Everyone stood backstage waiting to go out for what promised to be the
"Wedding of the Century." They were all dressed to the nines for the
ceremony between Chris and Trish. It was all going how Trish had planned.
Now all she had to do was find Chris. She looked around and didn't see him
anywhere, she wanted to talk to him before they had to go out there for the
segment.
"I really have to go," Chris said to Stephanie as they sat in her secret locker room.
"I know, you just look so handsome, I don't want to give you up right now," she told him.
"Yeah, well, I figure that the humiliation will be complete if she realizes that she can't have this sexy beast," he joked.
She giggled, "Good strategy because you are all mine," she said wrapping her arms around his waist possessively.
"Yes, all yours. But right now I have to pretend to be Trish's."
"Do you absolutely have to?" she whined, leaning her head on his shoulder and leaning over to kiss his neck softly.
He pulled away and kissed her mouth gently, "Yeah."
He gave her another lingering kiss, making sure she knew how much he loved her, and only her. Then he pulled away slowly, giving her a loving gaze. She took his hand and gave it a squeeze. With a smile and another kiss he left to execute the plan.
He went down to the gorilla, spotting Kurt immediately, giving him a wink. Kurt nodded his head knowingly, anxious to see this all go down. He gestured to where Trish was standing and Chris walked over to her, putting on his most charming smile.
"Chris!" she exclaimed happily, "I've been looking all over for you!"
"Really? I've been looking all over for you!" he yelled, feigning glee.
She giggled wildly, "We probably just kept missing each other."
"Probably," he said disinterestedly, "When are we starting?"
"Well, everyone is going down to the ring now," she said, looking towards the roster, who were making their way out to the ring during the commercial break.
The production team ushered everyone out until it was just Chris and Trish standing there. Chris looking over at her and she actually looked like she was nervous. God, did she actually think that they were getting married? He wanted to remind her that this was a fake ceremony and they weren't actually getting hitched. She grabbed his hand and he stared at her as she beamed at him. He saw a production guy motioning for him, telling him that he was supposed to go out soon.
"Well, I guess that's my cue," he told her.
"Uh huh," she smiled.
He went to pull away from her, but she pulled him back forcefully, actually surprising him with her strength. Before he could ask what she was doing, she pressed her lips against his. He almost pushed her away in disgust, but remembered it would all be over soon. He pulled away and gave her a strained smile.
"See you out there," she said, grinning at him.
"Oh, most definitely."
He heard his music go off and walked out there, forgoing his usual entrance routine and walking down to the ring, the cheers of the fans almost deafening. Wait until later, he thought to himself as he smirked at some guys holding Jericho signs. He shook a few of his fellow wrestlers hands and walked into the elaborately decorated ring.
Stephanie had made sure that the set-up for the wedding would be all out. The ring was in its usual important event red carpet and it was littered with white and pink rose petals. The ropes were gone and garlands in its place, adorned with twinkly lights. There were two big flower arrangements on either side of the "minister," who would be presiding over the ceremony.
He stood in front of the minister and looked around, seeing the entire roster out there, save for the McMahon family. He looked up the ramp as the wedding march began and saw Trish come out, smile plastered on her face. She smiled to the crowd, taking her time to get to the ring. The crowed oohed and ahhed over here and Chris could tell she was basking in all the attention. Good, let her live it up now, soon it would all be over.
She got to the ring and Chris went over to help her up the steps. She smiled gratefully at him and together they walked up to the minister. Chris looked over at her, pretending that this was the happiest moment of his life. It wasn't that hard if he pictured it was his actual wedding day with Stephanie.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered her to join Chris Jericho and Trish Stratus into the bonds of matrimony," the minister began, "Marriage is a sacred institution and not to be entered into lightly. These two people have come here to declare their love and devotion to each other for as long as they live. Each have written vows, Chris, you may go first."
"Trish," Chris started, putting on a cheesy grin, "What can I say that I haven't already said about you? You're a spectacular woman, and I am so honored and so privileged to get to be your husband. I'm the luckiest man in the world today, for reasons that no one but me will understand. Today is the beginning of my happiness and I'll start it with the woman that I love."
He grinned at the end of her speech and she grinned back. The silly fool had no idea that his so-called "vows" had been more cryptic than anything else. A slight clue as to what was in store for her. But the less she knew, the more surprised she would be, and that was just what he wanted
"Trish," the minister said, "You may say your vows now."
