"If you stare at him any longer he's going to notice."

"He hasn't this far, why would he start now?"

"Because when you're not looking at him, he's looking at you."

Shane knew he shouldn't have let the statement affect him but it did. Branson had to be wrong, there was no way A.J was watching him...was there? Shaking his head in angry frustration, Shane wrapped his hands with tape. He wouldn't worry about that right now, right now his focus needed to be on the man in the ring tonight. Looking up at his reflection, Shane frowned. This entire thing was turning him inside out, maybe talking to his mom would help him figure things out?"

"You are troubled with something. If you do not wish to participate this evening it will be acceptable."

"No, you called for the Champion and he answered. I'm ready, just a lot of things on my mind right now." Shane smiled at the reflection of the woman behind him. "You look beautiful tonight, by the way."

"Always such a flatterer but I thank you for the compliment. Now if you are ready, I would like to speak with you about something once we are finished."

Shane nodded, following her out of the room and down the corridor to the main arena. "Do we know who the challenger is?"

"No, just that he is a friend of Dre's and that he heard about you through the whispering south winds."

Shane chuckled, shaking his head as they walked around a group of people. Glancing at them, Shane stopped short at the sight of a blue eyed brunette. Turning to follow him as he walked away, he didn't notice Seth or Dean until he'd run into them both. "How's it going fellas?" He looked between the pair then back in the direction of the disappearing brunette.

"Alright Shane'O, lookin' kinda distracted there." Dean glanced behind Shane, looking for whoever he had seen. "Someone catch your interest?"

"Looked like the brunette over by the door, he isn't bad honestly."

Shane looked at Seth, gaze narrowing in warning. "Don't go there you two. Leave it alone." Shane glanced back where he'd last seen the man, brow furrowing in confusion. There would be no way he'd be here. He would have to be invited in order to...

"Hey, ain't that Juls, looks like we'll be in for a good night. Glad to see her back too, Sadie girl was looking real sad for a while."

Shane looked over at his friend, a frown curving his lips down. He remembered Sadie saying Juls was away to much. That she wanted her home more during Sadie's pregnancy. "Maybe this time she will stick around longer than a few weeks."

"Yeah, Wyatt said that they don't have anything else for a while so Sadie should be happy about that."

Shane nodded at Dean's grin. "Ok guys so do you know who it is that issued the challenge?"

"Some unknown fighter coming up through NXT. He's trying to impress Hunter so he went straight for you out the gate."

Shane looked over at Seth, frowning as they made their way to the main arena. He nodded to a few of the people they passed, knowing that if they were here the fight was more important than it seemed. "There's a lot of top notches here tonight."

"Bray's back as well."

Shane glanced over at Dean and grinned. "That's right, the ceremony is next weekend. He would need a week with you to make sure nothing has changed your mind."

"Fuck that, Wyatt and I have been through enough, I'm not walking away this time." Dean gave Shane a determined nod before turning back to the chestnut haired man standing next to Juls. "Those two stand out no matter where the fuck they are." Dean muttered.

Shane looked up with a laugh, heading in the direction of his friends. "Come on, let's go let them know how we feel about this fight tonight." He made his way through the crowd, making sure to keep his focus on his fight and not on his obsession.

"You frown as if you do not wish to be here, zanmi."(friend)

Shane blinked at the comment, chuckling softly at the hazel gaze watching him. "No, it's definitely not that. Just got a lot on my mind. Work is busier than usual."

Juls nodded, head tilted in contemplation. "Sadie has said something about your sister's wish to join. Does her husband know of her request?"

"I'm sure he's aware of it on some level but if he approves or not, I don't know. You know we're not really the best of friends." Shane frowned as he thought about his brother in law. He loved his sister but her choice in partner wasn't his first pick. "Talk to Sadie and Nattie, see what they have to say. You know Nat's bringing in Brie and Becky at the end of the cycle, have her check into it." At Juls nod, Shane turned to the silent man next to her. "You're bothered by something."

"You are distracted and the distraction is here. If you are not focused you could very well fall."

