"You're dating Stephanie McMahon?" Kurt Angle asked in disbelief.

"Yeah," Jericho said.

"You?" Kurt asked.

"Have you got a problem with that?" Jericho asked, getting a little sick of the look Kurt was giving him.

"No, I guess not," Kurt said. "It's just that...never mind."

"What Kurt?" Jericho asked.

"Beside the fact that you seemed to hate each other," Kurt said. "Do you think Stephanie's a very trustworthy person?"

"What are you talking about?" Jericho asked.

"I mean, she's do anything as long as she came out on top," Kurt replied.

"You're questioning Stephanie and her loyalty?" Jericho asked. "You of all people?"

"What are you saying?" Kurt asked, anger flaring in his blue eyes.

"Nothing," Jericho shrugged. "Did you hear the news?"

"The news?" Kurt asked, trying to calm his ire at Jericho's allusion to his possible disloyalty.

"Lita and Shane eloped a week ago," Jericho said, knowing his news would piss off Kurt.

"Lita...and Shane?" Kurt asked. "Shane McMahon?"

"Yeah," Jericho said, barely containing a laugh at Kurt's obvious disappointment.

"I thought she was dating Matt," Kurt said.

"Apparently that was all a ploy to keep the real relationship under wraps," Jericho said. "They seem really in love."

*

"Stephanie wants me to talk Mom into siding with us at Vengeance," Shane told Lita while they rode in a limo to the SmackDown right before the PPV.

"You and Linda always got along pretty well," Lita said, leaning against her husband.

"Yeah," Shane said. "But I don't know."

"You are going to buy the other quarter from Flair right?" Lita asked.

"We just got married Lita," Shane sighed. "I want us to have some time together. Some time to enjoy being together."

"Shane, you will kick yourself in the head if you let this chance pass you by," Lita said seriously. "I wish it wasn't the truth, but we both know it is."

"You know that if all goes as planned," Shane started. "I'd probably end up being chairman of the WWF right?"

"I know," Lita said, trying to keep the sadness she felt out of her voice. "Shane, this business is your life. I think you should go ahead and do it."

"Okay," Shane nodded. "If you really think we will be okay."

"Nothing could come between us," Lita said, smiling happily at Shane.

*

"Hey baby," Stephanie said when Jericho got to the arena. "Wow, it's nice to be able to say that in public."

"What are you doing out in the garage alone Stephanie?" Jericho asked, worry marring his handsome face.

"She's not alone," Shane said, coming out of the shadows. "Lita and Matt are making sure we're safe from prying eyes."

"Okay," Jericho said, wrapping an arm around Stephanie's waist.

"Flair has the contracts with him," Stephanie said to her brother. "You can have the money wired to his account by phone."

"Okay," Shane said. "Lita and I will go talk to Mom tomorrow."

"Great," Stephanie said, smiling at her brother.

*

"Lita!" Kurt called down the hall.

"Hey Kurt," Lita said, smiling at the man she couldn't help but like.

"How are you doing?" Kurt asked.

"I'm great," Lita said.

"I heard you got married," Kurt said, noting the understated diamond ring on her left hand. "Congratulations."

"Thanks Kurt," Lita said.

"I got to say it's a shock," Kurt said. "I always thought Shane was such a workaholic that he wouldn't be able to handle a marriage."

"He is a workaholic," Lita answered. "But he also knows how to use his time wisely."

"Well, I hope you guys will always be happy," Kurt said. Lita couldn't help but note that Kurt didn't sound very enthusiastic.

*

"Hey Daddy," Stephanie said when she walked into Vince's office.

"Stephanie," Vince said solemnly.

"What's wrong Dad?" Stephanie asked.

"I thought you knew better than to try and outsmart me," Vince said.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Stephanie said.

"It's come to my attention that you recently reacquired your stock in this company," Vince said.

"Yeah, so?" Stephanie asked.

"You just gave me complete power Stephanie," Vince said. "You actually did me a favor."

"I know I did Daddy," Stephanie said. "Flair doesn't know that I'm the one who bought the stock. I'm planning on revealing that at Vengeance. I'm going to tell the world the McMahons once again control the WWF in it's entirety."

"Well, not quite," Vince said.

"What do you mean? The last quarter?" Stephanie asked. "I'm sure we can make Flair's life miserable and make him sell it to you."

"Did you actually plan this Stephanie?" Vince asked.

"Of course Daddy, I wanted you to be proud of me," Stephanie said. "I would never be stupid enough to oppose you ever again."

*

"I just heard Stephanie talking to Vince," Kurt said.

"So?" Jericho asked, getting sick of having to play nice with Kurt.

"She just told Vince your entire plan," Kurt said.

"What?" Jericho said.

"She told him everything," Kurt said simply. "And then she told Vince she was going to really join with him at Vengeance."

"You have got to be kidding me," Jericho said. "Of course she did. She's already on Vince's side."

"I mean, she's joining her quarter of the company with Vince's," Kurt said.

"She has a quarter of the company?' Jericho asked innocently.

"Don't tell me your girlfriend didn't tell you that little piece of information," Kurt said. "Well, Stephanie's going to join with Vince. She told him she always wanted to make him proud."

*

"Shane, Lita," Linda said in shock when she opened her front door.

"Can we come in Mom?" Shane asked, his hand in Lita's.

"Yes, of course," Linda said.

The trio walked to the living room and they all sat down. "What's going on?"

"I first want to apologize for everything I've put you through with the whole WCW fiasco," Shane said. "At first it started because I was so mad at Vince for everything. Then it just snowballed. And I'm really sorry for when I made Stephanie hit you."

"Thank you," Linda said.

"And I wanted to be the first to tell you Lita and I got married," Shane said.

"You two are married?" Linda asked in shock.

"For a week," Lita nodded as she beamed at her mother-in-law.

"I'm so glad," Linda said, tears in her eyes. "I know you have a good head on your shoulders and a kind heart."

"Thank you," Lita said, reaching out and grabbing Linda's hand in gratitude.

"There's one more thing Mom," Shane said.

"I'm not going to like it am I?" Linda asked.

*

"What's wrong sweetie?" Stephanie asked when she walked into her kitchen to see Jericho staring out of the window.

"Nothing," Jericho said.

"Somehow, I'm not convinced," Stephanie said, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Kurt's been saying some ridiculous things," Jericho said. "It doesn't matter."

"We're almost there honey," Stephanie said, leaning her head against his back. "God, it feels wonderful."

"What does?" Jericho said.

"Vince is finally going to be put in his place, Shane will be in charge, and you and I will be able to live happily ever after," Stephanie said.

"I thought you didn't want to make any long term plans," Jericho said, turning around.

"Of course I wanted to," Stephanie said. "I just couldn't until everything was set."

*

"Is Mom in?" Stephanie asked.

Jericho watched her on her cell phone. They had just left the hotel for the PPV. She smiled. "I'll see you there."

"What?" Stephanie asked, when she noticed the look Jericho was giving her.

"You look truly happy," Jericho said.

"I haven't felt this young in three years," Stephanie admitted. "It feels good."

Jericho heard Kurt's words in the back of his head. He dismissed them. He had to trust Stephanie or he would lose her. He just hoped his trust wasn't misplaced.