Chris woke up with the lovely bonus of a very bad headache. The entire week he'd been having has been a complete disaster. He didn't know if he could take any other of the lovely little 'surprises' he had been getting. He groggily got up, stretching. He glanced down, noting the bruise he had gotten last night was significantly better, and didn't hurt as much.
Now that his brain didn't have anything else to think about, he suddenly found himself remembering the last night of insanity he had had, which happened to be a few days ago. So, Stephanie had be conscience enough to know he was the one who helped him. Well, at least he knew that his efforts didn't go unrewarded. He had to wonder if she would have been so nice of him..dropping in, to say, if he hadn't helped her out.
Probably not. He couldn't say for sure, though. He did figure that would be the last time they'd ever act civil to each other again. She said it herself, she paid him back by saving him from a very painful death. Small world, huh? He wasn't particularily excited about the night he was about to have, considering that Austin was still not very pleased with him. He could feel the pain he was going to be inflicted with all ready.
He sighed and got ready for another fun-filled day. In actuality, it had been pretty quiet since that night, but it didn't make Chris feel any better. There was always that little calm in between the storm, where you think it's over and it really isn't. He knew it was going to be like that. It was like a nagging, horrible feeling that just sat at the pit of his gut.
He decided to visit Benoit's room. He hadn't talked to him in awhile, and tonight was his last night before he went back to his house for more real rest for his neck. He opened the door after he got ready and walked out of his room. The walk was a short distance, and soon he was in front of the door, knocking on it. A few seconds later, a very sleepy looking Benoit appeared from behind the door, and he looked at Jericho sleepily.
"Chris?" he inquired wearily.
"I didn't wake you, did I?" he grinned.
"No, of course not. I wear boxers as clothes all the time." he replied sarcastically.
"Well, that's good to hear. I must say, though, green really isn't your color." Chris laughed. Benoit yawned.
"Is there a reason why you're here besides commenting on my clothing?" Benoit smirked.
"Wanna go get something to eat?" Jericho asked.
"Not especially, but I have a feeling I'm not going to have a choice." he responded.
"Bingo." Chris grinned as his friend mumbled something under his breath.
"Fine." he replied in defeat. "Just let me get changed. Come on in."
Chris walked in, sitting on the still messy bed of his friend's as he got ready. It didn't take long, and soon they were both at a table in a very sleepy little diner, and it was basically empty. Benoit had his head on the table, looking like he was trying to fall asleep again.
"Are you comfortable?" Jericho smirked.
"Yes." Benoit replied before yawning.
"It's 9 am, you used to be up before me." he laughed.
"Yeah. What happened to you? You used to be so lazy. Why can't you be like that any more?" Benoit asked, looking at him.
"I guess you were such a positive role model to me." he sniggered, stirring the milk into his coffee.
"Do me a favor, go back to being the lazy ass you used to be." Benoit yawned. "So, how's it going? Haven't talked to you in a few days."
"Just trying to forget the last few days." Chris replied, sipping the coffee carefully. "I have a bad feeling about tonight."
"What do you mean?" Benoit inquired, drinking his own straight black coffee.
"Well, I don't know." he sighed. "It's been too quiet these last few days. Sort of like the calm before a storm."
"Don't worry, I'm sure nothing will happen. Don't be so paranoid." he imparted.
"Austin's going to go after me." he groaned.
"Sure he is, but you can take him. I have faith in you my friend." Benoit grinned.
"I can take a normal Austin, but not an insane one. He's gonna be insane with rage because I stopped him from completeing his little task of being an example and stuff. He's gonna rip me apart." Chris shuddered involunatarily.
"Hey, maybe he'll be so mad he'll give you a title shot." he shrugged.
"Yeah, and I'm sure it'll end like every other shot I had." he sighed.
"Hey, I have the same track record you have." Benoit pointed out.
"How could I forget?" he chuckled. "We're way too similar for our own good. Either way, I won't hold my breath, even if I did happen to get the title chance."
"You're so bitter." Benoit replied dryly, giving him a smirk.
"Well, it happens when you're screwed at least 6 times in 3 years." he mumbled.
"Well, I'm sure one day you'll have your day in the sun." Benoit nodded. "Hopefully I'll be there to take it and taunt you like the evil jackass I am."
"You're such a great friend." Chris smirked as Benoit beamed.
"I know!" he laughed. "Seriously, though, don't worry so much. You're going to make your hair go white and then no one will be able to call you a Backstreet Boy. That would be a tragedy."
