Summer 2008 - 4 weeks after the injury

Nicole stood by the kitchen window, watching her older brother. He was undergoing intense physiotherapy on his injured leg and it hurt Nicole to see the pain he was in. Shannon was always quiet when he returned from the hospital after treatment, but today...well today it was like he was in another world. The last few hours, Nicole had just stood back and observed her kin, when he thought nobody was looking he would allow the tears to fall. It hurt like hell to see her brother like this, the pain for him was unbearable, but it was the frusration and the fear that caused the upset, Shannon was scared, scared that if he couldn't make it through this injury, his career, his love, was over.

"We gotta do something Jeff, I can't bear to see him like this"

"I know babe, I know...but, as much as you don't wanna hear this...there isn't anything more that we can do that we're not already doing. We just gotta be here for him, the rest is up to him"

"I know you're right honey, I just feel so guilty. I mean I have everything I'll ever want, my health, my home...you. He faces losing all his dreams...it's not fair Jeff"

"You have such a big heart Nicky...Tell you what, let me make some calls, get some guys together..see if we can't get a smile out of him"

Nicole watched as her eccenric fiancee bounced off to the living room of their home in search of the phone, his blue and purple streaked hair flying out behind him.


"Hey dude"

"Oh hey Jeff"

"I need your opinion on something"

"Yeah, what's that?"

"The white vest or the black one?"

Shannon eyed his childhood friend with confusion.

"Dude, I hate to break this to you...but you're already wearing a vest"

"I know that Shan..but you're not"

"That's cause I'm wearing a black t-shirt"

"Exactly"

"Um..Jeff, did you take a knock to the head? You're not making any sense"

"Okay...I'll say this real slow. Do.You.Want.The.Black.Vest.Or.The.White.One"

"I.Don't.Need.Either.One"

Jeff sighed and rubbed his temples before trying again.

"Listen Mr Cheerful, we got some people coming over and you gotta change...you look a mess! So...the white or the black?"

"What people? I don't feel like company"

"Well, it's my house and I want them here..and you will socialise grumpy pants! Or I'll have to lock you in your room and not let you out except for pee breaks and hospital trips. Now one more time, before I get mad, and I have to remind you here that I'm in much better ring shape at the moment, which vest?"

"Whatever...I don't care"

"Right that's it...enough with the woe is me act, your sister is in bits in there, she's worried sick about you dude! Please, for her, for us...cheer the fuck up and try and enjoy yoiurself"

Shannon looked into the fiery green eyes of his best friend, he'd pushed him too far and he knew it, Jeff only ever swore when he got really mad.

"Sorry Jeff. I'll take the black one"

"Promise to cheer up?"

"I promise, I'll be a good boy, I swear"

"Good, now put that on"

"Um Jeff, you just gave me the white vest"

"I know"

"But I asked for the black one"

"Yeah, but you look better in the white one"

"So why ask me which one?"

"Wanted to make you feel you had a choice in the matter. But it don't matter cause I have the power...and ther ain't a damn thing you can do aboit it hopalong!"

Shannon swatted at Jeff as Jeff jumped back and walked away sticking his tongue out.

"You better run Hardy! Just wait till I'm off crutches and back to full fitness, I'm gonna kick your scrawny little ass!"