Disclaimer : I do not own any of the characters mentioned herein. This is pure fiction, written for entertainment only.

I sometimes wonder why it is so easy to decide who you want the protagonist to end up with when you're reading someone else's story, but when it comes to your own, you get so conflicted! LOL! Please keep the reviews coming. They inspire me to add character to the individuals in the story, and hopefully, by the next few chapters, help me decide who Jeff will end up with. Thank you!

Chapter 11

Shannon came back at around six in the morning with Carlito, to wash, change and pack his bag. Matt explained to him why he was staying back and handed him the car keys, telling him to drive carefully. After promising Carlito he would keep in touch, Shannon took off, telling Matt to convey to his brother that he would call him sometime later in the day.

The rest of the morning flew by quickly and by twelve, everything was set. Adam's testimony was submitted through legal representation to the Court and they were told that the restraining order would be put up within the next twenty-four hours. Scott was to stay away from Jeff and he was not allowed to go anywhere near his home or workplace.

No one was more relieved than Jeff. His nightmare was finally over. The group decided to celebrate the occasion and to Randy's dismay, Adam was invited to go along. Matt couldn't begrudge the fact that he couldn't have done it without his help. After his conversation with Chris the night before, he had to admit that Adam had redeemed himself. If it wasn't for him, his brother wouldn't be alive. It took everyone by surprise, therefore, when he walked up to Adam, shook his hand and thanked him for everything he'd done for Jeff.

Adam was elated. Nothing could describe how he felt at that moment. He noticed that Randy didn't look too happy and Cena and Morrison seemed wary of him, but, at least, Chris was genuinely happy for him. While Matt excused himself to make a call to Vince to ask for leave of absence, Adam looked over to Jeff and saw him making his way towards him. Randy moved to join him but Cena held him back, "Hold on, Randy, I think Jeff has something to say to Adam. Lets give them a few minutes." He guessed that Jeff was going to thank his savior.

Jeff stood before Adam and began awkwardly, "I…I just want to thank you for last night."

"It's okay, Jeff, you don't need to thank me. Anyone would have done the same thing." Adam brushed it off lightly.

Jeff shook his head, "I got into trouble so many times and you saved me each time. I really don't know how to repay you."

"That's easy," Adam grinned at him and when Jeff gave him a puzzled look, said, "Have dinner with me tomorrow, just the two of us."

Jeff fidgeted uncomfortably at the request. He was with Randy. It wouldn't be right to go out with Adam on a dinner date.

Adam realized he was pushing too hard and too soon. "I'm sorry, forget what I just said. Chris told me that we're going clubbing tonight. Maybe, you can save a few dances for me?"

Jeff breathed out a sigh of relief and nodded, "That, I can do." He hesitated before asking, "You and Randy are still friends, right?"

"I would like to think so. I think he's still pretty sore with me for punching him the other day."

He watched as Jeff glanced away uneasily. He finally looked at him and said, "I don't understand why you hit him in the first place."

"It's not that hard to figure out, Jeff." He lowered his voice so that no one else could hear him. "I'm sorry for what I did in the past. I never meant to hurt you. I was drunk. I know it's no excuse but I wish you could forgive me. I've just come to realize that I have feelings for you. That's why I hit Randy, I was jealous," he confessed.

A confused look crossed Jeff's face as he, involuntarily, took a step back. Laughing uneasily, he said, "You're joking, right? I mean you and Amy … you can't be …" He didn't know what to say or think after that confession.

Adam took a step closer, "Please Jeff, that was a mistake! I've always liked you. Don't you remember the times we spent together? I've really missed you! Please give me a chance?"

"What's going on here?"

Both men turned as Randy and Cena approached them. Cena was the one who had spoken. Randy put his arm possessively around Jeff and glared at Adam. They were watching them closely and couldn't help noticing Jeff's unease and decided to find out what Adam said to cause it.

"Nothing. We were just talking," Adam said calmly, but deep inside, he was furious with them for interrupting them.

Cena gave him a suspicious look before turning to Jeff, "Is everything alright, Jeff?"

