Jason shook his hand again. He started to wonder if it was broken. When he'd told Shawn he could hold his hand during take off, Jason hadn't realized how strong a scared Shawn Michaels could be.

Shawn gave Jason a very sheepish look. "Want some ice? I really don't think it's broken... I'm used to Hunter... he knew what to expect. I guess I'd better learn to fly alone..." He gave a bit of a sigh. It was the little things he would miss the most.

Jason pat Shawn's knee. "Naw, it will be alright. It's only an hour and forty-five minute flight. Um... are you the same about landings?" He looked at Shawn's with a wary glance.

"I'll be okay. Say, listen, you have a key to Adam's house don't you?" Shawn took the iced soda the lone steward brought.

"Yes, I do. There is also one under a plant box. I hope we don't scare him arriving in the middle of the night." Jason took his cold drink and held it on his nearly crushed hand.

"Too bad, that's what he gets for not answering the phone. No, I don't mean that. So, I know your dying to ask questions about Hunter and I, so... go ahead." Shawn gave Jason a nod.

Jason shook his head. "None of my business. I do think it's sad, but if neither of you were happy... but, I guess the rumors about Hunter and Seth were true." He sighed and sipped his cold drink.

"No, not like that. They weren't looking to fall in love, but it happened. We should have split up a long time ago. Jason, look after Seth with the boys. I don't want him hurt, it's not his fault. I have to say, I haven't seen Hunter that happy in a long time." Shawn gave a bit of a shrug.

"Shawn, you are too good. I would have throttled Seth and probably Hunter with in an inch of their lives." Jason stated with a huff.

Shawn scoffed. "Oh there is a part of me that feels that way, trust me, a big part. Maybe Hunter and I could have worked things out, but I doubt it. He can't stand ranch life, and I can't stand living in a city all the time. Hunter likes to go out a lot. I'm happy at home with a good pile of magazines or a book. Seth is more Hunter's type. Oh, Hunt and I loved each other, but sometimes love just isn't enough. I wish Hunter well. Will you keep the boys under control?" Shawn gave Jason a pointed look.

Jason nodded. "Yes, I will; because you asked me. I know what you're saying though..." Jason let his words fade, and he looked out the window at the darkness.

When the WWE corporate jet began its descent into Asheville, Shawn held on to a pillow instead of Jason's hand. He had to learn to start doing things alone. It was sad, but a fact.

At the airport, Jason waited for their bags while Shawn went to pick up a rental. He chose a late model jeep, mainly to get up the mountain in case the roads were bad.

It wasn't long before Shawn and Jason were on the road. "It's about a twenty minute drive from here." Jason stated as he pointed out the direction for Shawn.

Shawn had never been to Adam's house. Jason had been there once, when the house was in the process of being built. They chatted about their worry for Adam as the drove.

"You think you can talk him into coming back to work?" Jason asked as he pointed out another turn for Shawn to make.

"I hope so. We always had great in ring chemistry. I remember that street fight we had. He actually wanted me to rip off his shirt and whip him with the belt. He gave the business everything, it's time we gave back to him." Shawn spoke in earnest, as he turned onto the road that led to Adam's mountain retreat.

The house was dark as they pulled up. It was almost four in the morning, so they didn't really expect Adam to be awake.

"We'll get the bags later." Jason remarked as they got out of the rental. He pulled his personal keys out of his pocket. He used his key chain's flashlight to find the key with the "A.H." etched onto it.

BANG!

"That was a gun shot!" Shawn exclaimed as he recognized the sound. To him, it sounded like a large caliber hand gun.

"Oh my God, he wouldn't..." Jason dropped his keys as panic rose in his throat, and quivered through his body. He scooped them up. They heard the dogs start to bark in the house.

Jason somehow managed to get the door open, even though his hands shook. Were they too late? Shawn and Jason rushed into the house. Branny, Tundra and Shine met the two men. The dogs knew both humans.

"Where is mommy?" Jason asked the three dogs. The three dogs, with Branny in the lead, took Shawn and Jason to Adam's bedroom.

The men opened the door not knowing what they would find. Jason barely recognized the man who lay on the bed. Adam's face was hidden by a beard that put Daniel Bryan's to absolute shame, and it looked like he'd lost at least twenty, maybe even thirty pounds.

