Chapter 8
Jeff dug his hand into his pockets as he walked down the hall of the arena they were at for Raw. Looking up he saw a door swing open and Leila step out from the make-up.
“Leila,” Jeff called as he picked up his pace to catch up to her.
Leila looked up at Jeff and looked like a deer caught in headlights. Looking around her as if for an escape she quickly ducked back into the make-up leaving Jeff in mid-stride feet away.
~~~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~
Leila stood in the middle of the ring later that night as she waited for Raw to come back from commercial. She knew who would be coming out next and her hands got so sweaty she almost dropped her mic.
As it came back from commercial, Leila immediately recognized the Hardy’s music as the arena came alive with screams and whistles and Matt and Jeff appeared on the stage.
“Making their way to the ring, from Cameron North Carolina, weighing a combined weight of 440 pounds, Matt and Jeff the Hardy Boys!” Leila announced loudly as they jogged down the ramp to a standing ovation.
Leila watched Jeff slide into the ring, unable to take her eyes off him. As he jumped off the one turnbuckle he turned and looked at her quickly before immediately looking away.
Leila felt her heart drop, but realized she deserved it after the way she had treated him the night before and earlier that evening. Hearing the other music play, she quickly announced the Hardy’s opponents, the team of Lance Storm and Christian.
As the two Canadians climbed into the ring, Leila climbed out quickly and made her way to the seat by the announcers table. She knew Matt and Jeff were going to lose from the way it was scripted, but ever since she started working in the WWF she became intent on the matches as she sat at ringside.
Watching Jeff perform was something that made her more nervous then going out in front of the crowd for her first Raw. When he climbed to the top turnbuckle, she never knew if he’d get back up.
She held her breath as she watched him climb to the top turnbuckle. Christian lay flat on the mat as Jeff prepared the swanton bomb. Leila watched wide-eyed as she watched Jeff fly off the top turnbuckle and Christian move as Jeff landed flat on his back.
“Get up Jeff,” she whispered as he lay still on the mat.
“What’s going on?” she wondered as she watched Jeff lay motionless, “this isn’t scripted!”
Christian stopped dead in his tracks as he realized Jeff was still lying on his back. The fear in his eyes was evident. Leila watched in horror as Matt climbed into the ring and ran to his little brother.
Leila quickly jumped out of her chair and into the ring as the fans rose to their feet, not sure what was going on. Sliding in next to Jeff and kneeling next to him she realized his eyes were halfway shut and fluttering. She quickly grabbed his hand and looked across Jeff’s motionless body to see Matt holding the other hand.
Jason (Christian) and Lance Storm stood behind them looking on worriedly as she heard EMT’s being called. Her heart raced; how could something like this happen. She smiled as she saw Jeff’s eyes flutter open and let out a small sigh of relief.
“Oh man,” he groaned softly, “that one hurt.”
“You scared the shit out of me Jeff,” Matt laughed, obviously relieved.
“Don’t move,” Leila ordered as Jeff tried to sit up. Jeff smiled at her, noticing it was her holding his other hand.
“Thanks,” Jeff whispered as he squeezed her hand, not tearing his gaze from hers.
The EMT’s rushed to ringside with a backboard, pushing Leila, Matt, and the others out of the way as they went to work loading Jeff onto the backboard.
“I’m fine,” she heard Jeff insist as he wrestled to get out of their grips.
“Let him go,” Leila told one EMT, “he can walk himself.”
Jeff looked over at Leila gratefully as he attempted to stand up. Quickly pushing past the EMT’s, she helped him to his feet and as he gained some sort of balance as he rested his weight on her. Using Matt on the other side for support, the 3 of them made their way up the ramp slowly as the crowd rose to their feet and started a “Hardy” chant.
Leila felt touched and surprised to hear such a chant, realizing just how much the fans respected and appreciated what these men did day in and day out. She felt Jeff squeeze her shoulder and she looked over at him with a small smile.
“Thanks,” he whispered as Leila just nodded, knowing what he meant as they disappeared backstage.
~~~~**~~~
“Hey,” Matt said opening his and Jeff’s hotel door to reveal Leila on the other end.
“How’s Jeff feeling?” she asked awkwardly.
