Disclaimer: Not mine, not making money, don't sue or I'll tombstone you ;-), even if it says don't try this.

Notes:

--- This chapter was nearly completely written (Smackdown Show, 3rd part) before the last ones, I hope I managed to change everything that was not making any sense anymore, I had Hunter still feel pretty cold for Jeff but in the last chapters I had him grow very fond of him again, silly me sometimes hehe, lost the count on what the plot was ;-)

--- Talking of losing the count, this chapter is pretty long, so I split it into three parts, but they are posted at the same time, you had to wait long enough…

--- Now Raven, wow never believed someone could be such a big pain in the a$$ to write, damn that was hard, but, for the long wait, a little surprise pairing, once you start reading it won't be a surprise anymore lol, there's the obligatory Undertaker/Jeff Hardy and maybe there will be a Raven/Kane in the next chapter :-)

--- And last but not least, sorry to have made you all wait this long, but life has not been exactly easy lately. I'll try to update every fic and finally post my new TNA fic :-)

Hope you'll like it :-)

Chapter 17

A Clock Beating The Right Time

Smackdown

(November 28th 2008, Albany)

CHAPTER 17A

It took Mark a lot to get Jeff to smile again over the weekend, he passed the time sitting somewhere and brooding when he wasn't complaining about what had happened and raged against Adam, and he wasn't the only one not feeling all too merry. Hunter and Shawn were having opposite opinions on how to handle everything and on their way to Providence the discussion came up again in the car. And with Glen joining Shawn's side Hunter was playing a lost game, he felt like stopping the car and kicking some sense into both of them "Guys, think please… Vince will have a seizure the second he'll see him backstage", Shawn mumbled "Just one word… Jeff" and promptly received Hunter's glare as a response "I want to help too, but not like this… We haven't even begun finding a lead, and you want to let sheer hell loose", Shawn laughed "He ain't that bad". Matt had still not found out who they were talking about and it made him crazy, he grabbed Shawn by the shoulders squeezing and leaning to the front seats "Who dammit", Hunter looked at him and gladly obliged an answer, hoping the older Hardy brother would be reasonable and join his seemingly lost cause "Raven". Matt's eyes widened "Oh shit, yeah", Hunter triumphantly hit the steering wheel "AH, one who agrees with me", Matt squeezed his shoulder and Shawn's, grinning "Nope, they are right, Jeff and him were always close, and he can do whatever he wants without Vince firing him". Hunter rolled his eyes "Oh no, not you too", Rey just shrugged his shoulders, stretching in the backseat "Desperate times need desperate measures Hunter…", "You have all lost your mind, am I the only one who doesn't want the feathered fucker close to me", "Hey, that's a friend your talking about", "Not in my book", "Pff, you never got to know him the way I did Hunt, he's actually a real nice guy".

While they were discussing, bickering and teasing, Jeff was stretching and cuddling against Mark who was sitting next to him reading a book and smiled, putting an arm around the younger man "Tired?", "A little", "That's the meds, you should rest a little", Jeff licked his lips seductively, his hands caressing Mark's chest "Had nothing else planned… Maybe later we could…", "Kid…", "I'll seduce you anyways Mark, so don't fight it", "We'll see…". Jeff yawned and kissed him before laying down, curled up and his head on Mark's lap, arms stretched over Mark's legs, one under his head. Mark watched him tenderly and caressed his cheek "Cute…", "Humm…", Mark leaned back and went back to reading his book, enjoying the peace and quiet and the weight on his thighs, Jeff's steady breathing and smile on the face were hopefully a sign that he was less depressed…

Meanwhile Hunter wasn't done and stared at Shawn, shaking his head and wondering what weird dimension he had slipped to "Nice guy? Are we talking about the same man… Oh yes, he shared his drugs and booze with you, so he's a nice guy, I got you Shawn", Shawn started getting tired of the discussion and those insinuations just about pushed all of his patience and contenance away "Fuck you, that was years back, you should let the past rest Hunter… And for the record, he's as clean as I am so fuck you royally". Hunter smirked, not done yet "Yeah, that's what he did to you, often enough to have your judgement clouded as it seems". Rey hid his face on Matt's arm, sighing and wishing he was deaf and wouldn't have to listen to them argue, he made a mental note never to drive with them again, and he wasn't out of his purgatory just yet as Shawn gave Hunter an amused and teasing smile, before mumbling "He really is a god in bed". Glen snickered "You should get in my bed, I'll show you god". Matt rolled his eyes made a gagging sound "Too much info guys". Hunter wasn't sure why, but the thought alone made him cringe and he voiced it "What? Your brother got nailed by him more than once too Hardy so why do you want that perverted prick around?", Matt paled slightly, shaking his head "No he didn't", "You go on and believe that", Matt couldn't believe his brother and Raven had had encounters like that, to him they just were close friends, nothing more, nothing less "Well, Jeff will be happy to see him and he'll get to the bottom of this quicker… We have matches, we know those guys too well and we have to work with them when all is over, so blaming the wrong one wouldn't be intelligent, plus we need someone with a neutral view on what happened", Hunter's voice couldn't be more menacing "I don't want him close to Jeff". There was a long silence, even Rey and Glen smirked at each other, grinning, Shawn was whistling and making eye contact with Matt in the rear-mirror, grinning too, Hunter snarling as he saw them "What?", "Nothing Hunt, nothing"

