Linda McMahon's Hospital Room in New York City
"..But wherefore do not you a mightier way, Make war upon this bloody tyrant, Time? And fortify yourself in your decay With means more blessed than my barren rhyme? Now stand you on the top of happy hours, And many maiden gardens yet unset.." Stephanie turned the page of the book of Shakespeare's sonnets, even as she aimed the remote toward the CD Player and changed the song to some Brahms. Her mother loved Shakespeare, usually Stephanie did as well, but too many of the sonnets were making her think of Hunter, a man who wouldn't be caught dead reading Shakespeare. Go figure. Stephanie set down the book for a moment, stood up and walked over to the window. Her back was killing her so she stretched out her arms. She shuffled over to the water pitcher and poured herself a glass so she could take her prenatal vitamin. These days, she couldn't stand to drink anything that she hadn't opened herself, unless it was water.which was probably a good thing. It made her feel safer. She had convinced her father to go home, get some rest.he hadn't left her mother's side since she'd been admitted. Stephanie looked down at the bed as she studied her mother's face. She somehow couldn't quite get used to the fact her mother wasn't wearing any makeup.she couldn't even remember the last time that her mother had ever even stepped out not looking anything less than picture-perfect. Stephanie settled back into her chair, reading aloud once again. She knew that there were studies out there that said music and voices of loved ones help those in comas; she wasn't sure if she believed in them, but it had been over a week since her mother had been admitted to the hospital and she was willing to try anything. "..With virtuous wish would bear your living flowers, Much liker than your painted counterfeit: So should the lines of life that life repair, Which this, Time's pencil, or my pupil pen, Neither in inward worth nor outward fair, Can make you live yourself in eyes of men. To give away yourself keeps yourself still, And you must live, drawn by your own sweet skill.....Mom, please wake up. I need you." Stephanie said sadly as she finished the sonnet.
Gym in Houston, Texas
Hunter was just glad to be out of the hospital. He'd been released three days ago. The first day, he'd decided to stick around New York so he could go talk to Steph again. The second day he'd decided that he didn't feel like waiting for handouts from her table, he had heard from his detectives who said that the guards she had just hired had checked out, he'd called Steph at the hospital, she'd hung up on him, then he'd gotten a call that he was now fighting in a match against Jericho-for the damn title, no less, only a few days after he'd been beaten with a sledgehammer in the back, he'd gotten ticked off, booked his flight for Houston and said sayonara to New York. He'd slept the day away, or at least he'd tried to, basically he'd tossed and turned the day away, in the hotel, then decided he needed to get back in training.
"Allright, Hunter, one more...that's it. Man, you're a machine." Kevin Nash said, impressed as Hunter finished his final lift on the weights. "You're the toughest s.o.b. I ever met, you know that?" Kevin laughed.
"Yeah, I know. I have to be.helps keep the mind off of things I don't really want to begin thinking about, you know? You want to go get something to eat, man?" Hunter said abruptly.
"You buying?"
"Yeah..actually, when's the last time you've ever bought lunch? Have you ever?" Hunter joked.
"Are you callin' me a cheapskate?" Nash said, his frugality was a running joke between the two, had been forever.
"Well, since I don't think I've seen you buy anything in all the years I've known you, I'm thinking yeah."
"Watch out.you got a match tomorrow night, man.nWo is going to be all over you after Jericho's had his way with you." Nash threatened, throwing his arm over Hunter's shoulder.
"Oh, dang, the nWo's after me...I am positively shaking!" Hunter choked out, laughing, knowing full well nWo was one problem he didn't have to worry about, unlike the rest of the WWF Superstars. It was kinda nice having dangerous friends in soon-to-be dangerously high places. But it still didn't mean he wasn't watching his own back, it wasn't like he could count on anyone to watch it for him anymore.
"You know, man, one of these days you're going to see the light and get in with us, Hunter."
Knowing his friend was completely serious now, Hunter treated the question as such. "No man... I'm best solo, you know that."
"Like hell." Nash snorted. "D-Generation X? Remember that?"
"Yeah, and look how that all turned out. Like I said man, solo, that's what works for me."
"I can respect that, but.....the door's open, you know that. All you've gotta do is walk in."
