PART 33

AT A HOSPITAL- TUESDAY MORNING

    Brock Lesnar opened his eyes to find himself in a very white room.  His head pounded and his whole face felt like it was blown up, not to mention the fact that his ribs felt like someone had taken about eight knives and stabbed him with them.

"Ooh man… where the hell am I?" he asked no in particular.  He didn't really think anyone was in the room with him at the moment.

"Brock!  Oh, thank God you're awake!" a female voice called.  Brock turned to his side, immediately recognizing the voice.  He couldn't believe she would actually be here, wherever here was, anyway.

"Mom?  What the hell are you doing here?" Brock asked, confused.

"My son is in the hospital, of course I'd be here," she replied.  She came over to his bed, sitting next to him on top of the white sheets.

All of a sudden, Brock realized that he was indeed in a hospital… and he recalled what had happened to put him there.  Those damn punks jumped him in the ring, beating the living hell out of him.  Then they let that damn Adam Copeland choke him until he was seeing spots, and THEN they left him to pass out in the corner of the ring!  They couldn't even fight fair… they had to send out at least fifteen men to kick his ass instead of one.  Lesnar supposed it wasn't really a fair fight when he attacked Britney, but still… the circumstances were different.  Turning his head, he eyed his mother for a minute.  She was aware of all that Brock had done to Britney and all his previous girlfriends, yet she still supported him and was at his side unconditionally.  Brock thought it was nice in a way, but it was also pretty damn annoying.  Sometimes he wondered why she wouldn't just follow his dad's lead and stay out of his life.  He was 25 years old, it wasn't like he needed a mother or father anyway.

"Well, what about Dad?  Does he know you're out here to see me?" he asked curiously.  Brock's father didn't exactly like him.  In fact, he practically disowned him after he'd witnessed Brock hitting one of his girlfriends, not Britney.  He'd also caught Brock about to hit Britney, but he stopped him when his fist was in the air.  Needless to say, Mr. Lesnar wasn't too fond of his son.

"Yes, I told him, and he wasn't thrilled with the idea.  But I don't really care… I just had to see after what those horrible men did to you, Brock.  And I wanted to kill that Edge character for trying to choke my baby…"

"Would you shut up!?" Brock interrupted, pushing her away.  "I'm NOT your baby… I never was!  And don't worry about what Adam Copeland did to me!  We just have problems with each other because he's with Britney and he knows about us."

Mrs. Lesnar shook her head.  "That doesn't give him a right to try and choke the life out of you!  Why don't you complain to Mr. McMahon about this?  He was always a reasonable guy," she suggested. 

"MOM, it was Vince's idea in the first place," Brock told her, to which her eyes widened.

"Well that's not right!  He… he can't do that!  You need to file a complaint against the company or him or some-"

"MOM!  Shut the hell up!" he yelled, wincing as his head pounded.  "Did you not SEE Smackdown?  I attacked Britney, remember?  That wasn't staged, I just did it!  I choked her first, so I guess Adam felt he had a right to defend his girlfriend!  You know what… here's an idea, Mom.  Stay the fuck out of my life."

"Brock, I… don't talk to me like that, please.  What's happened to you?  Where is my son?  What happened to my baby boy?  I raised you to be a man, not this… this… monster," she asked with obvious hurt, a tear working its way down each of her cheeks.

"He must have bumped his head along the way."  The Lesnars looked up to see Paul Levesque standing at the door.

"Hey man," Brock said gratefully.  Maybe now I can finally get rid of this woman. 

"Brock, we have a little business to talk about.  Sorry, Mrs. Lesnar, you'll have to step out," Paul said gruffly.  He made a motion to the door.

"Bye Mom," Brock said tauntingly, watching his mother leave the room, shaking her head in pained disbelief.

"Alright, first thing's first… you look like shit man," Levesque said laughing.  Brock glared at him, not feeling too humorous at the moment.

"No fucking kidding.  My whole head aches like you wouldn't believe.  That bastard RVD broke my damn cheekbone, my ribs are bruised and you know what sucks?  Vince says I still have to work Monday.  You know, I didn't see you rushing out there to help me last night," he said, almost angrily.

Paul laughed, "Yeah right, and blow my cover.  You know, there are still some people who don't we're in this together… they just think I've befriended you cause I'm an asshole.  And just so you know, I DID try to help you, but as soon as I got to guerilla position, I saw the divas with Vince and Shane.  They were watching on the big monitor… you know they'd never let me past them." 

