Thursday Afternoon (Smackdown! Night) New York City
Stephanie smiled gratefully at the waiter who showed her to her table in the restaurant. She sat, enjoying the feeling of just not being standing. Everything in her legs was just killing her, and she realized it was time for her prenatal vitamin this morning, so she rummaged through her purse and downed the pill with a glass of water while waiting for her lunch companion.
The flight from New Orleans had actually been rather peaceful. Stephanie was happy that Hunter and Stacy weren't on the same flight as she and Kurt had been. Kurt's expression when she had told him that they were setting her plan into motion today had been utterly priceless. She had taken the earliest flight to New York as had been possible, much to Kurt's dismay. He had slept the entire time on the plane, and his head kept falling onto her shoulder. Now her shoulder hurt because his head was just so darn heavy.
Stephanie had left Kurt at his hotel and she had instead called ahead and asked her mother if she could stay with her in her and dad's penthouse in Brooklyn. Her mother had been only too happy to agree and Stephanie had sent all of her luggage over. She had then proceeded to call her father and finally had persuaded him to have lunch with her. She could tell her father was suspicious of Stephanie flying into New York when Smackdown was happening tonight, and he was right to be. But she knew the proposition she had for him would completely blow him out of the water--in a good way.
"Hey, sweetheart." She heard her father's voice behind her as she sat up straight to hug him. "Hi, Dad. Thanks for coming." she replied.
"Of course I came. I haven't seen you ever since--well--"
"The match from hell?" Stephanie quipped.
"Yes. I've been meaning to call, but everything's been so chaotic--"
"I know you're busy, Dad, that's why I really appreciate you taking the time to talk with me today. Especially with Smackdown on tonight. How is everything going, you know, with the draft?" she asked casually as her eyes half perused the menu, and half studied her father's every reaction.
"It's okay, I suppose. Flair's ratings are doing better with Raw. But I'll get them back up there, you know me." Vince said, off-handedly.
But Stephanie knew better. She knew how competitive her father was, she knew that it had to be killing him to have Ric Flair beat him in anything. She was counting on her father's competitiveness, in fact.
"Dad--" she began, but was cut off by the reappearance of the waiter. "Oh, I'll just have the chicken in olive oil," she murmured. Her father ordered smoked salmon. The waiter left discreetly, and Stephanie began again.
"Dad, I think I'm just going to get straight to the point. I've been looking over those contracts that ban me from the WWF and so have my lawyers and--"
It was Vince who interrupted now: "So have my lawyers, Steph. It's airtight, or so they tell me." he said with a hint of sadness in his tone.
"No, actually...there is one little loophole. And that's why I've brought you here, to tell you about it." Stephanie inhaled. Time to bring out the big guns, she knew. She reached over to take her father's hand and looked at him with her "You're my daddy and if you only tried you can make everything in my world perfect" expression. She saw his eyes immediately harden over, then his face softened. Inwardly, she smiled. She had him. "Daddy, I need you. You're the only one who can help me, and I think I can help you out, too. Interested?" she smiled demurely. Her father looked at her and nodded, his interest piqued. Vince knew his daughter's snowball routine well, but somehow, his daughter always ended up getting whatever it was that she wanted. He suspected this time would be no different, but from her expression, he could tell she had something truly Machiavellian in mind. He leaned forward and hoped he wouldn't regret this--she was every inch Vince McMahon's daughter after all-- and said "Okay, shoot."
At the end of her speech, Vince was suitably impressed--and proud. "Sweetheart, you are an--an inspiration." he said delighted--it really was quite an interesting proposition his daughter had made.
"So then, you agree?" Stephanie asked eagerly, awaiting his answer with baited breath.
"Hmm...the chance to stick it to Flair, get the ratings for Smackdown through the roof, work with my daughter again...well, I guess I'd have to agree." Vince smiled.
"I knew you'd see how great this is!" Stephanie cried. She got up from the table and wrapped her arms around her father. "Wow, we have a lot to do, and only a few hours to do it in." she said and they paused their discussion for a moment as the waiter set down their food. There was a moment of silence when they each started to eat, but soon the table was filled with hushed discussion of their plans for the night.
