Our Hero was majorly screwed either way. Hell, it was almost like Shane WANTED him to lose this match, which was quickly becoming the most important match of his career. Even if CJ did win, he'd come out looking like he'd been in a train wreck. But there was no way out. When the boss says do it, you don't say no. Especially if your boss is a McMahon.
But CJ wasn't scared. Not at all. In fact, he was planning on kicking some Levesque ass, but he didn't exactly plan on his career being on the line. After the two arrived at the arena for Raw, Shane gave Chris one last big grin as if nothing odd happened and gave him a firm handshake, as if to seal the deal. It was really going to happen. As confusing as the whole thing was, the only thing that bothered Chris was the obvious fact that he couldn't discuss this with Stephanie, who was the only person he could really talk to now. But hell, he'd have to tell her something, especially if he were to lose the match. He couldn't just leave the company without first telling her why.
So he made up his mind. Chris would at least tell her about the match that Shane made and what was at stake. Then he'd make her promise not to go to Shane and try to stop it, and for God's sake to stay away from Joanie and Paul. So what if Shane found out he told her? If CJ were to lose it wouldn't matter what Shane knew, anyway.
Standing outside the dressing area as he turned these thoughts around in his head, he was drawn back to life by a familiar voice.
"Hey, you."
The familiarity of its softness made his heart do a double-flip. Joanie.
He faced her. She didn't look threatening at all. Not even angry. Hell, she looked downright happy to see him. Then again, Shane had the same look earlier and we all knew where that led. CJ was wary this time.
"I don't have anything to say to you." CJ did a side glance to see if any of her pallies were coming around to get a better view of the conversation. No one was around.
"Don't be that way, Chris." She smiled and condescendingly shook her head. Her flippant attitude made him burn. Don't be *that* way? What the hell kind of "way" was he supposed to be??
"Excuse me if I'm more than a little pissed off at what you've done." As he said this, CJ realized that this was actually the first face-to-face discussion he and Joanie had really HAD since the restaurant incident where he'd given her the brush-off, after their short lived fling. Now he could say all the things he'd planned to say a million times before. But why couldn't he think of a single one of them at the moment?
"And what have I done?"
"I don't think you need me to rehash." CJ gave her a cold stare. She returned it with a warmer smile.
"I haven't done anything at all to you, Chris. I'd never raise a hand to you in anger. You know that."
"Oh sure. You'd never do that. You have your buddies do it for you."
"I'm certain I don't know what you mean." She played the perfect angel, complete with mock surprise.
"I'm not gonna mince words with you, Joanie. I've got better things to do." CJ started to walk off, but thought of a clipper. "Besides, I know the truth. And Joanie, you wouldn't know the truth if it crawled up between your legs and fucked you. With your consent, of course."
"Humm, just like you did, huh?" She winked at him. CJ started off, scoffing at her and walking away. However, she didn't feel satisfied yet.
"They're looking for you, sunshine. You know that, don't you?"
He turned back to her. "I'll welcome them with open arms."
Joanie watched him walk away. There was no way he was going to stay here much longer, she'd see to that. Once he was gone, it'd be just like it was before. She and her Paul would have all the attention, all the say-so, and this stranger would be gone. And hey, even if he did happen to pull through all the shit they gave him, he'd be as subservient and pliant as a child. They would mold him any way they wanted.
She smiled to herself as she thought of how in control she'd been when she "loved" him. CJ had indeed been a pretty good fuck, even if he was to be taken out of the picture. Maybe, she thought, just maybe when all this is over I can have him again. He'd take me back anytime I want him to and he knows it.
The Initiated - 45 "Letting Go"
CJ wasn't going to lie to himself. That talk with Joanie had unnerved him a little. Even though he was going to be calling out Her Paul sooner or later, the fact that she was even there...still around...made him wary. He couldn't hope that she wouldn't be a factor in the matchup, because she already was. The scary part was, Joanie knew exactly how big of a factor she was.
What was even more scary was how Chris had been so drawn to her voice when she'd so politely called to him moments before. Sure it was a ruse, but she had sounded so much like she did before. Nice. Sweet. Warm. It was as if she'd never even turned on him and spread all those horrible lies.
"The hell was THAT all about..." he wondered aloud, trying not to fall back into her trap. Our Hero, although strong and pretty much fearless, was still very vulnerable. He'd fallen quick and hard for Joanie, just like she wanted him to, yet that natural male fear of commitment prevented anything more from happening. Joanie knew all this beforehand, though. She'd played Chris like a ten-cent flute, daddio, and here he was, coming back for more punishment.
"No..." he whispered aloud, to no one in particular. Maybe to himself. "I can't."
