(OK you all know the usual disclaimers I do not own anyone in this story except Jade Lindsay & now Jessie. Please I welcome if not LOVE reviews.)

March 29, 2008

Jade was woken up by her phone ringing. Her eye opening & her muscles protesting their movement she looked at the number before answering. Over the last two days she lost track of how many times Paul had called her to try to apologies…or at least she guessed that is what he wanted as she never answered his calls. She gave a tiny smile to herself when she answered it.
"Hey Punk…. I'm ok….really I am ok….damn it started already?…remind me to thank him later…yeah locker room justice…Well you would need to get a hold of either him or my brother…yes I said my brother…I decided to try to give them more of a shot…I am still thinking that over…well for one I need a new dress if I do go. Plus I don't know if I can handle sitting right next to him for how long even if I am pretty sure Shane will be right on the other side of me…yeah catch you later." She hung up the phone a sigh on her lips looking up at the ceiling. She had not seen the outside of that room in two days well more like three if you include the day of the attack. She slowly rolled herself to move to sit on the edge of the bed. She moved her feet to the floor slowly standing awaiting the on coming pain. A sigh of relief when it was not as bad she feared. Oh there was still pain, but it was tolerable. She went to take the few steps needed around the bed to the dresser pulling out a pair of white linen pants & short sleeved blue blouse. She was back by the bed when she heard a familiar tapping on the door right before it opened with her brother calling in.

"You wake sleepy?"
"Hey Grumpy, getting changed be right out."
"Grumpy is Mark…hold on…out?" He & Risa stepped in staying in the sitting area.
"Yes out…and I forgot your Dopey then right?" She finished the buttons of the blouse moving from behind the privacy screen. "Tada."
"Wow…grats sis." Shane gave a true smile that made her return one. "Oh you have a visitor…I made him stay in the hall till you said ok."
"Punk?"
"Yeah."
"Yes please." Shane nodded the smile still on his face as he moved to the door opening it. She watched as Punk walked in looking her over. She started to walk over towards them then stopped holding a railing that separated the sitting area from the bed area.
Shane's smile turned to concern moving over offering an arm. "Hey take it easy still ok?"
"I did…remember the last two days I only saw the bed & the tub. If I can't walk how am I suppose to go tonight or perform tomorrow?"
"You don't need to, we can find away around them." She took a hold of his arm & he offered her support to the couch. To his surprise she didn't lean as heavily as he thought she may have.

She couldn't help but see the worried look on Punk's face. "I'll be fine…we work injured all the time right?"
"Yeah, when the injuries are from the ring itself."
"It will be ok…I just need to push myself through it. Tonight, tomorrow, Monday…by then hopefully I will hardly feel it. The shoulders are mostly ok already. The shins are harder, but I can make it promise. I will need a new dress for tonight though, my current selection is strapless. So I will ether need a new dress or a shrug to go with it. Also flats, I don't know if I could handle heels tonight or for Mania. I hope that won't wreck my illusion too much."
"I doubt anyone will notice, and if they do just make it one of the little changes you make to Steph prior to your discovery." Commented Shane before taking a seat in a chair, Punk took the other one after Risa moved to sit on the couch with Jade. "Now how about I order you some breakfast then we can discuss a new dress & arrangements for the night?"
"Sounds great."

After she ate they talked a little more before she headed out with Shane & Risa to get her new dress & few pairs of flats. Punk returned to his room taken back by her determination to do her job. He could see the pain she was trying to hide from her brother & his wife. It was the same pain he had seen himself in the mirror time & time again over the years. The pain the business can cause the body, the same pain that others would like to curl up over & shove something down their throats just to push it away. Then again how did he know she wasn't? Just because she didn't drink didn't mean she wasn't taking something for the pain. What business was it of his? He said he would never judge, he never wished girls he liked to change because of him. Plus even if he was strict on himself he knew other 'Strait Edgers' that still took drugs when it was needed such as pain & illness. He got in the habit of not doing so unless it was nearly forced on him. You know antibiotics, vaccines things that helped the public he performed for, but not something that was to just 'make it easier' for him. Later on that day when he came across the other ECW guys or just about anyone else he as discreetly passed on Taker's edict that Hunter was to be given no mercy when he was faced. He really made sure word got to Randy & Cena as they were facing him the next night.

