The following Monday night, Shawn Michaels interrupted Bischoff and Team Canada in the ring.  He told Bischoff that he wanted Hunter in the ring tonight.  Bischoff informed him that he would tell Hunter when he arrived.  Lance Storm, Christian and Test took offense at being interrupted and told Shawn he was a has-been and to get out of the ring.  Shawn told them to get over themselves, turned to Bischoff and repeated that he wanted Hunter tonight and then left the ring.

  Shawn went backstage looking for Hunter.  A few people told him that they hadn't seen him and that he may not have arrived yet.  Shawn marched to Hunter's locker room and banged on the door.  When no one answered, he opened in and walked in.  He didn't see anyone in the sitting area and as he turned to leave, he heard a noise from the bathroom.  He stormed over ready to take out his aggression on Hunter. 

  He came around the corner and stopped short.  There stood Jericho, washing his hands in the sink. 

  Jericho turned around.  "Well if it isn't the great HBK himself.  I was expecting someone else."  He paused and looked Shawn up and down.  "Someone female."

  "What are you doing in Triple H's locker room anyway Jericho?" Shawn demanded.

  "None of your business Junior."  He flicked his hair over his shoulder.  "By the way, Triple H hasn't shown up yet."

  "Get out of here before I beat the crap out of you Jericho."

  Jericho slid past Shawn.  "No problem jerky."  He sauntered out of the room and down the hall.

  Shawn looked around to see if there was any reason Jericho would be in Hunter's room.  It seemed strange enough that he was even at RAW, but to be in Hunter's room?  That was even stranger.  He searched the bathroom and the sitting area, but found nothing.  Jericho had said he was expecting someone... female.  Maybe he had been waiting for Evie.  What on earth would he be waiting for Evie for?  She couldn't stand the guy.  He shook the incident out of his mind and proceeded to look for Hunter.

  As Shawn searched for Hunter, Evie pulled the rental car in the parking lot.  She parked it and she and Hunter got out.  As they headed for the backstage area, she kept glancing at him.  He had a determined look on his face, which, coupled with his present mood, didn't bode well.  Hunter had been quiet for most of the day.  When she had asked him to explain to her why he had Pedigreed Shawn last week, he brushed her off saying that he would let everyone know why tonight.

  Evie had been wondering what was going on with him all week.  He seemed to be changing.  Not all at once, but in bits and pieces.  He was a bit more close-mouthed about things pertaining to Shawn.  She had shrugged it off at first, but now it was more and more frequent.  The only time he didn't seem preoccupied was when they had sex.

  They arrived at Hunter's locker room and she set her things down on the sofa.  Hunter dropped his bag on the floor and turned around to face her.  "I've got a couple things to take care of, so I need you to stay here."

  She narrowed her eyes.  "Personal things or business?"

  "Both," he said brusquely as he left the room.

  "Fine, I'll just wait right here then," she replied sarcastically and sat down on the sofa.  The remote for the monitor was on the side table.  She grabbed it and flicked the TV on.  At least she could see what was happening on the show tonight.

*****************

  Shawn walked out into the parking lot to wait for Hunter.  The man would have to show up sooner or later and this was a better place to wait.  He could head him off at the pass, so to speak.  He leaned back against someone's car.  He might as well get comfortable because he might be waiting for a while.  He still couldn't believe what Hunter had done to him.  And after a couple of conversations with Evie, it seemed that she hadn't believed it either.

  He had asked her if Hunter had said anything to her about what he did or why he did it.  Evie had replied that Hunter wasn't telling her anything.  Shawn grimaced at that remark.  He had told Evie to be careful around Hunter.  Even though he may not hurt her physically, he might use her in some scheme or the other and that could be just as bad. 

  Shawn walked around to the other side of the car and turned to face the driver's side.  It may not be such a good idea to be out in the open.  Not where Hunter was concerned.  He let his anger build up as he waited.  After all he and Hunter had been through, it pissed him off that his friend would do that to him. 

  He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't hear someone come up behind him.  Suddenly Shawn's hair was grabbed from behind and his head was slammed hard into the car window twice.  The first time his head bounced off; the second time the impact shattered the glass and cut his forehead.  The blow knocked Shawn out and he slumped to the ground as his assailant let go of his hair.  A low laugh could be heard and then the person walked away, leaving Shawn bleeding on the ground.

*****************

  Hunter walked out to the ring as his music hit.  He rolled in, grabbed a mic and started in on Shawn.

  "Shawn, I know you're out in the parking lot waiting for me.  I don't solve my problems in a parking lot; I solve them in the ring.  And I solved my problem last week when I pedigreed your ass in this very ring Shawn!"

  Catcalls and booing emanated from the audience, but that didn't slow Hunter down.  "You see, it was my idea for you to be my manager, but I guess that was asking too much.  "You couldn't give up the spotlight for me, could you?"

  "Shawn, it's time to face facts and the fact is, I have passed you by in every way.  I am the "Showstopper" now.  I am the icon.  Hell, I am The Game.  You are finished Shawn.  Your back is broken and busted and your mind is more handicapped than your body."

