The next few days were aggravating. Eric couldn't stop hearing the thoughts of all women around him, even when he didn't want to. The next RAW came by faster then he expected, but all he could think about was Stephanie. He tried to convince himself it was crazy for him to be infatuated with someone he knew would never share the same feelings as him.
Eric relaxed on his long black leather couch for a moment, trying to contemplate why this was happening to him. Was he supposed to learn some sort of lesson? Or was this just fate pointing its finger and laughing at him? Either way he wanted it to end, he couldn't bare hearing another woman pretend to act sweet to him and end up thinking he's an asshole.
"I'm taking the night off." He said calmly to himself.
Before he could grab his duffel bag Coach bursted into Eric's office, rushing over to him. "Eric, you won't believe this, but.. Stephanie McMahon just arrived at the arena, and rumor has it, she's going to try and steal a RAW superstar, tonight!"
Eric closed his eyes for a moment and let out a soft sigh, then opened them again. "I'm not in the mood to deal with any women tonight." Eric put his hands in his pockets. "The last thing I want to do is talk to Stephanie McMahon."
Coach tried to understand what was going on. "So, you want me to give the divas the rest of the night off?" He asked.
Eric shrugged. "I don't know, let's say we have a diva battle royal, whoever wins gets to face Trish at the next Pay Per View event. All the divas will be included, except Lita. She will be facing Trish tonight for the title." He said firmly.
Coach stood there and pondered for a moment. "But, don't you think the other divas wouldn't be very happy about-"
"I don't give a damn what the other divas want! Tonight is about me. I'm taking the night off. You can handle the princess." He said, referring to Stephanie.
Eric grabbed his duffel bag and headed out the door, Coach quickly followed. "But what if she manages to steal one of our best superstars right under our noses!? What will happen then?"
Eric turned around quickly and snapped back. "If she does, I'll just grab one of her superstars from her, it goes back and forth, but usually I'm the one who ends up on top." He let out a smug laugh then thought about what he just said word by word, realizing it sounded a bit perverse, in his case anyways.
Eric grabbed his cell phone out of his pocket and headed toward the exit, calling his limo driver. Coach stayed behind and headed back to Eric's office, taking over for the night. Eric stopped in the parking lot, waiting for Jonathan to pick up the phone.
Instead of getting a hold of his limo driver he received his automated voice message. "Hey, it's John, I'm not available right now. Please leave a message."
Eric rolled his eyes. I pay this guy a hell of a lot of money and he doesn't answer his damn phone. "Hey, John. It's Eric Bischoff, I'm at the arena right now in the parking lot. I'll see you soon." He then quickly hung up and shoved the phone in his pocket, setting down his duffel bag next to him on the ground.
"Can't believe how much I pay this guy, and he's never on time." Eric mumbled to himself, picking up his cell phone and re-dialing the number. Before anyone could pick up on the other line, he heard a very familiar voice in the same parking lot he was in.
"Yes, I'm in the RAW arena right now. Just make sure she gets the message that I'm coming to talk to her about joining Smackdown." Stephanie continued talking on her cell phone then quickly hung up, heading toward the arena entrance.
Eric turned around to spot Stephanie McMahon right by the entrance to the arena from the parking lot, she suddenly stopped in her tracks and swallowed hard. Damnit, he spotted me. She thought to herself, letting out an annoyed sigh. Eric slowly approached her.
"Stephanie McMahon. What a .. surprise to see you here." He said sarcastically. "Couldn't stay away from me too long could you?" He asked with a cocky smile, running his hand through his hair for a moment before looking her up and down.
"You're disgusting Eric." She sneered.
"I know you really don't feel that way about me Steph." He touched her chin gently and leaned in toward her.
Don't let him kiss you again. It's wrong to fall for the enemy, especially Eric Bischoff. she thought to herself.
Stephanie tiled her head away from his touch and looked down. "I have business to take care of Eric."
Eric stopped and looked at her for a moment. "Stealing another one of my superstars princess? Possibly a diva this time?" He asked, an eyebrow slightly raised.
Stephanie looked at him with a weird expression on her face. "How did you-"
"Oh, I know." He smirked.
Stephanie turned her back to him, heading for the entrance. Eric quickly grabbed her arm and spun her to face him. "Don't walk away from me Steph."
Stephanie looked in his eyes for a moment and felt her entire body go weak. She thought back to Smackdown's Halloween Special 2002 when he first advanced on her in her own office, and the worst part was-she let him. This time Stephanie wouldn't fall for that, even if there was chemistry between them every time they were in the same room.
"Let go of me Eric." She demanded.
