Disclaimer: I do not own the WWF or its wrestlers, but I'd sure like to meet some of them! :)
If you would like to use this story please ask me first, thanks.
A special thanks to Claire, for helping me to keep the story running smoothly.
I hope y'all have a good new year!
Chapter 10: Under My Skin
Responding to the kiss, Stephanie wrapped her arms around Chris's neck, reveling in the feel of his lips upon hers. Suddenly, as if she had been bitten by a snake, Steph's eyes snapped open, and violently pushed Jericho away.
"I, I can't do this," she said helplessly.
"Can't do what, we haven't done anything!" Chris's eyes narrowed, "Oh, I get it, you're in love with the big honker himself, Triple H?"
Stephanie allowed herself a small smile, "No, no, it's not that."
"Then what is it?" Chris demanded. "Am I physically repulsive to you or something?"
Stephanie's neck turned bright red, stretching up to her cheeks, "Oh no, that's not it at all," she replied innocently.
"Steph, I'm not going to play charades with you, what's the matter? Something's been bothering you ever since we've been stranded on this island. Look, if you're afraid that I'm going to go all insensitive on you, all I want to do is listen, okay." He was practically pleading with her! Chris resumed his pacing, "Alright then, if you won't talk, I have some things to say. You're gorgeous yet simple, complicated yet intriguing, insecure yet proud and you drive me crazy. I want to know more of what goes on inside that head and heart of yours."
Her heart warmed at his words. Jericho stared at her, waiting, hoping for her to say something.
His mouth dropped open in surprise, "You're unbelievable, a guy pours his heart out and you have nothing to say! You know what you are like Stephanie McMahon?! A rose, beautiful to the touch, but watch out for the thorns!" Angrily, Chris climbed down the tree and stomped away into the dense underbrush. Stephanie watched mournfully then squared her shoulders, "The last time a guy poured his heart out to me, I got burned. I'm not letting anyone get under my skin and into my heart again!" *Too late,* she thought to herself as a single tear slid down her cheek.
*Why'd I have to fall for her, it could have been someone else, anyone but her. I love her, I love her not,* Chris thought disgustedly. *I feel like I'm in an episode of Moonlighting, except there are no doors to slam,* he thought with a shake of his head. He looked at the sky overhead to see the last rays of the sun setting, "Maybe I should go home, I've been here for hours now," he said to himself. "No!" he said vehemently, crossing his arms over his chest, "If she cared one little bit, she would have come looking for me. Well, if she's not going to come look for me than I will most certainly not go looking for her!" Suddenly, Chris stopped his quiet ranting as he noticed the bushes rustling. As a very naked Jericho stepped out of the water, the figure turned to flee. Quickly, Jericho grabbed his clothes and hurriedly pulled them on as he chased after the mysterious stranger. Tired of waiting, Jericho took a chance and tackled the escapee to the ground. Chris hit the fugitive with such force that he caused them to roll over several times. Finally they rolled to a stop. Straddling the stranger, he grasped the figure's wrists and pinned them to the ground. Leaning forward, he got a good look at his pursuer. His eyes widened in surprise, "Steph?"
Speechless, Stephanie looked up at him, her own eyes wide as saucers. Almost instantly, Chris released her wrists and removed his weight off hers. Breathing heavily, her heart pounding furiously in her chest, Stephanie hoped he didn't see the blush staining her cheeks.
"How dare you straddle me like that!" she exclaimed scornfully.
Chris whirled around, his hands clenched tightly at his sides, "How dare I - you followed me!" Stephanie placed her hands on her hips, ready to dig in. Wearily, Chris sighed and scrubbed his face, *I'm tired and I don't feel like fighting with her tonight.* "With all due respect Princess, comparing yourself to a horse really isn't all that flattering," he said icily.
Stephanie, taken aback that he wasn't putting up a fight, answered almost sheepishly, "I, I just came to look for you... I didn't know where you had gone so..."
"So, in other words you were worried about me, eh Princess?" Chris demanded, thoroughly enjoying this.
