So the stage's set for Wrestlemania…HHH vs. Undertaker in a Hell In A Cell match….It'll definitely be the end of an era…No matter who wins! Oh well…On to the story! At some point, the fluff and smut had to come to an end! The argument from the last chapter's ultimately what starts the breakdown of Hunter and Stephanie's marriage! They may not break up now, but…The cracks'll begin to form!
October 24, 2001
"When was that?"
"Hunter and I were offered a chance to do the WWF edition of "The Weakest Link." earlier that year…Back when he wasn't hurt and I wasn't in the Alliance and we were still together. When September 11 happened, the show was pushed back…"
"I can't believe you convinced me to go through with this!" I quipped into my phone as I walked into NBC Studios, keeping my head held high and my eyes straight ahead. My black stiletto boots clicked against the cold pavement floor and I was soon regretting wearing such high heels to a TV taping…One where I'd be standing for a long period of time.
"It's for Charity, Pretty Girl…And besides…You don't do anything unless you wanna!" Shane quipped back to me on the other end. Shane and Heyman had already flown to Omaha for Smackdown and we're waiting for me to join them.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked with an attitude as I stopped walking.
"It means you knew damn well Hunter was gonna be doing this thing…And you still decided to go! You've been playing this whole "I don't miss him…I'm fine without him." thing for weeks now…And you might be able to fool the Alliance…Hell, you might be able to fool yourself…But you can't fool me! Whether you wanna admit or not, Steph…You've been miserable…God help you, but…You have!" Shane answered, giving me just as much of an attitude as I'd given him.
Without giving a chance to respond, Shane abruptly hung up. I stood there with the phone in my hands, letting Shane's words sink in. Hunter and I hadn't seen each other or talked since September…Since the night I walked out of the loft and didn't look back. Walking out wasn't the plan…The plan was to leave the Alliance…Of course…That was before Hunter acted like a fucking Psycho! I knew we'd talk and I'd forgive him…But it'd be on my terms. So, until that time came…I'd keep my control and do what I had to do: Get through the show and stay as far away from Hunter as possible.
"Well, if it ain't the hot and sexy owner of ECW!"
I turned to find Booker T, One of the Alliance's top Guys, standing by the refreshments table. From the minute the Alliance started, Booker wasn't like the other Guys…I didn't have to use my charm to get what I wanted from him…His track record spoke for itself…And overtime…Shane and I considered him more of a friend than just a competitor.
I was so happy to see a friendly face as he walked over to where I was standing. "Hey, Booker…What're you doing here…I thought you were in Omaha?" I asked with a smile.
"Paul demanded some of the Guys from the Alliance have spots on this thing, so here I am…The five time WCW Champion at your service!" Booker exclaimed, holding up his hand to do his famous pose, "Regal's around here somewhere too…Probably looking for some English tea."
"I'm sure he is." I said softly as I glanced around the backstage area, "So…" I lowered my voice and swirled my finger around, "…Is there anybody else here yet?"
"Big Show and Kurt haven't arrived yet, and Trish and Lita are in makeup…Aside from them and Regal…I haven't seen anybody else. You look like you could use a bite to eat…Do you wanna grab some food?"
I considered the invitation, deciding to decline the offer with a shake of my head. "I should get in makeup before Trish and Lita hog it all." I responded, pointing down a random corridor.
"No problem, Steph…See you out there."
My eyes followed Booker back to the refreshments table until I turned towards the corridor I just pointed to, hoping it was the right one. I started walking until I found the door with "Makeup Department." on the front, opened ever so slightly. I was just about to knock when I heard Trish and Lita talking. I put my ear to the door, trying not to react to the gossiping.
"I heard Stephanie just showed up." Trish giggled, "I doubt she'll even get one question right…She's so unbelievably stupid!"
"She's not the smartest tool in the shed, that's for sure!" Lita added with a laugh, "But Trish…Back to Stephanie…HHH got here at least an hour ago…Are they not together anymore?"
