mind racing just as badly as his heart, he was aware this was a one-time opportunity, but he wasn't having problems, so why should he agree on having some when it was clearly not the case, as he was pondering his decision, Mark sat downstairs with a very nervous and edgy Matt "He'll make the right choice Matt", "I hope so, I so badly hope it", and that choice was one difficult one for Jeff, who picked up his cellphone and called the only person he hoped could help him with it…
Shawn was sitting with Hunter on his patio with a cold beer, taking in the sun and the couple of free days they had when his phone rang, and checking he mumbled "It's Jeff", Paul let out a deep sigh, shaking his head "Don't answer it Shawn", "Paul…", he slapped his head with his hands, muttering "He's with Mark, and probably just wants you to tell Mark he doesn't have problems", Jeff grew nervous as the ringings continued, hoping so badly Shawn would accept to talk to him, Shawn who was very undecided for a moment but then got up, picking up, Paul shaking his head "Hey there Jeff", "Hi", "You ok?", "No" there was a little silence, before Jeff's breaking voice could be heard again "I need your… your advice on something", "Shoot kid", "Mark's here", "So I heard, Paul is with me", "Oh, ok" for a second Shawn thought Jeff would just hang up, but his voice could be heard again "I don't know what to do Shawn… I just don't know", "It's one tough one, but I'm sure you'll make the right choice", "Shawn… Do you… do you think I have a problem?", "Jeff, I… It's not my place to tell", "Please", "I think you have some issues and that some time away from them would do you some good, plus Mark's ranch really is just one big playground, you'll have lots of fun", Paul grinned, Shawn was really playing in favour for Mark there, as Jeff's shaking voice could be heard again "You… You think I'm a screw-up?", Paul mouthed "Oh yes", Shawn shaking his head and slapping him on the head and motioning that he should zip it "Jeff, I don't think you're a screw-up, but I have to tell you you sure as hell fucked up big time kiddo", "I'm sorry", "Hey, don't be sorry, work on it", "Yeah… Thanx Shawn", "Anytime… And Jeff, should you accept Mark's offer, I'll come and visit you, I promise you", "Thanx Shawn", "Take care, and make the right decision Jeff" Shawn hung up, Paul shaking his head in a very disapproving manner "He's a screw-up, you guys are working your asses off, again may I say, and in the end he'll fuck it up anyways", "You can't know that Paul", "But I can suspect and predict, Shawn it was the same a couple of years back, he just doesn't get it", "He'll get it, he's young Paul"
Jeff spent some more time pacing around, but then amazed himself as he started gathering some stuff and putting it on the bed, wondering if he could take his guitar too, well, a pout blossomed on his face as he put it on the bed too, no guitar no Jeff, so if Mark was gonna make a scene, he would just refuse leaving with him, he packed his favourite clothes, some books, his mp3player, some painkillers he stashed in his pockets, to make sure Mark wouldn't just take it away, his back was hurting him like hell lately, no way he'd function without, it took him a good forty minutes before he started making it downstairs, anxious and a lot more afraid than he'd have wanted to admit, he just hoped he had packed enough to make it through this ordeal, two pair of eyes staring at him as he arrived next to them "Good, I see you made the right decision", Jeff's eyes crossed his and he spat, obviously pouting "Did I even have a choice?", Mark decided not to engage in nasty bickering and just stated "Guess not, so I think we can start rolling, we have a long way ahead", Jeff stared at him, eyes wide open, calculating the distance and the time it would take in his mind "We're driving?", "Yes", "Great", Matt got up and went over to his brother, passing a hand through his hair and hugging him "Jeff, I'm sorry", "No you're not", "Jeff", "Hey, I'm not blaming you or anything you know, just don't say you're sorry 'cause I fucking know you're not", "I know you'll be ok Jeff, Mark is a good guy and you've got no idea how lucky you are", "Sure, since I'm already ok, and you seem to need some time without my ass in your place", Mark decided to stop the bickering before it could start, Jeff's tone was loaded with anger and hurt and he didn't want him to say something he'd regret later "I see you're bringing your guitar", "Yeah, got any problem with that?", "No Jeff, as long as you're not having drugs and pills with you I'm cool", "I don't", "Sure you don't"
Slaps Back To Reality
