Part 24:

No Way Out was upon us very quickly. So fast in fact that I barely had the time to turn around and realize what was going on. At this PPV, my job was pretty relaxed. I had to see to it that all the matches went along according to regulation and they did. For me, PPVs were fairly boring events. Usually, everything went along according to plan. Unlike RAW or SMACKDOWN, there was no time to pursue a feud outside the ring. The most I had to at NO WAY OUT was getting Terri Runnels off the apron during the Hardys match against Edge and Christian. For a little woman, she sure wriggled around a lot when I tried to get her away from the ring. So much so that at one point, I had to shake her a little harder so she would understand that I would throw her down and hurt her without giving it a second thought.
Nothing good was going to happen tonight. True, it was the goodbye appearance of Mick Foley but that was it. There was nothing more to it than that. RAW however, that was going to be great.

That morning, I woke Carmen up at seven and we headed out to the airport. Lexi and Mike were flying in and in order to keep their presence a secret, I was the only one, except for Shane, who knew when they were arriving and where.
As it so happened, they had a cute little surprise for me. Actually, it wasn't a little surprise. It was a full-grown one. Jess was with them. I was happy, and shocked as hell, to see her. I helped them collect their bags as Carmen led the way to our car. She took to Mike and Jess immediately and Lexi and I lagged behind them, like mothers looking after their offsprings.
"So?" I asked, smiling at Lexi.
"So."
"How come Jess is with you?"
"Well, Mike and I talked and Jess and I talked and Jess and Mike talked and Mike and I decided that we couldn't let Jess hit the road on her own like that."
"And what did she say about it?"
"She's willing to give it a chance."
"Give what a chance exactly?" I asked.
"Well, Mike and I think Jess should come back to the WWF as an announcer. She was really good and loads better than that little Lillian Garcia chick."
"That's not saying much but what does Jess think about it?"
"Well, what she doesn't know," said Lexi with a wide smile.
"Lexi... Jess is not just going to agree to the plans you and Mike made for her."
"So you think. Now, do you think you can get Shane over at your place?"
"Of course I can," I answered with a grin.
"Good," said Lexi, rubbing her hands together, "very good."

I had to plead and beg Shane to drop by my apartment. By the time he got there, Carm was doing her very best to lure Mike away from Lexi as a back-up to Andrew while Lexi and Jess were in my kitchen, preparing a light snack. I was in my living room, trying to figure out if I really wanted to be a party to this conspiracy.
Finally, the front door bell rang and I made it just in time before Carmen.
"Hi Shane," I said, pecking his cheek, "thank you so much for dropping by on such short notice."
"Well, you begged and you pleaded. I figured it was worth my time. So, what's up?"
"Believe it or not, I don't know."
"What?"
"Hi Shane," said Lexi, coming out of the kitchen, carrying a tray of appetizers. "Thank you so much for coming on such short notice."
"What exactly is going on here?" asked Shane as Lexi drew him into the living room, offering him some caviar, "and why do I feel like I just walked into a trap?"
"Oh Shane darling," laughed Lexi, "you are such a perceptive man."
"Can it Lexi," said Shane, "you as the charming hostess is scary enough. What do you want?"
"Well Shane, first of all, I want to thank you for being by my side during my ordeal in Las Vegas. It meant a lot to me."
"That's what friends do for each other Lexi."
"Right," said Lexi with a squeeze of Shane's hands, "but I wanted to thank you nonetheless."
"No problem. Now, on to the real reason why I'm here."
"Yes. Well, Mike and I brought something back from Las Vegas. You wanna see?"
"Let me guess, Jess Warren perhaps?" said Shane, picking up a cracker covered with pâté just as Carmen led Jess into the living room.
"Hi Shane," said Jess. "Sorry about the entrance and the lies. But Lexi insisted."
"I'm sure she did. So, what gives?"
"I'm guessing it has to do with Lexi thinking you should hire me back as an announcer for the WWF."
"You knew?"
"Lexi, you and I were best friends. I can read you like a book. For once, I liked how your mind works. Shane, if you're willing to hire me back, I'd love to work for the WWF again."
"Exactly what I had in mind. Which is why I happened to bring a contract with me."
"You knew?" asked Lexi with a smile.
"Never underestimate me, Lexi. I'd hoped you knew that by now."

RAW was going to start in one hour and right now, I was worried about Lexi. Dwayne was in the building and I knew they were bound to run into each other. And it happened faster than I expected. Jess and Lexi were walking down the hall toward my dressing room when they came upon the people's champion.
"Jess. Lexi."
"Hi Dwayne," said Jess. "How are you..."
"Dwayne. You're looking well," said Lexi dryly.
"You too. How are you doing since the accident?
"I'm good."
"I guess we need to talk."
"Yes. Your dressing room will do nicely."
Jess tried following them into the dressing room but Lexi slammed the door in her friend's face. Jess came to get me quickly and we both went to stand by the door to Dwayne's dressing room.
At first, there was very little for us to listen to. Their argument, or their discussion, or whatever it was, was rather quiet, subdued. But bit by bit, the volume level rose. By then, they'd drawn quite a crowd, which included a very angry Mike.
"I can't believe the two of you let the two of them go in there by themselves."
"Hey, I tried to stop them," said Jess, "but Lexi locked the door before I could go in after her."
"She locked the door? Damn it, what is she trying to prove?"
"I don't know."
By then the fight was in full swing, and their voices came through the door.
"You cheated on me with my best friend!"
"Your career was more important to you than I was."
"So what? Does that excuse it? It's okay for you to cheat on me because my career became more than just following you around like a trained dog?"
"You had a great career!"
"Yeah right! My career was ridiculous. I never came out for myself, it was always something that had to do with you. I was getting tired of it and I wanted out!"
"Why didn't you ever tell me about your frustrations? Was I just supposed to guess?"
"..."
"No answer for that one, do you?"
"Well, answer that one, how good did it feel to know that I loved you so much that I was willing to let my career go down the tubes for you?"
"..."
"Well funny how you're quiet now!"
"Enough Lexi. You never even gave us a chance to work out our problems. You never told me anything."
"So you're telling me that until the night you fucked Jess, you thought our relationship was perfect?"
"It wasn't bad."
"Dwayne, you never even proposed to me. I woke up one morning and there was a ring on the bedside table with a note saying that we should get married."
"So? That's what you wanted right? You kept on talking about making a commitment."
"Damn you! I wanted you to get down on your knee and ask me to be your wife, you dumb son of a bitch!"
"Well, I sure as hell am I glad I didn't waste my time."
"Imagine how good I feel."
Lexi walked out of the dressing room, the face red with anger and her eyes shining dangerously.
"Are you okay?" asked Mike, "did he hurt you?"
"I'm fine and the last thing I need is you coming to my rescue. I can do just fine on my own, thank you very much. And you," she asked all the people gathered around the door, "don't you guys have to go and scratch your ass cracks somewhere else now?"
"Lexi, are you all right?" asked Jess.
"I'm fine," said Lexi with a grin. "It was very liberating. Now, on to RAW."
"Are you ready for everything we have to do?" I asked her.
"Yep. Are you?"
"Absolutely," I said before heading off to my dressing room. I had a surprise for RAW.

