Title: Nothing Stays the Same.
Author: Cathie McMath. (email: penrithpanther_03@yahoo.com.au)
Disclaimer: I don't own Jeff, Lita, Trish Stratus, Edge - or any other WWE wrestlers that I may mention in this fic. I dream about owning them every night.. but in reality I don't. Good ol' Vinny Mac does.
Summary: Lita reflects on Jeff's recent behaviour.
Rating: PG. I think it's nice and clean.
TimeLine: Now. Starting from January through to right now - April 2003.
Distribution: Just email me and let me know if you'd like to have it.
Author's Note: Next chapter! I'm still pissed off about this whole Trish and Jeff thing, so for as long as they keep that going.. there will continue to be more chapter of this fic! Anyway, hope you guys enjoy this chapter, leave me a review and let me know what you think, okay?
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Jeff smiled brightly as he walked backstage, his arm wrapped around Trish's waist. His breathing was laboured, and his left knee was aching terribly, but he couldn't help but grin widely as he held the petite blonde diva in his arms. Not only had he scored a win over Steven Richards - and wins had become rare for him recently - but he also had the additional pleasure of having Trish by his side.
He wasn't quite sure how it had happened. Wasn't quite sure how he and Trish had formed this relationship. It had been scripted for him to go out to the ring and save her on RAW two weeks ago, when her tag partner Jazz deserted her in the ring. He had known about a planned alliance between himself and Trish for a few weeks now. But when he was out there, in that ring with her.. something happened between them. Something that he didn't know how to explain.
They kissed.
And since that kiss, things had just escalated from there. Eric Bischoff loved the idea of turning them into a couple on screen - said that he couldn't have thought of a better angle himself - and Jeff had to admit that he didn't hate the idea either. Off screen, the relationship between Trish and himself had heated up dramatically. Over the past two weeks, all of their free time had been spent together. After their successful tag match against Victoria and Steven Richards last week, they had gone out afterwards to celebrate. And the night before, at Wrestlemania, Jeff had been backstage cheering for Trish during her triple threat match. When Wrestlemania was over, the two had gone back to the hotel room together.. choosing to stay inside rather than go out with the others and celebrate.
Yes, Jeff had been spending alot of time with the little canadian diva. In fact, he was pretty sure the only other woman he had spent so much time with before was Lita. And --
"Oh!"
"What?" Trish asked, glancing up at the Hardy.
Jeff looked down at her, wiping away some body paint that had been smudged against her forehead with his thumb. "I've gotta call Li! I completely forgot." As they made their way towards the nearest phone in the arena hallway, Jeff explained to Trish. "It's kind've become this ritual. Since she's been injured, stuck at home, I've called her after every single RAW I've been at." And as he spoke, Jeff realised that he hadn't talked to his redheaded best friend for a while.. almost three weeks, actually. He'd been so caught up in doing things with Trish that he had completely forgotten about calling her, and he wasn't able to drop by and see her on his days off as he had been spending them with Trish at her place...
Jeff cursed himself silently as he picked up the phone, detaching himself from Trish. The blonde diva leant against the hallway wall as she watched Jeff dial Lita's number. He paused, and placed the phone back onto the hook.
Jeff looked over at her. "You don't have to stand there and wait for me, you know."
She smiled back at him. "I know. But I want to."
Jeff grinned at her, then pushed his hair behind his ears. "Seriously Trish, I might be awhile. Why don't you go back to the locker room?" The blonde pouted, and Jeff only chuckled. "Come on. Get my stuff together, so we can leave soon, alright? We'll go out and grab something to eat.. maybe grab a movie as well?"
Trish smiled brightly, and gave him a kiss on the cheek as she walked away. "Alright. Don't be too long! I'll be waiting."
Jeff smirked as he watched her walk away, down the hallway. Damn, that girl sure did make him smile. He picked the phone back up from the receiver, and began to dial Lita's number.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
"He even held the ropes for her, Edge!"
Edge bit his lip as he rubbed the redhead's back, trying to provide some sort of comfort to her. He wasn't quite sure what to do, or what to say to her. He knew she was confused, and frankly, so was he. There was no two ways about that. But he also knew that she was hurt, even if she wouldn't admit it to him.
Since he had been put out of action due to his neck surgery, Edge had been spending alot more time with Lita. And since RAW a few weeks back, that amount of time had increased even more. He had been sitting right next to the redheaded diva as they witnessed the kiss between Jeff Hardy and Trish Stratus. He had seen the pain and hurt and confusion in her hazel eyes, even when she denied feeling anything but surprise over her best friend's actions.
