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
November 22, 2004
Chris Jericho fumed as he stalked down the arena corridor. He turned two corners and then his eyes narrowed. Vince McMahon. There was that arrogant son of a bitch asshole. Jericho clenched his teeth, storming down the corridor. Oh no, who did he think he was walking away. Mr. McMahon should not be walking away from anyone this moment.
As he approached the locker room, his attention turned to the door. He could deal with Mr. McMahon later. There was a certain someone that owed him an explanation.
Trish Stratus jumped as the door to her locker room slammed closed. She turned towards the door, her eyes wide with her gasp.
"What the FUCK was that?" Jericho snarled.
Trish jostled at his tone. She'd never seen him this mad before. Quickly resituating her towel, she hugged it closer to her body. "Chris."
"You're damn right, Chris." He responded. "Now what the hell was that? What you ... you go and ..."
"No," she interrupted, shaking her head at him. "No, I didn't do anything with him. I ... I didn't touch him and I ..."
"Were you naked under that towel?"
She bowed her head, sighing her response. "Yes."
Jericho let out a loud roar, his head throwing back as he stalked against the wall and slammed his fist into the concrete.
"Chris?"
"NO!" He yelled back, stalking up to her, his eyes ablaze with angered passion. "No, none of this Chris shit. How could you? What ... what the hell ... what ... what the FUCK!"
"Chris, please," she begged. "Let me explain."
Jericho took a deep breath, his eyes fluttering momentarily as he willed his passion to lessen. After a moment, he opened his eyes again and stared into her honey brown orbs. "Tell me."
"I didn't do anything," she quickly stated, her eyes pleading with him to understand. "I didn't. I ... I had to. Just listen." She swallowed hard when he waited. "Vince approached me and I had to. You ... you know about that commercial that aired during Monday Night Football last week. The one that got everyone up in arms and there was a big scandal and Vince thought of a great publicity stunt."
Chris still didn't respond.
"I'm so sorry, Chris," Trish continued, reaching out to gently touch his arm. "I'm sorry. I know I didn't tell you but when he came to me, he gave me an ultimatum. You see ..." she licked her lips, her voice lowering as she slightly ducked her head. "Vince ... Vince got another offer from Playboy and he wants another diva. He wanted me and it ... it was either the Playboy spread or this and I ..."
Jericho cocked his head, leaning closer to her. "Are you telling me that you either had to do this and make the entire world believe you were going to fuck Vince McMahon or else you had to strip for Playboy?"
Trish kept her head low though she offered a saddened nod. Then she swiftly lifted her head, staring him in the face. "I'm so sorry, Chris. If ... if I knew how much this would upset you I ... I wouldn't have done it. But I ... I just didn't want to pose for Playboy. I ... I don't want to and ..."
"Shhh," he hushed, reaching out for her and he carefully touched the plastic mask still on her face. She flinched and he hushed her again, this time lifting it up and removing it from her face. "Look at me."
Trish looked up, right into his eyes and she couldn't withhold the little tear peaking out the corner of her eye. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.
"Shhh," he hushed again and he reached out to caress his fingers along her cheek. "I'm sorry I got mad. I just ... I just ..." he growled. "God Damn that son of a bitch!"
"Chris, not so loud."
"I locked the door," he responded with a little shake of the head. "I just can't believe that he would make you do that."
"You ... you believe me?"
Chris cocked his head, his eyes piercing hers. "Of course I do. Why? Are you lying to me?"
"No," Trish answered quickly. "No, I'm not. It's just ... I ... last time you ... you didn't listen to me or believe me and ..."
"That was then," he explained softly. "This is now. And you're not lying to me. So I believe you." He clenched his fist, staring down at his reddened and bleeding knuckles. "God damn that fucking son of a bitch bastard ... I ... I outta ..."
"Your hand," she cooed, reaching out to grab his hand, staring down at his throbbing fist. "Oh God, you ... you shouldn't have punched the wall like that."
"I just can't help it," he snarled, his body tensing and his shoulders broad and stiffening. "I'm gonna pop I'm just so mad and that fucking cock sucking jackass. Who the fuck does he think he is ..."
Trish looked up in his eyes as he continued to swear, his eyes blazing with the anger towards Mr. McMahon. A tiny smile pulled at her lips as he continued to seethe, the obscenities rolling off his tongue. How protective, how honest and how defensive he was of her. How he trusted her and defended her and ... she couldn't resist him.