Shawn and Jason rushed to the bed. Adam held the pistol in his hand, but, as far as they could tell, there was no blood.

Shawn quickly scanned the walls. "There, thank God he missed." Shawn pointed to a large hole in the wall, just above the headboard of the bed.

Jason sat on the bed and checked Adam over, just to make sure he really had missed. "By the smell, he's drunk. My lord, look at this place, Shawn." Jason waved his hand. There were empty whiskey bottles scattered all over the floor from the nights when Adam actually made it up to the bed.

Shawn had picked up the note Adam had scribbled. He could barely read it, but he got the gist of the meaning. He handed it to Jason.

"Gonna go start some coffee. We have a lot of work to do." Shawn sighed. He was glad they hadn't waited another week. If they had, it might have really been too late.

"Yeah..." Jason responded to Shawn, then turned to Adam. "Adam, buddy, wake up. Please wake up..." Jason shook Adam a bit. He hoped to get some kind of response. It took Jason a bit, but finally Adam let out a groan. "That's it buddy. Adam!" Jason spoke sharply and patted Adam's bearded face.

Adam stirred more and his eyes began to flutter open. "Jay...?" Adam's voice was gruff, and he felt like death warmed over.

"Yeah, it's Jay. Come on..." Jason got working to get Adam fully awake, or at least as much as possible.

Shawn came back into the room with a pot of coffee and a cup. He filled the cup half way and handed it to Jason. Shawn knew exactly how Adam felt. He had been a drinker back in his younger years... a serious drinker.

Shawn also knew from experience, that right now, kindness was not what Adam needed. It had to be tough love. He hoped Jason would understand, as he cast a glance over at the worried looking man.

"Get up, Adam. You missed, come on, you've got five shots left. I'm sure Orton would be disappointed to know you missed such a huge target, like that head of yours. Come on, what do you want to do? Take another shot, or ask for help?" Shawn spoke in a cross and firm tone of voice as he pulled Adam up into a sitting position.

Jason began to protest. Adam needed love and care, not harsh treatment. Shawn flashed him an anger filled glare. "Trust me." Shawn mouthed silently. Jason nodded.

"Wh... what... oh... God..." Adam's voice was raspy and his breath was like the air in a distillery. Adam felt like his head was going to explode. He blinked several times until his drink blurred eyes could focus. Were there two Shawns or two Jasons.

"I said, here you missed. You've got five more tries. You can either finish what you started or ask for help." Shawn held the gun out to Adam.

"I... missed?" Adam still wasn't quite sure what was going on. He'd expected to wake up in Heaven, with Bret.

"Yeah, you did. Oh, but just so you know. If you kill yourself, you won't be with Bret..." Shawn knew only the truth would help Adam. According to his years of Bible study... suicide was not the path to Heaven.

"Not... be... with... Bretty?" Adam tried to make sense out of what the two Shawns were saying.

"No, you won't, but go ahead, if you want to end your life. I won't stop you. Of course, Bret would be disappointed in you, but that doesn't matter now does it. Eternity apart... it's only... forever without Bret..." Shawn still spoke firmly, but his voice was a bit softer.

Adam somehow began to understand what Shawn was saying. "Put... away..." He fumbled but managed to push the hand holding the gun away.

Both Jason and Shawn were relieved. This was the first step. Shawn gave the weapon to Jason. Jason put the gun in the lock box on the floor. Just to be on the safe side, Jason put the key in his pocket.

"Shawn... Jay?" Adam's eyes and brain were slowly starting to focus. There was only one Shawn and one Jason.

"Yeah buddy, we're here. Drink this." Jason held out the cup of coffee Shawn had poured a few moments ago.

Adam reached out to take the cup. His hands shook as he lifted it to his lips. That was why Shawn had only partially filled the cup. Adam swallowed the strong, bitter liquid.

"Strong... Dogs?" Adam managed to ask as he took another sip of coffee.

Shawn answered. " They are fine. The led us to you, you scared them." Shawn still had a firm tone to his voice. It was hard, but tough love had to be maintained.

Adam swallowed the last sip from the cup. "Take them out. Please, Jay?" He looked at his best friend with blood shot eyes.

