Sorry for the little delay, switched tattoo appointment with my guitarist and somehow that f*** up my whole plans hehehe

And a very very big Thank you to the Reviewers, I love you guys *sends roses*;-)

Disclaimer: They are all mine… NOOOOO, of course not, geez, nothing's mine beside what is, and the wrestlers and the WWE most certainly are not, sooooo, no sueing, I went to law school, everything is ok and I won't have to pay my lawyer, so Vince, if you're up for a fight, put up a ring hehehehhe, I'll Swanton you while breaking my back doing it or so…

Notes:

-- No sex in this one, sorry hehehe

-- I had to rewrite the whole Matt being there part since I didn't check for who was where before, but now that I'm working on the last details it figured he'd be there, so he is lol, Shawn wasn't and is too, just because I wanted it that way

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Chapter 03

Smackdown

(September 12th 2008, Milwaukee)

Jeff arrived at the arena with his brother, still a little down from last Sunday, he had spend a few days in Milwaukee since his brother was there with the ECW too, recovering both mentally and physically but that hadn't been enough as it seemed, the first person making it over to him was Paul "Hi there Jeff, listen…", seeing the way Hunter looked at him, Matt left his brother alone, mumbling that he'd wait inside, Jeff faking a smile towards Hunter "Hey Paul, yeah what?", he seriously wasn't ready for another discussion round on their last encounter, but little did he know HHH had another game in mind, something that had bugged up to the point where he had requested a match in order to determine who would face him at the next PPV, he was ready to give Jeff another shot, but the kid would have to do something to obtain it "I've been doing a little thinking, last week was really a match decided by luck, so I'm giving each one of you a chance at facing me at No Mercy", the words were processing very slowly with Jeff, until his eyes sparkled a little and Hunter knew he had gotten through to him "It's up to you now, you want another shot, you go for the win tonight" he turned before adding "See you later Jeff" and left him standing there alone with his thoughts…

It took Jeff a couple of minutes to process really what Hunter just had said, but when realization dawned he beamed and rushed inside too nearly tripping over Matt who had seen Hunter enter and was wondering where his brother was and had been opening the door the moment Jeff entered "Watch it bro", "Sorry", seeing his younger sibling grin he cocked his head "What did the man say that made your day like that?", "Fatal-four for another shot", "See, I told you, he was impressed", "Yeah, but it will be all four of us again you know, so maybe it was someone else that impressed him", "Bull bro, it was you, and now you know what you have to do", Jeff put his things in the lockerroom he had to share and was off again, looking for Mark to tell him, he found him sitting in the catering area with Hunter which didn't please him, but still, he got down next to Mark, and trying his best to ignore Hunter put his head on Mark's shoulder whispering "He's giving me another shot", Mark stroke his hair, glaring at Hunter to stay quiet for just once and whispered back "I know, and now you know what you have to do", "Kill them all", Jeff got back up, not feeling at ease with Hunter's eyes on him and after a tender hug to Mark headed off again…

Jeff spend the day preparing, mostly by staying in dark and quiet corners, on that he could face Kane and tie, his mind on tonight and on his last chance on the gold, the prestige, finally showing everybody that he was ready, he didn't run into Hunter to his own big surprise, until he saw him as the show had started, walking to the ring, all proud and cocky, fueling up Jeff's anger again as he started parading in the ring starting his little speech, he marked a little pause, after a while letting the people react and thinking on how to phrase his next sentences "You see, they said I had a 80% chance that I would lose the WWE championship in that match, maybe for those other guys but not for me, I'm the Game, and if you see my name on the card bet on it because it is a sure thing… That championship scramble match was one of the most difficult matches that I have ever been in in my entire life, but yet as always I found a way… with… with just one tiny little second, just one little second I was able to pre…", and then Jeff had had enough, he had been standing fidgeting backstage thinking his next actions over, but enough was enough so had his entrance song started and made his way to the ring, mind made up on stopping HHH and his runt about his perfection, knowing Hunter hated nothing more than interruptions…

Hunter followed Jeff pretty annoyed as he made his way to the ring, carrying a microphone too and making his little entrance, Hunter's mind racing, he hadn't thought about one of his possible opponents to get this cocky and make it to the ring for a little one-on-one, and knowing Jeff this was going to get ugly pretty soon, his defiance had gone increasing and reached a new level, and this was sure to be just his next provocation, but he had to give him one thing, he had balls, and so Hunter patiently waited for Jeff to finish arriving, a little smirk on his face as he saw him get on the turnbuckle, Hunter nodded as Jeff turned to face him, his voice was dripping with sarcasm as he started adressing mainly the audience "Congratulations HHH… Is he not the man?", Jeff let them go crazy, Hunter just shrugging his shoulders, a smirk on his face, but Jeff wasn't there to play nice, he wanted Hunter to know he was after him and that was something the other man knew "I mean you beat me fair and square in that scramble match, I did everything I could to win and yet you still won, you're still the champ", Hunter looked at him, hiding his emotions, yeah he could perfectly understand the younger man's frustration, if the roles were reversed he'd be resentful too, and he seriously was admirative of his performance lately, so he just stared at Jeff, letting him continue, hoping he wasn't mistaken in Jeff's abilities and new won maturity, "You truly are the King of Kings, I mean you're awesome, everybody here, everybody in that lockerroom they look up to you and they respect you, and you know what, Game, so do I…", and to push it further Jeff started applauding him before continuing to spit his disguised venom "And in this WWE universe, man you're like a legend, you're like a God, you've got strength, you've got talent, you've got power, man you've got it all"

Hunter had seen exactly this coming his way, Jeff was mocking him and thinking he could get away with it, well he was ready to give him a rude awakening, even if he had to concede Jeff a lot of courage to come and pull this stunt on someone like himself, well maybe Jeff was ready to play with the big guys after all, and entering his little game ready to tease Jeff to the point where he'd come to the ring tonight and devour his opponents and finally reveal his greatness, he knew he had to strike him where it'd hurt most, but for now he was still too amused to pull it off, so his face expressing his own mockery perfectly he used Jeff's momentarly silence to cut him off and finally hear his own voice a little "Ok hot shot, ok, alright Jeff, well I appreciate you… you coming out here and giving me all of your heartfelt praise, I really do appreciate that, let me reciprocate Jeff, and let me tell you, how much I respect you", "I do, I respect you, I admire you… I… I admire your passion for this business, I admire your desire, I respect the fact that each and every night you go to the ring and you put your body on the line like no other superstar in the history of this business has done", they both continued their little games, Hunter adding "I respect the fact that you're an individual, that you dance to the beat of your own drum and you don't care what anybody thinks about it…"

Jeff nodded as Hunter was making a little pause before he picked up where he had left off, his voice teasing, even if he had to admit that right now he wasn't lying, he seriously respected Jeff for some of his achievements, but that couldn't transpire now could it "…And more importantly than anything else, I respect the fact that night after night, no matter what, you come down here and you reach…", Hunter had gotten closer and was pointing up, Jeff for the sakes of the taunt that would come next rose his eyes to the pointed at direction, keeping back a chuckle as Hunter continued "…You reach up for that brass ring Jeff, you reach right there to try to grab that brass ring… But you're just always one second away", Jeff's head dropped, he had been ready for that one, but didn't think Hunter would make it that funny, well from HHH's point of view it had certainly to be extremely funny, it was Jeff who had his problems with what had happened, he looked at Hunter not able to show how pissed he was since his amusement had taken over…

Backstage, Mark was burying his face in his hands, shaking his head and hoping the whole little drama would unfold without casualties, he had only seen Jeff getting agitated and asking for a mic and his music and had not given any thought to it before now, but knowing Hunter he knew how this would end…

