Sorry for the little delay, I got busier than I'd planed
Went to the Show on Saturday *drooools…* Hummmm, Jeff is just as gorgous live as he is on tv *droooools some more hehhehehe*, but Mark isn't bad at all either, and Matt too, so guess I'll have some trouble making him be a bad brother now :-)
I'm trying to find a realistic way of getting it going with the guys but I'm soooo stuck hehehe, so bear with me, lol
Both in italic and bold is the sound from the tape :-)
Only italic are the comments they can hear whispered by Trish while she was filming, and don't ask why I picked her, that just happened, could have been anybody else
So, I always write my chapters, starting where the muse makes me flow, and this time the watching of the tape was one of the first, but when I got back to it, I didn't like it anymore and deleted that part to start it over, so that's why this chapter is a little shorter, but I'll quickly get the next chapter going :-)
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Chapter 24
Glen had rushed after Mark, who had retrieved to his lockerroom, angry and more than a little pissed, how did Lesnar dare, after Jeff's actions a month back he had already explained to Vince that he would positively kill the next idiot how would try to play him, but Lesnar actions stirred up quite different aggressions than Jeff's had, Jeff had just tried to show how cool he was, Lesnar had seriously betrayed him, or at least that was what his twisted mind suddenly came up with… When Glen opened the door he had to duck, Mark was taking his lockerroom apart, making Glen chuckle "Again bro?", the destruction stopped for a second, before the couch made a flight against the wall "I'll kill him", Glen got in, keeping away from Mark, knowing he wouldn't care who annoyed him now he'd strike "Listen… Did Vince tell him, or was that something like with Jeff and the vomit accident", he was probably the only one having the balls to start discussing with his raging brother, and bringing other not so nice things up, but it seemed he got through to Mark "Vince would have told me, don't you think?", Glen shrugged, sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, eyes showing he wasn't so sure about that "You're sure?", Mark's eyes met his and he seemed to doubt too, rage flaring up again "You're right… that bastard…", Mark rushed out, Glen needing to run to keep up with him again "I suggest you think about it before you act, Mark… Mark…"
Vince's door went flying open and dislocated, going down in a loud thud, and Lesnar sitting there, had a somewhat panicking look in his eyes "You bastard", and Brock made a way over Vince's desk, hitting his boss and landing akwardly on his lap "You knew?", Vince was turning pale "Calm down Mark… And let me explain", "Explain? So you're behind his death wish", Vince fidgeted, trying to find the way to explain it without becoming a casualty "Listen… it's not as you may think Mark", Mark sat menacing on his desk, glaring at him "Then why don't you start explaining", Glen crossed his arms, leaning on the wall, a wicked grin on his face "Yeah, go ahead and explain boss", he got Vince's attention, but before he could answer, Mark hit his fist on the desk "It's me your dealing with, he's just here to witness your impending death", Vince moved his chair back, pushing Lesnar away at the same time "Listen, no need to overdo it here, it came up too late for me or him to notify you", Glen let out a loud smirk, Mark hit the desk again "Don't give me bull Vince", "It's true", not very loud, Lesnar just tried to save his ass "He told me seconds before the match, sorry Mark", Mark glared at him "I'll make you feel sorry, just wait and see", he got up "both of you", since there was no door left to slam, he gave them a fist as he gracefully stomped away, Kane behind him "That went well", Mark continued to make his way to his lockerroom, not even deeming to turn to answer his brother harshly "I didn't ask for your opinion Glen", he sneered "But I give it anyways", well might as well talk to him if he wanted to impose himself "Can you imagine, that's blatant disrespect", Glen managed to keep his amusement out of his voice "Me or them", Mark glared some more people down as he passed, barking "All… you all disrespect me, since when do people have the guts to attack me", "Well Vince was venting, knowing you're pissed makes him happy, after all of the crap lately, so just laugh about it, and Lesnar you'll get back at him anyways", "Laugh about disrespect?", "No, you'll get back at them anyways and you know that, so just calmly wait to leash out…", Glen added, his voice dark and low, one hand on Mark's shoulder and stopping him before he could get into his lockerroom "Man, what is up with you lately, seriously Mark, I think I liked you better when you were dark and scary and didn't scream like a banshee at everyone you know", he got pushed back and the door slammed in his face "Well that's a new one", before entering after his brother "You won't get rid of me that quick bro"
