Too Much To Dream

Title:Too Much to Dream
Author:Brandy
E-mail: moonstar_75@hotmail.com, given2fly_n_dixie@yahoo.com
Characters:Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Brandy, Shane Helms, Shannon Moore, Amy Dumas
Rating: R
Distribution: *snorts laughter* like anybody'd want it...
Summary: Brandy is recently widowed and finds her way to Cameron, NC. After getting work at a pharmacy, she accidentally meets and becomes aquainted with Matt and Jeff Hardy's dad.
Disclaimer: Matt, Jeff, Gilbert, Shannon, Shane and Amy all belong to themselves and to Vince McMahon, respectively. All other characters are figments of my over-active inatination, as is this story. The song "Nothing Man" belongs to Pearl Jam and the song "When You Say Nothing At All"(well, this redition of it) belongs to Alison Kraus and Union Station. The song "When I Look To the Sky" belongs to Train. If you sue me you will get nothing because I have nothing.


Brandy whistled to the song playing on the radio as sut tut the drugs back on their appropriate shelves. Ever since moving to Cameron, she'd listened to more rock....nothing like the bluegrass and country she had always listened to back home. Finishing up the aisle she was on, she turned to the drop-off window at the pharmacy where she worked. An older man stood there, patiently waiting for help.
"Yes, sir? What can I do for you?"
"Well, I'm lookin' for some butterfly bandaids and I can't seem to find any..."
Brandy laughed as she opened the door, stepping in to the over the counter section. "That's one of those things that you just have to know my boss to know where they are." Striding across the room, she stopped in front of the condoms,seemingly making the old man blush. "Here they are." Noticing the flush on the older man's face and attributing it to embarrassment, Brandy laughed.
" Yeah, I know it's an odd place, but.."
Her voiced trailed off as the man started gasping for breath and clutching his arm. "Sir?! Are you okay?" Brandy reached out to help him over to the waiting area, but before she could reach him, the man collasped, grimacing in pain.
"Cristal! Call 911! We have a man having a heart attack!"


"No."
"Yes."
"No!"
"Yes!"
"NO!"
"YES!"
Shoving away the blood pressure cuff, Gilbert Hardy stared angrily at the little brunette at the side of his bed. "I said 'No' and I mean 'No', dammit!"
Gritting her teeth and taking a firm hold on the older man's arm, Brandy got the cuff situated. Mr. Hardy started to pull away again, when she jerked him back.
"Look, you ornery old jackass! I may not be as old as you or a member of your family, but you can damn well believe that you're gonna do what the doctors tell you to while I'm staying with you!"
Muttering under his breath about "danged fool women", he stopped figiting long enough for Brandy to get an accurate reading.
"One forty-two over ninety-five. That's still too high, Mr. H."She removed the cuff and looked at her new found "friend". "They won't let you out until it's at least ten points lower."
Trying to use some of his North Carolina charm on her, Mr. H smiled, placing a hand over hers as it rested on the bed. "Now Brandy-girl, you know what a blessing you've been these last 5 days. Why, you've been like the daughter I've always wanted. Now, if my real children were here they would be doing there darndest to get me released right now. They would rather see me comfortable and at home, than cooped up in this old hospital. Wouldn't you?"
Smiling and cupping the old man's cheek, Brandy said,"I had a feeling you would bring your sons into this. That's why I called them." She reached over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "They should be here any minute." Mr. Hardy's eyes widened as he stared at the girl in front of him.
"Now wait just one damn minute!", he stuttered, waving his hands about. "I thought I told you not to bother them! They are very busy athletes!"
"Not too busy to come be with our dad after he has a heart attack."
Brandy turned, startled by the sound of another voice at the door. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw two of the most beautiful men to ever grace God's green earth. One stood just inside the door, his long dark hair pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. Dark brown eyes were glued to the man in the bed as a small wrinkle of concern md and an otherwise flawless face. A small frown formed on his soft lips as he made his way to his father's bedside.
