We, the Jury...
Matt was the first to awake. He looked around, and for a moment wondered why he had fallen asleep in what looked a box with sheets draped over the front of it. Gradually, the memories of last night came back to him. Well, at least the non X-rated ones.
"I guess it's morning." He whispered. Jeff (and bunny) were still sound asleep on his one side, Cena on the other. Matt slid out of the cocoon, or at least he was going to until he realized that he was almost naked! Cautiously peeking under the comforter, he saw that his two sleeping companions were in the same state. He creased his brow in confusion until the X-rated portion of the previous night's activities returned to him...
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Matt asked, taking his lips from Cena's abs, where he'd been tracing each defined muscle with his mouth.
"If I wasn't, I'd be outside facing Jeff's monsters. You're okay with this, Jeff?" Cena looked over Matt's back at the other Hardy.
"Why wouldn't I be, dude?" Jeff asked
"You're on the rebound." John answered, hoping that he'd chosen the right words.
"Eric's right here." Jeff tapped his chest. "He always will be. You're right here." Jeff reached for John's erection. "And right here is where I am." He devoured John in one gulp.
John Cena was in heaven. Between the mouths of Matt and Jeff, he couldn't think at all. He alternated between giggles when Matt's tongue his a particularly sensitive spot and gasps as Jeff worked his magic a little lower.
"Oh fuck... Matt that tickles." You see?
"You just wanna do this? Or do you want to go further?" Matt asked, between licks of his right pec.
"What do you mean?" John sighed, even though he had a damn good idea.
"You want me to finish you with my mouth or my ass." Jeff added
"Jeff, I can't. I'll hurt you." John replied
"I've had bigger." Jeff replied
Both Matt and John looked surprised at that comment.
"I guess my little bro isn't as innocent as I thought." Matt joked, wiping some saliva from his lips. "Oh well..."
In seconds, Jeff was naked. "Hey Johnny..." He sang, "watch this!"
John watched through half-closed eyes as Jeff slowly licked three fingers and slowly worked them down to his other entrance, preparing himself for Cena's sizable girth. Matt watched, wondering who the lucky bastard was who was bigger than Cena. He couldn't help but get turned on by the spectacle. His pants suddenly felt a little too tight.
Jeff squatted over Cena's red member and, with one quick move, impaled himself on it.
"Holy shit!" John shouted. It was hotter, tighter, and wetter than any woman he'd ever had and maybe ever would.
"Shh!" Jeff said while slowly riding him. "You'll wake bunny. And she's too young to watch this."
"But not to drink?" John laughed
"Smart ass." For punishment, Jeff bounced a little faster. It was an overload between his groin and his brain, with his brain desperately trying to tell his groin to calm itself down. It wasn't working. Not since junior prom had he been worked up so fast and that was after discovering his dad's stash of dirty magazines.
John's hand reached out for something to steady himself with. The closest thing he could grab was Matt's dick. While this show was going on, Matt had removed his clothes and was watching intently with his hand on his penis. When John grabbed him, Matt wondered if feeling another man's sex organ was going to turn him right off. He hoped not. He was right. After any initial shock wore off, John started to stroke him, slowly at first, then faster as his own orgasm approached with the speed of a runaway freight train.
"Matt, I need it." He gasped
"What?"
"Your dick... my mouth... hurry... I can't last much longer!"
That was all the urging Matt needed. He straddled Cena's face and offered it to him. John took most of it, gagging only once, then started sucking it. The way he did made Matt suspect that he'd done this before. Matt then reached back, realizing that Jeff was the only one without any stimulus and began jerking his brother off.
John's resolve broke first. He came, filling Jeff's ass with it. As he shot, he sucked Matt even faster, bringing him over the edge seconds later. A few strokes more was all it took for Jeff to finish.
Jeff was the first to move, grabbing a couple of towels he'd brought with him. He used one to clean himself off and passed the other to Matt who wiped Jeff's seed of his back and John's stomach. After separating, they lay on the blanket, not saying a word. Finally, someone spoke.
"Wow!" John sighed, reaching for a bottle. "That was fuckin' A!" He swigged quickly.
"It's an acquired taste, I guess." Matt knew why.
"Yeah, dog." John finished the bottle rather quickly. "I didn't hurt you, did I?" He looked at Jeff.
"Nah, dude. It's cool."
John suddenly realized how bad the weather was outside. It hadn't been noticeable during their sex, but now that things had quieted down inside the tent, they could clearly hear how violent the weather had become.
"Any more Chinese?" John asked. Normally, asking for food while sitting naked with two of his coworkers was not something he'd normally think about. But tonight it just seemed so normal. He suddenly shivered.
"Cold? Or did the adrenaline finally wear off?" Jeff teased, only putting his shorts back on and climbing under the heavy blanket.
