Tangled Up in You

-

A/N: Okay, this story is proof that you(or rather I) shouldn't have an extra large half coffee half hot chocolate while standing in the rain waiting for my bus and listening to a cute, slow, sappy song.

On another note, this story is based off of my Dark Saviour story. I decided to take a different turn from Dark Saviour however. Part of this story was taken from Chapter two of that story . . . So if you have read Dark Saviour, you may notice the similarity. Though it was changed slightly to go with this story.

Tangled Up In You is from Staind's newest album Illusion of Progress.

And now that I am finished with my rambling's, on with the story.

-

Flashback

Undertaker shook his head. "Sometimes it can seem long. But when you get to the end, it's always worth the wait."

"You're too good to me, Mark. I doubt I would have been so understanding in your shoes."

"Yes. You would have been very understanding. You're a good man Chris. If you cared even half of what I care for you, you could wait."

"I only hope so. If it didn't drive me insane first." Chris chuckled. "I know that with how much I care for you now, if I had to wait like you did, I would be crazy by now."

Taker chuckled. "Chris, you are already crazy. So, you'd be just fine."

"Yeah. I guess you're right." Chris paused. "Oh, I'm sorry to cut the conversation short, but I've got someone trying to call on the other line. I'll talk to you after I take this call. Oooo, I'm so excited."

"Chris . . . wait!"

"Sorry, Mark. I can't stay on. Talk to you soon."

"Chris -"

-Click-.

End of Flashback

"Damn it." Taker muttered, looking down at the phone as he once again got the answering machine. He must have left hundreds of messages by now. He had been trying to get in contact with Chris ever since their conversation on Thursday. It was now Sunday, and he hadn't heard a single word from him. Undertaker paced the locker room impatiently. He wasn't completely sure why he had been compelled to go to Houston. However, Undertaker was never one to ignore his instincts and his instincts were telling him that he should be at the arena where Vengeance was being held.

So here he was, waiting in Chris's locker room, waiting for the Superstar to arrive. But when Chris didn't show up at his normal time for a Pay-Per View, Taker had gotten worried. He was never late for a show. The guy was always early. Sighing, Taker sat down on the bench, his head in his hands. Undertaker didn't move from that position until he heard the door open. Thinking it was Chris, Taker looked up hopefully, only to have his hopes crushed when he saw that it was only Kane.

"Hey, Mark. How come you're here?" Kane asked, a look of confusion crossing his face.

"I was . . . uh . . . waiting for Chris."

"Why?" Kane asked, sitting next to Taker.

"I just wanted to talk to him." Taker replied, not quite meeting his brothers gaze.

"About what?" Kane asked.

"Nothing in particular."

"So, let me get this straight. You came all the way to Houston, during your time off, to talk to Chris about nothing in particular?"

"No." Taker muttered softly, his eyes down cast. "It wasn't nothing."

"Then what was it?"

"Must you ask so many damn questions?" Undertaker snapped.

"Touchy." Kane tsked. "Didn't think that was such a delicate subject."

Undertaker shook his head. "I'm sorry. I'm just a little frustrated at the moment."

Kane gasped. "Did my brother just apologize?"

Taker pushed Kane playfully. "Oh, come on."

Kane shook his head. "Something is definitely wrong with you brother." He said. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." Undertaker said, looking over at his brother.

Kane smirked. "You're lying."

Of course I am you idiot. Undertaker thought bitterly. "No, I'm not."

Sighing, Kane watched as Undertaker lowered his gaze once more, rubbing lightly at his brow. Shaking his head, Kane patted his brother on the back. "Something is bothering you, Mark. What is it?"

Undertaker looked up, his eyes distant. "I'm worried." He admitted finally.

"About what?" Kane asked. "Or should I be asking about who?"

Undertaker didn't reply. Instead he just sat there, staring off into the distance, remembering a similar time when it had been Chris asking him questions.

You're My World
The Shelter From The Rain
You're The Pills
That Take Away My Pain
You're The Light
That Helps Me Find My Way
You're The Words
When I Have Nothing To Say

Taker finally nodded, bringing himself out of his memories. "I'm worried about Chris."

