"Stacy, you don't understand. I really need to talk with Stephanie.."
Hunter trailed off. "Am in the hospital?" he asked abruptly, looking down
at his hospital gown.
"Yeah.don't you remember what happened?" Stacy asked.
"No, no.I don't remember anything. Why am I here?" Hunter rubbed his head gingerly.
"Here, have some water." Stacy said sweetly, handing him a cup. She somehow managed to hide her smile. She was going to come out of this looking like Hunter's guardian angel if she played this right. "Well, I found you unconscious on the floor, and I was just terrified that you were seriously injured and I went and called 911." She briefly explained, wanting to sound as modest as possible.
"Unconscious from what?"
"You really don't know?"
"Would I be asking if I did know?"
"I didn't see anything for certain, of course..but I did see Vince leaving the area in a real big hurry." Stacy lied. She had quickly thought up this little plot.if Hunter thought Vince had hit him from behind, he would probably blame Stephanie for setting Vince on him, and that would keep them even further apart. Stacy gave herself a little mental pat on the back.
"Vince? Why would Vince be there?"
"Well, I'm not saying he did it, of course not, that would be so horrible..but he does hate you, just like Stephanie does. I mean, she thinks we're having an affair and of course she's jealous and hurt.and Vince hates it when his precious little girl is hurting." Stacy trailed off, letting him fill in the blanks on his own.
But Hunter just looked up at Stacy, anger beginning to show in his eyes. "Get out." He said shortly.
"What?" Stacy asked, stunned.
"I said. Get. Out!" Hunter enunciated, his voice growing louder, so that it was almost a shout.
"But-but why?" Stacy sputtered. She hadn't even been able to get to the conversation she'd had with the man on the phone, or the gunshot. She knew Hunter would definitely want to know about what had happened.
"Because you're a freaking liar, that's why! You're lying to me now and that makes me wonder what else you've been lying about."
"What? What am I lying about?" Stacy asked. How could he possibly know so quickly?
"You obviously haven't heard this yet, or you wouldn't have made up such a stupid lie, but Linda, Vince's wife was admitted to the hospital only a few hours ago. There's no way that Vince would have left her. And even if he would leave her, there's no reason for him to come and attack me! What the hell kind of game are you trying to play with me, Stacy?"
"I'm not playing any game, Hunter, I swear. Maybe it wasn't Vince I saw, maybe." Stacy tried desperately to back-pedal.
But Hunter wasn't having any of it. "How stupid do you think I am? I'm not blind, you know. I know you want me."
"I-I haven't any idea what you're talking about you arrogant-"
"Resorting to name-calling now? Don't deny it, it only makes you look like a ditz. You are not a ditz, Stacy, far from it. Do you think I don't notice the way you look at me? You look at me like I'm dinner and you're the freaking spoon. And I'm sorry, but I'm one dinner you're never going to get a taste of.so if you want anything from me beyond friendship, it's not going to happen."
Stacy was speechless for all of a second and then she slapped him, ironically on the same cheek Stephanie had slapped him earlier that day. He just was sucking with women these days. "And what was that for?" He asked dryly.
"You led me on, you bastard!" Stacy cried.
"What? I did not!" Hunter objected.
"You totally did! Don't you dare look at me like that, like I'm something that crawled out from underneath a rock! You want me too, I know you do!"
Hunter looked at Stacy, genuinely thrown-aback. "Look, if I've led you to believe that I had those kind of feelings for you, I'm sorry-"
" 'Led me to believe?' Of course you did, you moron! The way you look at me, the way you kiss me.you want me, I know you do!" Stacy said again, tears beginning to well in her eyes.
Hunter cringed in the bed. God, when her voice went all high like that it reminded him of Stephanie in one of her tirades. He closed his eyes, the lights in this room were really bright and he was getting a pounding headache in addition to the extraordinarily cold, numb feeling all down his back. "Stacy, I have done nothing to lead you to believe that our relationship would ever be anything..very personal. I've been up-front with you from the beginning. And those so-called kisses? The first one was in order to make my wife hate me enough to sign divorce papers in a plot that I explained to you from the very beginning, and the second kiss I thought you were someone else. So if that's what you're basing this idea of this grand love affair we could be having on, you can think again." Hunter said, not particularly caring if he was being a bit harsh.
"Hunter, no, don't do this! Don't you see that we would work so well together? We'd be amazing, can't you see that?"
