<< Well now that this has been so wonderfully announced... *g*>>

HunterMuse:  Annouced???  Annouced where???
JeffMuse: I don't know!  She might have been high when she wrote
that....
ChristianMuse:  Oh that's totally uncoolness......

 <<This is a series (hee-hee, a series in a series),>>

JerichoMuse: What the hell is a series in a series????
HunterMuse: Don't look at me....
ChristianMuse: I think she a nut...

<< but each story has a separate title, simply because I was inspired
by so
many different songs. Hopefully, this doesn't cause anyone any
confusion :) >>

Mr. EdMuse:  Oh no she won't confuse no one...
HunterMuse: Nope not us...
JerichoMuse: We know what she talking about....
JeffMuse: Yep...
ChristianMuse: *thinking no one is listening* So what IS she talking
about....???

<<In some instances, the lyrics have been slightly tweaked...I tried to
do this as little as possible, but sometimes I had to so they would fit
that much better. This is much darker then the rest of the Helmsly/Jericho
Era series. It contains  rape and sexual harassment. If this squicks you,
go to www.ameritech.net/users/almightychrissy/era.htm and read one of the
happier stories in the series *g*>>

JeffMuse: What is a squick???
Mr. EdMuse: I think it some kind of squid....
JeffMuse: Oh..ok.....

<< I had to switch point-of-views a lot from this, each switch is
indicated. Anything in italics (or, if you can't see the italics, stuff written in
third-person) indicates past events.>>

HunterMuse: Can WE get on with the story here???
ChristianMuse:  That WAS not the story......that's totally
unfairness......
HunterMuse: *looks at him and shakes head sadly*

<< Title: Innocent Man (Part One)
 Author: Chris F.
 Rating: PG/PG-13
 CONTENT WARNING: physical harassment>>

Mr. EdMuse:  HOW can this be both PG and PG-13???  It's only going to
be either PG or PG-13 not both.......
JerichoMuse: I don't know she was the one who wrote it.......
HunterMuse: And harassment??  Shes sick...sick I tell you.....
JerichoMuse:  Well your owner is sick too....
HunterMuse:  True.....

<< Twelve-year old Chris Jericho clutched his gym bag to his chest as
he entered the boys locker room at the middle school. >>

Mr. EdMuse: So he wouldn't lose it......

<<The other kids on his hockey team had warned him about this place,
about the older kids who snapped you with wet towels or hid your clothing
from you, but he hadn't believed them, until he walked into here. He felt like
everyone was staring at him...and everyone was so BIG! His parents kept telling
him he would grow soon, but he was still pathetically short. >>

Mr. EdMuse:  Big of WHAT???
*everyone stares at him in shock*
Mr. EdMuse: WHAT?
HunterMuse: Nevamind....

<< One of the boys, tall and bulky with crooked teeth, came up to him. >>

JerichoMuse: And asked to know "Where can I find a Dentist???

<<"And what do we have HERE?" he asked, spit flying out of his mouth
with each word.>>

JeffMuse:  A monkey.....bird??? WHAT do you think???

<< Another kid came up behind him. "Aww, did you get lost from the
elementary school?" >>

JeffMuse:  No I wanted to see how all of you guys look like all sweaty
and nekkid....
 

<< Chris held his bag closer, as if it could protect him. The first boy
lifted him up, almost off his feet, by the collar of his shirt. "What's
your name, runt?">>

Mr. EdMuse:  It's Jerktina......

<< "Ch-Chris." he stammered, tears welling up in his eyes. Of all the
horrors he had imagined middle school could be, this was much worse.

 "Chris? Is that short for Christine????" one of the older boys sneered.>>

Mr. EdMuse: No I said Jerktina...idiot....such rudeness....

<< Mercifully, the gym teacher poked his head into the locker room.
"Alex! Roger! You boys better hurry up in there, you've got laps to do!" he
bellowed.

 The boy, now known as Alex, dropped Chris into a shaking heap on the
ground. "We'll finish this later...">>

JerichoMuse:  See the horror she PUT ME through.....
HunterMuse:  Its ok baby...she can't get to ya now.....
JerichoMuse:  I HOPE so.....

<< *** Jericho's POV ***>>

Mr. EdMuse: That you *pointing at Chris Jericho*
JerichoMuse: Really I thought it was my twin.....

<< I wake up sweating. Oh God, what's going on? It's been a long time
since I last had these nightmares. Hell, I think the last time was in WCW when
I woke up Saturn with my screaming...and he was all the way down the hall.
They can't be coming back....not now...Fingers brush my arm and I
instinctually flinch, still stuck in the memories. Luckily, I'm still somewhere close
to my senses and I roll over to face a half-awake, but still concerned,
Hunter. "You ok?" he murmured.>>

HunterMuse:  DID SHE HAVE TO MENTION SATURN?????
JerichoMuse:  You KNOW YOUR owner Mari PUT ME...ME I tell you , well
implied that me and Saturn were an ITEM......
Mr. EdMuse:  Do You have to REMIND ME.......Oh god......hehehe...