Luckily Shawn had to wrestle a tag-team-match against Mike and John, who were teasing him and Rey all the way to Providence everytime the cars passed each other and at some point even made Hunter forget the discussion that had taken place minutes earlier, and in a moment were Hunter was busy driving the car through the dense traffic towards their hotel he inhaled and send a text message to the one who had taken over his thoughts and mind "Call later when time", he knew he hated when he wrote short and criptic messages out of the blue, and especially some that were constructed in the most simple way, with missing subjects, nouns or verbs, he had to smirk imagining the frown Raven would show when the message would get to him and wondered were exactly he was at at the moment and if he would come and help them…

They quickly checked in and after an hour of rest drove to the arena, Hunter immediately looking for Stephanie and even a little happy when he found her walking down the hallway "Steph…", she stopped and turned "Hi Paul", "Found something out?", "No, I haven't, but then again it only happened yesterday". Hunter cocked his head and murmured "True", "So… What do you want", "I need a rematch", "And Jeff needs his shot too", "Yes, but I need a rematch", "And Jeff deserves a shot too", "I'll give him one, but first it's my turn". Stephanie gave him an incredilous smirk and laughed "You sound like a child, I want my title back, whine whine whine…", smiling amused, Hunter gave her a poke "Hey… It's MY title, mine… And I deserve it first, that match was a hoax". She shook her head amused, he really reminded her of a pouty child trying to get his way, but then again, he and his title, she sometimes had the impression he was in the belief that it was his, and whoever wanted it had to wait for him to be willing to share "No Paul, I'll give him one, I'm still trying to figure out how to give you both an opportunity actually… And of course Kozlov too", "Steph…", "Don't be a baby", "Fuck you", she measured her ex-husband from head to toe and pinched his cheek amused "No thanx, been there done that, and now go and get ready, or whatever, just get far from me", "How nice of you". Shawn who just arrived burst out laughing, having overheard Stephanie "Geez Hunt, I don't know what it is about you today…", "Shut up Shawn" and smirking evily he turned back to Steph "You know he wants to fly in the bird?", Stephanie looked at her ex-husband like he just had grown a second head "What?" and Shawn rolled his eyes, kicking Hunter in the leg before slapping his neck and squeezing, daring him to continue "For my ranch, I thought it would be fun you know, a vulture or something like that". Hunter smirked "Pff, yeah right, a vulture…", Shawn glared him down as Stephanie walked away wondering what shit would hit the fan now…

"And how do you want him to enter the backstage area Shawn? Your vulture", Shawn shrugged his shoulders, flapped his arms teasingly like a bird and smirked "I'll get him on the guestlist, d'oh, you're sometimes really slow my friend", "Shawn, please, I don't want him close to Jeff, why does he have to be backstage?", "Jealous?". For a second Hunter looked like he was ready to rip his head off, but he just inhaled deeply and closed his eyes, willing his anger down and something else, the fact that Shawn wasn't that far from the truth bothered him, intrigued him, but he wasn't going to let Shawn know, so he told him the second reason he didn't want the other man close to Jeff "No, worried". Shawn cocked his head, a little intrigued too and an awful lot amused, he knew Hunter didn't want anyone close to Jeff anymore but he needed to tease his friend a little, he had taken too long to come clear about his feelings for the younger Hardy brother and deserved teasings until he exploded "Why? You don't mind Jeff playing with David, Kane and Mark, so in how is Raven different", Hunter sighed, shaking his head "He has no limits, absolutely none, he's insane, so fucking insane it's bordering criminal… Not to mention he's a real asshole". Blushing in remembrance Shawn chuckled "Hmmm, no, he has some limits, he never hurt me you know, and he's a decent, fun guy to hang around with". He started losing patience, and the hope that Shawn would reconsider his plans was slowly fading too "Shawn, please, I want to help Jeff, we don't need Raven", "And I say we do", "What about you ask Mark about his opinion on the matter". Shawn rolled his eyes "They never got along, I can't imagine the Deadman happy to see Raven", "See, so forget that idea of yours please", Shawn nudged Hunter "Never… I'm off to the catering", "Shawn…", "See ya bro"

Hunter stared after him, annoyed and more than worried, knowing Shawn he knew that he'd be soon nose to nose with Raven anyways, sighing he got to their locker room and took out his phone, he needed help on this.

Jeff was still laying curled up in Mark's arms, dozing, when the Deadman's phone rang "Hey Hunter… How's Providence?", Hunter sighed "Sheer hell man…", he ignored the low snarl that could be heard and continued "You know what Shawn came up with?". Mark had his eyes closed and wished the peace and quiet back knowing Shawn could sometimes really become to excited and lacked the mental boundaries to stop himself, his voice betrayed his weariness "Do I want to know?", "I think so". Hunter could hear a faint moan and Jeff's pouty voice "Hmm Mark, who are you talking to?", "Hunter, some shit is about to happen", Jeff sat quickly up, too quickly since his head started spinning and he had to lean against Mark who gently stroked his head "They know who it was?", Mark forwarded the question "You know who attacked Jeff?". Hunter shed the feeling that pulsed through him when he had heard Jeff's voice, sleepy and pouty, so typically Jeff "No, but Shawn wants to get someone to come and help us and he's not listening to me when I tell him it ain't a good idea", "Who?", "Raven". There was a long silence, Mark staring blankly into the air, Jeff looking at him quizzically, and even more when Mark sighed deeply "Why would he want to ask him?".

