"Good morning. Welcome to the Greater Chicago Children's Charity. How may I help you?"

Jericho smiled at the young receptionist. "I'm Chris Jericho. I have a 9am appointment with Mr. Anderson."

"One moment, sir." The young lady spoke quietly into her headset, then nodded. "Mr. Anderson can see you now. His office is at the end of the hallway."

"Thank you." Jericho walked down the hallway, noticing the pictures hanging on both sides of the hallway. They were all pictures of children and adults, presumably either adoptive or foster parents. From his research, Jericho knew the charity had an excellent reputation. He certainly wouldn't have wanted to find anything wrong and have Mox learn about it.

He was close to the door when it opened, and a beefy-built older man appeared and held out his hand. "Mr. Jericho? I'm Arn Anderson."

"Mr. Anderson, a pleasure to meet you." Jericho shook the man's hand and was ushered into the office. Jericho's first impression was that this was a working-man's office. No frills, but comfortable. The desk had neatly stacked folders and several notepads stacked next to the telephone. This wasn't an office to impress anyone, but to get the work done.

Arn indicated a chair with a wave of his hand, then sat down behind his desk. "I understand this is about a child from some time ago."

Jericho nodded. "Marie Denise Moxley was ten months old when she died of a heart defect…one she was born with. Her parents were unable to get her adequate medical attention due to their financial difficulties. This charity stepped up to arrange for her burial." He leaned back in his chair and sighed. "The child had an older brother, not yet two years old when she died. He was too young to remember her and so knew nothing about her until a few weeks ago when his father died."

"That must have come as a surprise," Arn neutrally spoke.

"It was a shock," Jericho corrected. "I was there when he found out, and he…" He briefly shook his head. "He was almost catatonic. It took three of us to bring him out of it." He reached into his jacket and pulled out a sealed envelope. He handed it to Arn and continued, "Mr. Moxley is the child's only living relative. He has resided in Davenport, Iowa since he was four years old. It…bothers him greatly that his baby sister is here in Chicago." He held up a hand when Arn glowered. "He has no problem with your charity and is grateful for what you did for his sister. Had your charity not stepped up, he realizes his sister would probably be lying in an unmarked pauper's grave. But he wants to bring her home."

Jericho indicated the unopened envelope in Arn's hand. "That's a signed letter from Mr. Moxley authorizing me to make contact with your charity and make arrangements to have his sister's body transferred to Davenport for reburial. You'll also see a photo copy of a picture ID for Mr. Moxley along with phone numbers for him and his attorney, who also included a letter confirming Mr. Moxley's signature along with burial and transit permits from the Bearer Mortuary in Davenport along with Mr. Bearer's phone number."

Arn silently read the letters then placed them on his desk. "Well, I have to admit this is a new one for me," he sighed. He drummed his fingers on the desk for a few seconds, then picked up his phone and dialed an extension. "Gino, can you come to my office? Thanks." When he hung up, he spread out the documents on his desk. Seconds later, there was knock on the door and a man entered.

"Mr. Jericho, this is Gino Hernandez, our attorney," Arn introduced. "Gino, can you look over these documents and give me your legal opinion?"

Gino took the documents and carefully read through them. He then handed them back to Arn. "The seals and stamps are correct. My advice is to contact the parties involved and confirm their identities. If they're confirmed, there's no reason not to proceed."

"Thanks, Gino." Arn waited until he left before picking up his phone again. "Time to make some calls."

"Would you like me to step out or come back?" Jericho politely asked.

"No, that's fine. This shouldn't take long." He dialed one of the numbers.

"Moxley."

"Jonathan Moxley?"

"Yes?"

Arn smiled at the caution in the other man's voice. "Mr. Moxley, this is Arn Anderson of the Greater Chicago Children's Charity. Do you have a few moments to speak with me?"

"Oh…sure…did you get the paperwork?"

"I did," Arn confirmed. "Just a few questions, however. Can you describe Mr. Chris Jericho?"

