"Hey guys!"

Kayla and Edge sprang apart guiltily, Edge regretting it immediately as his ribs protested the sudden movement. The blonde gasped in pain and clutched his ribs waiting for the pain to subside.

As Kayla moved to help him Chris Jericho stood in the doorway his face a mask of confusion. "What the . . ." he broke off as the truth dawn on him. Holy shit, he thought, Edge was gonna kiss Kayla! Jeff is gonna shit a brick. Jericho shook himself and walked over to the bed, "You okay, buddy?" Chris asked laying a hand on Edge's shoulder.

"Yeah," Edge gasped falling back against the pillows, "Just moved a little too fast."

"Christian wanted to me to tell you guys that dinner's ready and help you out to the table." Jericho explained. "You up to it?"

Edge nodded. "Yeah. Just give me a hand." Edge climbed out of bed and leaning heavily and Jericho indicated that he was ready to proceed. When the trio reached the dining room everyone else had arrived and was already seated. Kayla's eyes met those of Jeff and she was confused by the pain and anger found there.

She took the seat between Lita and Christian and smiled as everyone began to pass the food around. Christian had prepared a lovely meal of lasagna, garlic bread and other tasty items. "You really outdid yourself, Christian."

Jericho took a bite of the lasagna and smiled, "It taste's great!" he remarked digging in in earnest.

Soon the table was filled with lively conversation everyone but Jeff having a good time. Kayla noted this and decided to take him aside later to find out what was the matter with him.

She didn't get her chance until after the dishes had been put in the dishwasher and everyone began to head to the living room to watch TV. When Jeff stood to join them she put out a hand to stop him. "Can I talk to you a minute, Jeff?"

After a moment's hesitation Jeff nodded. Kayla motioned for him to follow her back the hall to her bedroom, when they reached her room she turned to him. "What's the matter, Jeff?" she asked him softly, "Why are you being like this?"

"Like what?" he asked grumpily.

"Like this," Kayla sighed exasperated, "You were a real jerk earlier and you've been sullen all evening." When Jeff remained silent she ran a hand through her hair, "Jeff, I thought we were friends, why did you jump on me about my relationship with Edge?"

"You can't have both of us, Kayla." Jeff told her sharply.

"What?" Kayla asked surprised.

"Come on, Kayla," Jeff told her, taking a step towards her, "Not too long ago you were flirting with me and now you're all over Edge. You can't have both of us."

Kayla remained silent thinking of the near kiss with Edge earlier. "Jeff . . ." she began but he cut her off.

"You don't remember what happened the night you were drunk do you?" Jeff asked her bitterly.

"No, . . . what happened?" Kayla asked hesitantly.

"You kissed me." Jeff told her, "You kissed me and then Edge gets hurt and you're all sweet on him."

"Jeff," Kayla scolded starting to get a little angry, "You're over reacting."

"Am I?" Jeff replied, "Can you honestly tell me you don't have feelings for him."

Kayla was silent and Jeff shook his head. "See. You're leading us both on."

"I never made promises to either of you," Kayla replied sharply, "And if I lead you on I'm sorry." Her face softened, "I really do like you, Jeff. I wasn't pretending before. Nothing has happened between me and Edge."

"Oh really?" Jeff snorted, "Then why did I walk in and find you two sleeping next to each other? You were quick to jump into bed with him weren't you? You kiss me and then come on to him like some slut! I don't want a girl that acts like a whore!"

Kayla's eyes widened and almost of it's own volition her hand came up and she slapped him across the face. Jeff's head snapped to the side and Kayla gasped and clutched her shoulder in pain. The arm she had used to hit him was the one that Kurt had twisted behind her back so painfully.

Jeff rubbed his jaw and realization dawned on him. "Kayla . . ." he reached out to her but she back away.

"Get out of my house." She told him in a low voice.

"Kayla," he tried again.

"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Kayla screamed, she advanced on him still holding her shoulder. "I don't know who you think you are, but you are not acting like the Jeff Hardy I became friends with. Now get the fuck out of my house!"

Jeff turned to leave and ran straight into his brother. Avoiding Matt's eyes he brushed past him and as quickly as possible walked down the hall and out the door. Kayla sank down on her bed and concentrated on holding the tears back.

"What the hell happened?" Matt demanded walking into the room to stand before Kayla.

