Disclaimer: All WWE content is owned by Vincent Kennedy McMahon and any use here is purely for entertainment value only. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's note: You have Jeff Hardy himself to thank for me continuing this fic at long last. TNA came to my hometown April 2012, and I finally got to see Jeff Hardy live. He looked just as I remembered him from watching him on TV and he dazzled me with his high flying antics in the ring once more, rekindling my passion for the wrestling fandom.
From here I am going to diverge a bit from the actual matches/storylines that took place in 2007-2008 for the sake of the plot of the story. I mean I am already altering the universe by having Jeff and Hunter have an affair anyway, so yeah...
000
Jeff Hardy sat patiently in his seat in the airport terminal, his mind wandering off into the black space his shut eyelids provided and the music from his ipod helped take him there. Even though he was completely off in space he became aware of someone else sitting across from him. Normally he would not have bothered to cracked open an eye to see who it was and disturb the lovely blackness behind his lids, but the presence of the other person was a very familiar.
He opened his eyes to see his brother Matt sitting across from him. It made sense they would be in the same terminal since they were both headed home for a few days off, but there were plenty of other seats available.
The older Hardy remained silent, though he kept opening and closing his mouth as if wanting to say something but not sure how to say it. Jeff waited patiently, his face blank, neither happy to see his brother, nor particularly irritated with his presence either.
""Um… Look… " Matt began slowly, finally finding his tongue. "I'm sorry I blew up the other day. I know I was harsh...I didn't mean it to come out that way."
Jeff's face softened into a slight smile. In all honesty he did feel a little guilty about his own conduct the day of their argument, he did provoke Matt after all.
"Well I'm sorry for acting like a brat." Jeff looked down and gently nudged Matt's foot with his toe. "I was pissed, but I shouldn't have done that."
"And I gotta stop butting in and running my mouth," Matt conceded, nudging back. "I just get worried you know, I don't want anything that could trigger you into a downward spiral again."
"I know, and I don't want you worrying, it ain't nothing serious it's just a romp. He's no Trish in my heart that's for damn sure. Eventually he'll get tired of me, move on to some other unexpecting guy and that'll be the end of it." Jeff shrugged casually.
"And you're okay with that? Him just getting bored and moving on? Matt asked cautiously, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I'm not in love with him or anything. It's just kinda like a friends with benefits thing. You know like I had with Candice a while." Jeff said simply, tossing his brother a little smirk.
"Gotcha." Matt said looking a little more relieved and comfortable about the situation. The Candice/Jeff affair had come and gone, and when Candice moved on to pursue a more serious relationship with John Cena, she and Jeff remained friends and neither the worse for it.
Still Candice was not Triple H….
However, Matt decided to put his worry at the back of his mind for now and just trust Jeff's instincts, and tolerate Hunter's presence for Jeff's sake. But to be sure he would be watching Hunter Hearst Helmsley out of the corner of his eye whenever he could.
"All right I'll trust your instincts. " Matt offered his little brother a smile. "And don't worry no matter what I said before, I'll always be there for you."
Jeff smiled back and got up and sat down next to his brother, who gave him a friendly shoulder bump. With that the two brothers settled into a relaxed silence. Matt updated his myspace profile and Jeff shut his eyes zoning out to his music.
Not far away Triple H watched them. He was glad and a little relieved that the brothers had made up. No doubt, if he made himself a wedge between their bond, Jeff would eventually break off his relationship with Hunter, in order to make up with Matt. And Hunter was not ready to give Jeff up yet.
000
Jeff entered one the other larger dressing rooms to use one of their large mirrors to properly paint his face. He decided for fun to go with his charismatic enigma look for this match. Hunter had not sought him out for a Pre match liaison and they were past the Pre-match sex cut off point so he did not have worry about his make up getting messed up.
To his surprise he found he was not alone at the mirror, to his even more surprise he found the other occupant was none other than the Undertaker. The infamous "Deadman" was applying eyeliner to his eyes, while it added to the intensity of his eyes in the ring, it was quite amusing to watch him actually applying it.
"You know I think we're the only two guys in the WWE that can actually pull off this stuff." Jeff said brushing on some light florescent paint starting with his nose and up to cover his forehead.
The Undertaker replied with a non-commital "hm". Jeff shrugged and continued with his design, He had an idea to do something just on one side of his face and neck that would only appear under the florescent lighting of his entrance. He was just beginning the lines on his cheek when Taker finally spoke.
