Disclaimer: See Chapter 9

Take Me Away

Evan was sitting at the kitchen island with Jeff on his final morning with him. He had a flight that evening that would take him to the show and he already had a room set aside for him. "I'm sorry for leaving so early," he said, poking at his empty breakfast plate with his fork. "I just have to get back."

Jeff nodded. "You chose Jake then," he said, smiling at Evan's downcast look. "Hey, it's what you want Evan. If you wanted Matt than you wouldn't have let me get between you when you were naked in the hot tub."

Evan flushed. "While we were in the barn we started making out," he murmured, knowing he could tell Jeff anything. "We were going to go all the way until I stopped him."

Jeff was interested. "Why'd you stop?" he asked, pushing his empty plate away and resting his elbows on the counter so he could rest his chin in his hands. He looked up into the embarrassed brown eyes intently.

"Jake popped into my head right when Matt… well when he started touching me. I couldn't think of anything at that moment but him. It was weird, like I wasn't supposed to be doing that with Matt again," he explained with a sigh. "I still love Matt but it just felt wrong."

Jeff nodded with a smile. He knew that it hurt his brother deep down that Evan had pushed him away but it would be better for them. With it this way Evan wouldn't be so confused and Matt could bring Ron back over. It was a done deal. "You think he's gonna be the one?" he asked, referring to Jake.

Evan's frown slowly crept into a tender smile. He looked into the emerald eyes of his best friend and said so gently he almost missed it himself, "I really hope so." He looked down at his plate, thinking of what he was going to do when he got back. "You think he'll talk to me?"

Jeff laughed out loud, sitting up and stretching out his arms. "He better or else he'll have two angry Hardy's on his hands," he said, looking over at Evan before getting up and cleaning up their plates. He stood at the sink before looking out the window. "Matt really cares about you. He just doesn't want to see you get hurt anymore, that's all."

Even got up and grabbed the drying towel that was laying next to the sink. "I know and thank you. I really needed this time off," he said, drying off the dishes and putting them away as Jeff washed them. After they were done he took his seat back at the island and watched Jeff walk around spot cleaning the stove.

"What are you gonna do about Mike?" he suddenly asked, turning to Evan after he was done. "Are you gonna be able to tell him it's over?" He waited, seeing the emotions in Evan's face shift from unsure to scared and back.

"I don't know," he whispered, covering his face with his hands. He didn't know what it was going to do at all. He just wanted to get rid of Mike but at the same time he wanted to make him suffer in the same kind of ways he had. "I don't know what I'm going to do."

"Well how bout you talk to Jake first and then figure out what you're going to do with Mike," Jeff suggested, walking over and wrapping his arms around Evan's shoulders. "If you need anything just give me a call. I'm telling you, Matt will break every bone in that guys body with everything he knows now."

Evan nodded, thanking Jeff for everything. "You think Matt'll come over for a little while before I have to leave?" he asked, leaning into Jeff's embrace.

"Now what kind of friend would I be if I let you leave without at least saying goodbye?"

Evan turned his attention to the kitchen entrance where Matt was leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest and a mischievous smile on his lips. He got up from his stop after Jeff released him and he walked over to Matt with a smile. "What have you got planned?" he asked, knowing that look on Matt's face.

Evan didn't have long to find out. Matt took him and Jeff out to the beach were they spent half the day just hanging out and talking. It was the best time to look for sea shells since it was so late in the year that only the people that lived there year around actually strolled the beach. He had found the perfect little shell that he had pocketed away that he was going to take home to his mother when he left Raw that week, she loved shells. He laughed with Jeff and Matt, remembering how good it had been when they all hung out together.

Before Evan knew it, all the fun was over and he was sitting in the airport, waiting to board his flight. He sighed, looking back at Jeff and Matt. He really didn't want to leave.

