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"Control? Princess, no one is loyal to you, you should know that by now" sneered Jericho, one hand on the door, preparing to open it.
"Oh please Jericho, don't you think I might have learnt from the last invasion? I now know what it is I have to do to gain people's trust, you on the other hand I'd never trust because the minute I'd turn my back you'd stick a knife in it, goodbye"
It was a commanding dismissal but Jericho stood his ground for a few more moments
"Face it Stephanie, we're too much alike for your own comfort and you don't want to admit that, see ya"
He slipped out of the door before Steph could pull herself together enough to snap back an answer. She fumed, feeling her anger rising again but clenched her fists at her sides, her nails digging into the soft flesh of her palms. She was not going to lose her temper, she was not. First that idiot security guard at the door had the pathetic idea that she and Jericho would make a cute couple and now Jericho suggested that they were alike!
"In his dreams" she muttered, sitting herself down on the couch
There was a soft tap at the door and Shane poked his hair around it. He sighed inwardly when he saw Steph, she looked as though she was ready to explode, her scowl ferocious, her eyes narrowed. He smiled tentatively, he didn't really want to be on the end of her anger right now
"Hey sis, what's up?" he tried, stepping inside
"Jericho" she hissed "he just..he...urgh!"
She couldn't splutter out what he'd done, causing Shane to grin widely. Jericho always got under Steph's skin everytime, just as she got under his. Shane sat down next to Steph and put a comforting hand on her knee
"Its OK Steph, we can fire him if you want" he said consolingly
"Really?" Steph perked up at this suggestion "oh but he's a good talent, it's just his personality that needs an overhaul"
"Like a lot of people around here" Shane teased "but don't worry because tonight, the two people you hate most are going to be tearing each other apart in a Hell in a Cell"
"I know, Hunter and Jericho will mutilate each other" she said laughing "and I get to watch"
Shane shook his head, it never failed to amaze him at the pleasure Steph got from her enemies pain, it was kind of twisted. But that was Steph. He got up and flicked the monitor on in front of them, handing her a cup of coffee as he sat down again. On screen Rob was flying into a split legged moonsault onto Guerrero. Steph smiled, he really was an arial master. The plan was for her and Shane to watch the show and help out those of their group who needed it so that by the end, their whole pack would be victorious. She took a gulp of coffee, it wasn't too bad, not like the muck she'd been given before.
"So all the contracts are signed and sealed?" she asked, her eyes not leaving the monitor
"Every last one" replied Shane patiently
"And they're in a safe place?"
"Locked up them away safely where Dad won't think of looking for them, any memory of us using his computer system will be wiped right?"
"Sure thing, he'll never know"
Shane sat back, locking his fingers behind his head. He loved it when everything went to plan. The atmosphere in the room was comfortable, broken only be Steph's bursts of shouts at the screen, cheering Rob on or insulting Eddie. Stephanie gulped her coffee down quickly, her eyes widening as she took everything in that happened on screen.
"He's going to win! That creep Guerrero is going to win!" she yelled suddenly
She was right, Guerrero definitely had the upper hand and was gleefully picking Rob apart. Shane's mind raced, this was not going to plan, Rob had pretty much guaranteed that he'd bring the Intercontinental title to them at the end of the night and right now, it didn't look like it was happening. Shane felt gravity shift as Steph leapt off the couch, that unmissable determined look on her face. He quickly got to his feet and grabbed her arm before she could move anywhere
"Where are you going?" he asked
"Out there to help Rob, where else? Now let go of me!" she said through gritted teeth
"Oh no you're not" corrected Shane shaking his head "you know what happens when you try and help people out in the ring, you get hurt or knocked out or the people you try to help lose"
"Hey! I helped Hunter to several title victories as well as Kurt to his first" Steph snapped back, her eyes flashing "if people want to hurt me or get in the way then that's their problem"
Shane sighed, dropping his head to gather his thoughts but keeping an iron grip on Steph's arm as she tried to struggle away.
