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A/N: Thanks to all those who are review'n. :) It means the world. Enjoy the update, please.

Chapter Three:

On Friday morning, Matt awoke early so he could drive with Shannon down to Atlanta, Georgia. He was exhausted both emotionally and physically, but knew he couldn't back out this. Shannon was desperately in need of a friend and since Jeff was unable to travel (he had a signing hours away), Matt was the only hope. Shannon had been there for him many times in the past, with his mother's death, his break-up with Amy, and a million other tiny circumstances to which one drive to Georgia was surely acceptable on Matt's behalf.

He yawned, pulling a t-shirt and jeans on. By the time the weekend was out, there would be a new face added to the Hardy Crew. Coral Moore… what would she be like? Matt pondered this, picturing a green-eyed girl with blonde hair. Would she have multiple tattoos like Shannon? Or maybe, she inherited something from the maternal side. Maybe she didn't even have blonde hair, or green eyes. Maybe she looked completely opposite of what he expected. He wasn't sure and it bothered him. Though, part of him was relatively excited.

Matt knew she would fit in easily with everyone Shannon knew. Everyone was laid back and chill, very welcoming to people. The only thing Matt feared could stir up trouble was Shannon's career choice, but that would be up to later discussion. All that mattered that weekend was meeting the girl and bringing her to her new home, especially trying to make her feel accepted.

As he headed down the stairs, he tried to push any negative thoughts from his head completely. The day would have to be good… right? "Hey Matt," Beth said, huddled over his coffee machine. Matt himself wasn't much of a coffee feen, but Beth couldn't function without it. "When are you leaving?"

"Probably in twenty minutes or so." He sighed, leaning against the counter. "Big day, you know?"

Beth smiled. "Very. I can't wait to meet her still; it'll be nice to have another girl around here. Lord knows I suffer enough with you assholes."

"No one said you had to," Matt teased back.

Beth stuck out her tongue and took a sip of her coffee, mug held tightly in her arms. "Do you know anything about her? Shannon seems very hush-hush about everything. Won't tell me anything."

Matt shrugged. "Not much either. He's definitely freaked over this shit. I guess he's just worried."

"Do you blame him? Imagine if you find out you have a sibling out of the blue."

There was a quiet moment as Matt pondered it. He couldn't imagine a situation like Shannon's ever coming about in his life. When his mother was alive and well, she and his father loved each other very much and didn't need anyone else. Sure, they weren't the most vocal couple about their love, but it showed through in other ways. Both his parents would only ever love one person. So an unknown sibling didn't seem in the future for Matt or Jeff.

Matt nodded then, even though he couldn't picture it himself. "I guess so. But Shan will handle it. I think he's stronger than he gives himself credit for. And he's fun. Coral and him are going to be fine."

About a half hour later, Matt headed out of his rather large house, a small duffel bag with a change of clothes in it in his hand. He was going to meet Shannon at Gas Chamber.

When he arrived, he found a very anxious Shannon. The blonde's face was paler than the moon, his green eyes dull and dragging with worry. Not only did he have to worry about Coral's arrival, but he had to leave his shop unexpectedly, with a wide variety of business coming in. Ever since Shawn Michaels had gotten a tattoo done there, more business had been coming in.

"Shan, man, relax," Shane was saying. "It'll be fine. We got it here. You can trust us. Plus, it's for two days. We can't destroy the shop that fast… we'd need… oh, a week or so to do that." Shane winked at Shannon, who only glared in return.

"Just make sure to follow procedure and everything—"

"Shannon, dude. We survive when you're traveling for wrestling, don't we?"

Shannon nodded. "I guess you're right."

Shane rolled his eyes and went back to cleaning tools for the next person coming in. "It'll be fine, man. No worries."

Matt finally interrupted. "You ready, Shan? We've got to get on the road if you want to make it there in time." Matt placed a hand on his shoulder, looking at the immense terror on Shannon's face, realization that it was really happening finally dawning on him.

"Sure," he muttered, looking around once more. "Let's go."

-

Most of the trip sat in silence. Both the North Carolinian boys seemed too into their thoughtful statures to talk about anything. Matt wanted to talk, truthfully, but he didn't know what to say. Only two days later and he still had no idea how to help other than to say 'you've got a friend in me'. Hopefully that would be enough.

"Do you think she looks like you?" Matt asked finally, shattering the imaginary wall between them. Shannon shrugged. "I mean, your father's blonde and green-eyed. Maybe she in—"

"I don't know, Matt."

"What do you know about her?"