Part 25:

RAW began with the DX theme song. And they came, Helmsley and wife in front, the rest of DX trailing after them, Billy with his arm in a cast and Tori in her neckbrace. They all strode into the ring, doing crop chops. But there was some tension in the air. After all, the Outlaws had lost their belts last night and they knew Tara and Shane were out there, plotting their demise.
Hunter walked around the ring, praising himself for getting rid of Mick Foley, four people appeared at the top of the ramp, listening to the tribute and talking amongst themselves.
Finally, DX spotted them and Hunter's attention turned to them.
"Is there any way we can help you?" he asked.
"Shutting up would be a good first step," said Lexi.
"Don't you dare talk to my husband that way," screeched Stephanie.
"As long as you wear bras for your appearances," said Tara, "we'll be nice."
The audience ate it up, and in the ring, Steph went red in the face as she screamed in frustration.
"Listen, if you think you can come here and insult my wife..."
"Funny word that," interrupted Shawn Michaels, "your wife. That implies an exchange of sacred vows. And since, I wasn't invited to your nuptials, I'd like to see those beautiful moments again."
On the Titantron, there was a shot of a car going down the Las Vegas strip. The camera, obviously hand-held, took in the scenery and the two people in the front seat, a blond male and a dark-haired female. Everyone in the arena and all over the world watched with baited breath as the red convertible pulled into the very same drive-thru wedding chapel used in late November. But there was one major difference. This time around it wasn't Hunter Hearst Helmsley trying to figure out with wedding package to purchase but none other than the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels, with Lexi at his side. And unlike Stephanie, Lexi was fully conscious.
The very woman who had married Hunter and Stephanie appeared at the drive-thru window, a big smile on her face.
"Oh my God, you're the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels!"
"Yes darling, I am," he drawled with a grin to the camera.
"Are you here to get married?"
"Well, it's not that I wouldn't want to, but this lovely lady hasn't said yes yet."
"Shut up Shawn," chuckled Lexi, "we're here on business."
"Business? Is there anything I can help you with?"
"As a matter of fact there is," said Lexi, getting out of the car, "now tell me, in the state of Nevada, you have to get full consent from both parties for a marriage to be legal, right?"
"Of course," said the justice of the peace with a smile.
"Now, what if I were to bring you proof that a marriage you officiated didn't receive consent from one of the partners, what would you do?"
"Then I'd have to consider that marriage null and void."
"Do you have a VCR and a TV in there?" asked Shawn with a big grin to the camera.
"Sure I do."
"Come on. There's a tape that you just have to see."
The camera followed the justice, Lexi and Shawn into the chapel and into an office, which was equipped with a TV and a VCR. Shawn popped the tape in, pressed play and gently pushed the justice right in front of the screen so she could see everything.
It was the infamous wedding tape, which Hunter had played during the Stephanie - Test wedding ceremony. As the justice watched, her eyes widening with every second that elapsed, she realized that she'd been played for a fool.
"Is this enough proof?" asked Lexi with a smile.
"More than enough proof," said the justice, going to a file cabinet, rifling through folders.
"So what does that mean?"
"This is what this means."
The justice pulled out a piece of paper, Helmsley-McMahon wedding certificate, from the cabinet and walked over to the desk from which she took a stamp. With force, she pressed it down on the paper and handed it to Shawn.
"He's your friend," she told Shawn. "He probably wants to hear it from you first. But as far as the state of Nevada knows, your buddy isn't married and he never was."
The Titantron faded to black and Tara and her friends stood in front of it, laughing their heads off. In the ring, the Outlaws had trouble keeping straight faces and Tori and X-Pac were talking in hushed tones, inching their way from the unwed couple.
"Damn it if that ain't the funniest thing I've ever seen since Vince wet his pants on TV," said Stone Cold.
"Hunter, Hunter, Hunter," said Shawn, "I thought I'd taught you better my boy. If you're going to be bad, make sure you're not going to get caught with your pants down."
The No Chance theme filled the arena and out came Shane and Vince to the biggest pops ever. The crowd went absolutely bonkers. In the ring, only Stephanie and Hunter stood with the microphones, looking more and more scared. The Outlaws and X-Pac had the good sense of disappearing into the crowd.
"Quite the reunion, wouldn't you say, Sis?"
"Daddy? Shane? Does this mean I'm not married to Hunter? That I never was?"
"Well," said Vince, looking at the certificate Shawn handed him, "it certainly looks that way."
"Thank God," said Stephanie, "because I hated every second of being married to him," she said.
"Stephanie honey," said Hunter, grabbing his faux-wife's arm, "what are you doing? What are you talking about?"
"Let me go! We're not married. I don't have to do a damn thing you say!"
"Stephanie, you don't mean that... we're in love."
"No Hunter," she said coldly. "We were married. And I acted like a wife to you. But no more, I'm going back to my family. They love me. They appreciate me."
"No..."
But Steph quickly made her way out of the ring and up the ramp to her father and her brother. While Vince wrapped his daughter in a loving embrace, Hunter stood alone, in the ring. All of his accomplices had left him. He was completely and utterly alone.
"Well, well, well Hunter," said Shane, "I guess that means you're no longer my brother-in-law, right? And that means that I don't have to hide how much I despise you."
"Get him Shane," said Stephanie, moving out of her father's embrace, "get him good."
"But you're not getting away scot-free Stephanie," said Tara, appearing at Steph's side, "I promised you a revenge, didn't I?"
"But I'm not married to Hunter," said Stephanie, looking up at Tara, "I'm on your side now!"
"Not in my book, you're not!"
"Daddy," said Stephanie, trying to maintain a calm tone of voice, "tell her she's wrong, tell her that she doesn't have to take any kind of silly revenge."
"Well Steph," said Vince, "Tara is The Enforcer. If she says you have to suffer through her revenge, I guess you don't have much choice."
With those words, Vince and Shane walked backstage, leaving Hunter in the ring and Stephanie on the ramp, neither of them knowing what was going to happen to them next.

