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

January 3, 2004

Chris Jericho frowned as he watched the television monitor. His heart tugged and pulled at what he witnessed and he no longer found solace in his conjured excuses. He simply didn't understand her anymore. She'd changed, and though he still loved her, she was entirely too different.

Trish Stratus pushed through the door to his locker room, her eyes down and unwavering as she paid him no attention and walked to her duffel bag. Immediately digging inside, she gathered her shampoo, conditioner and laid out a change of clothes. Sighing in what sounded like frustration, she raked a hand through her hair.

"You don't smile anymore."

She turned to him at those words, her face still marred with a sadness that couldn't be placed. "What?"

Chris stood but did not move from his place. "I said that you don't smile anymore."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

He shrugged, his voice still soft despite her slowly rising tone. "It's just that it's been so long since I've seen you really smile. In the ring especially. You ... you used to smile so often and all of a sudden ... no more."

"I used to smile?" she questioned him and her arms crossed angrily across her chest. Her eyes narrowed, her glare vindictive. "When was that? When did I use to smile?"

Chris sucked his lower lip into his mouth, actually thinking of his answer. As he thought further and further back, a certain sorrow filled him. "Actually ... be ... before we started ..." he raised his eyes to hers, looking for hope, praying she would dismiss his fear.

She did not.

He swallowed hard, reading everything from anger to blame in her eyes. "Back in 2003. Before I ... before I broke your heart. You ... you always smiled ... before that."

She sighed at the memory. Though what he spoke of was not what she meant, in truth, he was right. She had been on a roller coaster ever since she became involved with Chris Jericho.

"I ..." He shook his head, ducking away from her. Without uttering another word, he rushed quickly from the room.

Lita followed Kane down the arena corridor. She eyed him with caution but also with an overwhelming sensation of trust. Kane was the last man she expected to aid her this evening.

When Snitsky came down to the ring ... when he and Trish almost appeared to be double teaming her. When her neck was trapped in that chair. She didn't expect Kane.

She had been involved with Edge for months. She believed that the man loved her. But where was he. He did not rush to her aid and he no doubt had more than enough time to do so.

And Christian. What of Christian? He surely seemed to care for her from what she had witnessed last week. But he also did not come to her aid.

Not even Matt, the man who claimed to love her, the man whom she believed that she loved ... Matt had not exactly been released to return to the ring. But he knew that she was being threatened by Snitsky and yet he never attempted in all these weeks to come see her, to call.

But the one she could count on when she was in trouble, the man who came to her aid ... was Kane. And then to add to her confusion, she wasn't quite sure what he would do once in the ring with her. All the big red machine did was lift her up, ensuring she was alright.

Lita felt her breath catch in her throat as she could easily read Kane's lips in that ring. He had sworn to kill Snitsky. He had sworn to protect her, to make him pay for all the hell she'd been through.

She cocked her head as they continued to walk. She hadn't seen Edge today at all, nor had Christian made any approach. In all honesty, she wasn't sure where Snitsky was or if he had any surprises planned. She wasn't bound to leave Kane's side. And if Edge wouldn't come to her before ... and in that ring ... how could she expect him now?

Trish kept her eyes downturned, her legs crossed as she sat waiting in the locker room. She hadn't seen Chris since he barged out and she'd only just witnessed his crossbody onto two men, she was expecting him shortly. After all, he wouldn't leave the arena without returning.

Chris barged into the locker room, his eyes never searching hers as he grabbed his bag and shoved all his belongings inside. "I have a gig with Fozzy. Don't wait up for me."

She could barely respond before he whisked the bag onto his shoulder and rushed out the door.

Jeff Hardy sighed, shaking his head as he turned off the television set. "Will they never learn?"

Chris Jericho wiped the sweat from his brow then bowed at the applauding crowd. "Thank you. Thank you so much and buy or new album!"

The crowd's applause was deafening.

Jericho smiled even brighter, bowing in recognition before running off stage.

"Great job out there, Chris."

"Thanks," Jericho acknowledged, the grin still on his face. He pulled his leather jacket on over his sweaty torso, the black t-shirt he wore was soaked and sticking to his body. He smoothed his hands over his leather clad legs and then stepped out the back door and into the alley.

Trish pulled her coat tighter around her body, wrapping her arms around herself as she watched the man down the end of the alley. It wasn't necessarily cold outside, but she felt cold. She cocked her head. When had he started smoking?

Chris stood a ways away from that backstage door, leaning against the brick wall, a cigarette hanging from his hand. She watched the light glow of embers, the smoke willowing up and everything brightened when he inhaled a long drag.

His head tilted back then as he expelled the breath slowly, his body sagging with the relief he appeared to gain.

She walked slowly, approaching him as quietly as she could.

Chris's eyes widened as he saw her, recognized her and he stood straight, but did not drop the cigarette. He sighed. How lovely she looked, even with the small frown on her face, the sadness in her glazed eyes. Her leather coat was tied at the waist, her black jeans hugging perfectly. Her blonde hair fanned back over her shoulder.