Mark drove off the highway in Charlotte after what had been an awkward drive, making Jeff raise an eyebrow "Where are we driving man, that's sure as hell not the fastest way to Texas Mark", "Wiseass", "Seriously", "Someone needs a word with you before we're heading down south", "Uhu, and who", Mark turned his head and looked at Jeff, sending shivers down his spine as it dawned who was living in Charlotte "Oh no, please, Mark no, I can't", "Why?", "I can't look him in the eyes Mark, seriously, I just can't", "Well then you'll have to keep your eyes to the floor kid", Mark knew Jeff felt bad about not having gotten the permission to attend at least the backstage area at Wrestlemania and couldn't show his respect to Ric Flair, and Jeff was aware of him residing in Charlotte, so he could understand the panicked gaze the younger man was having all of a sudden, Mark preferred not adding anything, letting him brood and stopped the car in front of Ric's place, Jeff pale all of a sudden "Mark, seriously…", "Get out… Now", Jeff got out, trying one last time to reason with him, he really wasn't sure if he could cope with coming nose to nose with Ric right now "Mark, seriously, I'm all fucked up, I don't want him to see me like that", "Then you should have thought about what to take earlier", "Well I didn't know we'd…" he was grabbed and pulled along to the door, Mark ringing the bell and Jeff suddenly quiet and even paler…
When Ric opened the door he had to smirk, Paul had announced Mark and Jeff, but seeing the younger Hardy completely lost, eyes on the floor was something new "Get in guys… Mark, I see you did it", "Yeah, was fed up with Jeff and his stunts", "Yeah, if you hadn't done it I would have jumped in", "Well, now it's my personal challenge Ric", "I'll help you though", Jeff was still looking the floor, aware that they were talking as if he wasn't even there, and he followed them outside like a puppy, getting down and playing with his fingers, gaze down, until Ric deemed adressing him "Jeff, so how are you feeling", "Don't know", "Look at me" now that was the moment Jeff had dreaded, and it had arrived, Ric had gotten up and was standing next to him "Look at me Jeff", he slowly lifted his eyes and met Ric's, very ashamed and very sorry, "What have you taken kid?", Jeff's eyes wandered back down "Look at me I said… What have you taken Jeff", his voice was a mere whisper "Stuff", Ric was pushing back that feeling that told him to beat on him until he understood he was making the biggest mistake of his life "That I see in your eyes Jeff, but what stuff", "Painkillers and Coke", Mark snarled, he had seen a couple of bottles in his room too, but before he could voice it a loud slap that made contact with Jeff's cheek, which stung and drove some tears into Jeff's eyes, hurting even more because it was Ric and this particular situation, Jeff didn't even say something, just put his gaze back down "Jeff, seriously, you're suspended and you're still going at it, I can't believe it, you make it seem as if you didn't give a shit about yourself nor your career", "I do"
Ric motioned Mark to go and get them something to drink and kneeled down, arms resting on Jeff's legs as he was trying to make some eye contact with the younger man "No you don't, or you would have gone to rehab like Vince told you, feeling the need for or not, you can't live like a rockstar Jeff, not with the tests, why don't you get it", "I know", "Then start acting like you did, damn it Jeff, you had it there", "Sorry", "No you aren't", the despair in his eyes made Ric lean up and wipe away some of Jeff's tears that were tracing a trail down his cheeks "It's up to you you know, you have one huge opportunity to get better, if you're not taking it I don't know what to do", "I am, but I'm still not having a problem Ric", Ric was glad Mark was one stubborn guy and would tickle everything out of him if he wanted it or not "Ok, if you're saying so", Jeff finally made eye contact, his voice a mere whisper "Ric…", "Yeah?", "I'm sorry I couldn't be there", "Me too kid, me too", Mark chose that moment to get back and put freshly squeezed orange juice on the table, he had to smile at seeing Ric that close to Jeff, between scowling and comforting him at once…
