"In case all you jackasses haven't heard, welcome to Monday Night JERICHO!"  Jericho spun around slowly, arms open wide.  "As of this very moment, this is my show.  Now I know you are all wondering why I came to RAW.  Well, Eric Bischoff is a genius.  He knows the difference between a superstar and a loser."

  He smirked.  "Such as, the superstar being– me and the losers are all you ass clowns.  He knows the difference between a superstar and a washed up has-been like Ric Flair.  And Flair in his prime, didn't have half the talent I do."

  Before Jericho could say another word, Hunter's music hit and he came down the ramp and rolled into the ring.  He stood up and directly got in Jericho's face.

  "Ya know Jericho, I don't give a flying crap why you're here.  There are two things I know; one, Shawn was attacked last week and that person hasn't been found yet."

  "The other thing is, Jericho, that you are a bitter little man.  Ever since WrestleMania, I'm sure you've been trying to get even with me.  As a matter of fact, I know you've been harassing my assistant again."

 Jerry Lawler looked at J.R.  "Have you seen Triple H's assistant J.R.?  WOW!  What a looker!"

  J.R. shook his head.  "Yes I've seen the young lady."

  Lawler spoke up again.  "I can understand why Jericho would be harassing her.  I'd harass her too."

  "And she'd probably belt you if you did.  You know what she did to Chris Jericho on SmackDown."

  Hunter continued his speech.  "But, what better way of getting back at me than attacking Shawn."

  Jericho laughed.  "You're the one who pedigreed him in this very ring two weeks ago, you cerebral ass."

  "I pedigreed Shawn for his own good.  I still consider him my best friend.  But you know Jericho, I don't believe you did it."  Hunter shook his head.  "You don't have the balls.  I am not leaving this arena until I find out who attacked Shawn."  Hunter rolled out of the ring and walked backstage.

  "Good luck solving your little mystery Triple H," Jericho sarcastically called after him.  And while you're off taking care of your business, I have my own to finish with your assistant.

***********

  Back in Hunter's dressing room, Evie cringed at the sight of Chris Jericho on the monitor.  As if things weren't bad enough all ready, now he had come over to RAW. 

  "Great.  Now I have to deal with his crap as well as Hunter's.  I do NOT need this."  She flopped down on the sofa.  "I don't know how much more of this I can take."

  She watched Hunter say his piece and leave the ring.  He had been preoccupied for most of the week with catching Shawn's attacker.  She had kept an eye on him most of the time.  Occasionally, she would notice him smiling about something; it was an evil, cold grin.  She kept wondering what he was up to, but he wasn't telling her a thing.  She had spoken to Shawn once since that night.  She asked him if he had seen anything at all.  He said no he hadn't and told her again to watch herself around Hunter.  The man could be ruthless when he wanted.  She promised him she would.

  When she turned her attention back to the monitor, she noticed that Jericho had left the ring and there was a match underway.

  The door to the room opened and Hunter came in.  He wore a scowl on his face.  She sat up as he walked across the room and picked up the sledgehammer he had placed next to his bag earlier.

  He looked at her.  "You stay here.  Jericho's running around and I don't want him near you."

  "What are you doing with that?"

  He didn't answer, but left the room, closing the door behind him.

  "Damn him," she muttered.  "Why do I even bother asking?  And why do I bother coming when all I do is sit in the freakin' dressing room?"  She threw up her hands.  "And why am I talking to myself?"  She stood up and turned off the monitor, then went into the bathroom.  She was washing her hands when she heard the door open.  Thinking it may be Hunter, she walked back out to the sitting area and came face to face with Jericho.

  "Oh damn," she muttered.

  "Hello Red," he smirked.  "I told you that you can't avoid me.  I'll always be around."  He held out his arms.  "And now I'm here, on RAW, permanently."

  "Gee Jericho.  The excitement is just so overwhelming.  I don't know if I can control myself," Evie responded sarcastically.

  Jericho moved closer to her.  "And I don't know if I can control myself around you."

  "What the hell are you talking about?"

  "The million dollar question!"  He kept moving closer to her, causing her to back towards the bathroom.  "Well Red, I told you I had other plans for you."

  The implication was not lost on her.  "You so much as lay a finger on me, you will regret it for the rest of your life."  She slowly started moving around the side to avoid going back into the bathroom.  It was cramped in there and she wouldn't have enough space to defend herself if she needed.  And by the looks of Jericho, she would need to. 

