SMACKDOWN TAPING – TLC THIS SUNDAY

Kane sat in his locker room, feet kicked up on another steel chair as he watched Seth partake in a match. The contract signing was up next, and he was laying low around those in the backstage area, not wanting to let them know he was perfectly fine.

A quick knock on his door caused him to sigh and remove himself from his comfortable position, "Who is it?"

"It's Stephanie"

Kane smiled, his tensions easing at the mention of who it was, "Come in."

A second later Stephanie opened the door and stepped into the small locker room, a smile on her face as she saw Kane sitting in front of the small screen, watching Seth's match. Already clad in his suit and tie, she waltzed over taking a seat beside him. Studying his face, she noticed he had a calm facial expression, and she wondered what he was thinking about. However, she didn't want to worry him so she quickly pulled out the things he needed for tonight.

"Kane, time to put this on." She smiled hearing him groan in annoyance.

"Do I have to?"

"Yes, you have to. Like we both decided last week, you need to show them you're still hurt. You need them to believe you won't be able to perform up to your standards on Sunday. Plus, it's just for a couple of minutes."

He sighed, running a hand over his face, "Fine, just get it over with."

She giggled and unrolled some gauze padding for the "bruise" on his forehead. Tugging him forward until he was close enough she wrapped it around his head making sure it wasn't fit too tight. Sensing the closeness between them at their current positions, she couldn't help but stare into his blue eyes. She didn't realize he was leaning closer until their lips met and it was then she realized they had to be out for the contract signing within the next few minutes.

Nudging his chest, she weakly attempted to break the kiss, but he wasn't having any of that. To be honest, he and Stephanie hadn't done much 'couple' stuff since that one day in his office. But he promised himself he wouldn't do anything more until both of them were ready. Going to grab her to keep her from pushing at him, he was startled out of his trance when a knock on the door rang out, a worker calling out it was time for the main event. He finally backed off and stood up, mumbling a short apology to Stephanie. Extending his hand out, he felt her grasp it. Pulling her up, he suddenly felt as if they were missing something,

"Steph where are the contracts?

He was already being led out of his locker room by her without an answer to the question first, "Hunter has them. They're probably already out there waiting and set up."

A groan left his mouth at the mere thought of having to face Hunter and the rest of the Authority. After what happened on Monday, he had no clue what tricks they had up their sleeves this time around. Reaching the gorilla with her, he glanced at the monitor hanging beside the curtain. It was just Hunter and Seth out there at the moment, and Seth was, of course, sprawled out in the chair acting like his usual spoiled self. As his music hit, he and Stephanie walked out to a pretty loud pop, but it didn't last. While walking to the ring, Kane still wondered if he was to grab the belt this Sunday if he would be booed out of the building.

Cautiously approaching the steps, he paused as his eyes scanned around the ring, making sure he or Stephanie weren't about to get ambushed. When he didn't see anything out of the ordinary, he allowed Stephanie to head up into the ring as he followed behind. Feeling the icy glare coming from Hunter, he opted to busy himself with the contract sitting on the table placed in the ring.

Watching Kane and Stephanie stand there side by side irked Hunter to no end. To say he was feeling betrayed was much of an understatement, being Stephanie was supposed to be his, not Kane's. He and Seth had done some scheming, and it was decided that Kane would not be leaving TLC on his feet. TLC matches were no DQ, hence interference from the Authority would definitely be a part of the big plan.

Bringing the mic to his lips, he began to speak, "Kane. Seth. It's time for both of you to sign the contract for this Sunday. I don't want any funny business. Save it for TLC."

Heading to sign it, Kane wanted to get out as fast as possible. He didn't have a good feeling about this whole thing. Picking up the pen placed on the table, he bent down and scribbled his name on the line where he was assigned. Tossing the pen down, he backed up a bit and waited impatiently for Seth to sign. His eyes narrowed down onto Seth as his free arm slid under the table. Kane's eyes widened in realization that there was something under the table. His arm shot out to push Stephanie back as Seth flipped the table onto its side, and as the black cloth covering the table fell, it revealed an axe handle.

He turned his head to the side, seeing Stephanie had paled, "Go. I got this."

Looking at Kane apprehensively, she didn't want to leave him. She knew he was outnumbered already and with the weapon in hand he didn't have much of a chance.

"GO! Now!"

His voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and she quickly fled the ring. Out of the corner of his vision he saw Hunter lunging for him, and before he could move he felt a sharp pain go through his groin as he was nailed by Hunter's knee. Crying out in pain he was held back by Hunter as he was yanked over to face Seth, who was spinning the axe handle in his hands, cackling maniacally.

"Oh, Kane. You really messed up, buddy."

Kane watched in slow motion as Seth brought the weapon back behind him, aiming towards Kane's abdomen. Within seconds he flung his head back, cracking Hunter on the nose and he was released just as the wood struck Hunter. Hearing Hunter's own yelp of pain and seeing Seth's shocked face allowed Kane to slide out of the ring and he felt Stephanie wrapping her arms around him and tugging him up to the ramp.

Hunter was flailing about in blind fury. Blood was spewing freely out of his nostrils, staining his white shirt. Staggering to his feet he started screaming and heading towards the ropes to go after Kane. He was being held back by a pair of arms, and he turned his attention to Seth, "Hunter! Knock it off and save it for Sunday!" Turning towards the ramp, he saw red as Kane and Stephanie had their arms wrapped around each other, and they were backing up on the ramp.

Staring down at both Kane and Stephanie, he was putting an end to this come the conclusion of Sunday. He swore to himself that he would do anything in his power to get rid of both Stephanie and Kane.