They left an hour later, Jeff lost in his thoughts as he lifted his knees up and got comfortable in his seat, Mark sighing slowly but not saying anything about the shoes on it, if he wanted to sit like that, well then by all means he should, Mark kept silent for a good two hundred miles and it didn't bother him, he was a man who could live with the silence around him, hell he even indulged in it most of the times, Jeff had gone from brooding to crying to brooding, but hadn't said a word either, eyes following the landscape idly, his mind far off, so far off he didn't even notice that the car had stopped and Mark was talking to him, well that was before Mark started shaking him "Humm?", "I said do you want something to drink or a snack Jeff?", "No, thanx, can I get out and have a smoke", "Just try not to bomb the station away", "I'll go over there", "I think that's acceptable", Jeff got out, feeling as if somebody had taken control of his body as he walked over and sat on a bench, lighting his cigarette and feeling desperate about his situation, already thinking about who he could call to come and pick him up to save him in case Mark just proved to be an ass, but he couldn't finish that thought as a face came up before his, a little boy "Are you Jeff Hardy?", Jeff sighed mentally, great, just great, not that his eyes were pretty red from the crying, his mind was pretty blank, his emotions were raw, he was sitting there like despair in person, oh yes, to top with a cigarette in his hand, now he had to get surrounded by kids, who knew him, he wondered briefly if it actually could get worse, when he felt a hand tuck at a colorful hairstrand "You should have them brighter… They look brighter on tv"
He looked up at the person having the audacity to pull his hair like that only to come nose to nose with a little girl, around six as he estimated and with a sweet grin on her face "Perfect… Just perfect, now I'm cornered… Stoned, Wasted, Lost, at the Undertaker's mercy and cornered by half a dozen children, can't get worse, oh yes, it could, I could have been pulled into another reality and this is actually Children of the Corn, great", he tossed his cigarette far, faking a smile as she jumped on his lap "What are you doing here? Have you been crying? Your eyes are kinda red", nothing sharper than a kid's deduction, he shook his head "Well, euh, guess I'll take it one at the time… I'm travelling with a friend… No, didn't cry, I just forgot my sunglasses", he was handed a pink pair "You can have mine", "Thanx sweety, but I think you should keep them, or else you'll end like me", she giggled and one of the boys handed him a paper and a pen and he started signing, piece after piece, talking to them and for just a short moment forgetting about the crap his life was, he smiled, a real genuine smile coming from the heart, Mark was standing next to his car, he'd been standing there for quite some time, amazed that Jeff was not smoking in front of them, was actually really decent and nice, what he hadn't been with him for the entire drive and was smiling, a genuine smile, Mark sighed a smirk on his face, well at least the kid still had some passion for the job, he lit his own cigarette and took a little walk, letting Jeff have his little peaceful moment, before, a couple of minutes later walking up, startling all the kids, the little girl clinging to Jeff a terrified look on her face, screeching "The Undertaker", well that was going well, Mark stayed in persona, even if all he wanted to do was laughing, as Jeff was trying to calm her, and explaining he wasn't coming to get her, but him, and that everything was ok, he too was handed paper after paper to sign and it took a good twenty minutes before they headed back off, Mark chuckling "That was one sweet thing to do", "What?", "Being decent to them", "Why wouldn't I be?", "Because you haven't been with me all day", "That's cause you're an ass Mark"
Mark looked at him, the only thing keeping him from punching his head through the window was the fact he was driving, so he growled, resolved to let his anger out "The only ass in here is you… Those kids adore you, they worship you, and what are you doing mister Charismatic Enigma… You're fucking up your career, your life… Because those kids are the people who probably will miss you most during your suspension, but do you care? You really want to deny them seeing you perform anymore? Because that's what you're doing with your behaviour your little ungrateful, impetious fucker", if Mark's words did anything it was bring the biggest pout on Jeff's face, who was inhaling deeply before lashing back "You kn…", Mark was angry, he had prepared himself for defiance and fights, but that Jeff didn't want to understand the hard facts pissed him off beyond everything "Shut up, keep your comments to yourself Jeff, I don't need them, all you do is keep quiet and think, just don't start getting me to the point where I stop the car to kick your ass", "As if…", Mark wasn't one about empty threats and he seriously had enough, he drove to the side, they were in the middle of nowhere, only fields around them, he turned out the car, and got out, walked around the car and grabbed Jeff out too, tossing him brutally on the floor "You wanna fight? That's