Title: By My Side

Author: Crimson Coin

Disclaimer: I do not own the WWE or any mentioned wrestlers. They are merely used/borrowed for the purpose of this fictional story.

Rating: PG 13 – R, depending on the chapter

Summery: Continuing from Unstoppable and Endless Love. Will friends and love still flourish?

Timeline: October 2004 – present

October 18, 2004

Chris Jericho looked up at the door of his locker room at the soft rasping. "Come in." he called, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. Wincing he raised his eyes to the door as it swung open.

Trish Stratus stood in that door, just like every other week, her arms crossed in front of her chest. "Is it my turn this week to worry about you?"

Chris chuckled, his hand dropping to his side. "You know something. I'm sick of worrying."

"Well, I'm not." She answered, walking further into the room. "Why are you always getting hurt? Can you cut it out?"

He laughed with a slight shake of the head. "I don't know, Hun. I really like getting my ass kicked. I think it's good for me. Keeps me on my toes."

"Well, I don't want you on your toes." She responded, approaching him then looking up into his face. "I want you in one piece. Is that so much to ask?" She gazed up at him for another moment then offered a sigh. "It's all that happens now. You get hurt every week."

"Hey now," He said, softly, reaching up to take her hand in his. "Don't you be worried about little old me. I'm fine. Now don't dwell."

Looking up on his face, Trish felt her stomach quiver, her knees wanting to shake and her heart race. He was so handsome, his eyes so gentle and glistening with every emotion. Though at first, she hated his hair cut. It was too short and she loved long hair, to just run her fingers through his long mane. That was the most vivid part of their first kiss. She could feel his mouth and his hands, yes. But no, it was the feel of his hair, raking her fingers through it as she guided and positioned his mouth just where she wanted it. And now, she couldn't help but love it. She loved his hair. It was still long enough and she wanted to reach out and run her fingers through it again. But that would be too bold.

Chris smiled, gently, knowing she was entranced looking at him. What was it that had her so transfixed? "Sweetie?"

Trish shook her head, her mind clearing. "Huh? Oh ... Sorry. Were you saying something?"

"Yeah," he said, leading the conversation exactly where he wanted. "I was asking you when you were leaving for Milwaukee."

"Oh," she furrowed her brow a moment. "I ... I wasn't sure. I ..." she giggled. "I actually didn't even make arrangements to get there. Not used to going anywhere but home after RAW. I guess I'll just rent a car tomorrow morning and go up."

"It's only a two hour drive or so." Jericho claimed, a hopeful glint in his eye. "And I do have my rented car. Why don't you come with me tonight?"

"Tonight?"

"Yeah," he said soothingly to her shocked expression. "Come on. I got all my stuff right here and I know you do too which means you didn't check into the hotel. Let's just go to Milwaukee."

"I ... I don't know."

"Oh come on," he coaxed. "What are yah scared of? Just let me take a quick shower first and I'll meet you in like twenty minutes. Ok?"

Trish smiled. "I'll meet you in the parking garage."

Chris warmed at the sight of her, leaning against his rented car, her arms crossed over her chest as she looked at the ground. How did she know which car was his? When did she get so beautiful? So much more beautiful.

Hoisting his bag a little higher on his shoulder, he walked closer. Damn, was she gorgeous. Just standing there in tight black slacks and a black buttoned down blouse, a pair of high boots on her lovely feet. Her hair was golden soft and hanging down, her face devoid of her usual heavy make-up, only the slightest bit she wore. He prayed he'd be able to control himself.

Trish released a sigh and then looked up, a smile pulling at her lips at the sight of him. "There you are. I was getting worried."

"All you do is worry." He jested, approaching the trunk and opening it. "Here give me your bag."

Trish lifted her bag from the floor, handing him the strap and as he placed both their bags in the trunk, she allowed herself the liberty to scan his body. A blue button down shirt, tucked neatly into his light beige khakis, a pair of black boots on his feet. His hair was dry and soft, just so soft. And it even looked like he just shaved.

"Ok, let's go."

But Trish didn't move aside. She held out her hand, cocking her head as she eyed him with warning.

Chris furrowed his brow, unsure of what she wanted. "What?"

"Keys." She explained, motioning to him with her outstretched hand. "Keys, now. You aren't driving."

"I can drive." He defended, pulling the keys protectively against his chest. "I'm fine, Sweetheart. I can drive."

She dropped her hand, disbelief in her eyes. "You were knocked out in the ring. You barely had the strength to tap. You stopped my heart. Now give me the keys."

"No," he resisted, almost childish in his tease with her and a smile spread onto his face. "I'm fine. So I drive."

"You sure?" she asked, getting a whiff of his cologne. God, he was delicious.

"Of course." He drawled. "Now come on. Let's get on the road before it's too late."

Chris sighed, tilting his head from side to side as he continued the drive down the highway. It had been about an hour and the conversation at first had been wonderful. Friendly, joking, just lovely. But now, she seemed to be slightly tired.

