With his eyes still stinging from the shower, Chris didn't notice that AJ's bag had gone unpacked. Instead, a soft smile curved his lips as he closed the distance between himself and his lover. He drew one arm around AJ's neck, not noticing the tension in his shoulders, and drew him close for a soft kiss. What caught his attention was the fact that AJ hadn't brushed his teeth yet. Chris pulled away, a look of confusion scrawled across his features, before an all too familiar dread set in. "Don't do this again," he murmured, or maybe he just thought it; Chris couldn't be sure anymore.

AJ took two steps back, towards his bag, staring down at the space between them. "I can't do this tonight," he said, shaking his head. "Chris, I'm sorry, but I can't." He turned away completely, grabbed his bag and walked out the door.

"You should slam it when you go, asshole," Sabin muttered, sitting on the arm of the couch and staring at the door. "That'd make me believe you're really gone." Chris remained where he was for a few minutes, or maybe it was an hour before standing up. He packed up his things and slung his bag over his shoulder, shutting off the lights behind him as he went.



Christopher Daniels had a sneaking suspicion about who was knocking on his door at this hour, but the prospect of the visitor actually having something important to say prompted him to open the door without checking to see who it was. "AJ," he said simply. "What brings you by at this time of night?" Hopefully it wasn't the same thing that always compelled AJ to come to him this late.

"Things have changed for me, Chris, changed for real this time." AJ stepped into the room without waiting for an invitation. He paced while he spoke and his hands were uncharacteristically fidgety, as if he couldn't quite get comfortable. "Sabin and I broke up tonight; we're done for good." He ran a hand over his short cropped hair, then stopped dead in his tracks and looked Daniels in the eye. "And I want to try with you; there's been something between us for a long time now, you can't deny it. Well I'm ready to, Chris, and I want to be with you."

Daniels knew he could not hesitate in his reply. "Go back to your room, AJ. You already know what my answer is going to be and nothing has changed."

"So that's it, you're saying no again? After everything we've been through, all these damn years, I can't believe it. I won't."

"What you want isn't here," Christopher said slowly, trying to keep his temper in check. He was getting tired of having this conversation. There were times where he admired AJ's stubbornness, but not now. "I don't have those feelings for you, AJ, and I never will."

"I risked everything to come here tonight."

All thoughts of maintaining composure fled from him. "You haven't risked a damn thing," Daniels snapped, stunning the other man into silence. "We both know that he'll take you back."

"It's because of Chris, isn't it?" AJ shook his head. "You don't have to worry anymore. I broke it off with him tonight." AJ's eyes widened a little and he licked his bottom lip.

Daniels closed his eyes and turned away. It would have been so easy to simply give in and fall into a tempestuous relationship with this amazing man, but he dismissed the notion immediately at the thought of Sabin's constantly sad eyes. "And when you don't get what you want from me, you'll go back to him and he'll take you in. It's win-win for you, AJ."

"I can't believe you're so hung up on Chris! He's a grown man, he'll get over it." AJ took a breath. "Fact is, I don't have those kinda feelings towards him, not like I do you."

"Then why do you keep going back to him?"

AJ snorted. "So what, you're the only one who's allowed to not feel anything?"

"I never said that. In fact, I feel like you should leave now."

For a moment, AJ simply stared at him, slack jawed. He tried to speak a few times, then gave up. Instead he grabbed Christopher by the shoulder and spun him around so that they were face to face. "Why not?" AJ snarled, shoving Daniels up against the wall. "What the hell can't you? After al this fucking time…"

"Because I've seen the way you treat the people who love you." Daniels said, looking him straight in the eye. "I won't have any part in the way you treat him."

AJ backed up a step, swallowing deeply. "Look, if this is about Chris, don't worry about it. We're over. I want--"

"You obviously don't know anything," Daniels shook his head.

"I know that I want you."

"The fact that you would so willingly throw away someone who has taken you back again and again shows me all that I need to know about you, AJ. There won't ever be anything more between us than what there is." He backed up another step. "It's late. Go back to your Chris," he said, emphasizing the last two words.

