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.
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.
000
Jeff sat staring at his Red Bull, willing himself to swallow the gulp he had take in, knowing it would feel like knives going down. God he hated being sick. He had only picked at his food feeling hungry knowing he needed to eat something, but not really hungry. and not at the same time. He had woken up that morning feeling icky, but still hoped it would pass before the show that night. Instead his health kept deteriorating over the course of the day his throat growing more sore and irritated with every swallow.
He groaned a little when he saw a pair of familiar figures walking toward him. He really did not feel like talking to anyone. Particularly without Matt as a buffer. His older brother had been called into Vince's office, for a further discussion of his first match back since his appendicitis.
"Hey Jeff, how ya doin?" Hunter greeted him as he walked over, followed by Ric Flair who was at the event for promotional reasons.
"Been better." Jeff mumbled, distantly hoping they would take it as a cue to just keeping walking. No such luck, as Hunter and Ric took seats next to him.
"What's wrong?" Hunter asked, allowing some genuine concern to show on his face, but not too much in front of Ric.
"Sore throat. And a just generally feeling like crap."Jeff massaged his temples.
"Sounds like the flu or strep. Either way its' not good." Ric said. "I should know been through both myself, either way it feels like Hunter hit ya' five times with a sledgehammer."
Hunter smirked thoughtfully. "Could be. Open your mouth Jeff."
"What?" Jeff balked a little
"If your throat's bad enough we should have one of the docs look at it." Hunter said, in all seriousness. "Shane had strep throat a couple of weeks ago."
Jeff nodded and complied opening his mouth for Hunter to look. Luckily Hunter had a small flashlight on his keychain to get a better. Ric peered over Hunter's shoulder.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the three of them, Batista walked in to find the rather unusual sight of two of his fellow Evolution members looking down the throat of Jeff Hardy. With surprising quietness and the others so focused on what they were doing, Batista came up to look over Ric's shoulder without any of them noticing.
"Why are we looking into Jeff's mouth?" Batista asked
The sudden voice startled all three men especially Ric, whom Batista had been looming over. The Nature boy's react-first-ask-questions-later instinct from being attacked by rivals in the locker room too many times caused him to jump away from Batista into a defensive stance. However, as he did so he bumped into Hunter, throwing the already startled Game off balance, causing him to fall on the floor almost taking Jeff with him.
"How do you do that?!" Ric rasped to Batista trying to catch his breath. "You're too big of a guy to be that quiet when you walk!"
"Non squeak shoes?" Batista chuckled, helping Hunter up. "Seriously what's going on."
"Jeff might have strep throat." Hunter said dusting himself off.
"Oh." Batista took a step back away from Jeff. With an intense match with Shawn Michaels set at Backlash in a week, the last thing he wanted was to get sick.
"You're makin' a big deal over nothin'! I'll tough it out, I have before many, many times." Jeff said trying to keep his voice strong, but it was not possible with the pain and inflammation in his throat.
"It's not just about you toughing it look like you're going to pass out at any second, but and if it is strep you could infect half the roster before the night is over," Hunter said firmly.
"Now see he's right Jeff, it's not just your health on the line." Ric concurred.
Jeff let out a weary sigh but nodded and rested his head in his hand. "All right you win."
"Well, well what's this?" Came a voice from behind them.
The four men turned to see Randy Orton walking toward them. Hunter's eyes shifted back and forth between Randy and Jeff. While the Rainbow Haired Warrior's expression changed very little, but his hand slowly clenched in his hair and the weariness in his eyes disappeared behind a wall of ice. Ah, the healing power of hatred.
"The supershows before pay per-view always bring together the most interesting people." Randy smirked coming to stand next to Flair. "An Evolution reunion." Then frowned a little when his eyes fell on Jeff. "And of course the rabble."
Hunter automatically tensed, suddenly finding himself taking offense at the insults flying Jeff's way, similar to when someone spoke ill of Stephanie. Particularly if the insult was completely uncalled for. The other reason Triple H was tense was just in case Jeff took it into his head to get up and pounce on Randy, sickness or not.
