A/N:

This chapter is so long overdue I feel ashamed. So dear reader and even dearer reviewers I'm sorry. The only reason I have is not being inspired whatsoever for this story. For a while I was thinking about stopping it altogether, but I can't leave it unfinished so I will keep writing it. I will be wrapping it up in the next few chapters, I actually already wrote the last chapter and it was the idea about the ending that finally gave me some inspiration. I hope you all like the direction I'm gonna take it in, and if you don't, well… Tough luck, because I'm gonna do it anyway.

This doesn't mean I don't your opinion about it because reviews - especially long reviews that have ideas or questions in them - give me inspiration for this and that means there's less chance of my muses trying to distract me from this and make me write more slash.

As you have probably already noticed I don't hold myself to any timeline and I just use the story lines I liked and some I make up and none of them I use in the order they actually happened in. This chapter has DX in it. Why? Because I wrote the first scene somewhere in february when there still was a DX and I was too lazy to change it into a different tag team. I also ignore the draft even though my Jeri-muse is bugging me to write Chris Jericho in it.

DISCLAIMER: Not mine, but I want Mike, I want him, I want him, I want him and I want him now *holds breath until I get what I want*

In the meanwhile please leave a review while I try to will Mike into my house by sheer will. If he's not on Raw tomorrow I have done it. And no, I won't share him! *evil laugh*

Chapter 26: The big green monster called Jealousy:

Cody

I was steaming as I hurried through the arena. How could Randy do that to me? He had to keep his filthy hands off of my girl. I wanted to find him and make him pay. I wanted to make him hurt. For one moment the idea of calling Samantha came into my mind, but I didn't want to take this out on his family. I loved Alanna; she was the sweetest little girl I had ever seen.

Since I was running really late, I had to get revenge out of my head for now. I hoped Randy wouldn't be in the locker room, because I would spring him the moment I saw him. I shouldn't have worried. Ted was the only one in our locker room. He had brought my bag and I quickly changed, telling Ted everything that had happened today. He asked me if he needed to talk to Randy for me, but I told him no. I wanted to beat the crap out of Randy first, and maybe, just maybe we could talk after that. Right now I wanted Randy gone. If I could think of a way to get him fired I would do that without looking back. I was completely done with him.

"Oh Ted," I asked just before we walked through the curtain, "are we scheduled to get a win tonight? I forgot all about the script."

Ted grinned at me. "That's so cute Code, young love is so adorable. How could you forget? We face DX and yes, we'll win."

Ted and I had an amazing match that night. I called up all the anger and frustration I had in me, which made me even more aggressive than I usually was. This also caused me to accidentally knock out Shawn Michaels with a drop-kick that was a little bit too well aimed. It was a good thing that we were supposed to win, because anything else wasn't possible considering the state of mind I was in.

After I had showered and changed, I went to DX's locker room to apologize. Luckily Shawn was alright. I talked to them for a few minutes and when I left the room I ran into Randy.

"Cody, I was looking for you. We need to talk," he said calmly.

I saw red before my eyes. "I think you have said enough Randy. There isn't anything I want to hear from you," I hissed, "but you'd better listen to me; you'll stay away from me and you definitely won't come anywhere near Julia again."

And then I hit him. I hit him with all my strength and I put all my anger behind it. It felt really good. I should have done that ages ago. Randy slumped down on the floor. I had knocked him out. I hoped he had already had his match, otherwise I would be in trouble. I knocked on DX's door again. Shawn opened up.

I pointed at Randy and said, "Can you take care of that for me? I seem to have gotten the habit of knocking people out today. I don't know if he has had his match yet, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered." Shawn looked at me and then at Randy lying on the floor. He opened his mouth to ask me what was going on, but I already started to walk away grinning.

I waved my, now painful, right hand to him. "I have to find someone to take care of this for me. It hurts a little. See you later," I called over my shoulder to a bewildered Shawn and Hunter.

