Destiny By Lady Boss
	Title: Destiny - (Sequel to “After the Fire”) Rating: R (m/m slash) Author: Lady Boss E-Mail: pikachu_524@yahoo.com Distribution: The Boss’s Office - Anywhere else, let me know and ask nicely. Disclaimer: Not mine never will be, but a dollar and a dream will take care of everything. Summary: Adam begins to doubt his decision. “Okay then. WrestleMania. We’ll give each other until then. If not… We end things between us. For good.” Mark’s words echoed in Adam’s head as he stared out the airplane window watching the clouds drift by. It had only been a few scant days since he and Mark made their pact and now they were on their way to South Africa for a four-day tour of ‘hell’ as some of the guys were calling it. Unlike the Raw roster’s fiasco, things on their plane were pretty quiet or as quiet as thirty wrestlers, road agents and referees could be. Over the past few days, Adam tried thinking of the perfect way to tell Oscar he was still in love with Mark, but could never think of the right words to tell him or when he tried to tell him, there would be some sort of interruption from one of the guys. Thinking of Oscar, he looked at the seat next to his and found his smaller lover sound asleep, tucked under the napkin the airliner tried to pass off as a blanket. Since their talk before ‘No Way Out’, Oscar opened up more about his past relationship with Carlos Ashenoff aka ‘Konnan’ and what went on there. Adam forced himself to listen to Oscar because even thought he did care about him, he couldn’t help but find his mind wandering to thoughts of Mark and whether or not he had told Sara about them yet. He watched Mark see Sara off to her plane before heading for theirs and felt his stomach knot at the memory of seeing how loving he was toward her; the affectionate hugs, the kisses on the top of her head as they stood together waiting for her flight to be called and the hand holding. If anyone else but Adam had been watching, they’d have sworn Mark and Sara looked like happy newlyweds instead of the married for two years couple they were. But Adam had seen and he began doubting his decision to tell Oscar about his feelings for Mark. Curious as to what Mark was up to, he raised his head, though the pain in his neck wasn’t making it easy for him to do so, and looked around for him, finding him on the other side of the plane, his nose in a book Adam couldn’t see the title of. He watched Mark lift his head up as though knowing he was being watched and flash him a smile. Adam smiled back before his eyes caught sight of a glowering Chavo Guerrero, glaring daggers at him. He didn’t know what Chavo’s problem was; ever since “No Way Out” Chavo had been cool to the point of being frosty toward him and as hard as Adam tried, he couldn’t figure out why. Deciding to leave Chavo to whatever mood he was in, Adam turned his attention back to his view, wishing he thought to unpack his book from his carryon before packing it in the overhead storage area, his thinking he would sleep the way over to South Africa, but with everything on his mind he found sleep elusive. He just hoped his dream of being with Mark wouldn’t be. “Hey.” Chavo turned from Adam and looked at his uncle Eddie. “What?” “What’s your beef with Copeland?” Eddie asked in Spanish. “You’ve been giving him dirty looks since Sunday.” Chavo kept his voice low, lest the Canadian, who’d picked up some of their language from being with Oscar, should hear what he was saying. “I heard him talking to Callaway in the dressing room before the show.” “Yeah so?” “He was telling Mark he still loved him. Not only that, they made some sort of pact where Mark would tell Sara about his leaving her if Adam dumped Oscar.” Eddie blinked before looking over at where Adam and Oscar sat. “No shit?” Chavo shook his head. “No. I’m not joking. I was in the bathroom area when they came in. Mark had Adam sitting on one of the sinks and they were making out like a couple of teenagers in heat. If it weren’t for everyone getting ready to come in and change, I think they would’ve gone a lot farther.” “But what about this ‘pact’? What was said exactly?” “They would tell Oscar and Sara about their getting back together by WrestleMania or they would end things between them for good.” Chavo sighed. “Why would Adam do that to Oscar though? Christ, Oscar’s so fucking happy for the first time in years and some Valley boy from Canada is going to rip his heart out.” “Calm down essa,” Eddie soothed. “Let find out what’s going on before we jump to conclusions.” “Jump to conclusions?” Chavo parroted in disbelief. “Tio, our best friend is going to have his heart broken again and you’re worried about us jumping to ‘conclusions’? There’s only one conclusion and that’s bust the little bastard and let him know we’re onto him and Callaway.” “All I’m saying is let’s find out for sure before we go half cocked.” “Ain’t no ‘half cocked’ here Eddie. I heard what I heard.” “And I believe you, but let’s not jump the gun until we’re sure what they’re up to.” Chavo shook his head, not wanting to disagree with his uncle, but knew something had to be done before Oscar wound up hurt. Watching the Guerreros, Mark didn’t know what had Chavo in a snit, but he let it slide as he resumed reading while Kurt snored softly next to him. He tried to concentrate on the page he’d been staring at for the past half hour, but no luck. He turned the page so it would look like he was reading