Dark Saviour

Chapter 17 - Good Choice

….

Jeff P.O.V.

Why did I run? Why did I have to run? It seemed like such a good idea at the time, but now . . . now I'm not so sure. I can't believe that Matt would say something like that about Mark! Let alone think something like that about him! Mark's been nothing but a good friend to me and in one single moment, Matt nearly destroys that. Why would he do that to me? I finally find someone I can call a friend on my own and . . . and he acts like there's more.

What the fuck is wrong with me? Why do I keep flying off the handle like that? Matt had every right to act like he did. I mean, if our roles were reversed wouldn't I be thinking the same thing? Wouldn't I be wondering about all the rumours? Why did I just have to blurt out that little fact about Jericho?

Damn it all!

….

After the heated exchange with Matt, Jeff had just run. He didn't know where he was or where he was going. All he did know was that he had to get away from there: get away from the yelling and the accusing eyes. He ran for what seemed like hours, not caring that people stared at him strangely.

They can stare all they want. They can mutter all they want. I can take their accusations, but not his. Never his.

Jeff finally came to a stop in a park, bending over in exhaustion. He moved over to an empty bench before he passed out from overexertion. Jeff sat there, his eyes closed, letting the little black dots disappear from his vision. He panted heavily, trying to get his breathing back under control. He watched as the sun began to set behind the trees, casting an eerie glow over them as the shadows grew in length. Jeff knew that he should head back to the hotel, but he was afraid that Matt would be there, waiting for him and he just couldn't go through another exchange like that. He didn't have the strength anymore.

Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes against the fading light. He knew he should call Mark and let him know that he was okay, that he hadn't run away from him, but something continued to stop him every time he got close to getting up the courage to call. He closed his eyes even tighter; trying to hold back the turmoil he felt growing inside him. His life was in shatters and his emotions were starting to get the better of him.

Tomorrow. I'll talk to him tomorrow. I can't let Mark see me like this. He can't see that I'm nothing but a weak, pathetic crybaby: a kid. Until then I'll just find a cheap hotel to stay at. I need to get myself under control. I need to be able to face Matt if he's still there.

Jeff opened his eyes, looking up at the sky as the first stars began to appear. What the hell am I doing? What was I thinking? Damn it! I need him. I can't do this without him. I can't lose him like this.

….

Matt walked into the hotel room that Jeff shared with Undertaker, mentally beating himself up over what transpired that afternoon. Undertaker followed him wordlessly, closing the door behind him. Matt paced frantically around the room, barely noticing that Taker had taken up a spot in a chair near the large window. He was too busy mentally kicking himself for yelling at Jeff like that.

Rey told me to be careful. He told me that if I was too hard on him that I could end up doing more damage then anything else. He told me that I could end up pushing him further away. Damn it! What the hell did I do? Matt's mind yelled at him.

Sitting down on the bed, Matt put his head in his hands, his frustration and sadness getting the better of him. They had fought many times before, but never like this. Even when they had that big fight a couple years ago, it wasn't anywhere close to this. He had never seen that kind of sadness, turmoil and horror in his brother's eyes before. Even with all the emotions that had been swirling in his brother's eyes, Matt had still been able to see some love.

If only I knew who that love was for, Matt thought, glancing over at Undertaker. The Deadman was still sitting silently in the chair, a vacant expression on his face. No doubt his thoughts are millions of miles away too.

Matt turned to face Taker straight on. "Listen, Mark. I'm sorry about earlier."

"Hmm," Taker said, his thoughts being dragged back to the present. "What was that?"

"I said I'm sorry for how I acted today," Matt replied.

"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to," Taker answered, his face blank.

"That's where you're wrong. You're one of the people I should apologize to. The others are your friends and . . . and Jeff," Matt said, turning away sadly when he mentioned his brother.

"You were worried about him," Taker shrugged.

"But that still doesn't excuse what I did," Matt shook his head. "Some big brother I've turned out to be?"

"Is it a habit of the Hardy's to beat themselves up over little things?"

"What are you talking about?" Matt asked, confused.

"Jeff beats himself up over things out of his control and now you are beating yourself up over this. I was just wondering if all Hardy's did that or just you two," Taker replied.

"What would Jeff have to beat himself up about?"

Taker shook his head. "I can't really say."

"Not you too," Matt said with a hint of disgust in his voice.

"I take it others have said the same thing to you before?" Taker asked, his brow rose in interest.

"Well, first I basically get that answer from Jeff when he called me the other day. Then John says that to me and now you," Matt raised his hands in defeat. "Nobody will tell me anything."

"John? As in, Cena?"

Matt nodded.

Taker leaned back, his hand resting on his chin. "Why were you talking to Cena?"

"I happened to run into him at the arena."

"Arena?"

"Yeah. Apparently I had only just missed you and Jeff at the arena before you left to come here. He said you guys had left only a couple hours earlier."

"Why would he say that?" Taker muttered. "How would he know that?"

Matt shrugged. "I have no idea. But he said that you two had left and vaguely told me that there are rumors floating around about you two."

Taker shook his head. "I swear those guys are worse then the Diva's when it comes to gossip."

"He told me that if the rumors were true, that you guys would have probably headed to your place."

"Why?"

Matt didn't seem to hear the question as he continued to speak. "And then Dave confirmed that you two had left together and well, I guess I was scared. I knew something was wrong with Jeff and I panicked."

"You thought I was the cause of it," Taker stated simply.

Matt nodded. "Yeah. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I get that a lot. That's the problem with being the Deadman."

Matt shook his head. "Yeah, but I should have listened to Rey when he said you wouldn't do anything to hurt Jeff. You respect him too much to treat him like trash," he sighed. "Unlike me it seems."

"Like I said earlier, you were just worried. It's not your fault."

"Yes it is," Matt interrupted. "It's my fault that Jeff ran away. It's my fault that Jeff . . ." he stopped.

"That he what?"

"That I left him all alone and defenseless."

"Now you're just selling him short. Jeff is not defenseless," Taker said, looking directly at Matt. "He's one of the strongest people on the roster. He's got the best defense possible."

"How do you figure?"

"After everything he's been through up to this point in his life, he's managed to survive. That tells me that he's got one hell of a defense."

Matt nodded. "You're right. I have got to stop thinking of him as my little brother."

"No, you don't. He's still your little brother, but he's not a child," Taker said.

Matt shook his head. "I've messed up royally, haven't I?"

"I highly doubt that."

"How can you say that?" Matt asked.

"I'd rather believe that this is just a little bump in the road."

"Oh?" Matt replied, looking up at Undertaker.

Taker sighed. "Don't worry. He'll be back."

"Really?"

"Really. He won't stay away forever."

"How can you be so positive?"

"Surprising huh?" Taker smiled. "In the time I've known your brother I have learned some things about him. He's true to his nickname. Jeff is a warrior and I know he will come back, maybe not eagerly, but he will come back to finish this."

"Maybe."

"He will be back," Taker repeated. "He's upset, maybe even a little scared to face you again, but he knows he will have to talk to you about this at some point."

"And that's all he needs right now. Another confrontation with me."

"Just relax a bit. Be patient with him. There are things going on that he doesn't want anyone to know about. Don't force him to talk if he isn't ready."

"I'll try not to."

Taker nodded. "If you try to remain calm and level-headed, then there shouldn't be the same type of confrontation," he paused. "I may not know what started it all, but I at least know that much."

Matt nodded, smiling slightly. "Thanks, Mark."

Taker nodded. "I will say, however, that you shouldn't panic if he doesn't show up tonight."

"What? Why?"

"He won't want to face you any sooner then he has to. I'm sure he'll find a hotel to stay at for the night and come back tomorrow, after he's had a chance to calm down."

Matt nodded. "You're right," he yawned. "Guess I should find myself one too."

"You can stay here tonight if you want," Taker offered. "Take Jeff's bed. That way when he shows up, you'll be here to talk to him."

Matt smiled. "Thanks. I really appreciate it." When Matt didn't get a response, he nodded and got up. "I'm just going to get cleaned up a bit and then I'm going to head to bed." Taker merely nodded, watching as Matt headed into the bathroom.

Once the door was closed, Matt dug out his cell from his pocket, flipped it open and dialed a number. After two rings, the phone was picked up.

"Hello?"

"Rey, it's Matt. I think I just made the biggest mistake of my life and I need your help to figure out how to fix this . . ."

….

Undertaker sat for a few seconds trying to figure out what to do next. It had never occurred to him that by helping one brother, he would gain the mistrust of the other.

Maybe I should have just stayed out of it. Kept my door closed. I don't need to be stuck in the middle of this.

Even as the thought entered his mind, he dismissed it quickly. Undertaker knew that he would never have been able to turn Jeff away from his door that night. Sighing, he reached over for his phone. He quickly skimmed over his phone book, eventually coming to a stop on Jeff's number. Undertaker hesitated, his finger hovering over the call button. He didn't know how angry Jeff was, or where that anger was directed. Finally, his decision made, he hit the call button. The phone was picked up on the fourth ring.

"Mark, my man. What can I do for you?"

Taker's brow furrowed, confused. "What the hell are you doing there?"

"Whatever are you talking about?"

"Where's Jeff, Cena?"