Chris's eyes widened, his words cut off when her lips were suddenly on his, her kiss sweet but passionate. It was only a few seconds but that didn't matter, every desire fired and he felt himself grow hard against her. He closed his eyes, awaiting the moment she pushed him away and called him a pig.
But she didn't.
He shuddered, his body raging when she moaned, pressing closer to him and wiggled her hips, rubbing against his quickly hardening bulge. He would explode at any moment if she continued to tease him.
Trish broke the kiss, staring up into his eyes and she licked her kiss swollen lips as he panted onto her face.
"Oh God, Baby," he growled, running his hands around her and hugging her close. "Baby, you can't tease me like that."
"I can feel why."
He chuckled, rubbing his hands along her sides and then up to cup her face. "God, are you gorgeous," he sighed.
"I have tape over a broken nose."
"And you are so absolutely beautiful."
Trish smiled, gently, taking a few steps back from him. Her brow rose, her eyes flickering seductively and they darkened.
Jericho groaned deep in his throat as she reached up, linking her fingers into the top of her towel. And just like that, the towel dropped to the floor. "Good God!" he exclaimed in a deep raspy voice, his excitement showing even more prominent in his tights. "Baby, for the love of God, don't tease me."
"Who's teasing?" she asked, seductively approaching him again, her hands clutching at his hair, tangling in the blonde mane as she pulled his head to her, her mouth on his.
"I want you," he growled against her lips and he quickly lifted her in his arms, carrying her to the couch and then laid her down. He settled on top, wasting no time as his mouth devoured hers.
"Mmmm," she hummed, tilting her head to the side as his lips traveled down her throat. Her eyes focused momentarily on the clock on wall at the opposite side of the room. "We only have ten ... oh God, you're good at that," her body rocked into his, her hips grinding at him. "Quick, Baby," she begged, her hands reaching down to pushing his tights off his hips. "Quick. I ... I need you now."
"Baby," he groaned as his tights pushed down his thighs, staying just above his knees and he lifted up, glancing down at her. "I want to ..."
"Later," she pleaded, her voice begging for him as her body arched. "Now, Chris. Please. God, I want you so bad."
He growled as her lips attacked his again, her hands assaulting his sensitive body and his control dwindled. He needed her. And he needed her now.
Vince McMahon smiled cockily as he strode down the arena corridor. So he hadn't gotten the busty blonde to strip for playboy. It wasn't as if he hadn't seen what she possessed in the nude. And oh did he get an eye full that evening. The voluptuous woman removing her towel, showing him every one of her assets.
He couldn't help but chuckle at the memory. Oh yes, that vision of Trish Stratus will stick in his mind for another few years. It had been almost three years since he spent a night with that beautiful blonde and he'd been yearning for that experience again.
He tried to convince her to his bed that evening. Hoping that she would take up his offer. The anger charged through his body at her refusal. How dare she deny him. He was Vince McMahon. Who did she think she was? What loyalties could she possibly have to deny him?
Either way, he made her pay for saying No. He fully intended her to pose for Playboy Magazine but when she turned that down too, he contrived a most beautiful scheme. Not only would he see her naked beauty, but he could take a swat at the NFL while he was at it.
Oh and what a lovely sight she was. So curvaceous and so gorgeous. Vince could feel his excitement for that woman tingling through his body. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted her. Maybe, he'd have to push his real wants on the woman he'd desired ever since he signed her contract with the WWE.
Chris Jericho moaned, collapsing onto the woman's body beneath him. He squirmed slightly, his head turned into her neck as he panted onto her slicked skin. He was exhausted, beyond tired and yet so absolutely satisfied. His eyes fluttered open and he moaned again as her fingers combed through his hair, her touch gently caressing his back.
"Mmmm, Sweetie," she hummed with a smile on her face. "You're so good."
A smile pulled at his lips and he snuggled further into her hot body, ignoring the chill of the locker room stroking his back. He just didn't want her to be cold. "God, I forgot how amazing it felt to be with you."
She tightened her arms around him for a moment and then turned her head, placing a slow wet kiss on his ear. "It's amazing being with you too." She chuckled. "There went our plan to take it slow."
He laughed, wiggling against her and then pressed his lips to her throat. "Well you were the one who jumped me, Baby."
"I'm sorry," she apologized.
Grunting, Chris pushed up on his elbows, balancing to either side of her as he looked down on her face. "What you apologizing for?"
