Title: Sweet Misery
Author: Felicia (The Angel)
Genre: Romance/Drama
Rating: R for mature themes and language
Summary: An unfortunate accident sends Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley into the arms of a very unlikely source. That unlikely source happens to be Chris Jericho.
A/N: This is inspired by Michelle Branch's song, "Sweet Misery." I hear the song, and I think it fits CJ/SMH perfectly. And, ta da! Here we are with another hopeless story of mine… Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Vince McMahon owns the WWF and the Alliance. WWFE owns the names of the characters, and Michelle Branch owns "Sweet Misery."
Dedication: This story is dedicated to TraceAce, Sassy Lil Scorpio, AngelGrl, and Digital Tempest. Love ya guys!
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Chris Jericho stood in the hallway, waiting for something. He didn't know what that something was, but he was sure it'd come up. He was at the point in his life where he was so spontaneous, that he'd wait for the adventure to come to him. More sooner than later, it did.
That something just happened to be Stephanie McMahon Helmsley.
"Well, well, well," He smirked. He noted the tears that were still flowing freely from Stephanie's eyes. "Aw, Princess," Chris teased in a baby voice. "Did another customer turn you down? It's okay, there will be others."
He reached out to 'comfortingly' pat her shoulder, but she slapped his hands away. "Don't lay a finger on me." She snapped. Chris held his hands up as if he were about to be arrested. "Big change," He muttered. "Why so testy?" He asked, interested.
Stephanie turned on her heel, ready to leave. Should she tell him? Nah, she thought. This is a very personal issue, and Chris Jericho is NOT someone I can trust. I can't even stomach him. "Hunter has cancer," She blurted out, surprising herself.
Chris's snide and cruel face melted away. He looked sincere. "Oh…God. I am so sorry, Steph." She nodded quietly and headed down the rest of the hall, not saying another sound. Chris watched her retreat, watching her every step.
"God, I am such a moron." He muttered.
---
"Daddy?" Stephanie knocked lightly on the door. Stephanie hadn't spoken to her father since she purchased ECW. She was quite afraid to tell him about the recent events, but she felt like she would bust if she didn't.
Vince eyed her angrily as she stepped into his office. Stephanie, eyes downcast, pulled out a chair. "I know, that you, Shane, and I haven't been on the best of terms since around March…And it's been affecting the family, it's been affecting…Me."
"I see." Vince mumbled.
Stephanie looked at her lap and continued. "Hunter still feels close to you, even though he defected. And I need you to feel close to him." Vince looked up quickly from his coffee, shocked to hear the words that came out of his ungrateful daughter's mouth.
"Why? Why should I do anything for you?" Vince demanded, banging his fist on the table. It made a loud thud, and the coffee tipped over and dripped across the table, filling in the wood cracks. The soothing scent of grounded coffee beans made Stephanie shiver.
She didn't dare look up at her father. She didn't even dare to move a muscle. "Because my husband has cancer." She whispered, almost inaudible. Vince's lips popped into an 'o.' He stared at his daughter's tear stricken face.
"H-Hunter has cancer?" He stammered. Stephanie nodded. If she had to explain this one more person, she would scream. Vince soothingly stroked his daughter's hair. "I-I- Need to go. Now." She said really quickly as she got up. Her chair screeched. She walked out.
---
Walking back to her dressing room, she quickened her pace as she passed various superstars. Her mind was racing—telling her that this wasn't reality, telling her that it wasn't real, and telling her that this was reality, and that this IS real.
Sighing to herself for what seemed to be the millionth time, she gasped when she entered her dressing room. A dozen long stemmed red roses sat on the vanity dresser. Flipping the card over, her eyes were wide with disbelief when she saw who it was from:
Dear Stephanie,
Don't think I'll always be this nice, but these are for you since you're going through such a hard time.
Love/Hate Always,
Chris Jericho
Stephanie just stared at the card and the roses for a good five minutes.