Dark Saviour

Chapter 33 - Time's Up.

….

A/N: Long time no write (lol). All I have to say here is that, though Jeff lost his title at SummerSlam . . . at least Undertaker returned :) That made it all worthwhile.

….

"Why haven't you called him? You should have called him! Why hasn't he called you? He should have called you! I would have called!" Matt shouted as he paced back and forth across Jeff's living room.

Jeff lay on the couch, half listening to his brother's rant while he flipped through a magazine. It had been two months since Undertaker's sudden departure from the WWE and Matt would still rant about it at least once a week. Jeff had taken to ignoring his tirades.

"Aren't you listening to me?" Matt asked suddenly.

"Nope," Jeff replied, changing the page. "I stopped listening a long time ago."

"Why aren't you listening to me?"

Jeff looked up at his brother and rolled his eyes. "You've been saying the same thing for the past couple of months now and I'm getting sick of it. I mean I would think that you loved the guy or something with the way you're carrying on."

Matt shook his head. "I don't think so," he said, taken aback by Jeff's words. "It's you that's in love with him."

"How many times do I have to tell you this before it sinks in?" Jeff sighed as he closed the magazine and tossed it on the coffee table. "We were just friends. He helped me out when I needed him. That's all there is to it. No great mystery. No secret romance behind the scenes. There was nothing going on."

"Right," Matt smirked, rolling his eyes.

Jeff got to his feet and threw his hands up in the air. "I give up. There is no way I can convince you that there was nothing else going on between me and the Deadman."

As Jeff moved to leave the room, Matt stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "Well, I'm not blind, Jeff. I've seen you looking him over from time to time."

"Fine. You caught me. I'm guilty," Jeff shrugged. "I've looked the guy over. He's a good looking man. It still doesn't mean that there is or was anything else going on between us. Not every guy who wears eyeliner is gay."

Matt chuckled. "True. But still . . ."

"But nothing," Jeff replied. "Just drop it. It's done. It's over. Leave it alone."

Matt looked down at his little brother and watched those hazel eyes pleading with him to stop. He suddenly remembered when they were kids playing in the backyard at their father's house. He could almost see a younger Jeff staring up at him the exact same way when a group of kids were picking on him after their mom had died as he begged Matt not to say anything to their dad about it. Smiling, Matt shook his head and patted Jeff on the back before turning to head to the kitchen. "You're still coming to Shannon's tonight?"

Jeff closed his eyes briefly, thankful that Matt's back was to him. "Yeah. I figured I'd go there for a little bit. Might as well see Shannon while I'm here. I heard Greg and some of the others would be here too."

Matt poked his head out of the kitchen to look at Jeff. "Greg?"

Jeff turned to look at Matt, his brow raised at his brother expectantly. "You remember Greg. Gregory?"

"Doesn't ring a bell."

"Helms?" Jeff replied, not believing his brother would forget the former cruiserweight champion he had worked with for the better part of the previous year.

"Oh, right," Matt nodded, smacking his forehead as he disappeared into the kitchen again. "Gregory Helms. Shannon is still talking to him?"

"Um, yeah, Matt," Jeff chuckled. "I would think Shan is still talking to him considering what's going on between them."

"Considering what?" Matt called from the kitchen over the sound of pots and pans banging.

"Considering they were still dating each other the last time I checked."

"What?"

Jeff rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on. You had to know that one."

Matt peered around the corner and shrugged his shoulders. "I do now," he smiled.

Jeff shook his head as he waved his brother off and walked out the door. As he stood outside on his porch, he took a deep breath of the fresh North Carolina air. The sun shone bright and warmed his skin. He slowly made his way over to one of the hills he had made for his bikes so that he could lie down and stretch out. Allowing the sun to do its work, Jeff crossed his arms under his head as a pillow and lifted his face slightly as he closed his eyes. Just as he was getting comfortable and started to relax, his phone began to buzz. Frowning, Jeff pulled his phone out of the holder on his belt and flipped it open. It was a text message from his own cell phone number. Frowning, he opened the message. Almost instantly he felt a cold chill run down his spine as he read the four words written.