"I guess not." Trish snickered, "From what I heard, they had a huge fight and he kicked her out! I mean…Why else would she be whoring herself out to every wrestler on the Alliance?!"
Taking exception to what was being said about me, I barged into the room. "Is there something you two'd like to say to my face?"
"Oh…Hi, Steph…" Trish answered with fake pleasantries as she got up from her chair, Lita joining her, "…We're just wondering where Hunter is and why you two didn't come here together?"
"That's none of your business!" A deep male voice called from behind me, entering the conversation. My body stiffened up with shock as Hunter wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and kissed my neck…So much for me staying far away from him.
"Wow, Hunter…It's great to see you." Lita managed to get out as she backed away, knowing what he would've done to her if he wasn't recuperating, "How's the rehab?"
"Changing the subject so quickly, Lita…Really good…I can see now why you only held my title for three months!" I mocked with a raise my eyebrows as I turned my attention to Hunter. I'd been used to the cattiness all my life and there was only one foolproof way to handle it: Mind games, "These two seem to think we're not together anymore." I said, hoping he'd play along…The last thing I needed was my two biggest advisories to be proven right about my marriage problems.
Hunter wrapped his arms tighter around me as he glared at Trish and Lita. I knew from previous experiences, he wanted nothing more than to physically hurt both of them, Trish especially… Unfortunately…Verbal assaults would have to do for time being.
"Is that so?" Hunter questioned with an eerily calmness as he rested his chin in the crook of my neck, "I'll have you know our marriage's the strongest it's ever been." I nodded in agreement as he continued, "Now…As far as your comments towards my Wife…The both of you should know better than anybody not to underestimate her…Physically or Mentally." He spoke as his gaze remained unwavering.
"I think we can handle your Wife's wrestling skills, Hunter." Trish mocked, joining the conversation.
"Really, Trish…" Hunter smirked, "…Then why's it every time you and Stephanie have been in the same ring…She's kicked your ass from one side to the other?" When Trish tried to respond, he cut her off, "One more word from you…From either of you…" He added as he pointed to Lita, "…And Stephanie might just have to remind you of why she's "The Most Dominant Female in the WWF."…Scratch that…"The Most Dominant Female in Sports Entertainment."."
"I think I'll take it from here…" I boasted as I unlatched myself from Hunter's embrace, "I don't get intimidated by anyone or anything! I have more money than the both of you put together and unlike a certain blonde in this room…" I turned my attention directly to Trish, "…I didn't have to be somebody's Mistress to get it…Now get the hell outta my face!"
Trish and Lita remained speechless as they walked out of the room. I walked over to the huge mirror and pulled out my lipstick and mascara, reapplying both. As I moved to my hair, I ignored Hunter, who was still standing where I left him. If he thought his assistance was an automatic apology…He was greatly mistaken. After a while, I heard a deep grunt.
"So…Are you gonna look at me or am I gonna have to do this to your ass …Not that's it not a nice ass, but…Which is it gonna be?"
I looked up into the mirror, seeing Hunter's reflection staring right back at me…He had his arms crossed over his chest and was grinning at me…I was silently cursing Trish and Lita for leaving me alone. Whether I liked it or not, I was happy to see Hunter…Even though I was still mad at him.
None of this meant Hunter was getting off that easily. "Who says me…Or my ass…Wanna listen?" I asked Hunter's reflection.
Hunter cringed at my response. "Steph..." He groaned as he stepped up behind me, turning me around so we were face to face, "Can we talk…Please?" He begged as he put his hands on my hips.
I sighed before giving an answer. "After the taping…Room 924 at the Hotel Amarano…You do know where that is, right?" I tested with a small smile, going back to happier…Simpler…Times.
Hunter laughed, remembering our first "Date.". "I won't even answer that last question…Though I will ask...Why do always pick your birthday as your room number?" He quipped.
"Why do you?" I quipped back. We stared at each other in silence, knowing how things ended the last time we were in the same room together. After a moment, I brought up our situation that had to be dealt with right then and there. "So…How do you wanna deal with the show?" I enquired.
"What do you mean?"
"Well…Aside from Shane and Marissa…Nobody knows about what happened between you and I. Trish thought she did, but…You know how I enjoy proving her wrong, so…How do you wanna handle it?" I asked again.
Hunter took his arms off of my hips and backed away from me. Whatever progress we were making was ended that minute. "People need to see us as a united front…Otherwise…They'll use it to their advantage if they know we're on shaky grounds. I can't say that us faking it doesn't bother me…Because it does…But if this's what you want…I guess I sorta deserve it." He responded.
"Ok…That's what we'll do: We'll show the world how in love we are…We'll eliminate the rest of the competition that way it's just you and I at the end of this…And then…We'll talk." I said as I touched Hunter's face before walking away. Just as I reached the door, I called back without turning around, "You and I'll figure this out, Hunter…We always do."
Looking back, the taping of "The Weakest Link." wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be…As Shane pointed out…It was for Charity. Hunter and I acted like the happy couple we were supposed to be…And it paid off. After the show, I went straight back to my hotel room, waiting for Hunter to show up. A couple of hours later, I heard a knock…A familiar knock. I unlocked the door and slowly opened it.
"Hi." I smiled timidly.
"Hi…Can I come in?"
"Sure." I responded as I stepped to the side, watching as he walked in before closing the door behind us. When Hunter took a seat on the loveseat, I joined him. There was a long silence between us…Just like at the TV studios. I watched curiously as Hunter pulled out a small rectangular box from his coat pocket. "I thought I'd give you your birthday present…Even though it was a month ago."
I took the box from Hunter, trying not to not show the happiness in my eyes. "Thanks." I sighed as I played with the ribbon. It was then I noticed the flicker of relief in his eyes…He thought I was gonna forgive him…That I was gonna take him back like so many previous times. I got up and walked around the couch, throwing the box on the bed, "Is that all…Is that you're apology?" I yelled.
Hunter got up from the loveseat and walked around to where I was standing. "No! Listen…I'm sorry about what I said…I…" Hunter began to say as he put his hands on my hips.
I pushed Hunter away from me. "Which part are you sorry about, Hunter…The part where I couldn't say I knew things were hard for you because I wasn't around…Or is it the part where you basically called me a Tramp…Better yet…How about the part where you were nothing and that you had nothing! Tell me…Is it just one of those or all of them?"
Before I could continue, Hunter put his hands on my hips once more and stopped my outburst. "It's all of them, Alright…I'm sorry for every one of them…I should've never spoken to you like that! Do you realize what these past six weeks have been like…They've been a living hell!" Hunter muttered, pulling me into his embrace.
At first, I fought with everything I had to get Hunter away from me. But every time I'd push, he'd come back for more. Finally, the pain and hurt and exhaustion caught up with me…I stopped fighting and let Hunter wrap his arms around my waist as I wrapped mine around his neck. "How could you say that stuff to me…That I didn't know what you're going through…That you had nothing?" I pleaded as I sobbed into his shoulder.
"I didn't mean it, Steph…I didn't mean any of it…I had just been feeling sorry for myself! I'm sorry...I know you know how hard it's been for me…I also know how good I have it…I'd be lost without you!"
"You're such a Dick sometimes…" I said as I looked up into Hunter's eyes…They're pleading for forgiveness, "But…I guess I'm gonna have to give you a free pass this time."
"Really?" Hunter asked softly.
"Yeah." I whispered. Hunter pulled me in for our famous kisses…The kisses I'd been missing for the past six weeks. I hated when we fought…No matter who was right or wrong…It was always bad when we did. The only good thing about it was when we made up…We made up. I moaned deeply when Hunter's tongue pushed against mine. Finally, we broke apart for air as our foreheads rested against each other.
"I love you, Steph." Hunter sighed.
I moved out of Hunter's embrace, wiping the tears away from my face. "I know…I love you too."
Hunter smiled as he took my hand, leading me back towards the couch. I felt relieved we talked…We weren't back to normal, but…This was a start. As we both sat back into the loveseat, Hunter moved my legs onto his lap and unzipped my boots, removing my heels and rubbing my feet. I looked on with adoration, thinking our fight was over…At least I thought it was.
