Save Me

Title: Save Me

Rating: M

Pairings: Jackie Gayda/Raven, Traci Brooks/Matt Bentley, Gail Kim/Jeff Jarrett

Summary: Raven's seen as dark, destructive - the picture of death. And yet he really does prove that opposites attract when Jackie Gayda comes calling...

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own WWE, TNA or any of the characters used. The idea for the story was something I got when I saw Jackie and Raven together at Final Resolution 2006.

xxx

He had to leave early, of course.

He couldn't imagine the possibilities of her waking up beside him. Of her remembering what had happened between them the day before. Of her wanting more from him.

Because he couldn't give it to her. He just couldn't.

So, he'd woken up early, and quietly made his exit from the room. He'd paused at the door, taking one brief moment to turn around and look back at her sleeping form. The way her hair curled around her face; the length of her eyelashes and how they just brushed against her skin; the way her lips were pursed slightly, as though she were awaiting a kiss in her dreams. These things made him sigh; shake his head and leave, all at the same time.

As he made his way down to the breakfast area in the elevator, he wondered about what happened next. Where did they go from here? He'd have to ignore her, naturally, and take it to the extreme in terms of avoiding her – escaping her clutches. He thought about the previous weeks, and how she hadn't taken a hint then… what would change it now? The fact that they'd slept together had probably only intensified her feelings. The fact that they'd slept together had probably only increased her desire for him, for more, for a relationship.

When he reached his level, he exited the elevator, leaving it empty, and worked his way through the crowded breakfast room to one of the only empty tables, grabbing a few slices of toast from the buffet as he moved. He was joined only minutes later.

"Raven my good man, what's up?" Christian asked nonchalantly as he sat down across from him, munching on a raspberry pop-tart. The man shrugged, simply gesturing at his food. It was an excuse, a reason for him not to talk. A reason for him not to think. Christian eyed him carefully.

"What's with you? You've got this really goofy look at your face."

He narrowed his eyes at him, and then pointed his finger at him, screaming out one word of glee: "Aha!"

"What?!"

"You slept with her, didn't you?"

There was silence. Both men stared at each other over their food, each daring the other to say something first. Christian's question was something of genuine curiousity, but it was also a challenge. He could deny it, he surmised, or he could admit it. That was part of the challenge, finding the correct answer. Christian's lips twitched, he was about to say something, when Raven gave him the briefest of nods. Christian broke into a huge grin.

"You sly dog."

Christian's reaction made him smirk.

"So how was it?" he queried casually, "Good? Bad? Wild? Is she totally kinky like Alex Shelley says?" Then he paused, giving Raven time to think it over.

"It was… nice."

Christian was aghast; flabbergasted. "Nice? That's it? You just slept with one of the most attractive girls to come to TNA, whom is pretty much in love with you, and all you can say is that it was nice?"

"What am I supposed to say?" Raven stuck out his chin stubbornly; defiant. "That it was the best in my life?"

"Uh, YES."

"Well, it was."

His friend smiled. He was happy for him.

"And you told her, I'm assuming?"

Now he was dumbfounded.

"Told her what?"

Christian glared at him.

"That you love her!"

"Uh… nope."

The blonde Canadian didn't say anything. "Well, that's alright. That can be salvaged."

"She said it to me though."

He raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly did you do?"

"… fell asleep."

Christian slapped his forehead in frustration.

"Jackass."