Shattered

Climbing out of the Corvette, Kalli stifled a yawn, smiling when she saw Jeff grinning at her as he opened the trunk. “Sleepy, baby?” He asked. She nodded and he chuckled, “And whose fault is that?”

She smirked, “I believe that would be yours.” She stretched lazily, moving around the car to grab the bag he was pulling from the trunk. She slung it over her shoulder as he pouted. “Don’t even. I am *not* letting you lug this heavy bag around with your arm the way its been, Jeff. Doctors orders were take it easy on the arm, remember?”

“Kalli, I can carry my own bag...”

“I got it, baby.” She cut him off, leaning up to give him a quick peck on the lips, her arms sliding around his waist, “Or do you just not want me to carry it because I’m a girl?”

He cocked an eyebrow at her adorably, “I can’t have the guys thinking my girlfriend is tougher than I am.” He closed the trunk and then hooked a hand in Kalli’s, the two turning and making their way across the car park to enter the arena. Jeff looked down at Kalli, his face curious when he saw she was giggling, “What are you laughing about?”

“Baby, everyone in the WWF already *knows* I’m tougher than you.” She wagged her tongue at him and he let go of her hand, sliding his arm around her waist and pulling her into a tight hug against him, squeezing her, “Cheeky shit,” he cooed before placing a tantalizing kiss on her lips.

Despite herself, Kalli melted, returning the kiss with total adoration before he pulled away. She sighed wistfully, “I wish you wouldn’t do that.” He chuckled, taking her hand again and leading her through security and into the arena.

A warm male voice came from somewhere near the front desk and both Kalli and Jeff looked toward it, smiles touching both their faces. Jeff spoke up first, “Hey Sarge.”

Sgt. Slaughter approached them, leaning over to ruffle Kalli’s hair, “I just wanted to let you know you have a Dark Match tonight Jeff, against Ron Waterman.”

Jeff simply nodded an ‘okay’ in response to this, but Kalli’s jaw dropped. “Who booked him for a Dark Match?”

The Wrestling legend shrugged, “Your sister I think.” The man glanced at his watch, “Damn, gotta keep moving. Have a good one, Jeff. Bye Kalli!” The man departed, leaving Kalli and Jeff alone.

The girl looked up at him, “You are not competing tonight, Jeff.”

Sighing the Hardy Boy cooed, “Kalli...”

“No.” She stuck her chin out defiantly, “Your arm isn’t 100%...”

“When am I ever 100%?” He asked pointedly. She went to speak and he shook his head, “Look... I still have to get cleared by the Trainer tonight, Kalli. If he says I’m okay to wrestle, then I’m okay to wrestle.”

He raised his free hand to quieten her, “Kalli.”

The tone in his voice when he spoke her name silenced her. As much as she would *love* to fight him on this one, as much as she was practically itching too, she knew there was no point. When Jeff Hardy made up his mind about something, she sat down and shut up and let him do it.

At least she didn’t have to like it though.

All she could do was hope Chris didn’t clear him for his match. And considering how sore Jeff’s arm was, she couldn’t see how he could.

“Fine,” she grumbled, following him when he started walking through the arena with her again.

They walked in silence a while before he said her name again, this time much more softly. She looked up at him and he asked, “You are going to behave yourself tonight, aren’t you?”

The McMahon Heiress sighed, “Of course I am.”

“I’m not just talking about Krissy, you know.” He gave her a stern look, “the moment you’re out of my sight you’re going to go say something about me being booked tonight.” She tried to look indignant but failed. He knew her too well. “Just... Take it easy on her. Please.”

Kalli shrugged slightly, “Baby, Krissy and I have only just managed to get back on speaking terms, I’m not going to blow it by doing one of my usual rants.”

“Good.” He nodded his approval of this statement before saying, “And I’m not just talking about Krissy when I‘m telling you to behave.”

Curious she asked, “Then who..?” Knowing filled her face and she groaned, “Stacy.”

