**Survivor Series 1997**

"By now, I had completely shut off my emotions to Bret. I would feel him getting to me but then the wall would come up," he continued quietly, the strain of this tale written all over his face. "The little quote was just me trying to sound cold but feeling anything but."

Chris nodded then turned to Bret. "You want to add something here Hart?"

Bret, who was just trying to keep from asking Shawn a bunch of selfish questions, shrugged. "Not really. I mean, I still had groups of people coming around saying that they saw Shawn with Vince or Pat, but I was so wrapped up in my movie that I didn't think too much of it. I told ya already. Shawn and I were done but that doesn't mean I didn't still love him to a degree. I just figured since he and I had such a history that entertaining ideas of him screwing me over would be a waste of time. I thought he had enough respect for me and what we had not to do something like that."

"Key word-had," Shawn spoke up, feeling angry and annoyed at Bret. He supposed Bret was trying to make him feel a little guilty about it all. Unfortunately, it was only pissing him off since the only guilt he had lied in the match itself. "And before you start preaching about our love and respect," he continued, "let me remind you that you were the one who called it quits for good and you were the one who felt like we were fooling ourselves so the way I see it, I had every right to be McMahon's bullet if you will."

Bret sighed. The strain of the session had worn him down as well making it so that he could barely muster the strength to quarrel with the blonde anymore. "Shawn, I'm sorry you were hurt, but you're making it seem like you and I hadn't called it quits before. By this time you and I were pretty much done for good anyway so-"

"So instead of just fighting to keep it together like we always did," he snapped, cutting Bret off again, "you suddenly had a shocking revelation that we wouldn't make it right? It wasn't like both of us didn't know from the first day you screwed my brains out in the shower that a relationship would be impossible and yet…" He paused cutting Bret a dirty look. "Good to know I was just an excellent fuck buddy."

"Shawn stop it!" Bret snapped. Not only was he tired, but he was also growing equally agitated by Shawn's argument that he was only a good lay which wasn't true at all. In truth, Shawn was his everything. He just wasn't certain how to handle it at a time when so many things weren't acceptable, an excuse that he was regretting more and more as the interview dragged on. "You know full well you were more than that but the heart of it is, I was leaving you behind for an array of reasons," he justified. "You were just moments away from giving into Hunter so with me gone and you no longer obligated to me, I did Hunter a favor and I set you free…I set us both free," he added quietly looking almost disgusted with his own words. He turned facing Shawn who was fidgeting with his bracelet and chewing on his lip, a sure sign that something was on the tip of his tongue but probably unsure if he should speak up or not. Bret reached for Shawn's hand again, but it was snatched away as if he was some deadly disease.

"Don't," he growled, leering at Bret. "Don't you dare touch me! Just…don't say anything else to me. You…I was so pissed at you for just throwing us away like we didn't matter and by you not telling me that you were going away, I felt abandoned again; like scum since apparently I didn't matter enough anymore to tell such important information and free? You set us both free?" he asked disbelievingly. "Yeah Bret," he scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You set us free alright."

"Oh come on Shawn," he challenged. "You mean to tell me there was never a night you didn't wanna be set free from all the drama? There was never a night where you wished you'd have never let me hold you the night after the rape?"

This touched whatever last nerve the blonde had left and he just exploded on his ex, his face filled with rage. "Of course I had those thoughts Bret!" he screamed. "God I…I had them all the time, but I kept reminding myself that I knew what I was getting myself into from day one. It…" He choked back a sob and then another until he crying all over again, hating both himself and Bret for being stupid years ago.

Bret scooted his chair closer, reaching for that same hand, but Shawn jumped up wanting to stay far away from hands that used to comfort him. "No-just…I always knew that society wasn't ready and God knows I knew you would never come out and own up to being my lover. I can't really hate you for that today because I get it. Your family would disown you and Lord knows I wasn't worth it."

Bret stood, taking small steps towards Shawn, holding up his hands defensively. "I-I guess I can't argue with you on that point even though I might feel differently today. My father…"

He looked away letting his voice trail off as he recalled having a few conversations with his father about all the fairies they used to haze in his time. Sometimes he wondered if his father got some sick pleasure out of it, but then he would remember that his father never messed with anyone unless they fucked with him first. He brushed thoughts of his father aside continuing quietly with his explanation.

