"Oh man bro…Kick ass match against Kurt tonight! You guys tore the house down."

"Thanks Owen. Hope you were watching closely. You could learn a little something from your big brother," Bret teased. They were walking back towards the locker room area. Most of the guys had already left the arena since they had a long travel ahead of them. Bret didn't plan on staying long either. He was planning to hit the hotel for an hour's sleep before he too had to get on the road for a five hour drive to Halifax. When the reached the locker room area, Owen glanced at his watch and groaned. "What's up? What was that groan all about?"

"Dude, I thought we could go out and have a quick celebration but it seems like we won't have time. I really need to get back to the hotel and sleep so I'll be ready for that long ass drive tomorrow."

"Owen I didn't really feel like going out tonight anyway. I don't need to make it a habit ya know?"

"Yeah whatever man. Listen, I'm about to bounce. You need a lift or are you going to shower here?"

"Naa I'm good. I'm about to go and grab my things then I'm leaving too. Get some sleep Owen cause I know how you and Davey are."

"Yeah yeah," he grinned. With one last wave to his brother, Owen left the arena. Bret shook his head wondering if sending Owen on his own was the best idea especially since Owen had a habit of being childish. Maybe he'll behave himself tonight…

Bret finally entered the locker room a second later to get his things. As he entered the room, he immediately spotted a familiar blonde straddling one of the long benches with his head hanging low. He was fully dressed and his hair was still wet from having showered which immediately struck Bret as odd. Shawn and Marty's match was almost an hour ago so why is he still here? Normally Bret chose to ignore people in the locker rooms unless it was close friends or family because it just wasn't his style to gossip or get in everyone's business. He always respected their privacy and he expected others to do the same for him. However, as much as he wanted to ignore the blonde, curiosity got the best of him and he found himself walking towards him. Bret straddled the bench a few inches in front of him hoping to get his attention but Shawn remained as he was, still staring down into nothingness. Bret frowned.

"Hey…Shawn?" The blonde didn't respond, at least not the way Bret expected him to. He heard a choke and then Shawn's hands moved to cover his face. Oh my God…he's crying… "Shawn? What's…?" Shawn continued to sob with his hands covering his face. Bret was pretty sure that Shawn covered his face to hide the possible embarrassment but that only made Bret even more curious. He reached up and clasped Shawn's wrists slowly bringing his hands down. Again. For the second time in his life he noticed some things about a guy. The eyes. Shawn's beautiful blue eyes stared back at him only this time they weren't filled with that sparkle he'd noticed during their first encounter. Instead they were clouded by precipitation and highlighted by redness. Shawn was the first to look away and soon an awkward silence filled the room.

For several long minutes neither man spoke a word. For Bret, it was an uncomfortable awkwardness that he'd never felt before with anyone in his life but at the same time it felt right. Even as he stared at his hands – well aware that they were still wrapped around Shawn's wrists – he still couldn't bring himself to do anything about how his fingers seemed to move on their own. They were gently caressing the back of Shawn's wrists against Bret's will. Bret found himself wondering if Shawn was going to say anything about it but he didn't.

"Thank you," he said quietly. Bret looked up in time to meet Shawn's gaze. He forced a smile as he stood to leave. Bret's fingers slowly released his wrists and it was then that Bret felt an overwhelming desire to make him stay.

"Are you okay?" he blurted out. He stood up as well watching as Shawn collected the rest of his things. As Shawn headed for the door, he managed another smile.

"I will be. Good night Bret."

When Shawn left the room, Bret released a breath that he'd been holding for quite sometime. For a minute he just stood there trying to make sense of what just happened. Shawn had been crying for reasons unknown to him and Bret had every intention of getting information out of him but he got nothing. Instead, he found himself in an awkward situation for reasons he didn't quite understand. All he could think about was the once striking blue eyes suddenly turned red with despair and the subconscious caressing of his soft wrists. Soft? They were soft? Bret shook the thought immediately. He quickly gathered his things and left the arena vowing to forget the evening in its entirety.

