Mark waited in his too-familiar spot under the ring as he watched the small screen that they always so kindly remembered to place under there for his entertainment. He watched for the cue to get into place and when it came he moved to the edge of the ring and when he saw the lights go out, he shuffled out from under the ring.

Once he was out and up, he reached his arm under the bottom rope and felt his hand land directly into Jeff's smaller hand. Mark wrapped his hand around Jeff's wrist and pulled him out of the ring. Just before Jeff could fall out of the ring, Mark caught him under the arms and helped him under the ring before rolling in and taking the place Jeff emptied.

Before Mark rolled into the ring though, he heard a faint whisper, "thanks."

x

Once under the ring, Jeff's attention moved to the television screen that had just lit up as the arena did. With a sigh, Jeff closed his eyes and listened to the incredible eruption that was happening on the outside. His body ached with pains of the bumps and spots he'd just performed in what he thought was a great match, but unfortunately, that was the only positive thing that came out of the match, for him at least.

He lay there, in pain, listening to the crowd go nuts for the man he knew he'd screwed absolutely everything up with; who had just choke slammed the guy who had taken his title away. Shit.

With another sigh, Jeff had to chuckle to himself. This is what he meant? When they were together, Mark would always complain about having to spend his time backstage or under the ring whenever something exciting happened and allowed for the other wrestlers to loosen up a bit. He understood that it was important for him to take care of his character and maintain his gimmick's credibility, but he always wished that he could enjoy the rare times when it happened, but no, he was stuck under the ring where he couldn't. Jeff shook his head. I don't blame him for hating this. This is the worst. Hm... "when we were together."

x

After the crowd had left, a stage worker poked his head under the ring and told Jeff that he could come out now.

"Thanks. I thought maybe you guys had forgotten about me." Jeff said, climbing out from under the ring and stretching his aching muscles. The stage hand smiled and continued picking up the cables he held in his hand.

With a noticeable limp, Jeff walked backstage and was not surprised to see that most of the guys were about ready to head out. As he was walking back to his locker room, he ran into Phil.

"Hey man, congratulations." Jeff told him, trying not to sound bitter.

Phil turned to see Jeff, "thanks. Are you alright? You look pretty battered."

Jeff smiled, "just a part of the gig, you know."

"Yeah, but you should probably see the medic though, Jeff." Phil said.

"I will. Thanks, Philly. Do me a favor though, will you?" the Rainbow-Haired Warrior asked.

"Yeah, what's up?" the Straight Edge Superstar responded.

Jeff smirked, "take good care of my title for me, okay? She's only with you for a while."

Phil laughed and bid his friend goodbye, but before he did, he asked, "are you coming out with us tonight?"

"Um, no. I don't think so. Not tonight. Don't feel too much like going out." he told him.

"No? Okay. Well, call me if you change your mind." Phil said and then continued on his way.

Jeff limped his way to his locker room, he hoped that Matt would be going out; he didn't feel much like company either. As he was walking, he passed a few more guys and just before he reached his destination, Randy walked by.

"Hey, Jeff. Great match, man. Those spots were pretty great." he told him.

Jeff grinned, "thanks, Randy. I try to jump off of ladders as best as I can."

"Well, you're pretty damned good at it." Randy laughed, "alright, I'll let you get showered. Good match though, Jeff." Randy was glad that he didn't feel anything negative towards Jeff, even after knowing that he'd been in to see Mark and that Mark hadn't mentioned it to him.

Jeff walked into the locker room and was glad to rinse off and get changed; he'd rather wait to get to the hotel to take a relaxing, hot shower. After being bombarded with questions from his brother, Jeff finally had to tell him to relax and drop it.

"Fine, Jeff. Do whatever you want." Matt said in defeat, "I'll be in the car, so hurry up."

Jeff finished getting dressed and got his bags together. He walked out of the locker room, passing a few workers and then was surprised when he felt a familiar hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, Jeff. Where are you going?" Mark asked Jeff.

Jeff silently sighed, "to find Matt so we can head back and I can get some rest."

"Your back has got to be killing you after that ridiculous and really unnecessary spot off the ladder." Mark said.

"Yeah, it is, so..." Jeff started but was cut off.

Mark frowned, "you didn't see the medic, did you?"

Jeff just shook his head and tried to walk away. For the second time that night, Mark grabbed Jeff's wrist and kept him from walking away.

"What do you mean you didn't see the doc?" Mark shook his head, "didn't I teach you anything, kid? You need to go see the doc; you're all battered and bruised."