"Dunno. Both, I guess." Matt had already put his lucky boxers on and was also under the blanket, nesting. Despite the weird hour, he was dog-tired after the exertions of the previous couple of days.
John tossed on his shorts and climbed under the blanket. He also felt so tired, too tired for the food that he'd just asked about. He closed his eyes and all three of them, despite the raging storm, were asleep in ten minutes.
"Oh, man." Matt perked his ears. He could still here the weather outside. He reached under his pillow for his watch and looked at the dial. He couldn't believe it. They had been asleep for almost eight hours! And what was that buzzing?
"Hmmm?" Jeff rolled over and stared at him.
"We've been asleep for eight hours?" Matt hoarsely shouted "Eight fuckin' hours!"
"So?" Apparently Matt's shout wasn't as quiet as he'd hoped. He'd woken Cena. "I guess we needed that."
"I guess... what's that noise?"
"What noise?" John asked
"That buzzing." Matt replied
"I dunno. I thought it was my dream. I was a magical beekeeper." Jeff yawned "I had these magical bees that made magical honey and anyone who ate it..."
"Lemme guess." Matt interrupted "They got magical powers."
"How'd you guess?" Jeff asked, wide-eyed.
"Lucky stab." Matt replied
"There it is again." Matt strained to hear where it was coming from. He turned on his light and shone it around the fort.
"It's coming from down there." John pointed to a pile of clothing at the foot of their sleeping area.
"It's my phone!" Matt exclaimed
Just as he got to it, the buzzing stopped.
"Damn." Matt stared at it, as if his will could make whoever it was call back.
"If it's important, they'll call back." Jeff rolled over and began a conversation with Bunny. "Did my little Snookums have a good seepies?"
"Snookums? Seepies? If I ever talk like that, somebody hit me with a lead pipe, please?" John covered his eyes, as if that would help block out Jeff's voice.
Matt kept glaring at his cell. The number was unknown, so there was no way to call back.
"C'mon, motherfucker, ring." He swore "Or I'll..."
The phone rang, startling Matt. He dropped it.
"Damn... Hello?" Cursing his fumble-fingers, he finally got it open.
"This is his brother Matt." Confusion etched on his face, Matt responded. Why would someone be calling Jeff on his cell? Until he remembered that Jeff's phone was shot after forgetting to take it out of his pants before doing laundry. And with the recent excitement, Jeff hadn't gotten around to replacing it.
"Okay, I see... when? Tomorrow at ten. Okay, we'll see you then." Matt closed the phone.
"What was that?" Jeff asked
"That was Mr. DeSantos." Matt responded "They've reached a verdict."
"They have? That was fast." John added
"Is that a good thing?" Jeff demanded
"It could be. Either the evidence was so overwhelming or they all believed the reasonable doubt nonsense Adam's lawyer was spouting." Matt replied "Y'know, I wish I hadn't watched Law and Order all those years ago."
"We'll find out tomorrow, either way, right?" John said
"Yeah. I guess going back to sleep is out of the question." Matt tried to stay light, but his insides were churning. What if the jury found Adam not guilty? He looked over at Jeff, who was in his own little world again. Could his little brother's psyche handle it?
The storm ended a little while later, but none of them noticed. Despite Matt's comment, they were all asleep yet again. The following morning, they were still half-dead, how that was is a mystery after all the sleep they'd had in the past day and a half, but they sure looked it when arriving at the courthouse with about ten minutes to spare.
"God, you look like shit." Jericho couldn't resist. "Didn't sleep well last night?"
"Actually..." John started
"Yeah. Too much nervous energy." Matt interrupted, trying to get the kinks out of his neck.
"Me too. As soon as I heard, I spent the rest of the night trying to get back here in time."
"How'd you find out?" Jeff asked, bouncing from foot to foot. Either he was really nervous or he needed to pee really bad.
"Vince got a call last night and he messaged as many of us as he could. I dunno how many are gonna get back in time though. I got lucky 'coz my flight was delayed." Chris explained
In the corridor, Jeff ran into the bathroom. I guess he really did have to go.
"Well save you a... never mind." Jeff had already closed the door.
Matt and Chris took seats in the spectators box. Everyone was there, looking anxious, expecially the defendant.
"Five minutes." Matt looked at his watch.
"It's like the first day of school and we're waiting for the principal." Jericho whispered
Matt looked at his watch again.
"I hope Jeff gets here soon." He said "I'd hate for him to miss all this."
Jeff stared at his reflection in the one mirror that was undamaged in the men's bathroom. The one John had taken his fist to had already been removed, but a new one had not been installed since. His stomach churned noisily, and it probably not from all the Chinese food (or anything else) he'd ingested recently.
"Nothing to be nervous about." He told himself, running the cold water at full. "It's only the rest of your life we're talking about."
