Chapter 13

"Whose idea was it to have a ladder match?" Matt asked Jeff.

"Hazel and I had talked about it before. I know I have a better chance at beating him then if it was a regular match." Jeff said lacing his boots. Matt shook his head. "She's going to get you killed, or extremely injured. I told you that you should have just left her alone. Ever since we got involved in this bullshit, we've all been in danger. You should have just let her work it out with her family herself." Matt huffed.

Jeff shot his older brother a dirty look, "What would you do for Lita? You love her and if someone was doing shit to her, you'd do anything to stop it. Wouldn't you?"

Matt bit his lip. He knew now that he had hit a nerve in Jeff. "Lita isn't the sister of Kane and Undertaker."

"What if she was?"

"She isn't."

"But, what if she was?" Jeff pressed.

"You have control over who you love…" he spat before walking out into the hallway almost bumping Hazel. "I hope you're happy." He spat at her as he walked off.

Hazel watched Jeff get ready. "Matt hates me doesn't he?"

"He just doesn't understand how I'm not worried about this match." He replied kissing her lightly. "I know that if we're meant to be together, we will find a way. Even if I need to get my ass beaten a few times, you're worth it."

Hazel tried to smile but she couldn't. Jeff had confidence, but she was terrified. The anxiety intensified as the match neared. Jeff tried everything in his arsenal to make her relax but she just couldn't. Finally, it was time for the match. Jeff turned to her and smiled. "You want to walk with me? Stand ring side and watch up close?"

She shook her head, and then stared at the floor. Jeff nudged her chin so that she was facing him. "It'll be ok. Come on." He said taking her hand as they headed into the hallway. They passed Kane in the hallway.

"Jeff," he called. "Listen, I know we haven't been anything close to friends, but as long as you're good to her, I don't care that you guys are together."

"Thanks, Kane." Jeff said looking at Hazel.

Undertaker was already in the ring when Hazel and Jeff made their way to the stage she nervously grabbed for his hand one last time. Jeff danced to his song as Hazel waved to the fans as they approached the ring. Taker stared at them as she climbed into the ring with Jeff. Taker grabbed a microphone and called to her. "Hazel, I need to be reminded if I win this match, you'll never see him again right?"

She sighed as she turned to face her brother. "If Jeff should lose, I will keep my word. As long as you keep your word when he wins." She spat back at him.

"Good enough for me…" he spat at her.

Jeff pulled the ropes apart so she could safely get out, but Taker attacked him before she was off the apron. Taker's blow sent Jeff crashing into Hazel, who landed on the mat on the outside of the ring with a thud. Hazel bought herself to her feet and gave Jeff a reassuring smile as she walked towards King and JR.

"Hazel is joining us!" King announced as she sat next to him.

"Hi JR. Hi King. How are you both doing?" she asked trying to sound confident.

"How are you feeling? This must be an emotional situation for you." JR stated.

"More then you know. I love my brothers both very much even if that doesn't make any sense to anyone and I know that they feel that they are trying to protect me… but I love Jeff and I'm old enough to decide who I spend my time with.."

"Have you considered the outcome if Jeff should lose?" King asked earnestly.

Hazel sighed. "I have faith in Jeff. I also am a woman of my word.."

The match raged in the ring with both Jeff and Taker controlling the match. Hazel watched intently but felt her stomach ache when she watched her brother manhandling Jeff. The crowd cheered and booed as control of the match switched quite often.

"You know, Hazel, if Jeff should lose, I will be your boyfriend." King joked.

For the first time, Hazel laughed a real laugh. Not a forced or fake one that she had been doing up until now. "Oh, I bet you would..." she laughed.