He nodded, “Kalli, I know you want to have a go at her, but I think its better than you just steer clear. The *last* thing you need right now is to let *her* get you into trouble.”

“Jeff, Stacy Kiebler is not going to get *me* into trouble...”

“If you beat her down like I know you want to, *that* is going to get you into trouble.” He shook his head at her, “If you get busted messing with her, your father is never going to lift your suspension.” He squeezed her hand, “I know how bad you want back in that ring.”

She locked her eyes on his seriously, “I won’t do anything to jeopardize my reinstatement, Jeff.”

“You wouldn’t,” the Hardy sighed, “But your temper is another matter entirely.” He came to a halt, beckoning to the Trainer’s room door. “This is me. I’ll see you back at the locker room?” She nodded and he leant down, placing a soft kiss on her cheek, “And I mean it, Kalli. Behave.” He gave her a soothing smile and then moved into the Trainer’s room.

Kalli looked after him a while before making her way back down the hall toward the locker room.

When she stepped into the locker room, spotting Matt Hardy sorting through some of the gear in his bag, a warm smile touched Kalli’s face. “Matty?”

He turned, jumping a little, “Damn, Kalli. I didn’t hear you come in.”

She grinned, “I was in stealth mode.” She stepped over to stand beside him, dropping Jeff’s bag onto the bench beside Matt’s.

He looked at her curiously, “You back in action?”

Kalli shook her head, “It’s Jeff’s. He just had to stop by the Trainer’s room.” She plonked down onto the bench. “Did you know he had a Dark Match tonight?” Matt nodded, the look on his face telling her he knew very well how unimpressed she would be about that. “You got a match?” He shook his head and she sighed. “Typical. Krissy chucks Jeff back into the fray when his arm isn’t 100% but leaves you out of action because you got hurt the other day.” She mused more to herself than anything, “Tell me that girl doesn’t have a soft spot for you still.” Reaching out a hand, she grabbed his shirt, pulling him over to her so she could examine his mouth. “Does it feel any better?” He grimaced slightly as she touched her fingers to his mouth and her cheeks flushed with shame. “Sorry.” Her touch was much gentler second time around.

“It’s okay. It feels like it’s getting better...” His voice trailed away as she continued to examine him, her touch familiar. She was fussing over him the way she would have done just a few months ago. The way she had *not* fussed over him since his disastrous birthday.

They had so little to do with other in the two months since then. And when they did, it was forced and awkward. If they touched, they would do so shamefully, still guilt ridden for their mistake, and nine times out of ten, one of the two would withdraw their hands as if burnt. Touching had been wrong. Touching could lead to badness.

But tonight Kalli McMahon was touching him the way she always had.

Gently, lovingly, like nothing had ever changed.

“Kalli?” He asked softly, “Is everything okay?”

She looked up into his eyes.

Their faces were only centimetres from each other and she was looking into his eyes.

And by the curious look on her face, Matt could tell she thought nothing of it. A smile crept onto his face, relief filling him. “Kalli...”

She shook her head slightly, asking softly, “What?”

“You... You’re...” He smiled, “You’re you again.”

Confused, she chuckled slightly, “I’m *me* again?”

He nodded, “Yeah. With me. You’re you again with me.”

Kalli giggled, suddenly clued in. “Yeah.” A huge smile painted her face, “I guess I am.” He shared her smile and a little overcome with relief and love, she stood, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.

Returning her hug, he asked into her hair, “What happened? Two days ago you were still... And today?”

“Let’s just say Jeff and I had a good talk.” She pulled back a little, again looking up into his eyes, “He made me realize that the reason this has been so awkward with you is that we, you and me, were letting all the talk get to us. We were letting our guilt make us doubt the basis of our friendship. And you know what? Jeff didn’t have a doubt in his mind.” Kalli smiled, “He knows us better than we know ourselves, Matty. He knows that kiss... That’s not us. That’s not us at all.” Her eyes set curiously for a moment and she asked, “And what about you? You’re not exactly standoffish with me today either.”

