Best
Friends Series
Author:
PaulenaK ~ toukalah@hotmail.com
Rating:
PG
Disclaimer:
Everything WWE belongs to Vince McMahon.
Feedback:
Is much appreciated.
AN:
This is going to be a series of 200 word (or there about) mini fics inspired by something Carolyn mentioned in an email.
It’s already mapped out and events put in place, all I have to do is write it.
Mostly AU, in this fic Stephanie is just a
wrestler/diva, not the boss’s daughter and she and Chris are the same age.
(Exactly what age - I have no idea), will randomly switch from Stephanie’s POV
to Chris’s POV to 3rd person POV.
**
Best
Friends Part 1 – In The Beginning…
**
I
remember the first day Chris and I fell in love with wrestling.
Back
then it was young, confused, naïve, brutal, sometimes stupid and sometimes
mischievous… just like us and as we matured into adulthood, wrestling and all
it entailed matured with us.
Along
the way, it took on all our baggage and all our dreams, we felt wrestling and
wrestling felt us and I knew that everyone who had ever or was still to come
into contact with this business would feel the same too.
For
many people it was that best friend that kept them company through all the fame
and glory that inevitably came with it, but for us it was a way of life. A
living breathing entity that had us firmly within its grasp, we lived it,
breathed it and shared it as only best friends could.
Nothing
and no one could break up our life long promise to each other, a pinkie promise
made by two gawky eight year olds who found some common ground on the school
play ground when together we stood up to the school bully.
‘Stephanie
and Chris forever’ that was our motto. People always knew where ever I went you
wouldn’t be too far behind and vice versa.
Until
you met Trish - And before I knew it our motto became ‘Stephanie and Chris plus
Trish’.
And
now you’re engaged to be married… and I sit here and I smile and I congratulate
you both because I’m your friend… your ‘best’ friend and that’s what best
friends do.
**
Best Friends Part 2 – The
Bridal Shower…
**
“Stephanie!”
She
felt herself being engulfed in the smaller woman’s arms as Trish welcomed her
with a hug.
“I’m
so glad you could come.”
“I
wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” She replied with a smile.
“Come
in, come in,” She said pulling Stephanie into the lounge where all her other
guests were waiting. “You know everyone here already…” she continued as smiles
and waves were exchanged. “…So there’s no need for introductions.”
Stephanie
had to agree with her, she did know everyone there although ‘knowing’ someone
and actually being ‘introduced’ to them were two different things entirely. She
had barely said more then ‘Hi’ and ‘Bye’ to nearly every woman sitting in the
room, if you didn’t count Trish and then there was Jan the divas make-up artist
and hair stylist.
“Sit
by me,” Trish beamed ecstatically, pulling Stephanie down on the couch beside
her. “You can help me. The girls have been quizzing me on facts about Chris and
I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t gotten that many correct.” She whispered
conspiratorially beside her before turning to face the face other women. “Next
question,”
“Favourite non alcoholic drink…”
Trish’s
brow creased in concentration then just as quickly her expression brightened.
“Traffic
light…”
Stephanie
felt like she was being put under a microscope when all eyes turned to her for
confirmation. Everyone knew how close she and Chris were so if anyone were to
know his favourite non alcoholic drink it would be
her.
“Water,”
She complied, “...His favourite non alcoholic drink
is water.”
Trish
giggled.
“Oh,
that’s right, Traffic Lights are Stevie’s favourite,” She shrugged. “Next question,”
“Favourite sexual position…”
She
grinned.
“That
is the easiest question in the world.” She paused dramatically and giggled
again before continuing. “Standing up… at bench tops, tables, in the shower,
against the door…”
Again
all eyes turned to Stephanie and she felt heat flood her cheeks when they all
waited for her to speak.
“Ah…”
She swallowed uncrossing then re-crossing her legs.
“Come
on Stephanie, we’re all friends here, besides Chris has explained how deep a
friendship you two have, you’re like one of the guys to him so I’m totally okay
with you knowing all this stuff.”
Stephanie
cocked a brow.