"At that time in my life, I just wanted to make my dad proud and watch over my baby brother. He was all I had until you came along Shawn." Bret stepped a little closer grateful that the blonde had not moved again. "I never expected I'd fall stupid in love-and with a guy for that matter but you…" Now that he was close enough to finally touch, he lightly cupped the side of a face he was sure he'd see in his dreams all over again. "You were breathtaking Shawn and despite all the mess we made, this interview has made me realize that I don't regret our time together. I loved you-still do and I believe if we could have gone away together from everything-people-just…the business in general to be together then we could have made it princess. We…" He wiped his eyes, wishing he could put his arms around Shawn and just throw the past away; pretend that it never happened, but he knew it wasn't that simple. When it came to him and Shawn, it was never exactly simple and never will.

Shawn moved away from him across the tiny room, his arms wrapped around himself for added comfort. The room was quiet for a long time, each man still taking it all in as they neared the finish line. When Shawn felt calm enough to continue, he turned around leaning back against the wall for support. "You know how the rest of the story goes," he said looking down at his feet, avoiding Bret's knowing eyes and Chris' concerned ones. "I went back inside to tell Hunter what Bret and I discussed, but Hunter said I was to go see Pat immediately. So I did. I met Pat in the production truck. I told him of the finish and then we were joined moments later by Vince. By now, I didn't really feel like talking much so Pat told him for me and that's when Vince gave me orders. He said that at some point during the match he along with Pat, Hunter and a few others would make their way ringside. I was supposed to keep going about the match as if none of it concerned me. Once Bret was in the reverse sharpshooter, Vince would stop the match then I would leave the building as soon as possible just in case something went wrong."

Already he could see it clearly in his mind. Hunter was rubbing his shoulders backstage while he waited for his music to hit. Most nights, once his music hit, he left all the drama of outside the ring behind but he would not have that luxury this night.

"In case," Chris continued, "in case there was riot right?"

Shawn nodded still avoiding Bret's gaze. "He feared for my safety more than I did since I already felt like my life didn't really matter anymore. I was-this was around the time my addiction to pain killers and drinking picked back up, but for some reason, I still didn't have the heart to show up high for Bret's last match. Maybe that was partly because I still had some respect for him or maybe it was because I needed to feel every emotion from that night. I…don't know."

He paused a moment as the scene formed in his head. "Bret and I wrestled a nearly perfect match as always. I forgot all about the actual deed to take place later and just wrestled as he called it every now and then throwing my own thing in it. It wasn't until I was on the ground locked in a chokehold that I spotted Vince along with Pat, Arn and Hunter coming towards the ring. I think a couple of refs or security guys were with them-I can't really remember. That was the point in the match where I realized that this was really happening. I think Bret ignored them cause he didn't deviate at all from what we discussed."

"I looked up," Bret added quietly. "I kinda frowned, wondering if this was all apart of the DQ finished added at the last minute, but I also had a feeling something wasn't right. I think I brushed it off because in the back of my mind I knew Shawn would have no part of it."

"You're starting to annoy me with all of the praise Bret," Shawn said rolling his eyes. "These things you keep saying about me are naïve considering how badly things ended between us."

"Sorry Shawn. Guess I thought…never mind. Thinking maybe I put you too high on a pedestal."

Shawn glared at him. "Yeah, guess you did Mr. Loyalty and now for the big finish. Here Chris, is the reason why Bretty married a cute, petite blonde woman while I'm gonna be alone for the rest of my life because the guy I was hours away from proposing to ran off." He laughed a little as his life seemed to come full circle. "They always leave me behind. Marty, Kevin, Scott, Bret, and now John."

"Shawn…" Bret paused just now realizing what was said. "Wait, fiance?" he asked, needing to be certain he heard right. "You wanted to marry John?" he questioned feeling a tad bit annoyed by this even though technically it wasn't his business.

"I love him Bret. Since it's no longer a crime to be with the one you love, I thought I'd go ahead and seal the deal so he wouldn't be tempted to walk out on me like all the others before him," he said bitterly. "Now…let me finish this so we can all go home and drown ourselves in bottles of Crown; that habit taken clearly from the first guy that abandoned me and no, I don't mean Marty. That's a story in itself and one I will never tell."

