Edge answered the knock at the door and Christian stood on the side.
He smiled to see his brother moving around on his own. "It's great to see
you back on your feet, bro."
Edge smiled back, "It's nice to be there." He told his brother ruefully. The tall blonde back up to let his brother in.
"Where's Kayla?" Christian asked.
"Trying to cover up the bruise on her face," Edge told him, "When I get my hands on Test he's gonna be sorry he ever mess with us."
"He's going to be short one tag team partner too." Christian told him. "That's right, I'm splitting. I can't team with the guy that did that to you."
"Look, Chris," Edge said shaking his head, "You don't have to do this."
"Yes, I do." Christian told him firmly, "I meant it when I said I finally realized that family was more important than titles. I've shamed you, and Mom and Dad. I have a lot to make up for. I don't want to partner with a man that would do what Test did. I haven't liked myself for a long time now and I need to change that."
Edge allowed himself a moment of vulnerability and reached out pulling his brother into an embrace. "I've missed you, Christian. It's good to have you back."
Christian returned the hug. "It's good to be back."
When they broke apart Christian cast a puzzled look towards Edge when he heard drawers being slammed back in Kayla's room.
"She's having a hard time dealing with her father's stupidity." Edge explained. "It's tearing her apart."
Christian studied his brother, "You're up to something Edge."
Edge flashed a devilish smile. "When am I not up to something?" Edge looked back towards the door, "I'll tell you about it later. I don't want Kayla to know in case it doesn't work."
Christian nodded, "Come on, dude, I've got your clothes." Edge and Christian headed back to Edge's room trying hard not to hear the occasional sobs that would come from across the hall.
A little after five and there was a knock on the door. Edge again answered it to find Y2J standing in the hall. "Hey, man." Edge greeted him shaking his hand.
"Hey," Chris said as he entered the apartment, "The warden is letting you walk now huh?"
Edge laughed, "She watches me like a hawk though." Edge looked over his shoulder at his brother, "Either that or it's this one over here. I can't get any peace."
Christian merely flashed his brother the finger and went back to reading his magazine.
"Is Jeff coming tonight?" Edge asked trying to sound casual.
"When I talked to them last, yeah," Jericho answered.
"Why?" Christian asked giving his brother a suspicious look.
Edge shrugged and flashed the other two men a smile, "Well, me and Kayla kinda . . . we'll were sort of going out now."
Jericho clapped him on the shoulder, "I figured something like this would happen."
Christian stood and shook his head, "I've been here for over an hour and you didn't tell me?"
Edge shrugged again, "I didn't know what you guys would think about it. I mean, with how Jeff feels about her and all."
"Does he know?" Jericho asked crossing his arms.
"Not yet, you guys are the first." Edge told him with a sigh.
Chris sighed, "Skittles messed this one up on his own. If he hadn't acted like a complete jackass Kayla may not have realized her feelings for you."
"That doesn't mean Jeff's going to take it quietly though." Christian put in his two cents.
Edge walked over to the couch and sat down. "Jeff's my friend. I hate to do this to him but Kayla made her choice and he blew it. That's why she wants to out tonight, to show him that even though she's made her choice she still wants to be his friend."
"Jeff probably isn't going to see it that way." Christian told him.
"I know," Edge sighed, "But I hope for Kayla's sake that Jeff doesn't completely flip out."
Kayla sighed looking at herself in the mirror. Covering that bruise had been a pain in the ass but she'd done it. Thankfully it had already begun to fade some. The hardest part had been trying to apply her makeup while crying. The two just didn't mix. Enough she told herself. She wasn't going to think about it tonight. Kayla McIntyre didn't sit in bedrooms and feel sorry for herself. She'd never make if she gave into self-pity.
Deciding that her appearance was acceptable she opened the door and walked out. When she entered the living room she found Christian, Edge and Jericho seated in the living room talk. "Hi, Chris, Christian."
The boys turned at the sound of her voice and Edge's jaw dropped. Kayla was dressed simply but she looked beautiful. She wore a black boat neck top and a pair of jeans completed with boots. Kayla had left her hair down but had changed the part so that her skunk strip hung on one side.
Kayla was studying Edge while he checked her out. He looked amazing in his dark blue silk shirt and leather pants. He'd left the top three buttons undone so that she could see a hint of his muscular chest.
"You look great!" They told each other at the same time.
They both turned red as Christian and Y2J laughed. "That was just too cute," Jericho gasped, "I don't think I can take it."
