Jeff Hardy climbed slowly out of bed after a near sleepless night. Matt had
tried to talk to him when he got home but Jeff had brushed him off. Jeff
frowned as he thought back to the night before. He winced as he thought of
what he'd said to Kayla. He'd definitely been out of line. He'd deserved
that slap and probably a kick in the ass to boot.
Jeff sighed and walked out of his bedroom into his living room only to find his brother and Lita and waiting for him. Jeff hung his head and took a deep breath, he'd lost his temper with Kayla, he didn't want to make things worse by loosing it with Matt and Lita too."
"You ready to talk yet, Jeff?" Matt asked his brother quietly.
Jeff nodded and sat down in the chair. "I mess up real bad, Matt."
"What happened?" Lita asked leaning forward.
"I said some things to her that I had no right saying." Jeff confessed softly.
"Like what?" Matt pried suspicion creeping into his voice.
"I told her . . ." Jeff paused looking up at his brother then back to the ground, "I told her that she was all over Edge like some kind of a slut and I didn't want no woman that acted like a whore."
"Oh, Jeff . . ." Lita shook her head disappointed in him, "What the hell were you thinking?"
Jeff stood irritated, "I was thinking that she lead me on. Kayla is playing with both of us."
"Jeff," Lita interrupted gently, "I don't think Kayla is trying to lead anyone on. I'll admit there's something between her and Edge but I don't think she realized it was there until you confronted her with it."
"You know our mother would wash your mouth out with soap for talking to her like that." Matt scolded his brother, "You've probably lost all chance at being in a relationship with her, and you'll be lucky if she even wants to speak to you."
Jeff sighed knowing his brother was right. "That's the thing, Matt. If Kayla hooks up with him, I don't know if I can be around either of them again." Before Matt or Lita could say anything else Jeff turned and walked back to his bedroom locking the door behind him.
Edge opened his eyes and stretched, looking down with a smile as he became aware of someone lying next to him. Kayla lay sleeping her head resting on his shoulder. Edge leaned over to kiss the top of her head wrapping his arms more securely around her.
It had been a long time since Edge had known such peace. He had his brother back, and he had one hell of girl in his arms.
Edge sighed. Poor Jeff. He knew that his friend had a crush on her and Edge didn't want anything to jeopardize that friendship. But then, Edge thought, Jeff had blown whatever chance he had when he blew up on Kayla the night before. Until that moment Kayla hadn't known what she wanted. Jeff had put the nails into his own coffin. Still, Edge would do his best to smooth things over with his friend.
The Intercontinental Continental Champion was pulled from his thoughts when Kayla stirred in his arms. He looked down to see her lashes flutter open to reveal her beautiful green eyes. "Morning." Edge whispered softly.
Kayla looked up at him and smiled. "Morning." She returned as she snuggled up against him. "This is nice." She confessed softly.
"Yeah," Edge kissed the top of her head and tilted her chin up so that she met his eyes. "Are you sure this is what you want?" Edge's eyes searched hers looking for the truth. "If you want Jeff, I'll understand."
Kayla sat up on one elbow. "I've made my decision. You've supported me, backed me no matter what. Jeff turned his back on me. I still want him as a friend but I want you as my boyfriend, Edge. No one else."
A smile lit Edge's face and he pulled her down for a kiss. Kayla sighed and Edge seized the opportunity slipping his tongue into her mouth enjoying the taste of her. She moaned into his mouth. Finally they parted and Kayla sat up. "Time to check your ribs."
"I need a shower too." Edge told her wrinkling his nose.
"I'll help you take off the bandages and then you can take a shower." Kayla told him, "Can you handle it on your own?"
Edge smiled devilishly, "Unless you want to help?"
Kayla blushed, "Well, . . . uh, . . . I meant that I could call Christian to come over and help you."
Edge made a face. "That's just gross."
Kayla laughed turning even redder, "Quit giving me a hard time!" she ordered smacking his arm. "Now sit up so I can get those bandages off."