One of the "things" being up with him was sitting in the catering area waiting with Shawn, Phil and Dave for Flair who had gone back to pick his stuff up and then take them back to the hotel, wanting to let Glen take care of Mark for the moment and keep Shawn away from him with his wise-ass comments, and Jeff, who had been lost in thoughts after the event. Jeff was laying half on the table, his thoughts on the Taker and what Lesnar had done to him, he had only wanted to prove himself, but with Brock, that was something else, and he was pissed at Lesnar for having done that, he let out a sigh "Don't sigh Hardy, wasn't you, Taker will still be nice to you", "I wasn't sighing", "You were", Jeff sat up, and looked at them "It's crap man, I did it because…" he stopped, putting his hands in his face before shaking his head and continuing "…I did it to prove something… to me… to him… to everybody … Lesnar.. He did it to piss him off… That's not fair… I wanted the title.. But not like that… Not like him…", Ric, arriving back, spoke up before Phil could voice a word, but he spoke from his soul, so Phil just grinned and aknowledged with a head movement "Kid… For reasons… Both known to some and unknown to most he hasn't killed you for what you did… You're right… Lesnar did it for different reasons… he did it because Vince probably asked him too... But Mark won't punish you for Brocks actions… Nor see what you did differently as he does… And believe me… I know the Taker… And you're lucky, very lucky…", Jeff stared at Ric, before Shawn said, for once serious, as serious as Jeff had ever heard him "Yeah… He… You're lucky Jeff… you won't see it until later, but believe me, you're very lucky… You've got no idea…", and no, he hadn't, staring from one to the other, Hunter behind Ric smiling "Yeah… Take their word for it… So guys… Should we roll…"
As they got back to the hotel, Jeff kept up with Flair "Ric… You still have… You know", he just got a little smile "Yes, so?", Jeff didn't know how to react to that, and gaze on the floor "Can I have it back? Please", Ric stared him down "Need it?", "No, I just want it back", "You'll get it back when you need it kid… Or the situation allows you to take it… But before dinner?", "Ric… seriously, it's mine", "And it stays yours, but do you want to snort now?", he couldn't tell him that yeah, that was the idea, so he just shook his head "No, I just want it back man", he was still looking at the floor, as a hand was squeezing his shoulder "See you later kid", and with that the discussion was over for Ric, who hoped he was playing it the right way…
In the bar of the hotel sat Batista, and seeing the mood his protégé was in, he wanted to catch up with him a little, on how it was going, besides Vince's fit, so Ric got down "So David, tell me, with Glen, seems to run smooth ha", he earned himself a little smile, "Why wouldn't it", "You get along well", "Yes, have a lot of fun", "Only in the bed?", "What are you saying", "Don't fall in love", Dave laughed "I'll ask him to marry me", "I'm sure you will", Dave shook his head amused "You're a real moron", "Na na na, don't get rude now, no, I'm glad you have someone to spent some time with and something to let out some steam", "And I do, so get off my back with it, I don't want everyone to know Ric", "But I think they already do", Dave glared at him "So what… The first one I hear voice it, I bomb him down… A clean death…", Ric chuckled "Protective of your Machine?", "No, of my privacy Ric, I'm a grown up boy I can do whatever I want without people gossiping", Ric had an amused twinkle in his eyes "Everybody gossips about everybody Dave, you've got no idea what bull I had to endure over the years", "Vince?", Ric laughed "Oh yes, Vince can be an ass, but at the end of the day he's a good guy David"