He hated the desperation in her voice, and he was starting to feel a tiny bit guilty, although he didn't know why. He'd been honest with her from the beginning, and not once had he told her anything he hadn't meant.it was her own damn fault for letting herself get in too deep! "No. I don't see that actually." He said matter-of -factly.
"But-but this isn't fair, you're not even giving me a chance to show you! Just give me a fair chance, and I promise, you won't be sorry." Stacy pleaded, reaching for Hunter's arm.
"I don't know how much clearer I can make this, Stacy, but I'm gonna try. I'm not, nor will I ever be interested in pursuing that kind of relationship with you. I'm not attracted to you that way.and I won't ever be." Hunter told her gently, his eyes sympathetic. She looked so sad, he didn't want to hurt the girl.he just hadn't expected that she had felt this deeply about him, he'd thought this was just some kind of crush, or he was just another notch on her bedpost. But it actually looked like there were feelings involved here beyond mere physical ones. "I'm sorry, I truly am, if I've done anything to make you think differently." The apology was genuine.
Stacy wiped off her tears angrily. "It's her, isn't it? That bitch Stephanie? Well, let me tell you that you are not the man I thought you were if you go crawling back to her!" Stacy said, angrily ripping her hand off of his arm.
Hunter bit the inside of his cheek. He decided to let her lash out, it might make her feel better.
"You aren't even denying it! You want her back, don't you?" She whispered in disbelief.
Hunter looked back at her. "Yes." He admitted finally, to both her and himself. "I want her back more than anything I've ever wanted in my life." He answered softly.
For the first time in her life, Stacy wished she were a different person.the person who made Hunter's eyes soften like that. She wished that just once, he'd look at her the way he looked at Stephanie. She'd thought she would be able to make that happen, thought she'd be able to win Hunter, make him hers.before she'd met Hunter, she'd never met a man who hadn't immediately fallen for her. And didn't it figure, the one man she had fallen for, the one man she actually wanted didn't want her back? Instead he wanted some whiny, snotty, pampered billionaire bitch. No. No way in hell was Stephanie winning this. She might not be able to change Hunter's feelings toward Stephanie, but she sure as hell could change Stephanie's feelings toward him. Stephanie came off as the ultimate secure woman, the confident, powerful aura firmly in place. But Stacy knew how to exploit women's weaknesses.she'd made a living on it. And Stephanie would be no different, she had her vulnerabilities. If Stacy couldn't have this man, she'd make damn sure no other woman, especially not Stephanie McMahon would have him either.
Stacy swallowed and forced herself to stand up straighter. "No, I should be the one who's apologizing, Hunter. I thought that maybe you might return my feelings some day, but I see that that was wrong of me to expect that. I wish you all the best with.Stephanie." She choked out the bitter words.
Hunter smiled gratefully. "I'm glad you understand, Stacy. You're a class act, you know that?"
Stacy nodded, biting her inside of her cheek so hard that she tasted the copper taste of blood in her mouth. "I'm just going to leave you to rest, okay?" She told him. She had to get out of here before she completely blew her composure.
"Thanks.and when you're up to it, could you maybe give me a call and tell me exactly what happened this afternoon? It's important that I know."
"Yeah, I'll make sure to do that." Stacy bit out, already heading for the door.
Hunter lay back on his pillow. Well, that had royally sucked. That was officially his worst break up.ever. With the exception of Steph, of course, but she couldn't be counted-that was more apocalyptic than anything. It wasn't even technically a break-up, since he and Stacy had never even been together in the first place, but it still had felt like one. But then he smiled. Now, there was nothing standing in between him and Steph. He'd tell her he found out the truth about the baby, she'd admit it of course, and he'd somehow convince her to remarry him. They'd sort out this whole stalker mess, and then they'd take some time away, just for themselves. After all, when the baby came, they wouldn't be able to get away as much, now would they? That dream he'd had when he had been knocked out, it wasn't like it could be prophetic or anything because he was going to fix this marriage. The Dream Stephanie had told him to follow his heart, and as corny advice went, he thought it topped the list, but at the same time, he hadn't felt this good in a long time. Which was ridiculous because he was hurting really badly.whoever had hit him had done one hell of a number on his back, he winced. But Stephanie was in the same hospital, he'd call her and she'd come see him as soon as she found out about her mother's condition. Maybe they could move him to the same floor so he could keep an eye on her and she wouldn't have to go from floor to floor to see them both. The thought immediately lifted his mood. He tried to lean over to the phone and felt ever muscle in his back seizure and went back to his original position, choosing instead to ring a nurse.
