Chapter 8

A/N: This series could soon be coming to an end. The way these boys are behaving is making it really hard to keep them in a relationship. It depends on how things continue to go between them. The day Punk and/or Julio turn on Raven, or vice versa, is the day I end this tale. Sadly enough, that day could be soon. The musi are upset and the "happy ending' syndrome is getting difficult. On the plus side, I'm beginning the America's Most Wanted slash. The beta asks for and the beta will receive. This chappie is a little shorter than usual.

The show: CM Punk and Julio were involved in the Tag Team Tournament, which they lost. Raven got beat up by Red Shit (Shirt) Security and was hurt. Instead of choosing Punk or Julio to be his tag team partner for later, Raven chose Sandman. But in getting beat up at the end of the match, Julio and Punk came in to save Raven, and ended up getting smashed themselves.

Disclaimer: Don't own the people or the fued. My only profit is reader response.

Punk leaned over the console and looked at Raven, who happened to be lying down in the backseat. "I know this is some kind of test Raven. And Julio and I are going to pass."

Raven sighed. This had been the running commentary since he had piled himself into the backseat. Punk and Julio had somehow convinced themselves that he was testing their honor/respect/strength by releasing them from the Gathering. He had thought they'd resolved this last time, but apparently not. "No Punk, I'm not testing you two. Like I said last time, I just think you two should be able to do your own thing and not be looked at like my flunkies."

Julio laughed from behind the steering wheel. "I don't think anyone sees us as your flunkies Raven. The crowd loves us."

"It's not the crowd that concerns me. I'm still worried about The New Church and Vampiro. And now that Jarrett's pissed at me, who knows what he will do. Something like letting you two get beat by those Red Shirts." Raven snickered. "Makes me kinda wish we were in Star Trek."*

Punk snickered, then sighed. "It really did hurt that you chose Sandman over one of us Raven."

"And deal with the fall-out from that?" Raven snorted. "Thanks but no."

Julio tapped the breaks, making Raven roll towards the floorboard. "Excuse me? The fall-out?"

Raven glared at him through the seat while Punk grinned. "Yes the fall-out. Say I had picked one of you and then lost. The other would have bitched and said that he could have won it with me. Both of you had already wrestled and I realize that you could have wrestled again, but you still would have been tired. Plus, I was hurt and couldn't give it my all. I wanted a partner that I didn't have to worry about getting hurt. So I chose someone who didn't make my heart spasm every time they got hit."

"I love you too Raven." Julio said. "But that brings us to say that you shouldn't worry about us getting hurt. We became wrestlers for a reason. Being hurt goes with the territory."

"I know that." Raven sighed. "But that doesn't make it any easier. Regardless of how badass the two of you are, I will still be hurt." He grinned. "What was it you said earlier tonight Punk? 'His pain is my pain'?"

Punk blushed. "Yes, I think that is about what I said."

"I know that is what you said." Julio said, reaching over to ruffle his hair. "You seemed to be talking to me at the time. Not like I didn't agree with you."

It was at that moment that Raven's headache chose to strike again. "Oh shit," he whispered, cause everyone knows that Raven would never whimper with pain. "Julio, how much longer till we get where we are going?"

"About five minutes Raven. Then you can get some rest." Julio tried to see the older man in the rear view mirror. "You going to be okay?"

"I'll be fine." Raven said, rubbing his temples and closing his eyes.

Punk reached over and touched Julio's arm. "Hey can you pull over for a minute?"

"Sure." Julio replied. "Are you okay?"

The blonde smiled. "Yeah I'm fine. I just need to get something." Julio pulled over on the side of the road and Punk jumped out. He opened to the back of the SUV and grabbed a small black bag. Reaching inside he pulled out a pillbox and a bottle of water. He slid in beside Raven instead of the front seat. "Here." He handed them to Raven and helped him to sit up. "Now I may be StraightEdge, but you aren't. So I got some Tylenol earlier. Take two." Raven did as he was told, then went to lay back down again. Punk moved so that Raven could use his lap as a pillow, instead of his arm. "Drive on, Julio." Punk commanded. "We've got to get the big baby to bed."

"I am not a big baby," Raven pouted purposely.

***~~~***

"Punk, I have got to move my arm." Raven stated.

Punk snorted and snuggled closer. "No you don't. Cause if you move your arm that means you are taking away my pillow. And if you do that, it means I have to move, which means Julio has to move." Punk never opened his eyes. At nine a.m., he thought it was pretty sound logic.

"I agree." Julio murmured from where he was spooning Punk on the other side. "Movement is bad."

Raven looked down at Punk who was curled into his side, using his arm and shoulder in replacement of the pillow he threw off the bed in his sleep. "Punk, my arm is going to sleep."

"Funny that." Punk yawned. "I think you should follow its example. It's a good arm."

"Blondie, your fuzzy, morning logic never ceases to amaze me," Raven smiled.

Julio snorted. "Logic was never his strong point."

"Shut up and go back to sleep, the both of you."

"Okay Punk. Sweet dreams."

"As you wish."**

A/N: * Now I am not a Trekkie, but even I know that the red shirted ensign always dies first.

** Love The Princess Bride.