Deep in sleep, Shane could still here the gentle whisper "I'm sorry...I don't think you did it Shane...c'mon, please wake up....."

Shane's eyes fluttered open to see Test sitting next to his hospital bed. "Andrew? Wha...what are you doing here?"

"I didn't believe what they were saying...I just wanted to see if you were ok after what Triple H did to you..."

Shane's mouth went dry. It hadn't occurred to him that the nature of his injuries, not just where he was found, might be known to the rest of the Federation. "You know what happened?" he asked hesitantly.

"Yeah...I saw the chart...but it has been kept kinda quiet, so no one else outside your family knows." He took a deep breath, pushing his blonde hair back. "We..me and your mom...we know it was involuntary, that you didn't want to be there." Shane just nodded, hoping that they would continue to believe that. "Anyways," Andrew continued, "they're saying they might release you tomorrow, and I was wondering if...well...if you really don't want to confront your dad right now..if you wanted to stay with me for awhile?"

Shane's throat tightened at the gesture of kindness. "I don't know what to say...thank you."
 
 

Two weeks later, Shane had still not gone to a WWF show. He preferred to watch at home, where he saw many of his former allies swear he'd double-crossed him, X-Pac get fired for his defection, then pulverized in an attack by DX that reminded fans of the Corporation's assault on Shawn Michaels over a year ago, and other disturbing events, many caused by Vince McMahon, who looked to be rapidly unraveling. On a more positive note, a friendship had been building between Shane and Test, and soon, they were spending much of their time together. Moreover, Shane trusted Test, held onto him like a lifeline. The betrayal by Hunter had left an emptiness inside Shane that nothing seemed to fill.

One night, they sat watching TV, each trying to outguess the other one on "Win Ben Stine's Money" answers. When one answer lead to a debate over who was right, the two sat there arguing it until both were cracking up. When they had clamed down, Andrew looked over at Shane. "Uhm..Shane...there's something I feel I need to tell you."

Shane was slightly alarmed by his friend's serious tone. "What is it?"

"Well, before this whole mess even happened...and even more now...I've really started to..to..Shane I like you a lot. A LOT."

Later he would curse himself for not sensing something was off, but at the moment Shane was stunned. "Andrew, I like you too, but...I don't think I'm ready to build a relationship right now. What happened with Hunter..."

The uncomfortable look on Test's face disappered. In its place was a malicious grin. "Oh you aren't? That's good then. That'll make this hurt even more."

Even when the two were fighting, Shane had never noticed how big the size difference was between the two men. Test was fiercely determined and Shane was still weak form the assault by Hunter. The smaller man was helpless as Test pulled down his pants and underwear and slammed into him with a viciousness that exceeded even HHH's. Every time Test slammed into him, he screamed "How does it feel, huh? How does it feel for someone to screw you the way you screwed us? Does Hunter fuck you like this? Do you like it when he plays rough with you?" Shane just cried silently. He had no more resistance left to put up, too many betrayals in too short of time had broken him. He embraced unconsciousness when it came, praying when he woke up Test would be gone.