Edge was poking Chris in the ribs. "Why don't you do a little ditty, Jericho?" he asked, trying to divert attention from the missing Austin and Calliope. He had seen that coming from miles away. Of course, Edge always knew when a couple would hook up. It was like he was psychic or something.

"I don't really-" Chris tried to shake his head "no", but Edge was already pushing him towards the stage.

"Don't tell me you're getting shy on me, Jericho," he taunted. "Sing that song you're always humming in the showers in the locker rooms."

So he requested the song. The emcee looked surprised, but looked for the track anyways.

The twangy guitar began, then lowered into a darker bass line. The drums were prominent, and Jericho tapped his foot to the song. He grabbed the microphone, holding it in the stand, leaning into it to sing.

++++++++++++++++++

Yes it's true that I believe

I'm weaker than I used to be

I wear my heart out on my sleeve

and I forget the rest of me

+++++++++++++++++++

He knew that his true self was never revealed through his Jericho persona in the WWF. That was why he joined WCW. Vince expected him to be arrogant and egotistical all the time. Jericho wasn't actually like that. All the time, anyways, he thought, smirking. Then continued with the verse.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes there's times I've been afraid

and there's no harm in that I pray

cuz I'm more frightened everyday

someone will take the hope I have away

++++++++++++++++++++++++

He knew no one would believe Jericho could ever be frightened. He's Y2J, the next phenom in wrestling. Until Vinnie Mac let him go for standing up for himself, standing up for others. He joined WCW and Shane O'Mac with a vengeance against Vince. Mr. McMahon, my ass, Chris thought. I don't call anyone "mister".

The music became quicker, the words coming quickly and naturally from Chris's mouth, even as he thought of other things.



+++++++++++++++++

But you gotta give it up

to get off sometimes

you gotta give it up

to get off sometimes

you gotta give it up

to get get off sometimes I know

But you gotta give it up

to get off sometimes

you gotta give it up

to get off sometimes

you gotta give it up

to get get off sometimes I know

++++++++++++++++++

Then she walked into the bar. He recognized her from the Hardy's party last weekend. Sharon. No, that's not right. Jericho wracked his brain, trying to think of her name. Shae? Shaelin, that was it. He remembered her, sitting quietly in the corner of the room, munching on hummus and pita bread, watching everything that went on around her. He had wanted to introduce himself, but suddenly felt shy,

Y2J felt shy around a woman. Was he losing his edge?

But now that he saw her again, he remembered why he was tongue tied. Copper blonde hair falling to her shoulders in soft waves, light bangs brushing her forehead. She was maybe 5'5", but carried herself so that she looked taller. The boots helped, those damned sexy boots, that Jeff called bitch boots. Calf high, laced up in front. Another short skirt, a red plaid kilt that fell mid-thigh, paired with a low-cut black v-neck sleeveless sweater. Very form fitting.

Lita has been helping her dress, he thought to himself, keeping back a chuckle. Lita thought everyone had to dress more sexily than they did.

But Shaelin had looked perfectly sexy at the party. Knee length black skirt, and a cobalt blue sweater set. Blue and black plaid tights, and those boots. Conservative was sexy, Jericho thought. At least it was a change from the way the women in the WWF dressed. Especially the mat rats.

++++++++++++++++++++

All the times I've given in

you fit me like a second skin

and one by one I will begin

to wear you on the days I'm feeling thin

++++++++++++++++++++++

Speaking of mat rats, Jericho thought, watching a girl with red and black striped hair walk towards their table in the back. She was practically on Shaelin's heels, and sat beside Jeff. The copper-blonde was perfectly content to sit in what was Austin's seat. She looked towards Jericho, her eyes showing surprise to see him.

Does she recognize me? His palms started to sweat at the thought of trying to start an actual conversation with the young woman.

+++++++++++++++++

But you gotta give it up

to get off sometimes

you gotta give it up

to get off sometimes

you gotta give it up

to get get off sometimes I know

But you gotta give it up

to get off sometimes

you gotta give it up

to get off sometimes

you gotta give it up

to get get off sometimes I know

+++++++++++++++++++

She smiled at him, quietly singing along, nodding her head to the music. He smiled back, belting out the next part.

+++++++++++++++++++++

You'd better stop, stop, stop

using me up

you'd better stop

cuz I've had enough

and I'm ready to forget the reasons

that keep me here

++++++++++++++++++++++

Chris watched her sapphire eyes sparkle at him. She was gorgeous. He looked straight at her for the next part.

++++++++++++++

oh, in the rain

you will, if nothing ever gonna change

good god, need a little love while

you find what you think you're gonna be, child

++++++++++++++

He smiled, looking away from her, closing his eyes for the guitar and drum solo, head banging to the music.

+++++++++++

You'd better stop, stop, stop

using me up

you'd better stop

cuz I've had enough

and I'm ready to forget the reasons

Oh the reasons

That keep me here

++++++++++++

Biting his lip, Chris finished the song, singing the last part quietly, eyes shut, trying to block sapphire eyes from his sight. He knew Jeff had a thing for her, or she wouldn't have been at his party. He also knew Jeff didn't really socialize with her, choosing, instead, to party with the mat rat that was sitting beside him now.

+++++++++++++

oh, oh, oh

you will, if nothing ever gonna change

+++++++++++++

The group at the table stood with applause, followed by the rest of the bar. Jericho knew he didn't have a perfect singing voice, but that song was perfect for him. He trotted back to the table, sitting back in his seat.

Shaelin was looking at him. He tried to avoid her gaze, but then she asked him a question.

"You like Matchbox Twenty?"

Jericho was stunned. Her voice was beautiful, soft, girlish and confident, all at the same time. He smiled, looked at her. "It was that song that made me a fan."

"I always liked Push," she told him. "I think Rob Thomas is one of today's best song writers."

"Really?" he settled down with his beer for what he expected to be a long and interesting conversation. "Why's that?"

As Shaelin started to explain, Jericho watched her hands around the pint of Guinness she held start to move, emphasizing her points. That was when Jericho first felt it. And it wacked him so hard in the chest, he almost couldn't breathe.

He excused himself, walking quickly outside, ignoring Austin and Calliope, who were making out against the brick wall, and got into his blue BMW, turning the radio on, trying to breathe properly. The last strains of "How You Remind Me" by Nickleback were played, mixed into the guitar strains of Matchbox Twenty's "Push". He groaned, turning the radio off, when there was a knock on his window.

It was Heavynne. He rolled the window down. "Can I help you?" he asked curtly.

"Why'd you leave?" she asked.

"I needed some air," he told her, his voice agitated.

"You needed to get away from Shaelin," she laughed, a tinkling sound. "You can't run from love, Chris." Then she was gone.

He groaned, banging the back of his head against his seat. Y2J doesn't fall in love, he told himself over and over. But the image of those sapphire eyes wouldn't leave his mind.

Or his heart.