CHAPTER 1 "I hope I don't regret this."
"Come on guys!" Kayla yelled pounding the mat. Edge and Christian were facing the Dudley Boys in a tag team match. Her heart began to pound as Bubba Ray and D-Von did a 3-D first on Christian and then Edge. The referee had long since been knocked unconscious and thrown from the ring. Bubba called for a table and Kayla's eyes went wide. "Oh Hell no!" she yelled as she dropped to her knees and began to rummage around under the ring. Kayla could here the New York City crowd going insane around her. She came out with a metal pipe and a chair. Tucking the former into the back of her pants, she began to climb into the ring. "I hope I don't regret this," she muttered as she rose to her feet in the ring.
"Leave them alone, assholes!" she demanded getting a two handed grip on her chair.
Kayla could hear Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross in the background telling her to get out of the ring before she got hurt but she ignored them. Bubba dropped Christian to the ground and glared at Kayla. The Dudley Boy grabbed the table and shoved it towards Kayla hitting her in the midsection. Kayla fell to her knees as the wind was knocked out of her and the chair slid across the ring. She stayed there unable to move until D-Von grabbed her by the hair yanking her to her feet.
The pain helped clear Kayla's head and as he dragged her towards the table she reached into her pants and pulled out the pipe striking D-Von in the stomach. He grunted in pain and released her and she used the opportunity to smack him upside the head. D-Von fell to the mat holding his head. She flashed him the finger before turning to Bubba.
Bubba began to stalk her and Kayla dropped into a fighting stance. During this time Christian had managed to stagger to his feet and charged the Dudley. Bubba saw him coming at the last moment and turning caught Christian on his shoulder using the former Brood member's own momentum to throw him out of the ring. Kayla's stomach lurched as he head smacked off the security barrier and he lay motionless.
Bubba once again moved towards Kayla and she licked her lips knowing more likely than not she was going to get her ass kicked and then put through a table.
"Kayla, catch!"
Kayla turned in the direction the voice had come from in time to drop the pipe and catch her discarded chair. Together she and Edge, who had crept up behind the distracted Bubba, performed a conchairto rejoicing as Bubba slumped to the mat. Not stopping to celebrate they hastened out of the ring and over to Christian's side. Kayla gently lifted his head into her lap while Edge slapped his cheeks trying to wake him. So intent where they upon Christian and his injury, that they didn't see D-Von approach chair in hand until it was too late.
Kayla let out a scream as she finally realized that he was standing above them, chair raised over his head. She covered Christian as Edge jumped on both of them bracing himself for the impact. It never came. Edge looked up at the sound of flesh hitting flesh to find Jericho beating the shit out of D-Von. Y2J suplexed D-Von into the metal steps and was satisfied to see that he wasn't getting up any time soon.
Jericho strode over to where Edge and Kayla were still crouched over Christian's body. "How is he?" he asked concerned.
Before Edge or Kayla could answer a weak voice said, "I'll live."
They all smiled in relief to see that Christian, although in a fair amount of pain had regained consciousness. "Can you walk?" Jericho asked wanting to get him out of there before the Dudley's woke up again.
"I think so," Christian said struggling to sit up. Edge and Jericho assisted him to his feet and the crowd cheered. Christian managed a weak smile and waved at the audience before allowing Jericho and Edge to drape one of his arms around each of their shoulders and half carry him up the ramp.
Team Xtreme was waiting for them backstage. "Are you okay?" Lita demanded taking Christian's face in her hands.
"I feel like there's a herd of elephants stampeding through my brain, but I think I'm okay." Christian tried to reassure her.
"We sent for the doctor," Matt informed them looking Christian over worriedly.
"Let's get you back to the dressing room, bro." Edge said concerned by how heavily his brother was leaning on him.
Christian nodded tiredly and the group began making their way to E & C's dressing room. Jeff noticed Kayla holding her ribs and laid a hand on her arm. "Are you okay? You took quite a shot from that table."
"I'm a little bruised but nothing to worry about," Kayla assured him with a smile. "I just won't be doing many sit ups for a while."
Jeff smiled and put an arm around her shoulders. Jericho however frowned and glanced in her direction. "Getting in the ring with the Dudleys wasn't very smart. In fact it was idiotic." He scolded her.