Edge did as he was told, easing up to a sitting position then slowly climbing to his feet. He held his arms out to the side as she unwrapped the bandage from his waist and removed the smaller ones from the various injuries that marred his otherwise perfect body. Kayla stepped over the dresser and rummaged through the bag picking out new boxers for him.
Edge chuckled, "Now you're not shy about that but a second ago you were beet red."
"I'm complicated," she told him primly as she walked back to his side. "Here, put your arm around my shoulders and I'll help you to the bathroom." Together they walked down the hall to the bathroom where Kayla sat on the counter. She turned on the shower to allow the water to heat up and got clean towels and washcloths out of the closet.
Kayla gestured to the shampoo and conditioner already in the shower. "You can just use my shampoo and stuff."
"Ooh," Edge squealed girlishly, "Pantene Pro V."
Kayla shot him a dirty look and threw the rag at him. "Keep it up, blondie. I'll tell Kurt to take you to the bar so you can have bonding time."
Edge pouted, "That's soo totally harsh."
Kayla giggled and walked over to plant a quick kiss on his pouting lips. "Behave yourself and it won't happen." She slapped his thigh, "Now stand up and I'll help you take your shirt off, after that you're on your own."
"You're no fun," Edge told her as she helped him shrug out of his shirt.
Kayla smiled seductively, "Give it time. Good things come to those who wait." She left him staring after her a big goofy grin on his face.
Kayla chuckled to herself as she walked into the living room. Things would never be boring with Edge. He helped lessen the pain of her father's abandonment and Jeff's harsh comments. As sadness threatened to grip her heart she pushed those thoughts away.
The phone rang and she rushed to answer grateful for a distraction. "Hello?"
"Kayla? It's Vince," Vince McMahon's gruff voice came through, "How are you and Edge?"
"We're doing better." Kayla informed him, "Edge is weak but I don't think he's in quite as much pain."
"What about you?" Vince prodded catching on to the fact that she had avoided half of his question.
Kayla sighed, "I've got one hell of a shiner, a bruised back, I'm a little stiff but doing much better."
"Good enough for a training session tomorrow?" Vince inquired.
"Definitely," Kayla told him enthusiastically, "What time?"
"Be at the WWF Headquarters at 12:30. Team Xtreme, Christian and Jericho can teach you what you need to know. I've instructed them to show no mercy," Vince warned her.
"I understand. It's necessary." Kayla assured him.
"That's a girl." Vince praised her, "That's the attitude that you need to make it in this business. I've got to get going but I'll check up on you in a few days."
"Fine," Kayla replied, "Thanks for everything."
"I've got to protect my investment," he told her. "Goodbye"
"Bye." Kayla hung up the phone. She listened for a moment and heard the shower still running. Kayla hoped the warm water would help relax his muscles. Kayla fixed herself a bowl of fruit loops, so what if she was nothing but a big kid, and tried not to think about the fight with her father, failing miserably. Kayla heard the water stop and waited for Edge to dress.
She was alarmed several minutes later to hear a thump and Edge cursing. Kayla jumped to her feet, dashing down the hall to the bathroom. She opened the door to find Edge kneeling on the floor holding his ribs. At least he had gotten his pants on. "Are you okay? What happened?" Kayla asked going to his side.
Edge took a deep breath, "I tried to put my shirt on and I guess I moved the wrong way."
Kayla's eyes dropped to his bare stomach and she saw red as she once again took in the bruised mess. She pushed it to the back of her mind. Test would be dealt with at a later date. "Come on, let's get you up." Kayla helped him to his feet wincing as his weight pulled at her tender back. Together they walked back to the bedroom and she helped him to sit on the bed. "Be right back."
Kayla returned a minute later with a towel and a brush. She placed the towel around his shoulders. "Let me dry your hair a bit and then I'll rewrap your ribs."
Edge nodded still in a fair amount of pain. Kayla sat behind him and began brushing his hair in long even strokes to get the water out of it. Edge relaxed a bit and let his head fall back enjoying the attention. When most of the dampness was out of it Kayla laid the brush down. "Let's take care of your ribs."
Edge stood holding his arms out to the side while she wrapped the bandage tightly around his waist. When she was done he reached out and wrapped his arms around her. "You're too good to me." He told her.
