(A/N) Hey guys. Well the story is winding up. It's on the home stretch, setting up for the sprint home. A lot of stuff will be happening concurrently in these next few chapters so please bear with me. If you are having some trouble understanding what's actually going on, with the timeline or even if you are just generally lost, (I know I am), don't hesitate to ask me, through emails or reviews or anything.

Once again, thanks for all the reviews. I really appreciate you guys taking the time to share your thoughts on the story with me. I try to improve on any criticism you may have and to consider suggestions. Keep them coming baby!

Chris had collected his belongings from the check out desk at the jail. He was standing outside the jail now, wondering what to do next. He had about 50 bucks on him and that was about it. He walked out to the main street to catch a bus towards the city. He had no place to stay. No place to hide out until night time. He would just have to hope he didn't run into any unwanted trouble.

When he got off the bus, Times Square was packed. Business men and women were out for their lunch break. Chris spotted a empty telephone booth, and walked over to it. He had managed to break his 50 with the cab driver and now, had mostly coins. Chris dialed Adam's home phone number, hoping his friend had complied with his request to stay put at home.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Adam. It's me."

"Hey buddy. I'm assuming you're out?" Adams asked.

"Yeah. I'm in the city."

"Hey, if you need a place to crash…" Adam offered.

"No, I can't. It would be too risky. I can't be seen with you. Not yet."

"Right. I forgot. Sorry."

"Don't be. Anyway I need you to put the next part of my plan into operation." Chris said. He glanced around quickly to make sure no one was near the telephone booth, trying to eavesdrop.

"I'm listening." Adam replied eagerly.

"I need you to call one of Cena's close friends. Someone who really wants to get at me. But also someone who is pretty high up in the ranks."

"Rey Mysterio. He's in a real bad place. He wont question any action which involves killing you."

"Good. Call him. Tell him that I'm out of jail. Tell him you heard from an inside source that I'm gonna be at the graveyard tonight." The graveyard was a little name that Chris got into the habit of calling The Undertaker's place of abode. A personal joke.

"The graveyard?"

"Um… The Undertaker's place. You remember him right?"

"Oh… that nut job. Why there?"

"Well, because he owes me a favor. And tonight, he's going to have to deliver. Just tell him to be there at 12." Chris ordered.

"But why Rey? I thought it's Shawn that you wanted?" Adam probed further.

"Well, I figure, since Shawn is in charge, Rey will have to run the plan through him first." Chris explained.

"How do you know Shawn will listen?"

"Shawn is not one to back down from an invitation. He'll bring nothing short of an army though. He's not stupid. Which is why I need you to gather up a few guys as well. Trustworthy people. Come armed."

"Alright then. So 12 o'clock tonight is when it's going down?"

"Sharp."

"I'll see ya there. Take care of yourself Chirs."

"You too." Chris hung up the phone. "You too buddy."

Realising that he himself wasn't packing any heat, he caught a bus up to Harlem, where he met with a seedy character, no taller than 5'4. Chris had done this guy a favor a while back and was collecting his debt. Come to think about it, he was calling on every single favor anyone has ever owed him. Everything came down to tonight.

After checking the gun's reloading mechanism and chassis, he tucked the gun into his jeans and pulled his shirt over the top. Chris decided he had no more time to waste. He was going to have to set into action, the last part of his plan.

The first call went out to Dave Batista. Chris figured that if Dave was so desperate to join, why not use it to his advantage. His whole plan came down to one thing. Chaos. He was hoping that in the ensuing battle tonight, Chris would get his chance to kill Shawn. Put his demons to rest once and for all. Since Dave was such a big unit, he would no doubt draw plenty of attention to himself, and away from Chris.

"Hello?" Dave answered the phone in a cautious voice.

"Hi. Dave, it's Chris here. Chris Jericho."

"Chris! Thank god." Dave breathed a sigh of relief. "I didn't think you would call."

"Well Adam told me about your interest in joining my gang. How could I pass up such an opportunity?" Chris coaxed.

"Well you see my situation is a little complicated…" Dave quickly explained his predicament. Chris wasn't really listening but he pretended he was all ears. When Dave was done, Chris replied jovially.

"Look. This Hunter situation will have to be resolved before we can work anything out, ok?"

"Totally understandable." Dave answered.

