A/N: Matt is turning into a real dick. I just love it! I love this storyline! Thank you for making the Hardys fight, WWE! It's so much fun to watch.

Thank you reviewers, you make it much more fun to write this.

As always, the WWE owns all, I own not a thing.

Jeff sat on a lounge chair next to the pool, puffing on a cigarette. It was around three in the morning, and there was a light, misting rain covering everything in a layer of cold moisture. Ignoring the inclement weather, the young Hardy stared fixedly into the dark water of the pool. His face was completely expressionless.

He'd lost track of how long he'd been out here, but he didn't care. He couldn't go back into the hotel. Ever since the incident occurring two days earlier, every superstar on the roster was looking at him with either suspicion or pity in their eyes. He would enter a room, and talking would cease completely. He'd become nothing more than a freak to be gaped at, an object of public scrutiny.

He took a long, deep drag of his cigarette. He wondered if Matt was enduring the same bullshit. He wouldn't know, however, because he hadn't seen him since that awful day in the catering hall.

Jeff was still trying to sort out all of the raging emotions at work in him. His brother had told him, in front of a rapt audience, that he basically wished he was dead. How should one feel about that? The young Hardy had thought about calling his father and talking this through with him, but had immediately dismissed the idea. He didn't want to drag their dad into this fight. Let him think it was all just an act for TV.

Jeff didn't know what to do about any of this. He just felt lost.

"Kid, what're you doing out here? I've been looking for you all night", a soft, gravelly voice sounded from behind Jeff.

The young Hardy didn't turn around. He shivered in the night air, as if realizing for the first time that it was cold. "I don't want to go in there", he said quietly, looking down.

Mark joined Jeff poolside, taking a seat in another of the uncomfortable lounge chairs. He faced the younger man, studying him closely.

"If you're worried about those other assholes, well, don't. They're always lookin' for something to gossip about, like little cheerleaders, and you're currently the most interesting topic of conversation. They'll move on. And if they don't, I'll set 'em straight, real quick."

Jeff smiled softly at the older man's candor. He was never afraid to kick anyone's ass, ever.

The young Hardy looked at Mark, and the Deadman could see that his eyes were red and puffy, as if he'd been crying.

"My brother fucking hates me, Mark, and there's nothing I can do to change his mind", Jeff said, his voice unsteady.

"Have you seen him?"

"No, and I'm not sure what I would say if I did. This entire situation is fucked up, beyond anything I've ever had to deal with before. I just don't know what his problem is."

Mark shook his head. "Only Matt knows what his problem is, and he ain't sayin'."

Jeff gave a bitter smirk. "I don't understand how he could possibly change so much overnight, and then blame it on me."

The Undertaker raised his eyebrow. "Well, I've always thought your brother was a bit of an asshole. All of this bullshit he's pulling now just proves it."

Jeff couldn't help it. He laughed.

Mark's face broke into a crooked half-smile, and he moved forward to lightly ruffle his young friend's sopping wet hair.

"You're gonna be fine, kid. Just fine."

* * * * * * *

Edge was sneaking, skulking, keeping to the shadows. However you wanted to put it, he was trying to avoid Matt fucking Hardy, and had actually managed to do so for two whole days, ever since that ridiculous incident in the arena's catering hall. He had watched with a horrible fascination, just like everyone else on the roster, as Matt had picked his little brother apart, piece by fucking piece. Jeff hadn't taken it too well. He'd looked like something had snapped in his brain. He'd gone ballistic, trying to beat the shit out of the Undertaker, of all people, who had moved forward to help him out of the room. Ah, drama. The locker room whores had loved that little scene. Gossip, gossip, gossip. Poor Jeffrey.

Adam would've loved to go out tonight, but he knew that all of the other wrestlers, including Matt fucking Hardy, patronized the same haunts he did. He preferred to let this whole "I've been recruited to help kill Jeff Hardy" thing blow over. So, he would stay in and rent a movie. Again.

He rounded a corner, and let out a girlish yelp when he saw Matt standing there, leaning casually against the wall, as if waiting for him.

"Christ man, you scared the hell out of me!!", yelled Adam, his tone furious.

Matt's dark eyes were piercing; they seemed to paralyze Edge every time they moved over him. "Funny thing", he said, his tone low and dangerous, "I haven't been able to find you. And, I've been figuring some things out, regarding my little fuck of a brother-"

"Look, man, I have no interest in getting involved. Do what you want to him. But don't fucking involve me!" Adam started to move away. He was pissed, and a little scared, to feel Matt gripping his upper arm tightly.

