*The smell of bacon and coffee had roused Kyle M. Lee from bed earlier then he would have liked. Last night he'd been in Phoenix for the latest edition of the LWF's Friday Night Fiction. It had been late when he left the arena that night... it was even later when his plane finally touched down in Chicago.*

*An exhausted but smiling Erika D'laney had been there to pick him up from the airport. Bryce on the other hand had elected to stay home and sleep. They were friends Bryce had said, but even friendship had its limits at three in the morning. The drive from the airport back to Knight's house had been full of small talk as they both tried their hardest to avoid talk of the wrestling world and Her specifically.*

*Then they'd shared a cup of hot chocolate, Erika had said it'd help calm his nerves, and she'd been right because shortly after that he crawled into their guest room bed and passed out. Now he stalked into the kitchen looking like something the cat drug in, still in his blue jeans and black Ed Hardy long sleeved shirt he'd bought from Nordstrom's that'd he'd fallen asleep in last night.*

*In the kitchen Erika was scrambling eggs, still in flannel pajamas she'd slept in last night, but now with the addition of a 'Kiss the Cook' apron. She took a moment to look up to Kyle and offered him a smile. From his place at the breakfast table Bryce flipped the pages of his newspaper.*

Erika D'laney: You look rough. Get yourself some coffee and take a seat. This will all be ready in a little bit.

*Lee nodded at her and shuffled over the cabinet where they kept their coffee cups. He knew where everything was by now. He'd spent more time here recently then he did in his own home. It was maybe a good thing he didn't own any pets.*

November: Thanks.

*He heard himself saying as he poured that first cup and then raised it carefully to his lips to sip it cautiously. It had the slight taste of vanilla and he made an audible "Mmm" sound.*

November: Very good. You need some help?

*Bryce finally interjected from his place at the kitchen table.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: I've told you before... I don't trust you in the kitchen with food that I may eventually be eating. So take a seat and let the pro handle it.

*Erika looked back over her shoulder at Lee and gave him a little smile.*

Erika D'laney: You heard the boss. Go take a seat I'm almost done here anyway.

*Kyle nodded and shuffled off towards the kitchen table. Snagging the sports section from Bryce as he sunk into a seat.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: I was going to read that.

*Lee shrugged and began to flip through the paper.*

November: Yeah, and I AM reading it.

*The thought of reaching over and punching him in the shoulder crossed his mind, but then reality set in. His arm was still in a sling. And the doctor had told him not to overdo it. So in his mind, he punched Kyle. Not quite the same, but it brought an upward curl to the sides of his mouth.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: You know, you could have stayed the night out there in Arizona and flew in later today. But yet here you are ruining my breakfast.

*Lee's eyes didn't leave the sports pages as he took a sip of his coffee releasing an audible "AH!" as he removed it from his lips.*

November: And miss out on all this warmth and love? I think not.

*A shake of the head from Bryce brings his face back down to the paper. He hasn't been in the best of moods since Volver, and Erika can attest to that if you were to ask her. But yet he has tried to put the actions of his brother in the past and focus on what is important to him. Yet, there's Kyle sitting across from him, and he wasn't exactly the person he wanted to see this morning.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: Speaking of warmth and love, how was your little dinner date with Drake?

*Lee let out a small grunt as he flipped another page of Bryce's paper.*

November: Well Riley showed up and Jeff ended up on the canvas in pain. So I guess all things considered it went okay. Actually I wasn't so sure that Tom would show up. If he hadn't last night wouldn't have went anything like how I wanted it to go.

*A puzzled look crosses Bryce's face.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: Riley? Riley was there? You'll have to excuse my bewilderment, but how does he fit into this equation? I mean, I thought he was dead honestly.

*Lee finally raises his eyes from Bryce's sports page and looks across the table to Knight. He takes a long sip from his coffee and savors it for a moment before finally answering.*

November: He's very much alive, Jeff can attest to that.

*He smiles a bit at his own wit and then drops his eyes back to the sports.*

November: Mmm, Riley has his own agenda I know that. He's wanted a piece of Jeff for as long as I can remember. I suppose on Tom's part this was a good way for him to get at Drake, and well I could use the support out there.

*He cuts his eyes up to Bryce for a moment with a grin.*

November: I mean you're still my number one pookie, but I needed some support out there. Besides you have your thing with Fractured Reality and I don't need to draw you any further into my shit storm then you already are. Speaking of which have you heard from your boy lately? Lancaster?

