AUTHOR'S NOTE PLEASE READ: I am going to change my own canon here in the story. I am going to rewrite the flashback in chapter 8 to have it set after Jeff's match in Ring of Honor when he was booed and jeered at before, during and after the match. It was sad to watch. This and Edge's involvement is going to come into play majorly later on.
Big Thank You to my beta reader Blazing Glory and my friend Writer Chica who make sure this story gets to you in readable fashion.
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Jeff yawned as he trudged down the hallway past the locker rooms, it had been a rough match and his back was really paying for that missed swanton. He hoped Hunter wasn't looking for some post-show action.
Speaking of the Game he found it curious that the door to Triple H's private locker room was slightly open. Following his curiosity he peeked in. To his surprise he saw Triple H sitting on a bench slumped over staring at his phone in his hands. It was an odd sight. Indeed he had never seen The Game so dejected before, it was just downright weird.
What could possibly have Hunter this down? The first thought that popped into his head was Stephanie asking for a divorce, but if news like that had occurred no doubt it would have spread through the entire backstage. Gossip and rumors here traveled faster than in a sorority, and the bigger it was, the faster it traveled.
Jeff's first instinct was to go in and find out what was wrong, but then he recalled The Undertaker's advice to not get emotionally involved, he'd already crossed that line dangerously twice, particularly the other night when he and Hunter had talked about the stars.
He had genuinely enjoyed spending such casual time with Hunter and had been delighted when Hunter had actually gone along with his random questions about the stars and the sculptures with sincerity. Even if some responses were in jest, none of it was mean spirited and they both laughed. Some the other wrestlers and divas would just look at him funny and walk off or scoff in that "you are wasting my time" tone, and in truth he had expected that same thing from Hunter. But apparently The Game had a small eccentric spirit hidden just below the surface. After all he and Shawn Michaels had performed some rather crazy antics as DX.
It was hard to remember that crazy, more lighthearted side of Hunter, when he walked around backstage in a designer suit with that "King of Kings" air about him and that annoyingly smug smile on his face. It made Jeff wonder what else Hunter was capable of doing if that eccentric side was awakened a little bit more.
Being ever the risk taker he put Taker's warning to the back of his head and knocked on the door to the locker room to announce his presence, allowing Hunter to collect himself before his entered. Even though he thought it was a little silly he respected Triple H's desire to keep up his facade even in front of him, unless he chose to put it down willingly.
He heard a startled intake of breath from Hunter, before a raspy, "Who is it?"
"It's Jeff."
There was a silence for a few breaths. Jeff wondered if perhaps Hunter too was thinking they were getting a little too close as well and wanted to put in some separation. He would leave it in Hunter's hands then to set the barrier, since it was Hunter who had asked into Jeff's more personal affairs in the first place.
After a few more beats, Jeff was about to walk away assuming Hunter was going to tell him to leave him alone, when he heard a soft, "Come in".
Now the ball was in his court, should he just walk away? At the same time he was dying to find out what had put Hunter into such depressed stupor. Taking a deep breath he steeled himself and walked inside, keeping his posture and demeanor casual.
"Hey man, I just wanted check and see if you were going to need me tonight," Jeff said, it wasn't entirely false as he wanted that question answered too, before he made other plans.
"Oh... No I won't need anything." Hunter shook his head, his voice sounding distant and despondent.
Jeff was a little taken aback, he'd never heard Hunter's voice like that before. Here again was another chance for him to just walk away and keep things from getting any more personal. Yet, he feet wouldn't budge, he was not sure if it was his conscience telling him it wasn't right to just leave a depressed person behind, or maybe his heart saying he genuinely cared about Hunter's well being. He decided to put the ball back into Hunter's court, perhaps a dismissal from The Game would get him to move.
"You all right?" Jeff asked, expecting the game to reply with a "none of your business" remark. However Triple H just looked him up and down silently for moment before looking away back at his phone and gave the vague answer of "not really."
