In A New York Minute...

"Gas Chamber Ink." Shannon Moore sounded really upbeat despite having just finished a marathon tattooing session. Some biker, who was twice the size and about as thick had come into the shop with a very specific request. He wanted Shannon to tattoo Da Vinci's "The Last Supper" on his back, he wanted it done in one sitting, money was no object, and he wouldn't take no for an answer. Fourteen gruelling hours, fifteen needles, and countless hues of paint later, the biker left happy and Shannon a little richer, if not a little number in the arms.

"Hey, Shanny..."

"Matt, whassup?" Shane cradled the phone in his neck, both his arms still tingling.

"Glad I caught ya, man." Matt answered "We've been trying to reach you, but your phone's been off."

"Sorry, man, but I had a helluva job just leave my shop."

"Yeah. You sound tired." Matt replied

"Naw, bro, just a little sore. Whadja wanna talk to me about?"

"Did you hear about Shane?" Matt asked

"No... what happened?" Shannon asked

Matt relayed what Jeff had told him. Shannon's eyes widened.

"Do they know who did it?"

"Jeff didn't say much more, other than what I just told ya." Matt replied "Tommy thinks he knows..."

"Tom sounds like a smart guy." Shannon answered "I'd trust him, but I don't know him that well."

"Anyway, Tom thinks that we might be targets." Matt stated

"Don't worry, bro, I can take care of myself." Shannon replied.

"I know. Just givin' ya a heads-up." Matt answered. Shannon's stubborn streak could often prove to be a little irritating, usually when someone like him was trying to give him a warning.

"I know. I'm a big boy."

"That's debatable." Matt sneered

"Well, fuck you, Matt. Anyway, I gotta go. Someone just came into the shop." Shannon set the phone down and turned to his new customer.

"What can I help you with?"

"Do you do custom designs?" The stranger asked

"Fer sure." Shannon replied "What'd you have in mind?"

"I was going through an old book of my late gramma's and I found this. I thought it would look nice going up my left arm." A folded piece of paper was thrown on the counter.

"Lemme take a look at it and I can give you a price on the job." The last things Shannon wanted was another 14 hour job, but a job is a job.

"Take your time. There's a color key on it as well. I couldn't find a color copier in this town."

Shannon unfolded the paper and his eyes widened. "Is this some sort of a joke?" He asked

"No, I'm dead serious." The man replied. The picture was that of someone leaning over a counter looking at a piece of paper, while another man stood over him with something in his hand. "As you will be too."

Too late, Shannon grasped the irony. Seconds later, the man's fist crashed into the top of his skull, sending him face-first into the counter. By the hair, Shannon's face was slammed into the counter three more times, rendering him unconscious.

Furtively looking around, but there was no one else in the shop, he made his move. Taking a pair of scissors and a Ziploc bag from his pocket, he cut off Shannon's Mohawk.

"Two down... I like this game." Next to his hand, he placed the deuce of Spades.

In another part of the country, the five ECW employees were getting down to some serious drinking. Prior to that, Tom had pulled Christian aside to talk about what had happened to Shane, but he'd already heard from Adam.

"Just watch your ass." Tom warned. "If whomever did this can get to Shane that easily in an arena full of people, then anything is possible."

"Don't worry, man." The topic was not spoken of again once the first round of drinks made their way to the table.

As the empties piled up, the tongues of the five men loosened considerably. So, it was no surprise that when Jeff suggested they go back to the hotel and drink more, it was almost a unanimous decision. The only dissenter was Tommy Dreamer, who had an an autograph session later that day.

"I enjoyed maself, but I gotta split 'fore I go." Even with all the booze he'd consumed, and combined with his accent, everyone at the table understood at least one of the words he'd spoken.

"You sure?" Christian asked

"Yeah. Beulah'll be wondering what happened to me if I don't call her." Dreamer answered

"Ah, the joy's of being married." Tom answered "At least we'll never have to worry about not knowing where we are, right Rainbow?"

"Go now?" Jeff was squirming in his seat. He had something planned, from his expression, and Tom guessed it had something to do with the offer to go back to the hotel and drink more.

"Jeffers wants to get home and check on the kids." Tom reached his arm around Jeff.

"Kids?" Dreamer asked "I didn't know you were preg'd."

The entire table, except Tommy D., exploded into peals of laughter. Tommy, in his drunken state, was actually trying to be serious. So raucous was their laughter, that it drowned out Jeff and Tom's cell phones going off simultaneously.

Matt had just received a frantic call from Julie, Shannon's wife. When he hadn't returned home at a decent hour, she had become worried. She'd gone to his shop and had found him on the floor, still unconscious, but alive. The first person she called was 911. The second was Matt.

