So, here's another chapter of Moth to a Flame, and I'm glad you tuned in for this one. I apologize for any spelling/grammatical errors. I only own Shay, and this chapter is kinda important. A lot happens, revelations are made and drama. Oooo, oodles of it is starting, and that will bring all the fun.

And today I had my District meet for Forensics. We had to be up uber early, we left the school at 5:30 in the morning and it was a marvelous time. Oi, my friend and I are going to State! April 20th, and it'll come quicker than I think. Anywho...

REVIEW! Bitte, please, Review! Writers love reviews. Alrighty, please read, review, and enjoy.

Kiwi

Shay sighed, wrapping her arms around her midsection as she followed Jay backstage. "Is everything alright?" She asked, stopping in front of the door to the Men's Locker Room. He seemed on edge, moreso than earlier. Jay shook his head, a dry chuckle escaping his throat.

"Yeah, Shay. Everything's fine," he turned to face her. "Heard about what Vince said. It's a shame."

Shay scoffed, "A-Alright."

"What are you talking about?" Jay asked and Shay shrugged.

"It's just, you never wanted me to return in the first place. You're probably overjoyed that I'm practically sidelined again."

"Shay," his tone was sharp, "I never wanted you not to return. I just thought it was too soon, and I was right. You can't deny that now, Shay. Monday was proof. Your leg may be better, but the rest of you isn't. Why did you lie to me? Huh? I thought we crossed that bridge a long-ass time ago." Jay dragged a hand through his hair.

"Jay, I am fine."

"When will you understand that I'm not stupid, Shay? I know you're not alright. I don't believe you when you say you're fine, because you're usually not." Jay said quietly, putting a hand on her arm. "That's what you do. You hide, and you wait for it to blow over. What if we weren't there, Shay? You'd still be with Dave, or you wouldn't be here. You need to stop hiding, and start facing things. What were you gaining by telling us not to worry? What did we gain? We worried about you, Shay. I watched you fall apart, Adam watched you fall apart, and we couldn't put you back together again because you hid the pieces," Jay released a breath and ran a hand over his face. "I didn't come back here to yell at you. I just thought things would be different."

"Different?" Her eyebrow rose. "No, things aren't different. I'm sorry to disappoint. And, if it makes you feel better, I'm just as messed up as I was before," Shay threw her hands up in exasperation. "Why do we always end up fighting? We've never fought like this before."

"I'm...I'm just afraid of losing you, alright?" The alarm in his voice made her jump. "You're like this tiny porcelain doll that I'm afraid will break if anyone gets close to it. We were so damn close to losing you before, and..." Jay hesitated, shoulders tensing as he spoke. "I'm afraid that every day could be your last, I'm afraid that one day I'll wake up and you won't be there because you let everyone else's happiness get in the way of your own safety. The car accident with John, Shay? You knew we wouldn't have wanted you to go, but he wanted to see you even though you knew it would be risky."

"Uh, no, actually. I-I didn't know, I thought he just wanted to talk," Shay replied, shaking her head. "I just... I didn't know you felt like that." Her voice was soft, barely rising above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Jay."

A sigh passed his lips and his hand dropped, "Don't apologize. I have to go, Shay. I'll... I'll catch up with you later, okay?"

"Okay," Shay said, giving him a quick hug before he took off down the hall. She inhaled sharply, letting the breath out slowly as she walked down the hall. Jay and her had been... not seeing eye-to-eye lately, and she thought his injury would've put things at ease. Nope. He came back, and he still was pointing out how she was being reckless, and how she was worrying him. Now, she realized, he was right.

Turning the corner, she saw Chris talking with Nick. Retreating, she listened in.

"You tell her, or I will," Nick's voice cut through the air, and she winced involuntarily.

"No. She doesn't need to know, Nick. And if you keep trying to make her life hell, I'll make your life hell," Chris replied, anger residing in his voice, anxiety subtly edging the words.

Nick laughed, "I made her life hell? Alright, I'll admit to that one. But I didn't let my feelings get in the way. I didn't tell her my undying love for her, or entice her petty boyfriend to mistrust her. You just couldn't stand it, now could you? Knowing the love of your life was happier with someone else. Sucked, didn't it? I know what sucks more..." He was about to continue when Chris cut him off.