‘One
of the guys…’
“Okay…”
She began.
Trish
wanted the truth… well she would get the truth.
“He
likes the girl to be on top.”
A
mutual whisper seemed to pass from woman to woman even though none of them said
a thing.
Trish
shifted uncomfortably beside her.
“Silly
game…”
**
A Moment…
**
“Why
so glum?”
Stephanie
called through the door of the changing room she was currently in.
“Your
wedding day is less then a day away and you choose now to bitch to me about
Trish over something as non-consequential as facial hair?”
“It
may seem like nothing to you, but waking up to a sink full of false eye lashes
and other gunk you women doll yourselves up in is not my idea of a good
morning.”
“Then
get separate basins.”
He
smiled despite himself knowing that on the other side of that door she would be
shaking her head and rolling her eyes at his lack of common sense.
“Or
just go back to leaving the toilet seat up and you’ll compliment each other.”
She added and he scowled when her laughter reached his ears.
“I
don’t leave the toilet seat up!” He exclaimed getting up from where he had been
seated for the past few minutes to lean back against the door that stood
between them.
“That’s
because I snapped you out of that disgusting manly habit.” She countered
readily before the door swung open causing him to stumble.
“Wow!”
Stephanie
looked about ready to turn tail and head back into the changing room.
“What’s
wrong?” She asked her hand ready to deck him if he said the wrong thing.
He
swallowed.
“Ah…
nothing, you look…” He struggled to find the words as she stood before him in
the dress she planned to wear to his wedding ceremony and all he could come up
with was ‘Wow!’
She
looked down at the sleeveless cream one piece she had picked out and blushed.
She had chosen it because it was simple, complimented her legs and didn’t make
her butt look big, which was a major point in the decision factor.
“Thank
you.” She said turning to the full length mirror so see could see for herself how she looked.
“Anyway,
back to why you’re here with me and not somewhere making googly
eyes at Trish. And all I have to say to you is nothing else matters as long as
you love each other.”
She
smoothed the material down over her hips loving the feel of it against her
palms.
“You
do love her right?” She continued.
When
no response came her eyes darted to where he lazily leaned against the wall
behind her.
“Chris… hello?”
He
shook his head and smiled sheepishly.
“Sorry,
what did you say?”
“I
asked if you loved Trish.”
“Who?”
She
chuckled, reached down, picked up a scarf someone had left in the changing room
only to bunch it up into a ball and toss it at him.
“Will
you stop clowning around, I’m serious. Do you love Trish?”
“Ah…
yeah, of course,” He replied, yet he couldn’t believe how forced his reply
sounded to his ears.
“And
does she love you?” Stephanie continued.
He
grinned.
She
took that as a yes.
“Well
then, that’s all that matters, tomorrow you’ll get up, shower and shave, put on
that cute little tux I know you got and marry the woman of your dreams.”
Taking
the few steps needed to bring her to his side she leaned up and lightly kissed
his cheek before disappearing back into the changing room and closing the door
behind her.
**
The Wedding…
**
“I
now pronounce you man and wife.”
Stephanie
expelled a long slow breath as the groom kissed his bride.
That
was it.
Her
best friend was now a married man and although he would remain her best friend
no matter what, she now knew that Trish held the number one spot in his life.
“Well,
I’m glad that’s over,” A voice behind her said. “I’ll give it a couple months,
how about you?”
She
turned in her seat to face the man who had spoken.
“I’m
not going to put a limit to how long there marriage is going to last. Chris is
my best friend I wish him and Trish all the happiness.”
“Yeah,
sure you do…” Christian scoffed leaning back in his chair with a smug
expression on his face.
“Excuse
me?” She asked her eyes alone letting him know she had heard every word, while
her raised brow dared him to continue.
“Ah…
I was wondering if you knew where the bar was, after sitting through ‘that’” He
motioned to the couple still standing at the front. “…I need alcohol… and
plenty of it. Care to join me?”
She
opened her mouth to refuse, she didn’t really like Christian much, but the
words halted in her throat as the newly married couple walked passed hand in
hand.
