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.

"Jay," I asked sitting down on the edge of the pool.

He remained floating not even bothering to look up and acknowledge me.

"What?" he groaned.

"Are you okay," I asked wondering how much moping he intended on doing.

"Do I look okay,"

"You look fine, other than you're floating in three feet of water and sweating Kaylin way too much for your own good,"

"I am not!" he opened his eyes wide betraying his statement.

"Okay, then who are you sweating that isn't Kaylin?"

Jay was silent.

"That's what I thought. So what's gone horrible wrong this time. You didn't happen to show interest did you! HEAVEN FORBID!"

"I think she likes whats his ugly face, Andrew!" Jay spat out with some extreme jealous spite.

"What gives you this idea,"

"I don't know. It's just a feeling I have okay!"

"Geez, calm down. Let's not have our rag, right here and now, shall we,"

Jay eyed me almost evilly for accusing him of having woman's troubles in public.

"Really, Jay, I think she likes you. It's too bad you're such a huge wuss,"

"I am not a wuss. I'm just a terribly busy person who realizes that it's too difficult to have a job like the one we have and expect to keep up a relationship as well,"

"Well it's good you're such a realist," I began to fake cough out names, "Jeff! Mel! Stacy!"

"Very funny,"

"Matt! Me! KING!" I continued to press on, "ADAM! Dwayne!"

"I get your point,"

"Good, I'm glad, because your excuses are beginning to bore me. What it comes down to is that you are a freaking wuss,"

"I am not!"

"Okay, and if you aren't a freaking wuss what are you doing moping in a three foot kiddie pool and complaining to me about Kaylin maybe possibly, but you don’t know for sure, liking Andrew Martin,"

"Dammit Mercy, why can't you just let me wallow in this!"

"Because I need to talk to you and I want you in a good mood, because heaven knows what would happen if I told you in a bad mood,"

"Okay, what is it,"

"No I'm not telling you and since when are we out of character?"

"Don't try and change the subject. It's five days until Raw, WE CAN BE out of character,"

"You are such a bitch when your pretend territory is threatened you know that!"

"Just tell me what ever it is and I won't be half as bitchy. Just knowing what foul sinister plan you are planning to hatch would be lovely,"

"I'm glad you think so highly of me. I'll talk to you later,"

I started to get up leaving my sarcastic dismal brother to his own vices until he could drink his way out of them or get a clue enough to ask Kaylin out.

Jay sat up quickly.

"Mercy, I'm sorry. Just tell me whatever it was you needed to tell me,"

"No, I'll talk to you later. I mean it. Just lay down and be a jerk by yourself for another hour,"

I didn’t really want to say that or act the way I was, but I couldn’t let him be a whiny baby and get away with it either.

"Mercy! I'm sorry. I'm over it. Whatever it was must be important please tell me,"

I started walking away and stopped only when I heard Jay jump out of the pool and walk after me. I turned around to him.

"Find something to sit down on," I abruptly ordered.

Jay sat down by the edge of the pool. I sat down next to him and turned to face him taking a deep breath.

"Matt asked me to marry him and I said yes," I blurted out before anything else could detour me from my purpose.

"Okay," Jay said with a gulp of near surprise, "That's news,"

"Are you going to be okay with that,"

Jay looked up thoughtfully trying to think. I could tell he was a mess of thoughts as it was never mind having to process his little sister becoming engaged.

"Of course," he finally answered, "Matt talked to me about it. Well, he hinted at it back at the venue, right before you came in. I told him what I thought and that was that,"

"What did you think,"

"I thought he wouldn’t be asking for a little while and I'd have some time to deal with it,"

"Jay," I started but was cut off.

"Ill just tell you what I told him. I told him that you are my little sister and I am super over protective at times, but I realize that you are all grown up and that good stuff. So what ever I think or say has nothing to do with this,"

I nodded and turned my stare at the water and my feet swishing around in it.

"Of course, what I didn’t let him know was, if you decided you loved him and he makes you happy. If he loves you as much and more than I do and is willing to put up with you all 31 days out of the month, unlike me who cowers in fear for about a week every month, then I think you two are meant for each other. Contrary to popular belief I know Matt's a good guy, with a good heart that won't do anything to hurt you, at least intentionally. Did I ever mention that I'm aware of how stupid men are,"

"Aww, Jay," I gave my brother a hug, "I'm so glad to hear you say things like this,"

"Yeah, well, don't tell anyone I'm have a sensitive side or anything. Especially don't remind Adam. I'll never live it down,"

I let go of him, "Well, I'll be sure to keep it between me and my future hubby,"

"Oh gawd, can we please just not use words like that for now," Jay cringed.

"Sorry, I'll have to remember to be nice to your sensitive side, that I know nothing about,"

"Exactly," Jay looked down at my hands, "Okay, let me see the ring. Confirm my worst fears are true and I didn't have a bad concussion dream,"

I held out my hand proudly for Jay to look over. I almost saw him break a grin, but he suppressed it real well.

"I'm happy for you sis," he managed to squeak out pulling me into a tight hug.

I wondered if he was about to cry or something. Not that he shouldn't it's just I hardly ever saw Jay break into tears.