"Shut your mouth, Nick," Chris's voice hardened as it lowered.

"She wouldn't have been in that car accident, had it not been for you. You still blame yourself, every day. You put off coming back. You knew you'd see her, and see how hopeless she was. You'd see how broken, and shattered, and destroyed that accident made her. You'd see the aftermath of three little words. Is it what you expected? You thought she should blame you. She didn't though, and that's what confused you."

Shay swallowed, her mind flashing back to that night. She heard those words leave his mouth, and she had replied honestly. He told her he loved her, and she told him the same. Then, he elaborated, stretching it, admitting he had fallen in love with her. And she, she just couldn't reciprocate that. It shattered her, to break his heart. She didn't think he was the one to blame, she never did.

"Shut up. You hurt her more than I ever did," Chris snapped, and she peeked around the corner to see Chris push Nick's shoulder. Great, she crossed her arms over her chest. They were going to get into a fight.

"But you weren't there for her then, not entirely. Not like Adam and Jay. They were always the closest to her, and you hated that, didn't you? You hated that no matter how hard you tried, you never matched up to them, or John. Yeah, she loves you, just not the way you wanted her to. You couldn't change her mind and it killed you inside," Nick's voice was sharp, precise, and Chris shook his head.

"Chris!" Shay plastered a smile on her face as she came out from behind her corner, "I-I have to tell you something." Okay, so that was a lie. She just didn't want them to get into a fight.

"Shay," Chris mustered up a smile, sending a warning glance towards Nick, who smirked.

"Shay, Shay, Shay," Nick laughed, "Just the person I was looking for."

"Nick." Chris growled under his breath. "Don't."

"She deserves to know," Nick tsked, his smirk growing at Shay's confusion.

"K-know what?" She asked, genuinely curious. "Chris?"

Chris sighed, running a hand over his face and back through his hair. He sucked in a breath and shook his head, "It's nothing. Don't worry about it." Her eyebrow rose and she crossed her arms over her chest. "Really, Shay."

"No, it's not. You thought I was a liar, he's ten times worse. He doesn't want to be at fault for something," Nick said, coming closer to her. On instinct, her arm slid around Chris's, and she clung to him, as if on defense. "Why don't you tell her, Chris? Seeing as you think it's your right to tell."

"Tell me what? Chris?" She asked again, seeing his shoulders tense. Shay could feel it, hear it as he tried to calm his breathing.

"Nothing." He was adamant.

"You're really going to keep her in the dark, Chris?"

"Dammit, Chris," Shay began, turning to face him, "Tell me already."

"I can't. I just... I can't," Chris sent another look towards Nick, who just shrugged and shook his head. The other blond opened his mouth, mocking Chris as he stepped forward. "Please, Nick."

"Sorry, Chris. I can't let you stay afloat. Shay, there's something you didn't know about Chris. Chris here, he hated John more than you think. Well, maybe not hated him, just the thought of you being with him. Did you know," he directed the words towards Shay, who had dropped Chris's arm as Nick approached, "that your precious Chris tried to sabotage your relationship with John?"

"What?" It was the only word that came to her mind. It was Nick's statement, she didn't believe it, but it was probable. She just didn't want it to be. How could he have done that, why would he sink to such a low? Nick was notorious for telling lies, particularly ones about her. This was just another one of them, she hoped. "I-I don't believe you."

"Naturally," Nick snorted, "and I don't blame you. But, it's the truth, Shay. He was jealous, he wanted you all to himself, so he came to me one day and he asked me to help him out. Oh, this is the interesting part, Dave helped. Yeah, you heard that right. He came to not only me, but Dave." Nick's triumphant smirk broadened, if that was possible. Her heartbeat quickened, as if panic were setting in. Why should it? This was just another lie, just another attempt to cut her down as he always had. It was the thought of it that got her. The mere thought of Chris working with the both of them against her was sickening.

She glanced up at Chris, who had moved away from her, his head hung low as he rubbed the back of his neck. He looked at her, and she saw it in his eyes. They were glistening, a silent apology as he cursed under his breath. "Ch-Chris?" Her breath was short, her heart thudding beneath her ribcage. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Nick slip away.

"He's..." Chris trailed off, shaking his head, "I'm sorry, Shay."

