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!!!
(a/n) Don't despair at the end of this chapter; all will work out in the end. I just felt Lori's life has been a little too perfect thus far.
I can't believe I've finally reached forty chapters of this tale…Hope everyone is enjoying; thanks for such great reviews to all who submitted them………..****************************************
The next morning, back at Chris and Lori's room...
"Well, you ready to go?" Chris asked Lori then.
"Yeah, let's go," She answered.
The next venue was within driving range, they'd decided to carpool with Jason and Lance Storm. Both men were already in the vehicle waiting for Chris and Lori; they'd taken seats in the front leaving the back to the couple. After helping put the last bags in the back, they were on their way with Jason behind the driver's seat.
"You're awful quiet this morning," Chris commented after five minutes of driving. "Is something wrong?" He asked her in a low voice.
"No," Lori sighed and shook her head. "I'm good really."
"You're sure?" Chris pressed unconvinced.
"Yeah Chris," Lori faked a yawn and told him a lie; "I'm tired, I think I'm just going to take a nap." 'Please Chris just don't say anything else, this hurts too much already.'
"All right hon," Chris shifted so she could rest against him more comfortably, "I didn't realize you hadn't slept well last night."
"It's OK," Lori said thankful he was letting the issue drop. 'He's so good to me, how am I ever going to go through with this,' Lori lamented inwardly as she felt tears forming in her eyes; 'there has got to be another way.'
Several hours later and many miles later....
"-Lori?" Chris's voice broke into her slumber; "We've stopped to eat. Time to get up."
"Where are we headed anyway?" Lori asked in mid-yawn.
"Oakland," Lance answered from his position up front. "We're about halfway there now, only about two more hours."
Jason had gotten out by this point and opened her door for her, "Let's go eat."
Lori stepped out into the bright Californian day and the four traveling companions made their way into the rustic truckstop diner. Once inside, Lori excused herself to use the bathroom while the three men found a table.
"I didn't want to talk about this in front of Lori," Chris began when they were seated. "I know I can trust you two."
"Let's have it Chris," Lance urged him.
"Something is up with Bischoff," Chris spoke in a low whisper so as not to attract attention. "He practically wrote off Trish's behavior completely as if I shouldn't have been upset."
"Really?" Jason was intrigued.
"Yeah, he told me that he wasn't pulling the angle and that if I try to fight it; he'd sue for breech of contract," Chris recounted the conversation he'd had with the gm the day before. "Someone's got him on a short leash but I can't fathom who or what would have him acting so irrationally."
"That's interesting," Remarked Lance.
"What do you think we should do?" Jason asked.
"Excuse me," A feminine voice interrupted their discussion.
The trio looked up in time to see, Stacey Kiebler standing there and regarding them.
"Hi Stacey," Grinned Lance at the leggy diva.
"Can I talk to you Chris?" Stacey requested. "Alone?"
"Uh, sure," Chris responded, hoping maybe Stacey had some answers.
After walking across the diner, Stacey pointed out a booth that seemed private from prying eyes.
"Here," Stacey gestured sitting down.
Chris took a seat," What's this all about Stacey?"
"I'm not sure I should be telling you this," Stacey breathed nervously before continuing; "But I overheard some people talking and you need to watch your back. Someone is none too thrilled that you've decided to settle down and they're willing to do anything to break you two apart."
"Trish, that much I've already guessed?" Chris nodded, "Right?"
Stacey re-emphasized,"I mean it Chris.... anything; just be careful;" then casting nervous eyes around the dining area once more; she quickly got up and exited the diner.
Chris rejoined his friends in time to see Stacey get into a small sedan that screeched as the driver pulled away.
"Lori, isn't back from the ladies room yet?" Chris asked without sitting down.
"No man," Jason shook his head; "Maybe the drive made her sick."
Chris got a sinking feeling in stomach and immediately headed for the room to find her, "Lori," he called knocking on the door to the room marked ladies. "You all right, honey?"
A moment later the door opened and Chris found himself face-to-face with a six foot tall large framed mid-aged trucker woman, "Hey Sugarplum, my name's not Lori but you can call me 'Honey'," she drawled in a distinctly Southern accent.
"Oh, I sorry," Chris replied stunned. "I was waiting for my fiancee, she's been in there awhile."
"Well Sweetcakes," The lady answered him in a tone more serious, "I'm afraid to tell you but there was no one else in there."
It took a moment for her words to sink in then it registered, "Oh no," Chris mumbled as his head began to swim and he groped out to the doorway to keep from falling down. It was then that he noticed there was an exit door in the back of the hallway. Something in his gut told him to open it; he did so in time to see a big black rig pulling off of the busy terminal's lot. He could have sworn that Lori was in the passenger side. He chased after the rig as fast as he could go, "Lori, wait!" He yelled frantically waving his arms. When he could run no further, he sank to his knees in utter shock and disbelief that this was happening. Then he buried his head in his hands and began to cry as he wondered why she'd gone.
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In the side mirror of the big truck, she saw him come out running and then fall to his knees. She hated that she had to do this to him, but she knew that the alternative would be far worse.
"You sure you want to do this?" The graying trucker asked her thoughtfully.
"Yes," Lori told him brushing away the lone tear that rolled down her face. "Thank you."
She kept looking at the mirror until the little diner became only a dot in the distance.
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