Be My Protector

Mike wanted to run, he wanted to leave the image of Jeff's sad sace forever. Mike sighed, he wouldn't leave the yard but he wanted to be alone, he wanted fresh air. Mike took on more glance at Jeff, opeing the door and stepping out onto the pourch.

Jeff sighed softly and threw himself onto the couch. Mike may have been one of the most stubborn men he'd ever met, but he loved him none the less. "Keep an eye on him for me momma," Jeff whispered, staring up at the ceiling. "Don't let him get hurt anymore."

Miike sat on the door step, rain pelting him, soaking him. Mike shivered, looking at his ribbs. At least two were diffinatly broken. Mike even had a small piece of one of his ribbs sticking out of his side. Mike coughed again, precs of blood covering his hand.

Jeff sighed softly, closing his eyes. He wanted so badly to go outside and talk some sense into his lover, but he knew better than that. The last thing he wanted was to get into a fight with Mike in this condition. He wasn't going to bother him, but he'd be right there when Mike was ready.

Mike got up and decided he wanted to walk and clear his head. It hurt Mike to walk, he didn't have the stenght no matter how tough he said he was. Mike's leggs gave out on him while he was going down the steps. Mike landed on his knees. letting out a pained yelp as he caught himself from landing flat on the ground with his hands. The movement caused him so much pain Mike let go and just laid there, deciding he would get up when he felt like it. The rain continued to fall.

Jeff heard Mike's cry and darted toward the door, eyes widening when he came to the bottom of the stairs and found Mike there. "Oh sweetheart...." Jeff said softly. He got down next to she smaller man and slowly eased Mike into his arms. "Life's never boring with you is it darlin?" Jeff said, chuckling softly and he slowly stood up, gently carrying Mike baby into the house.

"You insist on n-not doing anything I-i want you to d-do tonight." Mike sighed. "Why n-not give u-up?" Mike brought up his-uninjured hand tocover up where the bone was sicking out.

"Because believe it or not Mike, I care about you and I'm not gonna let you lay out there in the rain and catch pneumonia," Jeff said. A small smirk formed on his face. "I'm just as stubborn as you are baby."

"Let me go." Miek groaned. "I don't want to be touched," Mike atempted to get out of Jeff's grip. I don't want to go inside, put me down and leave me alone."

Jeff shook his head. He had to stand his ground this time. "I can't do that Mike," Jeff said. "It's my job to take care of you. He pushed open the front door with his foot. "I told you I was going to do that one way or another."

" Jeffery Nero Hardy, put me the fuck down." Mike growled. Mike didn't want Jeff seeing the way one off his ribbs stuck out of his side. Mike glared up at Jeff. Mike wasn't angry, just desperare.

Jeff looked down at Mike, staring firmly into his eyes. "No," Jeff said, his voice was firm as iron, his accent dripping with emotion. "You've given me no other option Michael," Jeff said.

"Jeff I swear," Mike kicked his leggs, trying to get loose. "You will no force me." Mike grumbled. "I don't want anyone forcing me."

"Michael, stop acting like a child and stay still," Jeff replied. "this could have been over ages ago if you had just listened to us and behaved yourself." Jeff hated treating Mike like this, because he knew if it were him he'd be putting up just as much if not more of a fight than Mike was.

Mike's face reddend with anger. "Stop treating me like a child!" Mike shuved Jeff as hard as he could muster in his condition. Mike stomped over to his room has hard as he could without hurting hiself. Mike got to his bedroom and stopped. "If thats how your gonna talk to me then don't talk to me!" And Mike slammd the door.

Jeff sighed, and once again, threw himself down onto the couch. He couldn't take this much longer. He couldn't take seeing Mike hurting and not being able to do anything to help him.

Mike gently sat down on the bed. Clutching the picture of him and Jeff that was beside the bed to his chest and cryed.

Jeff ran a hand over his hair and sighed. "Lord give me strength," Jeff muttered. "I don't know how much longer I can do this, I wanna help him, but he won't let me," Jeff stared at the floor. "He wouldn't even be in this mess if it weren't for me."

Mike had started messing with his ribbs, seeing what all is wrong. Mike was tired of argueing but he wouldn't have Jeff speak to him like that.

Jeff sat on the couch, running his hand over the plush arm he rested against. He wanted to go apologize to Mike, but his pride wouldn't let him. He only did what he did for Mike's own good.

Mike broke, he sobbed aloud. It all came crashung down around him. His ribbs killing him, Jeff hurting his feelings. everything.

Jeff heard Mike's cries from the bedroom and his heart broke. The man he loved with all his heart was hurting, and it was his fault. He'd done the one thing he swore he'd never do, he'd hurt Mike.

Mike sniffled, he was done. He didn't care anymore, he didn't care about how bad he hurt, or how afraid he was of anything. Only thing he cared about now then was Jeff but not matter what, Mike would always love and care about Jeff. Mike leaned his back against the door, his ribbs screaming in protest.

Jeff took a deep breath and stood up. He walked toward the bedroom and stood there for a moment before he softly knocked on the door. "Mikey?" Jeff said softly. "Baby..........C-can I come in?"

Mike jumped, not expecting for Jeff to try and talk to him. Mike slowly stood, his ribbs being iggnored. "Wh-whatever." Mike open the door.