"For being so forward," she explained, shaking her head and averting her eyes from him. "For what I did before and not ... and then what we did now and I ... I didn't even give you a chance to ..."
He leaned down then, covering her mouth was his, silencing her with a fiery passionate kiss. When the kiss ended, he pulled back, his lips hovering over hers for a moment until he snuggled back against her, placing his lips on her ear for a soft kiss.
"Chris," she breathed. "I ..."
"Shhh," he hushed, not wanting her to speak. "I've been dreaming of his moment for months. You don't have to apologize. It was special to me, Sweetie. Believe that. And God, Baby, I can't believe that I finally felt you again."
Trish smiled as he kissed her ear again, slow, wet and sensual and she let her head fall to the side. Her eyes fell on the clock. "Oh God, Chris." Her voice was filled with panic. "Chris, your match is in five minutes."
He groaned, pushing away from her and he smiled down at her face. "Damn these matches. Always at the most inopportune moments."
Trish leaned up then, kissing him once and then again on the mouth. "We both have to get ready. I have a pretty rough match too, tonight."
Jericho's eyes narrowed as he watched Lita return from the ramp and walk behind the curtain. "I bet you're really proud of yourself, huh?" he quipped, his arms crossed in agitation.
"You bet I am," she responded, a smile on her face. "I don't give two damns about that little bitch's title. I just like making her life a living hell. Just like she did mine."
"So you'd rebreak her nose week after week. Takes a lot of courage to go for a weak spot."
Lita stopped, turning to face the man who spoke to her. "What's this? Chris Jericho defending Trish Stratus?"
"I'm saying that you're better than that, Lita." Jericho replied. "Why do you have to humiliate her every damn time?"
"Because that's what she did to me," Lita spat back. "I was at my worst and what did she do? She kicked me when I was down. You know, I didn't want her support. I didn't want her friendship. But she couldn't just leave me alone, could she. And now that I'm back? You want me to lay off?" she scoffed. "Fat chance."
Chris approached the redhead slowly, his eyes intense and dangerous as he looked down at her. "And I'll bet you're really proud over what you did at Survivor Series, huh?"
"Damn right I am," Lita snapped back, her eyes narrowed at this unexpected attack, and from Chris Jericho at that. "I didn't mean to break her nose, but I'm damn glad I did. The only thing she cares about is the surface so now she's exposed for what she really is."
"And what would that be?" Jericho asked, his patience running short.
"A two cent whore."
Jericho glanced to his left at that answer.
Edge stood there, a huge grin on his face and he sauntered over, placing himself between Jericho and the redheaded woman. He cocked his head to the side, his eyes amused as they searched the other man's. "Did you hear my response? I said ... a two ... cent ... whore."
"I heard you," Jericho answered, a dangerous glare in his eyes.
"Chris, no."
Lita's eyes widened as Trish walked over and grabbed Chris's arm, pulling on him.
"Chris, please. Don't."
"Oh, I don't believe you heard what he said," Jericho drawled back, a smile on his face. "I think I may have to teach stumpy here a lesson."
"Stumpy?" Edge's eyes fired, infuriated with Jericho's words. "If anyone's stumpy here ... it would be you." He raised his pinky finger to the air, showing Jericho and then curving it slightly. "Aww, look how cute he is. Poo Poo. A Boo Boo Boo."
Jericho growled, his eyes ablaze.
"Chris, no." Trish pleaded again and she pulled on his arm, trying desperately to pull him away. "After what Dave did to you, you're in no condition to fight. Please, please don't."
Chris chuckled. "And even like this, I can still take it to Edge without a problem." Jericho's smile was still bright. "So is that why Stacy left you? You looked at yourself more in the mirror than she did?"
"You son of a bitch," Edge growled and stalked forward, nose to nose with Jericho, daring him to make another move.
Chris didn't say a word, but stood his ground, glaring up at the other man.
Lita gripped Edge's arm, pulling on him. "Come on, Edge. They're not worth it. Let's go. Let's get out of here."
"Oh, on the contrary, Babe," Edge spat back. "He's quite worth it."
"Babe?" Jericho's brow rose and that cocky grin spread across his face. "So she's fucking you now, huh? So within the last six months that makes me, Jeff, Matt, Kane, and you?"
Edge bore his teeth.
"Tell me, Edge," Jericho said softly, just so that the other man could hear him. "How does it feel to be number five? Can you even tell you're inside her?"
