Dark Saviour

Chapter 29 - Battle Plans Being Made

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A/N: Thank you to all who have reviewed to date. Your comments are greatly appreciated.

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"You can't keep running from him forever, Mark," Rey repeated for the umpteenth time as he paced up and down the length of the hotel room.

"Who says I'm running?" Undertaker replied, moving to stand next to the window so he could look out at the dismal sky.

The perfect reflection of my mood . . .

Rey rolled his eyes at Taker's pathetic attempt at an excuse. "It's obvious that you've been avoiding him ever since his return to the ring two weeks ago," he retorted, shaking his head. "And I can see it in your eyes."

"And what exactly do you see in my eyes." Taker snapped, turning to glare at the smaller man.

Rey stood toe to toe with the larger man, glaring back at Taker. "I see that you care deeply for him," he answered, silently daring Undertaker to deny it.

Taker returned the glare for a moment before averting his gaze and returning to stare out the window. "I don't care for anyone."

"That's a fucking lie and you know it!" Rey snapped as he grabbed Undertaker's arm, forcing the Deadman to look at him. "Stop lying to me and yourself!"

"I'm not lying about anything," Taker replied forcefully as he gently, but sternly, pushed Rey away from him. "I merely speak the truth."

"Bull shit!" Rey yelled, causing Undertaker to jump a little. He had never seen Rey act like this before.

"It's not . . ."

"Yes it is!" Rey interrupted, holding a hand up in front of Taker's face. "I know you, Mark. You can't hide it from me."

Taker moved away from Rey, not meeting the smaller man's gaze. "I'm not hiding anything," he replied as he tried to keep his voice level.

"Then why can't you look at me when you say it?"

Undertaker froze, still unable to meet the smaller man's gaze. He knew why he couldn't face Rey. Why he couldn't say, to Rey's face, that he didn't care for the younger Hardy. Rey had been right in saying that he knew him. He was the only one, besides Chris, that had been able to see straight through him, no matter the mask he wore to protect himself. Shawn might have been able to see through Taker too if he only stopped acting like a child most of the time. Although, Taker had to admit, sometimes Shawn could be quite insightful anyway.

"Why won't you say it to my face, Mark?"

Because you would see that I'm lying, Taker thought bitterly as he turned to meet Rey's gaze, his annoyance evident, even as he allowed his impervious mask to fall into place.

What are you so annoyed with? Rey thought to himself. Why must you hide yourself away?

"I don't care for the kid. Not in the way you're suggesting," Undertaker answered finally, using his annoyance at himself and his master of the Deadman's persona to hopefully mask his true feelings.

Rey stared at Taker's face intently; trying to decipher the emotions he could still see, even with Taker's mask on. "You're still lying."

"No, I'm not," Undertaker sighed, shaking his head.

"Yes, you are." Rey replied, moving toward the Deadman and placing a hand on his arm cautiously. "What are you afraid of?"

"Me? Afraid?" Taker stuttered, surprised at what Rey was suggesting. "What the hell do I have to be afraid of?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Rey answered as he glanced up at the Deadman, concern in his eyes.

"I'm not afraid of anything," Undertaker replied.

"You just keep thinking that," Rey snapped. "Maybe one day it'll turn out to be true."

"What do you know about it, Rey? What the fucking hell do you know about this?"

Rey poked Taker roughly in the chest. "I know more then you think, Deadman."

Undertaker didn't respond. When Rey started calling him Deadman, he knew the little guy was pissed. Swallowing, Taker shook his head. "You know nothing."

Rey's eyes narrowed as he glared at Undertaker. "I know what's been happening to Jeff. Which means I know why Jeff had been rooming with you for those few months."

"He was alone. Thought I'd help him out by giving him a cheaper place to stay," Taker answered curtly.

"Bull shit, Mark."

"No, there's no bull shit."

"Sure there is. You just don't want to admit that you like him. Maybe even love him."

"He's a good kid, Rey. Of course I like him," Taker said, watching Rey closely. "But only as a friend."

"I give up," Rey sighed, throwing his hands up in the air.

"Good," Taker replied sharply. "Because there's nothing to win."