She gazed up at Chris lovingly, "You are the man of my dreams, and I'm so blessed to have had you save me that first time. You've been so good to me Chris, and I hope I've been good to you. I've helped you through the good times and the bad times, when you thought that your life was in ruins. I hope that I can be there for the rest of my life and that you'll accept me as you have in the recent past. I can't imagine anyone more perfect than you Chris, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you that you and everything you have, I care about very, very much."
Chris could just imagine how she would use everything he had, especially the money part of the equation and the family name part of her equation. He just smiled and bore everything she had to say. The minister then took the rings that they had gotten and handed held them before continuing.
"Before we proceed, if anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Chris looked to Kurt, who was leaning casually on one of the ring posts, seemingly unaffected and disinterested in the entire ceremony, as he should be. Trish waited on baited breath, just wanting to get this over with. Chris knew she would probably expect something to happen right now. Well, that would've ruined the element of surprise if Stephanie had come out now.
"If no one has anything to say, we shall go on. Chris, take this ring," he held up the ring, "And put it on Trish's finger as you say, 'Trish, I thee wed.'"
Chris took the ring and slipped on her finger, "Trish, I thee wed."
Trish smiled up at him, this was just how she wanted things to be in real life. The world watching her, the spotlight on her and her alone. And soon, oh so soon, she would get all that. This wedding would give Chris ideas and she would of course be the one he wanted after Stephanie left him. She hoped that Stephanie, wherever she was, was watching this and realizing just what she had lost and Trish had won.
"Now Trish, take this ring," the minister said, handing her the other ring, "And put it on Chris's finger as you say, 'Chris, I thee wed.'"
Trish went to slip the ring on his finger when all of a sudden the Y2J countdown clock sounded off. Chris looked down to Kurt who was smirking and looking up at the ramp. He himself looked there, waiting for her to appear. Trish jerked on his hand.
"Chris, what's going on?" she asked frantically, this was ruining her perfect ceremony.
Chris merely shrugged and feigned ignorance, "I have no idea."
"Damn it," she muttered, "I bet those idiots at production screwed up and started randomly playing your music."
"Yeah, we'll see," Chris said, his gaze still on the entrance.
Suddenly just as the countdown reached 0.00, Stephanie stepped out, dressed in a very smart pantsuit that covered up her pregnant stomach pretty effectively. The crowd boomed with cheers as Stephanie made her first appearance on WWE television since she had been found alive. She just smiled at them and let them cheer their hearts out as she paced the stage.
"What the hell is going on?" Trish fumed to Chris.
"Well, well, well," Stephanie started, "Look what we have here, a pretty little wedding with the perfect bride and groom. Don't they make a cute couple everyone?"
The crowd booed. Stephanie nodded her head. Chris just smiled and crossed his arms.
"Yeah, I didn't think so either, so I thought it was my duty to come out here and spice things up a little," Stephanie said, giving a little twirl.
Trish could not believe this. What was that bitch doing here!?! She went over to where the minister's microphone stand had been and snatched it off the stand before going back over to where Chris was standing. She put a possessive arm through his.
"We're trying to have a serious ceremony!" Trish screamed into the microphone.
"Oh, I'm so sorry then," Stephanie said, "Why don't you go ahead and finish?"
"Fine, I'd love to," Trish gloated, giving Stephanie a glance that said she was the winner in this little bout. If only Trish knew.
"Oh wait, that's right, you can't," Stephanie said nonchalantly.
"What!?!" Trish said.
"Well, it seems that I've taken after my ex-husband," Stephanie said, referring to her storyline with Hunter, "Except without the drugging, roll the footage monkeys."
Chris laughed as she used one of his terms. The titantron flared up and a hand-held video was being played. They showed Chris and Stephanie sitting in a convertible driving down the strip in Vegas. Chris was driving as Stephanie looked around.
"So here we are in Vegas," Chris said to the camera as he drove, "And we're headed to a wedding chapel to get hitched aren't we baby?"
"You bet," Stephanie said enthusiastically, "I was thinking we could go to the Little White Chapel."
"Hopefully you'll have better luck this time, right Steph?"
"Yeah, maybe we should get the package with the prenup," she laughed, "Did you get that Kurt, I want the one with the prenup."
"Got it," came Kurt's voice from behind the camera.
"Hey, at least I won't get drugged this time," she said as the wind whipped through her hair.
