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"…which brings us to our next topic of discussion, ladies and gentleman—" Victoria listened to the ramblings of an aspiring news reporter, turned round table discussion moderator, while watching the scenery pass her by. She and Chris had gotten stuck in stop-and-go road construction traffic. It had been quite fun exchanging flirtatious banter in the back of the very nicely appointed limo, until Chris leaned in to actually kiss her—for JUST as the driver slammed on the brakes. This of course, knocked Chris off balance, sending him barreling straight into her chest.
Victoria slowly turned her head and eyed the man sitting inches away from her. Chris smiled oh so very sweetly in reply. Victoria rolled her eyes and returned to watching the nearest palm tree. Chris sure as hell took his time righting himself after that tumble. Paragon of Virtue, my ass.
"Yet another scandal has hit World Wrestling Entertainment—"
Victoria sensed that Chris was going for the control to the TV. "Do it, and word of your Hello Kitty boxers will mysteriously get out…."
Chris smirked. "So you noticed those, did ya?" He snickered as he saw the flush on Victoria's cheeks.
"….a company that has been plagued with scandals and misfortunes in recent months. As I'm sure you've all heard—former WWE Superstar and Hall of Famer Bret Hart is publicly alleging that no other than WWE Chairman Vince McMahon fathered a child by one of his sisters--which leads us all to beg the question: Is this real? Or is it another one of McMahon's ill-conceived publicity stunts? Before we go to commercial break, I'd like to invite you to cast your vote—the instructions are on the screen. When we come back…the discussion—and the shocking, new revelations in this on-going saga…"
Victoria shook her head. A flash of light caught her eye. She stared at Chris, agape. "What in the hell are you doing?"
Chris, with all the innocence of a child, looked away from his mobile phone—to her, and shrugged. He cocked his head to one eye and studied his phone thoughtfully, stroking his chin. "I was going to vote for number one…but I don't know. Vince has done some pretty weird shit over the years…"
Victoria blinked, still agape. She was shocked. Was Christopher…HER Christopher seriously going to vote on whether or not Vince McMahon is really her father, on the way to the Hall of Fame festivities? Chris was eyeing her as if he were going to buy a car. "You are sooooo not right. There is something wrong in that head of yours." Victoria folded her arms over her chest and shook her head. Loretta, Chris' mother was going to have a FIT when she heard about her Son's latest escapade.
Christopher was still pretending to be very serious about the voting issue. Now that he knew he had gotten under Victoria's skin, he wasn't about to give up. "Do me a favor, pleaaaase?" Chris pouted, running a couple fingers up and down her bare arm.
Cheater. Victoria bit on her lip. "It depends."
"Say it. Just once?"
Oh Lord, now he's batting his eyelashes at ME. Victoria smiled, reaching over and tucking a strand of Christopher's hair so that it was back in its proper place. "Once again…it depends." Victoria felt herself unable to pull her hand back, finding herself happily engaged in the task of playing with the ends of Christopher's short hair—conveniently located right behind his ear. Chris grinned like a fool. Poor baby. If I didn't know how much you want me to kiss you right now…I just might actually have to do it.
"Plllllleeeeeeeeease?" Chris whimpered, laying his head on Victoria's shoulder.
Victoria sighed, putting her arm around him. She wouldn't have given him the satisfaction, but Chris' sheer physical size, and the fact that her arm was pinned between them, made sitting there more than uncomfortable. Chris whimpered again, and Victoria found herself rubbing his shoulder and….consoling him? "Oh please, Christopher!" Victoria was disgusted with herself. Chris had managed to play her—again! In less than TEN minutes! Victoria could feel Chris grinning against her skin. How the hell had he worked his way down to her lower shoulder? You'd better not try it, oh mighty Paragon….
"Ooooh…sparkly!" Victoria could feel Chris's head start to slowly slide down—even further.
"Oh helll no…." Victoria reached around his shoulders and pinched his ear. "Perv."
