Author's Note: I'm not ready to let go yet, JaS! You just wait! Anyways, I
was actually planning to stop this all in two chapters, including this one,
but I think I'm going to pull it out a little longer. My first goal with
this story was to reach 100 reviews, but I think that now, all I want to do
is get it done and start something else. I am running out of ideas for this
one, so I'm trying to finish it and do something new eventually.
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Title: Undisputed chapter 13
Author: Hearts Desire
Chapter Rating: PG-13 for language, slash, adult themes
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Adam slowly helped Jeff to his feet about half an hour or so later..
"We need to talk, Jeff." he said softly.
Jeff was too tired to protest and allowed Adam to pull him over to another part of the hospital. Matt and Jay were getting something to eat in the cafe. They had always been closer to each other than Adam and Matt were. Though they were close, it just wasn't the same.
"Jeff, what's wrong here? What were you talking about back there?"
Jeff didn't even look at Adam, he was looking back down the hall where every once in a while, a nurse or doctor would filter in to Shannon's room. Adam lightly took Jeff's chin in to his hand, making him look up at him.
"Jeff, please tell me what is going on."
Jeff sighed shortly and shifted so his face fell from Adam's hand again.
"I don't know, Adam."
"Jeff, please."
Adam thought that Jeff wasn't going to say anything again, but Jeff took another breath and looked at his hands, which were folded in his lap.
"Shannon's always been a bit different than the other kids growing up. He was wild and out there, y'know? Me and him, we were best friends right away. We was on the football team together. He didn't play, but he came every day; every practice, every game. Matt thought he was a pest at first, same with Shane, but they both became friends after a while. Matt was real protective of Shannon and me. We were smaller than everyone else.
"After a while, though, Matt started acting really different around Shannon. I didn't know it at the time, but Matt was not only gay, but crushing on Shann. When he came out, he was maybe 18, about two years after we met Shann. He started, you know .... touching Shannon in the ring at places that I thought was totally wrong. He used to brag about it, you know, coming in after practicing with Shannon and saying things about it.
"I didn't like it at all, but I never had the guts to say anything."
Jeff took a deep breath before continuing, "When me and Matt were in the ring together, Matt would hit me and yell to get me to keep going and getting better. It really worked, I don't think I'd be as far today if he hadn't done that stuff. So, naturally, when me and Shannon got in the ring together, I used to hit him and yell at him when I thought he was doing wrong.
"Being small and going through everything with his dad and all that, it really changed him emotionally, so when I would hit and yell at him he would fire back or get upset. If I hit him too hard or he just wasn't in the mood to be pushed around, especially by me, he would yell back or shove me or something and I would just hit or yell harder. I should have realised that yelling and hitting Shannon just wasn't the way to get him to be better.
"Shannon's the kind of guy who learns better by watching or listening, not by yelling and hitting. I obviously pushed him way to far and he got scared of me, I just didn't see it. He started hanging out with Matt more than me, coming over to talk with Matt more than me. I guess that Matt took advantage of his and Shannon's closeness a lot, making Shannon believe things that aren't true, like I didn't like him or something."
Adam nodded, taking a few seconds to capture everything. Jeff looked highly nervous and Adam new that there was something big that was going to come out next and he wasn't sure that he WANTED to know what Jeff was going to say next.
"Then, like a couple of months ago, Shannon came over and he started acting really weird. He was distanced. I knew that something had happened, because he completely freaked on me. He yelled at me and shoved me out of his house. When I went back, Matt was there and he kicked me out too, telling me what I think is a load of shit. Later that night, I had the weirdest feeling I had to go over to Shannon's. So I did and Shannon was curled in to a ball on his bed and he was bleeding and crying, and shaking and everything.
"I cleaned him up and we went to the hospital and they said that he had taken a bunch of pills and tranqs and that there were signs of rape. I totally freaked out. I convinced Shannon to stay with me for a while. He's been with me since, but he was withdrawn and stuff. He started losing lots of weight. I knew I couldn't go back to work if Shannon was at home and sick. I mean, I don't want to come homefor vacation and find him dead on my couch or something.