Hunter sighed "Something about Raven getting to the bottom faster and us staying out of trouble", "Tell him no", "I did, he just doesn't listen…", "I'll call him", "Thanx… And give Jeff a hug from me", "Will do… Talk to you later". Jeff was sitting on Mark's lap, one leg on each side and hands roaming his chest "What is going on", "Nothing", "Liar… Please, I want to know". Hoping it would change the subject Mark teased Jeff "Hunter gives you a big hug" and promptly got a reaction, Jeff blushed and looked down, mumbling "Ok, and what else?", "Shawn is being his usual self", "Meaning?", "He wants to ask a friend to come and help with finding out who hurt you", "Who?", "Not sure I want to tell you", "Maaaaaark…"

While Jeff was leaning against Mark, Shawn's phone rang and he grinned into it as he answered "Feather-head… Thanx for calling back", for a second Raven wanted to either hang up or start discussing Shawn's ways of greeting him, but he had to admit he was curious as to what Shawn wanted from him and his curiosity got the better of him, for the moment anyways "This better be good asshole". Shawn grinned even more "I kinda need your help", Raven's voice dropped, his tone more than ironic "Oh no… Really?", "Yes… Jeff has been assaulted", "Who?", "Hardy…", there was a low grumble and Shawn knew Raven was pissed "What happened? And make it short". Shawn gave him a quick update, quite happy when he heard him grumble some more "What the fuck is going on over there, does Vince have any control on what's happening or has anarchy taken over", the Heartbreak-kid laughed "Nah, you know Vince… But this happened even behind his back, I mean if Mark or Hunter had ordered someone to take Jeff out ok, not that I would have been ok with that 'cause I really like him, but you know what I mean…".

The mention of the Undertaker and HHH made Raven's blood boil and his decision was quickly made, even if he had wanted to spent a couple of days chilling after the movie shoot he couldn't let an occasion pass to rattle some people's cages, especially when someone he called a friend was being cowardly attacked "Where are you now?", "Still in Providence, we'll travel to Albany tomorrow after the ECW show". Raven snickered and made Shawn laugh "Yeah I know, it ain't the real ECW anymore, but it's still called that though you know", "I'll meet you Wednesday in Albany Michaels", "Thanx man". Raven laughed "Don't thank me, I'm a little bored and have nothing planned and this will give me something evil to do, plus you know how I feel about Jeff…", Shawn had to grin, thinking back to when Raven was with the WWE and wouldn't let Jeff out of his sight "Yes, your little baby bird", "He's a good kid and an even better wrestler, when he keeps his hands of the drugs", "Yeah, but he's been clean lately", "Good… Well, see you Wednesday…", Raven added chuckling "…Your friends won't be too happy, I hope you know that", "Oh they are already pissed, don't you worry", "Great"

As Shawn hang up, Mark pushed Jeff aside and got up, Jeff following him "Hey… I want to know", "Jeff, please", pretty annoyed he mumbled "What the fuck…" and grabbed Mark's arm turning him "Please…". Mark gently pushed Jeff back to the couch and made him sit down and getting down before him he sighed, knowing Jeff would insist anyways he told him "Raven". Jeff beamed "Raven? Cool, haven't seen him in ages", "It ain't a good idea though", "Why?", "We can take care of this without him". Jeff blinked innocently, biting his lip and stroking Mark's arm "Can he still come?", Mark shook his head, whispering "Jeff…" and getting a cute pout as an answer "What? I like him… Seriously, he has helped me out a lot", "I can imagine that", "Hey…", "Need to call Shawn, you rest a little ok"

Shawn didn't check who was calling him and thought it was Raven with something more to say, unfortunately for him it was a furious Deadman who pretty loudly started the second he answered "Shawn, you're the biggest moron I've met in my whole fucking life and that means something". Shawn stared a moment at the phone, the identity of his caller not mistakable, he could recognize that low growl a mile away, he gulped and deemed to answer "Mark? What the hell are…" but Mark didn't want to hear him explain himself, or claim it wasn't true, so he gladly interrupted his friend, snarling "Raven…" into the phone. Shawn entered his and Hunters locker room and shook his head, quite annoyed Hunter, who wasn't in there, had given him up so easily and with what he considered absolutely no reason "Oh, Hunter sold me out, great… Now listen…". Mark interrupted him again "No, you listen… He's got no business with us anymore, so do us all a favour and keep him away", Shawn was sitting down and bit his lower lip, grinning "Too late", hearing his amused chuckle Mark rolled his eyes, realizing Shawn didn't see him he groaned "Shawn…". Shawn knew Mark would relax and live with his plans, and he promised himself mentally that he'd do his best to keep a leash on his friend "He'll only come to help Mark".