"Well, he's probably a little older than he looks which is about 40," Mox answered. "I honestly don't know his exact age. He's blonde with blue eyes and a moustache. Looks good in a suit. About 6 feet tall…maybe 225 lbs.?"

"And you are the only living relative of Marie Denise Moxley? Mr. Jericho stated your father recently passed away?"

"Yeah, that's when I found out about her." Mox took a deep breath. "Look, I just want to bring her home…where she can be buried with family. So, whatever I need to do, I'll make it happen."

Arn heard the sadness in Mox's voice and silently nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Moxley. I don't see any problems with that. I'll contact…" He glanced at the papers on his desk. "…uh, Mr. Bearer; and we'll make all the arrangements."

"Thank you, sir," Mox quietly spoke.

"Mr. Jericho can provide you with the details," Arn promised. "Thank you for your help." He hung up. "Let's see if I can get Mr. Bearer on the phone to get this going."

Fifteen minutes later, all the arrangements had been made. Jericho had taken notes so he could advise Mox. He knew Paul Bearer would notify Roman.

Arn stood and shook Jericho's hand. "I'll be at the cemetery tomorrow in case there are any problems. You'll be there as well?"

Jericho nodded. "I'll follow the hearse down to Davenport and to the mortuary." He reached into his pocket and placed another envelope on Arn's desk. "I was instructed to give this to you as well after matters were completed so there was no question of impropriety. Mr. Moxley wished to make a donation to your charity in thanks for the care and respect provided to his sister."

Jericho managed not to smile, remembering overhearing the heated argument between Mox and Roman over the donation. Roman had intended it to come from one of his charities, but Mox had argued him down. Roman had wisely conceded the argument.

"This is quite generous," Arn said after glancing at the check.

Jericho hesitated, obviously trying to find the right words. "As I said, Mr. Moxley doesn't remember his sister. And his childhood wasn't…good. In fact, he wound up living with another family who he credits with making sure he didn't wind up dead or worse. Finding out about his sister the way he did has brought up a lot of bad childhood memories."

Arn sympathetically nodded. "Well, I'm hope once she's buried with family, things will be better for Mr. Moxley."

Knowing where Mox's sister was going to be buried, he smiled. "I'm sure it will."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

When his phone buzzed with a message, Mox looked up from the sketches he made for their latest project. He took the phone and opened the message app.

'Everything's done. She'll be disinterred tomorrow morning. We should be at Bearer's mid to late afternoon. Bearer said funeral can be Monday around 1pm. Let me know if that's okay, and I'll confirm with him. Jericho.'

Mox quickly texted back. 'Okay but don't use the guy who did Jack's funeral.' Despite himself, he smiled when Jericho texted back a 'thumbs up' and several exclamation marks. Then he then tossed the phone back onto the desk. He didn't want to think about it anymore.

And he didn't until it was time to close up for the weekend. Mox slowly walked into the breakroom where Nikki was giving Mitch a final drink of water. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans as Kendrick and Ryder joined them.

"Uh…I know we planned to meet Monday to finalize the designs for that new project," Mox hesitantly began, his eyes staring at the floor. "But I won't be available on Monday."

Nikki worriedly glanced at the other two men. "Something wrong, boss?"

"I…found out that…I had a baby sister…about a year younger than me." Mox continued to look at the floor. "She died when she was ten months old…I wasn't even two. I…they buried her in Chicago where we were living and never went back. So, I'm bringing her here…and re…reburying her…on Monday…so everybodyhaveanicelongweekendseeyouonTuesday." Mox spun around on his heel and walked back to his office, firmly closing the door behind him.

Ryder looked at Kendrick who looked at Nikki. "What the hell was that?" Ryder finally asked in confusion.

Nikki pursed her lips as she cradled Mitch. "I don't know. But I know someone who can tell me."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"SETH! SETH ROLLINS!"

Bayley looked at the woman who'd stormed into the bookstore, ficus plant held under one arm. She recognized her as the woman Seth was dating. "Uh..Nikki? Seth's upstairs. I can call…"

"Never mind." Nikki stomped past the front counter and down the hallway. She threw open the door leading to the upstairs and bellowed, "SETH ROLLINS!" She then stomped up the stairs, slamming the door behind her.