"So I told him that he had to start eating or he had to find somewhere else to go. I didn't want it to go that far, but it's what I have to do. So, he started eating, but he was still losing weight. He looked a little better, but still losing weight."
"What's this have to do with Matt?" Adam asked, not really wanting to know.
"I think Matt was the one who raped Shannon." Jeff said stonily.
"You're kidding, right? I mean, your own brother?"
"Matt's got a dark side. It's obvious. Why else would he lie to me and to Shannon? He's always had a thing for Shannon and I think he's just gotten a bit upset that I like him, too."
"I always knew you did." Adam said, watching with Jeff as Matt and Jay made their wy over to a table.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Not if you don't understand the looks you give him."
"You think everyone else does?"
"No. Let's just say that I am a bit more experienced with those looks than most of the other guys." Adam sighed, "So what do we do with Matt?"
"I don't think there is a way to do it." Jeff admitted.
Both men thought for a minute, neither one of their eyes leaving the two men eating at their table. Then, it slapped Adam in the face.
"Jay." he said quietly.
"Yeah, what about Jay?"
"Well, Matt and Jay are real close, right?"
"Yeah. And?"
"Well, if anyone can get the truth out of Matt, it's gotta be Jay. Even you've gotta know that Matt's had his eye on Jay for a long time."
"Are you saying that we drag Jay in to this?" Jeff asked, turning to look Adam in the eye.
"I think, that if what you are thinking is true, he's our best shot to find out why."
"What if he doesn't believe me?"
Adam shrugged his shoulders. "I think we can risk that little factor. We'll think about the worst if it happens."
Jeff contemplated this a little bit longer. Matt and Jay were getting up from their seats and throwing their things away.
He nodded, "Yeah. Yeah, that would work. I think that if Jay really understood what I was saying that he would definatly be on our side."
"If I know Jay as well as I do, he'll definatley do it." Adam reassured.
Jeff inhaled deeply. He sure hoped that Adam knew Jay as well as he thought. If Jay were to tell Matt, there would definatly be hell to pay. He knew first hand how mad Matt could get and he knew that Matt wouldn't let it go if he found out what Jeff and Adam were thinking.
"Are you okay with it all?" Adam asked, almost telepathically reading Jeff's mind.
Jeff nodded slowly. "I mean, we have to find out if it's Matt no matter what, right? I don't want my friend to go on after this terrified of everyone with out me knowing why adn who did this. I know that Shannon can hold a secret forever and if it's because of Matt ...."
Jeff trailed off, but Adam knew what he meant.
*~*
Matt and Jay got their food and headed over to a table near the end of the cafe.
"What do you think that they are talking about?" Jay asked, watching as Adam and Jeff were sitting in the hall farther away from them.
"I don't know. Probably Shannon. But listen, Jay." Matt said, getting Jay's attention with a serious tone, "I really need to talk to you about Shannon."
"Alright." Jay said, happily taking a bite of his hamburger.
"Oh, don't sound so happy. I know why Shannon's here. I know what's wrong, at least part of it."
Jay early choked on his hamburger. "You do? What?"
"You have to promise not to say a THING."
"I promise!"
"Well, I think that Jeff made all this happen."
"What?"
"Shannon told me a couple of months ago that Jeff had beat him up, drugged him, and raped him."
Jay's eyes went wide. "What?!"
"Yeah. He said that Jeff pretended to be real nice and, so-called, help him out and when his guard was down, he drugged and raped him. He didn't want to say anything to anyone. Jeff just acted like nothing happened and told Vince that Shannon got jumped at a club."
"Are you serious?"
"Look at me, Jay. I would NEVER lie about something like this." Matt said, hiding his lie with a serious and concerned look.
"Well, what do we do?"
"I don't think there is anything to do. Except for keep quiet around everyone and wait for Jeff to admit it."
"Is that it?"
"I think so. I mean, if everyone acts like everything is fine, eventually Jeff will snap. He's a pretty big glory hog." Matt said, taking a drink of his soda.
Jay shook his head slowly. "I can't believe he'd do something like that."
"I know, it's hard to believe that my own brother would do something like that. And to Shannon, too. He knows that Shannon has a crush on him. Oh, it looks like they are heading over here, so do you agree to keep quiet?"
"Anything that'll help Shannon. I promise."