Jeff got up the his room, pissed and trying to think of other things than Ric and what he had just done to him, his anxiety started very slowly to build up 'till the point where he went and knocked on Shawn and Hunter's room, glad it was Shawn who opened the door "Hardy? You ok?", "Yeah, listen, can I ask you for something", "Shoot", "Can I have some of your weed", Shawn stared at him, then pulled him in, closing the door "Sure", Shawn started going through his stuff and motioned Jeff to the bed "Open the window", Jeff did then got down on the bed, back against the wall, hissing a little as he tried to find the position least bound to strain his back, Shawn preparing everything, curious as ever "So you felt like dropping by for a smoke ha", "Something like that", "There's more?", "No", "Tell me", he got down and handed the wooden pipe to Jeff, patting his leg "Tell me, you know you can talk to me right, and about more than with Mark, specially when it comes to" he pointed to the pipe "stuff like this", Jeff inhaled deeply, reaching it over to him "Yeah I know man, but it's just not that easy", Shawn giggled as he inhaled, nearly killing himself in the process "Then talk slowly and use basic words"
Jeff got the pipe back, and before smoking, looked at Shawn "Ric stole some stuff, I mean he said he'd try it, and then he just took it, and now he won't give it back, told me I'd get it when I need it, I fucking needed it, that's all", "But you didn't want to tell him", "No, not really", "Just watch it, they test, you know that", it slipped Jeff before he could stop it "I'm screwed anyways", Shawn stared at him a second before mumbling "That's bad", the pot having calmed his nervs, he couldn't stop, words washing like a waterfall, gaze out of the window staring in the sky "My back hurts… seriously hurts… not the little stingy feeling I used to have, but some serious pain, and it helps me get the thoughts of it, helps to get the pain stopped that's all, not as if I was botching matches right", "No, but if you continue like that you may", "I wont' Shawn", "Good, glad you're so serious about that, but it sometimes happens faster than you think… and have your back checked", "Not until next week, too many matches, don't want the word to spread that I'm an easy kill", Shawn laughed "Be glad you're not up against me, I'd use it", "You're an ass", "Yup, at least people know", Jeff fingered the pipe back "Have you ever felt lost?", Shawn got comfortable next to Jeff laughing out "Yes, badly lost even", "What did you do", Shawn smiled at him, patting his shoulder "I had friends helping me to get back on the track", the sadness that crosses the younger Hardy's face made Shawn cringe a little and he moved, hugging him "Just like you Jeff, you have all you need to snap out of it… Me, Hunter… Hell you even have Ric and Terry… and Glen and Dave… and Mark, you have Mark who only asks to take care of you, don't reject him Jeff", Jeff sighed earning himself a slap "No, don't you do that now… I'm serious… We just want to help you, but you'll have to let us in and accept the help"
Downstairs, David was pondering Ric's words "He's an ass", "He's your boss", "That doesn't make him less idiotic you know", "Oh Dave…", Ric got up "Listen, I feel like having dinner", "It's past eleven, where do you… Hooooo, you'll play it Flair style ha?", "Yes, I see you know me, well, how many guys will join you think", "Don't know, are Mark and Glen back already?", Ric grinned amused "You wanna know where Kane is?", "Fuck you, I was counting who'd join us", "Ooo, ok, well you go and get everybody, I'll get us a table", Batista turned, grimacing behind Ric's back who without turning said "I got that brat", "Yeah yeah yeah", and with that, Dave got to the elevators, trying to remember who was rooming where…
Jeff inhaled before giving the pipe the Shawn "I… Pfff", he let his head fall back against the wall "I was good before all of the shit with Mark you know", "No you weren't Jeff, and the fact that you break like this now just shows it, damn, you're even more stubborn than I was", Shawn wondered if Jeff knew how fucked up he had been a couple of years back, or if he should talk about it for the matter, no, he couldn't know, probably was too young back then, but still, Shawn had started to become protective of the rainbow too lately, and moving up and getting back down in front of Jeff he took his hand, caressing it, earning himself an amazed gasp "Shawn?", Shawn moved his second hand to his cheek "Shh, listen to me… For just once I'm not joking Jeff, so just listen…", Jeff had immobilized completely, trying to breathe calmly, lost at what Shawn was doing now, the hand on his cheek resting on his thigh now, but Shawn seemed so serious so he just nodded and waited for Shawn to continue "There was a time when I was seriously fucked up… Probably worse than you are right now… And the only reason I'm still sitting here with the guys, working with the company, hell even live is Mark… And Hunter… Those two broke hell loose to help me… And it took me a long time to understand how much they had to endure with me…", he inhaled deeply, glad he had Jeff's undivided attention, Hunter not wanting to disturb stayed in the bathroom, sitting against the door, trying to summon patience, something he didn't have but decency, so he forced himself to stay put, as he heard his friend continue "I had lost it so badly… I took everything I found… Drugs, booze, women…. Hell even men… Only because I couldn't cope with being on tour permantly, not getting home, not getting a moment to relax, to just stay by myself, the pressure of having to give all of myself all the time… Having my body screaming with pain at night… But I got around… And I learned how to enjoy my life, so let us help you… 'Cause I can promise you, Mark won't let go, so either you accept freely, or he'll make you… I'll make you…"
