Stephanie strode down to the ring purposefully. Test looked up at the commotion. He hid a smile. He continued to serve Buff Bagwell a series of chops.
Stephanie positioned herself on the ring apron. Test maneuvered Bagwell toward the ropes near Stephanie. She went to slap Bagwell and "accidently" missed him. Her face went white with shock. Test stared at her in shock. She pointed at Bagwell, who was about to mount an offensive.
Test quickly countered Bagwell and delivered the pump-handle slam. Test covered Bagwell for the win, but Stephanie had the referee distracted by the ropes. Test got up and shoved the referee away from Stephanie. He glared at her.
"Get it right!" he yelled.
Stephanie's eyes filled with anger. She brought her arm back and slapped his face as hard as she could. Test was sent reeling in shock. Stephanie got off the apron and left the ring, wiping off her hands in disgust. She smiled in satisfaction when she heard Bagwell's music play after he gained the victory over Test.
Stephanie hurried to her dressing room. Shane was packing her bag. "Where's Edge?"
"Telling the limo driver to be ready for a quick getaway," Shane explained.
"Hey Boss," Lance Storm said as he entered the dressing room. "I heard you might need some help."
"Thanks," Shane said. "Your manager and Test having been having some personal problems. They are only going to be worse after I have a little talk with Test."
"Well, I think I can handle Test," Lance said confidently.
"I'm sure you can," Shane said. "Edge will be back in a few. Can you get Steph to the limo?"
"Yeah, c'mon Steph," Lance said, grabbing her arm.
"No Shane!" Stephanie exclaimed. "This is my mess. I'm not going to leave you to deal with Test alone."
"Stephanie, I don't want you to have to be around Test," Shane said. "I think we all know he's pretty vindictive now."
"Which is all the more reason to not leave you alone," Stephanie exclaimed.
Shane groaned when the door slammed open. An irate Test yelled, "What the hell was that Stephanie?"
"You gave me an ultimatum," Stephanie said. "I gave you my choice."
"Kiss your relationship with Jericho good-bye," Test said coldly.
"No Test," Shane replied. "You just kissed your relationship with WCW good-bye. As of right now, your contract with the WCW is terminated. If you are ever seen at another WCW event I will take legal actions against you."
"Shane man," Test said. "I thought we were friends."
"We were," Shane answered, "until you started messing with my sister."
Edge came into the dressing room; "The car is ready."
"Planning on running away Stephanie?" Test asked snidely.
"Planning on getting as far away from you as I can," Stephanie replied.
"This isn't over Stephanie," Test promised.
Stephanie shivered involuntarily as Test's eyes caught hers. She let Shane and Edge hurry her to the limo.
*** Meanwhile ***
"Well, come and get me assholes," Jericho muttered. He was sitting at ringside, watching the crew set up the ring.
The Rock walked down the ramp and sat next to Jericho.
"What are you doing here?" Jericho asked.
"The Rock heard some stupid people might be looking to beat the shit out of you," he replied.
"And who did you hear that from?" Jericho asked.
"The Rock thinks it was a little birdie," The Rock answered. "Tweet tweet."
"Thanks," Jericho said.
"No problem," The Rock replied, sitting back. "Though this sitting duck thing might not be the smartest thing in the whole world."
"I guess I'm just perverse," Jericho replied. "What the hell?"
The Rock looked back toward the ramp. The Undertaker and Kane were coming down toward the ring. "What are you guys doing here so early?"
"We heard some heavy shit might be going down in my yard," The Undertaker answered.
"We wanted front row tickets," Kane said.
"Plus," Undertaker continued. "I hate it when people try to hide who they are. I want to find out who the miserable punks who beat you up are."
"Well, that's cool," Jericho replied.
"Well well well," Kurt Angle said as he walked down the ramp, "I see we are having a meeting of former WWF Champs down here. Mind if I join?"
"Why the hell are you here?" The Rock asked.
"I heard that some people that are seriously lacking in integrity might think they have some reason to attack Jericho," Kurt said. "I thought it might be nice of me to help out my friend Stephanie's boyfriend."
