To Fuss Or Not To Fuss
“Dayum! Jason!” Kalli rest her hand over her mouth when she realized her voice echoed loudly around her, drawing the attention of the crewmembers nearest her, but her eyes remained locked on the monitor. Jeff Hardy lay sprawled out on the mat, grasping his stomach after one of the nastiest gut busters she had ever seen. She shook her head. It was unlike Jason to be so sloppy...
But damn if she wasn’t going to slap him when he came back stage.
The girl caught herself, suddenly shaking her head.
She was supposed to worry like that anymore, but it was easier said than done. Slowly but surely, she was adjusting to being around Jeff without letting her feelings get the best of her, her love for Matt strengthening her wavering heart when there was a need to.
It was just that there was still a need to that pissed her off.
And it was always when he was in that ring.
Because in that ring...
That was Jeff Hardy. Unbidden, unleashed.
That was the man she had fallen in love with nearly four years ago now.
A smile crept onto her lips as she watched Matt hit a Twist of Fate, Jeff climbing the turnbuckle nearest in preparation for a Swanton. As he stood, arms out, almost head banging a moment, her heart beat that little bit faster.
There was still nothing in the world that excited her like his Swanton.
He leapt forward, graceful, perfect, landing with a vicious thud on Jason, his head flinging back a little. She flinched as she watched, her eyes locked on him when he clambered to his feet while Matt got the pin. Amy climbed into the ring from behind them, and the trio’s arms raised in victory...
But Jeff’s face was pale, his balance barely there as he back pedalled slowly, shakily, his hand feeling through the air for the ropes as though he almost wasn’t sure they were there. Kalli grimaced as he tried to climb from the ring, not sure if he was just winded or he had hit his head when he had Swantoned Jason. Seeing Jeff nearly tumble to the mats outside the ring did not help any, and the look on Matt’s face that followed as he took hold of Jeff from behind, checking on him, was little comfort either.
She took a deep breath as the shot cut away from them, moving toward the curtain, trying to push that niggling nervousness starting to form in her heart away. She couldn’t fuss. She couldn’t. She wouldn’t.
Until Jeff stepped through the curtain and she looked up at him, his expression pained, their eyes meeting. “Jeffy...” She whispered, stepping forward, taking a hold of his arm to guide him the last of the way through the curtain, her eyes running over Matt as he stepped through the curtain, holding onto Jeff on the opposite side of her.
Very conscious of herself and her actions on seeing him, she directed her first question at Matt, “What happened?”
The elder Hardy Boy shook his head, “Not sure... I think he just got the wind knocked out of him.”
Jeff nodded, panting slightly, “I’m okay... I’m okay...” But his breath continued to come uneasily, his expression not changing.
“Here, sit down Jeff...” The girl nodded to Matt and they lead him to the nearest crate, sitting him down carefully. He sat, head hanging, his hands pressed onto his knees, his arms shaking slightly.
Amy followed them over, standing between Matt and Kalli, surprised when Matt’s hands dropped slightly from Jeff, the elder of the two brothers leaning on the crate to look at Jeff while Kalli’s hand?
It stayed there on Jeff’s arms, the girl leaning forward to look at him. “Head or gut?” She asked softly.
Jeff struggled for an even reply, “A little from column a...” He gasped softly, still fighting for breath, “A little from column b.”
“Want me to get the trainer, Jeff?” Amy piped up, but the Hardy shook his head. “You sure?” She asked.
“I’ll be good... It’s okay...” He ran his hands through his hair. “Dayum...” He looked up at Kalli, smiling softly as her hand slipped around to the back of his neck, massaging gently, “Thanks.” She shrugged nonchalantly, continuing to rub gently. He sat quietly a moment, still trying to calm his erratic breathing when he grimaced slightly, yanking away from her, “Ooowww. Man...”
His hand darted around the back of his neck and Kalli’s cheeks flushed with colour. “Oh God, I’m sorry...”
Matt’s eyes narrowed as Jeff sighed softly, “It’s all good, Kalli... Just an ache...” He pulled away from her slightly, his expression changing slightly, his eyes flicking up to Matt a second. His brothers words haunted him...
“Stay away...”
But Kalli cooed softly, beside him, her hands creeping to his neck again, “Here... Let me...”
And though Jeff wanted very much to pull away from her again...
He lowered his eyes.
Matt knew.
He knew.
His eyes sparkeld darkly as he watched. Kalli was so attentive, so determined as she gently worked his neck, trying to soothe away Jeff’s obvious discomfort, her concern for him so sincere, so deep.
He wanted to be moved by her concern, touched by her compassion...
The desire to slap her riveted him instead and he barely kept it at bay.
Jeff leant into her touch, and though he was trying to act as together as he could, as blaze about the girls affections as he was able...
His brother was savoring those attentions. Comforted by them, soothed by them.
He would look up from time to time, his eyes meeting hers. Neither seemed aware of the way they looked each other. So used of this scenario were they that, if they forgot for a single moment that Kalli was now with Matt, that Jeff was now a married man...
