Author: Anne
Title: The Angle
Rating: PG-13 for good ol language and violence
Spoilers:None
Characters: Hardyz, E&C and a few of my own creation
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters except Mercy and David, Kay is owned by Kaylin herself. I'm not making $$ off of this either.
Distribution: My site and Kay's.

I was standing patiently backstage. For the first time in my existence, I wouldn't be entering the ring with Edge and Christian. Well, Damia wouldn't be anyway. After some deliberation during our one and only rehearsal of the event, Jay and Adam came to the conclusion I should set the audience up a little more for the tragic break up. So instead of winding through the crowd with them I would enter from the ramp and stage, alone. It was kind of hard knowing that the last night had been my real last night to stop entering with them. From now on I'd always come from the ramp, on the arm of Matt flashing my guns with my new boys. I waited until the stage director cued me that the floodlights had found Jay and Adam. I gave myself a ten second count and started out on the stage. A few more decibels erupted when my small following in the arena noticed I was also approaching. I supposed they had become worried when the announcer did his job and announced that I was not with the two men. I sauntered down the stage with a bored dysfunctional look on my face. The angle continued to go as planned with all of us reusing our emotions to go with the script. As I climbed the steps and began to enter in between the ropes, my so-called brother Edge got in my face. He was supposed to be screaming about my entrance and was wildly pointing. It took all my will power not to explode in a fit of laughter. Instead of actually scripting his lines Adam was ad-libbing gibberish knowing the microphones wouldn't pick up anything with the music on.

"Who took my pancakes. Mercy where are my oreo's. Did you eat my Met-RX bar again. Damn you! Jay, I want my snack cakes back. You he-devil where's my Rembrandt!"

Luckily, I was supposed to give a bitchy smirk before turning my back to him and hopping up on the ropes to get my applause. Had it not been for that I might have burst a lung at his rendition of the "Best of Jay Adam and Mercy in Motel 6's".

Our music cut just as I got off the second corner. I got down and made my way to the stairs. I would have to wait outside the ring until my chair shot came around. The T&A music sounded up and I turned to watch Trish Stratus in all her glory escort Test and Albert to the ring. I didn't have much to do so I decided to yet again, put all my energy into watching my beloved brother and Adam go around and around the ring throwing and being thrown. Instead of stopping to lap up the crowd's affection Test and Albert slid into the ring eagerly in their usual fashion. I grinned at Adam grinning at the crowd. He was a little too good at the insane glare thing. Things were livening up. Trish had jumped up on the ropes a few times to annoy things and the ref. was getting pretty distressed or, acted as though he was. I was getting antsy to finish all of this. My GTV stint had been pre-recorded so that I didn’t have to worry about. Test bounced into to the ring on the tag of Albert. Albert didn't leave the ring. All of a sudden Trish jumped onto the ropes and grabbed the ref wheeling him around. Edge had time while they were distracted to get out of the way of the floor and miss their little shoulder top somersault thing. Then Jay drop-kicked Albert and Edge speared Test as he got off the ground. Like I had hoped the scene was finally set up. Matt and Jeff came a running into the ring. I ran over to where Trish had the ref. distracted and as she tried to turn him around I pushed her onto him, supposedly knocking him out. Then grabbing a chair I tossed it into the ring and slid under the ropes myself. Adrenaline had begun to pump through my veins as once again I realized with horror how many people had their eyes on me. I had to get this right. I waited a second or two and then saw the setup. Matt and Jeff tossed Edge into the ropes. He bounced off and they ducked him vaulting over them once and twice. I stepped up noticing Christian hauling himself up the rope behind me. He had just gotten thrown out and hustled to get back up. As Edge ran for the other rope I swung the chair and made a slight contact. It was just enough to convince the camera really. Jeff stomped on the canvas for me, to create the appropriate sound effect. All eyes were on Edge tumbling Christian and himself over the ropes. I dropped the chair and took my place with Matt and Jeff. We hurried out of the ring and ran up the ramp. About half way, Jeff stopped to taunt Adam and Jay as they got up off the ground. While I waved goodbye, with the bitchy smirk on my face. Matt scooped me up and gave a defiant and territorial little act and carried me out of sight.