Lunch was soon finished, and Vince was in such a jubilant mood, he paid the tab. This was perfect! All of the things he told Stephanie were true, that this would be a great scheme, but he was also pleased about the fact that now Stephanie would be protected again and he could stop worrying quite so much about her safety. Everything was coming together quite well.
Father and daughter climbed into Vince's limousine and sped off into the heavy New York traffic. Tonight was going to be a night to remember, they both knew.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in New York...
"So I'll see you at the Gardens tonight, Hunter." Stacy said as she stepped out of the taxi.
"Yeah, whatever. Bye." Hunter said curtly, not really caring one way or the other.
Stacy slammed the door shut in his face, walking up the stairs to her hotel room as the busboy dragged her luggage with him. Talk about the plane ride from hell, she thought. She had tried every way she could to engage Hunter in conversation, but he was still moping around. He'd said something about Kurt Angle last night, broken a vase and went to bed. Was that all he ever did? Break things and think about his witch of an ex-wife 24/7/365? She was beginning to wonder. She shook her head as she entered the lobby and ran smack into a hard body. "Ow!" She yelled. "Watch where you're going, you ape--oh, hi, Kurt." Stacy said, rubbing her face.
"YOU watch where you're going, you almost crushed an Olympic Hero."
"Oh, go screw yourself." Stacy said crossly.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, I did not just here you talking to me like that!"
"Then you're deaf as well as an idiot. Just get out of my way." Stacy told him.
"More than happy to." Kurt said, letting her pass.
"Women." Kurt sighed. "Can't live with them--period."
Half an Hour Before Smackdown!
Stephanie hated to admit it, but she was nervous. This was her first show in weeks, and she didn't know what kind of reception she was going to get, either among the fans or the wrestlers.
Allright, yeah, she did know the reception she was going to get. Pure, unadulterated hatred. But she didn't care, it would be a blast. Whether anyone realized it or not, this was her night, and it was going to be spectacular. Tonight was the beginning of a new beginning for her and Hunter, and she was going to make one hell of a show out of it. Stephanie smiled in the full length mirror, turning around to make sure her clothes looked as good as possible. She was wearing a long black pantsuit with a red silk shirt, long stiletto heels, because let's face it she thought, I'm not going to be able to wear them for much longer, and her hair was swept up in a fantastic style. Her makeup was perfect--not too much, not too little. She looked good. Mouth-wateringly good, she thought in satisfaction. She knew Stacy'd come out there wearing some short little skirt and and Stephanie didn't feel like competing with that. Hunter, for whatever reason, liked her in pants, he always said he loved the way they fit her legs. Once he'd even said that she shouldn't wear pants anymore when they were in the ring because all he could think about was getting her out of them. Her husband was probably the only man on earth who didn't especially appreciate skirts. And red was his favorite color, especially the deep wine red shade she was wearing now.
Well, if they said you only feel as good as you look, Stephanie knew she should be feeling really good right about now. But she wasn't. She was starting to have doubts about what she was about to do. Would Hunter be willing to play her game? And if he didn't, what would she do? But one thing, one thing was absolutely clear to her. She could not use this baby to reel him back in. She'd never try and keep him away from their child, so if they didn't work this out, she knew she couldn't use this baby as a weapon to keep him in-line. She couldn't hide the truth from him forever, but she could for a little while. She had to make him see that he really still loved her, and the amazing life they could have with each other and this plan was the only way she could think of to do that. She sighed, turned away from the mirror. She could only hope that Hunter reacted the way she thought he would. He would go through denial of his feelings, anger at her, and then finally, he'd get it together and start fighting for his woman.
At least, God willing, he would.
Stephanie turned on the radio and flipped through a few channels, stopping on one of her new favorite songs. KoRn was playing...she usually didn't like their music, but this song felt curiously apt, especially for tonight. She turned up the dial and started mouthing some of the words along with the singer.
