Travel Partners

John narrowed his eyes before hopping off the apron and walking to the back,w anting to go alone, feeling pretty dejected. He hated this... which is why he stopped tagging. Why couldn't he go back to to teaming with Mike at least? He and Heath had no chemistry. He sighed, not even bothering to get his title as he walked back to the locker room.

John didn't even go to the showers. He just laid down on the couch, curled and fell asleep. He had an interview in an hour so he'd sleep till then. He hated this...

Heath has no problem backing up the ramp, holding both titles high in the air. Why should he? After all, he'd done most of the freaking work.

And his day grows a little bit brighter when he sees Morrison asleep on the couch. Hell, he gets to have a shower too. He puts the title down beside John, then sighs softly. Aw, what the hell? Walking over to where John's jacket is hanging, Heath drapes it over the other man's shoulders as a makeshift blanket.

That done, Heath takes a long, luxurious shower, humming a nonsensical tune under his breath. It's the most relaxing thing he's done in days.

About ten minutes later, with plenty of hot water to spare, Heath steps out of the shower, wrapping a towel around his waist. He heads into the change room and goes over to the mirror, starting to brush his hair.

John groaned a little, curling up tighter. If John could, he' help do the work. But Heath wouldn't let him... and that was pissing him off. It frustrated him. He sighed. This tag team was probably making his stress level go through the roof. But he could care less right now.

He awoke a while later. He ignored Heath and went into the bathroom, taking a cold shower at the hot water was gone. But he couldn't even feel the temperature. He felt numb, and he didn't know why. Depression? Nah. John thought. He was as happy as can be... sorta.

He shook it off and wrapped a towel around his waist, walking in the room to get dressed.

Heath starts to get dressed, slipping on a pair of dark jeans. Part of him is tempted to just let the silence continue on and avoid any other arguments, but he remembers Taker's words. Whether he likes it or not, they are the tag team champions and if he wants to keep his title, then they will have to learn to work together.

He takes a deep breath, figuring that he ought to be the one to break the ice. "How's your knee?"

Hurts." John murmured quietly as he slipped on his shirt. He might as well just tell the truth. His knee was screaming, like someone had set it on fire. He he never let the pain show in his expression. He just stay quiet as he packed his gear.

Well all right, they've gone three sentences without insulting each other. That's probably a new record for them. He brushes his hair back into a ponytail. "You want to drive tonight or should I?"

"You." John said lowly as he fixed his hair in the mirror, never, ever putting it in a ponytail. At least they weren't fighting. He was too exhausted to fight anyway. He shouldered his bag and tossed Heath the keys.

Heath catches them, then wordlessly heads out to the car. He leaves the trunk open for John to toss his stuff into.

Mason waits till Morrison is at the exit before making his move. "John," he says simply, holding up his hands in a peaceful gesture, showing that he's on his own, without the members of the New Nexus. "Can I speak to you for a moment?"

John blinked at Mason. He was a little weary of Mason. Hell, he was weary of any NN members. But nonetheless, he nodded. "Fine. But make it quick." He said, crossing his arms.

"We need a very simple favor from you," Mason leans against the wall, making himself seem a little less threatening. "Next week, we need you to do the exact thing. After your match, leave the ring and don't come back."

For reasons Mason doesn't understand, his leader has been fascinated with the red-headed Corre member. He'd seemed especially disappointed to lose him. And now that he's without his backup in Gabriel and Barrett, Punk sees it as the perfect time to recruit Slater back into the fold. Mason doesn't understand what's so special about Heath, but he's not about to question his leader's motives. "That's all. Just leave him be. Do we understand each other?"

John raise a brow. "I will, just tell me why." He demanded, clenching his jaw. Whatever was going on here was shady and sketchy, and John knew it. He'd dealt with people like the New Nexus before. He knew that whatever they were planning was bad.

Mason shrugs one shoulder. "CM Punk wants Heath Slater. For what, I don't know. But it's not your concern now is it? Punk gets what he wants, you get rid of your redheaded problem... everyone wins." He smiles.

John nodded slowly. "Okay." He said quietly and turned heel, slipping in the passenger seat and sinking down in his seat. He sighed and put on his sunglasses, thoughts racing through his head.

Heath bites back a comment about John being late yet again. He's going to have to learn to let some things slide. He pulls out of the parking lot, then glances over at John. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"Mason said something to me... he said that Phil wanted me to leave the ring like I did tonight next week on Raw. I think he wants to attack you or something..." John said, looking out the window for a few moments.

Heath straightens a little, stopping at a red light. "What? Are you kidding me? Why in the hell would he come after me?"

John shrugged. "I don't know. he just told me Phil wants you... maybe part of the Nexus or something. Just uh... be careful." He said quietly.

"Right," Heath speeds off when the light turns green, lost in thought. After a moment he looks over at John. "Thanks for the heads up. Want to grab some dinner? My treat."

"Um... yeah, sure." John said, a little put off by the offer. It was... strange. For them to be civil towards each other, let alone offer the other to get dinner. He shrugged it off. He was hungry, and he didn't have his wallet on him.

"All right then," Heath smiles. "What were you in the mood for?"

John shrugged. "There's an Italian place I saw a few blocks down." He said, playing with a strand of his hair.

"Right, me, Wade 'n Justin ate there a few months back. It's good." Heath changes lanes and pulls into the parking lot. He's unusually quiet, lost in thought about what the New Nexus could possibly have in store for him. It doesn't matter, now that he knows about the plan, he can take action to stop it.

John and Heath walk into the restaurant. There's a huge line. John always being impatient walked up the hostess. He flash her a winning smile and smooth talked his way into a secluded table in the back so no crazy fans would bother them. He motioned for Heath to follow him and the hostess.

Heath has to admit he's a little impressed by the action, though he feels a twinge of sympathy for the party who had actually booked the place. But when he sees that it happened to be Punk and company, he feels a little less bad. He drops into a seat, rubbing his neck a little. The high flying moves were hard on the body, but he doesn't mind.

John sat down in his chair, rubbing his knee. It hurt... bad. But he bit back a groan and ordered a water before looking through the menu. "How's your neck?" He asked, eyes still on his menu.