I have no ownership of WWE characters.

Warren raced into the house like a marathon runner. He unlocked the bedroom closet and practically dived in. Patrick pulled the two bandannas off of a barely conscious Cody's lips, then he reached into his mouth and yanked out the washcloth. "My lord! I shoved it in there that deep?" He thought in shame.

Rhodes was coughing and gasping for air as Warren held him in his arms. "Oh Cody, My sweet, precious Cody."

"P..please untie me. Please." Cody croaked." I'll do anything you want. I'll let you have me, just please untie me."

Warren went to the kitchen to get a knife. When he returned, Cody closed his eyes and whispered, "Shoot me instead. Let it be quick."

"Darling, I'm not going to kill you! I'm just going to cut these nasty ropes. It would take too long to just untie the knots." He sliced at the thick cords until his prisoner was free.

Warren carried Cody to the bed and sat him up against the head board. After wetting a clean washcloth from the bathroom, he gently smoothed away the blood on the wrestler's wrists. He then kissed those wrists as if he were kissing a baby. When Patrick looked up, he noticed that his doll face was sweating heavily. He went back into the bathroom, laid the bloody washcloth on the counter, and then doused a new one in ice cold water. Warren returned to the bedroom and wiped at Cody's forehead with the cool cloth. He wiped at Rhodes' neck as well. "I hope this helps a little."

The Dashing One had decided that he was going to do whatever he needed to survive, even if it went against everything that he was as a person. He winced as he said, "Thank you…..baby."

Warren had noticed the wince, and said, "You don't have to say things that you don't want to. And for the record, you may have to deal with hugs, little kisses, caresses, and some ass slapping and such, but I'll never force myself on you. I'm not going to rape someone that I love and care about."

"But you'll keep me against my will?"

"You need protected. However, you are very right. A person should never cage the one they love. I'm new at all of this."

"I guess I just can't understand how you could be in love with me. You don't even know me."

"I know you more than you think. A good killer knows his victim. I had thought you were going to be my quarry, but that all changed as I researched, and stalked you."

"You stalked me? I never noticed."

"Again babydoll, I'm great at what I do."

Cody held out his hand and said, "I'm very sorry for what I called you. Being afraid makes people stupid."

Warren took Cody's hand and kissed it instead of shaking it. He ruffled Rhodes' hair as he said, "I know that wasn't like you. It's forgotten. I just hope that you can forgive me for binding and gagging you so horrifically. I didn't need to gag you. No one could hear you all the way out here. I was just being vindictive, and I could have killed you."

Were those tears Cody saw in his abductor's eyes?

"Hey, look, you came back to help me. That's what counts, and I thank you."

Warren embraced Cody then, and to his surprise, the young man did it right back. Probably because he was relieved to be alive, but Patrick wasn't complaining. He'd take the affection.

"Let's make some dinner honey, then talk about how I can help you without keeping you captive."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea. Can I have some water first? Pretty please with sugar on top?"

"Oh you poor sweet thing." Said W. "Of course you'd be thirsty after being gagged like you were. Come with me."

Cody did not resist when W took his hand. In fact, the two of them walked hand and hand towards the kitchen.