  "Did you really thing you could get in this ring and be my equal?  Last Monday was a little reality check for you Shawn.  Your career is over.  All you have left is your pride and all that can do is get you hurt."

  He smirked as he continued.  "You have two choices Shawn; you can listen to your pride and come down here, or you can put it aside and accept the fact that your career is finished and stand with me, at my side."

  Before Hunter could finish what he was saying, a referee came down to outside of the ring and shouted something to Hunter.  A look of concern showed on Hunters face and he dropped the mic and left the ring.  He walked out to the parking lot to find a group of people standing in a semi-circle.  He pushed through them to find Shawn lying on the ground with blood running down his face.  Hunter looked up to a car that was parked nearby and noticed that the driver's side window had a huge hole in it and there was blood spattered all over.  Hunter knelt next to Shawn, and then yelled at the people to go get some help.

  Evie had seen he whole thing on the monitor and a soon as they had shown Shawn, she leapt up and headed to the parking lot.  As she passed through the hall, she stopped at the triage area and told the paramedics on duty what had happened.  They rushed out with her. 

  She saw Hunter on the ground next to Shawn.  As she came up along side them, she saw the blood on Shawn and blanched.  Hunter looked up as she stopped next to him. 

  "Who the hell did this Hunter?"

  "I don't know Evie, but when I find out, there's gonna be hell to pay."  He stood up and backed away so the paramedics could take care of Shawn.  They got him onto a stretcher and were loading him into an ambulance when Bischoff showed up.

  Bischoff watched as the paramedics loaded Shawn into the ambulance.  He glanced at Hunter.  "I guess you guys must not be friends anymore after this... " he trailed off as Hunter got in his face.

  "Look Bischoff, I didn't do it so fuck you."  He turned away, grabbing Evie's hand and pulled her with him across the parking lot and back into the building.

  "Hunter?  Hey!  Hunter!" she yelled loud enough to break his concentration.

  He stopped abruptly.  "What?"
  "Would you let go of my arm before you pull it off?" she asked.  He grimaced as he let go of her and continued down the hall.  She had to trot to keep up with him. 

  He banged into the dressing room and picked his gear up.  "Get your shit packed up.  C'mon."  He motioned impatiently.

  "What's your hurry?" she asked sarcastically as she gathered up her things.

  "I wanna get to the hospital to make sure Shawn's okay.  Or are you that stupid?"

  "That was uncalled for," she shot back.  "You don't have to be an ass about it."

  "Well your sarcasm wasn't appreciated, okay?  Now let's get going."  He hustled her out of the room and to the car.

  When Hunter pulled up at the hotel, Evie looked surprised.  "I thought we were going to the hospital?"

  "I said I wanted to go to the hospital to check on Shawn."

  She sat still for a few seconds, not saying anything.  Hunter cleared his throat impatiently.  She lifted her eyes to look at him.  He was staring out the windshield, a mixed expression of anger and concern on his face.

  Finally he spoke up.  "Evie I don't have all night."

  "I don't understand why you're dropping me off here.  I'm concerned about him too."

  "Because I'll have one less thing to worry about.  I'll know where you are and by the time I get through with Bischoff, he'll be glad we're already in a hospital."  He turned to face her.  "Now go."

  Evie felt her own anger grow, but pushed it down.  She could understand why Hunter was upset.  Hell, it had upset her too.  But to treat her like she was some sort of baggage really made her mad.  Now is not the time or place, she thought.

  "Fine."  She grabbed her things and opened the door.  She got out and bent over to say something to Hunter.  "Let me know how he is."

  Hunter only nodded as his hand moved to the gear shift.  Evie slammed the door shut and walked into the hotel.  She heard the car drive away before she made it through the front doors.

  Still peeved at him, she muttered to herself all the way up to their room.  As she keyed the card through the lock, she heard someone come up behind her.  Glancing over her shoulder she saw Jericho behind her.  She groaned in disgust.

  "Well I'm happy to see you too Red," said Jericho.

  "I'm really not in the mood for... " she started, but Jericho interrupted.

  "Well I can get you in the mood Red," he leered as he moved a little closer. 

  Evie briefly closed her eyes to regain her temper.  "What I meant, Jericho, was that I am not in the mood for your crap tonight.  So piss off."  She turned to swipe the keycard through the lock again.

  Jericho chuckled.  "What's the matter Red?  Not getting any from Triple H?  Is he withholding because you've been a bad girl?"  He pursed his lips.  "Or does being a bad girl get him excited?"

  She knew he was trying to get a reaction from her.  So let him have one.  Still clutching her keycard and bag, she turned to face him.  Taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth and let out an ear-piercing scream.

  Jericho clapped his hands over his ears as he took a step back.  A couple doors opened and heads popped out to see what the disturbance was.  One man came out and stood in the hallway, staring at them.  Out of nowhere, one of the hotel security people appeared.