"Owww!" Chris immediately jumped back and began rubbing the offended earlobe.
"What exactly would your mother say if she knew what you were up to, Christopher?" Victoria cocked her head, this time; her arms were firmly planted over her chest.
She'd say it was about time—and that she didn't care as long as she got some grandkids out of it. Chris smiled innocently. "Really, Bunny. You know me." Chris placed a hand over his heart, dramatically. "It kills me that you would think I'm capable of anything other than the most gentlemanly like behavior…"
"You're full of it, Jericho." Victoria rolled her eyes.
"Please, Bunny. Allow me to make it up to you." Chris grabbed a hold of one of Victoria's hands, and, taking it in his own, pressed a very nice kiss to the back of it.
Victoria couldn't help but to smile sweetly at the gesture. Encouraged by this fact, Chris leaned over, quickly placing a sweet kiss on her lips.
"…as if that's going to make me forget…" Victoria scoffed, very softly, not moving an inch.
"….mmm…." Chris tilted his head and studied Victoria's eyes. "I might be able to do something about that, actually." He replied in the same soft tone Victoria had used on him.
Victoria closed her eyes. Feeling his lips on her own was almost more than her overworked senses could bear. She sighed softly, when he pulled away slightly. Not wanting more than anything else in the world, for this moment to end, she pressed closer to Chris, kissing him back with a vengeance. Smiling, she was the one to pull away this time. "Rum, Chris?" After tasting the rum on his lips, Victoria decided it had become her drink of choice.
Chris looked at Victoria, blinking. He had to have been in some alcohol-induced stupor. These were things of which HIS Bunny knew nothing about. Bunny never even acted like she did. Bunny was a GOOD girl. Bunny didn't even like to watch movies that were on the risqué side. Bunny didn't…. The conclusion was clear. This was not HIS Bunny. Where the hell was HIS Bunny?
Satisfied with his reaction, Victoria smirked and leaned back into her own seat. It was quite obvious that Christopher had not seen that one coming—which made the stunned expression on his face even that much more gratifying. Victoria snickered as Chris leaned back in HIS seat, eyeing her as if he didn't trust her. "What?" She asked innocently.
Chris folded his arms over his chest and studied her. "Like you don't know…"
Victoria was confused. He kissed HER, she returned the kiss. Isn't that how it was supposed to go? "Know….what, Chrissyfer?"
Chris snorted. He hated it when she used that name—which, come to think of it, was probably the exact reason she used it. "And to think—all those years I thought Stephanie was the absolute worst your family had to offer." He smiled, stealing yet another quick kiss.
"Chris, really. That isn't funny—" Victoria wrinkled her nose at the sound of someone knocking on the window.
Chris was genuinely surprised. He had noticed the knocking before she had. Ignoring it, he assumed it was Victoria herself—messing around.
It happened again. Chris and Victoria exchanged incredulous glances.
"Like I'd have to knock when I'm already in the back of the limo with you." Chris scoffed, trying to discern exactly where the noise was coming from.
"I swear—if it's another one of your crazy fans like that time in Boston—" Victoria pulled her wrap around her shoulders.
Chris snickered. "You'll love me anyways." He smiled at Victoria adoringly.
"Psh. In your dreams." Victoria rolled her eyes.
Chris could have said something, but decided against it. The knocking, as luck would have it, was emanating from the window on his side of the limo. Therefore, it was incumbent upon him to deal with it. "Who is the assclown who dares to disturb me? Don't you know I'm important, man? I'm the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla, the King of Bling Bling…."
Victoria rubbed her head.
A WWE security person stuck their head inside the limo, nearly causing Chris to jump in Victoria's lap. "Ewwww God…get OFF!" Victoria forcefully shoved Chris away.
She won't be saying that—for long. Chris smiled with all the innocence of an angel before righting himself—yet again.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Mr—" The WWE official looked puzzled, unsure of how to address Jericho.
