Cassidy Riley was on the dance floor, surrounded by his friends. They’d all decided to go out to a club that night, not for any reason in particular, just to have some fun. And that’s precisely what they were doing, until some ass hole wearing cheap cologne, walked up behind Cassidy and started rubbing himself against the young man. Cassidy turned around and politely told the man to back off. Of course the man was intoxicated, so Cassidy’s words had no effect. The man continued his onslaught through three more songs.

Sitting in a darkened corner of the club was a very interested onlooker. Scott Levy had no idea what it was about the young man he was observing, but something intrigued him. Maybe it was those pink pouty lips, those vivid, yet innocuous blue eyes, that wavy blonde hair, or maybe it was that damned superman tattoo on his chest. Whatever it was, the man known as Raven, had been watching the youngster for some time now. Tonight, however, Scott thought that he was going to do more than observe.

After the third song had played out and the man was still plaguing Cassidy, Scott sat his drink down and saw it was time to go save the young man. He walked across the dance floor, wrapped his arm around Cassidy’s waist, and simply said, “Hey angel. I was wondering where you vanished to. Come back over to the table.” Scott looked at the man, who was now white as a ghost and backing up. “Were you giving my angel some problems?” Scott said, with a enraged look on his face, that bored holes into the man.

“No. I was just dancing with him. Sorry man.” The man said, as he turned on his heels and began to walk away.

“Well let me just give you a word of advice.” Scott said, raising his voice and stopping the man dead in his tracks. “No one dances with him unless I give them permission. Understood?”

“Yeah. Sorry man, didn’t know he was taken.” The man said, doubling his speed and walking into a crowd of people, hoping that Scott would loose him in the sea of humanity.

Scott began to walk off the dance floor, feeling that the situation had been taken care of, when he heard a voice close behind him. “Thanks. That guy was really starting to scare me.” Cassidy said, walking up behind Scott. “Can I buy you a drink for saving me from him?”

“Sure kid.” Scott said, sitting down at his table once more. “I’ll have a piece of ass.” Scott said, watching the young man turn on his heels to go to the bar, only to turn right back around.

“A what?” Cassidy said, hoping he had heard him right and that he wasn’t talking about a drink. Cassidy had developed a crush on the psychotic man the minute he’d stepped through the doors of TNA, and he’d be more than willing to give him a piece of ass.

“It has amaretto, southern comfort, sour mix, and ice cubes in it. Don’t worry, kid, the bartender knows how to make them. It’s what I’ve been drinking all night.” Scott said, rather enjoying the crimsoned, bewildered expression on the young man’s face. “You are old enough to buy drinks right?”

Cassidy just winked at Scott. “I was old enough to get in here.” He said, as he turned around again and walked toward the bar. Scott sat there watching his ass as he walked away. Well there’s another part of him that had Scott fascinated. He couldn’t take his eyes off this kid. He found himself getting tempestuous at people because they simply walked in front of the table and obstructed his view. He watched as the kid ordered the drink, flirted with the bartender, and began walking back to where Scott sat. “Here you are sir, a nice piece of ass. Would that be all or is there something else I could get you.” Cassidy said, placing his hand on the back of chair that was positioned right across from Scott and trying to look enticing.

“That’s all.” Scott said, trying not to look at the kid for any length of time. He really did look sexy, leaning on that chair trying to seduce Scott. “You better get back out there, before your friends think I have you tied up somewhere doing indescribable things to you.”

Cassidy felt a fire erupt deep within himself at the thought of this man having his way with him, but he was also smart enough to know when he was being dismissed. “Well, seriously, thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.” Cassidy said, turning around to go rejoin his friends on the dance floor.

“Anytime kid.” Scott said, as he watched Cassidy stroll up to his friends and begin dancing the night away once more. “And I do mean anytime.” Scott added to himself, gulping down the rest of his drink.

“Can you believe that Scott Levy just asked me for a piece of ass?” Cassidy said, upon joining his group of friends again.

“What the hell are you doing over here then?” Chris Sabin spat out at him. “He’s hot as hell.” Chris added, looking over at Scott.

“Well, it was just a drink.” Cassidy said, an air of disappointment in his voice. “But he did come over here an save me from that jerk. Do you think that means he likes me? Listen to me I sound like I’m back in high school.”

“Well, Scott isn’t known for saving anyone.” Chase Stevens said, glancing over his shoulder at the dark man. “It might mean that he at least wants to get to know you.”

“Yeah, Scott only does a couple of nice things a year.” Andy Douglas piped in. “And he just wasted one of them on you. It’s gotta mean something.”

“I just wish I knew.” Cassidy said, feeling frustrated. “I’d hate to throw myself at him and have him turn me down. God, I’ve wanted him ever since I got this job. I mean everything about him is so mysterious. I wish I could be that way.”

“Even after the man broke you’re damned fingers huh?” Mikey Batts threw in. “Man, I’d say that’s love, if you still want a man after he broke your fingers.”