"Okay," Jericho said. "How many people did she call?"
"Stephanie didn't call The Rock," Rocky said, "Shane did."
"Shane called me too," the Undertaker said.
"Edge called me," Kurt said.
"Edge?" Jericho said.
"Yeah," Kurt said. "He said he had thought something weird had been going on for awhile and Stephanie confirmed his suspicions."
Jericho shook his head as he laughed. "He's been warning me too."
"Do you know how many people are helping Test?" The Rock asked.
"I think it was five people," Jericho said. "Of course I was getting my ass kicked so I could be wrong."
"Then I guess you could handle a little more help," Vince said as he walked down the ramp.
"It couldn't hurt," Jericho replied.
"Stephanie's on a plane on the way here as we speak," Vince said. "Shane and Edge are with her."
Jericho breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks."
"Hey, who decided to throw a party without inviting me?" a cocky voice asked from the top of the ramp.
"Hey Hunter," Jericho said. "I guess Shane called you too."
"No," Hunter said. "I just kept getting weird anonymous phone calls."
"That would have been Edge I think," Jericho replied.
"Well, I decided to recruit a few more people to make sure it all goes down the right way," Hunter said. The Hardy Boyz walked down the ramp behind him.
"This looks like nine on five to me," Jericho said. "I'm thinking we should be able to take care of them if they ever decide to show their faces."
Five people in head-to-toe black came down one of the empty rows. "I think we have company," Hunter said.
"Well," Jericho said. "Party time."
A short fight ensued. Eventually all five men were lying helplessly on the floor. "Let's unmask these sons-of-bitches," the Undertaker said.
"Rhyno!" Kurt exclaimed. "I always knew you were lacking in integrity."
"Would you shut him up?" Rhyno asked miserably as he held his injured ribs.
"Normally The Rock would say yes," Rocky said. "But today is a different story."
"I think that one over there is the Big Show," Jeff said. Matt pulled off the mask to confirm his brother's suspicion.
Hardcore Holly was unmasked next, followed by Bull Buchanan. The final mystery man was Albert.
"I thought you hated Test," Jericho said.
"He said Shane was on his side," Albert said.
"You think Shane would pick Test over Stephanie?" Jericho asked. "You obviously deserve whatever is coming to you."
"And that would be getting fired," Vince said. "All of you can go pack up your stuff. You'll get severance packages, but your presence is no longer necessary in the WWF."
Jericho turned and began to walk up the ramp. Hunter and Jeff stopped him. "I hope Steph is all right," Jeff said.
"Vince said she's on her way here," Jericho said.
"We're always here for you man," Hunter said. "I know I may have kind of not been around over the past month. Me and Jackie have just been busy."
"I'm happy for you man," Jericho said.
"Thanks," Hunter said.
"I'm here for you too," Jeff said. "You've always been around if anyone needed help."
"Thanks you guys," Jericho said. "I'll be in my dressing room."
"Later," Hunter said.
Jericho drank a bottle of water while he sat on his couch thinking. "Come in," he said when there was a light knock on the door."
"Hey," Stephanie said softly.
Jericho got up and pulled her into his arms. "I couldn't believe you were alright until I saw you for myself."
"Same here," Stephanie said. She gently touched the bruise on his chin. "I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault Stephanie," Jericho replied. "Though I do wish you had told me a little earlier."
"I know," Stephanie said.
"Come on," Jericho said, pulling her back to the couch. "I have a feeling it's been awhile since you've rested."
"Yeah," Stephanie agreed.
"Did Shane fire Test?" Jericho asked.
"Yeah," Stephanie answered. "But Test threatened me."
Jericho balled his fist in anger. "What did he say?"
"That it wasn't over," Stephanie said.
"Well, that bastard can try to get to you and see how badly I beat his ass," Jericho said.
"He can't hurt us Chris," Stephanie said softly. "No one can."
Jericho looked down at Stephanie and gently kissed her. "You're right."
"I'm always right," Stephanie said.