Brock nodded, wincing in pain as he suddenly recalled his bruised ribs.  "Ow… shit.  Alright, so, what's the business?  Or was that just a ploy to get rid of my mother?" he asked.  Sitting down on the chair against the wall, Paul stretched out his legs.

"Not really business, just news.  I just thought I'd let you know that the lovebirds are off to Canada to visit Copeland's mommy.  They're skipping Smackdown and staying till Monday… they'll be back for Raw," he informed.

Brock smirked, "Oh man, what a friggen mama's boy… so, are you gonna head out there after them?" he asked.

"Nah… I got 'business' to attend to.  I obviously have to do Smackdown, and then I have some plans for the weekend," Levesque explained.  Traces of an evil smirk began to show on his face.  Brock matched Paul's grin with one of his own.

"Really?  And just what do these… plans, entail?" he asked with great interest.

"Well, I did some observing, and eavesdropping, and this is what I found out.  Jay Reso is doing appearances with Jericho all weekend," he replied proudly.  Brock raised an eyebrow.

"So?"

"So, if Reso's away all weekend, that means Stephie will be home all alone.  If she's home alone all weekend, then Jay…"

"Jay won't be there to stop you from doing anything," Brock finished for him.  Levesque nodded, sending him an ear-to-ear grin.  "Smart Paul… very smart.  Well, I'd say good luck, but luck's for losers."

"Mr. Lesnar?"  A woman in a nurse's uniform called from the doorway.  "The doctor wants to take you in for a couple tests now."

Brock eyed the nurse for a couple seconds.  She was young, maybe 24-25, and she was tall… she had to be 5'9".  She was built nicely, and she had long blonde hair that was pulled back into a bun.  She was actually pretty hott.  And in that nurse's outfit, she could have easily been passed off as a porn star.  Paul saw Brock eyeing the young woman hungrily.  He looked like a lion eyeing his prey… and he was about to pounce. 

"Too easy Brock," Paul said, standing up to leave the room.  As he walked to the door, the nurse stopped him.

"Oh wow, you're Triple H," she said, admiring him as she touched his bicep in awe. 

"Yes, I am.  Nice to meet you… Jessica," he said, noting her nametag.  He grinned, exiting the room and making his way down the corridor.

Brock smiled from his bed.  He's right, he thought as the nurse switched her gaze from Paul to him.  He noticed how she was eyeing him appreciatively as he got up out of the hospital bed.  Way too easy.

ORANGEVILLE, ONTARIO- FRIDAY

"So, are you having fun?" Adam asked Britney as they laid in the guest bedroom he had put in his mom's new house.

Britney smiled fondly at the memory.  She'd thought it was amazingly sweet that her boyfriend bought his mother a house for Christmas.  It was something they'd always dreamed of when Adam was a kid, but being a single mother was not an easy way to live.  It had always been impossible to afford her house.  She remembered when Adam approached her with the idea.  "Babe, I want to buy my mom a house this year.  She's done enough for me in my lifetime… I think I should give her something she'll really enjoy."  After seeing the way both Brock and Adam treated their mothers, Britney found the saying "How they treat their mother is how they'll treat you," to be totally true.

"Yeah, I really am.  I really like your family, Adam.  They're great people," she answered, smiling up at him. 

The past few days with the Copeland's had been great.  Compared to the McMahon clan, they were total opposites.  Adam's family was so… different from hers.  They were more civilized, more close-knit, more loving… more like a family.  They were always doing things together, even if it was little stuff, like going to the grocery store.  They weren't only family, they were friends.  They liked to hang out and spend time together.  The only family Britney was that close to was Stephanie and Shane, and that was only because she lived with them.

"They are good people.  I'm glad you're having a good time," he said, shifting slightly, pulling her close so he could kiss the top of her forehead.

He kissed her forehead again as she replied, "Yeah, me too.  I really feel welcome here… I'm starting to get afraid that I'll get too comfortable around everyone… and God knows that I can't afford that."  Adam raised an eyebrow at that.  She gave a weak laugh, but somehow he didn't think she felt it was all that funny.

"W-why wouldn't you want to be comfortable around them?" he asked curiously. 