"Jeff?" Cena paused, calculating. "Why, he's right here."

"Bullshit."

"Now, now, don't be so mean. It's not my fault that he ran from you."

"What are you talking about?" Taker growled.

"He told me everything. How you're always mean to him? How you've been the one who has been beating him?"

"What lies are you trying to spread?"

"I'm not spreading any lies. I'm just telling you what Jeff has told me as I held him close, comforting him, soothing him. You really did a number on him this time, Mark. I've never seen Jeff cry like that before."

Taker could feel his anger grow, his heart tearing slightly at the thought of Jeff crying because of him. What the hell is happening to me?

"If you so much as touch him . . ." Undertaker warned, letting the open threat hang there.

"You'll what? Hurt me like you hurt him? I've seen his bruises, Mark. Vince is going to have your head for this."

"You're the one who's been hurting him, haven't you?"

"I haven't touched him," Cena replied. "And I just got a better idea. I won't tell Vince what you've been doing to Jeff. I'll leave that decision up to Matt."

"You fucking bastard," Taker growled, letting his anger get the better of him.

"Tsk, tsk. Is that anyway to talk to someone who can ruin your career and reputation?"

Taker paused, Cena's words ringing in his ear. The man was telling the truth. He could destroy Undertaker's career and reputation if he managed to make the other Superstars believe that he was the one torturing, bullying and basically destroying Jeff's mental state. He wouldn't stand a chance. He'd be finished. On the other hand, if the other Superstars learned that he was concerned for the young man, he was done anyway. However, for some reason, he didn't care if they found out that he cared for Jeff.

"Spread your lies, you bastard. I've dealt with worse then you."

"When I'm finished with you, you won't think so. You'll be begging me for mercy."

"I don't beg."

"You will be by the time I'm through with you. Oh, and Jeff says hi," Cena said before hanging up.

Taker took the phone away from his ear, his anger coursing through him. He highly doubted that Jeff was with Cena.If that was the case, then Undertaker's suspicions were confirmed. At some point Cena had managed to switch phones with Jeff.

If he's telling the truth . . . Undertaker really didn't want to think what that would mean. He had never wanted to hurt the kid; he had only wanted to help him. If he had caused Jeff to run to the one person who could do him the most harm, the one who could destroy both of them?

I don't think I could bare it if I was responsible for that.

Taker closed his eyes against the thoughts and emotions that swam through him. He held his phone against his lips, trying to sort through everything that had happened to date. Cena knew about the bruises, which meant that he had either caused them, or that Jeff was really there with him. No one but himself, Shannon and possibly Jericho knew about those bruises. Jeff kept them too well hidden from everyone else.

"Jeff wouldn't have gone to him. He just wouldn't?" Taker muttered.

"He wouldn't go where?"

Taker turned to see Matt staring at him strangely. Undertaker bit the inside of his cheek, not wanting to, nor knowing how to, answer that question.

"Jeff wouldn't have gone where, Mark?"

"Nothing, just thinking out loud."

"No, you weren't. You know something."

"I know nothing," Taker replied. At least nothing concrete, there are too many variables.

"Bull. Come on, Mark. What do you know about Jeff?"

"Like I said, I know nothing. I'm only thinking."

"Your eyes say differently."

Undertaker turned, closing his eyes. He tried to get himself under control, but it didn't seem to be working this time.

"You care about him too, don't you?" Matt said softly, stepping in front of the Deadman.

Undertaker opened his eyes. "I just don't want to see him hurt."

"I don't either. That's why we need to work together on this."

Taker shook his head, trying desperately to clear his thoughts. He didn't want to think of what Cena was doing to Jeff, if Jeff was indeed there. "We'll figure something out tomorrow," he said finally, getting up so he could put some distance between himself and Matt.

Matt followed suit, sitting down on Jeff's bed. "Okay. Tomorrow then."

Both men had just lain down when Taker's phone started to ring. Looking at it curiously, Undertaker reached out for the phone before flipping it open.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Mark."

Taker couldn't help but smile as Jeff's voice soothed a part of him he didn't want to think about. Undertaker had never been more thankful then he was right then that his back was currently turned toward Matt.

"Hey."

"Listen, I wanted to apologize for earlier . . ."

"Don't worry about it."

"No, I really need to apologize. I wasn't running from you . . ."

"I know."

"I just didn't want you to think that . . ."

"I said don't worry about it. I'm just glad to know that you're okay."

"I'm fine. I'm staying at the motel down the street. I should be there tomorrow morning."

"That's fine."

"Is . . . is Matt there?"

"Yeah."

"Oh. Okay. Well, still, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay. Take care."

"I will and thanks again, Mark. For being so understanding. You must be getting tired of having to put up with me."