Shane frowned as Dean chuckled and Seth sighed. "Stop being so fucking ominous, no matter how distracted I get I've never fallen." Shane felt a spark of anger at the smirk that curved Bray's lips. The history between the three was long and rocky but it was better than before. Shane would admit to a sense of belonging with the two childhood friends. Having met Juls and Sadie at one of Nattie's house parties, he'd been surprised to find out that Stephanie was a friend of Sadie's. "Besides, she protects me. I have nothing to worry about as long as I remember that."

"Yet you forget exactly who would bestow that upon her to give to you." Bray studied Shane with an expressionless face, his bright gaze not missing the flush of anger covering him. "Good, I see you still have the ability to remain calm despite your desire not to."

Shane glared at Bray, knowing why he was pushing his buttons. What was bothering him was how Bray had known his distraction was here? They had just both arrived and he'd not said anything...

"You think to much, fré, come, let us head down to the ring to get ready. It will be a good match and we will celebrate at the roasting pits. My ti fré is here and we are celebrating that as well as Juls and Wyatt's safe return."

Shane looked up at the smiling man next to him. "Andres, it's good to see you."

"As it is you, zanmi. Come, let's let them be about business, we have a fight to worry about." His bright gray green gaze moved through the crowd looking for someone. "If I could find him I would introduce you to him but..."

Shane chuckled as Dre shrugged. "It's fine, we have time later to meet. Let's get down to the ring. I'm ready for a fight."

Shane followed Dre and Seth down to the center ring, listening to them tell him about his opponent. Turning to glance behind him, Shane frowned. He could have sworn he'd felt some one watching him. He hadn't been aware of the bright blue gaze following his every move as he made his way to the center ring. Shaking his head, he turned his focus back to the fight and how he planned to win. He wouldn't let Sadie down or himself, if anything, his poor opponent would pay the price for his pent up frustrations.

"You ready Champ?"

Shane grinned at Seth's question, nodding his head as he felt his body relax. "Yeah, let's get this party started."

Seth grinned as he watched Shane stretch. "As long as you don't need us we'll stay ringside, first sign of trouble..."

"I'll let you know." Shane took a deep breath, letting the usual sense of calm settle over him. "May the fireflies bless our paths for his journey is not the same as mine." When Dre, Seth, and Dean nodded, Shane turned towards the ring. Giving his opponent a quick once over he shook his head. "Forty five minutes or less."

"Bet your portion of Sadie's pudding it's longer and I'm game."

Shane grinned at Dean's dare. "You're on, I win I get your slice of chocolate cake." At Dean's wide grin and nod, Shane laughed as he turned back to the stage. "Forty five minutes of less." Shane stepped between the ropes and into the ring. He circled the space, waiting for the starting bell. When it sounded, he let everything go and focused on the man across from him. I'm sorry if I hurt you but you're the one who will bear the brunt of my anger. You're the one who I'll beat to a pulp because of how this unknown man is twisting me into knots. I apologize because it's not your fault but you're the one here now and this is how it has to be.

Shane kept his word of forty five minutes or less, the group having celebrated long into the night. For Shane, he needed to rest. He was exhausted after everything he's gone through and a hot shower and the offer of a soft bed sounded better than a few shots with a rowdy crowd. He took his leave from his friends, telling them he'd see them in the morning and headed upstairs. He took his shower and was headed to bed when his phone rang. Picking it up, he frowned at the name on the display. Sighing, he pressed the answer button and flinched at the sound of his soon to be ex's voice. "Marissa, what is it now?"

"Are you seriously not coming home now? You're going to make it known to the boys that their parents are having issues?"

"They already know what the issue is, don't make it seem like you didn't fuck up while they were at home. Look, it's been a long day, I've already spoken to my son's so I will bid you goodnight." Shane hung the phone up before anything else could be said. He felt his eyes close as he laid back on the bed. "Thank you Sadie for your OCD."

Rolling to his side, Shane sighed in relief. Today could have been a horrible day but it turned out better than planned. Now, if only he could get over his obsession as easily...

"Shane, ou toujou reveye?"Shane, are you still awake?)