Eric leaned in closer, cornering her against the wall. Stephanie felt the cold concrete against her back. Stephanie took in deep breaths when she noticed the look of desire in Eric's eyes, piercing hers.
"Eric, we can't do this. It's so wrong, don't you see that?!" She looked around for a moment then tried to escape his grasp.
Eric grabbed her arm quickly, spinning her around to face him. "Stephanie, wait." He searched her eyes for a moment, waiting for her to start forming thoughts in her head about what just happened.
"What is it Eric?" She asked. "What do you want from me?"
"Stephanie, please. I know this is very weird, and probably awkward. For you. But.." He started.
Stephanie interrupted him. "You mean, it isn't weird at all to you? This thing that we have, I mean..don't have.. we don't..." She paused, trying to think of what to say. Smooth Stephanie, real smooth. "Damnit Eric!" She screeched.
"How is it supposed to make me feel?" He put his hands on both of her arms and looked her in the eyes. "You think I like feeling this way Stephanie? You think I like thinking about you, dreaming about you.." He let go of her and ran his fingers through his hair and looked her up and down again. Since the moment they met he had felt the strongest attraction to her more then any woman he's ever seen. Must be that McMahon blood in her that makes her so moody.
"I won't be stopping by your arena anymore, and I'd appreciate it if you did the same. If you what you just said was true, you'll stay away from me." She said firmly before turning her back on him once more and starting to walk away.
"You can't tell me you don't feel something for me, I know you do." He called out.
Stephanie stopped in her tracks. Even though I do, I can't let it get to me. I refuse to get hurt again. "I don't feel anything for you." She said turning toward him. "You disgust me. You're.. appalling! I hate you and I hate everything you stand for." God, I'm so sorry. I didn't want to do this. You forced me to. Stephanie quickly looked away, trying to show no emotion other then anger.
"just do me a favor and pretend this never happened. None of it. Not Halloween, nothing. You can go back to being an arrogant jerk who treats women like their objects again, and you can keep your reputation of being an asshole. We can go back to fighting like we used to, competing, and you will never hit on me again." She insisted, getting closer to him. "This is just.. too much. I could never be interested in someone like you." If I hit him where it hurts, he'll leave me alone.
Eric looked down, ashamed. Then he realized he'd have to convince her she was wrong. "Stephanie, I know you have feelings for me. You just don't want to get hurt again. But I can assure you right now.." Eric paused and started to think to himself for a moment. He knew he'd probably end up hurting her later on since she was partially right about him. He is an asshole, even he knew that.
Stephanie looked at him for a moment. "What, Eric? What were you going to assure me of? That you'd never hurt me? We both know that isn't true." You can also be selfish, manipulative, egotistical.. "Okay, I get it." He said sharply. Stephanie gave him a confused look. "Get what?" She folded her arms.
Eric then stopped and looked down for a moment, realizing he had to make up something to get himself out of this situation. "I get that you think all men will hurt you. I don't blame you to be quite honest." Eric began to pace in front of her for a moment then stopped. "You know what? You're right. This would be way too awkward for the both of us. It could never .." He sighed then place his hand over his forehead for a moment, trying to think.
"I have to go." Stephanie backed up slowly. "This time, don't stop me. I don't like you Eric, I never have. And if for some odd reason you really do feel something for me..." She paused then sighed.I'm really going to hate myself later. She thought to herself, turning her head to the side away from him again. Damnit Stephanie, you're a McMahon, don't let yourself fall for this asshole. "Just.. stay away from me."
Eric grabbed her by the arm. "You really think you're too good for me princess? Well, truth be told, I'm too good for you!" He let his arrogant side take over.
Stephanie's eyebrows pointed down, showing her angry expression. "Screw you Bischoff!"
"No! Screw you McMahon! It seems your entire family thinks they're too damn good for everyone but the truth is, you aren't! Get over yourself, you're nothing special. You're just like everyone else, except that you're Daddy runs the company!" He mocked her.
Stephanie raised her hand to slap him, but Eric quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him. "What are you going to do Steph? Slap me? Go ahead, do it." He still held onto her wrist firmly, but not too tight to hurt her. Stephanie used her other hand and put it around his neck, pulling him in for a long, sensual kiss. Eric let go of her arm and pressed her body against his, not even noticing a fellow RAW superstar witnessing the steamy kiss between the two General Managers.
Authors Notes: I didn't mean to make this entire chapter all Eric/Steph, but I had so many things going on through my head about this chapter, and I like Eric/Steph moments, plus I love the way they argue. The whole love/hate thing has me intrigued. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter!