In Too Deep
Chapter 14

Pete and Sarah were sitting in the Mean Street Posse locker-room feeling rather lonely. Sure, they had one another, but Rodney hadn't made it to the arena yet. It was awfully quiet without him around, and even Pete seemed bored out of his mind without their random friend.

Truth be told, Sarah would give anything to go back to the Monday Night Raws of 1999, even though they meant dealing with Joey and a usually very agitated Shane, than have to deal with a lack of Rodney in the room at the moment. However, she was proud of the Posse, as they kept their promise from however long ago, although it was brought the week before by Shane, to keep the peace amongst themselves and be civil towards one another. Sarah had been present for several three-way calls between the Posse during the week, and was more than happy to take part in one when Shane had asked Pete to put her on.

"You don't think anything is wrong, do you? I mean... Rodney always calls..."

Sarah looked at her boyfriend and sighed. He was right, Rodney always called if he was going to be late. But, on the other hand, Rodney was a grown man who was more then capable of taking care of himself. She told him that much.

"Still!" Pete insisted, gesturing wildly with his hands to show how concerned he was.

It was out of character for him, and that's what had Sarah worried. "I'm sure everything is okay, Pete. You need to relax a little." Sarah stated, offering her boyfriend a warm smile.

That seemed to calm Pete down a little. "Thanks, babe."

Just as Pete finished his sentence and leaned in to kiss Sarah, Rodney walked into the locker-room and started mock-hurling when he saw the couple kissing.

"Oh God, gross! Can't you two save it for another time?! Ya know, when someone can't just walk into the same room you're in?"

Pete and Sarah turned to look at Rodney, then narrowed their eyes at him. Sarah smiled, whereas Pete stuck his tongue out angrily. "It's what you get for being so late." Pete stated.

Rodney rolled his eyes. "You two suck face even when I'm right next to you, so don't give me that mumbo jumbo."

"You never seem disturbed by Shane and Marissa."

"That's because they're decent enough to only give pecks in front of other people! But no, you two go at it like it's a shootout for a hockey game!"

Pete honestly tried not to laugh, but he couldn't help himself. He walked over to Rodney and hugged him. "Next time, why don't you call ahead of time so we won't suck face if we know to expect you?"

Rodney glared at him. "Dude... Did you not just hear what I said about a shootout at a hockey game..?"

"I did, but I'm choosing to ignore your statement." Pete stated, giving Rodney a dismissive wave.

Rodney face-palmed. "Remind me how I put up with you, again..?"

"Because you love me. Now, where the hell were you?"

"I saw Shane when I got here and got into a conversation. He took my peanut butter away from me." Rodney pouted.

"Hallelujah!" Pete exclaimed.

"Not funny, Pete."

"Why'd he take the peanut butter away?" Sarah asked.

"I dunno. Said something about me possibly getting fat from eating so much of it. He gave me fruit instead."

"Yeah, because the sugar in fruit will totally help you out." Pete glared.

"Problem? Take it up with Shane," Rodney stated, sticking his tongue out at Pete. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to use the little boy's room."

Rodney excused himself from the locker-room, making Pete and Sarah look at each other strangely. "He's acting funny." Sarah observed.

"Yeah. Just a little."

"What do you think?"

Pete shrugged. "Don't know, really... I mean... Rodney is unpredictable in the first place..."

"I guess you're right... But, still. He's usually not so antsy... Unless Shane is getting ready to dive off of the forty-five foot tall TitanTron scaffolding."

Pete laughed. "Yeah... I mean, he did say he stopped to have a conversation with Shane. Maybe he's planning on doing something stupid tonight..?"

"I certainly hope not. Rodney will break into a local store to get his peanut butter fix."

The knock at the door completely stopped Pete from laughing at Sarah's comment, so he grumbled as he walked over to the door and opened it. Vince McMahon was, once again, breathing fire.

"Whoa." Pete commented, eyes widened.

"Please tell me," Vince paused to calm himself down. "You're watching Raw?"

Pete shook his head no. "Should I be?"

Vince narrowed his eyes at Pete, and the younger man was positive his boss was willing him to spontaneously burst into flames. "Do I have to answer that?"

