A Rumbling Heart

Kalleasto McMahon folded her arms as she spotted Stacy Kiebler moving down the ramp toward the ring, elegantly dressed in a tiny pair of her Dudley Boy shorts and a tiny white Singlet. The moment she knew the blonde was in ear shot she grinned darkly, “Finally decided to climb out of your coffin and come join us, Stace?”

Following the woman’s gaze to her friend where she stood in the corner, Kalli’s eyes hardened. “The WWF wants you to wrestle, Stacy. Take it seriously, be here on time, or you may be looking for a new place of employment.” She watched as the woman climbed into the ring, taking in her footwear for the day. “Heels, Stace?” She shook her head, “Take ‘em off.”

The blonde sighed, moving to one corner of the ring to remove her shoes. As she did so Kalli stepped over to the corner where her friend stood. “Okay, Tia?”

But Tiara’s attentions were focused on Stacy, the women’s eyes locked together as Stacy seductively slid her heels from her feet, her boastful smirk antagonising the future wife of Mr. Jason Reso. Her pride only swelling all the more when she saw the tears in Tiara’s eyes that were threatening to fall.

“Listen to me,” Kalli cut her off, “That bitch has meddled in someone else’s relationship for the last time. She is not a threat to you on any level, do you hear me?”

But Kalli held up a hand to silence her, “Na huh.” She shook her head, fierce determination on her face. “Get your game face on,” she grinned excitedly, “You are about to kick Stacy Kiebler’s ass.” The McMahon Heiress moved to the centre of the ring, her attentions back on the leggy blonde. “Warmed up yet?” Stacy shook her head and Kalli groaned, rubbing her forehead, annoyed. “Then please, be my guest.”

Another smile crept onto Stacy’s face, and all taunting seduction, she stretched her long legs in the corner, well aware of Tiara’s mournful gaze still locked on her. She moved gracefully, sexually, pleased that the girl could see very well the threat she posed to her relationship with Jason.

Kalleasto McMahon had stood in the way of the one thing that Stacy had wanted, but never had. And though she still desired the chance to rock not just Jeff Hardy’s world, but his very existence, tangling with Krissy McMahon Hardy could very well spell the end of her career in the WWF.

But Kalli held no power in the WWF anymore, and should the unforseen happen, and she fail to snare Jason from the clutches of Tiara, Matt Hardy might just be worth a shot.

“Kalli?” Tiara spoke softly from behind the McMahon Heiress, “I really don’t know if I can do this. Not today...” But her words trailed away when Kalli turned, folding her arms to glare at her, “You want me to kick your ass?”

“Then cut it out!” She neared her friend, gently placing her hands on her cheeks. She squeezed them playfully, her voice a baby talk whisper, “Now I dragged my ass outta bed today to see you beat on a harlot, and dammit, I am going to see it, you hear me?”

Kalli squawked happily, “That’s my girl!” She leant forward, pressing her lips to her friend’s forehead and then moved back to the centre of the ring. “Okay, Stacy, I want you here,” she pointed beside her, “Tiara, right here.” She pointed to the opposite side of herself, smiling at Tiara when she moved to stand where she had directed her. “Okay, we’re gonna start with some basic bumps.” She stepped back, “Stacy I want you to Irish Whip Tiara into the ropes and when you come back Tia, you clothesline Stacy.”

A pout flashed onto Stacy’s face, “But...” Kalli’s only reply was a hard glare and Stacy sighed, grabbing Tiara and whipping her around. As the girl bolted back toward her, she braced herself for the arm that smacked against her chest, taking her right off her feet.

“Good,” Kalli smiled approvingly, fighting to keep a level look on her face. “That was great, Tia.” She glowered down at Stacy, “But Stace... Try not to make it quite so obvious you’re about to get clocked, got it?”

