Jeff wheeled Turquoise out onto the ramp. The wheelchair was part her new angle. She felt silly knowing that she could use her legs and yet still had to be wheeled down to the ring by her boyfriend. She smiled hearing the crowd. She had missed this in her months away. Hearing the crowd cheering for her was all that had kept her going some days in physical therapy.

"What's she doing here," Paul Heyman asked in disgust.

"She's back folks," JR said with a huge smile. He had always been fond of her. "Maybe a little worse for wear, but she's making progress since we last saw her. She had a little set back during rehab" The screen flashed clips of Turquoise doing a run through with Team Extreme.

"Say it JR," Heyman taunted. "Jeff tripped up his girlfriend and put her back in the hospital."

"Yes," JR snapped. "She and Jeff got tangled up and she wound up taking the worst of it. The point is she's looking healthy and will be back soon." Heyman rolled his eyes and groaned in disgust.

Turquoise sat in her chair silently waiting with tons of doubt floating about in her mind. Shane had approached her early that afternoon to give her directions on her comeback. She grimaced when the Dudley boys music blasted through the arena and scowled when Stacy Keibler appeared in her barely there skirt and tank top. The so called "Duchess of Dudleyville" disgusted her. The match quickly got underway and she waited for her cue.

Halfway through the match Stacy climbed up on the apron to interfere, but Lita pulled her down and roughed her up, tossing her into the guardrail and slamming her head on the announce table. With her free hand Lita grabbed a chair, she held Stacy by the hair with the other hand.

"Lita," Turquoise called as she stood and pushed the wheelchair away.

"Business is about to pick up," JR yelled. "Looks like Turquoise wants to make a big bang as her first step to coming back into the ring."

"No," Heyman yelled as Lita tossed the chair to her and held Stacy up.

Turquoise stepped forward and cocked the chair back. Before she could be hit with the chair Stacy ducked and Lita took the full impact of the swing square on the head.

"What the fuck are you doing," Matt yelled jumping out to check on his girlfriend.

"What's going on," Jeff asked checking on Lita and stepping in before Matt could yell at Turquoise more. Buh Buh grabbed Jeff by his hair and pulled him into the ring setting him up for the 3D.

Matt was so absorbed with getting Lita medical attention that he didn't realize Jeff had been pinned until the bell sounded and the Dudleyz music began. Groaning Matt helped Lita to the back leaving Jeff and Turquoise behind.

Turquoise slid into the ring to check on Jeff. She was crouched over him when Buh Buh grabbed her by the hair. He had the euphoric look in his eyes as he yelled for DVon to get the table. Turquoise screamed and flailed trying to get out of his grip.

"No," Stacy yelled. "Leave her alone!" Buh Buh let Turquoise go and walked out with DVon and Stacy in tow.

"What the hell is going on here," Jeff asked as he shakily stood. Turquoise was at a loss for words as they made their way up the ramp and to the back. Jeff took her hand and dragged her over to the EMT station where Amy was being looked at.

"Please do not tell me you're jumping over to The Alliance," Matt grumbled.

"You're crazy," Jeff yelled slipping his arms around Turquoise's waist. "You wouldn't do that would you babyface?" She looked at Amy who was still holding her head and then at Matt before she dropped her eyes to the floor. "Baby?"

"Shane told me he had cleared it all with you guys first," she said softly.

"What," Matt yelled causing her to cringe. Jeff dropped his arms from her waist and turned her to look at him.

"Clear what," he asked calmly.

"Shane told me that he had a meeting with you guys while I was out," she said softly. "The Hardys are splitting and Jeff and I would join The Alliance. He said it was the only way to get us over as heels."

"Shane never had a meeting with us," Amy said groaning as she slid off the back of the ambulance she had been sitting in. "How could you not tell me? I thought we were friends."

"I wanted to." Amy scoffed. "Amy you know I would have told you, but Shane told me that if I said anything he'd fire me."

"Bullshit," Amy yelled. "Shane can't do that and you know it!" With that said she spun on her heel and walked away. Matt glared at her a moment before he walked away too.

"Jeff," she said softly. "Please believe me. Shane did threaten to fire me. I never would have agreed if I knew you guys didn't know."

"Whatever," Jeff said. She could see the hurt in his eyes. "I need to go talk to Matt and Amy." Before she could say another word to him he walked away.

Turquoise kicked the wall and cursed herself for believing Shane before she marched off to find him. She found him talking to Stephanie in a locker room. She shoved the half open door so hard that it slammed into the wall and then shut again before she shoved it open again and walked in. Shane and Stephanie jumped at her entrance.

"You," she yelled. "You swore you'd talked to the Hardys and Amy. You swore to me!"

"I didn't swear anything," Shane replied with a smirk.

"All right," Stephanie said calmly. "What's going on?"

"Your hypocrite of a brother came to me and told me that I was going to be with The Alliance now. I agreed because he told me that he had a meeting with Matt and Jeff and it was agreed that Jeff would be coming over too. That little chair thing out there was no accident. Shane planned it."

"Shane is that true," Stephanie asked.

"Well....more or less...yeah," he replied.

"God you are just like daddy," Stephanie grumbled. "All right. You two stay here. Let me find the Hardys and Lita and see what I can work out. I swear if you weren't my brother I'd have you killed." Stephanie left the locker room grumbling to herself.

"I think you've made a mistake," Shane said to Turquoise smiling. "Survivor Series is in less than a month and The Alliance will be the only faction standing on it's own two feet. We're taking the WWF out and you and your 'Team Extreme' friends will be out of jobs." He smirked at her shocked expression.

"What makes you think that the WWF will lose," she asked when the shock had passed.

"Let's just say I have a little insurance policy," Shane replied still smirking. "You can either be with us....or the first to go."

"What would I have to do," she replied sighing.

"Just tell Steph when she gets back that you want to join The Alliance. Tell her that it would be good for your career to be a heel for a while," he replied. "Then you tell loverboy and Mr and Mrs Smoochies that you're leaving Team Extreme. Be kind when you tell them that it was fun, but the joyride is over." He quieted when he heard the clopping of Stephanies boots.

"Ok. I told them that we'd all have a meeting in the morning and clear things up," Stephanie said smiling. Shane motioned for Turquoise to speak with his eyes.

"Steph...uh....I want to stay a heel," she said. "I was thinking about it and this could be a good career move."

"Ok," Stephanie said looking at Shane before looking back to Turquoise. "If that's really what you want."

