"Don't worry, I'll handle it."

"But-"

"I have everything under control."

"You don't have to do this."

"I'm not just doing it for you."

"I know, but, still…"

"Really, you're making a bigger deal out of this than it is. Go to bed. I'll see you in the morning."

"Okay. Goodnight, Shannon."

"Goodnight, Paul."

Snapping his phone closed, Shannon tossed it back onto the bed and faced himself in the mirror once more. He took a deep breath as he studied his reflection. He wasn't someone who usually worried about his appearance, but tonight he wanted to look good. Strike that. He wanted to look irresistible.

He'd left his hair down and brushed it out until it was shining and golden. Instead of his usual sweats, he wore a form-fitting tank and cargo pants that hugged him nicely around the hips. He had debated removing his lip stud and eyebrow ring, but decided to leave them. His wedding band, on the other hand, was in its usual place in the bathroom kit, in his suitcase. No need for that reminder tonight.

Satisfied that he looked as good as he was going to, he pulled on a pair of clunky black boots, pocketed his key, and left the room.

The hotel corridors were deserted at that hour. Music drifted out from behind one of the closed doors he passed. He recognized the song and began humming along as he stepped onto the elevator. Two floors later, he found himself walking down another empty hall, and fell silent as he reached his destination. A brief surge of nerves hit him when he stopped in front of the door, but he ignored them and knocked.

The door opened surprisingly quickly, as if he was expected.

Looking down at him, Mark Calloway's expression revealed nothing. No annoyance. No pleasure. No surprise.

"Hey kid."

The way Shannon had it figured, he was going to be "kid" until he grew an extra foot or started sprouting gray hair, so he had decided not to be bothered by it. "Hey Taker."

At that, Mark smiled faintly. "Call me Mark, kid. Come on in."

He stepped away from the door and Shannon entered. The room was a double, but he only saw one suitcase, obviously Mark's, so he decided that they had the room to themselves. Good.

"I was hoping to talk to you earlier today, at the arena." Mark said, dropping onto the end of the bed closest to the door. "You took off before I could."

"Yeah. Finished my match early." Shrugging, Shannon leaned against the dresser directly in front of him, only a few feet away.

"You always used to hang around."

"Matt always used to hang around. I just stayed with him."

Mark nodded, his eyes moving over Shannon slowly, his expression still betraying nothing. "How is he these days?"

"Fine, I guess. Waiting for his push."

"And Jeff?"

There, finally, some emotion showed through the façade. Mark always asked about Jeff in the same solemn, hushed tones usually reserved for the dead. Shannon guessed that, to guys like Mark, leaving wrestling behind amounted to the same thing. As far as they were concerned, Jeff was lost. Lost in a world where people were just people, not marks, where life wasn't gimmicked, and it really hurt to fall down.

"He's good." Shannon told him. "Saw him last week. The band is finally putting some stuff together."

"Hm. That's good."

Shannon knew what he really wanted to know. When was he coming back? WAS he coming back? Instead of telling him, he changed the subject.

"It's good to have you around again. Backstage isn't the same without the Undertaker."

At that Mark smiled, nodding.

"Do you know what they have in mind for you?"

"We're talking about some things. Some of it depends on when Copeland is coming back."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

They were both quiet for a moment. Mark continued to study Shannon, and Shannon continued to watch Mark study him. Finally he sighed.

"That's enough small talk, isn't it?"

"Yes it is." Mark responded. "Come over here."

Shannon didn't hesitate to close the distance between them. As soon as he was within reach, Mark grabbed him by the hips and jerked him closer. He reached up even as Shannon leaned down, and their mouths crashed together.

Shannon tried to focus on the kiss, on the sensation of Mark's tongue invading his mouth, but the hands moving over the rest of the body were just too damn distracting. Pulling at his hair. Rubbing up and down his back. Grabbing his ass, fingers digging in almost painfully. When both hands slid down to the backs of his thighs and tugged him forward, he climbed up onto the bed and straddled Mark's lap. Sliding his arms around the bigger man's shoulders, he ground down against him.