"Mark, I'm fine. Just drop it." Jeff pleaded with him.

"Come on, Jeff. You need to be checked out. I'll go with you." he offered.

"No! I don't need you on my back anymore. I don't need to listen to you anymore either. I'm a grown ass man and I don't need you." Jeff spat at Mark, pulling his arm away and walking down the hallway.

Again, Mark felt a bit of pain at Jeff's words and attitude. "Please, Jeff. Go see the medic. I can tell when you're hurting badly. I know what that looks like on you."

"Just leave me alone, Mark. Can you do that for me? Please?" Jeff asked him. He hated the way Mark pretended to care about him. If he cared about him, he wouldn't have blown up at him and left like he did.

"Mark, you ready?" Both Mark and Jeff looked away from each other and down the hall to where Randy stood.

"Yeah, I'm ready." Mark said, breaking the silence.

Jeff looked from Randy to Mark with raised eyebrows.

"Will you please just go see the medic, Jeff?" Mark asked once more, in a slight whisper.

Jeff scoffed at Mark's plead.

Mark nodded, "goodnight, Jeff." Mark quickly walked to where Randy stood waiting, leaving Jeff behind.

Before Mark and Randy walked out the door though, Mark turned around.

"Jeff." Jeff raised his head to look at Mark once more, "it isn't very fun, is it?"

Jeff's forehead wrinkled in confusion, "listening to crowd cheering from under the ring. It's a tough feeling," Mark added.

"Yeah, it isn't." Jeff said, so low he wasn't even sure he had said it aloud.

After watching Randy and Mark walk out of the building, he was almost certain that he saw Mark's arm move to Randy's shoulder just before the door had shut. With another sigh, Jeff shook the thought from his head, certainly he was seeing things. He pulled out his phone and dialed Matt's number.

"Hey, Matt, can you come back in and wait for me. I'm gonna stop by and see the medic before we go." Jeff said, turning around to find the medical room. "thanks, Matt."

x

Mark swallowed in nervousness, Randy had obviously seen him talking to Jeff, but why hadn't he brought it up yet? Mark figured that maybe he was waiting him bring it up. Or maybe he's just thinking the worst about the situation?

As Mark drove from the arena to the hotel they were staying at, Randy sat quietly, doing anything he could to keep from thinking about what Mark and Jeff could have been talking about and why Mark hadn't bothered to mention anything about it to him.

"You okay?" Mark said, breaking Randy's thoughts.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Randy told him, lying.

Mark looked over at him, "okay."

Mark and Randy drove in silence for the remainder of the drive. When they finally arrived at the hotel, Mark parked the car and waited for Randy to say something. Instead, all he did was get out of the car without a word, until the arrived to the hotel.

"No. I'm not fine." Randy suddenly said.

Mark had just stepped into the elevator, "I didn't think you were. So, let's hear it. Does it have anything to do with what you saw when you went back in looking for me?"

"I don't know, Mark. What did I see?" Randy asked him, as they stood waiting for the elevator doors to open to their floor.

When it did, they walked out and Mark answered, "nothing. You didn't see anything except me talking to an old friend. All I said to him was that he should go see the doc before he left the arena."

"That's it?" Randy asked.

"Yes. That's it." Mark said, as they walked to the hotel room.

Before Randy unlocked the door he turned to Mark, "okay. I believe you."

When they walked into the room, Mark couldn't help buy let out a great, big laugh. He looked into the room, attached to the living room. Two beds. Randy just looked at Mark quizzically and then followed the direction of Mark's eyes.

Randy smiled, "yeah. I didn't know which the way to go was."

"It's fine," Mark laughed, "it's very surprising though."

"How so?" Randy asked.

"Had things not happened the way they've happened, I would have never thought you to be this," Mark paused, trying to find the right words, "so timid and shy. Jeff was never shy."

Both Randy and Mark held a breath as the words were spoken, "i'm not Jeff, Mark." Randy said.

"No, you're not. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that." Mark apologized.

Randy shook his head, "you don't have to apologize, I just want you to know that I'm not like Jeff. I can't be Jeff, if that's what you want."

Mark led Randy by the shoulders to the small couch in the middle of the room where they took a seat.

"I don't want you to be Jeff." Mark told him. "All day I've felt like you were walking on eggshells around me. I don't want that. When I asked if you were fine, you said you were. That's not what I want, Randy. Jeff did that. Jeff didn't want to talk about anything, ever, and look where that got the two of us."