Shawn wiped his eyes which were now puffy and red from all of the crying. His face felt hot and sticky from the tears while the rest of his body felt like an anvil was strapped to his back. He looked back down at his feet, a single tear dropping on his boot as he recalled the last bits of that awful day…

XX-**-XX

The bell sounded then everything else happened in almost a blur. Shawn rolled over to the edge of the ring. The noise in the arena was so loud that he was having trouble hearing his ownself think. He looked up at the man standing next to him and as expected, he was confused and irate. Shawn frowned. The match was over so now he had to play his part and pretend like he was equally confused and angry even though he only felt like hurling. He saw the spit out the corner of his eye hit Vince's face but he didn't see much else. Hands were all over him pulling him out of the ring then Hunter shoved the belt in his hands. "Go!" Hunter yelled. "Vince says we must get you outta here."

Shawn began a brisk walk towards the ramp holding up the belt proudly like a good little boy, but then Arn grabbed his arm tugging him up the ramp with Hunter covering his right. He was getting wet which meant people were throwing things at him. He couldn't help it. He had to look back, but he couldn't see what was going on. When they reached the top of the ramp, the rest of the Hart family came from around the curtain leering at him. Shawn continued to play his part, but as he reached the backstage area he could hardly breath. A few of the superstars were hanging around, most of them leering at him as if he was some sort of disease. Both Hunter and Arn yelled at them as they steered the now shaking blonde into Vince's office shutting the door. Shawn's legs would barely hold him up anymore so he was grateful for the comfy chair, the belt hanging limply from his hands.

"Shawn…" Hunter kneeled in front of him, rubbing his knees. "You alright? You're shaking." Shawn allowed Hunter's attempt at comforting him, but he knew nothing could console him right now. He would not feel any kind of comfort until he was out of Canada and back home in Texas.

The door of Vince's office burst open and in walked a shaken Vince and Pat. "Shawn? Shawn you did good," Vince said quickly, rubbing his cheek. "But now I need you to get the hell out of here," he ordered.

Shawn forced himself up, still dragging the belt as if it weighed tons. "How'd it go?" he asked nervously. "Where's Bret?" Even though Bret was leaving he was certain a part of him would always care what happens to him and right now he could not help wondering if Bret would be alright.

"Shawn, there's no time for that now sweetheart," Pat said grimly, poking his head out of the door. "Alright. Coast is clear. Hunter, you get him the hell out of here as quickly as possible."

"Oh and Shawn," Vince added as his body was being shoved out of the door. "You knew absolutely nothing," he whispered. "You tell them that you didn't know. I want all the blame on me. Deny it-even to Bret." Vince pushed him on out of the office and feeling rather annoyed, he allowed Hunter to lead him back towards the locker room. As they neared their destination the, he noticed that there seemed to be more commotion coming from this end of the arena than Vince's office.

"Oh guys! There's Shawn Michaels! Hey Shawn!" a guy yelled. Like a pack of hungry wolves, he was rushed by cameramen and then a blonde woman whom he knew all too well. It made him even more uncomfortable and he was half of mind to go back to Vince's office.

"You-how could you!" the blonde lady shouted. "You're evil Shawn. Nothing good will come of this."

Shawn was not in the mood to argue with any of the Hart family, especially since he was tempted to use his best defense-his mouth-to tell them all that their perfect little King of Harts fucked him on a regular basis for almost two years, but he let it slide. He felt like throwing up, his back was screaming and he was ready to pop a few pills to sleep it all away. Instead of bothering in attempts to defend himself, he did as he was told, ignoring any questions as he pushed his way into the locker room. Unfortunately he was followed by Bret's crew and much to his dismay, Bret was already inside sitting quietly in a chair, his gorgeous dark locks blanketing his face as he stared down at the ground.

Since he and Bret were finished, Shawn had every intention of ignoring him. Engaging him in conversation was out of the question not to mention he was sure they both had a mutual loathing for one another by now. Nothing good would come of a conversation. Instead, Shawn tossed the belt in his bag before gathering his things so he could leave. The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Making matters worse, he was still being questioned by that nosy bastard of a cameraman and he was still pretending as if buddy boy didn't exist. Perfect plan.

"So did you know?"

Yeah so it was a perfect plan. The bottle of water he was packing fell out of his hand and when he bent down to pick it up, he realized he was shaking. He took a deep breath. Come on Shawn. Grab the fucking bottle and get out of here. He scooped up the bottle, casually tossing it in his bag continuing on with his packing. He glanced over at Bret, ignoring the knowing look. "Nope."