Jeff hesitated before saying, "Yes." Avoiding Adam's eyes, he asked, "Can we go now?"

"We're waiting on Matt, he's still on the phone," Cena informed him. He saw Randy and Adam exchanged a look of antagonism and wondered how long the two would keep their peace with each other.

"I think he's done," Jeff pointed out as he saw his brother putting away his phone and making his way quickly towards them. Chris and Morrison followed him closely behind.

"Good news, Jeffro!" His brother looked so excited. "Vince decided to put us back together again! The Hardy Boyz are getting back into tag team action! I still can't believe it!"

When he explained to Vince that Jeff was being harassed by Scott and that he needed a few days off to settle some personal issues with him, Vince was more than glad to grant his request. He still hadn't forgotten about the slight when Scott brought the law suit against his company. While talking to Matt, it hit him to put the brothers back in tag team action again. The Hardy Boyz enjoy a huge fan base and he was sure their fans would love to see them reunite in the ring. Furthermore, it would spice up the tag team division. The more he thought about it, the more he liked it and when he proposed it to Matt, he readily agreed to it.

Jeff beamed and hugged his brother, "That is good news! Now, we have more reason to celebrate!" He loved tagging with his brother. It had been a while since they got into any tag team action and he was looking forward to it.

Randy and Adam groaned silently at the unforeseen obstacle. Matt Hardy was going to be a major pain in the ass. Their individual plans to get some alone time with Jeff were dashed!

Cena grinned, delighted at the turn of events. With Matt around, his job would be made so much easier. His face fell suddenly. But, would Jeff move out to bunk with his brother instead? "Please don't do this to me! I only got him for one night! I hope Matt will let him stay with me."

"Looks like you guys would be facing us in the ring in the very near future," Matt informed the Rated RKO members with a grin.

"No! This can't be happening!" Randy groaned out loud. He hugged Jeff closer to him and said, "I don't want to fight you, baby, I don't want to hurt you."

Jeff wrapped his arms around Randy's neck and nuzzled him, "Aww … that's really sweet of you, but we have our jobs to do. If it comes to that, I don't want you to hold back. We have to give our fans what they want. Promise me?" Randy just kissed him softly on the lips in response.

"Okay, break it up!" Matt hollered. "We have plans to make, things to do!" and he removed his brother from Randy's grasp. Randy gritted his teeth with exasperation, swearing that when the time came, he wanted Matt, one-on-one, in the ring with him!

"Anyone for Mexican?" Matt suggested and the majority went with his decision. Randy, Jeff and Cena rode with Matt while Adam and Morrison rode with Chris. Carlito had stayed behind at the hotel, catching up on lost sleep.

As Matt started the car, he told Cena, seated next to him, "John, I'll be bunking with my brother until I leave. Thanks for all your help!"

Cena just nodded and tried not to look disappointed.

"Why can't I room with Jeff?" Randy demanded to know. "He's my boyfriend! You should let him decide who he wants to room with!"

He thought it was time he stood up to Matt, having suffered enough of his shenanigans. He turned to Jeff, "Tell him, baby, that you want to stay with me!"

Jeff looked helplessly at him, "Please Randy, I love you, but, maybe, we should just go along with what my brother says. I… I agree with him that we should take it slow."

Randy couldn't believe his ears, and neither did his brother. Cena grinned proudly at Jeff via the rear view mirror.

"I don't believe this!" Randy finally spluttered out, he never felt more frustrated. Jeff wasn't even on the same page as him! He saw Cena grinning from ear-to-ear and vented on him, "You! What did you say to my Jeff to brainwash him?"

Cena spoke in his defense, "You know me, Randy. I wouldn't say anything against you! You can ask Jeff if you don't believe me."

Jeff tried to pacify his hot-headed boyfriend, "Please Randy, don't be angry. No one brainwashed me or anything like that. It's not that bad, we can still go out together."

"Under chaperon!" Matt added firmly as he parked. They had reached the restaurant. Matt and Cena got out and waited for them to join them.

Jeff was trying to placate Randy, "Don't be like this, Matt is just concerned. It's not as if it's a permanent arrangement. Just be patient, okay?"