"You bet. I'll feed them too." Jason smiled at Adam. He then left the room to do as he promised.

Jason called to the three dogs, who waited out in the hallway. As he went downstairs and turned on the lights, Jason was shocked. There were empty whiskey bottles everywhere. Dirty dishes occupied the two chair side tables and the kitchen was a disaster. He wondered if the cleaning lady even bothered to come anymore.

Jason went outside with the dogs. They all three went to the bathroom as fast as their paws touched grass. The sun had just started to peak over the distant mountains. Jason felt tears run down his cheeks, he was so saddened by Adam. Jason pulled out his phone and began to type out a long text message to Heath.

Shawn poured Adam another cup of coffee. Adam still shook as he sipped, but it wasn't as violent as before. After a couple more sips, Adam spoke.

"What... why are you... here?" Adam took yet another sip. He hated the strong coffee without sugar, but it was slowly clearing his foggy head.

Shawn filled Adam's cup again. "Because, for the last month, someone hasn't been answering his phone. We were going to come after the next loop, but... I didn't tell anyone this part, but, I had a dream the night before last. Bret told me you were in trouble, and to get here as quickly as possible. Like I said, I didn't tell anyone about it. Anyway, Vince let us use the jet, and Jason and I flew from Chicago... do you want us to leave?" Shawn's tone and face had softened. He really did have the dream. He'd been afraid to mention it for fear of ridicule. Shawn knew however, that God had worked through the dream, so, here he was.

Adam put the empty coffee cup on the bedside table. "Bret.. oh... he must be so upset with me... no... don't... leave... oh help me, Shawn, please help me..." Even though he felt his head was about to explode, Adam sobbed. He knew he needed help before it was too late... he wanted Bret to be proud of him, not ashamed.

Downstairs, the dogs had finished their business. Jason was just about to call them into the house when they started to bark. An older model car pulled up in the driveway. The dogs ran up to the car, tails wagging, so Jason knew it certainly wasn't a stranger.

An older lady stepped out of the car and spoke to the dogs. She grinned brightly when she saw Jason. "Are you Mister Reso?" She asked as she walked up to Jason.

"Yes, I'm Jason. How did you know?" He asked as they walked toward the front door.

The lady smiled softly. "Mister Adam has shown me your picture, many times. I feel like I know you. He's told me many stories about the two of you... but now... are you here to help him? Mister Adam has... he told me not to come back, but, I had to try, one more time. I thought if I came early, he'd still be passed out and I could at least get the house clean. Oh and my name is Elsie Ritter." Elsie shook Jason's hand. Her grip was strong and defied her age. She was obviously a hard worker.

"Well, we are gonna try. Shawn Michaels is up with Adam, forcing coffee down his throat. I guess he wouldn't let you answer the phone?" Jason asked as he opened the door for Mrs. Ritter and the dogs. The dogs went to their empty food bowls and sat down to patiently wait.

Mrs. Ritter tisked as she saw the state of the house, she took pride in keeping it clean. "No, he wouldn't. Mister Adam, well, he's taken Mister Bret's death hard. I hope he lets you and Mister Michaels help him. Well, looks like I have a lot to do..." She started to pick up the empty bottles.

"I'll feed the dogs and help you. Shawn can do more for Adam right now. See, in his younger days... well... Shawn has personal experience..." Jason didn't want to say too much about Shawn's business, but he wanted Mrs. Ritter to know Adam was in safe hands. Jason decided not to mention the gun incident.

Jason filled the dog bowls with food and gave them fresh bowls of water. Together, he and Mrs. Ritter began to clean up the house.

Upstairs in Adam's bedroom, Shawn made progress. "You sure you're up to this right now?" Shawn asked as he stood at the bathroom door. Adam had thrown up all the coffee, and whatever else was in his system. Shawn had barely gotten him to the bathroom in time.

Shawn had held Adam's long hair out of the way, but now Adam bushy beard was full of crap. Adam wanted to take a shower. Shawn had helped the shaky Adam out of his clothes and turned on the shower. Shawn couldn't help but notice, even though Adam had dropped a lot of weight, he was still had the body of a wrestler.

"Yeah, but leave the door open... just in case. Shawn, thanks." Adam's head banged, but throwing up had helped clear more fogginess from his brain.