"It is," she replied nodding. "I'll tell them in the meeting tomorrow." She left the locker room to gather her things and go back to the hotel.

"I know you changed her mind," Stephanie said to Shane. "I swear if you ruin that woman's career I will hurt you Shane. She has a bright future here and I won't let you ruin it for her." She spun on her heel and walked out.

"Oh her career will be just fine sister dear," Shane said smiling. "Just fine."

"What the hell is this meeting about anyway," Matt grumbled as he sat in Stephanie's hotel room.

"I dunno," Amy said yawning. "I could have slept a little longer though." She slouched in her chair and closed her eyes.

"Wasn't T supposed to be here," Matt asked Jeff. Jeff shrugged and sighed.

"I haven't seen her since the match," he replied. Amy opened her eyes and both she and Matt stared at him.

"You mean she..."

"Didn't come to the room," Jeff finished for Amy. "I don't know where she..." He was cut off by the sound of Stephanie's door clicking shut. Moments later Turquoise stepped into the room with Stephanie.

"Guys," Stephanie said with a sigh. "Turquoise has something to tell you."

"Guys," she began. "It's been a wonderful run in Team Extreme, but at this point in my career I think I need to take risks. Joining the Alliance will be the ultimate risk."

"Why would you do this so close to Survivor Series. When the WWF wins you'll be out of a job," Amy said.

"Maybe....maybe not," Turqoise replied. "Look....I just don't see Team Extreme going anywhere anymore." Jeff, Amy and Matt flinched as if they had been slapped.

"Team Extreme is the best damn team in the WWF," Matt said jumping to his feet. "This is total bullshit. That bastard Shane brainwashed you." He grumbled and then stormed out of the room.

"This is wrong and you know it," Amy said and followed Matt out.

"I can't believe you," Jeff fumed. "How could you do this to me...to us?"

"Jeff..." She touched his shoulder, but he shrugged her off and left the room.

"I hope you know what you're doing," Stephanie said.

"I hope so too," Turquoise said softly and left the room.

"Matt! Matt wait up," Amy yelled as she tried to keep up with him. She turned the corner he had just turned and he had disappeared.

"Shane you better have a good reason to be touching me," Matt snarled as he snatched his arm away from Shane's hand. The young McMahon had yanked Matt into his room at the end of the hall.

"Matt I know you're hurt that I went to Turquoise instead of you. I know you're the best member of the team, but I wasn't sure you'd listen to me." Matt glared at him, but didn't walk away. "You've always carried the team, even when it was just you and Jeff."

"What do you want Shane," Matt asked knowing that Shane was trying to butter him up and he was ashamed to admit that it was working a little.

"You should come over to the Alliance," Shane said. Matt grumbled. "No one would expect it since Turquoise is already here." Matt opened his mouth to say something, but Shane cut him off. "I see how she looks at you Matt. She knows you're the better brother too. She's loyal to Amy, but she knows that you're what she wants." He smiled when Matt pondered what he had just said. "Besides it'd be the perfect way to get back at Amy and Jeff."

"Get back at them for what," Matt asked.

"I didn't want to have to tell you this," Shane said. "I walked into the locker room the other night after Raw and saw Jeff and Amy...."

"Saw them doing what," Matt asked, his eyes blazing with jealousy. This is what he had always been afraid of; losing Amy to Jeff.

"I saw them kissing and....well.....they weren't exactly fully clothed," Shane said supressing the smile that wanted to curl his lips. "I hate to imagine what I would have walked in on if I had gotten there a few minutes earlier."

"I'll do it," Matt said. "I'll join the Alliance, but I want to handle how it's done."

"What do you mean," Shane asked intrigued.

"I will let you know at Smackdown tonight," Matt said. "Trust me it will be good." Shane smiled and the men shook hands to seal the deal.

"Matt," Amy said seeing him leaving Shane's room. "There you are. Where have you been?"

"Had to talk to Shane," Matt said pulling away from Amy when she tried to kiss him and walking away. Amy stood there watching him as he walked away.

Turquoise was sprawled out on the bed in her hotel room trying to not think of anything. She knew that if she thought about how hurt her friends had looked she would start to cry. A knock at the door brought her out of her thoughts.

"Matt," she said when she opened the door. "Is everything all right? You look upset."

"I am," he said barging into her room and plopping onto the end of the bed. She closed the door behind him and sat down next to him. "I'm joining the Alliance."

"But what about Amy and Jeff," she asked in a gasp.

"Let them have each other," Matt said bitterly. She gave him a questioning look. "They betrayed us," he said. "We trusted them with our hearts and they betrayed us." She still had a questioning look. "I can't blame Jeff really. I mean Amy is a beautiful woman, but he has you now." Turquoise's eyes teared when she realized what Matt was saying. "I guess we were too blinded by love to see what was really going on."

"Jeff wouldn't," Turquoise said as she wiped the tears away with her balled up fists.

"People saw them," Matt lied, knowing he only had Shane's word.

"So I guess it's just you and me," Turquoise said unable to believe what she had just been told.

Matt half smiled at her and wiped the tears away. "Let's show them," he whispered in her ear. It sent shivers down her spine. "Let's hurt them the way they hurt us." He gently took her earlobe into his mouth and began to nibble on it. Turquoise shuddered and pulled his lips to hers.

Their lips met in a fiery kiss. She parted her lips allowing his tongue to slip inside and explore every surface of her mouth before her tongue entwined with his. Her arms wrapped around his neck as her hands twined his long raven locks in her fingers. His hands scooped her up in his strong arms as he stood. She wrapped her legs around his waist grinding into the bulge she felt forming in his pants.

They parted long enough for Matt to peel off his T-shirt and for her to do the same. He kissed a trail from her lips to her lace encased breasts. He sucked one nipple through the flimsy material and then paid the same attention to the other one. She moaned and writhed in ecstasy. She had never felt this way when Jeff made love to her.

Matt's hands deftly slid behind her and unhooked the bra in one swift motion. He slid it off and went back to ravaging her now bare breasts while his hands moved lower to her jeans. He fumbled with the zipper and button at first, but got them undone and slid them down her long athletic legs. His hand slipped into her panties where he caressed her sensitive nub in rhythm with his sucking and nipping.

"Oh God Matt," she cried out as her orgasm shook her body violently. When she had come down from her high she smiled at him and slowly began to remove his jeans and boxers. "I want you right now Matt," she whispered. "Jeff's never made me feel like this."

