Part Five

Bang, bang, bang

"Ugh, geez, what in the hell is that?" Matt asked no one, turning over in his bed. "Must be a storm out," he thought through a sleep-fogged haze.

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

The noise was growing more persistent. Matt turned back over and sat up, shaking his head to clear it.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

Realization dawned on Matt then that the noise was coming from downstairs. Someone was fervently knocking, no, banging on his door. Glancing at his clock, he noted the time said 3:52 am. "Coming!" he shouted, reaching down to grab his pants that were laying on the floor by his bed. Zipping them up, he bounded down the stairs the best his sore knee would allow. Crossing the living room, he yelled in aggravation, "Who's there?"

"Matt, it's me. Open up. It's important."

"Jeff?" Matt groaned. He reached to open the door, seeing his younger brother standing there, ready to knock again. "What in the hell are you doing here this time of night? Although, knowing you, you're probably just getting started for the evening."

Jeff ignored his brother's sarcastic comment. "Matt, we need to come in. We need to talk to you."

"We?" Matt asked, seeing Jeff's girlfriend Beth peek her head around her boyfriend for the first time, half-smiling through puffy eyes. Matt hadn't seen the smaller woman standing there, as she'd had her back turned away. Matt frowned. It looked like she'd been crying. "Beth? Honey what's wrong?" he said, stepping back, motioning his brother and his girlfriend into the house.

"Matt, there's something we need to talk to you about." Jeff's eyes held a serious cast to them. "I think we should go into the family room and sit down."

"Ok," Matt said slowly, not liking where this was going. "But tell me, you're starting to scare me here."

Matt sat down on the sofa, Beth cautiously sitting down beside him. Jeff remained standing, semi-pacing in front of the coffee table. "Matt," Beth said hesitantly. "We need to talk with you about Lita."

"Lita?" Matt raised his voice a little, aggravated. "You want to talk about Lita? You know what's going on between me and Lita and I don't really want to talk about it. But fine," he spit out. "I'll give you the cliff notes version since you two lovebirds are so anxious to get the dirt." He held his hand up, counting off his next points on his fingers. "Yes, she's definitely pregnant. No, I'm not sure it's mine. Yes, I'm angry about it, and no, we haven't made up or got back together. There. Are you happy?" Matt rose while speaking, his agitation and lack of sleep getting to him. He put his hands on his hips with his last words for emphasis. "I can't believe you two woke me up at four freaking o'clock in the morning after I haven't slept in four days to try to convince me to-"

"Matt, stop," Jeff's voice held a commanding, yet gentle tone. "We're not here to badger you about your situation with Lita. We know what's going on."

"Then what is it?"

Beth's eyes watered at his question then. Matt noticed, getting scared. "Guys, what is it?" he asked again, stronger.

Beth looked at her boyfriend, her watery eyes finally giving over to tears. Jeff nodded, knowing he had to answer his brother. "Matt, we got a call a little while ago."

Matt's eyes narrowed. "Was it Lita?" His tone betrayed his worry. "My God, did something happen with the baby? Did Kane show up? I told her to be careful." He walked over to his brother.

"No, it wasn't Lita on the phone. It was Stephanie McMahon. Matt-," Jeff stopped, not sure he could do this.

"What is it Jeff? Just tell me already."

"Matt, there was an accident," he blurted out.

Matt's heart dropped. "Dear God, no. Is she alright?" He looked between his brother's grim face and Beth's. "Tell me she's ok Jeff. Is she in a hospital somewhere?"

"Matt, I'm sorry." Jeff's voice was just a whisper.

"No." Matt said disbelieving. "No, don't say it Jeff. Don't."

"Matt," Jeff started again, clearly broken. "Stephanie said that Lita was driving to her hotel for her autograph signing. It was storming there. Matt, I'm so sorry." His next words were so soft, Matt wasn't sure he heard them. "She's gone."

Matt stood motionless, unable to think or feel. Surely he wasn't hearing his brother right. She wasn't gone. She was just off doing her autograph signing. She'd be coming back. They had unfinished business to sort.

"No," Matt said. "You're lying. Why are you lying?"

"Matt," Beth said softly from the sofa. "He's telling the truth. She's gone sweetheart."

"No," Matt said again. "I don't believe you." His voice was panicky. "She just had to go out west for a signing. When she comes back, she and I were going to talk again. She's pregnant for pete's sake." Matt dropped down onto the sofa, dropping his head into his hands. He was in shock.

"Can we get you anything Matt?" Beth asked, patting him on the back. "Would you like some water?" she asked.

Matt lifted his head, the tears now visible on his cheeks. He shook his head violently no. "I'm going out there. Where did Stephanie say she is?" He went to stand again, but Jeff stopped him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"No, Matt. That wouldn't be good. Besides, there's more."

Matt looked at him in confusion. "More? What more could there possibly be?"

"They didn't recover a body Matt."

Matt was floored at the news. "What? Then... then... she might not be dead. She may be hurt somewhere ... needing my help. I've got to go to her." He held an incredulous look on his face.

"Matt, Stephanie explained that her car went off the road and into a river. They recovered the car, with a few of her belongings inside, but not her. Because of the turbulence of the water, they're sure that she didn't survive. No one could've."

"And that's why I've got to go. To find her. To bring her home."

"Matt, please," Beth said, looking up at the grieving young man. "Stephanie said they'll do everything they can. But she said the reality is they may never find her."

Matt couldn't take hearing anymore. His entire world had just crumbled. He knew they meant to help, but right now he needed time to think. To absorb all that had been said. Wiping his eyes furiously, he stalked out of the room. Flinging open the French doors, he went out onto the patio, into the cool night air.

"Jeff, go get him. Say something to him. He's so upset," Beth cried.

Jeff crossed his arms, then moved to wrap his girlfriend in his arms in a comforting move. "No," he said. "I think he needs a little while alone. We'll stay here and he'll come back in when he's ready. He'll need us more then."

Hundreds of miles away, a young woman lay in a strange bed, unable to sleep. She turned onto her side, her hands going instinctively to her abdomen. "It's for the best little one," she spoke to her unborn child. "To keep you safe." Staring out the window, she looked forlornly at the stars in the clear night sky. "And to keep you safe too Matt," she said, sighing in the darkness.