Jeff got up all right, but not to attack Randy. He chose the course of the better man, or at least the more exhausted one, and just walked away without a word. Hunter was tempted to take off after him to make sure he got to the trainer's room okay, but to save face in front of the others he remained.
"So, uh Randy how ya' been?" Ric asked, breaking up the awkward silence that had fell upon them in the wake of Jeff's sudden departure.
"Just fine Ric." Randy said casting a glance at the WWE title over his shoulder. "So Hunter is the Pre-Event party before Backlash still on? And if I beat you at Backlash, I'm still invited to the Pre- Event party before Judgement Day right?"
"Course, to both questions." Hunter said automatically, Then a wicked smirk crossed his face as he thought of a jibe to hit Randy with in Jeff's place. "But what's all this "if" business ? Actually doubting you can beat me? That's not like you Randy."
Randy shrugged, confident, smug smile still on his face. "Perhaps finally winning the WWE championship has given me some humility."
"I never thought I would ever hear you say that word to talk about yourself, Randy." Batista chuckled.
"Anything is possible isn't it?" Randy shrugged again and winked at the group or specifically Hunter before walking off.
"Well what do you make of that?" Ric rubbed his chin thoughtfully watching Randy go.
"Either he's been hit too many times with a chair and turned over a new leaf, or he's up to something." Batista folded his arms over his chest and smirked. "Knowing Randy it's the latter, He's got something planning behind that smile. Glad I'm on Smackdown."
"That's for sure, I don't want to be on the receiving end of one of Randy's plots, when he sets his mind to it he can be just as clever and brutal as Hunter. Right H? " Ric looked over at his friend and fellow stable mate, but found he was gone.
"Well how about that, Randy is acting weird and Hunter makes himself MIA afterwards," Ric looked back at Batista.
"Now I'm really glad I'm on Smackdown," Batista muttered.
Ric and Batista remained silent for a long moment, before Ric finally spoke. "You sure you want to go through with this thing with Michaels. I appreciate the thought of avenging me, but Dave this is crazy. I knew what I was getting into when I fought him."
Batista frowned. "He should have laid down for you."
"You know Shawn couldn't do that Dave," Ric cut him off. "That would be against everything him and I stood for in that match, and I wouldn't let him if he tried."
"He could have done something, a disqualification or something," Batista said looking down at his fists on the table.
"You know McMahon wouldn't have allowed it to end like that. It was all or nothing and it was a hell of an exit!" Ric said with a grin. "Come on Dave, don't make this unhappy for me, and come on you gotta see how hard this is for Hunter, trying to keep from choosing sides between two guys he views as brothers."
Batista looked back up at him eyes softening a little, but then looked away."You are the closest thing I've had to a father figure, without you I might not be where I am today. And now you're gone. I know you'll be in and out for promos and stuff, but it's not the same."
Ric Flair smiled genuinely touched by Batista's sentiment and reached out to pat his friend on the arm. "Thanks, Dave."
"There's no getting out now, the match is already set. And I've got to get this feeling out of me. Have things over with and settled between me and Shawn one way or another. You know what happens when you let things fester."
Ric frowned but nodded, reluctantly accepting Batista's point. "All right just be careful out there okay? Both you and Shawn."
Meanwhile, Hunter made his way down the hallway toward the trainer's room. He had used Ric and Batista's distraction watching Randy, to slip away in order to check and see if Jeff was all right and find out the verdict of his illness. Why he was making such effort over Jeff's health, going so far as sneaking away from his friends, he could not answer that question fully himself. He justified it as merely repaying Jeff for his above and beyond companionship the other night when his daughter was ill, even though the Rainbow Haired Warrior had said Triple H owed him nothing. Somehow just accepting Jeff's kindness without expected equal reciprocation sounded a little too much like friendship, like something Hunter and Shawn would do for each other. And Triple H was not sure he was ready to accept that he and Jeff were that close just yet
He put the mental debate to the back of his mind when he reached the trainers' room. He spotted Jeff at one end getting his throat swabbed by one of the physicians, Hunter was about to walk in when none other than Jeff's older brother Matt walked into view, offering his little brother some water when the physician was done swabbing.