Matt smiled and kissed her passionately, sucking on her bottom lip as he slid her now soaked panties off of her. He entered her slowly and began a steady rhythm. Soon Turquoise was bucking her hips to meet his thrusts.

He felt her walls start to contract around him and knew her climax was close. He couldn't hold back any longer and he let his release come with a soft grunt as she writhed and moaned underneath him.

He rested his head on her shoulder to catch his breath before he slid over to the side of her and pulled her into his arms. "Amy never felt that good," he whispered in her ear and nipped her shoulder.

"Oh God Matt," she said as her eyes grew wide. "What have we just done? How could we have hurt Amy and Jeff?"

"They hurt us first," he said. "We did nothing wrong." He sat up and slid on his boxers and jeans. Turquoise slipped into a robe that was nearby. "I have to go to the gym," he said smiling as he walked to the door. "Promise you won't worry about what we just did."

"I don't know," she said. "I mean we...." She was cut off by his lips crushing hers.

"We did nothing wrong," he whispered in her ear and left before she could say anything else.

"Hey where have you been," Amy asked when she saw Matt return from the gym.

"The gym," he replied. "I needed to work off some frustrations."

"You know I would have helped," she said smiling seductively at him. She ran her hands up and down his chest and leaned in to kiss him.

"You know....we have to get to the arena soon," Matt said pulling away from her. "Vince'll kill us if we're late."

"Ok," she said frowning. "I'll go get Jeff and we can all go."

"No," Matt said. "You and Jeff go and I'll get there as soon as I'm done. I have something I need to do before I get to the arena."

"All right," she replied. She shrugged when he got into the shower and left in search of Jeff.

"If that's how you feel," Jeff croaked and stood from the chair he had been perched on in the hotel lobby. She nodded not looking him in the eyes. He sighed and grabbed her shoulders, pulling her to her feet. He looked into her eyes and then planted a passion-filled kiss on her lips. "Tell me honestly that you still feel the same way now."

She pushed him away and took a deep breath. She had to do this. He and Amy had hurt her deeply. These were people she thought she could trust. "I felt nothing from that kiss." Her heart ached even more when Jeff's smirk faded and he was once again crushed.

"Who is he," he asked softly.

"What?"

"Who is he," Jeff asked. "Who are you leaving me for?"

"No one," Turquoise replied. "Jeff grow up. I don't have to have another man waiting in the wings in order to break up with you." With that said she spun on her heel and walked away, bumping into Amy on her way to the elevator. Amy was about to speak to her, but she waved her off. "I don't have anything else to say to you." She pushed past the older woman and got onto the elevator.

"What was that all about," Amy asked.

"Long story," Jeff sighed as he rubbed his temples. Amy quirked a brow at him. "She broke up with me." Amy groaned. "I think there's someone else. She's acting odd."

"Matt too," Amy mumbled. Jeff looked at her. "He has some things to do. Said me and you should get to the arena."

"Oh this is gonna be a fun Smackdown! I hope T knows what she's doing joining the Alliance," Jeff said.

"Where have you been," Matt asked Turquoise when she arrived at her room door. "We have to meet with Shane and then get to the arena."

"You think it's smart to arrive together," she asked.

Matt shrugged. "Where were you?"

"I broke up with Jeff." Matt's jaw dropped. "You think I would stay with him after what he did and after what we did?" Matt shrugged. "He's convinced that there's someone else."

"This is perfect," Matt said smirking. "Come on. Shane awaits."

Ovaltron showed the Team Extreme locker room door a moment before a woman's figure was seen coming out of it. The camera panned out and the audience immediately began to boo seeing that the woman was Turquoise. Soon Matt joined her at the door.

"What the hell is this about," Michael Cole asked.

Matt smiled at Turquoise as they spoke quietly. The audience roared when Matt leaned down and place a passionate kiss on Turquoise's lips. "See you later," he said smiling.

"What the hell is that about," Cole asked confused.

After a commercial Shane's music blasted through the arena and he swaggered to the ring with a smirk on his face. The young McMahon climbed into the ring and grabbed a mic. "I have come to tell all of you WWF fans that the Alliance has claimed yet another one of your beloved 'superstars'. Which one you ask? Well....you'll just have to wait and see. Trust me it will all be very clear by the end of Smackdown." With that he left the ring.

"What the hell is going on," Amy yelled when she cornered Turquoise. "Why the hell did you have your lips on Matt? Is that why you broke up with Jeff?" She waited for an answer from the younger woman. "Well? Is it?" The yelling brought Jeff and Matt out of their locker room.

Turquoise glanced at Matt, who had heard what Amy was yelling at her, before she replied. "It's not my fault you can't keep your man satisfied." Amy gasped and slapped her across the cheek.

"I thought you were my friend," Amy said as tears came to her eyes. "You were like my sister." She turned to Matt. "And how could you? We were going to spend the rest of our lives together."

"That was before you fucked his baby brother," Turquoise said. Amy and Jeff's jaws dropped. "Don't deny it. Matt has witnesses." They glared at Matt.

"So you're the one who's jumping ship," Jeff asked softly. "And you're the other man?" Matt didn't look Jeff in the eyes. "I hope you're happy with a lying snake," he said to Turquoise before he slung an arm around Amy's shoulders and led her away.

"I hope you're happy with a lying slut," Turquoise yelled and Amy stiffened as she turned to face her former friend. Turquoise wanted to scream at the hurt she saw in her eyes.

"You're the only slut I see," Amy said and walked away with Jeff. Turquoise cringed at the words and her eyes filled with tears.

"Come on," Matt said placing a hand on her shoulder. "We have a match soon." Turquoise nodded and wiped her eyes with balled fists.

Christian's music blasted and the crowd booed loudly. Their boos got louder when they saw Turquoise on his arm. They got into the ring and awaited his partner Billy Kidman. The Hardys come out to a mixed reaction. Many of the fans had already guessed that it was Matt who was joining the Alliance. Lita did the guns as she glared at Turquoise from the other side of the ring.

The match started and Lita and Turquoise played the perfect cheerleaders for their sides. In the ring Christian was whipping Jeff into the ropes, but Jeff reversed it sending Christian flying into Kidman who was thrown off the apron and into the divider with such force that it rendered him unconscious.

