PLAYGROUND

Disclaimer: M-X, WWE, don't own 'em. Enjoy!

"Edge, give me a minute." Hunter 'asked' while pulling the man away from the weight room. "We need to talk."

"So talk." The taller blonde smirked. "What's up?"

"I got a match against Mulwray tonight at the House show-"

"And you want a little interference."

Hunter grinned at the younger man before throwing an arm around his shoulder. "Consider it insurance. Besides, you ringside might …I don't know, ensure a little way making for you and Jordan."

Edge lowered his head as a smile crossed his face. "Jordan, huh?"

"Yeah, man."

"There's no need for that." Hunter watched the man walk a little ways ahead of him to grab a water bottle from the vending machine. "And this isn't about me and J. It's about you and 'Ms. Fox'." The younger man wiggled his eyebrows at the wrestler, who in turned rolled his eyes. "Even if J and I had a chance, you just want Brennan out the way- period."

"Whoa…If you and J had a chance? You've been chasing the woman since she started with Raw."

"And who's idea was that?" Edge replied before gulping down half the bottle.

"Hey, you were the one who told me she healed you." Hunter accused before crossing his arms.

"Yeah, after you started all this shit about feral mutants."

"And she proved me right. You were the one feeding me all the info she gave out."

"Again," Edge smirked before throwing the empty bottle in the trash. "Who's idea was that?"

"Look," Triple H said while lowering his voice. "She only proved right what I knew. And it helped you to understand this whole thing that makes you so 'different'. You were the one trying to get in Jordan's pants."

"Well, you got in Shalimar's and got the info you were looking for. I respect J, and she is hot, but we've done enough damage. At this point, Mulwray shouldn't be a problem."

"That's where you're wrong, junior. Sparky's hungry and he's pissed. You're working on assumptions, and I'm making it absolute. You may be done with J, that's fine. But Brennan cannot stay in the WWE."

"And Shalimar can." Edge could have laughed when Hunter's face softened at mention of the blonde. "Do you think that if Mutant X leaves, she won't go with them? Her loyalties have belonged to them a lot longer than you. Does she even know just how you're connected to her?"

"She will, eventually. Anyway, are you ringside tonight or what?"

Edge's eyes narrowed as his arms crossed. "Alright. I've been looking to get at him anyway." The man paused mid sentence when Lita walked past waving at them.

Hunter's face slipped into that all knowing grin. "The red head…nice."

"I know."

"How long have you two been 'hangin' out?"

"A few weeks." The taller man replied.

"Figures. Doesn't matter anyway, Orton's startin' to chase J." Hunter slapped a hand on the man's shoulder, interrupting the sudden frown. "See ya ringside."

Torn. It was the word to best describe things. Even now, the woman sat at an irony of crossroads where her past and present seemed to collide. There'd always been private jokes, what ifs about Mutant X and WWE that kept the woman giggling at times. Bu now, she was divided. Both protective and on guard, the regenerative know as Jordan Waters found herself, trying to save everyone lately. Even the gray-haired man that sat across the desk had her questioning her loyalty.

"Vince?" She'd said for the second time. "You were saying?"

He snapped from the now constant thoughts of Adam and all these 'new mutants' made both by Kane's hand and procreation. Even this young woman who'd he come to care for was on of them. "These new investors, some outside corporation suddenly took interest in the WWE."

"But you're fully funded." Jordan frowned.

"They don't care. Sometimes people just don't have best interests in mind." He grinned. "But you know that."

"Unfortunately, I do. Some people are all about the name."

"Jordan, my family built this from the ground up…" He began. "And I've seen some amazing things –truly amazing. These athletes are like my kids- hell, sometimes, I like em more than my own." He grinned at her sudden laugh before moving to stand up. "Truth is I'd do anything to protect this life."

"I believe you."

"I know you do." Vince replied. "A lot has gone on lately, especially with the addition of your friends and all. I know you're spreading yourself thin with looking out for everyone."

The raven-haired woman smiled before sitting up in her seat. "I've grown to love this life as much as you."

"And, obviously, it's a lot different from the one you had with Adam."