"Ohmigod, that was brilliant," Jeff laughed once we were backstage.

"Oh yeah. Our finest work yet. Except for maybe when we actually do stuff and fall of ladders," said Matt.

"Oh and hurt ourselves!" Jeff added.

"Uhm, hi, I'm still hanging over your shoulder Matt, could I maybe get put down or something," I begged.

"Actually, I kinda like you like this. It's uhm," he smacked me on the butt, "Convenient!"

"I'll show you convenient," I muttered using both my fists to pound into the back of his legs.

"Oww," Matt shrieked instantly letting go, dropping me.

"Oww!" I shot back after hitting the floor.

"Sorry," Matt grinned reaching down to help me up.

Jeff did a cartwheel as I stood up and I just shook my head, "Matt, you do know that boy isn't quite right?"

"I've known that since my mom brought him home after birth," Matt snickered just out of Jeff's earshot.

"I heard that!" Jeff called running back from where his serious of acrobatics had ended, "Believe me I'd love to sit here and be the butt of you two's jokes, but I gotta go find Mel and wish her luck, she's out right before us, you know!"

"Oh yeah, just wishing her luck, yeah, I got ya," I teased giving Jeff a sarcastic wink.

"Shuttup! I'm not that quick, at least I don't think I am!"

"From what I heard…" I started to say instigating him to run off from me before I could finish.

"C'mon I want to have some QT with you as well,"

Matt took me by the hand and pulled me with him to he and Jeff's little dressing room area. Inside, Matt practically collapsed in a chair pulling me with him onto his lap.

"I'm glad we finally got our way with that angle,"

"I know right. I didn't think Vince would go for it at first, but he polished it up quite a bit to be presentable tonight," Matt sighed.

"Hey let's see if we can get the Channel in here. That GTV should air soon. I wanna see how bad I look on t.v.,"

"You don't look bad on t.v. Have you seen some my entrances, I look like a steroid pumped gorilla-man or something,"

"No, you don't," I replied quickly.

"Well, then what do you call it, because I don't think the chicks are all going wild for me or anything,"

"Smooth one. Besides what do you care about all those other chicks anyway,"

"Well, I don't. I'm just trying to get an opinion out of the only chick in my world,"

"Aww, that's sweet and like I said before, you don't look like a gorilla-man,"

Matt laughed, "Who said I was talking about you," he joked.

I gave him a wimpy slap and proceeded to fake throttle him for his comment.

"Ugh, I can't believe you!"

"Stop .. choking me .. Can't breathe .. er, well I can, but I'd much rather be doing something else while holding my breath,"

"Really," I acted shocked, "Wonder what that could be?" I let go of Matt's neck and he bent up to kiss me.

"I think it goes something like that,"

"Really, hmm, I wasn't paying attention could you show me again?"

"Oh yah, no problem," he replied taking my face in his hands and pulling me down to him again, this time not intending to let go.

Out of nowhere Matt began slowing the kiss down to nonexistence. I blinked and stared directly into his eyes in wonder.

"Remember, our first date?" he asked letting a small smile play upon his lips.

I smirked in recognition, "How could I forget? You dropped twenty bucks at the ice machine on the way to the hotel,"

"Yeah, we watched bad cable and you had your butt in a bucket full of ice the whole night," he let out a short laugh, "That was the best date I've ever had,"

"I'm glad I'm so much fun," I replied covering his mouth with mine as not to let him keep babbling.

Moments later or so it seemed, a sharp knocking was heard at the door.

"Damn," we both cursed in unison.

I stood up and out of habit made a dusting motion on myself.

"YEAH!" Matt called out standing up, "WHAT!"

"15 minutes, Matt!" we heard Jeff yell from outside the door, "If your not naked can I come in!"

Matt rolled his eyes causing me to launch into a fit of giggles at the prospect of being naked, let alone, having Jeff walk in and react to it.

"Oh, geez hold on Jeff let me put all my clothes on!" Matt grumbled yanking the door open as he said it.