" Yeah, old man, what gives? You weren't gonna tell us or something?" This came from the blond adonis that came in right behind the first. His facial hair was shaved into intricate designs, making his angular face seem more boyish and approachable. His green eyes were alight with an inner glow that Brandy had only ever seen in children.
"Now Matt, Jeff let me explain..." Mr. H started, trying to stall for an excuse. He looked beseechingly at the woman who had stayed by his side for the last 5 days. Brandy smirked, shaking her head.
"Sorry, Mr. H. I have to agree with your sons."
As if noticing her for the first time, both brothers turned, seemingly startled by her prescence. "Are you a nurse?", the dark one asked, curiously.
"No. I was the one who called you to tell you about your father's heart attack."
"Yeah, Matt. Don't you recognize the voice?" the blonde asked sarcastically, grinning at Brandy as he held out a hand. "I'm Jeff, the youngest."
Matt was more reserved, simply nodding his head in her direction before turning his attention back to his father. "So, we've talked with the doctor. He's going to release you tomorrow, provided your BP is down." He leaned back in the chair he had taken next to his father's bedside. "Now what I wanna know is why you didn't want us to know."
"And how this little cutie came to be the one to let us know." Jeff said, taking a seat on the arm of his brother's chair and gesturing towards Brandy. Seeing this as an opportunity to let the three catch up, she excused herself.
"I'll just go let the nurse know how your BP is, Mr. H." Hurrying around the bed, Brandy quickly made her way out the door. But not before she heard "Okay Dad, so who is the gold digging tramp and why is she here?" Anger bubbled through her at Matt's words as the door clicked shut behind her. Jesus freaking Christ, I don't even know these people and already they're making assumptions. Brandy thought as she strolled down the hall. "If I wanted to listen to accusations, I would have stayed in Tennessee" she muttered, turning the corner and abruptly running smack into something...or someone it would seem.
"I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" A voice came from above her. She looked up into the sweetest brown eyes she'd ever seen. A small smile found it's way to her lips.
"Yeah. Nothing bruised but my pride." Brandy reached up to where the handsome stranger had grabbed her arm. "Are you okay? I ran into you pretty hard. I never watch where I'm going!" She looked up, taking in his faded jeans and Green Lantern t-shirt, only then noticing that his hair was the same shade of green as his shirt. "Great shirt."
He nodded, grinning. "I'm Shane" he said extending his hand. "And you are the coolest chic I've met in a long time."
"Brandy."she said, grasping his hand and shaking it firmly. "And why am I cool? I thought everyone read Green Lantern comics.", she said with a false innocent air. Shane noddas tas though very serious.
"Yep. And most people don't even notice my hair." They both burst out laughing at that, making so much noise that they got a few evil stares from a couple of nurses.
"Oops. Guess we're making too much noise." Shane said, stepping away from her. "I'd better get going. I brought a couple of friends to see their dad and I wanted to check up on him too."
"Well, it was nice to meet you, Shane."
Shane took told of the hand she offered and gallantly placed a kiss on it. "The pleasure was all mine."

As she drew closer to Mr. H's room, Brandy heard the sound of laughter and couldn't help but smile. Even though he'd been adamant about her not bothering his sons, she knew she'd done the right thing by calling them. After finding out that it would be at least 3 or 4 days before they could get home, Brandy knew she had to stay with Mr. Hardy. She'd been the one he had clung to as they raced to the hospital in the back of an ambulance. She couldn't NOT go and not know what happened to him. When the doctors came out and informed her that it had only been a mild heart attack and that he would be fine after a few days of observation, she had been prepared to tell him to feel better soon and be on her way. But that night, she had learned that he had no family, other than his sons, to care for him and they were gone. Almost immediately Brandy decided to be the one to stand in their places. She had lost her father two years earlier on her 22nd birthday and Mr. Hardy reminded her alot of him.