and not thinking about Adam who was two aisles away from him with Oscar. It had been hard for him playing the doting hubby at the airport while who he really loved was only a few feet away from him. He tried talking to Sara after “No Way Out” but was too tired and too sore to deal with the drama in breaking her heart the way he knew it would when he told her how he felt about Adam. And making love to her that night didn’t make it any easier. Remembering that, he felt ill; not because making love to her made him ill, but all through it, all he could think about was Adam; how the memories of that night after the Rumble made everything more tolerable; how making love to Sara was like going through the motions while with Adam it was more exciting and the guilt was eating at him. He rubbed his eyes and decided to can the book for the time being; after all he had more important things to think about. Like how to get a few minutes alone with Adam. Sleep faded slowly for Oscar as sounds and scents filled his head. Through hooded eyelids, he looked around and saw everyone was still on the plane, trying to entertain themselves as best they could. He looked to his left and saw Adam staring out the window, a strange expression on his face. Oscar hoped Adam’s neck wasn’t bothering him. He remembered Vince pulling Adam from the pay per view as a precaution and convincing Adam to have it looked at when they returned, since he was already advertised for the tour. He snaked his hand out from under the blanket and took Adam’s hand in his, the skin soft and cool. He watched Adam jump a little before looking at him. “Morning.” Adam said. “Is it?” Oscar looked at his watch. “Guess it is. Get any rest?” Adam shook his head. “No. Too excited I guess.” Oscar smiled. “Can’t wait until we land.” “And why’s that?” Adam smirked. “It’s my first time in South Africa and I want to enjoy it with you.” He saw the strange look on Adam’s face again and felt a chill as he recognized what it was, having seen it on Carlos’s face so many times; guilt. Pushing the worry out of his head, he sat as close to Adam as the arm dividing their seats would let him. “How’s your neck?” he asked. “Still a little sore but nothing to worry about.” “Think you’ll be able to work the shows?” “Hope so. If not, I guess it’s publicity duty for me.” “Won’t be so bad. A few television shows, a few appearances.” “I know,” Adam sighed. “But I want to be in the ring. I want to wrestle.” “I know amante.” Oscar kissed the back of Adam’s hand. “I know, but better to play it safe than have something go wrong.” “I guess.” Oscar sighed, feeling a bit at loss. Seems no matter how hard he tried, he could never bring Adam out of the mood he was in since after the Rumble when he went out that night. He wanted to sit Adam down and find out what the hell happened that night, not to mention on Valentine’s Day when he got that note from the assistant. He asked Adam about it and got an “it was from Vince” reply. Funny thing was, whenever Carlos got one it was always an “it was from Eric” reply. He just hoped history wasn’t repeating itself. “Oh no, you’re not sticking me in the back with Rikishi!” Adam sighed in irritation while he and his other fellow wrestlers stood outside the airport waiting to board the bus that would take them to their hotel. Normally an operation like this wouldn’t take long; do a quick head check to make sure everyone was accounted for, just get on the bus and sit down. But as always, there was one primadonna in the group who had to hold things up. Adam remembered when it was Sable who bitched and moaned about her seating arrangement or it was Paul Wight when he would complain about the size of the bus before he was sent to OVW. Now, it was the new guy, Nathan Jones. “I don’t care who you seat me next to as long as it’s not him.” Adam glanced over at Stephanie, who he could see was seconds away from going postal on SmackDown’s newest acquisition. Keeping his mind off the bickering, Adam looked around and saw Mark and Kurt quietly chatting and signing some autographs for the few fans and staff that were at the airport this time of morning. He looked around for Oscar and found him sitting on his suitcase talking with Torrie Wilson and Billy Kidman. They caught each other’s eyes and smiled. “That guy has no Mattitude whatsoever.” Adam looked to his right and saw Matt standing next to him. “Why don’t you go over there and give him some?” Adam suggested with a chuckle. “Nah, there are some people who get it and some who don’t. That Vegemite brained goof is one of those who won’t get it.” Adam chuckled. “No! I don’t want to sit next to Wight either!” Nathan continued, his latest demand bringing a sea of groans as some of the others checked their watches, knowing it wouldn’t be long before the airport would start getting busy and there would be even more fans which would hold things up even more. “So how’s Jeff?” Adam asked wanting to take his mind off the annoying scene going on in front of him. “Same old same old,” Matt said. “He’s frustrated with the writers, they’re frustrated with him…” Matt sighed. “Same song, different beat.” Adam nodded, knowing what he was talking about. “Oh for the love of fucking God!” Paul Heyman raged. “Will someone tell that overgrown koala bear some of us want to get to the fucking hotel and get some rest?” That outburst got a chorus of murmured ‘amen’s’ but not much else in terms of a reaction. “Listen