“He was just trying to break me in.” Cassidy said, hoping he was right about the man. “You know make sure I’d paid my dues and stuff. He didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Oh my lord their not even together yet and he’s already making excuses for abuse.” Chris said, throwing his hands up in the air in defeat. “Look, he’s already abused you okay? Step back and let the rest of us have a turn.”

“No way man!” Cassidy said, looking at Chris like he was on drugs or something. “He’s mine. I don’t know how I’m gonna get him, but trust me I’m gonna get him.” Cassidy added, looking at Scott and starting to hash out a plan in his head.

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Cassidy burst out of the bathroom of the hotel room he was sharing with his best friend Sabin. His beautiful blonde waves had been died a dark brown, he was wearing the latest Raven t-shirt with the sleeves cut out, blue jean shorts, and combat boots. He held his arms out and began twirling around so Sabin could get a good look at him. “So what do you think?” He said, halting his twirling and waiting for Sabin’s response.

Sabin sat there scratching his head, a very confused look on his face. “You know, they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but somehow I think this has disaster written all over it.” Sabin said, getting up to walk circles around his friend. “What the hell are you doing anyway?”

“Well, the way I figure it. With me watching his back, Scott will never loose. Then he has to notice me.” Cassidy said, checking his reflection in the mirror.

“Oh! I think he’s gonna notice you alright.” Sabin said, sitting back down and continuing to surf the web on his lap top.

“Hey you surfin’ the net?” Cassidy said, practically bouncing over to his friend. Noticing that he was he said, “Hey go to the Raven Effect dot com.”

Sabin rolled his eyes, but knew there was no getting out of it. He typed the address in and hit enter. Raven popped onto his screen and he hit the link before Cassidy even had a chance to tell him.

“Hi I’m Raven, and welcome to the Raven Effect dot com. Quote the Raven. Nevermore.” Scott’s voice rang through the speakers and Cassidy was practically drooling on Sabin’s shoulder.

“Man, back off. You’re drooling on me.” Sabin said, teasing his friend.

“I can’t help it.” Cassidy said, looking at the picture on the screen. “He has the sexiest voice. Go to media.”

Sabin clicked on the link for media and got out of the chair. “Hey I’m gonna go get something to eat. You drool over your little Scott, but don’t get anything on my lap top. Okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just go.” Cassidy said as Sabin started to walk out of the room. “Hey could you bring me back something?”
Sabin just rolled his eyes as he walked out of the room. Cassidy sat there for the next hour soaking up any information he could find on the mystery known as Scott Levy.

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Cassidy let his sweaty back hit the wall and slide down it. His elbows were on his knees and he head was in his hands. He felt completely useless. He’d just taken a pounce from that ass hole Monty Brown, right against the ropes to boot. His neck and head felt like they were going to blow off his shoulders. The throbbing was the only thing he could hear at that moment. That was, until he heard a soft voice whisper into his ear. “Are you okay, kid?” Cassidy slowly raised his head to see Scott kneeling beside him.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Cassidy spat back at Scott, standing fast enough that he almost lost his balance. “I’m just fine.” He spat again and turned to walk off.

“Hey kid, wait.” Scott said, rising to his feet. He walked up to Cassidy. “That was a pretty nasty bump you took against those ropes. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Don’t worry about me.” Cassidy said, his voice dripping with disdain. “Contrary to popular belief, around here, I’m not some child to be looked after. I’m fine.” Cassidy turned on his heels and walked into the nearest locker room he could find.

Scott was beginning to get concerned. Cassidy usually had such a sweet disposition, even getting tongue tied around him most of the time. This new attitude made Scott think that maybe he had a head injury or something, it was such a radical turn. He followed Cassidy into the locker room and quickly noticed Cassidy popping some pills in his mouth. Scott was very aware of the pain killer addiction that had afflicted many of his co-workers, so his concern doubled. “What the hell did you just take?” Scott said, quite forcefully.

“Just a couple of aspirin.” Cassidy said, throwing the water bottle he had in his hand on the floor. “Why? You think I’m on drugs now? Sorry to disappoint you Raven. Of course that should be nothing new to you right?”

“What the hell is that suppose to mean?” Scott said, the concern he was feeling quickly being replaced with anger.

“Oh come on, Scott. I’ve done nothing but disappoint you ever since I decided to go with the ‘lost puppy following Raven’ gimmick. I almost cost you a couple of matches. I can’t seem to win a match to save my damned life. You honestly think I don’t know that I’m a disappointment to you?” Cassidy said, reaching into his bag and pulling out a towel. Luckily the locker room he’d walked into was his own.

“You’re not a disappointment.” Scott said, letting go of some of the anger that had welled up inside of him, and actually seeing that this kid was down on himself. “I just never did get why you would want to emulate a broke down old man like me. I mean you’re young, you’re talented, you’re hot, you have your whole career ahead of you. Why on earth would you want to follow someone who claims to be a human cancer?”

