Maria and Ashley stared at her in total shock. Did Michelle just say that she loved Jeff? No, no. That couldn't be right. Maria wasn't going to allow Michelle to ruin Jeff's chances with Hope. Something told her that it was a little late for that. Michelle didn't say anything, knowing how the other two Divas would react. She didn't want to screw things up for Jeff but she couldn't help her feelings. Why did he have to kiss her? Why did she have to like it so much? After Jeff kissed her, he'd uttered a single word.

Hope.

Michelle cursed that thought. She knew how in love Jeff was. But, Hope seemed to be pretty happy with Punk on her arm. Michelle still planned on getting to know Jeff better. She just hoped he'd be open with her. If wasn't? Well, she'd figure something out. Michelle let out a sigh, knowing Ashley and Maria wanted an explanation.

"Jeff asked me to kiss him so he'd know if he really loved Hope," Michelle admitted. "I didn't expect to like it so much."

"That's horrible," Maria snapped. "You shouldn't have done that."

"Easy, Ria. Calm down," Ashley said.

"No. Because Hope probably saw and she's probably devastated."

"I saw her with Punk right after I kissed Jeff," Michelle said. "She didn't look devastated."

"You don't know her like I do," Maria replied.

* * * * *

"So why don't you go after her?" Matt asked.

Jeff sat up, resting on his elbows. If only it was that easy. Just go after Hope. Yeah, right. If he did, she'd probably kill him. Besides, she seemed happy with Punk. Happy. Jeff barely knew what happiness was anymore. He couldn't give up. He wouldn't give up. Jeff looked up at his brother and simply shrugged his broad shoulders.

"I get all…weird around her," Jeff said. "I never know what to say."

"How about 'I'm sorry'?" Matt teased.

"That's not enough. She'll still kill me."

"She'll kill you anyway. You fucked up."

"Your vote of confidence is amazing. Thanks."

"She's probably waiting for you to go after her."

"Somehow I sincerely doubt that."

Matt had a few ideas up his sleeve. Maybe a secret rendezvous? A moonlit dinner? Something Jeff would do for a girl like Hope. Would Hope go along with it? Matt was pretty sure she would. After venting about seeing Jeff and Michelle. Naturally, he'd listen to her. He'd probably agree too. Jeff's voice brought him back to reality.

"What are you plotting?" Jeff asked.

"I'm not plotting anything," Matt lied.

"Bullshit. I know that look."

* * * * *

Hope snuggled closer to John, resting her head on his shoulder. They were watching the Nightmare on Elm Street movies in order to get Hope's mind off of Jeff. John could tell it wasn't working too well. He still saw the devastated look in her eyes and it still killed him. John kept nudging Hope until she looked up at him. He kissed her on the forehead, moving his lips towards her ear.

"Go see him," he whispered.

"It's not that easy, John," Hope replied.

"It is if you make that easy."

"I hate when you do that."

"Do what?"

"Make me feel like I can do anything."

"Because you can."

"If I go see Jeff will you leave me alone?"

"I promise."

"You win, John."

Hope got off of the bed, pulling on a hoodie. She took a deep breath before stepping out of the hotel room. She wanted to see Jeff, really she did. She was just afraid of snapping at him. Well, he deserved that. Hope made her way to Jeff's and Matt's hotel room. She froze in front of the door. She wanted to knock but her body wasn't moving. When she was just about to leave, Matt opened the door. He gave her a look that said 'I knew you were coming'. He opened the door wider, motioning for Hope to go in. The brunette reluctantly went inside.

"Jeff?" she managed.

Jeff looked up hearing his name. He didn't expect to see Hope standing in front of him. Not after what happened earlier. He didn't say anything, just stared. His green eyes dipping over her body. He'd give anything just to have one night with her. Maybe now was his chance. Was this what Matt was planning? Probably.

* * * * *

"Mickey, can I ask you something?" Jeff asked.

Michaela nodded. "Ask me anything, baby."

"Why'd you choose a guy like me?"

"Well, why not?"

"I'm serious. I need to know."

Michaela smiled as she caught Jeff's lips in a kiss. They'd been dating for three months and this wasn't the first time Jeff had asked that question. Michaela couldn't understand why he kept doubting himself. Maybe it had to do with his break up with Beth.

"Jeff, I love you. I love being with you," Michaela said.

"You could do better than some Southern guy," Jeff replied.

"But, I wanted some Southern guy."

"God, you amaze me."

