Disclaimer: See Chapter 19

RatedRauthor It was. Yes, Adam is very sadistic. Of course. Thank you, he's doing better now. I'm sorry to hear that love. Sorry the wait was so long. I've been typing in my spare time and just got some real time to update and reply to all the reviews.

Magz86 Thank you. Yup! Sorry, all good things must come to an end though…

Slashdlite thank you! Yes he will! We will all see.

Alethea293 Yeah. Yes yes he is, oooh the images! Thank you

Seraphalexiel Yeah, there are. That's exactly true. I can see all that! He's doing a lot better really. Hopefully this time next week we'll be bringing him home from the hospital. He's been asking if I've finished it yet, he doesn't read these (Thank god he doesn't need to have a heart attack) but he likes that I do something that keeps me out of trouble. Lol!

NeroAnne I doubt the winning part but hey, I got an idea for it. Yeah. XD Yep. Oh yeah definitely! Yeah! Mmm. Yes he is. Don't we all. Of course, it's not complete without one! Yep. Yes he did! Yes Jeff is. I can just see it happening like that, ya know? Phil has terrible luck, at least in this fic. Oh yeah, that match was ferocious! It's all good, he's doing really good now. Yeah, sorry about that. I was sad when you ended A Lot In Common. I never wanted it to end!

Pheonix-Syren Yep it's all out there now! Oh yeah!

TorturedTourniquet Thank you. Not yet, but it will. I will!

Bruised But Not Broken

Jeff smirked, he'd won against Adam, beating the shit out of that coward. "Fucker," he whispered, Shannon suddenly coming to mind. He basked in the victory, knowing that he would dismember Adam soon. "That was for Matt." He smiled at Adam's shocked face, as he moved to the ropes to get up. His hand was lifted into the air but all he could think of was how he'd left Matt in John and Phillip's care. He raised his other hand, giving his fans what they wanted, knowing they were cheering for him. He was hurting though, not just physically from his match but he really wanted to know how Matt was doing. He watched Todd get in the ring, knowing what he was there for.

Todd smiled, resting his hand on Jeff's arm. "Jeff Congratulations on a fantastic win," he said, allowing Jeff a moment to basking in the cheers of his fans. "And everyone here in Cincinnati would like to know the answer to this question: What type of match will we see in New Orleans at Extreme Rules?"

Jeff listened to Todd half heartedly, mind racing with what he'd said earlier. He'd just thought of how he'd really met Adam and Jason, the first time they'd really wrestled together was in a tag-team ladder match, what would be more fitting? What would be better than for him to take out Adam that way? He was zoned out when he'd taken the mic from Todd, only to smile. "Todd, at Extreme Rules, I will not be painting, cleaning gutters. I will not be changing bulbs but what I will be doing is climbing," he paused for just an instant to put more emphasis on the word so Adam knew what he was in for, "a ladder… to become the World Heavy Weight Champion!" His eyes bore into Adam's scared ones.

Adam looked up in shock at Jeff, never had he thought that he would end it the same way they all started. A ladder, that's what he would have to work with to defeat Jeff for his belt.

Jeff watched as Adam left, their eyes not separating. He was in a lot of pain, uncaring of his own body, as he'd gone against Adam. He didn't care he was going to destroy the other man for what he'd done to Matt. He crawled out of the ring, his own body screaming at him. He hurried as fast as he could back to his locker room, that he'd been assigned to alone finding neither hide nor hair of any of the three. He raced to his bag to grab his cell phone and dialed Matt's number, he heard it ring and ring.

Matt's phone. Busy call later.

Jeff growled, he hated that message. He dialed John's hearing the rap ring back tone.

Hey this is John. Can't get to the phone right now. Leave me a message and I'll call you back.

Jeff was getting pissed if Phillip didn't answer he was going to kill someone. He dialed in the number, pounding on his touch screen harder than he should've. It rang.

"Hello?" Phillip's tired voice came.

"Where are you?" Jeff was getting frantic, he needed to know where Matt was, had to be with him.

"We're back at the hotel, we're in Matt's room."

Jeff nodded, telling Phillip he would be there in a matter of minutes. He hurriedly packed his things and hurried out. He raced his way to the hotel and ran in. He pulled out his phone, unsure of where Matt's room even was. "Room number?" he asked, looking around the lobby.