Now as much as Jeff was pissed that Hunter was responding by the same defiant and ironic undertone, his last words still made him chuckle, Paul just couldn't let that one slip now could he, he had to use everything he could in order to dephase him as he added amused "It's kinda the story of your life, isn't it Jeff", a pure provocation meant to hurt and it did, but Jeff was good at covering up his feelings lately, and thinking about the right retaliation as he turned for a brief moment away from Hunter, he decided to play the same game and to go were it would hurt "You know what HHH…", he looked down, pondering his next words carefully "…Maybe you're right, maybe I'm always one step away, or maybe I just never had the right people to push me along… Maybe, maybe I never had the Kliq… Maybe I never had DX…", Hunter was smiling more than amused, the next one and Jeff moving straight up to him was sure to wipe it off his face "Or maybe I just didn't have the family…", Jeff had gotten closer to Hunter, seriously pissed now and getting more in his face, he added just as dryly and full of rage "Because if I did, I might just have what you have", Jeff had emphasized his point by poking Hunter, and Hunter came to the realization that this was well underway to escalate anytime soon, even if he could see why Jeff was reacting this way, pure jealousy mixed with frustration and anger, it was excusable but not tolerable and he wouldn't be the one to shut his mouth, no, he'd have the last word on this, he was the Game, and the little puppy should start quickly learning his place "Maybe that's true, maybe you would have that…"

And Hunter knew very clearly how to get to him, if Jeff was this upset and perturbated he would have an easy game getting him ready for his later match, but he'd suffer, Hunter would make sure of that, pissed or not, gutsy or not he had crossed a line, hell, since making it to the ring tonight he had crossed at least a dozen "Although", Hunter paused again, turning it right in his mind and glad Jeff was stepping closer to him "…have you forgotten", Jeff cocked his head, wondering what would come now "…about your, your brother Matt", Jeff was on the verge of just punching him down before he could start attacking his brother, but still curiousity won over and he let him continue "…you know, you remember your brother Matt right, you were in a tagteam with him, matter of fact it's, it's when you had the most success you ever had in your career, hell, your entire life…", Jeff just was hoping Hunter would come to make his point fast but Hunter just got started "As a matter of fact, a lot of people thought you were the better one of that team", Jeff smirked, what the hell was Hunter trying to tell him here, but he would soon find out as Hunter pushed the knife deeper "…but yet Matt, Matt today is a champion", Jeff sighed annoyed, leaning a little forward as Hunter was continuing his little monologue "You know, the thing is, it wasn't that you were better then, you weren't a better wrestler, you weren't more talented then"

Matt was staring at the screen, glad he had Shawn sitting next to him who squeezed his shoulder and whispered calming words "Why is he doing that to him?", "It's Game-time Matt", "Yeah ok, they can tease each other, but that…", "Yeah, they really go at it" and Shawn was really hoping it would't end the way he already sensed it would…

He moved in for the second "low" blow "The fact is, you had your brother Matt", Jeff's eyes flickered, he didn't take stuff about his brother easily and sure as hell wouldn't let Hunter start now, but Hunter's nudge was directed at him "…you had your brother Matt to keep you on the straight narrow, you had your brother Matt to keep you focused, because the fact is since you've been away from him, you haven't been able to focus on business long enough to keep your extra-curricular activities from preventing you from getting what you want most in life…", that had been like a slap to Jeff's face, his eyes crossed Hunter's and he could read the reason why the Game was throwing these things at him, he still was pissed for his last suspension, and ever since Jeff had come back he had made him feel just that, the Taker on the other hand becoming his mentor, anyways, Paul had never said he wasn't an impulsive and sensitive person and it really had been like a stab to the heart when the younger Hardy had performed his second screw-up, even if Hunter was starting to regain some trust in him and had to admire his comeback and his resilience…

