Jericho sat in his locker room, thinking about the events of last night.
Waking up this morning, he had thought it had been a bad dream but on his nightstand had been the stake he had carelessly dropped there. He had quickly hid it in his suitcase before Edge had woken up. That would've been fun to explain.
But seeing it had made everything seems so real and he was left wanting to see Faye-Elizabeth again. He hoped she was still at the hotel when he returned. He's go to every tom if he had to. He couldn't just let her go.
There was a knock on his door.
"Come in." He called.
One of the stagehands poked their head through.
"You got five minutes until your highlight reel."
"Thanks." He replied, standing up.
The stagehand nodded and left.
For now, he had to do the show but later, he'd do all he could to find Liz.
--- --- ---
Faith was about ready to rip her hair out. Either that or punch Larry in the face. What an asshole.
She had arrived at two, like Rick told her and she had ended up sitting around until five, waiting for Larry. It was beyond boring. She ended up walking around backstage and was even hit on by a few wrestlers. This one guy had introduced himself as The Game. She had burst out laughing. Honestly, what kind of name was that? He looked a little pissed though and seemed ready to hit her. She shouldn't have cared because she could've taken him, no problem but she wasn't exactly keen on drawing unwanted attention to herself. So she walked away with him yelling at her and calling her a bitch. Later, as she was staring mindlessly at the ring, she realized it was the first time she had ever walked away from a fight.
Things only seemed to get worse. Larry treated her like dirt and he was full of degrading comments. Then the show started and the guy who had called himself The Game came out. She found he was also known as Triple H.
She knew wrestling was violent. When it came to violence, she was the queen. But this was too much when Big, Tall, and Freaky, AKA Kane came out and hit another guy that was in the ring with Triple H. Then Kane put his head in between a chair and jumped on it. She watched in horror as his throat was crushed and blood came spurting out. He was taken away by the paramedics but Faith was caught up in her own memories. It wasn't until Larry started yelling at her that she snapped out of it.
Then the show continued on and she tried not to watch anymore that was going on in the ring. During one of the commercial breaks, she had to help set up the ring for something called Chris Jericho's Highlight Reel. It was a welcome break from Larry.
After she was finished, she jumped off the apron of the ring and went back to Larry who was more then happy to throw the cables at her. She really wanted to put him into his place. It was a good thing the break was over or she might've done something she regretted.
A countdown started and Faith watched as the arena went dark and then light again when music started and a wrestler appeared at the top, his back to the ring. He turned around and started playing up to the crowd. Faith didn't notice this as her jaw dropped open.
Chris Jericho, the wrestler who was wearing flashy black and pink pants was none other then the guy she had kind of met at the bar then later saved from the Vamps. Chris Jericho was the guy she wanted to stay away from.
"Hey stupid, stop gawking and hurry your ass. Someone like that would never want you anyway."
Faith glared at Larry before walking closer to him.
"Hey Larry, I know you hate me, and well, I'm not too fond of you either so it's a good thing I haven't punched you in the face yet but do you think I could borrow your hat?
Larry just stared at her. "Shut up and hold the cables."
Faith sighed and rolled her eyes, looking out at the fans.
In the front row was an older teenage boy who kept glancing over at her in awe.
Putting on a big smile, she walked over to him.
"Hi." She said.
"H-hi." He stuttered. "Y-you should be a diva."
"Aww, that's sweet, but I have a favor to ask you." She said with a flirtatious smile.
He gulped and nodded.
"Could I borrow your hat?"
He nodded and handed it over.
"I'll return it soon, kay?"
"Will you sign it too?" He asked, hopeful.
"She stopped in surprise. "I'm no one important."
"But you should be."
Faith smiled a sad smile and turned away, pulling the hat low on her head so Chris Jericho wouldn't recognize her.
Just her luck, now she had to figure out a way to avoid him for the rest of the time she had this job and she kind of wanted it to be for awhile.
Following Larry, she inconspicuously tried to watch what was happening in the ring. She had to admit he seemed a lot different then the night before.
She watched as Eugene came down and Chris tried to warn him about his uncle. Then he was interrupted by music and Triple H and three other guys came down.
