Chapter 12 : Storm and Raven ; Healing
Once inside of Storm ' s cabin , Aaron began looking over the Cowboy ' s wounds . He was amazed at the strength of this man . The wounds he had received would have killed a normal person , but somehow James Storm was still hanging in . Aaron looked at Raven , his high school friend had not moved from Storm ' s bedside since he was brought in here .
" Raven , do you want to learn a bit about healing and tending to wounds ? " Aaron looked at her .
" Do you think it would help ? " Raven said as she watched over the Cowboy .
" I figured since you were going to be in here with him and since there maybe times when someone other than me may have to tend to one of us if this happens again . " Aaron said thoughtful .
" I don ' t understand , " Raven said confused .
" If we ever get split up , someone else may be needed to do the healing . " Riley explained to her .
" I guess I could learn . What do I need to do , Aaron ? " Raven asked looking at him .
" Go get a washcloth and heat some water . " Aaron said giving instructions .
" Okay , " Raven said as she went to get what she needed . Soon she returned to the room with the water and washcloth , " Now what do I do ? "
" Raven we need to clean his wounds and get all of the blood off of him , " He said and she realized what the water and washcloth was for .
" But , won ' t that hurt him ? " Raven asked .
" It probably will be uncomfortable for him , but we need to make sure his wounds are clean so they won ' t get infected . " Aaron explained to Raven .
" Okay , " She said .
She took the washcloth and wet it with the water she had heated . Then she began washing the wounds on Storms chest , trying to wash the blood off and not hurt him in the process .
" Ah , Ow , " Storm said as he felt the heat from the water .
" Easy , James . I know it hurts , but you got to be still , sweety . " Raven said softly to him trying to comfort him . The process took longer because of Fireheart not wanting to hurt the Cowboy .
" Okay , Aaron . Now what do you need ? " Raven asked looking at Wolfblade .
" Alcohol and more water , " Aaron said as he took another look at Storm ' s wounds .
" Alcohol , ah that is going to hurt , but I guess you want to use it to sterilize . " Raven said thinking .
" Right , " Aaron said as Raven took the already bloody water to clean the bowl and get the alcohol and more water . She came back , ready for the next instuctions . Aaron had gotten out a needle and surgical thread .
" Raven use the gauze to spread the alcohol on the gashes and you can use q - tips to spread it into the wound . " Wolfblade told her .
" Okay . " Raven said .
Raven poured a little of the alcohol on to one of the gauze and used it to sterilize the marks left by the demon .
" Ah ! Ouch ! " James yelled as the alcohol came in contact with the wounds on his chest .
" Whoa , Whoa , Cowboy . " Raven said trying to calm him . She picked up one of the q - tips and dipped it in the alcohol bottle , using it to clean in the wounds . Storm tried to roll on to his stomach to stop the pain , he didn ' t realize that Raven was trying to help him , " James stay on your back , buddy . Bobby ! Matt ! Adam ! Get in here , please . " Raven called into the other room where the others were .
Matt , Roode , and Copeland came into the room .
" What ? " Adam asked .
" Help me , get him back onto his back . " Raven said as they pulled Storm onto his back .
" What are you trying to do ? " Bobby asked .
" Sterilize his wounds . I guess the alcohol is a little to much for him . " Aaron said pulling the thread through the needle .
" It would be for me , too . " Matt said .
" Hold him , guys so I can finish . " Fireheart said dipping another q - tip into the alcohol bottle . Roode , Hardy , and Copeland did as she asked . Raven cleaned out the second gash , getting much vocalization from Storm .
" Easy buddy ? " Roode said to his best friend . Raven continued on to the other gashes and the Cowboy put up quite a fighting .
" Damn , what does he eat ? I swear he is tougher than 90 % of the WWE Superstars I have wrestled . " Adam said amazed at Storms strength .
" When I first wrestled the Cowboy . I couldn ' t handle him , Adam . " Christian said coming into the room .
" That looks ugly , " Jeff said looking at the gashes on Storm as he followed Christian into the room .
" It looks worse than what they actually are . A normal guy would have been dead if a demon mauled them . " Aaron said coming over to the bed that Storm was on .
" Storm isn ' t a normal guy , Aaron . " Raven said glaring at him for thinking of the Cowboy as normal .
