WHATS HAPPENED: Test has been kidnapped by Triple H and a select few alliance people. Edge rescued Christian from the hospital and took him back Jericho's hotel room. So many apologies that it takes so long for me to update.

TITLE: My Enemy's Enemy (7/?)

AUTHOR: Bellerophon

EMAIL: bellerophon_666@hotmail.com

CATEGORY: WWF

DISCLAIMER: I don't own these characters, nor do I claim to.

DISTRIBUTION: Anyone can have this story as long as they ask first.

RATING: R

SUMMARY: What could've happened during the whole Alliance debacle.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This doesn't follow any particular time line, I've kinda taken artistic license and made a whole lot of stuff up. But hey, it's fiction so I'm allowed. It should become clear what's going on as the story progresses. Team Xtreme are still together, E&C have broken up, Jericho hasn't been the Undisputed Champion and the whole alliance thing is still going on. Make sense? Don't worry, I'm sure it will sooner or later. Thanks to everyone who offered to beta for me when I asked and also to those of you who have helped me with finding out a whole lot of stuff I didn't know. Also, apologies to Karen because I keep forgetting rules. I'll try not to break any this time.

CHAPTER 7

Test groaned as he tried to shake the cobwebs from his head. His bruised face was aching and his ribs felt like they were on fire. He gritted his teeth and sat up, trying to ignore the stabbing pain in his chest. Whatever Rhyno had done to him during the beating slash questioning had messed up something internally. Test worried over that in his mind. If something was broken in there, chances were he wouldn't be making any heroic escapes any time soon. He slowly pushed himself up from the ground so he was sitting up. It was then that he noticed his ankles were attached to a piece of rope and that there was another occupant in the room to whom the rope was also attached.

"This is fucked up," he muttered and then winced because he breathed in too deeply. Okay, he was definitely not going anywhere.

Stacy yawned from where she was lying on a nearby couch and flipped shut the magazine she was reading. "I'd really have to agree." She reached down and picked at the piece of rope circled around her ankle.

Test tried to focus on the problem at hand but the sight of Stacy Kiebler bent over and a short skirt riding up her leg was preventing logical thought. "Uh…what um…what…" He shook his head and turned away. "What's the go with the rope? And why is it attached to you as well as me?"

Stacy sat back up and shrugged before answering. "Hunter was feeling bored, I guess. He always does this weird stuff when he gets angry. He probably thought it would be funny to see you trapped because little ol' me is on the other end of your leash."

"Fair enough." Test rolled his eyes. Stacy might've been wonderful eye candy but she certainly wasn't the greatest conversationalist. "What had Hunter so pissed off?"

"Well, he went to the hospital to see Christian and I guess things didn't go as planned." Stacy replied. She eyed Test then sat up on the couch. "Do your ribs really hurt?"

Test snorted as he tried to stand up. The fire in his chest turned into stabbing rods of red hot pokers as he pushed himself to his feet and staggered over to the couch and collapsed next to the blonde.

"I'll take that as a yes." Stacy muttered. Test rolled his eyes and sank his head to the back of the lounge. God, but was his body killing him. Rhyno, that psycho, was going to be paying for this beating for the rest of his life. He looked up at the ceiling and began counting the tiles. Test sighed, he was normally a pretty laid back guy, he could take or leave most things, but this was just boring. He should probably have been grateful for the chance to recover a bit, but no. He was bored and he wanted out of the room.

"So how come you know about Triple H being behind the scenes?" Test questioned. He knew most of the Alliance thought Heyman and Shane O'Mac were in control, but Heyman was a puppet and now that Test thought of it, he hadn't actually seen Shane for about a week or so. Stephanie had always meant to talk to him but they almost never got the chance to speak privately, she said.

"I don't really know. I guess I was with Paul E. when Hunter started calling and see him privately." Stacy shrugged. She was telling the truth too. Somehow she had just always been around and had gotten sucked into it. Not liked she really cared though. One man was no different from the next.

