Okay, I changed my mind about discontinuing the story… thanks so much to everyone who told me not to when I said was going to stop.  It means a lot.  Anyway, I have finals, so it may take a little longer for me to update, but I *will* finish it.  Anyway, if you guys keep sending reviews, I'll keep updating. No reviews means no updates… lol. Thanks everyone!

PART 28

DECEMBER 31, 2002

"Okay, now smile and gimme a CHRISTIAN!"

Jay sighed when, instead of singing a "CHRISTIAN," Britney, Amy, Stephanie and Trish all flipped him off.  After taking a few pictures of the girls, Britney, Jeff, Jay and Trish were all back on the dance floor with the others.  Amy and Stephanie spotted some of the other divas, and went over to say hi.  Vince and Linda were throwing a company-wide New Years Bash, aptly titled the "Smackdown the New Year."  Everyone was there:  wrestlers, referees, announcers… everyone except Paul Heyman, Brock Lesnar, and Paul Levesque.  However, no one seemed to notice or really mind.  While their friends grinded it out on the dance floor, Kurt, Terry, and Adam hung low by the bar. 

"So, how was your Christmas, Adam?  Holly, jolly, and full of Britney?" Terry asked playfully. 

Adam smiled at the thought of the holidays.  Since their only family was working, Adam and Jay brought the girls to Canada to spend Christmas with their families.  Britney was very excited, as she had always gotten along well with Adam's family, especially his mother.  Judy Copeland was equally excited, as she was thrilled that her son had finally found another woman to be with that he loved so much.  The week off, though short, gave Adam some much-needed rest, time with his family, and time alone with Britney.  It also gave the four of them a chance to get away from the company that had caused so much drama in their lives.  Needless to say, Adam was a well-rested, satisfied man. 

"Yeah, it was great… and full of Britney, too," he said laughing.  The three men talked for a little while, and then watched as Britney and Chris made their way over.

"Hey," Adam said, eyeing his girlfriend appreciatively as she put her arm around his broad shoulders.

"Hey," she replied, smiling at how they were now the same height… with him sitting on the stool and her standing up.  After a few minutes, the song "Ill Stand By You" by The Pretenders came on.  Britney and Adam's eyes met and they immediately linked hands and made their way to the middle of the dance floor.  When they stopped, Adam's arms encircled her waist.  She wrapped her arms around his neck, gazing into his eyes. 

"Have I told you how beautiful you look… as always?" he asked suddenly, grinning widely.  He laughed at the way her cheeks reddened.

"Not within the last half-hour, no," she said, trying to hide the fact that she was blushing. 

"Well you do… and you are.  You're… you're a total scorchcake," he said.  The two laughed at his use of the old E&C term, then focused more intently on one another.  Adam pulled her even closer, allowing her to rest her head on his chest as he thought of how the lyrics suited them so well.  He could hear her, though it was very quietly, singing along.

"When you're standin' at the crossroads, don't know which path to choose, let me come along, cause even if you're wrong… I'll stand by you."

As she looked back up at him, he couldn't resist the sudden urge to kiss her.  Leaning down to capture her lips with his, Adam ignored everyone else.  As they allowed it to continue and deepen, they realized that they didn't care about anyone else in the room… or Chris making "WOO" noises as he stood behind them with Jessica.  To both of them, they were the only two people in the world, let alone the room.  As he looked up from the kiss, Adam took in all the other couples in the room.  Jeff and Trish, Jay and Stephanie, Chris and Jess, Mark and Sara, Kurt and Karen, Matt and Amy, Shane and his wife Marissa… they all seemed so happy.  Adam knew it was no coincidence that a night such as this occurred without the presence of Brock or both Pauls… and he was certainly taking advantage of it.  As the song ended, Vince got on the mic and announced that it was 11:59, and that there was only about 30 seconds left until midnight. 

"Brit," Adam said, speaking quickly so he could get it all in before the minute was up.  "I just want to say that this year is going to be great… our first full year together will be perfect together.  I love you, and I know that we'll have a lot more New Years to celebrate together."  Britney opened her mouth to speak, but stopped when she heard everyone counting down. 