While Christian checked on his partner Matt jumped into the ring and began beating on Jeff. "Was she worth it? Huh Jeff? Was she worth losing your brother?" He grabbed Jeff and performed the Twist of Fate on him leaving him a bleeding pile in the ring. Amy had tried to get in to help Jeff, but Christian had stopped her.

Matt grabbed Turquoise as she got into the ring and pulled her into a fiery kiss. When they broke apart they heard Shane telling the crowd that their beloved Hardy Boyz were no more. Matt led the way out of the ring as Turquoise glanced over her shoulder and saw Jeff looking up at her with pain in his eyes, not just physical pain, but the pain of someone who had their heart ripped out and trampled on. She mouthed an "I'm sorry" to him before Matt dragged her to the back.

"You were excellent," Shane said patting Matt on the back. "Glad to have you both on the team. Now you crazy love birds go have fun." He winked at Turquoise and Matt before Matt dragged her off.

"I warned you Shane," Stephanie said walking up to him.

"What do you mean sister dear," Shane asked so innocently you could see the halo form over his head.

"Don't act innocent. You broke up one of the best tag teams in the WWF. Why," she demanded.

"It's simple really sister dear," Shane said. "You see soon Turquoise will see that Matt isn't as honest as he seems and she will need a shoulder to cry on and so enters her prince in shining armor," Shane said smiling. His smile faded when Stephanie glared at him. "It's me. She'll come to me when she sees that Matt's just like Jeff, fucking anything with tits."

Stephanie growled. "You're such a sick bastard. How could you think she would come to you of all people. You disgust me. I can't believe you're related to me." She stormed off.

"I can't believe the Million Dollar Princess has developed a conscience," Shane muttered and went to look for Booker T.

Once Turquoise and Matt had changed back into their street clothes they met at a back exit in the arena. Matt grabbed her and kissed her passionately. His hands slid under her shirt as he pressed her up against the wall.

"Matt no," she said pushing him away. He quirked a brow at her. She thought a moment and then smiled slyly. "It's just that I'm still sore from this afternoon." He smiled wide and nodded that he understood. "I'm not used to someone of your size," she said praying he would leave her alone that night.

"Sorry about that baby," he said kissing her temple. "Want a lift to the hotel?"

She was about to answer when Matt was shoved from behind. The unexpected attack caused him to stumble forward a bit before he whipped around to see Jeff and Amy glaring at them. Their eyes were blazing with anger.

"I never thought I'd see the day that my own brother would stab me in the back," Jeff said softly. His green eyes flickering from amber green to emerald green as he spoke. "Jesus Matt. What would mom say about this?"

Matt's hard glare softened a moment at the mention of his mother. He swore to her that he would always take care of Jeff. A pang of guilt crept in before he shoved it aside. Jeff had hurt him first. His glare hardened once again. "I should be asking you the same thing baby brother. Didn't she tell you to mind me? After all I am the big brother." He smiled slyly and winked at Turquoise. She returned his smile, the whole time trying to cover up the fact that she felt physically ill at her actions that afternoon.

"Matt you know that Jeff adored you," Amy said, her shaky voice betraying the angry glare she kept trained on Matt and Turquoise. "He would have died for you. What's gotten into you?"

"He would have died for me," Matt scoffed. "When was this? Before or after he fucked my girlfriend?" Jeff and Amy's jaws dropped at the accusation.

"Who....."

"Don't try to deny it," Turquoise said. "We have witnesses."

"I'd like to know who," Jeff said. "Turquoise I swear I have never been unfaithful to you. I loved you with my whole being.....hell, I still do." Turquoise groaned inwardly. She still loved Jeff too. Her eyes flitted away from his before he could see what she was feeling.

"Matt you know how I feel about you," Amy said.

"Believe what you want to believe," he replied. "We know the truth. We know that the two of you are perfect for each other. Lying, cheating scum."

"ENOUGH," Jeff yelled causing everyone to jump at his outburst. "You want to believe that we were unfaithful fine. You think you're the better Hardy? The better team?" Matt smirked and nodded. "Let's see who's the better Hardy. Survivor Series.....you two against us two. We'll see who the better team is." With that said he grabbed Amy's hand and stalked off.

With just days to Survivor Series Turquoise went to her apartment to relax. She needed to get away from Matt for a while. They had spent a lot of time together since that Smackdown challenge Jeff threw at them trying to come up with new and exciting moves for their match against Amy and Jeff. She just needed to be alone for a while and clear her head.

She had moved into her own place once Amy and Jeff had moved out of what was now Matt's house. The house seemed too empty....haunted. Every corner she turned in the house brought back a memory of Jeff. At least in her own place she had no memories to be tortured by.

She had been sitting on her couchbed reading when there was a knock at the door. Marking her place she got up and opened the door to reveal Matt and Jeff's dad, Gilbert Hardy.

"May I come in," he asked. She nodded and stepped aside. He came in and looked her up and down a moment before he spoke again. "I won't waste time with pleasantries. I'm not here on a social visit." He sat down on the couchbed. She folded her arms across her chest, cupping her elbows with her hands; a sign of nervousness. "I've been through some terrible things in my life. The death of my wife damn near killed me." He looked up at her forcing eye contact. "The hardest thing for me to see is when my boys fight. They're all I have left in this world. I've seen them go through some hard times, but this...this breaks my heart."

"Gilbert," Turquoise began. He glared up at her. "Mr. Hardy...I don't see what this has to do with me."

"This has everything to do with you," he said calmly, struggling to hold onto his temper. "This all started with you. You got my Jeff to settle down and open his heart only to have it ripped to shreds when you started relations with Matt behind his back. I've never seen Jeff so upset. A brother he might be able to forgive. That's blood, but you...you're no better than those ring rats he used to bed."

"You've said your piece. I'd appreciate it if you left now," Turquoise said trying to force back the tears that were trying to spill down her cheeks.

"You caused this," he said standing. "You fix it. Before it can never be fixed."

"Leave," she said in a shaky voice.

"Fix this before I lose both my boys," he said when he paused in her doorway. "They're all I have left in this world." He closed the door behind him as he left.

The tears now filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. She choked on a sob before she went to the phone and dialed. "I need to see you," she said sniffling. "No...I need to see you tonight. I need you." She hung up before he could reply.

Turquoise threw open the door about 20 minutes later. Matt stood there and pulled her into his arms when he saw the tears streaming down her face. "What happened," he asked as he stroked her hair.

