Caged Emotion
Chapter I
“You’re sure he’s okay?”
Kalli McMahon cast a little look up at Gilbert Hardy where he paced nervously on the spot beside her, a comforting smile crept onto her lips and she told him, “Gilbert, it’s Jeff. He’s fine.”
She hated lying. She really did.
And okay, maybe it wasn’t a lie. Maybe he really was fine.
But you know, maybe he’d broken in two or three pieces too.
Whatever the case, Kalli wasn’t going to let one tiny iota of the fear gripping her out. That had cost her far too much in the past. She wouldn’t run the risk of losing him again, not matter how much it hurt inside. This pain was nothing in comparison to that pain. She never wanted that pain again.
“What’s taking them so long?” Gilbert tried to peak around the curtain of the side door to the backstage area, cursing softly under his breath.
The McMahon Heiress reached out a hand to rub his arm, “Gilbert, honey, they gotta get him out of the ring. They’ll be back here soon.” Again she gave him that smile, "Don’t stress, okay? Everything is going to be fine.”
His eyes narrowing into a metaphorical question mark, Gilbert asked her, “And how is it that you are so calm?”
Kalli lied outright, “Because I know he’s fine, Daddy O.” Just beside them, Christian Hardy, who had been quietly hovering, chuckled at her use of the nickname she had given his father. She smiled at Christian and then yanked on the Hardy Boys cap Gilbert was wearing playfully, “And so will you in about two minutes.”
If she thought she could put one over him that easily though, she was sadly mistaken, and Gilbert’s stare hardened a little as he spoke, “You don’t want Jeff to see you upset, do you?”
“Gilbert,” Her tone was a little sad despite herself, “Don’t.”
Christian piped up at last, “That was my thought too, Dad.”
She growled at Christian as warmly as she could, “Christian, don’t be ganging up on me with your Dad. You know I’m capable of hurting you.” She cast a look of her own through the crack in the curtain. “Jeff and I discussed this spot. He’s fine. I know he is.”
Discussed was properly too generous a description. It had been more like a few passing comments in Jeff’s Corvette on the way over.
“So, you’re okay with tonight?”
Kalli nodded, giving Jeff an adoring little smile.
“Promise?”
“Uh huh. I’m fine.” She reached out a hand to stroke his cheek. “Just promise to try to NOT break anything, got it?”
“Got it.” He leaned over, placing a quick kiss on her lips before asking, “But... If I do?”
She grinned, “I kick your ass.”
Oh yeah.
Big discussion.
She sighed.
All the talking in the world was never going to make this particular hurdle an easy one for them to jump. No. They tripped on it time and time again. They always would, more than likely. But so long as they understood that, then they would be okay.
Right?
“Look, boys. Here he comes.” She looked back over her shoulder at the two Hardy men, “And his eyes are open. See? That’s always a good thing.” She stepped back out of sight, motioning for Christian and Gilbert to do the same as the EMT’s wheeled the stretcher through the curtain, ensuring the fans nearest the entrance could not see in.
The stretcher came to a halt and Jeff let out a little groan, slowly pulling himself up into a sitting position. The nearest EMT stepped forward, putting a hand on his shoulder to steady him. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Breathless, his luscious drawl was a little gruff, “I said I was fine, man.”
Amy, just behind him where he sat on the stretcher rubbed his back softly, “Are you sure, Jeff? You were out...”
Jeff nodded, “Ams, I’m peachy, I swear.”
Hanging back a little, Kalli gave Gilbert a gentle shove forward, remaining beside Christian as Matt slowly moved over to them. Approaching his son, Gilbert spoke softly, “Jeff.” The EMT shook his head, stepping back from Jeff so Gilbert could get through. “You all right?”
“Fine, Dad.” Managing a grin for his father, still panting he asked, “Did you get to see all of the match?”
Hovering behind them, Kalli’s attentions were drawn from the conversation between father and son to Matt as he stood beside her. “Hey...” She looked up, her eyes settling on his bloody mouth. She grimaced slightly, “Ow,” reaching up a hand to rest against his cheek. “Split lip?”
He nodded, “I think so.”
Christian leant in for a closer look, “Nasty.” He smiled at his brother, “Great match though, bro.” He waved a hand above his head, “I loved that spot where you got hung up on the cage.” He nodded his approval, “Nice.”
Realizing her fingers were still fussing over Matt’s injured lip, Kalli pulled her hand away quickly, a slight blush painting her face. She gave him a sad little smile and he merely returned it in response as he answered his brother, “Glad you liked it, Christian.” He looked over at Jeff and Gilbert as they spoke, all seriousness together as they completed their ritualistic post-pay per view talk. He whispered, “Dad freak?”
Kalli smiled softly, “Only a little.”
Matt turned to look at her, his eyes locking on hers, “And you?”
“I’m together girl.”
Dubious he asked, “You are?” She gave him a little look and he nodded knowingly. Outside, maybe she was, inside... The girl would be crumbling.
“If you guys don’t mind...” Jeff’s voice reached Kalli’s ears and she looked over at him as he continued, “I’d like a minute with Kalli.”
She smiled at this, their eyes locking together.
“You got it.” Christian smiled, stepping forward to grab his father’s arm, “Come on, old man.”
Gilbert growled at him, “I’ll give you old man, Christian.” He looked over to Matt, “Coming?” Matt nodded, stepping forward to join them, gently squeezing Kalli’s hand as he passed. “See you back at the locker room, Jeff.” The two exchanged a nod and then he disappeared with his father.