10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" everyone shouted happily.  All the guys had brought their wives and girlfriends, so the room was pretty much full of couples.  Needless to say, it turned into a giant hugging and kissing fest.  Britney turned to Adam, drawing his face to hers.  After breaking the kiss, Adam looked up and locked eyes with Jay, who had just stopped kissing Stephanie.  The two best friends immediately grinned at each other.  They held the gaze for awhile, until Britney's voice cut through that and the sounds of Auld Lang Sine.

"Babe?  What are you looking at?" she asked, wrinkling her nose as she looked up at him curiously.  He smiled at how adorable she looked when doing so.

"Nothing at all," he said grinning.  He pulled her in close wrapping his arms tightly around her as he leaned down to kiss the top of her head.

"Happy New Year Brit."

JANUARY 15, 2003

    Shane McMahon walked briskly down the hallway in search of his father.  He was really only at the house show because it was his birthday and Britney, Stephanie, and the others all wanted him to be there to celebrate.  He didn't really want to do anything, as he wasn't much of a party guy, but he decided he would do it to please the girls.  Anyway, he figured that since he was there he could catch a chance to talk with his dad, as he had something to discuss with him.  Finally finding his dad's makeshift office, he knocked twice and walked in. 

"Hey Dad," Shane said, walking in and sitting down. 

"Hey Shane.  Happy birthday kid," Vince said happily.  Their relationship had definitely changed as of late, oddly for the better.  Shane just hoped that their conversation wouldn't do anything to ruin that.  It was a nice change.

"Thanks Dad.  I, uh… I wanted to ask you a question," Shane said, almost nervously, causing his father to worry.  Vince frowned at his son's expression. 

"Um, okay… shoot," he encouraged.

"Well, I… I want you to know that I'm proud of what you've been doing for Stephanie and Brit lately.  I really am.  So, now that you know everything that has happened over the last seven years, I… um… I was wondering.  How come you didn't believe me when I told you five years ago?" Shane asked, a hurt look crossing his features.

I suppose he's got a right to feel hurt.  After all, he tried with all his heart to protect his baby cousin and sister, and tried like hell to warn me about what was going on.  And what did I, his own father do?  I practically disowned the guy.  Vince cleared his throat before speaking.

"I… I was stupid.  I'll admit it to you, Shane… Vincent Kennedy McMahon was wrong.  You don't know how damn guilt I feel about it, either.  I betrayed my own flesh and blood for some punk who'd give me cheap compliments.  You know I don't like to say this, but… you deserve to hear it.  I'm sorry, Shane.  I should have listened.  I should have listened and I should have seen all of this.  I guess for me it was just easier to pretend nothing was wrong, because the thought of my girls, especially Britney, turning out like my sister killed me," he admitted.

Shane couldn't help but admire his father after hearing him say that.  It took guts for him to admit he was wrong, and Shane's respect for him grew tremendously.  He knew Vince was absolutely crushed by his sister's death.  Shane understood how much it must have hurt, as they had had a relationship similar to the one he had with Stephanie and Britney. 

"Dad, I," he started, "I want you to know that I understand how difficult it must have been to say all that… and my respect for you as a father and as a man have grown so much right now.  I… I know Aunt Deb's death hurt you… it hurt all of us.  And I can't tell you how many times I've sat and worried my ass off about Britney ending up like that, so I know why you were afraid.  I-I'm really proud of you for admitting that you made a mistake."

Vince smiled softly at his son.  "Thank you, Shane.  That means a lot to me… but do you think you'll ever forgive me for what I did?" he asked.  Shane looked up to meet his hopeful gaze.

"I don't know if I'm the one you really need the forgiveness from.  But yeah, as far for not listening to me, yes… I forgive you Dad," he said honestly.  Nodding, he stood and slowly made his way to the door, satisfied at the way their conversation went.  He was actually a little surprised that it went as well as it did… but then again, everything seemed to be going well lately. 

"Uh, Shane?" Vince asked, stopping his son at the door.

"Yeah Dad?"

