Part 7

Shawn pulled back from Chris with a sigh. With a wry smile, he leaned his forehead to Chris's and whispered, "Time to face the music sweetheart."

Shawn couldn't help but laugh when he heard Chris reply, "As long as it's not "sweet chin music", I think I'll be just fine."

As he quieted his laughter Shawn turned to the man standing beside the open car door. He smiled at the man before answering the question he had posed. "You act like a hyperactive two year old on a sugar high, and you want to call me on acting my age? How ya doing Kid?"

"I'm just fine, but if I'm seeing who I think I'm seeing, you've obviously lost your mind." Sean's tone was a bit short, but it was expected after the history between Shawn and Chris. The Kliq members were the only ones who really knew how much Shawn had been hurt when things went bad between him and Chris.

"It's a long story, Kid. Who else is here?" Shawn didn't think Hunter would be there unless someone had asked him to come, but Hunter always managed to do the unexpected.

"Kevin and Scotty. They decided to stop in and see you between shows. I'm just along for the ride."

"Why don't you go in and have them meet us in the den. We'll be there in a minute. And Kid…I know you will anyway, but why don't you warn them about Chris. Maybe by the time we get there the explosion will be half over and we'll have a chance to explain."

"Sure Shawn. Meet you in the den." With that, Sean bounced his way back into the house.

Shawn stifled the laugh at Sean's boundless energy and turned to look at Chris. He could tell that Chris was worried, or at least nervous, about going in to face the other men.

"He didn't sound real happy to see me Shawn. Are you sure this is what you want? If you're friends hate me, it's going to be really hard on you." His voice tugged at Shawn's heart. He wondered if Chris thought he would leave him if his friends didn't accept Chris in his life.

"Sweetheart, listen to me. This is what I want. I want you…no make that I need you in my life. They can accept it or not, but that's not going to change the fact that you are mine and I'm not letting you go." Shawn grabbed Chris's hand and kissed the back of it. Chris smiled brightly. "Now let's get in there. I think I can hear Kevin yelling from here." Shawn almost kicked himself when Chris winced. Chris climbed out of the car grabbed his and Shawn's bags out of the back.

"You know, I can carry my own bags, sweetheart."

"I know you can, but I like doing things for you. Get used to it." Chris winked at him as he joined Shawn on the other side of the car. Chris dropped a brief kiss on Shawn's lips and then waited for him to lead the way. As they walked into the house, Shawn noticed Chris's confident stride. He suspected that Chris was borrowing a bit of Y2J's cockiness to hide his worry. Shawn was glad he could do that if it helped him, but he hoped Chris would show the others his true self. His alter ego was a bit…abrasive and if Chris let it loose on Kevin, he might end up killing Chris before he got to know him.

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As they walked into the house, Chris reminded himself to tell Shawn later that he loved his home. It was a large two-story ranch-style house. Chris hoped that if things went right he'd be spending a lot of time here.

"Just drop the bags there, Chris. We'll take care of them after we get things settled." As Chris placed the bags on the floor, Shawn had to wonder at the lack of noise in the house. He had figured that Kevin would still be shouting loud enough to bring down the roof. Shawn grabbed Chris's hand and led him towards the den. When they reached the closed door, Shawn stopped and turned to Chris. Pulling him into his arms, he kissed Chris gently, hoping to soothe any frazzled nerves and to remind him that he loved him. Just as he was about to pull away, the door to the den swung inward.

"I thought Kid was nuts when he told me you were making out in the car with Chris Jericho, but obviously he's not the one that's crazy." Kevin's voice was laced with disbelief and quite a bit of scorn when he mentioned Chris's name.

Shawn could feel Chris tense up in his arms. Hoping to head off a major confrontation, Shawn tossed out the first comment that came to mind. "What is it with you people and interruptions? I feel like I'm back in high school with my parents spying on me." He tossed Kevin a brilliant smile and hoped for the best.

"Not funny Shawn. Kid said you were going to explain. All I can say is there better be one hell of an explanation for why you're kissing him instead of trying to kick his ass." The anger on Kevin's face was obvious as he glared at Chris. Shawn stepped in front of Chris and faced him down. There was no way Kevin was going to get hold of Chris before they explained. Shawn almost sighed in relief when he heard the voice of reason from inside the room.

"Kevin, will you be quiet and get in here. They aren't going to be able to explain anything if you scare them to death." Scotty's tone held a bit of humor. He could always count on Scotty to get the full story before he reacted. Maybe he'd be able to help reason with Sean and Kevin once he had heard the truth.

Kevin grumbled as he stepped back into the room holding the door open for Chris and Shawn to enter. He growled when Shawn reached down and took Chris's hand to lead him into the room. Shawn glared at him before turning back to smile at Chris.

When they got inside the room, Shawn saw Scotty sitting at one end of the couch, the space beside him obviously where Kevin was going to sit. He noticed Sean, sprawled in a chair, seemingly bored by what was happening. Shawn led Chris over to the smaller of the two couches and sat down before pulling Chris down next to him. He left his hand wrapped around Chris's in a show of support. Chris smiled shyly at him in thanks before focusing his eyes on their joined hands. Kevin crossed the room and sat next to Scotty before directing his glare at Chris.

"Okay Shawn, we're waiting. How the hell did you go from hating that little bitch to liking him enough to bring him home with you?" Damn, he knew Kev was pissed on his behalf, but he could wait to pick a fight until he'd heard them out.

"I'll show you a bitch, you assclown." Chris's retort was so quiet that Shawn knew he was the only one that had heard it. Shawn couldn't help the snort that escaped him. He covered his mouth trying to stifle his laugh. He was glad that Chris was managing to keep his anger in check, but Kevin wouldn't take it well if he thought he was being disrespected. Shawn squeezed Chris's hand lightly, trying to keep him reigned in.

"What the fuck is wrong with you Shawn?" Kevin was about to get irate. Shawn knew he needed to calm himself down and start explaining or there was going to be hell to pay. He looked to Scotty who was curled up in the corner of the couch with a huge smile on his face. He was obviously amused at Kevin's behavior.

"Kev, why don't you sit down and be quiet so he can talk. I'm sure if you give him a chance he'll tell you what's going on." A silent nod from Shawn conveyed his thanks to Scott.

"You want to know why I brought him home with me Kev?" Shawn looked to Chris and smiled at him before turning back to Kevin. With his smile firmly in place he continued knowing the shit was about to hit the fan. "I brought him home with me…because I love him."

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Read Chapter Eight of Undelivered