And he was going to leave it at that but Bret wasn't buying it. As if he would and Shawn knew that Vince knew this little detail as well. Nevertheless it was too late now so act his part he must despite conflicting feelings about it all.

"Sure Shawn? Sure you didn't know that was gonna go down? Just…tell the truth." He could feel Bret's knowing eyes looking right through the façade but he had to do as told. After all, somewhere in the back of his mind he knew Bret disserved this for all the bullshit he put them all through and for personal reasons. He hoisted his bag over his shoulder grabbing Hunter's bag as well. As he started out the door, he looked back at Bret just long enough to answer him. "I swear to you. I…had no clue." His voice was lighter than usual. He knew this, but any heavier and Bret could hear the wavering. It wasn't supposed to be like this. He was supposed to feel some overwhelming satisfaction from this by now so where the hell was it? He needed to go. "Goodnight."

"No. Wait. I need you to stay put for a bit longer," said Bret, though it sounded more like a demand than an actual request which Shawn didn't like one bit.

Feigning fatigue he shook his head. The idea of having to stay in this room alone with Bret was making him sweat harder than he did during the actual wrestling match. "Bret I'm tired," he complained. "I didn't sleep at all last night and whatever this is I can't help you. Vince is boss so go yell at him. I don't think I can take it from you tonight."

Bret pushed past him for the door not giving a damn. "I never said I was gonna yell at you. Just…the least you could fucking do is hear me out."

Shawn raised his brows, not liking the fact that the man who dumped him felt like he could still make demands and order him around. He was definitely not in the mood for a Hart's ego so he dropped his bags, exploding because he really could not take much of anything anymore. It was either scream irately or start crying. "Fuck you Bret!" he screamed. "I didn't do anything! I went out there and wrestled a damn near perfect fucking match doing everything you wanted and I was more than willing to let you have that stupid fucking DQ ending all because king ego didn't wanna lose in Canada! I've about had it with you and your fucking pride issues! It's not my fault!"

Bret whipped around, his icy glare pinning Shawn. "Cut the fucking cameras for a moment and get the hell out," he growled, motioning for everyone else to take a hike. "I need a moment alone with the new champ," he spat. Shawn rolled his eyes and once they were alone, Bret closed the gap between them shoving him back against the wall. "That sounded like a pretty vague confession to me princess," he hissed. "But as vague as it might be, when mixed with the look on your face or your trembling body before me, it's as good as gold in the court of King ego as you so rightly put it."

He shoved him again, this time Shawn wincing a bit from the pain in his back. He winced from the pain to keep from wondering what else Bret noticed. "Go ahead Shawn," Bret continued angrily. "Why don't you go ahead and tell me what we both already know. You knew. Tell me you fucking knew!" he pushed.

Shawn tried staring back at him defiantly looking as stupid as possible but he was failing miserably due to his body not cooperating. The trembling was much worse now and the only thing keeping his body up was the wall behind him. His heart was beating annoyingly fast to the point where he was almost sure Bret could hear it too. Shawn kept fighting, trying to keep eye contact with Bret and further deny his words. However, every time he looked up, his voice would catch in his throat forcing a shake of the head. He simply could not help it with all of the things going on inside of him and he was breaking whether he wanted to or not.

Bret scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest making Shawn feel really distant to him, a feeling only adding to the sickness he felt in the pit of his stomach. Shawn finally gave up the fight lowering his head. The only thing he was fighting now were tears and even that was taking too much energy. Mixed with Bret's voice, which seemed so empty and cold, was enough to cloud his eyes. He didn't like Bret's tone yet he knew he deserved it.

"You can't even look me in the eye Shawn," Bret said with a slight chuckle, sounding real amused. "It was so easy for you Heartbreaker two minutes ago when the cameras were in here; when I was a safe distance away but now look at you," he said quietly, his voice filled with contempt as his eyes studied the almost broken man before him. "Look how you cower before me," he sang "practically confessing anyway, but that's okay Shawn. It was good while it lasted, but I should have known loyalty and trust were something foreign to you. You're not like me Shawn and you know, we really were fooling ourselves."