"Well, hold off on the thanks, you may end up hating me before I leave. I'll be in here, just call out if you need help." Shawn stated with a bit of a scoff. He left the bathroom and started to clean the bedroom.

Adam braced himself in the shower and let the nearly scalding water rain down on him. He began to think. He knew Shawn was right, Bret would be horribly disappointed and that was the last thing Adam wanted. He hadn't done one thing to fulfill one of Bret's last requests, to raise awareness for both prostate cancer and stroke victims. He'd promised Bret he'd make sure The Hart Foundation went forward. Adam had felt too sorry for himself to raise money for the foundation. Adam decided to start as soon as possible.

Adam was finally steady enough on his feet that he could wash his hair, beard and body. He also decided it was time for the beard to go. It itched and it was uncomfortable and was nothing more than a facial crumb catcher. Bret also never liked it when his beard grew too thick, light stubble was his favorite look.

The blond was still in the shower when Jason came up to the bedroom. He explained to Shawn about the housekeeper. Shawn gave Jason the dirty bedding to wash and the empty bottle to throw away. Jason left, glad Adam was up and in the shower.

Adam finished his shower with a good douse of cold water. He shivered, but held in the yell. He knew the icy water was the best thing for his body. When he stepped out of the shower, he smiled. Shawn had laid out towels, clean underwear, socks, tee shirt and a soft pair of sweat pants. Adam wrapped the towel around his torso and set to work on getting rid of the mountain man facial hair. It took him a while, but soon he was able to use the razor instead of the scissors. He couldn't wait to brush his fuzzy teeth either.

Shawn had found the clean sheets and remade the bed. He began to work out a plan of healing for Adam. He only hoped Vince would understand. When Shawn heard the razor, he went out to the hallway. It was still early, but Vince would be awake, the man hardly ever slept, he felt it was a waste of time.

Shawn grinned, Vince answered on the first ring. Shawn told him about Adam, he left nothing out. "... so I was thinking, lets hold off on my debut on commentary till we get to the Garden, the Monday after Denver. That will give me nearly two weeks to help Adam. Plus, the Garden is the perfect place for a debut. I'm sure Hunter will commentate Denver, and be good..." Shawn explained to Vince with a hope filled voice. Adam needed him right now.

Shawn listened to Vince. "Good... good... I haven't mentioned it yet, he's not in shape to decide right now... better he's shaving off the Wyatt family look... I'll do my best... Vinnie, this means a lot to me... thank you... you're the best... I love you too, Vinnie Mac... Okay... my love to Eric, too... see you in New York... bye." Shawn ended the call. He stepped back into the bedroom at the same time a fresh, clean Adam came out of the bathroom.

"Well, there's the Adam we all know and love. Ready for some food? Just something easy, toast?" Shawn asked in a much friendlier voice.

Adam rubbed his now smooth face, the stubble would grow better with a clean shaven face. "Yeah, I think I could handle some toast. Where is Jay?" Adam asked as he sat down to put his sneakers on.

"Downstairs with Missus Ritter, cleaning up your mess." Shawn's tough love stance and voice was back.

Adam sank back in the chair. "She came back? Um... I think I'll lay down for a bit... I'm still not feeling too well." He stood up and started for the bed.

Shawn stopped Adam, and grabbed him gently but firmly by the shoulders. "Nope. Tough love time, brother. Part of getting better is making amends. So, you can either face things head on, or Jason and I will turn around and leave, but next time, make sure your aim is better, the wall already has a hole." He turned Adam to face the bullet hole in the wall.

"I just... passed out. I guess I pulled the trigger after... Bret protected me. No, you are right. I promised Bret to start his research foundation. I haven't done a damn thing. Stay with me, Shawn? I need your help." Adam had tears in his hazel eyes as he spoke. He knew he couldn't do this alone.

"You know I will. However, I am not a crutch, you have a lot of work ahead of you. Now, come on, let's go." Shawn turned Adam towards the door and together they went downstairs.

Jason and Mrs. Ritter had made tremendous progress. They were laughing as they did the dishes. Jason was telling her about the fat Elvis five second pose. Mrs. Ritter laughed so hard she nearly cried. They turned when the dogs started to whine and wag their tails. Shawn and Adam came down the stairs.

