Mending Hearts

Matt lifted the dumbbells again and strained against them. He was pushing himself harder than usual but it beat the alternative: dwelling on what he was doing to everyone around him. He couldn't think about that if he wanted the plan to work. And he did want it to work. Shawn was too good of a package to just drop. He let the weights down again and wiped of his forehead with his gym towel. Letting out a breath he got up and moved to the next machine. Jay caught his eye from the machine across the aisle and cocked a brow. Matt nodded to him and went back to adjusting his own machine.

Despite the comical antics of the night in the bar things remained decidedly chilly between himself and his Canadian travel partner. He had hoped Jay would warm up to the idea once he'd had time to digest it, but that didn't seem to be happening. Instead he just glared at Matt whenever he brought up what he had in mind and gave stiff, monosyllabic replies to anything Matt asked.

Shawn and Lance were working out nearby and Matt had to consciously keep himself from glancing in their direction. It seemed that the two were never far from him and Jay no matter what city they were in, Almost as if they were trying to keep tabs on him. Matt shook off the paranoia and began doing his leg lifts. Things didn't seem this complicated when he'd first come up with the plan while he was on Smackdown.

That thought led him to Shannon. He wondered briefly how the small blond was doing without him. A pang of guilt crept past his defenses and settled in the pit of his gut. He had a good idea of just how Shannon was doing. And he was the one who caused it. Most likely, Shannon was wallowing in a pit of self-loathing. According to the reports he was hearing, the younger man had about moved in with Adam and spent most of his time in seclusion when he was outside the ring. Adam, according to Matt's sources, was spending all of his time tending to Shannon. If they weren't sleeping together yet, they soon would be. Matt knew from several former WCW guys that Shannon tended to bond with the nearest available body after a messy break up.

It made Matt sick to do what he'd done but it was the only way to get the small blond together with Adam so that Matt could break them up later for Jay, who was still denying he wanted such a circumstance. But he still wanted Adam. Matt could see it in his eyes. And he would eventually forgive the older Hardy for what he'd put him through when things were settled.

And Shannon? Well, Matt still didn't know what would become of him. The small man seemed so vulnerable during their relationship. He knew Jeff would be there for his friend no matter what. He hoped maybe Jeff would even start a relationship of his own with Shannon. He'd always thought those two would make a good couple. But Jeff seemed evasive when Matt tried to question him about his love life. He wondered if maybe his baby brother was hiding something from him. It would serve him right if Jeff did keep secrets on him, Matt grimaced to himself.

"You going to finish lifting or did you pull something?" Lance asked, shocking Matt back to the present.

"No, I'm okay," Matt smiled after mentally shaking himself. "I'm trying to avoid a strain."

"I know what you mean," the other man replied. "I go home with at least one new ache each week."

"Yeah, but then I get to massage it back out of you when we get there," Shawn grinned from Matt's other side.

Matt sighed inwardly knowing the two wouldn't be giving him any peace for the rest of his time there. Outwardly, he put on a serene face and finished his lifts. Lance offered to spot him on the weight bench and Matt accepted reluctantly. Spending this much time with someone he considered his enemy wasn't a good idea. He caught Jay's eye again and shrugged slightly at the question he saw there. What could he do? If he refused, the two would find it odd and probably become suspicious of him.

"You ready?" Lance asked as Matt positioned himself on the bench.

"Yeah," Matt smiled and Lance let go of the bar.

"So, have you heard from Jeff?" he asked as Matt hefted the heavy weights.

"Yeah," he said through gritted teeth. "He says he's doing real well."

"Good to hear that," Shawn smiled. "I miss his crazy attitude."

"Don't . . . we . . . all?" Matt asked as he pushed up again.

"I didn't know him all that well," Lance said shaking his head. "But I would have loved working with him." He turned to Shawn. "You know, some of his stunts reminded me of your old tapes."

"You and me both," the Texan grinned.

Matt pushed the weights up again and tried to ignore their banter. It was difficult with them standing right near him, but he made a concerted effort. He kept up a breathing rhythm as he lifted to help him concentrate. Soon he was struggling and was about to call out to Lance when Jay appeared above him and looked down with concern.

"You okay there, Matt?" the blond Canadian asked, taking the bar from him.

"Oh, geez!" Lance exclaimed. "Sorry, Matt! I should have been watching you." He helped Matt up and rubbed his shoulders apologetically. "Really sorry."

"No . . . sweat," Matt panted. Jay handed him a towel and escorted him back to the locker room.

"You okay, man?" he asked when they got back there.

"Yeah," Matt nodded. "Lance just forgot to watch what I was doing."

"Those two seem like they're acting strange to you?"

"How do you figure?" Matt raised a brow.

"They've been shadowing us for a week now," Jay shrugged. "It just seems odd to me."

"I did notice that. Maybe they're just trying to be friendly?"

"Maybe," Jay shrugged. "I don't know."

"Well, I guess we can deal with it," Matt replied, pulling out his clothes for a shower. "Want to grab something to eat before the show?"

"I thought you'd be hanging around with the three stooges again."

"Nah," Matt smiled. "Rob and Shane are starting to scare me, and Chris only has eyes for you."

Jay glared at him momentarily before responding. "Okay, let's protect each other then."

"Sounds like a plan."

******************************

Shannon ran through the move with Adam again and focused on keeping his head in the correct position. Adam had patiently explained it to him again before they started. It was so different than with Matt. When Matt tried to train him on moves, Shannon caught hell if things didn't go right on the first try. Adam seemed to be a much more tolerant tutor. And he didn't make any romantic moves on Shannon at all, as promised. The smaller blond was starting to believe that Adam meant what he'd said before. Shannon brought himself back to his task and executed the move perfectly.

"Beautiful follow through this time," Adam smiled from his prone position on the mat.

"Lying down on the job again?" Benoit chuckled from the apron.

"Does it surprise you?" Terry asked as he joined the Crippler.

"Funny, guys," Adam retorted as he pulled himself up.

"I didn't hurt your neck, did I?" Shannon asked nervously as he approached the taller man.

"I'm fine," Adam grinned.

"You're sure?" Terry and Chris both asked in unison.

"Great!" Adam griped dramatically. "Now I have THREE mothers to report to."

"Yeah, but you can't escape THAT one," Terry laughed pointing at Shannon. "He rooms with you."

"That's right," Shannon grinned. "And I won't be ignored."

"Like anyone could ever ignore you," Adam shot back.

"You'd be surprised," Shannon replied sadly.

"Not anymore," Adam shook his head. "Never again." He stared at the small man pointedly, making Shannon uncomfortable. But he knew Adam wouldn't stop until he gained Shannon's agreement so the smaller man nodded his head and smiled. "That's better," Adam sighed. "Now who's up for lunch?"

"Need you ask?" Chris growled as Terry raised his hand enthusiastically.

"You, too, right?" Adam looked back at Shannon.

"Aren't I always?"

"I hope so," Adam grinned as Shannon followed him out of the ring.

Yes, things were looking up for him, Shannon mused as they all made their way back to the locker room. He was beginning to heal from Matt's betrayal and his travel partner expected nothing more of him than he was willing to give. When Matt came back for him, the older Hardy was in for a real surprise. Shannon wouldn't allow him to use him again. But it felt nice to know that the three men he was with now would also stand in Matt's way. He'd never had friends like that before, aside from Jeff. Well, Shane, too, but Shannon always felt like Shane protected him out of habit rather than friendship. And since they'd grown apart when the companies merged, Shannon hadn't spent much time with Shane. But the three men here with him now made it clear they would protect him because he was a friend, not just a responsibility. And that made all the difference.