it? So let's get it out of your system, because I've had it with your attitude Jeff", Mark was knowing very well what he was doing, even if it did way too much good to see him stare at him with both fear and defiance in his emerald eyes "What? Not getting up? Afraid kid?", Jeff didn't need to get the invitation twice and launched on him, only to have Mark grab his arm and twist it, turning Jeff around and making him glide to the floor, his knee pressing with strength on a spot on Jeff's lower back Mark knew would bring him down, and he was right, Jeff yelped and tensed, wincing and dropping to the floor, showing no resistence as Mark pulled him up and sat him gently in the car, grabbing his chin and locking their eyes "From now on Jeff, whenever you'll feel pissed enough to launch at me I want you to think of this moment… Of the pain you felt… A pain I can either help you ease or make worse, an awful lot worse…", seeing Jeff was nodding, well he wasn't really paying attention, the pain was too bad to even really listen to Mark, he felt his body being turned as Mark was slowly pushing him down, chest down and lifting his shirt…
"I really hadn't planned for you to block your back like that Jeff, I just wanted you to feel pain", there was nothing but silence interrupted by some gasps and winces, for a moment Mark had the vision of some weird rural cop driving by, stopping and asking how much he was paying this guy to sodomize him out in the fields, and Jeff's ass, now displayed like that didn't help the vision and he softly laughed, shaking his head as he was grabbing his special oils and heated them between his hands, Jeff hissing as he looked up "What's so funny", "Just a vision I had…" he looked at Jeff who was still pale and panting, pain obvious in his eyes, and he felt a little bad so he shared his image with him "A cop pulling up and thinking I bought your services and we're doing it here", Jeff had a flicker of a smile on his face "If I weren't hurting that bad I'd laugh Mark", "I know… Jeff… I'm not gonna say it again kid, you piss me off I'll punish you, it's easy math kid", "Humm", Mark started rubbing the oils on Jeff's back, trying to check as much as he could how bad it was but every more applied touch only resulted in Jeff wincing so he quit that idea pretty fast, it took twenty minutes for him to finish, and to notice Jeff was asleep, and smirking, he got back in the driverseat after having rinsed his hands under some water he'd actually gotten to drink…
After a good three hours he heard stirring from the backseat, Jeff was slowly awakening, the pain in his back still there, even if not as bad as before, he swallowed two pills, thinking he was discrete but Mark had noticed, but to avoid another drama on the route he just dismissed it for later, and tried not to comment the fact that twenty minutes later Jeff was moving over the seat to the front as if he'd never had any problems with his back in his life "Hey", "Hey, slept well", "Think so… Is it still far?", "Yes" , it wasn't a pleasant ride for Jeff, after a couple of hours his back was hurting really badly again, and even if Mark noticed the shifts both in mood and in movement, he didn't say anything, he wanted Jeff to voice what was troubling him, because that was just one huge problem the kid had, not telling anyone when he was hurting or depressed, always trying to act cool and all, but it was over with that now, Mark's mind was set on showing him that talking and communicating was helpful, but he wouldn't do the work for him, he'd have to realize that all by himself…
Bitter Beginnings
They arrived in the morning, Mark pretty exhausted by the long drive, Jeff wasn't feeling any better, even if he had slept a little he still felt like shit, and carrying everything in didn't really help, even if Mark took some of the stuff out of his hands to help him "Welcome to my ranch Jeff, and don't pull a frown like that", Jeff had been more in awe than anything else, but still, he wasn't really happy about the reason of his being there "It wasn't because of the place and you know it", "You're still not getting this is for you ha", "I don't have a problem, but thanx for the little holiday in freaky nowhere man", "I like it quiet", "You won't mind if I don't speak to you then", "Fine, cranky bitchy Rainbow", "Oh thank you Mister Undertaker, you're such a charming person", Mark was already on the verge of kicking his ass around and the kid hadn't even settled in yet, he sighed "Get in, I'll show you your room", "I'm allowed in? Wow, what an honor", "Jeff…", rather than get the next best stupid taunt Mark just walked off, Jeff following him, taking in his new sourroundings while he rushed behind Mark, entering after him a really nice and rather spacious room "I'll let you settle in and go prepare something to eat, you can join me down when you're done… And Jeff, no drugs, got me", "Yeah yeah yeah", Mark left him alone, inhaling deeply and retaining from checking his stuff, he knew he had something with him, but it had all been very stressing already, so for now he'd just hope he'd gotten the message, Jeff got down on the bed and stretched, silent tears making their way over his cheeks again as he curled up on the bed…