  "I might regret it, but hell, I'd regret it even more if I didn't do it."  He noticed her glancing towards the door.  "Oh and don't bother looking for Hunter to rescue you.  He's too busy looking for the person that jumped Shawn."

  She slid around Jericho's side as he lunged for her.  Her foot came out and caught him in the side just under his ribcage.  The contact sent a jolt of pain through him.  He gasped, but quickly recouped and threw himself at her.  Evie made it to the door, but before she could get it open, Jericho wrapped his arms around her from the back.  He held her tightly to him.

  "Too late Red," he whispered hotly.  She could feel his breath on her cheek.

  Her hands came up and clutched at his arms, but instead of trying to pry them off, she pushed herself back against him, lifting her feet off the floor, and then forward to gain some momentum.  In a sudden movement, the back of her head slammed into his face.  She heard a pop and Jericho's arms loosened their grip.  Evie lowered her mouth and bit down.  Hard. 

  Jericho yelped and let go of her.  She turned around to see what she had done.  Blood was running down his face from his nose and she had to smother a laugh.  He glared at her then reached for her again.  She leaned into him, latching onto one of his arms, bent down taking him with her and tossed him.  He rolled over her back and onto the floor with a thud.  Unfortunately, he was blocking the door. 

  Evie quickly grabbed both his arms and pulled him away from the door.  Carefully she stepped around him and just as she was about to open the door, he grabbed her around the ankles and toppled her into the door.  She hit her head, which stunned her for a minute.  Jericho used that minute to pull her even with him and straddle her.  He used his knees to pin her arms to her sides.

  "No," she gasped.

  He grinned insanely as blood dripped off his face and onto hers.  His hands ripped open her button down shirt, exposing her bra.  He slid one hand over the soft flesh.  She clenched her eyes shut, trying to force back a wave of nausea.

  "You fucking bastard!  GET OFF OF ME!"

  He still said nothing as he leaned down to kiss the tender skin, leaving behind smears of blood.  She retched at the feeling of his mouth on her.  She wriggled beneath him to try and throw him off balance, but he was heavy.  She stopped when she realized he was enjoying watching her struggle. 

  "You're not going anywhere Red," he whispered.  His fingers caressed her breasts on the outside of her bra.  "You see, I think you want this more than you're willing to admit.  I think you need someone who's not a has-been like Triple H.  I think you need someone like me."

  Her fingers dug into the sides of her own legs as she felt him run his hands over the fabric.  Taking a deep breath, she was about to let out a loud scream when he suddenly stopped and climbed off her.

  "But not tonight," he said as he stood up and backed towards the door.

  Evie scuttled backwards on her arms and legs until she hit the sofa.  Quickly she stood up and adjusted her bra, then wrapped her shirt around her.  She watched him as he reached for the doorknob.

  He wiped the blood off his face with his shirt and opened the door.  "I'll see you soon sweetheart," he said as he left.

  She said nothing, but followed him out into the hall. A hot swoop of anger filled her as she thought about him touching her.  She let out a growl and started running towards him.  When she was close enough, she launched herself at his legs and brought him down hard enough to knock the wind out of him. 

  As he rolled over, she smacked him hard across the face.  "If you ever touch me again, I will kill you," she spat out, then kicked him in the crotch for good measure.  She walked away as he rolled on the floor in pain.

  Once she was in the dressing room, she leaned against the now closed door to gather her composure.  Once she had, she went into the bathroom to wash off the blood he had left on her and removed what was left of her shirt.  She discarded it in the trashcan and took out a t-shirt from Hunter's bag to wear.

  When she had calmed down, she turned the monitor back on.  Within minutes, she became enraged again, only this time her anger was directed at Hunter.

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

  While Hunter was looking for Shawn's attacker, Bischoff was on the phone with someone.

  "So you like surprises right?"  He paused while the other person answered.  "Well wait and see what kind of surprise I have for Triple H."  Bischoff disconnected the call and headed out to the ring. 

  Once he was in the ring, he started to ask Hunter to come on out.  Before he could complete the sentence, Hunter's music came up and out came Hunter. 

  Bischoff told Hunter he had set up a satellite feed from San Antonio and up came Shawn Michaels on the Titan Tron.

  Hunter spoke up.  "So how're you doing Shawn?"

  "Better than expected I guess."

  "Look, I'm sorry about what happened... "

  Shawn waved a hand to cut him off.  "It's cool man.  Don't worry about it."

  Bischoff interrupted.  "All right, hurry it up you two."