(***Note: Um, people under sixteen, the lyrics are a little volatile, so if you don't want to read them, just scroll on down...thanks.)
This time I'm taking it away, I've got a problem
When they getting in the way, not by my side
So I take my face and bash it into a mirror
I won't have to see the pain
This pain is elevating, as the hurt turns into hating
Anticipating all the fucked up feelings again
My hurt inside is fading
This shit's gone way too far
All this time I've been waiting
Oh I cannot breath anymore
For what's inside awaking
I'm not, I'm not a whore
You've taken everything and
Oh I cannot give anymore
My mind's done with this
So hey, I've got a question
Can I throw it all away?
And at this part, Stephanie started yelling with the lyrics outloud, giddily:
Take back what's mine
So I take my time
Driving humbly down the line
Each cut, closer to the vein
This pain is elevating, as the hurt turns into hating
Anticipating all the fucked up feelings again
The hurt inside is fading
This shit's gone way too far
All this time I've been waiting
Oh, I cannot grieve anymore
For what's inside awaking
I'm not, I'm not a whore
You've taken everything and
Oh I cannot give anymore
I'm here to stay -bring it down-
Bring it down!
Gonna bring it down
Gonna break it down
Gonna break it
This pain is elevating, as the hurt turns into hating
Anticipating all the fucked up feelings again
My hurt inside is fading
This shit's gone way too far
All this time I've been waiting
Oh, I cannot grieve anymore
For what's inside awaking
I'm not, I'm not a whore
You've taken everything and
Oh I cannot give anymore
Give anymore
The song ended on a mournful note and Stephanie realized it was indeed showtime when she heard her father's voice calling for her outside the door. She felt sort of campy saying it, but said it nonetheless, as a kind of Good Luck omen. "Time to play the game." she said softly, shutting the door behind her, taking her father's arm and walking out of the dressing room. She ignored the stunned silence of everyone who was now recognizing her in the building, lifted her head, and walked out onto the Smackdown ramp, arm in arm with her father, as the crowd, much to her shock started half-screaming in delight, broke out in thunderous applause as her theme song came on.
Stephanie smiled gratefully at the waiter who showed her to her table in the restaurant. She sat, enjoying the feeling of just not being standing. Everything in her legs was just killing her, and she realized it was time for her prenatal vitamin this morning, so she rummaged through her purse and downed the pill with a glass of water while waiting for her lunch companion.
The flight from New Orleans had actually been rather peaceful. Stephanie was happy that Hunter and Stacy weren't on the same flight as she and Kurt had been. Kurt's expression when she had told him that they were setting her plan into motion today had been utterly priceless. She had taken the earliest flight to New York as had been possible, much to Kurt's dismay. He had slept the entire time on the plane, and his head kept falling onto her shoulder. Now her shoulder hurt because his head was just so darn heavy.
Stephanie had left Kurt at his hotel and she had instead called ahead and asked her mother if she could stay with her in her and dad's penthouse in Brooklyn. Her mother had been only too happy to agree and Stephanie had sent all of her luggage over. She had then proceeded to call her father and finally had persuaded him to have lunch with her. She could tell her father was suspicious of Stephanie flying into New York when Smackdown was happening tonight, and he was right to be. But she knew the proposition she had for him would completely blow him out of the water--in a good way.
"Hey, sweetheart." She heard her father's voice behind her as she sat up straight to hug him. "Hi, Dad. Thanks for coming." she replied.
"Of course I came. I haven't seen you ever since--well--"
"The match from hell?" Stephanie quipped.
"Yes. I've been meaning to call, but everything's been so chaotic--"
"I know you're busy, Dad, that's why I really appreciate you taking the time to talk with me today. Especially with Smackdown on tonight. How is everything going, you know, with the draft?" she asked casually as her eyes half perused the menu, and half studied her father's every reaction.
"It's okay, I suppose. Flair's ratings are doing better with Raw. But I'll get them back up there, you know me." Vince said, off-handedly.
But Stephanie knew better. She knew how competitive her father was, she knew that it had to be killing him to have Ric Flair beat him in anything. She was counting on her father's competitiveness, in fact.
