Chapter Three
Roddy sat in the car, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel. Time seemed to be crawling by, every time he glanced at the red numbers on the dash they seemed to have not even changed. He hadn't expected for the confrontation to be quick, it was just the waiting by himself that got to him. He was easily bored and soon tired of fooling around with the various knobs and buttons in Ric's car. It made him laugh in the quiet of the empty vehicle to think of Ric turning the radio on to find it all messed up and probably landed on some Death Metal station, or who the hell knew what.
After a while, he got out of the car and just walked around a little with his hands shoved into his pockets, kicking at loose pebbles and a crushed pop can. Finally, he looked up when he heard footsteps coming closer.
AJ was leading Ric towards the car, but even from far off Roddy could tell that it hadn't gone well, not that he'd really expected it too. Ric looked slumped; his shoulders drooped as he leaned on AJ. Roddy met them half way, and placed a hand on Ric's shoulder, giving it a squeeze. Ric was upset, tear streaks glistened against his cheeks.
Roddy said nothing as the three of them shuffled the rest of the way towards the car. He ducked back in behind the wheel, as AJ and Ric slipped into the back. After what seemed like ages driving in silence, but for the occasional sniffle from Ric, and low whisper from AJ, Roddy couldn't stand it any longer.
"Ric, AJ, what happened back there?"
AJ looked up, almost forgetting that he was in a car with a third man. All he knew was that he wanted Ric to stop crying; he'd been focused on the elderly man, the man who was apparently his father.
He couldn't help but feel it was some incredible mistake. Shawn, at least, looked like Ric's child. Him, he could understand. But AJ couldn't see himself in either Shawn or Flair- it was almost impossible for him to believe he shared a significant amount of DNA with either man. But somehow, he knew, despite the fact that he was nothing like either legend, that he shared blood with them.
AJ turned to Ric, wondering if Rod knew anything about this. Finally, Ric said,
"AJ, he knows. He's known since before you were born."
AJ's eyes went downward, the words reminding him that he was abandoned. Ric left his mother pregnant with him, and let her raise him on her own. Growing up, they had nothing; the littlest of help would've made a difference, and his father who was a man of means, admittedly had nothing to do with them because he couldn't have a kid. His career was taking off.
"Shawn didn't take it well," AJ said quietly, and he left it at that.
Roddy said nothing else, he could find no words to speak that would break or dissolve the suffocating tension in the vehicle. At one point, he literally rolled down the window hoping to breathe better. He just did what he was supposed to, which was drive Ric and AJ over to their hotel. Once they got out of the car, Roddy wrapped Ric into a hug, and offered to stay with him. He patted AJ on the shoulder, feeling the need to apologize for something, but instead he just told him that he was a good kid. It didn't seem to do much for the lost look pooling deep in the young man's eyes.
Ric immediately accepted the offer, wanting nothing more than for someone he knew unconditionally loved him to comfort him, to tell him everything was alright. All he could think about was how angry and betrayed Shawn looked, and AJ... he couldn't begin to describe the look on his face.
He didn't understand Allen Jones. Sure, he wanted both of his children to forgive him- but he knew it was a stupid desire. A selfish one. He didn't deserve anything from either of them but complete resentment and hatred. But AJ put his arm around him, carried him out- it didn't make sense.
He wanted to embrace his youngest son, but he couldn't help but wonder how could AJ possibly walk back to the car with him- possibly hold him up so supportingly- after everything that happened that night. The bond they inexplicably still had felt fragile, like the slightest tension could make AJ snap into his senses and treat him with the same cold hatred Shawn did.
Ric turned to AJ, watching Rod pat him on the shoulder and say something. Once he was done, Ric went forward and studied his son. He still couldn't put to words the look on AJ's face, but it broke his heart, looking at it. He tried to say something but, for the first time in a long time, the Nature Boy found himself without anything to say.
"We can talk about this tomorrow."