"It's appreciated.....but I don't see myself strolling on through anytime soon." Hunter said carefully.
"Hey, stuff changes. Things happen...just keep it in the back of your head, deal?"
"Deal." And as far as Hunter was concerned, it was. nWo wasn't exactly something you forgot about.
"Good. Now where are you takin' me for lunch? Watching you work out has made me tired." Kevin laughed, his huge frame shaking.
"I should just take you to Taco Bell, you cheapskate."
"I prefer to call it "money-wise." Kevin said haughtily.
"I'm sure you would, but technically, what it really means is that you're a cheapskate."
"Hey, I'm up for Taco Bell, Hunter."
"I'm not putting that crap into my body...we're going to Bea's." Hunter said, naming their favorite Houston diner...Houston, where Raw would be taking place tomorrow night.
"Yeah! Ribs, beer, some potatoes...." Nash said eagerly.
"Apple pie!" They said in unison. Bea's was famous the world over for her pies. They climbed in Hunter's limo. "Chad, we're going to Bea's...you comin' in?" he asked his driver.
"Do you have to ask? Apple pie, I'm there." Nash burst out laughing, and Hunter did too. It felt good to laugh again...be with good friends, go out, have some good times, life was getting better. He had made up his mind not to worry about Stephanie, at least for a couple of weeks he was going to try not to think about her at all. She had hired a group of bodyguards, and without telling her of course, he'd hired a couple of detectives to check them all out. They had found nothing wrong with the guys, so Hunter had decided to entrust his life to them, at least for a little while until he had had a chance to think through things properly. With Stephanie acting the way she was, he couldn't trust himself around her....he might do something he'd regret. Any other person, he had perfect control of his words and actions but Stephanie had this way of getting under his skin, no matter how hard he fought for control.
He had a match coming up against Jericho for the title...no way in hell was he losing this title. It was all he really had left that mattered after all. So he was going to pretend she didn't even exist, he was going to focus on his work. Then, when these two weeks were up, he knew he was going to have to start thinking about her again, she was having his kid after all. But two weeks, Stephanie-free was just the thing to help his head get screwed on straight. He hoped.
"Are we going out tonight?" Nash was asking. "Or are you going to mope around your hotel for another night?"
"I don't mope." Hunter said defensively.
"No....you just brood menacingly." Nash allowed.
"Whatever, man."
"You aren't denying it, are you? Trust me, this is what you need. Night out, not thinking about....you know, stuff, meeting some fine looking Houston women. Plus, Shawn said if I can get you out of the hotel, he'll come out with us."
Hunter's first instinct was to say no...all he really wanted was some damn sleep...but he knew that wasn't going to be happening tonight. Since he'd gotten out of the hospital and off the painkillers, the dreams had started returning again...he hadn't slept at all since the hospital. So maybe some partying was in order...push his body so hard, it had no choice but to exhaust itself and finally sleep. "Sounds like a plan." He consented.
Nash looked over at his friend, delighted. But his smile diminished when he saw Hunter's expression. He looked like he was on a death march. Well, he'd just have to change Hunter's mind, now wouldn't he? He and Shawn would show Hunter again there was life after Stephanie, and it could be just like old times-carefree, wild, crazy and best of all: wife-free.
Back in New York
Stacy turned down the volume on her walkman as she slowed her pace. Finally, she was finished with her morning workout. She had a couple of free hours...maybe she'd head for the punching bag in the gym again. Stacy searched through her pocket and pulled out the crumpled photo of Hunter she'd been using that morning. It was badly damaged, she'd been hitting it hard. But it felt very therapeutic, pretending it was actually his face. She swung open the door of the hotel lobby and headed straight for a tray of water on the counter. Mmm, the water was nice and cold. Stacy straightened up and swirled around, walking right into Shane McMahon.
He cursed and rubbed his nose gingerly.
"I am so sorry! I don't know what it is with me but I seem to be crashing into absolutely everyone....is your nose okay?" Stacy asked Shane as she reached up to touch it carefully.
"Yeah, it's fine." Shane smiled. One of his nostrils felt like it had closed, but he didn't especially care. Stacy was wearing tight jogging shorts, an even tighter shirt...looking at her seemed to take the soreness away.
"Yeah? Good...Shane, why are you at my hotel?"
