NIGHTSTRYKER: I expect to be kept in the loop.

*That's Bryce Knight speaking in the drivers seat as Kyle Lee crawls into the passenger side of Kinghts SUV. Bryce had promised Erika a small vacation after the CWA's pay-per-view, Breaking Point. Of course Erika being who she was invited Kyle along, but Lee wisely chose to return to California for those few weeks. Bryce couldn't have been happier.*

*He didn't hate Kyle. In fact outside of Recoil, and that was another story onto itself, Lee was the only man he could trust with his life and that of his fiancée. However, that didn't mean he needed some space from time to time. Space that Erika never seemed to need. And while he understood why Lee had been so clingy lately, and truly felt for the man... HE still needed space.*

*However, and though he'd never admit it, he was happy to see Lee again. They had great conversations that more often then not lasted into the wee hours of the night and he seemed to be about the only guy friend he had that Erika could truly stand. She didn't even have much love for Evan.*

November: Yeah, and so do I, but you know what? Jeff really doesn't run his life through me. I mean he should after all I do have the name, but well yeah. So how was your vacation sweetheart?

*He finished closing the door behind him. A thick jacket already covering his body. Bryce, it's noticed, is still very much in a t-shirt.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: It was great. You weren't there.

November: Yeah I feel bad for Eri. Where is she anyway?

*Bryce takes a moment to respond as he focuses on his side mirrors as he tries to pull away from the airport curb.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: Home. She's been a little under the weather. I think it was something she picked up in the Caribbean.

November: Probably something she got from the cabana boy.

*Knights response is a quick jab to Lee's shoulder.*

November: Didn't hurt.

*And yet he rubs the spot.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: So you had no idea?

*Lee shakes his head as he watches the airport roll by out of his passenger side mirror.*

November: Christ she's hot.

NIGHTSTRYKER: Where?

November: Back there.

*Bryce hits him again.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: Nice heads up dick.

*Lee shrugs and turns to look at Bryce.*

November: Ehh, I kind of had a feeling he'd be back. There was a lot of, "Well this is what I'd do's" in our discussions.

NIGHTSTRYKER: Pretaining to what?

November: Just my career in general and the Kindred situation.

NIGHTSTRYKER: So that kind of took care of itself in a most unexpected way huh?

*Kyle nods his expression going dark for a moment.*

November: Yeah, but Anderson's going away for awhile. Attempted murder. That's not something they slap you on the wrist for.

*Bryce nods as he merges into highway traffic.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: How's Pa Collins doing?

*Again Lee shrugs the darkness fading from his features.*

November: Good I suppose. I really didn't stop by to see them. Talked to Mark for like a minute on the phone. He wanted me in his corner at that indy event.

NIGHTSTRYKER: You didn't go?

November: She might have been there.

NIGHTSTRYKER: You are so fucking lame.

*Kyle nods in agreement.*

November: And you're my friend so how lame does that make you?

NIGHTSTRYKER: Good point.

*Lee looks back over his shoulder at the camera waiting there. Almost as if he's noticing it for the first time.*

November: I'm kind of getting use to these things.

*Knight nods.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: Yeah, but it was nice to get rid of them for awhile.

November: You mean no camera on your little get away?

NIGHTSTRYKER: Maybe, but their definitely wasn't a camera crew.

November: Dirty dog you.

NIGHTSTRYKER: Hey it was her idea.

*Lee turns again to look back out the front windshield.*

November: 22nd huh?

*Knight nods.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: Yeah and I'm so not looking forward to it.

*There's a long pause on Lee's side.*

November: I trained a lot while you were vacationing. I really didn't have anything else to do. I mean I guess I did, but I really didn't feel like spending quality time with my lawyer. Oh, on the 21st I'll have to fly back out to California.

NIGHTSTRYKER: I get that man. Listen if you don't want to do the match...

November: No, I just need to visit her. We're not suppose to hide this month. Not this month.

*He actually hadn't thought about her in awhile now. He'd been so preoccupied with his own life and his career that he'd woke this morning frantically reaching for his cell phone to learn the days date. November 14th... he hadn't missed it. Hadn't forgotten yet. he'd never forget.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: You guys creep me out sometimes when you talk like that.

November: Says the guy who's threatened others with death.

NIGHTSTRYKER: Whatever works ya know.

November: Yeah I know.

*Again another comfortable silence settles over the cab of the SUV and Bryce thumbs the stereo to life via the controls on the steering wheel. We're greeted initially by AFI before the channel is quickly changed over to "Time" covered by the Ramones.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: Good tune.

November: Great tune.

