"You should go see Mike for that." a voice broke through his thoughts. He tuned and there was his mother.
"I don't need to see Mike. I'm fine." he replied. Linda McMahon had been walking the halls in her usually routine and watched as her son had assaulted the innocent wall.
She was surprised that he had taken that path, as he was a normally calm person. She walked up to him wrapped her arm around his shoulder.
"Now I know why Willow is always hitting me. That's annoying," he muttered. Linda smiled at him as she ushered him down the aisle.
"I'm in over my head."
"What do you mean?" Linda asked with confusion evident on her face.
"I...I...ugh." Shane groaned as he tried to form the sentence. He knew what he wanted to say and how he wanted to say it. He was a very intelligent young man so for him to not be able to form a coherent sentence was a sign that his brain was working over time.
They entered a room and Vince sat at his laptop typing something. The elder McMahon looked up when his wife and son walked in. He gave Linda a loving smile and sent a questioning glance toward his son. Shane plopped down in the chair and groaned as he put his head in his hands. Vince looked at Linda who gave a smile and mouthed, 'Pup Pack'. Vince gave a slight nod of the head.
"Dad what do I do?" Shane asked as he finally looked up at his father, his mentor, his inspiration.
The elder man looked at the expression on his sons face, and his heart broke for the younger male. Shane's face held the look of failure, hurt, and what scared him most, defeat. McMahon's never admitted defeat.
"Shane I think what you should do is talk to them and get this all straightened out," he replied to his son s question.
"What if they don't want to talk to me? What if they think I am trying to tell them what to do?" Shane asked looking at Vince with desperation written all over his face.
It was times like this that the billionaire wanted nothing more then to hug his kids and hold them. He remembered the times he couldn't wait for Shane and Stephanie to learn to talk. Then when he wished that they would shut up, and when they reached their teen years he couldn't get them to talk to him half the time.
"Shane listen as long as you get it out in the open let them know you aren't trying to be bossy I'm sure they will listen to you. IF that fails lock the door and block it until they do." Linda said with a hint of humor in her voice. The two men chuckled at the idea of locking the group in a room.
"Can I ask you something?" he asked.
"Sure." was his mother s reply.
He looked up and sighed. "Do you think I m overreacting about all of this?"
Vince cleared his throat. "Well...yes." he replied. The look on Shane's face showed a mixture of fear, and frustration. The younger man nodded and left.
Shane McMahon was not one to admit defeat easily. He walked down the to the locker room that his friends were in. He knew that it was the start of a new way of thinking for him. He knew that he would have to swallow his pride and apologize for the whole thing that was in all reality his idea. He had talked his parents into the plan, and he had rallied David up to pull him in like a shark to blood.
His trip was short. He stood out side the locker room. Running his hand through his hair he let out a deep breath. He couldn't believe that he was about to beg to be let into a group that he started. Pushing open the door he walked in to the room.
"Hey big brother." Stephanie said from her seat next to Willow.
Randy looked over at Shane and grinned. "So are you done pouting or do you need another...year or two?"
He received a glare in return, which was soon forgotten when he groaned and picked up the offend book that had hit him in the stomach. The owner of the copy of Harry Potter was grinning. Willow was holding in laughter.
"Geez preggo a few more inches to the south and there would be no loving for Buffs tonight." he said, without thinking.
Eight pairs of eyes turned to the young man, seven quirked and one wide in horror. Willows shout brought them all out of their trances though.
"Randy Keith Orton you take that back this instant. How dare you make up lies about her," the redhead grounded out through clenched teeth.
John was having a hard time holding Faith back who was trying to tear out Randy's eyes.
"Let me go John I'm gonna kill him. No one starts rumors about my sister," the angry Bostonian snarled.
"He isn't lying, guys." Buffy muttered looking at her feet. Randy reached over and tugged the blonde into his arms.
"We've been dating for almost a year." Randy muttered.
"You've been getting your naughty on with the legend killer and never said anything?" Faith asked in awe.
"We know we shouldn't date with our circle of friends, but I love her." Randy said kissing the top of Buffy's head.
"Aw." Stephanie sighed as she watched the exchange.
"I say go for it none of us have ever really follow the rules anyway." David spoke as he caught Shane's eye.
He knew it was going to be the guys to talk the elder McMahon sibling into joining the group.
"Hurt her and I will beat you to death with a shovel." Willow voiced her opinion.
Buffy had been waiting for that and she rushed to the redhead. The eldest slayer had felt eager to have the redhead s approval; she figured it was because Randy was her friend first.