Shawn was still trying to capture Jeff's reaction, blue eyes scrutining Jeff's green one's as the bathroom door opened, and Hunter hushed in, grabing his clothes and getting dressed quickly "Sorry guys, there was no other way to get out and my patience ran low", Shawn felt Jeff tremble a little, he squeezed his hand, as he turned and smiled at Hunter "No problem, we're just talking a little here", "I noticed… I'll be down, indulging in a cold beer", Shawn smiled at him gratefully, Jeff was focusing on the bed, as Hunter opened the door and came nose to nose with Dave "Well that was luck, Ric got us a table, so if you're hungry, now is the time to say so", Hunter beamed "Oh yes, I'm coming, boys?", Shawn wanted to check Jeff's reaction, who was still trying to burn a hole in the cover "Hey, you're hungry?", "A little", "Give us a couple of minutes guys, we were having a discussion running, need to finish it", "No problem", Hunter pushed Dave outside and closed the door, who blinked curious "What was that?", "You're too curious Batista", "I know", "They are talking, that's all", "If you say so… Well, Ric's downstairs already, I need to go and get the others", "Don't forget to avoid Jeff's brother", "Oh, he and his friends went to town, didn't get back here", "You really know a lot", "Told you, my knowledge exceeds yours by far", "If you think so", Hunter moved towards the elevators and got down, meeting Mark and Glen in the hall, Mark who's mood was still excrutingly bad, not even Glen's little joke that he would stare himself happy on Jeff made him smile, on the contrary, it had added to his dismay, and now Hunter stopping him made him growl "What", "Dinner… Flair somehow managed to "celebrity" his way into getting us something decent", "At least I'll get food", Mark moved towards the restaurant without looking at them, Glen laughing as Hunter was shaking his head towards Mark "Forget it, he's pissed", "Noticed that", and they followed him…
Shawn had hugged Jeff when Hunter had been gone, and was still hugging him as Jeff's voice got his ear "Thank you Shawn… For… For sharing that with me… Since my fight with Matt I felt so alone, abandoned… I just feel empty…", "And I'm not done kid, not by a long shot, I know what you are going through, and now you know that there are people who want you to feel well", he could feel Jeff tentatively hug him back, resting his head on his shoulder, trying very hard not to cry, as Shawns hands started to stroke his back gently "I'll always be there for you, you managed to win my heart… And awful quickly I might add", he heard Jeff chuckle and squeezing him tight before moving back and grinning "You find that funny", "No, amazing", "Good… Should we move? They'll start wondering what were up to… And Jeff, I'm not done, we'll continue our discussion later, I'm just starving…", Jeff smiled, feeling better, but he knew that the pot was numbing the pain in his back, and in his soul, but Shawn's words and his sincerity had warmed him, and he started to trust him, "Me too, so, move it Heartbreak Kid", he pushed Shawn of the bed and got up…
Hunter got down next to Ric, amused "How did you get them in giving you a table", "I told them the truth, that they would have to cook it anyways and then bring it to the rooms, that it would be easier to just have us have it here", Hunter laughed "Not dumb… Shawn and Jeff will come, they're talking", Mark tried not to show any reaction as Ric looked at Hunter "He came to Shawn?", "Yes, why?", "Perfect, it works better than I could have hoped", "What are you talking about", Ric checked around before whispering "Well, he needs to understand he needs help, and Shawn was in a similar situation… I thought he'd go to Mark, but no, Shawn was of course the only logical choice… The one with the pot… So what does that tell us Hunter", Hunter shrugged his shoulders, seriously not wanting to get into that discussion, but Mark offered "That he needed to take something, and since he couldn't ask Ric", Ric interrupted him "Oh he asked", "See, I told you he was fucked up", Ric shook his head "No, he could