"So how long's this thing between between you and Triple H been going on?"
Jeff smudged his design. "What are you talkin' about?" He answered automatically trying to keep his voice steady.
"Don't play the dumb, with me." Taker said darkly, finishing the liner on one eye before turning to look at Jeff. "You know, I know everything that goes on around here."
Jeff nodded and began fixing his smudged make-up, it was true. The Undertaker had been part of the WWE for a long time, long enough to know the patterns and the signs people put about, so even if he did not know something directly, he could definitely make an educated guess.
"A couple months now," Jeff answered honestly, knowing better to put up a charade to Taker's face, and he doubted Taker would make anything of it or go to the boss, he usually kept himself out of the backstage drama. In Fact Jeff was surprised he asked about it at all.
"Why do you ask?"Jeff smirked. "Jealous?"
Taker let out an amused snort. "Look I got a little bit of advice for you. And if you know what's good for you you'll take it, cause I've seen some of the consequences of H's various intimate "business arrangements."
"Yeah?" Jeff stopped painting and looked at Taker genuinely curious. He did respect the Undertaker, and if the "Deadman" was bothering to talk about it in the first place, it was a good idea to pay attention.
"Whatever you've got arranged with Hunter, keep as much emotion out of it as possible." Taker said directly, when Jeff gave him a perplexed look, he continued. "If you start regarding each other as friends or even just you start thinking of him as a friend, break off the arrangement. You're either his friend or his business lover you can't be both. When the arrangement does comes to an end either mutually or a bad break up, the less emotionally involved you are the better."
"Well I haven't reached that point yet." Jeff said, half truthfully, he had let down his guard and confided in Hunter on some deep stuff about his history, the morning after wrestlemania. While at the time he told Hunter it barely scratched the surface of himself, that was a blind to hide the fact he had spilled some of his soul without intending to. While it was indeed only a single one of many facets of himself, it was one of the facets that lay deep down at the core.
It made him stop and think for moment at just how he had allowed Hunter to reach in so deeply. What made him trust the "The Game" in that moment? The man did have a reputation for manipulation almost as well known as his brute strength. But Jeff had come across that crap many times before and being a perceptive and straight forward person had managed to avoid such things. His success insniffing out a plot was his own brand of unconsciously manipulation, ironically pointed out by Hunter before. He made people believe they were seeing all of him when in truth he was very closed off, they only saw what he wanted them too see. Either way it had made him good as spotting when someone was genuine and when they were not. And he had seen Hunter's manipulative ways first hand when he had tried to seduce him.
But the look in Hunter's eyes and face that day did not show any of that. Maybe that that was it. The master manipulator, the Cereberal Assassin had been actually genuinely concerned about him in that moment, enough to make Jeff at ease enough to show off some of the skeletons in his closet.
Then again Hunter was not known as "The Game" for nothing. Perhaps Taker was right, it would require more reflection.
Meanwhile to The Undertaker Jeff's sudden silence said enough. "Whatever emotion you've put in so far stop it now and pull it back or end the whole arrangement now. If you need more proof that falling for Triple H for real is a bad idea go ask Randy Orton."
Jeff tensed, his grip tightened around his paintbrush so much it cracked. Two thoughts collided at once. One just of Randy Orton himself, Jeff would never forgive him for attacking Matt not long after he had returned from having an emergency appendectomy which ruptured. The attack put his older brother back in hospital. And Rainbow Haired Warrior never felt satisfied with his match and ultimate defeat at the Royal Rumble. His mind was so cloudy with hate and the desire for vengeance, he did not react fast enough for Randy's reversal of his "twist of fate" move. After that Vince McMahon had strategically kept them away from each other in matches and threatened dismissal if either one of them intentionally harmed the other outside of the ring. Both Jeff and Orton were too valuable as crowd draws to risk having them both seriously take each other out. Since then the two rivals had a mutual cold shouldering and avoided each other's presence as much as possible.
The other thought that ran through his head and equally distressing, was the memory of Randy Orton's group Evolution lead by Triple H, suddenly turning on him after winning the World Heavyweight championship, humiliating and beating the holy hell out of him. While Jeff had not been part of the company at that time, he had seen it well enough on television the next night.
