Only When I Sleep

by Livvie

Chapters 27-33 Finally Updated. Plot is kicking into high gear and after this, Stephanie, Hunter and everyone else's lives will never be the same.

27. Chapters TwentySevenThirtyThree

Chapter 27

Hunter Hearst-Helmsley groaned loudly as he blinked in the sunlight filtering in through the curtains. "What the fuck?" he cursed as he rolled onto his side-and promptly fell off the bed. Hunter heaved himself off the floor-and that was when he realized he was naked. "What the fuck?" He said again, looking down at himself in horror. Where the hell where his clothes?

There were a thousand other questions coming to the fore in his mind. Like, where was he? What was he doing here? How had he gotten here…he hadn't even had any alcohol last night…and it would have taken quite a bit to get him to this state of being. Who the hell had he been with last night? He vaguely remember a brunette….and he remembered seeing Stephanie….but Stephanie couldn't have been here, she was in New York with Linda. So that must have been some kind of hallucination, right? Hunter buried his throbbing head in his hands.

He glanced at the clock beside the bed...10:28 a.m. What had happened last night? Why did he feel like he'd been hit with a two by four? His mouth tasted like cotton and copper. And why did he remember blinding flashes of light and loud clicking noises…and laughter. He remember laughing, a woman's laugh….it sounded so familiar. A soft hand, running down his body...the feeling of long hair trailing down his chest. There had been someone else there....a man...he was familiar too. His forehead scrunched up in an effort to recall.

Had he spent the night with some woman he didn't even remember? Hunter looked around the room for clues…there were no pictures, no papers, not much of anything, really….and worst of all, he couldn't even find an article of his clothing. Or any clothing, for that matter.

He had to get the hell out of here, and he had to do it now. Hunter wrapped the bed sheet around him and peered around the bed. His wallet…come on, let them at least have left his damn wallet! But all he found was a crumpled picture underneath one of the blankets. He unfolded it shakily. It was a picture of Stephanie that he'd never gotten around to getting rid of…it was one of his favorite pictures of her. She was standing in front of a gorgeous Appaloosa, the wind blowing her hair in front of her face. She had been pulling it aside, laughing, when he had spontaneously snapped the picture. Hunter tucked it in a corner of the bed sheet and opened up the door cautiously. He looked around both corners and fled down the hallway, taking the steps by twos. He ended up outside the building without anyone noticing him. And that's when he realized that a car had squealed to a stop right in front of him. It had missed him by an inch. Hunter's eyes widened at the close call.

A young girl got out of the car screaming at him for jumping out right in front of her. She was being quite inventive in her cursing, Hunter thought. Then she slowly took of her sunglasses and stared.

"Holy…You're Triple H!" She squeaked.

"Hi. Um, sorry about that…I was just kind of in a hurry. Like you can probably tell." He said gesturing down to the sheet.

"Yeah…about that…where are your clothes?"

"I guess I must have ticked someone off 'cause they're long gone, so I don't know."

"Whoa. Did Stephanie do this to you? I would totally love to meet her! Is she around?"

"I don't know that either…listen, I really have to get going, so you know, it's been a riot, really…."

"Go where? You're about four miles outside of Houston…gonna be a long, hot walk in that little sheet." The girl smiled.

"What's your name?" Hunter asked abruptly, trying desperately to get this conversation under control.

"Lily. And don't change the subject, do you even have a car here?"

"No…."

"Well, then, I guess I'll have to give you a ride won't I?" Somehow Lily didn't seem the least put off by this turn of events. "You've got a title match with Jericho tonight, huh? Probably not the best move to party so hard the night before." She said with just the slightest hint of admonishment in her tone. "And what would your wife say?"

Hunter looked at her slack-jawed. "Ex-wife." He corrected.

"Yeah, right. Anyways, climb on in. Hey, do you mind if we stop at my friend Jamie's house? She's going to just die when she finds out I met you when you're naked."

"I'm not naked…."

"It's a sheet, it's naked. This is so damn cool! Get in already, won't you?"

Hunter stared up at the sky, helplessly. Every single time he thought he couldn't sink any further, he somehow did. But it wasn't like he had other options here. Checking to ensure the sheet was firmly in place, he walked around the side of Lily's car and sat down heavily. She got back in after him and looking behind her shoulder, peeled out of the lot.

"This totally rocks….isn't it funny the way fate works? I mean, I wasn't even supposed to come out here today but my Gram needed me to pick up some stuff out here, and here I am and here you are….this is so damn cool! I'm in a car with Triple H! Triple H is in my car…and he's naked! Ahhhh!" Lily pounded her steering wheel in excitement, causing Hunter to cringe.

"I'm not naked, I am in a towel." He said defensively.

"Oh, of course you are!" Lily reached out to pat him on the shoulder and then looked back at him. "Wow, that is really hard muscle." She squeezed, causing Hunter to look at her in amazement…you just didn't go around feeling people up! Granted, this was an…unusual situation, but that didn't mean you went around feeling people up!

"So do you mind if we go to Jamie's?" Lily asked.

"Huh? Oh, well, it's like you said…I do have that match tonight…maybe I could just give you a picture? Or an autograph?…..I take it you're a WWF fan?"

"Huh? Me? No. My boyfriend is like, the biggest fan ever, and in order to see him every now and again, I became one too. He watches for the wrestling, he has every single event memorized, he can tell you entire title histories complete with dates. He's a real dork that way. Me, I just watch because I love you and Edge and RVD and even Christian…I have a thing for guys with long blonde hair. You know? My boyfriend doesn't have long blonde hair, which really sucks and I've told him maybe he should color it blonde….like I'd do it for him, you know, if he wanted me too…." Lily continued talking, but Hunter managed to block it out. He leaned his forehead against the window, one hand clutching his sheet like a lifeline.

He was seriously considering jumping out of the car.

Chapter 28

It's been nine days, eight hours
Forty minutes, ten seconds
Since you called
I've been so crazy
I've just about
Taken our picture
Off the wall

It's been three months
Over a hundred days
Since you held my hand
And I miss you in
A thousand ways

Will I ever see you again?

How did it change so fast? (I won't give you To the past)
I really thought it'd last ….

All that we had was
So un-believ-able

Now that it's gone
It's just in-con-ceivable

Still in my dreams
You were so damn beautiful

How could it be
That you ruined my

Everything
Everything
Everything?
Everything
Everything
Everything ….

It seems like
Everyone everywhere's in love

So, where are you?
And I remember

You couldn't get enough
Said you felt it too
So didn't you ?

How did it change so fast? (I won't give you To the past)
I really thought it'd last

All that we had was
So un-believ-able
Now that it's gone
It's just in-con-ceivable
Still in my dreams
You were so damn beautiful
How could it be
That you ruined my
Everything
Everything
Everything?
Everything
Everything
Everything

Everything, everything, everything
Everything, everything, everything
Ooh, hooh
You're really my everything
Everything, everything
Everything, everything, everything
Everything, everything, everything
Everything, everything, everything
Everything, everything, everything
Everything, everything, everything

It's been nine days, eight hours
Forty minutes, ten seconds
Three months, a hundred days

And I miss you in
A thousand ways

All that we had was
So un-believ-able
Now that it's gone
It's just in-conceiv-able
Still in my dreams
You were so damn beautiful
How could it be
That you ruined my
Everything
Everything
Everything?
Everything
Everything
Everything


Houston, Texas

"I think this one is definitely the best….see? His eyes look like they maybe could be open." Stacy said, holding up the photograph critically.

"Mmm. I see what you mean. But what about this one?" Kurt asked holding up a photograph for Stacy's approval.

"No way…that one makes me look fat."

"What?" Kurt demanded.

"I said, it makes me look fat…see? My leg looks a little flabby…the angle is completely wrong."

"You're kidding me, right? Please tell me you're kidding." Kurt pleaded.

"I most definitely am not! If we're really going to do what you said, I want to look damn good in the photos…like in this one. See? I call it 'Rapturous Passion.'

"You have names for the pictures now?" Kurt asked incredulously, his voice squeaking a bit.

"Of course…it helps me keep track. Now, see, this one, you can plainly tell Hunter is not even awake, so I call it 'Sleeping Stupid.' And this one? Hunter's foot is sticking out over the bed, so I call it 'Big Foot.' And this one, this one is……whoo, Kurt. We both look really hot in this one, don't you think? It really looks like we're doing it." Stacy said wistfully, looking down at the picture.

It really was too bad all of these photos were of something that never really happened. It made her kind of depressed….and angry, because they could have, SHOULD have happened. This could have been us, Stacy told the Hunter in the photo silently. But you just had to be a jerk, and now, you're going to get hurt when….you could have had it all. Stacy wiped away a tear angrily, hoping that Kurt hadn't noticed. He hadn't, he was still looking at one of the photographs. Stacy could almost see the little wheels turning in Kurt's huge head. He snorted, choking on his water. "Man, in this one, Hunter's nose looks even huger than it does in real life…hadn't thought it was possible."

Stacy rolled her eyes. Kurt was sometimes so petty…he had to belittle any little thing wrong he ever thought he saw. To her, Hunter's nose reminded her of Roman nobles….very aristocratic. Here Kurt, Mr. Clean himself, was making fun of someone, and in her own humble opinion he actually shouldn't be throwing stones at glass houses.

He was a horribly insecure man. She figured that was why he hadn't really gotten as far as he would have liked in his career. He spent so much time worrying what others thought of him, he didn't focus on the things that really mattered. Like kicking ass and taking names. Like he-who-must-not-be-named did.

Stacy sighed, picked up another photo. Kurt looked up at Stacy in annoyance. "I can tell your heart isn't exactly into this…but you seemed like you were having a jolly good time of it last night."

That was because she had been with Hunter. Naked Hunter. How could she not have been having at least a little fun with it? "Kurt, just because I'm not jumping up and down doesn't mean that I'm not happy with the plan. So back off, allright?"

"Stacy, it cost me a thousand dollars to pay off Cassandra Wexler, get her to put that stuff in Hunter's drink….so just pick out a damn photo!"

"It was stupid to pay her so much."

"Well, we don't want her spilling to anyone, now do we?"

"Well, for a thousand bucks she really had better not." Stacy said distantly. "And how on earth did you know where Hunter was last night….how did you get Cassandra Wexler to help us?"

"I have my ways." Kurt said mysteriously.

"Yeah? Like what? Who on earth could've told you where Hunter was? The only people he was with were Shawn and Kevin… and either of them would've rather drive a nail into their foreheads than ever talk to you."

Kurt stiffened indignantly. "I didn't need either of those two buffoons…I've got someone much, much better. You see, Stacy, if you can't beat 'em…bribe 'em."

Stacy leaned forward. "So you do have someone close to Hunter helping you then? Who?"

"You'll find out soon enough. But right now, we have work to do. So Stacy?"

"Hmm?"

"Pick a freaking photo already!" Kurt snapped.


Stephanie's Room in the Delta Hotel, Houston


"I'm being ridiculous!" Stephanie told the reflection in her mirror. She had changed clothes for the sixth time that morning. But she wanted to look as good as she possibly could. She hadn't seen Hunter in a week, since that awful day in the hospital. Why was it always so important to her that she look her best around him? Maybe it was because she wanted him to be proud to be her husband…like she had always been so proud to call herself "Mrs. Hunter Hearst-Helmsley." But screw this. She was going to drive herself insane. "I look fine." She told the reflection. But 'fine' wasn't good enough. Never good enough. She went back to her suitcase, rummaged around. She didn't want to wear a short skirt, but she didn't feel like pants either. It was too warm outside. She found a long, deep blue velvet skirt, tried it on. Perfect. It brought out her eyes, she thought. Stephanie threw on a pair of sunglasses, and headed out of her hotel room. The two bodyguards she had brought with her from New York, Victor and Sam fell into position behind her.