* * * * *

Jeff took a deep breath, banishing that memory from his mind. He looked at Hope and she smiled down at him. Oh, how he loved her exquisite smile! It made him feel so alive. Jeff grabbed Hope by the shoulders and kissed her forcefully. He guided her body towards the bed, their lips still entwined. This was it. This was no dream. It was actually happening. Hope kissed Jeff back just as forcefully. This wasn't exactly what she'd had in mind. She'd planned on have a simple conversation with him. This was a lot better. Jeff held Hope's face in his hands as his lips lingered near hers. All of a sudden, she just pulled away.

"I can't, Jeff. I just…I can't," Hope stammered.

"Can't what?" Jeff asked.

"This. I can't kiss you, I can't be here with you…"

"Why not?"

"Because I can't trust you."

"I love you, Hope."

"I can't trust you."

"I know you love me too."

"How can I love someone I can't trust?"

With tears in her eyes, Hope ran off. Jeff tried to stop her but she was too fast for him. Twice. He'd lost her twice in less than twenty four hours. Jeff let out an angry scream, knocking everything off the oak desk in his hotel room. He banged his fists on the wall, breathing deep to calm himself down. How did he get into this mess? He heard the door open and his eyes lit up. Until he saw that it was only Michelle.

"Hey Jeff," Michelle said.

Jeff looked up at her as he remained silent. He'd let it be. Hope obviously wanted Punk. Fine. Let them be happy. Jeff grabbed Michelle by the waist and pulled her into a kiss. But, it wasn't Michelle that he was kissing. It was Hope's flawless face Jeff saw in his mind. He pushed Michelle onto the bed, getting on top of her while pulling of her shirt. Michelle wasted no time in taking Jeff's shirt off. This was easier than she thought.

* * * * *

Hope sat in the lobby, wiping the tears from her eyes. Why did she do that? Why did she push Jeff away? She wanted him and she'd pushed him away. But, she loved Punk. That was the problem. Hope loved both Punk and Jeff. She didn't know what she was going to do about it. She had no ideas. Honestly? She was thinking of giving up. She saw somebody move in front of her. She looked up to see Shannon Moore looking down at her. Hope smiled when she saw him.

"You're crying," Shannon said.

"No shit, Einstein," Hope replied.

"What happened, Hope?"

"Jeff. Jeff happened, okay?"

"Did he hurt you?"

"No. It's a long story."

"I know it is."

"What do you mean?"

"Matt told me the whole story."

"Bastard can't keep his mouth shut."

Shannon laughed, taking hold of Hope's hand. He led the slim brunette back to his hotel room. Hope knew he wanted her to talk to him. She noticed Matt was there too. She could tell that he had a few tricks up his sleeve. Hope sure she was involved in these tricks. She laughed to herself, sitting on Shannon's bed. Matt and Shannon both stared at her. Apparently they wanted her to start the conversation. Fine by her.

"I don't know what you guys want me to say," Hope shrugged. "You both know everything."

"Why'd you take Punk back after what he did?" Shannon asked.

"I was hurt when I saw Michelle and Jeff. Punk was just there."

"Punk hurt you too."

"But, he didn't confess his feelings for me and then stick his tongue down another girl's throat."

"That's true. But, Jeff's in love with you," Matt said.

"Really? Doesn't seem like it," Hope muttered.

"He never stops talking about you."

"Then why did he stick his tongue down Michelle McCool's throat?"

"Because he's an idiot," Shannon and Matt replied in unison.

* * * * *

Manchester, England. It was such a beautiful place and Hope was in awe being there. Right now, she had to get ready for an inter-gender match. Santino Marella and Jillian Hall versus her and Randy Orton. Why she'd gotten stuck with Orton was beyond her. Hope was lacing up her boots when Michelle McCool came over.

"Hope, can I talk to you?" Michelle asked.

Hope ignored her. Shannon had told her that Jeff slept with Michelle right after she left. Hearing that was like a knife to the chest. And now Michelle had the audacity to come talk to her? No, no. That didn't happen in Hope's book. The brunette stood up, draping the Women's Championship belt over her shoulder. She was about to leave when Michelle grabbed her arm.

"We need to talk," Michelle said.

"You need to let go of me," Hope replied.

"I'm sorry that you had to see the kiss."

"No, you're not. Maria told me what you said."

"Maybe she's lying to you."

"She's my best friend."

"Best friends tell the best lies."

"Just stay away from me, Michelle."

"You're jealous that I'm with Jeff."

"Actually, I'm really happy with Punk."