"Tom, Jeff, it's Matt. You were right. I just got a call from Julie. Shanny's been hurt. I don't know much more than that, but call me as soon as one of you gets this message." Matt left identical messages on both voice mails. By using a public telephone as well as his cell, he'd called both Tom and Jeff at the same time. Unfortunately, Dreamer's bad joke drowned out both rings.

"Fuck." Matt swore. He suddenly was faced with a realization. First Shane, now Shanny. If Tom's theory was right, and at this point he didn't doubt it, the next name on the list could be his very own. Not knowing where his brothers were also made him very uneasy. One thing was certain, he did not want to be by himself.

Adam had just returned to his hotel room for what he hoped was a relaxing night, even with Tom's warning still fresh in his mind. He dropped his tag title belts on the bed and plopped himself beside them, and was half asleep when the phone in his room rang.

"Who the fuck could be calling at this hour... if this ain't a hot chick who wants to suck me off, please hang up now."

"Adam, it's Matt. Shannon just got attacked and I'm a little creeped out."

"I'm tryin' to sleep." Adam yawned loudly into the phone, hoping Matt would take the hint.

"Oh." Matt said dejected. "I was hoping I could hang with you. I know we're not bff's any more, but since we're in the same boat..."

"You scared to be alone." Adam finished

"No, but Shane and Shannon were both hit when there was no one around. I'd feel better if I could just stay with you for a bit." Matt hated to sound like he was begging, but he was.

Adam sighed. "So much for taking it easy, jerking off, then going to bed." Inadvertently, he mumbled some of this into the receiver. Matt heard something that sounded like "he's a jerk off."

"Fine, I'm sorry I asked!" Matt shouted. His loud tone shocked Adam; he sat up now fully awake.

"Did I say no?" Adam was quite willing to let Matt stay with him... his room had two beds after all, but Matt's sudden anger turned his mind around.

"Sorry to bother you." Matt retorted "I guess this jerk off will just find someone who gives a shit!"

"Matty, wait!" Adam pleaded. "That's not what I said." He understood what had happened. "Dude, if you need some company, come on up."

"You sure?" Matt was suspicious.

"I'm in 501. Get your ass up here before I change my mind." Adam hung up the phone before Matt could argue any further.

"Why the hell did I agree to that?" Adam groaned, draping his arm across his eyes. He picked up the phone beside him again. Thank God this hotel had twenty-four hour room service.

"Can you send up two cold cut platters and twelve bottles of the strongest beer you got to room 501?"

"Ten minutes, sir."

"That'll work." Adam rolled off the bed and dragged himself into the bathroom. He wasn't all that tired, but he really needed a few hours of shut-eye. Having Matt with him was not going to make that happen, so the next best thing was to get drunk and hope that Matt would pass out quickly.

Meanwhile, Tom, Jeff, Jay, and Jack had by blind luck, gotten back to the hotel. Swagger and Jay went to their respective rooms to drop off their gear and they both promised to meet back at Jeff and Tom's room, assuming they could find it. All four of them were drunk, but not as drunk as they could be.

"Can you hear me?" Tom sang, using the remote control as a mic. "Can you hear me running? Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?"

"Were you calling me?" Jeff said, raiding the mini-bar in their room. "I couldn't hear you."

Tom laughed drunkenly. He went over to Jeff, kissed him softly, then continued singing. Compared to his drunken slurring of the chorus, he sang the verse almost perfectly.

Take the children and yourself and hide out in the cellar

By now the fighting will be close at hand

Don't believe the church and state and everything they tell you

Believe in me I'm with the high command...

Someone banged on the door before Tom could continue. Giving Jeff another kiss, he went to open it, assuming that it was either Swagger or Christian. It was Jay, still carrying his duffel bag.

"I thought you were leaving than in your room."

"I brought some extra refreshments." Christian set the bag down on a table and started emptying it. There were two mickeys of rye, one of vodka, a bottle of Tequila, as well as what was probably the contents of his own mini-bar.

"What? No Jack Daniels?" Jeff complained after inspecting the bottles.

Over Jeff's shoulder, Tom held up a bottle of the desired liquor. He put his finger across his lips.

Jay nodded. Jeff saw this however, and he quickly turned around. Tom hid the bottle behind his back and smiled innocently.

"What's in your hand?" He asked

"Nothing." Tom pulled his empty hand out.

"The other one."

"Nothing here either." Tom showed him his other hand, after sticking the bottle into his back pocket.

"Tommy..." Jeff pouted

"Not the puppy dog eyes, please?" Tom begged

"I love you." Jeff lowered his head. He looked up, hoping his act would work.

"I love you too." Tom reached in for a kiss, but Jeff pushed him aside.