The door opened. "Susan?" He asked brightly. "Long time, no see!"
"As soon as I saw your name, I made sure I was assigned to you.how are you doing? Lot of pain?" Susan asked sympathetically.
"Nothing I can't handle. Hey, Susan. Could I just have the phone? I need to call someone."
"No problem. You want me to dial?"
"Yeah, that'd be great!" He told her the number and she dialed, handing him the phone.
"I'll leave you to your call, then." Susan whispered and he nodded gratefully.
The phone started to ring and Hunter listened for Stephanie's voice in anticipation.
Stacy pushed the elevator buttons hard. She was shaking, angry, confused, pissed off and depressed. She looked down at the floor, wanting nothing more at this moment than to go catch a taxi, after all, she'd left her car at the gym because she'd gone in the ambulance with Hunter to the hospital, then go back to her hotel room and order some mint chocolate chip ice cream and a nice, hot bubble bath. She pushed her hair away from her face, tried to wipe away the tears.her mascara was running.the elevator dinged and she walked out, and immediately slipped on the floor, sending her sprawling on her back. A few people gasped horrified. A man's hand reached out, lifted her hand, asked if she was allright. "No. No, I'm not allright." She cried, re-opening her eyes to see none other than Shane McMahon himself. She refused to let anyone in this family see her cry so she simply stayed still, willing herself to stop shaking. "Let's get her in an examination room." An authoritative voice said. Must be a doctor, Stacy figured, but she didn't especially care.
"I'll carry her." Shane volunteered.
"No! Don't touch me! I can get up myself!" And with every bit of will she possessed she gritted her teeth and stood. The humiliation of it all.
"I'd still like to examine you." The damn doctor again.
"I'm sure you would, but it's not going to happen. I'm perfectly fine. Don't worry, I know all that you're worried about is that I'm going to sue the hospital, and I'm not going to.these legs are insured for over a million dollars, they're fine, so you can just be on your way." She said bitterly.
"I can believe it." The doctor murmured, talking about her legs, of course. But he walked away, not wanting to get anywhere near any mention of a lawsuit.
Everyone cleared.at least, everyone but Shane who was still looking at her, concerned. "Are you sure you're really fine? You don't look it." He said doubtfully.
"I'm-I just want to go home." Stacy cringed at her voice, she sounded like a little girl who'd skinned her knee.
"Yeah, okay.Do you have your car here?" When she shook her head no, Shane continued "I'm going to take you home, okay? I just have to go make sure someone's with my sister first, yeah?" Stacy didn't respond so Shane decided to take it as a yes. He swung open the door to his mother's room where he and Steph had finally been able to enter only a few minutes ago. He tapped his sister on her shoulder, she was standing with their father, holding her mother's hand.
"Steph? I need to leave for a little bit. Can you make sure that you don't leave this room?" Stephanie nodded tiredly.
"Make sure you don't leave though." Shane pressed his sister. She just murmured a quick yeah, whatever. Shane looked at his mother's pale face, still unconscious and shook his head. At least now he was finally doing something helpful to someone by driving Stacy home. She was still standing in the same spot he'd left her in.
"Trying to grow roots?" Stacy didn't respond to his attempt at levity. "Okay, then."He sighed. He said, placing his arm awkwardly around her thin back, and walked her out to his car.
"Why are you doing this?" Stacy asked quietly once she was buckled in.
"Doing what?"
"Being so nice to me.you don't have to drive me home you know."
"You look like you could use someone being nice to you. I wanted to help you out, and if driving you home helps you, it's pretty easy." Shane replied.
"That's all? What do you want in return for your 'being nice'?" Stacy asked bitterly, causing Shane to look at her sideways.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Sure you do. Men like you, they don't do favors for women like me just for the hell of it. So what is it that you want in return?"
Man, this chick had serious issues. Shane wasn't sure how to respond to this line of questioning. All he'd wanted was to get away from the damn hospital for a minute and to help out a woman who obviously needed some help.
"You're Vince McMahon's son. Don't try and tell me that you're just a nice guy by nature."
Shane gripped the steering wheel tightly. The one thing he hated most in the world was when people made judgments on him based on his father. It wasn't fair, and he was sick to death of it.