Randy sighed and nodded reluctantly, "Okay, but I have to tell you that your brother is getting on my nerves!"

Jeff couldn't help giggling. "I know how he can be but he's just being protective. Come on, lets go. They're waiting for us." He was about to open his door when Randy stopped him. He pulled him close and kissed him with everything he got and finally released him. With a salacious grin on his face, he said, "I guess that will hold me for a while. I've been waiting to do that since this morning!"

Their door was pulled open and there was Matt Hardy again! "Randy, will you stop sucking my brother's face every opportunity you got? We are waiting to eat! Come on, hustle out of there! Everyone's waiting!"

Randy glared at him belligerently as he got out but Matt gave him a saccharine smile in return. As soon as Jeff was out of the car, he took his brother by the arm and was about to lead him away when he stopped in his track and turned to Randy, "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, I've changed my mind. Jeff is going to stay with John. I'll room with Chris instead." He urged Jeff along, leaving Randy behind with his mouth open.

~*~

He suffered a broken nose, two broken ribs and a concussion. His friends were the ones who brought him to the hospital. They decided against lodging a police report as there were eye witnesses to testify they were the ones who started the fight.

The doctor told Scott that it would take at least two months for his ribs to mend. Scott decided to delay calling Jarrett to tell him the bad news until he could come up with a plausible explanation for his condition. Unfortunately, luck was not in his favor. His phone rang and it was the devil himself. Jarrett immediately started yelling at him. He said he had just received a call from a lawyer representing Jeff Hardy, who wanted to serve a restraining order and needed to know how to contact him.

"What the hell did you do, Scott? Didn't I tell you to stay away from him?" Jarret hollered into the phone.

"I didn't do anything!" Scott protested, "I was having a drink with some friends, minding my own business and the group of them saw me, and the next thing I know, they were beating the daylights out of me! I'm in the hospital right now! You should see what they did to me! They fucking broke my nose, two of my ribs and gave me a fucking concussion! I should sue them for what they did to me!"

"Oh, okay. You just go on right ahead and do just that! I'm sick and tired of your games, Scott! As of now, you're suspended! Without pay! If I hear that you went after the kid once more, you're done! You hear me?!"

"Yeah, I hear you, loud and clear!" and he smashed the phone against the wall. "Fucking asshole! I'm done with him! I don't need this crap!" He groaned as pain wracked his body. Every part of his body was bruised and it fucking hurt to breathe, and his damn head spun every time he moved. The painkiller was slowly wearing out. He needed more medication to ease the pain and pressed the call button for the nurse. While waiting for her to attend to him, he thought back to what Jarrett had said. "So, you think a restraining order will hold me back" and let out a bitter laugh. "You should know me well enough by now. You're going to regret what your friends did to me, Jeffrey. By the time I'm done with you, you'll wish you were never born!"

~*~

Matt knew he had made the right decision. He had changed his mind at the very last minute when he saw Randy coming around under Jeff's coddling. It got him thinking. Randy wouldn't be too worried if Jeff was staying with him. The whole plan was to get him jealous and see what he would do under the circumstances. He recalled Chris telling him that Cena was a man of self-control. Judging from what Jeff had said to Randy earlier, he was convinced it was Cena who coaxed his brother to come around to seeing things their way. They do get on very well with each other! Jeff listens to him and I can see that they like and respect each other! It suddenly occurred to him that if Cena persevered, he could possibly swing things around and snatch his baby brother right from under Randy's nose! Now, as for Adam, he wasn't too worried about him. Between Randy and Cena, he doubted Adam would even get a chance to get close enough to his brother.

Back at the hotel, they decided to hang around at the pool until dinner. After changing into swimming gear, they headed outside and were pleased to see only a handful of people at the pool.

"Come with me," Randy whispered to Jeff as he took him by the hand and led him back indoors.

"Follow them!" Matt urged Cena who nodded and hurried after them. Adam was just about to step into the pool but changed his mind. He slung his towel over his shoulder and said casually, "I'm going to get some lotion, it's pretty hot out here," and went back in. He looked around, wondering where the three men had gone to. Acting on instincts, he cut through the corridor and came to the sauna room.