Kayla shook her head, "It's my fault that this happened anyway."
Edge rested his forehead against hers. "How many times do I have to tell you this? It wasn't your fault. Test is just an asshole."
Kayla looked at him doubtfully but nodded. "I talked to Vince earlier," she told him changing the subject, "He's set up a training session for tomorrow. He's gonna let Team Xtreme, Christian and Jericho teach me."
"You still sore?" Edge asked playing with her hair idly.
"A little," she chuckled, "Something tells me I'm gonna be a lot sorer tomorrow."
Edge laughed, "That mat isn't made of feathers."
"How are your ribs?" Kayla asked him, "I mean before you fell."
"They're better," Edge assured her, "I just moved the wrong way."
"Think you're up to dinner out tonight?" Kayla asked, "I thought we could all go out."
"What about Jeff?" Edge reminded her gently. "He's my friend, Kayla, I don't want this to hurt him more than it has to."
"I don't think there's a way to avoid hurting him," Kayla sighed, "But I was hoping that showing him that I still want him around will help him to not be so angry about it."
"I'll call Christian and ask him." Edge said releasing her and taking a step back. "You can tell the others. I'll need Christian to bring some clothes over for me."
Kayla nodded, "You can do that while I'm in the shower."
Edge began to walk to the kitchen.
"You can make it on your own?" Kayla asked watching carefully.
Edge sighed, he adored the girl but her guilt was making her over protective. "I'll be fine," he smiled to take any possible sting out of his words, "I got beat up, not shot or stabbed, or hit by a car."
Kayla laughed, "I know, I know. I'll back off." She wagged a finger at him, "But if you ever do need help you better tell me."
"I will." Edge promised, "Now go take a shower before you stink up the whole place."
Kayla glared in mock rage as he walked out the door. "Men," she grumbled before breaking into a grin.
When Kayla emerged from the bathroom sometime later she found Edge sitting at the kitchen table finishing off his own bowl of fruity goodness. Edge looked up to see Kayla walked out into the living room in a tank top and sweatpants having blow-dried her hair.
"I talked to Christian," he told her when he spotted her, "You don't have to worry about the others, he said he'd call them and tell them to meet us here at around 5:30." Edge swallowed the last bite of cereal. "Christian will be here around four o'clock to help me get ready."
Kayla nodded absently her eyes drawn to something on her coffee table. Edge watched as she walked over to it and picked up a picture. A tear fell from her eye and Edge stood walking over to her. Looking over her shoulder he could see it was a picture of Kayla and an older couple. "Your parents?" he asked her softly wrapping his arms around her from behind.
"Yeah," Kayla whispered, "I love them so much. I just can't live the life they want for me."
"Sweetheart," Edge groaned as she began to sob in earnest, "Give your father time, he'll come around."
Kayla looked up into his eyes, "What if he doesn't, Edge? What if Daddy never wants to speak to me again?"
"Have you tried talking to your mother?" Edge asked her pointedly. Kayla shook her head, "Maybe she'll help smooth things over. And," Edge added softly wiping away her tears, "If that doesn't work, you'll always have us."
Kayla turned in his arms burying her face in his chest. Edge could feel the wetness of her tears. Edge held her until she had cried herself out. Kayla sniffled and moved back a bit. "Thank you." She whispered as she dried her eyes.
"Any time," Edge told her, "You brought me and my brother back together, Kayla," Edge told her solemnly, "No matter what happens with us I will always be grateful to you for that. I'll always be here for you no matter what."
Kayla could find no words so instead she stood on tiptoe pressing her lips to his. Her eyes went to the clock. It was almost a quarter till four. She set the picture of her parents back on the table. "I'd better go and start getting ready." Kayla told him, "I've got to figure out a way to hide this shiner."
"Go in my bag," Edge told her, "You'll find some stage makeup. That'll hide anything."
"Thanks," Kayla told him easing out of his embrace, "Let me know when Christian gets here."