"Hey, here comes your man and his ice packs. Should I wish him well," Jay asked beginning to release me.

"Yes, and remember to behave. You don't need to threaten him with bodily harm anymore,"

"Oh, just because I said all of that doesn't mean I don't threaten him with bodily harm. It just means I threaten him less than I do on average. Not considerably less, but let's say one or two threats a day less," Jay smiled still up to his old ways, which I was starting not to mind.

"I'll take what I can get," I muttered standing up along with Jay.

"Hey, Matt, congratulations and all that," Jay gave him a 'secret handshake'.

"Thanks Jay," Matt replied genuinely glad Jay was taking it all so well.

"Excuse me I have to go prove to Adam I can swim without floaties,"

"Hey how'd you know about that?" I asked Jay as he walked off.

"He's a smart ass. Smart asses say smart ass shit," Jay laughed as we kept walking to Adam who was now standing on the diving board.

I turned to Matt, "So, are you and your ice packs having a nice time?"

"I wish. The lefty is doing okay now, but the right is just totally screwed over,"

"C'mon let's go sit in the Jacuzzi and I'll see what I can do about it,"

I led Matt with me over to the Jacuzzi where Jeff Melanie and Stacy greeted him.

"Nice ice pack, you two known each other long," Jeff asked Matt much to his chagrin.

"About as long as you and your fanny pack," Matt smiled finally pulling off a superior remark to Jeff's witty one liners.

Jeff's eyes got wide and he hung his head embarrassed.

I sunk into the hot water slowly. It felt so refreshing after a long day of work.

Stacy scooted over a bit to make room for Matt.

"Okay, now sit in front of me," I instructed.

Matt slid off the upper step where and into the bottom where everyone's feet where in the oversized Jacuzzi. He was up to his neck in water.

"Perfect," I remarked going to work, massaging his right shoulder.

"Hey, how come I don't get that kind of treatment?" Jeff questioned Mel with mock indignation.

"Uhm, you don't ask," she retorted taking the hint to push herself behind him and get to work on his shoulders.

"Feel any better," I asked low so only Matt could hear.

He leaned his head back and smiled.

"Good," I resumed my massaging.

Stacy was feeling a little left out and so she proposed to go and make a public service announcement on behalf of Matt and I.

"Yeah, go ahead, I'm spent for the night," I told her as she got up out of the Jacuzzi.

"You told Jay already, right?" she asked suddenly cautious.

"Oh, yeah, of course. Lord he'd have a hemorrhage if I didn't do it personally,"

Matt gave a laugh of acknowledgment to my words, "I still think he dislikes me,"

"Oh believe me, he doesn't dislike you. You'd know if he disliked you. He's just, well, Jay,"

"I'm glad he doesn’t dislike me then. I don't think I could endure any more threats per day,"

"That's so sad. You two are so whooped by what Jay says," Jeff snickered, "Not that I would leave you two alone for more than five minutes at a time on basic principle. That's just me looking out for my big bro. He's a sucker for them jezebels," Jeff added.

"Hey are you calling me Jezebel?"

"No, not you, just women in general,"

Mel gave Jeff a slap in the back of the head, "Okay, just Amy then, geez. Can't say a damn thing without you chicks taking it wrong and slapping me in the back of the head,"

Mel slapped him again.

"What was that for?"

"Wow, I didn't think you could get any dumber. I'll try not to hit you in the head anymore,"

I saw Stacy start on making her rounds through the various groups of people now hanging around the pool. Scottie and Brian, Mr. Rikishi, Paul, and on to Paul (Hunter) and Joanie (Chyna) who were shmoozing with their DX pals. Kaylin sure enough was talking to Andrew, but even I could see Andrew checking out Trish from afar. I would have to let Jay in on that little fact before the night was over so he didn’t spend too much time stressing. I noticed a few other assorted people hopping in and out of the pool. Chris the ayatollah of dog paddling-ola and good old Stevie Richards.

"So, do you think I should go tell Jay that Andrew is checking out Trish and not his beloved Kaylin?" I inquired of Matt.

"Let him sweat it out. It's so obvious, that if he doesn’t notice by himself he deserves the loving torment,"

"He is a blonde though,"

"Hey! That means absolutely nothing," Jeff broke in arguing.

Matt moved his shoulder from my grip and turned around to face me, "I think I'm all better now,"

"Good," I slid my arms around his neck and leaned in bumping my nose next to his.

He moved in and brought me a kiss. His arms pulled around my waist and left his hands resting on my back pulling me closer to him.

"Bunnies," Melanie accused still working on Jeff's shoulders.

I ignored her and concentrated on madly kissing Matt. I had one hand rested on the back of his neck gently aiding in keeping his face to mine and the other softly entangled in his not yet dowsed hair. Suddenly I noticed the water disappearing from around me. I was being lifted out of the Jacuzzi. I opened my eyes and saw the devilish devious grin and diabolical glint in Matt's eyes.

"Oh no, not again. This is one time too many!" I objected as Matt shrugged off my please and adjusted his hold on me, on arm around my back and the other cradling my legs, "Oh great," I clutched my arms around his neck and buried my head in his shoulder waiting for the inevitable.