A Taste of Rebellion
Chapter I
There was something about the WWF in the hours just prior to a Pay Per View.
You couldn’t touch it, couldn’t see it even, but you could feel it in the air. You could breathe it in so deeply, so easily, that it would consume you in a matter of heartbeats.
And as she walked through the corridors of the Manchester Evening News Arena, Kalleasto McMahon was welcoming that emotion with open arms.
It had only been a month and ten days since Unforgiven.
But it had been a long, difficult month and ten days at that.
All the begging in the world in the week after her little mishap at Unforgiven had not convinced her unscrupulously overprotective father that she was ready to come back to work. He had stood firm on his stance that a ‘indefinite suspension’ was what she needed. When he felt she was ready, he would allow her to rejoin the WWF on the road, and once he had some time to monitor her behaviour then he might ‘consider’ lifting her suspension.
And though she respected, after a week or two of near constant whining, that this was indeed her father’s decision, she had itchy feet big time.
Kalli McMahon loved wrestling.
Yeah, she loved the business side of it, the PR duties, the interviews and photo shoots, the behind the scenes action, the whole works...
But she *loved* wrestling.
Actually getting in that ring and hitting those moves. All the physicality of it.
Prior to Unforgiven, it had been quite a while since she had seen any real action in the squared circle. And prior to the tournament for the WWF Women’s Championship, she had never truly performed in the company as a wrestler. She’d had the odd match here and there, but always as part of someone else’s storylines, and the majority of her matches had been little more than catfights at best.
The women’s tournament had been her first opportunity to shine.
And the Triple Threat Ladder Match at Unforgiven had shown the world that Shane and Vince McMahon weren’t the only members of her family that knew how to take bumps. Not by a long shot.
She sighed as she neared the jam-packed cafeteria backstage. Her one regret was that her hunger in the ring had gotten her here.
At this point in time, she was little more than a dead weight in the WWF. She had let her own animosity for Rob Van Dam and her love for Jeff cloud her judgement long enough for her to run her mouth off and slaughter her position on the writing team. And while she was suspended, she was good for nothing else.
Not that the month or so off had been all bad. She had taken the time off to heal up 100% and do the things she had not done for a long, long time. Things she loved, like working with her Stallion, Angelus, and writing... My God had she written while she was off work.
But above all else she had pinned.
Pinned, longed and yearned.
And all for one Jeffrey Nero Hardy.
It had been about 4 weeks, maybe a little more, since they had reunited, and this, she knew, should have been the happiest time of her life.
Alas, it had been far from that.
She and Jeff had barely managed to see each other a handful of times while she was back home in Connecticut. His duties with the WWF and the House Shows and what not had made it almost impossible for the two to catch up. It was so hard, having him back and then still not being with him. And that alone had been the reason she was so very determined to get back on the road.
But Vince McMahon was going to make sure his rebellious little girl learned her lesson.
And she hated to admit it, but she had.
Kalleasto McMahon was, from here on in, on her best behaviour. Because one slip and Daddy Dearest would be packing her back off to Connecticut.
So she would bite her tongue and behave. That shouldn’t be so hard...
“Well, well, well.”
And as she stepped into the cafeteria, Kalli was cursing that thought right then and there.
~*~
Chapter II
She raised her eyes; somehow managing a sweet smile for Stacy Kiebler as the leggy blonde approached her.
“I thought you had just dropped off the face of the earth,” Stacy grinned, “At least, I had hoped.”
Her smile frozen on her face, Kalli somehow managed to keep her voice level and even a touch warm considering who she was speaking to, “I’m sorry, Stacy. No such luck.” She spread her arms, posing playfully, “As you can see, I’m back, and I’m all raring and ready to go.”
Stacy’s smug grin spread into a deliciously wicked smirk, “Well, then, Jeff *will* be pleased to hear that.” She leant forward, her hand held up beside her mouth, her eyes locked on Kalli’s spitefully, “The poor darling has been ever so lonely.” She paused dramatically, all self-satisfaction, “But don’t worry,” she whispered, “I’ve been keeping him warm for you.”
Kalli’s jaw dropped and on impulse, she clenched a fist, her temper downright begging her to smack the despicable little creature before her.
But she caught herself... And only barely.
Stacy’s smirk deepened as she giggled, wagging her finger at the McMahon, “Temper, temper.” She added with a laugh, “I heard you had to be on your best behaviour or *Daddy* wasn’t going to lift your suspension.” Stacy rubbed her hands together gleefully, “I’m so happy to see that its true.”
