Dark Saviour
Chapter 25 - Seeking Answers
….
"Are you serious, Adam?"
"I am," Edge answered sincerely. "That's exactly what he asked me to do."
"I don't believe it."
"Neither did I," Edge replied honestly, shaking his head. "But I couldn't exactly say no to him, Chavo. He asked me to help him and the Deadman never asks for help."
"But still, to have Mark actually ask you to . . ."
"Don't say anything about it," Edge said, cutting Chavo off. "I promised Mark that Jeff would never find out about any of this."
"But?"
"But nothing. Mark doesn't want him to know and I gave him my word that I would remain silent," Edge replied as he forced away the guilt he felt at having been so wrong about the Deadman. "I can't believe I actually thought he was capable of ever hurting him."
"Hurting who?"
Both Edge and Chavo turned to find Matt standing behind them. "Um . . . uh," both men stuttered, neither sure exactly what to say.
Matt rolled his eyes at their behaviour. "What, cat got your tongue?"
"No, uh . . ." Chavo said, looking nervously at Edge for guidance.
"We're, uh, discussing upcoming storylines," Edge replied, smiling.
"Sure you were," Matt retorted, shaking his head. "What were you really talking about?"
"I'm telling the truth, Matt," Edge answered, vying to tell a half-truth instead of a straight out lie. "We were only talking about future storylines."
"Okay then, who's going to being hurting who and how?" Matt asked, calling Edge's bluff.
"We're not actually allowed to say. It's all still hush hush," Edge replied.
"Oh really?" Matt said, folding his arms across his chest as he looked between Edge and Chavo, waiting for further information.
"We were talking about a possible inter-brand feud between Rey and Shawn," Chavo answered, earning himself confused looks from both Matt, and Edge.
"Rey and Shawn?" Matt asked in disbelief.
"Um, yeah. I don't think that it will end up happening though. I doubt either of them could seriously hurt the other," Chavo explained. "That's why Adam was saying that he couldn't believe that he could hurt him."
"I see," Matt said, nodding in feign understanding, not believing a word he was hearing. He knew that Shawn and Rey could put on a convincing match against each other, no matter what type it was or how bitter the feud was made out to be.
So what are they hiding? Matt thought silently before saying aloud,"If you guy insist that's all, I'll talk with you later."
"See you later, Matt," Edge said as he watched Matt walk away, leaving the two men alone. After he was certain Matt was out of earshot, Edge rounded on Chavo and smacked him upside the head. "Why did you tell him that?"
"I thought it was a good story," Chavo shrugged.
"If they were new, yeah. But both Shawn and Rey have been here for long enough that they know how to not to let their feelings for each other effect their work," Edge explained. "I mean, come on. Don't you remember when Rey and Eddie fought each other?"
"But that was different . . ."
"Rey and Eddie were essentially brothers. If they could go into the heated feud like that, then Shawn and Rey would have no problem," Edge replied. "Hell, their feud would be one for the ages if they ever actually had one."
"I was only following your cue," Chavo retorted. "I mean, why can't we tell Matt the truth?"
"Because you know he'd run and tell Jeff," Edge replied as he turned and walked down the hallway, slowly making his way toward the locker rooms. "And if he told Jeff, then I wouldn't have kept my promise to Mark."
"But it wouldn't be actually you telling Jeff, now would it?"
Edge stopped and turned to face Chavo, his face serious. "Listen, it wouldn't matter to Mark. All that would matter is that Jeff found out and since I'm the only one Mark talked to about his plans, he would know that I said something to someone and that it got back to Jeff."
"He's going through a lot to make sure Jeff doesn't find out about this, isn't he?"
Edge smirked. "That's what love will do to a guy."
"You mean?"
"It looks like Mark's finally found love," Edge smiled.
"Definitely an interesting place to find it," Chavo smirked, looking up at Edge. "I never thought he swung that way. But to each their own I guess."
"Yeah," Edge replied as he walked down the hallway. After a few paces, he stopped abruptly. "Shit."
"What?" Chavo asked.
"Sorry, I've got to go. I told Mark that I would be the one to talk to Vickie about this."
"You're going to tell Vickie about what Mark told you?"
"Hell no. I'm not an idiot," Edge shook his head. "I'm just going to tell her that Mark suggested a change of plans for his own personal reasons and leave it at that."
"You know that's not going to fly all that well," Chavo replied, pointing at Edge.