"You be careful okay, and call me when you get there or else I'm gonna blow your phone up with texts and calls," Jeff said, completely serious about the texts. He worried a lot and he just wanted to make sure that Evan got there okay. He hugged his friend before stepping back and giving Matt and Evan plenty of room to talk between themselves.

"You know Jeff is going to blow your phone up anyway right?" Matt asked, standing in front of Evan unsure of how to tell him goodbye.

Evan nodded. "He always does. I'll see you at Survivor Series," he whispered, looking down at his shoes, unable to think of what else to say.

Matt leaned in, pressing a kiss to Evan's cheek. "If you need anything call me Ev. I'm always gonna be here for you," he whispered in Evan's ear before pulling back. "Don't let me find Mike. I'll kill him where he stands."

Evan nodded, smiling up at Matt before hugging him tightly. "I love you Matt," he whispered back, returning Matt's kiss with his own on the corner of his mouth since he couldn't reach any higher.

Matt smiled sadly. "I love you too." he pointing Evan towards his flight that was boarding. "Call me when you get in!" he called, waving at the smaller man. "I'm an idiot…"

Jeff walked up, resting a hand on Matt's shoulder. "Yeah, but you're my idiot," he chuckled, looking up into Matt's depressed eyes before sighing. "Don't worry Matty. You'll find someone."

Matt nodded, smiling when Evan stopped at the gate and turned to smile at them before waving one last time goodbye. "Yeah," he sighed, knowing that Jeff was only trying to help. I'm almost sure he's boarding that plane at the moment. He thought, shaking his head.

Evan really didn't like to fly but it was quicker than any other method than he really had at that point in time. He was just happy that it was over quickly. He hurried over to the hotel to check in and get his stuff in the room before he went down into the bar. He smiled, finding a few of the other guys down there sharing drinks while they watched the football game playing. He walked up to Kofi and covered his eyes with his hands.

"Randy, if this is you again, I swear I'm going to punch you in the balls, man," he muttered, his voice tired.

Evan immediately released Kofi before getting into his line of sight and smiling. "Hey," he squeaked, subconsciously covering his manhood and its two buddies.

Kofi smiled, greeting Evan. "Hey. You just get in?" he asked, motioning for Evan to take a seat next to him.

"Yeah a few minutes ago. I actually came down to ask if you'd seen or heard anything about Jake," he said, waving at a few of the others as they passed by to get drinks.

Kofi shook his head, waving over the bartender for another drink. "Not yet, he might not have made it here yet. Mike's been looking for you though," he said, ordering the same drink he had had.

"Kid you can't be in here," the bartender said, trying to use a light tome to tell Evan that he was too young to be in the bar. "I'm gonna have to ask you to leave."

Kofi and Evan gave the guy two incredulous looks. "He's twenty six," Kofi said in disbelief. "He works with the WWE like me and the reset of the guys in here."

The bartender didn't look convinced. "Could I see some ID then?" he asked, getting a little gruff with the two.

Evan sighed, digging in his pocket for his wallet to show his driver's license to the man. "See?" he asked, letting the guy finger in over to check it's authenticity before handing it back and walking away without another word.

"Don't feel bad, Evan," Randy said, walking up and leaning against the bar on the other side of Kofi. "He did the same thing to Cody too."

Evan started to chuckle.

"Yeah, me too," Rey said, walking over and hopping up on a bar stool next to Evan. "And I'm almost twice as old as you guys." He laughed with the guys before holding up his glass. "Another one please."

The barkeeper rolled his eyes but poured Rey another drink before walking back over to the Diva's that were on the other end of the bar.

"You think he'd believe me if we told him that Gail is actually with Maryse and he's not going to get anywhere with them?" Kofi asked, smiling at the few mumbles of wonder from the guys. "Well I think I'll let him find out on his own."

Evan smiled, looking around for any more of his friends. He sighed, only being able to laugh with the others when Maryse threw her drink in the face of the bartender before slapping him and walking away, Gail following her looking more than a little embarrassed.