Outside The Delta Hotel, Houston, Texas


"Thanks again, Lily." Hunter said as she dropped him off at his hotel. As they had promised on his cell phone call to them a few minutes earlier, Shawn and Kevin were waiting outside. Kevin had a big paper bag. They stared as the car pulled up. Kevin looked down in the car, saw Hunter in his sheet and started choking. He wordlessly handed Hunter the bag. It took some delicate shifting but Hunter managed to pull on the pair of sweat pants without dislodging the sheet all the way. Lily tried to hide her disappointment…Jamie would have died if she knew she'd seen Triple H's…747. Lily bit back a giggle. "Thanks for the autograph. And you've got my address right? I really would love that autographed picture of you." She asked hopefully.

"Yeah, I got it. I'll send it out first thing. And I would really appreciate it if you could maybe…not mention this to many people?"

"Sure, no prob. Just my boyfriend. And Jamie, of course, cause she's just gonna die! And maybe…" Hunter groaned and pulled on his shirt and shoes. He climbed out of the car, leaving Lily still listing off people.

"You say one word about this, either of you, I swear I will kill you." Hunter threatened, and meant every single word.

Shawn miraculously kept from laughing, but Kevin was all but doubled over.

"Hey, man, wait up…" Shawn called as Hunter marched toward the entrance to the hotel. "Don't you want the sheet? You know, as a souvenir?" He guffawed.

Hunter refused to look back, but he heard their footfalls as they trailed after him toward the hotel. He had a nasty headache, he was trying to remember what exactly had happened last night…and only a couple of things had crystallized. For one thing, he knew that he hadn't been alone. There had been a woman there, he remembered her voice. Her laugh. He'd heard it before, he knew he had, but it just refused to come to him. The second thing he knew was that there had been a man there….and that freaked him out even more than the rest of it. Maybe the man had just been visiting, he thought hopefully. He refused to believe that he'd been that out of it to-to-to-no. Hunter had never been into three ways of any sort, much less in that combination, and even if he had been doped to the gills, he refused to believe that he would have been so completely out of it. He had to remember what had really happened last night, and he had to do it as soon as possible. He'd track down Cassie, and whatever it took he would get the truth from her. The bitch had done something to him, and he would find out exactly what. No one played the Game like this. No one, much less some two-bit Texan twit.

He pulled open the door viciously-and a very startled Stephanie dropped her purse, it's contents spilling on the concrete. She blinked in shock at Hunter.


New York City


"I still can't believe she went to Houston! How could she do that?" Vince yelled in Linda's room. He had been pacing off and on for the past hour.

Shane rubbed his head tiredly. Vince had been on a tirade ever since yesterday, when he'd exploded after Linda had told him Stephanie had gone to Houston.

"Is the girl stupid or is she just plain careless?" Vince wondered aloud.

"And how exactly would she have been any safer here?" Linda demanded, having had enough of Vince's dramatics. "The stalker has already proven that he can get to any of us, at any time." She said reasonably, still horrified at the mere thought of it.

"But at least she'd be here, with us. We could all look out for each other. Right now, the only people we can trust are inside of this family, and no one else!" Vince said firmly.

"In Houston, she'll be with Hunter…and he's family." Linda pointed out.

"The hell he is! You know, I liked it a whole lot better when you hated him as much as I do." Vince grumbled.

"Well, I don't anymore. I'll admit there was a time when I thought that maybe the devil himself would be a better match for Stephanie, but…now, he's grown on me. He's not evil incarnate, Vince. He's the man our daughter loves….and I personally think that Stephanie and he are good for each other."

"Linda-"

"Vince, I don't want to talk about this anymore! The only thing I'm going to ask you now is the only thing that's important: Do you trust Hunter to look out for Stephanie? Do you honestly think that he would ever allow anyone to physically harm her? Well? Do you?"

Vince muttered something.

"What was that Vince? I couldn't quite hear you, you were talking through your ass again."

"Mom!" Shane sputtered, laughing.

"No, okay? Is that what you were waiting to hear, Linda? I trust the s.o.b. to watch Stephanie's back, but I still think he's a miserable excuse for a human being."

"Yeah, well, he's her miserable excuse of a human being…just like you're mine. So just drop it, and let the chips fall where they may, allright? She took bodyguards, Hunter will still keep an eye out for her…I'm going to try not to worry too much about her. She wouldn't have been any safer here, anyway." Linda said.

Vince looked back at Linda, prepared to go another round, but she looked so tired…so frail. She seemed to have shrunken somehow. Vince swallowed his protests, and reached over to take his wife's hand. "I'm glad to hear your voice again…even if you are arguing with me." He said softly.

Shane coughed, took this as his cue to leave. He heard the sound of his parents kissing behind him and smiled wryly. At least one thing was right in the world.

Houston

"Stephanie…when did you get to Houston?" Hunter asked as he knelt and helped her pick up the contents of her purse.

"Last night…and…."

"Why are you here? Smackdown? I'm just surprised, I thought you would want to stay with Linda."

"I would have, but she told me to come to Houston and-"

"She told you? She woke up?" Hunter asked. Stephanie smiled, nodded happily.

"Wow. That's really great…I'm really happy for you."

"I know you are. And thanks. But the reason I'm in Houston isn't for Smackdown, it's because I-"

"Hunter, man, did you fall over?" Shawn asked, seeing Hunter squatting on the floor. He then saw Stephanie and stopped dead. "Stephanie…didn't realize you were here." Shawn said.

"Hi, Shawn….Kevin. I guess you guys came out to see Hunter, huh?"

"Yeah…we did. Matter of fact, we were out all last night together." Shawn mentioned casually, trying to give Hunter an alibi, for whatever the hell Hunter was knee-deep in now.

"Oh. I see. Went to visit Morgan, huh?" Stephanie questioned, a huge smile starting on her face….she loved messing with Shawn. It was so damn easy.

Shawn reddened. "Yeah. Something like that….uh, Hunter, we're just going to head back up."

"Yeah. Thanks, man." Hunter smiled, got to his feet and extended his hand toward Stephanie to pull her up. She brushed off her skirt and nodded toward the men who had come up behind her.

"I suppose I ought to introduce everyone….Hunter, this is Victor. And Sam."

"You're the bodyguards. Good to meet you." Hunter extended a hand.

"You must be the guy who hired Rich and Rick Stone to investigate us." Sam said, shaking Hunter's hand good-naturedly.

"How did you know about that?"

"It's our job. I take it that we checked out?" Victor asked.

"You're here, aren't you?" Hunter pointed out. They wouldn't have been if they hadn't checked out.

"Indeed. Perhaps we should start moving?" Victor asked.

"Yeah, let's do that." Hunter said firmly, gesturing toward his limo, where Chad had just pulled up.

Sam started toward the car, looking underneath the body…Hunter shook his head, turned back to Stephanie.

Stephanie looked peculiar. "You okay?" He asked warily.

"Why did you have my guards investigated?"

"I wanted to make sure you're safe."

"That's all?" Stephanie asked, her heart sinking…but what had she expected him to say, she asked herself angrily: that he loved her, couldn't stand the thought of her being hurt?

"What else could there be?" Hunter asked, confused as to what exactly she wanted him to say. It wasn't like he could admit that he loved her, and he just couldn't stand the thought of her getting hurt.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." Stephanie said bitterly. "It looks like Sam finished checking out your limo…are we going somewhere then? I think we really need to talk."

"That's what I said last week…and you wouldn't hear anything I had to say. What's changed?" Hunter asked, not moving.

"I have a reservation for lunch. Do you want to join me?" Stephanie asked, praying he would agree. She so didn't want to have this conversation right now…she was afraid if he actually admitted he was in love with Stacy, she might just break down in front of the hotel.

"I'm not exactly dressed for it." Hunter commented looking down at his Screw the Rules T-shirt and sweatpants.

"Who cares? We'll tip them extra."

Hunter stared at Stephanie for a second. "Okay then." Hunter followed Stephanie to the limo, wondering at her sudden about-face. She seemed nervous. Because of him? He'd find out soon, he figured. All he knew was that he was relieved that she hadn't been in that room with him last night…she would have said something by now if she had been.


Elsewhere in Houston


"I'm telling you, this one is the winner! Look, Hunter is sprawled out on top of you, you can't see his face, it just looks like you're kissing. You can even see that it's definitely you. It's perfect!" Kurt enthused.

Stacy looked down at the picture thoughtfully. "You know what, Kurt? I think you're actually right. This one's the one." She said, delicately holding the photo at the edges.

"So then we're agreed?" Still looking at the photo, Stacy nodded. Kurt got up from their table, took the photo from her hands, and marched up to the technician. "This one's the one. Work your magic." Kurt said happily.

Stacy sipped on Kurt's water, wondering why she wasn't feeling as jubilant as he was.

Kurt sat back down, next to her. "Let's go celebrate. We'll go to lunch." Stacy rose from the table. "That'll be done in a few hours, right?" Kurt called behind the counter.

"Sure thing, Mr. Angle. Come back in three hours." The technician called.

"We'll definitely be here." Kurt called back, and much to Stacy's relief, they finally left.

"So where are we going to lunch?" Stacy asked as they climbed into the car.

"A little place that Stephanie actually told me about. She said its got great food. I'm starving, so I'm going to drive fast."

"Well, if Stephanie recommended it, then of course we have to go." Stacy bit out. But Kurt, as usual, was completely oblivious to her feelings. Stacy lay back in her seat, wishing she were somewhere else…they hadn't even done anything to Hunter yet and she was already regretting it.

After a subdued and unnaturally silent limo ride, Hunter got out behind Stephanie when they'd arrived at the restaurant. Sam and Victor followed. Stephanie spoke to the maitre'd, who as Hunter had suspected, looked down at him rather snootily. Stephanie put the man at ease with a fifty, and they were led to a table in the back. "Guys?" Stephanie addressed Victor and Sam. "Could you please move over there? We'd like a little privacy." Stephanie pointed to a table a few feet away. Victor nodded shortly.

The waiter brought their menus and Stephanie pretended to study it carefully, but the words were all blending together on the pages. She realized her hands were shaking the menu so she carefully set it down on the table so Hunter wouldn't notice. Stephanie gulped down some water and almost choked as it went up her nose. She coughed loudly and Hunter looked at her quizzically. They'd both been so silent in the limo ride. She had been afraid to talk, and she didn't know exactly what was up with him.

"So, how have you been feeling?" Hunter asked, trying to get her to say something, anything. Why was she here? Could it be that she finally wanted to really talk to him? He hoped so…but damned if he would make it too easy for her. She had behaved completely inappropriately last week, and he hadn't forgotten it. And the thing of it was that he still didn't have the slightest idea what had set her off in the first place!

"How have I been feeling? I'm tired." Stephanie admitted.

"What, not sleeping tired….You have been taking care of yourself, right? Trying to get some rest?" Hunter prompted. He had to admit that she looked tired…she had circles under her eyes she hadn't been able to conceal, her face was pale….but she was dressed impeccably as always. He thought the skirt looked really great with her eyes….and the slit up the thighs didn't hurt either.

"I'm tired of everything. I'm tired of being worried about my family. I'm tired of being scared, wondering if there's something in my food. It's gotten so that I can't even bring myself to eat anything besides t.v. dinners." She confessed.

"What!?"

"And I hate t.v. dinners…but they're prepackaged, so I figure they're safe." Stephanie said quietly. The waiter came by, set down their salads and took the rest of their order.

Resuming their conversation, Hunter said: "I had no idea…of course you would have been freaked, after the juice and everything."

"It's stupid, huh? But I just can't help it…every time I try and eat something, I feel like I'm going to throw up. I'm trying to get better about it though. That's why I made this reservation…to get myself out of this funk."

"I'm glad. It's going to be fine."

"Promise? You know, somehow I just feel better having you sitting across from me." Stephanie confessed. "But you always make me feel better." She said, almost as an afterthought.