"It's not like we're planning on changing the main event for Judgment Day," Edge said. "We're just planning a different outcome for when we bring this feud to its end. There are still about 5 weeks left for Vickie and the story writers to create something new."
"Either way, I'm just glad that you're the one telling her and not me."
"It'll all be okay. I'm sure she'd like to continue with the whole 'La Familia' idea," Edge replied.
"And if not, it's your funeral."
….
Jericho sat in the locker room, shoving his ring gear into his duffel bag while Rey sat across from him, waiting for Shawn to finish with his match. After shoving the last bit of gear into his bag, Jericho stood and nodded his head at Rey before he went to the door. As his hand made to grasp the knob, the door was pulled open and Jeff walked into the room looking annoyed.
"Damn it."
"What's the matter?" Jericho asked his brow furrowed. "Lose something?"
"No," Jeff answered, running his fingers through his hair. "Damn it," he muttered again.
"You sure about that?" Rey asked, looking up at Jeff, his concern evident. "You look a little frazzled."
"I'm fine," Jeff replied as he continued to clutch at his hair while he looked around the room in a daze.
"You don't look fine," Jericho said, putting an arm around Jeff shoulders, forcing the Rainbow Haired Warrior to let go of his hair. "I mean you were trying to pull your hair out just now."
"I was what?" Jeff asked, looking up at Jericho, confused.
"Okay. Sit down and tell Uncle Jericho all about it," Jericho said as he took a hold of Jeff's hand and pulled him toward the bench where Rey was sitting. He pushed Jeff onto the bench and took up a spot next to him.
"When did you become my uncle?" Jeff asked, looking up at Jericho.
"Just now," Jericho smiled.
Jeff shook his head at the man next to him before he sighed and moved to run his fingers through his hair again. However, Rey grabbed hold of his hand, moving it away from his hair.
"Don't go and start acting like Adam," Rey chided, patting Jeff's hand lightly. "We only need one psychotic looking guy around here."
Jeff laughed, a small smile creeping across his face. "Yeah, you're right," he agreed.
"So, what's wrong?" Jericho asked, bouncing slightly and smiling as he grabbed hold of Jeff's other hand as a precaution.
"It's nothing really," Jeff replied, looking at the two men on either side of him.
"Sure it isn't," Jericho said, rolling his eyes at the younger man.
"Come on, tell Uncle Rey all about it," Rey said, looking up at Jeff.
"Hmm, I went from having one uncle to now having two. Man am I special today," Jeff smirked, shaking his head.
"Is there something wrong with that?" Jericho asked, smiling innocently.
"I guess not," Jeff chuckled.
"So, tell us already. What's wrong?" Rey said as he tried to keep an air of calm around him, even though he wasn't sure he really wanted to know what had made the other man so upset.
Jeff sighed, leaning forward slightly. "It's stupid, really."
"I highly doubt that," Rey replied.
"It is," Jeff said, shaking his head. "I can't believe I'm being such a worry-wart."
"What are you worrying about?" Jericho asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Or who?" Rey added.
Both Jeff and Jericho looked over at Rey, Jericho with a look of confusion and Jeff with a look of surprise.
"What are you talking about?" Jericho blurted out.
"How did you know?" Jeff asked at the same time.
Jericho turned to look at Jeff, even more confusion mirrored in his eyes. "What?"
Jeff looked away, blushing slightly. "Uh . . . Rey was right in asking about who I was worried about."
"What?" Jericho asked again, trying to hide the smile that was slowly creeping onto his face. Please let it be that Jeff did something to show his feelings to the Deadman and he's now worried about what Mark is going to say.
Jeff shook his head sighing. "I'm worried about Mark," he admitted.
"Why?" Jericho asked, his hope surging.
Rey smiled slightly. "Don't worry about the details," he said, patting Jericho on the back. "So, what's up with Mark?"
"I don't know," Jeff answered.
"But you are worried about him," Jericho said slowly, trying to understand the situation. "You must have a reason for it."
"Did he say something to you?" Rey asked.
"No, that's the point," Jeff replied, standing up abruptly to pace the locker room. "It's just . . ."
"It's just what?"
"I haven't seen or heard from him in weeks," Jeff answered, spinning on his heel to face the two men still sitting on the bench.
"Aren't you still sharing a room with him?" Jericho asked, confused.
"Yeah."
"Then don't you see him at night? After the shows, when he gets back?"
"But he hasn't been coming back," Jeff replied, looking between Rey and Jericho, a look of uncertainty in his eyes.
