Chapter 3

Dave watched from the back as Trish accompanied Tyson Tomko down to ringside. The slut chants never seemed to get old as far as the fans were concerned. She just shrugged them off as usual, yelling back to the crowd with some obscenities of her own. She did a good job at playing the role of heel, even though she was dying inside. This wasn't what she wanted at all.

Trish's attention focused on the top of the ramp as Jericho's music blared from the speakers of the arena. It had been a while since Tomko had faced Jericho and Trish was not looking forward to it.

Chris kept his eyes completely glued on Trish as he made his way down the ramp. He still had not fully recovered from what she had done to him at WrestlemaniaXX. No woman had ever stolen his heart the way that she had and he hated himself for ever trusting her. She would forever be a thorn in his side.

Trish stepped out of the ring as Chris entered, not wanting to get taken down by the Canadian. Her hand was not completely healed yet and the last thing she needed was for it to get broken again.

The match quickly got under way and Tomko took advantage of the fact that Chris was staring down Trish. He hit him from behind, knocking him to the ground. The guys fought back and forth, each getting in their fair share of moves. The end of the match came when Trish grabbed Jericho's leg, preventing him from giving the Lionsault to Tomko. This allowed Tomko to give Jericho a big boot to the face, knocking him out cold. Tomko covered him for the three count.

The two celebrated in the ring for a moment, taunting Chris in the process. Tomko picked Jericho up from the ground, holding him up for Trish to hit him. She was reluctant to do so at first but from the look in Tomko's eyes, she wasn't about to refuse. Christian would make her pay later on if she didn't do as she was instructed.

Trish slapped Chris as hard as she could, a wicked smile forming on her face as a red mark formed on his cheek. Tomko instructed her to hit him again, only harder. This time she balled up her fist, punching him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. Tomko threw him to the ground, giving one last kick to his gut before they both left the ring.

Dave continued to watch her as they headed up the ramp. They glanced back at the ring one last time, the pained expression evident on her face. Dave knew of the past relationship that she had with Jericho and how she had screwed him over but that look in her eyes showed him that it was killing her what she had just done to Jericho. Something was just not right.

When Trish got back to the locker room, Christian was waiting for her. She was greeted with a smack across the face. "What the hell was that out there," he questioned. "You think I didn't see that Trish? How many times have I told you, you will never have him back in your life so why don't you give it up now." Tears began to stream down her face as he shoved her into the corner of the locker room, kicking her relentlessly.

Tyson had to turn his head, the bile in his stomach threatening to come up. He wasn't sure of how much more he could take of this. Day in and day out Christian just continued to use her as his personal punching bag. He grabbed his gym bag off of the bench and walked out the door without a word being spoken. He knew that it was wrong of him to just walk out the way he did. He wanted more than anything to go back in there and knock some sense into Christian but the idea of his wife and newborn baby at home prevented him from doing so. If he lost his job then there would be no money coming in to support them and they were the most important people in his life.

Later on in the evening, Dave was attempting to get ready for him match against Edge. He was having a hard time focusing on the match, the image of Trish's face plaguing his every thought. She looked so pitiful out there. Why she was with Christian and Tomko he did not know. It was apparent to him that she wasn't happy at all. How anyone else didn't see it was beyond him.

Dave was broken out of his reverie by a knock at the door. He headed over to the door, opening it to reveal a broken down Trish Stratus. The sight of her made his heart break. Tears were running down her cheeks and she looked like she hadn't slept in weeks. Her face was drawn out and she was as white as a ghost.

"Oh my God Trish, are you alright?"

Trish didn't know what to do. She honestly didn't expect to see Dave. She had hoped that it was Ric Flair that answered the door. She was embarrassed beyond belief and had she not been so numb, she would have run for the hills.

"I am sorry Dave," she whispered, choking back a sob. "I thought that Ric would be here. Do you know where he is?"

"No sweetie, he left after his match earlier on. He needed to catch a plane."

