Rob was glad to have the locker room all to himself. It was a rare occasion when he became angered or unnerved by what happened in the ring. But tonight had been different. He had faced HHH before, so he knew he was in for a tough, physical battle. What he didn't expect was to be treated like he was invisible. Some of the guys had warned him that the entire match would be about Hunter and Shawn. But he still hadn't figured on being totally left out.

He slid the elastic from his damp hair and ran his fingers through the tangles. "God...I must have looked like an idiot," he sighed.

"No...trust me… you looked just fine."

His head shot up and he was surprised to see the smiling face of Chris Jericho.

"What are you still doing here? Your match was over a while ago," Rob said.

Chris sauntered into the room and leaned against the locker directly across from where Rob was seated. "I always hang around 'til the end. You never know what you might miss."

"Well if you stayed to see my match...there wasn't much to miss," Rob said bitterly.

Chris gave him a crooked smile as he shook his head. "Yeah… I've been there. At least they didn't have you picking up dog crap."

"How stupid am I?' he asked. "I honestly thought I had a legitimate shot... or at least the opportunity to move up a little. Damn Chris... they could have used a department store dummy and gotten the same result."

Chris was slightly surprised by Rob's reaction. No matter what feud he was in... or how it turned out, he always seemed pleased with the outcome. It wasn't like him to come on so negatively.

"I hope you don't mind me saying this," he laughed, his blue eyes sparkling. "But none of this sounds at all like you. I came in here expecting the usual smiling, don't give a damn, RVD."

Rob stood up and nearly glared at him. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Why does everyone think I don't give a damn?"

"Relax man," Chris laughed. "All I meant was that you're usually more laid back about stuff. I came in here to see if you were all right. Don't forget... I've been in exactly the same situation you were. I know it sucks."

Rob took a deep breath and tried to force a smile to his lips. "Hey… I'm sorry I went off like that. It's just that I was really looking forward to the match. I just never expected to get buried like that."

"You should have come to me," Chris said. "I would have been more than happy to clue you in."

Rob slipped the straps of his singlet down over his broad shoulders to reveal the smooth skin of his chest. "Now you tell me," he said with a grin.

But Chris was too busy letting his eyes travel hungrily over the exposed form in front of him to reply. And Rob found himself trapped... but pleasantly so....in Chris' crystal blue gaze.

"I...uh...think I'll take a shower. Maybe I can drown my sorrows."

Chris nodded silently and Rob found himself somewhat disappointed that it was all the response it seemed he would get. Reaching for a towel he turned his back to head for the other room.

The sound of Chris' voice stopped him. "If you want...you can ride back to the hotel with me. I don't mind waiting."

Rob turned and met his searching gaze....and gave him a simple, one word response.

"Cool."

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

The ride to the hotel was done in relative silence. Rob seemed exhausted by what had transpired earlier in the evening. And Chris...all too familiar with the feeling.... decided not to press him.

But in spite of not wanting to appear forward, he couldn't help but try and steal a furtive glance every few minutes at the man seated a mere arm's length away. He sat with his head back...his normally dancing eyes closed to the world...with his chest rising and falling slowly as he tried to relax.

When Chris pulled into the parking space he leaned over and tapped Rob's arm lightly.

"Hey, sleeping beauty, we're here."

Rob's eyes fluttered open and he found himself staring into Chris' eyes. For a moment he discovered he couldn't move, trapped like a stunned animal in the headlights of an oncoming car.

Blinking rapidly he sat up. "Yeah... right.... sorry about that. I guess I'm more wiped out than I thought."

"Sure looks that way," Chris answered. "We better get you upstairs to bed."

Rob quickly searched Chris' face, trying to discover if he had heard any hidden meaning there...or if it was just wishful thinking on his part. But Chris's face remained impassive all the way through the lobby and up to their floor.

As they paused in front of Rob's door Chris laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't let tonight bother you. Unfortunately, it's something we all have to get used to. Better things are ahead...count on it."

Rob smiled at him, genuinely touched by his care and concern. "Thanks man. I think everything's gonna be cool. I think I just need to sleep on it. Night."

Chris gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze and continued down the hall. He hadn't gotten more than a few feet when he heard Rob mutter. "Shit."

"What's wrong?" he asked turning back. "This damn key doesn't fit the door. The thing won't even turn."

"Here...let me try," Chris said, taking the key from his warm hand.

After several minutes of fumbling, he turned to Rob. "You're right....it doesn't fit."

"Thanks for the newsflash," Rob snapped. "Now I have to go all the way back to the lobby." "No you don't," Chris interjected, grasping his arm.

"Come on to my room. You can call from there."

"You sure?" Rob asked. "I don't want to ...."

"Rob," he said softly. "I'm sure."

He followed Chris down the hall and stood, fidgeting with his bag, as he unlocked the door. Once inside, he waited for Chris to turn on the light before moving to the phone.

"What's your hurry?"

"Huh?" he asked in surprise. "I'm calling to get them to unlock my door so I can leave you alone. That's my hurry," Rob said.

"You don't have to rush on my account," Chris said. "In fact...you really don't have to rush at all."

Rob found himself taking a step back...more in surprise than anything else, as Chris moved slowly forward.

"Did it ever occur to you that maybe this whole key thing is fate?"

