This story is a work of fiction. I only own the characters that are non- WWE. Vince McMahon owns the WWE and characters. Do not distribute, do not sell, and do not sue. THANKS!!!****************************************

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Back at the hotel...

"Please Chris," Lori begged. "You're hurting; let me help you carry the bags in."

"No," Chris declined stubbornly and winced greatly as he picked up his heavy dufflebag.

"Come on, Chris," Lori urged him once more. "Just once, let me take care of you, all right?"

Realizing that she was right, Chris sighed and let go of the bag.

"Thank you," Lori told him picking it up herself with no trouble at all. "Come on, let's get you upstairs and into the shower; you stink."

"Yes ma'am," Chris saluted and picked up a much lighter bag.

After a little bit, Chris had showered and put on a simple pair of black boxer shorts. Stepping back into the bedroom area of the suite, Chris realized Lori had disappeared.

"Lori?" He called softly. "Where are you?" Finally, he spied a note she'd scrawled on the tabletop.

Chris,

Went to get some more ice for you. Be back soon.

Love Lori

"Oh," Chris realized aloud.

Meanwhile out and up the hallway at the ice machine...

Lori hummed a low tune as she filled the little bucket; unaware that someone was watching and approaching her from behind. She was startled when a pair of large hands quickly grabbed her from behind and a knife pressed to her throat in the next minute. She was pinned so that she was unable to turn around to face her attacker. All she could tell was that it was a male that was fairly large in build.

"Well hello there," He told her in a low voice. "Don't make a sound and you'll be all right," The voice told her; "Someone asked me to give you a message." A tear of fright rolled down her cheeks then as he continued, "You need to leave Chris as soon as the opportunity presents itself and never go back to him again." Sensing the question in her mind he answered, "Or else the next time he wrestles he will be hurt more seriously; accidents happen and it'd be a shame if something happened to him." Lori nodded in understanding of the demand, the last thing she wanted was for something to happen to Chris. "Now, close your eyes and count to twenty; don't you dare look around before you reach twenty if you know what's good for him." Lori silently did as she was bidden, she felt the hands leave her throat, and heard the elevator doors open and shut before she'd finished counting. As she knew it would be when she looked up, she realized she was alone once more.

''What am I going to do?,' She thought as she struggled to compose herself and finished getting the ice.

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In a few moments, she returned to the hotel room trying her best to hide how sad she was. Her mind was reeling as she tried to think of a way to do it: how to break his heart. Forcing a cheery smile on her face, Lori turned the doorknob and entered.

"Hey there," She called out forcing her self to sound happy.

"Thanks," Chris hugged her and then took the ice from her hands. "You're too good to me."

"How's the head?" Lori asked knowing the kick had to have given him a sizable knot.

"Smarts a little," Chris answered; "But I've had worse."

"Did she bite you too?" Lori noticed the split in his lip then. 'Maybe, I should tell him; no, I can't' Lori's conscience was warring within.

"Yeah," Chris shrugged as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "I don't know what her problem is." He reached out and pulled Lori down beside him, "Lori, I just don't know what got into her."

'I think I do,' Lori thought but kept silent.

"Penny for 'em?" Chris asked noting her expression.

"Nothing Chris," Lori willed herself to look happy; "Just didn't like seeing you hurt, I guess."

"Aw honey," Chris chuckled softly; "Trust me, this is nothing I'll be all right in the morning." Then he paused as he realized Lori had seen his match, "So why'd you change your mind about watching?"

"I don't know," Lori shrugged. "Sara was talking about how Mark had something with Stephanie a few years back and I guess I was just curious."

"Oh," Chris reacted and gave her a quick squeeze with his near arm. "Thanks, it means a lot to me that you watched it even if I couldn't see you."

"Chris, I need to tell you something," Lori's thoughts tumbled out of her mouth before she could check them.

"What hon?" Chris turned and looked her in the eye.

Lori sighed trying not to lose her nerve, "I think I know why Trish attacked you."

"Really?" Chris blinked in surprise.

"When you introduced us today," Lori continued. "She clawed me when you told her about the twins."

"Clawed you?" Chris bore an expression of puzzlement. "I didn't see that."

"She was still shaking my hand at the time and she dug her nails in hard at that moment," Lori tried to explain; "I think she has feelings for you."

"Hmm," Chris's gaze grew thoughtful then he gazed downward at the ice; "She has a funny way of expressing them." His expression brightened though the next moment as he joked, "Well, no woman can resist the sexy beast that I am."

"Sexy beast?" Lori giggled and raised an eyebrow, "Sure, you keep telling yourself that."

"Hey!" Chris retorted realizing he was being insulted, "You take that back woman!"

"Never," Lori laughed as he grabbed her a started to tickle.

"Take it back and I'll stop tickling you," Chris demanded.

"OK, OK, " Lori squealed, "I take it back you are sexy beast."

"That's better young lady," Chris let her go; "If I wasn't so sore; I'd prove it to you too."

"I know you would," Lori smiled; "But you need to rest tonight." ' And I have let you go,' She added mentally, her heart already breaking for him.

Fast forward to another hotel room, twenty minutes later...

"I did what you asked," A blonde man declared; "I want my reward."

"You're sure it was her?" The woman inquired.

"One hundred percent, now I want what you promised," He said while stroking his goatee thoughtfully as he gazed at her.

"Sure, come and get it," Trish addressed him as she let her robe fall to the floor.

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