Jeff waited for what seemed like forever until he heard footsteps approaching the door from the other side. He took a step back and waited until the door opened. When it finally did, Jeff felt his heart skip a beat and his breathe catch in his throat. Mark, too, was taken back at the sight of Jeff standing in front of him. He knew he'd have to see and talk with him today, but he wasn't expecting Jeff to show up at his locker room door.

After clearing his throat, Jeff spoke quietly, "hi."

"Hi, Jeff." Mark said, stepping aside to let Jeff through and into the room.

"Sorry to bother you, but I was told I needed to talk to you about whatever it is we're doing tonight." Jeff told him, eyes looking anywhere other than Mark's.

Mark smiled, Jeff was nervous, nervous Jeff always made him smile, "you look good, Jeff."

Jeff looked down at his cell phone for no reason, "thanks," he said. I hate hearing him say my name.

"Yeah," Mark sighed. He looked past Jeff and saw Randy's bag sitting on the floor. He was glad that Randy had gotten a call from Cody, saying they needed him down by the ring. With another sigh, "About tonight," Mark continued.

"So far all I know is that i'm dropping the title to Phil." Mark could hear the disappointment in Jeff's voice.

Must be killing him. "Yeah. After the match, the lights are going to go out and you and I are going to have to switch places."

Jeff just nodded and waited for Mark to finish.

"When the lights go out, i'll get out from under the ring and grab you're hand." Jeff's heart skipped another beat. "I'll get you under the ring and then that's all you have to do."

"Lose title. Under the ring. Got it." Mark felt bad for Jeff. Having the title meant a lot to Jeff. "Okay then. I'll see you later then."

Just as Jeff turned to leave Mark caught his wrist, "aren't you even going to look at me?" Mark asked him.

Jeff looked up and looked through Mark more than at him, "can I go now?"

"No, Jeff." Mark told him. "Why are you acting like this? I haven't seen you in months, don't you think we should talk?"

Mark was never in denial about what had happened before he left. He hated that Jeff thought so little of him to be honest with him all the years they were together. And he hated himself just as much for acting the way he did, but he did what he did and there was no taking it back now. All he could do was try to get things as normal as possible between them.

With a heavy sigh, Mark let go of his wrist, "of course you have nothing to say to me. I wouldn't have anything to say to me either. I'm sorry, Jeff. For everything. From day one up to that night I left."

"Forget it, Mark." Jeff told him, he wanted to talk about what happened, but he didn't think he could.

Mark felt a twinge of pain when Jeff said his name. "I can't make you talk to me, but I wish that you would. I am truly sorry, Jeff. I never meant to hurt you, I just..." he had to pause, "that night, that moment, I just couldn't take anymore, but that wasn't your fault. I just wanted you to know that and I don't want you to hate me anymore. You've spent enough time hating me all those years, and now I just want to start over, I guess."

Jeff took a deep breath, "Yeah, we'll just start over like nothing ever happened then." With a shake of his head he started towards the door and opened it, but before he walked out he turned around and looked at Mark who stood their his head down. "I never hated you, Mark. I hated the things you did, but I never hated you."

So much for acting hard and tough. I don't know if he gives a fuck about me, maybe he does, but I can't help but give a fuck about him.

Once he walked out of Mark's locker room, Jeff let out a sigh and leaned back against the door. It'd be so easy for him to let it all go after all the months apart and just forget it all, even if he couldn't forgive Mark. Truth be told he was just as guilty as whatever he held against him. If Mark was able to let it go, he should too. He still loved Mark, there was no denying it. All the years they had been together, he swore that if it ever ended for good, he'd do anything to keep the friendship.

With another sigh, Jeff pulled himself away from the door and started down the hallway. Within seconds, he looked up from watching his feet and saw Randy walking towards him.

Randy's eyes narrowed as he wondered why Jeff was coming from the direction of Mark's locker room. It was the only one at that end of the hallway, there was no other place Jeff could have been besides Mark's room.

As Jeff and Randy grew closer, Jeff stopped to say hello to Randy.

"Hey man, how's it going?" Jeff said.

Randy shook any ideas he had out of his mind, "Hey. What's up, Jeff? Ready for your match tonight? It's going to be brutal."

Jeff laughed, "yeah, man. No doubt. I'm going to lose the gold, but it'll be a great match."