And he had been there, right beside her, over the past few weeks when Jeff hadn't called her - not even once - and she had been subjected to more footage of him and Trish together on RAW. Edge had been there, and he was there now as well, watching as Lita yet again, watched Trish and Jeff cuddle and kiss on screen.
"Li, honey.."
"This obviously isn't a one-off thing, is it Edge? Why didn't he tell me? Why didn't he tell me that this was his newest storyline?" The thick sound of confusion lined Lita's voice as she watched the television screen closely.
Edge slipped his arm around Lita's shoulders, and she placed her head on his shoulder. He wanted desperately to rest his head on top of hers, in an added sign of comfort, but the damn hard collar that he was wearing made that impossible to do. Instead, he patted her thigh gently.
"Sweetie, try not to think about it, okay? I'm sure that Hardy has a good reason for not telling you about it." He watched the screen as it played images of Jeff defeating Steven in the ring once more, then cutting to show Trish and Jeff on the ramp, cuddling closely. He picked up the remote from where it sat beside him, and switched the channel.
Lita lifted her head from his shoulder, and raised her brows at him questioningly. "What are you--"
"We don't have to watch RAW, you know." Edge said as he returned her stare. "There's some good comedy shows on now, as well. I think that new drama is playing tonight.."
"Edge..."
"Lita." He sighed. "Can we please, just not focus on wrestling tonight?"
He watched her silently, studying her face for a reaction. "Alright, tonight we'll watch whatever you want to watch." She relented, speaking softly.
The blonde canadian let out a breath of relief as he turned up the volume, watching a sitcom. He actually wanted to watch RAW, find out what was going on and who was feuding with who.. but he knew that it was just too painful for Lita to watch. Week in, week out - to watch Jeff flirt with Trish, when the youngest Hardy hadn't even bothered to give her a call..
Through his thoughts, Edge heard a soft giggle leave the redhead. He turned his head slightly to look at her, and felt a warm sensation in his stomach as he saw her smile, and then laugh a second time. She cocked her head towards him, and bit her lip. "This is a good show." She let out another small giggle. "Thanks."
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, squeezing her tightly and grinning widely. "My pleasure."
The two friends were interrupted by the shrill cry of the phone. Lita stood up casually, and walked over to the phone hanging on the wall.
"Hello?"
"Hey!" She heard the voice on the other end shout. "Li, honey! How are you?"
Lita felt her stomach drop. It was Jeff. Calling her, after not bothering to call for three weeks, and acting as if everything was okay. She could hardly gather up any words to speak to him. "Hey. I'm fine." Her tone was steady, lacking of any emotion.
Jeff ignored Lita's less than enthusiastic reply. "Did you see my match?" He laughed slightly. "I killed Stevie! I got the win!"
She stood in the living room, watching as Edge continued to focus on the sitcom that played on the television screen, chuckles escaping from his lips every now and again. "That's great, Jeff. Good for you."
At the arena, on the other end of the telephone line, Jeff frowned at Lita's distanced replies. "Li? Did you even see the match?"
"Uh, yeah, I saw it Jeff. You did well."
Jeff strained his hearing, and he could hear sounds in the background. Well, there would be noises if Lita was watching RAW, right? Only that didn't sound like JR and King.. and then he heard it. A loud laugh in the background - that didn't come from the television.
"Lita? What was that?"
"What was what, Jeff?" She asked, sighing slightly.
"That noise." Jeff shifted his weight as he stood in the arena hallway, pressing the phone to his ear. "It sounded like --"
"Li! You gotta see this! Quick! It's hilarious!" Edge laughed loudly, calling out to the redhead.
Lita nodded to the blonde. "Yeah, I'll be there in a minute Edge."
"Oh," Jeff said quietly. "Edge is over there?"
Lita chewed on her lip. She was still so angry at Jeff. Firstly, for not telling her anything about this Trish storyline. Then, not bothering to ring for close to three weeks. And then having the nerve to call and expect everything to be fine between them.. That boy needed to get his things together.. "Yeah, he's here." She paused. "He's been here with me alot of the last few weeks. Keeping me company, and stuff."
Jeff felt a pang of guilt pierce his stomach at his best friend's words. He knew she hadn't said that in order to make him feel like a selfish pile of shit, but that's what the result was. He felt horrible. "Li, honey, I'm sorry I didn't ring you over the last couple of weeks. I've just been heaps busy and --"
"No, Jeff. Don't apologise, okay? It's fine. Edge kept me company."
Goddamn, Jeff growled softly. He wished she'd stop saying that. "Well, whatever. I'm still sorry."