She knocked on the door and heard a muffled "Come in." Opening the door she saw Mr. H, smiling at his two "boys" and someone else sitting next to them. Almost immediatley she recognized the green hair. As she walked into the room, Shane turned to see who their visitor was. "Brandy! I didn't expect to see you again so soon!" Matt frowned as his friend smiled at the woman he had come to have a grudging respect for. After hearing what she had done for his father, Matt had felt a little embarassed about what he had called her. Still don't trust her though. Matt thought as Brandy smiled at something his father said. Why would someone that looks like her be spending all her free time with an old man?
"Earth to Matt. Hello Matt. Are you there?"
Matt shook his head, trying to rid himself of the distressing thoughts. "Sorry. Daydreaming."
Jeff stood and stretched his lanky body, reaching his arms toward the ceiling. "Well, I'd like to do some 'night' dreaming if it's okay with you, bro."
"You boys don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine. Now, go on home and get some sleep.", Mr. Hardy said, hugging each of his sons in turn. "You, too Brandy."
"Are you tired? you should've said something sooner! I'll get going..." Brandy remarked, grabbing her bag off of the night stand. She stuck her hand in the bag, fishing for her car keys. "I can give you guys a lift if you need it..."
"Thanks, but no."came Matt's short answer. Well, good cow, he didn't have to make it sound bad. Brandy thought.
"Yeah, they live just down the road from me," said Shane as he shooked Mr. Hardy's hand. "Glad to see you're feeling better, Mr. Hardy."
Brandy looked at her elderly friend, concern showing on her heart-shaped face. "Are you sure you'll be okay? I don't mind staying."
"I think you've done enough Brandy," Matt said almost with a snarl. "If Dad needs someone to stay with him, one of US will do it."
Fed up with Matt's disrespect and attitude, Brandy lashed out at him. "Oh really? Well, where have you been the last five days? Hhhmm? Were you there when he woke up at 1 in the morning, not able to sleep because of the pain? Were you the one there when he woke up, crying out for his "boys"? NO I don't think so. So if you have a problem with me it doesn't really amount to shit because I've been here --- you haven't."
"Just who the hell do you think you are?" Matt yelled.
"Well, if everyone took your word as gospel, then I'm a 'gold-digging tramp' ", Brandy yelled back, getting right up in his face.
"How am I suppose to know you're not?" Matt countered. Brandy's eyes flashed dangerously darkening to an almost obsidian color. Color stained her cheeks from her anger and her full lips thinned in a line of hatred. Without stopping to think, Brandy lashed out, catching Matt in a hard right hook.
A flurry of people surrounded them and for the first time since the argument started, Brandy remembered just exactly where they were. Shane and Jeff stood to the side, looks of shock on their faces. Mr. Hardy was laughing so hard that a nurse had rushed in when his heart monitor had gone nutty. Apparently, they had been quite loud becuase there were nurses and even a few doctors trying to escort her from the room. jerking angrily out of their grasps she called out, "I've got your tramp right here, bitch."


Angrily muttering under her breath, Brandy stalked thru the hospital doors towards her Xterra. "Pompous, arrogant overbearing...what an ASSHOLE!" she shouted, placing the key in the door. As she started to open it, a hand came from behind her firmly shutting it again. Brandy swung around, only to be caught by Shane.
"Hey! What just happened back there?"he asked incredulously.Trying to sooth her figeting. After seeing it wasn't Matt back for revenge, Brandy stopped struggling and huffily leaned against the Xterra.
"Don't ask me. All I've been trying to do since Mr. H had his heart attack was take care of him...at least until his sons got here anyway. Then, as soon as they do, they figure that since they're some big name wrestlers that I'm a "gold-digging tramp" out to get to the through their father."
Shane's eyes were practically popping out of his head. That didn't sound like his friends at all! He'd known the Hardy's since he was ten and they were all more or less family. He'd never seen Matt disrespect someone(and especially not a WOMAN) like he had tonight."Come on, Brandy, maybe Matt was just tired.."
"Shane, I heard him myself. Right before I 'ran' into you when I left the room. Before the door could shut I heard Matt ask ,"So who's the gold-digging tramp?" ". Brandy ran a hand through her long curly hair, with frustration. "But you know what really pisses me off? The fact that if you hadn't said my name he wouldn't even know that about me, much less anything else! He doesn't know me. And as such,shouldn't pass judgment!"