you,” Nathan said as he stalked over to where Paul stood. “I don’t have to take shit from some squat little creature like you.” “Well you better learn to take it from someone like me.” Everyone’s head turned as Mark walked over to where Nathan and Paul were. “Now the man’s right, we’ve all had a long, tiring flight and we’ve got four days of shows to do. The last thing we need is you holding everyone up. Now you don’t want to sit with anyone, fine, just get on the fucking bus and take a damn seat so the rest of us can get seated and get going, all right? Or would you rather I give you the Last Ride right here and let you find your own way to the hotel?” Adam watched Nathan try to stare Mark down, but knew from personal experience it was like staring down a cat because, like one, Mark wouldn’t blink. It didn’t take long for Nathan to back down, grab his carryon bag and head into the bus where he sat in the seat in front of the tiny bathroom. “Ladies first,” Mark said, gesturing to the bus before walking over to Adam. “Now I know why they call you ‘boss’.” Adam said. Mark shrugged as everyone else walked by them. “Twas nothing.” Adam chuckled. “I remember that time in England, you had to tell Rena the same thing.” “Man, you get rid of one primadonna, another one pops up like a weed.” “Hey Adam, you ready?” Adam looked behind him and saw Oscar standing there. “Yeah.” He looked at Mark. “Who are you sitting with?” “Either Kurt or Bloom. Gotta go over match shit with him.” Adam nodded and headed for the bus behind Oscar. “Whoo,” Oscar said as he and Adam walked into their hotel room. “Finally!” Adam chuckled as he put the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door handle before closing it. “Man, I hope Vince and them know what they’ve gotten themselves into with hiring Jones.” “Can you believe he wanted one of the bigger suites?” Oscar said as he walked over to the window. “Man, this is some pretty view.” Adam looked over at Oscar after he set his bag down. Oscar had removed his jacket and was wearing a baseball jersey and low riding cargo pants. With his arms stretched out to his sides, the shirt went up a little higher and his pants slid a little lower giving Adam a peek at the tattoo on Oscar’s back, his finger itching to walk over and touch the inked flesh, it reminding him of some of Mark’s ink work. He shook his head, forcing thoughts of Mark out of his head and concentrated on Oscar. “It sure is.” Oscar looked over his shoulder with a smirk. “And to which view are you referring to?” “Do you even have to ask?” Adam sat down on the edge of the bed. Oscar closed the drapes, plunging the room into a dim darkness before walking over to where Adam sat, unbuttoning his shirt as he made his way over to his taller lover. Adam smiled as Oscar straddled his lap and slid Oscar’s shirt off him. Adam leaned forward and began kissing and sucking Oscar’s neck; licking and nipping at it gently, while holding Oscar closer to him. He felt the vibration of his lover’s sighs go through him as well as Oscar’s nestling his head in the crook of Adam’s shoulder. Holding onto Oscar Adam leaned back, allowing Oscar to lie on top of him, and stroked his back as he continued his assault on Oscar’s neck and earlobe, careful to not accidentally ingest an earring as he licked and nipped at the pierced flesh. Adam felt Oscar move his head and even in the shadows of the hotel room, he could see the trust and the desire in his soft brown eyes. “Te amo,” Adam heard Oscar whisper before their lips met. The kiss started out slow; first chaste with only the lips touching each other, then both men each took teasing nips at the other’s upper and bottom lip before finally allowing their mouths to part and their tongues to slide into each other’s mouths, tongues caressing the pallets and teeth as gently as a lover’s touch. In this time, Adam felt Oscar slide his shirt upwards, shivering when his flesh touched Oscar’s. They parted long enough for Oscar to remove the shirt, tossing it to one side before picking up where they left off. It wasn’t long before curious hands began searching out belt buckles and top pants buttons to undo. Adam let out a low moan when he felt Oscar grind himself against him before feeling Oscar remove his pants, revealing a black thong. Through hooded eyes, Adam looked at Oscar who stood in front of him and licked his lips before saying “Niza, muy agradable.” Adam smiled as he watched Oscar remove his cargo pants showing he was wearing a thong of his own before he got back on top of Adam, who took the smaller man into his embrace. They lay like that for a long time, just holding, kissing, touching and tasting each other. Some nights since they met, this would be as far as they would go, the pains from the night’s event or the exhaustion from traveling not allowing them to go any further, but even though they needed their rest, today would be different, both of them wanting to something to remember this trip by but for different reasons. Adam gave a small moan of protest when Oscar left him once again, and watched as his silhouette moved in the darkness. “What are you doing?” Adam asked as he watched Oscar walk over to his bag. “We need protection and lube.” Oscar said as he rummaged through his bag. “Luckily for us,” he turned around and showed Adam his finds. “We have plenty of both.” Adam chuckled as Oscar walked back over with the goods in hand. They shifted their position