In a moment, AJ's features darkened; he hardly looked like the same person. The desperate puppy had matured into a dog who'd been burned once too many. "You son of a bitch," he snarled.

Before Christopher could retort, he felt a sharp, stinging pain that dazed him for a moment. He blinked in surprise, touching the corner of his mouth where he'd been hit and he was not surprised when his fingertips came away stained red. "Get out, AJ," he said without anger. He remained where he was, his posture guarded as AJ took up his bag yet again and stormed out as quickly as he'd burst in.

AJ had never hit him before; maybe things would change tonight.



AJ burst into his room like a force of nature, his colour high and his nostrils flaring. He threw his bag down and gazed around, frowning into the darkness. His anger began to recede as confusion took hold. "Chris?" He called out, even as he flicked on the lights. "Chris, I'm sor… where are you?" AJ ducked into the washroom and went over to the balcony, but there was nothing. Confusion gave way to panic and AJ forced his eyes shut, trying to get his breathing back under control. AJ sat down on the arm of the couch and reached for the phone with shaky hands. He dialed Sabin's cell phone number, cursing under his breath when he got nothing more than voice mail. AJ hung up and put his head in his hands.



Nights like this made it impossible to get any rest. Daniels did not even bother with his normal evening routine. Instead he grabbed his key card and slipped into a pair of shoes, shutting off the lights behind him as he went. Once inside the elevator, he considered his options, then pressed the button for the lobby. Maybe he'd luck out and the bar would still be open. About the only thing that could get him to sleep tonight would be a stiff shot.

As he stepped off the lift, the lobby was still well lit, but mercifully quiet. Christopher looked around, spotting only a couple of employees and a smattering of bar patrons. Just as he started to head towards the latter, something caught his eye. Daniels stopped in mid step and changed direction, heading for the person bundled beneath a small blanket. Whoever it was, was curled up on one of the couches by a fake fireplace. As he came closer, Daniels finally recognized Sabin and he cocked his head, trying to recall any other time he'd seen the younger man walk out after what must have been an ugly confrontation with AJ. Christopher knelt down beside Sabin and shook his shoulder gently. "You okay?" He asked, cocking his head when Sabin didn't so much as budge. Daniels had to shake the younger man twice more before he opened his eyes.

Sabin's body had a listlessness to it that went beyond just sleep and in the brightness of the lobby, it was easy to see the unnatural size of his pupils. Daniels gripped the younger man's arm tighter and shook him even more firmly. "Chris, what did you take?" He whispered fiercely, forcing himself to keep quiet in case there was anyone eavesdropping. Daniels had done enough to hurt the kid, albeit unwillingly, he was not going to be the person who ruined his career.

Sabin was quiet for several moments, blinking up at Daniels as though he didn't recognize him. "Vicodin," he murmured, "ankle."

"How many?"

"One. Need sleep."

Daniels nodded slowly, not trying to conceal his relief. "Good." He looked around the lobby and caught sight of the hotel employees openly staring at them. The moment Chris made eye contact with them, Daniels turned away. "You can't stay here," he said, easing the younger man up into a sitting position. To his relief, Sabin simply nodded and rose to his feet.

"Where are we going?" Sabin asked blinking rapidly.

"We'll head up to my room. I'll take the couch." Daniels said. Before they got to the elevator, he felt a tap on the shoulder. Half expecting it to be AJ, Christopher nodded in relief when he saw that it was a young hotel employee.

She held up a travel bag. "I didn't want to leave it out in the open," she said, blushing a little. "So I put it behind the counter." A half smile lifted the left side of her mouth. "We get a lot of people sleeping in the lobby." After handing the bag over, she held the elevator doors for them and cocked her head. "Will he be okay?"

"I hope so," Daniels said, as the doors closed.



AJ paced around the room for nearly ten minutes. This wasn't like Chris; he was supposed to be here. He'd never left after one of their fights before, so AJ had no idea where to look. He placed his hands on the back of the couch, trying to force himself to calm down. It wouldn't do any good to panic like an idiot. Think; he had to settle his mind down so he could think more clearly. Within moments, AJ had an idea: Chris would know what to do. They'd get passed this little fight just like they had all the others. Daniels could help him find Sabin. Nodding to himself, AJ made sure he had his keycard and headed towards the elevators. Seeing that they were both occupied, AJ swore under his breath and started for the stairs.