"Hey Kofi have you seen Melina or Eve at all?" he asked suddenly, thinking it would be better to se them first than Jake.

Kofi thought for a moment, trying to remember if he'd seen them. "I don't think I have yet, but I've been down here watching the game for most of the night too," he said, giving a sympathetic look. "Sorry."

Evan shook his head. "It's okay," he answered, looking up at the screen to see two teams battling it out.

"Eve was in the gift shop a few minutes ago," Rey said, pointing towards the door and to the left. "If you hurry you might be able to catch her before she goes back up."

Evan smiled and thanked Rey before running off towards the way he'd pointed. He suddenly fell back landing on his rear. "Damn!" he cursed, looking up at who he'd run unto. His mouth turned dry and he couldn't do anything but shake.

"Hey princess," Mike said, leaning down and lending his hand to the other man. "I haven't seen you all week babe. I was starting to think you were avoiding me." He was being extra pleasant after last week's beating. He didn't want to mess up his possible plans with John since he hadn't made it to his house over the week.

Evan tried to scoot away, his back coming into a close wall, the corner digging into his back. He shook his head, keeping his hands at his sides. He winced when Mike grabbed his hand and yanked him up as hard as he could.

"I missed you sweetheart," he growled, hugging Evan to him coldly. "You should come up the room with me and we can talk this all out." He was talking behind gritted teeth. He was damn sure that he wasn't going to let Evan fuck up his chances with John.

"I don't want to," Evan squeaked, trying to pull away from the stronger man. "I'll scream Mike, I'm not playing." He was trying to sound tough, let Mike he wasn't going to play weak anymore but he was sure he wasn't convincing with the shake to his voice.

"No you won't. Because if you do I'll make it twice as bad for you when we actually get up to my room," he threatened, smiling and wrapping his arm around Evan like a lover would. "Now lets go!"

Evan pulled away, shaking but firm. He wasn't going to let Mike push him around anymore. "No!" he snapped, narrowing his eyes as his tormenter. "I'm not going with you." He turned and walked away, hoping, praying that Mike didn't come after him.

Mike growled, walking up to Evan and grabbing his arm again. "I said get your ass in the fucking elevator!" he snarled, pulling him towards the elevators. "Stop acting like a fucking little kid and actually grow up!" He punched the elevator button and waited for the doors to open. Once they did he threw Evan into it before feeling a stiff hand grab his shoulder. "What the fuck do you want?" he turned to find he was face to face with Melina, Eve, and Kofi.

"When someone says 'no' that means 'no'!" Eve growled, reaching out for Evan's hand with a soft smile. "C'mon sweetheart."

Melina had her face in Mike's telling him to try something with her eyes. "He's coming with us and I'll be damned if you try and hurt him anymore," she muttered, winding her fist in his shirt. "I fucking dare you to do something. See if I don't have the entire locker room from Raw and Smackdown beat the shit out of you, and then I'll talk to the ECW locker room and they can have the leftovers of your sorry ass." She smiled sweetly, letting go of Mike and pushing him into the elevator. "Try me."

Mike looked at the four, grinding his teeth but biting his tongue. He'd get them back if it killed him. He'd get payback and then he'd break Evan beyond repair and no one would want to be near him or want his skinny ass. "Fine. You'll be back though. I guarantee it. Have fun getting played with Evan. No one's going to want you for long with your history."

With that the doors closed and all Evan could see was the cruel, sadistic smile that had taken over Mike's lips. All he could hear was his heart racing, thumping over and over again in his ears. And suddenly he didn't want to see Jake as much as he had wanted to.

Kofi sighed, walking over and wrapping an arm around Evan's shoulders. "You okay?" he asked, his voice quiet and soft. "We heard you yelling from the bar."

Evan nodded. He was violently shaking and when Eve turned to look at him his legs gave out. Tears started flowing and all he could do was sit there on the highly polished floor.

Kofi bent down and pulled Evan up, holding him steady while Eve and Melina looked him over.