Mark had given him a fair amount of time and was a little mad as he made his way upstairs to go and check what was taking Jeff so long, he stopped in the door and looked at the curled up and asleep man on the bed and smiled, at least it seemed he had a good excuse for not making it down, and one for not having even started unpacking, Mark slapped himself mentally for not having kept in his mind that Jeff had been on coke when they had left, he sure as hell wasn't feeling any of that now anymore and must be competely exhausted, he entered and decided on calling it a day for now and making sure he'd sleep a little "Jeff, hey, let's get you under the covers kid", he saw his cheeks were still wet and sighed a little, it wasn't as if he'd put him chained up in the basement or treated like shit, he couldn't understand what had made the younger man cry, Jeff seemed to be out cold, so he lifted the covers a little and undressed him before managing to get him under them and tucking him in, he placed a little kiss on his forehead, whispering "Rest, you'll need all of your energy kiddo"
Jeff woke up in the afternoon, feeling like shit, worse like shit, wondering how he came to end in bed, undressed, pretty sure he couldn't remember having done it on his own, stretching he hissed, his back hurting, and with a little sense of panic his eyes roamed the room looking for his pants, he sigh escaping his lips as he saw them, he slowly got up and popped some pills, having some trouble swallowing them without any fluid but he didn't want to risk to be seen by Mark, he got dressed and started walking through the house, starting to feel a little better, he didn't find Mark anywhere but the door was open so he went outside, inhaling deeply and starting to walk around…
He found him outside, busy with what to Jeff seemed pure torture and he hurried over, grabbing the chicken out of Mark's grip "No way man", Mark put down the axe he had been holding in his other hand and looked at Jeff, laughing "Well, I see you're back amongst the living, now give it back", "No", "Jeff, please, you're not a ten year old girl, so don't act like that", Jeff still kept the chicken tightly in his arms, not close to let it go "Not this one", "Ok", amused Mark went over and got himself another chicken "And not that one either", he smirked "Are you a vegetarian?", "No", "Good, in that case let me get our dinner ready", "You can't seriously mean that", "Man, where have you grown up, in a city?", "No", "Well, then this shouldn't be this distressing to you", "Those poor things", "Jeff, come on, if you can't cope with it, move away", pouting slightly Jeff and his saved chicken took off, Mark following him with his eyes, shaking his head before making sure they'd have something to eat, he found Jeff as he walking with the rest of his prey to the house, he was sitting on the doorsteps, chicken on his lap and talking to it, on some very sick level it was adorable, but Mark wasn't going to tell him "I see you've found yourself a friend", "Pff, and you a corpse", "One that will be tasting delicious kid", Jeff let go of his chicken and got up "How you gonna prepare it", "My way", "Hey come on, I just asked", walking past him to the kitchen, Jeff following him "So how did you sleep", "Ok I guess, did you" he blushed a little "did you tuck me in", "Yeah", "Thanx I guess", "You're welcome", as Mark got busy again, Jeff sat down on the counter, head put on his arms and thinking, eyes on Mark…
"Why don't you make yourself useful Jeff…", his head snapped up "I won't get you another animal to slaughter", "Wuss… No, get some potatoes kid", "And where? Out in the fields?", Mark shook his head "Just in there", he pointed towards the door leading to a storage room rolling his eyes as Jeff got up "Well I guess that I can do", "Oh my thank you so much…", they prepared everything, then Jeff went to his room to unpack and take a shower, yawning and happy he heard Mark rumaging downstairs, at least he could take care of his fatigue…
