Chris yawned, rolled over and collided with something soft in the bed next to him. Uh oh. "Chyna?"

"Piss off asshole."

"Chyna?" He repeated in shock. She glared at him. "Leave me alone."

"Under any other circumstances, I would sweetheart, but there's one problem."

"What?" She snarled. Chris hid a grin. "You're in my hotel room. And my bed. How drunk did you get last night?"

"How drunk did you get?" She shot back at him. They looked at each other angrily for a minute, then laughed.

"Well Chyna my dear I think we successfully drowned our sorrows last night... that was the plan wasn't it?" Chris frowned and put a hand to his forehead. Chyna chuckled. "Yeah, I think so."

They lay there in silence for a few minutes as Chris tried to figure out why, out of all the people he could've gotten drunk with, he chose Chyna. Despite their current feud, he had a lot of respect and admiration for her. But they weren't friends. Sure they got along well, but it was strictly a professional relationship.

"Hey Chyna?"

"What?"

"You still love him don't you?" Chris asked quietly. Chyna sighed. "I do. As much as I ever did. I mean, I was the one who left him. But he was such a major part of my life for so long. There's someone I'm sort've involved with right now, but -"

"You got a rebound guy?" Chris asked. "Way to go Chy!"

"He's not a rebound guy!" insisted Chyna. "Well he is... but he isn't... oh god."

"Who is he?" Chris asked interestedly. She shook her head, then winced. "Ouch.. It's... never mind."

"Oh no, you can't just do that to me!"

"I just did!"

"Listen, Chyna. I saw you in a state that I never thought I would ever see you in last night. And I don't just mean shitfaced." Chris hesitated before continuing. "You scared me last night. I'd always thought you were so strong. He's a fool for letting you go."

Chyna refused to look at him. He became aware of muffled sobs in the bed next to him. Chris cursed his protective instincts, which had gotten him into this whole goddamned mess three and a half years ago when he'd taken Stephanie in off the street. It was those same stupid instincts that were probably gonna get his ass kicked right now as he reached out and carefully hugged her. To his surprise, Chyna hugged him back, resting her head on his shoulder and weeping freely.

~~~

Stephanie looked at the accusing faces angrily - Vince, Shane, Lydia, Integra and Andrew. Linda had refused to come, but had sent a message with Shane that she would see Stephanie later.

"I swear I had nothing to do with it." She vowed seriously. Test looked at her suspiciously and Steph knew what he was thinking about. To her relief he said nothing. "I can't believe you think that I would actually want to be married to him"

"I'm gonna kill him." Shane stated. Integra jumped out of her seat. "I'll help."

"Nobody's killing anyone." Vince said calmly. "We are going to do things properly."

"You vs him at Armageddon." Lydia nodded. "You win, Steph gets a divorce, he loses she gets a divorce."

"Shut up Lydia." Test spoke for the first time since saying 'I Do' the night before. Covering a yawn, Lydia replied. "Just trying to lighten the mood hon."

"Well it's not a joking matter." He glared at her angrily. "This is Stephanie's future and it's worth more than the main event at the next PPV."

"Shut up both of you!" shouted Stephanie. Lydia hugged her tightly. "Don't mind me. Sick twins equals no sleep and... well you know me. I may as well go, I'm not gonna be any help. Remember, I'm here for you ok?"

Stephanie nodded and hugged her back. Lyd looked at Test before leaving. "That goes for you too tough guy. Got it?"

"Got it."

As the conversation turned to the legitimacy of the marriage to Hunter, Stephanie thought about how she was going to pay him back for the information on her daughter... and suddenly realised that was why he'd had her drugged and married her anyway.

~~~~

"Congratulations on your nuptials."

"Thank you." Hunter grinned at the figure sitting opposite him. "Why are you doing this?"

"I have my reasons."

"Care to share?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. The person opposite him laughed. "Because there has been too much bullshit for too long. I'm sick of the past and personal feelings interfering with careers and professional knowledge."

"What do you mean?"

"You're not stupid Helmsley. You know that Shane fired Hall and Nash because of their part in revealing Stephanie's whereabouts to Vince. You were held back for defending them. Sable got fired for her part in it all. An angry McMahon is a dangerous thing."

"I'll remember that."

"Smart idea." Hunter's lunch partner leaned back and slid a manilla envelope across the table. "More photos."

"No way. The bitch didn't follow through on her side of the deal. She's not getting something for nothing. Not from me."

"I don't expect you to do that." His companion said soothingly. "You sent Stephanie a message last night. She owes you from Survivor Series. Now, all you have to do is convince her that it's worth being Mrs. Helmsley for a few years."

"You expect her to agree to this?" Hunter was sceptical. The other person nodded and stood up. "I know Stephanie. She will do anything to get her daughter back in her life."

Hunter was watching as his informant walked to the door, when something occurred to him. "Hey!"

"Yes?"

"You knew Stephanie wouldn't be able to convince Test to do the Austin thing for me didn't you?"

The other person smiled coldly. "Like I said, I know Stephanie. And it's not just Stephanie I know, it's also those closest to her."