"492"

Jeff hung up, smashing the up button over and over again before the metal box opened up for him to step in. He slid in, slamming a fist into the number 4 and hurriedly pushing the 'close door' button. He didn't care if other people needed the elevator or not at the moment. He ran down the hall as soon as the elevator opened up again, making his way to Matt's room. He slammed a fist over and over on it, impatient for someone to open it.

John was the one to open the door, moving to allow Jeff in and by Matt's side. "There's something you should see," he said, shutting the door and moving back over to the bed where Matt was sitting upright, blankets up to his chest.

"Don't!" Matt snapped, taking Jeff into his arms. He'd been cleaned by John and Phillip and bandaged the best they could. His leg had the worst cut, one that would more than likely scar. The others weren't as deep, other than the ones on his shoulder. He would heal with time.

Jeff felt tears starting their way down his cheeks as he wrapped his arms around Matt's neck and curled into his chest. "What's wrong Matty?" he asked, not even trying to hide the shakiness in his voice. He looked up, Matt's eyes closed. "Matt?" He pressed a hand to the cut cheek, wishing he knew what was going on. "Matt, talk to me."

"Jeff," Phillip tried, biting his lower lip.

Matt's eyes snapped open, glaring right at Phillip. "Don't say a fucking word!" he growled. "You've done enough!"

Phillip bit his tongue, knowing Matt was right.

John was the one to protect Phillip slightly. "Jeff needed to know Matt, just like he needs to see this," he said, sitting on the opposite side of the bed. "Matt…"

Matt shook his head. "No!" He was standing firm, he wasn't going to let Jeff see the initials in his skin. He didn't want to upset the man that much. "Just fucking drop it."

Jeff brushed a hand over Matt's bandaged cheek. "Matty, just let me see. It'll be ok, no matter what it is," he whispered, pressing his lips to those of his brother's.

Phillip felt his heart start to ache, after everything he'd put Jeff through he didn't deserve to be there. Hell, he didn't deserve even to look at Jeff.

Matt pulled away, his arms pulling Jeff's arms away from him. "Let go," he said gently, flipping the covers back so he could stand.

John lent out his hand, allowing Matt to use him to stand. He watched Jeff's expression change from worried to horrified as Matt turned to show the initials.

Matt felt tears in his eyes. He didn't want Jeff to see them, not yet. "Jeff," he whispered, turning, to see the tears. "Baby, it'll be ok. They aren't that deep."

Jeff shook his head, the red cuts burning in his eyes. AJC Adam Joseph Copeland… His hands were on his mouth, trying to keep him from screaming out. "Matty…" he whimpered, standing. He looked back towards the door, wanting to escape. He stepped back, only to make a run for the door and down to his own room.

Matt whimpered, sitting back down on his bed. He rested his hand on John's wrist, knowing the other man was going to go retrieve Jeff. "Just let him go. When he's ready he'll come back."

Phillip sunk down into the chair next to Matt's bed. It was entirely his fault for what was happening, he'd been so jealous that he'd let that consume him. Now Matt was paying for it. He looked over at the elder Hardy, wishing he knew what to say, he'd been silent most of the time, only talking to John and Jeff.

"You sure man?" John asked, turning back to Matt, eyes softening. "I can…." He took the silence as a no and sighed. "Alright."

Jeff choked on the tears, face deep in his pillow. He was going to kill Adam. How could he, how could he put his initials in someone that didn't even belong to him? He screamed, his voice going horse before stopping. Still he cried, clawing at the sides of his pillows, wishing he could rip them to pieces. "FUCK!" he cried, waiting a moment before lifting his head out of the pillows to catch his breath. He gasped for air, getting out of the bed and going over to the window, he ripped the curtains back and looked out into the beautiful night sky. He tried to stop the tears, tried to think of better times but he couldn't, every second he closed his eyes all he could see was the ruby lines of Adam's initials and every second or his mind resting was filled with what Adam could've done to Matt so he'd looked that way.

"Adam…" he muttered, anger boiling in him, bringing the tears back. He would kill him. He pressed a hand to the cool glass, eyes resting on the reflection of himself. How could he let this happen? Why hadn't he told Phillip sooner? Why had he let his heart and feelings take him over and keep Phillip dangling on a string while he was trying to understand what was going on? Why hadn't he broken it off back in the parking lot?

A knock was at the door, breaking Jeff's thought process. "Go away!" he called, eyes resting against themselves in the brightly shined glass.

"Jeff, please let me in," Phillip said, biting his lower lip, trying hard to keep the courage he had. "It's important."

