Mending Hearts

Shannon glared into the rearview mirror and sighed again. Adam was sitting in the passenger's seat grinning like an idiot. And Paul and Brian were going at it like a couple of rabbits in the backseat. When the shirts started coming off about fifty miles ago, the small blond had to put his foot down, figuratively speaking. He ordered them to remain clothed or walk to the arena. Adam had to stifle a fit of hysterics while he did it, too. It was too funny to watch. It seemed that now that Shannon was rediscovering his comfort zone, since Matt was no longer around to be catered to, the small Southerner was reasserting himself on his fellow travelers. Adam took it as a good sign.

Adam thought back to that morning's breakfast with the other stars before they left. Benoit and Terry had observed Shannon's behavior with interest as the small blond told them all aboutm'sm's mistake in letting the "porno princes" into their car. When Shannon snapped open his menu in disgust the other three men exchanged amused and approving glances. It was good to see him worrying about something other than Matt Hardy.

Adam had taken the first driving shift in the car, taking them just over the hundred-mile mark of their trip before stopping for lunch in a nondescript diner that had decent food. Adam was surprised that Paul and Brian unlocked their lips long enough to eat. When they got back to the car, Shannon didn't even ask either of the other two to take a turn behind the wheel. He just took the keys from Adam stoically and gave the other two pointed stares in the mirror before starting the engine. Paul and Brian just smiled innocently at them until they hit the highway. Then the lips relocked and the touching commenced.

Adam knew that under normal circumstances, Shannon wouldn't have felt so annoyed. The two lovers in the backseat reminded the small man of his broken relationship and no matter how much progress he and Adam made over the last week, it was still too soon for Shannon to feel comfortable around happy couples. It was only natural. Adam had felt the same way when he and Jay first parted. It was strange and new. It took a while before Adam finally became comfortable on his own again. He imagined Shannon would have to go through the process himself.

He looked over at the small blond and smiled. Shannon attempted to smile back but a moan from the back quickly turned it into a scowl. Adam shrugged and popped one of Shannon's CDs into the player. At least they could try to drown out the sounds.

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

"Are you sure about what you heard?" Jeff asked for the second time. He couldn't believe his brother would try something so low down and dirty. And with Jeff's best friend, too. This really lit the younger Hardy's anger.

"I know what I heard," the caller responded. "Jay wanted no part of it, either, but Matt had already set up dinner with Lance and Shawn and threatened to go alone."

"Well, that helps explain why Jay caved," Jeff replied. "He was never very good under pressure."

"We can't let Matt screw with Shannon like that again. It's not right."

"Yeah, and there's no shortage of guys that will kill Matt for it, too," Jeff agreed. "Me being number one on the list. I can't believe he would be so selfish."

"It looks like he's changed a little, man," the other guy said. "I'm sorry. I know he's your brother, but he really is a snake these days."

"Tell me about it. No wonder he doesn't visit me very often when he's home."

"You're the only one I could think of to call with this," the man replied. "It's a shame he's so obnoxious now. I always thought he was cute."

"Really?" Jeff asked, filing that bit of knowledge away. "I didn't know that. Anyway, we have to save Jay, Adam and Shannon from Matt, and Matt from himself."

"You think we should warn Adam and Shannon?"

"And tell them what?" Jeff wondered. "'Matt's coming'? 'Go hide'? Even if they took us seriously, we have nothing more to go on than a mysterious plan to break up Lance and Shawn and Matt's intention to show up on Shannon's doorstep one day. We need to find out more."

"Well, we should at least warn Lance and Shawn."

"That we should do," Jeff agreed. "But only after I talk to Jay."

"Are you kidding? He's with Matt on this."

"Not willingly," Jeff pointed out. "At least not yet. I want to see what he has to say in his own defense before I kill his friendship with Lance. He deserves that much at least. I also can't believe he'd want to sacrifice that and Shannon's remaining self respect for a shot at getting Adam back. It doesn't sound like him."

