I apologize for not updating this on a somewhat regular basis. I sincerely hope that you are all still enjoying this story and I desperately hope that I haven't lost too many of my wonderful readers because of my inconsistent updating. I know how this story will end. I just need to get there. I know more than a year on a story is RIDICULOUS! but please keep with me here, please. Thank you SO much! I'm trying, know that my readers. I'm trying to get this out to you. - FTLOW
xXxXxXx
"Jeff, it's Mark." Mark said into the phone, "I was wondering if maybe I could see you tomorrow. We've got some things to talk about, so call me back, please." Mark sighed, but was content with what he had planned and played out in his head a dozen times. Jeff still fawned over him, but since the fight between he and Randy, and with Mark leaving the arena that night to go after him, Jeff resigned himself to loving from afar.
When Jeff heard the voicemail, he was both elated and scared. He hadn't gotten a chance to talk to Mark since that afternoon and although he'd tried many times, he could just never build up the courage. It was something he couldn't deny the older man though, if anything, it was going to give him a chance to tell Mark how he felt once more. Jeff sighed and dialed the number he new by memory. After several rings, he was ready to hang up and just try again in the morning, but before he did, he heard the all-too familiar voice answer. "Hey Jeff," Mark answered. He could hear Jeff take a deep breath before answering and he scowled himself for feeling guilty all over again. "Hi." was all that Jeff could muster. After another moment Mark took the lead, "you got my voicemail." he said. "I'm embarrassed to be calling you now, almost 3 weeks later, but I really think we've got to get some things cleared." Jeff closed his eyes as he spoke, "I'm sorry for what happened, Mark. I really am, I just..." Jeff was cut off before he could finish his sentence. "Look, Jeffy," both men were quite surprised to hear the name escape Mark's lips. "We don't have to talk about this right now, let's just meet up somewhere so that we can talk about all of this. Can we do that?" Jeff took a moment to think before he gave his answer, "yeah. Of course." After arranging a time and place to meet up, Jeff and Mark hung up the phone a little uneasy, but glad that they'd get the chance to sort things out once more and hopefully for the last time.
xXx
The morning following their awkward conversation, Mark and Jeff found themselves at the hotel restaurant bright and early before they were surrounded by more people. Mark was there first, he waited just outside the restaurant on a bench. When he saw Jeff step out of the elevator and walk towards him, he stood up. Without realizing it, Mark found himself smirking at the usual nonchalant attitude and demeanor. Seeing the smirk Mark had on his face, Jeff quickly found himself relaxing, but didn't let his guard down. When he reached Mark, Jeff was unsure of how to greet him. Mark sensed this immediately and extended his hand to the Enigma. Jeff took it hesitantly, but the smile Mark flashed him told him that he had no reason to feel shy or awkward. "'Morning," Mark said. "'Morning," Jeff replied, his southern drawl quite evident. Mark moved to the door of the restaurant and held it open for the smaller man. Jeff nodded his thanks and stepped in. He waited for Mark to lead them to a table; one in the back of the room and tucked in a corner.
"How are you?" Mark asked just as the waitress walked up to the table, silently asking if they'd like coffee. Mark nodded; Jeff waved his hand and waited until she left to answer. "I've been better." he said. Mark nodded this time. "We've known each other for quite some time, so how about we just cut the small talk?" Jeff said, "what is it that you wanted to talk to me about." Jeff, of course, knew the answer and Mark was aware of this but played along. "Jeff, I'm happy with Randy." Already, Jeff hated the conversation and he showed it as he slouched down into his seat. Mark noticed and sighed, "I'm happy, but I'm selfish. I want it all. I want what I have with Randy and I want you back in my life." Mark added. Jeff perked up at the words he heard, but tried to keep his excitement down. "You and I have been through a lot; I guess we haven't always had the most perfect relationship, but I want to try for something, Jeff." Jeff swallowed, "And Randy? What does he say about this? Man, I know he can't be happy about this." Mark shook his head slightly, "You really don't think you give him enough credit." he said. "Even through all the shit that's happened between us all, when I brought this up to him, he was still willing to trust me. After all that he said that day about you and I, he still thinks it's for the best that we work this out. And he's right. Jeffrey, I love you, I can't deny that and I really don't want to. You were my best friend for some ten years and I really can't stand not being around you. I'm happy, but your friendship would make me even happier." Jeff wanted to lose it after hearing Mark's words, but he tried to keep his composure. "About all that shit that happened and what Randy said about you and me..." Mark stopped him when placed his hand over Jeff's. "Don't worry about it, Jeff," he said. "Randy and I talked about it and per his request, whatever went on between you guys will stay between you guys. All I know is what happened afterwards and really that's all that I care to know about." Jeff sighed out of relief, "really? That's pretty cool of him." "So