"Ye, yes," Stephanie stammered, avoiding direct contact with Chris's eyes. His smirk changed to one of utter surprise, *I actually have her all befuddled! A close encounter with me, Chris Jericho, puts all her emotions in a tizzy!* he thought with glee. *So Stephanie McMahon is attracted to me!* he thought with satisfaction. His triumphant thoughts came to an abrupt halt as he heard a low growl coming from above them.
"Did you hear that?" he hissed
"Hear what?" Stephanie asked confused. Suddenly, a Jaguar leaped out of the tree and onto the ground right in front of them. Quickly, Chris grabbed Stephanie and pushed her behind him.
"On the count of three start to back away very slowly, then make a run for it," Chris commanded.
"But what about?..."
"Just do it, I'll be right behind ya."
"I'm holding you to that," Stephanie said, forcing a tiny smile.
He nodded tersely and began counting, "3!" She began to back away slowly then broke out in a dead run. Hearing footfalls pounding on the leaves behind her, she knew Chris was there. Out of breath, she stopped for a minute.
Chris bumped into her from behind. "Keep going, he's still on our tail!" Chris exclaimed frantically.
"I can't, too tired," she replied, her breath coming in ragged puffs.
"Oh come on, you're not that out of shape," he kidded. Nonetheless, Steph felt herself being lifted up, he was carrying her!
"Chris, you can't, I'm too heavy," she protested, struggling in his arms.
"No you're not - only if you keep squirming like that," he reprimanded gently. Unexpectedly, an agonizing wail reverberated in Steph's ears. As Chris collapsed onto one knee, fear wrapped itself around Stephanie's heart, "Chris!"
"Amy doesn't know does she?" Jeff questioned, looking his older, but not necessarily wiser brother, directly in the eyes.
"No she doesn't," Matt answered truthfully.
"Matt," he warned, "she'll be humiliated..."
"No, she won't. I've been thinking about this for awhile. It's going to be the real thing," Matt said firmly, determination lighting up his eyes.
Jeff stared at him, his mouth dropping open, "You're serious. You want to propose to her for real?" he asked, still trying to comprehend this surprising turn of events.
"Don't breath a word of it to her Jeff, promise!" Matt demanded.
"Welll, okay," Jeff said hesitantly. "Just don't sing," he replied, shaking a finger at Matt.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Matt replied, smiling innocently.
"Vince, why did you plan this, what's in it for you?"
"J.R. I'm surprised at you. I know that deep down, Chris and my baby girl have feelings for each other."
"Other than pure hatred you mean," J.R. interjected, crossing his arms over his chest.
Vince rolled his eyes, "Yes, other than pure hatred. Alright, alright, so what if Jericho becomes my son-in-law, I have one of the greatest wrestlers in my family, giving me the perfect opportunity to be in control of Jericho's - ah, wrestling career."
"You mean in control of Jericho," J.R. corrected.
"If that's the way you'd prefer to look at it," Vince responded innocently. "Though, I highly suspect that if I tried to control Chris, I think he'd probably kick my as.." Hearing a knock at the door, Vince stopped his conversation with J.R., who smiled widely, secretly agreeing with Vince's last comment. Turning his head, Vince called, "Come in."
A concerned Shane strode through the large oak door.
"Any word on Stephanie, Dad?"
Vince shook his head, "No more than what we already know."
"Dad, how can you be so calm about this, like you're not even worried about her?!"
"Well, to be honest, I'm really not all that concerned at the moment," he said with smirk. Shane looked at his father as if he had gone mad.
"Let me explain son. The closest we can get out to Andros Island is Monday and that's already been arranged. The main reason I feel quite at ease is because Jericho is smart, very stubborn, but he'll watch out for her, and Stephanie is no different. I'm confident they will be fine until I can bring my little girl home."
"Dad, you're forgetting one thing: Stephanie is not exactly an outdoors person, she has spent much of her life in boarding schools. She is a novice at best, if that."
Vince's confident smiled wavered. Somberly, he replied, "I hope you're wrong Shane, I truly hope you're wrong."
Food for thought:
Okay, so there you have it, Vince does indeed have an ulterior motive, but has he gone too far this time?
Are Stephanie and Chris about to become 'just another victim,' -at the claws of a man - eating Jaguar?
Will Matt sing his proposal to Amy or is that too horrific to even consider? Apparently Jeff thinks so...