It was Mark who finally broke away, panting. "Damn, kid."

"I wasn't sure you'd want…"

"Of course I do. I told you last time…"

Shannon cut him off with a kiss. For a few minutes they remained locked together, Shannon writhing as Mark's hands continued to wander over his body, under his shirt. Shannon slid one hand between them to massage the growing hardness between Mark's legs, wringing a groan from him. He was working on the zipper of his jeans when Mark drew back suddenly and caught his wrist.

"Wait." Mark gasped, pushing Shannon back and off his lap.

Short of breath himself, Shannon was somewhat glad that Mark had slammed on the brakes. It wasn't that he didn't want to get fucked, that's what he was here for, after all, but he didn't want it to be over too quickly. Not tonight.

"I want you to strip so I can look at you."

Shannon smiled and took a step away from the bed. "We need some music if I'm gonna strip."

"No we don't. Just take your goddamn clothes off. Now."

The harsh, demanding tone in Mark's voice made him shiver, but he nodded. Toeing off his boots, he kicked them aside. Then, despite the urgency of the order he'd just been given, he began to undress slowly, seductively. He eased his shirt up a little at a time, running his hands over his own stomach and chest as he went. He paused to pinch at his own nipples under the cloth, letting out a genuine sigh of arousal. Paying no attention to Mark's disapproving growl, he finally pulled the shirt over his head and dropped it to the floor. He let his hands play across his chest once more before inching them down toward his waist.

"Don't tease." Mark snapped.

"I don't know what you mean." Shannon said, all wide-eyed innocence. "I'm not teasing. I'm just undressing, like you told me to."

"Get on with it."

Still, Shannon toyed with the button on his pants before tugging it open. He unzipped as slowly as he could manage, and only when he heard Mark growl again did he allow the pants to slip off his hips. Stepping out of them, he kicked them to one side.

Standing there in nothing but his black silk boxers, Shannon took a deep breath. His hands continued to roam over his own body, Mark's gaze following their movements intently. Aware of the scrutiny, Shannon brought one hand up to his mouth and made a show of licking his palm. Letting his eyes drift closed, he slid the hand back down, into his boxers. He groaned as he stroked himself, already half-erect.

When he looked at Mark again, the older man's desire was obvious, but so was his annoyance.

"Like what you see, Mark?" Shannon asked.

The darkness in Mark's eyes almost made him afraid. Almost.

"You're teasing."

"Me? No, I'm not."

"You are. I don't like teases."

Shannon lowered his gaze to the prominent bulge in Mark's jeans. "It's sure looks like you do."

"Take them off. Now."

"Yes Mark." He replied, trying to sound meek and submissive even as he hid a smirk.

Turning away from him, Shannon hooked both thumbs into the waistband of his boxers. He inched them down with agonizing slowness, bending over as he went.

He was testing his luck now, he knew. With Mark there was a fine line between pissed off enough to fuck and pissed off enough to fight. A quick glance back as he slid his boxers over his knees reassured him. Mark was leaning back on the bed, one hand in his pants; eyes half-lidded and fixed on his ass. Finally stepping out of the boxers, Shannon stretched languorously before turning back around.

"There." Tossing the boxers at him, Shannon ran one hand up over his bare hip. "Better?"

"Get over here."

"Yes sir."

Shannon moved close to him again, and Mark's hands were on him immediately. He stood passively, allowing Mark to touch him wherever and however he wanted. Closing his eyes, he let his head fall back as Mark leaned forward to taste the flesh of his stomach.

"On your knees…" Mark whispered then, releasing him. "Get down on your knees."

Shannon did as he was told, kneeling between Mark's long legs, looking up at him.

"I want you to suck me, then I'll fuck you."

Shannon nodded, knowing that no verbal answer was expected. Leaning back on his arms, Mark lifted his hips so Shannon could tug the jeans down enough to free his already erect cock. He didn't waist time pulling them off completely, knowing that he'd dallied enough. Mark wasn't kidding when he said that he didn't like teases. Shannon guessed that he got away with more than most, but the time for that was over. Now they were playing by the rules.

