HELLO MY LITTLE KITTENS! Sorry for the long wait but after about 10 years my dad actually started caring about my grades after my mom called him about my really shitty report card with concerns. Actually scratch that...he doesn't really care that much. He just used my horrible grades as an excuse to ground me from the computer during the week so that he can play his stupid computer games (not WOW, some stupid Facebook app where he rules the world) and talk to his Filipino girlfriend who by the way is about as old as my older sister. I don't know about you guys but I suspect either money or a green card, and he already sent her like $75 for a fucking camera when he won't even give me $2 for a bottle of water. Makes me question who he really cares about. Not only that, but me and my sister found lacy women's underwear in our dryer so I suspect that he's fucking someone on the side. Isn't life just pleasant? Sorry to just unload on you guys but I've been REALLY frustrated with all this shit going on. I better shut up before this whole chapter becomes my sap story. Enjoy!

Chapter 9: Broken Memories

He closed his eyes and let himself get absorbed into the chatter of all the other guests along with the tapping of heels on the floor. That sound made him have mixed feelings now a days. The last few times he had heard that sound things weren't very pleasant for him. The tapping became louder so he assumed that someone was just walking by him. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt someone put a hand on his shoulder. He was about to turn to the person and ask them what they wanted when they spoke, making him freeze on the spot.

"Um...excuse me..." The voice sounded nervous and unsure of itself, but Stephen recognized it immediately.

Slowly, Stephen turned his head and bit back a half gasp half sob as his intense blue eyes met the softer blue eyes that he loved so much. Even though they were there Stephen didn't see the mask or the suit, he just saw the face of the man he loved so much words couldn't describe it. It was John. Stephen moved so that he was fully facing John, using every fiber of his existence not to throw himself into John's arms and kiss the life out of him. He saw something spark in John's eyes but wasn't able to tell what it was when a second later it was blinked away. It was then that John seemed to realize his lingering touch and slid his hand back down to his side, blushing a little. Stephen had to admit, it was a little weird seeing John dressed so formal. Whenever he had seen John that man was always dressed casually in shorts, a t-shirt, and a baseball cap. It wasn't that Stephen minded seeing John all dressed up, actually he looked pretty sharp and...well...sexy. Stephen stopped himself from his mind going too far into the gutter before he gulped a little and somehow found his voice.

"Yeah, fella?" He said as normally as possible.

Again, something seemed to spark in John's eyes, but just as before it was blinked away. "Um...I was just wondering...have we met before?"

Stephen, unsure of what to do, just shrugged.

John 'hmmed' a littler before narrowing his eyes in a curious manor, as if trying to remember something. "I'm John...could you tell me your name?"

Stephen was about speak when he realized that Kaitlyn had told him to go by an alias. Shit, he had to think of something quick before John became suspicious. He searched his mind for something before he remembered his grandfather, his father's father who had died before he was born. He had always been curious about him but his parents never really talked about him. So he thought, why the hell not?

Flashing a soft smile, Stephen answered. "Sheamus, my name is Sheamus."


Part of John couldn't believe his eyes. He had been walking aimlessly through the ballroom, hoping to God that no one would recognize him, when he saw him. The one person that had been probing his thoughts was standing to the side of the room gazing out of the window at the night life. It took him all of his willpower not to run over to them and ask a million questions at once. He knew that this person was the one in his head, he knew that for sure. The reason is because when his eyes passed over them he felt this weird feeling in his chest and a memory he doesn't remember seeing flashed in his mind.

It was of him and that person in a small courtyard that he recognized as the one where those street performers would always sing. The person was knelt down to the ground, gently stroking the petal of a flower that was growing out of one of the cracks in the stone. John was seated one the edge of a dried up fountain, just watching them with again his weird feeling in his chest, admiring this person's child-like curiosity.

"They say that there are two performers, one from the Spanish lands and the other from the far east. One will play an instrument and the other will sing a song that combines their two languages."

He had said. The person stood up from his crouching position and looked at John with ice-like blue eyes.

