This picks up right were the last chapter picked off with Danny dealing with some of the revelations made in that chapter - Juliet

All Jules-Dana

Chapter 117

Shell shocked

As soon as I got out of that meeting room where Dad, Shane McMahon and I met with Vince McMahon I just sat on a bench towards the back of the courtroom pretty much shell shocked by what Vince admitted in there.

I was next.

I was the next to die.

I guess maybe it should come as no big shock to me given how much trouble me and Athena had gotten into since going to Kemper Arena a few months ago, but honestly, with everything that was going on, it never entered my mind that Hunter would really try to kill me. I was more worried about my sister, who had buddied up to the McMahon's before she found out the truth than I was about myself.

I felt somebody come up to me. I really hope it's a bailiff or Dad and not anybody else I know. I really don't think I could lie if somebody asked me how I was without telling them what Vince said in that meeting room. I'm not sure what would be the reaction say, my Uncle Ric or Eddie would have to knowing that Hunter wanted me dead. I certainly don't want to know what Mom would do to Hunter given that she punched Eric Bischoff twice when she learned his involvement in this whole mess. I look up; it's Eddie.

"Danny, you okay?" Uncle Eddy asked.

"Peachy, considering I just learned I was targeted for murder by the Helmsleys," I said, before I could stop myself from revealing that in front of Eddie.

I didn't think Uncle Eddie's face could ever turn so simultaneously pale and red at the same time and I could tell he was trying not to burst out into Spanish. He grabbed my shoulder lightly and led me out of the courtroom, giving Helmsley a look that would probably kill if it could. We sat down on some benches in a remote area of the courthouse.

Eddie sighed. "Danny, what went on in there before you left?" he asked.

I told him about what went on in there, from Vince expressing guilt about believing Michaels' lie about Shane, to Hunter hating me and about getting arrested stopped whatever Helmsley had planned for me. Eddie placed a hand on my arm, and I hadn't realized I'd been shaking until he did that.

"God, I hate being right," Eddie, muttered.

"You knew!?" I asked, maybe a bit too loudly because Uncle Eddie winced a little.

"Nothing for sure; nothing concrete, but I had a feeling Hunter might try something after you got kidnapped and I got to see the RAW where you two, you and Athena, went to Kemper," Eddie gave me a look at that last. I wonder if he's had a chance to talk to Athena about that yet. I hope nobody tells the Harts. I don't want her in any more trouble than she already is with Eddie. "My first real clue was when Vince tried to foster Hunter as a guest trainer, breaking an agreement I had with him not to ever have Hunter as a guest trainer."

"That's the real reason you sent me home when Michaels came isn't it." It wasn't a question, but Eddie nodded anyways.

"I was afraid that, despite it being Michaels, about something happening to you. There was no way to know where Helmsley was even though it was Michaels officially there instead of Hunter. Knowing Hunter, there wouldn't be anytime to arrange anything so that nothing happened to you and after Nancy yelled my ear off the night before you got back to OVW from your flu, I didn't want to hurt her with news of you being hurt or worse. Though Dean told me her reaction was a bit worse than what I got."

"We already figured that Vince wouldn't do anything to Athena with Bret around, which is why after I got Michaels as guest trainer, I asked Bret to stop by as an advisor. Kinda risky given, Michaels and Bret's history, but if Vince knew Bret was actually there, he would hold off on anything bad happening to Athena. There was no guarantee I could keep you safe even if Cam was your friend there's some suspicion that Michaels didn't know about Stephanie and Hunter planning your Dad's death until after the fact. I think if it had been Hunter alone with you that night at Daytona Beach, you would've probably gotten more than just restrained by Johnson and Michaels. We don't even know if Johnson had a clue about everything the McMahons had done over the years. But I felt you were safer at Nancy's until at least Michaels' week was up."

I nodded. It made sense, now that I really think about it even though I was pissed at the time. I really thought Uncle Eddie was acting like I couldn't take care of myself with Michaels around but now I realize he probably saved my life by sending me home. I have to wonder though what would've happened if I had stayed that week.

"If Vince doesn't turn on Hunter, can we just keep what Vince admitted about whatever Hunter might have had in mind in me away from Uncle Ric, and Mom? I don't think that would be good for anybody," I said as me and Eddie got up to go back into the courtroom.

"I think Ric will probably be your Dad's call, but I think we can all agree to keep it from your mother provided it doesn't come out in court," Eddie said.

As we came back to the courtroom there was a sudden uproar, and people at the entrance.

"What's going on?" I asked as Cassidy Austin came up to us.

"Somebody tried to kill Hunter Hearst Helmsley!" She exclaimed.

As we watched Hunter was holding his now bloody nose. An olive skinned man was being handcuffed and led away to another room in the courthouse. The man spit on Helmsley on his way out.

I started to ask Eddie, but the judge banged her gavel and announced yet another fifteen minute recess.

I think I'll leave the who beat up Helmsley as a mini cliffhanger for at least until 118.

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