Title: Tiny Dancer

World: AU

Rated: M (Mature)

Genre(s): Romance/Drama

Pair(s): Randy/Adam, Jeff/Phil, Mike/JoMo, etc.

Summary: Adam is a dancer with a secret. Randy is a widower with a four-year-old child. When they meet, will love blossom? Or will someone be heartbroken?

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone. I also don't own the lyrics used.

Warning: Slash, Exotic Dancing, Stripping, Violence, Mpreg, Slight Dub-Con, etc.

Part: 12/? – The Sad, Sad Truth

OOOO

Adam looked at the unfamiliar man uncertainly. It wasn't that he didn't want to trust him, but more that he didn't remember how to trust. It had once come so naturally to him, but now it was difficult. "What?"

"I want to tell you a story about myself. May I sit here?" John motioned to the chair on the other side of Brielle's bed. Adam nodded absently. "Thank you. Now, I was once in a situation like this. But I had two children."

Adam didn't understand. Did he have two sick children? Did he lose one, or both of them, to a sickness? "Were they ill?" Adam asked, confused.

John shook his head. "No, they weren't sick. They died in a fire. My son, Nathan, died in the initial blast. And my daughter, Cynthia, died of smoke inhalation. She held on for three days before she was finally able to find peace."

Adam shook his head. No child should have to endure that. "I'm extremely sorry for your loss."

John flashed a shattered smile. "It's not your fault. It's my burden to bear."

Adam looked down to Brielle. "I wish that I could do more for her. I just… I don't have the money. She needs an operation that will save her life and I just can't afford it."

John looked over at Brielle as well. "Can I tell you something, Adam?" Adam turned to look at him, a receptive look on his face. "I have more money then I know what to do with, but none of it could have saved Cynthia."

"What does that mean?" Adam asked. He was suddenly furious. "You don't think money can save Brielle?"

"No. The exact opposite, actually. I know that there is a dollar amount on Brielle's head. I came here with the intent to help you. I want to offer you a way out. Just name a number." John said.

"It's a lot harder than you make it sound." Adam said. "I wish that I could just name a number, but I don't want to feel like I'm indebted to anyone. I'm my own man. I can take care of myself and my child."

That was what he wanted to believe, but he knew that the truth was far from it. If he continued down this road, allowing other men to use and abuse his body, then he would become seriously hurt and he would be no closer to his goal. He couldn't do that to Brielle. He couldn't allow someone to come between them, not this late. Adam had sworn that he would protect Brielle forever and this was no way to start.

Adam felt extremely foolish. He didn't understand it, truthfully. What was it that was keeping him from allowing John to sign that check and hand him over the money to save his precious little baby? Was it pride? To hell with that. Adam didn't think that he had ever been too proud to accept a little bit of help. And then he remembered the true reason that they were in this mess. He couldn't tell his mother that he had been raped.

Slowly, Adam leaned forward and brushed his hand over his baby's face. Her blue eyes fluttered, before they eventually fully fell closed. She was asleep in a matter of moments. It was a truly breathtaking, humbling sight. To know that she trusted him so fully that she would lay her life in his hands like this (not that she had much of a choice in her current condition) made him think twice about his foolish moment of hesitation.

"I'll accept your offer on one condition." Adam said finally. John leaned forward in his seat. He was eager to help Adam out and had resolved to do it, whatever the cost. "I'll pay you back. Every dime."

John was silent for a moment as he thought it over, but it was clear that Adam's determination would not be shattered. Finally, John nodded. "Okay, Adam. You have a deal."

OOOO

Phil never did come home.

Jeff was more than a little alarmed when he came downstairs several hours later and found the house totally abandoned. A shot of fear turned his blood to ice. Could Phil have just walked out on him? No. That didn't seem like Phil at all. Phil wasn't the kind of man to run away from situations. And he could turn even the worst odds into his favor. So this behavior was totally uncharacteristic of him.

However, the more Jeff speculated on it, the more that it made sense. To be totally honest, did he think that Phil would stick with him after he found out that he had had another man's hands all over him? Did he think that Phil would want second-hand merchandise? Jeff had never worked the extra-shift. He had only ever had one or two lovers before. But now, he was totally broken. And it felt horrible.

Jeff walked around downstairs, a ball of fear in the pit of his stomach. He hated this. Never before had he been afraid to be home alone. But now he had to double and triple-check all of the windows and the door to make sure that they were locked as tight as they could be. He didn't want to ever be caught with his guard down again. It made him feel weak and needy, and Jeff Hardy didn't have to depend on anyone.

A half hour went by. Then an hour. Two more hours. Still, Phil wasn't coming home. Occasionally, Jeff would part the blinds so that he could look outside into the darkened driveway. Nothing. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he would have to call it like it was. Phil had left him. Jeff shook his head as he took out his phone. He needed someone to talk to, someone to comfort him, and who better than his older brother?

Jeff dialed the familiar number. "Hello?"

"Jeff?" His brother's comforting southern accent came over the other end of the line. "Do you realize what time it is? I was tryin' to sleep." Matt mumbled slowly. "What do you want, Jeffy?"

"Am I bothering you, Matt? Because, if I am, then I can just call back at another time…" Jeff had never sounded so unsure of himself before. It kind of unnerved Matt.

"What's the matter, baby bro? That little punk-ass didn't hurt you, did he? Because, if he did, I will come down there and personally shove my fist into his face so hard he'll be tasting the blood for weeks." Matt hissed violently.

"No… he didn't hurt me. Well… he kind of did. But it wasn't his fault!" Jeff defended his boyfriend quickly when he heard a primal growl on the other end of the line. "It's my own damn fault."

"Your fault? What did you do, Jeffy?" Matt asked, honestly confused.

"If I wasn't so damn weak, maybe people wouldn't walk all over me like they seem to love doing lately. Adam doesn't listen to me anymore and look where that got him. Mor ended up pregnant. And now I'm…" Jeff stopped.

"Did someone hurt you, Jeff?" Matt asked. He sounded eerily calm and unnerved Jeff.

"No." The blond answered a little too quickly. He heard another primal growl from Matt. "Yes. Yes, I was hurt. Okay? Are you happy now?"

"No. I'm not happy Jeff. Someone's hurt you and obviously that little punk-ass bastard isn't man enough to stand by you and try to help you. So, you know what? I think I'll be making a visit up there shortly. You need someone to watch out for you, Jeff. You always have." Matt said. "And if you don't like it, oh well. That's the way it's gonna be. Okay?"

Jeff was hesitant to answer. He felt like he had been backed into a corner. He had no other choice but to nod and say, "Okay."

"Good. I'll see you in one week."

With that, the call ended. Jeff sighed and tossed the phone across the room, before he laid out on his back and stared at the ceiling. That wasn't the way that he had intended that call to go at all. Now, not only did he have to worry about the fact that his boyfriend had most likely just walked out on him, but also his brother's imminent arrival. Could life get any more complicated?

Really, he should have known better than to ask that question.

OOOO

A/N: Sorry it took so long for me to update! Please Review!