"That's a little weird...but interesting. I've heard a few songs in foreign languages, but mostly the one's my mother would sing to me. Her favorite song was called Alluring Secret White Vow. The song is originally in another language, which one I am unsure, and she would sing it to me in English and the other language. I remember singing it to her before she..."

They trailed off before finishing the sentence. John nodded, having some sort of understanding that seemed to elude him in the present time.

"Yeah..."

John glanced over at something and patted the spot next to him, gesturing for the person to sit. The person looked behind him and saw two teenagers, one with a guitar, and figured that it was those street performers that John had been talking about. The person sat right next to John and watched as the two guys set up. They didn't look very old, in fact they looked to be maybe fifteen or sixteen at the most. Perhaps this was how they made money for their families. The one who looked like he was from the far east sat down and began strumming the guitar beautifully and the tanner one, most likely from the Spanish country, began to sing.

Hola, Jounetsu wa tomaranain ya de

Tougyu, Flamenco, Liga Española, Está buenísimo

Hoppeta ochiru de

Sangría, ¡Churros!, Paella

John got up from his seat on the edge of the fountain and looked down at the person with a smile on his face. The person was about to ask John what he was doing when John reached out a hand to the person, asking him silently if he would grant him a a dance.

Sagrada Familia mada mada tsukutterun ya de

The person blushed a light pink and took John's hand almost hesitantly. John pulled him up and drew him into somewhat of an embrace. John still had the person's hand in one of his and the other one placed itself on the person's side. The person then placed his free hand on John's shoulder, again almost unsure of himself which for some reason John found cute. John smiled and leaned forward to the person's ear.

"Would you like me to lead?"

The person blushed even more feeling John's breath on his ear and nodded. John smiled even more and they both began swaying to the music, slowly at first.

Vamos, España, Vamos, España

Rojigualda kakagete

Olé, Olé! Oyabun yakara na

Mamottaru de donna mono kara mo

Genki ga deru omajinai

Suru? Na, suru?

Fusososososo~, fusosososososo~, fusososososo~

"Mou shitemota!"

John became a little bolder and, getting lost in the music, slid his hand down to the person's hip and even gave the person a quick spin, pulling the other man into a brace from behind and wrapped his arms around the person, still swaying to the music. John thought that the blush on the person's face was adorable beyond all reason.

"Is it bad that I feel that I should think that this weird, but really I don't?" The person whispered glancing back at John.

John shook his head. "No...not at all."

Ganbare, ganbare, ganbare, ganbare Oyabun

Ganbare, ganbare...

Muccha kakkoee toko misetaru de

¡Fiesta! Dentou no subarashii sa

Hanamatsuri, La Tomatina, Ushioi matsuri

Nagai nagai junrei no michi

Kokoro ga arawareru waa

Taisetsuna shuukan siesta

Onegai yakara tsudzuki de

Okosantoite naa, Romano

John spun the person around once more so that they were now facing each other, their faces extremely close together. They watched each other with half-lidded eyes, wondering if some kind of madness had over-taken them.

Konnani jyoushi ni okorarete mitemo

Yappari tebanasenain ya de

Gin ya zaisan ni kaerarenai hodo taisetsunan ya de

Vamos, España

Vamos, España

Rojigualda kakagete

The music came to a slow stop, but they barely noticed it. They stopped swaying and took a few minutes just to gaze into each other's eyes. John wanted to kiss the person, he wanted to kiss him with all he had. It might have been seen as foolish by others, but at the moment he didn't care. Just as the clock tower began to ring John slowly began to lean in, as if asking the person if this was OK. He heard no protest from the person, so he took that as a yes. He was so close, he could almost feel the heat radiating off of person's face. But when they were literally millimeters apart the last chime of the clock tower sounded and, if only for a moment, panic washed over the person's face. He put his hand on John's shoulder, stopping John.

"I'm sorry but...I have to go."

John nodded weakly, the disappointment clearly showing on his face followed by sadness. The person looked as if they felt guilty about something before they leaned in and gave John a quick kiss on his cheek before moving to walk away, his touch on John's arm lingering for a moment before he turned and sprinted away. John could only stand there awe-struck at the realization that he could have just fallen in love.