"I like my hair." he pouted.
And then the rest of the day was quiet. He sort of just hung around, talked to people he knew, and basically really kept to himself when he could. He kept getting that feeling, that he wss going to have a very very bad match, that he was going to get his ass kicked.
And then it came true. He was sitting innocently in a locker room with Benoit when the door suddenly smashed in. Both he and Benoit jumped up, but Austin made a beeline to Jericho, smashing him into the wall. Benoit tried to step in, but Austin basically pushed him aside, making him trip over a chair and smash into one of the slots. With him dazed, he turned his attention to Jericho, pinning him to a wall.
"Not so brave now, are you? What? Stop squirming." He let go enough that Jericho could catch his glare. "I don't like it when people get in my business. When people do that, I get very angry. So hey, I'm feeling generous. What..? I said I'm feeling generous. You think you can beat me? I'm Stone Cole Steve Austin, damnit! Right here, tonight, for this title, you're going to face me." Austin snarled, putting the belt right to his face. "You see this? You're never going to get any closer to this belt. Look at you, you're pathetic. You're pathetic Jericho! And tonight, I'll kick your ass once and for all. What? You be there, you silly little blonde bastard." He let him go, and Jericho fell to the ground, gasping for air. Jericho watched Austin simply walk out, still wincing at the long chokehold he was in.
He managed to stand, shaking it off. He had gained his air passage again, and his breathing shallowed. He quickly hopped over the chair Benoit had tripped over and helped his friend up. He was wincing, but he didn't look that hurt, perhaps a little dazed.
"You were saying about me being paranoid?" Jericho smirked as Benoit got to his feet.
"Kick his ass." Benoit replied angrily. "For both of us."
And the match came way too quickly. Jericho was actually really worried about his safety. Austin almost strangled him into unconsciencness. He winced at the memory of his hands on his neck. By the time the match started, Jericho had only slightly been able to psych himself up for the insanity that was going to be going on. Austin didn't take much time to go after him.
By the end of the match, he was dead tired. Austin was ruthless, and Jericho feared he would look even worse then Angle did in the end of his Summerslam match. He was giving it his all, and managed to down Austin for a moment so he could catch his breath and get back a little more strenght. That's when he saw her.
When the hell did she come down, he had to wonder. He eyed Stephanie warily, smelling another defeat again because of her, but deciding that it was worth trying. He went after Austin again, and she didn't cheer for Austin, but she didn't do anything for him either. She was distracting him, and he hated her for that. He wasn't suppose to be distracted by her when she wasn't doing anything.
And then the ref went down. When Jericho saw that, he knew he was screwed. It was like a reply of his last 5 title matches, probably even more. Austin quickly started playing unfair, and Jericho soon got clocked in the head with the title belt. He fell over, his body not willing him to get up. He felt Austin pin him, and he knew it was over. That was it. The ref was awake of course, and began counting. One. Jericho had more or less given up hope of kicking out. Two. He closed his eyes, waiting for the third. And then it didn't come.
Austin got off him, and he managed to get up slightly finally, the weight not pushing him down any longer. Through a tangle of sweat-glisened hair, Jericho saw what had happened. He managed to stand up, and his now much more focused eyesight confirmed it. Stephanie had pulled the ref out of the ring. She stopped the count. Austin was against the ropes, arguing with the two. Jericho saw his opening.
He pulled him into a school boy pin. He felt a sudden surge of energy as he pushed down the flailing Austin. He heard the count. One. Jericho continued to push as hard as he could down so Austin would stay in. Two. He felt his grip weakening. He twitched, suddenly remembering Benoit's own words. This was his time to shine. He suddenly felt himself get a better hold, and the third count was more or less like a dream. He got off, and managed to stay on his feet, but only barely. He had..won?
He heard his music blaring. The idea hadn't registered yet, until he heard his name and WWF champion together. He looked up at the ramp for a moment, seeing Stephanie looking at him with an approved look on her face before disappearing behind the curtain. The ref handed him the title, and he just suddenly had an urge.
Austin was on the ground, still a bit dazed. Jericho stood over him, putting the belt close to his face, a wicked smile on his face. "You see this, Austin?" he hissed. "Take a good look at this. Because it's MINE now, you silly little bastard." he mimicked. He kicked his middle section, and Austin twitched at it, holding his ribs. Jericho easily held the belt up for all to see.