Ric was almost surprised by the words, but he nodded, agreeing with AJ. He was in no condition to do anything tonight, it seemed. He began to walk away, thinking that any more action would just serve to vilify him further.
AJ watched as Ric and Rod walked off, unable to do much but go his own way. His head was storming with thoughts, questions- a need for more explanation than Ric had offered in front of Shawn. And the questions would plague his mind for the rest of the night.
Hunter did not sleep well at all. For several hours he tossed and turned, images of a defeated Ric, and a lost Shawn haunting him. When he finally couldn't take it any more, he got out of bed and watched some TV but even then he couldn't concentrate. It seemed like every movie that was playing at the hotel reminded him of Ric or Shawn. He finally cut the TV off staring into semi darkness. It was now early, the sun was just starting to rise, light peeking faintly through the blinds.
Hunter sighed. This was just all too crazy. Never in a million years would he have guessed Shawn was Ric's son. Shawn had a lot of Ric's mannerisms but it wasn't enough to make one start speculating about him being an illegitimate lovechild.
And then there was Ric's other son, Allen Jones, better known as the Phenomenal AJ Styles. The idea of that kid being Ric's son and Shawn's brother was just as bizarre. But what baffled Hunter the most was how different AJ and Shawn were.
Even in the small time he saw them together, he couldn't shake how different they were. Shawn was very outspoken about his feelings while AJ seemed more reserved, only opening his mouth to defend himself from what he thought was nothing more than a cruel rib. Hmmph. If only.
He couldn't just sit around any longer. None of this shit made any sense. Why didn't Ric tell Shawn back in 2002? Even if he respected Ric, even Hunter had to admit that Shawn had a point.
Hunter drew a hot shower, and quickly dressed. He was sure Ric was still in town since TNA was still taping this week. He was going to pay Ric a visit to get some answers, and hopefully he'd run into the kid too, that way he could set him straight about a few things.
*****************
Roddy yawned and rubbed at his eyes as he messed with the coffee at the breakfast area in the lobby of the hotel. He remembered how Ric drank his, so he got them each a tall cup and carried them back to the room where Ric was no doubt still awake. Despite looking completely worn out and more than needing the sleep, Ric had spent most of the night awake or else just getting bits of fitful sleep. Roddy stayed awake with him, talking when Ric needed him to say something, being quiet when Ric needed him to listen, and holding him when Ric needed to be comforted. It made for a long night and droopy eyes the morning after. Roddy slipped back into the room and found Ric in the small bathroom splashing water onto his face.
"Coffee?" He asked, nudging one of the foam cups towards Ric.
Ric took the cup, giving Rod a small, grateful smile in return. He was lucky to have his best friend with him; he had no idea how he would have gotten through the night if it weren't for him. Last night's events played again and again in his head, and it hurt, to know that he caused so much pain to the two men who meant the most to him in the world. He took a sip of it before asking,
"Did I do right? Was the talk really the right thing?"
"Ric, I think it's good that you're trying to fix things, or at least get them out into the open." Rod placed his hand gently over Ric's. "It just takes ti--" Roddy stopped, thinking he heard a knock at their door. He poked his head out of the bathroom where they were still standing. "Hey Naitch, someones at the door." He sat his cup on the edge of the sink, and went to peer through the peephole. "Ric... AJ's at the door."
Ric gulped, knowing that this moment had to come, but wishing he had more time to prepare himself. Who are you kidding, Flair, you'll never be ready for this. That's your damned problem. He walked out of the bathroom and opened the door.
AJ had stood in front of the door for a few minutes before knocking, but even after that he found himself frozen under Ric's gaze.
"I'm sorry if I came too early," AJ muttered, looking down, "I just... I couldn't wait."
"No, no AJ. It's alright. Come inside." AJ followed Ric into the room, waving at Piper when he saw him. Once they all settled down, Ric said,
"Do you want some coffee or something? I can get you--"
"I'm fine," AJ answered. An uncomfortable silence followed, neither AJ nor Ric knowing what to say, or how to begin to address the past thirty years.