She
lifted her eyes, her gaze finding Chris’s and it was like they were the only
two people in the room… until her gaze fell on the woman at his side.
“Yeah,
sure,” She said turning back to Christian. “A drink sounds good.”
She
smiled and stepped passed him to make her way to the door… and in doing so
totally missing the thoughtful gaze that followed her.
**
Best Friends Part 5 –
Getting back in the game…
**
“Steph,
we’re friends right?”
“No.”
“Well
we should be now that my best friend and your best friend are married don’t you
think?”
Stephanie
shrugged.
“I
guess.”
“Great!”
Jackie exclaimed bouncing up and down so hard Stephanie expected her to bounce
right out of her top at any given minute.
“What
do you say we go out tonight to celebrate our new friendship, invite a couple
of the guy’s? I know Christian would be into it if he knew you were going.”
Stephanie
made a face.
“Maybe
another time,”
“Come
on, Chris got married not you, let’s go out and have some fun. Get back in the
game… dangle yourself in front of would be suitors!”
Stephanie
watched the other diva shake her shoulders as she voiced the latter, her
breasts bouncing this way and that.
“You
‘dangle’ enough for us both!” Stephanie said leaning forward to unlace her
wrestling boots.
“I’m
not going to take no for an answer.” Jackie said trying hard to ignore the
other woman’s comment.
Stephanie
sighed.
She
hadn’t been anywhere other then the arenas the WWE were booked at since the
wedding. And in that time she had seen Chris exactly two times and both times
he’d been surrounded by Trish and her crowd. He still called her every night as
was his custom, something he’d been doing since they had both gotten there very
first mobile phone and the habit had stuck. One of his many quirky habits, but
still it wasn’t the same as talking to him face to face. She missed the times
they’d spend together, but like all good things it had to end sometime… maybe
it was time to ‘get back in the game’ as Jackie had put it. Going out wouldn’t
be that much of a hardship and hey, she may even have fun.
She
met Jackie’s hopeful gaze.
“Okay,
where and when.”
**
Best
Friends Part 6 – An Admirer…
**
“Wow!
What’s going on in here?”
Stephanie
exclaimed when she opened the door to the divas locker room to find it
practically over flowing with red roses.
“You
tell us?” Molly said from her spot beside Jackie on a bench. “They are all for
you.”
“Me?”
She repeated her hand reaching towards the closest flower arrangement to snatch
up the card that lay nestled snugly between the rose buds.
“To
the girl with the prettiest smile… H.” She read aloud before snatching up another
card and then another and then another, all with there own cute little message
and all signed with the letter H.
“H…”
She whispered softly, a thoughtful look on her face.
“Could
only be one person,” Jackie said getting to her feet and plucking one of the
roses from its arrangement. “Guess you really made an impression last night.”
She added with a wink.
“But
I only danced with him once.” Stephanie mused.
“And
it seems once was enough,” Jackie countered readily. “Don’t look so worried you
couldn’t do any worse then Hunter. He’s quite the catch.”
“Who’s
quite the catch?”
All
heads turned to see Chris Jericho standing in the open doorway.
“Chris!”
Stephanie exclaimed walking over to give him a big hug which he accepted and
gave back with equal vigour.
“Hunter’s
quite the catch,” Jackie said in answer to his question. “Seems he’s got a
crush on Stephanie,”
Chris’s
brow arched.
“Oh
really…”
“Yes,
really…” Stephanie said shooting Jackie a pointed look before turning her back
on
He
came up behind her, she knew he would and her chin jutted out knowing what
would come next.
“I
didn’t know you were seeing Hunter.” He said in hushed tones at her side.
“I’m
not,” She replied and then thought better of it and added, “Yet…”
“Is
that what all this is,” He said looking around at all the roses. “...Him asking
you for a date?”
She
shrugged.
“Maybe,”
“And…”
He toyed with one of the rose buds. “Are you going to accept?”
“Maybe,”
She repeated.