The goofiest of grins crept onto Matt Hardy’s face, an all too familiar twinkle in his eyes.

Kalli gasped excitedly, “Something happened with Krissy, didn’t it?” He nodded and suddenly fit to burst she shook him, “Well? What? What happened?”

He told her simply, joy dancing in his sweet drawl, “She’s coming home with me.”

An excited half-scream, half-laugh burst from Kalli’s lips and she practically jumped up and down on the spot, forgetting entirely how angry she had been with her older sister just moments before. “Oh my God! Oh my God! Matty!!!” She wrapped her arms around his neck again, hugging him tightly. “I’m so happy for you!” She practically chanted, “Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God!”

Laughing, Matt hugged her back, “Geez, Kalli! I don’t know who’s more excited about this. You or me!”

“ME!!!” She shouted, stepping back a little but still keeping a firm hold on him. “Do you know how great this is?” He cocked an eyebrow at her and she blushed, “Okay, so you probably do, but that's beside the point!” She giggled, leaning in to hug him again.

Behind them, the locker room door clicked open...

Jeff Hardy stepped in to the room, surprised to see Kalli and Matt locked in a tight hug. He stood there for a second before a smile crept onto his face.

This was the Kalli and Matt he was used to.

And sadly, he had not seen it in a long time.

“Did I miss something?” He asked playfully as he closed the door over behind him.

Kalli, still jumping around like an excited little kid nodded at him, “Jeffy! Krissy and Matt are back together!!!”

An even bigger smile touched Jeff’s face, “Are you serious???”

Matt went to answer but Kalli cut him off, “Uh huh!”

Stepping across the room, Jeff looked at his brother, “Matt, man...” A little speechless, but pleased, not only for his brother but for Krissy, his best friend in the world, as well. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Jeff.” The two exchanged an awkward, but warm glance before eventually both stepped forward, meeting in a hug.

Kalli, standing back to give them room, grinned.

The last two months had taken their toll on Matt and Jeff too. And though the brothers had never spoken a harsh word to each other in the time since Unforgiven, they had barely spoken any words to each other at all. Perhaps, Kalli hoped, this was the first step to that changing too.

She waited until the pair had pulled away from each other to reach a gentle hand out to Jeff’s injured arm. “What did the Trainer say, baby?”

Jeff’s face fell. He offered meekly, “He cleared me to wrestle tonight, Kalli.”

She squeezed his arm sharply and the younger Hardy Boy gasped, “Hey! Ooowww! Kalli!!!”

“Chris is letting you work with that???”

“It’s not that bad...”

“Do you want me to squeeze your arm again?” She snapped.

Matt sighed softly. This was not going to be pretty.

“Kalli, if the Trainer cleared me, I’m okay to work...”

She retorted, her voice heavy with sarcasm, “Uh uh.” She paced angrily on the spot, “And the first arm drag Ron hits on you you’re going to be in agony...”

The girl fell silent and she glared at him angrily, “Fine.” She turned to Matt, “I’ll see you later, Matt.” And with that she turned on her heel and marched from the room.

Jeff stared after her a moment and sighed, “Dammit.”

“You wanna go after her?” Matt asked.

His brother shook his head, “If I go after her right now I’m likely to get hit with an inanimate object.”

Matt chuckled, “Yup, that’s Kalli all right.” He looked at his brother asking earnestly, “Serious though, is your arm gonna be okay?”

Jeff shrugged, “It stings like a bitch, but I’ll get through the match, Matt. I’ve worked with worse before.” He gave his brother a lopsided smile, “So, when I walked in before...”

Concerned that Jeff may have gotten the wrong impression of the hug he and Kalli had been sharing at the time, Matt started, “Jeff, it wasn’t...”

Raising a hand to silence his brother, Jeff shook his head, “That wasn’t what I was gonna say, man. Not even close.”

Surprised, Matt asked, “It wasn’t?”