Is two months enough?

"What the hell?" Jeff muttered as he stared at the message as if it would bite him. How the hell am I getting a message from my own phone?

Jeff stared at the message on his screen, his mind drawing a blank. What does it mean? Is two months enough for what? And how did they use my phone to send it?

No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't figure it out. He didn't know anyone who would have access to his phone long enough to send the message. Not knowing what else to do, Jeff replied to it.

Who are you and what do you mean?

After hitting the send button, he waited for an error message or his phone to start ringing as his message came through. But when his phone remained silent, his brow furrowed in confusion. As he laid the phone against his chest and stared up at the sky again, Jeff's mind raced as it shifted through thought after thought, question after question, as he tried to figure out what was going on. As he continued to lie there, Jeff felt his eyes begin to close as the heat worked its magic on his body and lulled it to sleep. Jeff fought to stay awake, but the pull was too strong and he soon found himself dozing off in the afternoon sun.

Just as he was about to fully fall asleep, his phone started buzzing again. Jumping slightly at the sudden sound, Jeff fumbled for his phone before flipping it open to read the newest text. As the words sank into his fogged mind, he felt his heart clench painfully in his chest.

You know very well who this is and I was wondering if two months long enough to mourn the loss of a loved one?

Jeff felt his stomach turn as he reread the words. Quickly sitting up, he tore his gaze from the message on the screen to see his father walking beside Matt as they climbed the hillside, making their way toward him. Wanting to cry out in relief, Jeff bit his lip to keep himself quite.

"Hey there, bro. You going to sleep out here all day?" Matt asked, his brow rose slightly as he looked at his younger brother. Matt knew the look that Jeff was giving them and it wasn't a good one.

Jeff smiled at his older brother. "Just because I'm lying around out here doesn't mean I'm sleeping."

"You used to like sleeping out here," their father commented as he looked down at Jeff.

"Yeah, I used to," Jeff agreed. At least that was before my life went to hell . . .

"You okay, Jeff?" Matt asked, his tone even, so as not to worry their dad.

"I'm fine," Jeff nodded as he stood up. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because we're missing the party," their dad replied, taking a hold of each of their arms. "We can't keep Shannon waiting for us."

Jeff nodded silently in agreement and allowed his father to steer him toward their long time friend's home. He would put aside the ominous message until later, when he could speak to Matt alone. Jeff looked down at the road as they walked, tuning out the idle chatter between his brother and father. His mind had drifted off else where . . .

I don't really want to talk about this with Matt. I want to talk to someone else. I want to talk to Mark, Jeff sighed softly. Why haven't you called me?

….

Shannon looked up quickly as the Hardy family walked into his yard. He couldn't quite suppress his look of confusion at seeing the younger Hardy there. He hadn't been expecting Jeff to show up. Shrugging his shoulders, Shannon got up from his spot next to Gregory and made his way over to where the Hardy brothers were standing as their father left to go talk to some of his old buddies.

"Hey guys. Long time no see," Shannon smiled, though he noticed that Jeff wouldn't meet his gaze.

"Way too long, Shan," Matt smiled, clapping the smaller man on his back. "How have you been?"

Shannon shrugged again, watching Jeff closely. "Not bad, I'm almost back to full health."

Jeff nodded slightly. "That's good to hear," he muttered.

"Yeah it is," Shannon responded awkwardly.

Matt looked between his brother and best friend, his brow raised in confusion. "Am I missing something here?"

Shannon continued to watch Jeff for a little while longer before shaking his head. "You're not missing a thing," he answered. "I'm just surprised to see Jeff here, that's all."

Jeff looked up then, meeting Shannon's gaze fully as he tried to hide the sting his words had left on him. "Why's that?"

Shannon shrugged. "I heard you were busy this weekend, that's all."

"Too busy to visit an old friend? I don't think so," Matt shook his head. "Jeff's been waiting for this for days."

"Oh really," Shannon raised an eyebrow. "And what does John have to say about you being here?"

