Hello all! Sorry for the long wait between updates...Last week was quite hell-ish at work, and this week I had company, so I've been busy. I was too tired to even sleep today (sweatdrop). But, I have some down-time now, and you all get another chapter. Sorry this one isn't so long, but since the last chapter was a lot of Shawn/Hunter-ness, this one will be Taker-ness (with Kane-ness, of course, haha), and then the chapter after this one will be...well, you'll see. (smiles)

Thanks as always to everyone who has read this far, and a special thanks to those who review. I hope I don't let you all down!

The Undertaker woke up the next day with a sigh. He had grown so used to sleeping next to Shawn, but now he figured that he had better get used to sleeping alone again.

"Stop it," he told himself, getting up and going into the shower. "You haven't lost yet." 'Taker blinked once in absolute confusion as the hot water began to flow. "Wait…Did I just give myself a pep talk? Shit."

He stayed in there a good half hour before emerging, toweling off and taking a rare, long glance in the mirror. Vaguely, he wondered if Shawn preferred blonds, and decided that he wouldn't mind trying it again…

There was a sharp knock at his door, and 'Taker quickly dressed before opening it.

"Good, still alive," Kane said with an exaggerated sigh, letting himself in. "I haven't seen you in a while…How's it been?"

'Taker shrugged, not really in the mood to deal with his little brother. "I don't know what you're talking about," he lied, closing the door. A light blush crossed his face suddenly. "Kane--answer me honestly--do you think I make a good blond?"

Kane gave his older brother a completely blank look, and then slowly approached him, placing a hand on his forehead. "Hmm, you don't seem to have a fever," he said seriously. "So you can't be delirious…which leads me to believe that either you've lost your damn mind, or things aren't going well at all."

"Brilliant deduction, Detective," Mark said sarcastically, brushing Glen's hand away. "So did you come over for any particular reason, or are you just here to bother me?"

"Actually, I came to invite you to go out for some food with me. I'm hungry, I'm bored, and you're always amusing."

'Taker smirked. "Bored? Where's your boyfriend?"

Kane raised an eyebrow. "I could ask you the same thing."

The Undertaker's eyes narrowed, grin vanishing. "That's low, Little Brother. Real low."

"You started it."

"And?"

Glen threw up his arms, laughing. "You do realize that we're hopeless, right?"

'Taker grudgingly smiled. "Of course." He knelt down to tie his boots. "Let's get out of here, I'm hungry."

Kane smiled, glad to have gotten 'Taker to come with him with minimal coercion, and held open the door for his brother. He started to walk out as well, and walked straight into the Deadman's back.

"Why'd you stop moving?" he growled, rubbing his nose, looking over his brother, who was standing completely still, green eyes wide.

When he saw what 'Taker was looking at, however, he froze too.

Shawn and Triple H were emerging from a room--together--looking very buddy-buddy, to say the least. Hunter had his arm around Shawn's shoulders, and Shawn had his brightest smile on, laughing at something HHH had said.

The Undertaker's eye twitched.

Kane, thinking quickly, and thankful that he was still standing behind his brother, grabbed the Deadman by the waist and hauled him back into his room, shutting the door immediately.

"Get the hell off me!" 'Taker yelled, pushing Kane away, and going for the door. Kane used all his strength to hold him back, but couldn't keep him still.

"Damn it all," Kane growled, and grabbed a handful of 'Taker's long hair, pulling him down until they were both on the floor. He managed to get his one of his big brother's long legs between his, and he wasted no time in pinning it.

"Calm down!" Glen yelled over Mark's cursing, trying to hold his arms still now. He moved expertly so that he was sitting on 'Taker's waist, driving some of the breath from him and pinning him effectively. "I'm not going to let you up until you calm down!"

The Undertaker's green eyes glittered. "I'm going to kick your ass if you don't get off me," he threatened.

Kane shook his head. "I saw that look in your eyes…You're going to hurt someone if I let you up. Do you want to risk hurting Shawn?"

"I…I'd never hurt Shawn," 'Taker said, although the thought did quiet him somewhat.

"Maybe not intentionally, but you're fixing to kill Triple H out in that hallway, and you know Shawn would try to protect him."

'Taker closed his eyes and sighed, but said nothing.

"Deep breaths and count to ten," Kane instructed with a small smile, feeling his brother relaxing under him, sensing that he had gotten through to him. But his triumphant smile faded when those piercing green eyes opened again, so clear and beautiful and hurt at that moment that Kane couldn't help but blink.

"He didn't even see me," the Undertaker said softly, face and voice betraying no emotion. But his eyes... "I was standing right there and…he didn't see me."

Glen sighed and climbed off the Deadman, taking a few steps away just to be safe as they both stood. "Don't over think things, Bro, I'm sure he was just--"

"Just what? Just fucking Triple H last night? Just forgetting that I exist? Just being happier with him than he could ever be with me?!" 'Taker was furious, but the sorrow mixed it was making it worse. "Tell me, Kane, Mr. Expert: He was 'just' what?!"

"Look, I don't know what the fuck he was doing, but I know he still loves you!" Kane blurted out, his brother's anger inflaming him. "How the hell couldn't he?!"

Mark stared at his younger brother for a long moment, before finally blinking. "Thanks Kane," he said, a slow smile coming to his lips. "I just hope you're right."

"I do too," Glen replied with an honest smile, giving his brother a firm pat on the shoulder. "And if not…Well, I'll just have to kick his ass for you. I'll leave Triple H to you." His smile brightened when he heard 'Taker begin laughing, and Kane figured it was safe to head out.

"Now how about we get some food," he suggested, opening the door and peeking out. No sign of Shawn or Hunter.

"And by the way," Kane added, stepping into the hallway. "For the love of God, don't dye your hair blond. I don't think it'll work this time."

Review? Wrestling and DX-ness in the next chapter!

...And yes, I have a certain fondness for 'Taker's blond-ish American Bad Ass period. (laughs)