"We'll send this swab off to the lab for confirmation of strep." The physician explained. "Unfortunately, all of your clinical symptoms are pointing to strep. Strep is highly contagious, with all the close contact in wrestling, it's a little too easy to pass on to the others. Not mention physical exertion in your weakened state could pose a risk to both you and your opponent in the ring. I am afraid, I am going to have to declare you unfit to wrestle."
"Thanks, Doc," Jeff said half sarcastic, half genuine. He was not happy at all at his predicament, but wanted to be congenial to the medical staff, which was always a good idea, for the work they did.
"Shit." Jeff buried his face in his hands. "I'm sorry Matt."
"Drink your water, quit stressing." Matt handed Jeff the cup of water and gave his head a gentle noogie. He put on the best face he could so he could look and sound more confident than he felt. "I'll handle Thing One and Thing Two just fine."
"It's your first night back man..." Jeff shook his head looking unconvinced.
"All the better, little brother!" Matt put an arm around Jeff's shoulder. "Just think how sweet it'll be when I beat 'em first night back!"
Jeff still looked uncertain. "Yeah...But... what if... I should be there to watch your back man,"
Despite the good face he put on Matt could feel a knot in his belly, wishing desperately his brother would be with him in the ring, but he could not show it because it was his job to protect Jeff from worrying about this kinda crap. "It is what it is little brother. Don't worry yourself, they're not gonna get the best of me!"
"Let me put it to you this way Jeff," Matt continued switching tactics. "How well do you think I am going to be able to concentrate out there when I am worried about you wandering around sick backstage, passing out and cracking your stupid little skull on the concrete."
Jeff mulled over the logic a bit and nodded. It was true in his state he might be more of a liability than a help to Matt if anything happened.
"Fuck you and your logic." He grumbled then managed a weak smile.
Matt narrowed eyes in a playful glare and his voice turned a little growly. "Somebody here's asking for a Nuclear Noogie. And don't think a little strep is gonna save you!"
Jeff folded his arms across his chest in mock challenge. "Careful, you might get infected by my, what did the doc call it, my respiratory droplets of doom."
"Mmmm, good there's only so much sick leave I can take..." He gave Jeff a good natured elbow. "Go get some rest, and don't stress yourself into something worse than strep, got it?"
Jeff smiled and nodded. "Better get ready you only got an hour to warm up."
"Yeah yeah." Matt said hopping of the exam table and making for the door.
No sooner had he stepped outside then his eyes fell on Hunter near the door. Despite the temperature control in the stadium working just fine, when the two men made eye contact the temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees, the cold in particular coming off Matt.
"He's not feeling well, let him rest." Matt said cooly, though not harshly.
"I know I sent him over here in the first place." Hunter answered back, his voice defensive but calm.
Matt shrugged as if to say 'whatever' but did his best to keep it borderline civil. Although he just could not resist making a small jab that had been bugging him " And you didn't go with him to make sure he was alright?"
"Randy, Batista and Ric were right there, I couldn't get away." Hunter protested, but had the air that the statement was an obvious thing Matt should have picked up."
Matt's gaze hardened and his jaw twitched slightly, not liking his brother being treated like a dirty secret, but he managed to keep his cool.
"I have to protect his identity you know." Hunter continued growing a little more defensive at the older Hardy's increasingly harsh gaze. "I got away as soon as I could. I'm here now."
"If you wanna see him, see him." Matt said firmly. "Just don't tire him out and make it worse, or I'll open a can of big-brother whoopass on ya."
Hunter snorted, frown deepening. "Tch. I'd like to see you try. You ain't Austin no matter how much of a wanna be you are."
The two men glared icely at each other until Jeff came out of the trainers room. He balked at the sight of his brother and his lover nose to nose, both of them looking as if they might throw a punch at any moment.