Kayla sighed as they reached the dressing room and Lita opened the door for them. "Believe me, I know. I was thinking the exact same thing when I went in."
"And yet you still went in," Jeff replied cheerfully, "You really love pain don't you?"
Kayla put her hands on her hips as they settled Christian on the couch. "And just was I supposed to do, hmm? Stand there and let them put Edge and Christian through that table?"
"Yes!" Edge and Jericho replied exasperatedly.
Kayla raised an eyebrow, "And I'm oh so sure that that's exactly what any of you would have done. None of you would have gone into the ring."
"T-that's not the point!" Edge sputtered before sighing in defeat.
Christian managed to intercede before his well-meaning brother dug himself in any deeper. "We just don't want to see you get hurt because of us," he told her opening his eyes.
Kayla's expression softened and she walked over to the couch kneeling on the floor beside Christian. "I know," Kayla replied softly stroking Christian's hair. "But I did what I had to do and I'd do it again."
Christian sighed and his eyes drifted closed again. Edge reached down and slapped his cheek lightly, "Come on, Chris, just stay awake until the doctor gets here. You might have a concussion."
Christian forced his eyes open and nodded. "You're right."
They spent the next few minutes trying to keep Christian awake and talking and were relieved when the doctor finally arrived. The older man smiled as he entered the room. "Can't you children ever stay out of trouble?"
Edge smiled, "Aw, Doc, you know you love seeing us."
The Doctor chuckled and walked over to the couch. "Okay, son, let's see what we have this time." Doc examined Christian thoroughly checking his pupils and reflexes. "Well," he began when he was finished, "Surprisingly enough you don't seem to have a concussion. Just stay off your feet for a day or two and get some rest and you'll be good as new in no time."
Christian smiled in relief, as did everyone else in the room. "Thanks, Doc," he said reaching out to shake the doctor's hand.
"No problem." Doc grabbed his bag and stood, "Just try to stay out of trouble for a little while okay?"
"We'll try," Kayla assured him with a twinkle in her eye, "But, I'm not promising you that we'll succeed."
"It's enough that you try," he laughed before walking out the door.
Kayla looked up at the clock. "Don't you and Jeff have a match soon?" Kayla asked looking over at Matt.
"Yeah," Matt confirmed glancing at the clock. The eldest Hardy turned to Edge, "I know you were supposed to go out there with us, but you don't have to."
"No," Kayla interrupted before Edge could say anything, "Edge can still go down to the ring with you. I can take Christian home and you guys can meet us there afterwards."
Edge hesitated and Christian smiled and waved for him to go. "I'll be fine, Edge. Really."
Edge nodded, "If you're sure," Edge pressed a quick kiss to Kayla's lips. "I'll see you when I get home. Love you."
"Love you too," Kayla told him softly pressing another kiss to his cheek. With a wave Edge and Team Xtreme left the locker room. That left Christian, Kayla and Jericho together in the room.
"I already had my match tonight," Jericho told them, "I'll walk you guys to the car."
"Thanks, Chris," Kayla smiled at him before turning to Christian. "Are you ready to go, sweetheart?"
Christian nodded, "Yeah, I think I'm okay."
Christian allowed Kayla to help him to his feet and when he wobbled Jericho stepped forward and took his arm. "Easy buddy," Jericho told him with a smile as he draped one of Christian's arms over his shoulder, "Just lean on me 'till we get you to the car."
Kayla grabbed her bag and those of Jericho and Christian and followed them out of the dressing room. They walked out of the arena and into the dark parking lot. Kayla shivered, looking around at all the shadows. "I know I'm being silly but they really need to have more lights out here. This is creepy."
Christian shook his head and winced as it made the throbbing in his head increase, "I guess they figure that since we're all professional wrestlers that no one would be brave or stupid enough to mess with us."
"Unless, of course, there were a lot more of us than there are of you."
All three of the friends whipped around towards the voice and froze when they saw a group of at least ten men wearing ski masks. Jericho released Christian praying that the injured man would be able to stay on his feet. "We don't want no trouble, so why don't you just get the hell out of here?" Jericho fixed them with a cold stare.
The thug that was apparently the leader of the group stepped forward. "Look, we don't want you, but we've been paid a lot of money to bring those two in. They have to be alive for us to collect, you don't." His mouth turned up in a smile, "Now why don't you just back off and we'll let you out of here in one piece."