"Yeah, I'll watch you eat. If you want, I can even taste test….it's a pretty big sacrifice, I know. Taste-testing expensive food…baby, who's got your back?" Hunter asked with a smile. This wasn't so bad…at least they weren't screaming. Yet.

Stephanie couldn't help it, she started laughing. He looked so adorable sitting across from her…in his little t-shirt, in his sweat pants…and she couldn't help but notice it…she wondered if he might be going commando? The prospect was tantalizing. It was very distracting, at the very least. Very wicked thoughts were popping up in her mind. Stephanie dragged her thoughts from the gutter and looked back up at Hunter.

"I want to tell you why I came to Houston." She told him, her hands under the table, clenching and unclenching. God, why was she so damn nervous? Only because this entire conversation would probably be one of the turning points in her whole damn life….this could either be the beginning, or….the end. Her stomach did a somersault as she answered her own question.

"I'd like to know. You said something about Linda telling you to come?" Hunter asked, as offhandedly as he could. His eyes searched her face, her body, trying to get some kind of clue as to what she was saying. All he'd picked up on so far was that she was nervous…and scared. Somehow, Stephanie being afraid made him feel better-she wouldn't be afraid if she didn't care.

"Yeah. My mother told me…Mom told me that maybe I had jumped to conclusions. The wrong conclusions." Stephanie said carefully, sipping her water again, she was so thirsty, her eyes narrowed on Hunter.

Hunter, searching for something to do, finally noticed that the waiter had brought his salad and he speared a huge slice of tomato. "What kind of conclusions?" He asked inbetween bites.

"I'm just going to say it, okay? I can't stand it anymore. One way or the other, I just have to know, or you damn man, you're going to drive me absolutely insane! I know you said you're in love with Stacy, but-"

Hunter choked on his tomato. "Hunter are you-oh, my God, you're choking! Somebody, help us, he's choking!" Stephanie screamed hysterically. She rushed over behind him and locked her hands around his waist in the Heimliech maneuver.



"Hi. Reservations for two, under Kurt Angle."

"Ahh, yes. Mr. Angle, ma'am. Right this way."

"What's going on over there?" Stacy asked curiously. A young woman appeared to be running, but Stacy couldn't quite see her.

"I do believe that the young lady's dinner companion is choking." The waiter said, as though it were nothing to be worried about. "But I can assure you, it's not because of our food." He finished hurriedly.

"We don't care. Just seat us, please." Kurt told the waiter, ignoring the happenings on the other side of the room. But Stacy's curiosity was piqued, she continued to stare. Then she tripped over the carpet and flung into Kurt's arms.

"You know, we've got to stop doing this." Kurt grinned as he caught her lightly.

"It's Hunter! And Stephanie!" Stacy gasped.

"Stephanie? Where?" Kurt spun around, dropping Stacy to the floor. He caught sight of Stephanie and pulled Stacy to her feet and dragged her over to a table. They sat directly parallel to Hunter and Stephanie, behind a small partition, so they were not visible.

"Mr. Angle…this wasn't your seat, but if you would like it…" The waiter stammered.

"Shh!" Kurt hissed. "Yeah, we want it. Now let us just look at the menus, okay?" The waiter handed the two their menus and both Stacy and Kurt sat listening to the couple across the wall.

"Did you know they were going to be here?" Stacy whispered.

Kurt wouldn't meet her eyes. "Of course not…well, actually, yeah, yeah, I did." He admitted, not really seeing any reason to lie.

"How?" Stacy demanded.

"Later, I'll tell you later! Now be quiet, I want to listen." Kurt said.



The tomato went flying out and it hit the wall. Stephanie buried her head in relief against his back. Hunter turned around and held Stephanie's chin.

"First of all, thank you for that." Hunter gasped, and to her shock, the jerk was actually laughing! Stephanie hit him on his arm and nodded through her relieved tears. "And secondly, have you completely lost your mind? You must have if you think that I could ever be in love with Stacy."

"But you said-"

"I don't know how you ever could have thought I loved Stacy…but I guess I can see how you could be confused. I have to tell you something…I never slept with Stacy, Stephanie." There was a weird intake of breath across the partition, but neither of them noticed.

"What? But-in New Orleans-"

"I know. I set it up to look like I was having an affair."

"What?" Stephanie whispered, horrified.

"It was a horrible thing to do, I know that, but-"

"I had no idea you could hate me that much." Stephanie stepped back, the tears flowing readily down her face.

"No! It wasn't because I hate you! It was because we were destroying each other, and I wanted the divorce. I was desperate, and I couldn't think of anything else. Please believe that at least…it wasn't a deliberate attempt to hurt you, I just wanted you to hate me enough to give me the divorce. Princess, please, sit back down, okay?"

Stephanie slid back over to her side of the table. "You never slept with her?" She asked, wanting to hear the words again. She didn't care that he had set her up, it didn't matter…he hadn't slept with another woman! They had done so much to each other, this was just another game. A warm feeling was beginning to crawl through her but she tried to dampen it, just in case he wasn't saying what she thought he was saying.

She hoped he was saying what she thought he was saying.

She prayed he was saying what she thought he was saying. Stephanie crossed her toes inside her sandals. Please, please, please, if you let me have him, I promise I'll never ask for anything else ever again…unless it's really, really important. She amended in her silent prayer, not wanted to lie.

"No. I didn't sleep with her in New Orleans. I swear to you." Stephanie saw the sincerity in his eyes and the warm feeling continued to spread. "I can see why you'd believe I was sleeping with her…but how did you get to my being in love with her?"

There was a loud clatter of plates across the partition. Stephanie frowned, ignoring it. "I heard you! At the hospital."

Hunter looked at her, eyes raising to tell her to elaborate.

"Last week…I found out you'd been hurt, I ran up to see you. But you were with Stacy. You said you loved her." Stephanie said, her toes beginning to get sore from the crossing.

"I don't remember…are you sure? I was pretty out of it. If I did say it…it's only because I thought I was talking to you, Steph."

"But if you thought you were talking to me…does that mean…" The toes crossed even more tightly, and she crossed her fingers too, underneath the tablecloth. Please, please, please, please…..

"That I love you? Yeah, it does. I love you Stephanie, no matter how hard I tried to stop, I couldn't…I tried to cut you out of my heart, but it wouldn't work. It never worked. I love you, Stephanie McMahon." Hunter said intensely. That weird hiss of breath across the wall again.

"Oh, thank God!" Stephanie said as she got up from the table, sobbing, allowing everything that was crossed become uncrossed again. "I was wondering if I ever would get to hear you say those words to me again. I've missed you so much…everything's been so wrong in my life since you weren't in it. I've been so bored, and lonely, and I hate not being yours anymore." Stephanie choked out, wrapping her arms around his neck, sitting astride his lap. He held her back fiercely.

"Mrs. McMahon?" A waiter came up behind them. Neither of them moved. The waiter coughed loudly, Hunter turned to look back at him. "What? This better be good."

"Ah, well…your driver brought in your cell phone…apparently, you have a phone call, Mrs. McMahon."

"I what? Tell them to call back later." Stephanie said absolutely resolute. Nothing short of a freakin' tornado was getting her away from this spot. And even if the tornado came, it would still be difficult.

"Ma'am, all I know is that someone's asked for Stephanie McMahon. They apparently said it was important."

"Maybe you ought to take it…just so we can stop being bothered. Or it could actually be important….your mother, or something." Hunter whispered.

"You don't mind?" Hunter shook his head. "I'll be back in two seconds. Don't move."

"Not in a million years would I move from right here." Hunter laughed. Stephanie still didn't move. He unwrapped his arms from her body. "We have all the time in the world. Go." He said softly, smiling beautifully.

Stephanie, always mesmerized by that smile, reluctantly crawled off of Hunter's lap, and followed the waiter. Sam trailed her.

Stephanie smiled at Chad who apologized for the interruption, picked up the phone and said "Hello? This is Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley…" But the receiver was dead. Stephanie frowned at Chad. "Did they say who it was?"

"No, that's weird. The guy said it was really important he talk to you. I don't know why he'd hang up."

"Me either…I'll take the phone with me in case they call again. Thanks anyway, Chad."

"No prob, Mrs. H." Stephanie's eyes widened in surprise. "Why, Chad, I do believe that's the first time you've called me that in a while…what brings on the change?"

"I think you're done screwing Mr. H. over, so I think I like you again." Chad cringed guiltily when he heard those words come out of his mouth. After all, he was the one who was really screwing Hunter over…but then he thought of the money Kurt Angle had promised him for only doing a few little things, and he suddenly didn't feel so bad anymore.

"I see…and I'm glad. I'm going back to Hunter." Stephanie said, not exactly certain how she wanted to respond to Chad's comment.

"Stephanie?" Stephanie pivoted toward the voice. "Kurt. What are you doing here?" Stephanie asked.

"Smackdown, of course. But I guess you mean the restaurant…you actually told me I should come here, remember?"

"Uh…yeah. Actually, I'm glad you're here. I'm here with Hunter. And I was just going to tell him the truth, about the baby. That you're not the father. Hunter and I…I think we're gonna be allright. I want to say thank you for helping me out. You're a great friend, you know that? I love you for it." Stephanie said, hugging Kurt.

"Hey, I am always your friend. Remember that, okay?" Kurt said, hugging her even more fiercely, trying to buy a little time….

"I will." Stephanie promised. "Are you here with anyone?" She asked.

"Actually, I'm here with Stacy." Kurt said.

"Why?" Stephanie asked pointedly.

"She's actually a great girl, once you get to know her. I know you don't especially care for her. But she's really been good to me these past few days. She's been taking care of me after…."

"Oh, yeah. Shane mentioned that Hunter had wiped the floor with you. I apologize for that, but please believe he had his reasons."

Kurt seethed inwardly, but he managed a half-smile. "Yeah…of course he did. And if he hadn't attacked me, just think-- Stace and I might never have gotten to know each other. She's been so great, she hasn't even left my side the past week. Except last night, that's it. You want me to take you back to your table?"

"Actually, thanks…but no. I think that would upset Hunter, and I don't want to do anything to rock the boat. I'm um, happy? About you and Stacy." And she actually kind of was…it kept the woman away from her man, didn't it? She did feel sorry for Kurt though, he had no idea what he was getting himself into.

Stephanie strode back toward the table, Sam in tow. She stopped cold when she heard raised voices from her table. It was Stacy, talking to Hunter. The witch actually had the nerve to sit in Stephanie's own seat! Stephanie rounded the corner, headed directly for a startled Stacy. "Get up, bitch!" Stephanie yelled, hauling Stacy up bodily from the table.

"Stephanie-it's" Hunter said, pulling Stephanie off of Stacy. "Stacy was just leaving."

"But Hunter-" Stacy pleaded, as she allowed tears to flow down her face. She was glad she wasn't wearing waterproof mascara…it really added to the effect she thought. "Why are you doing this? I love you, you know that? Didn't last night mean anything to you?" She whispered in her best whimper. She watched through narrowly slitted eyes how Stephanie stiffened, looked up at Hunter questioningly.

"Last night?" Hunter asked. No, no, please no, not her….

"The wonderful night we spent together….we made love last night, Hunter. You were with Cassandra Wexler, she found my number on your cell phone because you were really drunk, she called me and luckily I was already here in Houston. I came right away, and one thing led to another….it was beautiful, like I always knew it would be. Hunter! Don't do this!"

Hunter looked at Stacy slack-jawed. Could what she was saying actually be true? He couldn't remember! No, no, it couldn't be true, he'd remember…but he couldn't! What was going on here? He felt Stephanie draw away from him. She looked at him.

"I hate even having to ask this…but is this true?" Stephanie asked distantly.

He didn't answer.

"Hunter, please, just say it's not true, I'll believe you. I swear to God, I'll believe you. All you have to do is say it. Please, say it." Stephanie begged.

"I can't-I just, I don't-I don't know." Hunter admitted.