A few years ago, Shannon would have vehemently rejected the idea that he could enjoy sucking someone's dick, but he did. Hearing Mark groan as he stroked him and licked at his balls, feeling the way he twitched and shuddered at the slightest touch of his lips against his shaft, knowing that he had this measure of control over a man twice his size…it made him feel powerful. He was quickly growing hard, without needing any further stimulation. He had never admitted it to anyone, but he enjoyed giving head almost as he enjoyed getting it.

And he was good. It didn't take long for Mark's moans to turn into cries. Shannon increased his tempo, deep-throating him with ease. He was so involved in what he was doing that he didn't at first feel Mark's hand tangled in his hair, pulling him back. Finally realizing what he wanted, Shannon slid his mouth off Mark's cock and tipped his head back. Just before he closed his eyes, he saw Mark's hand take over, jerking himself hard. A moment later, he felt the first warm spurt of come on his cheek. He felt his own cock throb in time with Mark's orgasm and had to tuck both hands behind his back to keep from touching himself.

When he was sure that Mark was spent, Shannon lifted a hand to wipe the come from his right eyelid, and then sucked at his fingers. It was more for Mark's benefit than his own, but when he opened his eyes and saw how Mark was looking at him, he knew it was worthwhile. He remained where he was, still and quiet, waiting.

"Go wash your face." Mark finally said, breathing hard.

Shannon rose and went into the bathroom. Holding his hair back with one hand, he splashed water on his face to wash away the remains of Mark's orgasm. A quick check found none on his chest or in his hair. Say what you would about Mark, but he had good aim. Before leaving the bathroom, Shannon rinsed out his mouth as well, knowing that Mark was not one of those guys who liked the taste of himself.

When he stepped back into the room, Mark was standing in front of the table, where his bag sat open. He'd undressed, and Shannon took a moment to enjoy the sight of him.

Without even looking over at him, Mark said, "Like what you see, kid?"

Since he'd asked a direct question, Shannon knew it was all right to speak. "Yes I do."

"On the bed."

"Yes sir."

Mark chuckled at his response and went back to digging through his bag. Without taking his eyes off him, Shannon crawled up onto the bed. He stretched out on his back, tucking his hands behind his head as the urge to stroke himself rose quickly. That was against the rules. No speaking unless spoken to, no touching himself, no coming until he had permission. Mark had taught him "the rules" their second time together. Shannon hadn't been sure that he liked playing the part of the submissive bitch at first, but Mark had always made it worth his while.

So he lay there quietly, not touching himself, allowing only his eyes to wander freely as Mark approached the bed again, carrying condoms and a small tube of lubricant. Shannon repressed a grin when Mark dropped it all onto the bedside table and he saw easily half a dozen condoms there. Smiling wasn't necessarily against the rules, but it was discouraged.

Mark climbed up over him, skimming Shannon's body with his own. He paused at his groin, pushing Shannon's legs apart to lick the inside of his thigh. Shannon's breath caught and did not ease up again until Mark moved on, trailing his mouth over his stomach to his chest, and finally his neck. He sucked and nipped at the tender flesh there, the length of his body settling on top of Shannon's.

"You taste so good." Mark murmured in his ear. "You've already got me hard again."

That fact had not escaped Shannon's attention, particularly because Mark's hard cock was pressing against his thigh. He fought the desire to reach down and grab him, settling for arching his body against Mark's. The bigger man shifted his position so that their erections rubbed together and Shannon groaned.

"You want it that bad, huh?" Mark bit his earlobe.

"Yes."

"Yes what?"

"Yes sir."

Mark chuckled a little, rising up on his arms to look down at Shannon. "Nice. That's not the magic word, however."

"Yes please."

"Better."

Lowering himself once more, Mark kissed him on the mouth. Shannon sucked at his tongue, enjoying the foreign taste of him. After another few seconds, Mark pulled away.

"Turn over."