After the commercial break, the cameras followed Vince and Shane out to the parking lot.
"Now son, I trust you to take care of everything else, right?"
"Don't worry about a thing that. I'm going to put a definite stop to the McMahon-Helmsley era tonight."
"I'm counting on you Shane."
"You won't regret it."

Throughout the evening, between matches overlooked by The Enforcer, Shane was seen going from dressing room to dressing room, talking to several unseen performers. Finally, an hour into the show, Shane came out, Tara at his side.
"Hunter, get your sorry butt out here," said Shane.
And HHH came out, with music at full blast, the heavyweight belt casually slung on his shoulder.
"Cut his music," ordered Shane. "Hunter, I don't have much time to waste on your sorry ass. But know this, tonight is the start of payback as far as you're concerned. And you know the old saying: Payback's a bitch? Well, I'm going to make that come true for you."
"Say what you have to say Shane. I don't have time to waste on..."
"Make time. You're no longer in control, Hunter. I am. And I'm going to make you pay."
"I'm scared Shane. I really am."
"Good... that means you're off to a good start. Tonight, you're going up against The Enforcer and Stone Cold Steve Austin in a handicap match for your belt."
"What! You can't do that!"
"Watch me. Get the rest of DX out here!"
Within seconds, X-Pac, sans Tori, and the Outlaws were shoved out from behind the curtain.
"X-Pac, since you like going up against the big boys, you get your wish. You have a triple-threat match against the Big Show and Kane. And Outlaws, you guys should get a chance at reclaiming your belts tonight, but I'm not feeling generous so you two are going up against the Hardyz, Edge and Christian and the Dudleys."
"That's not fair," yelled the Road Dogg, "Billy's hurt..."
"Ask me if I give a damn. Someone get my sister."
"What do you want Shane?" asked Steph when she was shoved onto the ramp.
"Well, darling sister, Tara and I found the perfect opponent for you. Someone who's as classy and intelligent as you are. Steph, tonight you make your debut against SABLE!"

Part 26:

"Did Shane just say Sable, J.R.? Because if he did, this is going to be one hell of a match!"
"Tell me about it King. It seems that Tara and Shane have a lot of surprises in store for us tonight. First, X-Pac goes up in a triple-threat match with Big Show and Kane and the Outlaws go up against not one but three teams, the Hardyz, Edge and Christian and the Dudleys and then HHH has an handicap match against The Enforcer herself and Stone Cold Steve Austin." "J.R., you forgot Stephanie's match against Sable. If they can't find anyone to referee that match, I'd like to volunteer."
"I'm sure you would King. I'm sure you would."

After the commercial break, there was a shot of Stephanie McMahon banging against a door.
"Shane! Shane! I know you're in there. I have to talk to you. Shane, damn it! Open this door! Shane!"
"What do you want?" finally asked Shane, opening the door.
"What the hell is that match about? Me going up against Sable? She doesn't even work for us anymore."
"Well Sister darling, I hired her back for one night only. Tara gave me the idea and I thought it was a good one."
"You can't do this to me! Shane! Shane!" she went on shouting when the door slammed shut in her face, "Shane!"

In another area of the arena, Tara was seen walking down the hall, Sable following her. The special guest performer reached out to touch The Enforcer's shoulder and Tara snatched her hand away.
"In case you didn't understand the first time," said Tara, "you were hired here for one night only because you're right for the job, for one night only. And don't forget, you are to speak to no one, least of all me."
Sable opened her mouth to say something. Tara stopped her again.
"How dumb are you that you don't understand shut up! Because if you think I don't mean it, I've got ways of showing you exactly how serious I am."
Sable quickly nodded and Tara ushered her into a dressing room. She let Sable in and locked the door after her, walking away from the door, a big smile on her face.

In the DX dressing, panic ruled supreme, except for HHH. X-Pac was pacing around the room, pulling at his curly hair.
"I can't believe they're making me go up against Kane and Big Show," he said, "those monsters are going to kill me."
"You can win sweetie," said Tori, reaching out to him. "You've beaten Kane before."
"But I've never had to go up against him and Big Show at the same time."
"You can do it. I need you to do it. If you lose, Kane will take me away and..."
"You know what Tori," snapped X-Pac, "the last thing I need to worry about right now is you."
"But honey, you have to defend my..."
"I ain't got nothing to look after but my ass!"
"Honey..."
"You know what Tori, go away! I can't stand the sight of you right now. And since you're not helping, you might as well get the hell out!"
As Tori scurried away, tears running down her cheeks, the Outlaws and HHH looked at their little friend in shock.
"What?" snapped X-Pac.
"You were kind of rough on her," said Road Dogg.
"Yeah well, I was getting tired of her fucking whining. Anyways, we don't really need her anymore, do we?"
"We can do without," confirmed HHH. "Now X-Pac, your match is up first. You can take both of those idiots. Big Show might be big but Rock's right about him. He's fuckin' slow. You take him out first. And then you deal with Kane. You know how to do that."
"Yeah, but still..."
"X-Pac man, we're DX," reassured HHH, "we've got your back!"