Adam went to Mrs. Ritter and hugged her. "I am so sorry, Miss Elsie. I've not been... no, no excuses, I'm sorry I was a stupid, drunken fool. Thank you for coming back. Can you forgive me?" He spoke honestly as he gave the older woman a teary eyed smile.

Mrs. Ritter hugged Adam tightly, the young man was like the son she never had. "Of course I forgive you. You are grieving and not thinking right. Son, the answer isn't in a bottle, ever. Trust Miss Elsie, she knows." She too, took on a tone of tough love.

"I know that, now. I am never going to drink anything stronger than Shawn's coffee ever again. Thank you, Miss Elsie." Adam hugged the housekeeper again. Miss Elsie, and Miss Rita, their Calgary housekeeper, had been like mothers to Adam since his own mother had passed away.

Shawn sat Adam down at the table with bread, butter and the toaster. Adam's dogs waited patiently, then whined with joy as their "mommy" called them over. "I'm sorry to you kids too. You've been good kids and I'll make it up to you, somehow. Now, go lay down, we will go out and play later, I promise." He waved to their dog bed pillows in the living room. Branny led Tundra and Shine to their beds. They settled in to wait. Everyone later swore the dogs sighed in relief.

Shawn made another pot of coffee, this time not as strong. He sat down at the table with Adam. "Jason, you're going to do as we planned, about going back to Denver. I've spoken to Vince, I am going to stay and help Adam. I will rejoin everyone at the Garden show. We decided the impact of my taking Jerry's place would be stronger there. Hunter will help this week by commentating Denver, build up my on camera return at the Garden. Vince agreed as long as you went back. He can't have two agents gone for so long at the same time." He filled Jason and Adam in on the plan.

Adam's brow furrowed. "I'm grateful, Shawn, I really am, but won't Hunter miss you? You don't have to stay away from your husband so long, just to help me."

Jason and Shawn exchanged a glance. Shawn sighed. "Hunter and I are getting a divorce. It's been a while in coming. He's found someone else, someone he really has more in common with. You know he and I have been at odds with each other for a while." Shawn explained as he buttered a piece of toast for himself.

Adam swallowed his own bite of toast. "Oh Shawn, I am so sorry to hear that. I never thought... that really makes me sad. You certainly don't need to be here with me. You need to go back and fight for your marriage." He spoke in earnest with wide eyed concern.

Shawn shook his head. "Nothing to fight for. We're both happier, honestly. Yes, of course, it is sad, but we had drifted past the point of no return. Better to divorce now, while we can still be good friends. So, don't worry about it. I am right where I need to be."

Adam sighed. "Well, I am sorry. But, being friends is just as important. I think that's why our marriage was so strong, Bret and I were good friends before anything physical happened. Oh... fuck... I guess I have foot in mouth..." He cast an apologetic look at Shawn.

"No, no, Adam, you're right. You and Bret had a great marriage, no need to apologize for that. Hunter couldn't stand the ranch and I can't stand long periods in the city, going to clubs and things that Hunter likes. Now he has someone to do those things with; Seth Rollins. I'll tell you more later, but right now, it's time to focus on getting you better." Shawn took another bite of toast.

"Well, I guess as long as you are happy. Seth Rollins, he's that friend of Ambrose right? Shawn, is he gold digging?" Adam asked with a bit of a guffaw and sipped the much better tasting coffee. He put two more slices of bread in the toaster.

"Actually, no he isn't. They are truly in love and Hunter is smiling again. As I said, it's not that easy to take, but, going through life miserable isn't easy either. So Adam, why? Why did you start drinking? You and Bret never drank, you even had fake champagne at your wedding." Shawn changed the subject back to the matter at hand.

Adam hung his head. Mrs. Ritter and Jason had moved to the living room to clean. Adam shrugged. "The nightmares, Shawn. I wanted to stop the nightmares. Every night, all I saw was Bret dying in my arms... I couldn't stand it anymore... so... I started to drink, a little before bed. It helped at first. Then, I started to need more and more..." He fiddled with his knife, he was ashamed of himself.