Christian chuckled and turned to Kayla, "Ignore him. You look amazing."
Jericho stopped laughing and glared at Christian for putting him in a spot, "Now I never said you didn't look good . . ."
Kayla laughed, "Relax, Chris, I would have laughed at me too."
Edge stood and walked over to her. "They're right though, you're beautiful."
"You're not so bad yourself." Kayla told him pressing a quick kiss to his lips.
There was a knock on the door. Kayla reached out for Edge's hand. "That's got to be Lita, Matt and Jeff."
Christian opened the door and Team Xtreme walked in, Jeff stopping dead in his tracks when he saw the couple holding hands. He quickly pushed it aside entering the room not looking at either of them.
"Hey guys," Kayla greeted her friends softly, "Hi Jeff."
Lita saw two holding hands and put a hand on her hip. "Well, . . . either you two hooked up or there's a monster under Edge's bed."
Edge laughed, "We're dating."
Matt looked over at his brother but Jeff avoided his gaze. "You two better be good to each other or I'll kick both your asses."
Kayla laughed but could not help but feel guilty at the pain she saw in Jeff's eyes. "Where do you guys wanna go?"
"I know a nice little place not far from here," Jericho said, "It's nothing too fancy but the food is great."
"Sounds great," Lita agreed wanting to get out of there before Jeff blew. "We'll never fit in one car so we'll just follow you?"
"Sure thing, Lee," Jericho agreed, "I'll drive these three in my car."
They headed down to cars together and once they were safely in Matt's car he looked in the mirror to see his brother sitting in the back seat a stony expression on his face. "Jeff, . . ."
"I don't want to discuss it, Matthew," Jeff bit out sharply.
"Jeff, now calm down." Lita tried, "Kayla and Edge are your friends."
"I DON'T want to talk about it," Jeff snapped, "Leave it alone, Lita."
Lita subsided into the front seat exchanging concerned looks with Matt. It could turn out to be a very long night.
In Jericho's car Edge and Kayla sat in the back, Kayla chewing on her lip nervously. Edge looked over and frowned, "Stop that, you're going to make your lip bleed."
Kayla jumped startled and realized what she had been doing. "Sorry."
Edge wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "It'll be okay, I promise," he whispered softly.
Kayla smiled and leaned into him allowing herself to be content in his embrace.
They sat down in a corner booth Edge and Kayla sitting together with Christian and Jericho between them and Jeff. Jeff spoke nicely to Lita, Matt, Chris, and Christian but seemed to be ignoring the new couple altogether. Kayla watched him feeling her temper rise. I don't expect him to be happy for me, she thought, but civility would be nice.
They managed to get through dinner with a causing a scene and when the bill was paid and they were walking to the car, Edge grabbed Jericho's arm. "Take Kayla to the car."
"What are you going to do?" Chris asked uneasily, "It's not going to help Kayla if you get in a fight with him."
"I know. I just want to talk to him." Edge reassured his friend, "It's killing Kayla that he's acting this way." Edge ran a hand through his hair, "I know that I haven't known her that long but her being happy is important to me. Especially with how things are with her family."
Chris smiled and laid his hand on his friend's shoulder, "You've got it bad man."
"I know." Edge gave Jericho a crooked grin, "Just take her to the car, I want her out of the way in case this does get ugly."
"You're still hurt," Jericho pointed out, "You don't need knocked around."
"Hopefully it doesn't come to that," Edge replied evenly, "Now get going."
Jericho nodded and set off guiding Kayla towards the car casually while Edge went to Jeff, laying a hand on his arm. "We need to talk, dude." Edge told him softly.
"There's nothing to talk about." Jeff told him shaking him off.
"Look, Jeff," Edge pressed, "I know that you're pissed at me and maybe you have a right to be, but Kayla doesn't need this right now."
Jeff turned to face his friend, "Look, Edge, I'm not angry at you, but I sure as hell am mad at her. She led me on! Kayla used me!"
"The hell she did, Jeff!" Edge cried exasperated, "The whole point of tonight was to try and fix things with you. Kayla wants to be your friend." Edge threw his hands up in the air. "Hell if you hadn't have flipped out on her the other night I probably wouldn't even have her now." Edge shook his head. "You did this to yourself."
Jeff lost his temper and shoved Edge knocking him to the ground. Edge cried out in pain holding his injured ribs. Jeff was horrified. "Edge, . . . man, I'm sorry." Jeff back away slowly, "Look I'm not angry at you but be careful, she'll do the same to you."