*~*~*

"I never imagined the little prick would get to me," Bret grumbled. "I got back to the hotel and all I could think about was him and how sad he looked. It bothered me so much that I ended up checking out of the hotel earlier than planned just to get on the road. I needed to clear my head."

"Well I'm sorry that I got under your skin," Shawn answered. "But if it makes you feel any better you got to me too."

"In what way?" Chris asked. Shawn glanced down at his wrists remembering how Bret calmed his nerves with just his touch. It was an unexpected warmness that stayed with him even in his sleep that night. He sighed.

"The…it was the way he…I guess it was a combination of things. A couple of people came in and out of the room after it happened but Bret was the only one who cared enough to talk with me. I know I didn't say much but just his presence alone was enough to get me through the night."

"And Bret?" Chris inquired. "What exactly made those few moments stick with you?" There was a long pause as Bret searched his mind for the right answer. There were still some things about that night that he didn't quite understand but the one thing he did know was that Shawn's eyes did a number on him. He took a deep breath then finally answered.

"The eyes. It was the sadness in his eyes." The room was suddenly overcome with an awkward silence. Chris shifted nervously in his seat before managing to find his voice again.

"So after that night, how did it affect your relationship?"

"I don't think it did much of anything," Shawn said with shrug.

"Maybe for you," Bret muttered.

"Well you still ignored Marty and me so—

"Actually I didn't ignore the two of you. Unbeknownst to you, I was talking with Marty a lot of nights after your matches. He never said anything to you because he didn't want you to think I was trying to manipulate him or something."

"You may have talked with Marty but you completely ignored me," Shawn grumbled. Bret glanced over at the divider and scoffed.

"I'm going to just flat out tell you that the reason I did my best to ignore you was because I was having a hard time NOT noticing you. To you it might have seemed like I was ignoring you but the truth is, I've always noticed you and it bothered me."

"Well I'm sorry that I'm the cause of big bad Hitman realizing his true colors," Shawn snapped.

"Whoa. Hold on a second," he stammered. "I'm not saying I was gay."

"Right," he sang sarcastically. "You were just 'noticing' me for the hell of it."

"FUCK SHAWN I DON'T KNOW WHY I WAS NOTICING YOU ALRIGHT!" he screamed. "I JUST WAS AND TO THIS DAY I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT!"

"Alright, alright. Calm down Bret," Chris soothed. "Let's…let's move on for a second. Okay. How about this? If you Bret ignored Shawn all the time, how exactly did you manage to befriend him? And what become of your friendship with Marty?"

Bret shrugged.

"Marty and I talked occasionally after matches, mostly because I was intrigued by him and Shawn's style in the ring. He told me a few things and asked for advice about certain techniques. Sometimes though the conversation would sway and we'd end up talking about growing up and whatnot. But…" Bret frowned. "I do remember this one night where Marty talked about Shawn. This was maybe a month or two after I found Shawn crying in the locker room. I could tell that his relationship with Shawn was changing. It was during their single's feud and it seemed like they were…I don't know. Disconnected somehow."

"What do you mean?" Chris asked. Bret glanced over at the divider, his eyes straining to make out what Shawn was doing but it was in vain. Chris waited for Shawn to react to Bret's words but he didn't. Instead he just sat there caressing the back of his hand as if trying to calm himself. Bret's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"They seemed to be spending a lot less time together. I…" Bret chuckled. "Now that I think about it, I don't know why I didn't put two and two together but like I said, I was never one for getting in anyone else's business. But I noticed that Shawn spent more time after matches talking with Kenneth than he did his former partner. I rarely saw the two of them leave together. Of course I heard the rumors and apart of me tried my best to ignore them but Shawn and Marty…they just seemed to give off that gay vibe so you couldn't be 100 percent sure that the rumors weren't true."

"So because I have long blonde hair and blue eyes, that automatically makes me gay?" Shawn snapped.