" Raven , I . . . " Aaron started , but Raven put her hand up .
" Finish that statement and we will have a problem . Storm is more than you think he is and I won ' t let anyone talk down to him . " Raven looked at the Cowboy with soft eyes , " He has more strength than anyone thinks . Storm is the reason I have been able to pull it together . With Chris gone I thought I had no other reason to be , but James changed that for me . He helped me get through it . I always knew there was a connection between us and at first I thought it was just Harris . But , I can see it much clearer ever since that first day outside of the Impact Zone , my feelings for him were deeper than that of pure friendship . " Raven said thinking of the Cowboy . Her hands were on Storm ' s chest now as she finally said what she had been feeling for the Tennessean since she her first night in TNA .
" Raven , I didn ' t mean upset you and I was not indicating that the Cowboy is weak or a normal guy . I was just pointing out how lucky this guy is for surviving an attack like that by a demon . Which by the way I don ' t think is just any old demon , he definitely wasn ' t one of the fallen angels . I wonder if he was an imp ? " Aaron thought , as he moved with the threaded needle to the bowl of hot water .
" An imp ? " Roode asked Aaron .
" Yes , an imp is discribed as a playful little demonic - monster , but they are thougt to be Lilith and Leviathans youngest children ; and yes before you ask some demons can reproduce . It is a sick thought , but it happens . Even more horrifying are the fact that demidemons exist or half - human , half - demon children ; demons take a human form and mate with humans to make offspring , this is how some believe that the Anti - Christ will be born or created . " Aaron said shuddering .
" So I take it all imps have sharp claws like the one who attacked James ? " Matt asked .
" Yes , but males also have two horns on its head and triangle shaped point on their tails . Males are green colored like iguanas , but females are muddy brown . Both have wings , but all imps like most demons can take human - form . Oh imps also have scale , because of Leviathans true form looking like a giant snake or serpent . " Aaron said describing the little demons .
Aaron pulled on latex gloves to keep everything sterile while he stitched up the gashes on Storm .
" What are you about to do ? " Roode asked watching Aaron picked the needle back up and came over to Storm .
" I am going to stitch up the gashes on the Cowboy . Raven want to give it a try ? " Riley asked turning to her .
" No , not yet . I want to watch you first before I try this . " Raven said turning her attention back to Storm .
" Okay , guys , I might need you to hold him , " Aaron said , " Raven go on the other side of Storm ; Adam , Bobby you too . Jeff , Adam make sure he doesn ' t kick me . Roode , Matt don ' t let James sit up or try to roll over . Raven just try your best to keep him calm . He does need to get hurt worse , while we are actually trying to help him ."
" I know , just make him better Aaron . I - I need him . " Raven said putting her hand on his forehead .
" I ' ll try , " Riley said to her .
The others took their places to keep , Storm still while Aaron fixed his wounds . Aaron took the alcohol and rubbed the needle and thread with it . Then he moved closer to Storm and pulled his ripped open skin closer together . He proceeded by putting the needle through the first claw mark .
" Ah , Ow ! " Storm began to scream again and move , but the guys held him still .
" Whoa , James easy . This is for your own good , buddy . " Roode said to his former Beer Money partner .
" Stay still , Storm , " Raven said easily to him . She began to rub his forehead trying to comfort him , but everytime the needle was pushed through him again it caused him pain .
" Easy , Cowboy , " Jeff said trying hard to hold him .
Raven began to sing softly to him in his ear . The others heard it , but didn ' t recognize the words . It was a song Harris use to sing to her when she couldn ' t fall asleep . It was exactly a real song , but just the fact that Chris was singing to her made her relax whether she was upset or scared . So , now it is being passed onto Storm ; it is amazing how the things Harris did for them and still doing for them even though he is gone . It ' s almost like his spirit is watching still out for them . James began to calm down as she sang .
" Nice job , Raven , " Aaron said moving to the third gash he cleaned , realcoholed , and rethreaded the needle as he went on to the next claw mark .
" At least it is making it easier to stitch him up , " Roode said impressed at how Fireheart was calming the Cowboy down .
Raven continued to sing to the Tennessean and rub his forehead keeping Storm calm and still . She was watching his reaction to her singing and was glad it was putting him at ease . Anything she could do to help her favorite Cowboy she would do it for him .