"John?" Matt asked, looking between the two men.

"What does he have to do with anything?" Jeff asked, his throat tightening slightly. He hadn't talked to Shannon since he was attacked and had sorely hoped Shannon didn't remember what had happened, let alone made that kind of connection.

Shannon nodded. "When I tried to confirm that you were coming he said that you'd be tied up this weekend."

Jeff suppressed a shudder at Shannon's words as it conjured up unwanted memories. He couldn't believe that Cena would say such a thing after ignoring him for months and it wasn't helped by the fact that Jeff could still feel the bastard's hands on him. He didn't think that he could ever wash the feeling away that dirty feeling.

"I don't know why he would tell you that."

"I think it has to do with the fact that he answered your phone. I mean, you are sharing everything now, aren't you?"

Jeff stared blankly at Shannon, his words slamming into him like an eighteen-wheeler. "What?"

"I called your cell and he answered," Shannon replied, watching as horror appeared in Jeff's eyes. "I would think that you would know the meaning behind that."

Jeff shook his head. "I've never given my phone to anyone . . . not even Matt."

Shannon shrugged. "Your number's saved in my phone, Jeff, and John answered it."

"Impossible," Jeff shook his head, even though he knew it made sense. How else would he get a message from his own phone?

But then whose phone do I have?

"If you say so," Shannon replied casually.

"What's going on with you, Jeff?" Matt asked finally.

"Nothing."

"Bull," Matt said, rolling his eyes. "There is definitely something going on that you're not telling us."

"I'm telling you everything I know."

"Yeah right," Shannon retorted. "You're not telling everyone everything," he paused. "You know I'm telling the truth."

"I'm telling you the truth."

"Bull," Matt said again.

"Did you try to pull the same shit on Mark? Is that why he left?" Shannon asked.

Jeff had to bite his lip again to avoid yelling at the younger man. He didn't need Shannon to see how close he hurt him. "He left for his own reasons."

"You keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better," Shannon snapped.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jeff asked, trying to keep the hurt from his voice.

Shannon shook his head. "Nothing."

Jeff took a step forward so that he was standing in front of the smaller man. "What do you want to say to me?"

Shannon looked up at Jeff, his eyes mirroring the fear he still felt from the last time he had gone to see The Rainbow Haired Warrior. The memory still haunted him. There were times, especially when he was alone, that he could still see Jeff lying on the ground, being ganged up on in the locker room. Shaking his head, he stared at Jeff, his face determined. "I just don't know why you'd go back to him after all that."

Jeff blinked dumbfounded as Shannon turned and left. After shaking his head slowly, he ignored his brother's quizzical look and ran after the smaller man. Catching up with Shannon, he took hold of the smaller man's arm to prevent him from walking away again.

"Please Shan," Jeff pleaded. "Don't walk away from me to."

"I'm not walking away from you," Shannon retorted bitterly. "You walked away from me when you went back to him."

"I . . . I don't understand."

"You don't think I know what's going on here?" Shannon snapped.

Jeff shook his head. "I don't know what's going on . . ."

"After everything that happened, everything he did to you," Shannon paused, shaking his head. "After everything he did to me that night. I . . . I just don't see why you're with him."

"Who's him?" Jeff asked, watching Shannon closely.

Shannon looked up at Jeff, holding back the tears the memories brought forth. "Who else, Jeff? Who else would I be talking about?"

"I don't know who you're talking about," Jeff replied slowly.

"Don't play innocent with me," Shannon snapped. "I'm talking about John. The John who was beating you up that night before I came along and became the punching bag."

Jeff swallowed hard, his gaze shifting away. "I'm not with him," he said softly.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Jeff."

"I'm not with him, Shannon," Jeff repeated.

Shannon shook his head. "Like I said, whatever helps you sleep at night. I just thought I meant more to you. I thought I was family."

"You are . . ."

"Then why are you sleeping with John?" Shannon snapped, his anger growing. "And don't tell me you're not. I know the truth."

"I'm not," Jeff replied weakly.