Mark could imagine the help Raven would bring them, more like trouble and tons of explanations they'd have to give than help "Uhu, help…", "Hey, you can't deny that he has a perfect knowledge of human behaviour, he'll see right through them all", a little offended the Deadman huffed "As do I", "Yes, but you're used to being around them, he isn't, he may see more… See it as an addition to your excellence". Mark raised his voice a little, not noticing Jeff standing behind him and listening "Meaning?", Shawn tried to find the right reasoning "Together you will rock and know within a day who it was", the Deadman shook his head, rubbing his eyes "Oh Shawn, you're a windbag", he could hear Shawn's grinning in his voice "But I am right". Jeff walked around Mark and sat down on his lap, one leg dangling down on each side, staring at him puzzled but not interrupting him, only his hands were roaming Mark's chest and starting to undo the buttons on his shirt, one by one while Mark continued his discussion with Shawn, trying his best to ignore Jeff's hands "Listen, tell your buddy to keep his wings away from our Game, I don't want them to go at each other's throats". Jeff was now sucking on Mark's nipples, making the older man moan softly and grab his hair to pull him away so he could listen to Shawn "He's his own man Mark but I know he'll behave", inhaling deeply Mark leaned his head back, his eyes closed and focused on his conversation with the Heartbreak-Kid, which was a difficult task, Jeff had really managed to get him hard as a rock with his little sensual teasings and he groaned more than he spoke "He has never behaved", not sure who he meant, Raven, Jeff or both men…

Shawn started wondering what was happening back in Texas and snickered, his allusion more on the past and the Undertakers games with the Raven "You would know ha…", Marks eyes snapped open, partly because of Jeff grinding his groin against his, partly because of Shawn's words "Shut up Shawn, let the past rest", Shawn faked a yawn and his amusement was more than evident "Nope, I'm going to seduce him into my bed my friend", trying to push Jeff away he nearly lost the phone, Jeff retrieved it and held it to his ear, nibbling on the other one and grinding himself some more against Mark's large frame "You do that Shawn", hearing some commotion in the hallway he checked his watch and whistled "Listen, I need to get prepared Taker", Mark was already in a different world, Jeff's hand had started stroking his cock through his pants and he panted into the phone "Yeah, have fun guys". Smirking Shawn asked innocently "You'll watch it?", "Yes", Shawn grinned "Ok cool… And happy fucking, Mark", Mark thought he had heard wrong "What? You're…", "I hear you both moan and pant, but I'll keep my mouth shut", "Shut up and get ready… Talk to you later", "Yes, have a nice evening guys".

Mark threw the phone away and locked his eyes with Jeff's who was smiling widely as he felt Mark's hands grip and squeeze his ass "Hummm yessss", "You're overdressed kid", "Really?", "Oh yes", he lifted Jeff's shirt over his head and let his hands slide over his back, massaging his shoulders when they moved back up to rest there and he pulled Jeff even closer "You're one crazy runt… If you do that again I'll have to serve you a punishment", "Really?". He let his hands glide back down, his nails slightly scratching a path downwards until he reached his ass and he spanked him "Yes my dear, I fear so", "You know you just sounded like…", "You better not say it or I'll chain you up and let you hang dry", Jeff chuckled "Again, but ok…". Mark leaned forward and sucked hard on one of Jeff's nipples, shutting him effectively up and making him shiver, Jeff put his hands around Mark's neck and rubbed their groins together, enjoying the little teasing Mark was giving his nipples and his hands that started unbuckling his belt "Too dressed Jeff", "Hummm, you are too", "I intend to change that kid, don't you worry", Jeff glided off Mark's lap and quickly got rid of his shoes, pants, underwear just like Mark did, it took them a couple of seconds and they were both naked. The Deadman sat down on the couch and checked Jeff languorously from head to toe making him shiver with anticipation…

In Providence Matt was sitting in the catering area with a couple of the guys he trusted and was debating who might have hurt Jeff, who had a reason besides Adam but they couldn't come up with the perp, who was sitting on a different table chatting with Lance, Tommy and Swagger about god and the world, acting like nothing had happened. Shawn had just started getting dressed when Hunter entered and he looked up, an amused pout on his face "You gave me up to Mark you bastard", HHH sat down and smirked "He called and got you to realize your idea isn't award winning?", "He tried, but he's ok with it, as long as Raven leaves you alone, so you just will have to stay out of his way", "He'll have to stay out of mine Shawn, and he better get a detector, the second I see him he's history", "Hunter please", Shawn finished putting his ring-gear on and jumped up and down "This is gonna be so funny… Me and Rey will spank their asses man", "Spank their asses? Watch it, Morrison is one jealous bitch", Shawn stopped in front of him and poked him on the chest "Like you ha" and he got their DX-trademark sign as answer, Hunter smirking "Suck it Shawn" before he could give it another thought. He would have certainly kept his mouth shut if he'd known Shawn would lick his lips and caress his chest "Oh I would, do I have time?", he playfully pushed him back and turned to get into his DX-gear, snickering "You need to get laid"