As he stood in the quiet corridor of the arena, he thought about home again. The warm, sunny, and downright beautiful Clearwater, Florida. He'd be seeing it again not too long from now, that was for sure. Of course he'd be returning to an empty house and no girlfriend, but it was home nevertheless.
Huh. Cynthia. By now, CJ was problably a distant memory that was promptly trashed by some other guy. Still, he couldn't help but think of her now that he'd be going back home for a little while. What was she doing, anyway? Was she thinking of him? Had she been dumped and needed him back now? Regardless of the matter, Our Hero wanted to find out. Just to know. Just for some sort of absolution.
And so he called. Right there in the arena, in the backstage areas where a telephone was at. With shaking hands, Chris dialed the number that he'd known by heart, as if it were his own. No one was around at the moment, so he felt a little more comfortable calling {and perhaps even crying if the situation arose} a girl that was hundreds of miles away.
One ring. Two rings. Thr...
"Hello?" A soft voice answered. It was her, but she sounded so different. Miles away, even. Unreachable. Untouchable.
"Cyn?" Chris asked even though he had no doubt it was her. Just so she'd know it was him.
There was a slight pause. CJ thought she'd hung up, but she answered. "Chris?" She sounded genuinely surprised, as if he were the last person she'd expect to call.
"It's me. I've missed talking to you."
"Strange to hear from you."
"Well, I'll be going home in a few days and I thought about you. I decided to call."
"Where are you now?"
"On the road. Just finished one of the big shows last night."
"That's good." She sounded much less enthused than she used to be. CJ thought wistfully back to a time where Cynthia would have been much more supportive of his endeavors.
"Yeah." CJ noticed the pause then cleared his throat. She was expecting him to carry this conversation. "So, how are you?"
"I'm good, really. I've kept myself busy."
"Nice to hear it." Chris felt the conversation dying quickly so he moved in for the kill. "Well like I said, I'll be home soon. When I get there, I thought it'd be nice if I could take you somewhere. We could talk." He paused and tried to collect his thoughts, then spoke. "I really miss you, baby."
She didn't speak for a moment, then slightly chuckled. "When are you ever going to learn, Chris, to let me go?"
CJ sighed. "Don't you get it? I can't let you go. You mean a lot to me."
"It's over, love. It was over so long ago, it was just a long time coming. You've got to see that and just leave me behind. Move on. I have."
He felt the little lump rising in his throat. "I can't," he said, his voice breaking a little. The man in him prompted Our Hero to glance around for any onlookers.
"You've got to." Cynthia said this with finality. "It was great, what we had, but it's a passing stage. We need to let each other go. Please, Chris, when you get back home, please don't call. I want it to end peacefully."
"Cyn..."
"I've got to go. It was nice to hear from you and I'm glad you're doing well. Maybe we'll talk again as friends somewhere down the road, okay?"
He paused, then drew a deep breath, relenting. "Okay."
"So good then. Thank you for calling me, Chris."
"You're welcome." His voice turned to a flat, sullen monotone. It was all he could do to keep from screaming.
"Bye." She didn't even give him a chance to respond. The phone clicked and that was that. But he wasn't going to cry. He couldn't cry anymore. He had much more to think about, and there was a show to do. He pushed aside the image of his empty Clearwater house and hung the telephone up.
The Initiated - 46 "All By Myself"
So Our Hero was left now with one knock against his already deflated ego. Calling her up, as he now figured out, was a bad idea. Why'd he set himself up for it, anyway? Heh..easy. He's a guy. That's what guys do.
And guys also do their best not to cry in any situation, as CJ was doing now. He really did still love Cynthia, it wasn't just talk that he was giving her. However, Cyn didn't love him. Not anymore, at least. And that was that. When Chris went back home after this potentially career-ending match with Joanie's Paul, his lost lady wouldn't be there waiting on him. For now, he could just pray that he wouldn't be going back home for good.
But CJ still went on to do the show that night. Of course, he only did commentary because of the injuries he'd sustained the night before, though. And oh man alive, the internet was all abuzz about what was a blatant shootfight at the pay-per-view between Jericho and Road Dogg. They marveled at how CJ showcased his skills and really made Jesse look bad in comparison. All of them thought CJ should be sitting on top of the world right now. Huh, he thought. If they only knew.
At least he'd gotten through Raw okay, and without any more friendly chats with Joanie or the like. CJ was really unsure as to when he was to "call out" Paul for this shootfight, and he really didn't want to have to go back to Shane and ask. It'd just have to be when the time was right, that's all. Whenever he was ready.
One thing was certain -- now was NOT the time. As he made the hour-long drive back to the hotel (alone this time, thankfully), Our Hero settled a little and tried to ignore the ache in his knee. CJ was also still feeling a little woozy from the chairshot Jesse delivered to him the night before. Maybe it wasn't in his best interests to be driving tonight, but he wanted to go back alone, to think, to plan.