"You both look like shit, I'm guessing AJ that you were up all night thinking of Ric, just like he was up all night thinking of you?"
Roddy shoved in, hating the dead, heavy silence. He looked around for his coffee, and remembered he left it in the bathroom so he went to get it hoping Ric and AJ would start talking before he had to do something drastic like grab their jaws and move their mouths for them.
As Rod left the room, Ric smiled a little on the inside; he had to remember to thank Roddy later. He turned back to AJ and said,
"So, have you been up all night?"
"Pretty much," AJ said, looking down. Even the amount of space in the room felt crushing at the moment.
"So, shoot. What was going through your mind?" Ric moved a little closer, trying to do anything to help AJ relax during the conversation- it was going to be stressful enough without the anticipation doing them in. "I promise I'll be honest with you, Allen. Just ask me anything."
AJ nodded, trying to find the right question to start with.
"Well... are you sure? I mean, that me and Shawn are both yours?"
Ric nodded.
"Positive. I've never gotten any tests done, if that's what you're asking, but I have this feeling. I know, inside, that you two are mine." He looked down, lost in memories. Two different women, connected only by the fact their sons were also his. "I never doubted it."
The certainty was jarring, to say the least. The crueler voice in AJ started whispering, asking him why, if this man was so certain that the children were his, that he just left them with nothing. He was tempted to listen to it, but he chose to ignore the voice and continue.
"How did you meet my mom?"
"Your mother...?" Ric could see so much of the woman in AJ.
In truth, all those years ago, when she first sought him out to tell him, he didn't remember her. He only met her once afterwards, and from then on in, her face was ingrained in his mind.
"I was just breaking out. I was on top of the world. I didn't think of consequences; I was in every bar, hanging on different women each week. Your mom was a girl feeling rebellious who just happened to bump into the wrong guy."
"Yeah, we were kind of the wild guys back then." Roddy confirmed, coming back in with his coffee and sitting on the bed. "You know how young stupid guys can be...well maybe not." Roddy added, watching AJ's face. He seemed like he could barely get off with hurting a fly, let alone getting involved in some of the crazy shenanigans Ric and Roddy had once been known to become entangled in on an almost nightly basis. "Never mind, sorry I interrupted." He stayed quiet blowing at the steam from his cup and watching the two men closely.
Ric and Rod's words both registered in AJ's mind, but still, he had trouble grasping all of it. Shawn's words echoed: "Knocking up silly little gold diggers and abandoning them. You know, can't mess up the Great Ric Flair's routine." He wanted to stop hearing the Texan drawl, but it was almost teasing AJ for following Ric instead of doing like he did and shutting the door in his face.
"How did you find out she was pregnant with me?" He asked, his throat feeling dry.
"She told me. Looked me up- I wasn't too hard to find, even back then- and told me that she was pregnant, and that I was the father." The day came back too, a small woman with dark hair telling him everything like she was the famous one and he were the normal man, not the other way around. "She told me she wasn't going to get rid of you for anything and that either I was in or I was out."
"And you chose out." It wasn't a question; it was a statement, something AJ knew was a fact.
Ric swallowed, the growing harshness in AJ's voice hitting him roughly.
"I wanted..." he started, but then he shook his head."No, that doesn't matter. I had a choice in front of me and I chose my career, the life I knew and loved, over my duty. I was selfish. I wish I could say something else, but it would be a lie. I'm sorry Allen."
AJ stood up, unable to keep himself calm anymore.
"So why now?" he said, his voice barely in control, "Why after thirty years would you suddenly pop into my life? Why tell me now?" His hands balled into fists, but he took a deep breath, calming himself again. "It was just me and her," he said, "We had nothing. We needed you then, but you weren't there. So why now? Why?"
Ric stood up, putting his hands on AJ's shoulders. AJ's head turned down, unwilling to look him in the eye, wishing he could find a way to escape.