"Yeah, it's fine." There was an awkward silence on the phone, and Lita shivered from the tension between them. "Look, Jeff, I've gotta go. Edge is waiting..."
"Oh, sure, sorry. Don't want to keep Edge waiting." Jeff was surprised at how bitter that sounded. He threw in a small laugh, trying to hide the amount of malice that lined that last sentence.
Lita cleared her throat. "Yep. Well, I'll talk to you later."
"Yeah."
"Okay. Bye Jeff."
"Bye."
Lita hung the phone back up on the hook that was attached to the wall, and sat back down next to Edge on the couch. She felt terrible. That conversation - if you could even call it that - was horrible. The amount of awkwardness there was huge, and she hated it. If only he had told her..
Edge interrupted her thoughts, rubbing her shoulder lightly. "You okay? That was Jeff on the phone, wasn't it?" His brow was furrowed slightly, a worried look placed on his face as he looked at the redhead.
She nodded her head slightly, sighing as she leant against him. "Yeah, it was. I'm just so.. angry at him, you know? He's my best friend, Edge, and he couldn't even tell me about this. I don't get it."
"Is that really why you're angry at him though?" The blonde canadian asked hesitantly, unsure of whether he should be asking this yet. "I mean, just because he didn't tell you about it?"
"Well, that and the fact that he hasn't bothered to call me or anything.. yeah. That's why I'm mad. Why?"
He ran a hand through his hair, being careful not to move his neck too much as he did so. Damn this stupid collar... "Well, I've been watching RAW with you pretty much since Jeff and Trish first got together.." He watched her scowl at his words, all the more proving his point. ".. and I've seen your reaction everytime they're on screen together."
"And?"
"And, well, are you sure you don't actually have a problem with them being together?"
Lita shook her head defensively. "I told you. I'm just angry that Jeff, for some reason or another, didn't tell me about it and--"
"Okay, okay. No need to get all defensive. I was just asking." Edge turned his attention back to the television screen, and focused on the sitcom playing in front of them.
Still frowning slightly, Lita tore her gaze away from Edge, and again focused on the screen in front of her. She desperately tried to keep her mind focused on the show that was playing, tried to concentrate on the corny cliche`d jokes that were in every sitcom show. But she found that she simply couldn't. She just kept thinking about Edge's question, and why he wanted to know...
Author: Cathie McMath. (email: penrithpanther_03@yahoo.com.au)
Disclaimer: I don't own Jeff, Lita, Trish Stratus, Edge - or any other WWE wrestlers that I may mention in this fic. I dream about owning them every night.. but in reality I don't. Good ol' Vinny Mac does.
Summary: Lita reflects on Jeff's recent behaviour.
Rating: PG. I think it's nice and clean.
TimeLine: Now. Starting from January through to right now - April 2003.
Distribution: Just email me and let me know if you'd like to have it.
Author's Note: Next chapter! I'm still pissed off about this whole Trish and Jeff thing, so for as long as they keep that going.. there will continue to be more chapter of this fic! Anyway, hope you guys enjoy this chapter, leave me a review and let me know what you think, okay?
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Jeff smiled brightly as he walked backstage, his arm wrapped around Trish's waist. His breathing was laboured, and his left knee was aching terribly, but he couldn't help but grin widely as he held the petite blonde diva in his arms. Not only had he scored a win over Steven Richards - and wins had become rare for him recently - but he also had the additional pleasure of having Trish by his side.
He wasn't quite sure how it had happened. Wasn't quite sure how he and Trish had formed this relationship. It had been scripted for him to go out to the ring and save her on RAW two weeks ago, when her tag partner Jazz deserted her in the ring. He had known about a planned alliance between himself and Trish for a few weeks now. But when he was out there, in that ring with her.. something happened between them. Something that he didn't know how to explain.
They kissed.
And since that kiss, things had just escalated from there. Eric Bischoff loved the idea of turning them into a couple on screen - said that he couldn't have thought of a better angle himself - and Jeff had to admit that he didn't hate the idea either. Off screen, the relationship between Trish and himself had heated up dramatically. Over the past two weeks, all of their free time had been spent together. After their successful tag match against Victoria and Steven Richards last week, they had gone out afterwards to celebrate. And the night before, at Wrestlemania, Jeff had been backstage cheering for Trish during her triple threat match. When Wrestlemania was over, the two had gone back to the hotel room together.. choosing to stay inside rather than go out with the others and celebrate.
Yes, Jeff had been spending alot of time with the little canadian diva. In fact, he was pretty sure the only other woman he had spent so much time with before was Lita. And --
"Oh!"