The only thing that really crossed his mind was the fact that he'd officially been dumped twice now by the same girl in less than six months. Three if you counted Joanie, but she didn't matter much anymore. Not love-wise anyway. Cynthia was gone. Really gone.
And then it hit him on that dark road on the way back..Chris was by himself now. And he'd continue to be by himself when he was home again, if you could even call it home anymore. My God, he thought, what do I do now?
CJ turned this over and over again in his already-confused mind as he found his way back to the hotel. He parked the car, and there he sat for what felt like forever. It was quiet there, and peaceful. No one around to booze him up, no one to kick his ass, no one to push him into matches that tested his bravado. And he waited. For what, he didn't really know. He'd decide that when the time was right.
And he waited.
Chris sat there long enough in the parking lot to review the last few months and replay them in his head, as if it were some sort of slideshow. Looping them over and over. The high points, low points, painful points, everything in his WWF career. Each time he remembered something he wondered why he bothered staying around this long. What the hell was it keeping him here again? Chris seemed to know before but he didn't really know anymore. After a while, he saw the lights of numerous cars in his rear-view mirror and realized that everyone else was back now. Joanie and Paul would be amongst the returning masses, and we all know what would have happened if they saw Our Hero just sitting there in his car. I can't stay out here anymore, he thought.
So he got out and left the car behind, however this time remembering his room key. As CJ made it back up to the safe sanctuary of his hotel room, he sighed as he stood at the door. He couldn't spend this night alone. There had to be something else..someone else. Chris turned around and walked in the other direction, took the elevator up another flight, and paused himself in front of another door, then knocked.
She opened the door and stared at him, wordless. Looking closer, she noticed tears in his eyes.
"I need you," Chris said, his voice quivering.
She understood.
The Initiated - 47 "The Next Level"
Stephanie McMahon was the early bird the next morning, having rose up a little after sunrise. She wasn't much for ever sleeping late, as it was the way in her family to get as much time out of the day as they could. Still, this morning, she didn't feel much like getting up. She relaxed a little in bed and rolled over. CJ was still asleep.
Steph grinned a little as she watched him resting. He looked so peaceful when sleeping, like nothing at all was troubling him even though everything in his world was upside down right now. Stephanie was glad she could be a help to put things back in perspective. She reflected over last night a little as she brushed his hair out of his face.....
He'd come to her right on the brink of breaking down, but he knew what he wanted. Stephanie just let him do it, and that was all. There were few words spoken after she'd let him in her room. She couldn't forget his kisses. There was something urging in his kiss, something that made Stephanie feel like she could not pull away, even if she'd wanted to do so. It was far different from the night before, that was for sure.
Then CJ took it a step further, undressing her right there with hardly any warning, only a quiet murmur of "Let me" and then his hands quickly pulling at her blouse. If it was control that Chris wanted, then Stephanie was certainly giving it to him. As she stood there in front of him in only bra and panties, he took only a moment to look Stephanie over before moving her to the bed and continuing his work. From there, he began kissing her again, sucking at the soft skin of her neck, and moving down to kiss at her nipples, which were hardening through the sheer fabric of her brassiere. "Chris," she moaned, "please...more..."
He complied without a word, keeping her body nice and hot with well-placed kisses and flicks of the tongue. Stephanie lay back, enjoying the sensations that ran through her all at one time. She ran her hands through CJ's hair as he moved down to her stomach, kissing lightly and flicking his tongue across her navel. Then she felt his hands again, this time pulling her panties down and off to find the source of her pleasure, accented with a tuft of soft brown hair. As he stroked at her, he began to feel those stirs of want as well. It was time.
CJ stopped momentarily, only long enough to pull off his shirt and unzip his jeans. Stephanie shivered a little and licked her lips as she saw what she'd been waiting for. He was fully exposed now, and fully erect. He noticed her gaze, and then hesitated a little.
"What's wrong?" Stephanie looked up at him, a little breathless.
Chris looked away a little, his blue eyes looking very childlike all of a sudden. "I didn't know if...if you'd think I was..."
Steph smiled. "You're perfect." She then quickly reached up and stroked the shaft of CJ's already-throbbing manhood, catching his attention. He moaned slightly and leaned himself over, positioning himself on top of her and continuing his kisses, sucking at her lips and tongue. She returned the favor, loving the feel of his mouth on hers and the feel of his weight pressing down on her. After a moment, he pulled away, breathing hard. "Tell me you want me.."
"I want you..." Stephanie gasped this as CJ kissed at her neck.
"Tell me how bad you want me."
"I want you...so bad."
He looked back up at her and smiled. "Good...'cause I want you just as bad.."
