Author Notes: This is slash so if it isn't you thing don't read you have been warned. Also do flame me about it because it is my thing lately. Thanks to Heart Desire, RavensEnigma, Spy Elf, JeffandShannon, Baslady and many more great writers. Thanks.

Chapter Two

Wow what a Talk

After walking away and leaving the Outsiders to take care of Northcutt and Legend, Rave and Shannon grabbed a couple of cups of coffee and headed to a table in the back of the room where it is quieter and less busy. They sit down next to each other but neither of them says anything to the other at first. They both sit there in silence sipping their coffee and neither saying a word shyly sneaking glances at each other. After a few minutes of silence and of both men looking down at their feet Shannon look up at Raven and openly studies him. He is staring so intensely at Raven that he doesn't see that Matt and Shane who are standing across the room from where they are sitting are watching him. Both men have been watching them since Raven and the Outsiders beat them from stepping in to protect Shannon. Finally Raven looks up and right into the gleaming green pools of Shannon's eyes. This causes Shannon to start blushing a deep shade of red and then to quickly look back down at the floor. Now it is Ravens turn to study Shannon unaware of the fact that Julio Dinero, America's Most Wanted Wildcat Chris Harris and Cowboy James Storm have been watching over Raven since he had started to notice what Northcutt and Legend where up to. Shannon is so nervous that he takes a big drink of his coffee and chokes on it as it starts to burn his throat. This causes Raven to lean over and too gently pat Shannon on the back. As he does a shock of electricity runs up his arm from his hand that is touching Shannon. At the same time Shannon feels that same jolt traveling up and down his back. This causes both men to look up and into each other's intense eyes. Finally Raven opens his mouth to speak at the same time that Shannon does. This causes both men to start laughing a nervous soft laugh. Raven notices that there is a question in Shannon eyes. Raven slowly takes his hand off of Shannon back though he would have liked to leave it where it was. He doesn't want Shannon to get nervous and think that Raven only helped him so that he could get something in return.

"Umm Raven.... um" Shannon fumbles over his words.

"Something you wanted to know about me kid?" Raven questions

This takes Shannon by surprises because he didn't realize that his eyes were giving him away. He almost blurts out the question that is in his mind, which is, if Raven is straight gay or bi. But instead he quickly changes his mine.

"Um .. So what organization are you part of?" Shannon asks instead.

Raven can tell that Shannon had decided not to ask what ever it was that was really on his mind.

"I'm with NWA-TNA same as Northcutt and Legend." Raven responds.

"That where Scott Hall is at too right?" Shannon wants to know.

Raven looks at him almost with sadness in his eyes figuring that Shannon like so many of the young wrestlers he meets are hooked on the great Scott Hall. Shannon notices the sadness and wonders why.

"Yeah that is where he is at right now. Makes it kind of hard on him and Kevin to hang out." Replies Raven.

"Him and Kevin have been friends a long time I hear." Shannon states.

"Yeah back before even the Kliq days even." Raven softly says.

Shannon notices a change in Ravens tone of voice and almost a defeated look in his eyes. Raven glances down at the ground not looking at Shannon. It slowly dawns on Shannon that maybe Raven think that he is interested in Scott Hall. This causes Shannon to smile because even though Scott is a great wrestler he isn't his type. It also causes him to wonder why it would matter to Raven anyway.

"Well him and Scott really make a good couple. They really match each in a lot of ways. Oh and Raven?" Shannon say's with a question in his voice.

This and the fact that Shannon has reached out and touched Ravens arm cause Raven to look up. He sees Shannon smiling over at him.

"Um." Shannon stutters once more.

Shannon turns a slight shade of red under the intense watching of Raven. Finally see that Shannon isn't going to say what he wanted Raven questions him.

"What did you want to say Shannon?" Raven asked.

Shannon gently removes his hand from where it was sitting on Raven's arm.

"What I wanted to say Raven was thank you and I do mean you for your help. I don't think I could have gotten out of there in one piece if you and your friends hadn't come along." Shannon replies softly with a look of what could have happened in his eyes.