Jeff just stood there awkwardly not sure whether Hunter wanted him to leave or stay. "I'm sorry to hear that." He said quietly.
At the continued silence, Jeff decided to take it as the end of the conversation. "Well I'll see you around then."
Just as he reached the door, he nearly jumped when Hunter spoke. "Aurora's sick."
Jeff froze with his hand on the doorknob. It took a moment for his brain to process. Aurora was Hunter and Stephanie's daughter. No wonder Hunter looked so down.
Jeff turned around and walked back over to the bench and took a seat next to Hunter. There was no going back now. "Is it serious?"
"Maybe." Hunter answered not looking up from his phone. "The docs think it might be Pertussis, they want to run some tests and keep her in hospital for a night."
Jeff couldn't help, but feel his heart sink a little. He had been there and back with Matt, and that was his grown brother, he couldn't imagine what it must be like with a child. On impulse he reached out and placed a hand on Hunter's shoulder. "I'm here for ya' man."
He felt Hunter's muscles tense under his hand and wondered if he had made a turned to look at him, not bothering to hide any worry or sadness in his eyes this time. He put a hand over Jeff's and gave him a half smile. "Thanks."
Jeff smiled back and in an effort to lighten the mood said. "Now we'd better get out of here before someone passes by and starts to suspect somethin' even if it is true."
The Game's smile broadened a little and he let out an amused snort. He patted Jeff's hand and stood up , shouldering his duffel bag. Jeff followed suit and made his way toward the door, Hunter following close behind.
They walked back to the hotel next door in companionable silence. It wasn't until they were in the elevator that Triple H finally spoke.
"Jeff, um would you mind staying with me tonight?" When Jeff looked at him with a raised eyebrow, he continued. "We don't have to do anything. I just need some distraction, or I'm going to be calling Steph every two minutes, and she's got enough on her hands without a panicked husband calling her all the time. I'd ask Shawn but he's off and..."
"Sure." Jeff interrupted the trailing request with a small smile and a nod. "I'll hang out with you. I can't promise I'll be as entertaining as Shawn, but I'm pretty good at distracting people."
Despite his downcast demeanor Hunter let out a soft chuckle. "I know you are."
Once inside Hunter tossed his stuff onto the bed, sat down and buried his face in his hands. "What if it is Pertusis? That kills kids you know?"
Jeff only stood in front of him and nodded. "Well they don't know yet, maybe it's not as bad as you think."
"Poor Steph, she shouldn't be dealing with this not now. She's six months pregnant for God sake." Hunter ran his hands through his hair and then clenched at it. "And I'm here and I can't do anything to help her."
Jeff wracked his brain for something to say, this situation was quite a bit different than when he was dealing with Matt in the hospital. However, it was not needed as Hunter's worries continued.
"Oh god what if the stress causes her to miscarry?" Suddenly he wrapped his arms around Jeff's waist and buried his face in Jeff's abdomen. " What if I lose them both Jeff? My little girls."
Jeff opened and closed his mouth several times trying to find something to say. He could feel Hunter's body shake from held back sobs, making his own heart pain a little sympathy, which made thinking the right thing to say even harder. He placed a gentle hand on Hunter's head and stroked his hair, and his other hand rubbed his back.
"Come on man." Jeff said softly. "They're your daughters, if they're anything like you or Steph for that matter, they'll be strong enough to make it. If she's taken after you, even at two Aurora's is probably too stubborn to let a little old whooping cough get the best of her. And I'm sure the other one is going to make her debut just fine."
They remained like that for several minutes as Hunter collected himself. Slowly his body stopped shaking and he eased his grip on Jeff's shirt. Finally he lifted his head and pulled away a little, though he kept his hands on Jeff's waist.
"Thanks Jeff." He said quietly, the worry was still in his eyes, but there was relief mixed in there too. Sometimes it just helped to get the worries out to someone else. After a few breaths he finally pulled away from Jeff completely.
"Sorry you have to see me like this." Hunter continued his voice sounding weary, but more like it's usual confident tones. "I know that wasn't part of what we originally agreed upon."
"It's cool," Jeff gave him a casual smile and a shrug. "I just go with the flow."
Jeff sat down next to Hunter on the bed. "Besides I know where you are coming from. Being stuck far away from someone you love when they're sick, maybe in danger. I still remember gettin' that call about Matt's appendix, something that should have been a quick procedure got dangerous when it ruptured and the abscess draining on top of that."
Jeff pulled one leg up to his chest and rested his arm and head against it. Hunter watched as the Rainbow Haired Warrior's eyes turned sad and almost fearful. "Every minute I lived in dread that I was going to get a call that my brother was dead, from one of the procedures or an infection or something."
He turned his head to look at Hunter. "So I kinda know where you're coming from. I can't imagine what it would be like if it was my child."
Triple H nodded, patting Jeff on the back. "I just gotta tell myself that if it were as bad as I think it is, Stephy would be sending a private jet to come and fetch me."
Jeff gave a weary smile and closed his eyes. "Yeah. Little harder to tell with Matt, even if he were dying he'd tell me not to worry about him."
"Heh. I can see that."
Suddenly Jeff's eyes opened again, the sadness was back and surprisingly a touch of anger. "That's why I can't forgive Randy for what he did. His attack put Matt back in the hospital again. He put my brother in that danger just to get at me. Made me watch, knowing I was so close, but too far away to help my brother. And he just stood and gloated. He's never apologized and he looks at me with that smug ass smile. If he wants a grudge match he'll get it."
Hunter was noticeably a little caught off guard at how angry this conversation had become. Not that he could blame Jeff, Randy Orton had learned very well on how to attack his opponents where they hurt most and always justify it to himself. The sad thing was Randy had learned that best from Triple H himself.
Hunter began rubbing Jeff's back between his shoulder blades hoping to relax some of the tension and anger out of him. With a sigh of some regret, he reflected back on Randy. He did what he had to do, or what he thought he had to do back then. Randy was getting too smart, too ambitious, he had to turn on Randy, before Randy turned Evolution on him. Still a part of him held on to the terrible guilt in betraying that love and trust and admiration Randy had held for him back then. He could still see those sad, shocked eyes as clear as day.
"Thanks, that felt nice." Jeff said quietly, startling Hunter out of his thoughts.
Triple H had not noticed he had stopped massaging Jeff's shoulders. "Uh, you're uh... hm." Hunter groped for a change of subject, they last thing he wanted to think about with everything else going on was Randy.
"So... What was with all the face paint in 2003?" Hunter said out of the blue.
"Huh?" Jeff looked over at him with a raised eyebrow. "That's a change of subject." He said an edge of suspicion in his voice.
Hunter shrugged. "I don't know it just seemed like you had more color on your face than in your hair."
"Oh, that." Jeff relaxed a little and kept his voice casual, though he couldn't quite look Hunter in the eye. "Well it was part of my charismatic enigma persona over at T- the other place." Jeff said with a small smirk refraining from mentioning the rival company TNA whom he had worked for after being released from WWE back in 2003.
"You can say it I won't tell Vince." Hunter chuckled winking at him. "I don't remember the charismatic enigma thing for WWF back then though."
With a weary sigh, Jeff lay back down on the bed staring distantly up at the ceiling."Well let's just say sometimes when I don't like what I see in the mirror, I cover it up."
"Oh..." Hunter absently scratched the back of his head, so much for trying to lighten things up. "Sorry I'm not trying to bring up sad stuff on purpose, really."
"It's cool, man. Legit question." Jeff shrugged, eyes shifting to Hunter, when the other man did not turn to look at him, he looked back up at the ceiling. "Well let me try to find something. Let's see... Well there is something I have been meaning to ask you. It's been kinda gnawing on me since this started."
"Yeah?" Hunter looked over his shoulder at Jeff.
"Does Stephanie know about us? I mean you and me?" Jeff asked cautiously, sitting up to look Hunter intently in the eye. He had worried about that in the back of his mind since this started. Hunter had told him he and Stephanie had an understanding, but he had never been truly satisfied with that answer. After witnessing what Matt went through with Lita and Edge going behind his back, and the ruin of both relationships and friendship, the last thing Jeff wanted was to be the wedge breaking up a marriage.
"Yeah." Hunter answered with a casual shrug of his shoulders, as if the answer were the most obvious thing in the world. However when he saw the unconvinced look on Jeff's face he continued. "Don't worry you're not a home wrecker."
"You sure?" Jeff still looked concerned, "I don't want to end up being the "Edge" in this situation."
Hunter nodded remember the chaos surrounding the whole Matt Hardy-Lita-Edge affair. No doubt being Matt's brother Jeff got the windfall by association. To ease Jeff's mind once and for all Hunter pulled out his cell phone and went back through his text history. "Here. These are the texts from when I told her about you."
Jeff read through them, an amused smile slowly crossing his face as he did so...
Steph: So anything "new" lately? It's been awhile.
Hunter: As a matter of fact tonight I started a little thing with Jeff.
Steph: What? Jeff?! Wait... Jeff Hardy or Jeff Jarrett?
Hunter: Jeff Hardy
Steph: WHAT?! You're with skittlehead?
Hunter: Yup. I'm getting a little taste of the rainbow.
Steph: I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. What caught your eye that you didn't see before?
Hunter: I don't know, maybe the fact he actually beat me for real at Armageddon without a little assistance from "Big Brother". Or maybe it was Survivor series we made a pretty good team. He's just... unique.
Steph: That's an understatement. Keep me posted, CuddleBear.
"CuddleBear?" Jeff looked back up at Hunter with a raised eyebrow, but an amused smile on his face.
"Eh. Nickname she came up with when we started dating, and it just kinda stuck." Hunter shrugged smiling back.
Jeff seemed satisfied with the evidence and handed the phone back to Hunter. "You sure don't exactly have the conventional marriage do ya'?"
"Well, we aren't exactly conventional people." Hunter pointed out matter of factly. "It's not one sided, she has her private life too. And you know I can't booty call her every time I have needs, particularly if she's across the country. Besides, in a few more years when I cut back my schedule a lot I'll be ready to settle down monogamously. I guess she and I wanted to make sure earlier on that when our time in the limelight was over we'd have something to go back home to."
"I guess that makes sense." Jeff smirked and gave Hunter's arm a soft punch,"You do have a lot of 'needs'."
Hunter chuckled softly, and lay down on the bed hands behind his head. "At least I'm not lying to her about it. Unlike other more 'conventional' marriages."
"You got a point there," Jeff said suddenly distant.
"Did I say something wrong?" Hunter looked sideways at him.
"It's not you, Matt, Lita and Edge popped into my head."
"Messy business huh?"
"Yeah. They'd been together six years. Matt was this close to asking her to marry him when he found out." Jeff said holding his thumb and forefinger close together. "I think the fact that it was Adam hurt him even more."
Hunter nodded. "Must have sucked to be in the middle too."
"It was weird." Jeff let out a weary sigh and shook his head. "I mean my loyalty was with my brother of course. I was pissed that they'd broken his heart so bad, but Adam and Lita had been my friends too for the last five years, it was weird to have it all end overnight."
"I'm surprised you're not trying to take Edge out like you want to with Randy. For hurting your brother I mean."
"It's a completely different situation. It's mainly Matt's business, I'm just there as back up if Matt needs me. And I know it sounds crazy but I don't think Adam intended to hurt Matt, the problem was he put his own wants and desire for Lita before his friendship, I just don't think he thought through of the consequences of his actions. I can see how that can happen a little too easily." Jeff's eyes looked sad for moment then narrowed to an intense anger that sent a small chill down Hunter's spine and made him sit up. "Randy though, he attacked when Matt didn't have the strength to fight back and he timed it so I would be far enough away in the ring where I couldn't help him. He attacked Matt, put him back in the hospital, put his life at risk just to get at me."
Hunter was sympathetic but remained silent, he had been through that kind of thing before both in Jeff's position and Randy's as the aggressor.
"And I couldn't be cruel or stay mad at Adam for long." Jeff said his voice softening a little.
"Why not?"
"Because way back when, when I need a friend more than ever, and Matt was across the country Adam was there for me." Jeff said softly keeping his eyes averted.
"You are still talking about Edge right?" Hunter asked a little surprised at what he was hearing to say the least.
Jeff nodded a wry smile on his face. "Let' just say when I told you that someone knocking on my hotel room door, distracted me from jumping off that balcony, well the person on my doorstep kept me distracted that night so I wouldn't take it into my head to try again."
Hunters eyes widened a little in surprise. "Adam?"
"Matt and I seem to have a sixth sense about each other." Jeff said a sad smile crossing his face. "His big brother senses were tingling that night and he called Adam to check me. RAW was in the next town from Ring of Honor. Adam drove I don't know how many miles just to make sure I was okay and stayed with me that night."
Hunter's eyes widened in utter shock. He just could not believe that ruthless, opportunistic, sneaky little shit of a blonde would do that for some else. Then again Triple H was guilty of being cruel one moment and kind the next.
"What is it about you that makes me spill out the dark secrets in my head?" Jeff looked over at Hunter and amused smirk on his face.
"Just special I guess." Hunter said with a half cheshire cat grin.
"On the other hand I haven't revealed anything you could blackmail me with. I'm pretty sure half the roster assumes I made an attempt to take myself out years back." That wry smile appeared on Jeff's face again, but Hunter saw some genuine sadness in his eyes, before Jeff looked away. "They'd probably look at you and go, "Yeah, and...'"
Hunter sat up and put a hand on Jeff's shoulder. Although in truth back in 2003-2004 if someone had told him Jeff Hardy had committed suicide he would not have been that surprised. Somehow it sounded darker and more cruel when he heard Jeff say it out loud.
"Don't say that about yourself Jeff." Hunter said softly.
Jeff looked back at Hunter, the sadness ebbing away from his eyes and a genuine smile on his face. "Thanks man."
"Well I got a secret. At least a funny." Hunter said.
"I think a funny secret is just what we need right now." Jeff chuckled.
"All right. When Aurora was almost a year old, Steph brought her to one of the shows. It was in our home town. Long story short, she got pulled into an impromptu executive meeting, leaving Aurora with me to babysit. Now by this time even though I was a first time father, I was pretty competent and figuring out what was wrong when she cried. What Steph forgot to tell me was Aurora was still teething, her damn molars were coming in."
"So you were stuck with a screaming baby looking like a useless idiot?" Jeff smirked, picturing a frantic Triple H trying to get his baby daughter to calm down..
Hunter gave Jeff a gentle shove. "A little harsh, but about right."
"So what did you do?" Jeff grinned, eager to hear the rest.
Hunter sighed looking a little embarrassed. "I went begging for help."
"You? Beg? From who?"
"Another guy who I could semi-trust who had two daughters of his own."
"Taker?!"
"Yeah..." Hunter rubbed his temples. "If it wasn't me doing the begging, it would have been hilarious to watch. It was about 10 minutes before his match, so he was all dressed in his Deadman garb."
Jeff closed his eyes just picturing The Undertaker in full wrestling attire, trench coat, hat and eyeliner, looking all menacing and evil, and poor Hunter, crying daughter in his arms, looking pathetic.
"I'm sorry, that's just way too funny." Jeff laughed heartily.
"It's not that funny." Hunter pouted.
"The hell it's not! Now what happened, did he help you?"
"Yeah. He got a frozen waffle from catering and it worked like a charm." Hunter rolled his eyes. "I beg the Undertaker for help and all it took was a frozen waffle." Suddenly Hunter chuckled too. "You're right it is that funny."
The two men burst out into renewed laughter. After a couple of minutes when the laughter calmed a bit, this time it was Hunter's face that grew sad thinking of his daughter.
"I hope she's okay." Hunter buried his face in his hands.
Jeff reached over and patted Hunter's back, "Look man you've gotta leave for your flight in 4 hrs. why don't you try to get some shut eye so you'll be a little rested when you see your family."
Hunter shook his head running his hands through his hair. "I don't know if I could. I'd be too worried I would miss something. Call from Steph about her condition."
"Look I'll stay up and wake you if the phone rings. Come on man you look beat." Jeff said genuine concern showing in his eyes.
"You sure?" Hunter looked at him genuinely surprised by his offer. "You look tired yourself."
Jeff shook his head. "Nah. I'm in one of my restless moods.. My body may be tired, but my brain is too busy to turn off.."
"You don't have to you know." Hunter said.
"I know." Jeff said simply. "Offer still stands."
"Thanks Jeff." Hunter said looking genuinely grateful for the offer, a rare sight on his face.
"You're welcome." Jeff said, then a teasing smirk crossed his face. "But don't expect me to tuck you in."
Hunter chuckled. "I think I can handle it.
It took almost an hour for Triple H to fall fully asleep. Jeff had gone out on the balcony to smoke a cigarette to give Hunter some privacy while he tried to fall asleep. However, The Game's head was just too full, he kept tossing and turning. When Jeff came back in even though Hunter's eyes were closed he was still conscious.
Jeff settled down next to Hunter with his sketch book. He noticed Hunter's eyes were squeezed shut as if he were forcing them closed rather than closing naturally. "Still awake huh?"
"Yeah..." Hunter mumbled. "Too worried. Could you just keep talking to me so can concentrate on something else?"
"You want me to read you a fairy tale or somethin'?" Jeff chuckled teasingly.
"Whatever. I just like hearing your voice." Hunter murmured absently scooting a little closer to Jeff so part of his head was touch his arm.
Jeff couldn't keep a little surprise and a genuine smile from his face at the compliment. "Well let's see if I can think of something."
"There's a fairytale I remember from when I was a kid. One of the few things I vividly remember with my mom, listening to them." Jeff's eyes took on a distant but fond look in his eyes. "Heh. Although I've heard to so many versions of it from different people it's hard to remember how she told it."
"What's it about?" Hunter asked softly with a yawn.
"It's kinda one of those ones you just have to tell." Jeff shrugged.
"No one's stopping you."
"Well once upon a time or somethin'..."
"In the year 1701 There was a small village, along the coast of North Carolina, like any other town, small, but fairly prosperous. Then a mysterious young man appeared in the town one stormy night. He stayed in the town's church to sleep out of the rain, then made a small home for himself deep in the forest nearby. And only appeared in town to purchase supplies occasionally.
The villagers were always suspicious of strangers, particularly one who did not properly announce themselves, however as the young stranger kept to himself, and was no bother, so they left him to his own. They did not even know the location of his home.
One day the Mayor's son went hunting in the woods and injured by a bear protecting her cubs. When he came to, he was in the home of the stranger. The young man was unlike anyone the mayor's son had ever seen before, with his tattoos and his fair hair dyed different colors.
The stranger nursed the mayor's son back to health. They became fast friends. Although the stranger neither revealed where he came from or even his real name. Every other day the mayor's son went to visit his new friend and learn new things about the forest, the stars and lands across the sea.