"Dad--" she began, but was cut off by the reappearance of the waiter. "Oh, I'll just have the chicken in olive oil," she murmured. Her father ordered smoked salmon. The waiter left discreetly, and Stephanie began again.
"Dad, I think I'm just going to get straight to the point. I've been looking over those contracts that ban me from the WWF and so have my lawyers and--"
It was Vince who interrupted now: "So have my lawyers, Steph. It's airtight, or so they tell me." he said with a hint of sadness in his tone.
"No, actually...there is one little loophole. And that's why I've brought you here, to tell you about it." Stephanie inhaled. Time to bring out the big guns, she knew. She reached over to take her father's hand and looked at him with her "You're my daddy and if you only tried you can make everything in my world perfect" expression. She saw his eyes immediately harden over, then his face softened. Inwardly, she smiled. She had him. "Daddy, I need you. You're the only one who can help me, and I think I can help you out, too. Interested?" she smiled demurely. Her father looked at her and nodded, his interest piqued. Vince knew his daughter's snowball routine well, but somehow, his daughter always ended up getting whatever it was that she wanted. He suspected this time would be no different, but from her expression, he could tell she had something truly Machiavellian in mind. He leaned forward and hoped he wouldn't regret this--she was every inch Vince McMahon's daughter after all-- and said "Okay, shoot."
At the end of her speech, Vince was suitably impressed--and proud. "Sweetheart, you are an--an inspiration." he said delighted--it really was quite an interesting proposition his daughter had made.
"So then, you agree?" Stephanie asked eagerly, awaiting his answer with baited breath.
"Hmm...the chance to stick it to Flair, get the ratings for Smackdown through the roof, work with my daughter again...well, I guess I'd have to agree." Vince smiled.
"I knew you'd see how great this is!" Stephanie cried. She got up from the table and wrapped her arms around her father. "Wow, we have a lot to do, and only a few hours to do it in." she said and they paused their discussion for a moment as the waiter set down their food. There was a moment of silence when they each started to eat, but soon the table was filled with hushed discussion of their plans for the night.
Lunch was soon finished, and Vince was in such a jubilant mood, he paid the tab. This was perfect! All of the things he told Stephanie were true, that this would be a great scheme, but he was also pleased about the fact that now Stephanie would be protected again and he could stop worrying quite so much about her safety. Everything was coming together quite well.
Father and daughter climbed into Vince's limousine and sped off into the heavy New York traffic. Tonight was going to be a night to remember, they both knew.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in New York...
"So I'll see you at the Gardens tonight, Hunter." Stacy said as she stepped out of the taxi.
"Yeah, whatever. Bye." Hunter said curtly, not really caring one way or the other.
Stacy slammed the door shut in his face, walking up the stairs to her hotel room as the busboy dragged her luggage with him. Talk about the plane ride from hell, she thought. She had tried every way she could to engage Hunter in conversation, but he was still moping around. He'd said something about Kurt Angle last night, broken a vase and went to bed. Was that all he ever did? Break things and think about his witch of an ex-wife 24/7/365? She was beginning to wonder. She shook her head as she entered the lobby and ran smack into a hard body. "Ow!" She yelled. "Watch where you're going, you ape--oh, hi, Kurt." Stacy said, rubbing her face.
"YOU watch where you're going, you almost crushed an Olympic Hero."
"Oh, go screw yourself." Stacy said crossly.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, I did not just here you talking to me like that!"
"Then you're deaf as well as an idiot. Just get out of my way." Stacy told him.
"More than happy to." Kurt said, letting her pass.
"Women." Kurt sighed. "Can't live with them--period."
Half an Hour Before Smackdown!
Stephanie hated to admit it, but she was nervous. This was her first show in weeks, and she didn't know what kind of reception she was going to get, either among the fans or the wrestlers.
