~Part III~

"What? What do you want from me?!" Bret asked and took a step back. The last thing he needed was to be told what to do by some old geezer with platinum blonde hair.

"Bret Hart, the city and the Heartbreak Kid need your help. Are you going to give us a hand, or do I have to find some one else?!"

"T-The Heartbreak Kid? HBK? THE HBK?! You're kidding me!! Do I get to meet him or what?"

Flair chewed on his lip a little. In order to save Shawn, he had to blow HBK's identity. "Well... Yeah. Come on. I've got something to show you."

~

Soon enough, Flair's super stretch limo had pulled up in front of Head Quarters- which was adequately labeled with a huge HQ on the front. Bret followed Flair through the mirrored halls, up ten flights of stairs, and finally into a large office.

"And just who are you?" Bret asked and folded his arms across his chest.

"Wait. If we're going to go do this... We need to do this the right way."

Bret gave him an odd look as watched Flair go behind his desk, sat down in the high backed chair, and turned to look out the windows behind his desk. "Are we going to do this or not? I got to be back to tend bar!"

Flair ignored him, and cleared his throat dramatically. He spun around to face Bret, folding his hands on the desk. "Mr. Hart- Do you remember the Nature Boy?"

The dark haired man's eyes widened a little. "Yes... I do... My brothers and I would watch him on the news when we were kids."

"Well I'm flattered that you remember me, Bret. I'm the Nature Boy, Ric Flair- city savior from 1970-2002."

Bret scratched his head a little. "You..? But I don't understand..."

The older man took a drink of water, then took a deep breath. "People have been protecting this city for more than a hundred years. We're a rare brand of people, born to serve and protect the public. Before me, was Wahoo McDaniel. And now, it's HBK-" Flair gestured to the large paintings of every one of the city's past protectors.

"That's something they didn't include in the 'History of the City' brochure I got in the Welcome Wagon basket when I moved into my apartment." Bret muttered and looked around.

"We're a well kept secret."

"But what does Shawn have to do with all of this?"

Ric rummaged around in the top drawer of his desk, pulling out a video casket. He hit a button and a small 10" black and white TV rose up from inside. He put the tape in the VCR and nodded to Bret.

"Wait- Couldn't you have afforded a better TV?! I mean this place is huge... You have diamond encrusted door knobs!"

"We spent all the money on the device that raises the TV out of the desk."

Bret rolled his eyes and sighed. "Whatever."

"Just watch the damn tape, wouldya?"

~2002~

A meek looking Shawn Michaels looking ragged and helpless as he walked into Flair's office. He had ran out of money, he had no job, and he was going to loose his apartment. "I... I came looking for a job- I'll do anything! Sweep floors, clean bathrooms..."

Ric, looking ragged and exhausted sighed from behind the desk. "Sit down, Mr. Michaels."

The blonde did as he was told, flopping down in one of the leather chairs.

"I'm not going to lie to you, we're in trouble here at HQ- we need some young, fresh... leggy..." Flair eyed Shawn's legs- long and shapely as they were, and leading up into a pair of oh-so-tight jean shorts he happened to be wearing. Damn... with legs like those... "Because I'm not turning any younger, I can't do alot of the stuff that I need to."

Shawn nodded and then sighed. "Well, you ARE old."

"...Shut up, boy."

"I'm sorry... I'm just frustrated... I was mugged on my way here! They took my twizzlers after they found out that I had no money..."

"Well Mr. Michaels, I think you and I can help each other out here."

"You have more twizzlers?!"

"NO! I mean I can give you a job. A good, rewarding job... You interested?"

Shawn nodded eagerly and gripped the sides of the chair eagerly. "Oh yeah! I offered to clean your bathroom! How desperate do you think I am?!"

"Good, good... We need more people like you! The only thing is..." Ric leaned over the desk to whisper to Shawn in a grave tone. "It can be risky. There is a chance that you COULD die."

"D..Die? What is it that you want me to do?"

Ric grasped Shawn's hands tightly in his own, and in the same tone as a fire and brimstone preacher began an inspirational speech that would have put all others before it to shame. "Son, there are some times when you NEED to be a man! You can't let a little thing like death stop you from rising to the occasion and helping those in need. People are helpless and weak- they need help from those brave souls- Souls like us- to save them from what they don't understand. Some people are just born to protect- and I need to know... Are you one of those people, Michaels?"