Chris backed up and leaned against the ropes nearest her. He glanced out at the crowd before glancing down at her and then back at the scene in the ring. He quickly looked at her again and she turned away, pulling the hat down lower. She refused to look up anymore as triple H made his threats then challenged his little groupies against Chris and some other guys.
Then they went to commercial and Faith put herself as far away as possible from the ring. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Chris jump off the apron of the ring and come towards her. Luckily he was stopped by someone and started heading backstage, looking back at her every once in awhile but she refused to turn fully towards him.
So the rest of the show went on, Faith barely paying attention as she tried to come up with a way to avoid him, nothing seemed good though.
Soon it was time for the main event and she watched as the wrestlers came out, making sure not to look at Chris, even though she could feel him watching her. To be on the safe side, she decided not to watch the match, which was probably a bad idea on her behalf.
The match had been going on for a long time. She found out that the guys had to be eliminated one by one. She had been listening but not watching which is why she didn't see the body come flying at her. She was too distracted to even sense anything but she did feel hands grab her as the person twisted in mid air so he landed on the floor with her on top.
She looked down and let out a big groan.
"Not you."
"So this is your new job?" he asked with a smile.
She sighed before giving a small nod.
"Does this make us even?"
"Hmm, Vamps or floor? Y'know, if you had landed on me, I wouldn't of been hurt."
She moved to get up but he pulled her back down on top of him.
"Why didn't you tell me your new job was here?"
"Gee must have slipped my mind." She said with a glare. "I didn't know you were a wrestler, hell I didn't even know your name."
She went to move again but he pulled her back once more.
"I'm Chris Jericho."
She snorted. "Yeah kinda got that one. Aren't you in the middle of a match?"
Her Slayer senses that she had honed while in prison so they picked up any kind of danger and not just the supernatural kind, began going off. At the same moment, Chris's eyes widened as he went to go shield her with his arms. She didn't look, just rolled them both to one side as a chair came crashing down right where their heads used to be.
"Now we're definitely not even." She told him from beneath him.
"How did you-?"
But she shook her head and pushed him away trying to see who had the chair. It was her new buddy, Triple H.
"Well look who it is." He leered at her.
Faith rolled her eyes and stood up. "This keeps getting better and better."
"Did Jericho find a new friend." He asked with a sneer.
"Look Chris, just finish your match and please keep me out of it."
She helped him up and left him, walking back to Larry who was smiling a self satisfied smile.
"What?" She snapped, more then a little irritated.
"You're going to get fired." Larry smirked.
"For what?"
"Not allowed to interfere in matched like that."
Faith glared at him. "Yes cause I planned it and y'know, when it comes to moving myself and a wrestler out of the way or getting smashed in the head with a chair, I go for option one."
Larry continued smirking as he turned away and Faith had to hold herself back from kicking him in the ass. Maybe if she really did lose her job, she would do just that.
The match continued on until there were only two people left. Chris and one of Triple H's guys and it appeared that Chris was kicking ass.
Faith pulled off her hat and turned around, handing it back to the guy she had borrowed it from. Instead he handed her a pen.
"You promised."
Faith nodded, scribbling Faye-Elizabeth on it and handing it back to him again.
"Thanks." She said.
"No thank you." He said with a big grin. "Are you sure you're not a wrestler?"
"No, why?"
He pointed behind her just as her Slayer senses went off. Before she could react, she was yanked back by her hair.
"You're wanted." Triple H whispered in her ear.
He dragged her by the hair back to the ring, turning her so she was facing it.
"Jericho." He yelled. "I have something of yours."
Jericho threw Orton over the top ropes and turned to them, freezing for a split second when he saw Triple H holding Liz by the hair. But he knew Liz could take care of herself. Any second now she would knock him on his ass and Jericho could only smile in anticipation.
"Oh so you don't care about her? So you wouldn't mind if I did this?"
Triple H wrenched her head back and delivered a hard backhand to her face.
Still, Jericho didn't do anything; he was waiting for Liz to react.
Faith, on the other hand, wasn't about to fight back. By fighting back, she would lose her job, plus the whole world would think it a little odd when she was able to kick the shit out of this jackass. So she took the slap, along with the next two that came. She looked up to meet Chris's eyes and watched as his face went from smiling to one of horror as the blood began to drip down her nose.