Later that night Jade was finishing up her hair when there was a knock on her door she slowly made her way over already wearing the silver dress flats that went nicely with the floor length flowing gown done in teal blue & white. The area above the bodice was flesh colored with rhinestones.
"Who is it?"
"Shane." She opened the door with a smile. "Nice…ready for your first act?"
"Yep…just hope I can do it."
"you'll be fine come on & lets grab him."
"Oh I would like to grab him already."
"Remember your manners sis."
"I know." They headed out of the hotel with Risa & headed over to Paul's bus knocking for him. He stepped out in his suit looking her over.
"You look stunning. Plea…"
"Shhh not a word about it Hunter." She spoke with almost venom not much unlike the woman she was suppose to be, but in this case it was not an act. "Mom & dad do not know…nor do we plan on letting them know. So not a word once their limo shows up. Got it?"
"Yeah...I got it."
"Also remember if you even think of touching me tonight don't be shocked it I try to knock you out later."
Paul tried not to gulp. "Are you really in that much pain?"
"Yes." Even that one word sounded seething.
"I think it best you two talk as little as possible tonight." Commented Shane right before the limo pulled up with Vince rolling down the window asking them if they were coming.

When they turned to head to the car the driver got out opening the door for them. Shane & Risa entered first then Jade & Paul last. They had already planned that Jade would end up next to their parents. Of course on the ride to the theater work came up. Jade kept up the facade the best she could claiming it was going ok, just that maybe there was too much closeness after a while. When the question of how much longer this was going to play out for she was trying to hid her feelings when she was told maybe four more months. Shane had told her one. She shoot him a look across the car which he quickly spoke up.
"Dad don't you think almost half a year may begin to be hard? Be lucky nobody has asked yet. How much longer do you really think we can keep the guys in the dark."
"With Paul, Mark & now Randy's help as long as we can. Steph is not in any condition to be on camera…well more so travel right now to wrap it."
"Ok dad…ok." He tried to hid his apologetic look he so wished to convey to Jade who just lightly nodded.

Rest of the night was without incident during the HOF ceremony itself. Getting back to the hotel they all headed inside Paul headed to the bar for a while getting sick of the confines of the bus while Shane & Risa dropped Jade back at her room. Shane was in the process of changing just getting out of his tie & undoing his shirt when there was a knock on the door. He walked over to see who it was this late. He tried to hide his concern seeing it was his father alone. He asked for a few quick minutes. Shutting the door he quickly got changed into something more comfortable as did Risa. He handed her the key to Jade's room asking her to go keep her company pretty sure all that moving she may need another one of her soaks anyways. She agreed kissing Shane before heading into the hall past Vince & down towards Jade's. Vince walked into the room his eyes with determination as he shut the door.

"OK son, why you push to wrap Jade's angle? She not hanging well off screen?"
"It's not that dad. She is doing great. Like I said hardly anyone is asking anything."
"Then what is it?" Shane shook his head looking down. "Shane what has she done?"
"Her nothing wrong…well…"
"Shane!" He lifted his head looking at Vince.
"I think Paul may be juicing again."
Vince sighed closing his eyes. "Why?"
"Dad I can't…"
"Which of them made you promise?"
"She did…"
"Anything like with Steph?"
Shane gave a almost defeated sigh "Yeah.."
"When? She looked fine tonight & she was just on camera what…six days ago?"
"Three days, please dad she can't know I told you anything. I am concerned for her if I am right about this. You know how he used to be."
"Yeah Shane I know. I thought we got him away from that junk."
"I don't know & since he is on the pills for his quad injuries it will be hard to test if we even try. For now he is not being left alone with her until she says so."
"OK Good…I'll see what we can work out. Don't worry for now I won't talk to her."
"Thanks dad."
"Night Shane."
"Night." He walked Vince out before calling down to Risa letting her know she could come back when she was ready.