"Why are you worried about Chris? Something happen?" Kane asked.

Taker shook his head. "I don't know."

"You don't know?" Kane looked at Undertaker, his brow furrowed. "How could you not know?"

Taker glanced over at Kane, his eyes completely empty, his face had lost all emotion. Kane swallowed past the lump that had formed in his throat and tried to ignore the chill that ran down his spine.

"I thought you had managed to get rid of that." Kane said, more as a statement than a question.

"So did I." Taker replied, his voice hollow. "So did I."

"What did you see?" Kane asked, slightly afraid of the answer.

"I don't really know."

"Bull." Kane replied. "You do know. You're just too afraid to say it."

Taker shook his head. "I honestly don't know what I saw. I haven't had to deal with this in a long time."

"I know you haven't. But it's not something you forget easily. If I can't forget what you went through, then you sure as hell wouldn't be able to."

Undertaker turned away from Kane, unable to meet the Big Red Machine's gaze. He knew that even if he told his brother that he honestly didn't remember how to deal with that anymore, Kane would see straight through him. Kane had almost always been able to see straight through him. The only exception being when he had fallen into darkness. At that time no one had been able to reach him. That is, all except for one.

And In This World
Where Nothing Else Is True
Here I Am
Still Tangled Up In You
I'm Still Tangled Up In You
Still Tangled Up In You

"Mark?"

"Hmm?"

"You okay?" Kane asked, concern for his brother evident on his face.

"Yeah." Taker muttered. "I'm fine."

"Bull shit." Kane snapped. "You are far from fine."

"How would you know?!" Taker yelled.

"For one, you're flying off the handle at simple questions." Kane answered, standing up to tower over the sitting Undertaker. "And second, I know you, Mark. You're worried about something. More then normal. Now will you please tell me what the fuck is going on!" He yelled.

"Well, maybe what's going on has nothing to do with you!" Taker snapped, standing up and glaring down at his brother, his eyes going dark. Kane involuntarily shrank away from Undertaker. Taker stared down at his brother, his vision clouded.

"Okay, chill." Kane said, holding up his hands in defeat. The vacant look on Taker's face truly did scare him. "Mark . . . hey . . . chill . . . okay."

Undertaker blinked, his vision clearing slightly. He could now see the terrified look on Kane's face and that scared him. "Glen . . ." He whispered.

"It's okay, Mark. Everything is okay." Kane said, trying to sooth his brother, but not quite sure how.

No, it's not. Undertaker thought to himself as he continued to try and clear his vision . . . and his head.

"Mark? Glen? What are you two doing here?"

Kane looked behind him and smiled at Rey. "Hey, Rey. We both came to see Chris. Is he here?"

Rey seemed to consider his words carefully. Finally, he shook his head. "I don't think so."

"I see." Kane said, glancing over at where Undertaker had sat down.

"What's up, Mark?" Rey asked, his brow furrowed slightly.

When Taker didn't reply, Kane turned to look at Rey. "He's worried about Chris." He whispered in explanation. "He's afraid something has happened to him."

"Why?"

Kane shrugged. "I don't know."

"Because he's going to die." Taker muttered, causing the other two men to fall silent and stare at him in confusion. "If he hasn't already."

"What are you talking about, Mark?" Rey asked.

"Is that what you saw?" Kane said, ignoring Rey.

Taker nodded slightly.

Kane sighed and sat down next to Undertaker. "Is that why you came to Houston? To Vengeance? To make sure Chris is alive?"

Rey looked at Taker, sympathy showing in his eyes. "I'm sure he's okay, Mark."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I'll call him and make sure. How's that?"

Taker shook his head. "I've been trying. Both his cell and his home phone. I just get the answering machine." He replied, closing his eyes against his fears. Undertaker hated feeling this vulnerable. He hated knowing that his concern's were so evident. He only felt freedom from that embarrassment while Chris was around. Everything was better when Chris was around.