With that, he plunged inside her. Stephanie cried out with a mixture of pleasure and shock. CJ didn't give her a minute to ponder what just happened, for he began making love to her. His thrusts ran the spectrum from sweet and slow to hard and angry, and the vascillation between the two pulled and captured Stephanie into sensations and feelings that she hadn't allowed herself to enjoy for quite some time. He gave her more when she urged it, and slowed down when she begged for him to do so. After what seemed like hours of sweet, spontaneous sex, CJ had brought Stephanie to the brink of orgasm, literally making her beg for release.
"God...oh Christ, I'm there...I'm..." She damn near screamed this as she dug her fingernails into his back, feeling herself contract and throb around his shaft. He knew full well where he was taking her, and he knew exactly what to do next. As he began to feel the throbbing inside her, he grinned a little and quickly pulled himself out.
"No...please, no!! Take me!" She begged him, and some little part of CJ fully enjoyed the pleasure of having such control over Stephanie. At her insistance, he returned to bring her back to the brink and completely over it. She was his, all his, at this moment. His toy. He could pleasure her and take away that pleasure so easily, and she knew this. As he pulled out once more, he closed his eyes and moaned aloud, exploding all over her stomach and supple breasts......
Stephanie looked down at CJ, still sleeping peacefully and angelically, and asked herself how such a harmless, pitiful thing could drive her to madness so easily. Bastard, she thought. You've got me right where you want me, don't you? He stirred slightly, moving over to reach for her arm. She smiled and relaxed into his embrace, forgetting about her question and enjoying his warmth.
And I wouldn't want to be anyplace else... Stephanie settled back into blissful sleep.
******************
CJ woke up well after Stephanie had risen for the second time that morning and started the day. Steph had decided to let him sleep a little longer. He deserved it, after all, even though he'd meant to wake up before she did just so he'd have the pleasure of kissing her awake. Oh well, there's always next time. CJ was really happy at the prospect of having a "next time." Looking at her, Chris thought about how nice it'd be to kiss the princess awake. She was sitting in front of the mirror, brushing her hair and humming her own little tune.
"Morning," he said, yawning softly. She turned back to face him, a pretty smile greeting him.
"Good morning, you," she answered, getting up to go and sit next to him. As she came to his side, she stroked his hair and kissed him. Mmm...nice, he thought.
"Thanks."
"How'd you sleep?" Stephanie snuggled against him. CJ didn't care to answer. He wanted to enjoy the moment, actually *enjoy* having a girl to be with again. Pleeeease, God, don't let this end. I'll do anything you want. I'll be good. Just don't let this end.
"Pretty good." He mumbled this answer as he leaned his head against her chest, enjoying the warmth and feel of her breasts against his face, pressing at him through the fabric of her shirt. Stephanie giggled.
"Well good," she replied, gently pushing his head away from her breasts. "You didn't think I was going to let you sleep here forever, now did you?"
He leaned back, bringing her with him so she could rest on top of him. "I didn't think that at all. I was going to get up before you, too, if you hadn't beat me to it."
"Mmm...forgive me." Stephanie lay her head on CJ's chest. He responded by stroking her hair. Soft, as usual. Even softer this morning since she'd brushed it. Everything about her was soft, very snuggly and squeezable. Like a little kitten, or a stuffed animal, or Kleenex with lotion. He loved it...and he loved her, too...
"I love you," he murmured before even realizing his words. Uh-oh...did he finally say it? Damn...
Stephanie didn't answer. She just lay there as he stroked her hair, waiting for a positive response, a slap, a frustrated sigh, something. Finally she looked up at him with a grin, then pushed herself off him and went back to the mirror to continue her brushing. CJ lay back and rolled his eyes.
"Damn it Steph..." He threw the covers off himself and went over to her.
"What?" She looked up at him with that same grin. He knelt behind her and put his arms around her waist. Stephanie halted her brushing as he rested his head against hers, looking at their reflection in the mirror. It was the first time CJ had ever looked at them together...and he was a little surprised at how good it looked...how right.
She gave a little exasperated sigh. "Chris..."
"Sssh." He silenced her with a little squeeze, then kissed at her neck. "I meant what I said, you know."
Stephanie nodded. "I know you did."
He kept his face buried in the softness of her hair. "Do you love me back?" This was more of a pleading little murmur than a question.
A laugh. Not a rude "drop dead" one, but a coy one. At least there was the hope.
"I think..." she started, "...I need to finish brushing my hair."
"Then let me," CJ stood. "Here, give me the brush."
"Oh now what are you, my personal hairstylist?"
"I just want to."
Stephanie relented. "Oh all right, fine. Here." She handed the brush to him, and he started his work. His purpose behind this was simply just to feel the softness in his hands, to handle and stroke her hair as he pleased. His strokes were a little light and hesitant at first; he didn't want to do anything to make her ask him to stop. He began mimicking the little hum that she'd done earlier, which prompted a quick elbow jab from Stephanie.