"No kisses until you gimme." Jeff held out his hand expectantly.

"Fine with me." Tom was willing to play the game as long as Jeff was.

"Okay. No kisses, hugs, back rubs, cuddles, or sex of any kind until you show me what you're hiding." Jeff folded his arms, trying to look cross.

"Okay." Tom answered, trying to sound like lack of sex was fine with him. "I can go without. You're the one who's got the appetite for it."

"So. I can have any guy I want." To prove his point, Jeff went over and started kissing Jay.

"Yeah, but you're engaged to me." Tom answered "Unless you'd like to change that?"

"No..." Jeff answered

"Then take your fuckin' hands off Jay!" Tom shouted "Right now!"

Jeff continued to kiss Jay, running his fingers along the collar of his shirt. If Tom didn't do something, he might end up watching his fiance get it on with another guy right in front of him, and all over a bottle of Jack Daniels.

"Fine, I got you this!" Tom presented the bottle to Jeff, who immediately let go of Jay. Tom held it out of Jeff's reach. "Ah, ah, ah."

"Please, Tommy, gimme." Jeff jumped at the bottle.

"Okay, just promise me you'll leave Jay alone. I'm sure he didn't come up here for a quick kiss and a grope." Tom answered, handing the bottle to Jeff who danced around the room, the bottle held high. "Right?"

"Uh, yeah, sure." Jay answered, trying not to sound disappointed. "He's your fiance."

"Yeah, but sometimes it's like trying to housebreak a new pet." Tom watched Jeff goofily nip from the bottle, chase it with a swig of water, then yell something like "Yahoo!" or "Team Xtreme" or "Peroxwhy?gen".

"Where's Swagger?" Tom asked "Isn't he joining the party?"

Tom and Jay when two loud bangs on the door interrupted them.

"That's just creepy." Jay answered

"Assuming it's him. "

It was Swagger. He carried a brown bag from which the necks of several bottles protruded.

"Sorry I'm late. I found an all-night liquor store."

"You didn't have to. I think we had enough already."

"Fuck me, baby!" Jeff shouted, having already nipped JD and chased it with water.

"Jeff started the party early." Tom explained

"Yeah, but you didn't miss the floor show." Jeff sang. "Tommy made me stop."

"Don't ask." Tom warned

"I won't." Swagger answered "Don't worry about me."

With Swagger present, they got down to the second round of serious drinking, all other concerns being pushed aside for the moment. In Adam's room, a completely different scenario was taking place.

Matt arrived, looking quite uneasy. His uneasiness remained, even after a couple of brews and half a plate of meat and cheese.

"As you said, we're not bff's, but maybe it would help if you talked this out." Adam offered

"I dunno, Edge. This is all too surreal for me." Matt reached for another beer.

"I take it you've never been a possible target." Adam also reached for more liquid refreshment.

"Not unless it was part of the show."

"Matt, you've got to stop worryin'. I'm sure the police will nail whoever did this before they get any closer." Adam answered "Anyway man, you got bigger things to worry about."

"Like what?" Matt asked

"Dude, aesthetically speaking, you need to get back into the gym." Adam joked

"You sayin' I'm fat?" Matt demanded

"No, but it looks like you put on a few pounds while your hand was busted." Adam answered "I guess the only exercise you got was lifting the cheese puffs to your mouth."

"You're full of it." Matt replied

"Yeah, right. Take off your shirt, then. If you don't jiggle, I'll eat my words." Adam answered

"Look who's talking!" Matt exclaimed "You can barely fit into your tights anymore."

"I been working legs a little more at the gym... that's all muscle."

"I'll make a deal with you. Since we both think the other is full of it, I'll take my shirt off if you take your pants off." Matt said, praying that Adam wouldn't agree. Despite his disagreeing with Adam's comment, Matt had the same nagging feelings.

"Whatever dude, it's your funeral." With no hesitation, Adam stood up and unbuckled his jeans. "Hey, I'm not doing this alone."

"Oh yeah, right." Matt started to unbutton his shirt. Despite himself, he couldn't take his eyes from Adam as he undid his jeans and let them fall to the ground. What shocked Matt was what Adam did next. He kicked them aside, and sprawled out on the bed, grabbing his beer in the process.

"Well?" At first Matt thought Adam was asking for an opinion, but then he realized that he still hadn't fulfilled his part of the deal. Forgetting about the last few buttons, he pulled the garment over his head and tossed it on the floor beside the bed.

"Whaddaya mean you haven't put on any weight." Adam reached for Matt's stomach. "Right there." He pinched about an inch of skin. It wasn't much, but it was definitely a lot more than before.

"What about you?" Matt reached for Adam's right quadriceps.