"You know what? Fuck you. In case you haven't noticed, I am not my father. I am nothing like my father.I may have his blood running through my veins but I am not even remotely like him in character, and it sickens me when people like you make false assumptions about me even though you don't have even the slightest clue what kind of a man I really am." Shane seethed, aware he was rambling.
Stacy responded to his offended tone with one of her own: "People like me? What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means people who are constantly making judgments on people without knowing what they're talking about."
"Oh, believe me, I know exactly what I'm talking about Shane O'Mac." She said mockingly.
"You sound like you don't know a damn thing. So you know what? You can just save the head trip, I don't need it. I have enough crap to deal with without taking on yours."
Stacy was silent for a second. "I'm sorry." She said it so faintly he wasn't certain she had actually said it.
"You're right.people make assumptions. I've always hated it when people do it to me, it's not fair that I do it to you. You're doing me a favor, I'm thanking you, let's just leave it there, okay?"
"Sounds like a deal. Is this the right entrance?" Shane asked, still somewhat angry, as he was pulling up alongside the hotel.
"Yeah. I-Thanks for the ride." Stacy said, impulsively reaching over and kissing him softly on the cheek. Her hair brushed his cheek and he caught the smell of coconuts.
Shane started, looked at her for a moment. He then arched his eyebrow evilly and said in his best smarmy voice, "Anytime, baby." He winked hugely, obnoxiously, looking so ridiculously lecherous he managed to startle Stacy into a giggle.
"Yeah, you better watch it, I might take you up on that, Mr. McMahon." With that, Stacy shut the door behind her and walked up to the hotel's revolving door. Shane watched her leave in appreciation.
"Yeah, I hope you do take me up on it." He said aloud. He pulled the car into gear and headed back to the hospital.
Stephanie's cell phone was vibrating for the eighth time in ten minutes. Frowning, she finally pulled it out of her side pocket and walked over to a corner. Luckily, she was in a part of the hospital that allowed cell phones. She didn't recognize the number. "Stephanie McMahon." She said dully.
"Hey Steph, it's me.I have something to tell you. You'll never believe where I am." Hunter said.
Stephanie froze. " Actually, I'm sure I would. And I have something to tell you too." She said slowly.
"Yeah.don't you remember what happened?" Stacy asked.
"No, no.I don't remember anything. Why am I here?" Hunter rubbed his head gingerly.
"Here, have some water." Stacy said sweetly, handing him a cup. She somehow managed to hide her smile. She was going to come out of this looking like Hunter's guardian angel if she played this right. "Well, I found you unconscious on the floor, and I was just terrified that you were seriously injured and I went and called 911." She briefly explained, wanting to sound as modest as possible.
"Unconscious from what?"
"You really don't know?"
"Would I be asking if I did know?"
"I didn't see anything for certain, of course..but I did see Vince leaving the area in a real big hurry." Stacy lied. She had quickly thought up this little plot.if Hunter thought Vince had hit him from behind, he would probably blame Stephanie for setting Vince on him, and that would keep them even further apart. Stacy gave herself a little mental pat on the back.
"Vince? Why would Vince be there?"
"Well, I'm not saying he did it, of course not, that would be so horrible..but he does hate you, just like Stephanie does. I mean, she thinks we're having an affair and of course she's jealous and hurt.and Vince hates it when his precious little girl is hurting." Stacy trailed off, letting him fill in the blanks on his own.
But Hunter just looked up at Stacy, anger beginning to show in his eyes. "Get out." He said shortly.
"What?" Stacy asked, stunned.
"I said. Get. Out!" Hunter enunciated, his voice growing louder, so that it was almost a shout.
"But-but why?" Stacy sputtered. She hadn't even been able to get to the conversation she'd had with the man on the phone, or the gunshot. She knew Hunter would definitely want to know about what had happened.
"Because you're a freaking liar, that's why! You're lying to me now and that makes me wonder what else you've been lying about."
"What? What am I lying about?" Stacy asked. How could he possibly know so quickly?
"You obviously haven't heard this yet, or you wouldn't have made up such a stupid lie, but Linda, Vince's wife was admitted to the hospital only a few hours ago. There's no way that Vince would have left her. And even if he would leave her, there's no reason for him to come and attack me! What the hell kind of game are you trying to play with me, Stacy?"