Hope shot a lethal glare at Michelle before pushing past her. Who the hell did Michelle think she was calling her out like that? Great. Now Hope was in a bad mood. Well, that wasn't too bad. She wrestled better when she was pissed off. Oh, what Hope wouldn't give to wrestle Michelle and kick her ass. She was right. Hope was jealous. But, the brunette didn't plan on admitting to anyone. Except John and maybe Matt or Shannon.

* * * * *

Jeff watched Hope's match from the back. He couldn't believe how Randy dominated the match, not tagging Hope in once. But, Hope got her revenge. When Santino and Jillian started to beat Randy up after the match, he begged for her help. Hope simply smiled, blowing him a kiss and leaving him in the ring. Jeff felt someone wrap their arms around his torso. He wished is was Hope but he knew it was Michelle.

"Hey you," Michelle smiled.

"Hey," Jeff replied, flatly.

"What's wrong, Jeff?"

"Nothing."

"You sound upset."

"I'm fine, Michelle."

"Do wanna go to dinner tonight?"

"That'd be nice."

Michelle took note that Jeff's voice had about zero enthusiasm. He didn't have to tell her why he was upset. She already knew. Michelle looked up to see Hope and Punk headed their way. She also saw that Jeff's face had pretty much lit up. A coy smile spread across Michelle's lips. She motioned for Punk and Hope to come over.

"You guys should come to dinner with us," Michelle said, eagerly.

"Uh, I don't know. We were--" Hope started.

"That's a great idea," Punk interjected.

"Great," Michelle grinned. "We'll meet you at the hotel in an hour."

"Sounds perfect."

Punk laced his fingers with Hope's, leading her to his car. Jeff stared after them, unable to get his thoughts together. He wasn't sure if he could do this. Hope already hated him. Dinner was going to be awkward. Something told him that Michelle already knew that. Jeff knew she was planning something. She just didn't know what.

Hope couldn't believe that Punk had agreed to dinner with Jeff and Michelle. She couldn't deal with it. How could she face Jeff? She was supposed to hate him. Hate Jeff Hardy? That wasn't even possible. Especially for Hope. She was about ready to freak out. The only thing she wanted to do was tell Jeff how much she loved him. Punk wouldn't be too happy about that though. She didn't care. She didn't want to hide her feelings anymore.

She didn't have a choice. Jeff was with Michelle. That's how it was for now. Hope hadn't been lying when she said she was happy with Punk. She truly was. The brunette just happened to know that she'd be happier with Jeff. Punk knew it too. He'd actually promised to stop the feud with Jeff. That was great and all but it didn't change how she felt. When Jeff had kissed her before they left for England, it seemed so perfect. Perfectly wrong was more like it. Hope didn't know how she'd handle dinner. But, she'd get through it.

Punk knew he really shouldn't have agreed to the dinner. He knew Hope would be upset about it. But, he couldn't undo it even if he wanted to. Part of him just wanted to make Jeff jealous. What Punk didn't understand was Jeff's relationship with Michelle. If he loved Hope then why was he with Michelle? If their roles were reversed, Punk would be fighting for Hope. That's just the kind of guy he was. Was Jeff that kind of guy? Punk wasn't sure about that. Wait, what was he saying? He didn't want Jeff fighting for Hope. That was just crazy.

* * * * *

Jeff sat directly across from Hope at the diner, staring into her chocolate brown eyes. Was it so horrible that he was so in love? He felt Michelle snuggle closer to him and tried to smile. Hope hadn't even looked at him yet. She was resting her head on Punk's shoulder, looking a bit miffed. Jeff kept trying to tear his eyes away but he was drawn to her. He stared into his glass of soda, knowing what to say.

"Jeff, I'm sorry about this whole feud crap," Punk said.

"It's over and done with," Jeff replied.

Punk nodded his head. He'd actually meant that apology. He really did feel bad about the whole feud. He'd hurt too many people. Okay, just three. But it still made him feel bad. Punk was surprised that even after all that he did, he got the girl. Did he deserve her? She seemed to think so. But, did he? Probably not. The shitty part was that he knew it. Punk draped an arm around Hope, wondering why her mood had changed. When he'd picked her up, she'd been as happy as a clam. What had changed?

After an hour, Hope couldn't stand the silence anymore. The silence between her and Jeff. It was making her go insane. She muttered an 'I have to go' before leaving the table abruptly. Jeff didn't hesitate for a minute. He quickly followed after Hope. He found her just outside of the diner. Hope took a long deep breath, wiping her eyes. She looked up at Jeff, locking eyes with him for only a brief moment. Jeff pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly. Hope wanted to kiss him back but she pulled away.