Rey let out an irritated growl before storming off to the door. Before Rey left the room, he turned back to Taker, "No, but there is something to lose. He's strong, Mark, but only when you're around him. He needs your help, your strength." Rey shook his head before he turned, hiding the sudden tears that sprang into his eyes. "He's not Chris," he whispered as he left Undertaker to dwell on his thoughts in private.

….

Rey stormed into the room he shared with Shawn, slamming the door behind him. Jeff and Shawn jumped and turned quickly to see Rey pacing the living room his hands on his head while he muttered to himself. Shawn got up cautiously and made his way over to Rey.

"Are you okay, love?" Shawn asked timidly.

"Hmm? What?" Rey looked at Shawn distractedly.

"Oh, sweetheart, what's wrong?" Shawn asked as he saw the trail of tears that marked Rey's face.

"What do you mean?" Rey replied, looking between Shawn and Jeff.

"You're crying," Shawn answered, brushing the tears off of Rey's cheek, worry in his eyes.

"I am?" Rey sniffed, wiping at his eyes to find that they were indeed damp from his tears. "I am."

"What happened, Rey?" Jeff asked, standing a little bit away from Shawn and Rey.

"Nothing," Rey replied, shaking his head.

"Rey, what did that idiot do to you?" Shawn asked, taking Rey's face in his hands, forcing the smaller man to look him in the eye.

Rey once again shook his head. "Nothing."

"Who's did he go see?" Jeff asked, confused.

"No one."

"He went to see Mark," Shawn said, sending Rey a confused look. He didn't understand why Rey was being evasive.

"Why?" Jeff asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"I just needed to talk to him," Rey replied, staring at Shawn, hoping that Shawn wouldn't say anything else. "That's all."

"If that was all, you wouldn't be back here crying," Shawn retorted, annoyed that Rey was being so dismissive.

"What Mark and I talk about is between him and myself!" Rey snapped. "So, drop it!"

However, once he finished speaking, he instantly regretted it. Shawn's eyes went wide before becoming downcast as he backed away, his arms wrapped around his body. "Oh, Shawn . . . I'm sorry," Rey whispered, reaching out toward Shawn.

Shawn glanced at the outstretched hand, unsure of whether or not to accept it. He had seen Rey upset before, but never had he snapped at him like that.

"Shawn," Rey whispered again, fresh tears brimming along his eyes. "I . . ."

Jeff placed a comforting hand on Shawn's shoulder, preventing him from backing away further. "It's okay, Shawn."

Rey remained where he stood, his hand falling to his side, his eyes dropping to the floor as he looked away. "I'm so sorry, Shawn. I never . . . never should have snapped at you," he said softly as he turned toward the door.

"Rey!" Shawn cried, running to embrace the smaller man in an attempt to prevent the smaller man from leaving. "I know you didn't mean to yell," he said while his arms wrapped around Rey tightly.

Rey raised his arms a little so he could hold onto Shawn's arms in return, closing his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Shawn."

"Hush," Shawn soothed, kissing the top of Rey's head. "Forget it, okay? I already have . . ."

Rey merely nodded as the first tear fell. Jeff backed out of the room, suddenly feeling like an intruder. He closed the door to the room that they had given him lightly, hoping not to disturb Shawn and Rey in hopes of giving them the time alone that he believed they needed. Sighing, Jeff walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge of it, questioning the logic behind him staying there and what could have possibly hurt Rey so much.

What the hell could they have been talking about that would get Rey so upset?

….

After what seemed like only a few minutes, Rey shifted slightly, breaking the embrace. He turned to apologize to Jeff, but noticed the younger Superstar had disappeared. Quickly looking around he noted that Jeff's bedroom door was closed.

He must have wanted to give Shawn and I some privacy, Rey mused, turning his gaze to his lover's eyes.

Shawn brushed his fingers lightly over Rey's cheek; wiping away the marks the tears had left behind. "What did he say to upset you so?" he asked softly.

Rey shook his head. "Don't worry about it. He's just being thickheaded."