"No Steph, I don't want you getting hurt, besides we do have other people to help us" he said finally
"Fine" Steph sat down suddenly, crossing her arms over her chest and scowling like a sulking teenager "call someone to do it for us then"
Shane smiled at her childishness that she'd never quite outgrown. He pulled his cell out of his suit pocket and dialled a number. As soon as the person answered, he began speaking
"Jamie, Shane here...yeah glad you liked the way we took care of Vince...now listen, I want you to get out there and help Rob win, we want that Intercontinental title in the right hands....yes you can take Nidia with you.....as in now, yes right now, get going, do whatever it takes but don't let the ref catch you...yeah bye"
He snapped the phone off and put it back into his pocket before turning to smirk at his sister
"Taken care of, happy?" he asked
"Very." Stephanie answered back with a smirk on her face. They watched the monitor as Jamie Noble and Nidia raced down to the ring. The referee tried telling them to go back and Nidia smiled.
"We're just here to watch." She said innocently, taking her place on the outside of the ring, just closest to Eddie. Jamie took the side opposite from her and Eddie was looking at them warily, still making sure to keep one eye on his prone opponent. He made up his mind to go for the Five Star Frog Splash and Jamie rushed over and pulled one of his legs out from underneath him.
The referee instantly rushed over and had his back turned to RVD, who had grabbed the belt. He looked over to make sure the referee was preoccupied with the two and rushed at Eddie, slamming him upside the head with the metal. Eddie instantly fell to the ground, near unconscious, and RVD took the opportunity to climb up the turnbuckles and execute a perfect Frog Splash. The ref turned back around and counted out the 1, 2, and 3.
"He won!" Stephanie exclaimed, jumping up off the couch. She grabbed her jacket and didn't even wait for Shane as she rushed out of the room to meet Rob at the curtain.
"Steph wait!" Shane called as he ran behind her. She paid no attention to him and only stopped when she saw Rob pushing back the curtain, walking with a slight limp.
She supported one side of him and he smiled gratefully. "You did terrific." She complimented as the three walked back towards the medics.
Shane stopped walking. "I'll meet you guys there. I want to tell Jamie and Nidia what a great job they did." He waited until Stephanie nodded and walked briskly over to the locker room of the Cruiserweight Champion and his girlfriend.
RVD watched warily as Stephanie led him past the usual medic's room. "Hey Steph, I need to go that way." He pointed. "If I want to get my leg checked out."
She smiled genuinely. "Rob, do you honestly think we'd let our talent be treated the same as everyone else?" She didn't give him a chance to respond and held a door open for him. She followed him in and nearly bumped into him as he stopped abruptly. Stephanie put her hands on her hips and smiled as she glanced around at the room that only McMahon money could have bought.
There were three different areas sectioned off in the otherwise open room. One section was filled with various exercise equipment, including a full set of free weights and a hot tub. The second was a medic's station where Christian was presently getting his knee taped up. He gave them a half- hearted wave as Rob sat in the chair opposite of him.
"That was a killer title defense." RVD complimented, sliding his knee brace off.
Christian shrugged. "Yeah I guess. But we would have been dead if drew hadn't come out to help. I wish the writing team would have us legitimately win a match for once." He said pointedly in Stephanie's direction.
She stifled a groan and then glanced back at the two. "I'll see what I can do." She said finally.
All three of them looked up as a loud commotion was heard in the doorway.
Stephanie got up and walked over briskly, Christian and RVD behind her. She rolled her eyes when she saw her ex-husband, Kurt Angle, and Edge protesting to some security guards. "It's the three stooges." She commented loudly, getting their attention. "Get Jericho over here and we got ourselves a par-tay."
Triple H narrowed his eyes and tried to take a step towards her but was stopped by security. "I don't know what you're trying to pull Steph, but I want you to know that whatever it is, I'll be combating you one hundred percent of the way."
"I would have been disappointed if you didn't." Stephanie replied easily.
"And I still don't get why you picked those two losers over me." Kurt complained, gesturing to RVD and Christian.
Edge nodded in agreement. "Right, we are so much better then those dorks. Kurt and myself would have made better additions to-" He stopped when Triple H hit him upside the head. "Ow, what the f... What was that for?"