Or so HHH thought. But Tara and Shane were quick to nip whatever plans DX had to protect X-Pac before the match even got underway. X-Pac was the first one out of the DX dressing room but when the Outlaws and HHH tried to follow him, a contingent of uniformed officers led by The Enforcer and Shane McMahon stopped them.
"Oh no DX," said Shane with a cocky grin, "I know how you guys like helping each other out during your matches but that's not going to happen tonight. Right Tara?"
"Very right. Call it one of my preventive measures. Instead of waiting for you guys to do something when you're at ringside, I'm nipping it in the bud. X-Pac can go to his match. But the three of you stay put in here until you have to get to your matches!"
"You can't do that," shouted HHH.
"Watch us," said Tara, pushing X-Pac forward while Shane gave the guards their final orders and closed the door to the DX dressing room.

It was a very subdued X-Pac who made his way to the ring. He went through the motions of pulling his tongue out for one and all to see and he grabbed his crotch several times, did his little jumps along with his pyros but the energy that made X-Pac the liveliest member of DX was gone. Then came the Big Show. He did his usual routine, but when he lifted his hand for his chokeslam, he was looking straight at X-Pac who was pacing in front of the announcer's table.
Finally, it was Kane's turn. Out of all three contestants, the audience reacted to him with the most energy. As he strode down the ring to his haunting music, Paul Bearer followed behind him, rubbing his hands happily. When Kane got to the middle of the ring, waiting for his pyros, it wasn't hard for all to see that his attention was focused on one tiny little man in green.
The match got underway quickly with the Big Show being quickly overpowered by X-Pac's kicks and rapidity and Kane's superior muscular strength and his surprising agility. Finally, the former tag team champions stood in the ring, facing each other. The tension in the air was palpable. And X-Pac was the first to react with kicks to Kane's chest. The rapid succession of kicks sent the big red machine into a corner, which he slumped into, preparing him for X-Pac's Broncobuster.
X-Pac ran toward his target but by the time he realized what Kane was doing, it was too late and he ran straight into Kane's massive foot, flying back to the opposite turnbuckle. From there, Kane dragged the littlest degenerate to the middle of the ring and went to a turnbuckle, climbing on top of it. When Kane flew, his long hair trailing behind him, everyone caught their breath as his talent. And just the same, everyone winced with X-Pac as Kane found target.
But Kane wasn't done yet. He picked up X-Pac and chokeslammed him, not once, not twice but three times. Then he covered him and the referee counted to three. Kane was victorious.

In the DX dressing room, Badd Ass, HHH and Road Dogg watched as the paramedics rushed into the ring to look after their fallen companion. There was no doubt that they were getting a bit uncomfortable.

Now was time for the Stephanie - Sable match. First, Steph came out to no music. At first, she'd used her family's theme song but that wasn't going to work anymore. And since she was no longer HHH's wife, she couldn't very well use his music. But she didn't make her way to the ring in silence. The chants of slut, whore and tramp accompanied her down the ramp. She got into the ring and snapped her fingers for a microphone. When she brought it to her lips, the No Chance theme began and Shane and Tara appeared at the top of the ramp.
"No, no, no, Steph," said Shane, "you don't get to speak. Get that microphone out of her hands."
And Jess, the new ring announcer, took a vicious pleasure in snatching the microphone out of Stephanie's fingers.
"You have to earn the right to speak to the fans," said Shane, "and considering the lovely names they're calling you, I doubt any of them want to hear you whine again. Now, let's meet your opponent."
Not surprisingly, Sable came out to complete silence. Tara walked beside her and showed her into the ring. The two stupidest women in the industry stalked each other wearily as soon as the bell signaling the beginning of the bout rang. Sable feigned to Steph's right and the youngest McMahon threw herself down on the mat. Sable looked down at her strangely and looked to Tara who was laughing her head off.
"Cover her," shouted Tara.
And that quickly, that stupidly, Sable walked away the victor while a thoroughly humiliated Stephanie wailed in the ring. While Shane escorted Sable out of the building, Tara climbed into the ring, a microphone in her hand.
"Well, Stephanie," she said, "I promised you revenge. What do you think of this one?"
"I hate you!"
"Wow! You hate me. I guess that if I gave a damn, that would be important information, wouldn't it?"
"I'll make you pay Tara. Someday soon, you'll regret this."
"I'll regret tonight? I seriously doubt it. It was way too funny. Thanks for the entertainment!"
Tara started to walk away and Stephanie grabbed her ankle, almost making her trip. The Enforcer turned to the cowering McMahon, her eyes blazing angrily.
"Now," said Tara, her voice colder than ice, "you just did something that you'll regret for as long as you live."
"What else can you do to me?" wailed Steph, "I've lost everything. What can you do?"
"Worse, Steph," said Tara with a wicked smile, "I can do much worse."