Edge growled.
Jericho only shook his head. "Even when you know how Jeff feels about her. Some friend you are. What would you do if I told you that your brother was in love with her too?"
Edge didn't respond.
"I suppose you don't care about that now, do you? And Lita calls Trish a whore."
Edge recoiled.
Jericho fell to the ground with an 'Umph', Edge's fist impacting his jaw and knocking the smaller man right off his feet. Chris reached up, cupping his throbbing jaw with his hand. He didn't jump to his feet, but stayed where he was, glaring up at the other man.
Edge's stare remained intense. "You better watch your fucking mouth, Jericho. My business is my own and you'd be best to stay the fuck out of it if you know what's good for you." That said, the tall blond turned to look at Lita and the two walked down the hall and away.
Trish dropped to her knees at Chris's side and only when he knew they were alone, did he let the wince pull at his face. He clutched his abs, his other hand cupping the back of his head. "Oh God, Baby." She cooed, cupping his face in her hands and then running them down his body, pulling on his arms. "God, why did you do that?"
He hissed, pushing up to his feet and then ducked his head, cupping the back of his neck. "Because I'm sick and tired of Lita singling you out just to physically attack you. And then that jackass decided to get in the way."
"Come on, let's go back to the hotel. I think you need to lie down and relax. God, did Dave hurt you that much. I ... I never thought he could be that way."
"Batista's an animal," Jericho responded, walking back to his locker room with her and he pushed through the door, only to flop down on the couch, exhausted.
"Honey, we should leave." She said softly to him, removing the plastic mask from her face and holding it at her side.
A smile pulled at his lips as he gazed at her. "So lovely." He reached out for her, his arm outstretched and a pitiful pout fell onto his face.
She giggled, walking over to him and letting her take her hand. She let out a yelp as he pulled on her, tugging her onto him and she fell gracelessly onto his body. Wiggling quickly, she pushed up to look on his face. "Chris you ... you're injured and ..."
"Not that bad," he responded and leaned up to take her lips with his. He reveled in her whimpered moan and he band his arms around her as she leaned into him, her head tilted for easiest access to his mouth. The kiss fiery, passionate and needy yet still laced with the utmost affection.
When the kiss finally ended, Trish kept her eyes closed, her tongue peeking out of her mouth to lick her lips and savor the flavor of him, the feel. "Mmmm, I love it when you're affectionate."
"Well, I'm still pretty affectionate," he answered, his hands caressing her back. "And we can't leave yet cuz Randy wants me for something at the end of the show." He smiled mischievously and arched his hips into her. "And I have a little something that I need to take care of. I can't quite go out in public with this now can I?"
An involuntary moan slipped past her lips, her eyes fluttering. "God, already? We ... it wasn't even an hour ago when ..." She swallowed hard.
Chris tilted his chin up, flicking his tongue at her lips a few times, teasing her as his hands caressed her back. "And we have about an hour until I have to go out there again. Much longer than we had last time. Baby, I want you again."
Trish licked her lips. "God, I can't say 'no' to you." Her mouth crashed to his.
Lita stared down at the cell phone in her hand, her thumb hovering over the 'send' button. His familiar number flashed before her and she just needed that extra push to call. They hadn't spoken since ... since ... She couldn't remember when.
Her eyes closed. She could remember their nights together though. They were beautiful. That was the only way she could describe those nights. Beautiful. He was the most attentive man she'd ever known. His words were beautiful, his actions were beautiful. He made her feel beautiful. Everything about their moments together. His kiss made her shiver, his eyes made her quiver. She just wanted to collapse. Why did everything have to be so complicated?
Did she really love Matt? She wasn't so sure now. And Kane? What of Kane? Though she loathed the man, he did protect her, kept her safe. Even if only for their baby's sake. And now Edge. She didn't know what she was thinking getting back with Edge, even if it was only for the sex.
Lita shook her head with a sigh, lowering the cell phone and clicking it shut. Who was she kidding? He'd never want to speak to her again. There was no point. Though she missed him, she simply couldn't find the courage to give him a call.
"Hey, Babe."
Lita jostled at those words, her hazel eyes looking up at the man who stood across from her.
Edge offered her a winning grin. "Don't look so down. I'll be fine. It's only a cage match and I've been in many."
She forced a smile at those words. Silly fool. Was he always this full of himself? "You'll be great." She said, taking his hand in hers and giving it a comforting squeeze. "I'm not worried about anything."