"There it is," Chris said, pulling into the drive-thru, "We want this quick. We don't have too much time to waste."
"Oh, I wonder why that is?" Stephanie said, leaning over to kiss him, "He can't wait to get me back to the bedroom for the honeymoon."
Chris laughed and drove into the "tunnel of love." He and Stephanie oohed and awed over the corny, little pictures and statues. They pulled up to the lady at the drive-thru and got their marriage license and all that. The ceremony was quick and in a blink it was over and all that was left was Chris and Stephanie kissing passionately.
Stephanie pulled away, "Now let's go gamble!"
The video ended and Stephanie had to hold in her giggles at seeing it. They had filmed that a while ago, before her back incident. It was funny seeing it again. She saw the same amused looks on Kurt and Chris's faces, but Trish was a whole different story. She looked a little green around the gills.
"So Trish, hate to break it to ya, but Chris is MY husband, not yours, and there's no way you would ever get your hands on him!"
"You bitch!" Trish yelled, breaking character.
"Oh, and you know why he's mine Trish, well, he IS the father of my baby," she said, rubbing it in.
"You weren't supposed to want him, you were kissing Kurt!"
The crowd and the roster gasped at the new information. Stephanie just took it in stride, "Oh, were we? Or was that just an elaborate set-up to bring you down Trish."
Trish fumed and looked to Chris, who just nodded his head, "You played me?"
"We played you like a fiddle," Stephanie said, "We knew what you wanted all along Trish, and me and my husband are anything but stupid. Did you think we wouldn't figure out what you really wanted? The McMahon name and more importantly the McMahon money."
"You weren't supposed to love him, you can't even fucking remember him!"
"Oh, but can't I? You spouted all those things about Chris being with you while I was gone, but did it ever occur to you, that I would ask him, and more importantly, Trish, I can remember every last little detail. I've been remembering since my wedding with Chris."
Kurt could hear the roster murmuring to themselves, shocked by this new information. Stephanie actually remembered everything, they were shocked to find that out. Not only that, but the fact that they were breaking character. They all waited to see what Stephanie would do next.
Trish looked like she was going to throw up, "You knew? You all set me up, you made me look like a fool."
"Yes, Trish, we did. Stephanie McMahon-Jericho never backs down from a challenge, ever, and you were wrong to think I would. And Trish, you sprained my back when you threw me up against that wall, and I've been in Winnipeg since it happened, not England."
"Bitch," was all Trish could mutter.
"And Trish, since you endangered another employee, not to mention tried to pull underhanded things, I think I have the distinct privilege of saying," she cleared her throat, "Trish, YOU'RE FIRED!"
Trish looked like she was about to faint and grabbed onto Chris's arm. He simply stepped back and let her be, instead walking to the steps. Trish grabbed his leg pathetically trying to get him to stay.
"Chris, no! It was never about the money, ever!" she yelled
"Get off me bitch," he said calmly.
"No! She's lying, can't you see, she's lying about everything."
Chris pulled her up and got right in her face, "You never meant anything to me. I was with Stephanie the entire time, and we never had a single problem, just like it's always been. You got caught Trish, deal with it. Like I would ever give up her for someone like you, low-down and dirty. You're lucky I don't do something I'll regret for you injuring my wife and trying to hurt my baby. I never want to see your face again, do you hear me? You are nothing but a lying, manipulative bitch."
Chris threw her down and walked down the steps and up the ramp. He reached Stephanie and took her in his arms, hugging her tightly. He stepped back and wrapped a protective arm around her waist as they looked down to the ring where Trish was lying in a white heap, crying her eyes out. If it were any other person, they'd probably feel bad for her, but she wasn't any other person.
"So Trish," Stephanie said, raising the microphone to her lips, "How does it feel to be played?"
With that she threw down the microphone and pulled Chris to her, kissing him deeply. Chris dipped her down, much like he had done at King of the Ring 2000. She reached up and ran her hands through his hair as he pulled her back to a standing position. Stephanie blew a kiss towards the crowd and her and Chris walked backstage.
As soon as they were back there, Stephanie's whole family were anxiously standing there, having watched the entire thing play out. They hadn't known about Stephanie's returned memory and she could see their faces, wondering if it could possibly be true. Stephanie nodded at them and was immediately engulfed into a hug by her father. She could hear her mother sobbing in happiness and Shane had a huge grin on his face.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Vince asked, "About everything."