Chris opened his mouth to start spewing his own list of titles and Victoria quickly clapped a hand over it.
The official smiled. "Thank you, Miss—" The guard looked puzzled, once again.
Victoria smiled reassuringly, still holding her hand over Christopher's mouth. "Just pick one…."
The offical's brow furrowed. "Miss…Har-- Miss Hart-McMahon."
Chris started to snicker and Victoria jabbed him in the side with her free hand.
"The reason we stopped you is because…well…the family is making their way into the building out front. We'd like to bring you in the back entrance."
Victoria's hand fell to Chris' forearm. Sneak me in is more like it. Victoria was taken aback by the official's directive. Stalling for time, she brushed a piece of lint off her dress.
Chris shook his head. "No."
The forcefulness of his tone of voice caused Victoria to jump in her seat.
"I'm sorry?" The official looked a bit worried. "But I'm under direct order—"
"Look, Junior. I really don't care what your orders are, or who they came from. We--" Chris snaked an arm around Victoria and pulled her to him. "The only way—"
"Chris look…it's not—" Victoria tried to plead with Chris, but he was having absolutely none of it.
"We…and I do mean we do not sneak in the back door." Victoria knew, by the look he was giving her, that she wouldn't win this argument. Chris pushed the button to raise the window back up, nearly catching the official's head in the process, and snickered when the official had to jump back from getting his foot run over.
Victoria studied her lap and played with her nails anxiously. The family. No one had to tell her who they were referring to. Nothing had changed. Not a damned thing. Victoria shook her head.
"Coooome on….tell Chrissy what's wrong…" Chris tried to coo to Victoria, despite knowing damn well what was on her mind. Victoria shook her head. Chris tickled that spot on her neck—it NEVER failed. Without looking up at him, Victoria pushed him away from her.
Victoria shivered and pulled her wrap even closer. "You shouldn't have done that, Christopher." She was still focused on her lap.
"What….that?" Chris grinned, tickling the spot on her neck yet again. He frowned when she pulled away—again. "Tell me, Bunny." Chris commanded gently. Victoria shook her head. He leaned over, crooking a finger under her chin, turning her head so that she was facing him.
"No, Chris…" The words came out barely above a whisper.
"Look at me." Victoria's eyes were still closed, yet Chris' tone remained firm—yet gentle. The last thing he wanted was to scare her like he had done just a few minutes earlier. Victoria shook her head slightly. "Look. At. Me." Slowly, Victoria opened her eyes to look at him. "You did not do anything wrong." Victoria shook her head. "I'm serious, Victoria." Chris added with a little more force in his voice. He meant business, and he wanted to make absolutely sure she knew that. Victoria looked at him—really looked at him for the first time in their conversation. She didn't have to verbalize the torment she was going through. Chris could see it. He leaned his forehead against hers. "Forget Vince. Just for tonight, ok?" He kissed her forehead. "Please? For me?"
The driver opened Chris' door, and before he stepped out, Chris kissed Victoria's forehead one last time. Chivalrously helping Victoria out of the limo, Chris managed to position himself so that he was blocking most of the camera flashes. Victoria took his arm, much like she had done when he was escorting her out of the hotel. She could see the family—who were busily engaged posing for family pictures, in her peripheral vision. They were blocking the front door. Victoria faltered. Chris leaned down, smiling, pretending to help her with her wrap. "Ignore the bastard—just like he's been ignoring you." Chris said without moving his lips—he was still smiling for the assembled media and fans.
The closer they came to the little group of McMahons, the more Victoria heard the gasps coming from the media and the comments coming from the fans. Ohhhh this isn't going to be good. Victoria forced herself to look past them and into the building, as if she were looking for someone. At one point, while they were passing the group, Victoria even thought she caught a bit of Stephanie and Linda chewing Vince out for not bothering to speak to her. Of course that struck her as a bit odd. Neither did they, or, Shane for that matter.