"In a manner of speaking," She began. "What can I say? Both have their extremities."

"Well, I appreciate what you've done. So, I'm giving you tonight off. Go sit in the crowd, watch the show without having to think about it. And take Pierce and Kilmartin."

Her bow rose at the offer. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah! It's just a house show, and we have enough people on hand. Go on; take some time for yourself."

"…Okay." Jordan replied before standing. "My phone's on if you need me."

"Have fun… Hunter and Mulwray are the main event. And I have something special in mind for Shalimar. Believe me, tonight will be an amazing show."

House shows and Monday nights were two different extremes. While a lot of production went into Raw, the weekly shows were more about action- and tended to be more brutal. The crowds were rowdy and really, 'really' passionate about the event. And since Brennan had been introduced into these long before his TV debut, he was already forming a following. But that was far from his mind. Even know, he trained intensely and alone in the empty gym. After weight training, and some shadow boxing, the elemental found himself slipping back into old martial arts moves (a lot of which were illegal to use in wrestling). Long legs sliced the air in swift kicks, while his arms pummeled with faster punches. The mutant was in rare form, not familiar since the days in sanctuary –when he used to spar with Shalimar.

That made him stop.

Things had more than changed; they shattered. And suddenly, Brennan Mulwray, the former gangster and street fighter, found himself beaten. He was unrecognizable to himself and that made him sick. And it was all because of a woman.

Granted, Shalimar wasn't just any woman. She was the first to reach him in a long time, and the first to make him question his life- a life after Mutant X. One with a house, kids and her bad cooking for dinner (of course, he never said anything).

And even though her betrayal stung, the man partially blamed himself. Maybe if he'd shut up about feral's and Jordan…and Hunter, they might have survived all this. And instead of the arguing and brawls, the feral would be with him, where she belonged.

"Shit." He muttered while moving to stretch.

"Dude," Randy Orton smirked as he walked up "Shit is no way to greet the legend killer."

"Sorry man." Brennan exhaled while reaching for a towel. "Just thinkin'."

"I know. I heard about the fights dude. I'm sorry about you and Shalimar."

"Thanks."

"Believe me, I would have paid to see Hunter fly over that food cart- but that's something else." Brennan cracked his first smile that day and moved to lean on one of the weight machines. "I know you and Hunter are in the ring tonight and word came down that Edge is in on it."

"Edge?" The elemental frowned. "What does he want?"

"I don't know, but he and Triple H have been all chummy lately. So, how about I back you up tonight?"

"I'd appreciate that…since when are those two tight?"

"I don't know. Since Dave and myself left Evolution, Hunter and Rick are looking for recruits. You know first hand, the politics that go on around here. But they've been hangin together a little before you guys showed up. It was about the time Edge started in with Lita."

"Started in, as in goin' out?"

The young feral snickered at him. "What they do is hardly going out…"

"…So, he never had intentions on Jordan."

" I bet he was trying to get in her pants. But J's a smart girl, she held him off." Randy saw the wheels of thought beginning to turn in Brennan's head. "As for Shalimar, Watch out. Hunter's done his share of playing but this seems different."

"Believe me, I know." Brennan replied. "And right now, I don't care." He lied. "So when do you want to warm up?"

"A few minutes before. Meet you back here?"

"Sure…and thanks, man."

"No problem." Randy grinned. "Somebody's gotta have your back."

The crowd was thick as Lexa and Jesse sat down. Vince made sure they got excellent seats, a few rows back from ringside. And while the molecular was happy to be in the chaos, his girlfriend rolled her eyes.

"Lex," The blond grinned before throwing an arm around her. "You bought beer?"

"Believe me, I need one. Especially if we're sitting in this madness. Why couldn't Vince give us a skybox?"

"He likes to get input on what the crowd's thinking. It's a little experiment he likes to run."

"I bet." The brunette replied. "So where's J?"

"Right here." The woman responded before sitting down next to her friend. "Beer? Where's mine?"

"She didn't bring me one either." The molecular said. "And WE have sex!"

"Funny, Rocky." Lexa groaned. "Tonight, you can 'do it' by yourself."