Sitting down on the bench, Jeff motioned for Matt to do the same. When his brother was beside him, Jeff said quietly, “I shoulda talked about this shit with you before now.” He shrugged again, “I don’t know why I didn’t.” His gaze locked on his brothers and he said, “About that kiss, Matt...”

The elder Hardy lowered his eyes, “Jeff...” He took a steadying breath, “I can’t say it enough. I’m so sorry that it even happened.”

“I know.” Jeff nodded, “And...” He thought for a moment, choosing his words carefully. “I don’t like that it happened, Matt. But... I think I understand why it did. And... It’s okay.”

Matt stammered, “J... Jeff...” He broke off, not sure what to say.

“You and Kalli have been best friends since we came to the WWF, Matt. The last two months, I’ve seen you both, avoiding each other, worrying about each other, never once coming together to talk. Never once being there for each other the way you have been all these years.” He smiled, “And before when I walked in here I saw you and Kalli the way I used to see you and Kalli.” He pat his brother’s arm gently, “The best of friends.”

Surprised, moved even, Matt asked near-timidly, “Do you mean that?”

Jeff nodded, “I do.”

Silent for a few moments, Matt eventually offered up, total sincerity in his voice, “Thank you.”

“No,” Jeff shook his head, “Thank you.” He added a little sadly, “If not for you, I may never have come to my senses about Kalli.” He seemed distraught at the very thought, “I could have spent the rest of my life without her.”

Matt shook his head, “No. I don’t think you would’ve been able to resist her forever.” He added with a grin, “If nothing else, eventually she would have just cracked the shits and beat the hell out of you.”

Jeff laughed at this with his brother until eventually they settled into silence. “Well,” the younger Hardy stood, “I better get my ass into gear.”

His older brother stood beside him, “Yeah. I’ll let you get ready.” He grinned, grabbing his brother in a tight hug again. “I’ll see you soon, man.” The two exchanged a smile and then Matt left his brother to ready for his Dark Match.

“Will you stop that? It’s incredibly annoying.”

Kalli smiled half-heartedly at Tiara from where she sat beside her on one of the large trunks backstage at the Crown Coliseum. Her feet still banged over and over against it as she swung her feet. “I’m trying to be annoying.”

Tiara laughed, “It’s not like you have to try that hard, Kalli.”

Finally Kalli managed a full smile. “I’m sorry.” She stopped banging her feet against the trunk. “I’m just...” She growled tiredly, “Jeff...”

“I know.” Tiara rubbed her friends arm, “But he knows his body better than anyone, Kalli. If the Trainer clears him and he thinks he’s okay to wrestle, then he is.”

The McMahon Heiress shook her head, “No... If Jeff knew anything about his body he wouldn’t do half the shit he does.”

Her friend grinned, “True. The boy is definitely a screw or two loose.” She asked sweetly, “But isn’t that what you love so much about him?”

Kalli sighed, “Unfortunately.”

“Honey,” Tiara slipped an arm around her friends neck and hugged her to her, kissing the top of her head playfully, “Jeff will be fine. And if he’s not,” she grinned, “You’ll kick his ass.” Kalli giggled, hugging her friend back, the two sharing their warm laughter until Tia’s laugh trailed away, “Oh great, here comes trouble.”

Kalli pulled away slightly, looking up, her laugh dying the moment her eyes fell on Stacy Kiebler.

Stacy sauntered up to the twosome, freshly showered and made up after her Gravy Bowl match against Trish Stratus. “Tiara,” she beamed, “Kalli,” she snarled.

“Hey, Stace.” Kalli bared her teeth at her. “I just wanted to tell you, I *so* enjoyed your match tonight!”

Her friend giggled beside her, “Uh huh! It was great! Such a refreshing change to see you getting your ass kicked.” She paused, “Oh, no, wait. Kalli does that to you *all the time!*” Both she and Kalli laughed at this.

