"Trish! Trish! Trish! Trish!"

Trish smiled, listening to the growing chants of fans requesting her presence. Tonight was a big night for her. She would be tag teaming with Lita against Molly Holly and Stacy Keibler. If her opponents won, she would be facing the two in a tree way battle for her Woman's Title. However, if she won, she would get to choose opponent and style of the match.

Trish knew nothing about Amy's intentions with tonight's match but she respected the strong willed female and her desire to win. It matched Trish's determination and she respected her enough to choose to go head to head with her for the title. She smiled, mentally entertaining the challenge. The music started, introducing her to the ring. Trish ran out, energy levels high, ready to win.

"Amy, what's your plan tonight?"

Lita felt the eyes of Matt and Jeff Hardy watching her. Unknowing to Trish, Lita was given an ultimatum. Vince McMahon came into the Hardy's locker room just before the match. He wanted Trish to lose, making her have to face the other two girls, giving Lita a free pass towards the winner. This deal guaranteed the title to her since Stacy and Molly Holly were zero competition. Amy could beat them with her eyes closed. She bit her lip, hearing the introduction music calling her out.

"Time's up." She smiled walking out with both boys trailing her.

The match was long but the intensity never wavered. Lita's heart was pounding as Stacy distracted the referee. Trish had her back turned towards Molly Holly as Molly hoisted up a chair from under the ring. Lita looked to Jeff, mentally communicating a message to him. Trish turned back just in time to see a chair flying at her. Before it landed, she felt herself tumbling over the ropes and towards the outside of the ring. She flew her hand out, trying to grasp anything to break her fall. The referee turned just in time to see Trish tag Lita as she fell out of the ring. Trish squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for a hard landing. Instead, she felt a strong body cradling her. She looked up, seeing Jeff Hardy starring down at her. As the music played, signaling their victory, Trish smiled at Jeff. She stood, brushed herself off, and left. Midway up the ramp, she turned and said "Nice catch, Hardy" before departing.

Back in her locker room, Trish smiled to herself, thinking of the match. She was happy, happier than usual after a match. She told herself it was because of the intensity. She grabbed her things, excited to see some of the other wrestlers at the usual restaurant and bar everyone attended once the night was over. When she opened the door, a mad looking Vince stood on the opposing end.

"If you want to make a fool of me, I'll show you! Monday night you will face Randy Orton and Stacy Keibler in a No Disqualification match!"

Trish opened her mouth to speak but Vince had already stormed off. She stood there in disbelief for what seemed like hours.

Jeff rode with Matt up to The Island after dropping Amy off at Matt's hotel room. He was silent for most of the drive.

"Something wrong little brother?" Matt asked, finally breaking the silence.

He shrugged, choosing his words carefully. "You got yourself a good girl, Matt."

*Authors Note: I know it is have but can't you just imagine them saying got instead?*

"Yeah not many girls would throw a chance at a free title but I got to wonder whose side you're really admiring."

Jeff looked shocked. "I don't know what you mean!"

Matt just smirked, enjoying the effect his accusation had on his brother.

They arrived around midnight, pulling into the last spot that looked available. Usually the bar closed earlier but when WWE was in town, the owner made special accommodations. He was a major fan and all around a terrific guy. Jeff eyed the parking lot, looking to see if he could point out Trish's car. He wondered if she bothered attending after such an exhausting match. He couldn't pinpoint why but the blonde beauty danced in his mind ever since. When they walked in, he spotted her in her usual booth, strangely looking sad and alone.

"We should give Jimmy those Hardy shirts you got for his son. I think he'll be thrilled. Mine as well order some drinks while we are up there." Matt said, stretching his fingers.

"Nah, you go ahead without me."

Matt eyed Jeff's direction and knew exactly what he was looking at. He decided not to tease his little brother, nodded, and walked ahead.

Jeff crossed the room, eager and a little nervous. He was never nervous and hoped conversation would come naturally since he wasn't prepared. He thought of every stupid joke or obvious thing he could say to break the tension. He was no more than three booths away when Randy Orton slid in beside Trish. She seemed not to notice until he whispered something towards her. She jumped, looking a little frightened. That must have just been Jeff's imagination though. This wasn't the ring and she had nothing to fear here. As he was about to turn, he overheard Trish yelling over the music.

"Get off of me!"

Randy actually had his arm around her throat in an attempt to force a kiss on her. Jeff moved faster than he could give himself credit for but it seemed like everything was in slow motion. He grabbed Randy by the shoulders and threw him to the ground. Hard. If it wasn't for the loud music, everyone would have noticed their little tussle.

Randy stood, wiping blood off his bottom lip. "This is between me and her, Hardy. Back off!"

"I don't think she is interested and now, I am between you and her."

He smirked, blew a kiss to Trish, and said in his most arrogant tone, "We'll settle this Monday night."

Jeff turned, easing down beside her. She looked so shaken he didn't want to scare her even more.

"Are you ok?"

She smiled, possibly a forced smile. "Yeah, I'm ok."

Jeff felt awkward, like a man was the last thing she would want to be around right now. He shifted. "Well, I can just go get Torri Wilson if you want and…"

Before he could finish, Trish grabbed his arm.

"No, please stay. Hey, it's the least you can do. You did just save me."

A real smile that time.

Trish felt much more carefree with Jeff around. The idea of facing Randy and Stacy in the ring didn't leave her in fear now. She still couldn't get it out of her mind though. She felt like she could trust Jeff and if anyone could make it better, perhaps he could.

Their carefree conversation about his life back home would be ruined though. She liked the sparkle in his eyes when he talked about North Carolina, his father, dog Jack, and the stunts him and Matt pulled during their younger years. She felt comfortable but the dark cloud still hung over her head. Trish shifted uncomfortably, possibly a little too noticeable.

"Am I boring you?" Jeff asked, the sparkle fading a bit.

"No, not at all. I knew you and Matt were really brothers but I didn't know all of this about you. It's nice to know we are all human outside of the ring."

"I can tell you are hiding something. What is it that's bothering you? Maybe I can help?"

He looked into her eyes with a piercing gaze. His eyes were so beautiful and melted right into Trish's soul. Trish sighed, revealing to him what happened when Vince showed up. She could see a different look in Jeff's eyes now. They reflected an intense emotion, cloudy and unable to read.

"Vince was probably just mad you won. It can't be official yet. He wanted Lita to throw tonight so you would lose your title. There was no way he could have been serious."

Trish wanted to believe that but had a hard time trying. "Yeah, maybe," she mumbled.

Little did Trish know, Jeff was already plotting for the match. He knew Vince was serious and he refused to sit by and let a monster like Orton beat up on a female. He didn't put it past him to refuse a match, even against a female. He took Trish's hand, looking into her eyes again. He hoped he could comfort her the way Matt always did for Amy.

"Hey, let's forget about the ring. That's what this place is for! Tell me about your home life."

Trish nodded, losing herself in conversation with this alluring man for the rest of the night