Christian had seen Jeff shove Edge and rushed to his brother's side. Christian helped his brother up as Jericho held Kayla back.
Jeff stalked past her and she pulled away from Chris and blocked Jeff's way. "Do you feel better now, Jeff? He's your friend dammit!" Kayla screamed in his face.
Jeff pushed her away and she fell to the ground staring up at him in shock. Jeff stared down at her silently. Jericho stepped forward picking her up and pulling her away from Jeff pushed her towards Edge and Christian. "Put her in the car! Now!" Matt had moved to his brother grabbing his arms.
"What the fuck's the matter with you!" Matt demanded shaking his brother.
Christian and Edge pulled Kayla towards the car while she glared at Jeff over her shoulder. Once she was in the car Jericho got right up in the younger Hardy's face. "Listen, Jeff, and listen good. I don't know what the hell has gotten into you but get one thing straight, friends or not if you ever lay a hand on her again I'll beat the shit out of you." Jericho told him in a low voice. "Kayla has enough problems right now without your shit."
Jericho turned away disgusted. "Get him the hell out of here."
As Matt dragged his brother to the car Lita came up and laid a hand on Chris' shoulder, "I'm sorry about this." She apologized for Jeff.
Jericho looked at her, "It's not you who should apologize, Lee. I love Jeff like a brother but Kayla has problems of her own and she doesn't need his shit."
"What kind of problems?" Lita asked curiously.
"Her family disowned her because of her involvement with the WWF." Jericho confided, "Kayla is taking it pretty bad."
"Damn." Lita swore softly. "I'll try talking to Jeff for all the good it will do."
"Thanks, Lee," Jericho said hugging her. "But for right now I think we should get them as far apart as possible."
"What about the training session tomorrow?" Lita asked worried.
"We'll all be there to supervise. Nothing will happen. I doubt if Jeff will even show," Jericho replied tiredly. "We'd better get going."
Lita nodded. "See ya tomorrow."
"Later, babe." Jericho turned and walked back to the car getting into the driver's seat. The car was deadly quiet. Jericho looked in the rear view mirror to see Kayla sitting with her head in her hands and Edge rubbing her back trying to console her. With a sigh he turned on the car and headed for Kayla's apartment."
Edge smiled back, "It's nice to be there." He told his brother ruefully. The tall blonde back up to let his brother in.
"Where's Kayla?" Christian asked.
"Trying to cover up the bruise on her face," Edge told him, "When I get my hands on Test he's gonna be sorry he ever mess with us."
"He's going to be short one tag team partner too." Christian told him. "That's right, I'm splitting. I can't team with the guy that did that to you."
"Look, Chris," Edge said shaking his head, "You don't have to do this."
"Yes, I do." Christian told him firmly, "I meant it when I said I finally realized that family was more important than titles. I've shamed you, and Mom and Dad. I have a lot to make up for. I don't want to partner with a man that would do what Test did. I haven't liked myself for a long time now and I need to change that."
Edge allowed himself a moment of vulnerability and reached out pulling his brother into an embrace. "I've missed you, Christian. It's good to have you back."
Christian returned the hug. "It's good to be back."
When they broke apart Christian cast a puzzled look towards Edge when he heard drawers being slammed back in Kayla's room.
"She's having a hard time dealing with her father's stupidity." Edge explained. "It's tearing her apart."
Christian studied his brother, "You're up to something Edge."
Edge flashed a devilish smile. "When am I not up to something?" Edge looked back towards the door, "I'll tell you about it later. I don't want Kayla to know in case it doesn't work."
Christian nodded, "Come on, dude, I've got your clothes." Edge and Christian headed back to Edge's room trying hard not to hear the occasional sobs that would come from across the hall.
A little after five and there was a knock on the door. Edge again answered it to find Y2J standing in the hall. "Hey, man." Edge greeted him shaking his hand.
"Hey," Chris said as he entered the apartment, "The warden is letting you walk now huh?"
Edge laughed, "She watches me like a hawk though." Edge looked over his shoulder at his brother, "Either that or it's this one over here. I can't get any peace."
Christian merely flashed his brother the finger and went back to reading his magazine.
"Is Jeff coming tonight?" Edge asked trying to sound casual.
"When I talked to them last, yeah," Jericho answered.
"Why?" Christian asked giving his brother a suspicious look.