*Bryce rolls his eyes and looks over to his beautiful fiancé.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: That sure smells good sweetheart, thank you for taking the time to fix that up for us.

*She smiles while bringing the plates of food over to the table. Sliding one in front of each of them...*

Erika D'laney: My pleasure. Now eat up.

*Bryce slides his section of the paper to the side and grabs a fork. Before taking a bite, his eyes shoot back across the table to Kyle.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: While I appreciate you not wanting to involve me, it tends to happen regardless. So next time, one armed or not, let me know if you need a hand with anything. Whether it is the delusional great one Drake or Ayatolla Ransom, or whatever that guy's name is, you just let me know what you need, and I'll be sure to think about it and get back to you.

*A smirk crosses his face as he takes a forkful of eggs to his mouth.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: And Evan is fine. He mentioned something about taking a long vacation with some lady friend or two of his. I wasn't going to pry into that at all. Hell, he deserves a break from this song and dance.

November: So long as you think about it.

*Lee also shovels a load of eggs into his mouth followed by a chaser of bacon. He didn't realize how hungry he'd been, but then again considering how he hadn't eaten anything on account of how knotted his stomach was it shouldn't have come as a surprise. Swallowing he pushed the sports section away and looked over to Erika as she headed back tot  e table with her own plate.*

November: Thanks for everything Eri. This is fantastic.

*She nods towards Kyle, a pleasant smile etched across her face as she carefully sunk down into her seat.*

Erika D'laney: Don't thank me just yet. You two are doing the dishes.

*Kyle froze, his mouth hanging open as it waited to accept the next bite of eggs that were just inches away. He flicked his eyes over to Bryce.*

November: Dude get your woman in line.

*Bryce was about to take another bite of his bacon strip, but stops and lets a grin creep over his face.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: Seems in line to me. By us doing the dishes, she meant you because of my injury. You know how it goes, right buddy?

*With that he takes the anticipated bite of his bacon strip and follows it up with a drink of his orange juice. Lee returns his fork to his plate and then turns his attention to Erika, raising a hand to his chin, and giving her his best puppy dog eyes, but they're tired eyes so he continues to look like a very tired man.*

November: So Erika since it doesn't appear your WIFE there will be healthy enough to compete at NoA 6 much less wash a dish you want to throw on the ol tights and tag with me? I'll make sure they stock your dressing room with all the jelly beans you can eat.

*Before Erika can answer, Bryce blurts out...*

NIGHTSTRYKER: Look here asshole, I'll be ready for our match at NoA 6, but the time leading up to it will be spent making sure I'm as close to 100% as I can be. And before you take that jab about never being close to 100%, save it. Maybe you can toss an insult or two towards our opponents instead. Or are you afraid Lisa and Jeffrey will beat you up for it. I mean, you do look like shit.

*Stopping there, he takes another mouthful of eggs and looks down to his arm. It's been bothering him more than he has let on, but that is not a crutch he wants to lean on right now. From across the table Kyle looks over to Bryce as he picks his fork back up and shovels in another load. He swallows and speaks in an over exaggerated whisper to Erika.*

November: I think it's her time of the month.

*He gives her a wink and looks back to Bryce.*

November: And you... you take a chill pill dick. I've been doing nothing but tossing insults our opponents way this whole time that Trevor has had you shelved. For Christ sake what do you think last night was about?

*He pauses fro a moment about to take a bite of toast and then stops.*

November: Okay no technically I haven't had much to say towards "Legs" Seldon, but then again she's just so damn cute it's kind of hard to attack her. It's like punching a baby in the face. They're cute and you don't want to do it, but when they leap at you ready to rip your arm off sometimes you just have to pull back and sock em. So just save some of your fire there for our match...

...and the dishes.

*Bryce finishes the last bite of his breakfast and pushes the plate forward so he can rest his good arm on the table. As audible sigh protrudes from his lips.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: Look, I'll be fine for our match at NoA 6. But that isn't the only thing going on right now. Not only do we have to deal with Drake and Lisa in the immediate future, but there is a laundry list of people coming out from God knows where to get back into the spotlight. Some of which are just getting a taste of it for the first time.