"I was here to see Kurt before he left for Smackdown later this week in New Orleans. I wanted to see if he was going to be in shape for anything after the number Hunter pulled on him."
"He's doing allright, all things considered."
"How do you know that?" Shane asked.
"He told me. I go up to his room all the time, make sure he's got everything he needs, you know, books, CD's, whatever."
"Oh, I hadn't realized..." Why did this bit of information bother him so much? Shane wondered. What did he care if Kurt and Stacy were friends?
"What, that Kurt and I spoke? Yeah, me neither. It's something that just kind of happened. I ran into him a few days ago, he dropped something and he couldn't even bend down to get it, so I helped him out, got him to his room. Ever since then, I check on him. It's no biggie."
"Huh. Yeah. That's really decent of you." Shane said distantly.
"Like I said, no biggie. Kurt's actually kinda fun, once you get talking to him. He has this weird fear about women in general, but I think he likes me too."
"Really? Yeah, I'm just asking 'cause I know he's not a big fan of women either, he's always kind of thought of them as poison."
"I know, he told me."
"He told you?" Shane echoed.
"Yeah, he meant it as a complement, I think. For a while, I've always thought he was a dork, but he's actually not too bad a conversationalist." Plus, he hated Hunter as much as she did....actually, moreso. They'd bonded over that. To her great surprise, they'd actually been having fun, mostly having Bashing Hunter sessions, but it was fun nonetheless.
"Yeah...um, anyway, do you want to go?" Shane motioned outside, still disturbed by the fact Kurt and Stacy were friends.
"Go?" Stacy asked questioningly.
"Oh! Sorry, I meant, you know, to lunch." This conversation sucked so bad!, Shane thought, horrified. He was just knocked off balance by the whole Kurt thing...but it wasn't like he didn't talk to women....jeez! Get it together! He told himself. He inhaled. "I saw you across the lobby on my way out and I thought it might be nice if we went and had lunch together. What do you think?"
Stacy wanted to ask why, but Shane actually looked like he was ready to run for it, and she didn't want him to. "I'd like that." Stacy said slowly. "But I'm all sweaty...could you give me half an hour to go upstairs, shower, change?" She asked hopefully.
"Half an hour? Sure, that's fine. I'll wait down here."
"You can come up to my room, wait there if you want."
Shane felt his eyes widen, but Stacy's face was completely innocent so he knew she hadn't meant it in another way. "No, thanks...I'm just going to catch up on some e-mail on my laptop in the car...just come out whenever you're ready?"
"Fine. I'll be back down soon." Stacy left.
Shane practically danced out to his car, turned off the alarm and turned on his laptop. He froze for a minute when he saw the all too familiar skull and crossbones symbol. He opened up the e-mail, stared at it for a few minutes, too freaked out to move. Shane finally managed to shake it off, threw the computer onto the passenger seat, got out of the car-and promptly threw up outside the door.
People on the street were looking at him curiously, but he pulled out his cell phone and dialed up his sister's head bodyguard, Victor. "Victor? This is Shane McMahon. Is my sister anywhere in hearing range?" When the bodyguard answered no, Shane explained told him about the e-mail he had just opened up.
"It was pictures, all pictures of Stephanie. Like a story of her life.pictures of her when she was a little girl, in dress-up..he's even got a picture of her as the Spelling Bee Champion when she was in the 7th grade! There's pictures of her at the prom, in college, when she first started working in the WWF..her and Andrew, her and Kurt..her and Hunter! He's got pictures of them from months ago, my sister and my brother in-law- together, so it must have been months ago! They're dancing, they're having..how the hell could he have gotten these kinds of pictures? He's been watching them for months! He's been planning all of this for a while, just laying in wait..and at the top it says 'The Life and Death of the Daddy's Dead Princess".and then at the end.." Shane choked off, the sick feeling coming back again. But Victor pressed him to go on.
"At the end, there's some kind of digitally made photo..it's my sister..with her throat.cut..there's blood everywhere. My God.this guy wants my sister dead." Shane said disbelievingly. "I'm coming there, don't tell her about this until I get there, okay? And so help me God, do not let her out of your sight!" Shane got back in the car and peeled off. He opened up the computer again, even as he drove and selected the "Forward" button. There was another man who needed to see this: His brother-in-law.