Edge watched her retreat to the bedroom and then looked down at the picture. He knew damn well that Kayla's pride would never let her call home and by the sounds of it her father's pride would never let him call his daughter. Edge's eyes went to the mother. Maybe a little intervention was needed.
Jeff sighed and walked out of his bedroom into his living room only to find his brother and Lita and waiting for him. Jeff hung his head and took a deep breath, he'd lost his temper with Kayla, he didn't want to make things worse by loosing it with Matt and Lita too."
"You ready to talk yet, Jeff?" Matt asked his brother quietly.
Jeff nodded and sat down in the chair. "I mess up real bad, Matt."
"What happened?" Lita asked leaning forward.
"I said some things to her that I had no right saying." Jeff confessed softly.
"Like what?" Matt pried suspicion creeping into his voice.
"I told her . . ." Jeff paused looking up at his brother then back to the ground, "I told her that she was all over Edge like some kind of a slut and I didn't want no woman that acted like a whore."
"Oh, Jeff . . ." Lita shook her head disappointed in him, "What the hell were you thinking?"
Jeff stood irritated, "I was thinking that she lead me on. Kayla is playing with both of us."
"Jeff," Lita interrupted gently, "I don't think Kayla is trying to lead anyone on. I'll admit there's something between her and Edge but I don't think she realized it was there until you confronted her with it."
"You know our mother would wash your mouth out with soap for talking to her like that." Matt scolded his brother, "You've probably lost all chance at being in a relationship with her, and you'll be lucky if she even wants to speak to you."
Jeff sighed knowing his brother was right. "That's the thing, Matt. If Kayla hooks up with him, I don't know if I can be around either of them again." Before Matt or Lita could say anything else Jeff turned and walked back to his bedroom locking the door behind him.
Edge opened his eyes and stretched, looking down with a smile as he became aware of someone lying next to him. Kayla lay sleeping her head resting on his shoulder. Edge leaned over to kiss the top of her head wrapping his arms more securely around her.
It had been a long time since Edge had known such peace. He had his brother back, and he had one hell of girl in his arms.
Edge sighed. Poor Jeff. He knew that his friend had a crush on her and Edge didn't want anything to jeopardize that friendship. But then, Edge thought, Jeff had blown whatever chance he had when he blew up on Kayla the night before. Until that moment Kayla hadn't known what she wanted. Jeff had put the nails into his own coffin. Still, Edge would do his best to smooth things over with his friend.
The Intercontinental Continental Champion was pulled from his thoughts when Kayla stirred in his arms. He looked down to see her lashes flutter open to reveal her beautiful green eyes. "Morning." Edge whispered softly.
Kayla looked up at him and smiled. "Morning." She returned as she snuggled up against him. "This is nice." She confessed softly.
"Yeah," Edge kissed the top of her head and tilted her chin up so that she met his eyes. "Are you sure this is what you want?" Edge's eyes searched hers looking for the truth. "If you want Jeff, I'll understand."
Kayla sat up on one elbow. "I've made my decision. You've supported me, backed me no matter what. Jeff turned his back on me. I still want him as a friend but I want you as my boyfriend, Edge. No one else."
A smile lit Edge's face and he pulled her down for a kiss. Kayla sighed and Edge seized the opportunity slipping his tongue into her mouth enjoying the taste of her. She moaned into his mouth. Finally they parted and Kayla sat up. "Time to check your ribs."
"I need a shower too." Edge told her wrinkling his nose.
"I'll help you take off the bandages and then you can take a shower." Kayla told him, "Can you handle it on your own?"
Edge smiled devilishly, "Unless you want to help?"
Kayla blushed, "Well, . . . uh, . . . I meant that I could call Christian to come over and help you."
Edge made a face. "That's just gross."
Kayla laughed turning even redder, "Quit giving me a hard time!" she ordered smacking his arm. "Now sit up so I can get those bandages off."
Edge did as he was told, easing up to a sitting position then slowly climbing to his feet. He held his arms out to the side as she unwrapped the bandage from his waist and removed the smaller ones from the various injuries that marred his otherwise perfect body. Kayla stepped over the dresser and rummaged through the bag picking out new boxers for him.
