Unfortunately, I couldn't find any clips on YouTube to help me with this, so I gonna have to eyeball this and do what I can! However… I'm glad that all of you who reviewed got what I was trying to do at the end of the last chapter. I was trying to show that even though Hunter forgave Stephanie…They are by no means back on track! Anyway…
August 24, 2000
"Did you really care about the women's title?" The doctor asked to start off our session. It had been two months since I started my therapy…And I was starting to feel the effects. I wasn't as sulky as I was before. Days were getting easier and easier. Even though I was a work in progress…Things were actually looking up.
"In the beginning I did. Because I won it around the time I found I was pregnant…And miscarried…Being the champion took away from having to deal with any feelings concerning that. Plus…I still have the record for being the youngest ever…No one can take that from me. But…After a while…It just got to be too much. The divas were actually starting to want to fight me instead of being afraid to face a Mcmahon. Deep down I knew…It was just a matter of time before someone took it. But…That doesn't mean I wasn't upset when I actually lost…"
Summerslam was just three days away as I made my way to the ring on Smackdown. All the fans in the Cajundome were cheering at the fact that I had lost the women's title to Lita. I, however, was anything but cheerful about it as I grabbed the mic.
"I have been a fighter all my life and everything I wanted to do in life…I did. Not only did I succeed in my ambitions…But I did them on my own. But what happened to me this past Monday was nothing more than a tragedy…It's tragic that I was robbed of the women's title. Commissioner Foley says that he's "Fair and Just." and on Raw, he said he would pick a "Fair and Impartial." Ref for my match…And guess who he picks…The Rock!"
The fans cheered even louder at the mention of the Rock. But I didn't care as I continued. "I carried the women's championship for Five months and now instead of you fans having a champ with pride and dignity…In my place is some tattooed low-life! Foley… I don't want an apology…I want my rematch…Tonight…And I'm not leaving until I get it!"
Instead of Foley coming out, Kurt's music began to play through the arena. I was happy to see someone on my side, though I was also aware that Hunter would be coming out at any moment.
"Stephanie…I understand perfectly how you feel... I cherish my Gold medals like they're my own children! Foley…What you did to my friend…Was uncalled for. I would expect something like this from the Rock…But not you. Unfortunately, Steph…I think there's someone else to blame for what happened Monday night…And that's HHH! If Hunter was a better Husband and not so hot-headed and paranoid…"
Just as Kurt was about to continue, Hunter's music blared through the speakers. Hunter began walking down the ramp, ready to start Summerslam early. Hunter got into the ring and shoved Kurt through the ropes.
Kurt was about to respond Commissioner Foley made his way out to the ramp. "HHH…Angle…Knock it off…This is about Stephanie!" Foley screamed, turning his attention to me, "Stephanie…I had no idea Rock was gonna be so impartial. I would like your trust, seeing as if your Mother trusted me enough to select me as WWF Commissioner…But I want you to also to like me, so…"
I had no idea what Foley was talking about, neither did Hunter or Kurt. I soon found out as Foley pulled out two fake medals…Foley was mocking me! "Seeing as if you're attracted to me with medals…I had a feeling you would like these!" He taunted, holding up the trinkets, "You see…This one's for "Best Camper."…And the other one's for winning a pie-eating contest!" The fans were laughing at me as Foley continued, "You see, Stephanie…I want to give you you're rematch…But I also know that Kurt and HHH want to tear the Rock limb from limb…So instead, we're gonna have a mixed tag match. It's gonna be Rock and Lita versus You, Kurt, and HHH!"
Before I could get relaxed about the announcement, Foley started talking again. "Whoops…It seems we have a little problem. If I make that, it would be 3 on 2! So to be fair…Kurt…HHH…One of you've gotta sit this one out! And Stephanie…You're gonna be the one to pick who you team with tonight! Choose wisely…And Have a Nice Day!"
I couldn't believe Foley did this to me. Not only was I not getting my rematch…But I had to face Rock and Lita with either Hunter or Kurt as my partner…And I had to decide who I would team with! This was no win…No mattered who I picked. Hunter and I went back to our locker room, settling down onto the leather sofa. While I was thinking about my decision…Hunter it seemed had it already planned out.
"Steph…You and I teaming up will be perfect. I can kick Rock's ass before Summerslam…And you can get your hands on Lita! We should talk about our strategy for tonight!"
"I think Kurt should be a part of this conversation!" I said.
"Why?" Hunter balked at the thought, standing straight up.
"Hunter…wait!" I said, putting my hands on his chest, "Think about it…With Kurt on your side…It'll be easier to beat the Rock on Sunday."
After a moment, Hunter reluctantly gave in. "I admit…You've got a point…Bring him in!"
A little while later, Kurt came to Hunter and I's locker room, pleading his case to be my partner. "HHH needs anger management! You know it…Steph! He's no good as your partner because his rage will cause him to make mistakes…Possibly even hurting you! However…My Olympic wisdom pared with your athletic skills will make us unstoppable…Rock and Lita will have no chance! I promise to have your back, Steph… I won't make any mistakes."
"I'll think about it, Kurt." I said after hearing him out.
After Kurt left, I got dressed for the match, still not knowing who I would pick. Hunter returned a short time later, taking a seat next to me. "How was your talk with the "Olympic Wonder."?' Hunter asked, mocking what Kurt had accomplished.
"Actually…Kurt made a lot of sense. I mean…With you being so emotional and hotheaded lately…"
"I can't believe this…You're actually thinking of teaming with Kurt…Over me?" Hunter asked, screaming at me.
"It's worth consideration." I said, continuing where Hunter interrupted me.
"No…I think Kurt and I need to have a little chat." Hunter said storming off.