Stay tuned, don't click that button...
If you would like to use this story please ask me first, thanks.
A special thanks to Claire, for helping me to keep the story running smoothly.
I hope y'all have a good new year!
Chapter 10: Under My Skin
Responding to the kiss, Stephanie wrapped her arms around Chris's neck, reveling in the feel of his lips upon hers. Suddenly, as if she had been bitten by a snake, Steph's eyes snapped open, and violently pushed Jericho away.
"I, I can't do this," she said helplessly.
"Can't do what, we haven't done anything!" Chris's eyes narrowed, "Oh, I get it, you're in love with the big honker himself, Triple H?"
Stephanie allowed herself a small smile, "No, no, it's not that."
"Then what is it?" Chris demanded. "Am I physically repulsive to you or something?"
Stephanie's neck turned bright red, stretching up to her cheeks, "Oh no, that's not it at all," she replied innocently.
"Steph, I'm not going to play charades with you, what's the matter? Something's been bothering you ever since we've been stranded on this island. Look, if you're afraid that I'm going to go all insensitive on you, all I want to do is listen, okay." He was practically pleading with her! Chris resumed his pacing, "Alright then, if you won't talk, I have some things to say. You're gorgeous yet simple, complicated yet intriguing, insecure yet proud and you drive me crazy. I want to know more of what goes on inside that head and heart of yours."
Her heart warmed at his words. Jericho stared at her, waiting, hoping for her to say something.
His mouth dropped open in surprise, "You're unbelievable, a guy pours his heart out and you have nothing to say! You know what you are like Stephanie McMahon?! A rose, beautiful to the touch, but watch out for the thorns!" Angrily, Chris climbed down the tree and stomped away into the dense underbrush. Stephanie watched mournfully then squared her shoulders, "The last time a guy poured his heart out to me, I got burned. I'm not letting anyone get under my skin and into my heart again!" *Too late,* she thought to herself as a single tear slid down her cheek.
*Why'd I have to fall for her, it could have been someone else, anyone but her. I love her, I love her not,* Chris thought disgustedly. *I feel like I'm in an episode of Moonlighting, except there are no doors to slam,* he thought with a shake of his head. He looked at the sky overhead to see the last rays of the sun setting, "Maybe I should go home, I've been here for hours now," he said to himself. "No!" he said vehemently, crossing his arms over his chest, "If she cared one little bit, she would have come looking for me. Well, if she's not going to come look for me than I will most certainly not go looking for her!" Suddenly, Chris stopped his quiet ranting as he noticed the bushes rustling. As a very naked Jericho stepped out of the water, the figure turned to flee. Quickly, Jericho grabbed his clothes and hurriedly pulled them on as he chased after the mysterious stranger. Tired of waiting, Jericho took a chance and tackled the escapee to the ground. Chris hit the fugitive with such force that he caused them to roll over several times. Finally they rolled to a stop. Straddling the stranger, he grasped the figure's wrists and pinned them to the ground. Leaning forward, he got a good look at his pursuer. His eyes widened in surprise, "Steph?"
Speechless, Stephanie looked up at him, her own eyes wide as saucers. Almost instantly, Chris released her wrists and removed his weight off hers. Breathing heavily, her heart pounding furiously in her chest, Stephanie hoped he didn't see the blush staining her cheeks.
"How dare you straddle me like that!" she exclaimed scornfully.
Chris whirled around, his hands clenched tightly at his sides, "How dare I - you followed me!" Stephanie placed her hands on her hips, ready to dig in. Wearily, Chris sighed and scrubbed his face, *I'm tired and I don't feel like fighting with her tonight.* "With all due respect Princess, comparing yourself to a horse really isn't all that flattering," he said icily.
Stephanie, taken aback that he wasn't putting up a fight, answered almost sheepishly, "I, I just came to look for you... I didn't know where you had gone so..."
"So, in other words you were worried about me, eh Princess?" Chris demanded, thoroughly enjoying this.
"Ye, yes," Stephanie stammered, avoiding direct contact with Chris's eyes. His smirk changed to one of utter surprise, *I actually have her all befuddled! A close encounter with me, Chris Jericho, puts all her emotions in a tizzy!* he thought with glee. *So Stephanie McMahon is attracted to me!* he thought with satisfaction. His triumphant thoughts came to an abrupt halt as he heard a low growl coming from above them.