Kalli smiled, “It’s wrestling, Stacy. It’s meant to hurt.” She nodded to them both, “Again.” And again Tiara was whipped into the ropes, coming back and hitting Stacy with another clothesline, this one even harder than the first. Kalli nodded, “That’s it. That was much better, Stacy.” She looked to Tiara, “Okay, now, I want you to hit three arm drags, Tia. One after the other. Stacy, I want you back on your feet as fast as you can, got it? Whirl back into them.”

When Stacy landed after the third arm drag, she looked over to Kalleasto, her pain filled eyes widening as she gripped her back, “Oh I get it,” she panted, “I get exactly what’s happening here.” She climbed to her feet, “You can’t victimize me...”

“You listen to me, Kalleasto McMahon...” But the sentence exploded into a shrill scream as Tiara stepped forward, taking Stacy by the arm and slamming her down in a vicious arm drag.

“Very nice, Tiara.” The sound of applause came from ringside and all three girls looked over to see Vince McMahon, a proud smile on his face. “You’re improving out of sight I see.”

Tiara flashed a broad smile at the Chairman of the WWF as Kalli paled where she stood, frightened her Father knew very well what she was up to that early Atlanta morning. “Thanks, Mr. McMahon.” Tiara nodded toward Kalli, “Your daughter’s a great teacher.”

“Sure, Daddy.” Kalli moved to the side of the ring, looking back to the two girls as Stacy slowly climbed to her feet, “Okay, Tia, I want you to mix it up a bit. Keep working on your arm drags, and I want you to try a couple more suplexes, but be careful, okay?” Tiara nodded, “And Stacy, you hit a couple of arm drags too, but I really want you to take some bumps today...” Kalli threw a smile at Tiara that she knew her father could not see, “So you keep working with Tia.” She nodded to her friend, “Remember, Tia, don’t drop down too fast on those suplexes. You gotta hold your end up.”

Tiara nodded, “I got it, Kalli. Just go, girl.” She watched her friend hook an arm around the top rope and flip and drop over it to the outside as she laughed, “Show off,” before moving toward Stacy again, a dark, but ecstatic look on her face.

Moving to sit on some of the ringside seats just out of ear shot, Kalleasto McMahon plonked down beside her father, her eyes immediately locking on his, “So what’s up, Daddy?”

“Well,” he shrugged, “Nothing really.” He gave her a gentle smile, “Truth be told, I just wanted to check in on my little girl.”

Vince chuckled, “Something like that.” His chuckled died away and he leant forward, pushing some stray strands of hair behind her ear. “Everything okay with you?”

And indeed, everything was okay for Kalleasto McMahon. She and Matt were still feeling their way through the early stages of their relationship, granted, and it wasn’t all easy, but they were together every step of the way. They were complete, and for the first time in months, Kalli felt secure.

He smiled, “Because it still feels a little strange knowing that there is a Matt and you.” He shook his head, “I swear, you and Krissy are going to be the death of me. I mean, first she’s in love with Adam and Matt and you’re in love with Jeff and Matt, and then you boyfriend swap...”

“Kinda?” Vince shook his head again. “If you guys go swapping around again...” Again the Chairman of the WWF shook his head, “My God...”

A smile danced onto Kalli’s face at this that spoke volumes, and Vince could not hide a smile of his own on seeing it. Her bright eyes were aglow with a renewed kind of passion and he could see it in her, in the very way her lips curled in absolute delight...

She seemed about to speak when the echo of an ‘Owwwwwwwwwwww!’ came to them from the ring, Vince following his daughters gaze out to the ring where Tiara lay. “What the hell was that?” She called out.

“My bad,” Stacy threw her hands up all innocence. “I just kinda messed up that arm drag, but its okay. Tia’s okay,” she stooped to help the girl up, “Aren’t you?”

“Dammit, Stacy, you drop her like that again and you’ll be arm dragging me around the damn ring instead and then we’ll see how you like messing up...” The words trailed away and she turned to look at her father, her jaw dropping slightly, “Uh, I mean...”

