Changing Sides
CHANGING SIDES
Part Ten

By: Elektra

TUESDAY AFTERNOON - Hospital

"You know, this is truly a great male bonding moment," Jeff started as he attempted to turn towards Jericho's bed. He winced at the effort and dropped his head back on his pillow, "I mean, the three of us sharing a hospital room together and all. It's very touching."

"Yeah… real touching. Great bonding moment," Jericho muttered.

"No. Seriously. It brings a tear to my eye," Jeff continued, then paused, "or maybe it's just the pain from my broken back," he sighed, "What's up with those damn Dudleys and their obsession with tables anyway?!"

"Jeff… first of all, your back isn't broken, just bruised," Matt spoke up from his own bed, nursing a sore shoulder, "Second of all …" Matt looked to Chris, "I believe this is your cue—"

"Second of all," Chris continued from where Matt left off, "Would you please shut the hell up?"

"Gee, someone's all bitchcakes today…" Jeff pouted.

"Please don't talk like Edge," Matt pleaded.

"Well at least he's cheerier then YOU guys," Jeff said with a frown, "And he got knocked silly by his own brother two weeks ago!" Jeff's face suddenly brightened up as Trish walked into the room, "Hey Trish. Have you come to give me some TLC? These guys are seriously lacking it right now."

Trish giggled at Jeff's comment, "Always, Jeffy," she winked, "I even brought a guest," She motioned for someone out in the hallway, "Come on… don't keep the boys waiting,"

"It's not like they're going anywhere," a voice spoke, and Stephanie walked into the room hesitantly, "Hey guys…"

"And the joy just keeps on coming," Jericho muttered.

"Behave yourself, Chris!" Trish scolded with a smile.

"But behaving is no fun…" Jericho replied as he painfully pulled himself into a sitting position. He looked at Stephanie, "I owe your boys RVD and Tazz some thanks. They stopped Rhyno from totally busting my ribs in half.

Stephanie looked at the bandages wrapped around Jericho's midsection, "Does it hurt?"

"No. It tickles,"

"Chris…" Matt warned.

Jericho took a deep breath, "Hurts like a bitch… sort of like y—"

"CHRIS!" Matt raised his voice.

"I'm in pain. Allow me my fun," Jericho replied.

"It's ok, Matt. I'm used to it," Stephanie sighed.

Matt shrugged his good shoulder, "Why do I even bother?"

"Because you're a sweetheart, that's why," Lita spoke as she hobbled into the room on crutches and took her place in the chair beside Matt's bed.

Stephanie stood in the middle of the room, feeling suddenly abandoned as Trish went to sit beside Jeff and whisper sweet nothings to the younger Hardy boy.

"Come on, Steph, sit. You look like a lost puppy standing there," Jericho replied as he motioned to the chair beside his own bed.

"You don't mind?" she asked.

He shrugged, then winced at the movement, "No." he replied instead, "I don't mind,"

Stephanie nodded, and sat down, "I… I'm sorry…" she said as she studied the linoleum.

"For what?" he asked.

"Rhyno's attack,"

"You had nothing to do with it," Jericho replied.

"Still. It was because of me,"

"No doubt Austin had a bit of influence on him," Jericho said. "Don't worry. I'll heal. I always do,"

"Hey… are you two actually having a civilized conversation?" Jeff asked as he watched Stephanie and Jericho, "Geez, next you know, you'll be asking her out and stuff!"

"Jeff--" Jericho started.

"Would you please shut the hell up!" Stephanie finished. Jericho looked at Stephanie, surprised, then started to laugh … well, as much as his sore ribs would let him. "What?" Stephanie asked innocently, not getting the joke.

Jeff, Trish, Lita, and Matt were snickering at Stephanie's expression.

"What is so funny?! What am I missing here?!" she asked, getting somewhat annoyed.

This only caused Jericho to laugh harder, then stop as a spasm of pain went through his body, "Damn…" he hissed.

"Are you ok?" Stephanie asked, concern in her voice.

Jericho looked at her, then looked at where her hand was – on his bandaged midsection. Funny thing was, he didn't mind.

Stephanie quickly removed her hand and crossed her arms, "Sorry," she said, "Uh… did I hurt you?"

Jericho still looked at her, shock on his face, "What's going on? You're acting HUMAN today!"

"Good point. I was actually WORRIED about you for moment. I must not be in my right mind!" she replied snidely.

"Well, I guess that explains your marriage to Triple H then," Jericho replied.

Stephanie glared at him, "How DARE—"

"Speaking of which!" he interrupted her quickly, "Did you notice Rhyno's weapon of choice?"

Stephanie was confused for a moment, then realized what Jericho was talking about, "Sledgehammer," she gasped, then shook her head, "No. No way! Triple H had nothing to do with this! I talked to him this morning! He even sends his regards!"

"Steph, if I recall -- the last time I saw Trip, he was buddy buddy with Austin! And he had no love lost for ME!" Jericho replied.

"He wouldn't do this! He knows that I'm loyal to the WWF now! He wouldn't turn against me like that!"

"Are you sure?" Jericho asked.

"YES I'm sure!" Stephanie snapped angrily, "And how DARE you even THINK he would have anything to do with the Alliance! I told him how Paul E sent Rhyno to threaten me, and how horribly Austin was treating everyone! He would NEVER do this! He would see MY side of things!"

"Really?" Jericho was unconvinced, and it showed in his voice and on his face.

"I can't believe you're accusing him of being behind this! He's not even here!"

"But—"

"No buts! You know NOTHING about Hunter!" Stephanie snapped angrily, then stormed out of the room.

Jericho watched her go, "I have a feeling you don't either, Princess…"

"Smooth move," Jeff broke the uneasy silence.

"What?" Jericho asked as he turned towards his friend. "C'mon, Jeff. Can you honestly say it isn't in the least bit suspicious? If I do recall, you had a few problems with Triple Nose yourself before he was injured!"

"True. And I think you may have something there… but I'd never have the gall to say it to his WIFE of all people! That's almost as bad as accusing him to his FACE!"

"Um… something else weird happened," Lita said.

"What?" Matt asked.

Lita took a deep breath, "When Ivory attacked me, she said 'Who's going to train the billion-dollar bitch NOW'. I'm guessing she was talking about Stephanie…"

"I don't know any other billion-dollar bitch… but how would Ivory know you were training Stephanie?" Jericho asked.

"She wouldn't… unless someone told her," Lita said, "Someone who heard it from the source herself,"

Trish, Jeff, Matt, and Jericho all nodded. There was only one person Stephanie would have told.

Triple H.