The second Jeff came rushing down, jumping the last steps, Mark frowned, but didn't voice it, he felt like slapping Jeff all over his land, but that would just make him withdrawn and pouting, so despite the anger deep inside he smiled "Well, you seem in good mood", "Na, just hungry", Jeff's eyes were way to sparkling for their own good, but Mark was for the moment in the situation where he wanted to see how bad Jeff's abuse was, so he had to push all of his comments deep down for a later moment "Will still take a little time… Wanna go for a little walk, so I can show you around?", "Sure, if you promise not to harm any animal", "Jeff, I have so many chickens that it would be quite stupid to go and get them at the supermarket kid", "Yeah, I'm sure that chicken was very understanding when you grabbed it and beheaded it like that", "Oh my, come on", they took a little walk, Mark amused at the fact that Jeff stopped at the entrance of the stables "You're not coming?", "Uh, yeah, well, they're big", "Yeah, so… They are a little nervous because they've been in here all day", hesitantly Jeff came to stand next to him, trying very hard to stay as far away from the horses as he could, Mark laughing "You're afraid of horses?", "No", "Ok, so wanna go for a ride after dinner", "No", "So you're afraid", "No I'm not, I've just never been on one", "Well, you'll do many things here you've never done before kid", Jeff snarled "Yeah, whatever man", Mark fed them, Jeff staying behind him and keeping his eyes on the horses, not really reassured when Mark told him they wouldn't attack him with a chuckle on his face "I'm waiting outside", Mark grinned, he was so amused at Jeff and his fear "Sure"
When Mark came out, Jeff was sitting there patting a dog "Not afraid of dogs ha", "Fuck you, I'm not afraid of horses, I've just never been around them", "You'll see, when I'm done with you you'll mount them like Zorro", "I don't think so, my back is fucked up enough as it is, I don't need to break it", "Chicken", Jeff jumped up, laughing and keeping his head with both his hands "No, you won't have my head", "Just want your body anyways, tastes better", Mark blushed when he realized what he just had said and how it could be interpreted even if it had been clearly in regard to the chicken incident and not the fact that Jeff's ass was a real magnet to his eyes, but Jeff rubbed it in his face "Uhu, I see, you just wanted a cheap-ass toyboy, that's why you abducted me, I can finally see where you're coming from", "I'm glad you can", it did Jeff some good to laugh, even if he was still trying to stay pissed at Mark for having brought him here, what annoyed the younger man was that he liked it here, if it continued like that he could have some fun and keep doing his stuff, and most importantly get his respect back without having to sacrifice the only thing that kept him functioning both mentally and physically…
They ate outside, and Jeff really had to admit Mark had built himself a real dream here, not to mention his cooking skills were topnotch too "For how long have you been playing farmer?", Mark looked up and smiled "I'm not playing farmer kid, I just have the land so I keep the animals", "But they are yours", "Yeah", "You have people helping you out?", "Yeah, you", "Ha ha", "Yes, I have, you'll meet them tomorrow", "Where are they now", "What do I know", "You told them not to come because I was arriving?", "Yes", "Uh, thanx", "Hey, it was for you Jeff, I know how shy you can be, I just didn't want you and all of your pissed-off defiancy to bark at them", "Charming", "But the truth", they finished eating and chilled for half an hour, before they made it over to the stables again to let the horses out, Jeff helping from afar with comments "You need a hand?", "Yes", "I'm not sure I wanna do it though", "Then why did you ask", "I would have felt like an ass if I hadn't", "And you're not feeling like one for not helping me?", Jeff jumped off the hay he had been sitting on, Mark pointing to a gray one "That one is a very calm one, will just follow you, try it at least", gulping, Jeff reluctantly opened the gate and grabbed the halter the horse was wearing and followed Mark, taking off the halter just as the Deadman was doing once they were on the meadow "See, not that difficult", "No"
They finished and went back inside to watch a little tv before going to bed, Jeff tossing and turning for quite some time before he could fall asleep, Mark not one needing much sleep anyways so he had called Paul first to inform him they had safely made it to the ranch, and after hanging up he grabbed his laptop and went on the net for some time…