“Christian
won’t like the rivalry,” Jackie remarked ignoring the looks Stephanie sent her
way.
“Christian
can take a running jump.” She grumbled before she could stop herself.
“Didn’t
you use to go out with him?” Jackie mentioned neither woman noticing Chris’s
bristled countenance.
Stephanie
rolled her eyes.
“One
drink is not ‘going out’.”
“Chris,
here you are! I’ve been looking for you.” His wife stated as she breezed into
the room. “Stephanie, how are you?” She added grasping onto Chris’s arm as she
sidled up beside him.
“Well,
you?”
Trish
grinned and Stephanie’s eyes followed the other woman’s movements as she ran
her finger down Chris’s jaw.
“I’m
on top of the world.” She replied smugly.
“Steph,
I really think-“
“Can’t
talk now Chris, sorry.” She cut in slinging her bag over her shoulder before
sending them both a smile. “I have a ‘could be date’ to accept.”
**
Best
Friends Part 7 – The Date…
**
“You
know I never pictured you for a pizza and beer under the stars kinda guy.”
He
smiled and she found it infectious.
“I
hope my secret is safe with you.” He said his eyes dancing with amusement.
“As
safe as houses,” She replied raising her beer bottle in salute to her promise
before it met her lips. Who would have thought she’d be lying here on a blanket
in a park on a moonlit night gazing up at the stars with the most hated man in
the WWE lying mere centre metres away from her.
She
had dreaded this date and repeatedly scolded herself for allowing her damn
stubborn pride to goad her into it, but as the night wore on she found herself
actually enjoying Hunter’s company, hell, now she thought about it he was a
some what decent and fun guy to be around, more decent then Christian she
mused. There ‘one drink’ after the wedding having turned into her trying to
evade his wondering hands.
Anyway,
enough about Christian… She told herself. Here and now she was with a man who
had been nothing but super nice to her since he’d shown up at her hotel room,
rose in hand to pick her up for there date.
A
ringing in her jacket pocket broke her from her musings and she smiled
apologetically at the man beside her before scrambling into a sitting position.
He
chuckled when she flipped it open only to roll her eyes at the name displayed
on caller ID.
“Let
me guess,” He said raising himself up on one elbow. “Blonde… Canadian… not at
cute as me…”
She
grinned.
“This’ll
only take a minute.” She said getting to her feet and turning her back on
Hunter who lay back down on the blanket and closed his eyes.
“Hey
Chris,” She spoke into the phone.
“Why
aren’t you back at the hotel yet? I have been worried
sick, you can’t imagine the things that have been going through my mind at you
being out with… with HIM!” He practically spat the last word.
“I’m
a big girl Chris I’ll be back when I’m back.”
“What
kind of an answer is that! ‘I’ll be back when I’m back’.” He mocked.
“Chris,
look. I’m actually having a really good time and I’d like to enjoy it a little
longer… so, please just be happy for me.”
Silence
came back at her through the receiver and if it wasn’t for the sound of his
breathing she would have thought he had hung up on her.
“Chris?”
“I’m
here.” He replied, his voice slightly flat. “I’m sorry of course I’m happy for
you.”
“As
I am happy for you,”
More
silence followed until she heard Hunter clear his throat behind her.
“I’m
gonna go okay.”
“Okay.”
He replied calmly. “Just promise me one thing.”
She
rolled her eyes again.
“Fine,
what is it?”
“No
kissing on the first date.”
She
hung up.
**
Best
Friends Part 8 – One Date, Ten Dates…
**
Two
months.
It
had been two months since her first date with Hunter and since then they had
had many more. It was now firmly established within the WWE that they were a
couple even if no one believed it until they saw it, but a couple they were.
While
at the arena he was still an ass to everyone, but now and then he’d send a wink
her way or pull her into a broom closet when she least expected it, all the
usual boy likes girl stuff… and best of all Christian had backed off.
Hunter
made her feel giddy and teenager-like all over again. He made her smile more
and took her mind off a certain best friend and his wife!