"Hope they're in there," he muttered to himself as he opened the door and stepped in. The steam was heavy and thick. He made his way to the benches and was disappointed to find no one there. "Might as well relax here for a while," he said with a sigh and sat down. After a few minutes, he started to fidget. It was getting too warm for his liking. He got up to leave but stopped when he heard a soft moan. Moving quietly, he crossed the room and came to a wall and realized there was a changing area on the other side. He moved quietly and that was when he saw them. Jeff was pinned against the wall. He was moaning softly as Randy covered his neck feverishly with kisses, his hands roaming all over the blonde's body. Jeff had his eyes closed and Randy had his back to him. Both didn't realize that he was there. Adam stood frozen, unable to drag his eyes away from them. Jeff whimpered when Randy slipped his hands inside his shorts, driving him into frenzy.

"Hmm… you like that, baby?" Randy rasped huskily as he moved his lips down to tease and suck on his nipples. He finally took one in his mouth and worked on it.

"Ran..ddy.." Jeff gasped out and arched against him, whimpering needily. Randy grinned, Jeff was putty in his hands.

"Tell me, baby, tell me you want me, only me! Don't let your brother or John or anyone else tell you any differently!"

It appeared to be the wrong thing to say because Jeff's eyes flew open and he gasped when he saw Adam. He quickly pushed Randy off him.

"What's wrong?" Randy asked with a puzzled frown on his face.

Flushing with embarrassment, Jeff looked behind him and Randy turned around. He scowled when Adam stepped forward. "What the hell are you doing here? Are you spying on us?" and moved to confront him.

Adam put up his hands, "Woah! Take it easy, man. I wasn't spying. I came in here to relax and then I heard moaning." Jeff looked down with embarrassment. "I was curious, so I just came over to check. I didn't mean to pry," he said in an apologetic tone.

"Can't anyone get any privacy around here?" Randy groused before pulling Jeff after him. "Come on, Jeff, lets go somewhere else" and sent Adam a warning look not to follow before pushing past him.

Adam hesitated only for a while before going after them. He was relieved to find them outside, with Cena. They had given him the slip and he was looking all over the place for them when he spotted them leaving the sauna room. He told Jeff that his brother was looking for him but Randy wasn't about to let big brother get the upper hand on him this time.

"You go tell Matt that Jeff is in good hands. Nothing's going to happen to him!" he said and was just about to flee with his lover when a voice cut him in his tracks.

"I totally disagree with you on that!" Matt revealed him and came forward to join them. He had decided to check things out himself when the four men failed to return after sometime.

Randy let out a growl of frustration and sent Matt an ominous look while muttering dire threats under his breath. Jeff looked at him worriedly. Randy seemed to be on the verge of losing his temper. He sent his brother a pleading look, "Please Matt, can we …" he began but his brother cut him off.

"Jeff, I want you to go with John. I want to have a word with both Randy and Adam."

Jeff hesitated to move. He didn't want anyone to get hurt. He was afraid they would start fighting each other once he left.

"Don't worry. Nothing bad is going to happen. We're just going to talk," Matt reassured him and nodded to Cena.

"Come on Jeff, lets go outside and soak in the sun." As Cena led him away, he turned to give Randy an encouraging smile.

As soon as they were out of sight, Matt said, "Okay, gentlemen, I have some issues to address with the both of you!"

He turned to Randy first and shook his head, "Will you stop thinking with your cock all the time? Is sex all you think about? You just have to hijack him again and take him to God knows where now and ravish him! Is that all my brother means to you, a sex toy?"

"Matt, I'm this close to punching your lights out! You, of all people, know how I feel about Jeff! So, I made a mistake and we almost lost him but you can't keep punishing me for it! You told me to stay away from Jeff until I'm sure about my feelings for him. Well, let me tell you this right now! I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" he emphasized each word emphatically. "Does that answer your question?"

"Not exactly," Matt spoke in a calm and collected manner. "It's not that simple, Randy. You see, you have to convince ME, that you love my brother. How would I know if you're telling the truth? You could be lying just so you could get into his pants! God knows what you'll do once you tire of him! I have to be sure!"