He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. Instead he only watched as she stopped in front of him. He didn't resist when she took the cigarette from his hand and drop it to the ground. Without another hesitation, she stepped into him, her arms wrapping around his neck as she hugged him.

Chris paused, unresponsive at first but after only a moment, he wrapped his arms around her, ducking his head into her throat, burying his face in her hair. He inhaled, her scent overwhelming him.

She didn't speak, only held him. Her tears burned at her eyes, her chest beginning to shudder with unshed sorrow.

Chris hugged her even tighter. "Trish, I ..."

"Shh," she hushed, leaning back from him and pressing her fingers to his lips. "Don't speak." She licked her lips, her eyes meeting his. "I ... I'm sorry, Chris. I ... I never meant to insinuate that ..."

"You're right," he interrupted her and when she would silence him again, he only shook his head. "Let me speak."

She waited.

"Trish," he breathed, reaching up to touch her cheek with his hand, his finger catching the teardrop from her eye. "I realize the bastard that I am. I remember how you used to smile ... when I watched you and pined for you from afar. You would always smile and you had the most beautiful smile. And all I ever wanted to do was to make you smile like that. To always make you smile, to make you happy."

"That's why I'm sorry," she stopped him before he blamed himself anymore. "I'm sorry that I made you think that you don't make me the happiest woman alive."

His brow softened, a smile tugging at his mouth. "Smile for me."

She sighed. "I can't smile ... knowing you'll be in that chamber on Sunday. Ever since I found out about that I ..."

"I'll be fine."

"Fine?" She swallowed the tears in her voice. "I remember your first Elimination chamber. You were thrown through the glass. You were bleeding and so hurt. And ... I ... I couldn't take that. I couldn't handle it. I know I can't."

"It'll be ok, Baby," he said, gently. "I know I can get hurt but you better believe I'm gonna be damn careful. I have something to live for now." He brushed his fingers over her cheek and then through her hair. "I'll be ok ... for you."

"Promise me you'll walk out of there."

"I don't know if I can do that," he responded honestly. "Sweetheart, you know that I can't control everything that happens. God only knows what Edge or Hunter are planning on doing. Or if Batista gets the sudden urge to toss me through something."

Trish bowed her head, her blonde hair falling into her face.

But Chris would have none of that. He hooked a finger under her chin, tilting her eyes back to his. "But I can promise you this. I'm gonna do my best to win. And to fight as hard as I can. And I swear that when I get out of there, winner or loser, I will be in good enough condition to hold you in my arms and to kiss you. Making love ... we may have to wait a while."

She let out a teary laugh at his jest.

"That's my girl," he sighed, his eyes twinkling with unadulterated love. "That's the smile I fell in love with."

Her smile remained at his words.

He smiled just as brightly, cupping her face in his hand. "I'd kiss you but ... it's been so long since you smiled at me like that ... I ... I just want to look at you."

Her eyes brightened still, her heart swelling.

"God, how beautiful you are," he breathed, his one arm tightening around her waist, pulling her closer. "Let me make you smile."

"You do," she answered him, her hands reaching up to cup his face, just to touch him. "You ... you shaved."

"It was kinda itchy." Chris leaned towards her, pressing his forehead to hers as he nuzzled her with sincere tenderness and affection. "Do you remember the last time we were in this position, my Love?"

Trish nodded, her nose brushing against his. "The last time we were like this ... we were about ... three hours north."

"And we were in the alley for a good, twenty minutes."

"Yeah."

"And you took my breath away," he admitted. "No woman ever kissed me the way you did. No woman ever held me like that ... kissed me like she wanted to not because it was expected. Kissed me because she wanted me so much ... she just had to."

"Chris?"

"What?" his brow rose questioningly, his eyes full of hope.

Trish smiled at him again. "Kiss me ... like I kissed you."

He spun her quickly, pinning her flush against the wall, her breath catching at the sudden motion. He pressed his hips against hers, his hands roaming down her sides as he quickly untied her coat and opened her to his gaze. His hands gripped her hips, slipping around her waist to slide up the back of her shirt.

Trish gasped, shivering at his quick movements and she didn't have time to react as he bent down, his lips crashing to hers. She moaned at the feel, his lips hot and demanding as his tongue twined into her mouth, tangling and dancing with hers.

Chris growled against her lips as her tongue responded with the same passion, so hot and moist, so delicious. Her hands raked through his hair, clutching at his head as she pulled him even closer.

She suddenly broke the kiss, laughing a moment and she ducked her head.

"What ... what's so funny?" he asked in a breathless voice.

Trish licked her lips, eyeing his already kiss swollen lips and noting his flushed and aroused appearance.

"You laughing at my kiss?"

"No," she shook her head, touching his face to ease his doubt. "No no, not that. I ... I'm thinking about us. How ... how we always end up in each others arms."

"And that's funny?"

She nodded, her heart bursting at the slightly hurt look on his face. "But only because I ... I love you so much."

His brow furrowed. "You're laughing ... because you love me?"

She nodded, a small giggle slipping past her lips.

He smiled then, standing tall a moment. "Then I make you smile ... and my day is made."

Trish returned his smile and pulled his head down, capturing his lips in a heart searing kiss.