"I'm not playing any game, Hunter, I swear. Maybe it wasn't Vince I saw, maybe." Stacy tried desperately to back-pedal.
But Hunter wasn't having any of it. "How stupid do you think I am? I'm not blind, you know. I know you want me."
"I-I haven't any idea what you're talking about you arrogant-"
"Resorting to name-calling now? Don't deny it, it only makes you look like a ditz. You are not a ditz, Stacy, far from it. Do you think I don't notice the way you look at me? You look at me like I'm dinner and you're the freaking spoon. And I'm sorry, but I'm one dinner you're never going to get a taste of.so if you want anything from me beyond friendship, it's not going to happen."
Stacy was speechless for all of a second and then she slapped him, ironically on the same cheek Stephanie had slapped him earlier that day. He just was sucking with women these days. "And what was that for?" He asked dryly.
"You led me on, you bastard!" Stacy cried.
"What? I did not!" Hunter objected.
"You totally did! Don't you dare look at me like that, like I'm something that crawled out from underneath a rock! You want me too, I know you do!"
Hunter looked at Stacy, genuinely thrown-aback. "Look, if I've led you to believe that I had those kind of feelings for you, I'm sorry-"
" 'Led me to believe?' Of course you did, you moron! The way you look at me, the way you kiss me.you want me, I know you do!" Stacy said again, tears beginning to well in her eyes.
Hunter cringed in the bed. God, when her voice went all high like that it reminded him of Stephanie in one of her tirades. He closed his eyes, the lights in this room were really bright and he was getting a pounding headache in addition to the extraordinarily cold, numb feeling all down his back. "Stacy, I have done nothing to lead you to believe that our relationship would ever be anything..very personal. I've been up-front with you from the beginning. And those so-called kisses? The first one was in order to make my wife hate me enough to sign divorce papers in a plot that I explained to you from the very beginning, and the second kiss I thought you were someone else. So if that's what you're basing this idea of this grand love affair we could be having on, you can think again." Hunter said, not particularly caring if he was being a bit harsh.
"Hunter, no, don't do this! Don't you see that we would work so well together? We'd be amazing, can't you see that?"
He hated the desperation in her voice, and he was starting to feel a tiny bit guilty, although he didn't know why. He'd been honest with her from the beginning, and not once had he told her anything he hadn't meant.it was her own damn fault for letting herself get in too deep! "No. I don't see that actually." He said matter-of -factly.
"But-but this isn't fair, you're not even giving me a chance to show you! Just give me a fair chance, and I promise, you won't be sorry." Stacy pleaded, reaching for Hunter's arm.
"I don't know how much clearer I can make this, Stacy, but I'm gonna try. I'm not, nor will I ever be interested in pursuing that kind of relationship with you. I'm not attracted to you that way.and I won't ever be." Hunter told her gently, his eyes sympathetic. She looked so sad, he didn't want to hurt the girl.he just hadn't expected that she had felt this deeply about him, he'd thought this was just some kind of crush, or he was just another notch on her bedpost. But it actually looked like there were feelings involved here beyond mere physical ones. "I'm sorry, I truly am, if I've done anything to make you think differently." The apology was genuine.
Stacy wiped off her tears angrily. "It's her, isn't it? That bitch Stephanie? Well, let me tell you that you are not the man I thought you were if you go crawling back to her!" Stacy said, angrily ripping her hand off of his arm.
Hunter bit the inside of his cheek. He decided to let her lash out, it might make her feel better.
"You aren't even denying it! You want her back, don't you?" She whispered in disbelief.
Hunter looked back at her. "Yes." He admitted finally, to both her and himself. "I want her back more than anything I've ever wanted in my life." He answered softly.
For the first time in her life, Stacy wished she were a different person.the person who made Hunter's eyes soften like that. She wished that just once, he'd look at her the way he looked at Stephanie. She'd thought she would be able to make that happen, thought she'd be able to win Hunter, make him hers.before she'd met Hunter, she'd never met a man who hadn't immediately fallen for her. And didn't it figure, the one man she had fallen for, the one man she actually wanted didn't want her back? Instead he wanted some whiny, snotty, pampered billionaire bitch. No. No way in hell was Stephanie winning this. She might not be able to change Hunter's feelings toward Stephanie, but she sure as hell could change Stephanie's feelings toward him. Stephanie came off as the ultimate secure woman, the confident, powerful aura firmly in place. But Stacy knew how to exploit women's weaknesses.she'd made a living on it. And Stephanie would be no different, she had her vulnerabilities. If Stacy couldn't have this man, she'd make damn sure no other woman, especially not Stephanie McMahon would have him either.
