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 entered the hotel room, to find Hunter awake. "Hi." He muttered as she entered the door. Stephanie grinned. "Did you miss me?" Hunter shrugged. "I didn't know where the hell you were."
She looked to the table. "I left a note." She took it and discreetly stuffed it in her pocket. Hunter looked to her pocket and nodded. "Okay. Where were you?" Stephanie rubbed her neck. "I needed to clear my thoughts." She sighed.
"Oh. I am sorry, Stephanie." Hunter apologized. Stephanie cocked her head. "For what?" Hunter sighed. "My illness has been hard on you." Stephanie felt like she had been hit with a brick. "Hunter, you shouldn't apologize. This is not your fault."
Hunter nodded quickly. "Yes, it is… I don't want to cause you pain. I don't want your world going topsy turvy because I am sick." Stephanie moaned in sorrow and caressed his cheek. "Don't ever think that." She whispered.
He nodded, still unsure. "I love you, Stephanie McMahon." Stephanie grinned. "Helmsley." She finished. Hunter chuckled and nodded again. "Helmsley."
---
"She loves me, she loves me not…" Chris mutilated a flower. Chris Benoit sighed to his friend. "Um, I hate to break it to you, Chris, but if she told you to shove the flowers up your ass, chances are she doesn't love you."
Jericho frowned and flicked a daisy petal to Benoit. "You're right." Benoit smirked. "I am always right." Jericho cracked a knuckle and frowned to his friend. "You're not helping me." Benoit shrugged. "What do you want me to do? Charge into Steph's room and steal her back for you?"
"It would help." Chris muttered. Benoit ruffled his friend's hair. "Cheer up." Jericho groaned and dropped the green flower stem to the floor. "I wish I could. How could I be so insensitive to her feelings? Am I that much of a jackass?" Benoit cocked his head to the side. "Just tell her you didn't mean anything…"
Chris looked to his friend. "Do you think it will work?" Benoit shook his head. "No, but it's worth a try."
---
Stephanie gently brushed the creamy red substance over lips and bolted them tightly together. The last thing she wanted to do right now was to go into the ring and be thrown with obscenities, but duty called. "Ready?" Paul Heyman grinned at her.
"Ready." Stephanie faked a smile. Paul offered her his arm, and what other choice did she have but to take it? Going through the curtain, the fans were already displeased, shouting insults like 'slut' to Stephanie, and 'human cheeseburger' to Paul.
Paul smirked and took the microphone. "Everyone loves cheeseburgers." Stephanie chuckled dryly. It just wasn't in her heart tonight. Hunter was so weak now that he couldn't even perform. Fighting back the tears, Stephanie took the microphone in a trembling hand.
"It's been a year- A YEAR- since I purchased ECW and merged with my brother. Why are you still on the same old slut jokes? They're not funny anymore." The crowd ignored her and cheered slut louder. Stephanie shrugged to herself, not wanting to go on, but proceeded to anyway.
"I know you all want to see your beloved Y2J-" She started.
Y2J, Y2J, Y2J…They all chanted.
"Then, fine. You can see him. You can see him tonight in a triple threat match against Rhyno and Test!" And with that, she walked out of the ring, crying silently.
---
Chris leaned up against the wall, thinking about his match. There was nothing he'd like more to kick the sorry asses of Rhyno and Test, but first he had to do one thing before he was ready to go out. He heard the sound of heels clicking down the hall.
Sitting up, he saw from afar, that it was Stephanie. She was still dressed in the same clothes she had wore when she announced the match, which was a red sweater and tight black jeans. Even though it was mid April, and a nice sixty five degrees out, Stephanie felt as cold and empty as ever.
"Stephanie!" He called, as she was about to walk past him. She did walk past him, but only a few steps. She stopped in her tracks. She didn't turn around, nor did she say anything. "Steph- I am really sorry." Chris said loudly. "It WAS selfish of me, and utterly stupid, and I want you to know that I didn't mean a thing I said. Do you forgive me?"
Stephanie stood there for two minutes, not saying anything or moving a muscle. After what seemed like an eternity to Jericho, she walked away. Chris sighed, exasperated.