But he couldn't say he won it by himself, and he knew it. Stephanie McMahon had just approvingly helped him take it from her own team champion, and Jericho couldn't be any more confused.
Now that his brain didn't have anything else to think about, he suddenly found himself remembering the last night of insanity he had had, which happened to be a few days ago. So, Stephanie had be conscience enough to know he was the one who helped him. Well, at least he knew that his efforts didn't go unrewarded. He had to wonder if she would have been so nice of him..dropping in, to say, if he hadn't helped her out.
Probably not. He couldn't say for sure, though. He did figure that would be the last time they'd ever act civil to each other again. She said it herself, she paid him back by saving him from a very painful death. Small world, huh? He wasn't particularily excited about the night he was about to have, considering that Austin was still not very pleased with him. He could feel the pain he was going to be inflicted with all ready.
He sighed and got ready for another fun-filled day. In actuality, it had been pretty quiet since that night, but it didn't make Chris feel any better. There was always that little calm in between the storm, where you think it's over and it really isn't. He knew it was going to be like that. It was like a nagging, horrible feeling that just sat at the pit of his gut.
He decided to visit Benoit's room. He hadn't talked to him in awhile, and tonight was his last night before he went back to his house for more real rest for his neck. He opened the door after he got ready and walked out of his room. The walk was a short distance, and soon he was in front of the door, knocking on it. A few seconds later, a very sleepy looking Benoit appeared from behind the door, and he looked at Jericho sleepily.
"Chris?" he inquired wearily.
"I didn't wake you, did I?" he grinned.
"No, of course not. I wear boxers as clothes all the time." he replied sarcastically.
"Well, that's good to hear. I must say, though, green really isn't your color." Chris laughed. Benoit yawned.
"Is there a reason why you're here besides commenting on my clothing?" Benoit smirked.
"Wanna go get something to eat?" Jericho asked.
"Not especially, but I have a feeling I'm not going to have a choice." he responded.
"Bingo." Chris grinned as his friend mumbled something under his breath.
"Fine." he replied in defeat. "Just let me get changed. Come on in."
Chris walked in, sitting on the still messy bed of his friend's as he got ready. It didn't take long, and soon they were both at a table in a very sleepy little diner, and it was basically empty. Benoit had his head on the table, looking like he was trying to fall asleep again.
"Are you comfortable?" Jericho smirked.
"Yes." Benoit replied before yawning.
"It's 9 am, you used to be up before me." he laughed.
"Yeah. What happened to you? You used to be so lazy. Why can't you be like that any more?" Benoit asked, looking at him.
"I guess you were such a positive role model to me." he sniggered, stirring the milk into his coffee.
"Do me a favor, go back to being the lazy ass you used to be." Benoit yawned. "So, how's it going? Haven't talked to you in a few days."
"Just trying to forget the last few days." Chris replied, sipping the coffee carefully. "I have a bad feeling about tonight."
"What do you mean?" Benoit inquired, drinking his own straight black coffee.
"Well, I don't know." he sighed. "It's been too quiet these last few days. Sort of like the calm before a storm."
"Don't worry, I'm sure nothing will happen. Don't be so paranoid." he imparted.
"Austin's going to go after me." he groaned.
"Sure he is, but you can take him. I have faith in you my friend." Benoit grinned.
"I can take a normal Austin, but not an insane one. He's gonna be insane with rage because I stopped him from completeing his little task of being an example and stuff. He's gonna rip me apart." Chris shuddered involunatarily.
"Hey, maybe he'll be so mad he'll give you a title shot." he shrugged.
"Yeah, and I'm sure it'll end like every other shot I had." he sighed.
"Hey, I have the same track record you have." Benoit pointed out.
"How could I forget?" he chuckled. "We're way too similar for our own good. Either way, I won't hold my breath, even if I did happen to get the title chance."
"You're so bitter." Benoit replied dryly, giving him a smirk.
"Well, it happens when you're screwed at least 6 times in 3 years." he mumbled.
"Well, I'm sure one day you'll have your day in the sun." Benoit nodded. "Hopefully I'll be there to take it and taunt you like the evil jackass I am."
"You're such a great friend." Chris smirked as Benoit beamed.
"I know!" he laughed. "Seriously, though, don't worry so much. You're going to make your hair go white and then no one will be able to call you a Backstreet Boy. That would be a tragedy."
"I like my hair." he pouted.
And then the rest of the day was quiet. He sort of just hung around, talked to people he knew, and basically really kept to himself when he could. He kept getting that feeling, that he wss going to have a very very bad match, that he was going to get his ass kicked.
And then it came true. He was sitting innocently in a locker room with Benoit when the door suddenly smashed in. Both he and Benoit jumped up, but Austin made a beeline to Jericho, smashing him into the wall. Benoit tried to step in, but Austin basically pushed him aside, making him trip over a chair and smash into one of the slots. With him dazed, he turned his attention to Jericho, pinning him to a wall.
"Not so brave now, are you? What? Stop squirming." He let go enough that Jericho could catch his glare. "I don't like it when people get in my business. When people do that, I get very angry. So hey, I'm feeling generous. What..? I said I'm feeling generous. You think you can beat me? I'm Stone Cole Steve Austin, damnit! Right here, tonight, for this title, you're going to face me." Austin snarled, putting the belt right to his face. "You see this? You're never going to get any closer to this belt. Look at you, you're pathetic. You're pathetic Jericho! And tonight, I'll kick your ass once and for all. What? You be there, you silly little blonde bastard." He let him go, and Jericho fell to the ground, gasping for air. Jericho watched Austin simply walk out, still wincing at the long chokehold he was in.
He managed to stand, shaking it off. He had gained his air passage again, and his breathing shallowed. He quickly hopped over the chair Benoit had tripped over and helped his friend up. He was wincing, but he didn't look that hurt, perhaps a little dazed.
"You were saying about me being paranoid?" Jericho smirked as Benoit got to his feet.
"Kick his ass." Benoit replied angrily. "For both of us."
And the match came way too quickly. Jericho was actually really worried about his safety. Austin almost strangled him into unconsciencness. He winced at the memory of his hands on his neck. By the time the match started, Jericho had only slightly been able to psych himself up for the insanity that was going to be going on. Austin didn't take much time to go after him.
By the end of the match, he was dead tired. Austin was ruthless, and Jericho feared he would look even worse then Angle did in the end of his Summerslam match. He was giving it his all, and managed to down Austin for a moment so he could catch his breath and get back a little more strenght. That's when he saw her.
When the hell did she come down, he had to wonder. He eyed Stephanie warily, smelling another defeat again because of her, but deciding that it was worth trying. He went after Austin again, and she didn't cheer for Austin, but she didn't do anything for him either. She was distracting him, and he hated her for that. He wasn't suppose to be distracted by her when she wasn't doing anything.
And then the ref went down. When Jericho saw that, he knew he was screwed. It was like a reply of his last 5 title matches, probably even more. Austin quickly started playing unfair, and Jericho soon got clocked in the head with the title belt. He fell over, his body not willing him to get up. He felt Austin pin him, and he knew it was over. That was it. The ref was awake of course, and began counting. One. Jericho had more or less given up hope of kicking out. Two. He closed his eyes, waiting for the third. And then it didn't come.
Austin got off him, and he managed to get up slightly finally, the weight not pushing him down any longer. Through a tangle of sweat-glisened hair, Jericho saw what had happened. He managed to stand up, and his now much more focused eyesight confirmed it. Stephanie had pulled the ref out of the ring. She stopped the count. Austin was against the ropes, arguing with the two. Jericho saw his opening.
He pulled him into a school boy pin. He felt a sudden surge of energy as he pushed down the flailing Austin. He heard the count. One. Jericho continued to push as hard as he could down so Austin would stay in. Two. He felt his grip weakening. He twitched, suddenly remembering Benoit's own words. This was his time to shine. He suddenly felt himself get a better hold, and the third count was more or less like a dream. He got off, and managed to stay on his feet, but only barely. He had..won?
He heard his music blaring. The idea hadn't registered yet, until he heard his name and WWF champion together. He looked up at the ramp for a moment, seeing Stephanie looking at him with an approved look on her face before disappearing behind the curtain. The ref handed him the title, and he just suddenly had an urge.
Austin was on the ground, still a bit dazed. Jericho stood over him, putting the belt close to his face, a wicked smile on his face. "You see this, Austin?" he hissed. "Take a good look at this. Because it's MINE now, you silly little bastard." he mimicked. He kicked his middle section, and Austin twitched at it, holding his ribs. Jericho easily held the belt up for all to see.
But he couldn't say he won it by himself, and he knew it. Stephanie McMahon had just approvingly helped him take it from her own team champion, and Jericho couldn't be any more confused.