Livin' on the Edge
Author: Crimson Coin
Crimson_Coin@yahoo.com
Rating: PG13 for all the stuff things are rated PG13 though there is some harsh language. Rating will change to R later when things get too racy.
Summery: Uhm.unexpected turns in events lead to . well . lots of crappy situations. Yeah I know, not too good. But give it a shot. Come on.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. And when I say nothing, I really mean nothing. Hell, my floppy disk was swiped from the school's computer lab. So the superstar's belong to the WWF. It's WWF FOREVER!
TimeLine: really makes no difference.
Distribution: Just ask me.
On with the story already.
She felt them. A hand stroking her hair, a gesture meant as comfort. But she didn't want to open her eyes. She didn't want to see the look of disgust that would grace everyone's face. The look of blame as they accused her of forcing Jeff to do what he did. She couldn't face that, at least not yet. Lita lay silently, listening to the conversation around her.
"Did the tranquilizer wear off?" Torrie asked.
"Yeah." Jericho answered. "He only conked out for about five minutes. The adrenaline in his system had him up soon after. But he's calmer now. Well, at least he was when I left. How is she?"
Lita felt Chris at her other side, running his hand over her arm then taking a seat. Torrie grabbed the redhead's hand, holding it securely in her own. "She's.I don't know. I just don't understand why she isn't up."
"I have no idea." Jericho said, grabbing Lita's other hand in his own. "I mean she was watching Jeff and the minute he begged her not to go. God, and then she looked at me and I couldn't help it. I didn't mean to accuse her or anything. But she saw it. She saw what I was thinking."
"Did you talk to him?" Torrie asked. "Is that why he did it?" she swallowed hard, showing her slight discomfort in the situation. "Did he do it cuz she left?"
"He hasn't said anything to me, yet." Jericho answered. "But I talked to his father." He sighed. "He didn't seem to want to say anything either. It's killing him you know. Gil. Seeing his son like that."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I remember years ago talking to their father. He always thought of Jeff as the cool, calm, collective type. And now seeing his boy in that state of hysteria.well, Gil didn't say anything to me of what happened before I got in there. And Lita, honey, I know you're awake and none of us blame you."
Lita's eyes bolted open, a shocked expression on her face. "How did you know?"
Chris smiled back. "Sweetheart, your grip has been getting tighter and tighter and."
"I get the point." She said, taking the time to look around the room. "Where are we?"
"Jeff's room." Torrie said, then continued at the question in Lita's eyes. "He was in that bed, but when he woke up, Matt convinced the staff to let him walk his brother around for a bit. He's hoping the movement might help to calm him more."
Lita nodded, sitting up. She closed her eyes a moment then looked to Jericho. "Why did he do it, Chris? And don't give me any of that 'I have no idea' BS cuz I know you know. It was me wasn't it?"
Jericho looked at Torrie who only shrugged. He sighed then met the redhead's inquisitive stare. "Blunt Honesty?"
"Please."
"Yeah. It was over you. At least that's what I think." Chris explained. "He thought he totally messed things up. And when you didn't come back, he thought that after everything you two have been through, he blew it. He thought he lost your friendship and your trust. And God knows that means the world to him. I guess he couldn't live with the fact that he betrayed you like that and he.well, he did what he did."
Lita rested her head in her hands, lowering her gaze from those in the room. Chris let out a sigh of relief that he didn't have to expose everything he knew about the Hardy.
After a few minutes, Lita raised her head. "I have to talk to him. Alone."
+++
Jeff sighed, contently. Happy that he didn't have to see that hospital room again, happy that his brother and father had talked the hospital into letting them go home. Granted they pumped him up with so many tranquilizers he felt like he was on cloud nine. But he was still home.
He opened the door to his bedroom, looking around the familiar surroundings. His gaze fell onto the bathroom, and he saw the blood.
Lord, they must have rushed so fast that no one thought of that. He opened the bathroom door fully and walked in, grabbing the sponge and cleaning solution from under the sink. After all, being his blood and all he should clean it up. He filled the tub with a few inches of water, swirling the liquid so the Lysol mixed well. He dipped the sponge in, soaking the tool before brining it to the floor, starting to wipe up the blood.
