Dark Saviour

Chapter 22 - Not My Colour

….

"Who invited him?"

"What do you mean who invited him? You invited him."

"No, I didn't."

"Yes you did."

"When?"

"After we talked last night. You called him, remember?"

"I didn't call him."

"Then who did you call? Weren't you talking about inviting him here?"

"No! Why, were you?"

"Of course I was. Wait, you didn't want him here?"

"No. He'll ruin all our plans."

"Isn't he a part of our plans?"

"No? Did you seriously go and invite him?"

"No, I thought you were inviting him."

"Why would I invite him?"

Both Shawn and Kane stared off in the same direction, both utterly confused. Neither could figure out what was happening.

"If you didn't invite him and I didn't invite him," Kane said, pausing as he thought it over. "Then who invited him?"

Shawn merely shrugged as his eyes traveled over the four men standing next to the beverage table. "I don't have the slightest idea."

"Wait," Kane turned to look over at Shawn. "Do you think he did?"

"He who?"

"Rey?"

"What about Rey?" Shawn asked, confused.

"Do you think he'd invite him?"

"No," Shawn said, shaking his head quickly. "Rey's been trying to get me to leave Mark's personal life alone."

"Really?" Kane replied, shocked. "And you haven't listened?"

Shawn shook his head again. "How could I? It's so hard to resist."

"Resist what?"

"Playing matchmaker, silly," Shawn smiled. "I mean it's fun trying to find someone for Mark."

"I guess that's true," Kane nodded. "But I still would like to know who invited him," he added, turning once more to look in the direction of his brother.

"Me to. That way I could hit them."

Kane turned quickly to look at The Heart-Break Kid. "Why?"

"Because they ruined all my plans," Shawn replied. "I mean, how am I supposed to get Mark and Jericho together now?"

"Mark and Jericho?"

"Yeah. Those two are perfect together," Shawn beamed happily.

"What are you smoking?" Kane asked his brow furrowed. "Mark and Jericho would never make a good match."

"Show's how much you know," Shawn muttered under his breath.

"I know my brother and it's definitely not Jericho he's fallen for," Kane replied, glancing once more to where his brother stood. "Just look at him. He's happy again."

"I don't think so," Shawn said, shaking his head.

"I do think so," Kane retorted. "I've never seen that kind of emotion in him before," he paused. "Except maybe the years when he was secretly with Chris."

"Really?" Shawn said, looking over at the Deadman with new eyes. "Maybe your right," he added, turning his head from side to side.

"Of course I'm right," Kane scoffed.

"I said you only might be right," Shawn replied. "I still think I'm right in that he belongs with Jericho."

"We shall see," Kane stated simply before making his way through the crowd toward his brother and the new comer.

….

Rey hugged the newcomer, smiling brightly. Jericho shook the newcomer's hand, also smiling brightly. Undertaker, however, stood frozen as he focused upon the person in front of him. He just couldn't believe his eyes. Nothing could have prepared him for the emotions he felt. Absolutely nothing.

"Hey."

Taker didn't respond immediately, he still needed to regain control of himself. Once he was sure that his voice wouldn't betray him, he nodded. "Your back."

"Only for a visit."

Undertaker nodded again, trying to ignore the twinge of disappointment he felt. He had been hoping that he would be here to stay. "How long are you here for?"

"I haven't decided yet," Jeff replied, his hazel eyes giving away the sadness he felt. "I may leave tomorrow. I might leave next week," he shrugged.

"So, you only came back for the party?" Jericho asked his brow furrowed slightly in confusion.

"No," Jeff shook his head, smiling softly. "I came back for WrestleMania."

"But?"

"Not to fight," Jeff said, interrupting Jericho. "I came to support Matt in his brief appearance and to check out the other matches."

Undertaker couldn't help but feel a strange emotion roll over him at Jeff's words. Even as his emotion confused him, he somehow felt comforted by them at the same time. He came to watch the matches. That means' he was there for my match, he was watching . . . Taker shook his head, not allowing himself to finish that thought.

"So, which match was your favourite?" Jericho asked, not noticing the strange look on Taker's face. Undertaker blinked slightly in confusion, trying to figure out what he had missed while his mind was off elsewhere. Luckily, no one seemed to have noticed his vacant expression.

"I'm not really sure," Jeff answered, looking up at the ceiling as he thought about it. "I mean, they were all good and there were even some really funny moments."

"Funny how?" Rey asked, slightly confused by Jeff's statement.

"Well," Jeff laughed lightly. "I mean, Glen kicking Chavo's ass in about three seconds to win the ECW Title. That was funny."

"True," Rey admitted, laughing with Jeff. "I don't think Chavo will ever live that one down."