from the side of the bed to the head of the bed, with Adam propped up against the pillows and Oscar by his feet. “Look at you,” Oscar whispered. “You look like an angel laying there like that.” Adam felt a heat go through him. Unfortunately it wasn’t the one he usually had when Oscar gave him compliments, but the heat of someone letting their guilt get the best of them. “How’s your neck?” Oscar asked as he lay next to Adam. “Sore, but nothing a couple Tylenol can’t take care of.” He sighed when he felt Oscar lavish his neck with the same attention Adam had given his earlier. “You just lie there and let me do all the work.” Oscar whispered before his lips made a trail down Adam’s chest to his waist to his erection, which strained against the soft cotton of his thong. Adam closed his eyes, wanting to savor every second of this time with Oscar. He let out a little gasp as he felt Oscar remove the scrap of fabric, allowing his erection to spring free. Another gasp was made when he felt Oscar blow on the tip, cooling the precum leaking from there. He lowered his hand and placed on the back of Oscar’s head, rubbing the slight stubble there as he opened his eyes and watched Oscar open the wrapper and slide the condom down from the tip to the base while using his mouth, something that almost made Adam come right then and there. “Patience, amante,” he heard Oscar croon. “Patience.” Even through the latex, he could feel the coolness of the lubricant as Oscar coated the condom. He watched Oscar straddle his waist before leaning down to kiss him. “Remember,” he heard Oscar whisper in his ear. “Your neck starts hurting, you let me know.” Adam nodded, not giving a damn about his neck as he felt Oscar ease himself onto his throbbing cock. He took Oscar’s hips in his hands, and closed his eyes again as he felt the tight warmth of Oscar surrounding him as Oscar began sliding up and down the length of Adam’s shaft in a slow steady rhythm while Oscar’s hands went to work on the sensitive nipples on Adam’s chest, stroking and teasing them until Adam began whining from the pain. Adam started a little as he felt his hand being removed from Oscar’s hip. He opened his eyes and watched Oscar wrap the hand around his own erection as if instructing Adam to stroke him off, which he did without a second thought; his fingers brushing, stroking and caressing the naked cock. Adam closed his eyes again, but this time instead of the image of Oscar riding him, all he could think about was that night after the Rumble when he and Mark were together after being apart for so long. How he and Mark totally forgot the outside world and focused only on themselves and each other, how big Mark had felt in him when he rode him and how tight the big man was when Adam was inside him. Those memories and his body’s response to them caused Adam to work his hips faster, pushing up as Oscar went down. It wasn’t long before both men came; the warm stickiness of Oscar’s come hitting his chest and face brought Adam back to reality as did Oscar resting on his chest. He opened his eyes, half expecting to see Mark looking down at him with that smartassed smirk he always gave Adam after sex as though saying ‘who’s your daddy?’ but instead he saw Oscar’s eyes looking at his. “You okay?” Oscar asked, touching Adam’s face. “Yeah,” Adam gasped. “I’m fine.” Oscar slid off Adam and headed for the bathroom to get a wet washcloth to clean themselves off with. That task done, Adam watched Oscar remove then toss the condom into the wastebasket before curling up to him. “Think we should get some rest now?” Oscar teased. “Probably wouldn’t hurt.” Adam said as he wrapped an arm around Oscar. Laying there Adam looked up at the ceiling knowing that rest would be something he wouldn’t be getting until everything with he, Mark, Sara and Oscar had been dealt with. Only then, when he and Mark were together again, could he feel like he could rest. Adam wasn’t the only one who couldn’t rest. Deciding getting something to eat was worth more than another hour of sleep, Mark headed for the restaurant after getting settled in his room. Luckily for him and a few of the other wrestlers who had the same idea, the place wasn’t crowded, allowing him the chance to sit alone and eat in peace. Ordering his normal breakfast, Mark looked out the window to his right and wondered what Adam was doing right now, mentally kicking himself for going there, knowing full well what Adam and Oscar would be up to right now and it wouldn’t be sleeping. He remembered Adam throwing out the comment on Valentine’s Day about how angry he got whenever he dwelt on what Mark and Sara would be doing while Adam was left behind and he realized what Adam was getting at as thoughts of Oscar touching, kissing and making love to Adam drove him nuts. It took everything in the big man to not head up to Adam’s room and knock the hell out of Oscar for touching what Mark knew would be his. He then wondered if Adam felt the same way about Sara. He hadn’t noticed Chavo approaching him until he saw a reflection in the window he was staring out of. At first he thought it was the waiter, but when he turned his head, he saw it was the younger of the Guerreros. “Something I can help you with?” Mark asked, not in the mood for a confrontation right then. “Yeah. You can leave Adam alone.” Mark raised his eyebrows as he looked at Chavo. “Come again?” Chavo slid into the chair across from Mark. “I said, leave