"We felt like we could deal with it ourselves Daddy. We knew if we got you involved that you would just try to control the situation."
"But could you tell us that you had your memory back at least?" Linda asked.
"I wanted to Mom, but we wanted to use it against Trish," Stephanie said, going over to hug her mom.
"How long has it been back?" Shane said.
"Since Chris and I renewed our vows."
"That long?" Vince asked incredulously, "Well, you sure had us fooled."
"That was the point."
"I just wish you had told us about everything that was happening," Shane said, "We could've helped you, we're McMahons, it's what we do."
As they were having this little family reunion, Trish came storming backstage. Her veil had been ripped off and her hair was very unkempt. Her dress was dirty from being on the floor of the ring and her eyes were glowing with anger. She eyed Stephanie and saw nothing but red.
"You stupid bitch!" she snarled as she walked down the steps.
"Oh, go away Trish," Stephanie said.
"You ruined everything, you've always ruined everything!" Trish yelled.
"No! You ruined everything Trish, the day you decided to mess with us," Chris interjected.
"Shut up!" Trish screamed, "This is between me and her."
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Chris told her.
"I don't care what you think, asshole," Trish growled at him.
In a flash, so fast that nobody could stop it, Trish speared Stephanie to the cold concrete floor. She mounted Stephanie and started punching her in the face, closed-fist. Stephanie tried to cover herself up, but the initial blow had stunned her and she found it hard to fight back. As soon as it started though, Chris had wrenched Trish off Stephanie and threw her to the ground.
"Don't you EVER lay a hand on my wife again," he said, his voice dangerous.
He quickly went to Stephanie's side and saw that she had a large cut on her forehead, most likely from Trish's ring, and a bloody nose. He helped her up, and she was a little unsteady on her feet. She leaned against Chris as he held her.
"Are you ok?" he whispered.
"Yeah, I think."
"It's ok, we'll take you to get checked out, looks like you might need some stitches," he said, eyeing her cut.
"Ok," she said as she saw her father pulling Trish up.
"Security, have this woman escorted out of the building and make sure she leaves the premises," Vince said as security started leading Trish away.
"I'll get you Stephanie! I will get you and there is nothing you can do about it, you hear me?!? NOTHING!"
"Yeah, shows what she knows," Chris said to Stephanie, but she didn't hear.
She fainted to the ground.
"I really have to go," Chris said to Stephanie as they sat in her secret locker room.
"I know, you just look so handsome, I don't want to give you up right now," she told him.
"Yeah, well, I figure that the humiliation will be complete if she realizes that she can't have this sexy beast," he joked.
She giggled, "Good strategy because you are all mine," she said wrapping her arms around his waist possessively.
"Yes, all yours. But right now I have to pretend to be Trish's."
"Do you absolutely have to?" she whined, leaning her head on his shoulder and leaning over to kiss his neck softly.
He pulled away and kissed her mouth gently, "Yeah."
He gave her another lingering kiss, making sure she knew how much he loved her, and only her. Then he pulled away slowly, giving her a loving gaze. She took his hand and gave it a squeeze. With a smile and another kiss he left to execute the plan.
He went down to the gorilla, spotting Kurt immediately, giving him a wink. Kurt nodded his head knowingly, anxious to see this all go down. He gestured to where Trish was standing and Chris walked over to her, putting on his most charming smile.
"Chris!" she exclaimed happily, "I've been looking all over for you!"
"Really? I've been looking all over for you!" he yelled, feigning glee.
She giggled wildly, "We probably just kept missing each other."
"Probably," he said disinterestedly, "When are we starting?"
"Well, everyone is going down to the ring now," she said, looking towards the roster, who were making their way out to the ring during the commercial break.
The production team ushered everyone out until it was just Chris and Trish standing there. Chris looking over at her and she actually looked like she was nervous. God, did she actually think that they were getting married? He wanted to remind her that this was a fake ceremony and they weren't actually getting hitched. She grabbed his hand and he stared at her as she beamed at him. He saw a production guy motioning for him, telling him that he was supposed to go out soon.
"Well, I guess that's my cue," he told her.
"Uh huh," she smiled.
He went to pull away from her, but she pulled him back forcefully, actually surprising him with her strength. Before he could ask what she was doing, she pressed her lips against his. He almost pushed her away in disgust, but remembered it would all be over soon. He pulled away and gave her a strained smile.