"What did you think of the World Heavyweight match?" Jericho asked, glancing over at Taker slightly as he did so.

Jeff pondered for a second. "Actually, I think it was one of the better matches tonight."

Undertaker, who had just taken a drink of his beer, nearly choked when he heard Jeff's answer. It was the last thing he had expected. "Why?" he asked, once he made sure that he wouldn't start to choke, giving himself away.

Jeff shrugged. "I don't really know," he paused. "I guess it's because your matches are always good."

"You really think so?" Jericho asked, tilting his head to one side.

Before Jeff could answer, he felt an arm come around his shoulders. Turning, he came face to face with the smiling Ric Flair.

"Hey there, Jeff, my boy!" Ric exclaimed.

"Hey, Ric," Jeff replied, turning to give the Nature Boy a hug. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm doing fine," Ric replied, patting Jeff on the back. "My retirement has been a long time coming and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it."

"You definitely picked a good way to go out there, Ric," Jericho said, nodding at the older Superstar.

"Yeah, Shawn was so happy that you choose him," Rey stated, looking up at Ric. "I think he was very pleased to help you out one more time."

"I'm glad he wanted to. Hell, I was afraid he'd hate my idea and not do it."

"Why wouldn't he?" Jeff asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Yeah, it was a brilliant move," Jericho said, agreeing with Jeff's unspoken statement. "It really opens doors for him and new storylines."

"But it also adds another name to his already massive collection," Ric replied.

"What do you mean?" Jericho asked his brow furrowed.

"He's already known for turning on people he's worked with and 'screwing' Hart. Now he's got putting me into retirement on his belt," Ric answered, shrugging slightly. "But he's never turned down a friend in need and he's always done the things that others aren't willing to do."

"That definitely true," Jeff nodded.

"What are you talking about there ladies?" Shawn asked, putting an arm around both Ric and Jeff's shoulders.

"You, what else?" Rey replied, blinking innocently.

"Hey, Jeff," Kane said, smiling at the Rainbow Haired Warrior. "How have you been?"

"I've been better," Jeff replied, rubbing his arm slightly.

"How's that drug problem coming?" Shawn asked, turning to look at Jeff.

"Shawn!" Rey exclaimed in shock.

"What?"

"That's none of your business."

"I was just asking."

"It's okay, Rey," Jeff said, nodding at the smaller man. "And I haven't had to use any since I left."

"That's good to hear."

Everyone turned to look at Undertaker. He had remained silent for so long, that almost everyone had forgotten that he was even there. Jeff lowered his eyes briefly before raising them once more to meet the Deadman's gaze directly.

"I'm sorry for lying to you about that, Mark."

Taker merely shook his head. "Don't worry about it."

"But . . ."

Undertaker shook his head once more. "It's fine," he said, downing the remainder of his beer. Don't lose control now, not when you finally got it back. Don't lose it now, he thought to himself, not meeting the younger Superstar's gaze.

"Anyway," Jericho said, breaking the awkward silence that followed. "Back to our original topic. What was your favourite part of his match?"

"Whose match?" Kane asked.

"Mark's," Jericho replied. "So, what was it?"

"Um, I don't know," Jeff said, trying hard not to blush.

"Come on. You had to have a favourite part," Rey insisted.

"Okay, um, I guess I liked the entrance and when the ref had to run down that ramp," Jeff stated finally. "Who decided to make that ramp so long?"

"No idea," Ric laughed. "But, yeah, those were good. Although I will admit that I was kind of disappointed that you didn't wear your hat, Mark."

Taker shrugged. "Felt like trying something new."

"Should have gone with my idea," Kane said, pouting slightly as he folded his arms over his chest.

"And what was that?" Jeff asked, laughing as Taker rolled his eyes and shook his head. Whether in embarrassment or annoyance, Jeff couldn't tell.

"I thought he would have looked good out there in a pair of hot pink spandex," Kane answered, patting his brother on the back.

Everyone burst out laughing, an image of the Deadman in pink floating through their heads.

"I don't think so."

Everyone turned to look at Jeff in surprise. The Rainbow Haired Warrior was not laughing at the Deadman like everyone else, but instead looked completely serious.

"Come on, Jeff. Lighten up a little," Jericho chuckled.

"Didn't realize you had such a strong opinion on that," Shawn said, still giggling uncontrollably.

"Sorry. I just don't think hot pink is the Deadman's colour," Jeff replied.

"You're right," Kane chuckled, turning to look at Jeff. "That's your colour."

"No, that's Adam's colour. Didn't you see that hot pink thong he wore one match?" Ric said.

"No, no, no, the hot pink pants he wore that one time," Rey laughed. This time, all the Superstars burst out laughing, including Taker.