"Shane, wait! Where are you?---" Stacy screamed, running for a second after him, seeing the car veer off. She looked down at herself.she hadn't even taken a half an hour, it was twenty minutes, tops, and she had been proud of the effect. "Damn it!" She muttered, turning back around to head back to her room. Men sucked! Couldn't live with them.couldn't kill them without ending up in some women's prison somewhere.
"Hey, Stace." Kurt greeted her..she had almost walked past him without seeing him.
"What are you doing out here?" Stacy asked, surprised.
"I am getting up from the bed.see? I can even turn around." Kurt smiled, joked. "So what are you doing, all dressed up like that?"
"Actually, I was just going to go up to your room and see if you wanted to come out with me to lunch." Stacy lied.
"Yeah? Well, sure, okay. I don't have any plans for the rest of the afternoon."
"Now you do. Let's go!" Maybe this afternoon wouldn't be a total waste after all, Stacy thought, as she took Kurt's arm.
"..So are you to my thoughts as food to life, Or as sweet-season'd showers are to the ground; And for the peace of you I hold such strife, As 'twixt a miser and his wealth is found;.." Stephanie broke off for a moment. "Mom?" She whispered. She could have sworn her mother had just blinked. Stephanie peered closer and.her mother's eyes opened! "Ahhh!" Stephanie gasped, pulling away. She leaned in again immediately. "Mom? Mom? Are you waking up? Can you hear me? Mom, it's me, it's Stephanie.if you can hear me, squeeze my hand?"
Linda squeezed Stephanie's hand. "Yes! Allright, Mom! I'm getting the doctor!" Stephanie laughed, ran out into the hall and called for a doctor to come in.
"Mom, welcome back!" She watched as her mother's eyes fluttered, opened, saw the awareness come back. Stephanie smiled as she reached down to hug Linda carefully around all of the machines. Stephanie giggled as she felt her mother hesitantly embrace her back.
Finally, some good news for a change. Things were definitely looking up. The door swung open, and Stephanie turned to greet the doctor. But it was someone even better than the doctor, it was Shane.
"..But wherefore do not you a mightier way, Make war upon this bloody tyrant, Time? And fortify yourself in your decay With means more blessed than my barren rhyme? Now stand you on the top of happy hours, And many maiden gardens yet unset.." Stephanie turned the page of the book of Shakespeare's sonnets, even as she aimed the remote toward the CD Player and changed the song to some Brahms. Her mother loved Shakespeare, usually Stephanie did as well, but too many of the sonnets were making her think of Hunter, a man who wouldn't be caught dead reading Shakespeare. Go figure. Stephanie set down the book for a moment, stood up and walked over to the window. Her back was killing her so she stretched out her arms. She shuffled over to the water pitcher and poured herself a glass so she could take her prenatal vitamin. These days, she couldn't stand to drink anything that she hadn't opened herself, unless it was water.which was probably a good thing. It made her feel safer. She had convinced her father to go home, get some rest.he hadn't left her mother's side since she'd been admitted. Stephanie looked down at the bed as she studied her mother's face. She somehow couldn't quite get used to the fact her mother wasn't wearing any makeup.she couldn't even remember the last time that her mother had ever even stepped out not looking anything less than picture-perfect. Stephanie settled back into her chair, reading aloud once again. She knew that there were studies out there that said music and voices of loved ones help those in comas; she wasn't sure if she believed in them, but it had been over a week since her mother had been admitted to the hospital and she was willing to try anything. "..With virtuous wish would bear your living flowers, Much liker than your painted counterfeit: So should the lines of life that life repair, Which this, Time's pencil, or my pupil pen, Neither in inward worth nor outward fair, Can make you live yourself in eyes of men. To give away yourself keeps yourself still, And you must live, drawn by your own sweet skill.....Mom, please wake up. I need you." Stephanie said sadly as she finished the sonnet.