"That's not what I meant Shawn," Bret answered. "It's just…you two were always so…touchy feely. I saw you kiss him several times—

"On the lips?"

"No, but—

"Alright then. I rest my case."

"But Shawn even if it was a kiss on the forehead that was still…you know in our profession—

"And I could care less. Chris I'm leaving."

"Wha…wait Shawn. Don't you want to hear—

"I've heard enough," Shawn answered.

"Shawn don't do this," Bret said calmly. "You haven't even heard what I have to say about the night Marty left."

"If it's anything like your reaction to the night you found me crying then I really should leave now. I have my own feelings about that night but I fear we were on two different wavelengths."

"How did you feel that night?"

"Like I'd tell you," Shawn scoffed. "I'm not giving you anymore ammo to use for your 'Rainbow Shawn' argument."

"I'm not fishing for ammo Shawn. I'd just like to know how you felt," he answered. Shawn was now on his feet staring towards the divider with a frown on his face. Could it be that Bret's actually trying to be sincere? Shawn shook his head. There was just no way Bret was actually going to sit through the rest of this pointless interview without trying to make Shawn out to be the demon of his demise.

"I'm sorry but no. I just can't do that Bret. Besides, it doesn't matter. You said it yourself earlier that you could never admit to ever feeling anything for someone like me so I'm not going to give you a reason to blame me for…whatever it was we had at one time. Good day Bret."

"Shawn please…don't," Bret replied softly. "I'm…really trying to get things off my chest. You told me to make it worth your while and if you stay here for just a few more minutes, I'm sure you'll get exactly what you want." Besides, I can't keep this shit to myself any longer…

"And what is it that I want Bret?"

"A confession maybe?"

"Wrong! I just want you to be honest."

"Shawn please…Just wait a second," he begged. "Here me out. I promise you what I say will be the truth and nothing less."

A few awkward seconds passed before Shawn took his seat again. Chris gave Bret the nod signaling for him to continue. Bret looked up at the ceiling then his eyes closed as he searched the very back of his mind to recall one of the most important nights in his life. He would never admit this to anyone else, not even to himself…that is until today. Until right now. He let out a deep breath then his mouth sort of moved on it's on like an obedient servant against its will.

"I was with my brother and Davey," he said softly. "We watched the match…"

*~*~*

"Bret, are we watching the match between the two former partners?" Owen asked. Bret finished lacing up his boots before standing to his feet. Owen and Davey were standing there with big eager grins on their faces.

"Sure. Why not? Besides I'm sure it will be one for the books."

"Yeah considering how I heard it's because they're breaking up – and literally," Davey joked.

"Guys come on now. Enough with the gossip."

"Oh shut it Bret," Owen replied. "You're just clueless because you're always talking to the little bugger Marty. I've seen the two of you."

"Yeah but we hardly talk of his personal life Owen. He mostly gets wrestling advice from me and even then it's not much."

"You any idea how that looks?" Owen asked incredulously. "People will start to think you're after him."

"Oh come on!" Bret scoffed. "You gotta be shittin me!"

"Yeah well I know it sounds farfetched but it could happen to the best of us even you big bro. Plus…" He lowered his voice as they walked towards the back where the monitors were. "You…Sometimes I see you watching Shawn when you think no one's looking." Bret bit his lower lip to hide his shock. Just how much attention was he really paying to that blonde lately? Owen's grin jarred his thoughts.

"What are you talking about?" Bret managed.

"Oh well…I know you're probably just concerned for those guys but seriously, if you don't watch yourself people are gonna start to think things. Everyone's pretty sure Marty's queer and Shawn's not exactly hiding the fact that he could be too. I mean look at him. How many straight guys do you know would go out there night after night dancing and swaying his hips in the ring? Huh? Tell me."

"Uh…"

"My point exactly. Look, I'm just saying. Don't worry about him so much. He's going to make you crazy before it's over. He's much, much too pretty for his own good. And…" Owen looked over at Davey who was a fair distance behind them. He lowered his voice even more. "Between us, I think he's pretty too. Like…if I was gay pretty I'd date him." Bret shrugged his brother off giving him a playful nudge.

"Have you…been drinking?" he laughed. Owen frowned.

"No."

"Then don't talk like that. Now shush. The match is about to start."

The guys watched the match from the monitors in the back, all of them very impressed with how exciting the match was. Shawn and Marty had a few heated exchanges that ended in stalemates which got mass approval from the crowd.

"Man Bret. I'm wondering if anyone will even have an upper hand in the match. They're too evenly matched," David commented. They watched as Marty slammed Shawn onto the mat only to watch him nip up and hit him with a dropkick to the chest.

"I think it's gonna come down to whoever has the better stamina," Bret added never taking his eyes off the screen. At this point, both Marty and Shawn were exchanging rights in the middle of the ring, the crowd now on its feet out of excitement. Marty's mistake came when he allowed himself to be flung into the ropes. He never even had a chance to think about dodging it.

"Ooooo….That's gotta hurt," Owen winced. Shawn landed a superkick to Marty's face then came the cover for the three count. It was over. Shawn had won but instead of celebrating he immediately left the ring after his hand was raised in victory. Bret frowned at the monitor as he watched the blonde coming up the ramp. That's strange…He just kicked ass out there. Why does he look so…upset? Bret was nudged in his side broken from his thoughts. He looked over to see Owen shaking his head.

"What?" Bret asked.

"That look…I know what you are wondering but let it go bro. He's just a weird kid. Besides, it's not like you to be so curious anyway. Why start now?" Bret shrugged.

"I don't know. I guess it's cuz I've taken a liking to the kid."

"Which one?" David asked grinning. Bret rolled his eyes.

"You know I mean Marty. You two have seen me talking with him after matches several times."

"Oh well…" Owen grinned.

"Whatever. Let's get out of here. We got matches coming up." Bret ushered the guys out of the room though in the back of his mind he was already making plans to hunt Marty down later. Owen and Davey had a tag match next that was followed by the main event featuring Bret and Kurt Henning again. After the match, Bret headed backstage to hunt down Marty. When he got behind the curtain, Davey and Owen were both standing there waiting for him.

"No excuses tonight Bret. Let's go out," Davey ordered. Bret placed his hands on his hips shaking his head.

"Guys. Seriously?"

"Come on Bret! Live a little. You haven't gone out with us in almost three weeks," Owen complained.

"If I go out with you guys tonight will you piss off from now on?"

"Well…"

"I'm serious Owen. I can't be going out so much. You know it's not my scene man."

"Fine," Owen pouted.

"Alright. Well give me time to shower."

"Oooo…just meet us at the bar. Twenty minutes bro. Don't take too long with your girly habits," Owen grinned before he and Davey hurried off. Bret shook his head entering the locker room. Once again the place looked very deserted except for the sound of running water. Bret quickly rid himself of his wrestling gear, grabbed a towel, then headed for the showers. Bret was never a guy to really care who he showered with. It was just something that came with being an athlete. You would never have the opportunity to shower alone much anyway so why let it bother you? That was all about to change.

When Bret entered the shower area, he stopped dead in his tracks when he realized who it was showering. At the far end standing underneath the last shower area was a familiar blonde who had been plaguing his mind for several weeks. His eyes were closed as he allowed the water to drown his face. Bret watched as his hands moved to comb through his curly locks and it was that moment Bret realized he was staring. He was going to look away but then he heard something that sounded like a choke or a cough. He waited and watched only to realize that Shawn was crying again. The blonde leaned his head against the tile and just sobbed. Bret cursed under his breath. It was so unlike him to care. It was so unlike him to stare at other men. It was also so unlike him to let other people's feelings bother him, but once again he could not help himself.