  He looked at Evie in disbelief as the scream finally died down.  "Ma'am?  Are you okay?"

  Evie looked at him.  "Oh thank goodness you're here!" she said with a feigned mixture of fear and relief.  She gestured at Jericho.  "This man tried to molest me as I was trying to get in my room."

  Still bewildered by the scream, and now at the sudden turn of events, Jericho looked from Evie to the security guard.  "Wait," he stammered.  "I never touched her."  Quickly he regained his composure and did some fast thinking.  "All I did was ask her if she needed help with her bag and she screamed."

  The security person looked down at Evie's bag.  "It looks like she doesn't need any assistance."  A stern look came over his face.  "I suggest you go back to your own room sir before I have to call the cops."

  "What?" Jericho bellowed.  "I didn't do anything!"

  The security guard held his hand up to stop Jericho from saying anything else.  "Sir, if you don't go back to your room, I'll make sure you leave this hotel.  Tonight.  Do I make myself clear?"

  "Yeah.  Yeah, whatever."  Jericho backed away.  He figured it was better to cut his losses now than get thrown out.  Without another word he walked away. 

  Evie thanked the guard.  He made sure she was okay, informed her that if that creep bothered her again, he'd make sure he got thrown out.  As she swiped the key through the lock, he was telling the observers to back in their rooms.

  She closed the door and leaned back against it.  A small smile appeared on her lips.  That'll teach him not to screw with me.  I told him I wasn't in the mood for his crap, but did he listen?  No.   She dropped her bag on a chair.  Men.  They never listen.  Her smile disappeared as she thought of Hunter.  Or talk. 

  Slowly, she shed her clothes and got ready for bed.  After pulling on a pair of boxers and a t-shirt, she hooked her laptop up to the internet connection.  She answered her mail, checked the itinerary for the next two weeks and then surfed the internet for a bit.  When she got tired of that, she closed down the computer and put it aside.  She slid under the blankets and grabbed the remote off the nightstand.  The TV lit up when she pressed the power button and she flicked through the channels to find something to watch.  Her intention was to stay awake until Hunter came back.  She was still mad at him.  She finally settled on an old black and white movie and huddled down under the blanket.  Within an hour, she was asleep.

***************

  Hunter walked in quietly to find t he TV on and Evie asleep.  He smiled as he watched her roll over on her side.  Apparently she had tried to wait up for him.  He was glad she hadn't.  Getting into an argument with her was the last thing he needed .  Especially after what had happened tonight with Shawn.

  He removed his clothes and climbed into the bed beside her.  As he pulled her closer to him, she murmured something he couldn't understand.  Her back was to him.  He buried his face in her hair, inhaling the scent of flowers.  It pushed away the antiseptic smell of hospital that had permeated his senses for the past three hours. 

  Evie stirred and opened her eyes halfway.  She panicked for a half second when she realized that someone was in bed with her, and for another half second thinking it was Jericho.  "Hunter?"

  "Yeah?" he answered.

  "What time is it?" she asked thickly.

  He glanced at the illuminated numbers of the clock.  "It's after 3 in the morning."

  She yawned, then- "How's Shawn?"

  "Shawn will be okay.  He's a tough S.O.B."   He sighed as he pulled her closer.  "The doctor had removed the glass out of his forehead.  Most of his wounds were superficial, but they were concerned about the impact of his head on the glass.  He had a slight concussion.  So they're keeping him overnight.  Bischoff is sending him home a soon as he's discharged."

  She turned her head slightly.  "How are you?"

  "I'll be okay.  I'm just concerned about him."  He drew in another breath, her hair gently tickling his face. 

  "Are they going to be able to find out who did this to him?"

  "I dunno Evie.  I don't want to think about it right now."  He grew quiet or a few minutes, then he spoke up again.  "Look, I'm sorry for the way I treated you earlier.  I just wanted to get to Shawn."

  "You really pissed me off Hunter. I was planning on waiting up for you, but..."

  He chuckled.  "Yeah I kinda figured that when I came in and the TV was on but you were asleep."

  "Just as well I wasn't awake.  I probably would have let you have it," she said quietly.

  "I said I was sorry.  And I am."  He lifted his head just enough to place a soft kiss on her neck.

  She sighed in resignation.  "All right."

  His head fell back on the pillow.  "G'night Evie."
  "Good night Hunter," she responded softly.

  Inside, Evie knew there was more to the whole situation with Shawn than he was letting on.  He didn't talk about it though.  She was starting to wonder if he was involved in the whole thing in some way.  In fact, she was starting to wonder about Hunter all together.  He was slowly turning into someone she didn't know.

  She continued to work over the thought as her eyes drifted shut.  I'll just have to keep a closer eye on him, she thought before she fell asleep.

****A/N:  Thanks for the reviews folks!  They are great to read!  Just a quick note to let you know that I may be posting late next time.  My husband's uncle passed away this morning.  I'm not sure what the arrangements are going to be for this, but rest assured, I will post the next chapter as soon as I can.   Thanks again!