Adam alone.” “What business is it of yours?” “When you’re thinking of taking the one person who’s meant the most to my friend, I make it my business. You weren’t there when Oscar went through what he did with Carlos. You didn’t see the hurt Carlos put him through.” “And your point is?” “My point is this; Adam’s the first person Oscar’s been able to trust in a long time. The first one he’s felt safe with and I’ll be damned if you’re going to ruin that for Oscar just because you’re acting like some tomcat in heat.” “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.” “Oh I know all right.” Chavo nodded. “I know you and Adam have a history together and you two plan on picking up where you left off, but I’m asking you to just leave him alone. Let Oscar and Adam be happy.” “Adam doesn’t seem too happy with him right now.” “That’s because you’re always sniffing around Adam like a dog in heat. Before you came back for the Rumble, Adam and Oscar were happy. They were solid and the last thing they needed was to have you come back to upset things. You’ve got a wife, homes. Instead of trying to break my best friend’s heart by taking the one person who matters the most to him, how about you start that family you and Sara almost had a few months ago?” “First off boy,” Mark snarled. “You don’t know jack shit about what went on with me and Sara as far as that goes and two, Adam and I have something he and Oscar will never have and that’s a history. I’ve loved Adam for four years. Even when I stood in front of God, my family and Sara saying my wedding vows, I still loved him. Not that I have to justify anything as far as you’re concerned, but I’m tired of lying and all I want is a life with Adam and from what I know, he wants the same thing.” “You sure about that man? I was watching him when we were at the airport while you were playing doting hubby with Sara before she got on her plane and I could tell he’s having second thoughts about the two of you.” The thought of Adam possibly changing his mind at this point startled Mark but he wasn’t going to show that to Chavo. “That’s bullshit.” Chavo shook his head and sighed. “I don’t get it. I can see why you’d want someone while you’re on the road, but why does it have to be Adam?” “Because I love him. I always have.” Mark folded his arms on the table and leaned forward. “Look I’m sorry for what Oscar went through with Carlos and believe me, if there was another way of doing this without hurting anyone, I would do it in a heartbeat, but the fact is, there’s going to be a lot of hurt feelings all the way around regardless.” “Then why do it?” Chavo whispered as a waitress came over and filled Mark’s coffee cup. He waited until she left before resuming. “Sara loves you so much. Anyone could see that and Oscar worships Adam. Why go and upset all that? What would the point be?” “The point would be Adam and I are meant to be together. I have never loved anyone the way I have loved him. I fucked things up once and I’ll be damned if I’m going to do it again. Now I appreciate you coming over here and sticking up for your friend, but my advice to you would be just to stay out of things that don’t concern you.” “Sorry homes, but when you fuck with my friends, you fuck with me and that’s not a good thing.” “Hey Chico.” Both men turned to see Eddie approach the table. “You know as much as I admire you man,” Eddie said to Mark. “I don’t think I want to spend breakfast watching you eat like a grizzly bear so me and Chavo are going to get our own table.” “No problem.” Mark looked at Chavo who stood. “Talk to you later.” Chavo shook his head as he and Eddie walked away from the table. Making sure they were far from him as possible, Mark rested his head in his hand, a headache starting. Christ, he thought. First Glenn and now Chavo. Why can’t anyone just leave Adam and me alone? Taking a sip from the coffee, he did give some thought to what Chavo had said; his comment about Adam possibly having second thoughts about them concerned him. Was Adam having second thoughts? He worried. There was one way to find out. “What the hell are you doing over there with him?” Eddie asked his nephew after they gave their orders. “I’m sorry but I can’t stand by and watch Oscar get hurt again. You know what he was like when he found out about all the times Carlos cheated on him. I don’t want to see him that way again.” “Neither do I, but we can’t fix everything for Oscar even if he is our friend.” “So you want to stand back and watch him sink into that depression he was in again? You want to watch him not eat for days and look at every razor like it was a godsend?” “No of course not.” Eddie fired back. “But you know what? Life isn’t perfect. If Adam wants to break Oscar’s heart, it’s Adam’s loss. He’ll find out soon enough what Callaway’s all about. All we can do is just be there for Oscar when he needs us but we can’t baby him even though he does looks young enough to burp.” Chavo chuckled at Eddie’s obvious attempt at humor, but when he looked around and saw Mark still sitting at his table, he resolved to nip things at the bud before his friend got hurt. Figuring he couldn’t talk sense into Mark, then there was one thing left to do. Try and talk to Adam and hope to get through to him. A long day of television appearances, autograph signings and interviews were done without any further incident. Now it was time to relax. Since the shows wouldn’t take place until the following