<< "Yeah, I'm fine..." I tell him. "Just a bad dream. Go back to sleep.">>

JeffMuse: Anything that HAS to do with Perry IS a nightmare........

<< I think he might have actually left me alone if I hadn't told him
to. "You wanna talk about it?" Oh great, now he's fully awake and I'll never get
rid of him.

 "No, I'm ok, really. You need your sleep." I try a smile, hoping it
will ease his mind so he'll leave me alone. >>

JerichoMuse: You do sweetheart...*looking at Hunter*  so you can can
look as
beautiful as you are now...
HunterMuse: Blushes....
Mr. Ed Muse: Oh gag me with a spoon…

<<I guess it worked. He just pulls me into his arms, kisses the top of
my head, and immediately falls back to sleep.>>

JeffMuse: No insomnia for Hunter over here…
HunterMuse: *defensivly* I was tired, ok???

<< I only wish it were that
easy for me. I stay up for the rest of the night, almost trying not to fall
asleep, afraid that if I do the rest of the nightmare will haunt my dreams.>>

Mr. EdMuse: Melodrama on aisle 5…
JerichoMuse: Like you’re any better….

 <<*** Hunter's POV ***>>

HunterMuse: That’s ME!!!!!
JerichoMuse: Naw, ya think????

 <<It's too damn early to be awake, but unfortunately, I am. Chris,
looking like he hasn't slept in a week>>

Mr. EdMuse: And this is different than normal how?
JerichoMuse: Shut up mullet boy…
Mr. Ed Muse: I don’t have a mullet anymore…

<< is reading the newspaper while I'm
trying (key word here is "trying") to make coffee without burning myself. >>

JerichoMuse: Hunter’s not very good with appliances you know…
HunterMuse: I want to make some smart reply to that, but I can’t think of anything…
JeffMuse: You’re just too nice Hunter.  You can always say something like “Well at least I didn’t get my ass kicked the first day of middle school!”
Mr. Ed Muse: Jeff, I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship…

<<Finally, the coffeemaker is running properly>>

HunterMuse: But it’s never run properly…not even when I first got it…

<< and I can sit down, holding an ice
cube to one of my scald marks, and squint worriedly at Jericho. "You look
tired." I said, trying to remain nonchalant.>>

JeffMuse: Good eye there, Hunt…

 << He blinks up at me. "Huh? Oh...yeah, I couldn't sleep last night,
don't know what was wrong....">>

ChristianMuse: Liar liar pants on fire!!!
JerichoMuse: What did I ever do to all of you to inspire this hostility???

<< "Could it maybe be related to the fact you woke up in a panic at 3
am?" He glares at me and I hold the stare. One of us is going to have to back
down here and it isn't going to be me.>>

HunterMuse: Yeah, cuz I am Strong Like Bull…
JerichoMuse: I swear to God, if I hear one more quote from that interview I’m going to hurt you badly…..

<< He looks away first. "Look, I told you I was fine. I don't want to
talk about it and I'd really like you to respect that.">>

JeffMuse: *in Cartman voice* Respect my authoritah!!!
Mr. Ed Muse: What authoritah?

<< Well fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine. Be that way. >>

ChristianMuse: Whoa, someone SO TOTALLY got an attitude there.

<<"Whatever you say Chris. Just....I'm here for you, ok?" >>

All except Hunter: Awwwwwwww!!!!!
Hunter: *grins shyly* Yeah, I know I know…

<< A look of pain crosses his face for a spilt second, and now I'm
positive something's going on. He quickly regains his composure. "Ok Hunter.
Thanks. But I'm alright, I promise."

 "Sure you are." I smile at him sarcastically, he returns the grin. The
coffeemaker beeps and I get up to pour us cups of coffee, and as we
drink, conversation slips back to normal and the events of last night almost
slip out of my mind. Almost.>>

JeffMuse: Damn, it’s easy to get away with stuff with Hunter.
ChristianMuse: Maybe we should start hanging around with him…
JerichoMuse: Don’t.  Even.  Think.  About.  It.  YOU HEAR ME???
 

<< *** >>

Mr. EdMuse: If I see one more little group of stars I’m gonna hurt someone…
JerichoMuse: You just aren’t happy unless you’re angry, are you?
HunterMuse: Chris, you are aware that made no sense…
JerichoMuse: Shuddup

<< "Look at the pansy try and run! This is funny!" The eighth grade class had finished their exercises and were now sitting on the grass watching the
seventh graders. Chris wasn't actually doing all that bad, he was
somewhere in the middle, >>

Mr. EdMuse: Even back then you were mediocre…
JerichoMuse: I really don’t like you.  I’m sorry I ever even helped Chrissy think of the “Hot For Heat” campaign…
Mr. EdMuse: It woulda happened anyways!  Face it, I’m hot bay-be!!!!
 

<<but Alex and Roger, the two main taunters, didn't really
seem to notice.>>

JeffMuse: Cuz why would anyone notice a seventh-grader?
HunterMuse: Weren’t you in seventh grade like, yesterday, Jeff?
JeffMuse: Whose side are you on anyways?????

