Chapter 25

True to his word, Vince was waiting at the hotel as soon as they got to Detroit. They had already been met at the airport by two guards and escorted up to their hotel room.

"Here's the deal." Vince said as soon as they entered. "You will have two guards with you at all times; no exceptions. Since I can't rely on you all to keep me informed, they will. So even when you head home, if we decide to let you head home, they will go with you."

"Vince, we really are sorry about that. With everything that was going on I just lost my head. By the time the cops left we were all exhausted, and fell asleep. I apologize, sir." Matt told him. Jessica always found it funny the way Matt would talk when ever Vince was around. He always sounded so serious and mature.

"Well we'll move on then. Now I'm going to ask you all one more time, are you sure you want to do this? We can hold off for awhile, maybe give you all a vacation for a bit."

"Vince I've only been back for two weeks. I don't need a vacation." Jessica told him.

"At this point, this decision needs to be made by all three of you, honey. This isn't just you anymore." He said to her. She looked to the Hardy's. She knew Jeff would back her up, but she wasn't sure about Matt.

"I vote we keep going." Jeff said. He started to put his arm around Jessica but stopped with one look from Vince.

"Matt?" Vince asked him.

"Well, they're more at threat then I am. So, if these two fools aren't going to back down then I guess I can't either." Matt smiled at them.

"Okay." Vince said. "So if we're going to do this, we're going big. Get yourselves settled, unpack do what you need, then head to the arena. You have a photo shoot today, then some interviews and Stephanie has some promos she wants you to shoot.

"Remember," He said heading to the door. "The guards will be with you at all times." After Vince left, Jeff and Matt showered up, while Jessica watched TV.

"It's all yours." Matt said stepping out of the bathroom.

"Thanks." She headed to the bathroom but then stopped. "Matt, I'm sorry."

"For what?" He asked her.

"Vince is right. It's not just about me anymore and maybe I'm being a little selfish. I know you're worried."

"I am but I do agree with you. I don't think we should back down. Except you have got to stop feeling guilty about everything. You're not responsible for anything that is happening. So stop blaming yourself."

"If I hadn't returned, none of this would be happening." She said.

"If you hadn't returned you wouldn't be a part of our lives again. Jeff wouldn't have finally grown up, and I wouldn't have gotten my friend back. That's worth more than anything this guy could ever think about doing to us." Matt told her.

"I don't deserve you guys." She smiled.

"Who does? Now go and get ready. We got a photo shoot to do and I'm not taking any pictures with you looking like that." He ducked as she playfully swung at him then headed to the bathroom.

When she was finished they headed to the arena. Once there, they were ushered into the shoot set. After some hair and makeup, Jessica came out in some barely there outfit.

"What are you wearing?" Jeff said as she came out.

"What you don't like it?" She said smiling.

"There's like nothing there!" He exclaimed staring at her well toned body. Matt walked out and his eyes widened when he saw her.

"Jesus."

"Too much?" She asked.

"Just a little."

"All ready to go?" The photographer asked entering the room.

"Uhm, about her wardrobe?" Jeff looked at him.

"What about it?" He asked.

"Nothing." Jessica said, interrupting them. "I think it's perfect. Let's do this."

"Jess, you can't be serious?" Jeff said to her. She walked over to him.

"Be a good boy and maybe I'll see if they'll let me borrow it."

"You're unbelievable, but if you're okay with this. Let's do it." The moved in front of the screen.

"Okay, you guys let's start." He said and the music started to play. "Now get close in. Jessica in the middle." They did dozens of shots, changing positions and following the direction of the photographer. After awhile they just started to fool around making faces and striking weird poses, they were so busy laughing that they didn't even notice that Adam, Jay and Vicky had walked in.

"Hey can we get in on some of the fun?" Jay asked.

"Hey guys!" Jessica said untangling herself from Jeff.

"You know it may just be me, but I don't think they're allowed to put stuff like that on the cover." Adam said. "I see we're feeling better."

"Absolutely. What are you guys doing here?" She asked.

"They wanted a face off picture of all us. So here we are. Although I must say, that is some outfit. I didn't think they made shorts that small."

"Well I can see if they make it in your size, but I'm not sure it's your color." She joked.

"Okay, let's get this shot." The photographer said. He positioned them so that Vicky and Jessica were face to face; Jeff and Matt were behind Jessica and Adam and Jay behind Vicky. "All right look Vicky's side look angry and Jessica side just look amused."

"Amused?" Jeff laughed.

"Shut up and pose." Matt said. When they finished, they all went to change. As Jessica came out she saw Shane.

"Hey Shane!"

"Hey babe. Listen slight change of plans, You guys head to the promo shoot, Jess we want a you to do some solo shots. Everything we have of you is at least three years old."

"No problem, you guys go ahead I'll check up with you later."

"You sure you don't want me to wait?" Jeff said to her.

"It's okay." Shane said. "I'll wait with her."

"Go." She kissed him. "I'll see you in a bit." Jessica was given some more clothes to change into and was thankful that there was a little more to the outfit.

"All right I'm ready." The photographer took another few roles of film and they were done. As she was changing, Shane got a phone call.

"Jess, I'm just gonna step outside and take this. Don't go anywhere, I'll be right back."

"No problem." When she finished dressing she came out and sat to wait for Shane. The photographer was packing up his film when the wall phone rang. He went to pick it up.

"Hey Jess it's for you."

"Probably just Jeff checking up." She said and picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"I've missed your voice." Jessica sucked in her breath when she realized who it was.

"What do you want?"

"You babe. It's always been about you."

"Why can't you leave me alone?"

"Because we are meant to be together. Me and You, not Jeff. He can't possibly make you as happy as I can. I won't let him."

"Leave him alone." She demanded.

"But I can't. He's standing in the way of our love."

"Our love? There is no love between you and me."

"Don't say that. You don't want to make me angry. Why do you always do that? Can't you see how perfect we are for eachother? I will do anything for you?"

"Just leave me alone!" She yelled into the phone.

"I can't do that. Every time I do, you get closer to him. I've seen it; the way you let him kiss you. Touch you. He's only going to hurt you but I won't let him."

"You're not gonna stop us."

"I'm not? Just watch me, watch me like I'm watching you. Every where you go, know that I'm there."

"It won't work. You're not gonna scare me anymore."

"I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just telling you the truth. How else would I know to call you now, when you're all alone?"

"You can't be here." She said trying to reassure herself.

"I'm closer then you think." He hung up. Her eyes darted around the room expecting any moment for him to jump out at her. "Shane!" She yelled out and ran to the door. "Shane!" He was in the hallway, still on his phone.

"What's wrong? What is it?" He came over to her.

"Where's Jeff?"

"He's filming the promo. Jess what is wrong?" She heard a door slam and jumped.

"It's him."

"Jess, calm down and tell me what happened."

"He said he's watching. Shane he's here." She could feel herself starting to shake.

"Okay, come on. Let's go back in the room. It's gonna be okay." He ushered her back in the room and sat her down. "Now tell me what happened? What did he say?"

"I need Jeff. Shane you have to get him. He said he as going to hurt him!" She pleaded with him.

"It's okay. Look, I'll call down right now. Just hold on." He pulled back out his phone. "Send Jeff Hardy back to the shoot set. Now!" Shane yelled into it. He turned his attention back to her and attempeted to calm her down, but she flinched when he tried to touched her.

"Jess, you're safe. Just keep it together. He's on his way."