“Here
you are!” An out of breath Molly Holly said from the doorway. “I’ve been
looking for you everywhere, do you mind if I catch a ride back to the hotel with
you and Hunter. Lilian and I came on a cab and now she’s ditched me for the
youngest member of your sweetheart’s faction.” She continued to grumble.
“Yeah,
sure I’m good to go Hunter had something to take care of so I’m all on my own
tonight too.”
“Cool,”
Molly replied motioning for Stephanie to precede her out of the room, a
secretive smile playing over her lips as she followed.
**
Another
Engagement…
**
“Do
you mind if we stop here?”
Stephanie
took her gaze off the road for a minute to send Molly a quizzical look. This
was the third 7 eleven her friend had asked to stop at. If she were keeping a
tally the 7 elevens were lagging just behind the milk bars and then another 4
spots behind Taco
“Last
stop, I promise,” Molly stressed the last words and Stephanie found it hard to
believe her, but what the hell, she had nothing better to do. Flicking the
indicator switch she pulled free of the traffic and found a parking space.
“Thanks!”
Molly exclaimed just as brightly as all the other times she had asked Stephanie
to stop. “Be back in a jiffy.”
Stephanie
turned on the radio and hummed quietly to herself as she watched Molly walk
towards the store her brows creasing when her friend failed to enter the store,
instead she stood just outside the doorway and flipped open her mobile phone.
She
rolled her eyes.
If
privacy was all Molly had wanted there would be privacy galore back at the
hotel.
A
few minutes passed before Molly returned and they headed off again,
Stephanie
letting forth a sigh of relief when she pulled into the hotel car park, her eye
brows creasing a second time when her friend jumped out of the car, ran around
to the drivers side and yanked her door open… all before she had had a chance
to turn off the engine.
“What’s
up with you?” Stephanie asked when Molly latched onto her arm and proceeded to
pull her towards the hotel entry way.
“You’re
acting more weird then usual… one minute you’re doing everything you can to-“
Her
words trailed off as soon as they passed through the threshold.
The
hotel lobby had been decorated with balloons and streamers and everyone from
both rosters stood facing her, even the ones she hated… all with stupid little
smiles on there faces.
All
except her best friend… who stood behind his stunningly beautiful wife who had
the biggest and goofiest smile of the lot!
“What’s
going on?” She whispered to Molly who still stood at her side.
“You’ll
see,” Molly whispered back giving Stephanie’s hand a squeeze before moving off
to stand with the others.
The
crowd parted then and she smiled when Hunter slowly made his way to her. His
eyes held hers as he took her hand in his and brought it to his lips before
kneeling down on one knee.
Murmurs
could be heard around them but Stephanie only heard Hunter’s voice when he said.
“Be
my wife.”
**
Infidelity…
**
“Do
you remember when Rene and Sylvan had a bet going to see who could French kiss
you first?”
She
groaned loudly.
“Of
all the things from our past you had to go remember ‘that’ one.”
“How
could I not remember the day I became a hero in your eyes.” He said his gaze
becoming hooded as he picked pieces from his bread roll to toss at the
scavenging sea gulls that hung around the outside tables of the café they were
seated at.
She
smiled seeing Chris as a toothy 14 year old staring up at her as she held his
head in her lap after brawling with the troublesome brothers. He had lost that
fight, but in her eyes he had battled and conquered.
“And
now look at us… I’m married and you’re…” He swallowed his gaze going back to
the sea gulls before continuing. “And you’re engaged…”
“We
have come along way together haven’t we?” She said bringing his gaze back to
her when she reached up to comb her fingers through her hair.
He
pulled at his shirt collar.
“I’ve
missed these times.” She went on. “Just you and me… me
and you… making more picture perfect moments to add to our imaginary perfect
moment album.”
Chris’s
expression grew serious.
“Steph…”
“Hmmm…”
“Do
you ever wish you could turn back time?”
She
snorted.
“Hell yeah! I’ve imagined strangling the French Phnom with his own tongue
for the last 9 years.”
“I’m
serious,” Again he lowered his gaze which was probably a good thing because she
was finding it hard to keep a straight face.
