Chapter VII: Stunned.

The Undertaker and Kane came running to the ring. The Undertaker was livid as he entered the ring and knocked Austin away from his daughter. Kane fought Booker-T, who was just getting up after the many chairshots he had taken while Taker took care of Austin.

Jeff, who was just barely conscious, crawled over to Valerie and wiped the hair from her face gently. "Valerie?"

Jeff gasped as he saw she was near-unconscious and bleeding from the mouth. He felt tears welling up in his eyes as he looked down at her. "I'm so sorry."

He suddenly felt somebody pulling him away from Valerie and he was thrown back. He saw a furious Taker standing over him. Matt joined Jeff and helped him up.

"I'll deal with you later, Hardy," Taker said while glaring daggers at Jeff.

Taker kneeled down next to his daughter and his anger turned into concern, she was bleeding. He gently put his arms underneath her and picked her up slowly. He carried her over to the edge of the ring and put her on it. He exited the ring and picked her up again. He carried her away from the ring in the safety of his arms with Kane right behind him. Taker saw drops of blood trickling down Valerie's mouth and his concern grew. Her eyes were closed and it seemed as though she could drop unconscious any second.

"I'm gonna kill that Hardy punk," Taker growled as he continued to walk towards the doctor's office.

Taker carried her into the office and the doctor went to work, while he was examining her. The Hardy Boys and Lita came in. Taker immediately advanced towards them but Kane stopped him.

"What the hell are you doing in here? Haven't you done enough?" Taker yelled.

Jeff didn't answer, he looked pale and hurt as he stared at where Valerie was being examined by the doctor. He had unshed tears in his eyes and he was obviously very upset.

"We didn't mean for this to happen, we didn't know she was going to get involved," Matt said.

"That's not the point, you should have been there to protect her like you said you would be," Taker snarled.

"Calm down, bro, violence isn't gonna help Val," Kane said as calmly as he could.

"It'll damn sure make me feel better," Taker muttered as he calmed down a little.

Valerie suddenly groaned. "Daddy?"

The doctor backed off a little and let Taker through. "I'm here, babygirl, it's alright, you're safe now."

"Dad, what happened?" she asked.

"You don't remember?" Matt asked.

Taker threw a warning glare in his direction.

"What do you remember?" Kane asked gently.

"I remember getting into the ring, hitting Booker-T with a chair, then I turned around and nothing after that."

"That's what a Stone Cold Stunner is like," Matt said.

"I'm warning you, boy," Taker said rising to his full height.

"I got a Stone Cold Stunner?" Valerie said in awe, interrupting her father.

"That's right," Lita said, speaking up for the first time.

"How cool is that?" Valerie said smiling.

Taker and Kane frowned at Valerie and Matt, Jeff and Lita looked stunned.

"Austin obviously saw me as some kind of threat if he had to stun me to get me out of his way… I got the Stone Cold Stunner, imagine that."

Valerie smiled again. Kane was smiling as well but Taker was getting worried for his daughter's sanity. Matt and Lita were still stunned but Jeff was smiling. He was beginning to like this girl more and more. That's when Valerie noticed Jeff standing there. He had been very quiet during the entire conversation because he felt that it was his fault. Jeff's smile faded as he thought of how he had vowed to himself that he would keep her safe and how he had failed. Valerie didn't seem to hate him for anything however as she smiled at him.

"Hey," Valerie said.

"Hey," Jeff said.

"Listen…" they both said at the same time. They both chuckled.

"You go first," Valerie said.

"I wanna say I'm really sorry about what happened. I promised that I would protect you and I failed and if you can't forgive me…"

"Forgive you? What's there to forgive? I chose to get into that ring, I chose to get in harm's way. I did it for you, Jeff."

Jeff didn't know what to say. His tongue suddenly like it was too big for his mouth and his hands started sweating badly.

"Hey, what about us?" Matt said jokingly.

Jeff shot a warning glance at Matt but Valerie grabbed Jeff's chin and turned his head towards her.

"I was hoping we could get to know eachother a little better," Valerie said.

Jeff was stunned so he did the first thing he could think of, he grabbed Valerie's hand and kissed it.

Taker's look of fatherly concern turned into fatherly rage as he saw Jeff Hardy kissing his daughter's hand. He had been watching the exchange thus far thinking his daughter would do the right thing and blow the Hardy Boy off but he was wrong. He stepped forward but was stopped by a strong hand, he looked behind him and saw Kane standing there.

"Remember what we talked about, bro," Kane said.

"I remember, Kane."

But instead of standing back, Taker walked forward to the two love birds. He yanked Jeff away from Valerie and pushed him towards the door.

"Dad," Valerie cried.

Matt stood in front of Jeff protectively.

"What the hell's your problem?" Matt demanded.

"Your little punk brother, that's what," Taker yelled.

"Dad,stop it," Valerie yelled at him.

Taker turned to her in fury and said, "Shut your mouth little girl, now."

Valerie sat there watching her father in shock as he turned back to Team Extreme.

"Get the hell out, all three of you," Taker growled trying to stay calm.

Team Extreme went out the door and left, Matt having to pull Jeff with him. Taker turned to Valerie and his rage subsided a little.

"Dad…"

"Don't dad me, you are too good for that boy and I am not having you near him," Taker snapped. He turned to the door and stormed out leaving Valerie and Kane by themselves.

Valerie sat there staring at the door and tears began welling up in her eyes. Kane walked to her and took her into his arms very gently.

"Why is he doing this?" Valerie sobbed.

"Sssh, it's okay. He'll come around."

"Will you talk to him, uncle Kane?" Valerie asked looking up at her uncle.

Kane looked at his niece and thought of the conversation he and his brother had had earlier but he couldn't bear to tell her that it would do no good so he said, "Sure, I'll talk to him."

Valerie smiled and cuddled into his arms. Now she felt hopeful, now she knew she would see Jeff Hardy again.