Julia was waiting for me at my locker room. She looked beautiful again, now wearing an amazing green dress. I walked up to her and put my hands on the wall on both sides of her, capturing her between them. I looked at her for a few seconds, silent, then crashed my lips on hers. I was still pumped up with adrenaline and I didn't think, I just acted. She didn't seem to mind. She answered my kiss with the same hunger.

We couldn't break apart. We kept on kissing, standing in the same position, my hands still on the wall at the sides of her face, her hands in my hair pulling me close. Her hands and our lips and tongues were the only parts of our bodies touching. Still, it was the most erotic kiss I had ever shared with anyone. It held a promise for the future. Apart from turning me on, the kiss also calmed me down. This thing between us was the only thing that mattered and it was finally going the way it should. So when I felt the choice between taking her right here right now against this wall, or ending the kiss, I chose the latter and slowly pulled away.

"Hi," she said, smiling sheepishly. Her lips were swollen from our kiss, her eyes radiating love and lust. I loved how I could see every emotion on her face and how I could make her feel that way.

"Hi," I grinned back at her, "Are you ready to go?"

Julia blushed. "I just need a minute to come back to myself. What did I do to deserve that kind of greeting?"

"You being you is enough to make me want to kiss you like that. But being pumped up from hitting Randy helped too." I smirked. I could still feel the impact of my fist against his face.

"You did what?" We both jumped at the sound of Jack's voice behind us. We turned around and I automatically put my arm around Julia's waist to pull her close.

"Sorry for the interruption, guys. I would have said something sooner, but you looked kinda busy. Man, that was one hot kiss." He grinned.

"Jack," Julia blushed, it was so cute. I rested my head on the top of hers, taking in her smell. "How long have you been standing there?"

Jack shrugged. "Just for a minute or so. I came to ask you if you wanted to come clubbing. A group of us are going downtown. But what's going on between you and Randy, Cody? I heard he was completely knocked out right before his match. John Cena had some major improvising to do to fill the time before Randy could make it to the match. Good thing that guy is a genius with a mic in his hands."

I just shrugged, "It's a long story Jack. We'll fill you in later."

Mike

I tried very hard not to think about what was happening right behind me. Instead I focussed on the whiskey I was pouring into my throat. She chose him and now she was rubbing my nose in their happiness. It made me sick. I made the mistake of looking behind me. She was dancing with him, pushing closely against him. She rested her head against his chest, he leant his head on hers. She was mine to hold like that, mine to dance with. Cody opened his eyes and stared right into mine. He grinned widely and winked at me, he fucking winked at me. I clenched my hand around my glass so tight that I was surprised it didn't break. I turned around again and with one huge sip I emptied my glass. I slammed it back onto the bar and signaled the bartender to pour me another one.

"Are you okay Mike?" Jack asked as he sat down on the stool next to me.

"Do I fucking look okay?" I pulled a face. "Have you seen what they're doing? They're practically dry-fucking on the dance-floor. How do you think I'm doing? And that fucking bastard winked at me; can you believe that he freaking winked at me? I'll kill him, I'm gonna kill him now." I stood up abruptly. I couldn't wait until I had my hands around his scrawny neck; that would wipe the smile off his face for sure. But Jack pushed me back onto my stool.

"Mike, picking a fight won't help you now. You're right, she made her choice. I know you think it's the wrong choice, but we'll just have to see about that. Do you really want to become the pathetic, jealous guy? What happened to being only in it for the fun?"

"That," I said bitterly while I took a large sip of my whiskey, "blew out the window the moment I started sleeping with her. Look at her," I started to turn around, but thought better of that, "Just look at her. She's just… you know… everything. She's my Jules, Jack. She's supposed to be mine, and now he has his dirty hands all over her." I drained my glass again. A few seconds later the bartender put down a new glass in front of me. "Thanks man." I said.

"Don't thank me, mate. Thank that pretty girl over there. She said you looked like you needed cheering up. She also wanted you to know that she'd be happy to help you with that."

I looked in the direction that the bartender was pointing to. On the other side of the bar a beautiful creature smiled at me. Automatically I smiled back and raised my glass. "Thanks," I mouthed.