*** It's not the end you all, but I am going out of town and I don't know if I'm going to have Internet access. If I don't, I promise to post all of it when I get back. Please, please, please review. Thanks! ***
Stephanie positioned herself on the ring apron. Test maneuvered Bagwell toward the ropes near Stephanie. She went to slap Bagwell and "accidently" missed him. Her face went white with shock. Test stared at her in shock. She pointed at Bagwell, who was about to mount an offensive.
Test quickly countered Bagwell and delivered the pump-handle slam. Test covered Bagwell for the win, but Stephanie had the referee distracted by the ropes. Test got up and shoved the referee away from Stephanie. He glared at her.
"Get it right!" he yelled.
Stephanie's eyes filled with anger. She brought her arm back and slapped his face as hard as she could. Test was sent reeling in shock. Stephanie got off the apron and left the ring, wiping off her hands in disgust. She smiled in satisfaction when she heard Bagwell's music play after he gained the victory over Test.
Stephanie hurried to her dressing room. Shane was packing her bag. "Where's Edge?"
"Telling the limo driver to be ready for a quick getaway," Shane explained.
"Hey Boss," Lance Storm said as he entered the dressing room. "I heard you might need some help."
"Thanks," Shane said. "Your manager and Test having been having some personal problems. They are only going to be worse after I have a little talk with Test."
"Well, I think I can handle Test," Lance said confidently.
"I'm sure you can," Shane said. "Edge will be back in a few. Can you get Steph to the limo?"
"Yeah, c'mon Steph," Lance said, grabbing her arm.
"No Shane!" Stephanie exclaimed. "This is my mess. I'm not going to leave you to deal with Test alone."
"Stephanie, I don't want you to have to be around Test," Shane said. "I think we all know he's pretty vindictive now."
"Which is all the more reason to not leave you alone," Stephanie exclaimed.
Shane groaned when the door slammed open. An irate Test yelled, "What the hell was that Stephanie?"
"You gave me an ultimatum," Stephanie said. "I gave you my choice."
"Kiss your relationship with Jericho good-bye," Test said coldly.
"No Test," Shane replied. "You just kissed your relationship with WCW good-bye. As of right now, your contract with the WCW is terminated. If you are ever seen at another WCW event I will take legal actions against you."
"Shane man," Test said. "I thought we were friends."
"We were," Shane answered, "until you started messing with my sister."
Edge came into the dressing room; "The car is ready."
"Planning on running away Stephanie?" Test asked snidely.
"Planning on getting as far away from you as I can," Stephanie replied.
"This isn't over Stephanie," Test promised.
Stephanie shivered involuntarily as Test's eyes caught hers. She let Shane and Edge hurry her to the limo.
*** Meanwhile ***
"Well, come and get me assholes," Jericho muttered. He was sitting at ringside, watching the crew set up the ring.
The Rock walked down the ramp and sat next to Jericho.
"What are you doing here?" Jericho asked.
"The Rock heard some stupid people might be looking to beat the shit out of you," he replied.
"And who did you hear that from?" Jericho asked.
"The Rock thinks it was a little birdie," The Rock answered. "Tweet tweet."
"Thanks," Jericho said.
"No problem," The Rock replied, sitting back. "Though this sitting duck thing might not be the smartest thing in the whole world."
"I guess I'm just perverse," Jericho replied. "What the hell?"
The Rock looked back toward the ramp. The Undertaker and Kane were coming down toward the ring. "What are you guys doing here so early?"
"We heard some heavy shit might be going down in my yard," The Undertaker answered.
"We wanted front row tickets," Kane said.
"Plus," Undertaker continued. "I hate it when people try to hide who they are. I want to find out who the miserable punks who beat you up are."
"Well, that's cool," Jericho replied.
"Well well well," Kurt Angle said as he walked down the ramp, "I see we are having a meeting of former WWF Champs down here. Mind if I join?"
"Why the hell are you here?" The Rock asked.
"I heard that some people that are seriously lacking in integrity might think they have some reason to attack Jericho," Kurt said. "I thought it might be nice of me to help out my friend Stephanie's boyfriend."
"Okay," Jericho said. "How many people did she call?"