A slight tinge of colour filled the girls cheek and she had to look away for fear it would turn into a full blown blush. She looked back to the girls in the ring, “I wanna see that arm drag again, Stacy.” The blonde grumbled, but she grabbed onto Tiara, hitting a second arm drag. It was sloppy at best, and she still forced Tiara to land awkwardly. Kalli groaned, “Damn, Daddy,” she told him softly, “That girl is fucking hopeless in the ring.” She called out, “Tia, wanna show her what an arm drag is?”

Climbing to her feet, Tiara nodded, viciously grabbing the girl and dragging her down. Another cry of ‘Owwwwwwwww’ broke through the arena, this time from Stacy, but the execution of the move was perfect.

Vince nodded softly, “I know, honey, but the men love her. And she does seem to be showing some improvement since you started working with her... If she’s in the WWF, she’s gotta be able to wrestle. You know how it is.”

The McMahon Heiress sighed, “Yeah, God Forbid we rob the men of their tits and ass and bra and panty matches and gravy bowl matches and...” She realized her father was narrowing his eyes at her and she broke off, looking back to the ring to shout, “A couple more arm drags, Tia, okay?”

He grinned, “You still have a real passion for that Women’s Division, don’t you?” Pride danced in his eyes, “It hasn’t wavered one bit, Kalli, not at all since you’ve been suspended.” He nodded knowingly, “Your heart is in the WWF.”

Her father’s grin wavered, “Not yet, Kalli.” He told her gently, “You have to earn it, and you know that.” She looked away, her hands fidgeting in her lap as she fought to hide her disappointment. He reached out, pressing a hand to her cheek. When she looked up at him, he ached for her, hurt by the appearance of tears in her eyes, “But you’re on the right track, Kalli. You are.” He told her honestly, “I’m so proud of you.”

A tear slipped down the girl’s cheek, moved by her father’s words. Praise did not come lightly from her father, and she appreciated it more than he might ever really know.

He gently wiped her tears away with his thumb, smiling. There was a slight pause between the two before he pulled his hand away. “So everything really is okay for you?”

She nodded, “Ya huh.” She wiped away the last of her tears, managing to get herself back in check. “Heidi and I are house hunting for a place in New York...”

“I do,” she shrugged slightly, “But...” She locked her eyes on her father’s, “It’s too soon, Daddy. Matt and I want to do this right. Neither of us is ready to go rushing into getting a place and all that other stuff that comes with being all lovey dovey together.” She smiled, “I wasn’t sure he would understand but he did, Daddy.” Her smile grew a little more wistful, that sparkle in her eyes again, “This is so new to me that I think sometimes I forget he’s been my best friend for years now.” Her smile deepened, “I know him so well but at the same time, I’m getting to know him all over again...”

Kalli grinned, “Yeah.” Another shrill ‘Owwwwwwwww’ broke from the ring and Kalli looked up again, sighing when she saw Tiara laid out on the ring while Stacy looked around as innocently as she could manage. “Damn, I’m sorry, Daddy.”

Vince chuckled again, “God help me.” He leant forward, kissing her forehead, “Keep up the good work, Kalleasto.” And with that her father climbed to his feet and moved away. She looked after him a while and then turned her attention back to the ring where Stacy delivered another sloppy arm drag to Tiara. She stood, planting her hands on her hips, “God dammit, Stacy!”

“Anna! Damn, kiddo, will you settle down?” Kalleasto McMahon planted her hands firmly on her hips to gaze down at her niece as she bounced around her.

Despite herself, hearing the eight year old girl even utter the words ‘just bring it’ reduced Kalli to a fit of giggles. As excited as the girl was she bent over, scooping the girl up into her arms as if she weighed nothing. “We’ll see how you just bring it when I Swanton your ass, kiddo.”

The little girl gasped, “Aunty Kalleasto!!!” She turned slightly where she rest in Kalli’s arms, “Is she allowed to say that?”