"Good, cause I think we can get it out of Jeff if no one said anything. He'll want the credit."
"I promise." Jay said, putting on a smile as Jeff stood next to him.
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Title: Undisputed chapter 13
Author: Hearts Desire
Chapter Rating: PG-13 for language, slash, adult themes
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*
*
Adam slowly helped Jeff to his feet about half an hour or so later..
"We need to talk, Jeff." he said softly.
Jeff was too tired to protest and allowed Adam to pull him over to another part of the hospital. Matt and Jay were getting something to eat in the cafe. They had always been closer to each other than Adam and Matt were. Though they were close, it just wasn't the same.
"Jeff, what's wrong here? What were you talking about back there?"
Jeff didn't even look at Adam, he was looking back down the hall where every once in a while, a nurse or doctor would filter in to Shannon's room. Adam lightly took Jeff's chin in to his hand, making him look up at him.
"Jeff, please tell me what is going on."
Jeff sighed shortly and shifted so his face fell from Adam's hand again.
"I don't know, Adam."
"Jeff, please."
Adam thought that Jeff wasn't going to say anything again, but Jeff took another breath and looked at his hands, which were folded in his lap.
"Shannon's always been a bit different than the other kids growing up. He was wild and out there, y'know? Me and him, we were best friends right away. We was on the football team together. He didn't play, but he came every day; every practice, every game. Matt thought he was a pest at first, same with Shane, but they both became friends after a while. Matt was real protective of Shannon and me. We were smaller than everyone else.
"After a while, though, Matt started acting really different around Shannon. I didn't know it at the time, but Matt was not only gay, but crushing on Shann. When he came out, he was maybe 18, about two years after we met Shann. He started, you know .... touching Shannon in the ring at places that I thought was totally wrong. He used to brag about it, you know, coming in after practicing with Shannon and saying things about it.
"I didn't like it at all, but I never had the guts to say anything."
Jeff took a deep breath before continuing, "When me and Matt were in the ring together, Matt would hit me and yell to get me to keep going and getting better. It really worked, I don't think I'd be as far today if he hadn't done that stuff. So, naturally, when me and Shannon got in the ring together, I used to hit him and yell at him when I thought he was doing wrong.
"Being small and going through everything with his dad and all that, it really changed him emotionally, so when I would hit and yell at him he would fire back or get upset. If I hit him too hard or he just wasn't in the mood to be pushed around, especially by me, he would yell back or shove me or something and I would just hit or yell harder. I should have realised that yelling and hitting Shannon just wasn't the way to get him to be better.
"Shannon's the kind of guy who learns better by watching or listening, not by yelling and hitting. I obviously pushed him way to far and he got scared of me, I just didn't see it. He started hanging out with Matt more than me, coming over to talk with Matt more than me. I guess that Matt took advantage of his and Shannon's closeness a lot, making Shannon believe things that aren't true, like I didn't like him or something."
Adam nodded, taking a few seconds to capture everything. Jeff looked highly nervous and Adam new that there was something big that was going to come out next and he wasn't sure that he WANTED to know what Jeff was going to say next.
"Then, like a couple of months ago, Shannon came over and he started acting really weird. He was distanced. I knew that something had happened, because he completely freaked on me. He yelled at me and shoved me out of his house. When I went back, Matt was there and he kicked me out too, telling me what I think is a load of shit. Later that night, I had the weirdest feeling I had to go over to Shannon's. So I did and Shannon was curled in to a ball on his bed and he was bleeding and crying, and shaking and everything.
"I cleaned him up and we went to the hospital and they said that he had taken a bunch of pills and tranqs and that there were signs of rape. I totally freaked out. I convinced Shannon to stay with me for a while. He's been with me since, but he was withdrawn and stuff. He started losing lots of weight. I knew I couldn't go back to work if Shannon was at home and sick. I mean, I don't want to come homefor vacation and find him dead on my couch or something.
"So I told him that he had to start eating or he had to find somewhere else to go. I didn't want it to go that far, but it's what I have to do. So, he started eating, but he was still losing weight. He looked a little better, but still losing weight."
"What's this have to do with Matt?" Adam asked, not really wanting to know.