"Your father visited me," she said sniffling. He held her away from him so he could look into her eyes as she spoke. "He...called me no worse than a ring rat." She choked on a sob.

"Shhh," he crooned as he held her once again. He was going to have to have a talk with the old man. He led her over to the couchbed and sat down with her.

She sniffled as her sobs subsided and looked up into his eyes. "He said that this was all my fault and that I had to fix it." She looked away from him. "I don't know how to fix this...or if I want to."

He turned her face to his and half smiled at her. "Don't worry about dad. He's a bit of a windbag at times." She smiled at him and leaned forward to place a kiss on his lips. Her arms snaked around his neck as he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. They lay back and continued to kiss, their hands roaming over each other's bodies as if they had minds of their own.

Matt closed his eyes loving the feel of Turquoise's soft lips and her warm tongue massaging his. He inhaled the scent of her perfume and allowed his body to relax. "Make love to me Matt," she whispered in his ear. His body went rigid when a face mouthing those words flashed across his closed lids. The face didn't belong to Turquoise, it belonged to Amy.

"Matt," Turquoise called through his haze. "Did I hurt you? Matt you're scaring me."

Matt sat up, pushing her away. "I can't make love to you," he said hoarsely. "I...I'm sorry." She looked at him confused. "I pulled something in the gym today," he lied. "It hurts something awful."

"Ok," she said. "Will you at least stay and hold me?" He nodded and lay back with her in his arms. "Thank you Matt."

"For what," he asked.

"For being here for me," she replied suddenly sounding exhausted. Her eyes fluttered closed and soon she was sound asleep. Matt gently slipped out of the bed and silently slipped out of the apartment leaving Turquoise to sleep alone.

Matt drove to his father's house and parked in the driveway. He sat behind the wheel a few moments with his head on the steering wheel. He didn't fully understand the emotions that were going through him. He knew that he loved Amy, but then she had betrayed him...at least...that's what Shane had told him. He was starting to care for Turquoise too.

He heard a bang come from the house and quickly got out of the car. He quietly rushed to the door and peeked into the window. He saw Jeff standing in the living room. The old rocking chair was knocked on it's side behind him like he had stood up fast and Jeff looked very pissed.

"I asked you not to go near her," Jeff yelled.

"What was I supposed to do? Sit back and watch her tear my boys apart," Gilbert snapped.

"I have told you this is not her fault," Jeff fumed, his eyes flashing a deep green. "Someone has lied to her about my relationship with Amy."

"And what might that relationship be," Gilbert asked, speaking a little more calmly. He had always liked Amy and he even still liked Turquoise. He just needed to get to the bottom of this situation, but no one seemed to be telling him much.

"Nothing," Jeff replied. "Dad I swear once I got serious with Turquoise I never so much as looked at another woman. I could never see Amy that way. She's like my sister."

"That's what I thought," Gilbert said. "Jeff you have to talk to Matt. See who's brainwashed them."

"I can't," Jeff said sighing. "He was dead to me the day he slept with Turquoise and turned on me in front of millions of viewers."

Matt cringed at the words. Sure he had been mad when he heard that Jeff had slept with Amy, but not that mad at him. He coudln't believe his baby brother, his only brother had disowned him.

"You don't mean that Jeff," Gilbert said placing a hand on his younger son's shoulder. "He's your only brother Jeff. Blood is thicker than water." Jeff shrugged his hand away and began pacing like a caged tiger. "No woman is worth losing your only brother over."

"She wasn't just any woman," he said softly as he looked at a picture of his family on the mantle. "I thought she was my soulmate."

"Jesus," Matt mumbled to himself. He knew Jeff had cared for Turquoise, but he wasn't aware of how deep Jeff's feelings ran. He ran a hand through his hair with a sigh and headed for his car. He had to make this better. He just had to make this up to Jeff. He hated himself for actually believing Shane. He should have know better. He should have known that Jeff would never, could never do something so hurtful to him. He just prayed that he could fix his relationship with Jeff. Amy was another story. He had hurt her...the one thing he swore he would never do to her. He had to make it right. He started up the car and backed out of the driveway.

"Shane," Turquoise whined as he dragged her to Matt's locker room. "What are you doing? I have to get warmed up for my match later."

"You'll see," he said as the smirk he was trying to conceal began to spread across his lips. He coughed to try to stop it from getting out of hand.

He slid open the door a crack and she peeked in. Her eyes grew wide at the sight before her. Matt was kissing Trish Stratus, who was wearing only a towel. Tears sprang to her eyes and she turned away from the scene just as Matt was about to remove Trish's towel.

"I'm sorry you had to find out this way," Shane said placing a sympathetic hand on her shoulder. She sniffled and allowed him to pull her into his arms momentarily before she pulled away and ran off with him following her.

"You think it worked," Trish asked Matt when they heard Shane call Turquoise's name.

"I sure hope so," Matt said. "Thanks a lot Trish."

"Anytime," she replied winking at him. "Good luck." She left slipping her robe on over her towel.

"Now to go through with the match," he mumbled. "I hope this works."

"Turquoise," Shane yelled as he followed her out of the backstage area and into the parking lot. "Wait."

"How could he," she cried as he finally caught up to her. "How could he do that to me?" Shane stood there silent. His plan was working incredibly well. Now all he had to do was watch his team win the winner take all match later that evening and everything would be perfect. A happy ending to all of this.

"Some men just....can't control their hormones," he said wrapping his arms around her. "They just..."

"It's not like we ever said we were a couple," Turquoise said as the tears rolled down her cheeks. "I mean....all I was to him was another cheap fuck."

"You could never be cheap," Shane said smiling as he pulled out some tissue to wipe her eyes with. She smiled up at him thankfully.

"What's going on here?" They heard Stephanie's voice and turned to face her. "A couple of the guys told me that you ran out here," she said to Turquoise. "What's wrong?"

"Matt was with Trish in the locker room," she said as fresh tears filled her eyes.

"Oh," Stephanie said. "Come into my office and we'll talk about it." She said giving Shane an evil glare as she led Turquoise back into the arena.

"Protect her all you want sister dear," Shane said smirking. "She will be mine tonight. You just watch and see. The whole wrestling world will be mine." He pulled out his cell phone. "Be ready. I want you to be careful. I don't want her harmed in any way. You know when." Shane smiled wider and nodded. "Do your job well and you'll have your choice of any of the so-called Divas." He hung up and went back into the arena.

"Turquoise, listen carefully," Stephanie said once they were in her office. "Shane has an ulterior motive for showing you what Matt did." Turquoise looked at her with interest. "He's convinced that you'll be so heartbroken by Matt that you'll fall into his awaiting arms."

"That's insane," she replied eying the older women with doubt. "Shane's a friend. He'd never do that."

"He's the one that Matt has as proof of Jeff and Amy cheating on you guys," Stephanie fumed. "He's the one who lied to Matt about that." Turquoise groaned. "He's drunk with the power of running WCW. He's insane."

"I think your insane," Turquoise replied rolling her eyes. "Matt has other witnesses."

"No he doesn't," Stephanie yelled and then took a deep breath to calm her raging temper. "Look...I'm only telling you this because I don't want you to get hurt."

"Too Late," Turquoise mumbled as she left. "I think you just want Matt and Jeff all to yourself. You can have him. You're probably the only one they haven't gotten laid by."

Stephanie sunk to a chair in defeat. It was out of her hands now. She didn't know what else to do. She had tried to tell Amy and Jeff about Shane's plan, but they didn't seem to care or believe her.

She had been in Vince's office when Matt had come to him begging for his and Turquoise's jobs back from the WWF. He somehow knew that the Alliance would lose at Survivor Series and wanted job security. He also told Vince all he knew about how Shane had recruited them. He knew now that Shane had lied about Jeff and Amy and didn't know how to make things right with them.

Once Matt had left she had told her father of Shane's plans for Turquoise. She didn't know how he was going to get her, but something in the pit of her stomach told her that Shane wouldn't take no for an answer from her. All Vince could do was increase security, but she had a sick feeling that Shane would find some way around that.

"Where have you been," Matt asked when he found Turquoise wandering around. "We're up in a few." He touched her hand and she jerked it away.

"Don't touch me," she mumbled and went to the curtain to stretch. Matt smiled. His plan was working so far. Now to get through the match without it looking staged or fake.

Turquoise's music blared through the arena as she and Matt made their way down to the ring. They climbed into the ring as the Hardy Boyz music started and Jeff and Lita bounced to the ring to a huge pop.

Lita glared at Turquoise and motioned to Matt and Jeff that she wanted to start against Turquoise. She slapped the younger woman across the face leaving a huge red handprint on her cheek. Turquoise held her cheek as her eyes blazed at the woman she had once called her wrestling sister. She slapped Lita back before whipping her into the corner and doing a frankenstiener.

When Lita couldn't take anymore punishment she tagged in Jeff. Turquoise stood face to face with him and screamed for him to hit her. He looked at her and shook his head. He couldn't hurt her, no matter how much she had hurt him.

He looked to his brother and motioned for him to come in as Turquoise continued to yell in his face. Matt reached over the top rope and tagged himself in causing Turquoise to glare at him. Matt came into the ring and motioned for her to leave. She shoved him and went to pout in her corner.

"Looks like there's trouble in paradise for Matt and Turquoise," JR exclaimed.

"Are you kidding? That's just some of the kinky stuff those crazy kids are into," Heyman said as JR groaned. "I heard Turquoise has a whole closet full of leather catsuits and whips."

Stephanie watched the monitor as Matt and Jeff battled it out. "This is going to be one of their best matches," she mumbled. "If only it wasn't the end of Team Extreme."

Matt was about to do his second rope leg drop, but Jeff managed to roll out of the way just in time causing Matt to land hard on his tailbone. With him writhing on the mat Jeff took advantage and did a leg drop to his groin.

Matt got the upper hand again and climbed to the top rope. He was set to do a moonsault when Turquoise shook the ropes and caused him to straddle the top turnbuckle. He slumped to the mat and Turquoise spit on him. "That's for being such a pig," she yelled and left ringside. JR and Heyman were going nuts as she stalked up the ramp.

She shoved her way through the curtains and was grabbed from behind. A damp rag was placed over her mouth and nose and soon her world went black.

Stephanie ran to talk to Turquoise. She rounded the corner just in time to see a huge masked man dressed all in black grab Turquoise.

"NO," she screamed, knowing it was one of Shane's men. The man turned to face her with a limp Turquoise in his arms. She froze in her tracks.

"You're not supposed to be here," he said. "Can't leave you behind. Can we?" Stephanie tried to run away, but her legs seemed glued to the floor. He managed to place the rag over her face and soon he had two limp bodies in his arms. He quietly slipped out a side door making sure that no one else had witnessed anything.

Back in the ring Jeff had managed to knock Matt out again. He tagged in Lita to pin him. As the referee counted to three he pulled Lita up into a tight hug.

"Matt," Vince called as he hobbled through the curtains. "Have you seen Stephanie?"

"I was in the ring," Matt replied.

"I know," Vince said impatiently. "I meant before you went out."

"No, but I think T had spoken to her," Matt replied wondering why Vince suddenly looked so much older. Worry lines creased his face and he had an almost fearful look in his eyes.

"That's what a few of the guys had said, but neither one of them can be found," Vince said. "I tried Steph's cell, but it seems to be dead. She never goes anywhere without that phone being charged."

"Have you tried the women's locker room, Steph's office....um....any of the locker rooms here," Matt asked. Vince nodded a yes. "I don't understand. They couldn't have just disappeared."

"Who disappeared," Jeff and Amy asked as they were walking by.

"Turquoise and Stephanie are missing," Matt replied. "This is all my fault." He ran a hand through his hair.

"That the first intelligent thing you've said in a long time," Amy said.

"How is this your fault," Jeff asked.

"I...I overheard you and dad talking the other night," Matt confessed. "I heard you tell him how you felt about T. I didn't know how else to try to make things right so I went to Shane and asked him to help me. I wanted T to catch me with Trish so that she wouldn't want to be with me anymore. I thought maybe....." Jeff looked at his brother as he struggled to finish the sentence. "I don't know. I thought maybe she'd come to you for comfort and you'd try to make things better."

"Matt," Vince said looking more worried than before. "You said you went to Shane?" Matt nodded. "Then what Stephanie said was true." He gulped and ran a hand through his graying hair.

"What do you mean," Amy asked. She suddenly felt sick to her stomach as Vince explained what Stephanie had told him.

"This whole mess is Shane's doing," Vince said. "He lied to all of you because he's become obsessed with Turquoise. He's become dangerous if he's plotted a kidnapping." He sighed. "I just pray that he doesn't do anything to harm them. My God....his own sister."

