*Michael's POV*

It's all my fault. Everything. No matter what he says, I know what all this with Austin is really about. He says it's because of the way he attacked him. I know better...that may be a small part of his reasons, but mostly, it's one thing.

Me.

Ever since Austin attacked me the way he did, Pete hasn't been able to let go of wanting to get his hands on Austin...to make him pay for the things he did to me. And it's just getting worse with every new thing that comes along. Especially the thing with Smackdown. He almost got to me again. But, I got away. I didn't want to leave Pete out there like that, but I knew it would make things even worse than they had already gotten if Austin did anything else to me.

Now Pete's telling Austin that he's going to kick his ass, whenever he gets the chance. Says he's gonna show him what he's all about. Well I know that there's veiled meaning behind that statement...what he's all about...lately especially, what he's all about is me. Loving me, being with me, keeping me safe. He feels like he really let me down by not being there for me, and now he won't stop until he's gotten to Austin and made him pay for it.

I'm worried...so worried. I know the things that Austin can do, and the people who Austin associates with. I don't want Pete going up against odds like that. I don't want him getting hurt, especially when I know it's all because of me.

Well, here he is now.

"Hey babe!" he says.

"Hey." I can't manage to make myself sound any more interested, I'm way too distracted and upset. obviously Pete notices.

"Mikey, hon, what's wrong?"

"Nothing..."

"Okay, I hear your tone of voice, that's not a nothing tone. What is it?"

"I wish you didn't have to do this."

"Do what?" Pete sat for a moment, not understanding what I meant.

"This...this thing with Austin."

"Oh...Mikey..."

"I know it's all because of me that you're doing this anyway."

"Well, yeah...he hurt you...I can't just let that go by."

"Pete...this is Austin. He is a dangerous man, who hangs with some very dangerous people. I don't like you getting into this with him."

"Listen, Mike...this is nothing new for me. I've..." he stops as I cut him off.

"Beaten people's asses before. Gotten your ass beaten before. I've heard all this before, Pete...it doesn't make me feel any better about you fighting Austin. He'll be out to really hurt you...how am I supposed to deal with it if he does?"

"God Mikey...I never thought of all this. I just thought about defending you, protecting you, getting revenge for what he did...not once did I think about what this might be doing to you inside."

"Well..."

"I don't really know what to say or do about it though. It's already done, I'm going to have to end up fighting him."

"I know...I just want you to promise me that you'll be careful, and find some way to get yourself out of it if he starts anything too serious."

"I promise you that, Mike. It's the least I could do after totally ignoring the way you've been feeling..."

"Don't feel bad for that, Pete. I've been hiding it. I didn't *want* you to notice."

"Still..."

"No...just listen to me for once. All I want you to do is try and keep yourself safe. Don't worry about me."

"That's not possible for me."

"Well then...don't let it get in the way of anything. Can you do that?"

"I can try."

"That's all I can ask. And another thing...I love you."

"I love you too...and I want you to know, no matter who I have to go through...I'll try to keep myself safe for your sanity, but anyway...I will never stop fighting for you, baby."

I smile at this. "Isn't that Matt's line?"

Pete laughs. "I'm sure he won't mind. After all, he stops 'fighting for her' when the cameras go off. But no matter who's watching, I'm always going to be there for you."

Michael smiled as he wrapped his arms around Pete's neck. "As long as I can always be there to try to stop you from getting yourself in too deep."

"Sounds like a good deal to me."

"Anything that keeps you with me is a good deal to me."

"Love you."

"Love you too."

Austin forgotten for the moment, Michael and Pete stood, arms wrapped around each other, wrapped up in love for one another.