"See you out there," she said, grinning at him.
"Oh, most definitely."
He heard his music go off and walked out there, forgoing his usual entrance routine and walking down to the ring, the cheers of the fans almost deafening. Wait until later, he thought to himself as he smirked at some guys holding Jericho signs. He shook a few of his fellow wrestlers hands and walked into the elaborately decorated ring.
Stephanie had made sure that the set-up for the wedding would be all out. The ring was in its usual important event red carpet and it was littered with white and pink rose petals. The ropes were gone and garlands in its place, adorned with twinkly lights. There were two big flower arrangements on either side of the "minister," who would be presiding over the ceremony.
He stood in front of the minister and looked around, seeing the entire roster out there, save for the McMahon family. He looked up the ramp as the wedding march began and saw Trish come out, smile plastered on her face. She smiled to the crowd, taking her time to get to the ring. The crowed oohed and ahhed over here and Chris could tell she was basking in all the attention. Good, let her live it up now, soon it would all be over.
She got to the ring and Chris went over to help her up the steps. She smiled gratefully at him and together they walked up to the minister. Chris looked over at her, pretending that this was the happiest moment of his life. It wasn't that hard if he pictured it was his actual wedding day with Stephanie.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered her to join Chris Jericho and Trish Stratus into the bonds of matrimony," the minister began, "Marriage is a sacred institution and not to be entered into lightly. These two people have come here to declare their love and devotion to each other for as long as they live. Each have written vows, Chris, you may go first."
"Trish," Chris started, putting on a cheesy grin, "What can I say that I haven't already said about you? You're a spectacular woman, and I am so honored and so privileged to get to be your husband. I'm the luckiest man in the world today, for reasons that no one but me will understand. Today is the beginning of my happiness and I'll start it with the woman that I love."
He grinned at the end of her speech and she grinned back. The silly fool had no idea that his so-called "vows" had been more cryptic than anything else. A slight clue as to what was in store for her. But the less she knew, the more surprised she would be, and that was just what he wanted
"Trish," the minister said, "You may say your vows now."
She gazed up at Chris lovingly, "You are the man of my dreams, and I'm so blessed to have had you save me that first time. You've been so good to me Chris, and I hope I've been good to you. I've helped you through the good times and the bad times, when you thought that your life was in ruins. I hope that I can be there for the rest of my life and that you'll accept me as you have in the recent past. I can't imagine anyone more perfect than you Chris, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you that you and everything you have, I care about very, very much."
Chris could just imagine how she would use everything he had, especially the money part of the equation and the family name part of her equation. He just smiled and bore everything she had to say. The minister then took the rings that they had gotten and handed held them before continuing.
"Before we proceed, if anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Chris looked to Kurt, who was leaning casually on one of the ring posts, seemingly unaffected and disinterested in the entire ceremony, as he should be. Trish waited on baited breath, just wanting to get this over with. Chris knew she would probably expect something to happen right now. Well, that would've ruined the element of surprise if Stephanie had come out now.
"If no one has anything to say, we shall go on. Chris, take this ring," he held up the ring, "And put it on Trish's finger as you say, 'Trish, I thee wed.'"
Chris took the ring and slipped on her finger, "Trish, I thee wed."
Trish smiled up at him, this was just how she wanted things to be in real life. The world watching her, the spotlight on her and her alone. And soon, oh so soon, she would get all that. This wedding would give Chris ideas and she would of course be the one he wanted after Stephanie left him. She hoped that Stephanie, wherever she was, was watching this and realizing just what she had lost and Trish had won.
"Now Trish, take this ring," the minister said, handing her the other ring, "And put it on Chris's finger as you say, 'Chris, I thee wed.'"
Trish went to slip the ring on his finger when all of a sudden the Y2J countdown clock sounded off. Chris looked down to Kurt who was smirking and looking up at the ramp. He himself looked there, waiting for her to appear. Trish jerked on his hand.
"Chris, what's going on?" she asked frantically, this was ruining her perfect ceremony.
Chris merely shrugged and feigned ignorance, "I have no idea."
"Damn it," she muttered, "I bet those idiots at production screwed up and started randomly playing your music."
"Yeah, we'll see," Chris said, his gaze still on the entrance.
Suddenly just as the countdown reached 0.00, Stephanie stepped out, dressed in a very smart pantsuit that covered up her pregnant stomach pretty effectively. The crowd boomed with cheers as Stephanie made her first appearance on WWE television since she had been found alive. She just smiled at them and let them cheer their hearts out as she paced the stage.
