Hunter paced back and forth in his dressing room. It was almost time for the Elimination Chamber match and Evie hadn't come back yet. She had left to go get his water and give some papers to Bischoff, but that was almost forty-five minutes ago.
He slammed a fist in to one of his hands, wondering if she had come across Jericho. Hunter had spoken with Jericho last week about his harassment of Evie. He had requested that Jericho leave Evie alone since the two of them had a tentative agreement to work together in the main event tonight. Jericho had agreed, but then again, Jericho's word wasn't always reliable. Hunter grimaced at the thought of Jericho touching Evie, but forced himself to relax. Evie could handle herself just fine. No point in him getting worked up right now. He had to focus on the match coming up. He stopped pacing and started warming up.
Evie sighed in exasperation as she headed back to Hunter's dressing room. Today had been one horrible day. Hunter was focused on his match to the point where he was getting grouchy and had resorted to grunting in response to any questions. Ric had tried to get her to go out with him again; this time under the guise of celebrating with him and Hunter when Hunter retained his title tonight. Evie had given him a non-committal answer.
She shook her head at Ric's tenacity. He definitely wouldn't take no for an answer. She figured that so far he had been harmless, but that could change in the blink of an eye. She didn't think Ric would be so stupid as to try something with her, especially with Hunter around. But you never know, she thought. Some people see saying no as a challenge rather than an answer.
She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she almost ran into someone as they came out of another locker room. She jumped as a hand encircled her upper arm and immediately became defensive when she saw who it was.
"You know Red, I think you do want me. I mean, why else would you keep "running" into me?" quipped Jericho.
"You know Jericho, I think you have an overactive imagination," Evie retorted.
"I think its destiny. You know we were meant to be together," he said loftily.
Evie choked back a laugh. He sounded like one of those cream-puff romance novel heroes. "But Jericho, I'm not your type."
He backed her against the wall, pressing himself against her so she couldn't move. "Oh yes you are Red." His breath was hot on her cheek. He leaned in even farther and inhaled the scent of her hair.
Evie moved slightly and he pulled back to look at her. She smiled up at him, her eyes twinkling with humour. "No. I'm not your type because I'm not inflatable."
Jericho's mouth twisted in anger, but instead of becoming incensed, he merely laughed her remark off. "You're just afraid to admit it. You know you want me. Me. The King of the World. Mr. Charming. You love my wit and personality…"
Evie cut him off. "I'm trying to imagine you with a personality Jericho, but it's not working."
His grip on her arm tightened in response. Without warning, he crushed his lips against hers, plastering himself against her. Before she could hit him with her free hand, he quickly let go of her and stepped back far enough so she couldn't retaliate.
"I told Triple H I'd leave you alone. But I just can't help myself." He tossed a smirk at her as he backed down the hallway. "Someday Red. Someday."
Evie waited until he disappeared from sight and then quickly walked the rest of the way to Hunter's room. She let out a noise of disgust as she wiped a hand across her mouth. The man was despicable. She'd sooner drink bleach and chew razor blades than spend a night, or any amount of time for that matter, with Chris Jericho.
"Wanker," she muttered under her breath as she opened the door. She promptly forgot about Jericho when saw Hunter stretched out on the floor.
At first she thought something was wrong, but then she realized that he was warming up before he had to go on like he did every time he had a match. She stood there for a few seconds watching him as his muscles bunched and contracted across his broad back. She remembered how it felt to touch all that skin; how it felt when he would wrap his arms around her.
"Hey Evie!"
She jumped and shook herself out of her thoughts. Glancing down, she saw Hunter looking intently at her. "What?" she asked casually as she stepped in the room and closed the door behind her.
"Where the hell have you been?" he asked as he stood up. Reaching out, he took the water bottle from her.
I was in catering and dropping off those papers in Bischoff's office. Why?"
"You were gone quite a while. I thought maybe Jericho had done something to you."
Evie's face wore a look of disgust. "He wouldn't know what to do with me if he had me," she scoffed.
Hunter faintly smiled at her remark. True, Jericho probably wouldn't know what to do with her. In fact, he probably wouldn't know what to do with any woman if he ever had one. "He told me he'd leave you alone, but his word is as good as the shit on his shoe."
"True," Evie mused. "He did say he gave you his word, but he couldn't help himself."
Hunter paused when he heard that come out of her mouth. "Wait a second, he told you that?" His eyes narrowed as he looked at her. "What happened?"
"Nothing really. He told me that we were destined to be together. I told him he had an overactive imagination and that I wasn't his type because I wasn't inflatable." She glanced up at Hunter. "He planted one on me."
Hunter's temper went up a couple of notches. "He kissed you?"
"He left after that." She noticed the look in his eye. "Hunter just forget it."
"I told him to leave you alone. I knew I couldn't trust him."