Jeff woke around ten the next morning and stretched, feeling more than bizarre about the whole situation he had gotten himself in, but the fresh breeze that blew through his hair and made the different strands fly a little and tickle him made him smile and bend over a little to get his powders out of their hiding, he snorted two lines and sighed contently, he felt good like that, knowing Mark wasn't far, in fact he could hear his voice but not quite make out what he said, so he rolled over and leaned over the window above his bed, his arms on the border and eyes scrutining until he could see him, working with two guys on a horse, he stayed there for nearly an hour like that, comfortably with pillows around, eyes glued on Mark and daydreaming before he stretched and got up, dressed and ventured downstairs…
He came across someone who definitely wasn't Mark but was serving himself some breakfast, so he just imitated the other guy, a little "Hello" even making it out as their eyes crossed "Hi, you must be Jeff, right", "Yup, guess I can't go unknown around here", "No, you can't, your arrival has been announced a week back, I'm Diego by the way", "A week ago?", "Yes", "Oh, well I only know since my abduction yesterday", "Yeah, he told us", "So what don't you know Diego?", "Everything really personal about you", "Uhu, great, so my… my issues are known", "Yes, sorry", "Na, it's only Mark thinking I have a problem, I don't, I just like to party a lot", "Well, in that case your stay will be pleasant", "I hope so… Well, see you later, I wanna go and annoy the Deadman", "Good luck", "Na, I'm used to it, don't need luck" and with that and his cocky attitude he wandered off the find Mark…
Nightly perceptions (a few days later)
It had become some kind of overly cute night ritual, Mark checking on Jeff inbetween all of his activities, but as he entered the room he saw the bed was empty and sighed, he would have preferred Jeff had come to him, but now he could start a search mission for a brooding Hardy, all peachy, luckily Mark didn't have to search for long, he found him sitting outside on the steps, eyes in the sky and cigarette in his hands, a beer standing next to him, he looked quite angelic like that, the moonshine reflecting on his purple hair and smoke rings swirling over his head, Mark chuckled as he tried not to indulge too much in the fact that the kid was very cute and very bi, no, he was here to heal not to get laid, plus Mark already felt like abusing him by the sole thought of that, so he went over and sat down next to him, Jeff immediately snapping with a defensive tone "Yeah I know, not healthy, but I swear, I needed it", Mark stretched his legs, sighing at Jeff's snappy tone "Have you heard me say something kid?", "No", "So stop assuming you're all-knowing, I was actually thinking how cute you looked sitting here like this", Jeff smiled before kicking him "Very funny", "But true", "And you don't mind that I have a beer?", "No, I don't, there's nothing bad in a beer Jeff, what's bad is drinking to drown your sorrow", "Sometimes it's the only thing that helps", "You just haven't tried out better ways Jeff", "Like?", "Like talking to me… What kept you awake, why are you having that sad shimmer in your eyes…", Jeff threw the cigarette bud away, and sighed, hugging his knees "Everything you know", "Ok, care to elaborate everything?", "I don't know, I just feel restless, hurt, anxious, like something wasn't right"
Mark inhaled deeply, thankful for the refreshing breeze that was toying with his hair as he tried to find which of the problems he should adress first, one came pretty naturally so he decided to just go and see where it would lead "Hurt? As in physical pain?" he only got a nod as response, he tried to fish for the next answer "Your back?", again just a nod, this time a little sigh and Jeff turned his head to look at him "And that's why I take those pills, why don't you guys get it", "Because it's not the right answer to the problem… If it hurts, something is wrong, dulling it won't help you", "So what will?", "Working out", "Great", "You want that title, you need to get bigger, seriously, and I'm ready to help you…", "Ok", "Now, to the next one, restless? How come?", "I don't know", "Restless how?", "I just can't relax", Mark had to grin, this sure was leading somewhere fast, so he went fishing again for the next answer "So what are you thinking about so bad that it doesn't let you come to rest?", there was a lengthy silence "Much", "Oh Jeff please, you need to help me out a little here", "It's confusing, it's so much and nothing at the same time", Jeff didn't find the words, well he hadn't been able to find them for himself either until now, he just sighed and after a couple of minutes got up "I'm tired… Good night Mark", "Night kid", Mark didn't want to push him too much, the fact he had opened a tiny bit was enough of a victory for now, little did he know that it wouldn't stay his last discussion that night…
Healing?