“Have
you ever…” He began. “…Thought that what you have now in life is great, but not
as great as something… greater?”
A
thoughtful look came over her face and it was a few minutes before she replied.
“Is
everything okay Chris?”
He
sighed.
“No,
everything’s not okay…there’s something I need to tell you.”
She
shifted uncomfortably.
“Okay.”
“Stephanie,
I-“
A
very feminine giggle floated across to them on the breeze halting Chris’s words
as they both turned at the familiar sound and Stephanie’s jaw fell open at what
she saw as both her and Chris peeked around a huge potted plant, her eyes
darting back to the man at her side to see in his eyes a lethal cocktail of
hurt and anger.
Trish
sat in the circle of Christian’s arms, her hands locked around his neck pulling
his lips down to hers, both oblivious to having been discovered.
**
The
Price You Pay…
**
Stephanie
had never felt so out of place and so wanting to punch someone in the mouth
then she did at that moment. The former taking precedence she rose from her
seat and latched onto Chris’s arm trying to pull him in the other direction
before they were seen by the other couple. This was definitely the time but ‘not’
the place to have her best friends dirty laundry aired for all to see, but
Chris had other ideas.
Keeping
hold of her hand all her protests went unheeded as he pulled her along behind
him, right towards the table where his wife and fellow Canadian sat firmly
locked at the mouth.
“Waiter!” He called rather loudly, the sound of his voice bringing the
unfaithful kiss to an awkward end.
“A
bottle of your best champagne,” He went on to order taking a seat at there
table and pulled Stephanie down into the chair next to his. She winced at the
grip he had on her hand and doubted he even knew he was hurting her.
“Isn’t
this a surprise,” He continued, the huge grin on his face doing little to
soothe the heated glare he sent towards his wife.
“Chris…”
Trish began meekly. “I… I didn’t… that is…” Her words trailed off as Chris’s
gaze moved to Christian who looked as if he were trying to physically shrink
back in his chair.
“Chris,”
Stephanie whispered at his side. “Why don’t we just
go-“
“Not
before I make a toast,” He cut in his gaze not leaving the pair seated across
the table. As if on cue the waiter arrived and Chris waited until he had filled
four glasses before he raised his own.
“Here’s
to the next chapter in my life,” He stood looking right at Trish. “My divorce.”
**
Some
Home Truths…
**
“My
marriage… the shortest marriage in history,”
Chris
declared flopping down on the two seater sofa in
Stephanie’s hotel room.
“Don’t
joke about this,” She replied quietly dropping her purse to the table and
kicking off her shoes before joining him on the couch and then just as quickly
got up again to fold her legs beneath her, in doing so missing the thoughtful
look Chris shot her way.
He
expelled a long rush of air and let his head fall on the back of the sofa so
that he could stare up at the ceiling.
“At
least I know now,” He continued. “The irony is that deep down I always knew
Trish and I weren’t meant to be together.”
“Oh yeah?” She replied allowing her head to loll to the side so she could
take in his profile. “When did you figure that one out?”
“The
day before the wedding,” He said his gaze staying on the ceiling as he waited
for her response.
“Oh,”
Was all she said.
“Steph-“
“Feel
like some music?” She cut in bolting off the couch and moving to the stereo.
“There’s this kick ass system…” Her words trailed off as she felt him come up
behind her.
“You
see,” He continued as if she hadn’t said a thing. “Something happened between
me leaving home that morning and arriving back that night.”
Her
eyes fluttered closed as she felt his breath on the back of her neck.
“But
you know,” He went on. “I shook it off because I had a beautiful woman waiting
for me.”
She
turned to move passed him and he stilled her efforts by placing his hands on
the wall at either side of her and she struggled to draw breath.
“I
took those feelings and locked them away…”
“Chris…
this is not what you want to do right now,” She said trying to be the voice of
reason even though her body was humming to a melody not attune with her
reasoning.
“You’re
angry and hurt-“
He
kissed her then, slow and lingering.