"I think Matt was the one who raped Shannon." Jeff said stonily.
"You're kidding, right? I mean, your own brother?"
"Matt's got a dark side. It's obvious. Why else would he lie to me and to Shannon? He's always had a thing for Shannon and I think he's just gotten a bit upset that I like him, too."
"I always knew you did." Adam said, watching with Jeff as Matt and Jay made their wy over to a table.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Not if you don't understand the looks you give him."
"You think everyone else does?"
"No. Let's just say that I am a bit more experienced with those looks than most of the other guys." Adam sighed, "So what do we do with Matt?"
"I don't think there is a way to do it." Jeff admitted.
Both men thought for a minute, neither one of their eyes leaving the two men eating at their table. Then, it slapped Adam in the face.
"Jay." he said quietly.
"Yeah, what about Jay?"
"Well, Matt and Jay are real close, right?"
"Yeah. And?"
"Well, if anyone can get the truth out of Matt, it's gotta be Jay. Even you've gotta know that Matt's had his eye on Jay for a long time."
"Are you saying that we drag Jay in to this?" Jeff asked, turning to look Adam in the eye.
"I think, that if what you are thinking is true, he's our best shot to find out why."
"What if he doesn't believe me?"
Adam shrugged his shoulders. "I think we can risk that little factor. We'll think about the worst if it happens."
Jeff contemplated this a little bit longer. Matt and Jay were getting up from their seats and throwing their things away.
He nodded, "Yeah. Yeah, that would work. I think that if Jay really understood what I was saying that he would definatly be on our side."
"If I know Jay as well as I do, he'll definatley do it." Adam reassured.
Jeff inhaled deeply. He sure hoped that Adam knew Jay as well as he thought. If Jay were to tell Matt, there would definatly be hell to pay. He knew first hand how mad Matt could get and he knew that Matt wouldn't let it go if he found out what Jeff and Adam were thinking.
"Are you okay with it all?" Adam asked, almost telepathically reading Jeff's mind.
Jeff nodded slowly. "I mean, we have to find out if it's Matt no matter what, right? I don't want my friend to go on after this terrified of everyone with out me knowing why adn who did this. I know that Shannon can hold a secret forever and if it's because of Matt ...."
Jeff trailed off, but Adam knew what he meant.
*~*
Matt and Jay got their food and headed over to a table near the end of the cafe.
"What do you think that they are talking about?" Jay asked, watching as Adam and Jeff were sitting in the hall farther away from them.
"I don't know. Probably Shannon. But listen, Jay." Matt said, getting Jay's attention with a serious tone, "I really need to talk to you about Shannon."
"Alright." Jay said, happily taking a bite of his hamburger.
"Oh, don't sound so happy. I know why Shannon's here. I know what's wrong, at least part of it."
Jay early choked on his hamburger. "You do? What?"
"You have to promise not to say a THING."
"I promise!"
"Well, I think that Jeff made all this happen."
"What?"
"Shannon told me a couple of months ago that Jeff had beat him up, drugged him, and raped him."
Jay's eyes went wide. "What?!"
"Yeah. He said that Jeff pretended to be real nice and, so-called, help him out and when his guard was down, he drugged and raped him. He didn't want to say anything to anyone. Jeff just acted like nothing happened and told Vince that Shannon got jumped at a club."
"Are you serious?"
"Look at me, Jay. I would NEVER lie about something like this." Matt said, hiding his lie with a serious and concerned look.
"Well, what do we do?"
"I don't think there is anything to do. Except for keep quiet around everyone and wait for Jeff to admit it."
"Is that it?"
"I think so. I mean, if everyone acts like everything is fine, eventually Jeff will snap. He's a pretty big glory hog." Matt said, taking a drink of his soda.
Jay shook his head slowly. "I can't believe he'd do something like that."
"I know, it's hard to believe that my own brother would do something like that. And to Shannon, too. He knows that Shannon has a crush on him. Oh, it looks like they are heading over here, so do you agree to keep quiet?"
"Anything that'll help Shannon. I promise."
"Good, cause I think we can get it out of Jeff if no one said anything. He'll want the credit."
"I promise." Jay said, putting on a smile as Jeff stood next to him.