Tears of pride streamed down Shawn's face as he squeezed Ric's hands back. "Yes! I am one of those people, Mr. Flair! Just tell me what I need to do, and I'll do it!"

~

"We sent Shawn to Mounting Pleasure to get in shape- we had no idea he would like being a stripper so much."

"So... basically... What you're trying to tell me is that... Shawn's moonlighting for you!"

Ric blinked a little. "Yeah... As our city's protector."

"Our city's protector is HBK." Bret said and gave Flair an odd look.

"You're dumber than a box of hammers." Ric groaned loudly. "SHAWN MICHAELS... IS HBK."

Bret stared at Ric for a very long time. He wasn't sure of what to do, or even say. Finally, he did something Ric wasn't expecting him to do. He laughed. "Ohh. This is some sort of elaborate plot by Shawn to get me to go out with him. Shawn can't be HBK, they look nothing like each other."

It was SO hard... SO VERY HARD not to mortally harm Bret. But this was his only chance. "Bret... Does HBK have a tattoo on his arm?"

"Oh yeah, it's of a dagger and a heart."

"And on Shawn's leg, isn't there a tattoo of a big heart?"

Bret had to stop and think. He never paid attention to what Shawn did on the runway. "Yeah... I remember..."

Ric gave him a manilla folder with two pictures in it. The first was one of Shawn from their files, tattoos fully exposed-along with some other parts... "That is a picture of Shawn. Right?"

"Yeah... he's got a tattoo just HBK on his arm... Right down to the markings on the sword..."

"And the one underneath it?"

Bret turned to the next picture, and blinked in shock. "H-HBK has a tattoo on his upper thigh... Just like Shawn... Bu-But it can't be! Shawn and HBK..."

"They're one in the same, Bret. And Shawn's in trouble. Eric Bischoff has him captive in his casino, and we don't have any way to save him unless..."

Bret blinked feeling more and more guilty with each passing second. He was so cruel to poor Shawn... And in return he was wrecking his chances with HBK! He had to make this right. "I want to save him! Let me save him, PLEASE!"

"Good. I'll show you down to the laboratory... You have to save Shawn. With out him, there's no one to protect the city. But remember... This is not a shoot im' up mission here... You gotta be in and out with Shawn as quickly as possible with as little people seeing you."

~High up in the master suite of Black Cherry Tower and Casino~

Shawn stirred on the massive bed, his eyes fluttering as he groaned in protest. After his eyes adjusted, he took in his surroundings. Everything was gilded with gold and twisted with silver, along with black and white marbled flooring, and several erotic paintings strewn about on the stucco walls. He rubbed his eyes a little in disbelief. "Feel like I'm in a brothel..." Shawn grumbled then looked down at himself. He couldn't believe it...!

Standing up to examine himself in a gilded mirror, he just couldn't believe it! A wedding dress! Had he died and gone to heaven?! Was he REALLY getting married- but to whom? It had to be some sort elaborate gig he was on. After all, a respectable wedding gown didn't come all the way to the middle of his thighs and poofed out more than necessary. He had a pair of thigh high fishnets and matching white stilettos, making his long legs even longer. Shawn always wanted to be married... Even if he had no idea what was going on, he didn't really mind being in the wedding gown. Especially with his hair in such an attractive up do.

"Well don't you look pretty?"

Shawn gasped and turned around, his eyes instantly narrowing. Bischoff! He should have known. Everything was beginning to come back- Eric had attacked him in his dressing room! Unfortunately he had none of his HBK gear... Just what very little he happened to have on. He watched the older man come down the small flight of stairs carrying a bouquet of flowers. "When I first saw you I knew... You were the one I needed. You were going to be my next wife. Number 7, third man. Because when I see something I want, I get it. I want you- and you're here, aren't you?"

Shawn paled a little. "Yes... I am..."

"And you're going to marry me, aren't you?"