afternoon, Stephanie rented out the hotel restaurant for a quiet party for all the wrestlers, officials and other people who came on the tour. The soft sounds of jazz played as people walked from one cluster of friends and co-workers to another like butterflies going from flower to flower while others in a more solitary mood stuck to the bar but didn’t drink much, Stephanie laying the law down with a two drink maximum for the evening and unlimited sodas for the rest of the evening when the maximum was reached to prevent any more publicity headaches for the company. Adam leaned back in his chair watching Oscar walk around talking to almost everyone who was there and rubbed the back of his neck, the pain dulled slightly by the painkiller he had taken earlier in the day. Seeing Oscar was occupied with the conversation he was having with a couple of the officials, Adam looked around for Mark, wondering where he was. He looked over at the bar and not seeing him there, he looked around and spotted him on the other side of the room sitting at a table with Kurt and Matt Bloom aka A-Train. He figured if kept his eyes on Mark long enough, Mark would feel he was being watched and look in his direction. But no such luck. Whatever Mark and the other two men were talking about, Mark was thoroughly engrossed in it as he never looked in Adam direction once in the time Adam was looking at him. Stung by the rejection, Adam looked down at his soda, knowing alcohol and painkillers would not make for a good mix tonight. “Don’t you know it’s bad form to stare at your ex while your current boyfriend is in the room?” Whipping his head around to see where the voice had come from and his neck screaming in protest, Adam saw Chavo standing next to his table. “So you’re talking to me now? I’m honored.” Chavo sat down across from Adam. “We have to talk.” “What about? You haven’t said one word to me since No Way Out.” “I know about your and Mark’s little pact.” Adam said nothing. “You know if you’re going to make plans like that, make sure no one’s in the locker room bathroom when you do.” “And this concerns you how?” “It concerns me because Oscar’s my best friend and I don’t want to see him hurt. Especially by you.” “This is between me and Oscar.” “Christ don’t you care about anyone other than yourself?” “Of course I do.” Adam defended. “Then why hurt Oscar by going back to Mark?” “Because I love Mark.” “No, you only think you do.” “Great, first you give me the silent treatment and now you’re telling me what I think. What’s next? You gonna write my promos?” “I’m only trying to keep you from making a huge mistake and hurting Oscar in the process.” “I’m sorry this is going to hurt Oscar, but what’s going to hurt him more is my lying to him about how I feel about him. Sure he’s going to be pissed and everything, but he’ll get over it.” “I don’t think so.” “Chavo, I know you care about him…” “Which is a hell of a lot more than I can say about you right now.” “But don’t you think it’s easier this way for him in the long run? Give him a chance to find someone who’ll love him and only him?” “And what about how he feels about you? Damnit Adam, he fucking loves you!” Chavo hissed. “You’re his goddamned world. He’s had his heart mangled before by someone who ‘loved’ him and now here you are getting ready to do it again.” “If there were some way I could do it without hurting him -” “Spare me. I got the same pile of shit from Callaway earlier about if there were some other ‘way’ but guess what Adam; there is no other way. You hurt Oscar this time, there’s no telling what he might do.” “I know he’s going to be angry but -” “He’ll be more than angry Adam. How much did he tell you about his relationship with Carlos?” Adam looked at Chavo. “What?” “How much did he tell you about his relationship with Carlos?” “He told me Carlos cheated on him. Why?” “He never told you about his suicide attempts after he found out Carlos cheated on him?” Adam blinked in shock. “He tell you about the nights he had to be taken to the hospital because he tried to overdose or drink himself to death or because he had a little ‘accident’ with a razorblade cutting his wrists?” Adam shook his head, still stunned by what Chavo was telling him. “He ever tell you how he wished he were dead after finding out about Carlos’s other ‘flings’?” Adam shook his head again. “He tell you?” “Tell me?” Chavo asked in disbelief. “Bitch, I was there with him through all that! Who do you think drove him to the hospital and tried to give him a reason to live? It sure as hell wasn’t you that’s for motherfucking sure.” Adam’s glance slid over to where Oscar was sitting talking with Jamie and Matt. “Oh now you’ll look at him.” Adam looked back at Chavo. “So what do you want me to do?” “Love him. You have any idea how hard it is for him to trust people after what Carlos did to him? How long it took for him to get his zest for life back? Why hurt Oscar for some pipe dream with Callaway when Oscar can give you so much more? What the hell is Callaway going to offer you that Oscar can’t? The man has a wife who loves him Adam. From what I’ve seen and heard, she practically worships the ground he walks on. What would be the point in hurting her and Oscar? Huh? Because you and Callaway want to things like they used to be four years ago? You want the happy-happy life you thought you two were going to have? Sure you can have that with him, but at what cost Adam? Is it