As he diligently finished the floor, he wiped up the side of the tub, jumping when he saw another figure to his side. "Lita! God, you scared me." She looked to him and smiled. His gaze trailed from her face to what she was doing; gathering his hair.
She was gathering his hair. Jeff shot to his feet, running into his room and grabbing one of his Neon Blue Handkerchiefs, tying it on his head. She loved his long hair. And that sorrowful look she just gave him. He didn't want her to see him like this. He glanced in the mirror at his dresser and made sure the cloth covered his head, keeping his short hair hidden. Yes, it wasn't the same because his hair didn't hang out from underneath like usual. But at least it wasn't as obvious now.
With a sigh, he returned to the bathroom, nonchalantly walking back to the tub to wash that out as well. Only when he looked in, he saw it was already clean and Lita was rinsing out the sponge in the sink. "You didn't have to do that, you know."
"I know." She said, intently wringing out the sponge.
Well, this was just wonderful. He can't remember the last time he didn't have something to say to her. He couldn't remember the last time he was speechless in general. Marvelous. Now what?
She grabbed his hand, a gesture that startled him, and he watched her unbelieving as she led him into his bedroom and sat him down on his bed. "Talk to me, Jeff."
Jeff stared at her, unsure of this new strength he saw in her eyes. The naïve trusting Lita that he knew, no sign of her resided in this woman kneeling at his feet. This Lita was strong, wise, powerful, intelligent. Whatever happened to her during her time away, he didn't know. Jeff didn't care though. Because he did love the old Lita.but this new Lita, he found himself loving her more. He lowered his gaze and shook his head. "Nuh huh."
She cupped his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. "I said talk to me."
"I don't know what to say." He answered. "And please don't look at me." He reached up, taking her hands away from his face.
Lita sighed. "Now why don't you want me looking at you?"
"Because I'm not the same. I don't look the same. I'm not me."
"Mmmm." Lita said. "I'm not the same either. And I don't look the same. But am I still me? Tell me, am I that different to you?"
Jeff thought a moment, biting his lip. "You're not the same. But I like your change. I can still see Lita in your eyes."
Lita smiled. "And I can see Jeff in yours. I can still see you, Jeff." She reached up to his head, grabbing the cloth that covered his skull.
He quickly reached up, stopping her before she could pull it off. "Please, don't."
She locked her eyes with his and reached up with her other hand, bringing his arm down. Then she removed the handkerchief. "You have no reason to hide from me. It's only hair. And if you want it long again, well then you'll just have to grow it back." She smiled. "Although if you think about it, you are more streamline now. That's got to serve some purpose in that crazy head of yours."
Jeff laughed. "Yeah." He ran his fingers over his head. "I guess it does." He looked up and to the left a moment and Lita could see him thinking, slowly seeing the old Jeff returning in his eyes. "Now I can try that human water torpedo thing I always wanted to. You know they actually said I couldn't have long hair. Something about it getting caught in the catapult that hurls you out."
Lita chuckled, leaning forward and hugging him. "Now that's the Jeff I love." She pulled away, her face serious and the smile fell from Jeff's. She sighed. "I want to apologize. For leaving like that. For driving you to. I'm sorry, Jeff. I shouldn't have run. I just didn't know what to do."
Jeff smiled warmly at her. "It's not your fault. Not really at least. I was more disgusted with myself. I'm the one who's sorry. I pushed you away and I.I couldn't live with myself. It was the only thing I thought that I could do. I mean it was so long and you weren't back yet." He stared at his wrists, the red now hardened in the gauze. "I guess it was the easy way out."
She looked at his hands, grabbing his wrists and looking at the bandage. "Promise me, you'll never do it again. I. I can't bear the thought of you not here. And when I found you."
She trailed off as Jeff looked away, his eyes tearing. She reached up, wiping at his tears. "Don't cry. You had no idea I was coming back. And that's my fault. I should've called, let you know I was ok. I should've talked to you. Oh God, please don't cry."
He looked back at her, the tears still in his eyes. "I . I need."
"What do you need?"
He sighed, gathering all the courage in him. "I need to hold you. Make sure that you're really here."
