Part Six

"Stephanie, I'm going crazy here. I feel like a caged bird."

"Lita, calm down. Listen to me. It's only been a week. It's especially important that you don't go out or anything. Not yet. You can't take a chance on anyone recognizing you."

"I don't know how anyone would recognize me," Lita said, picking up the end of her hair and twirling it around her finger. "I've dyed my hair blonde, and the cut you gave me is so short that it only barely touches my shoulders. Add in the blue contact lenses, and I barely recognize myself."

"Yeah, but your shoulder tattoo will definitely give you away. You did pack shirts with at least quarter sleeves, right?"

"Yes, mother, I did," Lita chided her. "Don't worry, no one's going to know who I am."

"And that's because," Stephanie started, prompting Lita to finish the sentence.

"Because I'm not going to go out. I'm hiding here in your cabin." Lita sighed audibly. "Alone. A hundred miles away from home. And wondering if I once again did something stupid."

"Lita-"

"I know, Steph. I have to keep this baby safe. And Matt too." Her voice softened at his name. "How is he Steph? Is he doing ok?"

Stephanie didn't answer immediately, taking a second to decide how truthful she should be to Lita. She decided she could handle it. "Honestly Lita, he's taking the news kind of rough."

Lita felt her eyes well up. Once again, she hurt the one she loved the most. "Oh," was all she could manage. "How did you do it? You know, how did you tell him?"

"I called Jeff rather than Matt that night because I didn't want to break the news to him while he was at home alone. I figured it'd be good if he had someone with him. I spoke to Jeff again this morning, and he and Beth have been staying with Matt on and off since then. He's trying to deal with it, Lita. The best he can."

Lita nodded, knowing Stephanie couldn't see her but not caring. "Well, I'm glad for that. He and Jeff have always been so close. Did Jeff say anything else?"

"Actually, he did. It's taking all he can do to stop Matt from going to California and look for you. They've believed the story 100. I feel so rotten," Stephanie admitted.

"I know. But after Kane's threats, I truly fear for my life, the baby's and Matt's. Stephanie, Matt is very stubborn. What if he does go to California?"

"Don't worry. I've got a friend there who runs the witness protection program for the county. He understands why we're doing what we're doing and agreed to help us. That's why we didn't have to really sink a car in the river. It's also how we've managed to keep it out of the papers."

"Wow. I can't believe you, Steph. You really do have contacts, don't you."

"I suppose it pays to have friends in high places."

Lita sighed, sadness creeping into her voice. "So, I take it Matt's not at the show tonight then."

"No, he's at home with Jeff. I told them to take all the time off they needed. I don't think I could face him right now, and he was in no shape to come. Besides, tomorrow I'm flying down to see him. He wants to...." She trailed off, not wanting to finish her sentence in fear of upsetting Lita.

"He wants to what? C'mon Steph, tell me."

"He's planning a memorial service Lita."

"Oh. I see. I suppose I didn't think about that happening."

"Well, he loves you Lita. With all his heart, and regardless of what's happened between you two." Stephanie heard her friend sniffling on the other end of the line. "But don't worry, Jeff said it's only going to be a small, private ceremony, just for close friends. No media circus, fans or whatnot."

"Good. He doesn't need anymore chaos after everything that's gone on the last month."

"Yeah," Stephanie confirmed. "I've also told him that we decided to keep your death low-key on-air. No tributes, memorials or anything to draw attention to you. I said you had once told me that should anything happen to you in the ring, you wouldn't want it. We're going to say that you went out with an injury and will be gone for a while."

"Sounds good. Oh God, Steph. This is harder than I thought. I need to see Matt. I need to just see his face again. Maybe if I explained, maybe I could tell him what I'm doing so he wouldn't have to be in so much pain. Maybe.."

Stephanie cut her off. "Lita, you can't. Not now anyway. It's too volatile. Please promise me you won't try to come near the service. You can't risk someone seeing you. You may inadvertently put yourself and Matt in even more danger."

"Steph, I'm also very worried about what Kane might do now. If he's upset he may try to take it out on Matt, or what if Matt tries to go after Kane? The whole idea of my being dead is to get Kane to leave Matt alone now. He has no reason to go after him anymore with me being gone."

"Kane's been weirdly quiet here Lita. Not a peep from him. He's booked to fight Benoit tonight. We'll see how it goes."

"He scares me to death, but I'm more scared for Matt when he returns to work."

Stephanie was going to respond when she was interrupted by a knock on the door. A production assistant peeked in, "Excuse me, Miss McMahon?"

Stephanie turned around, "Hang on a second, Li-", she caught herself. "Lisa," she said into the phone. "Someone's here."

"Can I help you, Tom?"

"Stephanie, I think you better come with me. There's a problem."

"A problem?"

"Yes," the young man said grimly. "Kane's on the warpath backstage. He's destroying the catering area."

Stephanie nodded and the man left again to wait for her outside.

"Stephanie?" Lita asked, catching snippets of what was being said. "Is everything alright there? What was that about Kane?"

"Lita, look. I have to go. Apparently Kane's going ballistic somewhere. So much for the peace and quiet I mentioned. Listen, you sit tight, and try not to worry. And for goodness sake, listen to what I said and stay where you are. I know it's hard. But you've got to, for everyone's sake. I'll call you tomorrow night. Ok?"

"Fine," she muttered. She heard a click on the other end of the line, then softly dropped the receiver back onto the hook. Picking up her juice, she walked over to the picture window, looking out into the night sky.

"I'm sorry Matt. I'm so sorry to put you through all this. But, I have to see you, just once. I need to know you're ok." Turning on her heel, she headed to her bedroom to pack a small bag. Stephanie could kill her later, but right now her heart was telling her to see Matt.

To be continued..............