TITLE: After Effects (#8 in The Road Back Series)

AUTHOR: Kelly Rowe

EMAIL: stonecoldslut@optusnet.com.au

DISCLAIMER: The WWE and all characters belong to the almighty Vince McMahon and the WWE.

RATING: PG-13 (swearing).

SUMMARY: Stephanie is back!

TIMELINE: Directly after #7 - Revelations.

SPOILERS: Survivor Series 2001 onwards.

DISTRIBUTION: You want you can have it; just tell me where you put it.

After the show was ultimately over, Hulk and I trudged back to his austere locker room so that he could get geared up to go out and celebrate the fact that we pulled the wool over my daddy's eyes and of course my exultant return to the WWE. I was willing going along with Hulk's grand plan even though I really didn't feel like celebrating anything. The truth is I am really feeling guilty over what we did to daddy. I mean the poor guy was *so* excited about getting rid of Hogan and I - in one single second - destroyed his dream.

Okay, I admit it. I sort of enjoyed doing it for the first few minutes, but in due course the guilt set in. And I know that I'll be spending hours, days or even weeks trying to earn his forgiveness and even then I'll only get as much as he is willing to give at the time.

The split second that we crossed the threshold into the locker room we found a bombshell waiting there for me. Evidently Kurt had seen - from the monitors placed around backstage - my scheme come to culmination and had decided to welcome me back face-to-face. Even though Hogan was making it entirely clear that he wasn't welcome there.

"Fuck off, Angle," Hogan told Kurt as he flopped down onto one of the wooden benches.

"Look old man. I am here to speak to Stephanie and not hear to listen to you tell the kiddies tales of the freakin' Jurassic. You know back when you were a *real* wrestler and not a has-been."

I stayed silent and prayed that Kurt would leave and not start some sort of violent confrontation. I really didn't need to or want to deal with heightened testosterone levels at that moment.

"Tough," Hulk replied as he took his bandana off of his head and wiped the sweat from his brow with it. "Stephanie's *my* manager and not *yours*. While she is on my time she can't talk to you. Wait until she's finished her job."

I saw that Kurt was not budging from the spot he had procured and sighing I knew that I would have to butt in before they started hitting each other. "Kurt, just go. I'll call you later."

"But Steph..."

I grasped his hand and looked into his eyes, "I promise."

For the longest moment I honestly didn't think Kurt was going to leave. However he apparently took my promise and left the locker room, pausing only momentarily as he gave me a quick kiss. Heaving a sigh of relief I sagged down onto the wooden bench next to Hulk.

"Please tell me you have better taste than to be involved with Angle," Hulk said breaking the silence that had settled between us.

I decided to lighten the moment, "Oh come on, you've seen my soon to be ex-husband haven't you? I just don't like them ordinary."

Groaning Hulk stood up and stretched his muscles, "I'm gonna shower. How about after we go and celebrate our new alliance?"

"Sure."

Hogan walked off into the bathroom area and I just sat there wondering what was going to happen now. I was now back where I belonged, but where do I go from here? How was I actually going to be of any help to Hulk? It wasn't like he was going to let me run his career with the same underhanded tactics that my soon to be ex had. Why did I have to manage a good guy?

Shaking my head to clear the thoughts from my mind, I became aware of the shower running in the other room and an image of Hogan's naked body came unbidden to my mind. Quickly getting up, I left the sanctuary of the locker room and leaned against the wall outside, wondering what the hell was up with me. I was in the middle of a supremely messy divorce, in a sort-of relationship with Kurt Angle and now I was imagining my client naked. Jeez, wasn't my life complicated enough without adding anymore complications?

Suddenly the door beside me flew open, scaring the crap out of me and Hogan emerged fully clothed - much to my relief.

"Ready to go?" he asked.

I nodded, "Just as soon as I grab my purse."

Hulk lifted an object in his hand to show it to me, it was my purse. "Got it for you. So now we can go, right?"

"Yeah."

Hulk offered me his arm and I took it, we then walked towards the exit together. We were almost out of the building when out of the corner of my eye I noticed that someone was watching us, whether it was Kurt or Hunter I wasn't sure. All I did know for sure whichever one it was, my life had just gotten a little more complicated.

It was nearly two in the morning by the time I returned to my hotel room and I have to admit that I was exhausted, who would have thought that Hulk could literally dance the night away at his age. I let myself inside my room and received a gigantic shock, Hunter was in my room - or more correctly in my bed.

"What do you think you're doing here? How did you get in?" I shrieked at him.

"The maid let me in and as for what I'm doing here... well, you never complained before about having me in your bed."

I simply stared at him, "We were married."

"We still are, Steph."

"A few hours ago you accused me of trying to ruin you and now..." I trailed off as I shook my head in confusion. "Why?"

Hunter stood up and let the sheet fall away, giving me the perfect view of the body that I once knew so well. "We were always good together, Steph."

"No, we weren't... at least not where it counted and you know I'm not talking about the bedroom," I said to him averting my wandering eyes. "I think you should leave."

Hunter moved towards me, "Why? Don't you want me anymore... or did Hogan tire you out?"

Suddenly it hit me, he wasn't here because he wanted me. He was just jealous, figuring I was letting Hogan into my bed - something that I had denied him the last month and a half of our marriage.

"Get the fuck out, Hunter."

I don't know if it was the look in my eyes, the expression on my face or the steel in my voice that convinced him, but he did throw on his clothes and leave. Once he was gone I sank down onto the rumpled bed and wondered why everyone in my life - including myself - was a total freak. It was there and then that I decided that I was going to be in control from now on and no one - not my soon to be ex, my somewhat boyfriend or my client - was going to make my decisions, they were all mine.

The End.