"You're right. I did feel like I was walking on eggshells. I really didn't know what to expect from you and this situation, but I think I get it now. I really don't feel comfortable acting like that around you because it doesn't feel right. I feel, no, I know that I can normally around you." Randy sighed and leaned back. "So can I relax and try to act little more normally now that this is out of the way?"

Mark smirked, "please." Mark thought a moment before asking "is that all you wanted to talk about? If there's anything else, I really don't want you to hide it. Let's get this all out of the way."

Randy thought about the question and then answered, "I want to know what this is and where it's going. I can't just do this day-by-day, week-by-week thing. You told me that he wasn't one to commit and always ran away when you guys got too serious. That's not what I'm looking for. If this doesn't last in the long run, then so be it, but I can't stay if this is just a crutch for you to get back into the swing of things."

"I'm not looking for anything that's just week-by-week. I'm not looking for a crutch." Mark interrupted.

"Mark, I'm sorry to keep hammering this, but I'm nothing like Jeff. I love the guy, he's a good friend, but I don't need someone to take care of me like you needed to take care of him, he needed it; he needed you. I can take care of myself though. After all of these years, it's a pretty big change of pace for you. You sure you want to get in to this?" Randy said, hating having to put down someone he considered a good friend, but he needed to hear that Mark was into this for real.

Mark nodded in understanding, "Well, you're half right. I know you don't need me the way he did and that's okay, but that doesn't mean that I won't be watching out for you. I'm going to be looking out for you and trying to protect you all the time, that's just how I am. I can't change that." Mark chuckled. "But I know where you're getting at. This is definitely something new to me. And i'll probably make some mistakes along the way, but what's in the past stays there. This is about you and me now and I'm up for the challenge as long as you are."

"Okay. Good. I am." Randy said and after a pause, he continued, "I know that he went to speak to you earlier at the arena. It doesn't bother me that he did, but I did wonder why you weren't going to say anything about it. I know that I shouldn't worry about it, because I trust you, but I think this honest and openness thing should work both ways."

Again, Mark nodded in acknowledgement, "You're absolutely right, it should. And yeah, he did come in to talk to me, but I wasn't about anything that you might be thinking. He came in to talk about the spot at the end of the show. That was it."

Randy knew that he was telling the truth, but he was still curious. "That's it? You guys didn't even talk about what happened between you guys?"

"Nope," was all Mark said.

Randy thought that he could hear a hint of disappointment in Mark's voice. "Why not? I thought for sure you guys would want to talk about it. It's been months."

"Come on, Randy. We don't need to do this. It doesn't matter." Mark said, hoping to drop the subject.

"No, this is what we've been talking about. No hiding anything." Randy said.

"I asked if he wanted to talk about it, and he said no. Case closed. No need to bother with it anymore." Mark told him.

Randy shook his head, "Well, that's not going to do. Neither one of you can move on unless you talk about it and clear the air. You said yourself that you acted like an asshole when you left him; you need to talk to him about it. And I know that he hasn't really been himself since then. Everyone can see it." Randy stood up, stretching his long limbs. He looked down at Mark, who seemed to be contemplating the situation. "You owe it to the both you. Make him talk to you, Mark."

With that said Randy stepped over Mark's legs and carried the bags into the bedroom. Figuring that there was no longer a need for him to remain timid around Mark, now that they had cleared the air between themselves, he made use of the second bed and threw their bags and Mark's suitcase onto it. Smiling to himself, he figured Mark wouldn't mind sharing the small bed.

x

The next day, Randy insisted that Mark stay behind at the hotel while he left to the new arena for Monday Night Raw. Before he left, Randy again reminded Mark that he should take the chance to catch up with the rest of his Smackdown! buddies who were all going to be hanging behind for the day.

"So basically, Mark, I'm telling you to go talk to Jeff." Randy said to him. Mark just waved it off and tried to distract him with a kiss that left the both of questioning the importance of Randy actually showing up for Raw. "You've succeeded in getting us both hot under the collar and I still expect you to talk to him today. Was it worth trying to distract me from that?" Randy asked.

With a moment of hesitation and a smirk on his face, Mark answered, "very much so."

