[ooc note: i felt, since i was banned for a day, that this particular piece by enya would be appropriate. please enjoy... thank you.]

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It had been four days since Sunday, when Tony & raYne arrived home from Outer Space. Four days since Tony told raYne they could no longer be lovers... for the sake of raYne's career. raYne needed to focus... and Tony was determined to help him in doing so, by becoming his manager. To regain his focus... and renew his drive.

raYne sat in his Big Comfy Chair, on this day, Thursday the 19th, staring at the screen before him... watching the promo Christine Nash recorded. He seemed to be enthralled with this sight before him... dual personalities. A circumstance all too familiar to the Storm...

... he shuts off the set, once the promo has come to a closure. He speaks, without looking into the camera's lens.

"Christie... I can already tell you've formed this same distaste so many others here have for me...
... but I do not hate you. I don't even dislike you. In fact?
I feel for you. Oh so much... because I've walked in your shoes.
And I continue to do so to this very day."

With this said, raYne turns his sight to the camera, displaying a serious demeanor.

"Christie... I feel your pain. I know that feeling... straddling the line between the darkness and the light.
Feeling tortured... and yet, at the same time, so ready to embrace life...
... wanting to make the most of it, to live it to its fullest...
Yet, there's this demon... this spirit within the both of us, I just as you,
That twists us. And tries to shape us into its vision of who we should be."

raYne looks off to the side... and sighs. Before turning an eye to the camera.

"Do not give in. Do not allow that spirit to possess you and make you into its image.
Fight.
I see something in you, darling... which is much more powerful than any darkness.
I see self-confidence. Something I lack much of the time... yet I try to Believe iAm the best.
For if we do not believe ourselves to be better than the rest?
We never will be.
And you are better than that demon that thrives within you.
You have the strength to overcome.
Use it.
Defeat that 'Angel' that holds you captive.
And the sky will be the limit.
Believe it.
And be it."

A voice comes from off camera -- "raYne, it's time ya headed off and caught that plane. Ya don't wanna be late fah Alexandra's dinner party."

Tony Spaghetti comes into view, holding raYne's plane ticket. raYne lifts himself from the chair, and accepts the ticket, pocketing it. He turns to gaze into Tony's eyes.

"Tony-tone... I have this gut feeling Ally-Cat isn't going to accept my gift..."

"But c'mon, babe! It's the Black Veil Brides! They're sure to liven up the party..."

"I dunno... I want to go through with it... but I just know she's going to turn me away. And if she does... WHEN she does... I'm going to go without a fight. I'm tired of focusing on battles that amount to nothing. With you guiding me... from now on? I only focus on the battles that matter. The ones inside the ring."

"Well... I wish she'd be willing tah give you a chance. I know how much you respect her, regardless of the anger between the two of you. But... that IS the right mind frame tah have. Focus. And remain focused. You do that... and this company is going to repay you. You stay on track, and you're gonna go places. That's all there is to it, really."

raYne looks off to the side, once again, which he does whenever he feels emotion bubbling inside. He whispers to Tony, not being able to look him in the eye.

"... I 'm going to miss you. Ever so much ..."

Tony smiles... and places a palm on raYne's shoulder. raYne looks back into Tony's eyes.

"raYne... I'm gonna miss you more. But I can't go wit'cha, as much as I want to... We've gotta watch over our expenses, and seein' as I'm not officilly signed on as your mnager yet, they ain't gonna pay for me. But when you get there? Kick. Ass. And SHOW them what you're really about. Burn that chick in the fire... and make a statement. Make it in flames."

raYne sighs, an enchanted, loving sigh... before going in for a kiss. Tony stops him dead in his tracks with an index finger over the lips. raYne glares at Tony, silently letting him know how frustrated he's already become with the new relationship.

"Remember, $hane. Business... over pleasure. Stay the course."

Tony removes the finger from raYne's mouth, and extends a hand. raYne glares down at this hand... it's not what he wants. He wants lips... tongue... holding, and carressing... passion. But still --

He knows it's for the best.
So he shakes Tony's hand,
-- however reluctantly it may be...

"Tony... I really... REALLY hope I get back on track soon.
Cuz I am DYING OVER HERE..."

Tony looks raYne in the eyes, and chuckles.

"You're not the only one. Now go grab that flight. And bring me back some french fries."

"Tony... they don't make french frie----", raYne stops himself, realizing this concept would be over Tony's head. "... nevermind. Keep the place safe for me?"

"I'll guard it with my life."

raYne, in lieu of a true mouth to mouth connection, blows Tony a kiss instead. And heads out the door, luggage in hand.

Tony shakes his head, and smiles, speaking to himself, as he watches his ex-lover, turned client, head off for the trip of a lifetime... and then, he thinks of something.

"Wait a minute... I just thought ah somethin'!"

Tony rushes to the phone, and places a call.

"Yo, Vinnie Calzone? This is Tony Spaghetti... remember that little, you know "business" I took care of for yuz back a few months ago? You know... for the "family"? Well... I got an idea in mind concernin' how yooz can pay me back. See, I got a friend of mine, who's goin' tah France. And he wants me along fah the ride. Think ya can hook a fella up? .... nice, very nice. Vinnie... you're one ah the greatest. There's this guy... Archie Bunker, here in the XWF. You remind me of him... same no-nonsense attitude. And both ah ya wives are meat heads.

"... I MEAN, no, no, Vinnie, I didn't... I'm sorry. ... WHAD'YA MEAN IT'LL COST EXTRA NOW?! Ya filthy, rotten, sunnuva--"

~ fin ~