"Okay, this really is too much information." Jordan grinned. "Did you see Shal?"

"Yeah." Jesse exhaled.

"How's she doin?"

"Well, the match'll be fine." He began. "But Lex and I have an idea about this Hunter thing."

"And we could use your help." The brunette interrupted. "It just may work."

"Hey, I'm in." She replied as the lights began to settle. "Let's enjoy the show!"

The show had opened with a set of fierce matches that had the crowd pumped. Now, Vince stood back watching Brennan and Randy line up to go out. Of course the new guy would be first, but his partner would have the crowd shaking. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Hunter and Shalimar as he warmed up. Edge soon appeared with them, and engaged in conversation. The man grinned to himself; if they all didn't kill each other it would be one hell of a match. Soon, Brennan's theme music had him walking out to a roaring crowd. Once he was in the ring, everyone was roaring- especially the three teammates who managed to be the loudest. The buzz of Randy's music only had the place getting louder.

"Who knew Orton looked that good in those ring trucks." Lexa grinned.

Jordan raised her hand before the women broke out laughing.

"I am sitting with you guys." Jesse groaned. Lexa only kissed him on the cheek before leaning on the man's arm.

"Come on, Rocky. You look good in anything."

The man turned his blue eyes to her, before stealing the beer. "Well, duh."

"Hey Lex, How much did you win from Chris and Randy the other night?"

"Well, let's just say they're both still pissed." Again they stood up and cheered as the feral climbed in the ring. He slapped hands with Brennan before jumping up on the ring corner. That soon interrupted with Edge's music. Once the flash of smoke and lights roared, the blonde moved down the isle, pulling the people to their feet. He was just outside the ring, when Hunter's music began.

This time, he walked down alone, the title wrapped around his waist. The crowd loved to hate him, which only fueled their fire. The large feral stopped just short of the ring, whispering to Edge before they climbed in the ring. Shalimar saw all this from backstage, her eyes intent on the match. Soon, the bell rang and all four men with all four men brawling.

IT was a long match by house show standards, but the crowd loved them for it. Every brutal punch and kick was countered by interference or some highflying move. But the fans itched for Hunter and Brennan. It was still fresh on their minds that the new comer had been hit twice with a sledgehammer by the game (that, and they showed it on the jumbo tron before the match). Now, it was just the feral and the elemental circling slowly. But Brennan was alert.

A little into the match, he'd caught on that something was edging the three men's nerves and with the pace of the show, he had yet to ask Randy just what it was. So when he pulled off a spinning back kick on Hunter, sending the man on his back, he took the time to see. Brennan turned slowly, scanning the crowd who screamed for him. He knew looking head on into them was his only option; suddenly his eyes were wide and back on Hunter. The large feral knew what was up.

"Something's up?" Jesse said as he stood. "Did you see how he watched the crowd? Somebody's out there."

Lexa and Jordan were on their feet as well, not to mention a wide-eyed Shalimar. From behind the curtain, the feral felt her senses snap on and was clenching her nails into the wall. Every inch of her nerves propelled the woman till she began to move. A hand grasped her shoulder.

Thinking it was Vince; she turned to face him, but only caught a shadow.

"Don't go out there." He said. "Let them finish and come back in to you."

Her brown eyes seemed to bulge as the woman stepped back. The figure emerging out, grinned at her as only he could and made mo attempt to move. "Oh God…" She gasped. "Adam…"

The elemental was on his feet and turning back to Hunter. They'd seen his teammates split and head in different directions towards the back stage. Hunter stepped forward. "Finish the match," He barely mouthed. "Get the crowd out of here."

Randy was screaming the same thing from his corner while Edge seemed to snarl as he paced ringside. Suddenly hitting Hunter with a kick, Brennan spun back around and pinned the man, till he tapped out to the crowd's roar. With the match over, the men began to disband with Triple H and Edge ringside while the ref held Brennan and Randy's hands up in victory. And the older wrestler's had just hit backstage as the younger walked the ramp. But egos aside, it didn't matter. They had bigger problems.

Somehow, the Dominion had invaded.