"Allen, I... I can't begin to explain the amount of mistakes I made. Your mother made it clear that I would be in your life or I wouldn't be; there was no half way. And I chose the wrong way, the selfish way. Each day I've thought about you, and Shawn, and all the things I wished I could do right. I want to do right by you. Please, give me a chance to do this right."
AJ screwed his eyes shut, trying to stop them from burning. He didn't want to cry.
"I always wondered..." AJ said, finally choosing to meet Ric's eyes, "...what my father was like. I waited for him to come back and just help us out, make our family whole. I've waited so long that I just want to punch you and tell you to fuck off... but I can't. God, I can't."
Ric wasn't sure what to do then. He wished he knew something, anything to take AJ's pain away. Roddy moved from the bed, and placed his hand on AJ's shoulder.
"Allen, all that time can't be erased punching Ric in the face. I know you're angry and hurt, but the anger isn't going to do any good. Believe me, I know. I was angry, enraged at my father when I was a young man. I carried it around for a very long time before learning to deal with it. At least your father cares enough to admit he was wrong, and face you. Every father is only human, and we all make mistakes, some lesser and some greater. Good thing about mistakes--there's always a chance they just might be fixable." Roddy gave a gentle smile to AJ, hoping one or two of his words had made a little sense.
AJ turned to Rod. He knew, in his mind, that what he was saying was right. He could hear the bible study classes ringing in his ear, all the stories about forgiveness and honoring your father. It was hard to actually do it, though; he couldn't help the storm of emotions tearing at him. He didn't even understand all of them. There was some resentment, some anger... but there was also so many other things. He had no idea how to react to it all.
A sudden knock filled the room, and AJ turned to the door. He was almost relieved for the distraction- the room was suffocating, hearing all the things about the past and possibly the future.
"I'll get that," AJ said, moving quickly away.
Ric's face fell; he knew that this conversation wouldn't go well. He just wished he knew what AJ was thinking.
****************
All H had to do was make one phone call and he was standing in front of Ric's hotel room. Kevin was only too kind to give him the info especially when H explained to him that it had a little something to do with their baby girl. Kevin didn't ask any questions but he made H promise to let him know if he needed anything. So now here he was standing outside Ric's door. Here goes nothing... He knocked softly at the door and then waited. Hoping Ric was inside. He really, really needed to get things off his chest before he exploded.
AJ opened the door and froze, looking at the man in front of him. It was Hunter Hearst Helmsley, The Triple H- the man who saw everything unfold the previous night. AJ stared at the man for a moment in complete shock before he turned around.
"Ric," AJ shouted out, "Ric, it's-" he had no clue what to call him; nothing felt right. But Ric saved him the trouble, walking over and saying,
"Hunter. I expected this, but not so soon." Ric turned to Roddy, who had a worried look on his face, and then to AJ. "Could you two excuse us for a moment? We'll continue this later, I promise, but this is important."
Rod nodded, understanding the situation first. He walked forward and hugged Ric, telling him that he wouldn't be far if he needed him. He said a quick bye to Hunter before leaving the room. AJ followed Rod, unsure what to say to either of the other men; just deciding to get out of the room as quickly as possible; and escaping the tension.
"Just a second, Styles." Hunter placed a hand on AJ's shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. "Don't go," he said as politely as his anger would let him. "Because what I got to say needs to be said to the both of ya."
AJ turned around, grabbing Hunter's hand and, as gently as he could given his temperament, gave it back to him. Part of him screamed to leave, that he didn't know Hunter, and he shouldn't get involved with him, but the dominant half wanted to hear what he had to say.
"Alright." AJ closed the door and walked back into the room, sitting on a chair far from Ric and Hunter.
Ric spared a glance at AJ, thinking about what Hunter could possibly want that needed AJ to stay. He expected to get chewed out, but for AJ and Hunter to not cross paths in these circumstances.
"So... what do you have to say, Hunter?"
Hunter ran a hand through his hair.