"Stop being silly," she said, trying to contain her laughter.
"Oh yes, I forgot. Hair is a serious thing. Like rocket science."
This prompted more laughter. CJ relaxed a little more then. It was about then that he realized how much he'd miss this if he were to have to leave. He paused for a moment, then sighed.
"What?" Stephanie looked up from the mirror, facing him.
"I gotta tell you something."
"Yooou need to telllll meeee...?" Stephanie enunciated her words slowly and comically, as if to lead CJ on into the next sentence.
"Serious, Steph."
She made an attempt to wipe the smile off her face. "Okay. Okay. Serious."
CJ put the brush down and knelt beside her again. "It's about Shane."
Her smile faded for real now as she realized that it was indeed serious. "Is something wrong, Chris?"
He nodded. "It could be, babe. But what I tell you...don't go to Shane about it, please..."
"What is it?"
"Stephanie, just PROMISE me you won't go to Shane about this. I could be in really deep here."
"I promise." Stephanie saw him breathe a sigh of relief. "Chris, what is this?"
CJ hesitated a little. "Shane's wanting me to put my career in this company on the line against Paul." He took a breath, hoping the words would sink in. "It'll be a shoot match, no crowds, no one knows except for me, Shane, and now you. Dangerous and sick stuff."
Stephanie was quiet, letting all this register. She looked into his eyes and realized how grave of a situation it really was. She opened her mouth to speak, but all she could say was "When?"
"Soon."
"You mean you don't even know when?" Stephanie shook her head as if to rid herself of cobwebs. "Chris, why didn't you tell me about this before? How long have you known about this?"
"Not long. Shane came to me about this yesterday. I wasn't going to tell you, Steph. I didn't want you going to Shane and trying to stop it. I just wanted to tell you...you know...just in case I lost and didn't get to come to you sooner..." His voice trailed off, not wanting to continue the thought.
Stephanie continued, not listening, standing up as if to leave. "No. You've done the right thing. This can't go on, Chris. We've got to stop..."
"No!" Before he knew it, CJ had grabbed Stephanie's arm. She stopped cold, shocked at the urgency in his voice. He shivered a little, then fought for the right words.
"You..you promised, Stephie. You promised me you wouldn't go to Shane."
"But that was before I even knew anything!" Stephanie wriggled loose and returned to her seat. "You can't stand there and tell me honestly you want to do this."
"I HAVE to do this." CJ put his hands on the arms of her chair, as if to block her from standing up again. "Stephanie, please tell me you will not do anything, or SAY anything, that will get me in even deeper with Shane. The guy isn't very happy with me already." He stopped then for a second, wondering whether or not to bring this up, but what the hell..."And don't...DON'T...go back to Joanie."
Stephanie sighed and moved to get up, but CJ had her blocked. She turned away from him as he continued. "I found out you went to go see her. Steph, what in God's name were you thinking?"
"I was doing it on your behalf," she snapped, as if she were a child caught stealing a cookie. "It was you that came to me with all this about how she lied to me about you. I was doing the right thing."
"I never would have come to you about it if I knew you were going to confront her. Steph, what if she hurt you? Don't think that she can't..."
"She didn't." Stephanie still didn't face him, trying to hide the tears that were inevitably coming.
CJ noticed that her lip was starting to quiver. Oh great, he'd hurt her feelings.
"Don't cry, honey. I...well, I just don't want you to get hurt."
She looked at him now, tears dribbling from her blue eyes. "I didn't mean to get you in trouble...I really didn't." Her voice dissolved into whimpers. "I don't want you to leave."
He wrapped his arms around her, comforting her. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I upset you." She had her head on his shoulder, still sniffling.
"I just don't want you to leave. Not now."
Chris exhaled slowly. "I don't want to leave either, babe." He lifted her head. "Just don't make it quicker by trying to stop Shane. He's gonna do what he wants." She nodded, dabbing at her eyes.
"You know, you're the only thing that's really keeping me here," he said, kissing her forehead. "If I hadn't met you, I would have left a long time ago. There's no way I would have put up with this."
"Don't say that," she said, smiling slightly. "If...when you win, I want you to stay because you're worth it. Not because of me."
"But when I win," he said, smiling back, "I'll have a couple of weeks to myself. I'll be going home."
"Good."
"Yeah. It'd be better if you came with me though."
Stephanie gave a little chuckle. "I...I'd have to think about it."
He leaned his head against hers, as if about to kiss her. "I want you with me."