Words caught in her throat, choking and constricting her as she stared at Chris. This couldn't be true, it just couldn't. She could feel the hot tears building up, but she blinked them away. This wasn't something to cry over.

"You're serious?" Her gaze hardened, "You seriously tried to sabotage my relationship?" Sucking in a breath, Chris nodded, reaching out to her. She retracted, shaking her head. "Why, Chris?"

"I just... I don't know. I... I didn't go through with it. I wanted to, but I just couldn't. I wanted you, but I saw how happy you were with John, Shay. I didn't go through with it," his words were rushed, and Shay shook her head.

"I can't believe you,"she tugged a hand through her hair, trying to make sense of things. Right now, she just couldn't. He had betrayed her, and right now, whether or not he went through with it wasn't important. He had tried to take her happiness away, and in a twisted way, he had. Maybe it wasn't just that he channeled that much hate, and that much selfishness into her life. The fact that he had teamed up with Nick and Dave was just as troubling. She flinched, shoulders shaking as she bit the inside of her lip.

"I'm sorry," his voice was faint, lacking the luster and charm it usually did. Now, he looked almost as weak as she felt. "Shay, it wasn't a good idea. I just... I loved you so freaking much, Shay. I couldn't let you slip away. It was selfish, and I'm sorry." He apologized over and over, trying to explain.

"Sorry doesn't fix what you did. You tried to steal me away from him."

"What did you expect me to do, Shay! I loved you and he wasn't right for you. He just wasn't. He was so California, and he was just this silly little romantic dream you had, Shay. He wasn't right for you. He just... I couldn't see you two together," Chris stated, and she felt her jaw drop.

"What is that supposed to mean?" She whispered.

"He was perfect, he did everything and anything. He was this sun that just illuminated your entire world when it was dark, and I wanted to be him. I wanted to be in his place so badly, I wasn't thinking straight. I thought I could get away with it. At first, at first I wanted you to break up, at any means necessary. Then, I couldn't live with the thought of me destroying your happiness...I'm sorry," Chris reiterated and Shay's gaze hardened. She saw him wince, opening his mouth to speak again.

"I'll see you later, Chris," She started off in the other direction.

"Shay, c'mon, Shay!"

"I need time to think, Chris." Her voice hardened, "Alright?" She swallowed the quaver that was beckoning to come out. The thought of him going to that extent was troubling. Did it really matter if he did go through with whatever plan they had? He had tried to ruin the one sure thing she thought she had. The thought that he wanted to take it all way hurt, it struck her and it stung.

She drove back to the hotel and retreated into her room. Well, it wasn't exactly hers. Stephen was pacing back and forth, and she nearly bumped into him on her way to the bed. Shay muttered an apology, dropping her bags down and sitting on the bed. Resting her head in her hand, she watched him pace. He was shirtless, dressed in sweatpants and apparently restless. He barely stopped when she entered, and had apologized when she narrowly avoided him.

Shay was going to speak, ask him what was wrong, but she thought better of it. She already had an idea of what was bothering him. And, she figured he would talk if he wanted to. Although, she would've given anything for a conversation. She wanted something to take her mind off of what Chris had just revealed to her.

"Are yeh tryin' to undress me with yer eyes? A simple question woulda been easier."

She felt her cheeks grow hot and she shook her head, "You aren't wearing much to begin with."

"Would it help if Ah stand still?" He smiled, and she reacted with a smile. Stephen turned again, and she caught glimpse of the scratch on his back. Frowning, she sighed.

"Is it still bleeding?"

"Tha', yeah. Kinda re-opened in my match." He shrugged, "I'm fine."

"You look stressed."

"I am," he moved to sit on the bed opposite of her, "Yeh okay?"

"I asked you first," she stated, pivoting to face him. "So, spill."

"She keeps callin' me, an' he does too." She winced as he spoke, knowing exactly what he meant. "It sounds stupid, but the whole thin' is stressin'. An' WrestleMania's comin' up. I don' want to have tha' on my mind when I should be focusin' on my match, yeh know?" Shay nodded, murmuring under her breath as she returned her focus to him. It was strange, she'd admit, seeing him looking almost vulnerable.

"Just ignore it," she shrugged.

"It's just, I don' think I can. Would yeh be able to ignore it if John called yeh relentlessly?" Stephen asked, and she shook her head, knowing it would probably get to her eventually.