Jeff grabbed a ladder and began pulling it into the ring, but Taker slammed the ladder into Jeff's ribs. Hazel watched as Jeff had a hard time getting to his feet. Her heart began racing. Adding insult to injury, Taker kicked the ladder into his side again. Everyone watched as Jeff slid out of the ring almost motionless. "Come on Jeff!" Hazel cheered. As Jeff stood on the apron, Taker threw the top of the ladder into him, sending him crashing onto the announce table. Hazel quickly went to his side. "Jeff, I shouldn't have let you do this! Oh my God. Jeff!" she cried tending to him. Taker began to climb the ladder, until he saw Hazel at Jeff's side. He jumped towards them and shoved Hazel away from Jeff as she cried and begged her brother to stop the match. Taker sneered at her as he threw Jeff's body onto the announce table one more time. Hazel watched in horror as her brother tossed Jeff around like a rag doll. She began to cry openly and knew what she had to do. The tears stained her cheeks as she grabbed a chair and slammed it into her brother's back. He tossed Jeff into the ring and turned to face his sister. She froze, chair still in her hands and tears staining her cheeks. "I told you to stay out of this!" he screamed at her. Jeff, unknowing of what was going on, took the opportunity to go aerial. He jumped from the turnbuckle, just as Taker moved out of the way to reveal Hazel standing there. The crowd booed as Jeff landed and kicked the chair into Hazel's face, knocking her to the floor. Hazel lay on the mat motionless. Taker stared in disbelief at Jeff, who was trying to tend to Hazel. Taker threw him into the ring and began stomping him. Jeff watched as King jumped up from the announce table and checked on Hazel. Jeff let all the fury he had within himself come out as he attacked Taker. King was checking on Hazel while Jeff continued his assault. Taker caught him with an upper right arm, sending him to the ground. The match continued with Taker on the offensive.

"I can't believe this match. I can't believe Hazel just took a chair to the face!" JR screamed. "How is she King?"

King was helping Hazel to her feet, but she was still out of it. She held her head as she braced herself on the apron. She watched as Taker choke slammed Jeff from the top of the ladder and began sobbing as Taker unhooked the belt from the suspension, signaling his win. He exited the ring with a smug smile on his face. Jeff was trying to pull himself up with the ropes. When Taker saw this, he was irate. He jumped back into the ring and delivered "The Last Ride" to Jeff. Hazel covered her mouth as she cried seeing Jeff's broken body hit the mat once more. Hazel slid into the ring next to Jeff, her tears streaming down her face. She sat next to him covering her face with one hand and the other was in Jeff's hand. Jeff began to motion for the microphone. "Hey! Hey Taker! You haven't broken me! I'm still standing!" Jeff screamed into the microphone as he tried to use the ropes to steady his body. Hazel saw the look in her brother's eyes. "Jeff… stop…please." She begged.

"I love your sister more then I love myself! This isn't over…" he screamed.

Taker came back into the ring. His eyes were confused and angry. He couldn't believe Jeff was back to being almost on his feet. Hazel screamed as Taker gripped Jeff's hand from her hand. "Stop! Please!" she cried as the tears streamed down her cheeks. She cried as she tried to stand. Taker stood Jeff up and looked like he was going to punch him once more. Hazel was still trying to get to her feet, wondering what her brother was going to do. To her shock, as well as everyone else's, Taker did not hit Jeff. Instead, he raised his arm in victory. Jeff looked as confused as everyone else. Taker dropped his arm and Jeff slid to the mat in confusion and exhaustion. Taker turned to Hazel and extended his arm to her. She looked into his eyes and took his hand, unsure of what was going on. Taker brought Hazel to her feet and pulled her into a hug. Taker motioned for the microphone. "Hazel, I was so wrong…" he said wiping the tears from her eyes. Taker stared at Jeff, "If you can stand after an ass-beating from me, I know you can protect my sister…" The crowd cheered as Taker helped Jeff to his feet and placed Hazel's hand into Jeff's. Taker let a genuine smile escape his lips as he turned and left the ring. Hazel and Jeff stood in the ring, realizing at last that Taker had accepted them. Jeff pulled Hazel into a tight hug and kissed her lips.

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The End of this part---Hazel & Jeff's story continues in "Truth Behind the Lies"