"What's goin' on?" Jeff snapped startling the other two, who had not even noticed him come out.
Matt looked over at Jeff and let out a breath before glaring back at Hunter. "Nothing." He said coolly before walking away to find the locker room he had left his stuff in.
"Nothing at all," Hunter grumbled, walking away as well in the opposite direction to rejoin Ric.
Both of them leaving a rather bewildered Jeff standing in the hallway
000
Jeff was trying to sleep though it was a little difficult when one was swallowing knives with every gulp, and your head aching on top of it. He groaned when a loud knock came at the door, he was tempted to ignore it, but in favor of having the knocking over with quick, he got up and staggered groggily over to the door. "Ken! If you forgot your key again I'm kickin' your ass."
However, when Jeff opened the door he found not Ken, but Triple H standing there, a cheshire cat grin on his face. "Go for it Hardy. See where this hot stuff leads."
Jeff rolled his eyes, but smirked back. "Oh man, what are you doin' here? I've been quarantined remember?"
"Oh good, I was hoping this chicken noodle soup and herbal tea wouldn't go to waste." Hunter said grin still on his face.
Jeff blinked looking genuinely surprised. Hunter bringing him goodies to help him feeling better That he had not expected. "You... you brought that for me?"
Hunter held up the soup right under Jeff's nose, where the delicious scent of chicken noodle can filter through: "Yep."
Jeff blinked a few more times still trying process that Hunter is being this nice with no inducement. "Why?"
Hunter shook his head mock tragic voice. "Oh to be so young, and yet so jaded..."
" Been through a lot," Jeff said offhandedly, not entirely joking, then the smirk returned to his face. "But even the most naive would be wary of you."
Hunter's smirk deepened, enjoying the banter immensely. One of the things that kept him ever interested in Jeff. "If I wasn't so proud of that, I might take offense."
Jeff smiled, but a wave of weariness washed over him. "Sorry man, I can't think of a good comeback right now."
Hunter turned serious as Jeff's whole body seemed to slump. "I figured you weren't gonna be in the mood to order up cafeteria crap, and Steph really likes this tea whenever her throat's on fire so..."
Jeff smiled and he took the soup and the tea. "No sense looking a gift King of Kings in the mouth."
Hunter nodded. "Damn straight. And if you don't like it I've got two words for you.
"I don't think so." Jeff waved his finger teasingly. "That's against rule number 2."
Hunter chuckled. "Leave it to you to think up the only genuinely good comeback to that."
Jeff walked back into his room from the doorway and turned back to look at Hunter over his shoulder, a rather inviting smile on his face. "You coming in or heading back?"
"Well I don't have a match tonight, but I gotta go in a little bit to promote Backlash, but I can spare a few minutes." Hunter grinned and followed him in.
"If you got a minute to spare I'll take it." Jeff grinned back before taking a seat on one of the beds. He carefully sipped the tea and cringed a little at the taste, but it did feel good going down. "Oh man what's in this stuff?"
Hunter scratched his head trying to remember. "It's a blend of chamomille, tea leaves, a slice of lemon... some herb stuff. I just remembered the blend Steph gets and got some..."
Jeff took another sip and sighed wearily. "This sucks, Matt's first match back, and I'm not there."
Hunter sighed too. "Yeah, I remember when Steph came back after Aurora was born..."
Jeff combed his fingers through his hair. "I'm just worried somethin' bad is going to
happen." Then he froze an idea popping into his head, However uncertainty filled him as he looked over at Hunter. "Hey Hunter, I wanna cash in a favor."
Hunter tensed a little and looked over at Jeff warily. "Sure..."
"I'm worried Orton or MVP are going to take it into their heads to try to put Matt back out of action. And I'm not there to back him up if something goes down." He closed his eyes and chewed on the nail of his thumb for a moment before letting out a breath, not looking at Hunter. "It would be a great load off my mind if you had Matt's back in case they try any ambushes."