really worth hurting two people whose mistake was to fall in love with either of you? Is it really going to be worth the pain you're going to put Oscar and Sara through? Cause believe me, I don’t want to take Oscar to another hospital because he thinks life isn’t worth living because the one person he loves doesn’t love him anymore. I don’t know what Sara’s reaction’s going to be, but I can imagine it ain’t going to be pretty.” Chavo paused to take a drink from his soda before continuing. “I know the thought of being with Mark is tempting, but who’s to say he won’t dump you for another woman in another year or two when he wants to be a father?” “You heard that?” Chavo nodded. “Yeah. And I also heard you say, ‘Why should I break Oscar’s heart for a pipe dream that might not come true?’” Adam sat in silence, every emotion churning through him. “I know I’ve been a bitch to you over the past couple of days, but I don’t want to see Oscar get hurt again. I don’t want him to hurt himself again. You’re the only thing making him happy right now. I know that’s unfair and that Oscar should be making his own happiness and not rely on anyone to make it for him and all that other ‘Oprah’ shit, but really man, you make him happy and you might not think you love him right now and you may think you’re being unfair to him by loving him when you’re not feeling the same way right now, but Adam, what’s going to hurt you more in the long run; knowing Oscar needs you to make himself feel wanted and loved or having Callaway play with your head the way he has in the past? Yeah, I know all about the two of you. Granted not everything, but enough to know the big man’s hurt you more times than you can count. Maybe you can understand how Oscar would feel if you did the same thing to him Callaway’s done to you. You and Oscar may not have the history, but you two won’t have the hurt there either. You both could just start over fresh. Just you and Oscar.” The emotions churned even harder in Adam as he thought about what Chavo was saying and knew in the pit of his stomach Chavo was right about everything he said so far. He stood, wanting some space. “Could you tell Oscar I’ll be out in the gardens if he needs me?” “Sure. Just think about what I said, Adam. I know I come off as an asshole, but I do care about the both of you.” Adam just nodded and walked out of the restaurant by the garden doors. From where he sat, Mark watched the exchange between Adam and Chavo and whished like hell Chavo would just stay out of his and Adam’s business. He wasn’t trying to be rude when he felt Adam’s eyes on him earlier, knowing he’d loved nothing more than to smile at him to let him know he still loved him, but the match plan for tomorrow was complicated enough where Mark had to concentrate on what was being said so he would have an idea what was going on. “Hey big man.” Mark tore his gaze away from Adam and Chavo to look over at A-Train. “What?” “You get everything okay man?” “Yeah. Might have to talk to Patterson about specifics, but if it goes off the way we plan, it might make the match more entertaining.” “Yeah, that’s what I was thinking.” A-Train said. A-Train and Kurt talked some more as Mark looked around, catching sight of Adam in time as he headed out for the gardens next to the restaurant, his handsome features shadowed in doubt. Doubt Mark was worried about. “Listen guys, I’m going to get some air real quick. Tell Stephanie I’m out in the gardens if she needs me.” “Sure man, no prob.” Kurt said. Mark got off his chair and ignoring the withering glare of Chavo, he headed out to the garden hopefully to find out what was going on as far as he and Adam was concerned. “You’re the only thing making him happy right now… He ever tell you about the nights he had to be taken to the hospital because he tried to overdose or drink himself to death or because he had a little ‘accident’ with a razorblade cutting his wrists…?” Chavo’s words echoed in Adam’s head as he paced around the restaurant gardens, arms folded in front of him, rubbing his upper arms as though cold, even though it was a comfortable temperature outside with the pungent scent of the flowers planted around the little path invading his senses. The more he thought about what Chavo said, the more the doubts in his head and his guilt grew as the reality of the situation began to sink in. All I wanted was to be with Mark again, Adam thought. To be with the one man I love more than anything. “You want the happy-happy life you thought you two were going to have?” Chavo's voice rang in Adam’s ears as clear as if he were right there talking to him again. “Sure you can have that with him, but at what cost Adam? Is it really worth hurting two people whose mistake was to fall in love with either of you…?” Could he live with himself if Oscar hurt himself again because of him? Not to mention Sara, though from what he had seen and what he knew of her, she didn’t seem the suicidal type, but Adam was sure the pain would be incredible for her to lose her husband to another man while wondering what she had done wrong to deserve that. He was sure because he’d been there himself when Mark told him he was marrying Sara. For the first time since that night after the Rumble, Adam felt the blinders he was wearing remove themselves to show him the bigger picture. And it was one he was not comfortable with. “Adam?” Adam didn’t turn around at the sound of the drawling voice behind