Edge shrugged and flashed the other two men a smile, "Well, me and Kayla kinda . . . we'll were sort of going out now."
Jericho clapped him on the shoulder, "I figured something like this would happen."
Christian stood and shook his head, "I've been here for over an hour and you didn't tell me?"
Edge shrugged again, "I didn't know what you guys would think about it. I mean, with how Jeff feels about her and all."
"Does he know?" Jericho asked crossing his arms.
"Not yet, you guys are the first." Edge told him with a sigh.
Chris sighed, "Skittles messed this one up on his own. If he hadn't acted like a complete jackass Kayla may not have realized her feelings for you."
"That doesn't mean Jeff's going to take it quietly though." Christian put in his two cents.
Edge walked over to the couch and sat down. "Jeff's my friend. I hate to do this to him but Kayla made her choice and he blew it. That's why she wants to out tonight, to show him that even though she's made her choice she still wants to be his friend."
"Jeff probably isn't going to see it that way." Christian told him.
"I know," Edge sighed, "But I hope for Kayla's sake that Jeff doesn't completely flip out."
Kayla sighed looking at herself in the mirror. Covering that bruise had been a pain in the ass but she'd done it. Thankfully it had already begun to fade some. The hardest part had been trying to apply her makeup while crying. The two just didn't mix. Enough she told herself. She wasn't going to think about it tonight. Kayla McIntyre didn't sit in bedrooms and feel sorry for herself. She'd never make if she gave into self-pity.
Deciding that her appearance was acceptable she opened the door and walked out. When she entered the living room she found Christian, Edge and Jericho seated in the living room talk. "Hi, Chris, Christian."
The boys turned at the sound of her voice and Edge's jaw dropped. Kayla was dressed simply but she looked beautiful. She wore a black boat neck top and a pair of jeans completed with boots. Kayla had left her hair down but had changed the part so that her skunk strip hung on one side.
Kayla was studying Edge while he checked her out. He looked amazing in his dark blue silk shirt and leather pants. He'd left the top three buttons undone so that she could see a hint of his muscular chest.
"You look great!" They told each other at the same time.
They both turned red as Christian and Y2J laughed. "That was just too cute," Jericho gasped, "I don't think I can take it."
Christian chuckled and turned to Kayla, "Ignore him. You look amazing."
Jericho stopped laughing and glared at Christian for putting him in a spot, "Now I never said you didn't look good . . ."
Kayla laughed, "Relax, Chris, I would have laughed at me too."
Edge stood and walked over to her. "They're right though, you're beautiful."
"You're not so bad yourself." Kayla told him pressing a quick kiss to his lips.
There was a knock on the door. Kayla reached out for Edge's hand. "That's got to be Lita, Matt and Jeff."
Christian opened the door and Team Xtreme walked in, Jeff stopping dead in his tracks when he saw the couple holding hands. He quickly pushed it aside entering the room not looking at either of them.
"Hey guys," Kayla greeted her friends softly, "Hi Jeff."
Lita saw two holding hands and put a hand on her hip. "Well, . . . either you two hooked up or there's a monster under Edge's bed."
Edge laughed, "We're dating."
Matt looked over at his brother but Jeff avoided his gaze. "You two better be good to each other or I'll kick both your asses."
Kayla laughed but could not help but feel guilty at the pain she saw in Jeff's eyes. "Where do you guys wanna go?"
"I know a nice little place not far from here," Jericho said, "It's nothing too fancy but the food is great."
"Sounds great," Lita agreed wanting to get out of there before Jeff blew. "We'll never fit in one car so we'll just follow you?"
"Sure thing, Lee," Jericho agreed, "I'll drive these three in my car."
They headed down to cars together and once they were safely in Matt's car he looked in the mirror to see his brother sitting in the back seat a stony expression on his face. "Jeff, . . ."
"I don't want to discuss it, Matthew," Jeff bit out sharply.
"Jeff, now calm down." Lita tried, "Kayla and Edge are your friends."
"I DON'T want to talk about it," Jeff snapped, "Leave it alone, Lita."
Lita subsided into the front seat exchanging concerned looks with Matt. It could turn out to be a very long night.
In Jericho's car Edge and Kayla sat in the back, Kayla chewing on her lip nervously. Edge looked over and frowned, "Stop that, you're going to make your lip bleed."
Kayla jumped startled and realized what she had been doing. "Sorry."
Edge wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "It'll be okay, I promise," he whispered softly.
Kayla smiled and leaned into him allowing herself to be content in his embrace.