Raven doesn't miss the look or the trembling in Shannon's hand when he lifts his coffee cup up to take a sip.

"I don't know you might have gotten away from them. Though they where a little bit bigger then you Shannon and somewhat drunk. You might have been able to do something to get away from them." Raven say's trying to build up Shannon feeling of not being helpless.

I don't know they were pretty drunk." Replies Shannon.

" That they were and I know for a fact that they aren't nice drunks. Which is why The Outsiders and I stepped in to help you. Not because we didn't figure you couldn't get out. Well that and you looked a little upset." Raven say's gently.

"I was getting more then just upset. Especially when the one grabbed me." Shannon replies.

"Yeah well Legend's an ass and we just though that you could use a little bit of help was all." Raven say's trying to put Shannon at ease.

"Well thank you anyway. I do really appreciate your help. Especially since maybe I had a little more to drink then I should have too." Utters Shannon.

Raven looks at Shannon to see if he can see signs of the fact that Shannon had too much to drink. He decides that the kid either hides it well or the fact that Legend had grabbed him by the balls had sobered him up quickly.

"Well I am glad that I could be of some help to you. Plus I owed them and so does the Outsiders for previous bad acts against some friends of ours so it was our pleasure to be there." Raven responds with a smile that travels up to his eyes.

This smile is so warm and caring that it takes Shannon by surprise. Not a lot of the other wrestlers have shown him such kindness. Other then his friends that is. It also comes completely as a surprise to the three men who are watching Raven. And before he knows that he is even doing it Shannon smiles back with a warm and open smile of his own. This smile almost melts Ravens heart it is so sweet and innocent. To say nothing of the grins it puts on Matt and Shane's faces to see Shannon happy. After a minute or two of just smiling at each other a question comes to Shannon and shows in his eyes.

"So then they have cornered someone else before?" Shannon asks quietly.

"Oh yeah many times. That is something they try to do on regular bases if they can. Especially if they can find one of the guys who is a lot smaller then them and maybe has had a bad time or too much to drink. And who seems to be all alone or lonely." Raven tells him.

Shannon tenses up which Raven doesn't miss.

"I'm not alone I have some friends around her some where." Shannon rushes on so that Raven doesn't feel sorry for him.

Raven realizes this and smiles once more at Shannon trying to make him realize that he wants to be a friend too.

"I know you do kid. You're to likable not to have a whole bunch of friends. Hell maybe you will even let me be one too someday." Raven replies

Shannon smiles and relaxes.

"I already do consider you to be a friend Raven." Shannon says this so softly Raven almost doesn't hear it.

"God I'm glad that you do because I consider you one of mine too. And the trouble with those two is that they don't understand the meaning of the word no." Explains Raven.

"Is that why you and the Outsiders owe them? Did they do that to some friends of yours?" Shannon whispers with a small trembling to his lips.

Raven has the feeling of wanting to reach over and hold Shannon. Instead he just nods his head yes.

"Was it really bad?" Shannon asked really want and needing to know.

Raven could see in his eyes that for some reason he really needed to know the truth about what could have happened if they hadn't of come alone. Raven takes a deep breath before answering him.

"Yeah it wasn't good real good Shannon. See they cornered one of my partners a few months back while me and our other partner was busy in the ring. No one was around and he had to fight his way out of a really bad situation. But not before they had some fun with him. He is just starting to get over it and move on with his life. I beat the hell out of the two of them then and warned them then that I would get revenge or worst. And that if I ever seen them doing what they did to Punk to anyone again it would be their asses." Raven says this with hatred in his voice because it took everything he had in him not to go and kill them after they cornered Punk.

"Punk? CM? Guy with purple hair?" Shannon asked.

"Yeah. That would be him. Why do you know him?" Raven questions.

Shannon smiles for a second and then laughs softly. Raven loves the sound of his soft laugh and smiles back at him.

"I don't really know him but he left here with a friend of mine a little while ago." Shannon replies smiling.