"Did you hear that?" he hissed
"Hear what?" Stephanie asked confused. Suddenly, a Jaguar leaped out of the tree and onto the ground right in front of them. Quickly, Chris grabbed Stephanie and pushed her behind him.
"On the count of three start to back away very slowly, then make a run for it," Chris commanded.
"But what about?..."
"Just do it, I'll be right behind ya."
"I'm holding you to that," Stephanie said, forcing a tiny smile.
He nodded tersely and began counting, "3!" She began to back away slowly then broke out in a dead run. Hearing footfalls pounding on the leaves behind her, she knew Chris was there. Out of breath, she stopped for a minute.
Chris bumped into her from behind. "Keep going, he's still on our tail!" Chris exclaimed frantically.
"I can't, too tired," she replied, her breath coming in ragged puffs.
"Oh come on, you're not that out of shape," he kidded. Nonetheless, Steph felt herself being lifted up, he was carrying her!
"Chris, you can't, I'm too heavy," she protested, struggling in his arms.
"No you're not - only if you keep squirming like that," he reprimanded gently. Unexpectedly, an agonizing wail reverberated in Steph's ears. As Chris collapsed onto one knee, fear wrapped itself around Stephanie's heart, "Chris!"
"Amy doesn't know does she?" Jeff questioned, looking his older, but not necessarily wiser brother, directly in the eyes.
"No she doesn't," Matt answered truthfully.
"Matt," he warned, "she'll be humiliated..."
"No, she won't. I've been thinking about this for awhile. It's going to be the real thing," Matt said firmly, determination lighting up his eyes.
Jeff stared at him, his mouth dropping open, "You're serious. You want to propose to her for real?" he asked, still trying to comprehend this surprising turn of events.
"Don't breath a word of it to her Jeff, promise!" Matt demanded.
"Welll, okay," Jeff said hesitantly. "Just don't sing," he replied, shaking a finger at Matt.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Matt replied, smiling innocently.
"Vince, why did you plan this, what's in it for you?"
"J.R. I'm surprised at you. I know that deep down, Chris and my baby girl have feelings for each other."
"Other than pure hatred you mean," J.R. interjected, crossing his arms over his chest.
Vince rolled his eyes, "Yes, other than pure hatred. Alright, alright, so what if Jericho becomes my son-in-law, I have one of the greatest wrestlers in my family, giving me the perfect opportunity to be in control of Jericho's - ah, wrestling career."
"You mean in control of Jericho," J.R. corrected.
"If that's the way you'd prefer to look at it," Vince responded innocently. "Though, I highly suspect that if I tried to control Chris, I think he'd probably kick my as.." Hearing a knock at the door, Vince stopped his conversation with J.R., who smiled widely, secretly agreeing with Vince's last comment. Turning his head, Vince called, "Come in."
A concerned Shane strode through the large oak door.
"Any word on Stephanie, Dad?"
Vince shook his head, "No more than what we already know."
"Dad, how can you be so calm about this, like you're not even worried about her?!"
"Well, to be honest, I'm really not all that concerned at the moment," he said with smirk. Shane looked at his father as if he had gone mad.
"Let me explain son. The closest we can get out to Andros Island is Monday and that's already been arranged. The main reason I feel quite at ease is because Jericho is smart, very stubborn, but he'll watch out for her, and Stephanie is no different. I'm confident they will be fine until I can bring my little girl home."
"Dad, you're forgetting one thing: Stephanie is not exactly an outdoors person, she has spent much of her life in boarding schools. She is a novice at best, if that."
Vince's confident smiled wavered. Somberly, he replied, "I hope you're wrong Shane, I truly hope you're wrong."
Food for thought:
Okay, so there you have it, Vince does indeed have an ulterior motive, but has he gone too far this time?
Are Stephanie and Chris about to become 'just another victim,' -at the claws of a man - eating Jaguar?
Will Matt sing his proposal to Amy or is that too horrific to even consider? Apparently Jeff thinks so...
Stay tuned, don't click that button...