Chapter 24: All the Right Moves

"You understand how serious this is?" Hunter's crudely handsome was creased with a thoughtful frown. "I can't do this, if I can't trust you to carry out what I'm asking of you."

"Do I look stupid?" John Cena replied, his own expression incredulous.

Hunter smirked. "Is that a rhetorical question or would you like me to give you an honest answer?"

"Fuck you." John rolled his eyes.

"You're not my type." Hunter let a small chuckle escape. "But back to business. I've ironed out a plan for Raw this Monday, but I can't consciously carry it out if I can't depend on you."

"I fucked up once already." John admitted, his blue gleaming sharply. "I won't make the same mistake twice. You can count on me. I can get some of the other guys in on this too."

"All you have to do is make sure that the Fagacy gets no where near Haley." Hunter explained. "Randy's not going to be there. It's already been confirmed that he'll be in St. Louis, but he'll put in a couple appearances via Satellite."

"Well he knew after what happened last week you'd be gunning for him." John shrugged. "Cause he's a chicken shit bitch like that."

"I don't think Ted and Cody are stupid enough to go after Haley a second time, not after what she did to them in retaliation." Hunter mused, eyes bright with pride. "But just in case I want you to never let her out of your sight. Get Kingston, Bourne and Mysterio to help you out while you're at it."

"I can handle those two fags." Cena protested indignantly.

"Cena, this is not negotiable." Hunter's chilled several degrees. "I left Haley unprotected last week because Orton threatened my wife. He'll pay for that. But I can't go after him and leave Haley unprotected a second time. I want every available superstar looking out for her since I won't even be in the same town! If you can't do as I say, I'll call them myself."

John grunted, but didn't argue further, not wanting to piss off and already agitated Triple H. "Fine." He said tightly.

"I don't care if it offends your precious ego." Hunter added, folding his arms over his chest. "I got lucky that nothing happened to her the last time I left her alone. I can't depend on luck. Either you take care of this for me, or I'll make other arrangements. And trust me, Dave will NOT be as sympathetic about your ego as I'm being right now."

"You're not being sympathetic at all." John pointed out.

"Exactly." Hunter smirked. "So how do you think Dave's going to react about you not wanting to take every possible measure to protect his fiancé because it hurts your ego?"

"I'll make sure, Kofi, Evan and Rey are on board." John groused. "I'll even add Charlie Haas to her list of protectors."

"Now you're talking."

"Haley!" Dave's voice bellowed up the stairs. "Your ride is here!"

Haley rolled her eyes at the shout, dragging her suitcase behind her as she left the master bedroom. "You can just say, Hunter's here." She called back. "Lord knows I can't even leave the house without him-"

Her eyes popped wide with surprise when she got halfway down the stairs and saw that it was not Triple H waiting with Dave by the front door. "Uh-?"

"What?" John Cena's dimples flashed as he grinned up at her. "Don't tell me you're not happy to see me?"

She blinked, her momentary surprise elapsing into mild confusion. "Well, I was kind of expecting someone a little taller, longer, blonder hair, goatee, bigger muscles…"

Dave choked back his laughter, shoulders shaking with silent mirth as his fiancé playfully teased the resident leader of the Cenation.

John mockingly glared up at her. "His muscles are not bigger than mine."

"Yeah," Haley continued her descent into the entryway. "They are."

"What is this, pick on Cena week?" The former World Champion complained. "Keep it up and you can walk to the airport."

"He says that like I'm not at my house with access to my own car." Haley shared a mutual look of amusement with Dave. "Edge must have hit him too hard on SmackDown."

"Okay, okay, fun at Cena's expense is over." John took the handle of her suitcase from her. "Now kiss Dave goodbye so we can hit the road already."

"Have a good trip." Dave said, eyes briefly filling with a disappointment that he wasn't going with her, before he tugged her into his arms. "I'll miss you and try not to kill this clown. I don't want to have to bail you out of jail."

"And on that note," John rolled his eyes. "I'll meet you in the car, Hales. Bye Jackass!"

Haley and Dave both shared a laugh as John stomped out the front door, muttering obscenities under his breath. Once they were alone however, the laughter faded and Haley looked up at him with a more somber expression.

"I'll miss you." She promised. "I can't wait for them to clear you to compete again."

"You and me both, Baby." He kissed her forehead gently. "Stay safe." His lips traveled lower to find hers.

"I'll call you later." She said once they separated. "I love you."

"I love you too." He held the front door open for her to walk through and reluctantly watched her head down the steps toward Cena's SUV.

"Hey Cena?" She yelled to him as she rounded the hood to the passenger side. "Where is Hunter anyway? And why do I have to ride with your annoying ass?"

