Title: A Shock For Jeff

Spoilers: 2/8/01

Disclaimer: I don't own any WWF/WWE superstars. If I did, I'd keep 'em locked in my basement…if I had a basement

Summary: The title says it all

SMACKDOWN, FEBRUARY 8TH, 2001

Since Jeff had convinced her to stay, Angel had lived and breathed training. She still spent her mornings with Al Snow and Blackman but she now spent afternoons sparring with Jeff and sometimes Lita, as well as practicing solo with her sticks. The pain was still there but she was refocused, so it didn't seem to matter. In fact, it fueled her because she knew that while she was hurting, she was accomplishing something. She hadn't seen any change in her muscles yet, but she felt stronger and that was the important thing.

Before Smackdown she was talking and joking with Lita and the Hardyz when Lillian Garcia appeared, along with a cameraman.

"Hi Lillian," Matt greeted her. "What can we do for you?"

"Actually, Matt, I'm here to speak with Angel. That's your name, right?" she asked, focusing on Angel.

Angel nodded. "But why do you want to talk to me?"

"People have started to talk about you, so I thought I'd scoop them by getting an interview with you. With your permission, of course."

Angel looked over at her friends. Their eyes told her what an honor it was. She smiled at Lillian. "Well, sure. But I wouldn't know what to say."

Lillian gave a comforting smile. "I'll ask you some questions and you just say whatever comes into your mind. Okay?"

Angel nodded.

"Great! Let's roll it. I'm Lillian Garcia for WWF TV and I'm here with Angel Torres, who has burst upon the Federation in the last few weeks. Angel, can I ask how you came to be involved in the Federation?"

Angel kept her eyes on Lillian, ignoring the camera. "Well, I'm actually not contracted. I just sort of hang around. It actually started when I came to look for my cousin, Lita. I was visiting friends in Florida when I saw her on TV and decided to track her down."

Lillian nodded. "And what made you want to stick around?"
"Well, I'd probably be back home in Australia if it wasn't for Steven Richards. The man is a hypocrite and a cheat. He needs to be taught a lesson and I intend to be the teacher. Yeah, I know I'm just a girl but I've been working real hard and when I'm ready I think I'll surprise a lot of people."

"You're working with Al Snow, correct? So, you'll be a mat wrestler rather than a high flyer like your friends the Hardyz?"

Angel shrugged. "I don't know what I'll be, Lillian. We'll have to wait and see. I need to get a contract first." Angel looked over and met Jeff's gaze. He smiled and nodded, mouthing 'good job.'

The exchange didn't go unnoticed by Lillian. "Angel, I know you came to see Lita, but can I ask you what your relationship is with Jeff Hardy?"

Angel looked surprised for a second before breaking into a smile. "Jeff's great. We're really close. The other day he told me I was his best friend and I'd have to say it's pretty much the same for me. If not best, then pretty close to it."

"So, just friends then?"
"Yeah, we're just friends." She paused, frowning. "Why, have people been talking?"

Lillian shifted, uncomfortably. "Well, there is a rumor going around."

"Who started it?" Angel asked defensively. "Was it Edge? 'Cause I thought he was only doing that to get at Jeff."

"Come on, Angel," Lillian said softly. "You have to know what it looks like. You and Jeff are always together, you changed your hair to look like his…"

"It doesn't look like anything," Angel protested, running a hand through her hair. "At least it better bloody not. I have a boyfriend back home and I'm pretty sure this show screens on cable there. If he's at his mate's house and sees this, what's he going to think?" She turned and looked straight into the camera. "Tim, if you're watching, it's not true. Jeff Hardy is only my friend, babe. I just want to tell you that I love you and I'll be back home with you again just as soon as I take care of business here. Okay, babe?" She gave the camera a heart-melting smile and turned back to Lillian, eyeing her expectantly.

"Well, thanks, Angel, I'm glad we cleared that up. I'm Lillian Garcia and I've been talking to Angel Torres. And…cut." She turned to Angel. "Thanks, Angel. I don't know if they'll screen it but it was really great to meet you."

"You too," Angel smiled, shaking her hand.

Lillian and the cameraman exited, leaving Angel alone with Matt.