With her eyes she begged him to do something as he begged her to react.
Another slap and she crumpled to his knees. God, if it was any other person, how would they be able to handle this?
"So you don't care then Jericho?" Triple H taunted him, yanking her up again. "That's good. I think I'll keep her for myself."
He wrenched her head to the side, licking her cheek.
Okay, that was too much. Jericho had enough. He didn't know why Liz wasn't doing anything but he couldn't let her deal with this. He swung himself over the top rope, ready to charge but it appeared he wasn't the only one who had had enough.
For Faith, it was just too much. She could handle whenever he hit her but licking her cheek was just gross.
"You will not keep me or hit me again and you sure as hell won't lick me again."
With that said, she brought her elbow into his ribs and from his gasp, they were bruised. Giving him another sharp jab, she made them hurt just a little more. Then she grabbed him and flipped him over her shoulder.
"Got it?" She asked, giving him a kick in the ribs for good measure.
Chris smiled at her. "And you didn't do this earlier, because?"
"Duck."
Knowing he should trust her when she said that, he dropped down as a body went sailing past him, right into Liz. He watched as she used his momentum, grabbing his shoulders and rolling backwards, tossing him into the barrier. She stood and looked at him.
"You can finish your match now."
He nodded grinning at her before grabbing Orton and throwing him into the ring. He covered him for the three count, securing him a win.
The ref raised his hand in victory but he pulled away, instead grabbing Liz and pulling her into he ring with him.
She pulled away and leaned in close.
"Don't ever get me involved again. Leave me out of your little matches, leave me out of your little victories, leave me out of everything. Please, just leave me alone."
She jumped over the top ropes, landing gracefully on the floor. Without looking at anyone or anything, she ran up the ramp, through the backstage and out into the night, not stopping until she was safely back in her hotel room.
Once she was there, she grabbed her stuff and began throwing it into her bag. Her job was definitely gone now. It was better if she left now before someone came to yell at her. She couldn't stand people yelling at her anymore. Grabbing the last of her things, she zipped up her bag, slinging it over her shoulder.
Then there was a knock on her door.
Faith froze, looking for another means of escape.
"Liz, it's Rick, please just open up."
Still she didn't move."
"Look what happened today wasn't your fault, it was Hunter's."
Not her fault? Did this mean she still had a job?
"That's what I came to talk to you about."
Damn she had spoken out loud.
"Who's Hunter?" She asked, moving to unlock the door. Her handed hovered over the knob.
"Triple H."
"Who's out there with you?" She sensed someone, trying to be very quiet.
Rick hesitated. "No one."
Faith rolled her eyes. "I'm not stupid." She told him but opened the door a crack anyway.
That was all that was needed. Her door was shoved open, sending her stumbling back. At least it wasn't a vampire.
"We need to talk. Thanks Rick."
"No problem, just remember, half an hour."
He left, leaving Faith staring up at Chris Jericho.
"What are you doing here?" She asked in a tired voice.
"I had to talk to you."
"And I told you to leave me alone."
"I don't listen very well."
"No kidding." She replied with a snort.
Chris looked down at her duffel bag on the bed.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
She shrugged. "Onto some other town to look for some other job, I guess."
"Why?"
Faith sighed. "Hmm, lemme think about that. I'm just some techie, you're the big star yet I was in your match and something tells me that's a big no."
"So that's it then you're just leaving?"
She raised an eyebrow "What's the big deal, not like I have anything to stay for."
"What about me?" He asked in a small voice.
Faith had to laugh. "What about you? Dude, I don't even know you."
He smiled and moved closer to her. "You don't think it was a coincidence we kept meeting up do you?"
She took a step back. "Knew someone once, said thee was two things she didn't believe in, coincidences and leprechauns. I was in Ireland last year and came across one of the little guys but I didn't have the heart to tell her."
This stopped him. "Leprechauns are real?"
"Dude you just ran into Vampires last night."
"Very true." He said with a nod. "But don't change the subject. If you won't stay for me, how about a higher paying job?"
She tilted her head to the side, he had gotten her attention.
"What do you have in mind?"