"Rey," Shawn whispered, looking away briefly as if checking something. "Don't lie to me," he continued, returning to look Rey in the eye.

Rey shook his head. "He's being difficult. He's just not seeing what is directly in front of him"

"What is in front of him?" Shawn asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Rey sighed, moving away from Shawn. "He's not seeing that he's in love," he said, shaking his head. "He's walking away from what could be the best thing to happen to him since Chris died."

Shawn smiled lightly. "Isn't that how he usually is?"

Rey nodded, a smile appearing on his lips. "Yeah," he agreed. "Though he was never this bad when it came to Chris."

Shawn took Rey in his arms again, smiling broadly, "Obviously you don't remember what happened then."

"What do you mean?" Rey asked.

"You don't remember how much trouble both Mark and Chris gave us when they first started to see each other?"

Rey smiled, "I forgot about that."

"I thought those two would never get passed their pride and see what was evidently there."

Rey nodded, "You're right."

"Of course I am," Shawn beamed.

"But I still don't think that Mark was as bad as he is now. He and Chris got together on their own, without us even knowing it for a full year."

"Yeah, well, he got lucky that time," Shawn replied, squeezing Rey lightly. "We'll just have to make sure he's lucky again, won't we?"

"I guess so," Rey chuckled, tightening his hold on Shawn in response.

"So, how shall we get Jericho and Mark together?"

"Oh, Shawn," Rey laughed.

"What?" Shawn asked innocently.

"It's not Jericho that Mark wants."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Then who?"

Rey nodded toward the closed door. "We're going to help him find the rainbow."

….

Edge lay on his back with his arm draped over his eyes, wishing desperately that his headache would disappear. Groaning, he rolled onto his side, bringing the pillow with him to block out the faint light that still managed to filter through the closed curtains.

Edge swore softly under his breath when someone knocked softly on his door. He muttered something incoherently, silently hoping to convince whoever was on the other side to leave him alone. To Edge's slight annoyance, he heard the door open and close softly. He peered out from under the pillow, squinting to see who it was.

"You okay, hun?"

Edge groaned, pulling the pillow over his eyes again. "Go away," he muttered.

"I'm not leaving you like this."

"Fuck you."

Hunter laughed at the idol threat. "Is that anyway to talk to me, Adam?"

"Fuck you," Edge muttered again, not wanting to put up with Hunter's shenanigans.

"Now, now," Hunter tsked. "I've come to help you get over that hangover of yours."

"Yeah right," Edge scoffed.

Hunter gasped. "You think I'd lie to you?" he asked in feigned shock.

"No," Edge answered. "I think you'd rather fuck me than help me."

Hunter chuckled, "Well that's a given."

"Told you," Edge mumbled, tying hard to hide the smile that was threatening to betray him. Even with the pain, he was unable to keep up his annoyance.

"Here," Hunter smiled, taking the pillow away from Edge and placing a cold compress on his forehead instead.

Edge sighed as his hand lifted up to hold the compress to his head, thankful for the comfort it brought. Once Edge's hand was in place, Hunter let go, putting his hand on the other man's shoulder instead. Edge opened his eyes a crack, smiling gratefully. "Thanks, Hunter."

Hunter nodded, running his fingers through Edge's hair. "No problem," he smiled.

"What?" Edge asked, his brow furrowed.

Hunter shrugged, "See, I can do more then just make you scream."

Edge swung out at Hunter blindly, catching him in the stomach. Hunter let out a playful grunt when Edge hit him, while the Rated-R Superstar chuckled playfully. Shaking his head, Hunter got up from his precarious position at the very edge of the bed and walked over to the other side so that he could lay down next to Edge, putting his arm around the younger Superstar's shoulders, carefully pulling the man closer.

"Is the compress helping at all?" Hunter asked.

Edge nodded. "It is. Thank you," he whispered, laying his head against Hunter's chest.

Hunter smiled as he played with Edge's hair again. Edge could feel himself drifting off to sleep as he let himself relax. Before he could actually fall asleep, a loud shoot startled both men.

"How dare you?"

"How dare I what?"

"Do you care nothing for him?"

"Of course I do."

"Then how dare you just stand by and do nothing!"

