a/n- HUGE props to Jeff's Favourite Skittle and Lioncourt 619. I LOVE You guys. You're really great! I would love it is you would check out my other fics, too. YOU ROCK!

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chapter three

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Jeff pulled up in his driveway a little after midnight. It was hard to see through the darkness and the rain that had continued to pour throughout the whole trip. He parked his car in tthe garage before waking up Shannon. He gentley called Shannon's name until he saw his eyes open tiredly. Shannon blinked a few times to get his focus right and remember where he was before he looked at Jeff.

"We 'ome?"

"Yeah, Shann, ya wanna leave your bag in the car?"

"Ah didn' bring a bag, Jeffy, Kevin has all m'stuff."

"Oh, well, then, come on, I'll get you some clothes to change into and I'll talk to matt to see if he can get your stuff from either Kevin's or your parents. Alright?"

Shannon yawned, "Yeah."

Jeff and Shannon got out of the car and quickly ran into the house, trying not to get too wet. Shannon immediately collapsed in a chair at the kitchen table as Jeff went to get Shannon some clothes. When he returned, Shannon was nearly asleep again.

"You must really be tired, Shann. Here." he said, handing Shannon a pair of pajama bottoms and one of his old baggy t-shirts.

Shannon yawned again and caught the clothes that Jeff had thrown to him, "Man, before earlier, I can't remember the last time I fell asleep. Sorry for being such a bum on the ride over here. Kevin hasn't let me sleep in days."

"Days? Why?"

"He wanted me to be up all the time, just in case...or something like that."

"Damn it, Shann, you shouldn't have listened to him for so long. Here, let's clean you up and you can sleep in...well, you can sleep in my room with me. That is, if you want."

"Yeah, I think I'd feel better *yawn* if I had someone there with me. I been having nightmares a lot lately."

Shannon held out a hand and Jeff pulled him up and to the bathroom to clean him up. Then, he left Shannon to change and set up the bed so Shannon could get right to sleep. Shannon tiredly shuffled into the bedroom and collapsed in the bed.

"If I wasn't so tired right now, I'd go for a long hot shower. You mind if I take one tomorrow?" he sighed, pulling the blankets up around him.

"I don't mind. Just get some sleep, Shann."

Shannon yawned one more time and curled up to sleep as Jeff turned off the lights and climbed in bed as well. Jeff situated himself and waited until he could hear Shannon's breathing level out. Then, he got back out of bed, careful not to wake the sleeping blonde. He grabbed his notebook and started to write until sleep took him over and he had to go to bed.

The next morning, he woke up to the sunlight hitting his eyes. He rubbed his eyes of the sleep, suprised to feel a warmth against his chest. He looked down and smiled. Shannon had curled up against his chest during the night and his arm had slung over his waist, his blonde hair fell delecately over Shannon's face and onto Jeff's stomach. Jeff laid still for about an hour, thinking about the events of the past night until Shannon stirred to life. Shannon sniffled and ran his hand through his hair and looked around for a minute before sitting up.

He sighed, "Mornin'. Did I keep you up too late last night? You want me to get up so you can get back to sleep?"

"It's all good, Shann. Go take a shower while I make breakfast, there's clothes in my drawer, just pick something out."

"Thanks, Jeffy."

"You mind if Matt, Shane and Amy come over? They normally have breakfast with my on Sundays."

"Don't let me break tradition." Shannon smiled, going into the bathroom.

Jeff shook his head, laughing, and headed downstairs to make breakfast. This was gonna be a bit hard, cause both he and Shannon weren't too big on eggs, but Matt, Shane, and Amy were. He made Omlettes, French Toast, Bacon, and Sausage, then set up the table for breakfast. About five minutes later, matt called to say that they were on their way. A little while later, Shannon came back out.

He was wearing a pair of khaki's and one of Jeff's wife-beaters. He had his hat on and had pulled back on his trainers. He looked over the food that Jeff had set out and took a seat, pouring himself a glass of orange juice. Jeff tried to pay attention to his toast that was cooking, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from Shannon. It was like he was just seeing him for the first time. Shannon set his glass down after refilling it and looked up at Jeff, who tore his eyes away quickly.

"Jeffy, can you see the bruises and stuff on my face?"