have just as easily picked someone with other stuff… Dave for instance, hell, I don't want to know what he carries around", Hunter sighed "No, Dave is the one with painkillers in all shapes and colors Ric, not the one with drugs… Jericho always has the harder stuff, and in Jeff's defence Mark, he knows that and they are friends, but he chose the one with the pot…", Mark frowned "So what does it tell us Ric", Ric was glad Mark wanted to have his insights on the subject, so he still was interested in helping the kid "That he'll break soon and that we can start help him with his mending, very easy", "Easy?", "Yes, easy… He knew that Shawn would push him into talking, and he still went there, he wants the help but is not ready to ask openly", Glen who sat next to Mark, coughed "They come", Hunter finding a subject quickly "So what do we get Ric?", "Whatever you like, the kitchen's open"
Shawn put an arm around Jeff, whispering in his ear "There's a free chair next to Mark", "Well why don't you take it", "No no, you take it", "No, I'll sit next to Glen", "Dave won't be happy", "You think?", Shawn laughed even harder "No, but just to have seen your face, makes it worth", "Pff Shawn…", Shawn pushed Jeff passed Glen and glaring, Jeff got down next to Mark, Shawn next to him "Hey", "Hey boys, found the way as I see", "Yes Hunter, we just followed your smell", Hunter laughed "Shawn, tell Jeff what happens when one talks like that to me", Shawn grinning "Actually nothing, he'll get all threatening, but that's all, so don't hold back", Ric laughed going through the menu "Hunter you don't scare anybody anymore I see", Jeff looked at Mark, who turned his head "What?", "You ok", "No", "If I can help you…", Mark stared at Jeff and shook his head "No" before adding "But thanx kid… How are you feeling?", Jeff felt that weird feeling he always had around Mark come back, twitching his guts, heating his cheeks, he mumbled "I'm ok, thanx for asking", their awkardness got interrupted by the arrival of Dave and some other guys, Dave getting down next to Ric, and opposite of Glen, grinning at him and receiving a just as large grin back, Eddie got down next to Dave, Phil next to Glen opposite of Eddie, and both Chris's got down next to Hunter…
Their meal went nicely, the discussion mainly turning around their next matches, with Vengeance coming on and all, Ric asking around who'd be in Pennsylvania, Mark looking at Jeff who shook his head "No, I have to head home… Haven't been there in weeks", Shawn adding "Me too, sorry guys, guess you'll have to survive a couple of days without us, anyways won't be long, we'll all see each other on Sunday anyways", Mark had some trouble taking his eyes of Jeff, as if knowing that he wouldn't see him for a couple of days worked him more as he'd like to admit, and downing his glass of wine he took the bottle and served himself a second, under Ric's intrigued gaze who wondered what Mark was thinking in that thick head of his, not that Mark understood where those feelings came from, but the fact of knowing Jeff would be gone, able of doing whatever bullshit he did when alone made him nervous, but there was nothing he could do, he was grown up and they all had to go home between shows, they had already spent enough time on the road as it is, and he should be happy for those who could spent a few days in the quiet of their homes, so why was he so anxious at the thought, he was taken out of his reverie by Glen's voice who announced "I'm heading home too before Vengeance guys", as Jeff wanted to look at Glen his eyes crossed with Mark's and that weird feeling hit him again, cheeks flushing and unable to look away…
Hunter and Ric noticed first that Mark and Jeff seemed far and very lost in each others eyes, Ric keeping back a too loud chuckle, as he sat back, drinking a sip of wine, and putting his glass down he adressed Mark "So you leave for Pennsylvania tomorrow Mark?", there was less than no reaction, and Ric sighed softly "Mark?", Glen shook Mark a little, making him growl in his direction "What?", "That man asked you a question" pointing Ric, who was more than amused, Mark answering "And I was busy", there were some gulps at the table, Ric adding "That we saw Mark", the glare from the Undertaker made it for most of the men at the table, but Ric was still looking at him with a stupid smile on his lips, and Jeff had flushed even more, but he too was still looking at him as if his life depended on it, lost in the green of Mark's eyes, who stared gladly back, shaking his head "Oh punk", before patting Jeff's hair tenderly and looking back at Ric, who concentrated on looking at his glass "Ric stop it", "Stop what Mark", "That", "I don't understand", "You