Title: Sweet Misery
Author: Felicia (The Angel)
Genre: Romance/Drama
Rating: R for mature themes and language
Summary: An unfortunate accident sends Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley into the arms of a very unlikely source. That unlikely source happens to be Chris Jericho.
A/N: This is inspired by Michelle Branch's song, "Sweet Misery." I hear the song, and I think it fits CJ/SMH perfectly. And, ta da! Here we are with another hopeless story of mine… Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Vince McMahon owns the WWF and the Alliance. WWFE owns the names of the characters, and Michelle Branch owns "Sweet Misery."
Dedication: This story is dedicated to TraceAce, Sassy Lil Scorpio, and Digital Tempest. Love ya guys!
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// I was lost
And you were found
You seemed to stand on
Solid ground
I was weak
And you were strong
And me and my heart we were strung along, oh
Sweet misery you caused me
That's what you called me
I was blind
And oh, how you can see
You saw the beauty in everything
Everything and me
I would cry
And you would smile
You'd stay with me
A little while
Sweet misery you caused me
That's what you called me
Sweet misery you caused me
And in my heart I see
Oh, just what you're doing to me
And in my heart I see
Oh just how you wanted it to be
Sweet misery
I was weak
And you were strong
And me and my heart we were strung along, oh //
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"Cancer? What do you mean, cancer?" Stephanie McMahon Helmsley cocked her head to the side and shook it in disbelief. "What are you talking about, Dr. Hemarson?" She asked, her voice was rising. Dr. Marie Hemarson frowned.
She clipped a board to a light screen. "I am sorry, Mrs. Helmsley, but your husband has been diagnosed with lung cancer." Stephanie felt the hot tears glisten in her eyes as she still shook her head. In no way did she want to believe what this doctor was telling her.
"How long does he have—you know?" Stephanie sputtered, peeking out the door into the waiting room. Her husband sat there, flipping through a magazine. The mere sight of him brought more tears to her eyes. Dr. Hemarson jotted something down on her loose leaf and swiftly put the pencil behind her ear.
She brought a hand to Stephanie's shoulder and squeezed it gently. "A year, give or take a few months." Stephanie trembled. "No." She whispered. "It's not happening." Dr. Hemarson bit her lip in pity. "I am so sorry." She whispered.
Stephanie nodded and thanked the doctor for her sympathy. Then she approached Hunter. How was she ever going to tell him what was wrong? "Hi!" Hunter said brightly as he saw his wife enter the waiting room. He smiled to her, and then frowned at the tears. "What's the matter?" He rocked her slowly.
"Come with me." She murmured. She took him by the hand and led him back into the doctor's office. Hunter scratched his head and nodded. Stephanie pushed open the door gently with the toe of her sandals. She took a seat on the swivel chair and indicated for Hunter to sit on the table.
Dr. Hemarson entered the room again. "Mr. Helmsley, after all of the tests we have done, we have bad news." Her lip trembled. Hunter shot a glance to Stephanie, who was distraught now. She was picking at her nail, all the color drained from her face. She rocked back and forth, trying to get away from it all.
"Bad news?" Hunter repeated. Dr. Hemarson clipped the same board to the same light screen. "If you see here," She pointed. "There's a large discolored cell, and it's malfunctioning. Mr. Helmsley, this cell has traveled to your lungs. And it's cancerous."
Hunter gripped the edge of the table. "I-I have lung cancer?" He sputtered in disbelief. Dr. Hemarson nodded. "This is the hardest part of my job." Hunter slid off of the table and into Stephanie's arms.
The couple held each other, crying softly.