“Chris…
we cant…” She breathed, but it was too late she realised as her eyes closed and she felt herself succumb to
his kisses.
**
Oh
No… We Didn’t…
**
“I
can’t believe what just happened.”
“Oh…
sorry… usually I can go longer-“
“I
don’t mean that!” Stephanie snapped. “We did... ‘it’.”
“So,
it’s not a bad thing.”
“It
is a bad thing!” She shrieked pulling the sheet around her so she could get up.
“A bad, bad thing,”
“Come
on, I said I was sorry… next time-“
“There
won’t be a next time!” She cut in. “Don’t you get it? I’m going to be married,
you’re still married! This was wrong!”
She
hopped around on one foot and then the other coming to a stop when her jeans
slid up over her hips, not realising the picture she
presented or the crooked smile that tugged at his lips.
“So,
so wrong,” She continued to mutter to herself as she tugged her t-shirt over
her head.
“Your
not still gonna marry him are you?” He asked pulling himself up into a sitting
position. “Not after what we just shared.”
She
sighed and ran her fingers through her hair and he smiled when she again joined
him on the bed.
“Chris,”
She began running her finger along his chin. “What we just shared was the most
amazing… exhilarating… fulfilling…”
He
grinned.
“…5
minutes of my life.”
“5
minutes!” He exclaimed. “That was well above the 10 minute mark.”
“Okay
6,”
“9.”
She
rolled her eyes.
“What
ever! My point is what are we going to do now? We can’t go back to the way
things were.”
He
frowned.
“What
are you saying?”
“I
don’t know what I’m saying,” She replied with a shrug. “Being so close, us…
now… it’s confusing…”
“Are
you saying you don’t want us to hang out anymore?”
She
sighed.
“No…
yes… I…”
She
turned away from him in frustration and slipped on her shoes.
“Where
are you going?”
“I
dunno,”
“Can
I come?”
“No!”
“You
can’t leave me here, this is your room.”
“So,”
She said already halfway to the door.
“Will
you wait a minute!” He cried jumping to his feet not
caring that he had nothing on as he went after her.
“Wait,
Steph… please,” He pleaded stopping a few feet behind her when she paused in
the doorway. “It doesn’t have to be all or nothing…”
She
looked over her shoulder at him, her eyes finding and holding his.
“Yes,
it does,” She whispered.
“Why?”
“Because
we both know it’s the right thing to do.”
**
Parting
Ways…
**
“Your
home, thank god… I was so worried…”
Chris
looked straight through his wife not stopping to acknowledge her words as he
walked into the bedroom. Getting his bag from the wardrobe he pulled open a
draw and hastily started throwing things in it.
“Chris…
what are you doing-“
“Leaving,”
“Baby,
please… I’m sorry… it was a moment of madness…”
“I
don’t love you Trish,” He stated simply. “And if you’d be honest with yourself
you’ll realise that you don’t love me either.”
“What?
No! Chris… this is crazy-“
“No,
for the first time everything is making sense,” He sighed and took her by the
hand to lead her to the couch.
“Seeing
you today… with Christian,” He said hooking his thumb under her chin to bring
her eyes back to his when she turned away. “Seeing you today,” He repeated.
“Didn’t hurt me as much as I thought it would, in fact I wish you and Christian
all the best-“
“But
we’re not-“
“Well
you should be!” He spat taking her roughly by the shoulders. “I don’t love you.
I don’t think I ever did, I was blinded by your pretty face.”
Tears
filled her eyes.
“And now?” She choked the words out.
He
shrugged.
“And
now… the prettiness has washed off.”
Her
tears fell then, but they had no effect on him, he merely stood to his feet,
grabbed what he had packed and left the room.
**
An
Awkward Silence…
**
“Hey
baby,”
Stephanie
looked up and smiled as Hunter leaned down to kiss her before seating himself
beside her, ignoring the wolf whistles and the cat calls from the other members
of Evolution who all stood in the middle of the ring talking strategies.
“I
didn’t know you were going to be here.”