Stacy swallowed and forced herself to stand up straighter. "No, I should be the one who's apologizing, Hunter. I thought that maybe you might return my feelings some day, but I see that that was wrong of me to expect that. I wish you all the best with.Stephanie." She choked out the bitter words.
Hunter smiled gratefully. "I'm glad you understand, Stacy. You're a class act, you know that?"
Stacy nodded, biting her inside of her cheek so hard that she tasted the copper taste of blood in her mouth. "I'm just going to leave you to rest, okay?" She told him. She had to get out of here before she completely blew her composure.
"Thanks.and when you're up to it, could you maybe give me a call and tell me exactly what happened this afternoon? It's important that I know."
"Yeah, I'll make sure to do that." Stacy bit out, already heading for the door.
Hunter lay back on his pillow. Well, that had royally sucked. That was officially his worst break up.ever. With the exception of Steph, of course, but she couldn't be counted-that was more apocalyptic than anything. It wasn't even technically a break-up, since he and Stacy had never even been together in the first place, but it still had felt like one. But then he smiled. Now, there was nothing standing in between him and Steph. He'd tell her he found out the truth about the baby, she'd admit it of course, and he'd somehow convince her to remarry him. They'd sort out this whole stalker mess, and then they'd take some time away, just for themselves. After all, when the baby came, they wouldn't be able to get away as much, now would they? That dream he'd had when he had been knocked out, it wasn't like it could be prophetic or anything because he was going to fix this marriage. The Dream Stephanie had told him to follow his heart, and as corny advice went, he thought it topped the list, but at the same time, he hadn't felt this good in a long time. Which was ridiculous because he was hurting really badly.whoever had hit him had done one hell of a number on his back, he winced. But Stephanie was in the same hospital, he'd call her and she'd come see him as soon as she found out about her mother's condition. Maybe they could move him to the same floor so he could keep an eye on her and she wouldn't have to go from floor to floor to see them both. The thought immediately lifted his mood. He tried to lean over to the phone and felt ever muscle in his back seizure and went back to his original position, choosing instead to ring a nurse.
The door opened. "Susan?" He asked brightly. "Long time, no see!"
"As soon as I saw your name, I made sure I was assigned to you.how are you doing? Lot of pain?" Susan asked sympathetically.
"Nothing I can't handle. Hey, Susan. Could I just have the phone? I need to call someone."
"No problem. You want me to dial?"
"Yeah, that'd be great!" He told her the number and she dialed, handing him the phone.
"I'll leave you to your call, then." Susan whispered and he nodded gratefully.
The phone started to ring and Hunter listened for Stephanie's voice in anticipation.
Stacy pushed the elevator buttons hard. She was shaking, angry, confused, pissed off and depressed. She looked down at the floor, wanting nothing more at this moment than to go catch a taxi, after all, she'd left her car at the gym because she'd gone in the ambulance with Hunter to the hospital, then go back to her hotel room and order some mint chocolate chip ice cream and a nice, hot bubble bath. She pushed her hair away from her face, tried to wipe away the tears.her mascara was running.the elevator dinged and she walked out, and immediately slipped on the floor, sending her sprawling on her back. A few people gasped horrified. A man's hand reached out, lifted her hand, asked if she was allright. "No. No, I'm not allright." She cried, re-opening her eyes to see none other than Shane McMahon himself. She refused to let anyone in this family see her cry so she simply stayed still, willing herself to stop shaking. "Let's get her in an examination room." An authoritative voice said. Must be a doctor, Stacy figured, but she didn't especially care.
"I'll carry her." Shane volunteered.
"No! Don't touch me! I can get up myself!" And with every bit of will she possessed she gritted her teeth and stood. The humiliation of it all.
"I'd still like to examine you." The damn doctor again.
"I'm sure you would, but it's not going to happen. I'm perfectly fine. Don't worry, I know all that you're worried about is that I'm going to sue the hospital, and I'm not going to.these legs are insured for over a million dollars, they're fine, so you can just be on your way." She said bitterly.
"I can believe it." The doctor murmured, talking about her legs, of course. But he walked away, not wanting to get anywhere near any mention of a lawsuit.