Kayla only shook her head. Jericho stepped into the room and laid a hand on Matt's shoulder. "Go after your brother. I'll take care of things here."

Lita took Matt's hand, "I'll go with you."

Matt nodded; looking over his shoulder at Kayla he let Lita lead him from the apartment. Christian stood in the doorway not sure if he should stay or go keep his brother company.

Jericho met his eyes and motioned with his head for Christian to go back to the living room. Christian nodded and went to explain what he could to his brother.

"Kayla?" Chris asked sitting down next to her. "What was that all about?"

Kayla looked up fury lighting her eyes. "He said I act like a whore and a slut." She stood up and began to pace. "He's jealous of Edge. He told me I can't have both of them. Said I've been leading them both on."

Jericho bristled at the idea of Jeff talking to Kayla like that but he tried to see his friend's point of view. "Kayla, now I'm not saying that lead anyone on but I saw you and Edge earlier. You were going to kiss."

Kayla sighed. "I know." She looked to Chris helplessly. "I liked Jeff but he's been such a jerk. I know I can't have both of them and with the way he's acting I don't think I want Jeff. He means so much to me, you all do but I won't let him treat me like shit." Kayla sat down next to Chris and leaned against him. "It's such a mess." She looked up at him as he put an arm around her. "My father disowned me, Chris."

"What?" Chris exclaimed in shock.

"Daddy wanted me to quit WWF when I wouldn't he disowned me." Kayla's voice broke and Chris hugged her. "Everything is such a mess right now."

"Honey, I'm so sorry." Jericho whispered. He stopped and looked down at Kayla suspiciously. "What was that loud smack we heard right before you started screaming?"

"I slapped him." Kayla admitted.

Jericho studied her for a minute before chuckling. "Well, he certainly had it coming."

Kayla shook her head, "I let my temper get the best of me."

Christ gave her a squeeze, "he's taken worse shots before." Jericho leaned down to look her in the eyes. "Besides, Skittles deserved it. He was out of line talking to you like that."

"I kissed him." Kayla blurted out.

"Excuse me? You what? When?" Jericho sputtered.

"When I was drunk apparently." Kayla replied tiredly, "I don't remember doing it." Kayla ran a hand through her hair. "I didn't mean too but I hurt him."

"It'll work out," Jericho reassured her, "It always does." Chris stood pulling her with them. "Come on, let's go hang out with Edge and Christian."

Kayla smacked herself in the head. "What the hell am I going to say to Edge?" she groaned in distress.

"Nothing," Chris replied soothingly, "Not if you don't want to."

Kayla hugged him, "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Have a nervous breakdown?" Chris suggested playfully.

Kayla smiled and whacked him in the arm. "Most likely. Come on, hotshot, let's get this over with."

Kayla held her breath as they stepped into the living room. Her eyes locked with Edge's. Kayla could see the curiosity but he merely smiled at her and she found herself smiling back.

Kayla let out a sigh and relaxed a bit. He would let her come to him when she was ready.

"You guys wanna watch a movie?" Christian asked gesturing to Kayla's rather extensive collection.

"Sounds great," Jericho nodded plopping down into the recliner. "What should we watch?"

"How about 'Mummy Returns'?" Kayla grinned mischievously as Jericho turned to glare at her.

"What?" she asked innocently.

"The Rock is in it." Jericho explained slowly. Suddenly he brightened, "On second thought put it in. He gets his ass kicked in it."

His friends laughed. "We should've seen it coming." Christian groaned.

Kayla put the movie in and since Christian and Jericho had taken the two chairs sat next to Edge on the couch.

Half way through the movie she laid down placing her head in his lap waiting for his reaction. Edge smiled and began playing idly with her hair. Kayla smiled and returned to watching the movie.

Christian and Jericho exchanged knowing glances and also turned their attention back to the movie.

After the movie was over Jericho announced that it was time to go. "I'll give you a call tomorrow, Kayla."

"Thanks for coming, Chris." Kayla hugged him and then turned to hug Christian who was heading back to his place.

"Thanks for everything, Christian." Kayla told him as she hugged him.

"No problem." Christian tipped her chin so that she met his eyes. "Call me if you need anything, got it?"

"I will," she promised.

Christian shook a finger at his brother playfully, "You do what she tells you."

"I'll be the perfect patient, bro." Edge replied with a crooked grin. "Later man."

Christian waved and followed Jericho out the door. Kayla looked around suddenly feeling awkward now that they were alone. "Well," she began, "It's late we ought to be getting you in bed. You need your rest you know and it's been a long day and I'm sure you're tired. You've got to take your medicine and . . ."

"Kayla."

Edge's gentle voice interrupted her ramble. She broke off and felt her face turn pink. With a sigh she walked over to the couch and sat down next to him. "I guess you're wondering what happened with me and Jeff."

"I was curious," Edge agreed, "But if you don't want to tell me it's none of my business."

"Problem is," Kayla told him, "It involves you."

Edge frowned, "How do I fit into this?"

"Remember when I was upset with Jeff before?" When Edge nodded Kayla continued, "You see he had confronted me and asked me if there was anything going on with me and you. I told him we were friends. He got all upset and left." Kayla looked down at her hands, "And tonight well, when I tried to talk to him it got out of hand. He said that I was leading you both on and apparently I kissed Jeff when I was drunk but I don't remember doing it. Jeff told me that I was acting like a slut and that he didn't want a whore."

"Jeff said that to you?" Edge asked her his voice low and angry. Something suddenly occurred to him and he chuckled. "That's when we heard that smack and the yelling huh?"

"Yup." Kayla confirmed, "I lost my temper and slapped him."

"Kayla," Edge told her taking her hand, "You didn't make an promises to either of us. I won't deny that I have feelings for you." Edge smiled, "I'd be lying if I did. Jeff's my best friend, if you want him it'll be cool."

Kayla sighed, "That's the thing, Edge." Kayla looked into his eyes, "I don't think I do want Jeff. He's not acting like the Jeff I first met and I don't like how he got so jealous so easily." Kayla stopped and looked down and when she continued her voice was barely above a whispered, "And somewhere along the line I started to fall for you."

Kayla looked up at Edge hopefully and was shocked by the affection and hunger she found in his eyes. "I've fallen for you too." Edge told her softly reaching out to caress her cheek, "I didn't mean for it to happen but I think it started when I saw you stand up to Test like that. It took guts." Edge smiled, "And the way you've taken care of me . . . you're an amazing person, Kayla McIntyre, and anyone who doesn't want you is a fool."

Kayla watched as his gaze fell to her lips and leaned forward to meet him halfway. Their lips touched, at first unsure and gentle before they relaxed in a tender and sweet embrace. Kayla ran her fingers through Edge's long locks as he wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her closer. Finally they parted and Edge smiled, "Whoa."

"Whoa doesn't cover it," Kayla told him still reeling from the kiss. Reluctantly Kayla shook herself and sat back. "We'd better get you to bed and give you your medicine."

Edge nodded having to admit that he was tired and sore. With Kayla's help he got to his feet and walked to short distance to the bedroom. Once he was sitting down, Kayla got him a glass of water and he took his pill. "I'm getting sick of sitting on my ass and sleeping," Edge grumbled handing her the glass.

Kayla smiled coyly and sat the glass on the table. "Well now you have a third thing to do."

"What's that?" Edge asked putting his hands on her waist.

"This." Kayla leaned down and pressed her lips to his and they shared a lingering kiss.

Breaking the kiss Edge looked up at her and smiled, "Now that's much better."

Kayla laughed, "You're terrible!" Kayla pointed towards the bed, "Now lay down."

"Yes ma'am." Edge lay down carefully trying to disturb his abused ribs as little as possible.

"Get some sleep," Kayla told him, tucking the blankets around him.

"Where do you think you're going?" Edge asked her grabbing her hand as she began to move away from the bed.

"To my room," she told him confused.

Edge hesitated then said, "You could sleep here."

"Edge . . ." Kayla began unsure.

"Nothing cute, I promise," Edge told her, "I just want you to sleep in my arms tonight. Just sleep."

Kayla nodded slowly. "Alright, I'll be back in a minute." Kayla hurried to her room changing into a pair of sweatpants and a tank top. Kayla walked back down the hall and into the bedroom blushing, as Edge looked her up and down. "Not the most risqué thing . . ."

Edge shook his head. "You look cute and besides you don't have to impress me."

Kayla smiled and stretched out on the bed next to him. She rested her head on his chest and he wrapped his arm around her holding her gently. "Sweet dreams, Beautiful."

"Goodnight, Edge." Kayla whispered closing her eyes. Not long after they were both lost in peaceful dreams.