This causes Raven to frown a little because sometimes CM Punk picked up the wrong kind of person. Especially if he was in the mood for a woman tonight which isn't to often because he doesn't do well with them. Most of them just wanted something from him. Shannon sees this and tries to give Raven a reassuring smile.

"He will be fine with Jeffy I promise you. Jeffy is really a nice guy who couldn't hurt a fly. He's got blue hair himself right now. They said that they would be back a little later. That they were going over to his house to check out some music Punk wrote? See Jeff has his own band." Shannon tells Raven.

"Jeff? As in Mr. High flying Jeff Hardy?" Raven say's this with a grin on his face.

"Yeah. Do you know Jeffy?" Shannon asked

"Yeah I do know Jeff and his brother Matt. I was in the WWF as it was called back when they made their debut. I work with them Hardy Boys for a few years." Responds Raven with a big grin.

He knows that CM will be fine with Jeff and that in many ways that his baby birds were made for each other. All of a sudden Shannon gets a goofy look on his face almost as if he was just hit with something. This scares Raven a little.

"What Shannon?" Raven questions.

"Damn I'm I a dumb ass." Shannon responds.

"Why?" Raven asked as Shannon just keeps staring at him.

After a moment of Shannon just staring at him but not saying anything Raven waves a hand in front of Shannon's face. Finally Shannon laughs and then looks down at the floor as if there is a joke written on it.

"Want to share with me why you think you are a dumb ass?" Asked Raven with a grin.

"You and Jeff hung around when he first started. You where one of the greatest Hardcore wrestlers that the WWE has ever seen. Hell your ECW days were the best. And champ for a long time right?" Shannon wanted to know.

This causes Raven to blush.

"Well I did hang around with Jeff for awhile and was a Hardcore champ but I don't think I was great. Bradshaw and Dreamer and Crash were better then me." Raven replies humbly.

Shannon shakes his head no.

"Not in mine or Jeff's books." Shannon states firmly.

Raven looking at this young man with almost tears in his eyes. Because shining in Shannon eyes is respect and loyalty something that Raven doesn't feel that he has earned.

"I will never be that great of a wrestler. They all tell me that. I just hope that I can at least be good enough so that I don't dishonor the great ones like you and the Outsiders." Shannon says this and then looks away from Raven.

Raven can see in his eyes before he looks away that he means it. That someone has really did a job on this little bird's self-esteem. It takes everything in Raven not to let how pissed he is show in his face. Though his body is telling those across the room all. Matt goes to head over there but Jeff who has come up behind him with CM Punk behind him reaches out and stops him. Matt whips around and looks Jeff in the face.

"Jeff?" Matt questions.

"Matt please gives Raven and the whole thing a few seconds." Jeff states.

"But what if something is going on?" Matt replies.

"Well if it is then we are here but from what I see and know is that Birdman over there is in a protective mode. So what ever just set him off is something that he feels is wrong or that someone has wronged Shannon." Jeff says.

"But..." Matt starts.

"No Buts Matt. Hell I have seen that side of him when I was with him years ago . Not that he shows it too often." Jeff states. He then smiles over at Punk.

He then pulls CM Punk over closer to him. Punk looks at him and smiles. It was great showing Jeff his music and then finding out that this is the Jeff that Raven has talked about so much that he feels as if he already knows him.

"Anyway Matt, Shane I want you to meet CM Punk and he and the guy standing over there with the two guys in AMW t-shirt is Raven's partners." Jeff says and then kisses Punk which cause both Shane and Matt to flash smiles at each other.

Punk shakes hands with the two men and they introduce him to the girls that they had picked up earlier.

"Jeff is right the Boss is in a protective mode with your friend and he won't hurt him. Matter of fact he might just be what Raven needs good in his life right now." Punk states staring at Raven.

"And from what Nash and Hall said when we ran into them as we came in if it had not been for Raven Shannon would have been in some trouble?" Jeff asks.

The three men from the other side of the room walk over to where Punk and the others are watching just in time to hear Jeff ask. They notice the sour and up set look on Punk face and the slight trembling in his hand. Jeff also notices it and grips Punk tighter into his arms in a protective way.