"Uhm..." Jeff said, looking Shannon over again, gladly, "Not teh bruises too much, but you can see the cuts."

Fear flashed in Shannon's bright green eyes, "You think they'll notice?"

"Notice what?"

Shannon and Jeff turned towards the doorway of the kitchen where Matt, Amy, and Shane were standing. Jeff walked over and gave them all hugs as Shannon just stood up and hung back. Shane walked over to him.

"Hey, Shann, I didn't think you'd be here. You get vacation, too?"

Shannon tried to pull away as Shane gave him a hug, but Shane didn't seem to notice.

"No," Shannon said quietly, "I just kinda came here, I'm not schedualed for a week."

"Maybe you should call Vince, just in case." Amy said, also going to give Shannon a hug.

She stepped back when she noticed Shsannon cringe away from her.

"What's wrong , Shannon. You act like you've never met me before."

"Nothing." Shannon said, a bit too fast.

Matt took a seat at the table and pulled Amy into the seat next to him.

"Yeah, Shann, you seem....you're acting like your scared of us, or something."

"I'm not." Shannon said quickly, taking a seat next to Shane.

Matt looked at him, a bit confused, but he dismissed it. Jeff looked on from the counter where he was making toast and he noted Shannon's seeming insecurity. He placed the plate of toast on the table and looked around the table.

"Um, Shann, I think I remember where you put your cell phone, come with me and I'll show you."

Shannon caught Jeff eyes and saw that he was stalling, so he nodded and followed Jeff intot he bedroom as the guys started eating.

"You okay out there, Shannon? You look a little skittish."

"I don't know what it is, Jeff. I just don't feel comfortable out there with them."

"I can send them home, if you want."

"No, I don't want to ruin your breakfast, and more so, I don't want to ruin their's."

"Shann, if you're not-"

"I can deal. Really, just come on."

"You want me to tell them what happened?" Jeff asked, quietly.

"Not now. Wait till I'm not in the room, I'll be too embarassed to ne in there with them."

Jeff nodded in agreement and he and Shannon went back into the kitchen where the others were about half way through breakfast.

"You find your cell phone?" Matt asked.

"What? Oh, no that was his, thought it was mine." Shannon replied quietly, taking a seat near Shane again.

"You okay, buddy?" Shane asked again.

"Yes."

"Alright."

"Um, Jeff, I think I'm gonna go play backetball. I'm not hungry. Meet me out there when you're DONE." Shannon stressed, looking around at the people around the table to get his point across that he wanted Jeff to talk to them.

"Alright. The backboard's a bit wobbley, though."

Shannon nodded and left. Jeff watched him leave, before taking Shannon's spot and looking everyone seriously in the yes.

"Guys, I need to tell you something. Shannon, actually, needs to tell you something, but he doesn't want to since he's afraid of how you'll react. Alright, you know how he was going out with KEvin Nash? Well, Kevin got angry with Shannon and beat him up. That's not even the worst part. Kevin raped him." Jeff watched as everyone's eys went wide and their jaws dropped, "Now, he desn;t wan t a big deal made out o fit or anything and he doesn't want to be treated any differently, so can you guys just, take it easy with him or something? I mean, he's still Shannon."

"So that's why he was acting all strange." Matt concluded.

"Yeah. And, if you wouldn't mind, Matt, Shannon doesn't have anything with him and he's gonna be staying here. If you could, like, go pick up som of his things from Kevin's or something?"

"Yeah, no problem, I swing by later."

"I can't believe this happened." Amy said quietly as Shane nodded, not knowing what to say, "Is there anything else we could do? Take him to our house so you don't need to worry?"

"No, Shann's staying here with me. I just...I feel so protective, you know. I think I really love him. I mean, of course I love him, but I think I *love* him."

Shane smiled at Jeff, "Have you told him?"

Jeff's eyes went wide, "No! Not right now! It just happened, like two days ago. He's very vulnerable right now. I can't just come up and say, "hey, I know you just got raped and all, but I love you" That's be wrong of me."

"I'm gonna kill Kevin, I mean,how could he do this to him?" Matt asked, shaking his head.

"Don't do anything drastic, Matt, just go and get Shannon's bags and things, bring them here and drop it until me and Shannon talk to Vince. I don't think he wants anyone else to know."