Not again. Mark, you idiot, why are you running away? Rey glanced over at Jericho, his brow furrowed in confusion. "That's not like him."
"No, it's not," Jeff snapped, whipping around to start pacing again. "And I . . . I'm just worried that something's happened to him."
Rey looked up quickly at Jeff, his own face mirroring the worried expression that etched Jeff's. "Why would he be in trouble?"
Jeff paused in his pacing, his face losing all expression. "I didn't say he was in trouble," he said, turning to look at Rey.
"Yes, you did," Jericho replied, standing up to go to Jeff. "What has Mark gotten himself into?"
"He hasn't gotten into anything," Jeff replied, looking down at the floor. "At least, I don't think he has."
"But you just said . . ."
"It's not Mark who's in trouble!" Jeff yelled, cutting Rey off, causing the smaller man to sputter and Jericho to gape at him.
"Then who's in trouble?" Rey asked finally. Please don't say that it's you. Mark doesn't need this to be happening to him again.
"Uh . . . um" Jeff stuttered, not sure what to say.
"Are you in trouble, Jeff?" Jericho asked, putting a hand on Jeff's shoulder.
"No," Jeff said, just a little too quickly. "I'm not in trouble."
"What aren't you telling us, Jeff?" Rey asked, standing up to stare up at the Rainbow Haired Warrior. "Tell us the truth."
"I am telling you the truth," Jeff sighed, looking away from Rey's probing gaze.
"No, you're not," Rey replied.
Jeff looked at Rey, his eyes begging him to stop probing. Rey seemed to take the hint and back away. Jericho, however, didn't take the hint and kept prying.
"How are you in trouble? Did you get into another fight with Matt?"
"I'm not fighting with Matt."
"You still having issues with drugs?"
"No."
"You and Mark have a fight?"
"No."
"Do you love him?"
Jeff took a step back, startled by the question. "Wha . . . what?"
"You love him," Jericho smiled, a strange glint in his eyes.
"No, I don't," Jeff replied, shaking his head to punctuate his point.
"Yes, you do," Jericho said, putting an arm around Jeff shoulders. "Our little Jeff has a crush on the Deadman," he sniffed. "I'm so proud."
"Oh, shut it," Jeff said, pushing Jericho away, though he couldn't hide the small smile that crept along his lips.
"Aw, is little Jeff blushing," Jericho taunted, shaking Jeff lightly.
"Maybe you should leave him be?" Rey suggested, trying to give Jeff some reprieve.
"Aw, Auntie Rey is being protective," Jericho chided.
"How did I lose an uncle and gain an aunt?" Jeff mused, smiling at Rey.
Rey shook his head at the two men. "I have no idea what I'm going to do with you two."
"Aw, come on. We're not that bad," Jericho smiled.
Before anyone could reply, the door was opened once more by Kane, who looked at the three of them in confusion. "Um . . . did I interrupt something?" Kane asked, looking at Jericho and Jeff more than Rey.
"You're not interrupting a thing," Jeff replied, actually quite glad for the interruption. Jericho, on the other hand, seemed slightly annoyed when Jeff squirmed his way out of his hold.
"Right," Kane said, rolling his eyes. "Should I leave you three alone and go tell Shawn that Rey is cheating on him with two other guys?"
"I'm doing no such thing!" Rey cried out in his defense.
"Of course you're not," Kane replied jokingly.
"I think you have Rey confused with Shawn," Jeff said, shaking his head.
"Do I?" Kane asked, laughing at Rey who was now blushing horribly.
Jeff nodded, moving over to where Rey sat. "Don't worry Auntie Rey, I'm sure Uncle Jericho will tell Kane to play nice."
Rey punched Jeff's arm playfully, while Jericho laughed and Kane looked at the three of them, even more confused then he was before.
"Anyway, I better get going," Jeff said as he moved toward the door.
"Where are you going?" Rey asked, getting up to follow Jeff and get away from the joking Kane and Jericho.
Jeff shrugged. "Back to the hotel I guess."
"You're not going to come with us to the bar?" Kane said.
"No. I think I'm just going to head to the hotel and get some sleep," Jeff smiled.
"Okay then. It's your loss," Kane shrugged.
Jeff shrugged in return before heading out the door. It wasn't until he felt someone grab hold of his arm that he realized that he had been followed. "Can I help you with something?" Jeff asked Rey.
"I just wanted to know if you wanted me to talk to Mark," Rey explained.
"And why would I need you to do that?" Jeff asked, looking at Rey in confusion.