You're The Fire
That Warms Me When I'm Cold
You're The Hand
I Have To Hold As I Grow Old
You're The Shore
When I Am Lost At Sea
You're The Only Thing
That I Like About Me

"And you left a message?" Rey asked.

Taker merely nodded.

Rey seemed to ponder this for a second before shaking his head. "I'm sure there's a reason for that."

"Like he's dead?"

Kane and Rey exchanged a glance before shaking their heads. "You worry too much, Mark." Kane sighed.

"Even though I'm sure Chris would appreciate it to know that you're worried. But I doubt he'd want you to worry about him that much." Rey said, sitting next to Taker.

"I would think it would scare Chris more then anything." Kane stated simply.

Rey shook his head. "No, he'd love it." He smiled.

"What?" Kane asked, confused.

Rey shook his head, still smiling. "So you never told him, Mark?"

"Told me what?" Kane asked.

"About Mark and Chris." Rey answered, staring at Kane, his brow raised.

"What about them?"

Sighing, Rey looked up at Undertaker. "If you don't tell him, then I will."

And In This World
Where Nothing Else Is True
Here I Am
Still Tangled Up In You
I'm Still Tangled Up In You

"Fine then." Rey said, turning to Kane. "Chris and Mark are together."

"What?" Kane asked, even more confused. "What do you mean they're together?"

"They're together, together." Rey answered.

"Very subtle there, Rey." Taker said, startling the two men once again. "I'd swear Shawn's been a bad influence on you."

Rey pouted. "You think so?" He said. "I thought I was being a good influence."

"You're a good influence on Shawn. While Shawn is a bad influence on you." Undertaker explained.

"Ah." Rey smiled in understanding. "That makes sense."

"Wait a second here." Kane said, gaining Rey and Taker's attention. "What the hell is Rey talking about, Mark? What does he mean by you and Chris are together, together?"

Undertaker leaned back against the wall, unsure of what to say. "It is what it is." He said finally.

"And what is it?"

Undertaker looked up at Kane, meeting his brothers gaze. Kane watched the emotion that swirled in his brother's eyes, a look of realization appearing on his face. Once seeing that, Undertaker shrugged, deciding not to hide anymore.

"Chris and I are seeing each other."

"What?" Kane said, a smile creeping onto his face. "You're kidding, right?"

Taker shook his head. "No."

"Wow." Kane said, turning away from both men. "It makes sense."

"What makes sense?" Rey asked, confused.

"Well, it all makes sense now." Kane replied. "I mean, Mark has never worried about anyone like this before. So if my big bro is in love, it makes perfect sense as to why he's worried about Chris."

"True." Rey nodded.

Undertaker shook his head, smiling slightly. "I'm never gonna here the end of this, am I?"

"No way." Kane smiled.

"Anyway." Rey said, rolling his eyes. "The whole reason why I came down here is because Vince wants to see you."

"Why?" Taker asked. It was now his turn to be confused.

Rey shrugged. "I don't know."

Taker continued to frown. "I didn't even think he knew I was here."

"Vince seems to know a lot that we don't think he knows." Kane replied.

Both Rey and Undertaker looked at Kane in confusion. "What?" They asked in unison.

Kane shook his head. "Never mind."

"Right." Rey said, shaking his head at Kane and turning his attention back to Undertaker. "I'm sure Vince has his reason's for thinking that you're here."

Taker nodded slightly. "Of course he does. When doesn't he?"

Rey laughed. "Don't worry, Mark. He doesn't know about you and Chris."

"Doesn't he?" Taker asked, his brow raised.

"I have not told a soul." Rey said in his defense.

"What about Shawn?"

That stopped Rey. As he pondered the question, Undertaker stood up and headed for the door. "He's in his office, right?"

"What?" Rey asked, his thoughts scattering.

"Vince is in his office."

"Yeah." Rey answered distractedly. "I'll show you where it is."

Undertaker sighed, but allowed Rey to show him to Vince's office. He was slightly surprised that Kane hadn't followed them. But then again, if he had a choice, Taker would have stayed in the room too. The match for the ECW Title had just started and he wanted to see if Chris had shown up, or had been replaced by Morrison. But whenever Vince called, you couldn't ignore it if you wanted to keep your job. As the two men walked down the hallway, Taker's sense of foreboding grew. Especially when they ended up walking down the same hall for the second time.