Test was snagged on another thought. He looked at Stacy with slight disgust. "You were 'with' Heyman?"

"Oh ewww." Stacy responded with a disgusted look of her own. "Like I'd actually touch that, that 'thing'. I was just hanging around the main players like always. I guess it's a habit."

"So do you know where Shane's gone?" Test asked Stacy one of the questions which were nagging at him.

Stacy responded with a flippant wave of her hand. "He had some sort of family crisis or something and took off in a hurry. Even told Heyman not to contact him at all, even if there was an emergency."

Test raised an eyebrow. That was a bit weird. And it was getting harder and harder to figure out if Shane knew about Triple H or not. Oh well. Time would tell on that matter. And once again, conversation had shrunk to nothing and silence filled the room. He didn't know why, but Test felt the need to fill it. Just sitting next to Stacy without anything happening felt too odd, even under the circumstances. Despite her reputation, Stacy had never tried anything on him and he hadn't ever tried anything on her.

Stacy sighed and started fidgeting. This was too boring, the stupid rope was making her ankle chafe and stupid Test made her feel uncomfortable by being sitting close to when other stupid men couldn't make her feel anything at all. Sure, she'd gone for guy after guy but no one gave her that little tingle she really wanted to feel. She didn't want the weird feeling in her stomach to go away, but still…

"God, what the hell is your problem!?" Test snapped. Stacey wasn't really doing anything, only moving around about but she was just making him feel uncomfortable and he didn't like it. He liked to be in control with the opposite sex, he liked to know where he stood even if it meant being rejected for act like an egotistical loser. Ever since Stephanie had left him behind, well, he'd promised himself that no woman would ever use him like that again. And he was getting this feeling in the pit of his stomach that felt familiar and he just didn't like…

"My problem!?" Stacy turned to face him and tried to ignore the close distance between them. She had been face to face with hot guys before, she could handle this. Well, maybe she could if Test's eyes weren't so blue and if he didn't look so cute with his eyebrow ring and his long blonde hair and…

"Yeah, your problem," Test meant to snap back at Stacy but as he glared out her, he couldn't help but notice how full her lips were. Damn, did they look like they'd be nice to kiss…Test shook his head and tried to focus on their little argument but when he looked back at her, he just got lost again…

The distance between them slowly shortened. Neither was aware of how they moved closer nor did they notice the door open in front of them. Only when Test was violently hauled onto the ground did they realise that there was actually other people in the room.

Rhyno was back and holding Test down. The Dudleys were standing behind him with the familiar sadistic look on their faces and Heyman was standing there smirking down at Stacy. In front of them all stood Triple H, a typical smug look on his face.

"Stacy, Stacy, Stacy." Triple H leered at her before planting a boot on Test's midsection to accompanying groans. "I know you'll go for any man in the Alliance but try to restrain yourself for a bit while I 'question' Testy here." Test would've defended Stacy's honour except he could barely breathe let alone speak, and he was also well aware that what Triple H had said was basically true.

Stacy refused to let the flash of pain show in outwardly. Instead, she just crossed her legs and tried to ignore the fluttering in her stomach. Triple H was going to start on Test and if he didn't cut the rope, she was going to have to watch.

"And as a little reward for you watching our boy here," he picked up the rope and tugged slightly, "I'm going to let you stay and watch."

Stacy tried to smile in relish-ment but it came out as a grimace. Maybe she could get away with closing her eyes.

Triple H pulled up Test by his hair. "Don't you worry about your buddy RVD either. I've got some guys looking for him and he'll be in here with you in no time."

Test wanted to say something cutting and smartass but unfortunately Triple H was shoving a gag in his mouth. He cracked his knuckles and smirked at Test. "Let the good times begin."

********

Stephanie frowned as she once again tried to contact Test. The ringing which continued unanswered in her ear left an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Test should've been back at his room by now and he should've called her. She slammed the phone to its cradle in a fit of frustration.

"Something not going your way, Princess?"