"Don't take that tone with me. I haven't been doing anything wrong!"

"Yeah right. Then how come that bastard is still standing?"

"What the hell is going on?" Hunter snapped, gently moving Edge away from him as he got up.

Edge shook his head. "I don't know."

Hunter walked to the door and so that he could throw it open to give the idiots on the other side a piece of his mind. However, before he could open the door, the men outside started to talk again in hushed tones. Hunter leaned against the door to hear them better.

"It's because of Matt, isn't it?" JBL growled.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Batista replied.

John and Dave? Why are they yelling at each other? What does Matt have to do with them? Hunter thought as he mouthed to Edge who the people were. Edge frowned at Hunter as he got up to stand next to him at the door, the cold compress forgotten.

"You know damn well what I'm talking about," JBL snapped. "It's because of Matt."

"I honestly don't know what you're talking about," Batista insisted.

"Yeah, right," JBL scoffed. "I knew from the moment John threatened him that you cared about him."

"You're wrong."

"Then why haven't you taken them out yet?" JBL asked. "Why does Mark still breathe?"

Edge glanced over at Hunter, his brow furrowed. "Mark?" he whispered

Hunter shrugged. He had no idea what was going on either.

"What does he have to do with anything?" Batista asked. He was obviously as clueless to what was going on as the two eaves dropping on the conversation.

"You know damn well that the kid wouldn't be able to do anything like that," JBL replied.

"You're bull shitting me."

"Guess we'll see once I tell John about this," JBL replied. "He's just going to love hearing about you trying to protect the kid."

The hall fell silent after JBL's comment and was only broken when they heard the final snap of the door that led to the stair well as it closed. Edge and Hunter stepped away from the door, both looking at the other, confusion in their eyes.

"What . . . what the hell was that about?" Edge asked, his gaze vacant.

"I . . . I don't know," Hunter whispered.

"What do we do?" Edge asked, fear creeping into his voice.

Hunter shook his head, not sure how to answer. "What if . . ."

"What?"

"What if we talk to Matt about this?"

"What?"

Hunter lowered his gaze. "Well, we only know for sure that Matt is involved."

"Mark was also mentioned," Edge pointed out.

"True." Hunter agreed. "But it seems that Matt is in more immediate danger than Mark."

Edge only nodded. He really didn't want to bring up this conversation with Undertaker. He had sworn that he would keep things a secret and somehow he knew that what JBL and Batista were talking about dealt with Jeff as well. Something had happened to escalate things where those two were concerned.

"How about we, uh, sleep on it?" Edge suggested, knowing he needed to get in touch with the Deadman as soon as possible.

Hunter stared at Edge in confusion. "Why wait?"

Edge shrugged. "I just don't think now is the time to bring this information to Matt yet."

Hunter mulled it over for a little bit before nodding in agreement. "Maybe you're right. Matt's away right now. He should be safe for the time being."

"Thanks, Hunter," Edge smiled. "I'll make sure that I'll give Matt a call tomorrow."

"You should take it easy. I'll deal with Matt tomorrow."

"Please, Hunter?" Edge pleaded. "Let me take care of this."

"All right," Hunter conceded. "You can talk to him."

"Thank you," Edge said. At least I can make sure that Mark learns about this before word spreads. He needs to know first so that we can make sure that our plans go accordingly.

Hunter suddenly smiled mischievously. "How's your headache?"

"Fine," Edge answered, surprised that he hadn't even thought about it with all the yelling.

"Good," Hunter smiled, moving toward Edge.

Edge backed away, a little nervous. "What are you thinking?"

Hunter merely smiled as he backed Edge up onto the bed, causing the other man to fall back onto it. As he leaned down in front of him, Hunter nipped at Edge's ear. "Since your headache is better and we aren't talking to Matt till tomorrow . . ." he paused, staring straight into Edge's eyes. "How about we go back to my original plan?"

"Original plan?" Edge asked, his brow raised.

Hunter smirked. "Me making you scream for mercy."

….

A/N: Yeah, I had no idea what I was doing with this one. Hope you guys enjoyed it anyway.