"We should contact the police," Amy said. Vince nodded and pulled out his cell phone. With a heavy sigh he dialed 911. He never imagined that he would be calling the police on his own son. "Let's split up and look for Steph and T." Matt and Jeff nodded.

"They might still be in the arena," Jeff agreed. They all split and went searching for their friends.

"You idiot," Shane fumed. "I gave you one task. What do you do? You fuck it up!"

"I couldn't leave Steph. She saw me chlorophorm her," Hugh Morrus said defensively. "I thought you'd be pleased that I didn't jeopardize your plan."

"I'll be please when this match is over," Shane mumbled and sat down on the end of the bed to watch the winner take all match. Hugh sat on the end of the other bed where both women lay bound and gagged.

Shane's eyes widened as he watched Kurt Angle turn on Stone Cold and cost the Alliance the match. "Bastard! I never trusted him! Damn you Stephanie for talking me into letting him in!" He threw the remote at the TV and glared at Hugh. "Leave. NOW!"

"What about them," Hugh asked pointing to the women.

"GO!" Hugh jumped up and rushed to the door. He left without another word not wanting to agitate Shane anymore for fear of what he might do to him.

Turquoise felt nothing but throbbing in her temples. She tried to rub them, but found her hands bound behind her. She opened her eyes and blinked to clear the fuzziness. She blinked again when she saw that Stephanie was bound to a chair in front of her. Her chestnut hair was in her face, but Turquoise could tell she wasn't awake yet.

"Stephanie?"

"Ah...I see that you've come to," Shane said sounding extremely happy for someone who had just lost his company. He came into view wearing his usual smirk. The look in his eyes terrified Turquoise.

"Steph was right," she mumbled as he knelt down in front of her and showed off his pearly whites. They both heard a low moan come from behind him.

"Aha! Sleeping Beauty has joined the party," Shane chuckled.

"Shane," Stephanie asked groggily. "What have you done?" She tried to lean forward, but found her hands bound behind her back. "You'll never get away with this! Daddy will come save us."

"Daddy will come save us," Shane mocked. "fuck dad. Do you know what it's like having to live up to the McMahon name? To watch your baby sister get all the praise and to watch myself get all the crap? Do you?"

"That's not how it was and you know it," Stephanie yelled. "You don't scare me Shane. You never could."

Shane slapped her hard across the cheek. She choked back a sob as she tasted her own blood. "Still not scared?" She glared defiantly at him. He reached behind his back and pulled a glock out from his belt. "How about now? Scared now baby sister?" Stephanie's eyes grew as wide as saucers and she whimpered.

"Shane," Turquoise said shakily. "You don't want to use that. Come on. She's your sister."

"A fact that means jack shit to me," he replied.

"Look you have me. I'm here. I can't leave. Put the gun down. Please...for me."

"It's not that easy," Shane snarled. "I know you still love that rainbow haired freak." He looked from Stephanie to Turquoise as he spoke. "I have to make you forget him."

He undid her restraints and brought her over to the bed where he tied her to the headboard. He leaned down and kissed her. Fighting the nausea that she felt she kissed him back hoping that if she appeased him he would at least let Stephanie go. Silently she prayed that someone would save them before he could do to her what she knew he had planned.

"Oh sister dear," Shane sang after a moment of silence. "I need you to do me a big favor and go in here," he said as he dragged her chair into the bathroom. Stephanie whimpered as the chair bumped along the stained carpet in the cheap motel room.

"You're a sick son of a bitch," Stephanie yelled and spat at him. He back handed her across the other cheek, once again drawing blood. "I know why you hate daddy so much," she said not backing down. "He's more man that you can ever hope to be." She imediately closed her eyes when she saw Shane's eyes blaze and he lunged at her. He knocked her to the floor and proceeded to beat her until she was motionless.

"My God Shane," Turquoise gasped. "What have you done?"

"Something I've wanted to do ever since she was able to walk and talk," Shane grumbled. "With any luck I killed the bitch." He smiled wickedly at her. "Now to do something I've been wanting to do to you since I first laid eyes on you."

He crawled up her body, pausing at her exposed naval. She was in her ring gear yet since she was on her way to the locker room when she was nabbed. He kissed around her belly button and dipped his tongue into it causing her to shudder. She closed her eyes tight hoping this would all be over soon.

He pulled her purple windpants and neon pink thong off kissing his way back up her legs. "My God I have longed for this day," Shane muttered licking his lips. He licked and kissed his way to her center and swirled his tongue over her clit. Her body stiffened at the sensation. Had it been Jeff or even Matt she would have savoured the feeling. The tears burned her eyes. She just couldn't believe that he was violating her like this.

"You like that baby," he asked gruffly as he looked up to see her face. He saw the tears streaking her cheeks and crawled up her body to gently kissed her lips. "Shhhh....it's ok....I promise I'll be gentle baby."

She opened her eyes when she felt him get up. Her eyes snapped shut again when she realized he was disrobing. Someone please help me she prayed as she felt the bed shift under his weight and his naked flesh touching hers.

"I can't believe this shit," Matt said kicking the wall. He, Jeff and Amy had been through any place they could think of that Turquoise and Stephanie could have been.

"They couldn't have just disappeared," Amy said as she ran her hand through her flaming red hair. "We have to think like Shane."

"Oh yeah. That's great. Let's think like a psychopath," Matt snapped.

"Bickering isn't helping," Jeff said softly before Amy could answer.

"Why are you so calm," Matt asked. "She's supposed to be your soul mate."

"Believe me I'm falling apart inside. That's not gonna help T. We have to work together to find her before...." He looked away as a tear escaped down his cheek. He wiped it away with the heel of his palm and turned back to them. "We have to find her."

"We will," Amy said patting his back. "We will."

"God you're so beautiful," Shane whispered in Turquoise's ear as he cuddled with her in bed. "So much more beautiful than I could have ever dreamt you'd be."

Turquoise lay there feeling physically ill after the violation. "I'm thirsty," she said softly. "Can I have something to drink."

"Of course," Shane said sitting up and slipping on his clothes. "There's no room service in this rat trap, but I'll just go down the hall and get a soda from the vending machine." He kissed her and left.

Once she heard the door click shut she tried to slip out of her restraints, but they only seemed to tighten as she struggled. She relaxed her muscles against the bed and sighed. "Steph? Steph? Can you hear me?" She heard a groan from the bathroom. "Steph! We have to get out of here."