Lita smiled at him, as she rose, allowing him to pull her into his lap. "That I can handle." As he banded his arms around her, Lita nestled into him, holding him - almost clinging - as well. "It's been so long, you know. So long."
"I've missed you too."
She had no idea how long they sat there, but she didn't really want to move. She'd missed this, missed him. And now that she was back, everything could go back to the way it was. She sighed contently as he wrapped his arms more tightly around her. She jumped when he spoke.
"I'm sorry. I cried all in your hair." He said, smiling slightly.
She chuckled at him. "That's ok, the salt's good for it. Plus I cried all in your shirt."
"Let me guess, salt's good for that too right."
"You always know what I'm thinking." She said, smiling beautifully at him.
He settled her slightly back, but still kept her on his lap. He cupped her face in his hands, speaking seriously, his eyes screaming sincerity. "I don't want to lose you again. Ever. I never thought that I'd ever feel that way about someone. You know, people go in and out of your life and you just move on. That's what I thought happened, you just moved on. I couldn't take it and I guess I took the easy way out. I don't want to do that anymore and I don't want to lose you again. Just tell me what you want from me and it's yours."
She reached up, grabbing his wrists and pulling his hands down into her lap. She stared at them a moment then entwined her fingers with his. "What I want?" She saw his nerves flashing in his eyes and his palms grew sweaty. But she didn't let go. "I want a friend, a brother. I want someone that I can tell anything. I want someone that will always be there for me. I want someone to love me enough to give a damn what happens to me. I want you, Jeff. I want what we had. And I want you to never do that to me again."
"Done." There was no hesitation in his answer as he pulled her to him once more, hugging her with everything he could. Damn, did he want to kiss her now. Especially after she said she wants someone to love her.that she wants him. Sure in context she didn't mean that way, but she still said she wanted him. And it would take all of Jeff's self restraint to keep everything at bay. But if that's what he had to do to have her, then that's what he'd do.
At least until the time when he could show her just how much he loved her. And Jeff knew that time was coming and quick.
***Not finished yet. Getting there. Almost. Sorry it took so long. I hate finals. Let me know what you think ***
Author: Crimson Coin
Crimson_Coin@yahoo.com
Rating: PG13 for all the stuff things are rated PG13 though there is some harsh language. Rating will change to R later when things get too racy.
Summery: Uhm.unexpected turns in events lead to . well . lots of crappy situations. Yeah I know, not too good. But give it a shot. Come on.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. And when I say nothing, I really mean nothing. Hell, my floppy disk was swiped from the school's computer lab. So the superstar's belong to the WWF. It's WWF FOREVER!
TimeLine: really makes no difference.
Distribution: Just ask me.
On with the story already.
She felt them. A hand stroking her hair, a gesture meant as comfort. But she didn't want to open her eyes. She didn't want to see the look of disgust that would grace everyone's face. The look of blame as they accused her of forcing Jeff to do what he did. She couldn't face that, at least not yet. Lita lay silently, listening to the conversation around her.
"Did the tranquilizer wear off?" Torrie asked.
"Yeah." Jericho answered. "He only conked out for about five minutes. The adrenaline in his system had him up soon after. But he's calmer now. Well, at least he was when I left. How is she?"
Lita felt Chris at her other side, running his hand over her arm then taking a seat. Torrie grabbed the redhead's hand, holding it securely in her own. "She's.I don't know. I just don't understand why she isn't up."
"I have no idea." Jericho said, grabbing Lita's other hand in his own. "I mean she was watching Jeff and the minute he begged her not to go. God, and then she looked at me and I couldn't help it. I didn't mean to accuse her or anything. But she saw it. She saw what I was thinking."
"Did you talk to him?" Torrie asked. "Is that why he did it?" she swallowed hard, showing her slight discomfort in the situation. "Did he do it cuz she left?"
"He hasn't said anything to me, yet." Jericho answered. "But I talked to his father." He sighed. "He didn't seem to want to say anything either. It's killing him you know. Gil. Seeing his son like that."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I remember years ago talking to their father. He always thought of Jeff as the cool, calm, collective type. And now seeing his boy in that state of hysteria.well, Gil didn't say anything to me of what happened before I got in there. And Lita, honey, I know you're awake and none of us blame you."