Stephanie looked at him silently, wishing she could go back in time five minutes ago when everything had been wonderful again and not this horrible hell she couldn't seem to get out of.

Chapter 29

Stephanie decided to ignore the crushing pain she was feeling in her chest. So that's what a breaking heart feels like, she thought….it really is as painful as it sounds. She swallowed hard, looking at Hunter. She managed to say calmly: "And how is it exactly that you 'don't know'?"

Hunter looked back at Stephanie so intensely she actually almost took a step back. "I swear to you, I just don't know! All I know is that I woke up this morning with my head feeling like my brain was trying to make a break for it, I was in some weird room a few miles outside of Houston and a teenage girl had to give me a ride back here. That's all I remember, Steph! I don't remember sleeping with anyone, much less Stacy…but I remember there was a woman laughing…and I don't know! I just…I…" Hunter trailed off helplessly, thinking he was digging his own grave.

"There's no way you were drinking last night." Stephanie said firmly.

"Well, of course he was! When I saw him last night, he was so drunk and after a couple of trips to the bathroom, he was getting better…but that is why Cassandra Wexler called me in the first place. To help him." Stacy said, wiping a fake tear from her face.

"So what? You help him by sleeping with him? Oh, that makes complete sense." Stephanie said bitchily. But now she knew.

She knew.

She knew the bitch was lying. She couldn't explain it, but everything inside of her was telling her that this was all wrong. She decided to trust that instinct, maybe because it was what she wanted to do above anything else. She studied Stacy carefully, and was even more certain. Stacy's eyes were darting all over the room, her foot was shifting ever so lightly across the floor….And how else did she know? Stacy said Hunter had been drunk. That couldn't be true, not if she knew one thing at all about the man she was married to. Hunter rarely drank enough to get drunk-he could take in an amazing amount of alcohol-but he would never, ever get drunk the night before a title match. Any other kind of match, maybe, it depended if he was really ticked off about something…but a title match? Never. Stephanie felt as though a truckload of bricks had been lifted from her shoulders. The relief quickly turned to anger as she wondered exactly what kind of game Stacy was trying to play with her marriage. It was about damn time Stacy Keibler learned that screwing with people was one thing, but interfering in something as serious as a marriage was quite another.

Stephanie felt like laughing, telling Stacy where she could take her lies and shove them but….there was the fact that something had happened to her husband last night. And she was determined to find out what. Stephanie swung around to face Hunter. Poor baby…he looked so genuinely freaked it took everything inside her not to wrap her arms around him and tell him that everything between them was fine. More than fine…for the first time in too long a time, they were on the same side. They were in accord. So instead she slapped him, the crack resounding through the restaurant.

Hunter's eyes flared in shock, so she grabbed his chin and smiled at him, knowing Stacy couldn't see her own face as she was behind Stephanie. 'It's okay', she mouthed silently. Hunter looked down at Stephanie, thoroughly confused. 'Play along, trust me', she mouthed, widening her eyes for effect.

Hunter stepped back, rubbed his cheek, wondering what the hell was happening now. Stephanie didn't look mad….why wasn't she mad? He'd just have to follow her lead since it seemed like she was the only one of the two of them that had a freakin' clue about anything. He racked his brain for anything to say.

"What the hell was that? Did you ever realize that anytime the going gets tough, you go after me physically? Can't you use words, not violence?" He asked inanely, the words almost catching in his throat as he tried not to laugh at the hypocrisy.

"Shut up! You're one to talk, you adulterous jerk! To think, I was about to take you back…well, you can forget all about it now, Hunter! If your taste in women has sunk so low that you'd touch that-that-well, then I want no part of you ever again!"

"Yeah, well, that suit's me just fine! What the hell was I thinking-you're poison, Stephanie! I'd have to be insane to want to be with you anymore!" Hunter said, drawing words from the air.

"Good, that's just great! You liar! I am soooo glad that we're not married anymore! And do you know what else, Hunter? I can do so much better than you!"

"You're glad? You think you're the one who's glad?! Me, I'm so happy, I'm dancing! See, I'm doin' a little dance on the grave of us!" Hunter exploded, doing a neat little half-step, really getting into this fight now. "And you think you can do better? You really think so?" Hunter pulled Stephanie against him forcefully and kissed her passionately. To the outside world, the kiss looked angry, violent, but for the two people sharing it, it was absolute bliss. Hunter had to force himself to pull away from a heavy-lidded Stephanie. She groaned almost audibly. "There! I'd really like to see you ever get anything better than that!" Hunter bit out, loving the expression on both Stephanie and Stacy's faces. The utter shock on Stacy's….the utter rapture on Stephanie's…

"Oh, she definitely can do better." Kurt said, as he came up from behind Hunter…he'd been watching the entire thing of course, and loving every single minute. Nothing could be going any more perfectly! He stepped boldly past Hunter, reached in-and pulled Stephanie in for a kiss!

Hunter's hand automatically went to Kurt's shoulder to pull him off of Stephanie, but he held himself back because Stephanie waved him off behind Kurt's shoulder. Stephanie pushed herself away from Kurt, trying not to let the distaste show on her face. Kurt didn't know it but he'd just added a hell of a lot of authenticity to her little ruse she was doing for Stacy's benefit.

But then she began to wonder: What on earth was Kurt doing? It was highly coincidental that he'd happened to come to the same restaurant as her, not to mention the fact he'd brought Stacy with him. He couldn't be plotting with Stacy, could he? She hoped not, it might just destroy her faith in the entire notion of friendship for good.

"You're right, Kurt! Let's get out of here, leave the happy couple to their….whatever the hell it is that they're calling it!" Stephanie said in her best arrogant tone. Her hand rummaged through her purse for a pen, grabbed a napkin after she found it. Hunter managed to shoot her a desperate look. Stephanie knew he had to be pretty bewildered so she stepped up to Hunter and called him a few choice words as she hastily scribbled a note out of sight. Both Kurt and Stacy were behind her, thoroughly enjoying the show. Little did they know it actually was a show, put on by Mr. and Mrs. Game themselves.

"Bastard!" She said offhandedly, scribbling the note frantically, holding it against her leg but trying to remain absolutely standing so it didn't look weird to Stacy or Kurt.

Moving to her side a little to block Kurt's view of her actions, Hunter returned: "Slut!"

"Bastard!"

"Bottom-feeding Bitch!" Hunter flung out, drawing from Jericho's insults.

"Um-Jerk!"

"Jerk? What the hell kind of insult is that supposed to be? Did you want me to get you a thesaurus?" Hunter demanded.

"Ooh, a word with more than two syllables! Do you even know what a thesaurus is?" She asked scathingly. Stephanie finished writing. Picking up on that fact, Hunter reached out to grab her hand and she slipped him the note.

"I hate you!" Stephanie said, but mouthed 'I love you' silently. He stroked her hand, and she yanked it away, stomping out of the restaurant, Kurt in tow. Hunter turned quickly, as though he was watching her leave. He studied her hastily scribbled note:

Stacy's lying, find out what really happened. I'll call you soon.

Hunter crumpled the note in his huge palm, turned to Stacy. Maybe a direct approach was called for here. "Did we really sleep together?" He asked incredulously.

Stacy was still reeling from the fact that it looked like Stephanie and Hunter were truly finished. "Of course! Why would I lie?"

"Oh, only about a MILLION reasons are coming to mind!" Hunter snapped angrily.

"Hunter, look…"

"I want to know exactly what happened, and I want to know right now. Now!" Hunter demanded.


Stephanie felt a little out of breath as she allowed Kurt to lead her outside of the restaurant. Stephanie stopped Kurt with her hand. Meanwhile, she alternated between thinking Kurt was a traitor and that maybe she'd misunderstood everything. "Thanks for sticking up for me in there…I don't know how this all could have happened." She said in her best bewildered voice.

"Oh, Stephanie, it's so much better this way, trust me! You totally can do better than that moron in there." Kurt said reassuringly. This was it! His chance, finally. Stephanie would never be more vulnerable than she was right at this minute.

"It's just-he's he's the first man I ever really loved." Stephanie said, glad to finally be saying something that was the truth.

"Well, meet the next man you're going to love." Kurt pronounced, smiling broadly.

"I mean, Hunter-I-huh? What did you just say?" Stephanie asked, freaking out. No way had Kurt just said that, they were just friends, he knew that, he KNEW that!

"I said I'm going to be the next man you love, the one who's going to help you get over Hunter. Because I love you, Stephanie McMahon!" Kurt swooped down to kiss her but Stephanie saw it coming and managed to duck. She almost tripped over her skirt she was backing away so quickly.

"Oh, my God! How the hell can you be doing this to me? We're friends Kurt, nothing more!"

"Maybe not now, but we'll be more if you just gave me a chance." Kurt replied, reaching over to her and puckering his lips offensively again.

Stephanie felt sick, and it was weird but she thought that maybe the baby was feeling kind of disgusted…her stomach was positively churning. She swallowed down the bile in her throat, determined to find out if Kurt was merely a lovesick fool who'd fallen for the wrong woman entirely…or a manipulative bastard who she'd been fool enough to trust. "Well, Kurt…stranger things have happened." She managed weakly. "And I do-I do feel close to you, you know, we have history." Oh, this tasted bad, bad, bad. Stephanie flushed guiltily, feeling as though she was betraying Hunter. But she wasn't, she wasn't because she was doing this for them, for their future together. She had to know what Kurt was-friend or foe?

"Does that mean you're giving us a chance?" Kurt took her stunned silence for ascent, and happily pecked her on the cheek, not wanting to press his luck. Stephanie held in a shudder. "Let's just…we'll take it slowly, okay? But…I am willing to try." She said, but knowing full well that she'd never be able to look at Kurt the same way again. All this time, she thought the only feelings he'd had toward her were those of friendship, but now…she felt awkward in his presence, and worried that she had never even picked up on any signals. If she hadn't seen something as important as this…what else about Kurt Angle could she have missed? Was there no one in this damn world she could trust anymore?

Hunter. You can trust Hunter….and probably no one else. She thought to herself. Hunter, whom she'd left to be preyed on by that blonde bunny in there. She hoped he was getting closer to finding out what had happened to him last night, she hoped she had bought him that much at least with their ruse. Stephanie looked back at the restaurant longingly.

"Can I give you a ride back to your hotel?" Kurt asked.

"Um, I-well, I came in Hunter's limo and-" Stephanie knew that to take a ride in Hunter's limo would blow their staged fight out of the water, and so she reluctantly climbed in Kurt's car. Thank God they were only fifteen minutes away from her hotel. And thank God Victor and Sam would be in the car with her. She'd seen her bodyguards hanging back, unsure of how to proceed. For the first time she was thankful of their presence and didn't feel like she was being intruded upon. She motioned them closer, they climbed in Kurt's rental car. So she wouldn't have to talk to him, she turned the dials on the radio. She refused to look at him, but felt him looking at her from time to time. She longed to wipe her mouth, it tasted like-like Kurt-she thought, disgusted, but she didn't want to be so obvious. She wondered why she'd found Kurt's kiss more distasteful than the few other times he had kissed her…She thought maybe it was the fact she'd just finished kissing Hunter when Kurt had dove in. It was sort of like going from filet mignon to ground chuck. The difference was huge.

Hunter sat down heavily. Stacy cautiously followed suit, sitting across from him. Okay, it seemed a more subtle approach was called for here, he decided.

Stephanie seemed so certain he hadn't slept with Stacy…he wished he could be. Hunter narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. There was a way. If Stacy was lying about this…she would be unbelievably sorry. And if she wasn't he was going to owe her yet another apology. He impulsively reached out for Stacy's hand.

"Stace, I am so sorry. I keep leading you on, giving you signals…it's no wonder that you're so confused. I could never blame you. It's just-difficult to believe that I could ever forget sleeping with you. I think you'd be damn near unforgettable. You know what I mean?" Hunter intoned.

