Authors Note: None of the characters you recognize belong to me. Told in Chris Jericho's POV.

You aren't the same guy I used to be friends with. Week after week after week you strut down to the ring with that Intercontinental title over your shoulder, demanding respect. Did you ever stop to think that maybe you'll get respect once you give it? You can't just go around demanding respect like that, Jay.. you just can't.

I wanted to confront you about the issue, but I knew better. I knew you'd just say I was looking too far into things.. that I was overanalyzing things.. so I didn't.

I decided to let things slide. I thought maybe you'd realize you were just making an ass of yourself and go back to being the Jay I used to know. Now I realize just how wrong I was.

When Steve put us in that match for the Intercontinental title, I'll admit I was wrong for trying to use the ropes to get a win over you. When you used the ropes and got the three count, I wasn't really all that surprised. But then I looked up the ramp and saw a huge smile on your face. That's when I knew that things between us were about to change.

Then, the next week on Raw, you strut down to the ramp once again and proceed to tell everyone how bad my Highlight Reel is. Let me tell ya, junior, if you were trying to press my buttons, you sure did a good job of it. Not only did it make me angry.. it hurt. You know how much that show means to me. You know how much work I put into that show to make sure it entertains people. That's why I attacked you. I let out all the hurt and anger inside of me, hoping you'd realize what this was doing to me. But did it do any good? No. I thought you were my friend, Jay. But as each day goes by, I realize that I've lost you.

I've not only lost you as a friend, Jay, but as a lover as well. You don't want to hold me anymore, you never want to spend time with me. All because of that stupid title. That's the most important thing to you. As much as I hate to admit it.. that really hurts.

I'm leaving you, Jay. I really don't see any other choice. I know that you aren't going to change. That title is always going to be your number one priority.. and.. I just can't do this anymore.

I knock on your hotel room door, hoping you'll still be awake. You open the door and the first thing I see is that title over your shoulder. My god Jay.. you're really starting to scare me.

Seeing that you aren't going to be the first to speak, I start the conversation. "Jay, we need to talk."

"Can't it wait until tomorrow or something?" you ask, in a slightly annoyed tone.

I let myself into your room, refusing to let you talk me down like that. "No Jay, we need to talk now. I'm sorry, but this needs to be said. You're completely out of control!! You cheat in order to get a win over me, you talk trash about my show, you refuse to spend time with me.. and.. I'm sorry, but.. if that title is going to be the most important thing in your life, then we're through."

You shrug slightly and say, "I'm sorry you feel that way, Chris" then walk over to the door, opening it.

Shaking my head sadly, I walk out of your room, glancing back at you for a few seconds, then make my way down the hall.

I walk down the hallway to my room then press my back against the door, slowly sliding myself down to the floor, burying my face in my hands, and letting tears stream down my cheeks.

I never knew loving you would hurt this much.