"What the hell is going on?" Trish fumed to Chris.
"Well, well, well," Stephanie started, "Look what we have here, a pretty little wedding with the perfect bride and groom. Don't they make a cute couple everyone?"
The crowd booed. Stephanie nodded her head. Chris just smiled and crossed his arms.
"Yeah, I didn't think so either, so I thought it was my duty to come out here and spice things up a little," Stephanie said, giving a little twirl.
Trish could not believe this. What was that bitch doing here!?! She went over to where the minister's microphone stand had been and snatched it off the stand before going back over to where Chris was standing. She put a possessive arm through his.
"We're trying to have a serious ceremony!" Trish screamed into the microphone.
"Oh, I'm so sorry then," Stephanie said, "Why don't you go ahead and finish?"
"Fine, I'd love to," Trish gloated, giving Stephanie a glance that said she was the winner in this little bout. If only Trish knew.
"Oh wait, that's right, you can't," Stephanie said nonchalantly.
"What!?!" Trish said.
"Well, it seems that I've taken after my ex-husband," Stephanie said, referring to her storyline with Hunter, "Except without the drugging, roll the footage monkeys."
Chris laughed as she used one of his terms. The titantron flared up and a hand-held video was being played. They showed Chris and Stephanie sitting in a convertible driving down the strip in Vegas. Chris was driving as Stephanie looked around.
"So here we are in Vegas," Chris said to the camera as he drove, "And we're headed to a wedding chapel to get hitched aren't we baby?"
"You bet," Stephanie said enthusiastically, "I was thinking we could go to the Little White Chapel."
"Hopefully you'll have better luck this time, right Steph?"
"Yeah, maybe we should get the package with the prenup," she laughed, "Did you get that Kurt, I want the one with the prenup."
"Got it," came Kurt's voice from behind the camera.
"Hey, at least I won't get drugged this time," she said as the wind whipped through her hair.
"There it is," Chris said, pulling into the drive-thru, "We want this quick. We don't have too much time to waste."
"Oh, I wonder why that is?" Stephanie said, leaning over to kiss him, "He can't wait to get me back to the bedroom for the honeymoon."
Chris laughed and drove into the "tunnel of love." He and Stephanie oohed and awed over the corny, little pictures and statues. They pulled up to the lady at the drive-thru and got their marriage license and all that. The ceremony was quick and in a blink it was over and all that was left was Chris and Stephanie kissing passionately.
Stephanie pulled away, "Now let's go gamble!"
The video ended and Stephanie had to hold in her giggles at seeing it. They had filmed that a while ago, before her back incident. It was funny seeing it again. She saw the same amused looks on Kurt and Chris's faces, but Trish was a whole different story. She looked a little green around the gills.
"So Trish, hate to break it to ya, but Chris is MY husband, not yours, and there's no way you would ever get your hands on him!"
"You bitch!" Trish yelled, breaking character.
"Oh, and you know why he's mine Trish, well, he IS the father of my baby," she said, rubbing it in.
"You weren't supposed to want him, you were kissing Kurt!"
The crowd and the roster gasped at the new information. Stephanie just took it in stride, "Oh, were we? Or was that just an elaborate set-up to bring you down Trish."
Trish fumed and looked to Chris, who just nodded his head, "You played me?"
"We played you like a fiddle," Stephanie said, "We knew what you wanted all along Trish, and me and my husband are anything but stupid. Did you think we wouldn't figure out what you really wanted? The McMahon name and more importantly the McMahon money."
"You weren't supposed to love him, you can't even fucking remember him!"
"Oh, but can't I? You spouted all those things about Chris being with you while I was gone, but did it ever occur to you, that I would ask him, and more importantly, Trish, I can remember every last little detail. I've been remembering since my wedding with Chris."
Kurt could hear the roster murmuring to themselves, shocked by this new information. Stephanie actually remembered everything, they were shocked to find that out. Not only that, but the fact that they were breaking character. They all waited to see what Stephanie would do next.
Trish looked like she was going to throw up, "You knew? You all set me up, you made me look like a fool."
"Yes, Trish, we did. Stephanie McMahon-Jericho never backs down from a challenge, ever, and you were wrong to think I would. And Trish, you sprained my back when you threw me up against that wall, and I've been in Winnipeg since it happened, not England."