Shawn felt hands that were once gentle grip his slumping shoulders jerking his body up against the wall. "Bret…" He managed to choke out the name. The explanation-the lie Vince ordered him to tell-was on the tip of his tongue, but it wouldn't come out. Only sobs as he felt his body being straightened against the wall, his head raised enough to see the clenched fist and a face that once showed him love now cold and dark. Bret was crying. Despite his handsome face being contorted in a rage, he was crying all well. A part of Shawn wanted to dropped down at Bret's feet and seek forgiveness but the stubborn Shawn, the Shawn who knew in his heart that he did the right thing for business wished he could find the strength to channel the real Shawn.

The real Shawn would fight back. He'd kick the living shit out of Bret then tell the world how they fucked in the showers all the time. He'd tell Stu how he really felt about all of his teachings then possibly apologize to Davey and Owen since he never really had any issues with either of them. He wanted to be that guy who tossed a chair at Bret two weeks ago; the strong guy who didn't give one flying fuck if he ever saw this face again but the longer he was hit with cold, dark eyes, the less likely it seemed that the real HBK ever existed. He choked out another sob, dropping his head, but Bret gripped his face forcing it back up.

"Shut up!" he screamed. "Just shut up!"

"Bret I-It wasn't me," he cried. "Vince…he…I didn't-"

"God do you ever fucking shut up! Just…shut up!" He clenched his fist even tighter if it was possible, drawing back even more to hit him in the face. Shawn flinched, biting down hard on his trembling lip. He didn't want to get yelled at anymore so he shut up waiting for impact. Bret's rage filled face slowly diminished into one filled with hurt and confusion. It was as if Bret had him anyway so he dropped his eyes. "No, no!" Bret yelled. "Look at me dammit! You owe me this moment!"

Shawn looked up, his eyelids feeling so very heavy. Bret loosened the grip on his face but kept his hand in place just in case. "You know Shawn, there's a big part of me that wishes I could pull you into my arms and make your pain go away like I used to in the beginning." At this Shawn choked out another sob, leaning forward a bit subconsciously reaching out for that familiar warmth but Bret forced him back against the cool, hard wall. "I said a part of me Shawn," he repeated forcefully, his own eyes still streaming water. "I never said I was going to. You're impossible Shawn, but you were my impossibility. Each night you were squirming beneath me screaming my name and telling me you loved me made that impossibility seem more than possible." Bret slowly unclenched his fist lowering his hand to his side. "I can't hit you," he said quietly. "I thought you knew me better than that Shawn. I thought you knew I would never really hurt you, but maybe you don't know me at all. Just like I don't know who you are anymore."

Bret leaned close enough for a kiss, Shawn's eyes closing at the feel of the warm breath against him. His heart skipped a beat, him thinking naively he would be forgiven despite the lack of a true confession but nothing happened. Shawn opened his eyes, his heart breaking even more in two as his ex backed away from him looking disgusted. "I never wanna see you again. I'm gonna assume the feeling's mutual. Good luck champ. You have no equal anymore. It's finally all about Shawn."

XX-**-XX

"I…literally broke after Bret left the room," Shawn continued, speaking quietly with a controlled voice, masking the urge to react just as he did twelve years ago. "I cried for a long time and roughly twenty minutes later, Hunter came to my rescue. He took me back to the hotel, gave me the pills I normally popped after a bad day then I was out cold. I don't remember much else about that night," he sniffled.

Chris nodded, his expression just as somber as Shawn's. "It's okay Shawn. You told the parts that mattered and now the truth is out in the open. I have to ask though since I remember this like it was yesterday. You and DX cut a promo on Bret the next night on Raw. I'm sure you had no choice for storyline purposes but, how was it for you the next night? Was it hard?"

Shawn finally looked up avoiding Bret's gaze. He thought about the next night on Raw but most of it was a big blur due to all of the pills he popped. "The next night on Raw was hell for me mentally because I no longer wanted the belt. I felt like the belt was cursed and I wasted no time storming Vince's office giving him hell. He probably didn't think too much of it though. I can remember Vince trying to comfort me but I left his side to pop a few more pills. I was really high that night but if it wasn't for those pills, I don't think I could have handled the pressure," he explained. "I was champ again which meant all eyes were on me and the success of the company now rested on the shoulders of an emotional wreck and a physically exhausted me."