"Jericho! Wait up!" Shit. Spoke too soon. Shane left the group and jogged over to them. "So you're going walk right by me and not bother to say hello?" Shane sounded offended. He was also apparently ignoring Victoria's presence—who, by this time, became even more determined to find one of the people who would actually be seen with her in public—besides the one on her arm.
"Since when did you ever desire MY presence?" Jericho scoffed.
Victoria braced herself. Chris was pissed off. She wished Shane would just go off and do his own thing before something bad happened.
Shane snickered. "Cut the crap, Jericho." Suddenly, he whistled. "Are you ever going to tell me how you end up with the best looking women?"
Victoria's head snapped back to Chris, who was returning the look. Neither one knew what to say. Shane obviously hadn't recognized Victoria.
"Well you see, Junior….it goes like this. When a man and a woman—"
Victoria clapped her hand over Christopher's mouth, much to Shane's amazement. She turned her focus to Shane. "I just have one thing to say. EWWWWW."
Shane's jaw dropped. He absolutely could not BELIEVE what he was seeing. "Oh. My. God…..Victoria?"
"No…I'm Bret Hart with boobs." Victoria felt Chris' mouth start to twitch and held it shut even tighter.
"I—I…you—you…you just look so—" Shane was shell shocked. Damn, his little sister looked different.
Victoria waited a few seconds for Shane to complete his thought. "Stupid? Ridiculous? Fat?"
Shane shook his head rather vehemently. "No, not at all. You're very pretty….I just…"
"You just--didn't think I was good enough to be seen in public with, that's all."
Shane opened his mouth to speak but no words came out.
Victoria shook her head. "I knew there was a catch. I knew you weren't being nice to me just for the hell of it." She managed to keep her voice very low, in spite of the rage she felt building up inside her.
"Ah, Chris…would you—excuse us for a second?" Shane scratched his head and tried to lead Victoria away.
Victoria pulled back and stuck to Chris side. "No." She shook her head.
"Victoria…please." Shane tried to plead with her.
"Anything you have to say to me, you can say it in front of Christopher." No way was she about to leave his side.
"Victoria…I think this is a matter better off discussed in private." Shane said, more matter-of-factly, trying once again to take her arm.
Chris grabbed Shane's arm, taking it off of Victoria.
"Jericho—this isn't any of your business." Shane warned.
Chris smiled. "Bunny—I see Shawn over there, didn't you say you wanted to say hi?" He pointed Shawn out to Victoria and didn't have to wait long before she took off running.
BUNNY? BUNNY!? "Look. I don't know what the hell kind of stunt you're trying to pull, Jericho—but I'm telling you right now. It's NOT going to happen."
"Ok." Chris stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Since you're so hell-bent on telling me what's NOT going to happen, I'm going to tell you exactly what IS going to happen." He smiled, confidently. "You—and the rest of your little posse are going to leave Bunny the HELL alone."
Shane started to turn red. "First of all, her name is Victoria. Second of all, she's my goddamn Sister…I'm the one who's taking care of her. NOT you. So go play your little mind games on somebody who's actually going to fall for it…I'm not."
"Interesting." He stroked his chin again. "Your sister?" Jericho nodded. "You were so concerned about your sister—that your people tried to make her sneak in the back door." Jericho kept nodding. "I can just feel the love in your family." He smiled, sniffing the air as if something pleasant were floating around. "You people need to watch Oprah, or Dr. Phil or something." Chris shook his head disgustedly before leaving Shane to pick his jaw up off the floor.
Later that evening…
"Are you sure—absolutely sure you'll be ok without me?" Chris questioned Victoria, with all the concern in the world. While Chris and Victoria had managed to have a good time at during the evening's festivities, the entire night had been laced with sideways looks, whispers and the occasional comment—not to mention the comments from the fans in attendance. At least Vince had enough sense to stay backstage during the Hall of Fame taping. Victoria had caught Chris smirking during the Rock's never ending speech, earlier in the night. Little did she know that her date was envisioning ways in which he could use the folding chairs they all sat on—to inflict extreme bodily pain on her Father and Brother.
