Part Three
After Chris had gone off to make his phone call, a nurse came up to Doctor Stone and, after whispering something in her ear, left. The doctor turned to the others. "It looks like he's awake. I guess it takes alot to keep that big man down."
"Can he have any visitors?" Jeff asked. "We'd like to give him his presents now."
"That sounds okay... But maybe you should let Linda talk to him first. You two can wait outside the door and she'll get you when she's finished."
"I'll stay here incase Chris comes back before the rest of you," Matt said, handing Jeff the card.
The other two followed her to Kane's hospital room. She and Linda entered first. Kane was lying in the bed and, other than having an IV or two in his arm, he seemed rather comfortable. "I know this is a stupid question," the doctor started, "but how are you feeling?"
"Like I was on the receiving end of a chokeslam... But other than that, I'm fine." He cracked a smile.
"Are you smiling because I'm a nice old lady or because you're happy to be alive?" She checked his chart and ran a few tests.
"You're not old," Linda reprimanded. "We're the same age and I am not old." After Doctor Stone left, she went to Kane's side. "Anything you wanna talk about?"
"Yes," he said, matter-of-factly. "Do angels have a sense of humor?"
She wasn't sure where this was going and she shrugged her shoulders. "Why do you ask?"
"Because, as I was slipping in and out of consciousness, I could swear I saw an angel! He had long, flowing blond hair and the most amazing blue eyes I'd ever seen. And he said, 'I'm with you now... I won't let you be alone anymore... And if you leave, you will be in SO much trouble!' I actually thought I was in heaven. Not that a guy like me could get in there anyway."
"I don't know about that... You're a real sweet guy. You just have one flaw."
"Yeah, I know..."
"Your horrible choice in friends! But, I think I can help you with that."
Right on cue, Jeff walked in carrying the presents. "Hi! We heard you were in here. Matt is waiting outside. We got you presents! I hope you like teddy bears. It was all they had in the gift shop. You feelin any better? Want me to fluff your pillow or something? Hey, you're a pretty good lookin dude! Maybe you should ditch the mask for good. Or maybe keep it for in the ring to add to that whole mysterious look. Would you have preferred flowers? Maybe I should have brought flowers."
Linda laughed. "Slow down, Jeff. Give the man time to process everything."
"Sorry... I had two bags of Skittles on the ride over here."
After finally digesting everything that the younger Hardy had just said, Kane realized that he wasn't wearing his mask. It was probably still in his hotel room. And then he remembered that Jeff had called him a 'good lookin dude' and a blush crept up along his cheeks. "Thanks, Jeff," he said, finally.
Thinking he was referring to the presents, Jeff beamed with pride. "No problem. I picked the bear out, yanno. Well, I think I'll get some coffee." He set the gifts down on the windowsill and left.
"Like he needs caffeine," Kane said. "He's a nice guy... but any more energy and he's gonna be in orbit." He turned to Linda. "So... What now?"
"You'll be here for a few days for observation. And we're straightening out your living arrangements right now."
"Living arrangements?"
"The doctor wants you to get plenty of bed rest. And we can't very well have you traveling on the road and staying in hotels. So we've made plans for you to stay with someone until you return."
His eyes narrowed. "And who am I staying with?"
Chris barged into the room. "Matt told me he was awake." He noticed Kane looking at him. "Umm... Hello..."
"You'll be staying with Chris for the next few weeks," Linda said.
"You're kidding... right?" Kane asked, shocked.
"No... Vince gave Chris a couple weeks off. And he's going to look after you in the meantime."
"I see... Vince roped him into this... Probably threatened to fire him... Not that he would. He knows how valuable Chris is."
"You're valuable, too," Chris whispered, his eyes on the floor.
"Huh?" If he didn't know better, he'd think that Chris had just paid him a compliment. That would be two in one day. And not a hint of sarcasm in either one of them. It must have been an all-time record.
"Why don't we let you get some rest," Linda said, patting Kane's arm. "Who knows when those nurses will be back to poke you somemore." She led Chris out of the room and into the hallway. She was going to follow him when Kane asked her to stay. "Is everything alright?", she asked him.
"He hates me," he said.
"What makes you say that?"
"You saw the way he acted! He can't stand the sight of me... He wouldn't even look at me."
"I'm sure he has his reasons..."
"I'm just a monster to him."
"I happen to know for a fact that that isn't true. Jeff said you were good looking and I agree with him. And this isn't the first time he's seen your face. Wasn't there an incident in the hotel? I bet he didn't go running and screaming into the hallway."
"Well.. no... but.."
"No more 'buts'. You just relax. You and Chris are going to have a wonderful time together. You'll be the best of friends before you know it."
"Linda?" he asked, hesitantly. "Do you think that maybe.. after some time... Chris and I... we could be more than friends?"
"You just have to let things happen on their own." She squeezed his hand and then left the room. She found Chris sitting in the waiting room, obviously in a funk. "And what's wrong with you?"
"He hates me..."
"He's mad at the whole world right now. What he needs now are friends. People who don't want to exploit him for their own benefits. I'm sure the Hardy's will be of great help. And I'll talk some sense into that brother of his... wherever he may be. And you need to play your part."
"What would that be?" he asked, angrily. "A wet nurse? He's not a child, despite what some people think."
"Then don't treat him like one! And don't let him act like one. If he can do things for himself, then let him do it."
Chris sighed. "I know, I know..."
"And just give him time... Once he gets to know you, I'm sure you two will become close. I know how much you care for him."
"How did.. you know..?" he stuttered.
"The way you look at him. You hardly ever left his side. And you gave your blood when he needed it. It's obvious you're in love."
"Do you think.. that he might.. eventually.. feel the same way?"
"Just let things happen," she said, softly. She saw the doubt in his eyes. "And, if he does, he won't care about.. your condition."
Chris brightened. "You really think so? Well, I'm gonna head back to the hotel to take a shower and get everything together." He happily walked out of the hospital.
"I'll get those two together somehow... They're an accident that needs to happen!"