"I wouldn't say that."

"You're a horrible liar, you know that? Anyway, sleep well, Mark. See you soon."

"Good night," Taker replied, closing the phone.

"Who was that?" Matt asked.

Taker laid back down, thinking how best to answer. "Sara," he said finally.

"Oh. How's she doing?"

"She's doing well."

"That's good," Matt yawned.

"Yeah," Taker muttered, burying his face lightly into the pillow. I'm glad that he is doing well. I just wish I knew whether John was with him or not.

….

Jeff was as good as his word. He showed up around noon the next day, a little tired, but bright eyed. He walked into the hotel room, a smile on his face as he looked at Taker. The smile faded slightly when Matt walked toward him, but quickly came back when Matt embraced him in a brotherly hug.

"I'm so sorry," Matt whispered to Jeff.

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."

"There are a lot of shouldn't have's on both sides," Jeff replied, looking over at Undertaker who stood off to one side, slightly hidden in the shadows. "Thanks for watching him."

Taker merely nodded, before taking his leave. He knew that the brother would need sometime to talk about everything that happened, so he wanted to make sure they would have all the time and privacy they could need. They definitely needed to have some bonding time. Once Undertaker had left, Matt walked over to a chair and sat down, patting the chair next to him.

"Why don't you sit down?"

Jeff looked at the chair, uncertain of what he should do. When Taker was there, he felt safe, secure, and invincible.

Now I'm not so sure, Jeff thought as he shook his head and walked over to the chair, taking a seat.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you yesterday. I was just so scared . . ." Matt started.

"Why would you be scared?"

"Well, after that phone call I got from you I just . . . I just didn't know what was going on. I was afraid somebody was hurting you," Matt paused. "That Mark was hurting you."

"Mark would never hurt me," Jeff said.

"I didn't think he would. But you've got to see it from my point of view. You've been acting differently since I left and the only difference that anyone has noticed is that now you're hanging out with Mark."

"I guess that makes sense."

"I know now that he would never hurt you. I should have known that before but . . ." Matt stopped, not sure how to continue.

"It's okay," Jeff replied, turning away from his brother. "As long as you know that now and apologized to Mark."

"I did. I apologized to him when we got back here last night. We talked it over and everything is okay."

"Not everything," Jeff muttered.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing," Jeff shook his head.

"Jeff, damn it!" Matt snapped before he could stop himself. "Sorry," he said, looking away. "I just wish you would talk to me like you used to."

"I wish a lot of things were like they used to be."

"Why can't you talk to me?" Matt asked, his eyes showing concern.

"Because I can't."

"But . . ." Matt started before stopping himself. Don't push him.

"I'm sorry, Matt. There are just some things that are better left unsaid."

"I know," Matt replied, smiling. "Is it about Mark?"

"Why would it be about him?" Jeff asked, confused.

Matt shrugged. "Thought I would just take a stab at what's bothering you. I thought that you might be developing feelings for him."

"What?"

"Well, I'm sure you've have your eyes on someone," Matt smiled, wiggling his eyebrows at his brother suggestively.

"I don't think so," Jeff said, a small smile appearing on his own face.

"Aw, come on. There has to be somebody you are looking at," Matt said, smiling. "You can tell me. I won't say anything."

"There's nobody, Matt," Jeff laughed. At least things here are the same . . .

"Darn," Matt smiled. "I guess that means that I'll have to set you up with somebody."

"You seem to be taking this pretty well," Jeff said.

"Hey, I think it's pretty cool," Matt smiled evilly at Jeff. "It's like I have a little sister."

Jeff stuck his tongue out at Matt.

Matt let out a gasp. "How un-lady like."

Jeff laughed, throwing a nearby pillow at his brother. "Quit it."

"Aw, is my little sister angry at me?" Matt pouted.

Jeff merely glared at Matt.

"I think she is," Matt laughed. Jeff joined in too. It was at that point, with the brothers laughing, that Undertaker walked cautiously back into the room.

"Did I miss something?" Taker asked.

"You didn't miss a thing," Jeff laughed.

"Okay then, you two are laughing like idiots for no reason. Good to know," Taker shook his head as he walked over to his bed to grab something from his bag. Matt watched Jeff as his brother's eyes followed Taker's movements. Smiling, Matt moved over to sit on the arm of Jeff's chair.

"Anyway, I'm going to head out now. Call me if you need me," Matt said, lightly punching Jeff's arm. "Oh, and one more thing. Good choice," he whispered, nodding in the direction of Undertaker and winking at Jeff before leaving the room.

….

A/N: Yay! Everything's better! For now that is (shifty eyes). Hoped you liked the update.