"Man...Ric. This is some mess you got going on here. Two sons - neither of them cared for much by you - and you have the audacity to just spring this on them like that? What happened Ric? What the hell possessed you to go about it this way? I'm so...fucking confused. My head hurts; I didn't sleep a fucking wink last night all because I kept seeing your defeated posture and Shawn's cold, icy stare so now tell me, why now? Why didn't you tell him back in 2002?"
"Nice to see you too, Hunter," Ric muttered. Ric looked over at AJ, and then back at Hunter. "I had my reasons," Ric finally said, "None of them feel adequate now. So I guess it goes back to the simple 'Ric Flair screwed up'. Like he always does."
AJ stood quiet, just listening to both men- he didn't feel like he belonged in the room with them, so he kept his mouth shut, although he wished Ric would try to put up his reasons.
"Yeah, yeah Ric. We did all of our pleasantries over the phone yesterday so none of that." Hunter looked around the room at AJ, but decided not to drill into him just yet. Right now he really just wanted answers from Ric because nothing made sense to him right now. "Look Ric, I'm sorry for--you know I have nothing but the utmost respect for you but man...you gotta understand that I'm in the middle here. You and I shared a lot of things with one another when we were in Evolution but how come you never mentioned to me about Shawn? And were you ever gonna say anything to him about it because telling him something this big right now seems odd to me."
"I understand your position Hunter," Ric said, "And I appreciate the gravity of it. But I didn't mention Shawn to almost anyone; yes, we got close, but I've gotten close to many people who didn't know my secret. It wasn't your burden to bear with." He gulped, and AJ leaned forward a little, thinking he'd get his answers. "And sometimes, the truth is a lot less bearable and favorable than a lie."
Hunter nodded his head.
"Alright, fair enough, but that doesn't explain why you chose now to tell him. Maybe I'm being a little pushy about the timing but..." he laughed a little, still trying to wrap his head around it. "It doesn't look good Ric. Just what the hell were you waiting on? Some... invisible sign from God? Didn't you realize that the longer you held out on something this big, the worse it would be in the long run?"
"My past just finally caught up with me, and it told my slow self that I had two children to own up to," Ric answered, "I didn't mean for it to get out of hand. My intentions ran away from me, and... here we are." He once again looked over at AJ, who was still keeping any and all thoughts to himself. "I know I have a lot to atone for," he said, more saying it to AJ than to Hunter, "But I'm going to work hard for it, even if it takes the rest of my lifetime."
Hunter paced the room for a bit, shaking his head. He could tell just by the way Ric spoke that he was hurting a lot more than he was letting on, but Hunter didn't care - at least not right now. Not when his best friend was getting along so well after years and years of heartache only to have Ric take it away from him; taking him right back to the place he supposedly left behind.
"God Ric…" H groaned. "I just...I just wish you'd have clued me in ya know? I wish you would have told me first so I could have been prepared for this. Shawn...God Ric..."
"If I thought there was a way I could have prepared for this, I would have happily prepared you for it too," Ric muttered. He took a deep breath and said, "All we can do is stop wishing about stuff we can't change and focus on the stuff we can. The future, Hunter, I'm focusing on the future now." Another message, seemingly sent for AJ's ears as well as, if not for more than, Hunter's.
Hunter looked up at Ric and saw that his eyes lingered on AJ, clearly hoping that the kid was getting the message but to Hunter, AJ looked about as confused as he was about everything. Hunter followed Ric across the room and took a seat on the end of the bed staring down at the floor. The future. Ric wanted to focus on the future but that was easier said than done. Hunter knew Shawn all too well to know that Ric wasn't getting in his good graces anytime soon, if ever. Hunter scoffed, unable to hold in his thoughts any longer.
"You...do know that your son, the diva, isn't going to talk to you anytime soon right? I mean, you do realize that you have possibly ruined his life for the 100th time in his miserable little life and taken away what little peace he'd struggled to get? You might have a future with the kid over there but you can hang it up with Shawn. He's never going to come around and in all honestly Ric, I'm not sure I can blame him. I'm just being real here."