"Yea- No!! Don't try to trick me like that! I'm not marrying you, you bastard!" Shawn snarled and leapt back. He got down in a defensive stance, ready to strike with those long legs of his. The second Bischoff went to grab him, Shawn lashed at him with a powerful round house kick. However he didn't know that Eric happened to be quite the accomplished martial arts expert. Eric blocked his kick with ease, and with a few well placed ones of his own had Shawn subdued. "Not fair- You can't fight in pumps!"

"Whose fault is that now?" Eric cooed as he hauled Shawn on over to the bed.

"Yours- you put them on me!"

Bischoff smiled to him, stroking Shawn's blonde hair beneath the wedding veil. "And I'll be happy to take them off of you too. In about 12 hours, when we get married."

-Back in the Laboratory-

"All I'm saying is that why can't you have nice muscles like this?!" Edward asked as he felt Bret's strong arms.

"Well I- Whatever. I bet mister muscles here can't match paint swatches, and do plasterwork like I can." Doug muttered as he finished up the last touches on Bret's weaponry. "Edward, why don't you go and get Bret's costume..."

However, Edward was a bit too involved with Bret at the moment to even notice if Doug was talking to him. Hell, if Doug had fallen over dead, he wouldn't have noticed. "So, how much can you lift...?"

"Oh, well over 300 pounds."

"WOW! That's almost three of me! Do you think maybe..."

"EDWARD!!"

The smaller, dark haired southerner turned and sighed. "WHAT, Doug?"

"Do you mind?! We're trying to save Shawn here, and all you're interested in is beefcake butthole!"

Edward threw his arms across his chest and turned on his heels. "Oh, and like I don't know about all those naked pictures of Shawn you have under the mattress at home?!"

"THOSE ARE FOR RESEARCH!"

Bret watched the two argue shaking his head slowly. Hoo boy- that was the main reason he never wanted to get into a relationship. Who wants to argue like that?! Finally, he cleared his throat in an attempt to get their attention. Nothing. "HEY! Did you forget about Shawn being held captive by Bischoff, or what?!"

"Oh, yes- Sorry Bret. Normally I'm the level headed one." He sighed aggrivatedly. "I created a thin body armor, which protects you against extreme cold, and extreme heat." Edward explained as he handed the larger dark haired man the stretchy pink and black material.

"Uhhm... These are tights."

"I'm afraid you're mistaken. It's thin body armor. You're not a pro wrestler after all."

Bret rolled his eyes behind his sunglasses. "Okay Edward."

"I've also created a bullet proof leather jacket for you." The small southerner brought over a waist length black biker jacket. "It's heavy, but leather is heavy- It's also been treated, so you can wear it in the rain!"

"That's always good." Bret said as he put the coat on. Nice fit- Perfect actually. So all those measurement sessions with Edward HAD a point after all.

"Good! Then I'll give you to Doug."

Doug smirked something evil. "Welcome to Weaponsland, and I'm your Candyman."

Some how, Bret gathered that working with Doug would be a hell of a lot harder than working with Edward. "What do I need to raid the hideout of a crime lord?" He asked as he followed the silver haired man to a complete arsonal of weaponry on the table.

"First of all... You'll need some fire power... This is a nifty little flame thrower in disguise of a pen. You just turn the cap and bam! Instant pyro."

"Okay- that'll come in handy." If not, it'll be a cool gift.

"And I've created several different kinds of smoke bombs... Tear gas, smoke screens, and sleeping gas... just incase you run into some kind of trouble. They're in this utility belt."

Bret took it and quickly put it on. Damn! Just like Batman.

"There's also grappling hooks, claw grips, and a rope ladder in the other compartments incase you've got to do some climbing. And finally, incase you get into some serious trouble... I've devised a special weapon. It's the hilt of a light sword-"

"Like a light saber?!"

"Woah, woah, woah mister Star Wars. This is much better than any light saber- this is created with plasma and pure energy. It slices, dices, and is specifically created to melt tiny propelled objects- ya know, like bullets." Doug smirked at his own brilliance and handed Bret a large hilt with a skull with wings on it. "There you are."

"ohhh- this is very cool." Bret grinned and stuck it in his pocket.

"Don't you get any funny ideas- it's for strict emergencies."

"Uh huh. Sure Doug- emergencies... I'll only use it if I need it."