Getting laid was what was about to happen in Texas, Jeff was back sitting sensually in Mark's lap, their cocks touching and his movement only rubbing them together more, Mark had his hands one on each buttcheek and was knotting them, pressing Jeff further against himself, making him moan "Oh yes Mark…". Mark grabbed both of their cocks and squeezed them thightly together, Jeff wiggled and dropped against him, panting loudly "Harder… Squeeze harder…". Jeff joined a hand to his and squeezed their cocks even more before making Mark's hand move up and down… Shawn continued his teasings in Providence and wrapped around Hunter from behind "Wanna take care of me tonight?", "I'll think it over…", Hunter pretended thinking then slapped Shawn on the head "… No… And now let me get ready", "Spoilsport… I'll go and find Rey", "Yes, you do that, I need some quiet", Shawn stuck his tongue out and left him to get some quiet…

Jeff's moaned and arched his back when he felt one of Mark's fingers enter him softly, pushing in and out and preparing him. He caught Mark's lips into a kiss and played with his nipples, his hips moving against the finger "More Mark… Please…", Mark added a second then a third finger, stretching him the best he could, he didn't feel like going slow or wait any longer, Jeff had succeeded in getting him so hard he felt like exploding. He pushed Jeff up who pouted slightly before understanding what Mark wanted of him, he turned and sat with his back to Mark's chest and lowered himself into Mark's rockhard cock, moaning "Oh shit… Yes…". That was all the Deadman needed and he gripped him by his hips, pushing him slowly down, Jeff leaning back against him and offering him his not wounded side of the neck, and Mark didn't need an invitation, he started to suck and nibble before whispering "I'm going to make you forget what happened kid", satisfied to feel Jeff shiver and moan sweetly he trusted his hips up, plunging his whole dick inside the younger man while his arms hugged him against his chest "Sssh, relax…". Jeff shuddered against him, moaning as he circled his hips and got used to Mark's huge cock inside, sending tremors through Mark who started to trust even deeper, lifting Jeff up a little so he could move "Still so nicely thight Jeff… You feel angelic", Jeff was concentrating on willing the little painful sting away and chuckled "Angelic? I'm an angelic fuck… I like that", "God… Move kid…", Mark put both his hands under Jeff's buttcheeks and lifted him before trusting, pushing him all the way down, the rhythm seemed to please not only him, Jeff put his legs up on the couch to have more leverage, his upper body still arched back against Mark's chest…

Mark put his arms around Jeff to stop him from arching his back too much and nibbled his neck, gently biting his ear and making Jeff moan "Oh yes…", after all the pain this was exactly what he wanted, needed. Forget what happened and feel better, and feeling better he gradually was, up to the point where he squeezed Mark's hand that was moving up and down on his cock and came hard, his whole body shuddering and bringing Mark over two seconds later…

After a couple of minutes of regaining his breath Mark stretched and grabbed some tissues, cleaning them both before getting up and putting his pants back on "Need anything?", still drooling a little Jeff gave him a smile "Uh, a beer?", "You're on painkillers Jeff", "One?", "One…", "Can I go out and have a cigarette?", "Yes, but cover…", he smiled, watching Jeff wrap up into one of the covers that were laying on the arm of the couch "Ok, anything else?", "Nah, just your body to snuggle against, Taker", "Uh, my body… That will cost you", "I'll pay in personal services", "That sounds fair". Jeff smiled and walked out, sitting on the steps, jumping a little when he felt a cold something pressed against his neck "Hey…". He turned, grinning and took the bottle "Thanx" and took a sip before setting the bottle down. Mark joined him, sitting down next to him, gesturing towards the cigarette "Now hand me one over", Jeff held out his pack and Mark noticed a rolled joint in it, he glared at Jeff, who looked down "I haven't smoked it yet, does that count for anything?", "How many did you have?", "Just that one… I asked Brian to roll me one, one… And that's the one… So…". Mark handed him the pack back "I trust you know when to smoke it kid", "Never?", "Who said never Jeff? But with the medication and you needing to get back in the game, are you sure smoking weed now is wise?". Jeff wasn't sure if he felt bad because he had the joint or had been caught, stupidly for that, and his explanation was as sincere as he could be "No, but I wanted it in case I would feel like smoking weed", he gave him a huge grin and added "We can always share…".

Mark sighed, but knew this was the perfect moment to start talking about what annoyed him the most in Raven's arrival "I'm not Raven Jeff, I won't pull you down by using with you…", the offended frown couldn't possibly be darker "He never pulled me down Mark… He tried his best to help me, and somehow succeeded, I mean I never fell too far down…", Jeff knew it wasn't really the truth and tried to explain himself, not even making sense to himself "I mean I admit I screwed up but thanx to him I didn't screw up too bad". Mark rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his beers before leaning his arms on his legs and look at Jeff "How many times have you been suspended? Now is that a screw-up or not?", "I was only suspended once with Raven around Mark", Mark shook his head "Uhu, and who's to blame for the second one?", "Ok, the second was pretty dumb, but I needed that fall so I could heal and learn".