The two men laughed as Randy picked up his bag and started for the door. "Talk to him. Bye."

x

Mark laughed to himself, he actually enjoyed Randy being so straightforward and honest. It was something new to him and it was something that he longed for when he was with Jeff. Besides being straightforward and honest, Randy had a strong personality, very similar to his own personality. With another laugh, Mark realized that was the trait that he really found most attractive. One of the many things he found attractive about Randy. It'd been so long that he had someone that was equal to him. It wasn't that Jeff wasn't equal to him, but with him, it was just different. So much of their relationship was Mark trying to protect him and watch over him. Or Jeff keeping Mark from losing control. It was always so one-sided with the two of them. With Randy, it wasn't like that and that was very appealing. It wasn't one person watching over the other, then a switch of positions; it was the both of them watching out for each other all the time.

After spending the morning having breakfast downstairs with the other Smackdown! guys; Mark, Chris and Phil decided that a trip to the hotel's sauna would be a pleasant idea. After Phil had talked to Matt, Matt decided that it was indeed a good idea. Later that afternoon, Mark, Chris, Phil, a reluctant Matt and an ill-informed Jeff all headed to the sauna on a secluded floor of the hotel. Although Matt was aware of the situation between Jeff and Mark, he knew that it would be best for everyone that they learned how to deal with each other. Matt figured that Mark wouldn't cause a fuss, but his baby brother on the other hand was a different story.

Jeff had come back to the hotel last night with an attitude Matt was very familiar with; it was the attitude he always had when he and Mark had a fight.

"Damn it, Matt. Just go out and have fun. I'm fine." Jeff shouted from inside the bathroom, "at least I would be if you'd just leave me alone."

"Jeff, just tell me what happened? I saw Mark leave just before you called me." Matt asked, hoping his brother would explain what had happened.

Jeff groaned, "nothing. Okay. Nothing. I'm sore, pissed off that I lost the title and I just want to be left alone, Matt. Please."

Matt sighed in failure, "I won't stay out long, alright? If you need anything call me or call Jay. He's just down the hall."

"Yeah. Fine. I'll see you in the morning." Jeff said, glad that Matt was going to leave him alone for a few hours.

Matt was afraid to tell Jeff that Mark was coming along, so he just hoped that Jeff would act maturely about it and get through the afternoon without a problem.

"Come on, man." Matt heard Jeff say from the hallway, "My body is killing me. I need that sauna."

"Alright. I'm ready." Matt said, "I swear, you've got to be worse than a five year old."

Jeff laughed and when Matt moved in front of him, he made a face at Matt, "Jeff, come on. I caught onto that years ago."

"What? Man, how do you do that?" Jeff asked, "Mark always knew too."

Jeff had to stop in his tracks. He had no idea why that thought would even cross his mind. In all of the months they had been apart, he was able to keep his thoughts of Mark under control, but now this? What is this spell you've got me under? Jeff thought to himself.

"Jeffro, you okay?" Matt said, hoping he wasn't making a mistake. He tried to ignore the comment altogether. He didn't want Jeff to think it was such a big deal.

Jeff shook his head, "yeah. Sorry."

Matt and Jeff waited in silence for the elevator doors to open. When they did, they were greeted by their friends Chris and Phil.

"Hey, what's up, Hardy bros?" Phil said.

Matt walked into the elevator first, making sure to give Chris and Phil a look that told them not to mention Mark.

"Alright, Phil, you took my title, so no childish games in the sauna, alright? That Swanton did a number on me." Jeff warned his friend.

Phil laughed, "no problem. That Swanton wasn't a picnic for me either."

"I was putting on fantastic matches before you guys could even climb a ladder." Chris chimed in.

"Yeah, we know how old you are, Chris." Matt joked.

Chris glared at Matt while Jeff and Phil just laughed. They had finally made it to the right floor and started down the hallway.

"I'm serious. You've seen my stuff from Japan, right?" Chris continued. "THAT was wrestling."

"Chris, you know those stories were only great to hear when Eddie told them. When you tell them, it's just annoying."

Chris, Phil and Matt all turned around to see Mark walking towards them. They hadn't even heard the elevator over their chatter. All but Jeff had turned around to see who had spoken; Jeff could recognize that voice anywhere.

Chris hesitated for a moment, but decided that it would be best if they play it all off and keep the drama to a minimum.

"Coming from the man with all of three stories that he's told a million times to anyone who'd listen to them." Chris said.

Mark reached the group and put his arm around Chris' shoulder as they continued down the hallway, "you've got me there, Chris."

After laughter from the three men, Phil spoke, "How are you doing, Mark? The bum hip and all, I mean."