Steph didn't answer. Instead, she composed herself and motioned to get up. "I'll think about it." She stood and walked about the room, picking up strewn clothes. "For now, we've got to get going. If mom and dad knew you were in here last night, you wouldn't even make it back home." She went over to the side of the bed and, with that little grin, flung his pants at him. "And if they catch us, I'll just say you got lost on the way to your room and stopped here."
CJ caught them. "And I just happened to lose my clothes along with my memory?"
The Initiated - 48 "The Calm Before the Storm"
Well, at least CJ was happy now. Per usual, it takes things to get progressively worse before you can really enjoy the good stuff whenever it comes around. And was he ever enjoying it, at least for the moment. Who knew what the future held, after all? Once this fight was over, there was the possibility that Chris's career in the WWF could be finished. Our Hero tried his best not to think about it, but hell, if he lost, he'd have to seek out new employment. Of course, there'd be no way that Paul would let him slip away. This feud that stood between them had gone on too long for anyone to take it easy on the other.
"Taking it easy" on CJ was the last thing in Paul Levesque's thoughts once Shane had approached him in a hotel hallway the morning after Raw. In Shane's mind, it was only fair to let Paul know that this was going to happen. Not that Paul deserved too much of a fair shake, as Shane expected him to win anyway, but he didn't want to take any backlash later from Paul just because Shane hadn't warned him early enough that this match would happen.
"So he'll be the one calling you out." Shane let this end his explanation, and waited for Paul's response. He'd stood there listening for all this time, nodding and mumbling his understanding every few moments. Now it was his turn to talk. Paul folded his arms and leaned back against the wall. "And you're saying if I win, he's gone?"
"That's what we agreed to, yeah."
"And if I win, he stays. And I ease off."
"Yes."
Paul chuckled. "He actually agreed to this?"
Shane nodded. "Yeah he did. I pretty much gave him no other choice but to accept it. That's how it goes."
"You really want this guy to stick around, Shane? He's only gonna cause you shit. Look at what he's done so far." Paul shrugged. "I'm just saying that this wouldn't even take place if he was gone to start with. One less headache."
"He deserves his time just like anyone else." Shane was unfazed, now having his business face on. "If you really want the truth, I wouldn't be making this take place if you guys hadn't fucked with him to start with."
This barb didn't make Paul flinch. He continued, not missing a beat. "Oh come on, you didn't think he was gonna come here and not get scratched up and messed around? It's all a part of the business, everyone goes through it. If he's this pissed off about it, he doesn't deserve to be here."
"I'm not saying he gets special treatment. I'm just saying, Paul, that this is gonna happen, and if he kicks your ass, you lay off him." Shane held back from reminding Paul that it wasn't long ago that he'd done the same for similar reasons and got the same results. This wasn't about old times.
Paul nodded. "Fine. Don't put your money on him."
"I wouldn't do that." Shane extended his hand, which Paul firmly shook. Shane smiled and added, "I wouldn't put my hard earned cash on you, either."
He walked off as Paul watched him leave, then turned back around when Paul decided to say one last thing, loud and clear.
"You know he's fucking your sister, right?"
Shane was quiet as he looked thoughtful for a second. Paul liked thoughtfulness, especially with Shane, because it always meant trouble. Finally, Shane walked back over to Paul, standing face to face with him. He responded. "I've had my suspicions."
"I saw him last night." Paul chuckled. "Gotta admit I'd been looking for him anyway because of what he did to Jesse, but I saw him anyway. Going into her room." A pause, then lower. "That's gotta piss you off, Shane. Am I right?"
Shane had that sort-of faraway look again. "Yeah. Yeah it does," he said quietly. "But that's not your business, now is it?" He patted Paul on the shoulder. "You've got bigger things to handle. Prepare yourself." With that, Shane walked away as Paul smiled after him.
Joanie Lee Laurer sat inside the little rental car waiting for Her Paul to come out of the service station, watching him ask for directions for what appeared to be the millionth time. As she waited, she thought about what they'd just said, and what she'd do now. What they were planning was definitely risky, and might not work, but hell, it'd be fun to try. Joanie replayed the whole scenario in her head as she sorted her thoughts.
Paul had come back into their hotel room a little more psyched and a tad more excited. After he'd closed the door behind him, he let out a victory whoop and punched at the wall in his happy hysteria.
"Did we win the lottery?" Joanie hadn't seen his theatrics from where she stood in the bathroom, yet she'd heard him loud and clear. "Or did a rich uncle die?"
"Better," he called. "We might...might have Chrissy by the balls and ready to crush."
A chuckle. All the excitement over THAT? "We've had him by the balls ever since this whole damn thing started. It's getting old, let's move on to something new."
"No, no," he said, now standing in the doorway of the bathroom. "Not like now." For the element of surprise, he paused. "Let me tell you what Shane McMahon just told me."