Stacy meanwhile shook under his gaze. It felt like he was undressing her in his mind…and she loved it. Did she dare? Did she really dare to do this, after all the crap he'd put her through? Yeah, she dared. Good girls always did finish last, that was what momma had always said. "Hey, if you want…I would be more than happy to ah-refresh your memory." She purred.

"I want to remember…I don't usually get drunk, I don't like that it can make a man so powerless. But if you said I was drinking, I must have been…probably didn't even realize I'd had that much to drink. I would be very,…" Hunter stood, took two steps toward a still sitting Stacy so that his waist was directly parallel with her face, cupped her chin in his palm, caressed her cheek with his index finger… "…very grateful. Will you come with me?" He asked softly, extending his other hand. Stacy couldn't even speak, just nodded, her blue eyes huge.

The waiter had come up at that point, promptly held out the bill and Hunter looked around helplessly. "I ah-my wallet was stolen this morning." He explained.

"Mmm-hmm. Sure." The waiter sniffed, but fortunately Chad came up behind him and produced a credit card. "Here." Chad said.

"You're a lifesaver, man. Remind me to give you a raise." Hunter clapped Chad on the back.

"Sure thing, Mr. H." Chad said. "Are we leaving?" He signed the credit slip, they started walking out.

"God, yes! Are you really going to come?" Stacy asked Hunter thickly.

"I would think both of us would." Hunter said seductively, causing Stacy to swallow once she finally got his double meaning. She felt like she was on sensory overload. And it felt good. For once in her twenty-two years of life she was going to do what she wanted, not because it would help her get ahead in her career or expand her power-even though, being allied with Triple H himself certainly worked to her advantage in those aspects-but because she wanted to. She didn't care if he was on the rebound, she didn't care that he'd hurt her before, she knew that this was fate lending her a helping hand and she was going to take it, whatever the cost.

"Where to?" Chad queried, holding open the door. Stacy climbed in first, loving that Hunter always traveled in style. Her kind of style. "Yeah, where to?" Hunter echoed.

"We can always go back to the hotel…"

"No, Stace. Where were we last night? I told you I want to remember…make me remember, Stacy." He was hoping that she'd trip herself up somehow. And once she did, he'd be waiting. It was kind of sad how easily he had been able to make her stop hating him and start worshipping the ground he walked on once again…but he wasn't about to complain. It suited his purpose.

Stacy's eyes widened even further. "Sure…I'll give you directions once we're going…" She missed seeing Hunter's triumphant grin, too wrapped up in her own happy thoughts.

Chapter 30

He hummed a jaunty little tune to himself softly as he worked, even as he kept a watch out for any unwelcome interruptions. He loosened the third screw…a couple more centimeters ought to do it…there. That should be perfect. If his plans for the McMahon family-one McMahon in particular, actually--were to come to fruition, there was a certain individual who he needed out of his way…and this was the perfect opportunity to accomplish that task. It wouldn't kill the man…just disable him long enough to make a difference. This hell in the cell match truly was going to be worthy of its name tonight. He stood up, his long legs aching from sitting on the floor for so long working on the Cage.

"Hey, man! You gotta be careful…the cage is a delicate thing. We need to be careful with it. It's has to be set up exactly right." Nicole, one of the stagehands hurried up to him. He evaluated the young stagehand's expressions and quickly determined that she hadn't seen anything untoward. He smiled down at the girl. "Oh, I wasn't touching anything. I was just looking around for Chris Jericho. I need to speak with him."

"I think he was in the cafeteria, last I saw him. He was working on his computer."

"Thank you." This was perfect…he couldn't have set this up better himself.

"Of course." The stagehand started hanging the WWF banners around the ring, never noticing that the Cage which was about to be raised had been tampered with. After all, she and her team had just finished inspecting it…although Rod should've stayed with the cage. It was normal policy the Cage was never left unattended. Rod came jogging up behind Nicole. "Hey…let's get this baby raised, huh? We need to set up in the back after we're done." She decided not to say anything to Rod, it wasn't like it had been alone for too long. "Sure thing…" They used the pulleys to lift the Cage over the ring. "It's going to be a great match tonight, huh? Hunter and Chris in the Cage…for the title no less! Who's your money on?" Nicole asked as they pulled.

"You really got to ask?" Rod grunted with the effort.

"No, I guess not. Hunter, right?"

"Damn straight."

Nicole laughed. "I think I agree, no way is he going to lose the title tonight." They secured the cage. "You want to grab a bite?"

"Sounds great, Nikki." They walked up the ramp together satisfied with a job well done.

Chris Jericho bit on his sandwich as he finished checked his e-mail. He was just about to shut down his computer when there was a little ding that meant he'd been IM'd. He flipped the screen back up and looked at the message curiously.

Mr. Jericho?

Chris shoved the sandwich in his mouth and typed: Yeah?

I have some important news for you.

Yeah, what's that? Chris typed.

Something that could get you what you covet most: The Undisputed Championship.

Chris froze, looked around the room for the jackass who was messing with him.

Who is this? He typed angrily.

It doesn't matter.

I think it does.

Do you want the Championship, or not?

What exactly are you talking about here? Chris pounded in on the keyboard.

It's really very simple.

What is?

All you have to do is get Hunter to one specific part of the cage…and then I promise you'll win your Championship.

Chris looked around the room frantically, starting to get freaked out. What was this bozo talking about exactly? He typed the question.

Simple. You and Hunter get in the Cage. You are the only one who will be able to walk out of it. Do you understand now?

Chris swallowed. What they were talking about…this was serious. He inhaled deeply, looking around a third time, this time to make sure no one was watching him. He tapped his hand on the table still deliberating.

Are you still there? The question popped up. Chris wasn't sure if he should answer. He could just close the laptop, pretend this entire conversation had never happened. His hand reached out to do just that and that was when he realized something:

He really, really wanted the Championship.

And he really, really hated Hunter. And given the chance, he had no doubt Hunter would screw him over any day of the week. Gradually, he rose the lid. He typed the words slowly:

Yeah, I'm here…what do I have to do? He paused, and then hit enter.

Chapter 31

"Kurt, it was nice of you to walk me to my door, but Victor and Sam were perfectly able to do so…they're getting paid quite well to do so, actually." Stephanie told Kurt, refusing to slide the key into the lock before Kurt had backed off at least a little. She didn't want to invite him in, but she needed to drag the truth out of him somehow....To her surprise, Kurt grabbed the key from her hand and held open the door. Irritated that he just refused to take a hint, Stephanie marched past him and walked straight over to the mini fridge. Kurt escorted Sam and Victor over to the adjoining room. They looked at Stephanie helplessly, and she nodded that it was allright. Victor left the door open a couple of inches though. Kurt might be a jerk but she really didn't believe he was stalking her family…he was too uptight for anything of that sort. She pulled out an orange juice and studied it for any puncture marks. She twisted open the top and decided to hope for the best. Stephanie settled down on the plush bed and looked warily at Kurt. She was even more unsettled when he came and sat down right next to her. She practically flew off of the bed, and went over to the fridge saying: "Oh, I've been so rude…I haven't even offered you anything to drink. Um, I have…liquor, coffee, water, tea, juice…." Stephanie trailed off when she saw Kurt looking at her with a funny expression on his face.

"Is something wrong?" Stephanie asked Kurt.

"I don't know, Stephanie…you tell me." Kurt said.


Motel Four Miles Outside of Houston

"Stacy, I don't know what planet you're living on but this isn't the same room I woke up in this morning." Hunter said angrily, folding his arms across.

"Well, then you were even drunker than I thought, because this is for sure the same room." Stacy said definitively. She casually walked over to the small radio on the nightstand, fiddled with the knobs. She grinned when she heard the song, one of her favorites…it was fate, she decreed.

She's got you wrapped up in her satin and lace
Tied around her little finger
She got you thinkin' you can never escape
Don't you know your hearts in danger
There's a devil in that angel's face
If you could only see the love that you're wasting

I can love you better than that
I know how to make you forget her
All I'm asking is for one little chance
Cause baby, I can love you baby, I can love you better

"Stacy…the bed was over there. He pointed to the right side of the room where the bed was conspicuously absent. Hunter found himself in a curious state between fury and laughter….it was kind of hilarious how Stacy was trying to convince him they were in the same room despite the fact that the entire layout of the room was different. Hunter sank down into a chair and cringed when the springs squeaked and he felt the bottom of the chair collapse. "Oh, son of a-" he tried to lift himself out of the chair but it was well and truly collapsed and his ass was on the floor.


I'm gonna break the spell she's got on you
You're gonna wake up to find
I'm your desire my intentions are true
Hey babe, I know in time
You're gonna see what you mean to me
So open up your eyes cause seeing is believing

"Oh, gosh…" Stacy burst out laughing, walking over to him as he futilely tried to pull himself up. She knelt down beside him and said softly: "Well, at least now-" she kissed him on the cheek,-"I have you"-behind his earlobe,-"exactly"-further down the neck, "where I want you." Hunter stared back at Stacy, redoubling his efforts to get himself out of the chair.

I can love you better than that
I know how to make you forget her
All I'm asking is for one little chance
Cause baby, I can love you baby, I can love you better


"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about." Stephanie said as she turned her back to Kurt tensely.

"Yeah, yeah, you do. The whole ride back here, you were really quiet and-"

"Well, that's just because, with the bodyguards and everything, I just didn't feel comfortable speaking to you." Stephanie said smoothly.

"Are you sure that's all there is to it?"

"Well, what else could there possibly be?" Stephanie asked nervously, still trying to open up her orange juice's protective seal underneath the cap. Finally she dug a nail in and ripped it open.

"I don't know. I thought maybe it was my saying that I wanted to try and build…a relationship with you. You said that if we took it slowly, you would be open to the idea. I want to know if you're serious about that."

Hell, no. I wouldn't touch you with a two by four if I could help it. But she couldn't very well say that…at least not yet. She had to find out exactly what Kurt was up to. Which meant that she'd have to try and stop being so jumpy around him and put on a good show of it in front of him. Stephanie sat down on the bed, took off her shoes, crossed her legs together…at least her skirt was long. She looked at him expectantly, swallowing her orange juice.

"Steph, I-" Her watch started beeping. "Oh, vitamin time!" She trilled.

"You have your watch set for vitamins?" Kurt asked incredulously.

"Well, yeah. I'm always so busy, especially being back in the WWF again. But this is really important for the baby, I guess, so I wanted to be sure I'd always remember. This is the one way I can be sure." She pulled out her pill and downed it with her juice.

"This kid…it means a lot to you, doesn't it?" Kurt said slowly.

"This baby means everything to me." Stephanie returned seriously. "Right now, my biggest priority is making sure that my baby has everything it could ever need to make him happy." And that included getting his daddy to see the light and come home to them. But she was well on her way to that end, she thought happily…he loved her. He said he loved her. She had replayed their entire conversation at the restaurant over and over in her mind the ride over to the hotel, growing more and more ecstatic by the mile. She had her husband back. Now all she had to do was tell him two things: he was still her husband and they were having a baby. She refused to get depressed about those two little things though, he'd be mad but she'd make him so happy he'd soon get over it.

But there was still the task at hand: Finding out what Kurt was up to, if anything.

"I just want you to know, that your being pregnant…it doesn't change the way I feel about you." And it didn't. It probably would, if he was truly in love with her, but fortunately, he just wanted her…this kid better not get in the way of what he wanted though. He'd had enough of being the most talented guy in this business and still not having all the breaks. Being with Stephanie would certainly change all of that though…he just had to make sure all of her attention and devotion was where it belonged: solely on him.

"Ah, well…Can't tell you just how glad I am to hear that." Stephanie said dully. "Kurt?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I was just still wondering about you and Stacy, at the restaurant today. I mean, how exactly did that come about?"

"I did mention how great she's been, right? She's really helped me out since my injuries. She's a true friend. But don't worry Steph, there's nothing more to it, I promise. Not like her and Hunter. I know that's got to hurt."