"If I hurt her I will BUY the shovel for you." Randy said as Buffy giggled and leapt into his arms.
"Well that went good." Faith said as she settled against John.
Which didn't go unnoticed by Shane. He knew he shouldn't it was too easy but he had to.
"So Faith what are you doing tonight?" he asked walking up beside her and slinging an arm over her shoulder.
Behind Shane John was confused, and a little mad.
"UH..." Faith uttered looking at the McMahon son.
Homie, I know you ain't hitting on my girl." John said as he lightly stepped between the two. He wrapped his arm around Faith and turned to Shane who was grinned like the cat that ate the canary.
"Your what?" Willow asked in shock, staring at the two street-smart people.
Buffy grinned and looked at Faith, "And you had the nerve to make fun of me. I'm telling Giles and Jenny."
Faith rolled her eyes at the thought of Buffy telling her adoptive parents that she was seeing John.
"John."
"Yes Willow."
"Hurt her and..."
"I know you'll beat me with a shovel." he finished for her. She was shaking her head though.
"No I will sic Kevin on you."
"Wait I get threatened with a shovel and he gets threatened with Kevin? How s that fair?" Randy asked a bit upset.
"I want to know how Shane knew when I didn't even know." Stephanie said as she pouted. She prided herself on knowing almost everything that went on around her.
"While he was making a run of the hotel floor one night I was coming out of John s room." Faith said now as red as Buffy had been moments before.
"OK. You've fallen asleep in there before though, shoot we all have." Willow said confused.
"I was wrapped in a sheet," she muttered.
"Oh. OH!" they all exclaimed.
"So I am the only one here not making with the loving? That just... bites" Stephanie said folding her arms over her chest pouting.
"UH no you aren't." Willow said as she gave the other women a smile.
"I second that." David said as sat the bench next to Willow.
"Third it." Brian said from his spot.
"Forth it." Shane piped up as he sat next to Willow.
The somber mood soon faded as Stephanie looked to her brother. None of them knew what he was doing there, they had a feeling why he was there but still they were curious.
"Hey Shane-O?" David spoke up from next to Randy who was hugging Buffy from behind.
Shane looked at the blonde man with a question in his eyes.
"What are you doing here?" David asked leveling his gaze at the elder man.
Shane glanced at all the pup pack members and cleared his throat. This was something he had to do. He wasn't looking forward to it but it was some thing that had to be done.
"I'm sorry. I admit I have been a bit...hasty in my actions lately. I'm just wondering why it is we are always fighting...or rather you are always biting my head off," he said as he looked to the pregnant girl next to him.
Willow turned and faced him. "I hate being told what to do if you had just asked me I probably would have agreed."
Shane felt like smacking his head. He should have known that. He asked them if he could join the group. After a short meeting in the shower area they came out and welcomed him to the group. *****************
The next week went by pretty fast for the members of the Pup Pack, Shawn's mother had paid them all a surprise visit and dropped off a few boxes for Willow. Little things that her parents had stashed in her attic.
Shawn had flipped when he saw his mom, he was bouncing around her like a little school kid saying, Momma momma, which got on Undertaker s nerves so badly he picked Shawn up and forced him down in the seat next to Becca. Several members of the roster helped the redhead sort through the things.
So Monday finally arrived and the group was in the ring with the rest of the roster to talk to the fans about how there was going to be a new attitude in the company and with the stars.
Willow stood between Steph and Shane, her usual spot, when Earl Hebner came out and motioned his son to him. Brian went to his dad and was surprised when Fred came out. Willow grinned when the two hugged; the young ref and the little Texan had made plans to go out after the show.
"Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome a member of the Angel Investigations team Winifred 'Fred' Burkle. Who looks to be blushing," Vince announced, as he chuckled when Fred buried her head in Brain s chest.
"Brian, are you dating the brain of the A.I. gang?" Scott asked trying to embarrass the girl even more.
"Leave her alone. Fred, come here girl." Buffy said as she motioned for her friend to join them in the ring.
Fred joined the Pup pack in the ring and gave each Buffy, Faith and Willow hugs.
As Vince was about to continue four figures appeared at the top of the ramp. The four men glared down at the people gathered in the ring.
Confusion was evident on the faces of most of the superstars faces. Willow leaned over to Buffy.
"I know three of them. Demon Don, jerk Joey, and poop head Parker. Who's the other?"
"Little Leeroy." Faith said shuddering.
"What are you doing here? I believe it is called trespassing." Vince said as he stared at the four men.