Part 27:

Tonight was SMACKDOWN and all over the world, fans were eagerly awaiting the next step of Tara's revenge against Stephanie McMahon.
"This is Michael Cole and we bring you SMACKDOWN tonight from the Madison Square Garden and King, what a week we've had in the World Wrestling Federation."
"Tell me about it Michael Cole. First off, Tara, with the help of the Heartbreak Kid and Lexi, proved to the world that the McMahon-Helmsley marriage was a sham from the start. And then, she brought in Sable to defeat Stephanie in what had to be one of the shortest matches in history."
"Tell me about it King. But it didn't end there. After we finished taping on Monday night, one of our crews followed Sable as she left the WWF for the second time in her life and there was a violent altercation that raised quite a few eyebrows. Let's watch that right now."
Sable was seen being escorted out of the arena by Shane McMahon and she was apparently following her instructions to remain silent. But then, she bent down to pick up something she'd dropped, making Lexi trip over her. Eyes blazing fiercely, Lexi turned on the former WWF employee, seemingly waiting for an apology.
"Well?" she barked.
"I'm sorry," whispered Sable.
"Sable darling," said Shane with a grin, "you should have read the details from your contract. If you speak, you're entitled to the beating the WWF never got the chance to give you."
"But... b-b-b-but..."
"Lexi, would you care to do the honors?"
"Would I ever?"
What was then shown was a thorough thrashing from Lexi to Sable, the smaller woman managing only to protect her face. Lexi tore into her like a lion did to a piece of fresh meat. And when she was done, there was no mistaking her satisfaction.
"Next time," said Lexi, "be sure to stay the hell out of my way!"
The image faded and the faces of Michael Cole and Jerry The King Lawler replaced it.
"Now King, many of us are eager to find out what other means of revenge Tara has in store for the youngest McMahon, Stephanie."
"Yeah, and from what Tara came up with on RAW, it's bound to be interesting."
"That's for sure."
Just then, the No Chance theme filled the arena and out came Shane, a smug smile on his lips. He walked to the ring by himself and clicked his fingers for a microphone.
"Well, this is it," he announced with a smile, "the end of the McMahon-Helmsley Era and the return of the McMahon Era, the only era that matters."
The crowd went absolutely wild.
"And before I do anything else, I want to thank the people who made it all happen. So, Shawn Michaels, Lexi Craven and Tara, please come out here."
And out came the three saviors, Shawn and Lexi in black jeans and matching red tee shirts. As for Tara, she was in her usual Enforcer outfit of black tights and bright blue tunic.
"Shawn, Lexi, I want to thank you both for exposing my sister's sham of a marriage and for backing up my Enforcer when she needed the help."
"It was our pleasure," said Lexi with a smile, "after all, it gave me a chance to kick ass and lord knows I love that."
"Lexi speaks for me here," agreed Shawn, "it was way too much fun to just be work."
"Well, we're glad to have you here with us and we'd like to offer you both a permanent spot on the roster. How'd you like that?"
As the fans cheered, Shawn and Lexi conferred briefly and turned back to Shane, wide smiles on their faces.
"Consider us hired," said Shawn, shaking Shane's hand.
"Great!"
The four people in the ring exchanged hugs and after a few seconds, they all stood back. After all, Shane still had to congratulate Tara on her work.
"Tara," finally said Shane, "my Enforcer! WOW! What a job you did. We sent you in to regulate the Era and you did. And you exceeded our predictions. You put an indisputable end to the Era and for that, you will forever have my gratitude."
Tara smiled shyly and shook Shane's proffered hand. "It was my pleasure Shane."
"It was ours. However, I have a problem. Since the Era has now come to an end, so does the need for an Enforcer."
"What?"
"I mean, the true McMahons are back in control. We don't need anyone to enforce our rules anymore."
"What does that mean?"
"It means that tonight will be your last night as The Enforcer. You still have the power to get your revenge against Steph but unless someone finds a need for you, I have nothing for you to do. I'm sorry Tara, I really am."
The look of shock on Tara's face brought the arena to a standstill.
"Well," she said dryly, "I always knew this was a temporary deal."
"You'll find something else Tara, I know you will," said Shane, "you're one hell of a woman."
"Don't worry. I will."
Tara left the ring, her head held high and slowly made her way up the ramp to the backstage area. In the ring, Shawn and Lexi got into a shouting match with Shane and left the ring, trying to catch up to Tara.
A camera crew followed Tara backstage until she made it to Stephanie McMahon's dressing room.
"Well, well, well, look who just got her ass fired," sneered Stephanie, "poor little Tara can't enforce shit anymore!"
"Well, in case you weren't listening, dumb ass, your brother still allowed me to get revenge against you. Here's your assignment for tonight," said Tara, throwing a paper in Stephanie's face.
"What? What the hell is this?" asked Stephanie, reading the paper, "I can't do this!"
"Well, you're going to have to figure it out because tonight you will. I'll bring you an outfit later on."

HHH was sitting in his dressing room, no members of DX around when Tara knocked on his door.
"You have a match tonight," she said dryly, giving him a piece of paper.
"So I hear. Who against?"
"You'll see."
"Wait a second," he yelled, reading the paper, "I'm taking on Mosh for the belt?"
"According to Shane, you're going to have to accept all takers for a while."
"Damn it! Fine then."
"Whatever!"