Hunter looked at Jeff as if he had two heads, a deep frown on his face. "You're serious?" He grabbed a fist full of blue and purple hair and gave a sharp tug, forcing Jeff to look at him.. "That's a hell of a favor considering your brother's feelings about our little arrangement..."
"He's still my older brother, Hunter. I have to look out for him like he looks out for me." Jeff looked at Hunter his eyes wide almost pleading. A rare sight on the usually defiant Hardy's face. It was something Hunter had been wanting to see out of the Rainbow Haired Warrior, but now that it was here he was not sure he wanted to see it on Jeff's face after all
Needless to say it startled Hunter a little. Perhaps it was the sickness, allowing Jeff to show that vulnerability in front of Triple H. But that sad and worried look on the Rainbow Haired Warrior's strong face, gave a strong tug at Hunter's heartstrings, at least the ones that still existed, and he could not help but soften a little. How could he say no?
Hunter sighed a let go of Jeff's hair. "Alright, alright. I'll do what I can."
For a moment Jeff outright beamed at him, looking so grateful and relieved, it made Hunter's doubts about granting Jeff this favor and helping Matt in spite of possibly putting his Cerebral Assassin reputation into question, begin to fade away.
Suddenly he felt Jeff's arms around his neck and they were practically nose to nose. Hunter noticed yet again something different in Jeff's grateful eyes, something he had not seen before. A sort of disbelieving joy. Hunter suddenly found himself falling into those emerald eyes again. There was something fragile there too, wavering as if afraid to show it, but wanting to at the same time. Something wanting to be protected
"Thank you."
Hunter suddenly became aware of Jeff pulling away from him. The younger Hardy let out a whoosh of breath as if he had been holding it and sucked in as much as he could.
"I didn't breath on you I promise." Jeff said with a raspy chuckle, and then a wince as chuckling seemed to make his throat hurt even more now. "I held my breath."
"Oh." Hunter said still sort of collecting his thoughts at what he had just seen, then a thought a occurred to him, if Jeff was holding his breath that whole time how had he said "Thank you." Had Hunter just imagined it?
"Thanks again, sorry to put your asshole reputation in jeopardy," Jeff smirked again.
Hunter passed off with a wave of his hand. "Eh I'll just kick a few puppies afterwards. It'll be fine."
Jeff chuckled again despite the pain. "Or kick a few certain people in the head."
Hunter could not help, but snigger at that and patted Jeff on the back. "I'll see if I can't arrange something."
"I think they should give you another title "The World Arrangement Champion"," Jeff gave him a gentle punch on the arm.
Hunter chuckled, and got up. "I'd better get back."
Jeff nodded surprised that he was already missing Hunter's presence. Or perhaps he just did not want to be alone. As Hunter left, he spoke softly. "Hunter... Thanks for... checking on me"
Just as he was about to step out the door, he turned around and for just a second a real, genuine, kind smile flashed across Hunter's face, before he turned and left.
0000
Jeff sat on the edge of his bed watching intently as the final two opponents from the battle royal grappled together. The Belfast Brawler, Finlay and his brother Matt. What made Jeff even more nervous was MVP was sitting ringside as a guest commentator for the match and commenting on who he might be facing at Backlash. It was a little too close for Jeff's liking.
The moment of victory happened when Finlay tried to dump Matt over the top rope, but Matt as he was falling used his weight to pull Finlay over as well. Matt managed to hang on to the ropes and the ring apron to keep his feet off the floor, while Finlay fell to the floor.
Matt pulled himself back into the ring to have his hand raised by the referee and it officially announced that he was the winner and would face MVP at Backlash. Much to MVP's displeasure.
The Ballin' superstar angrily approached the ring although he did not enter it. The attack Jeff had been dreading came not from MVP, but from behind Matt's turned back. Finlay though defeated in the battle royal was by no means down and out, and was looking for a little payback against the man who had taken away his championship shot right from under his nose.
"Shit! Matt behind you!" Jeff yelled at the TV when he saw the Irishman pick up his shileighley and slide back into the ring unbeknownst to Matt.