" Okay , I ' m finished . Bobby , Hardys , Adam , Raven if you guys want to leave you can if you want . " Aaron said moving back from the bed . Roode , Copeland , and the brothers left the room .
" I am not going anywhere , Aaron . " Raven looked at him .
" I figured as much . Well I am going to put this medicine on the wounds to help the healing and bandage his wounds . " Aaron said moving to his medical equipment and bringing the medicine cream and bandages over .
" Can I rub the stuff on him ? " Raven asked Wolfblade .
" Yeah of course . " Aaron said handing her the container . She opened it and dipped some of the cream out of the container in her hand . She began to rub some of it on the stitched up wounds on Storm . He did fight so much now as this didn ' t hurt . She washed her hands when she was done .
" Put the rest of the stuff up , like the bowl and washcloth . " Aaron said and she did so .
" Can I try to bandage him , Aaron ? " Raven asked as she came back into the room .
" Yep , Bobby would you come back in here for minute . " Aaron called him .
" What do you need ? " Roode asked coming back into the room .
" Help me lift Storm up so Raven can bandage his wounds . " Riley said .
" Okay , " Roode said moving on one side of Storm . Aaron went to the other side and they lift him up to a sitting position .
" Raven go ahead , but make sure you don ' t rap it to tight ; he still needs to breathe . "
" Don ' t make jokes like that , Riley . " Raven said sitting in front of James and bandaging up the Cowboy ' s wounds . She made sure she didn ' t pull it to tight . When she finished Aaron handed her some medical tap to keep the end in place . She tapped it down then moved back off of Storm ' s bed .
" Good job , Raven . Roode let ' s lay him back down . " Aaron said as he and Bobby laid the Cowboy back down on the bed , " Thanks , Bobby . " Aaron said as the It Factor made to leave the room .
" No problem . Anything to help my best friend out . " Roode said as he left the room .
" Are you going to be okay in here ? " Wolfblade asked the Shadow Phoenix .
" Yeah , I just want to watch after him , Aaron . " Raven said to him .
" Okay , " Aaron said leaving the room , " and uh take care of our patient . "
" I will . " She said as he left the room . The medical supplies were put up by Raven and then she moved back to Storm ' s bedside .
Raven pulled a chair over to the bed and sat down . She began watching the Cowboy closely and put her hand in his . He clenched it .
" At least you are responsive , thats a good sign . " She whispered to him loud enough for only the Tennessean to hear . She moved the chair back from the bed and laid down next to him on the bed , tired from the day and wanting to be close to him . Soon she drift to sleep because of the Cowboys soft breathing .
- Couple of Minutes Hours Later -
Storm woke up to find Raven fast asleep on him . He lifted up slightly to see her more clearly , but felt a little pain on his chest . He looked down to see his chest bandaged up and then he remembered the demon attack . That demon with the claws and Raven throwing the knife throught it after they got their Shaman powers .
" So , you are awake , " The Cowboy looked up at the doorway to his room to see Roode standing there .
" Hey , Bobby . What happened to me man ? " Storm asked softly , so he would not to wake Raven . He laid back down on the bed and put his arm around the young Knockout .
" You don ' t remember the Shaman powers and the demon clawing you ? " Roode asked confused .
" Yes , I remember all of that . But , what happened after I passed out ? " James clarifying his question .
" Oh , uhm . Undertaker carried you back here and brought you in here . Then Aaron and Raven patched you up . By the way , James , she has not left your side since you have been in here . " Bobby said gesturing to Raven .
" She stayed with me while I was injured ? " Storm questioned .
" Yeah , " Roode answered his friend .
" Why ? "
" I don ' t know . " Bobby said looking at Storm .
" What ? " James asked his long - time friend .
" Nothing , it ' s just . I - I was worried man . You ' re my best friend and I - I , ah , thought I lost you when I saw that demon attack you . " Roode was normally a strong guy like Storm who usually doesn ' t show his feelings that much , except when it came to family .
" Dude , I ' m here . " Storm said looking at Bobby .
" I know . I just didn ' t want to have to bury you like Harris . I didn ' t know what I could tell , what I would have told your little girl if daddy didn ' t come home . I didn 't want her wondering why Uncle Bobby wasn ' t able to protect her dad . How to explain to her that some evil monster took you father from you isn ' t an easy question to answer . " Roode had tears coming down his face now .