"Well, we all thought we knew Matt and look what happened," the other man sighed. "Anyway, what do you want me to do?"

"For now, you shadow my brother," Jeff instructed. "I don't want him to know I'm onto him and you're going to help me hide from him while I meet with Jay."

"Okay, your call," the caller replied. "I'll take a few of the guys downstairs for dinner and 'bump' into them to keep Matt from getting anywhere until we know what's going on."

"Good idea," Jeff said, already logging onto his computer to reserve a flight. "But don't tell them what's up. And stay in touch."

"You got it."

The phone went silent and Jeff made his arrangements quickly then packed a small bag. He left a message for his father to feed his pets while he went on a last minute trip for 'band business' that couldn't wait, and grabbed his keys. It was definitely going to be an interesting trip.

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

"So, how do you like being back on Raw?" Lance asked Matt as they settled into the table.

Matt took his menu and shot Jay a quelling glance. The Canadian looked like he was attending a wake instead of a dinner with friends. This wouldn't help Matt's progress. He knew Jay would be slow on accepting his place in the plan, but Matt intended to plow through with it until the Canadian had no choice but to follow.

"It's good to be live again," Matt grinned. "I liked Smackdown, but there's such a rush about going live, you know?"

"Yeah," Shawn nodded. "I know exactly what you mean."

"Hey, Jay," Lance looked concerned. "Why do you look so down?"

"Oh, I'm just tired," the blond responded. "Sorry. Matt snores like a jackhammer and I haven't slept too well since he got back."

"Ha ha," Matt gave him a withering look. "You hog all the hot water, so we're even."

"Now, now, boys," Shawn laughed. "Simmer down."

"Hey, guys!" a shout from the entrance drew Matt's attention. He looked over at the advancing group and let out an exasperated sigh, which he'd quickly covered with his menu. Where did they come from and why the hell were they all coming over? "Mind if we join you?" Andrew Martin asked, as he pulled over a chair for his girlfriend, Stacy Keibler.

"No, come on in!" Lance exclaimed. "We just sat down."

"Yeah," said a suddenly smiling Jay. "We can push these two tables together."

"Don't mind if we do," Chris Jericho, piped in, helping Jay push the tables together.

Matt looked at Jay warningly but the Canadian just shrugged. Matt knew he couldn't have called anyone because they'd been together from the time they argued in the room, so he couldn't accuse him of this. But the meeting was too coincidental to sit right with Matt. He glanced around the table in resignation and pasted a smile on his lips. Jericho, Drew, Stacy, Shane Helms and Rob Van Dam all smiled back expectantly.

"Waiter," Matt called. "These people will be joining us. Can we please have some more menus?"

"Such a gentleman," Stacy grinned then turned to Drew. "I didn't think they'd mind if we crashed their party."

"Not at all," Shawn said smoothly. "It's always a pleasure to be in your company, Ms. Keibler."

Stacy giggled and Matt ground his teeth to keep from rolling his eyes. Normally he liked the diva but tonight he was impatient to get the ball rolling on his plan. He would have to delve deep into his patience reserves to keep his cool.

"Hey, Matt," Shane grinned as he plunked down into a seat next to his. "I haven't been able to really talk to you since you got in. How do you like being here?"

"I was just telling Shawn . . . and Lance, here, that it's great to be back on a live show."

"You and I haven't really been able to work together for years," Shane continued. "Maybe we can get something going. You know, resurrect some of those old OMEGA matches."

"Yeah, maybe," Matt laughed. He had missed hanging out with Shane. They'd been friends for years but being with separate companies, and then on separate WWE brands, left little time for them to get together.

"Maybe there'll be a V-1 vs. RVD feud for the Intercontinental title," Rob interjected.

"Hey, that's MY belt," Jay laughed.

Matt sighed in defeat but kept grinning. His plan would have to wait at least for tonight.