"We're supposed to be threatening her." He explained. "Not trying to join her side." He put his hand to his forehead. "You both are jackasses; I swear to God you are."
Stephanie watched with arms crossed over her chest, an amused smile on her face. She leaned over so she was right next to him and whispered in his ear: "I don't think the enemy is supposed to be hearing your strategy."
He pulled back as if he got burned and scowled at her before stalking away. He was followed closely by edge and Kurt Angle, who kept glancing back at the room Stephanie was in.
"That is so sad." She muttered before pulling the door shut.
*~*~*~*
Shane kept glancing over his shoulder as he ran as fast as he could down the narrow hallway. His father's protests could be heard as he ran. "He's not supposed to be able to run this fucking fast." Shane muttered, fumbling with his two-way as he pulled it out of his pocket. He sent out a quick message and looked up just in time to avoid running into Hulk Hogan and the Rock. "Shit."
"Woah, woah. Where are you off to in such a hot hurry?" The Rock asked, steadying him with one hand. "Think you're all big and bad-ass setting this up with your sister and now you're running away?"
Shane swallowed dryly. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Vince rounding the corner, a pure death glare on his face. He then looked past the two and a smile came to his face.
"And now he's smiling." Hogan pointed out. "The stupid boy don't know he's about to get his ass kicked. Doesn't surprise-" He was cut off as the two of them were attacked from behind by the Un-Americans.
Vince saw this and skidded to a stop. This wasn't supposed to happen. Apparently he had underestimated his children; they were McMahon's after all. He watched as Shane stood apart from it, a smug smile on his face.
"How ya feeling Dad?" He called mockingly, once Hogan and the Rock were lying prone on the ground. "I knew that you didn't trust me when I came to your office, but you let me stay anyway. So actually, you kinda brought this upon yourself." He turned around and started walking away when he stopped again and faced his father. "Oh and Dad, you don't have to bother coming to RAW tomorrow, they have no need for you in the production crew."
Vince observed Shane walking away and only until he couldn't see him anymore did he kneel down to try and help his two fallen superstars.
"Control? Princess, no one is loyal to you, you should know that by now" sneered Jericho, one hand on the door, preparing to open it.
"Oh please Jericho, don't you think I might have learnt from the last invasion? I now know what it is I have to do to gain people's trust, you on the other hand I'd never trust because the minute I'd turn my back you'd stick a knife in it, goodbye"
It was a commanding dismissal but Jericho stood his ground for a few more moments
"Face it Stephanie, we're too much alike for your own comfort and you don't want to admit that, see ya"
He slipped out of the door before Steph could pull herself together enough to snap back an answer. She fumed, feeling her anger rising again but clenched her fists at her sides, her nails digging into the soft flesh of her palms. She was not going to lose her temper, she was not. First that idiot security guard at the door had the pathetic idea that she and Jericho would make a cute couple and now Jericho suggested that they were alike!
"In his dreams" she muttered, sitting herself down on the couch
There was a soft tap at the door and Shane poked his hair around it. He sighed inwardly when he saw Steph, she looked as though she was ready to explode, her scowl ferocious, her eyes narrowed. He smiled tentatively, he didn't really want to be on the end of her anger right now
"Hey sis, what's up?" he tried, stepping inside
"Jericho" she hissed "he just..he...urgh!"
She couldn't splutter out what he'd done, causing Shane to grin widely. Jericho always got under Steph's skin everytime, just as she got under his. Shane sat down next to Steph and put a comforting hand on her knee
"Its OK Steph, we can fire him if you want" he said consolingly
"Really?" Steph perked up at this suggestion "oh but he's a good talent, it's just his personality that needs an overhaul"
"Like a lot of people around here" Shane teased "but don't worry because tonight, the two people you hate most are going to be tearing each other apart in a Hell in a Cell"
"I know, Hunter and Jericho will mutilate each other" she said laughing "and I get to watch"
Shane shook his head, it never failed to amaze him at the pleasure Steph got from her enemies pain, it was kind of twisted. But that was Steph. He got up and flicked the monitor on in front of them, handing her a cup of coffee as he sat down again. On screen Rob was flying into a split legged moonsault onto Guerrero. Steph smiled, he really was an arial master. The plan was for her and Shane to watch the show and help out those of their group who needed it so that by the end, their whole pack would be victorious. She took a gulp of coffee, it wasn't too bad, not like the muck she'd been given before.