what do you say? Is it possible to try and make some type of friendship work between us?" Mark asked after a few moments of silence. When Jeff didn't answer, he spoke again, "you know, this whole time, I can't remember you ever being open to the idea. You've made it clear that what we had before is what you want now, but I'm sorry, that's just not something I can give to you. I hope that friendship can be enough for you." Jeff gave Mark a half-hearted smile, "I do want something more. I still think you and I could work this out, but you don't seem interested in giving me another chance. You walked away from me and as if all those years together never happened, you went and found someone else. We've never even really talked about what happened; you just assumed that I was over you because you were over me." Mark could hear the anger coming through Jeff's voice. "You just gave up on me, never even bothered to talk about anything. You said you'd never give up on me. Ever. And that's exactly what you did." Mark leaned back against his chair; this wasn't what he wanted to come out of this meeting. "Why do you have to be so difficult, Jeff? In the beginning, you didn't even want to see or talk to me. Then I tried to be honest with you; I told you how I felt and you do a complete one-eighty on me. You want to be together, but I've already explained that that cannot happen. I've apologized to you; I've forgiven and ignored the stuff that's happened between you and Randy. I just want to get past this. Please. I don't know what else I can do." Mark pleaded his case in hopes that something would click in the younger man. "If friendship isn't something you can settle for then I'm afraid this is going to be my last effort. I can't keep running in circles for you Jeff." Jeff watched as Mark took out his wallet and put money on the table. Jeff realized it was now or never. If he didn't settle for Mark's friendship now, he was going to lose him forever. That was something that Jeff could not do. "Mark," he said just before Mark stood up. "If your friendship is all I can have, then that'll have to be enough for me. I can't lose you again." Mark sat back down and sighed when Jeff bowed his head in defeat. "Jeffrey, look at me." Mark said. "I know that we've both broken a lot of promises that we made to each other, but I promise that as long as you want me around, you'll never lose me. You and I have too much history. We both know how deep our feelings run, so if we can get this whole friendship thing going and if you still want to, we can talk about what happened. Now, I'm not saying that we'll be together again, alright? For me, that isn't even on the table. I need for you to understand that." Jeff nodded his head, "yeah. I got it." Jeff couldn't help but feel defeated, but at least this way he could still have Mark's friendship. He'd work on fighting for Mark some other way.
xXx
After leaving the restaurant, Mark felt a huge weight lifted off his chest. He wanted Jeff in his life, he couldn't help what he felt for him and he considered himself more than lucky to be with someone like Randy, who appreciated the feelings and was not afraid of them. He was quite shocked when after a few days had passed after the incident, when he brought up the idea of calling up Jeff, Randy admitted that, if he did talk to him, it should be about him and Jeff. Randy said that under any other circumstances he would have liked to have straightened out what had happened between them, but since he couldn't, he'd appreciate it if what happened stayed between them. Mark didn't need to hear the details. That was all he had to say about the situation. Mark was sure that he'd try to stop him and persuade him otherwise. He thought that Randy would have had enough of all the mess and wasn't willing to give him that freedom anymore. He was surprised, but thanked his lucky stars that Randy was as amazing as he was.
xXx
"I don't know, Matt." Jeff said. "I think it's a bit early to be hanging out and everything, man." "Alright, Jeff. I understand." Matt told his younger brother. "They're going to be there anyway. I just thought it'd be cool to hang out." Jeff shook his head, "Nah, I don't think so. I know they're going too, but we don't have to hang with them or anything. He probably wouldn't want to." Jeff said. He was all for starting the friendship thing, but he didn't want to push it and have either of them think he was completely okay with being buddies. Jeff wasn't sure if he was ready to see them together like that; he didn't think that he'd have the self-control to not do anything stupid when he did see them together. "Okay," Matt said.
Later that evening, a group of WWE Superstars were gathering down at the hotel lobby. Vince always thought it was best that he get the whole crew together once a month. It kept them out of trouble and many of his employees tended to get into trouble sooner or later. Jeff was there with Matt, Phil and Greg. They still had about a half hour until Vince would be joining them so they kept themselves occupied. About ten minutes into their conversation a group of guys coming out the elevator caught Jeff's attention. He looked over and saw Mark walking out. Randy walked by his side, and Chris just in front of them with Cody and Ted in front of him. They walked towards the center of the large room where most people were gathered and greeted everyone. Mark and Randy soon pulled away from the crowd though and secluded themselves in a corner of the lobby. Mark sat in one of the large chairs and Randy sat on the table next to him.