  "You know, I've been investigating this all night and haven't come up with anything.  Did you see the guy who jumped you?" Hunter asked.

  Shawn shook his head.  "Nah.  I didn't see they guy because I was jumped from behind."  He smiled tightly.  "But the police sent me the footage and they might figure out who did this."   The footage ran, but it was blurry.  "With the technology around today we can get a closer look though."  They ran it again and the figure at the bottom right-hand corner resembled a familiar figure.  They closed in on that corner and removed the blurriness and the figure came in clear.  It was Hunter.

  Hunter grinned.  "So you found out it was me that attacked you.  I'm impressed.  And I'm glad you found out."

  Shawn dropped a challenge to Hunter, who burst out laughing. 

  "What are you gonna do?  Talk me to death?  I mean. Face it Shawn, you can't wrestle anymore.  I will break you.  What are you gonna do when you can't hold your son or wife anymore?"
  "Hunter, I know I'm not what I used to be.  I know I'm not the showstopper anymore, but it's time for me to fight.  At SummerSlam I will walk to that ring, not to wrestle you, but to fight you."

  The Titan Tron faded out.  Hunter shook his head as he left the ring and headed back to his dressing room.

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

  Evie's back was to the door when Hunter came in.  She was still staring at the monitor even though it was showing nothing but snow. 

  "You ready to go?" he asked casually.  When she didn't respond, he walked over to her.  "I asked if you were ready to go."

  She turned around to face him.  His eyes widened a bit in surprise at the look on her face.  Her features could have been set in stone.  Her green eyes had become cold.

  "What's up with you?" he asked.

  "You lied to me," she responded in a frozen tone.

  "You just figured that out?"

  She glared at him.  "I knew that something was going on, but couldn't quite put my finger on it."

  He furrowed his brow.  "Business is business Evie.  I told you that.  So don't get all pissy and self-righteous with me."
  "I don't give a damn that it was 'business'.  You lied to me when I asked you if you knew who did it.  You told me you didn't know."  She paused to let him say something and when he didn't, she continued.  "What you did to that man was sick.  It was disgusting."

  "I did it to get the point across to Shawn that I am the one in the spotlight now!  He is not going to come in here and take away what I've worked for since he's been gone!"  He got right in Evie's face.  "So don't you tell me what is sick and disgusting.  I did what I had to do to get the message delivered."

  She didn't back away, but met his gaze.  "You and Davis, birds of a feather."

  "I am nothing like Davis and you know it," he replied hotly.

  Evie's eyebrow shot up.  "No?  Let's see, Davis used his strength and power to keep me in control, to deliver a message to me that I was weak.  Or so he thought.  You walk around here using your power and strength to show Shawn that you're in control.  You have the power around here now and he's the weak one.  Some scary similarities there."

  Hunter was almost nose to nose with Evie.  "That scares you doesn't it?  The fact that I could turn on you if I wanted."

  "You can do anything you have a mind to Hunter.  But I don't' take that crap anymore.  As I told Jericho earlier and I'm telling you now, you so much as lay a hand on me when you're angry, I'll kill you."

  She said this so vehemently and coldly, that it astonished Hunter.  For the first time, he noticed that she was wearing one of his t-shirts instead of the button-down she had on when they had arrived.  As he looked closer, he noticed a bit of dried blood on her cheek and neck.  His temper started rising even farther.  "What did Jericho do to you?"

  "You aren't the only one who had a target tonight Hunter." 

  Hunter clenched his fists.  "What did he do?" he bit out.

  "What do you think he did Hunter?  You think he came in here for a nice little conversation?" she spat out.

  The look on Hunter's face was one of pure outrage.  "Don't tell me he tried to force himself on you."

  "He managed to get my shirt open, but didn't get any farther than that."

  "He touched you?"  Hunter's rage shot up even farther when she nodded her head. 

  She realized that he was deflecting the conversation to Jericho and she did a quick about face.  "But what he did to me is no worse than you lying to me."

  "How the hell can it not be worse?  He laid his hands on you."

  Evie smiled coldly.  "At least he was honest about his intentions Hunter."

  "Dammit Evie!  I told you, business is business!  You're not going to let this go are you?"

  She poked him in the chest to emphasize her point.  "I'm pissed off at you for deliberately lying to me!"