Shane nodded his head in agreement. "That's true. But you have to look at it from his side as well: All he knows is that he gets a phone call from some woman telling him his dad has had a heart attack and that he needs to come home ASAP. Aside from having all that time to worry about his father's condition, he also has the time to try and analyze who you are." Brandy pushed off the Xterra and opened the door. "Look Shane, tell Mr. H that I'm sorry if I upset him." She puton her seatbelt and turned the key in the ignition. Immediately Gretchen Wilson's "Redneck Woman" blared from the speakers. Brandy grinned and blushed. "Sorry. Old habits die hard. Anyway, let Mr. H. know that I'll call to check up on him in the morning."
"Call? You aren't gonna stop by and see him?"
Brandy shook her head. "I know that Matt and Jeff will be here and the less I see of Matt Hardy, the better." With a farewell wave, she closed the door and backed out of the parking lot. Shane watched her tail lights disappear into the night. With a shake of his head, he went back inside, preparing himself to hear Matt's outlook on things.


"Who in the blue hell does she think she is?!?!" a pissed off Matt asked his brother. Jeff still stood mutely to the side, not knowing exactly what to think about what had just happened in his father's hospital room. " Well, where have you been the last five days?'" Matt mimmicked Brandy under his breath."Who is she to question my loyalty to family? And what are yoiu laughing at?" he asked exasperatingly at his father. Mr. Hardy was sitting up in his bed, still chuckling over the little scuffling match between his eldest son and newfound friend.
"It's been a while since I've seen you speechless, that's all," he said, smiling at Matt. "When she clocked you, I could've sworn Jeff was gonna have to pick your jaw up off the floor." More laughter shook the older man's shoulders until he couldn't hold it any longer. " And then when she called you a bitch..." More laughter followed this remark and soon Jeff had joined in. Shane waliked in to the sound of their laughter, his eyes coming to rest on the oldest Hardy brother.
"Matt? Can I talk to you outside?"
Matt sneered at his brother and father. "At least someone wants to listen to my side of the story!" Marching past Shane, Matt made his way into the hall and down towards the cafeteria. "I hope you set her happy little ass straight out there, Shane..."
"What is your problem, Matt?" Shane asked quietly, cocking his head at his best friend.
"What is MY problem?! She's the one..."
Shane held up a hand, stopping Matt in mid-sentence. "She's the one who took care of your father when there was no one else to do it. She hasn't had to be here, Matt. She chose to. I got the story from one of the ladies at the nurses station, on my way back to the room." They took seats facing each other at the cafeteria, neither one thinking about food. "Your dad collapsed at the pharmacy where Brandy works. She rode with him in the ambulance on the way here and sat out in the waiting room for 5 hours while they ran tests. She took time off of work to stay with him day in and day out until you and Jeff could get here." Shane watched the different expressions pass over Matt's face:anger, confusion, concern and guilt. "Matt, she was just trying to help."
Matt dropped his head into his hands. "I feel like a jackass."
Shane smirked. "Would it help if I said you acted like one, too?"
"I know, I know. it's just that...well, Shane you know how hard it is to trust people. You never know if they want you or your fame. Some people will go to any lengths to get to their favorite superstars. That doesn't exclude mackin' on our dads." Shane nodded.
" Yeah, but you have to learn to find out all the facts first, Matt." he said, glancing at his watch. "Well, let's head back to your dad's room. it's late and I wanna be sure to let him know that Brandy's gonna call to check up on him tomorrow."
Even though he felt bad about what he had said to her and about her, Matt still wasn't comfortable with her spending so much time with his family. "Just call? She's not going to come by and try to take another potshot at me?"
Shane grinned slyly at Matt. "Potshot my ass, she cleaned your clock, bro." he ed aed as Matt made a half-hearted attempt at punching him. "And yeah, just call. She said that the less she sees of you, the better."
Matt nodded. "I couldn't agree more."