Go figure that he'd pick the one time the floodgates of heaven were opening up in South Texas. His flight in had already been delayed due to the weather and now navigating the rental through heavy rain on only vaguely familiar roads wasn't exactly Hunter's idea of fun. And yet he was driving towards Shawn's home now to pay him a visit. Joanie hadn't been too thrilled when he announced that their romantic getaway he'd specifically asked time off for at work wasn't going to happen. She was still furious when he left this morning, but she'd just have to deal.

He sighed in relief when Shawn's house finally came into view. They'd seen each other on and off at the shows these past few weeks when Shawn was around for some more guest spots and even the phone conversations had become more frequent. However, somehow it had done little to ease his worries. Last weekend in particular had seemed rough on his friend. Hunter had actually been surprised that Shawn was the one calling as usually it was he who kept in touch, making sure things were at least remotely alright on Shawn's end. The pretense had been an easy chat, but Shawn had just sounded… off. Joanie kept telling him that he read too much into it, that Shawn appeared fine whenever they saw him on RAW – but she didn't know him as well as he did. So Hunter had made the decision to come here.

Turning off the engine, he wasn't so certain anymore. Even less if it had been smart to not let Shawn know beforehand that he'd be showing up. To be fair, he did leave him a message just before he boarded the plane, but that was about it. He'd just had this feeling that Shawn would try to talk him out of it or make up some excuse about being busy.

Either way, now he was here so it was too late to back out anyway. And he didn't want to, either. He grabbed his bag from the backseat and got out of the car. Only then did Hunter notice that Shawn was standing in the doorway.

"You missed me so much that you had to fly all the way down here to see me? Gosh, I'm flattered, Hunter."

He seemed to be in a good mood and that kind of reassured Hunter at least a bit for now that this plan might not blow up in his face after all. "Someone's gotta keep you out of trouble and for some reason that always ends up being me, right?"

"You've always been a glutton for punishment. Don't even try to deny it." Shawn was laughing and pulled him into a hug. "Let's get you inside before we get soaked."

Shawn had just started dinner so he motioned for Hunter to follow him into the kitchen. While he helped him prepare the food, Hunter finally got a chance to take a good look at his buddy. There was no way to not notice the dark shadows under his eyes. Shawn looked tired, physically and emotionally. For now he decided not to comment on it. That was a subject for later.

Instead of eating in the dining area, they sat down in the living room, hot plates of lasagna in hand. Damn, this was delicious. Hunter tended to forget that Shawn was a pretty decent cook when he was willing to make an effort. They fell into an easy banter and brought each other up to speed what had been happening since the last time they saw each other. Well, Hunter did. Shawn made it a point to steer away from all topics that might give away how he was doing.

"Man, I am thrilled they put the IC strap back on you. You deserve this, Hunter." Shawn was kicking it back on the couch now, feet on the table, and taking a swig of his beer. "Just wait, it's only a matter of time until they finally put the big one on ya."

"As Kevin would say: 'That'd be too sweet.'"

Shawn chuckled, but Hunter didn't miss the flash of sorrow in his gaze before he could look away. He truly believed that Shawn was happy for him. Most people in the back thought that Shawn had always only been out for his own gain, but truth be told, nobody was more encouraging than Shawn when those he cared about achieved their dreams. Having to put your own ones on hold was tough, though.

He put his glass of water down and turned serious, "What about you, Shawn?"

"What about me?" Seeing how Shawn's whole posture stiffened, Hunter could tell he was pushing his luck, but he needed to know what was going on. And from experience he knew this was the only way to get the truth out of him.

Time to stop beating around the bush and letting Shawn get away with avoiding the subject. "How's your back? What are the doctors saying?"

"Look, Hunter, we were having a good time tonight. Let's not ruin that, okay?"

The pleading expression on Shawn's face almost made him drop it, but that wouldn't accomplish anything. And Shawn would be even less likely to open up when he was hundreds of miles away.

"Come on, Shawn. I told you I'd be there for you. That's why I came. Your last call wasn't just a social check-in. I know there's something you're not telling me."

Hunter watched him get up and pace, restlessness getting the better of the other man. Another telltale sign he was getting agitated. After all these years most times he could read Shawn like a book.

However, he didn't expect Shawn to get all quiet. He wasn't even facing him when he asked, "Just let it go, Hunter. Please."

He wished he could do as Shawn requested, but sadly that wasn't an option. Instead Hunter rose and followed him over to the big windows that were overlooking the vast land behind his place. It was slowly getting dark, but you could still see well enough into the distance. Shawn had once told him that view was part of the reason why he bought this house. That it made him feel like the sky was the limit.

Shawn's back was still turned to him when Hunter put a hand on his shoulder. "I already know something's up. C'mon… Let me in."

Again, he was prepared for Shawn to lose his temper as Hunter was really pressing him for an answer now, but not for the clear display of defeat on his face. He would've preferred the anger.

"What do you want me to say, Hunter? That I am thrilled to be a fuckin' cripple?"

All of a sudden Hunter had a huge lump in his throat. "Don't say that."

"Why not? It sure feels like it." Shawn's voice cracked and unshed tears shimmered in his eyes when he continued, "The doctors are trying to convince me to have surgery soon. To fuse my back."

Hunter felt like someone had punched him in the gut. It reminded him of when Shawn's mom called in January to tell him that Shawn was in the hospital because he couldn't move. That had also been as if the wind had been knocked out of him.

"Happy? Now you know."

Shawn walked back to the couch, sinking down. It took Hunter a moment to get his bearings and do the same.

"Shawn, I…" Hunter was wondering if there was anything he could say to ease his friend's pain but understood there wasn't. Neither of them needed to say out loud what that meant. That a procedure like that would most likely shatter any remains of hope that he might defy the odds and return to the ring. As long as he was still rehabbing, there was a chance. Maybe a slim one, but a chance nonetheless. "Don't give up yet. You've only been at rehab for a few months. Maybe you could also go see another specialist before you make a decision…" He took Shawn's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Alright?"

Only then did Shawn look back up at him - and Hunter had never seen him so broken before. Not even after Shawn was told the first time around how extensive the damage to the disks in his back was. "By now I just wonder what's the point anymore."

Silence fell between them and he pulled Shawn into his arms. When silent tears turned into sobs, Hunter held him even closer, praying that his presence and support would offer enough comfort for Shawn to hang on.