Stephanie hated, absolutely hated that voice with a passion. She turned around and glared at Jericho. "Not that it's any of your business but I think even you might've noticed that everything isn't going my way."

Chris recognised the bitter fury in Stephanie's voice, the typical bitchiness in her remark. But this time he heard more than that. He could almost hear tired sadness in her voice. In fact, he thought for a moment he heard fear. Swallowing back the insult which automatically came to mind, Chris tried to muster up a suitable concerned expression. He gave up halfway realising Stephanie McMahon would probably slap the taste out of his mouth for pitying her. Instead he just shrugged and said, "I got Edge to put Christian on the bed. I told him to stay in there and make sure that when Christian wakes up, he gives him one of those pain killers."

"Good for you," she yawned. Okay, it looked like Stephanie had returned to her usual selfish self. "Aren't you a bit worried Edge might strangle him or try smother him with a pillow or something?"

Chris considered the possibility. "Might happen. But then they don't really come from the sort of twisted family that you do. I suppose attempting murder is normal in the McMahon household."

Stephanie sneered at him. "Yeah, it's also normal outside the McMahon household. Don't make me kill you."

"Jeez, you really don't take after your mother at all."

"Thank god," Stephanie muttered.

Chris frowned. "Hey, your mother's a good woman. She didn't deserve to be treated like crap by you and your brother."

"You don't know anything about my 'mother'."

Chris wondered about the weirdness of that comment. Normally, Stephanie was a bitch about her mother, angry and rude. That time it was just tired bitterness. Now was not the time to be getting involved in the saga that was the McMahon family. Chris returned to his original line of thought. "Who were you trying to call?"

Stephanie sighed. She didn't want to tell anyone. She really didn't want anyone to know who her guys were. But she couldn't talk to Test, Christian had been discovered and she couldn't shake the horrible feeling in her stomach. Something had gone wrong. She eyed Chris and wondered if she could trust him with the information. Maybe if she made him swear on his playboy bunny shirt. Even she knew how much he loved that rag. Stephanie decided to tell him a partial truth. "If I tell you this, you seriously can't tell anyone. Not the Hardys or that skank Lita. Or my father."

Chris looked into her eyes and noted the need in them. Stephanie needed to talk and by god, he was willing to take one for the team. "Yeah, okay, no spilling your secret."

"Swear it on your sparkly playboy shirt," she challenged.

Chris winced. This had to be serious. A vow of that magnitude? Was it worth it? "Ummm…..Jesus, fine. I swear on my playboy shirt that I will tell no one what you are about to tell me. Now, this had better be good, Princess."

"I can't reach my main contact in the Alliance. I think Hunter might know he's working them," she said hopelessly. "If Hunter has got him, then he's gonna get so hurt. You know what Hunter's like. That stupid sledgehammer…" She trailed off.

Meanwhile, Chris was musing on the facts. "So it's a 'he' is it? Come on, Stephy, just tell me who it is. It's Rob Van Dam isn't it?" His curiosity had gotten the better of him.

"Could you try and focus for like a second, please?" Stephanie snapped. "And no it's not…" She was interrupted by a loud pounding on the door. "Get the door, Jericho."

"Yes, Ma'am," he said sarcastically and saluted. Then he opened the door. "Uh, Rob?"

Ron Van Dam was standing in the doorway. He shouldered past Chris and stood before Stephanie.

"They know about all three of us. I got away but he couldn't, Steph. They got him at the arena." Rob blurted out, not sounding his usual cool, laidback self at all.

Stephanie sank into the couch. Chris came and stood beside RVD. "Who is it?"

"Test. Triple H has Test."

Chris choked in shock. "Test!? Your insider in the Alliance is Test!?"

Rob stood there not knowing what to do.

Stephanie closed her eyes and hoped Test wouldn't piss off Hunter too much. She hoped Hunter didn't have his sledgehammer.

