Title: The Return of the Millennium
Fandom: WWE
Rating: R to be safe
Pairing: Mark Calloway/Matt Hardy, CM Punk/Shawn Michaels, past Jeff Hardy/Chris Jericho
Summary: Chris has returned to the WWE to find that not all is good as it should be. His life has completely been turned upside down and he's not sure what to do. Matt is happy finally, Shawn is practically blissful. Oh and his ex boyfriend Jeff? Well he hates his guts.
Phil generally was a calm and patient person, even in a crisis. However having Chris Jericho for reasons unknown passed out on his and Shawn's bed was testing even his own calm nature. Inside he knew there was something major going on, something bigger than he could handle especially on his own. He couldn't even explain what he was feeling; it dwelled in the pit of his stomach, twisted and growing by the minute. He took a deep breath, calming himself down.
"Get back soon Shawn," He murmured to himself. "Please get back soon," He looked around the room trying to find something to occupy himself with during the wait. His eyes moved quickly back to Chris when he moved and Phil leaned forward in his seat.
"Chris, Chris are you okay?" He asked keeping his voice soft just in case the blond hadn't actually woken up.
"I'm okay." Chris answered quickly, "What's up? Where am I?" He sat up, his voice guttural as if he hadn't used it in days. "What happened?" He sounded lost like a little boy in the supermarket without his mother.
"You don't remember?" Phil tried to keep the alarm he felt out of his voice to avoid frightening Chris.
Chris frowned, fighting to remember. It became clear within a few minutes and loneliness flooded him, his eyes widening to what would be a comical pace if it weren't such a serious situation. "Jeff," He whispered to himself softly, almost forgetting that Phil was in the room with him.
"Shawn went to get him," Phil replied resisting the urge to rub Chris' back to comfort him. Their friendship was still new and he wasn't sure if such touches would be warranted between the two of them. "He'll be here soon."
Chris nodded slowly, seeming fuzzy and unfocused as he attempted to understand what was going on. "I didn't mean to cause any drama," He told Phil, his voice feeble and almost weak.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Phil responded, resting his hand on Chris' shoulder and squeezing lightly. His nervousness, which had gone away, came back when he noticed Chris seemed almost sallow and definitely seemed sickly, it was disconcerting.
"Is there anything I can get you?" Phil softened his voice slightly almost without even realizing it, unsure of what to do. He was getting the inkling that this situation was much more serious than he knew of, he didn't know what to say or do to make Chris feel better because he didn't even know what was going on but didn't feel that he knew Chris well enough to last.
Smiling Chris nodded, "Water would be great," He closed his eyes slowly, drifting into sleep rather quickly. It was obvious he was exhausted.
Shawn walked down the hall as quick as possible, his anger at the whole situation growing with each step and the closer he got to the door. He didn't care what excuses Jeff would try to give him, or anything the younger man would try to sell him because he was getting really fucking sick of feeling like he had to walk on egg shells around two of his close personal friends, both of whom he had loyalties to and had helped at one point or another. It was getting to be a real pain in the ass, like any other. He was only thankful that Chris had taken care of the situation between Mark and Matt otherwise he was going to end up cracking some skulls together.
Reaching Jeff's door Shawn pounded on it, not caring when people began poking their heads out of doors to find out what was going on.
"No worries people, not a big scene here. I'm just trying to get the little jackass out of the room," He told several people cheerfully, including a rather rumbled looking Matt Hardy and Mark Calloway. "Oh hey guys, Matt do you have a key?" He asked, gesturing to the door.
"Yeah I do, what do you need him for?" Matt pulled his wallet out of his pocket and slipped the keycard out handing it to Shawn.
Shawn sighed, he really didn't want to have to explain this to everyone and his or her mother what was going on and why he was demanding that Jeff come to the door.
"Chris passed out," He told the two men, gnawing lightly on his thumbnail. "He asked for Jeff, and I'm beginning to think that there is something really serious going on so here I am sick of everything and I'm going to drag your brother there by his goddamn hair if I have to," He explained fully, pushing the keycard into the door just as it flew open.
Jeff looked worried as he stared at Shawn, "Did I just hear you say that Chris passed out?" He closed the door behind him as he stepped out of the room and into the hallway. "What happened? Where?" He questioned, his voice coming out rapid and thin, like he was on the verge of panic.
"He was in the hallway, Phil said he just kind of slumped down onto the floor," Shawn answered, gesturing down the hallway to the elevators. "He asked for you and I don't give a damn what you say I'll drag you there myself because I think something is seriously wrong or was seriously wrong and that's why he left."