" Bobby , stop , please I ' m alright . It could happen any day , man . In the ring , driving down the road , or even in bar ; hell you know how rowdy I can get when I had a couple of beers . As far as , what you would have told my daughter ; tell her the truth , maybe not everything where it would of scared her , but still you ' ve know me for a while , so stop with the crying dude , I haven ' t died , yet . " Storm said shaking his head at Bobby .
" Yeah , of course . You are like a brother to me man . So , I guess I got a little emotional seeing what happened to you . " Roode said watching Raven sleep . She snuggled up close to the Cowboy ' s side .
" That is why we look out for each other . Bobby do me a favor ? " Storm asked looking down at Raven .
" Anything , " Roode said to him .
" Go to the closet and bring a blanket or something to put over her . " James said to him .
" Sure , " Bobby got up and went to the closet and brought back a blanket . He opened it and laid it over her .
" Now she won ' t freeze . " Storm said looking at the Shadow Phoenix .
" I got to ask . Are you taking care of her because Harris asked you to , or are you protecting her because you like you have to or maybe because you love her ? " Roode asked curiously watching Storm ' s protective nature over her .
" I guess a little bit of both . I want to honor the Wildcat ' s last wish , because I did promise him I would look after her . But , I also do love her and want to protect her because of me and not wanting to see her hurt . But , I also don ' t want to push her into anything . She just lost Chris and pushing her into another relationship after Harris ' s death just seems selfish and not right to me . If she wants to be apart of my life then that is her decision , bit I don ' t want her to feel like she is forced to move on . Sometimes it takes time to heal from certain problems and this is one of them . " James said .
" I hear you . Well you probably need to get some sleep . So , I , uhm going to go . " Roode said watching Raven .
" Yeah , sure . Hey , Bobby , " Storm said .
" What ? " Roode asked .
" Thank you for being there for me . " Storm said grateful for Roode ' s friends .
" No , problem . That is why we are friends . " Bobby said as Wolborg came to the door , " Come on Wolborg , the Cowboy needs his rest . "
The wolverine follow the Canadian out of Storm ' s room . James looked back down at Raven . She was snuggled up next to him . Storm smiled at the sight , then closed his eyes and went back to sleep .
- Next Morning -
Raven began to stir a little , because of the sun coming in bedroom window . She lifted her head to see a blanket on her and the Cowboy ' s arm around her .
" Morning sleepy head . " Storm said to her making her look up at him .
" James , oh thank God you are awake , " She said hugging him tightly .
" Ow , Ah ! Easy with the jumpin ' and huggin ' , girl . " Storm said holding his chest .
" Whoops , sorry I didn ' t mean to hurt you . Are you okay ? " Raven said letting go of the Cowboy and moving back .
" Don ' t worry bout it , darlin " He said relaxing again .
" I was just so glad you were alright . I shouldn ' t have jumped on you . " Raven said .
" I said don ' t worry bout it . Damn ! Is your hear a little off in the morning , sweetheart ? " Storm asked her sarcastically .
" Cut the sarcasm . Just because I can ' t understand Cowboy lingo this early in the morning doesn ' t mean I don ' t listen , Jackass . " Raven teased him .
" Jackass ? Did you just call me a jackass ? " James asked .
" Now who is having the hearing problem , huh ? Yeah I called you a jackass . Maybe I should repraise this , you are a Tennessee Jackass . " Raven said clarifying .
" Alright , you ' re asking for it . " Storm said joking .
" Asking for what ? I am not scared of a little redneck , hick from Leipers Fork , Tennessee . I mean really who would be scared of you . Storm ! Stop it , that tickles . Ah , Ha , Stop . " Storm was know tickling Raven .
" Say it , say it . " Storm said continueing to tickle her .
" Say , what ? " Raven said through laughter .
" You know what I want you to say . " Storm said not letting up .
" Sorry about damn luck , Cowboy . " She said mocking the Cowboy trying not to give in .
" Wrong . Now , say it . " The Tennessean said to her for the third time .
" Okay , okay . I give up are ya happy . " Raven said not able to take anymore .
" Better . Damn ! your ticklish . " He said as a loud crash came from the living room .