"How'd I go?"

Matt nodded. "Good."

"Where'd Jeff and Lita go?"

Matt frowned enigmatically. "They went to the trainer's room to get a bandage for Jeff's arm."

"Oh, okay."

"Tell me, Angel. What you said to Lillian, was that all true?"

"Yeah, sure. Why?"

Matt shrugged. "No, just wondering."

Angel frowned. "Why, Matt? Don't tell me you think…"

Matt shook his head. "I don't think anything. Sometimes it definitely pays not to think at all."

* * * *

"Jeff, stop. Just wait a minute. Come on, Jeff, please." Lita finally caught him and grabbed his arm.

Jeff shrugged her off and turned to face her, glaring furiously. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Lita's eyes were soft and sympathetic. "I didn't know, I swear. She didn't tell me either."

Jeff slammed his hands onto his head and slid them over his hair. "Do you know how that rumor got around, Lita? Because I let it. I knew what Edge was saying so when people asked me, do you think I denied it? Of course not, because I wanted it to be true. Now look who's a fool and a liar."

Lita put her hand back on his arm. "You're not, Jeff."

Jeff exhaled loudly and shook his head. "What is she, some kind of….some kind of slut?"

"I honestly don't know," Lita replied. "I've seen her like twice since she was ten. Do you honestly think she was playing you?"

"What am I supposed to think? On Monday we almost kissed. And there'd be no 'almost' if it wasn't for that damn Al Snow." He punctuated his words by punching the wall with his right hand.

"Jeff, don't!" Lita cried, grabbing his hand and examining it. "You'll hurt it again."

"I don't care," Jeff scowled.

"Jeff. Look at yourself," Lita said, putting a hand on each of his arms and trying to make eye contact. "I know you're hurting but she's just a girl. Honey, she's not worth this, no girl is. Me and Matt need you tonight, Jeff. We have Chris Benoit and Perry Saturn tonight and we all know who else is going to be there. You have to help us kick their asses. We need you."

Jeff's scowl finally softened. "You're right," he nodded. "You're absolutely right."

Lita gave him a big hug. "You'll be okay, kiddo. You will."

"Yeah," Jeff sighed. "Just so long as I don't have to look at her."

Things worked out in that regard for, as they reached the locker room, they noticed that Angel was at her desk, talking to Billy Gunn.

* * * *

"So, that's what happened. I'm really sorry but I had to make sure Jeff was okay."

"No, that's fine, really," Billy replied. "Friends are real important in this business, don't let anyone tell you that they're not. I used to have a big group of friends too. There were a whole bunch of us – me, Chyna, Hunter, Jesse, X-Pac, even Stephanie and Tori at times. But no one's seen X or Tori in months, Hunter and Steph walk around like they own the place, and I guess in a way they do, and with Roadie and now Chyna gone, well, it's just me, I'm afraid." He shrugged, reminiscing. "But that's the past, isn't it?" he smiled meekly. "You wouldn't have wanted to be my valet last week anyhow. I ended up against the Big Show. Have you seen the guy? He goes about seven two, four hundred something pounds. It just wasn't my week, I'm afraid."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Angel told him.

"Not your fault at all." Billy tapped the table thoughtfully. "So, how about we start again? If I get a match, you're my valet. How's that sound?"

"It sounds great."

"Yeah, it does, doesn't it? Same deal as last week, okay? If I get a match, you'll be the first to know."

"Okay, Billy. I'll see you."

* * * *

"You all done crying?" Matt asked as Jeff and Lita entered the locker room.

Jeff looked at him quizzically. "Go to hell, Matt."

Matt glared at him. "I mean it, Jeff. You go running off like a little primadonna while the girl who's supposed to be your best friend is giving her very first interview. When she's done she looks around but you're not there. How do you think that makes her feel?"

"I don't care how she feels," Jeff spat.

"Well, that's a shame. It really is."

Jeff raised his eyebrows. "What's this about, Matt? Are you taking her side?"

"Yeah, I guess I am."

"Well, that's just terrific." He stormed over to his bag and pretended to start getting ready.

"You had no claims on her, Jeff."

"Shut up."

"Well, you didn't. So stop acting like she did you some great injustice."