Once the shock of the cold water had brought him back, he looked at his reflection, praying that he could at least keep a stiff face if the worst happened. If not, he'd probably be taking it out on Adam personally.
"What the fuck..." Jeff jumped when he saw two reflections staring back at him. His own, he expected, but he could clearly see another face in the mirror, almost as if someone was standing behind.
Jeff turned and, to his shock, there was someone behind him, sort of. Jeff was really creeped out.
"Eric?" He asked "Is that you?"
The specter did not reply. It just tapped its forehead and pointed at it's wrist. Then, just as quickly, it disappeared.
Jeff ran out of the bathroom and into the courtroom, where he took the still-empty seat next to Matt, Chris, and John.
"I saw Eric." He whispered
"What?" Matt said
"I saw Eric. In the bathroom." Jeff repeated, a little louder.
"Are you sure?" Matt asked
"Yeah, he was standing right behind me when I washed my hands." Jeff answered "You do believe me, don't you?"
"Of course I do, little bro." Matt replied, hoping it was dinner that was causing him to hallucinate. "But we'll talk later."
"All rise. Court is now in session. Hizzoner Judge Edward Hanson presiding. You may be seated."
"I see from the foreman that a verdict has been reached. Is that correct?"
"Yes we have, Your Honor." The foreman answered
"And is it on paper as per my instructions?"
"Yes it is." A slip of paper was given to the Bailiff to give to the Judge, who briefly inspected it. His expression did not change, so no one, except the judge and jury, knew what the outcome is.
"Will the defendant please rise and face the jury?"
Adam rose, facing the twelve men and women. For the first time since the trial had commenced, he did not have a smug expression. He looked absolutely terrified.
"Will the foreman now read the verdict..."
"We, the jury, in the above entitled action, find the defendant Adam Joseph Copeland..." Dramatic Pause "Not guilty of the charge of murder in the first degree!"
The courtroom gasped silently. Adam and his lawyer congratulated each other, while those on the side of the prosecution looked stunned.
"What the hell?" Matt shouted, outraged.
The judge banged his gavel for silence. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, thank-you for your service. You are now excused."
The jury filed out. "Well, Mister Copeland, the jury has found you not guilty in the above entitled action. You are free to go, but may I say one thing..."
The judge paused to take a sip of water before continuing,
"In my twenty-some years on this bench, I have seen many defendants come and go before me. Some were innocent, and some were guilty. Usually I have a good sense of which way a verdict will do, but today I was completely shocked. Had you come before me alone, I would have found you guilty of the charge of murder-one and sentenced you to life without the possibility of parole. However, I cannot overrule the fact that a jury of your peers disagreed. You, Sir, should go out and buy a lottery ticket, because today you are the luckiest man on the face of this planet. That is all. This court is adjourned."
One bang of his gavel and that was it.
The courtroom cleared out. Even DeSantos and Kincaid looked stunned at the turn of events.
"I'm sorry." He said to the four men sitting in the front row. "I really thought we had him."
"So did we." Cena answered
"What now?" Jeff asked
"Unless I can find some error of law, it's over. Double jeopardy precludes us from trying him again for the same charge. I'll keep working on it, but it would have to be a pretty big error to let us re-open this one." The prosecutor and his assistant departed. They were now the only people still in the courtroom.
"That sucked." Jericho blurted
"Yeah, it did." Matt answered
"What the fuck was that jury smoking? Were they even watching the same trial?" Jericho, who was the only one to have watched the entire case, fumed.
"Uh, guys? Could Jeff and I have a few minutes alone?" Matt looked over. Jeff hadn't spoken a single word since the verdict was read. He was totally spaced.
"Sure. After that, I need a drink. Come on Chris, let's find a bar and get bombed."
Now it was just down to two.
"Jeffro, are you okay?" Matt put his arm around Jeff.
"Yeah, I guess. I really thought we had him too." Jeff answered monotonously. "Now what do we do?"
"I think right now we should try to pick up the pieces and move on." Matt replied
"I don't think I can, Matty. Everything I loved dearly is gone." He sighed loudly.
"Not true, bro. You still have me, and Dad, and Bunny... we all love you, just not in the same way that Eric loved you." Matt answered "Think of all the fun you two had when you were together, the short time that it was.
Jeff tried. Finally, he came up with one. His birthday. Eric had taken him to the most expensive restaurant in New York City and treated him to the most succulent dinner he'd ever experienced, complete with before dinner martinis, wine with, and brandy after. He'd even surprised him by having the waitstaff bring out a torte with candles on it. Being sung to was a little weird since Eric's singing talent was bad at best. But just the look on Eric's face was enough.
"You found one?" Matt guessed, watching Jeff back in spaced-out mode.
"Yeah. My last birthday." Jeff answered "He took me to this real fancy restaurant and..." All of a sudden, the happiness overwhelmed him and he broke again.
