Sorry for the long time it took to update this one.

TITLE: The Approaching Storm Chapter Three/? R
AUTHOR: Juliet3:16
EMAIL: ,
RATING: R
CONTENT: VIOLENCE, ADULT LANGUAGE, TORTURE
CATEGORY: ADULT, DRAMA, HORROR, ANGST
SPOILERS: Up through 3/24/02 when Stephanie lost the three - way (though I kept it a handicap match in this fic's universe) and was cashiered out of the WWF, though I've tweaked little things here and there in this universe to make certain things work. Lita and Edge never suffered broken necks. Flair and Hunter never went heel.
SUMMARY: The nWo's mayhem brings about two unexpected tragedies and changes the Federation forever.
DISCLAIMER: Vince owns all. I own nothing.
DISTRIBUTION: The Realm, Anyplace else please ask.

The Approaching Storm

Chapter Three

Little Surprises

Hunter Hearst Helmsley had been getting ready to go to bed when his cell phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and answered it.

"Hey Shane, what's up?" The Game greeted his soon - to - be ex brother - in - law.

"Trish's awake," Shane said simply, without preamble. The short statement said volumes nonetheless.

"When?" Hunter asked, all thoughts of sleep now gone from his mind.

"Just about less than an hour ago. Doc said she was reasonably healthy, considering she'd just been in a six - month coma. They'll probably want to keep her here a few days in case of complications. Lita's in there with her now," Shane answered.

"How much does she know?" Hunter asked, knowing that he probably knew the answer.

"She knows Rock didn't survive the hit and run, and that's about it. She doesn't know anything about what happened to his body," Shane replied with a defensive tone in his voice, "Lita's not that callous - "

"Hey, hey, calm down, Boy Wonder," Hunter said, figuring it was best to diffuse the impending argument before it started, "I didn't mean to imply - "

"Then don't," Shane cut Hunter off," for future reference, Lita's not like your former running buddies."

"Or your sister," Hunter shot back. He sighed, knowing the subject would just end up going nowhere and besides that, Shane had a valid point about Hunter's former friends. He decided to change the subject.

"How's she physically?" referring to Trish.

"Physically, the doctor said she's in amazing shape for somebody who just came out of a six - month coma," Shane explained accepting the abrupt change of subject without question. Hunter made a valid point about his currently absentee sister and Hunter's almost ex - wife Stephanie and Shane didn't feel up to an argument after witnessing Trish's reaction to Rock's death moments earlier. "Like I said, they'll want to keep her awhile for observation and then Lita will probably want to take Trish home with her so that Trish isn't by herself for the time being.

Hunter nodded, despite Shane not being able to see it. "We're going to have to tell her what happened to Rock's body eventually. We don't, Nash will and knowing that bastard the way I do, he'll make her aware of it in the worst way possible." It was still strange for Hunter to think of his former friends, Nash, Hall, X-Pac, and Shawn Michaels as enemies rather than the friends they all used to be. But as long as all were still working for Vince McMahon in his new company then enemies they would be.

"She has to be told sometime Shane," Hunter reiterated for the man on the otherside of the line.

Shane sighed. He knew what Hunter was talking about, knew what could do to emotionally finish off the blonde woman that was currently crying on his girlfriend's shoulder in a hospital room. If Trish Stratus wasn't completely destroyed on the inside already. Shane and Lita would at least half to tell Trish the WHOLE truth about Rock's death and the aftermath of it before his father found out about the petite Canadian's improved medical status.

"If we can keep things quiet until we can get her out of here, then we'll try to hold off until we get her to Lita's place and break it to her there. If not, then well try to tell her as gently as we can."

"You talk to Flair?" Hunter asked.

"First person I called before I called you," Shane replied, "he thinks that outwardly, nothing should change. Keep the guards, the visits, the rotations, everything. Hopefully that will throw my Dad off the scent, so to speak for a little bit. Once Dad and Nash and Hall get word she's awake, the restraining order will kick in so that should keep them at bay a bit too," As part of the plea agreement Vince's lawyers worked out for Nash, Hall, and Hogan, there a court order in place that stated, once Trish was awake, that the three men were to not to go within a mile radius of Trish Stratus for at least four years and even longer if any of the three violated their probation period during that time.

"Good luck," Hunter muttered. He knew as well as Shane how Vince McMahon operated. Most of the employees in Vince's new company, including the nWo operated the same way. Vince liked to keep tabs on all allies and enemies, even if they didn't seem like they weren't a threat to him. Flair had to learn the hardway to keep tabs on Vince and his crownies in much the same way. Vince would probably find out quickly about Trish waking up. Even if Nash couldn't touch her, he'd probably find a way to hurt her without making it seem that he violated his probation. Hunter just hoped Trish could be spared from further agony from his former buddies.

Suddenly there was a knock on Hunter's door.

"Look, man, somebody's at the door," Hunter told Shane, "I'll call you back." Hanging up the cell phone, he went to the door.

There was nobody there when he opened it. He was about to close it when he heard a soft cooing sound. Reluctantly he looked down.

And saw a baby at his feet.

More to come soon. Thanks for reading. Will welcome feedback.