"Go for it."

Matt kneaded both of Adams' legs, but to his chagrin, Adam had been telling the truth. He had been working his legs harder and it was all muscle.

"Dammit!" Matt conceded

"Hey, look at the bright side. You got my pants off." Adam laughed

"Pfft... nothing I haven't seen a million times before." Matt replied

"Well... I'm sure I could show you something you've never seen before." Adam snickered

"No, I've seen that too." Matt answered. Where was Adam going with this? He'd never thought of Adam that way, despite the recent homosexual experiences he'd had with both Jeff and Tom.

"Oops." Adam lurched backward, his legs flying up. Somehow, his boxers came off. "Now how did that happen?" He asked innocently while Adam junior slowly poked its head out.

"Beats the fuck outta me." Matt said

"Yeah, but it looks like he wants to play." Adam smiled

"You play with him then." What he'd just said didn't click right away.

Adam took his little buddy firmly in his hand and coaxed him to come outside.

"Mmmm... looks like someone is happy to see you." Adam cooed

Matt's mouth suddenly felt like it was stuffed full of cotton. He reached for his beer, unable to avert his eyes.

"Wanna join the party?" Adam gasped. His twig was now fully hard, poking against his abs.

"Uhhhh." Matt hesitated. What he really wanted to do was take Adam's cock in his mouth and give the Ultimate Opportunist the ultimate blow job. "Sure, I guess. I lost my invitation, though."

"Don't worry. You're ticket is right here." Shedding his shirt as he slid across the bed, he gripped Matt's wrist and brought his hand toward his aching dick. Without having to be told what to do, Matt gripped Adam and slowly began jerking him off.

He was surprised how smooth Adam's cock was. It felt like a steel bar wrapped in a thin piece of silk. The friction was already so enticing to Adam that his cock was literally jumping with every touch.

"Mmmm.. Matters, you're really good at this." Adam moaned, his voice barely above a whisper.

Matt smiled. He didn't know whether to take this as a compliment or not, but after the day he'd had, it was nice. His mind wandered back to earlier events. He was still a little anxious about what had happened to Shanny and now that he still hadn't heard back from either Jeff nor Tom. What if they'd been attacked already? What if right this moment the attacker or attackers was coming for him? What if...?

"Uh, Matt?" Adam breathy voice brought Matt back to the present. "I think you can stop now!"

Matt blinked twice, completely banishing the thoughts he'd been dwelling upon. Adam was panting heavily, his skin covered in a thin layer of sweat, his entire frame tense. Matt was a littl confused until he looked down and saw the globs of white fluid covering his lower belly. Sometime while he was daydreaming, Adam had come, but Matt hadn't stopped. He was still jerking Adam's spent dick furiously.

"Fuck, man, I'm sorry." Matt immediately stopped and looked for something to clean his hand off with.

"It was awesome." Adam lay back and started to breathe normally again. "Until you wouldn't stop, that was."

"Sorry, dude. I'm a little distracted." Matt sighed

"Shannon, huh?" Adam guessed

"That's part of it." Matt responded "Tom and Jeff haven't returned my calls. I'm getting a little worried."

"Do you know where they are staying?" Adam asked

"Yeah." Matt answered

"You wanna go see if they got back alright? I overheard Jay talking about an ECW guys' night out." Adam offered

"Would you mind?"

"Fuck, no." Adam shouted "Just let me clean up and we'll go. Gimme ten minutes." He scrambled off the bed and into the bathroom. Matt heard the water running in the shower.

It was a long ten minutes. Finally, Adam emerged, looking radiant and drop-dead sexy with his wet hair plastered to his head, a few trickles rolling down his neck and chest.

"You need to use?" He asked

"Imma gonna pee." Matt replied "Two minutes."

Matt stepped in to do his business while Adam dressed. While he was waiting, a light rap on the door startled him.

Adam ambled across the room to see who it was.

"Yes?" He looked through the peephole, but could see no one.

"Room service."

"Room service?" Adam thought "Did Matt order something while I was in the shower?"

"I didn't order anything else." He called through the door.

"We're here to collect the dishes."

"Okay." Adam answered. Nine times out of ten, he would've found this extremely suspicious. This time, for some reason, he opened the door without further hesitation.

"The trays are..." Too late, Adam saw the heavy marble bookend aimed at his head. He saw stars and fell to the ground in heap. As he was losing consciousness, he saw the shoes of the person who'd attacked him.

"Nice." He thought as the blackness consumed him.

TBC

The pieces will finally start to fall into place in the next chapter, but not before the body count rises.

Music: "Silent Running" by Mike & The Mechanics from the album "Mike & the Mechanics" copyright Atlantic Records Inc 1985