" What was that ? " Raven asked curiously .
" You guys better not tearin my cabin up . Damn It ! " Storm called into the room .
" I am alright . " Daniels said
" Christopher Daniels . I don ' t care , if you break anything you need to be worried about what I am going to do you . " Storm said to him .
" Take it easy , James . He did not break anything , except maybe Kazerian . " Roode said laughing as he came to the Cowboy ' s door .
" What did he do ? " Raven asked
" Dumb - ass , doesn ' t know how to walk . " Styles said .
" Hey , it was not my fault . Dumb fuck , Kaz decide to sleep in the hallway and didn ' t inform the rest of us . " Daniels defending himself .
" Kaz , " Matt said .
" Kaz , " Jeff repeating his brother .
" Frankie Kazerian , what are we going do with you ? " Roode asked .
" Shut up , Bobby . Just because I was nice enough to let you guys take the rest of the beds and the furniture around here . I get critcized for . . . " Kazerian went to say , but Undertaker came in looking very angry .
" Would you guys mind keeping it down , some people are still sleeping ? " Mark growled .
" Morning , to you to Taker . " Christian said stupidly . He came running into the room with Storm , Roode , and Raven .
" Jay , you idiot . Why would you go and talk like that to the man that could kill you ? " Adam asked his best friend .
" I guess Kaz , Daniels , and Jeff are not the only idiots here , Adam . " Amy said getting a look from Jeff .
" Why do I have to be thrown into the idiot category ? " Jeff asked Amy as Mark walked back into his room .
" Because we know you , Jeff , " Adam said to rainbow - haired enigma .
" What ? Matt , do you think I ' m an idiot ? " Jeff asked his big brother .
" If the shoe fits . " Matt said to Jeff smiling .
" Well fine . I ' ll go call somebody else who loves me . " Jeff said getting up from his sleeping spot .
" Jeff , where are you going ? " Jericho asked as Roode , Raven , Christian , and Storm came into the room .
" To call , Beth and Ruby . " He said upset and walked out the door .
" Why did y ' all do that ? Jeff isn ' t as stupid as you think he is . Jay and Jericho called him to watch after me for a reason . Jeff has become another one of my brothers and he did help me when I passed in the hotel room . Which he was smart enough to take me to Mark and Glen instead of a hospital , where I could ' ve been transfer to mental hospital or Area 51 of something . Just because Jeff stares of into space or dyes his hair or even his high - risk moves doesn ' t make him stupid , it just makes him different and more excepting of others that are different . And I hate to say this but Mark , Glen , and Adam are not the only legend amongst us , nor is Flair , Hulk , and Sting backstage . Jeff is just as much a legend and a big influence in the wrestling world . The WWE executives were fools when they let Jeff go , but he went on his on accord like I did . And why because he didn ' t fit their mold ; everybody that knows Jeff can tell you there isn ' t a mold for him to fit . He decided on his own free will to come to TNA and help break that boundry and he has done pretty good so far . Grant it he had Immortal to help him first time he was World Champion , but you know ; as much as can ' t stand Eric Bishoff he made one smart decision . He new that Jeff would be a help for TNA and Immortal . Immortal did not truely break until Jeff left and that is because Jeff whether he is a heel or face , can break the bondaries . Bondaries that I have yet to break and still trying to reach for . Flair sees him as big star with the fans , Hulk sees him as a big star , and Sting has even said in interviews that he was intimidate by Jeff , the three biggest legends know what Jeff is capable of and so do I . He was even smart enough to break free of wrestlings biggest habit , drug use . Most of us in here know the effect that drugs has had on the wrestling business , we have lost wrestlers because of it . And drug abuse isn ' t easy to kick , but he did it . When most people thought he never would , when most people were willing to give up on him , when he lost the trust of the boys in the locker room both in WWE and TNA , and even when his own fans lost faith in him . He did not give up , he did not give in , he took responsibility for his actions , and then he walked right back into Impact took a chance and asked everyone , from the fans to the Network , from the extra crew to the talent in the locker room , for one last chance to give him one more chance and guess what a year after his return and listen to what the fans have to say now , listen to what the talent say now , and look at what position he is in Impact . Creatures of the Night , Hardynation , what ever you want to call them , no offense to Hulk and Sting , but they scream louder for Jeff than they do the two legends . " Raven said looking at them and then walked out the front door to find Jeff .