Gym in Houston, Texas
Hunter was just glad to be out of the hospital. He'd been released three days ago. The first day, he'd decided to stick around New York so he could go talk to Steph again. The second day he'd decided that he didn't feel like waiting for handouts from her table, he had heard from his detectives who said that the guards she had just hired had checked out, he'd called Steph at the hospital, she'd hung up on him, then he'd gotten a call that he was now fighting in a match against Jericho-for the damn title, no less, only a few days after he'd been beaten with a sledgehammer in the back, he'd gotten ticked off, booked his flight for Houston and said sayonara to New York. He'd slept the day away, or at least he'd tried to, basically he'd tossed and turned the day away, in the hotel, then decided he needed to get back in training.
"Allright, Hunter, one more...that's it. Man, you're a machine." Kevin Nash said, impressed as Hunter finished his final lift on the weights. "You're the toughest s.o.b. I ever met, you know that?" Kevin laughed.
"Yeah, I know. I have to be.helps keep the mind off of things I don't really want to begin thinking about, you know? You want to go get something to eat, man?" Hunter said abruptly.
"You buying?"
"Yeah..actually, when's the last time you've ever bought lunch? Have you ever?" Hunter joked.
"Are you callin' me a cheapskate?" Nash said, his frugality was a running joke between the two, had been forever.
"Well, since I don't think I've seen you buy anything in all the years I've known you, I'm thinking yeah."
"Watch out.you got a match tomorrow night, man.nWo is going to be all over you after Jericho's had his way with you." Nash threatened, throwing his arm over Hunter's shoulder.
"Oh, dang, the nWo's after me...I am positively shaking!" Hunter choked out, laughing, knowing full well nWo was one problem he didn't have to worry about, unlike the rest of the WWF Superstars. It was kinda nice having dangerous friends in soon-to-be dangerously high places. But it still didn't mean he wasn't watching his own back, it wasn't like he could count on anyone to watch it for him anymore.
"You know, man, one of these days you're going to see the light and get in with us, Hunter."
Knowing his friend was completely serious now, Hunter treated the question as such. "No man... I'm best solo, you know that."
"Like hell." Nash snorted. "D-Generation X? Remember that?"
"Yeah, and look how that all turned out. Like I said man, solo, that's what works for me."
"I can respect that, but.....the door's open, you know that. All you've gotta do is walk in."
"It's appreciated.....but I don't see myself strolling on through anytime soon." Hunter said carefully.
"Hey, stuff changes. Things happen...just keep it in the back of your head, deal?"
"Deal." And as far as Hunter was concerned, it was. nWo wasn't exactly something you forgot about.
"Good. Now where are you takin' me for lunch? Watching you work out has made me tired." Kevin laughed, his huge frame shaking.
"I should just take you to Taco Bell, you cheapskate."
"I prefer to call it "money-wise." Kevin said haughtily.
"I'm sure you would, but technically, what it really means is that you're a cheapskate."
"Hey, I'm up for Taco Bell, Hunter."
"I'm not putting that crap into my body...we're going to Bea's." Hunter said, naming their favorite Houston diner...Houston, where Raw would be taking place tomorrow night.
"Yeah! Ribs, beer, some potatoes...." Nash said eagerly.
"Apple pie!" They said in unison. Bea's was famous the world over for her pies. They climbed in Hunter's limo. "Chad, we're going to Bea's...you comin' in?" he asked his driver.
"Do you have to ask? Apple pie, I'm there." Nash burst out laughing, and Hunter did too. It felt good to laugh again...be with good friends, go out, have some good times, life was getting better. He had made up his mind not to worry about Stephanie, at least for a couple of weeks he was going to try not to think about her at all. She had hired a group of bodyguards, and without telling her of course, he'd hired a couple of detectives to check them all out. They had found nothing wrong with the guys, so Hunter had decided to entrust his life to them, at least for a little while until he had had a chance to think through things properly. With Stephanie acting the way she was, he couldn't trust himself around her....he might do something he'd regret. Any other person, he had perfect control of his words and actions but Stephanie had this way of getting under his skin, no matter how hard he fought for control.
He had a match coming up against Jericho for the title...no way in hell was he losing this title. It was all he really had left that mattered after all. So he was going to pretend she didn't even exist, he was going to focus on his work. Then, when these two weeks were up, he knew he was going to have to start thinking about her again, she was having his kid after all. But two weeks, Stephanie-free was just the thing to help his head get screwed on straight. He hoped.