Evie laid a hand on his arm. "Hunter? Just leave it alone. You have a match to concentrate on."
"I'll kick his ass," Hunter muttered, not paying attention to what she was saying.
Evie opened her mouth to say something else when Ric walked in the room.
"Ready to go Champ?" he asked loudly.
Hunter stepped away from Evie and picked up his title belt. "Yeah I'm ready." As he walked towards the door, Evie gently restrained him by clasping his wrist.
"Hunter, leave it alone."
He disengaged his hand from hers and nodded. The door closed behind him and Ric when they had walked out.
Evie plopped down on the sofa to watch the monitor. She knew Hunter wouldn't let it go. He'd wait for the right opportunity and pounce on Jericho. She shook her head as she turned her attention to the monitor.
********************
RVD and Hunter started off the match while the other four men waited in the smaller chambers that were attached to the large one that encompassed the ring. RVD managed to toss Hunter to the outside after a series of brutal attacks. Hunter lay on the floor trying to collect himself and stop bleeding as RVD and Jericho went at it.
When Booker T entered the chamber, Hunter climbed back in the ring and he and Jericho teamed up against the other two men until RVD delivered a Five Star Frog Splash on Hunter from the op of one of the small chambers. It had taken a lot out of RVD and Booker T pinned him with a missile dropkick.
Kane entered next and right away he went to work on both Hunter and Jericho. Kane and Hunter went back and forth, exchanging blows for a few minutes and Booker T was eliminated by Jericho.
When Shawn entered the match, he quickly beat down his three groggy opponents. Kane recovered first however and fought back. He was eliminated when Shawn gave him a taste of Sweet Chin Music, then a Pedigree and then a Lionsault in quick succession.
With Kane gone, Hunter and Jericho began to wear down Shawn. They tossed him from corner to corner, punching and kicking. They managed to bust Shawn open and he was bleeding profusely from his forehead. Hunter pulled him up off the canvas and tossed him into one of the small chambers, shattering the plexiglass into thousands of pieces.
Shawn was almost eliminated, but Hunter and Jericho couldn't decide who was going to get the pin fall. They began arguing and shoving each other. Hunter ended up in the Walls of Jericho and almost tapped out when Shawn gave Jericho a super kick and eliminated him.
Now it was down to Hunter and Shawn. Hunter quickly took the advantage and beat on Shawn for a few minutes before Shawn countered with an elbow drop off the top of one of the chambers. With Hunter down, Shawn began to tune up his Sweet Chin Music. However, Hunter managed to avoid it and took down Shawn with a Pedigree. Both men lay on the mat, almost unable to move. Finally Hunter managed to drape his arm over Shawn to get the pin fall, but Shawn kicked out at the last second. The two men began beating on each other again and after a couple of reversals, Shawn finally landed some Sweet Chin Music squarely on Hunter's jaw and pinned him for the win.
Confetti came pouring down as Shawn knelt in the middle of the ring, clutching the title. The crowd was on their feet, roaring their approval. After a few more minutes, Shawn dragged himself out of the ring and to the backstage area.
Hunter was sill laying on the mat, barely moving. Evie left the dressing room and quickly made her way to the gorilla position. She reached the curtain the same time Shawn came through. He was still bleeding and a couple of trainers came up to assist him to the triage area.
He grinned as he saw her. "Hey doll," he rasped. "I won!"
She gave him a forced smile as a couple of medics pushed past her on their way out to the ring. She followed in their wake.
Ric was already ringside, checking on Hunter's condition. Evie impatiently brushed away the confetti that was still floating past her as she reached Ric's side.
"How is he?" she asked.
Ric looked at her. "He's a little dazed and incoherent. They think it might be a concussion so they're gonna take him to the hospital."
Evie looked at Hunter and gasped. The blood covered his face like a mask. Rivulets had trailed down over his neck and chest where it had been smeared across his skin. He was trying to sit up, but the medics pushed him back down, telling him to wait for the stretcher.
Evie found out what hospital they were taking him to and she and Ric went back to the dressing room to gather up their things, knowing it would make things easier for the EMTs if they were out of the way.
They took the limo to the hospital and ended up pacing the waiting room while Hunter was examined. Finally the doctor came out to speak to them.
"He is a little groggy and we had to sew up a couple lacerations on his forehead, but we think he has a mild concussion."
"Is he going to be all right?" Evie asked.
"He'll be fine, but we want to keep him overnight for observation."
After a few more words with the doctor, they left their respective cell numbers with the on duty nurse in case there was any complications or changes. Evie shouldered her purse with a tired sigh and began walking to the parking lot. Ric caught up with her.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
"Yeah, just tired." She smiled at him. "Been one of those days."
He chuckled. "It definitely has."
They slid into the back of the limo and the driver set off for the hotel. Evie leaned her head against the cool glass of the window and let her eyes close for a few minutes. It definitely had been one of those days. Fortunately, Ric was quiet also. Which was a relief.
They made it back to the hotel and up to their floor. Evie pulled the key card out of her pocket as she approached her door.
Before she could slid the card through the lock, Ric reached over and placed his hand over hers.
"Why don't you come back to my room and we'll have a drink? I think we both need one."
Evie looked down at his hand and then at him. "Thanks Ric, but I don't think so. I just want to go to sleep."
He tightened his grip ever so slightly. "C'mon Evie, just one drink."
She shook her head in response and then looked from his hand to his face. "Do you mind Ric? I'm really tired and I want to go to sleep."
"Yeah I do mind," he responded in a tight voice. "I'm tryin' to be nice and all you can do is blow me off. Do you have a problem with me?"
Evie sighed. "Look Ric, I appreciate you asking, but I don't want to have a drink with you. I want to go into my room alone and go to sleep."
He let go of her when he realized he probably wouldn't be getting anywhere by becoming angry. "I'm sorry Evie. I'm just concerned about Hunter. I didn't mean to get upset at you."
"It's okay," she said as she ran the card through the lock and opened the door. The sooner she got away from Ric the better. He'd probably be inviting himself in next. "I'll see you in the morning," she said quickly as she stepped into her room. She turned to close the door and noticed he had walked away.
Thank goodness. I don't know how much more of his attention I can take. She set her things down and started getting read for bed. I suppose I should tell him I'm not interested in him that way. Hopefully that'll put a stop to this. If not, I'll see if Hunter can put a stop to it. If Ric is as smart as he thinks he is, he'll quit while he's ahead.
********************
Hunter was released from the hospital the following day. The doctor told him to go home and rest for at least a week before getting back in the ring. Not only did he have two lacerations stitched up, he also bruised a couple of ribs. The doctor wouldn't clear him to wrestle until the ribs were healed.
Evie accompanied him back to his home in New Hampshire. Ric stayed behind to take care of some business that he and Hunter had been discussing lately. They arrived late in the evening and Evie assisted Hunter into the house and up to his room before bringing in their luggage.
She came back up to check on him and found him sprawled out on the bed asleep. She stood in the doorway staring at him. She wanted nothing more than to curl up beside him, but shook that thought out of her head. That wasn't going to happen. Instead, she turned the lights out and closed the door.
Evie took advantage of the quiet to do some laundry. While the washer and dryer churned and hummed silently, she used Hunter's computer to check her e-mail and even answered a few inquiries before having to jump up to put in another load of clothes.
As she logged off the computer, her cell phone rang.
"This is Evie," she said quietly.
"Evie, it's Ric. Is Hunter around?"
She stood up. "He's sleeping. You want me to have him call you in the morning?"
"Yeah, I'd appreciate that. I need to talk to him about a few things." Ric lowered his voice slightly. "So he's asleep?"
Evie made a face. She didn't like how that sounded. "Yeah, he went straight upstairs as soon as we got here. He was really wiped out."
"So what have you been doing then?"
"Laundry. Nothing exciting."
Ric lowered his voice a little more. "Well it's too bad I'm not there. I could make it exciting for you."
She mimed sticking her finger down her throat. "Yeah, well, I'm finishing up this last load and going to sleep. I'm pretty tired myself.," she said in a dismissive tone.
To her relief, Ric didn't object and she was able to say her goodbyes and shut the phone down for the night. She pulled the last of Hunter's clothes out of the dryer and proceeded to fold them. She was on her third shirt when a noise caused her to turn around. Hunter stood in the door.
"I though I heard you talking to someone."
Evie gave him a half smile. "I'm sorry it woke you up."
He shrugged. "Who were you talking to?"
"Ric. He wanted to speak with you, but he said to call him back tomorrow." She picked up a pair of pants and straightened them before draping them over a hanger.
Hunter leaned against the doorjamb, watching her. "I could get used to this," he joked.
She threw a sock at him playfully. 'You could, but you better not," she said in response.
"Stephanie always thought it was beneath her to do laundry. She always sent it out to a service."
Evie raised an eyebrow. "Some of us don't mind a little manual labor."
He grinned. "It didn't matter if it was a little or a lot. Actually, I don't think she knew how to operate a washer."
He tossed the sock into the basket and walked over, standing next to her. He picked up a shirt and began folding it. They stood there in companionable silence, finishing up the folding. Once the laundry basket was full, Evie took it and set it next to the stairs. Hunter was right behind her.
"Are you going up?" he asked.
Evie glanced at her watch and noticed it was almost midnight. "I was going to. I have a new book that I keep meaning to start reading, but I haven't had the time." She turned her gaze to his face. "Why?"
