A/N: Okay, so here we are again! After how many months have passed, I've finally been able to get back on track (kind of) with this story. I at least have an idea, but I guess we'll take it day by day, chapter by chapter, like always. So, submitted for your approval, is Papercuts, Chapter 10. Enjoy.
Now to the reviewers: Animal Luvr 4 Life, I'm glad you think Matty is a psycho and an asshole! It means I'm doing my job right. :) slashdlite, yeah, Adam had better watch his ass, as will be seen in this chapter; glad you're still with me! Onions, you had better have that looked at! Renna33, I felt bad writing the dead dog scene, but sometimes, you've gotta do what you've gotta do… Seraphalexial, dammit, I love your reviews; they make me smile every time! KissingRain102, much obliged! Sunligh584, yeah, I've made Matt a terrible prick in this story. I kind of feel bad, since the real guy seems so nice. Oh well, we're just doing it for shits and giggles, right? :) I believe in you, thanks for the compliment. Good reviews are a damn godsend when it comes to stories like this, which take months and months to write. Your kind words were much appreciated.
And now, on with things. As always, WWE owns all (except Jeff Hardy, who owns himself), and I own nothing.
Adam watched Matt with apprehension as he moved towards the door. They had just concluded their meeting, and the Rated R Superstar was not happy with what he'd heard.
"Are you sure you wanna go through with this shit?", he asked, his tone pleading. Matt ignored him. He leaned down to open the doorknob and let his fellow schemer out.
"I mean", Adam continued, "maybe you should just lay off of Jeff for a little while. If you'd think a little more about this-" His air flow was cut off suddenly and violently by Matt's meaty hand wrapping around his throat.
"I don't want to hear anything else about changing my mind", Matt hissed furiously, increasing the strength of his hold, "The only thing I want to hear from you is that you're making progress on our plans."
He released Adam's throat, and the other man immediately backed away, fear written plainly upon his face.
"You're out of your fucking mind", Edge whispered.
Matt watched him with cold, predatory eyes. He made no reply.
Adam looked away from the older Hardy's frigid glare, subtly shifting himself towards the door.
"Get the fuck out of here", Matt growled.
Adam didn't need to be told twice.
When he'd left, Matt sat down heavily on the uncomfortable bed. He stared blankly at the dirty white wall, a million thoughts racing through his head.
Eventually, everyone turned their backs on him, in favor of Jeff. It would seem that Adam was doing the same. He could no longer trust the Canadian superstar.
It didn't matter. He'd destroy his brother on his own.
And when he'd finished with that, he'd take care of Adam.
* * * * * * *
Jeff stared forlornly out of the car window, watching nameless towns pass by, one after the other. Rain poured down in rivulets, obscuring the view, making the world gray and bleak.
"I don't want to go back", the young Hardy said quietly, his gaze never wavering from the rain-drenched window.
Mark's dark gaze shifted from the road to his young friend, and back to the road. "I know, kiddo", he said gently, "But you can't hide forever."
Jeff shot him a hurt look. "I'm not hiding. I just… don't feel like I'm ready to see him yet."
Mark nodded noncommittally. Jeff had been openly depressed for the last several days, ever since their departure for the WWE had become imminent. In Texas, in the time spent at Mark's ranch, the two of them had achieved a measure of much-needed peace. So much so, that Mark had decided to put off the revenge he'd been planning on Matt.
After all, there would always be time for that later.
Mark's worried gaze slid over to rest on the huddled form of his young friend. He vowed to himself that he would protect him. He vowed that he would find vengeance for him. As far as he was concerned, Matt was now living on borrowed time.
They drove on, making their way towards the airport.
Neither of them found much to say during the long, rain-swept ride.
* * * * * * *
Adam paced back and forth, his hands tearing at his abused and nappy hair. He stared, wild-eyed, at the floor.
"The guy is out of his fucking head", he said softly, "I mean, he's really gone over the edge."
Jay watched his ex-partner wear a hole in the carpet as he spoke about his harrowing experience in the hotel room. For the first time in a long time, Christian found that he was able to look past the despicable bastard Adam had become, and simply see him as a human being. He actually found himself feeling bad for him.