The tall blond smiled back, nodding with his pride. "I'm really glad that we've moved past ... it."
"I am too, Edge."
"I never meant to hurt you."
"I know."
Edge grinned at that, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "Come on, walk me to the ramp."
This time it was Trish's turn to collapse, her sweat slicked body falling onto his as she went limp. Her head nuzzled into his naked chest, her body still quivering from what they had just done.
"Mmmm," he hummed, tracing his hands along her sweaty back. "Wow."
"Yeah," she panted onto his neck, tilting her head a little then sealing her lips in a soft kiss on his Adam's apple. She smiled when he growled at the sensation. "You like that?"
"Mmm hmmm," was his only response as she nibbled and nipped at that part of his throat. He moaned his disappointment when she stopped, her arms on his chest as she propped herself up to look on his face. He frowned. "Why'd you stop? It's only 10:30." He leaned up, his lips seeking hers.
But Trish pulled back from him, not moving, just simply turning her head away, not letting him kiss her. She smiled coyly. "No more yet. You're hurt from Dave and I'm not gonna make it worse."
"But you're such a wonderful distraction."
She shook her head and then lay back down, her hands rubbing over his sides as she relaxed into him, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "Just stay like this. This is nice."
Jericho smiled. "And it's even nicer that we didn't lock the door."
Instead of shooting up in alarm, like he expected, she only chuckled. "There's always something so sexy about the thought of getting caught."
"Oh is there ever," he said, wrapping his arms around her. "Trish?"
"Mmmm."
He smiled. "Can we go again?"
Disbelieving, she pushed up, staring down into his eyes with an incredulous expression. "Again? Already? God, are you that horny?"
"Kinda," he responded but then reached up to touch her face. "Not now necessarily. I just want to cuddle for now." He pulled her down, and smiling, she obeyed, meeting his lips in a soft kiss.
One soft kiss and then one more, she pillowed her head on his shoulder again. "When we get back to the hotel. Then maybe."
Chris smiled his appreciation. "And just think. It'll be the first time we have sex in a bed. I think that calls for a celebration." That said, he flipped them, being careful with her so they didn't fall off the couch and after some squirming and situated, he had her pinned beneath his body.
She flashed a knowing stare. "Chris? What are you doing?"
He rocked his hips, adoring how her eyes fluttered at the sensation. "I told you already. We're celebrating."
She reached up, pressing one hand to his lips. "We've been celebrating all night."
"That's right," he answered. "And now we're celebrating that later we're going to celebrate in a bed for the first time. That calls for a celebration."
She cocked her brow at him, an amused smile pulling at her lips. "I can't believe you want to go again."
"Wanna know a secret?" he asked, in a whisper, leaning down close to her.
She nodded, sucking her lower lip into her mouth.
Chris leaned further down, his lips right at her ear. "Sometimes, I imagine what it would have been like if I wasn't a fool. If I never messed up between us. And I imagine what it would be like if we'd have been making love since this time last year. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like, if I never saw that tape and I never overreacted and I never lost you. Sometimes I wonder how I can be the stupidest man on the planet and yet still have you in my arms right here ... right now."
"Oh Chris," She sighed, her arms tightening around him.
He nodded against her, his lips brushing her ear with the movement. "I've dreamt about us, about our futures and I ... I just can't stand the thought of anyone hurting you. We have so much time that we've wasted and I'm mostly responsible." He pushed up from her, staring down into her beautiful face. "I don't want to waste any more time, Baby."
A tear slipped from the corner of her eye. "Me neither, Sweetie."
Chris's smile broadened at those words and he was tempted to spill his heart. To admit his undying love for her, to pledge himself eternally to her. But no, he couldn't. She wouldn't want to hear that from him. She wouldn't want that. She doesn't love him like that, at least not yet. She ...
His thoughts were cut off when her mouth found his again, leaving no doubt in his mind of for what she yearned.
Christian narrowed his eyes, his gaze darkening at what he witnessed. Lita stood in the arms of Edge by the curtain to the ramp and the man was kissing her. A growl slipped past his lips as the woman tangled her fingers in the blond man's hair.
He yearned to be the man she kissed that way. But in recent months, she's forgotten his existence. Well not anymore. She would know who Christian is. She'll remember what he's done and what he's always done for her.
"I'll show you, Edge." He snarled to himself. "I'll show you I'm the better brother. I'll show her. I'll show everyone."