Part Five

The door creaked softly as it gave way, allowing entrance to Jeff as he peeked his head into the room. "Lita?" he asked softly.

"Jeff? Is that you?" came the weak response.

Jeff stepped more fully into the room, seeing his best friend lying in her hospital bed for the first time. She looked really, really … tired was the word he settled on.

"How you feeling, sweetie?"

"Like I got run over by two Mack trucks," she replied, a semi-smile coming to her lips. Jeff just looked more concerned at her comment, furrowing his brows deeper. "No, Jeff, seriously," she said, holding her arm out to her friend to come closer to her. "I'm alright, I promise. See?" she said.

Jeff walked over to Lita, taking her hand and sitting down beside her on the edge of her bedside. Looking closer at the hand he held, he noticed then the ugly purple bruise on her forearm. He saw what appeared to be a perfect imprint of a man's hand. A very large man's hands.

"They're gonna pay for this, you know," he said, softly rubbing her arm just above the bruise.

"I know. You guys always take care of me."

Jeff dropped his head. "Um, Lita," he started, "Look, I'm so sorry about that. I wasn't there for you…"

"Jeff.. stop."

"No, I mean, you were in a very dangerous situation, and I stood in the back like an idiot while you were ambushed."

"Jeff, I mean it. Stop. You were there for me. You rescued me from those bastards, along with Booker and Goldust. And for that, I am forever grateful."

Jeff looked up at his friend, his hand still clasped tightly with hers. He had the hint of tears in his eyes that he fought to hide
from her. "Well, I promise to do a better job of it though. I will never leave you alone, ever again. I mean it. It's too dange…"

"Jeff," Lita interrupted him. "You know that's impossible. And I can usually handle myself, or did you forget? I was just outnumbered this time is all."

"But you're still recovering from your neck surgery. I swear to you, I will not let any man come within ten feet of you until you are completely healed."

"Gee, thanks little brother," Lita chuckled. "That will do wonders for my love life. Oh wait, I don't have one."

"Lita, um about that,"

"What?"

Jeff suddenly appeared very nervous. He decided against bringing up Matt's presence for the time being. "Um, nevermind." He suddenly changed the subject. "The doctor came out and talked to us. He told us you're going to gain the feeling back in your legs." Jeff tried to sound upbeat.

"He said I might gain the feeling in my legs again, Jeff. He talked to me too you know."

"You have to think positive, Lita. He said he's seen of lot cases like yours before, and most patients do gain their feeling and
abilities. The swelling will start going down in your back and…"

"I really don't want to talk about this right now," Lita said, yawning big as the sedatives started to take effect. "It's just too
much to think about right now, you know?"

Jeff smiled at his sleepy friend, reaching out to help her adjust her pillow to a more comfortable position. "Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry. There will be plenty of time for that discussion later, when your head's a little more clear. I'm going to go now and let you rest. Oh, Edge and Chris are outside too. They're going to want to see you for a minute before you doze off." He rose from her bed and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad you're ok. Don't know what I'd do without you around to bug me," he smiled.

"Jeff, thanks. Thanks for being there. And send those two big galoots in here before these drugs take me under. I want to see them and thank them for coming."

"Sure. But they're only staying for a minute, then you're drifting off."

"I may drift off while they're here," she chuckled.

"Um, Lita," Jeff started again, trying to figure out a way to tell her that Matt was also outside waiting. "Well, um, there's also…"

"What is it?" she said, yawning again.

"Uh, never mind. I'll tell you tomorrow," he decided. He figured Edge and Chris would be lucky to get five minutes with her before she was asleep, so there would be no way she'd be awake to face Matt, which was probably for the best in her current state. She could face that hurdle tomorrow.

"Good night, Rainbow."

"Good night, sweetie," Jeff said, and turned and walked out the door to get Edge and Chris. He also would have to break the news to Matt that he wouldn't be talking to her tonight. If his brother really cared about her like he said he did, he'd understand.

TBC