Startled, Seth came out from the kitchen to meet her. He automatically reached to take Mitch, then stepped back when Nikki snarled at him. "Umm…what's wrong?" he diffidently asked.

"WRONG?! You want to know what's WRONG?!"

"Yes…please?" Seth watched as Nikki carefully set Mitch down on a table next to the couch then wheeled around, jabbing her finger into his chest.

"You knew about the boss' little sister and didn't tell me? He's going through this trauma, and you think I'm just an employee! I'm his friend! How dare you keep this from me?"

Seth threw up both hands in defense. "Okay, let's start from the beginning. Can you calm down enough to listen? Or do I need to take a walk until you are calm?"

Nikki blew out a deep breath and folded her arms across her chest. "Go on."

"I just found out about it two days ago," Seth quietly explained. "I was there when Mox was told and…" He took a deep breath. "Nikki, at first he denied ever having a sister. Then, when he was shown the proof, he…blew up. He was furious…so angry. Then he just…became catatonic."

Nikki's green eyes widened.

"He just stood there," Seth continued, unconsciously rubbing his hands together. "But he didn't see us…didn't hear us…just…like he'd totally checked out mentally." He sighed. "We sorta walked him to the couch and sat him down. He didn't react at all until we tried to get him to drink some water. He drank a little then…just broke down and cried." Seth was surprised when Nikki brushed some tears from his cheeks. He sadly smiled. "I think we all cried…I know I did."

"I'm sorry I yelled," Nikki murmured as she wrapped her arms around him.

Seth slowly hugged her in return. "I was going to tell you once things were arranged. He's bringing her back her…so upset that she was buried in Chicago. But that's where they lived for another couple of years. But they never told him about her…he was so young…he's angry they just abandoned her."

"How did she die?" Nikki gently asked.

Seth stepped back and guided them to sit on the couch. "She was born with a heart defect just after Mox turned a year old," he explained. "There aren't any medical records for her so it looks like her parents never got her any medical help." He saw first surprise then anger flash in Nikki's eyes.

"And why was that?" she snapped.

Seth rubbed his face. "From what we know, Mox's parents left Chicago because his father had run up serious gambling habits…something he kept doing for the rest of his life." He watched Nikki take deep breaths to control her anger.

"Best that bloody bastard's dead," she finally seethed. Then she flared at Seth. "And the boss' mother never said a word? Never told him?" When Seth silently shook his head, she snapped, "Is she going to dare show her face at the funeral?"

"God, I hope not!" Seth replied. "Mox doesn't want her to know about any of this. If she finds out and shows up, Mox will open the gates of hell on her."

"And I'll help hide the body!" Nikki vehemently promised.

Seth gently hugged her. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that, okay? Now, how did you find out?"

"The boss told us to take a long weekend because of the funeral on Monday." Nikki curled up against Seth. "What time is it going to be? I'll let Zach and Bryan know."

"It'll be 1pm at Heavenly Gardens Cemetery." Seth leaned back into the couch. "I was going to tell you tonight. The arrangements weren't finalized until this morning."

"I'm sorry I yelled," Nikki apologized again.

"I get it," Seth smiled as he hugged her. "You're Mox's friend, too."

Nikki got to her feet. "I'm gonna wash my face," she muttered.

Seth waited until the bathroom door closed, then leaned closer to Mitch and began to quietly talk. After a few minutes, he smiled in satisfaction. Getting to his feet, he quickly walked to his bedroom.

Nikki walked back into the living room and looked around. "Seth?" she called out.

"Right here." Seth walked out of his bedroom, hands behind his back. "Mitch and I just had a conversation, and I've gotten his approval."

"Oh?" Nikki glanced at Mitch, then gasped as Seth dropped to one knee.

"Nikki Cross, will you marry me?" Seth brought his hands from behind his back. In one hand was an open ring box. In side was a gold ring with a single solitaire diamond.

"YES! YES! YES!"