"It's fine. New parts always take a while to get used to, but they're working fine so far." Mark told them. "You know, you and Jeff put on one hell of a match last night." Jeff looked up at Mark who was looking at him. Quickly Jeff darted his eyes to stare a hole into the back of Matt's head.

They stopped in front of the sauna door and Matt said, "oh, I forgot my phone. Jeff come back down with me to get, will you?"

The other three men continued into the sauna and told the Hardy's to hurry back.

"How fucking dare you, Matt? Why didn't you tell me?" Jeff said as soon as they were away from the door.

"Jeff, come on. You guys have got to get over this." Matt said.

Jeff threw his hands in the air, "get over it? Matt, do you even remember the way he treated me when he left? He didn't give a shit about me. I don't know why he even stuck around all those years. He didn't care about me and he certainly doesn't care about me now."

Matt shook his head, "no, Jeff. Don't you remember all the things he did for you? How he tried to protect you and keep you safe?" Jeff just snorted in disbelief.

"I know what him leaving you did and I hate that he did that. You're my little brother, and I don't like what he did, but the truth is that Mark really isn't that bad of a guy. And you know it."

Jeff just sunk down to the floor and sat there, his head in his hand. He knew better than anyone just how great of a guy Mark was, but he just couldn't let go of the pain he felt and held onto since Mark had left him.

"He wanted to know what my problem was, why I acted and said the things I did, and when I told him, what does he go and do?" Jeff asked, more to himself than to Matt, "he does the one thing I always secretly begged for him not to do." Matt moved to sit next to Jeff, putting his hand on his shoulder for support. "I know what I did was wrong, I shouldn't have lied to him all that time, but I knew, I KNEW that he would leave. And that's what he did. Grabbed his stuff and walked out."

"Jeff, I know how hard it must be to have him around again, but it won't do any good to just leave things awkward. You've got to talk to him." Matt stood up, "and you've got to let go of those insecurities. Look at all of the problems that you've had because of them. Is it worth it to keep all of those insecurities? They're not doing you any good. Don't you think you should let them go, maybe then you'll be happy for once?"

Matt told Jeff to come into the sauna and join the rest, but if he wasn't ready, he didn't have to.

"I don't know, Matt." Jeff said.

Matt looked at his younger brother with pity, the poor guy was hurting and there was nothing he could do to alleviate it. "Do you want me to head back with you?"

"No, go ahead, Matty. Thanks though." the enigma told him.

"Okay." Matt said as he walked back into the sauna room.

After a few minutes of sitting and thinking, Jeff finally got up and looked towards the elevator doors. With a deep breath, he turned his back to them and went to join the others.

x

I thought this would be a good idea, but nope, this was a mistake. I should just get up and leave. The kid is hurting, I can tell. I can always tell. Randy was wrong. It isn't going to do anyone any good for us to talk and try to clear the air. He probably hates me and he has every right.

I can't do this to the kid, i've done enough damage. I'll just tell Randy that I couldn't and that it'd be the best if I just stayed away from Jeff. He obviously wants nothing to do with me and I have no business trying to get back into his life when I was the one who packed my bags and left. No matter how hard it was for me to hear him out and realize that everything I thought we had was just a mix of lies, he doesn't deserve to have me screwing up his life anymore.

"I've had about enough. I don't know how you guys can take this." Mark said standing up and walking past his friends. "I'll see you guys tomorrow at the arena."

"Mark, where are you going? We've only been in here for ten minutes." Phil said.

"Yeah, come on back, sit down and stop being a grumpy old man." Chris added.

Mark turned to face the group before stepping out, "no, I can't stay anymore."

Chris, Phil and Matt all looked at each other, knowing why Mark had suddenly left. They heard a sigh come from Jeff who was sitting near the corner of the room.

What did he say to you, Jeff? Be a man, for once.

With that thought, Jeff stood up and walked out of the room to find Mark.

wow. this is certainly my longest chapter. i felt i was on a roll so i just went with it. i really hope that this doesn't sound too generic and repetitive. i'm trying to grow as a writer. please let me know what you think about the story so far and this chapter. is longer better? REVIEW! and let me know, please.

i have to thank all those who REVIEWed for my last chapter. it really means a lot. i really do appreciate it. thank you all for the kind words.

one last thing that i have to mention is that the sauna idea i kind of took from Ashura77. i was struggling and then remembered a wonderful part in Ashura77's In the Glimpse of an Eyebeat and went with it. hope you don't mind. =] and if you haven't read that story, you need to leave my page, after you REVIEW, and go read it.

-fortheloveofwrestling