"I really hate Hunter right now." Cena slammed his trunk closed and headed for the driver's seat.

As Monday Night Raw began to close into the final twenty minutes of the program, Haley stood in front of the backstage monitor in the women's locker room, mutely observing Ted and Cody make their entrance to the ring for the main event; a handicap match of Triple H vs. Legacy. Of course, Haley hadn't even seen Triple H during her entire stay in Corpus Christi, Texas which was odd enough in itself. One would think after the stunt Randy Orton pulled last week, Hunter wouldn't let Haley out of his sight for a second.

Instead, Haley had been surrounded by various other superstars all day, including the likes of John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Evan Bourne, Charlie Haas and oddly enough MVP. MVP hadn't even stepped up to be her tag team partner earlier in the evening against the team of Eve Torres and Chris Masters. Haley had even scored the pin fall for their team.

But even buzzing on her first win of 2009, Haley couldn't dislodge the hard ball that sat in the pit of her stomach. Something was going down tonight, something that involved Triple H. He had planned something so significant that he had her guarded by everyone but himself. Whatever he was up to, he wanted her as far removed as possible from it, as he had been ignoring her phone calls and she hadn't seen hide nor hair of him in over twenty four hours.

Randy suddenly appeared on the screen, the feed being submitted via satellite as he was currently sitting at home on his couch in St. Louis. Even miles away, his image caused a shudder to ripple down her spine and the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end. She rubbed her arms as if chilled when he began to speak, trash talking Triple H and threatening his beating only moments away dealt by the hands of Cody and Ted.

"Oh please," There was a sarcastic scoff from behind Haley. "You," The voice directed at Haley. "Kicked their asses last week. What makes Orton think those two stand a chance against Triple H? Hell, I could go out there and Glamslam both of them right now."

Haley glanced over her shoulder, giving Beth Phoenix a look of surprise. She and her former rival were the only two left in the locker room and the self proclaimed Glamazon stood only a few feet behind her watching the events on the monitor as well.

"I never realized how pathetic Orton was until now." Beth continued, unaware of Haley's expression. "He resorts to bullying and beating on women and sending those two bitches to do his dirty work. What happened to the 'Age of Orton' and all the crap?"

"Now it's all about Legacy." Haley answered her quietly.

"You mean Fagacy?" Beth rolled her eyes derisively. "That's what everyone else is calling them backstage and they have a point. I mean come on, they've only really beaten up older business Execs and you, no offense. They're pathetic. I cannot wait for Triple H to just bury them."

"He will." Haley said more confidently. "I have to believe that we're going to beat him."

"Despite our differences," Beth commented, causing Haley to look at her again. "What Orton did to you those weeks ago was wrong. No man ever has the right to put his hands on a woman. Ever. Period. And I'm glad you're okay."

Though internally shocked at Beth's word, Haley smiled at her. "Thank you. I appreciate that."

Onscreen, Motorhead hit the airwaves accompanied by Triple H's video package and had both women facing the monitor again. Haley began to frown in confusion when the stage remained empty with Triple H nowhere in sight.

"Odd." She murmured to herself. "Where is he?"

"He wouldn't chicken out on this match." Beth agreed with a nod. "I mean, he can out wrestle Ted and Cody blindfolded."

"Something's up." Haley shook her head. "Something's been up all day."

The screen switched back to Randy sitting at home, who looked smug. He started boasting about how he had Triple H so scared that he couldn't even show up to the match he was supposed to compete in tonight. And if he couldn't face Ted and Cody, there was no way he could face Randy at Wrestlemania and walk out still Champion.

SMASH!

Haley jumped backwards, accidentally bumping into Beth at the noise that suddenly seemed to come from Randy's home. Randy himself looked thoroughly startled, getting up off his couch and looking beyond the cameras in confusion.

SMASH! CRACK! SMASH!

The unmistakable sound of wooden splintering had Randy heading out of the room, cameras on his trail. Moments later, he stepped into his entryway and froze, his body going rigid in shock.

The remains of what had once been his front door now lay in fractured pieces on the floor and standing amongst them, holding the sledgehammer that had obviously done the damage, was Triple H.

Haley's mouth formed an 'o' as she suddenly realized why she hadn't seen Triple H while she was in Texas. The Game hadn't even been in the state. He hadn't obviously asked John Cena and the others to look out for her while he went on his own mission to confront Randy in his own house.

"Triple H is a legend." Beth commented, eyes bright with excitement. "Randy looks like he's going to crap his pants."

"I hope Randy has home owner's insurance." Haley muttered, recognizing the look of violence in Hunter's eyes. "This is going to get ugly."

"And it couldn't happen to a nicer guy." Beth grinned. "I really hope Randy actually gets hit with the sledgehammer this time."