Krissy nodded slightly where she leant against the packing crates at the stage entrance, her arms folded, but a tiny smile appearing on her face, “I’ve found your Aunty Kalleasto will do whatever she pleases.” There was a slight undercurrent to the words, and when hurt flashed in Kalli’s eyes for a moment, Krissy sighed, looking away.

But here she was, waiting with her sister for The Hardy Boys after their brief, but evidently successful reappearance in the WWF via the Royal Rumble, her daughter bouncing around the younger of the two McMahon girls as though nothing that had happened mattered.

It was hard. They had put each other through so much lately that the close relationship they had always shared had been maliciously sabotaged in the process...

Anna’s voice drew her attention and she looked back up as Kalli stepped nearer the curtain. “Lemme check, Anna...” She leant forward to peep through the tiny crack in the curtain, a hand coming through it as she did so and smacking her square in the head. She let out a startled squawk, stepping back as Jeff Hardy stepped through the curtain.

“Yeah, yeah.” Kalli loosened one arm from around Anna’s waist, rubbing her forehead. “I bet you are,” she smiled softly, their eyes meeting.

“I’ll live.” She reached out a hand without thinking, gently cupping his chin, “All good? That last bump outta the ring was a little nasty.”

The Hardy Boy laughed, looking to Anna, “Ah, the splat noise.” Anna giggled at the silly way he said it, “I’ve heard that one before.” He looked back to Kalli, “But I‘m all good.”

Realizing her hand still cupped his chin as she looked him over, Kalli moved her hand away, a slight ache filling her. “Good.” She stepped back a little further, allowing Jeff the view of his wife where she stood.

Krissy stood back, almost feeling as if she didn't belong, and just maybe she didn't. This had been a ritual between the two since the Hardy Boys had graced the WWF with their amazing athletic talents. Kalli would fuss and Jeff would discount all her fears. She half expected him to pull her into his arms, kissing her softly to prove that she had worried for nothing, because Krissy knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Kalleasto McMahon had felt more than a passing concern for Jeff during that match.

Krissy shook her head slightly. It was never easy knowing that your sister was still in love with your husband, especially on a day when you realized that your marriage was going to be far from the perfected bliss it had been.

"Hey..." Jeff moved over to Krissy, gently touching her arm and giving her a soft smile. He was about to speak when Matt and Amy stepped through the curtain as well.

As she passed Amy through the two a look, managing a brief smile before she kept walking, disappearing out of sight. Kalli looked after her a moment, sad that so much tension remained between the two, before aiming an adoring smile at Matt. He smiled, pausing at her side, his hand gently resting on her arm. "I am way impressed..." She told.

Despite himself, a little touch of... Something, he wasn't even sure what, filled him. He looked to Kalli, "Did she?" The girl's blush deepened and he nodded knowingly, looking back to the little girl held in the McMahon Heiress' arms, "And what noise did she make for me?"

Kalli cleared her throat, "Uh..." She looked over to Krissy in the hope her sister would call her daughter over and save Kalli any further embarrassment.

Krissy was watching the display between the two and caught Kalli's glance. "Anna, leave your Aunt Kalleasto alone. You've bugged her enough tonight. I think it's time I take you to the hotel and put you to bed."

"But Krissy! No! Aunt Kalli loves me! She wants me to bug her! She does! Don't you, Aunt Kalli?" The young child near demanded of her favourite aunt.

"Of course I do," Kalli kissed the girl's cheek, "I just..." She leant forward, whispering in the girl's ear, "I need my arms to give my boyfriend a hug."

Anna grinned at this, "Oh. Oh. Okay!" She moved to get down from Kalli's arms and the McMahon Heiress bent down to let her go. The girl scampered over to her mother, her voice carrying across clearly to Matt and Kalli, "She just wants to give her boyfriend a hug." Again, Kalli blushed. "But she doesn't mind that I bug her. She doesn't. She let me make all 'ooohhh' and 'ooowww' noises with her when Jeff got thrown out of the ring."

The blush on the McMahon Heiress' face vanished into a slight grimace, but she moved forward, ignoring it to wrap her arms around Matt. He welcomed her and she whispered, "You did great out there, Matty. As always."