“He’s better, I’ll tell him you stopped by,” Matt answered quickly, already ready to shut the door.
“Could I see him please?” Leila asked, her eyes pleading with Matt.
Matt looked thoughtful before reluctantly opening the door and stepping aside so she could get in, “he’s on the balcony.”
“Thanks,” Leila replied uncomfortably as she walked through their room, stopping in front of the closed glass door.
Jeff stood hunched over, leaning against the railing as he looked up at the night sky.
“Want some company?” she asked softly as she opened the sliding door and walked onto the balcony.
“Leila, hey,” Jeff said surprised as he turned around, “what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see how you were feeling,” Leila answered, “but if you want to be alone…”
“No, I’m glad you came by,” Jeff said with a smile, “just surprised.”
“What happened out there?” Leila questioned, “I’ve seen you do that move before and come out unharmed.”
“I don’t know,” Jeff replied honestly, “I just got the wind knocked out of me and dizzy. It’s funny though. I’ve done a swanton off 20 foot ladders through tables and go unscathed, but when I go to do one on my best friend I practically get knocked unconscious.”
“You scared the shit out of me!” Leila said as she hit his shoulder and stood next to him at the railing, “Never do that again!”
“I’m sorry,” Jeff laughed, “but I wanted to thank you anyways.”
“Why,” she questioned as she leaned on the railing and looked out at the starry sky.
“For getting those damn EMT’s for leaving me alone,” Jeff answered, “I hate that. It just makes me feel like I hurt myself worse then I did.”
“They were just doing their job,” Leila reminded as she looked over at Jeff.
“I know, but thanks anyways.”
“Anytime,” Leila smiled as she continued to look out at the night sky, there was something so calming about them.
“Why did you?” Jeff questioned as she turned her gaze from the stars but to him.
“What?” she asked.
“Why did you come into the ring like that? And help me up the ramp?”
“ I was concerned Jeff. I watched you climb to the rope and when you landed and didn’t get up, it scared the crap out of me and I didn’t know what to do. Even if I don’t show it, I do care about you and when you didn’t get up…” Leila’s voice trailed off as she admitted her emotions to Jeff.
“I’m sorry,” Jeff whispered.
“No, I am,” Leila said softly, using all her strength to say these words, “I’m sorry for everything and I promise that when the time is right I’ll tell you everything.”
“Alright,” Jeff nodded, taking her hand and letting his thumb rub over her knuckles.
“Please don’t,” Leila whispered, but didn’t think Jeff could hear her words over the sound of her pounding heart.
She closed her eyes as Jeff used a single finger to place a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. She felt his breath on her face as she felt her hand drop to her side as Jeff brought his hands up and held her face between his palms.
He placed his lips on hers so gently at first. She felt his hands slide down her face and neck and end up on her shoulder as she moved her hands to his hips as the kiss intensified.
“We can’t,” Leila whispered breathless as she pulled her lips away from Jeff’s and looked into his green eyes.
“Leila-” Jeff said placing his finger over her lips gently.
“I’ve gotta go,” she replied softly, pulling out of his reach and walking towards the sliding door.
Jeff watched as she slid the door open quickly and stepped through. Pausing she took a deep breath before she turned around and placed her hand on the handle to the glass door as she looked at Jeff.
“Leila,” Jeff called as she started to slide the door shut.
“Yeah,” she whispered into the night sky.
Jeff smiled, not sure what he wanted to say, “thanks.”
Leila nodded as she shut the door. Saying a quick goodbye to Matt, she walked out of the hotel and quickly down the hall.
“What happened?” Matt asked stepping out onto the balcony as Jeff once again stood stooped over against the railing and looking intently at the night sky.
“I don’t know,” Jeff mumbled, “One moment she’s apologizing, the next we were kissing, and then she ups and leaves.”
“How was it?” Matt asked stepping next to his brother.
“The kiss?” Jeff replied, “it was… nice.”
“Nice?” Matt questioned.
“I can’t describe it man,” Jeff sighed, “it was amazing. It was indescribable.”
“Why don’t we get inside and get some rest,” Matt said, placing a hand on his brother’s shoulder, “it’s been a long night for you.”
“Sure,” Jeff agreed as he obediently followed his brother into the room with Leila still on his mind.
Chapter 9
Chapter 7