Edward rolled his eyes and grabbed a small tarnished Arabian style lamp. "Before you go... Take this. It has a very powerful acid inside it, just incase you need to get through any locks."

Bret took the old lamp and rolled his eyes. "If I rub it, will a genie come out?" He asked sarcastically.

"Har har. Just go and get Shawn." DOug and Edward grumbled as they shoved Bret out of the door.

~Black Cherry Tower, one hour before the wedding~

The last thing he remembered was getting the crap kicked out of him by one killer kick from none other than Eric Bischoff. He sat up, seeing stars. Damn him... Shawn thought bitterly as he looked around. He felt so weak- but that couldn't be from the fight they had. He felt his neck sting a little, and sure enough there was a puncture mark.

"Bastard shot me up with something..." Shawn moaned. He barely had the energy to move his limbs, as if sitting up had taken all his strength. Panic began to fill him. If he was they city's only hero, who would save him...?

He didn't expect Ric to. The man was far too old for that kind of activity. The man had spent 30 years protecting the city, and he didn't think to train a back up?! He groaned and slapped his forehead. Too perfect. The only man he would ever consider (and dream of) marrying was Bret Hart.

But now, he was about to become... Mr. Eric Bischoff. Oh god. He was stuck. Unless he could get to that phone on the table. Just get to the phone, Shawn- Come on... He urged himself as he gripped the sheets to pull himself to the edge. After a tremendous roll, Shawn landed on his side. It was another few minutes before he could crawl again. With all the energy of a slug he pulled himself along the floor to the phone table. With a little shove, he had knocked it to the ground. The phone clattered to the ground, but for his first bit of luck today, right in reach.

Shawn's fingers mashed against the key board sloppily as he tried to put in 9-1-1. He held his breath as he listened to the phone ring, letting out a sigh of relief. How could he not have noticed this phone earlier?! God he was a regular grade A moron sometimes.

Some one on the other end of the line picked up- Shawn's heart skipped two whole beats. "If you are hearing this message, you've called the inter connected lines of Black Cherry Tower- And there is no hope for you, Shawn Michaels." A recording! A bloody recording!

"Damn it... I really am stuck." He muttered quietly. He gulped a little when he heard the door open up across the room. Two huge figures stood in the door way, and looked his way.

"Aw, no! Come on guys, please!" Shawn begged as the men approached him. He recognized them instantly as Kane, and the Undertaker- two of his more... intimidating enemies. Luckily they didn't know his real identity.

"It's time for your wedding." Kane growled and pulled Shawn to his feet.

"And tonight- You'll rest in piece."

"Well, hopefully not. It IS their honeymoon." Kane added.

"I was trying to be dramatic here." Undertaker growled and grabbed Shawn's arm.

"You're dramatic all of the time. Tonight's a wedding- There should be no dramatics tonight from us anyway." Kane growled back and grabbed Shawn's other arm as they dragged him out of the room.

~Up on the roof~

Bret had climbed up with relative ease, thanks to the equipment. He put his claw grips down to the side and looked around. There was a large section of glass skylight jutting out from the center of the roof- he cautiously made his way around the glass, peering down. It looked like someone was having a wedding- he supposed it was possible, considering the casino was so beautiful. Before today he was actually tempted to put in a bartending application.

Bret pulled out a pair of high power binoculars and peered down into the glass. People- ones who looked like HBK's mortal enemies were sitting down in white gilded chairs- quite a few of them dabbing at their eyes. Super villain wedding-- how interesting. He made a note to maybe stop that later. He glanced around the room some more until coming across a large decorative sign near by. "Eric Bischoff and Shawn Michaels invite you to their weddi- Wedding?" Bret sat back on his haunches, letting the binoculars fall into his lap. Shawn... getting married? Would he ever do it?

He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Would he marry me? And then he remembered one very vital, very important fact. Shawn WAS kidnapped! And now it was obvious as to what he was brought here for.

Then Bischoff couldn't know that Shawn is HBK- No one marries the person who ruins all of their evil schemes. Then he really had to get Shawn out of there before Bischoff found out.