AJ heard the unhidden contempt in Hunter's voice and his hands tightened into fists again- it was an obvious dig that AJ would have respected more if he voiced it openly. Yes, he said some things last night- but at the time, they felt more than justified. But he still kept quiet, knowing that this was their conversation- not his.
"Like I said, I'm going to work hard for it, even if it takes my lifetime to do it," Ric replied, "I know, Shawn's led a hard life- but I laid the truth out there. If he never talks to me again, that's fine. I just don't want it to end knowing that I never tried."
Hunter shook his head.
"No Ric. You know nothing about the life Shawn led, so just save it. Let's...let's not go there. I heard your story last night and while I understand why you did it, it doesn't mean I think it was the right thing to do. In Shawn's case, okay, so maybe you were too young to be a father, but you had way too many opportunities to get this shit out in the open. As for the kid over there, I don't think it's really my place to say much about him."
"I know enough to know he had a hard one," Ric said, "Never pretended I knew anything more. Now that we've got that in the clear… Hunter, you know even less about the life I led so please, stop it. If you think I haven't thought the same things, then you've got another thing coming. But I made choices Hunter, choices I can't take back. That's all there is to it. Oh, and if you have something to say to Allen-" AJ looked up, surprised to hear his name coming out of Ric's mouth, "-say it to him, not to me. Something tells me the kid has a few words for you too."
Hunter scoffed.
"Whatever, Ric. Don't try that old "Wise Ric" talk on me. I've been around you long enough and I'm telling you now that that right there won't work on me." Hunter slowly stood to his feet nodding his head. "You're right about one thing though. I really don't know shit about you. I thought I did, but that just goes to show how much you really know a person."
Hunter's eyes rounded on AJ who looked just as shocked and confused as before. He scoffed, shaking his head.
"Doesn't look like he has much to say now, and truth be told, I don't have much to say to him anyway. In fact, I sympathize more with him than either you or Shawn. My only beef with the kid is that I didn't take too highly of him judging his brother so soon under these circumstances. It's not fair to Shawn, but whatever." Hunter raised his hands in defeat. "I guess I should leave now. It's clear to me that I'm not getting anything more out of you today so Imma get going. Got to go check up on the diva before anything else jumps off...that is, if he'll even see me."
"It's not fair to Shawn." AJ found himself echoing what Hunter said, not sure what he was saying, but he said it, "I think a lot of things were unfair last night... to everyone involved, and most of it was coming out of Shawn's mouth. So I'm sorry I judged him so quickly, but he had it coming." And, remembering all the ways Hunter found to condescendingly refer to him but not actually say anything to him, he added, "And I'm right here. Tell me, not Ric,about your problems with me."
"I really didn't have much to say to you but since you decided to finally man up and speak for a change, I'll talk with you." Hunter closed in on AJ, fixing the ridiculously large gap between them. "So, you say the things coming out of Shawn's mouth were unfair, huh? What? All because he insulted your mother? Get over it kid. It could have been a lot worse. Yeah, I'll admit that a lot of things that were said last night were to the extreme, but to judge your brother after just one night is unfair and you know it. I'm pretty sure you feel just as bad as Shawn - if not worse - so I'm trying to figure out why you didn't just go for it. Are you really okay with all of this or do you just not have the balls to speak your mind? You wanted to know my issue with you so there ya go."
AJ looked up at Hunter, the height difference not intimidating him at all.
"So, he can call my mother a whore and I should just get over it, but I call him a diva and you get to throw a tantrum?" He laughed hollowly; the whole situation seemed funny to him now. "And then you proceed to judge me based on...well, one night. You want to protect your friend, go right ahead, but don't stand in front of me and lecture me like you have some kind of better nature I missed like a-"
Finally having enough of the spectacle, Ric stepped forward, putting a hand on Hunter's shoulder.