At first, Victoria attributed Chris' facial expression to whatever the Rock was spewing about. And, The Rock seemed quite pleased with himself until he looked down into the crowd and saw exactly WHO Jericho had come with. That had shut him up pretty damn quickly. It even put a smile on Victoria's face.
If you think I'm falling for it—again… Since their arrival, Chris had tried, in numerous ways to goad Victoria into kissing him—again. Come to think about it, Victoria had caught him talking to a particular camera-man before the broadcast started. Hell, he'd probably bribed the guy to point the camera in his direction. Not like he hasn't done it before…
Jericho stood before her, running his hands up and down her forearms. He pouted. In the words of my good friend, Ron Simmons…DAMN! Blushing, Victoria smiled at him. "Get lost, Jericho."
"I'll miss you too!" He winked before sauntering over to the assembled camera "monkeys" (as he called them). He even wiggled his butt for extra dramatic effect.
Victoria snickered under her breath, rubbing her forehead. Leave it to Jericho…he's just screwing with me! It was obvious—Chris knew that Victoria sure as hell wouldn't make any kind of pass at him in public—so he was having a grand ol' time playing mind games with her. Victoria smirked—to herself. Chris wanted her. At first, it caught her off guard. Hell, if it had been anyone else BUT Chris? She would have planted a knee between his legs. But it WAS Chris, and if she were being honest? It was absolutely…Shit! Did they just crank the heat up? Victoria fanned herself with her hand.
"I thought it was getting a bit warm in here." Shane smiled weakly.
I'm going to rename you BUZZKILL. Oh how the men in her life, who were genetically related to her, had the uncanny knack for making entrances at the exact right time. Victoria sighed, folding her arms over her chest.
"Would you care to take a bit of a walk with me? I could really use some air." Shane had his own puppy dog powers to work with—all though, Victoria would gladly have taken Chris' over his any day. Victoria eyed Shane skeptically, which only caused him to ratchet it up. "Please?" He held out his arm to her.
Reluctantly, Victoria took his arm. The last thing she wanted to do was cause a scene—especially when Chris was working. And, judging by the way Shane kept shooting him dirty looks, that's exactly what he was planning on doing. She allowed Shane to lead her far enough from the building to that they wouldn't be overheard, yet close enough to remain within eyesight.
Shane took a couple steps away from Victoria. He opened his mouth, but no words came forth. Running his hands though his hair in frustration, he paced a few steps before trying again. "Victoria—what the hell?" Shane threw his arms up, shaking his head confusedly.
Unsure of what her brother was subtly hinting at, Victoria shrugged. "Well…" she folded her arms across her chest. "I know this is hard for you to believe, Shane. But actually do have friends. Chris is one of them.'
Shane looked dumbfounded. "Jericho? Please. I couldn't give a piss about Jericho."
Victoria glared at him. "Yet you were ready to kill the crazy basement fan boy living off of ho-ho's—"
Shane held his hand up. "Enough. No more stories, no more changing the subject. We are going to talk. Right now." Shane hadn't been this serious in his entire life.
"First of all" Victoria's hands were definitely perched on her hips. "Let's get one thing straight right now, shall we?"
"Linda…everything will be fine. I'm just going to sneak out there and make sure Shane and Victoria don't try to kill each other…ok?" Vince kissed his wife on the cheek before slipping out the door to see what his oldest and youngest were up to. From the look he had seen on Victoria's face as Shane lead her out of the building, he had a feeling it wasn't going to be good.
When he made it outdoors, he didn't have to go far before he found them. A potted tree provided the perfect ground over. He would step in, if and when he was needed. Victoria spoke first.
"I am NOT your godamn puppy. I don't take orders from you or anyone else."