Nodding Jeff sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. It was not as if he was going to object, not when it might be something serious. He had admitted to himself that he still loved Chris, that he would most likely always love Chris. It was just a matter of figuring out how that worked and what it meant for him and most likely for Chris because he knew while he felt this way they could never be just friends.
Mark looked at Shawn, one of his oldest friends in the business and could practically see the worry and anxiety over this whole situation seeping from his pores. He turned to Jeff, sighing softly at the anguish on his face, and squeezing Matt's shoulder lightly with one large hand, giving him the support he would need to be strong for his little brother for the moment.
"We'll come with you," Mark said softly, slipping his arms around Matt's shoulders easily and brushing a soft kiss along the top of his head.
Shawn managed a slight smile in Mark's direction knowing that his friend would be a great support, rocklike nearly for all of them but especially Matt who would be needed to deal with Jeff.
Jeff who was already heading toward the elevators at a pace that would make anyone with short legs cringe. "I don't care whose coming but let's go," He called down the hall back to them, pushing the button impatiently.
Hurrying after him the three men got into the elevator once it opened, each of them concerned about Chris for different reasons and each of them feeling some sort of crushing doubt about the health and safety of their friend. It would take a long while to repair the damage done between Jeff and Chris but Shawn couldn't help that despite the fact that something bad might be happening that bad news, like that which had pushed them apart could not serve to bring the two of them back together again.
It didn't take them long to reach the room especially at the pace Jeff was setting for them and the door opened almost immediately as they reached it revealing a very relieved looking Phil.
"Thank god," He murmured, not caring when Jeff rushed past him. "He asked for a glass of water then went to sleep. He seems like he really needs it so I didn't want to wake him up or anything but I figured when you guys got here he would. I don't have any answers as to what is going on and I didn't know whether or not I should call a doctor or something." Phil explained to Shawn, Matt and Mark.
Mark frowned nodding slowly as he glanced past Phil to the bed noting that Chris seemed to be almost the same colour as the white sheets which he was lying on which was rarely, if ever a good sign. "Anything else?" He asked Phil, his voice gruff.
"He looked sallow, before he collapsed. He also couldn't remember that he had collapsed or where he was but then that seemed to change," Phil ran a hand through his hair, gesturing for them to come in. Although he'd not hung out much with the other men they were rather affectionate and he could see himself getting along with each of them.
Jeff moved over to the bed slowly, well aware of the hush that seemed to fall over the room as he did so. He sat down on the edge of the bed, hesitating momentarily before he picked up Chris' left hand and held it loosely before he pressed it between both almost hoping that the gentle pressure would wake his former lover.
Chris shifted slightly, seeming to recognize the strength of the person holding his hand and his eyes fluttered open slowly, a small smile lighting his lips.
"Jeff," He breathed, blue eyes almost glittering as he looked up at the younger man. "You came," He remarked, the smile spreading across his face a little more, "I didn't think that you would," He admitted.
Frowning Jeff should his head, "Why would you think that?" He asked, resisting the urge to cup Chris' cheek and stroke it especially with the other man looking so pale and drawn. That wasn't his Chris, lying there on the bed and it was almost physically painful to see him like that. His Chris was vibrant and sarcastic to the point of cutting.
"I may be cold at times but Jesus Christ Chris you passed out in the hallway. Who knows what might've happened to you," He squeezed his hand not wanting to think of that. Some crazed fan, or a tabloid. Anyone that Chris had pissed off in the past really. "You're just lucky Phil was there that's all."
Chris nodded, licking his lips slowly and picking up the water with his free hand taking a long drink before he spoke again, "Yeah, that hasn't happened in awhile I have to say," He remarked as though it was nothing to pass out like that, a normal every day occurrence or something which for most people it truly wasn't.
"In awhile?" Jeff fought to keep his emotions in check, swallowing reflexively as he looked down at Chris. "What do you mean this hasn't happened in awhile? What the hell is going on Christopher?"
Chris smiled for a second time, glancing down at their joined hands. "I didn't really leave the WWE for the reasons I'd said before," He murmured softly, feeling a shamed blush heating his cheeks. He should've been honest with his friends, with his lover. "I got real sick; I didn't even realize what was happening to me at first because my body was always hurting, the aches, and pains of wrestling four nights a week and the constant travelling. I went to see a doctor," He stopped talking looking up at them.
Jeff looked hurt, and it cut through him like a knife through butter, quick and easy to feel. He knew he'd made a mistake in lying to him, to all of them. And the truth of the matter was Jeff had been in trouble then too, he had been sick too and there was nothing Chris could've done to prevent it, in fact he thought he would've probably made it worse for his lover.