Unimpressed, Stacy pouted, her brow creased together in a tight frown. After a moment she asked, “Kalli,” nastily she cooed, “Darling.” She smirked, “I was wondering if you could tell me where The Hardy’s locker room is. I’m really looking forward to seeing Jeff...”

Kalli cut her off, giggling, “So he can make you cry again???”

Both she and Tiara howled with laughter as Stacy went red, her jaw dropping, “What? How did you...” She growled, “Oh, I bet you think that’s real funny, don’t you?”

Kalli nodded, “Uh huh!!!”

“I’ll show you funny!” Stacy stepped forward, her hand raised for a slap. Kalli hoisted an arm, expecting the blow to be aimed for her. To her horror, Stacy kept moving forward, her open palm smacking straight across Tiara’s face.

Falling back a little from the force of the blow, pain shooting through her, Tiara grasped a hand to her injured face as Stacy began to laugh. “Now *that's* funny!”

But her laughter was quickly silenced.

Without so much as a second thought, Kalli leapt off the crate, grabbing Stacy by the hair and slamming her onto her back on the ground. She bent to grab her again when Stacy hoisted a boot to strike her in the chest before scrambling to her feet. Holding a hand to her chest, Kalli went to step forward again, only to have Stacy deliver her a fierce slap.

“That...” Kalli growled, “Was the most stupid thing you have *ever* done.” She rushed forward, planting her hands on Stacy’s hips and backing her quickly into the wall, a resounding thud echoing through Stacy’s body. She ploughed a fist into Stacy’s stomach, then another...

“Kalli! Kalli stop it!!!” Tiara jumped off the crate, hurrying over to the fighting pair. “Kalli!” She tugged on Kalli’s arm, but the girl simply ignored her, continuing to plant fierce fists into Stacy. “KALLI!” She yanked on Kalli’s arm again, managing this time to pull her away, but only long enough for Stacy to raise a boot and kick Kalli in the face. Her friend dropped onto the floor and Tiara whirled.

Stacy planted her hands in Tiara’s chest and pushed the girl as hard as she could, sending her sprawling onto her back. Then she leapt forward, pinning Kalli beneath her and punching her over and over.

Rounding the corner, curious as to the commotion, Jason Reso was startled when he saw his fiancee clambering to her feet, still clutching her face and screaming, “Get off her, Stacy! Stop it!!!”

He hurried forward, about to grab Stacy when Kalli threw her head forward in an almighty head butt, knocking Stacy backward. In a flash, Kalli was upon her, punching her again and again.

“Jay!” Tiara called to him, “Stop Kalli!!!”

He nodded, rushing up behind Kalli, wrapping his arms around her waist, “Kalli! Come on! Cool it!”

The girl struggled desperately in his arms, “I am going to kill that little bitch...”

“Not if I kill you first,” Stacy struggled to her feet, rushing toward Kalli again, but the girl managed to raise a boot from where she squirmed in Jason’s arms to kick her in the stomach. Though she was thrown off balance, Stacy surged forward again, only for Tiara to grab her from behind, holding the leggy blonde back with strength she didn’t know she had.

Jason on the other hand was having a whole lot more trouble keeping a grip on Kalli as she fought frantically to get back at Stacy. “Kalli! Stop it! Stop it right now! Your father is going to kill you if he finds out about this...”

“Consider her found out.”

Kalli McMahon froze in Jason’s arms as her father’s voice touched her ears, fear filling her face as she stammered, “Daddy...” She felt Jason’s arms tighten supportively around her waist, his cheek leaning against hers.

Vince, hovering behind Jason, looked over to Stacy, her tears splattering onto her blood stained face. “Go get yourself checked out, Stacy. I want to see you the moment you’re done.”

Tiara let the WCW starlet go, her eyes locked sympathetically on her friends. “Oh Kalli,” she sighed under her breath.

Kalli turned slowly, Jason loosening his grip from around her and stepping back to stand with Tiara. He hooked an arm around her waist.

“Daddy,” Kalli stammered, tears filling her eyes, blood smeared on her face from her injured nose. “I can explain...”