"That's how it goes. I started, just enough to swallow my pills, which was bad enough, but drink is a demon. It will quietly become your friend, but it is a very false friend, and it won't easily let you go. One thing in your favor, you haven't been doing it that long. You are going to be miserable, but I need you to trust me..." Shawn was halted by Jason, who was holding his cell phone.

"Um, listen. There is a chance for me to take the jet to Denver. Addy, I will stay if you want me to, but if there is nothing I can do to help..." Jason felt bad, but he figured Shawn might make better progress without him around.

Shawn gave Adam a look that said 'up to you'. Adam smiled. "You go back to Heath, Jay. You'll be more help to me later, after I've pulled myself together. I love you for coming, but go."

Jason spoke to the pilot who was on the phone. He told the pilot he'd be be there in under an hour. Adam and Shawn walked Jason to the rental. Shawn grabbed his bag from the trunk, while Adam and Jason hugged. They watched as Jason drove away. He would also turn in the rental, no need for now, Shawn could drive one of Adam's vehicles.

Shawn and Adam went back into the house. Adam led Shawn upstairs to the guest room across the hall from his master bedroom.

"This is nice. You have great taste, nothing ornate, just good clean lines and colors. I love the dark stained pine. I have the same at the ranch." Shawn did admire Adam's simple decorating taste. It was much more comfortable than the modern stuff Hunter loved. Shawn felt right at home.

Shawn put his bag down. He and Adam went back downstairs and helped Mrs. Ritter finish cleaning. Shawn made Adam carry the bags of bottles and garbage down the hill to the big trash dumpsters. He wouldn't let Adam use the wheelbarrow he normally used for the chore. Adam was panting hard by the second trip and he two more to go.

The dogs were outside with them. They followed Adam halfway down the driveway, then stopped where Adam had trained them stop. They barked encouragement as Adam trudged back up the hill. By the time Adam finished he was sweating profusely, and alcohol seemed to ooze out of his body as well.

Adam smelled like a distillery and felt like a glue factory. Shawn was satisfied, it meant the poison was working its way out of Adam's system.

With another hug, and a hefty cash bonus, from Adam, Elsie Ritter left with the promise she would always come back. As she drove away, Shawn and Adam were alone. Now Shawn could really get to work.

Shawn sent Adam up for another shower. When Adam came back down, Shawn was writing out a grocery list. So much for rest.

Shawn drove Adam's truck as they headed down into Asheville. "Looks like it could snow today." Adam stated from behind his sunglasses. Shawn just nodded.

At the store, they loaded up on meat, bread, milk, eggs, dog food, juices and other supplies. Shawn intended on flushing out Adam's system with cranberry juice and would feed him lots of pasta and cheese.

As they made the turn to go up Adam's extremely steep driveway, it did indeed begin to snow. "You're lucky. I was going to make you walk up the hill with that hundred pound sack of dog food. I don't want you sweating so hard in the cold and snow and get sick on top of everything else." Shawn spoke seriously.

Adam had never been so thankful for snow in his life. By the time they got to the house, it was a near blizzard. Shawn carried in the groceries while Adam carried in wood for the fireplace. He carried enough wood to last well into the next day.

Adam soon has a fire blazing. The house had central heat and air, but he rarely used it. The fireplace hadn't been built just for looks, it was designed to heat the first floor of the house. It was so well done, a lot of heat also went up the stairs to the second floor.

"Well, you have sweat out a lot, so you go ahead and rest now. I'll make us some lunch. I want you to drink as much cranberry juice as you can. It will clean out your kidney's and liver. How are you feeling, honestly? You must be honest, even if you're craving, I need to know." Shawn used his most serious tone of voice and look yet. This was not a game.

Adam sat in his recliner, Branny in his lap. "I'm tired, but okay. Head still hurts, but it's a much duller ache. I'm not craving, yet. I will be honest, Shawn. I want to be myself again, for Bret... and you... and for myself." Adam spoke with sincerity.

Shawn grinned. "I'm glad you added yourself. None of this will work if you don't want it for yourself."

Adam followed Shawn into the kitchen to get some juice. "Shawn, may I ask, what finally made you quit drinking and taking drugs?" His brow arched with curiosity.