"Change your number? I don't know," she added, laying down. The bed felt cold, and unwelcoming. She'd much rather be at home, than here. Looking at him, she saw him shake his head.

"Nah, couldn' do that."

"Then stop complaining, if you don't plan on doing anything about it. That is one of my biggest pet peeves," Shay retorted, stretching her back. He laughed, smirking as his eyes settled on her.

"Tha', tha' was a good one. Why don't you?"

"I actually will."

"Are yeh actually being serious, yer tellin' the truth?" She nodded, and he continued, "Jus' like yeh said yeh were fine, an' I ended up spendin' the nigh' with yeh." He stated, hunching forward and resting his forearms across his knees. For a moment, silence followed, and she thought he was done. Then, his voice cut through the silence, softer this time, more exasperated than he had been before. "Shay, I've been thinkin', an'...I was wonderin'... Are yeh, comfortable around me?" Stephen cleared his throat, studying her and gauging her reaction. She shrugged.

"I-I guess. Why?"

Stephen sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We have to kiss at WrestleMania, an' I don' wanna make yeh uncomfortable." Shay sat up, watching him as he got up again and continued his pacing. "I mean, I could talk to Vince, if it'd help. If I make yeh uncomfortable."

"You're fine, Stephen. I'll be fine with the kiss," Shay replied, her eyebrow arching as he mumbled something under his breath. "What made you think of this anyway?"

"Barely two weeks away, an' I was thinkin' about yeh, and what yeh said. Yeh told me yeh were most comfortable 'round Adam, an' Jay, an' Chris... an' I jus' thought that since yeh acted different dependin' on who yeh were around..." he trailed off, "I jus' thought I made yeh uncomfortable."

"It's fine, Stephen," Standing, she walked over to him. "I appreciate you asking, but, trust me... It's fine." She smiled, patting his chest. "Why are you so worried over this? It's just a kiss. I barely even remembered until you brought it up." She shrugged.

"Promise not to laugh at me?"

"Sure."

"I'm worried that I won't be what you expected." He sighed and she bit her lip, but not in time to stop the chuckle. His eyes narrowed, "Don't laugh."

"I-I'm sorry, I just didn't expect that. You just seemed like the kind of person who wouldn't mind it, per se. What did you think I'd expect?" She questioned, suddenly intrigued by this. He took in a breath and released it, rolling his shoulders as he cleared his throat.

"That'd I'd be someone who'd have no problem kissin' a woman on live television. An' maybe it's not that. I knew yeh didn' wanna be in a romantic storyline, an' I feel like it's not fair to yeh," Stephen shrugged, "Yeh know?"

"Yeah," she murmured, absentmindedly sidling up to him. She could feel the heat of his skin against her own, "I know." She wasn't sure why she was doing this, and she knew she wouldn't be so close to him had he been practically anyone else. It was something about him, whether it was his vernacular, his mere presence, whatever... something made her feel different. "Besides," she whispered, "It'll just be one, chaste kiss. Nothing to worry about. Unless, of course, you're worried that once you start, you won't be able to stop," Inside, her head was screaming, cursing her and wondering what the hell she had just said, and to whom she had just said it to. She saw his eyebrow raise, and she leaned up, kissing his cheek. "Chaste."

He opened his mouth, but his words didn't escape. She pulled away, moving toward the bed. "W-what... yeh were angry when yeh came in."

Ah, she should've known he'd address it sooner or later. Grabbing her pajamas, she asked him to give her a moment, and went into the bathroom. She returned shortly and slid into the bed. He followed suit, and she sighed. All the anger came rushing back, all the hurt and confusion were stinging and stabbing at her. Some of her wanted to keep it locked under key, like everything else. The other wanted to tell, to get it off her chest while it was still fresh and her mind was still reeling. She wanted to think about it, go over it thoroughly, and he was there. He wanted to listen. And she was starting to value his opinion.

"C-can we... Can we talk about this later, Stephen? I-I promise. I just want to think it over for a while. I just... I-I just got some upsetting news, that's all."

He looked a little miffed, but she figured he'd have to get over it. Although, he did seem pleased that she had promised to talk about it. "Whenever yer ready," he murmured, turning over on his side. She nodded, despite knowing he couldn't see her. She drew a breath, wondering just what it was about him that made her act the way she did.