Randy looked at him with a mixture of rage and disbelief. "Arrrgggghhhh……!" he finally screamed. He would have torn his hair out if it was long enough. "I fucking can't believe I'm having this conversation with you!" his face a fiery red as he breathed out harshly.

"And one more thing, you really do have a foul temper! Careful now, you don't want to burst a vessel, and none of that cussing in front of my brother, you hear? I don't need him picking up your bad habits. A gentleman does not cuss," Matt said with a benevolent smile on his face.

Adam was silently quaking with laughter. He couldn't help himself. Matt had a way of getting under one's skin. He had done it many times in the past just to get a reaction from the other party. If he chose to be, he could make himself totally insufferable, which he was doing right now.

"What are you laughing at? You think this is funny?" Matt now turned to address him. "When it comes to my baby brother, no one messes with him, or they will have ME to deal with!" Matt's eyes seemed to bore into his soul.

"So, what's your story? Why have you taken a sudden interest in Jeff? You want to be friends with him? Fine, fair enough, but, anything else, uh huh! Wipe that thought out of your head! So, want to tell me exactly what you have in mind?"

Adam cleared his throat, thinking on how he was going to approach the subject. Having decided on his line of defense, he opened his mouth but Randy cut him off, "He wants Jeff, as in getting into his pants!" and smirked at his look of aghast. Two can play the game!

"So, that was your whole plan after all! All the heroics, but you were following him and happened to be at the right place at the right time. I knew it wasn't a coincidence! But …" and he gave him a puzzled look, "I don't get it, do you like men or women? Wait, never mind, that's not important. Just tell me what exactly are your plans for my brother?"

"The only time I followed him was last night and that's the truth!" Now that the cat was out of bag, Adam decided to come clean. If anything else, Matt appreciated honesty. "Remember how Jeff and I used to go out and you said that if I was into guys, he would probably be the one for me? Well, you got that right! I didn't even know how I felt about him until Randy got with him, and even then, Chris was the one who got me to realize my feelings for Jeff." He let out a sigh before continuing, "I know I'm selfish. I love to win all the time but this is not what this is all about." He mustered his courage to speak from his heart, "I have feelings for your brother and I would like to have a chance to find out if it would lead to something more significant. That's all I'm asking, a chance."

Matt stared at him for a long time and finally said, "I don't know why but I actually believe you. But, this is not a game. We're talking about my brother here. Things haven't been easy for him these last few years. You can't waltz into his life and then, waltz right out if you feel like it. What if he reciprocates your feelings and you change your mind? What then? I can't have any of you toying with him and leaving him dry. I can't have him hurt again."

"Hurting him is the last thing on our mind. I believe Randy will agree with me on that" and looked to him for concurrence.

"He's right," Randy agreed with him grudgingly, "Neither of us wants to hurt him." He thought for a second before adding, "And that is what's holding me back from knocking you down! I don't want Jeff to think I do not respect him and his brother, even though I think you have been a complete asshole towards me!"

Adam barked out a laugh, "I'm not going to say anything to that! We may be partners in the ring but you're alone on this! I do not want to destroy my chances by taking a line of offense with Matt here. Don't forget that he's the one standing between us and Jeffrey."

"See there, Orton, learn from him. He knows me well enough," Matt said, to which Randy snorted before asking, "So, what do we do about this?"

"I don't know yet. Let me think about it. I'll consult with my brother and the others to get their opinions on this. It may take a while before I make my decision, so, don't hold your breath," Matt said with a smirk, before walking away.

As soon as they were alone, both men turned to one another. Randy was the first to speak, "So, this is war then!"

Adam shrugged his shoulders, "What can I say? It's every man for himself! See you around" and left.

Randy groaned as he shook his head in despair, "This is so fucked up! What am I going to do?" He suddenly snapped his fingers, "Have to alert Jeff about this recent development! He's the only one who can sway the votes in my favor! It's not as if he likes Adam in that way!" and quickly headed out to look for him.

Reviews are greatly appreciated.