"No sir," Pete rushed forward and turned the TV on, then stared at it, trying to figure out what Vince's problem was... And then he saw it. "Oh my God."

Sarah turned to look, as well. She swore her chin hit the floor. "Oh my God. Rodney!"

Sure enough, Rodney was in the ring with Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire. The two were holding the smaller mans arms in the air in victory, and Rodney had a boot placed conveniently on the chest of Jeff Hardy. Matt Hardy, on the other hand, was writhing in pain on the outside of the ring. Paul Heyman and J.R., however, were arguing over whether the interference was just that, an interference. Paul was defending it, whereas J.R. was calling him an idiot.

"An interference is an interference, Paul! It doesn't matter who's doing it; it's still illegal and will end in the immediate disqualification of the person or persons not touched!"

"Say what you want, Jim Ross, but the fact is this... The Alliance has gained a new member!"

Pete shut the TV off, unable to listen or watch any more. He slowly turned to look back at Vince. "I'm sorry, Mr. McMahon. I didn't know."

"I'm sure you didn't know, Pete... I don't even think Rodney was sure until he left your locker-room."

"What does that mean?" Pete asked.

Vince sighed. "Well... Chris Jericho was walking by earlier and saw Joey around here. Once Rodney left the locker-room, Joey walked up to him and the two started talking. I think Rodney went with him and was eventually convinced to jump."

Pete narrowed his eyes. "I bet this has something to do with Rodney talking to Shane when he got here..."

Vince raised an eyebrow. "Shane isn't here tonight."

Pete's eyes widened. "What?"

"Yeah, Marissa and Linda both called me. He's real sick," Vince paused for a moment. "Wait, what do you mean Rodney was talking to Shane earlier?"

Pete shrugged his shoulders. "When Rodney got here, which was only about ten minutes ago, mind you, he said when he got to the arena, Shane stopped him and the two were talking for awhile."

Vince clicked his tongue. "I happen to know for a fact my son isn't here tonight. Maybe he was talking to Stephanie or Heyman and didn't want to admit to it... In which case, I don't blame him. I know if he says he's talking to Shane, you won't question it."

"Yeah, and that happens to be a problem I have," Pete paused and ran a hand over his face. "Thanks for bringing this up to me, Mr. McMahon..."

"No problem, Pete. What are you going to do now?"

"How do you mean?"

"Well, you can't hold up the WWF Tag Team titles on your own... Hence why they're called 'tag team.' Team, as in two people."

"Yeah, I get it, Mr. McMahon... Um... I don't know right now. I have to think... This has to settle, and then I have a bone to pick with your kids."

Vince nodded. "Right... Now, please... Be gentle. They're still my kids."

Before Pete could think of a response, let alone get the chance to tell Vince he wasn't planning on hitting his kids (especially Stephanie because he strongly believes in not hitting women, thank you very much, Vincent Kennedy McMahon), the older man turned around and left the locker-room. Pete closed the door behind him, then turned to look at Sarah.

"Are you okay?" Sarah asked.

Pete sat down and put his head in his hands. "First Shane goes off and buys WCW, then Joey follows him like a lost puppy... Now Rodney!? After all the time Rodney spent complaining about the Alliance, particularly Joey's existence, he suddenly decides he'd rather work for Shane?!"

Sarah sighed. "Baby, you and I both know that Shane isn't all that bad..."

Pete scoffed. "You're right. Heyman is the one to beware of," Pete sighed and ran a hand down his face. "I just can't believe this is happening. Why did Rodney have to leave, too?"

"I don't know, hun... But you have to be calm, okay? Think things out before you do anything."

Pete looked Sarah in the eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Your hand is balled into a fist."

Pete blinked, then looked down at his hand. He unclenched his fist, then looked back at Sarah. "Sorry... I'm just really pissed off right now. Rodney is gone. How the hell is that even possible? He hates WCW, and he hated ECW even more! And now he left me with the tag titles. What the hell am I supposed to do about that?"

Sarah shrugged her shoulders. "Mr. McMahon said it best... Find another partner."

"Yeah, that's so easy for me to do. Who the hell would want to team with someone when every tag team partner I've ever had jumped ships to the Alliance?"