Jack whistled, "You're getting lucky tonight, Mikey. She's hot."

"Then go for it Jack. I'm not in the mood," I stared down into my glass and twirled the liquid inside.

"Nope, she's not my type. But she's yours, you dig rock chicks and you're crazy if you don't go and do her. That girl just handed you the perfect opportunity to get your mind off things. No better cure for a broken heart than a good fuck," I looked at the girl again. She sat with her eyes closed, singing along with the music. As if she felt my glance on her, she opened her eyes and the look she gave me went right to my crotch. Maybe Jack was right about needing a distraction. My attention snapped back to Jack when he added, "And… don't forget Julia always wants what she can't get." He raised an eyebrow, "Have fun Mikey, I see some girls that desperately need my attention."

The next few minutes I spend alternatively looking down into my glass and studying the girl. She had short, messy, jet-black hair and incredible intense, catlike eyes that stared openly curious into mine when she caught me looking at her. She looked wild and interesting and when I noticed she was wearing a Hollywood Undead tank-top my decision was made. She was just my type of girl and ironically the complete opposite of Jules.

"Hi," I said when I sat down next to her.

"Hello," The girl said as she turned towards me, "I didn't think you would come."

"How could I not?" I chuckled, "Getting pissed on my own isn't really any fun."

"I couldn't agree more." She raised her glass and I touched mine to hers, "Here's to getting pissed together." I took another large sip of my drink and smiled when I looked into her green eyes. I felt better already.

"What are you drinking?" I asked her when I saw her glass was empty.

"Same thing as you," Wow… I couldn't believe I just found a girl with great taste in music and in booze. My luck had turned.

"But," I pointed at her glass, "If that's scotch, why does it have a paper umbrella in it?"

"Because everything tastes better with an umbrella in it," she grinned widely.

"Interesting statement," I signaled the bartender and ordered two more glasses of scotch with umbrellas in them... And the umbrella did improve the taste. It also turned my mood completely and soon we talked like we were old friends. Cat had travelled as a roady with several bands and now she worked as an agent for a record label. She had some crazy tales to tell and she was leading a very interesting life. The girl was almost on the road as much as I was. She was living a dream life and if I wasn't already living my own dream, I would see green of envy.

As the night went on, we were sitting closer and closer until she practically sat in my lap, my arm had settled around her waist a long time ago, and the flirty remarks flew over the bar. Every time she touched me it felt like an electric current ran through my body.

"I wonder," I spoke as I put an umbrella in her hair, "if you'd taste better with an umbrella as well." She smiled and leaned towards me to meet my lips halfway. Man, that girl knew how to kiss; slow and sensual, taking the time to explore, to taste, to suck on my lower lip, turning me on big time, until every thought of Julia was blown out off my head and I could only think about how fast I could get Cat naked and into my bed.

"Let's get outta here," I said. I threw some money on the bar to pay for the drinks.

"Sure," she answered, "Your hotel or mine?" We walked through the crowd, my hand on the small of her back. Jack, who had a blond girl in his arms, raised his thumb. "Mike," Cat asked, "Why is that red head with Cody staring at you and me as if she wants to kill us?"

I turned around to face Cat. "She's the reason I was feeling lousy earlier. But now I don't wanna talk about it, because you're the reason I feel amazing right now." With those words I pulled her in to my arms and kissed her again. Cat made me feel amazing. If Jules was jealous now, all the better. She needed to realize what she had lost. But going home with Cat had nothing to do with Julia, I did this for me.

Julia

I was having trouble focussing on Cody, instead I was staring at Mike who was getting it on with some emo-chick at the bar. I had what I wanted; I was where I had wanted to be for almost a year, so I should be happy, right? I shouldn't be insanely jealous of the girl in Mike's arms. I should be happy that he was finding a way to distract himself. Men did that. Men who felt bad, got drunk and screwed the first bimbo they met in a bar, while the women sat at home crying and eating family packets of chocolate ice-cream. I couldn't help wondering if Cody had done the same the last few months. Could I ask him? And would he tell me the truth if I did?

