Chapter 15

"How can you be so irresponsible?" Vince yelled at the four of them as they walked into the room. "After everything that happened and after you two leave a security briefing, what would possess you guys to go out to the nearest restaurant to here, a couple of hours before show time."

"We didn't think we were doing anything wrong." Jeff said. "We just wanted to get some food."

"Really?" Shane said sarcastically. "You didn't think there might be a lot of fans at a place that's three blocks away?"

"Look" Matt said standing up, turning to Vince. "We didn't think. I'm sorry."

"What if he had been there?" Shane asked. "He probably figured she was going to be here tonight. What of he was in that crowd? For all we know, he could have been standing right next to her!" Jessica shuttered at the thought that he could have actually have been there, one of the many faces in the crowd. For all she knew, he could have been one of the guys pushing her to get a picture.

"And then to make matters worse, you lost sight of her. He could have taken her, right there and you wouldn't have been able to stop him." Shane glared at Jeff angrily. "He could have hurt her. What would you've done then? You put Jess in danger."

"We went for a bite to eat!" Jeff stood up. "Look, we know now that this was a mistake. I would never do anything to put Jessica in harm's way and you know it. So, back off!"

"You're a waste." He said and turned from Jeff. "I told you this would happen. They can't be trusted with keeping her safe! All they care about is having a good time."

"Shane, that's enough!" Stephanie said. "You're not making anything better." Jessica started to tune the conversation out. She couldn't believe what was going on. They were arguing about her like she wasn't even there. This isn't going to stop. She thought to herself. Looking at them she felt like she had no voice.

"Stop it." She whispered, knowing no one could hear her. Somehow Vince had heard her. He looked over to her worried. She looked frail again, nothing like the girl that had been in the ring a short while ago. He could see that the arguing was getting to her.

"That's enough!" Vince said but got no response. "I said stop!" He raised his voice loud enough to be heard around the whole arena. Everyone froze.

"This isn't helping anyone." He said. "I think it would be better if I spoke to Jessica alone." Vince looked to his children.

"But." Shane started to protest but stopped.

"I know everyone here is concerned about Jessica's safety but arguing isn't going to solve anything. SO if you'll excuse us, I want to talk to Jessica." He gave them a look to say that this discussion was over. They all left leaving Jessica and Vince alone.

"Are you okay?" He asked her after a moment.

"It's like I'm invisible." She said quietly. "Everyone's arguing. No one's listening to each other, and no one seems to care what I think."

"What do you think?"

"Vince, I'm just trying to get my life back." Jessica said with tears forming in her eyes. "And for one short moment I had it. I was just sitting in a restaurant laughing with friends like there wasn't a care in the world. It felt good. The next thing I know I'm surrounded by all these people pushing and shoving and I'm back to being scared again. Then I got to the ring and I was back."

"And when you we're done. We came down on you to remind you of everything." Vince said reflectively.

"How am I supposed to move forward when all everyone here does is keeps pulling me back?" She looked to him, expecting him to answer but he didn't know what to say. He looked down at the young girl he had watched grow up alongside Shane and Stephanie.

"Let's say we start over." He said to her. "I'm fairly sure that what happened today won't happen again. I'm not asking you to stop living your life; I just want you to be more careful. You're like family and I protect family." He placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you." She smiled at him. "And we'll be more cautious, just do me a favor? Call off Shane and his attacks on Jeff and Matt."

"Shane's just trying to protect you. You know that."

"I know, but Shane's way of protecting me is over protecting and whenever's he's angry he takes it out on them. I could have said no to going out as well. It wasn't only the Hardys."

"You have a history with the Hardys, more importantly with Jeff Hardy and he doesn't want to see you get hurt again. We all saw you in that hospital bed, we don't want that."

"Neither do I but what happened with Jeff really didn't have anything to do with it. Yes I was hurt, but I wouldn't do what I did over it and all have you have got to stop treating him like he's responsible. Cut him a little slack, he's been helping a lot."

"I know that. I'll try and I'll talk to Shane. See if I can get him to lay off."

"Thank you." She said and hugged him.

"Go get changed. I'm going to talk to the Hardys and smooth things over. Don't worry." She went outside to find everyone there still waiting for her.

"I'd like to talk to Matt and Jeff" Vince said from behind her. She gave them a quick smile at them as she answered. She watched them walk in the door then went with Amy to change.

"Vince," Matt started when the door was closed. "I know we made a poor decision, but I want you to know it won't happen again."

"We're sorry." Jeff added. "We just want you know that we won't do anything to hurt Jessica."

"Sit." Vince said to them and the brothers grabbed a chair. "This is a difficult situation, I am aware of that. My main concern is that Jessica is safe and I know that you both feel the same. She wants her life back, and so far you guys are helping her get that. I just want you to think your actions over first so this won't happen again."

"Yes sir." Jeff agreed.

"Now as far as my son is concerned, I will speak to him. Just make sure she stays happy."

"We will." Matt said. He stood up and shook his hand.

"Good." They went to the door. "Jeff stay back for a second."

"Sir?"

"She seems to trust you. Even after what has happened."

"I know."

"When her mother was dying, I made a promise to her that I would look out for Jessica; keep her safe. So far, I haven't done a very good job of it. I will now." Vince paused and looked at Jeff. "I won't be happy if she's hurt again."

"I don't plan on hurting her." Jeff promised him.

"I'm going to hold you to that." He gave Jeff a look to make sure he understood. Jeff did. He knew that if he hurt Jessica again, he'd have Vince to deal with.

"Yes sir, good night." Jeff left the room.

"What did he say?" Matt asked after Jeff came out.

"Basically? If I hurt Jess again, he'll kill me."

"Yea well, me too." Matt warned his brother.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I saw the look on your face. Earlier today, on the entrance ramp, dude, you still love her."

"No I don't." Jeff protested. "I mean not in that way. And besides, what if I did?"

"Have you spoken to Meg today?" Matt asked and walked away. Jeff watched his brother walk away and sighed. Meg. He hadn't thought of her all day and that was not a good sign.

"Man, nothings simple." He muttered to himself then went to catch up with his brother.

After saying goodbye to Amy, they piled into the car and headed back to Jessica's house. The ride back was quiet as each of them were either too exhausted or too caught up in their thoughts to really talk. Before long, Matt pulled the car into Jessica's driveway. Jessica said goodnight to them both and quickly fell asleep.