Jeff shook his head. Last time Phillip had said it was important he'd… he'd blew him off, thrown the phone, and now Matt was hurt. He sighed, walking over to the door and opening it. He turned away, letting go of the door, if Phillip wanted to talk that bad then he would come in, if not the door would slam in his face.

Phillip stepped in, shutting the door gently. "Jeff, I don't deserve to be here," he started out, clasping his hands together before running one through his hair. "Hell I don't even deserve to talk to you after all this."

"What did you want?" Jeff asked, crossing his arms and looking back out the window, his back to Phillip.

"I wanted to say I'm sorry for one Jeff. I know that this is my fault. If I hadn't been so jealous then none of this would've happened. If-"

Jeff cut him off. "There's no use playing the 'if' game now Phillip. If you're just here to apologize and feel sorry for yourself then get out. I don't have the time to listen to it," he snapped, turning to face Phillip. "I don't want to hear it. It's done and over. There's nothing I can do to change it and I know I could blame you for everything and I probably should but I'm not going to because it's not going to change anything. Matt is the only thing on my mind right now and he's got some fucking psycho's initials in his shoulder!"

Phillip was waiting for the explosion and was very surprised that it wasn't any bigger than that. "Jeff?" he asked, stepping closer to the other man after he'd fallen silent for longer than a few moments. "I actually came down here to apologize for everything I've done to hurt you and Matt and let me finish," he said, pressing a finger to Jeff's lips just as he was about to interrupt him. "I know you don't want to hear it but I need to say it. This is my fault, all of it and I know it. Matt wanted me to take care of you because he knew what was going to happen but I can't. I know you love him more than you could ever love me and I don't deserve you. Jeff what I'm trying to say is that I know you love him and I want you to be happy and I know that's not with me and it's with him. Matt needs you right now. He may not show it but he does. You're all he wants."

Jeff felt his heart thump hard in his chest. He knew what Phillip was the truth. He hadn't wanted them to end like this but Phillip was right, he was going to choose Matt over him in the end anyway. He sighed, as much as he wanted to blame Phillip or anyone else he couldn't. He knew it wouldn't do any good but cause him more pain and a giant headache.

Phillip sighed, his own heart beating rapidly, tears behind his well guarded eyes. He didn't want to let Jeff go but it was all he could do to prove that he was sorry. He also didn't want to stand in the way of true love and that was what the two had, completely pure true love for the other. "I better go though, Matt doesn't want me talking to you," he admitted, heading towards the door. "I'll be around if you need me for anything, but I doubt you will. I'm always gonna love you Jeff. I just want you to be happy again."

Jeff nodded, walking over to the other man. "Phillip," he whispered, pressing their lips together in their final kiss. "I love you too and I always will but Matt's always going to come first. I hope you find someone that loves you just as much as you love them." He smiled, pressing a kiss to the small nose, knowing it was one of Phillip's favorite things. He smiled lightly, leaving Phillip alone in the room. If anything he'd been right about one thing and that was that Matt needed him. He'd been so angry and so hurt at the letters carved into Matt's skin that he needed to be alone that he hadn't thought of how it could've effected him.

Jeff was slow getting to Matt's room, trying to think of something to say, how to apologize for who he'd ran. He sighed, knocking lightly on the door, lower lip sucked into his mouth, his lips still bare because he hadn't put his ring back in. He clasped and unclasped his hands behind his back as he waited for the door to open. After a moment he knocked again, this time with a little more force. "Matt?"

The door opened, John the one behind it. "He's resting. He just fell asleep a few minutes ago," he said, motioning for Jeff to come in from the hallway. "Where's Phil?"

Jeff shook his head. "He came down to my room and I kinda left him there," he admitted, not an ounce of guilt in his voice. "I needed to see Matt."

John nodded. "I'm going to go find him. I'll leave you here with Matt. Be careful if you decided to stay the night, the cut on his leg is the worst, he shouldn't be walking around on his own if he can help it," he said, looking back to find a pen being flung at him "Hey!"

"I can walk on my own Cena, I'm not a fucking crippled," he snapped, eyes moving to rest on his little brother. "Jeff…" His voice died into a mere whisper as he looked at the younger man. He took a moment of silence to himself as he watched John pull Jeff into a brotherly hug before releasing him and leaving.

"Take care of yourself Hardy!" John said before shutting the door behind him.