"It's not like it really matters either way." Stephanie said casually, picking up an imaginary piece of lint from the skirt. She felt Kurt's attention sharpen on her.

"It really doesn't matter to you? That Stacy slept with Hunter?"

She cringed at the way the words sounded. It made her sick even to picture it. "No, not at all. Were you not at the restaurant this afternoon at all? Hunter and I are so finished…this was just the last straw, the final nail in his coffin. I meant what I said. I can do much better than him. I think I'm off to a good start, don't you?" She reached out and playfully swiped at his shoulder. Kurt smiled.

"You sure are." He pulled her down on top of him on the bed. Stephanie swallowed hard, rolled off of him and lay on her side. "You haven't even answered my question." She teased gently.

"When I'm with you, any thought I'm having seems to fly right out the window."

Stephanie tried not to gag. He was so insufferable when he was trying to be romantic. Kurt and the tender arts….not a winning combination. She choked down the bile in her throat, smiled sweetly and twirled a long strand of hair around her finger. Kurt reached over and grabbed her hand.

"You're still wearing your ring! Why?" Kurt demanded.

"Hey, you're hurting me!" But his grip only tightened.

"Why are you still wearing your ring…if you're so over Hunter, why do you still wear his ring?"

"The thing won't come off!" Stephanie snapped. "Now. Let. The. Hell. Go. Of. My. Hand! Or you can get the hell out of my hotel room."

Kurt dropped her hand. "I'm sorry...it just threw me, that's all." He muttered.

"That's no excuse." She said, but immediately softened her tone. "But it's allright. I understand. I wish the thing would come off, but it just doesn't seem to want to."

That was a bad way to phrase it, she thought. She hastily continued. "But let's just change the subject, come on…what exactly are you doing with Stacy Keibler?" She kept the question light, teasing, not wanting to arouse any suspicions.

"Why, are you jealous?" Kurt asked, leaning on his side to face her now on the bed.

"Maybe." She teased coyly. "Should I be?"

"Steph, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. It's Hunter Stacy wants, I promise you that. She has a major thing for him…kind of an obsession, really."

"You don't say." Stephanie said, seething. It was nothing she hadn't known already, of course, but to hear the words from someone else just really made it hit home.

"Yeah….and I really can't think of two people who deserve each other more. Actually, Stacy deserves better, but hey, it keeps him away from you and that's all I really want."

"Mmm-hmm. Obsession, though…that's such a strong word, Kurt. Do you really think Stacy is obsessed with Hunter?" She asked, trying to keep the anger out of her voice.

"I really don't know any other word to use. He's played her at every turn but she keeps coming back up and begging for more. If that's not an unhealthy obsession, I just don't know what the hell is."

"I guess so…but how far would she go?"

"What?"

"How far would Stacy go…to get Hunter?" To sink her pathetic little claws into him? She asked silently.

"Why all the questions?" Kurt asked, trying to keep the suspicion out of his voice.

She knew she was pushing too hard, but damn it! She wanted to get to the bottom of all of this.

"I'm just curious, I suppose. Plus, if she's scheming against him, I need to know."

Kurt sat up frowning. "Oh, you do? Why exactly is that, Stephanie? I-" He started to say that he'd heard her in the restaurant, hanging all over Hunter and his little proclamation of love, but he didn't want to tip her off that he'd been eavesdropping. "-thought you didn't give a flying leap anymore." He finished.

"No, nothing like that, of course not, Kurt!" Stephanie pretended outrage. "I am my father's assistant, Hunter is the Undisputed Champion…it's business. If Stacy's doing something, I need to know so that I can properly evaluate its impact on my company. You understand, don't you?"

"Yes. Yes, I do…I have to say it's a relief to see you and your incredible business acumen making a comeback. "

"Thank you, I think it's rather great myself." Stephanie grinned.

"And to that end, let me just say…." Kurt walked over to the mini fridge and grabbed his own orange juice. He knocked it against Stephanie's bottle-" to the beginning of an absolutely unstoppable force. It's about damn time you woke up and saw what's been in front of you all this time." Stephanie echoed, pasting on a smile. What a jackass.



"Haven't you heard that resistance is futile?"

"What are you, a Trekkie?" Hunter asked desperately. Damn this chair! Had…to…get…up!

"I will confess to a little crush on Captain Picard…it must be the voice, don't you think? I'm helpless to men with great voices, I think that's one of the reasons I can't get myself over you."

"Oh, God." Hunter muttered, finally getting some traction and hauling himself out of the collapsed chair. He slid up and out onto the floor. Stacy sat astride his legs, causing him to look up at her. Rather than ask her to move, which he didn't believe she was about to do, he picked her up. He lifted her up as easily as if she were made of air and sat her down on the bed.

"Ooh, man of few words, huh?" Stacy teased, vamping a pose on the bed.

"Oh, God." He repeated. He remained standing. "Stacy, I feel the need to go over a couple of things with you." He said, running his hand through his hair agitatedly.

"Yes, Hunter?" Stacy asked sweetly.

"Okay, you know I can't remember…having sex with you last night. I told you I wanted for you to help me to remember, you said you'd bring me back to the room we had last night. This isn't the room."

"That's just semantics!" Stacy sputtered.

"Semantics? Semantics? Stacy! I-you-!" Hunter reined in his temper before he started yelling. "Stacy, please explain to me how not being in the same room is just semantics?"

"Well, to tell you the truth, I couldn't get the same room. It was being used." She lied quickly. After all, she didn't want him actually remembering that nothing had in fact happened…and he probably would have been more likely to remember if the environment had been recreated in its entirety. "And we don't even need that stupid old room to make your memory come back. After all, you have me. And I assure you…I'm unforgettable, like you said earlier. So…." Stacy slid off of the bed, startling Hunter, but to his relief, she walked right past him. Then she turned off the lights and fiddled with the radio. A seductive melody began to play.

"Sit down." She invited, pointing to the bed. He sat down, trying to concentrate on her voice, on her face….anything to help him remember. "Well, it's not exactly perfect, but…I certainly can't complain about the company." She giggled.

Hunter froze. That laugh….it was the same laugh! It was her, it had been Stacy who he'd been with last night. Fuck. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to focus the memory. Nothing. He opened his eyes again, looked up. Stacy smiled down at him, pulling her hair behind her face. He smiled back, reached up and pulled her hands into his and pulled her underneath him on the bed. He looked down at her face. "So, Stace….make me remember." He whispered.

"Uh-Okay." She squeaked. "Um, I guess the first thing to do would probably be to kiss."

"Kiss?"

"Well, that is how these things generally start out, you know."

Hunter shrugged. He grinned when he thought about how much he was going to enjoy telling Stephanie all about the 'sacrifice' he was making on her behalf. Oh, the things men do for love, he thought, leaning in to kiss Stacy.

He pulled back after he was certain she was well and truly distracted. "So who was the guy in the room last night?" he asked quickly, throwing her off her guard…and it worked.

"Just Kurt." She murmured. Her eyes opened wide, her lips swollen from the kiss. "Hey! What the hell are you trying to pull?!"

But for some reason, the mention of Kurt's name focused Hunter on the voices he had heard…and now he was remembering words. He remembered….he remembered. Hunter's eyes opened slowly.

Stacy had been looking at him rather accusatorily, but seeing the hardened expression now on his face, quickly adopted a more concerned look.

"Hunter?" She asked quietly. "Um, are you okay?"



Kurt settled back onto the bed. "You know, I always knew it was only a matter of time before you came around." He said confidently.

"Is that so?" Stephanie asked. This was good for her, she told herself. Being with Kurt like this, it was good, because it was helping her with anger management. If she could survive the rest of this conversation without seriously injuring him, she could get through anything without losing her cool.

"Definitely. Hunter's a caveman, a Neanderthal. You need a man who's like you, who appreciates the finer things in life….not to mention someone you don't have to be afraid to bring out in public."

"You don't say…." Stephanie seethed. When he wanted to be, Hunter was the classiest man she'd ever met. At least he wasn't a whining, sniveling little crapweasel like Kurt. She had to physically bite her tongue.

"But now you've seen the light, it's taken a lot longer than I thought it would, sure, but hey, it's never too late. And now you finally know that Hunter is nothing but a classless, worthless jerk-off who isn't worthy to breathe the same air as you."

It was taking every single ounce of self-restraint not to pop Kurt one. She opened her mouth to agree vaguely, but she couldn't form the words. She didn't need to, Kurt was more than happy to keep talking for the both of them.

"I mean let's face it. Hunter was probably some youthful animalistic physical attraction right? Not to mention it drove Vince insane to think of his precious little girl at the mercy of some degenerate, am I right or am I right?" Kurt said arrogantly.

"You're-you're" An ass. You're abhorrent. A moron. An idiot. "absolutely right." She finished. "Hunter really had me turned upside down there for a while…I didn't even know which way was up. But thankfully, I've seen him for what he really is…and Stacy will too."

"Let's not talk about Stacy anymore." Kurt drawled.

Good. Then I can kick you the hell out of here and call Hunter. Moron. Aloud, she said: "Okay then…I just wanted to be sure that there were no surprises in store…I'm trying to really restore this company again. Having a champion who is…well, let's just say 'in disgrace' is not exactly conducive to business. But if you don't know anything, you don't know anything." She shrugged it off, starting to stand. She was startled when Kurt pulled her back down on the bed.

"I know it was the animalistic attraction that kept you with Hunter for these two years…."

Animalistic attraction?! Where the fuck did he come up with this bullshit? She wondered.

"….but you know as well as I do that I can more than substitute."

Stephanie froze underneath Kurt's stare. Oh, God, no. She didn't want him to start talking about it again, they had already talked it to death eight months ago. She had tried to pretend it had never happened and for the most part, had succeeded admirably.

"Steph, ever since last November you've acted differently around me. I've tried to ignore it, I've tried to be your friend, but now you're acting weird again, like you were right after it happened. I thought you wanted to forget about it, and even though that's not what I wanted, I've tried. But I can't help it anymore, Stephanie. I can't just ignore the fact that eight months ago we made love." Kurt told her.

"Look, we've already talked about this. Don't you get that I don't even want to discuss it at all? It's-it's a non-issue! Kurt, it was Hunter's and my anniversary and he wouldn't even speak to me, it was like I didn't even exist for him anymore, he was so damn busy with his rehab on his leg. And I tried everything, he didn't care and…I was hurt. I wanted to hurt him, and that's why…that's why I slept with you, Kurt. There was nothing else to it though, it was just sex."

"But that couldn't have been all there was to it, Stephanie! I know you, I know you wouldn't have just slept with me for the heck of it-"

"But that's exactly what I did! You know that! Kurt, we discussed this to death months ago. I told you that I was committed to my marriage, committed to Hunter and it was a mistake." One that she'd regret for the rest of her entire life, she knew. Sleeping with Kurt had been the single stupidest thing she'd ever done….of course, the whole baby lie had been a close second. Not to mention buying ECW, coming so close to marrying Andrew….God, she'd done a lot of stupid things in her life, but the one thing she'd ever done that hadn't had any positive repercussions whatsoever had to have been when she'd slept with Kurt late last year. She'd been drunk, on her anniversary, stood up by her husband, she'd been depressed, and she'd been hurting…Kurt had just been there, completely in the right place at the wrong time for her. She wanted to hate him for taking advantage when she was vulnerable, but she accepted that she'd been stupid enough to turn to him in the first place. It had been the single most horrible experience of her life, and she'd gone crazy the next morning thinking Hunter would find out, he'd leave her for good. So she'd begged Kurt to forget all about it and pretend it had never happened. She liked to pretend she hadn't really been that stupid, that it had all been just some really bad nightmare. To his credit, he hadn't brought it up since. Until now.

"Why are you talking about this now?" She whispered up to him, starting to cry. He couldn't tell Hunter, Hunter could never know…she'd made so many mistakes and he had forgiven her today. This would just screw it all up.

"Why are you crying?" Kurt asked.

Because I hate you, I hate you…and I don't want to remember the worst, lowest night of my life. Is that good enough for you Kurt, you jerk? She longed to scream. "I don't know. I just-hormones. Pregnancy. All that." She said sadly.

"I know why. Remembering, it overwhelms you. It does that to me too. That night, it was amazing, I know. And I've been wanting to repeat it ever since." Oh, God. This wasn't happening. He couldn't actually think that…she had enjoyed it. He couldn't possibly be that delusional! But he was…..

"Kurt, stop it." She whispered, starting to sob. Damn him, why was he rehashing all of this? Why couldn't he just have blocked it out, like she had done? She didn't want to remember that horrible, sinking feeling she'd had when she had awakened the next morning...to find Kurt next to her in the bed. She didn't want to remember the bile rising in her throat when she thought about Hunter's reaction if he ever found out about this complete and utter betrayal of their vows.

"Why? It's what we both want, isn't it?"

"No, I don't. I want you to stop. I need-I need to think about things now." But he was still on top of her, caressing her thigh….

"Kurt, get away from-from me." She choked out, pushing at him. He simply held her tighter, pulling her hair harshly into his hand. It hurt, it stung.

She couldn't do this anymore. She couldn't take this anymore. "Get out!" She screamed, finally snapping and losing it. With almost inhuman strength, she shoved him off of her and onto the floor. The adjoining bedroom door swung open and Sam came out. Victor followed suit.

"Please make him go away." Stephanie said, gasping, choking, crying, glad the bodyguard was finally earning his keep.

"Steph? What the- Steph?" Kurt asked incredulously. But Sam and Victor escorted him out. "What the hell kind of game are you playing?" Kurt yelled. "We are going to talk about this Stephanie. And let me tell you one thing! If somehow, some way you are still clinging on to the delusion that you actually still want that s.o.b., how do you think he's going to feel when he finds out about us? I won't stay quiet, not anymore! You can't just screw with me like this, Stephanie!" Kurt shouted as Sam and Victor finally got him out of the door. Stephanie fled to the other bedroom. Then she realized she had to throw up and ran for the bathroom.

When she felt like she'd thrown up every single thing she'd ever eaten in his entire life, Stephanie stroked her stomach in a circular motion. "Well, at least I didn't sleep with anybody but daddy four months ago, huh? We both are really, really happy about that, let me tell you." She told the baby. "But I somehow don't think your father's going to be as relieved. Everyone calls me a slut…a whore. I never thought it was true. Neither did your father…he was the only one who ever defended me. And it wasn't true, at least not before. I hope your father doesn't hate me after he finds out. I'm so sorry….I didn't mean to. It was all just a horrible, horrible night. Do you think he might forgive me?" She whispered, somehow feeling better just talking to her baby.

Chapter 32

Arena in Houston, Texas


"Hey, has Hunter arrived yet?" Stephanie asked one of the security guards anxiously.

"Yeah. Saw him head into his dressing room ten minutes ago. He looked royally ticked." The security guard responded.

"Oh. Was anyone with him?" She queried, trying not to sound as afraid as she was. She had pulled herself off of the bathroom floor with only one frantic thought: that she had to tell him, she had to get to him, had to get to him before Kurt followed through on his threat and told Hunter the truth.

"Yeah, actually. He was with um, Miss Keibler." The security guard said afraid to be the bearer of bad news.

Stephanie took off down the hallway in a sprint, Sam and Victor following her, bewildered.


"I have to tell you that I'm not happy with this plan." Stacy told Hunter as she sulked on the couch in his dressing room.

"Cry me a river. Do you honestly think I care?" Hunter asked as went into the bathroom and changed into ring attire.

"Well, you have to admit I'm going to look like a fool at the end of all of this."

Hunter came out of the bathroom. "Once again, why do I care?" He asked cynically.

"Look, I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry! I told you the truth, I told you that Kurt hired Cassie to drug your drink and take you back to that tacky motel. I told you that Kurt and I came along and we…put you in a compromising position…jeez! I've even offered to help you recover the photographs! What do you want, do you want to make me bleed?" Stacy asked, starting to cry.

"Stop with the crocodile tears, Stacy. You're lucky I'm not doing anything any worse to you. You'll survive, which is more than I can say for your little co-conspirator Angle."

"But it's going to be so humiliating! Can't I just help you get the pictures back? And it's like I told you…we look really hot in the pictures at least!" Seeing that he wasn't the least moved by that last argument, she continued hastily: "Really, I'll do whatever you want!"

"Stacy, I've already told you what I want. I've been quite clear on it, actually. You should be grateful."

"Grateful?!" Stacy asked incredulously.

"Yes. After all, you were in on all of this! You were an accessory and you're damn lucky I'm not going to the police. I'm going to take care of this myself, like I always do. So the way I see it, you have two choices." Hunter walked over to the sofa and kneeled at face level. "You can either do absolutely everything I told you to do tonight, or I can send you to jail. You'd be real popular there, Stace, with all the women, let me tell you."

"You are such a mean-spirited, spiteful, vengeful jerk." Stacy spat hatefully.

"I know….but the thing is, you made the mistake of forgetting that. Now, you're going to pay. So what's it going to be?" He asked in such a quiet, deadly, ominous voice she actually shivered.

Stacy mumbled something, and though Hunter was only two feet away he couldn't quite make it out. "What was that, Stace?" he asked.

"I'm in." She said in a monotone.

"Good girl!" Hunter said, irritatingly. Suddenly the door swung open. Hunter rose to his feet and smiled when he saw Stephanie. "Hey!" His smile faded when he saw the lost expression on her face.

"Stacy, could you go? I need to speak with Hunter. Alone." Stephanie said quietly. Stacy looked at Hunter who nodded. He grabbed her by the arm as she was about to leave. "Don't do anything stupid." He told her. She nodded and left silently, glaring at Stephanie with an odd mixture of curiosity, jealousy and hatred. Stephanie had Victor and Sam wait outside the door.

"So, I'm guessing that you want to know if I got Stacy to tell me what happened last night. I did, I remembered everything that happened. I guess the drug wasn't supposed to allow me to remember, at least not for a really long time, but somehow I did. Guess my mind's just too damn strong for some pathetic drug." He attempted to get a rise out of her, but she was strangely subdued.

"Hunter, I…I really don't want to do this. But I have to tell you the truth. This is…this…oh, God." Stephanie started, her voice high-pitched, she tapped her fingers against her thigh.

"Steph, it's okay. I already know." Inside, he started to feel like his blood was becoming superheated. Finally, she was going to tell him that he was the father of their baby! He knew she wouldn't lie to him….this was an entirely new beginning, for the both of them. No more lies, no more manipulations…at least not between them…every one else was fair game of course.

"You-you-you know? How could he have gotten here so fast to tell you?" Stephanie asked disbelievingly.

"How could who…Steph, it's okay. I know you're expecting me to be angry, because you lied….but I understand. I forgive you, if that's what you want to hear."

"You-you-you do? That easily? I, Hunter I…oh, my God. Thank you! Thank you! I promise you, I promise I will spend the rest of my entire life making it up to you, making you the happiest man alive, I swear I will. I just didn't expect you to…I love you so much!" Stephanie started crying in relief, throwing her arms around him, he lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist. "I don't know how you can forgive me just like that, I don't know if I could ever forgive you if you'd done what I did…but I guess that just makes you a better person than I am, huh?" She sobbed.

"Hey, it's okay…it's not like you were lying about something really awful or anything. At least it's the kind of lie that I can more than live with. You were just upset and angry…so was I. I can understand that you wanted to strike back." Hunter said as he embraced her tightly around her back.

Stephanie's heart started sinking…nothing 'really awful?' Oh, she had known this was too good to be true. Slowly, she started to slink her way down his body until she stood again. The way he was looking at her…so gently….so possessively…he was talking about something entirely different, she realized. She wasn't sure what, but she knew it couldn't have been about her sleeping with Kurt…no way could he be looking at her like this if he was. Her eyes searched his face hungrily, wanting to memorize every single possible nuance of his expression just in case she was never to be blessed by seeing it again. Her breath caught in her throat. "Hunter, I think that-"

There was a knock at the door. "It's one minute, Hunter." A cameraman told him as he peered in.

Hunter looked at the clock on the wall in shock. "@#%$! We'll talk later, okay? You want to walk me out? Make everyone in the stadium drop dead." He grinned beautifully. Her heart melted. "Okay." She said. It wouldn't be fair of her to tell him just before his match…it would be so cruel and she just couldn't do it. And it's not like there was time to really even say anything. She was relieved for the excuse. She hurriedly wiped her tears, straightened her hair as she and Hunter rushed out of the dressing room and toward the ramp. Neither noticed as Victor pointed toward a corner and Sam stalked off to take a look. Hunter's theme song started blaring and she pulled herself up straight, walking arm in arm down the ramp, oblivious to the screaming of the audience.

"We'll talk after I kick Jericho's ass all over Houston, okay? I promise." Hunter told her loudly over the applause. Stephanie nodded, biting her lip. She looked up at the Cage, a chill going down her spine. She hated Hell in the Cell matches….okay, that wasn't exactly true. She loved it when other people were in them, she hated them when Hunter was in them. She knew he was brilliant in the ring…but he took it so far, always, he had no concern or regard for his body. Every minute he was inside of the Cage felt like a year had been taken off of her life. She pushed the nerves aside, instead forcing an approving and supportive smile to her face and applauding loudly as he entered the Cage to a waiting Jericho. One of the refs locked the Cage door resoundingly. She cringed as the locks slid home. Stephanie looked up at Chris and to her surprise, he was looking straight back at her. Her blood and spine turned absolutely glacial as she looked into his eyes and saw…something she couldn't quite turn into words. All she knew was that it made her want to run over and rip open the door to the Cage. Chris broke the eye contact abruptly, nervously she thought. Her breathing turned shallow as she started over to the door. She wanted to open it, tell Hunter to get out. But she couldn't do that, he would never accept a forfeit….and besides, she was just being paranoid, seeing things that weren't even there. Hunter would take care of Chris like he did all of his opponents, and then she would tell him the truth about her and Kurt. He deserved the truth and she didn't want anything between them if he somehow could find it in his heart to forgive her. Besides, it wasn't like she couldn't not tell him…it had to come from her if she stood a snowball's chance in hell of having him forgive her.

The match commenced as Hunter started hitting Chris forcefully. She wanted this match to end right now…and yet, she wanted it to last forever, that way she would never have to tell him about Kurt. Her mind was racing, too many thoughts and fears rattling around in her brain when she ought to have been busy noticing three things.

The first was the unnatural calm and tenacity Jericho was showing as he carefully minute by minute maneuvered and manipulated Hunter into the southwest corner of the Cage.

The second was the fact that neither Sam nor Victor had followed her down to the side of the ring.

And of course the third was the fact that Kurt Angle had started coming down the ramp, microphone in hand, sledgehammer in tow and gold medals bouncing furiously on his chest.

Chapter 33

Arena in Houston, Texas

Stephanie heard the audience beginning to grumble and for the life of her couldn't understand why. The match was going along so well…Hunter and Chris were basically beating the crap out of each other and doing it with finesse….although Chris was getting in far too many hits on her husband for her liking. Without even thinking about it, she swung around and her stomach felt like it dropped to the floor as Kurt stalked down the ramp. She frantically looked toward Hunter, so immersed in his match that he hadn't even noticed Kurt's presence ringside. She ran over, grabbed ahold of Kurt, pushing him back.

"What do you think you're doing here?" She cried out. "Get the hell away from me!" She screamed, frantic to make him disappear. Her eyes searched desperately for Sam or Victor to get them to take Kurt away but they were no where in sight…you pay a fortune for the best bodyguards money has to offer and when you finally need them they're off somewhere else! She thought frustratedly. Stephanie tried to grab the microphone from Kurt but he shoved her aside, she lost her balance and hit her head on the steel steps around the ring. Hunter looked up from the clothesline he had just hit Chris with as the audience gasped collectively. His heart froze when he saw Stephanie sprawled out on the floor.