The younger Hardy cringed and covered his eyes as Finlay struck Matt in the back of his leg with the club, right on the knee that had left Matt out for several months back in 2004.
Jeff peeked through his fingers to watch helplessly as MVP, looking to take out his Backlash opponent early, climbed into the ring to help Finlay continue the beatdown of Matt Hardy.
Hunter... Hunter where are you? You promised! Jeff thought, both worry and anger beginning to fill him.
Unable to bear watching his older brother take another hit, Jeff decided to rush down to the stadium sick or not and help Matt. Even though he knew in his head by the time he got down there the damage would already be done, but his heart kept pounding "DO! SOMETHING! NOW!"
However just as he placed his hand on the doorknob when he heard the D-generation X theme hit. Jeff let out a weary breath of relief and rested his head against the door for moment, listening to the welcome sounds of the familiar music and J.R. and Jerry Lawler's shocked commentary at seeing Triple H appear.
Jeff turned wearily back to the TV, sure enough there was Hunter sporting his DX shirt striding towards the ring sledgehammer in hand. He meant business and the crowd was cheering him on.
Triple H entered the ring. Finlay turned around only to take a sledgehammer to the face. MVP tried to beat a hasty retreat, but was not quick enough as the Cerebral Assassin caught him and pulled him back to deliver a satisfying spinebuster.
By this time Matt Hardy had regained some of his senses after the beatdown and stared at the fallen Finlay and the recovering MVP. His gaze shifted warily to Hunter. The King of Kings glared down at him icily, but Matt glared back at him defiantly, as he used the ropes and turnbuckle to help him stand. Though he knew if Hunter meant to come after him as well, with his body banged up and his head still spinning a bit from the beatdown there was little chance he would get out of the way of the Game's rampage.
However, to Matt's fortune Hunter turned his attention back to MVP when the U.S. champion got to his feet. Unfortunately, the dazed superstar walked right into Hunter's trap and found himself pedigreed right into the floor.
With both MVP and Finlay down for the count Triple H roared and the crowd, though a bit confused at what had just transpired - particularly with Shawn Michaels being conspicuously absent- cheered him on, many crossing their arms above their heads or doing the "crotch chop".
Hunter then grabbed the nearest microphone. "You see that Randy?" He called out pointing to MVP's prone form. "That's going to be you at Backlash!"
With that Hunter threw down the mic and stormed out of the ring, seemingly to the crowd and everyone else around he had forgotten about Matt all together. RAW faded out to a commercial, leaving a decimated Finlay and MVP, one very confused Matt Hardy and a delighted audience.
Meanwhile back at the hotel a satisfied smirk pulled across Jeff's face. Quite clever of Hunter to use the DX moniker for this. Either alone or together with Shawn Michaels DX had the calling card of causing mischief and mayhem no matter what the circumstance, and considering DX had a previous rivalry with Rated-RKO the team of Randy and Edge, it was the perfect cover for granting Jeff's favor of protecting Matt. Although no doubt if Shawn Michaels were watching he would be horribly confused.
However, unbeknownst to the audience, Randy Orton had already left the building. Having finished his match and promotional stuff earlier in the night , "The Legend Killer", was with his former partner in crime Edge in Randy's hotel room relaxing. Randy was watching the remainder of the show on the television.
"What the hell is he doing?" Randy muttered, glaring half angry, half surprised at the TV.
"What?" Edge looked up from texting on his phone.
"He's calling me out in the ring after decking MVP, even though he knows I've already left." Randy answered narrowing his eyes menacingly at the screen.
"What?" Edge repeated looking at the screen even more perplexed.
"What is he up to?" Randy growled.
"What do you mean?" Edge quirked an eyebrow at him. "Isn't he always up to something?"
"Why would he go through the effort of attacking Finley and MVP to call me out when I'm not even there?" Randy snapped.
"Hmm." Edge murmured thoughtfully.
"And running out to save Matt Hardy no less," Randy's glare at the TV intensified. "So he's with the Hardys huh?"
