Ch. 2.

Meanwhile, Chris Benoit had arrived at the stadium and was walking through the backstage area, on his way to the dressing rooms, when he was stopped by an obviously agitated Vince McMahon.

"Hey, Vince, something wrong?" he asked.

"You sure got that right. It's Steve and Chris, they're fighting in the ring ....."

"Already? Am I late? I thought we weren't kicking that storyline off until after the first couple of matches, what's going on?" frowned Chris.

"It's Steve, he's finally snapped. I knew he was having a few personal problems, but it was giving him a real edge so I thought I'd leave him to it. Now, it seems like he's stuck in that "Stone Cold" mentality; he's completely flipped and we have no idea what sparked this off. Security have got their hands completely full with crowd problems outside and no one is too keen to go out there. Quite frankly, I don't blame them, but I don't know what to do; I can't have him destroying half the roster. I would try to talk to him, but ....."

"What about Chris? You can't leave him out there to get torn apart!" protested Chris.

"He's proved a popular guy, judging from the number of times I've already had to hear this. I've already had the exact same argument from Nora, Amy, Matt, Jeff, and practically anyone else you care to mention! Nevertheless, my answer doesn't change - I can't let any of you out there, it's an insurance nightmare! It's Security's job, we have to leave it to them."

"That's just plain stupid."

"Well, you're entitled to your opinion, but it doesn't change anything. Listen, I'm as unhappy about it as you are."

"I could say I believe you, but I'd be lying." snapped Chris. "Is Chris okay? Does he know what's going on?"

"He doesn't know; when we sent him out, we thought Steve had just gotten the time wrong and decided we would have to run with it. He won't know what's hit him, but we'll just have to hope he can hold his own until backup arrives ..... Where are you going?"

"Backup's here." said Chris shortly, determination plain on his face.

Vince's eyes widened and then he shook his head and folded his arms firmly, "Oh no, didn't you hear me? You are NOT going out there! Over my dead body!"

"You better hope it doesn't come to that."

The owner of the company looked pained, he was torn between the two options. It wasn't that he wanted to abandon one of his top stars, but he was a businessman at heart and the company would always come first. Finally, he thought of a way the situation could perhaps be resolved to everyone's advantage and gave in, at least partially, under the stern glare of Chris Benoit.

"You can't go like that." he said, looking pointedly at Chris's street clothes, "We can't let the crowd suspect anything's wrong; it wouldn't be good publicity if this got out."

"Is that all you can think about? The BUSINESS? And how do you think it'll look if one of your mere employees kills another on live television?" argued Chris in exasperation, before deciding it would probably save time to just comply with Vince's orders, "Fine, fine, I'll change. Then I'm going straight out there and I don't care what image it gives the company, I'LL stop him."

As Chris stormed off to change, Vince could only watch him worriedly and then hurry to see if any security was now available.

*****

In his dressing room, Chris was making the fastest change he had ever made, pulling on his black and red "Wolverine" tights and then reaching for his shirt. He grabbed the new shirt he had planned on wearing to make his big entrance later that night. It was a hockey shirt with "Benoit" across the back, kind of to match his tag partner's, except this one was a replica of a real team's kit, the Edmonton Oilers. Chris had always been a big fan of his theirs, but he had made a point of wearing it, knowing his fans would love to see he supported the home team.

"Home, Sweet Home." he said to himself wryly, pulling on the shirt, "Some welcome."

*****