"A penny for your thoughts, beautiful," Cody said as he smiled down on me. We sat in a booth in a corner, tired from dancing. We were joined here by Evan and Zack at the moment. He had his arm around me and had been talking with the guys, meanwhile stroking my arm.

"My thoughts are worth a little more than that, mister." My smile felt fake and I hoped I fooled him with it. But as I stared into his eyes, I forgot about everything around me, I only saw him and everything I felt for him flooded me again. I was so happy I thought I would burst. Cody stared back at me, a big smile on his face, his eyes mirroring the same happiness I felt.

"What are you suddenly so happy about?" He murmured.

"Because I'm here with you, I just can't believe this is really happening."

"I know, me neither…" His hand travelled to the back of my head and he pulled me close for a quick kiss. At least it was supposed to be a quick kiss, but that first one led to more and then to another and another, until we were firmly locked together, completely oblivious to the people around us.

"Ouch! What the fuck…?" Cody suddenly let me go and rubbed his head.

Evan lay doubled on his seat, his head on his arms, shaking with laughter, Zack leaned back with a very satisfied grin on his face, juggling with an ice cube. "Told you I could make them stop, Ev?" And to us, "Get a room guys. I'm glad you're having fun again, but I don't have to witness all of it."

I giggled, blushing fiercely, hiding my face against Cody's arm. Cody pulled me close and kissed my temple and said to his friends, "We won't be getting a room, because we're taking it slow."

Zack threw his head back and roared with laughter, "Yeah I can see that," and to Evan, "I'll bet you a fifty that he'll do her tonight."

"You're on, but I think they'll last a little longer. Tomorrow, maybe Sunday."

"Hey," I glared at them, "we're right here guys."

"Oh, sorry Julia," Zack smirked, "we have ladies here, so let me rephrase that, 'I'll bet a fifty that Cody'll make sweet sweet lurveto her tonight.' That's what chicks call it, isn't it?"

"No wonder I've never seen you with a girl…," I smiled sweetly, batting my eyelids at him, "Anyway I would really appreciate it if you didn't bet on my sex life at all, no matter how you call it."

"What? Are we betting on how long you'll last in that taking-it-slow nonsense?" Sarah put the drinks on the table and sat down next to Evan. "I give it a week, where do I pay up?"

"Hey, it isn't nonsense," Cody finally added something to the conversation.

"It is," Evan replied, "I understand where it comes from, but it has as much chance to last as Jack keeping a vow of abstinence." Yeah, I had some great friends and alcohol made them way too honest. Well, we would prove them all wrong, we would take it slow and we would last.

With that thought I zoned out of the conversation and stared straight ahead, right in time to see Mike kissing his bimbo. I tried to look away, but I couldn't. I couldn't help remembering how it felt to kiss him, and I wondered if he had looked this happy kissing me. Minutes later I still couldn't rip my eyes from them and I saw Mike dragging her out off the bar. Well, wasn't she easy? I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to Sarah, who whispered in my ear, "Quit staring at Mike like that, it's obvious. You've got what you wanted, haven't you?" And with those words she dragged Evan with her to the dance floor.

I wondered if Sarah would ever get over her dislike for Cody. The only ones of my friends who were happy that I was with Cody were Jack and Randy. Well, who knew what Randy really wanted? And Jack would be just as happy if I was with Mike. I closed my eyes, leaning my head against Cody's shoulder. I was suddenly exhausted, as much by my own thoughts as the long day it had been, and the previous nights that I had spent virtually without sleep.

"You're exhausted, Jules. Come on, I'll take you back to the hotel." I opened my eyes to smile at him, feeling grateful. I wanted my bed and truthfully, I wanted Cody in it as well. Not for sex, but just to feel safe in his arms. But we couldn't, taking it slow meant a lot more than not having sex, we needed to be careful not to rush into a relationship.

On the way back to the hotel we were both silent. Cody had his arm around my shoulder and I leant against him. My thoughts were running haywire again. I was worrying about… well… everything. I looked up to Cody; he looked a little worried himself. I hoped he hadn't caught me staring at Mike earlier.