Amy gave Kalli a smile and then told Jeff, “I’ve gotta go get ready for my match anyway. You take it easy, Jeff.”
“Will do, Ams.” He smiled at her as she went. "Good luck with your match!"
Stepping forward to where he still sat on the stretcher, Kalli took his hand, standing on her tiptoes to give him a sweet peck on the lips. “Hey baby.”
He smiled, reaching a hand up to her face, tilting it toward his all the more to deliver a slightly longer kiss to her lips. “Hey.”
~*~
Chapter II
As Kalli and Jeff stayed suspended in the moment, cuddling gently, the EMT still hovering near by cleared his throat, and both looked over to him. “Um...”
Slightly aggravated with the man who hadn’t stopped asking if he was okay, or started listening when he said he was, Jeff asked, “Yes?”
“Um, I need the stretcher...”
Jeff looked down, “Oh.” He shuffled forward on the stretcher and hopped off, grimacing slightly as his feet touched the ground and he overbalanced. Kalli surged out a hand, snatching hold of him, and he smiled down at her. “Thanks.”
She grinned in response, “You’re welcome.” But her insides panged. He was hurt after all. The EMT grabbed the stretcher, telling Jeff, “You make sure you go to a Doctor, Jeff,” and then disappeared, still shaking his head over Jeff’s actions. Kalli sighed, she knew *exactly* what he was thinking. The only difference was that she loved in Jeff what other people failed to understand about him. It drove her crazy, but it was Jeff...
And she loved every little thing about him.
“Can we sit down, Kalli?” Jeff motioned to the crates nearest them and she nodded, stepping forward, an arm around his waist to walk him to crate.
Without thinking she whispered as he sat down, “You’re hurt.”
“Just sore, baby.” He part his legs slightly so she could stand between his knees, wrapping his arms around her waist, looking up at her as this time she hovered over him, her concern slowly but surely creeping onto her face. “I knew you were worried.”
She blushed, “Jeff...”
He cut her off, “Its okay, Kalli.”
The McMahon Heiress looked at him a long time before whispering, fear in her voice, “Is it?”
He nodded, whispering back, his fingers stroked her face, “I’m not going to leave you again.”
Tearing up slightly at this she murmured, “Jeff...”
“That’s why you hung back then, wasn’t it? You didn’t want me to think you were fussing.” Shamefully, she nodded and he cooed, “Kalli, I know... I know I made a mistake before, but... I know that you’re going to worry. I know you are. Not talking about, not dealing with it was what got us into trouble before.” He pulled her firmer against him, kissing her softly, “Let’s not do that again.” A tear escaped her, and almost like a lost little child, she nodded. “Now...” He smiled, “Go on.”
Confused she asked, “Go on?”
He grinned, “Fuss away.”
After a moment, her serious, slightly confused look faded until a loving smile danced onto her lips. “Really?”
“Really.”
She grinned, gently cupping his face in her hands, “Where does it hurt, baby?”
“My head.”
He pointed to it and she told him, playfully bossy, “Baby, I’m taking you by the Hospital on the way home. If you were out...”
“I feel fine.” Her eyes flashed a little dangerously and he shrugged, “But if it makes you feel better...”
She smiled, “Where else does it hurt, Jeffy?”
“My back...” He motioned behind him, “I think I just jarred it a little.”
Rubbing his shoulders gently she smirked, “You know, I could probably fix that.”
He chuckled, “That’s what I was hoping for.”
Kalli giggled in response, but eventually the giggle faded away. She looked at him all seriousness and said, “I love you, Jeff. You know that right?”
The younger of the Hardy Boys nodded, “I do.”
“And?” She grinned again.
He returned her grin, a devilish one of his own painting his handsome face, “I love you.” And then he pulled her forward again, kissing her adoringly, his tongue sweeping gently past her slightly part lips...
“Jeff, are you out here..? Oh!”
A woman’s voice touched her ears and immediately Kalli pulled away from Jeff, a scowl creeping onto her face. Both she and Jeff whirled to look at the intruder.
The leggy blonde before them threw up her hands, “Oh God. I am so sorry!”
Jeff smiled slightly at her, “It’s okay, Stacy.”
“No, it’s...” She blushed, “I’m really sorry.” She hurried on, “I just wanted to see you were okay.”
Kalli’s scowl deepened but Jeff was all smiles still, “I’m good, Stacy. Fighting fit.”
“You’re sure?”
It was Kalli who cut in, “He’s sure.”
Another blush touched Stacy’s face and Kalli nearly growled, knowing full well Stacy Kiebler could act with the best of them when it came to stealing men out from under people’s noses. All pretend apologies, Stacy stammered, “I’m sorry again. I’ll just... I’ll just go...” And she backed around the corner and disappeared.
Jeff looked up at the McMahon, “That was rude.”
Pouting, Kalli retorted, “I don’t like her.”
“I know that,” he shook his head, “But it was still rude.”
“Jeff...” She sighed.
“Okay. Fine. Consider it dropped.” He gave her a small smile, “Besides, we have something better to be doing.”
She grinned, leaning into him and kissing him again...
But her fury sped through her veins.
Every little smile, every little ‘Oh I’m sorry’ from Stacy Kiebler was part of her vicious little game.
And Kalli McMahon was more determined than ever that she was going to put an end to it...
One way or another.
~ The End ~