The trip up to the ninth floor had begun in silence and Daniels didn't mind. He didn't touch Sabin, but he stayed close enough that he could catch him if necessary. This certainly wouldn't mark the first time he'd guided an inebriated or exhausted coworker back to bed; though one look into Sabin's eyes showed a fatigue that had nothing to do with pain pills.

"I'm an idiot," Sabin muttered.

"No, you're not," Daniels said firmly, although he couldn't quite hide the surprise in his tone.

"I love someone who hates me."

"AJ doesn't hate you," Daniels replied, squeezing the younger man's shoulder tightly. "He's confused."

Sabin's voice was somber and well beyond his years when he spoke next. "But I'm not you. I know that much."

Daniels took a deep breath, plotting out his next words as carefully as he could. "I want you to know something, Chris," he began firmly. "There has never been anything between AJ and I, nor will there ever be. I'm not interested in him."

"How could you not be?" Chris looked over at him as though Daniels was the dumbest man on the planet. "It's AJ; he's amazing in the ring, he's so … he's AJ. I'd take him, if you were in my shoes."

"I don't think you would."

"And why not?" Chris asked as the elevator doors opened. He started to walk out, aware of the other man following close behind him.

"Because you're too good a person; and I know you're a good person because you keep taking him back, in spite of everything."

Sabin looked up at him, his brows raised in surprise. "And you don't think that makes me an idiot?" He pinched the bridge of his nose, using the pain to stave off a sudden wave of fatigue. When it passed, he looked up at the other man again, waiting for his answer. Daniels, however, remained silent, apparently focused on swiping the key card through his door. At his gesture, Sabin stepped into the room and set down his bag. He closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair.

"You're no idiot," Daniels said, standing in the doorway for a moment and simply observing the younger man. The exhaustion in his body language went beyond fatigue and prescription pain meds. "You are a man of extraordinary patience and one of the most forgiving people that I've ever met. But I think those qualities are starting to wear on you."

Sabin kept his eyes closed and bowed his head. "I'm not going to give AJ up," he said with a firmness that surprised them both.

Daniels took a deep breath and shut the door. He set down his own bag next to Sabin's and before he realized what he was doing, he approached the younger man, watching him intently.



Chris grunted in surprise when he felt a warm hand against his cheek. He opened his eyes and looked up, his lips parting with a silent question. But before he could say anything, Daniels closed the final distance between them, bringing their lips together. Sabin's eyes slipped closed as he sank into the sensations. It had been so long since he'd been kissed like this. Yet when he felt the tip of Daniels' tongue against his lips, Sabin backed away, shaking his head. "Chris, I can't…"

"Shhh," Daniels murmured, his fingertips still resting on the younger man's cheek. "It's okay." He opened his mouth, fully intent on apologizing, but the words would not come. Instead he said, "Go to bed, Chris; I'll sleep on the couch tonight."

Sabin nodded and pulled away, still not looking Chris in the eyes. "All right," he said. "Thank you." He turned away and crawled under the covers and he was grateful when his exhausted mind gave way to sleep almost immediately.



Daniels remained still for several minutes; when he was certain that the younger man was asleep, he began mechanically going through his evening routine. Once finished with that, he moved to Sabin's side and gently took a pillow and a blanket he wasn't using. Sleeping on a couch was no novelty for him, so Daniels was able to set himself up quite comfortably in a matter of moments. But sleep would not come.



AJ stood in the hallway dumbly; he wasn't sure he could move anyway. His mind kept replaying the image over and over: the two men he loved going into the same room together. He couldn't even latch on to any one emotion long enough to decide on a course of action. Then his expression hardened and he stomped towards the door, his fist raised angrily as he readied himself to tear them one or both of them apart.

Instead, his hand fell back to his side and he turned around, resting against the door and wishing to hell he could be with either of them right now. AJ squeezed his eyes shut and let himself slide down until he was sitting on the floor. There was no point in going back to that empty room.

THE END