Jeff had his hands over his eyes, "Is it safe Mercy? You wouldn't lie to me, like SOME people?"

"Word, Jeff you're safe," I managed to choke out recovering from my giggles.

Jeff peaked out from a small space between his fingers and after making sure there was no chance he would be flashed, he dropped his hands and stepped in the room.

"Where's Mel?" I asked good naturedly.

"Uhm, she WORKS here too!" Jeff jokingly snapped with sarcasm.

"Oh yah, that's right. Stupid me, I thought she was just here for tambourine purposes," I returned smacking Jeff in the back of the head lightly.

"Oh good god," Matt rolled his eyes, "You touched the hair. I can't guarantee you protection if you keep instigating things like this,"

Matt put himself between me and Jeff to ward off any threats that may come.

"What?" Jeff asked confused.

I patted Matt's shoulder to reassure him, "Don't worry, I got it, and I laughed, maybe on the inside, but I laughed,"

"Oh that was helpful," he agreed.

"And just for safety purposes, let's go over what we're doing tonight," Jeff asked Matt breaking in to the humor-fest unfolding.

"That's what you came here for. You forgot your lines didn’t you!" Matt giggled giving Jeff a brotherly push.

"Oh shuddup, I remember the part about Amy flattening your ass out like a pancake,"

"Ew, yeah me too,"

"What the hell happened. I thought you three were friends!" I asked.

"WERE, then she started getting a little too friendly with your man," Jeff replied before going into a series of jumping jacks to pump himself up.

"Aww, Matty, did she try to rape you?"

"No, but she got that lonely kid who lost their toy look in her eye every time I walked by. Then she was getting all territorial or whatever. It was beyond me. I wish she'd quit and go back to normal,"

"Pshhhhhh, Amy, Normal" Jeff burst out laughing, "Yah right do0d. She probably has a picture of your DNA that she worships, in addition to owning a bunch of yahoo clubs or something,"

"Yah, maybe she's got a web page all about you, under some name like Jennifer Jones or something!" I added.

"Real funny you two!" Matt whined, "Just leave her out of your little ramblings. She's cool. She's just confused,"

"She's not confused, she knows what she wants!" Jeff cried heaving some pelvic thrusts in Matt direction.

That sent me over the edge and I fell to my butt laughing hysterically.

"Hey wait, that's not cool. That ass is mine," I finally came back with after regaining some oxygen.

"Seriously, you two. Leave Amy alone. She's cool,"

"I know I know," I slowly admitted.

"Crap we have like only a few minutes to get this shit together!" Jeff announced looking at a clock over our door.

"Okay, let's go get this over with,"

I opened the door for the two brothers and ushered them out. Matt slid his arm around my waste as I shut the door.

"We're walking out together, just like this," he whispered in my ear.

"We shouldn't. The gimmicks too new," I answered back.

"I'm not letting go,"

"I'll sick Joanie on you, if you don't,"

His arm dropped immediately and he looked at me with wide eyes, "That's just cruel,"

"I know. That's why you love me," I smiled having gotten my way.

"That and a bunch of millions of other reasons,"

"Good god, you two are absolutely nausiating," Jeff whimpered from up ahead of us.

Matt and I just looked at each other with mock confusion before I asked Jeff, "Whatever do you mean," very innocently.

A stage manager whistled at us as we entered the backstage area.

"You're on in five, get set, get happy, get mad, whatever the hell you three are supposed to be doing,"

I did some stretches on my arms and worked out some leg tension throwing un-aimed kicks. Matt and Jeff were doing there team stretch thing, which would have looked completely gay coming from anyone but them or from brothers. After that Matt and Jeff reviewed a few things about their match. Essa, Stevie Richards and Lita showed up. Suddenly we were all in character. Matt and Jeff gave some evil glares their way and they returned them equally as menacing. I stood a little closer to Matt as the music blared on through the speakers.