"So now King, we're going to see HHH defend his heavyweight title against Mosh of the Headbangers. This is bound to be an interesting match-up. Mosh is one of the up and coming stars of the WWF and he's bound to have one hell of a battle in front of him."
"Tell me about it Michael Cole. No matter how young or good Mosh thinks he is, he's going up against The Game. HHH is going to make mincemeat out of him."
As the Headbangers' started, Mosh and Thrasher appeared at the top of the ramp, their faces covered in their usual black make-up and wearing those hideous mesh dresses over boxers and those ridiculous cone bras.
"And now," announced Lillian Garcia, "making his way to the ring at a weight of 231 pounds, being accompanied by Thrasher and Stephanie McMahon, Mosh!"
"Did she say Stephanie McMahon, Michael Cole?" asked King, "poor, defenseless Stephanie McMahon is accompanying Mosh to the ring?"
And before Michael Cole could confirm or deny, out came Stephanie in typical Headbanger gear, with the mesh dress, the cone bra and the black make-up. The crowd went absolutely wild and Mosh and Thrasher wouldn't allow her to lag behind. They kept on pulling and pushing her ahead of them until they made it to the ring.
Then the HHH theme started and out he came. Stephanie immediately turned to him, drinking in the sight of the man she'd believed to be her husband for the past couple of months. Hunter didn't even spare her a look as he approached the ring as he went through his usual routine.
The match got underway with HHH maintaining the upper hand. At first, Stephanie seemed a bit torn about who to support but with Thrasher stalking her every step, she didn't have much choice. But suddenly, things started really going south for the Headbanger trying to get the title from HHH. As a matter of fact, the champion was about to set Mosh up for a pedigree when Thrasher got on the third rope and landed on top of Hunter, breaking his hold on Mosh.
The referee rang for the bell but it made no difference to the Headbangers who kept on beating on Hunter. Then, with no music, Tara ran down the ramp and slid into the ring. She dropkicked Thrasher and threw him out of the ring. When she managed to pry Mosh off HHH, she delivered a few kicks to his abdomen, giving HHH time to get back to his feet. Once he was back on his feet, Tara and him exchanged a glance, grabbed Mosh and threw him into the rope. When Mosh made his way back to them, they gave him a lethal clothesline that left him in the middle of the ring, incapacitated.
Stephanie climbed onto the apron of the ring to greet Hunter but he didn't even look at her. His eyes were riveted on Tara.
"What was that?"
"That was me proving to you that you could use my help," she said before raising his hand in the air in sign of his victory.
"Oh no, no, no," said Shane, coming out onto the ramp, "this isn't happening."
"Oh yes it is Shane," said Tara, "it's happening."
"Yeah Shane," said Hunter, wrapping an arm around Tara's waist. "I believe it is."

Part 28:

"NO!" screamed Stephanie, "Hunter, you can't do this! You love me!"
"I don't think I ever did. I liked being married to you, having the McMahon name, and calling Vince Dad. But I don't think I ever loved you."
"Hunter!"
"All right, enough already!" said Shane, "Stephanie, shut up!"
"But Shane..."
"Listen, I believe I owe you a slap, you want it now?"
Stephanie cowered and Shane turned to the new couple in the ring. Tara and Hunter stood together, grinning cockily.
"Now, Tara, what the HELL are you doing?"
"Well Shane, you said I should find someone who could use my services... I think Hunter could use my services. Couldn't you Hunter?"
"Well, it depends. What can you offer me?"
"Well, think of me as a better looking version of the Acolytes' Protection Agency. And I won't cost you half as much."
"All right, so far so good. But what else?" asked Hunter, eyeing Tara hungrily.
"Fringe benefits," she said with a smile.
"You're hired!"
"This is NOT happening! Tara, you can't work for Hunter! You can't turn on us!"
"I'm not turning on you. I'm moving on!"
Tara and Hunter started to get out of the ring when Shane grabbed Tara's arm. She turned on him and Hunter, who'd already landed on the ground, turned around, looking up at Tara, waiting for her.
"Don't do this," hissed Shane, "please don't do this. It'll be nothing but trouble."
"Trouble's exactly what I need right now," said Tara, pulling her arm out of Shane's grasp so quickly that she landed in Hunter's waiting arms. He set her down on the ground and the two of them walked up the ramp together, while Stephanie and Shane looked on.
"Well Michael Cole," said Lawler, "what a shock! For those of you joining us, the former Enforcer, Tara, has turned against Shane McMahon and joined forces with Hunter Hearst Helmsley."
"Well King," corrected Michael Cole, "I wouldn't say that she turned on Shane McMahon per se. After all, he did tell her that she had to find someone who would need her services and looks to me like she has."
"Well, looks to me like the McMahons don't like it much. Back after these messages."

When SMACKDOWN came back from the commercial break, Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole were beside themselves.
"Well King, it looks like Shane McMahon's at it again. Hunter has to defend his title for a second time tonight, this time against the Godfather."
"Well Michael Cole, Hunter is the Game and he can do anything. Specially if he sets his mind to it."
"Not to mention that he has Tara by his side now. She's not one to be dismissed off hand."

While Hunter prepared for his second match in his dressing room, Tara was seen knocking on the door to the A.P.A.'s office.
"Come in," shouted Bradshaw.
"Hey, look man," said Farooq while munching on a cigar, "it's The Enforcer."
"Hi boys. Do you mind if I sit in for a hand?"
"Sure... you got money to lose?"
"I'm willing to play you for a hand. And maybe win."
"We'll see about that. Farooq, you deal."
"No problem."
"Now, poker's not the only reason why I'm here. You guys saw the deal I made with Hunter?"
"Sure."
"Well, I was thinking of making a deal with you."
Just then, a match pitting Matt Hardy and Essa Rios began and no one was privy to the deal between the Acolytes and Tara.

After the Hardy-Rios match, Tara was seen walking down a hallway, holding a pile of cash in one hand and a garment bag in the other. For the second time of the night, she knocked on the door to Stephanie McMahon's dressing room.
"Hi Steph," she said with a smile, "how you doing?"
"What are you doing here?" asked Stephanie, "shouldn't you be looking after your new protégé?"
"Oh, I will. Now, like Hunter, you have double duty tonight. I believe the outfit will explain it all."
Stephanie pulled down the zipper to the garment bag and looked it.
"Oh my God, you can't mean... I can't do that..."
"Oh, you can and you will. Get dressed. If you don't get your butt out there when you're supposed to, I'll come and get you myself, whether you're dressed or not. And this time, it's okay if you don't wear a bra."
"Oh, you..."
"And lose the make-up," said Tara, eyeing the black streaks on Steph's face, "that just won't do."

Whatever matches were scheduled until the HHH-Godfather match took a backseat to the speculation concerning Tara and HHH. There was no doubt that they would make an incredible team but the biggest worry at the time was their unpredictability. Would they stand for good or for themselves?

