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 ALL of my fanfiction friends and readers/reviewers. I love you guys!
---
Stephanie twirled the card around in her hand, slapping it to her palm. She scratched her eyebrow, not knowing what to do next. She breathed in the fresh scent of the flowers and felt the goosebumps rise on her arms.
Setting the card down, she looked at the untidy handwriting one last time. It was barely legible, she amused herself. But she could make out the words. "Love/Hate always?" She read again to herself.
"Is he serious?" She pondered. She did have a newfound respect for Chris Jericho, but she didn't love him. She had respect for him as a co-worker. Maybe we can actually get along, she mused.
The door creaked open. Stephanie immediately slammed the card down on the dresser to see Chris himself walk in. "Like the flowers?" He grinned. Stephanie blushed violently and nodded quietly.
"Roses are my favorite." She murmured softly.
"I know."
"How?"
"I heard you telling Hunter." He admitted sheepishly.
"Oh."
"How is he anyway?"
Stephanie shrugged and kept her eyes to the floor. "He's in shock. I think we all are." Chris nodded. "Well, if you need anything, I—" A loud moan interrupted Chris. Stephanie peeked out of the doorway and saw Hunter standing there, clutching his stomach.
"Damn it." She muttered. She brought her husband inside. "What's the matter?" She asked. Hunter coughed and clutched his side now. Chris stood off to the side. "I was walking…And…Ow…" Stephanie was draped over him.
She looked back to Chris, and mouthed, "cancer symptoms, I guess." Chris nodded and silently walked out the room, not looking at Stephanie who was being an aide to her husband.
---
"You made it."
"Why shouldn't I have?"
"Well, because of that incident with Hunter earlier—"
"He's fine. He just got a little tired and fell. He's asleep now."
"Did you tell him where you were going?"
"I left him a note."
"Saying what?"
"Are you my guardian now?"
"No…I am your guardian angel."
"You don't know enough about me."
"I know plenty. I know things about you, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, that you don't even know."
"Like what? You're not stalking me like DDP, are you?"
"No… I am not that stupid."
"Good."
They both paused for a minute.
"Why am I here? Why are you here?" Stephanie asked after a while.
Chris shrugged. "Because I asked you to come to the top of the hill with me, and you agreed. Makes sense, doesn't it?"
"I shouldn't be here!" She exclaimed. "I have Hunter. He's sick. He needs me. Chris Jericho, all I wanted to do was thank you for the flowers, and now I have. So now we can get on with our lives."
"You don't want that." He said low and quietly.
"Neither do you."
"I know I don't want it, and I am admitting to myself AND to you that I don't want to go on with our normal lives."
"How selfish can you get? My husband has cancer. He is dying. And you want me to just abandon him so you can get what you want?"
"Yeah, I am taking a page out of your book now, aren't I?"
"I should have shoved the flowers up your ass, you bastard."
Stephanie stormed away from him.