Hunter had turned on Randy violently, but up until that point had smiled in Randy's face and hugged him like a friend, until that fateful moment when he gave Orton the thumbs down. Jeff did not know exactly what past relationship Randy and Hunter had, but judging by the shocked sad look on Randy's face just before Batista dropped him, Jeff had a pretty good guess.
Back then Jeff had actually felt sorry for Randy, a lingering feeling that disgusted him now.
"That's my advice take or leave. " Undertaker said went back to working on his other eye.
Jeff snapped of his thoughts at the sound of Taker's voice, and raised his brush to continue but found that by now he had broken it in two. His mind was too jumbled with thoughts now to think of anything elaborate anyway. His eyes wandered around to think of something, when they fell on The Undertakers hat on the counter.
"You know I wonder if I should try a new look, he said putting the hat on and imitating Taker's "rolled back eyes" look.
"The purple hair kills it." Taker snatched his hat back. "You got paint on it. If my hat glows when I go out there you're going to be in for an impromptu casket match after the show."
"Ease up Mark, it'll come right off you can't see it through the material anyway." Jeff said with a chuckle.
"It's still "Taker"to you here." Taker threw him an annoyed look before putting the hat on. Jeff watched a little fascinated at Taker meticulously positioned the hat so it would cast just the right menacing shadow on his face. satisfied he put on his coat and gloves, and after practicing a few glares in the mirror, made his way to the door out of the dressing room.
"Hey Taker." Jeff called after him. "Why take the trouble given me advice?"
"Let's just say I still have just a little bit of respect left for that punk ass kid who had the balls to challenge me to a ladder match back in '02." And he left it at that.
Taker made his way out into the main hallway, he had only made it a few steps away from the dressing room after closing the door when he heard the familiar voice of Triple H behind him and The Game sounded none too happy.
"Hey Mark!,"
Taker turned and fixated Hunter with an icy glare at the sound of his real name.
Hunter strode up to him, and lowered his voice to a whispered growl. "Why don't you do what you do best and stay in the shadows and out of my business!"
It didn't take a genius to guess that Hunter had heard all or part of their conversation. But Just how much Taker didn't know.
"Jeff will do what he wants to do no matter what I say." Taker answered simply. "I was just reminding him what he already knows about you."
"Plus a little advice. Right? Listen if you ruin this for me I'll-"
"You'll what?" Taker stepped closer and used his 6'10" height to its fullest to actually loom over Hunter, and remind him just who he was dealing with.
Hunter let out a frustrated growl, he was in the middle of a title run with Cena and JBL and in no mood to actually pick a fight with The Undertaker. "Just keep to your own business all right?"
Taker straightened and turned to continue down the hallway. "I said my peace all ready, only out of respect for Jeff Hardy. What you two do from here on in, I could care less."
"Good keep it that way." Hunter snapped.
"Now let me give you a little bit of advice." Taker half turned back. "Don't manipulate Hardy into trusting you and then screw him over. You may get more of a handful than you think. He's a loose cannon who can hold a grudge and is not afraid to retaliate. If you need a reminder, ask Orton how it felt when Jeff landed on him from the second level of that lighting fixture."
Taker inwardly smirked at the touch of realization in Hunter's eyes. He turned away and continued walking down the hallway, adding with a smug chuckle. "Not mention you'll have "big brother" Hardy on your ass too, by association."
Triple H watched The Undetaker go, mulling over The Deadman's words. Admittedly there were a couple of things he had not taken into account when he had started this little affair with Jeff Hardy. He forced himself to shrug it off. He had no intention of letting things between him and Jeff get that far or that deep. Although he had to admit he may have gone a little far asking into Jeff's personal troubles and comforting him the morning after Wrestlemania.
What was it that made him actually care? Jeff Hardy had this strange balance between a friendly and carefree attitude to people around him, and yet aloof and closed off in his own little world. Perhaps it was because Jeff had opened up and allowed Hunter a peek into that inner sanctum.
On the other hand Jeff himself had said he only scratched the surface of who Jeff Hardy was, so perhaps it was not as deep an emotional as he had originally thought, which was a bit of a relief, he had not yet crossed the emotional line with Jeff as he had with Randy all those years ago.
As soon as Randy entered his mind he shook his head to clear it. He could not think on that now. He had present troubles with Randy Orton that required his attention, he did not need the past distracting him.