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Trish cuddled against the door of the car, her head pillowed on the shoulder strap. She shifted her weight, shivering slightly.

She was so cute. He smiled and reached over to lock the doors then switching hands, adjusted the heat in the car, turning it up just a bit.

Trish glanced over her shoulder at the sound of the blowers.

Chris turned his head slightly, looking in her eyes and he nearly died. So ... so very beautiful. Her eyes were slightly glazed, her face a little dropped in seriousness. She must have been sleeping. "I'm sorry." He apologized softly. "You looked cold."

She smiled, twisting in the seat to face him and she curled back into her ball, resting her head on the back of the seat as she looked up at him. "I was ... a little." She reached out then, grabbing his right hand in hers and she pulled it off the wheel and into her lap, wrapping her tiny hands around it.

Chris smiled back at her, flicking her a look from the corner of his eyes before looking back out at the road. He closed his fist, holding her hands with his. "There's a rest stop just ahead, like half a mile. I'm gonna stop. I gotta pee and stretch my legs."

"Mmmm," she hummed, her eyes already closed. "Sounds good. I could use something to munch on anyway."

Trish wrapped her arms around herself, hugging tightly as she shivered, standing in front of the car at the rest stop. God it was so cold. Her eyes brightened as she saw him running out of the rest stop building, a paper bag and a large drink in his hand.

"Hey," he greeted, slowing his pace. "There was a pretzel place inside there. Hope you like salted soft pretzels. I got us three and this large Lemonade. Lemonade good?"

"Yeah." She answered, forcing a smile.

He furrowed his brow. "What's the matter?"

"I'm just freezing."

"Oh Honey," he said quickly, rushing to his side of the car. "You should have told me. I would have left the car on or given you the keys." He opened the driver's side door and placed paper bag on her seat and the drink in the cup holder. He turned on the car.

"Can we leave?" she called.

"Wait," he interrupted, making sure the doors were unlocked before closing his. "Here, I'm gonna get you real warm, real fast."

Her face flushed at those words, despite knowing his meaning was far from sexual. She ducked her head.

"Come here." He said, then gathered her into his arms. "Now watch this."

Trish hugged him back, snaking her hands around his waist and she followed his lead as he backed her up. She gasped when her butt came in contact with the hood of the car.

"No no." he calmed. "It's ok. Just kinda sit down."

She obeyed, sitting on the hood of the car. It was hot. She sighed at the warmth. And sitting in this position, her face was buried in his chest, her arms and hands clutching at his back. She wanted warmer however and traced her hands back and slipped them under his jacket then around his waist.

Chris chuckled. "See. The car's been driving non stop for like an hour. She's nice and hot."

Trish smiled at his words, noting his double meaning and she tightened her arms momentarily before easing back. She gazed up at him and his eyes locked on hers. She swallowed hard, his eyes full of such fire and intensity, she wanted to run. But no, that wasn't what she wanted to do.

Chris licked his lips as his eyes focused on hers. He could feel every jolt of electricity shooting through his body. He wanted her. He wanted her bad. And he wanted to do things to this woman that were far from decent and far from appropriate at such a place.

Trish couldn't look away. And she couldn't resist him anymore. She traced a chilled hand up the front of his body, reaching up to snake her fingers around the back of his neck. She tugged gently on him.

He didn't object when she pulled him down and he slowly obeyed, inching further to her. His breath caught high in his throat as she lay back on the hood of the car, still pulling him down to her. He was gentle, though, following her still but making sure not to crush her.

She wanted none of that. She wanted to feel him. Her one hand tightened on his neck, the other around his waist and she pulled him further into her, withholding a moan when his body pressed against hers, his face only inches away.

Chris licked his lips, his eyes unwavering and his body shaking at the feel. Her body ... the hot car and the vibrations of the engine. That combined with the knowledge that they were alone and she was right there, pulling on him, begging him for something.

Trish's body surged, subconsciously rocking into his for a mere moment as she kept their eyes locked. She said nothing, simply tickled his hairline with her fingers, the hand on his waist slipping under the shirt to touch the skin of his back.

Her actions, their proximity, Chris felt his skin crawl, goose pimples forcing the hair to stand on the back of his neck, forearms, back, thighs and calves. The heat from the engine infused him and he knew she couldn't be cold anymore. His eyes widened pleasurably when a little pink tongue peeked out of her lips and she licked them moist.

Trish gasped when his mouth suddenly covered hers, but her surprised only lasted a moment. Her fingers clenched at his hair as she released a sigh, caving into the car and letting him settle further into her. She moaned when his lips coaxed and teased hers to part and she was more than willing to give him the deep kiss for which he sought.

Chris moaned in return when she slipped that hot tongue into his mouth and he shivered with delight when she touched her tongue to his. Soft, gentle and tender was her kiss, filled with yearning and desire but still laced with the purest emotion he felt tears.