Jeff looked up. "She just should have told me."

"Why, did you ask?"

"No, but…"

"Then why would she have told you? As much as it sucks, Jeff, she doesn't think of you that way. You were only her friend so, unless you asked, you didn't need to know."

"We nearly kissed, Matt."

"Nearly," Matt repeated. "But she pulled away?"

"No. Al Snow called. If he hadn't, who knows how far we would've gone?"

"It still might not have happened at all," Matt pointed out.

"She was touching my face and we were holding hands while we were watching Raw."

"Friends hold hands sometimes," Matt replied. "She's from Australia. Who the hell knows how they do things down there? And as for touching faces, please, Jeff. Have you ever touched Lita's face or vice versa? And if you tell me it was for other reasons you know I'll hurt you."

Jeff scowled. "Just get off my back, okay?"

Matt backed off, hands in the air. "Okay, I just think you're acting like a jerk and she deserves better."

Jeff scrunched his face up. "I just need some time, alright? Just give me some time."

* * * *

Angel let out a gasp as she focused on the TV. Had she just heard right? Billy Gunn would be representing Stone Cold Steve Austin in a stipulation match. Angel was going to be valet for the main event! She was about to go tell the others when they filed out of the locker room.

"Guess what!" she cried, stopping them. "Billy Gunn asked me to be his valet and now he's in the main event tonight!"

"Lita smiled at her. "That's great, Ange."

Matt and Jeff said nothing, just stared at each other. Angel was puzzled. Were they fighting again?

"So, you guys have your match now? Good luck."

"Thanks," Lita replied and she, Matt and Jeff continued down the hallway.

* * * *

The match hadn't even started when Malenko arrived. His presence made Angel immediately uncomfortable. After the way Matt and then Jericho had dealt with him on Raw, she knew they were in for trouble. Still watching the TV, Angel picked it up and left her desk, headed for the backstage area.

Angel's mouth dropped open at what she saw. Malenko had grabbed Lita from behind and was dragging her backwards towards the ramp.

"Here, hold this," Angel said, thrusting the TV at one of the techies and racing through the curtain. She didn't say a word, just launched herself and did the first thing she thought of. Angel jumped onto Malenko's back, used both hands to wrench his head around, and kissed him. He was so surprised he released Lita immediately, wrapping his arms instinctively around Angel. She almost gagged as she felt his tongue in her mouth, but she was rescued moments later when Matt Hardy shoved Malenko from behind, causing both he and Angel to tumble to the ground. Angel just lay where she was, catching her breath as Malenko tried to attack Matt, only to be jumped on by a flying Jeff Hardy.

When Angel finally looked up into the ring, Jeff was back there with Chris Benoit, who immediately locked on the crossface. Jeff tapped out, but again Benoit refused to release him for the few crucial seconds that would mean the difference between pure victory and inflicting actual injury.

Angel jumped to her feet and dove into the ring. She'd seen what Benoit had done to Al Snow, and this was only Jeff's first match back after a week of recuperation.

"Jeff!" she cried, crouching over him. "Jeff, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Jeff murmured weakly, rolling to his side.

Angel cradled his head in her arms. "I hate that guy, Jeff. He hurts people on purpose."

"Well, that's what we do here," Jeff muttered. "He winced as he tried to get up, putting his hand to the small of his back.

Angel frowned worriedly and placed her own hand over Jeff's. "Is it hurt real bad?"

"Look, I'm fine, okay?" Jeff snapped, jerking away from her. "Matt, can you help me up?"

Angel had no choice but to step back as Matt helped Jeff to his feet. She turned to look for the man who had done this – that Benoit – but he and the other Radicalz were already gone.

She felt an arm around her and turned her head. "Hey Lita," she said sullenly.

"Let's go, Ange," Lita replied, somewhat coldly.

Angel nodded and climbed from the ring. She followed the others to the trainer's room, where Jeff had his back rubbed and ointment applied.

When they finally returned to their locker room they discovered that Billy Gunn had been attacked by Triple H and would no longer be competing in the main event. Angel's night was going from bad to worse.

She stepped over to where Jeff was sitting.

"We have to do something about Benoit and Malenko, Jeff. They have to be stopped. We need to think of some sort of plan."