He spoke plainly, commanding her, “Come with me.” He turned, heading down the hallway.

And it was with dread that Kalli followed him.

Jason and Tiara stood watching them go, Jason turning his attentions to his fiancee the moment they were out of sight, “Tia, honey, are you okay?” He brushed his thumb lightly over her cheek.

“Uh huh,” she murmured, “But Kalli...”

He nodded sadly, “I know.” Curious, still fussing over her he asked, “What happened?”

Taking his hand she said, “I’ll tell you when we get there.”

Confused he asked, “When we get where?”

Leading him away she said, “We have to tell Jeff...”

“All packed up?”

Jeff nodded to his brother as he zipped up his bag, “Yeah. You and Krissy driving back to Cameron together tonight?” Matt nodded and Jeff smiled, “God. It’s nice to be able to say ‘you and Krissy’ again.”

His older brother grinned, “You’re telling me.” He went to speak again when there was a knock at the door. He looked to Jeff, “And since when did Kalli take to knocking?” Jeff shrugged in response and Matt chuckled before calling out, “Come in.”

The door opened and Tiara and Jason stepped into the room.

Taking in Tiara’s dishevelled appearance and the nasty red streak across her cheek Matt asked, “Shit, Tia. What happened to you?”

Anger filling her voice, Tiara replied, “Stacy Kiebler happened to me.”

“What the fuck? Are you serious?” Jeff piped up.

Jason nodded, “That girl has a nasty streak a mile long.”

“What happened?” Matt asked.

Tiara’s voice was gruff, but a little sad as she explained, “Well, I was sitting backstage with Kalli...”

Fear filled Jeff’s face, “Oh God...”

Still curious Jason rubbed Tiara’s arm, “Go on, honey. I want to know what happened.”

She nodded up at him and continued, “Well, we were just sitting there talking and Stacy came up to us. She started trying to play the ‘Kalli, do you know where Jeff is’ game and Kalli and I kinda made fun of her...”

“Kinda?” Matt asked.

Tiara blushed, ignoring him as she went on, “Anyway, Stacy said she’d show us funny and she stepped forward... I honestly thought she was going to slap Kalli, but she didn’t.” She took a deep breath, “She slapped me instead!”

“Shit. Kalli would have taken that well...” The elder Hardy sighed.

Jeff groaned, “She and Kalli got into it, didn’t they?” Tiara nodded, and he asked, “Then where is she now?”

Jason spoke softly, “In Vince’s office.”

Both Matt and Jeff sighed together, “Oh shit.”

The blonde WWF Superstar nodded regretfully, “Vince came in just as we were busting them up.”

“Damn.” Jeff looked to Matt, “I gotta go see her. I’ll catch you back in Cameron, man.” Matt nodded and Jeff moved across the room, touching Tiara’s arm as he passed her, “Thanks guys.”

The threesome watched him go and Tiara asked softly, “What’s gonna happen to Kalli?” Jason shrugged sadly, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her tightly.

Matt shook his head, “I don’t know, Tia. But I don’t think it’s going to be good.”

Kalli sat uncomfortably on the sofa in her Father’s office for the evening, her eyes locked on the carpeted floor, tears streaming down her face as her father paced silently back and forth in front of her, as he had been for minutes.

“Well?” He eventually growled.

Weakly, barely able to speak, she asked, “W... Well?”

He groaned, “Don’t play stupid with me, Kalli...”

“I... I’m not...” She stammered.

He cut her off, “What the *hell* did you think you were doing, Kalleasto?” She did not answer him and he continued to pace, an angry spring in each step. “I can’t believe you.”

Angry with herself for her own stupidity at having let Stacy goad her into a fight and ashamed that at 23 years of age, she could feel like she was 5 again, sobbing as her father scolded her for misbehaving. “Daddy,” she managed to murmur.