I knew this couldn't be good, so I followed after Hunter. I got to Kurt's locker room and put my ear to the door. I began to listen as Hunter and Kurt got into it.
"If you think you're gonna be Steph's partner tonight…You're wrong. Because not only am I gonna be Steph tonight…I'm her partner for life!"
"I'm just trying to do what's right for the match…And for Stephanie! Your emotions are gonna lead to a mistake…Or worse!"
"Unless you want this "Alliance." to end before we even get to Sunday…I suggest you leave this alone!"
"You know…It's Stephanie's decision who she picks!"
"Stephanie doesn't make the decisions!"
Taking exception to what Hunter had just said, I barged in to Kurt's locker room. "Both of you…Stop acting like children! I will make my decision…By flipping a coin!" I yelled, leaving the room in the process. Hunter and Kurt looked shocked at what had just happened.
Just before the match started, Hunter, Kurt, and I all met in my locker room. It would be: Heads-Hunter, Tails-Kurt. As I was to flip my coin, Kurt offered one of his medals instead of the coin. This just got Hunter angrier. "Shut up about your damn medals!" He screamed.
I was able to calm the situation down. I flipped the coin and looked…It was Tails; Kurt was my partner. I was happy to finally know who I was teaming with, but also upset. Hunter stormed off as Kurt tried to talk to me about a strategy.
As Kurt and I came out for our match, Rock jumped Kurt on the ramp, while Lita came after me. Lita threw me into the ring. As the bell rang and Lita came after me, I kicked for my life. It seemed every time I fought back, Lita would come back stronger.
Meanwhile, Kurt and Rocky were going at it, fighting at the announcer's table. Once they made it back into the ring, the fighting didn't stop. Rock would get an elbow in, and then Kurt would fight back with right hand after right hand. Then, Rock got Kurt into the Sharpshooter. I got into the ring and slapped Rock. Even though Rock seemed unaffected by it, the slap gave Kurt enough time to give Rock the Low Blow in.
As Kurt went to whip Rock into the turnbuckle, Rock reversed it and whipped Kurt into me. I fell off the apron, smacking my head against the steps. I began going in and out of consciousness as the Ref checked one me. The next face I saw was Hunter's. Several officials began to come out at this point, but Hunter shoved them all away, picking me up and carrying me in the back.
When we got to the back, Hunter laid me on the couch. "Steph…Don't move…You're gonna be fine."
I began to come to as the Paramedics began to come in and check me. "I'm okay…I have to go help Kurt."
"No…You stay here…I'll go help Kurt." Hunter said. I began going in and out of consciousness once more. Next thing I knew, Kurt was coming back into the locker room…Without Hunter.
"Where's Hunter…Is he okay?" I asked in a whisper.
"He's fine." Kurt answered as he chased the Paramedics away, "I'm so sorry …I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I really care about you, Steph…You have no idea."
Kurt began to hug me as I laid there, not really knowing what was going on. Deep down I knew Hunter wasn't okay…But I couldn't do anything about it. Just then, Kurt began to kiss me…Passionately. I couldn't believe it. At first…I wanted him to stop…To take it back. But then I thought about how Hunter and I used to be…And how Hunter used to kiss me like Kurt was at that moment. That's when I gave into it.
As fast as the kiss happened…It was gone. Kurt backed away, sporting a huge grin on his face; as if he planned all of what had happened. It was then I fully realized what had happened and what I had just done. Seeing the reaction on my face, Kurt got up and abruptly left the room. The Paramedics came back in the room, working on me…But all I could think about was Hunter. Hunter may have been inappropriate with Trish…And he may have said her name instead of mine…But he hadn't kissed her. I…On the other hand…Kissed Kurt! If I wanted to destroy my marriage…I had just done it in one pivotal moment.
After the EMT's gave me the okay, I changed my clothes and began grabbing all my stuff. That's when I heard a familiar deep voice behind me. "Where are you going?"
I jumped and turned around to look at Hunter. He looked like he had been through the war. "Oh my god…What happened?"
Hunter came into the locker room and slammed the door behind them. "What happened…I'll tell you what happened! Being the good Husband that I am…I went out there to help "Your friend." Kurt! And what do I get for putting my hatred of the man aside…I get double teamed…No, excuse me…Triple teamed…By Rock and the Hardy Boys! Meanwhile…Kurt is nowhere to be found!"
"I'm so sorry, Hunter. I'll…"
"Oh, no…You've done enough!"
At first, I didn't know what he was talking about. I was thinking that he was mentioning me picking Kurt over him…But I knew that wouldn't have made as mad as he was. In fact, nothing would except…It was then I realized why he was livid.
"Hunter…"
Hunter began tossing all his stuff into his bag, then zipped it up and threw it over his shoulder. "Here comes the best part, Steph…As I came back to find Kurt…I noticed all the EMT's just standing outside this room…I didn't understand why…Until I saw why?"
"I…"
"I'm going back to Greenwich until Sunday! Don't call me…Don't come to see me! See how life is like without me for three days…Maybe that'll be your wakeup call!" Hunter said with anger in his voice, opening the door and walking out, slamming the door with emphasis.
"I sat there forever…Knowing that this was the one thing Hunter and I might not be able to get over. But if we were going to…I had to give him what he wanted…And what Hunter wanted was space."
"So…Where did you go?"
"I went home to New York. It wasn't easy."
"How was Lucy dealing with this time?"
"For being a puppy, she knew what she was going on. Hunter was around…Then wasn't around…Then was around."
"So, you stayed away…You gave Hunter his space…Tell me about what happened at Summerslam."
So I have to give myself props here. For not having YouTube as help…I think I did a pretty good job! Next is Summerslam and where Stephanie really ended up!