"Yeah some really big guys were trying to corner him. Matter of fact Matt and I were on our way over there when Raven and the Outsiders stepped in." Shane tells Jeff.

A look of fear crosses Punk face as he looks at Julio and the AMW. Julio reaches a hand out and runs it across Punk cheek. This brings some what of a smile from Punk's lips.

"Easy Punkster breathe for me. Papa Wolf and Papa Bird took care of them along with the Lone Wolf. They didn't get to hurt the little one over there with him or anyone else tonight." Julio says this softly to Punk.

Everyone just watches the exchange that goes on. Punk leans over and Julio quickly captures his lips for a soft comforting kiss. After they are done Punk back up and into Jeff's arms again. He then looks up and into the smiling face of Wildcat Chris Harris.

"And you know Punkster that none of us would have let that happen here either. Or anywhere else if we could have helped it. Right Cowboy?" Wildcat Chris Harris asked turning to look at his partner who is frowning slightly at Punk and Jeff.

"Damn fucking straight we wouldn't anything like that happens Wildcat. And Punk you know that too right? It's going to be all right baby bird we are all going to make sure of it." Cowboy James Storm answers back.

They then both lean over and give CM a hug. Then Wildcat turns Cowboy around and kisses him deeply before letting him go to turn back to the others. They then all introduce themselves to the others. Meanwhile Shannon is still looks down and is frowning into his cup of coffee. Raven is watching him closely. He starts to say something then closes his mouth waiting for Shannon to look back up before going on. After a second of silence Raven reaches over and gently lifts Shannon's face up so that he is looking up and Raven can see that there are unshed tears in Shannon eyes.

"Damn baby bird someone sure has done a number on your self-esteem. You can be as good or bad as you wants Shannon but that is your choice." Raven remarks.

"But I'll fuck it up just like I fuck everything up. I always do." Shannon replies in a dull voice.

Raven reaches over and gentle lays his hand over Shannon's that is lying on the table. Shannon starts to tense up but something in him senses that Raven is just trying to comfort him as a friend. A friend that some how Shannon really wants and needs.

"Baby Bird I doubt that you could ever fuck up anything that bad. If anything at all even you just couldn't." Raven says.

"I do. But then someone like you wouldn't know about fucking everything up." Shannon says this with so much sorrow in his voice.

Raven looks over at him and then leans over and quickly hugs Shannon who he is sure will most likely pull away from him. Everyone across the room sees this and can't help but smile. Shannon does not pull away though which is a shock to him self as well to Raven. So they sit there for a second with Raven having his arms wrapped around Shannon as Shannon head resting on his shoulder. After a second Raven gently pulls back not that he wants too but he needs to look into Shannon face. He looks Shannon right in the eye before he speaks.

"Shannon I am the king of the fuck-ups. So bad that sometimes I'm surprised that I have a career or any friends left. Hell someday I will have to tell you how bad I have fucked up." Raven smiles at Shannon as he says this.

As they are talking they don't see that the Outsiders have come back in from fucking around in the car after beating the hell out of Legend and Northcutt. Hall and Nash walk up to the table in time to hear Raven say that he is a fuck up. Kevin reaches over and puts a hand on Raven shoulder causing him to look up. Kevin looks down into Ravens eyes.

"Hey Birdbrain what have I told you about saying shit about yourself like that?" Kevin asked.

"Hell Nashman you know that it is true. I am what I am." Raven states.

Nash and Hall looks down at their friend and see the sadness in his eyes. They also don't miss the fact that he still has his arm around Shannon in a protective way. So they can only figure that this self-proclamation about being a fuck up is trying to some how help this newest baby bird of his.

"Raven you or this young baby aren't any more of a fuck up as any of the rest of us. Hell you two look at the shit I have put Papa Wolf through." Scott states as a matter of fact.