"You'll lose it now, put on a great match and remind all the suits why you deserve to have it again." Randy told him.

"Thanks. I appreciate that." Jeff said, "I'll see you later, Randy."

"Yeah. Take it easy." As Jeff walked away, Randy continued to his and Mark's locker room. He paused for a moment and looked over his shoulder to see Jeff turn the corner before he opened the door to the room.

Randy decided not to bring up whether Jeff had been in to talk to Mark once he walked in. However he did take note that Mark made no attempt to tell him if that he had.

Mark decided that he'd wait to tell Randy about Jeff. He wasn't sure how he'd take it and he wasn't about to take the chance of hurting Randy, especially after telling him that they were going to be okay. Instead he decided to wait to bring it up later that night when they discussed whatever it was that Randy wanted to discuss. Mark had made up his mind that he would do whatever it took to keep Randy happy; he knew what mistakes he'd made with Jeff and he was ready to commit to making sure he didn't make them again. He was glad to have him. After the break up with Jeff and being home recovering from his injuries and surgery, he needed someone to talk to and he was glad that Randy was there for him when he needed it.

Randy had always been a good friend to him and had even offered his support to Mark when things with Jeff were going south. He'd never expected for their friendship to evolve into what it had, but when Randy had started taking a few hours from his days off to come all the way to Texas and spend it with him, he realized that it was much more than a friendship.

It started when he had mentioned to Randy that he would like this local band he had heard at a restaurant; Randy asked if he'd take him to listen to them the next time he was in town and Mark told him he would. Two days later, Randy called and asked if he would be home and then two hours later was at his door knocking.

As promised he'd taken Randy to see the band and was right when he said that Randy would like them. After a few hours, Randy had to catch a flight back home to St. Louis.

After that, Randy was stopping by every chance he could, only for a few hours, but Mark thoroughly enjoyed the time they spent together, as did Randy. It was obvious to Mark that Randy was beginning to have a thing for him, but he wasn't sure if he could get his head wrapped around the idea of starting over again, or if he wanted to. Randy was persistent and never failed to let Mark know that he was there for him though, no matter what.

Although he was grateful for Randy's company and friendship, Mark was amused that this was the same guy he couldn't stand when he first joined the company. It was an unspoken rule of the locker room that Mark was the guy to stick a punk new-comer with when he was not doing or acting the way management wanted him to. Mark quickly learned that a lot of how Randy acted was a facade, he wasn't nearly as obnoxious when you got to know him. He'd slipped up a few times, but Mark and a few others were quick to put him in his place once again.

When Mark realized that he was finding himself more and more attracted to Randy, he figured that it was about time he moved on from what had happened with Jeff.

After a show in Washington, Randy flew into Texas and was surprised when Mark was there to meet him at the airport. They went back to Mark's home and after talking for over an hour, Randy recognized the difference in Mark and decided to take a chance.

The two of them had been sitting outside talking and soon found themselves in a comfortable silence, soon though, Randy was slipping in and out of sleep. Mark laughed and told him that he was welcome to stay the night and then catch a flight the next morning. Randy nodded and said thank you as he stood up. When Mark followed suit, Randy psyched himself into making a move.

Without hesitation, Randy moved forward towards Mark, placed his hands on either side of his face and then moved his lips to Mark's. Mark was taken back and stood motionless for a moment and then relaxed and allowed himself to enjoy it.

Randy stepped back and waited for Mark's reaction, Mark simply said "come on, you look exhausted. Let's get you to bed."

Mark had taken Randy's hand and led him to the guest room and made sure he had everything he needed and that he was comfortable. The following morning, before he left to catch his flight, Randy had apologized for what he did. Mark told him that he shouldn't be sorry; he was glad that he had taken the initiative that he was afraid to take himself. After that visit, their relationship progressed into what it was now. Even though they had never taken the time to define what it was exactly; neither of them felt the need to, it simply was what it was. Up until now.

"And CM Punk has won the World title!"

okay. that's where i'm leaving it for now. i thought this chapter was going to be a lot longer, but i guess not. i figured that i'd post it now so that my wonderful readers will REVIEW and keep me motivated to keep writing. in the next chapter: talks. discussions. broken hearts? healed scars? tune in to find out. same slash time. same slash channel.

REVIEW!

-ftlow