Krissy tried her best to give her daughter a smile. "Your Aunt Kalleasto has always been the best as fussing over Jeff, but I'm sure that her boyfriend will appreciate her attention now." She moved slightly to stand by herself, suddenly filled with an insecurity she hadn't felt in weeks. She looked down at Anna again. "I'll expect you to stay away from Gil's while I'm gone this week, if your Aunt Kalleasto goes to Cameron. She doesn't need your bugging her while she's trying to enjoy time with her.. boyfriend."

Krissy couldn't help the real smile that graced her lips at her child's obvious disappointment that she wouldn't be with her. "Because Matt and Jeff are not working this week, and I am. You're tutor prefers to have you at home. So it is at home that you will be."

Jeff watched the exchange quietly, rubbing a sweaty hand gently over Anna's hair, playful. "You don't want me for company?" But as he waited for her reply, his eyes swept up to Krissy.

He knew her all too well. She was not happy about Kalli's actions toward him, and though he knew it should probably bother him too, it didn't. Fussing was Kalli's thing. He cast a look over to where she cuddled his brother, the two talking softly amongst themselves...

There was an undercurrent of something more in Matt's voice at those words and Kalli smiled, "You're not just talking about the Rumble are you?"

He grinned, "Yeah..." He told her gently, his eyes sparkling, "It felt so fucking good to hug my brother again. And he hugged me back, Kalli. There was no tension in it, no nothing... For that brief moment, I had my brother back." He cast a look over his shoulder, smiling at his younger brother when he saw Jeff looking at them. He was met with a warm smile before Jeff looked back to Krissy again.

Krissy looked to Jeff. "I have a lot of work to do tonight. I have no idea when I'll get a chance to leave the arena. If it's okay with you, maybe you can take Anna and put her to bed, if not, I'll have Mom do it." She glanced over at her sister and Matt, then turned back to Jeff. "I liked what I saw out there. It was good." She turned her attention to Matt once more. "You looked good out there, very rested. Enjoy this week. It could very well be your last one for a long time."

"If I had my way I wouldn't be resting another week..." He managed a bright smile for her despite the seriousness with which he meant the words. He looked down to Kalli as Krissy turned her attentions back to Jeff and Anna. "Go hug her."

About to speak, Jeff looked up, curious when he saw the look on Kalli's face. Nervous, fidgeting, she approached, looking back over her shoulder at Matt he seemed about to burst he was smiling so broadly.

Krissy was beyond shocked when she felt her sister's arms slide around her. She stood still for a moment before tentatively putting her arms around her sister, squeezing her slightly. Tears threatened her at all she had lost and was sure to lose still. "Thank you, Kalli," She forced out, but her words were choked. "But I really have to get back to work. I have to work now." She dropped her arms from around her sister hoping that she would do the same before the tears that she so desperately held at bay found themselves running rivers down her cheeks.

But Kalli held on a moment longer before letting go. Still feeling awkward, and now suitably embarrassed to boot she whispered, "Don't work too hard."

Beside her, Jeff grinned at the exchange, looking over to Matt. His brother stepped nearer to him and the two exchanged a grin. "You coulda just got Kalli slapped you realize?" Jeff asked under his breath.

Krissy shook her head, needing air and space. "No, I can manage on my own." She said realizing that she may just need to learn just that. She looked at Jeff though her eyes never met his. "Thank you for taking care of Anna. And don't wait up, I'm sure I'll be very late." She went to look at Matt and Kalli and found she couldn't. She needed away from them. From everyone. "I need to work." She mumbled before turning and starting her walk away from the group.

"Yeah," she nodded, looking to Jeff, sympathy in her eyes. He gave her a little smile to tell her he was okay and she nodded. She ruffled Anna's hair, "See ya, Kiddo." She started to move away, "Bye Jeff." She said softly.