"Are we going out tonight?" Nash was asking. "Or are you going to mope around your hotel for another night?"
"I don't mope." Hunter said defensively.
"No....you just brood menacingly." Nash allowed.
"Whatever, man."
"You aren't denying it, are you? Trust me, this is what you need. Night out, not thinking about....you know, stuff, meeting some fine looking Houston women. Plus, Shawn said if I can get you out of the hotel, he'll come out with us."
Hunter's first instinct was to say no...all he really wanted was some damn sleep...but he knew that wasn't going to be happening tonight. Since he'd gotten out of the hospital and off the painkillers, the dreams had started returning again...he hadn't slept at all since the hospital. So maybe some partying was in order...push his body so hard, it had no choice but to exhaust itself and finally sleep. "Sounds like a plan." He consented.
Nash looked over at his friend, delighted. But his smile diminished when he saw Hunter's expression. He looked like he was on a death march. Well, he'd just have to change Hunter's mind, now wouldn't he? He and Shawn would show Hunter again there was life after Stephanie, and it could be just like old times-carefree, wild, crazy and best of all: wife-free.
Back in New York
Stacy turned down the volume on her walkman as she slowed her pace. Finally, she was finished with her morning workout. She had a couple of free hours...maybe she'd head for the punching bag in the gym again. Stacy searched through her pocket and pulled out the crumpled photo of Hunter she'd been using that morning. It was badly damaged, she'd been hitting it hard. But it felt very therapeutic, pretending it was actually his face. She swung open the door of the hotel lobby and headed straight for a tray of water on the counter. Mmm, the water was nice and cold. Stacy straightened up and swirled around, walking right into Shane McMahon.
He cursed and rubbed his nose gingerly.
"I am so sorry! I don't know what it is with me but I seem to be crashing into absolutely everyone....is your nose okay?" Stacy asked Shane as she reached up to touch it carefully.
"Yeah, it's fine." Shane smiled. One of his nostrils felt like it had closed, but he didn't especially care. Stacy was wearing tight jogging shorts, an even tighter shirt...looking at her seemed to take the soreness away.
"Yeah? Good...Shane, why are you at my hotel?"
"I was here to see Kurt before he left for Smackdown later this week in New Orleans. I wanted to see if he was going to be in shape for anything after the number Hunter pulled on him."
"He's doing allright, all things considered."
"How do you know that?" Shane asked.
"He told me. I go up to his room all the time, make sure he's got everything he needs, you know, books, CD's, whatever."
"Oh, I hadn't realized..." Why did this bit of information bother him so much? Shane wondered. What did he care if Kurt and Stacy were friends?
"What, that Kurt and I spoke? Yeah, me neither. It's something that just kind of happened. I ran into him a few days ago, he dropped something and he couldn't even bend down to get it, so I helped him out, got him to his room. Ever since then, I check on him. It's no biggie."
"Huh. Yeah. That's really decent of you." Shane said distantly.
"Like I said, no biggie. Kurt's actually kinda fun, once you get talking to him. He has this weird fear about women in general, but I think he likes me too."
"Really? Yeah, I'm just asking 'cause I know he's not a big fan of women either, he's always kind of thought of them as poison."
"I know, he told me."
"He told you?" Shane echoed.
"Yeah, he meant it as a complement, I think. For a while, I've always thought he was a dork, but he's actually not too bad a conversationalist." Plus, he hated Hunter as much as she did....actually, moreso. They'd bonded over that. To her great surprise, they'd actually been having fun, mostly having Bashing Hunter sessions, but it was fun nonetheless.
"Yeah...um, anyway, do you want to go?" Shane motioned outside, still disturbed by the fact Kurt and Stacy were friends.
"Go?" Stacy asked questioningly.
"Oh! Sorry, I meant, you know, to lunch." This conversation sucked so bad!, Shane thought, horrified. He was just knocked off balance by the whole Kurt thing...but it wasn't like he didn't talk to women....jeez! Get it together! He told himself. He inhaled. "I saw you across the lobby on my way out and I thought it might be nice if we went and had lunch together. What do you think?"
Stacy wanted to ask why, but Shane actually looked like he was ready to run for it, and she didn't want him to. "I'd like that." Stacy said slowly. "But I'm all sweaty...could you give me half an hour to go upstairs, shower, change?" She asked hopefully.
