Ch. 5.
Eager to get away from the stadium, Benoit, knowing the city well, sped towards the hotel where all the wrestlers were staying, trying to avoid any unnecessary bumps. As they got further away from the stadium, Jericho began to relax, turning on the radio and leaning back with his eyes closed. Benoit also started to unwind, drumming his fingers on the leather steering wheel in time to the music, looking wistfully at the familiar sights along the way.
Suddenly he snapped to attention and slammed on the brakes, pitching Jericho forward in his seat with a startled yelp.
"OWW! Jeez, man, a bit of warning wouldn't go astray!" shouted Jericho in alarm, "Hey! What are you doing?"
"That's Paul and Steph's Jeep on the other side of the road; hold on!"
Benoit twisted the steering wheel wildly, swinging the powerful vehicle around in a tight arc to speed after a black Jeep, making Jericho gasp and shut his eyes again.
"Am I dead?" asked Jericho shakily, opening one eye.
"You gotta learn to have more faith, man!" came the reply, as they continued to pursue the Jeep.
"In YOUR driving? You must be joking!" declared Jericho, "I didn't survive Austin's surprise attack just to have you kill me in your rental car, you know!"
"Don't be such a drama queen!" said Benoit, rolling his eyes as he blared the horn and flashed the lights, trying to get the other driver's attention.
" If I survive, I'm gonna teach you to drive properly."
"Ha! Wouldn't that be a case of the blind leading the blind? You drive like you're in a rally car, late for the chequered flag! And anyway, there's nothing wrong with my driving."
"Yeah, like there's nothing wrong with Austin's mind! And remind me to explain to Paul about speed limits, he doesn't seem to have grasped the concept."
Finally, the Jeep indicated and pulled over and Jericho heaved a sigh of relief as Benoit followed suit. Benoit noticed the driver's door of the Jeep open and wound down his window, waiting for the person to approach. Expecting the tall and muscular shape of Paul, instantly recognisable as none other than Triple H, he stared in surprise as a slim female figure in black leather trousers and a red top descended. Beside him, Jericho's jaw dropped.
"Woah! That was STEPH driving?" he gaped.
"Looks like it. Shh! Here she comes."
"Hi, guys!" the girl said brightly, "What are you two doing here? Don't tell me Daddy sent a search party? I know we're a little late, but ....."
"It's not because you're late, Steph." assured Benoit, leaning out his window to look at the traffic speeding past just behind her, "Um, perhaps this isn't the safest place to stop. Just head back to the hotel, we'll explain when we get there."
"But what about the show?" she said in confusion.
"It's okay, we're acting on your dad's orders."
"Well, okay. Talk to you in a bit."
"See you later, Steph." called Jericho, with a wave, "Nice driving, by the way."
"And what is THAT supposed to mean, Chris?" she frowned, tossing her long brown hair over her shoulder.
"Nothing, nothing at all." he smiled innocently.
Eventually, the two cars pulled up in the hotel car park and they all jumped out; Jericho a little slower than the others and with a bit of help from Benoit.
"What happened to you?" asked Paul.
"Long story. Lets get inside before we start explaining anything." answered Jericho, "If I don't sit down soon, I'm gonna FALL down."
"You were sitting the whole way here!" maintained Benoit.
"And what a stress-free experience that was!"
"Oh, give it up! You're here, aren't you?"
"Uh, guys?" interrupted Steph, "As much fun as it is hearing you two bicker like a married couple, you still owe us an explanation."
"Yeah, what's the deal?" asked Paul, "Why are we missing the show? Don't we have a big storyline tonight - you two versus me and Steve?
Benoit and Jericho exchanged a glance before Benoit answered him, "That was the plan ....."
"..... But it looks like Steve was way ahead of you there." finished Jericho.
*****
In order to clear up what had happened, the four congregated in the large room assigned to Chris Jericho, who quickly described the details of the night's unexpected events from where he was lying on his bed trying to rest his injured ribs.
"So you're saying that he just ..... flipped?" said Paul from the couch, shaking his head in disbelief, "And there was no reason for it?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying." he answered, folding his arms behind his head.
"That's terrible; you're lucky you weren't really hurt." said Steph in concern, moving to sit on the edge of his bed, "But, why you?"
"That's what I want to know!"
"I still can't believe this has happened!" she exclaimed, "I mean, I know he can be a little, um, aggressive at times, but THIS! This is unbelievable!"
"You don't need to tell me!" said Jericho emphatically.
"What we want to know is, what happens now?" said Benoit, "I mean, he's the WWF Champion and involved in major storylines, how can this be covered up like your dad seems to want, Steph?"
"I really don't know, Chris. What did my dad say?"
"Not a lot," answered Jericho, without considering who he was talking to, "He seemed more concerned about getting himself off the hook incase I decided to sue."
Steph bit her lip, looking more than a little uncomfortable, her awkward position suddenly dawning on Jericho.
"Steph, I'm sorry!" he groaned, "I didn't mean ....."
"It's okay, honestly." she said simply, "I know how he gets when it comes to the business; you have every right to be angry. Listen, why don't you let me talk to him? I could try to find out what's going to happen."
"Thanks, I'd appreciate that."
"I'll go try to call him now, although he's probably tied up at the minute. If I know my dad, the show will have to go on, even without the main event." she paused and then glanced at Benoit, gasping as she remembered something which she had somehow completely forgotten, "Oh no! Chris, I wasn't even thinking! This is your home town, the fans will be SO disappointed if you're not there."
"I was kinda looking forward to it myself." he confessed ruefully.
"You know what?" said Steph determinedly, "I'm going to talk to Daddy RIGHT NOW! Maybe we can work something out. I can't promise anything, but I'll try my best."
"If he doesn't listen to you, I don't know who he will listen to." said Paul, "Anyway, if you're gonna be busy, I'm gonna go hit the gym and get in some extra training. Might as well make the most of the time off."
"Oh, the whole team's off tomorrow as well." added Benoit, "And for complete relaxation, would you believe? Not even any training allowed."
"Wow, Dad must be softening in his old age!" giggled Steph on her way out the door, "I'll catch up with you guys later to give you any news."
"Thanks, Steph!"
"Yeah, see ya later!"
"I'll get going too." said Paul, following her, "Take it easy!"
*****