"Oh don't worry we just wanted to drop some things off for America's princesses, Steph, Will." Don said as he and Joey held papers out toward the ring.
One of the backstage attendants went and grabbed them from the two men and after looking the four men over he made his way to the ring.
"You know, I am a bit surprised that you are standing in the ring with her Willow. I mean, not many people can stand that close to a killer." Joey said staring down at the ring, mainly at the two women hugging in the middle of the ring.
Confusion was evident on a lot of people s faces as the crowd started to mummer. Who was a killer? What was he talking about? Why was Joey tormenting one of his friend s sisters?
In the ring John and Randy were holding Buffy and Faith tight. Linda was standing in the corner trying to piece together what she was hearing and Vince was questioning his son.
"Shane what is he talking about? Why is Joey talking about a killer? WHO'S a killer?"
Shane looked to his father and back up the ramp. He didn't know who Joey was talking about but he had a really bad feeling about whom it was. Looking to his right he saw David being held back by his dad Ric. The backstage hand finally reached the ring and handed the papers over to the two girls who were to busy glaring at their exes to read what they said.
"Did you really think I wouldn't find out? I mean did you really think you were more important that you couldn't go through with it. Do you really think you are any more important then Willow?
Willow could feel Stephanie stiffen as Joey s words rang through the air. Willow herself was alternating glaring at the four men. She only knew two of them personally but friendship made her feel like the other two deserved just as much pain as Don and Joey.
"I mean really STEPHY how do you think I felt when I found out you killed my child." Joey ground out through clinched teeth.
The whole arena went quite. There was no way that what he was saying was true. Linda walked to her daughter and just as her hand touched Stephanie's shoulder, Stephanie jerked away and went to the coroner. Her head was down, hair was covering her face, cowering in the corner like a scared little girl, and for that moment she was.
"Get out! SECURITY get these piece's of crap out of here!" roared Vince as he held his son back. Shane was fighting a loosing battle at wanting to beat the living daylights out of his ex best friend and comforting his sister.
"Oh and Annie?" Don said as the security team stepped out on the stage to haul them away. Willow looked over to him from watching Stephanie. "If I were you I wouldn't be worrying about poor murdering Stephanie and I'd read what is in your hands."
Parker and Leeroy spent the whole time leering at Buffy and Faith while making obscene gestures and fascicle expressions. With their piece said the four men walked out of the silent arena.
The only sounds that could be heard were shouts from the backstage area and Stephanie's crying.
"Lets get her backstage to the office." Vince told Linda.
The two concerned parents reached for their youngest child only to have her screech and jerk away violently. Linda tried to explain to her that they knew it wasn't true and that she would never do that. Vince reached down and picked up the papers his daughter had thrown to the mat and paled as he read the words that were printed on the page.
"I couldn't do it," came the quite whisper from the sobbing girl.
Shawn had climbed in the ring and was trying to pull the papers from the redhead who had an amazingly tight grip on them. She had rolled them up so they weren't tearing.
"Would you let go?" He whispered to her.
"No. Look Steph needs more support then me leave them alone for now." Willow whispered back at him. After seeing her face he knew when to leave well enough alone.
"Steph. Look we all know Joey is full of hot air." Linda said trying to hug her daughter once more.
No one was prepared for the anguished woman to turn around and shout for the whole arena to hear.
"IT'S TRUE!"
Linda stood frozen in the ring, horror filled eyes on Stephanie. Everyone at ringside stood watching the anguish on the young billionaires face.
"I couldn't do it! I couldn't do what you are doing Will. I wasn't as strong as you. So yeah I guess that does make you better then me, go ahead live it up because I did something you never even thought about. Go ahead look at me like I am the world s worst person. Like you loathe me because I know you do. It didn't even cross your mind to take that path and I reckon that does make you better then me. I...I...I killed my child!" She shouted as her body was wracked with sobs as she slumped to the mat and lay there crying.
A hurtful sob left Linda as she embraced her husband. Vince comforted his wife but kept his eyes on the figure of his little girl. He then announced that the show would go on and they would have a meeting at the hotel after the show. Stephanie let a few of the backstage hands help her to the locker room where she locked herself in.
Hours later the WWE superstars were gathered in the conference room of the hotel. Stephanie was huddled in the corner letting Linda rock her back in forth.
"OK I know none of this is any of your problems but..." Vince started but was interrupted when Kane stood up.
"With all due respect boss man, but I think we have already proved in this company if one of us has a problem we all have a problem. We are a family, and now we deal with one of our owns pain."