"I'm just hoping this doesn't blow up in Hunter's face." Haley muttered, eyes not leaving the screen before her.

Randy began shouting as Triple H stepped through the wreckage and into his house, the hammer hitting the floor with an echoing clatter. Realizing his intent, Randy bolted through the house with Triple H hot on his tail.

"Oh shit!" Beth cackled. "It's on now!"

Unfortunately, Haley couldn't partake in the other woman's glee at the scene. She couldn't help but feel a sick sense of dread instead.

Haley stared out the window of the car, watching the light from passing streetlight play over the curve of the dashboard. Her face displayed a cacophony of emotions; anger, fear, confusion, hurt. She had drawn into herself when Raw had closed the night before, not really speaking to anyone unless spoken too. And now, twenty-four hours later, on her way to Ipswich, she still hadn't said much.

Dwayne glanced briefly from the road over at her, before reaching across the console and taking one of her hands in his. She had barely blinked at him when he had picked her up from the airport, much to Cena's displeasure. "Baby? What's wrong?"

She looked over, her features shadowed. "He didn't tell me."

Dwayne didn't need to ask who he was. He had watched the broadcast just like everyone else. He had watched Hunter and Randy brawl throughout Orton's home in St. Louis. He had seen them crash through furniture, put holes through drywall and ultimately careened through the front windows, their violence spilling into the front lawn before the cops finally showed up and arrested Triple H.

"He was trying to protect you." He reasoned. "Besides, he's out now. Stephanie got him out on bail and your Lawyer is working on getting the charges dropped."

"He destroyed Randy's home." Haley said bitterly. "How do you get him to drop those kinds of charges?"

"That's the lawyer's job, not ours." He reminded her. "We just need to move forward, get ready for 'Mania."

"How can I get ready for 'Mania when he's doing all this for me?" Haley demanded to know. "Hunter is destroying himself for me. He's becoming the Cerebral Assassin again and he's doing it because of something I started."

"Haley, he loves you!" Dwayne hadn't meant to sound so brusque and he quickly softened his tone. "For some reason, Hunter loves you in the purest, simplest way possible and he doesn't love easily. Trust me I know. The people he really loves, you can count on one hand. Stephanie, Shawn, Ric and now you. You couldn't have expected him not to do something, anything to protect you."

"And if he goes to jail?" Haley argued. "How is that protecting me?"

"He's not going to jail." Dwayne shook his head. "He'll be back in Connecticut by tomorrow at the latest. I already spoke with Stephanie."

"And what happens next?" Haley asked bitterly. "Randy retaliates? Maybe this time he actually hurts Stephanie? Or Shawn? Or me? How far is this going to go?"

Dwayne turned on the car's blinkers, pulled the vehicle off to the side of the road, putting it in park. He turned his body toward her. "I didn't prepare you for this. Mostly because I hoped you would never have to see this side of it; the darkness behind the glory, the cruelty and wars people wage against each other over things like Championships, pride and even love. I had hoped that all you had to worry about was Championship reigns and Diva drama. But they pulled you in and I let you go in blind."

She felt tears fill her eyes and hastily tried to blink them back.

"Baby, sometimes..." He sighed heavily. "You have to reach into the darkest parts of yourself just to survive. Sometimes that kind of darkness is the only way to win. Randy Orton changed the rules the first time he backhanded you in the ring. Hunter can't play this like he did when faced Cena, Edge, Hardy, Kozlov and Big Show. Randy is completely off the rails, psychotic. It's going to take a certain kind of madness, a controlled madness to beat him. Hunter knows this and since he created Orton, he knows what it will take to beat him."

"But how many people have to suffer until then?" She asked quietly.

"This is a War, Haley." He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Do you trust Hunter?"

"Of course I do." She nodded slowly in response.

"Then trust him to know what he's doing. He's going to get you through this and he's going to beat Randy." Dwayne assured her. "I know you can't see it right now, but this whole experience is going to make you stronger."

"I hope you're right, Dwayne." She relented. "Because I can't imagine what this whole ordeal is doing to Stephanie right now."

"She understands this Game a little better than you do." He answered, shifting back into drive and pulling the car out onto the road. "It'll be okay in the end. You'll see."

A/N: D'aw! I'm excited by the response I got in bringing back Jeff and the eventual return of Kennedy. He'll be reappearing shortly and in a way that you guy wouldn't expect.

Also we're getting closer and closer to the climax of this story, guys! Wrestlemania 25!

Also I've been on a Cena hating kick lately. This AJ storyline is bogus and a waste if you ask me. So I felt the need to make fun of him a little here. He's just so easy to pick on that I can't help it.

I'm getting pumped just thinking about it, though unfortunately we have a few more events to get through first before the epic show down!