Melina leaned in and hugged Evan to him, stroking his brown hair gently. She looked over to her girlfriend and sighed, knowing that this wasn't going to help Evan at all. Get Jake she mouthed, tossing her head to the side towards the other half of the hotel.

Kofi and Eve took off in separate directions, looking for the bigger man in hope of finding him while Melina stayed with Evan.

"It'll be ok," Melina whispered, walking him over to a bench and sitting him down. "Don't let him get into your head like that."

Evan shook his head. "It's true. It's all true. No one is going to stay with me…. I'm just some kind of whore… aren't I? Look at me… I'm just kind of boy toy… he's right…."

Melina rested Evan's head on her breasts and stroked his hair lightly, letting the steady flow of tears wet her blouse. She hushed him, lulling him like a baby hoping that it would calm him down. She looked down after he had fallen silent seeing that he was staring out into the lobby of the hotel mindlessly. "You're wonderful Evan. You don't know how good you are," she whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

After a few minutes of silence Eve and Kofi returned with Jake in tow.

Jake was running behind the two, stopping dead when he saw Evan. He looked over the smaller man before easing up and dropping to his knees. "Ev," he whispered, reaching up and cupping the slack cheeks. "Ev baby."

Evan looked down into Jake's blue eyes and sighed, dropping into the bigger man's arms. "Jake," he whispered, wrapping his arms around the bigger man's neck, his nose pressed hard into the crook of Jake's neck, the cold chain cutting into him slightly. "I'm so sorry…."

Jake sighed, hugging Evan to him. "Hush," he whispered, picking Evan up effortlessly and cradling him in his arms. "I'm going to take you up to your room."

Evan nodded.

Melina reached out and took Eve's hand, looking after the two softly, yet worried about Evan at the same time. "Thank you Kofi," she murmured, turning and smiling at him.

Kofi shook his head. "Evan's like everyone's younger brother. Most of us could kill Mike for how he treats him but he's lucky to have you girls to look after him." He returned their smiles before waving and walking away.

Evan sighed once he touched the soft sheets of the hotel bed under him. He laid there, watching as Jake moved around the bed to sit on the other side of the double bed. "I missed you," he whispered, reaching out and taking the larger hand in his.

Jake's head turned, his eyes looking over Evan's small form, his heart fluttering with hope in his chest. "I missed you too," he whispered, kicking his shoes off and crawling to lay next to Evan, their bodies facing the other.

Evan sat up and crawled over, pushing Jake onto his back and throwing a leg over Jake's waist. He stalled there, his heart starting to hurt with how hard it was beating against his breastbone.

Jake rested his hands on the narrow hips and smiled gently up at Evan. "You put it on," he whispered, reaching up with one hand and cupping the matching necklace that was around his neck.

Evan nodded. He leaned in and rested his ear right over Jake's heart. He could hear it beat steadily and strong. "Did you mean it?" he asked, looking up at the strong jaw.

"When?" he asked, unsure of what Evan was referring to.

"What you said in the voicemail you sent me."

Jake nodded, remembering his unsure voicemail that he was sure Evan would just delete it. "Every word," he whispered, letting go of Evan's necklace and running it through the brown hair. "I love you Ev."

Evan smiled, pulling away just for a moment. His lips pressed lightly against Jake's for their first kiss and for the first time, it felt right and he was at ease.

Jake tensed, completely surprised with the kiss. He relaxed and held Evan to him, kissing him back chastely, his eyes slipping shut and a calm coming over him.

(A/N): Yay! Evan is with Jake again! I really like how this chapter came out. It's been killing me to pop out all weekend and I couldn't write because I up in Chicago without my laptop.. :( I hate when I decide to take a small vacation away from home Jack and Jake decide to throw a bunch of crap in my head to write... Damn muses... Either way! What does everyone think of the new chapter? Like it? hate it? Let me know! Title is Take Me Away By 4 Strings.

JacktheSinister_JaketheJust