Shawn wiped his eyes pushing himself from against the wall. "I'm going home now," he said tiredly, just barely able to stand. Now all he could think about was curling up under the covers sleeping for a very long time. "I've done my part by telling everything and I've apologized. I'm sure by now everyone knows I broke my back just three months later which you could say was my karma from God. Bret suffered a career ending concussion-he didn't deserve it though-and I broke my back. Romeo and Juliet had nothing on us," he finished, reaching to clasp the cross around his neck.

Chris nodded his head. "I can't ask anything more from either of you. Bret before I take my ass home and start leaving messages on Shawn's twitter begging for forgiveness, is there anything else you wanna say?"

Bret's hands were in his pockets as he stared at the floor drained and an emotional mess. He was pretty positive every bit of Shawn's recount of that fateful night had been the truth. He just didn't remember saying some of those things. After being screwed over like that, he was angry at everyone, but mostly Shawn. Shawn was the guy he shared private things with that not even Owen knew much about. With Shawn, he could tell him anything and not have to worry about being judged. Soon they became best friends and due to curiosity, lovers. It was supposed to be one time; one night and one time, but one time led to another and another until he just couldn't get enough.

Sure maybe he had the thought that it was just about the sex, but that thought kept him from breaking down at family dinners revealing to his dad and cousins that the guy twisting and shaking his ass in the ring like a fairy was his lover. God how he hated listening to them talk bad about Shawn and even Jeff Jarrett, whom he began to respect after wrestling him a few times. He was a good person, much like the guy who used to be "his" Shawn since right now, he wasn't so sure that was the case anymore. Bret looked over at Chris. "I do want to say a few words, but in private. Can Shawn and I stay here for a few?"

Chris turned the camera off gathering his things. "You two can have anything you want." Chris reached in his pocket for his keys. "Bret…Shawn…thank you. The door's locked so just pull it tight as you leave." Chris wasted no time getting the hell out of there. He was ready for the editing process and then it would be all over. He just hoped that the two former lovers were finally at peace with one another.

When Chris was well out of sight, Bret resumed his seat sitting quietly as Shawn forced himself back into his own chair. As soon as Shawn sat, Bret reached over placing his warm hand on top of Shawn's. They looked at each other and for the first time in years there was no contempt or rage. Only a mutual understanding of forgiveness that could not be put into words. Bret was the first to look away, trying is best not to get sucked into those eyes he loved so much. "Where do we go from here Shawn?"

Shawn turned away, closing his eyes, Bret's question echoing over and over in his head. Where exactly did they go from here? He wasn't sure. "Why are you asking me?"

Bret squeezed Shawn's hand ignoring the gold band shining around his own finger. "Because I already told you what I want Shawn. Nothing has changed. What happens next in our lives depends on you."

Bret got up standing over Shawn. He extended his hand pulling the blonde to his feet and into his arms embracing him for what could very well be the last time. Bret nuzzled his neck then kissed the top of his head. "What do you want Shawn? We're alone and you said earlier that you were tired of people always making decisions for you. I was listening for a change," he joked.

He held Shawn tighter against him, molding that precious body against his hoping he never had to let go, but not getting his hopes up too high. He sighed, combing through Shawn's hair. "No one's around to tell you what to do so what does your heart want Shawn? What's gonna happen when we both walk out that door?"

AN: If you go back and watch the match from Survivor Series '97, there's a moment when Shawn yells at Earl to ring the bell. I left that out, but Shawn's recount of the events in his book/dvd says Earl knew before hand that Vince was gonna order him to ring the bell, but I'm gonna assume he freaked out. Maybe he was scared of Bret but truth be told, Vince is scarier. I'm convinced he's like some God of the underworld.

- The end is nearing. Can you feel it?

- Again, not much else to say. One more chapter then the epilogue. I guarantee some ppl will hate it but whatever. I'm happy. My head's content. I can't ask for much more. I hope you at least review the final chapter. I'd love to know what you think and how I can improve as a writer. I seriously need to work on my original fics but I couldn't focus enough as long as Montreal was on the brain.

- Thank you to all you faithful reviewers and readers. I told you I wouldn't give up. I lied. I gave up several times but then when the young Shawn lives in your head eventually he starts yelling. Its the older Shawn who didn't want to cooperate with this fic. He's so stubborn.

- I'd like to give a shout out to my roleplaying buddies. A lot of times, you guys helped me iron out kinks to this fic and others with your powerful characters. Love you lots! We have the best fandom ever ;)

- I apologize for the delays with this fic but...guys...this was so draining.