They sat down in a corner booth Edge and Kayla sitting together with Christian and Jericho between them and Jeff. Jeff spoke nicely to Lita, Matt, Chris, and Christian but seemed to be ignoring the new couple altogether. Kayla watched him feeling her temper rise. I don't expect him to be happy for me, she thought, but civility would be nice.
They managed to get through dinner with a causing a scene and when the bill was paid and they were walking to the car, Edge grabbed Jericho's arm. "Take Kayla to the car."
"What are you going to do?" Chris asked uneasily, "It's not going to help Kayla if you get in a fight with him."
"I know. I just want to talk to him." Edge reassured his friend, "It's killing Kayla that he's acting this way." Edge ran a hand through his hair, "I know that I haven't known her that long but her being happy is important to me. Especially with how things are with her family."
Chris smiled and laid his hand on his friend's shoulder, "You've got it bad man."
"I know." Edge gave Jericho a crooked grin, "Just take her to the car, I want her out of the way in case this does get ugly."
"You're still hurt," Jericho pointed out, "You don't need knocked around."
"Hopefully it doesn't come to that," Edge replied evenly, "Now get going."
Jericho nodded and set off guiding Kayla towards the car casually while Edge went to Jeff, laying a hand on his arm. "We need to talk, dude." Edge told him softly.
"There's nothing to talk about." Jeff told him shaking him off.
"Look, Jeff," Edge pressed, "I know that you're pissed at me and maybe you have a right to be, but Kayla doesn't need this right now."
Jeff turned to face his friend, "Look, Edge, I'm not angry at you, but I sure as hell am mad at her. She led me on! Kayla used me!"
"The hell she did, Jeff!" Edge cried exasperated, "The whole point of tonight was to try and fix things with you. Kayla wants to be your friend." Edge threw his hands up in the air. "Hell if you hadn't have flipped out on her the other night I probably wouldn't even have her now." Edge shook his head. "You did this to yourself."
Jeff lost his temper and shoved Edge knocking him to the ground. Edge cried out in pain holding his injured ribs. Jeff was horrified. "Edge, . . . man, I'm sorry." Jeff back away slowly, "Look I'm not angry at you but be careful, she'll do the same to you."
Christian had seen Jeff shove Edge and rushed to his brother's side. Christian helped his brother up as Jericho held Kayla back.
Jeff stalked past her and she pulled away from Chris and blocked Jeff's way. "Do you feel better now, Jeff? He's your friend dammit!" Kayla screamed in his face.
Jeff pushed her away and she fell to the ground staring up at him in shock. Jeff stared down at her silently. Jericho stepped forward picking her up and pulling her away from Jeff pushed her towards Edge and Christian. "Put her in the car! Now!" Matt had moved to his brother grabbing his arms.
"What the fuck's the matter with you!" Matt demanded shaking his brother.
Christian and Edge pulled Kayla towards the car while she glared at Jeff over her shoulder. Once she was in the car Jericho got right up in the younger Hardy's face. "Listen, Jeff, and listen good. I don't know what the hell has gotten into you but get one thing straight, friends or not if you ever lay a hand on her again I'll beat the shit out of you." Jericho told him in a low voice. "Kayla has enough problems right now without your shit."
Jericho turned away disgusted. "Get him the hell out of here."
As Matt dragged his brother to the car Lita came up and laid a hand on Chris' shoulder, "I'm sorry about this." She apologized for Jeff.
Jericho looked at her, "It's not you who should apologize, Lee. I love Jeff like a brother but Kayla has problems of her own and she doesn't need his shit."
"What kind of problems?" Lita asked curiously.
"Her family disowned her because of her involvement with the WWF." Jericho confided, "Kayla is taking it pretty bad."
"Damn." Lita swore softly. "I'll try talking to Jeff for all the good it will do."
"Thanks, Lee," Jericho said hugging her. "But for right now I think we should get them as far apart as possible."
"What about the training session tomorrow?" Lita asked worried.
"We'll all be there to supervise. Nothing will happen. I doubt if Jeff will even show," Jericho replied tiredly. "We'd better get going."
Lita nodded. "See ya tomorrow."
"Later, babe." Jericho turned and walked back to the car getting into the driver's seat. The car was deadly quiet. Jericho looked in the rear view mirror to see Kayla sitting with her head in her hands and Edge rubbing her back trying to console her. With a sigh he turned on the car and headed for Kayla's apartment."