Jericho glanced over his shoulder at his two friends, and Kayla stepped forward to take his arm. "Chris, look, just get out of here. We can't take them all, especially not with Christian hurt. There's no reason for you to get hurt too."
Chris' jaw dropped in shock, "You're just going to let them take you without a fight?!"
"No," she told him softly, "Not without a fight."
"There's no reason for you to get messed up too." Christian added from behind them.
Jericho shook his head. "No way," he said loudly, "I'm not going anywhere."
The leader shrugged, "It's your funeral." He gestured to his pack of wolves with his head, "Get 'em."
The thugs charged at them and the three wrestlers dropped into a fighting stance. Kayla was distracted when one of the men punched Christian in the side of the head and he dropped to the ground like a ton of bricks. Her distraction allowed one of the men to sneak up behind her and pin her arms behind her back. Another thug approached and she lashed out with her feet kicking him in the groin and then in the head. The man that was holding her threw her to the ground and kicked in the ribs several times before hauling her to her feet and slapping her across the face.
Ignoring the pain in her side she delivered a butterfly kick to his face only to have three more men jump on her. Soon she was lying on the ground barely conscious. She felt herself being hauled to her feet again and forced her head up to see Jericho curled on the ground being assaulted by four men. "Leave him alone!" she screamed fighting the men that held her, "Just stop it!"
"Enough!" the leader snapped calling off his men, "If she keeps this up we're going to have to seriously hurt her and the boss won't be happy." The men back off to reveal Chris' bloodied form. Jericho groaned and his head lolled back and forth but he didn't attempt to rise.
"Chris," Kayla whispered struggling to go to him but her captors held her back.
The lead thug spoke to the two men holding Kayla. "Tie her up," he gestured to another, "Get him," he said nodding towards Christian, "he's out cold but I don't want to take any chances"
The thug pointed to another of his men. "Get the bucket."
Kayla watched confused as the man indicated fetched a bucket and approached Jericho. As Kayla looked on he dumped the contents of the bucket and Kayla gasped in horror as Jericho was covered with what look to be blood.
Someone placed a cloth over her nose and mouth and she felt herself begin to loose consciousness. Suddenly the world slanted and darkness consumed her.
"Come on guys!" Kayla yelled pounding the mat. Edge and Christian were facing the Dudley Boys in a tag team match. Her heart began to pound as Bubba Ray and D-Von did a 3-D first on Christian and then Edge. The referee had long since been knocked unconscious and thrown from the ring. Bubba called for a table and Kayla's eyes went wide. "Oh Hell no!" she yelled as she dropped to her knees and began to rummage around under the ring. Kayla could here the New York City crowd going insane around her. She came out with a metal pipe and a chair. Tucking the former into the back of her pants, she began to climb into the ring. "I hope I don't regret this," she muttered as she rose to her feet in the ring.
"Leave them alone, assholes!" she demanded getting a two handed grip on her chair.
Kayla could hear Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross in the background telling her to get out of the ring before she got hurt but she ignored them. Bubba dropped Christian to the ground and glared at Kayla. The Dudley Boy grabbed the table and shoved it towards Kayla hitting her in the midsection. Kayla fell to her knees as the wind was knocked out of her and the chair slid across the ring. She stayed there unable to move until D-Von grabbed her by the hair yanking her to her feet.
The pain helped clear Kayla's head and as he dragged her towards the table she reached into her pants and pulled out the pipe striking D-Von in the stomach. He grunted in pain and released her and she used the opportunity to smack him upside the head. D-Von fell to the mat holding his head. She flashed him the finger before turning to Bubba.
Bubba began to stalk her and Kayla dropped into a fighting stance. During this time Christian had managed to stagger to his feet and charged the Dudley. Bubba saw him coming at the last moment and turning caught Christian on his shoulder using the former Brood member's own momentum to throw him out of the ring. Kayla's stomach lurched as he head smacked off the security barrier and he lay motionless.
Bubba once again moved towards Kayla and she licked her lips knowing more likely than not she was going to get her ass kicked and then put through a table.
"Kayla, catch!"
Kayla turned in the direction the voice had come from in time to drop the pipe and catch her discarded chair. Together she and Edge, who had crept up behind the distracted Bubba, performed a conchairto rejoicing as Bubba slumped to the mat. Not stopping to celebrate they hastened out of the ring and over to Christian's side. Kayla gently lifted his head into her lap while Edge slapped his cheeks trying to wake him. So intent where they upon Christian and his injury, that they didn't see D-Von approach chair in hand until it was too late.