John bit back a sigh as he finished relaying the new memory in his head. This person, who told him that his name was Sheamus (which, for some odd reason, John doubted the truth of it), seemed unsure as to if they had met before. But John could swear that Sheamus was the same person in his broken memories that he was just now beginning to piece together. So either John was wrong and Sheamus wasn't who John thought he was or Sheamus was hiding something. But John didn't question it as to not possibly scare off Sheamus. If Sheamus was withholding information he might have a damn good reason for it. In the memory he did seem panicked when he heard the chimes of the clock tower. John bit back another sigh, he shouldn't be overworking himself like this! So pushing all that fun stuff to the back of his mind if only temporarily, he smiled at Sheamus and gave him a polite nod.

"Sheamus, huh? You from the Northeast or something?" John asked, curiosity lacing his voice.

Sheamus chuckled a little as if he'd been asked that question many times before. "Actually yeah, I was born there but my parents moved here when I was little."

There was a little truth in that. After Stephen's father died his mother had moved to this kingdom to possibly get a fresh start and a better life. Great choice, eh? But John didn't question it.

"Huh, that's pretty cool. I've grown up here my whole life so going some place new sounds like fun."

Stephen smiled at him, knowing what John was talking about. He knew a lot about John, but couldn't say it at the time because of his predicament. However his smile faltered when he looked over into the crowd and saw two piercing eyes looking right at him. Even though they were wearing a mask Stephen could tell exactly who it was by their cold and soulless gaze, Paul Heyman. Stephen did his best to hide his sudden nervous, but despite that John noticed. Slowly, as if not to startle him, John reached out a hand and rested it on Stephen's shoulder who in turn tried not to jump too much.

"Hey...are you alright?" John asked, concern laced in his voice.

Stephen gulped and tried to regain his composure. "Oh...um..I"m fine...I guess...not used to be around so many people is all."

John gave him an 'uh-huh' but Stephen could clearly tell that John had trouble believing him. Stephen had to think of something to distract John, and fast. So, out of no where, he found himself asking the last question he thought his lips would ever utter.

"Uh hey fella, would you like to go and dance...or something?"

Stephen had to stop himself from slapping his hand over his mouth. Did he seriously just ask John to dance? It would distract him but...Stephen didn't really dance in public that much. Sure he's done it before like that time with John but in this crowd Stephen couldn't help but feel subconscious. John tilted his head to side, as if contemplating it for a while before taking Stephen's hand.

"Sure, why not?" John said, flashing a smile at Stephen.

Stephen couldn't help but blush as John pulled him towards the dance floor as a new song was just starting to play. Wait why was he blushing? He was the one who gave the suggestion! Then again...it might just be the atmosphere. They both stopped at the edge of the dance floor.

You're giving me too many things

Lately you're all I need

You smiled at me and said,

John pulled Stephen closer to him and, just like he had done before, placed his hand on Stephen's side as they began (awkwardly) swaying to the music. Stephen almost felt a smile come to him but froze when he felt a piercing gaze on his back. Shit, it was probably still Paul Heyman. He would have to do something in order for Paul to think that he was someone else. Stephen thought of that popular musical he saw when he was a kid and remembered that dance that everyone had been doing for weeks afterwards. So he imitated the first move of the dance, which involved sliding your foot a certain way. Sure that was the girl's step but that was the only one he remembered and he couldn't afford to be picky.

Don't get me wrong I love you

But does that mean I have to meet your father?

When we are older you'll understand

What I meant when I said "No,

I don't think life is quite that simple"

John saw that and raised an eyebrow at Stephen. John knew where that was from because when he first saw it as a child he devoted a good few weeks to memorizing both parts of the dance. In fact he still knew every single step.

"Now what was that?" John asked, smirking.

Stephen saw the look in John's eyes and smirked as well, knowing where he was going with this. "The music just speaks to me."

John's smile grew and he made the first step of the male role in the dance. The song that was playing wasn't the song used for the dance, but the beat matched up.