He and Krissy had some things they definitely needed to sort out, and though right now was not the time, nor the place, he knew he had to sit his wife down and have a long talk to her.

Matt Hardy shook his head at the girl sitting before him on the bench as she yanked up his t-shirt. Pushing it back down he told her, “It’s just a bruise...”

“Well if that’s why you want to look at it then...” Matt grinned, tearing his shirt over his head and tossing it away. The girl immediately leant forward to press her lips to the slightly darkened patch on his stomach and he chuckled.

The Hardy Boy let out a long sigh, and in response Kalli’s face filled with concern. He sat down next to her, gently taking her hand. “Kalli... Can I ask you something?”

“I just...” It was Matt’s turn to shake his head, “It’s stupid, but something Anna said...” He looked at her, “I don’t like this feeling I have...”

“I’m jealous because you still fuss over Jeff when he’s out there, and I hate that I feel that way. I don’t want to feel that way. I don’t.” He whispered, “But I can’t help that I do.” He added even more softly, “I’m sorry.”

“Matty...” Kalli leant forward, wrapping her arms around him. His arms slid around her in response and she told him, “Don’t be sorry.” She kissed his lips lightly, keeping her eyes on his, “It’s my fault that you feel that way.” She told him softly, “I know I shouldn’t fuss over Jeff anymore.” She shrugged meekly, “I try not to.”

He nodded, “I know. You can’t help it.” He rubbed his nose gently against hers, “It’s part of you.” He raised a hand to stroke her cheek, “He’s a part of you.” Pain welled up in him, “You still love him.”

“I do,” Kalli told him gently, “But I love you too, Matty. My life is with you. And... I won’t lie, it’s not easy, just walking away from Jeff, it’s not. I lived and breathed him and it’s over, and I have to learn to live my life again without that.” She cupped his face gently in her hands, “Don’t you still love Krissy?”

“I always had to share her heart, Kalli. And I think that’s what makes it that bit easier. It’s helped me accept that she’s gone. That I’ll never be with her again.” He whispered, “But for you... When Jeff was yours, he was all yours.” He sighed, “I can’t imagine how hard that is for you now.”

“It’s not hard,” she smiled, “Because I have you.” She paused a moment, giggling, “My God that sounded corny.” Her light laugh brought a smile to Matt’s face and she gently ran her fingertips over her lips, outlining the sweet curve of his lips, as if memorizing his smile’s every detail. “The only time I feel that... That pull to Jeff like that, Matt, is when he’s in the ring. I worry about him and I...” She shook her head, “But you...” Unsure how to describe what she felt for him or why she felt it, she pressed her lips adoringly to his, kissing him deeply, her hands scooting over his chest softly as she leant into him.

When they slowly broke away, he whispered, his smile still hanging on his lips, “You think you can kiss me like that and just make everything right, don’t you?”

Again Kalli’s face fell and she offered sadly, “Yeah. Maybe we do.” She looked up, hope nestled deep in her soulful brown eyes, “But we’ll get there in the end.”

The certainty, the determination with which she spoke the words touched Matt and his smile returned, “You honestly believe that, don’t you?”

“I do.” She told him softly, “When I look back over the years we’ve known each other Matt, over everything we’ve been through, I know in my heart that this is where my life was leading me. Granted I strayed along the way,” a cheeky grin painted onto her face, “But here I am.”

The McMahon Heiress shook her head, “Because you always make fun of me for that! Okay, yes, I strayed and I was naughty, but hey... I was young!”

And though he was smiling, the WWF Superstar told her, “You do realize Kalli that unless you suddenly grew a pair, you’re not supposed to be in here.”

Matt laughed heartily at this, and Kalli couldn’t help but smile, “You just wanna hope you never have to find out, Steve.” She leant forward, kissing Matt’s forehead as she climbed to her feet, “But point taken.” She touched Matt’s cheek, “I’m gonna go bug Stephy for a while. Come grab me when you’re ready to go, okay?” He nodded and she moved toward the door, “Sorry, Steve.”