A shriek sounded from outside, getting cut off and muffled. Jeff, Matt, Shane, and Amy all bolted up from their seats and ran out the door. Kevin was holding Shannon back, leaning on the car. He covered Shannon's mouth with a hand and held a knife to his neck with the other. Needless to say, Shannon looked terrified.

"Let him go, Kevin." Matt growled.

"Yeah? And what are you gonna do about it, Hardy, huh? Leg drop me?"

"Kevin, put the knife down and just let Shannon go." Jeff tried to reason.

"Oh no, I don't think it's gonna happen that easy, Carolina. Y'See, this skank...is mine."

"He's not your's anymore, Kevin, I thought you left him. I mean, it *was* you who beat and raped him, right?"

"I wouldn't be so cocky if I was you, Carolina. And none of you's is goin' in the house neither. I wanna see all four of ya's in front of me right now. Go!"

Amy clung to Matt as they all stood in a line in front of Kevin. Shannon nearly fell to his knees in fright, but Kevin yanked him back up by the chin, holding the blade closer. He moved closer to his car and Jeff could see that Scott Hall was sitting int he driver's seat, ready to turn on the ignition adn drive off at the right time.

"Kevin, just let Shannon go. You ain't gonna solve nothing by doing something drastic." Matt said, putting his hands out in front of him.

"You just want him for yourself. Well, you can't have him. He is mine."

"Kevin, please. Leave Shannon alone."

'And what are you going to do about it, Shane? Hit me with your superpowers? Now, you guys just stay there, don't do anything, while I take Shannon back to my house. With me."

Kevin started to make his way, backwards, to his car, still holding Shannon in his grip. Jeff and Matt slowly walked forwards until Kevin took the knife and jerked it to show that he would cut Shannon if he was pushed. Jeff gasped and stepped back a few steps.

"Kevin, don't. Don't do it. Just, let Shannon go and we won't say anything."

"No. He's mine!"

"Fine, Kevin. Just don't hurt him.Don't."

"Why do you care so much, Carolina? Is he your secret love-slave, too or something? You been cheating on me, boy?" Kevin asked, pointing the tip of the blade directly at Shannon's throat.

Shannon's eyes widened and he shook his head furiously, gasping against Kevin's hand.

"Kevin, we ain't done nothing. Just let him go, I care about him!"

"Stoppit, Carolina, it ain't gonna work! Damn it, you little fucker, quit breathing so fast and stop movin' or I'm slit your throat in an instant."

Shannon closed his eyes tightly and quit fussing against Kevin's hand.

"Kevin. I'm serious, let Shannon go." Matt said sternly, "I have a cellphone on me right now, and I will call the cops. I just gotta push one little button."

Kevin glared at Matt, "And I just gotta inch this blade a little farther and he'll be gone before you push the damn button."

"If you wanted Shannon so badly, then, why didn't you just take of as soon as you got here?" Shane asked, quietly.

Kevin jerked the blade again and everyone tensed, "I wanted to see the priceless looks on your faces when you saw. If I would have known that you were going to be this difficult, I wouldn't have hung around so long. Scottie, start up the car."

Scott turned on the ignition. and Kevin began to inch back farther to the door, until he was shoved forwards and he fell to the cement of the driveway. Chris Irvine had jumped him from behind and was pounding furiously in the back and on the head until he was shoved off of him harshly. Kevin quickly got up and got int he car.

"If you want the little fucker, you can damn well have him. He ain't worth it!"

Chris and the others watched as Kevin and Scott sped down the street. They ran over to where Shannon was kneeling on the drive. He was crying, his breath coming out in hard gasps and he held his free hand to his neck.

"Did he get you, Shann?" Matt asked, leaning Shannon's face up to his.

Sure enough, there was a long bleeding line cut into his skin. Kevin must have done it as Chris jumped him. Chris kneeled next to Shannon and pulled him into his chest closely.

"Are you alright, Shann? You okay?"

"I'm--I'm fine." Shannon gasped, grasping onto Chris's shirt to make sure he was there.

"Come on."

Chris helped Shannon into the house as the others followed them in.

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a/n- alright, it's two o'clock now, I'm gonna go!

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