"What?" Trish asked, glancing up at the Hardy.
Jeff looked down at her, wiping away some body paint that had been smudged against her forehead with his thumb. "I've gotta call Li! I completely forgot." As they made their way towards the nearest phone in the arena hallway, Jeff explained to Trish. "It's kind've become this ritual. Since she's been injured, stuck at home, I've called her after every single RAW I've been at." And as he spoke, Jeff realised that he hadn't talked to his redheaded best friend for a while.. almost three weeks, actually. He'd been so caught up in doing things with Trish that he had completely forgotten about calling her, and he wasn't able to drop by and see her on his days off as he had been spending them with Trish at her place...
Jeff cursed himself silently as he picked up the phone, detaching himself from Trish. The blonde diva leant against the hallway wall as she watched Jeff dial Lita's number. He paused, and placed the phone back onto the hook.
Jeff looked over at her. "You don't have to stand there and wait for me, you know."
She smiled back at him. "I know. But I want to."
Jeff grinned at her, then pushed his hair behind his ears. "Seriously Trish, I might be awhile. Why don't you go back to the locker room?" The blonde pouted, and Jeff only chuckled. "Come on. Get my stuff together, so we can leave soon, alright? We'll go out and grab something to eat.. maybe grab a movie as well?"
Trish smiled brightly, and gave him a kiss on the cheek as she walked away. "Alright. Don't be too long! I'll be waiting."
Jeff smirked as he watched her walk away, down the hallway. Damn, that girl sure did make him smile. He picked the phone back up from the receiver, and began to dial Lita's number.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
"He even held the ropes for her, Edge!"
Edge bit his lip as he rubbed the redhead's back, trying to provide some sort of comfort to her. He wasn't quite sure what to do, or what to say to her. He knew she was confused, and frankly, so was he. There was no two ways about that. But he also knew that she was hurt, even if she wouldn't admit it to him.
Since he had been put out of action due to his neck surgery, Edge had been spending alot more time with Lita. And since RAW a few weeks back, that amount of time had increased even more. He had been sitting right next to the redheaded diva as they witnessed the kiss between Jeff Hardy and Trish Stratus. He had seen the pain and hurt and confusion in her hazel eyes, even when she denied feeling anything but surprise over her best friend's actions.
And he had been there, right beside her, over the past few weeks when Jeff hadn't called her - not even once - and she had been subjected to more footage of him and Trish together on RAW. Edge had been there, and he was there now as well, watching as Lita yet again, watched Trish and Jeff cuddle and kiss on screen.
"Li, honey.."
"This obviously isn't a one-off thing, is it Edge? Why didn't he tell me? Why didn't he tell me that this was his newest storyline?" The thick sound of confusion lined Lita's voice as she watched the television screen closely.
Edge slipped his arm around Lita's shoulders, and she placed her head on his shoulder. He wanted desperately to rest his head on top of hers, in an added sign of comfort, but the damn hard collar that he was wearing made that impossible to do. Instead, he patted her thigh gently.
"Sweetie, try not to think about it, okay? I'm sure that Hardy has a good reason for not telling you about it." He watched the screen as it played images of Jeff defeating Steven in the ring once more, then cutting to show Trish and Jeff on the ramp, cuddling closely. He picked up the remote from where it sat beside him, and switched the channel.
Lita lifted her head from his shoulder, and raised her brows at him questioningly. "What are you--"
"We don't have to watch RAW, you know." Edge said as he returned her stare. "There's some good comedy shows on now, as well. I think that new drama is playing tonight.."
"Edge..."
"Lita." He sighed. "Can we please, just not focus on wrestling tonight?"
He watched her silently, studying her face for a reaction. "Alright, tonight we'll watch whatever you want to watch." She relented, speaking softly.
The blonde canadian let out a breath of relief as he turned up the volume, watching a sitcom. He actually wanted to watch RAW, find out what was going on and who was feuding with who.. but he knew that it was just too painful for Lita to watch. Week in, week out - to watch Jeff flirt with Trish, when the youngest Hardy hadn't even bothered to give her a call..
Through his thoughts, Edge heard a soft giggle leave the redhead. He turned his head slightly to look at her, and felt a warm sensation in his stomach as he saw her smile, and then laugh a second time. She cocked her head towards him, and bit her lip. "This is a good show." She let out another small giggle. "Thanks."
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, squeezing her tightly and grinning widely. "My pleasure."
The two friends were interrupted by the shrill cry of the phone. Lita stood up casually, and walked over to the phone hanging on the wall.
"Hello?"