Jeff watched the stage manager give us a count on his fingers and we began walking out on stage. I pictured my really dumb looking stage move in my head and before I knew it was standing in between the two boys who were giving themselves the guns and I was giving them each guns with my arms criss crossed. It made little sense to me, but somewhere out of nowhere the crowd was enjoying it. I uncrossed my arms and flashed the guns with open arms and after a few seconds of holding that pose. Matt stormed down the ramp with a quickened pace and threw his arms up in the air wildly. Jeff was skipping slowly and giving grins left and right. I dropped my arms to my sides and held my wrist behind me as I walked drifting a little behind me. All I had to keep me busy was look at one side of the crowd then the other smiling like a pimpette. I stayed on the outside of the ring and listened close to the announcer booth as J.R. announced all the information given on GTV and that I had accompanied the Hardyz to the ring. Jerry kept winking at me like a total freak as he commentated on everything J.R. said. Meanwhile Matt and Jeff were running to all the corners of the ring, challenging some fan support up from the crowd. The cheers were deafening behind the music. Then all was silent and dark. The lights beamed on and Essa and Lita's music came on. Essa Rios, Stevie Richards and Lita appeared on the stage. Lita did her usual head and hair toss and pointing bit. Suddenly, I became more and more suspicious of her after seeing her walk towards the ring. What Jeff had said about her hadn't helped either. I couldn't dwell on any of it though because whether this was fun for me or not, I was at work and essentially on the clock as of right then.

As Essa and Stevie neared the ring the ref. held back Matt and Jeff. Finally as they both slid under the ropes the ref. stepped back and let them all go to work. Jeff and Matt had the advantage seeing as they were standing at the time, Stevie and Essa both arrive on their bellies. I stood back in awe watching my two boys go to work. Well, my boy and his brother, actually, but who was being technical. For some reason I wished Melanie were out with me to enjoy the festivities of my departure from under my brother's wing. I watched carefully waiting for Lita to make a move. She was across from me and I could tell she was devoting half her staring attention to cheering Essa and to staring, well, glaring actually, at me. I couldn't figure Amy out sometimes. Truly, she was a really great person. I thought so when I met her. In fact, I was almost dead certain, she was or would soon be Matt's girlfriend when I first met them all. Then I came to find out, that they were supposedly just friends. How was I to know that Matt and I would hit it off and start dating? I didn't know we'd even be this close in our whole relationship. I snapped out of my thoughts. I had to keep focused. Just a minute had passed, but I knew with me, the minutes could turn to hours quite quickly. Still, I didn’t understand, even nowadays Amy could be sweet and really fun to talk to, and then all of a sudden turn to pure venom towards me. Jeff and Essa through each other around in the ring and traded some impressive moves. I didn't really know how long the fight had been going, but apparently, long enough for me to zone out. Lita had jumped onto the apron and was intently screaming at Essa. Stevie was in the corner trying to regain his wits. I suppose I had missed out on whatever had happened to him in all my thoughts. Jeff tagged Matt in so he could finish off Essa, I prepared and instead of silently and intently watching as I always had during Edge and Christians matches, I livened up my being. Thankfully I realized Matt had only been in the ring one other time. So, if I cheered it might hint up at my angle a bit more, before I went off on Lita. I stalked around the ring following Matt around after he and Jeff had done their togetherness business on Essa. Stevie was now behind the ropes next to Lita. The referee was ordering Lita to get off the ropes. I watched as Matt did an illegal hold on Essa just as planned. Lita began shouting about this. I was staring at Matt's boot as he held it perfectly taught against the ropes. It wasn't long before my role would come up. The referee turned briefly and again ordered Lita off the ropes. She of course punched the ref. I shouted to Matt as the ref. went down and he looked up and saw Lita climbing the ropes. He let Essa go and in the split second Lita mimicked Jeff's Swanton Bomb right onto Matt. I had no idea that was the move she was going to do. Instinctively I was angry. I couldn't believe I was angry over something contrived to begin with.

As Lita rolled toward me noticing the ref. standing to his feet, I greedily grabbed a handful of her gorgeous red hair and tugged.

"Ah, ow," she cried in pain before grabbing my wrist in the proper hold she should have gotten in the first place.