He saw me looking at him and pulled me a little closer; nervously he bit his lip, "Why does Sarah hate me so much?" Well, that was something I hadn't expected. I wasn't even aware he noticed it and I was positively surprised that he cared.

"Same reason Ted hates me."

"Teddy doesn't hate you…" Cody stopped and pulled me into his arms.

"Ted doesn't like me very much either. He didn't before and right now he thinks I'm having an affair with Randy. And he blames me for how depressed you were and he was damn right about that. He thinks I will only hurt you again. Sarah thinks the same way about you, without the affair with Randy I guess, though I think she wouldn't put it beyond you. Basically she thinks you're a jerk." I shrugged, "They'll get over it in time. They're our best friends, so it's their job to butt into our lives… don't worry Codes, we'll prove them wrong."

He still looked strained, "Sarah I can handle. I'll prove to her that I'm worthy of you… anyway, I'm way too cute to resist."

"You sure are," I stood on my toes to kiss his lips. "But quit frowning, you'll get wrinkles and that will ruin the cute look."

But he didn't let me distract me from his troubled thoughts. "It's just… you know, you're so close with Mike. You call him your best friend, too," he sighed, "and I'll never win Mike over… not that I want to, I hate him, you know that…"

"Believe me, he hates you too," I mumbled.

"I'm just afraid that Mike will come between us. I can't stand you spending time with him and I guess it's the same way around. And I can't be around him without wanting to knock him out…"

I bit hard on my lip; this wasn't something I had thought about before. I hadn't considered how difficult it would be to keep them both in my life. "We'll just have to work that out. Listen to me Codes," he looked into my eyes, still frowning, "He won't come between us, I won't let him…but, I won't let you come between me and Mike either. So don't force me to choose between the two of you… I love you, more than I had ever imagined possible… but that would be a choice I couldn't make. I need him Cody; he's the one who kept me standing the last few months. I don't expect you to like him; I won't even ask you to be nice to him… but I'd like to be able to spend time with him without you making it impossible." I shut my mouth; this was not the speech I had wanted to give. It wasn't really a fitting speech for a first date. But it needed to be said, so better now, than worrying about it later. If he couldn't take it, well… that was his problem, Mike had already showed me that we still were friends, and that was after I'd broken his heart.

Cody had completely tensed up while I was talking. He had stepped away from me and his hands were clenched into fists. I could see him thinking very hard. I could not read his expression; it wasn't sad, more like angry. No not angry, he was jealous. At the same moment I realized that, he wrapped his hands into my hair and crashed his lips against mine. He completely blew me away with that kiss and when he pulled away the only way I could keep standing was to grab his collar and hold on for dear life. Cody must've noticed that, because he put his arms around my waist and pulled me close.

His lips went to my ear, "Okay, you can hang out with him if you want to."

I started to nod, but changed my mind, "You can't tell me who I can be friends with, Codes." To take the sting out of my words, I pulled his head towards me for a slow and sweet kiss.

"Hmm… fair enough," he murmured, "But I can tell you not to kiss anyone else, right?"

"Fair enough," I grinned. He pulled me close and we stood like that for a few minutes, until I had to stifle a huge yawn and he pulled me along back to the hotel, up to my room. There I leant against my door, uncertain of what to do. One part of me screamed at me to invite him in and rip his clothes off, the other part screamed 'take it slow' and a third part yawned and didn't care about anything if it could get some sleep.

"So, did you have fun today, beautiful?" he had his hands in his pockets like he was insecure of what to do, too.

"Yeah, I've never had a first date like this."

He rubbed his neck, "I must say I had planned it with a little less drama."

I shrugged, "I guess there'll always be some drama when it's us."

"We'll just have to get used to that then. At least, if you want to go out with me again." I could only smile when I saw the insecure look on his face.

"Hmm… let's see, I might be able to put up with you again."

"Haha, funny…" He cupped my face in his hands, bent down and kissed me real tender, "I'll see you tomorrow, beautiful."

Review! Please! Now!