Cassidy sank down onto a bench. “Only because you’re the best.” Cassidy said, looking up at Scott, completely amazed that someone that appeared so self sure could be saying those things about himself. “Everyone in this business strives to be the best, and to me, that’s what you are. So I strive to be you.”

Scott felt his heart melt. Someone thought he was the best. He couldn’t believe it. For the first time in his life he was at a loss for words. He just stood there, noticing this kid for the first time. He noticed how soft his hair looked, how smooth his skin seemed to be, he noticed how his eyes sparkled in the light. Suddenly Scott felt something that was a completely new sensation to him. He felt it straight in his heart. Somewhere along this crazy path that life had led him down, he’d fallen in love with Cassidy Riley. When this realization hit him, he quickly felt something else he wasn’t accustomed to. Fear. Scott Levy was not equipped to deal with fear, at all. He did the only thing he could think of. He turned on his heels and walked out of the room, without so much as one word to Cassidy.

Cassidy sat there for a moment, then the tears came. He’d just screwed things up with Scott, his career was in the toilet, and his body hurt. He rose off the bench out of instinct more than desire, and walked into the shower, all care draining from him with every step he took. He showered and before he knew what was happening, he was back at his hotel room. He was laying on his bed, just staring off into the darkness, when suddenly the room was filled with light. “Oh shit, Cassidy you scared the hell out of me.” Sabin said, when he noticed Cassidy on the bed.

“Sorry.” Cassidy said out of habit, noticing Sabin had someone with him.

“It’s okay.” Sabin said, feeling his plans for the evening had been squashed. “Lance here, told me that you would probably be staying with Scott tonight.” Sabin said, pointing to Lance Hoyt.

“Why the hell would I be staying with him?” Cassidy said, showing the first real signs of emotion since he’d cried at the arena. “Wouldn’t that require him knowing I’m alive?”

“You didn’t hear?” Sabin said, walking over and sitting on the edge of Cassidy’s bed.

“Hear what?” Cassidy said, the numbness taking over once more.

“Oh my God. You’d already left. Well, Scott hunted down Monty after the show, and from what I heard, told him that if he ever laid a hand on you again, he’d cut the fucker off. I guess he was talking about Monty’s hand.” Sabin explained, almost talking too fast for Cassidy to catch it all. “Then Monty made some comment about maybe he’d touch you with his dick. You know Monty, always stirring shit. Well I guess Monty walked off after that. This next part I saw with my own eyes. Scott was waiting for Monty by Monty’s car when we all walked out. He had a ball bat in his hand. He asked Monty if he still wanted to touch you and Monty said yes. He busted out the windshield of Monty’s car and said, and I quote, ‘I’m gonna ask you one more time. Do you still want to touch him? And I’d think about your answer this time Monty, because it just might be your head I hit this time.’ Monty told him he was crazy and then Scott said, again quoting here. ‘He’s mine. Do you understand that? Mine.’ Scott threw the bat on the ground and got in his car and left. So we just figured that you two had finally hooked up.” Sabin said, almost out of breath.

Cassidy sat straight up on the bed, swearing to God that he was dreaming. “Sabin if you’re lying to me, I swear I’ll kill you.” Cassidy said getting off the bed.

“He’s not lying Cas.” Lance said, sitting his bag down. “I saw it with my own eyes too. So did half the roster, if you want to go ask them.”

Cassidy didn’t say anything, just walked out of the room. He made it a habit of knowing what room Scott was in and he walked straight there, knocking on the door. Scott opened the door, and looked straight into the young mans eyes. “Come on in Cassidy.” Scott said, stepping aside to allow him entrance.

“First I need to know something.” Cassidy said, watching Scott hang his head. Scott knew that half the roster had seen the little show he put on in the parking garage, and he figured it would make it back to Cassidy before the night was over. Fear or not, this was the moment of truth. “Is it true that you defended me with Monty?”

“Yes it is.” Scott said, not knowing how much information the young man knew he added, “But it wasn’t because I thought that you were some kid that needed looked after. I did it because, somewhere along the way, I fell in love with you. I don’t care if you love me back, but I’ll be damned if I’m gonna sit around and watch someone almost kill you and do nothing about it. So you better get used to me defending you.”

Cassidy walked away from Scott without saying a word. Scott closed the door and leaned his head against it, vowing then and there to never let anyone close to him ever again. He stayed that way for a few minutes, when he heard another knock on the door. He opened the door and saw Cassidy standing there with his bag in hand. “So does this mean that I can stay with you? Sabin and Lance sort of have our room occupied.” Cassidy said, smiling at Scott. A smile that practically made Scott want to melt into the floor.

“Every night from here on out.” Scott said, stepping aside to allow him entrance once more.

Cassidy smiled and stepped across the threshold into his future.