"Bitch," was all Trish could mutter.
"And Trish, since you endangered another employee, not to mention tried to pull underhanded things, I think I have the distinct privilege of saying," she cleared her throat, "Trish, YOU'RE FIRED!"
Trish looked like she was about to faint and grabbed onto Chris's arm. He simply stepped back and let her be, instead walking to the steps. Trish grabbed his leg pathetically trying to get him to stay.
"Chris, no! It was never about the money, ever!" she yelled
"Get off me bitch," he said calmly.
"No! She's lying, can't you see, she's lying about everything."
Chris pulled her up and got right in her face, "You never meant anything to me. I was with Stephanie the entire time, and we never had a single problem, just like it's always been. You got caught Trish, deal with it. Like I would ever give up her for someone like you, low-down and dirty. You're lucky I don't do something I'll regret for you injuring my wife and trying to hurt my baby. I never want to see your face again, do you hear me? You are nothing but a lying, manipulative bitch."
Chris threw her down and walked down the steps and up the ramp. He reached Stephanie and took her in his arms, hugging her tightly. He stepped back and wrapped a protective arm around her waist as they looked down to the ring where Trish was lying in a white heap, crying her eyes out. If it were any other person, they'd probably feel bad for her, but she wasn't any other person.
"So Trish," Stephanie said, raising the microphone to her lips, "How does it feel to be played?"
With that she threw down the microphone and pulled Chris to her, kissing him deeply. Chris dipped her down, much like he had done at King of the Ring 2000. She reached up and ran her hands through his hair as he pulled her back to a standing position. Stephanie blew a kiss towards the crowd and her and Chris walked backstage.
As soon as they were back there, Stephanie's whole family were anxiously standing there, having watched the entire thing play out. They hadn't known about Stephanie's returned memory and she could see their faces, wondering if it could possibly be true. Stephanie nodded at them and was immediately engulfed into a hug by her father. She could hear her mother sobbing in happiness and Shane had a huge grin on his face.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Vince asked, "About everything."
"We felt like we could deal with it ourselves Daddy. We knew if we got you involved that you would just try to control the situation."
"But could you tell us that you had your memory back at least?" Linda asked.
"I wanted to Mom, but we wanted to use it against Trish," Stephanie said, going over to hug her mom.
"How long has it been back?" Shane said.
"Since Chris and I renewed our vows."
"That long?" Vince asked incredulously, "Well, you sure had us fooled."
"That was the point."
"I just wish you had told us about everything that was happening," Shane said, "We could've helped you, we're McMahons, it's what we do."
As they were having this little family reunion, Trish came storming backstage. Her veil had been ripped off and her hair was very unkempt. Her dress was dirty from being on the floor of the ring and her eyes were glowing with anger. She eyed Stephanie and saw nothing but red.
"You stupid bitch!" she snarled as she walked down the steps.
"Oh, go away Trish," Stephanie said.
"You ruined everything, you've always ruined everything!" Trish yelled.
"No! You ruined everything Trish, the day you decided to mess with us," Chris interjected.
"Shut up!" Trish screamed, "This is between me and her."
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Chris told her.
"I don't care what you think, asshole," Trish growled at him.
In a flash, so fast that nobody could stop it, Trish speared Stephanie to the cold concrete floor. She mounted Stephanie and started punching her in the face, closed-fist. Stephanie tried to cover herself up, but the initial blow had stunned her and she found it hard to fight back. As soon as it started though, Chris had wrenched Trish off Stephanie and threw her to the ground.
"Don't you EVER lay a hand on my wife again," he said, his voice dangerous.
He quickly went to Stephanie's side and saw that she had a large cut on her forehead, most likely from Trish's ring, and a bloody nose. He helped her up, and she was a little unsteady on her feet. She leaned against Chris as he held her.
"Are you ok?" he whispered.
"Yeah, I think."
"It's ok, we'll take you to get checked out, looks like you might need some stitches," he said, eyeing her cut.
"Ok," she said as she saw her father pulling Trish up.
"Security, have this woman escorted out of the building and make sure she leaves the premises," Vince said as security started leading Trish away.
"I'll get you Stephanie! I will get you and there is nothing you can do about it, you hear me?!? NOTHING!"
"Yeah, shows what she knows," Chris said to Stephanie, but she didn't hear.
She fainted to the ground.