"So all the contracts are signed and sealed?" she asked, her eyes not leaving the monitor
"Every last one" replied Shane patiently
"And they're in a safe place?"
"Locked up them away safely where Dad won't think of looking for them, any memory of us using his computer system will be wiped right?"
"Sure thing, he'll never know"
Shane sat back, locking his fingers behind his head. He loved it when everything went to plan. The atmosphere in the room was comfortable, broken only be Steph's bursts of shouts at the screen, cheering Rob on or insulting Eddie. Stephanie gulped her coffee down quickly, her eyes widening as she took everything in that happened on screen.
"He's going to win! That creep Guerrero is going to win!" she yelled suddenly
She was right, Guerrero definitely had the upper hand and was gleefully picking Rob apart. Shane's mind raced, this was not going to plan, Rob had pretty much guaranteed that he'd bring the Intercontinental title to them at the end of the night and right now, it didn't look like it was happening. Shane felt gravity shift as Steph leapt off the couch, that unmissable determined look on her face. He quickly got to his feet and grabbed her arm before she could move anywhere
"Where are you going?" he asked
"Out there to help Rob, where else? Now let go of me!" she said through gritted teeth
"Oh no you're not" corrected Shane shaking his head "you know what happens when you try and help people out in the ring, you get hurt or knocked out or the people you try to help lose"
"Hey! I helped Hunter to several title victories as well as Kurt to his first" Steph snapped back, her eyes flashing "if people want to hurt me or get in the way then that's their problem"
Shane sighed, dropping his head to gather his thoughts but keeping an iron grip on Steph's arm as she tried to struggle away.
"No Steph, I don't want you getting hurt, besides we do have other people to help us" he said finally
"Fine" Steph sat down suddenly, crossing her arms over her chest and scowling like a sulking teenager "call someone to do it for us then"
Shane smiled at her childishness that she'd never quite outgrown. He pulled his cell out of his suit pocket and dialled a number. As soon as the person answered, he began speaking
"Jamie, Shane here...yeah glad you liked the way we took care of Vince...now listen, I want you to get out there and help Rob win, we want that Intercontinental title in the right hands....yes you can take Nidia with you.....as in now, yes right now, get going, do whatever it takes but don't let the ref catch you...yeah bye"
He snapped the phone off and put it back into his pocket before turning to smirk at his sister
"Taken care of, happy?" he asked
"Very." Stephanie answered back with a smirk on her face. They watched the monitor as Jamie Noble and Nidia raced down to the ring. The referee tried telling them to go back and Nidia smiled.
"We're just here to watch." She said innocently, taking her place on the outside of the ring, just closest to Eddie. Jamie took the side opposite from her and Eddie was looking at them warily, still making sure to keep one eye on his prone opponent. He made up his mind to go for the Five Star Frog Splash and Jamie rushed over and pulled one of his legs out from underneath him.
The referee instantly rushed over and had his back turned to RVD, who had grabbed the belt. He looked over to make sure the referee was preoccupied with the two and rushed at Eddie, slamming him upside the head with the metal. Eddie instantly fell to the ground, near unconscious, and RVD took the opportunity to climb up the turnbuckles and execute a perfect Frog Splash. The ref turned back around and counted out the 1, 2, and 3.
"He won!" Stephanie exclaimed, jumping up off the couch. She grabbed her jacket and didn't even wait for Shane as she rushed out of the room to meet Rob at the curtain.
"Steph wait!" Shane called as he ran behind her. She paid no attention to him and only stopped when she saw Rob pushing back the curtain, walking with a slight limp.
She supported one side of him and he smiled gratefully. "You did terrific." She complimented as the three walked back towards the medics.
Shane stopped walking. "I'll meet you guys there. I want to tell Jamie and Nidia what a great job they did." He waited until Stephanie nodded and walked briskly over to the locker room of the Cruiserweight Champion and his girlfriend.
