"He'll be walking out of that damn ring, you're aware of that… I thought you'd said you'd splatter the ring floor with his brains"

The voice of Hunter got to him when he arrived backstage, and looking at the Game and his walking shadow HBK he smirked…

"What can I say, it was his lucky day it seems"

"Right, he got to you didn't he Deadman, those puppy eyes, I saw it", Hunter was grinning and Shawn was trying to imitate, "and the big bad Deadman just melted, aah, I am so lucky to have lived to see that happen, don't you Shawn"

The glare they got from Mark announced the end of their discussion was imminent and the Deadman entered his locker, heading straight for the shower, the best was to get the smell of the little punk off of him, then he would be able to start thinking about what really happened out there…

Meanwhile Jeff had gathered enough strength to roll himself out of the ring and to make it back, hurt, there was not a single spot in his body that was not aching but still somehow proud to his bones, he was under the impression that he had managed something rare and very precious, the respect of the one who didn't respect a tenth of his coworkers. He leaned against the first wall he found and tried to get his breathing back working, his legs were trembling and he was actually for the first time wondering how long he would manage to stay on his legs…

It was that moment that Hunter chose to approach him and put his hand on his shoulder squeezing softly…

"You're ok?", and his voice was sincere, "You looked good out there, and you walked back, not bad, I have to admit that you impressed me, Shawn always said you were not that bad, I got some proof of that today"

Jeff managed to look up at the two and grin before slumbing more against the wall, making Shawn step forward and putting an arm around his waist…

"Let's take him to his locker, we can help him shower and take him back to the hotel"

"You just want to peak at his butt under the shower Michaels, you're a sick pervert"

"I've seen his butt Hunter, maybe you're the one wanting the peeeeeak"

Kane passed them, not quite certain he was seeing right, it seemed the match was over and the punk was standing, his brother's words started echoing trough his mind…

"Stop it guys, my ass is off limit, for both of you"

Jeff laughed, between the two jokeheads, it seemed the day was not so bad afterall, even if he had to admit he would have loved the feeling of the belt around his waist, but apparently he couldn't get everything at once… For now it would be a shower and some rest, he really felt like needing just that. Hunter poked him in the side, grinning…

"What are you thinking about Hardy? A certain mean guy who just got you a beating?"

"Get me in my lockerroom and shut the fuck up Hunter, and no"

Opening the door, Shawn was rivaling with the grinning of any cheshire cat that ever existed…

"Oh right, sure as hell you don't think of Mark, you just happen to get that look whenever he passes, that's all, sure, no problem, I believe you"

Shawn shoved Jeff into the room…

"You're good?"

"Yes, and thanks guys, I'm not sure I would have made it back here by myself"

Hunter peaked through the door…

"Anytime man, you're sure you'll manage alone?"

"Yes, and thanx"

Nothing had happened, at least the Undertaker tried to convince himself, but his brother arrived and made sure he would think about it a little longer…

"I don't get you, you couldn't wait to destroy him and yet I still saw him alive and pretty sound beeing walked back to his room by the DX no goods… Could you explain that to me please"

Kane got down on the toiletseat and waited for an answer, ignoring the growling his brother gave him…

"It's complicated Glen, really, I couldn't, man, he stood up to me 'till the end, there was no way I could have broken him, that look", that look would haunt him forever, "and I swear", he peaked out of the shower a weird look on his face, "That little prick wasn't really scarred, he just waited for my punishment, to get up after it again and again and to ask for more", his head went back under the water and that did him some good, jeez, that Hardy-punk got him all worked up, and that was not for the little sting he felt in his rips…

"So if I get you right, he won, even if you won the match, he won the bout, you didn't keep your word, I think that never happened before"

He finished his shower and got out, not bothering to cover himself up, glaring at Kane…

"What is your point"

And the look on his brother's face didn't really make it better…

"WHAT"

Getting up and passing his brother to get him at least a little privacy, he went for the bench and installed himself confortably…

"Ever wondered why you're so obsessed with that little punk? Just asking out of curiosity, 'cause the others may not have noticed and just taken it for the next little war on your agenda, but I know you, and I know your eyes", he marked a little pause, to make sure to get his brothers complete attention before continuing, trying to keep his voice low, "the way you looked at him tonight, it showed affection and respect, and that's nothing that a nice played match gets awoken dear bro, not with you, sooooo what is it?"

Drying his hair he was letting sink his brother's words and let out a long sigh…

"I don't know, I already told you, there was no reason to hurt him some more, he stood up to me and all I did was aknowledging his guts, that's ALL there is to say"

"No, and you know it as well as I do Mark, for the sake of everyone and foremost yourself, you should try to decipher your… feelings for the punk before they become an issue"

Right, now he had said it but Kane wasn't feeling all too good about beeing the one to have to help his brother open his eyes, he waved at his brother…

"You've been going mooooochie over the boy, for a week you've been just thinking of today, and now? Your little fight is over"

"To beat his ass, jeez you're really getting on my nerves Glenn, stop it damn it", he got dressed issueing some treats in Kane's direction, "there's no moochie and no feelings, he… he showed me tonight that maybe soon he would be ready to beat me, that's all, and maybe I just feel proud for him that he managed to get this good, hell I don't know and I sure as hell won't continue this discussion, there's nothing to be talked about, stop bothering me"

"For someone who just doesn't care you make up too many excuses Mark"

While the Undertaker finished getting dressed, Jeff finally got up from the bench he had just laid on for a little moment, letting the match repass in his mind, what he could have made different, every little move went trough his analysis, but what came back all the time were Marks eyes, he couldn't forget the look he had given him, like piercing him right to te core of his soul, and he started getting that warm feeling again, like butterflies in his stomach when he thought about the Deadman…

Now I lose my mind, Jeff shook his head to himself and got up, just to get down again. He would take a bath back at the hotel, too tired to take a shower. He managed to pack his stuff and got out, every muscle screaming in his body but he ignored it, leaving the room still dressed in his ringgear but not caring at all….