"I do see him at the tapings for SmackDown," Rey answered. "I could ask him what's going on."
Jeff smiled lightly, patting Rey on the arm. "Thanks, Rey, but it's okay. If he doesn't want to talk to me anymore, then he doesn't have to. I'll just leave him be."
"He doesn't want that," Rey replied before he could stop himself.
"What do you mean?"
"Uh . . ." Rey paused, not sure what to say.
"What do you mean he doesn't want me to leave, Rey?" Jeff asked again.
Rey shook his head. "I can't."
"Why not? What doesn't he want me to know, Rey?"
"He's just trying to look out after you," Rey answered, he figured that he could at least tell that part of the truth. Although if he doesn't talk to you soon, he won't be the only one who needs protection.
"Oh really? Is that why he's ignoring me?" Jeff asked, his eyes betraying the hurt he felt.
"Honestly, I don't know," Rey replied. "But I do know that he will always try to do what's best for you."
"If you say so," Jeff said, shaking his head and turning away from Rey. "Say hi to Shawn for me," he called over his shoulder as he headed down the hall, alone.
Rey shook his head and went back into the locker room where the two men were eagerly on an explanation of what happened outside the room.
Jeff continued to walk down the hall, lost in his thoughts, trying to figure out what would have caused Undertaker to just leave like that. But no matter how hard he tried to come up with a logical explanation, nothing made sense. Nothing seemed like the Deadman he knew.
Why am I even worrying about it? I should be glad Mark's not apart of my life anymore. Now John won't hurt him. He'd have no reason too. He'd be wasting his time attacking Mark. Time that he could use to attack me . . .
Jeff was dragged from his thoughts when he heard someone say his name. He quickly looked around him, but found that he was alone, the hall completely empty. Shaking his head, Jeff continued down the hall, believing he was hearing things. But when he heard his name again, louder this time, Jeff turned and noticed that a door stood slightly ajar to his right. Curiosity getting the better of him, Jeff moved closer to the door, leaning against it lightly.
"Yeah, I know. But I still don't think it's right."
Jeff's brow furrowed as he heard Edge's voice. The Rated-R Superstar was pacing anxiously about the empty room, talking on his cell.
"You know that I won't say anything, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. I want to help you, but he's got to know what's happening," Edge said, running his fingers through his hair out of habit as he listened to the person on the other end.
"You keep saying that but we still shouldn't lie to him like this. It isn't fair."
Jeff moved away from the door and went to walk away. He didn't feel right eavesdropping on Edge's conversation.
It's probably Hunter on the other end anyway. Adam wouldn't know anything about Mark.
"Come on, Deadman. Why are you being like that?"
Jeff froze at the mention of Taker's nickname. Turning on the spot, he peered through the door, all thoughts about eavesdropping forgotten. Jeff needed to know what Edge and Undertaker were talking about, what Taker was lying about.
"I just don't like this. You know I have a history with the guy," Edge paused, interrupted by the Deadman. "Yeah, well, we're close, Mark. We just got past the issues I had with his brother and we're friends again. I hate having to go behind his back like this . . ."
What the hell is he talking about? Jeff wondered to himself. If only a name was mentioned then he might be able to put something together fully and not just speculate. But until then he was left in the dark.
"I know, I know. Learning about this would destroy him and god knows I don't want to hurt him," Edge stopped, searching for the right words. "I guess you're right. We can't tell him about this, at least not yet anyway. But, can we tell him soon? I hate seeing him in pain . . ." Edge waited for an answer. "Thanks, Mark. I'll see you later. You still staying at my place?"
Jeff backed away from the door once more, not wanting to hear another word. So, Mark and Adam are together. Adam's cheating on Hunter and wants to tell him but Mark doesn't want to tell Hunter, at least not yet anyway, he thought bitterly as he shook his head. Didn't think he had it in him.
But Jeff knew, even as he thought it, that it wasn't true. There was definitely more to this then what he had heard. He had always secretly hoped that Undertaker wasn't straight as everyone suggested. Sure the guy had been married, but so had Rey and Shawn.
But to be with Adam and forcing him to cheat on Hunter like this? That doesn't sound like him. Jeff thought as he walked down the hall. That's not Mark at all. Something else is going on here and I know where I'm going to get some answers.
Jeff's mind was set as he headed out the door to confront the one person who could give him the answers he needed, he craved. "I'm coming for you Deadman," he whispered.
….
A/N: I love cliffhangers.