"You can't lie to me, Jeff," Shannon retorted, forcing the Rainbow Haired Warrior to look at him. "You were always a horrible liar."

"But I'm not. That's the truth."

Shannon jerked his arm away from Jeff and pulled back his sleeve to reveal the nasty scar that marred his pale skin. "This is the truth, Jeff. John is a mean son of a bitch that should be put down, not felt up."

Jeff flinched at the sight before him. He gingerly reached out to run a finger along the scar. "He did that to you?"

Shannon looked away before putting his arm down and hid the scar from view. "I lied for you, Jeff. I lied to everyone that night and have been lying every night since. I thought I was protecting you by doing it," he shook his head. "Guess I was wrong. Maybe you like it that rough."

"I'm not with him. I never was with him."

"Yeah right."

"I'm not with him!" Jeff yelled, earning himself odd glances from those around him, including both his father and brother. He swallowed slowly before lowering his voice and repeated. "I'm not with him."

"I got that the first time," Shannon winced, wiggling a finger in his ear. "You didn't need to shout."

"Seems like that's the only time I'm heard anymore," Jeff replied truthfully.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Jeff shook his head. "Nothing."

"Come on, Jeff. If you can talk to anyone, you know you can talk to me."

Jeff nodded. "I know but . . ."

"But what?"

Jeff looked up at Shannon sheepishly. "Not even Matt listens to me anymore."

"He's still trying to fix you up with him, huh?" Shannon asked, his brow rose slightly.

Jeff nodded. "He just doesn't know when to leave things be."

"When has he ever left things alone?"

Jeff chuckled. "Good point."

Shannon smiled at Jeff before turning serious again. "You're not really with him, are you?"

Jeff sobered and shook his head. "I'm not," he repeated. At least not voluntarily that is . . .

"That's good," Shannon smiled. "Or I'd have to hurt you."

Jeff smirked. "Only in your dreams."

"Hey, I'm a lot stronger than I look."

"Sure you are."

"Of course I am," Shannon smiled. "By the way, do you know if Mark's coming back to the WWE at all?"

Jeff only shrugged. "Rumour has it that he's returning at SummerSlam."

"Really?"

"Yeah," Jeff nodded. "But it is only a rumour."

"True enough," Shannon nodded once before a confused expression crossed his face. Jeff looked at him, his own expression confused before noticing that Shannon wasn't looking at him. Turning around, he saw that Matt was walking toward them at a brisk pace, his expression guarded.

"What's wrong?" Jeff asked, his own tone guarded. He knew that whenever his brother had that look on his face, the reason was never good.

"We've got to go," Matt replied simply.

"Go where?" Jeff watched Matt closely, trying to get some sort of clue as to what was going on.

"Indianapolis."

"Why?" it was Shannon's turn to ask the question. "You just got home."

Matt shrugged. "Yeah well, Vince wants us to get there early."

"That's an understatement," Jeff retorted. "SummerSlam isn't for another two weeks."

Matt shrugged again. "Vince wants us there now. He wants to talk to all of us about something."

"All of us?" Jeff exchanged glances with Shannon. "What does he mean by all of us?"

"The entire roaster I'm assuming," Matt answered simply. "So we better get a move on."

"But . . ."

"Come on, Jeff. Quit stalling. You'll find out everything once we get to Indianapolis," Matt sighed, turning away from his younger brother as started walking toward his place.

"Matt, wait!" Jeff called out, running after his brother, Shannon close behind. "Matt!" he cried again as he grabbed Matt's arm to stop him in his tracks. "What's going on?"

Matt opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head as he shook off Jeff's hold and continued to walk away.

"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what you know," Jeff said defiantly, his tone demanding.

Matt stopped walking and closed his eyes. He really didn't want to tell his brother out here. He had hoped to get his brother alone before he told him why Vince was calling all of them in. Sighing, Matt turned to face the younger Hardy.

Jeff swallowed hard, expecting the worse. Once Matt spoke, he felt as though the breath had been knocked right out of him.

"Vince wants us together because Mark's disappeared."

….

A/N: Where could the Deadman have gone?