A low growl emerging from her throat, Kalli whispered right back at the girl, “I won’t be suspended forever, Stacy. When *Daddy* lifts my suspension, I won’t have to be on my *best behaviour* anymore.” She managed a smirk of her own, “And you’ve gotta know I’ll be gunning for you, sweet cheeks.” She pat Stacy’s cheek and then stepped forward, smacking her shoulder into Stacy’s so hard as she passed that she nearly knocked the girl off her feet
“Oh, and Kalli?” The girl called out, and against her better judgement, Kalli turned to look back at her, “Matt’s locker room is down the second corridor, third door on your right.” She stated loud enough for most of the Cafeteria to hear, “I’m so pleased for you, you guys make such a cute couple!” She gave her a little wave and then hurried off.
Kalli stared after her, contempt all over her face as she felt the not so friendly gazes of some of the WWF Superstars in the cafeteria fall upon her..
When her father finally removed her suspension, Stacy Kiebler was going to be one very, very sorry little girl.
“Kalli!” Another voice touched her ears and Kalli screeched to another halt, surprised by the enthusiasm in the voice as it hurried on, “You’re back!”
She turned, smiling a little lopsided smile at the man who had snuck up behind her, making her escape from the less than forgiving eyes of the cafeteria, albeit temporarily, impossible. “Hi Rob.”
Rob Van Dam flashed his trademark smile at her, “I hadn’t heard you’d be here today.”
“Daddy finally had a change of heart.” She shrugged, “Besides, I’m way fond of merry ol’ England.”
He nodded, “Well, good...” He motioned toward her with one hand while he spoke, “Bummer about your suspension though.”
A glare nearly settled on her face. Even though he was being nice, even though he was only ever nice to her these days, the last person she really wanted reminding her about her suspension was RVD. She loathed that he had any knowledge about the goings on in her life as it was, without the added insult of his commenting on them.
Certainly, she didn’t hate him nearly as much as she once had. In fact, she very nearly didn’t hate him at all anymore...
But the man grated on her nerves just with his presence.
And the more he tried to be nice to her, the more aggravated she became.
Truth be known, she didn’t get it.
Just a few years ago, he had frowned upon her like she was little more than a foolish kid with a crush. Now he treated her with, dare she say it, a fair level of respect. He was civil, friendly even. And as much as she would like to think that his intentions were honest enough, she could never help but wonder if he was just kissing up to the McMahon who had always hated him most in a bid to secure his place in the World Wrestling Federation.
Rob sighed, and Kalli suddenly realized that they had fallen into silence with his last comment. He spoke softly; “I just offended you, didn’t I?”
She shook her head, lying outright, her tone pleasant, “No, not at all.” She noted his Hardcore Title across his arm, reaching out to knock on it, “Still got that bad boy, huh?”
He nodded, a pleased smile on his face, “Yeah, your sister sure is taking care of me.”
“I guess so,” she murmured under her breath, her face falling at the mention of her sister. The two had seen near nothing of each other since Unforgiven, and if Kalli tried to say she didn’t miss Krissy, she would be lying. She missed her. Every single day she missed her.
It was hard to believe that one tiny moment had cost her, had cost them all, so very much.
Again silence settled between the two, and unsure what else there was to say, Kalli was about to excuse herself when Rob said a little plainly, “So you and Jeff worked everything out, huh?” She simply nodded in response and he asked, “And you’re happy?”
A smile crept onto her lips, that familiar happy burst of warmth filling her. It was the same every time she thought of how she and Jeff were back together at last. “Yeah,” she nodded enthusiastically, her words, her smile, genuine, “I’m very happy.”
His face fell, but Kalli didn’t really notice, lost in that burst of emotion for the moment. “That’s good,” he managed, “I’m happy for you. I’m happy for both of you.” He reached out and rubbed her arm, and though startled by the gesture, she managed a completely oblivious smile. He nodded yet again, “Anyway, I have a match to get ready for. I’ll see you round, Kalli.”
Then with that he walked away before she could respond.
She looked after him, curious, but consumed.
She was jet lagged, she was grumpy, she was going to seriously injure Stacy Kiebler the first chance she got, but she was desperate. The whole point of pushing to get back on the road was so she could see Jeff.
And now that was *exactly* what she was going to do.
~*~
Chapter III
“Whoa! Sorry!” Kalli grabbed onto the arm of the girl she had nearly bowled over as she rounded the corner into the locker room area. A bunch of papers fell to the floor and instantly she knew who it was. Without looking up, she bent to retrieve the papers, “I didn’t see you, Krissy. I’m really sorry.”
Hovering above her, frozen to the spot, disdain on her face as she watched her younger sister retrieve the papers for her, she replied in a tight voice, “It’s fine.” Before she could catch herself she asked, “So Daddy let you back on the road?” Kalli nodded, still scooping together papers and she asked, “And your suspension?”
Sadly Kalli murmured, “Still in tact.” She retrieved the last few papers and stood, carefully handing them back to Krissy. Their eyes met as they did so and for a few moments, they were locked sadly in each other’s gazes. Eventually Kalli whispered, “I miss you.”