"I know this's all sudden…But we can figure everything out when we get back to Birmingham." Hunter said nonchalantly as he drew circles around my ankle.
I shook my head dumfoundly. What did Hunter think was gonna happen…I'd forgive him and then just drop everything and come home? That might've been the case in September…But not anymore. I swung my legs off of Hunter and got up from the couch, choosing to sit on the coffee table that was in front of us.
"Okay…I know Birmingham's home for you right now…And there're days when I miss it…I do. But…For me right now…The road's my home." I responded, hoping Hunter'd understand what I was trying to say…He didn't.
"Then I'll come on the road with you…Your Alliance guys could use a mentor. Plus…I can get my rehab in wherever Raw and Smackdown goes." Hunter assumed as he scooted closer to me.
"No!" I yelled as I turned on Hunter, pushing past him as I got off the couch and made my way in front of the coffee table, "Birmingham's the best place for you to rehab and you've work so hard not to see this through. I need you more than anything…But if I ask you to come with me…You're gonna end up feeling bitter about it, hence you'll end up being bitter at me."
Hunter laughed as he got up from the loveseat and stood in front of me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Steph…I could never be bitter at you…We've come too far for that to happen." He whispered.
"Not that I don't love you for saying that, but…I have to prove not just to myself…But to the world…I can do this. I think these last few weeks have taught me more about myself than I realized. On top of that…We both have so much we wanna do!" I sighed.
"We can do all of it together…Just…Come home!" Hunter pleaded.
I looked at Hunter, feeling like I was being pulled in two different directions. Everything was set…Shane and I had agreed to the "Winner Take All." match…We were so close to getting everything we wanted…Why couldn't he see that? "Give me until after Survivor Series!" I begged.
It was then Hunter started to get angry with me. "So you're saying you're not coming back to Birmingham!" He screamed as he walked away from me towards the bed.
I followed close behind. "No! I'm not saying I'm not coming back to Birmingham…I'm saying I'm not coming back right now! I wanna be with you…" I said as I put my hands on Hunter's face. When he tried to pull away, I fought back, "…Hey…Don't do that! I want us to be together…I love you so much!"
"Just not enough to come home." Hunter muttered.
I stood there, running my fingers through my hair. How did things go wrong so quickly…How did we go from not talking to getting back together to fighting again…In the span of six hours. I managed to wrap my arms around Hunter and was relieved when he hugged me back. "Okay…Can we just pretend this conversation never happened…That you apologized and I forgave you and…"
"No…I don't think we can." Hunter spoke softly as he cut me off. Before I could respond, he sighed once more, "Maybe it's not "Us against the World." anymore."
I pulled away and looked into Hunter's eyes, hoping whatever I said would somehow make everything better. "Don't say that…All our dreams're gonna come true, Hunter...Me and Shane taking over the company and you coming back from your injury…It's gonna happen…I know it!"
"Well…One of us got our wish." I said sadly.
"What happened after that night?" The therapist asked.
"Things weren't the same…I'd call and email and come home for the weekend like I used to, but…There was this coldness and distance between us. " I responded.
"Is that when Kurt asked to join the Alliance…You said yes so easily?"
I nodded. "I wanted Hunter to fight for me…Like he did before…And he didn't. Now that I think about it…I should've known Kurt was a spy…Dad used my history with him against me…It was pretty smart. After Survivor Series…Hunter and I'd have two weeks of back to normal…Then two weeks of horrible…I started taking out on Lucy which I shouldn't have."
"How so?"
"Lucy would wanna be picked up or played with or...Just shown attention. When I'd go to do something about…She'd snap at me or whimper for Hunter and…I got to the point where I gave up with her."
"What about Hunter…You said one of you got your wish?"
"…Does January 7, 2002 ring a bell?"
Hopefully this chapter did it for you guys…Next up's HHH's return...A night I'll never forget! As far as him and Stephanie go, though…It's all downhill from here!