"Just wondering." He had planned on asking her to sit out on the deck with him for a bit, but if she wanted to go read her book, then it didn't matter.
"Don't want to be all by yourself in a big old house?" she asked with a hint of amusement. When he stuck his tongue out at her, she laughed. "You really shouldn't do that."
"And why is that?" He looked at her innocently.
"You have to ask?"
"Too tempting?" he teased.
She shook her head. "What am I going to do with you?"
A huge smile showed up on his mouth. "Oh I can think of a few things…"
"I am not listening to you." She promptly picked up the laundry basket and headed upstairs. Unfortunately, Hunter followed her, still needling her about her remark. Evie kept talking louder to drown him out. "I can't hear you! I can't hear you!" she repeated as she walked upstairs.
"What's the matter Evie? You didn't like my answer?"
She walked right into his bedroom and stopped chanting. He came in behind her.
"Oh wait. You'd rather me show you what to do with me instead of telling you?"
"Oh shut up," she said in understated frustration. Quickly she took the clothes out of the basket and put them in his dresser and dropped the basket next to it. "There. You're laundry is finished sire." She sketched a brief mocking bow at him and then straightened up. "Now if you don't mind, I'm going to bed."
She didn't want to go into this; even if he was just playing around or not. She wanted nothing more than to throw him down on his bed and… well, that thought was better off left incomplete. Evie moved to push past him, but he reached out and laid a hand on her shoulder.
Gently he steered her back towards him. "I still haven't told you what you can do with me," he said in a gently mocking tone.
Her eyes turned up to meet his. "I could tell you to go to hell," she said quietly.
Hunter pursed his lips in thoughtfulness as his arms slowly snaked around her waist. "You could. But do you really want to?"
Evie searched his face to see if he was only teasing or if he was serious. She was vaguely aware of his arms around her. "Right now? No, I don't want you to."
"Then what do you want?" he whispered.
She lowered her gaze, wanting to tell him exactly what she wanted, but instead she placed her hands on his biceps and gently pushed. "I want you to let go of me."
Hunter glanced down at the top of her head. "Why? Is this making you uncomfortable?"
She squirmed slightly. " A little." She pushed at his arms again when he didn't let go. "Hunter, please let go."
Instead if doing what she asked, he pulled her closer to him. "I don't think so." He tilted her chin up with his hand and leaned in, gently grazing her lips with his own.
She sucked in a sharp breath and trembled at the light touch of his mouth on hers. She drew her head back to look at him. "Why did you do that?" she asked breathlessly.
"Because I wanted to," he simply replied. Truth was, he'd been wanting to kiss her ever since he had apologized. He had been restraining himself because it had seemed that all she wanted was to be friends. When he caught her watching him stretch out, he realized that she wanted more than that.
She pushed at him again, not wanting to go into this. At least for now. "I… I'm tired. I'd really like to go to my room if you don't mind," she stuttered. Her heart was beating a thousand miles a minute and she was sure he could feel it.
He held her tighter. "I do mind Evie. I mind very much." He kissed her again, gently at first and then more insistently when she started to respond. His tongue grazed her mouth and pushed into hers, tasting her.
She trembled again as he continued to taste her lips and then the skin of her neck. The brief kisses fell gently on the tender flesh and she instinctively curled her fingers through his hair, pulling him as close as possible.
He returned to her mouth where he kissed her long and deep. Finally he pulled his mouth away from hers and looked down at her. Her eyes were shining with excitement, her breath was coming and going in little gasps.
Evie caught her breath finally. "I… I need to go."
"Stay with me," he whispered roughly.
There was nothing she wanted more than to give in to his request, but she couldn't. She didn't want to because she knew that she'd go back for more. She couldn't risk it. Not right now. Not when she didn't know how he felt about her.
"Not tonight," she said softly as she disengaged herself from his embrace.
He let her go, albeit reluctantly. "All right," he acquiesced. There was time. But right now he needed a cold shower.
She mumbled a goodnight and quickly left his room. Once in her own room, she shut the door and leaned back against it. He had done what she had wanted him to do ever since she had seen him stretching out on the floor of his locker room. Well, almost. It had taken every ounce of her strength not to give in to him.
Not until he tells me, she thought and then chuckled. And I might be waiting for the rest of my life at this rate.
She moved about, quickly undressing and pulling on her nightshirt. As she turned out the lights and climbed into bed, she tried to think of anything else but what had just happened. It wasn't working. She put the pillow over her face and screamed into it. Why is this so damn hard to do? I didn't ask for this.
Evie removed the pillow from her face and rolled over. Damn him.
*******************
A/N: Sorry it's so short this week, but I promise I'll make up for it! Thanks for the reviews ladies and I hoped you enjoyed the one-shot I did. Slan!