Then Paul explained it. The match, the stipulations, the entire situation. Joanie turned to him, her eyes widening with interest when Paul explained that this could very well be CJ's last "match" with the company.
"So you win and he's gone. That's it. No strings?" Although she was intrigued, Joanie was skeptical.
"No strings. No bullshit."
"Oh, yeah. That's easy." With exaggerated lightness, she sighed peacefully. "All you have to do is just kick a trained athlete's ass. It's a cinch."
"Not exactly, but I do have a plan, if you must know."
He grinned. If Joanie listened hard enough, she could hear the wheels in his head turning. She grinned right back at him and chucked at his chin. "What is going through that little brain of yours, dearie? I'd surely like to know."
"Well like I said, I have a plan. As soon as possible, you reprise your role."
Her smile faded a little. Joanie turned back to the mirror, letting this sink in. The prospect of double-crossing CJ and knocking him down a few notches once was very lucrative as far as Paul's status in the locker room was concerned. Joanie had even toyed with the idea of stringing him along again just for laughs. However, knocking him completely off the ladder and into oblivion just didn't appeal to her any longer.
"I've played my Oscar-winning role for one night only." Joanie didn't look at Paul as she said this. She was almost afraid of his response.
Paul heaved a deep sigh. "So you're bailing on me?"
She gave him a cold glance. "I never said that."
"You might as well have. You're not gonna help me with this." He didn't say a word as he watched her, waiting for a response. After he didn't get one, he continued, trying to get a rise out of her. "It's almost like you want him to win. Is that what it is?"
"That's bullshit." Joanie shook her head. "I just don't like wasting my time." With that, she attempted to close the bathroom door. Paul blocked it in time and returned her cold stare.
"You can at least do me a favor and not lie to me."
"Fuck off, you cock." Joanie found her bravado and pushed him back a little, then quickly closed the door. Paul angrily hammered at it, as if it would make her open it.
"I'm not done talking to you!"
"I'm done talking to you," she called back. "Come and talk to me when you aren't thinking with your damned balls, you prick!"
Paul punched at the door one last time, then kicked at the wall on his way out of the room. Joanie listened to him leave, then flinched a little when he slammed the door behind him.
*************************
Well, obviously Joanie and Paul would move on past this squall, otherwise they wouldn't be riding in the same car at the moment. But the road to forgiveness that morning had a few exits and stops in it before it came to a point.
After Paul left his hotel room and his Joanie, he quickly tracked down good old buddy Sean, almost pounding in his door as he'd pounded on the bathroom door moments before. Waltman came to the door, still drowsy and very upset at having been waken up.
"Jesus Christ, what is your problem, Paul? What the fuck..." He rubbed at his eyes as Paul stood there, heaving and angry.
"I need you to talk to her."
Waltman knew the situation, but it didn't mean he'd have to like it. "What'd you do?"
"Me?" Paul almost yelled this but remembered he was in the hallway. "It wasn't me! She's being a fucking bitch about my situation."
"I didn't know you had one." Sean murmured this as he walked back into the room, followed closely by Paul. "Close the door. Talk to me."
Paul shut the door. "Let me tell you what Shane told me..."
Again for the second time that morning, Paul explained the match, the stips, the yada. Sean grew more and more excited as he was briefed.
"Shit," Waltman finally said. "This is your fucking chance, man. It's your fucking chance to get that cock out of here. No spotlight sharing. Nothing. Go for it, man!" Sean swatted at Paul's shoulder happily, almost as ecstatic as Paul had been before he'd spoken to Joanie.
"Yeah, see, it's all fucking great, right? You and I both know that. Now go explain it to fucking Joanie."
"What, she's not with it?"
Paul shrugged, exasperated. "Fuck no she's not with it. She's giving me shit about wasting her time. See, what I wanted her to do is nail the bastard in his coffin. I mean...shit...deep down, and I don't care what anybody says, that pudfuck is in love with her, you know that. And she did that. She made him do that because she's damn fuckin' good at what she does. Isn't she?"
"Yeah, but damn, you know, if she's not with it..."
"That's not good enough. No, that's not fucking good enough." Paul paced around the room, trying to talk and think at once. "I don't know what to do."
Waltman thought for a moment, then sat and spoke. "You got to convince her it's in her best interests to do it. Like the first time."
"Well fuck, okay, but how?"
"Look at it this way. If he wins this shit, he's gonna get everything you got. Your push. Everything that goes with it. And if you go down, she goes down. I told this to her the first time when he got here. If someone don't take him out, he's taking you and Joanie out. You tell her that now."
"She believes you more though, man. You know that." Paul stood at the wall, his head to it, silently swearing under his breath. Sean felt bad for his friend, so finally he relented.
"Fine. Fine, I'll talk to her." He sighed. "I'm not making no promises."