Edge looked back up at the screen warily. The camera was on Matt and judging by the shocked look on his face, Matt most likely knew nothing of this, it was confirmed even more so when Matt glared back at Hunter. But what about Jeff?
Even though he was on Smackdown, Edge could tell Jeff and Hunter had been awfully chummy since Survivor Series and surprisingly even more so since Jeff beat Triple H at Armageddon. For Hunter to be friendly with someone who had beaten him, there had to be something else going on between them.
Or perhaps between the sheets, Edge mused. He'd heard rumors of Hunter's business affairs and knew more detail than he wanted to about Randy's love affair with The Game. Though Hunter had never approached Edge, he guessed it was because he had been married and then dating Lita. He'd heard from Randy that Hunter tended to avoid the complication of "taken" people
It seemed far fetched that Hunter would be interested in Jeff, but it was not out of the realm of possibility. When you were not put off immediately by Jeff's weirdness, he had his own unique allure about him, a mystery you wanted to solve that drew you to him time and time again. That, his sense of humor, and the air of calm usually about him didn't hurt at all.
Being the Ultimate Opportunist, Edge always kept his eyes and ears open to gossip and intrigue and scandal that went on between people backstage. Something juicy could be the perfect foil for him to get ahead or win a match.
However, if the current situation with Jeff and Triple H was what he thought it might be, then he would have to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to it. If it were Matt and Hunter he couldn't care less. In fact with the animosity between himself and Matt and Hunter with DX, having something plummy in his pocket would be helpful. But alas it was Jeff involved in some way... And well... He had his own personal reasons for protecting the Rainbow Haired Warrior. Even though he had done some cruel things to people and even smiled about it, somehow pushing someone over the edge after having pulled them back from it a few years back was not something he wanted on what little conscience he had left.
"It could be just a coincidence," Edge said suddenly, startling Randy a little. "It was probably MVP he was after, since he is a champion even though its a midcard belt. Notice he didn't come out when Finley hit Matt and beat up on him in the first place," The R-rated superstar said simply, casually popping a chip in his mouth. "It was only after MVP got involved that he showed himself. Probably knew you would be watching, and just didn't want to get into an actual fight with you before Backlash."
Edge studied Randy hoping his comrade would take his words to heart and follow that lead instead of the Hardy one. Unfortunately Randy's face had become stoney and unreadable.
"Maybe." Randy said quietly. He steepled his fingers under his nose, his stony expression unchanged, but his eyes narrowed even more menacingly. He looked very much like the Viper people named him for.
000
"What the hell was that?" Shawn Michaels caught up to Hunter after the show. "Why didn't you tell me we were going DX tonight?!"
"Kind of an impromptu thing, and I thought you hand your hands full enough with Batista, he's not going to let go of the fact you retired Ric, until he gets satisfaction in the ring. Even Ric tried to talk to him, but it did no good. Plus you and me teaming up looks like I'm taking your side against him. I can't do that. I can't get involved in anyway, or it'll become even more gruesome." Hunter looked genuinely regretful.
"I know, I know..." Shawn shook his head. Then after a pause looked back at Hunter with a raised eyebrow. "Nice try Hunter, that still doesn't explain why you were out there."
Hunter's jaw clenched, he thought for sure he was going to get out of that by changing tangents. Shawn knew him too well.
"I wanted to send a message to Randy by taking out another champion," Hunter said with a shrug trying to pass it off casually.
Shawn's eyebrows shot up even higher. "Even though he wasn't even in the stadium?"
Damn it he knew... Hunter growled to himself, but tried to keep things nonchalant on the outside, though it was quickly becoming clear Shawn was chipping away at the facade. "Well I figured he'd still be watching on TV in his hotel room or something."
"You went through all that trouble to take on Finley and MVP as one half of DX on only the possibility that Randy might see it." Shawn looked utterly perplexed. "Where's my cool, calculating asshole of a friend?"
"I'm just full of surprises." Hunter flashed him a grin and turned around to leave hoping Shawn in his confusion would let him go and not probe further.