"How," Steph replied hoarsely. The beating from Shane had surely resulted in broken ribs. Breathing was becoming an issue. She could feel a gash on the back of her head oozing blood onto the dirty tile floor and she felt blood caked on her forhead from another gash. "Did he hurt you?"

"He did worse," Turquoise replied trying not to cry. Stephanie closed her eyes and groaned. "He's crazy," she said sobbing.

"Crazy in love," they both heard. "Diet 7Up for the lady," he said smiling as he sat down next to Turquoise and helped her take a sip.

"Couldn't I do it myself," she asked.

"And have you leave me when I untie you," Shane asked with a smile. "Never. You're mine now. I've marked my territory." She blanched and almost vomitted at his choice of words. "More?" She nodded and sighed helplessly.

"Vince....Mr McMahon...sir," Hugh Morrus said entering Vince's office later that night. Vince held up a hand to motion for him to wait a minute.

"Yes. I know," Vince said into the phone. "Officer this is my little girl."

"Mr McMahon I know where they are," Hugh said a little louder.

"I'll call you back," Vince said hanging up. "Go on."

"He swore he'd fire me if I didn't do as he said," Hugh began. "I was only supposed to take Turquoise, but Steph saw. Oh God Mr McMahon.....I'm so sorry." He ran a hand through his hair. "I just wanted to keep my job, but....."

"But what," Vince asked, eager to hear anything on the condition of his daughter.

"He looked so.....crazy when I left. He kicked me out of the motel room."

"Where are they," Vince asked coolly. Hugh told him and left his office. Vince picked up the phone and called Matt, Jeff and Amy as well as the police.

Stephanie's entire right side felt like it was on fire, but she still struggled with the restraints. When Shane had beaten her he broke a slat in the chair and the ropes were slowly getting looser.

"Come on," she mumbled to herself and sighed in relief when a hand slid through the rope finally. She listened carefully. It seemed like forever since she had been forced to listen to her brother violating Turquoise again. All she heard was Shane's soft snoring and Turquoise's sobbing. She knew she had to act now. There was no if, ands or buts about it.

"Sir. We're gonna have to ask you to wait out here," an officer said to Vince as the entered the lobby of the motel.

"That's my little girl in there," Vince said. "I'm coming with you."

"Fine," the officer sighed. "Just stay behind me." He looked at Matt, Jeff and Amy. "All of you."

The police were about to bust down the door to the room when they heard a gunshot and a screams come from inside.

"That was T," Jeff said, all the color draining out of his face.

The police broke the door down and entered the room yelling at Shane to put the weapon down. Vince, Matt, Jeff and Amy entered behind them to see Stephanie crouching over Turquoise's limp body. A crimson pool was forming around her.

"No," Jeff yelled and knelt down next to her. He pulled her into his lap causing her to wince in pain. His hand lightly touched the quarter sized hole in her abdomen and he whimpered seeing her in so much pain.

"I tried to save her," Stephanie babbled. "I tried to shoot Shane for what he did to us. I tried to make it stop for her. Oh God! Daddy I killed her." Vince knelt down and pulled his daughter into his arms.

"No," he said rocking her. "This isn't your fault."

"Babyface," Jeff said as the tears come to his eyes. "You're gonna be fine. You'll see."

She looked up at him. Her turquoise eyes met his green eyes and she smiled. "I'm so cold," she said softly. Jeff held her closer, trying to warm her up. There was so much blood, it terrified him. "I always loved you," she said weakly. "I always have loved you. Remember that."

"No," he said sniffling. "Don't talk like that." She closed her eyes as her breathing became more labored. "Babyface?" Her body went limp and her breathing slowly came to an end.

Amy, who had been watching with Matt from the doorway, turned from the scene and began to cry. Matt pulled her into his arms and they cried together.

By this time the police had subdued Shane and had him in handcuffs. He was screaming obscenities at Vince and Stephanie as they escorted him out of the room

"Jeff? Are you sure you want to do this," Matt asked as he watched his baby brother slipping on his arm bands. "You just buried her two days ago."

"I need to do this," Jeff replied looking at Matt. "She'd want me to move on with my life."

"I'm just worried about you," Matt replied. Jeff smiled and hugged Matt. "I just don't know how to make your pain go away and I hate that."

"I know," Jeff said. "You can't make it go away."

"This is all my fault," Matt said looking away from Jeff.

"Matt," Jeff said touching his shoulder. "I've forgiven you. It's time you forgive you. You had no idea how crazy and manipulative Shane was."

"You guys ready," Stephanie asked hobbling into their locker room. She had suffered three broken ribs, a twisted ankle and a broken wrist in Shane's attack as well as several bruises and lacerations. She had also been seing a psychiatrist for her psychological trauma.

"You guys are up next," Amy said panting as she came into the locker room. She had just finished a match against Jaqueline a few moments ago.

"Yeah," Jeff said. "Let's go." Matt and Amy hugged briefly before Matt followed Jeff out.

"You guys good now," Stephanie asked.

"Matt and I," Amy asked. Stephanie nodded. "Well....I'm still hurt, but under the circumstances we've agreed to be just friends from now on."

"How's Jeff?"

"Matt says he's moved back in," Amy said. "He hears him calling out to her at night." Stephanie frowned and sighed.

The Hardy Boyz music blared and they got a mixed reaction as Matt and Jeff made their way down to the ring.

"This match folks is a special one time deal," JR explained to the fans at home as Lillian Garcia explained it to the arena. "It's a tribute match for a wonderfully talented young lady who was cut down in her prime by a senseless act of violence."

"Turquoise will be sorely missed," Lawler said solemnly. "She was a beautiful woman inside and out."

You Think You Know Me began to play and the crowd popped huge as Edge and Christian made their way to the ring.

"For one night only Edge, Christian, Jeff and Matt will reunite as tag teams to honor Turquoise's memory. You might recall that in an issue of WWF Magazine in an interview she said that if she could only see one more match before she left the Earth it would be the Hardys vs. Edge and Christian," JR continued to explain to the home audience.

"My little angel," Shane said from his seat in front of the TV in the rec room when a picture of Turquoise was shown and the bell was rung. He stroked the screen in a drug induced stupor.

"Time for bed Shane," a nurse said wheeling him back to his room in the maximum security psych hospital. She tucked him into bed and made sure he was locked in for the night.