"Whatever, just do it. Soon." Paul still stood with his head to the wall, his arm acting as a rest for it. "I don't want to waste any time with this. What she does is problably gonna affect this whole fucking thing, and I think she knows that."
"Still, you need to be with me when I tell her this. Just like last time."
Paul looked up to the ceiling, heaving another breath. "Whatever."
************************
The events that led up to Joanie sitting here in this car were of no less importance than what's been said, yet she skimmed over them quickly. Sean Waltman coming back to the room with Her Paul. Sean being the voice of reason. Convincing her that one more go-round on CJ would weaken his emotional state enough for Paul's victory. The old love-em-and-leave-em tactic. As to how she would pull it off, Joanie had no idea. CJ wasn't as weak as he was when she'd first come to him. He had Stephanie now, after all.
Still, Joanie didn't complain about this to Sean or Paul. They were depending on her to wear Our Hero down, and these weren't people that you say 'no' to. But *how* though? She'd hurt CJ big-time once before, would he be willing to let her in one more...
"I knew we'd passed it," Paul announced, interrupting Joanie's thoughts. "Knew it. It's 3 blocks back."
"Huh," she said, half-listening as the car pulled out and away from the station. Joanie thought back over her situation. It was Tuesday. Tonight was the tapings in Rochester. She'd corner her target then. Whether or not he'd give her the time of day was still one great big "unknown."
Meanwhile, Joanie's "target," otherwise known as Our Hero, was sitting in a similar rental car with his usual suspects Adam and Jason at a stoplight outside of town. No clue he was being targeted. No clue Joanie even had him in her thoughts.
"Damn it why did you turn that off?" He punched at Jay's shoulder.
"Umm, because it sucks ass?" Jason punched back, not bothering to look back although CJ was seated in the rear.
"It's metal, metal doesn't suck."
"Yeah but that did," interjected Adam helpfully.
"Fine, turn on your little Backstreet Boys and rock on."
"I will, then," answered Jay, just as sarcastic as CJ, "because I want it that way." Adam groaned at this and attempted to swerve off the road, causing a roar of expletives from his passengers.
"Stay on the road, fruitcake! You wanna kill us?" Jay nudged at him with an elbow.
"Pushing my arm isn't going to help much, Einstein." Adam straightened the car, much to the relief of Jay, CJ, and everyone behind him on the road. "Besides, if I killed us, Shane would be pissed because I took his opportunity to snuff Chris."
"Oh ho ho, funny," Our Hero answered with a fake laugh. "You really make the match worth waiting for, you know that?"
"I'm kidding, come on," Adam chuckled a little. "I really think you're gonna win. Seriously."
"Everything about this is serious," said CJ. "Ever since Shane came to me about it, it's all I've really thought about."
"Yeah, you thought about it so much that you forgot to go to your room again last night." Jay turned back to face him. "Where were you?"
"Gone."
"No shit, Sherlock, but I mean where?"
Chris grinned and looked over at Adam. "You mean you didn't tell him? I'm shocked."
"Oh yeah," said Adam, sarcastically nonchalant. "He's fucking Stephanie McMahon. Everybody knows that. Damn, Jay, when'd you fall out of the loop?"
Silence. "You're bullshitting me," Jay said, finally, still looking at CJ.
"Well hell, it's not like it's been a daily thing. Last night was like the first time we even went at it."
"'Went at it'?" Adam mimicked this with a laugh. "What the fuck was it, a porn?"
"You know what I mean."
"No but seriously," Jay said. "You really seriously are? No shit?"
"One time, damn, you act like I knocked her up."
"Well I mean you do know that Andrew's gonna be pissed at you if he finds out, right?"
CJ shrugged. "I'm not even aware he had anything going with her." It was a little white lie, sure, but oh well. It was half-true. He really *didn't* know what the gist of that relationship was, nor was he very willing to ask Stephanie about it and risk upsetting her.
"You haven't been spending the past few months dead, have you? They spend all their damn time together, they gotta be doing something with all that spare time."
Chris didn't answer. He didn't want to think about Andrew and Stephanie, even though he knew it was a distinct possibility. But was it now? Things had changed, of course.
Adam read his mind. "I think she's gonna dump his ass now if you're worth hanging around. But damn is he not gonna like that shit or what?"
"Hell no he's not gonna like it," Jay answered. "He's gonna be pissed. I'd watch my ass if I were you."
"It's just one more to add to my list, that's all. I don't care anymore." And CJ really didn't. What Andrew Martin thought of him was the least of his worries right now. Besides, Andrew couldn't stop the plane that would eventually be taking both Our Hero and Stephanie home to Clearwater. That is, if CJ won the shootfight.
Funny how everything important revolved around that now.