"Fine. Fine." Shane was angry. He was used to having people follow him blindly. "Then would you mind getting off your damn high horse for two seconds and telling me what your problem is?"
Vince grimaced behind the shrub as he saw his youngest roll her eyes. Even HE wasn't stupid enough to ask her that question.
"You want to know what my problem is?" Shane nodded. "Fine. I'll tell you exactly what my goddamn problem is."
"It's about godamn time!" Shane threw his hands up.
"Shut the hell up, smartass." Victoria shot her brother a look which quickly shut him up. Victoria took a big breath. "Despite my better judgment…despite everything that has ever happened to me…I fell for it." Victoria looked absolutely disgusted. She shook her head. "As much as I love my nephews, Shane…I REFUSE to be your godamn glorified babysitter!" Victoria balled her fists at her side, she was starting to shake from all the pent up emotion. Shane took a step forward. "Stay the hell away from me or God help me I will SCREAM." Shane held his hands up and distanced himself from her.
"How…dare…you." Victoria spat the words out. "You pretend to play the part of the perfect Big Brother…and you use MY nephews to reel me in?"
Shane shook his head vehemently. "Bullshit. You know that's not true, Victoria. You know me." Shane was sincerely wounded by Victoria's words.
"I know you? I KNOW you?" Victoria couldn't help but to laugh. "Where the hell have you been my entire life? Ooooh that's right…you and Stephanie were too busy parading around with Daddy." Victoria snorted. It was taking everything within her power for her not to loose all semblance of self control.
"Is that what you think?" Shane asked honestly.
"I don't have to THINK it. I KNOW it." Victoria gritted her teeth to keep the tears from spilling out of her eyes. "Every single godamn day of my life I have been reminded of that…over and over and over…and you know what? It's NEVER going to change."
Shane shook his head. "You're wrong, Victoria. I don't know what Bret's told you…but there's another—"
"MY SIDE OF THE STORY. You're right! There is ANOTHER side! MY SIDE! GODDAMIT, all you people care about is yourselves! Where the hell were you, Oh Big Brother, when I needed you?" Shane was silent. Several tears had managed to escape Victoria's eyes. Memories flooded Victoria's mind like grains of sand on a beach. Birthdays, Christmases, her first school play—where she had to go with her friend's family because none of her own seemed to care. Watching the endless parade of classmates posing for family pictures at her high school graduation, only to be asked where her family was—over and over and over again. Victoria felt Shane's hand on her shoulder and jerked it away as if it were poison.
"Victoria…please…" Shane tried to plead with his younger sister.
Victoria shook her head. "I wished I would have just died…"
"Don't you dare. Don't you fucking say that." Shane was beyond pissed off at that remark.
"Because you care? "
"As a matter of fact, I do care."
Victoria rolled her eyes. "You care so much that you rushed to be with me—" Victoria swallowed hard. The words sent razors through her veins, but it had to be said. "You care so much that you rushed to be with me….when I was …" She pursed her lips together—but it didn't help from keeping the tears back. "I watched the only person who ever cared about whether I LIVE or DIE….I watched him DIE in front of my eyes…and where were you? Where were ANY of you?" Victoria wiped the back of her had across her face in a furious motion. "But you know what? That's FINE. That's absolutely Fine. I'm sick of it! I'm sick of you all! The Harts want to act like I'm a piece of trash…they don't want to recognize me. And God forbid that one of you McMahons get off your ass and actually recognize my existence, instead of joking about it…or trying to make it into a half-assed "Leprechaun" storyline…or better yet, flat out denying it all together…" Victoria held her hands up. "You can all go straight to hell as far as I'm concerned."
Victoria nearly jumped at the slight touch on her elbow. "C'mon Bunny…" Victoria slowly turned her head and was somewhat relived that Chris was there to rescue her—yet, again. "I'm going to take you home…it's not worth it…" He kissed Victoria's forehead before leading her away from Shane as quickly as he could without raising too much suspicion.