Chapter 36

Ted's POV

I had requested a closed door meeting with Stephanie alone. I needed to sort this out once and for all. It needed to be done and over with by the time I left for my trip overseas. We were doing the overseas trip next week, and it wasn't something I wanted to do, leave Johnny with Mickie alone, but I couldn't bring him with me. Though I was seriously starting to consider it now, because of this whole thing with Stephanie. She shut the door and then walked to her desk and sat down.

"So Ted, what made you request this meeting with just me?"

She asked. I pulled out my cell phone, and pushed a button, listening to her voice come through the speakers of his cell phone. I watched her expression go from shock to anger to…pride. I wasn't shocked. Of course Stephanie was proud of her work. She looked at me and couldn't believe I had this information on her. Then she smiled. I knew that smile. That was her business smile.

"I believe you're messing with my family."

"Your family? Mickie is my best friend, and yes, I stuck her there. But that in no way meant the pregnancy was supposed to take! She was supposed to come in between you two."

"Yes Stephanie, but the thing you don't know about Johnny and I, is that we're solid. We've been through so much together him and me. And if I lost him, I'd be lost too. I know that you don't get this, but you can't help who you fall for. Wasn't Paul dating someone when you two hooked up?"

"That is besides the point! This is about two men who have fallen for each other! We have several homosexual couples in the locker room, but they're not as open as you two are."

"Bullshit Stephanie! Bullshit! And do you know why? Because you like Matt Korklan. Matt and Josh Harter are happy, and I do NOT see you dragging his sorry ass in here, and he's the top cruiserweight on this roster! So yeah, do you see where I'm going with this! It's because you're jealous. I've got friends on this roster that support me! And I don't need you! I don't need your support. If you're going to mid-card me. Mid-card me. But don't take your issues out on Johnny and I! I am sorry if this makes the company look bad. But I'm not going to divorce my husband. Now, I have spoken to your mother, and she has assured me that my position in this company is safe. And that's all, Stephanie. I'm going home. I'm going home to get my husband. He's been cleared to start working out. And you know what, I'm going to have him on the road when I go overseas. And I'm not mad at Mickie. I'm pissed at you. But it's cool. Mickie'll be chucked out on her ass when the time comes. So yeah, that's all."

I said. Clearly proud of myself for standing up to Stephanie. She was pissed that I'd gone to her mother and secured my spot on the roster. I hadn't actually gone to Linda, but I had called her office, and her secretary said she'd get back to me. I walked out of her office and then my cell phone rang. It was Linda, actually and I wanted to take this call.

"Hello?"

"Hi Ted, it's Linda McMahon, sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. I want to wish you and John Hennigan a very heartfelt congratulations on your marriage and impending fatherhood."

"Thank you, Linda. I actually wanted to speak with you about that. Someone within the company is actually trying to sabotage my marriage to John, and I have proof of it. I've got to be in San Francisco tonight because John is getting his boot off tomorrow, but then we're flying east for a well deserved rest. So, do you think I could come by your office tomorrow?"

"Sure. I'll be here until four. I've got a couple of meetings tomorrow anyway, so we'll talk about it. Then bring your proof. Because this person will get severe ramifications."

"Thank you Linda."

And I hung up. I called John a little while later and told him we had a meeting with Linda tomorrow. He was happy, and sounded sleepy. I let him sleep and went off to do Raw. I finished up early enough to be able to fly out early enough. I went back to the hotel, then to the airport. I noticed I'd had two missed calls while I was on TV. Though I'd had my cell in my pocket on TV, and had felt the vibrations on my leg, but chose not to look at them till now. The first was a text from my mom. I hadn't called her in awhile, and she wanted to know what was going on with me. I'd have to call her. Then another from John. It sounded urgent.

"Love,

Mom called. Said to call her. It's important.

Johnny."

So, I did what he asked. I called my mom. I listened as the phone rang and rang and rang, and then finally my dad picked up. Which was shocking, because my mom always answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Dad. I just got a text from Johnny saying mom called. What's wrong?"

"Brett's been in an accident. He's fine, but his knee's messed up. We hadn't been able to get a hold of you, because you're at TV. And Johnny's not on the road. How was he?"

"He's doing great dad, thanks for asking. He's had a minor set back however. He broke his ankle close to a month ago and it was a clean break. So, the doctor told me that it wasn't going to take long to heal. I've got a plane to catch. So I'll call you soon. Give Brett a hug for me."

I said, hanging up. I made it from Seattle to San Francisco okay and then drove home. I pulled up to the house and saw John sitting in the drivers seat of his car. He was crying. I immediately got out of my car and ran over to his. He was in hysterics. It wasn't pretty. I've never seen him this upset before. I opened the car and heard him muttering to himself.

"I need to drive…"

Was all he kept repeating. I sighed and shook him lightly. I didn't want to hurt him. He looked at me and suddenly faced me and found his way to my arms. Not that I disputed this, but it scared me.

"Johnny, baby what's wrong?"

"I needed a Diet Pepsi. Mickie was being all crazy and yelling and stuff. And I thought I could do it. I thought I could drive to the store. It wasn't that far away. Then I started the car and pulled it halfway down the driveway. All I kept seeing was Stephanie's car coming at me…and I put it into park…I just wanted a Diet Pepsi."

"I know baby, I know…why don't you go inside. And I'll go get you a Diet Pepsi, okay?"

He nodded. I watched him go into the house. He was having a panic attack over driving. I swear on my life, I was going to kill Stephanie McMahon. I drove to the nearest convenience store and bought all the Diet Pepsi they had in stock. Twenty four packs, twelve packs, two liter bottles, just so Johnny didn't have to try and leave again. I carried all of this stuff inside and knew that things were going to be different once Linda knew.