Jeff was torn after their discussion and sat in his room, dwelling on if he should dispose of some of the stuff he had brought or not, and it took him an hour of thinking and letting his mind flow to finally jump to his feet and take the little bags to put them in his pockets, put his hoddie on and make his way silently outside, taking a little walk towards the pond where the wood started, Mark was on his laptop not noticing his guest's disappearence into the night as he was answering some e-mails, Jeff letting the cool breeze play with his hair as he walked slowly, his mind racing and hands shaking, finally arriving and sitting down, watching the moon reflect on the steady water surface, his mind on what he was about to do, before pulling everything out of his pockets and after reflection burying it next to some bushes, to sit down again, a little relieved but still not happy, he wanted Mark to know, but he didn't want to go and get him and have to admit that he'd brought something and used…
Mark had finished and went to check on Jeff, but found something on the floor that made the blood in his veins boil to the uttermost, and picking up the little bag he growled, starting to look for Jeff, who was sitting, legs crossed in front of the pond and was trying to find a way to tell Mark, but it seemed Mark found him first as he heard him bark "There you are", Jeff bolted up, turning and staring at Mark "Mark", "Yeah, not happy to see me?", "I was… I was thinking something over", "Oh, how you could get some more?", "Hin?", Mark threw the little bag in front of Jeff, who sighed and tears in his eyes started "Mark, I can explain", "Oh I'm sure you can, right", "I…", "Hey, but before you start, don't go imagining in that twisted mind of yours that I didn't know, your mood swings weren't bad enough and you're not good at hiding your high state kid", Jeff shook his head "It's not what you think Mark…I came here to throw it all in there, but then I felt like it had no meaning with you not witnessing it… I was… I was thinking about how to come and explain it to you", "Jeff seriously", "I am serious man, ok I brought it here, and I used, but hell, I'm throwing it away dammit, so please at least hear me out", what followed was an intense staredown, Mark approaching Jeff and sitting down "Well, then get everything over here", Jeff got everything he buried and dumped it before Mark, who crooked an eyebrow "Hey man", feeling caught, Jeff's mouth opened before his reason could shut him "I kept some of the painkillers, but honestly, they're for my back Mark, don't take them away, please", Mark's eyebrow had crooked at the amount that was put at his feet, not even thinking there could be some more, hidden somewhere, but Jeff's honesty struck him "Ok, so your back's a bitch and we need to take care of it, why did you think I wouldn't understand it if you put the pills in front of me and explained it like an adult"
It took Jeff aback that Mark just had reacted like that, and he stared at him not clearly getting his point "I mean, hello, I've been in the business long enough to understand your body takes a toll, especially with what you pull, so how…", he revised, pain meds would come later, he wanted to focus on the zillion of small bags first, and pointing to them "You need coke to fonction?", "No", "Ok, well that's an awful lot for just occasional fun kid", "I… Well I…", Jeff got up and got one and emptied on the silent pond surface, throwing in a stone after for good measure, it was easier than to deal with the fact that Mark was more than right, it was an awful lot, but he had just packed everything he had left, he jumped a little when he felt a soft kick "That what you wanted to do with all of that?", Jeff nodded and Mark smiled "Well our next trout will make us merry I guess", Jeff gave him a timid smile as he did just the same with the others, keeping an eye on the pills, just as Mark who was wondering what kinda pot-pourri he had in front of him "So, what are all those for", "My pain", "You're kidding right?", "Nope… Those I got from Shawn…", Jeff started filtering some small pink ones out, putting them on a pile, before starting with some white ones that were slightly bigger "Those from Dave…", Mark stared at Jeff while he was doing his selection and wondered in how much pain the kid really was, and that he'd have to have a serious discussion with some of the guys and their sharing activities, 'cause as it unfolded itself it wasn't only Jeff who was guilty on this one, seeing Jeff gaze at him, intrigued at Mark's daydreaming, he took a green one "Those?", "The doc", "Ok, I'll keep those with me", "As you wish" and shyly added "I'll give you the others when we get back… And sorry Mark, but you have to believe me, I wanted to get rid of them, that's why I came here", "Oh I believe you Jeff, that's why you're still sitting there unharmed", Jeff fidgeted a little "Mark, can you help me to move without pain?", "I'll try my best", they stayed another couple of minutes before Mark gently tucked at Jeff's arm "Let's head back, I wanna check your back kid", "Ok"
Jeff was splayed on his chest on the bed, inhaling deeply and trying to stay calm as Mark's hands were roaming his back, knotting here and pushing there until he noticed Jeff was asleep, he couldn't believe it, the second time it had happened, but what the heck, he was tired too so he called it a night and got ready before getting Jeff under the covers too, joining him and pulling him in his arms, he just didn't want him to wake up alone in the morning after all the events…
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First Part of the Sequel, I'll finish the last details with the second part and post it within the next day ;-), but feel free to tell me if you liked it or not, Review please, thank you :-)