"You're already involved", Matt hissed, "Like it or not."

Adam looked the older Hardy over, and decided he was serious. Oh, fuck. He was in deep shit now.

Edge sighed. "Fine. But this can't interfere with my title retention. I'll cut your balls off if I lose my gold because of a little vendetta you have against your snot-nosed brother."

Matt smiled, his eyes dancing with dark schemes. "Don't worry, Adam. If anything, this will help you retain your precious belt. Just think; my brother will be out of your way, permanently. You'll never have to worry about him getting his little, grubby hands on your shiny gold again. How does that sound?"

Edge grinned, despite himself. "I have to admit, that sounds pretty god damn good."

"Then let's get started."

* * * * * * *

Jeff was regretting staying up until four in the morning. It was 9:00, and he was on his way to the hotel lobby to catch a quick breakfast, before rushing off to the airport. There was a house show that night. He prayed that during that day's rush of activity, he would manage to avoid his brother. He just couldn't face him right now.

The young Hardy entered the room where the hotel was serving a continental breakfast. He saw a number of other wrestlers scattered about, chatting amicably with each other. Sighing inwardly, he left his suitcase by an empty table, and grabbed himself a spare plate of food. Some fruit, a piece of toast. A cup of coffee. He wasn't even sure if he could get that down, but he had to eat something. Head bowed, he made his way back to his table, and munched half-heartedly on the hotel fare.

"Hey, Jeffro." A sudden voice made him nearly jump out of his skin. He looked up from his plate to see Christian looking down at him, concern written plainly on his handsome features. "Mind if I sit down?"

"Hey, Jay. Uh, sure. Have a seat", replied Jeff, "But you do know you're sitting at the table of the current outcast/circus freak of the WWE, right?"

Jay furrowed his brow in anger. "I heard about what happened the other day. Matt's a fucking asshole, and so are those pricks over there who have the audacity to gossip about the situation right in front of you. It's none of their business."

Jeff was taken aback. "Thanks", he said softly.

"You know, you look like shit. You been losing sleep?"

The young Hardy quirked his lips in a half-smile. "What do you think?"

"Well, listen", Jay said, rising to his feet, "If you need anyone to talk to about this, just let me know."

Jeff nodded, watching him walk away.

That had been odd.

* * * * * * *

"Adam, pssst!", whispered Jay, beckoning Edge over to his shadowy corner in the hotel lobby.

The Rated R Superstar rushed over to his newly-returned friend, and looked around to ensure that they were not being watched.

"Did you do it?"

"Yeah. He's a mess. He looks like he hasn't slept in four days. He was sitting there, eating at a table all by himself, when he knew damn well everyone in the room was talking about him. It was kind of… pathetic."

"What happened?", Adam asked, violently chewing on his fingernails and spitting out the broken pieces.

"I just sat down for a minute and told him I thought his situation was unfair, and that I thought Matt was a tool. I said if he needed anyone to talk to, he should let me know."

"And how did he react, for fuck's sake?" Adam's eyes were wide, and he was sweating.

"Calm down, Jesus! He seemed pretty surprised, and grateful that someone gave a shit. Poor guy." Christian shook his head.

Adam moved in, and grabbed his shirt. "Not 'poor guy'. As of now, Jeff Hardy has a huge fucking target painted on his head. You are going to help me destroy that little shit, from the inside out."

"Woah, Adam, you never said anything about destroying anybody!", said Jay, backing up, "I don't know what the fuck you're doing, but I'm not gonna be a part of it."

Edge revealed a predatory grin. "You'll do what you're told. And I will tell you why, Jay." He stalked in closer. Jay backed up again. "I have certain… connections here in the WWE. Management has changed hands several times over since you were last here."

"I heard about your 'relationship' with Vickie Guerrero", Jay said dryly, "You picked a real beauty there."

Adam's face grew beet-red. "It's insignificant who it is! The point is, I know people, and I can make things happen. And I can ensure, Jay, that you are at the bottom of the food chain around here until hell freezes over. That is, unless you do this one simple thing for me."

Jay glared, furious. "You want me to befriend him. To gain his trust."

Adam smiled. "That's all."

"Then what?"

"Then, the fun part begins."

* * * * * * *

Okay, just a quick note to clarify: I wanted Christian on Smackdown, because I think it's just plain idiotic for him to be anywhere else. Also, in case it wasn't made clear, Edge is not married to Vickie, but is having "relations" with her in return for favors. (Don't get me wrong, I love the marriage on TV, but I don't want the bother of writing a nagging wife into my story.)

Review if you're bored, or if you're not! I love reviews. :)