Finally, the Godfather came out, sans D-Lo who was recovering from an injury. But he did have his hos, a whole cackle of them, wearing the stretchiest and tightest clothes that could be.
"It's puppies on parade," laughed Lawler. "I feel like I've died and gone to puppy heaven."
"But look King, it looks like Godfather is waiting for one more ho!"
Whoever the ho was, she was shy and the Godfather had to go backstage to coax her onto the ramp. As soon as her identity was unveiled, the crowd was on their feet. It was as if they all bowed to Tara's choice in this one. They all seemed to buy Stephanie McMahon as a ho.
With the Godfather pushing her forward, Stephanie made her way down the ramp dressed a tight red dress that displayed her unmentionable cleavage, her interesting legs and her arms. Her hair was up in a high ponytail, her feet were in whorish high heels and her make-up was gaudy and appropriate.Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler were silent, mostly out of shock. Their mouths gaped open and there was a line of drool coming down the side of Lawler's mouth. And when Steph started dancing around the Godfather along with the other hos, neither man had the decency to look away. However, they both decided to remain seated long after the end of the show.
Then the HHH music started and out came the WWF's heavyweight champion, his body glistening from sweat and water. In the ring, the look of lust and longing was gone from Stephanie's face. She looked at the man she'd believed to be her husband with disdain and hatred. She was still sore over his betrayal, over the fact that he'd picked Tara over her. She was a woman scorned.
The match got underway with HHH and Godfather matching skills. Although he wasn't as big a star as Hunter, the Pimp was a talented performer who gave as good as he got. Helmsley had just been positioned for the Ho Train but he managed to slide out of the way just in time. The champion was sagging against the ropes, trying to catch his breath when the hos, led by Steph, grabbed his legs and pulled on them. He landed on the mat face first and he landed hard.
The Godfather was slowly regaining his senses when a haunting hip-hop beat filled the arena, the lights going off. At the top of the ramp, she appeared. When the lights came on and she started walking down the ramp, the fans went wild. It was Tara, the new and improved version. Gone were the tight black tights, the prim tunic and the tight ponytail at the base of her neck. Instead, she was wearing a bright red cowboy hat over her long blond hair, a white leather tank top under a motorcycle jacket that was a match for her hat and her high heel boots, not to mention a pair of butter-soft white leather pants.
In the ring, the Godfather didn't allow himself to be distracted by Tara's appearance. Instead, he was busy weakening Hunter for the Pimp Drop. Outside the ring, Tara watched the match as she took off her hat and her jacket, while Steph was rallying the hos, barking orders.
When Tara finally climbed on the ring, Steph appeared at her side, pulling at her arm. Tara first ignored her and then she backhanded the former Mrs. HHH, making her land on the hos. Then, the former Enforcer climbed on top of a turnbuckle and called out to HHH's adversary. When he turned around to look at her, he was greeted by her feet landing square in his chest. Tara dragged HHH's arm across the Pimp's shoulders, slid out of the ring and got the referee's attention away from Steph and her fellow hos to the opponents. He counted to three and HHH came away the winner, for the second time of the night.
Tara, who'd joined him in the ring, helped Hunter roll the Godfather out of the ring and lifted her champion's arm high up in the air. "Shane," said Hunter, picking up a microphone, "thank you so much for letting me have Tara. She's much more useful than your sister."
"Let me show you how useful," said Tara, taking the microphone from his hand and landing a kiss on his mouth.
Their chemistry was undeniable and Stephanie looked on from the outside of the ring, her eyes blazing at Hunter and Tara. She would get revenge on the two of them yet.

Part 29:

The day before Steve's wedding, I woke up more tired than ever. For the past three days, I'd been stuck in rehearsals with the orchestra that would accompany me during the first part of the reception and with Mean Street Posse, the band, for the second part of the reception. I woke up wondering why I'd agreed to do that. For Steve, the answer came to me right away. When he'd asked, I'd only been too happy to agree. But now, now, I wished I'd said no. I had to deal with Brian, Carmen, Steve and Debra.
Debra... I still can't understand why he was marrying her. I mean, okay, she's not the bimbo I thought she'd be. She's intelligent. And she seems to care about Steve. But she's so much into her looks. Yeah, her looks were her paycheck... but come on. I'm a performer and I know how important it is for women to look better than just good. We have to look incredible. But for her it's twenty-four hour job. She's turned Steve's house into a hall of mirrors. There's an average of four mirrors per room and I swear to God, she uses every one of them. She makes me feel self-conscious.
When I don't have any personal appearances, I slap moisturizer on my face and some lip balm and that's it. She comes to breakfast in heels and full make-up. The first morning, Brian, Carmen and I looked at her as if she was an alien. It was way too early for us to be exposed to that amount of make-up. And then, there's the masterpiece in the main living room above the mantle. It's a Warhol-like piece with pictures of Debra instead of Marilyn Monroe. It's awful but I swear to God, I walked in the living room one time and I caught her talking to it.
Her only saving grace is that she loves Steve. For that, I love her. For the rest, well, I just put up with the rest. I'm a good relative that way.
Tonight though, I'm going to let loose. It's the bachelor party. And since I'm the best person, I organized it. I know the guys expect me to have them sit around a fire and talk about their feelings but I'm going to shock them. After all, I am wild! The guys are going to pick us up at Steve's place, where Stacey, Debra's maid of honor, is having the wedding shower.
"So Danny," asked Debra for the nth time, "is there no way we can convince you to stay with us and enjoy the shower? I mean, a woman at a bachelor party... that's just unheard of."
"Well, considering I organized it, I don't see why I should cheat myself out of it."
"It's just not done," said Stacey with a wink, "unless you're planning to strip?"
"I haven't made up my mind about that yet," I said with a smile.
"Strip? Now Danny..."
"Relax Deb, Stacey and I were just joking. There's no way I'll strip for those guys."
"Do not call me Deb," she snapped at me. "It's so common."
"Sorry."
"Now, did you hire any strippers?"
"Of course I did."
"Oh dear," sighed Debra, wrinkling her nose, "I was hoping that this bachelor party would be tasteful."
"Honey," said Steve, coming into the kitchen with Carmen hanging around his neck, "if it's tasteful, it's guaranteed boredom."
"I got to agree with Steve on this one," added Brian, Steve's daughters tucked under his arms. "The less tasteful, the better."
"Oh please," joked Stacey, "as if your opinion matters. Anyhow, as long as Danny brings the men home tonight, it's all good with me."
"Are you sure you want us to bring back Jerry?" asked Brian, "cause I know there's a few of the boys who'd like..."
"Don't finish that sentence you hoodlum," said Stacey, shaking a roll of crepe paper at Brian, "I love my baby. I don't care what other people think."
Brian ran out of the kitchen screaming, Steve's daughters still tucked into his sides, as Stacey ran after him.