"Uh, Rey. Do you know where you're going?" Taker asked.

"Of course I do." Rey smiled as he turned down yet another hallway.

Sighing, Undertaker continued to follow the smaller Superstar until finally they stopped at a door that resembled a locker room door. However, this one was close to the gorilla position. From here, one could see Superstars waiting for their turn to walk to the ring. From the music that was going on, Undertaker knew that the ECW Title match was over and the next match was starting.

Taker took a quick look at the Superstars standing next to the gorilla position, but could see neither Chris nor Cm Punk. He didn't even see John Morrison. Fear gripped Undertaker as he had the sinking feeling that Vince was calling for him because he wanted to know where Chris was and why the Rabid Wolverine hadn't shown up. How the hell was he to tell the Chairman of the Board that one of his employees was dead? That Chris was dead? That his whole family was dead and that Chris was going to get blamed for it? Hanging his head, Undertaker tried to blink back the tears that threaten to spill. He desperately needed the Deadman's persona to come through.

"Mark?" Rey said, placing a hand on Taker's arm. "You okay?"

Undertaker nodded lightly. "I'm fine." He smiled, though the smile didn't reach his eyes.

Rey didn't press the issue. He merely walked to the door, knocked and stepped aside so that Undertaker could move forward and open the door. Taker seemed to hesitate for a second, before taking a deep breath and opened the door, deciding it was better to take the plunge, then to run. He entered the room, his eyes down cast, leaving the door open for Rey. Undertaker looked behind him when he heard the door close.

Undertaker turned back to stare at the only other person in the room when he heard them clear their throat. Taker couldn't help but feel his jaw drop and a smile spread across his face.

How Long Has It Been
Since This Storyline Began
And I Hope It Never Ends
And Goes Like This Forever

"Hey, Mark. How are you doing?"

"I . . . uh . . ."

Chris smiled as he walked up to the Deadman, chuckling slightly as Undertaker continued to stutter. "Cat got your tongue?"

Taker shook his head, bringing the smaller man into his arms, holding him close. "I was afraid something had happened to you." He whispered.

Chris shook his head. "But something has happened, Mark."

Undertaker let go of Chris, looking down at him with a frown on his face. "What do you mean?" He asked hesitantly.

Chris smiled, pulling Taker into his arms again. "Nothing bad." He replied.

"Then what?" Taker asked hoarsely.

"I did it."

"What?"

"I did it, Mark." Chris said, giving the Deadman a squeeze before stepping back, his eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "I finally left her. It's done."

Undertaker felt his heart do a somersault. He couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. "What?"

"I know. Surprising huh?!" Chris smiled, giving Taker a big hug. "God, it feels good to be free."

"But . . . Chris . . . I . . ."

"But what, Mark?" Chris asked, slightly confused. "Isn't that what we always wanted?"

"Yeah, but . . ."

"But what?" Chris said, backing away from Taker. "Did I do something wrong?"

Taker shook his head. "No, no sweet heart." He said, taking Chris into his arms. "I'm just so glad to see you safe."

"See me safe? Mark, what the hell are you talking about?"

"It doesn't matter." Undertaker replied, holding on to Chris even tighter before letting him go. "It was just my fear getting the better of me." He paused. "How did you manage to get away?"

Chris nodded in understanding, letting go of the matter. "I don't really know. It must have been the messages you left on my home phone."

"Really?" Taker said. "How?"

"I don't know. I went to go see Nancy before coming here and she said that you had called. I guess through the messages you left, she put two and two together and gave me her permission to leave. She had the papers all set and ready to go." Chris explained.

"So." Taker started, letting it all sink in. "So we don't have to . . . really hide any more?"

Chris shook his head, smiling. "Nope."

Undertaker closed his eyes, feeling a huge weight lift off of his shoulders. If he had wings, he would have been flying.

Chris looked at Undertaker, his brow furrowed slightly. "Though, there is one matter that I think we need to discuss."