“Yeah.” Unable to keep the bitterness from her voice, Krissy spat, “Well, at least you have Matt to keep you company.” And then she stepped forward, storming past her sister and out of view.
For minutes, Kalli simply looked after her, tears in her eyes.
How would she ever fix this?
~*~
Bad mood or not, when Kalli McMahon spotted Jeff Hardy doing some warm ups in the hallway ahead of her, leaning against the door frame for support, all else was forgotten.
She paused for a moment, fighting the urge to run up and pounce on him, her eyes straying over him. He hadn’t pulled his shirt on yet and as he moved, his muscles flexed seductively. His hair was still hanging loose, the long blue hair extensions flopping this way and that. She smiled softly at this. She loved his hair. And even though she acted up in regard to his hair whenever it got a little short, it didn’t really bother her what he did with it.
But she would be lying if she said she didn’t love to tangle her fingers in the length of his hair, breathing in the sweet scents of his shampoo that always hung there. She loved the softness of it. She would never have complained when it was shorter, that was for sure, but she really did love those extensions.
Unable to resist the temptation any longer, she made her way down the hallway, flashing a warm smile at every WWF Superstar and Crew Member she passed. Some, she noted, did not return her smiles and despite herself, she knew that had to be throwback from her ‘little incident’ with Matt the night of Unforgiven.
Secrets never stayed secret long in the WWF.
But she didn’t care.
Not tonight.
Suspended or not, she was back.
From here on in she would be on the road with the rest of the World Wrestling Federation...
And above all else...
With him.
“Jeffy?”
The younger of the two Hardys whirled, a deliciously wicked twinkle dancing into his eyes as his lips curled into a huge smile. “Kalli!” He sprung on her, wrapping his arms around her with such enthusiasm that he nearly bowled her over.
She giggled, letting her bag go. It plonked onto the ground with an echoing thud as she pressed into his warm embrace, smiling when his lips found hers. The two shared a heated kiss and for a moment there, Kalleasto McMahon almost forgot she was in a slightly over-populated hallway. She melted against him, and despite herself, when eventually he pulled away, a slight whine escaped her lips and she pouted.
“Happy to see me, huh?” He asked, nuzzling her nose, beckoning to her pout with the motion.
Kalli laughed, “Look who’s talking!” The laugh faded away and an adoring smile painted her face, she whispered as she looked into his hazel eyes, “I’ve missed you.”
Jeff nodded softly; “I’ve missed you too. It feels like its been forever.”
“Two weeks, three days, fourteen hours and approximately twenty-three and a half minutes.” She shrugged, “Which roughly translates into forever.”
He grinned, “And is that counting the international time lines?”
She narrowed her eyes, “Don’t confuse me.” He chuckled at this and she flashed him a wry grin, leaning forward and kissing him. Again the kiss grew in intensity quickly, Kalli losing herself in the feel of his naked chest against her, his fingers creeping to her hair.
“Jesus, you two. Wanna get a room to spare us the cheap thrill?”
The twosome broke away, both turning to look at Dwayne Johnson as he neared.
He ruffled Kalli’s hair as he approached, “Nice to see you back, Kalli.” He kept moving by, chuckling to himself at the crimson colour she had turned.
Watching Dwayne go, Kalli said softly, “Maybe we should go into the locker room, Jeffy.”
Jeff smiled, “Come on, baby,” picking up her bag and moving to the locker room door. As he opened it, stepping inside, Kalli turned to follow him...
She paused mid-step, her gaze falling on Matt further up the corridor. He stopped when he saw her, their eyes locked on each other.
Kalli had never seen Matt as miserable as he looked before her now. His heartbreak was written clearly on his face, marring his beautiful features. Everything in her told her to walk up to him right then and there and hug him as tightly as physically possible...
“Kalli? Come on, baby. I’m not gonna hold this door open for you forever, you know?” Jeff, just out of her sight, muttered playfully out the door.
She cleared her throat, raising her hand to give Matt a sad little wave. He gave her a sad little wave right back and then moved off, stepping into one of the doors nearest him.
It was better for both of them if she stayed away...
“Coming.” She murmured, stepping forward and round into the locker room.
But then why did she feel so bad?
Spotting the lost look on her face, the younger Hardy slipped an arm around her, “You okay?”
“Uh huh.”
But she wasn’t.
It was all her fault.
Matt was miserable. Matt was miserable.
And it was all her fault.
“Just a little emotional about being back, I guess.” She flashed Jeff the sincerest smile she could manage, taking her bag from him and dropping it off to one side of them as he closed the door. “Now,” she wrapped her arms around his neck, “Where were we?”
And again she pressed her lips to his, trying to push away the pain of knowing that her mistake had ruined the best relationship her sister would ever have. That it had robbed her best friend of the woman that he loved, and...
That she had ultimately probably lost her best friend.
If only she could take back that moment, if not for her sake, at least for Matt’s.
If only...
~ The End ~