"Stephanie didn't call The Rock," Rocky said, "Shane did."
"Shane called me too," the Undertaker said.
"Edge called me," Kurt said.
"Edge?" Jericho said.
"Yeah," Kurt said. "He said he had thought something weird had been going on for awhile and Stephanie confirmed his suspicions."
Jericho shook his head as he laughed. "He's been warning me too."
"Do you know how many people are helping Test?" The Rock asked.
"I think it was five people," Jericho said. "Of course I was getting my ass kicked so I could be wrong."
"Then I guess you could handle a little more help," Vince said as he walked down the ramp.
"It couldn't hurt," Jericho replied.
"Stephanie's on a plane on the way here as we speak," Vince said. "Shane and Edge are with her."
Jericho breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks."
"Hey, who decided to throw a party without inviting me?" a cocky voice asked from the top of the ramp.
"Hey Hunter," Jericho said. "I guess Shane called you too."
"No," Hunter said. "I just kept getting weird anonymous phone calls."
"That would have been Edge I think," Jericho replied.
"Well, I decided to recruit a few more people to make sure it all goes down the right way," Hunter said. The Hardy Boyz walked down the ramp behind him.
"This looks like nine on five to me," Jericho said. "I'm thinking we should be able to take care of them if they ever decide to show their faces."
Five people in head-to-toe black came down one of the empty rows. "I think we have company," Hunter said.
"Well," Jericho said. "Party time."
A short fight ensued. Eventually all five men were lying helplessly on the floor. "Let's unmask these sons-of-bitches," the Undertaker said.
"Rhyno!" Kurt exclaimed. "I always knew you were lacking in integrity."
"Would you shut him up?" Rhyno asked miserably as he held his injured ribs.
"Normally The Rock would say yes," Rocky said. "But today is a different story."
"I think that one over there is the Big Show," Jeff said. Matt pulled off the mask to confirm his brother's suspicion.
Hardcore Holly was unmasked next, followed by Bull Buchanan. The final mystery man was Albert.
"I thought you hated Test," Jericho said.
"He said Shane was on his side," Albert said.
"You think Shane would pick Test over Stephanie?" Jericho asked. "You obviously deserve whatever is coming to you."
"And that would be getting fired," Vince said. "All of you can go pack up your stuff. You'll get severance packages, but your presence is no longer necessary in the WWF."
Jericho turned and began to walk up the ramp. Hunter and Jeff stopped him. "I hope Steph is all right," Jeff said.
"Vince said she's on her way here," Jericho said.
"We're always here for you man," Hunter said. "I know I may have kind of not been around over the past month. Me and Jackie have just been busy."
"I'm happy for you man," Jericho said.
"Thanks," Hunter said.
"I'm here for you too," Jeff said. "You've always been around if anyone needed help."
"Thanks you guys," Jericho said. "I'll be in my dressing room."
"Later," Hunter said.
Jericho drank a bottle of water while he sat on his couch thinking. "Come in," he said when there was a light knock on the door."
"Hey," Stephanie said softly.
Jericho got up and pulled her into his arms. "I couldn't believe you were alright until I saw you for myself."
"Same here," Stephanie said. She gently touched the bruise on his chin. "I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault Stephanie," Jericho replied. "Though I do wish you had told me a little earlier."
"I know," Stephanie said.
"Come on," Jericho said, pulling her back to the couch. "I have a feeling it's been awhile since you've rested."
"Yeah," Stephanie agreed.
"Did Shane fire Test?" Jericho asked.
"Yeah," Stephanie answered. "But Test threatened me."
Jericho balled his fist in anger. "What did he say?"
"That it wasn't over," Stephanie said.
"Well, that bastard can try to get to you and see how badly I beat his ass," Jericho said.
"He can't hurt us Chris," Stephanie said softly. "No one can."
Jericho looked down at Stephanie and gently kissed her. "You're right."
"I'm always right," Stephanie said.
*** It's not the end you all, but I am going out of town and I don't know if I'm going to have Internet access. If I don't, I promise to post all of it when I get back. Please, please, please review. Thanks! ***