Chris found his way to the Hardy brothers, where they started a conversation. Chris was a bit upset still with Jeff and they way he had been acting, but he tried to let it go. As they were talking he noticed Jeff was a bit distant and was looking around the room quite a bit. "Hey Jeff, you're missing out on my fantastic story here." he said. "Oh, sorry man, head's not in the right place right now. Alright, so exactly how many sharks were you fighting off?" The group laughed and Chris stood there with a smirk on his face. "Funny, Hardy." he said. After being caught staring off after the two other men in the corner, Jeff kept his focus on what his friends were talking about and tried not to let himself get caught up in Mark.
Soon Shawn and Hunter made their way down and after stopping for a minute to talk to Chris and a few other people, they made their way towards Mark and Randy. "Randy, my boy." Hunter said, wrapping his arm around Randy's shoulders and patting his chest a few times. "Hunter." Randy said standing up. Hunter smirked at the younger man and then walked in front of Mark, extending his hand. Mark took it and Hunter pulled him up into a hug. "How are you?" Hunter asked. "I'm doing well, Hunter." Mark told him, a smile on his face. Hunter smiled and nodded, "that's great to hear." Shawn walked up behind Hunter, after having greeted Randy. "Mark, my old friend." he said. "It's been too long." Shawn added, embracing the bigger man. "Shawn, I just saw you last week and talked to you yesterday," Mark said with a laugh. "And haven't you missed me since then?" Shawn questioned, earning another hearty laugh from the Deadman. "Of course, Shawn. Always good to see you." Mark said with a wink. He and Shawn were extremely close, having known each other for twenty years or so.
The four men chatted for a while, until Vince made his way down and lead everyone out. Everyone was filing out; Mark, Randy, Shawn and Hunter still discussing something, made their way towards the front of the hotel. As Mark allowed the three other men to walk out in front of him, he looked up and into the crowd and noticed Jeff standing near the back with his brother and friends. He caught Jeff staring at him and as much as Jeff wanted to turn away he couldn't. Mark smiled at him and gave him a small nod. Jeff gave him a half smile and forced himself to look away. Mark chuckled to himself and followed the three other men.
xXx
After dinner everyone returned to the hotel and all too full and tired to go out went straight to their room, but Mark, Randy, Shawn, Hunter, as well as some others stayed down to have some drinks at the hotel bar though. Mark chose a booth in the back of the bar and allowed Randy to sit first and he followed. Shawn and Hunter sitting across from them. Before they ordered, Randy and Hunter joked about some trip Ric had led them on during their Evolution days. "Mark," Shawn said. "I was wondering if I could talk to you about something?" Mark looked at his friend, "of course, Shawn. What is it?" Shawn glanced over at the two other men at their table and then back at Mark. His brows furrowed a bit, "I'd like to discuss it private," he sighed and shook his head, "actually, it can wait." Mark took a minute to try to figure what it was he heard in Shawn's voice just then, but when he couldn't identify it, he figured there was only way to find out. "Well then it must be important. Let's leave these two knuckleheads to themselves and we'll find another table. How's that?" Shawn nodded, "thanks."
"Hey. Where are you two going?" Hunter yelled towards the two as they walked away. "The hell away from you guys." Mark shouted back, turning to smirk at the confused men. "What are they doing?" Randy asked. Whatever the reason, they figured they had walked away with a purpose. Deciding to leave them be, the two younger men got up and joined another table.