Jeff moved closer and put his head down on Mark's shoulder "And thanx to you I've become a better person, a better athlete…". Mark turned his head and locked his eyes with his, his voice soft and sincere "And I am very proud of your achievement kid… You proved yourself over the course of the last months and you will soon become champion…", "If I get a shot", "No, when you get the shot Jeff, when you get it…", "When I get the title… It will be thanx to you, you know…", "But it will be yours", "Ours?", Mark chuckled "No yours, I just pushed you a little", "Whatever". Mark took a sip of beer and looked intently at Jeff "And for the first suspension?", "I was troubled… But I needed that low… Now can we switch the subject please". Mark finished his cigarette and got up, nodding, followed by Jeff "No more talking about it… Let's go and watch our friends", "Yes"

Jeff sat down and waited for Mark to follow suit to sneak up on him and cuddle against him, smiling as Mark put an arm around him "Don't get too used to this", "I'm not, but I'm hurt and I deserve cuddles", "Really?", "Yes, cuddles, massages, someone to get me all I need or wish for", "Don't count on me to be your servant boy", Mark shook his head amused, searching for the right channel to watch RAW and settled back comfortably with Jeff dozing on his shoulder.

After RAW finished Jeff yawned and stretched slowly, the painkillers having worn off and diverse little aches present in his body, he gave Mark a sweet gaze, making the older man smirk "Yes you can sleep in my bed kid", Jeff seemed relieved "Thanx Mark". Mark wasn't an ice-block, even if that was the way he pretended to be 99 percent of his life, this wasn't one of those moments, he gave Jeff a smile and his voice was full of adoration "You're welcome". Jeff got up "See you upstairs", Mark jokingly chuckled "Don't wait up for me honey", Jeff stuck out his tongue and laughed all his way up to the bathroom where he got ready and took some pills before making his way to Mark's bed and getting comfortable. Mark checked his e-mails and rummaged through his house, and long before he too made his way to the bed Jeff was soundly asleep.

Around two Mark slid under the covers and pulled Jeff into his arms, Jeff reacting in his sleep and putting an arm across Mark's chest, his head on Mark's shoulder and a smile on his face.

When the Raw and ECW rosters had gotten back after the show, they had had a late dinner at the hotel before moving to the bar where they finished the evening around the same time Mark fell asleep…

The next day Mark woke at sunrise, Jeff cuddled in his arms, his head had moved to his chest and he was drooling in his sleep. He had to smile when he saw him, glad he didn't look as if he was in any pain, at least no physical one, and apparently his psyche was on the upwind too considering that sweet smile he had on his face. Mark kissed him on his temple and pushed him softly away and got up, making as less noise as possible. He had decided to let Jeff rest another day before making him work-out a little, and so he had breakfast with his workers and occupied his morning with work that he should have gotten done with weeks ago. It was around two when he walked up to his bedroom and smirked seeing Jeff still asleep, head on his pillow and curled up like a cat. It was nearly a sin to wake him but Mark wanted him to keep a decent rhythm and the longer he slept the bigger the chance was that he wouldn't find sleep until late tonight, and so Mark sat down next to him and playfully blew in his ear before gently biting and sucking on his earlobe. Jeff started stirring and moving, and slowly blinked and opened his eyes, smiling "Good Morning Taker", "Good afternoon kid", "Hah?", "It's past two Jeff", "And you let me sleep?", "Yes, you needed it". Mark moved a little to give Jeff some space to sit up and asked when Jeff finally sat next to him and was stretching cozily "How are you feeling", yawning Jeff stretched some more "Pretty good actually", "Took any pills before sleep?", "Yes, and it seems it was the right decision, I feel like reborn", "But you'll have to cut back on them kid", "Yeah, and I will when the pain will stop", "You're in pain now?", "No, and I won't take any until I feel something… Happy?", "Exctatic kid". Jeff got up "Can I take a shower before lunch?", "Who says you'll have lunch now?". Jeff stopped dead in his tracks and looked at him with wide eyes, reminding Mark of a manga character with huge wide teary eyes "I won't?". Seeing Jeff's near distressed expression Mark burst out laughing "Perfect… Oh Jeff… You should have seen your face", "Fuck you", "Take your shower, we'll have a barbecue anyways, so I'll wait for you", "Thank you Deadman".

In Providence, they slept in late and met for late lunch around the same time, Hunter was more than glad there was no sight of Raven around, he hadn't managed to work up the courage to ask Shawn when he'd come but seeing Shawn smirk he asked anyways "So when does the motherfucker get here", Shawn gave him an angelic smile "He won't get here, he'll just call me", Dreamer looked at them quizically and Hunter pointed to Shawn "Ask the Heartbreaker what he did". Tommy asked Shawn amused "What did you do Heartbreaker", "Asked Raven to visit us", "Cool, haven't seen Scott in a while", "See Hunter, everyone is happy Raven comes", "Uhu, you are all nuts, and no offense Dreamer, you're just as sick as he is", Tommy gave Hunter a large smile "Absolutely no offense taken, I am more than happy to be insane and sick…".