"Fate?" Rob echoed.

"Yeah....you know. In the stars....karma....meant to be. I thought you were into that kind of stuff."

"Well yeah… I am. But I never thought...."

"That's my point," Chris continued. "You shouldn't be thinking at all...just doing."

And with that, Rob's world spun into an unexpected, dizzying orbit as Chris captured his mouth in a kiss, not only designed to steal his breath...but to lead to other things that fate never dreamed of.

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

Chris took his face gently in his hands and teased his slightly parted lips. Releasing a moan he never expected, Rob allowed Chris the pleasure of sliding his eager tongue along each slick surface of his waiting mouth.

The entire time his arms remained at his side, more out of shock than anything else. But within seconds he found them wrapped around Chris, pulling him hard against his firm body.

Chris gave a satisfied grunt as their chests thumped together and slid his fingers up to release Rob's silky hair from it's confines.

What had only ever been a fleeting fantasy became all too real to both men as they began to let their hands wander. Shirts were tugged free and pants were undone only to be tossed carelessly aside.

The first moment of skin to skin contact was like an electric shock passing through them. A shared moan of delight was soon muffled by another deep, warm kiss.

When they pulled back reluctantly for a much needed breath, Rob stared at Chris, a look of wonder...and just a touch of confusion.... flickering across his usually serene face.

"This really is kinda weird you know."

"Weird? What do you mean weird," Chris asked. "If you want to stop......"

"No...no...that isn't what I meant," Rob replied, hanging on tightly to Chris' waist. "It's just...well....you and I have known each other for a long time. We've worked together...wrestled each other. So how come you never....?"

He paused, his brow wrinkled as he searched for the right words.

"Showed any interest?" Chris said, as if finishing his thought.

"Yeah...I guess that's what I mean."

His blue eyes shining, Chris laughed softly. "Trust me… I was interested. But you remember how it was back in those days. We were all so worried about making it, we never wanted to do anything that might make us look....."

"Different?" Rob murmured.

"Yeah...something like that," Chris continued. "Believe me, I was interested. I was always kind of disappointed that I went off to WCW and you and I never....well...you know. But when you showed up here...I thought maybe we had a chance."

"Chris… I've been here a while. You haven't so much as made a pass at me."

He reached up a gentle hand and tucked a stray hair behind Rob's ear. "This is gonna sound like such a load of bull....but I thought you might turn me down."

"Turn you down?" "Whoa man....why would I turn you down? What do I look like...the catch of the century?"

Chris let loose with a deep laugh. "I don't know if I would have chosen those words… but yeah...to me you do."

It was said in an offhand sort of way. But having known Chris so long, Rob understood the meaning behind what he said.

His arms tightened around his waist once more and Chris gasped slightly when he felt his hardness press up against him.

Leaning forward, he pressed his lips gently against Chris'. "I can only speak for myself. But I'm willing to let fate take it's course. How about you?"

Chris' response was far more demonstrative than mere words. Rob suddenly found himself being totally consumed by a passionate kiss. Every thought was pushed from his mind, to be replaced by one single thing....Chris.

He found himself moaning softly as the scent and taste of the other man overwhelmed him. Without realizing it, he allowed Chris to steer him to the bed, where they both drifted down to the softness of the mattress.

This was usually the most awkward moment for any first time encounter. There was always the usual twisting and nudging as the two people tried to determine exactly what position they should be in. But Rob seemed to have a very clear idea in his head.

The second their bodies sank on to the warm cotton he rolled to his back, pulling Chris on top of him. His arms remained locked around the other man's waist as he spread his legs and arched upward.

Chris looked down at him, stray blond hairs making a thin veil across his face. "This is what I want Chris," he whispered.

More kisses were exchanged, tongues weaving together almost frantically as their hands eagerly searched out long desired places. Chris wanted to spend hours touching him. He wanted to learn each line and curve of his body. But his desire was cresting far quicker than he ever imagined it could.

His hands traveled wantonly up Rob's sides before sliding around to caress the rounded swell of his perfect ass. A shared groan signaled that both men were near the breaking point.

Grabbing Chris' hand, Rob used his wet tongue to lick at Chris fingers. "Don't want to wait any more," he panted. Then spreading his legs wider, he guided Chris' fingers to his entrance.

Chris could sense the urgency in Rob, but he forced himself to be loving and gentle, preparing Rob slowly and with gentle care. As he positioned himself above him, they locked eyes once more. "Now," he breathed.

Movements that began with tenderness soon evolved into a feverish coupling. Hips ground together as they worked against one another, each man moaning in pure pleasure.

The feel of Rob's hands clenching against his back signaled to Chris that he was very close. Raising his legs higher, he thrust long and hard, drawing out the pleasure for both of them.

In what felt like a blinding flash, they arched toward each other, bodies racked with spasm after spasm of sexual relief.

Minutes ticked by as they lay, bathed in sweat, more spent than if they had participated in a marathon match.

Chris glanced up from where he lay in a heap, head against Rob's shoulder.

"Was it worth the wait?"

Rob met his glance, a slow grin brightening his face, and one word left his mouth. A nonsense word to some. But his uniquely simple way, of letting Chris know, that this was the start of something incredible.

"Dude..."