Lita's eyes bolted open, a shocked expression on her face. "How did you know?"
Chris smiled back. "Sweetheart, your grip has been getting tighter and tighter and."
"I get the point." She said, taking the time to look around the room. "Where are we?"
"Jeff's room." Torrie said, then continued at the question in Lita's eyes. "He was in that bed, but when he woke up, Matt convinced the staff to let him walk his brother around for a bit. He's hoping the movement might help to calm him more."
Lita nodded, sitting up. She closed her eyes a moment then looked to Jericho. "Why did he do it, Chris? And don't give me any of that 'I have no idea' BS cuz I know you know. It was me wasn't it?"
Jericho looked at Torrie who only shrugged. He sighed then met the redhead's inquisitive stare. "Blunt Honesty?"
"Please."
"Yeah. It was over you. At least that's what I think." Chris explained. "He thought he totally messed things up. And when you didn't come back, he thought that after everything you two have been through, he blew it. He thought he lost your friendship and your trust. And God knows that means the world to him. I guess he couldn't live with the fact that he betrayed you like that and he.well, he did what he did."
Lita rested her head in her hands, lowering her gaze from those in the room. Chris let out a sigh of relief that he didn't have to expose everything he knew about the Hardy.
After a few minutes, Lita raised her head. "I have to talk to him. Alone."
+++
Jeff sighed, contently. Happy that he didn't have to see that hospital room again, happy that his brother and father had talked the hospital into letting them go home. Granted they pumped him up with so many tranquilizers he felt like he was on cloud nine. But he was still home.
He opened the door to his bedroom, looking around the familiar surroundings. His gaze fell onto the bathroom, and he saw the blood.
Lord, they must have rushed so fast that no one thought of that. He opened the bathroom door fully and walked in, grabbing the sponge and cleaning solution from under the sink. After all, being his blood and all he should clean it up. He filled the tub with a few inches of water, swirling the liquid so the Lysol mixed well. He dipped the sponge in, soaking the tool before brining it to the floor, starting to wipe up the blood.
As he diligently finished the floor, he wiped up the side of the tub, jumping when he saw another figure to his side. "Lita! God, you scared me." She looked to him and smiled. His gaze trailed from her face to what she was doing; gathering his hair.
She was gathering his hair. Jeff shot to his feet, running into his room and grabbing one of his Neon Blue Handkerchiefs, tying it on his head. She loved his long hair. And that sorrowful look she just gave him. He didn't want her to see him like this. He glanced in the mirror at his dresser and made sure the cloth covered his head, keeping his short hair hidden. Yes, it wasn't the same because his hair didn't hang out from underneath like usual. But at least it wasn't as obvious now.
With a sigh, he returned to the bathroom, nonchalantly walking back to the tub to wash that out as well. Only when he looked in, he saw it was already clean and Lita was rinsing out the sponge in the sink. "You didn't have to do that, you know."
"I know." She said, intently wringing out the sponge.
Well, this was just wonderful. He can't remember the last time he didn't have something to say to her. He couldn't remember the last time he was speechless in general. Marvelous. Now what?
She grabbed his hand, a gesture that startled him, and he watched her unbelieving as she led him into his bedroom and sat him down on his bed. "Talk to me, Jeff."
Jeff stared at her, unsure of this new strength he saw in her eyes. The naïve trusting Lita that he knew, no sign of her resided in this woman kneeling at his feet. This Lita was strong, wise, powerful, intelligent. Whatever happened to her during her time away, he didn't know. Jeff didn't care though. Because he did love the old Lita.but this new Lita, he found himself loving her more. He lowered his gaze and shook his head. "Nuh huh."
She cupped his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. "I said talk to me."
"I don't know what to say." He answered. "And please don't look at me." He reached up, taking her hands away from his face.
Lita sighed. "Now why don't you want me looking at you?"
"Because I'm not the same. I don't look the same. I'm not me."
"Mmmm." Lita said. "I'm not the same either. And I don't look the same. But am I still me? Tell me, am I that different to you?"
Jeff thought a moment, biting his lip. "You're not the same. But I like your change. I can still see Lita in your eyes."