Taker opened his eyes, his brow furrowed. "And what would that be?" He asked, slightly nervous as to what the topic would be.

"Yes." Chris smiled, moving closer to Taker.

Taker didn't reply.

"Don't tell me you forgot."

Undertaker looked at Chris, confused. "Forget what?"

Chris shook his head. "Tsk, tsk. How could you forget what you told me three years ago?"

"What did I say three years ago?"

"You said that once I was free of Nancy, we would get married."

Realization appeared in Taker's eyes as a smile spread across his face. "Yes, how could I have forgotten that."

"So, what are you going to do about that?"

"First, I'm gonna do this." Taker said, pulling Chris close to him and capturing his lips with his own. Chris let out a low moan when Taker broke the kiss, his eyes still closed.

"Second." Taker continued softly, his lips hovering over Chris's. "Will you marry me?"

Chris opened his eyes fully, staring directly into Undertaker's eyes watching the emotion swimming in his lover's gaze. "Let me think about it." He smiled.

"You -"

Chris cut off Taker by putting a finger on his lips. "Of course I will."

Smiling, Taker moved Chris's hand away from his lips so that he could once again capture his lovers' lips again. As Taker deepened the kiss, he vaguely heard the door open followed shortly by a long 'aww' and clapping. Breaking away from Chris, the two men turned to find Rey, Shawn and Kane. Blushing, Undertaker and Chris broke apart.

"Aww, did we embarrass you?" Shawn said sweetly, moving forward to hug Chris. "Do I hear wedding bells in the future?"

Chris hugged Shawn back, blushing even more. "Um . . . yeah."

Rey clapped excitedly. "Ooh, this is so cute." He squealed running over to give Chris a hug too. "Eddie would be so happy for you."

"If he didn't kill me first." Chris laughed.

"Now, why would he do that?" Rey scoffed.

"For taking so long."

Shawn, Rey and Chris all burst into laughter. Kane smiled, moving over to where Undertaker was standing, watching the spectacle before him. Clapping Taker on the back, Kane smirked. "Well, I think congratulations are in order here."

"Oh, really?" Taker asked.

"Yes. It's not every day that you find out your brother is gay, is going out with a friend of yours, and is getting married all in the same day."

Undertaker shoved at Kane playfully. "Thanks, I think."

"Oh, come on, Mark." Chris said, moving over to stand next to Undertaker and putting his arms around the bigger man. "Can't you take a compliment?"

"Only when it's from you." Undertaker smiled, leaning over to kiss Chris once more. For the first time, in a long time, he felt complete. The love he felt for the man in his arms shocked and amazed him. He hoped that this moment, that this feeling would never end.

Breaking the kiss, Taker looked down at the man he loved with all his heart. "So, this is why you were so happy on the phone, and so hard to reach afterwards." He stated.

Chris nodded sheepishly. "Yeah, I wanted it to be a surprise. It was so hard keeping it a secret from you."

"That it was." Rey smiled.

"What?" Taker asked, confused.

"Chris told me his plans." Rey confessed. "He wanted my help to get you here. Sorry, Mark."

Taker shook his head, turning his attention back to Chris.

"I hope you're not mad at me?" Chris said.

"No, I may not like surprises, but I can let this one go." Undertaker smiled. "This is a good surprise."

"Good. Cause I wouldn't change anything for the world." Chris replied, placing both hands on either side of Taker's face, bringing him closer so that he could kiss him.

Taker let himself get lost in the moment, pulling Chris closer to him and deepening the kiss. He was glad that Chris wouldn't have changed this for the world. Cause Undertaker knew, that if Chris did change it, he wouldn't be standing right here with him. Instead, he would be dead and Undertaker would be alone. He praised whatever gods were watching them for not taking the love of his life from him. Undertaker made a silent vow to never let go of Chris for as long as he lived.

In This World
Where Nothing Else Is True
Here I Am
Still Tangled Up In You
Tangled Up In You
I'm Still Tangled Up In You

Still Tangled Up In You

-

A/N: Yay! Chris lived! Everyone is happy!