Shannon was quick to comply, rolling onto his stomach. As he settled himself again, he saw Mark reaching for the lube on the nightstand and the sight alone made his cock throb. A moment later, he felt Mark's slick fingers against inside of his thigh, sliding upward. They finally came to his entrance and stopped, rubbing gently. He gripped the coverlet beneath him to keep from pushing up into that touch.

Then Mark slipped a finger into him, and Shannon couldn't help but cry out.

Mark froze immediately. "You okay, kid?"

"God…yes…please don't stop…"

Feeling the finger press further in, Shannon grit his teeth. There was pain, very mild at this stage, but it was nothing compared to the wonderful sensations that were washing over him. He wanted more, wanted it now. It'd been a long time since anyone fucked him. He recalled with startling clarity what it had been like the last time he was with Mark. The older man had taken him from behind and they'd gone hard and fast. He wanted it like that again. But he wasn't allowed to ask for it.

Mark must have understood, however, or he felt the same way, because it wasn't long before he wrapped his big hands around Shannon's hips and tugged him up from the bed. Shannon squirmed up onto his knees.

"Will you be okay if I don't prep you?" Mark asked, breathing the question against his shoulder.

Shannon didn't know how he'd react if he said no, but it didn't matter. He wasn't going to say no. "Yes. Just fuck me."

The bed shifted and Shannon heard the crinkle of foil as Mark grabbed one of the condoms. Listening to him tear open the tiny package, Shannon wished he'd offered to put it on for him. Too late now. Mark's hands returned to his hips a moment later, adjusting his position slightly. His hard cock rubbed over Shannon's ass, feeling of heat and latex and lube.

"Are you sure?" Mark's voice was hoarse with need.

"Hell yes."

"I'll go slow."

He did, at first. The pain of the first penetration was intense, nearly making Shannon scream. He pressed his face into the mattress and tried to breathe deeply. Just as the pain began to pass, Mark withdrew and pushed in again. By the fifth or sixth stroke, pleasure accompanied the pain, and Shannon focused on it. Soon he propped himself up on his elbows and began to move with each of Mark's thrusts.

Mark took the cue to speed up, keeping one hand on Shannon's hip to steady him while letting the other roam, caressing his thigh and lower back before slipping under him to gently squeeze his balls. Shannon suddenly found himself teetering on the brink of orgasm and grit his teeth against it. As if sensing that, Mark's fingers tightened around the base of his cock.

"Not yet." He whispered. "We have all night."

Shannon took a deep breath and let it out, smiling again. Yes they did.

Three hours and five orgasms later (a total of three for Mark and two for Shannon, not that he was counting), they lay side by side on the bed, sated at last. After fucking him for nearly half an hour, Mark had finally allowed him to come, and his own orgasm had immediately followed. They had lain tangled together for long time, then Mark had gone to take a shower. Shannon lay there listening for a little while, then got up and joined him. Making no pretense that he was there to wash Mark's back, he'd handed him a condom and gotten on his knees again, sucking Mark until he was hard once more. Then he'd convinced Mark to turn around and Shannon had given his first ever rim job.

It hadn't taken long to push Mark to the edge, at which point he'd picked Shannon up and pressed him against the tile wall. They had lasted only a few minutes in the shower before Shannon had suggested that they move to the bathroom counter. There Mark had pounded into him until he thought he'd faint. He had come without even touching himself, a first for him. When he'd finally tipped over the edge into his own orgasm, Mark had screamed out Shannon's name.

Now he was stretched out on his back, breathing slow and even, eyes closed, but not asleep. Twisting around, Shannon put his head on his stomach.

"Hey Mark?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think I could ask you for a favor?"

Mark smirked knowingly, looking down at him. "Sure thing, kid. What is it? You getting sick of jobbing to Albert?"

Shannon let out a short, humorless laugh. "No. I'm getting tired of jobbing to everybody, but that's not it."

"So what is it?"

No turning back now. "Brian Kendrick."

"Kendrick?" Mark's eyebrows went up in surprise. "What about him? He quit."

"Do you know why he quit?"

"'Cause Vince is a conceited jackass who doesn't know talent when it runs around bare-assed in front of him?"

"Well, yeah, but that wasn't really why."

"Oh no?"