Edge chuckled, "Now you're not shy about that but a second ago you were beet red."
"I'm complicated," she told him primly as she walked back to his side. "Here, put your arm around my shoulders and I'll help you to the bathroom." Together they walked down the hall to the bathroom where Kayla sat on the counter. She turned on the shower to allow the water to heat up and got clean towels and washcloths out of the closet.
Kayla gestured to the shampoo and conditioner already in the shower. "You can just use my shampoo and stuff."
"Ooh," Edge squealed girlishly, "Pantene Pro V."
Kayla shot him a dirty look and threw the rag at him. "Keep it up, blondie. I'll tell Kurt to take you to the bar so you can have bonding time."
Edge pouted, "That's soo totally harsh."
Kayla giggled and walked over to plant a quick kiss on his pouting lips. "Behave yourself and it won't happen." She slapped his thigh, "Now stand up and I'll help you take your shirt off, after that you're on your own."
"You're no fun," Edge told her as she helped him shrug out of his shirt.
Kayla smiled seductively, "Give it time. Good things come to those who wait." She left him staring after her a big goofy grin on his face.
Kayla chuckled to herself as she walked into the living room. Things would never be boring with Edge. He helped lessen the pain of her father's abandonment and Jeff's harsh comments. As sadness threatened to grip her heart she pushed those thoughts away.
The phone rang and she rushed to answer grateful for a distraction. "Hello?"
"Kayla? It's Vince," Vince McMahon's gruff voice came through, "How are you and Edge?"
"We're doing better." Kayla informed him, "Edge is weak but I don't think he's in quite as much pain."
"What about you?" Vince prodded catching on to the fact that she had avoided half of his question.
Kayla sighed, "I've got one hell of a shiner, a bruised back, I'm a little stiff but doing much better."
"Good enough for a training session tomorrow?" Vince inquired.
"Definitely," Kayla told him enthusiastically, "What time?"
"Be at the WWF Headquarters at 12:30. Team Xtreme, Christian and Jericho can teach you what you need to know. I've instructed them to show no mercy," Vince warned her.
"I understand. It's necessary." Kayla assured him.
"That's a girl." Vince praised her, "That's the attitude that you need to make it in this business. I've got to get going but I'll check up on you in a few days."
"Fine," Kayla replied, "Thanks for everything."
"I've got to protect my investment," he told her. "Goodbye"
"Bye." Kayla hung up the phone. She listened for a moment and heard the shower still running. Kayla hoped the warm water would help relax his muscles. Kayla fixed herself a bowl of fruit loops, so what if she was nothing but a big kid, and tried not to think about the fight with her father, failing miserably. Kayla heard the water stop and waited for Edge to dress.
She was alarmed several minutes later to hear a thump and Edge cursing. Kayla jumped to her feet, dashing down the hall to the bathroom. She opened the door to find Edge kneeling on the floor holding his ribs. At least he had gotten his pants on. "Are you okay? What happened?" Kayla asked going to his side.
Edge took a deep breath, "I tried to put my shirt on and I guess I moved the wrong way."
Kayla's eyes dropped to his bare stomach and she saw red as she once again took in the bruised mess. She pushed it to the back of her mind. Test would be dealt with at a later date. "Come on, let's get you up." Kayla helped him to his feet wincing as his weight pulled at her tender back. Together they walked back to the bedroom and she helped him to sit on the bed. "Be right back."
Kayla returned a minute later with a towel and a brush. She placed the towel around his shoulders. "Let me dry your hair a bit and then I'll rewrap your ribs."
Edge nodded still in a fair amount of pain. Kayla sat behind him and began brushing his hair in long even strokes to get the water out of it. Edge relaxed a bit and let his head fall back enjoying the attention. When most of the dampness was out of it Kayla laid the brush down. "Let's take care of your ribs."
Edge stood holding his arms out to the side while she wrapped the bandage tightly around his waist. When she was done he reached out and wrapped his arms around her. "You're too good to me." He told her.
Kayla shook her head, "It's my fault that this happened anyway."