"No, but seriously, Mark, my man, if you wanted to try something different, you should have gone with a different colour."

"That's you, Ric. Not me."

"And why is that?" Shawn asked, placing his hands on his hips.

"Because I don't do well with colour."

"Oh, please. I've seen you wear plenty of different colours before."

"In the ring?"

"No," Shawn said, thinking about what Taker had said.

"Actually, that's not true," Jeff replied, looking up at the Deadman.

"What are you talking about?" Kane asked.

"When you were the American Badass you wore different colours. Hell, you wore jeans," Jeff answered.

"That's true," Ric nodded.

"But I'm not the American Badass anymore," Taker stated firmly. "I don't wear jeans or colour into the ring."

"But that would have been something interesting to see again. To have the Deadman walk to the ring at WrestleMania 24 in jeans," Shawn smiled.

"Not really," Jeff shrugged as once more, all eyes turned to stare at him.

"Why not?" Ric asked.

"This is the Deadman we're talking about. I think it would have scared the fans if he came out in jeans all of a sudden. Nobody makes that kind of transformation that quickly," Jeff explained. "Let alone on the biggest night of them all."

"True," Ric nodded. "You do have a point there."

"Of course I do."

"But still," Shawn piped up, gaining everyone attention. "If Mark wanted something new and shocking, he should have gone with something bold."

"I wanted different, not shocking," Taker replied, shaking his head slightly.

"If you say so," Shawn shrugged, turning slightly to grab a sandwich off the table.

Rey shook his head, laughing slightly. "I'm surprised you gave up so quickly, Shawn."

"I haven't given up. I'm trying to think of what other things Mark could have done differently," Shawn answered, smiling impishly.

"Oh no," Jericho said, groaning slightly. "I recognize that look."

"What look?" Shawn asked innocently.

"You're planning on something, aren't you?"

"No."

"Don't give me that," Jericho smiled.

"Give you what?" Shawn asked, holding his hands up. "I don't have anything to give."

"Shawn," Kane said, patting the smaller man on the shoulder. "Come on, spill."

"I couldn't."

"Come on," Kane replied, almost pleadingly.

"Well, I was just thinking of your idea."

"My idea?" Kane asked, confused.

"Oh, brother," Taker shook his head, slightly afraid of where this was going. "What the hell were you thinking, Glen?"

"Nothing," Kane said. "Honest."

"Sure you weren't," Shawn smiled evilly.

"I wasn't."

"So, you're telling me that you weren't thinking about a certain person meeting another certain person?" Shawn asked, looking up at Kane innocently.

"Shawn, please. Don't go there," Rey pleaded.

"Go where?"

Taker, Jeff, Jericho and Ric looked at the trio as the banter continued. All four men were growing more and more confused with each passing minute. No one could figure out who they were talking about. Finally, annoyed with listening to the conversation, Undertaker turned to Jeff.

"Where are you staying tonight?"

"Not sure yet," Jeff admitted.

"How come?" Jericho asked.

Jeff shrugged. "Because I don't. I only just got into town. I haven't even gone to a hotel."

"That's not good there, boy," Ric said. "Most hotels are full around here."

"Oh well. So I head on back home after the party," Jeff replied, shrugging. "Or I'll sleep in my car."

"You mean you drove here?" Jericho asked in shock.

"Yeah, it was cheaper than taking a flight."

"You've got to be shitting me," Jericho said. "With these gas prices?"

"For me, it was cheaper taking a car."

"So, you don't have a place to stay tonight?" Taker asked.

"No," Jeff replied, shaking his head. "But that's okay. I've dealt with worse things than sleeping in a car or driving all night."

"I won't let you do that."

Jeff looked up Undertaker, confused. "What?"

"I'm not going to let you drive all night or sleep in your car," Taker answered. "I've still got that extra bed. It's yours if want it."

"Really?" Jeff asked, surprised by the Deadman's kindness. "Thanks."

"That's really generous of you, Mark," Ric said, smiling up at Taker.

"Yeah, it is," Jericho replied.

"What's generous?" Rey asked, turning his attention back to the four men standing behind him.

"Mark's letting Jeff room in with him tonight," Jericho explained.

"Really?" Kane and Shawn asked in unison.

"Yeah, the old boy is going soft on us," Ric smiled, patting Undertaker on the shoulder.

"What do you mean I'm going soft?" Undertaker asked.

"Well, it's obvious isn't it?" Kane said, looking at his older brother. "You're inviting someone to share your room."

"Your point being?"

"You never used to do that," Kane answered.

"That's because you shared a room with me," Taker replied, rolling his eyes.

Jericho shook his head, smiling. "I know what you should have worn tonight."

