*Jeff's POV*

Conflicted.

It's JR's word...not mine.

And frankly, he's got it all wrong. Because I'm not conflicted about a damn thing. Well not anything important anyway.

Since when is it conflicted to want to forge an outside career? Do these people honestly think I plan to throw myself around like a rag doll for the rest of my life?

Hell no. I have lot's of other things I'd like to do. Like write...or devote some real time to my music. And I'd like to be in one piece while I do it. And to be honest I think way too much emphasis has been put on how much time I spend at the arena. I've never really seen the point of having to be at there five hours early to prepare for a thirty second run in. I'm not one to hang around and make small talk. Especially with people who I'm pretty sure think I'm weird anyway.

That's not to say I don't have some issues to deal with. I'm not crazy that they split me and Matt up. But he seems to be happy with it, so I guess that's something. And I'm not wild about being the victim of the week. I mean I don't hold any title aspirations...but I do have some ambition.

Conflicted just seems to be a very easy way for them to say they don't have a clue what to do with me.

But that's their problem. I have enough of my own. Starting with Shane. The one thing in my life I can honestly say I've never been conflicted about. I love him...plain and simple. But lately, he seems to have gotten it into his head, that my.....restlessness...for lack of a better word, is somehow related to our relationship. I've tried to explain it over and over. I've tried to show him. But Shane is, and always has been, a tough sell.

He needs constant reassurance that he's important. Not only to me...but to this company.

Which leads me to The Rock.

A great guy, under the right circumstances. But right now, a very annoying bump in my road.

It was his bright idea to involve Shane in his newest foray into the land of the heels. Actually, it's produced some great stuff. But it's also created some friction between my lover and me...and that's definitely got me conflicted.

Rock has a way of making whoever he's focused on at the moment, feel like the only person in the universe. Which is nice… to a degree. Especially when you're at the lower end of the WWE food chain. Any recognition from the guys at the top is like gold.

I guess maybe it was just that combination of Rock wanting to do something nice for someone, Shane feeling less than appreciated by me, and my little period of self discovery. Anyway, Shane has done nothing but talk about Rock for the last two weeks. It's gotten to the point that every single conversation we have somehow leads to him. Rock said this, Rock did that. Rock, Rock, Rock.

If I didn't know better I'd think he was falling for him.

And maybe I don't know better. Because it's exactly what I think. And right now I don't give a damn who he is or how much weight he carries around here. If he thinks he can stroll back in here, flash that devastating smile and have whoever he wants...he's dead wrong.

Now I may be a little unusual to some people...but I'm not crazy. I know that if I confronted Rock and actually accused him of trying to steal my guy I'd be signing my own death warrant. But if it's true, I'm not going to sit back and let it happen.

Shane has triumphantly announced that Rock wants to buy him a drink tonight to celebrate their great match. Now I could be wrong, because I'm not much on backstage gossip. Although this business is fueled by it. But I'm almost certain I heard that Rock is involved with someone...and it's pretty serious.

So maybe it's just an innocent thing with Shane. Two co-workers sharing some after work time. But then again, maybe it isn't. I intend to find out...and if necessary, do something about it.

I'll give him conflicted.

Finding him shouldn't be all that hard. The halls are virtually empty and so are most of the dressing rooms. I finally come across one with the door open only a crack. Listening carefully I can hear murmured voices...and one of them is his.

I'm not really into being polite right at this moment so I just push the door open a bit more...and freeze.

I don't know why I'm surprised... but the vision in front of me is enough to make me speechless.

The two of them are caught up in a kiss. And not a sweet, friendly kiss either. This is passion in it's purest form. I'm mesmerized as I watch his lover's hands roam his body possessively. They certainly aren't the touches of someone unfamiliar with Rock's form. They know exactly where to travel and how to caress him.

Rock's skin is dark and gleaming. In direct contrast to the creamy paleness of his companion. The sight of them together is breathtaking.

Thankfully they haven't seen me. So it's easy enough for me to back out of the room. But now what? Is Rock playing this man, whose arms he seems so at home in, for a fool? Is he toying with Shane? Questions swirl in my mind when suddenly it's all made very clear to me.