Edge rested his forehead against hers. "How many times do I have to tell you this? It wasn't your fault. Test is just an asshole."
Kayla looked at him doubtfully but nodded. "I talked to Vince earlier," she told him changing the subject, "He's set up a training session for tomorrow. He's gonna let Team Xtreme, Christian and Jericho teach me."
"You still sore?" Edge asked playing with her hair idly.
"A little," she chuckled, "Something tells me I'm gonna be a lot sorer tomorrow."
Edge laughed, "That mat isn't made of feathers."
"How are your ribs?" Kayla asked him, "I mean before you fell."
"They're better," Edge assured her, "I just moved the wrong way."
"Think you're up to dinner out tonight?" Kayla asked, "I thought we could all go out."
"What about Jeff?" Edge reminded her gently. "He's my friend, Kayla, I don't want this to hurt him more than it has to."
"I don't think there's a way to avoid hurting him," Kayla sighed, "But I was hoping that showing him that I still want him around will help him to not be so angry about it."
"I'll call Christian and ask him." Edge said releasing her and taking a step back. "You can tell the others. I'll need Christian to bring some clothes over for me."
Kayla nodded, "You can do that while I'm in the shower."
Edge began to walk to the kitchen.
"You can make it on your own?" Kayla asked watching carefully.
Edge sighed, he adored the girl but her guilt was making her over protective. "I'll be fine," he smiled to take any possible sting out of his words, "I got beat up, not shot or stabbed, or hit by a car."
Kayla laughed, "I know, I know. I'll back off." She wagged a finger at him, "But if you ever do need help you better tell me."
"I will." Edge promised, "Now go take a shower before you stink up the whole place."
Kayla glared in mock rage as he walked out the door. "Men," she grumbled before breaking into a grin.
When Kayla emerged from the bathroom sometime later she found Edge sitting at the kitchen table finishing off his own bowl of fruity goodness. Edge looked up to see Kayla walked out into the living room in a tank top and sweatpants having blow-dried her hair.
"I talked to Christian," he told her when he spotted her, "You don't have to worry about the others, he said he'd call them and tell them to meet us here at around 5:30." Edge swallowed the last bite of cereal. "Christian will be here around four o'clock to help me get ready."
Kayla nodded absently her eyes drawn to something on her coffee table. Edge watched as she walked over to it and picked up a picture. A tear fell from her eye and Edge stood walking over to her. Looking over her shoulder he could see it was a picture of Kayla and an older couple. "Your parents?" he asked her softly wrapping his arms around her from behind.
"Yeah," Kayla whispered, "I love them so much. I just can't live the life they want for me."
"Sweetheart," Edge groaned as she began to sob in earnest, "Give your father time, he'll come around."
Kayla looked up into his eyes, "What if he doesn't, Edge? What if Daddy never wants to speak to me again?"
"Have you tried talking to your mother?" Edge asked her pointedly. Kayla shook her head, "Maybe she'll help smooth things over. And," Edge added softly wiping away her tears, "If that doesn't work, you'll always have us."
Kayla turned in his arms burying her face in his chest. Edge could feel the wetness of her tears. Edge held her until she had cried herself out. Kayla sniffled and moved back a bit. "Thank you." She whispered as she dried her eyes.
"Any time," Edge told her, "You brought me and my brother back together, Kayla," Edge told her solemnly, "No matter what happens with us I will always be grateful to you for that. I'll always be here for you no matter what."
Kayla could find no words so instead she stood on tiptoe pressing her lips to his. Her eyes went to the clock. It was almost a quarter till four. She set the picture of her parents back on the table. "I'd better go and start getting ready." Kayla told him, "I've got to figure out a way to hide this shiner."
"Go in my bag," Edge told her, "You'll find some stage makeup. That'll hide anything."
"Thanks," Kayla told him easing out of his embrace, "Let me know when Christian gets here."
Edge watched her retreat to the bedroom and then looked down at the picture. He knew damn well that Kayla's pride would never let her call home and by the sounds of it her father's pride would never let him call his daughter. Edge's eyes went to the mother. Maybe a little intervention was needed.