understand very well", "No, it seems you are finally understanding", most men didn't know what those two were talking about, and went on with their discussions, but Jeff looked from Ric to Mark, just like Shawn did, before having Chris Benoit kick his leg under the table and including him in their discussion just as Hunter who was next to him "Stop it you two, leave them alone", Dave saving it "So in what room will we watch the tape?", Glen taunting him "You're eager to see yourself getting into trouble", "You're getting into trouble big guy", "Hope so, I need incentives to come to Vengeance, not that I start liking it too much at home", Dave's deep purr made Shawn laugh "I'll give you incentives, don't you worry…", getting Jeff's attention away from Mark and Ric, who were still trying to out-gaze eachother, and Ric, without moving his eyes "My room, think it's the biggest, so we all fit in", they all started getting up, Hunter moving to the bar to get some bottles with Benoit and Phil, who had to stand up against the jokes he got from both men about carrying booze, Jericho getting up and making Shawn move, both Glen and Dave had gotten up too, just Ric, Mark and Jeff were still sitting there, staring at each other…
Ric was the first getting up, mentally counting how long the other two men would stay sitting there alone, because Mark already looked lost enough, and a lost Mark was usually bad news, he'd screw it somehow, not used to manage his feelings and Jeff's sensitivity at the moment was running very low and he'd be upset in a heartbeat, so he stopped and turned to them "Jeff… You need to go and get the tape…", Jeff got up after a long look at Mark, who sighed before getting up too, and gently pushing Jeff before him, keeping his hands a little longer on Jeff's hips, only making Ric smirk even more "Hurry and get the tape before he's glued to you kid", Mark immediately let go of Jeff who pulled his tongue at Ric "Can someone call the Dudley's, I promised them they could watch it too, and wouldn't want to have them on my back", Ric nodding "No problem, now shsush", Jeff rolled his eyes and got to his room, Mark being taken by the arm by Ric who tossed his roomcard to Dave "Get them up and you come with me you", Mark was pulled along, muttering "Ric…", "Now…", Mark knew what this would be about, and he didn't want to talk about it, hell he didn't want to think about it either, but Flair would make sure he'd listen, and he knew Ric, there was no not doing what the Nature Boy asked, he just had that aura that made you comply with everything he'd come up with "What", "What are you playing at?", "What?", "With Jeff", "What are you talking about", "Touching, looking, drooling", "I'm not drooling", "But he was, and you were giving him just the same look, so I'm sorry to tell you it was drooling", there was a soft coughing and looking around, Ric saw Glen and Jericho standing there and having a smoke, Glen just grinning, Jericho gazing at them lost "Who's drooling at who?", Mark shook his head "One word Jericho", "No, what's this about?", "Nothing", "You don't scare me Taker", now there was a low growl just behind him, Glen hoovering over him "That's my brother you're not afraid of", Chris laughed, but was shaking inside "Ok, point taken, but still…", "If he says nothing, it's nothing", Ric felt compelled to intervene "Glen, stop it, it's nothing Chris, we were talking about a future storyline", "That includes drooling?", "Yes", "Cool… I don't believe you, but no prob guys, won't say a word…", "You better", Ric pushed Mark gently "You better too, admit somethings you know", Glen pulled Chris inside, laughing, Ric continuing "Admit you feel something and start working on it with Jeff", "Working what", "O for crying out loud Mark, you're mutual feelings dammit", "There are no…" he couldn't finish, Ric putting his hand over his mouth "There are… Admit it… And you'll feel whole again", "I feel whole, there's just this…", and he couldn't voice it, no matter how long he turned it around, and the look in Ric's eyes froze him…
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Sorry to stop it so abruptly here, but the next part needs some heavy re-writing hehe, which I'll now continue working on, but I want this chapter posted as I'm already 4 days late, so I hope you enjoyed it :-)
Another thing, my lovely readers, I need your opinion, I've been having an idea of a one-shot, or maximum a couple of chapters about Kane and CM Punk, saw those two team together and *drool*, some ideas sprung to my mind, tell me what you think about it pleaaaaaasee hehehhe :-), it will in no way replace this fic or get as long, just a little something smutty and dirty hehehe