He continued since he wasn't there to patt his back, on the contrary, and moving back he was searching for the right way to express himself "Now… Now…", well going with the truth might help was his last resolve "That might sound harsh, maybe it is, maybe it isn't I don't know", hell, he really didn't know, all he wanted Jeff to do if he thought about it was to excell, to finally raise above himself and his issues, and he suddenly didn't want to leave him on his attacks "…But here's the thing Jeff, I don't want to get into some bitter argument with you, some bitter war of words, it doesn't do you any good and it doesn't do me any good, the fact is, whether you believe it or not, the honest to god truth is, I do respect you, I respect everything you've done in this business…", and that was true, not everything but many things anyways, and Hunter concluded on one last taunt, seeing that he had the kid dead serious and pondering "And tonight Jeff, tonight you have a Fatal-Four-Way-Match, the winner becomes number one contender and goes to No Mercy to challenge for the Wwe championship… One more shot at the brass ring, I hope you win Jeff", Jeff snapped, moving closer "I will win", "I hope that you do, I hope, I hope that tonight you prove me wrong", Hunter had said all he wanted, but stepping around Jeff he stopped and thought about giving Jeff some more musing to do, he had been betrayed by his childish rockstar attitude after all the pushes and all the help he had given him, and if Jeff wanted to prove him wrong, he'd have to surpass himself, and HHH secretly hoped he'd do just that as he leaned towards him "Because no matter what happens tonight, I can pretty much guarantee when you get to No Mercy, you'll prove me right", it was a lie, but after all the years he'd been in this business Hunter managed to even lie to himself sometimes, so it hadn't been that difficult…

Hunter made his way backstage, his first thing as he was out of the ring was exhaling deeply, man this had been rough and deep and evil, and feeling very awkward, he hadn't wanted to lash out at him like that, reminding him of his mistakes and all, bringing Matt into the picture, but Jeff had asked for it in his eyes, he wasn't going to let someone diss him publicly and not retaliate, if the kid wanted to throw lines at him he'd better get ready for him to respond, it took Jeff some time and some inhaling before he was able to look at the leaving man, wondering if he really had screwed up so big that he would forever go rubbing it in his face, Hunter's words had cut him deeply, but he wasn't about to show it, he didn't missed Hunter stopping and turning to take one last gaze at him and quickly turned his head, not sure he could stand to look him in the eye after this, but his pride took over, losing stare-downs wouldn't get him where he wanted to be, and his eyes locked with Paul's who hoped Jeff had gotten the message right…

When Jeff got back to his lockerroom he saw his brothers frown, he knew he'd be upset, and also that the questioning wouldn't magically stop, there was only one thing to do, he sat down, tormented and lost and answered, not even looking at him "Yeah I'm alright… Nothing happened", "Yeah right, I'm not deaf Jeff, I heard your little chitchat and I saw the look on your face, so please talk to me", Jeff sighed knowing his brother wouldn't let it go anyways, so he started with the demanded information "I feel pissed ok, I feel frustrated, hurt and I'm going to have myself a carnage tonight", seeing the hate in his brother's eyes he chuckled amused "Don't underestimate the others, they're all ready to do just the same", "Thank you for your wise information, but I knew that bro, I'll be alright", Matt snickered "You better be, I'm not coming to drag your ass out of the ring if they kick you down", Jeff playfully kicked his brother and smashed him with a shirt "You're an ass and I need to get ready", "It's still the ladies Jeff", "I want to take a little walk, and whining like a wuss to my older brother, the one with the title you know, the champion, will only confirm Hunter's perception of me"

Hunter's perception right at that moment was pretty fuzzy, he was sitting in his lockerroom and Shawn's glare and silence just added to his somewhat bad conscience, he knew he had really lashed out, but he couldn't get himself to say it out loud because Jeff had pushed him that far, in his eyes the kid just had snapped and thought he could play it like the big guys and got more than he could handle, on the other hand he was sure he had unleashed something that would only benefit the younger Hardy, he got interrupted by Shawn coughing "You gonna say something or daydream for the rest of the night", there was no reason not to discuss his issue with his friend, who patiently waited for Hunter to start "I was thinking about what just happened Shawn", Shawn was never one to keep his opinion to himself, and clearly not when it came to Hunter, and especially on the matter of Jeff who he really liked "I guessed that much you know, and let me say, even if Jeff came out there to provoke you, sorry to say but you forgot yourself", Hunter inhaled deeply and sighed "He started with Steph Shawn, how more personal could he get?", "He's hurt about his defeat last week, Hunter, you took what he so dearly wants away, right when he had it", "And that's a reason to bring her up?", "No, it ain't, but at least it explains it"

The fact Jeff always managed to overreact amused Matt, and the fact Jeff didn't realize what Hunter was doing "You're aware he still cares for you Jeff and that he wanted to get you to give your best later", Jeff sighed "I was kinda hoping that, but I'm not so sure anymore, he just hates me I think", "No he doesn't Jeff, he's still in the process of digesting your suspension… And quite frankly, he's not the only one, he's just reacting differently", "Oh great, you're one of those too", "NO, dammit Jeff, I know you've changed, but that's not the case of everybody, so give him time", "No, I'll give him hell and I'll take his title", "Well, I rather see you ready to strike then whine, good attitude bro"

As Jeff was making his way to the catering area and got down, earplugs on and the volume at the maximum, Hunter had just found Shelton, he couldn't let the opportunity pass and play the asshole and troublemaker, it was just too enticing, he just wasn't sure at the end of their little discussion if he had gotten Shelton right, he had tried to act all dangerous and cocky, well Hunter certainly hoped he would be up for a rude awakening tonight as he was looking for his next prey, hoping his little game would work out the way he had planned it…

Hunter's attention fell on Brian Kendrick, and man was it a blast to fool that guy and to provoke him into going to the ring completely in rage and not getting any shit done right, the Game loved himself and his games, now if Shelton hadn't reacted the way he had hoped, Brian had just taken the bait and he was secretly pissed he couldn't snatch a picture of the guys face before he left…

MVP was his last victim, he found him in the hallway on his way to the ring, and with him too Hunter had a way too easy game, now everything was ready and he could go and enjoy the match, a smiled flickered over his lips as MVP was gone and he took a sip of his coffee, making it to his locker to watch the match…

The match was pure carnage, each of the four men ready to give everything to win, Jeff saw Brian go for the pin and a crazy idea came to his mind, but before he would do it he had something else to do, he threw his whole body at Ezekiel, this time the guy wouldn't get a chance at attacking him from behind, Mark whistled and high-fived Matt who sighed deeply "Yeah, you managed a lot with Jeff, he actually listens to you as it seems", "Well, I'm glad he thought about watching his back", Shawn interfered "That was more clearing his back than watching though, Ezekiel's down", Matt paled a little "He's not going to do what I think he's going to do, right guys, don't tell me he really will…", the older brother couldn't finish his sentence, Jeff was on the turnbuckle and did just what Matt had feared, he performed his Swanton onto Brian and Shelton, landing perfectly well on top of them and immediately went for the pin on the man who was closest to him, counting along in his head and feeling a huge burden taken from his shoulders, he had done it, he could try again to get the title, but for now he was only hurting, the match having been a real carnage and his body hurting on more than one spot but proud that he had won, and he wanted to celebrate a little, unfortunately an entrance song started and watching Kozlov come to the ring he knew he was in deep shit…

They could only watch, perhaps Hunter could have intervened but even if Shawn was looking around he couldn't see him for the moment, Mark was keeping Matt down "He has to go through that alone", "He's killing him", it pissed Mark off but it was what happened when one was trying to get a title, there were ennemies waiting everywhere and this one was one huge one, Hunter laughed as he arrived ready for his match and stopped behind them "He won?", "Yes, and then Kozlov went in for the kill", "Ha, I knew it", Matt turned his head "What?", "Well, that your brother doesn't stand a chance against the really big guys, 'cause that's the way he'll end against me too Matt, battered, bruised and defeated"

It hurt, it just hurt, and quite frankly even if he wanted to get up and kill the bastard he just couldn't, his body was in stand-by modus trying to recuperate from that blow and subsequent smash to the mat and his brain was trying to figure out what really had happened, he had won and then that stupid idiot had shown up and nuked him literally down, some officials came to help him up and back, Jeff forcing himself to push them away and do it on his own which made Mark who had a match together with Hunter frown as he saw him stagger backstage "Kid… Get checked", "I'm ok, just got my ego bruised", "Jeff…", Hunter snarled, pulling Mark closer "We have a match Mark, please, you can take care of your favourite problem later", "Relax Paul…", Mark turned to Jeff, then made a sign to Shawn to come and take care of the so-called "problem" for him as he heard his entrance song play, Jeff mumbling "Destroy them guys" as Shawn put an arm around him and helped him to his lockerroom "You're sure you don't want to get checked Jeff", "Positive, I wanna find that Russian asshole and punch him 'till he bleeds Vodka", Shawn burst out laughing, ruffling through Jeff's hair "Oh my, yeah, that would be a blast, his weight in shots… Seriously, that would be a great night out", "I win and that fucker comes and destroys it, I could kill him", "Yeah, he's a real idiot, don't like him either, but he's vicious and big", "And an asshole", "And that too", Jeff was undressing to hopp under the shower, limping a little but hurrying to watch the rest of the match, he came out after less than five minutes, Shawn sprawled on the bench waiting for him…

After the match, Hunter was waiting for Shawn and sighed when he saw Jeff clinging to his friend, Mark and Matt behind them and Jeff beaming at him "I won", "Don't get cocky, you saw what Kozlov did to you, you're not Champ-material kid, sorry", Matt jumped and put his arms around Jeff's waist keeping him back since his brother was screaming nice things at Hunter, raging and trying to punch him, Shawn sighed and slapped his head "Hunt please", "What, he's a Hobbit compared to us", Mark laughed amused "A Hobbit, now I've heard everything…", Hunter continued seemingly unfuzzed by Jeff's anger "Well, put him next to me, you'll see what I mean", Jeff screamed "Yeah, next to you, I'll show you you stupid fucker", "Hey, don't get rude Jeff", "I won, I fucking won, and you have the audacity to tell me I'm not worth being a champion", Hunter glared back amused, grinning "Yes, that's exactly what I'm telling you Frodo, so enjoy your healthy state, because after I passed over you, you'll be out boy, out", Mark pushed Jeff and Matt back and pulled Paul aside "What is up with you?", "What? Typical before championship match teasings, nothing more", "You saw he was already agitated, why push him", "'Cause it's fun Mark, he's really adorable when he tries to glare and bark like one of us", "You're one sick bastard for calling him a Hobbit", Hunter eyes had an amused twinkle in them "Funny ha?", "Yeah, but please try to leave him alone for the rest of the evening ok", "I'll try Deadman, I'll try"

They made it to the hotel, Jeff still raging and explaining vividly to Mark and Matt what he'd do with Hunter the moment they'd arrive, and as he got out of the car he saw Hunter smirk and wave teasingly and that made it, he forgot his aching leg and ran towards him, Shawn stepping in between the two men "Stop it both… NOW", Jeff was slapping Hunter as much as he could with Shawn blocking him "I so hate you", "Very mature kid", "Fuck you", "And rude too", "I will take your title and shove it up your ass you asshole", "Very rude, Shawn, can you make him stop please, before I'll drag his ass to bed and tuck him in like the baby he is", Mark stood there and watched the scene annoyed, well annoyed and amused, but it wasn't him who intervened, Shawn pushed Jeff back and slapped them both "You're both babies" and he took his back and left, hoping they wouldn't kill each other, and they didn't, they both stared at the Heartbreak Kid and started raging against him, which Shawn quoted with a middle finger and a teasingly blowed kiss "Move it guys, we can continue at the bar"

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Hope you'll like it, even without the smut hehehe, I know I could have continued a little, but the night at the bar will be as a flashback in the next chapter ;-)

There was a intruiging Kane/Jeff proposition that made me think, hmmmmm, so yeah, it will come, the second those two will be at a venue together (and both of the next weeks shows (in september) are in Tennessee hehehe, well well well, interesting), I already see those two together, oh my, I'm a real pervert hehehe (but I'm not the only one since I didn't come up with the idea hehehehe), Big Red Machine and Rainbow, humm, does that make a Rainbow Machine or does the Red cover the Rainbow and change it's colors… Hummmmmm

Not too mention Undertaker/Shannon Moore, humm, well, gave me an idea too hehe, especially since I read a fic where Shannon somehow broke Mark's heart :-)