Chapter One

Jeff crossed his arms and looked from one side to the other trying to decide where the hell he was gonna go at 4 AM. They had to leave for the airport at 6 so he didn't have many options. Spotting the Denny's across the parking lot he trudged over and eased inside looking around. "Hey Hardy," he heard someone call and looked around again until he spotted the big arm waiving in the air. Recognizing Triple H Jeff smiled a little and headed back.

"Can I join you?" Jeff asked quietly his green eyes pleading with the big blonde.

"Of course kid," Paul responded sliding out of the booth. "Sit over here with me."

Jeff nodded and slid in sighing as Paul's big body slid in next to him. When he spotted the second glass of pop in the table he sighed. "I'm sorry Trips I didn't know you had company."

"Shit it ain't company," Paul said smiling as the second person came back to the table. "It's just Kid."

"Gee thanks Pauly," Sean Waltman said sliding back into his seat. "Hey Rainbow. What're you doing up at this hour?"

"Matt came back," Jeff whispered and the other men nodded sympathetically. "What are you two doin awake?"

"The uh trio behind us was being quite loud," Paul said hesitantly and Sean winced.

"So who was Matt fucking tonight?" Jeff asked knowing from experience when people got tactful that meant that Matt was involved.

"Bradshaw and Farooq," Sean finally whispered hating to answer.

Jeff tried to hold the emotions in but unwilling to behave they came out anyway flowing down his face. Paul sighed and put his arm around Jeff pulling his small body up against his. Jeff's small body heaved with sobs. He was so tired of worrying and being afraid that some night Matt would get into something he couldn't handle. He was so tired of being afraid that Matt would get hurt so bad they'd never be able to make him better again. He was so tired of always seeing the cuts, bruises, and burns on his brother's body. He was so tired of seeing the blank look in his brother's eyes all the time and the smiles that never reached his eyes. He was so tired of not being able to have a relationship because he was scared of turning into Matt… like he had some disease.

Paul felt his eyes begin to mist over as he held Jeff's shaking body. He'd been in love with this small sprite for so long, but unlike his brother Jeff was nearly impossible to get close to for anything beyond friendship. He would do anything for this little man, if only he knew what he could do to make it better. Finally Jeff calmed down but let himself rest against Paul's body for a few moments thinking his strength felt nice. Unwillingly he wondered how it would feel to belong to this gladiator. He'd wanted him so long, but was so afraid to let himself give in. He knew Paul was interested in him, but if he was involved with someone who would watch out for Matt?

"Pauly I don't know if'n I can do this anymore," Jeff whispered scared. "It's so hard being afraid all the time. I want… I want someone of my own so bad, but how can I ask someone to love me when they'd have to put up with Matty too? What do I do when Matty fucks them too? I'd die."

"If someone loved you fucking Matt wouldn't be an option," Paul said softly. "If someone loved you they would know that Matt and his problems come too. You don't just love the good parts baby. You love everything the good and the bad."

Jeff slowly raised his eyes still wet with tears and hesitantly asked, "Do you?" Paul's breath caught and across the table Sean grinned happy that his friend was finally getting a chance at what he'd wanted for so long.

"Yes, Sprite," Paul whispered. "I love you… good and bad. Let me help you, let me comfort you, let me make you strong, let me love you."

"I don't… share well," Jef whispered afraid. "I know you Kliq guys have this thing, but I just don't know if I could stand…"

"If we are together then we are together," Paul replied firmly. "The Kliq will understand. I will be with you and only you."

Jeff's green eyes watered again as they slowly filled with hope. "You mean it? You an' me an' no one else? Not Kliq or Matty or anyone? You'll love me and put up with Matty and help me figure out what to do? You won't get tired of dealing with it an' go away and leave me al alone like Adam did?"

"I swear baby," Paul promised awed at the almost blinding smile he was given.

"Thank you," Jeff whispered hugging his new boyfriend tightly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Paul raised his eyes to look at Sean and blushed at the grin on his friend's face. Paul knew that he was gonna have to do some fancy talking to get the Kliq to agree to this no fucking anyone thing, but he had an idea. Sean winked at him and made the Kliq sign with his hand knowing instinctively what his friend was thinking. Sean'd been wanting for months to sponsor a new member and Jeff had been on his rather short list, but they assumed that in order to get one Hardy you'd have to take both and Sean wasn't ready to sponsor someone with as many problems as Matt had. Maybe though… just maybe that wasn't the case. Maybe they could save Jeff Hardy from the hardships of being extreme.



Read Part Two of Five