However, a series of misfortunes befell the village, coinciding with the stranger's visits. A disease afflicted some of the village's cattle, an early frost affecting the crops, the fishing in the area was not as good as usual for the season. Naturally, the villagers became even more suspicious.
One day when the mayor's son went to go visit the stranger, one of his friends followed him into the forest and witnessed the two dancing and singing around a fire surrounded by an intricate design of brightly colored stones.
The friend of the mayor's son ran back to the village and spread the word of what he had seen. When the mayor's son returned home he was interrogated about the stranger and accused of succumbing to witchery. Fearing for his life the mayor's son stated he had been bewitched by the stranger, but that no harm was intended by the stranger upon him. Nevertheless, the villagers demanded he show them to the stranger's home.
The stranger was brought before a tribunal, on a crime of witchcraft, not only for casting a spell on the mayor's son, but also for the misfortunes that had been befalling the town. The mayor's son pleaded with the stranger to admit to being a witch and then he could repent and his life would be spared.
The stranger refused to admit he was guilty of anything. He never wished harm on the town or its people, and the dancing and singing with the mayor's son was only for pure joy, no magic whatsoever.
The stranger's fate was already sealed and he was condemned for denying his crime. As assurance of the Mayor's son's repentance he was ordered to shave the head of the stranger before his execution.
Though in his heart the mayor's son did not want to do the deed or to see his extraordinary friend destroyed, fear of the town's rebuke and fear that the stranger might in fact have some power over him, he cut off the beautiful rainbow locks he had once admired so much.
The next day, the stranger was bound to a live oak tree with dry kindling at his feet. Suddenly the mayor's son ran forward to try and stop the burning, saying it was not right, that the stranger had never done him any harm and even saved his life. A smile appeared on the stranger's face, at that moment, the sunny sky was covered with a giant dark cloud and a bolt of lightning crashed into the tree, covering the tree and the onlookers in smoke.
"When the smoke cleared, the kindling was untouched, and ropes were still tied around the tree, but the stranger was gone and never seen or heard from again."
"When the mayor's son visited the stranger's home, now ashes thanks to the villagers, he found in the wreckage a stone brightly colored with both his name and the stranger's name etched upon it..."
"Over the years I've forgotten what the stranger's name was. I'll have to ask dad if he remembers. Though the name could be different depending on who tells the story. What do you think Hunter?" Jeff looked down at Triple H who was snoring softly, fast asleep.
Jeff smiled and studied Hunter for a moment. It was so rare to see The Game so calm and peaceful, almost vulnerable, resting comfortably, with his head against Jeff's arm. He wondered how many Triple H allowed to see him like this.
Jeff thought for a moment and then began to draw.
Two hours past and several drawings now lay around both Hunter and Jeff. The Rainbow haired warrior was so into his art he almost jumped when Hunter's cellphone rang. He gathered up his drawings as quickly as he could before grabbing the phone and giving Hunter a shake to wake him.
"Huh, What?" Hunter said groggily but immediately perked up when he saw Stephanie's name flashing on the phone. "Hello?! Steph?!"
"Hunter! It's not pertussis!" Stephanie burst out at hearing husband's voice. She sounded like she was laughing and crying at the same time.
"Really?! That's great!" Hunter said overjoyed although some dread still nagged at him. "So what was it? Is she going to be okay?"
"She's gonna be just fine! Bronchitis, topped off with a little lung infection made it sounded like whooping cough." She said while gently stroking the sleeping girl's hair. "But because of her age they're gonna keep her on the IV antibiotics for a little while longer then send us home with more stuff to clear it up."
Hunter breathed an audible sigh of relief. "Thank god. Do you want me to come over there, I'm booked for the first flight this morning."
"I'm sure-" Stephanie went silent for a moment when Aurora stirred and opened her eyes. "Oh sorry Honey-pie, did I wake you?"
"Aurora?" Hunter said automatically.