"Wanna hear my advice?", Jay asked quietly.
Adam stopped pacing and sat. He dropped his head into his hands.
Jay took this as a sign to continue. "You should stay away from Matt, Adam. I don't care what he expects you to do for him. I don't care what he's threatened you with. You should just avoid him, at all costs. He obviously has some serious issues he needs to work out. Until he does that, he's too dangerous to be around."
Adam snorted. "No shit, Sherlock."
Jay's brows drew down into a furrowed "v". "I'm not fucking around, Adam."
Edge shot to his feet, glaring. "Either am I! Do you really think I don't know that I should be avoiding Matt Hardy?! Jesus Christ…" He trailed off, falling into thought for a moment. "Look, there's not a god damn thing I can do. If I don't listen to him, he'll find me, and I'll end up in the hospital, or worse." His panicked eyes met Jay's stoic gaze.
Jay sighed. "I know you're scared, Adam", he said, "but what you have to realize is that no matter how threatened you may feel by Matt, Jeff is in far worse trouble than you. He needs as many people on his side as he can get right now."
Adam looked stunned. "You can't be serious. You want me to help Jeff?! No way! I can barely take care of myself right now!"
Jay stood quickly, a scowl twisting his features. "Matt's not after you! You're less than nothing to him. Just a god damn pawn. Look, Adam, I'd rather be working with you than against you. I'm sure that, deep down, you feel the same way."
Adam stared at Jay for a long, uncomfortable moment. "I have to go", he said finally, his voice quiet and unsure. He shouldered his way past his ex-partner, moving towards the door.
"Adam-"
"Leave me alone!", he cried, increasing his gait. Adam left, slamming the door behind him.
Jay watched his departure in silence.
He hoped that the Undertaker would be returning soon with Jeff. They needed to have a long and important discussion.
* * * * * * *
It was after one o'clock in the morning, and Jeff and Taker were just now pulling into the parking lot of the finest Days Inn this side of town.
"Fuck, I'm tired", groaned Jeff, his voice thick with sleep.
"Another couple of minutes, kid, and you'll be in bed", Taker assured him. He turned off the ignition, and stepped out, cracking his back. "Why don't you grab the bags, Jeff? I'll go and check in."
Jeff could only nod through his jaw-cracking yawn. He watched the Deadman stalk into the brightly lit office of the small, well-appointed hotel. Turning back to the car, he began to stack their suitcases on the sidewalk next to their parking space. Finishing his task, he slammed the back door and bent to lock it.
A hand covered his mouth roughly, stifling his cry of surprise. He twisted, but a strong, heavy arm fell across his arms and chest, pulling him tightly back against his attacker's torso. He struggled desperately to get out of the person's deathgrip, praying that Mark would hurry up and return.
All it took was a whisper to bring him to a complete standstill.
"I thought you wanted to talk, Jeffy." Matt breathed his cold words into the shell of Jeff's ear.
The younger Hardy began to fight, trying in earnest to break free. Matt wasn't having it.
"You wanted to talk, Jeffy" Matt said, pulling his younger brother away from the parking lot and towards the shadows of a yawning alley, "So let's talk."
Jeff kicked back at him, but missed completely. Matt yanked on his long hair in punishment, retaining a painfully tight grip as he urged him forward.
The Hardys disappeared into the black alleyway.
Three minutes later, Taker returned, to see where Jeff had gotten to. All he found was a pile of discarded luggage on the sidewalk, and a dark, forgotten car.
Oh Christ, just what has Matt done now?! It's funny, the direction a story can take when it's late and you're tired. Honest to God, I never meant for that to happen! So, I know this was far too short, and I left things on a ridiculous cliffhanger. I WILL NOT drop this story for months, as I did before. I should have a new part up, time allowing, within the next two weeks (fingers crossed).
So, what will Edge decide? How will Taker react to finding Jeffy missing? And what is Matt going to do to our beleaguered hero?!!! (Yeah, I used beleaguered in a sentence; sue me.) Find out the answer to all of these questions next time!! Anybody else miss Jeff on Smackdown? Just sayin'.
Oh, and Review, Please!! ;)