Meanwhile Mark went outside, sitting down with a cold beer and called Hunter, who shook his head at Tommy while he answered his cellphone "Hey Mark", "Hi… How are you doing today? Any sign of the bird?", "I'm fine, so no, he ain't here… Yet… I don't trust Shawn to speak the truth though, so my mood may drop any time soon", Mark chuckled "Poor you", "So how is Jeff doing?", "Better", "Good… When do you guys get here", "Friday", "I know, what time?", "We'll land around noon, thought about checking in and then coming to the arena", "Ok, should I find something out…", Matt coughed and gave him a glare, Hunter shook his head sighing and added "If we find something out, I'll call you… And tell Jeff to call his brother". Mark laughed "Ok… Bye… And relax, they are just teasing you", "Uhu, I'm annoyed already Mark", "You'll live through, I know that". Mark hung up and at that moment Jeff arrived, hair still wet "So where is the food", "Take an axe and go hunt", Jeff's face fell for the second time since he had been woken and he cringed "Mark please, that isn't funny", "It is Jeff, but since I'm a nice guy, just don't tell anyone, I got the meat ready while you were still dreaming", "Thank you". Jeff helped Mark, throwing the prepared patatoes into the embers before asking "Can I help somehow?", "There's salad in the kitchen… And bring us two beers while you're at it", "Okay", "You didn't pop any pills?", "Noooo", "Good". Two minutes later Jeff arrived and put the salad on the table and sat down on the couch, legs pulled up and waited for the food to get ready.

Forty minutes later Jeff stretched and got up, collecting the dishes "That was delicious", handing Jeff his plate Mark grinned "Yup", "You're really a great cook you know", "I know, but thank you kid". Jeff walked to the kitchen and got rid of the plates in the dish-washer before walking back out and laying down on the couch making Mark chuckle "You can't be tired again Jeff", "No, just really feeling good and about to doze a little", "Make some room for me kid", Jeff moved a little and waited for Mark to get down before curling into his larger frame, sighing contently when he felt his arms around him.

In Providence, Tommy and Matt decided to hit the gym after their lunch and John joined them with a reluctant Mike who would have preferred sleeping some more, Shawn was drug there by Hunter who wanted to spare a little with his friend, using the moment to pin him more than once "Ha", "Ouch", Hunter helped him up, grinning "You deserved it", "Hey, are you forgetting we're team partners", "No, I just felt like Pedigree'ing you around a little", "Sucker", "Not yours", "Ha, no sex tonight", "We wouldn't have had sex anyways". Matt pulled a frown and made a gagging sound "One day without sex-talk, you think you'll manage guys?", "You need to get laid too Hardy", "No, I need to get to the arena", Mike immediately put the weights he was working with down and stretched "Yeah, let's head over there", "A quick shower and we can drive there", "Let's say forty minutes?", "Ok", "Guys, we'll wait for you in the hotel", "Ok"

Mark had fallen asleep, Jeff's regular breathing having lulled him into a dreamful sleep, and woke around seven, yawning and hating himself for the long nap. Jeff woke too and nearly fell off the couch, caught by Mark "Watch it kid", "You pushed me off", "No, you moved", Jeff got up and sat next to Mark "What time is it?", "Way too late", Jeff laughed "Well good, my last day of chilling was spent chilling… Now all I would need to do is smoke the joint I have and my life would be perfect", Mark slapped Jeff on the head, grumbling "Jeff, don't you dare… Vince will have you tested and will gladly fine you, so don't you do something stupid", "I won't, I just said that it would be the icing on the cake", "Drugs are never the icing on the cake kid", "Uhu, says the guy who loves a nice cigar or a glass of good Whiskey… Hypocrite", "It's still different but ok, you may be right", "Good, that's all I wanted to hear". Mark got up and kissed Jeff on the head before he went inside, leaving Jeff to his thoughts…

Later, Jeff and Mark watched the ECW show, Jeff laying with his head in Mark's lap and being close to make purring sounds when the Deadman started to massage his neck, gently avoiding the wound, Jeff only sat up a little when the Dirt-sheet came on and Miz and Morrison started their little recap of the Survivor Series, he cringed, looking miserable and hurt "Why does he have to start with my extra-curricular activities now too? Seriously, he was with me, he knows it wasn't my damn extra-curr…", Mark interrupted him before his complaints would turn into rants "For the show Jeff", "Fuck the Show", "Yes, Big Show can fuck himself", Jeff giggled like a child and put his legs over Mark's and leaned his head against his chest, watching silently with a slight pout on his face, laughing when the Boogeyman appeared and Mike and John took off rather abruptly. Mark nudged him "I'm glad you can still laugh" and was immediately rewarded with another pouty face "It's not that I don't want to laugh, it's that I feel weird, like I wasn't safe or anything… Like someone was after me", Mark sighed "You're perfectly safe here Hardy", "I know that, but when we get back Friday, whoever attacked me can try again", "He won't, you won't be alone". Jeff had spent some time thinking and wasn't reassured the least "Yeah, but what if…", "Jeff, first, whoever that asshole is he won't try again, and second you'll get another title-shot, so don't look so distressed kid", "I'm not distressed, just feeling like a loser", "You're not, of you were you wouldn't be sitting on my couch, and now cheer up a little"