“Don’t Daddy me!” He came to a halt, his hands on his hips, he glared down at her. “Look at me.” She did not, “Look at me!” She looked up, even more hurt when she saw that it was not just anger, but pure disappointment, that coated her Father’s face.

On seeing her tears, Vince’s face softened and he knelt before her, his voice lowering slightly, “Why did you do that? Why?”

“I didn’t mean to... I... She hit Tiara! And...” He shook his head at her and she knew how pathetic and pointless any type of explanation was in those moments.

“Kalleasto, you are a McMahon.” He told her plainly, “It’s about time you started behaving like one.” He shook his head at her, “McMahon’s do *not* bend and shape storylines to their wills just because they’re boyfriend broke up with them. They do not use their matches as means to win back their boyfriends hearts. And above all else, they do not go around violently attacking WWFE employees like it’s their God given right.”

Her jaw dropped, surprised by the harsh edge to his words, “Daddy, it’s not like that...”

“I warned you about this and you *promised* me you would be on your *BEST* behaviour. You *promised* me!”

Kalli sobbed softly, “Daddy...”

“You can continue to travel with the WWF, Kalleasto, but consider your suspension from the WWF permanent.”

Horror filled Kalli’s face, “Daddy, no...”

His face remained stern and he shook his head at her slowly, “That’s my final decision.” He beckoned to her bloodied face, “Now go and get cleaned up.”

Standing slowly, shakily, her stomach churning as though she might throw up at any second she pleaded desperately, “Daddy, you can’t. Please. Please, you know how much I love this business... You know how much my place in the women’s division means.”

His disappointment clearly written in his voice he told her, “You should have thought of that before.” He turned her back for fear he would see how much it broke his heart that he was literally snatching her dreams away from her, “That is all, Kalleasto. I’ll see you at Thanksgiving.”

She stood there, horrified, for a few moments before turning and hurrying from the room, sobbing desperately.

“Kalli...” As she stepped out into the hallway and the door clicked shut behind her a pair of arms wrapped gently around her, hugging her tightly.

Snuggling forward into the open arms, breathing in deeply, knowing the sweet scent she whispered, “Jeffy...”

“What happened?” He asked gently, “What did your father say?”

“He’s not going to lift my suspension,” she cried against his chest, “It’s permanent. He made my suspension permanent. He’s not going to let me in the ring again.”

Jeff sighed, “Oh, baby. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry...” He hugged her tight, stroking her hair as she cried, aching for her. Knowing that her place in the WWF meant more to her than anything save her family and friends. That was what she wanted for her life, that was her dream, her desire, and her Father, and Stacy Kiebler, has just torn that all away from her. He kissed her hair, “Baby, I wish I could do something...”

His voice trailed away when he heard footsteps coming up from behind him and without so much as loosening his grip on Kalli he cast a look over his shoulder, an angry scowl touching his face when he saw it was Stacy approaching. She wandered, slowly, seductively up to them, leaning forward to look at Kalli where she snuggled into Jeff’s arms. “Awww,” she teased mercilessly, “Poor, poor little Kalli. Daddy wasn’t very understanding about your little outburst, was he?”

Closing her eyes, trying to block Stacy out, Kalli turned her head, facing the opposite direction.

“I see you have a nice shiner coming up there, Stacy.” Jeff glared furiously at her. “I’m happy to see my girl at least dented that miserable excuse for a face of yours.”

Kalli nearly gasped at the words coming from Jeff’s mouth. She had never heard him say anything like that to anyone. “Jeffy...” She murmured.

He looked down at her, “Come on, Kalli. Let’s go home.” He turned away from Stacy, gently pushing Kalli to walk in front of him.

“Bye, bye, Kalli!” Stacy sniggered. “I’ll see you in the ring.” She gasped playfully, “Oh no, I guess I won’t get...”

The sentence died quickly as Jeff Hardy whirled, slapping the girl’s face.

Stacy’s jaw dropped and tears instantly flooded her eyes as she rest her palm shakily against her cheek, completely mortified. “Jeff...” She whispered.