Shawn mulled over the match trying to put the pieces together. Something just didn't add up, why would Hunter risk injury, just before a main event title match with Randy Orton when he didn't have to? What was the missing piece...? Hunter had no quarrel with Finley, MVP was just a pawn to send a message to Randy who wasn't even there, Hunter had no reason to go out and save Matt Hardy...
Wait a minute, he went after both MVP and Finley, but left the easy target of wounded Matt alone? Wouldn't attacking Matt too made an even bigger statement to Randy?
"Hey!" Shawn called out, before running after Hunter. When he finally caught up to his friend, he whispered rather harshly in his ear. "Are you having an affair with Matt hardy?"
Hunter froze at first thinking Shawn had said Jeff, but when his brain recalled it was actually the older brother's name said he relaxed a little. Still the guess hit a little too close. "What?! Are you crazy? Me and Matt Hardy please, Shawn-"
"Look at me in the eye and tell me you're not seeing Matt Hardy. I wanna see if you start twitching on me." Shawn said firmly, like a father to a son who was trying to cover up something he had done wrong.
Hunter groaned, it was true he could never lie directly to Shawn's face without unconsciously giving some physical hint of his deception. However at the same time, he saw there might be a way out of this while still keeping Shawn in the dark about his fling with Jeff.
Since Jeff's spiral out of control and subsequent return Shawn had become a little protective of the Rainbow Haired Warrior. Apparently he saw some of himself in Jeff, years ago when he too had lost control of his life and came back. He did not want to see it happen to Jeff again.
However, Hunter looked Shawn straight in the eye and only told him the truth. " I am not having an affair with Matt Hardy."
Shawn studied him carefully looking for any signs of deception. He found none. The Show Stopper let out a sigh and turned to leave.
Hunter himself let out a breath that he had been holding. He turned around a small grin on his face to walk back to his room when behind him Shawn came to sudden halt and turned around.
"It's Jeff isn't it?!" Shawn said running up and whispering in Hunter's ear like before, still maintaining discretion in the hallway if only for Jeff's sake.
Hunter froze again, but this time the magic word of "Jeff" had passed Shawn's lips for real. Hunter kept his back to Shawn and tried again to pass it off as if it were a crazy idea. "The rainbow nutball? Come on he's-"
"Turn around and answer my question!" Shawn demanded.
Hunter was tempted to just bolt, but that would only confirm Shawn's suspicions. Maybe just maybe he could pass Shawn's twitch test if he just focused. Steeling himself he turned around to face Shawn.
"Are you having an affair with Jeff Hardy?" Shawn said firmly, making sure to add the last name, so there was no confusion about which Jeff he was referring to.
Hunter opened his mouth to say "no", but he could already feel his body trembling, a twitch coming on and about to show itself at any moment.
"Yes." Hunter admitted.
Shawn closed his eyes and let out a breath, clearly wishing that Hunter had not just confirmed his suspicions.
"Is this for some "plan" that you've got cooked up, because if it is-"
"No!" Hunter cut him off. "It's not like that." He assured Shawn, but left it at that as he was uncertain himself of where exactly his feelings lay. After the night Jeff had stayed with him while his daughter was sick, and suddenly feeling automatic worry when Jeff himself had fallen ill and even brought him soup and tea which he had never done before for any of his lovers, it was getting near impossible to call his liaison with Jeff "simply business".
"Then what is it?" Shawn looked at him seriously.
Not wanting to get into discussing his relationship with Jeff fully until he figured it out himself, he compared it to the closest thing he could think of to put Shawn's mind at ease. "Kinda like that thing I had with Cena a few years back. And that came out all right didn't it?"
After a silent moment, too Hunter's relief Shawn nodded. "All right just make sure it stays that way okay?" Shawn smiled at him and patted him on the shoulder. Then Shawn quirked an eyebrow at him seeming to realize all over again that Hunter was having a fling with Jeff. "You and Jeff?"
Hunter shrugged and grinned. "I'm mystified myself."
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Hunter and Shawn are fun to write...