When the show was over Mark noticed that Jeff had fallen asleep again, which was putting him in a dilemma since the younger Hardy's cellphone started ringing, he lifted it from the table trying not to make too many movements, one arm was keeping Jeff on his lap and the other was catching the phone. He checked and saw it was Matt and answered, whispering practically into the phone "Yes Matt?". Matt was on his way to the car he shared with Glen, Hunter and Shawn, he wondered why Mark was speaking so low and stopped, putting his bags down "Mark? Can you speak louder I can't really hear you", Mark was back leaning against the back of the couch, Jeff cradled in his arms, and he still spoke low when he answered "Jeff's asleep… Right next to me…". After having said it it sounded off to Mark and he quickly added "On the couch, we were watching ECW". Matt was a little offended, and not a second the though of something kinky passed his mind, all he could think of was his bad brother falling asleep when he wrestled "And he fell asleep? Did I bore him so much?". The Deadman chuckled, amused by the tone Matt's voice suddenly had "No, it was after… He was exhausted", Matt sighed, his ego a little appeased, but now worried a little and was still upset his brother wasn't with him, but the calm at Mark's ranch would help more than having him around "How is he?", "Physically better, mentally it switches from angry to depressed to happy, depends… He'll be ok Matt", "Ok, tell him to call me tomorrow please?", "Will do… Night Matt", "Night Taker".

Matt lifted his bags back up and walked to the car, a pout on his face as he put his stuff in the trunk and sat down with the waiting men "What happened", "Jeff fell the fuck asleep in front of ECW". Shawn burst out laughing "You know, that reminds me of Raven laughing his ass off when I told him I stayed in Providence for the ECW show, your brother is like him", "Yeah, something isn't extreme, it isn't no fun… Psychos"

Mark was left with the brilliant task of getting Jeff upstairs, he was soundly asleep and he didn't want to disturb his sleep, half-way up he hated himself for that moment of weakness and altruism and he was glad when he finally entered his room, not even bothering that Jeff would be sleeping with him in his bed, he knew Jeff liked to cuddle and to feel someone close when he slept and Mark had gotten used to his body enough not to be bothered. He undressed the limp body then did the same before disappearing in his bathroom and coming back a couple of minutes later, he switched the lights off and snuck under the covers, pulling Jeff slowly and gently in his arms and drifting off, lulled into sleep by Jeff's regular breathing for a second time that day…

They were both fast asleep when the others arrived in Albany around three, each moving to their respective rooms after a short stay at the bar, Hunter pulling Shawn back when he moved to the bathroom "I hope he doesn't come here", Shawn gave him an innocent smile and cowered amused, his arms held protectively over his head as he giggled, informing his friend "He'll be here tomorrow", "Shawn…", "Let me handle it", "He gets close to Jeff I'll make him disappear from the face of the earth", Shawn sighed and punched Hunter's arm playfully "If you had told Jeff how you feel about him you wouldn't be in this situation Hunt, and let me tell you one thing, Jeff adores you more than Raven, I know for a fact Jeff has a huge crush on you, so don't you go and do something stupid", "I need a little longer to get used to the thought", "What thought?". Hunter's voice was barely loud enough to be heard by Shawn "That I like Jeff", Shawn chuckled "Oh, you mean that you love him", maybe the tone of his voice was insisting, but his eyes betrayed his real feelings as he mumbled "I like him", "Love him Hunter, you're in love, you're already jealous and Raven isn't even here", "Fuck you", "Tomorrow… Tonight I rest, I need to be in perfect shape for my feathered friend", Hunter sighed, not amused "I don't want him to come here Shawn", "Why? Did he ever like hurt you personally", "I just don't like him", "You won't have to hang with him"

In the room next door a slightly drunk Matt had only one thing in mind, getting the truth out of Glen, as if he had been there to witness anything that happened between Jeff and Raven "What did Raven do to my brother, Kane", "Matt, I don't know, so stop asking me", "Tell me", "I don't know Matt, and if you continue I'll gag you", "Tell me dammit, I need to know", "No, you need to sleep", "Tell me man", "Ask someone who was physically there when it happened Hardy", "Ha, so you're saying something happened", "Matt…", deciding Matt had annoyed him long enough he smirked, knowing which buttons to push to make him lose it "Well, let's put it this way, your brother is known for liking it hardcore and so is Raven… So I can imagine they fucked each other silly more than once". Matt stared at him in shock "Fuck you", Glen smirked some more and walked over to the bathroom, shaking his head at Matt "See, I knew you didn't want to know", he could hear Matt mumble "Jeff so didn't fuck Raven", answering from the bathroom, Glen laughed "Well, ask him when he gets here, even though I'd think Raven fucked Jeff, not the other way round", "Oh I will… Damn… Jeff, why…", leaning on the doorframe Glen chuckled "'Cause it's fun and very satisfying", "Shut up", "Your brother isn't a baby anymore, let him experience the world a little", "It always ends bad", "Nah, it will end with him and Hunter coming together, so don't despair Hardy… Talking of despair, still not ready to expand your sexual knowledge", "Ha? No", laying down under the covers Glen gave Matt a large, evil smile "Bummer…", "I'm not amused", "Me neither, I'm…", Matt interrupted him before he could say what he knew he'd say "Please don't, I can imagine, just don't ok…", "Ok Hardy… Sleep tight", "Yeah yeah, you too"