Kayla let out a scream as she finally realized that he was standing above them, chair raised over his head. She covered Christian as Edge jumped on both of them bracing himself for the impact. It never came. Edge looked up at the sound of flesh hitting flesh to find Jericho beating the shit out of D-Von. Y2J suplexed D-Von into the metal steps and was satisfied to see that he wasn't getting up any time soon.
Jericho strode over to where Edge and Kayla were still crouched over Christian's body. "How is he?" he asked concerned.
Before Edge or Kayla could answer a weak voice said, "I'll live."
They all smiled in relief to see that Christian, although in a fair amount of pain had regained consciousness. "Can you walk?" Jericho asked wanting to get him out of there before the Dudley's woke up again.
"I think so," Christian said struggling to sit up. Edge and Jericho assisted him to his feet and the crowd cheered. Christian managed a weak smile and waved at the audience before allowing Jericho and Edge to drape one of his arms around each of their shoulders and half carry him up the ramp.
Team Xtreme was waiting for them backstage. "Are you okay?" Lita demanded taking Christian's face in her hands.
"I feel like there's a herd of elephants stampeding through my brain, but I think I'm okay." Christian tried to reassure her.
"We sent for the doctor," Matt informed them looking Christian over worriedly.
"Let's get you back to the dressing room, bro." Edge said concerned by how heavily his brother was leaning on him.
Christian nodded tiredly and the group began making their way to E & C's dressing room. Jeff noticed Kayla holding her ribs and laid a hand on her arm. "Are you okay? You took quite a shot from that table."
"I'm a little bruised but nothing to worry about," Kayla assured him with a smile. "I just won't be doing many sit ups for a while."
Jeff smiled and put an arm around her shoulders. Jericho however frowned and glanced in her direction. "Getting in the ring with the Dudleys wasn't very smart. In fact it was idiotic." He scolded her.
Kayla sighed as they reached the dressing room and Lita opened the door for them. "Believe me, I know. I was thinking the exact same thing when I went in."
"And yet you still went in," Jeff replied cheerfully, "You really love pain don't you?"
Kayla put her hands on her hips as they settled Christian on the couch. "And just was I supposed to do, hmm? Stand there and let them put Edge and Christian through that table?"
"Yes!" Edge and Jericho replied exasperatedly.
Kayla raised an eyebrow, "And I'm oh so sure that that's exactly what any of you would have done. None of you would have gone into the ring."
"T-that's not the point!" Edge sputtered before sighing in defeat.
Christian managed to intercede before his well-meaning brother dug himself in any deeper. "We just don't want to see you get hurt because of us," he told her opening his eyes.
Kayla's expression softened and she walked over to the couch kneeling on the floor beside Christian. "I know," Kayla replied softly stroking Christian's hair. "But I did what I had to do and I'd do it again."
Christian sighed and his eyes drifted closed again. Edge reached down and slapped his cheek lightly, "Come on, Chris, just stay awake until the doctor gets here. You might have a concussion."
Christian forced his eyes open and nodded. "You're right."
They spent the next few minutes trying to keep Christian awake and talking and were relieved when the doctor finally arrived. The older man smiled as he entered the room. "Can't you children ever stay out of trouble?"
Edge smiled, "Aw, Doc, you know you love seeing us."
The Doctor chuckled and walked over to the couch. "Okay, son, let's see what we have this time." Doc examined Christian thoroughly checking his pupils and reflexes. "Well," he began when he was finished, "Surprisingly enough you don't seem to have a concussion. Just stay off your feet for a day or two and get some rest and you'll be good as new in no time."
Christian smiled in relief, as did everyone else in the room. "Thanks, Doc," he said reaching out to shake the doctor's hand.
"No problem." Doc grabbed his bag and stood, "Just try to stay out of trouble for a little while okay?"
"We'll try," Kayla assured him with a twinkle in her eye, "But, I'm not promising you that we'll succeed."
"It's enough that you try," he laughed before walking out the door.
Kayla looked up at the clock. "Don't you and Jeff have a match soon?" Kayla asked looking over at Matt.