Shawn threw some ground beef in a pan to fry for spaghetti sauce. He looked at Adam. "The truth? I fell in love, and no, it wasn't Hunter. It was years before Hunter came to the WWE. The man told me, before I could love him or anyone else, I had to love myself. He helped me... like I'm helping you. It's my way of paying it forward." Shawn explained as he turned back to the stove. He began to add chopped onion and spices to the simmering meat.

Adam walked up to Shawn and placed a hand on the older man's shoulder. "It was Bret, wasn't it?"

Shawn looked at Adam. "Yeah, it was. I owe him so much. Helping you, helps me repay him. We got very close, but nothing physical ever happened between us. Eventually Hunter came along and Bret left the WWE, but yes, Bret was the first great love of my life... that never was. He was meant for you."

Adam nodded. "I knew some of it, from Bret. But, I never knew he was the one that helped you. I'm very glad he did. Are you really okay? I mean Hunter and..." He hesitated to push, but he wanted to be there for Shawn as well.

"Yeah... well... no. I think, being here helping you is good therapy for me. I know in my head a divorce was on the horizon, but my heart is broken. I loved Hunter..." Shawn's turquoise eyes filled with tears. Adam pulled the older man into his arms. Even though Shawn was slightly smaller, Adam felt safe for the first time since Bret's death as Shawn embraced him as well.

Shawn held Adam close. He felt calmer than he had in a long time. Shawn had to let go before the meat started to burn. Adam went back to his chair with his glass of juice.

Shawn was constantly amazed. Adam had everything set up like he kept his ranch in Texas. It was just like he was at home. Adam even kept his pasta in tall, skinny decorative cans like he did.

"Do you eat in your chair?" Shawn called out to Adam after a while. He smiled, Adam was engrossed in a hockey game, so like Bret used to do.

"Yeah, I do. But you don't have to wait on me." Adam looked at Shawn with one eye and the television with the other. It was an exciting match.

"Enjoy it, today." Shawn spoke in a slightly evil tone with a sly smirk on his lips. It made Adam swallow hard.

Shawn brought Adam a huge plate of spaghetti, a bowl of salad and garlic bread. He then brought in a plate for himself and sat in the other recliner.

"You're gonna make me fat." Adam laughed when he took a huge bite of the spaghetti.

"I hope so, a little anyway. You've lost too much weight. It's from the hangover throw ups. I was down to one thirty five once. Bret said a fly could knock me over. God he was funny... oh Adam... I'm... it's good to talk about him though. He was so much of life... he'd want to be remembered." Shawn gave Adam a smile. It was better to talk about Bret and not keep it all bottled up.

"I'm alright, Shawn. It helps, to be able to talk about Bret with someone who probably knew him better than I did. Buy the way, thank God you can cook... or else we'd starve. About the only think I can do is grill steaks on the stove grill." Adam laughed again and ate another huge bite. He hadn't realized how truly hungry he was.

It wasn't long before Shawn was equally engrossed in the hockey match. He'd learned to like hockey from Bret and he actually enjoyed a good game. Hunter hated hockey, so Shawn hadn't watched for a while.

Adam ate almost the whole plate of spaghetti. "Shawn, if I eat anymore I will explode. It was really, really good. Thank you." He followed Shawn into the kitchen and helped wash dishes and clean up. They talked about the game, and Adam caught Shawn up on what teams were at the top.

When they finished in the kitchen, Adam gave Shawn a heavy coat and gloves. They took the dogs outside. The snow still fell. Three inches already covered the ground.

Adam scooped up some snow and made a snowball. He threw it for the dogs to chase. Tundra, the husky, loved the falling snow. He barked and chased the flakes, and his tail. Both Adam and Shawn laughed at his antics.

Shawn was still laughing when a snowball smacked him on the head. He spun around and saw Adam looking way too innocent. As fast as lightening, Shawn fired a snowball back at Adam.

The bad thing was, Adam had turned just as Shawn threw. The snowball smacked Adam right between the eyes. He crashed to the ground like a rag doll, red splatters surrounded Adam's head. Adam didn't move.

PLEASE REVIEW!

A/N: Starting this week I will publish a chapter of this story on Wednesday or Thursday. I now have enough chapters typed in that I can start publishing two a week. Thank you for reading and reviewing. I am very glad to know you are enjoying this story. Plenty more drama to come! Thank you, have a wonderful day, Lady Dragonsblood.