Xtreme Revolution
Chapter 2
Jeff Hardy looked from Matt to Lita, measuring the immense space between the former lovers. They looked distinctly uncomfortable, and Jeff was near positive that both of them wanted this over with as soon as possible. He lifted the microphone to his lips, and hesitated for a brief moment before speaking. "Look. You both know why I'm back on RAW. I want to bring back Team Xtreme," he didn't react to the burst of cheers from the audience, and instead continued to look both of them in the eye. "I asked you both already, and I'm asking you again. Will you be a part of Team Xtreme once more?"
Matt motioned for a microphone, and spoke, his voice stressed. "I'm darn near ecstatic that you're back, Jeff, but you're barking up the wrong tree," he sighed as a round of boos echoed through the arena. "Jeff, Team Xtreme was awesome, but too many things have happened since then," he glanced at Lita for a spilt second, and then looked back at Jeff. Jeff noted that Lita did not make eye contact with him; in fact, her eyes were focused completely on the ground before her. "Great things always come to an end for a reason Jeff, and you can't just recreate them."
"I don't want to recreate Team Xtreme," Jeff shot back. "I never said I want it to be like the good old days. I'm well aware that lots have changed, including me. I said I wanted to be a team again," he looked at Matt straight in the eyes. "You, me, and Lita. We could get the Tag Team gold again. Singles is a whole different world, and you know it. Don't you feel it, Matt? That calling inside? We belong in a team, Matt," his eyes shifted to Lita. "You're on the hunt for your title. You've been double-teamed a million times. We can watch over each other. You can finally get a fair chance, Lita."
Lita took the microphone from Jeff. Jeff handed it to her, noticing that she went the extra distance instead of making any sort of contact with Matt. "I understand what you're saying, Jeff. Now you have to understand. You understand that lots have changed, well... Too much has changed for us to be a team again."
"Why?" Jeff had gotten another microphone. His frustrations were easy to spot. "When did 'too much' happen?"
Lita's eyes flared, and she spoke loudly. "I've trusted Matt twice too many times, and I'm not making the same mistake again!" Jeff's eyes fell on Matt. His brother was looking at the mat, his face unreadable.
Jeff ran a hand through his hair, his frustration mounting. "My God!" he exclaimed. "Can't you two put the past in the past? So you were together, so you're not anymore. So you hurt each other, it's the past! You know, I've finally figured out the problem you two have. You lack the ability to leave the past in the past. I'm not asking for you two to be all buddy-buddy, get back together, or hell, even apologize to each other! I'm asking to be a team again."
"Lita has nothing to apologize for," Matt's voice was quiet. He looked up, and the emotion in his eyes was a jumbled mess of guilt and pain. "I'm the one who screwed it up, and I'm the reason why she won't go along with this," he looked at Lita, who reluctantly met his eyes. "I was an asshole to you time and time again," he told her, eyes wide and apologetic. "I'm sorry I hurt you," he paused. "I'm not asking for your forgiveness now, and I know you can't give it to me now even if you wanted. But Lita... I..." he sighed, distractedly running a hand through his hair. "I want to be able to sleep at night. I want to be able to know that I didn't totally screw it up for you. I need your forgiveness at some point Lita, if you can give it to me."
Lita swallowed tightly, looking away from Matt. She couldn't stand to look into his eyes once more. If she did, she knew she would crumble, just like before. She would fall victim...again. "Matt, you're right, I can't forgive you now," she hesitated, "I don't know if I ever can."
"Everybody deserves second chances," Jeff spoke softly. "We need to give each other second chances. We need to give Team Xtreme a second chance," he looked both of them in the eye one at a time. "What do you say?" Silence hung between the three wrestlers, the cheers of the crowd becoming nonexistent.
"I say I'll do it," Matt was the first to speak, his eyes meeting Jeff's. Jeff turned to Lita, aware that Matt was as well.
"I...I don't know," she whispered aloud, meeting Jeff's eyes. She silently pleaded for him to drop it, for now. She couldn't make her decision, not at this moment. "I need time to think about it," she said finally.
"Next week?" Jeff prompted.
Lita nodded silently and Jeff's music started. Lita left the ring first, followed by Matt—at a far distance. Jeff stood in the ring for a second, watching them both leave. Lita had a week to give her answer.
He could only hope it was yes.