Title: The Liberator
Part 28
Author: Angel Eterno
Rating: NC-17 - slash
Content: Slash, Romance, Abuse
Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me. They belong to WWF and Titan Sports. No copyright infringement intended.
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"Hey, Chris!"
Jericho stopped and turned round to see who had called his name. He had been half inside his car, ready to go. He saw RVD trotting up towards him, ponytail swinging behind him.
"Rob ." Chris murmured as the other man drew up alongside him; then forced a smile. "Going back to Christian? Is he OK?"
Rob nodded, unable to conceal the huge grin on his face. It felt good inside to know he was going back not to an empty hotel room, but to another person - someone who wanted and needed him around.
"Yeah, he's doing fine . he's due back with us when we go on from here - just need to make sure Edge stays out the way."
Jericho examined the concrete at his feet briefly before returning Rob's gaze.
"Well I guess he won't have to worry too much about Edge much longer - rumor is they're being split up you know."
Rob nodded. "Yeah, I've heard that rumor - and it can't happen soon enough!"
Jericho reached out an arm and patted Rob's reassuringly. "It'll come."
He couldn't say any more, it wasn't certain Shane's chat with his old man would be fruitful, and even if it were, it wasn't his place to say anything. He climbed inside his car, apologizing as he went.
"Look, I'm sorry, I really gotta go - catch up with you later."
Rob felt surprised and slightly hurt at Jericho's haste, it was almost as though he couldn't wait to escape from him. After their previous *closeness* he'd have thought that Chris would have stayed friendly. Or maybe Chris now regretted the whole incident and blamed Rob . or maybe he was just imagining things. With a sigh and a shrug Rob raised his hand in salute after the rapidly accelerating car, before wearily climbing into his own. His intention had been to go back to the hotel, go back to Christian - but now he felt he needed some space - some space to think - maybe he would go back to the arena, see if some of his old ECW buddies fancied going somewhere for a drink. He really needed some of the old comradeliness they all used to share right now. And he also needed to see Raven. Decision made he got out of his car again and walked purposefully back to the arena.
***~***~***
"Can't keep away?" came a jovial voice behind him. He spun round to meet the friendly brown eyes of the Boss's son: Shane McMahon. Shane looked pleased with himself, very pleased.
"Yeah - well - guess I like it too much here," Rob replied with an expansive gesture.
"Yeah - it's cool, isn't it?" Shane was grinning from ear to ear as he gently chided the man in front of him.
Rob grinned back. He liked Shane - he'd always thought he was the type who would try to get along with everyone, and even though he was the Boss's son, he certainly never acted high and mighty trying to push his weight around. He genuinely seemed to care for his employees and treated them like friends.
"Yeah, it's pretty cool, but so's everything when .."
"Hey!" Shane held up a hand, "I know - when you're RVD!"
Both men laughed together, not noticing Vince stepping out of Shane's office until he came up behind them. Shane saw him first.
"Hey, Dad! All finished now, then?"
Vince nodded. "Yes, all finished." He made to go, then turned abruptly back to his son. "As we've decided on this other business now, do you want to inform the interested parties?"
Shane's grin widened even more. "Will do, Dad, it'll be my pleasure." And the smile was still plastered on Shane's lips as his father departed down the corridor. Once Vince had rounded the corner and was out of sight Shane turned back to Rob. "Well looks like I got some business to attend to, so I'll see you later, Rob."
Rob smiled back. "Sure, see you later then."
Rob continued on down the corridor toward the locker room while Shane hastily re-entered his office, carefully closing the door before picking up the phone and dialing the number.
***~***~***
He wasn't drunk, just felt a little more relaxed: this was like the old days when they used to all go out together. There was a small bunch of WWF guys over in the far corner of the bar, keeping their distance, but they didn't bother them and the WWFers acted like they didn't even exist. Raven was there as he'd hoped, he had to talk more to him - ensure that he hadn't forgotten the WWF guy who he might like to make friends with. After a while he managed to pry him away from Tajiri to talk to him alone.
"Hey Raven, I thought you might like to know I haven't forgotten my promise to you - just that things have been hectic lately with one thing and another ."
Raven nodded, his mahogany curls spilling around his shoulders, his expression serious.
"Yeah, I know man, that shit happens ." his dark eyes glinted in evil anticipation at his next words "so long as you're sure he's my type ."
Rob's grin was equally malevolent.
"Oh yeah, man, he's your type alright! And what's more - he's right here ." and he leaned close to whisper in Raven's ear, and wicked grins formed on both men's lips as they glanced to the far side of the room.
"From one ECW guy to another - I've heard rumors that this dude would be quite interested in your little bag of 'toys' - why don't you show him how you play with them? Oh, and Raven, I happen to know also that he likes it rough - likes to play slave to the master - that kinda stuff - he really loves to play at being forced - I'm sure you two could become very good friends ."
An hour later and Rob felt it was time to return to the hotel; he felt happier, more relaxed - but wanted to see Christian, make sure he was OK. He stood up to bid adieu to his cohorts, winking conspiratorially at Raven as he left. Outside the door he hovered unnoticed for a few moments, watching intently as Raven also stood to leave, speaking briefly to the others before picking up his black leather bag and strolling casually over to the two remaining WWF guys. A few succinct words spoken softly into the receptive ears of Jeff Hardy persuaded him it would be prudent to disappear now, and the purple haired wrestler exited hurriedly, leaving in his wake half-finished beer and a surprised-looking blond. The blond swept his magnificent golden mane back nervously as the dark-haired man sat down beside him, speaking softly and insistently, as he gestured his black leather bag. The tall blond looked uncertain that he'd made the right choice as he rose from his seat and followed Raven out the door, an apprehensive half-smile revealing his gleaming teeth. Rob flattened himself against the frame as they passed, catching Raven's smirk as he swept his new friend along. Rob smirked too, with a satisfied sense of achievement: now it really was time to go back to his hotel room and Christian .
End Part 28