By: Elektra
TUESDAY NIGHT
Jericho's search for Stephanie the previous night had been unsuccessful. He was suspicious. Why had she helped him? What was she up to?
Chris came upon Mr. McMahon's locker room/office, and knocked softly. There was no answer. He knocked again, this time a little harder. The door swung open, but he wasn't expecting who stood there.
"YOU!" Jericho shouted angrily.
"And… YOU!" Stephanie replied.
Jericho frowned, narrowing his eyes, "Where is your father? Did you poison him or something?"
"Nothing of the sort, Chris," Mr. McMahon's voice came from the back of the room. Jericho looked past Stephanie and saw Vince sitting calmly in a chair, "Come in," he said. Stephanie still stood in the doorway, glaring at Jericho, "Let him in, honey…"
Stephanie glanced at her father, then reluctantly took a step away from the door.
McMahon smiled, "Ahhh, that belt looks very good on you, Chris,"
"Thanks Vance, but…" he gestured to Stephanie, "I have a few questions…"
"I know. I know. Let's just say… Stephanie has ALWAYS been Daddy's little girl!" McMahon replied, and put an arm around his daughter.
"Daddy's little girl?" Jericho furrowed his brow, "So… you mean, daddy's little girl helped plot behind Shane's back?" he asked.
"Well… just recently. I WAS all for the Alliance, but …" she shrugged, "I changed my mind," Stephanie answered.
"Just like that?" Jericho asked, not quite believing her, "And what about Austin?"
"That's what changed her mind," McMahon replied. "When Austin joined the Alliance, he sided with Shane, not Steph," Vince explained, "She tried to work with him for a bit, then saw how he was manipulating everyone,"
Jericho wasn't quite ready to believe her, "Last I saw, she was kissing Austin's a—"
"Have you seen the way he's treated my guys?" Stephanie interrupted angrily, "Belittling RVD? Demanding a mass beat down on Tazz TWICE?" Stephanie shook her head, "It made me sick. Literally SICK! So I turned to daddy for advice." She sighed, "It took a lot of apologizing, but Daddy forgave me," She smiled warmly at her father.
"Uh huh… and what about your little friend, Rhyno?" Jericho asked.
Stephanie made a face, "Rhyno's decided to stay with Heyman and Shane," she explained, "I talked to the ECW guys this morning... without Heyman of course. I know Heyman and Shane are close. There was no chance in him seeing MY side of things!"
"And this little… TALK…" Jericho asked, "What did it accomplish?"
"Not much," McMahon replied, "RVD and Tazz seemed to be the only ones who wanted to join with the WWF. The rest of ECW pretty much decided to stick with The Alliance. They've been brainwashed by Austin…"
"Surprising, considering they didn't have much brains to wash in the first place," Jericho replied, "Sort of like their boss..."
Stephanie frowned at this comment.
"Regardless," McMahon continued, "We expected most of them to show loyalty to Stephanie. I guess Austin was more influential then we thought. At least we were able to get the belt back," McMahon replied, "That's what is most important. We outnumber the Alliance anyway. We were hoping a few more would join us… but.." he shrugged, "What can you do?"
"But why me?" Jericho asked, "I mean, I know Angle is hurt… but why not The Rock?"
"We need him protecting the WCW title,"
"Taker or Kane?" Jericho asked.
"Tag titles," McMahon replied, "And Benoit and Triple H are still injured, so—"
"So… I was a last choice," Jericho replied, then sighed. That's why he had been granted the title shot. The WWF had run out of main eventers.
"A last and DESPERATE choice," Stephanie added.
Jericho sneered at Stephanie "If anyone knows DESPERATE---"
"Stop it!" McMahon snapped angrily as he glared at Stephanie and Jericho, "As of right now, we are on the same team! You two have to work together whether you like it or not!" he then turned to Jericho, "And I would appreciate it if you NOT insult my daughter! She did a brave thing, and has most likely put herself in harm's way!"
Well, Jericho couldn't deny that… but he also couldn't deny the way he felt. It was like a gut instinct to insult her. Every time he was near her, he felt frustrated … and uncomfortable… and…
"And I want you to watch her!" McMahon was still talking.
Jericho blinked, not quite sure he heard Vince correctly, "Ummm… WHAT?"
"I want you to protect her. And I want every WWF Superstar to protect her as well! I'm going to call a meeting later on about this."
"Hey, Vince… uh... you know, I'm the first guy they're going to go after here!" Jericho replied, "Who's going to protect ME?"
"What, you can't take care of yourself?" Stephanie taunted.
"Against twenty-plus Alliance members? I'd like to see YOU face those odds!" he paused, "Oh wait… you probably HAVE faced them… in their cars, in their hotel rooms, in their dressing rooms, in their—"
"JERICHO!" McMahon shouted, his voice like thunder. Jericho quickly held his tongue.
"This is ridiculous!" Stephanie shouted, "There's no way I can work with HIM!"
"The feeling is mutual, Princess!" Jericho hissed.
"Neither of you have a choice in this matter! You WILL work together!" McMahon demanded, "This is the END of the conversation! Go out and call all the WWF workers into the meeting room!" McMahon said, then noticed Stephanie and Jericho glaring at each other, neither moving, "Did you hear what I said? GET THE OTHER WWF SUPERSTARS NOW!"
Stephanie and Jericho jumped, then quickly headed out to gather the others.
