Matt paced restlessly backstage, his hands running nervously through his hair as he shifted his gaze back and forth between the TV monitor and the curtain. His brother and Molly stood off to the side, anxious expressions on their faces as well.
�She�ll be alright Matt, she can take care of herself.� Soothed Molly, her eyes pleading with Jeff to help her calm the older Hardy brother down. Jeff swallowed heavily and shook his head, knowing that it wasn't going to work.
�Goddammit! She shouldn�t even be out there in the first place - I don�t want that scum anywhere near her!� Matt hissed, pointing angrily to the screen where Dean Malenko was climbing into the ring, a predatory look on his face as he circled Amy.
�It�ll be okay Matt, he�s not gonna try and pull anything with us so close - even he isn�t that stupid.� Matt sighed and nodded resignedly - Jeff was right. The three of them huddled around the TV and crossed their fingers as the bell rang and the match began.
Matt really had to be proud of Amy, she was out there handling herself like a true athlete - giving just as much as she was getting. He watched with admiration as she hit Dean with a devastating hurricanrana and then quickly covered him for the pin, managing to get a two count.
Matt winced every time Dean took a swing at her, the pain on her face sent pangs of protectiveness straight through him - he should be out there with her. Using every ounce of self-restraint he had in him, he stayed put.
He flinched and ground his teeth together when Dean suplexed Amy and rolled her up for the pin, her face contorted in agony as she somehow was able to kick out at the last second, her chest heaving with her exertion.
�You can do it baby, come on�� He murmured to himself, crossing his fingers as he watched her set Dean up for a moonsault. The three of them held their breaths as Amy launched herself into the air, her blazing hair flying out behind her - Matt thought it was the most beautiful thing he�d ever seen.
�YES!� They all shouted as she connected with the move and Dean was incapacitated, making it easy for Amy to get the three count. He beamed with pride as the ref raised her hand in victory, the crowd going wild.
What happened next though, changed everything. Matt watched in horror as Amy and the ref had their backs turned to Dean, neither of them seeing him grab a chair and sneak up from behind.
�NO!� Matt shouted as Dean brought the chair crashing down on Amy�s skull, her body crumpling instantly to the mat - unmoving.
With another bellow of anguish, Matt felt the rage begin to boil up from within him as he watched Malenko then kneel down and cradle Amy�s unconscious form in his arms, his hand running lewdly from her neck and down onto her breast. The final straw though, was when Dean roughly jerked her face up to his and kissed her, his tongue stabbing brutally between her lips. Matt went berserk.
�YOU SONOFABITCH!� He yelled as he tore through the curtain and down to the ring, heading straight for where Malenko was molesting his girlfriend. �I�LL FUCKING KILL YOU!�
Dean looked up in horrified shock and dropped Amy down onto the mat, her head smacking into the canvas with a sickening �thud�. Before he had a chance to move out of the way, Matt had him flying backwards across the ring - his fist smashing into his face and breaking his nose.
Dean grunted in pain as he felt Matt roughly grab him by the neck and set him up for the Twist of Fate, his body hitting the mat with devastating force. Barely conscious now, he moaned in pain when he was brutally kicked out of the ring and onto the concrete floor, his head hitting the ring post. He passed out seconds later.
Matt dropped down to his knees beside Amy and gently patted her cheek, trying to wake her up. His heart pounded painfully in his chest when she didn�t budge.
�Come on babe, wake up for me�I need you to wake up, Amy�� He said loudly, gently shaking her shoulder and checking her pulse. He breathed a sigh of relief when he felt the strong beating of her heart beneath his fingertips.
Matt leaned down and gave her face a light slap, smiling in relief when her eyes fluttered for a second and then opened. She blinked a few times before focusing her blurry gaze onto his face.
�Matt�?� She murmured hoarsely, her hand coming up to touch her head in confusion and wincing when she found a sore spot. �What�s going on?� Matt carefully scooped her up into his arms and headed up the ramp, whispering words of comfort to her the entire time.
�It�s okay love, Dean knocked you out with a chair when your back was turned.� Amy grimaced a little at the mention of Malenko. �Bastard�� She muttered. Matt laughed and winked at her lovingly.
�Would it make you happy to know that I took care of him for you?� Amy grinned tiredly and nodded. �Yup.� Matt chuckled and gave her a small squeeze. �Start being happy.�
Matt carried her into the back and over to the first aid area that was set up by the EMTs, depositing her gently onto the table and calling for some help.
While Amy was being checked out, he went and found Vince and explained to him what had happened. Always concerned for his wrestlers, Vince immediately granted the two of them some time off and promised Matt a grudge match at the next pay per view. Matt thanked him profusely before returning to his girlfriend�s side.
�How is she?� Matt asked as the EMT finished his check up. The technician smiled widely and closed his medical bag. �She�s lucky - she doesn�t have a concussion, just one hell of a headache. She should take it easy for a while though - just in case it�s something more.� Matt nodded, extremely relieved. �Thanks man.�
Lifting Amy down from the table and wrapping his arm around her waist, Matt leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. Amy smiled and rested her head on his shoulder as they made their way over to where Molly and Jeff were anxiously waiting.
�Oh my God, are you okay?� Molly gushed as she rushed forward to meet them. Amy nodded weakly and rubbed the back of her head, flinching a little. �Yeah, just a little sore.�
�That was one hell of a shot you took Ames, I�m just glad you�re alright.� Jeff stepped forward and cautiously put his hand on her shoulder, worry in his eyes. Amy rolled her eyes and laughed. �I�m not going to break Jeff, it�s just a little headache!� Jeff blushed. �Sorry��
Matt grinned and hugged Amy closer to him, his hand coming up to stroke her cheek. �Still babe, that was a pretty hard shot.� Amy nodded and nuzzled his hand, her eyes meeting his and holding his gaze. �I�m okay Matt.� Matt nodded and turned to Jeff. �Have they shown the replay yet?� Jeff shook his head. �No, but it should be on any minute now.�
�Well, I think it�s time we left then�� Matt said quickly, leading Amy away from the monitor and over to the exit. Jeff and Molly caught on right away and nodded in agreement. Amy frowned and began tugging backwards, her brows drawn in confusion. �Matt? What�s going on, I wanna see the replay!� Matt started to argue but the look on her face made him stay silent. He let go of her arm.
He watched helplessly as Amy went and stood in front of the monitor, her back stiffening as the replay started and she saw what had happened after she�d been hit. Turning slowly to face him, Matt flinched at the dejected look on her face. He rushed forward and drew her into his arms, feeling her stiffen even more.
�It�s okay love, I took care of him�� Matt trailed off as he realized that she had started crying. He cursed softly under his breath. �Please Amy, don�t cry sweetheart�it�s okay�� Amy buried her face in his shoulder and hiccuped loudly. �I want to go home Matthew�I want to leave.� Matt knew that she was truly upset and so he was quick to agree. �Okay sweetheart, we�re going right now.�
Nodding to his brother, Matt lifted Amy up into his arms and left the arena, driving to their hotel as fast as he could without breaking any laws. Once there, he rushed them up to their room and locked the door behind them.
Leading Amy over to the bed and sitting down, he gently gathered her into his arms and held on tightly, knowing that she needed to be held right now. Amy sniffled and gratefully nuzzled his neck, her body still trembling slightly. Matt looked down into her eyes and saw the pain and humiliation in their hazel depths, strong and clear.
�Hold me�� She whispered softly, her arms coming up to wrap around his neck tightly. Matt nodded silently and brought her closer to him, letting her straddle his lap and lean into him so that their foreheads touched.
�I feel so dirty�� Amy whispered, closing her eyes and letting out a deep sigh. Matt cursed Malenko inside his head and began rubbing gently at her lower back. �Don�t feel that way love, you didn�t do anything wrong.� Amy shook her head in denial. �I let him touch me��
�You were unconscious Amy, he took advantage.� Matt soothed, his hands more insistent now. Amy smiled thinly and pressed her lips briefly against his. �You�re so good to me baby�you always make me feel safe - you make me feel loved.� Matt smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. �That�s because I do love you.�
Pulling back suddenly, Amy moved away from him and stood up on the bed, facing him. Matt gazed up at her in confusion. �What�s wrong love?�
Not answering him, Amy smiled weakly and brought her hands up to her top, her fingers moving to untie the straps. Matt�s mouth dropped open as she let the shirt drop, standing before him in her bra. �Wha -?�
�I want you to make love to me��
THE END