"Well uh that's your opinion Kane but I thank you for it. Anyone else have anything to say on the matter?"
"I knew it." Shane whispered to himself. Not seeing every ones heads jerked toward him. David's eyes were filled with anger.
"What do you mean you knew it?" The young blonde demanded of his friend.
"Well I didn't KNOW, know but I was suspicious of it. I... had a feeling." He elaborated.
"Ok so not only have they humiliated them now they want to ruin Steph." Randy said, as he held tighter to Buffy.
"Steph?"
The crying brunette looked up at the sound of her name and came face to face with Willow's green understanding eyes. At the look on the redhead s face she tilted her head as if to try to detect what the other girl s stare was all about.
"You were wrong," came the reply to the unspoken question.
The impact of the statement made the older woman hang her head in shame.
"I'm not talking about you being wrong on having the procedure. I mean you were wrong when you said you weren't stronger then me, because the way I see it. You are gonna have to live with that for the rest of your life, and that is a lot harder then raising a child. You will always wonder what your kid would have been like, or how they would have looked. You are a heck of a lot stronger then me. You know... you re wrong on something else."
Stephanie whipped her eyes and gave Willow a funny look.
"I did...still do...think about it. After the doctor told me I was pregnant that was the first thought in my head. The only difference...my conscious had the gosh forsaken voice of Uncle Shawn, and well it's really hard to ignore his big mouth."
The gasp heard through the room was also accompanied by glances at the Michaels. Everyone knew that it was against their religion and ethics so when one of their own admitted something of that nature then it was cause for worry.
Stephanie bolted from her chair and latched on to the redhead. The two shared a hug as Shawn hugged Becca.
"I do not have a big mouth young lady. I will so ground you for that," he replied as he realized what she had said about him.
Willow looked over to him and her eyes shown with mischief. "Yes you do. We could take a vote on if you want, see what the fans think."
The giggle started and couldn't stop as Stephanie laughed for the first time in three hours.
"OH what did the papers they gave you say?" Faith asked in curiously.
Willow shared a look with Shawn and Becca. They had read the papers when they had gotten back to the locker room and to say that the Heartbreak family was not worried was wrong.
"Well...Don'ssueingforcustody." she gushed out.
"Say what?" Steve Austin asked from one side of the room.
"He's suing for custody." Shawn said as the room once again filled with silence.
"He's not gonna win." Shane growled through clenched teeth drawing every ones attention.
"Shane..."
"OH hell no, he ain't gonna win cause we McMahon's have the best lawyers money can buy...well they aren't Johnny Cochran but he s dead so I don't think we can get him. You just leave it to me I will have the best there is on this case." Shane said stubbornly reaching for his phone.
Willow looked at Stephanie and rolled her eyes. Buffy and Faith looked to their boyfriends. Willow walked up to Shane as he started yelling at the person on the other end that he didn't care if they would have to wake the person up. She grabbed the phone and told them that she was sorry and that she would make sure that he would call at a more convenient time. Shane's look bewilderment was the funniest thing she had seen in months.
"What'd you do that for? I was getting help," he demanded of her.
She leveled her gaze at him and put her hands on her hips.
"Didn't we have this talk before? This is MY child I will deal with whatever he has to throw at me. You need to stop taking over my responsibilities." She replied looking up into his brown eyes.
After letting out a frustrated sigh he stormed to the door, turned and looked at her and said, "Fine but don't come crying to me when the judge gives him custody because your lawyer was a inexperienced bonehead."
After he left Willow looked to Stephanie who held out her arms to her and Buffy.
"I feel the need for a gallon of rocky road ice cream." Buffy reached over and yanked Faith to them and they left the rest of the roster in stunned silence.
It was ten minutes after the four girls had departed when Matt spoke up. "Does anyone else think that those two need to just go to Vegas and get it over with?"
A giggle escaped Fred, Brian looked at her with a questioning stare.
"Man we have been waiting years for those two to get it together." Kevin replied diverting attention from the small Texan girl to himself.
"Well you all have my vote to lock them in a closet together." Scott piped up.
A snort came from the front of the room. Everyone looked at their boss whose eyes were shinning with the famous McMahon mischief that they all knew and, most of the time, feared.
"That gives me a really bad idea." The chairman of the company spoke up.
"OH no you can't do ANYTHING to them Vince." Linda buffered.
"Why not." he asked looking at the love of his life.
To his shock she had a smirk on her face that would reveal his own. "Cause she would eat him alive."