Matt sighed, watching was Jeff walked over to him and took a seat next to him. "I'm sorry," he said, hanging his head, unable to make eye contact with Jeff, how could he? He was too dirty to even look at Jeff.

Jeff reached out to push a strand of hair out of Matt's face, pulling it back just as Matt flinched, like his touch was fire hot.

"Don't touch me Jeff… I'm too dirty," he confessed, pulling his knees to his chest. "You deserve someone clean and undamaged."

Jeff shook his head, he knew it was a mind game that was being played on Matt, to be honest he'd felt the same way after Matt had taken him, although it was very different that time than Matt's. He stiffened with a thought. Matt had been a virgin, at least in that sense. "Matty," he whimpered, throwing his arms around his brother, ignoring the little flinches and protests. "You're just fine to me, I love you so much Matt. I was going to tell you this right after Judgment Day but I never got the chance."

Matt looked up into Jeff's eyes, tears entering them. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear it, not at that moment. "Jeff?"

Jeff lowered his eyes down to Matt's clasped hands. He took them in his own. "I was going to tell you that I chose you Matty. I love you and I want to be with you, forget everyone else! I want you!" he said, emphasizing that it was Matt he wanted to be with.

Matt felt a smile creep along his lips, the tears in his eyes starting to fall. He couldn't be any happier. That was all he wanted, he wanted Jeff completely to himself, no one else, no Phil, no Beth, no one. "Jeffro," he whimpered, leaning into Jeff's embrace and pressing his face into the crook of Jeff's neck. "That's all I've ever wanted."

Jeff nodded. "I know. Phillip came down to my room and he talked to me about a few things," he said, hoping it didn't upset Matt in anyway.

"I hate that little cockroach!" he roughly murmured, pressing a light peck to Jeff's neck.

"I know," Jeff said, giggling at how the little kiss tickled so much. "He came down there and told me that he knew that I loved you more than I could ever love him and that you needed me. He was basically telling me that he wanted us to be happy together." He pressed a kiss to Matt's forehead, wiggling away from his brother's light grip. "Let me get in there with you."

Matt eased over in the double bed, allowing Jeff the room he needed to get into his bed.

"I'm going to strip down to my boxers, is that ok?" he asked, not wanting to make Matt uncomfortable.

Matt nodded, a chill running through him. He pulled the covers back and turned his head, giving Jeff at least a little privacy to change. He felt the weight shift in the bed and watched as Jeff got comfortable lying down and under the blankets.

"C'mere Matty," he whispered, opening his arms for Matt to rest in. He pulled his older brother to his chest, having Matt's head rest on his chest while he ran his fingers through the onyx silk. "I love you Matty, just rest now and I'll take care of you."

Matt nodded, curling around Jeff's body, and holding tight to the younger Hardy. "I love you too Jeff. I love you more than anything in this world. I promise, that I'll always love you and take care of you," he said, lightly pressing a kiss to Jeff's sternum. "Good night Jeffro."

Jeff smiled, he loved it when Matt called him that. "Good night Matty," he returned, leaning over just to flick off the bedside lamp, the only light in the whole room, off. He laid there for a while allowing everything to sink in. He was angry with Phillip no doubt but there was no use being pissed off because there was nothing either of them could do. He sighed, Matt's even breathing on his chest signifying the other man was already asleep. He looked towards the slightly open curtains, the ethereal moonlight spilling over the foot of the bed and lighting the room just enough for Jeff to make out the outlining of most things. He had a lot on his mind but with Matt in his arms and his love known he knew it could only get better and even though Matt would need as much love and care he would be able to get over everything that had happened. He smiled down at his lover. "Matty…" he loved to say that name. He pressed a kiss Matt's forehead once again before closing his own worried emerald eyes and falling into a peaceful dreamless slumber.

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(A/N): Well that was surprisingly a quick chapter to write. So everything is starting to calm down a little bit. Jeff doesn't hate Phil but he isn't the happiest with him. Will they continue to be friends? Will Matt be able to get over what happened with Adam? Can Jeff give Matt all the love he needs to recover? Find out all this and more in the next and final chapter of Broken Home.

I hope you guys have liked this chapter and thank you to everyone that wished my dad a speedy and good recovery. He's doing a lot better now. Thank you for understanding and being so kind! I'll give you some info about my next project for after Broken Home in my next A/N at the end of next chapter. Song title is Bruised but not Broken by Joss Stone.

JacktheSinister_JaketheJust