"Why don't you meet me at 12 Carrion Avenue in the Bronx. I'm staying with a friend there at the moment. Meet me there at 12 tonight and we can talk things through." Chris gave Mark's address to Dave. The desperation in Dave's voice made Chris feel bad for playing him like this, but his number one priority was to kill Shawn. Nothing else mattered to him at the moment.

"Sure. I look forward to working for you Mr. Jericho."

"Sure thing big guy. See you there." Chris answered. The phone was hung up on both sides. "Mr. Jericho" Chris chuckled to himself. "Never heard that one before." However, it was no time for jokes. There was one more person he needed to call. The final string was to be pulled. He had to call on his final favor.

"Hello?" Answered the rough voice on the other side of the line.

"Mark? This is Chris. Remember me?"

"How could I forget. What do you want now?" Mark answered. He really wasn't keen on hearing Chris' answer.

"I need a favor. A big one." Chris replied bluntly. There was really no point in beating around the bush with Mark. He saw right through it all.

"I'm listening." Mark said slowly. He didn't like the direction this conversation was heading at all.

"I need you to be ready for a fight tonight."

"I'm retired Chris. I don't fight anymore."

"Oh, not a fight fight per se. It'll be more of a mini war." Chris said cheekily. Mark didn't find it the least bit funny however.

"What kind of trouble are you in now Chris?" Mark asked dubiously.

"The kind that doesn't go away until you deal with it."

"Well then deal with it. I don't see why I have to be dragged into it."

"Because you owe me."

"You slimy sonova…" But Chris interrupted him beforehe could finish his less than flattering remark.

"Yeah I know. It's dirty of me. But if that's what it's going to take then so be it. I need you to be armed an ready for when I come at 12 o clock tonight. Do this for me and consider the debt to have been paid. You will never see or hear from me again. Agreed?"

Mark thought about it for a second. Chris sounded anxious. Almost to the point of being desperate. Mark knew better than to ask for further details, because he wasn't going to get any. Besides, he had a fair idea of what this was all about. Once again, Mark's old school integrity and his need to repay Chris' brother Rick, forced him to agree to Chris' request, against his better judgment, which was usually right on the money.

"Fine. 12 o clock. I'm guessing I can be expecting company."

"Hmmm… yeah. That's one way could put it. See you then Calloway."

And with that, Chris ended the call.

The scene was set. The final showdown was to take place tonight. And by the next morning, either he would have his revenge, or he would be dead.

Adam impatiently drummed his fingers on the table in the crowded diner. It was 7 pm and the place was packed. He saw the man he had been waiting for and sat up straight, face emotionless, fists clenched. The small Hispanic man took a seat opposite him at the table. Adam, who had a cup of cold coffee in front of him, didn't bother asking Rey if he wanted any for himself. It was straight down to business.

"Hey." Rey greeted him. "You said you had some news concerning Chris."

"Yeah. You heard he posted bail right?" Adam queried.

"Yeah I heard." Rey shook his head in disgust. "The American legal system is fucked man. They let a cold blooded killer walk the same streets we do? That's not right bro."

"I hear you. That's why I called you here." Adam began. He leaned in closer to avoid the risk of being overheard, even though the chances of that were pretty slim, with all the noise from the other people. "I got a tip off that Chris is staying at his friends place up in the Bronx. He had to sell everything just to get out of jail…I heard." Adam quickly added the last two words. He hoped he didn't come off too suspicious. But Rey didn't notice a thing. He was too busy plotting a scheme to kill Chris.

"So let's get him." Rey said hastily, already rising from his seat. Adam half shut his eyes in frustration and shook his head vigorously. He motioned for Rey to sit down again. Rey breathed a sigh of disappointment, but took his seat nonetheless.

"He's got company with him. We'll get killed if we rush him unprepared." Adam reasoned. Rey seemed to hear nothing of it, but lit up when Adam delivered his plan. "Look, why don't you go back to The 8th Wonder, and get Shawn. I'm sure he wants some retribution for himself. Go back and get him, and I'll meet you at the address tonight at 12. We'll smoke that son ova bitch out." Adam said as he wrote down Mark's address on a napkin.

"I'll see you there." Rey said. He grabbed the address and was off before Adam could even check if he spelt it right. Adam eased back into the chair, sweat beading on his forehead. This was going to be one wild night.

(A/N) So the scene has been set. The climax of the story is upon us. Stay tuned for the next chapter (which should be in a few days) to find out what happens!