This causes Papa Wolf to pull his Lone Wolf to him so that he can kiss him deeply. When they finally pull apart both men are breathing heavily. Both have the look of lust in their eyes. Nash looks over Halls shoulder and sees that the group is watching Raven and Shannon. He motions with his head that they are going to leave. Jeff shakes his head yes as does Punk. The rest just smiles at him. He then turns around to see that they have made Shannon look down blushing. Raven glares quickly at the Outsiders, which only cause Scott to laugh till Kevin elbows him making him, stop.

"So Shannon are you staying in the McCormick east hotel." Scott asks.

"Yeah I am but I guess that I will have to grab a cab over there because all my friends have deserted me. Not that I can blame them I mean shit, who wants a wet blanket around all the time." Shannon replies with a little sorrow.

This causes all three men's heart to melt some. Raven tightens his arm that is still around Shannon's shoulders.

"Hell why do that Shannon you can ride over with us and Raven. We are staying there too." Scott tells him.

Shannon looks like he wants to but then gets an almost scared look on his face.

"I don't want to be any trouble." Shannon quietly replies.

Raven looks at him and smiles that easy relaxing smile that lights up Shannon.

"You are not any trouble man. Shit we are going there too so come on don't think we are just going to leave you sitting here all by your self either." Raven tells him.

Shannon smiles at Raven and they both stand up parting slightly for the first time since Raven has reached out to hug him. Shannon all of a sudden gets a look on his face that tells the others that he might refuse the ride. Raven speaks before he can.

"This is just a ride from one friend to another. All right baby bird?" Raven said.

After a second Shannon smiles and then shakes his head yes.

"Yeah all right and thank you for saving my ass for the second time tonight." Replies Shannon.

"Any time." Raven responses with a smile.

They all start to head toward the door. All of a sudden Shannon frowns.

"Shit." Is all that Shannon says.

"What wrong little one?" Asked Kevin

"I should let my friends know that I got a ride back to the hotel. But I don't know where they are." Shannon say's a deep frown of thought is creasing his brow.

Raven smiles as he pulls out his cell phone. He dials a number and the phone rings. After a few seconds it is picked up.

~~~(Cell Phone Call)~~~

*CM Punk pulls his ringing cell phone out of his pocket and smiles when he sees that it is Raven.*

CM: Hey.

Raven: Hey Punk?

CM: Yeah Raven what's up?

Raven: You still with Jeff Hardy?

CM: Yeah. But why?

Raven: Do me a favor and put him on.

CM: Sure thing Boss.

*CM smiles at Jeff and hands him the phone then smiles back before putting the phone to his ear.*

Jeff: Raven?

Raven: Yeah Jeff how are you?

Jeff: Good and you?

Raven: Not bad.

Jeff: What can I do for you Raven?

Raven: Two things.

Jeff: All right what?

Raven: One don't hurt him and be willing to go slow.

Jeff: I will just like you did with me when I needed it that way. And I would never...

*Raven grins and cuts Jeff off before he can finish say what he was going too.*

Raven: I know.

Jeff: All right what is number two then?

Raven: Hang on.

*He smiles down at Shannon and hands him his cell phone. Shannon takes it smiling up at Raven. Scott and Kevin are standing there facing Raven and Shannon and grinning over there heads at the group of men who are on the other side of the room.*

Shannon: Jeff?

Jeff: Shanny what up?

Shannon: I just wanted to let you know that I was going to catch a ride back to the hotel with Raven, Scott and Kevin.

Jeff: You sure I mean I could come and drive you there and then go back?

Shannon: Yeah I'm sure stay and have fun.

Jeff: All right. I'll see you when I get in.

Shannon: Yeah you mean tomorrow morning right?

*This causes both men to laugh.*

Jeff: We will see. Now go and give Raven back his phone.

Shannon: All right. Night.

Jeff: Sweet dreams Shanny.

*Shannon hands Raven back his phone. Raven put it back to his ear.*

Jeff: Hey Papa Bird take it easy and slow with that baby bird that you are taking into your nest. He needs special care.

*Raven goes to tell Jeff that he isn't taking on another baby bird but smiles when he realizes that that is exactly what he is doing. He wonders how Jeff knew it before he did?*

Raven: I will Rainbow. And I know special care is needed.

Jeff: Yeah I figured you did. I will talk to you tomorrow.

Raven: Yeah that sounds good. Now give Punk his phone back

CM: Hey Birdman what?

Raven: You coming to the hotel or going to say home?

*Doesn't answer at first thinking.*

Raven: All right never mind I will leave it unlocked in case give Julio a call to and let him know it's open.

CM: Will do.

Raven: Good. And have some fun if you want. You're in good hands with that baby bird.

CM: Yeah?

Raven: Yeah trust him.

CM: I already do. How about you having some fun?

*Raven smiles into the phone. It seems as if his baby birds are always saying that to him lately.*

Raven: I keep telling you two that I'm to tried and to damn old anymore.

CM: You're not to old. Just don't realize it is all Papa Bird. Hell just asks Papa Wolf or Lone Wolf they will tell you. Hell they would show you that you're not to old if you would let them?

Raven: PUNKSTER!

*Both the outsiders can see that Julio and AMW are trying to hold back the laughter even from across the room. They realize that if they start laughing that Raven will hear them and know that something is up. Scott reaches over and blows in Kevin ear acting all hot and bothered. Not that all of it is an act. Kevin tries to frown at him but ends up smiling instead.*

"Come on Birdman hang up the damn phone already so that I can get Scott back to the hotel so I can fuck his brains out already."

CM: I got to go anyway Raven. But I will call Julio.

Raven: Do that and we will finish this talk tomorrow. Night.

CM: All right Raven. Sweet Dreams. Night.

*Punk hangs up the phone just as Julio and Harris can't take it any more and start roaring with laughter.*