  "Because I knew you wouldn't understand why I did the things I did!  You think that this business is easy?  It took me a long time to get where I am and I am NOT giving that up for anyone.  Not Shawn.  Not Jericho…"

  "Not me either," she interrupted.  Hunter started to open his mouth to respond but she talked him down.  "I know you've never made any sort of commitment to me beyond the fact that you're attracted to me.  But if you're going to push away everyone out of jealousy, fear and paranoia, you're going to be a very lonely man Hunter."

  Hunter was about to reply when there was a knock at the door.  He went to open it and found Eric Bischoff on the other side.  "What do you want Bischoff?" 

  The other man strode into the room, ignoring Hunter and stopped in front of Evie.  "It's come to my attention that you attacked Chris Jericho earlier.  I'm afraid I can't have that going on around here."

  "Wait just a second," Hunter interjected.  "He attacked Evie first."

  "He told me that Evie attacked him," Bischoff replied as he looked at Hunter pointedly.  "Of course, why would I take the word of a liar over that of Chris Jericho's?"

  Evie spoke up.  "He did attack me first Mr. Bischoff… "

  Bischoff interrupted.  "However it happened, you bloodied his nose, bit his arm, knocked him down, slapped his face threatened to kill him and kicked him in the nuts.  I'd call that an attack." 

  Evie caught sight of Hunter's face over Bischoff's shoulder.  He had put a hand over his mouth to stifle the laugh that was threatening to explode out of his mouth.

  Bischoff continued.  "So in light of these… events, you will be facing Chris Jericho in a one-on-one.  If he wins, you become Jericho's personal assistant.  If you win, you will remain Triple H's assistant."  He looked her over appreciatively.  His voice dropped to a whisper as he leaned closer to Evie.  "Of course, if you want me to change my mind about the whole thing, you can come see me in my hotel room later tonight."  As he pulled back, he winked at her.

  Evie wore a look of disgust on her face in response to Bischoff's suggestion.  "I don't know what would be worse.  Being Jericho's assistant or being in a hotel room with you."

  Bischoff's face flushed in annoyance.  He pointed a finger in Evie's face.  "You better watch yourself or you'll be ass out on the street."  He turned to look at Hunter.  "And by the way Triple H, if you interfere, she automatically loses the match."  Bischoff stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

  "Shit," Evie spat out as she sat down on the sofa.  "How the hell am I gonna pull this off?"  She looked up at Hunter who was shaking with suppressed laughter.  "Care to explain what's so funny?"

  Hunter took a breath and wiped his eyes.  "I'm not laughing at the match thing.  I'm laughing at the thought of you doing all that Bischoff said you did to Jericho."  He wiped his eyes again.  "Wanna tell me what happened?"

  She explained to him what took place between her and Jericho.  He kept his anger under control as Evie described the way Jericho had touched her.  Jericho would get what was coming to him.  Hunter would make sure of that.  He sat next to her as she finished talking.

  "Well, I guess you're gonna have to learn a few wrestling moves before you get in the ring with Jericho," he said as he leaned back.

  "I feel so stupid.  He was deliberately provoking me so he could get this set up."  She flung her hands up in disgust.  "I'm dead."

  "Nah.  You'll be okay."

  "Hunter, I have no wrestling training or experience.  How am I supposed to do this?"

  He smiled at her.  "I'll help you, but first we call a truce okay?"

  Evie watched him warily.  "What kind of truce are you talking about?"

  "That you stop bringing up the way I treated Shawn.  At least until this thing with Jericho is over.  Then you can go back to nagging me."

  "Nagging you?  I do not nag Hunter.  I needle," she said with a hint of amusement.

  He sighed in exasperation.  "Do we have a deal or not?"

  "Fine.  I'll stop yelling at you if you help me," she said as she stuck out her hand.

  Hunter shook his head.  "Oh no.  There's not going to be any handshaking here." 

  Before Evie could ask what he meant, he had leaned over and pulled her to him.  He bent his head towards hers and kissed her thoroughly.  When he pulled his lips away from hers, she was panting slightly.

  "I think I like that better than a handshake," she quipped breathlessly.

  "There's more where that came from, but only if you come back to the hotel with me."  He smiled suggestively at her.

  She decided that she could put aside their differences.  At least until after her match with Jericho.  She disengaged herself from his embrace.  "So what are we waiting for?"

  They quickly gathered up their things and left.

A/N:  Thanks again for the reviews and the sympathies.  Both are greatly appreciated.  I know this is posted earlier than usual, but I finished it quicker than I thought I would.  I hope you all enjoy it!  Slainte!