Everyone looked to the ground especially the ones ragging on Jeff .
" She is right , just to let you . " Mark had come back in after listening to Raven .
" What do you mean , Mark ? " Jay asked .
" Don ' t call me , Mark . Only Glen , Raven , and Jeff get that privilege . " Mark growled at Christian .
" Sorry , what do you mean Taker ? " Christian said again .
" That kid . Excuse me , let me repraise , because Jeff isn ' t a kid anymore . That man has proven himself worthy to many times to count . He has put his own life at risk , more times than I can count . That guy has shown me less fear than most of the wrestler I have faced , those that claim to be the big wrestlers and legends they all back away and get scared when I am in the ring with them , but he never did ; why because Jeff cared more about entertaining the fans and having great match than what type of opponent he was facing . He tried to figure what next big thing he could pull of next than what would happen to his own body , because he cared about that WOW factor in the match . And trust me it drew dozens of fans to the shows every night and still does . Five time World Champion still feels like he has more to prove to the fans and more he can do to make the fans love the show and wrestling even though he has been World Champion . A lot of the Champions in WWE right now wouldn ' t think that way . So , you guys keep thinking like that , Jeff has his heart on his sleeve all the time because there is nothing he will not do to help someone out or to do what he does for reason . We may not understand him at times , but hell nobody understood me either . " Mark said then walked back into the room .
" Listen Mark and Raven , " Glen suggested , " Everyone knows Mark is smart , but Raven can be quite insightful to . She see deeper into people than even Mark does at times . It is the reason she saw the truth in me and him , it is the reason she saw the difference in the real Chris Harris from the one infected by Asmodai , and it is the reason she can see deeper into Jeff Hardy . "
Glen walked into the room with Mark .
" Jeff is one of my buddys so I ain ' t got a problem with him . " Storm said touching his sore chest .
" Neither do I . " Roode said .
" Aaron , can you come here in my room for a minute . " James called .
" Yep , " Aaron said following Storm to his room .
- Outside of the Cabin -
" Jeff ? " Raven asked coming over to him . He was dialing Beth ' s phone number on his cell phone .
" Raven I ' m okay . You don ' t have to say anything . " Jeff said looking at her holding his phone to his ear .
" So , uh , calling your family then ? " Raven asked the Charismatic Enigma .
" Yes , I haven ' t spoke to my daughter in a three days . " Jeff said to Fireheart .
" How come ? " Fireheart asked
" Because I don ' t know if I should put her in danger if anyone is listening , but I got to after three days . It gets aggravating when I don ' t see her or talk to her after a while . I don ' t have to feel like I have to try and get somebody to like me when I am around her , because she doesn ' t care if I am outrageous or different . She just enjoys my company and I enjoy hers . " Jeff explained his southern drawl coming through .
" She enjoys being around her father . " Raven said understanding what Jeff was saying .
" Exactly , " Hardy said to her .
" Hey , Beth . What Ruby why do you have the phone ? Take it to mommy sweety . What ? Why isn ' t ? What man ? Man took . . . ? Hang on , Baby , I am coming ? " Jeff hung up the phone , his face was white like he had seen a ghost .
" Jeff , what ? " Raven looked at him scared .
" I think a demon showed at my house . Beth is gone . Come on . " Jeff said in short sentences .
They ran back to the cabin .
- In Storm ' s Cabin -
" Thanks , Aaron . I hated asking you to do this , but I didn ' t think I could get a shower with these stitches in me and put my clothes on , too . " Storm said to Wolfblade .
" No , problem . " Aaron said .
Just then Roode came into the room paniced . " Guys Jeff and Raven are back and Jeff thinks a demon showed up at his house in North Carolina . Beth was taken away by some wierd man . "
" What ? How does he know this ? " Storm asked walking into the room with Roode and Aaron behind him .
" Because , Ruby answered the phone instead of Beth and she sound scare and said her mommy was taken away by a strange man that knew me . " Jeff said .
" We need to go now . " Matt said scared that his little neice was alone at his brother ' s house .
" We are . " Raven said .
Well looks like Jeff ' s family is being pulled into this now . Wonder what happened ? Keep reading and find out .