"How sick were you?" Shawn asked, breaking the moment of silence. He looked concerned, his brows drawn down with worry as Phil quickly clasped their hands together and squeezed, not saying a word he just tried to support his partner.
Taking another drink of water Chris pushed himself up, "It is leukemia," He said softly, unable to look at anyone in the room.
Jeff pulled his hands away from Chris' and bowed his head, pressing one hand to his forehead for a moment as he tried to figure out what he was thinking and how he felt about this. It hurt; it hurt in the same way that he had hurt when he had found out his mom had died.
"Well…" He said softly, looking at Chris. "Treatments are good now, I mean you're obviously in remission or you wouldn't be back, you wouldn't be able to wrestle so that's good. I mean, you could live a leukemia free life," Jeff hated how hopeful his voice sounded but one of them needed to see the bright side of things.
"No Jeff," Chris responded, sounding choked. "It's reoccurring. I am in remission now but this isn't just acute leukemia," The words felt strange to say aloud, he'd gone so long without talking to anyone about it. "I came back because I don't know how long I have without it, and my life will definitely be shorter. It is called chronic myelogenous leukemia and I can have a normal life, to an extent. This is my definitely of normal. I just forgot to take my pills today which threw off my body chemistry."
Jeff looked down at the floor, his world seeming to spin momentarily. Shit like this was not supposed to happen to people like Chris; it was supposed to happen to people like him who had devalued their own lives by fucking it up. Chris had always tried to take care of himself and everyone else around him.
"If you need us," Shawn said, stopping after he spoke. He didn't know that it would matter. How could it matter when someone was given a life sentence that could end at any moment, executed by their own body.
"We're here," Mark finished for him, pulling Matt closer he felt the need for him to be there, to be close.
Jeff felt anger rush through him, "You didn't think I could handle this could you? Instead you made me feel like shit about my choices when really you just didn't want me to have to see you sick. Well guess what Chris relationships do work both ways and I can't believe you wouldn't allow any of us to have time with you when you weren't sure if your life was going to end soon." He stood up, pain in his chest. His heart hurt. "You are so…how…" He paused gathering himself and stepped away from the bed, heading to the door.
Finally, "How could you? I love you." He whispered hoarsely, his hand tightening into a fist. "But right now…I can't stand to look at you. You don't get to make choices like that for people Chris, how would you like it if I'd done that to you." He pushed past Mark and Matt heading out the door.
Shawn immediately headed after him but stopped when Chris called his name, "But Chris he…"
"He needs time. I mean look what I just dropped on all of you, it's not fair," Chris told him, standing up on uneasy feet he shook a two pills out of a bottle from his pocket and downed them.
"You're right and so is he," Phil spoke softly, unable to feel nervous anymore when every set of eyes in the room swung to him. "It wasn't fair of you to do that to your friends. I know it must be hard, to deal with that and not want people to feel obligated to stick around but you can't just remove that choice from their hands." He gnawed on his lip ring lightly.
Chris nodded, "I know that now," His voice was calm and level. "I saw the doctor yesterday so don't worry too much you guys, so far I'm doing really good. The best I have in about three or so years and it's an amazing feat. I'm one of the lucky ones alright; I want you to remember that."
They all nodded slowly, trying to process the information they had just been given but it was hard. It was hard to learn that someone they cared about, someone they admired had had to endure something like that alone. It was a testament to his strength and character if nothing else, being able to persevere through the pain of a disease that attacked the very blood and bone that ran through their body. Most people would have given up but he hadn't.
"I think perhaps we should all go be alone, and that Chris should try and find Jeff in a little while although right now I'd say he needs some rest," Mark decided for all of them. It was true, after hearing news like that it wasn't too hard to say that everyone should be with the person they loved the most and at that moment he couldn't wait to just have some time with Matt in his arms whether they were doing something truly physical or just trying to process everything.
Chris smiled, relief visible in his features as Mark took charge of the situation. The last thing he wanted to admit after telling them all the truth was that he needed some rest but he did. He still tired easily and would need to find Jeff, to fight to explain and to fight in the first place he needed enough energy to do so.
END NOTE:
Before anyone asks, yes I do know someone who has this particular type of leukemia and yes they can do normal every day things after treatment and with continued treatment. Of course it helps if you were in good physical condition before diagnosis as well. Chris would be able to wrestle if he were to have this condition just as my cousin is able to train for a triathlon.
This is my tribute to my cousin Andre, to his strength and courage in the fact of a beast more terrifying than any in a film or book.