Jeff looked up at her with a scowl. "You don't get it, do you?"

Angel frowned. "What?"

Jeff shook his head, looking down again. "You just don't get it. A plan? We're not going to stop them with some lame-ass scheme. There's too many of them. A plan might have worked with the Acolytes, but the only way to beat the Radicalz is night by night. So that's the way we do it."

Angel was confused by the anger and hurt in his voice. "Well, maybe if we…"

"No, Angel. There's no 'maybe'. If you'd just listen for once and actually hear what I'm saying, maybe I wouldn't have to repeat myself over and over again." He still wouldn't look at her.

Angel blinked. "Why are you so mad at me? Is it because I kissed Malenko?"

Jeff did a double take. Now he was looking. "You…you kissed Malenko?"

In another area of the locker room, Matt swore and Lita put an arm around him.

It had done it for Jeff. He was incapable of speech, just buried his head in his hands.

"Jeff," Angel pleaded. "Don't be like this."

"I've been meaning to talk to you about that kiss, actually," Matt announced, getting to his feet and approaching her as Lita stayed where she was. "Why did you do that, Angel? What were you thinking?"

"I had to do it. He had Lita, I had to make him let go."

"There are better ways," Matt informed her, still approaching her. Matt may have been a nice guy but up close like that he was quite imposing.

"Well, it worked, didn't it?" Angel argued.

"There are better ways," Matt repeated. "Jeff tells me you can do a Hurricanrana. Why didn't you try that?"

"I've only ever done it right once. Me and Lita could have gotten hurt."

"You still both could've." Matt lunged forward and for a moment Angel drew back, as if he was going to hit her. But he didn't, he grabbed at her pants for a split second, then held up Blackman's fighting sticks. "You're good with these. You should use them."

Angel reached up and took them from him. "I didn't even think of it," she confessed.

Matt nodded. "Next time, when you're feeling compelled to interfere, make sure you do think of them."

Angel returned his nod. "Okay. I'm sorry."

Matt half-smiled and stepped back.

"Angel, I don't think we should train together anymore," Jeff suddenly blurted. "You're a distraction and I really don't need it."

Angel turned to him with a confused frown. "Jeff?"

"I really think you should go back to your office," Jeff continued, regarding her coldly. "You haven't been valet for a single match tonight and the one match you did have fell through. I know you need the money so…" He let his sentence hang.

Angel's lower lip trembled so she started chewing on it. She nodded slowly and left without a word.

* * * *

Angel sat at her desk, thoroughly depressed. Her appointment book was open to the right day and she'd run a line through Billy Gunn's name and was now doodling, wondering why Jeff was so pissed with her. She honestly didn't know.

"Angel! Angel! Get up, I need you!"

Alarmed, Angel looked up to see Al Snow racing towards her. He lunged over the table, grabbed her by the waist and pulled her out of the office. "Run and tell the others we have a match."

Angel didn't even think twice. "They don't care, trust me. We have a match?"

"Yes, but my opponent's already waiting. We have to go!"

Angel ran with Al, right past the backstage techies.

"Lady, you want your TV back?"

"One more match," she called over her shoulder.

Angel and Al kept running, right into the ring, only to find that no one was waiting for them.

"Where's your opponent?" Angel asked.

"I don't know," Al replied. "I guess this is Vince's idea of a joke."

"You want to go?"

Al shook his head. "We'll give it a little longer."

In a few seconds they heard the sound of tribal drumming and met with the sight of 423 pounds of Rikishi, accompanied by at least 350 of Haku.

Angel's eyes widened. "That big guy?"

Al nodded solemnly. "Looks that way."

"Good luck, Al," Angel said, patting him on the back.

"He's not too fast, so make sure he doesn't catch you," Al advised. "If he sits on your chest it could shatter your ribs."

"I don't intend going anywhere near him," Angel replied, climbing out of the ring.

Al turned to watch Rikishi's entrance, entirely focused.

"This one's for you, Mick," he murmured, psyching himself up.

By the end of the match, which Al lost, Angel had seen her friend's chest crushed in a Banzai drop, exactly as he had described. By all accounts, it had not been a good night.