"I-I didn't really mean anything by it.  I just… I don't like getting too close to people… when you get close, you let your guard down.  I don't like to let too many people see the real me," she answered quietly, as if she was hoping he wouldn't hear her.

"Why wouldn't you want people to see the real you?  They already love you," Adam told her.

Britney shrugged, resting her head on his collarbone.  "Yeah, but they don't really know me, Adam.  I mean, they don't know about my past, or all the problems I've had.  I-I mean… who wants their son or nephew to be dating a former crack addict?"

Adam winced at her statement.  The reminder of her problems and addiction stung.  He knew that it was what made her hold back, refrain from showing people the REAL Britney.  He wished none of that had ever happened… maybe then she would find it easier to open up to people about herself.

"Oh, come on babe.  You don't have to tell them *every* detail of your past.  There are things about me that my family doesn't know.  They love you, Brit, and you know why?" he encouraged her to guess.

"Because I'm your girlfriend and they have to like me," she offered weakly.

Shaking his head, Adam replied, "No.  It's because they see what I see in you.  And what I see in you is a beautiful, intelligent, amazing woman, inside and out.  They fell in love with you for the same reasons myself, Chris, Jay, Mark, Shane, Amy, Kurt and everyone else did… because it's impossible NOT to fall in love with you when you first meet."  Britney sighed audibly.  As sweet as the Canadian's comments were, he was missing the point.

"But that's just it, Adam.  The reason people like me so much when they first meet me is because I give them what they want.  People don't immediately fall in love with someone whose life is fucked up like mine.  So I give them what they want to see… bubbly, fun loving, easy-going personality… everything the perfect woman should be.  It's a false personality," she explained.  Adam pushed away from her slightly, running his fingers through her soft blonde hair.

"Well, I don't think so.  Maybe you feel it's a false personality because you fell like you're hiding so much.  But regardless of what you think, I know that you are a fun loving, easy-going person… you're just a little troubled.  I also know that you can be that way without coming across as phony.  You don't have to tell them anything.  That's the beauty of meeting new people… it erases your past," he responded.

Britney smiled.  Someone upstairs must REALLY like me, because I've done absolutely nothing to deserve a man like this. 

"I love you, Adam," she said in response.  Ever since the night she'd first said that, it became increasingly easier to say it to him.  She supposed it was because she truly did love him.  It also felt very empowering… like she finally had control of her own emotions. 

Adam grinned, "I love you too, Brit.  And so does everyone else.  Don't ever forget that."

Britney grinned as well.  She slid in close, resting her head back against his collarbone.  As he brought his lips down to hers, they kissed sweetly.  Shortly thereafter, the two drifted off to sleep in the comfort of one another's arms.

VERY EARLY SATURDAY MORNING

    Stephanie McMahon walked up the driveway of a large house, cursing as she tripped over a rock.  She hoped and prayed that someone would answer the door when she knocked, as it was around four in the morning.  Steph knew she should have waited till later in the day, as the people she was going to see had no idea she was even in town, but she wasn't exactly thinking straight.  After what had happened to her, she left the house and ran the entire five blocks.  That was no easy task, considering the amount of pain she was in.  She made it up the driveway, then slowed down her pace as she walked up the front steps.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she frantically pounded on the door.  The curtain in the large front window was open a crack, so the brunette peered inside.  There was a woman laying on the couch, and the dark room was being illuminated by the light of a television.  She must have fallen asleep while watching TV.  Upon seeing her, Stephanie turned and banged harder on the door, hoping to stir the woman out of her sleep.  Sure enough, a few moments later, she heard the locks undoing and the doorknob turning.  As the door was pulled open, the tired looking woman gasped.

"Stephanie?  What are you… oh God, honey, what happened?"  As the screen door was unlocked, Stephanie entered the house, grabbing the woman by the arm.

"Oh, Ms. Copeland, I… I need to see Britney.  I-I'm sorry it's so late, but… it… it's an emergency," she choked out.  Judy Copeland led the crying woman to the living room, sitting her down on the couch. 

"It's okay sweetie, don't worry about it.  I'll go up and get her," she said soothingly.

She turned and disappeared up the steps, leaving Stephanie sobbing quietly on the couch.  As she winced uncomfortably, she thought of what had happened earlier.  She swore she would never let something like this happen to her, that she was too strong for it, but it did.  It did and she couldn't do a damn thing to change it.