Then they were living a memory.
Lost in a moment they had shared hundreds of times.
He ran his fingers through his hair, taking a steadying breath. Damn it, he wanted to understand. He wanted to be patient.
But he had played second fiddle to another man long enough. Too much of his life had seen him settling for second best. Yeah, Kalli and Jeff had... God, something. They might always. But she was his now, she had chosen to be with him. Why was it so hard for her just to let go?
The elder Hardy shook his head.
It was in the ring. That’s all it was. She’d said it herself...
“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...”
What Matt Hardy would give to keep Kalli McMahon from ever seeing Jeff in the ring ever again.
“Better?”
Kalli’s voice drew his attention and he looked up, her hands finally withdrawn from Jeff.
“Yeah,” Jeff nodded, “Much.” His breath now coming easier he smiled, “You still missed your calling.”
The McMahon Heiress chuckled, “Like I have the brains for physiotherapy.”
“Oh I don’t know...” The girl looked across at Amy as she spoke, hints of spite that the girl only loosely covered at best in her voice, “You seem to have that magic touch.”
Matt sighed, catching the hidden meaning in Amy’s words. Evidently he wasn’t the only one who’d noticed that when Kalli touched Jeff...
That seemed to heal any ailment, didn’t it?
He looked across at Kalli. Hurt filled her eyes. She wasn’t stupid. She knew Amy as well as he and Jeff did. She could read her like a book, and when he looked across at Amy, the anger in her eyes served as a reminder that Amy was still a very bitter girl.
Kalli had always told him that Amy’s feelings had lasted, withstanding the tests of time, no matter who else Matt loved. The only thing that had proven that in the end was Amy’s reaction to Kalli of late. Once the best of friends, Amy barely managed a civilized word for the McMahon Heiress now, and he wanted to hate it...
But seeing Kalli fuss over Jeff made him feel like his faltering girlfriend deserved it anyway.
Matt shook his head again. What the hell was he thinking?
“Matty?” His eyes met the girls as she stepped in front of Jeff, “You okay?”
She touched his cheek gently and though his fury still rampaged throughout him, he smiled, “Yeah, I’m fine, baby.”
“Really?” She pulled him closer to her, examining him, “You keep shaking your head...”
He chuckled, and though it was dry to his ears, it obviously appeased Kalli, “Just a headache. Maybe I got a bad bump...” He looked at Jeff and managed another smile, “Not like Jeff.”
Jeff grinned at this, “Only ‘coz you’re tougher than me. I’m always telling you that, man.” But man seemed little appeased by his words. No. Jeff could see the anger there. That jealousy. He sighed, deciding it was time to leave before he could do anymore damage to Kalli, “Dayum... I suppose I should haul ass off to the trainer, huh?”
Kalli wrapped her arms around Matt, cuddling him, but she looked back to Jeff. “Most definitely.” She giggled, “You know I’ll haul your ass there for you otherwise, right?”
“Don’t remind me.” He slipped carefully off the crate, “Thanks guys, I’ll catch you back at the locker room, okay?”
“Sure...” Matt nodded, his arms tightening around Kalli when he saw the grateful smile Jeff gave her before moving off down the hall, Amy stepping in beside his younger brother, her gentle smile offering him some company for his walk, the girl obviously eager to get away from the display of affection between he and Kalli.
When they were out of sight, Kalli looked back up to the man before her, “You sure you’re okay, Hardy?”
He nodded, leaning down to kiss her forehead, “I’m fine, McMahon. Quit worrying.”
The girl gasped playfully, “Where would all the fun be in that?” She paused, looking down at her watch, “Ah, damn. Baby, I gotta go.”
Curious, surprised, he asked, “You do?”
“Yeah... Daddy and Stacy and I are having a little meeting. That girl still fucking reeks in the ring.” She shook her head, “I could train a pet poodle to wrestle better than her.”
Matt laughed at the image, “I’m sure you could.” He placed a light kiss on her lips, “Want me to meet you back at the hotel then?”
She nodded, “Sure... But don’t go to sleep on me, got it?” She snuggled against him, smiling adoringly, “This is out last night together for a few days and I am not gonna have you nodding off unravished.” Kalli sighed, “I wish you were coming to New York with me on Tuesday night, baby.”
The Hardy nodded back at her, “Me too... But you know I got meetings with the builders trying to get my own place off the ground.” He brushed some strands of hair from her face, “Anyway, girl, go get your ass into gear. We can talk back at the hotel.”
“Okay, baby.” She kissed him again before pulling away, “I’ll see you soon. And remember,” as she backed from sight she called to him, “Don’t fall asleep!”
“Believe me, I look forward to my ravishing,” he called after her lightly.
But when she disappeared, so went the smile on his face.
He rest his head in his hands.
Damn Jeff.
And damn Kalli for still loving him.
He turned and head off down the hallway...
~ The End ~