Trish gripped his back even tighter as her other hand tickled forward, cupping his cheek preciously as the kiss extended and deepened. She shuddered as his hand traced down her side, up then down again before resting on her thigh and he gripped her leg.

He hummed into her mouth, tangling his tongue more intensely with hers as he lifted her leg gently, placing her thigh on his hip so he could press even closer to her and he moaned with satisfaction as she tightened that leg, hooking her heel into the back of his butt and pulling him closer still. God, anymore of this and he didn't think he'd be able to stop.

His cologne filled her lungs mixed with that comforting scent she always loved about him and Trish had to remind herself where they were and the position they were in. But she didn't want this kiss to end. It was so surreal and perfect and wonderful. He was delicious and the vibration of the car underneath her was making this far more difficult than ever before.

Chris had forgotten how sweet she tasted, how wondrously her body felt pressed to his in such a passionate embrace. He never wanted this to stop. He wanted this forever. He felt her fisting his hair again, gently pulling him back as she slowed the kiss. Finally as her lips wrapped around his once and then one more time, she eased him back completely. Her heart softened at the smile on his face.

Trish didn't push him away yet. On the contrary, she tightened that leg around his waist, her foot giving him a teasing spur and she smiled as his eyes fluttered with his groan. It was such a deep sexy groan too. It raced her heart.

"Tease," Chris chuckled with a shake of the head and he placed his hands on her hips, jumping back from her and standing her on her own feet. "Next time you go and spur me like that, be warned I'm taking no prisoners."

Trish giggled, shoving him playfully by the chest as she bounced over to the passenger side of the car. "Come on. Let's go. I'm hungry."

He laughed, walking to the driver's seat and slipping in. Starting the car, he pulled from the rest stop and merged onto the highway. "So are you gonna feed me my pretzel or am I gonna get all greasy fingered dropping it in my lap as I'm trying to drive."

"Well if you're gonna be a big baby about it." Trish jested with a smile, reaching into the bag to rip off a piece of a pretzel. She raised the big cup of lemonade to her lips, sipping at it delicately through the straw.

Jericho let out a groan as his eyes met her and her actions. "Sweetheart, you are gonna have to warn me before you do that. Or at least turn the other way."

"Whatever for?" she teased, batting her eyes as she took a nice long suck of the lemonade, then placed the cup back in the holder.

Chris only shook his head, unable to keep the smile off his face. "Women."

"What about us?" Trish asked, offering him another piece of pretzel.

"Nothing." He answered tilting his head to take the pretzel in his mouth, his eyes still on the road.

But she pulled the pretzel away. "What do you mean, nothing? Bull ... nothing."

"Come on, Babe." He pleaded. "I'm hungry." He stuck his lower lip out in a pout. "You gonna leave me without?"

Trish waved the piece of pretzel at him. "Yes."

"Please," he begged, fluttering his eyes at her a moment.

Trish's smile grew as she shifted her weight. "Give me a kiss first." And she leaned over to place a chaste peck on his mouth before offering him the pretzel.

"Mmmm," he hummed, licking his lips as he chewed on the small piece of pretzel. "Trish-tzels. The best thing ever."

She giggled, settling back into her seat as she bit off a piece of the twisted dough. She shivered, her smile broadening when he reached over, taking one of her hands with his and pulling it into his lap, placing her palm on his thigh and covered her hand with his, entwining their fingers.

She sighed, her eyes locking on him as he focused on the road and controlling the car. So handsome, so wonderful ... so perfect. Where did they ever go wrong? The smile fell from her face as she remembered the bet, Bischoff, the tape ... everything swirled into her mind and she couldn't stop their mind numbing effect. She couldn't help but feel pain.

She shuddered when he caressed his hand along hers, his fingers petting along hers and then traveling the slightest bit over her arm before entwining yet again. He lifted her hand then, bringing it to his mouth and he placed two warm kisses on her palm. "Don't think, Honey." He said as if reading her mind. "Don't think about anything like that now. I don't want you worried or upset. Let's just have a nice drive."

Trish couldn't help but smile and she pulled her hand from his to reach back into that bag, breaking off another piece of pretzel for him. She offered it to him wordlessly, and he took his time, taking it from her fingers, making sure his lips touched her fingertips as he closed his mouth.

She pulled her hand back then, loving the sensation he gave and even slightly angered with herself for being so weak to his charm, to his kiss and his words, to everything this man was. Was she still in love? Truly in love?

Trish shook her head, disbelieving of the betraying thought her mind had fabricated. Though she couldn't deny that her body was still hot, her heart soaring and her lips still burning from the fire of that kiss. God, had she missed this man's kiss. And she wanted more. In truth, she wanted him to just pull over the car that moment.

And she knew exactly what she would do. She'd grab him by the collar and drag him into the backseat to have her sweet way with him. But again, Trish shook her head. She couldn't let herself get all hot and bothered over that notion.

She was relieved when he turned on the radio. It would be a welcome distraction to her suddenly spinning thoughts. What had happened that evening?

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(There will be no Taboo Tuesday Chapter)