"No."

"So why did he really leave?"

Shannon turned onto his side and propped himself up on an elbow. "You know that he was having a hard time in the locker room?"

Mark nodded.

"Well, it got a lot worse after you left."

Shannon let that sit for a moment, watching the implications sink in. Sighing, Mark wiped one hand over his face.

"Fuck. I told him to hang in there, that it'd get better."

Shaking his head, Shannon said, "One night I got back to the locker room and found him sitting in the showers, crying. He was pretty beat up."

"Did one of the guys knock him around?"

"It was more than that. He was naked…bleeding. You follow me?"

From the way Mark looked away, it was obvious that he did.

"No matter how much of a pain in the ass Brian may have been, he didn't deserve that."

"No, he didn't." Mark agreed quietly. "Did it just happen that once?"

"I don't know. I don't think so."

"Shit. Who was it?"

"He wouldn't say, but I have a pretty good idea." Shannon couldn't keep the rage out of his voice, drawing Mark's gaze back up to his. "The same person who did it to Jeff, to Shane…Some people just don't change."

"Has he tried anything with you?" Mark demanded.

"No. Why do you think I stayed so close to Matt?"

"But Matt's gone now."

"Yes he is. Unfortunately, he's got his eye on someone else."

"Unfortunately? Who is it?"

"Paul."

"London?"

"Yeah. He started in on him before Brian was even gone."

"Has he…"

"Not yet. But Paul's pretty scared."

Mark was silent for a moment, studying the ceiling. Watching him, Shannon lowered his head back to the older man's chest. He ran his finger across the tattoo at the base of his throat, tracing the letters there.

"I wouldn't ask you for something like this, but I just can't sit around waiting for my turn, you know."

Mark looked down at him again, and Shannon felt a thrill at the anger in his eyes. Wrapping his arms around him tightly, Mark shook his head.

"Don't worry, nobody's going to lay a hand on you." He said, brushing the hair away from Shannon's face. "I'll take care of this."

"Thank you, Mark."

"You tell your friend Paul to relax, too."

"Okay. I will." Shannon summoned up a sly smile. "I imagine he'll be real grateful."

I hear Mark laughed. "Well, he's welcome to thank me any way he sees fit."

"I'm sure that the two of us will come up with something."

"The two of you, huh? That could be interesting, if it doesn't kill me."

"I'm sure you'd just come back from the dead again."

"Wouldn't be a bad way to go, either."

Shannon laughed with him, then leaned up to press a kiss to the underside of his jaw. Squirming around within Mark's embrace, he aligned their bodies and slid a knee up between his legs.

"How about I thank you a little in advance?" He whispered.

Mark could only groan in response as Shannon's mouth covered his once more.

Two weeks later…

"Shannon!"

Drawing up short, Shannon glanced back to find Paul jogging down the hallway toward him. There was a light in his eyes that Shannon hadn't seen in months. When Paul finally reached him, he looked like he wanted to throw his arms around him, but held back.

"Did you hear?"

"Hear what?"

"Bradshaw. Apparently that bump he took last week was worse than it looked, because he's going in for surgery. They're saying that he'll be out for another six months, at least."

Smiling, Shannon nodded. "Yeah, I had heard that, actually."

Paul shoved his hands deep into his pockets. "I…I really owe you, man."

"Hey, don't worry about. Like I said, it wasn't just about you."

"Yeah, still…I want to make it up to you."

"I have a better idea." Shannon glanced around and lowered his voice. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Um, nothing. Why?"

"Well, I thought that we might pay Taker a little visit, just to say thanks, you know."

"Um, together?"

"Yes."

Paul blushed furiously, but smiled. "Okay."

"Look, I'm the first match on, so I really have to get ready. How about we meet up after your match? We can have dinner and…talk about some things."

"Sure."

"See ya then."

Turning away from Paul, Shannon started back down the hall. A slow, sly smile curved his lips. After tonight, he might actually be able to get a few wins. Hell, if Paul was half as good as he looked, he might be able to get a cruiserweight title shot. Everybody had to start somewhere.

THE END