Dave watched as her last bit of hope drained out of her body. She looked as if she was going to collapse right there. Dave grabbed hold of her and led her into the room, guiding her over to the leather sofa. He was as gentle as he could be with her, not wanting to scare her off. She obviously was very uncomfortable around him. He couldn't really blame her though. Her history with men wasn't something to write home about. He sat her down and then took the seat next to her, giving her his undivided attention.

"Trish, I know I am not Ric but I promise you that you can tell me what is bothering you. I won't tell a soul."

Trish shook her head and began to cry uncontrollably again. "No, No, No," was all that she could muster.

Dave did the only thing that he could think of and pulled her into his arms, holding on tightly as she sobbed. Her hot tears soaked his shirt as he gently massaged tiny circles on her back trying to sooth her. She cried for a good 10 minutes non-stop. He didn't speak a word to her the entire time. He simply let her cry, allowing her to let everything out. The last thing he wanted to do was push her. If she decided to tell him what was going on with her then he would listen wholeheartedly. His only concern right now was getting her to stop crying.

Slowly but surely her tears began to subside. She was beginning to become very aware of just how close they were to each other. His strong arms wrapped around her gave her a strange sense of security. It was like he was sheltering her from the world around her, protecting her from everything bad. He wasn't at all what she had thought. She knew he wasn't a man of very many words, a one man wrecking machine, the Enforcer of Evolution. Who knew that he had such a gentle sensitive side to him.

Trish pulled away from him, looking deeply into his sexy dark eyes. God she could get lost in them. His eyes were so full of kindness and understanding. She wondered why she never saw it before. She wiped a stray tear from her eye, giving him a weak smile. She was at a loss for words. She wanted to say so much to him, to tell him everything. After what he had just done for her she knew that she could trust him with all of her deep dark secrets. Yet at the same time, she knew that she could never do it. He would turn on her and end up hating her just like everyone else in her life. She couldn't risk it.

Dave watched her silently, wondering what was going through her mind. She hadn't run out of the room yet. That was a good sign. He was afraid to speak to her. He didn't want to ruin the moment that they were having. She looked as if she was going to say something to him but the words never came. Her silence was deafening. He wanted desperately to tell her that everything would be okay but he knew that he couldn't make that kind of promise. Especially when he didn't have a clue what was wrong with her. He did know by looking into her eyes though that her scars ran deep, deeper than anyone could ever imagine. It was much more than just Christian and Tomko that made her the way the she is.

Trish knew that she had to say something to the man. He did after all hold her in his arms unselfishly. He didn't ask for anything at all, he simply held her, comforted her, no man had ever done that for her without expecting something in return. Not even Chris Jericho.

"Dave, I, umm…"

"It's okay sweetie, you don't have to say anything. I am glad that I was here for you. I will always be here for you anytime you need me. No questions asked. I…"

Trish was blown away by his compassion for her. They were complete strangers and yet he was treating her as if he was her best friend. He didn't pass any judgments on her whatsoever. He was genuinely concerned for her welfare. She was in complete shock needless to say.

Trish raised her hand in the air to stop him from going any further. "Yes Dave, I do need to say this. Please let me say it before I lose my nerve."

Dave didn't say another word. He motioned for her to continue on.

"Dave, I really don't know how to thank you for what you did for me just now. I honestly didn't know where else to turn. I don't have many friends. Actually I don't have any friends at all. When Ric had come to me earlier on I was so reluctant to accept his help. Then something happened and I found myself in front of your door. I guess what I am trying to say in a round about way is, I am sorry."

Dave was taken aback by her apology. Sorry? What on Earth did she have to be sorry for?

"Trish honey, I don't understand. Why are you apologizing to me? You didn't do anything wrong sweetie."

Trish closed her eyes tight, sighing deeply.

"Dave, I am sorry because I misjudged you completely. You are nothing like I thought you were and I …I am just sorry."

Dave died a little then. For the sorrowful look that crossed her face tore at his heartstrings. He didn't know it yet but from this moment on, Trish Stratus would forever be in his heart as well as his life.