~~~(Cell Phone Call Ends)~~~

Raven puts his cell phone away and heads out of the building with The Outsiders and Shannon. They head to the car in silence. Across the room the rest of the group all starts laughing except the girls who don't know what the hell is going on. Right then Amy and John come up to the group.

"What's so funny?" Amy asked with a look of puzzlement on her face.

"Oh just a lot is all. But then that is nothing new for you Amy you always have been somewhat slow." Matt tells her.

She smacks him in the arm.

"Really that not what I would call you honey." John says husky to her.

"Hell John she has only had a thing for you since she first met you and that was like forever ago." Jeff said out loud with out realizing it till it was to late.

This comment causes Amy to turn around and so that she can jump on Jeff back knocking Punk out of his arms. She didn't even realize that he was holding this man. She smiles at Punk and then starts pounding the hell out of Jeff. Everyone is laughing again because Jeff is bagging for someone to get her off. John is just standing there with a grin on his face because he has had a thing for Amy since he met her too. Finally when they can't take it any longer Shane and Matt reach out and try to grab Amy off of Jeff. But she won't let go. They turn toward Wildcat and Cowboy for help. They try but don't have any luck either. Finally as the band comes back from break and the music starts John reaches out and takes Amy off of Jeff and turns toward the dance floor with her. After a few minutes of laughing Matt and Shane grab their girls and head to the dance floor too. Jeff looks at Punk who takes his hand and head there closely followed by AMW who has grab Julio with them to the dance floor.

Author Notes: Please don't hate me I know it's long but I couldn't help it. Just think Raven got to hug Shannon for a first time. Please Read and Review. Oh and Steffie don't hate me I couldn't help it ever time I get Nash and Hall in the same room it just happens. Heart Desire hope that you like this one. And RavensEnigma thanks for telling me that I should be working on this one. Hope everyone likes where this one is going and Spy Elf couldn't help but to put the Gathering in here together too. Well everyone let me know if I should do more.

Thanks,

Cat Lea

Ravensgurl41@aol.com

Legalities: Shannon Moore, Scott Levy, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Shane Helms, John Layfield, Wildcat Chris Harris, James Storm, Julio Dinero or CM Punk, and any other mentioned characters are property of World Wrestling Entertainment or NWA-TNA. I claim no knowledge of each of the characters sexual preferences or lives. This is a story of fiction, none of these events are real which means I made them up. I received absolutely no profit from this story except for my ego in reviews.