"Better?" Mark asked Shawn as they took a seat at a table out of ear shot of the others. "Much. Thanks." The Heartbreak Kid said. "Now what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?" Mark said, taking a drink from his glass. Shawn too took a drink from his glass. With a deep breath, he looked down at his twiddling thumbs and spoke lowly. "Mark, this is it. I've decided to retire." Mark sat back, a bit stunned. "Retire for good, that is." Shawn added. "Why? Are you sure? I know you're hurting, but have you actually thought this through and talked to Rebecca about it?" He had a thousand questions running through his head, but stopped to give Shawn a chance to answer. "I have thought this through, but no, I haven't talked to Rebecca about this. I honestly don't really want to. I know it's what she wants, but she'll never ask it of me. I don't want her to have to worry about this. I've been doing this for longer than I can remember. I was just a kid when I started. Now I can barely get out of bed sometimes. I've known what my career choice has done to my family, but having my kids look at me with pity and hurt because I can't go out and play with them as much as I'd like to kills me. It's at the point where Rebecca has to push me out the door to leave. I love what I do, but I just can't do it anymore. The sacrifices I made in the past for this are starting to out-weigh the reasons I stay. This is my decision, I'm ready to step away and I'm seeing it through. I can do it without you, Mark, but I really don't want to." Mark stared at Shawn, his mind deep in thought and his heart feeling for his friend. He knew too well that look of pity mixed with sadness that his kids offered much too often. Hearing the words echo his head, Mark snapped back to reality. "My help?" he asked. Shawn nodded. "I've got it all planned out for us. I just need a green-light for twenty-six from Vince and from you, of course. I know Vince will give the 'okay,' he won't like that I'm leaving, but he'll give me the green-light." Mark shook his head, slightly afraid of what Shawn was hinting at, "so what exactly do you need from me, Shawn? What are you talking about?" "Come on, Mark. You know what I'm trying to get at here. Are you really going to make me ask?" he said with a smile. "Why me? Why not Hunter? Why not Cena? You'd get a great match from them." Mark questioned. "I don't want a great match, Mark." Shawn paused and smiled at his friend again, "I want something to be remembered." Mark smirked, but couldn't help but feel torn over what Shawn was asking of him. "We had our match this year, Shawn, and it was amazing. By far my best match. You're the Showstopper, you can work a great mat-" "I told you, I'm not looking for a great match. I want something that people are going to remember. Retirement or not." Shawn interrupted. "You and I have always brought out the best in each other and we went out and proved that we still put on a better show than any of the guys on the roster. I'm asking because I want to do this up as best as I can and there's only one guy that I can do that with. You."
Still unsure of what to even make of the situation he was abruptly put in, Mark took a minute to first get over the fact that Shawn seemed dead set on making this his retirement and secondly that he was asking him to take the honor of his last match. Swallowing hard and running his hand over his face, Mark leaned in to speak. "You're sure you want this. Shawn? I need to hear you say this is what you want." Shawn looked Mark squarely in the eye, "This is it. I want to go out and tear the house down with nobody else but you, Mark. I want to step away with no regrets and know that I stole the show not because of the circumstances, but because we, once again, accomplished what few can do nowadays. You and me; The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania. One more time." Mark nodded with slight hesitation. "No regrets," he said. "No regrets." Shawn repeated as he stuck his hand out. Mark took it and with a solemn look on his face gave Shawn a crooked smile. "You got it, Shawn."
After Shawn gave Mark a quick rundown of what his thoughts and plans were, Hunter came up to their table. "Enough with the secrets, you two. What's going on?" he said. Shawn laughed a bit and looked down at his watch, "it's late. I'll tell you tomorrow, Hunt." When Randy caught Shawn getting up from the table, he got up and walked over. "Hunter was getting a tad jealous over there and I see he's here to take you back, Shawn." Shawn laughed, "Sorry about taking Mark away for so long, Randy. I didn't realize it was so late." Mark stood up and beside Randy, still looking a bit solemn over what all had happened in that time. "What were you guys talking about?" Randy asked, interested in what exactly had kept them for so long. Mark shook his head, "it was nothing. Why don't we get going?" he asked. "Yeah, come on, Hunter, you can walk me to my room." the smallest of the four men led the way to the elevators where they all walked in.
"No jokes, what was going on with you guys?" Hunter asked again. Shawn smiled, he figured the insistent questions from his buddy was probably due to him being slightly drunk. "You're hammered, Hunter. We'll talk about it tomorrow. Promise." "Am not." Hunter responded. "Maybe just a little, but I'm more than capable of having a conversation with you." Hunter defended himself. "Tomorrow, Hunt." Shawn said again. The three men laughed at the look Hunter had on his face. He was probably much drunker than they figured. Thinking of everything he and Shawn had discussed had him thinking about his own life; retirement, his family, Randy and as much as he scolded himself for thinking about it, even the momentary glance he had shared with Jeff earlier. Suddenly, thinking of all of that had him feeling tired. Mark wrapped one arm across Randy's shoulders and leaned against the cold surface of the elevator walls, where he let his head rest and his eyes close.
Finally, the doors to the elevator stopped on the floor that Shawn and Hunter were both staying on. Leading Hunter out by his shoulders, Shawn looked back before the doors closed and said, "don't worry about it, Mark. You and I were meant to be." He flashed a quick smile just as the doors shut completely.
- Short, I know. A lot of 'blah blah blah' before I got to my point, but still... review? = ]