"Hey!" She heard the voice on the other end shout. "Li, honey! How are you?"
Lita felt her stomach drop. It was Jeff. Calling her, after not bothering to call for three weeks, and acting as if everything was okay. She could hardly gather up any words to speak to him. "Hey. I'm fine." Her tone was steady, lacking of any emotion.
Jeff ignored Lita's less than enthusiastic reply. "Did you see my match?" He laughed slightly. "I killed Stevie! I got the win!"
She stood in the living room, watching as Edge continued to focus on the sitcom that played on the television screen, chuckles escaping from his lips every now and again. "That's great, Jeff. Good for you."
At the arena, on the other end of the telephone line, Jeff frowned at Lita's distanced replies. "Li? Did you even see the match?"
"Uh, yeah, I saw it Jeff. You did well."
Jeff strained his hearing, and he could hear sounds in the background. Well, there would be noises if Lita was watching RAW, right? Only that didn't sound like JR and King.. and then he heard it. A loud laugh in the background - that didn't come from the television.
"Lita? What was that?"
"What was what, Jeff?" She asked, sighing slightly.
"That noise." Jeff shifted his weight as he stood in the arena hallway, pressing the phone to his ear. "It sounded like --"
"Li! You gotta see this! Quick! It's hilarious!" Edge laughed loudly, calling out to the redhead.
Lita nodded to the blonde. "Yeah, I'll be there in a minute Edge."
"Oh," Jeff said quietly. "Edge is over there?"
Lita chewed on her lip. She was still so angry at Jeff. Firstly, for not telling her anything about this Trish storyline. Then, not bothering to ring for close to three weeks. And then having the nerve to call and expect everything to be fine between them.. That boy needed to get his things together.. "Yeah, he's here." She paused. "He's been here with me alot of the last few weeks. Keeping me company, and stuff."
Jeff felt a pang of guilt pierce his stomach at his best friend's words. He knew she hadn't said that in order to make him feel like a selfish pile of shit, but that's what the result was. He felt horrible. "Li, honey, I'm sorry I didn't ring you over the last couple of weeks. I've just been heaps busy and --"
"No, Jeff. Don't apologise, okay? It's fine. Edge kept me company."
Goddamn, Jeff growled softly. He wished she'd stop saying that. "Well, whatever. I'm still sorry."
"Yeah, it's fine." There was an awkward silence on the phone, and Lita shivered from the tension between them. "Look, Jeff, I've gotta go. Edge is waiting..."
"Oh, sure, sorry. Don't want to keep Edge waiting." Jeff was surprised at how bitter that sounded. He threw in a small laugh, trying to hide the amount of malice that lined that last sentence.
Lita cleared her throat. "Yep. Well, I'll talk to you later."
"Yeah."
"Okay. Bye Jeff."
"Bye."
Lita hung the phone back up on the hook that was attached to the wall, and sat back down next to Edge on the couch. She felt terrible. That conversation - if you could even call it that - was horrible. The amount of awkwardness there was huge, and she hated it. If only he had told her..
Edge interrupted her thoughts, rubbing her shoulder lightly. "You okay? That was Jeff on the phone, wasn't it?" His brow was furrowed slightly, a worried look placed on his face as he looked at the redhead.
She nodded her head slightly, sighing as she leant against him. "Yeah, it was. I'm just so.. angry at him, you know? He's my best friend, Edge, and he couldn't even tell me about this. I don't get it."
"Is that really why you're angry at him though?" The blonde canadian asked hesitantly, unsure of whether he should be asking this yet. "I mean, just because he didn't tell you about it?"
"Well, that and the fact that he hasn't bothered to call me or anything.. yeah. That's why I'm mad. Why?"
He ran a hand through his hair, being careful not to move his neck too much as he did so. Damn this stupid collar... "Well, I've been watching RAW with you pretty much since Jeff and Trish first got together.." He watched her scowl at his words, all the more proving his point. ".. and I've seen your reaction everytime they're on screen together."
"And?"
"And, well, are you sure you don't actually have a problem with them being together?"
Lita shook her head defensively. "I told you. I'm just angry that Jeff, for some reason or another, didn't tell me about it and--"
"Okay, okay. No need to get all defensive. I was just asking." Edge turned his attention back to the television screen, and focused on the sitcom playing in front of them.
Still frowning slightly, Lita tore her gaze away from Edge, and again focused on the screen in front of her. She desperately tried to keep her mind focused on the show that was playing, tried to concentrate on the corny cliche`d jokes that were in every sitcom show. But she found that she simply couldn't. She just kept thinking about Edge's question, and why he wanted to know...