************

Edge was sitting, staring out the window when he heard Christian stirring. He considered smothering him with a pillow but remembered there were people in the next room and jail was never a good option for someone as good looking as himself. Instead, he stood slowly and picked up the little container of rattling pain pills. He scooped one out and put a glass of water on the bedside table. He then turned and faced his brother.

Christian was looking up at him with angry, pain filled eyes. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Playing nurse. Now shut up, take your pill and go back to sleep before I knock you out." Edge threw the pill at him and turned away. He heard Christian swallow and sink back onto the bed.

"Okay, I've been a good boy. You can go away now," Christian snapped.

Edge could hear the fuzziness in Christian's voice already. The pain killers were already taking effect. Soon Christian would be out and Edge wouldn't have to be confronted with this painful reminder of the past year.

"Why are you just standing there? Why won't you go away!?" Christian yelled as much as he could. "Want to gloat, is that it?"

Edge turned back and stared down at his brother. No, he didn't want to gloat. He didn't want to laugh. In fact, he didn't know what he wanted.

"That's it, isn't it? Once again, Christian is the screw up and big brave Edge is there to pick up the pieces, like some fucking hero," Christian laughed bitterly. "Feels like old times, doesn't it?"

Edge snapped. "Why do you have this chip on your shoulder? What did I do? Huh?! What did I do to you to make you so fucking self righteous and angry!?"

"What did you do?" Came the malevolent reply. "You want to know what you did? Jesus, Edge, what didn't you do? Mom's perfect little boy, always everyone's favourite, always…"

Edge narrowed his eyes. "That's right, Christian. Act out the self pity. Act it out then get over yourself. You just can't deal with the fact that you're jealous!"

"Can't deal with it! I'll tell you right now, I am fucking jealous. I always have been!" Christian sat up, able to ignore the pain as a comfortably numb sensation settled over him. "How could I not be! You were always the bright burning star!"

Edge stepped away from the bed and moved over the window. He wanted to get away from this confrontation. He wanted to forget he ever had a brother he used to care about. But he couldn't ignore Christian's voice as he continued.

"*You* were always Mom's favourite. Do you remember when I graduated from high school? I got third in the grade after working my ass off all year. Mom wasn't even there at the ceremony. She was at some thing with you."

Edge remembered that. He'd thought Christian had told their Mom he didn't want her to come.

"Do you remember after I got eliminated from the King of the Ring Tournament? Do you remember telling me how Mom called *you* and congratulated *you* after you won? She never called me, Edge. She never cared enough to. But then why would she want to talk to me when you were around. I could never live up to the standard you set. I was never good enough."

Gritting his teeth, Edge refused to speak. He couldn't trust his own voice.

"You were always the favourite. You were always the bright shining star. And I was supposed to be content living in your shadow. I wanted to be recognised. I wanted to be my own man." Christian paused and Edge could hear the quiver in his voice when he mumbled, "I want to be the bright burning star."

"We were a team." Edge spoke for the first time since Christian began speaking. A hopeless sadness enveloped him. "We were brothers."

"You don't what it is to have a legacy you can never live up to. You don't know what it's like to have a brother who's always in the spotlight. You don't know what it's like to always be second best."

Edge wondered if Christian would be telling him this if he wasn't strung out on pain killers. He wondered if this was something he wanted to hear. Things looked so different from his brother's perspective.

"You always treated me like I couldn't take care of myself." Christian forced out of his tired mouth. "You always treated me like I was weak."

"You always was the weak one," Edge spat out viciously, hating Christian for finally telling him why, ignoring the stinging wetness in his eyes.

"No," Christian whispered as the sedative finally took hold and his eyelids fluttered shut. "You just never let me be strong."

Edge sat there for the longest time and watched his baby brother sleep. Then the first sob shook his thin frame and his head sank into his hands.

*******

Ahem. I don't know if anyone will like that last bit with Edge and Christian so you have to tell me what you think. I can never tell with my own stuff.

Sorries for my tardiness in uploading this. I'm running on restrictive computer time. Oh yes, that's right. Some one has dared to lay some rules down on the one and only bellerophon.

Wassup wit dat?