--- --- ---
Waking up this morning, he had thought it had been a bad dream but on his nightstand had been the stake he had carelessly dropped there. He had quickly hid it in his suitcase before Edge had woken up. That would've been fun to explain.
But seeing it had made everything seems so real and he was left wanting to see Faye-Elizabeth again. He hoped she was still at the hotel when he returned. He's go to every tom if he had to. He couldn't just let her go.
There was a knock on his door.
"Come in." He called.
One of the stagehands poked their head through.
"You got five minutes until your highlight reel."
"Thanks." He replied, standing up.
The stagehand nodded and left.
For now, he had to do the show but later, he'd do all he could to find Liz.
--- --- ---
Faith was about ready to rip her hair out. Either that or punch Larry in the face. What an asshole.
She had arrived at two, like Rick told her and she had ended up sitting around until five, waiting for Larry. It was beyond boring. She ended up walking around backstage and was even hit on by a few wrestlers. This one guy had introduced himself as The Game. She had burst out laughing. Honestly, what kind of name was that? He looked a little pissed though and seemed ready to hit her. She shouldn't have cared because she could've taken him, no problem but she wasn't exactly keen on drawing unwanted attention to herself. So she walked away with him yelling at her and calling her a bitch. Later, as she was staring mindlessly at the ring, she realized it was the first time she had ever walked away from a fight.
Things only seemed to get worse. Larry treated her like dirt and he was full of degrading comments. Then the show started and the guy who had called himself The Game came out. She found he was also known as Triple H.
She knew wrestling was violent. When it came to violence, she was the queen. But this was too much when Big, Tall, and Freaky, AKA Kane came out and hit another guy that was in the ring with Triple H. Then Kane put his head in between a chair and jumped on it. She watched in horror as his throat was crushed and blood came spurting out. He was taken away by the paramedics but Faith was caught up in her own memories. It wasn't until Larry started yelling at her that she snapped out of it.
Then the show continued on and she tried not to watch anymore that was going on in the ring. During one of the commercial breaks, she had to help set up the ring for something called Chris Jericho's Highlight Reel. It was a welcome break from Larry.
After she was finished, she jumped off the apron of the ring and went back to Larry who was more then happy to throw the cables at her. She really wanted to put him into his place. It was a good thing the break was over or she might've done something she regretted.
A countdown started and Faith watched as the arena went dark and then light again when music started and a wrestler appeared at the top, his back to the ring. He turned around and started playing up to the crowd. Faith didn't notice this as her jaw dropped open.
Chris Jericho, the wrestler who was wearing flashy black and pink pants was none other then the guy she had kind of met at the bar then later saved from the Vamps. Chris Jericho was the guy she wanted to stay away from.
"Hey stupid, stop gawking and hurry your ass. Someone like that would never want you anyway."
Faith glared at Larry before walking closer to him.
"Hey Larry, I know you hate me, and well, I'm not too fond of you either so it's a good thing I haven't punched you in the face yet but do you think I could borrow your hat?
Larry just stared at her. "Shut up and hold the cables."
Faith sighed and rolled her eyes, looking out at the fans.
In the front row was an older teenage boy who kept glancing over at her in awe.
Putting on a big smile, she walked over to him.
"Hi." She said.
"H-hi." He stuttered. "Y-you should be a diva."
"Aww, that's sweet, but I have a favor to ask you." She said with a flirtatious smile.
He gulped and nodded.
"Could I borrow your hat?"
He nodded and handed it over.
"I'll return it soon, kay?"
"Will you sign it too?" He asked, hopeful.
"She stopped in surprise. "I'm no one important."
"But you should be."
Faith smiled a sad smile and turned away, pulling the hat low on her head so Chris Jericho wouldn't recognize her.
Just her luck, now she had to figure out a way to avoid him for the rest of the time she had this job and she kind of wanted it to be for awhile.
Following Larry, she inconspicuously tried to watch what was happening in the ring. She had to admit he seemed a lot different then the night before.
She watched as Eugene came down and Chris tried to warn him about his uncle. Then he was interrupted by music and Triple H and three other guys came down.