RVD watched warily as Stephanie led him past the usual medic's room. "Hey Steph, I need to go that way." He pointed. "If I want to get my leg checked out."
She smiled genuinely. "Rob, do you honestly think we'd let our talent be treated the same as everyone else?" She didn't give him a chance to respond and held a door open for him. She followed him in and nearly bumped into him as he stopped abruptly. Stephanie put her hands on her hips and smiled as she glanced around at the room that only McMahon money could have bought.
There were three different areas sectioned off in the otherwise open room. One section was filled with various exercise equipment, including a full set of free weights and a hot tub. The second was a medic's station where Christian was presently getting his knee taped up. He gave them a half- hearted wave as Rob sat in the chair opposite of him.
"That was a killer title defense." RVD complimented, sliding his knee brace off.
Christian shrugged. "Yeah I guess. But we would have been dead if drew hadn't come out to help. I wish the writing team would have us legitimately win a match for once." He said pointedly in Stephanie's direction.
She stifled a groan and then glanced back at the two. "I'll see what I can do." She said finally.
All three of them looked up as a loud commotion was heard in the doorway.
Stephanie got up and walked over briskly, Christian and RVD behind her. She rolled her eyes when she saw her ex-husband, Kurt Angle, and Edge protesting to some security guards. "It's the three stooges." She commented loudly, getting their attention. "Get Jericho over here and we got ourselves a par-tay."
Triple H narrowed his eyes and tried to take a step towards her but was stopped by security. "I don't know what you're trying to pull Steph, but I want you to know that whatever it is, I'll be combating you one hundred percent of the way."
"I would have been disappointed if you didn't." Stephanie replied easily.
"And I still don't get why you picked those two losers over me." Kurt complained, gesturing to RVD and Christian.
Edge nodded in agreement. "Right, we are so much better then those dorks. Kurt and myself would have made better additions to-" He stopped when Triple H hit him upside the head. "Ow, what the f... What was that for?"
"We're supposed to be threatening her." He explained. "Not trying to join her side." He put his hand to his forehead. "You both are jackasses; I swear to God you are."
Stephanie watched with arms crossed over her chest, an amused smile on her face. She leaned over so she was right next to him and whispered in his ear: "I don't think the enemy is supposed to be hearing your strategy."
He pulled back as if he got burned and scowled at her before stalking away. He was followed closely by edge and Kurt Angle, who kept glancing back at the room Stephanie was in.
"That is so sad." She muttered before pulling the door shut.
*~*~*~*
Shane kept glancing over his shoulder as he ran as fast as he could down the narrow hallway. His father's protests could be heard as he ran. "He's not supposed to be able to run this fucking fast." Shane muttered, fumbling with his two-way as he pulled it out of his pocket. He sent out a quick message and looked up just in time to avoid running into Hulk Hogan and the Rock. "Shit."
"Woah, woah. Where are you off to in such a hot hurry?" The Rock asked, steadying him with one hand. "Think you're all big and bad-ass setting this up with your sister and now you're running away?"
Shane swallowed dryly. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Vince rounding the corner, a pure death glare on his face. He then looked past the two and a smile came to his face.
"And now he's smiling." Hogan pointed out. "The stupid boy don't know he's about to get his ass kicked. Doesn't surprise-" He was cut off as the two of them were attacked from behind by the Un-Americans.
Vince saw this and skidded to a stop. This wasn't supposed to happen. Apparently he had underestimated his children; they were McMahon's after all. He watched as Shane stood apart from it, a smug smile on his face.
"How ya feeling Dad?" He called mockingly, once Hogan and the Rock were lying prone on the ground. "I knew that you didn't trust me when I came to your office, but you let me stay anyway. So actually, you kinda brought this upon yourself." He turned around and started walking away when he stopped again and faced his father. "Oh and Dad, you don't have to bother coming to RAW tomorrow, they have no need for you in the production crew."
Vince observed Shane walking away and only until he couldn't see him anymore did he kneel down to try and help his two fallen superstars.