<< Once the seventh graders had gotten done with their running, all the
students went inside to the locker room. "Hey pansy!" Alex yelled. "You
look like you need some help with your running."

 "Go away." Chris said quietly, trying to change while attracting as
little attention as possible. >>

HunterMuse: I can’t imagine anyone not paying attention to you when you change…
ChristianMuse: I’m gonna be sick…..
 

 <<"But I just want to help!" Alex said. "Now come on, why don't you
'run' and get me my notebook from my bag?"

 "B-but....I have to finish my math homework." Chris stammered. If he
didn't get that math assignment done, the teacher was going to call his
parents, and Chris really wasn't in the mood for a lecture.

 "Did you say no to me?" Alex hissed. He shoved Chris down, hard enough
to cause a large bruise at the base of Chris's spine. >>

JeffMuse: Hey, you bruise really easy…..

<<"You don't say no next
time I ask you to do something, alright?" He kicked Chris's knee, hard,
and the younger boy whimpered as he nodded. "Now go get me my notebook.">>

Mr. Ed Muse: Now that is a little harsh…even for you Jerktina…

 <<Chris struggled to his feet, using the bench for support, and limped
over to Alex's backpack.>>

HunterMuse: Hey, he’s walking like Mick!
All except Hunter: You leave Mick alone!!!!!

<< He got the notebook and brought it back. Alex tore out
a sheet, wrote "Pansy" on it, and stuck it to Chris's shirt. "Now I think
everyone else should know what a pansy you are, so why don't you just
wear this for the rest of the day, ok?" >>

JeffMuse: He could’ve actually made him wear a pansy….
ChristianMuse: I don’t like pansys.  They’re ugly…
JeffMuse: That’s petunias you’re thinking of.
ChristianMuse: How do you know????

<< The bell rang and everyone left, Chris shuffling behind with his
throbbing knee. When Alex was out of sight, he tore the sheet of paper off of his
shirt and prepared to throw it away, when a voice stopped him. "I don't think
that's what Alex told you to do." Roger said, taking the paper and
re-sticking it to Chris. Abruptly, he pushed Chris hard against the
wall. "Don't disobey us again." With that said, he walked away.>>

Mr. EdMuse: I almost feel bad for ripping on you…almost.
 

 <<*** Jericho's POV ***>>

JerichoMuse: Yes, I know, it’s me…

 <<Oh shit. It's happening again, and not just at night now. >>

Mr. EdMuse: You having bedwetting problems again?  Maybe you need to buy some Depends….
JerichoMuse: I’m gonna hire the APA to beat you up one of these days!!!

<<This is just great. Now I'm waking up in a cold sweat on the plane. And guess who's
sitting next to me? Hunter's smiling at me, but he looks worried behind it. >>

HunterMuse: Well can you blame me???

<<For a second, I consider telling him what's going on>>

Mr. Ed Muse: Tell him and end this so I don’t have to read it anymore!!!!

<< just so he doesn't have to be concerned anymore, but the thought of telling him the whole story
makes me sick to my stomach.>>

Mr. EdMuse: And the thought of you makes me sick to my stomach…

 <<I can't tell him. I can't tell anyone....

 Hunter reaches over to brush the side of my face. "Another nightmare?">>

JerichoMuse: Nope!  I wake up panicing for no good reason all the time!  Here’s your sign…
HunterMuse: Not only was that not necessary, I don’t think anyone else got the joke…
ChristianMuse: I know I didn’t…
JeffMuse: I did!!!!

 <<I nod. "Really, I'm fine, I just go through this sometimes...these bad dreams...they'll go away soon, I promise.">>

JeffMuse: Not soon enough…

 <<He looks at me skeptically. "Look, I can't force you to talk to
me...well, I could, but I don't want to use my impressive physique against you....>>

ChristianMuse: That’s the lamest thing I heard all day.

<<but I really wish you'd just tell me what's wrong."

 I force myself to smile. "Nothing is wrong." I kiss him lightly. "When
are we gonna land, anyways? These plane seats can't be good for your back."

 He winces. "I don't know, hopefully soon. Wish I'd thought to bring my aspirin with me." >>

ChristianMuse: Or Sean’s pain pills…if he can spare them…
HunterMuse: That wasn’t funny Christian.
ChristianMuse: Oh come on..
HunterMuse: It wasn’t funny.  I mean it.

<<Mission accomplished, once more I have successfully
diverted the subject away from myself. I manage to talk him into
reclining his seat and taking a nap. With Hunter softly snoring next to me, I
look up at the ceiling of the plane. I thought it was over, I thought that with
finally having my career working out and finding someone I really truly
loved, I would finally be free of the memories. I guess not.>>

JeffMuse: We’ve gotten thorough part one!  Kick ass!!!!!
ChristianMuse: This so totally reeks of awesomeness…
HunterMuse: We still have a lot more to go, don’t you forget…