-Down below-

Shawn was helped to the alter by Kane and Undertaker, and propped up against it. His own wedding and he couldn't stand up right- beautiful. It wasn't like he wanted to get married, but it was the principle of the thing! He should at LEAST have halfway decent posture for this horrible ceremony... The music hit, and there was Eric, strolling down the aisle in his white suit with a pencil thin red tie. His smile was bright and blinding- like a man who hadn't married several times. Shawn felt every part of him tremble- this was it. He couldn't save himself this time.

Eric smiled to the blonde he had before him helping him up carefully, and putting a supporting arm around his waist. Shawn could feel his knees weakening incredibly at the act of being stood straight up- which only made his hopes fall. He couldn't break free. Sighing to himself as the priest began he glanced upward to see a glimmer of hope. The silhouette of a figure outlined by the full moon against the glass! Someone was here to save him! Careful not to bring too much attention to himself or his savior he quickly looked away.

-

Bret took out a small glass cutter, making a big enough hole in the sky light to drop one of those handy smoke bombs Edward and Doug had given him. It was almost like slow motion as Bret watched the bomb drop slowly to the ground, exploding in a massive plume of smoke. He grinned widely as he opened the latch on one of the windows. Thankfully, Doug's utility belt really did have everything in it because with out a gasp mask things were going to be very difficult.



Out came the rope ladder, which he securely fastened to the metal rungs near by the window to climb down into the smoky room below. Coughing, crying noises were near deafening- but through it all he could hear Shawn. He was so close...

When the bomb had hit, Shawn dove to the side, throwing the elaborate veil over his head in attempts to protect himself from the smoke. He felt hands- not Eric's smooth ones, but tough and strong hands lifting him off of the ground. Shouts of confusion and burning smoke stung at his eyes- but soon, everything was fine. Through the remnants of smoke remaining in his eyes, he realized they were in the hallway. "Oh god, thank you!" He said relief evident on his face. Shawn pushed back his veil and looked to the dark haired man in surprise. The outfit said it all- It was definitely Edward's work. "Are you from-"

"There's no time for that now!" Bret said and chewed on his lip- he had to find the exit before they caught them. "Do you know how to get out of here?"

"We're on the 15th floor- I saw when the Brothers of Destruction were bringing me down from Bischoff's suite. The elevator's just around the corner."

Bret took off running for the set of windows in front of them. "Oh, we won't be going through the elevator, they'll've caught up with us by then!"

"W-What are you going to-"

Bret shifted Shawn over his shoulders so he could remove the grappling gun from the belt. "Hang on Shawn!" He shouted and threw them right into the glass window. Glass shattered and broke around them like a diamond rain, but Bret was ready. The second they began to fall, he shot the gun off. The hook looped around a flag pole a few flights above, making them swing with momentum. Once they had stopped, Bret lowered them down as far as the gun would let them- which luckily was right below a fire escape.

"Nice shot." Shawn grinned as Bret dropped down onto the steel platform and started climbing down as quickly as possible. "You know, you remind me of some one..."

"Not now, Shawn!" He protested and leapt down the remaining 3 feet to the ground. Good thing headquarters wasn't too far away- But Bret had other plans than taking Shawn there. There were a lot of things that needed to be sorted out.

Shawn held on to Bret's leather jacket as he ran, taking them to an alleyway. "Not fair! They gave you a viper, and all I get is a motorcycle?!"

"It's bullet proof too, which is going to come in handy." And just as soon as he had gotten him and Shawn inside, bullets hailed down on them. "Buckle up, it's going to be one hell of a ride."

The black and pink viper shot out of the alley, dodging gun fire from all kinds of angles. Several cars from Bischoff's organization were closing in on them but it was going to take alot more than that to stop Bret or the viper. He activated the NOS system giving the car the needed blast of speed to shoot them ahead of Bischoff's minions.

-

Bret pulled up in front of his apartment building, and turned off the car. "How long have you been HBK?" He asked a little gruffly, his hands never leaving the wheel.

Shawn took a breath, for a brief second he almost thought to play dumb- - but there was little doubt in his mind that this man was from Headquarters. "Three years." He smiled a little.

"Ever since you started working at Mounting Pleasures..." Bret murmured.

