They pulled into the parking lot of the Raleigh High School around three in the afternoon. Shannon explained to her that they had to be there early in order to beat the crowds, and discuss their match with whomever he was working with. He parked as close to the back doors of the gym as he could, but there were already quite a few fans in the lot. When they got out he signed a couple of autographs and took some pictures. He fielded questions about Jeff saying that he assumed Jeff wouldn't be here, that he was sick. A few of the fans seemed really upset, but most were just happy that he had taken the time to come.
When the little crowd dissipated he led Ravyn into the building. There were a few guys in the ring checking the ropes and making sure everything was set for the show. Chairs were set in straight rows and metal guardrails surrounded the ring. He waved to the guys in the ring and kept leading the way to the backstage area. They walked through the curtains into the locker room. Nothing was what she had expected back there. Everyone was sitting in what was actually the boy's locker room. There were an array of characters all around. She almost expected for everyone to have their own private rooms, but that wasn't so. It looked like a big family here. Everyone was joking around and laughing with each other. People who were working together sat in groups discussing what they had planned for their matches. Some were already dressed in elaborate costumes, but most were still in their street clothes. Shannon took her to what seemed to be the coach's office, which was supposed to be he and Jeff's private dressing room. Since they were the biggest names on the show they were offered a more private room.
He dropped his bag in there but immediately came back out. He introduced Ravyn to the guys that he knew on the show. A few of them had wrestled with him when they were kids in Matt and Jeff's promotion, OMEGA. She recognized Joey Matthews from her first visit to Jeff's house. Shannon introduced her to Christian York, Joey's tag team partner. She got along famously with Shannon's group of friends. They had a great time sharing stories from the road with her. Especially embarrassing ones about Shannon. She hung out with Joey and Christian while Shannon changed into his ring gear and met up with whomever he was wrestling tonight.
Joey and Christian told her that they had already talked to Jenn about Jeff. They were his friends no matter what, but they weren't going to let him hurt himself or anyone else. They agreed with Jenn and Shannon that he needed to go to rehab. He had already lost the most prestigious job his career may ever see to his addiction. They didn't want him to lose his girlfriend and best friends over it too. Much less his life. They were just as worried about him as Jenn was. It occurred to them though that Matt still had no clue what was going on with Jeff. Christian quickly picked up his cell phone and sent him an email, just to give him a heads up.
They continued chatting until Joey saw Jeff walk into the locker room. A few of the younger guys were obviously star struck, they had never worked on a show with someone as famous and Jeff Hardy. Christian raised an eyebrow at Joey's widened eyes and immediate silence. He turned and looked over his shoulder to see Jeff walking towards the private locker room. Joey leapt to his feet, hurdling Ravyn and Christian on his way to intercept Jeff. Luckily he diverted him before he walked in on Shannon. A moment later though Shannon appeared in the doorway of the office shaking the hand of the guy he was wrestling. He saw Jeff out of the corner of his eye and his whole body tensed. Instead of confronting Jeff though he went over to sit with Ravyn and Christain.
He put and arm around her protectively. "Since Jeff had the balls to show up it will be a three way dance," he huffed. "That will fuck up everything we just worked out."
"You can always just call it in the ring," Christian suggested.
Shannon rolled his eyes, clearly aggravated, "That will only work if he's sober."
Ravyn rested her head on his shoulder. "It'll be okay Country mouse. If he's being a douche just work him a little stiff," she winked at him, letting her know that she'd been "smartened" up. He gave her a surprised look then kissed her, thrilled by her wrestling reference.
*****
The backstage area was much quieter once the show started. Ravyn and Shannon were watching Joey and Christian's match from just behind the curtain. Shannon's match was next. He let her try to figure out the match by herself, only giving her help when she asked for it. By the end of the match she had a solid grasp of what was supposed to be happening out there. They congratulated Joey and Christian on their way back through the curtain. They walked back into the hallway behind them, letting the other team come through. The main event was being announced next. Shannon's music played first. He gave Ravyn a kiss before running back to the curtain. She watched him step out in front of the crowd then turned, only to find Jeff standing nose to nose with her. The second person in the match was announced, leaving her and Jeff alone in the hallway.
"Don't think that I've forgotten that you owe me," he pushed himself up against her. He was about to grab her arm when Christian poked his head around the corner to see where she was. In a heartbeat he was pushing Jeff away and stepping between them. "I've got no heat with you man. Just with her," Jeff said to Christian.
"Well, I've got a problem with you right now," Christian said stepping chest to chest with Jeff. "You're being an asshole. Go do your fucking job Jeff."
Jeff shot Ravyn a dirty look and mouthed "This isn't over" just as his music started to play. He turned from them and stalked to the curtain, his demeanor instantly changing when he stepped out in front of the crowd.
"You okay?" Christian asked turning to face Ravyn.
She took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'll be fine," she shook it off like a champ. "I just want to watch the match."
She walked to the spot where she and Shannon had watched the last match. She had a perfect view of the ring. She could see Jeff walk up with Shannon and say something smirking. By Shannon's reaction he didn't appreciate it. He threw a solid punch at Jeff, catching him squarely in the jaw. With that first punch the bell sounded, signifying the official start of the match. She watched them exchange what looked to be legitimate punches, but she couldn't be sure. Joey and Christian joined her after they changed back into their street clothes. They concurred about Shannon and Jeff working stiff with each other. She told them that Jeff had said something to Shannon before the match started. It soon became obvious that Shannon and Jeff were actually hurting each other. Welts began to rise on each of them. Jeff caught Shannon with a boot to the face. Shannon fell to the mat and was pinned by the other opponent.
"Shannon Moore has been eliminated," the announcer informed the crowd.
Shannon rolled out of the ring holding his face. He shot Jeff a look of hatred and made his way back down the aisle. Stumbling, he made his way back through the curtain. "Did he touch you?" he was almost panicked. "Did he fucking touch you?!" She shook her head no, taking Shannon's hand off his face. She gasped a little at what she saw. The entire side of his face was covered in blood. There was a gash just below his temple that was nearly spurting blood. She pulled him down to get a closer look.
"Babe, you need stitches," she told him.
He tried to refuse, but she was having none of it. She almost had to drag him over to the medic. He sat with her hand in his as his head was stitched back together. He quickly changed out of his ring gear and suggested they leave before the match was over. He shot Joey and Christian thankful looks before dragging his back out the back door. Ravyn followed him to the Hummer and got inside. "I'm going to kill him. If the drugs don't do it first," he raged. "If he had put a finger on you tonight he would have left in a fucking ambulance."
"But he didn't" she tried to calm him down. "Christian made sure that nothing happened. It's okay... we'll get him help."
"He's going to need more than help," Shannon sighed. "I really considered killing him out there tonight."
Even though she didn't want to know, she asked, "What did he say to you before the match?"
"I don't want to talk about it," he said bluntly. She accepted that answer and put her hand on his leg. Before he put the H2 in reverse he looked at her. He leaned over putting a hand behind her head and kissed her. They stayed there for a moment, foreheads touching. "I love you City mouse," he told her. "And I'm never going to let anyone hurt you. No matter what."