Chris backed up and leaned against the ropes nearest her. He glanced out at the crowd before glancing down at her and then back at the scene in the ring. He quickly looked at her again and she turned away, pulling the hat down lower. She refused to look up anymore as triple H made his threats then challenged his little groupies against Chris and some other guys.
Then they went to commercial and Faith put herself as far away as possible from the ring. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Chris jump off the apron of the ring and come towards her. Luckily he was stopped by someone and started heading backstage, looking back at her every once in awhile but she refused to turn fully towards him.
So the rest of the show went on, Faith barely paying attention as she tried to come up with a way to avoid him, nothing seemed good though.
Soon it was time for the main event and she watched as the wrestlers came out, making sure not to look at Chris, even though she could feel him watching her. To be on the safe side, she decided not to watch the match, which was probably a bad idea on her behalf.
The match had been going on for a long time. She found out that the guys had to be eliminated one by one. She had been listening but not watching which is why she didn't see the body come flying at her. She was too distracted to even sense anything but she did feel hands grab her as the person twisted in mid air so he landed on the floor with her on top.
She looked down and let out a big groan.
"Not you."
"So this is your new job?" he asked with a smile.
She sighed before giving a small nod.
"Does this make us even?"
"Hmm, Vamps or floor? Y'know, if you had landed on me, I wouldn't of been hurt."
She moved to get up but he pulled her back down on top of him.
"Why didn't you tell me your new job was here?"
"Gee must have slipped my mind." She said with a glare. "I didn't know you were a wrestler, hell I didn't even know your name."
She went to move again but he pulled her back once more.
"I'm Chris Jericho."
She snorted. "Yeah kinda got that one. Aren't you in the middle of a match?"
Her Slayer senses that she had honed while in prison so they picked up any kind of danger and not just the supernatural kind, began going off. At the same moment, Chris's eyes widened as he went to go shield her with his arms. She didn't look, just rolled them both to one side as a chair came crashing down right where their heads used to be.
"Now we're definitely not even." She told him from beneath him.
"How did you-?"
But she shook her head and pushed him away trying to see who had the chair. It was her new buddy, Triple H.
"Well look who it is." He leered at her.
Faith rolled her eyes and stood up. "This keeps getting better and better."
"Did Jericho find a new friend." He asked with a sneer.
"Look Chris, just finish your match and please keep me out of it."
She helped him up and left him, walking back to Larry who was smiling a self satisfied smile.
"What?" She snapped, more then a little irritated.
"You're going to get fired." Larry smirked.
"For what?"
"Not allowed to interfere in matched like that."
Faith glared at him. "Yes cause I planned it and y'know, when it comes to moving myself and a wrestler out of the way or getting smashed in the head with a chair, I go for option one."
Larry continued smirking as he turned away and Faith had to hold herself back from kicking him in the ass. Maybe if she really did lose her job, she would do just that.
The match continued on until there were only two people left. Chris and one of Triple H's guys and it appeared that Chris was kicking ass.
Faith pulled off her hat and turned around, handing it back to the guy she had borrowed it from. Instead he handed her a pen.
"You promised."
Faith nodded, scribbling Faye-Elizabeth on it and handing it back to him again.
"Thanks." She said.
"No thank you." He said with a big grin. "Are you sure you're not a wrestler?"
"No, why?"
He pointed behind her just as her Slayer senses went off. Before she could react, she was yanked back by her hair.
"You're wanted." Triple H whispered in her ear.
He dragged her by the hair back to the ring, turning her so she was facing it.
"Jericho." He yelled. "I have something of yours."
Jericho threw Orton over the top ropes and turned to them, freezing for a split second when he saw Triple H holding Liz by the hair. But he knew Liz could take care of herself. Any second now she would knock him on his ass and Jericho could only smile in anticipation.
"Oh so you don't care about her? So you wouldn't mind if I did this?"
Triple H wrenched her head back and delivered a hard backhand to her face.
Still, Jericho didn't do anything; he was waiting for Liz to react.
Faith, on the other hand, wasn't about to fight back. By fighting back, she would lose her job, plus the whole world would think it a little odd when she was able to kick the shit out of this jackass. So she took the slap, along with the next two that came. She looked up to meet Chris's eyes and watched as his face went from smiling to one of horror as the blood began to drip down her nose.