When I saw all the games Stacey and Debra had planned for the other ladies of the WWF and some of her friends, I was so happy to walk out of there, you wouldn't believe it. When Lexi, Jess and Joanie saw the rolls of toilet paper for the Toilet Paper Wedding Gown game, they begged me to take them along with me but that wasn't happening. I grinned at them and hopped into Steve's truck next to Brian. Tonight was my night for macho fun.
I'd rented out a hall for the occasion and I'd given the manager extra money so that he'd leave us alone. I had a large fridge filled with Steve's favorite beer, Coors Lite, and I had a couple of cooks preparing us a good old barbecue, with the kind of food we weren't allowed to have on the road, steaks, burgers, ribs, everything that was fat and greasy and that would ruin our athletes' bodies if taken in excess. It was incredible.
We were all having fun when Jerry Lawler and son started complaining about having a woman planning a bachelor party.
"What's wrong boys?" I asked.
"Where the hell are the strippers?" asked the youngest Lawler. "It ain't a real bachelor party without strippers!"
"Do the rest of you guys want strippers too?" I asked all around.
All I got were a few reluctant answers from the guys. And so I asked again, a mile-wide grin on my face. This time, the response was a lot more enthusiastic.
"Well, then boys, ask and you shall receive."
I walked over to a pair of doors and threw them open and about thirty strippers, one for each guy present, walked out. The cheers and jeers were all the thanks I needed. I knew the guys enough to know that they would only enjoy the show with their eyes, not with their hands or with any appendage I might be tempted to walk away with. Brian was the most shocked of all. I'd even gotten a stripper for him. I watched as he told the girl to give him a second and he hurried over to me.
"You got me one too?"
"Of course. It'd been kind of unfair if all you buds had one and you had no one."
"And you're okay with it?"
"Sure I am. Otherwise, I wouldn't have hired her. Now go. Enjoy yourself."
Brian walked back to his chair and his girl started to dance. The strippers had been working the room for a good three minutes when a cop appeared at the entrance. He looked very mad and went over to the DJ and had him cut the music.
"I have received numerous complaints about the noise," he said, "and I would advice all of you to keep it down otherwise I'm going to have to shut this party down."
"Uh, Officer," I said, "this is my cousin Steve's bachelor party and I went through a lot of trouble planning it. Couldn't you look the other way?"
"What did you have in mind?" he asked, looking me up and down.
"How's this?" I asked, waving around a fifty-dollar bill.
"Only if you put it right there!" he said with a smile, tearing away his pants to show off his shiny blue g-string.
The faux police officer led me back to my seat, next to Brian and proceeded to dance for me. My boyfriend looked at me strangely but then I nodded to his stripper. He shrugged, pecked my cheek and went back to appreciating the work of the young lady going all out for him.

The party ended fairly early, at around midnight. I'd fully expected it to last for another couple of hours. But the three of us piled up into Steve's pick-up truck and he led a long trail of rental cars back to his ranch to pick up the ladies from the shower. Once we got to the ranch, we found Jess, Lexi and Chyna out on the front smoking cigars and drinking wine.
"What's wrong girls?" I asked, hopping out of the truck.
"We can only do so much girly stuff," explained Lexi, "they wanted to give us makeovers."
"Oh... I'm so sorry I missed all the fun stuff."
Jess, Lexi and Chyna took off running after me in, swearing at me. And when I told them about my handsome male stripper, they threatened to hunt me down like a dog. I laughed my head off.

It was later that night... the last of Debra's guests had just left and the four of us were sitting out on the porch, enjoying the surprisingly warm night. I was comfortably nestled in Brian's arms and Debra and Steve stood together. We were all quiet, breathing in the peacefulness of the night. Finally, Debra decided to go inside to see what the kids were up to. Fifteen seconds, I heard a high-pitched scream that I recognized instantly.
"Momma!"
"Carmen!"
I rushed inside the house and I came to an abrupt stop when I saw Debra's talon-like nails digging into my little girl's upper arm as Carmen screamed her head off. But that's not what really stopped. She was getting ready to spank Carm.
"Get your hands off her right now!" I growled, snatching Carm out of her claws.
"That little bastard child needs to learn a lesson," screeched Debra.
"Daddy, Carm wasn't doing anything, I swear," said Steve's oldest daughter. "We were just playing!"
"What happened?" asked Steve.
"We were just playing in your room," explained Steve's youngest, "trying on Debra's make-up. She said it was okay!"
"And what was she doing trying on my shoes?" yelled Debra, pointing at Carmen who was crying in the crook of my shoulder. "She almost broke off a heel."
"Is that all?" I asked, "you were getting ready to spank my child over an almost broken heel?"
"She deserves it. That little hoyden shouldn't have been playing with my stuff!"
"You should never raise a hand to a child," I said softly, "ever... especially not my child."
"She deserved it."
"And you deserve this. Steve, you're going to have to find a new best person. There's no way in hell I'll stand by you while you marry that bitch!"
I walked out of that house with my head held high with Brian following me. I heard Steve and Debra's voices in the background, screaming. I hoped he'd tell that bitch off!

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