*Taking a moment before proceeding, he looks over to Erika for a sense of calm that he needs. And with that, he continues.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: I just don't understand why we have to go from nothing happening, to everything happening in a snap of the fingers. I swear, it's almost as if someone left a title lying around and the twinkle of it made everyone mad. And this wouldn't really be a problem if my so called brother was actually out to wrestle and not maim individuals.

Now there are two douche bags that I know. You aren't alone anymore partner.

*He fights back a smile because he just isn't in the mood to show that emotion.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: So what's next? Twenty One going to come back for a reach around on Drake?

*Lee takes a sip of his coffee, glaring at Bryce in the process.*

November: It's so nice not to be alone anymore in my douche bagginess... thanks.

Asshole.

*Kyle scoops up the last bit of egg with a piece of toast, pops it into his mouth, and pushes away from the table with his plate in hand. He starts to move away from the table and then quickly turns to grab up Erika's empty plate.*

Erika D'laney: Thanks.

*She says as she reaches across the table to grab for the sports page.*

Erika D'laney: And honey I highly doubt Joshua Roe returning to perform a sexual act on Drake is anything you need to worry about.

*She flips through the sports pages finding the NFL section and falls into silence. From his place near the sink Kyle picks up where she left off.*

November: Oh she's right Bryce. I hear Roe had something of a crush on you back in the day. So uh yeah if Two-One should return THAT will be your biggest worry. I hear he has soft hands though. Just you know... incase your wondering.

*He smiles to himself and kicks on the water in the sink to start rinsing off the dishes.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: Well aren't you just the funny one. And granted, I shouldn't have gone there with the whole Twenty One thing, but eh, it's early and besides, you know whoever watches this will just skim over anything important we say and pick out the most asinine thing possible. I figured I'd just throw it out there and let them have a field day. Oh, and by the way...

*He whistles to get Kyle's attention and then points to his plate on the table. Kyle turns and nods.*

November: Yeah, it's a plate. You should probably rinse it off and get it in the dishwasher before that egg hardens on it.

*Kyle returns to his duty of rinsing off dishes, pans, and utensils.*

November: And that's you alright. Always thinking of others first. You have such a big, big, heart, but you know buddy in this situation I don't think Blondie and Legs need your help. In fact, yeah... let's not resort to helping our opponents make us out to be bigger asses then we already are. We already do that just fine by ourselves thank you.

Erika D'laney: Aviators aren't working out for you huh?

November: I don't get it. They're totally the coolest thing ever.

*He shakes his head and finally turns off the water, spinning around to lean back against the counter, drying his hands on his 65-dollar shirt. The smile has faded from his lips.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: Fine. You do realize the more attention we give to them, the more they believe they are better than us. Which I still don't understand, but whatever works for them.

*As the words escape his lips, he grabs the remaining dishes and walks them over to the sink.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: But you know as well as I do that this match is an important match for the both of us. A win will hopefully put to rest all those who say that we aren't a worthwhile tag team. And maybe garner us some respect across the board. Although I'm not going to hold my breath on that one.

*After placing the dishes in the sink, he makes his way over to Erika and kisses her gently on her lips.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: Why don't you go and get ready for the day. You've done enough. We'll finish up here.

*She returns the kiss with a smile and rises up out of her seat with a stretch. She turns to look at Kyle.*

Erika D'laney: You should think about cleaning up yourself. You really do look horrible.

*Lee smirks at her.*

November: Was that an offer to share your shower? Listen I've told you guys I'm not into that sort of thing.

*She just shakes her head and rolls her eyes as she starts to move out of the kitchen.*

Erika D'laney: Hardy-har-har. Hon your friends infatuated with me.

November: No, I'm not.

*He looks over to Bryce.*

November: I'm not.

NIGHTSTRYKER: Yes you are, but she's hot so I forgive you.

*He moves in closer to Kyle. A somber look sweeping across his face.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: But there's something that's been playing on my mind and I'm wondering how it's going to affect you.

November: I'm not and what/ What are you talking about?

NIGHTSTRYKER: You are, and I'm talking about Angelica. How's this all sitting with you.

*Lee just starts to move away from Bryce.*

November: I don't want to talk about it. I need to go shower.

NIGHTSTRYKER: Kyle? Come on Kyle.

*He watches November round the corner and with a shake of his head and sigh he turns his attention to his dirty plate in the sink.*

NIGHTSTRYKER: I hate being right.

*End Transmission.*