*They listen to the song mostly in silence. Occasionally each man adding their voice to the music until finally the song bleeds into some Deftones. They listen on for a bit before Kyle finally asks the questions that's just hanging there. A question that needs asking.*

November: So... talked to your brother at all?

*Knight's eyes never leave the road, but Kyle can still feel his glare.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: Really don't want to talk about it.

November: And you honestly think you can avoid this? You may not have noticed but we're facing off against two of his buddies next week.

NIGHTSTRYKER: There's nothing to talk about.

November: Please. I know you and I know he's pissing you off. You feel exactly the same way Jeff and I feel about this industry and your sibling is pissing all over it.

*Bryce rolls his eyes as he hits the off ramp.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: I really haven't given it much thought. Trevor's back in the industry and he has himself a little clique. Big deal.

*This time Kyle rolls his eyes.*

November: Okay... you don't have to talk to me about it, but you damn well know our opponents are going to bring it up. Hell I'm surprised Trev hasn't included you in his little tirades, but I suppose he's "too cool" to talk down to his older brother.

NIGHTSTRYKER: I really don't know. I haven't been paying attention to him. I have a career. He has a career. I mean eventually if our paths cross I'll just...

November: You'll just what?

NIGHTSTRYKER: Why the fuck are you bringing any of this up anyway?

November: For the same reason that you brought up Drake. Because let's not pretend that Trev and Jeff aren't talking. Now whether Jeff is going to turn on Trev or not I can't possibly know. Hell Bryce you may be cutting me down from a scoreboard one day, but in the meantime let's you and I both make sure the blinders are off. I don't want to be blindsided by this if anything should happen.

NIGHTSTRYKER: What don't you trust your family?

November: Do you trust yours?

*Silence settles in again as we turn off a main residential sleep onto a steep dirt path. The SUV starts to rock slightly as it makes it's ascent.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: I use to. I really did, but now... Listen he's a big boy he's made his decision. He's decided to crawl into bed with Mei, Jon, and the Other Kyle and by proxy Darren Ridel. Nothing good is going to come from any of that. Especially Ridel.

November: Well you'd know best there sport. Just saying we both have family involved in this and so let's not try turning a blind eye to the matter.

NIGHTSTRYKER: Please Kyle... I have family involved in this. You have a guy you know pretty well involved in this. He's not your family.

November: Could have sworn that's been my dad next to Jeff this whole time. And Jeff is just as much my family as Trev is yours. He was like a son to Uncle Matt.

NIGHTSTRYKER: Okay... sorry. I'm just saying I grew up with Trevor. There's a longer relationship there.

November: That's true I'll give you that one. So what does that relationship tell you about the 22nd?

NIGHTSTRYKER: Neh, has nothing to do with this match. Mei and Jon are the honorable types. I don't see them allowing Trevor to get involved, and I'm not even saying that he wants to get involved. I'm just saying I know Mei and Jon.

November: But do you know Kyle version 2.0?

NIGHTSTRYKER: Only that he's been suckling on Ridel's nipple for a long time now and seems to share in Trevor's mentality that they're the new direction the business will soon be on. Trail blazers who are innovating while everyone else just follows along.

November: That sounds like...

NIGHTSTRYKER: Yeah, and he already brought that point up. So yeah I don't really know what to expect from the Other Kyle.

*Lee's shakes his head moments before a hard jostle has him grabbing for the "oh shit" handle.*

November: Well if they're trail blazers what the fuck are they doing with Mei and Jon in their corners. Those two are about as innovative as... give me something.

NIGHTSTRYKER: Paint by numbers.

November: Paint by numbers?

NIGHTSTRYKER: Sure. The picture's already there and it'll turn out perfect so long as you follow the directions. You deviate at all and you ruin the end result.

November: That kind of sounds like baking a cake to me.

NIGHTSTRYKER: Like you came up with anything better.

*Lee shrugs as the SUV finally crests the top of the hill and Bryce's expansive home comes into view.*

November: Well I was thinking water.

NIGHTSTRYKER: Water?

November: Well yeah... because nothing's changed about water in like a bajillion years.

NIGHTSTRYKER: Well they do have that flavored water now. Oh and that water with the electrolytes in it. Heck they even have this water that suppose to help you lose...

November: Christ! Okay I get it. I would have picked bad analogy, but paint by numbers? Come on that's just... hey when'd you get the fountain put in?

NIGHTSTRYKER: Like that? Erika wanted it. Thought it added some character to the place.

November: Mmmm... cost you an ass load huh?

NIGHTSTRYKER: Yep... sure did. And I have to pay the pool guy extra to maintain the sonuvabitch or else it'll start developing green alge.

November: Yeah, but the pool guy doesn't let you fondle his boobs when your wasted.

NIGHTSTRYKER: This much is true.

*End Transmission*