"Kurt! Did you just hit her? Did you hurt her?" Hunter yelled and he ran for the Cage door. He motioned for the Referee to unlock it but he shook his head, it was a very explicit rule that the Cage be opened under no circumstances. Hunter's eyes widened and he began to climb the Cage but Chris came up from behind him, launched at him and Hunter fell down. Hunter pushed himself off of the floor. He started to knock Chris back so he could resume his climb up the Cage, but saw Stephanie starting to come to so he rushed over to her side of the Cage, knelt down and yelled out through the fence. "Princess! You okay? Steph? Answer me!"

Stephanie looked up, her head ringing. She saw Hunter's concerned face looming over her and pushed herself off of the floor. "Fine. I'm fine." She said dizzily. But then Kurt came back into her line of sight and the horror began anew. She turned to Hunter, gripping the Cage. He held her fingers. "You sure you're okay?" He asked breathlessly.

"Don't listen to him, Hunter! Please! Whatever he's going to say, it's a filthy lie! You have to give me a chance to explain, please." She choked out tearfully. Hunter looked back at Kurt stonily. He'd hurt Stephanie…Hunter felt a tightening in his chest. He started seeing tinges of a red haze. No one hurt Stephanie, and if they did they dealt with him.

"What the @#%$ is your problem, Angle? You don't have any business out here!" Hunter yelled through the Cage even as he side-kicked Jericho back down.

"Actually, I do, Hunter. You're the one who doesn't have a clue! And I think it's about damn time someone gave you one because we all know there's no way you can figure out anything with your limited intelligence."

The audience started a vigorous chant of "Ass-hole….Ass--hole…." But Kurt ignored them, his attention solely on Hunter.

"You see Hunter, I've kept quiet about this for far too long. I think it's because I like the fact that finally, I have one up on you. 'I know-some--thing you don't know…' Kurt sang out obnoxiously.

"You obviously don't know shit, Angle, otherwise you wouldn't be interrupting my match. As soon as I'm done kicking this moron's ass, I'll be more than happy to move on to your ass."

"Well, I'm sorry Hunter, but you're second in line…behind Stephanie, of course."

Backstage a stage hand started thinking this was definitely getting interesting, and since neither Stephanie and Hunter had mics, the audience couldn't understand what they were saying. So he flipped on the microphones around the ring, allowing the building to hear the discussion.

"And what the hell do you mean by that?" Hunter shouted.

"What do I mean by that? What do I mean? Oh, I'll tell you, Hunter, I will tell you exactly what I mean!"

"Don't do this, Kurt, I am warning you…." Stephanie started, but Kurt cut her off furiously.

"You're warning me? Me? No, Steph, I'm the one who warned you. I warned you not to make me angry, but you did. Now, you pay the consequences."

"Kurt! If you do this, if you tell him like this, I will never forgive you! And I promise you I will make you sorry you ever even heard my name, Kurt!" Stephanie screamed shrilly. Hunter watched their interaction with growing frustration.

"But at least I've heard you say my name, Steph….'Oh, Kurt!' 'Oh, Kurt'!" He screamed in a falsetto voice. 'You are soooo much better than Hunter!' He yelled shrilly, mocking Stephanie who knew that even if she had been drunk out of her mind could never have uttered those words. The audience started shrieking, some in horror at the image, some laughing at Kurt's parody.

Hunter's eyes widened. Involuntarily, he took a step back from the Cage. "Steph?" He asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"Don't ask her for the truth, she wouldn't know it if it jumped up and bit her! I'll tell you the truth though, And the truth is this: Stephanie and I have been having an affair for oh, about eight months now!"

Stephanie blinked in shock. "No! No, that's absolutely not true. It was only one time! You know that, Kurt, you know it! It was only once…." Stephanie trailed off seeing the look of triumph on Kurt's face that her revelation had brought.

She turned to Hunter, pressed her hand to the Cage. "It was only once…I'm so sorry, baby, I didn't want you to find out like this. But I swear to God, it was only once. And I've never been sorrier for anything in my entire life, if you've ever believed anything that came out of my mouth, you have to believe that!" She sobbed.

Hunter felt poleaxed. His mind started conjuring up images of Kurt touching his wife, touching his Stephanie….his stomach turned and he thought he was going to throw up. He opened his mouth to speak but unexpectedly Chris took advantage of Hunter's momentary distraction and flung himself on top of Hunter, locking in the Walls of Jericho. Hunter writhed in pain, but seeing Kurt's jubilant expression he felt a surge of almost supernatural anger. He pulled Jericho out of the hold and slammed him into the side of the Cage, pretending he was Kurt, beating him with blind fury. Chris started slumping down the Cage walls but managed to roll himself toward the southwest corner of the ring. He tried to climb up to get out, but Hunter pulled him back down. He continually pummeled Jericho until he was unconscious and then he savagely started climbing the Cage wall himself. The audience screamed as Hunter got nearly to the top…but then new music cued. nWo music. Hunter looked down in bewilderment as Shawn, Show, X-Pac, and of course, Nash came down to the ring. "What the hell are you doing?" Hunter yelled at them, wanting to get down there so he could beat Kurt's ugly face into unconsciousness too. But Shawn just smiled and Hunter watched in shock as Show and Nash suddenly bodily lifted a kicking Angle. X-Pac threw the Referee down and opened up the Cage. He pulled out the Sledgehammer and tossed it into the ring near Hunter. Hunter jumped down, watching as Nash and Show dragged Kurt in-he was fighting of course, but against the two of them, it was impossible, even for Kurt Angle. Nash dumped Kurt at Hunter's feet, smiled, bowed mockingly and walked out of the ring with Show. They locked the door, and Nash motioned Hunter to Angle who suddenly wasn't laughing anymore. Hunter smiled, a smile that would have sent chills down the devil's spine, reached over and pedigreed Kurt instantly, pounding on him immediately afterwards. The audience went wild. Stephanie sat on the steel steps, choking back her sobs.

More referees had come down to the Cage by now of course, but Nash, Show and X-Pac were continually routing them, wanting their friend to take his sweet time. Kurt was bleeding profusely by now, but Hunter pulled him to his feet and slammed against the Cage wall. "Did you sleep with my wife?" Hunter hissed in his ear. The red haze was deepening, Kurt looked like a big, bald tomato right now. Kurt, no longer cocky, couldn't summon a response. He started slumping to the floor but Hunter forced him upright.

"Answer me, damn it!" Hunter demanded.

"Hunter, look out!" Stephanie suddenly screamed, horrified. Chris had finally come to, and had grabbed the sledgehammer thrust in by X-Pac. He slammed Hunter in the stomach, causing Hunter to double over, gasping for air. Chris hit him continuously, and Kurt stood shakily. Nash saw what was happening, tried to get to the Cage but there were just too damn many referees and guards…this was turning bad, he realized suddenly.

Kurt and Chris took turns hitting Hunter with the sledgehammer. Stephanie flattened herself alongside the Cage, trying to stay out of the way of the nWo, referees and security guards fighting it out and made her way to the door. But X-Pac had broken the damn lock! She started kicking the door in frantically, desperate to get to Hunter.

Hunter managed to elbow Chris but Kurt still had the damn sledgehammer. He had to get the hell out of this Cage. He ran for the southwest corner of the ring, started climbing. Kurt ran after him, climbing up after him. Hunter's hand pulled on a part of the Cage and there was a loud resounding rumble. He looked up and….the whole southwest corner of the Cage folded in on itself, the bolts coming apart as the entire wall of the Cage fell down and Hunter landed beneath it, Kurt beneath him.

The entire Cage had collapsed, a wreck of hundreds of pounds of metal. Stephanie had fallen over, but she pulled herself on the remnants of the Cage, started screaming again and crawled to Hunter, trying to pull the Cage wall off of him….but one of the support beams had fallen across his chest, and onto Kurt. Her fingers grasped at it but it didn't budge. The referees and security guards had stopped fighting finally and came over to start lifting the beam, along with Show, Shawn and Nash. Stephanie couldn't seem to stop screaming, he wasn't waking up…why hadn't he woken up?! And the blood….most of it was Kurt's….the beam had done a number on him too, but Hunter had borne the brunt of the weight. She ran her fingers through his hair, being careful not to move his head in the slightest. "Baby, wake up!" She screamed. "Hunter, please wake up!"

"Get the hell away from him you bitch." Shawn told her coldly, kneeling next to his fallen friend, trying not to let the horror show in his face.

"What?" Stephanie gasped.

"You heard what I said. You aren't fit to breathe the same air as him, much less be his wife. You never really gave a damn about him did you? You just rode him all the way to the top…you never would have even looked twice at him if he hadn't been Triple H, would you?" Shawn asked accusingly.

"No, no….that's not true at all. Shawn, I love him. He's my life. He's the love of my life…I love him." She said again.

"You don't know the meaning of the word. You're a user, Stephanie, and I don't want you anywhere near my friend. He deserves a hell of a lot better than the likes of some adulterating whore. I won't ask you again to go away, Stephanie." Shawn said ominously as they watched the paramedics finally making their way to the ring. Stephanie took a last look at Hunter…she didn't want to leave his side, but she could tell Shawn meant every word of what he was saying. She rose slowly, unsteadily as the paramedics carefully loaded Hunter and Kurt onto stretchers. She would follow them to the hospital, she had to…but a part of her was so ashamed and she couldn't help but wonder if Shawn was right and that Hunter did deserve better than her. She watched as the paramedics made their way up the ramp and started to get out of the remnants of the ring when she heard talking behind her. She turned and saw Chris sitting up, being examined by paramedics but still cognizant and in one piece.

She became aware that Chris had been saying something, but it was only now that she tuned in.

"He lied. The s.o.b. lied." He kept repeating, breathing shallowly, looking at all of the blood on the floor. Blood that so easily could have been his….

Stephanie slowly walked over to him. "Lied? Who lied, about what?" She asked softly.

"He lied. That-Kurt---Kurt should have been me. It would have been me." Chris said disbelievingly.

"What are you talking about?" Stephanie pressed, trying to keep her voice low, comforting, to draw him out, but suddenly she was remembering the look she had seen in Chris' eyes at the beginning of this nightmare…the blood in her veins became supercharged.

"He said there was no way I could be hurt…it would just be Hunter. I would be safely out of danger…but he lied. He knew the whole damn thing would fall, he knew that if I was underneath Hunter, like Kurt was, like I should have been….I would have been hit with the beam too." Chris said miserably.

"This was no accident….this was deliberate. This was done on purpose." Stephanie realized what he was saying in horror. "Who did this, Chris?"

Chris didn't respond, and Stephanie lost it. She ran to him, kicked him with her stiletto in the chest, kicking back a paramedic. "You fuckin' bastard! Who did this to my husband?!" She screamed, collapsing to the floor, beating on his chest. Chris protested he didn't know, swore he didn't know, but made no move to fight back. Suddenly, someone was lifting her off of Chris and she turned to beat him too, but stopped dead when she saw that it was her brother.

"Stop it, Steph! This can't be good for you, can't be good for your baby. We're going." Shane said, pulling her away from Chris.

"Go to hell, Shane! I'm not finished yet! I'll kill him!" Stephanie screamed, but Shane pulled her over his shoulder. "We're done here!" Shane yelled back at her. She beat at him with hard pounding on his back, kneeing him in the chest. "Stop it! Stop it right now! Don't you want to get to the hospital? Get to Hunter, make sure he's still breathing?"

Stephanie gasped. "Oh, God. Yes. I-was just so angry….oh, God, hurry Shane! I have to get to Hunter!"

"Good. I'm putting you down now." Shane told her, and he did so, running with his sister up the ramp. "I just hope we're not too late." He said under his breath.