Sweet Misery
By the Angel
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Chris Jericho watched her retreat down the hall. "It didn't work," He grumbled as he entered Benoit's dressing room. "I never said it was going to." Jericho kicked the wall with his sneaker. "Damn it! Why did I go and mess things up? WHY?"
"Don't ask me, I am not in control of that big beak of yours." Benoit mumble, lacing up his own shoes. Jericho frowned and looked down to his friend's feet. "Where are you going?" He asked. Benoit threw his intercontinental belt over his shoulder. "I have a match with Kurt."
Chris nodded. "Okay. I am going to stay here until my match comes, okay?" Benoit himself nodded and grumbled something as he made his way out the door. Chris leaned his head back onto the couch and drifted into an uneasy sleep.
===
Stephanie loomed towards him in a satin white nightgown and a nylon see through shawl draped around her shoulders. Her brown hair seemed to be flowing in wind, but Chris was right there and didn't feel anything. "Chris…" Stephanie whispered.
Her voice was low and raspy. Her white skin seemed even whiter in the bright light that seemed to engulf her. "Stephanie?" Chris whispered. Stephanie smiled and pulled something from behind her back. It was the bouquet of flowers that Chris had given her.
"They're beautiful…" She whispered. She caressed the edge of the wrapping and let the flowers drop. The stems cracked and the flowers were dying. "Why did you do that?" Chris demanded. "Those were for you, Stephanie!" Stephanie grinned and flowed a little step back.
"Hunter…" She whispered as a muscular man came into focus. "I love Hunter…"
Chris clutched his head and shot back up. He was still in Benoit's dressing room. "Damn it." The dream—no, it had been a nightmare seemed unrealistically real. She HAD led him on, and she DID love Hunter. Chris just had to accept that, whether he liked it or not.
He heard the effects of Benoit's match ending, and he knew that he better position himself behind the curtain. Sighing to himself, he grabbed his gym bag. Then his spirits brightened- Steph would be at ringside. She wouldn't exactly be cheering for him, but the mere sight of her there was enough to put a smile on his face.
===
"Ready, Steph?" Test offered her his arm. Stephanie grinned and nodded. "Can you do me a favor?" Stephanie asked as they walked down the hall. "Sure, Steph. What is it?" Stephanie chewed at her lip. "Let Chris Jericho win."
Test stopped and looked at the woman he almost married. "What?" Stephanie sighed. "I had a little conflict with Jericho last night. So…Please. Let him win. For me?" Test looked to the floor for a bit. He nodded. "Okay."
Stephanie nodded. "I hope this works…" She muttered. Rhyno beat on his chest. "I won't gore Chris Jericho too hard," He promised. "But I still want a piece of him." Stephanie frowned. "Rhyno, you're the Man-Beast, and I have a lot of respect for you, but please…Don't hurt him."
Rhyno looked like he was going to protest but nodded softly. "Come on," Stephanie said, looking at the men, "let's go."
===
"Making his way to the ring, weighing in at 231 pounds, he is from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, CHRIS JERICHO!"
Jericho walked down the ramp, smiling at the fans that were screaming and in good cheer. He walked into the ring, waiting for his opponents.
"Making their way to the ring, being accompanied by the owner of ECW, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, Test and RHYNO!"
Test and Rhyno walked down to the ring, Stephanie's arms entwined with theirs. Jericho looked on jealously. "It's okay," he told himself. "I can still dazzle her…" Stephanie went into the corner and watched the three men stare each other down.
"Come on, Chris." She silently whispered. "I know you can do it." Chris saw Stephanie whisper to herself. She wants them to destroy me, he thought. She'll get what she wants. Whatever she wants.
He didn't even realize what he was getting himself into.
===
"Here is your winner…TEST!" Test stood over Rhyno and Chris Jericho. Chris Jericho could have easily blocked the Big Boot, but he wanted the match to end. Stephanie was screaming. Why is she screaming? He thought. I lost. I want her to be happy.
Stephanie got into the ring and leaned down by Jericho. "Are you okay?" She asked, stammering. Jericho nodded. "I—" Stephanie pushed a finger to his lips. "Ssh. We'll talk." Then she grabbed Test by the hand and stormed backstage.
Looks like I dazzled her, Chris thought, lying in the ring.