Allright, yeah, she did know the reception she was going to get. Pure, unadulterated hatred. But she didn't care, it would be a blast. Whether anyone realized it or not, this was her night, and it was going to be spectacular. Tonight was the beginning of a new beginning for her and Hunter, and she was going to make one hell of a show out of it. Stephanie smiled in the full length mirror, turning around to make sure her clothes looked as good as possible. She was wearing a long black pantsuit with a red silk shirt, long stiletto heels, because let's face it she thought, I'm not going to be able to wear them for much longer, and her hair was swept up in a fantastic style. Her makeup was perfect--not too much, not too little. She looked good. Mouth-wateringly good, she thought in satisfaction. She knew Stacy'd come out there wearing some short little skirt and and Stephanie didn't feel like competing with that. Hunter, for whatever reason, liked her in pants, he always said he loved the way they fit her legs. Once he'd even said that she shouldn't wear pants anymore when they were in the ring because all he could think about was getting her out of them. Her husband was probably the only man on earth who didn't especially appreciate skirts. And red was his favorite color, especially the deep wine red shade she was wearing now.
Well, if they said you only feel as good as you look, Stephanie knew she should be feeling really good right about now. But she wasn't. She was starting to have doubts about what she was about to do. Would Hunter be willing to play her game? And if he didn't, what would she do? But one thing, one thing was absolutely clear to her. She could not use this baby to reel him back in. She'd never try and keep him away from their child, so if they didn't work this out, she knew she couldn't use this baby as a weapon to keep him in-line. She couldn't hide the truth from him forever, but she could for a little while. She had to make him see that he really still loved her, and the amazing life they could have with each other and this plan was the only way she could think of to do that. She sighed, turned away from the mirror. She could only hope that Hunter reacted the way she thought he would. He would go through denial of his feelings, anger at her, and then finally, he'd get it together and start fighting for his woman.
At least, God willing, he would.
Stephanie turned on the radio and flipped through a few channels, stopping on one of her new favorite songs. KoRn was playing...she usually didn't like their music, but this song felt curiously apt, especially for tonight. She turned up the dial and started mouthing some of the words along with the singer.
(***Note: Um, people under sixteen, the lyrics are a little volatile, so if you don't want to read them, just scroll on down...thanks.)
This time I'm taking it away, I've got a problem
When they getting in the way, not by my side
So I take my face and bash it into a mirror
I won't have to see the pain
This pain is elevating, as the hurt turns into hating
Anticipating all the fucked up feelings again
My hurt inside is fading
This shit's gone way too far
All this time I've been waiting
Oh I cannot breath anymore
For what's inside awaking
I'm not, I'm not a whore
You've taken everything and
Oh I cannot give anymore
My mind's done with this
So hey, I've got a question
Can I throw it all away?
And at this part, Stephanie started yelling with the lyrics outloud, giddily:
Take back what's mine
So I take my time
Driving humbly down the line
Each cut, closer to the vein
This pain is elevating, as the hurt turns into hating
Anticipating all the fucked up feelings again
The hurt inside is fading
This shit's gone way too far
All this time I've been waiting
Oh, I cannot grieve anymore
For what's inside awaking
I'm not, I'm not a whore
You've taken everything and
Oh I cannot give anymore
I'm here to stay -bring it down-
Bring it down!
Gonna bring it down
Gonna break it down
Gonna break it
This pain is elevating, as the hurt turns into hating
Anticipating all the fucked up feelings again
My hurt inside is fading
This shit's gone way too far
All this time I've been waiting
Oh, I cannot grieve anymore
For what's inside awaking
I'm not, I'm not a whore
You've taken everything and
Oh I cannot give anymore
Give anymore
The song ended on a mournful note and Stephanie realized it was indeed showtime when she heard her father's voice calling for her outside the door. She felt sort of campy saying it, but said it nonetheless, as a kind of Good Luck omen. "Time to play the game." she said softly, shutting the door behind her, taking her father's arm and walking out of the dressing room. She ignored the stunned silence of everyone who was now recognizing her in the building, lifted her head, and walked out onto the Smackdown ramp, arm in arm with her father, as the crowd, much to her shock started half-screaming in delight, broke out in thunderous applause as her theme song came on.