The little girl seemed to perk up at at hearing her father's voice over the phone. "Daddy...?"
"Here you wanna talk to Daddy?" Stephanie lowered the phone so it was resting against Aurora's ear.
"Daddy?" her voice was groggy.
"Hey baby. How are you doing?" Hunter's voice softened even more.
"I'm okay Daddy. Miss you..."
"I miss you too sweetie." Hunter said not even trying to hide the sadness in his voice. "I'm going to come and see you. So you get all better real fast, 'Kay?"
"Kay." Came his daughter's sleepy voice.
"You get some sleep. I love you sweetheart." Hunter said.
Aurora let out a sleepy yawn, "Love you, too, Daddy and I'll get better, promise!'
Hunter smiled and put on his best encouragement voice. "I know you will, I'll see you see you soon okay?"
"Okay... gotta go to sleep now Daddy. Love you..."
Stephanie took the phone back with a kiss to Aurora's head. "Go to sleep Honey-pie, the faster you do that the faster Daddy will be here." After Aurora settled down she spoke again. "Cuddlebear I hate to ask this but you said the first flight...?"
"Yes...?"
"Be on it... please."
"I will." Hunter said firmly. "The only way I would not be on it, is if you told me not to. And even then I'd still be on it." He said with a slight chuckle in his voice. "See you in a few hours. Remember to take care of yourself too"
"I will." She said unconsciously putting a hand over her pregnant belly. "I love you."
"I love you too Steph."
Hunter waited for Stephanie to hang up then put his cellphone away. He looked over Jeff by the door staring at him with that same mysterious smile he had seen that night when they talked about the stars. "What...?"
Jeff shook his head. "I was just thinkin' you're like two people. I've never heard you talk so tender to anyone, and I was just wondering how that side can co-exist with your ruthless asshole side.
"Heh." Hunter looked away, absently rubbing the back of his head, as he had no answer himself. "I don't know either." He said looking back at Jeff. "I guess that's the difference between Hunter and 'The Game'"
Jeff nodded thoughtfully and opened the door.
"Hey Jeff." Hunter called out to him, causing Jeff to halt his exit and look back. "Thanks... Thanks for keeping me company. I owe you one."
Jeff shook his head and smiled. "No you don't." And with that he left, leaving a slightly perplexed Hunter behind.
000
A few minutes after Jeff left Hunter was doing a final sweep around his hotel room to make sure to make sure he didn't leave anything behind. As he was checking the drawers of the night stand, he noticed a piece of paper had fallen down between the bed and the night stand. He was about to leave it for the maid staff to take care of when he noticed a swirl of bright colors along the edge of the paper.
He picked it up and turned it over to see a drawing. He recognized Jeff's distinctive style immediately. The picture seemed to be divided into two halves one colored with bright yellows, oranges, reds and pinks, the other with blacks blues and purples and a touch of green. The intricate lines and shades of both sides formed a single face. On the side with the bright colors the face seemed to be smiling happily, the eyes tender like a loving friend, while on the other side the harsh contrast of blue and black lines turned the smile into a wicked smirk and the eyes filled with a cruel glee.
However, what surprised Hunter most was despite the abstractness of Jeff's style, the distinctive features on the face were unmistakable. It was Hunter's own face in the picture.
It was a little startling seeing the two sides of himself, the loving father and dedicated friend, alongside the cruel and conniving Cerebral Assassin. How did this starchild understand him so well?
000
Another chapter down. this one was rather tricky to write as it was very detailed and very important for coming chapters so I had to make sure everything I wanted to say and set up was in it.
The legend Jeff tells is based on a North Carolina folk tale I found about the Cora tree, though I modified the characters a bit to suit my story, I tried to keep it as intact as possible, I am sure you can guess which characters represent which.
Don't worry chapter 13 is written and sent off to be beta'd.
I found the "Cora Tree" fairytale here:
www. nc beaches Features /History /TalesAndFolklore/