"Nothing," he replied bitterly. "I'm taking this girl in and I don't know a damn thing—" Shannon cut off sharply, shaking his head. "Forget it."

"I'm sorry," Matt responded. "I'm just curious."

"Me too," Shannon admitted.

-

The boys arrived in the suburb of Atlanta about an hour later, pulling up to the hotel they'd stay the night in. After checking in, they quickly changed into dark clothing.

Matt sighed, remembering where they were going. With all the excitement (even if it was strange) Matt had forgotten that Shannon's father had passed away. The brunette stared thoughtfully at Shannon as he adjusted his tie and stared at himself in the mirror. "I'm sorry."

Shannon flipped around. "For what?"

"Your father," Matt explained. "I had almost forgotten in all this shit that he's gone."

Shannon nodded, chewing on his lip while pulling an elastic band over his blonde hair. "I haven't thought much about it either, to tell you the truth. I can't get all these possibilities out of my head."

"Possibilities?" Matt asked curiously.

"Yeah. I mean what if she's totally mute or something or can't adjust? I mean, I have to live my life, right? I have a career… I guess I can take time off but—"

"I wouldn't worry about it, man. Just take it a day at a time. But if we don't get out of here now, we're not going to meet her at all," Matt said with a smile. "C'mon, I'll drive."

-

"See anyone that could be her?" Matt whispered as they took a seat in one of the church benches. The social worker was supposed to meet with them after the funeral, but both Shannon and Matt knew Coral was there since Shannon's father was too her father.

"I can't see anyone really. There are too many people."

"How about her?" he asked, pointing to a brunette girl.

Shannon laughed a little. "That's my Aunt Bridget."

"How old is she?" Matt asked in awe.

"Forty-something."

"She's hot," Matt declared.

Even Shannon had to smile that rebellious little grin. "I know. Trust me, when I was five, I had a crush on her. Even as my fuckin' Aunt, the woman is fuckin… shit."

"Damn," Matt agreed.

The ceremony for Shannon's father was short, but very heart-warming. His father had a smile like Shannon's as well as the same type of crude humor. Shannon definitely resembled him in a lot of ways. Matt watched Shannon as his face grew stone-like during the speech about his life – told by his father's boss – and Matt believed Shannon suddenly regretted not having a suitable relationship with him.

But by the time it was time for the actual burial, he seemed at least a little less robotic. He smiled at the family he knew, the distant relatives who you're not even sure you're related to, like your great-aunt-twice-removed from your father's side who smells a little like fish-sticks.

People began to throw roses and other flowers into the moist ground, where the beautiful mahogany casket lied. It was then he saw her. He was so sure, almost positive he had found Coral, his half sister. In fact, there was no other way.

The young girl was dressed in a simple, yet elegant black dress, eyes covered by dark, slim sunglasses. She took a single rose and let it cascade into the ground, eyes locked onto the brown before her. Then the girl looked up – and Shannon wasn't sure since the glasses hid her true face – and stared right at him, face expressionless.

"That's her," he whispered to Matt when he remembered how to talk. "I know it."

Matt was quick to agree. "She does look like you."

Before they could mingle any further and chat about whether or not it was indeed Coral Moore, the girl came over, taking her sunglasses off, revealing the most beautiful set of jade eyes Matt or Shannon had ever set their own on. She stared at Shannon dead on and walked straight up to him.

And in a raspy, tearful voice she asked, "Are you Shannon?"

Shannon was lost for words. A whirlpool of emotions surged through him at her fragile appearance. It was clear they were related. The girl looked so much like Shannon it wasn't even funny. He stuttered over a reply for a moment, trying to remember how to talk as she continued to gaze emotionlessly. "Yeah," he finally spat out, "I'm Shannon."

The girl nodded. "I'm Coral. Your sister."

Matt stared at the girl too, mystified by her hippie-like appearance. She acted as if he was not next to Shannon, her eyes still very so intent on Shannon's shocked ones. "Coral," Shannon repeated slowly. "My sister… whoa."

Coral smiled slightly. "Um…"

"Sorry," Shannon apologized quickly, shaking his head and closing his eyes. "It's nice to finally meet you."

Coral didn't reply. She only nodded once and walked off into the distance toward what seemed to be a family friend, or maybe even someone they were both related to. Nothing was sure anymore, nothing at all.

"Did I say something wrong?" Shannon asked quietly.

"No," Matt replied. "It's just gonna take time."

A/N: What's Coral's problem? Hmm. OH, I put a picture of her up on my profile under my stories list. Check it outt!! :) Read and review please!! :)