Shane sat up, a frown curving his lips down. Sadie never sought him out after the club fights unless it was important. Getting up, he walked over to the door and opened it, a smile curving his lips at the woman standing in front of him. "I'm still waiting for you to teach me the language, I can understand most of it but still can't speak it."

Sadie looked up at Shane, brushing back a fall of red hair. "There has been so much happening at one time but I will teach you soon. Would be nice to speak with you in the language of my people."

Shane grinned as he stepped back and motioned her in. "Where's Red?"

"She and Wyatt are boasting of their trip. I find that I wish to speak with you about something important."

Shane nodded as she smiled before sitting down on the small couch. "Something happen to Juls or Bray?" He followed her to the couch after closing the door.

Sadie waved away the question with a light laugh. "They are fine, bragging about their success is what they enjoy. I am here in concerns to Clayton and the baby."

"Ok, what ever I can do to help you know I will."

Sadie studied Shane, her gray green gaze bright with an emotion he'd never seen before. "I would like to ask you to be the god father of both my son's."

Shane blinked in surprise, watching a smile curve her lips. "I...w-what do I say to that?"

"Yes would be a start. I understand Clayton is older but if anything were to happen to Juls or myself I want him taken care of as well as the baby. Andres will always be there for them, as their uncle he will protect them with his life. Our ti frè will as well." At Shane's frown of confusion, she gave him a soft smile. "He is the son of our mothers best friend. We grew up together as fanmi...frè ak sè."(family...siblings) His mother was our godmother as ours was his. You will get to meet him soon, hopefully, he and Andres have not been seeing eye to eye on a number of things."

Shane nodded, thoughts whirling through his head. He was surprised Sadie would come to him with something so important. "You know I'll do anything for you. You guys saved me at one of the worst times in my life. I owe you, anything you ask..."

"You are no longer endebted to us Shane. Zanmi m, you have wiped that slate clean long ago. I ask this of you as fanmi not as a business proposition. Stephanie and I are zanmi but you...you have given us more than you realize. When we first met you Juls and Bray were dealing with Faith. You helped keep them both out of danger and for that I can never repay you. Faith and her...games...almost took them both from me."

"She was the worst part of the group." Shane said, voice low as he thought back to their former partner. "She should have taken what Bray and Juls offered. She was better off as she was."

"She got greedy and wanted more than she as entitled to. She felt that Natalia did not deserve her position. If she had been patient, we would have included her, as we see..."

"Patience was not her strongest point." Shane shook his head. "You know I'll do anything to protect them both just as I would my own sons." He watched as Sadie's face lit up with a smile. Leaning over he gave her a quick hug, aware of how Juls was about anyone touching Sadie for to long. Tilting his head in curiosity, Shane studied the petite woman next to him. "Your youngest brother? Tell me about him."

"As long as I get to hear the tale as well then it can be allowed."

Shane looked up with a grin as Juls walked into the room. "You know there is no way I'd ever..."

"Non, fanmi, I know where your true heart lies."

Shane frowned at the statement but let it pass as Juls walked over and sat down next to Sadie's feet. "You know, I can always move so you can sit here." Shane watched as Juls shook her head, ice white hair moving in a silvery waterfall.

"Non, I have been neglectful of her needs. I will wait on her here, at her feet while she rests. When she is ready, I will be her feet, she and my son deserve that and more."

Shane watched as Juls ran a hand over Sadie's slightly swollen stomach. He remembered how he'd felt when Marissa had told him about Dominic, the rush of pride and love he'd felt was now displayed on Juls' face. He blinked in surprise when Juls turned to look at him, her hazel gaze sharp.

"I apologize for Bray and his careless use of words. He is upset about ti frè and a decision he has made. He did not doubt your ability this evening." At Shane's nod, Juls let out a soft sigh. "Did Saffire ask you?"

"She did and you already know I would be honored." Shane grinned at his friends pleasure, relaxing back on the couch as they talked about Sadie's long lost brother. He wasn't aware that the man Sadie spoke of was the same man who he'd taken to watching during practices. How was Shane to know then, that the man described to him now, would be the same one he fell for in the future?