"Not this again," Taker said, shaking his head. "I thought we were passed that?"

"Not by a long shot," Jericho smiled.

"What is it?" Jeff asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Rainbow," Jericho stated simply.

"Rainbow?" Shawn asked, confused.

Jericho nodded. "Yeah, he should have worn rainbow pants."

"I don't think so," Taker replied.

"Why not?" Kane asked.

"Not my colour."

"It's a rainbow. At least one of them has to be your colour," Ric said, smiling.

"Sorry, I don't do rainbows."

"Or Rainbow Haired Warriors." Kane muttered, chuckling.

Jeff could feel his cheeks heating up as he began to blush. "What?" he choked, praying he didn't hear what he thought he did.

"Nothing," Kane replied, smiling innocently.

"What did you say about Rainbow Haired Warriors?" Taker asked, his brow raised expectantly at his brother.

"Nothing."

"Bull."

"It's nothing you have to worry about," Kane smiled innocently.

"He said you don't do Rainbow Haired Warriors either," Shawn piped up. "Which I think means that . . ."

"SHAWN!" Rey shouted.

"What?" Shawn asked.

"You don't go around talking about things like that!"

"Like what?"

Rey would have responded but it was right at that moment that he noticed that the entire room had fallen silent at his outburst. Blushing uncontrollably, he muttered something under his breath and retreated into a corner.

"Anyway, why would you say something like that, Glen?" Ric asked.

Kane shrugged. "I don't know. It just slipped out."

"Sure it did," Taker sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Honestly," Kane replied in his defense.

"I'm sure you had some sort of meaning to that comment," Taker said as he stared pointedly at his brother.

"Of course he did. He meant that you weren't having fun with Jeff," Shawn stated simply before Rey could stop him.

"What are you talking about? We've had fun," Jeff replied.

"You have?" Kane asked in disbelief.

"Well, yeah."

"I bet it's not in the way he's thinking," Shawn replied, laughing at the look on Kane's face.

"What way is he talking about?" Jericho asked, not completely sure he understood Shawn's meaning while being afraid that he did.

"Kane was talking about a different kind of fun," Shawn said.

Jericho groaned lightly, shaking his head. I was right, Kane is thinking of them together. Even 'sleeping' together. Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe he can help me in actually getting them together.

Jeff and Taker looked between Kane and Shawn, confused as hell. Unlike Jericho, they didn't get what Shawn was trying to say.

"What the hell are you talking about Shawn?" Jeff asked as he stared at Shawn.

Shawn shook his head at the confused expressions that the Deadman and Rainbow Haired Warrior had on their faces. "Kane's saying that Mark hasn't gotten to third base with you yet."

"Third base?" Jeff asked his brow furrowed. As he mulled over what Shawn said, it finally dawned on him and he blushed even more. "He's talking about me sleeping with Mark?" he whispered.

"You mean you have?" Kane asked.

"No," Jeff said quickly. "I mean I've slept in the same room but never 'slept' with him, not in the sense that you're thinking."

"But you said you two had some fun?"

"Not that kind of fun," Jeff said in shock.

"But?"

"Glen, get your mind out of the freaking gutter," Taker snapped, smacking his brother upside the head.

"Ouch!" Kane exclaimed, rubbing his head where his brother's hand had made contact with his skull. "What was that for?"

Undertaker didn't reply. He merely hit Kane upside the head again.

"Abuse!"

"Glen, Glen, Glen. How dare you think such things?" Shawn said, shaking his head.

"Me? You're the one trying to play matchmaker here."

"How could you accuse me of that?" Shawn replied, trying to feign shock.

"I know what you've been up to, Shawn. You can't hide it anymore," Undertaker stated simply.

"Who told you?" Shawn asked, before turning on Rey. "You did, didn't you?"

"Of course I did," Rey replied. "I had to tell him so that he was prepared."

"Prepared for what?"

"Your choices in potential matches," Rey answered.

"Wow. This is confusing," Ric said, putting a hand to his head as if he had a headache.

"Sorry, Ric," Rey apologized.

"Come on, you know my match is a good one," Shawn said in his defense.

"You know very well that I want you to leave Mark alone," Rey retorted. "You promised."

"Okay, I'm confused. What the hell is going on?" Jeff asked. He could feel his mind spinning from all the thoughts that he was trying to process.

"Whatever it is, I don't want to be a part of it. I'm out of here," Undertaker said as he turned and headed for the door.

"Mark! Wait up!" Jeff called, before following him out the door.

Rey let out a huff. Great, there go my plans for a nice quiet night for those two.

….

A/N: Well, hope you guys enjoyed that one. Things seem to be heating up in the matchmakers department of the story. R&R.