Lita smiled. "And I can see Jeff in yours. I can still see you, Jeff." She reached up to his head, grabbing the cloth that covered his skull.
He quickly reached up, stopping her before she could pull it off. "Please, don't."
She locked her eyes with his and reached up with her other hand, bringing his arm down. Then she removed the handkerchief. "You have no reason to hide from me. It's only hair. And if you want it long again, well then you'll just have to grow it back." She smiled. "Although if you think about it, you are more streamline now. That's got to serve some purpose in that crazy head of yours."
Jeff laughed. "Yeah." He ran his fingers over his head. "I guess it does." He looked up and to the left a moment and Lita could see him thinking, slowly seeing the old Jeff returning in his eyes. "Now I can try that human water torpedo thing I always wanted to. You know they actually said I couldn't have long hair. Something about it getting caught in the catapult that hurls you out."
Lita chuckled, leaning forward and hugging him. "Now that's the Jeff I love." She pulled away, her face serious and the smile fell from Jeff's. She sighed. "I want to apologize. For leaving like that. For driving you to. I'm sorry, Jeff. I shouldn't have run. I just didn't know what to do."
Jeff smiled warmly at her. "It's not your fault. Not really at least. I was more disgusted with myself. I'm the one who's sorry. I pushed you away and I.I couldn't live with myself. It was the only thing I thought that I could do. I mean it was so long and you weren't back yet." He stared at his wrists, the red now hardened in the gauze. "I guess it was the easy way out."
She looked at his hands, grabbing his wrists and looking at the bandage. "Promise me, you'll never do it again. I. I can't bear the thought of you not here. And when I found you."
She trailed off as Jeff looked away, his eyes tearing. She reached up, wiping at his tears. "Don't cry. You had no idea I was coming back. And that's my fault. I should've called, let you know I was ok. I should've talked to you. Oh God, please don't cry."
He looked back at her, the tears still in his eyes. "I . I need."
"What do you need?"
He sighed, gathering all the courage in him. "I need to hold you. Make sure that you're really here."
Lita smiled at him, as she rose, allowing him to pull her into his lap. "That I can handle." As he banded his arms around her, Lita nestled into him, holding him - almost clinging - as well. "It's been so long, you know. So long."
"I've missed you too."
She had no idea how long they sat there, but she didn't really want to move. She'd missed this, missed him. And now that she was back, everything could go back to the way it was. She sighed contently as he wrapped his arms more tightly around her. She jumped when he spoke.
"I'm sorry. I cried all in your hair." He said, smiling slightly.
She chuckled at him. "That's ok, the salt's good for it. Plus I cried all in your shirt."
"Let me guess, salt's good for that too right."
"You always know what I'm thinking." She said, smiling beautifully at him.
He settled her slightly back, but still kept her on his lap. He cupped her face in his hands, speaking seriously, his eyes screaming sincerity. "I don't want to lose you again. Ever. I never thought that I'd ever feel that way about someone. You know, people go in and out of your life and you just move on. That's what I thought happened, you just moved on. I couldn't take it and I guess I took the easy way out. I don't want to do that anymore and I don't want to lose you again. Just tell me what you want from me and it's yours."
She reached up, grabbing his wrists and pulling his hands down into her lap. She stared at them a moment then entwined her fingers with his. "What I want?" She saw his nerves flashing in his eyes and his palms grew sweaty. But she didn't let go. "I want a friend, a brother. I want someone that I can tell anything. I want someone that will always be there for me. I want someone to love me enough to give a damn what happens to me. I want you, Jeff. I want what we had. And I want you to never do that to me again."
"Done." There was no hesitation in his answer as he pulled her to him once more, hugging her with everything he could. Damn, did he want to kiss her now. Especially after she said she wants someone to love her.that she wants him. Sure in context she didn't mean that way, but she still said she wanted him. And it would take all of Jeff's self restraint to keep everything at bay. But if that's what he had to do to have her, then that's what he'd do.
At least until the time when he could show her just how much he loved her. And Jeff knew that time was coming and quick.
***Not finished yet. Getting there. Almost. Sorry it took so long. I hate finals. Let me know what you think ***