Hunter opened the door to the dressing room Taker had come out of and found Jeff Hardy at the mirror wiping his face with a towel, to get any residual make up off.
With this ready made distraction he walked up unnoticed behind Jeff and snaked his strong arms around Hardy's waist. A smirk crossed his face as he felt the younger man's muscles tense up deliciously, under his hands.
Hardy hesitated for a moment before looking over his shoulder, as casually as possible. "Hey man, what brings you by?"
"Just wanted to wish you luck before your match." Hunter said kissing up Jeff's neck.
Jeff closed his eyes. He had to admit, emotionally involved or not, Hunter's kisses did feel rather nice. He tilted his head to give Hunter better access, and reached back to entwine his fingers into Hunter's hair. Meanwhile his other hand came to rest on top of Hunter's across his abdomen and gently massaged the back of his fingers.
One by one the knots in Jeff's nerves about his upcoming match with Umaga relaxed, to the point where he almost didn't notice Hunter's hand attempting to slide down past the waist band of his pants. Almost.
"Hey,Hey, Hey!" Jeff grabbed Hunter's wrist and pulled his hand out. "We're past the pre-match cut off point for that."
Hunter snapped his fingers. "Slipped my mind. Well think of it as a preview for later."
Jeff chuckled. "I can't garauntee how lively I'll be, a round with the samoan bulldozer doesn't leave me in the best of shape."
"Yeah, nobody is." Hunter said trailing off as the wheels in his head began to turn.
"Hunter?" Jeff quirked an eyebrow at him and waved a hand in front of The Game's face.
"Nothing just thinking." Triple H replied. A cheshire cat grin appeared on his face as he turned to exit. "Good luck tonight Jeff."
He exited leaving a very puzzled Jeff hardy.
About an hour later Jeff found an answer to his puzzle. When he was informed that the match was going to be altered from a straightforward singles bout with Umaga, to something a little chaotic, involving interference from Carlito and Randy Orton of all people.
Umaga had already made his entrance and awaited him in the ring. As Jeff made his way down the ramp, Carlito ran in and attacked him from behind. with a forearm to his back, not a bad hit but enough to knock him down when caught off guard.
Randy ran past him and joined Carlito in the ring to attack Umaga, no doubt in finally taking revenge for when after trying to goad Umaga into attacking John Cena, Umaga had taken out the two of them instead.
Although Jeff had to wonder why now of all times and why Vince would allow him and Orton anywhere near each other. However, Jeff was not going to let an opportunity to take a potshot at Orton no matter how small it may be slip away. He ran towards the ring and slid in, first taking out Carlito with a twist of fate and then glared over at Orton.
The Legend Killer looked up from his beatdown of Umaga, and stepped forward to face Jeff. The two stared each other down, the tension coming off them like waves, infecting the crowd around them, driving the fans into a frenzy wondering who would throw the first punch.
It would be neither of them. Umaga recovered and grabbed Randy from behind and took him down with a samoan drop. He then went for a slam, but Orton rolled out of the way and out of the ring.
Jeff's eyes never left Randy, as the Legend Killer made his way around the ring and back to ramp to stand next to Carlito who had by now recovered from the "twist of fate". Umaga came to stand next to Jeff and to stare down Orton and Carlito. Umaga let out a battle cry daring them to get back into the ring and face them. Jeff's blood was still up and hearing the battle cry, he yelled "Come on!" at Orton. Randy glared back with equal malice like the viper he was nicknamed for. Jeff was about two steps away from jumping over the rope to engage with Randy full on, when General Manager William Regal's music hit.
Regal came out haughtily and stopped at the top of the ramp microphone in hand. "Orton, Carlito, it looks like your decision to reap vengeance on Umaga backfired. But I have a solution. Next week, live on RAW it will be Randy Orton and Carlito versus Umaga and his tag-team partner Jeff Hardy!"
Even in the midst of his anger Jeff couldn't keep the look of surprise from his face, in fact of the four of them only Umaga did not react with a stunned face. Instead of being Umaga's opponent he was his tag team partner for next week? And he was going to get into the ring with Randy Orton? How had this happened? Jeff Hardy wondered if his on and off screen tension with Orton was just too much good TV for Vince to keep putting off.
Then the image of a cheshire cat grin from a certain Cerebral Assassin flashed through his mind. And it all made sense.
000
There are advantages to having The Game have your back...