"Shanny, it's the only way I can think of to protect you," Shane pleaded as the blond rocked back and forth on his bed curled up in the fetal position. Tears streamed down his face and the only sounds Shane could hear were short, pitiful sobs. "I know it sucks," Shane sighed, sitting next to Shannon and lifting the trembling blond's hair out of his face. "I know it's not what you want. I'm not who you want. I don't want to have to this either, but I can't let anyone else try to hurt you like that again."

"It's not just that," Shannon finally whispered. "I hate that you have to give up your social life like this."

"I'm still smarting over the Kidman mess," Shane smiled wryly. "It's not like I've been burning up the sheets."

"But still."

"No," Shane said softly, but firmly. "But nothing. The other guys will become a problem and you know it. Those are two vindictive psychos." He felt Shannon shudder and grimaced, but he had to be firm. "Look, it's only for show in front of the locker room. I won't do anything to you you're not comfortable with, just kiss you lightly now and again and touch and hold you a bit more."

"It's not that I don't trust you, Shane," Shannon finally lifted his tear- stained green eyes to meet Shane's dark brown gaze. "I just hate this whole thing. I never intended to get involved with a guy after Jeff left me. I wasn't sure I was even going to sleep with Evan when things were good. Now suddenly I have to make it public, at least at work, that I have a boyfriend just to keep the other guys from bothering me. This isn't the life I imagined when I started wrestling."

"I know, kid," Shane said soothingly. "And I'm sorry."

There was a deafening silence in the room for a few minutes while Shane allowed Shannon to come to terms with the plan.

"You can say it, you know," Shannon said so softly Shane almost didn't hear him.

"Say what?"

"You can tell me you warned me about him."

"I'd never say that," Shane said a little more sharply than he'd intended. Shannon winced and closed his eyes. "Shanny," he said more gently, "I'd never rub your nose in this. I love you like a brother and I'd never, ever want this to happen to you."

"I know," the small blond acknowledged, opening his eyes and looking at Shane. "You know I trust you," he said very seriously. Shane nodded. "You know that I just want you to be happy and that putting off your dating to protect me makes me feel guilty."

"And you know that if anything happened to you because we didn't go through with this plan, I couldn't live with it," Shane returned just as seriously."

"Well, then," Shannon sighed. "When do we start?"

"Today," Shane said, relieved Shannon finally accepted it. "We all know they'll start the rumor mill as soon as possible to get a jump on us. They'll be expecting me to keep you away from work to recover, so they'll do their damnedest to tell everyone."

"Any idea what they'll say?"

"Considering the condition the Steiners and I left them in last night, they'll probably try to use that in their story," Shane hypothesized. "I'm guessing they're going to tell everyone that you and Evan were planning to get, uh, intimate and Rick or Scott burst in to break it up. Most likely Rick, as they want to get back at him for telling Scott about them."

"And how do you think they'll explain Juvi's face?" Shannon asked, fascinated. Shane could see that, though the smaller man was shaken from his ordeal, he was pleased as hell that his attackers were beaten so badly.

"I'm guessing they'll say that he tried to help," Shane said, shaking his head. "They'll think they have their stories cemented because we won't be there."

"But we will," Shannon said nervously.

"I'm sorry to put you through this so soon, buddy," Shane groaned. "But we have to take them off guard."

"Do you think anyone will believe us?" Shannon asked worriedly. "They can be so convincing."

"Everyone will believe," Shane said, smoothing Shannon's hair back again. "Rick and Scott will back us up. Stasiak, too."

Shannon nodded and looked away.

***************************

"You wouldn't believe those assholes," Evan told Rey Mysterio in the back locker room. "There I was with the guy I consider MY property and they break down the door to take him away from me. I haven't seen him since."

"What did he say as they took him?" Rey asked.

"Nothing, They knocked him out," Evan shook his head. "I only hope they haven't hurt him. I'm pretty worried about him."

"You think they'll show tonight?"

"Would you if you were them?" Evan asked.

"Well, I'll look out for them for you, anyway. You never know," Rey patted his arm as he walked to the mirror to adjust his horn accessory.

Evan smiled maliciously to himself. So far he had told his story to half the roster and they were all upset on his behalf. This would turn out well for him and Juvi after all. They would spread these tales while Shane and the Steiners helped Shannon recover. Then, when Shannon returned to work, they would corner him and tell him that the guys have been told their version of the story already and wouldn't believe him. They would further inform him that if he didn't come to them willingly, they would make sure the guys went after his good friend and "brother" Shane. Evan knew Shannon would do anything to keep Shane out of trouble and would very willingly return to Evan and Juvi. Evan could hardly wait.

Suddenly the locker room door opened and Shannon stepped warily into the room. Evan froze at the sight. He never credited Shannon with the balls to come in after what had happened. Still, he was alone. Evan snapped into action.

"Shannon, sweetheart, what happened to you?" Evan exclaimed.

Rey looked up and saw the blond standing awkwardly in the doorway. "Hey, man," he said gently. He didn't want to scare him. "Ev told me someone took you last night. Are you all right?"

Shannon looked from Evan to Rey and nodded. Just then the door opened again and Shane strode into the room locking his arms around Shannon's waist and narrowing his eyes at Evan.

"He ain't bothering you again, is he, honey?" Shane asked in a deceptively soft voice. Rey knew that tone well. It was the one a man used when he intended to protect what was his. Suddenly Evan's story wasn't holding up.

"ME bothering him?" Evan asked in shock. "YOU'RE the one who sicced the brothers Steiner on me to take him away."

"He was never yours," Shane growled. "I told you to keep your hands off him at least a million times. If we weren't in the same tag group, I'd have kicked your ass the first time you tried."

"Oh, but you decided to let someone else do it instead," Evan sneered.

"You don't remember how I smashed your head into the bathroom sink, Ev?" Shane taunted. "I must have given you a concussion then. Maybe you should see the medic."

"You didn't do as much damage as Scott!"

"Scott punched you in the stomach and low-blowed you," Shane laughed. "Everything else, well, let's just say I consider you a work of art."

"You aren't dating him," Evan looked amused. "Prove it."

"Enough!" Shannon shrieked. Rey jumped at the blond's high-pitched voice. "I love Shane, Evan," Shannon continued. "I've always loved Shane. Why can't you just take 'no' for an answer?"

"You never said," Evan began.

"I've always said!" Shannon shot back angrily. "Look, Shane and I were keeping our relationship a secret for a while because he didn't want to hurt Billy's feelings after what happened. They were together for a while. But I ALWAYS belonged to him while you were chasing me."

"Then why did you go out with me?!?" Evan argued.

"We went out a couple of times as friends," Shannon shot back. "When you started making advances I told you NO!" This last part was shouted with such vehemence, Evan stepped back.

"See?" Shane smirked, pulling Shannon back to him and brushing his lips against the blond's before looking back to Evan in victory. "I told you he was with me."

Shannon nuzzled Shane's neck, keeping his back to Evan.

"Shannon," Evan tried again.

"Go back to your concubine," Shane growled.

"But," Evan said.

"Leave him alone," Rey said, pushing Evan towards the door. "I can't believe you tried to break the rule."

Evan slammed out the door without another word. There was nothing he could do about this right now. But it wasn't over yet, he vowed. He was still aching for Shannon's sweet body. If Helms thought he could get away with this, he was kidding himself. Juvi and Evan would get what they wanted one way or another. This was only the beginning.

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