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Summary: Jeff Hardy has got a lot more then wrestling on his mind lately, and it all centers around a certain WWE Diva. Will he admit his true feelings in time or will he lose his chance forever.

Authors Note: Considering this story is so close to its end I am shocked I am not updating it more. I apologize for that. It's what happens when you have so many ideas and write so many stories at once that you can't keep up with them all in a day. But at the very least here is your next update.

"Exhaustion you say? She is exhausted?" Jeff asked again to clarify as he listened to the doctor speak more medical speak in his direction. When he had raced here with Ashley in the ambulance he had feared the worst. That there was something more serious going on that she hadn't told him about but now hearing this, he could calm his heart a little more.

Ashley was going to be alright with a little rest and relaxation.

Something she would and could have had if she hadn't had to deal with Matt and I fighting over her the way we were. God how stupid can I be?

"You can go in and see her if you want. She is awake and lucid at the moment. The medication will kick in soon but you will at least have a few minutes with her." The doctor said, pulling him away from his thoughts.

He nodded and said goodbye, heading into the hospital room quickly and quietly. He looked at her for a moment as she lay with her head resting toward the window. Even in the hospital bed with everything hooked up to her she still looked beautiful. It was amazing to him that she could given the circumstance.

"How do you manage it?" he asked, clearing his throat once the words were out, to allow her the chance to see that he was there.

She smiled slightly and patted the bed beside her. "Manage what?"

" How do you manage to be the most beautiful woman in this hospital? In a place where people are supposed to look sick?"

She laughed and he found his heart swelling as she did. He had always liked it when she laughed because she showed her real happiness, something there hadn't been a lot of lately.

"Not sure, it must be this new dude I'm seeing."

Now it was his turn to smile and he did so, as brightly as he could. "Oh you have to tell me about him. Do I know him?"

She shook her head in the affirmative and didn't break the look between them for one second. Not even to blink her eyes open. The drugs she had been given to sleep were now starting to kick in but she wasn't ready to let them work yet. Not before they had a chance to really talk.

"I'm sorry about running off the way I did Jeff. I just couldn't stay and listen to him admit what I guess I knew all along."

Jeff understood more then he cared to admit. If he had been in her shoes, being the ex girlfriend he would have run as well. Hearing that you weren't what you thought you were had to cut to the heart faster then any real wound could. Ashley had loved him, in whatever she could at that time and to hear that Matt hadn't been the same, it was almost too much to bear.

He hadn't wanted to bring it up with Matt the way he had but he knew that if he didn't then he might not get his brother to understand what was going on between him and Ash. He wanted his brother to at least see that what they had between them wasn't a game and that they genuinely cared for one another.

"You did what any sane person would have done. I don't wish hearing what you heard on anyone. I'm sorry I even brought it up with him. I just wanted him to shut up for once and take stock of his own life before attacking ours."

"Did you mean it?"

He looked at her questioning eyes, trying to figure out what she was trying to get an answer too. Had he meant what? He didn't have to wait long before she responded again.

"Did you mean it when you said you really loved me? More then Matt ever did?"

"Yes Ashley. Sitting in that bathroom hiding made me see it more then anything. I love you. I wouldn't have come to you last night if I didn't. I just was trying to make everyone else happy and not myself. I'm sorry I didn't just tell you everything sooner."

She shook her head before speaking again. "Not your fault Jeff. I've been there, trying to make everyone else happy. What I've learned is that you can never please everyone. When you do, its not for that long and it ends up falling apart."

She was right, he knew that. She was smarter then most people gave her credit for and it was another reason he loved her. She was better at different things then he was so they in the end could always find a way to help each other.

He hadn't planned on falling in love again, not after Beth but with the woman lying in the hospital bed right now, he had fallen again and this time he planned on making it for keeps. Matt and anyone who didn't approve be damned.

"I love you Ashley and thats never going to change. I don't care what happens from here on out with my family and friends. I need to start living for myself."

She started to close her eyes again, trying as hard as she could to fight it. She wanted to stay awake if for no other reason then to relive this moment again in her mind. He really did love her and she didn't want to fall asleep and find out it had all been a dream.

Her exhaustion had been caused by not sleeping enough and pushing herself too much and she knew she needed the rest but she didn't want to leave Jeff now, not even if it meant making herself feel better.

"You sleep, I am going to go find Maria and let her know that you're alright and its nothing more serious then you needed to take better care of yourself. She was worried sick when you collapsed. I won't be gone long and I will be back by the time you wake up again, you can hold me to that."

"I can?" she whispered, allowing herself to succumb to the medication finally.

"You can bet on it. I love you Ash and I'm never leaving your side again."