Nothing That I Feel

Chapter VI

"What the hell are you doing here, Jeff?" Chris Jericho's voice was nearly as sharp as a blade as it projected through the hotel room. His back to Lita, who was lying on one of the beds, he didn't see her flinch at the serration in his words. The redhead watched what she could see of the scene as she hugged her knees. Her ears absorbed Chris's angry words and she wondered who could merit that sort of response from Chris.

"Listen, I just want to talk to Lita…" her body showed no sign of recognition of Jeff Hardy's voice, but she identified it the same. Inside, she felt her empty stomach give a roll and she looked down at the McDonalds meal spread out in front of her. She had been overjoyed that Chris had remembered her favorite lunch, not to mention salivating at the mention of McDonalds, but now the thought of eating it sickened her.

"Hell, no," Chris growled at the other man. "After what you said about, oh…" he consulted his watch, "twenty minutes ago? That said it all for me. Sorry for wasting your precious time," he moved to shut the door, but Jeff wedged himself between it and the frame.

"Look, just let me talk to her, okay? Maybe…maybe what you said was right," Jeff added in a whisper. Chris looked at the now unsure Hardy for a moment, his jaw clenched and his mind undecided. It was then that Lita's soft voice drifted over the air.

"Just let him in, Chris…" she whispered. Chris turned to her, silently asking if she was sure with his eyes. Lita just nodded to him, and watched with outsider's eyes as Jeff walked toward her. He looked hesitant; worried about her. Lita's eyes took him in slowly. She hadn't talked to Jeff in what seemed like years. She'd seen glimpses of him here and there, but Matt had never allowed her to talk with Jeff.

"I'll give you guys some privacy," Chris said, and left the room reluctantly.

Jeff said down at the end of the bed, his eyes on hers. "Hey, sweetie," he said softly. Lita continued to hug her knees, drawing herself into a tighter ball.

"Hey," she replied overtop her knees.

"Are you doing okay?" he reached over to touch her knee. Lita jumped backwards, and Jeff immediately withdrew his hand, looking immensely guilty. "Lita, I'm sorry, I…" he trailed off.

"It…It's fine, Jeff…" Lita said.

"No… No, it's not," Jeff stated, more to himself then to her. His eyes lifted to meet hers. "Matt hurt you, didn't he?" Lita didn't need to respond; her eyes said it all. "I thought the guys were just being over-reactive. I mean, I know that Matt can get angry at times, but I never thought…" pain creased his features for a second. He shook his head. "Chris came and talked to me today," he told her, his voice soft. "He made me realize a few things…like how much of an asshole I was being."

Lita shook her head stubbornly. "No…you didn't know…it's not your fault…" she whispered.

"I should've been there for you, Li, but I wasn't. It's my fault that it happened…" Jeff shook his head, sadness and guilt overwhelming his beautiful eyes.

"It's over now," Lita said, enjoying the taste of the words on her tongue. Jeff nodded silently, his expression unchanged.

"I'm so sorry…" he told her sincerely. His eyes studied her frail and battered body. Had he been so blinded by loyalty to Matt that he hadn't seen it? Jeff bit his lip and stared her straight in the eye. "I screwed up, Li, I screwed up big time. I hope you forgive me."

Lita shook her head slowly. "I forgave you a long time ago, Jeff."

Jeff opened his arms out for her and tentatively leaned forward. Lita look hesitant but dropped her knees from her chest and scooted forward into his warm, safe embrace. For the first time since her friends had taken her from Matt's locker room, Lita finally allowed herself to truly believe that one day…she would be fine. One day she would be okay.

One day Matt Hardy would just be a distant memory.

Author's Note: I'm so sorry about how long it took to update! I totally forgot about this chapter; it's been in my computer forever but I just came across it today and realized why I had such a hard time trying to write the next chapter--I'd already written most of it. Anyway, please review!

Thanks to tiears, lita and jeff 4ever, hardygurl619, AhitsAnjel, des1 and Latisha C for the reviews!

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