him, his knowing it so well. “We can’t do this,” he announced. “Do what?” “We can’t…” Adam turned around to face Mark. “We can’t end things with Sara and Oscar.” “Why not?” Adam opened his mouth but nothing would come out. Frustrated, he lowered his head so he wouldn’t have to look into Mark’s eyes. “Because it wouldn’t be fair to either of them.” “That what Guerrero told you?” Adam looked up at Mark. “Yeah.” “Adam…” Mark sighed. “He gave me the same song and dance earlier this morning at breakfast.” “What did he tell you?” “Pretty much the same shit he probably told you; how unfair it would be to Oscar and Sara and other things.” “Well I got that and more.” Adam sat on a nearby bench. “Did you know Oscar tried to kill himself when he found out Carlos was cheating on him?” Mark sat next to Adam. “No I didn’t.” “What if…what if I tell him and he goes and does it again?” Adam looked at Mark. “And he succeeds? Mark, I can’t live with that.” “Oscar tell you himself?” Mark asked. Adam shook his head. “Chavo did.” Mark sighed. “Adam…” “He was probably embarrassed about it and didn’t want to tell me.” Adam defended. “I’m sure that’s the case, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to try again.” “We don’t know that. I mean, I can’t even begin to count the times he’s told me he doesn’t know what he’d do if he lost me.” “A lot of people tell the ones they love that. It doesn’t mean he’s going to do anything if you two split up.” With a heavy sigh, Mark looked down at the ground. “Are you sure that’s the only reason you don’t want to end things with him?” Adam looked at Mark. “What do you mean?” Mark returned the look. “Maybe you don’t want us to get back together. Maybe you…I don’t know. Maybe you like the way things are now.” “What? With me trying to force myself to love Oscar when I still love you?” “If you love me, you wouldn’t be having these doubts.” “What about you? You having any doubts about leaving Sara? Aren’t you the least bit worried about how she’s going to react?” “Hell yes I’m worried, but I’m hoping Sara will understand. She knows how I feel about you.” “Does she really? Does she know you’re still in love with me?” “She knows about us and our history.” “That’s not the question I’m asking Mark. Does she know you’re still in love with me?” “She will when we get back to the States.” “And you’re not the least bit worried about how she’s going to take the news?” “I told you I’m worried about it, but I can’t let how she reacts rule my decision.” “Even if it drives her into doing something to -” “She’s not that sort of person.” Mark cut Adam off. “You don’t know that.” Adam replied. “A woman finds out her husband’s leaving her for another man, you know it’s going to fuck with her head a bit.” “But Sara’s nothing like that. Sure she’s going to be pissed, hell who wouldn’t be, but to attempt suicide?” Mark shook his head. “No, I don’t see her doing that.” “Wish I can be as sure about Oscar as you are about Sara.” “Adam…” Mark took Adam’s hand in his, not caring who saw them. “Sure Oscar’s going to be pissed about everything, but all that shit Chavo’s told you, how the hell do we know it’s true or not? I mean unless Oscar’s told you himself, I haven’t seen any proof he’s ever tried to hurt himself over anyone. He’s too damn perky to be the type.” “Sure he seems that way now, but who’s to say he wouldn’t try again when I tell him it’s over?” “Adam,” Mark turned to face him and turned Adam to face him. “I have to know once and for all. Do you want us back together?” “Yes,” Adam said weakly. “Okay then. I know you want another way of doing this where we don’t wind up hurting anyone, but there’s no other way. We keep pretending to love them, and that’s what’s going to hurt the most. For them to know the love we feel for them is forced only out of pity. The only thing we can do is cut them loose so they can find someone who’ll love them the way they deserve to be loved.” “How the hell can you be so single-minded about all this?” Adam said. “How the hell can you not step back and think about what we might do to them?” There was a minute long pause before Mark spoke. “Because if I did…I’d be having the same doubts you are.” “And that would be a bad thing?” Mark nodded. “Yeah, for me it would be.” Mark rubbed his thumb over the hand he held in his. “I love you Adam Joseph Copeland. I always have. And I know I’ve been a real shit to you in the past, but I want to make all that up to you. I want to be with you more than anything, but if you don’t think we have a chance, if you don’t think we have any business being together, then by all means, get off this bench and be with Oscar and I’ll stay with Sara and other than when business dictates it, I’ll stay as far from you as possible.” “Where have I heard that before?” Adam joked weakly. “This time I mean it.” Looking into Mark’s eyes, Adam knew he did. Mark let go of Adam’s hand. “There you go,” he said softly. “Now’s your chance to tell me who you really want and what sort of life you want. I can’t guarantee it’s going to be perfect between us this time but I can promise you it’ll be better than it was before.” Adam remained seated, the indecision and guilt roiling in him like boiling water. He wanted so badly to be with Mark again, knowing he was being sincere about what he was ‘promising’ but the urge to get up and be with Oscar was just as strong. Decisions, decisions, decisions… Adam only hoped he would make the right one.