Breathing deeply, he answered, "I, uh… I know you and I don't usually express much emotion towards each other, but I… well I'm proud of you.  I'm proud of the man you've become, and I'm glad that you didn't model yourself after me.  I'm also glad that the only thing you did take after me in was the way you care for our family.  I… for the first time in awhile, I can honestly say that I'm proud to have Shane McMahon as my son.  So, I guess what I'm trying to say is… well… I…"

He trailed off, sudden awkward feeling washing over him.  As Shane twisted the knob on the door, he smiled back at his father.

"I love you too, Dad."

TWO DAYS LATER

    Shane was now at his home in Greenwich, Connecticut, sitting on the floor of his spacious living room surrounded by a large pile of gifts.  When he'd received a bunch of gifts from everybody at his party, he knew there was no way he could open them all and still have time to actually have a party… so, he opted to take them all home and open them there.  He had just thanked everyone ahead of time, and they understood. 

"Wow, Shane… somebody must like you this year."

Shane looked up to see his wife Marissa walking into the room, plopping down on a couch near him.  The room really was a sight.  Her husband was sitting in a mountain of gifts, wide-eyed like a little kid on Christmas morning. 

"I know… I don't know where to start," he said in amazement.

"Don't worry," Marissa said, unable to contain her laughter.  "I'll help you."

Very slowly, gift-by-gift, they managed to open the gifts and re-pile them without wrecking the room too much.  Shane was surprised and extremely grateful for all the great gifts he received.  He had gotten music, clothes, a lot of WWE merchandise… and Britney and Stephanie had gotten him a beautiful wristwatch.  It had to have cost them at least a thousand dollars.

"Well, I guess that's it," he said when they were done, almost sadly.

"Oh, don't look so sad, you big baby.  You'll just have to wait till next year to get more gifts," Marissa said, lifting up a trash bag full of wrapping paper to take outside.  Shane crossed his arms and pouted as he leaned up against the front of the couch.  Moments later, Marissa came back in to grab the next bag.  She noticed a blue envelope laying on the hardwood floor. 

"Oh, look hun… you missed a card," she said, pointing to it.

Shane jumped up, grabbing the card off the floor.  Sitting back onto the couch, he studied the envelope for a moment.  It was blank… no "Happy Birthday Shane" written on the cover or anything.  Raising an eyebrow, he slowly peeled back the adhesive, sliding the card out.  Opening it up, Shane groaned, immediately recognizing the handwriting.

Shane,

    Happy birthday old man!  You know, I was going to give you a nice card, wishing you well and apologizing for all the drama I've caused you're family… but I wouldn't want to lie to you, would I?  No, I'm done with the playing nice, done with the forced smiles… done with all the bullshit.  I'm sick of playing this game, so I'll be the one to stop.  However, if you think that just because your father jumped ship on us that this is over and we'll back off… guess again.  This is FAR from over.  It won't be over until I get my girl back… and until Paul gets his.  And you know what?  Go ahead, show this to your daddy.  He won't be able to stop me… no one can.  You seem to be forgetting who I am, Shane.  I'm Brock Lesnar, and I ALWAYS get what I want.  I've gotten to the point where I just don't care anymore.  I'll do ANYTHING to get Britney back… even if it means taking out you, the pretty boy, and your dear old dad.  Time is ticking, Shane.  Paul and I are becoming impatient.  When this is all over with, Britney and Stephanie will be ours again… and we WON'T have it any other way.  Enjoy this time while it lasts, because once we get our shit together, it's over.  I know you think you're clever, what with all your "sources" watching over me, reporting everything I do to Britney and Adam back to you.  Well, I have my sources, too… and they're watching over you and your baby cousin and sister constantly.  Unlike you, I don't hide the fact that I have other people do my work for me.  Your problem, Shane, is that I'm always one step ahead.  That's why you never liked me, isn't it?  When Britney or Stephanie needed protection from a guy, you could always help.  If you couldn't physically beat the guy up, you outsmarted him.  Well, you certainly can't overpower me, but you also can't outsmart me… and that kills you, doesn't it?  I came along, and suddenly, you couldn't protect little Britney could you?  I'm always one step ahead… remember that… one step ahead.  And that eats you alive.  The only person who could ever make Shane McMahon nervous, or afraid… that's me.  Always one step ahead, never forgetting, but never looking back.  Now that I've said all I've needed to, try and enjoy your birthday… it could be your last.  

                                                                        -Brock

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