Downstairs in the bookstore, Bayley, Finn and several customers looked up at the ceiling after hearing a woman yelling 'yes' several times accompanied by what sounded like someone either jumping on the floor or…

Bayley exchanged a grin with a few of the customers.

"Uh…should we…" Finn pointed a finger at the ceiling.

"Finn, there are two times a woman screams 'yes' like that," Bayley chuckled. "And you don't want to interrupt either of them."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Roman paused in front of Mox's closed bedroom door and took a deep breath. Mox had skipped dinner so he'd brought a warmed plate with him. "Turn about's fair play," he muttered to himself as he knocked on the door. When no one answered, he slowly opened the door. "Mox?"

Startled, Mox looked up from where he was lying on his bed, his sister's picture in his hands.

"Sorry, I knocked but guess you didn't hear," Roman said as he closed the door behind him. "I brought something for you to eat." He put the plate on the bedside table. "You made me eat when I skipped dinner so…" He grinned when Mox rolled his eyes and sat up. "May I?" he asked, indicating the picture. When Mox handed it to him, he gently placed it on the dresser. "We would've had to beat the guys off with tree limbs when she got older," he mused.

"We?" Mox asked as he pushed his fork around on the plate.

Roman sighed and sat next to him. He took the fork and speared a piece of steak. "Here's the airplane…"

Mox grabbed the fork. "Asshole," he muttered. But he began eating.

"And, yes, 'we'." Roman gave the other man a quizzical look. "We still would've been put together on that science project. Nothing after that would've changed."

"You…you think…both of us would've been here?" Mox asked.

Roman waited until Mox looked at him. "You do remember my mother, don't you?" he joked. He relaxed when Mox grinned.

"Yeah, I do," Mox gently answered.

"Of course, we would've only had to beat off half the guys 'cause Dad would've scared the rest of them away," Roman chuckled. He was startled when Mox almost threw the plate onto the bedside table.

"She should've been here!" Mox blurted out, rubbing his hands over his face.

"Hey, I'm sorry." Roman hugged his brother close. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"I can't get it out of my mind!" Mox hissed. "They should've done something to help her!"

"Yeah, they should've," Roman agreed, subtly getting Mox to lie down. Settling next to him, he added, "And if Jack was still alive, I'd turn you loose on him."

"And help me bury the body?" Mox half-laughed.

"Trust me. Nobody would find it."

Mox glanced at his brother. "What if…she shows up…at the funeral?"

"She won't get past the front gates," Roman promised. "Oh, and Seth talked to the man who did his uncle's funeral. He's going to officiate."

Mox relaxed. Roman's promises to him were always kept. "I'm worried about testifying," he quietly admitted.

"Why's that?" Roman evenly asked.

Mox sighed. "You were right about Angle playing the defense attorney the other day. I kept losing my temper. If Regal hadn't stepped in, I…" He shrugged as his voice dropped off.

"I'm not surprised with everything else that's going on," Roman replied. "And, it's not a bad thing. Better you lose your temper with Angle in practice than in Court. Remember what Dad told us…when we were learning how to fight? Never give your opponent an opening. Not just physically, but also mentally. Who cares what's said? It doesn't matter." He felt Mox begin to relax. "It's the job of the defense attorney to make you look like a lying asshole. It's going to be Angle's job to try and stop it. But the defense attorney is going to get some shots in. Don't let anyone see that those shots hurt."

"Just one more fight alone," Mox muttered, his eyes slowly closing.

"Who says you're going to be alone?" Roman softly asked. "Angle's job is to protect you as much as possible. And Regal's going to be there. While he can't interfere, he'll know what's going on to protect you legally. And you're going to have plenty of support in that courtroom."

"You'll be there?" Mox sleepily asked.

"Regal advised that I shouldn't," Roman murmured. "Both he and Angle feel the defense attorney will use me to insinuate you went after Lesnar because of your relationship with me and Lesnar's alleged association with the Authority. But you won't be alone." He glanced over at Mox and saw the other man had fallen asleep. "You won't ever have to fight alone again," he promised in a whisper.