“Molly
had to come back to see Bischoff about something and I knew you would be here
so… you don’t mind do you?”
“No,
of course I don’t,” He turned his head shielding his gaze from her as he sensed
something amiss. “Something on your mind?” He asked.
“No,”
She lied keeping her eyes on the men in the men.
He
nodded slowly.
“Okay…”
He said his own gaze going to the ring also.
An
awkward silence followed.
“Well,
I better get back to the guys,” He said reaching out to give her hand a squeeze
as he got up only her fingers wrapped around his keeping him from leaving and
when he looked down at there joined hands he saw that the third finger on her
left hand was missing the engagement ring he had given her.
He
sat back down taking her left hand in both of his and rubbed his thumb over the
empty spot on her finger.
Turning
his palm up she gently placed the missing ring there
before closing his hand.
“You
know,” He said after a moment. “I kinda knew this was too good to be true,” He
sighed heavily his head lowered.
“I’m
sorry,” She whispered.
“I
know.”
“Friends,”
He
nodded.
“Friends,”
And
she left.
And
he let her.
**
There
Era…
**
The
arena that night was alive with exaggerated talk, everyone had there own little
titbit to add to the tale of what ‘they’ thought had
really happened between the newly married Chris Jericho and Trish Stratus and
the newly engaged Hunter Hurst Helmsley and Stephanie
McMahon.
No
one knew the truth of course, but that only added to there words on Trish’s red
rimmed eyes, Hunter’s grimmer then grim faced expression, Chris’s weary and
unshaven appearance and Stephanie’s avoidance of all three parties mentioned.
Something big had happened and the remainder of the roster
were having a field day trying to decipher exactly what that ‘something’
was.
“Turn
that monitor up!” Someone shouted as Chris’s form was seen striding purposely
towards the ring. A lot of shoving and pushing came next as they all clambered
for a spot in front of the monitor and then there was silence as Chris spoke.
“I
know that in the back there’s a lot of talk concerning Trish and myself and I
wanted to come out here and set the record straight before the wagging tongues
and active imaginations did any real damage.”
He
paused then and paced the ring as the crowd started cheering, though ‘why’ they
were cheering he had no idea, they certainly couldn’t have gotten wind of his
forth coming divorce so soon… could they? He shook his head to clear his
thoughts and continued to address everyone in the back.
“Firstly,
it’s true. My marriage to Trish Stratus has come to an end.
Secondly,
Triple H.” He paused again as if weighing up in his mind what he had to say.
“I’m
gonna be honest with you here...” He began again. “...And lay it all on the
line. You and I have never and I mean NEVER been on friendly terms with one
another on screen or off and I highly doubt that is going to change especially
after I voice my third point, which I will do right now.”
The
camera zoomed in on Chris’s face.
“Stephanie,
I have loved you since the first time I laid my eyes on you and I love you
still. I couldn’t be more unhappy then I am now
because I don’t have you in my life… and… when you told me that we couldn’t be
best friends anymore you were right… I don’t want to be your best friend.
Steph, I want more.”
In
the back the crowd parted in front of the monitor as Stephanie stepped forward
her eyes trained on the screen.
A
shrill cry was heard from behind her and a flash of blonde was seen lunging at
Stephanie, but a strong arm caught the blond around the waist effectively
stopping her from making contact.
“You
better get out there.”
The
crowd parted more and Hunter was seen dumping Trish unceremoniously on a couch
and they heard a gruff. “Sit there and sit still.” Before he
turned back to Stephanie.
He
smiled and held his arms open and she went to him willingly.
“Go.”
“Thank
you,” She whispered and then she was gone leaving behind her a group of
cheering wrestlers and back stage crew only to pass through the curtain and
hear those same cheers resound around her as she ran down to the ring.
Chris
met her halfway and the feeling she got once his arms had banded around her was
no longer of a best friend nature… and neither was the kiss he gave her right
there in front of all there friends and co-workers, the thousands of fans out
in the stands and the millions watching at home.
This
was where they belonged. Where they had always belonged… this was there era.
**
End
Series
**