"Yep! There's this bartender there- you look so much like him and-"

"Shawn..." Bret said cutting him off. He took off his sunglasses and looked to the blonde in the passenger's seat. "It's me- I'm sorry. They sent me to come save you-- I wish I had known you were HBK, I wouldn't have been such an ass to you."

"Well I couldn't tell you my identity, even though you were really mean to me. But I forgive you. As long as you'll let me thank you for saving me..." Shawn cooed and leaned over to run his finger tips up Bret's chest.

"My own private striptease..?"

"You'll get more than that, mister- After all, it IS supposed to be my honeymoon."

-One week later-

Things at Mounting Pleasures Exotic Erotic Club had definitely seen some changes. Most specifically the lovey-dovey attitude between Shawn and Bret Hart.

Shawn leaned over the bar to nuzzle Bret happily. "You gonna wear the Hitman stuff to bed again...?"

"Shh. Don't tell everyone my identity." He grinned.

"Psst. You can tell who you people are! At least intelligent people like me!" Hunter said from the other corner of the bar. "All you do is throw on chaps and a vest, and everyone things you're some one new! And you, tights and sunglasses! It's so easy to figure it out! God, everyone is such a moron here it hurts me so."

Shawn smiled a little. "Oh Hunter, nobody listens to your crazy talk."

"And that's the problem, people should listen to me more! Obviously I'm the most intelligent person here."

The door to the club opened, catching the three's attention. Ric Flair walked up to them, sitting by Shawn.

"Hey boss! What's up?"

Ric began to reach into his pocket, giving them all a casual smile. "Oh, just came to give Bret his honorable release from Headquarters. Thank you for all your help Bret, but we can only afford one city guardian."

Bret frown a little. "I have to give back the car, don't I?"

"That would help a little."

"Alright then, let me get the keys out...'" He grumbled and started to root around in his pockets. But before you could say 'Robin laid an egg', Ric leaned over and shocked Bret with a taser near the temple. "AHHHHHhhhh...!" He shouted falling to the ground behind the bar.

"BRET! Ric, how could you?!"

"It's better if he doesn't remember- and it was a mild shock, he'll have no REAL damage. That car was a pretty sweet deal... He doesn't need to remember that he had it."

Bret slowly raised himself up from the ground below, bracing up against the bar. "Ugghn. Whahappened...?"

"Bret honey- ohh you poor thing! Let me come kiss it and make it better!" Shawn said worriedly and leaned over the bar.

"Get away from me! The only person I want near me is HBK!"

Shawn blinked in shock, looking to his boss. Slowly the look in his eyes went from shocked/horrified to ANGER. "RIC..."

"Ah well." Ric sighed and reached over to give Shawn a shock too. "Best if he doesn't remember the past few weeks anyway." He shrugged then turned to Hunter. "What are you looking at, big nose?"

"...Aren't you the Nature Boy?"

"Well, aren't you smart?" Ric smiled and walked over to him. "Bet you know that Shawn's HBK, and Bret's the Hitman, right?"

"Mmmhmm. And don't think you're going to shock me with that little toy, I saw what you did to them!"

Ric nodded. "Well... Yeah. But I suppose you could- OH MY GOD! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!"

Hunter turned and looked around. "What- What the hell is it?!"

Ric took his taser and got Hunter good. "Not as smart as you seem, eh?" He grinned and walked out of the club, whistling as he went.

~~~

Shawn sat up in bed, his heart beating like a jack hammer. That... was just too strange. "BRET! Get up!" He howled reaching over to shake his lover awake.

"Wh-Wha...?" Bret blinked up at his lover. "Whassamatta Shawn..?"

Bret looked so well rested... He couldn't... He couldn't tell him he had another very strange dream... "I... wanted to say how much I love you for putting up with my forced insomnia... Not many people would, and you're so sweet to do so."

"Ohh..." Bret smiled sleepily. "That's nice to hear, honey. Thank you."

Shawn settled down next to his already sleeping fiance- if Bret could put up with his sleeping woes, then he could at least try to get one good night's sleep again... For Bret. He let out a happy sigh and shut his eyes, vowing to kick Ric in the nuts the next time he saw him.

FIN

Read Story #2 Shawny-Chan in Bondage Land