"Wait a minute," he said, cutting AJ off. "Let's just calm down here. There's no need for this."
"Look... kid... spare me the dramatics," Hunter growled. "I'm only trying to help you. Yeah I came to his rescue about the diva comment but only because I didn't want you to get the wrong impression. I'm not knocking you for defending your mother; I'm knocking you for judging your brother. He shouldn't have said it, but he was upset and for that I think you should look past it. He never would have said a thing about your mother had he not been so upset. He knows all too well himself what it's like to grow up without a father." Hunter shook Ric off. "And I'm fine. I wouldn't hit this kid even if I wanted to. I got too much respect for his diva of a brother and his oh so wise father," he mocked.
"Well, maybe 'the kid' shouldn't have said it, but he was upset and for that I think you should look past it," AJ said, returning the mocking tone. But, before he could say anything more, Ric interjected again.
"I never thought you would hit him. It's not your style. There's just no need for you two to do this." Ric looked at Hunter. "I'm sure we have more to talk about, but right now, go check on Shawn like you said. If he's at the point where he wants you to choose between me and him, choose him." He patted Hunter's shoulder, wishing he was this comfortable with his own children.
Hunter let out an annoyed sigh.
"Ric, you know I don't want to do that!" he snapped irritably. "You know me, Ric. You know me. You know that's why I came here; to see if there was any way I can...if there was something I can get from you that would help repair the damage that was done last night. I don't want to lose my best friend Ric, but at the same time, I love you too. I'm not just going to abandon you like this; not after everything you've done for me."
Ric smiled softly. "I love you too, Hunter. But like you said, there's a chance I burned that bridge. I'd rather know that he was being taken care of than ruin a friendship in the process. Thank you for your concern, but right now, I don't think there's much you can do but be a good friend to Shawn--like always." He looked at AJ, seeing the exact same possibility- a burned bridge- in his eyes. "Your place is with him now; mine's here."
Hunter ran a hand through his hair nodding his head.
"Yeah...if he'll see me. He kicked me out last night too you know so, I dunno. I'm just hoping Vince was able to put in a good word for me otherwise I may as well join the club." Hunter looked over at AJ wanting to clear the air before he left. "Look kid, I wasn't... I didn't mean any harm. I was just trying to look out for a friend. It's my job...its been my job for a long time now. My storming over here was out of habit and a need to protect him. He's not as strong as you inside, kid. You got him beat by a long shot and that's real talk." Hunter turned to Ric pulling him into a hug. "You take care man. I hope everything works out and if you need anything, call anyway. I'm determined not to give up on either of you even if I still don't quite get it."
Ric patted his back.
"You take care too, Hunter, and you watch out for Shawn."
AJ nodded in his direction, unsure of anything else to say. He couldn't fault Hunter for defending a friend, and hearing him talk to him without the condescension was jarring. He watched as Ric walked with Hunter to the door, whispering something about how he'd call him if he needed it. He sat down on the bed, pushing his hair back, thinking about the whole encounter now. Everything seemed to conspire to make it harder and harder for AJ to make a choice about anything that was going on.
"Allen?" AJ looked up; Ric had returned to the room. "You know, not many people can say they stared down The Game."
"He's just a human being. Not some kind of monster," AJ answered.
"Not many would agree with you." Ric sat next to AJ, still trying to give him the proper amount of space. "If you want, I'll ask Hogan to find a way to end this partnership. I can sell an injury pretty well..."
"No." AJ shook his head. "Let's not drag work into this." He stood up and said, "I honestly don't know what to think. I'm not saying anything yet- just give me time to think this over."
"It's the least you can ask for," Ric said.
A moment of silence followed, and AJ walked towards the door. His hand reached for the knob but then he froze, taking one last look back at Ric.
"I'll see you later," AJ said quietly, his voice doing nothing to betray how he felt inside.
AJ opened the door and walked out of the room, leaving Ric with his thoughts.