"Steph?"  A masculine voice called from up the steps, causing her to jump.  She looked up to see Adam slowly coming towards her.  He was wearing only boxers, and his hair was slightly messy from being asleep.

"A-Adam?  Where's Britney?" she asked, sniffling.  Stopping in front of her, Adam eyed the pretty brunette, who had lowered her head when he'd approached.  Taking the band from his wrist he pulled his hair back and then kneeled down in front of her.

"She's coming, honey.  What… Steph, what's wrong?  Why are you crying?" he asked.  More like, why are you crying in my mom's living room at four in the morning.  He shifted and sat down next to her on the couch, gently placing his hand on her shoulder.  He winced as she yanked almost violently away. 

"Don't… touch me," she said, shifting away from him. 

Adam watched her move, noting how she winced, seemingly in pain.  What the hell is going on?  The Canadian also noticed that she was shaking, and he didn't know what to do.  He wanted to comfort her, but she'd made it pretty clear that she didn't want him making any contact with her.  He rubbed his eyes tiredly… this couldn't be good.  All of a sudden, he got a terrible feeling in the pit of his stomach.  He looked up and saw his girlfriend at the bottom of the stairs, clad in the shorts and tank top pajama set she had worn to bed, her hair piled on top of her head in a messy ponytail.  He sent her a helpless look, shrugging at her as she made her way towards them, yawning about halfway across the room.  In an attempt to calm Stephanie down, Adam spoke again.

"Look Steph… Britney's here now," he said, going to touch her arm again, but pulling back once he remembered her reaction to him touching her a few moments ago.  She looked up to see her cousin, who was motioning for Adam to get up.  As Adam stood and Britney took his place, Stephanie collapsed right into Britney's arms.  As Britney hugged the brunette tightly, she tried to figure out what was going on. 

"Steph… Steph, what is it?  Come on honey, tell me what happened," she asked, running her hands up and down her back soothingly.

Stephanie sobbed loudly against her, trying her best to speak, "I… I… oh God Brit!  I'm… I… I'm just so scared!"

She broke off, her words turning into sobs again.  Adam couldn't stand to watch, so he placed his hand on her knee, unable to resist the urge to do so.  He couldn't just sit there and watch one of his very good friends cry her eyes out and not do something.  Feeling her stiffen at his touch, Britney reached out and smacked Adam's hand.  As she sent him a chastising look, he backed away.  She pointed to the kitchen, signaling for him to go away.  Adam sighed, but turned to leave.  As her boyfriend was exiting the room, the blonde woman questioned her cousin again. 

"What do you mean?  What happened?  What are you scared of?" she asked, searching for an explanation.  Stephanie shook her head, burying her face into Britney's chest.  Snapping her fingers to get Adam's attention, she mouthed to him, "Get her a drink or something."  Nodding, the tall man disappeared into the kitchen.

She tried to question Stephanie once more, "Come on Steph, talk to me.  What the hell happened?"

"I… I was… oh God.  I swore I wouldn't let it happen Brit, but it did.  I…" she stopped. 

Britney was about to coerce her some more, but she saw Adam heading their way with a glass of water in his hand.  She took the glass from him and offered it to Stephanie with her right hand, once again shooing him away with her left.  As Stephanie thirstily gulped down the cool water, Britney reached out and put her hand on the back of Steph's neck, softly playing with her hair.  The back of her neck underneath her hair was soaked, and Britney assumed it was sweat.  When she pulled her hand away to wipe it off, she gasped as she discovered that this was not the case.  Adam froze at his girlfriend's horrified words.

"Oh my God… Steph… you're bleeding."  Turning around sharply, Adam marched right back to the women, not caring if he startled anyone or not. 

 "Who did this to you?" he demanded, seething. 

Stephanie sniffed again and quietly whispered, "P-Paul."  Britney's eyes widened slightly and Adam felt his blood increasingly coming to a boil.  She looked up at the two, a single tear sliding down her cheek as she painfully said the words. 

"He… he raped me."

Hey everyone… thanks for all the reviews I've been getting so far.. especially from the people who review every chapter… that means a hell of a lot to me.  It'd be nice if some other people would come out and review too (not a hint or anything... lol).  But anyway, what did you think??  Let me know, and I'll put the next part up within the next couple of days!!!  33