He wrapped the towel around his waist and quietly approached him. Bret stood a few feet away from him waiting to see if he would look up, but he didn't. Bret hesitated for a moment but it was too late to turn away now. He reached out and touched Shawn's shoulder startling him. He quickly turned to face Bret his face paler than ever. Their eyes locked, mouths opened to speak but neither man could make a sound. Bret's eyes suddenly drifted from Shawn's blue eyes to his chest where he became hypnotized by the rise and fall of it as he breathed. What am I doing? Why am I staring? Locking eyes with Shawn again he somehow managed to speak.

"You were crying just now." Shawn folded his arms across his chest and stared at his feet.

"It doesn't matter. The one person who would have cared is now gone so I'll have to get over it sooner or later."

"You mean Marty?" Shawn nodded. "So he's gone…like gone for good?" Shawn wiped his eyes.

"Yeah uh…tonight was his last match."

"Wow. I thought for sure…but he's a great wrestler. I don't understand…"

"He left because of me."

"Oh." Bret was at a lost for words. He wasn't expecting that one even though he did hear the rumors.

"You don't have to stay here like last time," he said softly. "I'll be fine."

"You don't look fine," he blurted out. He hadn't meant to say it out loud but it sort of happened. He spoke before he could think straight; the second time something like this has happened and with a guy no less.

"Just go Bret. I'm sure you have somewhere you need to be." It was true. Bret did have somewhere he needed to be but instead he was only making his brother's argument more concrete. But he didn't care. At least not at the moment. Even if he wanted to leave his feet felt like they were glued to the floor and wouldn't allow him to move anyway. Just like last time. He sighed.

"Why do you think it's your fault Marty left?" Shawn looked up at him irritably.

"Just…go!" he snapped.

"But I really wanna help you. I'm not just trying to be nosy Shawn. It's not my style. It's just…you two have so much potential and I'd hate to see it wasted because of something stupid."

"It doesn't matter. He's gone and there's nothing I can do about it."

"Well can I help? Is there something I can do? Do you want me to talk with him?" Shawn stared at him for a few seconds then cut his eyes to the floor again.

"I doubt it would have done any good but…it's too late. He's already gone and he's never coming back," he choked. Bret watched him cover his face with his hands again as he cried. All of a sudden, a funny feeling came over Bret that he couldn't quite explain. He didn't think about his actions until sometime after he did them. His hands found Shawn's wrists again, clasping them tightly. Instead of pulling his hands down like last time, he did the unthinkable by pulling him into his chest. One of Bret's arms slowly went around Shawn's back while the other went behind his head.

"It's…going to be alright," he whispered. Then he just held him as he cried. As Bret continued to hold him, he suddenly became aware of how warm Shawn's body felt up against his. Soon Bret's fingers were twirling strands of his silky hair and teasing the spine of his back. Bret's next instinct led him to breath in the smell of Shawn's hair sending his senses into overdrive. From there his nose led him to the side of Shawn's neck where he watched his pulse tempt his resolve. Bret bit his lip. It was the only thing keeping him from throwing reason out the window in order to satisfy his dying curiosity. Shawn pulled away from him bringing him back to reality. Bret looked down at him nervously waiting for him to say something but he didn't. Instead he smiled weakly before brushing past him to leave the shower. Bret didn't even turn to watch him leave for he was afraid. Of what? Well, he couldn't be certain. The only thing he was certain of was that he'd crossed that fine line between curious and dangerously curious which made him think of Owen…

"Shit Owen!" Bret took the quickest shower in the history of showers then headed off to meet Owen. He was already ten minutes late but he hoped Owen wouldn't ask why. He wasn't in the mood for the teasing tonight especially since he still wasn't quite over what just happened.

AN: We'll pick up with the rest of Bret's night in the next chapter. Thanks to all of you who have been reviewing. CookingKiller, Esha Napoleon, shinigami sakura2000, Animal Luvr 4 Life,Cenalova-54-8284, Seraphalexiel, dream0fmirrors, AnonymousPunk, takers dark lover. You guys are amazing!