+Chapter 6+

Taker sat in his locker room, hands over his eyes, lost in the thoughts that had plagued him for months. He had the power to save her all those months ago, but his pride had gotten in the way. His inability to understand how powerful her love for Jeff really was, and his uncaring attitude involving the whole match had ultimately paralyzed him from even trying to help. Back then, he figured that Hazel had gotten herself into the situation, and therefore could get out of it on her own. If he would have known then what he knew now, his actions would have been completely different. He never realized how much he needed and loved Hazel. Whether she was his sister or not, they had been raised to believe they were for so long that now, DNA didn't matter to him. Hazel Harper was his sister, through blood or not. He loved her and life without her had been far harder than he ever could have imagined. He missed her laugh, her smile, her stubbornness, her goofiness… he missed her. Without her, he felt powerless. He couldn't even save her and that made him feel completely useless. Although no one would say it, Taker didn't seem as fierce as he once had. He seemed weak, almost human, since Hazel's death. Now, Gangrel was convinced that Hazel was alive and that Taker was hiding her from everyone. It didn't make sense to him at all. He'd tried everything in his power, and it still hadn't saved Hazel. Now, he anticipated Jeff Hardy to return to the WWE Universe like a knight in shining armor. Jeff's emotional state left little to be desired and knowing his position on Hazel, it would be heated when the confrontation would take place.

Jeff drove into the parking lot for the WWE superstars. It'd been months since he'd been there. So much had changed. The last time he'd been here was the last night of Hazel's life. That was the last night he felt his place to be in the WWE Universe. Gangrel and Edge were fixed on the idea that Hazel was still alive and being hidden away by her brothers. Knowing that he wouldn't be handed the truth so easily by either of the brothers, he just had to try. He needed the nightmares to stop, and finding Hazel seemed to be the only way. He couldn't imagine Hazel being alive and just opting to stay away from him. IF she was alive, someone was keeping her away. He knew when they first met and fell in love that things weren't always as they seemed in her family. Taker and Kane had special powers, but Hazel never seemed to have any of the family traits. Either of the brothers could break Jeff with their bare hands, but he needed to do this for Hazel, not for him. He stepped inside the arena and pulled his hood of his sweatshirt over his head, in hopes to avoid eyes and recognition from anyone he might pass.

"Jeff…" a voice called.

He swore under his breath for not being fast enough and for being spotted so quickly. He tilted his head as he watched John Morrison pacing towards him.

"So you finally returned…?"

"Not exactly. I'm looking for Kane and Taker."

"Oh fun…"

"Not at all."

"How have you been? You know I'm sorry about Hazel…"

He was genuine. He always was. "I'm getting better... but can we catch up later. I really need to find Kane and Taker."

"Sure. Give me a call sometime." Morrison said as he tapped his shoulder blade before walking away.

Jeff didn't mean to be harsh to John, but he needed to see the brothers while he still had the nerve to say what he was about to say to the two giants. Kane was the obvious second in command, serving under the more powerful Taker so he knew who he needed to see. Over the years, they'd done battle over Hazel but this time it was all different. Jeff walked up the hallway and noticed the names on the doors, he moved slowly down the hall until he stood outside the door he dreaded the most. The black lettering read "Undertaker". Jeff hesitated for a moment then he knocked forcefully.

The pounding on the door didn't frighten Taker, he half expected Jeff hours ago. He opened the door and saw Jeff standing outside the door, looking like a terrified child.

"I thought you'd show up sooner or later…" he said almost jokingly. "Come in…"

Jeff walked into the dark locker room and removed his hood as he watched Taker move across the room.

"You want some?" Taker asked extending a bottle of wine.

Jeff shrugged his head. "No."

"So I take it this isn't a social visit…"

"No… I need to know the truth..."

"About?"

Jeff's eye brow shot up with aggravation.

"I don't know what else to tell you about Hazel. I know Gangrel and Edge have talked to you and put some ridiculous ideas into your head but I wish on EVERYTHING I am that Hazel was alive but she isn't. "

"You never liked us being together, how do I know you're not lying?" Jeff fired back quickly.

"I never understood it! I never understood how you could love someone so much… I do now and it's too late to even tell her!" He screamed.

His tone was different. Almost human. Jeff looked at him in confusion. Taker noted his reaction.

"She's my sister and I love her. I didn't protect her and I regret it every day! She needed me and I didn't understand. So I let her go and did nothing. Do you have any idea how horrible I feel?"

Jeff looked at him, unsure how to feel, but he knew just by looking at Taker that he wasn't holding Hazel hostage. If anything, Hazel's absence left Taker looking weaker than Jeff had ever seen.