"Baby....maybe we should wait until later. We have the rest of the night you know...and Shane's waiting for us."

"Yeah..I know," comes the soft response. "I just couldn't help myself."

Quiet laughter is broken by the sound of several more kisses.

"Did you ever find Jeff and ask him if he wanted to join us?"

Us? Uh oh.

"No… but if Shane is still here, he must be too."

I haven't moved this fast since Taker tried to turn me into kindling.

And it's a good thing too. Shane's just leaving our dressing room, whistling some stupid song and looking way too happy when I fly down the hall and come to a screeching halt in front of him..

I'm not about to waste time explaining myself, so I merely grab his arm and drag him back inside.

"We have to talk."

"Maybe later," he replies. "I have plans."

"No Shane. We have to talk now," I repeat. This time a bit more forcefully.

The strength in my voice silences him just long enough to give me the opening I need. The words come out in a rush. I'm not at all sure I'm making any sense, but time is not on my side here.

"I know you have some crazy notion that whenever I look to change even the tiniest detail in my life it automatically includes you. I've tried everything I know to make you see how much you mean to me. Well tonight I was about to do something that maybe, on the surface, might have seemed stupid. But I love you...and I wasn't letting anything come between us."

Shane's face is now the picture of confusion. So before he has a chance to start figuring out the first part of my rambling...I forge ahead.

"I just went to Rock's dressing room. I was going to have it out with him. But I never got the chance. He was in there with someone. Well not just someone.....his lover. And please don't ask me how I know.....I just do. Anyway....I overheard them talking and..."

Shane's hand comes up, halting me in mid sentence.

"What do you mean you were going to have it out with him?"

Oh boy. Now I'm stuck. Now I have to explain how I jumped to conclusions. How I didn't even stop to think that I should have talked to him first.

"Just what I said," I reply, hoping my attitude will cover up my guilt. "I was going to let him know that you're way too good for a casual fling with him. In fact you're too good for him period. I intended to make it very clear that I wasn't letting you go without a fight."

"Letting me go? Who says I was going anywhere? Jeff...what the hell are you talking about?"

OK… so he wasn't fooled by my show of bravado. Time to pull out the puppy dog eyes.

"I was being stupid...ok? I got it into my head that you and Rock were...."

"Were what?" he persisted.

Damn him anyway. He's going to make me say it. Oh well, I suppose I deserve to look foolish.

"All you've done for the past two weeks is carry on about him. And since I haven't exactly been the model boyfriend I guess I got it into my head that the two of you...."

"He would have killed you," he says softly.

I can't help but smile at his gentle concern. "Nah. Besides he'd have to catch me first."

Shane smiles up at me. That completely disarming grin that's innocent and sexy at the same time.

"Jeff...I wouldn't have had a fling...or anything else with him. Not that he isn't a great guy...I suppose. But he isn't my type. And more importantly, he isn't you. Besides… Rock wouldn't want someone like me."

"Why not?" I question. "I do."

"Really?"

God, when his voice goes all soft like that, and his drawl is just as slow and sweet as warm honey, I can't imagine why everyone isn't fighting me for him.

The feel of his arms sliding around my waist and pulling me close is better than almost anything.

"Yes...really."

I want to kiss him. I have to kiss him. And since we're alone....I do kiss him.

And for the next few seconds, I'm in paradise. It's all warm, wet and wonderful.

So wonderful that I forget that two people were only seconds behind me. A fact I remember when I hear a soft cough behind us.

Turning quickly I see two smiling faces. Rock is leaning casually against the doorframe, his hand clasping tightly to the same man he was so lovingly entangled with minutes earlier.

"So Shane. You still up for that drink?"

"You bet," he replies with a smile. "We were just waiting for you two. What kept you?"

The two men share a glance that only two people in love can understand.

"Never mind what we were doing. Let's just go before I decide I don't want to be seen with any of you."

The laughter is real... and friendly... and makes me feel better than I have in months.

As we leave, Shane takes my hand and squeezes it gently.

No conflict here.