I made some utterance and gave a scowl towards the cameraman in my face capturing our moment. Soon I had pulled Lita out of the ring, the ref was counting out Matt as the loser, but when he got to two Matt threw up his shoulder. Essa tried again to pin him. I loosely traded punches with Lita. Suddenly I felt her fist contact my left cheek.

"What are you doing!" I snarled under my breath.

"Psst, Mercy, take it like a woman, bitch," she gave back equally as low and unheard.

I lunged at her and took her to the floor.

I heard the announcer's cackling at their table about our "cat fight". Now I knew how Stacy felt when she had to lose her clothes to whatever diva of the week. Half humiliated and half enraged I kept at my target, I almost didn't notice the bell ringing and the referee raising Jeff's arm to declare the Hardy Boyz the winners. Amy looked at me and winked before hitting me in the jaw a second time. She packed some force with her second punch unlike the small tap of the first hit. I flew back and landed flat on spine. A gust of air surged out of my lungs. There she came diving on top of me. I punched her hard in the cheek. I wasn't about to take this. As she rolled off of me I dove on top of her and tried to grab for her face with my nails. She caught my hands mid swing and hurled them back into my face. I was a match for her, but something was stopping me from fully unloading onto her. Maybe it was the chance this was all just an act and I didn’t want to get carried away and seem like a jealous girl or something. Before any more havoc could be wreaked I felt strong arms go around me and pull me away from Lita. I turned it was Matt.

"Don't lose it now," he whispered in my ear noting the surprised expression on my face.
I gave a little fight to him pulling me back. Just for the camera's sake. All in all I just wanted to get out of the spotlight and go sit in my hotel room and brood. Amy gave me a disturbed look and picked herself off the floor.

Matt hauled me up the ramp and when I got too vivacious for him, Jeff grabbed my legs and they carried me away as though I were a convict. The moment we got back stage Jeff let go of my legs and I stood up on my own two feet.

"I hope that was an act," Matt said quickly.

"What? Me hitting you or me hitting her?"

"Well now that you mention it, both. What the hell happened out there?"

"She punched me full force, or did you miss that part!"

"I saw it," Jeff came to my defense.

Matt let out a deep sigh of aggravation, "Are you sure it was on purpose, because you punched her a good many times afterwards and I'd hate for it to be over a damn slip,"

"She didn't slip, she called me a bitch. SHE DIDN'T FREAKIN SLIP!" I snapped unbelievably angry that he would even think to question me about something like that, "What AM I? Unprofessional now! Did I forget everything I learned once I stepped into YOUR ring!?"

"That's not what I meant,"

"Whatever, I'll see you at the motel!"

I walked away angry. Angry at myself for losing it with Amy, angry for losing it with Matt on a simple and not that huge defense, and angry I couldn't just calm down, apologize, and go on living. I opened the door to my, Mel and Stacy's dressing area, and gave a huge sigh of relief that they weren't there. I crumbled myself into a chair and noticed I was shaking. Must have been the big adrenaline high taking its toll on me. I heard footsteps in the hall and I knowingly eyed the door, waiting.

The door swung open and Matt stood in the doorway.

"I'm sorry," he offered.

I stood up out of the chair and managed to get my shaking to subside as I moved toward him.

"I am too. I'm so sorry I yelled at you," I calmly replied welcoming myself to his hug.

"Are you okay, your jaw hanging by a thread or anything,"

"Nothing, one of our famous after work dinner dates won't fix," I smiled.

"I love those, except for the whole in pain thing,"

"Is your shoulder bothering you?"

"Well, considering it was pressurized into the mat against all scripting warnings and so on, it hurts like hell,"

"Well, I'll just get my stuff and we can go. I'll shower at the Motel. It'll give me a time to actually see my luggage after this long tedious day. Who knows, maybe we'll have a party. I saw an enclosed pool when we first arrived,"

"Pool sounds good, but what I want is freaking Jacuzzi for this shoulder,"

"Ice, get ice,"

"I know, I will, you got $20 bucks,"

"Why don't I just buy you an ice machine,"

"I'll love you forever," he kissed the top of my head and then left my doorway to go to his dressing area.

I smiled and gave way to blushing a little. I was relieved we never stayed mad for very long after a fight.