With her eyes she begged him to do something as he begged her to react.
Another slap and she crumpled to his knees. God, if it was any other person, how would they be able to handle this?
"So you don't care then Jericho?" Triple H taunted him, yanking her up again. "That's good. I think I'll keep her for myself."
He wrenched her head to the side, licking her cheek.
Okay, that was too much. Jericho had enough. He didn't know why Liz wasn't doing anything but he couldn't let her deal with this. He swung himself over the top rope, ready to charge but it appeared he wasn't the only one who had had enough.
For Faith, it was just too much. She could handle whenever he hit her but licking her cheek was just gross.
"You will not keep me or hit me again and you sure as hell won't lick me again."
With that said, she brought her elbow into his ribs and from his gasp, they were bruised. Giving him another sharp jab, she made them hurt just a little more. Then she grabbed him and flipped him over her shoulder.
"Got it?" She asked, giving him a kick in the ribs for good measure.
Chris smiled at her. "And you didn't do this earlier, because?"
"Duck."
Knowing he should trust her when she said that, he dropped down as a body went sailing past him, right into Liz. He watched as she used his momentum, grabbing his shoulders and rolling backwards, tossing him into the barrier. She stood and looked at him.
"You can finish your match now."
He nodded grinning at her before grabbing Orton and throwing him into the ring. He covered him for the three count, securing him a win.
The ref raised his hand in victory but he pulled away, instead grabbing Liz and pulling her into he ring with him.
She pulled away and leaned in close.
"Don't ever get me involved again. Leave me out of your little matches, leave me out of your little victories, leave me out of everything. Please, just leave me alone."
She jumped over the top ropes, landing gracefully on the floor. Without looking at anyone or anything, she ran up the ramp, through the backstage and out into the night, not stopping until she was safely back in her hotel room.
Once she was there, she grabbed her stuff and began throwing it into her bag. Her job was definitely gone now. It was better if she left now before someone came to yell at her. She couldn't stand people yelling at her anymore. Grabbing the last of her things, she zipped up her bag, slinging it over her shoulder.
Then there was a knock on her door.
Faith froze, looking for another means of escape.
"Liz, it's Rick, please just open up."
Still she didn't move."
"Look what happened today wasn't your fault, it was Hunter's."
Not her fault? Did this mean she still had a job?
"That's what I came to talk to you about."
Damn she had spoken out loud.
"Who's Hunter?" She asked, moving to unlock the door. Her handed hovered over the knob.
"Triple H."
"Who's out there with you?" She sensed someone, trying to be very quiet.
Rick hesitated. "No one."
Faith rolled her eyes. "I'm not stupid." She told him but opened the door a crack anyway.
That was all that was needed. Her door was shoved open, sending her stumbling back. At least it wasn't a vampire.
"We need to talk. Thanks Rick."
"No problem, just remember, half an hour."
He left, leaving Faith staring up at Chris Jericho.
"What are you doing here?" She asked in a tired voice.
"I had to talk to you."
"And I told you to leave me alone."
"I don't listen very well."
"No kidding." She replied with a snort.
Chris looked down at her duffel bag on the bed.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
She shrugged. "Onto some other town to look for some other job, I guess."
"Why?"
Faith sighed. "Hmm, lemme think about that. I'm just some techie, you're the big star yet I was in your match and something tells me that's a big no."
"So that's it then you're just leaving?"
She raised an eyebrow "What's the big deal, not like I have anything to stay for."
"What about me?" He asked in a small voice.
Faith had to laugh. "What about you? Dude, I don't even know you."
He smiled and moved closer to her. "You don't think it was a coincidence we kept meeting up do you?"
She took a step back. "Knew someone once, said thee was two things she didn't believe in, coincidences and leprechauns. I was in Ireland last year and came across one of the little guys but I didn't have the heart to tell her."
This stopped him. "Leprechauns are real?"
"Dude you just ran into Vampires last night."
"Very true." He said with a nod. "But don't change the subject. If you won't stay for me, how about a higher paying job?"
She tilted her head to the side, he had gotten her attention.
"What do you have in mind?"
--- --- ---