"Alright, Jeffro, that's fine." Matt had expected this and was ready. "You don't need to tell me about it, just remember it. Keep it with you forever." He held his brother tightly.
Matt was suddenly overcome by his own emotion. Not sadness, but he felt a black rage consume him. Edge had taken the love of his life, now he's done the same to Jeff, who was next? So badly did Matt want to make Adam pay for what he'd done, but the rational part of him was telling him to relax, and see what the law could do first.
Jeff was still bawling against him. In an abstract kind of moment, he realized that he'd worn a black t-shirt to the courtroom, thank the maker.
"Excuse me, gentlemen... I need to lock up." The bailiff had returned
"Five minutes, please?" Matt pleaded
He nodded wordlessly.
"Thank-you." Matt mouthed
Matt rocked Jeff silently. Then he started to sing.
We passed the point of no return
How can we make amends?
All alone I watch the candle burn
Burnin´ at both ends
Nothin´s ever gonna change
Can tears wash away this pain?
"Matty..." Jeff whimpered
"Shhh!" He patted Jeff's head. "I know I can't sing very well either."
Tears in the rain
Here it comes again
I´ll never know the reason why
I cry these tears in the rain
The time has come to make a stand
We´ve waited much too long
Nobody´s gonna lead us by the hand
How could we be so wrong?
We lost the chance to play this game
Can tears wash away this pain
Despite his lack of talent, the words did have a soothing effect. Jeff was a little calmer byt the end.
"Matty, but why...?"
"One of the few songs I know by heart. It was either that or your theme song."
Jeff finally took his face from Matt's chest.
"I love you Matthew Moore Hardy." He smiled
"And I love you Jeffrey Nero Hardy." Matt replied "More than anything in this world."
"Well, I wouldn't go that far." Jeff interjected
"Oh?" Matt asked "Who do you love more than me?"
"Well, there's Bunny and Daddy and you can't forget Skittles..." Jeff laughed, something he hadn't done in a long time.
"Yeah, but none of them can do this." Matt kissed Jeff, hard, on the mouth.
"Matt..." Jeff squirmed a little. He didn't care what people thought, he just didn't want the bailiff coming back to find him kissing Matt.
"That is how much I love you." Matt broke the kiss with as much force as he'd given it. "And don't you ever forget it. Now let's go before any more rumours get started."
"Oh-kay." Jeff bounced off of the bench. "You hungry?"
"Aren't I always?" Matt patted his stomach.
"Why don't we get out of here and I'll make you the best sketti dinner you've ever had!"
"Where you gonna find a kitchen?"
"Trust me."
Matt did, but it still seemed a little freaky to pull up to Eric's house.
"Jeff, don't you find it awkward still living here?" Matt asked
"Eric will always be with me. What better way to keep the memories alive. Anyway, I spent so much time here dude..." Jeff answered
"That's cool with me." Matt dropped the subject before Jeff became melancholy once more.
While Jeff made dinner, Matt just wandered around. He'd only ever been in the living room. His gaze was diverted by a series of pictures on the mantel. Most of them were of either Eric, Jeff, or both of them, but there was one that he recognized from many years ago. He'd forgotten all about it. It was the last time Mom had been well enough to go on vacation with the family. He traced over her face with his finger, and realized how long it had been since he'd thought about her.
"Matt, there's a bottle of... whatcha doin'?" Jeff leaned out the pass.
"Just looking at some pictures. I didn't know you saved this one."
"I didn't. I had it in my suitcase when my place went up." Jeff walked over with a ladle full of sauce. "Try this, bro."
Matt took a sip. It was very spicy, just the way he liked it.
"Perfect." Matt gasped
"Good. I'm just dishing up. Can you open a bottle of red?" Jeff pointed to an ornate corner unit. It was filled with bottles of wine, expensive-looking glassware, and other trinkets.
Matt poured while Jeff served the meal.
"Jeff, this looks incredible." Matt said.
"Well, it ain't fuckin' Chinese. Dig in."
"Wait. Before we do, a toast?"
"Sure. To what?"
Matt thought about it. "To us. Let's let nothing split us up ever again."
"Like nothing ever will." Jeff sniggered
"And to Eric..." Matt let it end there, simply raising his glass to Jeff.
"To Eric." Jeff returned the gesture.
THE END
There is one last chapter in the works, but it will take a while to be written... to those of you who liked it, thank-you, to those of you who didn't... oh well.
As always, all your comments are welcome.
I have neglected it in this book, so I'll do it now...
All characters copyright to the WWE. The character of Eric Stryker appears courtesy me. No claims are made regarding any individual's sexual preference. (If they were you know where Jeff would be right now.) This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to any persons, real of fictional, is not intended, to an extent,
"Tears in the Rain" by Triumph copyright 1986 from the album "Sport of Kings"
Enjoy!!!