"Half an hour? Sure, that's fine. I'll wait down here."
"You can come up to my room, wait there if you want."
Shane felt his eyes widen, but Stacy's face was completely innocent so he knew she hadn't meant it in another way. "No, thanks...I'm just going to catch up on some e-mail on my laptop in the car...just come out whenever you're ready?"
"Fine. I'll be back down soon." Stacy left.
Shane practically danced out to his car, turned off the alarm and turned on his laptop. He froze for a minute when he saw the all too familiar skull and crossbones symbol. He opened up the e-mail, stared at it for a few minutes, too freaked out to move. Shane finally managed to shake it off, threw the computer onto the passenger seat, got out of the car-and promptly threw up outside the door.
People on the street were looking at him curiously, but he pulled out his cell phone and dialed up his sister's head bodyguard, Victor. "Victor? This is Shane McMahon. Is my sister anywhere in hearing range?" When the bodyguard answered no, Shane explained told him about the e-mail he had just opened up.
"It was pictures, all pictures of Stephanie. Like a story of her life.pictures of her when she was a little girl, in dress-up..he's even got a picture of her as the Spelling Bee Champion when she was in the 7th grade! There's pictures of her at the prom, in college, when she first started working in the WWF..her and Andrew, her and Kurt..her and Hunter! He's got pictures of them from months ago, my sister and my brother in-law- together, so it must have been months ago! They're dancing, they're having..how the hell could he have gotten these kinds of pictures? He's been watching them for months! He's been planning all of this for a while, just laying in wait..and at the top it says 'The Life and Death of the Daddy's Dead Princess".and then at the end.." Shane choked off, the sick feeling coming back again. But Victor pressed him to go on.
"At the end, there's some kind of digitally made photo..it's my sister..with her throat.cut..there's blood everywhere. My God.this guy wants my sister dead." Shane said disbelievingly. "I'm coming there, don't tell her about this until I get there, okay? And so help me God, do not let her out of your sight!" Shane got back in the car and peeled off. He opened up the computer again, even as he drove and selected the "Forward" button. There was another man who needed to see this: His brother-in-law.
"Shane, wait! Where are you?---" Stacy screamed, running for a second after him, seeing the car veer off. She looked down at herself.she hadn't even taken a half an hour, it was twenty minutes, tops, and she had been proud of the effect. "Damn it!" She muttered, turning back around to head back to her room. Men sucked! Couldn't live with them.couldn't kill them without ending up in some women's prison somewhere.
"Hey, Stace." Kurt greeted her..she had almost walked past him without seeing him.
"What are you doing out here?" Stacy asked, surprised.
"I am getting up from the bed.see? I can even turn around." Kurt smiled, joked. "So what are you doing, all dressed up like that?"
"Actually, I was just going to go up to your room and see if you wanted to come out with me to lunch." Stacy lied.
"Yeah? Well, sure, okay. I don't have any plans for the rest of the afternoon."
"Now you do. Let's go!" Maybe this afternoon wouldn't be a total waste after all, Stacy thought, as she took Kurt's arm.
"..So are you to my thoughts as food to life, Or as sweet-season'd showers are to the ground; And for the peace of you I hold such strife, As 'twixt a miser and his wealth is found;.." Stephanie broke off for a moment. "Mom?" She whispered. She could have sworn her mother had just blinked. Stephanie peered closer and.her mother's eyes opened! "Ahhh!" Stephanie gasped, pulling away. She leaned in again immediately. "Mom? Mom? Are you waking up? Can you hear me? Mom, it's me, it's Stephanie.if you can hear me, squeeze my hand?"
Linda squeezed Stephanie's hand. "Yes! Allright, Mom! I'm getting the doctor!" Stephanie laughed, ran out into the hall and called for a doctor to come in.
"Mom, welcome back!" She watched as her mother's eyes fluttered, opened, saw the awareness come back. Stephanie smiled as she reached down to hug Linda carefully around all of the machines. Stephanie giggled as she felt her mother hesitantly embrace her back.
Finally, some good news for a change. Things were definitely looking up. The door swung open, and Stephanie turned to greet the doctor. But it was someone even better than the doctor, it was Shane.