"Yeah," Matt confirmed glancing at the clock. The eldest Hardy turned to Edge, "I know you were supposed to go out there with us, but you don't have to."
"No," Kayla interrupted before Edge could say anything, "Edge can still go down to the ring with you. I can take Christian home and you guys can meet us there afterwards."
Edge hesitated and Christian smiled and waved for him to go. "I'll be fine, Edge. Really."
Edge nodded, "If you're sure," Edge pressed a quick kiss to Kayla's lips. "I'll see you when I get home. Love you."
"Love you too," Kayla told him softly pressing another kiss to his cheek. With a wave Edge and Team Xtreme left the locker room. That left Christian, Kayla and Jericho together in the room.
"I already had my match tonight," Jericho told them, "I'll walk you guys to the car."
"Thanks, Chris," Kayla smiled at him before turning to Christian. "Are you ready to go, sweetheart?"
Christian nodded, "Yeah, I think I'm okay."
Christian allowed Kayla to help him to his feet and when he wobbled Jericho stepped forward and took his arm. "Easy buddy," Jericho told him with a smile as he draped one of Christian's arms over his shoulder, "Just lean on me 'till we get you to the car."
Kayla grabbed her bag and those of Jericho and Christian and followed them out of the dressing room. They walked out of the arena and into the dark parking lot. Kayla shivered, looking around at all the shadows. "I know I'm being silly but they really need to have more lights out here. This is creepy."
Christian shook his head and winced as it made the throbbing in his head increase, "I guess they figure that since we're all professional wrestlers that no one would be brave or stupid enough to mess with us."
"Unless, of course, there were a lot more of us than there are of you."
All three of the friends whipped around towards the voice and froze when they saw a group of at least ten men wearing ski masks. Jericho released Christian praying that the injured man would be able to stay on his feet. "We don't want no trouble, so why don't you just get the hell out of here?" Jericho fixed them with a cold stare.
The thug that was apparently the leader of the group stepped forward. "Look, we don't want you, but we've been paid a lot of money to bring those two in. They have to be alive for us to collect, you don't." His mouth turned up in a smile, "Now why don't you just back off and we'll let you out of here in one piece."
Jericho glanced over his shoulder at his two friends, and Kayla stepped forward to take his arm. "Chris, look, just get out of here. We can't take them all, especially not with Christian hurt. There's no reason for you to get hurt too."
Chris' jaw dropped in shock, "You're just going to let them take you without a fight?!"
"No," she told him softly, "Not without a fight."
"There's no reason for you to get messed up too." Christian added from behind them.
Jericho shook his head. "No way," he said loudly, "I'm not going anywhere."
The leader shrugged, "It's your funeral." He gestured to his pack of wolves with his head, "Get 'em."
The thugs charged at them and the three wrestlers dropped into a fighting stance. Kayla was distracted when one of the men punched Christian in the side of the head and he dropped to the ground like a ton of bricks. Her distraction allowed one of the men to sneak up behind her and pin her arms behind her back. Another thug approached and she lashed out with her feet kicking him in the groin and then in the head. The man that was holding her threw her to the ground and kicked in the ribs several times before hauling her to her feet and slapping her across the face.
Ignoring the pain in her side she delivered a butterfly kick to his face only to have three more men jump on her. Soon she was lying on the ground barely conscious. She felt herself being hauled to her feet again and forced her head up to see Jericho curled on the ground being assaulted by four men. "Leave him alone!" she screamed fighting the men that held her, "Just stop it!"
"Enough!" the leader snapped calling off his men, "If she keeps this up we're going to have to seriously hurt her and the boss won't be happy." The men back off to reveal Chris' bloodied form. Jericho groaned and his head lolled back and forth but he didn't attempt to rise.
"Chris," Kayla whispered struggling to go to him but her captors held her back.
The lead thug spoke to the two men holding Kayla. "Tie her up," he gestured to another, "Get him," he said nodding towards Christian, "he's out cold but I don't want to take any chances"
The thug pointed to another of his men. "Get the bucket."
Kayla watched confused as the man indicated fetched a bucket and approached Jericho. As Kayla looked on he dumped the contents of the bucket and Kayla gasped in horror as Jericho was covered with what look to be blood.
Someone placed a cloth over her nose and mouth and she felt herself begin to loose consciousness. Suddenly the world slanted and darkness consumed her.