When you walk away

You don't hear me say please

Oh baby, don't go

Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight

It's hard to let it go

The dance was fast paced and involved...certain moves on the girl's part that made Stephen grateful that he was flexible. Even though Stephen did his best to block out the rest of the world and focus on where his feet went he began to notice that people had begun to stop and watch them. A nervous feeling rose up him but when he saw John's smiling face (which was currently not to far away from his) he felt himself relax and get lost in the music again.

The daily things that keep us all busy

Are confusing me

That's when you came to me and said,

Stephen wondered why it seemed like none of the other guests found it odd that two men were dancing like this, but they probably thought that they were hired for entertainment. It's been done at these kind of parties before so why wouldn't they assume that?

Wish I could prove I love you

But does that mean I have to walk on water?

When we are older you'll understand

It's enough when I say so

And maybe some things are that simple

When you walk away

You don't hear me say please

Oh baby, don't go

Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight

It's hard to let it go

Stephen no longer felt Paul Heyman's gaze on him so he assumed that Paul had come to the conclusion that he wasn't Stephen and that he was still back at the estate. But by now it seemed like everyone that was at the party was now watching him and John dance. At some points a good amount of the guests would even cheer and clap for them. Stephen's breath was quicker and he already felt the early stages of exhaustion begin to settle in. From what he could see and hear John was feeling the same way too. Both parts of the dance were equal on difficulty level so they would both have to stop pretty soon. Luckily for them the song was almost over.

Hold me

Whatever lies beyond this morning

Is a little later on

Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all

Nothing's like before

Stephen couldn't help but smile a little at those particular lyrics. They held some truth in his current situation in a very literal sense. Right now at this very moment what would happen later didn't matter to him. The fact that he was here, now, with John and seemingly off the hook made his worries wash away. And yes, nothing is like it was before in every possible way. Between meeting John and that fact that he was actually there was almost like a paradox to him.

When you walk away

You don't hear me say please

Oh baby, don't go

Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight

It's hard to let it go

Hold me

Whatever lies beyond this morning

Is a little later on

Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all

Nothing's like before

Hold me

Whatever lies beyond this morning

Is a little later on

Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all

Nothing's like before

Literally as the last word rang in the air Stephen and John found themselves pressed against each other, just like they had started out. There was still some music of the song playing but you could barely hear it with the applaud of the crowd. John and Stephen stared into each other's eyes, trying to catch their breath. When the song finally ended they both snapped out of the gaze, making John laugh a little.

"What's so funny?" Stephen asked, smiling.

John flashed Stephen a grin. "Nothing, it's just that I've never met a man who can dance the girl's part."

Stephen blushed and laughed, sliding out of John's grip and crossing his arms over his chest. "Can I take that as a compliment?"

John shrugged, still grinning. "Go ahead, take it anyway you like."


Booker T glanced over at the red head, who was maybe about ten feet away waiting, before looking back at John with a raised eyebrow.

"Is that the guy you're talkin' about?" Booker T asked, gesturing over to the red-headed man.

John nodded. "Yeah, that's the guy. Now I'm going to have to ask a huge favor but...I need you to run the name Sheamus, if you don't find a file from here check the one's for the North-East."

Booker T sighed and rubbed his temple. "I can do that, but are you sure that he's the person?"

John gave him another nod and looked at him seriously. "Yes, I'm positive. I've never been more right in my entire life."

Booker T gave him a look before turning around and making his way out of the ballroom in the direction of the archives. John let out a sigh before making his way back over 'Sheamus', who in turn gave him a questioning look.

"Are you alright fella?" Stephen asked.

John put on a smile before answering. "Yeah I'm fine, I just had to talk with a...friend."

Before Stephen could even begin to doubt him on that john clapped his hands together. "Hey, I'm feeling a little packed in. Would you mind if I showed one of my favorite places outside?"

Stephen took a moment to think before shrugging and giving him a happy nod. "Sure, why not? Some fresh air would be nice."

And with that john began leading them out of the ballroom to one of his favorite places in his home, where they would have enough privacy for...well, a lot of things.

Sorry if that seems rushed but I really have to use the facilities! As usual I love you guys and keep that wonderful feedback coming!

Love and yaoi

~ladyknights104