Everyone cleared.at least, everyone but Shane who was still looking at her, concerned. "Are you sure you're really fine? You don't look it." He said doubtfully.
"I'm-I just want to go home." Stacy cringed at her voice, she sounded like a little girl who'd skinned her knee.
"Yeah, okay.Do you have your car here?" When she shook her head no, Shane continued "I'm going to take you home, okay? I just have to go make sure someone's with my sister first, yeah?" Stacy didn't respond so Shane decided to take it as a yes. He swung open the door to his mother's room where he and Steph had finally been able to enter only a few minutes ago. He tapped his sister on her shoulder, she was standing with their father, holding her mother's hand.
"Steph? I need to leave for a little bit. Can you make sure that you don't leave this room?" Stephanie nodded tiredly.
"Make sure you don't leave though." Shane pressed his sister. She just murmured a quick yeah, whatever. Shane looked at his mother's pale face, still unconscious and shook his head. At least now he was finally doing something helpful to someone by driving Stacy home. She was still standing in the same spot he'd left her in.
"Trying to grow roots?" Stacy didn't respond to his attempt at levity. "Okay, then."He sighed. He said, placing his arm awkwardly around her thin back, and walked her out to his car.
"Why are you doing this?" Stacy asked quietly once she was buckled in.
"Doing what?"
"Being so nice to me.you don't have to drive me home you know."
"You look like you could use someone being nice to you. I wanted to help you out, and if driving you home helps you, it's pretty easy." Shane replied.
"That's all? What do you want in return for your 'being nice'?" Stacy asked bitterly, causing Shane to look at her sideways.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Sure you do. Men like you, they don't do favors for women like me just for the hell of it. So what is it that you want in return?"
Man, this chick had serious issues. Shane wasn't sure how to respond to this line of questioning. All he'd wanted was to get away from the damn hospital for a minute and to help out a woman who obviously needed some help.
"You're Vince McMahon's son. Don't try and tell me that you're just a nice guy by nature."
Shane gripped the steering wheel tightly. The one thing he hated most in the world was when people made judgments on him based on his father. It wasn't fair, and he was sick to death of it.
"You know what? Fuck you. In case you haven't noticed, I am not my father. I am nothing like my father.I may have his blood running through my veins but I am not even remotely like him in character, and it sickens me when people like you make false assumptions about me even though you don't have even the slightest clue what kind of a man I really am." Shane seethed, aware he was rambling.
Stacy responded to his offended tone with one of her own: "People like me? What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means people who are constantly making judgments on people without knowing what they're talking about."
"Oh, believe me, I know exactly what I'm talking about Shane O'Mac." She said mockingly.
"You sound like you don't know a damn thing. So you know what? You can just save the head trip, I don't need it. I have enough crap to deal with without taking on yours."
Stacy was silent for a second. "I'm sorry." She said it so faintly he wasn't certain she had actually said it.
"You're right.people make assumptions. I've always hated it when people do it to me, it's not fair that I do it to you. You're doing me a favor, I'm thanking you, let's just leave it there, okay?"
"Sounds like a deal. Is this the right entrance?" Shane asked, still somewhat angry, as he was pulling up alongside the hotel.
"Yeah. I-Thanks for the ride." Stacy said, impulsively reaching over and kissing him softly on the cheek. Her hair brushed his cheek and he caught the smell of coconuts.
Shane started, looked at her for a moment. He then arched his eyebrow evilly and said in his best smarmy voice, "Anytime, baby." He winked hugely, obnoxiously, looking so ridiculously lecherous he managed to startle Stacy into a giggle.
"Yeah, you better watch it, I might take you up on that, Mr. McMahon." With that, Stacy shut the door behind her and walked up to the hotel's revolving door. Shane watched her leave in appreciation.
"Yeah, I hope you do take me up on it." He said aloud. He pulled the car into gear and headed back to the hospital.
Stephanie's cell phone was vibrating for the eighth time in ten minutes. Frowning, she finally pulled it out of her side pocket and walked over to a corner. Luckily, she was in a part of the hospital that allowed cell phones. She didn't recognize the number. "Stephanie McMahon." She said dully.
"Hey Steph, it's me.I have something to tell you. You'll never believe where I am." Hunter said.
Stephanie froze. " Actually, I'm sure I would. And I have something to tell you too." She said slowly.